St Bedes Catholic College Long Cross, Lawrence Weston Bristol BS11 OSU Tel: (0117) 3772200 Fax: (0117)

3772201 E-mail: stbedes@bristol.gov.uk Visit our Website: www.stbedescatholiccollege.org

NEWSLETTER 134 13th January 2012

SCHOOLS SCIENCE CONFERENCE AT ST BEDES CATHOLIC COLLEGE This week St Bedes hosted a Schools Science Conference that attracted over 1000 children from twelve schools; making it the biggest Schools Science event in the region. The timing of the lectures is not coincidental; the lectures are modelled on the Christmas Lectures held at the Royal Institution in London, where famous scientists have been giving annual lecture to a general audience including children for nearly 200 years. These are broadcast shortly after Christmas, hence the name. Science is one of our College specialisms and thanks to events like this we have been hugely successful at promoting it; as children begin to use what they learn to understand the world around them, they become even more curious about the subject. The six lectures were presented by Tim Harrison of Bristol Universitys Chemlabs outreach programme and focused on the topics of Kinetics and Gases of the atmosphere, helping childrens understanding of these areas; however the reason for putting on these lectures goes much deeper than simply supporting the science curriculum, as Mr Hall explained: We need to put on events like this, raising the profile of science and encouraging children to think about science and where it could lead them, if we want to equip them for fulfilling roles in an increasingly technological society. For example - weve all been to supermarkets and petrol stations where some of the checkouts are self-service, what does this mean for jobs in the future fewer Tel: (0117) 3772200 Fax:but someone has to design,st_bedes_s@bristol-city.gov.uk the point of sale jobs, certainly, (0117) 3772201 E-mail: build, maintain, market and improve checkouts that make this type of sale possible: There will be jobs out there for scientists and technicians, if we can supply the scientists and technicians to do them. But its not just about employability, Science is academically challenging - you have to think, its constantly changing and its practical there are very few people working in science who dont have a practical aspect to their job. I have no doubt that for some of these children, engaging them now will change their view of science, their study options, their career choices and ultimately the society they live in. This was the fourth annual St Bedes Christmas Lecture series. These events have a truly inspirational effect on the children involved. Thanks once again to Mr Hall, Tim Harrison, Bristol University and the Royal Society of Chemistry for making this event possible.

Tel: (0117) 3772200 Fax: (0117) 3772201

E-mail: st_bedes_s@bristol-city.gov.uk

Dates for your diary 18th January 4.30-7.30pm Year 10 Parents Evening th 27 January Year 11 Reports home nd 2 February 4.30-7.30pm Year 11 Parents Evening rd 3 February In-service day- CLOSED FOR PUPILS 10th February Year 13 Reports go home Ski trip leaves. END OF TERM 3.

Y11 MATHS GCSE REVISION CLASSES (TERM 3): Any Year 11s welcome: Wednesday after school in E5, 3.30 pm.-4.15 pm. Jan 19 Probability Jan 26 Order of operations, substitution, trial and improvement Feb 9 Using ruler and compasses Mar 1 Finding angles Mar 8 Drawing a quadratic graph Mar 15 Using a calculator Mar 22 Units of measure SPORT RESULTS Boys Basketball Jnr Vs O.A.B Won 26 - 8 Jnr Vs R.G.S Won 26- 6 Snr Vs R.G.S Won 39 30 Boys Sportshall Year 7 came 1st Year 8 came 1st

YEAR 9 UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM EVENING Was held on Wednesday this week and attracted large numbers. Year 9 Parents Evening is on 13th March 2012. Option forms must be returned by 20th March 2012. YEAR 11 PROM We remind you that the balance of this years prom at Redwood Lodge must be paid by 3rd February. If you have not yet paid anything it is not too late to come. Prom is always a special evening which is enjoyed by everyone. Please take your payments to the Finance office next to Reception. BATTLEFIELDS TRIP 2012 We remind all year 8 pupils going on the trip in October this year that the next payment of 70 is due by February 1st 2012. BERLIN TRIP 2012 We remind all year 11 pupils going on this trip during the Easter holidays that the final payment of 100 is due by 9th January 2012.

Girls Basketball Jnr Vs Orchard Won 29 - 2 Snr Vs Orchard Lost 22 - 2

Girls Sportshall Year 7 came 2nd Year 8 came 4th

REMINDER FOR PARENTS RE SAFE CAR PARKING Could parents dropping off or picking up children do so on the Long Cross, in the interest of the safety of all our children. Please also remind your children of the need to exercise great care crossing the road. Under no circumstances should they walk/run out between the buses. It would also be appreciated if parents are respectful of our local residents and under no circumstance park in such a way as to limit their access to their homes. UNIFORM REMINDER As we start the new term can I please ask for parents support in maintaining excellent uniform standards. Girls may not wear stretchy short skirts. These will be confiscated and an alternative skirt will be given to the child. Hoodies are not permitted. These will be confiscated. In your annual feedback to me, many of you comment on how good the uniform is. With your help we can maintain these high standards. Many teenagers will try to be creative in how they interpret our standards. Creativity is welcomed, indeed encouraged. but not in relation to uniform! Many thanks for your help. FREE SCHOOL MEALS You are able to apply for free school meals if you receive one of: Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (income based), Child Tax Credit (but are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and your annual income does not exceed 16,190), support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum seekers Act 1999, the Guaranteed Element of Pension Credit, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance benefit. If you receive any of these benefits, we encourage you to take this opportunity to accept free school meals for your children as, if you are in receipt of free school meals, we receive additional funding which is used to support your child and others. Many children on Free School Meals receive one to one tutoring in Maths or English. Can I please urge you to apply? Applications can be made via http://www.bristol.gov.uk/page/food-schools or contact our Reception desk staff.

WISE WORDS! It is not how many years we live but what we do with them. It is not what we receive but what we give to others. Evangeline Booth (1865-1950) Social Reformer LAST BRAINTEASER ANSWER Here's how the tree-cutter managed to collect all nine trees, by walking in FOUR straight lines.

E-SAFETY TIP Wireless internet is available everywhere now, so even if you have disconnected your internet, the signal from a neighbours internet can sometimes still be picked up in your home. Even if computer use is restricted, a modern mobile phone or handheld device can connect wirelessly to the internet. BRAINTEASER With a seven minute hourglass and an eleven minute hourglass, what is the quickest way to time the boiling of an egg for 15 minutes?