2

Headteacher’s Message As another busy and successful calendar year draws to a close, we have much to be thankful for. We con nue to strengthen as a school, evident in both our MEN

Secondary School of the Year Award and the fact that parents are increasingly desperate to secure a place in our school for their child (over 730 applica ons for 300 places in next year’s Year 7, 348 of which record Newman College as first preference). Addi onally I am delighted to report that we have been nominated for membership of Music Mark, the leading na onal associa on for the

promo on of excellence in music educa on. It was my great pleasure to say a final congratula ons and goodbye to the Class of 2017. This group of students showed a great work ethic and commitment, se ng the bar even higher for year groups to follow. Parents of last year’s Year 11 students heard the Rt. Hon. Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West and Royton, speak very highly of the college and its rapidly growing reputa on.

In the new year, 2018 promises so much. For me, personally, I have mixed emo ons as it will mark the end of my me as headteacher of Newman College. I look forward to new challenges, and yet I will leave the role with great sadness, a er 7 happy years serving the governors, parents and children. That sadness is tempered by the knowledge that the college will be in good hands when Mr Po s takes over as headteacher.

Please accept my very best wishes for a happy and holy Christmas with your families

and friends.

Mr M. McGhee

Gospel Music Arrives at Newman College

On Friday 17th November, Newman College hosted its second gospel music concert. Following on from last year's successful event, this year the project was a collabora on between Newman College, Crompton House School, The Radclyffe School, and Co‐op academy Failsworth.

Newman College and Crompton House's singers worked throughout the day with Tyndale and Kadria Thomas, from the company ‘Voice Assembly’, to learn new singing techniques and gospel repertoire. Pupils from The Radclyffe School and Co‐op Academy Failsworth undertook a similar workshop the day before to prepare for this joint event.

The concert was a great success and featured over 200 pupils making music together. The four schools were also joined by two amateur gospel choirs from the local area. This was another great success and all the pupils involved really enjoyed singing their hearts out to the audience, working together with performers from other schools.

A huge thank you to all pupils who were involved and to the three partner secondary schools for allowing their pupils to take part.

3

Pupil Chaplain Commissioning Day

Newman RC pupils from year 7, 9 and 11 were commissioned at the Diocese of Salford. They received a full day’s training and came up with an ac on plan for Chaplaincy at Newman College.

They were told he story of St. Mar n and how the word “Chaplain” was created. Since then they have put this training into ac on through Year 7 form me reflec ons and through the SVP Winter Pack Appeal.

BEAMS ‐ Out of this World!

The BEAMS (Boys, English and Mo va on = Success) team were out in force in late November in order to celebrate Dr Who Day (November 23rd).

Tradi onally, November 23rd is the day Dr Who is celebrated by fans of the show as it was 54 years ago on this day that the show was first aired. Inspired by this, the Year 9 BEAMS team transported themselves into the roles of...teachers!

The boys worked with the three top sets in Year 7 in order to inspire them and fire them up about crea ve wri ng. The Year 7 classes were given a 'Crea ve Wri ng Masterclass' which involved crea ng imagina ve se ngs, developing character foils and using objects from the 'mystery' box. Class teachers were very impressed, describing the boys as "awesome" and twee ng about their efforts. Keep your eye out for more transforma ons in the new year ‐ they may be beaming into your class soon!

Language Leaders

Language Leaders at Newman RC is finally up and running and what a great start we’ve got off to.

We’ve had workshops delivered on ‘What makes a good teacher’, ‘Key classroom phrases’ and ‘Voice training’.

Moving into the new year we will be star ng to organise our ac vi es for the Year 7 Language Leader club which will be an unmissable event. Merci beaucoup to the Language Leaders for the first few weeks of dedica on and hard work.

“Cook Your Own CreepyPasta!” Compe on.

Congratula ons to Fahumur Rahman for winning first prize! 55 Pupils took part in cooking up their own “Creepy Pasta!” in our Halloween crea ve‐wri ng contest. And a LOT were boys! Well done gentlemen! You can sample the sinister gourmands in the LRC now!

4

Congratula ons to YEAR 10!

So far, Year 10 are the highest

a endees of IDL interven on!

Keep up the great work and you’ll go

far!

Thank you to all form tutors for

encouraging their students to a end!

#GetCaughtReading Rewards!

We’ve handed out over 100 #GCR tokens to students since the start of term…! Whomsoever is caught reading around school will be awarded a #GCR token to fill in with your name and form. Once you’ve filled it in, hand it in to Mrs.B in the LRC to be entered into a prize‐draw.

Whoever has to MOST #GCR tokens by the end of term, will win a book of their own choice, ordered in to keep! GOOD LUCK, BOOK WORMS!

Cross‐Curricular Literacy Day!

On the 12th December, all of year 7 were involved in our

first ever cross‐curricular literacy day! The day helped to

develop subject specific vocabulary for Maths, Science,

Geography, History, RE, and MFL ‐ all through the theme

“Exploring Christmas”!

History will be helping students discover how Christmas

celebra ons have changed through me, and English will

be looking at Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’, as well as what

life was like in the Industrial Revolu on! Merry Christmas!

KINDLE‐UNLIMITED IS HERE!!!

Following a rapid rise in demand for new texts in

our ever‐busy Library, students are now able to

download millions of books on one of our

Kindles!

Hardcopy books are s ll available for loan over

the Christmas Holiday.

@MrsBBray on Twi er A million thanks to the brave and

beau ful Julia for conquering her fear

of public speaking to recite “In

Flanders Fields” for

#RemembranceDay2017

#LiteracyWagon:

Congratula ons to RE and History

for bringing literacy to life in their

subjects through poetry!

New! Debate Mate Extra‐Curricular Ac vity

This year, Newman RC College are taking part in the Interna onal Debate Mate compe on. The club is run every Thursday a erschool by trained, high achieving university students who deliver debate workshops supported by Newman staff members.

The debate mate programme aims to raise speaking and listening a ainment, as well as improve a range of high order thinking skills and non‐cogni ve abili es such as confidence, teamwork and leadership. In doing so, it addresses the widening skills gap between educa on and employment, whilst raising aspira ons and helping students to make informed post‐18 choices. The club can also improve exam skills and allows students to learn about world issues that affect communi es through enjoyable ac vi es, compe ons and trips.

At Newman College, we believe that every child deserves equal access to a top educa on; Debate Mate empowers the youth of today to find their voice so that they can become the leaders of tomorrow. The top 20 finalists around the country are invited down to London where they are in with a chance of deba ng in the House of Lords and winning the pres gious “Debate Mate Cup!”

5

Wear it Wild Day!

On the 20th October, Newman RC College took part in a fund

raising event ‘Wear it Wild’ which is organised by the WWF

in order to raise awareness of endangered animals. For this

day, some staff dressed up as an endangered animal and the

Eco Club made and sold animal themed cakes. Students also

took part in various learning ac vi es throughout the day in

their science lessons which covered topics such as successful

conserva on techniques and animal welfare issues. The Eco

Team managed to raise £170 which will go towards funding

vital conserva on projects.

Targeted Curriculum TC students have had a successful term. Y11 have been working through applica ons and have had a series of interviews for local colleges. In English, students have been working their way through their Love and Rela onships poetry, progressing through the en re anthology. In Science and maths, students have been progressing well through the GCSE syllabus and are comple ng lots of ques ons in prepara on for their exams. In BTEC Sport, students have completed a prac ce unit 1 exam and performed posi vely. Students have also begun to make progress in the BTEC L2 Teamwork and Personal Development qualifica on. An ex‐student, Fiza Jamil, was welcomed into school when she delivered a presenta on to Y11s about the importance of working hard when in TC and explained her story and showed off her posi ve results. Molly Stabbins has successfully completed her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, well done Molly! Y10 have had the opportunity to work prac cally and have made crystals in Science and have progressed well. They are really taking pride in their work in Science. In maths, students have been learning in a variety of ways. In English, students have been taking part in “Debate Mate” to develop their communica on skills. Once a week, they discuss current affairs such as the Royal engagement and poli cal and local issues. Students will be able to use these skills to develop their spoken language in everyday conversa ons and in their speaking assessment. By the end of the programme, students will be deba ng current affairs and could have the opportunity to compete at the Houses of Parliament. In BTEC sport, Y10 students have presented a sport powerpoint to a group of Y7s covering rules, regula ons and scoring systems. They did this very well and this forms the evidence for their first assessment. Well done all!

6

NETBALL

The Year 7 netball team have made an encouraged start to their first year playing for Newman. So far, they have won 3 against Failsworth, Oasis and Waterhead matches and lost 1 against Crompton House. Lily Ferguson has made an excellent start as Captain, demonstra ng fantas c leadership skills both on and off the court.

The Year 8 netball team are undefeated so far this season and currently sit at the top of the Oldham B team league. Led by their fantas c captain Lia Robinson the girls have improved in all areas but most no ceably in the shoo ng sta s cs from Ellie and Courtney.

The Year 9 Netball teams have had a posi ve, hardworking, commi ed start to the netball season. Led by their captain Mia Fullerty, the team have produced some fantas c netball against tough opposi on such as Saddleworth and Bluecoat.

The Year 10 netball team have had a posi ve start to the netball season, winning both their fixtures against Bluecoat and Waterhead. Led by their captain Isabelle Baker, some of the team have demonstrated excellent commitment to training and fixtures.

The Year 11 netball team despite increasing GCSE pressures have con nued to demonstrated commitment, hard work and determina on. It has been an absolute pleasure to coach during their me at Newman College, congratula ons girls on a fantas c, successful 5 years! Miss Chadderton

GIRLS’ FOOTBALL The girls have been very busy with their

season fixtures this term, the main focus being on the Oldham

Schools Compe on. The KS4 girls gave a fantas c performance in

their first round of fixtures. Happy Obidiegwu came away being

the top goal scorer of the night. Well done and keep up the good

work girls!

BOYS BADMINTON The KS3 boys were unstoppable at the Oldham schools badminton compe on,

having comfortably beaten Failsworth, Oasis, Hulme and Radclyffe. A brilliant team performance from Simoun, Boris, Daniel and Kieron,

who represented Newman in a fantas c manner, impressing various teachers and pupils with their skill and team spirit. Well done boys

and good luck at the Greater Manchester School games next year!

GIRLS RUGBY The compe on at Newman saw the Under 15s girls crowned Oldham

school tag rugby champions. The captain Stacy Kouaye and the girls gave a fantas c

performance throughout the compe on, winning all of their matches. The U13s and

Captain Megan Hobin came runners up to Bluecoat, the only team they lost to throughout

the compe on.

GIRLS BASKETBALL With only 2 schools entering the compe on this year, it was a head

to head final between Newman year 9s and 10s to determine the winners. With both

teams figh ng for the win, the U14s secured the victory, winning 20‐18. Good luck to both

teams when they represent Oldham in the Greater Manchester Youth Games in the New

Year.

GIRLS HOCKEY A very

impressive display of hockey

from our U15 girls resulted in

them bea ng Oasis Academy to

win the Oldham Schools Hockey

tournament. A very talented

group of girls who played so

well despite it being their first

match together as a team.

7

OLDHAM CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS The annual Oldham Schools Cross Country Championships took place at Chadderton

Hall Park this year. Outstanding individual performances came from Lia Robinson (Yr8), Lily Ferguson (Yr 7) and Ben Rydel (Yr10). Our

best team performance was from the Year 8 girls who came 3rd overall.

INDOOR ATHLETICS. The first Athle cs Compe on of the year took place at Sport City

Indoor track. Newman Athletes from years 8 and 9 were selected to take part in the

invita on compe on compe ng against the best schools from all over Greater Man‐

chester. Outstanding individual performances came from Ikram S hi – 3rd in the Shot

Pu and Kieron Miah – 3rd in the High Jump

BOYS FOOTBALL The new crop of year 7 footballers has been an absolute delight to

manage with each game being approached with dignity and excellence shown by all

players. Adam Lowe has been handed the captain’s arm band this season and has gone

from strength to strength with his performances and even chipped in with the odd goal

from his defensive posi on. The highlight of the season so far has been the fantas c display in the Catholic cup against Barlow Roman

Catholic college in which Newman where victorious 7‐6 with a man of the match display from Igor Pawelec.

The year 7 development team has been an opportunity for some of the players to get their first taste of represen ng Newman Col‐

lege. They have hit the ground running by winning the Oldham schools cup hosted by Crompton House with Lewis Nolan being the

stand out performer with some excep onal performances.

The year 8 football team has had a mixed year with regard to results and performance.

Collec vely the team have worked hard and they have all been given a chance to play and

all seemed to have enjoyed the experience.

The Year 9s have had an indifferent season so far not ge ng the results that their perfor‐

mances have deserved. The team has been led well by Captain Lawrence Majek who con‐

stantly mo vates the team encouraging them

to raise their game. Hopefully in the New Year

our luck will change and the Football gods will

give us the results that our performances

have deserved.

The year 10 football lads have been a credit to the school and themselves. The boys have

come up against tough opposi on and have encountered some difficult situa ons away

from home which they all dealt with in a dignified and resilient manner. Ben Rydel is the

captain and always leads by example. Results; Catholic Cup: St Pauls 2‐1, Loreto 9‐0. Old‐

ham League: won one, drew one and lost one.

GCSE Climbing The climbing wall training for GCSE pupils has been a new and exci ng

extra‐curricular club run by Mr Roebuck and Mr Bird. Pupils have set upon the task of

learning the new skills using the climbing wall here at Newman and also using the

climbing wall up at Madhlo. There have been many excep onal pupils making excel‐

lent progress however Harrison Guy has been the stand out pupil going above and

beyond in his commitment to improving his knowledge and skills.

Year 9 Sports Leaders Our Year 9 fantas c sports leaders a ended a training day for

the primary Greater Manchester Youth Games at the Armitage centre, Manchester

University. They were an absolute credit to the school and will now look forward to

using their newly developed hockey leadership skills when they take control of umpir‐

ing the primary tournament which takes place in March next year.

Geography Field Trip

In October there was a year 11 GCSE geography trip to Fleetwood in Lancashire. As part of the GCSE geography course, students have to complete a piece of primary data collec on and analysis. Fieldwork is a compulsory part of the GCSE syllabus and also an enjoyable and challenging event, especially when conducted in a new environment. In Fleetwood, our students conducted various ac vi es such as measuring the rate of longshore dri , measuring the build‐up of material along the groynes, looking at housing quality and comple ng environmental quality surveys. Despite the very windy condi ons, and occasional rain and hailstone shower, everyone had a successful and fantas c day.

8

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award This year 85 year 10 and 11 students have successfully completed their bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh award. Very well done to the students who have worked so hard to achieve this great Na onal qualifica on. Students have spent three to six months volunteering in school or in the local community helping others, developing themselves physically, learning a new skill and have par cipated in a challenging overnight camp including two days walking (or three days and two nights at silver!). The presenta on evening was a lovely way to celebrate the students’ achievements and students can wear their badge with pride on their blazer, as well as place their cer ficate signed by HRH Prince Phillip in their Achievement Folder. Many of the bronze holders have decided to progress onto their silver award. Recruitment of year 9s and 10s into the bronze and silver awards this year has been hugely successful again. 113 year 9 students have begun a ending the D of E club at bronze level and 26 year 10s at silver level. Students have been involved in first aid and naviga on training and can look forward to the naviga on day and their first day walk in January from Tandle Hill to Middleton. Thank you to all the staff who have volunteered to help!

Key upcoming dates include: Sat 20th Jan 18 – Naviga on Day in school, Sun 21st Jan 18 – Day Walk, Tandle Hill, Sun 04th Feb 18 – Day Walk, Dovestones