St Bernard's Newsletter

Dear Parents, Carers, and Members of the St Bernard’s Community,

As we come to the end of a very busy and fulfilling first half term, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support. Although this is my first half term as Headteacher, I have had the privilege of working at St Bernard’s for many years. It has been a joy to step into this new role within a community I already know and cherish, and I feel truly honoured to lead a school with such a strong sense of faith, tradition, and care.

This half term has been packed with activity and joy. We began with our Start of Year Masses, where we came together in prayer and reflection. Year 7 students took part in their retreat days-an important moment in their journey of faith and belonging. We also celebrated Black History Month with a powerful and inspiring showcase led by our students. In addition, we held our Year 7 Harvest Mass, which was a beautiful celebration of gratitude and giving. Thank you for your generosity in all the donations received. These will go a long way in supporting those in need within our wider community. Congratulations to our Year 11 Leadership Team who did a fantastic job at preparing and organising their Leadership Day. The talks given by inspiring women speaking about their leadership journey was truly uplifting.

Our House Captains have launched the house system with real enthusiasm, sharing the history and meaning behind each house. You can read more about this in the pages of this newsletter. It’s been wonderful to see students take pride in their houses and show such great team spirit.

Extra-curricular clubs are well underway, offering students a wide range of opportunities to explore new interests, develop skills, and build friendships.

A special highlight this half term was the blessing of the Sister Mary Stephen Hall by Father Paul. As a former student and Headteacher of St Bernard’s, Sister Mary Stephen’s legacy continues to shape our community, and it felt deeply appropriate to honour her in this way, remaining true to our Bernardine traditions.

Our new Year 7 and Year 12 students have settled in remarkably well, and we are proud of the way they have embraced school life with positivity and commitment.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first half term here and am already looking forward to the many wonderful events and moments that lie ahead.

Wishing you and your families a peaceful, restful, and enjoyable half-term break.

With every blessing,

Mrs H Barnes

• 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.

Congratulations to our new House Captains for being elected to represent the six school houses. They've already got off to a flying start in their new roles, having given a house assembly and organised exciting new events for the school to take part in.

Each House Captain Team has made a brief statement about the history of their house and their vision for the future as captains. Here's what each of them had to say:

As Captains of Annay House, we’re proud to lead such an amazing and spirited team. Our house is named after the Abbey of Notre Dame de la Brayelle at Annay, first established in 1196, and its history is all about strength, faith, and community. Even though the Abbey was later closed during the French Revolution, its values of service and resilience are what still inspire us today.

Our crest has some really meaningful symbols: the fleur-de-lis, which stands for faith and purity, and the lamb, which represents both the farming roots of Annay and also Christ, the Lamb of God. Our house colour is white, reminding us of hope, unity, and fresh beginnings.

As captains, we want everyone in Annay to feel proud to wear our house name and give their best, whether it’s in class, on the sports field, or in competitions. Together, we carry our history forward and make new achievements of our own.

Upcoming Events: Find Effel the Elf - December 2025

Clairvaux Abbey was founded in 1115 by St Bernard of Clairvaux in northern eastern France. It is an important place for Cistercian monks who live simple but strict lives, focusing on prayer. Over time, the building has been used for other things, like a prison (1808-2023) but is now a historical monument. As house captains we hope to build a strong inclusive spirit of Clairvaux and hope to support everyone involved in our house. Our goal is to lead by example and encourage teamwork.

Hi, We’re Tunmise and Keavy, your house captains for fountains. This year we are excited to bring energy and spirit to the house by organising a variety of events, launch clubs and ghost fun activities where you can earn house points and have a great time.

Our goal is to make Fountains and inclusive - Let’s make it a fantastic year together

Being part of Hyning means being part of something greater than ourselves. Our house is built on the values of hard work, community, and prosperity — qualities symbolised by the bee in our crest. Just like a hive, every individual has a role to play, and when we come together, we create something extraordinary.

This year, as your house captains, our vision is simple: to make every single person in Hyning feel proud, confident, and supported. Whether you shine on the sports field, in the classroom, on stage, or by quietly encouraging others, you are an essential part of our story. Together, we can lift each other higher than we could ever reach alone.

Hyning has a history rooted in resilience and unity, from its monastery beginnings to the bee that represents tireless effort and teamwork. Let that remind us that greatness doesn’t come from one person’s success, but from the strength of a whole community working side by side.

So let’s make this year unforgettable. Let’s strive, let’s support, let’s celebrate every achievement — big or small. Let’s show what it truly means to belong to Hyning.

As house captains of Melrose, we are incredibly proud to represent a community that spans from Year 7 to Year 13. Melrose isn't' just a house – it's a family built on teamwork, kindness and ambition. This year, our goal as house captains is to strengthen our sense of unity, ensuring everyone feels included, valued and inspired to get involved.

Whether it is in sports, the arts, academics or house competitions, we want to see every member of Melrose striving to be their best and supporting one another along the way. Together we will create a space where everyone has the confidence to participate, the courage to lead and the pride to wear Melrose colours in spirit.

A bit of history behind Melrose is that it an abbey originally established as Scotland first Cistercian monastery by Kind David I, the Cistercian were known for their strict adherence to the rule of St Benedict. The abbey church is considered one of the finest examples of late GitHub architecture, as it features intricate carvings, including representations of hobgoblins, a pig playing bagpipes and Cooke’s with ladles. The abbey continued to function as a monastery until the Protestant reformation in 1560, when it was abandoned and fell into ruin. Today, it is a popular tourist destination where visitors can explore the ruins, learn the abbeys history and admire the architecture.

Let’s make this year one with achievement, growth, and unforgettable memories – together, as one Melrose.

Our Heritage:

Rievaulx House takes its name from the historic Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire - once one of the most powerful and influential Cistercian monasteries in Britain. Founded in the 12th century, the abbey stood for strength, unity and dedication - values that continue to inspire our house today.

Our Values:

Community - supporting one another as a family.

Resilience - never giving up in the face of challenges.

Ambition - striving foe excellence in everything we do.

Our Spirit:

Just as the monks of Rievaulx worked in discipline and harmony to achieve greatness, we too are built on teamwork, respect and determination. We are more than just a house - we are a family, united in our commitment to achieve success both individually and collectively.

Upcoming Events: STB's Got Talent - 12th November

As part of the re-vamped house system, staff as well as students have now been assigned to a house. We believe that this will create a greater sense of cohesion and group identity amongst the houses, and foster a healthy spirit of community and competition!

Each house is captained by a member of SLT. Pictures of each staff team and a statement from the captain can be found below:

House Annay are the peacemakers of the school. Our house emblem features the fleur-de-lis, a famous symbol of royalty, purity and peace that originated in France, where Annay Abbey is located. Like our house animal, the lamb, we hope to foster a spirit of gentleness and caring around the school, always willing to lend a helping hand or words of comfort to those in need.

We at Clairvaux House are the wise owls of the school! We are here to lead the way with our exceptional insight and intelligence. We watch over the school community with vigilance and are devoted to keeping the whole school in our prayers. We are here to guide, advise and protect. Go Clairvaux!

Fountains house finds its meaning in nature, with beautiful springs of water running through its grounds. Students and staff within the Fountains house take courage in the flowing water of God’s grace which, just like the Fountains Abbey, runs through the heart of all we do within our House activities. We place peace, fun and spirituality at the heart of all our actions. Go Fountains!

House Hyning are the worker bee's of St Bernard's! We're hardworking, eager to succeed and thrive on our strong sense of community. We wish to build a culture of togetherness and unity at the school, just like the busy bees that represent the spirit of Hyning House. Go Hyning!

I am really privileged to be part of the Melrose House, which is a place of strength and resilience. The original image of a Lion symbolises courage and resurrection. It reminds us that no matter how hard the journey gets, we rise and try again, and have the faith that we will succeed. The house colour Red is a statement of fire in our hearts and the courage that defines every Melrose student. We lift each other up and never give up.

At Rievaulx, we represent the spirit of freedom, hope and leadership. The agricultural heritage of Rievaulx Abbey reminds us to plant seeds of hope today, so that the future may grow to be bright, like the colour of our house. The shepherds crook in our logo reminds us of our call to serve as leaders, guiding the school community towards success.

There are lots of new faces at the school this year. With new recruits in SLT, teaching and support staff, here is a brief introduction to the recently joined faculty members at St Bernard's.

I am an Assistant Headteacher in charge of safeguarding and Pastoral, I have been teaching in London for over 15 years and thoroughly enjoy getting to know and help students outside of the curriculum with the pastoral side of education.

I am Assistant Headteacher in charge of Intervention. I have worked in a range of schools in Essex for the past 16 years. I really enjoy working with young people and working within the community.

During a year spent in Italy, in my hometown near Naples, I taught English and I was inspired to pursue a role in a teaching environment.

I applied for the role of an LSA and when given the opportunity to join St. Bernards, I was very happy to begin this new chapter.

My main experience comes from the banking industry, and although the financial world taught me a lot, both customer service and processing/analytical skills, I am enthusiastic about joining a school where I can share my Faith, be part of a support system for students and where I can guide their learning.

I have spent the last 4 years living in Gran Canaria running my own holiday rental company. Before this I was in finance working for a home credit company.

Ms Rama-Beiro - Spanish Teacher

Mr Palmer - Head of Physics

Mr Somerset-Butler - Science Teacher

Ms Gifford - RE Teacher

Ms Naveed - Lead Practitioner: Science

Ms Nice - Head of Year 9/Science Teacher

Ms Servante - Science Teacher

Ms Miah Sahin - Technology Teacher

Mr McGorry - English Teacher

Ms Saward-Read - English Teacher

Ms Trigg - PE Teacher

Mr Cannon - Caretaker

Ms Smith - Apprentice Teacher

Ms Thorne - LSA

Ms Mead - LSA

Ms MacMahon - LSA

We had a fantastic evening celebrating Black History and culture on the last Wednesday of this term. From spoken word, to music, to some fantastic dances, the talents of our students were so evident last night. We had historical footage and facts peppered throughout the performances to help enlighten us about inspirational black people and their stories.

For example, did you know that Lewis Latimer, a black inventor, created the carbon filament that made Thomas Edison’s light bulb practical?

A huge well done to all the performers but a particular shout out to the Sixth Formers and Head Student team and particularly our Head Student, Ese, for all their hard work and organisation of this event. It really was excellent. Thank you to all the staff and students who helped to make last night’s event fantastic.

Year 11s have had a fantastic day in the Leadership Conference, organised by the Year 11 senior prefects. A massive thank you to our guest speakers: Patience Abladey (Barrister), Tatum Marchetti (Model & former STB student), 2Lt Peck (Cadets), Dr Arikawe (GP), Eva Pharaoh and Leigh-Anne Beadle (Adult Social Workers).

All guest speakers gave their own personal stories and career journeys, focusing on this years theme: 'breaking stereotypes'. Each speaker provided real life examples of how they overcame barriers in their career to achieve their goals.

Students then participated in Henna, bracelet making and decorating hairbrush workshops. A final goodbye was given by Mrs Barnes, Headteacher, who spoke about her own journey from a St Bernard's student to Headteacher.

Over the summer, the school library was relocated to the St Helen's centre, which gave us the opportunity to return the old school hall to its former glory as an Assembly Hall. We have named the hall in honour of Sister Mary Stephen, who was the last nun to serve as Headmistress of St Bernard's.

Sister Mary Stephen was a dedicated servant of the school, having been a student at St Bernard's before going on to become a sister, then teacher, and finally, headteacher. She was revered by many in the St Bernard's community, including those who taught her, those she worked with and those whom she taught. Her long-standing legacy can be felt in the school to this very day.

Sister Mary Stephen left the school in 1983 when the Bernadine Sisters moved to Hyning Monastery. There, she continued to serve God faithfully before passing peacefully in her sleep in 2017. We hope to honour her incredible service to the school by naming the new hall in her memory.

"St Bernard's gave me so much, humanly, intellectually and spiritually, as a child, a teacher and a sister. I remember my friends, my teachers and all the sisters with much love and gratitude."

- Sister Mary Stephen.

Father Paul joined us to bless the plaque outside the new hall, accompanied by Mrs Barnes and our Liturgy Prefects. This short service of prayer marked the official opening of the Sister Mary Stephen Hall, which will be used for assemblies, mass, drama performances, workshops and lots, lots more!

The new academic year has been an exciting one for chaplaincy, with start-of-year masses, the Harvest Mass, Jubilee Mass, retreats and more! The new Year 7's have been particularly eager to get involved with chaplaincy, with a few regulars attending both the new morning prayer sessions and the Chaplaincy Club. It's been fantastic to see such flourishing faith among the younger students.

The Year 7 retreats to Aylesford were another huge success this year - and we were blessed with unusually warm weather for October to make the trips all-the-more enjoyable. The BCYS Jubilee Mass was a particular highlight from this half-term. We took a select number of Liturgy Prefects to Brentwood Cathedral, where schools from across the diocese gathered to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope. The bishop, assisted by his fellow diocesan priests, said Mass beautifully, and gave a wonderful homily about hope in times of darkness. Actual relics from St Carlo Accutis and Blessed Giorgio Frassati were also present to mark this special occasion. One of our prefects was even asked to join the other schools in saying the prayers of intercession. All round, the mass was a marvellous celebration of hope, and a fantastic opportunity for our students to participate in the spiritual life of the Brentwood Diocese.

Next half-term brings us into the season of Advent, where there will be lots going on at the school to prepare us to celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Yours faithfully,

Mr R Young

We started term with year group masses for Years 7-11, held in our local parish church, St Helen's. Priests from all across the diocese joined us over the course of the week to celebrate mass. A huge thank you to Fr Selvini, Fr Damien, Fr Paul and Fr Viktor, and well done to all our readers, servers and helpers.

The new Chaplaincy Club has hit the ground running, with some eager attendees from Year 7. In the first few sessions, students have been learning about the rosary, and have even had a go at making their own! I'm looking forward to seeing how the Chaplaincy Club grows and develops throughout the year.

Liturgy prefects headed to Brentwood Cathedral to join with other schools in the diocese to celebrate the Jubilee Year. The Bishop was there to celebrate this special occasion and close out the Year of Hope, and relics from the recently canonised St Carlo Accutis were also present to mark the occasion.

Form masses began with Year 11 this term. Father Paul joined us every Tuesday to celebrate mass for the students as they embark on their final (and most important) year at St Bernard's. A huge thank you to Fr Paul for his unending generosity, and well done to all the students who helped with the readings.

Our new Year 7's went on retreat to Aylesford Priory for a day of prayer, contemplation and discernment. The Year 13 House Captains led the students in activities that got them thinking about their goals and aspirations. We then celebrated mass, after which, students were free to roam the scenic priory gardens.

To celebrate the Month of the Holy Rosary, Liturgy Prefects and other keen students have been coming to the chapel every morning to pray the rosary. The rosary is a powerful form of prayer in which we ask our Blessed Mother, Mary, to intercede for us. It's been amazing to see such a great turnout!

Our Head Students and House Captains went to Brentwood Ursuline for the Student Leadership Conference, where they created their own school ethos before sharing their vision with the other schools in the diocese. The event was a great opportunity for our young leaders to learn about faithful leadership, and to network and socialise with other student leaders.

Our annual Year 7 Harvest Mass was a great success, with an enormous amount of food donations collected for both SVP and Southend Foodbank. The Year 7 choir sang beautifully, and the Harvest Banners looked truly amazing (so good Fr Deepu couldn't pick a winner!). Well done to the choir, readers and servers for your contributions, thank you to SVP and Southend Foodbank for coming in, and thank you to Fr Deepu for celebrating.

It has been fantastic to welcome our new Year 12's to St Bernard's Sixth Form this half-term. They have settled in fantastically and are working hard on the transition from GCSE to A-Level. Their induction day supported them in understanding the ethos and expectations of the school, with a morning session with Mrs Owen, our Head of Sixth Form. The afternoon saw students participate in a Play workshop to have fun, encourage joy and get to know their year group a little better.

To support our Year 12s and Year 13s in their transitions and ensure that their A-Level learning is the best it can be, we have introduced a timetabled enrichment programme. This first half-term, students have learnt about effective learning and revision methods and how to manage the jump in learning from Year 11 to Year 12, and from Year 12 to Year 13. The enrichment programme helps to support students outside of their subjects and develop them as a whole person, ready for their next steps after compulsory education. This includes a fortnightly fitness session.

We have also moved our location within the school, and are now upstairs on the top floor. This new area includes a new study room fitted with computers, my office and our notice area.

Students participated in our Revision Evolution Day, in which they learnt about specific revision methods to support their A-level learning. We have adapted the Revision Revolution booklet from last year, and students now have the Revision Evolution booklet on their person to refer to in study periods, free periods and lessons. These methods are tried and tested, and will support your child in getting excellent grades at A-level.

Our Year 13s spent the summer revising their personal statements and formulating their first full drafts. Form tutors are now giving them feedback on the platform UNIFROG. UNIFROG has a range of tools to support students in writing and choosing their universities. The programme helps students select unis that are safe choices, choices that match their predictions and those that are aspirational.

Mrs Owen

Head of Sixth Form

A big warm welcome from the Learning Support department at St. Bernard's!

We have been delighted to see so many of our students approach the new school year with such enthusiasm; from those just starting with us to those coming to the end of their journey at St. Bernard's.

It has been a busy start to the year for the department, with the welcoming of five new members of staff, including four new LSAs who have been working with our younger students in KS3.

In addition to our general provision for SEND students, the following interventions are now up and running for this term:

• Toe by Toe, reading support sessions

• Small group Literacy intervention for Years 8 and 9

• Bi-weekly literacy intervention for all Year 7s

• Specialist Teacher Service working with students in the department on a weekly and bi-weekly basis

• Active Listening sessions, delivered by Southend SEND therapies team

We would like to remind all students that Learning Support is open daily for H/W support as well as additional class and coursework support, where needed, before school from 8.15am, during lunch and afterschool until 4.30pm in the new library.

Parent carers and professionals are invited to a SEND Information Day on 6 November 2025 at the Civic Centre from 9am to 3pm. Drop in to explore SEND services, attend talks, and network.

Follow the link below for more information:

Southend SEND Information Day – Events - Livewell Southend

Southend SEND independent forum need your family feedback!

Your feedback is used to continually challenge SEND services in Southend to drive positive change for our children and young people.

Scan the QR code above to complete our Family Feedback Form.

It's been amazing to see the massive surge in Extra-Curricular Clubs available to students since the start of term. There's now a huge number of both lunchtime and afterschool clubs for students to join and take part in. Whether it's academic, musical, performing arts, faith-based, or just a bit of fun, there's a club for every type of student at St Bernard's.

Clubs are a great way for students to meet new friends, learn new skills and take a bold new step outside their comfort zone. We encourage all students to get involved!

Here's a quick run-down of all the available clubs, including where to go and what time to be there!

More information about Extra-Curricular Clubs can be found on the noticeboard outside BH1, and in the Extra-Curricular Booklet on the VLE.

As part of our ongoing careers support, helping students make those all-important Post-16 decisions, all our Year 11 students have enjoyed a one-to-one Careers Guidance Meeting with Mrs. Phillips, our Level 6 qualified Careers Coordinator and Adviser.

These meetings, which are an integral part of our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme, give students a valuable opportunity to reflect on their interests, skills and aspirations using diagnostic tools such as the Unifrog quizzes and National Career Service quizzes.

They are encouraged to explore the routes available to them after Year 11 — whether that is A-Levels, BTECs, T Levels or apprenticeships — and to think carefully about which learning environment and pathway best suits their career goals.

Together with Mrs. Phillips, each student has created a personalised Career Action Plan, setting out clear and achievable next steps to support a confident and successful Post-16 transition.

We are so proud of how thoughtfully our Year 11 students have approached these meetings and the exciting plans they are beginning to shape for their futures.

Our Year 13 Moot Team showcased outstanding erudition and eloquence in the first round of the Giles Wilson Law Moot this week. Mooting is a form of legal debating in which teams present evidence in a mock courtroom before barristers and judges.

Acting for the defence in the criminal case of R v Mr Jonathan Gribble, the team impressed the panel and went on to win their round on both counts! The Senior Counsel captivated the courtroom with her legal fluency, barristerial style, and confident presence, while her Junior Counsel (or ‘learned friend’) argued her case with precision and poise, ultimately winning the legal debate. Meanwhile, the two Solicitors provided invaluable support through meticulous research and incisive legal analysis.

One of our barristers reflected on the experience, saying, “I’d recommend mooting to anyone! It’s such a great way to learn new skills and gain insight into the world of law.” Mrs Phillips, who supports the team, praised their dedication and professionalism throughout the competition and expressed how proud she is of their achievement. We wish them every success as we await confirmation of whether their score qualifies them for the next round.

The Autumn Term has been a busy and exciting start to the sporting year, with our Netball, Basketball, Football, and Cross Country teams training hard and beginning their competitive fixtures.

Our Netball teams have been training with great enthusiasm in preparation for the league season ahead. Players across all year groups have shown fantastic effort and commitment in training sessions, developing their skills and teamwork. We’re looking forward to seeing their hard work pay off once fixtures begin.

The U15 Girls team faced a tough opening fixture against SHSG, losing 4–1, but showed great resilience to bounce back with a dominant 6–0 win over Castleview, progressing to the second round of the Essex Cup.

The U13 Girls also impressed in their Essex Cup campaign, putting on a strong performance to claim victory in their first-round match against Mossbourne Fobbing Academy.

The U13 Girls have been training hard in preparation for their league fixtures, showing real commitment and progress each week. The U15s played their first game of the season, narrowly losing to Shoebury in a closely contested match.

The Run Club has been well attended, with students enjoying regular runs along the seafront. Our Junior Girls competed in the ESAA Cross Country Cup first round and performed brilliantly, finishing 6th out of 15 schools — a fantastic team effort!

At SBHS, we often talk about how to look after our health in lessons and in tutor time. If your child needs support or information about how to cope with their emotions, you can visit the school website and look at Mental Health & Wellbeing section. Also check out our Linktree, which contains a variety of sources of external support for students and their families.

At St Bernard’s High School wellbeing is at the heart of what we do. Happy students are successful students. This term, we have been focusing on how to manage transition, looking at the ways that ‘getting the basics right’ can have a positive impact on mental health.

Mrs Thomas, our PSHE lead has focused on transition and the changing expectations in secondary school. In Year 7 PSHE, our students have been learning about coping with change, new routines, coping mechanisms and looking after their wellbeing. We have discussed how establishing a routine and keeping organised whilst finding time for fresh air and fun with friends is important. The Year 7 students have participated in class discussions, walking opinion lines and have shared any worries they might have about their journey at a new school.

A method used in PSHE is called ‘boiling pans’ which provides techniques to help bring your emotions down to a ‘simmer’ if you are feeling overwhelmed. We encourage parents and careers to discuss this technique, and students will have a copy of this guide in their exercise books which they take home. PSHE provides our students with the opportunity to explore their emotions and ways to keep safe.

Depending on the age of your child, they will have received information designed to support their wellbeing in regular PSHE lessons or the PSHE strand during registration. In addition, to mark Mental Health Day on Friday 10th October, Ms Jackson was in assemblies looking at the positive steps students can take to improve their mental health.

Supporting your child’s mental wellbeing doesn’t always require big changes—sometimes, it’s the small, consistent habits that make the biggest difference. One practical tip from YoungMinds is to encourage your child to set small, achievable goals each day.

A simple way to do this is by creating a short to-do list of 2–3 manageable tasks. These could include:

• Completing a piece of homework ahead of schedule

• Going for a short walk or getting some fresh air

• Calling or messaging a friend for a quick catch-up

• Tidying a small area of their room or workspace

• Preparing their school bag or uniform for the next day

The key is to keep the goals realistic and achievable. Ticking off even a few tasks can give a strong sense of progress and control, which is especially helpful during busy or stressful times. It also helps build momentum and confidence, making larger tasks feel more manageable over time.

Encouraging your child to reflect on what they’ve accomplished—rather than what they haven’t—can foster a more positive mindset and support their overall wellbeing. Why not try this together as a family? A shared approach to goalsetting can help build routine, resilience, and a sense of achievement.

Find out more by clicking on the link YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds

In addition to the support available via our linktree, we also wanted to make you aware of this online parenting course which looks as how to support your child’s wellbeing in the home, bolstering self-esteem, confidence and personal autonomy. Though the course itself is not free, the resources from the first session are free. Try this link to find out more or to sign up to the newsletter. The Science of Well-Being for Parents — Dr. Laurie Santos

Anti-Bullying Week 10th – 14th November

Self-Care Week 17th – 21st November

We will also be working with the Southend Wellbeing Project and Place 2 Be in the Spring term, looking at developing resilience, building self-esteem and tackling overwhelming feelings.

The Jack Petchey Foundation seeks to reward achievement and leadership in young people in Essex and London. As a school which supports this programme, we ask for nominations each month. Over the years, Jack Petchey Awards have paid for school trips, workshops, seating, art equipment, sports equipment, costumes for school productions, cameras...to name but a few.

I am delighted to announce that our June winner is Gabriella in 10M.

This was her citation:

Gabriella has always been super confident and athletic, and she’s made a huge contribution to our school's sports teams since Year 7. Right from the start, she’s not just good at sports; she’s also a great teammate and motivator. Gabriella always knows how to keep everyone’s spirits up, whether we’re winning or losing, and she has this way of pushing the team to do our best. She’s been involved in so many different sports over the years. Whether it’s netball, soccer, or athletics, Gabriella has shown just how skilled and determined she is especially in track. Gabriella has really made a difference to the sports culture at our school.

• Wednesday 5th November - Y10 Visit to Westcliff Synagogue during RE Lessons
• Thursday 6th November - KS4 Insight Day - Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge
• Thursday 4th December, 6:30pm - 8:30pm - Sixth Form Open Evening
• Tuesday 9th December, 6:00pm - Carol Concert
• Wednesday 10th December - Science Made Simple STEM Event
• Thursday 11th December - Year 12 and Year 13 Parent Consultation Evening
• Tuesday 16th December - Christmas Dinner

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.

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.

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

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