In this week's Roundup:
Head Student's Welcome | The Week Ahead | Key Term Dates | Noticeboard | Photo of the Week
Nursery & Junior | Senior & Sixth Form | Submit a Story
A message from
Rich Jones, Head.
I am a terrible skier….Actually, that's not quite true. I am a terrible person at getting myself into a position where I can ski. There is an important difference.
I have only been skiing once. Those who know me will not be remotely surprised to learn that the key ingredients for success on a ski slope – listening carefully to instructions, doing exactly what you're told, possessing coordination and a healthy amount of common sense – have never really been my strongest attributes.
Nevertheless, dutifully, I joined my school's ski trip to Avoriaz in the mid-1980s.
At the time I was far more concerned with looking like Robert Smith from The Cure than mastering winter sports, so I must have cut quite a figure in oversized salopettes and an ill-fitting ski mask. Looking back, I suspect I resembled a depressed bin bag more than an aspiring skier.
I was utterly hopeless.
So hopeless, in fact, that of the five days we were there, I spent the first three simply trying to conquer those medieval-looking button lifts. I fell off them with astonishing regularity. Every. Single. Time.
The cheer I received on Day Four, when I finally managed to stay upright long enough to reach the nursery slope, still rings triumphantly in my ears.
It was all deeply embarrassing. Three-year-old French children glided effortlessly past me, sometimes backwards, while I clung desperately to my dignity somewhere halfway up the mountain. They were undoubtedly better skiers than me. Quite possibly better people.
And yet...
I absolutely loved that trip. Not because I suddenly became good at skiing. I didn't.
I loved it because I spent a week with people I'd never really taken the time to know. I saw a part of France completely different from the Eurocamp holidays my family had enjoyed. I ate food I would never have ordered at home. I discovered that being spectacularly bad at something wasn't the end of the world. Nobody stopped talking to me because I kept falling over. Nobody declared me a social outcast because I couldn't stay attached to a button lift. Instead, people laughed with me, I laughed at myself, and somewhere along the way I realised that being rubbish at something is perfectly okay. That lesson has stayed with me far longer than anything I might have learnt about skiing.
I found myself thinking about that this week.
Yesterday morning I watched two slightly bleary-eyed Junior School parents/teachers after waving goodbye as the French trip departed at an hour that really shouldn't exist. This morning, just after 5am, I said goodbye to our Cambodia World Challenge group, full of excitement, nerves and backpacks that somehow seemed larger than the students carrying them. Like many parents, I've also spent my fair share of mornings dragging my own children's suitcases to coaches, wondering whether they've packed anything remotely close to what was on the list and silently hoping they haven’t got too much DNA from my reckless self.
These moments matter perhaps more than we like to think. School trips are sometimes viewed as a pleasant extra, something that sits alongside "real" education.
I couldn't disagree more. They are education.
It is on trips that young people discover what collaboration really looks like when things don't quite go to plan. It is where they learn resilience because they must. It is where they solve problems without a parent stepping in. They discover independence, take sensible risks, build friendships with people they might never otherwise have spoken to, experience different cultures and, perhaps most importantly, become comfortable with being outside their comfort zone.
Life rarely rewards people for always staying where everything feels familiar.
At St Chris, we have always believed that education is much bigger than classrooms and examinations. We want our young people to become the sort of adults who are curious enough to explore, resilient enough to recover when things go wrong, kind enough to support each other, confident enough to laugh at themselves and courageous enough to try something they may never master.
That is why experiences matter so much here, they aren't an optional extra, they are central to who we are.
I have never skied since those Avoriaz days. That is probably for everyone else's benefit and, as I've become somewhat larger over the years, the potential collateral damage has increased considerably.
But although I never became a skier, that trip still helped shape the person I became.
Sometimes the greatest lessons are learnt not when you reach the top of the mountain, but while repeatedly falling off the lift on the way there.
Sports Day
Nursery and Junior School
Monday 29 June saw a hugely successful Sports Day for the Nursery and Junior School, with bright sunshine and cooler temperatures providing ideal conditions for a day of sporting achievement. During the morning, students from across the Junior School took part in a range of events, including javelin, hurdles, sprint races and relays, showcasing their determination, resilience and team spirit. The morning concluded with a fiercely contested tug-of-war competition before students and their families came together to enjoy a shared picnic lunch. Congratulations to all students for their fantastic efforts throughout the day, and a special well done to Lytton House for being crowned this year's overall winners.
In the afternoon, Nursery students took centre stage as they enjoyed their own Sports Day events, cheered on enthusiastically by family members. The students approached each challenge with great enthusiasm and determination, taking part in favourites such as the beanbag-on-the-head race, sprints, the sack race and the ever-popular egg-and-spoon race. There were plenty of smiles, cheers and words of encouragement throughout the afternoon as students gave their very best efforts. The fun continued when adults joined in a number of races, creating some memorable and light-hearted moments that were enjoyed by everyone watching. It was a wonderful celebration of participation, teamwork and fun, making for a memorable day for all involved.
Eco-Schools Green Flag Distinction
We’re proud to share that this week we officially raised our Eco-Schools Green Flag after achieving the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award with Distinction!
This fantastic achievement recognises the passion and hard work of our pupils, staff and especially our Eco Council in making sustainability an important part of life at St Chris.
It was wonderful to have the Junior School there to celebrate this special moment as we raised our Green Flag together.
A huge congratulations to everyone who helped make this possible, and a special thank you to Lydia, whose commitment and dedication played a significant part in helping us achieve this award.
Let’s keep making a difference, one green step at a time!
Reading Newsletter
Our Summer Term 2025–26 Reading Newsletter is now available and is full of ideas to help support your child's reading at home, alongside a celebration of literacy across the school.
A particular highlight is this year's Gouldstone Prize for Writing. We were delighted by the creativity, imagination and quality of the entries across the short story, poetry and non-fiction categories. Congratulations to all of our winners and highly commended students, whose work stood out for its originality, craftsmanship and ability to engage readers.
The winning and shortlisted entries can be found in the next article below and have also been published in this year's Gouldstone Prize anthology, creating a lasting record of the outstanding literary talent within our school.
Thank you to every student who entered the competition, and congratulations once again to all of this year's winners. We hope you enjoy reading their work.
Gouldstone Prize 2025-6
Sports Day
Senior School
Senior School Sports Day 2026 proved to be a fantastic celebration of sporting excellence, teamwork and house spirit. Blessed with glorious sunshine throughout the day, students enjoyed a packed programme of competition and activity from start to finish. The morning saw the traditional inter-house team sports take centre stage, with students competing fiercely in rounders, cricket and volleyball. Alongside these events, a range of traditional sports day races provided plenty of excitement, as students earned valuable points for their houses. The egg-and-spoon race and sack race were particular highlights, proving a huge success and generating plenty of laughter and enthusiastic participation from students and staff alike. Competitors in the traditional races were rewarded with stickers for their efforts and achievements, and it quickly became clear that you are never too old to enjoy winning a sticker!
The action continued into the afternoon with a full schedule of track events. Students demonstrated impressive determination and athletic ability, while supporters created a wonderful atmosphere around the track with enthusiastic encouragement for all competitors. With every point counting, the competition remained incredibly close throughout the day. In the end, Godwin House emerged victorious, although the final standings highlighted just how competitive the event had been, with only 36 points separating all three houses.
- Godwin: 959 points
- Gernon: 932 points
- Lytton: 923 points
Congratulations to all students who took part and represented their houses so positively. Their effort, sportsmanship and commitment helped make the day such a success. Sports Day was a fitting way to end the term, bringing the whole school community together for a memorable day of competition, achievement and celebration.
Summer Ball Celebrations
V Group (Year 11), Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth students rounded off the academic year in style at Tuesday's Summer Ball at The Broadway in Letchworth.
From elegant outfits to a packed dance floor, the evening was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate together before the end of term. Filled with laughter, music and happy memories, it was a fitting send-off for a successful year.
Notices
Whole School
School Bus Bookings for 2026-27 - Now Open
Bookings for the St Chris school bus service for the 2026–27 academic year are now open through Zeelo, our school transport provider.
If your child travels to school by bus, or you are considering using the service next year, please ensure you have downloaded the Zeelo app and created an account before making your booking. The school bus service is available for students in Year 5 (E Group) and above.
To help Zeelo plan routes and allocate the appropriate vehicles, bookings will only be open for a limited period. Families are therefore encouraged to book as early as possible to secure their preferred route and stop.
Booking deadline: Saturday 18 July 2026
Useful links:
- View the step-by-step booking guide
- Download the Zeelo app (Apple App Store)
- Download the Zeelo app (Google Play Store)
- Access your account online
- St Chris main school bus booking page
- St Chris late bus booking page
- St Chris timetable and routes
- St Chris late bus timetable
A range of ticket options is available, including annual passes, 10-ride bundles and single or return journeys.
Please note that the email address used to create your Zeelo account will receive all travel notifications and service updates, including information about delays.
For further support, please visit the Zeelo Help Centre or use the live chat function on the Zeelo website.
Junior School
Young Voices 2027
We're delighted to invite students to take part in Young Voices 2027 – the world's largest children's choir!
If your child is interested in joining next year's choir, please take a look at the information attached. We'd be grateful if families could register their interest over the summer holiday, as we'll need to confirm participant numbers by the end of September.
We'll also include a reminder in our September Roundup, but registering over the summer will help us with our planning for this fantastic opportunity.
Barracudas Summer Holiday Camps
Families planning ahead for the summer holidays may be interested in a special offer from Barracudas who run summer activity camps at St Chris for children aged 4 to 14. St Chris parents can receive £20 off a booking of two days or more by using the code SCHOOL20 when booking. Barracudas also accept Tax-Free Childcare, Childcare Vouchers and Klarna payments.
Barracudas have also launched their ACTIVE Challenge, encouraging children to try new activities and share their active moments. Participation is optional, with prizes including a free week at summer camp, a free camp day and a Barracudas camp kit.
Senior School and Sixth Form
A Level Exam Results Day: Thursday 13 August
Results can be collected in person or over the telephone (main switchboard: +44 1462 650850) from 8.30am until 4.00pm. Results not collected on the day will be posted home the same day, first class. Teachers will be available in school between 8.30 and 10.30am.
GCSE Exam Results Day: Thursday 20 August
Results can be collected in person or over the telephone (main switchboard: +44 1462 650850) from 8.30am until 4.00pm. Results not collected on the day will be posted home the same day, first class. Teachers will be available in school between 8.30 and 10.30am.
The Week Ahead
Nursery & Junior School
- Tuesday 7 July: Junior School Gathering
- Thursday 9 July: D Group (Year 6) Final 'Morning' Talk and Afternoon Tea for Parents
- Friday 10 July: 12 noon Academic Year ends
Senior School & Sixth Form
- Sunday 5 July: LSP trips depart for Barcelona, Geneva, Italy, Yorkshire/The Lakes, Morzine and Pinecroft Extreme
- Monday 6 July: LSP trips depart to the Opal Coast and Devon
- Thursday 9 July: LSP trips return from Barcelona, Geneva, Italy and Opal Coast
- Friday 10 July: LSP trips return from Yorkshire/The Lakes, Morzine, Pinecroft Extreme and Devon; 12 noon Academic Year Ends
First week of Autumn Term Diary
| Monday 31 August |
Bank Holiday |
| Tuesday 1 September | Staff INSET Day |
| Wednesday 2 September | Staff INSET Day |
| Thursday 3 September | I Group (Year 7) and LVI Form (Year 12) Conference day; plus Induction day for ALL new starters in ALL other year groups (Junior & Senior School) |
| Friday 4 September |
First Day of the New Academic Year 2026/2027 |
Nursery & Junior
A Week of Exploring, Learning and Achieving Together
This week has been another busy and memorable one across the Junior School, with students enjoying a wide range of enriching experiences both in and beyond the classroom. From Sports Day celebrations and exciting educational visits to outdoor learning in Forest School, students have demonstrated enthusiasm, curiosity and resilience in all that they have undertaken.
Highlights included a successful Sports Day enjoyed by students and families, a fascinating visit to Willow Farm for Monte (Nursery), an Ancient Greece workshop at the Fitzwilliam Museum for E Group (Year 5), and D Group's (Year 6) much-anticipated trip to France. Across the school, students have also been developing important life skills through scientific investigations, personal development lessons, creative play and outdoor exploration.
We hope you enjoy reading more about the many achievements, adventures and learning experiences that have taken place across the Junior School this week.
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D Group (Year 6) |
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D Group (Year 6) students embarked on their much-anticipated day trip to France this week, setting off before dawn for a memorable adventure across the Channel. After enjoying breakfast on the ferry and taking in the sea views, students spent time on the beach making the most of the sunshine and fresh sea air before heading to a local supermarket, where they had the opportunity to practise their French language skills in authentic situations. The trip offered a wonderful opportunity for students to experience French culture beyond the classroom while celebrating their final weeks in the Junior School. Throughout the day, they represented the school exceptionally well, with members of the public commenting positively on their manners, behaviour and attitude. From exploring the beach to enjoying dinner on the return ferry and entertaining one another with games and activities, students embraced every moment of the experience. It was a fantastic day and a fitting milestone as D Group (Year 6) prepare for the next stage of their educational journey. |
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E Group (Year 5) |
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E Group (Year 5) students travelled to Cambridge this week for an exciting visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum. During an engaging Ancient Greece workshop, they explored artefacts and deepened their understanding of the civilisation they have been studying, bringing their classroom learning vividly to life. Back at school, students also enjoyed a final Forest School session of the year. Whether practising knots, tackling new challenges or pursuing their own interests outdoors, students demonstrated growing confidence, independence and resilience. The session provided a fitting conclusion to a successful year of outdoor learning. |
| F Group (Year 4) |
| A huge congratulations to the students of F Group (Year 4) who have earned Sports Cap certificates and awards during this academic year. Their commitment, perseverance and enthusiasm across a range of sporting activities have been recognised and celebrated, reflecting the positive attitude and determination they have demonstrated throughout the year. |
| G Group (Year 3) |
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G Group (Year 3) students enjoyed a wonderful Forest School session, making the most of the cooler weather with a campfire on which they cooked popcorn. Alongside their outdoor cooking, students spent time observing butterflies, engaging in imaginative historical role play, creating nature-inspired recipes and relaxing in the hammock. The afternoon provided a valuable opportunity to combine creativity, exploration and outdoor learning in the natural environment. G Group (Year 3) students impressed families and staff alike during their morning talk this week. They spoke confidently, sang beautifully and demonstrated the hard work and preparation that had gone into the performance. The students should be extremely proud of themselves for the enthusiasm and confidence they showed while sharing their learning. As part of their ongoing STEM activities, students also explored the science of air pressure and elasticity through a fascinating balloon experiment. After inflating balloons, they carefully coated skewers with oil before attempting to push them through the balloons without causing them to burst. While some attempts were more successful than others, students showed great perseverance and curiosity as they investigated the challenge. The activity sparked plenty of discussion and provided an enjoyable hands-on opportunity to apply scientific thinking and problem-solving skills. |
| H Group (Year 2) |
| H Group (Year 2) students continued their Growing and Changing curriculum this week, taking part in thoughtful discussions centred around consent, privacy and respecting others. Through story-based learning and guided conversations, students demonstrated excellent listening skills and contributed confidently to discussions. The session helped deepen their understanding of the importance of respecting both their own privacy and the privacy of those around them. |
| J Group (Year 1) |
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J Group (Year 1) students enjoyed a memorable Forest School session, gathering around the campfire to cook popcorn. Alongside learning new outdoor cooking skills, students were encouraged to try unfamiliar foods and reflect on the importance of being open to new experiences. They also discovered that ashes and embers can remain hot long after a fire appears to have gone out, reinforcing important fire safety lessons. There was plenty of time for collaborative play too, including building a seesaw, relaxing in the hammock and experimenting with charcoal from a previous campfire. In Science, J Group (Year 1) students put their investigative skills to the test by predicting which objects would float or sink before carrying out their own experiments. Through observation and discussion, they explored why some materials behave differently in water and considered how large metal boats are able to float. The lesson provided an excellent opportunity to revisit previous learning about materials while developing scientific enquiry skills. |
| Reception (K Group) |
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K Group (Reception) students enjoyed a fun-filled end to the week last week, making the most of the warm weather with a range of outdoor activities. The day began with splashing in paddling pools and creating giant bubbles using bubble wands before students worked together to prepare colourful fruit kebabs using their favourite fruits. Following their swimming session, everyone enjoyed a refreshing iced lolly, providing the perfect end to a memorable day. The bubble wands were then taken home so the fun could continue beyond the school gates. The class took a trip on Friday to Bury Farm to pick strawberries together. They had a wonderful time exploring the tunnels and (hopefully) left some strawberries for other visitors...! |
| Nursery |
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Monte (Nursery) students enjoyed a wonderful trip to Willow Farm this week, where they spent the day meeting animals, watching shows and taking part in a range of hands-on activities. Highlights included feeding the animals, milking Daisy the cow and enjoying a ride on Tristan the tractor. The students were a credit to the school throughout the visit, demonstrating excellent behaviour and enthusiasm as they explored everything the farm had to offer. During Forest School, Monte (Nursery) students focused on learning how to undo knots while helping to tidy the rope box. They also took great care of the young apple trees by watering them and learning how to carry and pour water carefully. A visit to the nursery garden provided an opportunity to sample some homegrown sugar snap peas before students headed into the orchard, where they explored the pond, searched for wildlife and discovered a water boatman. Creative play flourished as students mixed natural ingredients to make imaginative cakes and built an outdoor oven using logs. With butterflies to observe, trees to water and a pond to top up ahead of the warm weather, it was a busy and rewarding session outdoors. |
Senior & Sixth
KS3 Art Club
Here is a creative snapshot of some of the wonderful work produced in KS3 (Years 7-9/I-III Group) Art Club this term. Thank you to everyone who came along each week, it was so much fun! KS3 Art Club runs on Mondays after school from 3:45 pm to 5:00 pm.
A Night at the Musicals
What an incredible evening Night at the Musicals turned out to be on Friday 19 June. We couldn’t be prouder of every student who took to the stage and shared their musical talents with such confidence, commitment and enthusiasm.
Our programme took the audience on a journey through the history of musical theatre, with songs performed in chronological order, showcasing the richness and diversity of this much-loved genre. From D Group (Year 6) through to our senior students, the evening celebrated an impressive range of talent, with singers, instrumentalists and a beautiful dance performance all contributing to a truly memorable concert.
What made the evening especially rewarding was seeing students at every stage of their musical journey. For some, this was their very first experience of performing in front of an audience—a huge milestone that they embraced with remarkable courage. Alongside them were experienced performers who have worked tirelessly in their music lessons and are achieving outstanding examination results. Watching them all perform together was a wonderful reminder of how music helps every student grow in confidence, resilience and creativity.
A concert of this scale is only possible through the dedication of many people. Huge thanks go to our music staff, accompanists, technical and backstage teams, and everyone who worked so hard behind the scenes to make the evening such a success. Finally, thank you to our parents and families for your unwavering support and encouragement. Your enthusiasm and generosity enable our young musicians to thrive and we hope you enjoyed seeing their fantastic efforts on stage.
Mock Interview Day
On Tuesday we held our first Mock Interview Day for the IV Group (Year 10).
In preparation for this nerve wracking yet empowering event, the students wrote an application letter for a fictional job advert and some also included a CV. During their PSHE lessons the students practised interview skills and responses to typical questions. We learnt about using the STAR method when giving answers to really stand out.
The day began with a Morning Talk from three of our parent volunteers who shared top tips for interview success, how to make a good impression, and how to showcase your strengths in order to find a job that gives you energy. At this stage, our students were still a bit dubious about how this day would unfold.
As the first students came out of the initial round of interviews, I saw their suspicion transform into smiles. Our young people left with their confidence boosted and a tangible sense of achievement, it was a joy to see. The news quickly spread that the experience was a positive one and there was suddenly a real buzz, as students came to double check their time slot, or if their letters had got to their interviewer ok, or to hear from those that already been in to see what it was like and if they got the job!
I could not be prouder of the IV Group and how they conducted themselves on Tuesday. They embraced the challenge, stepped out of their comfort zone, shared their strengths and goals, and developed some lifelong career skills. Over the rest of this week, I have heard several conversations amongst the students about future careers and desires to do more activities to add to their CV, as the buzz continues to flourish.
I am incredibly grateful to the parent volunteers who made this happen, sharing their time and expertise with our students.
I look forward to this event becoming an annual feature of our careers related learning programme at St Chris.
Senior School Creative Writing Club
The students in the Senior School Creative Writing Club have come together one final time this year to create a collection that celebrates the excitement that summer brings. We hope you enjoy reading this collection just as much as they have enjoyed creating it!
Creative Writing Club Collection
The Creative Writing club will be running next year. Any students, of all year groups, who love to write or would like to learn to love writing are always welcome to join. We would love to see you there!
We are so excited to announce that Penny B and Eryn F were both chosen to be published in the Young Writers 'I Have A Dream: Poems of Imagination' anthology! Both students entered the national poetry competition and were chosen for publication.
Huge congratulations to both, we are so proud of you!
II Group Science Class
What's really living on your hands? II Group (Year 8) students recently found out during a practical lesson on bacteria, viruses and fungi. After pressing their thumbs onto agar plates, the samples were incubated to see what would grow – with some fascinating results. While several students discovered a mixture of bacteria and fungi, the experiment provided a memorable way to explore microbiology and the importance of good hygiene through hands-on learning.
