Twelve pupils from St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy will have their poems published in a book that will be sold across the UK.
Forty-six pupils from Years 7 to 9 at the Buxton school entered the Young Writers’ Poetry Competition ‘Be Real in a Fake World’ and 12 pupils had their work selected for publication.
Amy Shaw, Head of English at St Thomas More, said she was thrilled that so many pupils entered the competition and that 12 will have their work published.
She said: “We promoted the competition in lessons and offered to support pupils with their application. We’ve had a lot of in-house competitions previously but this is the first national one that we’ve entered. We had over 46 applications which was great and it’s fantastic to have 12 students selected to have their work published along with other children from across the country. A copy of the book will be in the British Library and the book will be available to buy.
“We are very proud of the pupils and we had a party to celebrate the winners. We try to do a lot to support pupils throughout the year, we are a busy department.”
Year 7 pupils Rhea and Faith were among the 12 pupils who had their work selected for publication.
Faith said: “I didn’t think I would be selected. I think we were both quite shocked when we found out that we had won, it was a bit overwhelming but in a good way.”
Rhea said: “My poem was about being you is enough. It’s exciting to think that our work will be published in a book; it’s something that I’ve always dreamed of.”
The school is now encouraging pupils to enter another Young Writers competition; to write a short story of no more than 100 words. The school also held a Harry Potter day in December and in January pupils will also be encouraged to take part in a Poetry by Heart competition, learning poetry and reciting it in front of an audience.
David Redfern, Headteacher said: “We are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements in this national competition. Their success reflects the creativity, hard work, and passion for writing that we strive to nurture here at St Thomas More. Seeing their poems published is a wonderful recognition of their talent and dedication.”
Top photo: Some of the pupils celebrating their success.
Bottom photo: A pupil whose work will be published in the book.
Saint Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy has been graded Good overall in its latest Catholic Schools Inspectorate (CSI) inspection.
Catholic life and mission, religious education and collective worship were all graded Good by inspectors following their visit in November 2024.
Headteacher Hazel Boyce said: “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of our CSI. Having the quality of provision for Catholic Life and Mission and the leadership of Religious Education recognised as being outstanding is wonderful. Our pupils thrive here at Saint Benedict as a result of our school values and the dedication of staff and the CSI report captures this beautifully.”
Inspectors said that the Catholic life and mission of Saint Benedict CVA, in Derby, was known and lived through the school’s values of love, knowledge, integrity and belief.
“Students at Saint Benedict thrive within a strong community ethos and actively embrace the school’s identity in its everyday actions. The values of love, integrity and knowledge are embedded in school culture, shaping the character and development of every student and guiding daily interactions, which support the holistic growth of every student,” the report said.
Inspectors added: “Every student is made to feel valued and that they fully belong within the school through its truly inclusive nature. This forms the basis of the excellent pastoral care and dedication shown by leaders, teachers and support staff.”
The strong culture of diversity was highlighted by inspectors who said: “Leaders have the importance of community at the heart of their decision making and inclusion is considered in all areas of school.”
Leadership in religious education was described as “reflective and proactive” in seeking interventions to help all students flourish. Inspectors praised governors, saying they are highly skilled and actively engaged in the whole life of the school.
Inspectors said that a “profound sense of community” was evident within the school, reflected in the quality of relationships throughout.
“This supportive and loving environment embodies an unwavering commitment to uplifting the most vulnerable members of the school community. Pastoral care at Saint Benedict is exemplary and stands as a cornerstone of the school’s identity,” inspectors said.
Staff at all levels demonstrate exceptional dedication, consistently going above and beyond to nurture and care for their students, with a particular focus on those who are most vulnerable, according to the report.
A teacher and pupil who were at Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy on its opening day joined current staff and students to celebrate the school’s 60th anniversary.
Susan Skinner was a pupil at the Ilkeston school on the day it opened its doors in Abbot Road in 1965. She was in a class taught by Paul Booth and both Susan and Paul returned to Saint John Houghton for a day of Jubilee celebrations.
Paul was joined by other ex-pupils and staff for a question and answer session with current pupils and this was followed by Mass which was celebrated by the Bishop of Nottingham, Patrick McKinney.
Three former Headteachers at the school also attended Mass, including Bernard Monaghan, Joan McCarthy and Terry Murphy.
Ex-pupil Kieran Armstrong, 66, attended Saint John Houghton between 1969 and 1974.
He said: “The school was great when I was a pupil. It’s strange to come back; it’s 50 years since I was a pupil here.
“Both of my children came here and my grandchildren will probably come here too. We do have a group of about a dozen ex-pupils who keep in touch and meet up. It’s great to see my old woodwork teacher, Mr Booth, after I had left school I ended up fitting his kitchen for him!”
Mr Booth worked at Saint John Houghton from 1965 to 1996. He started as a Design and Technology teacher before becoming Head of Lower School and finally he was Deputy Headteacher before he retired.
He said: “I remember when I was here we had three sittings for lunch which took 90 minutes. There was no café and it was all table service.
“We have a bit of a strange anniversary with it being in January because the school wasn’t ready to open in the September of 1964 because it wasn’t finished.”
Susan was one of his first pupils, she said: “I was here when the school first opened in 1965 and I left in 1967 when I was 15. I remember the uniform we had to wear; we wore straw boaters in the summer and hats in the winter. My dad was also a caretaker at the school. Strangely I found out about the Jubilee celebrations from my sister in Australia who had seen it on an app. It’s been lovely to see Mr Booth again, he was quite firm and strict but teachers were in those days.”
Steve Brogan, Headteacher at Saint John Houghton, said: “We were so proud to celebrate 60 years of Catholic education in Ilkeston and the surrounding areas 60 years after students walked through the doors of our school for the very first time. We had a wonderful day in school and we were joined by several members of the local community who were here on that very first day. We were also joined by Bishop Patrick, who led us in our celebration of the Holy Mass. Huge thanks to all of our students and staff for their efforts in making the day such a special celebration. I feel so blessed and honoured to be the Headteacher of this terrific school.”
Bishop Patrick McKinney celebrates Mass (1), current Headteacher Steve Brogan with former Headteachers Bernard Monaghan, Joan McCarthy and Terry Murphy (2), Susan Skinner and Paul Booth (3).
An ex-student at Saint Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy returned to talk to students about being a production assistant on the new blockbuster film Wicked.
Neil Lwanga, 32, left Saint Benedict, in Derby, in 2012 after studying A-levels in Media, IT, Drama and Sociology.
He was invited back to talk to Performing Arts and Media students about his career which has seen him work in production on The Landscapers, starring Olivia Coleman and films including The Marvels and Wicked.
After school Neil went on to study at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham but then he struggled to find work, picking up jobs in call centres and sales.
In 2020 he gained a place at MAMA Youth Project, a four-month training programme for people from under-represented backgrounds to gain the skills and opportunities for work in the film and TV industry.
A key part of the training was to produce a magazine show for Sky Arts. Neil’s role was to research and pitch guests to producers and during that time he managed to book social media influencer, boxer and musician, KSI.
Once he completed the MAMA Youth project, he became part of their alumni and had a number of calls with production companies about potential opportunities. A month later, he received his first job was as a runner on a HBO series called The Landscapers, starring Olivia Coleman.
After Landscapers he worked on the Marvels as a Set PA trainee in the Assistant Director’s department, after that he went onto do a variety of Floor Runner jobs on various productions from ITV, Apple and Netflix.
In 2022 he received a call to work as a Set PA on Wicked, with the same team from the Marvels, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
A Floor Runner / Set PA’s roles are interchangeable; Set PA is a common term on big budget productions. They are responsible for managing the cast, co-ordinating transport, liaising between departments and resolving any issues.
Neil talked to students about what happened when he got the call for Wicked.
He said: “I had a call for a job, but they withhold details of the project in the first conversation.
“I was informed that it would be with the same team from the Marvels, so I checked in with a mutual colleague to see if they received a call and they told me it was for Wicked. You were required to drive on the job but I didn’t have car, but I said I would just make it work and I did.
“Wicked was the longest job I’ve done so far; 12 hour days, including some weekends over eight months. It was filmed across Sky Studios and a backlot in Invinghoe. The Invinghoe shoots invited several drones flying over, operated by paparazzi, trying to get shots while filming was taking place.
“I met Cynthia and Ariana; it took Cynthia four hours in make up as she was green and they also had to cover up Ariana’s tattoos. It’s really interesting to see how a film is put together. They had to film songs in segments of verses, they had to sing to a specific bar and then stop. It’s mind blowing really.
“I had a horn which I had to sound when filming was due to start so that the construction crew stopped working and were quiet. I met the Director, John Chu. and I like to thank that me talking to him about things other than work gave him a chance to escape. He’s a really nice man.
“I had a photo taken with Ariana on a night shoot when she had some friends come in. We were around the trailers and she took the photos on her personal phone. I had to wait for the right moment to ask her to Air Drop the photos! She’s the nicest actor I’ve ever worked with and just to see what she’s achieved is amazing, it’s something she wanted over 10 years ago and now she’s living her dream.”
Anna West, Director of Learning Performing and Creative Arts at Saint Benedict, said: “What an inspiring afternoon our students had. They learnt so much about the film industry, working with superstars, the importance of being true to yourself, always having integrity, surrounding yourself with good people and never giving up. It would be hard to find a more powerful and positive message for our students as they begin to consider their future. It was also the most wonderful moment as a teacher to have a past student come back and inspire a new generation. It’s moments like this that make this job so utterly worthwhile.”
Neil with Director John Chu, with Ariana Grande and on set.
An all day danceathon at St Thomas’ Catholic Voluntary Academy in Ilkeston has raised £1,450 for charity.
Every child at the school took part in the sponsored event which saw Clubbercize instructor Lyndsey Ford, who is a teacher at St Thomas’, taking a class at a time into the hall and leading a dance exercise session.
She said: “It’s just wonderful seeing the children enjoy exercising. They all put 100% effort in and it was just so heart-warming to be dancing and singing with them all. Bring on the next danceathon!”
Clubbercize is a fun, full body workout for all fitness levels which is set to club anthems, from 90s dance tunes to the latest hits, with party lights and glow sticks.
Money raised from the event will go to support a community in Malawi, following an appeal at a local church.
Pupil Lillia, 10, said: “We have got lots of people to sponsor us, all of our family and friends. My younger sister has raised £13. I like dancing so I really enjoyed taking part in this.”
“I go to a lot of discos when I go on holiday and I like dancing. The dance sessions really got our blood pumping and they had a real positive vibe,” said pupil Harrison, 11.
Pupil Jarvis, 10, said: “We danced for about 30 minutes and it was great to be doing something fun which will also help children in Malawi. I’d love to do something like this every week.”
“It was so exciting and it was like a fun way of doing exercise. I felt like it helped me to focus more in lessons after the session too and we got to wear colourful clothes,” said pupil Maja, 10.
Michael Sellors, Headteacher at St Thomas’, said: “As a school we have really supported local charities in recent months, so we wanted to help an international cause this Advent. There was an appeal at our local church recently to help support a community in Malawi and we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to help out through the children getting sponsored. The children have loved coming to school in brightly coloured clothes and taking part in the high energy dancing and hopefully we have raised some money to help those in need in Malawi.”
Sponsorship money will be donated to a charity called Network for a Better World, a lay missionary group which works to relieve poverty, with specific support for women and children, in a rural mission parish in Southern Malawi.
Festive fun has been on the timetable for pupils and staff at St Anne’s Catholic Voluntary Academy.
Alongside the usual curriculum there has also been an Advent calendar, a reverse Advent calendar, a jingle jog, carol concert and an appearance from The Grinch.
The Grinch has been revealing what’s behind the doors on the Advent calendar at school every day.
Some of the doors have revealed treats for pupils, including listening to Christmas music and having a hot chocolate, but some doors have revealed chores including tidying up.
Head Girl Georgie, 11, and Head Boy Ozzy, 10, have been running a reverse Advent calendar which has seen pupils bringing in food donations every day and these will be given to a local food bank.
The pair also helped to organise the jingle jog which saw pupils adapt their daily mile by dressing up in festive clothing to raise money for charity and a Christmas carol concert at the school.
Ozzy said: “We were asked if we could come up with some ideas for things to do in school at Christmas and we came up with the reverse Advent calendar, dressing up for the jingle jog and holding the carol concert. We hosted the concert and I was a bit nervous but I think it went ok and was good.”
Georgie said: “We practised for the carol concert and Ozzy came up with the jokes that he would say as the host. We thought of doing a reverse advent calendar because we wanted to be able to give to other people. Lots of donations have been brought in which is good.”
Assistant Headteacher Stephanie Clarke said: “Our Head Girl, Georgie’s initiative of a ‘Reverse Advent Calendar’ was met with an overwhelming response. We were inundated with generous donations that far exceeded our expectations, showcasing the kindness and community spirit that exists within our school. Well done, Georgie!
Our KS2 children took part in a carol concert which was hosted wonderfully by our Head Boy and Head Girl. It was a resounding success, filled with beautiful singing, festive cheer and funny jokes from our Head Boy Oscar. It was lovely to see so many attend and celebrate with us.
“Children also took part in a ‘Jingle Bell Jog daily mile’, an initiative from our Deputy Head Girl, Ava, which raised money for Blythe House Hospice.
“Finally, the ‘Grinch Whole School Advent Calendar’ has certainly caused a buzz a St. Anne’s. Each day a balloon has been popped on the Advent Calendar to reveal a chore or a treat. The children have loved watching the Grinch videos and can’t wait to see who is behind the mask.”
Senior citizens enjoyed a community Christmas party full of festive cheer at St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy in Buxton.
Around 40 guests joined pupils and staff for an afternoon of Christmas songs and music from pupils, refreshments, bingo and a raffle.
St Thomas More pupils welcomed everyone, served teas and coffees, ran the bingo session and sold raffle tickets while younger children from St Anne’s Catholic Voluntary Academy also sang and played music.
The event was organised by Jane Bennett, Assistant Headteacher for Character Life and Character Education at St Thomas More, and Shelley Gray, Head of Expressive Arts.
Evelyn, 14, a pupil at St Thomas More, said she really enjoyed welcoming the local community.
She said: “I was asking everyone if they wanted a tea or a coffee and then delivering the drinks as well. I think it was a lovely event for everyone, for the people who came along and for the staff and pupils. Something like this makes us feel a lot more together as a community. I think it went really well. Our guests enjoyed it and said that they liked the music and the singing. It’s also been nice to see pupils from our partner primary school, St Anne’s, here too.”
St Anne’s pupil Flossy, nine, said: “We did some singing and we had been doing lots of practicing at a care home and a Christmas service. We’ve been very busy. I think everyone has enjoyed it and I love making people’s day.”
Dennis Pimblett, 74, said it was the first time he had been back to St Thomas More since his daughter attended the school in the 1980s.
He said: “It’s the first time I’ve been back in over 30 years. I came here to watch so many plays and I have lots of great memories of the school. I think it’s been a lovely event and it’s nice to do something for the local community. I also think it helps to give the pupils confidence and it’s been lovely to meet them today.”
David Redfern, Headteacher, said: “We are delighted to host events like this that bring together different generations in our community. Seeing our pupils and staff create a warm, festive atmosphere for our senior guests highlights the importance of kindness, service, and togetherness. It is a testament to our school’s values, and we hope this tradition continues to strengthen our community ties.”
St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy is celebrating a significant achievement following its latest Catholic Schools Inspectorate (CSI) inspection.
The school, in Buxton, has been graded as “Good” in all nine areas assessed, a remarkable improvement from its 2019 rating of “Requires Improvement”.
Headteacher David Redfern attributes this success to the dedication of staff, the enthusiasm of pupils, and the unwavering support of families and the executive board.
“This progress reflects the power of our mission statement: ‘Aspire not to have more, but to be more,’” he said.
The inspection report highlighted the school’s strong Catholic identity, vibrant chaplaincy, and commitment to values such as respect, tolerance, and equality.
Pupils were commended for their involvement in charitable works, while the school’s “extremely strong family feel” was described as creating a “safe, loving place”.
The inspectors also praised pupils’ exemplary behaviour, which reflects the school’s core values of respect, empathy, and resilience.
The ‘meticulously planned’ character curriculum was noted for fostering personal and moral development, with pupils demonstrating kindness, integrity, and a genuine sense of community.
One pupil described the school as “a safe, loving place where it feels like home”.
The report also praised the leadership and collaboration that have driven positive change, with inspectors noting significant progress in religious education, pastoral care, and collective worship.
Daisy Baxter, Head Girl at St Thomas More, said: “I’m really pleased that the school has received this outcome. This is really positive for the school and I feel the report reflects the way that the pupils view the school as a safe and happy place. I’m so very proud to come from St Thomas More.”
Mr Redfern said that the school aims to build on this success, continuing its mission to inspire pupils, uphold high standards of behaviour, and foster personal and spiritual growth.
A teenager who has battled cancer for three years has completed 3,000 push-ups as part of a challenge to raise money for the charity that helped him.
Fifteen-year-old Adam Dabrowski, who is a student at Blessed Robert Catholic Voluntary Academy in Burton, took on the physical fundraiser with his dad Mariusz.
The father and son duo completed 3,000 push-ups each – 100 a day for 30 days – hoping to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Adam was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 12, at the end of Year 7, after becoming short of breath, even when lying down.
Tests revealed he had leukaemia and he faced an intensive nine-month course of chemotherapy, undergoing treatment three or four days a week following a two-week stay in hospital.
The treatment affected him physically and at one point he struggled to walk and could not even stand. He missed approximately half of the following three years of school and recently rang the bell at hospital in Nottingham after doctors said he was in remission.
Adam is now having monthly check ups and is at school full-time in Year 11, preparing for his GCSE exams next year.
He said: “It was at the end of Year 7 that I was struggling to breathe and I had some tests and was told it was leukemia. At that age I had no idea what that meant but I knew it was bad when my mum started to cry. I still didn’t know what it was.
“I went on steroids for 28 days as I had pneumonia and then I was given a three-year plan for chemotherapy. It was also happening at the time of Covid so I had to be really careful to avoid infections.
“I lost most of my muscle mass and my grandma had to come over from Poland to help look after me. I was having trouble getting up the stairs, trouble even standing, I was really weak.
“I missed a lot of school but after the first nine months I then went down to having chemotherapy every day in tablets, weekly blood tests, chemotherapy once a month in hospital as well as having to take steroids, and lumbar puncture every three months. I really struggled to concentrate; I was just not myself. I think during that whole time there were only two or three weeks when I felt pretty good.
“In September I rang the bell at the hospital and now I’ll be having monthly check-ups.”
A celebration was held in school to mark the fact that Adam is in remission and all of the staff attended. Adam’s mum Paulina and his dad both attended the emotional occasion.
His dad Mariusz suggested that the pair take on the charity push-up challenge.
Adam said: “When I started to get stronger I went to the gym and at the end of Year 9 I was going to the gym more and working hard. I ended up gaining a lot of weight that I needed to lose so I thought the charity challenge would be a good idea and it’s to help the charity that helped me. The Teenage Cancer Trust helped to provide a teen room at the hospital and I’m sure at some point I would have spoken to someone from the Trust.”
Adam and his dad completed 3,000 push-ups each at home.
Adam said: “As the days went on I found I could do 40 to 50 push ups in one go. I’m just excited to feel like myself now and I can live my life like kids my age do.”
Adam’s mum and dad said: “We are proud of Adam’s strength and resilience and are happy that he is a part of the wonderful Blessed Robert Sutton Family. It seems now like ages ago but we remember every moment of his journey. We cannot thank the doctors and nurses enough who looked after our son for the whole time and we feel blessed to have such wonderful souls around us who made Adam’s day-to-day life easier.”
Samuel Gray, Headteacher at Blessed Robert Sutton, said: “As the new Head I was so sad to hear of Adam’s journey yet it has been so inspiring to see him around school smiling and with so many friends around him. To now embark on a mission to support others like him is truly inspiring.”
Amanda Mcdowall, Adam’s Head of Year, said: “From the moment we found out in school how ill Adam was no-one could believe it. Adam is a lively popular, hardworking, lovely lad and a real little gentleman. There was no sense to it and no getting your head round it.
“Of course cancer doesn’t discriminate but it doesn’t stop you thinking how could this happen to such a wonderful young person. I cannot imagine how it must have been for his parents.
“Adam was able to come into school very occasionally and under strict guidelines from the hospital. He still continued to try to keep up with his studies despite being told by numerous staff this was not his priority.
“It has been a three-year battle for Adam and his family but when we learnt he was being invited into hospital to ring the bell for his last treatment and that he was officially free from so much of the invasive medication, many of the staff were in tears.
“Adam is a true hero and a real inspiration to those who are privileged to know him. We could not be more proud of him and wish him all the very best.”
If you would like to donate to the push-up challenge click the link Mariusz Dabrowski is fundraising for Teenage Cancer Trust
The above photos are of Adam at school and the third photo is of Adam when he was being treated in hospital, in a teen room provided by the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Budding young artists at St Thomas’ Catholic Voluntary Academy in Ilkeston have raised over £500 for charity.
Every child at the school created a piece of art based on Catholic Social Teaching principles and the work was sold at a grand art sale attended by parents and carers.
Over £500 was raised and this will be split between the charities supported by each class including Little Ways, Poor Clare Sisters, CAFOD World Gifts, Mary’s Meals, Beauvale Society, Fair Trade and St Vincent De Paul Society.
The original idea for the art sale came from the pupils as they were looking for ways to make their Religious Education lessons more creative.
They suggested creating artwork based on the Catholic Social Teaching principles of Human Dignity, The Common Good, Participation, Subsidiarity, Stewardship, Solidarity, Preferential Option for the Poor, Distributing Justice and Promoting Peace.
Susan Law, Year Two teacher and RE Lead at the school, said: “Each class is in charge of a Catholic Social Teaching principle and the children wanted to combine art and RE as they were looking for a way to make our RE lessons more creative.
“The children really embraced the challenge of thinking creatively and they created some wonderful pieces of art. The sale was fantastic and our hall was packed with parents and parishioners.
“We would particularly like to thank former teachers Mrs Law, Mrs Smith and Mrs White who came in and backed every piece of artwork for us and helped with the display. We raised over £500 and the money will be shared between each Catholic charity that we support as a school.
“We had some great feedback from parents saying it was such a brilliant thing to do and it is definitely something that we would like to do again.”
Michael Sellors, Headteacher at St Thomas’, said: “I would personally like to thank the staff present and retired for all the hard work organising the art gallery. I would like to thank the parents and carers for coming in and supporting the event in such large numbers. And I would like to thank the children for creating such wonderful pieces of art which we have sold to raise over £500 to support local charities.”
