MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL

You call us to grow in holiness and to become more like Your Son each day. Grant us the grace to keep improving, learning, and developing in our faith. Strengthen our hearts when we are weak, guide our minds when we are uncertain, and renew our spirits when we grow tired.

May Your Holy Spirit lead us in wisdom and truth, shaping us into disciples who reflect Your light in the world. And may we never stop growing closer to You, step by step, day by day.

Amen. 

PRIZE GIVING 2026

We welcomed St. Bede's Alumni Anthony Kolanko as our special guest at the 30th Annual Prize Giving ceremony yesterday. 

More than 150 students were recognised for their excellent achievement, positive attitude, and contribution to the school community.  While many award recipients had been announced in advance, the evening also featured several surprise honours revealed during the ceremony.

Congratulations go to Annabel E and Solomon E, who received the Vice Principals’ Awards, and to Pola G and Timothy T, recipients of the Principal’s Award.

A huge number of children received nominations from staff and a scrupulous effort to be fair, resulted in the final list.

We hope that pupils deserving of an award, but who did not receive one this year, will be recognised at Prize Giving celebrations in future years.

A copy of the Prize Giving programme is on our website.

REFLECTION – 29 April – St Catherine of Siena

This week we celebrated the Feast of St Catherine of Siena

This week, we reflect on St. Catherine of Siena, a 14th-century Doctor of the Church who proved that youth is no barrier to leadership. Despite having no formal power, Catherine’s "holy boldness" led her to advise Popes and care for the most marginalised members of society.

Catherine was born in Sienna and died in Rome. She promoted peace in Italy.

At the age of six, Catherine had a vision of Jesus Christ. She continued to receive many visions throughout her life.

She devoted her life to improving the Catholic Church, helping the ill, poor, and spiritually underprivileged.

She is credited with composing over 400 letters, her Dialogue, which is her definitive work, and her prayers, which taught that if you love your neighbours, it is loving God. These works are so influential that St. Catherine would later be declared a Doctor of the Church.

She is one of the most influential and popular saints in the Church. Her quotes, though over six hundred years old, are still relevant today

Reflection:

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

                                                                                                            St Catherine of Siena

Prayer:

Lord,

We thank you for the life of St. Catherine of Siena, who showed us that a heart on fire for you can change the world.

Grant us the courage to speak the truth with love, the wisdom to discover our unique purpose, and the strength to be exactly who you created us to be. In the busyness of life, help us find that "interior cell" of peace where we can always hear your voice.

May we, like Catherine, set the world on fire with the light of your grace.

Amen

OLYMPIAN TESS HOWARD INSPIRES STUDENTS 

St Bede’s Catholic College was incredibly proud to welcome Olympian Tess Howard for a special visit on Wednesday, 22nd April, an event that proved to be both inspiring and memorable for everyone involved.

Our Year 10 students took part in an exclusive assembly titled “What makes an Olympian, in shorts?” During the session, Tess shared her personal journey to elite sport, speaking openly about the challenges she has faced along the way. Her message strongly focused on resilience, passion, and teamwork, leaving a lasting impression on our pupils.

The talk itself was truly inspirational, with students fully engaged throughout. Tess’s honesty and enthusiasm helped bring her experiences to life, encouraging students to reflect on their own goals and how they can overcome obstacles in both sport and everyday life.

Following the talk, a group of our students were specially selected to take part in a series of insightful workshops, where they explored key skills and mindsets needed to succeed. These sessions allowed pupils to actively engage with Tess’s message, making the experience even more meaningful.

Adding to the excitement of the day, some of our students were also filmed as part of a promotional video, giving them a unique opportunity to showcase their involvement and be part of something special.

Overall, it was a fantastic experience for all involved, and we are incredibly grateful to Tess for taking the time to visit and inspire our students. 

TEAM PILGRIM

Year 8 Boys Football 

Congratulations to Team Pilgrim Year 8 boys who have reached the Gloucestershire county finals at Hartpury!

In what was an exciting and closely contested game, Team Pilgrim showed great resilience to edge past a very strong Abbeywood side, who came into the match as South Glos champions.

Pilgrim took an early lead through a clever finish from Nelson U. The second half was very much a backs-to-the-wall effort, with the defensive unit putting in a number of crucial last-minute tackles to preserve the lead.

Pilgrim of the Match was awarded to Wirgiliusz W for his outstanding work rate and bravery throughout.

A fantastic achievement, well done! 

Heartbreak in the Final for Year 11 Boys

Team Pilgrim put on a footballing masterclass in the final against Cirencester Kingshill earlier this week, but suffered a tough defeat in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.

In what can only be described as a completely one-sided affair, our Year 11 boys dominated the match from the first whistle to the last.  Despite their absolute control over the game and relentless possession, the ball simply refused to find the back of the net.

Match Highlights:

• Early Pressure: Team Pilgrim created a couple of glorious early chances, setting a high tempo and keeping Kingshill pinned back.

• Denied by the Woodwork: Lady Luck was clearly wearing a Kingshill shirt, as Pilgrim shots rattled both the post and the crossbar.

• Regular Time Agony: A missed penalty during normal time added to the growing feeling that it might just be one of those days where the football gods had other plans.

Despite Kingshill being saved time and time again by the woodwork and the missed penalty, the match remained stubbornly scoreless, forcing the ultimate test of nerves: a penalty shoot-out.

The shoot-out was a tense, back-and-forth battle. Unfortunately, after missing two spot-kicks, Team Pilgrim narrowly lost the shoot-out 6-5.

Pilgrim of the Match - Tiago A a fully committed performance, despite being injured. 

“While the final result is heartbreaking, the boys should hold their heads incredibly high. To dominate a cup final in such a manner shows the true quality, talent, and spirit of this team.”

We are unbelievably proud of the Year 11 boys. It’s a tough pill to swallow to lose a game you completely controlled, but they played like true champions from start to finish. Hold your heads up, Team Pilgrim!

Looking Ahead: All Eyes on the Year 8s

While the Year 11s rest after their hard-fought battle, the club's attention now turns to Team Pilgrim's Year 8 boys.

They are currently gearing up to play their own cup final on May 20th.  We wish them the absolute best of luck as they step up to the pitch—let's get behind the boys and bring the trophy home!

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP T20 CRICKET MATCH

ST BEDE'S STAFF NETBALL TEAM SCORES WINNING DEBUT IN MIXED LEAGUE OPENER

This Easter, St Bede’s staff took to the court for their debut in the mixed netball league! For some, it was a brand-new experience, while others were dusting off their netball trainers for the first time since their own school days. Despite the mixed levels of experience, the team spirit was high, and they secured a fantastic 27-19 victory.

Mr O’Rourke was named Player of the Match by the umpires, dominating the D with rebounds and interceptions.  He was expertly supported by the defensive powerhouse of Mrs Shaddick and Mrs Johnson, who made it very difficult for the opposition to score.

In the mid-court, Mr Osborne and Ms Harris acted as the engine room, delivering the ball smoothly into the attacking third, where Ms Mitchell and Ms Gibson showed off their clinical finishing skills.  A special thanks also goes to the family members who stepped in to bolster the squad over the holiday period.

It was a brilliant start to the season, and we can’t wait to see the squad grow even stronger as Ms Burg, Mr Moroz, Mr Slade, Mr King, Ms Saban, Mr Spurrell, Ms Pascoe, Mr Barley and Ms Wade join the line-up for the upcoming fixtures!

Celebrating Excellence:

Year 10 Brilliant Club Graduation at the University of Bath

This spring, our Year 10 scholars reached the finish line of their Brilliant Club Scholars Programme, culminating in a prestigious graduation ceremony at the University of Bath. It was a day defined by academic pride, future aspirations, and a well-earned celebration of hard work.

A Glimpse into University Life

The day began with an immersive look at life on a high-ranking campus. Our students weren't just visitors; they were treated as prospective undergraduates.

Reflections & Insights: Current University of Bath students shared their personal journeys, offering a "warts and all" look at the transition from school to higher education.

Interactive Q&A: Our scholars didn’t hold back, asking insightful questions about everything from managing workloads to the best spots to eat on campus.

Campus Tour: Navigating the impressive facilities at Bath gave the cohort a tangible sense of what they are working toward. Seeing the lecture theatres and social hubs turned the abstract idea of "university" into a real, reachable goal.

The Main Event: Graduation

The highlight of the day was the official graduation ceremony. Decked out in their metaphorical caps and gowns, students were recognised for completing their demanding research projects.

These were not standard school reports. Students worked with PhD tutor Dr Keith Brown to produce university-style assignments on the complex topic of genetic defects and cancer. We are incredibly proud to announce that our scholars achieved phenomenal results, with final grades categorised in the university format:

1st Class

2:1

2:2

Every student who submitted their final assignment showed remarkable resilience and academic flair. To produce work of this calibre while balancing their regular Year 10 studies is a fantastic achievement. Huge congratulations to the entire Spring Cohort!

Looking Ahead: 2026-27 Applications

Inspired by this year's success? We are looking for the next generation of scholars!

The Brilliant Club offers a unique opportunity for students to stretch their intellectual muscles and build the confidence needed to apply to the UK's most competitive universities.

Key Date: Applications for the 2026-27 Cohort (current Year 9 students) will officially open in October 2026.

Keep an eye out for more information on how to apply in the autumn term. Start thinking now: what big questions do you want to answer?

LEVEL UP SCIENCE REVISION WITH TASSOMAI: A Guide for Parents

As we approach Term 6, our Year 10 students are preparing for one of their biggest milestones yet: their Science Mock Exams. While the jump to GCSE-level revision can feel daunting, we have a powerful tool to help them stay on track—Tassomai.

Tassomai isn’t just another homework app; it’s an adaptive learning platform that uses "spaced repetition" to ensure knowledge actually sticks. For Year 10s, building these habits now is the secret to reducing stress when the real GCSEs arrive next year.

Why Tassomai Works

Tassomai breaks the vast Science curriculum into bite-sized, manageable chunks. By completing Daily Goals, students:

• Identify and close their individual "knowledge gaps."

• Build long-term memory through regular retrieval practice.

• Increase their confidence in tackling exam-style questions.

Watch the "Tassomai Tree" Grow

One of the best ways to monitor your child's progress is by looking at their Tassomai Tree. This is a visual representation of their learning journey:

• The Leaves: Each leaf represents a different topic in the syllabus.

• The Colors: Green leaves show mastery, while orange or red leaves highlight areas that need more focus.

• Growth: As your child completes quizzes and corrects mistakes, the tree becomes fuller and greener.

Parent Tip: Ask your child to show you their tree once a week. It’s a great, non-confrontational way to start a conversation about which topics they find easy and where they might need a little extra support.

Supportful Hints for Parents

You don’t need to be a scientist to help your child revise! Here is how you can support them:

1. The Power of the "Daily Goal": Encourage your child to hit their Daily Goal 4-5 times a week. Consistency is much more effective than "cramming" for three hours on a Sunday.

2. Focus on the Red: If you notice "red" leaves on the tree, suggest they watch the short Tassomai tutorial videos linked to those specific questions.

3. Celebrate the Streaks: Tassomai tracks "Daily Goal Streaks." A little praise for a 7-day streak can go a long way in maintaining momentum.

4. Use the Parent Dashboard: Check your weekly email report from Tassomai to see how much time they’ve spent on the platform and how their accuracy is improving.

By staying engaged with Tassomai now, our Year 10s can head into their Term 5 mocks feeling prepared, calm, and ready to succeed.

Happy Revising!

LIBRARY NEWS

Over the last couple of weeks we have celebrated Earth Day, Autism awareness month and Shakespeare’s birthday in the Library. 

We have congratulated  Antonio and Danny who Got Caught Reading in term 4, and we were very excited to come back to the new Lottie Brooks book, together with some lovely freebies from the publishers!  Other new books in the Library include the shortlist for the Jhalak Childrens’ and YA Prize for the Book of the Year by a Person of Colour.

The Bristol Teen Book Award is voted for each year by Year 9 Bristol pupils.  The process starts with the opportunity to nominate your favourite book from the past year.  Come into the Library to see our display of books that are eligible to be nominated!

The Carnegies’ Book Clubs

The Year 7 Carnegie Illustration Award book club continues each Thursday lunchtime in the Library. We are almost half way through the shortlist.  Our current favourite is Wiggling Words by Kate Rolfe; the students loved how the illustrator conveys the experience of being a dyslexic reader using block printed letters and a limited colour palate to create bold images.    

The Year 9s are reading Birdie by JP Rose from the Writing Award shortlist and currently don’t have a clear favourite!