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Posted on: 30 January, 2026
A large group of children in matching uniforms sit on the floor of a hall, listening to an adult standing and speaking. There is a piano, wooden stage set, and a podium in the background.

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    This Week at St Faith’s

     

    Holocaust Memorial Day: Bridging the Generations

    Holocaust Memorial Day gives us a moment each year to pause, reflect and learn from the past. This year’s theme, Bridging the Generations, invites us to listen to the stories of those who lived through the Holocaust, so that these experiences continue to be remembered and understood.

    In Assembly this week, Mrs Davies explored the lives of three Jewish individuals whose childhoods were shaped by fear, displacement and extraordinary resilience. Judith Kerr, much loved for her book When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, fled the Nazis with her family when she was still a young girl. Eva Schloss, who later became Anne Frank’s stepsister, also escaped following a terrifying journey across Europe. Elie Wiesel — writer, teacher and Nobel Peace Prize winner — went on to dedicate his life to ensuring the world did not forget. Reflecting on the importance of memory, he reminded us that remembering is an act of compassion, saying, “When we choose to remember, we choose to care.”

    Their stories — told and retold across generations — help us to understand why fairness, kindness and respect matter. By listening to voices from the past, pupils are encouraged to consider how prejudice takes hold, and how individual choices can shape events.

    Holocaust Memorial Day provides an opportunity to reflect quietly on these ideas, and on the importance of remembrance itself. The choices we make — large or small — form part of the communities in which we live, and remembering the past helps us to approach the present with greater understanding.

    A teacher stands in front of a large group of students seated on the floor in a school hall. Most students wear dark uniforms, while a smaller group wears red tops. A piano and a stage are visible in the background.
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    Are You a Faithful Leader? Year 7 and 8 Assembly Reflection

    This week, our Year 7 and 8 pupils took part in a thought-provoking assembly inspired by the popular television programme The Traitors. The programme explores trust, deception, teamwork and leadership — themes which provided a strong framework for reflecting on real-life behaviour and values.

    Led by Mr Critchley and using a live, interactive activity involving the House Captains, pupils were encouraged to observe, judge and make decisions based on very limited information. The activity quickly highlighted how easily assumptions can be made — and how often they are wrong.

    The first key message focused on judging others, leading to a discussion about unconscious bias and the importance of judging people by their actions rather than appearances. Pupils were reminded that, at school, we must be careful not to exclude or mistrust others simply because they do not fit our expectations.

    The second lesson explored courage versus following the crowd. Following the crowd and prioritising self-interest can feel easier, but it is not always right and can often lead to poor decisions, a guilty conscience and getting into difficulty.

    The final lesson centred on teamwork under pressure. Pupils reflected on how success in life depends on collaboration, honesty and trust. Whether in group work, sport or friendships, hidden agendas and self-interest can damage outcomes for everyone. Faithful leadership, pupils learned, is about consistency, transparency and focusing on shared goals.

    The assembly concluded with a reminder that we all make daily choices about how we lead and treat others. Trust, pupils were reminded, is “the only currency that truly matters.” The session ended with a prayer, asking for wisdom, courage and integrity — qualities that lie at the heart of life at St Faith’s. It was a memorable and engaging assembly that encouraged pupils to think carefully about leadership, character and the impact of their choices on others.

    A group of students in matching red and black striped blazers stand on stage, some clapping and smiling, while others sit facing them, all wearing the same uniform.
    A group of students wearing matching red and black striped blazers sit on the floor indoors, raising their hands and appearing engaged with something out of view.
    A group of six students in red and black striped blazers stand at the front of a hall, facing an audience of similarly dressed classmates. Some students are talking, while others listen attentively.
    A projector screen displays the text: “Year 7 and 8 Assembly. Are you a Faithful Leader?” in a classroom or assembly setting.
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    Year 6 History: Considering Henry VII’s Visual Display

    As part of their History topic on the Tudors, I very much enjoyed the opportunity to speak with the Year 6 pupils this week about English monarch Henry VII. We discussed how Henry promoted himself and his claim to the throne through carefully planned use of visual display, with symbolism and emblems. Henry is regarded by historians as being a pious, well organised king who was careful with his money, but his place in history is often overshadowed by his famous son Henry VIII. Pupils listened attentively and asked highly perceptive questions about Henry VII’s intentions with his visual display in life and in death. The children gained an understanding of Henry as an intelligent and strategic monarch who went to great lengths to secure the new and fragile Tudor dynasty – including innovations such as the introduction of uniformed Yeomen of the Guard, who evolved into the Beefeaters we know today.

    A man in a suit stands in front of a group of children wearing red and black striped uniforms, giving a presentation in a classroom. A screen behind him displays Thank you for your attention!.
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    Good News for Everyone

    On Tuesday, Max Halbert from Good News For Everyone visited Year 7 to talk to them as part of the Humanities RE curriculum. He gave pupils their own copy of the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs, and there were some very thoughtful discussions.

    A man in a suit stands in front of a classroom holding up a red card, speaking to a group of children wearing red and black striped uniforms who are seated and facing him.
    A group of students in red and black striped blazers sit together. One girl in the center smiles and holds a red box, while another girl looks down. Adults are handing out similar boxes to the students.
    A group of students wearing red and black striped blazers sit closely together. One student in the center holds and reads a small open booklet, while others sit facing forward. The setting appears to be indoors.
    A group of students in red and black striped blazers sit on the floor while two adults hand out items. The students appear engaged and are gathered in a school setting with curtains and posters in the background.
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    Year 8 Geographers and the Greenhouse Effect

    Miss Dow writes,
    “Year 8 Geographers have been learning how the Greenhouse Effect is warming our planet. They explained the process creatively, making cartoon-style videos, and developed oracy skills as they shared their PowerPoint presentations with their classmates.”

    A collage shows illustrated diagrams of the greenhouse effect: the sun and earth, arrows showing sunlight reaching earth, some reflected, some trapped by greenhouse gases, with smiling faces on the sun and earth.
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    House Captains’ Spotlight – Newton House Gratitude Challenge

    The Newton House Captains write,

    “As we begin to exit the colder winter months, we have lots of things to be thankful for, to be grateful. Being grateful is something that you don’t think of much, it’s in the back of your head. Warm homes, cosy beds, and food on the table. Unfortunately, these privileges are not available to everyone. So, this week, all members of Newton House have been trying their hardest to think of the many things that they are grateful for. In each Newton tutor group, we are creating a display of yellow notes, each one illustrating the thankfulness of a Newton pupil. The pupils have risen to the challenge of expressing gratitude, taking the time to note down what they are grateful for and then making a Tutor group Gratitude design. We are hoping that these vibrant exhibits will shine through this chilly winter season and bring warmth and joy to this school term.”

    A wooden door displays a bull’s head made from red, black, and yellow paper with sticky notes. Nearby, a wall mural of a tree holds leaf-shaped notes, and two red boards above display more sticky notes in grouped shapes.
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    Bentley Biscuits Charity Event

    On Tuesday, during breaktime, pupils headed to Ashburton Hall for the Bentley fundraising event in support of their chosen charity, RSPCA. They were greeted by an unusual sight: an enormous outline of the Bentley Bear on the floor of Ashburton. Their challenge was to fill the edge of the outline with their coin donations.

    A group of smiling children in striped blazers and ties pose on a gym floor around a green bucket, with an adult standing behind them, also smiling.
    A teddy bear outline made of coins on a wooden floor; next to it, several children in striped clothing sort through piles of coins on the floor, illuminated by bright light.
    A young boy in glasses kneels on the floor, focused on playing a game with marbles in a beam of light, while other people stand nearby, partially obscuring the view.
    A young boy in a red and black striped jacket kneels on the floor, carefully arranging coins in straight lines. The background is dark, with a few people standing in the shadows.
    A smiling girl in a striped blazer kneels on the floor, arranging objects in a well-lit indoor space with people in the background.
    A group of children, some wearing striped blazers, kneel on the floor under dramatic lighting, focused intently on an activity out of frame. Shadows and light highlight their concentration.
    A child in a dark tracksuit kneels on a wooden floor, illuminated by a spotlight, while holding an object in their hands. The background is dim with shadowy figures visible.
    A young boy kneels on a wooden floor, arranging small round objects in a row under a spotlight, with empty chairs and shadowy figures in the background.
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    Power2Inspire

    Miss Kennerley writes,

    “On Sunday St Faith’s will host the PowerHouse Games, an organisation with whom we are very proud to work with. On this occasion, the PowerHouse Games will be run by the Cambridge Hawks and Ospreys Clubs and some of our Year 7 pupils will be taking part. They will join with the University students in playing inclusive and adapted games such as boccia, new age kurling and touch rugby.”

    Swimming v Bedford

    Mrs Critchley writes,
    “On Tuesday, our U10 to U13 boys and girls competed against Bedford School in our first gala of 2026. A wonderful occasion, the competition showcased lots of excellent swimming, with standout performances from the U10 girls who impressed the spectators and their teachers throughout the afternoon. St Faith’s won by 128 points to 104. This was a convincing win, well done everybody.”

    Year 3 Gymnastics

    The children in Year 3 Chaucer House are doing Gymnastics as their PE rotation this half term. Our theme has been balance and the pupils explored partner balances. These could either be the same balance without contact, a contact balance or a balance when one person supported the other’s weight. As you can see, they rose to the challenge enthusiastically and looked after one other very carefully.

    Two young girls in green shirts and navy shorts pose and smile on a balance beam in a gym, with mats and gymnastics equipment in the background. One stands on the beam with her arms out, the other kneels beside her.
    Two young boys in green shirts and black shorts perform a gymnastic pose on a blue mat. One boy supports himself on hands and knees, while the other lies on his back holding the first boys legs up.
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    Milano Trios Regionals

    Mrs North writes,

    “Last Sunday Mr North, Miss Butler and Mr Mageean accompanied five teams to Milano Team Trios Eastern Regionals at Chelmsford Gymnastics Club in Essex.

    Three of our pupils from Year 7 were selected as our U13 B team and finished outside the medals but all had a fabulous competition.

    Three Year 8 pupils were selected as the U13 A team and finished a creditable 3rd place in the region gaining bronze medals. One of the team was particularly excited to compete a back tuck somersault on this occasion.

    Three other pupils from Year 7 competed in the U13 mixed category, winning the event and advancing to National Finals on 6th March in Stoke on Trent.

    From Year 6, we entered in the U11 mixed category and the team won their event, also moving forward to National Finals on 7th March. One of the boys performed a round off back flip for the first time in competition, and looked like a consumate professional.

    A Year 6 trio and an individual Year 3 pupil finished 2nd in the U11 boys category, so they will be joining their schoolmates at National Finals, representing St Faith’s and the East of England on 7th March. Well done to everyone for their determination and for supporting one other so well throughout the competition. The adults were most complimentary about the St Faith’s gymnasts and were very proud of their performances.”

    Best Practice Network Meeting

    On Thursday we welcomed educational practitioners from other local settings as part of a meeting of the recently formed Cambridge Early Years Best Practice Network. The network was launched in collaboration with Jemma Joakim, Head of Early Years and Primary at Cambridge University Press & Assessment. To learn more about this initiative, please read Mrs Wakefield’s article in the forthcoming February Cambridge Edition.

    A woman stands and presents in front of a group of seated people in a conference or meeting room. The focus is on the audience listening, with the presenter slightly out of focus in the background.
    Four people sit around a table in a brightly lit room, smiling and talking. Three have mugs, and one uses a laptop. Charts and maps are on the wall behind them. The mood is friendly and relaxed.
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    And Finally…

    With much to reflect on this week, there has also been plenty to value and appreciate across the school. May I wish you all a peaceful and happy weekend.

    With all best wishes,

    Crispin Hyde-Dunn

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