This Week at St Faith’s

International Nurses Day

On Monday, we recognised International Nurses Day, which is celebrated annually on 12th May, the birthday of Florence Nightingale. International Nurses Day recognises the immense contributions that nurses make to global health and well-being. At St Faith’s we are fortunate to have a dedicated and highly skilled team of nurses, who support the health and well-being of both pupils and staff. We are very grateful for their expert and compassionate presence in the heart of our school community.

Two nurses wearing navy blue uniforms stand smiling at the entrance of a brick building. A bunting banner and noticeboard are visible on the wall beside them. It’s daytime and sunny.

Foundation Local Area Walk

Mrs Harmsworth writes,

“The sun shone for our walk along Vicar’s Brook on Monday, and what a lovely time we had! We spotted ducks, moorhens, snails, slugs and even a water vole as we wound our way through the leafy route. The children exclaimed at the size of some of the trunks that had been felled and estimated from the rings how old the trees had been.”

These early geography experiences are important first steps in helping the children make sense of the world around them, developing observation and language skills along the way.

A group of children in red hats and shirts stand by a grassy canal bank, watching a duck swim in the water under dappled sunlight.

A group of children in red hats, accompanied by adults, walks along a wooded path next to a canal. Green fencing separates the path from the water, and sunlight filters through the trees.

A small brown rodent sits at the edge of a muddy stream, partially hidden among dense green plants and tall grass beside the water.

A group of children and adults walk along a narrow, leafy path in a sunlit, green garden. One child in front wears a red hat and yellow overalls, holding hands with another person.

A group of young children in red hats and uniforms stand on a large tree stump in a forest, smiling at the camera. Adults and more children are seen in the background among green trees and foliage.

A narrow, clear stream bordered by lush green grass and plants, with tall yellow irises in bloom on the right side, shaded by leafy trees overhead. Sunlight filters through, creating dappled patterns on the water.

A group of people walk along a sunlit dirt path through a lush, green forest with tall trees and dappled light on the ground.

A group of people, including children and adults, walk along a shaded sidewalk next to a bright red postbox on a sunny day. Trees and greenery line the path, and cars are visible on the road ahead.

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Year 1 Local Area Walk to Botanic Gardens

Miss Herbert writes,

“Year 1 enjoyed a very sunny visit to the Botanical Gardens on Monday afternoon as part of their topic focus. The children looked at the different parts of plants and identified deciduous and evergreen trees.

They also took photos and drew pictures of flowers ready for our upcoming work on Georgia O’Keefe.”

A group of young children in matching plaid uniforms and red hats walk in a line outdoors on a gravel path, led by an adult. The scene is sunny with green grass, trees, and a blue sky.

A group of young children wearing red hats and plaid uniforms walks along a path in a lush, green garden on a sunny day, accompanied by an adult with a backpack.

A group of young children in red hats and plaid uniforms walk along a garden path, following an adult with a backpack. Greenery and trees surround the path on a sunny day.

Four young children in plaid uniforms and red hats sit on grass, drawing or observing ducks nearby. They have notebooks, backpacks, and colored pencils, and are surrounded by small white flowers in a sunlit outdoor area.

A group of young children in matching red hats and plaid school uniforms walk towards a round fountain in a park, accompanied by an adult on a sunny day with lush green trees in the background.

A young child in a red hat and checkered outfit stands by a wooden bench, holding a tablet and taking a photo outside a large glass greenhouse on a sunny day.

A group of young children in red shirts and hats walk along a garden path, with some playing near a sprinkler spraying water, surrounded by greenery and sunlight.

Several children wearing red hats and colorful clothes stand and play among the branches of a large, leafy tree, partially hidden by its green foliage on a sunny day.

A group of young children wearing red hats and uniforms sit on grass in a garden, writing or drawing on clipboards. Some chat while others focus on their work, with backpacks nearby and greenery in the background.

A group of young children wearing red hats and checkered uniforms sit on the grass in a sunny, green outdoor area, drawing or writing on clipboards surrounded by tall grass and wildflowers.

A tall blue wildflower with several small blooms is surrounded by long green grass and a few yellow flowers in a natural outdoor setting.

A group of young children wearing red hats and plaid uniforms stand by a railing, looking out at a lush, green park. Most have backpacks, including one with a Spider-Man design, and the weather is sunny.

Four young children in red hats and backpacks closely examine purple wisteria flowers hanging from a leafy branch in a lush, green outdoor setting.

Purple irises with intricate white and yellow markings bloom in a sunlit garden, surrounded by green leaves and grass. Shadows and patches of sunlight are visible on the ground.

Four young children in red hats and plaid uniforms sit on grass in a sunny garden, drawing or writing on paper. Notebooks and bags are on the ground around them. Flowers and green plants are in the background.

A group of young children in red hats and shirts stand outdoors, touching the trunk of a palm tree surrounded by greenery and flowers, with a sunny park and trees in the background.

A vibrant purple flower with large petals and a cluster of bright yellow stamens in the center, surrounded by green leaves and soil with scattered pebbles.

A group of young children in matching red hats and plaid uniforms stand together on a garden path, surrounded by greenery and colorful flowers, holding clipboards and books.

Eight young children in matching plaid uniforms and red hats stand in a line outdoors on a sunny day, holding clipboards and papers, with green trees and grass in the background.

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Reception 2026 Play Sessions

Staying with the Pre Prep, and although new Reception 2025 pupils have not yet joined the school, the admissions process for new pupils for Reception 2026 is well underway. It was a real pleasure this week to welcome the prospective pupils to join the Early Years team for a gentle assessment play session, whilst families stayed to enjoy refreshments and conversations with staff. We will be making offers for September 2026 by the end of this month. If you know of families who wish to make an application, they should do so via our website, Make an Application – St Faith’s Cambridge.

Little Inventors Day

Mrs Oxborough writes,

“On Monday Year 2 visited the Engineering Workshop, where they will be enjoying regular weekly classes as part of the academic curriculum in Year 3. They started the day by learning that the three main skills taught in Engineering are Problem Solving, Teamwork and Practical Skills.

Year 2 had two problems to solve – they had to create a micro habitat to help encourage more butterflies into our gardens and to design a device that could help remove waste from the oceans. The day was inspired by The Earthshot Prize, particularly the ‘Protect and Restore Nature’ and ‘Revive our Oceans’ categories.

Working in small groups and supported by older pupils from Years 5 and 6, the children designed some fantastic devices that could help remove waste from our waterways. Year 7 pupils choose their favourite designs and these were then built by Mr Hasell, our Engineering Technician. The designs were all based on a hydro craft.

The children also created micro habitats. Pupils planted flowers into biodegradable pots that could be placed directly into their gardens at home. They enjoyed building Lego butterflies and plants which were used to create a vibrant Lego butterfly garden.

These activities not only encouraged teamwork and problem-solving but also deepened their understanding of ecosystems and sustainability.

After lunch, the children continued their habitat projects and had the opportunity to test the ocean-cleaning inventions. The day concluded with a reflective plenary session to celebrate their achievements.

With 52 enthusiastic young inventors, the day was a wonderful showcase of imagination, collaboration, and environmental awareness. A special thank you to the staff and older pupils who supported the event, making it a memorable experience for all involved.”

A group of children in school uniforms and blue Engineering shirts gather around a table with Lego bricks, engaging in an activity in a bright room with brick walls and large windows.

A group of young children in school uniforms sit on the floor in a classroom, playing with colorful building blocks. Some children are focused on the blocks, while others look at their creations.

A hand-drawn design of a machine featuring propellers, robotic arms, bins, and shears, labeled with handwritten notes on a worksheet. Colored pencils are scattered on a wooden table nearby.

Two children in red sweaters write on worksheets at separate tables in a sunlit classroom, one standing and one bending over their work. A brick wall and a window are in the background.

A group of young schoolchildren in red uniforms gather around tables with worksheets, while a woman in a blue shirt labeled ENGINEERING interacts with them in a bright classroom setting.

Two children sitting on the floor, playing with colorful LEGO bricks from red bins. One child wears a red shirt and black shorts, the other wears a checkered school dress with black shoes. Shelves are visible nearby.

Five young children in school uniforms sit on the floor, playing with colorful Lego bricks from large containers. Some are building with the bricks, while others search the boxes. A few other children stand in the background.

Four young students work together in a bright classroom. Two girls in blue ENGINEERING shirts converse while two others in plaid uniforms write or draw on paper at a table. Sunlight streams through large windows.

Three young boys in red shirts stand around a table, working on worksheets with colored pencils in a bright classroom with a brick wall and sunlight streaming in.

Children in school uniforms, some in red shirts and others in checkered dresses, are organizing or collecting items near tables inside a brightly lit school hallway with brick walls and large windows. An adult stands on the left.

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Music Tea Time Recital

Mr Gorick writes,

“On Tuesday, Ashburton Hall was filled with the harmonious sounds of the Tea Time Recital. The event featured 28 solo performances, highlighting a diverse repertoire that spanned centuries and genres. From the classical elegance of Mozart and Bellini to the contemporary charm of John Williams and Martha Mier, the concert showcased the incredible breadth of musical talent within our school.

The large audience, comprising parents and supporters, was treated to a delightful early evening of music making. The soloists, ranging in age and experience, demonstrated their dedication and passion for their craft. The programme included everything from the lively “Charleston” by Cecil Mack, to the enchanting “Elves Dance” by Florence Price, ensuring there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Learning a musical instrument offers numerous joys and rewards. It fosters discipline, enhances cognitive abilities, and develops transferable skills such as teamwork, creativity, and perseverance. These experiences reflect our school’s commitment to providing an inspiring education. The recital highlighted St Faith’s inclusive approach, with performers of all ages and skill levels participating. The evening was a testament to the unique qualities that music making has of empowering pupils to lead a fulfilling life and contribute positively to society by making music for the wellbeing of others.

Miss Kennerley summed up the evening perfectly: “Wow!”

Congratulations to all the performers for their outstanding performances. Special thanks to Miss Kennerley for hosting the event and to Mrs Elcome for her invaluable accompanying. The evening was a testament to the vibrant musical community at St Faith’s, and we look forward to many more such celebrations of talent and dedication.

St Faith’s strongly encourages and supports any pupil who wishes to learn a musical instrument. Please complete this form to declare an interest in your child learning an instrument. We are keen to gather this information as soon as possible ahead of September 2025.”

A young girl in a plaid dress plays the flute while reading sheet music on a stand in a music room with drums and a piano in the background.

A young girl in a red polo shirt and black skirt stands and sings in front of a music stand on a stage, with a drum set and piano in the background.

A young boy wearing glasses and a white shirt plays a grand piano in a music room, with a wooden plaque and fire safety equipment visible in the background.

A young boy in glasses and a white shirt stands beside a black Yamaha grand piano with sheet music open, in a well-lit music room with wooden floors and a partially open door in the background.

A woman and a young boy are seated at a black piano, facing sheet music. The woman has gray hair and the boy wears a white shirt. They are in a well-lit room with music stands and instruments in the background.

A young child with light brown hair in a ponytail, wearing a white shirt and shorts, sits on a piano bench playing a grand piano. Sheet music is open in front of them. A drum set is visible in the background.

A young girl wearing a red shirt and black skirt plays the violin on stage next to a music stand. Behind her are a piano, drum set, and navy blue curtains in a music hall.

Two people sit on chairs playing cellos in a music room. They face each other, with music stands in front of them. Drums, a piano, and other musical equipment are visible in the background.

A boy in a red shirt plays the saxophone in a music room, standing by a music stand. A woman sits at a black grand piano, accompanying him. Drum set and other instruments are visible in the background.

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School Council and Eco Committee Cookie Sale

The School Council and Eco-Committee invited Years 5-8 to a mouth-watering cookie sale in Tom’s Garden on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week. On Thursday, three of our Year 2 members of the recently formed Pre Prep Eco Committee also came along to help out. Our younger pupils did an admirable job ensuring the children had their money ready to make their purchase. We are also very grateful to our kitchen team for baking such delicious cookies for the sale.

Cookies cost £1 each and all the proceedings will be used to fund future school projects chosen by the pupils. Thank you to everyone for their support.

Flying Animals

Mrs Davidson writes,

“Year 4 have been journalists this week, writing and recording a news report. They have been using the editing app iMovie, to add authenticity to their reports, incorporating the use of green screen. Taking inspiration from the imaginative children’s book ‘Tuesday’ by David Wiesner about flying frogs, the children wrote their own reports describing the sudden appearance of flying pigs over a fictitious town. The children have collaborated with great enthusiasm and ambition on the task of bringing this news to the screen and we look forward to seeing the final result.”

Three children stand outside near bushes; one girl holds a microphone and speaks while two other children, one girl and one boy, hold a large yellow poster. All three children are wearing yellow polo shirts and shorts.

Three children in school uniforms work together at a picnic table outside on a sunny day, with papers and folders spread out, near a sports field and a brick building in the background.

Three children in school uniforms are outside; one girl holds a microphone while two other students film her with a tablet. Behind them is a brick wall with colorful artwork displayed.

A girl takes a photo of a boy standing by a picnic table with papers on it, using a tablet. They are outside on a sunny day near a sports field and a brick school building.

Three children are outside near a fenced sports area; one girl films with a tablet while another girl and a boy stand side by side, reading from papers, with the boy holding a microphone.

Four children are outside next to a brick building; two girls and a boy in yellow shirts stand against the wall, while another boy in a red jacket films them with a tablet. A sign with pictures is on the wall behind them.

Three children in yellow shirts stand outside at school; one girl holds a microphone and speaks, while the other two hold clipboards and listen attentively. Trees and a brick building are in the background.

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The Rugby School Poetry Prize 2025

Mrs Switsur writes,

“Two Year 5 classes have written poems for Rugby School’s annual Year 5 poetry competition. They had to write a poem inspired by the theme ‘Clothes.’ They could choose items of clothing from a museum, extravagant celebrity outfits worn on television or film events, or poems focusing on a specific fabric like silk, or a piece of clothing worn by somebody close to them.
My class had a range of topics including priest’s clothes, silk, and a Victorian beetle wing dress used in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth.”
Please see a selection of the children’s poems in the sidebar of the newsletter.

Tallulah the Tortoise

Mrs Pritchard writes,

“Year 5 were treated to a visit from ‘Tallulah the tortoise’ this week as part of their ‘Life Processes’ topic in science. Tallulah was very impressed with the insightful questions asked. She was more than happy wandering around the school field in the sunshine and has put a return visit in her diary for next year!”

A group of children in red and plaid uniforms sit in a circle on grass outside a brick building, listening to an adult standing in the center; a tortoise is on the ground in the middle of the group.

Year 8 Charity Challenge

As reported last week, all the participants in our Year 8 ‘Charity Challenge’ have now received their £5 start-up funding from the school and their new ‘businesses’ will trade for five weeks. On Tuesday, the Year 8 pupils did an excellent and very energetic job of running stalls at morning break, to sell homemade cakes, cookies, brownies, fidget toys, drinks, bracelets, and other items. Children in Years 3-8 were able to visit the stalls, and they were enthusiastic shoppers. All the profits will be donated to our chosen charity projects, Cultivating Change, Lend With Care, and a project enabling children in Cambridge to access instrumental music for the first time. Thank you again for generously supporting our young entrepreneurs! The next Charity Challenge sale will be during morning break on Tuesday, 3rd June.

A group of girls in red shirts stand behind a table filled with baked goods and treats, selling items to a woman in a light dress outdoors on a sunny day at a school or community event.

Students in red uniforms sell sweets at a table outside a school building on a sunny day. Other students walk and gather in the background. Trees and the school’s brick exterior are visible.

Two boys in matching black and red striped blazers stand behind a table with containers of cookies outside a building. Papers and a bag are on the table, and a mosaic is visible on the wall behind them.

Three boys in red and black striped school uniforms stand at a table with baked goods outside a building labeled “The Hub.” Two boys stand behind the table while one stands in front, wearing a backpack.

A boy in a red and black striped blazer stands behind a table with brownies and cookies for sale. An iPad and a price sign are on the table. The background has a brick wall and a decorative mural.

Three students, two in red shirts and black skirts and one in a red-and-black striped blazer, stand outside by a brick wall next to a table with colorful bags and boxes.

Four boys in red and black uniforms stand around a table outdoors, playing a game with a colorful spinning wheel and board game pieces. A brick building and a British Sign Language chart are visible in the background.

A group of students in red and black uniforms gathers around a table with colorful lollipops and drinks, outdoors on a sunny day. One student is leaning over the table, focusing on something.

Several boys in striped uniforms gather around an outdoor table with paper planes, blue tokens, and various objects, appearing engaged in an activity or experiment under bright sunlight.

A group of school children in uniforms gather around a table outdoors on a sunny day, engaging in an activity together, with other students and buildings in the background.

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Art Fun Club

Mrs Scott writes,

“Pupils from Years 3, 4 and 5 have been creating their interpretation of wild flower meadows at the after-school Art Fun Club. Using watercolours, salt, liquid masking tape and plenty of imagination, the resulting artworks are a wonderful celebration of nature. “

A watercolor painting of tall, colorful flowers with green stems set against a soft, pastel background of blue, purple, and pink. The flowers vary in size and color, with a yellow surface visible underneath.

Plate Waste Competition

On Friday lunchtime, Chaucer house has voted for us to have Oreo Chocolate Brownies for pudding, to celebrate their victory in the ‘Plate Waste’ Challenge!

Athletics

St Faith’s has deservedly earned a reputation for the breadth of its sports curriculum and in the summer term this includes cricket, tennis, rowing and athletics. One of the highlights for families are the two school sports days; this year taking place on Tuesday, 20th May (Pre Prep) and Friday, 13th June (Years 3-8). As well as preparing for those events in PE lessons, our pupils have also been participating in a number of Athletics meetings over the past few weeks.

St Faith’s Athletics Meeting

Mr Mageean writes,

“On May 8th St Faith’s hosted a fantastic evening of Athletics at Latham Road involving a whole family of our sporting friends in Cambridge.

Almost 400 pupils descended on Latham Road for the first competitive track event of the season. The most fantastic fact was that over 85% of our St Faith’s athletes smashed their Personal Bests in their individual event before we enjoyed watching the final ‘double point’ relays that added an extra edge of excitement to the evening!

A huge thank you to the St Faith’s sports department for delivering such a great event, and we would like to thank all our supporters who cheered everyone on during the evening. Congratulations to all athletes who proudly represented St Faith’s.

The final results are included in the sidebar, which saw our Years 4-6 pupils regain pole position after The Perse Prep were victorious last year; and for the first time in the running of this annual event (over more than 25 years) we saw a tie for first place between St Faith’s ‘A’ team and Perse Upper ‘A’ team in the older age group (Years 7 & 8).”

Cambridgeshire County Athletics Championships

Last Saturday was a wonderful sunny day of sport for 16 of our pupils who had chosen to enter the County Athletics Championships at Embankment Stadium, Peterborough. This is primarily a club championship with some of our pupils competing for Cambridge & Coleridge Athletics Club, so it is the highest level of competition in the local athletic calendar.

Lots of personal best performances were achieved, much fun was had and a fantastic medal tally was achieved, with 7 of our pupils being crowned as County Champion. A grand total of 14 medals (7 gold; 3 silver; 4 bronze) were won by our pupils and every one of those was achieved through sheer hard work and outstanding support from family and friends on the day.

Seven girls in red and black St. Faiths sports uniforms stand side by side on an athletics track, smiling at the camera. A green field, trees, and blue sky are visible in the background.

Year 7 & 8 Rowing Boat House Experience

Miss Kennerley writes,

“On Wednesday our Years 7 & 8 rowers had the great fortune to be invited for a tour of the University Boathouse from the University Head Coach, Mr Rob Baker (a current St Faith’s parent). The Cambridge University Boat Club was founded in 1828. Not only were the pupils absorbed by the history of the Club, but they also learned from Mr Baker about university rowing and the world-famous Boat Race, which first took place in 1829 and has been rowed annually since 1856. The children also received some coaching on the rowing machines and were even able to put their skills to test in the rowing tank.”

Children in white uniforms and red caps sit around a table with sports memorabilia and jerseys, listening to a standing adult in a green shirt. The room has green walls, plaques, and a fireplace in the background.

A dark plaque on a green wall lists names and colleges from 1829. Henley. Lost. including Holdsworth, Bayford, Warren, Melivale, Entwistle, Thompson, Selwyn, Snow, and Heath from Trinity, Trinity Hall, and Johns.

A vintage light green blazer with white trim, large front pockets, and tan buttons is laid out on a table beside a straw boater hat with a beige ribbon.

A smiling child wearing an oversized light blue blazer stands in a wood-paneled room with trophies, plaques, and a large champagne bottle in the background. The room has mint green walls and wooden furniture.

A smiling boy wearing an oversized mint green blazer stands in a wood-paneled room with trophies, plaques, a large paddle, and a giant champagne bottle behind him.

A mint green blazer with white trim, a straw boater hat with a matching ribbon, and a vintage pennant listing names and a crest, all laid out on a lavender surface.

A man practices rowing in an indoor pool with mirrors lining the walls and a life preserver hanging above. He sits in a stationary rowing boat, holding oars across the water. Natural light enters through windows on the left.

Two girls with ponytails watch a man sitting in a small boat in an indoor pool, surrounded by mirrors and life rings on the walls. The scene appears to be an educational demonstration or lesson.

A young person practices rowing in an indoor training tank while an instructor stands nearby. The tank is filled with water, and mirrors line the walls, reflecting the scene. Rowing equipment and safety gear are visible.

A rowing coach stands beside an indoor rowing tank, instructing a student seated in a practice boat on the water. Large mirrors reflect both people, and a lifebuoy hangs on the wall.

A young person practices rowing in an indoor rowing tank while an instructor stands nearby observing. The room has mirrors on the wall, life rings, and water in the rowing tank.

A group of four children in sports uniforms use a rowing machine in a gym while another child and an adult coach stand nearby, observing. Several rowing machines are lined up in the background.

A group of children in white shirts use rowing machines in a gym, while an adult in a green shirt and shorts stands watching them. Some children are sitting, rowing, or waiting their turn.

A group of twelve children wearing matching white sports shirts poses outside a building with an open door. Some are standing, while four kneel in front. A bicycle is partially visible on the right.

A group of children in white sports shirts and shorts pose with an adult wearing a green t-shirt and shorts outside a brick building with open blue doors. A bicycle wheel is visible on the right side of the image.

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And Finally…

The stage is set, the costumes are prepared, and the musicians are ready, as Year 8 prepare to dazzle us next week with their production of Guys and Dolls. With toe-tapping numbers, bold characters, and an engaging story, the show promises to be a highlight of the term. Best of luck to the cast and crew as they bring Broadway to St Faith’s.

With all best wishes,

Crispin Hyde-Dunn

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