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[[File:François, Claude (dit Frère Luc) - Saint Bonaventure.jpg|St [[Bonaventure]]|180px|left|thumb]]
[[File:François, Claude (dit Frère Luc) - Saint Bonaventure.jpg|St [[Bonaventure]]|180px|left|thumb]]
The school is named after [[Bonaventure]], a saint in the [[Catholic]] church and a [[Doctor of the Church]]. At the age of 22, he joined the [[Order of St Francis]] and promised to lead a life of [[Poverty]], [[Chastity]] and [[Vow of obedience|Obedience]].<ref name="Headteachers Introduction">{{cite news| url=http://www.stbons.org/headteachersintroduction| location=London | work=St. Bonaventure's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School | first= | last= | title=St Bons - Headteachers Introduction | accessdate= Sunday, 2 October 2011}}</ref> He was made a [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]] by [[Pope Gregory X]] in 1273. He was hard working, intelligent and always put the needs of others before himself. The characteristics that the school wants from all of its students.<ref name="Headteachers Introduction"/>
The school is named after [[Bonaventure]], a saint in the [[Catholic]] church and a [[Doctor of the Church]]. At the age of 22, he joined the [[Order of St Francis]] and promised to lead a life of [[Poverty]], [[Chastity]] and [[Vow of obedience|Obedience]].<ref name="Headteachers Introduction">{{cite news| url=http://www.stbons.org/headteachersintroduction| location=London | work=St. Bonaventure's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School | first= | last= | title=St Bons - Headteachers Introduction | accessdate= Sunday, 2 October 2011}}</ref> He was made a [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]] by [[Pope Gregory X]] in 1273. He was hard working, intelligent and always put the needs of others before himself. The characteristics that the school wants from all of its students.<ref name="Headteachers Introduction"/>
Sssfgh there is punk fluffy Bunny's there that eat bumble bees and love to nibble on toes


===Grammar school===
===Grammar school===

Revision as of 18:07, 21 March 2012

St Bonaventure's Catholic Comprehensive School
Address
Map
Boleyn Road

, ,
E7 9QD

England
Information
TypeVoluntary aided comprehensive
MottoIn Sanctitate et Doctrina
(Latin for In Holiness and Learning.)
Religious affiliation(s)Catholic
Established1875
Local authorityLondon Borough of Newham
SpecialistTechnology, Languages
Department for Education URN102787 Tables
OfstedReports
Head teacherMr. Paul Halliwell
Staff148 (approx.)
GenderBoys
Age11 to 18
Enrollment943 (approx.)
HousesAtkinson, Bell, Coleman, Forest, Gregory, Heath, Wall
Colour(s)Brown, Gold and Black
     
DioceseBrentwood
Former pupilsBon's Boys
Websitehttp://www.stbons.org/

St. Bonaventure's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School, also known informally as St. Bon's, is located in Forest Gate, London Borough of Newham, United Kingdom. It is a voluntary-aided Catholic comprehensive secondary school for boys aged 11–18. The school has had Technology College status since 1994 and Science College status since 2004.[1] St Bonaventure's has a co-educational sixth form in partnership with another local school, St Angela's Ursuline School.[1]

History

St Bonaventure's was originally founded as a private Roman Catholic school in 1875 by Franciscan monks based in the St. Antony's area of Forest Gate. It became St Bonaventure's Grammar School in 1890.[1]

St Bonaventure - Patron Of The School

St Bonaventure

The school is named after Bonaventure, a saint in the Catholic church and a Doctor of the Church. At the age of 22, he joined the Order of St Francis and promised to lead a life of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience.[2] He was made a Cardinal by Pope Gregory X in 1273. He was hard working, intelligent and always put the needs of others before himself. The characteristics that the school wants from all of its students.[2] Sssfgh there is punk fluffy Bunny's there that eat bumble bees and love to nibble on toes

Grammar school

It became a state secondary school in 1904, then in 1908 changed its name to West Ham Grammar School. In 1944, it became St Bonaventure's Grammar School again on Upton Lane. The school has a strong relationship with St Antony's Church,[1] which is adjacent to the site, and whole school masses are held here at the end of each term. It is governed by the Diocese of Brentwood and strongly encourages and incorporates liturgical worship in all aspects of school life.[1]

Comprehensive

St Bonaventure's eventually became a boys' comprehensive for ages 11–18. The change to a comprehensive school was very successful, as illustrated by the Ofsted reports and the position of the school in the annual Attainment and Achievement Tables. The admissions criteria has shown that the school has a comprehensive intake, however due to over-subscription, priority is given to Year 6 students that are practicing Catholics.[1]

Admissions

Pupils at St Antony's Church, Forest Gate

The vast majority of pupils are Roman Catholic, but mostly from ethnic minorities and represent the socio-economically deprived local catchment area.[3] It is traditionally heavily oversubscribed for entry to Year 7 and on average accepts 180 new students each year, although in recent years the school has started to substantially reduce its intake of students from other faiths and denominations.[3]

Houses

  • Colman - St Walter Colman, died 1645. A Franciscan Friar convicted of being a Roman Catholic and held in Newgate Prison, he was condemned to be Hung, drawn and Quartered, but he died of starvation while awaiting his punishment.[1]
  • Forest - Blessed John Forest, died 22 May 1548. Another Franciscan Friar killed for his Roman Catholic beliefs. He was held in Newgate Prison, tortured and burned over a fire whilst being hung by a chain around his waist.[1]
  • Heath - Blessed Henry Heath (martyr), died 1643. He was convicted of being a Priest and a Roman Catholic, held in Newgate Prison and hung, drawn and quartered at Tyburn.[1]
  • Wall - St John Wall (priest), died 1679. A Franciscan Friar ordained in Douai Abbey and convicted for being a Priest and a Roman Catholic. He was beheaded on 22 August.[1]

School uniform and colours

Pupil wearing a St Bon's Black Blazer

The students in Year 7 & 8 wear a brown blazer to retain the old link with the Franciscan order. Students wear a white, collared formal shirt with the school tie. The trousers are black and black leather shoes are worn.[4] The schools coat is dark brown coloured with a brown pullover V-necked jumper as an optional extra.[4]

Pupil wearing a St Bon's Brown Blazer

The students in Years 9 - 11 wear a black blazer with gold edging to the lapels. Students wear a white, collared formal shirt with the school tie. The trousers are black with black leather shoes worn. The coat is also dark brown coloured with a black pullover V-necked jumper as an optional extra.[4]

The standard tie in solid Gold in colour with a black diagonal stripe going down from right to left. A selection of ties are available for the boy's to be awarded with when they excel in particular subjects.[4] These are given following excellence shown in the areas of Sport (an additional green stripe), Technology (an additional red stripe), Languages (an additional blue stripe) and Art (an additional purple stripe).[4] In September 2011, a new tie for excellence in English and Mathematics was awarded. As with all other ties, the main colour of gold with the traditional black stripe. Adjacent to this, there is a pink stripe.[4]

The boys in 6th Form wear a dark coloured business suit with a formal shirt and tie. As the 6th form students move between St Bonaventure's and St Angela's, they wear photo-identification at all times, in order to gain entry into the two schools.[4] In September 2011, a new formal uniform for girls in the 6th Form was introduced.[4]

School coat of arms

St Bon's Crest
St Bon's Crest

The school coat of arms and crest has existed in the present format since the school was founded by the Franciscan Order in the 19th Century.[4]

The red hat represents the fact that St Bonaventure was a Cardinal in the Roman Catholic church.[4]

The white Fleur De Lys symbolises St Mary, the Mother of God. Illustrating that the school and all Bonaventurians have a particular devotion to Our Lady.[4]

The Franciscan Cross on a brown background symbolises the Franciscan heritage of the school. This is also demonstrated in the uniform and the names used for the Tutor Groups.[4]

The Wheel symbolises St Catherine of Alexandria, also known as Saint Catherine of the Wheel. Even in Medieval times she was the Patron Saint of educators.[4]

The yellow shield on black background symbolises St Clare of Assisi. She was greatly influenced by the teachings of St Francis of Assisi. She eventually started the order of Poor Clares.[4]

The Motto at the base of the Coat of Arms states In Sanctitate Et Doctrina. This translates as In Holiness and Learning. Showing that all Bon's Boys should be faithful at all times and always try to discover something new each day. This should continue throughout their lives.[4]

Headteachers

Mr. Paul Halliwell

Academic performance

The school generally does very well in the local and national league tables at GCSE level, and in 2007 over 80% of Year 11 Pupils achieved five or more A*-C passes, well above the national average.[5][6]

Being a Catholic school, all pupils are entered for a compulsory GCSE in religious studies. In 2006, the school officially became a Language College, meaning that all pupils are also entered for a GCSE in a modern foreign language (normally French or German).[6]

Sixth form

St Bonaventure's: A Specialist College

St Bonaventure's has a large co-educational sixth form in partnership with its local all-girls sister school, St Angela's Ursuline School, which also attracts a considerable number of students from other schools in the borough, and often beyond, wishing to continue their education post-16. St Bonaventure's and St Angela's are the only 11-18 schools in Newham, and are the two top ranked schools at GCSE level in the borough.[7]

The sixth form offers various qualifications, from the traditional GCE A-levels to GNVQ courses, and has a good tradition of preparing pupils for admission to prestigious UK higher education institutions such as Oxbridge, Imperial College London, University College London and London School of Economics. Many of these students go on to read subjects such as medicine, law, engineering and economics.[7]

The director of sixth form studies is currently Sarah Siaw, following the previous incumbent Dr Andrew Stone's departure to take up the headteacher's post at Holy Family Catholic School. Due to the limited space and resources, as well as the large number of students, sixth form teaching is usually split between the St. Angela's and St. Bonaventure's campuses. Sixth form teaching was also shared with St. John's Catholic School in Green Street as part of the 'Sixth Form Consortium' of Catholic secondary schools until its closure in 1990.[7]

Sport

Pupil sporting a St Bon's Physical education (P.E.) Kit

St. Bonaventure's RC School has an excellent Physical Education department. Over the past few years the school's football and basketball teams have reached numerous national finals, such as the London Cup Final in football and the Essex Cup Final in both football and basketball.[1] The school's cricket team have also won the Newham Cup several times. Many representatives of the school's football team have gone on to forge careers as professional footballers.[1]

In 2008 St Bonaventure's became English Schools Basketball Association Under-14 boys national champions, and in doing so became the first team to achieve such a feat in the school's history.[1]

The school P.E. kit is traditionally a light blue collared rugby top with a white horizontal stripe, combined with plain white shorts and plain white football socks.[1]

Notable Bon's Boys

The following list consist of notable former pupils of St Bonaventure's Catholic Comprehensive School, who are known as Bon's Boys:

Name Birth Death Achievements
David
Amess
1952 British Consertive Party MP.[8]
Timothy
Campbell
1980 The Apprentice 2005 series winner and businessman.
Jermain
Defoe
1982 Current Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and England national football team footballer and former Portsmouth F.C. and West Ham United F.C. footballer.[8]
Anthony
Edgar
1990 Current Yeovil Town F.C. footballer and former West Ham United F.C. footballer.
Chris Hughton 1958 Current Birmingham City F.C. manager, former Newcastle United F.C. manager and former Tottenham Hotspur F.C. footballer and coach.
Martin
Ling
1966 Current Torquay United F.C. manager and former Leyton Orient F.C. manager and footballer.
Bondz
N'Gala
1989 Current Yeovil Town F.C. footballer and former Plymouth Argyle F.C. and West Ham United F.C. footballer.
Dennis
Oli
1984 Current Gillingham F.C. footballer and former Swansea City A.F.C. and Queens Park Rangers F.C. footballer.
Alex
Stavrinou
1990 Current Ebbsfleet United F.C. footballer and former Charlton Athletic F.C. footballer.
Kwasi Danquah III 1986 Musician and business manager.[8]
Stephen
Mulhern
1977 British television presenter, entertainer, and former magician.
Steve John
Shepherd
1973 British Actor, EastEnders.

Notes and references

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "St. Bons -Prospectus" (PDF). St. Bonaventure's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School. London. Retrieved Thursday, 29 September 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ a b "St Bons - Headteachers Introduction". St. Bonaventure's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School. London. Retrieved Sunday, 2 October 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ^ a b "St Bons - GCSE Admissions". St. Bonaventure's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School. London. Retrieved Thursday, 29 September 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "St Bons - School uniform". St. Bonaventure's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School. London. Retrieved Sunday, 2 October 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  5. ^ "St Bons - GCSE Result". St. Bonaventure's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School. London. Retrieved Thursday, 29 September 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  6. ^ a b "St Bons - Curriculum Overview". St. Bonaventure's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School. London. Retrieved Thursday, 29 September 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ a b c "St Bons - Welcome to the Sixth Form". St. Bonaventure's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School. London. Retrieved Thursday, 29 September 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  8. ^ a b c "Why do some schools produce clusters of celebrities?". BBC News. BBC. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2011.