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Posted on: 13 November, 2026
A chaplain speaks at a lectern before an audience of students in red and black striped blazers, with a projection screen displaying An address from the Chaplain above them.

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This Week at St Faith’s

We Will Remember Them

This week, the St Faith’s community came together for a moving Service of Remembrance, providing an opportunity for pupils and staff to pause, reflect and remember those who have lost their lives through conflict around the world.

As part of the service, our House Captains laid two wreaths, while the Chamber Choir sang a beautiful setting of the Nunc Dimittis by composer Sydney Watson. Pupils also gave readings from the Gospel of St John and the Book of Revelation.

A particularly poignant moment came when Year 8 pupils, each holding a poppy, read aloud the names of Old Fidelians who lost their lives in conflict. This personal connection with former members of the St Faith’s community reminded pupils that behind every name is an individual life, family and story.

The Foundation Chaplain, Reverend Simon Coleman, gave the address, sharing the remarkable story of Corrie ten Boom, whose family helped Jewish people escape Nazi persecution in the Netherlands by sheltering them in a secret hiding place in their home. After the family was betrayed and arrested, Corrie survived imprisonment and, following the war, dedicated much of her life to spreading a message of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation.

Her story provided a fitting focus for our Remembrance Service, encouraging pupils to consider not only the sacrifices of the past, but also the courage, compassion and humanity that individuals can show during the most difficult of times.

The service concluded with the playing of The Last Post, followed by the traditional two minute’s silence, during which the St Faith’s community joined together in quiet remembrance. The silence was brought to a close by the playing of Reveille, providing a dignified end to the service.

Two adults and two students holding trumpets stand together on a grassy field, all wearing poppy badges.
A man stands at a lectern giving an address to a large group of students in red and black striped blazers, with a screen above displaying the text An address from the Chaplain.
A student stands at the front of a room speaking to an audience of seated students, all wearing matching red and black striped school blazers, many holding red poppy flowers.
A boy in a striped blazer and a girl in a black tracksuit play trumpets whilst standing on a grassy field.
A young student in a red and black striped school blazer stands on stage holding a red poppy, in front of a choir of seated students wearing matching uniforms.
A black silhouette of a soldier standing in a garden with a sign below reading Lest We Forget and featuring a red poppy logo.
Two bagpipers stand on an elevated platform above a large projection screen.
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What Would You Do? Adventures in Situational Ethics

On Thursday, we welcomed four Sixth Form pupils from The Leys, one of whom was an Old Fidelian, to lead our first C Cubed lunchtime talk of the term.

  • What is more important: fairness or kindness?
  • Should you always tell the truth, even if it means getting a friend into trouble?
  • When rules and compassion point us towards different answers, how do we decide what is right?

These were just some of the thought-provoking questions explored by pupils during the 40-minute session. C Cubed places Curiosity, Connection and Creativity at the heart of discussion and provides pupils with opportunities to grapple with ideas that do not always have an obvious answer.

The session, entitled What Would You Do?, challenged pupils to look more closely at the way we make difficult decisions. As a starting point, The Leys pupils outlined dilemmas for discussion. Pupils were then asked to consider three different approaches to making decisions before being introduced to their philosophical names: consequentialism, which considers the results of our actions; deontology, which asks what the right thing to do is regardless of the outcome; and virtue ethics, which encourages us to consider the kind of person we want to be.

The questions became increasingly nuanced, exploring concepts such as fairness versus kindness, loyalty versus honesty, equality versus excellence and rules versus compassion. Rather than searching for a single ‘correct’ answer, pupils were encouraged to apply each philosophical approach, listen to different points of view and consider how changing their perspective might also change their decision.

The session concluded with perhaps the biggest question of all: ‘What kind of a thinker are you?’

  • What will be the results of my actions?
  • What is the right thing to do, regardless of the results?
  • What kind of person do I want to be?

Opportunities such as C Cubed encourage pupils to look beyond straightforward answers. By questioning assumptions, considering different viewpoints and learning to explain the reasoning behind their choices, pupils develop confidence in engaging with complex ideas and recognising that some of the most interesting questions are those for which there is no easy answer.

A projection screen displays a slide titled Fairness vs Kindness with a case study about school trip placements, whilst two students stand in front of the screen.
A group of schoolboys in red-and-black striped blazers sit in chairs during an assembly in a room with commemorative wooden plaques on the walls.
A presentation slide titled Loyalty vs Honesty featuring a photograph of a teacher pointing at a pupil, accompanied by a scenario about a friend breaking a display and a question asking whether to protect the friend or tell the truth.
A woman in a black blazer stands before three children wearing red and black striped blazers, with wooden plaques mounted on the wall behind them.
A presentation slide titled Equality vs Excellence posing a moral dilemma about selecting a school sports team, featuring a photo of young football players on a pitch.
A group of students in striped school blazers sit in folding chairs in a hall, with several pupils raising their hands to ask a question.
A young woman wearing a green scarf and a young man in a suit standing indoors.
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Colour, Creativity and the Natural World

Ms Ankin writes,

“Year 3 and Year 6 have completed their painting projects in Art this week. Year 3 have been learning about colour theory and the French Impressionists and have enjoyed mixing their own paints before creating meadows inspired by the work of Claude Monet.

Meanwhile, Year 6 have been experimenting with a range of watercolour skills and techniques while learning about the Lakeland landscape artist William Heaton Cooper. Through their studies, they have developed their understanding of how artists use colour, texture and composition to capture the beauty of the natural world.

In Art, we explore how painting can support our mental health and wellbeing. Creative activities such as painting can help us feel calm and relaxed, providing a valuable opportunity to slow down and express ourselves when life feels busy or stressful.”

A student stands in front of a classroom display of landscape watercolour paintings, holding one of the paintings showing a landscape with mountains and trees.
Four children in green shirts hold up paintings of blue flowers in a classroom decorated with hanging kites and artwork.
Three children hold up their paintings of flowers in a classroom.
A watercolour painting of a grassy meadow with blue and yellow flowers, a small fly, and two butterflies flying above.
Four schoolboys in striped blazers sitting on a wooden bench, each holding a painting of a flower meadow.
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Science in Focus

Mrs Pritchard writes,

“Year 3 have begun exploring healthy eating and the different food groups. They have been learning about the importance of a balanced diet and considering how different types of food contribute to keeping our bodies healthy.

Year 4 have continued their work on electricity, moving on to electrical circuits. Pupils have been learning to recognise circuit symbols, draw accurate circuit diagrams and then put their knowledge into practice by creating a complete circuit using wires, a cell and a bulb. It was lovely to see theory being brought to life through practical investigation.

Year 5 have been investigating food pyramids and feeding relationships, and particularly impressed both Miss Dow and me with their ability to make links between the structure of a food pyramid and the feudal system. This provided a wonderfully imaginative way of thinking about the different levels within a feeding relationship. Pupils have also been exploring endangered species and considering the consequences that the loss of a species can have for biodiversity and the delicate balance within a habitat.

Year 6 developed their microscopy skills by carefully preparing slides using onion epidermal cells. After observing the cells under the microscope, pupils produced detailed biological drawings before taking their work a step further and using magnification to calculate the actual size of a cell. Some impressive scientific and mathematical thinking was on display!

Year 7 have continued their study of respiration, investigating differences between inhaled and exhaled air. Pupils used pie charts to compare the proportions of different gases, investigated the effect of exhaled air on limewater as a test for carbon dioxide, and modelled the composition of blood. These activities helped pupils make links between breathing, gas exchange and the transport of substances around the body.

Year 7 began their new topic on respiration in suitably memorable fashion last week, with an impressive demonstration exploring the energy stored in coffee whitener. It certainly brought the idea of energy release to life! Please click the button below to watch the video of it on YouTube.

Watch the demonstration

Finally, Year 8 delved further into the theory of refraction, investigating how the medium through which light travels affects the path of a light ray. Pupils applied their understanding to construct increasingly sophisticated ray diagrams, accurately identifying the incident, refracted and emergent rays and using these diagrams to explain how light changes direction as it travels between different materials.

Another fantastic week of curiosity, practical discovery and increasingly ambitious scientific thinking across the year groups.”

A teacher wearing safety glasses and heat-resistant gloves holds a rod over a controlled fire in a science laboratory.
Three students in red and black striped blazers work on a science project at a desk in a classroom.
Three students in red and black striped school blazers work together on a science experiment with wires and yellow plastic components at a desk.
Three students in striped red and black blazers work together at a desk on a science experiment involving a small yellow electronic component.
Three students in matching striped blazers work together on a science experiment involving a battery and electrical wires at a classroom desk.
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Year 8 Practice Interviews

Year 8 pupils have been taking part in practice interviews this week in preparation for senior school entrance assessments next term. This is part of our careers and personal development programme and provides pupils with an opportunity to develop their communication skills, build confidence and practise speaking about themselves, their interests and achievements in a more formal setting.

Pre Prep Eco Committee

On Tuesday, our youngest Eco assistants learned about deadheading flowers and how it helps create healthier plants.

A smiling child in a red uniform holds a small dark flower whilst standing next to a wooden fence lined with planters of colourful pansies.
A group of schoolchildren in red uniforms tending to a black flower box hanging on a wooden fence.
A young child in a red jacket reaches out to touch a small flower planted in a black container hanging on a wooden picket fence.
A large group of primary-aged children in matching red school uniforms and colourful wellies sitting on a bench against a brick wall, many waving at the camera.
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World Diabetes Day

This Saturday is World Diabetes Day, which was the focus of the Years 3 and 4 assembly today.

A speaker stands before a large projection screen showing a historical photograph of Frederick Banting and Charles Best, whilst a group of students sits on the floor listening to the presentation.
A presenter points to a projection screen displaying a biography and portrait of Frederick Banting before an audience of schoolchildren seated on a wooden floor.
A speaker stands at a lectern in front of a classroom of children, presenting a slide titled Type 1 diabetes that explains the condition, the role of insulin, and treatment methods.
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And Finally…

This evening, the Sports Hall will host a lively five-a-side football match between Old Fidelians, parents and staff. It promises to be an enjoyable occasion, with some friendly rivalry on the pitch and plenty of support from the sidelines. I am looking forward to seeing many of you there and am grateful to everyone who has helped organise the event.

I hope you enjoy the evening and wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

With all best wishes,

Crispin Hyde-Dunn

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