A full page feature about Bishop Luffa in the local Observer newspapers focused on the importance of team work – and was itself the product of co-operation between students young and old.

The school was given the opportunity to present itself to local readers, as part of the newspaper’s weekly feature called “A Class Act”. Local secondary schools – known under the name of WASP (Western Area Secondary Providers) – have been invited to contribute to the page on a regular basis.

Our page included articles on the regular mentoring of Year 7 pupils by Year 12 students and the role of Year 10 Sports Leaders in the school and in the wider community. There were also comments on school Eucharist services and on lessons such as German and maths, together with reminders of our charity fund-raising efforts.

Contributions were gathered from students of all ages, from Year 7 to Year 13, and whenever possible the young writers were given a by-line credit, often with a photograph.

At one of the page planning meetings, we were pleased to welcome Chichester Observer editor Colin Channon, who gave advice to some of our young reporters on shaping their articles effectively.

A key member of the team was Year 13 media studies student Bethany Mercer (pictured) who edited the page and wrote the main article, in which she looked back on her time at the school. She wrote positively about the relationships between staff and students, as well as the sense of collaboration amongst the pupils. “One thing that really stands out to me as a student at Luffa is the way the year groups work together to create a community,” she wrote.

Bethany, who plans to study multi-media journalism at university, felt that being able to write and edit for the Observer on behalf of the school gave her a powerful insight into some of the requirements of the job. “I’m now inspired to pursue my journalism career further,” she said.

Article & Picture - Mr G Lewis, School Press Officer

Only the best and Everyone matters
The school’s formal aims reflect this general approach:
(a)To enable our pupils to acquire a sound knowledge and understanding of the Christian religion, and to give them the opportunity to experience and participate in Christian worship.
(b)To give our pupils a balanced introduction to the study of major world religions and creeds.
(c)To help our pupils to make up their own minds about their own system of beliefs and spiritual values.
(d)To give our pupils clear guidance, by both precept and example, about the significance of moral choices for all human beings.
2.
(a) To promote in all pupils self respect, leading to tolerance of and respect for other people, regardless of differences of age, ability, sex, class, colour, culture, nationality or religion.
(b) To prepare them for the responsibilities involved in parenthood and in citizenship of this country and the world.
(c) To foster in them understanding of, and respect for, justice and democracy as the basis for our personal freedom.
(d) To help them to appreciate something of the complexity of the modern world, and of Britain’s place in it.
3.
(a) To foster in pupils an enthusiasm for learning and discovery.
(b) To enable them to develop lively and enquiring minds, and to learn how to think logically and to discuss and argue rationally.
(c) To encourage in all pupils the acquisition of good study skills and habits.
(d) To create a learning environment that encourages all pupils to reach their full academic potential, and to obtain academic qualifications worthy of their abilities.
4.
(a) To provide for all pupils an adequate and appropriate grounding in literacy and numeracy.
(b) To develop in all pupils respect for, and experience in, the applied knowledge and practical skills required for leaving school with the ability to cope with the demands of a changing world.
(c) To encourage the development of pupils’ physical and sporting skills.
5.
(a) To assist pupils in their emotional development and to grow in self-confidence.
(b) To give all pupils opportunities for developing their sense of responsibility.
(c) To foster the growth of their cultural and aesthetic awareness, and to encourage the development of their creative talents.
(d) To help them to assess and take responsibility for their own personal and academic progress and choice of career.