Monday 4th June Start of Term PFA Meeting 7 p.m. St Joseph’s Centre

Monday 11th - 15th June Y8 Examinations

Thursday 14th June Y10 Cambridge University visit

Thursday 21st June Y9 High Achievers’ Day Carmel College

Thursday 28th June Y11 Prom

Monday 2nd July New Parents’ Evening

Tuesday 3rd July New Pupils’ Day

Wednesday 4th July Y10 Carmel College Visit

Thursday 5th July Y9 Holocaust Survivor Visit

Friday 6th July Uniform and Equipment Evening 4-6.30 p.m.

Y7 Reports to parents

Thursday 12th July Y10 Engage Evening

Friday 13th July Y8 Reports to parents

Thursday 19th - Tuesday 22nd July Battlefield Tour Trip Theme Week ‘SEAL it with Respect’

Friday 20th July Whole School Mass Sports Day

Monday 23rd July Alton Towers Trip

Tuesday 24th July Rewards Day End of Term

Monday 3rd - Tuesday 4th September School Closed (Staff Training Day and moving into new building)

Wednesday 5th September Start of Term

May, 2018 ISSUE 86

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

While only a short term, five weeks, there is still a lot to celebrate including our Awards: CAFOD ‘Faith in Action’ Award, Bronze for the Eco Team’s work and

Silver in recognition of St Gregory’s being a no-smoking establishment. The Celebration Mass for our Y11 pupils and their relatives was a fitting reflection of their lives at St Gregory’s. We are very grateful for their many contributions to school life over the last five years and look forward to celebrating their achievements in August. Our thoughts and prayers are with them throughout the remaining examination period.

It has also been a privilege to visit Y5 pupils in our local primary schools and hold ‘question and

answer’ sessions. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and know that these pupils will be wonderful ambassadors when they join our school community. I have also been overwhelmed by the generosity of both our pupils and staff raising hundreds of pounds for a range of causes which truly epitomises what we are all about as a Catholic School Finally, well done to Nate O’Connor (Y8) who has won a scholarship, sponsored by Virgin, with the Queen’s Trust and is going to India with the ‘We’ movement charity this summer - such an honour for St. Gregory’s and for Nate and his family. Mr McGlinchey.

ECO TEAM WINS ECO-SCHOOLS BRONZE AWARD!

FAREWELL TO

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD

Mr Sharkey DT Teacher Mrs Traynor-Field Teaching Assistant

Following the rise in public concern for environmental issues in response to ‘The Blue Planet’ BBC series, St. Gregory's decided to join the

‘Eco-Schools’ initiative and we are proud to announce that the Eco-Team have achieved the ‘Eco-Schools’ Bronze Award. Small, achievable changes were all it took and we are now working towards the Silver Award by building on some of the ideas and projects we have started. The group have worked with Senior staff members and Governors to reduce plastic use and waste in the canteen. Polystyrene trays have been eliminated and our bottled water supply has been changed to a product that uses recycled plastic bottles. We would like to eliminate the use of plastics completely by encouraging pupils to bring in their own refillable water bottles. We have secured funding to provide recycle bins in the canteen. As part of the Eco Project, we needed to adopt a global issue where we can help make a difference. We have chosen to help a school in the Gambia raise money to improve their facilities and build a sustainable vegetable garden where they can grow food to feed the school children. We will be looking at sporting

fundraising events in the summer term to help this charity.

All Year Groups have heard about the work the Eco Team have done and what they plan to do in the near future in a series of presentations in Collective Worship. We have asked everyone to do five small things to bring about posi -t i ve consequences for our envi -ronm ent -

1. Pick up litter and put it in the bin 2. Use recycle bins 3. Start using a refillable water bottle

instead of buying it in plastic bottles 4. Support fundraising activities/events

for our Gambia school 5. Refuse unnecessary packaging when

out and about

Members of the Eco Team will be going to Knowsley Safari Park as a reward for their efforts. Well done to the Eco Team! If you care about the environment and wish to make a difference - the Eco Team meets on Thursdays from 3pm - 4pm in F17.

Mrs Williams

Remember Service of Word and Communion takes place every Friday throughout term at 8.15 a.m. Mass is every second Friday of the month.

Our next meeting will be on Monday June 4th at St Joseph’s Centre at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome!

Thank you to every one who helped organise a cake sale either donating or helping serve cakes, to raise funds to help former pupil Bethany Attwood in her nursing studies. Beth was presented with a cheque for £200.

Our Y7 and Y8 Rugby Teams competed in the new kit purchased by the PFA and they made it through to the finals in June!

Our next fundraiser is a Race Night on Friday 22nd June at 7pm. Tick-ets available via the online pay-ment system or via school recep-tion.

Please can parents and members of our community consider joining the Easyfundraising website and nominate ‘St Gregory’s Catholic High School PFA’ as your good cause. Full details

CHAPLAINCY NEWS

Y7 Chaplaincy Group This term the Y7 Chaplaincy Group have been helping to co-ordinate the school’s weekly charity collections. This has involved researching different charities and helping to raise money and awareness of important causes that our school community can make a big difference to. One of these causes was ‘Nugent Care’ and the money raised for the charity will be presented to the Bishop by the group at the Good Shepherd Mass in June.

Y11 Chaplaincy Group We will soon say goodbye to our Y11 Chaplaincy Group but this term they have been completing the CAFOD

‘Faith in Action’ Award. This award is a national one that rewards those who actively seek to discover how

faith shapes lives. The group have been working towards their Bronze Award through participation in Collective Worships, Masses and services as well as many other activities. This will be the first ‘Faith in Action’ Award that St Gregory’s has achieved and it will be presented to the group at a ceremony in July by the Archbishop of Liverpool, Malcolm McMahon.

Nathan Whitlow

NUMERACY PUZZLE

Entries to Mrs Holman by Friday June 8th, 2018

Name: ______________ Form:____

April Puzzle Winner Elaine Loi (Y9) .

COLOURS FOR PEACE!

Tuesday 20th March 2018 As a school communi ty we participated in a 2 minutes’ silence in commemoration of Johnathan Ball and Tim Parry and for all those injured in the Warrington bombing 25 years ago.

Y8 pupils raised £76.00 by making and decorating Colours for Peace cupcakes.

Mrs Dolphin

PFA

Advance Notice Miss Sanderson will be running a photography competition for all Y8 next term.

Details to follow.

Good luck!

Y8 IN THE FRAME!

Music Concert

The concert with Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School was a lovely way to end last term with some wonderful performances.

Little Shop of Horrors Little Shop of Horrors is a horror comedy rock musical, by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, about a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on

human blood and flesh.

Rehearsals are going well for our school production in October. Save the dates: October 8-11th, 2018

PERFORMING ARTS NEWS

ENGLISH NEWS

DUCKLING INVASION EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Anti-Bullying Workshop

Following on from our Platinum ‘Wise Up’ Award Ceremony, we were delighted to be invited to Christ Church C of E Primary School to deliver our workshop to Y5 and Y6 pupils.

We had some fantastic feedback from one of the parents;

“William absolutely loved the assembly today and was bursting to tell me all about it when I walked through the door. He said it was brilliant but fun with a serious meaning.

You’ve made a fantastic impression and all the children and staff were talking about it after you left.”

Anti-Bullying Agenda Our school aims to understand more

about what Hate Crime is. Our latest whole school display focuses on the meaning of Hate Crime and celebrates the results of our last Anti-Bullying survey where 91% of the school community said they would not be a bystander and would tell if they saw someone being bullied. Mrs Dolphin

Memories of

Krakow

February 2018

Passport to Literacy Scheme There has been a fantastic response to our Bronze, Silver and Gold Passport Scheme. Thank you to our enthusiastic readers!

Bronze Passport has now finished and certificates will be given out at the beginning of next term in Collective Worship. A survey has been carried out to ask pupils’ opinions on the passport and, make improvements for next years Y7.

The deadline for the Silver Passport is the

end of June—are you on target? Keep reading over the half term!

LRC Competition Winners Romance Competition Elaine Loi 9 Fisher Emily Fletcher 8 Julian Alex Pompova 8 Winefride Chinese New Year Charlotte Hudd 8 Campion World Book Day Winners Wiktor Wojtala 8 Campion

Jenny Williams 7 Campion Amelia Ford 7 Campion Beth Peace 7 Campion Detective Competition Charlotte Hudd 8 Campion Wiktor Wojtala 8 Campion Easter Activities Grace Wilson 7 Winefride Betty O’Boyle 7 Winefride.

Thank you to everyone who took part Mrs Mason/Mrs Huckerby

On Tuesday 1st May, we were surprised to see that a clutch of baby ducklings had hatched in the science

pond. On contacting the ranger from Sankey Valley park we learned they were safer in our pond than relocating them to the park where territories of other new duck families would already be set up and the threat from predators high. So we have been feeding the ducklings and ensuring they are sheltered from the rain and cold for the last few weeks. Charlie Peace (Y10) even built them a small duck house to keep the elements off their fluffy little feathers. We have been feeding them with cress, fresh lettuce and chick crumb from the pet shop, as bread is not good for ducks.

The ducklings and their mum 'Dianne' have plenty of fans in the pupils at St. Gregory's with many visiting them at break and lunch time. Mrs Williams

Mental Health Awareness Week 14-20 May, 2018 School decided to pick one day when the whole school would deliver a starter activity on this year’s theme: Stress. Each activity looked at different aspects of Stress, how to recognise signs, overcome symptoms and where to signpost others to get help and support.

During the week, green ribbons were sold for a donation and the 2%ers squad hosted an information stall during lunchtimes to highlight issues and offer support. The £50 raised will be sent to a Mental Health Charity.

Youth Health Champions This half term, ten Y8 pupils have been selected by Warrington Borough Council to undertake training to qualify as Youth Health Champions. They, alongside Bridgewater and Lymm High School pupils, have met each Thursday at various locations learning vital skills and expanding their own knowledge base to enable them to support their peers and signpost them to the many areas of support in and out of school.

Once training is complete, they will be working to deliver various campaigns through school promoting emotional and physical health and wellbeing.

Smoke Free Schools Award We are delighted to have been awarded the Silver Award by Warrington Borough Council, Public Health Team. Mrs McSorley and the newly qualified Youth Health Champions will be completing tasks and submitting the application for the Gold Award before the summer.

ANTI-BULLYING AND HATE CRIME TEAM

BACK OF THE NET

Y7 Football Team: It has been a very tough opening season for the team with only 4 points gained from their 7 games. As always, the weather had the greatest say in the amount of games played and the wet weather resulted in numerous cancellations and reversal of fixtures to take advantage of opposition 4g pitches.

The opening set of fixtures played before Christmas exposed the lack of depth in the squad which led to heavy defeats against Bridgewater, Lymm and Culcheth. However, it was encouraging to note that in the fixtures played post Christmas there were signs of recovery despite a heavy defeat against eventual league winners, Great Sankey. A narrow 0-3 loss against Birchwood was followed by a 4-0 win and a 1-1 draw against Boteler. It is now hoped that this form can be taken into the new season where a more settled squad and pattern of play should ensure future success.

Well done to all the squad of players who have shown great perseverance during testing times this season. (A. Carey)

Y8 Football Team: It was a hugely successful season for the team, who lost only one game. They missed out on a place in the final by the narrowest of margins and should be proud of their achievements this year. All players involved were fantastic but special mention must go to goalkeeper Adam Lebrocq, defenders Joe Milner and Fin O'Garra, midfielder James Leadbetter and attacker Orran Mushet. (J.Egan)

Y9 Football Team: The Y9 football season was a tale of poor weather meaning many games were rearranged and lack of availability. This meant that we struggled to play a consistent team throughout the season. There were, however, signs towards the end that the team can be competitive in the future. This was highlighted in good results against Great Sankey and Culcheth. There is definitely the talent going forward to perform well next season; let’s hope the weather is with us. (R. Wiles)

Melissa Edwards (9 Julian) Melissa competes in Horse Riding and excels in Dressage and Show Jumping. She is also a gifted athlete and

currently holds the St Gregory’s KS3 records forfastest time over 100m and the furthest distance for long jump. Melissa is always organised and engaged in PE lessons, and a role

model for all our pupils. We look forward to her outstanding contributions in GCSE PE.

Ben Horne (9 Fisher) Ben is an elite

performer within

the field of Tennis.

He currently plays

for Widnes and

Birchwood Tennis

Club.

M. McCabe

FOOTBALL RUGBY

The Y7 Rugby team took part in the annual 9 a side tournament organised by Warrington Wolves

at Victoria Park. They were grouped together with UAW, Cardinal Newman and Penketh

The first game, due to take place against UAW, resulted in a walkover as the opposition failed to show, so the team began with maximum points! The game against Cardinal Newman followed and the team really took the game to the opposition. Good passing and handling skills when going forward coupled with effective tackling when they were forced to defend, resulted in a very convincing 28-4 victory.

Unfortunately, the fixture list dictated that due to there now being only 3 teams in their group, the team had to play the strongest team, Penketh, straight away. Unfortunately, the team could not replicate the same performance and were beaten 36-8 by an opposition who stifled our attacks and worked the ball well when in possession.

The team have made the Plate Final, to be held at Victoria Park on June 13th, where they will get the chance to avenge their loss playing the same opposition.

Special mention must go to Alfie Banks who tackled furiously

throughout both games and was leading try scorer. Frankie Bonello-Houghton also deserves praise for his brave performances. Both pupils were also instrumental in organising the squad prior to the tournament and encouraging pupils to attend weekly training sessions.

The Y8 Rugby team had been training hard beforehand and were determined to put in a good performance.

In the first game against Boteler St Gregory’s, in their new kit, performed excellently. Strong running, good passing and a solid defence meant they were convincing winners. They had to play Penketh immediately after, knowing that they were up against a strong team. The defence shone in a very tight game. St Gregory’s came out on top in the end due to an excellent try from Stephen Carmichael, who collected a cross field kick from Alex Senior. James Williams, Charlie Appleton and Adam Lebrocq also played excellently across the two games.

Many thanks to Ade Cunliffe and the PFA for organising the purchase of the smart new Rugby kits worn for the first time at the tournament. (A.Carey)

DSL: Mrs Howard-Rigby (Pastoral Deputy Head Teacher) Safeguarding Governor: Mr. Roger Harrison.

Warrington Duty and Assessment Team: 01925 443400 (Working Hours)/ 01925 444400 (Out of Hours) Cheshire Constabulary :101

ChildLine: 0800 1111 NSPCC 0808 800 5000 Samaritans 08457 909090

Uniform and Equipment Evening Friday 6th July

4 - 6.30 p.m. All years welcome!

SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN OF THE FUTURE