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October 2013

For Parents, Carers, Parishes and Community

Our staff and students welcomed some very special visitors from a faraway sister school at the end of last week.

A group of 30 girls from Genazzano FCJ in Melbourne, Australia spent three days in Merseyside as part of their European sports tour. The group had already visited Belgium and London when they arrived in Liverpool on Thursday 19 September and they will be heading on to Ireland and France before returning home.

After arriving at our school and meeting their hosts the group quickly departed for a football coaching session with Liverpool Ladies FC at the University of Liverpool’s Wyncote Centre followed by a tour of Anfield.

Upton Hall staged an action packed day of games including basketball, badminton and tennis on Friday while Saturday was a free day for the visiting girls to spend time with their host families and get to know the city region.

The girls stayed FCJ students from Bellerive and Upton Hall on the Wirral to gain an insight into local life. Some of the sights their Bellerive hosts were keen to show off were the Albert Docks, the Royal Liver Building, Liverpool One, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and the Beatles and Maritime Museums whilst other girls planned trips further afield to north Wales for example.

Mr McGrath said: “We were very excited to welcome our Australian visitors to Merseyside and enjoyed showing them the best of our city

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Bellerive welcomes special sporting visitors

despite the rain. I’d like to thank all of our girls who gave our visitors a great welcome and opened up their homes to them.”

Sandra Kennerley, head of netball at Genazzano said upon arriving at Bellerive: “It’s a great experience for our girls to come in to different schools but wherever we’ve been so far we’ve received a warm FCJ welcome. We’ve had an amazing trip so far and even though it’s a sporting tour we’re also building friendships with other FCJ schools and students around the world. These relationships will last a lifetime; I know many girls who have met on previous trips are still in touch today.”

We would like to offer a special thanks to the following Bellerive students who hosted an Genazzano girl:

Dana Sami, Niamh Burke, Abigail and Bethany Gibbs, Julia Mileoswekxczi, Isabelle Bailey, Caitlin Suleyman, Alicia Henigan, Lucy Moorcroft, Daisy Hawley-Higgins, Megan McLaughlin, Ellie Barlow, Eve Nakhle, Niamh Owens and Chelsea-Leigh Jones.

Exciting timesfor BelleriveWe are delighted to announce a major new development here at Bellerive.

The trustees (FCJ sisters) have worked hard to secure ownership of a highly sought after piece of land at the entrance to Sefton Park, immediately behind the current Elmfield building. The college is delighted with the new addition to the Bellerive estate. Sr Brigid said: ‘We are really pleased to announce the purchase of this land. We have exciting plans for its use and hope that any future buildings that are located here will improve the learning opportunities for all of our students. We are determined not to stand still and we are constantly looking for opportunities to develop a 21st century college. Our students and staff deserve nothing less”

We hope to be in a position to make further announcements on a new sixth form building which will be funded by the Mayor’s Liverpool Schools Investment Programme – a £169m programme of investment across Liverpool’s schools. Our thanks goes to Mayor Anderson and the City of Liverpool for their support and we look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship with them.

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Geography news

The Department was delighted with its exam results for summer 2013. The pupils’ GCSE Geography results exceeded national performance for A*-C and A/A* grades improved. Many of the pupils exceeded their expectations and have chosen to continue their studies on into A Level Geography.

Pupils were also delighted with their BTEC Travel and Tourism results. A Level Geography students’ grades allowed them to secure places at their first or second choice universities.

Well Done...

'Well done to Sophie Lynch in Year 11 who achieved C grades in Maths and Science this summer. Sophie was unable to attend many lessons due to illness and was worked independently to secure these grades. A great example of perseverance'

Hollie on course for successBellerive student Hollie Muse is causing a stir on the fairways after she spent her summer competing in various golfing competitions. She won the Royal Birkdale ladies scratch tournament by three shots in August which followed her victory in the U-14 group competing in the North of England championship at Heswall on the Wirral.

Somehow she also found the time to set a course record at Formby Hall, her home green, which should come as no surprise as her current handicap is a staggering +1!

She has been part of the U16 England squad since 2012 and has recently completed an intensive two week training session with her fellow team mates at Formby Hall. There she worked with sports psychologists, nutritionists and other professionals to better her performance on the course. She also had the opportunity to work with Nick Ward, a leading strength and conditioning coach who worked with Team GB athletes (including Mo Farah!) in the run up to the London 2012 Olympics.

The Year 9 student said: “Golf is hard and I put a lot of effort in but it’s like anything, if you work hard you can achieve success. I train every day and it helps to know my coaches, team, friends, family and school are behind me. When I’m off competing

in tournaments the school send me work and my teachers are pretty understanding and supportive.”

Unsurprisingly Hollie is keen to pursue a professional career in golf once she leaves us but for now she is focusing her efforts on her training ahead of the 2014 season tee-ing off and getting picked for the home international tournament next summer. Good luck to you Hollie from all of us here at Bellerive FCJ!

On Tuesday 1 October hundreds of prospective parents and Year 5/6 pupils from across the city region descended on Bellerive for our annual open evening.

Visitors reported to the school canteen and were then promptly whisked off on tours by teams of student volunteers to see a cross-section of curriculum areas and school facilities.

Our guests had the opportunity to complete a book quiz and a reading survey in English, hear the sweet sounds of students singing in Music, see some fast-paced dance and gymnastic displays in PE and solve mathematical riddles with the help of dance mats and interactive whiteboards in one of our new Elmfield classrooms.

Meanwhile in one of our nine science labs many prospective students (and their parents!) enjoyed a hair-raising

Bellerive shines bright on open eveninggo on a Van de Graaff Generator and turning flowers to dust in seconds with the help of some liquid air. Our visitors didn’t go away hungry either, olives, tortilla chips and salsa were on offer in Spanish, some delicious brie and crackers in French and little fairy cakes fresh out of the oven in Food Technology!

After touring the school site visitors were invited to Marie Madeleine Hall for a short address by our Headteacher, Sr Brigid Halligan.

During her welcome Sr Brigid said: “All our schools have a distinctive nature or strength and here at Bellerive it’s not the buildings that make us what we are, a popular and oversubscribed school, it’s the people in them. The relationships amongst our school community are exemplary and inspectors, parents and students themselves tell us that this is what makes us truly different and special.”

She was also able to share some news hot off the press. It was confirmed this week that Bellerive will be getting a brand new sixth form building which will allow us to widen our Key Stage Five provision to include a range of vocational courses, (look out for more detail on this soon)!

Sr Brigid went on to say after the event: “Feedback on the night was overwhelmingly positive and many people were very complementary about our stewards, guides and staff. Over 100 students volunteered to help out with the event and I would like to thank them for their time and enthusiasm, there can no better way to display of our school ethos and FCJ values to our visitors.”

A big well done must go to everyone who helped in the planning and running of the open evening.

We are looking forward to our sixth form open evening

on 27th November.

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Lucy Miller

Lucy Miller is one of our Y8 students and as you will read, a very busy and successful athlete. We are very proud of Lucy and our many other students who combine their outside interests with a busy day at school. Lucy has kept a training diary which makes for interesting reading.....

SaturdayToday is the National Cross Country Championships, held in Sunderland. With the event being so far from home we had to travel here last night and stay over in a hotel. This morning I woke up to find that it had snowed heavily overnight and it was freezing!! I ran in the Under 13 category, finishing 23rd out of 262. I am very pleased with this result because I am still only in Yr 7 and this was a Yr 8 race!

SundayAfter the race yesterday, I had a nice and relaxed training session with the Liverpool Harriers. Every Sunday morning we train between11.00am and 12.00pm at Camp Hill in Woolton, today I completed a steady 4 mile run. This evening I went swimming at my local club; Bridgefield where I compete a training session for an hour and a half.

MondayToday I have PE period 1, every half term our activities change to a different sport at the moment I am doing Netball. At lunchtime I attended Dance Club, where we were going over rehearsals for an upcoming Dance competition. Afterschool I had Cheerleading club, again practising for a performance in school. At home Monday night is my night off!

TuesdayTuesday, Period 2 I have my 2nd PE lesson of the week, in this module I am studying Fitness, and the activity varies from lesson to lesson, covering different ways to keep fit. Lunchtime was Netball training for the Yr 7 school team, in which I play Centre. Afterschool I competed in a Netball match against another school, we won 6-0; Our Netball team is really starting to come together now. As soon as I

get home, I am off to Harriers training, 6.30-7.30pm. Tuesday is a hard and paced session on the track.

WednesdayOn Wednesday, we normally have Hockey practice afterschool, however this was cancelled as it was a Merseyside Schools Mid-Week Cross Country race at Sefton Park and school has 4 teams entered from Yr 7-11. I am pleased that I won the race for my school and I was awarded a medal in a presentation box and some other sports products. Overall my team did really well and we came 3rd.

ThursdayToday at lunchtime I went to Gymnastics club, we are practicing handsprings; I can now do then without any help from my PE teachers! Afterschool we had another Netball match; which we won 5-2. Thursday evening is Harriers training again; I completed a long run with intermittent efforts (short, fast and timed by our coach).

FridayToday I had Netball practice at lunchtime in school. On Friday, anyone is welcome to come and try out for the team. Tonight I would normally go to my Swimming club for an hour and a half, but I have had a really busy week this week, so I decide to stay at home and rest!

Mia Evans

We encourage all of our students to support those less fortunate than themselves and one of our new Y7 students has shown the FCJ value of Companionship in giving of her time to support others who suffer from Alzheimer's in completing a charity walk. Here is Mia Evan's story:

My Grandma was 96 years old when she died. She died from Alzheimers in January this year.

Alzheimers or dementia affects your memory and it makes you confused. You don’t know who people are even close family members.

My Nan used to call me Maria. Maria is my Aunty and she used to call my Dad Johnathan and his name was Jason.

My Nan was an adorable, funny and beautiful lady who is greatly missed.

So on Sunday 8th September. I did a Memory Walk for the Alzheimers Society and Aintree Racecourse. I had a T-shirt made with a picture of my Nan holding me as a baby and on the back it read, “In loving memory of my Great Grandma Maggie” At the end of the walk everyone was presented with a medal.

I love and miss my Grandma very much.

Margaret ‘Maggie‘ Donnellan 21st May 1926-21st Jan 2013

By Mia Evans (Year 7)

Our website is being continually updated. Please visit us at www.bellerivefcj.org to see what our pupils have achieved and for advice and guidance on learning.

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Wimbledon Trip 2013

This is the 4th time that the PE department has made the 2 day trip to The Wimbledon Tennis Championships and what a special occasion it turned out to be! The group of 40, Yr 9,10 &11 were lucky enough to be at the Championships to share in Andy Murray’s first Wimbledon win, which remain a special memory for both staff and pupil alike.

With seats on Number One court, a lovely sunny, but incredibly hot day we were all set for a fabulous day of tennis and the players did not disappoint! Watching past, present and future stars of tennis, the girls got to experience a vast array of matches, with the odd compulsory ‘strawberries and cream’ interlude to break up the day. After a marvellous days tennis the group made their way back to the hotel to get some much needed rest before the 2nd day of retail therapy in Central London.

New Building at Bellerive

Bellerive was thrilled to welcome students back to school in September especially as we were able to use the new Elmfield building for the first time. 5 brand new classrooms, including a science lab, are now available for use.

Students are delighted with the new space and have been commenting on how big the rooms are.

Our teachers are equally pleased and have remarked how the new rooms give them the space to try ever more interactive learning techniques to push our students to make even better progress.

Awake and rearing to go the group made its way into Central London, taking in some of the sights of Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus, before the girls began their shopping assault on Regent Street in true Liverpool style.After all that shopping it was time for some well-earned lunch at the Planet Hollywood restaurant – finding somewhere to put all the shopping bags and still have room to eat proved a little challenging for some!

With a lovely lunch and chance to share experiences it was all too soon to begin the long journey home to Liverpool.

As always it was a pleasure for staff to share the experience with the pupils as their behaviour, attitude and sense of humour was fantastic throughout both days!

RE Department

The RE Department are thrilled about our exam results and successes this year. Both GCSE and A-Level students alike, worked incredibly hard during the course of the year and the results highlight this.

There are a few students who we would like to mention specifically.Amy Lynch is a student to admire and look up to. After suffering some serious health issues during her time in Bellerive Sixth Form, she was forced to take considerable time away from school to recuperate. Despite this Amy came back fighting and was able to gain a grade C in her A-Level Religious Studies. She is now heading for Chester University to continue her studies. Well done Amy, we are so proud!!!

Mary-Anne Kambo and Erin Gleeson are also two students worthy of praise and recognition. Both girls achieved a grade A in their A-level Religious Studies which is testament to their hard work, dedication and commitment. Well done girls, we wish you all the best for university life!

Elizabeth Farrington is our GCSE superstar. Since beginning her GCSE RE studies when she was in Year 10, she has had her sights set on gaining the best of grades. The RE Department, especially Ms Farnin, Elizabeth’s RE teacher, were overjoyed to see that Elizabeth achieved 98/100 on her RE Religion and Life exam paper. Such a great achievement. Well done Lizzie!!!