Family Matters
Edition 4 - December 2022
Headteacher's Message
Dear Parents/Carers,
I am delighted to share with you this month's edition of Family Matters, where you can read all about what we have been doing at school to prepare for Christmas. This has been an extremely busy term and I am really proud of the students for their hard work and commitment. We celebrated achievement on both sites in our end of term assemblies - well done to all students who received commendations for achievement points, attendance and contribution to the life of the school. You are a real credit to the school community and to your families.
As a Catholic school, charitable fundraising is an important part of what we do and we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our students in preparing over 30 Christmas hampers that were collected by Christian Kitchen and the St Vincent de Paul Society for distribution to local families and homeless people. A huge "thank you" to everyone who donated. Similarly we had a great response to our Wear it Pink fundraiser for Breast Cancer and our Christmas Jumper Day which raised money for HCPT to take sick children to Lourdes. You can see a lovely picture of Year 7 in their Christmas jumpers in this edition!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank staff, students and parents for making me feel very welcome as your new Headteacher - I feel truly privileged to lead this wonderful faith and learning community. I wish you, your families and loved ones all the peace and joy of the Christmas season; have a holy and blessed Christmas and a peaceful start of 2023.
With all God's blessings,
Mrs. Laws
Christmas Charities
Advent is always a busy time in school. Five trees have been decorated! The Advent wreath has been displayed in every assembly, students have led Advent assemblies, we have been discussing our different cultural celebrations at this time of year and students are busy filling hampers for the needy.
Advent Assemblies
Students led several assemblies throughout Advent, inviting us to slow down, enter into prayer, reflection and silence as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Christmas Hampers
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to the class Hampers. There was a wonderful response and we know our friends at Christian Kitchen and SVP will ensure that everything is used to the benefit of those most needing support, not just at Christmas but throughout the year.
Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts.
As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us.
Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter.
Our hearts are open to you, Jesus.
Amen
Christmas dinner in Ukraine
Anna K., Sofia N., Viktoriia R. and Karina V. from years 9 & 10 shared with us some Ukranian traditions for celebrating Christmas.
"Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated on the 7th of January. We put the Christmas tree up on 31st December. We have different traditions in different parts of Ukraine.
At Christmas we meet with our friends or family.
Our biggest tradition is to have a meal of 12 different kinds of food. The most important is Kutya and we start with it. Each family uses its own recipe. The main ingredient is poppy seeds. People also make it with walnuts, honey, raisins and wheat berries. Important thing is that we don’t eat meat.
Then we have Vareniky. We have many different types, but cabbage and potato are quite common on Christmas day.
Some of the other foods that make up the twelve dishes are Ukranian Borsh, Ukranian fish, coated fish, Ukranian Pampushki, Kapusnyak, Kalach, marinated mushrooms, Ushka mushrooms and potato puree.
Uzvar is the national drink. It is made from dried berries: pears, apples, plums, cherries, blueberries. In the south uzvar made of apricots. Sometimes we add spices.
As you can see our food is very different!"
The true joy of Christmas is in the everlasting love of Christ. Wishing you a joyous Christmas and blessings in the coming year.
Mrs Grierson
Chaplaincy
Tree Planting
To celebrate National Tree Week students from years 10 & 11 partook in an exciting opportunity to plant 5 trees within our local community in the grounds of Crosbie House in partnership with Waltham Forest Borough. Students were equipped with Hi-Vis jackets, gardening gloves and shovels. After learning a bit about why we are currently in prime tree planting season they began their exhilirating work. Councillor Loakes greatly enjoyed meeting with our students and speaking to them about the importance of this voluntary work.
Although slightly hesitant at first they got into the spirit so much so that they named their planted trees! We're extremely proud of the hard work they put in, especially as it will be beneficial for many generations to come. They were well rewarded by Mr Sayer who came for a cheeky photo opportunity and supplied some breakfast treats after all of their hard work!
Thank you to Shay, Aishah, Anieka, John, George, Berenise, William and Joseph.
April 2022 Winner - Update
Fantastic choice Nuzar! Well done!
October 2022 Winner
"Josiah has been highlighted for consistently being the definition of a perfect student. He is ALWAYS polite, helpful, kind and hard-working. This is the case in lessons, but he also takes part in a number of different extra-curricular activities, which cover a range of skills. He consistently does the right thing and works through lessons as well as he can. He is friendly and always looks out for peers, he has a strong moral compass speaks out/reports if he witnesses something that is not right. Josiah often goes unrecognised because he is always quietly doing the right thing, but he really deserves this recognition."
November 2022 Winner
"Julia has found strength to be a supportive and caring friend to others in her year group. She uses her mature outlook to guide others and to encourage positive relationships."
Meet the House Leader - House Philomena
Who or what inspired you at school?
My Head of Year who always told me I had such valuable opinions for a student and that I would become someone who could be a positive influence in other people's lives.
My PE teacher who always pushed me to be the best I could be not just in sport but in life.
Where did you study?
I studied at Holy family from year 7 right through to year 13. When I finished I went to Bournemouth university to study Sports Development and Coaching Sciences. Whilst studying I worked for the Rugby Football Union as a community coach and gained my coaching qualification. After university I worked at Queen Elizabeth Boys School and gained my teaching qualifications.
Have you always been a teacher/worked in schools?
I haven't always worked in schools but I have always worked with children.
Rugby coach in schools around bournemouth
Community coach and marketing manager for London Irish RFU
Community Rugby coach for the RFU
PE teacher at Queen Elizabeth Boys school in Barnet
Why did you want to be a house leader?
I wanted to meet more students and help motivate and guide them to achieve success. The house system is a great way to bring the school together with a bit of healthy competition and lots of fun.
What has been your most embarrassing moment in school?
Luckily I haven't experienced anything embarrassing.
What would be your desert island book/song/film?
Book: Good Vibes, Good life - Vex King
Film: Sister Act 1 & 2
Tell us something about yourself that most people wouldn’t know.
I have an older sister who works in the school and a younger brother currently in year 11.
I played premiership rugby for Harlequins.
What’s your favourite saying or motto?
'The future belongs to those who prepare for it today’
Congratulations on your first term, year 7!
Year 7 have made a fantastic start to Holy Family and we are so proud of their achievements and progress.
From creating outstanding anti-bullying posters to a record number of entries to the Black History Month log competition, not to mention their commendable debuts in sports competitions & borough leagues and, of course, their Christmas spirit, it is clear we have a very creative and enthusiastic group of students!
Year 7 First Term Reflections
I have enjoyed all the subjects and making new friends. My favourite lessons are Music, Maths and Info Tech. I feel being a Holy Family student is good as there are lots of activities to do that help with figuring out what you want to be in the future.
Jaden A.
I enjoy the food at school and my favourite lessons are Maths, Science and English. I'm glad to be a Holy Family student and talking to new people.
Jerell P.
I have most enjoyed making new friends and also reuniting with old primary school friends. I also really enjoy subjects such as Art and Info Tech because I find them really fun and creative subjects! How do I feel about being a Holy Family student? At first I HATED the idea of being a Holy Family student since I came alone and all my primary school friends were going into other schools, but after meeting a few people I think they really changed my mind about here, so I feel great being a Holy Family student.
Willa I.
I have enjoyed the school football team the most!
Damian C.
I have loved meeting new friends and my favourite lesson is DT. Being a Holy Family student makes me feel amazing
Blessing A.
My favourite lessons are English and DT. I feel happy and proud to be a Holy Family student.
Ali H.
I have enjoyed all my lessons this term and playtime/lunchtime. My favourite lessons are Art, Food Technology, D&T, and Science.
Alexis R.
The thing I enjoyed the most in my first term was the Science trip to Baylab and my favourite lesson is Science. I am happy that I am a Holy Family student
Amelia S.
Years 7 & 8 trip to Baylab
Students had the opportunity to create their own fake blood, used oximeters to measure heart rate and conducted experiments to better understand how the cardiovascular system works. The workshop also helped students understand the vital role of the heart, its functions and the circulatory system and why it is important to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Sunflower by Geraldin, yr 9
Lovely, lovely yellow petals
As it shines across the whole world,
Its courageous stem as it stands firm in the soil
You stand in the midst of all flowers
And use your seductive smell
To attract these earthly little beasts
Aw, how sweet your name is
Your name was given to you for a purpose!
Book reccomendation
Through the story of three generations of women in her own family - the grandmother given to the warlord as a concubine, the Communist mother and the daughter herself - Jung Chang reveals the epic history of China's twentieth century. Breathtaking in its scope, unforgettable in its descriptions, this is a masterpiece which is extraordinary in every way.
National Reading & Handwriting Day
School Poetry Competition
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