The Newsletter of St Catherine’s Academy | Spring 2014

INFINITY A life of learning and opportunity OUR OFFICIAL OPENING Thursday 31st January 2014 saw Addressing the staff Paralympic Chief Sir Philip Craven MBE and students attending lead the official opening of the new the event Sir Philip said building for Bolton St Catherines Academy “You might become a better and Firwood High School. person learning French or a few German words or a bit of physics, Returning from preparations in Brazil but really you become a better person ahead of the 2016 Olympic & Paralympic by interacting with human beings.” Games in Rio, Sir Phillip visited the ceremony and along with the Mayor and Sir Philip spoke to young people of Mayoress of Bolton was invited on a tour the importance of self-esteem and Head of Firwood School Karen Walker of the new facilities of both Bolton St self-determination and he added: “You said: “It was a huge honour having Sir Catherine’s Academy and Firwood High maximise what works and you don’t worry Philip open the school. The opening School. The former paralympian praised about what doesn’t. ceremony showed there are two schools the “great staff and students inside” as and one learning community.” “We’ve got four values - inspiration, well as the building and its facilities. determination, you’ve got to be determined Bolton St Catherine’s Principal, Lee Harris Sir Philip Craven. Along with other to achieve whatever you want to achieve. added: “We have been in the building dignitaries then attended an opening for 18 months but not everything had “Courage, athletes do not think of ceremony celebration and were treated been completed, such as the all weather themselves as courageous but everyone to musical performances from students pitches, and we wanted to show how the else does, and equality.” of both Firwood High School and of pupils had settled in the building. Bolton St Catherine’s Academy including Principal Lead Student Ryan Perry, said: “Inviting Sir Philip to conduct the a performance from our A Level drama “It was very memorable occasion to opening ceremony was about raising students - their take on an extract from have Sir Philip see the facilities and the aspiration, and this is what this new Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’ for which great environment we have. He gave a development is about.” they received 99/100 - an A*! motivational speech.”

Page 2. Page 3. Page 5. Page 6. Page 8. Youth MP Kenya Inspirational Climate for Olympian Success Charity Trip Andy Reid Learning Visit CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS

A WARM WELCOME FROM NEW YOUTH MP Bolton St Catherine’s Academy year 11 pupil Ebony Cropper has won the race to THE PRINCIPAL become one of Bolton’s two new Youth MPs along with Thornleigh Salesian College pupil Tresor Mbuyi aged 16. Dear Parent /Carer, Ebony and Tressor campaigned for the I hope you enjoy this spring term edition posts along with 6 other local candidates, of Infinity. The wide range of articles calling upon 11-18year olds in the local reflects the busy year so far and highlights community to vote on the applicant they the achievements and experiences of our thought would best help shape their students. One of our major objectives is futures. Voting closed on Thursday 6th EBONY BELIEVES: to develop the whole individual not just March and the results published on the “Young people are 20% of the population academically but with positive attitudes 13th March 2014 showing that Ebony won but 100% of the future. I want to make and interpersonal skills that will help them with a landslide victory. young people in Bolton aware of the be successful in adult life.

A number of articles reflect this Aaliyah Iqbal 13 Ladybridge School 1,309 votes work. The visit of Cpl Andy Reid was James Casterton 15 2,092 votes inspirational in terms of developing a positive attitude and resilience. His words Haval Kareem 15 2,079 votes echoed those spoken at the official Tresor Mbuyi 16 Thornleigh Salesian College 3,468 votes opening of our building by Sir Philip Craven MBE, who told us that the only Joshua Crossley 18 Rumworth School 764 votes limiting factor on what you can achieve is Ebony Cropper 15 Bolton St Catherine’s Academy 4,174 votes what you think yourself. Ryan Wallwork 16 Bolton Sixth Form 2,107 votes Both speakers gave a really important Emily Raby 15 1,950 votes and inspirational message as we move towards the examination period. Ebony has been a member of the Congratulations to Ebony Cropper from opportunities available for them. I believe in youth council for 2 years after first equal opportunities for all the youth. I believe year 11 on her election as youth MP for being introduced by teacher Miss in inspiring the youth to do great things.” Bolton. Her success is a real reflection Parry. During her time on the council of her commitment and ability to make Ebony has taken part in a whole Now that she has been elected as Youth MP, a positive contribution as well as her host of events from debating in the Ebony will find out the concerns, interests undoubted campaigning skills! House of Commons, taking part in a and needs of the young people of Bolton and transport campaign fighting to lower then discuss these on a local, regional and Wider afield Reverend Sue Forest the cost of buses for young people national level. Youth MPs meet Councillors, Redfern has visited the Tunaimi as well as petitioning to tackle youth MPs and other key decision makers to take Academy in Kenya taking gifts and unemployment. When attending the forward issues of local importance. Ebony messages from staff and students. The youth MP annual sit in with guest will also attend regional meetings and meet Tunaimi Academy has been one of our speaker John Bercow Ebony was with the UK Youth Parliament once a year. international links and adopted charities allowed the opportunity to discuss the since its founder Pastor Donald visited years upcoming manifesto as well as We would like to wish Ebony the best of luck with her new position from all Bolton St Catherine’s in 2010. Staff and the top 5 issues to be brought before of the staff and students at Bolton St students are looking forward to her the House of Commons. Catherine’s Academy. return with messages and photographs from her visit.

As we look forward to the important ‘exam season’ I would encourage all students to make use of the extra revision and booster sessions outside the MUSIC EXAM normal school day.

As always I would like to thank parents, friends and the community for their SUCCESS continued support of our students and We would like to congratulate three of the academy. our Year 11 pupils for passing their recent music exams, Curtis Heaton (pictured) Lee Harris who passed his Grade 2 Drum Kit with a Principal Merit, Ceejay Smith who passed his Grade 4 Piano and Megan Wong who passed her Grade 1 Piano with a distinction!

2 COMMUNITY CONNECTION

CAB @ BSCA

Bolton Citizens Advice Beuro are now holding drop-in sessions at Bolton St Catherine’s Academy on Tuesdays from 3pm - 5pm. Please feel free to come along for free, independent, confidential and impartial advice.

The Citizens Advice Bureau will be running a 10 week trial at the Academy from Tuesday 18th March from 3-5pm.

The drop-in session will take place in meeting Room 1 with waiting in the Main Reception

Initially the session will be a drop-in although it may be possible to book an appointment with the adviser if you need to return to discuss an issue in more detail.

You are more than welcome to make use of the facility. PENCIL CASES FOR KENYA The Tumaini Academy in Kenya is one Rev Sue, our Academy Chaplain has of the three charities we support as recently returned from Shiriani, Kenya an Academy, this means that a third of where she visited the Tumaini Academy. fundraising we do goes towards helping During her visit Rev Sue met the pupils the students of Tumaini Academy. So our fundraising has been helping far the money we have raised has paid and was invited to stay within the for 24 Windows and 8 doors for their community as a guest of Pastor Donald. secondary school as well as the labour As well as spending time getting to to have them fitted by local tradesmen. know the pupils Rev Sue took 600 We have also helped them to buy pencil cases, one as a gift for each of TEA FOR secondary school text books and most the students which as you can see from importantly money raised here at BSCA the pictures were well received by all. has helped the Academy establish a FREE Pupils at Bolton St Catherine’s porridge programme which feeds 570 Academy have worked extremely hard We are once again running our kids daily. According to Pastor Donald to fundraise for the Tumaini Academy successful 6 week Tea For Free courses. Mzungu “most [students] leave home and so it’s lovely to see how all of their Families are invited to come and cook a with no breakfast at all and no hope for efforts have paid off and how pupil run meal with provided ingredients and then one” meaning that this scheme provides fundraising events such as bake sales, leave with a box of food so that they the children with a crucial meal they jewellery making and the chocolate can replicate the meal again at home. otherwise could not afford, allowing tombola have helped to support so We’re also running a similar course students to take advantage of the many young people to learn and achieve just for men. If you’re interested and benefits having a nutritious meal to start their potential. We can’t wait for Rev would like more information please call their day. When we moved into the new Sue to return to BSCA and share her 01204332533. Bolton St Catherine’s Academy building experiences with us. we also donated many of our old desks and chairs to the Tumaini Academy.

3 EXPERIENCE & ENRICHMENT

NEW FORREST FRIEND ENTERPRISING YEAR 9 In January we invited Young Enterprise groups then branded and marketed Pupils from BSCA Primary welcomed to come and work with our Year 9 pupils. their business designing logos, posters, some very special visitors from Forrest Taking part in two Experience Days, uniforms and business cards. Over both Construction. The team introduced the pupils participated in an array of activities days students showed their organisational newest member of the Forrest family - designed to boost both their everyday and and creative skills and we found that their brand new mascot Forrest Friend, employability skills from team working, even the most shy, reserved participants who proved a massive hit on his first communicative skills, time management sharing their ideas and opinions. Pictured ever outing! as well as self-confidence. One activity you can see some of the creative designs The team from Forrest then held an students were tasked with was to create students produced and team members assembly which aimed to make the their own company in small groups. The from two award winning teams. pupils aware of the dangers of building sites in the area. As you can see from the picture above everyone had a lot of fun trying on safety equipment as well as learning an invaluable lesson on safety. SUPER ART WEEK

Our Primary Super Learners have once again enjoyed an action packed super learning week. This time Primary spent the week learning about and appreciating everything CINEMA TRIP art, from Picasso to Banksy our students Year 6 thoroughly enjoyed their recent studied them all. Not only did pupils replicate trip to Ciniworld Bolton to watch the techniques used by artists such as Matisse Lego Movie. Mr Hill said “It was a great and Kandinsky but they paid homage to start to our story writing unit”. We can’t some of their favourite pieces. wait to read the work they produce. After learning all about some of their favourite artists primary pupils wrote mini essays and stories about the artists and their work and displayed them along with the weeks paintings and drawings in an exclusive gallery opened to parents on the final day of our Art Super Learning week.

4 EXPERIENCE & ENRICHMENT EXPERIENCE & ENRICHMENT

INSPIRATIONAL ANDY REID

To tie in with our theme of “Don’t let setbacks stop you achieving” we invited into the academy Cpl Andy Reid, an inspirational man with an incredible story. In 2009 whilst on patrol with 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment Andy stood on an IED and as a result became a triple amputee – losing both legs and his right arm. Since his accident Andy has not only become a husband & father but a motivational speaker and has even written his own book. Andy spent the morning sharing his incredible story with pupils from years 9, 10 & 11. Staff and students alike listened, captivated by the journey life has taken him on, from joining the army, going on Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the visit tour, to his accident and his recovery. He and the amount of positive response from explained how he’s learned to walk and students was tremendous. We’re very ride a bike, been tandem skydiving and thankful to Andy not only for sharing his even taken part in a 10K run. Despite all story with us but also for answering all of of this when asked by Sophie Barrett the questions posed to him by students. 10ED “Whats the most difficult thing He is a symbol of what positive thinking you’ve done while you’ve been the way and hard work can get you and has truly you are?” his response was “Looking after inspired our students by showing there’s my son William he’s a handful!” no such thing as “I can’t”. NEW YOUNG CHEFS During the autumn term we held a competition in which 9 food students competed in a cook off, battling to represent the Academy in the Rotary Club Young Chef competition. The MOSI ‘ITECH: DESIGN students all produced fantastic dishes but the overall honor of representing the Academy fell to the winner, Josh Smith and first runner up Jordon Gee. YOUR FUTURE’ 2014 The pair were then asked to produce a menu for two people, not only did in collaboration with the University they have to create the recipes but also of Manchester the iTech event was provide costings (under a budget of designed to encourage and enthuse £15) as well as an order of work to take young people into thinking about a forward to the Lancashire regional heat. career in and engineering through the vast applications of creative Although the boys did not qualify for the and digital technologies in the real world. UK final we are extremely proud of the The group were even matched with their hard work and effort they put into the competition as well as their impeccable own Mentor who lead them around the behavior whilst representing the Academy. various zones of the event, supporting their involvement and chatting informally SEE JOSHUA’S MENU IN FULL: with the pupils about their field of STEM. We are very proud of our students Salmon Trio impeccable behaviour and presentation Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Blinis, as well as their use of thinking and Lemon and Lime Marinated Salmon and creativity skills during the activities. Most Fresh Salmon Mousse with Lemon and notable were Beth Hewitt who blew all Ginger Jelly other students out of the water when Students from the academy visited participating in a Python programming Salt Crusted Baked Chicken the Manchster Museum of Science and lesson and Rebekah Owen who was Chicken Fillet Filled with Wild Mushroom, Industry to participate in the ‘iTech: fantastic at the creative and engineering garlic and Thyme served with a Red Wine design your future’ event. lessons, including a lesson on railways Sauce and Vegetable Panache Coinciding with National Science and run by Network rail. Engineering Week, it was the first Raspberry & Pistachio For more pictures please view our event of its kind and was attended by Raspberry Mousse accompanied by a Photo Album - representatives from 60 schools from Raspberry Jelly served with Chocolate across the Region. www.boltonstcatherinesacademy.org.uk/ and Pistachio Tuille Biscuits Organised by the Northwest STEM mosi-itech-2014

5 CORE VALUES: LEARNING CLIMATE

CREATING THE BEST CLIMATE FOR LEARNING

At Bolton St Catherine’s Academy we are to learn and working as a team is also a valuable learning style always striving to use the most effective and we indicate this by directing them to the Collaborate value. teaching and learning techniques to ensure all To make sure students arrive keen to learn and are fully aware of our students make the best possible progress. what is expected of them staff use our Effective Learning rules as illustrated below. Not only does this include WHAT the students learn but also HOW they should learn. We call this The Learning Climate. Studies show that if students have a full understanding of what is expected of them in terms of rules, learning styles and behaviour, they make much better progress. we have created some simple visual aids to show our students what we expect of them and what different learning styles are.

We guide our students as to which learning style they should be using in class by using the Values for Learning system as illustrated below.

These are displayed in all class and form rooms and all students are informed about the rules in special assemblies. They understand that there are rewards for following the rules and that if things go wrong then they will need to make things right by completing an agreed task or consequence.

If you are parent or carer you can really help your children achieve more by helping them understand the value of: • being on time • being smartly dressed • not using mobile phones at the wrong times When directed to work in silence, which allows everyone to think • realising that there are consequences as well as rewards for and make progress by applying their learning, our students have how they behave. to have the Courage to do this. They can also learn by listening attentively and we indicate that they should be doing this by If you would like any further information on our Learning Climate showing them the Communicate value. Actively helping others please do not hesitate to contact your child’s head of year.

6 IMPROVING TEACHING - IMPROVING LEARNING

OFSTED INSPECTION 2014 As you will know the Academy was • The academy has strong and effective inspected by Ofsted at the beginning provision for equality of opportunity for of March 2014. The report from that all its students. inspection has been published and is • Students who are disabled or who have available for reading or downloading from special educational needs achieve well our website. because of the highly effective support We welcome the fact that the inspectors that they receive. overall agreed with our own assessment that whilst no aspects of our work are inadequate • Teachers’ very strong subject knowledge we still require improvement. They also said is passed on effectively and skilful use of that much of what we do is good. question-and-answer makes students really think deeply about what they are learning. We are proud of the way students and staff responded to the inspectors being in • Excellent relationships create an the Academy and we wanted to highlight atmosphere that is conducive to just some of the many good features of good learning the report as a thank you to both them • The quality of teaching has risen and the and the staff: trend of achievement has been upward • Pupils make good progress and achieve across the academy. The proportion of well in the primary phase of the academy. students attaining five or more GCSE • Teaching in the Early Years Foundation passes at grades A* to C including English Stage and in the primary phase is of and is increasing. good quality. Relationships between • Many students present work in their books teachers and pupils are strong. Pupils with pride and attention to detail. Most work hard and with keen interest. students in the secondary phase behave • Children and pupils in the nursery and well in lessons and are keen to learn. the primary phase behave very well in • Students of all ages feel very safe in lessons and around the school. school and students in all phases enjoy • In the sixth form students are regularly coming to the academy. THE SALON @ BSCA getting better exam results. • The academy is increasing in • In the sixth form, teachers have good popularity as the first choice Our Sixth Form Hairdressing students subject knowledge and have high establishment for parents. have been very busy recently. Not only aspirations for the students and students have they opened the Salon to external behave well. clients but they have been taking part in different courses to not only enhance their existing skills, but to expand their knowledge of hair and the wider world of beauty. PARENT VOICE AT BSCA! The salon students invited hair stylist and Parents and carers have a great chance awareness or changing the way we do internet sensation Sarah Ratcliffe to help to air their opinions and views at the things. It is producing real results”. them practice up-dos. The fashionista who new Academy Parents Voice meetings. was highly commended in the Advanced Parent governor and meeting attendee Held every month the meetings are Apprentice of the year category at the Gaynor Ramsden agrees, saying; “‘Parent open to all parents and carers of National Apprentice Awards 2013 set up Voice is exactly that, it gives parents Sarah’s Hair, in Chorley Old Road Bolton current secondary school students and like me a chance to come and discuss and became an internet sensation after a are a forum for the frank and honest any issues we may have in an open and hairstyle she created ‘The Firework Bun’ discussion on a range of issues. honest way and helps us get the very went viral. Since then she’s gone from The meetings are chaired by Phil best education for our children. I have strength to strength and the girls enjoyed Deakin who is the Academy’s Director raised a couple of things which I have learning new hairstyles including the of Business. Topics for discussion personally experienced which were well ‘Firework Bun’. are brought to the table by parents received and there has been feedback The girls have since visited the Beauty themselves as well as suggestions from on changes and outcomes. I’m so glad Lounge Bolton where they took part the Academy leadership. I joined as I now feel I have a voice in in manicure, pedicure, gel nail colour school to help my child’s education”. Recent subjects have included: home- application, eye lash tinting, rejuvenating school communications, homework All parents and carers of current BSCA facial and mask application, waxing, hopi planners and homework policy, road secondary school students are welcome. candles and spray tanning. They also safety, the format of parents evenings Information about meeting dates and learnt the basics of raiki, non-surgical and absence and attendance procedures. times are texted and emailed to all face lifts, body contour wrapping, parents as well as advertised on the hot stone massage and colonic Mr Deakin commented; “The aim of Academy website and via a letter home. hydrotherapy! This insight into the world the group is to ensure we are listening of beauty has inspired the girls and to parents and carers views on lots of You can also contact Mr Deakin has shown offered them an insight into different subjects and then make sure we directly via email at pdeakin@ potential pathways they could follow. are responding to their feedback, either boltonstcatherinesacademy.org.uk for by increasing understanding and more information about coming along to a meeting.

7 SPORTING SPOTLIGHT

ASHES STAR AT BSCA! It’s not often that you get to hone your skills with an Ashes winner, but last Friday budding cricketers training with Chance to Shine at Bolton St Catherine’s Academy did just that. During February half term Women’s cricket captain Charlotte Edwards paid young cricketers attending training sessions a visit - giving hints OLYMPIAN VIDLER VISITS BSCA and tips as well as a batting and bowling Members of our Trampoline Club have This will be the first ever competition masterclass to under-11s in the morning been given the rare opportunity to teach of its kind in school, organised and run and over-12s in the afternoon session. an Olympian a new sport. Commonwealth entirely by students and will enable Gold medallist and Olympic athlete students who have no experience of Making her debut at just 16 years old, at Michelle Vidler is usually known for her competing to get a sense of what it is like the time making her the youngest female accomplishments in Judo however her to go to a big competition and perform to play for England, Edwards understands visit to Bolton St Catherines Academy their routines in front of a judging panel. the need to nurture developing talent saw her reaching new heights. and became an ambassador for the Michelle Vidler, a Sky Sports athlete The Trampoline Club are participating mentor, visited to support the students Chance to Shine initiative - supported by in a Sky Sport initiative for which they in delivering their project. After watching the Cricket Foundation. are planning a project that they will run students practice their routines, it was Jennifer Laycock, Lancashire Cricket entirely by themselves. In our case the Michelle’s turn on the trampoline – and Board development officer, said: “It’s students are going to run a trampoline with expert guidance from the pupils nice for the girls to be able to meet a top competition for students in years 7 and she quickly picked it up. Finally Michelle player and hopefully it will inspire them to 8. They will organise and run the whole watched and helped to judge a mini success”“It is great to have her here and I event acting as leaders, competition competition held by the club. know the girls will benefit from Charlotte’s marshals, safety spotters and judges. knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.” To the delight of the girls Edwards also brought the Women’s Ashes trophy along with her which led to lots of brilliant photo opportunities. CYCLECROSS We have now begun hosting Cyclecross sessions every Wednesday 5.30-6.30. This club is FREE and open to 10-16 year olds. Please ring Joe Malik British Cycling Go-Ride Coach for more information on THANK YOU 07908 407 317 The Academy would like to thank Fieldings Porter Solicitors for their generosity as each year they allow us access to their box at Reebok Stadium. This means that as part of a reward trip OFFICIAL GYM OPENING we are able to take few of our students to watch The Bolton Wanderers play on The Gym @ Bolton St Catherine’s home soil, which is something that staff Academy is now open to the public and and students alike thoroughly enjoy! has seen its first customers welcomed through the doors. Kieran Gallagher, a former pupil was the Gyms first official member and after completing his induction was excited to be able to share the gyms facilities with his friends. Bolton St Catherine’s Academy Since the official opening we have now Stitch Mi Lane, Harwood, Bolton BL2 4HU had more than 125 people take their T: 01204 332533 F: 01204 332530 induction and are offering 3 months free E: [email protected] gym use to our 150th member! www.boltonstcatherinesacademy.org.uk The Gym is open every day and costs just £1 per session with every 5th session free, @official_BSCA /OfficialBSCA and there is no joining or membership fee, for more information please visit www. boltonstcatherinesacademy.org.uk/gym