The Athens 2018 Trip. Sarah and Megan Year 13. Having the opportunity itself, to visit Athens was incredible and the city did not disappoint.

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1 The Athens 2018 Trip On our first day in Athens, we were given the opportunity to visit the Athenian Acropolis. As I ventured up towards the Parthenon, taking the same passage that Greeks would have taken themselves, I was able to immerse myself in the knowledge found in textbooks while developing my own relationship with the temple that became surprisingly alive to me. I could truly imagine what this sacred site would have looked like thousands of years ago and how much the Greeks would have been devoted to their gods, having experienced their same admiration of this spirit because of such works of art that continue to inspire today. Our encounters with the ancient world ranged from Athena s olive tree to the Caryatids of the Erechtheion, all delivering more much that I could ever have imagined. The day only got better once we visited the Acropolis museum, the top floor situated at an angle parallel to the Acropolis so that as we looked at the sculptures we could see where they would have been so many years ago. Nothing could have prepared me for how I felt when I looked at the Peplos Kore for the first time, a statue so petite and delicate it seemed unreal that she could be standing before us. However, on the second day of the trip, our travels took us outside of Athens to Delphi; where we explored the ancient ruins of a sanctuary to Apollo and nearby museum, which held a number of the artefacts we study for the exam. Tucked away in the mountains, the sanctuary provided breath taking visuals made even more incredible by the opportunity we had to walk amongst the ruins, treading where pilgrims and priests had walked, thousands of years before us. The day was brought to a climax when we saw the statue of the Delphic charioteer in person! you can truly appreciate the craftsmanship and attention to detail which rendered his face so touchingly human. So much more real than a picture can ever be! Sarah and Megan Year 13 Having the opportunity itself, to visit Athens was incredible and the city did not disappoint.

2 Classics at University University Course: Archaeology & Ancient History Upon leaving Blessed Thomas Holford I am planning to study for a joint honours degree in Ancient History and Archaeology. I have been offered a place at Durham University which is my first choice. My second option would be Nottingham University, which similarly offers an excellent course with fantastic enrichment opportunities including study or research trips abroad. After studying Classics at A-Level I am eager to explore further into the ancient past, possibly returning once more to Roman and Greek society but also expanding my knowledge of this period beyond the bounds of Europe. Studying Classics has undoubtedly served as both a source of enjoyment and encouragement in my education; helping me to fulfil my academic potential and challenge my perceived limits. In the future, although my career path is undecided, I would love to incorporate my love for ancient history into my life. My aim is to become an archaeologist, travelling and working on ancient sites where we still have so much to discover. University Course: Classics As I enter my final months at Sixth Form, I can honestly say that taking Classical Civilisations has been one of my best decisions throughout my time here. Having explored a variety of ancient topics, ranging from heroic epic to ancient artworks, there has never been a dull moment in our classroom. I intend to continue my exploration of Classics at University, my first choice being my recent offer from Clare College at Cambridge University. My second choice would be either Warwick or Durham, also to study Classics including extending my knowledge of ancient literature and culture. After this, I hope to pursue a career in writing, perhaps creating my own novel involving the invisible figures of mythology that so desperately deserve the acclaim of the modern world. Megan Year 13 Sarah Year 13

3 Alumni News Since leaving Sixth Form, Lawrence Leavy has studied at Sheffield Hallam University where he achieved a degree in Aerospace Engineering BEng (2:1). He is currently studying at the University of Manchester, where he is working towards his Master s degree in Aerospace Engineering MSc. Once he has achieved this goal, he has been in talks with companies in the United Stated to try to work over there for a year or so. He has also been in talks with his supervisor at Manchester University, to continue with academia to gain his PhD, which he hopes to start in 2019 or He spent last summer backpacking around France (using his French which he learnt in school) and now has contact with people in Mexico. We recently received an from Lawrence in which he thanked us for pushing him through his time in school, and becoming the total success he is today. As his form tutor in Sixth Form, I can only say how proud I am of Lawrence, and what a wonderful example he is for all those pupils, who sometimes push against the rigours of school. Listening to his teachers, and never giving up, has allowed him to have a bright and shining future. If I were to speak to the 13-year-old Lawrence, or even the Lawrence who first started Sixth Form, he would not have thought it possible that he would be contemplating an academic future, having achieved a 2.1 BEng and studying for his Master s degree. He may even have laughed at the very suggestion. Determination and a resolve to achieve something rather than settling for the minimum, have resulted in one of our BTH family becoming the exceptional young man you can see in the photo. Miss Horrocks Gabrielle dances to international success At the end of September 2018, Gabrielle, another of our very busy Year 8 pupils went to Oslo, capital of Norway to take part in a Freestyle Dance Competition. She was very nervous, but gained confidence through the heats. The format is such that two different dances are done to music chosen at random, and you have to improvise your dance on the spot for each performance! Gabrielle was delighted to find out that she had won the final dance off, although there was a slight delay in her reaction as the result had to be translated for her from Norwegian! Gabrielle is such a highly respected dancer that she now receives sponsorship from a company called Pose Freestyle which provides her with a costume and contributes to some of her other expenses.

4 Each year The National Association of Teachers of Religious Education run a competition which starts at the beginning of the school year and runs through to the 31 st July. It gives teachers the opportunity to incorporate art into their RE lessons, and we chose an Art in Heaven unit of work. Here at Blessed Thomas Holford, pupils have been working on this project for two months and these are the amazing results. In its 16th year, this competition has attracted over 320,000 participants (averaging 20,000 per year!) since 2004, with 2,000 entries being sent in to NATRE each year for judging. Hundreds of UK schools get involved, and entries come from from as far a-field as Cyprus and Australia, Indonesia and South Africa. Judging by RE Today Advisers and students, takes place in August and winners are announced in the new academic year. Miss Harris A Prayer for half-term We thank you Lord, for this term. For the challenges, the successes, and the mistakes from which we have learnt. Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends. Keep us safe in our activities; give us good rest and good fun. Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term. We thank you for our classmates, teachers, parents And a community that cares for us. May we always be conscious of you in our lives. Amen Blessed Thomas Holford Pray for us.. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.

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6 Coin Collector Leo is quids in. Following a chance conversation in morning study club recently, I was very interested to meet Leo in Year 7, who collects rare or unusual coins. The coins are still in general circulation, but are special editions, such as commemorations of the First World War or the life and times of Beatrix Potter. Leo simply asks for his change in shops in 50p or 1.00 coins and then he goes through to check if there any are special editions and what they are worth. After just a few months a simple 50p piece can appreciate in value to over 10.00! His plan is to get a nice display case to keep them safe and in mint condition. Leo is a hugely engaging, knowledgeable and confident young man who hopes to join the police force or armed forces in the future which would be fantastic. However, if he changes his mind I have no doubt that there are career opportunities for him with the Royal Mint or the Bank of England! Buona Fortuna to Sofia Native Italian speaker Sofia in Year 7 is anxious not to lose her language skills, and plans to travel to Italy in May in order to take her language examinations, even though she is living in the UK now and is missing some of the tuition. In spite of this she still hopes to get high scores. She studies with the help of an online course, with additional books and resources delivered to her home, and her mum helps her when she can. All of this on top of her studies here at Blessed Thomas Holford! She expects to do her GCSE Italian as soon as she can, and we wish her the best of luck!

7 Come and join us for our Weekly Bingo Night Date: Every Thursday Time: 8.00 p.m p.m. Venue: Main School Hall Event includes the following: 1.50 = 3 Tickets with 10 games 0.20 = Flyer Ticket We hold regular raffles where proceeds are donated to Fundraising for the Future and Francis House Please check the school website for details Follow the college on