Coloma News

Christmas is a time of ‘good news’ and this term there has

been a great deal of very good news at Coloma.

We have thoroughly enjoyed the great overall success of

our girls in Coloma’s 2014 examination results. The girls

did so well and really made us proud. The recent League

Table in the Sunday Times of 23/11/14, placed Coloma as

the 6th top comprehensive school out of 3,329 as well as

the top girls’ Catholic Comprehensive, and the 102nd top

school in the country, ahead of a very large number of

fully selective, and partially selective grammar schools!

This was a truly magnificent achievement! Well done

again to 2014 GCSE and A2 candidates.

The other piece of really good news was this term’s

Diocesan inspection of the religious life of the school. This

reported Coloma as “outstanding” in all categories; a

really pleasing result, reflecting the emphasis and

importance we attach to the Catholic ethos and life of the

school as well as the teaching of RE across the school.

The Inspectors’ summary in their report praised every

aspect of school life and stated that we fully deserved our

national reputation as a centre of educational excellence.

We have also been celebrating the success of The Quest

Academy – Coloma Trust and the spectacular new

building in Selsdon which was opened in September. Now

we are starting to work on a new state of the art building

for The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy, which we have

sponsored from this September following a request from

the Department for Education. We want to share the

values of Coloma to enable boys and girls elsewhere to

have a good educational experience in the years ahead.

Christmas is a time of thanksgiving and I would like to

record my sincere thanks to our staff. trustees and

governors who work tirelessly so these, and many other

achievements, some of which you will read about in the

rest of this newsletter, can be realised, and to our

students who, through fundraising and generosity of time

as well as money, have helped to make Coloma and the

world a better place.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and will look

forward, as I do, to what I am sure will be a busy 2015.

With love in Christ,

Mrs. Maureen Martin - Headteacher

Volume 8, Issue 1 December 2014

Coloma Convent Girls' School, Upper Shirley Road, Croydon, CR9 5AS

Tel: 020 8654 6228

Web: www.coloma.croydon.sch.uk

This year’s Christmas Concert yet

again provided a memorable and

outstanding contribution to the

Christmas season. From the dramatic

entrance of the massed choirs who

powerfully performed “Zadok the

Priest” to the snowball finale of Abba

meets “A Christmas Carol”!

There were, however, many

traditional Advent and Christmas

items from the choral and orchestral

groups, ensembles and soloists that

beautifully told of the Christmas story

and of its significance to us all. With

one of the highest involvement of

girls, the Fairfield Halls were packed

to capacity and the audience listened

attentively to all the choirs’ carols.

This year also saw some new groups

singing, including the Year 7 Junior

Chamber Choir, the Year 8 Special

Choir and a fresh new Gospel Choir

who got the audience joining in on

their rendition of “O Happy Day”.

There were plenty of rousing

instrumental performances from the

Jazz Group , Guitar Ensemble, String

and Wind groups and an excellent

performance from the newly formed

Brass Band. The evening was

rounded off by the Choirs and

Christmas Concert

Letter from the Head

A-level biologists completed ecological investigations in a range of habitats such as chalk grassland and freshwater during

their successful residential field trip to Box Hill. It was a highly enjoyable, memorable and informative experience for fifty-four

hard working students.

A-Level Biology Field Trip

On Monday 10th November, the Year 13 Politics students

attended a conference at the British Library, where several

distinguished academics gave lectures about American

politics.

Former members of Congress, Mary Bono from the

Republican Party, and Brain Baird from the Democrat Party

answered their questions about the political issues in the

USA today.

The students were impressed by their passionate defence of

the American constitution, and their admiration for our

Magna Carta, a copy of which is kept at the British Library.

Politics Conference at the Eccles Centre for American Studies

On November 10th 21 Year 12 Geography A level

students departed for the Isle of Wight accompanied

by 2 members of staff. We stayed in the Medina

Valley Centre, a fieldwork centre on the outskirts of

Newport. Even though the weather was wet and

sometimes windy, it did not stop the enthusiasm of the

students, as they knew it would benefit them for the

examinations next summer. Getting wet and muddy

was all part of the educational experience! We

learned a lot during our week away, not just about

Geography fieldtrip to the Isle of Wight

Year 8 students had a special treat this year when they went

on the annual trip to Hampton Court in October! They watched

David Starkey filming for a new series to celebrate 500 years

since the palace was built in 1515. This series on the Tudors

and Hampton Court will be televised next year.

The eminent historian and celebrity was more than happy to

chat and have photos taken with some of our Coloma girls

in-between filming.

The maze was not the highlight of the day this year!

Hampton Court Presents Unusual Historical Surprise!

Pictured left is a selection of students who received Jack Petchey

Awards during the last academic year, attending the presentation

ceremony at Fairfields Hall.

We would particularly like to mention Mrs Gabriella Curtis who

received the Leaders Award for her dedication and commitment

to Coloma over the last 15 years. Congratulations to Emily

Findlay, Year 13 (CCF), Esther Ivens, Year 13 (History) and Alice

Stubbings, Year 10 (Mathematics) who have all received Jack

Petchey Awards this term for their hard work and commitment to

their subjects.

Jack Petchey Awards

On Tuesday 25th November four

mathematicians from years 11, 12

and 13 travelled to Kings College

London Mathematics School. Their

participation in the regional final of

the UKMT Senior team challenge

followed rigorous training after

school with other hopeful

challengers. Coloma was only

allocated space for one team with

only four students per team but

there will be opportunities for others

in future events.

Three types of challenge were

presented. The first required the full

team to work together to solve

problems; the Coloma team found

the mathematics in this challenge

most exacting. However the second

challenge, completing a cross

number working as two pairs, was

apparently the most enjoyable task.

The final challenge (see the

example) proved both interesting

and achievable.

Congratulations to those chosen to

take part and for working so hard.

UKMT Team Challenge

The Physics department has just

taken delivery of a telescope which

had been given to us by The

Croydon Astronomical Society.

Looking to the Stars!

Coloma sports teams have been

competing in Borough, County and

National competitions across a

number of sports including; Netball,

Lacrosse, Football, Dance, Table

Tennis, Rugby, Swimming, Cross

Country and Diving.

The Coloma Football teams are all

undefeated so far in the Croydon

league. Our U12 5 a side team has

been chosen to represent Croydon at

the London 5 a side football

competition.

The Netball teams are proving to be

a force to be reckoned with in the

Croydon leagues with all A teams

currently undefeated in the league.

The Year 9, 10 and 11 teams have

qualified for the Surrey Netball finals

in March with our Year 7 and 8 teams

still to have their qualifying round.

This confirms Coloma’s position as

one of the strongest netball schools in

the county.

The Lacrosse teams have an exciting

season ahead. Miss Walters has

been working hard with the teams and

as a result both the Seniors and U15s

reached the Semi-Finals of their

respective County Tournaments. All

teams are training with grit and

determination for the National

Lacrosse Finals in March.

Coloma entered a Rugby team into a

girls festival back in November which

aimed to increase participation and

increase exposure to the sport. A

mixed Year 9 and 10 team had great

fun at the tournament and as a result

impressed a number of talent scouts

and current players.

Coloma have also

been crowned Croydon

Table Tennis

Champions and move

forward to represent

Croydon at the London

Regional

Championships at both

Sporting News and Achievements

50 girls from Years 7-11 represented Coloma at the Croydon

Schools Cross Country Championships.

Coloma were crowned Croydon champions in all age group

categories and had 6 individual podium finishes.

As a result 20 girls from year 7-11 have been selected to

represent Croydon at the Surrey Schools Cross Country

Croydon Schools Cross Country Champions!

Croydon Table Tennis Champions!

The senior Swimming team were narrowly beaten into second

place at the Croydon senior swimming gala.

Sophea Joyce and Ellie Danielson (both year 12) and Niamh

Singleton (year 9) both enjoyed individual gold medals.

Croydon Senior Swimming Gala

Sophie Roots took part in the U17 British Judo Championship. After

storming through the first three rounds to the semi final, Sophie met and

opponent who she had not beaten for over a year.

After nearly 5 minutes of a close contest (4 minutes normal time and a

minute golden score) , Sophie pulled an ippon out of the bag, giving her

Sophie Roots: 3rd in the U17 British Judo

Sophie (pictured second from right)

Marcia Numbreh-Sey (Year 8) is

the fastest U13 girl in the UK over

200m and 70m Hurdles and was

recently presented the “U18 best

performance” cup by Croydon

Harriers at their presentation

evening. Previous winners of this

prestigious award include

Olympians Donna Fraser and

Natasha Danvers.

Nicole Vieira (Year 7) recently finished

3rd on the beam at the National

Gymnastics Championships. This was

the first time Nicole had been to this level

of competition.

Ciara McGing (Year 9)

recently won two bronze

medals at an International

Diving competition in Sweden.

Ciara has also been crowned

the Surrey Diving Champion

It is always difficult to name

individuals as there as so many

excellent sportswomen excelling in

their various fields. However a few

recent successes include;

Orla Ingram (Year 11) has been

selected onto the U18 South East of

England Lacrosse team at her first

attempt at trialing for the squad at

only age 15. She has represented

her county Kent for the previous 4

seasons and now moves a step

closer to her dream of playing for

England.

Grace Scopes (Year 9) finished in

19th place 2 weeks ago in the

National Cross Country Relays in

Mansfield in the under 15 age

group. Grace has also been

selected to run for Bromley in the

Cross Country Event at the London

Youth Games for the second year

running and was part of the winning

4 x 300m relay squad at the

National Clubs Relay

Fastest U13 Girl in the UK!

International Diving

National Gymnastics

Championships

Sporting Stars!

Ten Year 11 students from Coloma

startes trading in November after

they were awarded funding by Peter

Jones CBE, entrepreneur and

Dragons’ Den star, to compete in a

bid to be crowned winners of

Tycoon in Schools 2014.

The race is on for the budding

young business stars from Coloma

Convent Girls’ School.

Budding entrepreneurs from Coloma

Convent Girls’ School are among

the thousand-or-so high-calibre

students who have been selected

this year by Peter Jones CBE, to

receive funding and kick-start their

business ideas.

Team ‘Fusion’ is selling a selection

of handmade original jewellery.

They are buying basic stock from

wholesalers and then adding value

to it using its unique creative skills

before selling it to its target market.

CEO, Mel Anyamene said “Our

mission is to inspire young people to

express their individuality through

their accessories”. The website is

www.fusionjewels.co.uk

Teacher Celia Huggett said; ‘This

has been a fantastic opportunity for

Coloma pupils. Team Fusion has

identified a gap in the market and is

dedicated to make its business

profitable, sustainable but most

Left to Right: Ester Turri, Sara Dybrowska, Gabriela Gosnell, Laura Coakley, Ciata De Souza,

Jonelle Awomoyi, Mel Anyamene, Vyella Rodriguez, Millie Wood,

Peter Jones, CBE Looks to Coloma for Britain’s Next Generation of

Young Entrepreneurs

There was great excitement at the end of November when

Coloma heard that the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Coloma’s

nominated charity for 2013/14, was going to make an attempt

at the biggest cake sculpture. They did break the record and

as a thank you we received over 1000 pieces of cake – one

for every girl in the school.

A wonderful “thank you” from such a worthy cause where

often terminally ill children have their wishes granted.

Make a Wish!

Team Chess Challenge

Coloma Chess teams were back in action this term, taking part in the National

School team championships.

The South London round was held at Wilson’s School and the teams battled

hard against very experienced, often all 6th form teams. At the end of the

rounds both senior and junior teams gained two draws and suffered two

defeats.

Congratulations go to senior captain Rachel Gibbons (Year 13) who won two

of her four matches. Well done also to the reserves who joined up with a girl

from another school to make up an additional team to take part!

The St. Cecilia Singers and the Coloma Junior Chamber Choir made up

of 60 pupils in Year 8 & 9 sang at The Albert Hall in the Music for Youth

Schools Prom on 10th November.

Both choirs gave mesmerizing performances with the juniors singing

“This is the Truth” by Vaughan Williams and the St. Cecilia Singers

performing the challenging “O Oriens” which involves the girls singing in

8 different parts. The choirs then combined for an uplifting performance

of “Good News” by Ken Burton.

It was an incredibly rewarding experience for all involved!

Coloma at the Albert Hall

Band on the Run has now been running at Coloma

for just over two years. This intensive tuition scheme

run by Bromley Music Services means the girls have

three lessons a week for five weeks and give

concerts to parents in week six.

This term’s group of Year 7s are seen performing in

their debut concert in the Performing Arts Centre.

They can now join the Brass Band which will then

have over 30 members.

Thank you to Miss Brock for her enthusiasm and

commitment in teaching the girls.

Year 7 Skip-athon!

Congratulations to all Year 7s who took part in the 'Jump

rope for heart' skip-athon.

Over 50 girls managed to work as a team to skip

continuously for an hour.

Despite damp conditions all girls skipped with great

enthusiasm and managed to raise over £500 for the British

Heart Foundation.

Well done to all!

Vigil Mass

In October the Plainsong Choir were thrilled to have

the opportunity to take part in Saturday evening Mass

at Westminster Cathedral.

84 girls supported by nearly 100 parents and staff

braved a cold autumn day to take part in a beautiful

sung liturgy. For many of the Year 7 girls this was

their first visit to the Cathedral and they had a

demanding programme of anthems hymns and a full

Latin Mass setting all of which they managed really

well.

Congratulations to all who represented the school to

Brass Band Concert

The Centennial Remembrance

week was launched on Friday 7th

November with two moving school

assemblies held in the hall for

years 7-11 and the Performing

Arts Centre for the sixth form.

These assemblies and the work

involved in this special week were

led by Esther Ivens and supported

by Julia Rooke, Niahm

Buckingham, Charlotte England,

Anna Gibbs and Hania

Wisskirchen (all Year 13). Esther

has since been rewarded with the

Jack Petchey prize for her

leadership in the World War I

Remembrance week

The whole school was decorated

in a reflective way to honour those

soldiers who had died in World

War I.

Poppies and profiles of soldiers

who had died were displayed on

classroom doors. A prayer board

was also set up in the dining room

for both staff and pupils to pin up

their prayers for the soldiers.

The school hall was decorated

with a mass of poppies and

provided an emotional back drop

for the special remembrance mass

that was held on Tuesday 11th

November.

Two veterans from World War II

were invited and they passed a

candle to the youngest girl in

Coloma to symbolise the passing

of the responsibility of

remembering World War I from the

older to the younger generation.

During the Centennial week,

soldiers from Britain, the

Commonwealth, France, Germany

and Russia were remembered

through poems, letters and other

factual information which were

read out over the tannoy and then

discussed in form time.

The poem ‘I do not know your

name’ by Kenny Martin set the

emotional tone for the week which

ended with a roll call of those

soldiers who had died in the last

year in Afghanistan.

A lunch time workshop on whether

World War I was a ‘just’ war was

hotly debated by both staff and

girls

A memorial tree will be planted in

the grounds of Coloma dedicated

to the soldiers of the Great War. A

They shall grow not old,

as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them,

nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun

and in the morning

We will remember them.

SPRING TERM 2015

Mon 5th Jan – Fri 27th Mar (Inclusive)

Half Term: Mon16th - Fri 20th Feb

(Inclusive)

SUMMER TERM 2015

Mon 13th Apr– Thu16th Jul (Inclusive)

MAY BANK HOLIDAY – 4th May -

School Closed

Half Term Mon 25th - Fri 29th May

Term Dates 2015

World War 1 Centennial Remembrance Week (10th—14th November, 2014)