Dear Alumni,
This has been another action-packed and memorable year at St Bonaventure’s, and I am proud to share just a few of the many success stories that continue to shape our community.
We are delighted to have been re-accredited with the School’s Mental Health Award at Gold level, a testament to the dedication of our staff and the resilience and well-being of our students. We also reached the Elite School U16 Cup Final, a fantastic achievement that reflects the hard work and team spirit of our young athletes.
One of the highlights this year has been welcoming so many of you, our dear former students, back to St Bon’s. Whether for initiatives, career talks, or mentoring, your continued involvement makes a real difference. It is always a joy to see you reconnect with the school and inspire the next generation. Your presence reinforces something we say often: Bon's For Life.
On behalf of everyone here, I send my very best wishes to you and your family. May the months ahead bring you joy, peace, and continued success in all you do.
Mr McCormack,
Headteacher
Future First Alumni Day
Students had the opportunity to meet former Bon’s boys and our first female alumna to join FF Alumni Day. The room was filled with alumni and memories from careers in fashion, law, DJing, education, and event planning. Hearing from those who once walked the same halls opened eyes to the possibilities ahead.
“Anyone who attends St Bon’s has a family for life looking out for them. I didn’t realise at the time just how special this school was. Looking back, the friendships, the teachers, the shared experiences all shaped who I am today. No matter how far we have gone, we carry Bon’s with us.” – Tim Campbell
“What stood out most was how deeply the alumni related to the students’ experiences, which made their advice not only inspiring but genuinely motivating.” – Faith Garffus, Schools Membership Coordinator
Interested? Sign up for event invitations via the FF mailing list:
https://www.futurefirsthub.org.uk/register/stbonaventure
VE Day with Alumnus Michael Stevens
Poignantly coinciding with the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, we are incredibly privileged to have heard from Alumnus Michael Stevens, who shared his stark memories of travelling to school in 1944.
“Walking from Forest Gate Station at the Princess Alice Road junction and just a few hundred yards from the school, where there had been extensive attacks during the Blitz, was a very large bomb site where a number of houses had been destroyed. At that time, we were still under attack from the Flying Bombs and V Rockets. There was the occasional Air Raid Warning, and we had to decamp to the Friary cellars”.
“My eldest brother was a rear-gunner in a Whitley Bomber and was killed in action in 1942. It was sadness then, but it is only now that I find myself grieving the terrible waste. The War left a scar that doesn’t go away”.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Got a story to share? We’d love to hear about your St Bon’s history and experiences — email us at alumni@stbons.org.
The High Performance Foundation
It was great to welcome back the team from The High Performance Foundation into St Bon’s.
The school provided a backdrop for some new video material recorded with Emma Louise Amanshia, accompanied by the HPF team including Hannah Wilson FCCT, Freddie Norton, and video content creator Jamie Carter.
Deputy Headteacher Andy Lewis said, “It’s been a pleasure to build a strong relationship with the High Performance Foundation team over the past few years. Their resources have become a valuable part of our work with students, who really benefit from the insights they offer. The stories of high performers inspire our young people, helping them build resilience, develop confidence, and learn how to thrive in all areas of life.”
We know our alumni have gone on to become high performers in many different fields, and we want to instil that same ethos and aspiration in our current students.
Family Soup Day
We held our biannual Family Fast Day Soup Lunch in support of CAFOD, a meaningful reminder of fasting and almsgiving, two key focuses during the season of Lent.
A big thank you to Olive Dining for generously donating a delicious variety of soups and to everyone who took part.
"I really enjoy serving at the CAFOD Family Fast Day. It reminds me that other people have less than me, so I should appreciate what I have and give back in the ways I can."
— Vilius, Year 10
London Marathon Fundraising
Our Deputy Headteacher, Mr Lewis, took part in the London Marathon earlier last month and finished with an incredible 4:46 on a very warm day.
With over £8,000 raised (including Gift Aid) for CAFOD, his achievement will make a real, life-changing difference to communities around the world. An inspiring display of compassion, endurance, and solidarity.
