While walking around the school this week, I have been greeted by such happy, enthusiastic, and polite children across the whole spectrum of ages; they have made me feel so welcome in my first full week at St Christopher’s. From conversations at lunch with Year 5 about their stormy sea descriptive writing in English, to Year 3 about their athletic adventures with the Family of Schools in Crawley, to Reception about the ducklings who came to stay in recent weeks, I am inspired by their love of learning and curiosity beyond the curriculum.
The kindness shown by the pupils when stepping aside to allow adults through a doorway, or when making eye contact and saying “good morning” around the school makes St Christopher’s a wonderful place to be each day. I have on occasions left my office to walk around the school just to have such interactions to brighten my day!
The boys and girls have been keen to ask me about my interests, including what I enjoyed when I was at school. I have always played a lot of sports, including representing my country at Netball and Duathlon, and my favourite subject at school was maths – I used to ask for extra homework when I was in the Upper Prep years, and I still very much love learning further maths and stretching my understanding.
A common theme of lunchtime conversations has been pets. I have heard about tortoise hibernation needs and very fluffy cats, as well as lots of dog stories, including those involving Scout. Pupils have enjoyed helping me choose a name for my puppy that will be joining our family in July – perhaps “Name Ms Hoyles’s dog” could be a game at the fair this Saturday?
As we move towards the final week before Half term, and planning for the next academic year begins to gain momentum, I am excited by all the events being planned for the children. Pupils, staff, and parents have all approached me about centenary celebrations and I am keen to bring together a group to consider all the suggestions to create a memorable event in 2027.
Ms Tamsin Hoyles, Head
