St Columba’s Catholic Boys’ School Week Ending Friday 09 October 2020 Issue CCLXXXVII Weekly News 17 pages Fred’s Prayer for the Week We pray for those with eyes that are open to the hurt of their neighbour and the pain in the world; for those who see hungry faces and lives wrecked by war and deprivation; for those who are moved to help and to care, for those who wring their hands and feel that there is nothing they can do. Message May the love of Jesus give them new hope and determination to care. from the Amen Head Teacher God bless, Fred (Chaplain) Two robbers were caught Other information about when boys are together in House Points stealing a calendar… post-16 events and groups, sometimes they make Overall Totals They got 6 months each! virtual open days can be unwise decisions that counter (as at 09 Oct) found on page 5 in this issue. all they have been taught at (I feel a running theme is being home and in school. started here - Ed.) Social distancing within schools, and for that matter, Finally, and more happily, Humour is a great antidote 185 on buses, is a bizarre concept. although we are unable to 180 181 170 to the challenges we face As you know we are doing do our usual Open Day and 139 153 during a global pandemic. our very best to keep all Open Mornings, we are still Within our community it’s members of our community (virtually) throwing wide wonderful to see so much safe. our doors to the outside happiness and joy as we cope world and welcoming them with our current version of This issue sees a lot of in via our Virtual Tour on normal. information from Bexley the Website https://tinyurl. within its pages. For families com/yalbz2hp As part of This week we have had of children and young people the process, we are enjoying two virtual meetings for with Special Education having our new Yr 7 students families using Microsoft Needs, our SENCo Mrs who were looking round this Teams. We had our virtual Kallend introduces the Bexley time last year. On page 2 we information evening for Information and Advice Service celebrate boys from two of Yr 7 with a majority on page 4. In conjunction our Feeder Primary schools, of families watching live and with the work being done in more next week! the video available for others school on Black Lives Matter Stay Safe later. We are all getting better as reported by Miss Johnson at the use of this software last week, Bexley are running Mr N Fisher which is our main channel a competition calling for for setting home learning. entries on ‘What Black Lives Please make sure that you Matter means to you’. See page 6 know how your son is able to for details. access Microsoft Teams. BECKET CAMPION FISHER LOYOLA MORE XAVIER Road Safety is not an exciting We also had our Yr 11 topic in Secondary schools, information evening but as it gets darker, please (see page 2) where we remind your children about were able to support how to stay safe. Knowing students and families with how to stay safe includes strategies to support success how to cross roads and the at GCSE and positive post-16 importance of going straight transition. home. We do cover this frequently in school but 01322 553236 [email protected] www.st-columbas.bexley.sch.uk @stcolumbascbs 1 Hold the Front Page! On Thursday evening over 100 parents attended the virtual Year 11 Information Evening. Mr McGonnell and Mr Evans updated parents on the year so far, how punctuality will impact on the end grade and the importance of independent work going forward. If you were unable to attend please email the school office for a link to the Stream of the event. Mr McGonnell and Mr Evans presenting the evening Success at St Joseph’s : Success at St Columba's! Success at St Fidelis: Success at St Columba's! 01322 553236 [email protected] www.st-columbas.bexley.sch.uk @stcolumbascbs 2 Whatever the Weather! Parking Problems Going Straight Home During normal times, students The school has received Unfortunately, we are having There are a number of apps are encouraged to be outside numerous complaints from issues with some students available that can help with at breaks and lunch unless the local residents regarding not going straight home this. The Police Safer Schools rain is torrential. That remains parking by parents. We have from school, hanging around team are already identifying the case with the pressures of asked parents to get their Bexleyheath and getting students who are loitering at Covid 19, and with students students to park and stride on buses much later in the the Broadway before and after spending many hours in the utilising roads further away evening. This is putting school; we may ask parents same seat it becomes vitally from the school - please help all our Covid reduction of students who are not able important that students are build good relations with strategies at risk. We would to travel directly to and from able to get outside for fresh air. our neighbours by adhering ask all parents to be aware school to make alternative to this. We are encouraging of their son’s movements on arrangements for their travel. To that end please ensure neighbours to report bad the way to and from school. your son is wearing an parking to the authorities. That way, you can ensure he Mr Evans appropriate waterproof coat. makes his way directly home, Deputy Head Teacher You may choose to send him before the buses get too busy. in with a fold-up umbrella too. Would students please return their library books from March please. There are nearly 200 books outstanding! SIMS Parent App At St Columba’s we are so fortunate to have most of our parents engaging with their son’s school successes via the SIMS Parent App. Already, many Yr 7 parents have downloaded and registered on the app just a few weeks into a new academic year at a new school! SIMS Parent app allows you to keep track of your son’s timetable, homework, term dates, school reports, attendance history, punctuality and any achievement or behaviour points he may receive – all as it occurs! If you are not yet registered for the SIMS Parent App, look out for the invitation in your inbox and follow the instructions to ensure you are kept up to date with your son’s school life. If you can’t find the invitation email, please contact the office who can send out a new one. If you have already registered, please make sure you stay signed- in to SIMS Parent App using the same account details you originally chose to register with (e.g. Gmail. Hotmail, Twitter, etc). We know that receiving a notification to your device saying your son has earned an achievement point for excellent conduct, homework or attitude to learning can make any parent’s day! Mrs Turner Assistant Head Teacher (Did you know there is an equivalent app for students that all boys have been invited to register for too – the SIMS STUDENT App) 01322 553236 [email protected] www.st-columbas.bexley.sch.uk @stcolumbascbs 3 Bexley Information and Advice Service (IASS) BEXLEY e The Bexley Information and Advice Service (IASS) is an Support Servic vice IASSInformation Ad independent service to families, children and young people with Special Education Needs or Disability. Do you have a They ensure that information on their rights in law on SEN or child who needs disability, SEN support in schools, the Education and Healthcare Plan statutory process, resolving disagreements and complaints extra support? is available in a free, impartial and confidential service. On the information panels below and opposite, you can find out how to access this service but if you require any more Get independent and information, you can go to IASS directly or contact me in school. confidential information advice and support Mrs Kallend around issues relating to special educational Assistant Head Teacher and SENCo needs and disabilities for parents, carers, children and young I don’t understand when I am not happy with people aged 0-25. people are talking about my parents choice of How can IASS help you? my mental capacity post 16 education We offer a range of support and advice for parents and carers who have children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) including: • Advice about SEN support in schools • Information and advice about education, health and care plans (EHCP) • Support with transition between stages of education • I want to apply for I need help with my Help you prepare for meetings • Help and support with exclusions an EHC Plan health needs • Support and advice about transport • Provide advice about education law relating to special educational needs and disabilities • Help with appeals to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal I would like to get What are my rights Contact us more help at college when I leave care? SEND Information, SEND Information, Advice Advice and Support Service and Support Service London Borough of Bexley Civic Offices 2 Watling Street Bexleyheath DA6 7AT We are an independent service providing impartial and confidential Tel: 020 3045 5976 information, advice and support to children and young people Email: [email protected] Website: www.bexleyiass.co.uk aged up to 25 years with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) and their parents and carers The information, advice and support BEXLEY IASS offer is impartial and FREE.