In this week's Roundup:
Head's Welcome | Your Feedback | The Week Ahead | Key Term Dates | Noticeboard
Photo of the Week | Staff Spotlight | Nursery & Junior | Senior & Sixth Form | Submit a Story
A message from
Rich Jones, Head.
Many of you will have witnessed the slight flurry of snow earlier this week. I wandered into work seeing the flakes get larger and larger and as I arrived in the office, I noticed a few boarders outside behind my office. It was still dark but their howls of laughter and giggles as they stood with open mouths trying to gulp down increasingly big flakes was really innocent and joyful to see.
Snow does funny things to us and that odd sense of optimism, cosiness and excitement that a little burst provides perhaps harks back to a simpler time and feelings of joy. I knew the snow was here on Tuesday because in the Jones household the usual erratic volume of TV noises, searching for kit and irritable debates about the process of teeth cleaning was not there. I came into the living room to silence and my family quietly smiling and watching as the snow fell in the garden. For a few moments – joyful.
A colleague today explained to me that their joy this week was found in the Scottish gritter lorries. Obviously, across the border, the snow is more of an issue and they have a fleet of excellently named gritter lorries including Skate Bush, Taylor Drift, Polar Abdul, The Greatest Snowman and Plougher O’Scotland to name but a few.
Joyful indeed.
However, my biggest, boldest and most delicious dose of joy this week was attending the opening night of Shrek the Musical.
It was energy and joy on a plate.
From the moment the show began we were transported to a world of comedy, magic, belching and runaway rats. The performances, costumes, set and everything in between presented those of us watching with the exuberant and frenetic joyfulness of song, humour and vitality. The particular joy for me and many of my colleagues was that we knew the stories and journeys of many of those performing and seeing, last night, their commitment, grace and growing confidence on stage, was a genuine honour.
The world is in a bit of a funny place at the moment, conflicts abound and thus there are rockets repositioning, policy stances hardening and the trading of threats, seemingly as much to do with ego as with ideological position, and everything seems to continue to polarise.
And in the midst of that… joy is found in green ogres, daft donkeys, a wonderful blue bird and a plethora of gags, songs and dances in a small Garden City.
Surely, that is joy.
Joy and happiness are often aligned but are different to each other in my mind. Happiness is something that measures how good we feel over time. Joy is about feeling good right now, in the moment.
Moments, not existence.
We are not, as far as I can see, designed as a species to be happy, rather we are designed to survive. Our society seems a little obsessed with the pursuit of happiness – the ultimate goal of existence in the modern world we’ve constructed. That far-reaching ideal is always going to lead to some sort of disappointment – happiness is not a constant, surely.
In this pursuit, we perhaps sometimes miss the opportunities for joy. That playful dog walk, the one song that makes you dance, the interaction which makes your day, the swim, the goal scored, the flowers, the kind thought, the cup of tea and the really lovely film which alters your mood for a while. Joy.
Are you happy? That’s a tough question – it’s about family, career, dreams, relationships and everything in between. The answer is to do with a measurement that is long, protracted and nuanced.
Do you feel joyful? That is so much easier. Joy is an emotion measured in the moment; it’s not something we have to think about. We know what joy feels like, and we can usually say with precision whether or not we’re feeling it in a given moment.
I know joy in a walk in the sunshine does not mean the stress of life isn’t still waiting when you get back and joy isn’t a panacea for everything that bothers us in life. However, their cumulative effects can lead to greater happiness as a result. Joy brings us towards the present, attracts others, broadens our perceptions and creates more opportunities.
At St Chris there have been moments of joy to be found everywhere this week – from sports fixtures to musicals, to snow, to film screenings, Morning Talks and swimming galas and also in rather more mundane things… kindnesses in the lunch queue, the support in lessons, the kind word in The Mulberry and the offer of play on the school field. The cumulative effects can be huge and shouldn’t be seen as anything lesser.
I am back again tonight, and I can’t wait… imagine what a snowfall in the intermission would do to us all!
Notices
Whole School
Vaccinations
Flu vaccinations for consenting children from K Group (Reception) to V Group (Year 11) will be taking place on Monday, 25 November 2024.
Parents' Wreath Workshop
After a highly successful 5 years of running holly wreath making workshops for staff and teachers Lizzy Anstice Brown and Emma Bennett-Jones have kindly agreed to run this for parents. Before Emma was a teacher, she owned a florist! And as a joint venture, they have decided to raise money for Happy Days children's charity and Papyrus UK this Christmas. 🎄❄️
When: Thursday 5 December
Number of places available: 12
Time: 6.15pm - 7.45pm (meet at the Senior School Reception at 6pm)
Where: St Chris, Senior School, pottery studio
Cost: Voluntary donation of £45
All materials and decorations will be provided, plus some festive drinks and snacks.
If you would like to join, signing up is essential. Please secure your place via My School Portal here.
Wellbeing Hub
Teachers and parents from St Chris are empowered to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people through an innovative online platform provided by The Wellbeing Hub. Alicia Drummond, adolescent psychotherapist and founder of The Wellbeing Hub, commented: “Schools do an extraordinary job of educating their pupils in the most challenging circumstances. We are thrilled to partner with St Chris as they take this proactive and holistic approach to support the mental health of their entire school community.”
Parents and guardians can sign up to use The Wellbeing Hub using the button below.
We do encourage you to look through the extensive resources available, including podcasts, online courses, events and Q&As.
Further information can be found in a letter from Lizzie Hedderson, Assistant Head (Pupil Development and Wellbeing) here.
Register for the Wellbeing Hub
Next week, The Wellbeing Hub will be releasing a video on the dangers of self-diagnosing mental illness on social media and questions to ask yourself by Fiona Yassin, Founder and Clinical Director of The Wave Clinic.
The Cloisters Christmas Fayre
We'd like to make parents aware that our neighbours, The Cloisters, are holding a free meet Santa Christmas Fayre event on Sunday 1 December between 11am-3pm which will be a wonderful occasion for any families wishing to attend. Further details are included in the image below.
The Week Ahead
Nursery & Junior School
Wednesday 27 November: E Group (Year 5) visit to the Senior School |
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Wednesday 27 November: Monte (Nursery) Nativity |
Thursday 28 November: Monte (Nursery) Nativity |
Friday 29 November: Junior School Nativity Rehearsals |
Friday 29 November: D Group (Year 6) Evacuee Day and Morning Talk |
Senior School & Sixth Form
Monday 25 November - Friday 13 December: GCSE mock exams |
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Wednesday 27 November: Upper Sixth (Year 13) Economics Conference |
Thursday 28 November: A level Science and Psychology Conference |
Thursday 28 November: II Group (Year 8) basketball against Sir John Henry Newman Catholic School (at Home) |
Whole School
Wednesday 27 November: Film and Philosophy Screening Two |
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The Film and Philosophy club aims to promote the discussion of philosophical questions via the medium of film. Please see the promotional poster here. In 'Arthur Christmas', students will have the opportunity to discuss:
P.S. Popcorn will be provided for all students 🙂 |
Key Dates this Term
We would like to inform our community that the term dates for the next academic year are now available to view below.
Monday 2 December |
Junior School nativity rehearsals |
Wednesday 4 December |
A level Art and Design creative process lecture Junior School Christmas afternoon performance (K - G Group (Reception - Year 3) I Group (Year 7) football match against King James' Academy Royston (Away) |
Thursday 5 December |
Junior School nativity morning performance Community Tea IV Group (Year 10) basketball game against The Highfield School (Away) |
Friday 6 December |
Junior School Christmas Fair F Group (Year 4) Morning Talk |
Monday 9 December | Senior School Christmas concert |
Tuesday 10 December | Sixth Form ice-skating trip |
Wednesday 11 December |
II Group (Year 8) pantomime trip Junior School Christmas lunch |
Thursday 12 December |
Junior School gathering II Group (Year 8) basketball game vs The Knight's Templar School |
Friday 13 December |
I - IV Group (Years 7 - 10) reports issued Last day of term - 12.00pm finish |
Staff Spotlight.
Andrew Lambie,
Head of Science
Andrew Lambie’s journey to becoming Head of Science at St Chris is one of resilience, adaptability, and a profound dedication to his craft. Reflecting on his life before teaching, Andrew shares vivid memories of his time volunteering in Eastern Europe in the 1990s, where he worked under "harsh conditions" that left a lasting impact.
Nursery & Junior
This week, our Junior School students embraced a mix of outdoor adventures, cultural explorations, creative projects, and exciting new experiences. From learning how to stay warm in Forest School to uncovering owl diets, celebrating international traditions, and exploring ancient Egyptian artifacts, it’s been a week full of discovery and growth. Our oldest students had a memorable glimpse of Senior School life, while the younger years showed curiosity, resilience, and creativity in all they did.
Read on for the highlights from each group!
Monte (Nursery) |
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This week, Monte Group (Nursery) braved the cold weather during Forest School, though staying warm proved to be a challenge! We kindly ask for parents', carers', and guardians' support in sending extra layers, warm socks, wool gloves, and waterproof mittens. As the saying goes in Scandinavia, “there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes!” Thank you for helping us ensure your children can enjoy their outdoor adventures. On a sweeter note, we celebrated the season's last apples with a special snack. Check out the photos of our young explorers embracing nature! |
K Group (Reception) |
K Group (Reception) had an owl-inspired adventure this week! After Rebecca met some owls over the weekend, she brought in owl pellets for the children to investigate. The students had a hands-on experience dissecting them and discovering what owls eat—an exciting exploration into nature and biology! |
J Group (Year 1) |
J Group (Year 1) had a cultural treat this week as Aroosha joined us to share the traditions of Yalda, the Iranian solstice celebration. The children explored the myths, customs, and foods associated with Yalda, even enjoying watermelon and pomegranate with a pinch of salt, just like tradition dictates. The highlight was a lively dance session! A big thank-you to Aroosha for bringing this rich heritage to life for our students. |
H Group (Year 2) |
H Group (Year 2) delved into creative writing and art through Meerkat Mail. They crafted beautifully illustrated postcards, imagining what their meerkat characters might do on a visit to St. Chris. Their enthusiasm and creativity shone brightly in this engaging activity. |
G Group (Year 3) |
It was a muddy but memorable week for G Group (Year 3) in Forest School! Despite the cold, the students embraced the outdoors, learning valuable lessons about weather, body temperature, and the importance of wearing coats. Some even discovered the quirky science of warming hands in water—without gloves! The class also practiced their lines for the upcoming Christmas play, ensuring we stay on track for a fantastic performance. |
F Group (Year 4) |
F Group (Year 4) had a spectacular trip to the British Museum, where they explored Egyptian artifacts with enthusiasm and curiosity. The children impressed with their attentiveness and thoughtful engagement in set tasks, making the day a huge success. In Forest School, the group demonstrated teamwork and perseverance while crafting five-pointed stars using sticks and clove hitch knots. Their determination paid off, and we look forward to decorating these creations next week. |
E Group (Year 5) |
E Group (Year 5) enjoyed a sneak peek of the Shrek dress rehearsal this week. The performance was a delightful treat, and it gave the students plenty of inspiration for their own creative endeavors.
As part of this term’s Space topic, E Group (Year 5) visited the National Space Centre in Leicester on 14 November. The children watched an astronaut show in the UK's largest Planetarium and enjoyed looking at interactive exhibitions on the Space Race and various international space projects! In line with their topic work, today E Group (Year 5) delivered a gripping Stories in the Stars Morning Talk, creating three shadow puppet plays with narration explaining the Greek myths behind three constellations - Taurus, Cancer, and Pisces. To top it off, the class sung a tear-jerking rendition of Spaceman by The Killers comprising solos and group singing. Well done E Group (Year 5)! |
D Group (Year 6) |
D Group (Year 6) had a thrilling transition day at the Senior School. From meeting chinchillas to tackling mathematical challenges like impossible triangles, the students embraced new opportunities with enthusiasm. Here’s what some students had to say:
This transition day sparked excitement and confidence as D Group (Year 6) prepares for the next chapter in their academic journey. |
Senior & Sixth Form
IV Group (Year 10) district netball tournament |
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The IV Group girls progressed so well in their district netball tournament. Amazingly, they came in 3rd place overall, defeating 7 other teams which is such an amazing achievement. Their defensive play has improved so much, some of the girls were also playing out of position so a massive well done to them! |
III and V Group (Years 9 and 11) district badminton competition |
The III Group (Year 9) and V Group (Year 11) boys had their district badminton competition on Thursday. The V Group (Year 11) boys got some excellent footage to be used for their GCSEs, the games they played were challenging and they really tried their best and came together as a team. The III Group (Year 9) boys dominated in their age group, they won all overall matches against other schools coming first in the district. They are set to go to county level on 6 December! |
II and III Group (Years 8 and 9) rugby |
On Monday afternoon our II/III Group (Years 8 and 9) rugby team had their first rugby game of the year. We played in a full contact game against Fearnhill School. Our boys but in a brilliant performance with some great runs, tackles and tries leading to us winning 60-20 (12 tries-4 tries). It was a great to see some of our less experienced players and II Group (Year 8) students playing in their first match supported by our experienced players. Well done to all involved! |
Lower and Upper Sixth (Years 12 and 13) A level Economics EBEA online conference |
Our Lower and Upper Sixth (Years 12 and 13) A level Economics students attended an online conference held by the EBEA on Friday 15 November, hosted by Ryan Murphy from the Bank of England. Students heard from a range of industry experts:
This was a positive experience for our students, providing them with valuable insight into the economic sector. |