In this week's Roundup:
Head's Welcome | 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.
We’ve had a clear-out at home, a big one.
Of course, I am sure that lots of you have done the same, not for the first time and certainly not for the last.
Christmas is over, the tree has gone, the incessant doorbell chimes signifying yet ANOTHER brown Amazon delivery have calmed and the dishwasher and the bottle bank can hopefully breathe a little more easily.
The new presents from the festive period will need housing and the older stuff sorting properly and the only way forward is to blitz kids’ rooms and literally say "out with the old, in with the new".
In our house it is a stepped process.
The old stuff is boxed up and either donated to shops, to unsuspecting and ungrateful friends (with slightly smaller kids) or recycled in some way. This has now been done, and what is left in the boot is the unwanted stuff. The toy horse without a head, a dress up kit with yogurt spot-welded firmly to the top, a train without wheels, a picture book with suspect stains and a very dilapidated lightsabre. These have been rattling around the boot for some time.
I finally went through them again… just before bin day… and it made me really sad.
I remember when these items were the most treasured things in my children’s possession. I read that picture book endlessly as I pleaded for their eyes to droop, the Jedi lightsabre battles happened everywhere and…well actually the yogurt thing was probably my fault.
But it marks the passing of time.
It suggests development, progress and the correct way of things progressing along the right trajectory. But it still made me sad.
Currently though, I am not sad about the piles of clean washing still festering on the bedroom floor after endless cajoling, or the phone chargers taken, the door left open or the fork in the sofa (!) (actually, perhaps that was me too).
But I know I will be.
My kids are drifting away; slowly, in tiny increments, and without noticing sometimes, but the process continues and continues unabated. There will come a point when I will profoundly miss the noise, the drop offs, the smudged finger marks, the piles of washing and the stolen remote controls and empty fridges.
They all will disappear, all too soon and the loss will be intense.
The world we live in now moves at a speed that is surprising to us all. Technology, social media and global connection almost hyper-drive our children to grow up faster, with more sophistication and with frightening pace. It is simply so hard for them to carve out time just to be. To have space to think, explore and, I don’t know, stand.
One of the joys of working at St Chris is that we are always looking for where that space and time can be found. Where that pause, where that break in drive occurs. It happens in lots of places: in our silences in Morning Talk and at lunch, to OPPS and after school clubs that provide a different pace and challenge, to phones that are put in pouches, Late Summer Programmes under the water and opportunities to sing, dance, play and connect.
Progress, technology and pace are important and are vital to our students but that doesn’t need to come at the expense of childhood and holistic development, at a speed that is right for individuals.
I have a funny feeling though that my fridge will need to be stocked up for about another decade at least…
Notices
Junior School
Barracudas Holiday Camp
Barracudas Holiday Camp is returning to St Chris this Summer! The lowest booking rates are guaranteed until 31 January 2025.
Let's Leap Holiday Camp
We are delighted to be hosting the Let's Leap Sports Academy at St Chris over this coming half term break. There are plenty of different opportunities for students to get involved with; from archery to nerf tag and canoeing, there's lots of different activities available.
The details:
- Running from 17 - 21 February 2025
- For students aged 4-12
- Standard day rate of £50.00
- Book via letsleapsportsacademy.co.uk
For further details, please see the poster below.
Senior School & Sixth Form
Jersey Swim Trip 2025
We’re excited to announce the re-advertisement of the 5th Jersey Swim Trip for October Half Term 2025, open to students in E Group (Year 5) to Lower Sixth (Year 12). This bi-annual trip promises a blend of swimming training, aquatic adventures, and excursions to explore Jersey's highlights.
Key details include:
- Dates: 27–31 October 2025 (subject to flights)
- Activities: Morning swim training, afternoon aquatic sports (e.g., SUP-Fit, SCUBA, water polo), Creepy Valley zip wires, and more.
- Accommodation: 4 nights at The Merton Hotel (3*, Half Board).
- Cost: £950–£990 (includes insurance and tour hoodie/sweatshirt).
To secure a place, email Jenny White (jenny.white@stchris.co.uk) with a passport copy and pay the £200 deposit by Tuesday, 21 January at 9.00am. Parents and students can attend info sessions from 13 January to learn more. Further details are in the full letter below.
For any parents who would like to know more about the Jersey 2025 trip (27-31 October), there is a video montage available to watch, along with a collection of some additional photos of the hotel's Aquadome plus some other activities done in previous trips. Jenny White can send you a link to watch the video and photos through the private St Chris Swim School YouTube channel if you would like to view them; these are the same things offered to the students at school. This link will automatically be sent to the people who have already enquired about the trip, but please email Jenny if you haven't yet received it or would like it (jenny.white@stchris.co.uk)
There is also an opportunity to ask questions about the trip during the following Teams Meeting this evening, Friday 17 January at 8.00pm (link below), or you are welcome to email Jenny over the weekend and ask your questions that way.
Meeting ID: 380 879 513 248 Passcode: ay2tp2cg
Solutions Not Sides Bridge Builders Programme
We’re thrilled to share an exciting opportunity for Sixth Form students who participated in the Solutions Not Sides Youth Education Programme. They are now eligible to apply for the Bridge Builders Programme, a 5-day residential in Cambridge this summer.
This unique experience focuses on Israel-Palestine, interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and the Abrahamic Faiths. Students will engage with inspiring speakers and meet like-minded peers from across the UK.
Key Benefits:
- Enriches UCAS applications, especially for theology, politics, or international relations.
- Alumni often set up university societies, visit the region, or work with NGOs and the FCDO.
The programme is open to students aged 16–19. Further details are available in the attached flyer below. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the programme organisers.
Music Competition Opportunity
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for students to showcase their musical talents! The competition is open to:
- Years 7–11: Students working at grade 6 and above.
- Sixth Form: Students working at grade 8 and above.
Eligible categories include musical theatre, jazz, or traditional exam boards, though unfortunately, rock and pop applicants are not being accepted this time.
If your child fits the criteria and is interested, this is a wonderful chance to shine and gain valuable performance experience. Further details are available upon request.
Whole School
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, Natasha Devon MBE will be hosting a webinar outlining what parents can do to help their children have a healthy relationship with their bodies. She will address the link between mental and physical health, the role of so-called ‘health influencers’ online and the growing issue of muscle-building obsession in boys.
The Week Ahead
Nursery & Junior School
- Wednesday 22 January: Nursery & Junior School Open Morning
- Friday 24 January: E Group (Year 5) Cake Day
Senior School & Sixth Form
- Monday 20 January: Senior School Head Student elections
- Tuesday 21 January: II Group (Year 8) basketball game vs. The Thomas Alleyne Academy (at Home) and GCSE/A Level Athletics at Ridlins Stadium
- Wednesday 22 January: I Group (Year 7) football match against Fearnhill School (at Home) and I and II Group (Years 7 and 8) rugby vs. Kingshott School (away)
- Thursday 23 January: V Group (Year 11) Parents' Consultations
- Friday 24 January: Senior School Major Official elections
- Saturday 25 January: Sixth Form Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award training
The Term Ahead
Please see the term dates for this academic year below.
| Wednesday 29 January |
Under 11s touch rugby game against The Sherrardswood School (at Home) |
| Thursday 30 January | Senior basketball game vs. Marriotts School (Away) |
| Monday 3 February | Young Voices |
| Thursday 6 February |
II Group (Year 8) HPV vaccinations I Group (Year 7) football match vs. The Knights' Templar School (at Home) |
| Friday 7 February |
Senior School Assessment Day Upper Sixth (Year 13) mock reports issued |
| Tuesday 11 February | Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13) Parents' Consultations |
| Wednesday 12 February | D Group (Year 6) Transition Day |
| Thursday 13 February | Lower Sixth (Year 12) devising practical exam |
| Saturday 15 - Sunday 23 February | Half Term Break |
| Wednesday 26 February | II Group (Year 8) Parents' Consultations |
| Saturday 1 March | Recycled Fashion Show |
| Thursday 6 March | Junior School Musical |
| Friday 7 March |
IV Group (Year 10) reports issued Junior School Musical |
| Monday 10 March | Young Musicians Competition |
| Thursday 13 - Friday 14 March | III Group (Year 9) English and maths exams |
| Thursday 13 March |
V Group (Year 11) GCSE Drama practical exam |
| Monday 17 - Friday 21 March | D Group (Year 6) bikeability |
| Monday 17 March |
PE GCSE & A level practical subject assessments |
| Friday 21 March | Upper Sixth (Year 13) practical A level Drama exam |
| Monday 24 - Friday 28 March | D Group (Year 6) residential trip to York |
| Tuesday 25 March | I Group (Year 7) Parents' Consultations |
| Wednesday 26 March | Junior School Open Day |
| Friday 28 March | V Group and Upper Sixth reports issued |
| Monday 31 March - Tuesday 1 April | GCSE Art & Design exam |
| Friday 4 April |
Easter Holidays begin at 12.00pm II Group (Year 8), III Group (Year 9), and Lower Sixth (Year 12) reports issued |
| Friday 4 at 12.00pm - Tuesday 22 April | Easter holidays |
Staff Spotlight.
Ann-Marie Knight,
Director of Senior School Music
Born in London, Ann-Marie was adopted as a baby and grew up in Stevenage, where her musical journey began.
This is Ann-Marie's story.
When asked to describe St Chris students, Ann-Marie immediately says, “Courageous.” She admires their willingness to embrace challenges and explore their talents. “They trust us enough to give things a go, even if it goes wrong,” she says.
Nursery & Junior
This week in the Junior School, pupils have embraced hands-on learning and outdoor exploration. Monte (Nursery) spotted birds and climbed trees, while K Group (Reception) practiced rhythms and willow weaving. J Group (Year 1) reflected on first-time achievements, and H Group (Year 2) investigated the growth of seeds. G Group (Year 3) mastered rhythm patterns and tent-building, F Group (Year 4) supported younger pupils during a heartwarming Reading Buddies session, and D Group (Year 6) applied their science skills to design and build periscopes.
Read on to discover more about these engaging activities!
| Monte (Nursery) |
|---|
| Monte (Nursery) made the most of the lovely outdoor spaces this week, even with the muddy conditions in their usual Forest School area. The children explored with binoculars, identifying birds and discussing their characteristics. They also kept warm with ball games and climbing apple trees with low branches. Elle enjoyed the challenge of balancing on a wobbly board, Jonah crafted a birch twist earring, and Hope was delighted with a pair of woolly gloves. A fun and creative day outdoors! |
| J Group (Year 1) |
| K Group (Reception) spent their Thursday afternoon exploring the playground orchard, avoiding the usual mud. They started with clapping sticks, experimenting with rhythms before relaxing in the hammock, where Lucas enjoyed a long, peaceful swing. The children got hands-on with willow, weaving it into wassail crowns, and climbed the old apple trees, one of which they fondly named "the grandma tree" for its knobbly, sturdy branches. The children managed the risks of slippery branches and swinging hammocks with care—an impressive display of responsibility and fun! |
| H Group (Year 2) |
|
This week in H Group (Year 2), we’ve explored adjectives and rhyming words through the delightful story of Mr Magnolia, inspiring our young authors! In Maths, we’ve been counting pounds and pence, turning numbers into everyday skills. In Science, we set up our investigation into hat plants need to grow, learning about the importance of a fair test. In Forest School, students examined seeds and learned about the conditions necessary for them to germinate and grow. They explored seed potatoes, noting the shoots sprouting at the top and the roots developing at the bottom. Afterward, they ventured to the playground orchard to climb trees, jump out of them, make dens, perform music, and find magic spots—a fantastic combination of learning and play! |
| G Group (Year 3) |
| On Tuesday, G Group (Year 3) took to the playground orchard for their Forest School session, starting with clapping sticks to practice rhythm and listening skills. The children then learned how to safely use potato peelers to create tent pegs from newly cut willow. After sharing tips on tool safety, they got to work building tents and preparing pegs. Everyone had a great time, and the group worked well together to put everything away at the end of the session. |
| F Group (Year 4) |
| F Group (Year 4) had a wonderful morning in Monte (Nursery) on Wednesday for their Reading Buddies session. It was heartwarming to see the Monte children becoming more familiar with the older pupils, and F Group showed great responsibility and care in helping them, especially when new children felt a little unsure. In Forest School, they warmed up with clapping sticks and rhythm exercises. The children marveled at the ice formed on the fire bucket and worked together to create a den using forked sticks. They also had their first go at using a bow saw to cut logs, preparing wood for the fire next week. |
| D Group (Year 6) |
| In Iain’s class on Wednesday, D Group (Year 6) delved into their science work, applying their knowledge of angles of incidence and reflection to create periscopes. Without instructions, the children had to combine scientific principles, trial and error, and problem-solving skills to complete the task. It was a fantastic display of critical thinking and hands-on learning. |
| Under-9 Tag Rugby |
| Well done to our Under-9 tag rugby team who came out as victors in our first tag rugby fixture of the term when we played Sherrardswood earlier this week! The team put in a spirited performance, showing impressive teamwork, energy, and determination. Despite some of the players never having played in a rugby match, they showed a great understanding of positioning. Our defence was solid and, with several key tags made at crucial moments, we came out as close winners! Overall, everyone left the field with smiles on their faces, and they should be very proud of their effort. Well done! |
| Vegan Lunch |
| On Thursday, the Junior School enjoyed a fully vegan lunch! From vegan grated cheese to a vegan main meal, students enjoyed tucking into and learning more about how veganism doesn't mean "no variety"! The lunch was organised by Ronnie, a vegan student in the Junior School, as part of Veganuary! Ronnie said "It's good to eat a vegan diet because it's healthy, you can get all the vitamins and protein you need from plants, we can grow lots of different vegetables in the UK and eating just plants creates far fewer carbon emissions." Ronnie's mum added: "Going vegan is important for our health, as it encourages us to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole foods that make us stronger and feel better. It is kinder to the animals and also helps reduce carbon emissions, which is vital for protecting our planet. As a school that has been vegetarian from the very beginning, we are in a great position to lead the way in showing how our choices can create a kinder, healthier, and more sustainable world for everyone." |
Senior & Sixth Form
On Friday 10 January, our district finalist alumni basketball team from last year came back to run a coaching game against our current Senior and IV Group (Year 10) team. It was brilliant to see the alumni students and even better for our current team learn a lot from a older, high-quality opposition. This experience will be of great benefit as we progress through the rest of the basketball season.
On Wednesday evening, the History Department hosted a local heat of the Historical Association's Great Debate. We had students attend from Chesterton Community College and Saffron Walden County High School and, of course, St Chris. Each student gave a five minute talk on 'How can your local history tell a global story?' and we heard all about hovertrains, jam factories, globalisation of markets, Suffragettes, Pocahontas, and Holodomor. All six talks were incredibly well researched and presented, but the clear winner was Quinn Scott from Chesterton Community College who will now go on to the semi-finals. We'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate all students who took part in the debate! Well done
