May 2025

During the first part of the summer term, Bishop Luffa School was delighted to welcome Neil Woods, Timber Director at COVERS Timber Merchants, to speak with our Year 10 Product Design students.  Neil generously shared his extensive knowledge and expertise, offering students a valuable insight into the properties, uses, and finishes of a wide variety of timbers. He expertly categorised different types of wood, helping students understand the practical applications and design considerations behind material selection—an essential part of their GCSE coursework.

We are extremely fortunate to have support from local industry professionals who give their time to enrich our students’ learning. This visit not only brought classroom theory to life but also highlighted the important link between education and real-world industry.  A huge thank you to Neil Woods and COVERS for their continued support and the growing partnership with our Design & Technology department.

James Bonney, Head of Design Technology

Following an inspiring visit to The Stitch Festival in London, Year 12 A-Level Fashion & Textiles student Amy Parfoot (12Ridgeway) has achieved fantastic success in a national competition hosted by the Textiles Skills Centre in collaboration with Janome UK.

During the school trip, Amy took part in a hands-on workshop run by the Textiles Skills Centre, which offered students the chance to qualify for their exclusive competition. Thanks to her creativity and skill, Amy was selected as a winner and received an incredible goody bag packed with high-quality textiles tools and equipment.

This generous prize will support Amy as she continues her A-Level Fashion & Textiles course, and we’re incredibly proud of her achievement. Well done, Amy!

James Bonney, Head of Design & Technology

The Spring term is the busiest time of year for the Dance department at Bishop Luffa School! We started our run of dance events with a visit from 3fall Dance company, the 3rd year degree students from the University of Chichester.  One of our Dance Alumni, Lucy Keeping, is a member of 3fall Dance Company and so it was a special moment for us to watch her perform. They led an inspiring workshop with a group of students from Years 9 to 13.

As we headed towards the end of the Spring term we had the Interhouse Dance Competition which was won overall by Burrows House. The following evening, we hosted our annual dance event to showcase performances and choreographies from students in Years 7 to 13.  This was a wonderful evening and we are very proud of all the students who performed dances that were produced both in lessons and in extra-curricular clubs and activities.  Thank you to Ilai Servant (11Sherborne) for taking some fantastic photos.

After Easter we took the Year 10 GCSE Dance students to perform at Dance House at the Pavilion Theatre in Worthing. They performed exceptionally well and we received so many wonderful comments and compliments from audience members and the event organisers. The following evening a group of dancers from Years 9 to 12 performed the curtain raiser for MAP Dance Company in the University of Chichester’s Showroom. It was a standout performance and we are so proud of their achievement.

We recently said farewell to our Year 11 BTEC Dance students. It is always a sad time for the team but we wish them well and we know that they will all go on to do great things.

Jo Lawlor, Head of Arts Faculty and Team Leader for Dance

A number of Bishop Luffa students took part in the STEM On Track national competition this term, which challenged students to design a kart livery that reflects the spirit of their school and community, while celebrating innovation in STEM and motorsport. The brief encouraged students to think creatively and produce an iconic, timeless design that truly stands out on the track.

We are delighted to share that Dylan Paige (7Wilson) achieved an impressive Top 20 placement from a large field of entries submitted by schools across the country.  Dylan’s design was praised for its creativity, bold concept, and the way it captured the essence of both Bishop Luffa School and modern STEM values. As a reward for his fantastic work, Dylan has been offered complimentary tickets to attend the STEM On Track National Finals at Whilton Mill in June.  This is a brilliant achievement and a reflection of Dylan’s passion, talent, and attention to detail.

James Bonney, Head of Design Technology

Across the week leading up to the 8th May, staff and students have marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day in a number of ways.  Mr Hindman’s online assembly on the 8th served to highlight the importance of commemoration, and involved readings in multiple languages to reflect the widespread nature of the conflict.  Alongside this assembly, our ‘Connect’ resources for the preceding week focused on the significance of VE Day, and we have also been fortunate to have a superb display created by Miss Sutton to help illustrate the event we are remembering.  We also joined in with the national 2 minute silence at midday on the 8th.

There was also music from the era at break and lunch in the Bartlett Hall, and the canteen added a patriotic twist to some of the food on offer!  We’ve also been involved in the VE Mail project, and some students wrote letters to a veteran as part of this initiative.  BBC Surrey & Sussex came into School earlier in the week to talk to some of our students about their letters (you may have heard it broadcast on VE Day).

As the survivors of events 80 years ago reduce in number, we can be confident that Bishop Luffa students will keep the memory of their suffering and sacrifice alive, understanding why this event mustn’t be forgotten.

Justin Barnett, Head of Humanities

Christian Union (CU) students and staff had the great blessing of heading off on our annual weekend away in May, at Christian Youth Enterprises (CYE). CYE is located within the grounds of the Cobnor Estate, 5 miles South West of Chichester. We had fantastic weather, for our second year running, which was super!

On arrival students were able to settle into their rooms, and get ready for our evening activities. We made smores, there was a super rendition of 'Father Abraham', around the campfire, and then we headed back to the boat to settle in for the evening. It was such an encouragement to see some students organise a mini Bible study to round off their evening.

Saturday morning came, and we all gathered for breakfast. Following this, the activities began! Students had the chance to  go sailing, tunnelling, and have a go at an outdoor assault course. We all enjoyed a range of fantastic meals too- there was something for everyone! That evening, we were joined by the fantastic 'One Youth', (from One Church Emsworth), who organised games, a series of testimonies, and praise and worship. I know what you're thinking... of course we managed to sing 'My Lighthouse' on the CYE boat! It was a fantastic evening, full of fellowship. Saturday night was rounded off with a quiz from the wonderful CYE team.  On Sunday morning, we had breakfast together, and opened the Bible. Following this, we headed off to Bosham, for a whole group row. Once we arrived, we tucked into some hot chocolate, and cake. After a good row back, all the students had worked up an appetite, so it was the perfect time for a Sunday roast together. Sadly, after lunch it was time for CU to say goodbye to CYE for another year.

Some of our students shared their thoughts on their time at CYE.  Fern said, “The Christian Union CYE trip was an amazing experience and I was lucky enough to go.  My favourite part was when One Church youth team came and did a service with us.  There were games, worship, testimonies and a time of prayer.  We got to go on the water in sailing boats and condos.  My boat almost capsized, it was terrifying and funny at the same time.  As well as this we did a camp fire, tunnelling, a quiz and an assault course.  Me and some others did bible study before bed and that really helped me to explore my faith with people my own age.  Overall CYE was the best and I would suggest it to anyone who would like to go.”

I want to say a big 'thank you' to all students who came along on the trip. They truly were a fantastic bunch. A special thanks too, to Mrs Copeland, the CYE team, and One Youth.  I've already had some students ask me about next year, so God willing, we should be back next year for some more fellowship, and fun. The slogan for CYE is 'Life to the Full', which is very apt for Bishop Luffa, and a nice verse to end on: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full".  John 10:10

Claire Duke, Head of Wilson House & Teacher of RE

Year 13 students were recently able to celebrate their last day of formal lessons in style before their A-level exams began.  The sun shined as everyone enjoyed a BBQ and a visit from an ice cream van.

We were honoured to have representatives from our three Sixth Form charities attend: Diana Levantine (Chairperson and Co-Founder of The Sussex Snowdrop Trust), Evie Owen (Schools Liaison Lead for The Sanctuary in Chichester) and Rob Goldsmith (for Grassroots, Tanzania). Cheques for a third of the record-breaking sum raised by the Sixth Form this year through the Fashion Show and Charity Week were presented, with Evie commenting that she wanted students to ‘see the direct impact this money has on our beneficiaries. We have traumatised children turning up with no English and little education. As I always say, they are their families' future so we must do all we can to help them thrive.  I will ensure that this money is directed towards this goal.’

Head Teacher awards were also presented by Mr Hindman to the following students for their outstanding contributions to the school community and the Arts: Aaron Butters and Matilda Jeffers (our School Captains) plus Ed Bromell, Tilly Groves and Lola Hart. Nika Muravets was also awarded the newly-created ‘Bishop Luffa International Scholarship’, recognising the hardship she has overcome to achieve so highly academically and to help support her financially at university.

The Sixth Form Committee also received thank you gifts and a raucous round of applause for their excellent year, leading and managing a wide range of Sixth Form and whole-school events and activities. Finally, humorous ‘Yearbook Awards 2025’ were presented with prizes for highly sought-after accolades such as ‘Most Likely to Teach at Luffa’, ‘Most Likely to be First Out on the Dance Floor’ and ‘Worst at Parking’, each recipient being knighted and given a unique certificate. 

We wish Year 13 all the best in their A-level exams. Being such a supportive and resilient year group, they are bound to take them in their stride. We look forward to celebrating their ‘freedom’ at Chichester Yacht Club in late June for their last hurrah, the Leavers’ Ball.

Jamie Saunders, Head of Sixth Form

In May Story House went all out for an entire week to raise money for Dementia UK, and more importantly to raise awareness of this wonderful charity.  Dementia UK continues to be our House, this charity is really important to us as many of us have seen the impact Dementia can have on family members.  Dementia UK, provides specialist dementia support to families through its Admiral Nurse Service. When things get challenging or difficult, Dementia UK’s nurses work alongside people with dementia and their families, giving them the one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions, they need which can be hard to find elsewhere.

During the week we have run daily donut and cake sales each break time, at lunch we have been selling Raffle tickets for our hamper raffle of blue goodies and then on Friday we invited the whole school to join in our blue day in swapping an item of uniform for an item of blue clothing for a small donation. Why Blue? Blue is the official colour of Dementia UK, symbolising memory and forget-me-nots.  We are pleased to announce that we raised a total of over £533.00 for this worthwhile charity. 

Shona Charge, Head of Story House

As part of the Bishop Luffa International Training Programme, we welcomed four trainees from South Korea in collaboration with the University of Chichester. They spent a week with us observing lessons and learning about the English education system.  They also taught some Korean lessons to our students. We learnt about their language, traditions and schools on South Korea. During registration time our Korean friends also spent time getting to know Year 8 and Year 10.

We played some Korean games and listened to some Korean music, something our students really enjoyed! Our students' favourite activity was receiving some personalised postcards from students in South Korea and writing postcards back to them in English and Korean.  Students were super excited and fully engaged in all these sessions.  On their last day at Bishop Luffa we prepared a farewell session and a traditional English Pub Quiz to see how much our Korean friends have learnt about English culture. It turned out they got most of the answers right!  

Elizabeth López Gamero, Team Leader of Spanish

Goodwoof 2025 proved to be an unforgettable experience for our Year 12 A’Level Product Design students, way back in the autumn term our students ventured on their own Barkitecture project within school - where creativity meets canine comfort!  Following on from their own projects, students were offered the opportunity to attend Goodwoof 2025.

Hosted in the beautiful grounds of Goodwood, the event brought together design professionals, dog lovers, and aspiring creators. Students had the incredible opportunity to meet and gain inspiration from renowned British designer, writer, and television presenter Kevin McCloud, who offered insight and encouragement on design ideas.

Throughout the day, students engaged with industry experts, explored innovative approaches to animal architecture, and most importantly, had plenty of opportunities to interact with some very enthusiastic four-legged guests. From stylish kennels to functional outdoor dog spaces.  With the sun shining and the creative ideas flowing, it was a fantastic day of learning, inspiration, and celebration of design in a real-world context. A huge well done to our students for representing Bishop Luffa School with such professionalism and enthusiasm.

James Bonney, Head of Design Technology

On Monday 19th May, the A’Level Law class went to Portsmouth Magistrates Court.  We were hosted by two Magistrates, JP Stone and JP Latham, who had been in to see us earlier in the year to talk about the role of Magistrates in the Criminal Justice System.  Our hosts spoke to us between cases to give us context and the ‘insider perspective’.  We witnessed eight cases which ranged from shoplifting to breaking bail conditions.  It was really interesting to see the various professionals at work and exciting to see all the law we have been studying come to life.

Fiona Langstone, Teacher of Law

Every summer term our Year 7 students take part on our "Proyecto Mafalda" as part of their Spanish lessons. Students have been learning Spanish using the "Mafalda" comics and at the end of the term they design their own "Mafaldas". "Mafalda" is a world known Spanish comic character and her comics have been used to send message of peace and love around the world for many years. Every year our students create their own posters and write down lovely messages in Spanish. We then use their artwork to decorate the Languages room.

This year the work produced by our students have been outstanding and their creations have varied from drawings and paintings to clay dolls and decorative sculptures. We were very impressed by their commitment and dedication to learning Spanish!

The winner of the "Proyecto Mafalda 2025" is Grace Bragaglia (7Otter) who won an original Mafalda comic in Spanish. We hope you enjoy it Grace!

Elizabeth López Gamero, Team Leader of Spanish

On 22nd May Bishop Luffa School hosted the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) for their annual fixture at Chichester Priory Park. The MCC, better known as the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), is one of the most famous and historic cricket clubs in the world. The club founded in 1787 are based at Lord's Cricket Ground in London and is renowned as the original custodian of the Laws of Cricket. They continue to promote the game's traditions and spirit worldwide and use fixtures against schools to celebrate youth development and exemplifying the true essence of cricket. The MCC is not just a cricket club but a symbol of the game's heritage, values, and commitment to developing future generations of cricketers.

The match was played in excellent spirit, with both teams showcasing skill, sportsmanship, and a shared passion for the game. Bishop Luffa's young squad demonstrated resilience and enthusiasm throughout the day. After the MCC posted a challenging total of 265, Bishop Luffa were set a tough task and struggled to get going but after a 50 partnership from Jack Challen (8Ridgeway) and Elliot Goode (9Story) the team was putting up a fight. However, despite their efforts, the team fell short of the target but showed great determination to keep going until the end.  Others on the team were George Phillips (10Andrewes), Joshua Pollock (10Story), Oliver Bowman (11Ridgeway), Eli Yambo (11Ridgeway) and Finlay Rustell (12Ridgeway).

In recognition of his exemplary performance and embodiment of the game's values, Jack Challen was awarded the 'Spirit of Cricket' cap by the MCC. His ability with the ball and bat was a highlight of the day, paired with the fact that he was the youngest on pitch whilst displaying great skill throughout the match. The day included a shared lunch provided by Turners Pies, which allowed players from both teams to exchange experiences and insights, further strengthening the camaraderie fostered by the match. Special thanks were extended to Fenwick’s Café for providing refreshments and to the volunteer umpires for their invaluable contribution.

This fixture continues to be a cherished tradition, promoting the values of cricket and providing a platform for young players to engage with the game's rich heritage.

Toby Buck, Teacher of PE

Bishop Luffa’s F24 GreenPower team kicked off their racing season in style at Tockwith Airfield, York, with an outstanding performance at their first Heat race of the year.

The team quickly found their rhythm, finishing first in their category and second overall. “It was a long journey to York, but very rewarding,” stated Lucas Barty (10King), reflecting on the team's achievements. Joe Chisnall (10King) stated “we also had the opportunity to carry out a cultural walk around York.”

Over recent months the team has expanded, recruiting two promising new drivers — AJ Lewendon (7Ridgeway) and Mylo Boarer (8King) — joining Harry Bonney (7Ridgeway) behind the wheel. All three demonstrated incredible skill and composure on the challenging course, navigating tricky bends and heavy traffic with confidence.  Their momentum continued into Race Two, where they once again secured first place in their category — an incredible achievement for such a young team.  Backing up the drivers was a highly experienced pit crew made up of Joe Chisnall (10King), Lucas Barty (10King), and Luke Pendry (9Ridgeway). Their efforts ensured that the team's car, ‘Mercury’, was in top condition for both races, playing a crucial role in the team’s success.

A huge well done to the entire GreenPower team for their dedication, teamwork, and excellent performance. We look forward to seeing what the rest of the season brings!

James Bonney, Head of Design Technology

Sailing: In April Sam Machell (9Burrows) went to Lake Garda for the 43rd Optimist meeting 2025 in Italy.  Over 800 young sailors from 43 countries were battling it out on the water.  The regatta consisted of three qualifier days, dividing the junior sailors into gold, silver, bronze, emerald and pearl fleets on the final day of the regatta.  The sailors were met with some tricky and unstable weather conditions, testing them all.  41 strong GBR sailors took part in the competition.  13 sailors make it to Gold Fleet and 15 sailors, including Sam, make it into Silver Fleet, ending as the 7th British boat in the Silver Fleet.

Sam then competed in the GBR Teams Selections Trials in Weymouth at the beginning of May.  It was a very tough competition with four days training prior to the event, and four days racing, fighting for a GBR international place.  Only a very limited number of sailors, out of a total of 78, get a place in the team and the competition was fierce.  Day 1 was cancelled due to lack of wind and there were tricky weather conditions on day 2 with very light winds.  The wind finally returned on the last two days and Sam ended up 31st overall, with a 5th place in the last race.  This qualified Sam for Development Team 2 going to represent GBR in the French Nationals in July, but unfortunately this clashed with the RS Feva Worlds in France which Sam is attending.  We wish Sam all the best in this competition.

Swimming: Congratulations to Libby Johnson (11Sherborne) who has had some big success at the recent Regional South East Swimming Championships held at High Wycombe.  Libby managed to finish in both the 50m Freestyle, coming overall 6th, and 50m Butterfly getting 3rd and a bronze medal in a tightly contested race against some tough opposition. Hopefully this puts her in good stead to qualify for Nationals in the Summer.

Cricket: Jack Challen (8Ridgeway) scored an unbeaten 103 not out in a recent Sussex County Cup cricket match against The Regis School. To the best of my knowledge Jack is the first person to score a century for the school. Jack's batting was elegant and full of power leading him to scoring three 6s and 11 4s. This is an incredible achievement and one that will take some beating. The team face Steyning Grammar School in the next round. Well done Jack! 

Athletics Track & Field Cup: Well done to the Year 9 and 10 girls' who have qualified for the South East of England Track and Field Cup A final. To qualify for this Final you have to be one of the top 10 scoring teams in round one, our area includes Surrey, Sussex and Kent. To the best of my knowledge we are the only state school in this final, this is only the second time we have reached this final in the past 7 years.

Extended congratulations to the Year 9 and 10 boys' who have qualified for the South East of England B final. They had to finish in the proceeding 20 places. The boys Final takes place on Monday 16th June at the K2 in Crawley and the girls' on Thursday 19th June at Medway Sports Centre, Kent. Already this year there have been seven school athletics records broken!

Every year I am amazed by the students who put themselves forward to be School Captain. This isn’t an easy process: as well as the online assemblies, videos and posters, the candidates have to debate in front of year groups and Houses. This has meant standing in the middle of large groups of students with just a microphone and your campaign speech for protection. Professional politicians shy away from small groups of teenagers, let alone speaking to 240 a day for a whole week!

Students asked them some tricky questions, which led the candidates to make some interesting promises! Watching them trying to woo the fickle Year 7 vote today was fun – the audience made them agree to abolish school uniform, make lessons shorter and replace the canteen food with glazed doughnuts and ice cream!

Thank you to everyone who took part – you are amazing role models for our school community. There can be only two winners, however, so I am very pleased to announce that our new School Captains are Scarlette Guilfoyle, 12Andrewes, and Rupert Reddington, 12Otter.

Austen Hindman, Head Teacher