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.
There was a day in my 30s that I think about all too often and it is a memory indelibly seared into my brain. This week I was reminded of it once again. I was in Rwanda working as a cameraman for a British charity that raised relief money in rural regions of the country. I had spent some time in Africa prior to this and it is a part of the continent that I feel a real kinship with, but this was the first time I was out there working.
I had filmed for several hot sweaty days and we were then due at an orphanage and malaria clinic in an extremely remote part of the country. My job was to capture footage of the challenges the communities were facing to try and support fundraising back in the UK. I was acutely aware of the moral questions of our visit and felt some discomfort.
I was also very conscious and aware that as we toured the area there was an absence of men my age in every part I visited and those I did see of my generation oftentimes were amputees or scared – a stark reminder of the genocide only a few years before.
On the last day of filming I was shooting in a clinic where several poorly, usually malnourished and some dying victims of malaria were being treated, sometimes fruitlessly. I was asked to film the clinic and those in beds and their families around them. I was as subtle as I could be. At one point, I was filming a mother with her tiny baby, the baby crying and agitated and the Mother sitting passively waiting to be seen. At one point she simply turned and stared at me – stared directly into the lens and held my gaze for what seemed like forever. I broke contact, packed up quickly and left.
That night, and oftentimes since, I have thought about that quiet interaction and questioned what I was doing – ethically. I had encroached her space and filmed her during what must have been an awful situation for her and stood, crouched and refocused my lens to get the best shot.
Is ‘bearing witness’ okay if it raises money to support that very clinic? Does it matter, in the wider scheme of things, about that singular discomfort as long as more support comes? And what is the purpose of film?
I don’t think I have ever really reconciled or answered those questions and I still think of that bemused and contemptable look I received.
This week at St Chris, the Senior School commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day with a moving Morning Talk by the Becca, Head of History. She talked about the systematic dehumanisation and the worrying compliance of our species. She talked too about attempted genocides elsewhere including Rwanda and the importance of free speech, tolerance and choice. The community had been asked to write messages about how they felt and what it meant to put up on a board. The photo of that board, see below in the Senior School news section, is really inspiring and humbling.
We also have our Film and Philosophy Club coming up very soon which is open to all our community. In that society those questions about morals, the place of cinema and the purpose of collective good can be discussed.
I am glad to work at a school where we ask difficult questions, address challenging debates and encourage critical thinking.
Only through those soft skills, open mindsets and focus on discussion can we arm our world with a generation who can engage in active thought and compassion.
Notices
Whole School
Recycled Fashion Show: 1 March 2025
The annual St Chris Interschool Recycled Fashion Show takes place on Saturday 1 March 2025. The Show starts at 6.30 pm and tickets cost £6 each. This year's theme is Express Yourself and all profits from the event will go to Conservation Optimimism. Tickets are now available for sale via TryBooking, link below:
Tickets are sold on a a first-come, first-served basis. This event is always a sell out, so do not delay in buying your tickets to avoid disappointment.
To assist with student costumes, please can we make a plea for any donations of:
- Old belts
- Ties
- Old shirts with collars
- Unwanted old bagpipes (I have told them that this is optimistic but they still wanted me to ask!)
- Vinyl records - scratched or broken is fine
- Shoe laces
- Anything tartan
- Old broken colouring pencils/brushes
- Old sheet music
- Old CDs
- Lindor wrappers/colourful sweet wrappers
- Old drink cans
If you can help with any of these items, please do drop them off at Reception anytime between 8.00am and 5.00pm.
Following the show we have organised for an exhibition of photographs of the costumes and some of the costumes themselves in The Letchworth Settlement. There will be a private view on Thursday 13 March 2025 with the exhibition open to the general public from Friday 14 March to Wednesday 2 April (in the last week of term.)
Message from the Parents' Circle:
Rescuing the Rhubarb: Saturday 8 February 10.00 am - 12.30 pm
The Parents' Circle invites parents (past and present) to help restore our rhubarb patch to its former glory. Last autumn, staff had a volunteering day getting the worst of the tree saplings, brambles, nettles and hogweed out, but now that spring is here they are starting to come back with a vengeance ...!
There has been a large, thriving rhubarb patch at St Chris for decades. The quality of the soil it grows in is testament to the love and care of generations of gardeners. Students have helped with harvesting, delivering it either to the kitchen, taking it home, or cooking it in their classrooms.
If you are looking for something hands-on, physical and community-minded then come along and help 'Rescue the Rhubarb' on Saturday 8 February. Bring gloves, a trug or similar weed collecting container and outdoor shoes. Children are welcome but remain your responsibility. They will stop for hot drinks and cake (if you can’t make it, but can bake something, that is another way of getting involved), and promises plenty of chat whilst working. We will meet at the end of Muddy Lane, where it meets the footpath, for 10.00 am and finish around 12.30 pm. If you would like to join in, please email lydia.somerville@stchris.co.uk.
New Governor
We are delighted to let you know of our new Governor, Anders Jacobsen. Anders is a current parent of two Senior School students, and is Senior Technical Engineering Manager at Google.
You can find further details about Anders on the Governors page on our website here: https://www.stchris.co.uk/governing-body
Senior School
III Group (Year 9)
DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio) and MenACWY (Meningococcal ACWY) Vaccinations for III Group (Year 9) will take place at St Christopher School on Wednesday, 12 March 2025. Parents are required to respond by completing the online form either accepting or declining this vaccination. The deadline to complete the online form is 1200 noon on Wednesday, 12 March 2025.
Please click on the link below for further information and to give consent.
DTP MenACWY Vaccination Letter
Geography GCSE & A Level Students
We are highlighting upcoming important dates for GCSE and A Level Geography fieldwork trips in March, May and June this year:
- GCSE Fieldwork Morning in Letchworth: Tuesday 11 March (P1-3).
- GCSE Fieldwork Weekend in Norfolk: Friday 6 - Sunday 8 June
- A-Level Fieldwork Days in London: Monday 31 March and Tuesday 13 May.
- A-Level Flatford Weekend in Flatford: Friday 2 - Sunday 4 May
Careers Spotlight: Calling all Pilots!
Pilot Careers Live allows students to speak directly to industry leaders. Students will get the answers to key questions such as:
- What do airlines look for when recruiting new pilots?
- What’s the selection and assessment process?
- What are the pilot medical requirements?
- How to combine a university degree with pilot training?
- Is now a good time to train as a pilot?
- What is the cost of training and what are the salaries?
Click below to register your place at Pilot Careers Live on Saturday 22 March 2025:
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. 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
Coming up on Wellbeing Hub Events
-
Week Commencing 3 February Blog: Friendships in the early years by Dr Amanda Gummer, child development expert and founder of The Good Play Guide
- Wednesday 12 February at 6.30 pm Healthy Masculinity and Relationships with Fredi Beard, Director of Operations at Voicebox, an organisation tackling unhealthy masculinity. Webinar is free of charge for members of the Wellbeing Hub.
Junior School
Moana Tickets Now On Sale
Students in the Junior School have been working hard on rehearsing for their upcoming production of Moana on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 March 2025, and tickets are now on sale following the links below to My School Portal.
All members of the cast take part in both performances except for the characters of Moana and Maui.
- On Thursday 6 March Moana will be played by Delilah Wilshere-Neal and the role of Maui will be played by Ronnie Kemp.
- On Friday 7 March Moana will be played by Francesca Stoddell and the role of Maui will be played by James Li Ting Chung.
The show starts at 7.00 pm tickets cost £5 each. Tickets are capped at 16 per family. Please only buy the tickets you know you are going to use.
BUY TICKETS FOR THURSDAY 6 MARCH HERE
BUY TICKETS FOR FRIDAY 7 MARCH HERE
Let's Leap Holiday Camp
We are delighted to be hosting the Let's Leap Sports Academy at St Chris over this coming February half term break. There are plenty of different opportunities for students to get involved in.
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.
Britton School of Performing Arts
The Britton School of Performing Arts has just moved into new premises in Works Road, Letchworth Garden City and they are having a Grand Opening on Sunday, 9 February. Lyndsey Britton has taught dance at St Chris and this invitation is cordially extended to St Chris parents and students.
The Week Ahead
Nursery & Junior School
- Monday 3 February: Young Voices
- Tuesday 4 February: U9 Football vs Sherrardswood (away)
- Wednesday 5 February: Monte (Nursery) Maths Workshop
- Thursday 6 February: F Group (Year 4) Horrible Histories trip to Milton Keynes
- Friday 7 February: J Group (Year 1) Trip to Willen Lane; G Group (Year 3) Cake Day
- Saturday 8 February: Rhubarb Rescue
Senior School & Sixth Form
- Saturday 1 February: Robotics Competition: Garden City Gambit
- Monday 3 February: Young Voices; II & III (Years 8 & 9) Basketball vs Kingshott
- Tuesday 4 February:
- Wednesday 5 February: V Group (Year 11) History trip to Hardwicke Hall
- Thursday 6 February: II Group (Year 8) HPV vaccinations; I Group (Year 7) football vs Knights' Templar (at Home); Senior School Basketball vs HBS (away)
- Friday 7 February: Senior School Assessment Day; Upper Sixth (Year 13) Mock Reports issued
- Saturday 8 February: Rhubarb Rescue
The Term Ahead
Please see the term dates for this academic year below.
| 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 |
| Tuesday 11 March | GCSE Fieldwork Morning in Letchworth (P1-3) |
| Wednesday 12 March | III Group (Year 9) DTP & MenACWY Vaccinations |
| 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.
Alison Burrows
Governing Board, Chair
From Psychology to Finance to Coaching: A Career That's Come Full Circle.
This is Alison's story.
The Chair of the Governing Board plays an important role in supporting the Head and Senior Leadership Team in developing the strategic direction of a school, ensuring it stays true to its values while continuing to adapt and grow. As St Chris looks ahead to the future, it’s a great time to get to know Alison Burrows, Chair of the St Chris Governing Board, and to find out why she’s so passionate about being part of this community
Nursery & Junior
This week in the Junior School, ahead of Children's Mental Health Week, students, parents, and staff took part in activities led by SCARF, part of Coram Life Education. Every child, from Monte (Nursery) to D Group (Year 6), participated in workshops focused on mental health and wellbeing, including 'Calm Your Busy Mind' and 'Taking Care of Me.' On Wednesday, parents were invited to meet the activity leader to learn more about the workshops, with further details to be shared on the parents' section of the website soon.
Next week, the wellbeing focus will continue during Children's Mental Health Week, with follow-up discussions during PSHE lessons.
Excitingly, next week the Junior School Eco Councillors will be presenting in the Senior School Morning Talk, encouraging students to "get greener." They will be working alongside the new Senior School Major Officials to form a united Eco movement within the school. More updates to follow!
| Monte (Nursery) |
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This week in Monte (Nursery), we explored the vibrant traditions of Lunar New Year! The children acted out The Great Race with different animal characters and carefully sorted lucky money into red envelopes. As 2024 is the Year of the Snake, we decorated a large snake with beautiful lanterns, embracing the festive spirit. |
| K Group (Reception) |
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K Group had an exciting afternoon visiting James and the goats! Inspired by The Three Billy Goats Gruff, the children watched the goats cross a specially built ramp, listening to the real ‘trip-trap’ sounds. They took turns playing the troll, then thanked the goats with a treat of hay. We also had fun using binoculars to observe birds. It was a quiet day for bird-watching, but we spotted two blackbirds, five pigeons, and a robin. The drier weather meant better tree-climbing conditions, and we discussed the importance of safety while using binoculars. Cold hands from muddy play were warmed up with a bucket of warm water, and some of the children even wrote their names using sticks in the mud. A wonderful day exploring nature! |
| J Group (Year 1) |
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In Forest School this week we started the session in the quiet hut, avoiding the morning rain, with rhythmic clapping using sticks. Once the sun came out, we moved to a larger space to make willow crowns, helping each other remember the weaving technique before decorating them with hedgerow materials. The children were thrilled to spot a rainbow before the showers returned, bringing us inside to learn about hedgehogs. We discussed the meanings of ‘nocturnal’ and ‘hibernate’ and explored the hedgehog’s role in the web of life. A fantastic blend of creativity and curiosity! |
| H Group (Year 2) |
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H Group delved into Angelo by Quentin Blake this week, bringing the story to life through drama. The children freeze-framed scenes, showcasing juggling, tightrope walking, and balancing acts. We can’t wait to explore the book further next week! In maths, we focused on multiplication, creating and recognising equal groups. In Science, the students used excellent vocabulary to order the stages of a bean plant’s lifecycle. In Forest School, we explored the idea that nature is full of life and spirit. Learning about the ancient Wassail tradition, we imagined what tree spirits might look like, creating their faces from clay and natural materials. To complete the ritual, we gently tapped the trees to wake them up for the coming spring! |
| G Group (Year 3) |
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G Group have been working hard on maths fluency, focusing on times tables, while in science, we investigated the strength of magnets. On Thursday, we turned our attention to preparing scripts for our upcoming Morning Talk. Meanwhile, in Forest School, we embraced the glorious mud! Rhythm practice continued with clapping sticks, and Celestine introduced a creative new rhythm. The children collaborated impressively, building dens, tying ropes, and pegging down tarps. Erin and Simran enjoyed weaving willow whips, while Celestine and Millie discovered fascinating beetles beneath the stumps. Wilson showed off his knot-tying skills, and Apolline tested the ‘wheelbarrow gym.’ The variety of activities was truly inspiring! |
| F Group (Year 4) |
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In English, we explored the narrative poem Willow Pattern, which tells a story set in China. The children worked in groups to learn and recite sections, focusing on intonation, pitch, and speed to convey different emotions. We discussed how volume can build suspense, engage an audience, and express character feelings. We celebrated each other’s performances, recognising the many elements involved in delivering a captivating recital. A fantastic effort by everyone! |
| D Group (Year 6) |
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Iain's D Group took on a teamwork challenge with a twist this week! In groups of eight, they attempted to build a Lego tower—but each child had secret design rules they couldn’t share, and no one was allowed to speak or write during the construction. Despite these challenges, the children showcased incredible problem-solving skills, patience, and non-verbal communication. Their teamwork was outstanding, proving that collaboration can thrive even without words. On Wednesday, the children also crafted crowns with Lydia in preparation for next week’s Wassailing celebration. Using foliage from the playground, they created beautiful designs, ready for the traditional festivities to come. |
Senior & Sixth Form
Head Student Elections and Training Day
Last Friday, we held our Major Official elections and congratulations to all our new 2025 Major Officials:
Head Students: Archie Oaten and Stella Anderson
Deputy Head Students: Abi Plaut and Archie McGee
Events & Fundraising: Claudia Hawtin
Chair of Council: Thomas Robb
Chair of EDI: Sorcha Lucioli
Secretary of Council: Charlie Cramond
Chair of Be Green: Daniel Da Silva
Chair of Food Committee: Art Quelch and Daniel Dew
Treasurer: Jonah Fitchew
Boarding Reps: Aubert Seysses and Eliza Joseph
Deputy Head Students: Abi Plaut and Archie McGee
Events & Fundraising: Claudia Hawtin
Chair of Council: Thomas Robb
Chair of EDI: Sorcha Lucioli
Secretary of Council: Charlie Cramond
Chair of Be Green: Daniel Da Silva
Chair of Food Committee: Art Quelch and Daniel Dew
Treasurer: Jonah Fitchew
Boarding Reps: Aubert Seysses and Eliza Joseph
Sir Richard Evans History Talk
On Wednesday, we were visited by renowned historian and author, Sir Richard Evans, who came to talk to our history students in IV Group (Year 10) and above on the Rise of Nazism. We also welcomed students from Highfield School who joined us for the talk. Sir Richard is a British historian of 19th and 20th-century Europe with a focus on Germany. He is the author of eighteen books, including his three-volume The Third Reich Trilogy. The students asked some brilliant questions about both the historical context and the rise of far-right political parties in today's political climate.
The Week in Sport
It was a tough night for our Senior football team on Tuesday as they faced strong opposition, Priory School, in challenging weather conditions. Despite the difficulties, credit to our boys for keeping their heads up and playing some brilliant football.
Our II Group (Year 8) basketball team delivered another impressive performance, securing a 26-20 victory over The Thomas Alleyne Academy. The team is gaining valuable experience, improving with each game, and showing great potential for the coming years.
Meanwhile, our U11 football team put on a fantastic display against Pixmore School on Thursday afternoon. With excellent teamwork, solid defense, and sharp passing, they secured a well-earned 4-1 win. Well done, everyone!
Our Senior School swimmers took part in a gala late yesterday too - full report to follow next week!
Old Scholar Sophie Smallhorn
This week we were delighted to welcome to St Chris Christine Laubin, who used to Head the St Chris Nursery when it was a Montessori. Christine, her husband Carl Laubin who is a painter for National Trust/English Heritage and who painted a picture of the school which still hangs in the staffroom, and their daughter who attended the school, had a long relationship with St Chris.
Christine visited the school to meet with Emma Semple, Head of Art, to gift the school a print and a book by another St Chris Old Scholar, Sophie Smallhorn, who Christine taught when she was in the Monte.
Sophie is a painter/printmaker/designer whose work explores the relationships between colour, volume and proportion across print and sculpture. Exhibited and published internationally, her work has also featured in several Royal Academy Summer Shows and her reputation as a colour consultant led to her involvement in the London 2012 Olympics, when she developed a colour palette for the stadium. A huge thank you to Christine for the gift!
II Group (Year 8) Make a Bonfire!
After all the rain, it was finally dry enough day for II Group (Year 8) to practise their bonfire-making skills down in Arunwood. Of course they then had to make the obligatory s'mores to fuel up ready for the day!
Chinese New Year
The Senior School marked the Lunar New Year of the Snake this week with events in class and around campus.
Senior School Bake Off
Excellent fun was has last night for the final of the Senior School Bake Off competition - well done to everyone who took part and we look forward to sharing the results with you next week!
