LDBS SCHOOLS NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 9
W
MAY 2009
e 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).
ALIEN CRASH LANDING…..
BBC AND NOW G20…..
Twyford High Gospel Choir, (Ðphoto) which
was only formed 2 years ago, was a
runner-up in the finals of the BBC Songs
of Praise School Choirs 2008 competition
and won the BBC Songs of Praise School
Choirs 2009.
Congratulations to the 65 choir members
and the choir director! The choir are no
strangers to attracting plaudits for their
work. Following their success last year and
under the inspired leadership of Rev Lloyd
Crossfield, a local pastor and parent at the
school, they have been in demand for
singing at numerous events including the
Variety Club Christmas Charity Concert at
Southwark Cathedral, singing at the Royal
Albert Hall and taking part in the “Sing Up
in the House” event at the Royal Opera
House, Covent Garden. They have also
taken part in a BBC programme about
Handel’s Messiah, as well as singing at the
G20 Debate in St Paul Cathedral in March
2009 where The Prime Minister Gordon
Brown, Kevin Rudd MP and The Bishop of
London were present.
Most importantly, the choir remain a
heart-felt vocalisation of the faith life and
Christian identity of the school.
T
he children at St Mary’s & St
Peter’s, Teddington were intrigued
when
the
school
had
some
unexpected visitors of the green kind...
To support Literacy Week and World Book
Day's alien theme, the crash site on the
school field mysteriously appeared on a
Monday morning in early March. The eye
witness accounts of bright lights and
strange noises on Sunday evening certainly
seemed to confirm an alien invasion.
Throughout the week a series of other
strange events, from odd shaped footsteps
in the atrium and interference on the
computer network also reinforced that alien
beings were around. On the Thursday the
whole
school
joined in
the fun
and
donned
green
suits, and
face
paints (Ò).
I
STORIES.....
n February St Mary's Bryanston
Square held a 'Storytelling Week'
with the emphasis on creating and
telling stories. All classes focused on telling
and dramatising their own
stories as well as enjoying
various workshops. The
school also had a visit
from the author, Marcus
Chown and on the final day
dressed up as characters
from stories.
LDBS Schools Newsletter
Issue 9 ~May 2009
1 of 16
TELLING STORIES…..
Christine Read, Headteacher of All Saints, Friern Barnet has a relatively new staff team who
felt they wanted to get to know their children better and hear their stories. They also felt
that the curriculum and learning environment didn’t reflect All Saints‘ rich cultural and ethnic
diversity - 24 ethnic groups are represented in the school; many children are of mixed
European heritage and 26 languages are spoken in the school.
Parents were asked to spend time with their children discussing their family history and to
focus on an aspect of their family’s journey that was of interest to them and to produce
something in any medium to share with the class.
The school wanted a lasting piece of work to represent everyone in the school and create a
group identity – “This is who we are at All Saints’” - and decided on a patchwork quilt (Ðtop
photo - middle and bottom photos: sections of the quilt).
The children were then asked to draw a sketch of a design to be used in the quilt to
represent something important in their individual journey. They drew on a wealth of history,
culture and developed a much greater awareness of religion and what it means to them and
their families as well as a greater interest and respect for each other. Parents loved the
project and felt that they had shared something important and special with their children.
A child who left the school in October from Y5 said ‘I’ll always be here though, because I’ll
be in the quilt.’
LDBS Schools Newsletter
Issue 5 ~January 2008
2 of 8
Ð (BELOW) TOM RECEIVING CRYSTAL BOWL
FROM LDBS STAFF; THE ST GEORGE THE
MARTYR, HOLBORN ~ DRAGON; ST JOHN’S,
STANMORE ~ CHOIR, STEPNEY GREENCOAT
~ FAREWELL WAVE & PRINCESS FREDERICA,
KENSAL RISE ~ STEEL BAND.
ON-GOING STORY…..
10
years has been the longest
period that Tom Peryer has
stayed in one organization. He
left the LDBS at Easter on a new stage of
a journey that will continue to include some
of the great characters he has worked
with and encountered in his time with the
LDBS and its schools.
He plans to continue primarily working in
education (it’s all he knows!) and is now the
Director of his own company EDPRO Ltd
which aims to provide a professional
project management and consultancy service
to the education sector working with local
authorities, the government and its
education agencies, dioceses and other
providers of education services.
Tom had several farewell dos: LDBS staff
presented him with an engraved Darlington
Fortuna Crystal bowl; a Mont Blanc
fountain pen from the Board; LDHTC
Chairman Alan Ward presented a cheque at
the
HT
conference
in
Poole
and
celebrations were held at St Martin in the
Fields on 18th March with several schools
taking part.
Ð (BELOW) THE GREEN, TOTTENHAM ~
STEEL BAND; TOM RECEIVING CHEQUE
FROM ALAN WARD & SOME OF THE
TWYFORD HIGH, EALING ~ GOSPEL CHOIR
LDBS Schools Newsletter
Issue 5 ~January 2008
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O
NEW BUILD…..
th
n Wednesday 28 January, children
and staff At Hackney Free &
Parochial Secondary gathered at
the edge of the site of what will be their
new school.
The land and building were blessed by Fr
Rob Wickham, Rector of Hackney (Ð) who
said "this blessing is an important moment
in history. Hackney Free school's future
looks so exciting, as we build upon almost
500 years of
history. May
these
foundations
literally
change hearts
and lives as
we create the
new
citizens
for
Hackney
today."
ART WEEK.....
S
t Mary's Bryanston Square held an
art week with the theme of ‘my view
of London’. The pupils went on trips
around
London,
making
observational
drawings, taking photographs and getting
inspiration. They
looked at the
works of other
artists and
explored a range
of styles and
media. Î Y1 IN
REGENTS
PARK
F
QUIZ.....
our children (Ð) from St George’s,
Freezywater: Jessie in Y5, Temi in
Y5, Teddy in Y3, and Tolu in Y6 –
entered a quiz competition against 7 other
schools and came first. They will now go
through to the next round.
T
MAKING HISTORY.....
hree very lucky A Level students
from the History department at St
Mary’s High, Hendon were invited to
attend an event in London on 20th January
held by Operation Black Vote (OBV) to
celebrate the inauguration of the President
elect, Barack Obama. The students: Suen
George (Head Boy), Sandra Ofosu-Koree
(Head Girl) and Andre Burton, (Coordinator
of Black History Conference 2008) arrived
at the prestigious venue ‘Altitude 360’ on
the 29th Floor of Millbank Tower, SW1.
Upon their arrival they were then asked if
they would meet and greet David Cameron
MP (Ð) as he arrived at the event.
USING
The
pupils’ artwork was
then displayed in a
final exhibition
held in the school hall. Amongst the guests
at the exhibition were Education Officers
from galleries (including a Turner Prize
judge!), governors, artists and many
members of the local community who
celebrated the achievements of the
talented pupils.
WATERCOLOURS
LDBS Schools Newsletter
Issue 9 ~May 2009
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S
SING UP.....
t John’s, Stanmore formed a weekly
'sing-up' after school club in
September
which
has
provided
entertainment at a number of functions
outside of the school, as well as being a
high profile choir within the school. They
have won a variety of prizes and are
sporting their newly won tee shirts in the
photo below. The choir and other pupils
from St John’s sang at St Martin-in-theFields Church at Tom Peryer's leaving
service on 18th March.
L
STAFF ARTISTS.....
ast term Twyford High, Ealing
teachers and staff produced fantastic
masterpieces (Ð) whilst learning the
techniques of painting with oils.
LAST DAY LAST STROKE…..
Last day last stroke
As I move my brush,
last day last stroke
but I am in no rush.
Last day last stroke
As I draw my lonely tree
Last day last stroke
I remember what's happened to me
I remember Mrs Fuggle
who would gather us in the hall,
play the piano with her eyes closed
and read a story to us all.
Last day last stroke
as I draw my lonely tree
Last day last stroke
I remember what's happened to me.
I remember in reception
after assembly in the hall:
there was a little robin redbreast
sitting by the wall.
Last day last stroke
as I draw my lonely tree
Last day last stroke
I remember what's happened to me.
I remember in year 3
I met a famous star,
I played the African drum with him
from there my drumming career went far.
I remember from the start
I met my very best friend
her name is Catherine
and she'll be with me till the end.
Last day last stroke
I finished my lonely tree,
last day last stroke
these memories will stay with me.
by Stephanie - Y6, St John’s, Stanmore
LDBS Schools Newsletter
Issue 9 ~May 2009
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S
ARTISTS.....
t Barnabas, Sloane Square held an
Arts Exhibition on 12th February
with each class from Reception to Y6
studying a painting for Arts Week, which
also
formed
the
basis
for
crosscurricular planning. The exhibition was a
huge success and was attended by parents,
governors, representatives from LDBS (Ð
top
photo
LIZ
WOLVERSON)
and
Westminster LA and businesses from the
local area.
H
ISA…..
eadteacher Annie Gaudencio of St
George’s, Freezywater received a
plaque from George Alagaih, the
newsreader for an International School
Award. The ISA aims to have a positive
impact on developing pupils’ awareness of
the cultures of other countries, while still
promoting an understanding of their own
culture.
Pictured below are John Rolfe
from the
British
Council,
Deputy Head
Genevieve
Prayag, and
MFL and
Community
Cohesion Subject Leader, Rosa Pisaturo.
A
PRICELESS…..
Y2 boy from St Mary’s & St
John’s, Hendon included the picture
below in his biography of Florence
Nightingale.
The
teacher
remarked
"that's really good"
and added "what is
Florence holding?" possibly
expecting
the
reply
to
indicate her lamp?
The child replied
"it's
her
mobile
phone
...because
God called her!"
S
MATHS CHALLENGE…..
everal students from St Augustine’s
High, Westminster got through to
the final of the 2008/9 UK
Intermediate Maths Challenge on Thursday
5th February.
Rayhan Uddin (Y10) was
awarded Gold and ‘best in school’ with two
Y10 students receiving silver awards and
three Y10 and one Y9 student getting
bronze awards.
LDBS Schools Newsletter
Issue 9 ~May 2009
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O
FOUNDERS DAY…..
S
RECOGNITION…..
n 24th March, for the first time in
recent memory, pupils from Y7 and
9 at Hackney Free and Parochial
Secondary School gathered together to
celebrate Founders Day. The service
celebrated the life of Christopher Urswick,
who founded the school in 1520, during the
reign of King Henry VIII. It was a good
opportunity to remember all those who
played a part in the life of the school,
especially all students and staff who have
worked and studied there over the past
489 years. Pupils were reminded of Jesus’
parable of the wise and foolish builders,
and the need to build our foundations on
solid rock: a rock which, for many, lies in
an education at Hackney Free. It is hoped
that recognition of the people instrumental
in founding the school nearly 500 years
ago, will become a new tradition in the life
of the Church and community.
pecialist schools and academies that
have significantly improved their
GCSE results were recognised by the
Specialist Schools and Academies Trust at
a celebration dinner in London.
St. Augustine’s High, Kilburn was invited to
attend the event, which was held at the
Royal College of Physicians on 23rd
February. Mike Tomlinson, Chief Advisor
of London Challenge, was the guest speaker
and joined Sir James Hill, Chairman of the
SSAT, in presenting awards. St Augustine’s
is one of the top 5 Science Colleges (of
271) with improved 5 A*-C results from
2005-2008.
The headteacher, Alex Thomas, said: “it
was very nice for the school to be
recognised by the SSAT. The significant
improvement over the last few years is a
tribute to the efforts of the staff,
students and governors with the strong
support of the parent body.
This
recognition
linked
with
an
£18.2m
investment under Building Schools for the
LDBS Schools Newsletter
Future project should enable us to continue
our forward trajectory.”
S
t. John the Baptist, Hampton Wick
is outstanding - that was the verdict
following their Ofsted inspection
which praised the school for putting pupils’
personal development and well-being at the
heart of everything they do. The report
also puts St. John’s among the top 10% of
schools in the country.
Headteacher, Susan Sawyer said: “we are
delighted with the result. We are a very
caring and creative team here at St John’s
and are passionately committed to working
with our pupils to help them achieve their
absolute personal best and ‘go for it!’.
“I would like to take this opportunity to
thank every child, every member of my
staff team both present and past, our
governors, church and parents; it is a
wonderful accolade to the school that we
have all worked together and achieved this
goal.”
Cabinet member for Education & Children’s
Services and Culture on Richmond Council,
Cllr Malcolm Eady, added: “I would like to
congratulate the staff and pupils at St
John’s on this outstanding achievement that
recognises their hard work and high
standards.” Ð ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CELEBRATE
LONG SERVICE…..
O
n 27th February
Mary Playle and
Maureen France
(Îphoto) celebrated 25
years of service at St
Matthew’s, Westminster.
Issue 9 ~May 2009
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~ EARLY FEBRUARY SNOWS 2009 ~ …..
“Mr Bradbury, the school keeper bravely
climbing up a very tall ladder to rescue a cat
which had fallen from a nearby roof on to part
of the school building”
St John’s, Bethnal Green
in LDBS schools ~ Enjoy. Ð
St John’s, Stanmore
“Snow Angel”
St Clement Danes, Drury Lane
St Michael’s, Camden Town
LDBS Schools Newsletter
Issue 9 ~May 2009
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“Too hot for you!”
Twyford High, Ealing
Christ Church, Hampstead
St Paul’s, Mill Hill
St Mary’s & St Peter’s, Teddington
Forty Hill, Enfield
LDBS Schools Newsletter
Issue 9 ~May 2009
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St Mary’s & St John’s, Hendon
St Mary Magdalene Academy, Islington
St Mary’s, Bryanston Square
“Class Competition” ~ St Michael’s, Highgate
2
Grey Coat Hospital S.
Westminster
St Matthew’s,
Westminster
LDBS Schools Newsletter
Issue 9 ~May 2009
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“Whole school snowman building competition” ~ It was great fun and so many
people passing by wanted to join in. Each class was awarded a certificate:
APPLE CLASS (Y4) for the tallest snowman; ASH CLASS (Y5) for most individual hair style;
CHESTNUT CLASS (Y1) for wearing the correct school uniform; HOLLY CLASS (Y6) for providing a
safe home; OAK CLASS (Y3) for best personality; SYCAMORE CLASS (Y2) for most coordinated
St Paul’s, Primrose Hill
accessories.
“Designed by Y5”
Trent,
Cockfosters
“Designs by the Nursery Children”
St Matthew’s, Westminster
~ COMIC RELIEF 2009 ~ …..
in LDBS schools ~ Enjoy. Ð
£400+
St Paul’s, Whitechapel: held a talent show
performed in front of the school with dancers;
musicians; singers; comedians; gymnasts and
storytellers. The winners were Alfie & Maisie
Clements Jones for their rendition of `Rockin’
Robin’ and the Headteacher’s prize went to
Nabilah Islam of Y2.
£254
John the
Baptist,
Hoxton
£855
St Augustine’s S., Kilburn: Post 16 students
organised a non-uniform day for a fixed sum; a
fair in the main school hall; name a teacher from
their baby photo and a tombola.
LDBS Schools Newsletter
£333.32
Twyford High, Ealing
£150
Karaoke organized by Y5 ~ Trent, Cockfosters
Issue 9 ~May 2009
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£480+
Bp
Winnington
Ingram,
Ruislip
£224
St George’s,
Freezywater
£743.14
St Mary’s High, Hendon
£200 ~ St Mary’s Infant, Hornsey: The children wore red clothes and swapped with staff who
wore uniform for the day.
BACK TO MY CHILDHOOD…..
Angela Large, Chair of Governors at St John
the Baptist, Hoxton spent the day in school
dressed as a Y6 pupil to raise money for
Comic Relief (more Grange Hill than St
Trinian's!) with a Y6 class. She took part in
a science test as part of their assessment
week, ate with the children in the dining hall
and played in the playground at break
(Îphoto).
Angela said “I really enjoyed the
day. The maths test was harder than I
thought, but I hope that I beat Jonty! We
did a fun science lesson, I had a full,
delicious school dinner, I played in the
playground with Pippa and Jonty and then
wrote a poem in the afternoon. The teachers
and children were all delightful and I had a
wonderful day”. (Angela raised £101.)
LDBS Schools Newsletter
Issue 9 ~May 2009
12 of 16
~ EASTER 2009 ~ …..
in LDBS schools ~ Enjoy. Ð
St Michael’s,
Camden Town
based their
pictures on the
work of Chinese
artist 'He Qi'. Í
the women at the
empty tomb, the
road to Emmaus
and the supper at
Emmaus
Drawing by a Y5 pupil
St Mary’s, Islington
‘Easter
Prayer’
St Paul’s,
Brentford
“Dear God
Thank-you that Easter
is special and about
forgiveness. Please help
us spread the word so
that more people will
become Christians
through knowing you.”
Prayer by a Y4 pupil
‘Gospel Choir’ led by former pupil Ruth Smith
St Mary’s Infant & Junior, Hornsey
‘Easter Bonnet Parade’
Sir John Cass’s Foundation, Aldgate
‘Easter Bonnet Parade’ ~ St Mary’s & St Peter, Teddington
LDBS Schools Newsletter
Issue 5 ~January 2008
13 of 8
TRUFFLES FOR CHARITY…..
P
upils at Edward Betham, Greenford have
been raising money for their chosen
charity “Shooting Stars” and raised
£750. They sold origami boxes for truffles
(Îphoto),
and
donated
their own
pocket
money as
well as
collecting
money
from friends and family.
S
S
BANANA TRADERS…..
S
SENSE…..
S
JUNK…..
t George’s, Freezywater also held a
Fairtrade day. With their Fairtrade
partners the Co-op, they purchased
210 bananas and had a Fairtrade banana
assembly and then ate them in assembly (Ð).
FAIR TRADERS…..
t Mary’s & St Peter’s, Teddington
worked hard to communicate the
Fairtrade message to their children
and parents. They hosted a Fairtrade week
from 23rd-27th February at the school and
held a fun-filled Fairtrade pancake challenge
during a whole school assembly led by the
Headteacher John Logan (Ðphoto left) using
Fairtrade bananas & chocolate; made cakes;
sold gifts after school in their own
Tradecraft Fairtrade stall (Ðphoto right) and
held a cake sale using Fairtrade ingredients.
hortly after the snows, children (Ð)
from Sir John Cass’s Foundation,
Aldgate in Y3 and Y5 went ice-skating
in order to raise money for SENSE.
t Mary’s Infant, Hornsey made lots of
noise at a Junk Orchestra workshop
(Ð) and pupils commented on how they
hadn’t realized rubbish could be such fun!
LDBS Schools Newsletter
Issue 9 ~May 2009
14 of 16
CRUCIFIXION…..
The sand dry between my toes,
I walk the path of my death,
The sun beating heavily upon my brow,
The cross a burden of sin upon my back.
Yet I do it without a word.
The crown of thorns digs into my head,
Puncturing perfect, pale skin,
Yet as the crimson blood trickles down my neck,
I utter not a word.
I could have stopped this torture,
But I do it for my people,
My unimaginable love for them a mountainous tower.
And now I lay the cross on the ground with a heavy
heart,
And it is raised into the hole, a dead one in their
coffin,
Waiting silently for me, with open jaws.
And I am nailed to the cross for all to see,
But as I take my final breaths I feel no pain,
For I know that my people are free.
DESTINY OLYMPICS?…..
Curtis Miller, pictured below, of Y12 at St
Mary’s High, Hendon has been congratulated
by British Fencing for his selection for the
U17 Fencing Championships in Bourges,
France.
He was commended for his
achievement in the sport
and for reaching such a
high level “to be
representing Britain is a
real proof of skill,
dedication and motivation.”
IN REMEMBRANCE…..
Ian Smith 14.09.1933 –
20.01.2009
was
the
Headteacher for +20 years at
The Blue School, Isleworth.
by Natasha Y6; Trent, Cockfosters
S
WE WIN AGAIN…..
even teams from various schools
competed in the fourth Hillingdon
Secondary School Chess Championships
held at Bishop Ramsey S., Ruislip. Over 150
games were played throughout the day and
Bishop Ramsey Upper School (Ðphoto) won
convincingly by over 11 games and the Lower
school just failed to gain second place. The
winning team comprises of: Keith Manthorpe
(Captain), Robert Steane, Thomas Newbold,
Osarenkhos Uwwigbe, James Green, Jonathan
Jones, Nick Bull.
E
SPRING PAINT…..
very year St Paul’s, Winchmore Hill
holds
a
Spring
flower
painting
competition. The paintings are judged
in school by the Art department and
certificates are awarded to Reception, KS1,
lower KS2 and upper KS2. Mothers of the
winners are invited into a special assembly
where
the
children
present
them
with
flowers.
Î
WINNERS
AND
RUNNERS
UP
LDBS Schools Newsletter
Issue 9 ~May 2009
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YOUTH SPEAKS OUT…..
Justina Ogunseitan from Twyford High,
Ealing wowed judges once again with a
thought provoking, insightful and challenging
speech on “The Truth” and how this can be
conveyed through education. Focusing on the
need for students to be aware of global
historical, cultural and political realities and
with strong support from Vicky Ogunseitan
and Jenny Rideout, she won the ‘Youth
Speaks Out’ Regional finals.
M
…
S…
NKKS
AN
HA
TH
N // T
ON
GO
NG
VIIN
OV
MO
To the following for their many valuable years:
Liz Connors – ex Clerk to the Governing Body
Ashford, Surrey for 12 years; 04.09
Father Peter Anthony (3 years) – Y11
Chaplain and RE Berlin Exchange Founder
at St Mary’s High, Hendon who will be
leaving in June to return to Oxford to
study for a doctorate.
BIRTH CONGRATULATIONS
DEAR GOD….
Actual prayers of children!
How come you did all those miracles in
the old days and don't do any now?
My grandpa says you were around when
he was a little boy. How far back do you
go?
Did you mean for giraffes to look like
that or was it an accident?
In Bible times, did they really talk that
fancy?
W
MEE
OM
WEELLCCO
Father Daniel joining St Mary’s High, Hendon as
the Y11 Chaplain.
Sharnie (& Mark
Webster) ~ SMSA at
St Mary’s Infant,
Hornsey ~ Jaime on
24th April 2009,
weighing in at 8lbs 3oz
– a sister for Carly.
RETIREMENTS
Richard Walton ~ ex LDBS Governor at All
Saints, Hammersmith retired at the end of
March 2009. Richard has been associated with
All Saints for over 19 years as a parent,
supporter and then as a LDBS Governor.
WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS
Mrs McEwan (nee Saumtally) teacher at St
Paul’s, Whitechapel to Richard (they met at St
Paul’s) on 4th April 2009.
NEXT ISSUE
If any schools would like to send any pieces
of work, news items - including retirements,
births
and
marriages
of
staff,
or
pictures/photos (these will be sent back to
you) which illustrate a particular event or ongoing project for our next LDBS Schools
Newsletter ~ September edition, please send
to: Mitch Gallacher, LDBS, Diocesan House,
36 Causton Street, London, SW1P 4AU
Fax : 020 7932 1111
E-mail:
[email protected]
by 27th July 2009
LDBS Schools Newsletter
Issue 9 ~May 2009
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