Dear families,

I find myself writing again to show my appreciation to families, students and staff for your support and prayers, this time through our second inspection of the year. The diocesan Section 48 inspection report is due to be published next week, so I cannot yet share the formal outcome, but I wanted to share some of the positive feedback on our students.

Inspectors said "the students are able to articulate why they feel it is important to be a part of a Catholic school" and "understand Catholic social teaching". Students are "respectful and reverent" in the Liturgy of the Word and in other prayer opportunities. Throughout, they felt students were "powerful representatives of the college".

A huge thank you to our families, parishes and feeder primary schools - we at St Bede's only build on the excellent work you have done with these children in their formative years. I am pleased we are able to continue their spiritual journey and bring them into a closer relationship with Christ.

God bless,

Robert King

Principal

Message from Mr King

5th November 2021

Dear families

Dear all,

Message from Mr King, Principal

Another great fortnight has passed at St Bede's and I write to commend the students on their attitude to learning and behaviours for excellence. As I mentioned in a recent letter, we have been focusing on the college's culture and developing an understanding of The St. Bede's Way. We wanted to clarify for students, families and staff the college mission and how we do things here. To that end, we have finalised two key documents linked below. They are the result of input from teachers, students and governors and reflect our joint vision for the college's present and future.

Mission Statement
The St. Bede's Way

We said a fond farewell to Father Cosmas this week as he celebrated mass with us for the last time. He has supported the college immensely over the last few years and for that we are extremely grateful. We pray he settles well in his new London parish.

The government this week confirmed that the guidance for twice weekly lateral flow tests remains in place for students and staff. For the sake of the health of all in our community, please do encourage your children to continue to take their tests regularly - We suggest Sundays and Wednesdays. The first pack of tests given at the beginning of term should run out this weekend, so students will be provided with new packs early next week.

Further information on what parents and carers need to know about schools during COVID-19 can be found here.

Thank you for your ongoing support in this period of transition.
God bless,
Robert King
Principal

17th September 2021

After a fantastic first two weeks of term, I wanted to start by thanking all the students, staff and families for their support, warmth and engagement. As we move towards a more normal way of school life, with collective worship, house assemblies, shared lunchtimes and new co-curricular activities, it is fantastic to see the smiles on the faces of the members of our community.

Our new Year 7s have made an excellent start, and it was lovely to see so many of their families at last night's welcome mass and information evening. The students have already shown a wide range of gifts, skills and virtues and I know this year group is going to be an absolute credit to the college.

We have also welcomed our largest cohort into the Year 12 of our Arete sixth form. It is hugely pleasing to see increasing numbers of students choosing St Bede's for their post-16 study. The students have begun the year with enthusiasm and, with the support of their teachers, will manage the transition from KS4 to KS5 well.

The focus of the first fortnight has been the college's culture and developing an understanding of The St Bede's Way. A more detailed document will be finalised over the next few weeks, but I wanted to share the three agreed simple messages for all members of our college family: Work Hard. Be Kind. Do the Right Thing. We believe if we concentrate on doing these things on a daily basis the college will thrive and each student will become the best version of themselves.

God bless, 

Robert King 

Principal  

***

Tuesday 13th September 2021

Dear families,

I hope you are all well and that your children have enjoyed their first week back in college. Thank you to them and you for your support of the testing process – we successfully completed over 2000 lateral flow tests, all of which returned negative results.

Please continue to support our community to keep each other safe by encouraging your children to return to the twice weekly testing at home. Test kits were distributed to children at the end of last week, but if you are running short at any time please ask your child to request a new pack from their tutor.

School life has now returned to close to normal, and it is great to see the students all together around the college. Our Wednesday voluntary mass will resume in a couple of weeks’ time and in preparation for this students are taking part in year group collective worship services over the first fortnight of term. Lessons have returned to their specialised classrooms which is fantastic for the academic progress of the students and we are delighted that co-curricular activities have already re-started with many more pencilled in over the next few weeks and months.

The students’ uniform has been of a very good standard to begin the year, so a very big thank you for your support in this area. Please continue to remind your children that footwear should not be branded, the only jewellery permitted is one stud in each ear, and mobile phones can be “on site” but must remain “out of sight”.

We are introducing a new home learning platform this year called Class Charts. Students are receiving their logins this week and so normal home learning expectations will begin on Monday 20^th September. Families will receive their logins early next week and so you will be able to see the work set and support your children with it. Please encourage your child to organise their time well around their home learning and develop strong independent working routines to allow them to be the best they can be this year.

Kind regards,

Rob King

Principal