Welcome back and I do hope the half-term break has provided an opportunity for pupils and families to recharge ahead of a busy and productive second half of term. As well as seasonal events such as our Autumn Concert and Christmas Carol Services, and the Foundation Nativity play, there are many other activities with which the pupils will be involved. These range from the Primary Maths Challenge competition, to an inspiring Academic Enrichment Day, National Road Safety Week and numerous sporting fixtures and competitions, including regional and national football and hockey finals and gymnastics events. There are also further Parent-Teacher Consultations, as part of our regular contact and reporting between school and home.
Science Sleepover
As mentioned in the newsletter just before half-term, Year 5 pupils returned to school on the final evening of the last half term for the ever-popular ‘Science Sleepover’ event. Over the course of the evening, activities included chemistry experiments in the Science lab and an animal themed treasure hunt around school, followed by a sleepover in Ashburton Hall. Then on Friday morning, after a hearty breakfast, activities continued with visits from ‘The Animal Experience’, who brought in baby meerkats and various reptiles. In addition, members of Cambridge Community Circus taught the children some impressive circus skills, such as juggling and plate spinning. We hope that you enjoy this gallery of photos from the event.
Cambridge Sustainable Food
During the half term week, members of our school Chartwells catering team helped support the Cambridge Sustainable Food group with their Food for the Planet Festival, by cooking a seasonal and vegetarian lunch for over 50 local residents at the Akeman Community Centre.
Pre Prep Craft Club
In Paper Craft this week, children used oil pastels to draw a colourful firework filled evening sky. They then carefully tore brown paper and coloured tissue paper to add a bonfire. The children were thrilled with their endeavours!
Family and Friends
In their Personal Social Health Citizenship Education (PSHCE) lessons, Year 6 have started to explore the topic: ‘Family and Friends’. To launch this theme, 6B looked at the qualities that a good friend displays and thought about the range of positive personality traits shared amongst Class 6B. They then wrote ‘recipes’ using elements which came out from class discussion, and you read here some of the ‘recipes’ that 6B have ‘cooked up’.
Year 7 Cambridge Poems and ‘My Hero’ Speeches
In the first half of term in their English lessons, pupils in Year 7 have been studying the skill of public speaking. As part of developing listening and speaking skills, the pupils have analysed famous speeches, including techniques used by speakers. Each pupil then wrote their own speech which was shared with their teacher and among their peers. Delivering the speech was the final stage of this process, and upon doing this, every pupil was given immediate, constructive feedback. For the subject of their speeches, pupils chose heroes and heroines, ranging from the notably famous to less well-known personalities. Overall, the pupils engaged extremely well with the exercise and here is an example speech for you to enjoy.
In other English lessons this week, Year 7 pupils have been composing their own Cambridge themed poems. They have been exploring personification, metaphors and other figurative language through poetry. We do hope that you enjoy this selection of the children’s poems.
Lessons This week
Elsewhere, pupils in Year 8 have been studying the American War of Independence, while pupils in Year 5 have been learning about Coordinates in Maths. Year 6 pupils have been expanding their vocabulary in Spanish as they have been learning about places in the home, while pupils in Year 3 have been enjoying more reading time in the library. Children in the Pre Prep have been wearing their colourful wellies at breaktimes which have really made a splash!
Prep Open Morning
On Wednesday, we welcomed more than 30 prospective families to our Prep Open Morning (Years 3-7). Following a presentation for the parents and children outlining the wide-ranging learning opportunities of a St Faith’s education, our Year 8 Prefect pupils gave the visiting families a guided tour around the school. The visitor feedback from these tours was extremely positive, with our Year 8 pupils being articulate, polite and engaging. All the visiting families departed with a bag of food treats, courtesy of our school caterers Chartwells, including a bread making kit and a jar of Cranberry and Orange Sauce!
Please note the deadline for September 2024 applications is 30th November and the January assessments will take place from 11th to 19th January.
Years 7 & 8 Junior Boys’ and Girls’ English Schools Cross Country
Today some of our 7 and 8 pupils travelled to The Perse School to compete in the English Schools’ Cross-Country event. The races ranged between 2000m-3000m and we look forward to hearing how our entrants fare in this keenly contested event.
And Finally…. Fireworks Night
At the time of writing, we are eagerly anticipating this evening’s SFPA Fireworks display. Once again it is a sell-out occasion and we look forward to hosting a wonderfully colourful spectacle.
With all best wishes,
Dr Crispin Hyde-Dunn
