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BEDEALl about IT
St. Bede's Catholic Comprehensive School, Peterlee
Oh, What a night!
Autumn 2014
Kevin Ball the former Black Cats
player was on hand to present
awards to students who have
achieved their; academic, pastoral,
vocational and sporting goals.
Ex-Sunderland AFC player and the club’s
former caretaker manager, Kevin Ball
handed out the accolades at our annual
awards evening. More than 160 students
from the school were honoured with
awards, including Platinum Awards, Year
7 to 13 Awards, Tutor Awards, Subject
Awards, & Specialist Awards. The final
award was the Kevin Ball Award for
Sporting Excellence in the Community
which Kevin was delighted himself to
hand over.
hello mission
farewell mr mckenna
Once again, I’m delighted to
present you with a packed
edition of ‘Bede All About It’. I
am sure you will find something
of interest in it and be amazed
at the wealth of talent to be
found amongst our students.
Both the school and college were
delighted with our exam results this
summer, once again achieving the
best ever results after eight years
of continuous improvement. We
aim for the highest of standards
for every one of our students
and we are never disappointed.
Our success comes from the hard
A host of parents & carers filled the main
hall to witness an entertaining evening
of presentations, speeches & trophygiving. Mr McKenna said it was an
emotional night in which young people
were recognised for not only their hard
work but also for overcoming personal
difficulties. One of the best nights of the
year!
work of both students and staff
and of course, the ever present
support of all parents and carers.
As a Headteacher, it is a real joy to
see students enter the school in
Year 7 and then go on to the full
range of universities, including the
prestigious Russell Group, to study
courses including Medicine, Law,
Languages, History, Geography,
English, Economics, the Sciences,
Psychology, Sociology and many
more. Equally, we have been
very proud of the impressive
apprenticeships that students have
gained; I’m not sure Caterpillar
could survive
without our
continued supply
of Engineers and
we are extremely
thankful for all of
the support that
Caterpillar has given us over the
years.
A highlight for us this term is the
YMT Mission which takes place
in the school from Thursday 6th –
13th November. The theme of the
Mission is ‘Step up to life’ and of
particular note is the ‘family night’
continued on page 2
INSIDE: BYRON TASTER DAYS • NEW TEACHERS • SPORTS ACCOLADES • SUMMER SCHOOL
continued from front page
which takes place in the school
on Thursday 13th beginning at
7.00pm. All students and parents/
carers as well as parishioners and
friends are very welcome to attend
this event. Whilst on a religious
note, I should add that we are
delighted to welcome Fr Neylan
to the parish of Our Lady of the
Rosary in Peterlee; we wish him
well and look forward to working
with him.
Alas, it comes to us all and I am no
exception – the hair turns grey and
falls out, the wrinkles appear and
so my final task in this article is to
inform you that I will be retiring
as Headteacher of St Bede’s and
Byron College at Christmas. May
I take this opportunity to thank
you all, parents/carers, governors,
priests, the Diocese, our Feeder
Primaries, the LA, staff and
students for all of the support
you have given me and I am sure
that the school and college will
continue to go from strength to
strength in the future. I will always
remember the wonderful people I
have met and worked with, both
young and old, and will spend
many relaxing hours reminiscing
the fantastic times I have had as
a teacher and Headteacher. I will
very much miss the constant buzz
of young people; they are truly
amazing individuals and I feel
confident that our future is safe in
their hands!
With every best wish
Paul McKenna
Transition to Summer’s Here
Byron Taster and the Time is
Days
Right…
Once again, this summer saw a large number of Year
10 students from our surrounding schools and of
course our very own current Year 10 experience Byron
College and what it has to offer for their future.
Students were treated to a tour of the facilities, information
about college life & pathways, as well as mini-tutorials
from specialist staff in the subjects they may wish to study
in Post-16 education. Students also had the opportunity to
enjoy some of the recreational activities available on-site.
Any student or parent/carer wishing to find out more about
Byron College & Post-16 options can contact the Byron Staff
at any time on 0191 5876221.
Our Summer School is now into its
third year and the fortnight of learning
through activity just keeps getting
better.
One of this year’s highlights was the creation
of our 6ft tall mosaic image of St Bede,
which is to be given permanent residence in
the Heartspace. With the help of a specialist
artist, students and staff contributed to
the intricate placing of tiles to achieve the
overall effect; a very therapeutic task.
Over the two-week period, literacy,
numeracy and PE form the basis of the
timetable, supported by a wide range
e of
activities to enhancee social, moral,
spiritual
mo
ritua
itu
and cultural development.
evelopm
evelop nt.
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Students
en
commemorated the centenary
cen
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W
with readings from Wi
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llfred
fre
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ed Owen,
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whilstt
lighting candless in o
our chapel
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One of this year’s
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aught
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included:
er activities
activities
act
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i
ded: storys ory
telling and drama
ram
ma wit
with
h local
ocal author Adam
Bushnell, climbing
g wall,
w
laser-quest,
la er-quest,
q
T-shirt
making, circuss skills
cake
skillls and
a
ca
ake
ke decorating.
decor
corating.
The fortnight cconcluded
conclud
onclude
nc ud
ded
ed w
with
h a presentatio
presentation
presenta
by the students
their
ents
nt to the
irr pare
parents
par
pa
arents where they
they
demonstrated the skills
acquired
over
llss ac
uired
ired
irre
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err the
th
th
two weeks.
New Staff - who’s who
MICHELLE MOORE
admin assistant
KAYLEIGH TOBBELL
ENGLISH TEACHER
STACEY PARKIN
DATA/EXAMS OFFICER
Andrew Robinson
Head of Music
DAVID MCGUINNESS
Head of MATHS
REBECCA JUKES
ENGLISH TEACHER
KATHLEEN RICE
admin assistant
Since 1990, more than 100 million boys and girls
in over 130 countries have experienced God’s love
through the power of simple shoe box gifts from
Operation Christmas Child.
Shoeboxes are given to children based on need, regardless
of their background or religious beliefs. It’s an unconditional
gift of love. Last year we filled nearly 80 shoe boxes and this
year we are appealing for even more. The shoe boxes will be
collected between the end of September until the beginning
of November. Students
will be given a leaflet
explaining the appeal.
Let’s see if we can do even
better than last year!
For further information
please contact
Miss Allison.
RICHENDA BLAKELOCK
LEARNING ASSISTANT
Hall of Fame
Best Attendance for 2013-2014
7PDO = 96.8%
8JGH = 96.2%
9EAL = 96.8%
10LRI = 96.0%
Best Conduct Points for 2013-2014
7CCA
8TRO
9DSC
10CSI
ne!
Well Do
growing
confidence
Throughout the year, some
of our Y10 students have
been undertaking some new
and challenging tasks to
improve their personal and
social development. Firstly,
the group have tackled local
environmental issues including
regular litter picks around
the school grounds. To raise
awareness of this and other
local environmental problems,
one of the group bravely
presented the issue to Year 7
during morning assembly.
Furthermore, the group have
been exercising their green
fingers in a successful attempt
to grow a range of vegetables
and flowers in the raised
beds in the school grounds.
The once unused area is now
abundant with hues of green
and orange.
One of the highlights of the
ASDAN qualification was a
visit to the Durham Climbing
Centre, where the group
raised their confidence and
skills levels by tackling difficult
climbs with overhangs and
caves to negotiate!
Congratulations to Mr
Bradford and his students.
Maths Challenge
Students at St. Bede’s achieved 1 gold, 3 silver
and 4 bronze awards in this year’s UKMT (United
Kingdom Mathematics Trust) Junior Maths
Challenge. Over 240,000 pupils from across the
UK sat the Junior Maths Challenge with
roughly the top 6% receiving a
gold certificate, the next 13%
silver and the next 21% bronze.
Well
done
Calling all Parents/
Carers and Staff
Parents & Teachers Association (PTA)
Mr & Mrs Jenkin are busy resurrecting the PTA for the
school & college during this term. They are looking
for volunteers to assist with various projects (both
educational & social) to benefit our community both
inside and outside the school/college. If you are able to
offer any support in this venture, or just want to find out
more, don’t hesitate to contact either Mr or Mrs Jenkin
on the normal school numbers.
Two Year 7 and six Year 8
students achieved the awards,
to all the
with Owen Atkinson (Y7)
gaining a gold award and Best in
winners!
School certificate. Those attaining
a silver award are Vicky Johnson (Y8),
Matthew Robinson (Y8) and Ellie Stannard (Y8),
and the bronze award winners are Abbie Robinson
(Y7), Anna Nicholson (Y8), Ellis O’Donnell (Y8) and
Millie Batty (Y8).
School Organiser Mr Richardson said,
“The Junior Maths
Challenge is an excellent
way for the students to
extend their mathematics
ability and push themselves
to become better
mathematicians.”
Girls reach National
Finals of two
competitions
Read On
From September, our Year 7
students will be taking part
in ‘Accelerated Reader’. The programme encourages students to
read widely and regularly and also promotes reading for pleasure.
Every Year 7 class has one of their weekly English lessons allocated
to reading. After taking a reading test, students choose a book at
their level. When they have finished reading
it, they access an online quiz to see how well ‘I constantly tell
they have understood the book. All students
students that
scoring 100% on the book quizzes can enter
reading
is like
the monthly prize draw. The beauty of it,
said Jamie McCoy (Y8 pupil) “is that you
a work-out
get to read at your own level, without
struggling”. Logan O’Hara comments,
for your
“I think the prize draw is a wonderful
brain.”
idea.”
Parents and carers, you can support your
child’s reading by questioning them about the books they read and
encouraging him or her to read at home. “Improving reading raises
standards across all areas of the curriculum”, said Headteacher,
Mr McKenna. Mrs Tait, who organises Accelerated Reader, told us,
‘I constantly tell students that reading is like a work-out for your
brain. Last year’s Accelerated Reader was hugely successful. It was
fantastic to see young people choosing books they’re interested in
and reading at a level that’s right for them. The monthly prize draw
creates a bit of friendly competition amongst the students. I’m
looking forward to working with our new Y7 and introducing more
ways to encourage and nurture enthusiasm for reading’.
Saintly Stories
Just before the end of the summer term we hosted a visit
from local children’s author and storyteller, Adam Bushnell.
Along with representatives from Durham University, Adam
spent the day inspiring and encouraging our Y7 students
to write creatively. While Adam wowed the audience with
his stories, Viking costumes and weapons, the university
students showed copies of the Lindisfarne Gospels to our
young people and asked them to re-enact (using props)
images of the Northern Saints. The Catholic Partnership
event concluded with a creative writing competition,
inspired by the day’s activities. Winners are to be
announced later.
A group of Year 9 girls proved they had what
it takes to reach the national finals of two
competitions held in Birmingham at the NEC
back in March. They had competed in several
regional finals for STEM based competitions and
won through in both the National Science and
Engineering competition and the International
Formula 1 in Schools challenge.
Their NSEC place was based on protecting
the environment by designing and making a
solar-powered, automated vehicle that helped
reduce CO2 emissions.
The F1 in schools is a worldwide competition
sponsored by Formula 1 management. The
team had to design, manufacture and race
miniature F1 cars. They won their place at the
regional final held in Newcastle back in January,
impressing the judges and being interviewed
by both ITV and BBC news channels.
The national finals are extremely competitive
with schools from all over the UK and Ireland
attending. The girls did fantastically well with
several top judges coming to let the school
know how well they had done. Against fierce
competition, they achieved 6th place in the UK
in their age category.
Francesa Hall Y11 (left) & Jessica Huntingdon Y11 (right)
Students go the
extra mile for their community
Francesca has achieved over 200 voluntary
hours in Y10 coaching in St Bede’s P.E.
department, her local dance and drama
club and with the Brownies.
Jessica achieved 160 voluntary hours
in Y10 also coaching in St Bede’s PE.
department and her local dance school.
Both girls devoted their time to
choreograph dances to be performed at
the Catholic Partnership Dance Festival held
at the Gala Theatre. They are amazing role
models and are very dedicated to their roles
as sports leaders.
GOODBYE AND THANK YOU!
This summer the school bade a sad farewell to Mr Joe Raine, our
Chair of Governors. After 18 years of voluntary service to St Bede’s
Catholic Comprehensive School and Byron Sixth Form College, he
felt that the time had come to retire and spend more time with his
wife, Pat.
Joe first became a Governor in 1996
and, four years later was elected Chair
of Governors. During his time at the
school, he has played a key role in the
appointment of our current Headteacher,
Paul McKenna, and in the construction
of our new school as part of the Building
Schools for the Future programme. Even
as he approaches his 80th birthday, his
enthusiasm and support for the broad
education of all pupils within the Catholic ethos of the
school has never diminished. His expertise and sound advice will be
sorely missed by the Governing Body.
Everyone – fellow governors, staff and pupils – all wish him
well and hope that he enjoys a long, happy and thoroughly
well-deserved retirement.
Vacancy for a Parent Governor
WE NEED YOU!
There is currently one vacancy on our Governing Body for a Parent
Governor. If you have a child, who is currently a pupil at the
school or college, you are eligible to put your name forward for the
position.
Three new Governors
have recently been
appointed to the school’s
Governing Body:
Mr Scott Pearson, our Head of Art
and Design, has been elected to
serve as a Staff Governor.
He has been appointed following the
retirement of Mr Dennis Noble from
his post as a teacher of Health and
Social Care at the school. St Bede’s
would like to thank Mr Noble for his
commitment and contribution to the
work of the Governing Body and wish
him a long and happy retirement.
Mr Michael Carling, a former pupil,
who currently teaches in a Catholic
Academy in the Diocese, has been
appointed as a Foundation Governor.
If you would like to serve as a Governor or would like
more information about what is involved, please contact
Mrs Sharman, Headteacher’s PA, on 0191 587 6220.
The closing date for nominations is Thursday 23rd October 2014.
Should more than one parent apply for the position, an election
will be held.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
St Bede’s would like to also thank Mr Paul Irwin for his service
to the school and his contribution to its governance. St Bede’s
welcomes all of the new Governors to the Governing Body and looks
forward to a long and beneficial association.
Mrs Lynn Carter, who retired this
summer from her position as
Assistant Headteacher at St Bede’s,
is maintaining her links with the
school and will serve as a Foundation
Governor. She steps in to replace Mr
Paul Irwin, who recently resigned
from the Governing Body.
BEDE sport
Jonah and
the Wolf
Perhaps you are a fan of the
CBBC show Wolf Blood. Well, the
third series features one of our
students Jonah Rice who plays a
relative of the main character. The
show follows Maddy and Rydian,
two teenagers belonging to the
Wolf Blood race. Superhuman
strength, speed and agility are
amongst their special powers
that must be kept secret in order
to protect their race.
Jonah developed his love of
drama at a local Theatre School.
He also belongs to the Peanuts
agency. The fourteen year old,
who has also played Dodger
in Oliver, was encouraged to
act by his mum. He says “It’s
great because you get to
interpret a character the
best way you see fit”.
We wish Jonah good luck in his
acting career and look forward to
seeing him on TV in the Autumn.
England triumph for former
St. Bede’s student
Former Year 11 student Callum Cooke is seen here with his proud father
in Malta Airport returning with the European Under17 Championship Cup
won by England recently. Callum scored one of the winning penalties to
lift the trophy and has represented his country all season. He also plays for
Middlesbrough F.C. as a free scoring midfield player. His brother, Liam, in Year
10, is also following in his footsteps at Middlesbrough’s football academy.
Callum donated one of his England International shirts to the school. It
is framed and hanging in the school’s Heartspace. Congratulations to
Callum. We eagerly await his debut in the Middlesbrough first team!
Golf Champions Jamie
Threlkeld (Y9) Callum
Bowman & Rhys
Smith (Both Y11)
represented the
school in the District
of Easington Schools
Golf Championship
recently at Seaham Golf Club.
Following an excellent effort from
the team St Bede’s won the school
team event (first time since 2008)
and Jamie also won the individual
competition. The photograph shows
the magnificent Golf trophy that is
currently on display in our school
trophy cabinet. A great effort!
Green
with
Envy!
BEDE sport
Outstanding
Durham County
Success in Mountain
Biking
40 year old athletics
records shattered at St Bede’s
P.E. staff were amazed this summer as the school athletics records
were broken time and again in four different disciplines. To mark
this tremendous achievement the students were awarded special
commemorative medals during assembly by Mr J Graham on behalf of
the school. Well done to all!
Record Breakers
Yr 7 (current Yr8)
Jonathan Keenan
200m
28.2s
Yr 8 (current Yr9)
Joe Purvis
100m
11.4s
Joe Jackson (Yr8 current Yr9)
Shot Put
11.89m
Jack Howe (Yr8 current Yr9)
Joe Purvis (Yr8 current Yr9)
Joe Jackson (Yr8 current Yr9)
Jay Moorhead (Yr8 current Yr9)
4x100m Relay
52.4s
After both the girls and boys
teams won the East Durham Area
Mountain Biking Competitions
securing them a place in the
County Durham Sainsbury School
Games in July at Maiden Castle,
even more success followed. The
boys, due to an outstanding ride
by all the team, were crowned
Durham County Champions whilst
an impressive ride by the girls
landed them the runners-up title.
A brilliant effort from all concerned
and thanks to Miss Brown as team
coach.
Elle McCoy
Molly Orchard
Bailey Wanless
Anna Nicholson
Joe Purvis
Joe Jackson
Jack Howe
Alex Langley
Westway, Peterlee, Co. Durham SR8 1DE T: 0191 587 6220 F: 0191 518 0597
E: enquiries@st-bedes.durham.sch.uk W: www.st-bedes.durham.sch.uk