St James' Catholic High School
December 2023 Newsletter
MESSAGE FROM THE HEADTEACHER
Please read the following letter from our Headteacher:
Angel Anikpe - Jack Petchey November Winner
Well done to Angel in Year 11 who won the Jack Petchey Award for November. The Jack Petchey Foundation was set up by Sir Jack Petchey to inspire and motivate young people across London and Essex to do their best and reach their full potential.
Angel was nominated by her form Tutor, Ms Darcy, 'I would like to nominate Angel Anikpe. She has been an excellent team player throughout year 10 (when she first joined our school). She was always doing her best to help those beside her, showcasing our VERITAS values.'
'This is me' Poetry Competition
Well done to the following pupils in year 9, Cliffmarc, Vanessa, Himothy, Malakai, Anabella, Immanuela and Dominik who created an original piece of creative writing that was selected for publication in a young writers' anthology
This exciting opportunity allowed them to have their poems published in a book, This Is Me which will be released soon.
End of Year Academic Awards
Academic Awards were presented to years 7-11 during House Assembly last week. These awards were given out to those pupils showing outstanding effort and commitment in their studies.
Well done to all pupils as you continue to represent the school to the highest standards.
On Wednesday 6 December, we hosted our annual party for Senior Citizens from our local community. As our guests arrived they were warmly greeted by our volunteer sixth form students in festive outfits to take them to their tables.
Whilst the guests settled in, our staff began to get the wine flowing and then there was a range of Christmas carols and songs were performed by our younger students. The performances were fantastic and got everyone in the festive mood.
A beautiful meal was prepared by our kitchen staff and served to our guests by the sixth-form students. Following the meal, there was the excitement of the raffle and thanks to the donations of staff, parents and a number of companies that the school works with, every guest won a lovely prize.
At the end of the festivities, our guests began to depart only to be greeted by Santa with another gift for each of them. Photo available here:
A sell-out crowd gathered for what has become a highlight in the school calendar, the Christmas Concert. During the evening, the audience was treated to a wide range of musical and theatrical acts admirably performed by St James' students.
Various musical performances, as well as a sneak peek of our upcoming Musical 'Zest'. The music performances ranged from classical piano recitals, a range of solo performances and finale of Christmas carols.
Special thanks to Ms Williams and Mr Howlett-Reeves, for so willingly giving up their time and expertise to help the students prepare for such a great showcase of talent.
Photo available here:
Well done to everyone who participated in the Christmas Card competition, we had a large number of amazing entries. The art department narrowed down the top 3 entries:
First Place
Eva Vinu 7C
Second Place
Cecilia Ganzao - 8E
Third Place
Brian Oga-Ugwueze 10T
On the 15th December we celebrated Christmas Jumper Day. We managed to raised
impressive £1391.20! The school will donate to proceeds to Save the children charity and to fund our Senior Citizen Christmas party.
We were delighted to be able to reinstate prize-giving celebration, which was held on the 20th of December 2023.
The evening was an opportunity to welcome back those Year 13 students that completed their sixth form studies in the summer and to hear how they are getting along at university or in their chosen careers.
In addition there were prizes awarded for outstanding achievement and effort across years 7-10.
Thank you to Dr Jonathan McAndrew, a former Head Boy at St James' was able to join us as our guest speaker for the night.
Thank you to our musical acts that performed so beautifully on the evening. They were incredibly well received by the audience.
More photo's available here:
Advent
The word “advent” means anticipation of the arrival of a person or an event. Advent is the season that reminds us of the arrival of something great. As a season in the Church, it is placed at the beginning of the Church year. It is the beginning of a new spiritual journey for each of us.
We are reminded once again that the promise God made about our salvation has come. This promise is the true hope beyond any other hope we have. We build our traditions around this time to remind us of that great mystery of Christ’s coming for our salvation.
During Advent and beyond let us banish all fear from our lives. Let us reflect in our service on the promise of hope that Advent brings.
First Advent Candle - Hope
On the first Sunday of Advent, we light the Prophecy candle and think of the prophets who lived in HOPE for Jesus’ coming. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
What are you hoping for?
Second Advent Candle - Peace
On the second Sunday of Advent, we light the candle and think of PEACE. Jesus is “the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7). When the angels appeared to the shepherds, they ended their message by saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).
Peace be with you!
Third Advent Candle - Joy
On the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, we receive an invitation to rejoice!
The pink candle in the wreath signifies our joy that Christmas is quickly approaching. : "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy." (Matthew 2:10)
Joy to the World!
Fourth Advent Candle - Love
On the fourth Sunday of Advent, we light the candle and think of LOVE. May we experience the love of Christ, in his Incarnation, in the cross, and in his resurrection, this Advent season.“We love because he first loved us.” (1John 4:19)
The story of Christmas is the story of God's relentless love for us.
There was a range of opportunities for Year 12 students to complete on Wednesday afternoons. These range from sports leadership, cooking, and football to name a few. Here is our art group creating their clay pinch pots and dishes
There is a range of support available to help you.
Are there disagreements between you and your partner which might be affecting your child? Self Help tools:
• videos demonstrating potential
impact on children
• handbook providing helpful tips
• exercises to promote positive
relationships.
www.barnet.gov.uk/children-and-families/early-help-children-young people-and families/reducing-parental-conflict
Caring for people, our places and the planet
If you feel you need further support, you can contact the Child
and Family Hubs where trained practitioners can provide:
• individual support to reduce parental conflict.
• group sessions offering peer support.
For further information on the support available, please visit
www.barnet.gov.uk/children-and-families/early-help-children-young-people-and-families
Domestic abuse is not the same as parental conflict, relationships should not make you feel unsafe, and you should not be frightened of your partner.
www.barnet.gov.uk/children-and-families/domestic-abuse
If you feel you or your children are in immediate danger please call the Police. If you have urgent welfare concerns about your child, please phone the Barnet’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 020 8359 4066.
There is a strong correlation between good attendance/punctuality and examination success. Nationally, pupils with 96%+ attendance are most likely to achieve grades 5-9 at GCSE. Our school attendance target this academic year is 97%.
Pupils must attend school daily unless there is a valid reason not to attend.
Parents are requested not to arrange family holidays, or medical or dental appointments during term time.
If there is a valid reason that pupils cannot attend school, your parents must inform the school by 8:30 am on the first and each subsequent day of absence.
Parents must provide evidence of medical or dental appointments and be asked to provide medical evidence for more than 3 days of absence.
Did you know you can check daily attendance and punctuality on the Arbor app?
Punctuality is an important part of self-discipline and is essential for time management.
Pupils must be in school by 8:30am.
At 8:30 the school gates will be closed and pupils must enter school through reception. They will be marked late and receive a detention for the same day. Parents will be sent a text message informing them that their child has been late to school.
Repeated late marks may result in your parents being fined. You and your parents may also need to attend a Punctuality Board meeting.
Great Strand, Colindale NW9 5PE
Phone: 020 8358 2800
Email: admin@st-james.barnet.sch.uk