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This Week at St Faith’s

 

Shakespeare Week Arrived!

Shakespeare Week is an annual national event and always falls around the Bard’s birthday on 23rd April. As anticipated in last week’s newsletter, the pupils have been immersed this week in all things Shakespearean, 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. Our pupils have the opportunity to study Shakespeare throughout their senior years at St Faith’s, as part of the English curriculum. This includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Year 6, Macbeth in Year 7 and Romeo and Juliet in Year 8.

Continuing with our Shakespeare theme, in Tom’s Garden this week, The Enchanted Sensory Garden was created—an installation inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This was designed as a sensory journey through the enchanted forest, supporting both engagement with Shakespearean text, and opportunities for regulation and calm. Pupils moved through a series of simple stations, each linked to the play and to a different sensory experience:

  • The Lovers’ Path (stepping stones): careful movement and balance as the characters become lost in the forest
  • Puck’s Mischief (soft play area): controlled chaos, encouraging physical release and coordination
  • Magic in the Air (sound and bubbles): listening, watching, and noticing change
  • The Fairy Canopy (parachute): shared movement and gentle, calming interaction
  • The Lovers’ Clearing (gazebo): a quiet, reflective sensory space with resources to support regulation

On Friday it was non-uniform day and pupils and staff alike were able to don their fairy wings, or dress as other characters from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. There was even a “Fairy Ball” themed disco at lunchtime!

Calm and Create

Mrs Clarke writes,

“In Calm and Create Club, we enjoyed exploring Shakespeare’s enchanting play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. After learning about the magical forest setting and the whimsical characters within the story, the children were inspired to bring a little of that magic to life. Using their creativity, they designed and made their very own fairy doors. Each one unique, with some featuring tiny fairies or mischievous elves peeping through the doorway.

Year 2 children enjoyed working collaboratively to create wonderful artwork, inspired by the magical forest where “Chaos and Confusion” took place in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Allergy Awareness Week

Last week was Allergy Awareness Week 2026 with the aim of raising awareness of the severity of allergies, and improving support for those affected. Led by Allergy UK, the week highlights the need for better diagnosis and management, particularly as the UK ranks among the highest countries globally for allergy.

As part of ongoing allergy education at St Faith’s, led by the Health Centre team, we were delighted to welcome on Tuesday one of our parents, Dr Gary Stiefel, Consultant in Paediatric Allergy. Dr Stiefel came to talk to the children about allergies and how we can all help keep one another safe. In particular, Dr Stiefel explained, in a clear and reassuring way, what to do if someone is having a serious allergic (anaphylactic) reaction. He introduced the simple and memorable A–B–C approach:
Airway, Breathing, Circulation – and stressed the importance of getting help immediately. The children also learned that an EpiPen can be used in emergencies.

The talk helped pupils understand the signs of a mild reaction, such as itching, rashes or swelling, and how these differ from the signs of a severe reaction, including difficulty breathing or feeling faint. This knowledge is an important part of building confidence and awareness, helping children to know when to seek adult support promptly.

Dr Stiefel concluded the session by reading the memorable story Shyla’s Secret Sadness, which explores living with allergies and the experience of feeling different. We are very grateful to Dr Stiefel for giving his time and for speaking to the children in such a clear and accessible way.

RCAH Class Assembly

Miss Herbert writes,

“RCAH presented their class assembly on what they have been doing throughout the year. They shared how they make their arms strong with dancing to get ready for writing and how they learn through songs and rhymes. They also enjoyed showing pictures from their recent work on Springtime and the seasons.”

Learning to Tie Your Tie and Shoelaces

It will not be long before our Year 2 pupils move on from Pre Prep in Southfield and into Year 3, as well as beginning to wear the St Faith’s blazer and house tie for the first time.

With that in mind, buddies were on hand on Thursday to show our Year 2 children how to tie a tie and their shoelaces in readiness for the move. There was a good deal of concentration involved, and it was very pleasing to see older pupils taking the lead in helping the pupils master what is, for many, a completely new skill.

Parents may find that a little additional practice at home will be helpful over the coming weeks!

Fake News, Misinformation and Disinformation

On Thursday, Mr Critchley spoke to Year 5 and 6 pupils about the ways in which information is presented and shared online. Pupils encounter news and media constantly — on websites, apps and social platforms — and while much of it is reliable, some can be misleading or untrue. Being able to recognise the difference is an increasingly important skill.

Pupils were introduced to three key terms:

  • Fake News – stories presented as news which are not true
  • Misinformation – false or misleading information shared without intent to deceive
  • Disinformation – false information shared deliberately to mislead

Understanding these distinctions helps pupils to recognise that not all incorrect information is shared for the same reasons, but that all of it requires careful scrutiny.

To support this, pupils were encouraged to PAUSE before accepting or sharing information:

  • P – Post: What is being claimed? Does it appear designed to provoke a reaction?
  • A – Author: Who has written it? Are they a credible source?
  • U – Update: When was it published? Is it still relevant?
  • S – Source: Does it come from a trusted organisation? Is it reported elsewhere?
  • E – Evidence: Are there facts or data to support the claim?

If unsure, pupils were reminded to check other sources, look carefully at website addresses and images, and to seek advice from a trusted adult before sharing.

A Fantastic Week of Running, Resilience and Community

Mrs Wakefield writes,

“What a fantastic week it has been for running at St Faith’s!

The celebrations began last Friday, with the Playground Committee’s Mini Marathon Fun Run for pupils in Years 2, 3 and 4, setting the tone for a joyful weekend of activity, teamwork and encouragement. The pride taken by the Playground Committee in organising the event was clear to see, and it was lovely to have families cheering pupils on.

Over the weekend, 14 St Faith’s pupils took part in the TCS Mini London Marathon, joining a record number of children and young people crossing the iconic Finish Line on The Mall. With a lively warm‑up led by Joe Wicks, and Gladiators Nitro and Fury, and plenty of mutual encouragement along the route, it was a memorable day that captured the spirit of the event – inclusive, joyful and inspiring. It was especially lovely to see our older pupils encouraging and looking out for younger ones – a real reflection of St Faith’s values of community and kindness.

On Sunday, Mrs Wakefield completed the London Marathon, and pupils have thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the experience, particularly the highlights involving Daddy Pig, Joe Wicks and a few surprise runners along the way!

Here in school, Pre Prep pupils have embraced the Mini London Marathon further, completing their own two‑mile challenge across the week. The atmosphere has been full of determination, smiles and celebration, culminating in a wonderful finale with families cheering pupils on.

Together, these events celebrated perseverance, encouragement and shared achievement across our community.

Thank you, as always, for your enthusiasm and support.”

Maths Challenges

Mrs Rainsford writes,

“This week saw Maths challenges taking place across the school, alongside certificates awarded for earlier competitions taken last term.

Over 120 pupils took part in the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge, tackling a demanding paper that required logical thinking and strong problem-solving skills. There was a wonderfully positive atmosphere on Wednesday morning where pupils demonstrated resilience and determination; congratulations to all who took part.

In Year 5, pupils were delighted to receive certificates for their success in the UKMT Primary Kangaroo Challenge, with “Best in Class” and “Best in Year” awarded to those who particularly excelled.

In Year 6, following their success in the Primary Maths Challenge, four pupils were invited to take part in the Bonus Round — a tougher follow-up paper reserved for the country’s top scorers. We are delighted to report that all four rose to the occasion, demonstrating impressive problem-solving and real mathematical flair.

Congratulations to all our mathematicians on their hard work and determination. We look forward to hearing the results of the Junior Maths Challenge later this term, and the subsequent Kangaroo and Olympiad rounds.”

Year 7 and 8 Assembly: Known, Guided, and Never Alone

Mr Gorick writes,

“This week’s Year 7 and 8 assembly explored how Christians understand God’s presence in everyday life. Pupils reflected on Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam and the idea of God reaching out to humanity with invitation and care. We heard two short Bible passages: Jesus’ words ‘I am the good shepherd’ from John 10, which express the belief that God knows each person by name and guides gently, and the closing promise of Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus says, ‘I am with you always.’

The assembly also acknowledged that life includes moments of doubt, sadness, or feeling lost. Pupils were shown how, in the Christian tradition, God ‘reaches out’ to meet people in those moments, offering comfort and reassurance. A short time of stillness invited pupils to think of those who may need gentleness and to reflect on the ways we can support one another as a school community.”

A Magnificent Introduction: Welcoming the Double Bass to School

Mr Gorick writes,

“There was a real buzz in school on Wednesday as pupils from Years 1–4 were introduced to the double bass, the largest and lowest member of the string family. We were delighted to welcome Mr David Heyes, an experienced performer and educator, having previously taught at the specialist music school Wells Cathedral School. He is very well known in the double bass world for his work as a teacher, composer, and advocate for young bassists.

To help pupils appreciate the scale of the instrument, the music room was filled with basses of all sizes — 1/10, 1/8, 1/4, and even Mr Heyes’ own 3/4‑size instrument. Pupils were fascinated to see how the instrument “grows” with the player.

Classes listened to extracts from Saint‑Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals, including The Elephant and The Tortoise (which Year 3 had studied earlier in the year). Hearing these pieces performed live on the double bass helped pupils connect the music to its deep, rumbling character.

The highlight for many was feeling the vibrations of the instrument travelling through the floor and even through their bodies.

We are pleased to share that after an eight-year absence, double bass lessons are now available for St Faith’s pupils, and the school has instruments ready for pupils to hire. It was an exciting introduction to a magnificent instrument, and we look forward to seeing which young musicians take up the challenge. Please use the Jotform to request these lessons.”

Plate Waste Day Results Are In!

Mrs Scott writes,

“I would like to thank the Lodestone catering team for their help on Wednesday, as St Faith’s aimed to do its part to help the planet by reducing the amount of food that we throw away. This was a real team effort. There was just 5.8kg of plate waste on Wednesday, a new school record! Normal levels are usually at least double this, demonstrating how our collective efforts can make a real difference.

As a hotly contested house event, Latham were the eventual winners:

  • Latham – 88
  • Newton – 85
  • Chaucer – 81
  • Bentley – 75

We will be in contact with Latham House in due course to find a date for them to select their prize – which is the choice of a special pudding on our school menu.”

Latham House Charity Event

The netball courts have been home to the Latham charity event during several breaktimes this week. With much laughter and enthusiastic participation, pupils tried to land their beanbags, not just in one, but in three hoops. This event was an excellent opportunity for pupils to engage in charitable activities and understand the importance of giving back to the community. The chosen charity for Latham this year is Cancer Research UK.

Years 6-8 Boys’ and Girls’ IAPS Table Tennis Championships

Mr Hill writes,

“St Faith’s was well represented at this tournament last Saturday at which just under 30 schools were in attendance.

The U11 tournament began at 09:00am, whilst the U13 tournament started at 1pm. Players were allocated one of eight tables, with eight players on each table, in either Pool 1 or Pool 2 of the tournament. The 1st and 2nd placed players in each pool qualified through to the knockout tournament, with players in 3rd and 4th positions entering a plate tournament.

All U11 players were placed in either the 1st or 2nd place and progressed to the first knockout round. The majority of the U13 Boys and Girls, similarly, reached the knockout stage. All pupils took their turn in the important role as scorekeeper.

The standard of the tournament was very high, including many club and county Table Tennis players. Attitude, effort, appearance and manners, were outstanding amongst all the St Faith’s pupils. From a developmental perspective all players made very pleasing progress in their technical and tactical play. A great day was had by all pupils, parents and me.”

Gymnastics

This weekend some of our gymnasts will take part in the BSGA Milano Floor & Vault National Finals and we wish them the very best of luck.

Goblins Race at Scottow Enterprise Park, Norfolk

On Tuesday our Goblins attended their first race event of the year at Scottow Enterprise Park. It was a wonderful day and a full report, plus photos will appear in next week’s newsletter. Thank you to the staff who organised the event and to our families for supporting it.

And Finally…

Following a week with Shakespeare at its heart, we now turn to Robert Louis Stevenson as the rehearsals for the Year 8 production of Treasure Island are gathering pace. Whether you were running the London Marathon last weekend or not, I hope this weekend offers a change of pace and some relaxation.

With all best wishes,

Crispin Hyde-Dunn