We use cookies to track visits to our website, via google analytics
More about cookies

News

Headmaster's Update for Parents: 25 March 2021
25/03/2021

Dear Parent,

The contrast with previous years remains stark. Ordinarily we mark the end of term with a newsletter brimming over with reports and pictures of activities and accomplishments but not this time. We continue with our stripped back version of school life with attention firmly fixed on providing a place of safety for our pupils and the teaching of great lessons but that’s about it. We look forward to the time when we can once again offer the full range of opportunities and experiences associated with St Christopher’s.

COVID Testing

The return to school has gone smoothly. We are grateful for your support in allowing us to complete COVID testing with almost all pupils and students. Pupils behaved impeccably throughout the tests and with nearly 4,000 completed we are pleased to report that all results were negative, offering further reassurance that the school site is COVID free. Please continue with the lateral flow tests throughout the Easter break as we all continue to fight the chain of infection.

The Department for Education have asked me to share this reminder about testing:

  • test twice a week at home
  • report results online as positive, negative or void and to school ONLY if positive via the Contact form on the school web site
  • continue to test twice weekly over the Easter holidays
  • test before returning to school for the summer term, either the night before, or morning of, the first day back, to find and isolate any positive cases

Catch-up

Pupils have also adapted well to the return to the classroom. Teachers are now busy assessing the extent of any gaps in learning and making tentative plans of the best way to address these, with the sharpest focus directed towards our exam classes. We are fortunate that the level of pupil engagement was so strong during the Lockdown period that the media talk of ‘lost generations of young people’ appears to be wide of the mark. That is not to underplay what has been a very disruptive period but we are confident at being able to fill the gaps and move forward.

End of term arrangements

A further contrast to previous years is the time of this Friday’s school closure. Ordinarily the term would finish at lunchtime but not this year. With pupils only just back in school it did not sit comfortably with me that we were sending them off site at the earliest opportunity. Term will end at 2.15pm.

Uniform

When we all return for the start of the summer term on Monday 12th April we will be paying particular attention to the correct wearing of uniform. Almost all pupils abide by our simple rules and wear the uniform with pride, however we have seen some infringements since our return three weeks ago and we need to nip these in the bud.

Please continue to support the school by reinforcing our expectations and pay particular attention to:

  • Girls’ skirts should be worn on the waist and at knee length
  • Hair for boys should be no shorter than a number 2 razor cut and no longer than collar length. Tram lines or patterns cut with a razor are not allowed
  • A sturdy school bag, not a fashion bag, is required
  • Girls may wear one pair of plain gold or silver studs in the lower lobe of the ear only. No other jewellery is allowed
  • Make-up, false eyelashes and fake tan are not allowed
  • Hoodies and sweatshirts are not allowed and will be confiscated if worn

For more details visit our school uniform webpage.

A fond farewell

Senior Assistant Head, Mr Goddard leaves us on Friday to take up a senior position at another diocesan Church of England secondary school. This promotion is well-deserved and his new school will gain from the services of a dedicated and hard-working professional. Mr Goddard joined us in 2015 and during this time he has made a significant contribution to the operational management and strategic direction of St Christopher’s. It has been a privilege to work alongside someone of great intelligence and genuine faith. Mr Goddard’s responsibilities as a senior leader, including oversight of Synergy, have been redistributed amongst the rest of the team as we continue to introduce efficiencies into the staffing structure.

And finally…

As with last year, Easter will be different for many of us but it won’t be cancelled! The discovery of the risen Christ on the first Easter Day gives us new hope and fresh purpose as we prepare for the months to come. May the light and life of the Easter message strengthen you and your family.


For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

RD Jones
Headmaster