St Joan of Arc School

E’ CARNEVALE!

1st February 2016Anthony Da-Silva

Carnival is a festival season. It occurs during the period between the Epiphany and Ash Wednesday. It involves public celebrations, parades and street parties. People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations.

The most famous celebrations happens in Venice and Viareggio and the most famous masks are Pulcinella and Harlequin

Here is how Miss Torrini’s Yr 7s, 8s & 9s are preparing to celebrate this fun event in the year Calendar!

Enjoy and remember, in Italy they say: “ A carnevale, ogni scherzo vale!” ….

What does it mean? Find the translation and tell Miss Torrini, she might have a prize for you!

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Year 8 students quiz David Gauke MP

By Mr R MADDISON14th December 2015

On Friday afternoon, Year 8 students were lucky enough to meet our local MP, treasury minister David Gauke MP. All students wrote to him in the summer requesting that he takes action to help get an estimated 57 million children around the world who do not currently have an education into primary school. Mr Gauke was grilled by students on how the government could help more, what he would say to parents who did not want their children to go to school, and why the promise leaders made in 2000 to eradicate this problem by 2015 had not been kept.

There was also time for some more general political questions, which ranged from whether Scotland should have left the UK, whether the UK should remain in Europe, why HS2 was being built and why there has been a further delay on airport expansion in the south east of England.

A few non-political questions crept in too, including whether Mr Gauke had David Cameron’s phone number… Apparently he does not, but did reveal he is closer to George Osborne than Mr Cameron.

Christmas Gift BAGS 2015 – Mission Complete!

By Mr L LYNCH14th December 2015

Thank you so much for all your generosity. Many of our school families are themselves under considerable financial pressure, especially at this time of year, so it really is profound generosity we see in the pictures below of our very-own Santa-Sleigh (mini-bus).

For some families, the gifts donated by JOA are the only ones that they will receive this Christmas.

Well done and sincere thanks to everyone who contributed!

Year 13 A.R.C Catholic Workers Farm

By Miss T GAUGHAN14th December 2015

On the 10th of December year 13 pupils were escorted to ‘The Catholic Worker Farm’ to donate items that they have been collecting as a year group since September. I would like to commend them on their efforts. Weekly they have supported the cause, which offers accommodation for 22 destitute women whom without the farm, would be on the street with their children. During the trip the pupils commented on how it helped them ‘realise how lucky I really am’ and the struggles that some people who are just around the corner from us have. They truly put the Catholic teachings into action. ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me’ Mt 25:35-36.

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Rome Pilgrimage 30th November – 3rd December

By Miss T GAUGHAN14th December 2015

64 pupils from years 8&9 have just returned from an extremely enjoyable pilgrimage to Rome. During our time in Rome we visited St Peter’s basilica, Climbed the Dome of St Peter’s basilica, saw many historical sites such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon.

The highlight has got to be when we went to the Popes Audience. We were extremely lucky to get very close and almost touch him. You can see how close we got from our photo. During his speech Pope Francis called on us to be missionaries. To act as Jesus calls us to. Through this action all people will see the work of Christ continuing today. We all look forward to taking on this message and spreading Jesus message through our actions and charitable work.

This was a brilliant experience that no doubt pupils and staff will never forget.

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Support Whole School Christmas Jumper Day: Friday 18th December

By Mrs C WILCHER13th December 2015

Join Miss Godwin and Mr Woollatt who are both aiming for the Best Staff Christmas Jumper” prize.

There will also be awards for “Best Student Christmas Jumper” and “Most Christmassy Form”.

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Haven’t got a Christmas Jumper? Not a problem. Customise your own.

Really too cool for school/ still don’t want to wear the jumper? Donate your £1 anyway…

Every single pound collected will go directly to the children of Udayan.

Girls Football success at Arsenal!

By Miss K BEAMENT11th December 2015

What an exciting day all round!

On the 7^th December, as part of the Arsenal in the Community initiative, Arsenal Ladies and Hertsmere Borough Council’s commitment to delivering football and educational sessions in the borough, we were lucky enough to be invited to the first Arsenal Ladies Double Club Tournament! This was held at Arsenal’s Training Centre in London Colney, which is generally NOT open to the public!

As per the Double Club model, teams from across the area competed in both a football tournament and a classroom based literacy session at the Training Centre. The classroom session and the tournament carried equal weighting towards the team’s overall score.

Our Girls won 2 out of the 4 games that we played. Playing with sheer determination, teamwork and sportsmanship.

In our classroom based activities, the girls took part in a range of educational literacy based activities. To finalise, each team had to prepare a discussion topic to present to the other schools, with arguments for and against. Our topic area was related to the new FIFA 16 now including woman international teams. The girls’ presentation was unbelievable, I could not have been prouder!

We finished 1^st overall in the competition!!! WELL DONE GIRLS!!!!

As if that was not all enough, the Girls were then introduced to international female football icon Kelly Smith, where they were given the opportunity to ask her questions and take photographs with her.

It was an incredible experience for the girls and a day, I hope, they will remember for a very long time.

Miss Beament

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Presentation Evening 22/10/15

8th December 2015Anthony Da-Silva

A selection of images from the event earlier this term

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Arts for Change: Using the Arts to make a difference

8th December 2015Anthony Da-Silva

Arts for Change: Using the Arts to make a difference

How can the arts be used to explore a sensitive ‘non-arts’ issue? That’s the question which was asked of year eight students and teachers from St Joan of Arc School, St Clement Danes School and Queens’ School through the Arts for Change project which took place in July 2015.

Funded by Royal Opera House Bridge and working in partnership together and with Watford Palace Theatre, the three schools brought ninety able, gifted and talented students in Drama, Music and Visual Art together for three days to creatively explore stigma associated with mental health. The work of the students was insightful, challenging and creative throughout and culminated in a thought-provoking sharing of work event which was attended by arts, educational and health professionals alike.

This short film provides an overview of the project.

Y12 A.R.C. Senior Citizen Christmas Party

7th December 2015Anthony Da-Silva

I would like to congratulate the Year 12 A.R.C team for all their efforts put into running and organising this years senior citizen Christmas party. It was an excellent day and all of our guests were extremely impressed. You really have put the teachings of Christ into practice ‘I was a stranger and you invited me in’ Mt 25:35.

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