Welcome Back!
I hope you enjoyed a lovely summer and your child has settled in well to their new class. I extend a particularly warm welcome to the new pupils and their parents who joined the school this week; I trust that you are beginning to feel part of the St Faith’s community. As always, if there is any way we can help, please just ask.
Assembly this week focused on making the most of the opportunities which will come our way this year and, just as importantly, helping others to do the same. Kindness and consideration for others will be a theme running through all our work this year, in lessons and assemblies, and we will be doing everything we can to help our current Fidelians show the high standards of manners and kindness traditionally associated with pupils who attend St Faith’s. In this respect, we value your support greatly.
Summer Activities and Works
It has been a very busy summer at St Faith’s with hundreds of children enjoying the many activity courses and our support staff and external contractors working hard to ensure the school is fully prepared for the new term. Much of the work has focused on the new Hub, between the Keynes and Ashburton buildings, which has converted an outdoor corridor into a large indoor atrium with two enlarged and fully refurbished Science laboratories, a first floor project room and a roof top observatory and weather station. The new facility links Engineering, Science and the Art and Design Departments and creates a fantastic new facility for inter-disciplinary projects. It was lovely to hear the gasps of amazement as the pupils walked in to the lab for their first Science lesson of the year this week. The contractors are putting the finishing touches to the second (and largest) Science lab and the roof top observatory, and all things being well, the Hub will be completed next week.
Ardèche trip
In July, the Year 7s enjoyed a fantastic outdoor activity holiday to the Ardèche and despite a few spectacular capsizes on the canoe descent of the river, everyone arrived back in Cambridge safely and in one piece. Thank you very much to Miss Kennerley, the trip leader, and the accompanying staff, Mr Cricthley, Miss Wacey, Ms Cox and Mr Graves for their time and work in running this successful residential adventure for the children.
Green Goblins
The Green Goblins racing team were in fine form in the final races of the season at Dunsfold Park on 8th July, with all three cars performing well. Here are some lovely photos of the event.
National Cricket Finalists
Also in July, our U11 boys’ cricket team played in the National Cricket Finals at Oakham School, having qualified as winners of the East region. Seven other schools participated in the finals day, each one representing an area of the country. Our team played superbly well, winning all their group matches including fine wins over Manchester Grammar School (with Andrew Flintoff’s son playing!) and Cumnor House (representing the South), thereby qualifying for the final against RGS Worcester. The final didn’t quite go our way, but our boys and coaches, Mr Critchley and Mr Clayton-Smith, were delighted that St Faith’s finished as runners-up. Many congratulations to the boys, pictured here.
National Maths
Many congratulations to Kuankuan (Year 8) for reaching the Junior Maths Olympiad. This is a terrific achievement, particularly as Kuankuan is younger than almost all of the other entrants. I presented him with his certificate and prize in assembly this week.
British Nature Photograph Competition
Thank you to everyone who entered the Photograph Competition last term. Mrs Price was thrilled to receive over 170 entries, leaving the judges, Mrs Zurita, CEO of BirdLife International, and Mrs Williams, a professional photographer, with the very challenging task of choosing finalists and winners. Congratulations to the winners: Emma (Pre Prep); Reuben (Years 3 &4); Niall (Years 5-8); Mr Colgan (parent) and Mrs Scott (staff). Here are the winning entries and a selection of the photos which were highly commended.
With all good wishes,
Nigel Helliwell