Inspiring Ambition,
Achieving Excellence
Week ending Friday 24th March 2017
Dear Parent/Carer
I always get a little bit maudlin at this time of the school year. The U16 team
plays their last netball game and Year 11 bow out of their sporting life (and what
a bow out at 25-3 !); courses are finished and we have only a few more weeks of
Year 11 revision; the prefect teams change over and Year 11 hand back their
badges. As Robert Frost’s poem says ’Nothing gold can stay’. But just as
Autumn ends, new green shoots grow and the next generation of wonderful
young women spring up to take over. As you can see below I was honoured to
interview the four prospective head girls today, with the outgoing one helping
me! What an amazing group of young women; I always write down a few handy
hints for interview from them. Congratulations to all of them as our new student
senior leadership group, but a special well done to Zoe Echanah new head girl. I
look forward to working with all of you.
IMPORTANT MESSAGES:
GCHS TWITTER
Please, follow us on Twitter:
@GraysConvent, and retweet all our good news!
See
our
Twitter
feed
http://www.graysconvent.thurrock.sch.
uk.
Y11 EASTER REVISION!
Year 11 Easter Holiday Revision days will
take place on:
Monday 3rd April & Tuesday 4th April
(more details to follow shortly)
Student Leadership Group - 2017/18
Arjeta Mataj
Assistant Head Girl
Archisha Tripurneni
Deputy Head Girl
Zoe Echanah
Head Girl
Joy Winner-Ogundele
Assistant Head Girl
These dates are an essential part of your
daughter's revision programme. Please
take the following dates into account
when booking holidays.
Mr Williams
I was inspired in a long week, when attending the Next Top Boss Awards with
our Year 9 team. Well done to Mr Paraiwa who prepared the girls, and to
Rebecca Jones who won the ‘best in team’ award for her enthusiasm. I was
proud to sit beside them. Sandeep Singh Saini spoke, Director of Thurrock
Lifestyle solutions, and inspired us all
with his words. As a young man with
Down’s syndrome who has started his
own company looking after 100 staff,
we all sat in awe. He reminded us ‘If I
can, you can’. A pretty good message
when things look bleak. Well done to
Amy Brennan, Clare Healy, Rebecca
Jones, Lily Bramwell, Sky Shroeder and
Charlotte Riley.
Year 8 and 9 have been given important
forms for the HPV vaccinations which
are coming up. Please make sure you
complete and return these to Mrs Kane
by Monday 27th March.
Mr Williams
So, as I walked home I realised the blossom is on the trees, it’s a week away from
the Easter holidays and I can make my mum Mrs Collis’ Simnel cake to cheer her
up; even if she can’t eat it during Lent! Life is good. Happy Mother’s Day to all
of our Mothers. God Bless you all especially this week.
Please note the change
of date for Year 11
photos/friendship group
photos. This will now take place on:
Penny Johnson
Headteacher
Y8 & Y9 VACCINATIONS
Y11 PHOTOGRAPHS
Thursday
20th April 2017
Mrs Kane
SAFEGUARDING OUR CHILDREN
At Grays Convent our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs
Collis, and our Safeguarding Officers are Mrs Wells and Mrs
Bishop. Students can contact any of our Safeguarding Team
during the school day.
INTERNET SAFETY TIP:
THINK U KNOW…
Worried about a child?
You can phone or write to The MASH about your
concerns. Phone immediately if you believe it is
urgent.
 Thurrock MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding hub),
Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 6SL,
Tel: 01375 652802.
 Emergency Duty Team (for out of hours) 01375
372468.
 Police Child Abuse Investigation Team 01277
266822 or call 999 if you are concerned a child
needs immediate protection.
 Childline 0800 11 11 www.childline.org.uk
 NSPCC 0808 800 5000 www.nspcc.org.uk;
www.facebook.com/nspcc
SOCIAL MEDIA - STRANGER DANGER
Important information for parents to keep
updated on social media Apps and sites:
www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Advice for 14 Year Olds and over
The following link provides you with useful advice if you
have any concerns regarding keeping yourself e-safe:
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/14_plus/
Mr Burr
YEAR 11 PROM - 2017
The time has come for the final payment to be made for
your Prom tickets. The balance of £25 is due by 21st April.
Please remember:
no payment = no ticket = no entry
Students can post their prom balances in the white box
outside the Headteacher’s PA’s office – please make sure
their name is on the envelope. Alternatively, parents can
hand prom balances in at our Reception.
Prom Committee
Like us on Facebook at:
‘EST E Safety Training’
Mrs Collis
BCCS – CHARITY SPRING CONCERT AT INGATESTONE HALL
The Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society is hosting an evening of classical
music in the beautiful surroundings of Ingatestone Hall on Saturday 6th
May at 7.30pm. Come and enjoy an exciting and varied programme
with three professional musicians singing duets from some of the best
known operas. Tickets are £25 and include prosecco and nibbles. For
tickets or further information, please call Libby Phillips on 01268 784544
or email [email protected].
U16’s NETBALL FINAL GAME OF THE SEASON
On Tuesday 21st March, the U16’s played their final netball
league game of
the
2016/17
season. As this
was the last
game the girls
decided to play with all the Year 11s and the Year 10s stayed to support
them! The match was a home game against Ockendon School.
There was a strong start with the Girls taking a 7-0 lead, Pavi and Yvresse
both shooting well. Into the 2nd quarter the gap widened with the Convent now leading 13-0; Jenna and Emmanuella
ensuring no goals were scored. Into the third quarter Ockendon changed their
structure and this was a challenge for the Convent. Ockendon scored their first
three goals but the Convent responded by scoring four more. Great interceptions
by Niamh and Gabriella ensured that piled the pressure on; with excellent attacking
lines from Emily, we fed the ball into the circle
and scored an impressive nine more goals! The
final score was 25-3 to the Convent!
Well done to the girls who have had an excellent
school netball career, some playing all the way
from Year 7, and some arriving as additions in
Year 11. They have been consistently committed
despite Year 11 pressures and Niamh has been an
invaluable captain for the season. Well done!
Team: Yvresse Tapiki, Pavi Johal, Emily Knowlson,
Gabriella Cantwell, Niamh Copley, Jenna Fullerton and Emmaunella UsunobunJohnson.
Miss Franklin
COMPETITION CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF
BRENTWOOD DIOCESE
Mr O’Hanlon
HAS YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGED…?
Did you know … just registering your child for Free School
Meals means that the school gets extra money?
Register now to make sure we don’t miss out.
The Government is giving money to schools to help children from lower income
families do their very best. This funding is called a ‘Pupil Premium’.
For every child registered Grays Convent gets £935 this year.
With this money we could arrange, amongst other things, additional support &
intervention for students in the school including Saturday School, Easter Revision
& homework club. If you are registered for Free School Meals you may also
receive other benefits including support with costs of school trips & other
resources.
How does it work?
Applications can be made online by visiting:
https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/school-meals/free-school-meals. Simply login to
My Account services, select ‘Education and childcare’, ‘Free school meals’ and
then ‘Apply online’. Families can create an account if you don’t already have
one. All you need is a valid personal email address. If you don’t have access to
the internet at home you can either visit your local library or Thurrock Council
area offices.
Is your child eligible for ‘free school meals’? Check on our website, follow the
link:
http://www.graysconvent.thurrock.sch.uk/School-Catering
Mrs Burrow
YEAR 7 NETBALL NEWS
On Tuesday 21st March the Year 7 netball
team played against The Ockendon
Academy. Having played them the day
before at the netball rally, we felt that
the teams were evenly matched so we
were prepared for a good game.
We got off to a flying start, scoring two
goals. Our defence was strong and
managed to prevent them from scoring in
the first quarter. The second quarter saw
us push through and get in another two
goals. It was looking good and we went
into the third full of confidence. Excellent attack skills brought the ball forward
and in went another three goals for us. The momentum kept up right to the end
seeing one more goal for us, bringing the final score 8-0 to the Convent! Well
done girls.
Girl of the game Anabelle
Team: Morgan(c), Melissa, Abigail, Anabelle, Lulu, Kylie, Lily, Hameeda, Perla
Mrs Wells
YEAR 11 COLLEGE
INTERVIEWS
If your daughter is in Year 11 and has a
college/6th form interview, then you will
need to complete a ‘Request for Student
Leave of Absence Form’ which is
available from the Finance Office. This
needs to be completed and returned to
the school for authorisation AS SOON AS
YOU RECEIVE NOTICATION OF THE
INTERVIEW TIME AND DATE.
A copy of the letter from the college/6th
form should be attached to the form. If
this form is not completed, the absence
will be unauthorised.
It is very important that if you are not
collecting your daughter from school,
that you give your WRITTEN CONSENT
FOR YOUR DAUGHTER TO LEAVE
SCHOOL UNACCOMPANIED TO TRAVEL
TO THE COLLEGE/6TH FORM FOR THE
INTERVIEW. We are unable to allow
students
to
leave
school
unaccompanied
without
the
aforementioned written consent.
Miss Coughlan
PARISH NEWS
The Catholic Women's League (CWL) will
be selling raffle tickets after all Masses
on Mother's Day which is on Sunday 26th
March.
The next Catholic Women's League
(CWL) meeting will be on Tuesday 18th
April at 7:30pm in the parish hall. We
will be having an Easter-themed
meeting so please decorate and bring
along an egg, basket or bonnet. All
ladies welcome!
MOTHER’S DAY ASSEMBLY
In this week’s assembly we celebrated the role of Mothers and those who
take care of us in our lives.
We heard the stories of famous Biblical Mothers like Sarah, the mother who
waited, Jochebed, the mother with a plan, Elizabeth, the mother who
believed and Mary, the mother who is blessed among women.
We learnt about the origins of Mothering Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent
and some of the traditions associated with this celebration.
I have challenged any interested parties to try my recipe for Simnel Cake as a
treat during the season of Lent as this was a cake that was made for Mothers by girls who were in domestic service years
ago. Why not bake a traditional cake for your Mum?
Mrs Collis’ Simnel Cake for Mothering Sunday
Ingredients
For the cake:
 175g/6oz light brown sugar
 175g/6oz butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
 175g/6oz self-raising flour
 3 large free-range eggs
 50g/1¾oz ground almonds
 3 tbsp milk
 100g/3½oz sultanas
 100g/3½oz glacé cherries, quartered
 100g/3½oz dried apricots, cut into small pieces
 2 tsp mixed spice powder
For the topping:
 450g/1lb golden marzipan
 3 tbsp apricot jam
 1 free-range egg, beaten
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 160C/140C Fan/Gas 3. Grease a 20cm/8in round, deep-sided, loose-bottomed tin with butter and
line the base with baking paper.
2. Put the cake ingredients into a large bowl and beat together until well incorporated. Spoon half the mixture into the
prepared tin and level the surface.
3. Roll one-third of the marzipan to the same size as the base of the tin and place on top of the cake mixture.
4. Spoon the remaining cake mixture on top of the marzipan and level the surface. Bake for 1¾-2 hours or until goldenbrown on top and firm in the middle. If the cake is beginning to brown but not cooked through cover it with tin foil.
Leave the cake to cool for 10 minutes before removing from the tin.
5. Heat the apricot jam in a pan, then brush the top of the cooled cake with a little warm jam. Roll out half of the
remaining marzipan to fit the top of the cake. Place the marzipan on the cake and use your thumb to crimp around the
edges.
6. Make 11 balls from the remaining marzipan and place these around the edge of the cake fixing them to the marzipan
with a little beaten egg.
7. Brush the marzipan with the egg and glaze under a hot grill for about 5 minutes (turning the cake round to ensure even
browning). You can do this using a cook’s blowtorch if you prefer.
The Great Grays Convent Bake Off!
I’d love to know how you get on if you decide to make this special cake. Even if it doesn’t look exactly like the picture, I
believe that if cakes are made with love they always taste good.
Why not take a photo of your cake and I’ll put it in the newsletter? Good luck star bakers from Mrs C!
Mrs Collis
LENTON REFLECTIONS
R.E. Class groups continue to come to the Chapel for reflections on the Bible stories of Holy week and the
Stations of the Cross. Early Christians travelled to Jerusalem each year to walk the Way of the Cross
(Stations of the Cross) the route that Jesus walked carrying his cross to Calvary. As Christianity spread
throughout the world it became more difficult for everyone to travel to Jerusalem, and so carved plaques
or pictures were put around Churches as a visual aid, so that people could walk around and reflect on
Christ’s suffering and death on the cross for the forgiveness of all our sins, so that we can go to Heaven.
Jesus said that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for another. (Jn. 15:13)
We pray for the policeman who gave his life to protect members of parliament, and for all who died that the Lord in his
mercy will raise them to eternal life. We ask the Lord to bless and protect all our emergency services who put their lives at
risk each day to protect us. May they be abundantly rewarded, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God bless you.
Miss Carson
HOUSE POINTS UP-DATE…
Points
Deborah
Esther
Mary
Lydia
Esther
Lydia
Deborah
Mary
11000
11500
12000
12500
House
Mary
Deborah
Esther
Lydia
13000
Points
14006
13354
13115
12185
13500
14000
14500
Ranking
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Miss Coughlan
KEY DATES, TRIPS & EVENTS
Friday 31st March 2017
School closes at 12:45pm
School closed
Easter Holiday
All students in school for
Tuesday 18th April 2017
8:25am
CHANGE TO THE DATE:
Year 11 Photos/ Friendship
Thursday 20th April
Photos
Mon 3rd – Mon 17th April
Thursday 20th April 2017
Monday 24th April 2017
Thursday 27th April 2017
Friday 28th April 2017
Year 7 Parent’s Evening – 4-7pm
Year 8 Exams
Year 9 Walsingham House Retreat
Year 10 Walsingham House Retreat
All Year Groups
All Year Groups
All Year Groups
Year 11
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10