Head's Welcome
Dear Families, It was a pleasure to welcome our Year 9 students and their families to the school this week for our in-person Progress Check and Options Evening. This is such a pivotal time for our young people. The students had the chance to hear directly from our teachers about the wide range of exciting courses and pathways available to them as they move into Year 10. We hope that the evening offered lots of valuable information and has given both students and families plenty to reflect on as they make those important decisions. With the arrival of the school Christmas tree the festive feeling is definitely starting to build, and we are now on the official countdown to the Christmas break! We have planned a host of lovely activities and events for the students over the next two weeks to celebrate the end of term. Please take some time to talk through these planned activities with your child at home. Our staff will also be discussing these with the students here in school, ensuring everyone knows what is happening and can look forward to the festivities. Thank you, as always, for your continued support of our small school community. We look forward to a joyous final two weeks of the term! Mrs Rich Head
In this week's newsletter
Head's Welcome Urgent Call for Show Costumes Students of the Week Dates for the Diary including Christmas at Canbury What we've been up to Celebrations We've made it to Rome! Other news and updates, including lost property
Urgent Christmas Show Costumes Needed!
Please take a look at your child's Google Classroom for items that are needed, and bring in anything they might have ASAP! We are asking everyone to lend anything they can, even if it is for another child to wear. Hats, Overcoats and Neckerchief/Scarves are the priority at the moment. Thank you!
Students of the Week
Dates for the Diary
- December: Christmas activities calendar below (make sure to sign up for ice skating!)
- Science Clinic: This will also be held on a Wednesday, so this club is now available every lunchtime
- Next Week:
- All week - Christmas Doors (see below)
- Tuesday 2nd December - Rose Theatre Trip for KS3
What we've been up to
Christmas Tree (large and small)
Thank you to Reenie, Ethan and Mr Fairbrass who collected our Christmas tree for the school hall this week,. alongside smaller one which we will be planting at Sherwood Grange. Thank you also to Lexi who helped decorate our school tree, and Arya, Hattie, Reenie and Ethan who decorated the small one for Mrs Milestone (as it will be in Wellbeing for a little while before being taken to our friends at the care home.) We love how Christmassy it is starting to look at school and can't wait for the next two weeks of fun activities and celebrations!
History House Event
Thank you to Ms Littler for organising a fantastic History House Event this week. Below are the winners from each year with the overall winners being Alex and Sofia M - well done! House points and raffle tickets have been awarded! Y7 - Pavel Y8 - Max Y9 - Alex and Sofia M (joint) Y10 - Lysander and Alice (joint) Y11 - Finn
Tag Rugby
KS4/5 enjoyed a great tag rugby session in the sunshine this week!
Spanish
Year 8 produced some wonderful Spanish presentations this week, below we have Soren and Ella's work.
Year 9 Photography: Exploring the Art of Immiscibility
Our Year 9 students recently explored the dynamic interaction between oil, water, and ink. This project blended artistic experimentation with scientific understanding, demonstrating how the principle of immiscibility (where liquids do not mix) can be used to create truly abstract art. Working in macro settings, students carefully introduced drops of ink into a thin layer of oil floating on water, resulting in vibrant, chaotic, and beautiful formations of floating spheres, delicate membranes, and swirling colours. They then used a camera to capture these ephemeral moments before the patterns dissolved. The resulting photographs are a testament to their technical skill and creative vision, transforming simple household materials into complex, high-impact pieces of abstract art.
Victoria Eggs Assembly
We were lucky enough to welcome Victoria Eggs to assembly this week, for a business Q&A session. The students asked some fantastic questions and were extremely respectful as they listened to the session. We all thoroughly enjoyed hearing about Victoria's journey to opening her business, how she operates and getting a sneak preview of her newest designs. Thank you Victoria and we hope to welcome you again soon.
Wellbeing Board
Thank you to Lexi and Neve who have contributed to the latest photo updates on the Wellbeing Board. If you would like a photo showcased, please email it to Mrs Milestone!
Student Corner
Soren's Joke of the Fortnight
Why did the science teacher delay the chemistry test? Because they thought there would be a reaction!
Facts about cats (specifically black cats) by Neve
- Black cats are considered good luck by witches,pagans and some satanists as they are known to warn off evil entities/energy from your household
- Bblack cats are less likely to get harmful bacterias in their system because of their genetics
- Cats can't taste sweetness
- Cats communicate with humans by meowing but almost never meow at other cats
- A cats nose has catnip receptors
- Cats sleep 70% of their lives
- The oldest cat lived to 38
- Black cats have their fur fade to a reddish brown colour known as “rusting” due to sun exposure
- Tortoiseshell cats are known for their sassy personality although there is no scientific evidence that their attitude is part of their breed
We've walked to Rome!
Other News & Updates
School Photos
Your child should have come home with details on how to order their school photo - please check their bags for the information cards. *Christmas Deadlines 2025* Framed Prints, Canvases & Acrylics – last order Saturday 6th December Christmas Pack – last order Tuesday 16th December Unframed Prints – last order Tuesday 16th December Digital Downloads – custom retouch – Friday 19th December (available by 24th December) Fast Track Digital Download – Anytime (available within the hour)
Christmas Trees
We’re excited to share that we have kindly been donated a beautiful Christmas tree by Pines and Needles. Watch for photos next week! As part of their gift, they are also offering parents 10% off Christmas trees from their London pop-up stores and online shop. 🎄 Discount Code: SCHOOL10 Follow @pinesandneedles for festive activities at local stores, and visit www.pinesandneedles.com for full details and all store locations across London.
Easyfundraising
Big thank you to the families that have already registered. We’re are registered with easyfundraising, which means you can help us for FREE. Over 8,000 retailers will donate to us when you use easyfundraising to shop with them – at no extra cost to yourself! All you need to do is sign up and remember to use easyfundraising whenever you shop online. It’s easy and completely FREE! These donations really mount up, so please sign up to support us. Please add us as a browser extension. That way your phone or computer will remind you if there is a donation available.
Credits:
Created with an image by lucid_dream - "Charity Money Jar"