Parents' Newsletter
Spring Term 2
As we reach the end of a purposeful and productive Spring term at Cardinal Pole Catholic School, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the many achievements and experiences that have shaped our community over recent months.
This has been a term characterised by focus, resilience and continued commitment to excellence. In particular, our Year 11 and Year 13 students have approached this important period with maturity and determination as they prepare for the upcoming examination season. Through mock exams, targeted intervention sessions and independent study, they have demonstrated a clear sense of purpose and a willingness to strive for their very best.
I would like to commend our students for the positive attitudes they have shown towards their learning, and to thank our staff for their unwavering dedication in supporting, guiding and encouraging every individual. This shared commitment continues to strengthen the culture of aspiration that lies at the heart of Cardinal Pole.
This term has also been marked by outstanding moments across our school community, most notably our recent Lion King production, which celebrated the creativity, confidence and talent of our students. It was a wonderful example of our community coming together and embracing the wider life of the school.
As we now look ahead to the Summer term, we do so with a clear focus and a strong sense of optimism. The months ahead will be significant for many of our students, and we remain committed to supporting them both academically and pastorally as they take their next steps.
Thank you, as always, to our parents and carers for your continued support and partnership. Together, we ensure that every student is given the opportunity to SOAR, academically, personally and spiritually.
Yours in service,
Adam Hall
Executive Headteacher
Year 8 students investigated DNA from strawberries and did an amazing job exploring the science behind it. Great work from some fantastic young scientists!” ~ Ms Filice
This term has been a rich and reflective time in the Catholic life of our school, as students across year groups have engaged deeply with prayer, liturgy and spiritual development.
Years 8 and 10 took part in a moving reflection on the Stations of the Cross, explored thoughtfully from Mary’s perspective. This powerful approach invited students to consider the Passion of Christ through the eyes of His Mother, encouraging empathy, compassion and a deeper understanding of sacrifice and love. The reverence and maturity shown by students during this experience were truly commendable.
Year 9 students have been focusing on the importance of personal reflection through an Examination of Conscience. This provided an opportunity for students to pause, reflect on their actions and relationships, and consider how they can grow in faith and in their daily lives. It was a meaningful exercise in spiritual honesty and personal responsibility.
As we approach the end of term, we look forward to coming together as a school community to celebrate our Easter liturgies. These will be a time to reflect on the great sacrifice of Jesus, and the hope and new life that Easter brings. It is always a special moment in the school year, uniting us in faith and shared purpose.
We are proud of the way our students continue to live out our Catholic values, showing respect, compassion and a commitment to their spiritual journey.
I have been teaching at Cardinal Pole Catholic School for the last 13 years of my career, after moving to London from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Even though it was tough for me at the beginning, particularly teaching Maths in a language that is not my native one, I am proud to work in our school and in our beloved Hackney. I have learnt so much from my students and colleagues here, particularly in terms of motivation, enthusiasm, and always being available to listen.
One of the things that I love about our students is how aspirational they are. Pupils from completely different backgrounds, families, upbringings, and even different interests have shown me that learning Maths is not an innate ability, it is the product of their efforts, and they do want to do well. This does not mean performing well in exams. They want to understand what we are learning, why we are learning it, and what they can do with it.
It is such a pleasure to teach A level Maths and Further Maths to students who pick the subject because they love it, not because they need it for university. Some of my former pupils have gone on to successful careers in engineering, medicine, sciences, and economics, while others have excelled in other fields such as law or philosophy. After they leave Cardinal Pole, they usually tell me the same thing: what made a difference to them was the fact that they worked with their classmates to push each other and ensure nobody was left behind. They enjoyed the opportunities to lead, to mentor younger pupils, to participate in Maths competitions, to share their love for the subject, and to have teachers who were there to give them praise, encouragement, and motivation to reach their full potential.
But what about those who do not like Maths? To me, that is the biggest opportunity to try and make a difference. Of course, they might not enjoy rearranging a formula, working out probabilities of independent events, or using circle theorems to find the value of a missing angle, but they do enjoy the satisfaction of getting a question correct, being able to give a reason for their thinking, or going back to a previous quiz and picking up on their own mistakes. It is my job to never give up and to let them know that everyone can do well if they work hard. In a few years, they might not remember what answers they got or even what grades they received, but they will certainly remember the little, or big, successes.
So, how do we make our students feel proud of their achievements? By celebrating them every day. By creating opportunities to praise their efforts, their improvement, their progress, their generosity, and their dedication. This could be recognising a student who is improving their punctuality to form class, who is now doing more home learning, or who stays behind to ask for help instead of giving up. In the Maths Department, we aim to equip our students to be independent learners who take ownership of, and pride in, their efforts, while also supporting their peers. I am proud to serve our community and will always be thankful to those who pushed me to become the teacher and leader I am today.
Vanina Coria - Lead Practitioner & Maths Teacher
As a Year 9 student going into the Summer term, I can look back on KS3 with pride. I have found the curriculum exciting. I faced some challenges in subjects such as Maths, however I am proud that I worked hard and revised, which meant I achieved well in AP1 and was able to move up sets. I have definitely worked hard in my lessons, and currently my favourite subject is R.E.
In Year 9, we have been choosing our subject options for GCSE, which we will begin in Year 10. It has not been easy, and there has been lots of advice from family, teachers and friends. With the help of the options evening and careers meetings, I have decided to choose the subjects I enjoy most and those I know I can achieve well in if I continue to work hard. I have chosen Geography, French and Drama.
I have also been working outside of my Drama lessons as part of the school production of The Lion King. I have developed my skills in lighting design by independently programming the lights and running them for both the matinee and evening shows. This is a lot of responsibility, but it has been so much fun and an exciting experience.
I believe I am definitely ready for Year 10. I am looking forward to learning new things and seeing what my GCSE courses will hold for me.
Contact US
Website: https://www.cardinalpole.co.uk/
Location: 205 Morning Ln, London E9 6LG, UK
Phone: 020 8985 5150