This Week at St Faith’s

Christmas Carol Services

Yesterday we marked the beginning of our seasonal farewell to term with three Christmas Carol Services: one for Pre Prep (including Preschool), one for Year 3–5, and a final service for Year 6–8. Reverend Coleman, our Foundation Chaplain, kindly led the services for the older pupils. The services featured thoughtful readings and prayers, choir performances and congregational carols. It was wonderful to see so many families and friends joining us for this highlight of the school year.

£203.95 raised at the Pre Prep service for Maggie’s Charity
£381.90 raised during the Years 3-8 services for The Salvation Army

A group of school children in red and black striped blazers stand in a row, facing forward and singing, with a blue curtain in the background.

A group of school children in red and black striped blazers are singing together indoors. The children in front have their mouths open mid-song and appear focused and engaged.

A group of school children wearing red, black, and white striped blazers and ties stand together, appearing to sing or recite, with focused expressions. A dark blue curtain hangs in the background.

A woman in a red dress stands at a podium, speaking to an audience seated in front of her. A decorated Christmas tree and a blue curtain are visible in the background.

A group of people watch a childrens Christmas nativity play in a hall. Two children dressed as nativity characters stand on stage in front of a cross and a screen displaying text titled “The Most Special Baby.”.

Children dressed in costumes perform on stage in a church hall, with a large screen displaying text behind them, while an audience watches. A Christmas tree and candles are visible on the left.

A group of children in red sweaters sit and stand on stage during a school event, while adults seated in the audience look on. The background features dark blue curtains.

A group of children in red uniforms stand on stage singing during a school Christmas performance, with a cross, candles, and a nativity scene projection in the background. Audience members are visible in the foreground.

A man in a suit stands at a podium speaking to an audience in a hall. A large decorated Christmas tree with red and white ornaments is beside him. People are seated facing the stage.

A group of young children in red sweaters sing in front of a decorated Christmas tree during a school holiday concert, while an audience of adults and children watch.

A woman in a red jacket lights a candle on an advent wreath in front of an audience in a room decorated with a Christmas tree and dark blue curtains.

A group of young children wearing red sweaters and plaid skirts or shorts stand together indoors, appearing attentive and engaged, possibly during a school assembly or event.

A group of young children in red uniforms sing in front of a decorated Christmas tree, performing on stage for an audience of seated adults in a school hall.

A group of children in red sweaters perform in front of a large Christmas tree for an audience seated in a school hall. The children use hand gestures as they sing, and festive decorations are visible.

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Pre Prep Festive Film Theme Day

Today brought a relaxed and joyful ending to the term for our youngest pupils. Preschool children enjoyed watching Mr Bear’s Christmas in their pyjamas, while Reception pupils watched The Snowman and took great delight in making melted snowman biscuits, dancing snowmen and a snowman pom-pom launcher.

Year 1 and 2 pupils also arrived in their pyjamas and began the day by hunting for their tickets to board The Polar Express. Once checked by the conductor, their journey to the North Pole began, complete with cross-curricular activities inspired by the famous Polar Express story. The children greatly enjoyed watching parts of the film while sipping hot chocolate and eating cookies — a magical end to their term.

Two children outdoors: on the left, a smiling child in red Christmas pajamas and a black coat; on the right, a child dressed as Santa Claus stands on wooden playground equipment, holding a card.

A young girl wearing glasses and a reindeer sweater smiles while holding a decorated cookie. Next to her, a woman sits on the floor, holding two young children on her lap in a classroom setting.

Two children sitting at desks, each holding a decorated cookie and a paper cup. The boy on the left wears a green dinosaur sweater, and the girl on the right wears a white fluffy jacket. Both are smiling at the camera.

Two young boys smiling indoors. The boy on the left wears a brown shirt and sits behind a drawing. The boy on the right sits on the floor in red candy cane pajama pants and a white sweater, with toys in the background.

Two children sit at desks in a classroom, smiling and wearing festive pajamas. Both have cups and decorated cookies in front of them. Other children and classroom decorations are visible in the background.

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Colours and Sports Assemblies

This week’s assemblies celebrated a wide variety of achievements across the school. Our newly appointed Role-Specific Prefects proudly received their badges, marking the beginning of their leadership roles in English & Humanities, Languages, Creative Arts, STEM, Sport and SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural).

Year 8 pupils were recognised for their commitment and talent through Colours Awards in Sport, Academic, Service and Creative Arts. Silver Colours were awarded to pupils achieving four Colours, while Gold marked the achievement of eight.

We also congratulated the winners of the inaugural C Cubed Essay Competition, which attracted 46 entries — 35 from St Faith’s and 11 from The Leys. Certificates of Participation, Merit and Distinction were awarded, with the overall winner coming from St Faith’s. In total, entrants wrote more than 50,000 words combined, with the most popular essay title being:
“If a single tasteless pill taken once a day could meet all our nutritional needs, would it change the world and, if so, how?”
Our sincere thanks go to the judges, Mrs Pritchard, Mrs Davies and Mr Welby, Head of Academic Scholarship at The Leys.

In addition, Wednesday’s Sports Assembly celebrated pupils for their outstanding performances, teamwork and commitment across a range of sporting disciplines, with awards celebrating both individual and team accomplishments.

A teacher in a suit gestures toward two students in red-and-black striped blazers on a stage, while seated students in matching blazers watch from the floor. Blue curtains hang in the background.

A man in a suit pins a badge onto a student in a red and black striped blazer on stage, while other students in similar uniforms sit and watch. A blue curtain is in the background.

A student in a red, black, and white striped blazer and tie displays several achievement badges on their lapel, including PREFECT, ARTS, ECO-COMMITTEE, SPORT, and ACADEMIC.

A man stands in a gymnasium next to a table covered with a red cloth and several trophies, reading from a sheet of paper, possibly preparing for an awards ceremony.

A smiling man hands a pink polka dot gift bag to a smiling woman at an indoor awards ceremony, with a table full of trophies and medals in the foreground.

A boy in a red and black striped blazer and tie stands in a gym, holding a purple chocolate bar and a piece of paper, smiling slightly. A red and white table is in the foreground.

A man in a suit shakes hands with a young male athlete in a red jersey, presenting him with a certificate at an indoor sports award ceremony. Other students wait in line. A small trophy sits on the table.

A smiling boy in a red jacket stands indoors holding an envelope, near a table with trophies and awards, while other students in sports uniforms sit and stand in the background.

A man in a suit hands a trophy to a smiling girl in sportswear during a ceremony in a gym, with other children seated on the floor watching in the background.

A man in a suit hands a certificate to a young girl in a red shirt at an indoor awards ceremony, with trophies displayed on a red table in the background.

A man in a suit shakes hands with a boy in a red-striped blazer while handing him a certificate. Another boy stands beside them. Trophies are displayed on a red table in a gymnasium.

A man in a suit hands a certificate to a smiling girl in a red striped blazer, shaking her hand. Another girl in a red polo shirt stands nearby. Trophies and awards are arranged on a table in the background.

A man in a suit hands an envelope to a smiling young girl wearing a red sports shirt in a gymnasium, suggesting an award or certificate ceremony.

A young girl in a dark hoodie smiles as she shakes hands with a man in a suit who is handing her a certificate. A red table with trophies and awards is visible in the background.

A smiling boy in a red and black striped blazer shakes hands with a man in a suit while receiving a certificate at an awards ceremony, with trophies displayed on a table in the background.

A man in a suit hands a certificate to a smiling girl with another girl standing beside her in a gymnasium. Both girls wear sports attire, and the scene suggests an award ceremony or sports event.

A man in a suit hands an award to a boy in a red and black striped blazer, while two other boys in matching blazers wait in line. They are in a hall with a red table displaying trophies and medals.

A young girl in a striped school uniform shakes hands with a man in a suit while receiving a certificate at an awards ceremony. Trophies and medals are displayed on a red table in the background.

A man in a suit hands certificates to three young girls in striped uniforms at a red table, while another adult stands nearby in a gymnasium setting.

A teacher in a suit hands a certificate to a smiling boy in a red and black striped blazer, with other students in similar uniforms watching in the background at a school event.

A smiling boy in a red and black striped blazer receives a certificate from a man in a suit at an indoor school event, with other students and a red-clothed table in the background.

A man in a suit hands a certificate to a young boy while another boy and a man watch in a sports hall. A table with trophies and awards is in the background.

Several silver trophies and cups are displayed on a red tablecloth alongside envelopes, certificates, and a bag of Cadbury Twirl chocolates, arranged for an awards event.

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Disco Time

Ashburton Hall was transformed into a vibrant dance floor on Wednesday evening as Year 5-8 donned their best disco outfits. The energy and excitement was electric – all the more impressive after such a busy term.

Christmas in the Library

Festooned with Christmas decorations, including a distinctive pink Christmas tree, the Library has embraced the Christmas season with great enthusiasm, becoming a hub of seasonal cheer. The Library staff, together with the pupil librarians, have also been helping the younger children to choose their ‘Christmas reading’.

A pink Christmas tree with colorful ornaments stands on a table in a library, surrounded by children’s books and book-themed decorations. Bookshelves and festive bunting are visible in the background.

A colorful paper chain decoration with holiday-themed patterns hangs across a brightly lit room, with blurred decorations and windows in the background.

A close-up of a pink artificial Christmas tree decorated with colorful ornaments, including a large fuzzy green ball, an orange bauble, and a blue bauble.

A book with its pages intricately folded into a triangular, fan-like shape stands upright on a wooden table, with blurred bookshelves in the background.

A display on a blue table features a 12 Books of Christmas sign, a book titled Murder at Midnight with a yellow star and a number 11 card, and two printed library activity sheets.

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Christmas Jumpers and ‘Last House Standing’

Today on the last day of term St Faith’s has been a sea of seasonal knitwear as staff and pupils have donned their favourite Christmas jumpers. The day’s special highlight, the Last House Standing competition brought a range of excellent individual and whole-House performances across Year 3-8. This highly anticipated St Faith’s event is among the noisiest of the whole school year! Loyalty to one’s House could be seen as well as heard, with enthusiastic cheering from the pupils, all of which ensured that the final term of 2025 ended on a high note.

Three boys stand close together outdoors, each with an arm around the others shoulder, smiling at the camera. They wear festive sweaters and school uniforms, standing on a playground with green grass and trees in the background.

Two young girls stand close together outside, smiling at the camera. They are wearing festive sweaters, one red with a Christmas tree design and one pink with cartoon characters. Playground equipment and children are in the background.

Split image: On the left, a smiling girl with red hair wears a pink sweater with a white reindeer and a red coat. On the right, a boy in a festive sweater and rain boots stands outside, looking at another child in a yellow coat.

A smiling adult wearing a festive sweater and plaid pants dances outside with a group of young children in colorful pajamas, near a Christmas tree and a building with brick walls.

Three young children smile and hug each other outdoors, standing closely together in front of a building with wooden beams on a bright day. They look happy and cheerful.

Two children celebrate Christmas: one stands outdoors in a Grinch hoodie and winter coat, smiling by a wooden fence; the other sits indoors, wearing a green paper crown and festive sweater, smiling at the camera with a red lunch tray.

A young girl in a pink sweater hangs from monkey bars, while two smiling boys in knit sweaters hold toy construction tools and pose together outdoors on a playground.

Three smiling children stand outside on a playground; one child hugs the two others from behind. They look happy and playful. Colorful play equipment and a green bin are visible in the background.

A woman sits in a wooden shelter reading a book to four young girls. The girls, dressed in festive sweaters and boots, sit and stand around her, listening attentively.

A group of young children wearing colorful pajamas play outside, forming a conga line and smiling. They appear joyful and energetic, with a chalkboard and greenery in the background.

Four young children, dressed in colorful pajamas and smiling, play together outdoors. One child in a jacket leads while the others follow behind, each placing their hands on the next persons shoulders.

Children in pajamas joyfully play in a circle outdoors, supervised by several adults. A Christmas tree is visible nearby, and the group is gathered in front of a large brick building with arched windows.

A group of children in festive outfits play together outside, smiling and laughing, while an adult wearing a Christmas hat and sweater enthusiastically joins in, raising his hands in the air. Trees and a wooden shed are in the background.

Seven young girls in school uniforms and colorful sweaters stand side by side on a wooden beam outdoors, smiling and posing for the photo. There are trees, bushes, and a brick building in the background.

A group of children in colorful pajamas joyfully dance and play outside near a Christmas tree and a chalkboard, with one child leaping into the air while others twirl around.

Five musicians rehearse together in a music room. One plays drums, another piano, while others play woodwind and brass instruments. Sheet music is visible, and a piano is in the background.

A colorful tent decoration with gold tassels is in the foreground, while a group of children in festive costumes and sweaters stand in the background, appearing to participate in a holiday event or performance.

A group of children stand together, singing. One child wears a bright green sweater with the Grinch in a Santa hat, another has a blue sweater with a snowman, and others wear festive holiday sweaters. Colorful flowers are in front of them.

Two children dressed in costumes, one in a festive sweater and veil, the other in a golden robe and turban, hold microphones at a holiday performance, with other children in colorful sweaters and costumes behind them.

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Christmas Dinner

On Wednesday, our wonderful catering team treated everyone to a delicious Christmas dinner.

A smiling woman and a young girl sit at a table, opening Christmas crackers. The table is set with plates of food and drinks, and other children are partially visible around them in a festive indoor setting.

A person wearing a Santa hat serves food to students in red and black striped blazers standing in line with trays at a cafeteria counter.

Two men stand in a kitchen, one wearing a turkey hat and holding blue gloves, the other wearing a Merry Christmas shirt and striped apron, both smiling while holding towels.

Two men stand behind a cafeteria counter. One wears a black On the Naughty List Christmas shirt and gestures, while the other, in a dress shirt, tie, and apron, smiles at the camera. Plates and food are visible on the counter.

Two people smiling and posing together, one wearing a Santa hat and glasses, and the other in festive Christmas glasses and a reindeer sweater. They are celebrating in a cheerful indoor setting.

Several people in festive attire, including Santa hats and Christmas sweaters, serve food from a cafeteria counter with plates and trays stacked in the foreground. The setting is bright and cheerful.

Golden roasted potato wedges piled high in a serving tray, with metal tongs on the side. In the foreground, trays display mixed vegetables and sausages, all under warm buffet lighting.

A woman wearing a Santa hat and red shirt serves food from behind a counter in a cafeteria. In the background, two people are standing near stacks of plates and trays. The scene has a festive atmosphere.

A young boy in a festive sweater holds a fork and smiles while sitting at a table with other children, eating a meal with vegetables, meat, and using colorful trays and cups.

A young boy sitting at a table holds a festive cracker and smiles at the camera, with a plate of roast dinner and vegetables on a red tray in front of him. Children sit beside him, also enjoying their meal.

A young girl in a festive red sweater with Christmas designs smiles while eating at a table with other children. She holds a fork and sits in front of a red tray with food, a party cracker, and a paper cup.

A young girl in a red sweater smiles while sitting at a table, unrolling a napkin with cutlery. There are cups, a pitcher of yellow drink, and festive snowflake placemats on the wooden table.

Two young boys sit at a table eating a meal. One boy wears glasses; the other wears an orange paper crown. They are talking and holding utensils, surrounded by trays of food and cups in a lively setting.

Two children at a table are pulling a Christmas cracker together, smiling. Other kids sit and eat at nearby tables. Festive hats and decorations are visible in a lively, cheerful atmosphere.

A person dressed as Santa Claus enters a room full of young children, who are looking at Santa with excitement. An adult stands nearby, also dressed festively. The scene is lively and festive with holiday decorations.

A young girl smiling and holding red tissue paper sits at a table with other children during a festive gathering. Children around her wear colorful clothes, and holiday-themed decorations are visible in the background.

Two women stand in a cafeteria; one wears antler headbands and holds a plate of food. Both are smiling. Christmas decorations and snowflakes are visible in the background.

Children wearing festive sweaters and colorful paper crowns sit together at a table, smiling and enjoying a holiday meal with red trays and drinks. One child waves at the camera while others chat happily.

Two young children sit at a table with red trays of food. The girl wears a green paper crown and pink sweater, smiling. The boy wears a red festive sweater with a dinosaur, holding a chocolate treat, looking at the girl.

A person dressed as Santa Claus stands indoors near a table where people are sitting and talking. The background is softly blurred, and there are festive decorations hanging from above.

Two students in striped blazers and paper crowns sit at a table with food trays, smiling and talking during a meal in a cafeteria setting. Other students in similar attire are visible in the background.

A young child in a red sweater and yellow paper crown sits at a table with a red lunch tray and cup, appearing to adjust the crown on their head during a festive meal.

Four people, including two young children and two adults, sit at a wooden table eating a meal together. The children wear red sweaters, and there are red plates of food and a pitcher of juice on the table.

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Speech and Drama Tea-time Recital and New Era Examinations

Miss Tucker writes,

“Parents were recently treated to a Speech and Drama Recital in Ashburton Hall, where pupils preparing for exams had the opportunity to perform one of their pieces. Performances included an acting scene from How to Train Your Dragon, poetry speaking, readings from favourite books, a speech from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and talks on India and a pupil’s ‘Greatest Achievement’. The pupils performed with enthusiasm and confidence and we are keeping our fingers crossed for all our Speech and Drama pupils who took their New Era exams on Monday and Tuesday of this week!”

A child stands on stage holding papers, smiling, and presenting next to an easel with colorful images and text, including an Indian flag. The background includes a black curtain and wooden platforms.

A boy stands on stage with one foot on a chair, holding a glass up high and smiling confidently. He is dressed in black and poses in front of a plain black backdrop, next to a table and chair.

A boy in black sportswear stands on a stage, gesturing with one hand, in front of a dark backdrop. A person with brown hair sits facing the stage in the foreground.

A young girl in a school uniform stands on a stage holding a sheet of paper, appearing to give a speech or presentation. The background is dark, and another person is seated in the foreground.

A young boy wearing glasses and a red and black striped blazer stands on a stage, looking ahead. The background includes wooden platforms, a fence, and a dark backdrop.

A young girl with red hair sits on a chair at a table on a stage, wearing a dark tracksuit and sneakers, with her hands in her lap. The stage and background are simple, with a wooden bench and steps nearby.

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Chamber Choir Visit to King’s College Chapel

On Tuesday, the Chamber Choir was privileged to attend the ‘Service of Lessons and Carols for Schools’ at King’s College Chapel. This service is based on the world-renowned ‘Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols,’ broadcast annually on Radio 3 on Christmas Eve and televised in abbreviated form as ‘Carols from King’s’ on Christmas Day. Since 1928, it has set the standard for all modern carol services. It is a longstanding tradition at King’s College to host a Christmas service for local Cambridgeshire schools, incorporating much of the fine choral music featured in these two prestigious broadcasts.

As we entered King’s College Chapel, we were amazed by its immense proportions and the elevated, intricately detailed ceiling, which we later learned is the largest Gothic fan vault in the world. When work began on the chapel in 1441, Henry VI insisted it be modelled on a much larger cathedral choir—and it showed. During the service, light from the magnificent 16th-century stained glass windows bathed the interior in a warm glow, setting the scene for the formal procession of the choir to ‘Once in Royal David’s City,’ featuring the traditional, moving chorister solo.

After a Bidding Prayer by the Dean, the Rev Dr Stephen Cherry, the stirring service of carols and readings commenced. The six Bible lessons—from the prophecy of Isaiah to the birth of Jesus—were read by representatives of the local Cambridgeshire community: a chorister, a pupil, a Head Teacher, the Mayor of Cambridge, the Chair of the County Council, and the Dean himself. Interspersed among these lessons was a selection of nine inspiring carols, including 15th- and 16th-century works such as ‘Adam lay ybounden’ and ‘There is no rose of such virtue.’ The Sussex Carol was arranged by Philip Ledger, a former Music Director at King’s College, and we also heard modern classics by Rutter and Tavener. As the choir processed out to the uplifting sounds of ‘Hark! the herald-angels sing,’ we took a few moments to reflect on the beauty of the singing in such awe-inspiring surroundings and felt that our own Christmas journey had truly begun.

Christmas English Activities

Ms Morris writes,

“As we approach the festive season, children are encouraged to take part in our Christmas-themed English activities during the holidays.

Debating Team – Year 7 & 8

We are delighted to announce entry for the Year 7 and Year 8 Debating Teams. This is a fantastic chance for pupils to sharpen their public speaking skills, learn the art of persuasive argument, and enjoy lively discussions with their peers. All details are on your child’s English Teams.

IAPS & ISEB Time to Write Competition – Year 3 to Year 8

We are also encouraging pupils to enter the IAPS and ISEB Time to Write competition. This national competition invites children to showcase their creativity through short stories. It is designed to inspire young writers to express themselves with originality and flair, while competing against peers from schools across the country. Details of this competition including this year’s theme (Thread), word counts and further terms and conditions are available on the dedicated ISEB website.

Entries, which must be typed, can be submitted directly to Ms Morris jmorris@stfaiths.co.uk. by Friday 23rd of January.”

House Swimming Gala

Mrs Critchley writes,

“On Monday we enjoyed our annual Year 5 and 6 House Swimming gala at The Leys Pool. Ninety-six children from across both year groups swam in 47 different races entered into the spirit of the event, which was great fun, fiercely competitive and incredibly noisy! Well done to all the pupils involved for making this such a superb occasion and to the staff who helped run the event. Congratulations to Newton House who were the victors!”

1st Newton = 278
2nd Latham = 257
3rd Bentley = 254
4th Chaucer = 200

End-of-Term Reflection: Boys’ Football and Rugby

Mr Gillick writes,

“As we close an exciting term of football and rugby, we celebrate not only the performances, but the character and growth shown by every pupil. Both sports have provided a stage for learning that extends far beyond the pitch.

Through the TREDS principles (Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, Sportsmanship), the boys have embraced values that shape not just good players, but good people. Success this term has been measured in many ways:

Skill development and tactical understanding

Consistency of effort and attitude

Resilience in the face of challenge

Bravery for the good of the team

These moments—whether making a courageous tackle, supporting a teammate, or showing humility in victory and defeat—reflect the deeper meaning of sport. It teaches us resilience, empathy, and the joy of shared experiences, lessons that will serve the boys well throughout life.

To our pupils: congratulations on your effort, commitment, and spirit. You have represented yourselves and the school with pride.
To our parents: thank you for your unwavering support, whether cheering from the touchline or encouraging at home. And to our coaching staff: your devotion and passion have been the heartbeat of this term, ensuring every boy had the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

For those in Year 8, I look forward to hearing about your sporting journeys on the rugby and football pitches in the years to come. The foundations you have built this term will carry you forward to even greater challenges and achievements.”

“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” – Arthur Ashe

And Finally…

At St Faith’s next week, many Year 3-8 pupils will participate in Art and Christmas Craft workshops, the Multi-Activity Course and STEM Camp. Our school ski trip also departs for Villeneuve, Serre Chevalier, France very early on Saturday morning and we hope they enjoy some fine ski-ing conditions. I am very grateful to all the staff who are supporting these exciting extra-curricular opportunities for the pupils. Please remember that you can follow updates from the trip on our new school trips Instagram account stfaithsschooltrips.

The Lent term will begin for all pupils on Wednesday, 7th January 2026. We also look forward to welcoming prospective Year 1-8 pupils for their September 2026 entry assessments on 8th January 2026.

As we reach the end of the year, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all our staff and volunteers for their hard work and dedication throughout 2025, and to our parents and families for their warm and generous support.

Wishing you and your family peace and joy this Christmas, and every good wish for 2026.

With all best wishes,

Crispin Hyde-Dunn

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