Communications Home

Please find below some helpful reminders regarding our well-established uniform expectations. You can also refer to our uniform policy, which can be found on our website on the Parents & Carers / Uniform page, within the Uniform Policy / Dressing for Excellence link.

Our college uniform policy exists to encourage “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.”

Considering this, we would like to highlight the following expectations:

1. School Shoes

Plain black flat leather (or faux leather) shoes of a formal and traditional style (no boots, trainers/sports shoes, canvas shoes or other footwear such as vans/converse/plimsolls or similar). Shoes must not display flashings or logos of any kind. Students with a medical note may be allowed to wear suitable alternatives (for a short period of time), but they will also need to be black and discreet. This should be agreed with the student’s pastoral lead or                     Mrs Verhofstadt, Director of Achievement & Behaviour, in advance of the college day.

2. School Skirt

Smart, pleated, grey skirt of knee length; not rolled or altered in anyway.

3. School Trousers

Smart, tailored, plain black trousers only. Plain style belts with small buckles are allowed.

4. School Jumpers

While the blazer is compulsory, an optional plain black V neck jumper (no logo) can be worn under the blazer but not instead of during colder seasons. Jumpers must not be worn during the summer term and the college will let students know each year when jumpers can and can’t be worn – this is at the Principal’s discretion.

5. School Socks

Socks must be black, in line with uniform expectations. Socks should be ankle or knee length. Students should bring spare socks on the days they have PE if they wish to wear white socks with their sports trainers.

6. School Bags

All bags should be sensible and practical and have the capacity to hold textbooks, folders and equipment. Fashion bags or designer bags / handbags are not permitted. Separate PE bags are encouraged to be used.

7. Hairstyles

Hair or hair extensions must be a natural colour. Haircuts must not be shorter than number 2. No extreme hairstyles or colours are permitted.

8. Overcoats/Jackets

A plain style in a single dark colour free of markings. No fashion jackets. Hooded sweatshirts/tops should not be brought into college. Students must wear their college blazers or carry it with them during warmer weather (announcements will be made when this will come into effect).

9. Make up

No makeup, nail polish or false nails/eyelashes.

10. Jewellery / Piercings

Students are allowed to wear a single small stud in each ear. The only jewellery that is allowed is a wristwatch, which must be an analogue watch and not a smartwatch.  Facial piercings are not permitted and will need to be removed.

Dressing in a smart and professional way prepares students for success in the wider world of further education and work. We work within the ‘St Bens sharp’ principle; ‘sharp tie’, ‘top button done up’, ‘Blazers on’, ‘skirts unrolled’, ‘shirts tucked in’.

We would like to thank you for your continued support in maintaining the high standards we expect in our college.

Yours faithfully

Mr G Muttock

Assistant 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:

• NSPCC Online Safety
• 11 - 13-year-olds
• 14 plus

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:

• Gaming Consoles
• Smartphones
• Broadband and Mobile Networks
• Entertainment and Search Engines

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.

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.

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

Dear parents and carers

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 is:

Mrs M Davis – Assistant Principal

Mrs S Pavey – Pastoral Lead

Miss R Wilson – Pastoral Lead

Monitoring your child online and advice for parents:

Step-by-step instructions for setting up a child’s email on a Google account can be found at: https://support.google.com/families/answer/7103338?hl=en

Advice for parents regarding online risks can be found in a variety of places online, but we think the following websites are particularly useful: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/  11 - 13 year olds - https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/11-13/  14 plus - https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/14plus/

Setting up devices:

There are many different settings and devices to be aware of as a parent, 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 in this – please find some of them below:

Gaming consoles and devices - https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/gaming-consoles/  

Smartphones – https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/smartphones-and-other-devices/  

Broadband and mobile networks – https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/broadband-mobile/  

Entertainment and search engines – https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/entertainment-search-engines/

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 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: https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/social-media/

Online hate:

The internet can be a dangerous and hostile place – it is important that we equip our children to be able to understand how to keep themselves safe and how to challenge online hate.

Below is some helpful advice from the National College about how to challenge hate and how to report any online behaviours that are unacceptable. https://nationalcollege.com/guides/tackle-online-hate-england  https://nationalcollege.com/guides/digital-world-for-everyone  https://nationalcollege.com/guides/supporting-children-to-express-themselves

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 at home. https://www.taminggaming.com

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

Dear Parent/Carer

It has been brought to our attention that there is a trend circulating online called the ‘salt and ice challenge’ that has the potential to cause physical harm to young people who attempt it. Whilst we have had no such incidents reported among our students, we would like to make you aware of the following so that we can pre-empt and advise our young people accordingly.  

The challenge involves young people placing salt on their skin and pressing ice on top of it for as long as possible. The reaction can cause cold burns similar to frostbite.  
 

Children may think this is potentially harmless, however it is not, and can cause unforeseen consequences. 
 

If you become aware of your child taking part in this challenge, please administer first aid by running the affected area under lukewarm water for about 10 minutes. Do not apply cream or fluffy dressings but seek medical attention as soon as possible. 
 

Please be alert for any signs that your child is taking part in such challenges and please do contact your child’s pastoral lead if you should need any further information.  

Yours sincerely

Mrs M Davis 

Assistant Principal: Safeguarding 

12th November 2025

Dear Parent/Carer

Our annual Christmas lunch will be over two days this year

Years 7, 9 & 11 on Tuesday 16th December

Years 8 & 10 on Thursday 18th December

As usual students will eat with their forms and their form tutor.  The menu will be:

A drink and a plastic free Christmas cracker will also be included with the meal.

The price is £4.25 which you will need to pay by ParentPay under the ‘Christmas Lunch’ tab, please indicate your menu choice in the ‘notes’ box. The choices are as follows:

1 = Turkey and Festive Chocolate Muffin

2 = Turkey and Homemade Christmas Cheesecake

3 = Vegan/Vegetarian Christmas Lunch

4 = Gluten Free Christmas Lunch

Please make your payment by Monday 8th December 2025 if you wish your child to receive a Christmas lunch.

If you do not have a ParentPay account, please contact the college office for assistance.

Students who receive free school meals will automatically receive a Christmas lunch, the office team will collect their menu choice from them over the coming weeks.

If your child does not wish to have Christmas lunch, there will be a small selection of items available from the kitchen at lunchtime.  There will be a limited food service at break time.

Yours faithfully

Ms S Cansdale

Catering Manager

Dear Parents/carers

PSHE is an integral and important part of your child’s education and is part of the delivery of statutory RHSE (Relationships, Health and Sex Education) that all schools are required to deliver.

We are focusing on relationships education in the Autumn term this year, and these are the topics that your child will be studying in Year 7:

Theme: Growing up – how relationships change Lesson Description: Students explore how friendships and family relationships shift as they grow older, moving towards greater independence and responsibility. They consider how respect and kindness underpin healthy interactions, with a focus on preventing bullying and promoting inclusivity. Forms at the end of this unit will present to Senior Leadership a lesson on bullying and the strategies to prevent and ensure a bully-free form. This opportunity will offer the forms the ability to earn and be certified as a ‘bully-free form’.

Objectives:

· Understand how relationships change during adolescence.

· Identify qualities of respectful and supportive friendships.

· Recognise the impact of bullying and disrespectful behaviour on individuals and groups.

· Develop strategies for maintaining positive relationships and dealing with peer pressure.

Linked Content: Bully Free Form – Respect; Friendships.

Our Relationships and Sex Education Policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons in these topics and you can find a link to the policy here: RSE Policy

Our programmes are also designed in accordance with the direction issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE association. They are appropriate for students’ age and maturity.

As a parent, you have the right to withdraw your 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 by September 9th.

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish for your child to receive sex education.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs M Davis

Assistant Principal: Safeguarding

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

Dear Parents/Carers 

As previously communicated, as part of a planned reshuffle, a small number of changes to year 7 form groups will take place following our return from the half term break on Tuesday 4th November

This was outlined prior to admission on 8th May 2025 and again at the year 7 Information Evening on the evening of 23rd June; ‘As we near the end of this first half term, we are taking the opportunity to review the form groups, and at our discretion, some changes may be made’. 

While the majority of our year 7 students have settled in well to life at St Benedict’s, the purpose of this reshuffle is to always ensure that each form group is balanced in terms of academic ability, social dynamics, and special educational needs. This is a key step in our commitment to creating an environment where all students can flourish and thrive spiritually, academically, and socially. 

To minimise potential disruption and ensure clarity, please be assured that direct communication between the College, you as parents/carers, and your child will take place prior to the reshuffle. We have already spoken to all year 7 students on 10th October during morning assembly to explain and clarify the reasons behind the changes. 

We are committed to working in partnership with families to ensure that any transitions are handled with care and sensitivity. Any move will be closely monitored and reviewed by our year 7 pastoral and academic team after two weeks.

Thank you for your continued support as we strive to provide the best possible start to secondary education for all our students. 

Yours faithfully

Ms T Cummins                                               Mrs H Barrett

Raising Standards Leader – Year 7               Pastoral Lead – Year 7

Dear Parent/Carer

Year 7 Virtual Parents Evening – Thursday 20th November 2025

You are invited to attend the year 7 virtual parents evening on Thursday 20th November 2025 between 4.15 pm and 8.00 pm.  Your child is also strongly encouraged to be present alongside you to help make the most of the information shared.

The evening will be facilitated through a video call system offered by the college’s intuitive and easy-to-use online appointment booking platform.  The system allows you to choose your own appointment times with teachers which is then followed up by a confirmation email detailing your appointments. There is no need to install an app, but you must ensure that your device is connected to the internet and you have a camera, speaker and microphone available (a mobile phone is suitable).

Please note that in order to maximise this opportunity to speak to as many parents/carers as possible, each appointment is a maximum of 5 minutes long, after which the system will automatically end your meeting. These appointments form just one part of our broader home-college communication strategy. If you require a more in-depth conversation regarding your child’s progress, or if you were unable to book a suitable appointment, we encourage you to contact the college office. Our team will be happy to direct your query to the most appropriate member of staff.

Please click this link for a quick demonstration of the software.

Appointments can be made from Monday 10th November 2025 at 6.00 pm and will close at 4.00 pm on Thursday 20th November 2025.

Please visit https://stbenedictscollege.parentseveningsystem.co.uk to book your appointments.  Login with the following information:

·         Student’s preferred first name

·         Student’s preferred surname

·         Student’s date of birth

If you foresee any technical challenges that will prevent you from participating in the event please contact me, t.cummins@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk

The system allows for one other parent/carer to access the appointment from another location. You can grant this access at the time of booking, or later if required.

If you are unable to attend the parents evening after making a booking, please log back into the system and cancel your appointments. This will allow other parents who have not yet made appointments to use the available slots.

We look forward to seeing you on the evening to discuss your child’s academic progress and we appreciate your support in their learning journey.  

Yours faithfully

Ms T Cummins

Raising Standards Leader for Year 7

ACTIVITIES TRIP TO MERSEA CAMP Wednesday 8th July – Friday 10th July 2026

The college are delighted to offer year 7 students the opportunity to participate in a variety of outdoor and adventurous activities. It is our intention to take students to Mersea Outdoors centre for outdoor learning, enabling them to experience a wider range of physical activities. Here, students will be led by fully qualified instructors while enjoying a range of activities from; climbing, swimming, high ropes, low ropes, aerial runway, archery, mountain biking, adventure courses and various team building activities.  The opportunity will provide students with an excellent insight into activities that they may not have experienced before, allowing them to learn new skills.  Students will also be developing team building and social skills throughout the entire experience.

The total cost per student for the visit will be £225 which includes board, lodging and activities which is chargeable to parents. Should the college cancel the visit, a full refund will be made, however all monies are non-refundable should you cancel the place yourself. Our preferred method of payment is using the ParentPay website, where you can pay online using your credit or debit card.

In order to finalise our booking with Mersea Outdoors it is essential that we know the number of students who would like to take part. Therefore, we would be grateful if you could discuss the above-mentioned trip with your child. If you would like your child to attend the trip, please complete consent and other required information along with a non-refundable deposit of £45, to be paid via ParentPay by 30th November 2025.

The college would not want the cost to prevent any student from attending.  If you are concerned about meeting the cost of the trip please contact the Year 7 Pastoral Lead Mrs Barrett by 14th November 2025 to apply for financial assistance.

You will receive confirmation of your child’s place on the trip and details of four further instalments of £45 to be paid in accordance with the following schedule:

£45 by 31st December 2025

£45 by 30th January 2026

£45 by 28th February 2026

£45 by 31st March 2026

By applying for this trip, the college expects that parents feel that their child has the necessary sense of responsibility and general maturity to conduct themselves in a safe and appropriate manner throughout the duration of the trip.  The college reserves the right to refuse any student a place if their conduct in the future, leading up to the trip, is unacceptable.

Below is a preliminary outline of the trip details:

§   VENUE:               Mersea Outdoor Centre, East Mersea, Colchester, CO5 8SX           

§   DATES:                    Wednesday 8th July – Friday 10th July 2026

§   TRAVEL:                Parents are required to drop off and collect students                                    directly from Mersea Outdoor Centre.

This is to ensure that the trip costs are kept to a minimum. It is anticipated that students will need dropping off on Wednesday 8th July at 8.45 am and collecting on Friday 10th July at 3.00 pm.

§   AGENDA:            Three days of activities and two nights camping. 

                              Equipment list to follow

·         COST:               £225 An initial deposit of £45 will be required to secure the booking.

If the trip is oversubscribed, a random ballot will be held to determine which students are offered places.

If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact either Trip Leader at St Benedict’s College.

Yours faithfully

Miss L Willett

Trip Leader

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     

Dear Parents/carers

PSHE is an integral and important part of your child’s education and is part of the delivery of statutory RHSE (Relationships, Health and Sex Education) that all schools are required to deliver.

We are focusing on relationship education in the Autumn term this year, and these are the topics that your child will be studying in Year 8:

Theme: Healthy relationships Lesson Description: Students learn what makes relationships (friendships, family, romantic) healthy, focusing on respect, trust, equality, and safety. They reflect on stereotypes around gender and challenge assumptions about how boys and girls "should" behave.

Objectives:

· Define the key characteristics of a healthy relationship.

· Identify unhealthy relationship patterns and where to seek help.

· Explore gender stereotypes and their impact on relationships.*

· Understand that respect must be mutual in all interactions.

Linked Content: Respecting You, Me, Us – CEOP lessons; How should genders behave in relationships?

Our Relationships and Sex Education Policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons in these topics and you can find a link to the policy here: RSE Policy

Our programmes are also designed in accordance with the direction issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE association. They are appropriate for students’ age and maturity.

As a parent, you have the right to withdraw your 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 by September 9th.

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish for your child to receive sex education.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs M Davis

Assistant Principal: Safeguarding

Dear Parent/Carer 

Year 8 trip to The Globe Theatre and Tate Modern Gallery – Friday 26th June 2026. 

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 June 2026. 

The total cost of the trip will be £52.00. 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 a deposit of £26.00. The second instalment of £26.00 will be due on 30th January 2026. We kindly ask you to pay the deposit by 19th December 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 within one week of the date of this letter. 

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.

Dear Parent/Carer 

Year 8 history trip to the Imperial War Museum, London – Monday 2nd March 2026 form groups S T R 

We are very pleased to inform you that we have organised a visit to the Imperial War Museum for year 8 students to complement their 20th century history unit. The visit will include guided tours around the museum, as well as taking part in a documentary challenge where students will have the opportunity to use the resources in the museum to create their own mini historical documentaries! 

Students will travel to London by coach which will leave college at 7.30 am and should arrive back to college around 4.30 pm depending on traffic. The total cost of the visit will be £39.70 per student. This covers the cost of coach travel, entrance to the museum and the documentary challenge. Should the college cancel the visit, a full refund will 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 30th November 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. The maximum number of places available is 60 and should the trip be oversubscribed, places on the trip will be allocated by ballot. The college reserves the right to refuse any student a place if their conduct leading up to the trip is unacceptable. 

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 receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students have an opportunity to attend. 

Students need to wear college uniform and should bring a waterproof jacket in case of wet weather. Students will need to bring a packed lunch; this will be provided for students in receipt of free school meals. 

I am sure that the visit will be an exciting and rewarding experience for your child and that it will give them the opportunity to gain a real insight into some of the aspects of war in the 20th century. 

If you have any queries regarding this trip, please email trips@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk or call the college office on 01206 549222. 

Yours faithfully 

Mrs J Ment 

Teacher of History

Year 8 history trip to the Imperial War Museum, London – Thursday 12th March 2026 form groups I V E 

We are very pleased to inform you that we have organised a visit to the Imperial War Museum for year 8 students to complement their 20th century history unit. The visit will include guided tours around the museum, as well as taking part in a documentary challenge where students will have the opportunity to use the resources in the museum to create their own mini historical documentaries! 

Students will travel to London by coach which will leave college at 7.30 am and should arrive back to college around 4.30 pm depending on traffic. The total cost of the visit will be £39.70 per student. This covers the cost of coach travel, entrance to the museum and the documentary challenge. Should the college cancel the visit, a full refund will 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 30th November 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. The maximum number of places available is 60 and should the trip be oversubscribed, places on the trip will be allocated by ballot. The college reserves the right to refuse any student a place if their conduct leading up to the trip is unacceptable. 

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 receiving this letter and we will endeavour to assist so that all students have an opportunity to attend. 

Students need to wear college uniform and should bring a waterproof jacket in case of wet weather. Students will need to bring a packed lunch; this will be provided for students in receipt of free school meals. 

I am sure that the visit will be an exciting and rewarding experience for your child and that it will give them the opportunity to gain a real insight into some of the aspects of war in the 20th century. 

If you have any queries regarding this trip, please email trips@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk or call the college office on 01206 549222. 

Yours faithfully 

Mrs J Ment 

Teacher of History

Dear Parents/carers

PSHE is an integral and important part of your child’s education and is part of the delivery of statutory RHSE (Relationships, Health and Sex Education) that all schools are required to deliver.

We are focusing on relationships education in the Autumn term this year, and these are the topics that your child will be studying in Year 9:

Theme: Understanding relationships – consent and boundaries Lessons’ Overall Description: Students focus on consent, personal boundaries, and safe communication in different types of relationships. They explore the dangers of unsafe online content including pressures from peers, media, and pornography. They begin to critically assess unhealthy influences and learn to make informed, respectful decisions.

Objectives:

· Understand what consent means and why it is essential in all relationships.

· Learn how to communicate personal boundaries clearly and respect others’ boundaries.

· Evaluate the influence of pornography and media on expectations of sex and relationships. As well as the unhealthy nature of this content.

· Consider personal values and choices around sex, including delaying sexual activity.

Linked Content: Choices about sex and relationships

Our Relationships and Sex Education Policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons in these topics and you can find a link to the policy here:  RSE Policy

Our programmes are also designed in accordance with the direction issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE association. They are appropriate for students’ age and maturity.

As a parent, you have the right to withdraw your 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 by September 9th.

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish for your child to receive sex education.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs M Davis

Assistant Principal: Safeguarding

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 £23.32 for sizes up to 34/36 and £27.98 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 3rd November 2025.

If you have difficulty purchasing the shirt 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 & 10 Five-Day Pilgrimage to Rome

Friday 2^nd October – Tuesday 6^th October 2026

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a pilgrimage to Rome for Year 9 and 10 students who wish to grow in their faith. We are working with NST School Trips to organise our itinerary and we will be staying at the MEININGER Roma Termini hotel for the duration of our time in Rome. The itinerary will include daily Mass and moments of prayer as well as opportunities to explore the historical and spiritual city of Rome. We will be flying from London Stansted to Rome Ciampino and a coach will provide transport to and from the airports in London and Rome.

The total cost of the visit will be £1,220 per student. This covers the cost of all travel, four nights’ half-board accommodation at the MEININGER Roma Termini hotel, 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 30 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 NST School Trips and secure our reservation, we will need a response from parents by Friday 26^th September at the latest. If you would like your child to be considered for this visit, please pay the non-returnable deposit of £122 by the 26^th September. 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.

Payment Schedule

• October 25^th 2025 – £122
• November 25^th 2025 – £122
• December 26^th 2025 – £122
• January 26^th 2026 – £122
• February 26^th 2026 – £122
• March 26^th 2026 – £122
• April 26^th 2026 – £122
• May 26^th 2026 – £122
• June 26^th 2026 – £122

Please ensure that payments are made on time. Contact if making the payments on time causes you difficulties.

Proposed Itinerary

Friday 2^nd October 2026:
Depart college and travel by coach to London Stansted airport. Students will need a packed lunch for the flight. After we arrive at the airport in Rome, a coach will take us to the hotel and settle in, followed by our first evening meal and prayer service.

Saturday 3^rd October to Monday 5^th October 2026:
During the week, there will be daily Mass at various locations around Rome, as well as visits to:

• St Paul’s Outside the Walls
• The Colosseum
• Santa Maria Maggiore (resting place of Pope Francis)
• Basilica of St John Lateran
• St Peter’s Square (including Papal audience)
• Pantheon
• Trevi Fountain
• St Peter’s Basilica
• Vatican Museums
• Sistine Chapel

Friday 6^th October 2026:
Return home and scheduled arrival back at college in the late evening (subject to flight times and any traffic).

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 Summer 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: and .

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

I am sure this pilgrimage will be a time of deep spiritual growth for our students—an opportunity to encounter their faith in a new and living way, to walk in the footsteps of saints, and to experience the universal Church at its heart. Our prayer is that this journey will inspire them to grow closer to God, strengthen their sense of vocation, and deepen their commitment to living out their faith in daily life.

Yours faithfully,
Mr Fusi
Lay Chaplain

Year 9 Five-Day Trip to the Opal Coast, France

Monday 16^th March to Friday 20^th 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 31^st 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 31^st 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.

Payment Schedule

• 31^st May 2025 – £100.00
• 30^th June 2025 – £125.00
• 31^st July 2025 – £100.00
• 30^th September 2025 – £125.00
• 31^st October 2025 – £100.00
• 30^th November 2025 – £125.00

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

Proposed Itinerary

Monday 16^th 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 17^th to Thursday 19^th 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 20^th 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-passporthttps://www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport and <ttps://www.france-visas.gouv.fr/en/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 sincerely,
Ms Lesto
Trip Leader

Dear parent/carer

We are delighted to continue our heavily subsidised digital device scheme which we hope will provide an equity of access that supports all our GCSE students to have access to all the resources they need to study and revise for their GCSE exams while also equipping them for Further Education.

Once the laptops are distributed; students will be trusted to bring their device to and from college and are expected to use it during lessons as a means of enhancing learning and centralising notes and draft assignments and must take special care of the device especially when it’s in their bag.  We will not be able to replace damaged devices.  The college will provide access to filtered Wi-Fi, which will be monitored by our IT staff.  During lessons, student laptops will be monitored via the classroom cloud application, which enables our staff to monitor the screens of all laptops at any given time.  Out of lesson time, college staff will not be able to connect to the laptop.

We request that students take responsibility for charging their laptop each night at home, bringing it with them ready to use during the college day.  All documents should be stored on OneDrive, which is automatically backed up by our IT systems.  Teachers will use office 365 to collect work, assess work, and return it to students electronically.

Payment

We are heavily subsidising a Lenovo 100w (4th Gen) Laptop and asking all parents/carers to make a £75 contribution towards the costs of the device, via ParentPay.  As this item is available now, it would really help the college if you would make the contribution as soon as possible.  The device is yours to keep and will support your son/daughter through their post 16 study. 

If you are in a position to support further, you may make an additional contribution to support other students, and to reduce the cost of the subsidy to the college.  These items are available on ParentPay.

Remember, students may only bring the laptop to college, no other device will be permitted on the College WiFi.

We would also recommend that students purchase a protective case like the one linked below to help protect it while travelling to and from college. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rapesco-1691-Germ-Savvy-Antibacterial-Laptop/dp/B09NYC27D2  We have created a user guide document that offers a range of advice on how to effectively use and take care of the laptop that we would encourage both you and your son/daughter to read.

 User Guide

This is an exciting opportunity that we really hope our students will take full advantage of.

Yours faithfully

Mr J Callaghan

Vice Principal

To aid revision for GCSE exams in year 11, the MFL department is offering the opportunity for year 10 students to purchase revision guides and workbooks for use at home and personal study. These books are designed to support students in their revision for all 4 language skills (listening, speaking reading and writing) and contain many practice tasks based on the new AQA GCSE examinations.

Students might therefore benefit from ordering the following resources, which will be available to order via ParentPay (at significantly reduced costs). The deadline for these purchases is Monday 22nd September 2025.

·         Pearson REVISE AQA GCSE (9-1) French Revision Guide - £3.55

·         Pearson REVISE AQA GCSE (9-1) French Revision Workbook - £3.55

If you have difficulty purchasing these items at this time, please contact your child’s pastoral lead and we will endeavour to assist so that all students can avail of this academic support.

Please contact me if you need any further information: i.lesto@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk

Yours faithfully

Mrs I Lesto

Head of MFL

Dear Parents/carers

PSHE is an integral and important part of your child’s education and is part of the delivery of statutory RHSE (Relationships, Health and Sex Education) that all schools are required to deliver.

We are focusing on relationships education in the Autumn term this year, and these are the topics that your child will be studying in Year 10:

Theme: Expectations in relationships Lessons Description: Students discuss expectations in romantic and intimate relationships, including communication, trust, and equality. Students are taught about the dangers of peer pressure and strategies in how to deal with unwanted expectations in relationships. They consider the challenges of managing conflict, pressures around sex, and how sexism and misogyny can harm relationships and society.

Objectives:

· Identify realistic and respectful expectations in intimate relationships.

· Understand strategies for managing conflict constructively.

· Recognise and challenge harmful attitudes, including sexism and misogyny.

· Explore the consequences of choices about sexual activity and contraception.

Linked Content: Communication and conflict; Managing conflict in a relationship; Dealing with difficulties in relationships.

Our Relationships and Sex Education Policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons in these topics and you can find a link to the policy here: RSE Policy

Our programmes are also designed in accordance with the direction issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE association. They are appropriate for students’ age and maturity.

As a parent, you have the right to withdraw your 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 by September 9th.

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish for your child to receive sex education.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs M Davis

Assistant Principal: Safeguarding

Dear Parent/Carer

Design and Technology GCSE Revision Book

Students have settled in and are working towards their Design and Technology GCSE. To help support the students, the college will be placing an order for Hodder Education WJEC Eduqas revision guides for the Design and Technology course. The revision guides contain all the key information that students need to know for their exams.  The guides will also be a useful source of information to support with homework, end of unit tests and to help with making notes for any missed lessons.

We can purchase these directly from Hodder Education at a reduced price and the saving is passed on. The total cost of the book is £9.11

If you would like to purchase a revision guide, please make the payment using ParentPay by Wednesday 8th October.

If you will have difficulty affording this item at this time, please contact your child’s pastoral lead and we will endeavour to assist so that all students can access this academic support.

If you require any further information, please contact your child’s teacher by email: p.jarvinen@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk or n.isgrove@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk.

Yours faithfully

Miss N Isgrove and Miss P Jarvinen

Teachers of D

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 £23.32 for sizes up to 34/36 and £27.98 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 3rd November 2025.

If you have difficulty purchasing the shirt 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 Business Studies trip to Colchester Zoo – Thursday 26th March 2026 

We are excited to inform you about an upcoming educational trip for our Year 10 students to Colchester Zoo. This trip is scheduled for 26th March 2026 and is part of our Business Studies curriculum enrichment, aimed at providing students with practical insights into business operation and management within a real-world context. 

The visit to Colchester Zoo will offer students a unique opportunity to explore the business aspects of running a large and successful organisation. They will learn about various business functions such as marketing, finance and operations management. Additionally, students will have the chance to participate in workshops conducted by the zoo’s education team and short 10–15-minute talks at the animal enclosures led by the zookeepers. 

The trip will be held between 9.00 am and 3.30 pm. We will be departing after morning registration for Colchester Zoo and will return to college in time for the end of the college day. Students are required to wear their full school uniform and school shoes for this trip. This ensures they are easily identifiable and represent our school appropriately. You child 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 £24.50 If you would like your child to take part, please pay and give consent using ParentPay (parentpay.com) by 19th December 2025. 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 by 30th November 2025 and we will endeavour to assist. 

If your child has a Zoo Pass that is valid on the day of this trip, please let the College know as soon as possible. 

Yours Sincerely, 

Mrs I Welsh 

Teacher of Geography and Business

Year 9 & 10 Five-Day Pilgrimage to Rome

Friday 2^nd October – Tuesday 6^th October 2026

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a pilgrimage to Rome for Year 9 and 10 students who wish to grow in their faith. We are working with NST School Trips to organise our itinerary and we will be staying at the MEININGER Roma Termini hotel for the duration of our time in Rome. The itinerary will include daily Mass and moments of prayer as well as opportunities to explore the historical and spiritual city of Rome. We will be flying from London Stansted to Rome Ciampino and a coach will provide transport to and from the airports in London and Rome.

The total cost of the visit will be £1,220 per student. This covers the cost of all travel, four nights’ half-board accommodation at the MEININGER Roma Termini hotel, 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 30 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 NST School Trips and secure our reservation, we will need a response from parents by Friday 26^th September at the latest. If you would like your child to be considered for this visit, please pay the non-returnable deposit of £122 by the 26^th September. 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.

Payment Schedule

• October 25^th 2025 – £122
• November 25^th 2025 – £122
• December 26^th 2025 – £122
• January 26^th 2026 – £122
• February 26^th 2026 – £122
• March 26^th 2026 – £122
• April 26^th 2026 – £122
• May 26^th 2026 – £122
• June 26^th 2026 – £122

Please ensure that payments are made on time. Contact if making the payments on time causes you difficulties.

Proposed Itinerary

Friday 2^nd October 2026:
Depart college and travel by coach to London Stansted airport. Students will need a packed lunch for the flight. After we arrive at the airport in Rome, a coach will take us to the hotel and settle in, followed by our first evening meal and prayer service.

Saturday 3^rd October to Monday 5^th October 2026:
During the week, there will be daily Mass at various locations around Rome, as well as visits to:

• St Paul’s Outside the Walls
• The Colosseum
• Santa Maria Maggiore (resting place of Pope Francis)
• Basilica of St John Lateran
• St Peter’s Square (including Papal audience)
• Pantheon
• Trevi Fountain
• St Peter’s Basilica
• Vatican Museums
• Sistine Chapel

Friday 6^th October 2026:
Return home and scheduled arrival back at college in the late evening (subject to flight times and any traffic).

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 Summer 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: and .

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

I am sure this pilgrimage will be a time of deep spiritual growth for our students—an opportunity to encounter their faith in a new and living way, to walk in the footsteps of saints, and to experience the universal Church at its heart. Our prayer is that this journey will inspire them to grow closer to God, strengthen their sense of vocation, and deepen their commitment to living out their faith in daily life.

Yours faithfully,
Mr Fusi
Lay Chaplain

Year 10 and 11 Manningtree Witches Theatre Trip to The Mercury Theatre, Colchester

Date: 12^th March 2026

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a trip to The Mercury Theatre on 12^th March 2026. The GCSE OCR exam board requests that all Drama students attend a live theatre performance as part of their course.

The total cost of the trip will be £14.00. This covers the cost of the ticket. Students will have the opportunity of asking questions at the end of the performance. I am confident the trip will be an exciting and rewarding experience for the students and will give them the opportunity to gain valuable experience into the work of lead practitioner Frantic Assembly. This company is now in its 30^th year and is still deemed to be at the cutting edge of Physical Theatre.

“Frantic Assembly have been rewriting the rulebook for nearly three decades…”
— The Times

We meet at The Mercury Theatre Main Foyer, no later than 7:00 pm. 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.

If you would like your child to take part, please pay using ParentPay. 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 wishing to make purchases may bring with them a small amount of money to spend, no more than £10 please. Students may wear appropriate non-uniform for the evening.

Yours faithfully,
Mrs C Davies
Head of Drama

Dear Parents/carers

PSHE is an integral and important part of your child’s education and is part of the delivery of statutory RHSE (Relationships, Health and Sex Education) that all schools are required to deliver.

We are focusing on relationships education in the Autumn term this year, and these are the topics that your child will be studying in Year 11:

Theme: Challenges in adult relationships Lessons Description: Students consider long-term relationship challenges such as break-ups, domestic abuse as well as being taught about secular norms of pregnancy choices, and abortion. This content was already ethically covered in Year 10, RE GCSE content. Students will learn about support services and reflect on the importance of respect, equality, and responsibility in adult relationships.

Objectives:

· Recognise the signs of abusive or controlling behaviours and know where to seek help.

· Understand the options and challenges related to pregnancy and abortion decisions.

· Explore how to cope with relationship breakdowns and emotional difficulties.

· Appreciate the importance of equality, commitment, and respect in adult life.

Linked Content: Dealing with difficulties in relationships; Abortion and pregnancy choices.

Our Relationships and Sex Education Policy outlines the principles underpinning our lessons in these topics and you can find a link to the policy here: RSE Policy

Our programmes are also designed in accordance with the direction issued by the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales and the PSHE association. They are appropriate for students’ age and maturity.

As a parent, you have the right to withdraw your 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 by September 9th.

There is no need to respond to the form if you wish for your child to receive sex education.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs M Davis

Assistant Principal: Safeguarding

GCSE Contingency Date

The Joint Council of Qualifications (JCQ) have released their key dates for 2026 and have set

their contingency day as Wednesday 24th June 2026. This will be the last date that any exam can take place should any exam have to be moved from its original date or time.

The JCQ states: “The designation of a ‘contingency day’ within the common examination timetable is in the event of national or significant local disruption to examinations. It is part of the awarding bodies’ contingency planning for examinations”.

Students are advised to stay available up to and including Wednesday 24th June 2026 should an awarding body need to invoke its contingency plan.

The full GCSE examination timetable for Summer 2026 has been published on the exams page of the college website. Students will be able to view their individual timetables from March 2026.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me via email; c.adams@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk.

Yours faithfully

Ms C Adams

Examinations Officer

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 £23.32 for sizes up to 34/36 and £27.98 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 3rd November 2025.

If you have difficulty purchasing the shirt 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                                                              

Dear Parent/Carer

Year 11 Core Subject Mock Examinations – November 2025

Please find attached the timetable for the upcoming year 11 mock examinations, due to take place in November 2025. Students will receive a printed copy of their exam timetable during their exams assembly on Monday 20th October.  After this time, they will be able to access their individual timetables and seating arrangements via the students EduLink account.

These mock exams will be conducted in accordance with JCQ regulations to ensure students are fully familiar with the expectations and procedures of their summer examinations. All students are required to sit these mock exams under formal conditions for contingency purposes.

Please ensure your child arrives on time for each exam and is properly equipped. Exams must be completed using black pen only (no gel pens).  A scientific calculator is essential for maths and science examinations.

Students may wish to leave mobile phones, smartwatches, and any other unauthorised items at home on exam days. Alternatively, such items can be left in their bags, which will be securely stored in the changing rooms during exams.  Possession of unauthorised items during an exam is considered malpractice and may result in disqualification from the affected paper.

If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at: c.adams@stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk.

Yours faithfully

Ms C Adams

Examinations Officer

Dear Parent/Carer

Year 11 - Passport to Prom

In assembly this week, we introduced Passport to Prom’ to our year 11 students.

We encouraged our students to make the most of this academic year and urged

them to regard their prom as a celebration having given their utmost during year 11 and in their mock and GCSE examinations.

We also reminded them that success at GCSE is best achieved with a positive attitude and a commitment to study both at home and in college. We feel this is the perfect time to launch this support programme to ensure that the weeks between November mocks and the Christmas break are as meaningful and purposeful as possible.

The passport will recognise and reward the achievements and efforts of our students during their remaining time at St Benedict’s, giving them the opportunity to take part in this special event. As a parent/carer, you can monitor their progress via our Class Charts app. Students must have an overall positive point score in order to attend prom. Form tutors and class teachers will encourage students to work to the best of their abilities.

Year 11 students can earn ‘prom’ points by:

· Being awarded as ‘learning champion’ in lessons

· Being on time to morning registration, all lessons and mock exams

· Regularly attending period six revision classes

· Meeting deadlines for home learning

· Timely and successful completion of coursework and non-examined assessment (NEA)

· Going above and beyond in their revision

· Ensuring their attendance is as good as possible (95%+)

Any serious breach of our behaviour code could result in a students’ prom passport being revoked. We’ll be particularly monitoring antisocial behaviour both inside and outside of college. The criteria used for the ‘Passport to Prom’ will be measured from Monday 10th November 2025 up until students begin their GCSE exams. All year 11 students will start afresh when it comes to attendance and behaviour points from this date to give them every chance to succeed. Final decisions regarding attendance to the prom will be made by the Principal and individual circumstances will always be taken into consideration.

Please click here to confirm you have read and understood the above information. Responses must be received by Monday 2nd December.

We wish all our year 11 students the very best for their final months here and we hope they achieve the goals they have set for themselves. If you have any questions, please contact either of us here at the college.

Yours faithfully

Mr G Muttock, Mrs A Verhofstadt

Assistant Principal, Director of achievement and behaviour

Year 11 three-day Christmas market trip to Northern France – Friday 4th December to Sunday 6th December 2026 

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a Christmas market trip to Northern France for our year 11 students of French. We are working with Halsbury Travel to organise our itinerary and will be staying at the Auberge de Jeunesse HI Amiens for the duration of the visit. 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 a Christmas Market, a biscuit and sweet factory, the historical Wellington Quarry at Arras and Amiens cathedral. 

The total cost of the visit will be £350.00 per student. This covers the cost of all coach travel, two nights’ full board accommodation at the Auberge de Jeunesse HI Amiens, 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 Halsbury Travel and secure our reservation we will need a response from parents by the 8th December 2025 at the latest. If you would like your child to be considered for this visit, please pay the non-returnable deposit of £60.00 by the 8th December 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: 

30th January 2026 £58.00 28th February 2026 £58.00 31st March 2026 £58.00 30th April 2026 £58.00 31st May 2026 £58.00 

Please ensure that payments are made on time. Please contact the college within one week 

of the date of this letter, if making the payments on time causes you difficulties. We will try to assist you where possible. 

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): 

Friday 4th December 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 youth hostel in Amiens, with a visit to a biscuit factory on the way. After settling in we will have our first evening meal. 

Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December 2026: 

Visits to: 

• Amiens – tour of old town and cathedral 

• Christmas market 

• Sweet factory 

• Wellington Quarry 

Sunday 6th December 2026 

Return home and scheduled arrival back at college before 9pm (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 Autumn 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. 

Yours faithfully 

Ms Lesto 

Head of Modern Foreign Languages

Year 11 GCSE Art Trip to the Tate Modern

Tuesday 20^th January 2026

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a trip to the Tate Modern on Tuesday 20^th January 2026.

The total cost of the trip will be £35.70. This is to cover the cost of transport to and from college on the day and the entrance fee to a one-off exhibition called 'Theatre Picasso'. Entrance to the public collections at the Gallery is free.

Students will have the day to explore the different collections, using this as an opportunity to collect resources by taking photographs and making sketches for their creative projects with first-hand experiences. I am confident the trip will be an exciting and rewarding experience for the students that will give them the opportunity to gain valuable experience of Art and Design work, developing their understanding of visual culture.

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 14^th November 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.

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 gallery shop. Students wishing to make purchases may bring with them a small amount of money to spend, no more than £10 please.

Yours faithfully,
Mrs Stewart-Thomas
Head of Art and Design and Technology

Year 10 and 11 Manningtree Witches Theatre Trip to The Mercury Theatre, Colchester

Date: 12^th March 2026

We are very pleased to inform you that we are planning a trip to The Mercury Theatre on 12^th March 2026. The GCSE OCR exam board requests that all Drama students attend a live theatre performance as part of their course.

The total cost of the trip will be £14.00. This covers the cost of the ticket. Students will have the opportunity of asking questions at the end of the performance. I am confident the trip will be an exciting and rewarding experience for the students and will give them the opportunity to gain valuable experience into the work of lead practitioner Frantic Assembly. This company is now in its 30^th year and is still deemed to be at the cutting edge of Physical Theatre.

“Frantic Assembly have been rewriting the rulebook for nearly three decades…”
— The Times

We meet at The Mercury Theatre Main Foyer, no later than 7:00 pm. 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.

If you would like your child to take part, please pay using ParentPay. 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 wishing to make purchases may bring with them a small amount of money to spend, no more than £10 please. Students may wear appropriate non-uniform for the evening.

Yours faithfully,
Mrs C Davies
Head of Drama