School has been very quiet this week, sometimes almost eerily so, as we are so used to the hustle and bustle of our vibrant school, with something exciting happening around every corner. A quiet school has enabled our Year 8 Common Entrance class to sit their final exams without distractions. They enjoyed a very well deserved day off today before the whole of Year 8 are off to the Brecon Beacons tomorrow for the much anticipated Leavers’ Trip 2024.
The Leavers’ Trip is the very last of this week’s trips and visits. During this week, at one stage on Wednesday, there were only two full year groups on the premises! Year 7 left for France very, very early on Monday morning, and have sent us lots of updates throughout the week. Year 6 and Year 5 may have crossed paths on a motorway as they departed for and returned from Oakwood Youth Adventure on Wednesday, with aerial adventures and teamwork being the order of the day.
Residential trips, even just spending a single night away from home, are such an important part of growing up. Independence and resilience play a key part, and stepping out of your comfort zone to try new activities – whether it be a zip-wire or a snail crawling on your face – is always a good thing. Beyond this, it enables the children to bond and spend time with each other in a new environment, and new friendships often develop in this way. It is also great for the children to interact with their teachers outside a classroom, and perhaps see them trying new things too!
Our youngest children have also been off site this week, with visits to Drusillas, Stanmer Park, and One Garden, as well as the beach that we are so lucky to have on our doorstep. All of this enhances their classroom learning by seeing things in the natural world up close. They, too, build independence and resilience when they step outside the classroom and have adventures outside of school.
As the end of the year approaches, the children will take part in our annual Moving Up Monday next week, when they will get to spend some time in their new classes and having lessons with different teachers. This is also the day when we invite any new pupils to come into school to join us for their first taste of St Christopher’s; I am sure your children will make them very welcome.
We have an exciting and busy three weeks ahead and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at next week’s Piano Recitals, Pre-Prep Sports Day, and Sports Day, in hope that this week’s weather stays with us.
Ms Elizabeth Lyle, Head