When I first became Head of St Christopher’s, I heard an urban legend. Supposedly, it never rains on St Christopher’s Sports’ Day. As with most urban legends, it turns out not to be quite true; one has been cancelled in the last twenty years, which is still not bad going. The same mystical forces were clearly at play last Saturday, when an ominous early morning became glorious sunshine for our Spring Fair.
As I said this time last year, the St Christopher’s Spring Fair is the best event of this kind I have witnessed in a long teaching career. Everyone who attended owes their thanks to our splendid Parents’ Association, whose hard work begins months in advance. The final totals are still being added up. This sum will make a huge difference to families in our city, thanks to the work of Pelican Parcels.
Yesterday saw a riot of colour around school, with our annual House Celebration Day. The children wore their House colours, with a splash of purple in support of Epilepsy Day this Sunday. If you haven’t yet donated, or would like to encourage family or friends to do so. I am proud that our school does so much to help those in our immediate community, setting our children up to be caring citizens of the world.
On top of everything else that has taken place at the end of this short but action packed term, I must take a moment to mention a special achievement. Having done some research, I can safely say that we have had the busiest week in the Performing Arts in the history of the school! Six events have taken place since last Thursday, featuring children from Year 1 to Year 8. More than anything, this shows the journey that St Christopher’s children make in the Performing Arts. From a single line as Third Camel in the Reception Nativity, to a starring role in the Upper School production at the Barn Theatre, Drama is both an end in itself and vital for developing confidence, public speaking, motor skills, and a whole lot more. The microcosm was Tuesday’s Tea Time Concert, when performers aged five to thirteen shared a stage. From the Year 1s performing in public for the first time to Year 8s forming in their own band with self-arranged harmony vocals, the message was clear: Look Where Practice Can Get You. Our older children were truly an inspiration to our younger ones, and parents were pretty impressed too!
The Easter holidays are a much needed time of rest, but our Year 8s will need to be sensible and put in some work too, as Common Entrance and Scholarship will soon be upon us next term.
Finally, my best wishes to all those heading off on the Ski Trip tomorrow, I can’t wait to see the pictures and video!
Wishing you and your families a well-earned break,
Ms Elizabeth Lyle, Head