In this week's Roundup:
Head Student's Welcome | The Week Ahead | Key Term Dates | Noticeboard | Photo of the Week
Nursery & Junior | Senior & Sixth Form | Submit a Story
Roundup #100
To mark 100 editions of the Roundup, this week Rich has handed over control to the Major Officials...
A message from
Jen & Louis, Head Students.
There’s an assumption in society that a good school is a harmonious one. That ideas always align, that discussions end in peaceful agreements, and that the best outcome is consensus. However, we’re not sure that’s true. We’ve found that it is possible to disagree and work together strongly, and in many ways this is special. It allows a team to flourish where the best of both worlds combine and unique ideas are formed from the lens of multiple different perspectives.
Working together this year as Head Students, we’ve realised that we disagree- often, and sometimes quite fundamentally. Not just on small things, but on how events should be run, what should be prioritised, and occasionally on what actually matters. These disagreements don’t always resolve neatly. Sometimes they linger, they resurface, and sometimes they are simply left unfinished.
And yet, over time, that has begun to feel less like a flaw and more like something worth preserving. We both take Politics A-Level and have a strong passion in the topic, and we regularly find ourselves disagreeing about political issues in the UK. It’s interesting how with the same question, same set of facts, and the same narratives, the human mind is so unique that we all draw different conclusions.
There is something quietly unsettling in the fact that two people can approach the same issue carefully, thoughtfully, and still arrive somewhere completely different. It raises an important question: How often do we mistake clarity for the truth? In academic environments, there is a tendency to value arguments that are well-structured and decisive. And understandably so - they are easier to assess and comprehend. But the risk is that we begin to see certainty as correctness, rather than recognising it as just one way of presenting an idea.
When you see politicians or the general public debating, it can get quite messy, however it doesn’t have to be this way. We have come to learn that constructive disagreement is a key part to learning how to strengthen your own views while also learning from others. Disagreement exposes the limits of our own thinking and makes it harder to rely on just instinct, or assumption, or the reassurance of being sure.
That discomfort of disagreement is easy to avoid. It is far simpler to agree, or to stay within views that go unchallenged. But the conversations that stay with us are rarely the easy ones. They are the ones that complicate things and leave us slightly less certain than we were before.
Disagreement becomes even more crucial in a school-based sense. With exam season approaching, many people will be revising questions with yes or no answers or one binary answer. In class, months of debating what the one answer could be will have occurred, with marks either awarded or lost. For those in Year 11 and Year 13, this is a moment of focus, of clarity, and of working towards something defined. Watching that from Year 12, it is striking how quickly that structure begins to fall away afterwards. An important part of life are the more nuanced debates where you can freely disagree, and outside of the classroom these are more significant than ever.
Perhaps part of what education should offer, alongside results, alongside achievement, is not just the ability to construct arguments, but the willingness to have them unsettled. Not just confidence in our views, but to also be aware of their limits.
We still disagree. In lessons, in decisions, in how things should be done. Not everything is resolved, and not everything needs to be. If anything, the value lies in continuing the conversation rather than concluding it.
As this marks the 100th edition of the Roundup, it might seem appropriate to end with something conclusive. But the most worthwhile conversations rarely do. They remain open, unfinished, and occasionally uncomfortable.
And perhaps that is what makes them worth continuing, not just within school, but long after we leave it.
Wellbeing Update
Sign Up for the Wellbeing Hub
At St Chris, we’re proud to empower our staff and families to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people through The Wellbeing Hub — an online platform offering expert guidance and practical resources.
Parents and guardians are warmly invited to register for access via the button below. Once signed up, you'll find a wide range of support at your fingertips — including podcasts, online courses, live events, and Q&A sessions with leading professionals in the field.
Upcoming Events
11-17 May: Mental Health Awareness Week
The theme this year is action. Join us in taking action to support good mental health. Even small actions can help us feel hopeful and less powerless. While our individual actions matter, when we come together we are even more powerful.
Major Officials 2026-7
Earlier this year the Senior School came together to vote for their Major Officials 2026-7.
At St Chris, Major Officials play an important role in shaping the day-to-day experience of the Senior School. They are student leaders, drawn from Year 12 (Lower Sixth), who take on responsibility for representing their peers, contributing to school life and helping to lead key areas of activity across the community.
Their role is both practical and symbolic. Major Officials work closely with staff to support the organisation of events, contribute to Morning Talks and initiatives, and help ensure that student voice is heard in meaningful ways. Whether leading on areas such as sustainability, wellbeing or community engagement, they bring energy, perspective and a strong sense of responsibility to their roles.
They are also visible role models for younger students. Through their presence around the school, their involvement in co-curricular life and the way they carry themselves, they help set the tone for what it means to be part of the St Chris community.
Above all, being a Major Official is about service. It is an opportunity for students to contribute beyond themselves, to develop leadership skills and to play an active part in the life of the school.
We're delighted to introduce you to the full team for 2026-7...
Major Officials Social Media Takeover
Next week our Major Officials are taking over the St Chris social media accounts - keep an eye on our Instagram and new TikTok account to see what they post!
Junior School Production: Aladdin
Earlier this term, our Junior School students took to the stage for their production of Aladdin, delighting audiences with energetic and entertaining performances full of humour, music and confidence.
From the colourful costumes and lively choreography to the excellent acting and singing, the production was a wonderful celebration of the creativity and enthusiasm of our students. Whether performing centre stage, supporting behind the scenes or singing as part of the ensemble, every student played an important role in bringing the story to life.
The production was also a lovely example of students growing in confidence through performance, teamwork and shared experience - with many students stepping outside their comfort zones and trying something new.
We are now delighted to be able to share a gallery of photographs from the performances with families. A few pictures below and the full gallery is available for Junior Shcool parents via Class Dojo.
A huge thank you to all the staff, students and families who helped make the production such a success.
Study Leave Resources
Supporting V Group (Year 11) Through Study Leave
This week, our V Group students are bringing home a dedicated revision poster, designed to support them as they prepare for their GCSE examinations and begin study leave.
The poster provides a simple way for students to access a wide range of subject-specific revision materials in one place. By scanning the QR code, students are taken directly to a central bank of resources curated by our teachers. This has been designed to remove barriers and make it as easy as possible for students to find what they need, when they need it.
The resources include revision guides, key topic summaries, practice materials and subject-specific advice, helping students to structure their independent study and revisit learning from across their courses.
We hope this will provide a helpful point of reference at home as well as at school. As ever, we encourage students to balance their revision with rest, routine and wellbeing, and to reach out to their teachers if they need any additional guidance or support.
II Group Morning Talk: The Myth of "Being Good at Something"
This morning’s II Group (Year 8) Morning Talk explored the idea that ability is not fixed - and that learning, improvement and confidence all come through effort, persistence and being willing to try.
Through a series of reflections, challenges and examples, students encouraged the school community to rethink phrases such as “I’m just not good at that” and instead recognise that growth often happens outside our comfort zones. The talk reminded us that every expert was once a beginner, that mistakes are part of learning, and that progress matters far more than perfection.
As part of the Morning Talk, II Group shared a video featuring students and staff talking about something new they have learnt this year - from practical skills and creative interests to personal challenges they have overcome. The video highlighted an important part of life at St Chris: that learning does not stop in the classroom, and that everyone in our community continues to grow, develop and discover new things about themselves.
The talk closed with a powerful reminder that “I can’t do it” is often only missing one small word: yet.
Recycled Fashion Show: Photo Gallery
Earlier this term, students from across the school took part in the 30th Annual Inter-School Recycled Fashion Show - one of the highlights of the St Chris creative calendar.
This year’s theme, Alternate Realities, challenged students to imagine futuristic dreamscapes, magical worlds, eco-utopias and parallel lives, bringing their ideas to life through wearable artworks created from recycled and repurposed materials. The result was an evening full of imagination, bold thinking and remarkable creativity.
The live catwalk show in the Theatre featured an extraordinary range of designs, from dramatic sculptural pieces and character-led costumes to playful conceptual creations, all produced using limited materials and inventive techniques. Students showed tremendous creativity, teamwork and confidence throughout the process, both on stage and behind the scenes.
Alongside the catwalk itself, the evening included stalls, industry judges and the St Chris jass band playing during the musical interval, helping to create a wonderful atmosphere for students, families and guests.
This year’s show also supported the charity Village Women Dream, a Cambodian organisation founded by Hab Saly to help women work independently and with greater freedom and opportunity.
We are now delighted to be able to share a gallery of photographs from the evening, capturing the creativity, energy and community spirit that made this milestone 30th anniversary event so memorable. The photos were taken by St Chris students, May Carley (Year 13) and Ben Bierer-White (Year 12)
Please can we remind you not to share pictures of any child other than your own on social media or online.
To access the full gallery:
1) Click on the link: Recycled Fashion Show Photo Gallery
2) Enter your personal email address
3) Enter this password: Et1g3mn0z0
Notices
Whole School
Share Your St Chris Story
We are looking for parents who would be happy to support the School by sharing their positive experiences of St Chris with prospective families.
As you will know from your own experience, choosing a school is a significant decision, and hearing directly from current parents helps others understand what it is really like to be part of our community. You might like to talk about how your children have grown during their time here, what you value most about the School, or how St Chris has shaped your family’s experience.
These short filmed conversations will be informal, relaxed and take very little time. They will be coordinated by Catherine Spark-Hall, our new freelance Marketing & Communications Manager, and may be shared on the School website and social media channels to help future families learn more about life at St Chris.
If you feel you could help to support the school in this way, we would be very pleased to hear from you. Please contact Catherine via Catherine.SparkHall@stchris.co.uk
Volunteers Needed: Mock Interview Day
A big thank you to everyone who has already volunteered for our Mock Interview Day on Tuesday 30 June. We are still on the lookout for more volunteers to support our IV Group (Year 10) students as part of their careers learning programme. We are looking for parents, guardians and members of the St Chris community who could offer a little time to support the day by interviewing students and sharing brief, constructive feedback.
This is a valuable opportunity for students to practise presenting themselves, speaking with confidence and reflecting on their strengths as they begin to explore future pathways. Volunteers are welcome to join us for the whole day or part of the day.
If you feel you could help - or know someone who might be able to - please do get in touch with Lizzie Hedderson (Assistant Head, Pupil Development and Wellbeing) - lizzie.hedderson@stchris.co.uk. Your support will make a real difference to the experience our students gain from the day.
Donations Needed for the I Group Tombola at St Christopalooza
I Group (Year 7) are hosting a tombola stall at St Christopalooza on Saturday 20 June, and would be very grateful for any donations from the school community.
Suggested items include:
- Unused toiletries (for example, liquid soap, shower gel or deodorant)
- Soft toys (in good condition)
- Board games and puzzles
- Second-hand children’s or adult books
- Chocolate and wrapped sweets
- Small new gifts or novelty items
- Unopened stationery sets or craft kits
- Brand new items of clothing or accessories
If you are able to contribute, please drop donations at Mulberry Building or Main Reception.
Thank you very much for supporting I Group and helping make the stall a success.
Senior School and Sixth Form
Ski Trip 2027 - Spain
Find out more about next February's Senior School Ski Trip 2027 for students in the current I Group to Lower Sixth (Years 7 - 12) to Alp 2500 (La Molina & Masella), Spain. It promises to be a fantastic week, combining excellent skiing, engaging evening activities and a cultural visit to Barcelona before returning home.
Trip dates: 14–20 February 2027
Cost: £2,050 (with staged payment plan available)
Places available: 30 students
To secure a place:
Sign up via Evolve
Pay the £250 deposit by 15 May 2026
Careers Newsletter
Edition #29
This week’s Careers Newsletter includes a wide range of STEM opportunities, university insight sessions and employer-led webinars designed to help students explore future pathways and broaden their understanding of the world of work.
Highlights include:
- Space-themed STEM opportunities linked to Space Day 2026, including Moon Camp and the CanSat satellite engineering competition
- Advice from employers on building strong CVs and preparing for university and apprenticeship applications
- A computer science subject spotlight exploring AI, space exploration and the future impact of technology
- A Civil Aviation Authority careers sprint exploring spacecraft launch licensing and careers within the growing space sector
- A Lloyds Banking Group insight webinar introducing careers in banking, finance and the wider economy
- A world spotlight on studying in South Africa, including university options, student life and international opportunities
- Employer insight from Airbus, highlighting hands-on programmes and careers in engineering and aerospace
- University spotlight features from the University of Kent and a range of Unifrog webinars exploring careers in business, healthcare, law, psychology, teaching, architecture and the armed forces
- Subject tasters and academic enrichment sessions examining topics such as criminal justice, social research and the psychology of learning
Read the full Careers Newsletter below. If you have any further questions about Career Related Learning at St Chris, please contact Lizzie Hedderson.
The Week Ahead
Nursery & Junior School
- Monday 11 May: E Group (Year 5) Residential to the Isle of Wight
- Tuesday 12 May: E Group (Year 5) Residential to the Isle of Wight
- Wednesday 13 May: E Group (Year 5) Residential to the Isle of Wight
- Thursday 14 May: E Group (Year 5) Residential to the Isle of Wight; G Group (Year 3) Visit to The Living Rainforest.
Senior School & Sixth Form
- Monday 11 May: Silver DofE Practice Expedition; Lower Sixth (Year 12) A Level Geography Fieldwork Day 2
- Tuesday 12 May: Silver DofE Practice Expedition; IV Group (Year 10) Parents' Consultation
- Wednesday 13 May: I Group (Year 7) Trip to Hampton Court Palace
- Friday 15 May: Bronze DofE Qualifying Expedition
- Saturday 16 May: Bronze DofE Qualifying Expedition
Summer Term Diary
| Wednesday 20 May | IV-LVI (Years 10-12) Music Recital Evening |
| Friday 22 May | Senior School Culture Day |
| Monday 25 May - Friday 29 May | Half term |
| Monday 1 June | I Group (Year 7) Science Trip to Whipsnade |
| Wednesday 3 June |
E Group (Year 5) 'Ancient Greece' Workshop III Group (Year 9) History Trip to Bletchley Park |
| Thursday 4 June | UCAS Discovery Day |
| Friday 5 June | IV Group (Year 10) Geography Fieldwork Residential to Norfolk |
| Saturday 6 June | IV Group (Year 10) Geography Fieldwork Residential to Norfolk |
| Sunday 7 June | IV Group (Year 10) Geography Fieldwork Residential to Norfolk |
| Tuesday 9 June | LAMDA Exams |
| Wednesday 10 June | LAMDA Exams |
| Thursday 11 June |
LAMDA Exams Academic, Pastoral & Education Committee |
| Friday 12 June | LAMDA Exams |
| Saturday 13 June | LAMDA Exams |
| Monday 15 June |
F Group (Year 4) Visit to Eco House Lower Sixth (Year 12) Mock Examinations Junior School LAMDA Showcase IV Group (Year 10) Food Mock Practical Exam |
| Tuesday 16 June |
Lower Sixth (Year 12) Mock Examinations IV Group (Year 10) Food Mock Practical Exam I - IV Group (Years 7 - 10) Lower School Play Junior School Open House |
| Wednesday 17 June |
Lower Sixth (Year 12) Mock Examinations I - IV Group (Years 7 - 10) Lower School Play G Group (Year 3) Residential Trip to Thriftwood |
| Thursday 18 June |
Lower Sixth (Year 12) Mock Examinations G Group (Year 3) Residential Trip to Thriftwood II Group (Year 8) Science trip to Cambridge Safeguarding & Boarding Committee |
| Friday 19 June |
Lower Sixth (Year 12) Mock Examinations G Group (Year 3) Residential Trip to Thriftwood H Group (Year 2) Camp Out GCSE & A Level Art & 3D Design Exhibition |
| Saturday 20 June | St Christopalooza |
| Monday 22 June | I Group (Year 7) Transition Day |
| Tuesday 23 June |
I Group (Year 7) Transition Day Sports Award Evening |
| Wednesday 24 June |
I Group (Year 7) Transition Day District Athletics Senior School Summer Concert |
| Thursday 25 June | Junior School Sports Day |
| Friday 26 June | Senior School Sports Day |
| Monday 29 June | Senior School LAMDA Showcase |
| Tuesday 30 June |
V Group - Upper Sixth (Years 11-13) Summer Ball IV Group (Year 10) Mock Interviews |
| Wednesday 1 July |
Senior School Open Day E & F Group (Years 4 & 5) |
| Thursday 2 July | World Challenge Build Up Day |
| Friday 3 July | 1200 noon Term ends for Senior School |
| Sunday 5 July |
Upper Years LSP Departs for Barcelona Food & Culture Upper School LSP Departs for Geneva STEM Upper School LSP Departs for Verona, Milan & Lake Garda Upper School LSP Departs for Pinecroft Extreme (Yorkshire) II Group (Year 8) LSP Departs to Yorkshire Dales & The Lakes III Group (Year 9) LSP Departs to Morzine |
| Monday 6 July |
I Group (Year 7) LSP Departs to the Opal Coast Upper School LSP Departs Devon Watersports |
| Tuesday 7 July | LSP trips |
| Wednesday 8 July | LSP trips |
| Thursday 9 July |
Upper School LSP returns from Barcelona Food & Culture Upper School LSP returns from Geneva STEM Upper School LSP returns from Verona, Milan & Lake Garda I Group (Year 7) LSP returns from the Opal Coast |
| Friday 10 July |
II Group (Year 8) LSP returns from Yorkshire Dales & The Lakes III Group (Year 9) LSP returns from Morzine Upper School LSP Pinecroft Exteme (Yorkshire) returns Upper School LSP Devon Watersports returns 1200 noon Academic Year ends |
7-Minute Safeguarding Briefing
Gaming Platforms and Emerging Threats
This week’s safeguarding briefing focuses on online gaming platforms and the increasingly important role they play in the lives of young people.
The briefing explores how online gaming has evolved beyond entertainment and now often functions as a major social space for children and teenagers, particularly within boarding environments where students may use gaming to relax, socialise and maintain friendships outside the school day, and highlights some of the safeguarding risks linked to online gaming, including grooming, financial exploitation, toxic online behaviour, exposure to harmful ideologies and the impact excessive gaming can have on sleep and wellbeing. Particular attention is given to widely used platforms such as Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft, alongside other games commonly used by school-aged children.
The briefing also highlights practical indicators staff and parents should be aware of, including sudden changes in behaviour, secretive online activity, contact with unknown individuals and unusual spending linked to gaming platforms.
As with all safeguarding work at St Chris, the focus was not on creating fear around technology or gaming itself, but on ensuring that staff remain informed, aware and able to support students in navigating digital spaces safely and responsibly. Please click on the link to read the briefing.
For further information about safeguarding at St Chris, contact Alistair Phillips, our Designated Safeguarding Lead: Alistair.Phillips@stchris.co.uk
SAFEGUARDING BRIEFING: GAMING PLATFORMS AND EMERGING THREATS
Nursery & Junior
This week has been packed with memorable experiences and learning opportunities across the Junior School. From storytelling and imaginative role play in J Group (Year 1) to environmental campaigning in G Group (Year 3), pupils have been exploring the world around them.
Pupils have showcased their artistic talents through African-inspired artwork, coral reef sketching and hands-on design projects, while others have been developing their scientific understanding through topics such as the digestive system and the importance of the oceans. Across the school, pupils have also been inspired by influential figures from history and modern life, explored the wonders of Ancient Greece, and built confidence through teamwork, public speaking and sporting events.
There has been plenty of enthusiasm, curiosity and achievement throughout the week - read on below to discover what each year group has been learning and celebrating.
|
K Group (Reception) |
|---|
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This week K group (Reception) were introduced to the school library. Anita kindly welcomed the pupils and showed them how the library works, helping them explore the space and learn how to care for and borrow books responsibly. Each child carefully chose a storybook to take home and enjoy with their grown-ups, encouraging a shared love of reading beyond the classroom. K Group (Reception) are already looking forward to making weekly visits to the library on Thursdays as they continue to develop their enthusiasm for stories and books. |
| J Group (Year 1) |
| J Group (Year 1) have continued exploring their “Journeys” topic through the much-loved story Lost and Found, learning about companionship, kindness and courage along the way. Pupils enjoyed making their own penguin masks before taking turns role-playing as the lost penguin being discovered by the little boy from the story. Through imaginative play and storytelling, J Group (Year 1) brought the characters and emotions of the book to life while developing their creativity and confidence. |
| H Group (Year 2) |
| Before the Bank Holiday weekend, H Group (Year 2) produced some stunning African sunset artwork inspired by their current topic work. The children also created moving African animal scenes using sliders, allowing their animals to roam dramatically across the plains. H Group (Year 2) demonstrated fantastic creativity and care in both their artistic techniques and design skills, producing colourful and engaging pieces of work. |
| G Group (Year 3) |
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This week, G Group (Year 3) continued their important work on non-fiction texts through the theme of “Saving Species”. Pupils read the powerful story Rang-tan and watched the accompanying Greenpeace film, helping them to better understand the devastating impact palm oil production can have on orangutan habitats. Through thoughtful reading, discussion and research, G Group (Year 3) explored environmental issues and considered how people can take action to protect endangered species. This learning will support their next piece of writing as they begin preparing persuasive campaign letters on the subject. |
| F Group (Year 4) |
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F Group (Year 4) began the week by enthusiastically sharing stories from their Bank Holiday weekend, including trips to the cinema, visits to the Natural History Museum, hockey tournaments and even exciting news about chicks preparing to hatch. One student also captivated the class by reading aloud an adventure story they had written over the weekend. In Science, F Group (Year 4) have been learning about the digestive system, exploring the journey food takes through the body and identifying the organs involved, their locations and their functions. The children showed great curiosity and enthusiasm and are already looking forward to creating their own model digestive systems next week. In Topic lessons, F Group (Year 4) have continued learning about influential figures from both the past and present, focusing on Helen Keller and Sir David Attenborough. Pupils were inspired by Helen Keller’s remarkable achievements after losing both her sight and hearing at a young age. To mark Deaf Awareness Week, they also learnt to fingerspell the alphabet and practised a range of British Sign Language signs around the classroom. As Sir David Attenborough celebrates his 100th birthday this week, the children will also be exploring his extraordinary life and contributions to the natural world through a special online assembly. |
| E Group (Year 5) |
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Excitement is building in E Group (Year 5) as preparations continue for their upcoming residential trip to the Isle of Wight, with pupils eagerly anticipating an action-packed itinerary. This term, E Group (Year 5) have launched into their new topic, “It’s All Greek to Me”, discovering the fascinating world of Ancient Greece. Pupils have begun learning about where the Ancient Greeks lived, how their civilisation shaped the modern world, and the differences between famous city-states such as Athens and Sparta. They are also exploring Greek myths, gods, key historical figures and the origins of the Olympic Games while developing their history and geography skills through maps, timelines and historical evidence. Adding a special personal connection to their learning, the class were delighted to welcome a parent visitor who shared insights into her Greek heritage. The children learnt how to count to ten and practised conversational phrases in Greek, ending the session with a cheerful “Efharistó!” |
| D Group (Year 6) |
|
This week, D Group (Year 6) have continued their fascinating Summer term topic, “Oceans”, exploring the many wonders and challenges of the world’s seas. Their homework focused on the importance of the oceans, encouraging pupils to complete extended reading and respond thoughtfully to questions, demonstrating their understanding. In lessons, D Group (Year 6) have investigated the different ocean zones, explored the historical significance of the Titanic, and discussed the controversial issue of deep-sea mining. They have also learnt about canals and global trade routes, considering the important role oceans continue to play in modern life. In art, pupils have been developing their sketching techniques by practising cross-hatching to create detailed coral reef drawings. Meanwhile, in English, D Group (Year 6) have been learning the features of persuasive speeches and researching deep-sea mining in preparation for writing speeches expressing their own viewpoints on its environmental impact. Outside the classroom, the U11 golf team enjoyed a fantastic afternoon competing in the Heritage Competition on Wednesday. The pupils demonstrated excellent teamwork, determination and sportsmanship during the putting and chipping challenges, growing in confidence and skill throughout the event. The team represented the school brilliantly and should be extremely proud of both their efforts and positive attitude. Our U11 cricket team played really well in their first fixture against Pixmore, putting in a fantastic all-round performance to score an impressive 87 runs for 4 wickets. Every player showed outstanding effort and enthusiasm, alongside excellent sportsmanship throughout the match. It was a real pleasure to watch the team support one another, play with confidence, and represent the school so positively. Well done! |
Senior & Sixth
Sixth Form Academic Enrichment: Quiz League Winners Announced
The winners of the 2025–26 Sixth Form Quiz League were announced during Wednesday’s Sixth Form Morning Talk, bringing to a close another year of lively competition, intellectual challenge and collaborative learning.
At the beginning of the academic year, the entire Sixth Form is divided into mixed Lower and Upper Sixth teams, with quizzes taking place throughout the year and cumulative scores displayed in the Sixth Form Centre. While the league is always great fun, it also forms part of the wider culture of academic enrichment within the Sixth Form at St Chris - encouraging students to think broadly, engage with new ideas and develop confidence across a wide range of subjects and disciplines.
This year’s rounds have challenged students in everything from language and lateral thinking to history, culture and current affairs. In one memorable round, "From Russia with Love", students speed-learnt the Cyrillic alphabet before using it to translate Russian words under time pressure. Another round, "Who do you think you are?", required teams to identify celebrities and their famous ancestors from increasingly complex clues.
The quizzes provide an opportunity for students to discover new interests, deepen existing knowledge and experience academic challenge in a collaborative and supportive environment. Just as importantly, the mixed teams help strengthen connections across the Sixth Form community, with Lower and Upper Sixth students working together throughout the year.
Competition this year was fierce but friendly, with eventual winners Sort out this mess! finishing the season on an impressive 223 points after maintaining their lead across multiple rounds.
Congratulations to all of our Sixth Form students for their enthusiasm, curiosity and willingness to take on the challenge - and for proving that academic stretch can be both demanding and enormous fun.
IV Group Cricket Continue Unbeaten Home Run
Our IV Group (Year 10) cricket team produced another excellent performance on Tuesday evening, securing a strong victory against a talented John Henry Newman side.
Building on last week’s win against Fearnhill, the team showed impressive progress across all areas of the game. Disciplined bowling and sharp fielding restricted the opposition to 62 for 6 from their 15 overs, with students working together brilliantly in the field and maintaining pressure throughout the innings.
The St Chris batters then approached the chase with confidence and composure, reaching the target in just 10 overs and finishing on 64 runs to secure another well-deserved win.
A huge well done to all involved for the teamwork, determination and positive attitude shown throughout the match - and for keeping St Chris unbeaten at home this season!
Farewell to V Group (Year 11) and Upper Sixth (Year 13)
This week marked the final days in school for our V Group and Upper Sixth students before the start of their examinations, and the campus has been full of the traditional mix of celebration, creativity and light-hearted chaos that comes with the end of a school journey.
There have been fancy dress costumes, water fights, crêpe vans, carefully coordinated “decorations” of school spaces!
Alongside the laughter and celebrations, there have also been some genuinely thoughtful moments that reflect the relationships our students build during their time at St Chris.
One particularly touching example came from a group of V Group students in the Music Department, when students arrived with flowers and plants, creating a small garden space as a thank you to the department.
When asked about the gesture, the students explained that they wanted to give something back to a place where they had always felt able to be themselves, spend time together and make music. They added that as long as the plants continued to grow there, it would feel as though part of them was still growing there too.
As students now move into study leave and the examination period begins, there is always a noticeable shift across the school. Corridors become quieter, revision guides appear in every corner and conversations increasingly turn towards exams, university places and next steps.
We wish all of our V Group and Upper Sixth students the very best over the coming weeks. Work hard, look after yourselves and each other, keep perspective and do your best. We are enormously proud of the young people you have become and look forward to seeing what comes next for each of you.
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