SACRED HEART C A T H O L I C S C H O O L

Autumn Term—Issue 12 Friday 18th December 2015

A final round up of news for 2015…..

This week at school has had its usual elements of work, fun, and reflection as we finished off the term with various events.

It was an absolute delight on Wednesday to welcome back our past pupils from various Universities and companies, who offered their

services to talk to and mentor our current sixth formers. This is the second year of ‘meet the undergraduate’, and Ms Bonar deserves

great credit in getting significant numbers of our past pupils to attend.

We also celebrated The Festival of Carols which took place in Sacred Heart Church last night. Fr Victor, was challenged by Bishop Pat

Lynch to put on an event in which the Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in our borough came together. With eight school choirs

and staff filling the church, we had a wonderful display of the talent amongst our young people as each choir took their turn to sing

Christmas carols and songs. We were delighted that Bishop Pat, was able to join us, and of course, sincere thanks to Fr Victor for a

truly memorable evening.

Each day this week, small groups of pupils and form tutors have been heading off to deliver hampers to our local elderly population,

who are absolutely delighted with the sight of Sacred Heart children turning up to sing a carol, have a chat, and deliver a hamper for

Christmas. The children always comment on how much it means to them to be able to do this….they are often struck by the sheer joy

they bring to people through their simple acts. Thank you to everyone who has sent in food for our hamper campaign this year.

We have also received a sincere thanks from the Catholic Children’s Society for the presents that we bought as a school community for

children who may have a more difficult Christmas than most this year.

And with our school Christmas lunch, carols, exams, fun, and games behind us, we look forward to a break now, as we head off for our

Christmas holiday, with a reminder that school returns on Monday January 4th.

Our final liturgies this term have given us the time again to ‘draw our breath’ and to reflect on the great story of the Nativity, as we lis-

tened to readings, prayed together thanking God for this term, and considered how we can continue to prepare as we wait for the cele-

bration of the birth of Jesus.

It just remains to wish you all a very happy, holy, and peaceful Christmas.

Ms B Boyle

Deputy Headteacher

Christmas, by John Betjeman

The bells of waiting Advent ring, The Tortoise stove is lit again

And lamp-oil light across the night Has caught the streaks of winter rain In many a stained-glass window sheen

From Crimson Lake to Hookers Green. The holly in the windy hedge

And round the Manor House the yew Will soon be stripped to deck the ledge,

The altar, font and arch and pew, So that the villagers can say ‘The church looks nice’ on Christmas Day.

Provincial Public Houses blaze, Corporation tramcars clang,

On lighted tenements I gaze, Where paper decorations hang, And bunting in the red Town Hall

Says ‘Merry Christmas to you all’. And London shops on Christmas Eve

Are strung with silver bells and flowers As hurrying clerks the City leave To pigeon-haunted classic towers,

And marbled clouds go scudding by

And girls in slacks remember Dad,

And oafish louts remember Mum,

And sleepless children’s hearts are glad.

And Christmas-morning bells say ‘Come!’

Even to shining ones who dwell

Safe in the Dorchester Hotel.

And is it true,

This most tremendous tale of all,

Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue,

A Baby in an ox’s stall?

The Maker of the stars and sea

Become a Child on earth for me?

And is it true? For if it is,

No loving fingers tying strings

Around those tissued fripperies,

The sweet and silly Christmas things,

Bath salts and inexpensive scent

And hideous tie so kindly meant,

No love that in a family dwells,

No carolling in frosty air,

Nor all the steeple-shaking bells

Can with this single Truth compare –

That God was man in Palestine

And lives today in Bread and Wine.

KS3 Science News

Year 9 Scientist of the week

Congratulations to all of the students who were nomi-

nated as a Scientist of the week this term for exceptional

work or for making outstanding progress in Science.

This terms Scientists of the week

Bruno Ribero

Curtis Ewah

Sylvie Fernandes

Jeneba Jabbie

Brandon Binda

James Manley

Daniella Colarado

Iversenne Tutonda

A prize draw was carried out by Mr Cefai and James

Manley was awarded a £25 gift voucher.

MFL News

In the MFL department, we nominate some

students in KS3 and KS4 for their hard work each half term.

Madam Benet Ryan Vale Neves KS3

Ellie Panayiotou KS4

Mr Guittet Lucia Ruiz KS3

Stemina Baladas KS4

Madam O’Flynn Carlota Louriro KS3

Sharlene Asmah KS4

Madam Williams Ashley Ocampo KS3

Ben Bitck-Omach KS4

Mr Williams James Simoes KS4

The MFL department has been very impressed by their commitment to work, their participation in class and their enthusiasm.

Mr Guittet

Year 9 Sports Leadership

On Thursday @sacredheart_PE had a visit from some local primary schools. They were taking part in some multi skills tasks

that were led by 20 year 9 students.

The year 9’s showed excellent leadership running different games in pairs. The students they were leading were aged 5-7

years old and the year 9’s showed a lot of maturity taking on the task in a very professional manner.

The primary school staff were shocked to find that they were only year 9 and commented on their outstanding skill and

knowledge.

The Student leaders:

Hillary Ah-Hing 9M Eduardo Almeida 9P Anuoluwapo Bello 9M

Pedro Chagas 9P Harry Edgeler 9M Bailey Fairbrass 9P

Steven Kekurah 9P Diandra Millwood 9P Adekoya Odukoya 9P

Courtney Osei-Daapa 9M Joyce Pembele 9M Rachael Segbenu 9M

Ashley Ocampo 9P Emeke Udema 9P Junior Yassi Pepin 9P

Joshua Coleman 9P Bruno Ribero 9P Brandon Pinda 9P

Dylan Mensah Gyambibi 9T Patrick Ntiamoah 9T

Science Club

Science club has been well attended this term by a number of Year 7 students. They

have enjoyed carrying out a number of projects and experiments including a volcano

project, making lava lamps and slime. This week’s Science club had a festive theme

and students made crystal snowflakes and stars.

Meet the Undergrad/Intern December 16th

It was lovely to see so many of our former Sacred Heart students returning on Wednesday afternoon to talk

to the current Year 12 about their experiences at both University and work. The Year 12 students enjoyed

getting advice from former students who had been in their position only a few years ago. The range of sub-

jects, universities and Internships represented was impressive and testament to the hard work of our pupils. I

was very proud to see former students continuing to give back to Sacred Heart School. Many of those that

attended said how happy they had been at Sacred Heart and how much they missed it.

Madam Bonar

RAFFLE DRAW 2015

Huge thanks to all students who did a fantastic job in raising money for the

children's home in Thailand - massive congratulations to 9T who raised an

astonishing £182.00!

The total raised was £2903.99

A summary of the House competition so far…

Autumn Term

The year started with two new additions to the house team,

Mdm Cuddy (Becket) and Mr McEvoy (Bosco), who have

shown a competitive spirit to rival Mr Price (well, almost!).

The house competition now rewards houses that arrive as a

full team, wearing appropriate kit and reprimands those that

don’t. This has seen Magdalene achieve a flawless term, by

gaining an extra 40 points just for being a complete, well

dressed team! Cabrini, Becket and Bosco have all had 5

points taken off their score at some point- something to be

aware of house members!!

We started off the year with an event for year 8, which chal-

lenged their running prowess and their memory at the same

time. Unfortunately for all the other house leaders, Magda-

lene set out their stall for the year with their first victory.

Cabrini once again, chased Magdalene into second place,

while the new house leaders held their heads in their hands

and couldn’t believe that already, history was repeating it-

self.

Mdm Cuddy was delighted with Becket’s first win of the year

for the Year 7 Running Dictation event, and all the house

leaders were pleased to see Year 7 get involved in the house

completion so eagerly – well done year 7! It seemed that

Magdalene are the team to beat for the Running Dictation, as

they won in the year 9 competition too!

Bosco were over the moon to have a win with year 7 football,

Bosco walked away with 60 points on for this event due to

the extra 10 points given to the full team who were all in

their PE kits! So far, the only team not to win first place were

Cabrini. The house leaders were very impressed by the quali-

ty and effort of the year 7 & 8 girls with their infectious en-

thusiasm! The following week, year 8 boys also played

well and showed a great deal of sportsmanship, which

is something the house leaders love to see!

Cabrini eventually got their first win after the half term,

with Mdm Pemberton’s year 9 footballers providing an

excellent display of skill and dedication. This was how-

ever, not followed in the following

week’s Dream Team football as Magdalene once again

scored another victory.

To tie in with anti-bullying week, the house competition

asked a representative from years 7,8 and 9 to collaborative-

ly write a poem that showed raised the profile of the week.

The English department judges were impressed by the skills

and delivery that enabled Cabrini to once again, win the com-

petition.

Then it was Christmas, and the house leaders decided to

show the spirit of Christmas, carol singing at Victoria was

most importantly about raising money for Thailand, not

about winning points. We were all winners that day however,

as one of Victoria station staff commented that “Sacred

Heart is the best school we’ve had singing this year – it’s

clear they are really enjoying themselves!”

It has been a great term so far, let’s see what the competi-

tion holds in 2016!

Current standings:

1st: Magdalene (330)

2nd: Bosco (250)

3rd: Becket (240)

4th: Cabrini (225)

With twelve school weeks behind us and Christmas only days away, it has definitely been a busy term. I’m so proud

that so many of you have worked so hard to protect the R.E.P of our year group over these twelve weeks. This week

we have a Science themed round of nominations as it seems many of you have been working away to create projects,

complete tests and compete for scientist of the year! Well done to the following….

Respect: The nomination for Respect this week goes to Brandon 8T, Madam Pemberton tells me

that you are always so pleasant, polite and positive. Three of the best ‘P’s to be! Thank you for being

such a good influence on the rest of the class!

Effort: Well done to Dominic 8C who has been nominated by Madam Lundon for his consistently hard work and effort

over these past few weeks; well done! Another nomination for great effort goes to Princess 8T for doing so well in her

Maths topic test; Madam Akhter is very impressed, as am I! Samuel 8T you have also been nominated by both Mr Why-

brow and Madam Wentowska for for your consistently excellent work in Science; keep it up! We clearly have some bud-

ding scientists in the year group as Nathan 8T has also been nominated by Madam Beattie for his excellent work! Shana 8B

well done to you also for your fantastic effort and participation in Science, Madam Antoniou is extremely impressed with

your efforts this term; great work!! The following have been nominated by Madam Akinwale for impressive work in Sci-

ence; Adam 8M and Shanie 8M. Move over Einstein!! Continuing in the vein of scientific geniuses, well done to Manna 8

for your contagious enthusiasm in Maths, Madam Cawley tells me how much she enjoys teaching you; please keep up the

good work!

Pride: I’m really pleased to receive nominations for Amabel, Rebecca, Sara and Adrian for taking such pride in their form

(8M) and remaining reliable, polite and being a credit to 8M. Madam Beattie is very proud of your efforts and the example

you all are setting and so am I. Keep up the great work!

A special mention this week goes to Tyrell 8P who has been nominated by both Madam Akinwale and Madam Dixon

for his consistently hard work and participation. Tyrell I recall you being nominated quite recently and I’m so pleased

that you are keeping up such a positive attitude to school; well done!!

I wish you and your families a very merry Christmas. Please be safe and remember to take the time out to be thankful for all that you receive over this festive period. I look forward to seeing you all in the new year! Ms Quartey

PROTECT OUR R.E.P!!!

COUNTDOWN TO EXAM For the dates of all forthcoming exams, please go to the Sacred Heart website –

www.sacredheart.southwark.sch.uk. Click on ‘Parents’, then on ‘Forthcoming exams’. This page of the website is updated throughout the year as exam timetables and dates are finalised, so please check it on a regular basis.

How many school weeks away ?

Year-group Exams

0!

Year 9 Mid-year exams for Year 9 take place in the first week after Christmas, beginning on 04-01-16

3

Year 11 Parents’ Evening on 28-01-16, at which exam results/reports will be distributed, exam entries will be final-ised & public exam deposits (£50 per pupil) must be paid

4

Year 12 Mock ‘AS’ exams for Year 12 take place in the week beginning 01-02-16

5

Year 13 Mock ‘A2’ exams for Year 13 take place in the week beginning 08-02-16

6

Year 8 Mid-Year Exams for Year 8 take place straight after the Spring half-term holiday, beginning on 22-02-16

NOTICE TO YEAR 9

The Christmas holidays are the perfect time for ‘the three Rs’ –

RELAXATION, REJOICING AND REVISION !

Message to Year 9 parents

Please make sure that your son/daughter is properly equipped for the forthcoming exams.

As a minimum, they should have a large TRANSPARENT PENCIL-CASE in which they should have several black

pens, pencils, a rubber, ruler and pencil-sharpener, mathematical equipment (protractor, set-square, com-