News and events
Our latest news and events give you an insight into life at school.
Our latest news and events give you an insight into life at school.
End-of-Term Arrangements | Term two ends on Friday, 19 December, at 12:00.
Year 11 Weekly Newsletter | Please find the Year 11 Weekly Newsletter from the Year 11 Team here.
Fixtures for the Week | The following fixtures are taking place this week:
If you have any question about the fixtures, please contact Mr Sheehan, Faculty Director for Sports (tsheehan@liftbexleyheath.org).
Breakfast | A reminder that, students are able to buy breakfast from the small canteen as they enter the school. Students will also be able to buy cold lunch items which they can eat later on in the day. The canteen will be open from 07:50 until 08:20.
In it, to win it! | We will be running 'In it, to win it' on Monday.
Christmas Film Night | The student leaders have arranged a Christmas Film Night on Tuesday, 16 December. The film night will start at 15:20 and finish at 17:00. We will need parental consent for anyone that would like to attend. Mr Rayner has been in contact with families regarding this. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Mr Rayner, Assistant Principal (arayner@liftbexleyheath.org).
Lost Property | We have an ever-growing Lost Property collection, which contains coats, blazers, shoes and much more. If your child has lost an item, please look at the Gallery of Lost Property on this page. If you recognise an item, please encourage your child to go to the library, where Ms Eldridge safely stores any lost items. At the end of each term, items not collected will be used to support other students, given to charity, or destroyed.
Term 02 Priority Parents’ Evenings | We will bbe holding the last of our two Parents' Evening this week. On Monday, 15 December, the onsite Parents' Evening will be for Year 11Y Band and Sixth Form. All other Parents' Evening appointments will be held virtually. The school will close at 14:10 to allow students to get home or meet with family members ready for their appointments.
Extra-curricular clubs and interventions will not be running on this day.
Reports & Set Changes | Thank you for the valuable feedback you have shared with us. In response, we have reviewed and improved our student reports to make them clearer, more informative and more useful for families.
The updated reports will be released to families by Tuesday, 23 December. These reports will provide an overview of each student’s attendance, attainment, engagement, and rewards, giving a more rounded picture of progress and achievement.
As we return in January, there will also be some set and class changes. These adjustments are made to ensure students are placed in groups that best support their learning, progress and well-being, based on the most up-to-date information from assessments and teacher feedback. The number of the set does not necessarily reflect ability.
Students will be able to view their updated timetables from Monday, 05 January. We appreciate your support as we make these changes to better meet the needs of all learners.
Christmas Jumper Day | On Thursday, our school proudly took part in Christmas Jumper Day, and it was wonderful to see so many students and staff embracing the festive spirit together. The day was filled with colour, cheer and a strong sense of community.
Thanks to the generosity of our school community, we raised over £100 for charity, helping to support those in need during the festive season. Events like this play an important role in developing our young people, encouraging empathy, social responsibility and an understanding of how small actions can make a meaningful difference.
By coming together for shared causes, students learn the value of kindness, teamwork and giving back, qualities that are essential as they grow into confident, compassionate young adults. We are incredibly proud of everyone who took part and helped make the day such a success.
Safeguarding | Safety After-School | The safety of our students as they travel home after school is a top priority. We are increasingly mindful of concerns around crime and anti-social behaviour in the Bexleyheath Broadway area, particularly during the winter months when it becomes dark much earlier. During the final week of term in December, sunset is as early as 3:52pm, reducing visibility and increasing risks for young people travelling independently.
In addition, the Christmas Market on The Broadway has led to significantly higher footfall, making the area especially busy and, at times, more challenging to navigate safely. Large crowds can create opportunities for anti-social behaviour, and we have been made aware of groups of students lingering in the area after school. Unfortunately, this can attract unwanted attention, increase the risk of incidents, and may result in police involvement.
To support our students, school staff are on duty on The Broadway every day after school, helping to guide students safely on their journeys home. We strongly advise that students go directly to their bus stops or return straight home, rather than remaining in the area.
We ask for your support in reinforcing this message at home. Please encourage your child to travel promptly, remain aware of their surroundings, and use location-sharing or journey-tracking apps where appropriate. By working together, we can help ensure our young people stay safe during what can be a particularly busy and challenging time of year.
If you have any questions or would like any support regarding the contents of our safeguarding feature this week, please contact our safeguarding team (safeguarding@liftbexleyheath.org).
Personal Development Term 03 | Next term, students across all year groups will be focusing on Careers, Aspirations and Future Pathways as part of their Personal Development curriculum. Lessons will help students understand the world of work, explore different career sectors, and learn the skills they need to succeed in the future. Across the term, students will take part in activities such as:
Students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 12 will also complete two assessments linked to this unit, while Years 10, 11 and 13 will complete extended checkouts to review key learning.
We look forward to supporting every student to aim high and feel confident about their future.
Curriculum Updates | Each week, we have done a spotlight on our different curriculums. This week, we focus on Psychology. Our goal is to make it easier for families to understand the topics being taught across all grade levels and subjects. You’ll now find a clearer, more organised layout that highlights the key learning goals for each subject area. This update is meant to help families stay informed and feel more connected to the learning that happens each day. We have included an example of how the curriculums are presented now below. The curriculums for all subjects can be found on Curriculum Page of our website.
Extra-Curricular Update | Excitement is building across our school as our extra-curricular clubs prepare for the much-anticipated Summer Spectacular! Students from a range of creative clubs are working hard behind the scenes to bring this vibrant performance to life.
Members of Theatre Club (Thursdays, P1), Band Club (Thursdays after school, P2) and Choir (Mondays and Fridays at lunchtime, P1) are busy rehearsing musical and dramatic pieces that promise to entertain and inspire. At the same time, our talented Art Club, led by Ms Miclea in C101 on Wednesdays after school, is designing imaginative scenery and eye-catching stage sets that will transform the performance space.
These clubs offer students fantastic opportunities to develop creativity, confidence and teamwork, while playing an important role in a whole-school celebration of talent and collaboration. The Summer Spectacular will truly be a showcase of our students’ dedication and imagination.
We encourage families and students to come along and support the show when it arrives and for those who prefer to shine in different ways, there are also plenty of opportunities to get involved through our sports and STEM clubs. There really is something for everyone!
To review our extra-curricular clubs offer and make selections for next half-term, please see here.
Careers Insight Talks | Brick Laying | We were delighted to welcome Ms. Anne Williams, who presented to our students about her inspiring career journey as a female bricklayer. Born in South West London, Ms Williams pursued bricklaying after completing her GCSEs and went on to obtain a Diploma in Bricklaying (Level 3) from the College of North West London. She is now a Bricklaying Supervisor at Sir Robert McAlpine, a leading civil and construction engineering company.
Ms Williams shared her belief that girls can pursue any career they choose, emphasising that outdated stereotypes around certain jobs should not limit anyone’s aspirations. She spoke openly about what she enjoys in her role, as well as the challenges she faces as a woman working in construction.
She also discussed the earning potential within the bricklaying profession, highlighting that it is a skilled trade with strong career progression.
Her presentation offered students a valuable and realistic insight into the construction industry, encouraging them to consider a wide range of career pathways without being restricted by stereotypes.
Safeguarding | Parental Support Workshops | We have seen an increase in families contacting the school for guidance and support around common challenges faced by young people. As a school community, we are committed to working in partnership with families and to building strong, positive networks that can offer support during important and sometimes challenging stages in our students’ lives.
To help us develop a series of targeted workshops for families, we would value your input. Please take a few moments to complete this short Google Form, which will help us understand the topics and support that would be most helpful to you. Thank you for working with us to ensure the best possible support for our students and families.
Charity Run | Mr Whitham will be completing a charity run this weekend to support the Deptford Lionesses. If you would like to contribute, please click here.
Year 09 Options Evening | We are excited to announce that the Year 09 Options Process will begin in 2026, helping students make important decisions about the subjects they will study in the next stage of their academic journey. Choosing the right subjects is a big step, and we want to ensure both students and families feel well-informed and supported throughout the process.
To help you prepare, please save the following key dates:
We look forward to guiding your child through this important stage and supporting you in helping them make the choices that best suit their interests, strengths, and future goals.
Aspens Canteen Menu | Families have requested to see the school canteen menu. The menu changes each week and is on a three week cycle. Next week, will be Week 01 on the cycle.
Continued Football Success | A huge congratulations to our Year 09 girls football team, who have secured an impressive place in the Kent Cup Semi-Finals, meaning they are now among the final four teams in the entire county!
Throughout the competition, the team has demonstrated outstanding teamwork, commitment, and skill, with some exceptional leadership from Captain Lila C. Their dedication on and off the pitch has been inspiring and is a testament to the talent and spirit within our school community.
The semi-final match will take place on Saturday, 29 January, against Bullerswood. We are incredibly proud of all the players, coaches, and supporters who have contributed to this remarkable achievement and wish the team the very best of luck in the next stage.
Let’s cheer them on as they aim for the Kent Cup Final!
Celebrating Neurodiversity | Tourette's Syndrome | This week, we are celebrating Tourette’s Syndrome, a neurodiversity associated with tics, but also with quick thinking, humour, creativity, and resilience. A well-known figure with Tourette’s is Billie Eilish, the award-winning singer who has spoken openly about her tics and how they are part of who she is. Billie describes her neurodiversity as something that does not stop her, but instead fuels her creativity, authenticity, and emotional expression.
Like Billie, members of our community describe their Tourette’s as a superpower, giving them lightning-fast thinking, originality, and an ability to approach challenges with courage and humour. These qualities enrich our community and remind us that different minds bring powerful strengths.
Through their stories, we are reminded that Tourette’s is not a limitation, but a different way of thinking that brings energy, creativity, and resilience to Lift Bexleyheath.
Motivational Speaker | James Aidoo | This week, our Year 11 and Sixth Form students had the opportunity to hear from motivational speaker James Aidoo, following the release of their mock exam results. James delivered his keynote presentation, ‘Lids and Lions’, which explored how different learning environments can profoundly impact student potential.
In his talk, James explained the concept behind his theory: ‘Lids’ represent learners whose abilities are suppressed due to low expectations, either from themselves or the environment around them. In contrast, ‘Lions’ represent students who thrive in supportive, child-centred environments where their talents are nurtured, challenges are met with encouragement, and their potential can grow freely.
The purpose of the keynote was to inspire students to reflect on their own learning journeys, recognise their potential, and develop strategies to overcome obstacles. By highlighting the importance of mindset, resilience, and a positive environment, James encouraged students to aim high, take ownership of their progress, and embrace the opportunities ahead as they prepare for their next steps.
Christmas Showcase | We will be holding a Christmas Showcase for our community on Wednesday, 17 December from 17:00. Students will be sharing their; artwork, musical talents and drama performances that they have been working on this half term.
Masterclasses | Expanding minds beyond the classroom | Our masterclasses this half-term have come to an end. Students that have been attendance consistently will receive their graduation badge and certificates next week. The next Masterclass will take place on Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
HAF Holiday Club for Winter 2025 | BB Soccer will be running their Winter Multi-Sports Camp this Winter! Eligible FSM families will already have their unique code inviting them to attend, and we’d love to welcome you back for a fantastic mix of sport, a free hot lunch, family engagement and festive fun.
Where | St Columba’s Catholic Boys’ School, Halcot Avenue, Bexleyheath, DA6 7QB
When | Monday, 22 December, Tuesday, 23 December, Monday, 29 December and Tuesday, 30 December.
Activities include | Football, Dodgeball, Cricket, Basketball and lots more!
If there are any challenges or questions, please contact the BB Team (Info@bbsoccer.co.uk).
Lift Bexleyheath
Woolwich Road
Bexleyheath
Kent
DA6 7DA
