In this week's Roundup:
Head'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.
For about six months during my early teenage years, I transformed myself into a slightly brooding, dark-clothes-wearing ethereal being. I am not sure why. It probably had something to do with a girl I was pining for from a safe distance. While talking to anyone who would listen (essentially nobody) about the importance of the lyrics of bands like The Chameleons and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, I took to writing very suspect poetry and fighting for lots of unjust causes. This was the 1980s and there were plenty to choose from. Apartheid South Africa, I remember, was in my crosshairs.
Now, I didn’t get much support, in fact quite the opposite in my small and small-minded Somerset town, but I carried on undeterred. It was much the same at my school. However, a slightly grumpy, aloof but young and handsome geography teacher saw an anti-apartheid sticker on my school bag and said, “Well done lad.” I was so pleased.
I eventually sought him out and asked if he too had a sticker. He didn’t. I told him I that I had tried to stage a protest at school and set up a stall to raise money for anti-apartheid charities but hadn’t been allowed to. He asked why I didn’t try again. He would vouch for me. He said it would do more good than just walking around with a sticker.
So I did, and it happened.
I was energised, proud and felt like Boutros Boutros-Ghali. I had been given agency, power and support. It was incredible.
The result? No one turned up and I raised £2, £1 of which was a donation from my mum.
But it was hugely significant for me and I still think about it. That geography teacher didn’t tell me what to do or how to do it. He gave me the space and the backing to try, to make change, to act for others. That has stayed with me and it is what St Chris stands for.
We have been inspected by ISI this week and, while I cannot yet tell you the outcome, I am pleased that we were able to showcase our excellent community.
One of the most striking aspects of our school in comparison to others, which was certainly seen and remarked on by the inspection team, was the power and agency our pupils have. Inspectors interviewed hundreds of students and saw the Senior School Council in action: debate, conjecture, disagreement, potential resolution and real change. In the Junior School, they witnessed our democratically elected Junior Officials and self-government at work.
It is a potent thing.
Our young people should have a say, they should be able to make change. They should feel that their ideas matter, their voices count, and that their efforts can shape the world around them. When they lead meetings, propose solutions, or challenge us to be better, they are learning something vital: that democracy is not a theory in a textbook, it is a lived experience. And if they can practise it here, in the safety of their school, then they will carry it with them into their lives, their communities and the wider world.
Someone once said to me: “If you don’t let them change their school, how do you expect them to change the world?”
I couldn’t agree more.
I remember going to find Mr Watson after my stall debacle, believing we were now kindred spirits. I even, I can’t believe I am admitting this, handed him a couple of my powerful anti-apartheid sonnets to deepen our bond.
He looked at me and quietly but firmly said, “Hmmm fascinating. Listen son, I’d stick to rugby. I don’t think this is going to help anyone.”
He was probably right. I was no poet. But for one brief moment, standing in an empty school hall with a trestle table, a sticker and £2, I was Boutros Boutros-Ghali, if Boutros Boutros-Ghali had written terrible poetry, had an aspiring moustache and not a single customer.
And if this week reminded me of anything, it is that St Chris is full of young Boutros Boutros-Ghalis…minus the poetry, minus the moustaches, and with a lot more people actually turning up.
Wellbeing Update
Sign Up for the Wellbeing Hub
At St Chris, we’re proud to empower our staff and families to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people through The Wellbeing Hub — an online platform offering expert guidance and practical resources.
Parents and guardians are warmly invited to register for access via the button below. Once signed up, you'll find a wide range of support at your fingertips — including podcasts, online courses, live events, and Q&A sessions with leading professionals in the field.
WELLBEING HUB LOG INRegister for the Wellbeing Hub
This Week on the Wellbeing Hub
This coming week, log in to hear podcast Understanding the relationship between puberty and sleep with Dr Mandy Gurney, Founder of Millpond Children’s Sleep Clinic, Nurse, Midwife and Sleep Consultant
Notices
Whole School
Disabled Parking
Please can we respectfully ask parents not to park in our disabled parking bays unless you have a blue badge displayed on your dashboard. We have disabled parents who find they cannot park in the disabled bays at pick up or drop off times because other parents have parked in them. Thank you.
Peace One Day - Monday 22 September
Next Monday, 22 September, we will be marking Peace One Day. Students across the School are invited to wear white as a symbol of peace and unity.
Message from the Inclusion Team
If you are considering an assessment for your child and would like advice, or if you have an assessment already booked for your child, please let the Inclusion Team know the details and please pass on any paperwork or forms that need completing to either kirsten.rockey@stchris.co.uk or jennifer.whale@stchris.co.uk.
Careers Fairs and Mock Interviews: Invitation to Parents
We are excited to announce a number of upcoming careers events in the Senior School and Sixth Form. We hope these events will inspire, inform, and empower our students – and we would be delighted to include voices and experiences from within our own parent community.
Creative Arts Careers Event - Tuesday 27 January 2026
This will be a dedicated evening for older students to explore career pathways within the creative sector. We will bring together professionals from across the creative industries – including visual arts, design, digital media, music, theatre, and film – to offer real-world insight and guidance to students considering careers in these fields.
Importantly, this year’s event will also shine a spotlight on the expanding world of creative technology, including areas such as: Game Design and Development, Animation and Visual Effects (VFX), Digital Content Creation – including YouTube, TikTok, and podcasting, Creative Coding and Interactive Media, UX/UI Design and Digital Storytelling.
The event is open to students from Years 10 to 13 at St Chris (IV Group to Upper Sixth), and we will also be inviting students from local schools and colleges. Our aim is to facilitate meaningful, focused conversations between students and creative professionals – enabling our young people to hear directly from the source about what it’s really like to work in the creative arts, how different roles and industries function, and what steps they might take to pursue a future in these areas.
We are currently gathering a team of contributors to take part in the evening, and would love to hear from any parents who work in a creative field and would be willing to share their experience. This might involve joining a subject-specific group to answer student questions, offering insights into your career journey, or simply helping students understand the broader landscape of the creative world.
Careers Fair - Wednesday 25 February 2026
Could your career or business spark a student’s ambition? Please save the date to volunteer for our
Careers Fair
Mock Interview Day - Tuesday 30 June 2026
We are looking for volunteers to help our IV Group (Year 10) students practice their CV and interview skills.
Please save the date!
If you would be interested in taking part to support any of these events and our students – or if you’d like to find out more – please email lizzie.heddderson@stchris.co.uk
Image Consent
At St Chris we respect the choices of parents, carers and guardians - and we always listen to children and young people on the day - when capturing images in school. Before we photograph anyone, we check in with them; they can decline or change their mind at any time, and we always honour that.
We’re in the process of strengthening our Image Policy. You can read the current version here. In the meantime, please let us know your current preferences if you would like your child’s image not to appear in any of the following:
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Our school website (including The Roundup and online gallery)
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Social media (Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn)
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Print materials (prospectus, programmes and information documents)
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Videos of school events and opportunities
To update your preferences, please email Rosie Togher, Marketing and Communications Manager at rosie.togher@stchris.co.uk with your child’s name and details of your request. These preferences are recorded on a monitored list shared across the school community. If you have already confirmed your preferences with us, there’s no need to get in touch again.
Nursery & Junior School
Today, Junior School welcomed parents to a forum on marking. The session explored recent changes to feedback in the Junior School, focusing on how these approaches are designed to be more meaningful and effective for children’s learning. Parents also heard the thinking behind these developments, with an emphasis on how thoughtful feedback supports progress and growth. Please see further information below.
For any queries regarding the Junior School Curriculum, please contact Iain Wheeler (Junior School Leader of Curriculum & Assessment)
Senior School & Sixth Form
After School Clubs - Wednesday 24 September
Next Wednesday 24 September, due to the Pastoral Parents' Consultation, some of the Senior School After School Clubs will not run.
Please check Evolve to see which clubs are cancelled.
PSHE in the Senior School and Sixth Form
Please find below a letter about PSHE lessons in the Senior School and Sixth Form, which has been sent to parents.
SENIOR SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM PSHE
Friendly Swim Gala vs King James Academy - Monday 29 September
On Monday 29 September we have the first of our friendly, in-house galas this year, against King James Academy for swimmers in Years 7 & 8 (I & II Groups). This will be a great opportunity for swimmers to showcase their technique in different races. Details have been sent out to swimmers who may be interested in taking part and we look forward to confirming the team!
If your child is new to St Chris and we're not yet aware they would like to be included in our galas, please do get in touch with our Head of Swimming: jenny.white@stchris.co.uk
Please note there will not be a Senior Squad session that evening due to the gala taking place instead.
The Week Ahead
Nursery & Junior School
- Monday 22 September: Peace One Day; Individual School Photos
- Friday 26 September: Macmillan Coffee Morning for parents 8:00-9:00am
Senior School & Sixth Form
- Monday 22 September: Peace One Day; GCSE & A Level Business & Economics Trip to Cadbury World; I & II Group (Years 7 & 8) Football vs Kingshott (away)
- Wednesday 24 September: Senior School & Sixth Form Open Day; Senior School Adviser Parents' Consultation Evening
- Thursday 25 September: Silver DofE Qualifying Expedition; IV Group (Year 10) Football vs TAA (home); II Group (Year 8) Football vs Fearnhill (home)
- Friday 26 September: Silver DofE Qualifying Expedition; I Group (Year 7) Bonding Trip
- Saturday 27 September: Silver DofE Qualifying Expedition; Boarders' Trip: Homesteading; VEX Robotics Competition
Autumn Term Diary
| Tuesday 30 September | Sixth Form Gold DofE Qualifying Expedition |
| Wednesday 1 October |
Sixth Form Gold DofE Qualifying Expedition IV Group - Sixth Form (Years 10-13) Music Recital III Group (Year 9) Basketball vs Priory (home) |
| Thursday 2 October |
Sixth Form Gold DofE Qualifying Expedition Nursery & Junior School Open House G Group (Year 3) trip to Anglesey Abbey Senior Football vs HBS (home) III Group (Year 9) Football vs Barnwell (home) |
| Friday 3 October |
Sixth Form Gold DofE Qualifying Expedition 'Flu Vaccinations |
| Saturday 4 October |
Boarders' Trip: Seaside Adventure in Brighton Sixth Form Gold DofE Qualifying Expedition |
| Sunday 5 October | Standalone 10K Race |
| Monday 6 October |
E Group (Year 5) Visit to the National Space Centre Sixth Form Conference: UCAS Create Your Future |
| Tuesday 7 October |
Senior School Solutions Not Sides Discussion Senior School LSP Information Evening |
| Wednesday 8 October |
H Group (Year 2) Visit to Hitchin British Schools Senior School Open Days for current E & D Group (Years 5 & 6) families A Level Biology Field Trip III Group (Year 9) Battlefields Trip I Group (Year 7) Parents' Consultations |
| Thursday 9 October |
A Level Biology Field Trip III Group (Year 9) Battlefields Trip III Group (Year 9) Football vs HBS (home) Senior Football vs Priory (away) |
| Friday 10 October |
Knit and Stitch Trip A Level Biology Field Trip III Group (Year 9) Battlefields Trip |
| Saturday 11 October | Garden City Gambit VEX Robotics Competition |
| Tuesday 14 October |
J Group (Year 1) Trip to Wimpole Senior School & Sixth Form Open Day II Group (Year 8) Basketball vs Priory (home) |
| Wednesday 15 October | IV Group (Year 10) Basketball vs Priory (away) |
| Thursday 16 October |
D Group (Year 6) Trip to Sky Studios V Group (Year 11) Parents' Consultations |
| Friday 17 October |
School finishes for half-term (Junior School 3.30pm, Senior School 3.45pm) |
| Monday 20 October to Friday 31 October | half-term |
| Thursday 30 October |
Chicago rehearsals (during half-term) |
| Friday 31 October |
Chicago rehearsals (during half-term) |
| Monday 3 November | School begins for second half-term |
| Tuesday 4 November | IV Group (Year 10) Parents' Consultations |
| Wednesday 5 November |
II Group (Year 8) Trip to London Docklands III Group (Year 9) Football vs Nobel (away) U11 Girls' Football (home) |
| Thursday 6 November |
Nursery & Junior School Open House IV Group (Year 10) Football vs HBS (home) Senior Football vs Fearnhill (away) |
| Friday 7 November |
F Group (Year 4) Visit to the British Museum III Group (Year 9) Gothic Tales Performance |
| Saturday 8 November | 3D Design Saturday SHED |
| Sunday 9 November | Chicago Technical Rehearsal 1 |
| Monday 10 November |
Lower Sixth (Year 12) Art Trip to Tate Britain IV Group (Year 10) Football vs Fearnhill (home) |
| Tuesday 11 November | District Cross Country (away) |
| Wednesday 12 November | II Group (Year 8) Basketball vs KTS (away) |
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Thursday 13 November |
U11 Netball vs St Francis (away) I & II Group (Years 7 & 8) Football vs HBS (home) |
| Saturday 16 November | Chicago Technical Rehearsal 2 |
| Monday 17 November | Chicago Dress Rehearsal 1 |
| Tuesday 18 November | Chicago Dress Rehearsal 2 |
| Wednesday 19 November | III Group (Year 9) Basketball vs KTS (home) |
| Thursday 20 November |
Junior School Book Fair Illustration Workshop Chicago Performance 1 II Group (Year 8) Football vs Priory (home) Senior Basketball vs Nobel (away) |
| Friday 21 November |
Junior School Book Fair Chicago Performance 2 |
| Saturday 22 November |
Robotics Competition - Coventry Chicago Performance 3 (matinee) Chicago Performance 4 (evening) |
| Monday 24 November |
Junior School Book Fair Lower Sixth (Year 12) Politics Conference V Group (Year 11) Practical GCSE Mock Exams Senior Basketball vs HBS (away) |
| Tuesday 25 November |
Junior School Book Fair V Group (Year 11) Practical GCSE Mock Exams |
| Wednesday 26 November |
V Group (Year 11) Practical GCSE Mock Exams II Group (Year 8) Basketball vs Barnwell (away) |
| Thursday 27 November |
V Group (Year 11) Practical GCSE Mock Exams A Level Psychology Conference III Group (Year 9) GCSE Options Information Evening |
| Friday 28 November |
Lower Sixth (Year 12) Creative Process Lecture Deadline for Bursary & Art Scholarship Applications V Group (Year 11) Practical GCSE Mock Exams |
| Saturday 29 November | Robotics Competition - London |
| Monday 1 December | V Group (Year 11) Practical GCSE Mock Exams |
| Tuesday 2 December |
Nursery & Junior School Open House V Group (Year 11) Practical GCSE Mock Exams |
| Wednesday 3 December |
V Group (Year 11) Practical GCSE Mock Exams Early Years & KS1 Nativity 1 I & II Group (Years 7 & 8) Rugby vs KTS (home) |
| Thursday 4 December |
V Group (Year 11) Practical GCSE Mock Exams Early Years & KS1 Nativity 2 Community Christmas Tea III & IV Group (Years 9 & 10) Rugby vs KTS (home) |
| Friday 5 December | V Group (Year 11) Practical GCSE Mock Exams |
| Monday 8 December |
Flu Vaccinations (catch up session) V Group (Year 11) Practical GCSE Mock Exams |
| Tuesday 9 December |
V Group (Year 11) Practical GCSE Mock Exams Senior School Christmas Concert |
| Wednesday 10 December |
V Group (Year 11) Practical GCSE Mock Exams II Group (Year 8) Pantomime Trip Junior School Gathering III Group (Year 9) Basketball vs Marriotts (home) |
| Thursday 11 December |
V Group (Year 11) Practical GCSE Mock Exams I Group (Year 7) and Sixth Form (Years 12 & 13) Ice Skating Junior School Gathering Senior Football vs KTS (away) II Group (Year 8) Football vs Barclay (home) |
| Friday 12 December |
V Group (Year 11) Practical GCSE Mock Exams Last day of Autumn Term 2025 - term ends at 1200 noon |
| Monday 15 December to Monday 5 January | Christmas Holidays (school closed) |
| Monday 5 January | Staff INSET |
| Tuesday 6 January | First day of Spring Term |
Careers Newsletter
Edition #3
Our weekly Careers Newsletter has a different theme and excellent links to further information to help students explore careers they might be interested in. It features up-to-date Labour Market Information, an Employer Spotlight and a University Spotlight. We encourage you to explore this resource with your child to help spark careers conversations at home.
Please see Edition 3 below. If you have any further questions about Career Related Learning at St Chris, please contact Lizzie Hedderson.
Nursery & Junior
| Apple Pressing |
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This week, our Junior School students enjoyed the wonderful annual tradition of apple pressing. Armed with crates, they collected apples from the school grounds before learning how to scrat (crush), press and bottle them into fresh juice. The process was a hands-on experience from start to finish, with plenty of tasting along the way! Every student played their part, and by the end of the day we had shelves of golden bottles ready to be shared with parents. It was a joyful way to connect with nature, work together as a community, and celebrate the fruits of the season. |
| Scooter Workshop (Monte - Year 3) |
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On Wednesday students were treated to a truly inspirational Morning Talk led by the renowned professional scooter rider, Terry Price. Terry captivated our young learners with an amazing display of tricks and stunts, showcasing the excitement and joy that comes with scooting. But the real highlight was his valuable message about the importance of ‘flearning!’ (learning from failing). In the workshops with Year 1 to Year 3, he encouraged students to embrace failure as a vital step in their learning journey, reminding them that practice makes progress. Almost all the students participating in the workshops moved from a 3-wheel to a 2-wheel scooter, with some daring to leap straight onto the 2-wheel from the get-go! |
| Monte (Nursery) |
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This week, Nursery children delighted in harvesting apples from the school grounds before helping to turn them into fresh, homemade St Chris apple juice. The tasting session was met with big smiles and unanimous approval! Back in the classroom, the apple fun continued with creative printing activities, where the children produced colourful artwork to celebrate Apple Day. |
| H Group (Year 2) |
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This week, Year 2 stepped back in time to explore the lives of Victorian children. The class reflected on the challenges and differences of the past, drawing comparisons between their own everyday experiences and those of children growing up more than a century ago. It was an eye-opening session that encouraged empathy and curiosity. |
| G Group (Year 3) |
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Year 3 had great fun developing their maths fluency through a game called Flip It & Times It. Using playing cards, the students flipped a card, multiplied the number, and covered the answer on their game boards with counters. They challenged themselves with the 2, 5 and 10 times tables and enjoyed different variations of the game. With plenty of friendly competition, they discovered it’s also an easy activity to try at home. |
| F Group (Year 4) |
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In Year 4, maths skills were sharpened through a lively dice game focused on place value. Rolling the dice, pupils worked out how to build and manipulate numbers, all while reinforcing their understanding in a fun and interactive way. The game brought energy and excitement to their learning, making number practice both engaging and memorable. |
| E Group (Year 5) |
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This week, Year 5 combined art and science in their exploration of astronomy. After studying some of the night sky’s most prominent constellations, students chose their favourites and illuminated them with LED lights, bringing each stellar pattern to life. Inspired by their discoveries, they went on to design and create their own original constellations, showing both creativity and imagination in interpreting the stars. |
Senior & Sixth
I Group & II Group Kingshott School
On Monday afternoon our I Group and II Group (Year 7 & Year 8) teams enjoyed a fantastic friendly fixture against Kingshott School. Both matches were closely contested, with our boys showing great determination and skill – all the more impressive given the extremely windy conditions.
Although the results were narrow defeats (2–1 and 5–3), there was plenty to celebrate. The boys played with real spirit and teamwork, and there are many positives to take forward as we head into our league season.
IV Group Art Trip to Cambridge
Our Year 10 GCSE Art students enjoyed an inspiring day in Cambridge on Wednesday, exploring two of the city’s most renowned cultural spaces. Their visit began with a facilitated session at Kettle’s Yard House, including time at the Lubaina Himid exhibition, before continuing on to the Fitzwilliam Museum to experience its newly curated permanent collection.
Morning Talk: Celebrating LAMDA Success
On Friday, we were delighted to present LAMDA awards to our talented students during Morning Talk. Pupils were recognised for their hard work and achievements across Solo, Duo and Group examinations. Our 2025 results revealed an outstanding 97% Distinction rate and 3% Merit, a true testament to the dedication, creativity and confidence of our students in performance.
UK Parliament Talk and School Council
On Wednesday we welcomed a visiting speaker from UK Parliament, an impartial education officer, who delivered a Morning Talk to enrich our students' understanding of democracy and the rule of law.
Kelly explained how democracy works, the roles of MPs and the House of Lords, how laws are made, and the difference between Parliament and Government. She explained how young people can get involved and influence change and it was delightful to see our students engage with this informative session, encouraging active citizenship.
Later that day, we held our first School Council of the year, and every Company was represented. It was impressive to see our students debate and discuss their concerns and ideas for how to improve our School. The Major Officials did a superb job of chairing this meeting, ensuring that every voice was heard, valued and respected. They will take the motions and ideas raised to Rich at Fishes Lunch on Monday and discuss what actions can be put in place in response, before sharing this with everyone at the Senior School Meeting in a week's time.
