It’s countdown to the end of term, mince pies are flowing, Santa hats have made an appearance and Year 7 took part in the secret Santa book gift exchange. 

The Christmas Book Gift challenge was inspired by Miss Dockerill and every pupil chose a book from the Junior or Senior Library that they have read and loved; one that they were confident would make a lovely Christmas book gift! They gift wrapped it and then attached a gift tag describing only the book genre and a brief summary. The book's title and author remained unknown. 

Mr Gravett is busy getting the hall going for the Christmas Carol Services on Tuesday 17 December. 

There has been dancing stars, funky camels, twinkling angels and many more acts from the Lower Junior Girls and the Nursery pupils who dressed up as animals from all around the world. It was a privilege to be invited to see our younger actors and singers put on such a professional and skilful performance to a hall full of parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents.

We have been absolutely delighted by your generosity and the Salvation Army arrived at 11.00am this morning and took away boxes and boxes of gifts - thank you so much, you will be making a huge difference to so many families.

Today for most of us was our first seasonal meal, along with Christmas Jumper Day, and for Year 10 the chance to be Elves as they helped our Junior pupils and Nursery welcome a very special Christmas guest who arrived in a Santa Van all the way from the North Pole. Thank you to our amazing kitchen staff and the Year 10 Elves who worked hard to ensure over three hundred pupils and staff tucked into their Christmas Dinners on time! 

It was also a fabulous opportunity to say farewell to Chris Brown who has been at the school for 17 years serving dinners, supporting younger pupils and supervising play at lunchtime. 

This week as part of the careers programme Year 11 spent a morning in the Sixth Form experiencing what it is like to study post 16. 

All of Year 11 had the opportunity to experience the difference between A Level and Level 3 BTEC study, as well as to explore new subjects alongside the traditional ones they are more familiar with. The NCS (National Citizen Service) also delivered a presentation to Year 11, a nationally recognised government initiative for those aged 16-17, which takes place during non-term time. It’s a great way for young people to learn the skills for work and life that they need to succeed in the future, whilst having an amazing time. A fantastic opportunity and highly recommended to occupy Year 11 during the long summer break following their GCSE examination. They can sign up for the programme online through the NCS website. 

It has been such a busy term with too many highlights to list them all here - I should give however a huge vote of thanks to all of my colleagues, and to all the pupils who have worked so hard throughout this term - in classrooms, on the sports field, in concerts, on the stage, and in all of our creative areas. We are rightly proud of the breadth and depth of the progress and achievement of all our young people.

The PTA - well they’ve done us proud this term as well... professionally organised nearly new uniform sales, a fabulous Fright Night Junior Disco, and for providing refreshments at so many of our school events. 

I hope to see many of you at the Carol Services - Years 7 to 9 starting at 9.30am, and Years 10, 11 and Sixth Form at 10.50am, both of these at St Luke’s church. 

In the afternoon, our Senior Girls will be enthusiastically taking part in the Inter-House Challenge which is a fantastic opportunity for house members to work together.  

Thank you for all of your help and support throughout the term, and we really value the partnership. It just leaves me to wish you a wonderful break with your family, however you will be spending that precious time.