Week 10 - 11th July 2012 - Sacred Heart Catholic School

Summer Term - Issue 10 Wednesday 11th July 2012
Sacred Heart School
Newsletter
“Working together to achieve”
Sacred Heart is moving!
From September 2012 until July 2014
Sacred Heart Catholic School will be
moving to a temporary site less than
a mile away from our present location
on Camberwell New Road. The new
site is situated on Trafalgar Street in
the Walworth area of Camberwell,
SE17 2TP.
1

Dear Parents,
The end of year is upon us and of course my thoughts are very much on the move to our temporary
home in Trafalgar Street. How can we negotiate this very difficult manoeuvre and maintain the high
standards of academic excellence we have come to expect for our pupils? Staff continue to work
tirelessly and although nervous, I am confident that this transition period will be – although difficult
– successfully dealt with.
Come September I look forward to a staged return for our pupils who
will be delighted to benefit from a brand new school. I also hope to
celebrate another set of excellent exam grades for our Year 11’s and
12’s, we must continue to pray that these pupils get the results their
hard work deserves.
Finally I wish all of Sacred Heart a very restful summer break and call
on our community to pray for the continued success of our school in
these very challenging times.
- Mr. Cefai
Headteacher
GREEN TEAM 2011—2012
This year has been a really busy year for the Year 9 Green Team, with two Fill the Bag collections, the school
being cleared out ready for the move and the recycling in class rooms getting better and better. A huge thank
you goes out to all the teachers and pupils that correctly placed recyclable materials into the correct places.
The support of the Green Team has led to the recycling of more than 90,000 litres of waste.
The stars of the Green Team we thank you:
Maxwell Serebour***
Gabriel Anderson**
Osamede Itaifo*
Ellen Hagos
Jason Panzo
Yolanda Plunkett
Leah Toulon
Mary Aluko
Rachel Balbaneda
Molly Moore
Gyifa Guddah
Riana Bryan
Duoc Van Phan
Nadia G
Meral Kulle
Amarachi Okewuihe
Chloe Conway
Fazi Feyisitan
Great work and Well Done!!!
2

PUBLICATION OF EXAM RESULTS
Please see the table below for the availability of your results.
Yeargroup
Exams
12 GCE ‘AS’ and ‘A2’ exams
11 GCE ‘AS’ exams
11 GCSE exams
10 GCSE exams
9 GCSE exams
8 School exams
7 School exams
Results publication date
Results will be available for collection (from the
new school building) from 10:00am on
Thursday 16 th August
Results will be available for collection (from the
new school building) from 10:00am on
Thursday 16 th August
Results will be available for collection (from the
new school building) from 8:00am on
Thursday 23 rd August
Results will be given to students at the
beginning of the Autumn term 2012
Results will be given to students at the
beginning of the Autumn term 2012
Results will be sent home in the post by the end
of the summer term
Results will be sent home in the post by the end
of the summer term
Please note : Thursday 16 th August (AS levels) and Thursday 23 rd August (GCSE) are collection days for Years 12
and 11 only. Year 10 and Year 9 who have taken GCSE exams this summer must wait until the beginning of the
Autumn term to collect their results.
CHEMISTRY NEWS
Congratulations to Angela Caipa-Garcia and Fitzroy Ugorji who entered the
Cambridge Lower 6 th Chemistry competition this June and were awarded for
their efforts. Over 4000 pupils from 300 schools entered the competition, of
which 40% did not receive an award. Angela and Fitzroy, fell into the 37% who
were awarded the ‘Copper award’, which is a superb achievement for both of
them. The Chemistry department look forward to entering more Year 12
Chemists next year.
Ms Valdez
3

I’M LEAVING ON A JET PLANE...
As most of you will know, I’m leaving Sacred Heart to
work in an International School in Beijing, China. The
recurring question I‘ve been asked is why, why madam,
why China? My Answer is why not?!
I came to this school just like all of you , I was born and
raised in South East London (shout out to all the
‘Peckham peeps’!) and I was even Head Girl. Both at
this school and obviously at home I was encouraged
and trained to achieve the best, be the best and aim
high; so that is what I intend on doing! I achieved 10 A-
C GSCE’s, went on to do A Levels (not the greatest
marks but I passed nevertheless) and then went on to
complete my Mathematics Degree at University. During
this time, yes, I got into trouble here and there and
found it extremely difficult to still be the best and
achieve the best , but above all and through it all I have
always aimed high!
I hope that all of you remember to aim high. There is
more to life than Camberwell and London and Facebook
and Twitter and Chicken and Chips after school!
Always remember to achieve the best, be the best and
aim high always in absolutely everything you do!
I will miss this school and so many of the pupils. It
would be a separate newsletter altogether to try and
list one by one all the pupils who have made an impact
on me and given me great memories so all I will say
is…..
Thank you to any and every pupil that has ever said
hello or goodbye, made me shout, made me cheer,
made me smile, made me tired and stressed and made
me say “Shut the back door” or “Cilit Bang”
May God and the Holy Spirit guide and protect you
always in all your endeavours. I pray He blesses you,
your families and friends in abundance. Amen
I’ll miss you, but I will be back to visit!
Good Luck and God bless
Ms Egwuatu
A FINAL REFLECTION AS WE
LEAVE THIS PLACE...
As we reach the end of our time in this school
building we can remember with grateful hearts all
that has gone before. We stand on the shoulders of
others as we seek a glimpse of the road ahead. We
are part of a tradition of Catholic Education in this
country which has taken many forms. In Britain
Catholic schools have often followed the journey of
migrants and were set up after the Catholic
restoration in the 19th Century. Yet the primary
instinct has always been to serve the needs of those
most in need of a good, decent and whole person
education; an education that has at its heart the person
of Jesus Christ and the dignity and uniqueness of
the human person. This Gospel-based approach to
education is what makes a good Catholic school
stand out. It is for this we should really be measured
and assessed.
In a good Catholic school, whether the subject is
science, mathematics, or art, students should learn
about the "whole person", including the concepts of
intelligence, free will, feelings, rights and
responsibilities, interpersonal relationships, and the
call to a specific mission in the world. Young people
do not demand perfect Christians for adult role
models; they are looking for adults who are
attempting to live a Christian life and are willing to
be vulnerable enough to let young people come into
their lives and watch.
Like Olympic torch bearers, we merely carry the
torch for a while, carrying the light and passing it on.
It will be for others to take the torch forward into
other parts of the journey....
So, as we leave this sacred place, with all that has
occurred here: all the good times; all the difficult
moments; the achievements and the failures; with
the hopes and fears of all the years held in our
hearts; we trust in the future for ourselves and
those who come after us to build and develop the
tradition in which we stand.
I want to finish this reflection with a thought about
the journey of life which I think is applicable to this
moment. It is about being a pilgrim on the journey,
moving forward and fighting the inertia of remaining
stuck. May we always have the courage to be
pilgrims and may we help our young people discover
this call deep inside them too.
4

THE CROSSING PLACE
The pilgrims paused on the ancient stones
In the mountain gap.
Behind them stretched the roadway they had travelled,
Ahead, the mist hid the track.
Unspoken the question hovered:
Why go on? Is life not short enough?
Why seek to pierce its mystery?
Why venture further on strange paths, risking all?
Surely that is a gamble for fools…or lovers.
Why not return quietly by the known road?
Why be a pilgrim still?
A voice they knew called to them, saying:
This is the Crossing Place.
Choose! Go back if you must,
You will be find your way easily by yesterday’s road.
You can pitch your tent by yesterday’s fires,
There may be life in the embers yet.
If that is not your deep desire,
Stand still. Lay down your load.
Take your life firmly into your two hands
(gently.. you are trusted with something precious),
While you search your heart’s yearnings:
What am I seeking? What is my quest?
When your star rises deep within,
Trust yourself to its leading.
You will have light for your first steps.
This is the Crossing Place
Choose!
This is the Crossing Place
Come!
Prayer
Spirit of God, you call us to
celebrate our past,
to live consciously in the present
and to follow you into the future.
You invite us to follow new
ventures, new challenges.
You invite us to new and creative
ways
to care for children and families
new ways to touch the hearts of
all people.
When we are fearful of the unknown, give us courage.
When we get tired or disappointed
remind us that you can bring change and hope out of
the most difficult situations.
Breathe new life and new meaning into our lives.
Endow us with energy and give us the strength to do
our part
to transform our world and to empower each other.
God of this Ending and New Beginning we praise you.
Amen.
John Foley
Chaplain
YEAR 9 - DEBATING TEAM
During this last year, some year 9s have taken part in weekly debates during lunchtime. This has been a wonderful
opportunity for pupils to develop their speaking and listening skills, as well as getting up to speed with current affairs.
It has also been the perfect training ground for them to practice these skills to enable them to participate in
the Southwark Schools Debating competitions, held once a half-term.
These competitions took place outside of school and different members of the
team took part each time. As well as competing against other school children in
Southwark, they were also up against teachers in the Southwark Showcase Final,
last month. This debate has never been won by pupils (unjustly, I might add!) but a
special congratulations must go to Nathan Bekele for winning his debate against a
mixed pupil team from various Southwark schools.
So congratulations to the following pupils for all their hard work and commitment this year:
Martins Banjo Yolanda Plunkett Nathan Bekele
Esther Lees Molly Moore Phuoc Ngo
Hillary Gyebi-Ababio Sam Sikiru
Ms. A. Boyle
5

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT NEWS: Great Writing Showcase
Here’s the final entry in the English departments great writing showcase – each week we offer exemplary pieces
of writing from students in different year groups, with comments explaining why these students have achieved
the top grades. This week’s piece is from Michael Sowande in set 2, year 7. Students in Ms Yamada’s class were
asked to write the opening chapter to a story about a toy shop and its odious proprietor. Here are Ms Yamada’s
comments on the excellent piece (below):
“Michael’s text is easily a level 8; it’s mature (‘Oh the irony’), funny, well structured and uses the full range of
punctuation and sophisticated vocabulary. Unlike many of the pieces produced by Michael’s classmates, this piece
is written with great care, not only initially – but all the way through. The ending is as carefully crafted as the
beginning, and is the text is consistently entertaining and well thought out, all the way through. A secure level 8.”
The Toy Shop
The toy shop was the core of my life.
I couldn’t imagine life without it; I couldn’t bear to think of life without it, it’was just too bleak. It was
Wembley to a footballer or Wimbledon to a tennis player. My life revolved around it.
However it was worth more, a lot more before Mrs. Crumpleton had been allocated with the job and moved
into town. She was the most sinister thing in a ten mile radius. Everyone kept their distance and warned me
away from that beast in human form but that didn’t stop me from going into the toy shop. Nothing could stop
me from that excluding a bigger and better toy shop somewhere else in town.
Her daughter was an assistant in the shop, and a lovely girl she was. She always gave me discounts, to
compensate for her witch of a mother. She was delightful; it was a shame she has to be stuck with that evil
beast.
Oh the irony.
Every week, I had to stare Crumpleton in the eye to ask for the latest toy train or teddy bear. And every time
she would stick her revolting, slimy and repulsive fingers onto the innocent object. Now most people would be
put off by the horror of that sickening hand and leave the shop immediately but not me. I would brace the
disgust and gladly clutch the toy; the reward!
.
Mrs. Crumpleton had a hideous face. It was as wrinkled as a jumper straight out of the washing machine and
her sunken in eyes with a large forehead resembled a large hammer. Her hair was monotonous and drab,
uncombed and almost even in an afro-type shape, creted by years of knots She usually wore a black feathered
hat to conceal the monstrosity that was on her head. And her most gruesome feature was a black mole on the
bottom left corner of her face. It was ghastly; none of us children could contemplate the vastness of it. We
could stand there at the counter blankly all day and stare at the nauseating abomination: it was absolutely
horrendous!
In addition, to her atrocious looks she had the cruellest personality. She is all the nightmares of every child
accumulated into one beastly fiend.
You would think that with her being the complete opposite to what her job required, I would go to the
opposite side of the earth to avoid her but no. Toys are a way of life; they are a unique symbol that unites the
infants of our race. They are the mightiest force in the world and the temptation of the shiniest toys over
whelmed me over and over again.
6

BOSCO House 2012
It’s been an epic finish to this year’s house competitions. Despite the rain again this year Bosco
remained dominant during sports day and I am hopeful of a victory again this year (official results
are not out yet). For the second year now we have shown great determination and talent during
Sports Day and I would like to thank all those pupils who participated in the events. We had some
exceptional participant throughout year 7, 8 and 9 and I look forward to our Sports Day assembly
later this week whereby you will all be rewarded for you tremendous effort during sports day.
However, Sports Day has not been our only
success this year, the house events that have
run throughout the year have also given us the
opportunity to show our worth. At the start of
the year our fresh faced year 7 football team
dominated the House Football competition and
beat off the likes of Cabrini, Magdalene and
Becket to take first place. This placed us in an
excellent early position and put us in good stead
for the next round of competitions.
It was not long until Bosco realised their next victory. This time it was the newly introduced
dodgeball competition which saw the year 7’s dive, dodge, duck, dip, and dove brilliantly to win us
1 st place yet again. It was a fantastic fusion of individual skill and team work and all those who took
part did their house proud. As the dodgeball competition was such a success this year, we hope to
continue this competition for next year, whereby it will include year 8 and 9 participants and
perhaps this time with some of your fellow house leaders and teachers participating alongside the
pupils.
Throughout the year there have also been a number of i-challenge assemblies. Although Bosco did
not win any of these competitions we fared better than most by taking second pace in two of them.
As we know from past experiences, every house point matters and so I would like to thank those
pupils who volunteered to take part in each of the events.
This summer is unlike any other summer, as the Olympics will be taking place in London. I know
from Mr Williams that a number of you will be attending some of the Games and I’m truly jealous
that some of you have this once in a life time opportunity to watch the best sporting even in the
world (except obviously watching Bosco at sports day). Hopefully the 2012 Olympics will be a great
year for Britain and I would urge that all pupils at Sacred Heart get behind Britain for the build-up to
the Olympics.
To all you Bosco dons out there, I wish you all a happy and safe summer and look forward to our
continued success in September.
Mr Goodhew
LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC QUIZ
1.) In which month will the London 2012 Olympics start?
2.) Which country held the last Summer Olympic Games?
3.) Which sport will kick off the games?
4.) How many sports will feature in the games?
5.) Who are the official London 2012 mascots?
6.) Which sport will not be played at the games?
7.) Which sport will be played on the Prime Minister's doorstep?
8.) What is the name of the building where the track cycling event will take place?
9.) After the 2012 Games in London, where will the next Summer Olympic Games be held?
Answers on the back page...
7

You are invited to a Mass of Thanksgiving
for present and past members of
Sacred Heart School
This Mass is to bid farewell to our old and much loved building
that has served to educate the children of our Catholic community
for 53 years.
We will celebrate Mass and then adjourn to the school hall where we
can meet for the final time.
Tours around the old building will be arranged and
some light refreshments made available.
Wednesday 11th July 2012 - 6pm, Sacred Heart Church
(2 Knatchbull Road · London SE5 9QS)
IMPORTANT: 2012 CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES
The following people who were confirmed last April are advised to see Fr. Victor to collect a letter of notification
of the Sacraments for their home parishes.
Gabriella Pina, Kassa Zita Wilks, Teresa Ngvyen, Diego Mendoca, Sharon Okonji, Hugo Costa, Jarod Sanchez
Olympic 2012 Quiz Answers...
1.) July 2.) Beijing, China 3.) Women's Football 4.) 26 5.) Wenlock and Mandeville 6.) Softball 7.) Beach volleyball
8.) Velodrome 9.) Rio de Janeiro in Brazil
Camberwell New Road - London SE5 0RP - Telephone 020 7274 6844 - Fax 02077371713
Email office@sacredheart.southwark.sch.uk - www.sacredheart.southwark.sch.uk
8