In this week's Roundup:
Head'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.
Back in the day, when I worked as an editor and producer, a lot of our work was for the fashion industry. Admittedly, not many style tips rubbed off on me, but I always found it an intriguing and enjoyable job. I was sent off to Paris and Milan for fashion weeks, spent countless hours shooting in dodgy warehouses and on gritty East End streets (the ‘edgy street style’ of the early 00s, naturally), and saw some truly strange things along the way.
I remember one particularly high-stakes shoot. It was expensive, but we pulled it off, capturing everything the client wanted. And, of course, La Femme d’Argent by Air made the cut as the soundtrack. Everyone was thrilled, and we churned out 4000 DVDs (it was that long ago) for the designer to distribute.
Just as the DVDs were being packaged, I got an urgent call from the designer’s PA.
“There’s a problem, Rich” she said.
I, full of youthful confidence, reassured her. “No, everything was signed off. It’s perfect. Creative.”
She paused. “It’s good, Rich… but... you’ve spelled Vivienne’s name with one ‘n’, not two.”
There was a long, long pause. Tumbleweed.
I headed to my boss later, cap in hand. He wasn’t exactly thrilled, but he found the humour in it. He explained that mistakes happen, and what matters is owning them. “At least you admitted it,” he said, though I didn’t have much of a choice! I had to untangle the problem but I was not to be paralysed by mistakes.
That day, I learned a valuable lesson about responsibility, humility, and the freedom that comes with accepting that things won’t always be perfect. In a world obsessed with precision and perfection, there’s something quite liberating in knowing that failure and fallibility are part of the journey. It allows room for curiosity and exploration, especially in times when the world feels a bit too rigid and extreme and full of tariffs.
Something similar happened just yesterday at school.
We had a whole-school walk during the last period of the term. The staff were in high-vis jackets, the course was mapped out, and off we went, students, staff, and even animals, walking in the sunshine.
I wasn’t convinced at first. I didn’t see the point.
But I went along anyway, joined by my Deputy, and as we walked with the groups of students and teachers, I realised how wrong I’d been. It was wonderful. Conversations were animated, laughter was everywhere, and deep, meaningful discussions were happening. It was an odd yet beautiful scene.
At the end of the walk, we all gathered back at the school, standing together on the field. There was a tense rugby 7s match taking place against a rival school, a few students casually walking around with alpacas and goats, others sitting in groups, chatting, and a bunch of Sixth Formers chasing each other around with bunny ears.
It was ridiculous.
And brilliant.
We’ve got something unique here at St. Chris. A nimbleness. A capacity to give people space, especially in times when stress can run high and emotions low. It was a reminder for me – and, I think, for all of us – of the importance of balance.
It was excellent to watch a reboot, a recharge, a recalibration and a reminder to us all that life needs equilibrium.
We’re all guilty of being wrong sometimes. But that’s okay. It’s part of the process.
So as I wish you all a Happy Easter, I’ll be off to double-check my spelling on this.
Notices
Junior School
Barracuas Easter Holiday Camp (for 4½ - 14 Year olds)
It's not too late to book a place at Barracuas Holiday Club at St Chris this Easter holiday.
To receive a Parent discount of £20 a week or £4 a day, please use code: HSCP25. To book, please click here or telephone 01480 467567.
Senior School
II Group (Year 8) PSHE Morning
On Friday 25 April, II Group (Year 8) will take part in a PSHE drop-down morning which covers some of the relationships and sex education elements of PSHE.
Lizzie Hedderson is sending further information about the day to parents and guardians - please keep an eye out for the letter in your inbox.
You may like to discuss this topic with your child both before and after the day. Please do look at the resources available on The Wellbeing Hub to help with discussions at home, particularly in the Resources section about Friendships and Relationships.
Please let Lizzie know if you have any questions by emailing lizzie.hedderson@stchris.co.uk
National Pool Lifeguard Qualification
Our National Pool Lifeguard Qualification will be running from Monday 14 - Friday 18 July 2025 for students who will turn 16 on, or before Friday 18 July 2025 and may be looking for some part-time, flexible employment as a Lifeguard at St Chris to fit around their academic studies.
Course details and contact information can be found on the link below. . We have a 100% pass rate and offer a limited number of funding options for St Chris students to support them in accessing the course (this must be applied for and confirmed in writing prior to starting the course).
Whole School
Parents' Circle Quiz Night - SAVE THE DATE
The Parents' Circle will be hosting a fun Parent Quiz Night on Friday 9 May at 6.30pm with the quiz starting promptly at 7.00pm in the Junior School Hall. The event is free and refreshments and nibbles will be provided (alcoholic drinks will be available to purchase). The Head will be acting as Quiz Master so it is guaranteed to be a fun night and an excellent opportunity to meet other parents and members of the Parents' Circle.
Please reserve your place by booking a ticket on My School Portal. Quiz teams will be put together on the night.
Book Quiz Tickets - Friday 6 May
Parents' Circle Message for London Parents
The Parents' Circle would like to get a feel for interest amongst London-based parents about whether they would like the PC to organise a meet up in London. For more details and the opinion poll, please click the link below:
Parents' Circle London Meet-up Poll
Pre-Loved Stall
The pre-loved stall raised £55.15 for WWF - many thanks to everyone who helped - especially Elena, David's mum in G Group, from the Parents' Circle, who helped run the stall. The next pre-loved stall will be at St Christopalooza on 21 June; and again on the last week of the summer term (w/c 7 July).
Community Swim
Please note that our last Family Community Swim of the Spring Term will be this Sunday, 6 April.
All community swim sessions will return after Easter:
- Parent and Staff Swims on a Wednesday (07:00-08:45) and Friday (07:15-08:45); and
- Family Swim on a Sunday (09:30-11:30).
Please note that all swimmers must wear a swim hat for the session and that children under 8 years old need to have an adult swimmer in the water with them at all times (one adult to one swimmer); swimmers aged 8-18 must be accompanied by an adult to supervise from either poolside or in the water. Our Sunday Community Swim session is always a very popular choice for families however, this can mean that we reach the maximum capacity of the pool and may mean you will have to wait until other swimmers leave before you will be allowed to enter.
To attend these sessions, please bring your Staff ID badge or, for non-staff community members, please email sarah.armstrong@stchris.co.uk no later than the Tuesday before you wish to attend with the name of the adult (18+) to be put on the card and your relationship to the school, ie. parent of Joe Bloggs II Group & Bess Bloggs H Group, so that we can create a Community Swim for you to collect on your first swim session. You will need to bring your card to each session to sign in with the Lifeguards at the pool reception.
Masters Swim Sessions
Our Masters Swim Sessions will return next term starting on Monday 28 April. Please note the reduced number of sessions due to Bank Holidays and other events taking place at the pool during the Summer term. Further details and the sign-up form can be found here: https://forms.office.com/e/uxNmayV9uR
Wellbeing Hub
Teachers and parents from St Chris are empowered to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people through an innovative online platform provided by The Wellbeing Hub. Parents and guardians can sign up to use The Wellbeing Hub using the button below. We do encourage you to look through the extensive resources available, including podcasts, online courses, events and Q&As.
Further information can be found in a letter from Lizzie Hedderson, Assistant Head (Pupil Development and Wellbeing) here.
PODCAST w/c 7 April: ADHD tendencies and how to prevent associated mental ill-health and addiction later in life with Henrietta Wynne Finch, Psychotherapist.
Register for the Wellbeing Hub
The First Week of Summer Term
Nursery & Junior School
- Monday 21 April: Bank Holiday Monday
- Tuesday 22 April: Staff INSET Day
- Wednesday 23 April: First day of Summer Term
- Thursday 24 April: J Group (Year 1) Morning Talk
- Sunday 27 April: F Group (Year 4) Residential Trip to Bawdsey Manor, Suffolk departs
Senior School & Sixth Form
- Monday 21 April: Bank Holiday Monday
- Tuesday 22 April: Staff INSET Day; GCSE 3D Design Exam
- Wednesday 23 April: First day of Summer Term (Week A); GCSE 3D Design Exam; A Level Photograpy Exam
- Thursday 24 April: GCSE 3D Design Exam; A Level Photography Exam
- Friday 25 April: GCSE 3D Design Exam; A Level Photography Exam; II Group (Year 8) PSHE Drop Down Day
The Summer Term Ahead
| Sunday 27 April | F Group (Year 4) Residential Trip to Bawdsey Manor, Suffolk |
| Monday 28 April |
F Group (Year 4) Residential Trip to Bawdsey Manor, Suffolk A Level Art Exam IV Group (Year 10) Mock Exams |
| Tuesday 29 April |
F Group (Year 4) Residential Trip to Bawdsey Manor, Suffolk A Level Art Exam IV Group (Year 10) Mock Exams |
| Wednesday 30 April |
F Group (Year 4) Residential Trip to Bawdsey Manor, Suffolk A Level Art Exam IV Group (Year 10) Mock Exams Duke of Edinburgh's Awards Evening |
| Thursday 1 May | IV Group (Year 10) Mock Exams |
| Friday 2 May |
K Group (Reception) Morning Talk IV Group (Year 10) Mock Exams Lower Sixth (Year 12) Geography Residential - Flatford Mill Senior School Open Morning |
| Saturday 3 May | Lower Sixth (Year 12) Geography Residential - Flatford Mill |
| Sunday 4 May | Lower Sixth (Year 12) Geography Residential - Flatford Mill |
| Monday 5 May |
Bank Holiday Monday Sixth Form Gold DofE Practice Expedition to Snowdonia |
| Tuesday 6 May |
Sixth Form Gold DofE Practice Expedition to Snowdonia IV Group (Year 10) PSHE Drop Down Day A Level 3D Design Examination |
| Wednesday 7 May |
Sixth Form Gold DofE Practice Expedition to Snowdonia A Level 3D Design Examination A Level Food & Nutrition Practical Exam |
| Thursday 8 May |
Sixth Form Gold DofE Practice Expedition to Snowdonia A Level 3D Design Examination A Level Food & Nutrition Practical Exam |
| Friday 9 May |
V Group (Year 11) and Upper Sixth (Year 13) Final Day before Study Leave III Group (Year 9) Bronze DofE Training Campout |
| Saturday 10 May | III Group (Year 9) Bronze DofE Training Campout |
| Monday 12 May |
V Group (Year 11) and Upper Sixth (Year 13) Study Leave starts E Group (Year 5) Trip to Isle of Wight |
| Tuesday 13 May |
E Group (Year 5) Trip to Isle of Wight Lower Sixth (Year 12) Geography Fieldwork Day |
| Wednesday 14 May |
E Group (Year 5) Trip to Isle of Wight Film and Philosophy Screening |
| Thursday 15 May | E Group (Year 5) Trip to Isle of Wight |
| Friday 16 May |
E Group (Year 5) Trip to Isle of Wight IV Group (Year 10) Mock Reports issued |
| Monday 19 May | Monte (Nursery) Trip to Willows Farm |
| Tuesday 20 May |
G Group (Year 3) Trip to Living Rainforest IV Group (Year 10) GCSE Drama Devised Performance |
| Wednesday 21 May | IV Group (Year 10) Parents' Consultations |
| Thursday 22 May |
H Group (Year 2) Canal Trip III Group (Year 9) PSHE Drop Down Day |
| Monday 26 - Friday 30 May | Half term holiday |
| Wednesday 4 June | III Group (Year 9) Trip to Bletchley Park |
| Thursday 5 June | II Group (Year 8) Illustrated Children's Book Workshop |
| Friday 6 June | IV Group (Year 10) GCSE Geography Residential Weekend - Norfolk |
| Saturday 7 June | IV Group (Year 10) GCSE Geography Residential Weekend - Norfolk |
| Tuesday 10 June |
Senior School Sports Day |
| Wednesday 11 June |
Junior School Sports Day I Group (Year 7) Trip to Hampton Court Palace II Group (Year 8) Science Trip (TBC) LAMDA Examinations |
| Thursday 12 June |
LAMDA Examinations Sports Award Evening |
| Friday 13 June |
LAMDA Examinations IV Group (Year 10) Silver DofE Practice Expedition |
| Saturday 14 June |
IV Group (Year 10) Silver DofE Practice Expedition III Group (Year 9) Bronze DofE Qualifying Expedition |
| Sunday 15 June |
IV Group (Year 10) Silver DofE Practice Expedition III Group (Year 9) Bronze DofE Qualifying Expedition |
| Monday 16 June |
Lower Sixth (Year 12) Mock Exams |
| Tuesday 17 June | Lower Sixth (Year 12) Mock Exams |
| Wednesday 18 June |
D Group (Year 6) Trip to Sky Studios Lower Sixth (Year 12) Mock Exams G Group (Year 3) Residential to Thriftwood |
| Thursday 19 June |
Lower Sixth (Year 12) Mock Exams G Group (Year 3) Residential to Thriftwood |
| Friday 20 June |
Lower Sixth (Year 12) Mock Exams G Group (Year 3) Residential to Thriftwood |
| Saturday 21 June | St Christopalooza Summer Celebration |
| Monday 23 June |
E Group (Year 5) Trip to Woburn Safari Park LAMDA Showcase |
| Tuesday 24 June |
GCSE & A Level Art & 3D Design Exhibition I Group (Year 7) Transition Day |
| Wednesday 25 June | I Group (Year 7) Transition Day |
| Thursday 26 June |
I Group (Year 7) Transition Day Junior School Transition Day I-III (Years 7-8) Lower School Play |
| Friday 27 June |
I-III (Years 7-8) Lower School Play V Group (Year 11) to Sixth Form Transition Day |
| Wednesday 2 July | E & F Group (Years 4 & 5) Early Transition Event |
| Thursday 3 July | V Group - Upper Sixth (Years 11-13) Summer Ball |
| Friday 4 July |
H Group (Year 2) Morning Talk I-III Group (Years 7-9) Reports Issued Lower Sixth (Year 12) Mock Reports Issued Senior School ends at 1200 noon for LSP Week |
| Saturday 5 July | II Group (Year 8) LSP to Yorkshire and Lake District |
| Sunday 6 July |
II Group (Year 8) LSP to Yorkshire and Lake District III Group (Year 9) LSP to Morzine |
| Monday 7 July |
LSP Week in Senior School I Group (Year 7) LSP to Les Vosges II Group (Year 8) LSP to Yorkshire and Lake District III Group (Year 9) LSP to Morzine IV Group - Lower Sixth (Years 10-12) LSP to Geneva IV Group - Lower Sixth (Years 10-12) LSP to Naples |
| Tuesday 8 July |
LSP Week in Senior School I Group (Year 7) LSP to Les Vosges II Group (Year 8) LSP to Yorkshire and Lake District III Group (Year 9) LSP to Morzine IV Group - Lower Sixth (Years 10-12) LSP to Geneva IV Group - Lower Sixth (Years 10-12) LSP to Naples |
| Wednesday 9 July |
LSP Week in Senior School I Group (Year 7) LSP to Les Vosges II Group (Year 8) LSP to Yorkshire and Lake District III Group (Year 9) LSP to Morzine IV Group - Lower Sixth (Years 10-12) LSP to Geneva IV Group - Lower Sixth (Years 10-12) LSP to Naples |
| Thursday 10 July |
LSP Week in Senior School I Group (Year 7) LSP to Les Vosges II Group (Year 8) LSP to Yorkshire and Lake District III Group (Year 9) LSP to Morzine IV Group - Lower Sixth (Years 10-12) LSP to Geneva IV Group - Lower Sixth (Years 10-12) LSP to Naples |
| Friday 11 July |
1200 noon Academic Year ends I Group (Year 7) LSP to Les Vosges II Group (Year 8) LSP to Yorkshire and Lake District III Group (Year 9) LSP to Morzine |
Junior School Poetry Slam
This year for World Book Week the Junior School students focused on poetry. As part of the celebrations, there were visits from two authors who inspired the students through writing and performance. The children were invited to create an original piece of poetry which they were able to perform and share with their peers...
Reading Roundup
Reading Newsletter - Spring Edition 2025
Welcome to our termly newsletter all about reading at St Chris which we hope will help you support your child with their reading at home. Read on to find out about:
- Top tips to support reading and comprehension skills
- Book recommendations for inspiration
- Student book reviews
- Literary Festival roundup
- An interview with author Tova Friedman
- Examples of creative writing by our students and
- How to get in involved with the St Chris magazine...
If you have any further questions about literacy at St Chris, please contact Amy Anderson (Head of English and Senior School Literacy Lead)
Careers Newsletter
Edition #6
Our weekly Careers Newsletter has a different theme and excellent links to further information to help students explore careers they might be interested in. It features up to date Labour Market Information, an Employer Spotlight and a University Spotlight. We encourage you to explore this resource with your child to help spark careers conversations at home.
If you have any further questions about Career Related Learning at St Chris, please contact Lizzie Hedderson.
Nursery & Junior
To mark World Autism Awareness Week, our Head of SEND, Kirsten, gave a thoughtful and illuminating Morning Talk about Autism, helping us all understand a little more about the importance of awareness and inclusivity.
We ended the term today with sunshine, excitement, and plenty of learning. The Easter Egg Hunt brought much joy this morning, and we’re so grateful to our fantastic parent volunteers and the Parents’ Circle for making it such a special event – thank you!
Happy Easter from all of us at St Chris!
|
Monte (Nursery) |
|---|
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This week, our youngest students have been exploring early programming through Cubetto, the wooden robot cube. With directional commands, they sent it off to the mountain, castle and woods – discovering both logic and laughter along the way. In Forest School, the group immersed themselves in nature. From spotting blossom and bees in the orchard to swinging, knot-tying, and imaginative play, it was a joy to see our students so engaged. A wonderful end to the term outdoors! |
| Reception (K Group) |
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A trip to London brought excitement and wonder with a visit to the Monster Funfair and Story Garden. Last week, students also took part in an underwater drama adventure, rescuing pearls and meeting dolphins and crocodiles! In Forest School, the students became wildlife spotters – discovering beetles, hoglice and even a pond skater gliding across the surface. The signs of life in our new pond filled everyone with joy and curiosity. A beautiful way to end the term. |
| J Group (Year 1) |
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Last week’s drama workshop sparked creativity, followed by some well-earned popcorn and movie time! This week, students continued rehearsing for their upcoming Morning Talk and explored imaginative play in Forest School, where their kindness towards ‘homeless’ characters in their stories shone brightly. We also found blossoms, bees and new life unfolding all around. Costume contributions for the Morning Talk are very welcome – thank you in advance! |
| H Group (Year 2) |
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H Group have been exploring recycling in Science – focusing on plastic bottles and creating action moves to remember each step of the process. They’re well on their way to becoming true Recycling Champions! ‘Pom Pom Day’ included a music workshop with Paul and an original rap recording! Later, students enjoyed sunshine at Arunwood, feeding animals and spending time in Forest School. Watering young plants, spotting hedgerow flowers and showing care with potato peelers, our students ended the term showing maturity, responsibility and wonder. |
| G Group (Year 3) |
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Can your femur bone length predict how far you can jump? That’s what G Group set out to discover in their scientific investigation this week! With warm weather and little rain, they took responsibility for watering the school’s new apple trees, pond and sugar snap peas. Students showed great enthusiasm for ecology and community care – and plenty of teamwork. An extra Forest School session saw them tending to the grounds and relaxing under blue skies. A lovely send-off to the term. |
| F Group (Year 4) |
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F Group finished the term with a flourish – wrapping up their projects, enjoying the Easter Egg Hunt, and sharing their Enrichment Tasks with pride. In Forest School, there was knot-tying, wheelbarrow teamwork, cake tasting (thank you, Mabel!) and thoughtful observations of seasonal changes. Spring is in the air, and the group showed just how in tune they are with their surroundings. A reminder: if you have any questions about PGL, please feel free to email Louise during the break. |
| E Group (Year 5) |
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Forest School this week focused on responsibility, care and skill-building. The students planted out strawberries – their contribution to the Junior School’s vegetable patch – and then turned to the forest area to practice safe ‘whittling’ using potato peelers. The discussions around tool safety and responsibility were thoughtful and mature. These sessions continue to build resilience, creativity and independence. Well done, E Group, and happy strawberry-watching over the holidays! |
| D Group (Year 6) |
| D Group have had a creative and mathematical end to the term! In Iain’s group, students have been drawing and painting their own section of the Bayeux Tapestry – each piece beautifully detailed. In maths, they’ve been exploring algebra with blocks, demonstrating that manipulatives aren’t just helpful for some – they benefit everyone. A fantastic finish to the term’s learning. |
| Arts Award News |
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Jake (now in D Group/Year 6) completed his Explore Arts Award last year when he was in E Group (Year 5). We have heard the moderators were so impressed with his Arts Award profile that it was mentioned in the moderators report and have asked if they can use Jake's portfolio in their training, webinars and blogs, etc which is fantastic! To complete the Arts Award, students worked hard in class and music lessons taking part in art activities, creating their own stop motion video, researched artists and art organisation before sharing their work with another class. For more information about Arts Awards please visit: www.artsaward.org.uk Students in Iain's D Group class and I Group (Year 7) are currently working towards their Arts Award and Ann-Marie Knight would like to ask that if students in those years visit any galleries, museums, concerts, shows or arts-based events over the Easter holidays that you take a picture of them there! |
Senior & Sixth Form
Term finished today with a fantastic Morning Talk with final musical performances by Upper Sixth students Louis, Marcus and Ben, the traditional readings and whole school rendition of Jerusalem.
III Group (Year 9) Visiting Author
III Group have been studying Macbeth this term and last Thursday they were visited by Isabelle Schuler, who came to talk about her reimaged story of Lady Macbeth as well as historical writing and Shakespeare. Isabelle is an actress and author and you can find further details about her here.
Brain Day: Sixth Form Neuroscience Workshop
Last Friday, the Sixth Form were visited by Dr Guy Sutton, Director of Medical Biology Interactive. It was a fascinating and inspiring day for our Biology and Psychology students, listening to a series of lectures. They explored brain anatomy across species (including dissecting a sheep's brain), the workings and future of the brain. To see the full day's programme, do click here.
Visiting Speaker in Sixth Form Futures
We were very pleased to welcome Ros Ball to our Futures lesson with the Sixth Form on Wednesday. Ros discussed her varied career from journalism, policy making and now gardening. As an author, Ros has published two books, the first explored stereotypes surrounding parenting boys and girls, and the second discussed successful women in politics and some of the challenges they have faced, as well as the positive changes they have helped to bring about. It was so interesting to hear about Ros's varied and interesting career. The students asked great questions about equality and education and we all really appreciated the opportunity to discuss these important topics together.
Sixth Form Students visit local resident
Sixth Form students Archie and Sorcha have been working with Gavin Fraser-Williams in the 3D Design Department to support one of our local residents. Keith Smith has severely limited movement and can only control his neck muscles. He communicates by pressing individual keyboard letters using a probe attached to a custom-made helmet. The letters then appear on a small iPad screen nearby. Keith asked for help with designing and making a display stand to hold a second screen on his wheelchair, allowing visitors to more easily read what he is saying. Sorcha and Archie created a CAD file from Keith and Gavin's initial ideas, then laser cut and heat-bent a clear acrylic stand which can be removed when not in use. To maintain his independent living, Keith relies on a small network of support, which includes St Chris. If any parent is interested in offering further support to Keith, perhaps via their engineering or control systems expertise, please do contact Gavin.
Boarders' Go Karting
At last week's Go Karting (for the older Boarders), it was a hotly contested evening, as always, with the eventual winner being Masahiro, who was very happy to retain his Go Karting title! However, a special mention must go to Maud, who - in a St Chris first - managed to crash before even getting out of the pit lanes!
Chemistry Olympiad Gold Award
Edwin in Year 13 has been given a Gold award in this year's Chemistry Olympiad - a great achievement and credit to his Chemistry skills!
Designed to challenge and inspire, the UK Chemistry Olympiad (UKChO) is a unique opportunity for students to push themselves further and excel in the chemistry field. Budding chemists get the chance to develop critical problem-solving skills, learn to think more creatively and get a chance to test their knowledge in new, real-world situations.
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