This Week at St Faith’s

School Assembly

In our school assembly on Monday I had the great pleasure of presenting Headmaster’s Awards to children in Years 3-8. In addition, I presented Wyvern awards to those pupils who had progressed to the next level of our recently established sustainability scheme. These awards are not only a celebration of individual excellence and effort, but also a reflection of the collective spirit and values we share as a school.

The focus of our assembly was particularly poignant as we marked the forthcoming 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day – VE Day – with reflections on its historical significance and enduring relevance. The children reflected on the impact of VE day on the lives of so many people around the world, which is why so many commemorations up and down the country will be taking place this weekend.

A group of students and a teacher play brass instruments on stage before an audience, while a woman speaks at a podium. A screen displays “VE Day 80th Anniversary, 8 May 2025” in a school assembly hall.

We revisited the momentous announcement of the end of the Second World War in Europe, with pupils watching Sir Winston Churchill’s broadcast to the nation on 8th May 1945, followed by original footage from the Imperial War Museum capturing the joy and relief on the streets of London. This gave pupils a sense of both the jubilation and the solemnity that VE Day represents. Mrs Davies concluded with a reminder that, for many families, the relief of peace was bittersweet, because of sadness about those who did not return from the war. Details of our VE Day photo competition can be found in the sidebar.

Artistic Visit to The Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Later in the week, all of Year 7 and our Year 8 Art & Design pupils visited the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. This visit was designed to enrich their artistic practice, particularly in digital photography, as they explored the ‘International Garden Photographer of the Year’ Exhibition. The vibrant setting of the garden served as a perfect source of inspiration, and back in the art room, pupils are now transforming their observations and photographs into 3D clay pieces and collaborative wire tree sculptures – a wonderful synthesis of digital technology and hands-on creativity.

A large leafy tree stands on a grassy lawn near a glass greenhouse, with a group of people sitting in the shade. The sky is blue with a few clouds, and lush greenery surrounds the scene.

A person with blonde hair wearing a red shirt leans over the edge of a wooden platform, reaching their hands into clear, greenish water, possibly touching or feeding fish.

Several children wearing red shirts lean over a pond, reaching toward the water with their hands. Lush green plants surround the pond in a garden setting.

Children in colorful shirts and hats sit and lie on grass in a sunny park, some holding tablets, while others stand and point toward the tall trees in front of them. Water bottles and backpacks are nearby.

Children view large outdoor display boards with nature photos and information in a grassy area surrounded by trees under a sunny sky. Some read the displays closely, while others walk nearby.

Three children lie on grass under a large tree, writing or drawing on clipboards. Theyre surrounded by greenery on a sunny day, with sunlight filtering through the tree’s branches.

Children wearing colorful shirts explore and gather in a sunlit, grassy area under a large, leafy tree. The scene is bright and filled with lush greenery and wildflowers.

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Latham Charity Event

The netball courts have been home to the Latham ‘Hook a Duck’ charity event at several breaktimes this week. With much laughter and enthusiastic participation, pupils thoroughly enjoyed this activity. This event is an excellent opportunity for pupils to engage in charitable activities and understand the importance of giving back to the community. The chosen charity for Latham this year is Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Smiling girl in a plaid school uniform holds up a small yellow rubber duck outdoors on a sunny day, standing beside a tennis court.

A group of schoolchildren in red and grey uniforms gather around a blue container outdoors, examining objects inside, while more students stand in organized lines in the background on a sports court.

Three young girls in plaid school uniforms stand outside, smiling and holding small colorful toys. The background shows trees, a blue sky, and a fenced area.

A blue container filled with colorful plastic toy ducks, including a black duck and several yellow, orange, and multicolored ducks, some lying on their sides and others upright.

Children are playing a ring toss game outdoors on a sunny day, aiming hoops at cones decorated with blue duck cutouts. Other kids are watching nearby on a fenced playground with trees and grass in the background.

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Plate Waste School Record

Wednesday saw the return of our annual Plate Waste Competition, a now well-established tradition thanks to the Eco Committee’s hard work and dedication. The aim, to keep food waste under 20kg, was surpassed in record-breaking fashion with just 7.9kg of plate waste produced – a powerful testament to our pupils’ commitment to environmental responsibility. Pupils were also competing to have the most clear plates per house, with every clear plate being awarded a house token – and the winner will be announced next Monday. The winning house earns the privilege of choosing a special pudding for the whole school to enjoy.

Three young boys smile and play a board game with colored tokens and bowls on a table in a classroom, while another boy in a red shirt stands in the background near a foosball table.

A smiling child in a green shirt and red cap gives a thumbs up at a table set with a plate and cup, while other children in uniforms interact in a school cafeteria.

Two young children in school uniforms stand in a cafeteria. The girl holds a sheet of colorful stickers, and the boy shows off a sticker on his shirt. Other children sit at tables with red trays in the background.

Three boys in school uniforms sort lunch trays and waste items at a counter, with bins for recycling and composting. Sunlight streams in through a window as they participate in a classroom recycling activity.

Two boys in school uniforms stand behind a table with bins and colorful objects in a classroom. One boy wears a red striped blazer and holds paper; the other wears a white polo shirt. Photos are displayed on the wall behind them.

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Year 8 Production Rehearsal

In the world of performing arts, Year 8 pupils are deep in rehearsals for their upcoming production of Guys and Dolls Jr., which will be performed on 21st and 22nd May. Judging by the rehearsals, we can look forward to a really energetic, entertaining and high-quality performance. Many of the musical numbers will be familiar, and I am sure it will be a memorable evening. To book tickets please see the sidebar of this newsletter.

Students in red and striped shirts walk and carry chairs in a school hall with a wooden floor, stage, musical instruments, and empty rows of seating. Some students are entering from the doorway on the right.

A group of students in red uniforms practice a stage performance in a well-lit hall. Some walk in a circle around a platform where two students stand, with chairs and musical instruments in the background.

A group of school children in uniform, both girls and boys, gather around and on a small round platform in a spacious hall with wooden floors and chairs arranged around them. Musical instruments are visible in the background.

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SFPA Coffee Mornings

This week’s SFPA coffee mornings have continued in some glorious sunshine, offering parents of Years 3, 4, 7 and 8 the opportunity to connect with one another and with staff in an informal setting. Mrs Moses, Chair of the SFPA, welcomed parents to the coffee mornings reminded them that our much-anticipated Summer Party will be held at Barrington Hall. Next week, we look forward to hosting Years 5 and 6 parents on Tuesday, and Years 1 and 2 parents on Thursday, for the final two coffee mornings of the term.

People gather outdoors around a table with coffee pots, cups, and snacks. Most are dressed in jackets and jumpers. Trees and greenery are in the background, and a few people stand farther away on a paved path.

A group of people stands on a lawn facing a man who is speaking. They are outside near a brick building, with trees in the background. A table with snacks and cups is in the foreground.

A group of people gather outdoors near a building, chatting and serving themselves drinks and snacks from tables set up on a grassy lawn surrounded by trees.

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International Jazz Day

Did you know that Wednesday was International Jazz Day? On Thursday, 6B discussed the origins of Jazz and Blues and tracing their origins back to African musical traditions. It is always interesting to see how classroom conversations can open windows into broader cultural histories and spark greater appreciation for the music we enjoy today.

Old Fidelian (OF) Committee Meeting

On Tuesday evening we welcomed four new members to the committee, most of whom are also current parents at our school. We are very grateful for the time and dedication of our committee members, particularly in their efforts organising social events throughout the year, for our OF community. Sporting events include tennis, netball, football, golf and chess!

Nine people stand in a row inside a brightly lit room, dressed in a mix of business and casual attire. There are red chairs, a laptop, and a bottle on a nearby table. All are smiling at the camera.
Details of event dates are published in the OF section of the website, News & Events – St Faith’s Cambridge. A future date for your diaries isthe ever-popular OF BBQ that will take place on Friday, 5th September 2025. If you would like to book a place at an event, or support the committee in any way, please contact marketing@stfaiths.co.uk in the first instance.

Sport

The warm weather this week has been the perfect backdrop for the start of the cricket, tennis and athletics seasons. House cricket semi-finals took place for Years 3, 4 and 5 and there was great support from parents who came to cheer on their children. All of the matches displayed the collective effort that the children make when playing for their houses, as well as their sense of pride and determination, whatever the final result.

Over the bank holiday weekend our U11 and U14 boys’ gymnastics teams will be competing in the Pairs Sports Acrobatics and Floor & Vault National Finals. We wish them the very best of luck.

A group of children play cricket on a grassy field with white track lines. One child prepares to bat while others, along with an adult supervisor, watch in the background. Trees and buildings are visible behind them.

A group of children and two adults play cricket on a grassy field surrounded by trees. Some children wear green shirts, others wear white. There are white vans and a building in the background under a clear sky.

Children and an adult wearing red caps play cricket on a grassy field near brick buildings on a sunny day. Cones and cricket equipment are set up, and trees are in the background.

Children and adults play a game of cricket on a grassy field in front of a modern brick building, with trees and a blue sky in the background.

Children play cricket on a grassy field under clear blue skies, with trees and spectators in the background. One child in a red cap is batting, while others and an adult observe.

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And Finally…

As we approach the Bank Holiday weekend and pause to mark VE Day, this week has reminded us in so many ways of our school values, of kindness, community and excellence.

Over the next few days, whether or not you are like the “clear plate” winning house, and in charge of special pudding choices, I wish you a peaceful and relaxed weekend.

With all best wishes,

Crispin Hyde-Dunn

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