St Francis of Assisi Catholic Technology College
 | |
| Motto | Latin: Nil satis optimum |
|---|---|
| Type | Comprehensive Voluntary Aided School |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Headteacher | Mr Stephen Godber |
| Location |
Erdington Road Aldridge Walsall West Midlands WS9 0RN England Coordinates: 52°35′54″N 1°54′43″W / 52.5984°N 1.9120°W |
| Local authority | Walsall |
| DfE URN | 104255 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Students | 1038 |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Ages | 11–18 |
| Houses | Jennings, Ward, Wall, Campion |
| Website |
www |
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Technology College is a mixed secondary school in Walsall, England, previously known as St Francis of Assisi RC School, until it was renamed in September 2003.
Rebuilt
Its initial capital grant was spent on developing its e-Learning Centre which opened its doors in June 2004. Together with grants from Thomas Telford School, the Wolfson Foundation and contributions from friends, family and the Parish, it was able to develop four e-Learning Suites, two offices and a Conference Suite. These are fully utilised by students to enhance their learning across the curriculum. More recently the school has seen considerable expansion, a £4 million new build was completed in September 2006; with new DT rooms, new science rooms, new maths rooms, new English rooms, new MFL rooms, and a new administration block.
Student council
The college student body is involved in decision-making and fund raising. The college has a strong prefectoral system; student leaders wear yellow ties, while members of the school council wear brown ties to mark their position. The student council is chaired by the sixth-form elected Head Boy and Head Girl who together with their deputies are in charge of coordinating their year group and the rest of the school.
Education
The college regularly hosts training courses for Serco Learning (Facility CMIS), Varndean College e-Learning and other organisations. Other aspects of community outreach include hosting cross-curricular technology events for Year 5 pupils from local feeder schools, ICT training courses for the local community in the evening, Gifted and Talented events for Year 6 pupils and membership of the National ICT Register amongst other things.
Technology status
Technology status has enabled the College to equip the Science Department with 20 laptop computers for use within the laboratory, including data loggings, and rallens. The design and technology department has benefitted from upgraded rooms including four rooms with ICT facilities. There is a school-wide wireless network with connectivity in all classrooms. Most classrooms now have interactive whiteboards, and together with a carefully planned procurement of interactive software they are engaging students more within lessons.
Charity events
The school hosts annual charity events, with the sixth form hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness Week raising funds for the charity. In December 2009 a pupil at the school organized a shoe box appeal for the Armed Forces of Great Britain. This was a success as it was the first year that the school had ever raised money or awareness for the S.O.S (Support our Soldiers) charity. The school supported the charity by creating over 100 care parcels and raised money for the soldiers at work around the world.
Motto
The college's motto is 'nil satis optimum'....The literal translation of the motto is: 'There is no sufficient best'. The school's justification for the motto's diminished meaning through translation is that it works as a two-fold translation: "Only your best is good enough", gives us further challenge - our task here, whether pupil or staff, is to improve the level of our best effort. If we work at our best, but do nothing to improve on it, what do we gain?"
Alumni
- Dan Martin, Irish cyclist.[1]
- Professor Martin Levesley, Leeds University.[2]