Mr Spanswick's Words Autumn Term Week 12

For my last Heads’ Words of the calendar year I would like our picture gallery to do most of the talking. I have just emerged from a wonderful Nativity performance from our Pre-Prep boys at All Saints church where the audience was dazzled by some superb singing, dancing and acting. Ours boys really shone on the stage and I would like to thank them and their teachers for entertaining us so well.

Having spoken with some parents and the choir who performed a number of songs at the Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday evening, it would seem that the production was an absolute triumph from start to finish. From the pictures that I have seen and the videos that were taken it really did make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, such was the awe and wonder created by the pupils, their singing, and the special effects. Well done to all of those boys took part in this lovely event. When I was 11 years old, I joined other choir members of Claires Court school and also performed at the Royal Albert Hall - it is something I will always remember, and I hope our pupils have also had such an experience.

Mr Hogg will cover all of our chess triumphs’ of the week (and there have been plenty!), which leaves me to update you on Rayann Rasool’s Creative Writing. You may remember in my words last week that Rayan got through to the last 5 pupils in the National Young Muslim Writers competition - well he found out this week that he won it! Congratulations Rayan, a wonderful effort. On the subject of Creative Writing, you will see our Year 6 authors reading their Christmas stories to Reception and Year 1. The descriptive stories from some of our boys were just dazzling, and I ended up reading Alex Pearce’s piece to our school on Friday morning, so impressive was his vivid tale of a muddled Santa! We have also enjoyed piano, guitar and string soloist assemblies this week, allowing some of our maestros the chance to play on the big stage.

Decorations have been going up, and very well done to our Year 5 mathematicians who have done a brilliant job on the pavilion classroom, please see our main picture. I think Year 3 and 4 win the whole decoration competition though, they have been incorporating English and Maths into their creativity - we never miss a trick to keep the boys on task!!

As I write this we are about to start the Christmas Market and I would like to thank our PTA for giving so much of their time, as they always do, to make these events such a pleasure to attend. I have offered to be chief taster of the mulled wine - always happy to help!

You will be receiving your son’s school reports on Wednesday, and an added bonus for Year 5 parents where you will also receive the CAT (Cognitive Assessment Tests) test results. Please read the report with your son as we feel it is crucial that they get to hear of their progress too.

This leave me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year - whether you are going abroad, visiting relatives, or simply staying at home (like me!) I hope you have an enjoyable, safe, and above all, a happy holiday break. Thank you all for your support this term.