Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Following the very sad news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II yesterday, Thursday 8th September, as a mark of respect, most items for this week’s school newsletter have been postponed and will be shared in due course. Thank you for your understanding.
This morning we held two special short assemblies – one for our Year 3 to 8 pupils, and one for our Pre Prep children, so that we could gather as a community and reflect on yesterday’s news from Balmoral. We considered the legacy of the Queen, and gave thanks for her inspiring life of international service. Our older pupils also reflected upon the ways in which they may observe people showing respect to the Queen and the Royal family in the coming days – for example by tributes, by cancellation of events, by alteration of television and radio schedules and by the wearing of black clothing. In addition we thought about why it is especially important to be kind and respectful to one another at this time, and we recalled our happy memories of the Queen, including our recent Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
At the time of writing, we are awaiting further details from the Department for Education and the Cambridgeshire Local Authority on the period of national mourning and how it will apply to schools. From next week, we plan to provide a book of condolence. We will keep you informed of arrangements as soon as we have more details.
Tutor Meetings
The ‘Meet the Tutors’ & ‘Introduction to the New School Year’ Information evening took place this week for Years 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. For other year groups, these meetings are scheduled to take place next week on Tuesday evening starting at 19:00. It is our intention that this important event will still go ahead during the period of national mourning. Details of the room allocations for different year groups have been sent out via School Post.
Nut Allergies
May I please draw your attention to the Parent Handbook regarding suitable food for children to bring into school. In particular, I would like to remind you that St Faith’s is a nut free site and it is essential that nut-based products are not brought onto the school site as we have a number of members of our community with allergies. Thank you for your support.
Travel
As we continue to strive to reduce our carbon footprint and minimise congestion, we have three new bus routes available: Royston, Saffron Walden (both morning and afternoon) and Babraham Park and Ride (morning only). They are bookable via the our ‘HomeRun’ sustainable travel app, which also affords opportunity for car sharing bookings. May I also please remind you that if you are joining us by car for our school breakfast facility, please use the Cambridge Football Stadium parking rather than local roads. Thank you for your support as we continue towards more sustainable travel for our community.
At this sad time for our country, we give thanks for Her Majesty’s long life of extraordinary service.
With all best wishes,
Dr Crispin Hyde-Dunn
