8 December 2023

8 December 2023

Dear Parents

It’s hard to believe we are in the penultimate week of the Autumn Term. Lessons are continuing at a pace but this week has also been full of wonderful Christmas celebrations.

Reception Crib Service

I have just returned from our local parish church in Moulsford where Reception held a beautiful nativity service, reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas. In a service led by a full cast of camels, kings, angels, sheep, shepherds, innkeepers and of course Joseph, Mary and their donkey the children performed perfectly. They had worked incredibly hard to prepare their nativity, learning their lines and performing their songs with such enthusiasm and musicality. It really was a truly memorable treat. Many thanks to the very many parents and grandparents who were able to join us to make this important service extra special.

Key Stage 1 Christmas Show – A Midwife Crisis!

Earlier in the week, our Year 1 and 2 pupils shared an equally joyful Christmas production over two days in the Willow Theatre. Their modern-day re-telling of the Nativity was a fast-paced adventure, following the comical midwife, as she raced to be present at the birth of Jesus. Supported by her long-suffering donkey, Steve, she encountered all the traditional characters who were brilliantly portrayed by the cast of Year 1 and Year 2 pupils. The performance was delightful; the children were all spectacular in their roles and sang brilliantly, spreading much festive cheer to the audience. I don’t think I stopped smiling all day after watching it. Well done and a huge thank you to Year 1 and 2.

Year 9 Options Evening

Elsewhere in school we welcomed Year 9 pupils and parents back into school on Tuesday evening for our Year 9 Options event. This is always one of the most important events of the school year as pupils get the chance to start dictating the path they will follow through school and into the future. We were really impressed by the questions our pupils asked as they considered options for GCSE study and chatted with our subject teachers on course content and subject combinations. We look forward to talking this through further with parents in January at the Year 9 Parents’ Evening.

Christmas 5K Run and a visit from Santa

Returning to the Christmas theme, we were welcomed back from church this morning by a spectacular fly-over from Santa – making an early appearance for the children across the school courtesy of an RAF Puma helicopter! There was much excitement as the Junior School went out to wave him by. Many thanks to the RAF for helping Santa make his visit today!

Finally, our annual 5k Christmas run was a spectacular success as pupils across Junior and Senior school came together for a festive fun run around Moulsford! Many congratulations to all our runners who demonstrated wonderful athleticism, resilience and a sense of fun! I particularly enjoyed the strong support from pupils and parents around the course (and the rocky road at the finish line!)

We are looking forward to seeing many of you at our Carol Services next week and to a wonderfully festive final week of term!

With best wishes,

Dr James Raymond

Headmaster