St Benedict's Catholic College

General

School uniform expectations

Dear Parent/Carer

We would like to remind all members of our community of our expectations around college uniform in readiness for the start of the summer term after Easter. Please take the time to revisit the key elements of our uniform policy outlined below with your child to help us maintain a robust and meaningful home and college partnership particularly at a time when many families are under considerable financial pressures.

Jumpers

Our policy clearly states, “All students must wear a black blazer with a college badge; to be worn at all times unless permission is given to remove it.”

In line with our usual practice, jumpers will not be necessary in the summer term when the weather is warmer, and therefore cannot be worn after Easter.

Students who contravene this rule will have their jumper confiscated by our staff and returned to them at the of the day along with an appropriate consequence. In the second instance, this consequence will be escalated; the jumper will be confiscated and must be collected by a parent/carer from college reception at your nearest convenience.

Coats/Jacket/Fleeces/Hoodies

One of the fundamental purposes of our uniform policy is that it encourages “a sense of equality and cohesion where clothing is not used to highlight levels of family income, create social hierarchies or label students as members of identity groups (other than religious) since this is at odds with the culture of the college.” More recently, we have noticed a number of students wearing expensive coats and hoodies (particularly brands like Mercier and Nike Tech fleeces which are of higher monetary value) that contravene our policy and rules. These garments must not be worn in college.

In the first instance, any coat or garment worn by a student that’s not in line with our policy will be confiscated by our staff and returned to students at the of the day along with an appropriate consequence. In the second instance, this consequence will be escalated whereby the garment will be confiscated and must be collected by a parent/carer from college reception at your earliest convenience.

Whilst there may be medical reasons that make wearing parts of the uniform impossible, where this is the case, any agreed changes will be as close to the formal uniform as possible and made only after a meeting with a member of the Senior Leadership Team, SENDCo or Director of Achievement and Behaviour.

Our uniform policy/dressing for excellence information can be found on our website: https://www.stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk/parents-and-carers/uniform/ and if you have any further questions or require any support regarding uniform, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s form tutor and/or pastoral lead.

Yours sincerely

Mrs J E Santinelli

Principal

Online Safety

As children all over the country return to school, it is important to ensure that they are safe online as they will be using apps and information from the internet on a regular basis.

We hope that you will find the information detailed below useful, and should you have any concerns about interactions that your child is engaging in online, please contact a member of our safeguarding team, and we will be happy to advise you.

Our Safeguarding Team:

Mrs M Davis – Assistant Principal
Mrs S Pavey – Pastoral Lead
Miss R Wilson – Pastoral Lead

Monitoring Your Child Online and Advice for Parents/Carers:

Step-by-step instructions for setting up a child’s email on a Google account can be found at: Google Support

Advice for parents/carers regarding online risks can be found in a variety of places online, but we think the following websites are particularly useful:

Setting Up Devices:

There are many different settings and devices to be aware of as a parent/carer, and sometimes finding help in terms of monitoring these can be tricky. The ‘Internet Matters’ website has a range of useful guides to help and support parents/carers in this – please find some of them below:

Social Media:

Social media is often a minefield in terms of privacy settings and interactions online. Generally, all privacy settings have to be actively set up, rather than being automatically enabled when an account is created, and this changes frequently as platforms such as TikTok update their features. This clearly requires parents/carers to be vigilant about the social media that their children are engaging with. Please discuss this with your child so they can understand the dangers and the safety measures that you are protecting them with.

Help and support with this can be found here: Internet Matters - Social Media

Gaming:

Parental knowledge of games and their online world is often much less than their children. There is a lot of peer pressure on children to be part of certain games online, and the website ‘Taming Gaming’ can provide some insight and support for parents/carers at home.

Taming Gaming

We do hope that you find this information to be of use and please do not hesitate to contact any member of the safeguarding or pastoral teams should you wish to discuss anything further.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs M Davis
Assistant Principal – Safeguarding

College Attendance Updates – 2024-25

I am writing to you because the Department of Education (DfE) has introduced new guidance for Schools and Local Authorities (LAs) for managing school attendance. They have also introduced a new national framework for penalty notices and amended the law. These changes came into effect from 19th August 2024, and all schools and colleges across the country will be expected to follow the new statutory guidance.

Support First

The importance of regular attendance at college cannot be stressed enough. All schools are expected to promote good attendance and provide support if a child is not attending regularly. This may mean that we raise the issue of attendance even if your child has only had a couple of days off ill. This is not because we don’t believe you, but because working with you, we can step in early to help prevent patterns of absence from developing. Together, we may identify other underlying issues that are making your child reluctant to attend college and be able to help you and your child. For this to be successful, we need to work together.

National Framework for Penalty Notices

To provide consistency, the Government has introduced a new national framework for unauthorised absence. The threshold for when a school should consider next steps is 10 sessions (5 college days) of unauthorised absence in a rolling period of 10 college weeks. (A school week means any week in which there is at least one possible session of attendance.) This can be made up of any form of unauthorised absence including term-time holidays, late after close (attendance code U) of register (9:30 am), and odd days of unauthorised absence (attendance code O) which add up to 5 days within a 10-week period.

At this point, the College will consider if it is likely that the attendance will improve with further support. They may then decide to refer the case to the LA for formal monitoring. This may proceed to legal action if the attendance does not improve.

Education Penalty Notices are issued to parents of statutory school age children. They can be issued to each parent or carer who is deemed liable for the child’s absence from college. The new costs and process are outlined below:

First Offence: The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or Irregular Attendance, the amount will be: £160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days. Reduced to £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days.
Second Offence (within 3 years): The second time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or Irregular Attendance, the amount will be: £160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days.
Third Offence and Any Further Offences (within 3 years): The third time an offence is committed for Term Time Leave or Irregular Attendance, a Penalty Notice will not be issued, and the case will be presented straight to the Magistrates’ Court.

Term Time Holidays

Pupils should not be taken out of college during term time unless it is unavoidable. Schools are required to consider requests for leave of absence in term time and should only approve the leave if there are exceptional circumstances. If a request for leave is denied and the student is absent for 5 days or more, then the College is expected to refer the case to the LA.

The LA will issue a penalty notice with no requirement for a formal warning to be issued. Penalty notices can also be issued where a student is absent for repeated incidents of unauthorised leave in term time that fall below the 5-day threshold. In every case, the request for the Penalty Notice comes in from the College to the LA for the process to be completed.

New Registration Codes

The DfE have amended some of the codes to include numbers as well as letters. These new codes are to enable Schools / Colleges, LA and the DfE to better understand the reasons for absence. For example:

Code C: Leave of absence for exceptional circumstance.
Code C1: Leave of absence for the purpose of participating in a regulated performance.

The important thing for you as a parent/carer is still the C code which means that the absence was authorised.

There is also a new code which has been introduced for students who are on the College roll but are temporarily being provided with an alternative education by the local authority, such as a home tutor.

Code K: Attending education provision arranged by the local authority.

Full details of all of the changes can be found by visiting the Government webpage: Government Guidance on College Attendance

Many thanks for your support in this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Mr G Muttock
Assistant Principal

Social Media Interviews

We are writing to seek your support in addressing a matter of significant concern regarding the interactions of our students with social media creators outside of college premises.

It has come to our attention that some creators are engaging with students and subsequently posting content that is inappropriate and potentially harmful. Such actions not only cast the students in a negative light but also risk bringing our college into disrepute.

You may recall we drew your attention to the activities of a social media creator known as @younghakzz in last week’s newsletter. This individual has been reported on multiple occasions for asking students questions of a violent and sexual nature. These incidents have been brought to the attention of the Colchester police.

We urge you to speak with your children about the importance of avoiding interactions with such individuals and to reinforce the need for caution when engaging with social media. Furthermore, please be aware that if a student features in such videos whilst wearing our uniform and makes negative references to other students or staff, this will be addressed in accordance with our behaviour policy.

We take these matters very seriously in order to maintain a respectful and safe environment for everyone at our college. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. Together, we can ensure a safe and respectful environment for all our students.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

RSE

As part of your child’s curriculum experience this year, certain aspects of RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) will be taught in RE, Science and PSHE lessons in all year groups.

RSE Policy

Our Relationships and Sex Education policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons on these topics. Please find a link to the policy here: RSE Policy

Curriculum Guidelines

The programmes of study for RE and PSHE have been designed in accordance with the Curriculum Directory issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE Association and are appropriate for students’ age and maturity. We have followed closely the guidance given by the Brentwood Diocese in constructing our schemes of work. The teaching of the Roman Catholic Church informs our Sex Education programme in line with the college policy regarding such matters.

Parental Rights

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from some Sex Education lessons after a discussion with the Principal. If you wish to exercise this right, please complete the electronic form here: Electronic Form.

Response

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish your child to receive Relationships and Sex Education.

Essential Equipment

Dear Parents/Carers

We would like to remind you of our ongoing expectation that all students come to College fully equipped for effective learning.

Having the right tools for the job is essential for maximising learning time and improving academic performance. When students bring their own equipment lessons can start promptly without delays allowing for a more focused and efficient learning environment. Research shows that students who are fully prepared with their own equipment are more likely to stay engaged, participate actively and achieve higher grades.

To support your child in being fully prepared we ask that they bring the following items to College every day which is shown on the PDF attachment.

Equipment List

Starting today we encourage you to revisit expectations with your child and ensure they have all the necessary equipment for College. During the Easter break, please take the opportunity to restock on any needed items. In the first week back, we will conduct daily equipment checks to reinforce the importance of being prepared. Throughout the summer term we will implement a stepped approach to address any lack of equipment ensuring that all students are consistently prepared for effective learning.

We believe that being ready and well-organised not only boosts confidence but also reduces anxiety making students more likely to participate and contribute in class. Your support in ensuring your child has the correct equipment will greatly enhance their learning experience and help them develop valuable organisational skills.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to your child's education. Together we can empower our students to achieve their best!

Yours faithfully

Mr P Cretu

Assistant Principal

Year 7

Fast Read

Dear Parent/Carer,

I am writing to inform you about the content of English lessons and English home learning for year 7 students as well as the pedagogy that underpins our approach.

At St Benedict’s, we begin year 7 with a ‘fast-read’ of a fiction book. This approach is based on recent research from the University of Sussex, which involved English teachers reading novels at a faster pace than usual in 12 weeks. The researchers found that, as a result of this, students made 8.5 months’ average progress, with poorer readers making 16 months’ progress.

Students’ reading age is something that we continuously work on improving in all year groups. This is important to access GCSEs in all subjects. Students need a reading age of 15 years and 8 months to be able to fully access their GCSE papers in all subjects, including maths!

One significant change from primary to secondary school is the volume of non-fiction texts students will read in almost every subject. This is a contributing consideration to the English department’s choice of the fiction novel – October, October by Katya Balen – to help your child with their transition into secondary school. You can read more about the way the study was successful here.

Your child might also talk to you about:

Home Learning

Whilst we are fast reading in class, students will be set home learning tasks that link to October, October. These will be creative or reflective tasks that might ask students to give their opinion or create something in response to the novel, its characters and the ideas. This will normally take no more than 30 minutes per week. In addition, all students are expected to complete 30 minutes careful reading per fortnight using Sparx Reader – this is part of our whole school literacy approach.

Library Lessons

Year 7 students will spend one of their lessons per fortnight in our college Library where they will be expected to read independently as well as regularly being provided with the opportunity to read aloud to a member of our support staff. Students may bring in a book from home to read for this lesson or they can borrow books from the wide selection we have available.

The 200 Word Challenge

We use one of our fortnightly lessons to complete ‘The 200 Word Challenge’ - students are given a brief for a piece of writing – it could be fiction or non-fiction. They are asked to try to write 200 words in 25 minutes, building their stamina, confidence and knowledge of a range of genres and forms.

We would encourage you to talk to your child about what they are reading and writing. Furthermore, ask your child to read it out loud to you at home to practise their reading accuracy and auracy. Making confident readers is the bedrock of being successful students.

If you would like to discuss this further, please contact your child’s English teacher, or me directly at p.bishop@Stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk.

Yours sincerely,
Mrs P Bishop
Head of Communication Faculty

ACTIVITIES TRIP TO MERSEA CAMP Monday 7th July – Wednesday 9th July 2025

Re: Mersea Camp trip 7th July to 9th July 2025

The college is pleased to confirm your child’s place on the Mersea camp trip. Students have attended a meeting which provided them with details about the trip and gave them the opportunity to select their own tent groups. If your child was unable to attend and has any questions they wish to be answered, they can speak to Mr Riley in the PE department.

I would like to remind you that transport to and from Mersea camp will be your responsibility. As you may not be aware the road that leads to the camp is a narrow single carriageway road which can be problematic when traffic is passing in each direction. In order to alleviate the access issues there will be 3 drop off slots for the St Benedict's students. These are:

Monday 7th July (drop off)

8.30- 9.00 (Parents begin to arrive from 8.30 then wait until 9.00 to leave the site)

9.15 - 9.45 (Parents arrive from 9.15 then wait until 9.45 to leave the site)

10.00 - 10.30 (Parents arrive from 10.00 then wait until 10.30 to leave the site)

Wednesday 9th July (pick up)

2.00 - 2.30 (Parents arrive from 2.00 then wait until 2.30 to leave the site)

2.45 - 3.15 (Parents arrive from 2.45 then wait until 3.15 to leave the site)

3.30 - 4.00 (Parents arrive from 3.30 then wait until 4.00 to leave the site)

By having these drop off and exit times it will make the journey to and from camp much smoother.

Please complete the form to select a drop off and pick up time that you would prefer to use.

https://forms.office.com/e/juRDz56F84

Please read all the details below which highlight the necessary equipment, timings and contact information. Both students and parents/carers are required to sign the attached conduct form and return it to the college by Friday 28th June Please inform the college if there have been any changes in your child’s medical or dietary requirements or your emergency contact number.

The list below highlights all necessary equipment for the trip:

· Packed lunch and drink for first day only. This is provided for students in receipt of free school meals

· Sleeping bag

· Refillable water bottle

· Non-valuable watch, to keep time

· Pillow

· Pyjamas

· Old clothes for activities, preferably shorts, tracksuits, t-shirts, jumpers. You will be doing wet activities so spares may be needed

· Two pairs of trainers – old ones for the activities

· Casual clothes, comfortable for the evening

· Fleece / jacket / waterproofs for wet days and cold evenings

· Suncream and sun hat

· Two towels

· Wash bag

· Torch

· Necessary medication – inhalers, hay fever tablets etc. This should be kept in a waterproof container and labelled clearly with the student’s name

· Two plastic bin liners for dirty / wet clothes

Please remember that St Benedict’s and Mersea camp staff can take no responsibility for lost or damaged possessions, so please ensure your child does not bring anything valuable with them. Due to safeguarding, no student should have a mobile phone or other electronic device in their possession while at camp.

Please complete the attached conduct form and return to the college office by Friday 20th June 2025.

Yours faithfully

Tresa Cummins

Year 7 Raising Standards Leader

Year 8

Sparx Reader

Dear Parent/Carer,

Sparx Reader

As part of St Benedict’s whole college literacy strategy, we have once again partnered with Sparx Reader. Students will be using the platform weekly to enhance their reading ability and literacy skills.

From Friday 13th September, your child will use Sparx Reader to complete weekly reading. Your child’s home learning will be set on Friday at 9.00 am and due the following Friday at 9.00 am each week. This will be in addition to any other home learning for English lessons.

Sparx Reader helps every student to achieve regular independent reading, which is incredibly important for building the vital literacy skills needed to access KS3 curriculums and GCSE exam papers in every subject.

Students can choose from a range of ebooks at their appropriate level. As they read, they will answer questions to check they are reading carefully. Careful readers earn points meaning they can track their progress and climb the league table!

Motivated readers who demonstrate consistent, careful reading can unlock Gold Reader status, which means they can read any paper book from the library or from home by scanning its barcode.

How do they log in?

Students log in at www.sparxreader.com on any smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer using their college Microsoft 365 account.

What devices are supported?

Your child can access Sparx Reader on any device that connects to the internet with a web browser.
Sparx Reader clubs are currently run on Tuesday from 8:00 am to 8:45 am in Room 6 and on Thursday from 3:30 pm to 4:15 pm in the Library.

How can I support my child with their reading?

Sparx Reader adapts to each student’s reading level, so it’s important that you do not help by answering questions for them. If you help them, Sparx Reader might think they are a very strong reader and display books that are too difficult.
You can help to provide a quiet space for your child to focus on their reading each week.
Encourage your child to read their book aloud to you.
The best way to support your child is to ask them about the book they are reading; discuss what aspects they are enjoying or what characters and events they have recently read about.

If you require any further information or have any questions, please contact me by email at c.hunter@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk.

Yours faithfully,
Mrs C Hunter
Teacher of English & Literacy Coordinator

Year 8 Learning journey

Dear Year 8 Parents/Carers and Students,

Year 8 Parent Communication

In anticipation of the Year 8 virtual parents evening tomorrow, we would like to give you a short update on the year 8 learning journey. With this in mind, Ms Chase has created an informational video that covers crucial topics such as:

· Year 8 virtual parents evening

· Home learning

· Year 8 Pathways

Year 8 Parents Evening Information Video

The Pathway blocks will be shared with students early next week as part of their Pathways selection process. The composition of the blocks is directly influenced by timetabling restrictions, staff availability and student demand.

If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to contact us using the college email address: admin@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk and your query will be directed to the appropriate member of staff.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening and working together to support your child's success!

Mr P Cretu

Assistant Principal

The Globe Theatre and Tate Modern Gallery

Year 9 trip to The Globe Theatre and Tate Modern Gallery – Friday 26th September 2025.

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a trip to The Globe Theatre and The Tate Modern Gallery in London on Friday 26th September 2025.

The total cost of the trip will be £35.90. This covers the cost of entrance to The Globe Theatre where students will get the opportunity to tour the theatre and then participate in a workshop. In the afternoon we plan to take students to visit the Tate Modern Gallery. The students will depart from St Benedict’s at 8.00am and return at 5.00pm. Your child will need to be in College by 7.30 am on the day of the trip. You need to ensure arrangements are made to collect your child from the college at 5.00pm. Should the College cancel the trip, a full refund will be made, however all monies are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself.

If you would like your child to take part, please go to the ParentPay website to provide consent and pay £35.90. We kindly ask you to pay by the 13th June 2025. It is probable the trip will not take place unless all parents, who are able, confirm by the given deadlines.

The College would not want the cost to prevent any student from attending. If you feel that you are in such a position, please contact your child’s pastoral lead, in confidence, to discuss whether some suitable arrangements can be made to assist with costs.

Students will need to bring a packed lunch. Students entitled to free school meals will be provided with a packed lunch. Time will be allowed during the afternoon to visit the gallery shop. Students wishing to purchase postcards or other small visual items to include in their studies, may wish to bring with them a small amount of money to spend; no more than £10 please. Students should wear College uniform but may wear trainers or other comfortable footwear in place of College shoes.

We are confident the trip will be an exciting and rewarding experience for the students that will give them the opportunity to gain valuable first-hand experience of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and also to enhance their understanding of art and culture through their visit to Tate Modern.

Yours faithfully

Mrs P Bishop, Head of Communications Faculty and Mrs L Stewart-Thomas, Subject

Co-ordinator of Art.

five-day trip to the Opal Coast, France

Year 9 five-day trip to the Opal Coast, France – Monday 16th March to Friday 20th March 2026

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a trip to the Opal Coast in France for our year 9 students of French. We are working with Voyager School Travel to organise our itinerary and will be staying in the Hotel du Moulin aux Draps Activity Centre for the duration of the visit. We will have dedicated Animateurs who will work with us during our stay and organise various activities at the centre. Our students will be encouraged to speak French throughout the stay and we are sure they will enjoy using the language in lots of different situations. We will travel by ferry and coach and then go on excursions and local trips during our stay, including visits to Boulogne-sur-Mer, the Nausicaa Sea World Centre and a local market.

The total cost of the visit will be £675.00 per student. This covers the cost of all coach travel, four nights’ full board accommodation at the Hotel Moulin aux Draps, excursions and admission fees. Should the college cancel the visit, a full refund will be made, however all monies are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself.

The maximum number of places available is 60 and should the trip be oversubscribed, places on the trip will be allocated by ballot. If you will find it difficult to pay at this time, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students can avail themselves of this enrichment opportunity.

In order to confirm our booking with Voyager School Travel and secure our reservation we will need a response from parents by the 31st May 2025 at the latest. If you would like your child to be considered for this visit, please pay the non-returnable deposit of £100.00 by the 31st May 2025. If your child is not offered a place on the trip the deposit will be refunded. We kindly ask you to use the ParentPay website, where you can pay online using your credit or debit card.

The remaining payments for this trip will be due in instalments as follows:

31st May 2025 £100.00

30th June 2025 £125.00

31st July 2025 £100.00

30th September 2025 £125.00

31st October 2025 £100.00

30th November 2025 £125.00

Please ensure that payments are made on time. Please contact Pastoral Lead if making the payments on time causes you difficulties.

Our proposed itinerary is as follows (this may be subject to change and we will of course send you a final itinerary nearer the time):

Monday 16th March 2026:

Depart College and travel by coach for the crossing to Calais. Students will need a packed lunch for the journey. From Calais, we will continue to the hotel and settle in, followed by our first evening meal and language activity.

Tuesday 17th to Thursday 19th March 2026:

Activities organised by staff at the activity centre, with visits to:

The Nausicaa National Sea Centre in Boulogne
Boulogne-sur-Mer - visit to the old town ramparts
Opalaventure - trekking through the treetops, guided by instructors
Local market mission with a challenge to buy food for lunch using only French
Étaples military cemetery
Bakery
Le Touquet seaside town
Chocolate Factory
Friday 20th March 2026

Return home and scheduled arrival back at College before the end of the College day (subject to traffic and any changes in timings by the ferry operator)

If you require any further information at this stage please contact me at the College. There will also be an information evening for parents in the Spring term, as we approach the date of departure. Please note that students will require their own passport, valid for at least three months from departure from the UK, and that it might be necessary for your child to obtain a visa for this visit. Information is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport

https://www.france-visas.gouv.fr/en/

The College reserves the right to refuse any student a place if their conduct leading up to the trip is unacceptable.

I am sure that the trip will be an exciting experience for your child and that it will give them the opportunity to practise their French, to get to know more about French culture and way of life and also to see the beautiful landscape and towns of the Opal Coast.

Yours faithfully

Ms Lesto

Head of Modern Foreign Languages

GCSE PE Shirt

Dear Parent/Carer

As part of the GCSE PE exam, students have to take part in a day of moderation and recorded activities. The requirements of the exam board state that candidates have to wear visible numbers for the examiners/moderators. In the past, students have worn laminated numbers on the back and front of their shirts, but when speaking to the students, the laminated numbers either got in the way or were ripped off, causing damage to their shirt.

With this in mind, the College supplier has designed an individual candidate shirt. This will include the College name and course name on the front and, in large print on the back, the student’s name and candidate number. (Students cannot decide upon their own number as they are given out alphabetically).

These shirts can be worn in both GCSE PE and core PE lessons. This is a voluntary item and no student will be disadvantaged if they do not buy one.

The cost of the shirt is £22.55 for sizes up to 34/36 and £27.06 for sizes 38/40 upwards. The sizes available are 30/32, 32/34, 34/36, 38/40, 42/44, 46/48 or 50/52

If you would like to purchase a GCSE PE shirt, please make payment and indicate the size required via ParentPay by Monday 14th July 2025. The shirts will be handed out in September.

If you will find it difficult to purchase this at this time, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.

Yours faithfully

Mr J Riley

Head of PE and performing arts

Year 9

Sparx Reader

As part of St Benedict’s whole college literacy strategy, we have once again partnered with Sparx Reader. Students will be using the platform weekly to enhance their reading ability and literacy skills.

From Friday 13th September, your child will use Sparx Reader to complete weekly reading. Your child’s home learning will be set on Friday at 9.00 am and due the following Friday at 9.00 am each week. This will be in addition to any other home learning for English lessons.

Sparx Reader helps every student to achieve regular independent reading, which is incredibly important for building the vital literacy skills needed to access KS3 curriculums and GCSE exam papers in every subject.

Students can choose from a range of ebooks at their appropriate level. As they read, they will answer questions to check they are reading carefully. Careful readers earn points meaning they can track their progress and climb the league table!

Motivated readers who demonstrate consistent, careful reading can unlock Gold Reader which means they can read any paper book from the library or from home by scanning its barcode.

How do they log in?

Students log in at www.sparxreader.com on any smart phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer using their college Microsoft 365 account.

What devices are supported?

Your child can access Sparx Reader on any device that connects to the internet with a web browser.
Sparx Reader clubs are currently run on Tuesday at 8.00 am - 8.45 am in Room 6 and on Thursday at 3.30 pm - 4.15 pm in the Library.

How can I support my child with their reading?

Sparx Reader adapts to each student’s reading level, so it’s important that you do not help by answering questions for them. If you help them, Sparx Reader might think they are a very strong reader and display books that are too difficult.
You can help to provide a quiet space for your child to focus on their reading each week.
Encourage your child to read their book aloud to you.
The best way to support your child is to ask them about the book they are reading; what aspects they are enjoying, or what characters and events they have recently read about.

If you require any further information or have any questions, please contact me by email at c.hunter@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk

Yours faithfully,
Mrs C Hunter
Teacher of English & Literacy Coordinator

English Literature GCSE Texts for Year 9 Students

Dear Parent/Carer

English Literature GCSE Texts for Year 9 Students

As we approach the end of this academic year, we are keen to encourage all year 9 students and their families to get ready for the start of their formal GCSE courses by purchasing the three GCSE Literature texts they will study over the next two years starting from mid June. Whilst we are able to lend copies of these texts for the duration of the course, it really benefits students to be able to write their own annotations.

The texts are:

'An Inspector Calls' (Heinemann Hardback Edition) RRP £9.99
'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' (CGP's complete novel and study guide) RRP £5.99
'Macbeth' - Oxford School's Edition RRP £6.99

We are offering the opportunity to purchase these texts as a bundle for £16.21 (this represents a 29% saving on the combined RRP of £22.97).

If you would like to order copies of the texts for your child, please order via ParentPay by Friday 6th June.

If you wish to buy the text bundle but have difficulty affording these items at this time, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students can access this academic support.

Yours faithfully

Mrs P Bishop

Head of Communications Faculty

Visiting Artist Workshop with Nicola Burrell

Dear Parent/Carer

Year 9 - Visiting Artist Workshop with Nicola Burrell

We are delighted to inform you that local artist Nicola Burrell will come in and work with the year 9 Art class. Nicola is currently exhibiting work at First Site Gallery.

The workshop will take place on Thursday 19th June 2025, during the timetabled double art lesson. Students will learn about Nicola's artwork first-hand as well as explore hands-on skills and techniques led by the artist herself.

We are very excited to have this unique opportunity and are asking for a voluntary contribution of £15.00 per student to ensure the workshop goes ahead. Please pay using ParentPay by Thursday 31st May.

Nicola Burrell's visit will provide valuable insights and practical experience that align with the AQA GCSE Art syllabus, particularly in areas such as exploring different media, techniques and processes, understanding the work of artists, craftspeople, and designers.

If you have any questions about this visit, please contact me via email at L.StewartThomas@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk.

Yours faithfully

Mrs L Stewart-Thomas
Head of Art, Design and Technology

Year 9 Geography Field Trip to Walton

Year 9 Geography Field Trip to Walton – 4th July 2025

During the summer term in geography lessons, your child will spend much of their time studying coastal landforms, processes and management. Students must complete 2 pieces of fieldwork in contrasting locations over the duration of the course and will be examined on these skills in this unit. The field trip will be held between 9.00 am and 3.30 pm. We will be departing after morning registration for Walton and will return to college in time for the end of the College day. Your child should wear clothes suitable for working outdoors in all weather conditions, including sturdy shoes. A clipboard and writing materials will be needed. Students will need to take a packed lunch and drinks, this will be provided for students in receipt of free school meals.

The cost of the visit including coach travel is £20.00. If you would like your child to take part, please pay and give consent using ParentPay (parentpay.com) by 1st April 2025. If you require a barcoded letter to make payment via PayPoint, please contact trips@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk or call the college office. The college would not want the cost to prevent any student from attending. If you feel that you are in such a position, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within one week of the date of this letter and we will endeavour to assist.

A number of parents/carers may be wondering how they may be able to help their child during this time. Please discuss your child’s work, progress and encourage them to ensure that they attend all lessons well prepared having reviewed and understood work from previous lessons. In class your child will present, analyse and evaluate the data collected in the field. They will end up with a fieldwork report which will form the basis for their exam preparation for this part of the course.

I thank you in advance for your support. If you have any concerns relating to this or any other matter regarding your child’s geography GCSE, please contact their teacher or me via the College office.

Yours faithfully

Mr N Maher

Subject Leader for Geography

Year 9 and 10 GCSE Art & Textiles trip to Kew Gardens

Dear Parent/Carer

Year 9 and 10 GCSE Art & Textiles trip to Kew Gardens - Monday 24th November 2025

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a trip to Kew Gardens on Monday 24th November 2025.

The total cost of the trip will be £32 This is to cover the cost of transport to and from College and the admission fee. Students will be escorted by staff around the venue, including exhibitions and galleries.

The trip will give learners the opportunity to gather references for observational drawing and primary photos that will help support a grade boost as the exam board love when students go ‘out and about’. For Textile students there will be a special focus on engaging with art and close-up observation opportunities. Art students will be gaining firsthand photography experience, for them to feed into their 'close up' themed experiment workshops.

We will depart St Benedict’s at 8.00 am by coach and return to college by 4.30 pm. Should the College cancel the trip, a full refund will be made, however all monies are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself.

If you would like your child to take part, please pay using ParentPay by Friday 18th July 2025. If we do not receive sufficient interest and payment for the trip by the deadline, it is probable that the trip will not be able to go ahead. Consent will be completed as part of the ParentPay process. In the event that the trip is oversubscribed, priority will be given to year 10 students, following this, places will be allocated by ballot.

If you will find it difficult to pay at this time, please contact your child’s Pastoral Lead within one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students can avail themselves of this enrichment opportunity.

Students will need to bring a packed lunch. Students entitled to free school meals will be provided with a packed lunch. Time will be allowed during the afternoon to visit the attraction shop. Students wishing to make purchases on the day of any materials or embellishments to use in their studies may bring with them a small amount of money to spend, no more than £10 please.

Students will be in full college uniform. We also ask that students have access to a phone throughout the day for the use of camera, but I would like to ask this use is for educational purposes only and for learners to refrain from photographing other learners.

Yours faithfully

Mrs Holloway

Subject Co-Ordinator of Textiles

GCSE PE shirts

Dear Parent/Carer

We would like to give you another opportunity to purchase GCSE PE shirts. This is a voluntary item and no student will be disadvantaged if they do not buy one.

The cost of the shirt is £22.55 for sizes up to 34/36 and £27.06 for sizes 38/40 upwards. The sizes available are 30/32, 32/34, 34/36, 38/40, 42/44, 46/48 or 50/52

If you would like to purchase a GCSE PE shirt, please make payment and indicate the size required via ParentPay by Monday 14th July 2025. The shirts will be handed out in September.

If you will find it difficult to purchase this at this time, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.

Yours faithfully

Mr J Riley

Head of PE and performing arts

Year 10

Sparx Reader

As part of St Benedict’s whole college literacy strategy, we have once again partnered with Sparx Reader. Students will be using the platform weekly to enhance their reading ability and literacy skills.

From Friday 13^th September, your child will use Sparx Reader to complete weekly reading. Your child’s home learning will be set on Friday at 9.00 am and due the following Friday at 9.00 am each week. This will be in addition to any other home learning for English lessons.

Sparx Reader helps every student to achieve regular independent reading, which is incredibly important for building the vital literacy skills needed to access KS3 curriculums and GCSE exam papers in every subject.

Students can choose from a range of ebooks at their appropriate level. As they read, they will answer questions to check they are reading carefully. Careful readers earn points, meaning they can track their progress and climb the league table!

Motivated readers who demonstrate consistent, careful reading can unlock Gold Reader, which means they can read any paper book from the library or from home by scanning its barcode.

How do they log in?

Students log in at www.sparxreader.com on any smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer using their college Microsoft 365 account.

What devices are supported?

Your child can access Sparx Reader on any device that connects to the internet with a web browser.
Sparx Reader clubs are currently run on Tuesday at 8.00 am - 8.45 am in Room 6 and on Thursday at 3.30 pm - 4.15 pm in the Library.

How can I support my child with their reading?

Sparx Reader adapts to each student’s reading level, so it’s important that you do not help by answering questions for them. If you help them, Sparx Reader might think they are a very strong reader and display books that are too difficult.
You can help to provide a quiet space for your child to focus on their reading each week.
Encourage your child to read their book aloud to you.
The best way to support your child is to ask them about the book they are reading; what aspects they are enjoying, or what characters and events they have recently read about.

If you require any further information or have any questions, please contact me by email at c.hunter@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk.

Yours faithfully,
Mrs C Hunter
Teacher of English & Literacy Coordinator

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

Dear Parent/Carer,

We are pleased to inform you that your child has successfully gained a place on this year’s Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at St Benedict’s College. For those unfamiliar with the scheme, you can learn more about its origins and ethos by visiting www.dofe.org. The program is based on a partnership between the college, students, and parents, with the aim of fostering self-esteem, independence, and confidence in young people.

The award consists of four key sections: Physical, Skill, Volunteering, and Expedition. During the first few sessions, we will work together to build a tailored program for each student that aligns with their current interests and pursuits. Many students already participate in activities that can count toward the award. For each activity, students need to identify an assessor (who cannot be a family member) to provide a report at the end of the specified period. Two of these activities should last three months, while one should extend over six months.

Training sessions will be held on Wednesday afternoons, with details communicated to your child via email. These sessions will focus on team-building, monitoring the Physical, Skill, and Volunteering sections, and preparing for the expedition (map reading, first aid, cooking, and campcraft).

The award requires both a practice expedition in late spring and an assessed expedition in the summer term. For the Bronze level, this involves walking approximately 24 km over two days, with an overnight stay in a tent, while being entirely self-sufficient. The estimated total cost of the award, including a welcome pack, eDofE login, and both practice and qualifying expeditions, is £130. Each expedition (practice and assessed) will cost approximately £50, covering insurance, campsite fees, and the support of county supervisors and assessors. The practice expedition will take place on the weekend of 26-27 April 2025, and the qualifying expedition on 28-29 June 2025. Please note that students must attend the required training sessions to participate in an expedition.

To confirm your child’s place, please make the initial payment of £30 via ParentPay by Friday 13th December 2024. This covers the welcome booklet, eDofE licence and also serves as your consent for your child’s participation in the award.

The school will provide tents, Trangia cooking stoves, maps, map cases, and compasses for the expeditions. With birthdays and Christmas approaching, a rucksack or a pair of walking boots could make a worthwhile gift.

We look forward to working with your child on this exciting journey. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to write to L.Nicotra@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk

2025 Summer Pilgrimage to Lourdes with the BCYS

Dear Parent/Carer

2025 Summer Pilgrimage to Lourdes with the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service (BCYS)

This summer, BCYS will be taking a group of young people from across the diocese on pilgrimage to Lourdes in the south of France. Lourdes is a place of deep spiritual significance for Catholics worldwide and has become a popular pilgrimage destination for those seeking prayer, healing and community. This year holds even greater importance on pilgrimage as the Catholic church celebrates the Jubilee Year, titled “Pilgrims of Hope.”

On this pilgrimage, students will have the opportunity not only to grow spiritually but also to serve others. They will work alongside other young people from across the Diocese, supporting the elderly and those in need during their pilgrimage to Lourdes. It’s a great opportunity not only to meet other young Catholics from across Essex, but also to deepen their understanding of their own faith.

Key details are as follows:

· Dates: Saturday 19th July – Saturday 26th July 2025

· Cost: £760

· Travel and Accommodation: They will travel by coach and will be staying in a hotel.

· Eligibility: Open to all Year 10 and 11 students

If you are worried about the cost, there are various financial support options available:

· The Jack Petchey award have a grant available which has typically been up to £200

· The Catenian Association have previously granted between £50 and £100 per person

· The BCYS do have a Bursary Fund available, in which they can offer up to 30% of the total cost (around £200)

· Young people are encouraged to hold fundraising events which the college can support.

We strongly encourage students to take part in this incredible opportunity to grow in faith, develop new friendships, and make a difference in the lives of others. To find out more information and to apply for a place on this pilgrimage, go to https://bcys.net/events/sl25/

If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me via email; t.fusi@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk

Yours faithfully

Mr T Fusi
Lay Chaplain

Year 10 MFL art and theatre trip to Van Gogh Experience and Les Misérables

Dear Parent/Carer

Year 10 MFL art and theatre trip to Van Gogh Experience and Les Misérables – Thursday 26th June 2025

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a trip to both the Van Gogh immersive art experience and Les Misérables on Thursday 26th June 2025.

The total cost of the trip will be £49.50. This covers the cost of transport to and from college on the day as well as entrance to the Van Gogh immersive art experience and tickets to see the West End production of Les Misérables. At the Van Gogh experience, student’s will explore the life and works of Vincent Van Gogh, whose deep connection to France is reflected in the cities he lived in and the masterpieces he created. In the West End students will have the opportunity to watch the iconic musical based on French author Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables, which is set in a significant period of French history and explores the themes of social justice, kindness and forgiveness. I am confident that this trip will be an exciting and rewarding experience for students and an opportunity for them to engage with French culture beyond the classroom.

We will depart St Benedict’s at 8.00am by coach and return to college by 7.30pm. Should the College cancel the trip, a full refund will be made, however all monies paid are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself. In the event that the trip is oversubscribed, priority will be given to students who were not successful in the ballot for the year 9 Opal Coast residential trip. Following this, places will be allocated by ballot.

If you would like your child to take part, please pay using ParentPay by Friday 25th April. If we do not receive sufficient interest and payment for the trip by the deadline, it is probable that the trip will not be able to go ahead. Consent will be completed as part of the ParentPay process.

If you will find it difficult to pay at this time, please contact your child’s pastoral lead within one week of receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students can avail themselves of this enrichment opportunity.

Students will need to bring a packed lunch. Students entitled to free school meals will be provided with a packed lunch. Students may wear appropriate non-uniform for the day.

Yours faithfully

Year 10 Geography Field Trip to Colchester

Year 10 Geography Field Trip to Colchester – Friday 20th June 2025

In order to prepare for Paper 3 of the geography GCSE students must have completed 2 pieces of fieldwork in contrasting locations over the duration of the course. To complete this element we will be undertaking a human geography investigation in Colchester town centre. The field trip will be held between 9.00 am and 3.30 pm. We will be departing after morning registration on foot into the centre of Colchester. During our time in the city centre students will be in small groups conducting an EQS (environmental quality survey) and collecting other data at 6 locations to investigate ‘Urban Inequalities’. We aim to return to college for the lunch break and then spend period 5 collating and analysing the data back in class. Your child should wear normal College uniform, including College shoes. It would also be advisable to keep an eye on the weather and ensure that children have a raincoat in the event of rain and a hat, a water bottle, and sunscreen if the weather is hot. Students may wish to take a snack.

A number of parents/carers may be wondering how they may be able to help their child during this time. Please discuss your child’s work, progress and encourage them to ensure that they attend all lessons well prepared having reviewed and understood work from previous lessons. In class your child will present, analyse and evaluate the data collected in the field. It is very important that they attend this trip as they will end up with a fieldwork report which will form the basis for their exam preparation for this part of the course.