Bishop Challoner Newsletter

As we move through the first half of the spring term, it has been heartening to see our school community continue to grow in confidence, purpose and generosity. This time of year invites reflection and renewal, and it has been encouraging to witness how our students and staff have embraced both the academic challenges and the wider opportunities that shape life at Bishop Challoner.

There has been a real sense of energy across the school this half term. From sporting success and creative expression in classrooms, to university visits and cultural experiences, students have engaged enthusiastically and thoughtfully. These moments remind us that education is not only about achievement, but about curiosity, aspiration, and learning how to contribute positively to the world around us.

Our Catholicity remains at the heart of the school as we prepare for the season of Lent. Weekly Masses celebrated by different year groups, supported by our choir, have provided regular opportunities for prayer, worship and reflection. These celebrations, alongside liturgical assemblies and staff prayer, help us to pause, to listen, and to consider how we can live out our faith through service, compassion and care for others.

We are especially proud of the way our students represent our SPARK values outside of school, whether through acts of service, thoughtful dialogue with others of different faiths, or speaking confidently about what inspires and guides them. This spirit reflects the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy, whose commitment to dignity, justice, and love continues to shape our shared mission.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership. I wish all members of our Bishop Challoner family a reflective and fruitful journey through Lent, filled with hope, purpose, and generosity of spirit.

Yours in Service,

Adam Hall
Executive Headteacher

Throughout the term, our school community has been focused on prayer and preparation as we journey towards the holy season of Lent. Each week, a different year group has celebrated Mass in the church, supported by our wonderful school choir led by Ms Donaldson. These celebrations have provided pupils with regular opportunities to reflect, pray together, and grow in confidence as they take an active role in the liturgical life of the school.

Alongside this, our liturgical assemblies have explored key themes such as the Beatitudes, being “salt and light” in the world, and marking Holocaust Memorial Day. Our staff prayer group has continued to meet weekly to pray for the intentions of our community. If you have a particular intention you would like us to pray for, we warmly invite you to submit it using the link below this article.

Recently, two pupils from Bishop Challoner, Olivia and Mason, visited Mayflower Primary School to take part in a special whole-school assembly celebrating different cultures and faiths within the borough. The assembly marked the beginning of Lent coinciding with the start of Ramadan this year, and Olivia and Mason spoke confidently in front of the entire school about how they and the Bishop Challoner community observe Lent, with a focus on prayer, fasting, and helping others, inspired by the values of the Sisters of Mercy who founded the school.

Olivia and Mason represented Bishop Challoner brilliantly and received extremely positive feedback from both staff and pupils at Mayflower Primary School, who praised their clarity, confidence, and respectful approach to discussing faith and diversity. It was a wonderful opportunity to share how different religious traditions can inspire us through both their similarities and differences, and to show how proud we are to walk alongside others during important holy seasons.

This half term we were proud to take part in the 'Reimagining' exhibition at the Art Pavilion in Mile End Park. The event was a vibrant celebration of creativity and provided a wonderful opportunity for students, families, and staff to come together and enjoy the talents of young artists from across the borough.

This year’s exhibition brought together artwork from students across 15 secondary schools in Tower Hamlets, spanning Key Stages 3, 4, and 5. The wide range of pieces on display reflected diverse ideas and creative responses, showcasing imagination, experimentation, and the emerging voices of young people.

Visitors were able to see how students are reimagining the world around them through art.

We are especially proud to celebrate Khadijat Olowolagba in Year 11, who won the gold prize for her artwork advertising the exhibition. Her success is a fantastic achievement and a fitting highlight of an inspiring evening that celebrated creativity, effort, and artistic ambition.

This term, our entire Year 9 cohort had the privilege of hearing from Sir Alex Beard, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera and Ballet. He spoke warmly and openly about his own journey, highlighting the importance of taking opportunities when they arise and recognising the value of strong friendships along the way. Pupils were encouraged to be curious, to stay open-minded, and to have confidence in exploring new paths.

Sir Alex also shared insights into the huge range of jobs and roles that exist within the Royal Opera and Ballet, many of which pupils may not have considered before. From performers and musicians to designers, technicians, and administrators, his talk showed how creativity and teamwork come together behind the scenes. This made the session a perfect source of inspiration for students who are currently thinking carefully about their options choices and future aspirations.

Our students listened attentively and asked thoughtful questions throughout the talk. One particularly memorable question was, “Is ballet a sport?” Mr Beard’s answer, “No, but it is performed by athletes” sparking smiles and reflection. It was a fitting conclusion to an engaging and thought-provoking visit that left pupils with plenty to think about.

Who am I?

My name is Fahmida Begum, and I am the Family Support Practitioner for Bishop Challoner Catholic School. I work as part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Parents and Family Support Service.

What is my role in Bishop Challoner?

Here are some of the things I can help you with:

· Support parents engage in their child’s learning.

· Support parents and carers to work together with school staff including their children’s teacher.

· Provide one-to-one support for families.

· Deliver workshops/information session for parents and carers.

· Help to improve family relationships and enhance parenting skills.

· Provide additional support to parents and carers (application forms, telephoning agencies, signposting to services to support families etc.)

What days I am here?

I will be based in school on Tuesdays 9am-3pm.

How can you contact me?

Contact the school office, ask for me in reception or call me on 07858689242.

The Geography Department at Bishop Challoner is full of passionate teachers driven to share their favourite subject! Our curriculum encompasses a range of topics, from Epic Ecosystems to The Age of Stupid (Climate Change), Conflict, and Frozen Planet. We have been lucky enough to take our star geographers on several enrichment trips in the past, such as to ZSL London Zoo and the BBC Earth Live Experience. Pupils in Years 10, 11 and 12 also attend field trips and residentials to hone their ability to conduct investigations like true geographers.

Bishop Challoner geographers are global citizens in the making, learning about how cultures and places interact and influence each other, while fostering a true sense of global awareness. We dive into understanding the world around us, broadening our perspectives on global issues, analysing the threats to our most delicate environments, and gaining insights into global diversity.

But Geography at Bishop Challoner is more than a list of topics or destinations – it is a way of thinking. We challenge pupils not just to learn about the world, but to question it. Why are some places more vulnerable to climate change than others? How does migration shape communities? What is our role in creating a more sustainable future?

In the classroom, we encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and a real sense of enquiry. Pupils are supported to ask big questions and explore them through data, debate, and hands-on fieldwork. This equips them not just for exams, but for life beyond school, in a world where global understanding and problem-solving are more important than ever.

One of the most rewarding parts of teaching Geography at Bishop Challoner is watching pupils grow in confidence as they realise they have the tools to interpret the world around them. Whether it is through analysing satellite imagery, leading a presentation on deforestation, or collecting data on a river study, our pupils are constantly building their skills as thinkers, communicators, and future changemakers.

Geography truly rocks at Bishop Challoner – and not just because we study tectonics! It is a subject that empowers our young people to be informed, engaged, and ready to make a difference. We are proud to be shaping the next generation of geographers, and global citizens, right here in Tower Hamlets.

Teresa of Kolkata was born in 1910 in what is now North Macedonia and felt called to religious life at a young age. As a Sister of Loreto, she taught in a school in India, but her heart was deeply moved by the suffering she saw in the streets of Calcutta. She heard a clear call to serve the poorest of the poor and chose to leave the classroom to live among them. She founded the Missionaries of Charity and dedicated her life to caring for the sick, the dying, and the forgotten with simple acts of love. Through prayer, humility, and tireless service, she showed the world the dignity of every human life. We honour Saint Teresa of Kolkata for her witness to compassion lived day by day. She is a patron of charity and a reminder that small acts done with great love can change the world.

Bishop Challoner Catholic School

352 Commercial Rd

London

E1 0LB

020 7791 9500