Over the past 6 months,(if truth be told, probably for the last 18 months), the middle and senior leaders at CCJB in tandem with our Girls school counterparts have been trying to establish a new system to reward pupils who go ‘above and beyond’ in their school. While our Rabbit awards, House points, Merit Certificates, Maths Multiplication Belts to name but a few, allow pupils to receive praise and encouragement of the tangible variety, our Best Self Awards have always proved more difficult to allocate. This is because of the very nature of subjectivity by which pupils are assessed. It has always been a moment form tutors would worry about at the end of every term (as do many of the students) because they are being called on to judge their boys on matters that are often hard to describe!

We have therefore devised a system in tandem with the Senior schools - this will be called the Junior Key Values Award. This new structure will hopefully allow our junior pupils to understand more clearly what qualities and characteristics their teachers are looking for when they judge social development and progress. There is a transparent set of criteria which each pupil will get the chance to discuss with their teacher on a 1:1 basis, with a slight adaptation for Key Stage 1. In other words, far more guidance from us and the boys feel they are in control of their own direction and personal development. More information will emerge for parents and pupils on this next week.

Last week we shared a link to the charitable organisation which we are supporting this Christmas - The Link Foundation. We are currently in the process of making a huge fake Christmas Turkey! This will sit in our reception of the school and will be the emblem of our fundraising efforts this year! If parents are willing to donate small amounts of money or Tesco Gift Vouchers to purchase food items, literally hundreds of families who live in poverty in the local area will be able to enjoy a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings thanks to your generosity. Please ensure that donations are placed in an envelope (we have plenty in our office if you need some!) - every £25 raised is lunch for a family. Thank you as always for your support.

Talking of Christmas, I have been dusting off my Reindeer and Snowman jumpers ready for the festive season, and I have been hearing the faint acoustic tones of Christmas Carol’s emanating from Mr Rowan’s music school…….I absolutely love Christmas! The Nativity play and Carol service are two of my highlights of the year!!

Apologies for a lack of pupil exploits in my words, my dedicated staff team will expand upon sporting and chess exploits further on in this bulletin. 

From me, a huge thank you for your support of the school - I hope to see you at one of our upcoming events soon.

Justin Spanswick