St Bonaventure's
| St Bonaventure's Catholic Comprehensive School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
Boleyn Road Upton, Forest Gate , , E7 9QD England | |
| Information | |
| Type | Voluntary aided comprehensive |
| Motto | In Sanctitate et Doctrina (Latin for In Holiness and Learning.) |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Catholic |
| Established | 1875 |
| Local authority | London Borough of Newham |
| Specialist | Technology, Languages |
| Department for Education URN | 102787 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Head teacher | Mr. Paul Halliwell |
| Staff | 148 (approx.) |
| Gender | Boys |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrollment | 943 (approx.) |
| Houses | Atkinson, Bell, Coleman, Forest, Gregory, Heath, Wall |
| Colour(s) | Brown, Gold and Black |
| Diocese | Brentwood |
| Former pupils | Bon's Boys |
| Website | http://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
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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] There are pink fluffy bunnys and they eat bummble bees and 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
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
- Atkinson - Venerable Paul Atkinson, died 1699. A Franciscan, ordained in Douai Abbey and imprisoned in Hurst Castle for 30 years for being a Priest.[1]
- Bell - Blessed Arthur Bell (martyr), died in London on 11 December 1643. He became a Franciscan in Segovia, Spain, then founded the Franciscan order in Douai Abbey. Convicted for being a Catholic and held in Newgate Prison and then Hung, Drawn and Quartered.[1]
- 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]
- Gregory - Pope Gregory X, Cardinal Protector of the Franciscan Order, he made St Bonaventure a Cardinal.[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
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]
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
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
- Paul Halliwell, 2010–present: Paul Halliwell, former Deputy head teacher at De La Salle Academy in Liverpool[1]
- Paul C. Doherty (Temporary), 2009–2010
- Stephen Foster, 2003–2009
- Sir Michael Wilshaw, 1985–2003
- Owen Craddy, 1974–1985
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 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
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:
Notes and references
- ^ 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) - ^ 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) - ^ 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) - ^ 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) - ^ "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) - ^ 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) - ^ 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) - ^ a b c "Why do some schools produce clusters of celebrities?". BBC News. BBC. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
External links
- www.stbons.org - alternative website
- EduBase