Week 6 - 28th May 2012 - Sacred Heart Catholic School

SACRED HEART
R O M A N C A T H O L I C S C H O O L
Summer Term - Issue 6 Monday 28th May 2012
PUBLIC EXAMS ARE WELL UNDERWAY
It is extremely impressive to see how well Sacred Heart pupils are conducting themselves in the exam
hall. Our students are arriving in good time for their exams, and coming fully equipped for the exam
they are taking. Their behaviour and concentration during the exams bode well for the exam results
this summer.
How many
SCHOOL DAYS
left ?
YEAR
GROUP
EXAMS
2 Year 10
4 Year 7
11 Year 8
Only 2 school days left for Year 10 until they take their
final GCSE exam in Religious Studies (on 31 st May)
Only 4 school days left for Year 7 until their
‘end of year’ exams start on 11 th June
Only 11 school days left for Year 8 until their
‘end of year’ exams start on 20 th June
EXAM TIMETABLES FOR ALL YEAR-GROUPS ARE NOW ON THE SCHOOL WEBSITE
(Go to ‘News & dates’, then ‘Forthcoming Exams’)
PENTECOST SUNDAY—27th May, 2012
This Sunday we celebrated Pentecost; the great festival that marks the
birth of the Christian church by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost
means "fiftieth day" and is celebrated fifty days after Easter.
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Dear Parents,
A Monday edition of our newsletter this week
enables us to remember more vividly the great
feast of Pentecost that we have just celebrated.
We of course remember that Pentecost started on
that specific day in the upper room when the gifts
of the Spirit were poured out on the disciples, but
we are also reminded that the Holy Spirit has not
stopped being poured out since, and while
sometimes at school we do not always allow the
gifts of the Holy Spirit to radiate through us, we
strive always to renew ourselves and begin again.
There are many literary allusions to Pentecost,
including a line from Shakespeare’s Romeo and
Juliet, and so, it was appropriate that one of the
highlights of the week was the ‘Off by Heart
Shakespeare’ recital contest which took place on
Thursday afternoon. A group of year ten pupils
each had to deliver some of Shakespeare’s most
famous speeches in front of both a panel of judges
and their peers. Pupils taking part experienced
Shakespearean language like never before: they
learnt how to breathe it, feel it, vocalise it, and
make it their own. Sincere thanks to Mr L. Williams
and the English department for preparing and
organising our pupils to be able to recite their
speeches to such a high standard and with such
passion.
Tuesday marked the beginning, in earnest, of Key
Stage Four for our year nine pupils as they
attended with their parents an options evening to
discuss and make decisions on subject choices and
courses for GCSE. Thank you to Ms Steadman and
the tutor team for a wonderful turn-out of pupils
and parents. There was a great buzz around the
school hall as departments each had the
opportunity to present the merits of studying their
subject. If prizes were being awarded for
department displays, then the Art department
would win by a ‘country mile’ with a wonderful
exhibition of work from the pupils, with one
parent commenting that the only thing missing
was a glass of light refreshment and a canapé or
two to accompany their viewing of the work on
show. We look forward to the big GCSE Art
exhibition next month which will be held in the
school Gym.
A ‘world of adventure’ awaited 259 of Sacred
Heart pupils on Friday, as the annual reward trip
to Chessington set off in blazing sunshine. Mr Cefai
led the pupils and staff up Camberwell New Road
for their Chesington train from Vauxhall, and
brought them all back down Camberwell New
Road on Friday evening holding on to cuddly toys,
sweets, ice-creams, and stories and laughter as
they recalled the fun day they had together. For
those of us left in school, there were normal
lessons to attend, public exams to sit, revision for
year 10 GCSE RE, and a group of our incoming year
seven pupils spent their first morning at Secondary
School. Our next group attends this Friday 1 st June
at 8.30, and Mr Lee (Head of Year 7), is already
talking about how proud he is of his year group
who conducted themselves in an excellent fashion
on Friday.
With some big public exams this week, and the
beautiful weather we are experiencing at the
moment, a reminder of the importance of keeping
hydrated for our pupils. Please ensure that your
son/daughter has a water bottle with them as can
and glass bottled drinks are not allowed in school.
We pray that all of our pupils may understand and
experience the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and
particularly remember at this time all of them
engaged in public exams.
Come, O Spirit of God
Holy Spirit, I offer myself
to your work of healing, peace and reconciliation.
In my busy world, bless my silent moments.
In the stillness of my heart, may I find peace within
myself,
peace with others, and peace with you Amen.
Michael Buckley
- Ms B Boyle
Deputy Headteacher
IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE WEEK (Commencing 28th May)
Assemblies:
Tuesday 22nd May: Year 10 Assembly
Wednesday 23rd May: Year 9 Assembly
Thursday 24th May: Year 7 Assembly
Friday 25th May: Year 8 Assembly
Events:
Friday 1st June: Year 6 Testing Day
Friday June 1st Year 7 IOW Trip Leaves
Honesty Awards: - Linda Gado (7T) found a USB.
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MESSAGE TO ALL PARENTS
As a matter of urgency, Please make sure that your
son/daughter is properly equipped for the
forthcoming summer exams.
They should have several black pens, pencils, a rubber,
ruler and pencil-sharpener, mathematical equipment
(protractor, set-square, compasses and a working
calculator) all stored in a large
TRANSPARENT PENCIL-CASE.
*** Stop Press ***
Monday 25th June is a Staff Inset Day, and therefore school will be closed to
students.
Normal school resumes on Tuesday 26th June, 8.30am
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SALTERS’ FESTIVAL OF CHEMISTRY
On the 16 th of May, four top set year eights and Mr. McEvoy left Sacred Heart to attend the Salters’ Festival of
Chemistry in London South Bank University. The morning began with a welcome and an introduction of the
day’s events. The first event on the programme was ‘The Salters’ Challenge’. This involved Forensic Chemistry
to solve the murder of Pete Grimes in the ‘Misty Moors’. Two pupils analyzed samples of unknown substances
taken from the suspects and the other two carried out a chromatography test on dye found on bank notes
belonging to the suspects. The two pairs completed both experiments and then compared their findings. From
the findings a prediction for the murder was made by comparing their results with substances found on the
deceased.
After lunch the pupils were taken to the lab to carry out ‘The University Challenge’, which involved the making
of a chemical clock. The clock contained a complex mixture of reacting chemical compounds in which the
concentration of one or more components exhibits periodic changes. The objective was to get the reaction to
change colour at 2 minutes. While the pupils were carrying out this experiment, the teachers were given a talk
on the Salters’ project and then taken on a tour of the University. There were some very interesting projects,
especially one which proved that a dog’s ability to smell is far superior than the most accurate equipment for
sensing compounds. Such findings have initiated the training of dogs to smell cancer and other ailments of the
body.
After the second experiment, both teachers and pupils were taken to see ‘Chemical Magic’. The magic show
involved many interesting materials: there was magnetic fluid, which was poured over a strong magnet to
make interesting shapes; a plastic bottle filled with water which actually had pins holes in the bottom but kept
the water in, except when squeezed; a plasma globe which was used to light a small fluorescent bulb; a small
toy containing a bulb and battery, which was lit using people to complete the circuit; a blown out splint which
was relit using oxygen given off from reacting compounds and many more weird and interesting things, which
capped off a fun, educational and interesting day.
Guess who’s back….
Maths club will commence on
Thursday 14 th June.
LOCKERS!
When we comeback after half term can
all pupils empty their lockers and leave
the padlocks in them by the 9 th of July.
Lockers will not be checked
so...
Be there or be squared, or cubed or
square rooted!
- Ms Egwuatu
It is simple if you leave it,
you lose it.
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ENGLISH DEPARTMENT NEWS... Great Writing Showcase
Each week from here ‘till the end of the exam season the English
department will print 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 Alex Asiloku in
year 10. This is what his teacher, Mr Williams had to say about his
writing: “This is a really impressive piece from Alex, who’s in set 5. The
students were asked to write to a friend persuading them to watch a
TV show and explaining why they liked it so much. Alex’s gets into
band 4 (B- Grade at GCSE) because it’s so confident – he uses personal
pronouns (‘your nephew’) to make it seem really friendly and relaxed,
and direct address (‘you know I’m normally…’) to make it convincing
and appropriately informal. But he also uses sophisticated ideas to
present his analysis of the characters (‘struggles to interact with
women’) and backs up his argument with facts (‘rated in the top 20’).
There’s also a good range of punctuation and sentences. An excellent
piece of work”.
Dear Peter,
How are you? I hope all is well. I’ve started watching a comedy series called ‘Two and a Half Men’. It’s
absolutely hilarious. The young lad Jake reminds me so much of your nephew! That’s one reason why
I recommend you start watching it. The fifth season is coming out next week, so you can start
watching it from then. The programme is really interesting and funny. You know I’m normally into
horror, sci-fi and action genres, not comedy, but this programme has changed that.
The main plot of the show is that a rich man, Charlie, lives with his brother, Alan. Charlie is an
alcoholic but loving uncle who makes me laugh at everything he does! Even what he wears makes
tears come out of my eyes. Alan is not as rich as Charlie and struggles to interact with women, which
also has me in tears of laughter. But the best character is Jake; a young boy who is so adorable and
everything he does is funny.
I’ve been watching the show for about two weeks now and it’s never boring. There’s always a
moment that makes you fall off the edge of your chair. I’ll have to work promptly to catch up on the
episodes I’ve missed.
I know you’re crazily in love with comedy shows, that’s why I had to tell you about this. I guarantee
you will be cracking up and giggling with the thoughts of moments that happen in this programme.
In addition to how much I love it and how much YOU will love it, the programme is rated in the top
20 in America. I really believe you will love it.
The programme comes out at 10pm every day of the week. It’s got the whole package - adult
humour, kid’s humour - everything! Comedy Central is where you can watch it. If you decide that you
want to watch it from the very first episode visit the website www.twoandahalfmen.com to catch up
on other magnificent episodes.
I hope you enjoy it!
Yours,
Alex
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CARNEGIE BOOK PRIZE REVIEW
As promised, here is another review of a book we have read as part of our book club. This is a book
that was an absorbing read. I read it constantly: on the train; on the bus; at home… I couldn’t put it
down! Well, there were times I had to put the book down, as it was incredibly emotional. I’m not
one for crying in public, you see, and this book brought me close to tears a few times. Not something
you want to share with your fellow train passengers!
Without further ado, here is a review from one of our members.
- Ms. Price
Between Shades of Gray –
Review by Monica Ruiz, 7M
This novel is about a Lithuanian family who are taken away by the Russian army due to their
“anti-Soviet” sentiments. They are treated really badly, as are the other people around them. They
are taken on an awful journey through Eastern Europe to eventually do manual labour in Siberia.
There are many deaths on the way, and the ones when the children die are particularly harrowing.
The plot of this novel was very interesting and definitely made you want to
keep on reading. When the book finished, I wanted more because it was so
good! What I particularly liked about the novel was how the author, Ruta
Sepetys, made you feel so close to the characters and when they spoke, it
was really realistic. You really cared about what happened to them.
I loved the descriptive passages; there were very few downfalls. It was a
fantastic way of writing. Overall, I loved the book, even though it was
terribly sad.
My mark out of five? 4.5/5 for definite!
ART NEWS
Congratulations to Cheriesse Bema, Alejandra Chaparro, Alex
Gomes, Ria Johnson and Julian Leonel who attended Saturday
morning course at University of London.
They will be having a private view of their artwork on Saturday
2 nd June at Somerset House on the Strand in Central London.
Their exhibition will be opened by Lord and Lady Sorrel alongside
other VIPs.
The exhibition will be open to the public 1 st -8 th June 2012
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Answers: 1) United = Untied 2) Wholesome 3) Stone = (St)one 4) Unquestionably
5) Smiles (because there is a ‘mile’ between the first and last letter! Who am I?? Answer: Mickey Mouse!
JOKE...
Teacher: “What was the first thing
James the First did on coming to
the throne?”
Student: “He sat down”
Who am I??
Teacher: “This essay on your dog is,
word for word, the same as your
brother’s”
Students: “Yes Sir, it’s the same
dog”.
I have big, round, black ears. I have a “squeaky” voice and
a famous girlfriend. It is said that it all started with me.
(Answer at the bottom of page)
RIDDLES ...
(Answers at the bottom of the page)
1) What word, by changing the position of one letter, turns into it’s opposite?
2) What word is it from which the whole may be taken and yet some will be
left?
3) What word of five letters has only one left when two letters are removed?
4) What word in the English language contains all the vowels?
FINALLY...
5) What is the longest word in the English language?
WORDSEARCH FUN!
With the weather warming up and the
Summer holiday fast approaching, see if you
can find the following words:
Baseball
Fishing Jumprope
Summer
Flag Day
Sunshine
Graduation
Wedding
Picnic
Insect
Butterfly
Ladybug
Cookout
Mosquito
Fathers Day
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Camberwell New Road - London SE5 0RP - Telephone 020 7274 6844 - Fax 02077371713
Email office@sacredheart.southwark.sch.uk - www.sacredheart.southwark.sch.uk
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