Dear Parents, Guardians, & Friends, We were delighted with further affirmation from inspectors that All Saints’ is a good school, during our Section 48 inspection. To receive one judgement of outstanding highlights that we are on the right road to further improvement. The report highlighted the strong partnership that we share; “Support from parents is strong and one parent commented that she made a conscious decision to send her children to the school and had never regretted that decision”. Thank you to all the community from the clergy and parents, to the primary schools, for their unwavering support. I hope all our children can share in the joyous celebrations of this special season. Our Liturgies and Advent concert provide opportunities to prepare for the coming of the Lord. This continues in our parishes with the local Masses over Christmas. A reminder to our Year 11 parents who are contemplating where to send their sons and daughters next year. We are fortunate to be the only school in the district to be a feeder school to two nationally recognised Sixth Form Colleges, St Mary’s, Blackburn and Holy Cross College, Bury. I strongly recommend either of these two Colleges. We are saying farewell to some staff and wish them well in their future pursuits; Mrs Egan, Mr Hogg, Mr Symes, Mrs Stainton and Miss Edwards. However, in the new year we will welcome Mr Hamer, Mr Sikora, Mr Swallow and Mrs Ogilvie. Sadly, our community has had bereavements and sickness, and we pray for all who are facing difficult times that they may start to feel peace and comfort. Enjoy and celebrate Christmas. Yours faithfully, Mr McNally Headteacher

Our annual prizegiving ceremony took place on 17th November, in the presence of the School Governors and the parents and guardians of our pupils. The guest speaker was Canon Lupton, who informed the audience that it was the first time in his career he had been asked to give a speech and present certificates and awards to school leavers. This is incredible to

believe as his speech was not only inspiring and amusing but throughout its course, he had the audience in his hands. He congratulated pupils on their hard work hard and encouraged them to continue following the school motto, “Luceat Lux Vestra” in order to achieve their future goals. He went on to remind them that they were never alone and that God would be with them at all times to help them fulfil their worthy ambitions.

December 2016

Presentation Evening 2016

Visit our website: www.allsaintshigh.lancs.sch.uk

Certificates, subject awards and special awards were presented to a wide selection of pupils who supported each other wholeheartedly, just as they had done in their five years at All Saints’. The Catenian Association Award for Outstanding Public Examination Results was given to Ellie Nuttall.

Ms C Carsley, Assistant Headteacher

At the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, All Saints’ fell silent to remember the sacrifice of all those who have died in any conflict. The whole school attended a service of remembrance which was organised by our Pupil Chaplains and pupils who are members of the Air Cadets and Army Cadets. These pupils attended in their cadet uniforms for the first time and were led in this by a member of staff, Mr Taylor, who runs the Army Cadets. A very moving tribute was paid by our readers and the whole school community. Pupils placed poppies for remembrance in the school grounds after the service. Following the thought provoking service, the pupils who had prepared the service, attended the World War One exhibition at St James the Less Church. There they learned about the twenty-five young men of the parish who had died in that conflict. They were given an opportunity to look at war medals and letters that had been sent home during the war to parishioners in the valley and were able to gain knowledge of how the area had been devastatingly affected during the war. Parishioners of the church had many positive comments to make about the respectful

way in which the students conducted themselves. The research conducted for this project can be found at http://www.rememberhere.co.uk/ and makes a very interesting read.

Youth Sunday

On the Feast of Christ the King, 20th November 2016, fourteen students represented our school at the Youth Sunday Mass at St James- the- Less Church. Working in partnership with the parish primary school, with a celebration of all that is good about young people. Collectively they read, offered gifts, welcomed people to Mass, took the collection and as ever were a credit to their families and our school.

Mrs C Atherton, CL Religious Studies

Presentation Evening 2016 continued…

All Saints’ Remembers

Don’t forget Non Uniform Day on

Wednesday 21st December

School re-opens on Thursday 5th January

Blood Brothers On Thursday 17th November, twenty eight Year 10 and Year 11 pupils visited the Lowry to watch Blood Brothers. There were a number of school groups attending that evening and a couple who sat next to us commented on the wonderful behaviour exhibited by our pupils, saying they were a credit to the school - and we agree! It was a brilliant production which was enjoyed by all and it was wonderful to see our pupils make the most of the experience!

Woman in Black reminder The theatre trip to see Woman in Black is a sell out! Thanks to all who bought tickets! The final instalment of £6.50 is due by 31st January 2017. The English department is hoping to organise another theatre trip in 2017 - keep your eyes peeled! Miss A Schofield English, Year 10 Progress Leader

At the start of the new academic year, fourteen Year 7 pupils were selected to become “Change Champions” for their respective form groups. The Change Champion Scheme is a peer led career programme and each half term, the champions deliver a presentation during form time, on career related topics and pupils are invited to take part in a competition. So far this year the champions have been asking their form groups to consider the key skills required for future jobs. They have been looking specifically at resilience, what this is, and how you can develop this key skill. Pictured opposite are Deanna Boddy (7MT), Ruby Wilson (7MT), Christopher-Kelly Brown (winner of the first competition for 7MT) and Ruby Roberts (7MT). Miss L Grenaghan Careers Advisor

Theatre Trips

Change Champions

Visit our website: www.allsaintshigh.lancs.sch.uk

Netball The Year 7 netball team participated in the Rossendale Valley Netball Tournament on a very cold and breezy Thursday night. The competition was hosted by BRGS and the girls played some great netball throughout the evening but were unfortunate not to get further in the competition. The girls showed lots of potential and got a win against Fearns and a BRGS B team. They all put in performances to be proud of with excellent teamwork on display.

Cross-Country Pupils from Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 took park in the Rossendale Schools’ cross country competition. The girls all put in 100% effort and all managed to complete the muddy course. The Year 8 girls did fantastically well with Holly Pegg (8MT), Nell Edmondson (8MT) and Amelia Potts (8R) finishing in the top ten. Holly Pegg did particularly well finishing in first place! Well done Holly! Overall, All Saints’ came fourth in the competition. It was an enjoyable afternoon for everyone who took park and great support for each other was shown throughout each race.

Football The Year 7 and 8 Girls’ Football team travelled to hosts Blackburn Rovers for the annual Kinder Cup six-a-side competition this term. The girls were given the opportunity to play against schools from all over the Lancashire region and were a credit to the school as they came up against some very strong physical teams. The All Saints’ team were in great form and easily breezed through to the next round as league winners, beating all schools in the group including rivals Haslingden High. With a chance to represent Blackburn Rovers at the regional competiton, we again travelled over the Grane Road to Blackburn Rovers. The finals took place the following week and again the girls played some excellent football and won their first three games but were narrowly beaten in their final three games. The girls should be proud of their performance, as I certainly was, - onwards and upwards!

Badminton The KS3 girls took part in the Rossendale Schools’ Badminton Competition. Amelia Potts (8R), Saskia Starkie (8R), Olivia Blomley (8MT) and Ruby Cornwall (9MT) played a variety of singles and doubles games. They won games against BRGS and Alder Grange and unfortunately, just missed out on second place by two points, coming third overall.

Visit our website: www.allsaintshigh.lancs.sch.uk

News from the PE Department - Girls

Inclusion Athletics A group of Year 7 and 8 pupils took part in an Inclusion Athletics event last Thursday, hosted by Fearns High School. The competition was organised by the Rossendale Schools’ Sport SEN group and led by the young sports leaders from Fearns. The event was a great opportunity for the pupils to take part in differentiated activities and allowed them a chance to compete and represent All Saints’. The morning event was thoroughly enjoyed by all the pupils and All Saints’ finished in second place, just narrowly being beaten by Haslingden High School. Well done to everyone that took part and a special mention must go to Adam Robinson (8MT), who won two of the individual events.

Miss H Laverty CL Physical Education

All Saints’ pupils were invited to Salford Cathedral to celebrate mass for the closing ceremony of The Year of Mercy. All the schools in the Salford Diocese had previously been visited and, along with pupils and staff, given the opportunity to walk through the ‘Holy Door’ which symbolised receiving the ‘Jubilee Indulgence’. Pope Francis has said of the Holy Door “... the Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy, through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons and instils hope.” The celebratory Mass was a wonderful experience and a great opportunity for the pupils to worship together with other schools in the Diocese.

Well done to our school choir who performed at the Community Link Anchor event last month. Everyone who attended really enjoyed the performance. The event managed to raise £304.00 for the “Contact the Elderly” charity. Miss L Padwell, Music Department

MacMillan Cancer Research Cake Sale Mrs Parkes came into the KS4 assembly to collect the cheque for £349.73 that was raised at the MacMillan Cancer Research Cake Sale at the end of September. Once again, many thanks to all the bakers, buyers and helpers!

PE News continued…

Year of Mercy Closing Ceremony

All Saints’ Choir

News from the Mathematics Department

Burnley Football Club – Premiership Enterprise Burnley Football Club are continuing with their work with Year 9 again this year, coming into school every week, to work with Mr O’Sullivan’s class during their maths lesson. Pupils have spent a day at Turf Moor where they had a tour of the stadium and completed their work on how maths can be used in football. The pupils are eagerly awaiting a visit from one of the players in January to present them with their certificates. Many thanks to Emma for all her hard work.

Year 8 Maths Cookery Club This half term, Year 8 have been attending an after school maths cookery club, where they have been putting their maths skills to good use baking Eccles cakes, peanut butter cookies, jam tarts and Christmas shortbread.

Many thanks to Mrs Groom and Mrs Hargreaves for running the club.

New maths resource All pupils have access online to the new Collins maths resources at https://connect.collins.co.uk where they can access the textbooks that are used in class.

Mrs K Egan, CL Mathematics

Another busy half term in boys’ PE has seen the lads competing in football, badminton and basketball competitions, while developing their basketball and table tennis skills in PE lessons.

Year 7

The football team competed in the regional Lancashire Cup seven-a-side competition against other Rossendale schools in a tournament at Fearns. Unfortunately, the team didn't make it to the next round but Jack Thomson (7R) and Jake Hodgson (7R) were both solid in defence all night.

Christmas in our feeder parishes:

St. James the Less Christmas Eve 6.30pm – Vigil

12.00pm – Midnight Mass

Christmas Day 8.30am – Mass

10.30am – Mass

St. Veronica’s Christmas Eve 5.00pm – Mass Christmas Day

11.00am – Mass

The Immaculate Conception Christmas Eve

6pm Carols, 6.30pm – Mass Christmas Day 9.30am – Mass

Bacup St. Mary’s Christmas Eve 5.30pm - Vigil

St. Joseph’s & St. Peter’s Christmas Eve

6.30pm - Singing of Carols 7.00pm - First Mass

Christmas Day 9.30am – Mass

Boxing Day 10.00am

Our Lady & St. Anselms Christmas Eve

(5.30pm - St. Mary’s, Bacup) Christmas Day

10.30am - Mass

News from the Mathematics Department

News from the PE Department - Boys

Year 9

Congratulations to Jensen Smith (9R) and Forlan Jakovlevs (9T) who have both been selected to play for the Rossendale Schools' Town Team this season. Both pupils made their debuts in a narrow 4-3 defeat to Hyndburn and Ribble but the signs look promising for the remainder of the season.

Year 10 The football team performed heroically, in what is their best performance as an All Saints’ team, coming from 3-1 down score with a very strong team from Carnforth High School, to draw 3-3 after extra time in the English Schools’ Cup. The lads were heartbroken to eventually lose 3-1 on penalties but they should be proud of their performance.

Year 11

The football team were narrowly beaten 2-1 away at Ripley St. Thomas, in what is ultimately their final game in the Lancashire Cup at All Saints’. After a slow start, the lads rallied from 2-0 down, with skipper Casey McLellan (11R) pulling a goal back. After an unfortunate penalty miss the team surged forward in the second half but when Tom Chaloner's (11R) shot crashed off the bar in the last minute, it clearly wasn't to be their day. All football teams will look forward to the Rossendale Cup later in the year.

Badminton The Under 14s and 16s badminton teams competed in the Rossendale competition which is held annually at All Saints’. Lads compete in singles and doubles matches and the competition was played in an excellent spirit. In the Under 14 team was Jensen Smith (9R), Forlan Jakovlevs (9T), Jack Greenwood (9MT) and Owen Wilson (9R). In the Under 16 team was Sam Robinson (11R), Ben Devlin (10R), Josh Grime (10A) and McKenzie Roberts (10A).

Basketball The under 14 and 16 basketball teams have also been in action, competing in numerous Lancashire Cup games, which have kindly been organised and refereed by Mr. Stainton. So far the U16 have lost 47-38 to BRGS before beating Haslingden 41-22, thanks to a whopping 25 points from Jon Fry (11T). For some of the team this has been their first experience of competitive basketball and their development has been refreshing to see. A special mention goes to Antonia Fry (11A) who plays for the team and somehow manages to put up with all the lads! The U14 team lost 22-13 to BRGS 'A' in a low scoring affair, before beating BRGS 'B' 50-22 thanks to some excellent shooting from Jacob Fletcher (9MT) and Jack Greenwood (9MT). The team then lost 23-22 to Alder Grange in a real nail-biter which swung one way, then the other. Congratulations to Jenson Jakovlevs (8T) for the ‘basket of the night’.

Farewell A special thanks from Boys' PE to Mr. Watts who has worked with us from September as part of his teacher training. He moves on to his next placement in January. He will be missed by staff and pupils and has been a vital member of our team!

PE News continued…

Attendance.....Who’s the best??? It’s 8 MT!!!

Congratulations to 8 MT who have the highest rate of attendance this year so far

with 97.9%. Well done! Mrs L Peters, Attendance Officer

The staff and pupils of All Saints’ Catholic High School wish you and your families a very

Merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Mr Hogg Many of you will be aware that Mr Hogg is leaving us at the end of term. He has been a man of many talents during his time at All Saints’, driving the minibus, Duke of Edinburgh trips, running the barbeque on Open Evening and even the washing up!! He has been at All Saints’ since September 2013 and is now moving on to Cardinal Langley School in Middleton.

We would like to thank him for his dedication to the Technology department and the school.

We wish him every success for the future. Mrs K Kight, CL Art & Technology

Mrs Egan

It is with a heavy heart that we bid a fond farewell to Mrs Egan after three years at All Saints’. She has made a valuable contribution to the department and the school.

Particular highlights have included arranging the Maths weekends at Whitehough and links with her beloved Clarets. Her dedication and hard work will be greatly missed by both staff and pupils. Although we are very sad to see her go, we wish her all the best for the future and know she will be just as successful at her new school as she has been at All Saints’. Good luck and “Luceat Lux Vestra”! Mr W Brenchley, Mathematics

Miss Edwards

Miss Edwards is leaving us this Christmas after two years at All Saints' and will be starting her career as an accountant in the New Year. During her time here, Miss Edwards has done brilliant work in the Science department, including organising several STEM days to encourage our pupils to both aim higher and consider jobs in industry. She has been a wonderful form tutor for 10 Romero who will miss her a lot but she's leaving on a high, with 10R's confectionery crib coming first in the Year 10 contest! No matter the event, Miss Edwards has always involved herself, from baking cakes for Macmillan to fitness classes with

pupils, to competing in every staff race at Sports' Day! She is popular with staff and pupils alike and will be hugely missed. All the very best of luck in your career, and don't be a stranger! Miss A Schofield, Year 10 Progress Leader

A Fond Farewell