In this season of Lent we are preparing for Easter by providing all students with the opportunity to attend the sacrament of reconciliation here in school. My thanks go to our local parish priests and our chaplain who are facilitating this. We will also be holding Easter assemblies during Holy Week. I trust this will provide all students with a sound preparation for Easter.

The school had an important visitor last week, Sarah Hohler the Kent Cabinet Minister for Education, spent a morning with us talking to students and staff. I know she was impressed with what she saw.

We hosted an ICT control day here last week; half a dozen local primary school sent students to us to learn about how computers are used for control. A very enjoyable day was had by all involved, lots of fun activities kept everyone interested. Particular thanks go to Mrs Chalk for her organisation of the day.

A very successful World Book Day was held here on March 4th, we will report on that later. The school continues to be a vibrant, lively place. The whole of Year 7 visited Herstmanceux Science observatory last Monday and ended the week with a Year 7 & 8 Disco organised by our PTA.

Mr. S. Adamson

Photograph Gallery

Tesco’s bag packing team

Term 2 Commendation winners with Mr McQuillan

Swimming

On Saturday 23rd January, Alexandra Reed and Mary Hayden, year 8, represented St. Gregory's at the Kent Secondary School Swimming Championships. Both girls competed in the Junior section for years 7, 8 and 9.  County and Club swimmers were well represented.

Alex, who competes for RTW Monson, produced a PB of 1.19.16 and came 12th in the 100m Backstroke; just over one second away from a place in the final. Mary, who swims at Sevenoaks Swimming Club, produced a two second of PB 1.57.06 in the 100m Breaststroke to finish in 31st place.

Callum Ryan, year 8, who like Alex swims at RTW Monson, has qualified with Alex to take part in the forthcoming Kent ASA championships, but was unfortunately unable to take part in the Kent Schools' Championships this time.

Both girls enjoyed the experience and it would be great if we could arrange for a team to compete next year.

Lent 2010 – GET FISHING

World Challenge to Peru 2011

The World Challenge Team would like to thank both Tesco Supermarket in Pembury and its Customers for helping them to raise over £1000 towards their Expedition to Peru in July 2011.

The month long Expedition will include working in a local community project and proposed treks to Machu Piccu & The Inca Trail. The team are really looking forward to helping local Children during the project phase.

This will be St. Gregory’s sixth World Challenge Expedition. In the last three expeditions Students helped local children in Zambia & Botswana, worked in the Christina Noble Foundation Boys’ Orphanage in Vietnam and carried out conservation work in Chaco National Park in Argentina.

The main purpose of the expedition is for Students to develop skills in leadership, team work, communication, planning and organisation. The Students are also challenged physically and mentally through outdoor pursuits such as two weeks of trekking in remote regions of the chosen Country. Each day a different Student is assigned the role of leader and it is their responsibility to provide direction to the team, ensuring they work together to source accommodation, transport and food within a specified budget. They must also organise rotas for the various other tasks that need to be done each day.

The teams have to raise a lot more money for this expedition and are planning to hold a Quiz night at the School and a sponsored walk around Bewl Water.