students playing sports

The Head’s reflections on the week

Posted: 21st June 2024

St Christopher’s pupils receive a first class education that culminates in their final exams at the end of Year 8. Our current Year 8 have done very well again this year and we have reason to celebrate. With Common Entrance results back from the senior schools, alongside the Scholarship exams already announced, we celebrate a remarkable A* and A grades rate of 83% amongst our Year 8 pupils. I am sure you will join me in congratulating them all on their hard work this year.

But the story behind this success goes much further back than the past year, or the two years of Upper School. Academic success begins in Reception, and develops across the entire St Christopher’s journey. To quote our School Hymn, “From smallest acorns grow great trees”. Every single member of staff who has taught our Year 8 children across the past nine years has contributed to their success, and I am sure that the Year 8 children will want to say many Thank Yous before they leave.

It was great to see so many of you at Sports Day last Friday, when the weather just about held for us. I was very impressed with the levels of effort and sportsmanship shown at every level. It was a well organised event; my thanks to Mr Rodgers, Mrs Sykens, and all those who made it run so well.

On Sports Day, I mentioned the Leonardo Creative Competition, the ceremony for which takes place this evening. As this edition of the Newsletter goes out, the Back Court is being set up for speeches and a prize giving ceremony. I have been hugely impressed at the quality and variety of the work by children in Years 6 to 8, and I hope that our first year taking part in the competition inspires an even greater number of entries next year. As I said on Sports Day, this is a competition that sees us compete alongside Brighton College Prep School and Handcross Park. The full results will be in the final Newsletter of the school year, but as I said on Sports Day, we have many reasons to be cheerful!

A reminder that school finishes at 12pm for the Pre-Prep next Friday, and 12:30pm for the Prep School, following the Leavers’ Assembly for our Year 8s, to which their
parents have been invited.

Ms Elizabeth Lyle, Head

Categories: Head's Reflections
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