Opportunity makes the Difference

At the beginning of Tuesday’s whole-school assembly, it was my privilege to present badges to our new House Captains and Role-Specific Prefects.

The rest of the assembly was led by Mr Davenport, who challenged pupils to think differently about success and to recognise something that can easily be taken for granted: opportunity.

He began by sharing the story of Jonathan Edwards, one of the greatest triple jumpers in history and still the world record holder. Mr Davenport recounted how, when asked what had led to his remarkable success, Edwards had emphasised the importance of opportunity, rather than focusing solely on natural talent, training methods or technique.

Mr Davenport encouraged pupils to reflect on the opportunities they experience every day at St Faith’s. From learning in the classroom and taking part in sport, music and drama, to forming friendships and exploring new interests, pupils benefit from experiences that are not equally available to children everywhere.

To help illustrate this, pupils from different year groups were asked to stand and represent the proportion of children worldwide who face significant challenges in their daily lives. As the figures were revealed, pupils considered how millions of children lack access to safe housing, clean drinking water or education, live in areas affected by conflict, or have responsibilities to work in support of themselves or their families.

The visual impact was powerful. Looking around Ashburton Hall, pupils could see that for many children across the world, circumstances beyond their control can restrict access to opportunities that others may take for granted. Mr Davenport’s message was clear: children may have similar talents, determination and potential, but can experience very different opportunities to develop their abilities and fulfil their ambitions.

He encouraged pupils to appreciate the opportunities they enjoy, to make the most of these experiences, and to recognise the responsibilities that accompany such opportunities. By making good use of their education and considering how they might contribute to the lives of others, pupils can make a positive difference to the world around them.

The assembly provided a thought-provoking reminder that success often begins not with ability alone, but with opportunity, and how we choose to make use of it.

Don’t be Afraid to Shine Your Light

Mrs Burke writes,

“On Monday, 7KJB proudly presented an assembly entitled Don’t Be Afraid to Shine Your Light. The assembly explored the powerful idea that everyone has their own unique superpower and something valuable to contribute. Pupils reflected on this theme through the inspiring Kid President Pep Talk video and the uplifting lyrics of This Is Me from The Greatest Showman. Through thoughtful readings and confident presentations, the class encouraged their peers to embrace their individuality and believe in themselves. The pupils entertained the rest of Year 7 brilliantly, engaging their audience throughout. It was a memorable assembly that provided plenty of inspiring food for thought.”

Science in Focus

Mrs Pritchard writes,

“Year 5 pupils have begun their new topic on Environment, Variation and Classification. They explored a range of habitats from around the world, investigating the environmental conditions found in each and considering how different animals are adapted to survive and thrive within them.

Year 6 have been studying Sound, learning how sound is produced and how it travels through different media. They also completed a literacy-based research task investigating the impact of loud sounds on hearing and the importance of protecting their ears from excessive noise exposure.

Year 7 are continuing their work on Matter. Through practical investigations, pupils explored the relationship between density and whether objects float or sink, using their observations to predict the density of water. They also used potassium permanganate in water to observe and explain the process of diffusion at a particle level.

Year 8 have been investigating the limiting factors affecting photosynthesis, considering how environmental conditions can influence plant growth. They are also preparing presentations exploring the crucial role plants play in tackling climate change and the global impact they have on maintaining healthy ecosystems.”

Year 6 PSHCE

As part of their PSHCE curriculum, Year 6 pupils have been learning about asthma, allergies and allergic reactions. During a session this week, Mrs Petkov helped the children explore the different types of asthma people can experience and demonstrated how to recognise and respond to an asthma attack.

Year 8 Scholarship Talk

It was a pleasure to welcome nine Sixth Form pupils from The Leys on Tuesday, several of them Old Fidelians, to speak to our Year 8 pupils about their scholarship experiences. Accompanied by Mr Elston, Director of Sport, they shared their experiences of the scholarship process, including the benefits of working towards a scholarship and the opportunities that holding one can offer at senior school.

Our pupils listened attentively, posed thoughtful questions and benefited from hearing first-hand about the experiences of pupils who have successfully followed this route, as they begin to consider their own next steps.

U12 Hockey County Cup

Congratulations to our U12 girls, who competed in the County Cup at Wilberforce Road yesterday. In a closely contested tournament, the team demonstrated impressive consistency and determination across their six matches. Having drawn two games and lost just one, they went on to secure the County Cup title.

This is an outstanding achievement and one that should give the team great confidence as they look ahead to the East Regional Finals at the end of November, as well as the National IAPS Finals at Taunton School on Friday 13th November.

We are extremely proud of the team and congratulate all the girls on their excellent performance and well-deserved success.

Swimming Gala v. King’s Ely

Mrs Critchley writes,

“On Monday afternoon, we travelled to King’s Ely for our first swimming gala of the academic year, competing in a three-way fixture against King’s Ely and Gresham’s. Despite the dull weather and light drizzle, our swimmers approached the event with enthusiasm and enjoyed an afternoon of competitive racing.

It was particularly pleasing to see several new members of the team making their debut and representing the school with such commitment and enthusiasm, despite the chilly poolside conditions! Well done to the U13 boys for their strong performances against both schools. We finished in second place behind King’s Ely and look forward to a rematch just after half-term.”

Rugby Round-Up: Wins Beyond the Field

Mr Gillick writes,

“It was a busy week for rugby, with our U12 and U13 squads heading away to festivals against Bedford, Swanbourne and Oundle, while our U11s took part in the same festival format on home soil.

In terms of results, it was a positive week for St Faith’s. However, as always, the scoreboard only tells part of the story.

Across the year groups, these festivals provide far more than just results. We saw resilience in abundance, players supporting one another through challenging moments, and squads and individuals being rotated to experience different positions. This exposure helps develop a greater appreciation of the game as a whole, encouraging players to become more adaptable, understand different roles and recognise the contribution everyone makes to the team.

Central to this is our desire to make rugby accessible and enjoyable for all. We want every pupil to feel that they have a place within the game and an opportunity to experience success, whether that comes through a great tackle, a well-timed pass, supporting a teammate or simply having the confidence to get involved. Development will look different for every player, and that is something we should celebrate.

It was therefore particularly pleasing to receive such positive feedback from our staff. Mr Hill commented that he and Mr Critchley were “really pleased with the effort, teamwork and rugby on display”, highlighting some excellent passages of passing. Perhaps even more tellingly, an opposition parent made the effort to seek them out and praise the team.

There were similarly encouraging signs from our U11s, with Mr North noting the “smiles on faces” alongside the transfer of skills developed in training. Better tackling in twos, greater confidence in contact, improved defensive line speed and good use of the ball to the edge were all evident. For me, that combination of enjoyment and visible learning is exactly what school sport should be about.

These are the wins that don’t always show up on a results sheet, but are just as important to the long-term development of our players.

And the wins weren’t confined to the field.

A huge thank you to the parents who continue to support our rugby programme each week. In particular, the U13 parents deserve special recognition for their consistent presence, encouragement and positive enthusiasm throughout the season. Their support is a real testament to the delightful character of their children and is greatly appreciated by everyone involved.

They also provide a useful reminder that we all have a part to play in modelling the behaviours we expect from our players on the sidelines, and for that I am extremely grateful. Sport provides a brilliant opportunity to develop character, and that responsibility belongs to all of us, whether we’re on the pitch or watching from the touchline.

Further down, after a sharp transition from football, we’re excited to see our U9s build on the progress made in last week’s fixtures when they travel away to St John’s this week. Another opportunity to put their learning into practice, embrace the challenge and continue developing as young rugby players.

Plenty of positives to take away from another busy week of rugby. We continue to work towards a programme in which every pupil can participate, progress and feel valued. We continue to learn, develop and build, as players, teams and a rugby community.”

Calling All Old Fidelians

We are looking forward to welcoming Old Fidelians to our next sporting and social occasions this autumn, offering opportunities to reconnect with former classmates, friends and members of the school community.

Old Fidelians v Parents Football

Friday, 13th November, 5.30pm to 7.30pm, Sports Hall

Whether you are keen to take to the pitch or simply cheer from the sidelines, we hope you will join us for an enjoyable evening of football and an opportunity to catch up with old friends. Post-match refreshments will be served.

If you are able to join us for either event, please email marketing@stfaiths.co.uk and do let us know if you have any dietary or medical requirements.

Steele Bodgers Rugby Match

Wednesday, 25th November

This much-loved rugby fixture offers another opportunity for Old Fidelians to meet former classmates and friends, with lunch beforehand. Please note that tickets for this event are limited. The match is organised directly by a group of Old Fidelians rather than the school’s alumni association. Anyone interested in attending is welcome to contact marketing@stfaiths.co.uk in the first instance to enquire about availability.

Application Deadline

If you are applying for a place in Years 1–8 for your own children, or you know friends or colleagues who are intending to apply, please note that the deadline for applications is Friday, 23rd October.