Newsletter 7 - July 2020

July 2020 St. Richard’s Catholic College
Ashdown Road, Bexhill-On-Sea
A National Teaching School. A National Support School and a High Performing Specialist Science College
East Sussex TN40 1SE
Tel: 01424 731070

Email: [email protected]
www.strichardscc.com

Newsletter 7 Principal: D. Cronin N.P.Q.H. M.A. B.Ed

Dear Parents/Carers

I am pleased to share with you the news of term six. have engaged in. I would also like to pay tribute to
Most of our pupils have been working remotely and Governors, support staff, cleaning and caretaking staff
yet it is clear in reading this newsletter that there is for all their hard work and commitment. Additionally,
much to celebrate in the life of the school. the support of Andrew Wright (Action Your Potential),
Helen, our Counsellor, Glen and Claire Mayhew
This newsletter tries to capture some of the work (Attendance) and all our peripatetic music staff is
completed remotely during the term as well as the much appreciated. I would also like to thank you,
strong pupil participation in the variety of activities as parents/carers, for all your support of the school
on offer such as Virtual Sports Day and the Daily during this challenging year. Additionally, the work
Challenge. I would like to thank all the pupils for their of our PTFA and the interest and engagement of the
approach to learning during this uncertain time. I Parental Focus Groups are to be commended.
appreciate that it has not been easy for them and, in
particular, to remain motivated when lockdown began As you are aware, this term has been tinged with
to stretch out. I am sure I am not the only one who sadness: it began with the funeral of Year 11 pupil
did not expect lockdown to go on as long as it has. Bobbie-Jean Hammon, with the school proud to be
Nevertheless, whilst it has been a learning curve involved in the service to commemorate her short
for us all, I feel the pupils are in a strong position to life. Now, this week you will have received my letter
continue with their studies and interests in school from here regarding the sudden and unexpected death of
September. I sincerely hope the majority of pupils Dr Durkin, who died of a heart attack on Sunday. Dr
working remotely feel they have been well-supported Durkin’s passion for her subject and her weekly trips
with phone calls, Google Meets, ‘live’ teaching, and experiences for budding scientists have touched
recorded lessons as well as the daily prayers from Jo the lives of thousands of children. It is lovely that her
and the weekly PSHEe lessons and assemblies from legacy of leading a rich and varied life will live on as
Pastoral Leaders. an example to others as well as the fact that so many
pupils have gone on to study physics and astro-
We have tried to create a sense of normality and physics as a result of her enthusiasm and knowledge.
community spirit in very unusual circumstances. Funeral details to follow. Please keep Matt, her
There is no doubt that, as a staff, we have missed husband, and her two boys, Connor and Ethan, in
the pupils’ presence greatly and we are really looking your prayers. Funeral details to follow.
forward to welcoming them all back in September to
flourish and thrive in our school community. Amongst the darkness of the term, there have been a
number of highlights with the key one being Sophie’s
Once again, can I say well done, Year 10, for your Secret Postcard Auction and the outcome of £31,000
participation in face to face lessons over the past being raised for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
five weeks and to all the pupils of Key Workers who This is an astonishing sum and I am really proud of
have attended, in some cases, for the past 17 weeks, all who participated as well as Miss Pennington for
working hard and engaging in a range of social her leadership of the whole project. Thank you too,
activities too. as parents/carers, for your generosity in supporting
the auction and, in particular to Mr Thomas Taylor,
I would like to take this opportunity to formally thank father of Max and Ben, who designed the Harry Potter
staff for their leadership of teaching and learning and postcard which raised £2,150. An incredibly generous
pastoral care, not only during this lockdown period donation.
but throughout the school year. Their willingness to
lead extra-curricular clubs, enrichment activities and As the term draws to a close, we say farewell
booster classes has been first class, and I know many and thank you to staff moving on, or in the case
pupils have benefited from the opportunities they of Mrs Robertson, taking early retirement. Thank

you and good luck to Ms Mason as she moves on to Mrs Robertson: we look forward to formally marking
another leadership post in Kent. Her introduction of your retirement in the autumn terms when, hopefully,
pbones (plastic trombones, trumpets and cornets) Government restrictions are lifted. Just to assure
and samba drums will remain a strong memory and parents/carers, we are fully staffed for September!
I have, no doubt, that the neighbours will have been
relieved this summer to miss the daily drumming Other staff news includes the return of Mrs Campbell
lessons on the field! We thank her for not only (Subject Leader of history), Mrs Harker (PE) and Mrs
her exuberant teaching in the classroom, but her Adams (science and careers) from maternity leave.
contributions to extra-curricular life. Mrs White is You may also be pleased to hear that Mr Maxwell’s
returning to her former school to take on a number of wife has recently given birth to a baby boy called
responsibilities and we wish her great success. We Aubrey and Mrs Dunster has given birth to a baby
thank her not only for her strong teaching of Textiles, boy, Kit. Congratulations to both families. Please
but for her leadership of well-being activities as continue to keep Mrs Truss and Ms Easton in your
Mental Health lead and her enthusiastic involvement prayers as they recover from illness.
in Performing Arts activities. We are really grateful
to science teacher, Mr Beale, and English teacher, Please note the staggered start to the academic year
Ms Harrold, who were both available at the right time 2020-2021 with Year 7 and Year 11 commencing on
to cover maternity leave and long term absence. As Friday 4th September and Year 8, 9 and 10 starting
talented teachers with great expertise, they have on Monday 7th September. For all year groups there
been a blessing in their respective departments. We will be continued Covid-19 restrictions in place, which
thank them for helping us out and now wish them well I will share with you in the run up to the new term
as they begin posts of responsibility in new schools. following further DFE guidance mid-August. For now,
please can uniform, appearance and equipment be
Finally, we say farewell and happy retirement to sorted and enquiries made about transport. We do
an exceptional teacher, Mrs Robertson, who has plan to have more cycle stations in school so I am
now decided to take some time for herself and hopeful that an increasing number of pupils, who are
her husband, having worked at St Richard’s for able, will cycle.
27 years. Not only has she been an outstanding
teacher and Subject Leader of Design Technology, Once again, a heartfelt thank you to all parents/carers
but she has been a staff member who has shown for your continued support of this school. I hope you
deep compassion and love for the pupils in her care. and your family have a wonderful summer holiday
Former pupils always want to see her when they and I look forward to seeing you all in person at some
return. Over the years, she has inspired thousands point in the autumn term.
of pupils in Design Technology and Art through her
expertise, encouragement and interest in all that Yours sincerely
they do. Having given such dedicated years of
service, she now deserves to put her feet up and Principal
spend some time on her many hobbies. Thank you,

Message from the Chair of Governors

The last newsletter of a very strange academic year, with the first three terms as normal
and the last three anything but normal. I have to say all the members of the Governing
Body are enormously proud of the way everyone has responded. Miss Cronin, the
teachers and support staff have found new ways of ensuring that learning and support
continues for your children, whether in school for a few, or through online opportunities.
I am sure we are all better versed in technology as a result. It is inspiring to see what so
many pupils have managed to achieve and for most, their independent learning skills
have been enhanced.

As the summer holidays approach I would like to wish everyone a happy and, hopefully, restful holiday. We
look forward, with hope and prayers, to something approaching normality in September. Keep safe.

Alison Horan, Chair of Governors

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 2

Parents, Teachers & Friends Association NEWS
The aim of the PTFA is to raise money for the children and staff of St Richard’s

The PTFA provides refreshments at Parents Evenings and Showcase events for visitors and staff.

The PTFA would like to thank you for all your support this
year in raising money for the children and staff
of St. Richard’s Catholic College.

We would like to invite you to join our meeting and enjoy drinks
and nibbles on: Monday, 28th September at 7pm at the school.

We are a friendly team and would welcome your fundraising ideas and suggestions.
We look forward to new members joining our team.

Everyone is welcome!

The PTFA Team ([email protected]) Charity Registration Number 1174645

Train services from School Meals Update
September 2020
From September 2020, the price
Please see here for an update on services at of a main meal will be £2.20
Southern and Thameslink ahead of the ‘wider’
return to school in September.

GCSE Results Day - Thursday 20th August

On results day, Thursday, 20th August, we will be using the playground and field to distribute
results (calculated grades) whilst still adhering to social distancing rules. We will begin at 8am
and finish at 11am. Those not collected will be posted to pupils. If the weather is inclement we will
distribute results in classrooms by surname, using several bases to give out the results. We will
send out further details nearer the date.

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 3

YEAR SEVEN NEWS

As we approach the end of Year Seven, I would like to To finish I would like to draw your attention to one
celebrate the many achievements we have made as young lady in our year group who is about to embark
a year group. At the best of times, the transition into on a challenge that, for me, is mind boggling. A theme
secondary school life is challenging and I am immensely throughout the year has been to make an impact on
proud of all our pupils. A real highlight for me has been someone else's life for the better. Alice Saldana (7R)
the smiley nature of Year Seven and their ability to get is certainly going to be doing this. Along with five other
along with one another. Usually, I have a core group of team mates, Alice is going to swim the Channel to raise
pupils who always pop their heads into my office to say money for the NHS during the week of 26th August
good morning or hello. This year it has been a group 2020 (see page 4). We wish her and the team luck.
of 200+ pupils. I am fully confident that, as they travel If you would like to sponsor her, please go to https://
up into Year Eight and beyond, they will be great role gf.me/u/x6r2bs. We look forward to hearing all about it
models and leaders of the school for younger pupils. in September.
Throughout ‘lockdown’ we have tried different ways to
keep in touch. Staff always feedback that Year Seven Year Seven, have a lovely summer; make sure you
are so enthusiastic to take part in lessons and once the are ready for September and show Mr Steele what a
initial shyness of Google Meets disappeared it was great wonderful year group you are.
to see happy faces. Mr Steele is very lucky to have such
a positive year group from September. Mr Bligh, Pastoral Leader Year 7
[email protected]

YEAR EIGHT NEWS

I did not think that in my final newsletter of the year, I month! Your hard work and organisation is really
would be writing to you having not seen the majority of appreciated, and I know it will stand you in good stead
the year group for four months! It is such a shame I have as you approach your GCSE years. A huge well done
missed such a significant portion of their time in Year 8, to all those Year 8s who took part in and participated in
but it has been a privilege to be Year 8’s Pastoral Leader, the many challenges set by the school. There are too
even if our time was cut short. many individual names to mention here, but I know many
of you were rewarded with Amazon vouchers, and were
During the year, friendship groups have changed, pupils recognised in Mrs Wood’s weekly emails. A huge well
have matured, and I have got to see what many of the done to Besiana Martinaj who earned her level three
pupils are capable of. I hope they will continue to show Lamda qualification, receiving a score of 96% and a
their potential as they move up to Year 9. I would like distinction! Another congratulations is in order for Liliana
to thank you all for your support and for the wonderful Kuprowska who became the first pupil in the school
children you have sent to St Richard’s. to achieve 500 House Points this academic year! A
phenomenal achievement, especially given the lockdown
Liturgy situation.
Thank you to our Priests and Deacon Ian who have led
us in our Form Services and Masses this year. These Sophie’s Garden
have been lovely, reflective and prayerful times in our During lockdown, pupils and staff who were attending
busy calendar. Thank you, especially to Jo, who has school dug and planted a garden in honour of Sophie
organised reflections and services during the lockdown, Taylor. A huge thank you to everybody who participated
helping the children stay connected to their faith and the in this, especially Mrs Avery who did a wonderful job in
community spirit we strive to maintain. selecting and providing plants, vegetables and flowers.
The finished project is beautiful, and a fitting tribute to
PSHEe Sophie.
The PSHEe programme has been valuable for the
Year 8 pupils this year, exploring mental health issues, Finally, I will take this opportunity to thank you, parents
organising time effectively, how to manage money, and carers of our pupils, for your support throughout this
social issues around race and gender, anti-bullying… academic year. To the Year 8 of 2019/20, I wish you all a
the list goes on. I would like to thank the Year 8 Form wonderful, safe and healthy summer holiday and all the
Tutors for working through it and adapting it to suit the very best for Year 9.
needs of their respective form classes, and particularly
Ms Vanvuchelen who has tailored additional PSHEe
sessions to the needs of the year group.

Congratulations:
Well done to almost 40% of the year group who have
received a Remote Learning Certificate over the past

Mr J Steele - Pastoral Leader Year 8 ([email protected])

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 4

YEAR NINE NEWS

As we approach the end of this year I would like to Liturgy Thank you to our Priests and Deacon Ian who
thank Year 9 for all of their hard work, I have thoroughly have led us in our Form Services and Masses this year
enjoyed being the Pastoral Leader of a great year group both in person and remotely. These have been lovely,
and confidently leave them in the capable hands of Mr reflective and prayerful times in our busy calendar.
Doherty for Year 10. The summative reports and pupil
profiles demonstrate how the majority of pupils, even Charity:
in such challenging times, have been fully engaged It is with great pleasure that we, as a school, have raised
with their remote studies and have contributed to their over £31,000 for Sophie’s Secret Postcard Auction. I
learning in a positive manner. know many Year 9 contributed to this total with their
artwork.
Rewards
Throughout Year 9, pupils have collected ‘House Points’ I cannot end the year without showing my appreciation
as you will have seen on EduLink. Special mention for an amazing set of Form Tutors, 9F’s Mrs Fegan
should go to the nine pupils who met all the milestones and Mrs Tadros, 9L’s Mr Eyre, 9O’s Mrs Mead, 9U’s Mr
for the year by earning over 450 House points in the Rome, 9R’s Mrs Forster-Simmons 9I’s Miss Rowland,
school year to date: Michaela Matate 571, Maisie 9S’s Miss Akrasi, 9H’s Mr Harwood and Mrs Di Mascio
Scrivener 514, Leah Sandy 488, Lexine Banuelos 488, and Mrs Campbell our SEN Co-ordinator. Thank you for
Erin Towns 479, Grace Gillen 477, Macy Leonard 469, all your hard work with the year group to date.
Bethany Emson 463 and Natalie Collinson 451. Well
done! Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank you, parents
and carers of our pupils, for your support throughout this
PSHEe academic year and I hope that all of the pupils in Year
During this term, Year 9 have been completing their 9 have a happy and restful summer holiday, and come
unit on making decisions and moving on from school, back refreshed and ready to begin the challenge of their
this has included work on understanding finance and GCSE courses. I wish them well as they move into KS4
independence. Pupils have also looked at units on life in and Upper School.
lockdown and the impact of the coronavirus and current
news related work on the Black Lives Matter Movement. Mrs A Hills - Acting Pastoral Leader Year 9
([email protected])

YEAR TEN

It has been a very different yet busy and enjoyable with the year group to date. It is with sadness that Ms
end of year for Year 10. The maturity, co-operation and Harrold leaves us, having joined us in January to help
flexibility of the pupils as new methods of teaching have with maternity cover. We wish her all the best in her new
been delivered have been exemplary. When in school, position. 10R will welcome Mr Holloway as their Form
Year 10 have worked hard and demonstrated good focus Tutor for Year 11.
in class. Although they have missed out on opportunities
such as WEX, Interview day and block days, the majority Summer work will be set for all Year 10 pupils. Pupils can
of pupils have remained positive and determined to access the work via the pupil drive. Pupils can also view
achieve. Year 10 have risen to the challenge of remote assigned work on Edulink.
learning, Well done.
It has been a pleasure to have been Pastoral Leader
Rewards to this wonderful group of pupils. I have genuinely
Throughout Year 10, pupils have collected ‘House enjoyed being their Pastoral Leader and I look forward
Points’. I am really pleased to highlight some exceptional to continuing the journey with them next year as their
performances this term from: Eleanor Klein, Rose Pastoral Leader for Year 11.
Lipsham, Neha Aju, Aleena Aju and Maisie Nevey as well
as William Buchanan, Jack Floyd, Michael Thrwat, Nigel Thank you, Year 10 parents, for your continued support.
Johny and Rony Stephen. Special mention should go to I wish you an enjoyable and restful summer. I encourage
the pupils with the most House Points collected in the both parents and pupils to remember that my door is
year to date: Amelie Croft with 348 ‘House points’ and always open to you all. Please do not hesitate to ask me
Arthur Pepper with 320 ‘House Points’. Well done! for help or support in the challenging year ahead!

Thank you “May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always
I cannot end the year without showing my appreciation at your back, May the rains fall soft upon you, And the
for an amazing set of Form Tutors in Ms Cook, Mrs sun shine warm upon your face. Until we meet again,
Massey, Mr Dallaway, Mr Stickland, Miss Harrold, Ms may God hold you in the palm of his hand” Irish Blessing
Vanvuchelen, Miss Machin, Mr Feery and Mrs Hubbard School’s out for summer - see you in September!
our SEN Coordinator. Thank you for all your hard work

Mr J Campbell, Assistant Principal/Pastoral Leader Year 10 - [email protected]

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 5

YEAR ELEVEN NEWS

It has been great to talk to some of Year 11 recently on I would like to thank all the Prefects and Senior team for
Google Meets with their Form Tutors. The questions they their hard work this year. Can I also thank everyone who
raised about locker keys, results day and the chances of a contributed to the production of the Yearbook.
rescheduled Prom have been addressed in a letter sent at
the start of this week here. I am pleased to see that Year Well done Year 11 for the work you have put in this year.
11 have shown resilience during lockdown and that they You were an excellent and mature year group and I was
are getting stuck into their transition work for September. very proud to be your Pastoral Leader. I wish you all the
best for the new academic year and I pray that you will
It has been a very odd finish for Year 11 in their have happy, productive and fulfilling lives.
educational and personal journey at St Richard’s and
without a traditional Prom and Leavers’ Service it may Please keep in touch.
feel that there has been no closure or celebration of their
efforts over five years. I hope the publication of the much Mr R Doherty - Assistant Principal/Pastoral Leader Year 11
awaited Yearbook and the online Leavers Service will [email protected]
make up for this.

CAREERS AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Although term 6 has been very different from usual there her colleague, Graham Thomas, from AXA insurance. The
has still been a lot going on to do with careers. pupils were given materials to help prepare beforehand
and then received a half hour appointment. Following
I have recently posted on Edulink and Google Classroom the interview, the pupils were provided with written and
several careers resources for pupils of all ages to peruse. verbal feedback. Cath and Graham were both very
I believe that the following two resources are the most impressed with our pupils’ CVs and confident approach
useful: to the interview. Subsequently, the pupils were asked to
complete a Google form which showed that the majority
Fast Tomoato of pupils found the interview and CV feedback incredibly
St. Richard’s has invested in a website called Fast useful. As you can imagine, this was a huge project and
Tomato. This fantastic website enables pupils to develop I thank Cath and Graham for their hard work and brilliant
their own profile by answering a few questions about feedback over the last four weeks.
themselves. The website then generates a list of careers
which may be of interest, with information about the Year 10 were also offered the chance to complete a digital
careers and the qualifications needed. work experience week through Learnliveuk.com entitled
To access this resource please follow this link: ‘The esteem pavilion challenge’, with a particular focus
https://ft.morrisby.com/ on STEM subjects. Seven pupils managed to complete
You will then need this code to sign up the first time: the optional experience which required around 30 hours
QZKG. of work. I would like to congratulate Florence Assetto,
Once your child has registered they will then use their own Tina Hovhannessian, Carolina Jeneslas-Jayakumar, Jack
school username and password to access their account. Floyd, Julian Klepczarek, Olivia Zheng and Maisie Nevey
for their diligence, determination and teamwork. I have
National Careers service submitted their work for accreditation and hopefully they
The National Careers Service provides valuable will be receiving their industrial cadets silver award at the
information on many careers; please follow this link to end of this term, following moderation.
access a wealth of resources: https://nationalcareers.
service.gov.uk/. Other news
Please ask your son/daughter to continue to check
Year 10 Edulink and their Google Classrooms regularly as I will
During term 6, Year 10 would normally have an interview continue to post relevant Careers resources, guidance
day. On this day they would have a mock interview with and digital experiences which I believe they may find
a local employer, at school, and then receive feedback useful. If you have any further questions please do not
on the interview and their pre-prepared CV. Due to hesitate to contact me.
current circumstances, unfortunately we couldn't offer this
experience; in its stead we organised telephone interviews Mr Holloway, Acting Careers Lead
with our Careers Enterprise Advisor, Cath Brunger, and [email protected]

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 6

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust Channel Conquest

Hello, my name is Alice Saldana and I am in Year 7 at St Richard’s Catholic College. I am taking part in a relay
team of six people who are swimming the English Channel from Dover to Calais in August. The other people
in my relay team are my Dad, Mr Manuel Saldana; Consultant Ophthalmologist and Oculoplastic Surgeon,
Dr Stephen Sweetman; Ophthalmologist, my brother William Saldana, my sister Beth Saldana and local
businessman Mr Tim Bigg. We are raising money for Eastbourne, Bexhill and Conquest Hospitals.

Following a piloted boat to guide the way, it typically takes 12 to 15 hours! Wetsuits are not allowed, so the
challenges that face us include the cold, waves, jellyfish, and maintaining the determination to just keep
swimming! The current situation with Covid-19 is unprecedented and is one of the biggest challenges our hospital,
community and the NHS as a whole will ever face. Every day we are reminded by our local community just how
much the local health services mean to them and how much they rely on it (especially now) which is why, in
response to this, together we have decided to take on this challenge to raise money to support the staff, patients
and community teams impacted by the virus.

We are proud to be part of our amazing community, of the NHS and particularly to be part of the East Sussex
Healthcare NHS Trust family. Anything we raise during this challenge will go towards helping Eastbourne, Bexhill
and Conquest hospitals where the need is great so that we can continue to give exceptional care for patients and
support for staff. It is a difficult time for everyone and we send our best wishes to you and your loved ones; we
are one family and one community and you are all very much in our thoughts.

Please support our quest and donate by using the link: https://gf.me/u/x6r2bs
Thank you so much for your support

Newsletter - July 2020 Charity skydive for the Royal Air Force Association

I am doing a skydive on Sunday, 26th July to raise money for the Royal
Air Force Association, after being postponed for a few months due to the
pandemic. I would be really grateful if anyone would be willing to donate. I have
attached a link to my Justgiving page, as well as a link to the RAFA website in
case you wanted to learn more about the work they do. Thank you for taking the
time to read this and to all the people who have already donated.

Emma Roper

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emma-roper2?fbclid=IwAR1ATgLuvYW8
CzbqQnOH1Qp28PkaR4hkQ4hJboTtwY8PWJtydfZJ2bqoH7A

https://www.rafa.org.uk/

Page 7

Student Listeners 2020 - 2021

Student Listeners are a Peer Support Scheme which the school has been running successfully for several
years now. It involves a group of Year 10 pupils giving up their time to offer support and a ‘listening ear’ to
younger pupils. One of their main roles is helping our new Year 7 pupils settle into school. They do this by
helping during registration, break time, Prep Club, etc. This year the competition was very high, with over
50 letters of application being handed in. The Year 9 Form Tutors and I had a difficult time choosing the final
33. Congratulations to the following Year 9 pupils who were successful in being selected to be our Student
Listeners for 2020 - 2021. Dr Littlejohns

Amelia Allen Bethany Emson Ann Joy

Jesmia Antonislas- Ananthakumar Kiera Fear Louise Rabino

Madeleine Ball Keira Fitzgerald Jonathan Reis-Ataide

Lexine Banuelos Harry Fletcher Emma Sandeman

Reggie Barker May Fogarty-Stevens Maisie Scrivener

Danny Baszczak Amovi Franklin-Lester Grace Sims

Aurora Bonoan Grace Gillen Divina Stephen

Amy Bossom Hannah Goodman Charlie Tanner

Sophie Collett Annalysa Gower Erin Todd

Edie Crowther Sarah Halleron Erin Towns

Elsie Crowther Marnie Horan

Louis East Leo Jones

Special Educational Needs

Pupil Snapshots Lego and Games Club:
We will be updating the Pupil Snapshot for all pupils on Pupils are welcomed to the lunchtime Lego and
the school's Special Educational Needs register in the Games Club in A9, which runs every day supported by
first term of the new school year. Parents/carers will a Teaching Assistant. Come along to eat, play games
have recently received a request for feedback before and socialise together.
the summer break. Please can these be returned to the
relevant Year Co-ordinator by the end of the first full Staffing update
week back in September. After a wonderful 18 years as a Teaching Assistant
and Year Co-ordinator, and seeing through three
Prep Club and Prep Club Plus full cohorts of SEN pupils, it is with sadness that we
A reminder that pupils who require additional support wish Mrs Park every happiness in her new role as a
with completing homework can come to Prep Club Plus part-time Science Technician within the school. Her
in the new academic year on Mondays, Tuesdays, expertise, teamwork and diligence will be very much
Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:15pm to 4:15pm in missed by the whole team, and we are all glad she
B.ICT. Mr Nuckhir and an additional Teaching Assistant is not going very far! I am delighted to welcome Mrs
are available to help with homework. Di Mascio to the SEN team; she will join us from
Prep Club with Ms Hubbard is available from Mondays September as a Teaching Assistant and Year 7 Co-
to Thursdays in C.ICT, from 3:15pm - 5pm. Both after- ordinator.
school clubs are a free, supervised and supported
space for pupils to complete and print homework. Wishing all pupils, parents and carers a very happy
and restful summer break.

Mr Smith and the SEN team

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 8

Library News

County Library membership for pupils to keep them reading

Did you know that you can join East Sussex libraries online and have your library cards posted to you? You
will also get a temporary membership number to use until the card arrives, so you can start using fantastic on-
line resources straight away. This includes access to over 7,000 e-books, with over 700 e-book and e-audio
book titles for young adults to choose from. We know that many young people may need support with coping
with the current situation. East Sussex Library Service’s special Shelf Help collection of books focusing on
mental wellbeing and resilience for young adults may be able to provide the support they need away from
school. You can see the full range of titles for teens here: https://eastsussexlibrary.overdrive.com/library/
teens
There is also information about how to borrow e-books and e-audio books on the website:
https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/libraries/online/ebooks-audiobooks/ebooks/
For those pupils who enjoy magazines and newspapers there is a great selection of free titles to download
through Press Reader https://www.pressreader.com/catalog
and RB Digital https://eastsussex.rbdigitalglobal.com/search/emagazine?page-index=0&page-size=60
You can find out how to get started here:
https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/libraries/online/emagazines-and-newspapers/
RB Digital also have a wide range of e-audio books, useful for pupils who find reading more of a challenge but
still want to access books: https://eastsussex.rbdigitalglobal.com/discovery/eaudio

Please note… School Library Books with a date of WINNERS OF THE CILIP
January 2020 or more recently will be gladly accepted CARNEGIE BOOK AWARDS 2020
without a fine being payable when your child returns to
school. I would really like to get as many as possible For those of you who may have been following the
back in the Library! Please feel free to drop them in the CILIP Carnegie and Greenaway Book Awards, I am
week beginning Monday, 20th July. pleased to advertise the winning reads, below. All of
the Carnegie Longlist Books will be available from
Year 11s should return any Library books, along your school library when we re-open.
with their text books, to school on Friday, 17th July
or Results Day. Lark Tales from the Inner City
Have a great summer and read lots of books, people!
Library books which should have been returned in
2019 or earlier (!!) will incur the fine which would
have been due up until the end of December 2019.
I am never cross when a pupil returns a book and pays
the fine; on the contrary, I am glad the issue is sorted!
Fines also help to boost our library stock, ensuring that
there is always something new to read or watch. Please
keep an eye out at home, in spare school bags, under
beds etc. for books with our distinctive gold St Richard’s
sticker on the front – I’d really like them back, when this
is possible!

Book Quote of the Month:

Ms Tocknell
(very sad and missing
the librarians!)

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 9

Geography News

The Geography department has been so pleased with how you have been working. We have loved seeing you in
the ‘live’ lessons and have been really pleased with the work that you have been submitting to us. Well done.

Having Year 10s in front of us has been wonderful over the last few weeks. We have gone through all the work
that they have learnt at home and built upon this, embedding their knowledge and challenging their brains to
retrieve and recall. We hope these sessions have built up their confidence so that they feel positive for September.
Whilst we have loved seeing your work online, this term the Geography department would have been taking you
all out onto the ‘field’. Year 7 would have looked at the environment in Bexhill town; Year 8 would have headed
onto Bexhill beach to review coastal management; Year 9 would have enjoyed the delights of the Isle of Wight
residential trip and Year 10 would have headed to Eastbourne for their GCSE fieldwork, all topped off with a trip
to the South of England Show for those who have really embraced the subject and shown a real interest and
determination to do well. We look forward to seeing you all in September. Do get involved with the recycling and
the summer project below, offering great opportunities to be out and about next year.
See you soon. The Geography Department.

Geography Quest

We have had two further Geography Quests in June and July,
plus an entry into the IntoFilm ‘Nature in my Neighborhood’ film
competition! Well done to Genexa Maturan for her entry, looking at
the changes in nature in Hastings over lockdown. Congratulations
for a superb video and look at your local environment!

June Geography Quests included biodiversity surveys in gardens, bug hotels and coastal modelling.

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 10

July Geography Quests included Summerwatch in our garden films, food mile meals and recycled modelling!
Some absolutely amazing passion projects. Fantastic!

is

Two pupils have also been filming their own
SummerWatch episodes from their back
gardens! Amazing work.

Recycling

Remember we are still recycling. Last week, we sent off nine bin bags crammed with
milk bottle tops to the recycling project - thank you! These will be made into playground
equipment over the summer and the profits will be donated for cancer scanning equipment
at Eastbourne Hospital.

We are still collecting batteries, empty crisp
packets, glasses, pens and football boots. Some
of these are recycled locally, while others are sent
to India and Uganda.

Please keep collecting these items and bring them
into school in September ready to deposit them at the
appropriate recycling points around the school.

Unable to have the holiday you planned this summer?

Here are some ideas to help you and your family travel without leaving your postcode….(these ideas were
published in a supermarket magazine - and worth sharing ….after all ‘every little helps’).

Explore some of the greatest and most remote locations on Earth - for free!

Culture vultures can explore museums and exhibitions at https://artsandculture.google.com/
Outdoorsy types can breathe in AirPano’s sweeping 360 degree vistas of the likes of the Grand Canyon or the
Great Wall of China at https://www.airpano.com/

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 11

Looking for a summer project?

The United Nations have identified 17 Goals to transform our world. These goals, if achieved, would make a
massive difference to people's lives, well being, and economic security as well as, importantly, protecting our planet.

Over the summer, if your child would like to explore more about the world they live in they can visit the geography
Google Classroom using the link: Exploring beyond the classroom - all years (all details are in Edulink as
well). During the next academic year, as your child completes tasks for The Crest Award, they will see that the
Sustainable Development Goals are being added so their work will receive accreditation towards this as well as
widening their global knowledge about the goals to promote better lives for everyone.

Goal 14 focuses on life below water. The ocean
drives global systems that make the Earth
habitable for humankind. Our rainwater, drinking
water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of
our food, and even the oxygen in the air we
breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated
by the sea. We are all aware of plastics in our
oceans. Careful management of our oceans
is a key feature of a sustainable future for our
planet. However, at the current time, our oceans
continue to be plundered and polluted.

Pupil Leadership

The Crest BLM movement
The Crest Award has now been moved on-line Following recent developments in the media, Ms
and pupils have been sent invitations to a Google Cooper and I have decided to try and engage with
Classroom (there is a different classroom for each pupils on the subject of the Black Lives Matter
year group). In that classroom, there are instructions movement. We are looking to find out more about
on how to complete and submit letters for the Award. pupils’ views on the subject and discuss what we, as a
Congratulations to pupils who have achieved the school community, can do to improve our approach to
following Awards since May: issues of racial inequality as well as looking at how we
could play our part in the wider community. I recently
Gold Award: William Buchanan, Matt Cordell, Maisie sent out a questionnaire to all pupils on this matter.
Nevey, Arthur Pepper, Edward Pepper We will be looking at the results to identify issues and
Silver Award: Neha Aju, Daisy Crabb, Jack Floyd, work with interested pupils with the aim of improving
Matilda Hawkins, Nigel Johny, Eleanor Klein, Rose the school experience for ethnic minority pupils in the
Lipsham, Daisy Toth, Madeleine Ball, Danny Baszczak school. Please feel free to send me an email if you
Bronze Award: George Doswell, Michael Thrwat, Elise have any questions regarding this.
Kennedy, Divina Stephen, Ella-Marie Deeprose
Mr. Lahache, Pupil Leadership Co-ordinator

Newsletter - July 2020 #BlackLivesMatter

The St Richard’s Sribbler Team have
produced a Special Edition of their
paper, written by pupils, for pupils.
Please click here to read.

Page 12

St Richard’s Daily Challenge [email protected]

The Daily Challenge set by Mrs Wood has proved very popular during lockdown. Below are a few more examples
of submissions over the last few weeks.

Create something small (a poem, picture, piece List five things you could not be without (not
of writing, video or take a photograph) inspired including people or mobile devices) if you were
by something that you have watched during the marooned on a desert island alone.
school closure.
If I was stuck on a desert island then I would not be able to
live without music. When I am in a sad mood I always listen
to music. It brings my hopes up. I also just love to listen to
music in general and it makes me super happy. The next
thing is books. Books bring so much wisdom and power into
our lives, and above all, knowledge. I would probably have
books like ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen, Dicken’s
‘Oliver Twist’ and ‘Dork Diaries’. Also comic books! The
next item that I would have to have is a First Aid kit. I would
include plasters, bandages and everything else that could
help me if I got hurt. Next is a water filter. I would need
a water filter so I can drink water that isn’t salty. Lastly,
a shelter. Probably something like a tent. Shelter is very
important.
Winner: Liliana Kuprowska

Winner: Besiana Martinaj Saskia Mitchell-Wright
Newsletter - July 2020
Create a rhyming poem, aimed at Year 6, that can
be turned into a voiceover for a video or a series of
images.

Yes St Richards looks large,
But you will soon be super in charge,
The older pupils really care,
And make sure you do not end up elsewhere.
Mr Bligh, your Head of Year,
Will be ready and waiting to welcome you with a cheer.
With payment on the tip of your finger,
Your belly may get bigger,
With so much choice every day,
It is a grand tasty buffet.
To burn off your food, you should join a club,
there is so much choice so make sure you sign up.
The teachers are kind, they want you to learn,
They are ready to help with any concern.
Top tip for homework, just get it done,
You've made so many new friends so have some fun!!!

Winner: Sophie Beck, Well done!

Page 13

Create a meal item suitable for this lockdown period. Create a design for a St Richard's bookmark.
The winning designs below will be turned into
a bookmark which can be given out as reading
rewards in library lessons.

Winners: Danny Baszczak’s homemade chicken satay curry
and Jessica McCann’s birthday cake for her sister.

Maria King Nico Luscombe

Oliver Ardley Emma Goncalves

Create an A4 poster promoting Re-design a book cover for a book that you have really enjoyed
equality in school and the wider world over the lockdown period.

Winner: Talia Cahill

Winner: Saskia Mitchell-Wright Nico Luscombe
Page 14
Codey Preston

Newsletter - July 2020

PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT

As I am sure you have all experienced, practical activities have been essential to our day so that we can lift our
heads from our computers and think in other ways. Sitting at a computer is particularly challenging for members of
the Performing Arts team and I am sure for many of you for whom being creative is a necessity. I hope you have
enjoyed the activities that we have shared with you and that you are looking forward to returning to school to get
creative with your friends. September will bring new challenges for us all and for me part of that challenge will be
adjusting to a new school. Mrs Byrne will be taking over as the Subject Leader for Music and will be joined by Miss
Mills in the Music Department. It has been lovely working with you all and seeing you grow in confidence as you take
on the challenges that the Performing Arts provide. Wishing you all the very best for the coming year; I know that you
will all thrive with the support of Mrs Byrne and the rest of the team. Ms Mason

YEAR 10 Music pupil attending. They have been studiously working on
their compositions for the coursework element of the
exam. We have some extremely talented composers in
our midst. They are composing pieces of music using
Garageband, Logic, Ableton, Noteflight and some are
using live instruments too. The examiners next year can
expect some budding pop writers, music for film, music
for television, gaming music and lots more.

We have been continuing to set online work for our Year We are very sad to say GOODBYE to Guille Morell who
10 music class as we were timetabled to see them for is returning to his family in Spain after an incredibly
only two hours before the summer holidays. The pupils successful year studying music GCSE. He plays the
were really eager to get back into their musical studies most beautiful Spanish guitar...we will miss him in our
and therefore agreed to attend some extra classes after class. Good luck for the future, Guille, from all of the
school. This has been unbelievably successful with every Year 10 music class. I would like to mention the names
of my class, as I am very proud of the way that they have
Year 9 into 10 MUSIC GCSE worked during lockdown: WELL DONE: Maisey, Eliza,
Maisie, Florence, Aimee, Eleanor, Faith, Matt, Guille,
Solomon, Michael, Enya, Luca, Emily, Bellza and Ella.

Mrs Byrne

We have started our ‘live’ online lessons with the Year 9 pupils who will be taking Music GCSE next year. The first
one was so much fun. Most of the class attended and seemed to enjoy the novel way of learning. They did a quick
knowledge test alongside some listening questions, similar to the ones that they would experience in the exam. We
sang, we laughed but, more importantly, they learnt. Work will be set for pupils to access over the summer holidays
- this is not compulsory but clearly recommended. Here are some incredible websites for pupils to access. This will
improve their knowledge and understanding of music/theory and listening.

The Kitchen Classroom Really useful WEBSITES to support your learning:

This term we have experimented with offering G Major Music Theory MusicTeachers.co.uk
practical lessons which can make use of objects Musictheory.com Practice Music Theory & Ear Training Exercises
at home to make music. Thank you for your Ear Training Practice
feedback and engagement with the activities; it
has been lovely to hear your tales. If you have FOCUS ON SOUND https://strichardscc.musicfirst.co.uk/app/ is the
not yet had a go, head to the Pupil Drive where
you'll find 'The Kitchen Classroom' in the Music most important of all of the above. You should all have logged in by
folders.
now. If you have any problems please let me know via email:

[email protected] Mrs Byrne

We have been sharing creative tasks to provide some
variety in home learning. The National Orchestra of Wales
has a great website and the following link: BBC National
Orchestra of Wales - Make an Instrument provided an
opportunity to make a musical instrument. I was delighted
to receive this picture from Michal of his home made
ukulele; I look forward to hearing it in action.

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 15

Drama Benedict Shimmons created a very funny stop-motion
animation and has also been hard at work writing a script
GCSE for a lockdown themed play. Finally, May Fogarty-Stevens
GCSE pupils have been working hard on coursework has created a couple of different Passion projects,
and exam technique in online lessons during lockdown, including a massively creative and effective ‘isolation’
but it was particularly fantastic to see them face to face themed video set in outer space with some fantastic
during our in school Drama lesson last week and getting editing involved! Well done all of you.
back to doing some (distanced) practical work. They have
now chosen monologues and duologues to learn over the All pupils are very welcome to join the Dramarama!
summer for their scripted exam and I am really looking Google classroom and feel free to submit videos, audio
forward to seeing these talented young actors back in files or written work for any of the past challenges -
action in September. It was also brilliant to see some ignore the hand in dates and get creative! You might be
of next year’s Year 10 GCSE pupils in our ‘live’ lesson. feeling that you have more time and space to do this
It was good fun to try out some ideas, and the pupils kind of project when the summer holidays come around.
participated really well. I know we have a fantastic group House Points given to everyone who submits something.
coming up, and I look forward to teaching you in person
soon! LAMDA - New opportunities in September
These exams, much like musical instrument exams, are
Drama Passion Projects graded in order to show pupils have achieved a certain
I want to specifically mention some pupils who have level of performance skill. Taking LAMDA exams will
done some fabulous extra-curricular Drama work during help pupils who have an interest in performing to really
lockdown, by completing a Passion Project or weekly develop their performance technique and build their
challenge through the Dramarama! Google classroom confidence as an actor. LAMDA exams are very well
(this is open to all pupils, join using the code w7523em). known and respected across the country. I initially hope
I have been setting tasks on a regular basis, which are to offer solo acting exams. Watch this space for more
completely optional and that pupils can complete in their details in September!
own time.
Kit Dunster
Lauren Gunson, Erin Gunson, Elizabeth Hales and Elisa We also welcome our newest
Fletcher wrote and starred in their own ‘zoom drama’ member of the Performing Arts
which was particularly impressive because it involved all family - Kit Dunster! Kit is Mrs
four of them on screen together, so it must have taken Dunster’s gorgeous little boy,
serious rehearsal! Leo Jones submitted two fantastic born at the start of June.
monologues, he is definitely one to watch in the future;
they were super-professional and I am delighted that Mother and baby are safe and well and we can’t wait to
he has recently been accepted into the National Youth have cuddles with him!
Theatre. Leaton Preston wrote a fantastic monologue and
created a brilliant shark shadow puppet.

Dance

It was great to see all the Year 10 BTEC pupils for their day of timetabled classes. We spent a lovely Friday
catching up with coursework so they are able to continue with their work at home over the summer and begin their
Comp 2 coursework. They have designated Google Classrooms for each component so they can access this work.
The pupils have been given their set repertoire which they have been tasked to learn over the summer holiday, the

link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt1wSRDGAIo&list=RDvt1w

Arts Award Year 9 Performing Arts Pupils I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate
and thank all pupils who have participated in both
The Year 9 Performing Arts pupils should be Dance Companies this year. Although we had an
nearing completion of their Arts Award bronze abrupt end to the year and were unable to take
portfolios. These will need to be completed and part in all the exciting events that were planned,
returned to Mrs Knight in September ready for including Great Big Dance Off, Summer Fayre,
moderation. Any questions or concerns then James Wilton and the End of Year show, to name a
please email: [email protected]. few, they have made a fantastic contribution to the
Dance Company. I look forward to seeing you all in
September. Mrs Knight

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 16

We may have been in lockdown and dance studios closed for the time being but the St Richard’s dancers have
still been busy competing in online festivals and competitions as well as taking lots of amazing online classes and
auditioning for the CAT scheme. Congratulations to the following pupils:

Success at Trinity Laban Auditions Evie Dawes 9I competed in the 1066 Dance
Huge congratulations go to the following pupils who have Championships placing 1st in Senior Ballet, 1st in
reached the second stage of auditions for Trinity Laban Senior Modern and 3rd in Senior Lyrical. She also
Ania Roby 10H and Beatrix Pepper 8L. Auditions were received the Senior Shooting Star award from the
a little bit different this year, being held on-line, and the Adjudicator. Evie has been having lessons and
pupils having to create their own choreography. The CAT classes with Gaz Davis for Commercial Dance; he
scheme provides further dance training for young people has a huge list of credits such as choreographing and
who have exceptional talent and potential in dance. This performing for Little Mix, the Brit Awards as well as
further educational professional programme is funded by The Olympics. She has taken classes with Graeme
the Department of Education and provides weekly training Pickering who is a choreographer, casting consultant
at Trinity Laban in London. We currently have six pupils and an amazing teacher of Jazz. Evie said ‘I loved
studying on the programme. Well done girls, and good learning a new style of dance in lockdown and I have
luck for the second round of auditions. been very lucky to have individual lessons with both
of these amazing teachers, learning new things and
Millie Moore 7U who competed in the ‘Shine continuing my passion for dance. This would probably
Like a Star’ dance festival, placing 1st for her not have been an option for me if we didn't have
street dance. lockdown’

Summer Task to keep you dancing.
Here is a fun task to keep you dancing over the summer. Why not have a go at the A-Z of Dance. I look forward to

seeing what you create over the summer holiday.

A ACRO - Perform / choreograph an Acro solo.

B BALLET – Perform / choreograph a ballet solo.

C CAMERA – Choreograph and film a dance specifically made for camera. Think about shots, editing and what
your theme is.

D DANCE MOMS – Copy part of / a full solo from any series of Dance Moms!

E EDUCATE – Create a leaflet to educate someone else on a dance piece.

F FACT FILE – create a fact file on a choreographer. This could be a choreographer of any style.

G GRADUAL – Choose one 30-day fitness/physical challenge to follow (e.g. core strength, splits, flexibility, running
– find on internet).

H HEALTH – Create a poster / leaflet to advise someone about a healthy diet.

I INTERNET – Participate in a NEW online dance class.

J JAZZ - Perform / choreograph a Jazz solo.

K KIT – Create a leaflet / poster that advises people of what KIT they may need to keep safe in a dance lesson.

L LEGS – Create and document a training programme to develop strength or flexibility in the legs.

M Muscles – Find a blank image of the body and label all the muscles.

N NEWS – Choreograph a solo based on something in the news now and in the past.

O ORCHESTRAL – Choreograph a solo that uses a piece of orchestral music.

P PROP – Choreograph a solo using a specific prop.

Q QUIZ – Create a dance quiz that other people could do.

R RAMBERT – Research Rambert Dance Company and produce an information booklet on the company’s history
and ethos.

S STYLE – Choose one dance style and create a poster detailing that style.

T TAP – Perform/choreograph a tap dance.

U USA – Research American choreographer Alvin Ailey. Either recreate one of his dances or create a fact file /
poster on his work.

V VAUDEVILLE – Research Vaudeville and create a poster detailing the style.

W West Side Story – Either watch the whole or sections of West Side Story (film) and recreate one of the dances or
create a fact file / poster about the film.

X X-RAY – Label the bones of a skeleton.

Y YOU – Either choreograph a dance about something personal to you, or create a fitness schedule for yourself to
improve one aspect of your health and fitness.

Z ZOOM – Create a short solo dance film that focuses on zoomed in shots. For example, zoomed in shots of hand
gestures followed by focus on the feet.

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 17

Design Technology

Food Technology

Some pupils have tried really hard during lockdown
to make products they would have made in normal
lessons. Others have really gone over and above,
making cakes, pasta and meals for their families.

Here is a selection of photos from pupils including
Sophie Beck (Year 7), Leo Jones (Year 9) and Maria
King (Year 8). Sophie also took part in the 2.6
challenge, making 26 cupcakes for friends who work
in the NHS. She has continued to make all sorts of
things including a lovely chocolate cake for her brother's
birthday and soda bread. Leo made cottage pie, which
is one of the products the Year 9s make. He wanted to
make bread at the start of lockdown but struggled to
get bread flour and yeast. He eventually made a Paul
Hollywood recipe, which was fantastic. Maria has made
her own pasta to go with a family meal of breaded turkey
breast and the family's own recipe for pasta sauce.

Food allergy training

I set a 'Food Allergen Awareness' online training course for all year groups. This was a
free course from the Food Standards Agency. Pupils completed modules and were able to
take the test and download a certificate. If any pupils or parents would like to complete the
training, the link to the website is : https://allergytraining.food.gov.uk/english/ Please click
here for a training PowerPoint I made that will help you.

Duke of Edinburgh

Danny Baszczak and Holly Stevens, both in Year 9 have both been
using their cooking skills for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. They
have made a range of meals for their families during lockdown and
provided the evidence for their DofE Award.

National Vegetarian Week Let’s Get Cooking: Cooking Competition for all

I provided a range of activities and suggestions Please click here for information on a cookery competition
for National Vegetarian Week. You can view that might be of interest to pupils and their families/friends.
these activities and recipe suggestions by
clicking here. Mrs T Truss, Food Technology teacher

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 18

The last of the masks made by the Design Technology Department have been given to shops
for the protection of their staff. It has been lovely to think that the PPE we have made has
found its way to so many worthy outlets, ranging from hospices, care homes, medical centres,
doctors’ surgeries, cancer patients, nursery schools, Special Schools, first aid providers, shop
workers and food banks. In the words of James Dyson, an avid patron of the subject; “Design
and Technology is a phenomenally important subject. Logical, creative and practical." We hope
the pupils see the practical applications of the subject and it inspires them to become makers,
engineers, creators and innovators. Mrs Robertson and Mr Steadman.

Dear Parents/Carers/Pupils and Staff,

This really hasn't been the lead up to my farewell from I see behind the scenes staff working so hard to make

St Richard’s that I had planned and expected! I would the pupils feel loved, cared for and directed to being

have loved to enjoy all my 'lasts' with you all: parents’ the very best they can be; this amount of drive and care

evenings (I love them as I get to catch up with families never ceases to amaze me. I am terribly sorry to be

and former pupils etc), lessons, assemblies, end of term leaving my fabulous little form who greet me each day

form parties etc.....so many lovely positive parts of our with smiles and good humour and I wish them all the

school life. very best.

It goes without saying I will miss my pupils terribly: their

creativity, humour, fun, drive and energy.....I have never Schools like ours with its staff, pupils and parents need

once regretted my career choice. It is an amazing to be treasured and appreciated and it is now that I am

career and one I feel honoured to have followed. leaving I can fully see just how special our school is. It

belongs to us all, past and present, we all help make

From the very first time I stepped through the door of the school it is. I will miss you all and will think of my

St Richard’s back in the early 1990's, I felt welcomed friends, colleagues and pupils fondly. Time to step

and part of the school. I had joined the Family of St aboard my next adventure and a new chapter in my life;

Richard’s and I would have dearly loved to have had the I am sure my husband can't wait to have me around

chance to be a pupil at a school such as ours. 24/7!!! Tee Hee’

With love and fond regards, Victoria Robertson nee Bracken

Computing Department News

iMedia Work A huge well done to the following pupils for consistently producing excellent work in
Computing throughout the remote learning period:

Year 7 - Lee Perry, Bethany Farrise-Thorne
Year 8 - Chloe Smith, Grace Hewitson
Year 9 - Aston Abhilash, Niamh Davis, Jesmia Antonislas-Ananthakumar, Savannah Bray

Well done to the Year 10 iMedia GCSE pupils who have worked hard during the
lockdown period and produced some excellent work. Particular praise goes to Leon
Alksaris and Ewan Jenkins who have produced some outstanding work and are to be
commended for their efforts.

Media Comic Book Cover

The Year 9 pupils who have opted to do
the iMedia course have already started
work and begun to produce some
excellent work for their Graphic Design
Unit. Those showing great enthusiasm
and potential include: Danny Baszczak,
Genexa Maturan and Beau Parker.

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 19

PE Department

St Richard’s PE Challenges

Week 4 Challenge

The challenge this week was for pupils to select at least two fitness tests and to
record their score. There were many fitness tests pupils could choose from including
tests such as: The ruler drop test, the standing stork test and the alternate hand wall
toss test. It was great to receive such excellent scores from pupils in a wide range of
fitness tests.

Here are a selection of these performances:

Daniel Haylock Fernandez scored 5.4 seconds on the 30m sprint.
Ellie Collins scored 30 push ups in a minute in the test for muscular endurance.
Janelle Litargo scored 4 seconds for the standing stork test for balance.
Oliver Ardley scored 27 catches for the qlternate hand wall toss test for coordination.
Georgina Ex scored 17.8 centimetres for the ruler drop test for reaction time.

Week 5 Challenge

The challenge this week was to select 20 cards from a
traditional pack of cards (5 from each suit) and assign
a chosen exercise (e.g. press ups) to each suit. It
was great to see pupils throwing themselves into this
training and challenging themselves by not necessarily
selecting to use the cards with the lowest numbers on
them! Some excellent efforts shown by Oliver Ardley
and Sophie Beck.

Week 6 Challenge

This week we asked
pupils to have themselves
photographed doing
their best action shots of
lockdown sports.

Mr Bligh skiing!

These were allowed to be genuine or non-genuine
photos. I think you can probably decide which are the
non-genuine photos!

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 20

Week 7 Challenge

It was International Olympic Day on 23rd June, so we gave pupils the opportunity to complete the Olympic Day
Challenges on the official Olympic and Paralympic website ‘getset.co.uk’. A couple of the fantastic training efforts
are shown below:

Sophie Beck completed 30 second challenges in the following exercises:
Squats: 41, High Knees: 103, Push-ups: 23, Jumping Jacks: 80, Mountain Climbing 43

Janelle Litargo completed 20 second challenges in the following exercises:
Arm Raises: 5, Hip Marching: 22, Seated Shoulder press: 9, Twists: 4, Half Jacks: 9

Week 8 Challenge Page 21

Week 8 was the Youth Sport Trust - National School Sports Week.
Therefore, we gave pupils the opportunity to pick exercise re-
sources for a form of exercise or a sport of their choice through
the official Youth Sport Trust website: youthsporttrust.org.

Week 9 Challenge

The challenge for week 9 was to design a training session to
complete to help improve performance on Sports Day. It has
been fantastic to see the detailed training sessions that pupils
have put together.

Newsletter - July 2020

Week 10 Challenge Virtual Sports Day 2020 Virtual Sports Day Results 2020

As we all know, due to Covid-19, this year’s planned St Richard’s 1st HOWARD 428 Pts
Sports Day had to be cancelled. Not wanting to completely lose one 2nd GWYNNE 411 Pts
of the school’s main annual community events, the PE department put 3rd WELLS 365 Pts
together a Virtual Sports Day. This year nearly 350 pupils, staff (and their 4th RIGBY 363 Pts
children), parents and a governor, performed in at least one of a series of
nine events.

A total of over 800 events were completed ranging from short distant running, standing jumps, ball throw and
three fitness challenges. Points were gained for completing an event and when all the points were added up, this
year’s winners were HOWARD. Pupils were also encouraged to send in videos and photographs of themselves
performing and the best ones will be receiving a prize when we return to school in September.

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Cicely Holmes
Top points scorer - girl Sophie Beck Oliver Ardley Evie Dawes
Sam Skilton and
Top points scorer - boy Pablo Haylock Fernandez Second Finley Dorling-Parkes
Charlotte Aldred
First Connor Penfold Third

Best video/photo - girl Charlotte Briggs Eliza Brown

Best video/photo - boy Jack Hylands Daniel and George Doswell

Well done to everyone who took part and sent in results and videos. I would just like to share a few comments from
the pupils on their performances, which I think display the spirit of St Richard’s.

‘Sorry sir I could not do any more events as I needed more space.’
‘I wanted to do more events, I only performed the fitness because I hurt my ankle.’
‘I didn’t get as far as I wanted because I had to throw the ball with my left hand as I’ve injured my right arm.’
‘I ran the 100m, but my dog ran it quicker, can I count her time towards my House?’

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 22

‘Specsavers’ Virtual Sussex School Games PE Challenge superstars

We have performed so well for almost 10 weeks now and Congratulations to Sophie Beck, Oliver Ardley and
we are still in the top three overall. With a big final push Janelle Litargo. These three pupils have each won a
we hope to have a podium finish! £10 Amazon voucher for their amazing performances
and efforts in the PE Challenges every week. I also
Hastings and Rother results after week 9: want to say a huge well done to all of the pupils who
have taken part in the weekly St Richard’s challenges
Adults (from all schools): 14th and the Virtual Sussex School Games challenges.
Pupils (from secondary schools): 3rd Picking a top three was not easy as there were
Overall (adults and pupils from secondary schools): 3rd so many pupils sharing their brilliant work. I have
been extremely impressed with pupils’ attitudes to
Thank you so much if you helped St Richard's by be innovative in their sport and exercise during this
competing in any of these challenges. I have had several challenging time. You should all be incredibly proud of
reports of how this has provided good opportunities yourselves.
for some family fun during this tricky period. Please
continue to complete the tasks on the Sussex School Please make sure that exercising safely continues to
Games website: https://www.activesussex.org/virtual/ be a regular and important part of your daily/weekly
Remember - submitting adults' scores is just as important routines over the summer holidays. We can’t wait to
as submitting pupils’ scores, as they all contribute to our have you back for regular PE lessons and clubs again
overall total. at St Richard’s.

UNIFORM

In preparation for the new academic year, we would like to remind all parents/carers to ensure that our
requirements regarding uniform are met. We would particularly like to draw your attention to the following rules
which are listed in the School Handbook:

• Boys’ trousers must be tailored fit (not ‘skinny’ fit or chino jeans style).
• Coats must be worn in colder weather. There should be no denim, fur, suede or leather jackets or hooded

sweatshirts/tracksuit tops/sports jackets.
• Skirts must be of regulation colour and knee length.
• All pupils must wear black school shoes (no heels, boots, canvas or backless shoes).
• Hairstyles must be of a conventional nature. Girls’ hair should be neatly tied back. Boys must have short

hairstyles (minimum grade 3). Tram-lines, wedges, undercuts or shaved hair are not allowed. Styling
products are not permitted. Highlighting and colouring of hair, regardless of gender, is not permitted and
neither are extensions. Boys must be clean shaven.
• Jumpers with holes in need to be replaced. All sizes are currently available from Mrs O’Brien.

As you know, we believe that uniform is a sign of order and discipline so we ask you to support us in maintaining
the highest of standards. If in doubt, please do not hesitate to check with your son/daughter's Pastoral Leader
before the end of term. We expect all pupils to return in September smartly and suitably dressed to focus on
their studies. Thank you for your co operation in this.

School Uniform/Equipment Ordering

A school uniform and equipment price list and order form can now be viewed/downloaded from the school website at
the following link: https://www.strichardscc.com/school-life/uniform/

Uniform/equipment can also be ordered and paid for on-line using the following link (which can be found beneath the
school uniform order form): https://www.scopay.com/login.html

To use this on-line payment system you need to request login details from the Finance Office, if you have not already
done so. Payments are processed securely through Worldpay. Please email: [email protected] for login
details.

New Year 7 pupils for September 2020 must order PE kit online from: www.yourschooluniform.com

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 23

KS3 News introduced to GCSE work at this early stage and it has
kept them thoroughly engaged throughout lockdown. The
It has been a busy term in lockdown with lots of lovely cross-curricular links with Geography and History have
work being produced by our pupils. Teachers in the made an interesting and enjoyable scheme of learning for
department have enjoyed being creative with their online all.
live lessons and it has been great to see our pupils’ faces,
some of whom we haven’t seen for months. Finally, as the school year is coming to an end, don’t
forget that we encourage all pupils to continue to utilise
Year 7 have mainly been following a Travel Writing Bedrock Vocabulary during the summer holidays.
scheme of work which has seen pupils write and design Parents can sign up for an account to monitor their child’s
brochures for places around the world, writing their own progress by using the Bedrock access code. All the
travelogues and letters. Sophie Beck, Maria (Year 8) and instructions about how to create an account are being
Bruno King in Year 7 even created a fantastic Fawlty sent home in a separate letter, so please make sure you
Towers sketch of a travel agency complaint which put sign up so that we can all support your child’s vocabulary
smiles on many of their teachers’ faces. It is such a joy development. It is also imperative that pupils read a
to see our pupils being so creative and having fun whilst range of fiction and non-fiction regularly throughout the
learning during the lockdown months. holidays to ensure they return to school in September
with a vivid imagination and a wealth of vocabulary. The
Year 8 have also been really creative designing their Ultimate Young Adult Summer Reading List can be found
own magazines whilst studying Media. Some of the on the following website: https://www.readbrightly.com/
work being produced is so professional that it would rival summer-ya-books/. Genres range from comics to gothic
those being sold on the supermarket shelves. As English horrors; romances to action/comedy adventures so there
teachers, we have been thrilled to watch the development is something suitable for everyone. It really is worth a
of pupils’ non-fiction writing skills and we have enjoyed browse.
encouraging pupils to gain an appreciation of journalism.
I would like to wish you all a wonderful summer break and
Whilst in lockdown, most of us have been longing to get I know I speak on behalf of all the English department
away and are dreaming of a holiday abroad which is when I say that we really look forward to seeing you all in
why Year 9 have been studying a scheme of work which September.
takes them ‘Around the World in Seven Weeks’. Their
lessons have been preparing them for skills they will use Miss Rowland
for GCSE in preparation for the English Language exam. KS3 Coordinator/ Literacy Lead
Pupils in Year 9 have really risen to the challenge of being

KS3 News Year 10, we hope that you have enjoyed is a new book which has been published
your lessons in school and feel prepared which is a great way to look into revision
for your work over the final week of term techniques for next year: ‘You can’t
and the summer holidays. We have revise for GCSE English: Yes You Can!’
been so impressed with the work of the by Mark Roberts is available on Amazon
majority of pupils during lockdown. for £6.99 and may be very helpful.

Your focus for term 1 of Year 11 will be More than anything, please make sure
on your class’s 19th Century Novel, you read lots over the summer. Why not
‘Macbeth’ revision and Language Paper try an alternative 19th Century novel
2 skills. This is in preparation for your to the one you are studying, or read
mock exams in October. If you haven’t another text by an author that you have
presented your Spoken Language talk studied for your modern text, such as
to the class yet, then you could also be Willy Russell or JB Priestley. There is
thinking about which topics you would access to classics for free online here
like to explore for your talk. Have a great summer!

Along with all of the resources your Mrs Wood, KS4 English Coordinator

teachers will have shared with you, there

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 24

Pupil Success

St Richard’s Scribbler: Special BLM edition

Following events in the news recently, Editor Leo Jones and his team at the
St Richard's Scribbler have put together a special edition of the newspaper
in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. This special edition features
poetry, postcards, popular figures and much more! Pupils who have been in
school have done some work with Ms Harrold, which will feature in the special
edition, surrounding the anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush. They
read about the sort of experiences some Caribbean migrants had on arriving in
England, and produced their own creative writing in response.

Ella Bywater (Year 8) has been chosen for publication in a book called ‘SOS Sagas:
Missing - Hide and Seek’, showcasing the mini-saga she wrote for the young writers’
competition earlier this year. Well done, Ella!

Future Events In term one of next academic year, Mrs Wood will be running the first heat of our
in-school Poetry By Heart competition to find a St Richard's representative to move
forward to the national competition. To get started, here are the instructions for our

Summer Challenge – learning a single poem found on www.poetrybyheart.org.uk.

This year, Faith Simon and May Fogarty-Stevens were our in-school winners. They
were awarded certificates of commendation and fantastic feedback from the judges.

1. Find a poem you love
Go to www.poetrybyheart.org.uk. Explore one or more of the collections of poems and find a poem you love, or, like
a new friend, one you quite like and want to get to know better.
• The Poetry Mix-It-Up. Hover over some tiles and let the lines draw you in. Click on the mix-it-up and see what

else you can find.
• The Yellow, Green and Red Timelines. Time travel. Yellow for younger pupils. Green for growing pupils. Red for

really old pupils.
• The First World War Showcase. Poems written at the time and poems looking back to it, from people who

experienced it from different countries, languages and perspectives.
• The Shakespeare Sonnets Showcase. Fourteen lines, dressed to impress.
• The Romantic Poetry Showcase. For GCSE and A Level students, mostly.

2. Learn it by heart
There’s no short cut to this. Like getting to know a new friend, you have to make time to do things together. Read
your poem aloud to other people, illustrate it, write out the lines and stick them on the fridge door. Remember its
sections as if they are scenes in a slow-motion movie or rooms in a house. Repeat the lines while you’re walking the
dog. Recite it to the dog or in the shower or in front of a mirror. Give someone else the poem and get them to test
you.

3. Share it aloud
Once you know the words, think about how you want to say them. When starting to recite poetry, everyone goes too
quickly – slow right down! And get your audience ready to listen – count to 10 before you start. Keep it much slower
than your usual speech – let your listeners savour every word. Don’t be tempted to add lots of extra emotion or
actions – everything you need is right there in the words. Think about the ending – you want to keep your listeners
hanging on the last word for one more second, thinking about what they’ve heard before they all start clapping.
Recite it in school, in the park or at home. Get someone you know to learn a poem too and perform your poems to
each other. Make a video and share it.

4. Enter the Poetry By Heart competition
In the autumn, we will begin our search to find England’s best poetry reciters in Key Stages 3 & 4. It could be you!
Enter our Poetry By Heart competition and you are on the first step to the national finals, judged by top poets.
Learn two poems from the Poetry By Heart website www.poetrybyheart.org.uk; one published before 1914 and one
published in 1914 or after, and get ready to recite!

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 25

Exemplary work:

Below is a great story produced in response to the Year 9 Around the World unit.
In the blistering heat of the heart of the Savanna, trouble is stirring. Within
a pride of (temporarily) serene lions, one cub, like any other adolescent,
is keen to showboat and prove that he is a force to be reckoned with.
Conveniently, some unsuspecting bison are wallowing just metres away,
in what is about to become short lived peace. The frustration, combined
with boredom , has built up to a level which is now unbearable, and so our
impulsive anti-hero kicks up the golden sand, scattered among the cracked
plains, as he makes his long-awaited trek forth.

The gnarled roots of trees twist themselves around frantically in discomfort, whilst withered branches become
envious of those with leaves; such green, kind objects that would obscure their view of a gory colosseum. Seeds that
shall never grow on such lifeless land allow the wind to carry them far from the soon to be crime scene, grimacing
as they flee. The only beings that seem to enjoy the anticipation are a pair of patient vultures that reek of death,
relishing in the fact that an easy meal is guaranteed.

Little camouflage can be used to his advantage, so he shall just have to hope that his dirty beige coat will be
enough. But what was there to fear anyway? A herbivore simply couldn’t possess the power to kill. Surely. He raised
his hackles, and dug his claws into the rugged rock. The amber eyes of determination narrowed, and by now, he was
ready to pounce - at least, that’s what he assumed he would do.

Before he could spring from the ground and go in for the kill, a large pair of heavyset hooves stood inches from
his face. One look up, and a large bison with horns derived from hell was towering over him. Now, here lies the
conundrum - the fight or flight response kicks in, and our confused cub is in two minds - if he manages to slaughter
such a beast, an endless stream of praise would flow his way. In turn, he could risk a brutal death. With reluctance,
our lion in the making takes the cowardly, yet somewhat dignified route out. Sorry to have built up his own ego, he
runs to the sanctuary of his pride. And as the monstrous bison gallops back to his grateful herd, this world is safe for
now. The bison may bask in the oozing mud they so love, whilst a cub that still has a lot to learn mulls over the day,
with his tail glued between his legs. - Genevieve Kidd, Year 9

Year 7 pupils were asked to design and create a literary loo roll to
share with their teacher the books they have been reading during
the lockdown.

Chloe Smith in Year 8 wrote this beautiful poem
in response to World Empathy Day:

Another morning. Georgina Ex Charlotte Briggs Emily Hambelton
Enchanting waves crash against the shore,

Slowly breathing,
Mind at rest.

The start of a Hastings day.

Children laughing,
The peaceful seaside charm,
Breeze rushing past the people,
The smell of salt burst through the air.
The golden sun faces east.

A white ripple throughout the sky,
Clouds look dainty and small,
As the beach starts clearing,
The birds start singing.

The sun begins to set, Henry Boninelli Jasmine Boyle
Westward bound,

The sea is calm like the wind.

Another Hastings day. It is fantastic to see such a range of creative responses, as well
as the resilience and positive spirits our pupils and teachers have

displayed throughout these unusual times.
Enjoy your summer, and keep reading, writing, and creating! Best wishes, Mrs Niitsoo, Subject Leader of English

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 26

RE Department News

Pupils have worked extremely hard with their RE work and produced some amazing work. Below is just a small
selection of work from pupils.

Year 7

This is Curtis’ work on Sikhism. He wrote a cartoon strip for the
Sikh beliefs of sewa. This is voluntary giving/service in Sikhism.
He also created a code of conduct of rules that he must follow.

Year 8 Year 9

Here is some work from two girls in Year 8. They have Here is some work from a couple of Year 9 pupils who
been learning about the Ten Commandments and the wrote an acrostic poem for MOTHER based on their
new covenant. learning on Mary

Chloe Smith

Florence Garvey

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 27

HISTORY DEPARTMENT
NEWS

Key Stage 3 Despite the unusual nature of term 6, there has been
much to celebrate. Pupils should be proud of themselves,
Year 7 developing independence with their learning and being
Pupils have been engaged with learning about the proactive. We have all learnt many new skills and
Tudor period and the changes to religion in this time. embraced new ways of teaching and learning which will
Thank you to all those pupils who tuned in for live only help enhance what we do in the long term. The
pre-assessment support and well done for completing department has embraced online learning and the pupils
your end of year exam in difficult circumstances. The have inspired us to continue to strive for excellence. ‘Live’
skills in organisation, planning and independence that lessons, video recordings and Google Meets have become
you have learnt this year will help you for many years commonplace and the Google Classroom has allowed
to come. us to organise, share and mark work in a timely and
streamlined manner. Thank you to all our pupils for their
patience, understanding and adaptability. It would not be
possible without you! There were so many pieces of work
which could have been picked to celebrate the learning in

history this term. What follows are just a few examples.

History Heroes:
Ella Di Lieto, Renisse Gregorio, Daniel Haylock Fernandez, Lottie Henson,

Aaron Manoj, Alice Saldana, Faith Twilley and Hannah Watts.

Year 8 Page 28
Pupils have been exploring the final time
period with the theme of revolution, this time
the Industrial Era. They have considered the
reasons for population expansion and mass
production as well as dipping their toes into
a bit of GCSE History content with health
and medicine. Many met this challenge with
enthusiasm and impressed with the quality of
their responses.

History Heroes:
Emilia Benham, Emmadi Boyle, Jakub
Chmielik, Summer Crossett, Dahlia D’Souza,
Florence Garvey, Alex Hards, Jayson Jakupi,
Jessica Joy, Jack McCallum, Jakub Peplinski,
Felix Reji-John, Cornelius Seviakovas, Poppy
Smith, Megan Swisho, Lilia Vickers, Chelsey
Webster, Laura Young, Alex Garcia, Ann Raju,
Shannyn Navarro and Tania Wilson.

Newsletter - July 2020

Key Stage 4

Year 9
This year group has continued to show dedication
and determination in their History GCSE course
and have managed to complete over two thirds of
the American West unit, which is very impressive.
During the summer holiday, pupils will be set a
project to consolidate and extend this learning,
putting them in a strong position to complete the
unit in the first term of Year 10. Many pupils have
impressed with their maturity at this time and the
department is confident that this positive attitude
going forward will serve them well.

History Heroes:
Aston Abhilash, Jesmia Atonislas-Ananthakumar,
James Arnold-Ho, Lexine Banuelos, Aurora Bonoan,
Niamh Davies, Indya Harrod, Ellie Hildyard-Woods,
Olivia Morrison, Emma Sandeman, Ann Joy, Duffy
Orchard, Florence Wyatt, Macy Leonard, Macy
Sanderson-Smith and Phoebe Webb.

Year 10 History Heroes:
Our GCSE pupils have paused their study of Connor Brown, Ewan Jenkins, Jensen Joy, Julian Klepczarek,
their chosen topic of either Anglo-Saxon and Martha Parkin, Lucy Rand, Marni Lippin, Mimi Luscombe, Niall
Norman England, or Elizabethan England this Scott-McWall, Rosemary Davis, Alex Simpson, Amelie Croft,
term. They have done very well to complete Ava Mockridge, Bethany Read, Daisy Crabb, Isabella Keet and
one third of this unit, which is an in-depth study William Buchanan.
and we will return to this next year. Many pupils
appear to have welcomed both the change of
content to Weimar and Nazi Germany and the
‘live’ teaching alongside this. During the summer
holiday, pupils will be set a project to consolidate
and extend this learning, making the most of
the wealth of documentaries and films available,
putting them in a strong position to complete the

unit by Christmas of Year 11.

Newsletter - July 2020 Mrs Avery
Teacher of History

Page 29

Interact Club got off to a running start back in
September, with lots of new members taking on
new roles. Thank you to Chair and Vice-Chair,
Maddie and Joe Baszczak, for the work they did in
the year 2018/19. Congratulations, and well done
to our new chair, Danny Baszczak, who came with
lots of ideas that will hopefully take place in the
next academic year. The year 2019/20 started with
members joining Geography Club to litter pick on
the stretch of beach running from the bottom of
Galley Hill to the Sovereign Light Cafe. This was a
great way to support our local community.

Following this, we launched our Shoebox Appeal. We changed this year to support the Rotary Club’s shoebox
scheme - which seems fitting as Interact Club at St Richard’s is affiliated to the local Rotary Club in Bexhill. Pupils
across the school succeeded in filling 300 boxes to support those in need in Eastern Europe. We plan to continue to
support this Appeal, and aim to increase the number of boxes we send later this year.

After a successful two terms prior to Christmas,
Interact Club then launched a Scrapbook Project.
Pupils spent an hour a week of their own time
visiting a local residential home for those with
dementia. Prior to visiting residents, pupils
received training to become a Dementia Friend.
During the visits pupils interacted and chatted
to residents whilst working on a scrapbook of
activities and memories.

This was extremely well-received by the
residents, but was unfortunately cut short due to
the coronavirus pandemic. A huge thank you from
myself, Jo and the staff and residents of Elizabeth
Court Rest Home to the following pupils for their
support and engagement in the project: Lola
Gorman-Bartholomew, Rowan Vadukkoot Edwin,
Annalysa Gower, Bethany Read, Neha Chacko,
Neha Aju and Eleanor Klein. We hope that in the
new academic year, once safe to do so, we will be
able to continue to support the local community
through similar activities.

Interact Club is always looking for ideas to support the local community so please get in touch with Mr Eyre
(m​ [email protected]​) and sign up to be your form’s rep in the new academic year!

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 30

MathemMaatitchseDmeaptairctms ent

We would like to congratulate the majority of pupils who couple more useful maths websites, one for developing

continue to impress us with their fantastic independent problem solving skills and another to help you be exam

learning skills during lockdown. We have enjoyed ready in this subject. I have also included another puzzle

seeing Year 10 in school recently and interacting from Japan that you may want to have a go at for fun!

with our other classes through ‘live’ and pre-recorded Outside of learning maths I hope that you are managing

lessons. We know that it is still difficult for some of you to find a nice balance in these unusual circumstances.

to work on this subject at home and we look forward Make sure you get enough exercise, limit your screen

to working with you all again when we return. In the time once your school work is finished and help out with

meantime, if you need any support at all with your maths tasks around the house. Wishing you and your families

work please do contact your teacher in the first instance. all the best.

I am also available by email and will respond ASAP. Mr Jacobs

In this newsletter I have provided information on a Assistant Principal, Subject Leader for Maths

Useful websites Nrich - https://nrich.maths.org/secondary

OnMaths Summer School - https://www.onmaths.
com/summer-school/

This will be useful to those of you in Years 9 and 10 who This part of the Nrich website contains lots of problem
wish to work on being exam ready for mathematics over solving activities aimed at secondary school pupils. I
the summer. You will need to register, but after that you am currently slightly addicted to the Creating Squares
are given a set of exam questions every day to help you interactive game but keep losing to the computer
practise a variety of topics. opponent. Can you come up with a strategy that
allows you to win every time?
Puzzle – KenKen

We continue with the theme of Japanese maths puzzles in this newsletter, this time looking at KenKen.
This is similar to Sudoku but as well as avoiding using the same digit in any column or row you also have
to complete specific calculations within each area. Enjoy the challenge and best of luck!

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 31

Art Department

Our Year 10 pupils were in the Art Department last week Our Key Stage 3 pupils continue to produce fantastic
and it was a real pleasure to be able to teach them work from their remote art lessons. Topics have included:
in a classroom environment. We went through their Found Object Mandalas, Feet Studies, Design a Statue
sketchbooks and discussed how they can develop and for Peace, The View Through My Window, Design
refine their GCSE projects. Every pupil was given a set Your Dream Garden, Construct an Origami Sculpture,
of targets to complete for when they return in September. Surrealism, The National Gallery – Make And Create, and
Google Classroom has been a fantastic way to teach, Visions of a World After COVID-19.
upload and share work and we will continue to use it as
an excellent way of remote contact over the summer term Our pupils have been producing the most wonderfully
and beyond. fantastic art in these unparalleled times and we have
been absolutely delighted with all their work. Finally,
As we are unable to have an end of year Art Exhibition I would like to congratulate Miss Pennington for all
we are planning to build a ‘Virtual’ Gallery Space to her hard work and enthusiasm with Sophie’s Secret
celebrate our pupils wonderful Artwork. Watch This Postcard. An amazing collection of postcards and
Space! an incredible amount of money raised for The Royal
Marsden.
The department ran ‘live’ lessons with our Year 9 pupils
going into Year 10 GCSE last week too. We explained the Stay Safe and Keep Creating!
course in great detail and set up preliminary project work.
Both Art and Design and Fine Art showed an excellent Mr Peachment (Subject Leader for Art)
response and range.

Statue of Peace

View from a window Origami

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 32

Found object Mandalas and research

Dream Garden

Feet studies

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 33

The original Sophie’s Secret Postcard auction was held teacher, Miranda Pennington, raised £526;
in 2018 and raised £15,000 taking the current total raised Parent Governor, Clifford Hayes, raised £1,134.48;
by St Richard’s Catholic College, in memory of Sophie, Will Jones had the two top selling postcards from pupils
to an astounding £46,000 for The Royal Marsden Cancer at £62 and £101; Lola Gorman-Bartholomew made
Charity. All the postcards have now been sent out to the £48.80 with her moomin painting; Lilia Vickers raised
successful bidders and Sophie's Secret Postcard eBay £28 with “Woods at midnight”; Joe Zillwood, £32.50 for
auction 2020 is now over, raising a phenomenal £31,000 “Faccceeesss”; Orla Fitzpatrick, £25 for ‘Different’ and
for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Louise Oliver created a number of postcards and raised
over £100 with her works.
Sophie’s parents, James and Luiza Taylor said, “It was
fantastic and overwhelming to see so many people Miss Cronin expressed her astonishment, at not only the
creating and bidding for these amazing postcards for quantity of postcards submitted to the auction, but the
such a good cause. It was a lovely way to remember final total raised which beat all previous school records
Sophie and she would be very proud of everyone who got for annual fundraising. “This is a wonderful outcome for
involved!” The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, who were not only a
great support to Sophie and her family but have supported
Coordinator Miranda Pennington said, “It's been an a number of other children and families in the school
incredible experience, and has inspired many people community too. I would like to thank all the artists for
during the lockdown. So many wonderful artists donated sharing their talents and their generosity and all those who
the most amazing artwork in Sophie’s memory. The bid for a postcard raising such a phenomenal sum. I would
secret art auction, which was held on Saturday, 27th also like to pay tribute to Fine Art teacher, Ms Pennington,
June, was shared extensively in the press and on social who has worked tirelessly over the past 18 months to bring
media and there were thousands of bidders taking part this auction to fruition. Her serene, meticulous approach
from all around the world.” Thomas Taylor, internationally- has been inspirational to watch.
acclaimed children’s author and illustrator, had the
winning postcard in 2018 raising £1,071,51 with an The auction is now set in stone as a feature of the art
original illustration of Harry Potter based on his own jacket world’s calendar so I know that she is already thinking of
design for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, first organising another one in the future, not only to showcase
published in 1997. For #sophiespostcard2020, Thomas a range of famous and not-so-famous (yet) art work but to
again painted Harry Potter, this time with Hedwig the owl: keep Sophie’s memory alive, whilst supporting the Royal
it raised an astonishing £2,050 along with a fabulous Marsden Cancer Charity. The whole school community is
illustration of 00000 from his new bestselling Trilogy, absolutely thrilled with the success of the auction.”
‘Malamander’ featuring Herbert Lemon, an eccentric
seaside hotelier and the fragrant Violet Palma. The Readers curious as to whose postcards belonged to which
lucky winner of this work, Brian Wiseman from the USA, artists and how much they raised can explore the lists
exclaimed, “I am ecstatic to have won this amazing piece published on www.sophiespostcard.com.
of art by Thomas Taylor! I am also more than thrilled to
have helped support the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity!” A catalogue of all the incredible works and artists
who took part in the auction is being created at the
Sir Quentin Blake first took part in 2018, when his two moment and can be pre-ordered for just £15 via
enchanting illustrations were bought by one bidder for sophiessecretpostcardauction on eBay or on the website
£1,250. This time Sir Quentin donated three charming www.sophiespostcard.com The deadline to order is 24th
illustrations which raised an unbelievable total of £3,710. July 2020 when the catalogue will be sent to print, ready
Talented art student, Will Jones, won the highest priced for posting during August.
work from a pupil, raising £173 for his two illustrations
depicting the plague doctor. Staff, pupils and parents from St Richard’s Catholic College would like to thank all the
St Richard’s Catholic College added thousands to the final wonderful artists who donated work and everyone who
total with their artwork. Including the following: Learning took part in the auction.
Support Administrator, Kirsten Britt, raised £1190.63;
History teacher, Louise Avery, raised £1090.88; Art

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 34

Postcards by pupils Postcards by staff

Wash your Hands Frida, by Kirsten Britt
Will Jones

Elvis, by Louise Avery

Moomin
Lola Gorman-Bartholomew

Faccceeesss Page 35
Joe Zillwood

Newsletter - July 2020

Newsletter - July 2020 All proceeds go to The Royal
Marsden Cancer Charity

Now the Secret Postcard auction has finished,
we are putting the finishing touches to the
fabulous high quality A4, 150 page catalogue.
We plan to send it to print at the end of July
and post the catalogue in August 2020. Please
note the final designs are not yet finalised. The
catalogue will celebrate #sophiespostcard2020
and features every single postcard image and
the name of every fantastic artist who has
donated work to help us raise money for The
Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Specifications: Paperback A4 Size: 21.0 cm x
29.7 cm (8.3 in x 11.7 in) Printed on 135gsm silk
paper with a 350gsm gloss cover. Weight 1kg
(2.2lbs). 150 pages. The catalogue will be shrink-
wrapped for posting.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation it may
take us a while to ship out the catalogues around
the world, but as with the postcards we will do
everything we can to get them out as soon as we
possibly can. Please be patient with us: Sophie’s
Secret Postcard Auction is organised by teachers
and staff at St Richard’s Catholic College. Please
remember we are all volunteers.

Thank you to www.bookprintinguk.com who are
supporting #sophiespostcard and have helped
us keep the costs of the catalogue low.

Page 36

Science Department

Congratulations to all pupils who have actively engaged in the remote learning over the last couple of months.
We have had some fantastic work including videos, projects and Mrs Fox’s garden project. The teachers have
also been busy filming experiments and theory to assist with remote learning. We hope that when we see you all
in September, we will be able to do some experiments in the laboratory even if we cannot do all of them. Please
continue to email staff with questions and we look forward to seeing you all soon. Here are some of the work
highlights from the last few weeks:

Sunflower competition We had an overwhelming response to the guess the height of the sunflowers

competition which featured in the last edition of the school newsletter. 62 pupils
entered with a huge range of estimates for the maximum height reached on
Thursday, 11th June 2020. I have listed all the names of pupils who entered
below, but the winner was: Ana Nunes Santos in Year 7 with 176cm. We also had
some great photos of the gardening projects that pupils had growing at home; we
have put a selection of them here for you to see. Thank you to all those who took
part:

Leaton Preston, Sapphire Gramme, Lottie Henson, Sophie Beck, Alex Dyer, Amber
Phillips, Angelina Jeneslas-Jeyakumar, Megan Swisho, Kinga Kielar, Anakha Paul,
Ana Nunes Santos, Oliver Ardley, Jiya Thomas, Michal Saba, Harvey Hutchison,
Ahana Kandathil, Alex Oliver, Amelie Bell, Will Harwood, Jack Hylands, Igor Wydra,
Ilja Bartkevics, Renisse Gregorio, Phoenix Petit-Hayes, Holli Harding, Dominykas
Jarockas, John Christopher Quintos, Blesson Jiju, Jack Day, Emma Feery, Lisa-
Rose Sones, Clemmie Rainfray-Miles, Oscar Duraj, Ella-Marie Deeprose, Liberty
Gurr, Reggie Burgess, Shobin Plathottathil, Jakub Chmielik, Bronte Eley, Christian
Fortunato, Aleksandra Miteva, Lola Gorman-Bartholomew, Samuel Rwothumio-Onen,
Matthew Collett, Helen Scammell, Oscar Byrne, Mollie West, Lucy Lai, Isabelle
Jenner, Charlotte Evans, Diego Krikor, Sean O’Connor, Liliana Kuprowska, Sophie-
Rose McEvoy, Isaac Mvelase, Finley Hide, Julia Karas, Leah Tamale, Daisy Cullen,
Chloe Smith, Daniel Haylock Fernandez, Lily Holloway.

Tomatoes, by Liberty Gurr Roses, by Lucy Lai Strawberry, by Isaac Mvelase Seeds, by Charlotte Evans

Marianne Dyer Credit to Zoe Pisani-Cleland for her
video presentation on cells.
Newsletter - July 2020
Page 37

Respiratory System project

This one from Olivia Mathew is good, she went the extra
mile and made her own revision cards on quizlet.
Particles and states of matter
It was great to see some hand drawn diagrams.

Madeleine Ball, Year 9 Alyssa Alba, Year 7

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 38

Here is a taste of what our pupils have been working on in French during term

French News 6. We have again been really impressed and inspired by the effort, commitment,

creativity and quality of work produced. Bravo!

Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils have been working on a range of activities to review,
consolidate and deepen their understanding of language covered throughout
the year. This has led to an end of year online assessment for each year group.
We are very proud of how well so many pupils have performed, reflecting the
fact that despite the challenges of being away from the classroom, their French
learning journey has very much continued over the past three months.

Revision has been highly interactive with highlights including :
• Weekly live quizzes online with their class teacher (we have been

delighted to see the enthusiasm and friendly competitive spirit each week
demonstrated by Year 8s! ‘Quizizz’ and ‘quizlet live’ have been a great
source of revising language together).
• Teacher-led modelling of revision strategies and practice questions.
• Pupil-created quizzes and presentations to support each other’s revision
(examples can be seen below by year group).
• Pupils were encouraged to teach a parent/ carer or sibling a topic to see how
well they could explain what they had been learning or revising.

Year 7 French (feedback from Mademoiselle Tester who has been leading Year 7 remote learning)

Year 7 started term 6 by completing work on our study of the film, ‘Une Vie De Chat’. They completed a GCSE style
written task based on the final scene of the film. The term was then devoted to developing independent revision
skills. We have asked the pupils to do lots of scaffolded tasks using online textbooks and websites such as BBC
Bitesize to build their confidence and independence in the lead up to assessment week.

At the same time, we have also encouraged them to continue to engage with French
culture through exposure to French poems and language activities (see Amelia Magni’s
Eiffel tower creation opposite) that required pupils to research famous French people
such as Claude Debussy, Marie Curie and Charles de Gaulle. The quality of the pupil-
created quizzes has been excellent. Many pieces of work demonstrate a thorough
understanding of the topics covered and many creative ways of testing others which
have inspired us as teachers. Pupils even designed online quizzes for their peers to
complete. These are examples by Catherine Antony, Lauren and Erin Gunson and
Annaliese Beeney:

Year 7, 8 and 9
Summer Challenges!

Newsletter - July 2020 As we move towards the end of the academic year, we
would like to encourage all pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 to
complete a cultural task over the summer holiday. Year
7 are going to research a French town of their choice;
Year 8 are going to investigate a French festival and
Year 9 are going to complete their Cultural Immersion
projects. More details on these challenges will be
released to pupils during the final week of term.

Page 39

Year 8 French (Madame Herring has been leading Year 8 remote learning)
Year 8 pupils have been enjoying using the ‘Duolingo’ for schools app. They have been learning
vocabulary whilst also practising listening and conversational skills. If any parent/carer would like
to develop their learning of a language, we highly recommend www.duolingo.com. Year 8 worked
remotely in teams or individually to create revision presentations and quizzes for their peers on
different aspects of French grammar (examples below by Beatrix Pepper, Enzo Trajano, Florence
Garvey and Madison Buck).

‘French Cultural Monopoly’ projects

Alongside the linguistic focus of term 6, we have once again made the most of
being away from the normal curriculum to give pupils more time to explore the
culture of the French-speaking world. Both Year 8 and Year 9 pupils undertook
a ‘French Cultural Monopoly’ project which enabled them to choose and
research facts about a French-speaking country. Here are some examples of
exceptional work produced by Year 8 and 9 pupils:

Year 9 French (Mademoiselle Chong has been leading Year 9 remote learning lessons)

Year 9 have been working through a selection of the Oak Academy National video lessons alongside our own
personalised St. Richard’s video and audio activities (remote teaching has been a challenging IT learning journey for
us teachers too!) to set the groundwork for their GCSE French course. Pupils have truly risen to the challenge and
we were delighted to hear and see the standard of language being produced by many of the pupils in our recent ‘live’
lessons. Some examples of excellent independent learning notes from Charlie Tanner and Reggie Barker can be seen
here:

Year 10 French

We have been delighted to welcome our Year 10 French pupils
in for their ‘French Friday’ slot! Each group has impressed us
by their focus and participation. We worked on sharing and
reviewing their Year 10 learning and setting them up on how to
continue or improve their approach to remote learning between
now and September. Confidence-building successes from our
‘French Friday’ sessions included a reawakening of their French
speaking skills (which has been the area hardest to practise
away from the classroom) as well as some great collaborative
writing and comprehension exam practice. We urge them to use
the ‘Success at Speaking and Writing’ booklets as well as their
‘French Summer work’ packs, to get themselves fully prepared for
the start of Year 11.

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 40

The Spanish department would like to thank all our
pupils from the bottom of our hearts. Your work has
been phenomenal. We are so very proud of you!

Year 10 KS3
Pupils have been attending lessons at school on As well as their remote lessons and live Quizizz, Years 7,
Fridays as well as on-line. These have been very 8 and 9 pupils have been attending ‘live’ remote lessons
successful and have set them on the right path for where they have had the opportunity to interact with their
some independent work this summer. They have classmates and teachers. Pupils have shown that they
practised their speaking and writing skills. We have have been working hard this term. It has been such a
been very impressed by how hard they have been treat to be able to teach pupils ‘live’ again.
working this term. Year 10, you have been amazing.
Keep up the good work!

Year 9
Year 9 pupils have been creating revision resources for
their classmates. We have been astounded by the quality
and creativity these pupils have shown in their work.

1. How many countries can you name where
Spanish is the official language?
2. Name the famous Spanish Costas.
3. How many surnames do Spaniards normally
have?
4. In which museum would you find Picasso’s
painting “Guernica”?
5. How many kilometres of coastline does Spain
have?
(a) 21,632 (b) 8,356 (c) 4,964
6. Who is the wife of Javier Bardem?
7. What are the official languages of Spain?
8. Which is the largest of the Canary Islands?
Leo Jones - revision work for peers 9. Which club did Andrés Iniesta join after
using Harry Potter as a resource. Barcelona?

10. What is the name of the festival where tomatoes
are thrown?

Not going abroad this year? No problem! Here’s our guide to a very Spanish staycation.

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 41

German news: Looking back and forward…

Well, what a year it’s been! It has certainly taught many of us about the value of independent learning and
resilience. We have also developed our ICT and communication skills as we moved our teaching and learning
online. Huge congratulations must go to our amazing linguists across all year groups who have learnt so much
German this academic year and kept going with it throughout lockdown! Das ist echt prima! Wir sind so stolz auf
euch :-) We are delighted with the majority of you, and have certainly enjoyed seeing so many of you take part in
virtual lessons over the past few weeks. Term 6 has seen all year groups spend lessons reviewing the year’s work

and either using their time to develop learning mats or knowledge organisers on a range of topics in the lead up to the

final assessments.

Year 9 have revised tenses carefully by creating their own Our Year 10 pupils have been fortunate enough
explanations of them in a variety of formats, and by using to have face-to-face lessons in school. We have
websites such as BBC Bitesize presentations for grammar used these periods to review the trickier aspects
explanations and Quizizz to test language knowledge. Our of language learning over the lockdown period
Year 9 pupils have enjoyed singing along, karaoke style, to and to set pupils up for the weeks ahead with
German songs on the website Lyricstraining.com. They have GCSE writing, speaking and grammar booklets
also followed topical news items reported in German such as which will help them prepare for Year 11.
the easing of Lockdown and George Floyd’s death. They have
reviewed many topics ranging from daily routine, customs and Year 7 has been going over everything from
traditions and jobs and technology to name a few. We will be the alphabet, colours, family and pets to basic
setting summer holiday work for Year 9 in preparation for the questions and answers, the present tense,
start of the GCSE course in September. Details of this will be adjectives and numbers. Bravo!
shared in ‘live’ lessons and via Edulink, Google Classroom or
the pupil drive. Our Year 8 pupils have used their remote
learning lessons in three main ways: to learn new
language on healthy lifestyles, body and illnesses,
to complete structured revision activities and to
do creative tasks such as virtual online shopping
trips and bake authentic German recipes. Well
done to Miguel Lopez Ferreira for his delicious
looking Krapfen and Kekse, to Ella Bywater for
her Schokoladenkekse, and to Sapphire Gramme
who researched and translated some well known
German recipes.

Verb flower by Maisie Scrivener’s knowledge organisers for
Macy Leonard the present time and the topic of music in the
lead up to Year 9 exams

As we draw to the end of this academic year we would like to Ella Bywater Miguel Lopez Ferreira
wish all our pupils and their families a wonderful summer holiday.
We know that we have kept you busy during term time.

We would now like to encourage you to practise
your German during the summer break and
to see the holidays as a time to undertake
enjoyable German language challenges. As well
as having a well deserved rest, why not take
up two or more of these ‘German Language
Challenges’ below to help consolidate the
language you are learning on your St Richard’s
language journey? Remember: languages and
communication are so important for your general
education and future career so use your summer
wisely! Prizes will be awarded to pupils who
complete the tasks! For anyone wishing to
improve their listening and reading skills, click
on this link to the German Project which has lots
of short German stories with audio and subtitles
included to help you stay connected to German
over the summer.

Wir wünschen euch schöne Sommerferien!

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 42

Year 8 ‘My Chinese Teacher’ programme

We have been extremely impressed by the ongoing enthusiasm and commitment shown by Year 8 members of
this year’s Mandarin group. Particular congratulations go to Amelie Bell, Caeleb Davey, Charlotte Evans, Emma
Goncalves, Liliana Kuprowska and Nico Luscombe who have managed to join in our live collaborative study slot
in Google Classroom on Thursdays from 3.15-4.15. Their participation has been impressive especially at the end of a
day doing their online remote learning.

It has been a real joy to see them enjoying and keeping their Chinese linguistic and cultural
journey going remotely. We have continued to benefit from the weekly pre-recorded video
lessons shared by teachers in China working with us through the ‘My Chinese Teacher’
programme. The ‘Quizlet Live’ games have been a particular highlight with some very
close friendly competition in testing out how much they have learnt in that session. I have
also been impressed by the question and answer interaction including the use of Mandarin
characters in our Google Classroom Stream conversations each week. Nico Luscombe has
continued to keep us entertained with weekly quizzes (see an example on the left here)
which have included his handwritten flashcards using Chinese characters alongside the
pinyin (spelling out Chinese phrases with letters from the English alphabet).

Here are some presentations created by the pupils to teach each other, which we are looking forward to sharing
during our first ‘live Google Meet’ club meeting before the end of term.

We are very grateful to ‘The Magdalen and Lasher Education Foundation’ who have very generously given us the
funding to run this extra-curricular opportunity this year and also to continue to offer the programme for the next
academic year. In September, we will be sharing more information with those pupils interested in being a part of
the new Mandarin group, including the chance to take part in a taster lesson before signing up. If you have any
queries before then, please do not hesitate to contact Miss Chong.

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 43

Pastoral Care

We have been continuing to offer support through the we have an increased number of staff who have been
weekly PSHEe lessons and through regular drip trained as Mental Health First Aiders, ready to provide
feeding of emotional well-being support through the extra capacity and support in the new academic year.
pastoral programmes. All of Year 10 received a well As we come to the end of this academic year, I would
being workshop on their return to school and Years like to remind all parents/carers of the support booklet
7 - 9 had an assembly with tasks to support them sent out to pupils - as it continues to offer a range of
shared. This assembly, titled 'feelings' can be apps/online counselling and support websites - it is on
viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t- all pupils’ Edulink links page and can also be found
3EtDAXW90&t=3s here.

As you know, we moved from phone calls to Google Please also find some time to have a look at the
Meets with pupils to try and provide more face to face pastoral support posters which can be found under the
support. Google Meets between Form Tutors and new Pupil Well-being section on the website or by clicking
Pastoral Leaders have now also taken place. The final here.
form Google Meet will involve half form groups and a
chance to come together and celebrate the term as Please also look through our various different support
best we can. groups at St Richard's - you can find a copy of this on
our website or by clicking here.
However, if your child would prefer a telephone call
home, please do not hesitate to let their Form Tutor or The posters on page 45 advertise services that are
Pastoral Leader know and we will ensure this happens. running over the summer holidays. The trainee mental
health workers connected to the school are brilliant,
Pastoral Leaders for 2020/2021 so please do let me know if your child would like to be
Pastoral leaders for next year are as follows: referred to them - it is a low level support intervention
Year 7 Mr Bligh - [email protected] and is helping several pupils at the moment. We are
Year 8 Mr Steele - [email protected] delighted to learn they will continue to offer this over
Year 9 Mrs Hills - [email protected] the summer holiday.
Year 10 Mr Doherty - [email protected]
Year 11 Mr Campbell - [email protected] A reminder to please contact any of us with any worry
or concern, however big or small; we are always
Form Tutor changes for 2020/2021 ready and wanting to hear from you so we can try and
8L - Mr Fegan resolve things together.
10G - Mrs Campbell
10S - Mrs Adams We cannot wait to be all back together again in
11R - Mr Holloway September as true pastoral care is all about the
development and strengthening of relationships and
The Safeguarding team for next year is on page 45. trust - and this happens at its best face to face.

Alongside our regular staff training around Wishing you a wonderful summer break.
safeguarding young people, we have also been looking Mrs Bligh
at the impact of COVID-19 on well-being and have [email protected]
been responding accordingly with training needs and
preparation for the new academic year. As a result,

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 44

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON Who’s arguing in your
HOW TO ACCESS THIS SERVICE home?
PLEASE CONTACT:
Mrs Bligh— What? Do your children squabble and argue a lot? Would you
[email protected] like some ideas to help your child get along with others?
Come to our FREE VIRTUAL two hour Discussion Group
Newsletter - July 2020 to gain simple & effective strategies to help your child get
along with others.

Where? From the comfort of your own home, download the free app

Microsoft teams in your app store. (camera and mic can be
turned off!)

When? Tuesday 21st July 10-12pm
To book your free place text Fay Thomas on 07500109108

or email: [email protected]

[email protected] or visit www.openforparents.org

Page 45

Chaplaincy News

Hello all, I hope you are all doing well and remaining safe. As we reach the end of the school year, I give
thanks to the pupils who have recorded videos for all our various readings and to the staff who have
contributed to the Year Services with video reflections. I also thank our clergy for their support. Thankfully,
parishes are beginning to reopen for private prayer and for the holy sacrifice of the mass. Do check out your
local parish website for details of how the different parishes are structuring this.

Message from your Form Tutors Final online liturgy

Click on your Tutor Group vidoes below for a message I am currently putting together our end of
and reflection from your Form Tutor... year liturgy and hope that you will all join
the community online on the last day of
term, Wednesday, 22nd July. If your child
would like to be one of the readers, please
email me. I will also put a notice into their
year group Google Classrooms.

Interact club

I thank Mr Eyre and Chair, Danny
Baszczak, for their work this year. The club
will be eager to recruit new members in
September, so do ask myself or Mr Eyre
for more details.

Liturgies

This term, we have been celebrating Year liturgies online, and these have been inspiring. It was great to have
many pupils record prayers and readings. These online services have been a way to come together as a
year group for one last time this year to pray for future success. The theme of these has been ‘living in hope’
and pupils have received some lovely messages around this theme from their Form Tutors and their Pastoral
Leader. Fr Chris has supported these with lovely reflections for each year group, together with a blessing for
them going forward to next year.

CAFOD

I was delighted to take part in what is to become a
monthly Zoom meeting of Lay Chaplains in Catholic
schools around the UK. 25 chaplains gathered
online with members of the CAFOD education team,
Sarah Barber and Susan Kambalu, to discuss how
CAFOD can best support schools and vice versa.
This is to support our work with CAFOD in the future,
particularly in setting up a Young Leadership for
Global Justice Group in St Richard’s, in the new
school year. Keep an eye out in September for details
of this project.

Finally, I would just like to say a huge thank you to all our pupils for their hard work and courage through
what has been a difficult time; you are an inspiration to all the staff and we can’t wait to have you all back in
September. God Bless and have a wonderful summer. Jo Doyle [email protected]

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 46

St Richard's Catholic College Calendar - Academic Year 2020/2021 (as at July 2020)
Please keep this sheet in a safe place and replace it when updates are provided

Please be aware that some evening events may in fact be recorded events
dependent on the covid-19 situation.

INSET Day (school closed for pupils) Thursday, 3rd September 2020
Year 7 & 11 return Friday, 4th September 2020
Year 8, 9 & 10 return Monday,7th September
Year 7 Transition & Curriculum Evening Thursday, 10th September 2020 (7.00pm)
Year 10 Curriculum Evening Monday, 14th September 2020 (6pm)
Coffee Morning for Year 7 Parents/Carers Friday, 25th September 2020 (8.45am - 10.30am)
PTFA Welcome Meeting and AGM Monday, 28th September 2020 (7.00pm)
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Evening (Years 8 & 9) Tuesday, 29th September 2020 (6.00pm)
Open Evening for Prospective Pupils and Parents Wednesday, 7th October (6.00pm - 8.30pm)
Parental Focus Group (am) Wednesday, 7th October 2020
Year 10 & 11 Revision Evening for parents Thursday, 8th October 2020 (6.00pm)
Year 11 Mocks start Monday, 12th October 2020
Parental Focus Group (pm) Thursday, 15th October 2020 (6.15pm Google Meet)
Mufti Day for Charity Wednesday, 21st October 2020
Year 11 Mocks end Thursday, 22nd October 2020
Year 7 Induction Mass Thursday, 22nd October 2020 (7.00pm)
End of Term 1 for pupils Thursday, 22nd October 2020
INSET Day for staff Friday, 23rd October 2020

First day of Term 2 for pupils Monday, 2nd November 2020
Parental Focus Group (am Google Meet) Wednesday,11th November 2020
Parental Focus Group (pm Google Meet) Thursday, 12th November 2020
Year 11 Parents’ Evening Thursday, 19th November 2020
Year 7 Settling-in Parents’ Evening Thursday, 3rd December 2020
Christmas Dinner Day Wednesday, 16th December 2020
Advent Service for parents/carers Thursday, 17th December 2020
End of Term 2 Friday, 18th December 2020

Email communication

All email communication from the school is via Edulink.

Please ensure that you have Edulink One installed
on your mobile phone. Any problems or queries,
please email IT Services at:

[email protected]

Newsletter - July 2020 Page 47