Students at Saint Benedict CVA in Derby are celebrating after receiving their A Level results this year.
There was a significant rise on the last set of externally assessed results in 2019, prior to the Covid pandemic.
Fifty per cent of all grades are A*-B, compared with 40.1% in 2019 and nearly 80% of all grades are A*-C.
Two of the students with the highest grades were Godwin Jenner, 18, who achieved A*s in Maths, Physics and Chemistry and Georgi Georgiev, who achieved A*s in History, English Literature and Sociology.
Georgi, 18, came to the UK from Bulgaria around 10 years ago and could barely speak any English.
He said: “I am quite shocked by my results. I am going to study Sociology at Loughborough. When I told my mum my results she said I should have applied to Cambridge.”
Godwin is going on to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Sheffield.
He said: “Online learning for part of Year 12 was tough as it was harder to ask for help. When we came back into school it was great and the teachers were really supportive.”
(Godwin is on the right, pictured with Elliot Chua)
Anastazja Zaleska, 18, achieved an A in Sociology, an A in Polish, a B in Psychology and a D in Biology. She will be studying Primary Education at the University of Plymouth.
She said: “I was stressed, last night I was crying dry tears. When I knew I had got into Plymouth it felt amazing. My grades are better than I was predicted, I honestly thought I’d failed Biology so I was really surprised with that grade. I am really looking forward to going to Plymouth.”
Marek Bakota, 18, achieved an A* in Music, an A in Maths and a B in Psychology. He is going on to the University of Manchester to study Music.
He said: “I’m just happy. I kept seeing news articles about the results saying that grades would be lower so now I’m relieved.”
Andy Xu, 18, achieved an A* in Engineering, an A in Maths and a B in Physics. He will be going on to the University of Sheffield to study Aerospace Engineering.
He said: “I really had to pull it out of the bag. It was hard as we were learning at home for part of Year 12 but when we came back the teachers were really supportive.”
Amy Short, 18, achieved an A in Maths, an A in Spanish and a B in Physics. She has secured a four-year apprenticeship at Rolls-Royce in Derby.
She said: “I am so excited. The application process for Rolls-Royce was tough. There was an online assessment which took hours then a five-hour interview which included a one-to-one and team building exercises. I didn’t have a back up, this was my only choice. I didn’t want to go to university.
Another student taking on an apprenticeship is Finlay Riggott, 18. He achieved a Distinction * in Business, an A in Maths and an A in Geography. He will be going on to an apprenticeship at Cosy Direct in Derby.
He said: “I got better grades then I needed. I feel relieved now.”
Elliot Chua, 18, achieved an A* in Maths, an A in Chemistry and an A in Biology. He is taking a gap year and after that he is planning on applying to universities to study Medicine.
Nikola Sobczak, 18, achieved a B in English, an A* in Psychology and a Distinction * in Media. She is going on to study Psychology at the University of Nottingham.
She said: “I’m really surprised and happy. I knew I had got into Nottingham before I got my grades as we could log on and find out. There was a countdown online before I found out which was a bit nerve-wracking.”
Head Boy Donal Hay, 18, achieved an A in English Literature/Language, a Distinction in Media and a B in Religious Studies. He is going on to study Journalism at Manchester Metropolitan University.
He said: “I needed B,B,C so I’m really happy with my grades. When I told my mum she cried her eyes out. I’ve always been interested in Journalism and the course is multi-media so it’s a bit of everything. Manchester is a good city.”
Rose Babu, 18, achieved an A in Sociology, an A in Biology and a B in Chemistry. She is going on to study a Masters in Pharmacy at the University of Nottingham.
She said: “I woke up between 6 and 6.30am and couldn’t log on until 8am to find out if I had got into university. When I found out I had got into Nottingham I cried, I really wanted to go there. It was hard because we spent part of Year 12 learning online and I didn’t like that. I think it’s much better to actually do the exams, we didn’t do our GCSE exams because of Covid.”
Kevin Gritton, Headteacher, congratulated all of the students and said he was thrilled with the results.
He said: “We are delighted with A Level results at Saint Benedict this year where we have seen a significant rise on the last set of externally assessed results in 2019.
“50% of all grades are A*-B, compared with 40.1% in 2019 and nearly 80% of all grades are A*-C.
“Our vocational subjects also performed strongly, in addition to the A Level subjects. For example, in Level 3 PE, 82% of grades were Distinction Star or Distinction, in Media 80% were at these top grades and in Applied Business, 75% were at Distinction Star and Distinction.
“Our average point score per A Level entry was 34.97, up from 31.12 in 2019, when the school achieved the highest value added score across the city, county and Diocese.
“Our average Level 3 Applied entry score was 30.83, up from 26.21 in 2019, with the average applied grade in 2022 being a Distinction across 70 qualifications.
“Some particular success stories included Georgi Georgiev and Godwin Jenner, who both achieved thee A* grades at A Level.
“The vast majority of our students have achieved their first choices at University and we are supporting those who are currently exploring their options through the clearing process.
“We are very proud of all of our students who have managed a very turbulent few years with great maturity and resilience and we wish them all the very best for the future.”
Year 5 Chaplaincy Mass
On Tuesday 21st June, year 5 chaplaincy teams (with a few guest year 4’s & 6’s) came from across the Trust to take part in Mass celebrated by Bishop Patrick.
We had four altar servers and a number of students helping to read. The students sang brilliantly and had a lovely time, despite the long travelling times for some of them.
Hopefully this will become an annual event to bring together all our chaplains.
G.I.F.T stands for ‘Growing in Faith Together’. This refers to teams of students from many faiths and none who carry out chaplaincy work in our schools. Each student who has been through chaplaincy training with Sr Judith and Jamie will be given a G.I.F.T lanyard.
SRSCMAT Annual Conference 2022
Friday 1st July 2022 saw the Trust’s Annual Conference take place.
With over 1,000 staff from our 25 primary and secondary schools in attendance virtually, there were inspiring talks from our keynote speakers, along with a wide range of high quality workshops on offer throughout the day.
We were delighted to welcome Jaz Ampaw-Farr and Sir Anthony Sheldon as our keynote speakers during the morning session.
As the afternoon progressed, staff were able to join a plethora of relevant, informative workshops, led by high-calibre system experts. With staff being able to choose their own workshops, it enabled them to create their own bespoke CPD programme, on subjects ranging from Catholic Life and Mission to GDPR.
The day came to a conclusion with some invaluable networking sessions, giving staff a chance to come together with other colleagues across the Trust.
A huge thanks to everyone who played a part in organising the event, our keynote speakers and the sponsors who made it all possible!
The amazing Virtual Conference Space, created by Sonny Sharma
Key Note Speakers
For more information on our keynote speakers, please click on their images.
Jaz Ampaw-Farr
Sir Anthony-Sheldon
Our Sponsors
St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy has been given an overall rating of good following a Diocesan Canonical Inspection.
Inspectors from the Diocese of Nottingham said that the quality of Catholic Life, Religious Education and Collective Worship at the school, which is part of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, were all good.
How well leaders and governors promote, monitor and evaluate the provision for the Catholic Life of the school, and the provision for Collective Worship, were graded outstanding.
The report said that St John Fisher CVA was well supported by the St Ralph Sherwin CMAT, which is committed to increasing all aspects of school improvement.
Inspectors said that pupils were proud to be a member of the St John Fisher community and they enjoyed the responsibilities the school provided for them, including as part of the chaplaincy team, the pupil council and as eco-champions.
The report said: “St John Fisher is a caring school with a family feel which is evident when you enter the school, and which is spoken about by so many of the stakeholders.”
Commenting on the Catholic Life of the school, they said: “The Catholic Life of the school is highly valued by all stakeholders and leaders have ensured that it is the driving force for future school improvement across the school. This has a tangible impact on the aspirations that school leaders, staff and parents have for the future of the pupils in their care.”
Pupils’ charity work and fundraising was also highlighted in the report. Inspectors said: “A very large majority of pupils value opportunities to raise money for local, national and global charities and they have done so with great success. Most importantly, they understand why raising money for those in need is important. A Year 1 pupil said, ‘We raise money because Jesus is our example, and this is how we show we love one another.’”
Inspectors described St John Fisher as a calm and spiritual school community “where staff want the best for pupils in their care.”
Angelina Brett, Headteacher, said she was delighted with the outcome of the inspection.
She said: “Due to the COVID pandemic, we had to wait much longer than we thought we would for the inspectors to visit us! We have worked hard to maintain our high standards and I am so proud of the St John Fisher CVA community. The children, staff, parents, governors and parishioners shared their love and support of the school with the inspectors, highlighting that we are a family who are committed and care deeply for each other.”
Trust CEO, Sean McClafferty, said: “I speak for all our Trust schools when I say that we are so proud of this achievement at St John Fisher.
“I know the whole school community, let by Angelina Brett, has worked incredibly hard to ensure that enhancing the Catholic ethos has been the priority for everyone. The fact that leaders and governors of the school have been judged as outstanding in their work shows how much progress is being made. Well done to all.”
Year 11 Saint John Houghton CVA Retreat 2022
It was my privilege to support our wonderful Year 11’s in their Retreat and Final Liturgy, with thanks to Year 7 for providing the ‘Words of Wisdom’ and Mrs Gabriel, Chair of Governors, for leading the reflection and Mr Brogan for the closing words and prayer. Each Tutor Group led part of the final liturgy. We began with Scripture and a warm welcome, which led to an opportunity to ask for God’s forgiveness and a time of reflection and to remember the people we are called to become. Students and staff shared memories from the past five years, including Sport’s Day, pilgrimages to The Briars, Tutor stories and lunchtimes. Year 11 presented our Eco Club with some Crocus’ as they shared their memories from the Crocus Café and wanted to ‘give back’ something which represented ‘growth’ to the school family. It was a time to pray together, to listen to the prayers they had written and to hear their hopes and dreams. One Tutor Group led us in making a Prayer Bracelet. One parent said, ‘this was such a beautiful liturgy, I can’t believe the time has gone so fast and they are suddenly all grown up! Thank you so much for this memory – it is a time I will treasure.’
Rachel Rose – Lay Chaplain
Sr Judith comes to New Mills
The training day was held on a beautiful sunny day in the parish hall of St Mary’s New Mills.
We had year 5 group’s from St Charles’ Hadfield, St Mary’s Glossop, St Mary’s New Mills, St Mary’s Marplebridge, St Anne’s Buxton, St Joseph’s Matlock and the Federation of All Saints and St Margaret’s.
The aim of the day was to give the teams a more central role in the development of Catholic Life and Collective Worship in their academies.
The development plan they created during the day was then taken back to their Headteachers to discuss and put into action.
The day finished with a lovely commissioning ceremony led by Fr Bill from Marple, where all students received a letter of commission to take home with them.
It was a brilliant day where students and staff alike were inspired and motivated by Sr Judith’s infectious knowledge, charm and smile.
Sustainability top of the agenda at Pupil Parliament meeting
What a great day our Pupil Parliament had on Friday, March 11th. Sustainability was at the top of the agenda and students were given advice about campaigning for eco-friendly projects to be introduced across our Trust, in schools and communities. They also talked about the projects they are planning as a result of discussions in their sub-committees which are themed on Sustainability, Inclusivity, Fundraising, Pupil Community and Local Community. Thank you to everyone who joined us and we look forward to seeing you all again in the summer term!
A sponsored cycle around schools in the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust has raised over £4,500 for charity.
Trust Lead Lay Chaplain Jamie Agius and his friend Mark Newing set out to cycle around all 25 schools in the Trust to raise money for the Disasters Emergency Committee.
Extreme weather conditions cut the three-day ‘Tour de St Ralph’ one day short but the pair have raised £4,502 so far and they plan to complete the planned course in the future.
The total journey would be 188 miles, mostly uphill, through Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Stockport and the High Peak.
All money raised through sponsorship will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee, which brings together 15 leading UK aid charities which are experts in humanitarian aid and specialise in different areas of disaster response.
Jamie and Mark visited Saint John Houghton and St Thomas’ in Ilkeston, The Priory in Eastwood, St Elizabeth’s in Belper, Christ the King in Alfreton and St Joseph’s in Matlock on the first day.
On the second day they stopped at St Phillip Howard, Saint Mary’s, All Saints, St Charles’ and St Margaret’s, all in Glossop, St Mary’s in Marple Bridge, Saint Mary’s in New Mills, St Thomas More and St Anne’s, both in Buxton.
Jamie said: “We were slightly trepidacious before setting off as the weather was predicted to be pretty horrendous with Storms Dudley and Eunice arriving during the ride. As a result, we decided that our original plan to sleep outdoors was probably not wise, so found some inside spaces to stay overnight.
“Unfortunately, the weather predictions for the Friday didn’t look good so we made the decision to postpone the last leg of the tour and head straight home to Nottingham. It was a tough decision but one we felt was the safest.
“It was a brilliant experience not withstanding some of the biggest hills I’ve ever ridden up. We received some brilliant welcomes and motivating send-offs which really helped us move from place to place. I would like to say a huge thank you to anyone who may have donated. Finally, I have to say that the words of St Ralph Sherwin, ‘Today and not tomorrow’, really were the motivation for doing this ride.”
Pupils in Years 9 and 10 from five Trust secondary schools came together for our latest Pupil Olympics event.
Boys and girls from both year groups at Saint Benedict, Saint John Houghton, St Thomas More, Blessed Robert Sutton and St Philip Howard took part in a football tournament which was held at Powerleague in Derby. Events for Years 7 and 8 and primary schools have already taken place. Well done to everyone involved and to our Trust Pupil Olympics Lead Dominic Harrison for bringing our Trust together. Thanks also to all the staff who supported the pupils.
Chaplaincy Training with Sr Judith Russi
On 31st January, Sr Judith Russi treated the year 5 chaplaincy teams of St Elizabeth’s, Belper and Christ the King, Alfreton to some really inspiring training.
The students were led throughout the day by Sr Judith who has a wealth of experience in working with children and young people.
During the day the students were asked to reflect on what they already do as school chaplains, but more importantly what they want to achieve as they move into year 6.
They found Sr Judith engaging and inspiring and left with a real sense of purpose.
