A MESSAGE FROM OUR HEADTEACHER WEEK ENDING: FRIDAY 25TH MAY 2018 ISSUE NUMBER: 255 SCHOOL UNIFORM Thank you to parents who always support the school by checking that their daughter is wearing the correct uniform. Please be aware that trainer socks are not acceptable and should not be worn to school. Students are able to wear white logoless trainer socks in PE lessons during the Summer term when the weather is much warmer. Some students have been wearing black headscarves to school and tying them in the shape of a hairband with elaborate bows. Headscarves are not hairbands and any students doing this will have the headscarf confiscated. Hairbands should also be no more than approximately 5cm in width. Can you please ensure that your daughter understands this so that we have no misunderstandings. Can we also ask for your support in ensuring that all students return to school after the half-term break without hairstyles or nails that would contravene our expectations. Have a good half-term. GOD BLESS MRS CONNOLLY BLESSING This Sunday we celebrated the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. St. Teresa s prayer reminds us that we are called to be the body of Christ on earth. The story is told of a certain church in Europe which was bombed in world war 11. In the explosion, a statue of Christ was damaged by having the hands blown off. The statue has not been restored as the parishioners were told that they were now to be the hands of Christ for the whole world. PRAYER Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours. CATHERINE WILLIAMS CHAPLAIN 1
YEAR 9 KINTBURY TRIP Last week two Year 9 classes enjoyed their first visit to Kintbury. The theme of the retreat was self-esteem and having respect for everyone. The girls were put into small groups, each lead by one of the volunteers at the centre, and within these groups the girls explored their feelings about themselves and how they relate to others. Along the way, lots of games were played, friendships were formed, laughs were had and a great deal of food was eaten. The most special moment for me was on the last day, when the girls reflected on what they had learnt while they were away and sat in a circle outside in the sunshine. It was amazing how much they had discovered about themselves in just two days. They learnt that: everyone is beautiful, special and loved; that you can strike up a conversation with someone you have never spoken to before and who you thought you had nothing in common with; that you never know what other people might be going through no matter how they may seem on the surface; and that social media does not represent real life in any way. The girls were a real credit to the school and I would love to go back to Kintbury again. MISS CORTHORNE 2 TELEPHONE: 01322 556 333 EMAIL: admin@stccg.co.uk www.stccg.co.uk
PRAYER LEADERS WHITSTABLE TRIP Last week, thirty three Year 10 Prayer Leaders enjoyed a residential retreat at St. Vincent s Whitstable. During these days, they reflected upon their personal vocation and prepared for the great Feast of Pentecost. On the first evening, our students were invited to visit four prayer stations. These consisted of a space for meditation and art, a space to pray the scriptures, a space to create our personal images of God and a space to prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit. They were invited to prepare for the Holy Spirit by committing themselves to twenty seven different mindful activities for the four weeks following Pentecost Sunday. The activities ranged from saying sorry to someone they had offended, writing a letter to themselves from God and having a simple meal in solidarity with the poor. The retreat was a time of prayer, friendship and deepening our relationship with God. We are really grateful to the young people who form the Southwark Youth Service for enabling us to enjoy a prayerful, grace filled retreat. CATHERINE WILLIAMS CHAPLAIN 3 TELEPHONE: 01322 556 333 EMAIL: admin@stccg.co.uk www.stccg.co.uk
1 2 3 4 5 NUMERACY DAY Wednesday 16 th May was the first Annual Numeracy day at St Catherine s. Years 7-9 had special maths lessons where they were discussing how numeracy is used in a range of different careers and then a challenge to see who could build the tallest tower using only newspaper and sellotape. The girls really got into the spirit of it and there were some very interesting ideas on how to build the tallest but stable structure. Numeracy Day is a new national event in the UK and if you would like to find out more or even test your own numeracy abilities, you can visit: https://www.numeracyday.com/ MR MCNAMARA 4 TELEPHONE: 01322 556 333 EMAIL: admin@stccg.co.uk www.stccg.co.uk
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK 14TH-20TH MAY AT ST CATHERINE S Raucous laughter issuing from the Chapel, a live black Labrador with a red collar, the 15 minute mile challenge, Beditation for a good night s sleep and happiness jars? It must be Mental Health Awareness Week. Students and staff have had the opportunity to try out a variety of activities to help balance their well-being. In addition to the above, there was a chance to hear Maya Angelou encourage us to be a rainbow in someone else s cloud, paint a feelings pebble, share de-stressing ideas in the class butterfly garden or listen to ideas for wellbeing in the assemblies. Staff had offered their own favourite thought to help maintain their well being and these were colourfully displayed around the corridors. One class tracked their moods on their individual mood boards, and everybody was encouraged to do something for each of the 5 ways to well-being : connect, be active, take notice, keep learning, give. However, mental health, or well-being is an important consideration throughout the whole year, so we are expecting to continue to offer some of the activities on a more long-term basis and Fred the dog wants to come back too! MRS CUNNINGHAM TELEPHONE: 01322 556 333 5 EMAIL: admin@stccg.co.uk www.stccg.co.uk
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DISPLAYS TELEPHONE: 01322 556 333 6 EMAIL: admin@stccg.co.uk www.stccg.co.uk
ECM DAY - THURSDAY 24TH MAY 2018 TELEPHONE: 01322 556 333 7 EMAIL: admin@stccg.co.uk www.stccg.co.uk
ECM DAY - THURSDAY 24TH MAY 2018 TREE TRAIL YEAR 7 BUILDING A CARDBOARD FAVELA TELEPHONE: 01322 556 333 8 EMAIL: admin@stccg.co.uk www.stccg.co.uk
ECM DAY - THURSDAY 24TH MAY 2018 TELEPHONE: 01322 556 333 9 EMAIL: admin@stccg.co.uk www.stccg.co.uk
A TERM DATES 2018-2019 C ALENDAR SUMMER TERM Tuesday 19th June Year 11 Leavers Mass Friday 22nd June Year 11 Prom Friday 6th July Sports Day Autumn Term 2018 Monday 3rd September to Friday 21st December 2018 (75 days) Half-term 1 week from Monday 22nd October Spring Term 2019 Monday 7 th January to Friday 5 th April 2019 (60 days) Half-term 1 week from Monday 18 th February Summer Term 2019 Tuesday 23 rd April to Tuesday 23 rd July 2019 (60 days) Bank Holiday: Monday 6 th May 2019 Half-term 1 week from Monday 27 th May INSET days (school closed for staff training) Monday 3rd September, Friday 19th October, Friday 21st December, Monday 22 nd July & Tuesday 23 rd July. Wednesday 11th July Celebration of Achievement Evening Friday 13th July St Catherine s Day 10
11 TELEPHONE: 01322 556 333 EMAIL: admin@stccg.co.uk www.stccg.co.uk
12 TELEPHONE: 01322 556 333 EMAIL: admin@stccg.co.uk www.stccg.co.uk
Don t want? Then Donate! Please can parents or carers donate any unwanted school blazers or jumpers to the school reception. There may be a time when a student has lost or misplaced a blazer and may not have the financial means to get a blazer in a timely manner. Please help and pass on any blazer or jumper that you feel is in a good enough condition to be used temporarily by a student in need. It would also be helpful if you can donate skirts or blouses that are in good condition also. We are really short of blazers in a size 36 inch, if you think you could help us out and donate this size blazer please get in touch with us! 13 TELEPHONE: 01322 556 333 EMAIL: admin@stccg.co.uk www.stccg.co.uk