FRIDAY NEWS
Volume 7
Week 2
13 September 2013
Chaplaincy News
A huge thank you to all our Year 7 girls who really kept Mr Conway's personal motto yesterday at our
Retreat day, by joining in to the full. We were privileged to have guest speakers come in to enrich
our day, Matt the education officer from Pax Christi led a session on being peacemakers; and some
drama students who have set up their own company ARC helped us explore ideas around friendship.
A big thank you to all the teachers who joined us and helped out. I know that the staff enjoyed
getting to know a bit more about you all.
We have started to prepare for sharing in the celebration of a welcome mass with you on 2 October,
all the students have contributed already to make it something special.
Places for our 6th form Retreat must be booked soon so please let me know if you are interested.
Have a lovely weekend. God bless.
Sarah, School Chaplain
Sixth Form Curriculum Evening
On Wednesday 18th September we have the Sixth Form Curriculum Evening from 5-6pm in the
Arnold Centre. The purpose of the evening is to give you information on; How to be a successful
sixth form student, How to apply to University and University Finance
This meeting will be followed by a meeting for parents of those 40 students going on the New York
Trip in January.
Mrs Coyle, Director of Sixth Form
Year 7 Welcome Mass and Curriculum Evening
The Year 7 Mass and curriculum evening will now take place on Wednesday 2nd October from 4pm,
not 18th September as previously advised.
Mrs Hannon, Assistant Headteacher
After School Homework Club
This year at La Retraite we will be offering an After School Homework Club for girls in all years. The
club will be run in C5 on the ground floor opposite the Staffroom. The clubs will be run by Learning
Support Assistant (LSAs) and will run on the following days:
Year 7 – Mondays - 3.05 – 4.15pm
Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 – Tuesdays – Thursdays – 3.05 – 4.15pm
If you would like your daughter to attend please complete the slip below and return it to school.
Please be aware that the girls will need to be doing homework during the club. If your daughter
cannot attend, they must let one of the LSAs know at the beginning of the Homework Club.
Homework Club also runs at lunchtime and is open to all girls in all years each day.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Mrs Fitzpatrick, Learning Support Manager
[email protected]
A Very Good Start
I have spent a good deal of time making sure I visit as many classrooms as possible this week and it
has been a pleasure to see the pupils eager and learning in every lesson.
The vast majority of pupils are in the correct uniform and are observing the rules regarding jewellery
and make-up. Please can I remind parents, as we approach less settled weather, that girls may only
wear a plain blue or black coat and may only wear a La Retraite school scarf.
Mr Conway
Fire Alarms
Unfortunately, we have had three fire alarms this term. Two were due to a dead bumble bee stuck in
a smoke alarm and the other resulted from the emissions from a science experiment being practised
after school. I am pleased to report that, on each occasion, the school was evacuated in exemplary
fashion.
Mr Conway
A CHANCE MEETING ...
Before the Summer break I was lucky enough to meet Jamie Oliver by chance as he was running
through the streets of N1. The well-renowned chef, who is known for his culinary skills and his
dedication to good causes, was frantically putting the final touches to re-launching his famous
restaurant "Fifteen" where young people, who may have faced difficulties when younger are trained
to be chefs. Amazingly Mr Oliver was kind enough to stop and have a chat about our wonderful
students at La Retraite. Within 50 minutes his PA, Amelia Crook had contacted me at the school and
as a result two of our Food Technology students, who are both avid fans of Mr Oliver, were lucky
enough to receive personalized, signed copies of his latest cookery book. We are proud of the
achievements of both Lucy Wade and Corinthia St Peters, who are now studying in our Sixth Form,
and we are pleased that their efforts have been recognised by Mr Oliver.
Corinthia said, "When Jamie Oliver sent me his book I was surprised and when I saw his signature I
was literally jumping up and down for half an hour. This encouraged me to put all my energy into
completing my coursework and trying my hardest in my exams."
Lucy said, "It was amazing because Jamie Oliver is my all-time favourite chef. He shows people how
to make cheap and affordable dishes which are healthy and delicious. He inspired me when I saw
how he helped children in school to understand what would happen to them if they don't eat
properly".
Miss Ungaro
Celebrations next week:
On 16th September MEXICO celebrates its National Day – also known as DÍA DE LA
INDEPENDENCIA (or Independence Day).
At 11:00 in the evening of 15th September 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo rang the bell of his church in
the town of Dolores. Everybody thought he was calling them to go to (a very late…) mass but,
instead, Father Hidalgo delivered a speech, known as El Grito de Dolores (The Shout of Dolores),
calling for Mexican independence from Spain.
The actual church bell from 1810, known as La Campana de la Libertad (The Liberty Bell), is housed
in the presidential palace and rung by the President of Mexico at 11:00 exactly every 15th September –
the eve of independence – in remembrance of Father Hidalgo’s speech.
The 16th September has been declared a national Bank Holiday when Mexicanos (the people of
Mexico) hold very large street fairs, rodeos, parades, bullfights, horseback rider performances and
grand feasts. The statues in memory of Father Hidalgo, the hero of Mexican Independence, are also
decorated with red, white, and green flowers – the national colours of Mexico.
If you know anyone who is Mexicano, make sure you wish them a FELIZ DÍA DE LA
INDEPENDENCIA.
If you are Mexicano, make sure you get your token from Nnenna (Reception) to get your free ice
cream from the canteen.
On 18th September CHILE celebrates its National Day – also known as DÍA DE LA
INDEPENDENCIA (or Independence Day).
On 18th September 1810, Chile broke away from Spanish rule, declared its independence and
proclaimed its First Governing Body.
To celebrate such an important occasion, the 18th September is a Bank Holiday when Chilenos (the
people of Chile) traditionally travel up and down the country to visit family and friends.
In fact, Independence Day festivities take place during the whole month of September and are
centered on a religious celebration, the Te Deum Ecuménico de Fiestas Patrias.
However, the celebration of the Fiestas Patrias (National Feasts) is an expression of Chilean culture.
Traditional activities associated with the Dieciocho (the Eighteenth) include Chilean rodeo, dancing
of the Cueca, going to Fondas (old style inns) and having barbecues.
If you know anyone who is Chileno, make sure you wish them a FELIZ DÍA DE LA
INDEPENDENCIA.
If you are Chileno, make sure you get your token from Nnenna (Reception) to get your free ice cream
from the canteen.
On 21st September BELIZE celebrates its National Day – also known as INDEPENDENCE DAY.
In 1840, Belize became known as the Colony of British Honduras; in 1973, the name was changed to
Belize and on 21st September 1981, it achieved full independence from the UK.
Belize is located in Central America. It is bordered to the north by Mexico, to the south and west by
Guatemala and to the east by the Caribbean Sea.
It is a very diverse country with various cultures and languages. The Belizean people are made up of:
Maya, Mestizo, Kriol, Garifuna, East Indian, Mennonite, Arab and Chinese and they speak: Spanish,
African-based Garifuna, Mandarin, Maya-Kekchi, Maya Mopan, Mandarin, German, Kriol and, of
course, English.
Oh, and did you know Belize is the birthplace of chewing gum?...
If you know anyone who is Belizean, make sure you wish them a HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY.
If you are Belizean, make sure you get your token from Nnenna (Reception) to get your free ice cream
from the canteen.