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
A message from
Rich Jones, Head.
Schools are funny places.
It seems like only yesterday I was writing the first Round Up of the academic year, welcoming everyone back after the summer. Yet here we are, collectively melting as the July sun beats down on us all. Cooler September mornings somehow feel a lifetime ago.
It has been a year with its fair share of challenges, surprises and moments that none of us would have predicted. Yet schools have an extraordinary habit of quietly carrying on with the business that matters most: helping young people to grow, learn and discover who they are.
Yesterday, between meetings and calls, I spent a little time wandering around the site. It wasn't particularly planned, but I found myself simply watching the school go about its day. It reminded me that schools are full of invisible moments; tiny interactions and everyday acts that rarely make the newsletter, never make social media and certainly never make the headlines. Yet they are often the moments that define a school far more than the bigger occasions.
I watched two members of the maintenance team lugging toolboxes and drills across the site, both sweating profusely as they wrestled with a stubborn door. Despite the heat, they were laughing together.
I saw a parent beaming with pride as their son found the confidence to sing his lines during the D Group performance.
I overheard a Junior School pupil thanking one of our catering team "for all the food this year" before adding, with impeccable timing, "Can I have another ice cream?"
I watched tired but happy I Group pupils returning from France, carrying bags that somehow seemed twice as heavy as when they left, full of presents for family members and stories that will undoubtedly improve with every retelling over the summer.
I passed colleagues, equally exhausted, quietly making sure another performance was ready, another rehearsal complete or another pupil had what they needed.
I noticed next year's timetables being slipped into pigeonholes, already signalling that one year is ending while another has quietly begun.
Perhaps the moment that stayed with me most was chatting with a V Group student returning GCSE textbooks before the holidays. There was a mixture of relief, excitement, and uncertainty in equal measure. Before leaving he smiled and said he couldn't wait to come back in September for "big boy school... and then uni."
That, I suspect, is education in a nutshell.
Schools are often judged by examination results, inspection reports, league tables or headlines.
Those things matter, of course, but they only ever tell part of the story. The real story of a school is written in these thousands of small moments that most people never see. They happen in corridors, workshops, dining rooms, playing fields, theatres, classrooms, and offices. They happen because people care about one another, because they take pride in what they do and because they quietly go the extra mile without expecting anyone to notice.
As another year comes to a close, I find myself feeling incredibly grateful to be part of a community that understands this so well. Whether you are a pupil, parent, member of staff or one of the many people who support St Chris behind the scenes, thank you for every visible and invisible contribution you have made this year. Collectively, they are what make this such a special place.
Have a wonderful summer. Rest well, enjoy time with those you love, create some stories of your own and, when September rolls around once more, we'll open the gates and begin writing the next chapter together.
Late Summer Programme
Senior School and Sixth Form
The final week of term saw students head off on another memorable Late Summer Programme (LSP) Week, with every year group enjoying a different adventure at home or abroad.
This year's destinations included:
- Yar 7 (I Group): Opal Coast, France
- Year 8 (II Group) and Upper Years: Yorkshire and the Lake District
- Year 9 (III Group): Morzine, France
- Year 10 (IV Group): Barcelona, Spain
- Upper Years: Ilfracombe and Lundy, Devon
- Upper Years: Geneva, Switzerland
- World Challenge Trip: Cambodia
From trekking in the Alps and exploring caves to surfing, sand yachting, visiting CERN, discovering Spanish cuisine, punting in Cambridge and taking in spectacular coastlines, students embraced every opportunity to challenge themselves, learn something new and make lasting memories with friends.
Read the full article to discover what each group got up to during LSP Week 2026 and browse our photo gallery.
Junior Duke Award Achievements
We are delighted to celebrate the remarkable achievements of six of our pupils who have successfully completed their Junior Duke Awards this year. Their dedication, perseverance and enthusiasm throughout the programme have been truly inspiring.
The Junior Duke Award is a nationally recognised programme designed to help children develop independence, resilience and a wide range of practical life skills. Throughout the award, pupils complete a series of engaging challenges both at school and at home, covering areas such as first aid, cooking, organisation, citizenship, creativity, communication, problem-solving and physical activity. Each challenge requires commitment, determination and evidence of achievement, encouraging pupils to step outside their comfort zones and build confidence in their abilities. We are thrilled to congratulate this year's award recipients:
- Silver Award - Harry Epstein and Erin Whatmough
- Gold Award - Rafael Phelps and Reeva Shah
- Platinum Award - Erin Craggs and Alexander Knight
Achieving these awards represents many hours of hard work, dedication and commitment throughout the year. The Platinum Award, in particular, reflects an exceptional level of perseverance, building upon the skills and accomplishments gained through the previous award levels. Our pupils have embraced every challenge with positivity and determination, developing valuable lifelong skills along the way. From mastering practical tasks to demonstrating resilience and independence, they have shown exactly what can be achieved through hard work and a willingness to learn. We are incredibly proud of Harry, Erin W, Raf, Reeva, Erin C and Alexander and congratulate them on this fantastic achievement.
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce the launch of a new Junior Duke Club after school in the Autumn Term. We hope our award winners will inspire many more pupils to embark on their own Junior Duke journey and discover just how much they can achieve.
Senior School Mock Elections
Students across the Senior School took part in a full mock election last week, experiencing every stage of the democratic process from voter registration through to election day.
In the lead-up to the vote, students and staff were invited to register to vote before submitting questions for candidates representing the Green Party, Labour, the Conservative Party, Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats. Candidates researched their assigned parties, using the current manifestos and policy positions to prepare two-minute campaign speeches.
The election campaign culminated in a hustings attended by the whole Senior School. Candidates presented their speeches before answering a series of pre-selected questions on topics including voting reform, immigration and defence. They demonstrated impressive research, confidence and public speaking skills while responding thoughtfully to challenging questions.
Following the debate, students cast their votes in the Sports Hall, with separate queues for registered and unregistered voters, reflecting the importance of electoral registration in the democratic process.
The result was announced during Morning Talk, with the Green Party receiving the most votes. An interesting feature of the exercise was that, although the unregistered voters would not have changed the overall winner had they registered, their participation would have altered the order of the remaining parties, prompting further discussion about voter turnout and representation.
The mock election provided an excellent opportunity for students to explore democracy in action. Throughout the week, thoughtful conversations could be heard around the school as students debated policies, questioned ideas and reflected on both the strengths and limitations of the UK's electoral system.
A huge well done to all the students who stood as candidates or supported the campaign. Special thanks go to Head Students Jen Bunker and Louis Hann, whose idea it was to hold the election and who organised the event in partnership with the Politics Department. Their leadership helped create an engaging and memorable learning experience for the whole Senior School.
A Celebration of Music Across St Chris
Music has been filling the school over the past fortnight, with students of all ages taking to the stage for our Junior School and Senior School Recitals, before this week's much-loved Junior School Gathering.
The Junior School Recital showcased performances from students in J Group through to D Group. Whether it was their very first performance or one of many, every student demonstrated courage, commitment and a love of music. We were particularly proud of the confidence shown by our young performers as they introduced themselves, persevered through the summer heat and, in a few cases, recovered brilliantly from the occasional mistake. It was a wonderful reminder that performing is about much more than perfection – it is about sharing something you have worked hard to achieve.
The following evening, the Senior School Recital provided another memorable celebration of music. The warm summer weather created the perfect backdrop for an inspiring programme, with students from I Group through to the Sixth Form performing a wide range of pieces. Some students were taking to the stage for the very first time, having only started learning their instrument a few months ago, while others demonstrated the confidence and musicality that comes from years of dedication and practice. Every performance reflected the commitment, resilience and enjoyment that music encourages.
This week, the Junior School Gathering brought the whole community together as every class performed for their families and fellow students. The audience enjoyed an uplifting programme of songs that showcased the enthusiasm and energy of each year group.
Together, these events celebrated not only the musical talent within our school, but also the confidence, perseverance and joy that come from performing. Thank you to our Music Department for organising three wonderful occasions, and to all the families who came along to support our young musicians. We are already looking forward to hearing them perform again at our Autumn concerts.
They're Not Purrfect!
One of the newest additions to our Thursday afternoon Senior School Opps programme this year has been podcasting, giving students the opportunity to learn how podcasts are planned, structured, recorded and produced.
As part of the course, students created their own original podcasts, putting their new skills into practice from concept through to recording.
One of the finished productions, They're Not Purrfect, was created by Alex Warder (III Group) and Cass Ciccarelli (I Group). In this entertaining episode, they share the antics of their own cats, explore all the funny and unexpected things they get up to, and even include a quiz at the end to test how closely you've been listening.
Why not have a listen and discover what they've created?
Senior School PSHE Newsletter
Summer Term 2026
Next Steps
This last few weeks marked two important milestones as students at both ends of the Senior School journey prepared for exciting new chapters.
D Group prepare for Senior School
Our D Group students celebrated their final week in the Junior School before moving on to Year 7 in September. Following last week's memorable day trip to France, the celebrations concluded with a special final Morning Talk* and an afternoon tea in the Junior School, where students and their families came together to mark the end of this important stage of their education.
Over the past seven years, these students have grown in confidence, curiosity and independence, and we know they are well prepared for the opportunities that await them in the Senior School. We wish every one of them the very best as they take their next steps. (*Let's just hope the Senior School tennis balls don't have Leprechauns)
Welcoming our new Sixth Form
Meanwhile, we were delighted to welcome both our current Year 11 students and those joining St Chris from other schools for Sixth Form Transition Day.
The day gave students the opportunity to experience life as a Sixth Former, with a programme of subject taster lessons, a whole-school Morning Talk, time in the Sixth Form Centre, and the chance to meet new classmates and teachers. They also toured the Sixth Form facilities, had their photographs taken for their new ID cards, explored their ambitions for next year and took part in some fun team challenges. New students were paired with current St Chris students to help them settle in and feel part of the community from the very start.
The day concluded with afternoon tea in the Sixth Form Garden, where students and their families had the opportunity to meet staff and celebrate the exciting journey ahead.
We look forward to welcoming all of our Year 7 and Sixth Form students back in September as they begin the next stage of their St Chris journey.
Notices
Whole School
Staff Update
As we come to the end of another academic year, we would like to share some staffing updates for September 2026.
At the end of term, we will be saying goodbye to a number of colleagues as they move on to new opportunities, retire or reach the end of fixed-term appointments. We thank each of them for their contribution to St Chris and wish them every success for the future.
We will be saying goodbye to:
- Bryan Anderson (Junior School Class Teacher)
- Lizzy Anstice-Brown (Second in Art, Sixth Form Community Service Co-ordinator)
- Lili Gossare (French Boarding/MFL Assistant)
- Ines Holguin (Spanish Gap Student)
- Olga Jackson (Catering)
- Melissa O'Donnell (Visiting Music Teacher – Singing)
- Ophelia Orcan (Junior School LSA – long-term supply)
- Jayesh Patel (Lifeguard)
- Kirsten Rockey (Head of SEND)
- Karen Rogers (Catering)
- Angie Westwood (LSA Autism Specialist)
- Iain Wheeler (Junior School Teacher and Curriculum and Assessment Lead)
- Rheanna Williams (School Nurse – long-term supply)
- Rebecca Sweeney (Second in English)
- Sue Smith (Servery)
- Kathy Sault (School Counsellor)
- Olivia Pastor (Junior School LSA)
- Lucy Valerio (Senior School SEMH LSA)
We are particularly grateful to our long-serving colleagues. Lizzy who has been part of the St Chris community for 20 years, Bryan for 25 years and Olga for 27 years. Sue Smith will retire after an extraordinary 43 years of dedicated service to the School.
In September, we look forward to welcoming several new colleagues to St Chris:
- John McDarby, Teacher of Maths
- Stephanie Boswell, part-time Head of Drama, covering Hollie Sparrow's maternity leave
- Claire McDonnell, part-time Teacher of Music
- Daniela Silva, our new Spanish-speaking Gap Student
We are also delighted to welcome back our School Nurse, Ana Grady, who returned from maternity leave on 3 July 2026.
A number of colleagues will also be taking on new responsibilities from September:
- Marcia Bonanni will become Second in Junior School, supporting Katie Wright as Assistant Head (Junior School).
- Martin Goodchild will step down as Director of Music Junior School and will continue as a part-time Teacher of Music. Ann-Marie Knight will become Director of Music across the School.
- Holly Jackson will become Teacher of English and LSA (English Specialist).
We look forward to introducing further new colleagues ahead of the start of the Autumn Term as remaining appointments are confirmed.
Bringing Our Animals Closer to School
Many of our families have told us that they would love to see our students spending more time with the school animals. Over the summer, we will be bringing our animals much closer to where students learn every day, creating many more opportunities for them to learn alongside and care for them.
One of the things that makes St Chris special is the way learning extends beyond the classroom. Our animals already play an important role in school life, supporting everything from outdoor learning in the Junior School to Environmental Studies in Years 7 to 9 (I to III Group), our BTEC Animal Care programme in Years 10 and 11 (IV and V Group), and our animal care clubs.
As part of the project, our alpacas will move to new grazing areas adjacent to Arunfield and the lower sports field, while our chickens will relocate to the Arunfield garden. Our small mammals and reptiles will move into a dedicated space within the Junior School alongside a practical teaching classroom, creating an ideal environment for hands-on learning. Safe access routes will also enable both Junior and Senior School students to spend more time with the animals as part of everyday school life.
By bringing our animals onto the main school site, students will enjoy much more regular interaction with them while we continue to provide high standards of care and welfare. We also know that many children and young people benefit from spending time with animals as part of their wellbeing, and we hope these changes will create even more opportunities for those everyday moments.
Over the summer we will prepare the new enclosures and teaching spaces, with the animals moving at the start of September ready for the new academic year.
We look forward to sharing photographs of the new facilities and welcoming everyone to our animals' new home in September.
School Bus Bookings for 2026-27
Bookings for the St Chris school bus service for the 2026–27 academic year are now open through Zeelo, our school transport provider.
If your child travels to school by bus, or you are considering using the service next year, please ensure you have downloaded the Zeelo app and created an account before making your booking. The school bus service is available for students in Year 5 (E Group) and above.
To help Zeelo plan routes and allocate the appropriate vehicles, bookings will only be open for a limited period. Families are therefore encouraged to book as early as possible to secure their preferred route and stop.
Booking deadline: Saturday 18 July 2026
Useful links:
- View the step-by-step booking guide
- Download the Zeelo app (Apple App Store)
- Download the Zeelo app (Google Play Store)
- Access your account online
- St Chris main school bus booking page
- St Chris late bus booking page
- St Chris timetable and routes
- St Chris late bus timetable
A range of ticket options is available, including annual passes, 10-ride bundles and single or return journeys.
Please note that the email address used to create your Zeelo account will receive all travel notifications and service updates, including information about delays.
For further support, please visit the Zeelo Help Centre or use the live chat function on the Zeelo website.
Young Voices 2027
E Group (Year 5) to Upper Sixth (Year 13)
We're delighted to invite students to take part in Young Voices 2027 – the world's largest children's choir!
If your child is interested in joining next year's choir, please take a look at the information attached. We'd be grateful if families could register their interest over the summer holiday, as we'll need to confirm participant numbers by the end of September.
We'll also include a reminder in our September Roundup, but registering over the summer will help us with our planning for this fantastic opportunity.
Junior School
After School Clubs: Autumn Term 2026
We are delighted to share details of our exciting programme of Junior School clubs for the Autumn Term.
Information about all available clubs will be published on EVOLVE (access through your My School Portal account) on Wednesday 22 July, with bookings opening at 10.00am on Friday 24 July. With a wide range of activities on offer, there will be plenty of opportunities for students to explore new interests, develop existing skills and enjoy spending time with friends beyond the classroom.
To ensure as many students as possible can take part, we kindly ask families to choose carefully and book no more than one club per day. If a student is booked onto multiple clubs on the same day, they may be removed from both bookings, which could result in them missing out on a club place altogether.
Junior School autumn term clubs will begin on Monday 7 September and run until Friday 4 December 2026. Clubs will remain open for booking throughout the term, subject to availability.
We look forward to seeing students make the most of the fantastic opportunities available and enjoy another busy and enriching term of extracurricular activities.
Senior School and Sixth Form
A Level Exam Results Day: Thursday 13 August
Results can be collected in person or over the telephone (main switchboard: +44 1462 650850) from 8.30am until 4.00pm. Results not collected on the day will be posted home the same day, first class. Teachers will be available in school between 8.30 and 10.30am.
GCSE Exam Results Day: Thursday 20 August
Results can be collected in person or over the telephone (main switchboard: +44 1462 650850) from 8.30am until 4.00pm. Results not collected on the day will be posted home the same day, first class. Teachers will be available in school between 8.30 and 10.30am.
The First Week Back
Nursery & Junior School
- Monday 31 August: Bank Holiday
- Tuesday 1 September: Staff INSET Day
- Wednesday 2 September: Staff INSET Day
- Thursday 3 September: Induction Day for all new starters
- Friday 4 September: First Day of new Academic Year
Senior School & Sixth Form
- Monday 31 August: Bank Holiday
- Tuesday 1 September: Staff INSET Day
- Wednesday 2 September: Staff INSET Day
- Thursday 3 September: I Group (Year 7) and Lower Sixth (Year 12) Conference Day; plus induction day for all new starters
- Friday 4 September: First day of the new Academic Year
Autumn Term Diary
Diary to be fully populated at the start of term
| Thursday 10 September | Silver DofE Qualifying Expedition |
| Friday 11 September | Silver DofE Qualifying Expedition |
| Saturday 12 September | Silver DofE Qualifying Expedition |
| Monday 21 September | Senior School Pastoral Consultations |
| Tuesday 22 September | Gold DofE Qualifying Expedition |
| Wednesday 23 September | Gold DofE Qualifying Expedition |
| Thursday 24 September | Gold DofE Qualifying Expedition |
| Friday 25 September | Gold DofE Qualifying Expedition |
| Saturday 26 September | Gold DofE Qualifying Expedition |
| Thursday 8 October | Sixth Form Information Evening |
| Monday 12 October | I Group (Year 7) Parents' Consultation |
| Monday 19 - Friday 30 October | Half term holiday |
| Monday 9 November | IV Group (Year 10) Parents' Consultation |
| Tuesday 10 November | Sixth Form Psychology 'Brain Day' |
| Monday 23 November | V Group (Year 11) Practical Mock Exams |
| Tuesday 24 November | V Group (Year 11) Practical Mock Exams |
| Wednesday 25 November | V Group (Year 11) Practical Mock Exams |
| Thursday 26 November |
V Group (Year 11) Practical Mock Exams GCSE Options Information Evening |
| Friday 27 November | V Group (Year 11) Practical Mock Exams |
| Monday 30 November | V Group (Year 11) GCSE Mock Exams |
| Tuesday 1 December | V Group (Year 11) GCSE Mock Exams |
| Wednesday 2 December | V Group (Year 11) GCSE Mock Exams |
| Thursday 3 December | V Group (Year 11) GCSE Mock Exams |
| Friday 4 December | V Group (Year 11) GCSE Mock Exams |
| Monday 7 December | V Group (Year 11) GCSE Mock Exams |
| Tuesday 8 December | V Group (Year 11) GCSE Mock Exams |
| Wednesday 9 December | V Group (Year 11) GCSE Mock Exams |
| Thursday 10 December | V Group (Year 11) GCSE Mock Exams |
| Friday 11 December | V Group (Year 11) GCSE Mock Exams 1200 noon Last day of Autumn term |
Nursery & Junior
A Week of Celebration, Achievement and Fun
As another wonderful year at St Chris draws to a close, students across the Junior School have been busy enjoying a wide range of memorable activities and celebrations. From Forest School adventures, outdoor learning and STEM challenges to swimming, coding, performances and PSHE discussions, this final week has been packed with opportunities for students to learn, reflect and have fun together.
The week has also provided a chance to celebrate the many achievements, talents and personal growth demonstrated by students throughout the year. We are incredibly proud of everything they have accomplished and grateful for the enthusiasm, kindness and determination they bring to school each day.
Read on to discover what each year group has been up to during this exciting final week of term.
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Nursery |
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Nursery students made the most of the cooler weather beneath the trees during their final Forest School sessions of the year. They enjoyed relaxing in the hammock, helping to water young apple trees, exploring a zipwire created by older students and listening to the gentle sounds of a wind chime hanging in the woodland. The students also discovered early blackberries, observed butterflies among the flowers and spent time appreciating the natural environment around them. The final session of the year was a calm and collaborative one, with students choosing activities in the shade, supporting one another, taking turns thoughtfully and demonstrating excellent teamwork. It was a wonderful way to conclude a successful year of outdoor learning and exploration. |
|
K Group (Reception) |
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K Group (Reception) students developed their early coding skills this week through the engaging STEM activity Code the Mouse. They learned how to programme a mouse to move forwards, backwards, left and right in order to reach its goal, gradually building their confidence before creating their own routes and challenges. The activity encouraged problem-solving, logical thinking and resilience, with students enjoying both their successes and the occasional unexpected detour. Students also took part in their final fun swimming session and enjoyed cooling off in the sprinklers during the warm weather. Alongside these activities, they worked together to fill their class reward jar, earning a special end-of-term treat. It has been a busy and exciting week to round off a fantastic year in K Group (Reception). |
| J Group (Year 1) |
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J Group (Year 1) students enjoyed a memorable final Forest School session, completing kites they had begun earlier in the term using recycled materials and string. Although there was very little wind, students demonstrated creativity and enthusiasm as they tested their designs. They also worked together to collect water for the pond, helping to support the many creatures living there, including damselflies, pond skaters and newts. The session also included shelter building, hammock swinging and outdoor cooking, providing a fitting conclusion to a year filled with adventure and discovery. Throughout the week, students continued to demonstrate curiosity, teamwork and a love of learning in the natural environment. |
| H Group (Year 2) |
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H Group (Year 2) students rounded off the year with a busy and rewarding week. In PSHE, H Group (Year 2) completed their Growing and Changing unit, exploring important themes around personal safety, trusted adults and speaking up when something feels wrong. Students approached these discussions with maturity and thoughtfulness, demonstrating a strong understanding of how to keep themselves safe and seek support when needed. In Forest School, they worked together to prepare and cook delicious hash browns over a campfire, helping to grate ingredients, prepare the mixture and cook the finished result. Students also enjoyed improving the woodland zipwire, creating a sturdy swing and taking part in a variety of outdoor challenges and activities. The week provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that students have achieved throughout a successful and enjoyable year. |
| G Group (Year 3) |
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G Group (Year 3) students had much to celebrate this week following an outstanding performance at The Summer Gathering. They impressed staff, families and peers with their confidence and enthusiasm, showcasing the hard work and dedication that had gone into their preparations. Students also enjoyed a creative STEM challenge, constructing geodesic domes using cocktail sticks and jelly sweets before designing and building their own imaginative structures. The activity encouraged problem-solving, teamwork and creativity, providing a fun and engaging way to continue developing their engineering skills as the term drew to a close. |
| F Group (Year 4) |
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F Group (Year 4) embraced the warm weather during their final Forest School session, finding shady spots to relax while enjoying activities including hammock swinging, pond exploration, charcoal making and zipwire adventures. A refreshing session under the sprinklers provided a welcome way to cool down and added to the enjoyment of the day. Students also completed their final PSHE lesson within the Growing and Changing unit, discussing different types of relationships and exploring how healthy relationships are built on kindness, respect and care. They approached the conversation with impressive maturity and thoughtful contributions. Alongside these achievements, F Group (Year 4) delivered a fantastic performance at The Gathering, demonstrating confidence, teamwork and enthusiasm. It has been a wonderful year of learning and growth for the group. |
| E Group (Year 5) |
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E Group (Year 5) have spent the final week of term reflecting on a successful year of learning, achievement and personal growth. As they prepare for the transition into their final year of Junior School, students have continued to demonstrate resilience, responsibility and a positive attitude towards learning. The week has provided an opportunity to celebrate their many accomplishments and look ahead with excitement to the opportunities and challenges that await them in D Group (Year 6). |
| D Group (Year 6) |
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D Group (Year 6) concluded their time in the Junior School with a series of memorable celebrations. Students delivered an exceptional performance at The Summer Gathering and impressed audiences once again during their final Morning Talk, confidently reflecting on their experiences and achievements. These special events highlighted the many talents, accomplishments and personal qualities that students have developed throughout their time at St Chris. The celebrations were a fitting tribute to their journey and a wonderful way to mark the end of their Junior School experience before moving on to the next stage of their education. |
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