Issue 20 12 th February 2018 Dear Parents/Carers This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, and as we embark on our Lenten journey we remember the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness, in preparation for his public ministry. There will be a voluntary Mass for students and staff at 8.45am on Wednesday morning. During Lent we also make our preparations for the good news of Easter, through prayer, fasting and charity, and each RE class will be given the opportunity over the next half-term to reflect on the significance of this season, during their Lenten service. You may remember me sending a letter home this time last year, on behalf of all Primary and Secondary Headteachers in Stockport, regarding the proposed National Schools Funding Formula, and asking that you please lobby your MP for more money to provided to schools. As explained in the letter, Stockport LA is one of the most poorly funded authorities in the country, and the proposed formula does not address the inequalities in the system, mainly because there isn t enough money to go around. A year later and the message is still the same we are still one of the most poorly funded Local Authorities in the country. I am attaching a new letter on the Headteacher s Blog on the school website, as well as a suggested template for a letter or email to your MP. Thank you to those parents who have already contacted their MP about this issue. School closes for half-term this Friday at 3.00 pm and opens for pupils on Monday 26 th February at the usual time. Thank you for your continued support, and if you ever wish to contact me about any issue, please do not hesitate to email me at headteacher@st-jamescatholic.stockport.sch.uk. Tim Beesley, Headteacher PRAYER Lord, we are busy people, so many things to do and so much to think about. Stay with us in all we have planned. Guide our actions, words and thoughts. Help us to see you in all we meet and do. Amen YEAR 9 PARENTS EVENING THURSDAY 1 ST MARCH Please note that the PTA are kindly able to provide refreshments at this parents evening. YEAR 8 GEOGRAPHY Fair play to William Whelan (8M) who defeated Mr Cawley in a charity competition during Wednesday lunchtime. The challenge was to type as many countries of the world as possible in only 5 minutes. Mr Cawley was pretty content with his 100 only to see William thrash him with an impressive 112. This was much to the delight of the large Year 8 crowd who had all paid 20p to watch the epic competition. William raised 8, a great amount for only 10 minutes work, which will go to Year 8's charity. Do any other budding Geographers think they can beat 112 countries? If so, Will is the man to see. Mr Cawley
GOSPEL REFLECTION - SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME In today s Gospel we hear how a man with leprosy kneels and begs before Jesus to heal him, if He chooses. Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man saying I am willing... be clean. The man reached out to Jesus through faith, asking Jesus to heal him, Jesus commanded the man to tell no one but he could not contain his delight at being healed. When we choose to reach out in faith to be healed of something, whether it s physical or emotional, Jesus knows how much we desire to be transformed by Him. Remember He journeys with us at those times of great despair and anguish and knows our hearts better than we do ourselves. He s been through it all. We all need healing in many areas of our lives both physical, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Sometimes we are too proud to seek healing and we carry that deep hurt around with us. We hear in today s Gospel about physical healing, and how the man healed wanted to shout it from the roof tops that he had been healed. The best place to receive healing is in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There we receive a deep inner healing, it takes courage to face the deep hurt within us, and through prayer we are given the courage to receive such a special sacrament. We can also ask Jesus to help heal us in front of the Blessed Sacrament, spending an hour with him, another great opportunity to seek God s healing in our lives. Take a look at your local Parish newsletter and see what your Parish has to offer! Dave Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team Let Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament speak to your hearts. It is He who is the true answer of life that you seek. St Pope John Paul II CONFIRMATION The Confirmation Mass for the parishes within the Cheadle LPA (St Ann s, St Chad s and Christ Church) is 13 th July. If you are in Year 9 or above and have not already spoken to your parish priest about the preparation programme, now is the time to do so! Our Lady and the Apostles are not running a programme this year, as numbers were very low. The programme will run again next year, for Year 9 and 10 students. Any questions, please speak to or email Mrs Bennett emma.bennett@st-jamescatholic.stockport.sch.uk RISE THEATRE PRODUCTION On Tuesday, we watched an exquisite play called, Heart Beat of El Salvador. The scenery was beautiful with colours swirling around the backdrop and the costumes brought the play to life. The play was about Oscar Romero s life and how he wasn t always the inspirational person we now know him as, but soon fought for justice. At first, he became a priest, but then he became the Archbishop of San Salvador. This place was very unfair at the time and, much to our surprise, he didn t really start helping the poor until his friend Fr.Grande (who tried to help the poor) was shot. This was when Oscar started his radio station. After three years of preaching for equality, he was also shot, so is a martyr, however he was shot on the altar during Mass. The three actors (two of which shared 42 roles in the play) were from the group, Rise and I thought the play was amazing. Written by Annie Cooke, 7S
YEAR 9 RETREATS Last week all of Year 9 travelled to St Helens to spend the day with the Animate Youth Ministries team over 3 days. They used games, film clips, working together and even maths to explore the important topic of Reconciliation. The team talked about the two types of reconciliation horizontal ; reconciliation with each other, and vertical ; reconciliation With God. The students were encouraged not to see the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a constant source of forgiveness that means we can continue to do wrong as long as we keep saying sorry. Instead they were encouraged to think of it as a source of strength and a source of betterment trying to do and be better. The students behaved beautifully and were great ambassadors for the school. Emma Bennett Lay Chaplain ASH WEDNESDAY Lent begins this week with Ash Wednesday. It is a day to remember that we are dust and ashes, and to look our mortality in the face. We do so not to make us miserable or morbid. The reason is actually the opposite. As we embrace our mortality we find freedom to take hold afresh of the gift of life. The life we live is not always beautiful or easy. It can be dark and difficult. As we see within life the gift of God, and the beauty of God, we discern a light that shines brightly and can never be put out. Take time today to see the signs of life around you and within you; perhaps take a moment to thank God for this life. Emma Bennett Lay Chaplain
E-SAFETY UPDATE Below is a link to an article discussing the link between social media and mental wellbeing in children which parents may find useful. There are some specific points for parents to consider, including: Keep an eye on how much time children spend online and ensure it is not interfering with activities such as socialising, exercising, eating and sleeping Consider bans on devices at mealtimes and take them away an hour before bedtime. Do not let children charge devices in their rooms Talk regularly to children about what they do online, what posts they have made that day, who they are friends with and how it is affecting their mood With younger children, have access to passwords to regularly check content Remember, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram officially bar children under 13 from having accounts Encourage children to use the internet for creative things - helping with homework, making their own content http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-42705881 In school, we continue to educate pupils about using technology safely and appropriately, through form time discussions, ICT and PSHCE lessons and assemblies. Mrs Rarity
GIRLS PE EXTRA CURRICULAR INFORMATION Week commencing Monday 12 th February BOYS PE EXTRA CURRICULAR INFORMATION Week commencing Monday 12 th February Tuesday Wednesday Years 7 & 8 netball away at Cheadle Hulme High School return approx. Years 7, 8 & 9 netball practice finish 4.15pm Year 9 netball tournament at Reddish Vale return approx. 530pm Year 10 and 11 (boys and girls) GCSE Hockey fixture at home v Marple Hall High finish approx. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Year 10 v Cheadle Hulme High School (away) meet 3pm return 5pm Year 8 v Cheadle Hulme School (away) meet 3pm return 5pm Year 7 v Priestnall (away) return Year 7 badminton 3pm-4.15pm Year 10 v Calday Grange (Stockport Sports) meet 1.25pm return 4.30pm Thursday Girls PE Year 10 and 11 GCSE netball practice. Boys PE EXTRA CURRICULAR SPORT Stockport Cross Country Championships Congratulations to Flynn Walsh who won the Year 10/11 Boys Stockport Cross Country Championships last week. Joel Stringer came third in the same race leading our team to the overall first place in the team event. Mia Gibbons came in the bronze medal position in the Year 10/11 girls race with Niall Dolan (8th Year 10/11 boys) Matthew Haines (8th Year 7 boys) and Alicia Gibbons (8th Year 7 girls) all gaining selection to represent Stockport at the Greater Manchester Championships. Greater Manchester Cross Country Championships Well done to Katie Stringer (Year 8) who won the Greater Manchester Schools Cross Country Junior Girls race on Saturday at Heaton Park. Flynn Walsh came 4th in the Senior Boys with Joel Stringer 12th. St James were also represented by Matthew Haines (32nd) and Alicia Gibbons (43rd) from Year 7. Congratulations to Katie Stringer and Flynn Walsh who have been selected to represent Greater Manchester at the English Schools Cross Country Championships on Saturday 17 th March at Temple Newsam in Leeds. Football Results Year 8 Catholic Cup Quarter Final Our Lady's Blackley 2-5 St James Year 7 St James 1-4 Priestnall Mr Walker Director of PE