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St Bernard's Newsletter

May 2025

St Bernard'sNewsletterMay 2025

Headteacher Message Headteacher Message

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Dear families,


As we continue in Eastertide journeying towards Pentecost, we are able to live in the joy that Christ has risen and has enabled us to meet Him in the Eucharist. As Christ’s love for each and every one of us is so all encompassing, we have been blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit - our guide and compass in our daily lives.


In this very short half term, in community, we have been able to celebrate the joy that the risen Christ has given us. This newsletter is our opportunity to share with you that same joy. In the Year of Hope, students continue to embody this hope with their fundraising activities, participation in our liturgical calendar and prayer life and all that they do to represent the motto of our school and the greatest of all of Jesus’ commandments.


Since our last newsletter, we have mourned the passing of Pope Francis. He was such an inspiration not only to Catholics but to young and old, of faith and none across the world. He reminded us of our connection to our global brothers and sisters in poverty and distress and called us to act for the marginalised and voiceless. By God’s grace, we have seen the election of a new Pope and Pope Leo XIV has begun his papacy. We keep Pope Leo in our prayers that he may be the shepherd that the world needs.


At this time, in a world that seems so fractured and incapable of showing basic humanity, compassion and love, we are reminded not to despair. Our young people, including those that you will meet on the following pages of this newsletter remind us all that despair is not an option, only hope. We are grateful for the blessing of our school community, the light that it brings and the faith that a better world is to come.


I wish you all an enjoyable half term. We have a staff INSET day on Monday 2 June, so welcome students back on Tuesday 3 June. Any students in year 11 or 13 with exams on the 2 June must attend school as normal.


Every best wish,

Mrs Moise-Dixon

Headteacher

House Points House Points

School News & Events School News & Events

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Year 7 Drama Club

Congratulations to our Year 7 Drama Club members who put on a fantastic performance at lunchtime today; ‘Murder at the Dinner Table’ directed by the talented Lola and Jess from Year 10! It was a delight to watch. We look forward to seeing more from the Drama Club in future!

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Fight Global Poverty

The CAFOD Fight Global Poverty Campaign is still ongoing. Thanks to your generous donations, the school has so far raised £525 for this great cause. Fantastic job guys! If you'd like to donate, you can make your donation today on ParentPay.

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Laptops for Students

Thank you to all the parents for your generous contributions. At the end of our laptop campaign, you have helped us raise £1215 to go towards new laptops for our students. These laptops will improve learning at the school for many years to come, so thank you all for your support!

General Reminders

  • Please remember to bring items for the fete after half term including raffle prizes.
  • A polite reminder to parents that if their child is unwell they should go to reception.
  • Children should not be using their phones in school to contact their parents.

Form Fundraisers Form Fundraisers

As part of our 'Jubilee Year of Hope' celebrations, form groups have been planning, advertising and running a variety of fun and exciting in-school fundraisers to help raise money for the school. Students across all year groups have done an incredible job! There have been all sorts of creative and unique events happening around the school this term, including a talent show, school disco and a staff vs students netball match.


All these fundraisers have helped us raise over £1500 for the school (with still more yet to be counted!). Fantastic job everyone! Your charitable action has been a great example of how to strive forward with hope.


Well done especially to 9M, 10F and 12/13C for charging up the leader board to become our Top 3 form fundraisers. Here are just a few examples of the amazing fundraising events that have taken place across the school:


Winner: 9M - Pink Hamper Raffle, £150 raised!

Runner Up: 10F - Talent Show, £139 raised!

3rd Place: 12/13C - Bake Sale, £137 raised!

4th Place: 9F - School Disco, £119 raised!

5th Place: 9C - Sweet Sale, £115 raised!

6th Place: 8A - Bake Sale, £111 raised!

7th Place: 12/13F - Easter Egg Hunt, £92 raised!

8th Place: 11C - Cake Sale, £86 raised!

9th Place: 9A - Mother's Day Sale, £77 raised!

10th Place: 7H - Cake Sale, £55 raised!

11th Place: 9R - Staff vs Students Netball, £54 raised!

12th Place: 9H: Music Quiz, £51 raised!

13th Place: 8H - Guess Sweets in a Jar, £41 raised!

14th Place: 8R - Cultural Food Sale, £35 raised!

15th Place: 7F - Treasure Hunt, £33 raised!

16th Place: 7R - Raffle, £17 raised!

17th Place: 7C - Bracelet Making, £12 raised!

Rewards Trips Rewards Trips

This year's Rewards Trips were another huge success, with three trips going out to Colchester Zoo, Chessington World of Adventure and Thorpe Park. Students across all year groups thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to take a well-deserved break from their studies after all their hard work and good behaviour this year. A huge thank you to Miss Hill for doing such a stellar job organising these trips for the students.


Keep up the great work girls, we hope to continue these trips again next year!

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Monkey Madness at Colchester Zoo (Student Article)

As a veloxrotaphobic (someone with a fear of roller coasters), when I was given the choice of Chessington or the Zoo, it was an easy choice to make. Although I had been to the zoo before, I had never visited Colchester Zoo and I was amazed at how brilliant it was. The whole day was really fun and I would definitely go again.


The Zoo itself is on a really compact site but there are so many different areas and so much to see and do. As well as seeing the animals inside their enclosures, we also took a train tour and walked through the lorikeet enclosure and also had the chance to stroke a cute goat that kept licking everyone’s legs!


For me the highlight of the day was seeing the monkeys. The monkeys looked as though they were trying to escape and had great fun throwing things around their enclosure and playing with the other monkeys.


I loved spending time with my friends and having this experience together.


Eloise – 7M

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Making a Splash at Chessington

The Year 7 & 8 trip to Chessington World of Adventure was a huge success once again. The early summer weather was perfect as the girls explored the famous zoo/theme park, making straight for all the big rides and exotic animals.


The tiger-themed water slide was a particularly big hit - with all the girls (and many members of staff) queuing up again and again for the big splash! Luckily, the hot weather was there to dry everyone off - especially the soaked-through staff members!

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Big Thrills at Thorpe Park

The older students in Years 9 & 10 headed off to Thorpe Park for an adrenaline-charged day filled with action-packed thrills and intense tummy tickles. The brave students had no fear as they raced eagerly towards the many jaw-dropping rollercoasters, drop towers and pendulum rides awaiting them at this daredevil paradise.


The clear favourite of the day was Thorpe Park's newest ride Hyperia - the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the UK!

Summer Fete Summer Fete

Summer Fete - Jubilee Year of Hope

We're extremely excited to be hosting our first ever summer fete on the 5th of July. It will be a day to celebrate St Bernard's and the Jubilee Year of Hope, with lots of fun games and activities, food, drink and shopping stalls for people of all ages to enjoy. All proceeds from the day will go towards school improvement, particularly for a new canopy to be built outside the dining hall.


Please remember to bring in any items you wish to donate for the fete, including raffle prizes.


We look forward to seeing you all there!

Chaplaincy Chaplaincy

The Season of Easter and the Month of Mary

The Easter season began with a note of sadness as we lost the Holy Father, Pope Francis, at the start of term on Easter Monday. The school held a silent prayer vigil on the first day back, where nominees from each form came to the chapel throughout the day to sit silently and offer prayers for Pope Francis and the Church. During his twelve years as pontiff, Pope Francis was a shining example of how to lead through service with love and humility. He will be sorely missed by the Church and by the world.


Despite the passing of Pope Francis, hope has not wavered during this Jubilee Year. We now celebrate as a new pope, Pope Leo XIV, assumes the role of St Peter as the Vicar of Christ. Accompanied by excellent weather and a blossoming spring, this exciting start to a new chapter in Church history is filled with promise.


The religious life at St Bernard's has blossomed itself this half-term, with form masses resuming each week after a brief hiatus during Lent. In May, the Month of Mary, students have been praying the rosary each morning to honour Our Blessed Mother and ask for her intercession. Year 7's have continued the beautiful tradition of bringing flowers to place at the feet of the various Mary statues located around the school. These flowers symbolise hope, growth, and renewal as we remember Our Lord's promise of rebirth and life made new.


Sticking with the theme of hope, our Year 9's embarked on a retreat day to Aylesford Priory, where they looked ahead to the future; thinking particularly about their own hopes, dreams and aspirations. Thank you to Aylesford Priory for hosting us, to all the staff who helped out, and to all the students for their excellent behaviour.


Yours faithfully,

Mr R Young

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Pope Francis Prayer Vigil

Thank you to all the staff and students who came to the chapel to offer prayers for Pope Francis following his death. It was a great way to both celebrate and mourn the former Holy Father.

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Morning Rosary and Flowers for Mother Mary

Well done to all the students who came along to the rosary sessions each morning. The rosary is one of the most important and powerful prayers in the Catholic tradition, so it's great to see so much enthusiasm. Thank you to all the Year 7's who brought in flowers for Mary, the statues looked amazing!
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Year 9 Aylesford Retreat

A huge well done to all the Year 9's on retreat. We had multiple members of the public come up to staff to tell us how impressed they were with the students' behaviour. We commend Year 9 for being such incredible ambassadors for the school.
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Form Masses

Form masses have continued throughout this half term for Year 9. Well done to all the readers and servers who stepped up to help celebrate mass. And thank you to Fr. Paul and Fr. Viktor for once again being so generous with their time.

Sixth Form News Sixth Form News

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The last half term has been a big one for Sixth Form with exams starting and conversations beginning about Year 12's next steps after sixth form.


Year 13 Leavers and Starting Exams

We said goodbye to our year 13s with a lovely leavers event on Friday 9th May. Students participated in a mass lead by Father Paul with many students participating and taking a lead role in mass for the last time. The mass was followed by an assembly with Mrs Owen and the tutors, we shared fond memories, photos, did a guess the baby photo for each tutor group and handed out “most likely to” certificates voted for by the students themselves. We finished the assembly with ice creams, drinks, nibbles and shirt signing. We had such a lovely day celebrating a fantastic year group. We wish them all the very best as exams are now in full swing and are excited to see them on results day to celebrate their successes and see them move onto their next steps.

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Future Pathways Day – Year 12

We are starting Year 12 on their UCAS and future pathways journey. On Thursday 15th May we welcomed a range of speakers into school to explore how the UCAS process works, choosing universities and applying for apprenticeships. We also explored how their next steps will affect their finances and what is available to support them in terms of bursaries and funding. The Year 12's were fantastic taking notes and asking lots of questions so the day was incredibly valuable.

The afternoon was spent registering for a UCAS account and filling out all the relevant information on UCAS ready for them to start their applications.


We also had a very successful Year 12 parent information evening on Wednesday 21st May where we explored the UCAS process in more detail and talked through key information for parents in supporting their young people in their next steps.


Mrs E Owen

Head of Sixth Form

Careers Careers

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Careers Fair 2024: Finding Futures

In April, we proudly hosted our annual Careers Fair, welcoming around 50 employers, institutions, and industry representatives. This key event in our Careers Curriculum gave students valuable interactions with professionals from diverse sectors, including Creative Arts, Engineering, Health, Education, Higher Education, Uniformed Services, and Finance.


Students in Years 7 to 13 engaged with exhibitors, using our ‘Careers in Form Time’ programme to prepare questions and later reflect on their experiences in relation to future goals.


The feedback from providers was overwhelmingly positive. Our school’s Enterprise Partner, IPECO, shared:


“We were impressed by how engaged and curious the students were. They asked insightful questions about what we do and what opportunities are available at IPECO. A few of the questions—especially from Year 7s—definitely caught us off guard, in the best way possible!”


We are grateful to all the exhibitors and proud of our students for making this event such a success.

Exploring Post-18 Options: Year 12 Future Pathways Day and Parent/Carer Briefing

We are actively supporting our Year 12 students, along with their parents and carers, as they navigate the important decisions surrounding Post-18 options.


Year 12 recently took part in a dedicated off-timetable day, guided by our Sixth Form Team.


Students engaged with inspiring and informative sessions from Make Happen, the University of East Anglia, Amazing Apprenticeships, and Wize Up Finance. They also received valuable guidance on using the UCAS application platform.


It was a pleasure to also welcome Year 12 parents and carers to a presentation, where we shared how they can access and support their young people using career and labour market related information. The session covered a range of post-18 pathways, including university, student finance, gap years, volunteering, and other alternative options.

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Innovative Business Project Launch with IPECO

We are excited to share that we are taking part in an innovative pilot project in collaboration with our Enterprise Partner, IPECO and supported by our Careers and Enterprise Company Enterprise Adviser. Over the past six months, we’ve been working together on a business initiative aimed at developing young people’s critical problem-solving skills and deepening their understanding of career pathways.


This week, we were thrilled to attend the official launch at IPECO’s stunning new site. During the visit, we learned about the company’s impressive journey—from its founding in the 1960s to becoming a global leader in aviation engineering with a turnover exceeding $100 million.


Following the site visit, students will now work closely with the Business Studies department to research and develop solutions to a real-world business scenario. Their work will culminate in pitching their ideas to IPECO directors—a fantastic opportunity to apply classroom learning in a professional context.

History History

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VE Day 80th Anniversary

This half term, the area outside the library was transformed into a vibrant museum as Year 9 students proudly displayed their World War II projects, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the VE Day.


The displays included projects covering a variety of topics such as propaganda, the home front, evacuation, the holocaust and the D-Day landings which captivated the attention of everyone who walked past. The students were asked to include an element of family history to their project and if possible, share details of the experiences of a relative. Therefore, the exhibition was not only an educational experience but also an emotional one.


We asked the school community to vote for their favourite project, and once the votes were counted our deserved winners are Jazmine, Ava and Evie.


Thank you, Year 9, for your outstanding efforts in bringing history to life. Your projects not only honoured the past but also enriched our school community's appreciation of the courage and resilience shown during World War II.


Miss K Lynch

Head of History

PE PE

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English Schools’ Track and Field Cup 2025

A huge congratulations to our athletes who competed in the English Schools’ Track and Field Cup!


We’re thrilled to announce that our Junior Girls team finished with a score that puts them in the top 10 schools nationally, and our Intermediate Girls score puts them in the top 20 schools nationally – an outstanding achievement!


There were some fantastic performances on the day, with several school records broken along the way. A great effort from all students involved, showing real determination, teamwork, and school spirit throughout the competition.


We’re excited to share that both teams have qualified for the East Anglia Regional A Final – best of luck in the next stage!

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Rounders Club

Rounders Club is in full swing!


Our rounders club is training hard ahead of the Borough Tournament this July.


From sharpening batting techniques to perfecting fielding positions and fast throws, the students have shown real dedication in every session. Communication, teamwork, and quick decision-making are all coming together as they get match-ready.


With each week, confidence is growing – and we can’t wait to see it all in action at the Borough Tournament.

Maths Maths

Junior Maths Challenge Success!

Congratulations to all our brilliant Year 7 and Year 8 students who took part in this year’s Junior Maths Challenge. This prestigious competition puts mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills to the test — and our students rose to the challenge with enthusiasm and determination.


A special thank you goes to Mr. Elliston, who has supported these students during lunchtimes, helping them prepare and build confidence through challenging problem-solving activities.


We are proud to celebrate the achievements of the following students:


Gold Certificates

  • Olivia - 8H

  • Wajeeha - 8F

  • Mihaela - 8M


Bronze Certificates

  • Rose - 7A

  • Shreeya - 7F

  • Kishana - 8A

  • Dumsy - 8C


Participation Certificates

  • Zainab - 7F

  • Oliviarose - 7M

  • Isla - 7A

  • Aisha - 7F

  • Creolla - 7C

  • Yasemine - 7H

  • Wasfia - 7C

  • Aminah - 7R

  • Miel - 7C

  • Wren - 7M

  • Michelle - 8M

  • Oreofe - 8F

  • Annabel - 8A


Well done to everyone involved — your hard work and passion for maths are inspiring!

Performing Arts Performing Arts

Congratulations to our highly successful exam students, who all achieved distinction or a high merit in their recent Musical Theatre and/or LAMDA acting exams.


Alice - 8M

Alice - 8A

Mollie - 7R

Praise - 10A

Lexie - 8F

Caitlynn - 8F

Ophelia - 8H

Madison - 8C

Lola - 10A

Poppy - 11M

Darcey - 8A

Olivia - 8C

Chloé - 8M

Iona - 8A

Florence - 8R

Grace - 8M

Ruby - 9A

Evie - 9H

Effie - 9C

Emily - 9A


You worked so hard, and the results really show this. We are so proud of you!

Next round of LAMDA acting exams will take place in July.


Another huge congratulations to our Year 7 Drama Club members, who put on a fantastic performance during one lunchtime; ‘Murder at the Dinner Table’, directed by the talented Lola and Jess from Year 10! It was a delight to watch.


Mrs. Bell

Jack Petchey Awards Ceremony Jack Petchey Awards Ceremony

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On Tuesday 13th May the 2024 Jack Petchey Achievement and Leadership Awards winners from the whole of Southend area were invited to a magical event at The Palace Theatre in Westcliff. This annual event celebrates the achievements of young people and brings together hundreds of award winners from across the area.


“The Achievement Awards are primarily about recognising those who put in the effort and do their best.” - Sir Jack Petchey CBE


Organisations on the scheme nominate young people they would like to celebrate and acknowledge for an Achievement Award. Each award winner then receives a certificate, pin badge and a book from Sir Jack himself. They also choose how to spend a £300 grant to benefit their school or organisation. As well as this, organisations on the scheme get to apply for a package of other small grants throughout the year. At St Bernard’s anyone can nominate a person for an award and the Head Student Team pick from the worthy nominees. Jack Petchey Achievement Award winners are young people who have gone above and beyond to achieve – perhaps when others thought they might fail.


In addition to the achievement awards, we were lucky enough to have a Leadership Award winner. Mrs Getty has made an enormous contribution to the wider life of the school in her role as premises manager. Concerts, plays, culture week, parents evenings – none of these would happen without her. Her £1000 prize has been donated to build a canopy to keep students dry when they are queueing to enter the dining room at lunch and break.


In addition to the canopy, this year, our award grants have paid for educational visits, sporting equipment, resources for the performing arts faculty and many other things which benefit the wider school community. As well as providing valuable financial support to schools, these awards also help to foster a community where achievement is celebrated by staff and the students themselves.


Award winner, Wajeeha Rehman who was nominated for her work as part of the Reading Leaders programme has been given the honour of being an official Jack Petchey Ambassador. Here, she shares her experiences of being a Jack Petchey winner!


“The wooden doors covered with countless intricate designs flung open. All of a sudden, there was a surge of people heading towards the auditorium, most of which were hustling upstairs to catch a better glimpse of the stage. As I made my way to my seat, I admired the exquisite and luxurious site that unfolded before me. The whole ambiance made me feel so welcome. However, going to collect my award was truly an overwhelming experience.


I’m really grateful to my school teachers, peers and family for their immense support.


I’m very proud to have been recognised for this prestigious award.


This award inspires me to continue working hard and to keep striving to achieve my goals. I would like to say an enormous thank you to the Jack Petchey foundation for this incredible honour.”


You can read more about the event in the article featured in the Echo: https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/25161878.southend-youngsters-recognised-jack-petchey-awards/

Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 Mental Health Awareness Week 2025

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A Marathon Community

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week focused on the positive impact of community on the physical and mental health of individuals. In previous assemblies we have looked at the link and this time in our assemblies, years 8-10 learned about the history of the London Marathon and explored the way that this annual event galvanised community. The current London Marathon was founded in 1981 by Olympic champion and journalist Chris Brasher and athlete John Disley. Shortly after completing the New York City Marathon in November 1979 Brasher wrote an article for The Observer newspaper which began:


“To believe this story you must believe that the human race be one joyous family, working together, laughing together, achieving the impossible.”


The first London Marathon was held on 29 March 1981, more than 20,000 applied to run. 6,747 were accepted and 6,255 crossed the finish line on Constitution Hill. The Marathon's popularity has steadily grown since then.


This year, Mrs Perkins and Miss Escott were running the London Marathon. Both had chosen worthy causes to support and suffered the blisters and aches as they pounded the pavements day after day, week after week, month after month.


For Miss Escott, the motivation was personal. “I decided to run the London Marathon for MS Society, a charity which supports those living with Multiple Sclerosis. Having witnessed firsthand how dramatically MS has impacted my mum’s life since she was diagnosed with the condition, I was determined to take on this challenge and run for those who, like my mum, are tested daily living with MS.”


It’s a big commitment to train for a Marathon and Mrs Perkins and Miss Escott both talked about the importance of the support they received along with their own discipline.


So, what was Marathon Day like for our runners – and did they make it to the end?


Mrs Perkins: “It was a warm day, and I knew that the weather would make things more challenging (having done most of my training in the winter), however, a great bit of advice that an expert had given was: there's lots that you can't control, like the weather, so it is your job to adapt. I adapted by slowing down my pace to avoid becoming unwell. I felt fairly good until about 15 miles when I hit an unexpected 'wall' (not literally!). This is an expression to describe when you reach a point where you feel unable to continue doing something because it is very hard. I thought about calling my husband and telling him that I couldn't do it anymore, I stopped a few times for a walk and a drink of water and bit by bit I got myself going again. The last 6 miles were electric! The crowds were amazing, and I remember saying to myself 'YOU'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO DO THIS, YOU'RE GOING TO CROSS THAT FINISH LINE!' The feeling of crossing that finish line was amazing (my reaction in the photo is completely genuine- I even let out a whoop of joy!).”


Miss Escott: “Everyone told me the training would be the hardest part but the race was ten times harder than I could ever have imagined. Having completed most of my training block in winter, I was not prepared for the 22 degree heat on race day and I realised quite early on into the race that I wasn’t going to meet my time goal. I made the decision to ignore my pace and soak up the incredible atmosphere and I am so glad I did. The encouragement shown from complete strangers who turned up to cheer on over 56,000 runners on the hottest day of the year was truly something else. I stopped to hug every single one of my family and friends along the way who had come to support me which was the perfect reminder of how lucky I am to have such special and supportive people in my life.”


This year even before the race, the London Marathon had an enormous impact on the community within this school. When Miss Escott told her form that she was planning on running the London Marathon, Millie and Chi Chi leapt to action, organising a Marathon running event. They publicised the event and students from every year group and every class in the year took part.


Miss Escott said that the whole process had an enormously beneficial impact on her physical and mental health, “In terms of the mental benefits, I found that running was great for combatting stress and I loved the sense of achievement even in the training runs. It also meant I had to take my nutrition more seriously, stay hydrated and prioritise sleep which meant overall I felt much healthier and happier than I ever have before.”

Exercise: The Mind-Body Connection

The World Health Organisation recommends that children and young people do at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise (i.e. something that makes you breathe faster and feel warmer) per day. There are more guidelines from the NHS here.


But with school, homework and a social life, finding an hour to fit exercise into your already busy day is going to be tough, right? Wrong! It's easier than you might think. Read this article on the BBC website to find out how easy it is to boost your fitness and mental health. Does exercise help with revision? - BBC Bitesize

School Mental Health Provision

We want students and their families to always have access to support and to have a variety of different ways of accessing it. As a result, we have created a Mental Health and wellbeing page on the external website Wellbeing and Mental Health - St Bernard's High School. We also have a ‘Link tree’ https://linktr.ee/sbhs_wellbeing which contains links to a variety of external agencies and charities that provide support for young people and their families. In addition, we now also have a dedicated email address that parents and students can use if they want to reach out for help but don’t know how to start mentalhealth@stbernards.southend.sch.uk. Be aware that this is checked daily during term time but the ‘linktree’ offers advice about out of hours support and advice.

Wellbeing and Mental Health
Linktree Wellbeing

Managing Exam Stress: Tips for Success Managing Exam Stress: Tips for Success

Exams are an important part of school life but they can also be a major source of stress. While a little bit of stress can be motivating, too much can negatively impact your performance and well-being.


The NSPCC report that calls to it’s helpline increase around exam time last year. Read the article on their webpage to understand more about exam stress Rise in calls to Childline about exam and revision stress during the exam period last year | NSPCC


1. Plan Ahead

Leaving everything until the last minute can increase anxiety. Create a realistic study schedule that allows you to cover all subjects with enough time for revision.


2. Stay Organized

Keep your study materials neat and make a checklist of topics you need to cover. This will give you a sense of control and reduce last-minute panic.


3. Take Breaks

Studying for long hours without breaks can lead to burnout. Use techniques like the Pomodoro method—study for 25-50 minutes and take a short break—to maintain focus and energy.


4. Get Enough Sleep

Sacrificing sleep to cram for exams can be counterproductive. A well-rested brain retains information better and improves concentration.


5. Eat Well and Stay Hydrated

A balanced diet with brain-boosting foods, such as nuts, fruits and vegetables can enhance memory and focus. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.


6. Exercise and Relaxation

Engage in physical activities like walking, stretching, or yoga to reduce stress. Deep breathing exercises and meditation can also help calm your mind.


7. Seek Support

If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a teacher, friend, or family member. Sharing your worries can help you feel supported and less alone.


Remember, exams are just one part of your academic journey. Do your best, stay positive, and take care of yourself. Good luck!


The Pomodoro Technique:

  • Select your task.

  • Set a 25-minute timer.

  • Work on the task until the timer goes off.

  • Take a 5-minute break.

  • Repeat this format.

  • Take a longer 15- to 30-minute break every four pomodoro intervals.

SVP Ministry SVP Ministry

Hungry Cupboard Fundraiser

The SVP Ministry has been hard at work making an assembly about the Hungry Cupboard, a unique food donation initiative dreamt up by the volunteers at the Southend SVP Centre. Next half-term, the girls will be presenting the concept to the whole school, and will then start to organise a unique SVP fundraiser to help the school raise money for the cupboard.


Well done for all your hard work this half-term girls, your commitment to helping those in need is truly inspiring!

Important Reminders Important Reminders

  • 5th June - Y7 Parent Consultation Evening
  • 12th June - UCAS Superfair for Y12

  • 25th June - Y7 and Y8 Spelling Bee
  • 26th June - Celebration day for Y11
  • 26th June - Y8 Parent Consultation Evening
  • 27th June - Y11 & Y13 Celebration Evening
  • 30th June - 4th July - Cultural Week
  • 30th June - 4th July - Y12/Y13 Trip to Athens
  • 2nd July - 5th July - Y8/Y9 trip to Normandy
  • 7th July - 11th July - Y10 Work Experience
  • 10th July - Y5 Open Evening
  • 14th July - Sports Day
  • 14th July - 18th July - Y12 Work Experience
  • 17th July - Summer Soirée
  • 21st July - Celebration Day

Job Vacancies Job Vacancies

We currently have exciting opportunities for passionate teachers and experienced senior leaders to become part of our school community.


If you are interested in applying for one of these roles, please complete the relevant application form and send it to us at recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk.

List of Vacancies

St Vincent’s Centre Southend St Vincent’s Centre Southend

The St Vincent’s Centre's pop-up food and clothing charity store is still ongoing. Come along every Thursday to St Helen's Catholic Church, Westcliff (27 Milton Road, Westcliff-On-Sea, SS0 7JP). Browse their wares, try tasty food and help raise money for charity!


Market Opening Hours:

  1. Morning: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

  2. Afternoon: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM


Thank you so much for your support in spreading the word and helping us make a difference in the community.

PRAYER PRAYER

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Gracious God, in you we find all beginnings and endings.


Help us to show kindness and understanding through open hearts.

Help us to continue to flourish and grow in Your love and support those in need of Your friendship.


Prompt our learning today using our talents and gifts so that we may serve You more faithfully. Prompt our actions with Your grace and complete them with Your help, so that we may truly love one another as You have loved us.


St Bernard, pray for us


Amen

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Email: office@stbernards.southend.sch.uk
Website: stbernardswestcliff.org.uk
Location: Milton Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7JS UK
Phone: 01702 343583

St Bernard's High School
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