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Posted on: 24 April, 2026
Children run and play on a grassy sports pitch with white lines, while others use playground equipment under large trees in the background on a sunny day.

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    This Week at St Faith’s

    Welcome to the Summer Term

    On Wednesday we were delighted to welcome pupils back to St Faith’s at the start of the summer term. With brighter mornings and some welcome sunshine, it has been particularly good to see the children back out on the field, making full use of the beautifully prepared athletics and cricket surfaces as we move into this phase of the school year.

    I was very pleased, in assembly this week, to award Headmaster’s Commendations to 32 pupils in Years 5–8 in recognition of their excellent progress in learning habits. Their commitment, application and achievements were to be commended, and it was a fitting way to begin the term.

    In Wednesday’s assembly, we explored the idea that going somewhere new can change the way we see the world. We began by looking to space and to the recent Artemis II mission, during which astronauts once again had the opportunity to view the Earth from beyond our planet. When seen from that perspective, borders and divisions fall away, leaving one whole, fragile world. We reflected on the well-known image of Earthrise, taken in 1968, and compared it with Earthset, captured just this April. As one astronaut put it, “There are simply no words to describe it”.

    Several of our Year 7 and 8 pupils experienced something similar during their Easter trip to South Africa, where they visited Makukhnaye School. It was a hugely enriching experience, and one which has clearly left a lasting impression on those involved.

    In assembly, I asked all pupils to think about times when they had travelled somewhere new or experienced something unfamiliar, and how returning home afterwards can subtly change the way we see our surroundings.

    The story The Astronomer’s Telescope offered a helpful way into this idea. A fearsome lunar monster turns out, on closer inspection, to be nothing more than a tiny ladybird on the lens — a reminder that it is not only what we look at that matters, but how we choose to look at it.

    A large group of students in uniform sits and stands in a school hall, facing a presenter in front of a projected screen showing an image of Mars. The room is well-lit, with wooden beams and a high ceiling.
    A group of students wearing red and black striped uniforms sit and stand facing a large, blurry projection screen at the front of a brightly lit room.
    A large group of students in red and black uniforms sit facing a stage, where a person is giving a presentation featuring a projected image of Mars. The scene takes place in a bright school hall.
    Two children are on a wooden climbing frame at a playground. One stands and smiles, wearing a black jacket, while the other sits casually in a white shirt. People play on a basketball court in the background.
    A group of children in red shirts play with a ball on a grassy field, supervised by an adult in a striped shirt, with trees and a wooden fence in the background.
    Four children sit together on a wooden bench outdoors, smiling at the camera. They each wear different coloured polo shirts—red, grey, light blue, and green—indicating different school uniforms or groups.
    Two young girls in checked school uniforms stand on scooters in a sunny outdoor area; beside them, another girl in a red jumper and checked skirt smiles while holding a red climbing rope on a playground.
    A young child in a red jumper rides a small tricycle on a playground with green and black rubber flooring, casting a shadow on the ground in bright sunlight.
    Three young girls in red school uniforms play outside with toy baskets and a play kitchen near a small wooden building, on a sunny day with trees and a wooden fence in the background.
    Six smiling children in school uniforms stand arm in arm outside on a sunny day, with a green field and other children playing in the background.
    Seven young girls in red jumpers and checked skirts smile and pose on a wooden playground structure, holding onto ropes, with trees and sunlight in the background.
    A young boy in a red jumper stands on a wooden playground structure outdoors, surrounded by green trees and sunlight. He looks off to the side with a thoughtful expression.
    A young girl in a checked dress climbs a red rope on outdoor playground equipment, with green trees in the background.
    A woman and a young child sit outdoors on low stools, playing with water and toys in a large plastic tub. The child holds a sponge and scoop while wearing a colourful apron. Sunlight brightens the scene.
    Three young girls in red school uniforms smile whilst holding onto playground ropes outdoors, with trees in the background.
    Two young girls in matching checked school uniforms play with hula hoops outside on a sunny day. One wears patterned wellies and the other wears black shoes. Trees and playground equipment are visible in the background.
    Children and adults sit or stand in groups on a large grassy field, surrounded by trees and under a partly cloudy sky. Some red leaves hang from a branch at the top of the image.
    Children run and play on a grassy sports pitch with white lines, while others use playground equipment under large trees in the background on a sunny day.
    Three children play a large board game outdoors on a colourful mat. Two kids stand while one is sitting on the mat near a large green foam die. Trees and a picnic table are in the background.
    Two girls in school uniforms stand outdoors on a sunny day. One wears a striped blazer and trousers, the other a dark cardigan and skirt. Wooden playground equipment and trees are in the background.
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    Celebrating Success: St Faith’s Receives National Recognition

    We are delighted to build on our recent success of winning the Education Business Environmental Practice Award (as reported in the 27th March newsletter) with yet more wonderful news to celebrate. By way of reminder, this national recognition highlights St Faith’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and our meaningful, pupil‑centred approach to sustainability education. It reflects not only the school’s innovative environmental initiatives, but also our deep‑rooted belief that young people can—and should—lead the way in shaping a greener future.

    Now we are proud to announce that St Faith’s has also been recognised in the LUXLife Private Education Awards 2026, receiving the following accolades:

    • Most Enriching Day Prep School 2026 – Cambridgeshire
    • Excellence in STEM Education 2026

    These prestigious awards celebrate the breadth and richness of the St Faith’s experience, from academic excellence and outstanding STEM provision to the nurturing, forward‑thinking education we provide every child. We congratulate our pupils, staff and wider school community on these remarkable achievements.

    Holiday Clubs

    After the end of term in March, many of our pupils returned to St Faith’s to enjoy the range of holiday clubs that ran during the Easter holidays. I am sure that many of you will have enjoyed the photographs shared online, which captured something of the variety and energy of these activities.

    I am enormously grateful to the dedicated staff who offer these clubs, including the Multi-Activity Course, STEM Camp, Art and Craft Workshop, St Faith’s Cookery School and Little Wyverns.

    Later in the holiday, it was the turn of the Bikeability course for Years 3 and 4, with pupils clearly relishing the opportunity to develop new skills.

    We continue to encourage members of the school community to cycle to school wherever possible, and, in support of our sustainability initiatives, we plan to offer further Bikeability courses for pupils in Years 5–8 during the May half-term week.

    We hope that you enjoy this selection of photos from the holiday clubs, as well as from the first day of term.

    A group of children sit at a table covered with a blue cloth, focused on painting and drawing on paper, with art supplies and cups scattered around them in a classroom setting.
    Two children wearing red tabards sit at a table in an art classroom, holding paintbrushes and paper. One child smiles and shows his paper to the other, surrounded by colourful supplies and artwork in the background.
    Two young girls sit at a red table, closely working together on a writing or drawing activity with paper and pencils. One girl wears a pink hoodie, the other a floral sweatshirt and flower headband.
    Two photos of young girls in a colourful classroom: on the left, a girl in a red overall paints; on the right, the same girl in a pale shirt smiles and holds artwork whilst talking to classmates.
    Left: A young girl with face paint resembling an animal is being painted by an adult. Right: Four boys are playing outside near blackboards; one throws a ball while another holds a cricket bat.
    Split image: On the left, a child in a princess costume with a jewelled tiara and colourful tiger face paint. On the right, a smiling child in a striped shirt showing painted fingernails in a classroom setting.
    Three young children are indoors. A blonde girl with pink glasses and a flower headband smiles at the camera, while a boy in a grey hoodie laughs beside her. Another girl with dark hair stands in the background.
    A young boy with face paint sits at a table painting with pink and purple colours. On the wall beside him, two Easter bunny paintings, one white and one purple, are displayed on paper.
    Four young children sit around a small table, cutting and colouring paper for a craft activity. Bookshelves filled with books are in the background. The kids are focused and surrounded by art supplies.
    A young child with face paint and animal-print leggings climbs a rope attached to a tree, smiling and looking at the camera. There are posters on a fence and green foliage in the background.
    A young child with curly hair wearing a blue jacket climbs an outdoor wooden structure, gripping colourful handholds and looking focused.
    A freshly baked square cake with four visible cream cheese swirls sits in a parchment-lined metal tin on a wire rack, cooling on a dark worktop.
    A purple lunchbox with two compartments: one side has shredded chicken, edamame, radish, and pickles; the other side features rice decorated as a bunny face with vegetables, a panda pick, and a carrot ribbon.
    Two children wearing white aprons and blue gloves are standing at a counter, shaping food with their hands. They are focused on their task, with kitchen trays and a bowl in front of them.
    Two children wearing aprons work together at a kitchen worktop, slicing vegetables. Various kitchen utensils and bowls are in the foreground, with other people and supplies visible in the background.
    Two children wearing aprons prepare food in a kitchen. The girl on the left is focused on her task, while the boy in a blue hoodie concentrates on chopping. Bright kitchen with a colourful poster in the background.
    Two children wearing white aprons and blue gloves stand indoors, talking to each other. One is gesturing with gloved hands, whilst the other listens. They appear to be participating in a cooking or science activity.
    A chef in a striped apron holds a bottle while two children wearing aprons and gloves prepare food together in a kitchen. Eggs and ingredients are visible on a trolley nearby.
    Split image: On the left, a boy in sports kit smiles while holding a tennis racquet and a ball on a court. On the right, a boy wearing an apron and gloves focuses on slicing food in a kitchen.
    Children play badminton in a large indoor sports hall. Some are actively playing on courts while others watch or wait nearby. The sports hall has yellow walls, basketball hoops, and a green divider net in the centre.
    Two young girls playing badminton indoors; the girl on the left is smiling and holding a racquet while standing, and the girl on the right is swinging her racquet upwards, ready to hit the shuttlecock.
    Three boys play indoor football, two in orange bibs and one in blue, competing for the ball. An adult in a white top and red cap observes from the background near a whiteboard and a blue curtain.
    Two boys playing badminton indoors: the boy on the left lunges forward to hit the shuttlecock, whilst the boy on the right stands ready with his racquet, looking ahead on the court.
    Six children play badminton in a gymnasium. Three kids are on each side of the net, all holding racquets and focussing on the shuttlecock. The gym has wooden flooring and brick walls with basketball hoops.
    Two photos: The top shows letter blocks “A” and “W” in a blue holder on a card with handwritten notes. The bottom shows “J” and “S” in a green holder on a card with blue and green handwritten notes.
    Two boys stand in a classroom beside 3D printers and colourful filament spools on a wooden shelf. There are storage bins below, a noticeboard, and pupils visible through the window in the background.
    Two young boys stand by a table with LEGO bricks and creations. One holds a yellow LEGO car, whilst the other looks at the camera. Other children are building in the background. They are in a bright room with brick walls.
    Colourful plastic building blocks scattered on a white table in a bright classroom with brick walls. A red dragon mural is on the far wall above a TV, with more toys, bins, and learning materials in the background.
    Three children work together at a table, each using a tablet. One boy stands and points to a screen whilst two other kids sit beside him, looking focused. Cardboard boxes and supplies are visible in the background.
    Six children sit around a wooden table in a classroom, focused on working with tablets and laptops. The classroom has colourful boxes and noticeboards in the background.
    Three children work together at a table, focused on a tablet. One girl is using the mouse whilst two boys watch and discuss. The room appears to be a classroom or workshop with tools and materials in the background.
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    Shakespeare Week is Coming!

    Ms Morris writes,

    “The term has got off to a fantastic start as we have moved straight into Shakespeare. With Shakespeare Week just around the corner, a quick reminder that pupils can come to school dressed as a character from A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Friday 1st May for our celebratory Shakespeare disco/ball at lunchtime.

    There’s plenty to look forward to, including two outdoor lunchtime performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Year 8, a special workshop led by the Chair of the St Faith’s Committee, Mrs Vicki Wienand, and a range of activities taking place in lessons and at breaktimes throughout the week.

    We kicked things off with Year 6, who are studying A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The whole cohort came together for an exciting introduction, exploring the key characters through drama and a new production by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Even better, we began on William Shakespeare’s birthday (23rd April), a date traditionally associated with both his birth and death”.

    A teacher stands in front of a seated classroom, presenting a slide that shows two actors in costume and text summarising a scene from A Midsummer Night's Dream. The room is dimly lit.
    Two photos show children in a gymnasium. Left: Four boys act out a dramatic scene; one pretends to fall as others reach out. Right: Two girls in sportswear point and laugh whilst another girl stands beside them smiling.
    A group of boys in black sports kits stand in a circle indoors, some with hands on their faces thinking, while one gestures animatedly. Other pupils and scattered papers are visible in the background.
    Children sit on a gym floor in pairs, looking at printed sheets with images and text, engaged in an activity. Some children chat or read, all wearing sports clothes and trainers.
    Split image: Left shows a teacher addressing students in a spacious hall with papers on the floor. Right shows children seated, one boy in a red jacket holding a booklet whilst others raise their hands.
    1 / 1

    This Week in the Science Labs

    It has been wonderful to welcome the children back this week, and they have certainly hit the ground running across all year groups.

    Year 5 began the term with a very special visitor: Shelby, a four‑year‑old, 20kg Sulcata tortoise, who joined them as part of their ongoing work on life processes. Shelby was thoroughly impressed by the children’s knowledge and even more intrigued by any trainers featuring pink or red, just in case they turned out to be strawberries.

    Year 6 explored the structure and care of teeth, investigating how plaque forms and how tooth decay develops. Their learning was accompanied by some striking images that were, perhaps, especially memorable just before lunch.

    Year 7 focused on refining their practical skills in preparation for next week’s Science Practical Exam. Their attention to detail and growing confidence in handling equipment have set them up well for success.

    Year 8 undertook two GCSE‑level practicals, investigating the reactions between metal carbonates and acids. Through careful, methodical work, they successfully produced copper chloride crystals and examined the thermal decomposition of metal carbonates. Pupils applied their understanding of balanced equations and gas tests to identify products accurately and scientifically.

    Across the school, it has been a fantastic start filled with curiosity, hands‑on learning, and impressive scientific thinking. We look forward to seeing what the next week brings.

    A group of schoolchildren in uniforms sit and kneel on grass, smiling and watching a large tortoise as it walks in front of them outdoors on a sunny day.
    A large tortoise crawls on green grass in sunlight, with a group of people standing in the background, their legs and shoes partially visible in the shade.
    A group of children in red and black uniforms gather closely around a tortoise on a grassy area, observing it attentively under bright sunlight.
    A group of school children in uniforms sit and kneel on grass, closely gathered round a large tortoise. One child raises her hand whilst others watch the tortoise with interest. Trees and sunlight are in the background.
    A group of kids wearing sports kits stand in a circle outdoors on a pitch; one boy in the centre smiles brightly, while another raises his hand. Sunlight highlights their faces and green grass surrounds them.
    A group of students in red and black uniforms and a few adults stand in a circle on grass outside a brick building, listening and looking at something on the ground in the centre.
    1 / 1

    SFPA Coffee Mornings

    Today we began our parent coffee mornings for the summer term, and it was the Reception parents who have got us underway. These mornings provide a valuable and popular opportunity for parents to meet one another and to hear more about what is coming up this term.

    The coffee mornings take place over a relatively short period, so please do make a note of the date for your child’s year group.

    During these sessions, members of the SFPA committee will also share information about upcoming events – this term it is most notably the SFPA Summer Party, which is traditionally held in June. This year is no exception, so please do save the date of Saturday 20th June in your diaries. It is always a real highlight of the school calendar.

    Coffee Mornings

    • Monday, 27th April – Years 7 & 8
      Wednesday, 29th April – Years 3 & 4
      Tuesday, 5th May – Years 5 & 6
      Thursday, 7th May – Years 1 & 2
    A group of people, including adults and children, stand and talk near a wooden pavilion in a sunny, grassy park. Some sit or stand near benches, and trees provide a lush green backdrop.
    A woman in a green jumper speaks and smiles outdoors whilst a man in a suit and tie stands beside her, holding papers. Other people are present, and the scene takes place on a grassy area with trees in the background.
    Three people are outdoors on grass; one man in a suit smiles whilst holding papers, a woman in a yellow dress and lanyard smiles at him, and a third person stands with their back to the camera. Trees are in the background.
    A group of adults stand in small clusters outside on a sunny day, talking and socialising on a grassy lawn near a building with large windows and a veranda.
    1 / 1

    IAPS Table Tennis Championships

    Some of our Year 6 to 8 pupils will be taking part in the IAPS Table Tennis Championships at Edge Grove School tomorrow – we wish them the very best of luck.

    Year 3 and Pre Prep Open Morning – Saturday, 25th April

    On Saturday we look forward to welcoming over 40 families to a now fully subscribed Open Morning. My thanks go to the staff involved in organising the event and to our Year 8 pupils, who will lead the tours and share their experience of life at St Faith’s.

    The morning offers families the opportunity to explore the school, meet staff and pupils, and take part in a range of activities.

    If you are intending to apply for a place for September 2026 entry, the deadline is Monday 4th May 2026. For 2027 entry, the deadline will be Friday 23rd October 2026.

    And Finally…

    It has been a week of returning, but also of seeing things from a slightly different perspective. From astronauts looking back at the Earth, to pupils coming back from South Africa, we have been reminded of the value of looking at the familiar in new ways. Wishing you a peaceful and enjoyable weekend.

    With all best wishes,

    Crispin Hyde-Dunn

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