Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Founder’s Day, 2019

  Fri 19 Jul 2019

  Every year, St Simon Stock has a day in which there are a multitude of activities for students from all years to partake in. This is known as Founder’s day, in honour of the saint from whom the school got its name. This day is largely run but the Prefect Team, led by Head Girl and Boy, Georgia and Sam and a new selection of great things have been chosen for the day.

  One of the most popular activities that Founder’s Day offers is one that has lasted many a year at the school;  the teacher stocks! This isn’t the same as the medieval punishment, but it is simply throwing soaked sponges at some ‘game’ teachers! Some of the teachers included are Miss. Duffy, Mr. Fiddler, Mr. Malone and more! This is something any student can look forward to and is just one example of the fun that is had on this day. There are other activities, such as raffles, a makeover stand, sports such as Basketball and Rounders, music and guess the number of balloons in a car, which are a wide selection for everyone to be able to enjoy.

  The Founder’s Day events take place from lunchtime on Thursday 18^th, after the ‘Pride of Stocky Awards’. For those of you who are unaware of the Pride awards, this is an end of year set of awards for both students and staff to celebrate the wonderful achievements of many of our students and staff throughout the year. The votes have been open for a couple of weeks now and are accessible through FROG. This is something the school has held for years now and is a great way to cherish and celebrate the best bits of every year.

  Founder’s Day has always been a popular day and is always a resounding success, and there is no reason to believe this year will be any different. Thursday this week is Founder’s Day and we are all very excited for students partake in the day. Fellow students- don’t forget to bring plenty of change on the day so you can enjoy the edible treats on offer and take part in the activities and games!

  We look forward to seeing you there!

  Jerome Harrison, Communications Team

  

• Excellence Club

  Fri 19 Jul 2019

  Excellent Homework and creativity and dedication for the Excellence Club, the students have done their best and have decorated the display board with their beautiful work.
  Congratulations to Ruby, Aditya, Anjelica, Abby, Olivia, Reginald, Anna, Jessica, Luke, Magda and River-Sienna in Year 7 for their great contributions!

   

  Mrs E Karaoglan

  

• Stocky Pride Awards 2019

  Fri 19 Jul 2019

  Well done to all the Winners from the 2019 St Simon Stock Pride Awards

  Our performers were superb and winners too many to mention.

  We have a lot to be Proud about.

  

• Transition Events

  Wed 17 Jul 2019
  In the week beginning July 1^st, we welcomed students from both our Partner and Non-Partner Primary schools for their Transition visit.  The purpose of these visits is to allow the students to develop a connection to the school and to understand the structure of our school day.  The children were involved in a number of activities and followed the lessons of students studied both at GCSE and A Level.  Hopefully, the   y enjoyed their time with us and will join us to continue their academic journey in the future.  Below are some photos of the activities they were involved in.

  

• Year 5 and the environment

  Wed 17 Jul 2019

  On Tuesday the 2^nd and Wednesday the 3^rd of July, year 5 students of various schools came to St. Simon Stock for an open day to see what secondary is like; and to get a feel for what our school values as a part of our Catholic and community ethos.

   

  In the art department the students found themselves doing something very close to the heart of the school and something rather culturally important –helping the environment. The activity that the students were partaking in was imprinting leaves and twigs in to clay squares in order to decorate a few of the trees around the school to spread the message of environmental awareness. The leaves and twigs that the students were using were from native trees around the school site and the Oakwood park area. Trees such as Oak and birch. In fact, the very oak leaf that was being passed around is from a sapling grown from a larger Oak tree that used to be on site that was two years away from being classed as ancient.

   

  This activity, the students enjoyed very much; and perhaps what was most surprising was the discussion with the students after Mrs. Tilby gave a fantastic little talk about the importance of keeping our native species of trees safe and to care for the environment as it is all a part of the larger picture of interconnection between plant and animal, such as the Blackbirds that eat berries from many of the bushes around the school, or the 500 animals –bugs, birds and such- that used to live in the near-ancient Oak. The students proudly showed off their knowledge about the different mammals native to the area such as the foxes and rabbits, and even went so-far as discussing about their own school garden projects, or the allotments that their parents use.

   

  At this, I told the students of the new garden project that the school has in place which will allow for the Catholic community ethos to be combined with caring for nature and will help students do so as they help with the garden Not only were the students eager to listen, but many of them seemed genuinely excited at the prospect of being able to help out in a community garden.

   

  What these two examples are able to demonstrate is the keen and optimistic nature of the upcoming generation towards the environment and especially towards the native tree around them. On top of this, it shows St. Simon Stock’s limitless love for the trees native to our local area and our effort raise essential awareness for such a prevalent issue that the world community is facing at the moment.

  

• 2018-2019 Duke of Edinburgh

  Fri 12 Jul 2019

   

  Over 100 students have taken part in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award this academic year, with 15 students taking part in the Award through the Purple Pathway on the school curriculum. During timetabled and extra-curricular activity hours, all of these students have benefited from learning vital orienteering skills, which have aided these students in successfully completing their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. The skills learnt this year have included, map reading, compass reading, pacing, using a trangia, pitching a tent, and many more.

  Students have taken part in three different sections to complete their award, which include, volunteering, physical and skill. Many students have volunteered within the local community, working in charity shops and giving time back to the school. Students have focused on improving their fitness for their physical section, whether it be their cardiovascular fitness, or gaining muscular strength for personal goals. For the skill section, there have been a wide variety, which range from designing animations to archery.

  In the coming academic year, 19/20, we are opening the Silver Award, which already has 40 participants signed up, along with 40 Bronze.

   

  

• Enrichment Day – Exploring World Faiths

  Thu 11 Jul 2019
  With Mr Capone, students were exploring different world faiths, looking at artefacts and places of worship and seeing the similarities and differences between them. They created posters and decorated symbols of faith for a world faiths display in the RE department.

  

• Enrichment Day – Hindu Art

  Thu 11 Jul 2019

  In RE students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Hindu art by creating Rangoli patterns to celebrate the festival of lights known as Diwali.

  Students were keen to explore how other religions celebrate the victory of light over dark and good over evil.  Each student worked hard and was rewarded with their finished pieces of artwork.  There was a sense of pride in their work and some thoughtful  responses shared during the mediation on their journey through Year 9 and their goals and aspirations for Year 10.

  

• Enrichment Day – Irish Dancing

  Wed 10 Jul 2019
  In Miss Duffy’s room today during enrichment day students embraced their creativity side by embracing some Irish culture through dance. Students got to step out their comfort zone and most importantly dance like nobody was watching!

  

• World Music Day Workshops

  Tue 09 Jul 2019

  Earlier this term all Key Stage 3 plus year 9 and 10 examination students, took part in World Music Workshops.  Over three days, students experienced either African or Samba music.  It was a great opportunity for students and good fun.

   

  To coincide with World Music Day, I also collated the favourite music of staff with YouTube links.  This was really interesting for students to see the what their teachers liked!