Pre Prep Outings
It feels like a long time ago since last Friday, when the Pre Prep children enjoyed a great day of outings to Notley Country Park, South Angle Farm and Wicken Fen. Here are a selection of the photos captured on the day, including some of the ferocious pirates in action!
Summer Concert
On Monday evening our musicians were in action at the Cambridge University Concert Hall, for the big music event of the year – the Summer Concert. Jazz groups, big bands, percussion groups, wind, string and brass ensembles, three choirs and a huge concert band provided a wonderful range of entertaining music for the large audience to enjoy. There was a joyous atmosphere as we celebrated the musical talent across the school and some impromptu audience participation as Mr Gorick, in customary style, cajoled parents, children and staff to sing and dance the samba in the aisles. As one Year 8 parent emailed me afterwards, ‘I’ve come home humming and strumming to the musical sounds whizzing through my ears. What a triumph! A fabulous end of year concert. I’ve just about managed to hold off the tears. I think I’ll need to return next year without a child in the school just to soak up the St Faith’s vibes all over again.’
Indeed, it is sad to see our Year 8 musicians move on to pastures new. We have seen them grow and develop as they have performed in the many concerts over the years, both here at St Faith’s and further afield, such as Liverpool and South Africa. Our hope is that they will continue to develop their musical talent at senior school and keep in touch with St Faith’s. For the final item in Monday’s concert, we were delighted to welcome back three former pupils (one on his birthday!) to join the concert band, which was a lovely touch and a fitting finalé to a great evening. Here are a few photos I took on the night, including one of the Stewards in their great sashes!
Many congratulations to every child who took part in this year’s Summer Concert and thank you to our outstanding music staff for organising this super event and working so well with the pupils throughout the year.
Evensong at Newton Parish Church
Speaking of former pupils, on Sunday evening, members of our Senior Singers met John Lindgram, who left St Faith’s in 1939, when they sang Evensong at Newton Parish Church. John read at the service and afterwards was delighted to talk to our pupils, at one point expressing his disappointment that Chaucer (his old house) did not win at Sports Day this year!
Enrichment Week
There will be plenty of special events next week, as all pupils in Years 3 to 8 enjoy an off-timetable programme of enrichment activities, designed to extend the normal curriculum. Two residential trips will be departing this weekend; Jane and I will be joining the Year 6s as they head off to Salamanca to spend their mornings in a Spanish School, and the afternoons seeing the sights of this beautiful city, portrayed by many as ‘the Cambridge of Spain’. Year 8s will be revelling in an outdoor adventure trip to the Ardèche, including a canoe descent of the river and an overnight camp.
Sport
The U11 boys’ cricket side will be the 20th St Faith’s sports team to participate in a national final this year, having won the IAPS regional tournament at Chigwell School on Wednesday. We wish them a great day at the national final, which will take place at Oakham School on 11th July.
Move Up Morning
Yesterday, there was great excitement as pupils ‘moved up’ to meet their teachers and tutors for next year as well as any new children joining their class. The new pupils’ early nerves were calmed thanks to a warm welcome from our Prefects (pictured here), who showed skill and sensitivity in settling in our visitors as they arrived.
Nuffield Hospital Competition
On Monday, members of staff from the Nuffield Hospital including the Hospital Director, Adrian Connolly, presented prizes to three of our pupils in assembly. The competition was based on the new £1 million robot arm which is now helping to perform orthopaedic operations at the Nuffield. Our children were challenged to design their own robots and also name the new Nuffield robot. The three winners are Bethany (1WD), Charlie S (3L) and Hope (5B). Hope’s suggestion, ‘Dr Fixa Bot’ will be used to name the new robot.
Finally…
Our catering team made the most of today’s glorious weather by treating the whole school to a barbecue in Tom’s Garden! As I collected my salad and cheeseburger, I overheard one Year 3 girl say to her friend, “wow, this is the best lunch ever!”
With all good wishes,
Nigel Helliwell