Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy part of Saint Robert Lawrence Catholic Academy Trust

The Friday Letter Edition No 155

Friday 15 July 2016

[Follow us on www.st-johnhoughton.derbyshire.sch.uk and on Twitter@SJHCVA] Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes O ever immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, health of the sick, refuge of sinners, comfort of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; deign to cast upon me a look of mercy. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favours, and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence, to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests. I will endeavour to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory, and bless you in eternity. Amen.

Dates for your Diary

Academic Year 2015 - 2016

Tuesday 26 July Break up for Summer Holiday (Early finish at 12.30)

Academic Year 2016 - 2017

Monday 05 September Inset Day 1

Tuesday 06 September Inset Day 2

Wednesday 07 September Students Return (Term 1)

Saint John Houghton In Lourdes On Monday students from Saint John Houghton accompanied by Rachel Rose, Mrs Boddice and pilgrimage leader Mr P Long travelled to Lourdes to join the Diocesan Pilgrimage. They return today and a full report of their visit will be in next week’s letter.

Thank you Thank you for your understanding concerning the partial closure last Tuesday. Staff and students were grateful for the opportunity to pay tribute to Mick Hackett at his funeral. Mick’s service was one full of laughter, music and happiness which was befitting of his character. We have been inundated with messages and words of supports from past students and friends of Mick. It is hope that we will have our own service for Mick in the Autumn term. Goodbye to staff

On Monday 18 July at 7pm we will be holding a service to say farewell to Mr Wain, Mrs Bacall, Miss Powell, Miss Carter, Ms Letteman and Mrs Rollinson. All are welcome to attend this service and join us for refreshments afterwards.

Show My Homework From September 2016, all homework will be set online using Show My Homework. Parents and Students will have access to the online system by a PIN number which has been sent home with your son or daughter this week. Further information can be found on the school website under links - Show My Homework - Parent Pack.

Key Stage 3 Celebration of Achievement Celebration of Achievement Evening - Thursday 7 July 2016. Our annual Celebration of Achievement evening which recognises the achievements of our Year 7, 8 and 9 students was held last Thursday evening. It was ably led by our present Head girl, Anna Pancisi and our current Head boy Adam Kavanagh. The achievements of 126 students were recognised and it proved to be a wonderful evening. Our guest speaker was Madame Jinks, who was delighted to return to the Academy. Students who had made significant progress both academically and in terms of their attitude to learning were recognised across all curriculum areas. School colours were awarded to 28 year 9 students who have been outstanding in their contribution to the overall life of the school and have been exemplary in their conduct and attitude. The Terry Murphy Award, which is given to the student who has made the most progress across years

7, 8 and 9 was given to Grant Fenton and the Patrick Ward shield which is given to the person who has lived out the gospel values and given above and beyond, both in and outside of the classroom, was awarded to Thomas Wyatt. Congratulations to all.

All winners:

YEAR 7 YEAR 8 YEAR 8

Lucy Carter Neobe Buttigieg Binita Baby

Liam Evans Eoin Gilbert Amelia Dawes

Tom Hampson Millie Gregory Emily Gilhooly

Millie Jones Olivia Henry Orla Gorman

Ben Kells Holly Hinds Christopher Hodson

Libby McKentie Constance Keetley William Holmes

Lewi Richardson Mark Kells Angus James

Grace Thornhill Thomas Menghini Mia Williams- Greatorex

Katie Tolan Joss Murdock Thomas Wyatt

Wilbur Watts Sophie Smith Thomas Bowhay

Edward Attenborough Edwyn Spellman Ellie Chadburn-Tennyson

Luke Bagnall Oliver Wheeldon Neeve Dring

Errin Checkley Callum Butler Josh Forbes

Marie Estanda Olivia Cuomo Ben Marchewka

Isabella Fravolini Brodie Fearn Steven Mitchell

Millie Green Mert-Han Harry William Murphy

Imogen Leadbitter Jacob Holt Martyna Popek

Zuzanna Leliwa Shannon Lambert Summer Riseley

Niamh McElwee Maksymillian Liszka Joshua Dunbavand

Malgorzata Motyka Alfie Manders Anna Fletton

Oliwia Regula Ben Marshall Ben Langfield

Alfi Stringfellow Adam Morley Rebecca Laurenti

Clara Barlow Ellie Neads Carly Mee

Freya Barry Angelica Ngan Sophia Murphy

Alex Cullingworth Bluebell Richardson Erin Nelson

George Duckett Eleanor Richmond Elin Retallick

Emily Hall Loys Sharp Regan Till

Chipego Hamonga Olivia Shaw John Wildey

Nathan Hunt Leah Smedley Kia Winfield

James Kelly Jessica Doran Charlotte Ball

Sophie Newton Eireann Harnett Deborah Banks

Lucy Oliver Liam Hughes Nicole Chokar

Jince Saju Savannah Jackson Joseph Cox

Mackenzi Wood Alexander Keogh Annie Doherty

Charlie Brough Daisy Lee Tom Elliott

Rosie Buss Freya Lyons Grant Fenton

Daniel Collings Alex McGeough Lillia Grant

Finn Elliott-Hufton Emily Riley Finlay Hayes

Sienna Grant Lauren Robinson Molly Hinton

Mia Hudson Louisa Staley Eleanor Hopcroft

Matthew Mendonca Max Wildbore Taya Joslin

Shannon Parkins Eloise-Marie Bamford Constance Knighton

Molly Parr April Burke Cavan Lane

Harrison Powell Alfie Hadfield Zach Meadowcroft

Archie Richardson Bethia Hawley Catherine Oliver

Nora Rockett Oliver Jasper Georgia Severn

Rebecca Wroe Poppy Leask Cian Sheridan

Alex Leatherland Jessica Szeniawski

Eleanor Nicholson John Wroe

Adam Road

Phoebe Trim

Julia Wodnicka

Year 7 Other Voices Project Throughout the year pupils from Year 7 have been involved the ‘Other Voices project’ in partnership with Global Education Derby. The aim of the project is to improve speaking and listening skills. They have been doing this by learning about Britain and British Values and then delivering sessions to their tutor groups in Learning for Life. As a thank you to the pupils, a celebration day was organised at the Ipro Stadium (Derby County) on Monday 11 July. The celebration day was organised with the other school involved in the project, which included Derby Moor and Bennerley Fields. The day started off with our pupils delivering a session on British Values to the other schools within the project. The day also included our pupils being delivered workshops on other global themes and a tour of the stadium where they had the opportunity to visit the home and away changing rooms and visit the media room. The pupils involved in the project are: Oliver Brown, Finn Elliott - Hufton, Holly Carter, Rosie Buss, Mia Wiltshire, Katie Tolan, Samuel Fowodu, Eleanor Rose Higgins, George Duckett, Sophia Stayte, Iris Castro and Errin Checkley. Mr Ritchie would like to thank all the pupils involved for their commitment and dedication to the project.

ATL tables

Congratulations to all the students who have achieved great success in their Attitude to Learning this week.

English This term, we have been working on the students’ core knowledge of English. We have been revising grammar terms, literary devices and spotting techniques in texts. These terms and techniques are used all the time in English lessons and will be needed in Year 11. Therefore, it is important students retain as much knowledge as they can. We will continue to test core knowledge in this way three times a year. Please encourage students to revise the terms in their reading booklets on a regular basis. The following students scored the highest scores out of the whole year group. We have also included their ranked position in the year. Congratulations to all the students below! Score out 50 Rank Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Tolan Katie 46 1

Watts Wilbur 46 1

Green Millie 45 3

Saju Jince 45 3

Davies Harry 44 5

Newton Sophie 44 5

Regula Oliwia 44 5

Mendonca Matthew 43 8

Wroe Rebecca 43 8

Fowodu Samuel 43 8

Morley Adam 50 1

Sharp Loys 50 1

Ngan Angelica 49 3

Holt Jacob 48 4

Tobin Ciaron 47 5

Fearn Brodie 46 6

Hinds Holly 46 6

Doran Jessica 45 8

Richmond Eleanor 45 8

Hughes Liam 45 8

Chadburn-Tennyson Ellie 48 1

Arnold Lydia 47 2

Langfield Ben 47 2

Hudson Abby 47 2

Banks Deborah 46 5

Nelson Erin 46 5

Grant Lillia 45 7

Joslin Taya 45 7

Mee Carly 45 7

Wicks Hannah 45 7

Below is an extract from the test: Definitions Match up the correct definitions to the literary terms. Terms: Foreshadow, Pathetic Fallacy, Euphemism, Ambiguity, Rhyme, Personification, Assonance, 2nd person perspective, Juxtapose, Simile.

Correct Term Definition

1 When a moment in a story links or predicts something that will happen later in the story.

2 When the writer uses a polite or subtle way of saying something bad or inappropriate. Example: She is no longer with us (death).

3 When the writer is intentionally vague about something. It could mean more than one thing.

4 When the writer repeats the sound of words at the start or ends of lines.

5 When a writer presents an object as having human emotions or feelings. Example: The chair looked lonely.

6 When the writer repeats the same vowel sound in words close to each other. Example: Men sell the wedding bells.

7 When the writing is written from the reader’s perspective. It will have the words ‘you’, ‘our’ or ‘we’ in it.

8 When the writer places two things next to each other.

9 When a writer compares one thing to another using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’. Example: The sea was like a blanket of whiteness.

10 When the writer describes the weather as if it reflects the character’s thoughts or feelings. Example: It rains when the character is sad.

Star in an Unreasonably Priced Car Big congratulations to all the racers who took place, speeding around Donington Park. Final entry fees are being collected but the winners are in. A shock entry, Regan Till turned up and put in a single fast lap to end up 3rd, Charlie Brough and Eleanor Higgins battled for the top spot, 3 days to Charlie went .02 seconds faster to hold on the top but the penultimate day saw Eleanor smash both times by a massive 5 seconds and claim over 1st place as Charlie

could only improve by 3 seconds to finish 2nd. Congratulations to everyone who took place and those who helped. Eleanor Higgins is the Queen of Speed and will be the first candidate on the Wall of Champions coming soon to Room 6.

Mrs Bowley would like to congratulate the following students from 9 Set 3 who met their target grade in a recent tough assessment: Tamzin Evans, William Gallanagh, Constance Knighton, Rebecca Laurenti, Joseph Peabody, Louis Smith and Robert Smith. Well done to all.

Mrs Bowley would like to congratulate the following students who met or exceeded their Additional Chemistry target grade in a recent end of unit assessment: Elliott Barlow; Will Collings, Millie Dorman, Cameron Gill, Lucy Motley, Meghan Murphy, Harry Scarisbrick-Dixon, Will Tomkins and Kelsey Vernon, Alfie Arnold, Joshua Boott, Jade Charlton, Megan Derrick, Jake Gaskin, Molly Gregory, Joe Haley, Hayden Hefford, Adam and Thomas Kavanagh, Sean Keogh, Lucy Pavlou, George Sensecall and Lizzie Rimmer. Well done to all. Careers Day 20 July

Peer Mentoring Training at Saint Phillip Howard Academy. On Monday 11 July a group of Year 8 students spent the day at Saint Philip Howard Academy being trained as peer mentors. The students joined a group of Year 8 students from St Philip Howard and completed activities which made them think about how they could support and help students who were experiencing difficulties in school.

Our Year 8 students joined in team building exercises and completed role plays designed to help them develop skills which can help fellow students in becoming successful learners, confident individuals and responsible leaders. They were a credit to the school and I was very proud of them. Here are some comments made by the students at the end of the training: “I feel more confident about being a peer mentor and I’m very excited to start working with my mentee and supporting them in school.” “I feel happy and confident and ready to do my job. I feel that I will be able to make a difference.” “I have really enjoyed today. I have learnt about the peer mentoring programme and I feel a lot more confident about being involved now.” “I feel more confident in myself because I now know how to face situations and support my tutee and care for them.” “The training programme has increased my confidence.” We are looking forward to training the remaining Year 8 students who have put themselves forward as peer mentors in the coming few weeks. Silent Auction Many thanks for all of the bids received in our Silent Auction of items donated for our charity run event for The Make a Wish Foundation. The total of the winning bids is £453.50 and this amount will be added to the sponsor money which has been donated for the charity. The total amount raised by this event will be announced once all sponsor money has been received. Bless you all for supporting our first Community Fun Run event.

Inter Tutor Group Quiz All this term teams of students have been battling to become the quiz champions of their year group. Each tutor group played 3 matches in a league, then the best two contested the final in front of their whole year. There were questions on a variety of topics from nursery rhymes to chemistry; pop culture to geography. Quite a number of students didn’t seem to know how many weeks were in a year or who the dish ran away with in the children’s song. Still, perhaps it was nerves! However, all the teams showed themselves very knowledgeable in lots of areas and also showed a good sporting attitude. The winners were 7CP 8AR 9ST 10LRE The winning tutor group received a prize of sweets and also a certificate to put on their tutor group noticeboard. So students – make sure you watch University Challenge every week from now on to get in training for next year!

Boots Health and Skincare Afternoon A big thank you to all 49 students who bought tickets for our Health and Skincare event. We hope you enjoyed it. There was a great atmosphere, Abi's delicious cakes were enjoyed by all and students came away with ideas and a sample of correctly matched foundation. We raised £245. Thank you to everyone who took part, especially Maria and Amelia from Boots on The Wyvern, Abi Brear for helping to organise the event and Tia Young for her thank you speech on behalf of Saint John Houghton. The raffle was won by: Year 9 1st – Emily Sutton 2nd – Claire Bradley 3rd – Lydia Arnold 4th – Gracie Rex Year 10 1st – Elizabeth Ward 2nd – Charlotte Webster 3rd – Cerys Williams A big thank you to Boots for supplying all the raffle prizes. A message from Maria “What a lovely afternoon with a group of well-mannered girls hope it was ok”.

PTA

The next PTA meeting will be on Thursday 6 October 2016 at 6.30pm. Everyone welcome.

Saint John Houghton Lottery Launch – 1st draw 3rd sept We are setting a challenge to all tutor groups to see who can get the most people signed up. The tutor group that gets the most with win a prize. We are doing well and have sold 61 tickets so only 9 to the target of 70 which is the minimum number

we need to have signed up before the end of August. We have a PERSONAL target of

500 so we will be encouraging parents, staff, relatives, friends and supporters of the school and our

local community to take part. Don’t forget as an added incentive for this term only all new registrations will be entered into a draw to receive a FitBit Pulse – so join before 22 July for a chance of winning! ONLY A WEEK LEFT TO ENTER TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING. Your support is greatly appreciated and we wish you good luck!

Thank you for taking the time to read the letter this week. You will also have received a letter from me inviting you to attend a meeting in September. Please fill in the reply slip and return to school as soon as possible. Have a lovely week ahead. Best wishes

Joan McCarthy