Issue 7 - 31st January 2008

Dear Readers

Dear Readers

We had an excellent celebration of St. Angela’s feast day. The students were a credit to us and we were delighted that a number of the Sisters were able to join us. Father Paul’s and Sister Gabby’s words spoke strongly to us about the example St. Angela can provide in our lives. I did take the opportunity of identifying a new year’s target that of using language, written or spoken, in the way that builds community. We all make mistakes but the intention must never to be hurtful.

For those of you who read the Times did you notice the photograph of our students cooking. We have retained the practice which the government is trying to bring back into all schools.

Staff Training Day Reminder. Next Wednesday 6 February is a staff training day on the subject of Curriculum Review. Students in examination years should use their day carefully putting in 5 hours of study.

School Review

Curriculum . We are asking parents in several year groups to complete a very short questionnaire about the KS3 curriculum. If you receive a request I would be grateful if you could return it. A similar questionnaire is being completed by students in KS3 with the support of their peer mentors.

We are currently reviewing the KS3 curriculum prior to making changes which will start to be introduced from September 2008. This will be the start of a school wide process which may take 4 to 5 years to implement. We don’t intend to initiate change for change sake we will look carefully at the national guidance and new curricula, which includes learning and assessment, and introduce those changes which improve the provision we can offer.

A second survey will follow this, again going out to parents/guardians in several year groups about school uniform. Please look out for it.

My best wishes for a good half term break.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM & PREFECTS 31 01 2008

Last Friday, 25 th January, we celebrated St. Angela’s Day. We were joined by several members of the Ursuline Community, Governors and Parents.

The Mass was a joyous occasion and we welcomed our Student Leadership Team for 2008, Head Girl Roisin Murray and Deputies Niamh Caden and Clare Dyckhoff, along with House Captains, Deputy House Captains & Prefects.

We thank these students for accepting their offices, wish them luck and look forward to working alongside them.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our out going Student Leadership Team and Prefects. They have all done a splendid job over the last twelve months giving freely of their time and talents. A special thank you must go to Head Girl Erynn Oliver and Deputies Natalie Hare and Rebecca Thomas who have been a great team. They have worked enthusiastically and tirelessly for the good of our school. They will be a hard act to follow. I have attached the whole list of those with new responsibilities in Year 12.

Andree Coughlan

KS5 Coordinator

English Department

Congratulations to the Students who took part in the Rotary Youth Speaks Public Speaking competition. The Students who participated were a credit to our School. The teams and their subjects are as follows:

Marielle Jarvis}

Jordan Parr } The Meaning of Christmas

Fiona Kirkland}

Becky Istead }

Alice Bolton } Essex Girls

Aoife Battle }

Lauren Shields }

Ellen Musselwhite } Anorexia

Phillipa Searle }

Hannah Milne }

Rachel Lynch } Twin Towers

Hannah Taylor}

The Mayor of Brentwood was very interested in Alice Bolton’s speech about the damaging stereotyping of Essex girls and has promised to take this matter up with our Local MP.

Miss A Woollard

Finance

When paying for books, trips etc at the School Office, please pay by cheque made payable to BUCHS.

If you need to pay by cash, PLEASE send in the CORRECT MONEY as it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide change. Cash is not kept on the premises as it is paid in directly to the Bank.

Thank you for your consideration.

Mrs Wakeman

Chaplaincy News

St Angela’s Feast day was a celebration of the life and work of St Angela. We thank her for founding the Ursuline order. Ash Wednesday is on 6 th February and we think of the ways that we can prepare for Easter. We can think of ways that we can make a difference In our homes, with family and friends.

We thank God for our families. Homes are Holy Places blessed by God. Lord we are all your children. Help us to be kind and good to each other this Lent.

Amen

Notes from the Music Department

Congratulations to our four trumpet players, Libby Holden, Juliette Raison, PhilippaAllen and Rebecca Toft (who rejoined us for the occasion). They played an outstanding fanfare at the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Reception at the Guildhall in London on Thursday 17 th January. BUCHS has played at every such celebration since becoming a Specialist School and this year was another successful evening. Many complements were paid to the girls who have given up much lunchtime to prepare for the occasion.

ABRSM Exams were held on Saturday 26 th January. Two

examiners were in school for the 45 students who were examined in a

variety of instruments and singing. We now await the results ………..Good Luck to all candidates! The music department would also like to thank the students who acted as stewards to the examiners on the day: Lydia Sheppard, Isabel Rumsey, Laura Wood, Chelsea Cramp, Philippa Allen. All the stewards were complimented by the examiners on their professionalism throughout a long, demanding day.

Year 11 Photographs

On Wednesday 30 January Stanley Baker came in to take the Year 11 photos. We will get these to parents as soon as possible.

Term Dates for 2007 / 2008

Spring Term 07/01/08 to 28/03/08

Half term: 11-15/02/08

Easter closure: 20-24/03/08

(School reopens 25-28/03/08)

Spring holiday: 31/03/08to 11/04/08

Summer Term: 14/04/08 to 18/07/08

Half term: 26-30/05/08

May Day: 05/05/08

Training day 03/09/07

Forthcoming Events

01.02.08 Year 7 Consultation Day

05.02.08 Year 11 Retreat – Walsingham House

06.02.08 STAFF TRAINING DAY (no pupils in school)

07.02.08 Year 10 Parent’s Evening 4.30-6.30pm – Revised Date

20.02.08 Year 11 Parent’s Evening

23.02.08 African Drumming Group at Hutton & Shenfield Choral Society

27.02.08 Year 12 Parent’s Evening

08.03.08 Chamber Choir at BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year Competition

15.03.08 Music For Youth Festival at BUCHS