Kaleb Dunn, 10P, attended a four day army residential course in April as part of his work experience. He spent the time at the Army Reserve Centre in Crickhowell learning skills and taking part in basic training. 

Kaleb told us about the activities he got involved with:

"We practised going on patrol, doing drills, learnt how to carry weapons, how to assemble the gun we were carrying and how to reassemble it back to its original state and learn what the different parts of the gun are called. We also learnt how to use a prodding stick to reenact how to find land mines that are hidden in the ground, how to put up bashas, went to an electronic shooting range in down in Cardiff, learnt about how to camoflauge using face cam and how to cook ration packs using mess tins and dragon fuel and a mini handheld stove. The part I enjoyed most about it all was carrying the guns and learning how to cook ration packs. I was surprised that we did so much in a few days! I have wanted to go into the army since I was young, I stuck at it and am now doing cadets. I would like to either be a combat soldier or mechanic on joining the army."

Well done Kaleb, it sounds like you had a rewarding - and very busy! - few days.

Ms Gorman, Marketing and Communications Adviser

7Y1 students have recently been studying a topic in English called 'Shakespeare and his world'. They have explored a range of Shakespeare plays and delved in to the area of 'non-traditional casting'; students were set a homework challenge to write an opinion piece on the subject. Miss Campbell was particularly impressed by the writing of Fleur Bennerson, Aurinko Mutsuddy and Amelie Payne. Well done 7Y1 for all your hard work!

Ms Gorman, Marketing and Communications Adviser

In April Josh Chambers, who works as a doctor at Southmead Hospital, came into St Katherine's to talk to our sixth form students about careers in the NHS. He discussed his career path, overcoming rejection and the reality of working as a doctor in the NHS.

He inspired our Year 12 students and spoke in more detail to the Year 13 students who have been offered places at medical school for September 2024.

Well done St Kath's scientists! Our students have already passed the one million mark for questions answered – an achievement reached by only the top 2% of departments who subscribe to Educake.

• Our students answered over 1,032,000 science questions
• Over 34,000 of those were questions students set themselves
• Teachers set 909 quizzes
• These included 511 Study Guides

Once again RAG week was an incredible success raising a phenomenal £663.64 for Cancer Research, the Teenage Cancer Trust and the prom fund. There were bake sales, world food and jewellery sales, a treasure hunt and the classic soak the sixth form and staff event! Thanks for everyone who supported the events and particularly to Sophia, Charlie, Hope and Teagan for all their hard work organising the week.

30 Year 12 students enjoyed the incredible opportunity of a visit to the University of Oxford, courtesy of our partners at Exeter College. The rain bucketed down but the students threw themselves into life at one of the most elite academic institutions in the world, including engaging in taster seminars with doctoral candidates on the topics of Human Rights Law and Environmental Biology, an astute insight into university applications and a bit of culture at the renowned Ashmolean Museum. We even got a chance to check in with St Katherine's alumna Wren Talbot-Ponsonby, who took a break from preparations for her final exams to share a cup of tea. A huge thank you to Exeter College - we'll see you again next year. 

Mr Davies, Head of Sixth Form

We are thrilled to announce that Sophia Harper, Charlie Topp and Hector Andrieux have been appointed as our new head students. The students took part in a rigorous application process, developing pledges during a campaign week which were then anonymously voted on by tutor groups across the school, the pledge strategies were then shared with Mrs Weatherson, Mr Davies and Mr Humphreys.

Congratulations to you all! 

On 22nd April we marked Stephen Lawrence Day. We remembered the key points of his life in a tutor time activity. Students across the school took time to revisit or learn for the first time about the murder of Stephen Larence and the injustice that followed. There was discussion about the racist attack that led to Stephen's death and how it came to highlight inequalities in our society. Students were able to explore how society has changed in the years since Stephen's murder and that the need to continue to challenge racism in all of its forms, wherever it is seen or heard, remains. 

Mrs Crocker, Assistant Headteacher

Richard Boobyer, 9P2, won an award for Most Improved Player of the Year for 23/24 within his Bristol City foundation football team.

Towards the end of term 5, our school community marked Mental Health Awareness Week. The theme of this year's awareness raising is 'moving for our mental health'. Students spent time with their tutors exploring how we can include more physical activity in our daily lives and what the benefits of doing so might be for our mental health.

We talked about the importance of exercising in nature for our wellbeing and reminded ourselves of the many opportunities there are at school to get active. Students were reminded of the ways they can access help with mental health or wellbeing if they are worried about themselves or a friend. The student leaders also used their time in Enrichment to look at all of the support on offer to at school so that they are able to signpost help to their peers. 

Mental Health Awareness Week is an opportune moment to remind all members of our school community that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and we must tell someone if we are worried that someone is experiencing poor mental health. 

Mrs Crocker, Assistant Headteacher

Congratulations to our Term 6 Millionaires;

• 7P1 Seth
• 7P1 Dom
• 7S Jake
• 7S Josh
• 7T Azumi
• 8S1 Marla
• 8S2 Omar
• 8T1 Ziggy
• 8T2 Ben

We celebrated with all our Millionaire readers at our annual pizza lunch party, acknowledging all the brilliant reading our students have done this year. 

Once again we had a fantastic group of students shadowing this national book award. We read and reviewed all eight titles, and on winning announcement day got together in the Library to watch the ceremony live (cake may have been involved too!) This year our group voting reflected the overall winners, which were;

Yoto Carnegies Medal for Writing - Joseph Coelho 'The Boy Lost in the Maze'. We loved this verse novel with a dual storyline, seamlessly weaving together a modern day search for a parent, and the ancient myth of Theseus and the Minotaur.

Shadower's Choice Award - Tia Fisher 'Crossing the Line'.  Another verse novel tackling the subject of a young person being drawn into county lines involvement that had us all gripped. All the shortlisted titles are available to borrow from the Library.

From September you'll find us at the very front of school, next to main reception.  We're in the process of moving everything over and getting set up at the moment, but should be fully open with our new streamlined look for the new school year.