Spring 2017 website version

Dear Parent/Guardian
www.stgcc.co.uk
NEWSLETTER
Spring 2017
The longest spring term for a while is coming to a conclusion, having packed even more than
usual into the 13 weeks. For Year 11 there is now very little time left before their GCSE exams
begin; we wish them all well with Easter School and then the 6 week programme of final
exams. Year 11 will be the first year to face the increased number and length of exam papers
and the new 9 – 1 grades in Maths and English.
The departure of Year 11 will mark the end of an era as our last all-boys year group leaves and
we will have all mixed year groups for the first time since the 1970s. We are hoping that this
last boys year group will be St George’s most successful….. what a legacy this would leave, as
this chapter in the school’s history closes. Currently they are on track to achieve this.
Elsewhere in the college, Mrs Orchard is preparing the current Year 10 to take over as prefects
this coming summer term and interview for the new roles of Head Girl and Head Boy,
alongside the usual Captains, Vice Captains and Senior Prefects. This is a real opportunity
for our oldest students to take on leadership roles within the college and demonstrate their
maturity across a wide range of areas. Good luck to all our applicants.
Our current Year 8 and 9 are considering their KS4 options and choices about subjects they
want to pursue in greater depth towards the new GCSEs. These new courses have a greater
amount of content and the new grades 8 and 9 represent much more challenging work.
Hence we are now studying the courses over 3 years. Our students are really responding well
to this extra responsibility and the early assessments completed are very encouraging. Well
done to all involved in this significant change.
Year 7 are now two terms into their secondary schooling and have settled really well.
There are a great number of exceptional achievements across the subjects and some very
encouraging attitude grade scores. Their assembly singing is fantastic as well as their recent
tutor group assemblies. A great start at St George which needs to be built upon.
The term has seen our amazing school production of Oliver with a real cross-section of
students from across the year groups. The quality of performance was fantastic – one of the
best I have seen in over 30 years attending school productions. A special thank you to the
performing arts students and staff who spent hours practising; it was well worth it for the four
great performances.
As the rest of the newsletter will demonstrate, extra- curricular activities at St George are
alive and growing…. giving students the opportunities to extend their experiences and
learning beyond the classroom, creating self- confident, articulate and competitive individuals
and teams capable of facing any challenge.
I have been overwhelmed this year by the number of letters, emails and telephone calls
I have received about our students and the values that they model when representing the
college. This is something that we should all take a shared pride in: St George Catholic
College students as role models to others for their manners, behaviour, tolerance, respect,
relationships, spirituality, achievement, independence and enjoyment. Our Aspire values in
action!
I hope that you enjoy reading this newsletter and the many achievements of our students, not
least being in the top 100 schools for progress in the country and 6 th for boys only. We are a
high performing college in all aspects of our work. St George is a great place to be together
and learn.
Finally I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Easter, to encourage us
all to take a break and enjoy some relaxation in what is often some of our best weather of the
year. Then we will all re-gather for the Summer Term on Monday 24 th April.
Best wishes
Graham Wilson
Headteacher
Keep up-to-date
@saintgeorgecc
Find us on Facebook,
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college
D I A R Y D A T E S
April
26 th Globe Theatre Trip (Year 7)
May
3 rd Year 7 Parents Evening
4 th & 5 th Year 10 Retreat (12 students)
26 th Leavers Mass / Early Closure
27 th - 4 th Summer Half Term
June
12 th & 19 th Year 6 Transition Days
22 nd Art and Design Showcase
28 th Inset Day / Year 5 Open Day/
Open Evening 6pm - 8.30pm
29 th Sports Presentation Evening
30 th Sports Day
July
5 th Year 6 Transition Day/ Evening
6 th Performing Arts Evening
7 th It’s A Knockout (Year 6)
10 th Year 7-10 Presentation Evening
11 th - 14 th Year 7 Camp
18 th Mentoring Day
19 th Reward Trips
21 st Last Day of Term/Early Closure
August
24 th Results day
September school re-opens:
Mon 4 th Staff
Tues 5 th Year 7 only
Wednesday 6 th All Years
Some of these dates might
change. Please check our website
diary page.
Prayer
Heavenly God,we pray
for the leadership of our
school,thanking you for all
that Mr Wilson has given and
praying for the appointment of his
successor.We ask for the presence of
your Holy Spirit to guide and bless
those who have the task of making
this appointmentwith wisdom and
discernment, that your will may
be done here at St George, as
in all things;
We ask this in the name of
Jesus, our Redeemer
Amen.
St George Catholic V A College, Leaside Way,Southampton, SO16 3DQ, Tel: 02380 322603, Email info@stgcc.co.uk

Rhys Irving
Oliver
Lexy Andrew
Nancy
Jaime Pereda
Fagin
George Meetto
Bill Sykes
India Miles
Dodger
Timmy Cunio Browne
Mr Bumble
Will Reynolds
Mr Brownlow
Ellie Terrell
Mrs Sowerberry
Michael Thomson
Mr Sowerberry
Ensemble
Brooke Longfellow
Kiera Longfellow
Henry Wieland
Nacho Pereda
Anthony Baillie-Powell
Rachel Parker
Jamie Louise Bihet
Michelle Molubah
Nicole Harris
Evie Sendall
Amie Baxter
Bryony Rhodes
Erin Brady
Clara Xi Mediavilla
Ella Dingle
Antony Garlaschi
Jowan Healey
Dominic Bakker
Lexy Andrew Nancy Rhys Irving Oliver Will Reynolds Mr Brownlow Michael Thomson Mr Sowerberry
Ellie Terrell Mrs Sowerberry Carmen Pereda Rose Seller & Ensemble Katie Bignell Doctor & Ensemble
Sophia Conlon Police India Miles Dodger George Meetto Bill Sykes Timmy Cunio Browne Mr Bumble
Ethan Murphy Charley Bates Emily Wanstall Widow Corney & Mrs Bedwin Jemma Halliwell Bet
Hannah Triggs Charlotte Jaime Pereda Fagin Jack Britt Noah
Musicians
Charlayne Pueblo
Daniel Hyde
Crew
Felix Franck
Luke Woodford
Mariana Moreno Czerwonka
Mary-Ellen Sewell
Rui Luo
Nadia Rudnicka
Katie George
Jemma Halliwell
Widow Corney &
Mrs Bedwin
Carmen Pereda
Rose Seller
Ethan Murphy
Charley Bates
Oliver
A standing ovation for our performing arts students
brought our recent production of the stage musical Oliver
to a close. The show, which ran for two matinees and two
evening performances in February, reached a new level of
achievement for drama, dance and music at St George and
was a testament to the growing status of the arts at the
college. The purpose- built stage formed a perfect backdrop
for the show, which featured live music and singing and
saw some exceptional performances from Rhys Irving as
Oliver, Jaime Pereda as Fagan and Lexy Andrews as Nancy.
Lighting and sound effects were excellent from our newly
formed stage crew, confidently taking on the responsibility
for the first time.
This year looks to be an exciting time for our performing
arts students as we all look forward to the next
production…The Sound of Music.
Emily Wanstall
Widow Corney
This year we have launched an award for the Best Cast
Member. The winner for this year’s production of Oliver, as
voted for by cast members and the Performing Arts team, was
Carmen Pereda. Well done Carmen, you have set a very high
standard for next year’s winner.

BBC Report
St George reporters took the themes of
happiness and healthy eating for this
year’s BBC News School Report in March.
Throughout the day-long event, two
teams conducted interviews and filmed
scenes which were compiled in time for
the deadline of 4pm. After the final edit
our teams had created two superb videos
which can be viewed in the student area of
our school website.
The finished videos were of a very high
standard and reflect the enthusiasm
and professional approach the teams
displayed.
Students Visit Care Home
Elderly residents at St Margarets Care
Home in Portswood have been enjoying
visits from our students this term with
the boys and girls providing company,
conversation and playing games. The
students are part of the St Vincent De
Paul group which has also been regularly
collecting for the Poitier Food Bank
that provides poorer families in the
Southampton area with food.
Eco Day 2017
Eco-Day
Eco-day was a success this year when
the eco-committee members organised
a non-uniform day for students. Pupils
dressed in green to raise money to invest
in recycling bins around the school to help
St George become more sustainable. At
lunchtime, students cheered on the staff
who played a football match to raise
extra funds towards the scheme.
We are hoping to have the recycling bins
in place in every classroom after the
Easter holidays.
Spelling Wizards Rewarded
We were delighted to take 49 of our top
readers to The Harry Potter World Studios
this term. The students had a lot of fun
learning about how the film was made,
creating their own Hogwarts Express
scene and even drinking Butter beer.
Well done to our top readers and most
improved spellers.
World Book Day
Thursday 2 nd March 2017 was the 20 th
anniversary of World Book Day and to
celebrate this monumental event, Year 7
took part in a ‘Marooned’ themed day
celebrating the joy of books.
Throughout the day, students had a series
of fun activities to complete, including a
‘Marooned’ inspired creative writing task,
treasure hunts and designing their own
pirates, island and treasure map. Each
student created their own piece of writing
inspired by our ‘Marooned’ theme which
will be published in a special St. George
World Book Day book that will be
available to purchase at the end of April.
Writing Competitions
St George students have had huge success
with creative writing competitions this
term. Not only have 25 students been
published in Young Writers ‘Busta Rhyme’
competition but 120 students from
St George have
been chosen to be
published in Young
Writers ‘Welcome
to Wonderland’
100-word story
competition!
Congratulations to
all students whose
stories and poems
were chosen.
Takeover Challenge
A group of St George students recently took part in a takeover at
Portswood Police Station. The event was part of the ‘Takeover
Challenge’,an initiative to give young people the chance to work
with adults, get involved with organisational decision making and to
have their views heard.
The team of students from all year groups were involved in exercises
showing the police force in action - from incoming calls to typical
incidents - and were given the opportunity to make decisions and
prioritise resources. They were also given the task of devising an
awareness campaign on a local policing issue using posters and
various media.

SPORT
H I G H L I G H T S
Year 10 Boys Rugby
2016/17 has been a successful year
for St George Year 10 Boys Rugby,
successfully completing the ‘Grand Slam’
and winning the Winchester and District
Rugby League. As a department we hope
that this success spurs the boys on to
play in the league and cup in Year 11 and
can motivate the other year groups at
St George.
Also, two members of the squad have
been picked to play for Hampshire at
U15 Level – Euan Ball and Ash Chirima,
well done to them and all the boys in the
squad with everyone having an input on
the season.
On the 2 nd March, ten Year 10 rugby
players went to the Hampshire Rugby
7s Tournament, playing schools such
as Portsmouth Grammar and Lords
Wansworth College. The boys competed
very well and left with the bowl.
Girls Rugby – U13
St George entered the girl’s rugby league
for the first time this year. It has been
highly successful season with St George
U13 Girls coming out on top of the
Winchester League and competing
against schools such as Kings, Toynbee
and Perins. It was brilliant to see a team
that only started in September, grow
and develop and they were extremely
committed to training every week in all
weather conditions.
Rowing
Isaac Hudson (Year 9) competed at the
National Indoor Rowing championships
in London on 17 th March. He managed to
finish 5 th in the nation for his age. This is
an incredible achievement. He was only
40m off winning the whole competition.
Top work Isaac!
Year 8 Boys Football
What an unbelievable year the
Year 8 boys football team have had. They
successfully reached the quarter finals of
the National Cup, whilst recently winning
the Southampton Schools league
and Southampton Schools 5-a-side
tournament winning every match they
have played in these competitions.
We hope the boys finish the season
strongly by having a successful run in the
Southampton Schools Cup.
Science and Faith
In January we were
pleased to welcome
back renowned
scientist and
theologian from
Oxford University,
Fr Andrew Pinsent.
Starting with a lecture to KS4 students
on faith and science, he explained how
these two disciplines were not at odds
with each other and went on to give two
seminars on a variety of scientific and
theological topics . Fr Andrew was deeply
impressed by the questioning and the
work of evangelisation that is happening
at St George.
From Our Chaplain
Early in the term, all staff were able to
take the opportunity to attend a retreat
day at St Joseph’s house of Prayer
in Ashurst. We were fortunate to be
addressed by Chris Lubbe, a former body
guard of Nelson Mandela who spoke with
great zeal about the need for forgiveness
and reconciliation. We found him very
inspiring and hope we can welcome him
to speak to the students as well.
Our Ash Wednesday liturgies were
celebrated in year groups. We were
fortunate to be joined by Fr Ross Bullock,
a regular visitor to St George now, and all
students and staff received their ashes.
In the same week, we also celebrated the
feast day of St Josephine Bakhita who is
the patron of trafficked people. We had
our now traditional time of silent prayer
and reflection for all those affected by
modern slavery and trafficking.
Women’s World Day of Prayer was also
in that week and all the girls, together
with some staff, had a short reflection
on biblical women and the women in our
own lives who inspire and support us.
Thank you to Fathers John Nelson,
John Cooke, Antony Gatt and Ross
Bullock for celebrating the Sacrament of
Reconciliation (confession) with students
and staff. It was a great preparation for
the Easter season and we are grateful to
them, as ever.
On the Slippery Slopes
Our ski trip is now in its eighth year and
is as popular as ever. This February
Mr Guyer and Mrs Drummond took ten
girls and five boys on the 7-day excursion
to Risoul in France. They were treated
to 30cm of snowfall on the second night
that gave ideal ski-ing conditions. In
the evenings the group enjoyed some
socialising with evening events such as:
a crepe night, film night and games and
quiz evenings. There are limited places on
the trip so don’t leave it too long to see
Mr Shelley and enrol for next year.
Well Done Bryony!
Year 7 student, Bryony Rhodes, did her
bit for charity this term when she had
her hair cut. After
many years of long
locks Bryony donated
her hair to be used
to make wigs for
people who have
unfortunately lost their
hair due to illness.
Cricket Reporters
Some of our Year 8 and Year 9 students
joined regional and national press at
Hampshire Cricket’s Media Day where
they interviewed the club’s star players.
The annual event offers local schools the
chance to experience the launch of the
club’s new season, while learning about
sports journalism and the work of the
press office.
Our ace reporters researched the team;
interviewed players including team
captain James Vince and new signing Kyle
Abbot, and drafted articles - with the
chance of one of their reports being used
in a future edition of the club’s match-day
programme.