Bolton St Catherine's Academy

Stitch-Mi-Lane

Harwood

Bolton

Gt. Manchester

BL2 4HU

The telephone number remains unchanged, which is 01204 332533.

Chris Hill and Chris Caldwell attended with over 20 pupils from the Academy. Projects have involved; leadership, media, video dj-ing, T shirt design, sports activities, music development, taster sessions, drama, beat box, construction, hair and beauty and team building. The project will also provide funding to support the Academy’s library and “ Ownzone”.

Picture below is of Jessica Hawkins age 13 - Year 8 Student

The idea of a sponsored walk was discussed and a walk across Morecambe Bay was suggested both for the novelty (only possible with The Queens Guide) but also because it is flat and not too taxing on the older members of the team.

The team decided that it would be too easy and not enough of a challenge, the alternative decided on was The Three Peaks Challenge in the Yorkshire Dales - 26 miles, 1500metres of ascent and a walk of about 12 hours.

To give a feel for the severity of this challenge a practice walk took place on 13 March around and up Pendle Hill, 13 miles and 700 metres of climb, roughly half the distance and climb. We started in rain but the weather improved as the day went on, with brilliant sunshine and fantastic views from the top of Pendle Hill.

We could see the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside & Ingleborough to our North where the main walk will take place. They looked very high!!

The photograph shows us on the top of Pendle Hill from L-R, Alan MacDonald his wife and dog (Spectra Scaffolding), Chris Jones (son of Phil), Ryan Huzar, Colin Leek, Andy Ellis, Steve Ellis (son of Andy), Stafford Neild, Martin Walsh, Holly Brunt, Sam Diamond, Pat Mondino, Phil Jones & Holly’s dog.

We will be having another practice in 3-4 weeks time in preparation for the big walk on Saturday 14 May. The Principal and some teachers are joining us for the next practice and the main walk.

Participants will be asking for sponsorship over the next few weeks.  Ciaron O’Connor, Tom Brady & Mike Doveaston had excuses for the practice but are fully committed to the main walk.
Please dig deep for this worthwhile charity.

 December 2010 Newsletter.docx

The number of students who gained five or more GCSE passes at grades A*-C including English and Maths has seen a 100% improvement up to 37% – more than double the pass rate of our predecessor school in 2009. Success for our students was seen across the entire curriculum with 79% of students gaining five or more GCSE and equivalent passes at grades A*-C. The proportion of students gaining higher grades has increased significantly too and 99% of students gained at least one GCSE or equivalent.

Academy Principal Lee Harris said 'This is excellent news for individual students and the Academy community as a whole. The hard work of students and staff and the close partnership between the Academy and home has really paid dividends. This is an excellent foundation for further improvements this year as well as the opening of our new sixth form'.

Work experience this year will take place for all year 10 students during the week of 14th - 18th February 2011.  Any students wishing to take part in a two week experience will be able to continue during their half term break the following week.

We arrange a placement through the Bolton and Bury EBP (Education and Business Partnership) using their work experience website.  All the companies on this database have been Health and Safety checked, and by using this we ensure that their placement is as safe, enjoyable and as meaningful as possible. 

Students who take part in the programme can learn about the world of work and how if differs to school, gain an insight about the local economy, labour market and company structures, develop confidence and communication skills, become more independent, work with and be treated as adults and through this develop their confidence and communication skills leading them to make more informed decisions about their future.

All parents are encouraged to get involved in their child’s choice of placement, helping them to make an informed and realistic choice.

They can help by reading through the job description with them, and ensuring that they know exactly what will be expected of them, hours of work, the location and how they will be travelling to and from the placement.

Students who complete the whole programme involving; searching for a placement, sending a confirmation letter, completing the work experience booklet, receiving a positive reference, and attending a debriefing session will receive a certificate from the EBP which can be used for college interviews and job interviews in the future. 

The students have already met the programme with great enthusiasm, and preparations are going well – we will keep you updated!  

If you have any questions about work experience, please contact the work experience co-ordinator, Mrs Ann Parkinson at the Academy.