This Week at St Faith’s

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At St Faith’s, our school values are Kindness, Community, and Excellence. Our school assembly on Monday focused on the value of ‘Community’. We considered how a strong community is one where differences are understood and respected. This is because by understanding and appreciating our differences, we can help everyone to achieve their potential and to feel included. Last year, pupils took part in surveys to explore their reflections about the ways in which we value diversity and promote equality and inclusion at St Faith’s, as well as to consider what more we could do in the future.

October is Black History Month and this provides us with an opportunity to learn more about the black history, heritage, culture and achievements. This year the theme of Black History Month is on reclaiming narratives. This was defined in assembly as challenging misconceptions by sharing stories which may not be that well known. We heard the stories of three people who had lived in Britain at different times in history and who all made contributions to life in this country. They were a Roman woman, John Blanke – a trumpeter in the royal courts of Henry VII and Henry VIII, and Ignatius Sanco – an 18th century writer, composer and abolitionist.

Year 1 Local Area Walk

Year 1 have been out and about in the local area, enjoying some autumnal sights. Miss Hendry writes, “To support our work in Geography, Year 1 enjoyed a walk along Trumpington Road looking at various features. We spied a post box, bus stops, traffic lights and other roads. We then returned to school where we drew maps of our walk and wrote about the things we saw”.

A childs handwriting exercise on lined paper includes sentences about seeing roads and cornrows, with a checklist for writing elements like capital letters and full stops. Some sentences are checked with green marks.

Childrens hand-drawn map on yellow paper, showing a path labeled Our walk. Includes streets like Narrow Road and Postbox. Features symbols for a postbox and trees, with a small map key on a white paper note.

A group of children in raincoats and boots walk along a leaf-strewn path, led by an adult in a high-visibility vest. One child holds a map. Trees and greenery border the path. Its likely an outdoor excursion or nature walk.

A notebook page with handwritten text describing a walk on Trumpton Road. Mentions a postbox, two bus stops, a golf course, and some cars. The text is written on lines with a dotted middle line.

A childs hand-drawn map on lined paper. It features intersecting roads, trees, and buildings. Several symbols with labels are on the left. A small human figure is in the center. There is handwriting in the top left and bottom right corners.

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Harry Potter Day

On Thursday, there was a distinctly magical feel to English lessons as we celebrated World Harry Potter Day. Our dedicated team of pupil librarians also took charge of affairs by organising scavenger hunts for Years 3-8 pupils during lunch break. The younger pupils were tasked with unscrambling letters to reveal characters from the much-loved books, while the older year groups had to use all their magical skills to reveal the names of some very mysterious magical creatures. Miss Johnson was on hand in the library, where pupils could step through platform 9 ¾ and take part in wordsearches, bookmark making and colouring activities, or simply curl up on a beanbag and enjoy reading one of the Harry Potter books. We look forward to making this an annual celebration and our pupil librarians are already busy making plans for next year!

Four students are sitting on a bench outside a building. They are wearing colorful uniforms: three in red jackets and one in a green shirt. They are holding notebooks and papers, smiling at the camera, with trees and the building in the background.

A person wearing a white mask holds a Have You Seen This Wizard? frame in front of a bookshelf filled with colorful books. The sign, echoing the Harry Potter series, cleverly warns about the wizard while subtly hinting at the magic of a tailored education hidden within these pages.

A young girl leans on a metal railing, deep in thought, wearing a red and black striped jacket symbolizing the benefits of a tailored education. Nearby, other children in similar jackets stand outdoors against a backdrop of brick walls and pavement, their minds nurtured by personalized learning paths.

Two young girls in school uniforms, glowing with the promise of a tailored education, stand smiling in front of a dark wooden wall. One wears a matching striped blazer. They hold sheets of paper, and a red door is partially visible on the left.

Three children in red and black striped blazers and ties stand in front of a metal fence. Behind them, a sports field with trees and buildings hints at the promise of a tailored education. A sign with unreadable text hangs from the fence, marking this place as special.

Two young girls in matching red and black striped blazers, representing a tailored education, hold papers and smile outside a brick building. A boy in the same uniform stands in the background near a wooden fence and shrubs.

Two people stand in a bookstore, holding a Have You Seen This Wizard? frame. Wearing whimsical paper masks, they smile while posing against shelves filled with books. Their playful expressions suggest that each book offers a tailored education, inviting them into countless magical worlds.

Three boys in striped blazers and ties stand outside a brick building, embodying the spirit of a tailored education. They are smiling and holding papers, with a green field visible in the background.

A young girl in a school uniform smiles while holding papers outdoors, proudly displaying her Harry Potter-themed headwear. Nearby, another child in a red shirt kneels by a brick wall. An outdoor sink and notice board hint at the benefits of a tailored education environment.

A group of young children in striped blazers gathers near a tree, experiencing a tailored education. An adult wearing a red jacket with St Faiths on the back stands with them, surrounded by lush greenery and a wooden fence.

Two boys stand in front of a brick wall, one wearing a red sports jacket and the other in a red and black striped blazer with a tie. Under the handwritten sign Eurush Dhiraj, the boy in the blazer, embodying A Tailored Education, holds a paper and pen.

A group of children stands around a table in a library, smiling. The table displays books and decorations, including a plush cat toy. A colorful sign on the wall says In a world where you can be anything, be kind. Amidst the rows of bookshelves is an inspiring corner dedicated to a tailored education.

In a store filled with books, a child dons a bird mask and striped red blazer, clutching a Have You Seen This Wizard? poster cutout. Its like stepping into a world where imagination meets reality, much like the magic of a tailored education that shapes young minds.

Two students in striped blazers and ties smile, showcasing papers and pens outdoors. They embrace the tailored education environment of their courtyard, with a brick building and a lively group in the background.

Two children in striped blazers and ties stand outside, beaming. One proudly holds a kite with AUSTIN ABLE written on it, symbolizing a tailored education that lets them soar. A brick path and lush greenery serve as the perfect backdrop for this moment of joy and promise.

Two girls smile outdoors near a tree, holding paper and a pen, embracing a tailored education. One points to a cardboard sign hanging from the tree. They wear green and red shirts, respectively, with a brick building and other children visible in the background.

4 St Faith's pupils with their backs to the camera copying down some text

Two young people in red jackets smile at the camera, standing before wooden cubbyholes filled with backpacks. Embracing a tailored education, one holds a shopping bag labeled Nina, while the other clutches a booklet, embodying their unique academic journey.

Two boys are smiling and writing on paper, immersed in a tailored education experience at a wooden table outdoors. One wears a green polo shirt, the other dons a dark jacket. In the background, a brick building and several people contribute to the lively atmosphere.

Two people in red jackets hold up a Have You Seen This Wizard? sign with cutouts for their faces. Behind them, a colorful display of books on shelves offers a playful and literary backdrop, reminiscent of a tailored education that sparks curiosity and imagination.

Four children stand together, smiling, in a school setting. Two are in green polo shirts and two in red jackets with school crests. Holding white papers, theyre framed by a brick wall and glass doors, embodying the values of a tailored education that supports individual growth.

Children in red and black striped blazers and ties engage in an outdoor activity, exemplifying a tailored education. Three stand while one kneels, all focusing intently on papers they hold. A brick wall, bench, and a red poster are visible in the background.

Two children sit on a bench outside, engaged in a tailored education, writing on sheets of paper with blue pens. One wears a black jacket, while the other sports a red jacket. A building and garden serve as their serene backdrop.

Three children in red and black striped jackets stand next to a tree, reading a sign about a tailored education. An adult in a long black coat stands beside them, also looking at the sign on this paved path surrounded by greenery.

Two children sit back-to-back on chairs in a colorful library, immersed in a tailored education. Bookshelves brim with various titles, and a row of computers lines one wall. Decorative banners and posters enhance the lively atmosphere.

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In the Classrooms

It has been a busy week in Year 8, with the pupils in Engineering studying the design of the Mathematical Bridge at Queens’ College and starting to design their own models. Meanwhile in Science, Year 8 pupils have been developing their microscopy skills by studying the features of different types of leaves, whilst in Computing they have been coding in Python to develop adventure games. Our Year 7 children have been practising preparing speeches using persuasive language, and I have seen some beautiful artwork in progress by Year 3 who have been learning about perspective and using watercolours in Art. Staying with Year 3, the pupils have been enjoying their studies of Ancient Egypt, and learning about the meanings of various hieroglyphics.

National Poetry Day

We celebrated National Poetry Day on the 8th of October with a poetry treasure hunt around the school. Sixteen of our teachers chose their favourite poems, which were then displayed around the school for everyone to enjoy. The children had to match the poem to the teacher and our prize winners had great fun with their answers. From Spike Milligan to Pam Ayres, Seamus Heaney to Maya Angelou, our teachers showed their passion for poetry and the children had great fun exploring their favourite poems.

Year 3 and Year 4 Girls’ House Hockey

On Tuesday Year 3 and Year 4 girls competed in House hockey matches. There were some excellent hockey skills and team work on display and the girls should be proud of themselves. We look forward to the second round after half term. So far, Bentley House have been victorious in both Year groups, but there is still all to play for! Thank you to all those parents and supporters who came to watch and cheer them on.

A young field hockey player in a blue and red jersey smiles with a mouthguard while holding a hockey stick. In the background, other children in various colored jerseys enjoy the game on the grassy field. A few adults are visible, overseeing this experience, much like mentors offering a tailored education.

A group of young girls are gathered on an outdoor field, holding hockey sticks. In a scene reminiscent of a tailored education in teamwork, they sport vibrant jerseys—some in yellow, others in blue and red. A hockey goal stands in the background against the expansive green field.

Four young girls are immersed in a game of field hockey on an outdoor pitch, their attention fully devoted to the vibrant orange ball. Clad in colorful jerseys and knee-high socks, they share teamwork akin to a tailored education, with fellow players and a coach guiding them from the sidelines.

Children are playing field hockey on a green turf. One child, in a yellow shirt and black shorts, is running with the ball, gripping a hockey stick. An opposing player, also in yellow, attempts to intercept. This game highlights the value of tailored education through teamwork and skill development.

Three young players in red and black sports uniforms are engaged in a field hockey game on the green turf, embodying the essence of a tailored education. Two players wear blue pinnies, one is in green, all focused intently on hitting the ball with their colorful sticks.

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U11 IAPS Girls’ Hockey

On Monday, the U11 girls’ hockey team participated in the IAPS competition at Framlingham College. The team had an early start and faced three challenging pool games. The first match against Langley was a close contest, resulting in a narrow 0-1 loss. In the second match, the team battled to a 1-1 draw with Elm Green, showing great resilience. The final pool game saw the girls secure a well-deserved 1-0 victory over Norwich High School for Girls.

Finishing second in their pool, the team advanced to the quarter-finals of the cup, where they played their best hockey of the day but were narrowly defeated 0-1 by Town Hill. The girls can be very proud of their strong performances throughout the day.

U12 Girls’ County Cup Hockey

The U12 girls have started the regular season very well and they had a chance to build on this positive momentum in the County Cup. The girls faced an energetic side from King’s Ely and unfortunately lost narrowly 1-0. This was followed by a number of other very close encounters that were drawn with Saffron Walden County High and Kimbolton. They also secured a victory over The Stephen Perse, where the girls’ true potential really started to emerge. Our main focus for these short tournaments moving forwards, will be to convert the number of opportunities the girls create into even more goals. Defensively, the girls only conceded three goals throughout the tournament. This bodes well as they continue to prepare for the U12 IAPS national finals at Clifton College, Bristol on the 18th November, for which we wish them luck! The U11 girls successfully hosted King’s College School Cambridge at Latham Road, as the U12 & U13 girls travelled across the city to play at Wilberforce Road to complete the block fixture.

Today the U13 girls are playing at Ipswich Sports Centre, where they will be attempting to reach the IAPS National Finals after successfully qualifying for East region round in the Schools IN2HOCKEY Championships earlier in the season. We very much look forward to hearing how they get on.

Cookery Club

Last Friday, to continue the school’s support of World Mental Health Day the children really enjoyed learning how to make delicious apple turnovers.

Pop-in & Play

On Thursday, the Early Years and Admissions teams hosted the first ‘Pop-in & Play’ session for prospective Reception class families, which was a very enjoyable experience. For those unable to make this date, a second event is scheduled to take place on 14th November. These are very relaxed play sessions, allowing families to take a closer look at the Pre Prep facilities and talk to staff before making an application.

And Finally….

Looking ahead, on Wednesday, 6th November, we will welcome prospective families to our Prep Open Morning. They will also be joined by current Year 2 parents keen to find out more about the next stage of the St Faith’s journey as their children move through to Year 3 next year.

With our half-term break approaching, I would like to take this opportunity to remind families that our final day this half term will be on Thursday 24th October and our Michaelmas Term will resume on Tuesday, 5th November. Ahead of this, next week will have much to offer, including a Teatime Singing Recital on Monday, an Event for Nursery Managers, and a range of Pre Prep Parent–Teacher meetings. Highlights for the children also include an exciting AcE (Academic Extension) Day on Thursday and the highly anticipated Year 5 ‘Sleepover’ event, which takes place from Thursday into Friday. Before all these events, I do hope you have a relaxing and restful weekend.

With all best wishes,

Crispin Hyde-Dunn

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