Newsletter July 2010

This issue

Welcome to the July 2010 edition of Saint Paul's Academy's newsletter!

In this issue:

• Grand Opening
• Annual Deanery Mass
• Drama Spectacular
• Saint Paul’s Music Festival
• School allotment taking shape
• Tipi appears in Courtyard
• Memorial garden
• Improving school site
• Impressed with facilities
• Opening our doors to the community
• Head Boy & Girl
• Sports’ Captains
• Saying goodbye
• Gaelic Football - All Ireland Champions
• Holiday dates
• From our gaelic football correspondent

Dear Parents and Guardians

“We have reached the end of one of the most significant years in the history of Saint Paul’s. We at last have our new site and with it comes the capacity to take a far greater number of students from both the Catholic and local communities. We did have some concerns that we would not be able to fill the 240 places that we now have available but we need not have worried as we are significantly oversubscribed in both categories. This is all the more pleasing as these students chose our Academy on the basis of what they saw at the Wickham Lane site and a virtual tour of the new campus; we anticipate that they will be very favourably impressed when they begin their studies in our new facilities!”

Patrick Winston, Principal

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Grand Opening

We formally opened our new buildings with a Mass of Celebration on the Feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. It was very fitting that on this important feast in the Church’s calendar we commemorated the apostolic mission of these two great saints of the early church; this is the same mission that we embrace today in educating our young people to take their place in society living the Gospel values of love, justice and reconciliation as epitomised by Saint Peter and Saint Paul. We were delighted that so many guests were able to join us on this important occasion and we were particularly pleased that Bishop Pat Lynch was the chief celebrant at the Mass. This was a public opportunity to thank all those who have contributed to and supported the formation of the Academy; those who have helped create its philosophy and ethos and those who have been involved in the practicalities of the venture.

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Annual Deanery Mass

We were also delighted to host the annual Deanery Mass here at Saint Paul’s. This is an event which gives staff in all the Deanery schools, both primary and secondary, a chance to meet not only for the Mass but for refreshments afterwards. This year saw an excellent turn out with over 130 teachers and support staff in attendance. For many, this was their first visit to the new campus and they were very impressed, not only with the fabulous buildings and facilities, but also with the fantastic buffet prepared by our chef. At both Masses, we were delighted by the number of clergy who were able to come to concelebrate; some of these were local priests, who we hope are now beginning to feel at home in the Academy, and many others were those who have had a lengthy association with our school. We thank them all for giving so generously of their time.

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Drama Spectacular

The new buildings are giving us the opportunity to do many things that we have been unable to do in the past because of lack of facilities. So during the last week of term, it was wonderful to see the Drama department stage Shakespeare’s frivolous romp, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in the hall making the most, not only of the space, but also of very new lighting equipment. It is always amazing to watch our students being so confident and convincing in their delivery of Shakespeare’s wonderful words. The play was staged in period costume and the different groups of characters within the play entertained us in a unique way. The dance and acrobatics of the small fairies were astonishing; the power of Titania and Oberon and the humour of Puck came though very clearly while we felt great sympathy for the confused lovers Helen, Hermia, Lysander and Demetrius. It was a huge relief for everyone when their trials and tribulations came to an end and true love was found!

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Saint Paul’s Music Festival

The last week of term also saw the first Saint Paul’s Music Festival which we very much hope will become an annual event. The idea behind this event was to give our students, and indeed staff, experience of different types of music. At the beginning of the week, local singer-songwriter Denai Moore gave a concert for Year 8 during which she performed some of her own R’n’B compositions. On Wednesday, we had live performances by students and staff taking place around the building; the Year 7 Ukelele Group, the Samba Group and various ensembles played at different stages throughout the day to very appreciative - if at times somewhat surprised - audiences. It’s not every day you walk round a corner in school to be met by a large number of drums! A concert was also given by Dominic Laviolette, a former student, who is now a performer and trainee teacher. However, for many the highlight of the week was Dennis Greaves, our rock musician in residence, adjudicating the Saint Paul’s Young Musician of the Year Competition. As with the Spring Concert, the range of talent, from rock group to classical piano, demonstrated by our students was phenomenal.

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School allotment taking shape

On a similar theme, staff and students have been working hard and with a great deal of success on our new allotments. Design and Technology staff, along with the Premises Managers, built twelve raised beds which Year 9 students helped to fill with top soil and plant with runner beans, tomatoes, chives, rosemary, sage and thyme. These beds are surrounded by gravel paths so that plants can be easily accessed and two greenhouses will ensure that plants can be grown from seed. As I write, a timber pergola is being built to link the school and the allotment and this will also enable water to come from the main building to the sprinklers without causing a hazard on the pathways.

Throughout this project, staff have been delighted by the enthusiasm and energy of the students, particularly those in Year 9, who have helped with this initiative. Our chef looks forward to using the herbs and vegetables that are produced in the kitchen next year.

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Tipi appears in Courtyard

Any new building has to be personalised and recent visitors to Saint Paul’s can not fail to have noticed the tall, conical construction in the second courtyard. This is a tipi made entirely by staff and students at the Academy. Tipis originated in North America; Native Americans lived entirely from the land in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner and, as they were nomadic, the tipi was an ideal living place because it is easily movable. Originally, tipis were made of buffalo hide but with the arrival of the Europeans, canvas was introduced as it is lighter. Our tipi was made as part of last year’s Cross Curricular Enrichment Programme and it was first erected on the Wickham Lane site. Now, it is providing an outside sheltered space for small group activities which to date have included drama, reading, mentoring and prayer. The tipi is also a statement from the Academy community about our willingness to care for the environment and to acknowledge that we have a responsibility to look after our planet and protect it to the best of our ability for the next generation.

Year 9 Art Project

Currently, the tipi is still being developed with the Year 9 BTec Art group making the inner lining which makes a fantastic background for art work based on wise words from Native American Elders. It is hoped that those using the tipi will leave with positive and spiritually uplifting messages. In the long term, since our tipi is an authentic replica of a family sized Sioux tipi, we would very much like to see students and staff sleeping and cooking in the tipi so that they could have a very small taste of how tribal people lived and survived. We will, of course, ensure that there are no health and safety issues before embarking on this project!

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Memorial garden

At the moment, staff and students are working on a memorial garden where members of our community can plant flowers or shrubs to remember friends or family who have died. This will be a less formal structure than the plant beds and the hope is that there will be colour and interest in this garden throughout the year. A book kept in the Chapel will record the names of those being remembered each month.

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Improving school site

Of course it is not only the produce from the allotment which is important but also the fact that it makes the grounds so much more attractive and interesting. You will have noticed that as time passes more and more trees and shrubs are being planted around the campus and the aim here is the same. Some people have asked why we have not planted more mature trees but I am reliably informed that the smaller the tree when it is put into its permanent position, the healthier and stronger it will eventually be!

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Impressed with facilities

In September, we will be welcoming 240 boys and girls into Year 7 and they will be under the care of the Performance Arts team, with Mr. McCann as Head of the Learning Zone and Mrs. Bond, supported by Mr. Brown and Miss. Forte, as the Pastoral Leaders. At the end of June, a very successful Induction Evening took place for prospective students and their parents and carers. As I said earlier, these boys and girls had never seen the school to which they applied and many students were overwhelmed by the environment in which they will spend their five years of secondary education. I have no doubt that their care for their new surroundings will equal that of our current students.

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Opening our doors to the community

Many of you will be aware that as an Academy we are committed to working with the local community and even in the short time we’ve been in the new building we have made significant links with our neighbours, many of whom we welcomed at the Mass of Dedication. This commitment will be further demonstrated over the summer break when the Academy will be open for specific activities which will include music, art and several sports. Parents and carers of targeted students, and the parents and carers of students in some local primary schools, have already been contacted and we hope that this will be the beginning of a long tradition at the Academy.

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Head Boy & Girl

You will also be aware that at Saint Paul’s we believe in leadership at all levels and with this in mind and after a rigorous selection and interview process, we have recently appointed a new Head Boy and Head Girl. They are Heather Ragoonanan and Nana Ekow Hagan. They started their duties in earnest with events such as the Deanery Mass, Year 7 Induction Evening and The Official Opening.

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Sports’ Captains

Our Sports’ Captains are Hannah Goodes and Kelvin Okogwu and we are in the process of selecting our prefects all of whom will have specific duties which will contribute to the smooth running of the school. I am confident that they will all do an excellent job!

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Saying goodbye

Inevitably, at this time of year, we have to say goodbye to colleagues who are moving on and this year we say goodbye and thank you to Miss Campbell, in RS, who is returning to Ireland and Miss Faragher, in Geography, who is moving to another school. We wish them every success in the future. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank, on behalf of the students, all the staff at Saint Paul’s for their continued hard work and commitment to our school. I know that you appreciate that your sons and daughters are extremely fortunate to be taught and cared for by such dedicated and generous professionals.

“I wish you and your families a safe and pleasant summer.”

Best Wishes

Patrick Winston, Principal

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Gaelic Football - All Ireland Champions

We are coming to the end of a very successful Gaelic Football season and it is pleasing to reflect on a number of significant highlights:

• U14 Girls’ Team winners of the Peter McGlynn Memorial Trophy
• A successful U14 Tour to Ireland with victories in Down, Roscommon and Tyrone
• At U14 level: Winners of the London Club Championship and the Great Britain Club Championship
• Nineteen students (girls and boys) participated in the Feile Peil na nOg competition in Co. Derry

Five of our girls represented London and fourteen of our boys represented South London in the Feile Peil na nOg competition in Derry. The London girls’ team won three of their fixtures but the boys’ went on to win Division 5 by defeating Clonmel Commercials of Co. Tipperary in the final by four points. In Ireland, The Feile is an international tournament that had attracted almost 160 teams from Ireland, the UK and the USA.

For the first part of the tournament, the boys’ team was placed in a group of four in Moneymore. They won all three games and then defeated Warwickshire in the semi-final by three points.

The London girls’ team recorded victories against Moneymore, Lissan and Ballymaguigan. Both London teams received excellent reviews during their time in Ireland, for the quality of their play and their general behaviour. We would like to thank all of the families in both Lissan and Moneymore who hosted our students with such generosity; this is an experience the girls and boys will never forget!

At the end of May, our U14 team travelled to Galbally in Co. Tyrone for a seven-day tour. They were hosted by local families and their programme included visits to places of interest as well as an extensive set of fixtures. I am very grateful for the way families in Galbally welcomed our students into their homes.

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Holiday dates

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From our gaelic football correspondent

The complete set of results to date is:

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Ireland Tour: May 2010

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Feile Peil na nOg (U14)

(South London: All Ireland, Division 5 Champions)

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Great Britain Club Championship (U14)

(Dulwich Harps: Great Britain Club Champions)

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