MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL

Lord,

You have made me a link in the chain of Your love, a bond of connection between persons. Help me to bring kindness, understanding, and peace to those I meet. May my words and actions strengthen others and draw us closer to one another and to You.

REFLECTION  – 22 June – St Thomas More & St John Fisher

      

Next week, we celebrate the feast of St Thomas More and St John Fisher

Saint John Fisher was an English Roman Catholic Bishop, Cardinal and Martyr.

Saint Thomas More was an English writer, lawyer, and statesman. He held many important jobs including Speaker of the House of Commons, Lord Chancellor and advisor to the King Henry VIII. 

Living in 16th-century England, both men were highly respected leaders, yet, they are remembered today not for their prestigious titles, but for their unwavering courage, integrity, and faith.

When King Henry VIII demanded that his subjects sign an oath declaring him the Supreme Head of the Church in England, More and Fisher faced an agonising choice. To sign meant safety, wealth, and worldly success. To refuse meant treason, imprisonment, and ultimately, death.

They chose latter. Both refused to compromise their conscience, choosing loyalty to Christ and His Church above all else. Saint Thomas More famously declared on the scaffold that he died "the King's good servant, but God's first."

Reflection: “Don’t worry about me no matter what happens in this world. Nothing can happen to me that God doesn’t want. And all that He wants, no matter how bad it may appear to us, is really for the best.” St Thomas More

A good man is not a perfect man but a good man honest, faithful and unhesitatingly responsive to the voice of God in his life. St John Fisher

Prayer:  Lord God,

You gave St Thomas More and St John Fisher the grace to suffer witness for the sake of justice. Through their prayers, grant that we may confirm by the witness of our lives the faith we profess with our lips. Give us the courage to stand up for the vulnerable, the integrity to speak the truth, and the wisdom to always put You first.

Amen.

ST. BEDE'S WAY SPOTLIGHT

Work Hard, Be Kind and Do the Right Thing

The St. Bede’s Way Spotlight identifies children who stand out as exemplifying one of our three St. Bede’s Way principles of “Work Hard. Be Kind. Do the Right Thing.”

This week we are delighted to recognise the kindness of Year 11 student Jakub J. 

On Friday 12th June, after completing his GCSE exams, Jakub was waiting for a bus when an older gentleman nearby suddenly collapsed. Jakub immediately went to help, recognising that the man was in distress and struggling to breathe.

He quickly called for an ambulance and placed the gentleman in the recovery position, staying with him until emergency services arrived. Paramedics later took over care of the individual and thanked Jakub for his prompt response.

His family expressed their pride in his actions and their gratitude for the school’s first aid education, which they believe helped prepare him for this situation.

They also hope the gentleman received the care he needed and made a good recovery.

Jakub, your kindness exemplifies one of our St Bede’s Way principles.  We are very proud of you.

BIOLOGY FIELD TRIP TO FOLLY FARM 

A few weeks ago, year 12 Biology students went on a field trip to Folly Farm in Somerset. We took part in numerous activities, such as systematic sampling across a meadow, random sampling in a woodland, and stratified sampling in a nearby pond. We were able to collect and observe organisms like dragonflies, great crested newts, herb roberts, and water beetles. After the work was done and statistical tests were completed, we all enjoyed a hot meal and a scenic sunset walk through the Folly Farm grounds.

Many of the skills developed on the trip can be applied to the real exam and help us with our studies. As well as this being an educational trip, we found that everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and nicknamed it “Jolly Farm.”

Sara & Aniela (Year 12)

TEAM PILGRIM

Senior Cricket Team Progress in Stokes Cup

After the disappointment of being knocked out of the Bristol Schools Cup, Team Pilgrim’s Senior Cricket Team responded in impressive fashion with a convincing second-round victory in the Knights Stokes Cup.

With several Year 8 pupils stepping up to the hardball game, Team Pilgrim produced an excellent all-round performance. The bowlers and fielders worked superbly as a unit, restricting RGS to 78/9 from their 20 overs.

In reply, Team Pilgrim’s batters were in fine form. Leading the way was Ollie H, who produced a superb unbeaten 59 to guide Team Pilgrim comfortably to victory and a place in the next round.

Unfortunately, the team’s cup run came to a frustrating end the following round. Due to poor weather last week, the match against Winterbourne School was unable to be played and the outcome had to be decided by a coin toss, with Team Pilgrim ending up on the wrong side of fortune.

Pilgrim of the Match: Ollie H – not only for his outstanding innings with the bat, but also for the way he led and inspired the younger players, offering excellent coaching and encouragement throughout the match. 

PHYSICAL ME, SOCIAL ME AND PERSONAL ME

Despite the wet weather of late, Year 7 pupils did not let the rain dampen their enthusiasm in PE.  Students took part in a mass circuit training session, focusing on developing their Physical Me, Social Me and Personal Me.

The challenging circuits helped pupils improve their fitness, strength and endurance through a range of activities, developing their Physical Me. Throughout the session, students worked alongside their peers, encouraging and supporting one another, demonstrating their Social Me skills. Pupils also showed resilience, determination and a positive attitude when faced with difficult exercises and challenging weather conditions, highlighting their Personal Me development.

It was excellent to see such high levels of effort and engagement from all students, proving that a little rain is no barrier to learning and progress in PE.

THE SPEAKER'S TRUST - NATIONAL SPEAK OUT CHALLENGE 

Last term, 30 Year 10 students took part in a whole day public speaking workshop.  Students learnt how to think of ideas for a speech topic, how to plan their speech, and how to deliver it without using any notes. I was so impressed with all of the students who took part- they really grew in confidence and by the end of the day all managed to deliver a 1 minute speech to their peers. Well done! This was excellent preparation towards their GCSE spoken language endorsement. 

Mrs De Hondt, (English Department) 

TEAM PILGRIM SPORTS AWARDS

Wednesday 15th July will see the first-ever Team Pilgrim Sports Awards, taking place from 1.30pm–3.15pm.

The awards afternoon will celebrate the achievements and contributions of students who have represented the school in sport throughout the academic year. Students will be recognised for their commitment, effort, leadership, sportsmanship and performances across a wide range of sports.

Awards to be presented include Player’s Pilgrim, Coach’s Pilgrim, Most Committed, Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year and Leadership in Sport, alongside a number of other sporting achievements.

Any student who has represented the school this year will receive an invitation to attend. Unfortunately, due to the number of students involved, we are unable to invite parents this year.

We are excited to celebrate a fantastic year of Team Pilgrim sport and look forward to recognising the students who have represented the school with pride throughout the year.

TEAM PILGRIM TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETICS

The annual Track and Field athletics at RGS brought together the school’s emerging athletic talent for a highly competitive afternoon of sport. 

This year the Year 7 Boys, Year 7 Girls, and the Year 8 Girls competed despite a backdrop of highly unpredictable, "iffy" weather that kept everyone guessing, the athletes displayed incredible focus, turning a shifting day into a showcase of true resilience and school spirit.

The girls started on the field events whilst the boys headed to the track first.

In the field our athletes competed in Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Putt, Discus, Javelin and High Jump.

We had 2 wins from 2 in the discus, a win in the triple jump and high jump, and a narrow 1cm difference in the long jump which resulted in a well-earned 2nd place. 

The focus shifted to the track, where the boys started their competition. 

We had a fantastic win in the 60m, and some valiant displays to place 2nd in 200m and 800m. 

Next up, the girls switched to the track whilst the boys started their field events. 

The boys performed admirably with a win in the high jump and a 2nd place in the long jump with a new PB. 

Then came the girls track session. A win and a 2nd place in the 60m alongside a win in the 300m were backed up by some great performances in the other events. 

The Grand Finale: Relay Drama

The absolute highlight of the day was, undoubtedly, the 4x50m relays. With the track perfectly dry, teams could rely on maximum grip in the baton handovers. However, although no baton was dropped, we have some work to do to make the changeovers crisp. 

The Year 7 Girls kicked things off with a fantastic start going into the final leg narrowly leading before being pipped on the line. 

The Year 7 Boys went one better. Despite being behind after the first 3 legs, our 60m winner powered us home for the win.  

The final event of the day, the Year 8 Girls relay, was a masterclass in resilience. Despite being towards the back, the girls showed great determination to finish in 2nd place. 

A huge congratulations to all the competitors. Standing on a podium is great, but maintaining individual focus and supporting your team is what athletics is truly about. It was a phenomenal day of sportsmanship.

The final results were: 

Year 7 Girls - 2nd

Year 7 Boys - 1st

Year 8 Girls - 2nd

Congratulations to our Pilgrims of the day; Year 7 girls - Evelyn C. Year 7 boys - Jesse L. Year 8 girls - Neche I. 

 

BMX INSPIRES MOVEMENT AND COMMUNITY

 

A group of students recently enjoyed an exciting visit to the BMX track in Lawrence Weston as part of our ongoing commitment to providing enriching sporting experiences beyond the school environment. The trip not only gave pupils the opportunity to develop new skills and challenge themselves physically but also helped strengthen valuable links with our local community.

Many of the students were experiencing BMX riding for the first time. Under the guidance of experienced coaches, they learnt the fundamentals of bike handling, balance, and control before progressing to tackle a range of features around the track. Throughout the session, pupils demonstrated determination, resilience, and a willingness to step outside their comfort zones as they developed their confidence on the bike.

The visit highlighted the importance of physical activity and showcased an alternative sport that students can access within the local area. By introducing pupils to new opportunities, we hope to encourage lifelong participation in physical activity and help them discover activities they can continue to enjoy outside of school.

In addition to the sporting benefits, the trip provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen community partnerships and raise awareness of the facilities and programmes available to young people in Lawrence Weston. Building these connections is an important part of ensuring our students feel engaged with and supported by the wider community.

The students were fantastic ambassadors for the school throughout the visit. Their enthusiasm, positive attitude, and willingness to encourage one another contributed to a highly successful day. We look forward to developing this partnership further and providing more opportunities for students to experience a wide range of activities that promote health, wellbeing, and personal development.

LIBRARY NEWS

We were delighted to take our Pupil Librarians to Max Minerva’s bookshop in Henleaze to help spend the £200 book token that Mrs Powers had won and donated to the Library.  We had a lovely time and came back with 3 big bags of books, thanks to the generosity of the shop.

June is always a very busy month in the Library.  So far we have celebrated Refugee Week, Pride, Empathy Week, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month and, of course, the World Cup.   Thank you to Tom W in Year 7 who is coming in to the Library every day to update our wall chart!

Congratulations to Alice and Emma from Year 7 who won Get Caught Reading for Term 5

Looking ahead, the Carnegie Shadowing groups are looking forward to the winners’ announcements next Tuesday.  We’ll share our views on the winning books in the next newsletter.

Fantastic borrowing from the Library in terms 1-5

Bell Burnell have borrowed the most books so far but it is close - we are excited to see which house will earn the metaphorical Most Well Read crown at the end of the year.  There is still a little time to make a difference to your house!

ADVANCE NOTICE – the Library will be shut during Enrichment Week for our annual stocktake (we will be open after school as usual).  All library books will be due back on 2^nd July.

 Borrowing for next year will be begin on 13^th July 2026

A CALM START TO THE DAY

St. Bede’s staff recently started the college day with a shared breakfast and a relaxing painting-by-numbers session. The activity was both calming and therapeutic, offering a valuable moment to pause, connect, and focus on well-being.

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE, INSPIRE A STUDENT

We are looking for parents who may be available to support our Year 13 students by taking part in mock university interviews.

If you have experience of university applications, interviews, or simply feel confident speaking with students, we would greatly appreciate your help.

Please get in touch if you are interested or would like more information. Thank you for supporting our students as they prepare for their next steps!

Foundation Governor Vacancy – St Bede’s Catholic College

St Bede’s Catholic College is seeking to appoint a Foundation Governor and would warmly welcome applications from individuals who are passionate about supporting Catholic education.

We are looking for someone with enthusiasm, commitment and a belief in the value of Catholic education, who would like to play a meaningful role in helping St Bede’s continue to flourish.

While applications are welcome from all backgrounds, we would be particularly interested to hear from individuals with personnel expertise.

You do not need to be an education specialist to become a governor. Our governing body benefits from members with a wide range of professional backgrounds and life experiences, and we are keen to further strengthen this diversity. Training and support are provided.

St Bede’s enjoys an excellent reputation locally, within the Diocese and nationally, and has been recognised by the Diocese as an Outstanding Catholic College.

The commitment involves attending Full Governing Body and committee meetings three times a year, which take place during the day.

Further information about the role of a governor in a Catholic school can be found here:
https://schools.cliftondiocese.com/governance

If you are interested in supporting the college by becoming a Foundation Governor, please complete the application form available here:
https://schools.cliftondiocese.com/form-2

 

JOIN OUR TEAM AT ST. BEDE'S CATHOLIC COLLEGE

We are looking for a School Meals Supervisory Assistant (SMSA) to join our dedicated support staff team. This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of our vibrant school community and play an important role in supporting our students during the school day.

As an SMSA, you will help supervise students during lunchtime, encourage positive behaviour, and contribute to creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all. Your role will be key in ensuring that lunchtimes are enjoyable, calm and well-organised.

The position is a permanent, term-time role, working 12:15pm – 1:30pm, Monday to Friday, offering £13.45 per hour.

We are looking for someone who is approachable, reliable and enjoys working with young people. In return, we offer the chance to work in a supportive and caring environment where every member of staff makes a real difference.

If you would like to join our team and contribute to the wellbeing of our students, please contact Mrs Walker at walkerc@stbcc.org or call the college on 0117 3772200

SAFEGUARDING SPOTLIGHT

Off The Record! - External Agency

Off The Records popular Shameless workshop is returning with an updated programme of eight weekly sessions designed to help young people build confidence and develop a healthier relationship with their bodies.

Shameless is a safe and supportive space to share experiences, with no pressure to speak if you’d rather not.

Topics include beauty ideals, media influence, negative thoughts, food and language, and redefining what “healthy” means.

The workshop starts on 16th June and runs weekly until 4th August. Closed captions and live transcriptions will be available for all online sessions.

http://www.otrbristol.org.uk/what-we-do/shameless/?mc_cid=9bc98c109f&mc_eid=77bf7163ca

THE BRITISH SUMMER SAVINGS SCHEME - EXTERNAL AGENCY

The Great British Summer Savings scheme is running from 25 June to 1 September 2026, helping families feel a bit less squeezed this summer.

The new scheme includes reduced VAT on days out, including tickets at attractions like soft play, adventure centres and theme parks, children's tickets for theatres and cinemas, and children's meals in restaurants. Children aged 5 to 15 in England will also be able to travel free on local bus services throughout August.

For further information about the scheme visit Summer Savings. If helpful, please share this with parents, carers and families though your usual channels.  

This is in addition to further support available to families, with more information available at Cost of Living Help.

HOLIDAY HUB - EXTERNAL AGENCY

Are you looking for some adventure this Summer? #YourHolidayHub is
back for 2026, ready to welcome children and young people who receive benefits-related free school meals at school. Choose and book from a range of fully funded activities and clubs across Bristol at www.yourholidayhubbristol.co.uk

 

INFORMATION FROM BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL - MEASLES

We are sharing this letter from Bristol City Council regarding measles to keep you informed and aware of the latest guidance.