RISE Up and Shine Congratulations and thanks are extended to our own Headteacher, Mrs Lewis-Dale. She was invited to be a guest speaker at Northumberland's Relationships and C.A.R.E. conference (Caring about Adversity, Resilience and Empowerment). She spoke passionately about the culture and climate of St Benet's, not only through our Catholic Ethos but our real passion to build relationships with all students and empower them to live out our mission, through faith, quest and

Quest The Y7/8 rugby team took on the challenge of a rugby league tournament, braving the elements and more experienced teams. However, they didn’t let any of that stand in their way. Captain Archie Minnock epitomised the team with his resilience and respect, on and off the pitch. Reo Wills was our top try scorer, storming through the opposition to collect 4 hard-earned tries. Henry Moore came agonisingly close to scoring, after running the length of the pitch, but was stoppe

RISE Up and Shine On 29th January, our U13 basketball team took part in their final central venue league evening at Blyth Academy, ably coached by Michael Elliott in Y13. In the first match, despite taking a 4-0 lead against Dr Tomlinson, we were pinned back to a 4-4 draw. We then played Blyth which we won 8-0, Dumebi Maduka had an excellent game scoring 6 of our points. In the final match, we lost to a well drilled Ponteland team. Overall an excellent performance by the tea

Faith Students commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day on Tuesday 27th January with collective worship, reflecting on the atrocities committed against marginalised groups and how this is relevant and important to modern day society. Year 9 students designed and decorated images of candles, writing prayers of hope, love, and compassion on them to be displayed on every classroom door in the school.

Quest The Year 9 students who received training from the Anne Frank Organisation have demonstrated exceptional leadership in guiding their peers through the exhibition. They have shown confidence under pressure and shared their extensive knowledge of Anne Frank’s life with clarity and insight. Students participating in the tours have commented on how engaging they found the experience and have expressed how impressed they were with their classmates’ professionalism and expert

Learning This week, 11X1 have been preparing for the unseen poetry element of their GCSE English Literature trial exam. The skills they started working on way back in Year 7 enabled them to interpret themes in some fantastic poems in class independently and with confidence. 'The Bereavement of the Lion-keeper' based on the death of the lion Marjan and the care given to him through the war in Afghanistan by his devoted keeper provoked some thoughtful responses. Simon Armitage'

Learning The Year 12 Book Club has voted for 'The Long Walk' by Richard Bachman (better known as Stephen King). This dystopian tale follows a group of teenage boys forced into a brutal endurance contest where slowing down means death and only one walker can survive to claim the prize. Described as tense, haunting, and starkly emotional, it’s a story where the boys quickly learn that the only way forward is one step at a time. and every step could be their last. A chilling exp

Quest The U13 girls football team played round 2 of the National Cup on Wednesday 21st January. They beat North Gosforth Academy 9-1, a very impressive result, and they continue on their winning streak! Being down 3 players, the girls demonstrated brilliant resilience, with a few of them playing out of their normal positions, and in some very wet/muddy conditions. Goal scorers were: Lucy Heatley (5), Erin McLoughlin (2), Mya Swann (1) and Niamh McCartney (1) Player of the mat

Quest On Tuesday, Year 12 Geographers were investigating Glacial features in Easedale Valley. This involved us walking through the stunning glacial valley and idenitfying and orientating landforms to piece together Glacial direction. They saw U shaped valleys, Roche Mountonnees, hanging valleys, corries, tarns, striations, hummocky morraines and miss fit streams. It was a Geographer's delight and our geographers practiced Geo locating, orientation, map work, field sketches an

Quest Our Year 12 Geographers on Monday had their first immersion into human field work data collection techniques. We were based in Keswick, Northern Lake District and pupils conducted land use mapping, mood mapping, questionnaires, re-photography, environmental quality surveys and a walkability survey. It was a busy day and the pupils grasped the opportunity to try all the methods provided with gusto. They were exceptional and a member of the public went out of their way t

RISE Up and Shine Twenty-six of our Year 9 and Year 12 students have completed training to guide their peers through the Anne Frank Exhibition, visiting the school for the next two weeks. On loan from the Anne Frank House Museum in Amsterdam, the exhibition explores Anne Frank’s life and the persecution of Jewish people during World War II. Selected from a large group of volunteers, students may apply to become ambassadors for the Anne Frank Foundation. As part of their prepa

Faith We celebrated the feast day of St Benet Biscop on Monday 12th January, dedicating the entire week to reflecting on his achievements and what we can learn from him. St Benet Biscop was a 7th-century English monk, scholar and traveller. He founded the monasteries of Wearmouth and Jarrow, bringing books, art and learning from across Europe. His love of education, faith and culture helped shape Christian learning in England for generations. On Monday afternoon, students too

RISE Up and Shine Students across the school have been donating food and toiletries to support the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our local communities this advent. We have been so overwhelmed by the generosity with our students in supporting both Bedlington and Cramlington food banks, that we decided to run the collection as a form class competition. Mr Jones’ form class (11P) came out on top with over 180 items donated by the 19 students in the form class. It has b

Quest On Wednesday 14th January, we welcomed our Year 9 students and their parents/carers to our Options Information Evening. The evening was very well attended and was well received by parents and students alike. We have been extremely impressed by the maturity shown by our Year 9 students during this process and we are confident that they will choose options which will give them a broad and balanced curriculum in Key Stage 4. A letter will be emailed to all parents/carers w

Quest Students in Year 8 have been making their own temporary magnets using iron nails and paper clips. They have been able to make stronger or weaker magnets and this has allowed them to answer specific exam questions regarding making their own compasses if stranded on a desert island. Great work Year 8!

Learning The Year 12 Geographers have been learning about the 'banana wars' and the role of countries, TNCs and the World Trade organisation in managing global trade. They took part in an international trade negotiation activity where different players had to present their views to the World Trade Organisation who were responsible for making a decision on the trade disagreement. This developed skills of oracy, debate and negotiation.

Learning A group of Year 12s are loving the work of Freida McFadden so much they have formed a reading club, and can be found snuggled into a corner of St Cuthbert's cafe enjoying her latest page turners. It is great to see them sharing their love of reading with each other.

Quest Our U13s boys' rugby team enjoyed a friendly tournament against Bede and Blyth Academy. In the first match, despite starting well, Bede Academy soon showed their dominance with some excellent running to take the first game. Tommy Howe did score a consolation try and there was some good runs by members of the team. The second match against Blyth Academy finished 2 - 2. Some excellent running notably by Reo Will, Ethan Naruma Tuiloma, Henry Moore. Great rucking by ca

RISE Up and Shine Last week the U15s travelled to QEHS to compete in the County Cup. SBB took the lead early on with a goal from Isaac M, QEHS equalised. SBB scored again through Isaac M. The match stayed very tight until the last 12 minutes. The very strong Hexham team scored a late flurry of goals and the game finished 5-2. Isaac M and Max B were awarded man of the match. Outstanding conduct and effort from all the boys.

Learning We met this week, and wow did John Steinbeck’s 'Of Mice and Men' give us plenty to talk about. Everyone agreed it was a powerful read. Steinbeck’s world felt like a tiny but vivid microcosm of society, packed with characters we connected with instantly - some we loved, some… not so much. We were especially struck by the insight it offers into Depression era America. The plot’s slow burn toward its shocking and tragic conclusion sparked some strong responses. We're ex