St Simon Stock Catholic School, Oakwood Park, Maidstone, ME16 0JP Tel: 01622 754551 Fax: 01622 689428 Email: reception@ssscs.co.uk Website: www.ssscs.co.uk

JANUARY 2014 NEWSLETTER

Dear Parents and Carers Welcome back to a new academic year. A special welcome to those students starting the secondary school phase of their education and to Year 12 joining our oversubscribed 6th Form. Also, we welcome students in all year groups from other institutions and other countries to the School. May I wish you every success. Our A Level students enjoyed continued success this summer as 80 students scored success:

100% passed with 79% achieving 3 A levels

90% achieving 2 A levels

Most students were able to go to their University of choice Our G.C.S.E. students achieved:

98% achieved 1 G.C.S.E. pass

82% achieved 5+ grades at A* to C

72% achieved 5+ grades at A* to C including English and Maths

89% gained English G.C.S.E.

80% gained Maths G.C.S.E. We were the joint top Catholic School in our Academy Trust at G.C.S.E. and the best at A level. Success for students has occurred due to their hard work with good quality teaching and intervention with their teachers and the support of parents. Well done to all. Brendan J. Wall Headteacher

ST SIMON STOCK CATHOLIC SCHOOL

September 2014 Newsletter

St Simon Stock Catholic School, Oakwood Park, Maidstone, ME16 0JP Tel: 01622 754551 Fax: 01622 689428 Email: reception@ssscs.co.uk Website: www.ssscs.co.uk

CONGRATULATIONS TO…. …. former St Simon Stock pupil, Father Damian Cassidy O’Carm, who became the Prior of Aylesford Priory on 15th August.

…. John Sparks, Y9 – who played in an International Basketball Tournament in Portugal at the end of June. John was awarded MVP (most valuable player) for the opening game on the first day of the tournament and received a basketball top - the score was 43-34 and John scored most of the points. He also came runner up with his friend Hunter in a ’two ball shooting final’ against two players from a Portuguese Team - Dragon Force.

At the FC Porto training camp John was the only English player to receive an award for which he received a white tracksuit top for excellence! As well as this, his team won a ‘5 Versus 5’ basketball

competition, receiving yet another basketball top! Well done John – a professional basketball player in the making!

…. Amber Durrant, Y10 who won a silver medal at the England Championships held in Bedford on 31st August. She jumped 1.65cm in the high jump.

…. Ieesha and Tia Barnett (Y9 & 7 respectively) who travelled to America to compete In a dancing competition during the summer. They both achieved great success in their individual age groups. Ieesha took 1st place for her dance duo and 1st & 2nd place for her group dances. Tia achieved a 1st place trophy for a solo dance and also 1st & 2nd place for group dances. The trip was a very memorable one for both girls and they represented England with pride.

A big well done to both girls for such a fantastic achievement.

.... former pupil, Adam Evenden, who has just graduated from the University of Exeter with the degree Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mining Engineering. A LEVEL DAY – MEDIA On A Level Results Day, we hosted Roger Gough (Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Education) to share the celebrations. We

were interviewed by BBC South East TV, BBC Radio Kent, Kent Messenger, together with parents and students. Roger commented: “This is a School that performs extremely strongly. It is highly rated and seems to be doing well by its students.” ENGLISH DEPARTMENT Exam Excellence We were very proud of the achievements of the outgoing Year 11 students - the 2014 English GCSE results were amazing! The after-school and weekend study sessions well and truly paid off, with an unbelievable 89% of students achieving an A*- C grade and 91% achieving three levels of progress. The tremendous effort exerted by both staff and students proves that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. These results have left the English department with a real spring in its step and we continue to push to raise the bar even higher in 2015. Theatre Trips On Friday the 19th of September, Miss Mulcahy and Mr Wall escorted fifteen budding thespians of 11X4 to the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury to see a dramatic interpretation of Harper Lee’s classic To Kill a Mockingbird. Departing school at 6.00pm, the group took an unscheduled tour of Canterbury, eventually locating the coach car park with minutes to spare. The

St Simon Stock Catholic School, Oakwood Park, Maidstone, ME16 0JP Tel: 01622 754551 Fax: 01622 689428 Email: reception@ssscs.co.uk Website: www.ssscs.co.uk

students were attentive and engaged throughout the superb performance. The characters were truly brought to life by the actors, especially the young children playing Scout, Jem and Dill, who were particular favourites of our students. The experience was immensely enjoyable for all; hopefully the trip will inspire more visits to the theatre!

We will shortly be organising the annual Year 7 pantomime trip to The Hazlitt Theatre in December – details will be going out to parents and students very soon. This year, it’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, so watch this space!

Mr L Doig, English Department

With Halloween on the horizon, what better time to create your own spooky tale... Luckily for you, Young Writers are running a ghost story competition this term. The competition is for 11-18 year olds and there are lots of frightfully fantastic prizes on offer – as well as an opportunity to get your short story published. Your story must be up to 250 words and

it must contain a title, your name and age.

You can email your story to GallagherS@ssscs.co.uk and Miss Gallagher will submit your tantalising tale – or you can upload it yourself and find more information by clicking on the following link: https://www.youngwriters.co.uk/competitions/ghost-stories.php. The closing date for the competition is October 31st.

Have fun and remember… have a spooktacular Halloween!

Miss S Gallagher, English Department ‘THE HOBBIT’ BY J.R.R. TOLKIEN Reviewed by: Edie Anderson (Year 10) The Hobbit was first published in September 1937. The protagonist is Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit. It is a tale of high adventure, undertaken by a company of dwarves, in search of dragon guarded gold. A reluctant partner in this quest is Bilbo Baggins, a comfort-loving, unambitious hobbit, who surprises even himself by his resourcefulness and his skills as the dwarves burglar.

As the adventure continues the company encounter trolls, goblins, elves and giant spiders, conversations with the dragon, Smaug the Magnificent, and a rather unwilling presence at the battle of the Five Armies! But there are lighter moments as

well: good fellowship, welcome meals, laughter and songs.

The climax and my favourite part of the book is when they get to the mountain and Bilbo encounters the dragon. I don’t think this book can be improved in any way because it is amazing and excellent, and I would recommend it to everyone I know!

ENRICHMENT DAY The Art Department’s first enrichment day was a huge success. All Year 11 Art students and Year 13 Photography students went to the Folkestone Triennial. There was a great mix of exhibitions, installations and sculpture. It was an inspiring day full for all involved. Look out for our school exhibition at Christmas.

The Triennial is running until November and is well worth a trip to Folkestone. Miss A Livermore, Art Department

St Simon Stock Catholic School, Oakwood Park, Maidstone, ME16 0JP Tel: 01622 754551 Fax: 01622 689428 Email: reception@ssscs.co.uk Website: www.ssscs.co.uk

FOOD TECHNOLOGY Students in Year 9 are busy preparing their entries for the KM Young Cooks competition. In the past 3 years we have had a student cooking in the finals in Broadstairs, with Samantha Barker, Year 10, winning the on-line award last year. We are looking for similar success again this year. The final of the ‘Stocky’ Bake Off will take place during the Annual Open Evening on Tuesday 7th October. Good Luck to all competitors.

A reminder to all parents that students studying Food Technology in all years require a plain Navy Blue Cotton Apron.

Miss S M Worron HAIR CUT FOR CHARITY On 15th July, Keely Cassidy, Y9, had her hair cut to raise funds for the Little Princess Trust. The trimmed hair is donated to this charity to be made into wigs for children suffering with cancer who have lost their hair through chemotherapy treatment. Keely raised a total amount of £370.00 for this worthy cause. Well done, Keely.

HOUSE NEWS St Bernadette of Lourdes House I’d firstly like to welcome all the new Year 7 and Year 12 students who have joined St Bernadette of Lourdes House. Over the next term your child will really get an understanding of all the fantastic work that goes on with the House of St Bernadette.

Secondly, I’d like to welcome back all existing students and wish them all the best of luck with their studies this academic year.

Thirdly, I’d like to congratulate both last year’s Year 11 and Year 13 students on their successful examination results enabling many of them to continue their studies and pursue their dreams. Well done to them all.

This year, St Bernadette also welcomes Miss Donnellan to B03, Mr Chittenden to tutor group B08 and we welcome back Mrs Saunders after giving birth to her baby girl. We also welcome Mrs Barrett to B05 and thank Mr Barley for the great work he’s completed with his tutor group.

The St Bernadette students have made a very positive start to the year, helping and contributing enthusiastically to the whole school Mass on Thursday 18th September. Students from St Bernadette completed readings, prayers and decorated the hall with some fantastic artwork.

Students were very helpful and forthcoming in volunteering their time and efforts to enhance our community spirit here at St Simon Stock Catholic School.

I hope all parents/carers have had an opportunity to read the St Bernadette welcome letter. In the letter, I explained the key focuses for the academic year and what St Bernadette House hope to achieve, both at St Simon Catholic School and in the local community.

The House charity is The Heart of Kent Hospice, which is close to many of our hearts. The work they undertake is truly exceptional and during our visit in July, students were made to feel welcome and appreciated by staff for raising in excess of £1800 last year.

In fact, St Bernadette staff and students won the ‘Community Ambassadors’ Award for their work with the Heart of Kent Hospice at the recent Pride of Stocky Awards ceremony.

The first fundraising event St Bernadette participated in was the ‘Rainbow Run’ at Mote Park, Maidstone on Sunday 28th September. Thank you to staff and students who attended this amazing event.

St Simon Stock Catholic School, Oakwood Park, Maidstone, ME16 0JP Tel: 01622 754551 Fax: 01622 689428 Email: reception@ssscs.co.uk Website: www.ssscs.co.uk

Details of funds raised will be published in the next Newsletter.

Mr J Richardson, House Leader Cardinal Hume House On Thursday 4th September, we welcomed the new Year 7 students and I am delighted to say that they have all settled into life at their new school. Students are taking an active part in all activities and the Personal Tutors have all told how impressed they are with the students in their group.

The student with the honour of being the first ‘Student of the Week’ this term is Beth Proctor in Year 7. Congratulations Beth!

Miss S M Worron Cardinal Hume House Leader MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING

A tremendous effort made by our Sixth Formers to raise funds for this worthy charity on 26th September, made this event a huge success, raising in excess fo £300.00

The Caterlink restaurant team also participated in the charity event, raising £20.00

M.F.L. DEPARTMENT The M.F.L. department are preparing for the annual trip for Year 8 students to Parc Asterix and to a French bakery, which departs for two days on Thursday 23rd October. Year 12 and 13 French students will be going to Paris for the annual conferences on the AS/A2 exam and “Focus on Europe” departing on 5th February 2015. Deposits are due in for this trip.

There are a couple of places available for the trip to Spain in June and deposits are also being taken for the Year 10 trip to Paris and Eurodisney.

We believe that spending time in the country of a language a student is studying is very beneficial so we are pleased to be able to offer a variety of trips abroad each year for our students.

Mrs E McParland, Subject Leader PRODUCT DESIGN Out of our 2014 A Level group of nine Product Design students, I am delighted that seven of them have gone

onto university to continue their creative education. All seven students gained places at the university of their first choice.

Ciaran Jones - University of Creative Arts (Graphic Design)

Rowan Speers - Bristol University of the West of England (Product Design Technology)

Luke Alexandre - Bristol University of the West of England (Engineering)

Tom Walker - Nottingham Trent University (Product Design)

Tom Hill - Nottingham Trent University (Product Design)

Sam Amos - Brunel University (Industrial Design)

Lizzie Constable - West Kent College (Foundation Art & Design)

Mrs J Speers, Product Design PTA The PTA are busy planning several events throughout the year. Some of the events at the planning stage include:

10th October - Quiz Night

5th February - Theatre Trip to see Matilda

July - Summer Concert with strawberries and Pimms

Further details to follow nearer each event – do check your emails for information.

St Simon Stock Catholic School, Oakwood Park, Maidstone, ME16 0JP Tel: 01622 754551 Fax: 01622 689428 Email: reception@ssscs.co.uk Website: www.ssscs.co.uk

Congratulations to Mr Sparks who won the Eurostar tickets raffled at the end of the summer term. Thank you to Mr and Mrs Gibbs who donated the tickets.

Quality Second hand Uniform During the last year, the sale of second hand uniform has again raised money for PTA funds which ultimately goes back into the school. Donations of second hand uniform can be left at the school reception. Anyone wishing to purchase items of uniform can do so by contacting Mrs Pengelly on 01622 671422 or Mrs Share on 07817 938526. Alternatively, uniform is on sale at Parents’ Evenings.

PTA Meetings for the next year - All Parents/Carers are invited to these meetings which take place at the school on Monday evenings, starting at 6.30pm:

6th October 2014 - AGM: All Parents are welcome 28th November 2014

Please come and join us!

Miss S Worron, PTA Secretary R.E. DEPARTMENT The Lasallian ‘Month of Peace’, between 22nd September to 22nd October, is an event being run by the R.E. Department requesting donations of cans of food to help to break the cycle of poverty, to build peace.

Donations can be handed in at the R.E. Department. Thank you to everyone who has already donated.

Sixth Form students have already become involved at the Parish of St Francis’ and donated cans to the ‘Feed the Hungry’ harvest Mass held on Sunday 21st September. SAINSBURYS ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHER

Thank you to everyone for collecting Active Kids vouchers. Our students will enjoy making use of various equipment, from saucepans to shuttlecocks, basketballs to stopwatches, scissors to ball inflators!

Our next campaign is Morrisons ‘Let’s Grow’ with vouchers in store until Sunday 26th October. Our aim is to exchange the vouchers for

plants which will be used to create Mr Lewis’ memorial garden. Thank you for your continued support.

Mrs M Tilby ‘S FACTOR’ PRIZEWINNER Trip to a Recording Studio My prize for winning the ‘S Factor’ competition at school, was a recording session at a studio. It was a great experience and I would definitely go again sometime soon. I now have a brilliant CD of myself singing and playing the piano, thanks to the recording studio. It was great fun!

Nathan Hood, Yr 10 SIXTH FORM NEWS

Welcome back to all our new sixth formers. This is the largest sixth form intake we have ever had and we welcome each and every one of you.

As parents, please be aware that much of the important information will be uploaded to the Sixth Form pages of the school website, such as the presentation given to new parents on Thursday 11th September.

Upcoming important dates include:

St Simon Stock Catholic School, Oakwood Park, Maidstone, ME16 0JP Tel: 01622 754551 Fax: 01622 689428 Email: reception@ssscs.co.uk Website: www.ssscs.co.uk

mock examinations before the Christmas holidays for the Year 13s and after the Christmas holidays for the Year 12s.

Parents’ Evening on 13th November. This will be your first opportunity to talk face to face with the teachers of your child.

At the end of this term information will be sent out about their progress over the last 6 weeks, via Frog to parents. If you are unable to access Frog, please contact Georgia Harvey: harveyg@ssscs.co.uk. If you think we may have the wrong parental e-mail address for you, please go onto Frog and update your details using the relevant tab.

The Sixth Form Team

SKY TV NEWS Jack Gregory of Year 11, our Diana Award Anti Bullying Ambassador, was interviewed with Alex Holmes of the Diana Award team on Sky TV News on Sunday 17th August. He was asked several difficult questions but handled the interview with confidence.

ST SIMON STOCK PRIDE AWARDS 2014 The third annual Pride of Stocky Awards took place on Wednesday 16th July 2014.

The Pride award ceremony is a rare opportunity for our large school to come together to celebrate the achievements of both students and staff. This year our award winners were chosen from over 500 nominations made during one week of school. Staff and students are encouraged to nominate people who contribute to school and community in a number of ways.

Prizes were awarded this year for outstanding use of gift or talent, community ambassa-dors, commitment to school life, fundraising and the ever popular friendship award. This year students from year 7 through to 6th form and both teaching and support staff collected a record number of trophies and certificates.

Our surprise special guest this year was our very own Ruth Simpson, Deputy Head who left the school at the end of term.

Citizenship is an important part of the ethos of St Simon Stock School and recognising individual and group contributions to our community is a very special part of our school year.

Photographs of all individual winners are on display in our main school entrance.

Mrs M Broadhurst SUPPORTED LEARNING – SUMMER SCHOOL 2014 During August, the school ran its second Summer School. This took place over a week and was aimed at approximately 30 Year 6 students who were transferring to us in September. The aim was to give these students some intensive academic support before joining us and also give them an opportunity to meet friends and familiarise themselves with the school layout and some of the school staff.

The Summer School sessions were led by:

Mrs Colley-Leading numeracy sessions Mr May-Leading numeracy sessions Mrs Sissons-Leading literacy sessions Mr MacDowall-Leading PE and team building sessions Mrs Bulman-Leading Arts and Craft sessions Mrs Gray-Leading Science sessions

St Simon Stock Catholic School, Oakwood Park, Maidstone, ME16 0JP Tel: 01622 754551 Fax: 01622 689428 Email: reception@ssscs.co.uk Website: www.ssscs.co.uk

Mrs Taylor, our English as an Additional Language teacher, and Mrs Keon, one of our Teaching Assistants, were also there to support students and one of our sixth form students, Emma Colley, was also present and acted as a mentor to students. We also had Zack Sunnucks, Sam Stirling and Sam Sebastian from Year 8 on hand to help and support Year 6 pupils.

An outside educational company, called Positively Mad, also came in and did some learning skills work and some booster literacy and numeracy work.

It was a fantastic week and there was a lot of learning taking place in a fun and creative way. There was also time for reflection and prayer each day.

The students really enjoyed the Summer School and the feedback was incredibly positive. Common statements were: ‘They loved the Maths, they liked the PE team games and they loved meeting new friends.’

It was a great success and we are looking at running some follow-on Saturday School sessions this academic year and we will definitely be running a bigger and even better Summer School next year. Watch this space!

Thank you to those students who attended the Summer School, the parents/carers for bringing them and the staff who gave up their time to run it.

Mrs A Denny, Director of Welfare/Special Educational Needs Coordinator Good Luck, Congratulations and Welcome The Supported Learning Department would also like to take this opportunity to wish Mrs Taylor, our English as an Additional Language Teacher, goodbye (for now) and good luck, as she will be shortly starting her maternity leave. We will really miss Mrs Taylor, but we are all so excited for her and can’t wait to hear the news that the baby has arrived. We will be thinking of you.

Congratulations also to Mrs Wheatley, formerly Mrs Baulch, who got married over the holidays.

Finally, a warm welcome to Miss Goldson, who has joined the Supported Learning Department as a Teaching Assistant and also to Miss Szczechowicz who will be

covering Mrs Taylor whilst she is on maternity leave.

Mrs Denny Director of Welfare/SENCO STUDENT OF THE WEEK

Week Ending 19 September

Mr Wall with Oliver, Y7 – nominated for making a fantastic start to school, Beth, Y7 – for being an asset to her form and joining in all activities, Sam, Zack and Sam, Y8 – for their work supporting Mrs Denny at the Year 6 Summer School. Week Ending 26 September

Mr Wall with Michael, Y7 – nominated by his Tutor for being a lovely pupil and William, Y8 – for settling into school very well and working hard. Charlie Towner, Y8 was also nominated for welcoming new students to his form, making an effort to learn their names and including them in form activities.