Dear Readers

We had a number of excellent events last week:

• Foundation Day when we celebrated together the foundation of the School 108 years ago and the work of the Sisters who made everything possible,
• Y11 Proclamation when we commended the effort and achievement of the year,
• the Performing Arts Evening at which the Junior and Senior Performing Arts Companies led by the Performing Arts prefects showcased their recent work,
• The Summer Music Concert which I wish every student and parent could have been at.

For those of you who attended any of them I am sure that you would agree with me that the standards achieved the level of participation and enthusiasm were a credit to the staff and students who made them possible.

In addition on Friday 25 May Marieanne Sainsbury received the Citizenship award at the Diocesan Citizenship Awards for her outstanding contribution and witness to others.

School Ground Day. Sat 10 May 9.00am to 12.00pm

Why not come and lend a hand in helping us attack some of the greenery. In just a couple of hours we could make a tremendous difference. You will need to come dressed in suitable working clothes with gloves and to bring a spade/ rake/ loppers/ secateurs – no power tools please.

If you can come please could you let us know by emailing us on admin@brentwoodursuline.essex.sch.uk

PTA Information.

The school website is being updated to include the latest information about the PTA and events organised by them. Why not have a look.

(WWW.brentwoodursuline.essex.sch.uk)

NON UNIFORM DAY Friday 2 May

We have planned this day before Year 11 leave as the money raised will be supporting the Emily Begg Fund. Emily was a member of the year group and we still miss her greatly. Her fund supports the Childrens’ Leukemia Charities which gave her so much help in her long fight against Leukemia. Can I ask you to make sure that your daughter brings her donation before Friday. We are suggesting £1.

Reports of Dangerous Cycling by Students

I have recently received a letter from Essex Police expressing concern about some dangerous cycling in Priests Lane and Friars

Avenue. Whilst I am certain that this is not our students can I ask you to be aware of them as they could cause accidents to pedestrians as well as vehicles. Thank you

Security at the school gates.

Another area of concern we will be reminding students about is their safety at the school gates and in Queen’s Road. There are a number of issues:

• We would prefer students not to arrange to meet friends at the gate either other BUCHS students or friends from outside school. It blocks the footpaths and causes visibility/access problems for pedestrians and drivers alike.
• We have knowledge that there may be a very small number of undesirable young men who have been involved in incidents of assault being at the school gates. They say that they have come to meet friends. If students have any concern they should report it to a member of staff. We are in contact with the police about it and will ring the police immediately if we think that there may be a problem.
• Another concern is still the parents who drive onto the school site at this time of day.

Aspiration Raising Day, Cambridge University

On Friday 14 th March, a group of 30 students from years 10 and 11 were given the fantastic opportunity to visit Cambridge University and meet some of the under-graduates who study there.

Based in Fitzwilliam College, we were given a humorous introduction to Cambridge and its history by our guide for the day. We then divided into small groups to question an under-graduate appointed to each group of us. They honestly and openly answered all our questions about the myths that surround Cambridge University.

After a morning of quizzes and questions, each group walked around the town with the guidance of their under-graduate. This gave us an opportunity to see the world that the students of Cambridge live in, and marvel at the beautiful colleges that overlook the streets of Cambridge.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Cambridge University, and have been inspired to work hard so that one day I can stay in Cambridge for longer than a day! I am hugely thankful to Mrs Brennan for the opportunity she gave us, and to Mrs Barley for agreeing to accompany us.

Alice Lucey 11C

GIFT comes to BUCHS

On 1 st March 2008 GIFT came to Brentwood. I joined other year 9 and 10 students in school on a course entitled “Murder Most Foul”.

The first activity in the morning was very exciting. We were given a fictional story about the death of a young girl. We then had to take on a character to be interviewed by two other students taking the role of detectives. Everyone worked together to create our own plot.

In the afternoon, we were introduced to another murder case, however this time it was non-fictional. The case was never solved; therefore it was our duty to come to a decision in a court case.

Both activities were very fun and inventive. Everyone enjoyed the day thanks to those who were running the event.

Stephanie Carter 9U

On 1 st March I went on my first GIFT day. I chose to do the activity called “Nexus”. This day was all about how you can communicate without using any sound.

During the day we looked at sign language, Morse code and semaphore. Although I liked all parts of the day, I especially enjoyed looking at sign language. We learnt how to sign our names, say where we lived, say how old we were and lots more. I also enjoyed the part when our leader was telling us about what it would be like to be blind. He took us around the playground in pairs and one of us was blindfolded. The other person had to direct her partner over tables, over ditches and down walls.

Overall, this day was very memorable, as I learnt much whilst having lots of fun.

Megan Duffy 7A

On Saturday 1 st March I, with many others, enjoyed an Egyptian experience. We looked at “Scenes from Everyday Life: Egyptian Style”. We learnt many things that couldn’t be found anywhere else – the Egyptian’s style of art, drawing and why tombs were so decorative. It was most definitely a fun-filled, interesting day!

Jennifer Templer 7B

Summer Concert

On the evening of Friday 25 th April an audience of over 250 joined us for our annual Summer Concert in the school hall. 150 students from years 7 to 13 performed beautifully in a varied programme including 10 different ensembles. All groups performed to an extremely high standard and the evening was made even better by the delicious canapés provided by the Year 10 catering students during the interval.

Performing Arts

On Thursday 24 th April the Performing Arts Company presented a showcase of dance and song for the shows.

The Company had been formed following a series of auditions where over hundred students presented their performance to a panel of Year 12 Students led by the Performing Arts Prefects Hannah Nuttall and Heather Basten. Rehearsals were held at lunchtimes and after school by the Prefects. The final showcase was amazing, the standard so high and this is due to the heard work and dedication of Heather and Hannah who prepared every aspect of the whole production in a most professional way.

Our congratulations and thanks must go to them and all the performers for a splendid evening’s entertainment.

Mrs K Underhill

Outstanding Monies

As of today’s date the school is currently owed approximately £100. This is due to students borrowing money for dinner (£1.00) also make up/nail varnish remover (20p) they are not allowed to wear this at any time during the school day. Interest will be charged (10p) on money not paid back within 2 days and a letter sent home to parents.

Messages to Students

Whilst we will always endeavour to get urgent messages to students, please be aware that Reception staff cannot always guarantee to get messages passed on most students have mobile phones and can pick up text messages at the end of the school day

Could parents please be aware that there have been cases of nits reported in years 7 & 8. Please be vigilant and check your child regularly.

Forthcoming Events

2 nd May NON UNIFORM DAY – EMILY BEGG FUND

5th May MAY DAY holiday

17 th June School Higher Education Day

Term Dates for 2008/9

01.09.08 Training day

02.09.08 Students return to school

09.10.08 Training day

27.10.08 – 31.10.08 HALF TERM

22.12.08 - 02.01.09 CHRISTMAS HOLS

05.01.09 Training Day

06.01.09 Training Day

07.01.09 Students return to school

16.02.09 - 20.02.09 HALF TERM

06.04.09 – 17.04.09 EASTER HOLS

04.05.09 MAY DAY

25.05.09-29.05.09 HALF TERM

20.07.09 Training day

21.07.09 – 31.08.09 SUMMER HOLS