LDBS SCHOOLS NEWSLETTER ISSUE 15 MAY 2011 We hope you enjoy this and future issues which will be printed at the beginning of every term. “We cannot publish this newsletter without your help!” (More details at the back). CARRYING THE CANDLE... “The Celebraon of the Advent of Free Educaon for all.” 2011 marks 200 years since Joshua Watson first established the Naonal Society. The LDBS commissioned a candle which is travelling around every Church school in the Diocese, starng at the Church of St John at Hackney and finishing at St Paul’s Cathedral with a service on 22nd November 2011. A GOVERNOR’S VIEW... “On Friday 11th February, pupils and staff at St John’s, Stanmore held a special service to celebrate the Church of England’s involvement in educaon over the last 200 years. It was a very moving and spiritual me in which the whole school welcomed the passing of a candle from St. Paul’s primary school in Barnet. The desnaon of the candle the following week was Holy Trinity Primary school in Northwood. St John’s is the oldest primary school in Harrow, its roots began in 1794, and during the service Mr Steel, Deputy Headteacher and some pupils gave a short presentaon on the history of St John’s. It was excing to hear how God has blessed the school over 200 years and how it has become the school we now share as a community today. As a Governor, I was very impressed to see all the pupils from both upper and lower schools sing and listening aenvely. The service finished with everyone singing Shine Jesus Shine – which Pupils from St Mary's & St was very upliing. It was a privilege to be part of such a John's, Hendon; All Saints, Childs Hill and St Mary's High memorable occasion”. Schools held a combined serv- Wrien by: Karen Harle, LDBS Governor ice in St Mary's Parish Church, Hendon - 06.04.11. 25.03.11 - Edward Betham, Greenford passing the candle onto Twyford High 28.03.11 - Twyford High: map with tealights representing LDBS schools LDBS Schools Newsletter Issue 15 ~ May 2011 page 1 of 12 ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY OPENS WREN ACADEMY... The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, officially opened Wren Academy, Finchley on Thursday 3rd February 2011. During Dr William’s visit, he unveiled a commemorave plaque, toured the Academy, conducted a special opening service and took part in a queson and answer session with students. Principal, Michael Whitworth, said “I am delighted that the Archbishop was able to find the me to visit us. Our students have been absolutely thrilled to see him here. Dr William’s visit is a huge endorsement of the Academy’s progress.” Although the Academy opened to its first cohort of Y7 students in September 2008, the official opening event was arranged to take place once all of the school’s new buildings were complete and in use. Wren Academy now has three year groups, with over 500 young people aending the school. The innovave and environmentally sustainable building design has been nominated for a number of architectural prizes including the Royal Instute of Brish Architects (RIBA) awards. AMAZING GRACE... Our fih Proms Praise for Schools took place on Tuesday 15th March 2011, at the Royal Albert Hall supported by All Souls Orchestra and Langham Arts. The theme “Amazing Grace” expressed God’s relaonship with his people and the constant reminder that in John Newton’s immortal words,: “I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see”. The 200th Anniversary of the “Naonal Society for Promong Religious Educaon” was also celebrated and children were introduced benefactress such as Joshua Watson, Angela Burde Cous and those who le us such a fantasc legacy of Church Schools. Choirs who parcipated were: All Saints’, Friern Barnet; Dr Triples, Hayes; St George’s, Freezywater; Holy Trinity, Northwood; John Keble, Harlesden; Sir John Cass Foundaon, Aldgate; St Ann’s, Toenham; St John’s, Whetstone; St Marylebone Secondary, Westminster; St Mathew’s, Ponders End; St Paul’s, Winchmore Hill, Stepney Greencoat, Stepney and Tywford High, Ealing. Many more of our schools aended in the audience. LDBS Schools Newsletter Issue 15 ~ May 2011 page 2 of 12 GET SET... Pupils and teachers at St Mary’s & St John’s, Hendon celebrated on 24th January, when they were officially welcomed to London 2012’s Get Set network, in recognion of their commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Values. Less than a dozen primary schools in London have achieved this award and the school is the first in the London Borough of Barnet. The London Organising Commiee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) awarded the school a plaque and cerficate to acknowledge their involvement in the London 2012 educaon programme. The school will receive access to exclusive compeons and 2012 Games related opportunies over the coming years. Iain Crawford, the School Sports Partnership Manager, who presented the school with the plaque and cerficate, said: “Pupils at St Mary’s & St John’s are excellent examples of how London 2012 is helping to spark young people’s imaginaon and inspiring them to get involved and make a difference. They have clearly demonstrated that London 2012’s educaon programme extends far beyond PE and sport and I hope they will movate other young people to join their journey.” Graham Hogben, Deputy Headteacher said: ‘Since becoming involved in this iniave we have followed a number of themes. In parcular, internaonalism, collaboraon and healthy, acve lifestyles. The children have come to realise that the games are about much more than sporng achievement and that values also include respect and friendship.” Guests: Stuart Gray,Principal Inspector L.B. Barnet; Jane Holland, School Sports Coordinator; Iain Crawford, School Sports Partnership Manager. Front: Y6 sports leaders St Mary’s High, Hendon has also been accepted into the Get Set network. BREAD EVERY DAY... On Friday 4th March, the St Mary’s High, ST PAUL’S AT ST PAUL’S... Hendon choir performed to a full congregaon ‘Resurgam’ is Lan for ‘I will rise again’. This at Trinity Church in Golders Green. The focus inscripon was found in the ruins of the old cathedral of the service was to highlight the difficules of and inspired Sir Christopher Wren to combine the Chilean women, and to give thanks to God for resurrecon hope with the idea of the cathedral the support that has been put in place for them rising from the flames of the Great Fire. On Saturday by churches across the world. 22nd January, The theme was ‘How many loaves have you?’ children which was very appropriate as bread is eaten at represented St every meal in Chile and is a part of everyday life. Paul’s, Primrose Hospitality is shown even in the poorest homes Hill at the Patronal by sharing coffee, tea and bread. Eucharist. Schools and churches with the name St Paul’s were invited to aend and parade their school banner. The children designed a fantasc school banner. LDBS Schools Newsletter Issue 15 ~ May 2011 page 3 of 12 WORLD FAIR... TO SING FOR THE QUEEN... On Friday 25th March, the The Sir John Cass’s Foundaon & Redcoat, Stepney whole community came and Stepney Greencoat, Stepney choirs sang for the together to celebrate global Queen at the Royal Foundaon of St Katharine on cizenship at Chelsea 24th March 2011, celebrang the 60th anniversary Academy’s World Fair. Y7 of the chapel inside this ancient Foundaon where students worked hard for six weeks to prepare Her Majesty is the Royal patron. The Chairman of their stalls. The challenge they had been set in the Court, The Lord Lieutenant of Greater London Personal Development lessons was to come up and the Deputy Mayor of London aended and with an enterprise idea that would raise money several for the charity of their choice. Y7 had thought schools of everything, from beat the goalie; sponge a were also student; to cras; nail painng; a toy aucon; invited. cakes and fairtrade coffee! The Fair raised an Stepney amazing £730 for various global charies. Greencoat Primary were the first through FOUNDER’S DAY... the gates The 24th March was the 489th anniversary of followed by the Sir John Cass choir, their the death of Christopher Urswick, who founded Headteacher Haydn Evans and two music teachers Hackney Free & Parochial in 1520. Two services Mr Holder and Mr Moore. were held to commemorate Founder’s day. The morning service was aended by Hackney F & P students and Y2 and 3 students from St John and St James, Hackney. The two schools were once joined as part of Urswick's original vision for free SPITALFIELDS MARKET... educaon for the children of Hackney. The Sir John Cass’s Foundaon & Redcoat, Stepney students from the primary school celebrated by were invited by Young Enterprise London to the Pan singing a tradional South African folk song while London Trade Fair at Spitalfields Market on 11th Hackney Free drumming group drummed the February 2011. This was a fantasc opportunity for “Hands of Africa” and a rendion of “Bring on Y10 & Y12 students to use their skills, pracce their the Rain.” sales skills and see how good their product was Fr Rob, the Rector of St John-at-Hackney, spoke compared to other companies in London. about the importance of having heroes to Y10 students: Imran Ali, Fateha Begum, Ruby Begum, admire and to commemorate. In the evening a Lyleton Oliver Kojo, and Shabina Begum represented special service was held at St John-at-Hackney, their company ‘Kard King’ and made £80.00 selling a celebrang the recently restored Christopher variety of greeng cards and staonery.