St Bonaventure's

Thank you to all the students and parents who joined us for our very busy 6th Form Open Evening on the 29th of January. It was wonderful to see such a high level of interest and enthusiasm, and we hope you found the evening informative and inspiring.

It was a pleasure to welcome you to St Bonaventure’s and to share more about our 6th Form community, curriculum, and opportunities for personal and academic growth. We very much look forward to hearing from you and welcoming many of you in the near future.

If you have any further questions or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our team via 6thform@stbons.org.

A kind reminder that the deadline to apply to our 6th Form is 31 March 2026.

Epiphany Mass

We began the year by coming together as a whole school community to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, and there was truly no better way to start the year. The Mass was a joyful and prayerful occasion, reminding us of Christ revealed as the light of the world and calling us to reflect that light in our daily lives. It was particularly uplifting to see so many of our students actively involved in the liturgy, serving at the altar and proclaiming the readings with confidence, reverence, and pride. Their participation reflected the strength of our faith life as a school and set a positive and prayerful tone for the months ahead.

SACRE RE

As part of our RE Matters work through SACRE, our Year 10 students recently visited Masjid Ibrahim Mosque. This visit provided a valuable opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of Islam and to engage in meaningful interfaith dialogue. It powerfully reinforced how important respectful conversation and listening are in building mutual understanding among different faith communities. Our students represented the school exceptionally well throughout the visit, demonstrating curiosity, respect, and maturity, and they should be commended for the way they engaged with staff and members of the mosque community.

Student Leadership Conference – Walsingham House

Recently, a group of our students attended a Student Leadership Conference at Walsingham House, where young people from across the deanery came together to reflect, share ideas, and speak about the changes they would like to make within their communities. The day encouraged students to think deeply about leadership rooted in service, faith, and action. Our boys presented with real passion and confidence, sharing thoughtful ideas and ambitious plans for the future of their community, and they represented St Bonaventure’s extremely well. The conference was further enriched by an inspiring panel of speakers — Fr Paschal, Ed Badu, and Paul Amuzi — whose honesty, insight, and encouragement had a lasting impact on the students and challenged them to become leaders who make a positive difference.

Monthly Adoration and Confession

Our monthly opportunities for Adoration and Reconciliation continue to be a deeply valued part of our school’s spiritual life. Students consistently describe these sessions as a chance to pause, reconnect with God, and spend time in silent prayer, or simply to use the church as a calm and reflective space during the school day. For many, this time offers peace, reassurance, and spiritual renewal. Encouragingly, attendance continues to increase each month, highlighting the importance of providing regular moments of stillness and prayer within the busy rhythm of school life.

Home–School–Parish Mass

We also continue to celebrate our monthly Home–School–Parish Mass on the first Friday of each month. This Mass offers a special opportunity for staff, students, and their families to come together and join the wider parish community in prayer. It is a wonderful way to strengthen the bond between home, school, and parish, and provides a calm, faith-filled start to the day. These celebrations are a beautiful reminder of our shared mission and the importance of journeying together in faith.

We are preparing to celebrate the school’s remarkable 150th anniversary with a series of inspiring and memorable events that bring together current students, staff, alumni, former staff members, friends, and supporters of our community. These celebrations will honour our rich heritage while looking ahead to an exciting future of growth and innovation.

If you would like to stay informed about key announcements or be involved in any of the events, please sign up for the mailing list.

We are creating a Commemorative Legacy Wall made from beautifully engraved bricks, as part of our celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the school. Each brick will feature the name of a student, alumnus, former staff member, or individual who has been personally connected to St Bonaventure’s and its community.

This wall will stand as a lasting tribute to those who have helped shape St Bonaventure’s over the years. It will be a place where current students, future generations, and visitors can pause, reflect, and feel connected to our rich history.

This initiative is open to:

• Current and former students
• Past and present staff
• Individuals with a personal connection to St Bonaventure’s

Each engraved brick costs £25, and only a limited number are available, so we encourage you not to miss this unique opportunity.

What keeps you going when something is tough?

• Jessica, Year 13 Deputy Headgirl - What keeps me going is my faith in God. The knowledge that having God on my side means that no matter the challenges of life, I will make it through because Romans 8:28 insists that: 'All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose'

• Frankie Year 10: It can help to set goals that help you to be your best.

• Gian: I take it step by step and reach out for support when I feel I need help and guidance.

• Adam, Year 8: Whenever you’re worried, you can write down in a diary whatever it is that is challenging you. This then allows you to think of ideas of how to face that challenge.

• Nicolas, Year 8: Our parents/carers are always there to help us, so we can talk through the challenges we are facing with them. They can give us advice so we don’t feel alone.

Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a Special Year of St Francis to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi.

As a Catholic school rooted in Franciscan tradition and education, we will celebrate this special year from 10 January 2026 to 10 January 2027 through a series of events and activities involving students of all year groups. These will inspire our students not only to know our core virtues: Faith, Hope, Charity, Integrity, Courage, Humility, and Kinship, but to live them in practice within their families and the wider local community.

Lord, during this Lenten Season, nourish me with Your Word of life and make me one with You in love and prayer.

Fill my heart with Your love and keep me faithful to the Gospel of Christ. Give me the grace to rise above my human weakness. Give me new life by Your Sacraments, especially the Mass. Father, our source of life, I reach out with joy to grasp Your hand; let me walk more readily in Your ways.

Guide me in Your gentle mercy, for left to myself I cannot do Your Will.

Father of love, source of all blessings, help me to pass from my old life of sin to the new life of grace. Prepare me for the glory of Your Kingdom.
I ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.

Amen.

We are looking for residents and regular visitors of the Green Street neighbourhood and surrounding areas, who want the chance to support other members of their community.

Newham Community Project are working with researchers at Queen Mary University of London to train local community members in the Green Street neighbourhood to support other residents when facing distress. This project is taking inspiration from a successful programme called Atmiyata (meaning “shared compassion” or empathy) that has been proven to be effective in India. The team are working to adapt this approach based on community feedback, to reflect the diversity of the local community and link in with existing forms of community care.

Funded by Barts Charity, the Atmiyata approach draws on the strength of existing community networks and will help to facilitate referrals for those who need professional support, particularly those who face barriers to accessing health care. The project is for all adults in the Green Street neighbourhood – across faiths, ethnicities, communities, and backgrounds and aims to reduce health inequalities in Newham.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Dena via dena.khan@newhamcommunityproject.org or call/text: 07861436677.

Email: info@stbons.org
Website: https://www.stbons.org/
Location: Boleyn Rd, London E7 9QD, UK
Phone: 020 8472 3844