Hope was the focus when students from a BBCET school took part in a spiritual retreat at Ampleforth Abbey. Fifteen Year 11 students from St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School spent three days at Ampleforth, where they reflected on the theme ‘Journey of Hope’ with the help and guidance of Father Bede. “The aim of the retreat was to give pupils an opportunity to step away from the pressure of exam preparation, and to reflect on what hope looks like in their lives – where it comes

St Charles’ Catholic Primary School in Gosforth is celebrating a remarkable achievement after being named the Northeast’s Primary School of the Year for a second successive time by the prestigious Sunday Times Parent Power Guide. St Charles’ ranked among the highest-achieving schools in the 33rd edition of the guide, which was released on Friday 5 December, and is widely regarded as the most authoritative survey of the country’s top schools. The school also reached 20th place

Cryptic clues and puzzling pictures were the order of the day, when students at a BBCET school were tasked with creating a Christmas card for the Government Communications Headquarters, GCHQ. All age groups at Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Newcastle were invited to take part in the GCHQ Christmas Card Competition, which was overseen by Head of Computer Science Dale Stapleton, along with Computer Science Teachers Hannah Lunn and Sophie Coldwell. “They had to design a cr

It was ‘crunch time’ – but all in a good cause – when children at St Mark’s Catholic Primary took part in a special charity event. Pupils from Nursery to Year 6 were involved in the Giant Domino Cereal Box Challenge, which was spearheaded by the school’s ‘Mini Vinnies’ charity fundraising team, with the boxes of cereal later donated to the West End Foodbank. “We have 20 Mini Vinnies in Years 5 and 6,” explained Deputy Headteacher Melanie Henderson. “The Mini Vinnies wrote

Byker was placed very firmly on the map, when budding artists from a BBCET school in the area took part in a particularly imaginative charity event. Ninety children from St Lawrence’s Catholic Primary put their creative skills to the test, when they joined a professional artist for ‘The Big Draw’ at the Lighthouse Project. Run by the charity of the same name, the event champions drawing and creativity as a way to bring people together, with a flagship festival taking place th

Lovers of musical theatre were in for a treat, when Hollywood came to Bedlington for a BBCET school’s colourful performance of a classic Broadway show. The talented students at Benet Biscop Catholic Academy staged their own production of Rock of Ages, which tells the story of star-crossed lovers against the backdrop of a bar on Sunset Strip, all set to iconic eighties rock songs from bands such as Bon Jovi, Twisted Sister, Poison, and Europe. Seventy students from Years 7 to

There was a warm welcome from staff and children at a BBCET school on Wednesday 26 November, when they played host to a very special guest. The Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, Stephen Wright, spent a morning at St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary in Walbottle, where he met all 173 pupils, as well as staff members, governors, and representatives of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust. He also blessed construction work that had recently taken place within the school building,

It was an out-of-this-world experience, when children from a BBCET school visited STEMFest at the Newcastle Eagles Arena for a celebration of all things Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. As well as learning about STEM subjects and future career options, the Year 6 pupils from St Oswald’s Catholic Primary in Gosforth enjoyed interactive exhibits and hands-on activities – including a virtual trip into space. “The visit began with an amazing planetarium session,

Young singers came together to showcase their talents when children from two BBCET schools joined others from across the city for a special event at Newcastle Cathedral on Tuesday 18 November. Seventeen Year 4 and 5 pupils from St Lawrence’s Catholic Primary took part in the Winter Choirs Celebration, which was organised by Newcastle Music Service. “We were invited to take part, along with five other schools, because we subscribe to the Music Service,” said Head of School, Ch

Kayaking, caving, orienteering, and even cold-water swimming were on the agenda when intrepid pupils from a BBCET school visited High Borrans for a week of outdoor adventures. The 30 children from Years 5 and 6 at St Columba’s Catholic Primary in Wallsend also took part in hillwalking, rope courses, and ghyll scrambling, while evening activities included games, a quiz, a movie night, and a campfire, complete with toasted marshmallows. “Highlights were kayaking, caving, and gh

Magical storytelling and shadow puppetry were just two of the attractions on offer when children from a BBCET school enjoyed a special interactive event at the Lighthouse Project. The pupils from St Lawrence’s Catholic Primary were put through their creative paces by artist Kate Eccles at the workshop, which focused on exploring ‘space, light, and shadow’, as part of a community engagement programme taking place across Newcastle ahead of the Enchanted City Winter Festival. In

Support and kindness were the watchwords when students at a BBCET school in Bedlington came together to mark both Anti-Bullying Week and World Kindness Day. Sixth formers at St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy led the drive to promote emotional wellbeing at the school, organising a lunchtime polling station where students of all year groups were invited to respond anonymously to the statement: ‘I know who I can talk to in school about my worries or concerns.’ “With options rangi

As Winter looms, pupils at a BBCET school have been spreading some cheer in the community through a series of caring campaigns. Youngsters at St Marks’ Catholic Primary have been working to combat a range of problems from hunger to the cold weather, as well as hosting a charity fundraiser. Led by the school’s Mini Vinnies charity campaigners, St Mark’s annual Coat Drive saw 300 winter coats collected for those in need this year, substantially topping last year’s figure of 200

Playtime has had a makeover at one BBCET school, where the children can now enjoy a range of zoned outdoor activities designed to stimulate creativity, teamwork, and active play. The Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) provision has been introduced at St Alban’s Catholic Primary by Headteacher Ciara Yeoman, with all age groups enjoying the new facilities. “OPAL is a brand-new venture for St Alban’s this academic year, and we are in the early stages of implementation – but we’ve

Happy talk was the order of the day when a BBCET school invited parents and carers to join their children for a special speech and language event on Wednesday 15 October. The Language Link Workshop at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary in Newcastle was open to Early Years First Stage (EYFS) pupils and their families, and was led by Gemma East, a Speech and Language Specialist and Therapist assigned by the Trust. “Parents who attended had a 20-minute workshop about understanding

School went with a swing, when children in Walbottle were treated to a live, musical performance from a visiting band. Pupils from Years 1 to 6 at St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary were entertained by the members of Prudhoe Community Band, which included Bev Bookless, who is Chair of Governors at the school. “They performed a Musical Showcase, involving songs from Wicked and pop songs,” said Marni Ellis, Music Co-ordinator at St Cuthbert’s. “The children also had opportunities t

Harry Potter met Sherlock Holmes, when staff and pupils at a BBCET school in Gosforth rose to the occasion for Book Character Day. The colourful event at St Oswald’s Catholic Primary took place as part of Book Week, which has become a regular fixture in the school’s calendar. “Children came to school dressed as their favourite book characters, bringing stories to life in a burst of colour and creativity,” said Deputy Headteacher and English Lead Katie Morris, who helped organ

There was an outbreak of spots at a BBCET school – but it was all for the best of causes. Pupils at St Mark’s Catholic Primary arrived at the school gates sporting an array of spotty outfits and accessories, as well as some furry Pudsey and Blush teddy-bear ears, for this year’s Children in Need appeal. The whole school, from Nursery to Year 6, took part in the fundraiser, along with members of staff, who also spent the day wearing spots. St Mark’s was hoping to raise £300 fo

There were tasty treats on offer when pupils at a BBCET school held their own fundraiser in support of this year’s Children in Need appeal. All year groups at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary in Newcastle took part in the charity bake sale, which was organised by the children on the School Council, with the help of Reception Teacher and School Council Lead Melissa Calvert. “The school councillors met with me before the event took place to discuss ideas as to how they could rai

There were beneficiaries close to home when staff and pupils at a BBCET school in Newcastle took part in this year’s Children in Need appeal. As well as holding various fundraising challenges to support the initiative, St John Vianney Catholic Primary wanted to provide help to those in need in the neighbouring community. “The link to the Children in Need fundraising website was sent out to parents, but this year we tried something different too,” explained Year 6 Teacher Judi