Dear Parents and Carers,
I really hope you're well and looking forward to the
Half Term break. As you might expect, Term 1 has
been very much about establishing effective routines
and expectations across the curriculum and ensuring
that all pupils are supported in being ready to learn,
whether they've started with us for the first time, like
those pupils in Year 7, beginning new GCSE studies,
as those in Year 10 have done, or, as in the case of
Year 11, continuing with studies in preparation for mock
examinations. Underpinning all of this of course, has
been our expectations of behaviour and uniform which
forms such an important foundation on which everything
else is built. Thank you for the support you give us in
this regard. Visitors to the school always comment on
the smartness and caring attitude of pupils and we've
had plenty of visitors over the past few weeks, not only
those looking for school places for September 2026, but
staff from local schools arriving for network meetings
and colleagues attending interviews.
I know many of you will have received news from Mr
Smith that he leaves us at the end of this term to take
up a SENCo role at a school in Hastings. We wish him
well and hope that he stays in touch. I'm delighted to be
able to share that our new SENCO, Mrs Katie Fowler,
currently SENCO at Hailsham Academy, will be starting
with us in January and I know that she will want to make
contact with families in preparation for her start in the
new year. In the interim, our SEND department will be
looked after by Mrs Britt, ably assisted by Mrs Tadros.
In addition to the many admission events and tours
we've held with an eye on next September, the school
has swung back into the busy rhythm that you'd expect.
We've been busy across the school establishing the
new leadership teams for the pupils in a variety of
areas, most notably as part of our Chaplaincy team and
we look forward to these roles developing as the year
progresses.
In terms of enrichment activities, we've already had the
Year 10 trip to France, the Caritas Leaders' Pilgrimage
to Arundel, a maths trip to Brighton and the Barcelona
trip, in addition to the plethora of sporting fixtures and
the Fine Art visit to Brighton University. The weeks have
flown past and we look forward with eager anticipation
to Term 2. October 1st also saw our conversion to
Academy status as a member of the BOSCO Catholic
Education Trust and it has been wonderful to welcome
colleagues from the Trust into school to show them
what St Richard's is all about. These relationships and
networks are already developing in a really pleasing
manner, for the benefit of our children and their
experiences at our school.
Have a wonderful holiday, everyone.
Paul Barber
Principal
Page 1
Newsletter 2 - October 2025
A High Performing Specialist Science School
October 2025
St. Richard’s Catholic College
Ashdown Road, Bexhill-On-Sea
East Sussex TN40 1SE
Tel: 01424 731070
Email: admin@strichardscc.com
www.strichardscc.com
Principal: P Barber, NPQH, NPQEL, FCCT, BA (Hons)
Newsletter 2
Dates for Term 2
Year 7 Mass of Induction
-
Thursday, 23rd October (6.30pm)
End of Term 1
-
Friday, 24th October at 3.10pm
First Day of Term 2
-
Monday, 3rd November
Year 11 Mocks begin
-
Monday, 3rd November
Year 12 Prize Evening
-
Thursday, 13th November (6.00pm)
Year 11 Mocks end
-
Friday, 14th November
Parental Group meeting
-
Thursday, 20th November - online (6.00pm-7.00pm)
PTFA Christmas Fayre
-
Saturday, 22nd November (12.00pm-3.30pm)
Grandparents’ Mass
-
Wednesday, 26th November (please note change of date)
Year 7 Settling In Parents’ Evening
-
Thursday, 27th November (4.00pm-7.00pm)
Christmas Dinner Day/MUFTI
-
Wednesday, 10th December
Advent Service for parents/carers
-
Thursday, 18th December (6.00pm)
End of Term 2 for pupils
-
Friday, 19th December at 1.10pm
Year 8 have got off to a great start, with pupils engaging in
their learning with enthusiasm and diligence. Many pupils are
busy engaging in the array of extra-curricular clubs during
lunch times and after school, which is great to see. Some
pupils have started to explore the different aspects of the
CREST award and I look forward to seeing them continue to
work towards this as we progress through the year.
Year 7 & 8 Disco
The disco this year was a phenomenal success. It was a
pleasure to be a part of this great event, seeing the pupils full
of such joy and celebration. The pupils were beaming with
smiles all evening and enjoyed the opportunity to dance, sing
and socialise with their friends. They were impeccable when
it came to clearing up at the end, with everybody working
together as a team. The evening ended with a very well
behaved walk through to the seafront for collection.
Homework and organisation
Year 8s see an increase in homework, with most subjects
setting around 45 minutes worth of homework once or
twice a week. Good work habits are important for long
term success and help to nurture independence, but pupils
need constant support in maintaining them. I would advise
parents/carers to monitor EduLink to ensure pupils are
staying on top of the tasks being set. It is vital that the pupils
start to develop these good habits now in order to develop
their abilities to cope with the increasing demands as they
near their GCSE studies. A reminder that prep club and prep
club plus offer all pupils the opportunity to access a quiet and
supported place for them to complete their homework.
I look forward to seeing the year group continue to prosper
as they engage in the excellent opportunities on offer this
year.
Pastoral Reports
Year 8
Year 7
Page 2
Newsletter 2 - October 2025
Mr Bligh, Pastoral Leader Year 7 (mrblighj@strichardscc.com)
Mrs Harker, Pastoral Leader Year 8 (mrsharkerh@strichardscc.com)
Year 9
Year 9 always brings challenges: an increase in workload
and just simply negotiating adolescence creates new
demands. So far, the majority of pupils have been meeting
these challenges with a resilience and maturity that is a
real credit to them. Please encourage your child to be
resourceful, look back over their work, only submit high
quality work and use any recommended resources. Please
also urge your child to engage with the extensive programme
of extracurricular activities offered at school, whilst helping
them to stay organised as they manage their workload.
Charity events and socials
Each form will engage in a charity fundraising activity this
year. Please have a conversation with your child and see
how creative they can be.
Social Media
Screen technology is often a minefield for parents and it
often impacts on the mental health of pupils. It is important
to note that nearly all social media providers require
users to be at least 13 years old. During PSHEe lessons,
assemblies, computing and form time we often discuss this
theme. However, as parents you can also help. The first and
probably the most important support you can give your child
is to have open conversations about what is happening to
them (and friends) online and monitor carefully their use of
technology. Setting ground rules, which include where they
can use devices, how long they use them for and the content
they access are essential. Quite simply, if you do not guide
them they will never have a chance to ‘switch off’! The best
tip I can give is to charge all devices downstairs so that there
is no temptation. If the device is on, you will be surprised at
how many notifications your child gets late at night.
As we reach the end of Term 1, I want to congratulate all
of the Year 7s for settling in so well to life at St Richard’s.
The first term has absolutely flown by and I am sure you
will agree that your son/ daughter has made a big step up
since September. Every week in assemblies, I present 3
tasks to enable children to truly flourish. They are; ‘be kind’,
‘give 100% to everything you do’ and ‘make a difference
to someone else’. Over the next couple of weeks I will be
completing pupil voice about their transition into Year 7 and
challenging them to tell me how they are doing this.
Year 7 should be a real balance between working hard and
having fun. A great example of this was at the PTFA disco.
The noise and excitement reached new levels this year and I
am delighted to announce that the PTFA raised £1387.49. A
big thank you to the PTFA and tutors who without them, the
night could not happen. Our next charity event is the annual
Reindeer Run for Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice
at the end of Term 2. More details will follow.
Open Evening was extremely busy again this year and the
number of Year 7s representing the school was awesome.
It is hard to believe that after such a short period of time we
had so many ambassadors for the school. A particular well
done goes to Arabella, Jasper, Ellis & Agiesh who spoke in
front of large audiences about their lives at St Richard’s so
far.
Thank you to everyone who has completed the Mass of
Induction invitation. I shall continue to share the invitation via
our regular pastoral emails.
Homework
I would encourage parents/carers to check ‘EduLink’ at
home. Homework expectations do increase in Year 9 and
some pupils may need encouragement to ensure that they
are organised, punctual and submitting their best efforts.
If you do not have access to your child’s EduLink account,
please contact IT services (ITServices@strichardscc.com)
to get your login details.
PSHEe
The PSHEe schedule next term will include careers
workshops and anti-bullying week. Should you require
further information, please do not hesitate to contact your
child’s form tutor or myself.
Thank you to all of Year 11 who acted as ambassadors for
the school on Open Evening. Their help was invaluable, and
they showed all our visitors what makes the school special.
A particular thanks to all of the Senior Prefects and Prefects
who acted as tour guides and helped with the parking of
cars. They were fantastic and were on the go all night. I am
sure they were exhausted by the end!
Well done to all of the Year 11s who have been attending
after school intervention. There has been a healthy
attendance of all subjects which should really help in
preparation for the upcoming mocks. On Monday 3rd
November, we began the first round of Year 11 Mocks. The
mock timetable can be found here. Pupils will need to be
in school by 8:30am and ready to line up for their mocks at
8:40am.
Please click here for a document with details of revision
guides available.
In terms of post-16 providers, so far we have had talks from
East Sussex College and Mayfield School, with Bexhill
College presenting later in October. I have sent details of all
the upcoming Open Evenings in the local area in my weekly
emails to help you plan your visits with your child.
All of Year 11 have now been sent their logins and passwords
for the East Sussex Sixth Form application site eprospectus.
The applications do not have to be completed until mid
December. Most of Year 11 have begun their personal
statements already, so they should be well on track to get
their applications done on time! If you have any questions,
please do not hesitate to contact me at:
mrsteelej@strichardscc.com.
Page 3
Newsletter 2 - October 2025
Mr Steele, Associate Assistant Principal,
and Pastoral Leader Year 11
mrsteelej@strichardscc.com
Year 10
Year 11
Mr R Doherty, Assistant Principal
and Pastoral Leader Year 10
mrdohertyr@strichardscc.com
Mrs Hills, Pastoral Leader Year 9
(mrshillsa@strichardscc.com)
Assemblies
This term, Year 10 have been learning about the
importance of good attendance, Safeguarding, who to turn
to when things get tough and the Saints behind the four
houses, Wells, Gwyn, Howard and Rigby. Next week we
will be looking at Work Experience.
House Point weekly leaderboard
The top 10 list of Year 10 who have currently been
awarded the most House Points are:
1st
Tilly
123 points
2nd
Larissa
115 points
3rd
James
114 points
4th
Tailynn
114 points
5th
Anna
106 points
6th
Leo
105 points
7th
Abbie
104 points
8th
Ellicia
104 points
9th
Christianne
103 points
10th
Isla
101 points
Events and leadership roles
Thanks to all of the Year 10 pupils who helped at Open
Evening last week. Thanks to all of the pupils who have also
stepped up as Transport Prefects - their help is invaluable.
I am now looking for some Year 10 pupils to step up and help
with the car-parking team for evening events at school this
year. This is for pupils who want to apply for leadership roles
later this year.
Extra-Curricular
Friday Football Club is always well attended and Year 10
pupils are welcome to participate or act as spectators. It is
always a well contested and high quality match.
The Year 10 boys football team had their first match of the
season last Thursday. The match was a home fixture against
Buckswood which they lost 3-1. There are lessons to be
learned for our next match.
Year 9 (contd)
Safeguarding and Emotional Wellbeing
Page 4
Newsletter 2 - October 2025
Pupil Leadership
This academic year, a number of pupils have been elected to represent
the school in various important roles. These positions give pupils the
opportunity to develop their leadership skills, have their voices heard, and
contribute to school life in meaningful ways.
Head Pupils
We are very proud to introduce our Head Boy, Head Girl, and Deputy
Heads. These pupils were voted for and selected for their leadership
qualities, commitment to the school, and positive attitude. They will
serve as ambassadors for the school and support both staff and pupils
throughout the year.
Head Boy: Jack
Deputy Head Boys: Thomas and Miguel
Head Girl: Isabel
Deputy Head Girls: Demelza and Kosi
School Council
Our School Council plays a key role in shaping the pupil experience, helping to
organise events, support school initiatives, and represent their peers. Pupils who
wished to be considered for a place on the council submitted written applications
and secured the support of two members of staff. Those elected were chosen
based on the strength of their applications and the qualities they demonstrated.
The first charity event we will be looking to run is in conjunction with Surviving
Christmas, a local organisation that supports individuals and families in need during
the festive season. We're looking forward to working together to make a positive
impact in our community. We would also like to congratulate our newly elected Form
Captains, Heads of House, Caritas Leaders, Career Ambassadors and Wellbeing
Ambassadors. Each of these roles plays a vital part in supporting the school
community- whether through leading house events, promoting charitable initiatives,
or championing pupil wellbeing. We look forward to seeing the positive contributions
they will make throughout the year.
Congratulations to the following
pupils who have been elected to the
School Council:
Year 7: Ophelia, Ramon, Antonio,
Ellis, Adelina, Alex, Annabel, Mofope
Year 8: Theo, Donnchadh, Stefan,
Ann, Grace, Erin, Ella, Danny
Year 9: Jozef, Rosme, Eunice,
Jacob, Ksenia, Luke, Charlie
Year 10: Oscar, Rowland,
Emmanuel, Oliwia, Christianne,
Bertie, Larissai, Alice
Year 11: Alna, Jessamy, Isabel,
Jack, Annika
Miss Lewis - School Council Lead
Support for Parents:
The Parenting Team offer a calendar of online and in person events for
families to access to help support young people and children. Please
use the QR code on this poster to explore this further.
The Me and My Mind Team are offering a “Lunch and Chat” online
session for parents to focus on secondary school children’s wellbeing
on Wednesday, 22nd October 1pm - 2.30pm.
This free 1.5 hour online session will include:
•
An introduction to anxiety and worry – what it is and how to
recognise when your child might need support.
•
Practical strategies and tools you can use at home to help your
child manage anxiety.
•
Time for discussion and reflection with other parents and carers,
supported by our team.
•
Signposting to further support and resources available locally and
online.
Pupils are able to access support in school. This can be by talking to a trusted teacher or a student listener. Some pupils may
benefit from more regular mentoring sessions with a staff member or dropping into The Hive to see our Pupil Wellbeing Lead
Mrs Sinfield, or the Chapel to see our Lay-Chaplain Jo Doyle. We also have a School counsellor who offers a confidential
listening service and Me and My Mind (Mental Health Support Team) who are able to offer short term packages of intervention
regarding low mood, anxiety, low self esteem, healthy eating and sleep hygiene. If you feel like your child needs some extra
support please discuss this with their form tutor or send an email to thehive@strichardscc.com.
Mrs Dann, DSL Lead
Page 5
Newsletter 2 - October 2025
Jo Doyle, Lay Chaplain - missdoylej@strichardscc.com
Chaplaincy
September and October have been busy months. Pupils,
parents and staff have got involved in the various aspects of
spiritual life at St. Richard’s with commitment and enthusiasm,
for which I am most grateful. Term 2 promises to be just as full.
CARITAS Leaders:
The Senior team had a morning of training and began
with working with Year 7 Caritas leaders to offer them
support in designing and creating their Spiritual display
board in their form rooms.
The Senior Team have settled into their groups -
Fairtrade/Charity/Performing Arts/Chapel and made
plans for what they wanted to achieve in these
leadership roles this year. We spent some time planning
the Spiritual Formation Day which we will be leading with
pupils from the Primary feeder schools. It was a very
productive morning with lots of planning. Some of our
Senior Caritas Team have taken on the responsibility of
Friday Morning Breakfast Prayer Club and are running
and leading the prayers for this…we have had a small
attendance numbers, but hopefully this will increase as
time goes on.
Secondary Pilgrimage
Due to illness I was unable to attend this year’s Secondary
pilgrimage. Thankfully Mr Campbell stepped in and
along with Mr Trimby took a small group of Senior Caritas
Leaders. This is his account of the event.
Deanery Catholic Schools Staff Mass
Our annual Mass for teachers who work in the Catholic Schools in our Deanery (soon to be Moderated Parish) was
held this term and we welcomed our colleagues from St Mary Magdalene Primary, St Thomas a Becket Primary, Sacred
Heart Primary and St Mary Star of the Sea Primary to celebrate Mass together to begin our school year. Fr Kevin Dring,
Moderator of our parish, led the celebration and offered a blessing on all our school staff and pupils for the year as our
school jumpers were placed before the altar. This was a lovely way to start our school year.
Every blessing for a restful half term and for the exciting prospect of Term 2!
"I am delighted to share details of our recent pilgrimage
to Arundel Cathedral for the annual Diocesan Secondary
Schools Pilgrimage. It was a truly special day where
our pupils joined others from across the diocese for a
meaningful experience centred on faith and community.
The theme of the day was Guardian Angels, which
inspired us as we took part in a 'walk of faith' around the
beautiful castle grounds. This reflective journey provided
an opportunity for the pupils to contemplate the role of
their own faith and the protection and guidance symbolised
by the Guardian Angels. The pilgrimage culminated in a
beautiful Mass inside the magnificent Arundel Cathedral.
Sharing in the Mass with so many other young people
was a powerful experience, reinforcing the sense of
belonging within our wider diocesan family. Our pupils
were exemplary in their conduct and participation, making
the school proud. They were excellent ambassadors of
the school. It was a memorable day of spiritual reflection,
communal worship, and strengthening our connection with
the diocese. We hope the pupils carry the reflections from
the day, particularly on the theme of their Guardian Angels,
with them as they continue their journey of faith."
Page 6
Newsletter 2 - October 2025
Mr Skilton, Subject Lead for Geography
Geography
Isle of Wight Residential
Term 6 saw another fantastic residential field-trip to the Isle
of Wight with 45 of our Year 10 pupils. Pupils learnt about
contrasting examples of coastal management in Portsmouth
and in the beautiful surroundings along the eastern coast of
the Isle of Wight. They also had an engaging talk by a fossil
expert, followed by a guided fossil hunt along the sandy
beach! The Year 10s then studied river processes in action
through a journey from near the source to the mouth of the
River Medina - great preparation for the first topic of Year
11. On Sunday, pupils put down their clipboards and took to
a variety of PGL activities including the giant swing, Jacob’s
Ladder, archery and axe throwing!
A very warm welcome back to all pupils, and a special
welcome to our new Year 7s. The department has been
thoroughly impressed with the strong start you have all made in
Geography so far this year.
Year 11 GCSE results
Congratulations to our Year 11 cohort of 2023-25 for
their absolutely wonderful GCSE results, which are
significantly above county and national levels. The results
are a testament to their hard work, perseverance, and an
awful lot of revision! We are so proud of all our pupils and
wish them all the best in their future adventures.
Green Team
Green Team runs every Thursday lunchtime from
12:50-1:20 in A10 with Mr Skilton. This is an exciting
opportunity for pupils who are passionate about the
environment to take positive action. The Green Team
members spend lots of time discussing environmental
issues, participating in charity events, coordinating inter-
form competitions, and taking a leading role in ensuring
St Richard’s is as sustainable as it can be. Year 7 are
very welcome to join our Green Team, made up of
enthusiastic pupils from all year groups. If you would like
to take on a leadership role in this club, and are in Year
9 or above, please see Mr Skilton for more information.
Sustainability tip: Take control of energy vampires.
Many of your electronics - like phone
chargers, TV screens, and gaming consoles
- still draw power even when they're turned
off. These are called "phantom loads" or
"energy vampires." Get into the habit of
switching them off completely.
This small action reduces wasted electricity, cutting down
on the greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, and
is an easy way to help save money on your electricity bills.
SEND
(Special Educational Needs
and Disabilities)
With the imminent departure of Mr Smith, SENCo, a new SENCo
has been appointed for January 2026, and in the interim the
SEND team will ensure continuity of support for all our pupils.
Please use the send@strichardscc.com email account, which
is checked daily by Mrs Britt (Deputy SENCo) who will ensure
your message is directed to the right person. If you have
any immediate concerns regarding your child's needs during
this transitional period, please do not hesitate to contact the
department.
Amaze parent workshops in Nov/Dec 2025
Amaze is a SEND parent carer group that runs monthly at
The Pelham in Bexhill. The group is for parents and carers
of children and young people with SEND aged 0 - 25 years,
providing much needed peer support for parent carers, and
the opportunity to meet other parent carers, share experiences
and knowledge and feel supported in their journey. For more
information, please see Amaze’s Events page here.
SEND Clubs
Lunch Clubs:
Our lunchtime club runs daily as a quieter space for
pupils to eat their lunch, have a chat and play games
during their lunch break. There is a room available daily
for Years 7 and 8, and a separate room for Years 9, 10
and 11. Please see the timetable on the SEN Office door.
Other lunchtime clubs and activities, which are available
to all year group, and are warmly encouraged for all
pupils.
Prep Club and Prep Club Plus:
At St. Richard’s we offer two after school homework
clubs:
•
Prep Club: with Ms Hubbard, B.ICT from 3:30pm
– 5pm (Monday – Thursdays) / 3:30pm – 4:15pm
(Friday): Prep Club is available to all pupils as
a supervised space where pupils can access
computers to complete their homework at the end of
the school day.
•
Prep Club Plus: with Miss Cronin & members
of the SEND team, C.ICT from 3:25pm – 4:25pm
(Monday – Thursday): for SEN pupils who benefit
from additional support to complete their homework,
supported by our team of Teaching Assistants/LSAs.
Further reading
•
The most recent (Sep/Oct) issue of the free SEN Magazine
can be found here:
•
Article from SecEd on proposed changes to law around
SEN in the new SEN White Paper.
With very best wishes.
Mr Smith and all the SEND team
MFL
Page 7
Newsletter 2 - October 2025
The academic year is now well underway. It is wonderful
to see our pupils fully engaged in lessons, settling into
good study habits and embracing all the activities that
are on offer. We have recently celebrated The European
Day of Languages. In 2025, the theme, “Languages open
hearts and minds” highlights the power of languages to
connect us, inspire new ideas and broaden horizons.
Pupils were able to complete a Languages quiz in form
time and create posters to reflect the theme. Click here to
see a small selection.
GCSE Exam Results
A huge congratulations from the whole of the MFL team to last
year’s Year 11 and their families. We are delighted to share
our school’s results and the national averages for all three
languages.
St Richard’s MFL GCSE Exam Results 2025
French 100% Grades 4 - 9 47% Grades 7 - 9
German 100% Grades 4 - 9 76% Grades 7 - 9
Spanish 100% Grades 4 - 9 69% Grades 7 - 9
National Average MFL GCSE Results 2025 (JCQ Statistics)
French 73% Grades 4-9 30% Grades 7 - 9
German 80% Grades 4-9 34% Grades 7 - 9
Spanish 71% Grades 4-9 27% Grades 7 - 9
Trips
Pupils in Year 10 at St Richard’s are eligible to go on a
residential trip to France, Germany and Spain. Currently,
final preparations for the Spanish trip to Barcelona on the
15th October are well underway. Year 10 German pupils
are also looking forward to visiting Christmas markets in
December and our Year 10 French pupils have just returned
from France.
French Trip to the Auvergne region
On the 18th September, 31 pupils and 5 members of staff set off
for a four day trip to the Auvergne region. This was St Richard’s
very first visit to the area with the aim of not only building on the
link that has been established with our partner school, St Joseph
in Saint Flour, but also to enjoy a rich and varied programme of
activities over four days.
Day 1: Highlights on the outward journey included an afternoon
visit to Château Chambord in the Loire valley where pupils were
able to enjoy exploring the vast interior of the castle and discover
more about its history after enjoying a picnic in its stunning
grounds in very warm weather.
Day 2: Our pupils spent a very special day meeting and getting
to know their French penpals at our partner school in Saint Flour.
It was a truly magical day with pupils taking part in language
lessons, enjoying a picnic lunch together, completing a walk
in the mountains at Prat de Bouc and playing pétanque and
handball back at the school, before enjoying a typical meal from
the region called ‘La truffade’ with our French friends. It felt sad
to leave the school just as new friendships were forming but it
was amazing to see our pupils so engaged in communicating
with their penpals.
Day 3: Day three was spent exploring the city of Clermont-
Ferrand and the surrounding areas. Pupils enjoyed a journey on
the cog railway up to Puy de Dôme and learnt more about the
history of volcanoes from our tour guide as we walked around
the site. Afterwards, pupils completed a picnic challenge at a
local market in groups before enjoying a picnic lunch and a visit
to the Michelin museum which is based in Clermont-Ferrand.
Pupils were able to find out more about this important and
innovative local employer. Finally, we headed to the city centre
to enjoy a beautiful mass at the Saint-Pierre-les-Minimes church
and some shopping time around La Place de Jaude.
Day 4: On the way back home we stopped off in the beautiful city
of Orléans where we were able to visit the cathedral and enjoy a
time of quiet reflection and prayer before eating lunch by the statue
of Jean of Arc. Our coach drivers also very kindly treated us to a
tour of Paris before returning to Bexhill.
In other news, we welcome Mrs Harringman
to the MFL department. Mrs Harringman
will teach French and be a Year 9 Form
Tutor. We are very much looking forward
to working with her. In our interview we
find out more about her language learning
background and other interests. Please
click here to read the interview.
Which aspect of the trip did you enjoy the
most and why?
Page 8
Newsletter 2 - October 2025
“My highlight was that I knew more French than I thought I did and I
could communicate pretty well.” (Maja)
“Meeting our penpals.”(Akkish)
“I enjoyed going to the French school as it meant I was able to use
my French skills to connect with other pupils and made friendships. I
also enjoyed going shopping and the market challenge as I was able
to try French cuisine and use my French when ordering things.” (Nia)
And finally, a huge thank you to our language ambassadors across all years who helped to support the smooth running
of Open Evening on the 1st October. It was a real joy to see them leading so many activities and welcoming so many
visitors on their voyage around Europe.
Miss Tester, Teacher of MFL
“The visit with the French pupils because I had
a chance to practise my French speaking for the
whole day, I got along with all of the students really
well.” (Edith)
“I very much enjoyed seeing the French culture
and being able to speak to actual French people.”
(Julia)
What was the highlight of the trip for you?
Maths
As we come towards the end of Term 1, myself and the
maths department would like to pass on how proud we are
of the vast majority of pupils who are working extremely
hard both in maths lessons and in their independent
studies at home. Year 7 pupils are now in sets and all
pupils are following the same scheme of work but focusing
on different areas depending on the prior knowledge of
each class. Year 7 and 8 pupils will take assessments on a
frequent basis, but with a delay after learning the content
to reinforce longer term retention and understanding. Year
9 pupils have now started the challenging but rewarding
GCSE course which culminates with their examinations
in Year 11. All Year 9 pupils will sit the same first four
assessments this year, and so some pupils in lower sets
may have scores that appear low but still show good
understanding of topics covered.
All revision resources are also available to purchase on
ParentPay for all year groups. Pupils who are eligible for
Pupil Premium may be entitled to revision resources at no
cost. Please contact Mr Clark at mrclarkj@strichardscc.
com, or your child’s class teacher.
In January and April respectively, we will have the Junior
and Intermediate Maths Challenges for our highest sets
from Years 7 to 11. All pupils taking part will receive a
certificate based on their level of achievement, and any
pupils achieving the very highest scores may be eligible
for follow-on rounds. The UKMT Maths Challenges are an
excellent opportunity for strong mathematicians to stretch
and challenge themselves with demanding yet rewarding
questions.
Puzzles (solutions on page 13)
Place each domino tile into the
grid to the right, so that it follows
the restrictions stated.
Suguru
The aim is to fill each section with
the correct amount of numbers.
Each block that contains 2 squares
must contain a 1 and a 2. A block
of 5 with the numbers 1 to 5, and
so on. It is vitally important is that
each number is never adjacent
(next to) to the same number,
including diagonals!
Mr Clark, Key Stage 3 Co-ordinator for Maths
Art
Well done to Frederick for winning the highly prestigious
‘Wonderfully Surreal Art Competition’ and Scarlett for her highly
commended entry. Their work was exhibited at the Atrium Gallery,
Newhaven. Our Year 10 GCSE Art classes enjoyed a really
successful day at Brighton University, where they took part in six
workshops run by the PGCE Art pupils. All our pupils are now
really engaged in their sketchbook work and there have been some
beautiful results already. We have included some examples of the
fabulous artwork and will share more in the next newsletter. Please
do have a look at our pupils’ wonderful artwork on the St Richard’s
Art Department website here. Thank you and keep creating!
Mr Peachment (Subject Leader) and Mrs Stanford
Page 9
Newsletter 2 - October 2025
Drama
It has been an exciting start to the new academic year!
Firstly, a massive congratulations to our Year 11 cohort who
completed their internal practical assessment on September
29th. The performances were fantastic and they should be
very proud! We are also immensely proud of the pupils who
assisted with Open Evening. It was a fantastic night and
they were a perfect representation of the school. Coming
up, we have both the Year 7 Mass of Induction and the
Grandparents’ Mass, both of which will include performances
by the Year 7 Drama Club and St Richard’s Theatre
Company. They are looking to be wonderful performances!
LAMDA will be starting in Term 2 and we are so excited to
see our pupils thrive and perform!
On Wednesday, 22nd October we will be taking our Year
11s to see Lion King: The Musical. We are really excited to
be able to offer this opportunity to our pupils, and take them
to see a highly rated Westend performance. It promises
to be a fantastic musical with amazing costume, set and
lighting.
Miss Jefferies, Teacher of Drama
Dance
Page 10
Newsletter 2 - October 2025
Mrs Knight - Teacher of Dance
The Dance Department had an exciting first term! Auditions are complete and the dance
companies are in full rehearsal flow. We're especially thrilled to have the Boys’ Dance
Company back, and all our dancers have been working hard in their lessons. Here's a
glimpse of what's been happening in the department this term.
Dance Company Auditions
Congratulations to everyone who successfully
auditioned for the Dance Company! What a fantastic
turn out. A special thank you to our Year 11 dance
captains, Chloe, Eliza, Lottie, Hazel, Tia, Annika and the
Dance Company for running such a fantastic audition
process. For those who weren't successful this time,
please don't be discouraged! We truly appreciate your
hard work and encourage you to audition again next
year. In the meantime, we hope you'll explore other
performing arts clubs the department offers, such as
Choir, Orchestra, or Drama club.
Journey's End We're excited to announce a new and
exciting collaborative project for KS3 boys, uniting the
worlds of History and Dance! This term, pupils will explore
the First World War through Dance and Drama with R.C.
Sherriff's classic play, "Journey's End," and a choreographic
piece inspired by BalletBoyz's acclaimed show, "Young
Men". This is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to delve
into a significant historical period through a creative and
expressive lens. Rehearsals will be held after school on
Wednesdays with Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Knight, and will
lead to a performance later in the year.
Boys’ Dance Company: A New Project with Sadler's
Wells! Our Boys’ Dance Company has had an exciting
start to the term, diving into a new project with Sadler’s
Wells as part of their "Make a Move" initiative. The boys
are currently working with dance company Thick and Tight
to develop a brand new piece. Rehearsals are in full swing
as they explore new ideas and get a taste of a professional
choreographic process. The Boys’ Dance Company meets
every Friday after school. We’re always looking for new
members to join this fantastic team, so if you're a boy who
loves to dance or wants to try something new, come along!
A huge round of applause to Lucia
on her successful audition for the
Emil Dale Associate Programme.
This is a brilliant achievement and
a testament to her dedication and
talent. The Emil Dale Academy is
renowned for its high-quality training
in musical theatre, and we are
incredibly proud that Lucia will be
part of their associate program.
Costume Donation: I am sure you can imagine that the cost of costumes incurs a significant expense for the dance
department. Therefore, if you are able to make a donation of £20 towards the costumes, it really would be greatly
appreciated. Costume donations can be made through the school shop here.
History & Dance Collaboration
This is a fantastic step in her journey, and we can't wait to
see her grow and thrive as a performer. Congratulations,
Lucia, we are all cheering you on!
St Richard’s Pupils taking part in South Coast Ballet
production of The Nutcracker
South Coast Ballet will be performing "The Nutcracker" at the
Congress Theatre in Eastbourne on Sunday, December 7th,
2025.
The production brings together a cast of young dancers from
across East and West Sussex. St Richard’s pupils will also
be talking with the staff and creating set and props for this
enchanting production. This community production provides
performance opportunities for pupils from various schools.
Tickets are available here.
Music
Page 11
Newsletter 2 - October 2025
Mrs Potter, Teacher of Music
RE
Our Year 11 leavers performed outstandingly in
the summer exams. As a department, we are
extremely proud of them and all the hard work,
effort and perseverance they put into their RE
exams. The RE GCSE results were 82% grade
9-4, with 51% achieving a 9, 8 or 7 grade!!!
These fantastic results will inspire and motivate
our current Year 11s to achieve amazing results
next year.
We welcome Mrs Akrasi to the RE department.
It is wonderful to have Mrs Akrasi back at St
Richard’s and we are very privileged to have
her in the RE department.
Year 7 pupils are currently working on a topic
called “Creation and Covenant.” In this topic
they will have learnt about the Bible, Genesis,
Creation, Stewardship and prayer.
Year 8 pupils also started the year on a
topic called “Creation and Covenant.” This
work builds on the learning from Year 7.
They have learnt about the Fall, conscience,
rules and baptism.
Year 9 pupils have also been learning about
“Creation and Covenant" too. They have
learnt about some key medical issues such as
abortion, euthanasia and IVF as well as other
areas like the sanctity of life and marriage.
Year 10 pupils have started their RE GCSE
course. This course will cover three core
parts. The first part is from the Catholic paper
and the topic is called Catholic beliefs. They
have learnt about the trinity, creation and life
after death. This is a great opportunity to revisit
some of the work they have learnt in KS3 but in
more depth.
Year 11 pupils have now
completed 75% of their
GCSE course. They have
just finished a topic called
"Arguments for God’s
existence.”
In this unit, pupils have put forward arguments
for and against God existing. They are currently
working towards their mock exams.
Mrs Mead, Subject Lead for RE
Extra-Curricular timetable
Achievements
Congratulations to those pupils who
performed and supported the music dept
during Open Evening. The choir sang
beautifully for prospective pupils and
families and the orchestra had a successful
open rehearsal during the evening.
One of our Year 9 musicians was invited
to sing with the Gorillaz during the
summer - what an achievement! See the
performance here.
Upcoming Events
Year 7s are busily preparing for the Induction Mass on Thursday,
23rd October 2025. We look forward to seeing parents/carers there.
Westminster Choir and the De La Warr Choir are preparing for some
exciting performances. We have some beautiful repertoire to share with
you. Anybody is welcome to Westminster Cathedral on 9th December at
6.30pm. No tickets required. Mrs Byrne will send out more details soon.
Christmas Concert
Please book your tickets for the Christmas
concert on Saturday, 29th November at
3pm with Polo Piatti and the St Richard’s
Choir. Tickets available from the De La Warr
website here.
Instrumental lessons
Don’t forget to sign up for
instrumental or vocal lessons
using the link here.
For more information, please
contact Mrs Byrne at
mrsbyrner@strichardscc.com.
Page 12
Newsletter 2 - October 2025
Science
I would like to congratulate the majority of pupils on
their positive start to science this academic year. You
are approaching all aspects of science with enthusiasm
and maturity, which is great to see.
GCSE Success:
Congratulations to the current Year 12 pupils on your science
GCSE results. 100% of pupils taking triple science (Biology,
Chemistry and Physics) achieved grades 6-9. For the combined
science 78% of pupils achieved grades 9-4. We are incredibly
proud of the year groups and I am sure they will be very successful
in the future.
Clubs
Club
When?
Who is it
open to?
What is the club about?
Young Investigators
Monday - Lab 4
12.45–1.15pm
Years
7, 8 & 9
See below
Science Drop-in
Monday
3.10-4pm, Lab 5
All Years
Need help with a tricky topic in class? Finding your homework too difficult?
Just need a space to revise with a teacher to help?
Crest Discovery Club
Wednesday
3.10-4pm, Lab 7
Year 7
The CREST Discovery Club Witchcraft and Wizardry program uses the
theme of magic to teach STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Maths). We complete hands-on activities, based in chemistry, physics,
and biology, to show how real-world science explains fantastical effects,
working toward a CREST Discovery Award.
KS4 Science Drop-in
Wednesday
3.10-4pm, Lab 1
Years
10 & 11
Need help with a tricky topic in class? Finding your homework too difficult?
Just need a space to revise with a teacher to help?
Electronics Club
Friday 3.10 – 4.45pm
Lab 4
Invitation only due to
limited numbers that can be
supported. Please see Mr
Curtis If you are interested.
Build electronic soldering kits such as clocks, radios, calculators,
Christmas decorations etc.
Mrs Adams - Subject Leader for Science
Young investigators
Young investigators is a Key stage 3 lunchtime science club, which
gives pupils the opportunity to do different hands-on experiments each
week. This year, the club is running on a Monday lunchtime in Lab 4
from 12.45 until 1.10pm with Mrs Fox. The club focuses on practical
experiments and using science laboratory equipment. This term, pupils
have been carrying out chemical reactions to generate carbon dioxide
and using the carbon dioxide to extinguish a candle flame, working out
how to get an egg through the neck of a bottle and creating a density
stack in a test tube using salt water of different densities.
Achievement points are awarded each week to all pupils who attend.
Why not come along and give it a try? Details are available from Mrs
Fox in the Science department.
Year 7 Upcoming Science trip - Herstmonceux Observatory and
Science Centre telescope tour and supper evening
This is a very enjoyable after school evening visit. Pupils tour the telescopes and
observe skies (weather permitting). They find out about the history of the Science
centre, explore hands-on experiments and even enjoy a virtual tour of the solar system in
the planetarium. Pupils also enjoy a jacket potato supper in the Science Centre canteen.
The trip supports the Space topic work which pupils cover in science. A letter will be sent
home via EduLink containing all trip details.
Our very popular Year 7 trip to Herstmonceux Observatory and
Science Centre will be taking place again this year. The dates for the
trip are:
•
Year 7 FLOU evening on Tuesday 11th November
•
Year 7 RISH evening on Tuesday 2nd December
Page 13
Newsletter 2 - October 2025
The Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award
has now been launched for Year 9 pupils and Year
10 pupils respectively. An email with the information
regarding prices, dates and what the award involves
has been sent out to all parents/carers. Enrolment
for both Bronze and Silver closes on Friday, 31st
October.
If you have not received an email or have any
questions, please contact Miss Coelho on
misscoelhor@strichardscc.com
Maths puzzle solutions from page 8
PE
Swimming
We were able to enter both a boys team and a girls team
into the Sussex Schools swimming gala, held in Horsham.
Our pupils swam valiantly against some tough competition,
containing a considerable number of private schools. We
are proud to announce that both our girls and boys teams
medalled.
Football
The boys football season has now started. All year
groups have matches lined up this term and their
competitions will continue to run until the end of Term
4. We look forward to reporting back and sharing more
of their progress in the next newsletter. The Year 7
boys played their first match for St Richard’s against
Ark Academy. It was a great team performance.
The boys made a potentially difficult fixture seem
comfortable in a 4-1 win against a strong Ark team.
Credit should go to the whole squad for their efforts.
PE clubs
It has been great to see high levels of attendance at PE clubs this term. Please keep an eye out for the new PE clubs
timetable coming out in Term 2. The current PE clubs timetable can be seen here.
Mr Dallaway, Subject Leader of PE
Particular mentions go to Dom (Year 8), who is not part of
a competitive swim club, for his courage and willingness in
stepping in to help his fellow schoolmates complete a team.
He achieved an excellent time. Talan (Year 8) bravely fought
on, despite a sore injury and achieved an impressive time
too. In fact there were good PB’s all around and the teams
were extremely supportive towards each other, showing great
sportsmanship. Both Indira and Zalina, who have only just
joined Year 7, should also pride themselves on attending such
an important event with confidence and sporting spirit. They
were integral to the success of the teams.
•
Out of the 21 schools in Sussex, the girls placed an
amazing first on both races.
•
Out of the 17 schools in Sussex, the boys placed third
in both races, narrowly missing out on silver by 0.3 of a
second.
Girls Rugby Success
Frankie, in Year 10, is a local club Rugby player
who recently attended trials for the England Rugby
PDG (Player Development Group) Foundation
Phase Sussex Programme - a highly competitive
development pathway - and we are delighted to
announce that Frankie has secured a place on the
programme. Nancy, in Year 11, also continues on her
journey in the England Rugby PDG pathway for Kent.
This is Nancy's second year with the U16s and she is
hoping to continue playing at a high level at Hartpury
College next year.
We wish Frankie and Nancy all the very best and
look forward to sharing their future successes as they
continue to excel in their sport.
Messages
Message from the PTFA
Page 14
Newsletter 2 - October 2025
Message from the Chair of Governors
We’re pleased to say that St Richard’s has had a
fantastic start to the new school year. The enthusiasm
from both pupils and staff has been brilliant, and we’re
excited about what’s to come.
This term also marks an important moment as we
officially joined the BOSCO Trust on 1st October.
We’re proud to be part of a wider community that
shares our values and aims. A big thank you to Dave
Carter, CEO of the BOSCO Trust, for making us feel
so welcome and supported.
As we begin this new chapter, we’re inspired by the
words of Pope Leo XIV:
“Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and
among ourselves, we will go forward.”
We’d love for you to stay involved - whether it’s
joining us at upcoming events, supporting your child’s
learning, or sharing your thoughts with us. Your
involvement makes a real difference.
Thank you for your continued support. We’re looking
forward to a year full of growth, learning, and shared
success.
Kirsty Eydmann,
Chair of Governors
Dear Parents, Carers and Friends of St Richard’s,
As we step into October, the PTFA would like to thank
everyone for their amazing support so far this term. We’re
delighted to share that the recent Year 7 & 8 Disco was
a fantastic success - the pupils had a great evening, and
together we raised over £1,300 for the school! Your continued
support, whether through volunteering, donating, or simply
joining in at events, makes such a big difference to our school
community - thank you. We’re now looking ahead to an
exciting few weeks with several special events coming up:
•
Grandparents’ Mass – a wonderful celebration with our
extended school family.
•
Year 12 Prize Giving – recognising the hard work and
achievements of our senior pupils.
•
Christmas Fayre – one of the highlights of the year, and
we’d love your help to make it a success!
If you would like to join us and help in any way - through
donations, raffle prizes or volunteering - we would really
appreciate it!
Please contact: Helen (PTFA Chair) – 07855 40902
Rachel (Treasurer) – 07855 225419
We apologise if you have already shared your details and
we haven’t yet been in touch - we truly value everyone’s
willingness to help. We’re looking forward to getting more
parents and friends involved so that, together, we can continue
to help our already fantastic school thrive.
With warm regards, The PTFA Team