St Bede’s Catholic College
Long Cross, Bristol BS11 0SU
Tel: (0117) 3772200 Fax: (0117) 3772201
E-mail: stbedes@bristol.gov.uk
NEWSLETTER 121
2010
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
6th April 7.00-8.00pm Year 11 Study Skills evening
8th April End of Term 4 – full day at college
26th April Start of Term 5 – Week B
th
27 April
6.00-7.00pm Year 8 Parents’ Evening :
Curriculum for your child in Years 9, 10 & 11
29th April and 2nd May Bank Holidays
rd
3 May In-service day
4th May Return to College, Week A
CONGRATULATIONS. ROUTES INTO LANGUAGE.
Great news! Two of our entries are amongst 3 schools
from the South West region that have been shortlisted
in the 11-14 age category for an award in the Routes
into Language South West Pop Video Competition 2011,
organised in collaboration with the University of the
West of England.
Vicki Midda,Abi Alexander and Sarah Orr (all Year 9)
have been shortlisted with a pop song they composed
themselves entitled "En mi semana loca".
Ben Pembery (Year 8), Ben Whitfield (Year 8) and Sam
Pembery (Year 10) have been shortlisted for their
composition and singing of "Los Problemos del Mundo"
There is also an Online Viewers Award. Go to
www.surveymonkey.com/s/5TTX59L to vote for your
favourite video from amongst all the entries. Be sure to
vote!
YEAR 11 STUDY SKILLS EVENING
Parents and pupils in Year 11 are invited to attend a
Study Skills Evening on Wednesday 6th April, 7-8pm in
the main hall.
The purpose of the evening is to help parents and pupils
work together to prepare for the forthcoming exams.
The evening is full of practical tips and helpful hints and
pupils can collect this year’s revision guide and exam
timetable. If you require any further information please
contact Mrs O'Hagan.
YEAR 8 PARENTS’ EVENING
There is a Year 8 Parents’ Evening on Wednesday 27th
April from 6.00-7.00pm when parents will be able to
find out about the college’s plans to change parts of the
Year 9 curriculum from September 2011. We are sure
that you will find the evening both useful and
informative.
Visit our Website: www.stbedescatholiccollege.org
1st April 2011
FORENSICS, GENETICS & MICROSCOPY AT UWE
Twelve Year 10 pupils visited the University of the West
of England last Wednesday for a series of workshops in
Life Sciences. Amongst the nine laboratory-based
activities completed, they had the opportunity to use
an electron microscope, conducted a chemical analysis
of cannabis samples and carried out a range of
microbiological experiments including harvesting and
counting bacteria from their own mouths and testing
antibacterial agents on genetically modified ‘glow in
the dark’ bacteria.
The day finished with a workshop in the forensic
science labs, analysing counterfeit documents, and
using techniques employed by the police to catch
criminals. Pupils gained an insight into studying
Biological Sciences at University level and the Science
careers that could then follow. In the evaluation at the
end of the day, the vast majority of pupils indicated
their ‘strong preference’ for applying to University; the
biggest concern however was whether or not they
would be able to afford the fees!
“It was excellent, we learnt loads about Protozoa, blood
cells and counterfeit money” – Ben Gompels.
“It was interesting to find out what was inside
cannabis” - Ornella Navari
“I got an amazing glandular trichome, it was a beast!”
– Vincent Guerreca-Adair
“I got to wear a white coat, just like a real scientist” –
Jacob Green.
WORLD BOOK DAY ANSWERS
How well did you do in matching the books with the
members of staff (item in Newsletter 120)? Here are the
answers: Mr Farrell – 1984, Mrs Garrett – Pride and
Prejudice, Ms Hanley – Metamorphosis, Mr McNamara –
Cloudstreet, Mr Slocombe – A Clockwork Orange, Mr
Williams – Under Milk Wood.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Governors of the Edmonds & Coles Charity would
like to draw your attention to the financial assistance
they are able to make available to support the
education of students under the age of 25 years.
Details can be found at www.merchantventurers.com
under the Charitable Activities tab. If you feel you
would benefit from their assistance, please do contact
them for further details.
PAST PUPILS
Congratulations to Stephen England, Tom Mounter,
Alex Cahill and Oliver Watkins who were the St
Brendan’s team entered into the IFS Student Investor
Challenge. They came 156th out of nearly 9000
contesting teams.
HISTORY TRIP TO BERLIN
A reminder that the next payment of £100 is due by
Monday 4th April, for those pupils who are participating
in the History trip to Berlin in 2012.
JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DREAMCOAT
St Teresa's Catholic Primary is proud to present a Key
Stage 2 production of Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolour Dreamcoat at the Wise Campus on
Thursday April 28th at 4.30 and 7.00pm. The children
have been working really hard and promise an amazing
show. Any child attending St. Bede's who wishes to
come will receive a £3 concessionary ticket rate
(normally £5). St Teresa’s would love to see support
from past pupils and their families. Tickets can be
reserved by telephone (0117 903 0412).
SPORT RESULTS

Basketball
Well done to the Junior Basketball team, who reached the
Bristol finals. The boys were very unlucky losing the semi final
against Bristol Met by a single basket, but won the 3rd place
play off. The Senior team also did very well finishing second
in their group but losing in the quarter finals against Fairfield
and Merchant’s Academy.

Girls Football
Year 8/9 v St Mary Redcliff 10 - 0
Year 8/9 v Merchants Academy 2 - 0
Well done to the girls who are now through to the county
finals after being undefeated in the top Bristol league.

Boys Football
Year 7's continue on their good run of form and are through
to the quarter finals after beating Brimsham Green 6-3. In the
other year, Year 8 lost to Downend 2-1, Year 10 lost to
Brimsham Green 6-0 and Year 11's lost to Abbywood 5-1.
Year 9 Boys came very close to getting in the semi finals,
losing to Bedminster Down in extra time 2-1.

Swimming
Congratulations to Annie Brown who achieved two Bristol
Records in the 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke.
th
Junior Boys Freestyle relay 5
nd
Intermediate Girls Freestyle relay 2
rd
Intermediate Girls Medley relay 3
ACADEMY STATUS
Consultation on Academy Status closes on 4th April and
Governors meet after Easter to consider the future
status of the College.
I hope you found the information that was sent to you
to be helpful. I would like to make a couple of
clarifications as a consequence of the consultation:
• Uniform - The uniform at St Bede’s will not be
changed if we convert to Academy.
• Partnership with Henbury - This will be an
extension of the work we currently do with Henbury
and other schools in the city. St Bede’s will commit
itself to working with Henbury on areas which they
wish to improve within the curriculum. There will be
no merging of schools or pupils.
• Post 16 – Most Academies are 11-18. If St Bede’s
converts to Academy then it is the intention of
Governors to apply to become an 11-18 school with
an expanded intake of post 16 pupils by September
2012. This will be in time also for the extension of
the school leaving age to 17 by 2013 and 18 by
2015.
These are the only issues which have emerged during
the consultation period.
CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS CHOIR @ ST BEDES
The theme this year was “Water of Life”. Over 200
primary school children participated in choirs from our
partner schools: Holy Family, Our Lady of the Rosary,
St Bonaventure’s, St Mary’s, St Nicholas of Tolentine,
St Joseph’s, SS Peter and Paul, St Teresa’s.
It was a wonderful event and it was a pleasure to see
the enthusiasm and talent of the youngsters who sang
to a packed house. The choir was trained by David
Ogden and accompanied by Richard Jeffrey Gray,
Piano, Jason Newman, Drums and Andy Hague,
Trumpet.
LAST BRAINTEASER ANSWER
He was too short to reach the button.
BRAINTEASER
The driver of a truckload of ducks is flagged down by the police
for a weight check. As he drives onto the weighbridge, he
notices that he is just over his permitted ten tonnes. Then he
has an idea. He bangs on the cab with a spanner. Alarmed,
many of the ducks take to the air and flap about. Will the
weight on the weighbridge be reduced?
WISE WORDS!
If you want to feel proud of yourself, you have got to DO things
you can be proud of. Feelings follow actions.
Brian Tracey, Motivational Speaker and Writer