Headteachers Blog

Well here we are – the end of a very busy year and my last Blog as Headteacher of St. Boniface’s College.

Could I take this opportunity to formally thank you as parents for all your support and encouragement over these past 18 months or so – there have been several highs and lows and the many kind words sent and said that have made a huge difference – thank you. Thanks of course also go to the fantastic student body we have here at the College – they may not all be angels but without a shadow of a doubt they are all special and there are many, many angels amongst them. Father John has been a rock and a constant presence over my brief watch and it has been lovely to see him mingling with staff and students. The staff have been very special under significant pressure and have risen to the challenge and I am confident will continue to do so. As with any organisation you are only as good as the people around you and along with the staff I would like to formally thank the Senior Leadership Team here at the College – we have laughed and cried together and had some very interesting debates about the best course forward for the College – I hope that you would agree that we are all in a better place as a College than when we started this journey 18 months ago.

 

Now enough of that and onto some news. We had a fantastic sports day with Bonnies gold, silver and bronze medals and some great performances. The whole school was involved in the day and we are trying to find a way for parents to be involved next year, at least as spectators but maybe the old egg and spoon dash!!! Thanks to the PE department especially Mr Greenway and Mr James for organising the event. Kiely House ran out as winners, no pun intended. Photos on the College Facebook site – a lovely feel and identity.

On Wednesday we had a BBQ for year 11 and their families, another great event – the staff allowing the year 11 lads to score the odd goal to ensure they enjoyed themselves only…I could hardly move the following day.

 The College will be closing in about an hour or so at12.30 and we re-open formally for years7, 10 and 12 at 8.50 on Friday September 5^th. The whole school returns on Monday September 8^th again at 8.50. Year 12 students are to come into College on Thursday September 4^th to register for their courses with Mr. Tew.

 We are saying goodbye to Miss Beales – Geography and Head of Year 7, Mr Taylor – Science, Miss Seward – Psychology and Miss Summers – a Learning Support Assistant. Some are seeking pastures new and some are travelling a bit further to America and New Zealand. We wish them all well and thank them for all their hard work. I am very pleased to be able to day that Miss Gosling from Art has been appointed as the new Head of Year 7 and that Miss Faragher is available to take over the Psychology.

A fond farewell as Headteacher from me, not leaving the family just back to being deputy!

Mr Davies

 

PTFA Summer Draw

Congratulations to;

 Phil Evans               Number 101

The Winner of our Summer Draw. for the Cornish Holiday, at Manor Cottage, Polperro, Cornwall

Many thanks to everyone that has bought tickets, and to all who have supported the PTFA and the

 Motiv-8 project.

 

Year 7

Miss Beales sends her fondest regards to all as she departs for the United States.

 

Year 8

Wow, the last blog of the year!

The first thing to say is to offer my congratulations to the Year group on a very successful year. For many it has been an excellent year with many successes. For a few, it has been a year where some challenges have had to be faced and overcome.

We now look forward to next year, the final year of Key Stage 3. It will involve many decisions on what route and what subjects your son takes forward into Year 10. It’s a really good idea to be considering what aims and ambitions your son has for the future. There will be a number of meetings to consider all these questions.

Many thanks to the team of tutors for their support this year. Without their invaluable help I would really struggle!

Boys, have a good break. Make sure that you clean your room and offer to help out around the house!

Mr Tucker

 

Year 9

Well what a great end to another school year, can you believe your sons are about to embark on their GCSE studies!!!!

This week started with Celebration Day, 12 members of staff, 134 students and 3 coaches taking the 4¹_/2  hour journey to Thorpe Park Theme Park,  In sweltering conditions they trekked around the park queuing in some cases for over an hour to experience the exhilarating thrills –or so they said- of the rides.  It was a great day with a great bunch of lads, all arrived home safely and surprisingly nobody was ill.

Tuesday was another great day, and again the weather was kind to us as we held our annual sports day, there was a lovely atmosphere about the place and it was great to see so many people competing and cheering each other on, not to mention the lovely spread put on by the canteen for lunch.

Wednesday, we said a final farewell to our year 11’s with a trip to Woodlands and a BBQ and games.

Thursday – all calm on the home front ready for the final leg and a 12-30 finish on Friday.

Thanks for another great year, despite all the traumas there has been so many positive things happening, but now let us all go and enjoy a fantastic summer and come back refreshed and ready to start on the next part our journey. Stay safe and I will see you in September.

Mrs Mcloughlin

 YEAR 10

I was very pleased to attend the Plymouth University presentation for the GCSE Computer Science students with Mrs McLoughlin last Friday. The Year 10 boys - Otis Carty, Jack
Tookey, Mateusz Kłoczko, Tyler Critchley and Brad Andrews - spent two days and
a night at PU where they engaged in activities related to robotics, app making
and coding.  The boys enjoyed the UniExperience a great deal and made some
new friends.

 Lots of positive feedback
from Celebration Day!  41 Year 10 students took part in the Thorpe Park
trip and had an amazing day!  The weather was perfect and the behaviour
exemplary from all 135 participants.  A big thank you to the staff who
helped on the day.

 

 

Well done to all the boys who participated in Sports Day this week - the Keily Kings were triumphant overall, but we’re very proud of the hard work of each and every competitor.

 

 

 

We say a heartfelt “Adiós” to Juan Guittierez - who leaves the year group this week to move back to Spain with his family. The past year has been transformational for Juan who and he has made some very good friends that will stay in touch with him online.
 llegar sano y salvo!

 Finally a big thank you from the Year 10 students and tutor team to Mr Davies for leading us through an incredibly difficult time in the College’s history.

 “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” — John Maxwell. Thank you Mr Davies for showing us the way!

 Have a great summer everyone!

Mr Scott​

O God of all beginnings and endings,
We praise and thank you for the gift of this school year.
It has been a time filled with grace and blessings,
With challenges and opportunities, joys and sorrows.

The days have passed quickly, O Lord.
The weeks, the months, the seasons, the holidays and holy days,
The exams, vacations, breaks, and assemblies,
All have come forth from your hand.

While we trust that your purposes have always been at work each day,
Sometimes it has seemed difficult to understand and appreciate
Just what you have been up to in our school.

Give us the rest and refreshment we need this summer.
Let our efforts of this past year bear fruit.
Bring all of our plans to a joyful conclusion,
And bless us, according to your will,

With the fulfillment of our summer hopes and dreams.
Watch over us in the weeks of rest ahead,
And guide each day as you have done this past year.
Help us return to school with a new spirit and a new energy.

May we continue to grow
In age, wisdom, knowledge and grace
All the days of our lives.

Amen.