St. Bede's Catholic College 

MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL

CHAPLAINCY VISIT DOWNING STREET 

On Friday 2nd October, 13 members of the St Bede's Chaplaincy team from year 8 to year 10 took a trip to London by train to visit 10 Downing Street.

We saw our local MP, Darren Jones, who was kind enough to arrange a full tour behind the famous door.  There we viewed lots of valuable art collections, and spoke to Mr Jones about our Lasallian way and how we try to show this in our everyday lives.  This led to him asking us about what we would do to change something, like homework!

We had fun participating in a fake cabinet meeting, in which my team won, and then we did a little sightseeing where we saw Big Ben and St Paul’s Cathedral.

We had an amazing day. 

Evelyn C, Year 8

TRIATHLON CHARITY EVENT

On Thursday 8th October, students from Bell Burnell and Descartes took part in an all-day charity triathlon. The aim: to complete an Ultra-Ironman in their groups.

The students took turns jogging, skipping and cycling around the school fields and totted up their laps as they went. The determination, perseverance and teamwork of the groups was an absolute joy to see and one team of year 9 boys even made it to the lofty goal.

Between them, this group ran 52.4 miles, cycled 224 miles and skipped 4.8 miles throughout the course of the school day! Not only did all the students complete fantastic distances, but they also raised a fantastic amount of money for the two House charities. We are proud to be able to donate around £2000 (money is still coming in at the time of writing) to St Peter’s Hospice and the RSPCA. 

STATUE OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM

As part of the Marian Voyage organised by the Jesus Youth Movement, the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham visited us as a part of its pilgrimage visiting families, parishes, and schools right across the United Kingdom.

The statue was with us for Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which was celebrated by Canon Michael, who delivered his homily explaining to us the importance of the Rosary.

We thank the members of the Jesus Youth Movement for guiding this pilgrimage and sharing this witness of faith with us.

CELEBRATING ATTENDANCE SUCCESS

These awards recognise schools whose attendance during the 2025/26 academic year ranked within the top 10% or top 25% of all FFT secondary schools nationally.

This achievement highlights the importance of promoting excellent attendance and ensuring that pupils have every opportunity to benefit from their education. Congratulations to all the schools receiving this recognition for their commitment to supporting regular school attendance and improving outcomes for young people.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE 

WHY IS GOOD SCHOOL ATTENDANCE IMPORTANT?

Good school attendance gives your child the opportunity of success and helps develop skills for life. Your child should attend school every day unless there is an unavoidable cause such as illness.

Missing school damages a pupil’s learning and grades (research shows that missing school often leads to a drop in GCSE grades), disrupts routines and can make children vulnerable to crime.

Missing school can seriously impair learning and affect life opportunities.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT FROM SCHOOL?

Send a message or email early as possible on the first morning of each absence to give the reason.

Make routine dentist and doctor appointments after school or during school holidays.

If your child has an ongoing diagnosed illness you are advised to inform the school and keep copies of letters from health professionals and also appointment cards or prescriptions.

CAN I GET HELP IF MY CHILD IS NOT ATTENDING REGULARLY?

Yes, from your child’s school. It is very important that you speak with the school at the earliest opportunity if you have any worries at all about securing your child’s attendance.

WHAT IF I WANT TO GO ON HOLIDAY IN TERM TIME?

A need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation would not constitute an exceptional circumstance. You must ask permission from the Headteacher.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD IS STRUGGLING TO ATTEND SCHOOL?

• Talk to your child - try to find out why.
• Discuss with school staff the situation and look for solutions.
• Try to understand what is happening for your child and help them resolve the problem.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND THE LAW:

Parents/carers commit an offence if a child does not attend school regularly and the absence is not agreed by the school (i.e. the absence is unauthorised). A pupil's unauthorised absence from school could result in one of the following:

1. Penalty Notice. The Penalty Notice (per parent, per child eg, 3 siblings absent for unauthorised absence during term time would result in each parent receiving 3 separate fines) is £80 payable within 21 days, rising to £160 if paid between 22 and 28 days. A Penalty Notice is an alternative to prosecution; it does not require a court appearance, but still aims to improve school attendance. Failure to pay may result in prosecution.

2. Prosecution. Under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996. Prosecution could result in a criminal record and fines up to £2500 and/or 3 months imprisonment. A range of other disposals are also available such as Parenting Orders or Community Sentences.

3. Further Unauthorised Absence. If further unauthorised absences occur within a 3-year period, the fine will be £160 and you will not have the opportunity to pay at the lower rate. A third offence occurring within a 3-year period will result in automatic prosecution.

WHEN ARE PENALTY NOTICES USED?

Penalty Notices may be used where absence is unauthorised and a pupil has 10 or more sessions (1 day = 2 sessions) of unauthorised absences within the previous 10 school week period, for example:
• Unauthorised holiday (G), for example a parent has taken their child on holiday during term without authorisation.
• A pupil regularly arrives late for school after the register has closed (U)
• Odd days off which have not been authorised by the school (O)
• Unauthorised absences with no reason, or absences that have been requested and not authorised

CAN I BE PROSECUTED IF I PAY THE PENALTY NOTICE BUT MY CHILD IS STILL ABSENT FROM SCHOOL?

Not for the period included in the Penalty Notice as payment discharges your liability in this respect. However, depending upon the circumstances, a prosecution might be considered for further periods of unauthorised absence not covered by the Penalty Notice.
The information outlined has partially been provided by the Education Welfare Service.

EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES 2026

Students recently took part in our European Day of Languages 2026 celebrations.

We celebrated with a whole-school quiz celebrating the diverse languages spoken across our school community: Congratulations to: 

1st: Bell Burnell

2nd: Pasteur

3rd: Seacole

4th: Descartes

Students were also invited to participate in a poster competition based on this year's theme: “Languages Unite!”

Congratulations to our winners: Oliver O, Emily C and Amelie S whose posters have been entered into the official European Day of Languages poster competition. 

Well done to all who participated. Thank you for celebrating diversity together!

PROJECT RUGBY BRINGS THE GAME TO ST BEDE'S!

This term, St Bede’s pupils have had an exciting opportunity to swap the classroom for the rugby pitch, partnering with the Bristol Bears Community Foundation through the Project Rugby initiative.

We’ve been fortunate to welcome coaches Mike and Mel, who have been coming into school to deliver engaging, high-energy sessions. Project Rugby is a national initiative designed to increase participation in rugby, introduce the sport to new audiences, and build stronger connections within local communities.

The response from our students has been incredible. Over 100 pupils across various year groups have taken part throughout the term, developing new skills, boosting their fitness, and showing fantastic teamwork and sportsmanship. Whether trying the sport for the very first time or building on existing skills, every pupil involved has brought enthusiasm and energy to the pitch.

A huge thank you to Mike, Mel, and the Bristol Bears team for giving up their time and expertise to inspire our students. Seeing so many young people active, learning new skills, and enjoying the game together has been a highlight of the term!

 TEAM PILGRIM - BRISTOL BEARS VS EXETER - TICKET OFFER!

We’re delighted to share an exciting opportunity for the Team Pilgrim community and wider school family to experience the thrill of Premiership rugby at Ashton Gate!

Bristol Bears take on Exeter Chiefs on Saturday 24 October 2026, with kick-off at 5.30pm, and thanks to Bristol Bears’ School Connexion offer, our school community can enjoy discounted tickets for this fantastic local sporting occasion.

Whether you’re a passionate rugby supporter, a player looking for inspiration, or a family wanting to experience the atmosphere of live professional sport, this is a brilliant opportunity to get involved and support Bristol Bears.

Exclusive ticket prices

• Adults: £15
• Children under 12 and under 19: £5

Tickets are available in the Dolman Stand, blocks E28, E29, E33 and E34.

How to book

1. Log in to your Bristol Sport Club account or create a new account.
2. Visit the Bristol Bears ticket booking page for the match.
3. Select your tickets using the appropriate age category. Please do not select tickets marked “Member”.
4. At checkout, enter the discount code SCHOOLCONNEXIONS26 in the ‘Enter Coupon’ box and click ‘Activate’.
5. Check that the discounted prices have been applied before completing your purchase.

Tickets must be claimed online, and you’ll receive a confirmation email with your digital tickets once your booking is complete.

Let’s get behind our local rugby team! We’d love to see as many Team Pilgrim pupils, families and staff as possible enjoying the occasion, soaking up the atmosphere and celebrating rugby in our local community.

Please note that this exclusive discount code is for our school community only and should not be shared more widely. Come on, Bears!                          

BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2026: HONOURING OUR COMMUNITIES 

This October, St Bede’s Catholic College has been celebrating Black History Month, with this year’s theme, Honouring Our Communities.

We were delighted to have a group of our own students lead a special assembly, delivering it to six different groups of students across the College. A huge well done and thank you to everyone involved for their confidence, commitment and thoughtful delivery of such an important message. They were wonderful ambassadors for our College community!

The assembly explored the stories of Black individuals who have made a difference through healthcare, education, culture, sport, business and service to others. Students heard about inspirational figures including Stormzy, who has helped create educational opportunities for young people, and Bristol's own Ade Williams MBE, whose work in community healthcare has made a real difference to people in South Bristol. They also heard about Anne-Marie Imafidon, who has inspired young people to pursue careers in science and technology, and Zarah Henry, a young entrepreneur demonstrating that you are never too young to make a difference.

The central message was that history is not just something that happened in the past — it is being made in our communities today. We were reminded that everyone has gifts to offer and that we can all contribute to making our communities stronger, fairer and more welcoming.

Rooted in our Catholic values and the St Bede’s Way — Be Kind, Work Hard, Do the Right Thing — the assembly encouraged students to reflect on three important questions:

• Who helps our community flourish?

• Whose contribution might I not have noticed?

• What could I do to help someone else feel that they belong?

As St Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans, we each have different gifts, but we belong to one another and are called to use those gifts in service of others. This reflects our commitment at St Bede's recognising the dignity of every person, celebrating the contributions of others and working together to ensure everyone feels valued and able to flourish.

Continue exploring Black History Month together

We warmly encourage families to continue these conversations at home and discover more of the inspiring stories celebrated during Black History Month.

This year's national campaign recognises 54 remarkable individuals, selected from over 650 nominations, whose contributions have strengthened communities across the UK.

View the six official Black History Month posters, featuring the 54 honourees. Each includes QR codes linking to audio stories about their lives, achievements and contributions.

Read the Black History Month 2026 Digital Magazine

Explore the free official magazine, featuring stories of Black British history, achievement, culture and community.

We hope families will take the opportunity to discover a story they may not have heard before and reflect together on how we can each help create communities where everyone belongs.

Finally, a special thank you and well done once again to our student presenters, who gave their time and talents to share this important message with their peers. Their contribution was itself a wonderful example of the assembly's central message:

You are never too young to help a community flourish.

BRISTOL PARENT AND CARERS

Bristol Parent Carers support parents and carers of children with SEND and work with Bristol City Council to ensure they are meeting children’s needs.

Please click the link here for the Newsletter: https://simplebooklet.com/bpcoctober2026newsletter 

TEAM PILGRIM

DOUBLE PENALTY HEARTBREAK 

It was a week of intense emotion, sensational football, and agonising drama for Team Pilgrim as both our Year 10 and Year 11 boys' teams bowed out of the National Cup in the cruellest way possible, a double penalty shoot-out heartbreak.

Despite the painful outcomes, both squads delivered performances of the highest standard. Playing with grit, flair, and determination, Team Pilgrim held leads in both fixtures and created ample opportunities to put the games beyond reach in open play. However, as cup football so often dictates, fine margins made the difference. With both matches tied at the final whistle, both ties went straight to spot-kicks, with both teams ultimately falling short by just a single goal.

While the penalty spot can be brutal, the pride across the entire St Bede’s community remains undiminished. The courage, quality, and sportsmanship shown by both squads throughout their National Cup runs have set a high benchmark for the rest of the season.

Pilgrims of the Match

Special recognition goes to two players who embodied the true Team Pilgrim spirit under immense pressure:

• Year 10 – Miguel DC

  Stepping up to represent the year group above is never an easy task, but Miguel played with composure and bravery far beyond his years. His seamless transition into the line-up and fearless performance earned him a thoroughly deserved Pilgrim of the Match award.

• Year 11 – Oliver F

  A masterclass in tactical flexibility and selflessness. Oliver was called upon to cover multiple positions across the pitch throughout a chaotic, high-stakes fixture. His relentless work rate and willingness to put the team first made him the standout Pilgrim of the Match.

Head Held High

Winning on penalties takes luck; playing outstanding football takes skill and character. Our Year 10 and Year 11 boys showed that St Bede’s belongs on the national stage.

Thank you to all the parents, staff, and fellow students who supported the teams from the sidelines. We dust ourselves off, learn from the experience, and come back stronger in the upcoming fixtures!

UNDER 14S IN NATIONAL CUP BATTLE

Match Report

Competition: National Cup (Second Round)

Fixture: Away vs. Gordano

Final Score: Gordano 7 – 2 

The U14 girls travelled away to Gordano for an action-packed Second Round tie in the National Cup. Despite the 7–2 scoreline, the performance on the pitch showed a side that is rapidly building momentum, cohesion, and resilience as a team.

Match Highlights

From the opening whistle, it was a high-tempo, competitive encounter. Gordano proved to be a clinical attacking side, but the scoreline doesn't tell the full story of the determination shown by the team.

• Defensive Resilience: The backline faced relentless pressure, but Lexie, Julia, and Karolina put in magnificent defensive shifts. Their sharp interceptions, crucial tackles, and willingness to put their bodies on the line kept the team firmly in the fight and gave a strong foundation to build from. 

• Attacking Spark: The girls continued to push forward and were rewarded with two fantastic goals. Isla found the back of the net with a brilliant effort, while Lexie capped off her top-tier performance by adding her name to the scoresheet as well. 

Although the cup run comes to an end here, the team showed clear signs of growth, chemistry, and potential for the rest of the season.

Individual Honours

• Player of the Match: Lena – Awarded for an outstanding, tireless performance that drove the team forward throughout the match. 

• Pilgrim of the Match: Isla – Recognised for her work ethic, great attitude, and impressive goal-scoring effort. 

UNBEATEN AWAY START FOR YEAR 8 & 9 NETBALL TEAMS

Match Report

Venue: Orchard School Bristol (Away)

It was a fantastic start to the netball season as the Year 8 and Year 9 girls travelled to Orchard School for their opening fixtures of the year, coming away with a clean sweep of convincing victories across all three matches.

Year 8: Back-to-Back Dominance

The Year 8 team kicked off their campaign with double fixtures, showing incredible stamina, teamwork, and clinical finishing throughout the afternoon.

• Match 1: vs. Bristol Free School | Won 11–2 The Year 8s hit the ground running against Bristol Free School. Displaying sharp passing and excellent court coverage, they dominated from start to finish to secure a decisive 11–2 victory.

• Match 2: vs. Orchard School | Won 12–0 Carrying their momentum straight into their second game against the host team, the Year 8s put on a masterclass at both ends of the court, keeping Orchard completely scoreless in a flawless 12–0 win.

Standout Performances:

• Player of the Match: Karolina – Rewarded for her excellent shooting throughout both matches, putting away chance after chance with great accuracy. 

• Pilgrim of the Match: Laurie – Recognised for her outstanding effort and sportsmanship. 

Year 9: High-Intensity Victory

• Match vs. Orchard School | Won 13–2 Following the success of the Year 8s, the Year 9 squad took to the court against Orchard School and delivered a brilliant performance. Showing great flexibility, Isla adapted impressively by playing across a couple of different positions to keep the team fluid. The team showed remarkable grit, none more so than Marinella, who powered through after taking a tumble, picking herself up despite bleeding and continuing to give everything for the team. Sharp movement and clinical finishing saw them wrap up a dominant 13–2 win. 

Standout Performances:

• Player of the Match: Alicja – Voted for her fantastic impact and consistently strong play throughout the game. 

• Pilgrim of the Match: Marinella – Awarded for her sheer determination, resilience, and willingness to fight on for her team. 

Summary:

A huge congratulations to all players! Scoring 36 goals while conceding just 4 across three matches is an incredible start to the season.

OVER 450 RUNNERS TAKE TO THE COURSE IN INTER-HOUSE 

What an incredible demonstration of grit, stamina, and house pride! This year’s Inter-House Cross Country event saw over 450 student runners step up to represent their houses across Years 7 through 11. From seasoned distance runners to students pushing themselves across the line to claim crucial house points, the spirit on display was nothing short of inspiring.

Year Group Breakdown & Champions

Year 7 – Winners: Bell Burnell (14 points)

Bell Burnell got off to a flying start in the junior division, led by a victory in the Girls' race.

• Girls: 1st Bell Burnell (8 pts), 2nd Descartes (6 pts), 3rd Seacole (4 pts), 4th Pasteur (2 pts)

• Boys: 1st Seacole (8 pts), 2nd Bell Burnell (6 pts), 3rd Descartes (4 pts), 4th Pasteur (2 pts)

Year 8 – Winners: Pasteur (14 points)

Pasteur put on a magnificent performance in Year 8, claiming 1st in the Girls' race and 2nd in the Boys' race to take top honors.

• Girls: 1st Pasteur (8 pts), 2nd Descartes (6 pts), 3rd Bell Burnell (4 pts), 4th Seacole (2 pts)

• Boys: 1st Seacole (8 pts), 2nd Pasteur (6 pts), 3rd Descartes (4 pts), 4th Bell Burnell (2 pts)

Year 9 – Winners: Descartes (14 points)

Descartes dominated the Year 9 Girls' race and held strong in the Boys' race to secure victory for their year group.

• Girls: 1st Descartes (8 pts), 2nd Seacole (6 pts), 3rd Pasteur (4 pts), 4th Bell Burnell (2 pts)

• Boys: 1st Bell Burnell (8 pts), 2nd Descartes (6 pts), 3rd Pasteur (4 pts), 4th Seacole (2 pts)

Year 10 – Winners: Seacole (16 points – Clean Sweep!)

A historic performance from Seacole in Year 10! Winning both the Girls' and Boys' races, Seacole bagged maximum possible points in a stunning clean sweep.

• Girls: 1st Seacole (8 pts), 2nd Pasteur (6 pts), 3rd Bell Burnell (4 pts), 4th Descartes (2 pts)

• Boys: 1st Seacole (8 pts), 2nd Descartes (6 pts), 3rd Bell Burnell (4 pts), 4th Pasteur (2 pts)

Year 11 – Winners: Bell Burnell (14 points)

The senior runners delivered a gripping finale, with Bell Burnell coming through with victory in the Girls' race and 2nd place in the Boys' race to seal the Year 11 title.

• Girls: 1st Bell Burnell (8 pts), 2nd Pasteur (6 pts), 3rd Descartes (4 pts), 4th Seacole (2 pts)

• Boys: 1st Descartes (8 pts), 2nd Bell Burnell (6 pts), 3rd Pasteur (4 pts), 4th Seacole (2 pts)

Overall Cross Country Standings

With point tallies incredibly close to the very last race, Descartes proved to be the ultimate picture of consistency across all year groups, taking home the overall title by just 2 points!

• 1st Place: Descartes – 54 points

• 2nd Place: Bell Burnell – 52 points

• 3rd Place: Seacole – 50 points

• 4th Place: Pasteur – 44 points

A massive thank you to the PE department, staff marshals, and cheering spectators who made the day such a memorable success. Huge congratulations to all 450+ runners for giving it their all and representing their houses with pride!

YEAR 7 RUGBY SHOWCASE

Our Year 7 rugby team put on an incredible display of skill, determination, and teamwork at the recent local tournament, finishing as overall runners-up after a thrilling run to the final.

Group Stage Sweep Team Pilgrim kicked off the tournament in style, displaying crisp, attacking rugby to secure a 2–1 victory against Ashton Park. They maintained their momentum in the second fixture with another hard-fought 2–1 win over Blaise, before capping off the group stage with a dominant 3–1 performance against Cotham. Winning all three matches saw Pilgrim comfortably top their group and secure a spot in the final.

The Final In a hard-fought final against Oasis Brislington, both sides gave everything in an end to end battle. Despite a brilliant effort, Team Pilgrim narrowly missed out on the win, falling 3–2 in what was a great game played in excellent spirits.

Standout Performances: Pilgrim of the Day: Max R earned the top honor for his relentless work rate, outstanding defensive tackling, and fantastic line breaking runs throughout the tournament. Special Mentions: Fillipo S and Max S. Both received special recognition for their exceptional leadership and on-pitch organisation that kept the team focused and driven all day.

Congratulations to the entire team on a fantastic tournament and a well deserved place in the final!

STRONG START AS YEAR 9 RUGBY DEFEAT COTHAM

The Year 9 Rugby team continued their strong start to the season with another impressive performance, making it two wins from two against a tough, physical Cotham side.

Team Pilgrim's hard work, determination, and excellent attacking play proved decisive in breaking down a strong opposition, driving them to a convincing 38-7 victory.

A special mention goes to Shay D, who put in an outstanding performance to be voted Pilgrim of the Match by his teammates.

Congratulations to the whole squad on keeping up their great momentum, and thank you to Cotham for a hard-fought fixture!

JOIN CLIFTON CATHEDRAL JUNIOR CHOIR!

Children aged 6–14 who love singing are invited to join Clifton Cathedral Junior Choir, offering expert vocal training funded by the National Schools Singing Programme, the opportunity to sing at fortnightly Sunday Masses, make new friends and enjoy exciting social activities. Singing also brings valuable academic, social and personal benefits. An exceptional highlight awaits in 2026, when the choir will have the opportunity to sing live on BBC One during Midnight Mass, broadcast from Clifton Cathedral on 24 December. This is a unique opportunity to develop musical skills, build confidence and be part of a memorable musical experience!

Rehearsals take place on a fortnightly basis on WEDNESDAYS between 18:30 – 19:45, held at Cathedral House (adjacent to Clifton Cathedral.) There are no membership costs or fees to sing in this choir. If you would like more information about the choir, or to express an interest in your child joining, please e-mail: juniorchoir@cliftondiocese.com

VACANCIES

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Finance Officer to support with administration in the Finance office. This role is varied, and we are looking for an adaptable, organised, and resourceful individual able to prioritise effectively in a busy school environment.  

20 hours per week, permanent, term time only

Closing date: Noon on Monday 2nd November 2026

Click for further information: https://www.eteach.com/careers/stbedescc/

Counselling services focusing on marginalised groups from the inner city of Bristol and surrounding areas

We offer free therapy for those from African, Afro-Caribbean, Asian, Mixed Race Heritage and Ethnic groups as well as LGBTQ+ from these communities.

This support is for you if you have had little or no support from social, parental, economic, mental health and other areas of life. We offer a 15 minute free consultation to see if you qualify for our services.

Further information from https://parcservices.org.uk/get-therapy/