It's been another busy week and the improving weather has added a spring to many people's steps around school. Year 7 had a fantastic trip to The Tower of London on Friday of last week, some Year 3 pupils were in for scholarship assessment on Saturday to ensure we continue to stretch our very brightest pupils, all of whom performed well, we had a Lower School Orange Day to raise money for Kiya Survivors on Wednesday as well as our first fixtures of the term and Father Terry from St Philip's came to Assembly on Thursday to remind us that we are all made in God's image and so must look after one another as we would look after ourselves.
 

On Tuesday, Dominic Ferris, an old boy who is now a professional musician, has conducted Wicked and Billy Elliot in the West End and plays the piano on the Adele track Someone Like You amongst others, gave an inspirational Upper School Lecture encouraging the children to really work hard to achieve their best and to remember that being able to respond positively to failure is the key to achieving success next time round. Thankfully the rain finally stopped, albeit briefly, this week to allow us to play our first fixtures with a half century from Jo G for the 1st XV, five wickets from Louis P for the U11A team and an impressive 7 and a half rounders from Holly T for the girls. Although some away matches were still cancelled by the opposition, I was very pleased that the younger girls still went out to play in an internal tournament on our pitches, which clearly recover faster than those at some other schools! We also had a record number of Headmaster's Commendations this week with Lily T earning five which is also a record.
 
Next week the academic scholarships start for Year 8 and I wish them all luck in their final preparations this weekend, Year 7 go to London to see the amazing production of War Horse, St Christopher's hosts our first ever Swimming Gala at Brighton College and Saturday sees our first Girls' Cricket Academy session for Year 2 and 3 girls from across the region.

I am delighted to introduce a new feature of the website which I hope will allow all parts of the school community to feel involved in some of the decision-making at St Christopher's. From today, when you log in to the website, you will be able to see this week's poll which gives everyone a chance to vote for or against fish and chips on a Friday. Everyone with a log in can vote once and I will announce results and actions when we have them!
 
Walk to School Week, when I would like to encourage as many of our pupils (and parents) as possible to make a special effort to walk to school. You may decide to just choose a day, participate every day or just park the car a few streets away and walk the remaining distance to school. Whatever you decide to do next week, the children will be encouraged to chart their efforts every day in the hope of winning ‘The Golden Boot Award’ for their form.  Additionally, three pupils who are identified by their teachers as having tried their best to walk a bit further than normal, will win a prize (one each from Lower, Middle and Upper School). 

Now we only need to hope that the weather improves so we can all get some sunshine over this bank holiday weekend! Whatever you're doing, have a great break.

ORANGE DAY CAKE SALE

Ms Morrison and Mrs Perry would like to say a huge thank you to all parents for their charitable donations to Kiya Survivors on Wednesday and particularly to parents of both Reception and Year 1 children whose generosity and creativity in making cakes for the charity cake sale was overwhelming.

St. Christopher's raised over £140 for Kiya survivors.

A superb effort!
Ms Morrison

LOWER SCHOOL ORANGE DAY

Wednesday was Orange Day in Lower School.  A team from Kiya Survivors, a charity which looks after Peruvian children who have special needs, came in to school to talk to the children about their work. The children listened to stories about Paddington Bear getting lost on route from Lima, sang Spanish songs and talked about the difference between a need and a desire. Thanks again to everyone for their generous donations and our thoughts are with Bruno from Year 1 and his mum  who are both out in Peru at the moment.

YEAR 1 REPORT

Year 1 this week have been investigating what it takes to run a school and have been interviewing members of staff.













YEAR 7 HISTORY AND RS TRIP TO THE TOWER OF LONDON

Year 7 enjoyed a very successful trip to the Tower of London with Mr Lawson, Mr Holt and Mrs Hammond (despite the wet conditions!).
 
“On Friday, 27th April, we went to the Tower of London. As we walked to the Middle Drawbridge, Mr Lawson showed us Traitor's Gate, so called because traitors entered the Tower through this gate on boats to meet their fate. We were then greeted by the Yeoman Jailer and he showed us the parts of the Tower, including the Salt Tower and the Cradle Tower where the ghosts of some former queens, Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey are rumoured to wander - very spooky! We saw the Crown Jewels and all the armoury in the White Tower. Mr Holt then told us about the legend of the ravens and Charles II's law to keep a minimum of 6 ravens (they actually keep 7 so they have a spare!). The prophecy states that if the ravens leave the Tower then the monarchy will fall! The oldest raven ever was 44 and only one survived the Blitz. We then enjoyed a guided tour by a 'Tudor' lady who told us all about Tudor religion. The teachers then showed us around the Bloody Tower and we saw some torture methods, including the rack, a Scavenger's Daughter and some manacles which were used to torture traitors and heretics. We then got the train home after a very enjoyable day.”

by Olivia G and Frank C