Every year we all agree that the Rite of Welcome is a most moving occasion for the whole school. It is a beautiful ceremony, unique to St Mary's School, which welcomes all new staff and pupils to our community. Newcomers have now settled into school life, and we all rejoice in welcoming them as being truly part of the family. The Rite of Welcome took place on 27th September 2013 in chapel, and began with a word of greeting from the Head, Mr James.

The ceremony is based on a beautiful liturgical service expressed through hymns and reflections. Centred on God's Word, each individual is greeted in love, prayer and friendship. Firstly, we are all invited to listen to pupils and staff giving their first impressions since arriving. The support and kindness at St Mary's are felt as each girl acknowledges the warm welcome received, and the help and guidance from her 'Guardian Angel', that is, the girl assigned to offer practical care. The new girls were both articulate and funny in giving their first impressions. They spoke of much kindness at St Mary's, the wonderful lunches, the long kilts, the school drive which can be daunting, but most of all, of their joy in belonging here. Miss McGirr, our new member of the Mathematics Department, spoke warmly on behalf of new staff.

An excellent address on joining St Mary's was delivered by Miss Radford, Director of Music, who last term celebrated forty years of work at the school! Her talk was amazingly good, anecdotal, humorous, informative and delivered with great joy! She spoke of her gratitude in belonging to a family where values are shared by all; she referred to the generosity of the nuns in the early days; she spoke of community as organic, rooted in faith; she underlined the dignity and uniqueness of each one.

The most moving part of this ceremony is when each new member is called by name and comes forward accompanied by their sponsor. They are welcomed, blest, and receive a rose, together with the school Prayer Book. With new names adorning the chapel walls, and big smiles all around, with beautiful organ tones of 'O Praise ye the Lord', we thanked God for our new members at St Mary's.

Miss Andrea (Chaplain)

For further information please contact:

Mrs Charlotte Stephens
Marketing Manager & Registrar
01747 857102
07581 308255

Media Release from The Cathedrals Group (The Council of Church Colleges and Universities) 

For immediate release 30 August 2013

The Cathedrals Group* is delighted to welcome a new member. Heythrop College, University of London*, joins as a full member of The Cathedrals Group from this academic year. 

The Cathedrals Group of Church-foundation universities today welcomes into full membership Heythrop College, the specialist philosophy and theology college of the University of London. 

With just under one thousand students, Heythrop will be the smallest member institution but as a specialist provider of theology and religious studies, it equates to one of the largest providers in the UK and sits well with the other members. Collectively more than 44% of all UK theology and religious studies students (undergraduates, postgraduates and research students) are at Cathedrals Group institutions.

The Group’s newest member institution will also be its oldest. Other member institutions were founded by the Churches from the nineteenth century onwards for the purpose of training teachers for Church schools. The earliest foundation was that of the University of Chester in 1839. 

Heythrop College will celebrate the 400th anniversary of its foundation by the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit order of the Roman Catholic Church) in 2014. In 1971 a Royal Charter established it as a College of the University of London, with a mission ‘to offer its students an education marked by intelligence, scholarship and generosity of spirit’.

Professor Joy Carter, Chair of The Cathedrals Group and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester said: ‘I am delighted that such a distinguished institution as Heythrop College is joining The Cathedrals Group. We share an explicit Christian heritage that underpins a strong commitment to common values. These include developing strong ethical principles in all aspects of higher education, and building communities that embrace and value diversity. Heythrop’s ethos and academic strengths in teaching and research within theology and religious studies complement provision in other Cathedrals Group institutions. We look forward to building on our common strengths and values together.’

The Revd Michael Holman SJ, Principal of Heythrop College, said: ‘Joining The Cathedrals Group is an important step for Heythrop as we seek to engage more actively with other institutions with Church-based foundations, in the promotion of theological and philosophical education. The values of our particular, Jesuit tradition complement the collective mission of the wider Group, through our commitment to providing an education which is formative of the whole person and which facilitates understanding, promotes social justice and serves the public good. I look forward very much to our collaboration with The Cathedrals Group in the months and years ahead and believe it will be a mutually beneficial affiliation for staff, students and supporters from across the spectrum of Group members.’

Press Release - 22 August 2013

Students at The Barlow RC High School in Didsbury have once again surpassed all expectations, with an amazing 97% of all students achieving the highest possible GCSE results of at least 5 A*-C grades. Students at The Barlow performed well in all subjects, with 88% awarded A* - Cs in Science and 72% gaining those grades in English and Maths.

The Barlow’s results are significantly above the national average and maintain the school’s excellent performance record. The outstanding results place The Barlow yet again as one of the highest performing schools in Manchester.

The top 10 GCSE achievers scored a massive 91 A*-A grades between them. Eleven of those belonged to sixteen-year old Lauren Flaherty from Didsbury. Lauren said, “I am so happy with my results especially with my A*s in Biology and Geography. I’m going on study these subjects alongside Spanish and English Literature at Xaverian College. I worked really hard to get my grades. All my teachers were very supportive and the extra revision classes and past paper practice they organised really paid off. I’m going to miss everything about The Barlow, especially the teachers and my friends. I’m looking forward to going to College and then on to University.”

Head Teacher Mrs Claire McCarron said, “We are all absolutely delighted with the outstanding success of all our students. The high numbers achieving excellent grades in the more challenging academic subjects show that The Barlow continues to prepare its pupils for the challenges of A-Level and beyond. These results confirm another outstanding year for our students. Both the students and our excellent, committed teachers have worked hard and have received the full support of parents and Governors. It has been a real team effort. Congratulations to our students on their well-deserved success.”

The school has recently received its second national award in two years from The Schools Network (SSAT) for its outstanding achievement. The Barlow has received national recognition for achieving some of the fastest improving GCSE results in the country. 

For more information please contact:

Kathryn Carr, Marketing & Communications Manager

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0161 445 8053 

22 August 2013

Students at Mary Immaculate can be proud of their achievements, with another set of record-breaking GCSE results. The school is delighted that performance in nearly all indicators have improved on last year.

There were some outstanding performers who excelled in their studies. These include: Magda Wiktorzak achieved a total of 16 GCSEs with 4 A*s, 1 A, 7 Bs and 4 Cs; Jessica Sweeney achieved 3 A*s, 4 As, 5 Bs and 1 C; Karolina Wabia 4 As, 2As, 6 Bs and 2 Cs; Joshua Jermyn 1 A*, 5 As, 5 Bs and 1 C; Krzysztof Jakubiak scored 1 A*, 4 As, 5 Bs and 2 Cs along with an AS in mathematics; Jackielyn Green 2 A*, 7 As, 5 Bs; Amy Searle 3 A*s, 4 As, 6 Bs and 1 C; Finally, Zach Lewis achieved 1 A*, 6 As, 6 Bs.

Marc Belli, Headteacher, said “We are both delighted and proud with the results achieved by our students this year. Their efforts throughout the year have been rewarded with stunning outcomes. We have seen some significant improvements in a number of key areas and we hope to build on these next year. I should like to pay tribute to the efforts of all the teaching and support staff who have challenged the students to perform to the best of their ability. Furthermore, we are blest with excellent support from all of our parents who have played a key role in ensuring our students achieve the results they deserve. Finally, we wish all of our students every success in the future and look forward to inviting them to return for our annual awards evening next year.”

Press Release - 22 August 2013

All Hallows students are flying high following an excellent set of GCSE results for the Class of 2013. 88% of students gained five or more GCSE results at A*-C including 66% with English and Mathematics. ‘Achievement for all’ also figures strongly at All Hallows with all student regardless of ability or learning challenges gaining one more qualifications and academically gifted students clocked up super results with twenty three students gaining 8 or more A*-A; M. Barton (10), F. Billings (11), E Brown (8), N. Burton (8), H Corcoran (11), T. Cumberland (8), J. Cunningham (12), M. Curley (8), O.Haigh (12), A. Holland (9), E. Kane (9), R. Lindley (8), R. Macbryde (11), S. Maguinness (8), H. Massey (12), A. Mills (11), B. O’Donovan (8), H. Pickup (11), L. Powell (12), A. Prior (8), I. Skidmore (8), P. Waite (8), R. Williams (11).  

Principal, Mr Billings said ‘Fantastic results today. We are delighted for our students and their teachers. They have every reason to be proud and we are looking to one of our highest recruitments to our Sixth Form. These results will be a passport to many more opportunities for them in the future.’ Finola Billings, who is also the Principal’s daughter, said ‘I’ve worked hard for these results and I’m really looking forward to studying History, German, English Literature and Philosophy A Levels in the Sixth Form. ’ Nathan Wanjau, who joined the college in Year 10 said ‘I’m so proud, I managed to catch up and gain 7 A*-As, All Hallows has really supported me and I’m looking forward to life in the Sixth Form.’ Overall this has been another excellent year for All Hallows.

Notes to the Editor

1.All Hallows is an 11-18 Catholic Voluntary Academy and National Support School located in Macclesfield, Cheshire.

2.Students are a very wide geographical area beyond Macclesfield, including, Handforth, Wilmslow, Stockport, Poynton, and Congleton. The students mentioned above : M. Barton (Congleton), F. Billings (Macclesfield), E Brown (Macclesfield), N. Burton (Bollington), H Corcoran (Sutton), T. Cumberland (Macclesfield), J. Cunningham (Stockport), M. Curley (Sutton), O.Haigh (Macclesfield), A. Holland (Macclesfield), E. Kane (Macclesfield), R. Lindley (Congleton), R. Macbryde (Macclesfield), S. Maguinness (Macclesfield), H. Massey (Handforth), A. Mills (Macclesfield), B. O’Donovan (Macclesfield), H. Pickup (Congleton), L. Powell (Macclesfield), A. Prior (Macclesfield), I. Skidmore (Macclesfield), P. Waite (Macclesfield), R. Williams (Disley). N. Wanjau (Macclesfield).

3.OfSTED and denominational reports have both judged All Hallows to be outstanding.

4.In 2012, All Hallows was commended for being in the top 20% of non-selective schools for value added performance at GCSE in 2012. A Level results regularly place the college in the top 100 comprehensives in the country and we expect the same this year.

PRESS RELEASE - July 2013

Wiktor Daron and Kathleen O’Kelly both retired this academic year from Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe. Mr. Daron’s teaching career spanned thirty seven years, including twenty years of headship and twenty eight years of service to Catholic schools. Mrs. O’Kelly retired after thirty one years in teaching and seventeen of which were in Catholic schools. 

PRESS RELEASE - July 2013

10^th July 2013 - Press Release

This week the Education Secretary, Michael Gove, set all secondary schools a target of teaching 11-14 year olds two Shakespeare plays. But at St Benedict's Catholic Primary School in Atherstone, Warwickshire, children as young as 5 are studying Shakespeare. And on Wednesday (10th) and Thursday (11th) they will be staging their own performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The performance is the finale of this term’s topic work for Years 5 and 6. It’s not just about learning lines for the play, Shakespeare’s work is used as a springboard to improve speaking and listening skills by doing 'ensemble' approach drama work where the children explore the themes, characters and language of Shakespeare whilst learning about how these fit in to Tudor times. This approach also increases children’s confidence.

Modern day themes are related to Shakespeare’s plays with the children undertaking project work looking, not just at Shakespeare’s life and times, but also crossing into other subject areas, for instance designing and making fairy wings.

Previously pupils have studied Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet and the Tempest. A mixed group of children ranging from Reception to Year 6 has even performed their own interpretation of The Tempest in a festival at Stratford.

Teacher Mrs Niki Furlong-Smith is the school's Literacy lead: "We've taught Shakespeare at St Benedict's for years, even to Reception children, because his works can be accessed by all age groups if done appropriately.”

She continued; “The Royal Shakespeare Company has been very supportive too.We have worked with one of the RSC's Voice Coaches and last October some of our present Year 6s had their own poetry performed by members of the RSC at the theatre in Stratford.

Our main feeder school, St Thomas More School, has stated that the children we send to them are always open to the works of Shakespeare when they begin to study them as part of the KS3 curriculum."

Ends

1.    For further information contact Head teacher Mrs Susan Shannon – 01827 712320 or PR Co-ordinator (Parent Volunteer) Angela Baines on 07976 438710.

2.    Press photographers are welcome to visit the performance.  Please contact Angela Baines (Parent volunteer) on 07976 438710.

3.    Photographs show pupils from Year 5 &6 in the dress rehearsal of their performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and examples of project work.

4.    In November 2012 St Benedict’s was rated as Good by Ofsted under the tougher new inspection regime and noted children’s exemplary behaviour.  In March 2013 the School was also rated Good with Outstanding features for RE in a Diocesan inspection.

5.    St Benedict’s School is based in Church Walk, Mancetter, Atherstone and accepts children from all backgrounds in the North Warwickshire area.  www.stbenedictsonline.co.uk     Tel: 01827 712320

Three brilliant young inventors have won the National TeenTech awards with a life saving invention which could make them a fortune.

The Loreto Grammar School Year Nine pupils beat teams from 450 different schools with the prototype for a blood glucose monitoring device aimed at improving the life chances of diabetics worldwide.

Sarah Griffin, 14, from Altrincham; JessicaTaylor 14, from Altrincham and Sophie Kelly, 14, from Sale, have wowed Britain's science community, receiving their prizes from Prince Andrew at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

The girls impressed judges including Professor Brian Cox, top theoretical physicist Jim Al-Khalili and BBC science correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones to win in three categories for 'International Collaboration', “Healthcare' and the top overall award.

The key to their success said Loreto Grammar School Mathematics teacher Elaine Manton 'was a forensic examination of the project from every angle covering market research, product design and development and the potential for marketing’.

Organised by TeenTech as part of a national drive to promote the STEM subjects, Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Technology, the competition asks gifted pupils to conceive, design, develop and market an original product ready for the market place.

“The first step,” said Sarah, who has ambitions to become a facial plastic surgeon, 'was to identify a gap in the market place. There are blood glucose monitoring devices, but they are too bulky.”

Jessica, who wants to study psychoanalysis and forensic science, added: “We then had to discuss our ideas with some of Britain top engineers and were grateful to be able to liaise with the research and development team at Airbus industries.”

Sophie, who is interested in studying both sociology and philosophy, added: “It was essential to talk to those who might use the device and to get some detailed feedback from the medical profession.”

The girls worked on the project for four months, spending all their available lunchtimes, putting together their entry, being given special dispensation to work on the project in mathematics lessons and then furiously emailing each other in the evenings as they perfected their submission.

Elaine Manton said: “I have beena teacher for20 years and have never seen such innovative and detailed work. Their submission blew the judges out of the water, winning the plaudits of many of Britain's top scientists and broadcasters.”

The trio are to appear on Breakfast TV and are being interviewed by the national media. The girls win digital photo frames and £1,000 for the school, but said: “We are not interested in the rewards, we are genuinely interested in the project and getting the product to the market place.”

Elaine Manton added: “Britain needs the next generation of young inventors to stand up and make their mark in the world and we are all incredibly proud of  Sophie, Sarah and Jessicafor their wonderful work.” 

Press release - 6 July 2013 

The Principal and staff at All Hallows Catholic College, a voluntary academy in Macclesfield, have been selected for a top role, supporting schools in challenging circumstances.

Tony Billings is one of only 96 headteachers to be appointed to the role of National Leader of Education (NLE) in the latest recruitment round. He will now be invited to the National College for Teaching and Leadership’s learning and conference centre in Nottingham in October for a formal induction and training for the role in driving school improvement.

NLEs use their success and professionalism as school leaders, along with the staff in their school - designated a National Support School - to provide additional leadership capability in struggling schools or those in transition to federation or academy status. The deployment is tailor-made to suit the needs of each school. The type of support provided is flexible and can involve NLEs becoming acting or executive headteacher of the client school or schools. They also have responsibility for bringing on the next generation of NLEs and National Support Schools. 

Jacquline Feeley, Chair of Governors said: “This is such exciting news! The awarding of "National Support School" to All Hallows Catholic College and "National Leader of Education" to our Principal, is timely recognition of the great work of all staff inspirationally led by Tony Billings.  It reflects our Mission "to be more rather than have more" and the high standards achieved by our staff and students. We will now be able to share expertise, knowledge and skills with other schools to raise expectations and standards of Teaching and  Learning to enable all to fulfil their true potential. We, the Governors, are very proud of this excellent achievement which places Tony Billings as one of the National Leaders of Education, and of all our dedicated staff members who work and study selflessly and tirelessly as a dynamic team for the good of all our students. Congratulations and Well done to everyone!”

Many in the National Leaders of Education/National Support Schools scheme see improvements in exam results at both the support and client schools with progress achieved in excess of the improvements nationally. 

There are now well over 800 NLEs across the country and the number is set to rise to about 1,000 by 2015. Tony Billings, Principal of All Hallows said:  “This is a recognition of the extensive work we are already doing, sharing best practice with a number of schools facing challenging circumstances. We are delighted to be invited into such important work making a difference to the lives of students and their teachers.”

Charlie Taylor, Chief Executive of the National College for Teaching and Leadership, said: “It’s great that heads like Tony Billings are willing to look beyond their own school gates to help more pupils achieve. Their efforts will be at the heart of a self-improving, school-led education system.

“School-to-school support is having a growing impact and the results speak for themselves with benefits for both the schools being supported and those providing the support.”

Notes to editors:

For further information contact: All Hallows Catholic College, Principal, Tony Billings at 01625 426138 or Ця електронна адреса захищена від спам-ботів. Вам необхідно увімкнути JavaScript, щоб побачити її. 

All Hallows Catholic College, A Voluntary Academy, drawing students from Macclesfield, Alderley Edge, Congleton, Wilmslow, Handforth, Poynton,Stockport,Whalley Bridge, Knutsford and surrounding areas.

For press enquiries about the national NLE programme contact Richard Earle on 07776 494545, email Ця електронна адреса захищена від спам-ботів. Вам необхідно увімкнути JavaScript, щоб побачити її. or visit: www.education.gov.uk/nationalcollege