The Albanian

Finchley Catholic High School, Woodside Lane, Finchley N12 ODA

October 2018 Volume 26, Issue 1

Message from the Head

Our new academic year has begun very positively. Our students have already undertaken several activities Thank you to our parental community for working to support the common good, which is a huge focus for collaboratively with us for our students’ benefit. We us here at our Catholic School. really appreciate your support, cooperation and open communication as it enables us to meet our students’ Thank you for supporting our boys and girls to needs more effectively. Staff try to ensure that parents participate and be involved in events which continue to are in receipt of the information they require and will find make a very real difference for the Community. You will interesting and useful. If there are any areas in which see in this edition a few pictures from our Cafod fast you need further details or explanation, please let us day, MacMillan Coffee morning and our 6th form Mary’s know so we can further strengthen our working Meals fund raiser. partnership . In addition to these events, Year 10 students have Please remember to check our website regularly for raised funds for a mental health charity and a number of updates and follow us on Twitter (@fchslondon) for other charitable events are already planned for next half news and updates. term.

We had our Year 7 Welcome Event on October 4th, One of the most enjoyable aspects of my role is the time which was a wonderful occasion. Our new students all I spend visiting lessons each day. It is a real highlight for received a presentation folder from our Chair of me to see our students involved and interested in their Governors, Jane Inzani. This personalized folder is to learning and thus making progress. Our young people be kept for students’ 7 years with us, and be used to are extremely fortunate to be in a school full of collate certificates and awards to celebrate their enthusiastic, talented professional staff who go to achievements. extraordinary lengths to ensure our students are learning effectively and have access to a multitude of A film was also created by staff at school, to show the extra curricular and enrichment activities. Thank you to boys at work and enjoying all curriculum areas and everyone who makes this a reality for our young people. different activities. Our Year 7 cohort sang a couple of numbers they had been rehearsing with music colleagues, which parents and staff really enjoyed. I wish you all a restful and enjoyable half term break.

I was so impressed by the boys’ singing that I requested With every Good Wish, they perform for all staff at our morning briefing the following Monday. It was a very special way to start our week and thanks again to the boys for sharing their gifts Niamh Arnull with us all.

Safeguarding your Child

Safeguarding your son or daughter is a hugely important role. They receive advice about a number of issues through PSHE lessons, their curriculum and registrations. We need your help and support in reinforcing these issues. Below is some advice from nationalonlinesafe- ty.com which (we hope) will help you keep your children safe whilst online.

Safeguarding your Child

Spiritual Life R Parsons

First Day Celebration chapter in their lives. time of reflection and a reminder of Fr Norbert Fernandes and Fr Mehall their relationship with God being a Mass for Year 7 Lowry came to celebrate the Mass, vital aspect of their life at FCHS. which was lovely as they both have connections to our school and the On their first day as members of the wider community. school community our new Year 7 Students and staff led the readings, students, with their families, prayers, the offertory and helped by attended Mass to celebrate this new altar serving. We hope this was a

They took part in a meditation, a Williams, Mr Twomey, Ms Boland Year 12 Day Retreats debate about whether social media and Mr Crosby. The students had a can have an impact on self-esteem, a wonderful day and we hope this will Over two days, Year 12 took part in a reflection task where they explore be an experience that they take retreat as part of their induction into what makes them who they are and forward into the coming year and the Sixth Form. The theme of the that it is more than just what is on the their time in Sixth Form. retreat was ‘My True Self’. We asked surface, and took the time to write students reflect on their true identity, prayers for the coming year. the beautiful creation God made in The day took place at the beautiful them and how they should be proud Northern Heights centre near Elstree to share this with the world. accompanied by Ms Parsons, Ms

Spiritual Life

Deanery Mass After Mass we had refreshments in th The Mass had a great community Canon Parsons which included a On 20 September, FCHS hosted feel, as many of the staff from differ- beautiful celebration cake made by the Annual Barnet Deanery Mass for ent schools led the Liturgy of the our Chef Manager, Julianna. This staff from both local primary and Word and offertory. The Mass was celebration brought a lovely sense of secondary schools. It was a wonder- supported by pupils from the choir belonging and partnership between ful Mass celebrated by Bishop John including a stunning Communion the schools which we will continue to Wilson and Fr Kevin Ryan. Bishop reflection from Oliver Barrett and our grow throughout this school year John’s homily reflected on the true Sixth Form Event Prefects were also and into the future. calling we have to teach young peo- on hand to welcome those attending. ple, and the realisation that it is a gift.

Times to give a talk on ‘Religious community. John gave a detailed Evening of Religious Art’. The talk included pieces of reli- explanation of not only the history of Art gious art that are included in the new the paintings and artists, but also the RE GCSE syllabus, among many symbolism and stories behind each others. painting. We hope this will be a start On 27th September, we welcomed It was wonderful evening attended of many evenings like this. John Dixon, former lecturer and art by parents, students and teachers correspondent for the Catholic from our school and from the local

Spiritual Life R Parsons

collected money for donations’. James says that being part of the CAFOD Harvest Fast They also created a positivity wall group means ‘that we are spreading Day where students wrote messages to the word of God and we are James, a member of the Justice uplift and brighten someone’s day. trying to tell people to start doing and Peace Group explains what we This worked alongside the message this to save the world’. did to support this important event. of the day which was ‘Brighten up’ If students would like to join us, we ‘We had a fast day. This meant The day itself was run by the meet at Monday Lunchtime in Room that we got a small portion of Justice & Peace group, which is 1. Speak to Miss Parsons for more food, so that we understand what made up of a group of students who details. people in poverty go through on meet to discuss social justice issues a daily basis. Some people also and try a make our school and wider a community a better place.

tration that you can download to join We hope this will be great way to Chaplaincy Website in with our prayers for the week. show the active and colourful Catho- Over the last couple of months, we You can also have your prayer in- lic landscape of the school and the have been developing a new web- tentions added to ours by submitting wider community. site all to do with Chaplaincy at them on our ‘Intention Page’. These FCHS. It has information about the intentions will be offered up during Catholic Life in school, articles Masses held in the school, and dur- about events in school and links to ing prayer group. parishes that our community are members of. You can find the chaplaincy site via There are also interactive areas to the school’s main website. Use the enjoy as well. There is a Prayer Re- main menu to follow the ‘About Us’ flection page with the Prayer power- link, ‘Faith and Ethos’, then click on points which students use in regis- the ‘FCHS Chaplaincy Page’ tab.

Events

A huge thank you on behalf of the Hospitality students who provided Friday break-time coffee, tea and treats in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. The total amount of money raised amounts to just under £250! This will no doubt make a huge difference to our local community and many families.

Thank you once again and there will be more to come from this group of students! L Hourican

Sixth Form Executive and Prefects A massive thank you to the Sixth Form executive and prefects for organising our contribution to ‘World Porridge Day’. The Sixth Formers arrived at school at 7am to set up and make the porridge in the food tech room. Many staff members and pupils enjoyed a healthy breakfast and we raised £265.26 for Mary’s Meals who provide chronically hungry children around the world with one meal every school day. We would also like to extend our thanks to the very generous donations from parents and pupils in the school; without these donations this event could not have taken place. C Prendergast

Events

The annual Reunion Dinner If you wish to attend, please submit the booking form (available on the school’s for former pupils of Finchley Catholic High website) by Wednesday 31st October 2018, along with a cheque for the School, will take place on appropriate amount made payable to Friday 9th November 2018. ‘The Albanian Association.’ If you wish to pay by Direct Debit please All are warmly invited to attend. contact Tom Flaherty by email [email protected].

Venue: School's Main Hall If you have any questions about payment or the event itself, please email Paula Tickets: Peter on [email protected]. £35 per head ( Tables of 8 or 10 available for group P Peter bookings)

Time: 7:00pm for 7:30pm

Dress Code: Lounge Suits

PTA

Finchley Catholic High School Presents

When: Saturday 17th November The Plan: Family Quiz 6pm-7pm (doors open 5.30pm; followed by Film & Food) Grown-Ups Quiz 7:30pm-9pm Tickets: £12/Adult (inc Curry Supper) £6/Child (inc Pizza)

Ways to Take Part: Wisepay – Buy your Tickets, email the reference with number of tickets & food choice (Chicken or Veg Curry) to [email protected] OR Complete the Form attached and pop it in the Parental Returns Box in the White House. Marked: Attn M. Inzani – Quiz Night Deadline 9th November Additional info attached!

Half Term Activity Camp

Activities Include: Outdoor and Indoor Football, Arts and Crafts, Dodgeball, Table Tennis, Basketball, IT Games, Movies

Finchley Catholic High School, Woodside Lane, Finchley, N12 8TA [email protected] 07966541015

General Notices/Reminders

School Development Fund Attendance through Schoolcomms. Reminder for

Recently, we sent out our appeal letter for the School Develop- Parents/Carers ment Fund through Schoolcomms. Thank you to all the families Please request permission for all known who have already kindly donated to the Fund this academic year. absences in advance. Non-medical As a Voluntary Aided (VA) school, Finchley Catholic relies on absences must be requested in writing parental contributions for financial support to improve the site and to the Headteacher in advance. facilities. For the coming year, our priorities are to continue with J Tierney the upgrade to the Stephenson building and to generate funds to upgrade our sports and PE facilities.

School Development appeal forms can be found on the school website and contributions can be a one off payment by either using Wisepay, cheques, cash, BACS or alternatively by standing A reminder that details of extra- order, which many parents find more convenient. YOU CAN curricular activities can be found FURTHER HELP BY GIFT AIDING YOUR DONATIONS • All on the school website UK tax payers can gift aid their donations We can claim, from the Inland Revenue, 25p for every £1 you donate Please help us by donating and completing a Gift Aid form. If you already gift aid and any of your personal circumstances have changed since you last signed the form: i.e. change of name, address or tax status, please email our finance department: fi- [email protected] K Cannon Wisepay

There are ongoing Wisepay payment issues if you use Google Chrome. Dropping off and picking up If you are arranging to drop off or pick up your son/daughter, This is an issue with the Google we ask that you do so in a careful and considerate manner. Chrome payment security settings and In particular, please do not: there is no indication as to how long  Stop on the zig-zag yellow lines at the front and the problem will last. back gates as this creates unnecessary danger for pupils and other road users. Please access Wisepay via the school  Block our neighbours’ drives as this causes unnec- website using a different web browser. essary inconvenience. Our advice is always to drop off pupils some way from the F Clarke school site. This is a much safer option. R Hender

Community Languages at Hendon School As part of their Language College initiative, Hendon School is providing facilities for pupils in all Barnet Sec- ondary Schools to gain qualifications in their mother tongue/community language. Click here to download the application form for Community Languages 2019. If you would like to enrol your son/daughter, please return your completed application form along with payment to Mrs Nash or Mrs Moyles in the Exams Office at Finchley Catholic High School by Friday 11th January 2019 at the latest in order that they can process your request and forward it to Hendon.

General Notices/Reminders

Can you help???? Oxbridge 2018/19

Below are the five Year 13 students who are applying to Oxford and Cambridge this year. Are you able to help in any way? Did you attend Oxbridge? Do you know any alumni who attended that we could call upon? Could you / they help with interviews and / or admissions tests? Any help would be gratefully received. Cambridge: Oxford: Sergio Pavarani – Archaeology Jeuel Gutierrez – History Sophia O’Sullivan – English Chuks Okonweze – Theology and Religion Jake Keenan – Maths

We wish the students well in their applications and aspirations. G Crosby

Dates for your Diaryfor your Dates

Monday 29th October Second Half of Autumn Term begins

Wednesday 31st October Ski Information Evening - Junior 7pm Main Hall & Senior 7.30pm Room BS4

5th—9th November Year 13 Mock Exams Year 11 GCSE Music Evening

Thursday 8th November Remembrance Day Service—10.30am

Friday 9th November Reunion Dinner 7pm

Monday 12th—20th November Year 11 Mock Exams

Friday 16th November Mufti Day

Saturday 17th November PTA Family Quiz Night 6pm

Thursday 22nd November Presentation Evening 7.30pm

Thursday 29th November Founders Day Mass 12:10

Year 13 Parents Evening

Friday 30th November Founder’s Day—School Closed for all