St Bede’s College, Manchester BAEDAVolume 28, Issue 1, 2012 Contents... Words fRoM THe HEadmaster

Welcome to our new look Baeda; a celebration of an exciting and enjoyable year, where new initiatives such as Activities Week, the fruits of our vibrant and exciting Co-Curricular programme and the many and varied College trips take centre stage to reflect and capture the new direction and sense of purpose that has been at the heart of this academic year.

Every child matters and every child has talents, interests and hobbies. As teachers we have the great privilege to be involved in developing and forming pupils to become confident, talented and well-rounded individuals. I hope you enjoy this edition of Baeda and its celebration of the broad range of events and experiences that our pupils have undertaken throughout the year.

The College motto: Numquam otio torpebat, (Never idle) is certainly reflected in these pages of Baeda. We strive to keep our students busy and always inquisitive and receptive to new ideas and experiences. I am assured that we have done so this year and we will continue to do so for many years to come!

The House System September 2012 sees the introduction of a new CHEADLE DIDSBURY KNUTSFORD MACCLESFIELD pastoral system. Each student will become a member of a House, which will then be the chief focus of their activities outside the I’m Allowed classroom. A key advantage of this system is that pupils feel part of a wider to be creative college family and that they forge friendships with students from other years. Healthy competition in sport, drama and other areas will engender a spirit of co-operation and provide opportunities for pupils from all year groups to show both leadership and organisational ability. Older pupils can provide guidance and support to the younger ones, while siblings will be placed in the same Houses, thus creating a strong family link.

While many of our students already derive huge benefits from the co- curricular programme, it is hoped that this new system will encourage even greater participation. Sixth Form prefects will also work closely with the Houses, to provide advice and support at crucial stages on the academic journey. In this way new pupils to the Upper Third will have role models to follow from among the senior pupils and the barriers between year groups, where they exist, will be broken down.

Parents will be encouraged to attend House events and competitions from time-to-time, while the Head or Assistant Head of House will be the first point of contract, should they have any queries or concerns.

A highlight of the year will be the Mass and House Meal, which will occur for each House on their respective saint’s feast day.

Tutoring follows a vertical structure. In the Lower school, Form Groups AWARD-WINNING NURSERY, AFTER SCHOOL AND HOLIDAY CLUBS. are made up of pupils from the Upper Third and Lower Fourth. One advantage of such a system enables pupils to benefit from the knowledge of children in other year groups.

To find out more call 0870 750 1021 or visit www.kidsallowed.com

St_Bedes_College 270x190 07-2012.indd 1 26/07/2012 10:00 jubilee picnic & concert at buckingham palace - our very own representatives!

Madeleine Doherty, Receptionist, and Margaret Waghorn, Finance Officer, were thrilled when their application for tickets to the Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace on Monday 4th June was successful.

The tickets included an invitation to a picnic on the lawns of Buckingham Palace! Having already booked their trip to London, they just had to turn up at the Security gates and were taken across the Parade ground As Madeleine said, and into the Inner courtyard, where the lucky 5000 couples were given wicker hampers with a cool-bag lining with food prepared from recipes “To see the live concert and fireworks by Heston Blumenthal and approved by Her Majesty. The guests then was amazing! We also had the fun of went through the red-carpeted doors of the Palace and out onto the riding through the streets of London back lawn. The sun shone, the steel band and string quartet played and at 11pm on a Trike Taxi to get back to the lucky guests were invited to explore the beautiful gardens of the Palace after their glass of Champagne and meal. Prince Andrew and his our coach! We can’t believe how lucky daughters came out to mingle with the crowd until it was time to be we were to have been part of such a taken through the gates to the stands for the live concert. special occasion!”

Saint Catherine of Siena Saint Catherine of Siena was a tertiary of the Dominican Order, and a Scholastic philosopher Meet your house captain! and theologian. She worked to bring the papacy of Gregory XI back to Rome from Siena its displacement in France, and to establish House Captain - Deji Olayinka peace among the Italian city-states. She was House Captain - Alyshia Keogh proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1970. She Vice Captain - Tom Hamshire is one of the two patron saints of Italy, together with St. Francis of Assisi. Vice Captain - Tiye Bell Sports Captain - James Ward-Mallinson Saint Edmund Campion Sports Captain - Claudia Sivori Saint Edmund Campion, was an English Sports Vice Captain - Clodagh Whiteside

Roman Catholic martyr and Jesuit priest. While conducting an underground ministry in officially Protestant England, Campion was arrested by priest hunters. Convicted of high treason, he was Bosco hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn. Father House Captain - Joseph Stiles Campion was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 House Captain - Olivia Boylan and canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI as one of Vice Captain - Christian Harrison the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. His feast is celebrated on 1 December. Vice Captain - Laura Keaveney Sports Captain - Ciaran Baxendale St John Bosco Sports Captain - Katriona Harrison St John Bosco, known as the “Father and Teacher Sports Vice Captain - Joseph Orr of Youth”, put into practice the convictions of his Sports Vice Captain - Luisa Schumacher religion. He dedicated his life to the betterment and education of street children and other disadvantaged youth, and he employed teaching methods based on love rather than Campion punishment. He is the founder of the Salesian House Captain - Viv Nkundibiza Society. House Captain - Eve Mair Vice Captain - George Czornenkyj As part of the new vertical house system elections Vice Captain - Alice McGuinness took place in the summer term to appoint House Sports Captain - Billy Gallagher Prefects, House Captains, Sports Captains and Vice Sports Captain - Anya Neill Captains for our new houses. These are responsible Sports Vice Captain - Caleb Ogwuru positions as they form a direct link between the students in each house and the Head and Assistant Sports Vice Captain - Ella Dunn Head of House. House Prefects are drawn from the Sixth Form and all other posts from next year’s Upper Other posts will be added to each House Committee to cover Drama, Charitable Fundraising Fifth. The Elected Students were as follows: and a range of other activities.

1 Former St Bede’s Design Students Lunchtime scoop major Euros Degree Awards! Spain may have won Rebecca Hennigan and Kate Berry, Awards) for the standard of work produced who are two former Graphic Design by its students. A large number of our Euro 2012, but Italy were & Art students from St Bede’s College, former students have gone on to successful the victors in St Bede’s have just won major awards for their careers in Design. It was great to see College’s lunchtime football Textile, BA (Hons) degree work at these two students continue our award winning tradition at Degree level.” tournament. Manchester University. Rebecca was awarded the ‘Diane Harrison award for Both students studied Graphic Design and Nearly fifty Upper Third and Lower Fourth Textile Innovation’, whilst Kate won the Art at GCSE and A-level. Kate’s final degree boys took part in the Lunchtime Euros, inaugural ‘Karen Belcher Award’ for which ran during the summer term. project was on the theme of ‘City Life’, her New York collection. where she compared life in Paris, New York, London and Manchester. (She designed a The tournament shadowed the actual The students were presented with their Euro 2012 competition, with each player series of wallpaper designs and pieces of awards on the opening night of their final being picked for one of Italy, Germany, furniture which were upholstered with her year Textile Degree exhibition. The show was Spain, England and Ireland. Those sides fabrics, which was aimed at the interior staged in ‘Quay House’ in the ‘Spinningfields played in a group stage, with the top four design market.) Rebecca’s exhibition Business Quarter’ in Manchester City advancing to the semi-finals. was called ‘Beyond the Surface’ which centre. Head of Technology, Tony Hennigan, combines her love of textures along with Each team dropped points and as the who was invited to the event said:“I was her fascination for photography and the final round of games kicked off, any of delighted to see two former students use of light. She produced a collection of the teams could have been eliminated. presented with awards for their work. I had silk scarves aimed at the high end fashion True to their recent form, Ireland trailed the privilege of teaching both of them the rest of the nations and exited early. market. Her research and inspiration for the from first year to A-level and watching brief came from a visit to County Mayo them develop into two very talented and Both semi-finals were tight affairs and in Ireland where she studied shipwrecks creative designers. The department has had to be decided by penalties. Italy on Achill Island and salvage yards in won a number of awards (The AQA A-level overcame England and, living up to Manchester. their reputation, the Germans prevailed Award and Roland Digital Creative Design against Spain.

Despite looking evenly matched on paper, the impressive Italian side thrashed Germany 4-0 in a frenetic final. Rebecca was In truth, they had been the best side awarded throughout and, on balance, deserved the ‘Diane their victory. English teacher Tom Byrne, who helped to run the tournament, Harrison award said: “The Lunchtime Euros were a real for Textile success. The enthusiasm of the boys Innovation’, made it a very exciting tournament to run. The fact that nearly 50 players took whilst Kate part is testament to that. won the inaugural “They really bought in to the idea of representing a country and the standard ‘Karen Belcher of play was very high. “However, the best Award’ for thing to come out of the event was the her New York impressive mix of both Upper Thirds and Lower Fourth who took part.” collection.

City - Singapore Nine St Bede’s footballers mixed it with the world’s best while representing Manchester City at an international football tournament recently.

The Upper Fourth pupils and their City U15 teammates assists during a series of eye-catching performances. finished third in the Canon Lion City Cup, in Singapore, Manchester City’s head of academy Mark Allen was which also featured Ajax, Vasco Da Gama, Porto and impressed with the boys’ efforts. Singapore U15s and U16s. He said: “It was the first time we’ve travelled that far During an impressive campaign, City’s U15s defeated and I was very pleased with the third place finish and Singapore and Vasco Da Gama in the group stage, the players’ conduct. before losing 4-2 to the eventual winners, Ajax, at “On the field I think we did very well coping with those the semi-final stage. The youngsters signed off their conditions; there were 15-year-old players out there Singaporean adventure with a convincing 3-1 victory and some even younger - there were 13 or 14-year olds over Vasco Da Gama in the third place play off. too - and I’m very proud of how the boys acquitted Of the 18-strong squad, nine members are full-time themselves. pupils at the College; Upper Fourth students Marcus, “Of course, I believe we can always do things better and Aaron, Deri, Bradley, David, Charles, Joshua, Adam and I think we can learn a lot in terms of game preparation Callum all took part in the tournament. and perhaps as we move forward we can focus more A number of the Bedians impressed on their travels, when the big games come and prepare accordingly but I including, Callum, who scored a fine goal in City’s final stress, this is all part of their programme.” 2 game, and Aaron, who notched up two goals and three Remembrance Day St Bede’s marked the 11th of November with a Remembrance Service in the school Chapel.

The event is a voluntary one, but as ever a very large number of pupils attended and the Chapel was packed. As has become traditional, the service began with an introduction intended to help us remember the many who gave their lives by focussing on a few individuals. Mr Griffin spoke about four local priests who died in the war, including three who died as a result of the great Christmas Blitz of 1940, one of whom, Fr Charles Dunleavy, was an old boy of the college. After the silence and the Last Post, played with great confidence by Joe Stiles, Upper Fourth pupils who are currently studying the Great War led the prayers and laid the wreath in the Remembrance Chapel. Many pupils visited the Remembrance Chapel after the service, and were fascinated to hear from Fr Dearman that he remembered the Christmas Blitz when, as a very young evacuee, he had been brought back into the city for the holiday. Please keep the many old boys who have died in the conflicts since 1914 in your prayers.

NETBALL FINAL The National Netball finals took place in Basildon Essex. Looking impressive in their new kit, the girls arrived in good spirits all set for the day’s events to unfold. Their first game was against Petroc and unfortunately nerves got the better of the team and they were narrowly beaten. Not downhearted, they maintained their composure to beat Royal Grammar School convincingly and Sharnbrook Upper.

They then played against Barking I was extremely proud of all the girls, Abbey, last year’s champions. This team in particular Lucy for her effortless had representative England players elegance on the court and her ability to and an extremely tall goal shooter. remain focused and calm throughout; One goal up at half time, the girls were she was an excellent role model to all. playing neat, quick netball however, the opponents’ strength came through SQUAD: Orla McHugh, Lucy McDermott, and we lost by two goals. The next Hannah Turner, Caragh Keane, Aimee opponents, King’s Worcester had seven Standring, Isabel Edwards, Natasha fast and effective players and “despite Keyworth, Hannah Griffin and Kerrie defeat” the girls played well in an Anne Cawley entertaining match to watch.

3 St Bede’s 1st XI Season Report Every August, having enjoyed a relaxing summer holiday, the Bede’s lads always return to pre-season training with high hopes and beaming optimism for the coming season, and this year was no different.

weather and only 5 more matches were played. Having returned from our Christmas break, the Sandbach fixture soon arrived and wasn’t the ideal game to return to. With their very obvious rugby roots on display, demonstrated by some awful physical challenges, and with our lack of size and experience, we could barely stand up to their physicality and the referee made sure that any attempt we did make was quashed. A 3-0 loss was an unfair scoreline, though admittedly we were somewhat unprepared to come back to such competitive action. With the awful cold and persistent rain, our next match wasn’t until 2 months later and turned out to be our only practice match for the Northern Eights and the vital Blackrock, Dublin trip in the shape of Bolton GS. With little preparation, the boys performed admirably and dominated for large periods of the game, each sticking to our specific duty assigned by Mr Fallon, and deserved something out of the game. However, our lack of fitness soon kicked in and they took advantage, stealing the match 3-1. Although we had lost, we were still confident going to Dublin, knowing that if we could match our performance we would be well in with a shout of winning against our Irish counterparts. Although Footballs being zipped about, biceps being flexed with matches. we had a very disappointing tournament at the every press-up, sweat pouring with that final sprint: A comfortable 2-1 win against QEGS Blackburn and Eights, not winning a single game in our group, we the effort was clear to see. However, things never a battling 1-1 penalties win against Hulme Oldham quickly put that aside as we boarded the ferry to seem to continue the way they start and we had to in the County Cup, including a superb late equaliser Dublin, wanting to retain the only silverware we now endure yet another difficult year. by Jonny to force it into extra-time, clearly showed possessed. Having received unrivalled hospitality With a multitude of new faces coming into the team our talent and hunger to do better and, although throughout our visit, all pleasantries were laid aside from the Upper Fifth, there was plenty of enthusiasm this run included 1-0 and 2-1 defeats to Repton for the winner-takes-all match and the neutrals going into our first game against Wolverhampton GS and Shrewsbury respectively, these schools, much would’ve hugely enjoyed the spectacle. With great and it obviously showed as we came out comfortable like Millfield, have an extremely large pool of boys pride at stake, all 22 players put in 100% and the 3-0 winners. Crisp passing and hard marking brought to choose from, which shows just how well we were final result of 1-1 was indeed a fair one. However, encouraging signs and we were confident of taking playing to even compete with them and almost snatch our old enemy- penalties- came back to haunt us this form into the Sixes tournament at Charterhouse. arguably deserved draws. and we had to suffer yet another agonising defeat Such a long journey gave the lads good motivation to The half-term came and the boys’ good run was in the form of not being able to convert from 12 take silverware back home with us and we gave a good interrupted at the worst possible time. yards. Despite the result, the boys did themselves account of ourselves, though we came home empty- We arrived back in high spirits but were immediately proud and, having enjoyed a great trip, we can look handed. After riding our luck in one penalty shoot-out, met with back-to-back cup-ties, having not had a forward to revenge on our home turf next year. it seemed to have run-out in our next and we were fixture in 3 weeks. Having already been well-beaten With only 2 fixtures left, there wasn’t much to play unfortunately knocked out at the quarter-final stage. by a sound Ashton-on-Mersey team, we were eager for in all honesty. But the boys didn’t see it that But we were all very buoyed into taking the good to settle the score in a highly important County Cup way and all effort was put into salvaging something football we had demonstrated back to Manchester match. Unfortunately, they once again proved too from our season. Although we were closely defeated with us. strong and ran out comprehensive victors, leaving 3-1 and 2-0 by Bury GS and Hulme respectively, And although the fluid passing did indeed travel back us with only one cup to focus on. This match, against performances were all still very good and the never- with us, so did the bad luck and intermittent lack of an unknown quantity in Manchester College, came dwindling effort was still poignantly clear, right until concentration, which is so detrimental in football very quickly and it appeared that the lads were not the last kick of the campaign. matches. After a couple of questionable refereeing prepared for it as we were humiliated by, what turned Although positives are hard to draw from the decisions saw us unfortunate losers 2-0 to Bolton GS, out to be, a very capable and well-drilled outfit. season, I still believe it will help us move forward a lethargic performance aginst a strong Crompton Completely deflated, the team did very well to as a team. We all still have one more season House outfit condemned us to a deserved 4-0 loss and get these defeats out of their minds and turn our together as a team and with last season comes the early positive signs seemed to be evaporating. attention to our remaining fixtures leading up to greater experience and one more year of physical However, we needed to regain our motivation fast Christmas. Although only winning one game, a highly- development, which we sometimes lacked against as a vital ISFA Cup tie awaited against a very strong entertaining but mistake-riddled 5-3 victory over the bigger teams. We can look forward to the Millfield side and we knew anything less than our Altrincham GS, the team showed clear evidence that coming year, knowing that we can put this year’s best would see us demolished. A new system was our early-season flowing football had returned. An disappointment behind us and put the record adopted for this match to counteract the opponents’ agonising last minute loss 2-1 to a very dirty King’s straight. slick, gung-ho style of play and the lads, although Chester team and a 2-0 defeat to a Hulme Oldham I’d like to thank the lads for all their effort last succumbing to a 3-0 defeat, left every ounce of energy team, eager for revenge after our previous penalty season and I’d like to thank Mr Fallon, as, after much on the pitch and gave a great account of themselves win against them, were completely unwarranted dedication to the team for so many years, it is his against a regular winner of this competition. as we were by far the better team in both games. last season as 1st XI coach. Hopefully we can take all We knew from the evidence of this match that we Unfortunately, whatever we did, the ball would just not the lessons he has taught us into progressing into could still have a successful season and compete with go in the net, as sometimes football is. the best team we can be next year. the best and we took this confidence into the next few The second half of the season was marred by bad Robert Gleave 4 Music Festival

Our annual Music Festival was a resounding success with over 30 pupils taking part from U3rds to U6. They provided a most enjoyable concert and a real ‘feast’ of musical talent.

The programme included a great variety of musical styles with of our GCSE pupils, Bethany Dronsfield for her playing of ‘Prelude’ classical pieces and popular songs such as ‘Crocodile Rock’ by Elton by Reade on the clarinet. Dr. Suckling pointed out that all these John. It was very encouraging to see so many U3rds taking part, but performers seemed to ‘really engage in their performances, showing total there was also a large entry from senior pupils. involvement’.

Our adjudicator was Dr. Martin Suckling, Lecturer in Music at Somerville The Middle School entries were slightly smaller in number and as a College, Oxford and a renowned composer. He congratulated all the result only two prizes were awarded. The first prize went to Esme performers at the end and gave them words of encouragement and some Brewin for her playing of Faure’s ‘Sicilienne’ on the flute and Christian excellent advice about performance practice. Harrison was awarded a prize for playing his own composition, ‘Take a chance’, on the piano. The first prize for the Upper School went to Pierce O’Brien for his playing of ‘Tico-Tico’ on the violin. Pierce, who is taking A level Music, In the Lower School the first prize went to Joshua Cox for his really has entered the Music Festival every year. As this section was so strong, expressive performance on the piano of ‘Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum’ two second prizes were awarded. One to a member of the Upper 6th, by Debussy. Second prize was awarded to Ellie Mcloughlin who sang Patrick Garratt for his playing of Debussy’s ‘Clare de Lune’ on the piano ‘On my own’ from Les Miserables’ and third prize to Conor Wall for his and the other to Theo Sharrock who played some unaccompanied Bach, performance on the piano of ‘It ain’t necessarily so’ by Gershwin. from the ‘Cello Suite No. 1’ on the viola. The third prize went to one

Dr. Suckling pointed out that all these performers really seemed to ‘engage in their performances, showing total involvement’. universities fair In October 2011 St. Bede’s held its very first Universities Fair. Twenty seven higher education institutions from all over the country participated. These included Glasgow, Nottingham, Liverpool and Sheffield Universities. We were also delighted to welcome Queen’s University Belfast to St. Bede’s for the very first time. The event was well attended by students and their parents from the Lower fifth upwards who were able to talk to advisers about courses and university applications. The evening was so successful that it is now to become an annual event, strengthening the careers and universities guidance provision of the College.

5 ART The Annual Art Exhibition took place on the evening of the 2nd of July, showcasing the work of talented GCSE, and Advanced Level Photographers and Artists. The Art studios at the top of the Regis building and Holly Bank remain adorned with beautiful works which reflect a wealth of exceptional talent, dedication and creativity. We congratulate all students on their outstanding achievement.

Joseph McMylor A2

Gabriella Scanlon A2

Hannah Williams GCSE Hannah Turner AS

Rachael Devine GCSE

Amelia Barlow GCSE Wai Lam Ng A2

James Maloney A2 James Maloney A2

6 Isabel McKeown A2 The Design Technology Exhibition displayed a varied and exciting range of projects. The work exhibited is a testimony to the Design hard work and dedication the students put into their artefacts. Included here is only a small sample of the students’ work but we would like to congratulate all the Design students for an excellent and creative array of products. The exhibition is an annual event that takes place in early July that showcases work from all year groups. Technology

Joe McCormack A2

Sean Ryan GCSE Isabel McKeown A2

Jenny Roe A2

Sean Driscoll gcse

Conor Warnock GCSE

Educational Toy produced by Mary Anne Kilroe A2

Josh Fleury GCSE

Grace Woods GCSE

William Dawson GCSE Iain Gillespie A2 Holly Corcoran A2 Hannah Williams GCSE It has been an exceptionally busy year for the award ST BEDE’S COLLEGE at St Bede’s. In September, the College was granted MANCHESTER a licence to become its own Operating Authority, and we became the largest provider in Manchester for the Award.

Numbers have gone from strength to strength yet again, resulting in ten expeditions and day walks for various groups through the year. These expeditions have included time spent in the Lake District, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and Styal Country Park. The weather on the expeditions has been mixed, though we were blessed with hot, sunny weather for two of our bronze practice expeditions in May. However, it is to the credit of the students involved that even in conditions where an ark would be preferable to a tent, they are a pleasure to work with on expedition. We bid farwell to our Silver Awardees who completed their final expedition in such circumstances in Yorkshire at the end of June. My thanks to the staff and former Bedian and silver award holder Anna Chrystal, who have helped supervise the expeditions this year.

8 Lourdes Pilgrimage Thirty Eight St Bede’s College sixth formers rose to the occasion to take part in a Salford Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes to look after sick pilgrims. The 17 and 18-year-olds went to the Catholic pilgrimage site as volunteers for the Salford group. In taking 43 students and teachers along, the St Bede’s group was the largest in the entire diocese.

The school’s pupils were praised for their Bernadette at a grotto in 1858. accompanying Bishop Brain in the Blessed impeccable conduct and helpfulness throughout Physics teacher Michael Byrne was the St Bede’s Sacrament procession. the seven day pilgrimage, from 31st July - 7th group leader. He said: “It was a pleasure to “In the final mass of the week, U6th pupil Joseph August. accompany the 38 sixth form pupils who travelled McMylor and group leader Michael Byrne were Both upper and lower sixth pupils joined staff with us to Lourdes this summer as part of the awarded medals for three years of service to the Michael Byrne, Sandra Pike, Niall O’Hagan, Maria Salford Diocesan pilgrimage. pilgrimage.” O’Neill and Thomas Byrne on the trip. “Being one of the largest groups on pilgrimage, we Other Bedians and Old Bedians to receive awards As well as pushing and pulling wheelchairs to were split across three working teams. The pupils for 3, 5 and 25 years of service were: Former masses and services each day, the St Bede’s earned nothing but compliment and praise for Chairman of Governors Father James Austin pilgrims took leading roles in processions, their application, dedication and conduct from (50 years’ service) Helen Shires (5 years’ service) socialised with the elderly and sick and helped to their team leaders and the pilgrimage committee. David Barry, Katy Cavanagh, Nathan Maguire, and serve dinner to the most infirm on the trip. “St Bede’s staff and pupils were also given the Michael Deas (seminarian) (all 3 years’ service). They even found time to take in the sights and honour of major leading roles in the two main religious landmarks around the town, which processions of the week, carrying the statue is famous for Our Lady’s appearances to St of Our Lady in the torchlight procession, and

9 Mr Lalley Upper Third Form tutor writes... bonding day

On the first Monday in September 2011 all the new Upper thirds were taken out for a real treat to Buxton, Derbyshire for a bonding day, accompanied by their form tutors and Heads of year. The weather was beautiful and added to what turned out to be a fantastically enjoyable experience for all.

The specialist outward bound centre set up Rock climbing, mud assault courses, a trapeze, team building exercises, a Jacob’s ladder and ever lengthening log ladder. First Year Niall said that the team building exercise where students had to walk along a plank of wood and retrieve a container placed in the middle of a muddy pond, all against the clock was the most exciting part of the day.

Other activities included the ascent and abseil down a forty foot climbing wall. Orla, one of the students, said that she really enjoyed the chance to spend time with her peers and teachers in such a different and enjoyable place.

10 CERN Two years since our last visit, in February, a group of A-Level and GCSE Physicists visited CERN in Geneva, to visit the Large Hadron Collider and learn more about the ground-breaking experiments being conducted there. 2012 has since proved to be a momentous year for physics at CERN, in their search for the elusive ‘Higgs Boson’. The lecture and tour of the site supplemented much of the A2 course on Nuclear and Particle Physics.

New York & Washington... 20 excited students and three bleary eyed staff met at to the White House. Certainly, some were now left the day avoiding the opportunity to become members Manchester Airport at the very early time of 4.00am to rue their decision to choose fashion over function of the Wall Street protest march whilst watching the sun for the annual St Bede’s New York and Washington Trip in the shoe selections (no names mentioned lads). set over New York from the Brooklyn Bridge. 2011. A short plane ride later and the students were Unsurprisingly, the traditional teacher corridor watch on The last part of the tour saw us paying our respects checked in to their Washington Hotel and en route this night was very uneventful. at Ground Zero and then taking a cruise to Staten to their first cultural visit of the trip, the American Next, we made our way to New York. As if the students Island passing the iconic Statue of Liberty. At this point headquarter for military defence, the Pentagon. More weren’t already excited, the drive in from New Jersey the trip becomes all about money – its history and than just a symbol of America’s military, the visit also to Manhattan had students pressed to the windows how to make it, with a tour through Wall Street and gave the students the opportunity to reflect and offer screaming with excitement whilst pointing out the the Federal Reserve; and then how to spend it with a their prayers in the very moving and picturesque (mostly) unmistakable landmarks across the water. guided tour of Macy’s department store. After trying memorial to lives lost on September 11. After check in, we decided to whet our appetite for to hold back the St Bede’s shopping tide the staff had Day two is known to staff, and is now known to the ‘big apple’ with a wander up the famous 5th Ave to finally relent, whereupon a celebration of spending students, as the great walk; a literal walking tour of to Central Park and the Strawberry Fields memorial occurred. All in all, a very exciting and engaging trip Washington. This tour takes in many of the big political where the group thrilled the crowds with an impromptu and one that students and staff will not soon forget. and cultural landmarks of Washington - taking the rendition of Oasis’ “Wonderwall”. Following Mass sleep deprived students from the Capital Building, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, the evening saw the group stopping at the Holocaust Museum and the Air and head off for a tour highlight - dinner in Times Square. Space Museum and then continuing all the way from Nothing makes you feel more like you’re in New York the Washington Monument past the reflective pool and and students were taken aback by a place where night down to the Lincoln Memorial - quite a stretch. is turned into day with millions of light bulbs and giant The walk-weary students thought this may have screens lighting up the whole district. represented the end of the big walk, obviously unaware The following morning, a much rested group enjoyed they were dealing with ‘The King’ of the Duke of a bird’s eye view of New York courtesy of a visit to the Edinburgh, Mr Byrne, who pushed the group onwards observation deck of the Empire State Building; finishing

11 Leavers’Ball 2012 The Ball is one of the most anticipated events of the year for Sixth Formers and this year’s event certainly did not disappoint.

137 students and staff gathered at the Etihad Stadium where a blue and gold theme temporarily replaced the traditional blue and white of the Citizens Suite. Frankie Paris entertained the crowd with a variety of Rat-Pack classics during the meal before handing over to DJ Gary Osborne, who delivered a selection of tunes and ensured the dance floor was never empty. The conduct of the students demonstrated yet again why we are proud to have the class of 2012 as representatives of St Bede’s; they were a credit to their families and the college. It was an entirely enjoyable evening and a fitting way to say goodbye to our current Upper Sixth.

12 Hm Hockey - Amy Horne Rugby - Anthony Hamilton Ruth O’Flynn - Charity

Service to College - Amy Standring & Kerrie Ann Cawley Music - Pierce O’Brien HM Trophy - Sarah Lopeman

Winner of the prestigious UPPEr sixth Fr Coulthard award awards - Helen Shires The Headmaster’s awards recognise exceptional service to the College. They are given to pupils who have made a significant and lasting contribution to Sport, Drama, Charity Work and Music

Service to College - 13 Lucy McDermott - Netball Natasha Keyworth & Isabel Edwards Mark Hampson - Drama Peter Whelan’s play is set in the town as the men and boys are preparing to answer Kitchener’s call; although he focuses on not only the men, but the women they leave behind.

14 On the 1st July 1916, The Accrington Pals, a battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment effectively ceased to exist. Nearly 600 of their number were cut down by machine gun fire at the Battle of Serre, thus depriving almost every family in the town of at least one person.

Peter Whelan’s play is set in the town as the men and support her when it really counts. Her line; ‘I couldn’t love handled by such a young actor, ably supported by Liam’s boys are preparing to answer Kitchener’s call; although a man who stayed at home’ was unforgettable in context, sergeant. John’s friendship with Mark Hampson’s Ralph he focuses on not only the men, but the women they leave while her tipsy frolicking with Sarah was choreographed was impressively directed, bringing a powerful sense of behind. beautifully. Samantha Green showed exceptional emotional the loss that their deaths would bring. Their light-hearted The studio set was predictably imaginative, with the range in her role as Annie. The oldest character and the most musings and flirtations with May and Eva contrasted with fruit and veg stall, Eva’s pride and joy, to the left and the embittered, her interaction with her son Reggie, played by the broken figures in the final dreamscape. Hannah Callow cosy parlour of her house to the right. After the men had the increasingly accomplished Andrew Shires, brought as Eva captivated the audience from the outset. Fragile as enlisted the homely stall would also serve as a sentry post, powerfully to life the pressures of The Home Front. Liam Bertha at times, coldly resolute and determined at others, transformed by the ever precise and professional stage crew Byrne’s Company Sergeant Major Rivers was a character this was another role which demanded both maturity and under the leadership of Mr Mason. Although the events of whose more reflective qualities were fully evident, while range. As with all the main characters, her body language the battlefield are only briefly dealt with in a dreamscape of John Fox as Arthur the lay preacher, brought real pathos to was precise and confident in a way that is essential for Magical Realism, their inevitability is with us from the outset. his role. Once again Samantha Green brought much to the success in a studio production. Every movement on stage, As the men depart for their training camp in Wales and later relationship with this character every inflection of voice is scrutinised in such a small space for the carnage of The Western Front, the women of the town The central characters; Tom, May, Eva and Ralph were and Hannah certainly did not disappoint. Mark gave much to become a sisterhood, trying to support one another in their played by John Carey, Catherine Livesey, Hannah Callow his portrayal of the cheerful but then disillusioned Ralph and fear and isolation. The emotional range of the play, from and Mark Hampson. Catherine’s character is perhaps the is to be congratulated for his bravery in the bathtub scene! the scurrilous and bawdy drinking scenes early on, to the most complex: An independent woman, business-like and As the play drew to its conclusion, the ensemble scenes despairing final moments, makes considerable demands on determined she nevertheless gives glimpses of her hitherto became more emotional and doom laden. Women wept, a young cast; bur Mrs Alderson brought to the stage a most unspoken desire for the younger Tom. Both Catherine and soldiers marched and the terrifying noise of the artillery memorable production. John presented their characters with emotional depth and barrage grew to a crescendo. Every detail was splendidly Hannah Turner brought energy and humour to the play with real ambition, not least when they were angry or evasive managed and the audience were left in no doubt as to the her splendid portrayal of Sarah, the mill girl who says it like with one another. Each was also required to create plausible price that had been paid, certainly by the men, but in this it is. Ciara Goodwin’s Bertha was an excellent foil to Hannah. relationships with a range of other groups and individuals. play also by the women left to endure. Wide eyed and vulnerable, she watches the world around Catherine’s attempt to buy Tom out of the army without her innocently, as the other girls mock her mercilessly, but full revealing her emotions was a key scene beautifully

Young Thespian of the Year...

drama award andrew shings

Andrew Shires of the U5 became “Young Thespian of the Year” at the very prestigious Alderley Edge Festival on Wednesday 9th May, impressing the judges with a trio of pieces on the theme of “Age” which he will be reprising at the College Drama Festival on June 26th. Not content with this supreme accolade, he also won his acting class with a monologue from Tom Stoppard’s challenging “Rosencrantz and Guildernstern are Dead”. In addition to being judged “Young Thespian of the Year” at last week’s Alderley Edge Festival Andrew was also awarded the William Roache Trophy at the Festival Finale, an amazing achievement as this award is given to the most outstanding performance of the week, regardless of age.

15 It’s not about the bike - our journey back to Lourdes By J Dumbill As regular readers of Baeda will know, four years ago a heroic band of brothers undertook the Sisyphean task of transporting themselves by bicycle across most of France, which I can reliably inform you is much bigger in real life than it looks on a map.

Of the original crack team of six, four of to see him without a bottle of water in one or rest of the holiday that Mr Gallagher’s Friday across France. Did he complain? Never. Did us remained and we were presented with both of his hands), be sure to carb-load early pair had been very long indeed. he struggle? Not one bit- he was an advocate the unenviable task of finding adequate in the day and follow that up with a nutritious Four years ago, it was Good Friday that of what Mr Gallagher christened the ‘slowly, replacements for Messrs Bargery and Devitt. evening meal and finally never ever sacrifice provided the greatest test to our faith; slowly catchy monkey’ school of cycling- We cast around the staff room, but where was sleep at the feet of excessive socialising. It miserable weather and twelve hours in the most notable proponent Mr J Lalley, and like the height, the Celtic sense of indomitability, was an example he would continue to set for saddle led to some very miserable faces. Aesop’s tortoise, he left many a hare in his the polished athleticism, the artificial the remainder of the trip. This year Saturday took on the spirit-sapping wake. Does he dye his hair? I don’t know- ask Welshness? In short, who could possibly The Channel crossing was a success- Brittany duties. Where to point the finger of blame? him yourself. stand in for the Long Man from Tipperary or Ferries fed us well, kept the ship at an even The French weather was its usual unhelpful Sunday was immeasurably better, and we for St Bede’s own Dorian Gray (if that had keel and delivered us promptly, some of us felt self, this time providing excessive heat and encountered the largest sandwiches in the been written by Max Boyce)? No-one was too promptly, to St Malo. All that remained to humidity in place of the biblical downpours. world, two of which were devoured by the the answer we quickly arrived at, and so do was to cycle to Lourdes. The French countryside had over-undulated Brisbane protein fiend. And then Monday- a two became four, and four became eight. To As you are perhaps unaware, Mr Dumbill’s itself again- how we longed for a flat stretch lovely cycle. Some of the sceptics in the party the initial four of Kearney, Lalley, Fallon and preparation for this trip was plagued by poor of road. Most of all though, we had bitten off began to see the attraction of the sport. We Dumbill, we added Gallagher, athletic-yes, tyre form. Not one, not two, but three tyres more than we could chew. Now Mr Lalley is even dabbled in a spot of racing with his polished-t.b.c, O’Hagan with his sense of let themselves down in the space of a very a fine man, just the sort you’d like alongside domestiques sling-shotting Mr Kearney to a Celtic’s indomitability, and if Rafferty stood few practice miles. Understandably, he began you in the trenches: a real class half-full type. speed of 64km/h. We also arrived in Lourdes,a on Byrne’s shoulders we’d have the height to feel that he was in some way cursed, that It was this latter quality though that may have joyous occasion almost irretrievably marred and maybe even a touch of the artificial his riding style was not conducive to long- contributed to our undoing. Was he sure that by the near-death of Mr Dumbill following Welshness sorted. And so, on the afternoon term tyre inflation. Imagine then his horror, this was only 65 miles? Was this really what a high-speed high-fiving incident with Mr of May 31, three plastic Scousers, an Aussie, his wide-eyed panic, when he unloaded his he called ‘mostly flat’? If he hadn’t been a O’Hagan. One retrosepctive consolation the Morrisey of Design Technology teaching, bicycle (more accurately, Mr DJ ‘two bikes’ trained killer (he served in the SAS apparently), about our arrival was not having to listen to a Republican dissident, a big man (but out of Kearney’s second bicycle, which he had kindly cross words may have been had. As it was, we Lesley Garrett sing God Save The Queen. shape) in a baby-gro and the Headmaster set loaned Mr Dumbill) from the back-up vehicle put our heads down and pedalled. And then 2012 has been a year of unprecedented off Southwards to meet their destiny. to discover that the back tyre, the victim of the pedalled some more. Pedalling was still the success for British cyclists in France. Le Tour For several of us, the ones who didn’t know previous punctures, was all but shredded with order of the day at 9pm, a good twelve hours, was won by a Brit, Bradley Wiggins, for the our bidons from our monocoques, there not a single kilometre under its, erm, belt. He two falls and one grateful visit to McDonald’s first time in its history with another Brit, Chris was a certain amount* of trepidation. could have ranted and raved, he could have since we set off. If Frank Schleck had appeared Froome, in second place. Mark Cavendish However, Mr Kearney and Mr Lalley were thrown in the towel, but instead he manfully to offer us a tablet or two of Xipamide, he over-took the legendary Lance Armstrong in quietly and justifiably confident- they were turned to Mr Byrne and asked him to fix it. He wouldn’t have wanted for takers. number of stage wins. Would any of this have as comfortable on (two-)wheels as, well, the and Mr O’Hagan duly did and, from that day The party’s Physicists (and every party should happened if not for the precedent set by the Wheelies from Return to Oz. At the other forth, it was a credit to itself. have at least one), never ones to forget their Bedian eight? Yes, I think it most certainly extreme, Mr Gallagher, the man from Oz, The first day’s cycling was uneventful. Some academic research for long, were committed would have. Nonetheless, we relaxed in the was still in the early stages of his relationship of the team even surprised themselves by to working on a new theorem: ‘what goes warm glow of success and looked ahead. It with his bicycle, having met for the first time enjoying it. Sights were seen - Chateau Girond down, doesn’t necessarily go up again’ and may have been the endorphins speaking, but only a few days previously. Still, for those of is a lovely town if you’re ever in that part of seemed to have proved it on several occasions, there was talk of our next ride being a 2014 you who like to know the ending of the story Brittany, although not the place to stop for most notably on that fateful Saturday in the trans-Alpine cycle to Rome. Watch this space. before you commit to reading it all, man and lunch at lunch-time unless you want cake - Loire Valley, but *lots and lots were ultimately This year we conveyed a large number of machine got along famously. Read on. kilometres (the empire and its system had been thwarted by Newton’s First Law of Motion. petitions to the Shrine of Our Lady. It was a The old lags among us knew the routine for abandoned with Portsmouth) were covered, Damned Newton! If Mr O’Hagan had had an privilege to have been entrusted to deliver our day of travel to Portsmouth. Relaxation, and the hot French sun shone brightly (‘il fait du apple and Isaac Newton’s head- he would so many peoples’ hopes and concerns to this good diet and plenty of sleep were vital if soleil’ as one local wag was heard to comment). have taught him a lesson or two. palpably holy place at the foot of the Pyrénées. we were to cycle efficiently on the following In fact, it was hotter than many of us realised But what, I hear you cry, of Mr Rafferty? We are very grateful to all those who gave us morning. Mr Fallon, the elder statesman until we woke up the next morning with very Surely his best cycling days are quite firmly either petitions or sponsorship, and sincerely of the trip, provided some firm but gentle red faces, not to mention sharply delineated behind him? So you may have thought, but hope that their prayers are heard. guidance for his younger, less experienced sock marks- you can tell a lot about a man from you’d be wrong. The Burtonwood Bomber work colleagues: hydration is key (it was rare the length of his socks and it was clear for the made typically unshowy but stylish progress

16 Alumni...

Katherine Conroy is an ex-Bedian who went on to study medicine at Cambridge and was also one of the doctors taking part in the BBC reality series, Junior doctors - Your life in their hands.

Katherine came into College in the autumn term to talk to our Biology students, especially those interested in pursuing a degree in medicine. She talked about the application procedure for university and her Cambridge interview as well as her experiences over the last five years.

Medicine is a bit of a tradition for the Conroy family. Katherine’s mum is a nurse and her dad is an anaesthetist. Katherine Conroy (centre of photo)

Why did you want to get into medicine? What are the best and worst things about Which improvement to medicine or the NHS I decided to study medicine because it really fits being a junior doctor? would you like to see in your career? my personality and what I’m into. I’ve always liked The best thing about being a junior doctor is the The best thing that could happen during my career science and I’ve always been someone that watches sense of achievement. We’ve all been working so is to find a way to run the NHS more smoothly. medical documentaries. I used to work in a bar when hard for so many years so that this really does feel I was studying and I loved the fact that I was meeting like an achievement. The worst for me is that we What makes you laugh? so many different characters. If I wasn’t a doctor I’d don’t get to follow a patient through every step of Elderly patients. They are the funniest as they come be a barmaid in a country pub. the way. up with the best jokes!

Reunion Class of 1999, 2000 & 2001 It was a beautiful, balmy, sun kissed Friday evening across the urban tundra of Hulme and Moss Side: blues, reds, oranges and yellows fused to create an astonishing colour that would send the Dulux dog into exultant delirium, wildly flailing for his canine Kodak.

I always get tetchy when I reach the Asda on Princess Parkway, then Loreto, Mr Barnes, Mr Cawley, Mrs Duffy, Mr Maree and Mr Service, alongside Most telling timeline: my Spanish lessons over five years with the then the mile-long straight towards Alexandra Park. With the passing of present-day long-standing staff, a few already holding the blue and gold indefatigable Mrs Wallwork. There I started to carve the first indentations each 85 bus stop (or seemingly these days, each traffic calming measure) ticket to the pantheon of Bedian legends. Great too to see some sparkling on a blossoming future career in languages and met a good number of my comes increased moistening of the palms on the steering wheel and alumni back at the chalkface, including Michelle Barry, Claire Boylan and many lifelong Bedian friends. proverbial butterflies in the tummy. History. Presence. Stature. The red Bernadette Girolami. Many lovely folk and friends from my year group, not postbox on the corner of Mayfield Road. least Stephen Porteous, whom I have known since Christ the King nursery As the sun started to set, we went inside to inspect the Our Lady Corridor in downtown Newton Heath, aged just 3. photographs (de rigueur for any Old Bedian) and enjoy a decent spread You know that you’re at St. Bede’s. of canapés, sandwiches and fancies. Little had changed inside, although In short, it was friends reunited. The magic dust of Bede’s glistened again. I did feel a bit like a giant at a Hornby convention inside the Vaughan My school: Catholic training ground and life-learning curve for seven corridor. A wooden panel now listed the roll call of Head Boys and Girls. indelible years between 1993 and 2000. The classes of 99-01 were I was asked to raid the memory vault for fond recollections for the re- More histories. More stories. Some people I knew! Alas there was no panel invited back for a reunion of staff and students past and present; it was an assembled, humbeling indeed, but in five minutes I barely punched the for deputies, though I live in hope that one day they may erect a plaque invitation too difficult to resist. first digit. I recalled the golden era of musicals and drama presided over somewhere apt for their duties, like the wettest part of the car park. by Alderson, Meehan and Cobbold. Unforgettable trips to Spain, Austria The buildings look daintier twelve years on, particularly the Beck, but the and Ullswater. Cricket scoring and the Independent Schools Cup win After many gloriously genuine farewells, a good number of us sauntered to red-brick, Victorian, Vaughan Building still resonates imposingly with pure at Blackpool. Bob Monkhouse’s Memory Masters. Probably my finest Chorlton (with a fistful of left over grape canapés) for urbane refreshment grandeur, evocative and emotive. This is no ordinary school. hour came in public speaking in 1996, the night I had to follow an and laughter in the fading spring warmth. I reminded myself that, in life, astonishingly serious speech by an MGS student on political coalitions, to after the true tumult of schooling comes the long, liberating, intoxicating One could write a thesis on the politics of the place but it is the people emerge victorious with my northern Mancunian musings of “The British summer. that have always brought about the true buzz of Bede’s. Colourful teachers Holidaymaker Abroad” to a wine-fuelled Alma Lodge hotel in Stockport. from the sublime to the unique; great to see so many return, including 17 Mission Trip to Peru - July 2012 This summer, 5 Bedians (Sarah The group will fly into Lima at all our plans. From developing Lopeman, Olivia Silcock, the beginning of July where we catechesis, to thinking about the Anna Grace, Leah Grace, will visit shanty towns and work ten best things about England, and Gabriella Bullman), with local youth leaders, before it was a fun but challenging embracing the mission part of afternoon and only made us accompanied by Miss the trip in Huaraz in the Andes, wish the trip would come round Barry, will be taking part where we will live and work sooner! We will be teaching the in a Mission trip to Peru for closely with the community for Peruvian children about what three weeks along with five around ten days. As a reward prayer is for us, and the value of students from Stonyhurst for our hard work we will then it in our lives. As well as this being College. The trip is organised visit Cuzco and the ancient a religious experience, it will be by the Marian Sisters of the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, a cultural experience also, as the Reconciliation, in partnership one of the Seven Modern majority of us going have never Wonders of the World! been to Latin America before! with Salford Diocese, and the Sarah Lopeman & Olivia Silcock aim is that the group will help Last week, in continuing the local community in their preparation for the trip, we went daily life and try to strengthen to Stonyhurst to meet our fellow READ HOW THE their faith. adventurers, and to consolidate TRIP WENT.... In the next edition of Buzz Words

St Bede’s Reads 2012: 125 to 1 Regular readers of Baeda know quite so common nor perhaps so spontaneous Last year St Bede’s Reads raised £2600, and as some now believe. would, therefore, have fed two Bedians for a that for a dozen or so years our year, but 125 times as many Third World pupils! younger pupils have contributed There is a primary value. This year the amount raised was £2920 – to the College’s Lenten charities As Christians, as humane people, we are aware enough to provide over 100,000 of Mary’s by embarking on a sponsored of our obligation to assist those less fortunate meals, to feed 292 pupils for a year – or 2.3 than ourselves. It is a startling fact that in terms Bedians. read, organised by the English of the inhabitants of our planet all Bedians are Department. materially among the most fortunate 10%, A striking point was the variety of support and many are towards the top end of that by pupils and their sponsoring parents and This charity is triply beneficial and deeply proportion. friends. St Bede’s Reads is one among a number of the College’s Lenten charities. Those educational. Let us recall that the root of the For a number of years our Lenten charities, word education is educare: it means to nourish. having neglected this activity may well have including St Bede’s Reads have saliently offered significant support to other charitable St Bede’s Reads helps Bedians nourish their supported the School under the Tree: this, as enterprises. Those reading much or having own minds, and like all their charity, organised Baeda has regularly reported, was literally that. been generously sponsored may have neglected or otherwise, it nourishes the fulfilment of their In visiting his daughter doing voluntary service other activities. responsibility to help others. It also, however overseas, in Ethiopia, Mr Loader came upon inadequately, nourishes children whose poverty children being taught under a tree. The School The amounts raised by the twelve Upper Third, Bedians cannot probably even imagine. under the Tree is now no longer under a tree, Lower Fourth and Upper Fourth classes varied but the Tree Academy, in buildings provided by from £159 to £687, and by individuals from 10p It is, in part, too, a response to the question Bedian support. The pupils are also fed, clothed to £130. quite often asked at Parents’ Evenings: how do and equipped by Bedians. we get our child to read more? Let us hope that Lent 2013 will see an Because the School under the Tree is, at least even more nourishing response by Bedians The answer to that enquiry often includes for the time being, set fair, St Bede’s Reads towards the fulfilment of their responsibility to the reflection that in the days when children, decided this year to support Mary’s Meals, an themselves and to others. particularly bright ones, read routinely and organisation, based in the United Kingdom. In deeply there were far fewer distractions of poor countries, for roughly £10 Mary’s Meals J M Berry the electronic variety which now beset many provides one pupil with one meal daily for one otherwise well regulated households. year. The thinking is that a meal encourages the poor to attend school. School attendance Here at the College in the 1960s, during the means education, Education means a way out hiatus between terminal examinations and of poverty. In this respect, Mary’s Meals and the the end of term, all pupils were expected to fill School under the Tree achieve the same end, but several days of untaught time in reading from on different scales. the lists provided by the Deputy Head, the Prefect of Studies as then known. As part of this year’s sponsored reading, pupils were asked to find out at home the cost of their The first task at the start of the following term food for a week and so for a year. In the country was to write reviews of a number of texts read as a whole the average food bill for a family of during the last few days of term and in the four is £70 per week - or £910 per person per following holiday. These reviews were assessed year. Bedians eat better, or, at any rate, more. In by form-teachers. Now, in the 2010s, the reading round figures, it costs £1250 annually to feed lists are provided by the College Librarian, the a Bedian in the Upper Third, Lower Fourth or assessments of reading at the discretion of Upper Fourth. One diminutive pupil claimed that English teachers. it cost £5000 to feed him for a year: this did not So even in those halcyon days (as many like to seem to be an example of value for money! imagine them) spontaneous reading was neither 18 “i don’t want it to end!” - córdoba 2011

The atmosphere on the coach was one of excitement and apprehension: 43 fifth form pupils were about to meet their host families who were waiting eagerly in Plaza Colón, Córdoba. Whilst staying with a host family for six nights may be a daunting prospect, these Spanish students had clearly recognised how beneficial being immersed into the Spanish culture and way of life would be.

The home-stay study holiday really began the next ‘Chiste del día’ (joke of the day) became a popular morning, when stories of their first night flew around feature of coach journeys, as Miss Barry told jokes the group as pupils were taken on a fascinating in Spanish and staff waited with baited breath for tour of the city by their tour knowledgeable guide, students to translate the punch line. Groans and Terry. Among the features visited were ‘Calleja heckles filled the coach but it was obvious that the de las flores’ (flower street) and ‘la sinagoga’ students secretly loved it! (synagogue). Pupils began taking artistic shots for the photography competition and, mesmerised by It became evident throughout the week just how READ HOW THE the Mezquita (mosque), asked intelligent questions fruitful the trip had been, as pupils began to use of their guide and even impressed him with some of Spanish phrases in their everyday speech, approach TRIP WENT.... their own cultural knowledge! locals with confidence, and report successful In the next edition of Buzz Words interactions with their host families. Many An afternoon was spent in intensive Spanish classes, expressed an interest in studying Spanish at A-Level where pupils enjoyed being taught by native because of the trip. speakers and engaging in Spanish role-play. Their preparation was then put into action later in the It seems that Miss Barry is a lucky charm for her week when they filmed their own mini-productions. beloved football team, Manchester City, as not only did they beat United 6-1 in the derby, but they had Pupils soaked up the glorious sunshine of Sevilla, also won the semi-final of the FA Cup when she was where they visited the imposing cathedral and on the French exchange the year before! climbed the 34 floors of ‘la giralda’ (the bell tower), appreciating the panoramic views. Much to the Esme Brewin summed up how successful the trip teachers’ amusement, some groups decided to hire had been when she exclaimed on the last night “I rowing boats at the breath-taking Maria Luisa Park, don’t want it to end!” mostly failing miserably to gain momentum! Jen Holland Despite rain, the visit to La Alhambra, a palace and fortress in Granada, was one that students will never forget. Inspired by awe-inspiring views and amazing feats of design, pupils were fascinated by the architecture and history of the site.

Another highlight was attending mass at the church of San Nicolas, where the priest said pupils were very welcome and hoped they enjoyed their stay in Córdoba.

19 group pushed off in their kayaks (as though they’d been assembly and for the presentation of the much coveted kayaking all their lives) looking excited and happy. Some Room Beautiful Award, after the fiercest competition I have danced the hokey-kokey, balancing on surfboards (mixed ever seen. written by K Griffin success there). Others learned the considerable vocabulary of sailing before setting off in their little boats, dodging the sails Pupils were encouraged not only to keep their rooms clean while aligning them with the wind. and tidy but also to create dramas and presentations As I donned my Dordogne polo each evening. These were delightful and organised with shirt and hoodie I have to admit Mr Berry sat back in his chair and, quite rightly, looked very the most intense application, rivalry and secrecy. We saw pleased. It was such a joy to see everyone so happy and rooms festooned with daisy- chains, were presented with that I felt a tiny bit regretful at engaged and to watch such excellent teaching. elegant dancing, received lectures on the gerund, and saw the loss of my first lie-in of the clothes folded with a skill and application that would make One of the best moments of the days were the lunch-hour Gap managers swoon. In the end, however, no one could half-term holiday, and wondered picnics: twice at the lake, once at the Gouffre de Padirac and match Paul Greaves and his assistants for their tidiness, once at Castelnaud on the banks of the Dordogne, below the presentation and creativity. They were worthy winners of the what I’d let myself in for. I’m a castle on its dominating eminence. final Room Beautiful Award. sedentary person, and had mixed At the lake at lunchtime, the children played in safety, At the end of the ceremony the ultimate prizes had to be feelings at the prospect of a week splashing each other, jumping about, and racing into the given, of course, to Mr Berry and Mrs Hazell who were of activities that quite frankly water. It was a joy to see them without the pressure of crowned King and Queen of the Dordogne. the school bell, without any sense of peer pressure or the terrified me. distraction of Facebook, television, phones and the many Mr Berry has spent a total of 126 half-term days on the other distractions that sadly prevent children from fully Dordogne activity, with over 550 pupils, and Mrs Hazell, 99 This anxiety disappeared, however, as soon as we arrived enjoying their time together. days. This amazing commitment to the physical, cultural and at the College and were greeted by 42 wildly excited faces, spiritual development of the young is overwhelming and an Mrs Hazell with a staff picnic to die for and Mr Berry looking So often in the week I saw them looking utterly free and outstanding example for the rest of us on the staff. quietly pleased that all was already going according to the happy in the simplest of activities - playing rounders, or perfect plan. football or making water balloons. It was great to see them It is hard to express how grateful I am for the opportunity to given so much freedom. In the days at Hameau-les-Ages the see a trip led so perfectly, in such a beautiful environment Mr Griffin and Mrs Boylan were on hand to offer support and children took part in land activities including archery, air rifle with such joy and participation from the pupils. to see to the tasks of filling in the blanks. shooting, climbing, trapeze, orienteering, problem-solving, mountain-biking and body-zorbing. The Hameau-les-Ages centre is closing this year, so 2012 The children were amazing throughout the trip and their truly is the end of an era for the middle school of St Bede’s behaviour was largely impeccable. The journey whizzed by Again, the quality of teaching was excellent and they were many of whom will remember their activities there for a very pleasantly, with everyone agog at the moment when the taught not only how to do the activity but how to support lifetime. coach was squeezed into what seemed an impossibly small others as well. It was wonderful to see people conquer their metal box for the Channel tunnel crossing. fears during these activities, discovering that they possessed Certainly it is common to hear upper sixths at their leavers’ skills they never imagined they had. I was also impressed by ball in dewy-eyed reminiscence of their own Dordogne trip We had a welcome meal in the unique ambience of Chez their determination to make the most of the activities offered five years previously. 2017 will be the last time that this Johnny, followed by a quick bathroom stop and then Mrs and to keep trying whenever they found something difficult. occurs, when the 2011-2012 Lower Fourth celebrate the end Hazell tucked everyone in for an almost reasonable night’s of their era at St Bede’s. sleep. At seven in the morning there were bleary-eyed An important feature of the week was the sense of stirrings as we arrived at Hameau-les-Ages, a beautiful community that was built. It was a real delight to watch There will, no doubt, be other ventures offered by the College hamlet, in the heart of the lush countryside of the Corrèze the leadership of Mr Berry whose level of organisation and but these activities had a quality of their own and will always and Dordogne, now converted into an adventure centre run planning made the children feel utterly secure. be memorable for the physical, social, cultural and spiritual by PGL. challenges and benefits presented to the children. This was coupled with the maternal care of Mrs Hazell who It was pouring with rain as we arrived and the children wielded the first aid kit as the most powerful panacea, but looked almost like refugees as they staggered into their only if it was accompanied by her tlc. dormitories clutching sleeping bags and pillows. The PGL staff and Mr Berry both expertly recognised that this was a Everyone joined in morning and evening prayers with quiet "The visit to an potential moment for homesick tears, and provided Sunday respect and these times of reflection together were very prayers, a hearty breakfast and a morning of activities important in reminding us not only of the love of God but ancient pilgrimage including abseiling and zip-wiring. our responsibility to care for each other. site Rocamadour By lunchtime the sun had come out, everyone had rallied The visit to an ancient pilgrimage site - Rocamadour and, as we settled everyone for the night, we soon heard - our journey completed on foot for the last kilometre, - our journey zephyr-like snores coming from every room. complemented the spiritual dimension of the week. Many pupils seemed engaged by the twin churches with their completed on foot for The next two days were dedicated to lake activities and shrine of Our Lady, among the many in southern France and these were some of my favourite memories of the week. We northern Spain featuring a black Madonna. It was moving the last kilometre, arrived at the Lac du Causse to be greeted by a huge team of to realise that we were in the footsteps of such illustrious impressively athletic, enthusiastic and noisy instructors who predecessors as Thomas Becket and Bernard of Clairvaux. whisked the children off into teams to learn paddle-boarding, complemented the wind-surfing, dragon-boating and kayaking. The children weren’t reminded of the diary in their booklets, spiritual dimension but many chose to record how the day had gone, and this As a teacher I found it wonderful to watch so many skilful also encouraged reflection. instructors at work and to see the children so engaged. The of the week." sun was shining, there was a gentle ripple of breeze as one On the last day we gathered for a general prize-giving

20 BarbadosTour Report | 2012 Fourteen L5, U5 and L6 sportsmen travelled to Barbados in July to play cricket and football against some of the best teams the island had to offer. One of our college tourists, Sixth Former Theo Sharrock, describes the trip.

Our visit started briskly, with a cricket training session which was curtailed by rain. Before the elements became involved, the standard of practice had been high, with Tom Jowett excelling with the ball in the nets. Disaster was not far off, however, as Rob Gleave (football captain and important cricketer) stood on a nail wearing only flip- flops and required a trip to the medical centre to get it bandaged up.

Before our evening meal (which some decided to cook themselves) we had a football training session, in which some of the more inexperienced footballers were put through their paces – or lack thereof.

The next morning dawned wet and it was time for our first football match, against Foundation Soccer. The game was played as four 20 minute quarters due to the heat. After an early piece of brilliance from the home team we were 1-0 down but, then, in the second quarter Jack Morris found the back of the net with an excellent strike.

Despite a spirited performance from the Bedians, the un-Mancunian heat put paid to our chances. With bodies tiring and players toiling, the locals managed to put 3 goals past us, as much due to lacklustre defending as was Xav’s six straight down the ground. John was we had free time to buy souvenirs and stand on nails. (‘Oh their dangerous forwards. With the last kick of the game, dismissed for 23, 5 short of his personal best but perhaps not AGAIN Rob!’). Yes, Rob’s already injured foot managed however, we pulled one goal back through a wonderful his most important innings ever. With 2 needed off the to make contact with another nail, which thankfully didn’t long distance strike from Jack, again. Three players, Conor last ball Xav and Isaac Jones scampered one, but Isaac go in as far but he was now a major fitness worry for the Hey, Rob Gleave and Adam Crewdson, made light of the was run out going for two, so the game was tied, which final football fixture on Sunday evening. conditions to play the entire 80 minutes and deserve was probably a fair result as both teams had played well. special mention. The 4-2 scoreline did not accurately Saturday was a rest day, when we went on a four hour reflect the quality and effort on show from St Bede’s. The evening was spent celebrating Rob’s birthday at catamaran cruise, which included a sumptuous lunch, a restaurant on the beach, where Manchester United snorkelling with turtles - a once in a lifetime experience Thursday brought our first cricket fixture against Banks fan Alex proved he is a man of his word, by wearing a - and swimming over coral reefs. After 8am mass on (the beer of Barbados) Cricket Club. We got off to a Manchester City shirt for losing a bet with Rob. Sunday, we watched Andy Murray lose in the Wimbledon good start after winning the toss and putting banks final and had a relaxing swim in the lovely blue ocean. in to bat. Conor and Alex Carroll bowled tightly in the Our second cricket game was the next day against North opening overs and soon we had our breakthrough. Theo Star Cricket Club and we won the game very easily. Our final football fixture was against Welch and Richmond Sharrock removed one of the openers LBW and he was Conor, Sean and Elliot Bullman all reached 50 (with Sports and Social Club on an excellent 3G pitch at the Sir soon followed back to the pavilion by two more Banks Elliot’s coming off a remarkable 30 balls) and retired Garfield Sobers Sports Complex. We again played well batters, as Tom bowled one, knocking the middle stump to let others have a bat. A good innings from Harvey but were, in the end, beaten 2-0, not helped by several out of the ground, and Theo bowled another. After a Bullman and some good striking from Rob and non- injuries: Rob’s nailed foot, a hamstring problem for Joe lengthy partnership, Theo took his third wicket, with regular cricketer Adam boosted our score to 211 all out. and an ankle problem for Xav. Alex taking the catch at mid-on and then Tom made a Chasing a big score, North Star were never really in the run out to leave the Banks team 5 men down. Their final hunt and finished 80-6, with 2 wickets for Alex and Joe We spent our final day before our evening flight at ‘The score was 146-5 from 30 overs, after a tight closing spell and one each for Sean and Tom. There were catches for Boatyard’, where we did lots of water activities, but all of bowling from Joe Perry. After some traditional Bajan Alex, John and, most notably, Rob, who took a special too soon it was time to return home from, as many called food, Conor and Sean Driscoll started positively, before catch just inches from the ground after it had rebounded it, the best school trip ever! Sean was dismissed playing a big shot on 18. Theo then off Wicketkeeper-for-the-day Harvey’s gloves. One of the built a partnership with Conor before being completely most striking things about the game was the impressive Theo Sharrock fooled by a slower ball and, playing his shot too early, performances of those who don’t normally play cricket. was clean-bowled. Wickets continued to fall, including the big wicket of Conor for 44, before a gutsy partnership We spent that evening at Oistin’s Fish Fry, where choices between John Fox and Xav Ashurst kept us in the game. included Blue Marlin, Dolphin Fish and much more. Then They both played some excellent shots, the best of which

21 Co-curricular

Carnegie Medal Shadowing Eight young literary critics from St Bede’s College recently tried their hands at judging a major national book award in school.

This term, Upper Third and Upper Fourth pupils took Between Shades of Gray is set in 1941 and tells the part in a shadowing event of the prestigious CILIP tale of a 15-year-old Lithuanian girl called Lina, who Carnegie Medal, which recognises the outstanding is deported, along with her family, to Siberia. children’s book of the year. Other books that were part of the competition were Lydia Askew, Grace Bute, Magda Wdowin, Grace My Name Is Mina, Small Change for Stuart, The Faulkner, Harine Raaj and Anja Jungmayr of Midnight Zoo, Everybody Jam, Trash and My Sister the Upper Third and Henita Pearson and Abigail Lives on the Mantelpiece. Fulwood of the Upper Fourth took part. Grace Faulkner said of Between Shades of Gray: Between April and June, the pupils read the same “It has a ring of truth to it. I didn’t know anything eight novels as the actual judges and were asked about that time in history before I read the book to come to a group decision on the most deserving and now I do know a little, so that’s good.” winner. Lydia Askew added: “It’s a great idea to ask young College librarian Karen Poolton was glowing in her people to judge the books and not adults because praise of the young judges. it’s a kids’ book award. She said: “They took it seriously. They looked at the “The actual judging wasn’t too difficult because, judges’ criteria and then carefully made their own every time we read a book, we are judging it judgements.” whether we realise it or not.” She added: “I was extremely impressed by the way they applied themselves to books that they might not necessarily choose to read; these are very different books than they are used to. “The best thing to come out of this whole experience was reading things they wouldn’t have picked up otherwise. That is the whole idea behind the girls’ efforts.” They awarded the prize to Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys, while the Carnegie judges opted for A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.

Competition in the Library Keen readers had a number of opportunities to use their skills as judges and competitors in the Maher Library during the 2011/12 academic year. In the autumn, we formed a judging and games. The year finished with panel to take part in the awarding of pairs of book club members taking The Royal Society Young People’s Book responsibility for a book display. The Prize. The St Bede’s panel (U4 pupils winners were the team who had most James Dylak, Kate Elias, Fiona Taylor books borrowed by the rest of the and Henita Pearson) met weekly to college from the display. Competition read and discuss the six shortlisted resumes in Autumn 2012. books and submitted their views to The Royal Society. After lengthy discussion Aspiring 6th former writers Rachel and a vote, the St Bede’s favourite was Dodd and Jessica McNamee were a book called “What goes on inside my accepted as Young Laureates in the HEAD?” and although this didn’t turn Portico Prize for Young Writers 2012. out to be the national winner it is highly While writing a piece of fiction, recommended and available to borrow non-fiction or poetry set in or about the from the Maher Library. North of England they received one-to-one mentoring by a creative On World Book Day in March teams writing student from MMU. from U3 and L4 forms entered an extremely competitive book quiz in Pupils also tested their skills the Library at lunchtime. The “Irish answering questions Leprechauns” from U3S led by about “The Hunger Mr O’Hagan were triumphant in a Games” and authors close run contest. including Anne Fine, Robert Muchamore As well as shadowing the Carnegie and J.K Rowling. medal Book Club members showed their extensive book knowledge each week, taking part in book quizzes

22 Co-curricular

Rock climbing, Activities week wrote to the school to express her delight at the initiative. rollercoasters and magic She said: “The children will benefit classes replaced English, from these activities long after this school year has finished”. Science and Maths for Highlights among the many trips nearly 400 St Bede’s and visits included Alton Towers, College pupils during the Blue Planet, The Chill Factor, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, The Trafford Centre, a last seven days of term. Manchester Mystery Tour, horse-riding, rock climbing walls and a Masterchef For a week in early July, the school’s event at Manchester Metropolitan regular curriculum has made way for University. a week of trips, sport, art and new Within the school, staff ran table experiences as part of the college’s tennis sessions, sitcom and creative inaugural Activities Week. writing workshops, assault courses, The flagship programme, which salsa and street dancing, mask- featured 44 activities, is seen as making, T-shirt printing, a newsroom a reward for pupils’ hard work simulation and screenings of Grease, throughout the year and is run by Alfred Hitchcock films and silent staff and outside experts. movies. Pupils take part in a variety of The week has proved to be so exciting activities designed to successful that the school has complement the school curriculum confirmed it will be running it next and entertain the youngsters. year. Mr Gallagher believes that the Mike Gallagher, the school’s head of 2013 incarnation will benefit even co-curricular, said: “I was delighted further from this year’s experiences. with the feedback from the many He said: “Next year, we will be students and parents who thoroughly looking to use feedback from pupils enjoyed the change to the college to help shape the week. We’ll build curriculum. on the more popular activities and, “For the students, this week has considering staff now know how it been just reward for their hard work works, hopefully we can offer an throughout the year.” even better programme of events A parent whose child took part in next year.”

It has been another successful year Challenge achieving 7 gold for the pupils at St Bede’s who sat awards, 6 silver awards and 13 the UKMT Junior and Intermediate bronze awards. Gold certificates Maths Challenges. All students in were awarded to Isabella the Upper Third and Lower Fourth Renehan, Max Hayes, Charlotte sat this year’s Junior Challenge Hickman, Joe Gould, Natasha and between them they achieved Wang, Joe Stiles and Nathan 3 gold, 17 silver and 20 bronze Cullen. certificates. Over 240,000 pupils from across the UK sat the Junior Approximately 1200 of the top Maths Challenge with roughly the students are invited to sit the follow- top 6% receiving a gold certificate, on competitions in each section, the next 13% silver and the next the Junior Maths Olympiad or 21% bronze. Gold certificates were the Intermediate Pink Kangaroo. awarded to Joshua Cox, Mark This year, Joshua Cox was invited UKMT Junior & Intermediate Barry and Conor Wall. to sit the Olympiad, and Isabella Maths Challenges Renehan and Max Hayes were The top sets from Upper Fourth and invited to sit the Kangaroo. Joshua Lower Fifth, in addition to selected is currently waiting to find out to students from the lower sets and see if he has progressed to the next Upper Fifth, sat the Intermediate round.

Courtesy of the Book Trust scheme called “Booked Up”, U3 pupils were all given the chance to choose a book to own. After a lesson spent discussing how to choose a fiction book, listening to the authors and looking at sample copies every pupil made a choice from a list of twelve books. The arrival of the boxes of books was greeted with great enthusiasm and an eagerness to start reading! 23 BOYS SPORT

A St Bede’s College pupil has had a busy few months proving that he is one of the best young Gaelic footballers in the North West. Rory, who goes into Lower and managed to beat Oisin GAA, His grandparents underage. Around 15 current Fifth this year, recently highly-rated Moate, from are from Belmullet in Co and former St Bedes pupils represented Lancashire U14s Westmeath. Mayo & Milltown, Tuam in play for the club and have in the Feile, which was based And as well as taking part in Co Galway. Rory has gone strong links with the school. in Co Offaly in June. that prestigious tournament, from strength to strength Oisin’s Youth coach Jimmy In the tournament, Rory and Rory will also play for since he took to the game. Logan said: “I am very proud his Lancashire teammates Lancashire U16s against The young sportsman also that Oisin’s GAA & St Bedes took on some of the finest North London in the All represents the College at School continue to build a young talent in Offaly. Britain U16’s Championship football, rugby, cricket and good relationship and are While the Lancashire side final which takes place in cross country. able to maintain such strong failed to make the semi September in Birmingham. Rory currently plays his club links with each another and finals, they were competitive Rory picked up the game at football for Oisin’s and they pupils both past and present for the entire weekend a young age of 6 when he are one of the strongest are here to enjoy gaelic against their Irish rivals joined East Didsbury based clubs in Lancashire at football.

Rory McCormack

Back row L–R Ethan Hillis, Matthew Grainger, Christian Harrison, Isaac Jones Capt, Deji Olayinka, Caleb Ogwuru, Daniel Mckenna, Joe Orr, Jack Scraggs. Front Row L-R George Czornenkyj, Billy Gallagher, William Welbon, Will Horne, Matthew Chiu, Danny Farrell, James Ward-Mallinson, Louie Donnelly, Charles Cornall.

First XV Rugby The team enjoyed a mixed season with some good results combining with The U15 Rugby team narrow defeats in other games. In the opening friendly game of the season, Ify Obi damaged his shoulder which was not only sad for him but losing a player of his physical size and 2011/2012 season ability affected the team’s morale. From the first game of the season the pack of forwards proved to be quite a handful for many teams. It was the It has been a good year for the U15 rugby squad as forwards who won a close game at Sale Grammer School. Playing in poor the ‘statistics show’ with a large part of the success conditions, the wet weather suited our game plan and late tries allowed us being due to the students playing with great ‘esprit to win the match. In our next game against St Ambose 2nd XV, the weather conditions were quite the opposite. Glorious sunshine on a big wide pitch de Corps’. The foundations were layed during the first didn’t suit our game and in the final quarter we conceded three tries. Later game of the season, when a strong Sale team were in the term we played a new fixture against Bacup and Rawtenstall GS. The beaten away, by 40 points. The inimitable Jack Scraggs younger players in the side (Sean Driscoll, Harvey Derby, Declan Evans) all contributed to an excellent victory against a very keen and enthusiastic scoring four tries and earning the man of the match school team. award into the bargain. The final games of the season, were excellent, closely-contested games. We lost to MGS by a single score. Jake Duncan, Joe Kennedy, Iain Gillespie, Joe Despite having a massive squad including some Upper Fifths, the team O’Loghlen all enjoyed excellent performances. quickly gelled at the start of each game and played skilful rugby no In the return game at Bacup, we lost again by a single score. For many matter who the opposition were. The team was guided by their Captain parts of the game we dominated possession and field position. However, good scrambling defence from Bacup and a brilliant performance from Isaac Jones who showed some great technical decision making at key their Captain (Rossendale First XV player) won them the game. Many moments in games. I look forward to seeing some of these players players enjoyed excellent performances in this game; they included Luke graduating to the first fifteen next year. Hulme, Luke Bourke-Costello and Sean Driscoll. One player who led by example was the Captain Anthony Hamilton. Anthony is a talented stand-off Squad: Joe Orr, Oliver Lamontagne, Ethan Hillis, Christian Harrison, who, not only in this game, but in all his school games, was a joy to watch. Matthew Grainger, George Czornenkyj, Josh O’Connor, Will Horne, Isaac Our final game of the year at St Joseph’s Stoke was a tough game, which Jones Captain, Joe Gould, Deji Olayinka, Matthew Chiu, Tom Jowett, again we lost narrowly to a strong team. Despite losing a number of games by only a few points, the team should reflect back upon a season that was Danny Farrell, Louie Donnelly, Daniel McKenna, Tom Jowett, Caleb enjoyable and at times a little unlucky. Good luck to all the boys that will Ogwuri, George Czornenkyj, James Ward Mallinson, Charlie Cornall, be leaving St Bede’s and I thank them for their contribution in all the years Billy Gallagher, Jack Scraggs, William Welbon. that they have represented the College.

24 Team Statistics Played 10 | Won 5 | Drawn 0 | Lost 5 | For 195 | Against 18 BOYS SPORT U13 Football 2011-2012 Athletics The Manchester schools and the Greater Manchester Catholic The lads had a mixed season this year. There were some losses but also schools competition is always a very high standard. In both some magnificent victories, including a thumping 6-0 win against King’s meetings, many pupils excelled, and not only gained medal Chester, a game in which Kaden McCabe scored 4. Other notable positions but also improved upon their personal best efforts. victories were recorded against QEGS and Hulme Grammar School. Perhaps the best win of the year was in the Manchester Cup against The results and notable individual performances are as follows: a much bigger and stronger Blue Coats school. After fighting back Manchester Schools Manchester Catholic from a goal down in both normal time and extra time, Aiden Slevin Year 8&9 6th place Schools scored the winning penalty after keeper Eddie Sanchez made a great Year 10&11 6th place Year 9 save. Overall, I was very pleased by the effort the lads put in and the Manchester Catholic Christy O’Brien 1st place performances by the likes of Niall Mannion, Joe O’Brien and Jordan Schools 1500m O’Shea. The side was ably captained this year by Thomas Brewer. No overall team result, the James Davies 2nd place long competition was abandoned Jump due to the rain. Nicholas Jones 4th place Shot putt Individual performances Relay 4th place included: Year 10 Manchester Schools Caleb Ogwuru 4th place Year 9 100m Nicholas Jones 4th place 9m Joseph Orr 3rd place Shot 87 in the Shot Putt putt Tyreke Thompson 5th in the Ciaran Baxendale 1st place Rory McCormack Hurdles Long jump. Relay Team 4th place Year 10 Caleb Ogwuru 5th place 12.5 100m Relay Team 2nd place Ayodeji Olayinka 3rd place 10.82 in the triple jump Joseph Orr 5th place in the Shot Putt 8m 60 Ciaran Baxendale 2nd place in the Long Jump 5m 15

U12 Football I scrolled through the form lists back at the end of August and wrote down 19 potential names for the squad. It was actually the 19 names of all of the boys in the first year. I think 14 of those boys attended the first training session and without the usual hours of trials and deliberations with Mr Glancy or Mr Wright, the year 7 squad was formed! Despite lacking in quantity, we did not lack in quality and with the exception of one away game this season, all of the matches were competitive and at least reasonably close. Impressive victories came against Kings (Chester), QEGS and The U15 Rugby team Parrswood, and hard fought draws were achieved against Bolton, Cheadle Hulme, Bury, and Oldham Hulme. The boys trained with enthusiasm each Tuesday and the parents supported the 2011/2012 season Cross-Country team in a similar fashion on a Saturday, and the only uncomfortable moment that I experienced The cross country teams enjoyed a very successful this season was caused by a managerial error away to Parrswood! The season’s finale was the season in all competitions. annual 8-a-side tournament at MGS. Thirteen teams entered the tournament with the majority Results from the Citywide Schools League: of them having over 100 boys in their year 7’s to choose from. We had not won an eleven-a-side Year 7 5th place match against any of the other teams in the tournament, and also the team who had inflicted Year 8/9 3rd place our one heavy defeat (as well as a couple of others who had proved too strong for us) were there Year 10/11 4th place too. I was fearing the worst and was just thinking that if we finished 3rd or 4th in the group, Results from Manchester Schools Championships then perhaps we could win one knockout round match in the plate to save some face. Usually Year 7 6th place I back myself when it comes to evaluating sporting situations but in this case I could barely be Year 8/9 2nd place further from reality. St Matthew’s, Bolton, Lymm, and Wilmslow were all stylishly beaten en route Year 10/11 2nd place to the cup final with displays that combined intelligent and organised defensive play coupled Results from the Manchester Catholic Schools with incisive attacking and tremendous finishing. Unfortunately the side containing Uwe Rosler’s Championships son and also the son of another former professional player proved to be too strong for us in the Year 7 6th place final and Cheadle Hulme ran out deserving winners, but I cannot remember a moment in my 11 Year 8/9 1st place years at St Bede’s where I was more proud of the team that I was with. Juhun Yang and Matthew Year 10/11 2nd place Strogen led the way with several excellent goals, though Harry Vose’s last minute winner from 25 Highlights from the season include the 1st place to yards into the top corner in the semi-final was probably the goal of the day. Behind these players, the Year 8/9 team who won the Manchester Catholic various combinations of William Hall, Finnan Sidlow, Ronan Fitzgerald, Andreas Kitromolides, Schools. Christy O’Brien came first, Harry McLachlan 5th James Douglas and James Dillon all defended the goal with resolution. Other players to feature and Julius Chike finished 7th. The year 10/11 team deserve a lot of praise for their this season were Stuart Lockett, Darryl Hammond-Barham, Liam McCormack, Thomas Gaynor, attitude and effort in every competition. The 2ND Christian Thomasson, Liam Atanga, Sam Concannon and Joe Wilson. I would like to thank all Place finish in both major races was an excellent of the parents for all of their support this season and without exception they were gracious and achievement. appreciative of our efforts at all times. I wish I could say that this happened every year but sadly it does not, so it makes running teams like this year’s team all the more enjoyable. I wish the Individual success Christy O’Brien Winner of the Manchester Catholics boys every future success. Julius Chike represented Manchester Schools Matthew Strogen represented Manchester Schools Stuart Bargery 25 Ronan Fitzgerald represented Manchester Schools GIRLS SPORT

Girls sport The highlight of this sporting year has been the girls’ commitment and desire to achieve: it has made me very proud. They have a winning mentality and are highly motivated in every game. The winter season is particularly long, but the girls have been reliable in both training and matches. Greater Manchester is one of the strongest counties for sport in the country and when St Bede’s, as a co-educational school, is beating highly regarded girls’ grammar and independent schools, we have much to celebrate.

I am sure you will also be very proud of the girls’ sporting achievements. They are a credit to St Bede’s College and other schools often comment on their exemplary behaviour and standard of kit.

Athletics the U16s were crowned champions, The U16 athletics team were crowned with excellent performances from Manchester Champions in 2011. Caragh Keane: 1st in the 200m, Abbie This, however, was not reported in Kirvell: 2nd in the Hurdles and Tomi the last Baeda, as it was already in Akindele: 3rd in the 100m. The relay print when the event took place. The team, consisting of Luisa Schumacher, U12 Greater Manchester Quad Kid’s Tomi, Caragh and Monique Jackson Pentathlon was also won by the St finished 2nd. The afternoon session was Bede’s team, comprising: Tara Quinn, rained off, meaning no field events Lucy Grainger, Frankie McNamee, took place. However, other notable Charlotte Killingly and Yeun Lee. This achievements were from Frankie was a fantastic achievement, as 17 Hacker-Davies: 1st in the U12 1500m schools competed. This season, in the and Alice Webb: 3rd in the Hurdles. U16 Manchester Indoor Athletics final In the U14 event, Olivia Turner was Tomi Arkindele was 1st in the 60m, 2nd in the 1500m and the relay team, Aimee Aitkin was 1st in the 800m, comprising Lucy Grainger, Tara Quinn, Clodagh Whiteside was 1st in the Alethea Paul and Orla Dunn was 3rd. High Jump and Caragh Keane and Charlotte Hickman finished 2nd in the Cross Country Long Jump and Hurdles respectively. The U12 team were winners of the The team finished 3rd overall. In the Manchester Schools League, with Frankie Hacker-Davis finishing 2nd U12 category, Frankie Hacker-Davies Netball was1st in the 60m and Amy Heard 2nd overall and Faye Standring 3rd, from This has been another outstanding season in the 800m, helping the team finish 4th 57 runners and 10 schools competing. for netball. The U12s have worked well and in the final. In the U14 Section, many They were also Manchester Schools reached the high standards set by other of our team finished 3rd in their events Champions and Frankie, Faye and year groups. They were runners up in the and the team was 3rd overall in the Grace Carr Deed were selected to South Manchester League, comprising local final. run for Manchester in the Greater Manchester event. In the Catholic independent and Trafford Grammar Schools. They won the Manchester Schools Knockouts This year’s full meeting for Manchester Schools event, the team finished and reached the semi-finals of the Greater Schools was another good event in 3rd from 9 schools competing, ManchesterCatholic Tournament. terms of achievement. Our U16 team with Frankie finishing in 3rd place was made up mainly of U13 and U14 overall from 82 runners. The U14 The U13s are equally as impressive: they girls; the reason being that our U15 team were also the winners of the won the South Manchester League and the and U16 girls were involved in Manchester Schools League from Rydal and Penrhos Invitation Tournament. either Duke of Edinburgh training 10 schools competing. Beth Gleave They were runners up in the Manchester or examination preparation. They and Alethea Paul were 4th and 5th Catholic Schools Tournament and the finished 4th from 12 schools, but there from 72 runners, respectively. In the Manchester Schools Knockouts. Olivia Turner were only 4 points between 1st and Manchester Schools Championships, and Tara Quinn were selected for the Greater 4th place, so this was a very close the team finished 2nd overall and in Manchester Academy and Tara has also competition, indeed. Special mention the Manchester Catholics they were been selected for Northern Thunder U14 must go to the medal winners: 4th from 10 school participating. The Academy. Charlotte Killingly, who finished 2nd U16 team were 2nd in the Manchester in the 300m, Abbie Kirvell: 3rd in the League with Millie Johnson finishing The U14s have played and won many friendly Hurdles, Nenna Obineke: 3rd in the 3rd overall from 62 competitors. In the matches, including the Manchester Schools 200m, Gemma Douglas: 3rd in the Manchester Schools’ Championships League. Grace Sloan and Rose Maloney are 800m and Colette Mitchell: 2nd in the they were 2nd and Millie, Luisa U14 players who have represented the U15 Shot Putt. In the same competition, the Schumacher and Issy Cox were team, which won the Manchester Knockout U14 team was 3rd overall, again with selected to run for Manchester in Tournament, were runners up in the South only 4 points separating 1st and 3rd the Greater Manchester event. In the Manchester League and 4th in the Stonyhurst place. Special mention to the medal Catholic Schools, the team was 5th Invitation Tournament. Millie Johnson plays winners: Olivia Turner: 2nd in the 800m, from 10 participating schools. for the Greater Manchester Academy and Grace Sloan: 1st in the Discus and attends High Performance Training. Mary Trann: 3rd in the Javelin. The U12 competition for this event is held when The senior team, however, has been the most we have finished for the summer, but successful, winning the Manchester and thankfully the organiser has brought District Tournament, finishing runners up in the the date forward for next season Greater Manchester County Tournament and to allow us to participate. In the the North West National Schools Tournament Manchester Catholic Schools meeting, and as a result of this proceeding to the National Schools Netball Finals. 26 GIRLS SPORT

Rounders So far this season we have entered 2 x U12 teams, 2 x U13 teams, an U14 and an U15 team in many friendly competitions and all teams have been extremely successful. I am very impressed with the U15 girls who have joined the rounders team this year to replace those who felt unable to participate. They have developed their skills and are a joy to work with. The U14 team has entered the Manchester schools tournament at U15 level ( their tournament clashed with examinations) and have won their group stage, beating Manchester High in the final. They qualified to the semi-final and beat Parrswood to reach the final, where they beat Manchester High and were crowned champions. The U13 team were runners up in the Manchester Catholic schools’ competition and qualified as winners of their section to the semi-final of the Manchester Schools Knockout competition. in the final they playeded Wright Robinson Sports College and won 8-1 ½, thereby becoming Manchester champions. Our U12 team were semi-finalists in the Manchester Catholic Schools competition.

Colours are awarded each year for commitment, self-motivation, ability and being a sporting ambassador for the college. This year they go to: Hockey Rounders Netball Cross Country Mitchel Olivia Turner Yeun Lee Gemma Douglas Frankie Hacker-Davis Tara Quinn Olivia Turner Yeun Lee Faye Standring Yeun Lee Tara Quinn Beth Gleave Blanca Stratford Elianne Lightfoot Athletics Luisa Schumacher Maddie Moss Lucy Grainger Frankie Hacker Grace Sloan Gemma Douglas Davies Rose Maloney Maddie Moss Olivia Turner Colette Mitchel Emily Parkar Charlotte Killingley Laura Keaveney Blanca Stratford Nenna Obineke Michaela Gillespie Mary Trann Blanca Stratford Charlotte Benson Roseanna Bentley Claudia Sivori Hockey Daisy Ryan Alice Walsh Seniors A reliable and committed squad, ably led by to a full 11-a-side team. The girls have worked team against Stockport Grammar. captain Helen Shires and vice-captain Annie really hard and have adapted to their new O’Brien, the U18 Hockey team fared well positions very well. Whilst their individual The A team came 3rd in the Manchester over the course of the season against some skills have improved, it is their positioning and Catholic Schools competition. I was very tough opposition. The highlights of the season tactical awareness that I am most pleased with. impressed with the girls at the Kings Chester were a 7-0 win over local rivals Withington, This is even more impressive as none of the invitational tournament. They showed great a convincing 3-1 win against Stonyhurst and team play for clubs outside school. Mathilda spirit and many of the team played in positions reaching third place in the County Tournament Bruchard captained the team very well. There that they were unfamiliar with. As ever there after a thrilling draw against an outstanding were some excellent results, 4-0 against was fierce competition for places and girls eager Stockport Grammar side. At the end of season Wilmslow and a 1-1 draw against Loreto. to move to the A team. Harriet Heaney started meal, there were three trophies awarded - on the B team as a right attack and finished the Players’ Player of the Season went to Helen U12 > A very pleasing season for both the season as sweeper for the A team. Hollie Hyde Shires, Player of the Season to Annie O’Brien A & B teams. Plenty of goals were scored by and Selena Castro captained the two teams, and Top Scorer to Osheanne Hogan. both teams. The season started with 4-0 & both were very organised and committed. 5-3 victories for the A & B teams against St. U13 >This season the girls moved from 8-a-side Edwards and ended with a 1-1 draw for the A 27 CO-CURRICULAR Quotes from our students... Our first year of the co-curricular programme has been a huge St Bede’s co-curricular has introduced me to success with diverse daily activities a range of amazing sports and activities from - such as Portuguese, Chess, Peer table tennis, to rock climbing and cricket tours. Mentoring, Drama, Girl’s Football, Much more than that they have helped me make stronger friends, not only in my year, but other Photography, Cooking, Rock years as well. I have really benefited from these Climbing and Irish Music clubs along and hope to try many more in the future. with Medical, Legal and United Nation Harvey Bullman - 3rd Year Forums being made available during lunchtimes and afterschool. I have always enjoyed stage productions, but it wasn’t the fame and front lights that attracted me but rather the magic This daily programme runs in conjunction with our College trips including Skiing in France, New York/Washington that goes on behind the scenes. I joined stage crew as soon as and Barbados. Our programme has been designed to I entered the College and spend dinner time and afterschool create an inclusive College environment, which caters to working as a team preparing for assemblies, productions and student individuality, with an emphasis on participation, skill recitals. It’s really fun. development, teamwork and enjoyment. Eamon Faulkner - 3rd Year Students have been given the opportunity to achieve many positive experiences through the co-curricular endeavour, as well as to improve relations with their peers, their teachers and the wider community. Our hope is that these experiences will inevitably help foster attitudes and values that students I really enjoyed the North West Schools Golf can keep with them into adult life; helping our students reach Tournament. It was a great day and I really liked their potential, become multi-talented and give them a playing against students from other schools. I hope to greater sense of belonging. play them again next year. The programme’s strength lies in the great commitment from Patrick Hudson-Davis - 2nd Year College staff who generously give their time to provide these wonderful opportunities for students!

Girls’ football is really fun; we enjoy being a team and representing the College. The St Bede’s girls team came second in the Catholic Cup Tournament which was great. Co-Curricular gives us opportunities to explore all areas of sports. It’s really fun beating the teachers too! Victoria Alderson - 3rd Year

The College Ski Trip was my first time skiing and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. Maria McGoff - 4th Year

I was lucky to have the opportunity to have a series of horse riding lessons which involved grooming, riding and learning about horses. It has been brilliant. Molly Bennett - 1st year

This was the first year of the newly formed Medical Forum. It gives an opportunity for those students interested in the field of medicine to come together and discuss topics of interest as well as listening to speakers from outside the College, such as a foundation year doctor and a fourth year medical student. Next year there will be more opportunities to come and listen to professionals. 28 Jeferry Li and Sam Walsh - Lower Sixth CO-CURRICULAR Activities Time This year also saw the introduction of our summer term Activities For me, rock climbing was a really interesting, Time. The purpose of Activities Week was to help us in our continued endeavour to develop a well-rounded St Bede’s student; one who enjoyable and exhilarating experience which has had the opportunity to experience a broad range of activities allowed us to set and reach new goals. It was that inspire, motivate and heighten their interests as well as reward an activity that was set at an enjoyable pace their application to their studies throughout the year. involving all so that no-one was excluded. All activities were linked with the College ethos; education, family, Georgina Nicolaou - 34th Year community and spiritual development; helping to develop wider skills for life-long learning as well as create links to the major ideas, innovations and challenges that our students face in a rapidly changing society.

Over the course of the programme students followed a timetable with a variety of activities that catered specifically to their interests.

The various activities included in the week were:

• Alton Towers Trip • Dragon’s Den • Golf lessons and tournaments • Horse Riding • Japanese • Languages Treasure Hunt • Masterchef • Multisports • Photography • Rock climbing • Skiing/snowboarding • Technology Apprentice • Tennis tournaments • Trips to Alton Towers, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, London and the Trafford Centre • Workshops for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, TV Sitcom writing and News room simulation.

29 University Course University Course Abbey Patrick Durham Physics Money Alexander Central Lancashire Law Adegbite Alfred Kingston Geology Morrissey Nicole Manchester Metropolitan Business Economics Arrowsmith Charlotte Leeds Metropolitan Business and Management Mulhern Patrick Chester Business and Marketing Benson-May Martin Downing, Cambridge Economics Murgatroyd Samuel Manchester Metropolitan Art Foundation Course Boyce James Flying School Murray Poppy Leeds Metropolitan Events Management Bradley Luke York Economics Nwakodo Okeaba Queen Mary’s, London Mechanical Engineering Brooke Harriet Sheffield Geography Obi Chigozie Durham Accounting and Finance Burke Catherine Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge English O’Brien Fidelma Buckinghamshire English Literature Byrne Roseanne Glasgow French and Spanish O’Brien Isaac Birmingham Geology Cameron Scott Leeds Metropolitan Accounting and Finance Ogden Sophie Aston International Business & Languages Cavanagh Katy Edinburgh Music Omitola Dorothy Bedfordshire Business Management Caveney Grace Huddersfield English Language & Creative Writing Osammor Laraba Manchester French and Spanish Chang Chi To (Alex) Keele Chemsitry and Maths O’Sullivan Evie Newcastle English Literature Clinton Ashley Sheffield Chemistry Paradiuk Marcus Full-time employment Coen Thomas Leicester Geology Partakis Rachael UWE Biomedical Sciences Connor Callum Leeds Metropolitan Business and Management Peden Emma Nottingham Trent Sociology Cuff Josephine Birmingham Modern Languages & European Studies Plummer Eden Nottingham Geography Devine Emma Manchester Metropolitan Events Management Pollitt Jack Manchester Metropolitan Law Diep Dominic York Law Porter Ella Leeds Metropolitan Biomedical Sciences Douglas Catherine Cardiff Sociology and Education Richards Victoria Birmingham Nursing Duffy Megan Keele Medicine Ryder Jamie Edge Hill Creative Writing and Film Studies Duignan Catherine Manchester Politics Shagaya Adam York Law Edwards Aidan Leeds Theatre and Performance Sheehan Sean Durham Natural Sciences Essien Nsikan-Obong Churchill College, Cambridge Engineering Sheridan Declan Edinburgh Ancient History Evans Anthony Liverpool John Moore’s Civil Engineering Slevin Cormac Jesus College, Oxford Economics Falkiner-Rogers Laura Edinburgh Classics Stiles James Edinburgh Medicine Feeley Deaglan Leeds Metropolitan Sociology Tabor Katherine York French and German Language Flanagan Fiona Manchester Biomedical Sciences Thomas Rex Sunderland Bioscience Gaughan Kieran Leeds Metropolitan Product Design Thompson Hannah Liverpool John Moore’s History and English Glennon Mary Nottingham Trent Economics Thornbury Aithne Gap Year Griffin Suliac Manchester Metropolitan English Literature & Creative Writing Tollitt Megan Gonville & Gaius College, Cambridge Law Halligan Thomas Liverpool John Moore’s Marketing Tran David University College, London Economics Hamman Benjamin Liverpool Marine Biology Vincent Georgina Manchester Metropolitan Art Foundation Course Hartley Thys Leeds Music Voronkov Maria Imperial College, London Biology Hassall Lewis Full-time employment Wade Matthew Sheffield Hallam Criminology Hayes Harry Liverpool Chemistry Walsh Anne Glasgow Anatomy Hollins Catharine Liverpool Bioveterinary Science Wdowin Julia Christ’s College, Cambridge Modern and Medieval Languages Hughes Eoin Queens, Belfast Biochemistry Whitehead Sophia Sheffield History Hughes Sophie Leeds Theology and Religious Studies Whittington Bernadette Newman College, Birmingham Primary Education Huo Yujia Edinburgh Economics and Maths Whytock Callum Full-time employment Idehen Jessica Manchester Economics Wilcox Emily Nottingham Trent Special and Inlusive Education Kan Kwan Ting Manchester Biochemistry Wong Harriet Gap Year Keaveney Emma Kings College, London Geography Wood Kieran York Economics, Econometrics & Finance Kelly Hannah South Trafford College Art Foundation Course Woodruff Brittany Leeds Theology and Religious Studies Kelly Samuel Manchester Metropolitan Physiotherapy Wright Nadene Leicester French and English King Helena Leeds History Yeung Yin Ting Leeds Metropolitan Hospitality Leadership Kleimunt Benjamin Sheffield Law Langslow Maria Corpus Christi College, Oxford Physics and Philosophy Lawson-Mcdonald Kial Gap Year Lawton Sophie Nottingham Politics Leigh James Aberystwyth International Politics Lightfoot Matthew Manchester Metropolitan Politics Liu Bean Hertfordshire Biochemistry Lloyd Christian Bristol Mathematics Lopeman Matthew Bristol Geology Mathew Anusha Sheffield Social Policy and Sociology Maynard Jamal Nottingham Trent Business Economics McGowan Katy Sheffield Biblical Studies McMylor George Full-time employment McPherson Lori Sheffield Sociology and Business Management Mealey Ella Queen Mary’s, London English Literature and Linguistics Mo Linlin Gap Year

30 Mrs Maureen Hazell Oxford, Cambridge and King’s School Ely examination success is anathema. In University Course prepared Mrs Hazell for us, an excellent English at St Bede’s, commended by Central Lancashire Law English teacher, a major enhancer the Governors, the College has a higher of Bedian life, with many charisms: vision. Supporting them, Mrs Hazell Manchester Metropolitan Business Economics English at St Bede’s revered tutor, skilled public-speaking upheld it. Chester Business and Marketing coach, costumer of 24 years’ stage Manchester Metropolitan Art Foundation Course productions, Ullswater camp, university Second in English, she enacted critical 1988-2012 Leeds Metropolitan Events Management preparation, staff development, DoE solidarity of striking sensitivity – to the Queen Mary’s, London Mechanical Engineering support, Dordogne activity, memorable Head of Department’s abiding gratitude. assemblies, Advent Bazaar cakes... Duly, to the delight of colleagues, she Durham Accounting and Finance became Head of English. Buckinghamshire English Literature Gusto her hallmark and liberality of time, Birmingham Geology compassion, effort – much she gave, Family and food she declared as Aston International Business & Languages relentlessly, variously and, often, quietly. passions and might have added Christianity with whose disunity she was Bedfordshire Business Management Her being and teaching advanced impatient. Manchester French and Spanish pupils’ academic, emotional, spiritual, Newcastle English Literature moral and social development. Tutorially 71 terms she laboured in the Bedian Full-time employment there was prayer, virtue, birthday cake, vineyard, improving the cru. Not hers the UWE Biomedical Sciences love. curious, unBedian aberration that you could show too much good will. She Nottingham Trent Sociology Pupils, colleagues, wise and otherwise, spurned the nicely calculated less or Nottingham Geography she supported unstintingly. more. Manchester Metropolitan Law Leeds Metropolitan Biomedical Sciences Vocation-frustrating meretricious punditry Her keeping faith inspired us all. angered her. Birmingham Nursing The dogs continue to bark, the caravan Edge Hill Creative Writing and Film Studies Inspectors celebrating the English moves on. Following her act will not be York Law Department’s scholarship, purposiveness, difficult but impossible. Durham Natural Sciences creativity and conviviality had her indeed Edinburgh Ancient History in mind, but missed her remarkable Nunquam Illa Otio Torpebat, with ability to make vigorous contributions to splendour! Amen Jesus College, Oxford Economics Department meetings several seconds Edinburgh Medicine before arriving. York French and German Language Sunderland Bioscience Values of Department and College she enacted: understanding facts, evaluating Liverpool John Moore’s History and English knowledge, appreciating moral “The dogs continue to bark, the caravan Gap Year significance and bearing, in the light of Gonville & Gaius College, Cambridge Law the eternal. University College, London Economics moves on. Following her act will not Manchester Metropolitan Art Foundation Course The worldly sophistry that pupils exist for Gradgrindian drilling towards Imperial College, London Biology Sheffield Hallam Criminology be difficult but impossible.” Glasgow Anatomy Christ’s College, Cambridge Modern and Medieval Languages Sheffield History Newman College, Birmingham Primary Education Jayne Full-time employment GEOLOGY Nottingham Trent Special and Inlusive Education Tomkinson; Gap Year Head of Geography AWARD York Economics, Econometrics & Finance Leeds Theology and Religious Studies Jayne joined St Bede’s Leicester French and English as Head of Geography Two A Level Geologists have scooped Leeds Metropolitan Hospitality Leadership in 2006. Immediately her St Bede’s College’s top awards for enthusiasm for her subject, and more their fine performance in the subject specifically for teaching her subject, was evident to the pupils she taught throughout this year. the College. Undoubtedly as a result of that, Jayne has overseen increased numbers Tim Mayall and Chris Brennan won the “Most Outstanding Geologist” and “Achievement in Geology” awards taking Geography on as an option respectively. subject, not only at GCSE but also AS and The two prizes form the school’s Michael Brown Memorial Awards, which are given in memory of former pupil A2-Level. Jayne also believes strongly in Michael Brown, who was tragically killed more than ten years ago. her pupils seeing for real the world they In achieving 100%, Tim scored the top mark in the country for one of his Geology modules and head of Geology study in class, and she drove through Peter Loader praised his achievement. He was given an A* in the subject, as well as an A*in Chemistry, and will challenging expeditions and study visits study Geology at Leicester. with great regularity for pupils of all ages, He said: “He is an outstanding student who encompassed the scientific principles of the subject en route to but culminating perhaps in the GCSE and achieving the highest mark in the country for one of his A2 modules.” A-Level expedition to Iceland in 2009, a trip The prize has whetted Tim’s appetite for the demands of undergraduate study. of remarkable splendour and beauty. The “I can’t wait to get started now, because I feel like I’m already forgetting things. I’ll be able to learn more about trip perhaps summed Jayne’s teaching the scientific side of Geology and I’m really looking forward to it. up; desperate to share the delights of Chris, who is taking Geology at Keele University, was rewarded for his stellar efforts outside the classroom. He her subject, meticulous in planning and produced a geological trail map for Park Bridge in Ashton-Under-Lyne, which will help visitors for years to come. delivery, and left with a genuine feeling of Mr Loader was delighted with Chris’s enthusiasm for the subject, which has ultimately won him a place at Keele increased knowledge of and enthusiasm University. He said: “Chris’s dogged determination to succeed has been justly rewarded in his exam. His extended for her subject. After six years, Jayne leaves project on the geology of Park Bridge is a legacy for the general public and those that follow him.” with our very best wishes to join Bury Girls The two students’ results form part of an impressive year for the Geology department, with five pupils 31 Grammar. choosing to study the subject at university. Before...

The Father Bernard Jackson Sixth Form Centre

This year has seen a Jackson Sixth Form Centre, in recognition of the long and loyal service major redevelopment given to the College by Father Jackson. of the Sixth Form Father Jackson was himself a pupil at Common Room. There St Bede’s in the 1920s. In 1938, after his ordination in Rome, he returned is now a devoted study and remained in a variety of capacities area with computer and for a further 67 years. In total, he spent wi-fi access throughout. 74 years of his life at St Bede’s College - more than any other individual in its history. In that time, he was a teacher Annexed to this is a Ucas resource of Latin and Greek, Vice-Rector centre, where Mrs Lockett can be found of the College, an imaginative and before school, at lunchtime and in her prudent Bursar - responsible, in fact, free periods to help students with their After... university applications. Mr Dumbill for purchasing the Regis Building, and Mr Gallagher are also based in the now the site of his eponymous Sixth Form Common Room in an office centre - and latterly responsible for adjacent to the study area. distributing stationery to pupils in The Sixth Form now has a new cafeteria, a most idiosyncratic and inimitable The Hive, which is open throughout manner. However, he was so much the school day and where students more than the sum of his titles, as the can purchase a wide range of hot and last Rector of the College, Monsignor cold drinks and snacks. The remainder Dodgeon, wrote: “Whoever said ‘no of the Common Room has also been man is indispensable’ didn’t know Father refurbished and is now a highly attractive Jackson.” Generations of Bedians will space for the students to study, eat and remember him with affection from their socialise. time at the College, and it seems only Perhaps most significantly, the Sixth fitting that his name should live on for Form Common Room has been many generations still to come thanks to renamed. It is now the Father Bernard this splendid new facility.

32 Charities 2011-12

St Bede’s has never shirked its responsibilities to those people in society who are not as lucky as we are. Whether these people are in our local community, or thousands of miles away from us, Bedians have a fine tradition of supporting the needy. This year has been no exception.

In the Advent season, the middle and lower With great time and effort on Mr Berry’s and the Peruvian Mission and TLC in South Africa. school form classes prepared some wonderful gift English department’s part, St Bede’s Reads raised hampers for three of our local charities. Of course, almost £3000 for ‘Mary’s Meals’, a phenomenal On top of that, the Lourdes group, led by some our main fundraising season is Lent and the amount which will make a huge difference to of our Gold DofE students, raised a significant Spring term, which this year marked the return their work. amount throughout the year so that they could of the Run for Life. The event was a tremendous offset the cost of their pilgrimage. This was success, held in Alexandra Park, and it raised over All this work has meant that over the course of supplemented by the staff cycle to Lourdes in £4000. We hope this event will go from strength the year, generous donations have been made June. A donation was also made to the work to strength over the coming years. The Row for to School Under the Tree (more on that later), being done by five of our Sixth Formers in Peru Africa, a favourite event of our Sixth Form, raised Handful of Hope (a charity started and run by this summer. £500, and the Sixth Form collections for ‘Handful two former Bedians, Miriam Fahey and Tim of Hope’ raised over £250. Keaveney), Fr. Pat Clarke’s City of Angels, Fr. Wall’s

Ethiopia

In the Easter holidays, Mr Loader and I visited the School Under the Tree in Awassa, Ethiopia. We were armed with hundreds of football shirts, kindly donated by staff, pupils, parents and Manchester City FC, to distribute to the children (and also some of the adults!) To see the work that has been done, thanks in the main to the fundraising efforts of the Bedian family, was quite breathtaking. The pupils have a uniform, they have a working school, they are provided with a meal and water every day, and they are assisted by some very hard working and dedicated staff. In fact, the success of the school has meant there is a need to expand and to move, and with the help of Northern Care, we are in the process of relocating the school a couple of blocks away from their present site, to a much bigger and suitable plot. There is, of course, still much to do - a visit to a separate compound one day of our visit was “we are making tracks in the right enough to make me realise that. But we are making tracks in the right direction, and with the continued support of the pupils, parents, staff direction, and with the continued and friends of St Bede’s, we will continue to improve the lives of people we don’t know. What we saw in Ethiopia was validation for all of our support of the pupils, parents, staff efforts; every minute of a 24hr row, every step of a 10km run, every and friends of St Bede’s, we will penny of every cake sale. All of this money is going towards developing a better future for children in some of the most impoverished areas of continue to improve the lives of the world. Belay, the man who runs the School Under the Tree, said to me during our visit “God is a good God”. If he can say that, then who people we don’t know...” are we to argue? 33 Mr Byrne St Bede’s College, Alexandra Park, Manchester M16 8HX tel 0161 226 3323 fax 0161 226 3813 [email protected] www.stbedescollege.co.uk COLLEGE