St Columba’s Catholic Boys’ School Week Ending Friday 20 November 2020 Issue CCXCII Weekly News 19 pages Fred’s Prayer for the Week God, our healer, When we are frozen by fear, rescue us. When we can’t act because of indecision, guide us. When we are weak with illness, heal us. Message We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen from the Head Teacher God bless, Fred (Chaplain) As I was beating my reduce the risk and are obviously not able to The Spotlight feature wife at Monopoly, she keep everyone safe. I am take a phone call during continues on page 2, got out the lemon so grateful for families the day but if we only Post-16 information can Domestos and poured who are following all have the one phone be found on page 5 and it over the instructions. the advice and letting number we are stuck. the Non-Uniform Day As you all know, this is a fragrant bleach of the the school know about Please make sure that we next Tuesday to benefit rules! C19 tests and results. more than one named The Jimmy Mizen Foundation I have, yesterday, had contact so we can keep has a poster created by Their may be light at to put all of Yr 10 into our students safe. Fred on page 4. the end of this grim isolation following tunnel, thanks to the the confirmation of In other news, we are As a gentle reminder it’s now work of scientists, with positive C19 test results delighted that the first just 35 days until Christmas! vaccinations ready within the bubble. ‘Word Millionaire’ of the Stay Safe soon. I know the Teachers will continue year has been awarded Mr N Fisher idea of vaccination is to set work every day via to Kinus – see page 3 for causing some people Teams. If your son is in his report. distress and they may Yr 10 and is experiencing refuse the opportunity any challenges with but as for me, I will not accessing learning, House Points Overall Totals (as at 20 Nov) hesitate to be vaccinated. please email KS4COV- I believe we have a [email protected]. sch.uk so we can help. duty to protect our 346 340 314 313 own health and just as 286 importantly, the health Contact information 240 of everyone else. This is was a challenge for us because, as I have said for a few students in Yr before, the pandemic 10. Prior to allowing is real and the number students to leave yesterday, of people dying is be- staff phoned the contact yond comprehension. numbers we have to We continue to do explain the situation. everything we can to Some parents or carers BECKET CAMPION LOYOLA FISHER MORE XAVIER 01322 553236 [email protected] www.st-columbas.bexley.sch.uk @stcolumbascbs 1 Spotlight on Students and Staff! This week, Spotlight features Mrs Ponder, a TA from the St Ambrose Suite (Who Cares, Wins) and Thomas from 10AL (10F in old money) who can do wonderful things with a bottle of water and a golf club. Although not at the same time. Spotlight on Staff Mr Stone Academy Executive Secretary Ques&on Answer What is your name? Mrs Ponder What do you do in school? Teaching assistant in the SAS How long have you done it for? Since March 2020 Have you had any other careers? My background is Nursing. What hobbies or interests do you I have a keen interest in planes. Baking and reading have? (par&cularly WW2 novels) Can you name a favourite book? The Boy in Striped Pyjamas. And why…. Such a moving story, really highlights your emo&ons. Can you name a favourite film? And The Holiday! A feel-good film that makes you laugh out loud why…. and cheers you up if you're having a bad day! Can you name a favourite meal? Fish & Chips Katy Perry or Taylor SwiU? Katy Perry Dr Who or Bake-Off? Bake off I’m A Celebrity or Strictly? Oooh tough one....I like both! Favourite Holiday des&na&on? South of France Can you share one unexpected fact I can most definitely laugh at myself some&mes. about yourself? Spotlight on Students Ques&on Answer What is your name? Thomas What Form are you in? 10AL (10F) What do you love about St The lessons I take and all my friends Columba's? What is your favourite subject? PE • Football What hobbies or interests do you • Cars have? • Fashion • Music Can you name a favourite book? Goodnight Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian because I enjoy And why…. war stories and novels Can you name a favourite film? And Rampage because it’s so ac&on packed and very exci&ng why…. Can you name a favourite meal? Nando’s Dizzee or Skepta? Skepta I’m A Celebrity or Strictly? I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here Can you share one unexpected fact I can drink a boXle of water in a few seconds! I also play Golf about yourself? 01322 553236 [email protected] www.st-columbas.bexley.sch.uk @stcolumbascbs 2 Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? Kinus does! The Word Millionaire is a badge awarded to students when Mr Challis, our Head of Year, came into my class and awarded me my badge. they read one million words! Our first one this year went to I love reading, and my favourite series of books is Percy Jackson, because it Kinus in 7L. is really interesting and fun. My favourite book of all time is Kid Normal because it is all about superheroes”. “I was really excited to become the first Word Millionaire in Yr 7 this year. One Million Words was achieved by reading twelve books. Kinus 7L 01322 553236 [email protected] www.st-columbas.bexley.sch.uk @stcolumbascbs 3 Non-uniform Day Tuesday 24 November Mizen Foundation Jumpers for Jimmy Day Show Your Support Wear a Jumper Use Parent Pay to Pay £2 4 @stcolumbascbs www.st-columbas.bexley.sch.uk 01322 553236 [email protected] Nando’s Challenge! You may be asking, why only books using the ‘Accelerated 100% each time, the words one chapter? Some of our Reader’ programme or within the books are added A chance for Yr 7 to win a students find it a challenge discussing current affairs. up and they could be also £50 voucher for Nando’s has read a novel: it may be due in the chance of winning a become available. Who is up to them not knowing what To be in for the chance of St Columba’s Catholic Boys’ for the challenge? to read, the front covers winning that £50 voucher, School ‘Millionaire’s Badge’. This don’t look enticing, they have all they need to do is the badge will allow them to gain What you need to know and do: never read a type of genre following: a raffle ticket to be entered in before or even because they • Read a book that is in their for the draw. Once a fortnight, Yr 7 will be haven’t enjoyed reading in colour range taken to the library in their the past. These first chapters • Once the whole book has They can do quizzes at home English lessons, where reading will be recommended from a been read, complete a quiz as well as in school. The library will be at the heart of all they different staff member every on that book via ‘Accelerated will be open before school, do. As we all know, reading is two weeks, they will experience Reader’ break time and lunch time. a pivotal role to our education, new genres, fiction and• If they get 100% get a ticket vocabulary and future. non-fiction. This will help from Mrs Brackstone This is a fun way to encourage them to engage in books that • This ticket goes into the our students to read, and a For the first half of the lesson, they would not normally read draw for the end of half term great opportunity to buy the students, will be exposed to a or pick up. prize. whole family a meal! The first different book each time they winner will be announced at go to the library; they will In the second half of the There is another way to get the start of the next term. read the first chapter as a lesson, students will be given this voucher... If you are whole class and questions will the opportunity to read in reading and quizzing on Let’s get reading... be fired at them to test their silence, take a quiz on their a regular basis, obtaining comprehension..(listening is key!) Miss Cox 2i/c English PLEASE HAND IN YOUR BOOK DONATIONS AT RECEPTION 01322 553236 [email protected] www.st-columbas.bexley.sch.uk @stcolumbascbs 5 Post-16 Open Event Diary 2020 Details School / College Monday 23rd November (Virtual event) - Please check Most schools will be holding Virtual Open days Beths Grammar School this year. Please see below dates and for those website for details th that are not yet confirmed – please keep checking Bexley Grammar School Virtual – 17 November – register online. Thursday 26th November the individual school websites and we will update Bexleyheath Academy this list as and when we have the information. Please check website for details Any queries contact: dee.zammit@prospects. Blackfen School for Girls Virtual online – 4th November 12 noon onwards co.uk Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School Monday 23rd November (virtual) – Check website.