This Week at St Faith’s

Leadership and Teamwork

Our first school assembly of the half-term focused on the theme of teamwork and leadership. Mrs Davies and Mr Critchley reflected on the recent Year 7 Teambuilding event (previously reported in the newsletter of 19th September) and how, through a series of fun and engaging challenges both here at school and at Grafham Water, the pupils explored what makes truly effective teamwork. Collaboration, communication, initiative, leadership and resilience were all key qualities highlighted and ones that align closely with our St Faith’s Learning Habits.

For our Year 7 pupils, these activities are more than simply enjoyable experiences: they mark an important step in developing confidence and leadership as they begin their senior school journey. It was also an excellent opportunity to continue welcoming our recent joiners into the St Faith’s community.

“I think it was a really good experience and I think it helped me learn about people because I’m new,” said one of our Year 7 pupils.

Two yellow sailboats with pink and green sails, each carrying three people in life jackets, are sailing on a calm blue lake under a clear sky. Trees are visible in the distant background.

A group of children in helmets and life jackets stand by yellow kayaks on a calm lake, with brightly colored sailboats and clear blue skies in the background.

1 / 1

The assembly continued the theme of leadership as I had the great pleasure of presenting our newly elected House Captains with their badges. In total, twelve pupils, three from each House, have been appointed following a rigorous process of application. These young leaders will help shape house events, mentor younger pupils, and foster a strong sense of belonging across our community. We congratulate them all on their well-deserved success.

Looking ahead to one of the highlights of our end-of-term celebrations, the song choices for our Last House Standing competition were also announced:

Bentley – A Whole New World

Chaucer – When I Grow Up

Latham – Food Glorious Food

Newton – The Bare Necessities

A man in a suit shakes hands with a student in a striped blazer on stage during a school assembly, while other students watch and applaud.

1 / 1

The Great Fire of London

Mrs Sheppard writes,

“This week, 2MAS captivated the rest of Pre Prep with their class assembly all about The Great Fire of London. The children have been studying the events of 1666 in class and brought the story to life through expressive poetry, lively songs, and impressive acting. Their storytelling helped everyone imagine what it was like during those dramatic days in London’s history. Well done to all of 2MAS for their confident performances and excellent teamwork.”

A smiling child wearing a vintage coat and cap stands in a brightly lit room, surrounded by other children dressed in red and a woman in a pink striped shirt. The scene appears lively and playful, possibly during a school play.

A young girl wearing a yellow vest labeled FIRE stands with three other children, all in red shirts, raising their arms in a classroom or assembly setting. The children have their backs to the camera.

A child lies on the floor wrapped in a blanket, while other children in costumes, along with a teacher, watch. Cardboard houses labeled Pudding Lane suggest a play or performance set on a wooden stage.

A young girl in a red sweater and plaid skirt stands in front of classmates, speaking or performing. Other children in similar uniforms sit on benches behind her in a bright room.

Five young children in red sweaters, with one wearing a chefs hat and apron, stand in a row with their hands together by their faces, as if pretending to sleep, inside a school hall.

A smiling young girl wears a red robe with a white, black-spotted collar as an adult helps adjust it. Other children watch in the background in a brightly lit indoor space.

A group of children in red uniforms sit indoors; one girl in a yellow firefighter vest enthusiastically raises her arms, smiling, while another child is in a wheelchair, also smiling.

A young girl in a red shirt raises her hand to her forehead as if saluting or looking into the distance, with other children in the background doing the same gesture.

Two children dressed in costumes face each other indoors. One child wears a spotted cape with a fire symbol on the back, while the other wears a flat cap and a dark cloak. They appear to be in a school or auditorium setting.

1 / 1

Lessons This Week

Across the school, pupils have been applying themselves enthusiastically to a wide variety of lessons and practical activities. Year 7 Engineering pupils have been busy building rockets powered by matchstick heads, while in English they have been exploring the art of persuasive speech-writing. Year 5 Mathematicians have been tackling equations, and in Year 3 Physical Education pupils have been developing close ball control through basketball. Meanwhile, Year 3 English lessons have seen some sparkling firework poetry, and our junior artists have been creating wonderful clay pumpkins. Beyond the classroom, there have been lively rugby and hockey fixtures against Bishop’s Stortford School, King’s College School, and The Stephen Perse School.

Children wearing red and purple uniforms play a game of rugby on a grassy field, with a coach observing and trees with autumn leaves in the background. Some kids run while others chase the ball.

Two boys wearing red rugby shirts with St Faiths written on the back stand side by side on a grassy sports field, looking towards a game in progress.

1 / 1

St Faith’s Preschool Opens

It was both an exciting and joyful moment to welcome our very first group of Preschool children on Tuesday, marking the official opening of the new St Faith’s Preschool and the extension of our provision to the 3+ age group. The occasion was celebrated with the cutting of a bright red lace ribbon before everyone stepped inside the new classroom.

Wearing their distinctive St Faith’s red sweatshirts, our young pupils quickly settled into their surroundings. For some, with older siblings already at the school, the environment felt instantly familiar. Before long, there were tricycles racing around the Early Years outdoor area and busy play in the reading corner, the kitchen, and the art station.

We look forward to welcoming more children when the next cohort joins in January. Families interested in a place for their child from the half-term following their third birthday are warmly invited to contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stfaiths.co.uk or by telephone on 01223 229421 to arrange a visit.

Two women smiling and standing next to a red ribbon tied in a bow at the entrance of a brightly lit room, suggesting a ribbon-cutting ceremony or event.

A woman in a green patterned dress smiles as she cuts a red ribbon with large wooden scissors during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entrance of a building.

A young child in a red sweatshirt cuts a red ribbon with oversized scissors during an opening ceremony, while another child stands nearby in the background.

A young child in a yellow jacket smiles while climbing on a rope structure outdoors. Another child in dark pants and white shoes stands nearby. The background shows a brick wall and out-of-focus buildings.

Two young boys in red sweaters and black pants ride a yellow tandem tricycle on a playground path surrounded by artificial grass and fallen leaves. One boy pedals while the other sits on the back.

1 / 1

Quiz Club General Knowledge Area Heat

On Thursday, two teams represented St Faith’s in the area heat of the Quiz Club National Championships. Each team comprised one representative from Years 3 to 6, competing live online from school. The event, hosted by professional quizmasters, included instant scoring, which added to the excitement. Both teams performed superbly, with one achieving a very impressive second place overall, securing progression to the semi-finals. We wish them the very best of luck in the next round and congratulate all competitors for putting themselves forward with such enthusiasm.

Four smiling children in school uniforms stand in front of a screen displaying school rankings and scores in a classroom setting, with books stacked on a counter to the right.

Four children sit at desks in a classroom, smiling and raising their arms excitedly. Notebooks and water bottles are on the desks, and colorful bulletin boards decorate the light blue walls.

Four children sit side by side at a classroom table, smiling at the camera. They are dressed in school uniforms and casual jackets, with shelves of supplies and a blue noticeboard in the background.

A smiling child in a red jacket sits at a classroom desk holding a phone, with other children blurred in the background. A pink lunchbox is on the desk.

Two children sit at a classroom desk. The girl on the left looks ahead, while the boy on the right smiles at her. Water bottles and pencil cases are on the desk, and sunlight comes through the windows behind them.

Three children sit at desks in a classroom, attentively listening. Two of them are in focus and wearing red jackets, while the third is blurred in the background. Classroom decorations and a globe are visible.

A young girl in a school uniform sits in a classroom with blue chairs and white tables, smiling with her hand near her mouth. A water bottle and a tablet are visible on the table behind her.

A boy wearing glasses and a dark hoodie sits at a desk in a classroom, looking thoughtful with his hand on his chin. Another student sits nearby, both holding phones. Books labeled Reading Comprehension are visible in the background.

1 / 1

English Schools’ Cross-Country Cup (Regional Finals)

Mr Mageean writes,

“Well done to our Year 7 & 8 Girls’ Cross-Country team that competed at the Regional Finals of the English Schools’ Cup, hosted by Cokethorpe School, Oxfordshire, on Tuesday 4th November.

Myself and Mrs Fordham accompanied the team as they competed alongside the best fifteen qualifying schools from Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Norfolk and Northamptonshire, following their success in the first round before half term.

On a wonderfully sunny and mild day, perfect for running, the girls performed very well on a 2900 metre course. Our finishing positions of 25th, 28th, 33rd, 36th and 65th placed us seventh overall, and ahead of King’s Ely, who had beaten us in the first qualifying round, a target the girls had set for themselves! The team should be extremely proud of their performance at this level and are already looking forward to the District Schools Cross-Country Championships on 11th December.”

Six smiling girls wearing red St. Faith’s athletic shirts and black track pants stand arm in arm on a grassy field. They each wear numbered race bibs (234, 233, 232, 231, 230, 229). Trees and buildings are in the background.

Six people wearing colorful athletic shoes stand in a circle on green grass, toes pointing inward. The shoes are yellow, black, blue, white, and multicolored, each paired with white socks.

1 / 1

Rowing Regatta

Miss Kennerley writes,

“On Wednesday, 9 rowers from St John’s joined us for the first indoor rowing regatta of the academic year. For the first time, we had Year 6 pupils from St Faith’s taking part now that the rowing programme has extended down to the younger age group. The pupils took part in individual sprint races and team relay, aiming to beat their own personal best times and distances.

The St John’s rowing coaches commended our Year 6 pupils on their posture and technique – a great start for our young novices. Everyone enjoyed the competitive, but supportive and encouraging environment and they received a certificate recording their achievement in every event they took part in.“

A student on a rowing machine is coached by two women in a gym. The student wears a red and black sports uniform, and the women are showing him the monitor. Other students are visible in the background.

A group of children and adults, some wearing red shirts, are gathered in a school gymnasium. Some children are seated on benches while others are standing or walking around. Basketball hoops are mounted on the walls.

A boy in a red sports shirt smiles and gives two thumbs up in a gymnasium, with other students and exercise equipment in the background.

A child with blonde hair, wearing a red and white striped shirt, sits on a rowing machine in a gymnasium, viewed from behind, facing the machines display screen.

A child wearing a St Faiths sports shirt uses a rowing machine indoors, while another person in sports attire stands nearby, gesturing with their hands.

1 / 1

And Finally…

Next week, we will come together as a school to mark Remembrance Day. On Tuesday 11th November, at 11 o’clock. St Faith’s will fall silent in respectful remembrance, and later in the day we will gather for our Remembrance Service.

Ahead of this, I look forward to seeing many of you at the annual SFPA Fireworks Display this evening — always a spectacular highlight of the autumn calendar.

After a slightly shorter week following half-term, the children have nevertheless been full of energy and purpose, and I am sure they will appreciate a well-earned rest this weekend. As the evenings draw in, I hope you enjoy the warmth of good company, the beautiful autumn foliage, and perhaps a touch of sparkle from the weekend’s fireworks.

With all best wishes,

Crispin Hyde-Dunn

Useful Links

Academic

The Arts

Pastoral

Pre Prep

Sport

Other