Not All Classrooms Have Four Walls!
Learning and education is about so much more than just being in the classroom. That is why setting up the Forest School last year was such an important part of embracing the amazing rural landscape that we are blessed with here at Saint Felix. Outdoor education enables students to learn in different environments and begin to realise that what happens inside of the classroom does not happen in isolation. It is the trips, activities and residentials that often provide the most notable and long-lasting memories when we reflect on our days at school.
Last week, our Historians had a magnificent day at Hampton Court Palace where they not only engaged with the beauty of the site and its antiquity but also took part in a debate on the causes of the Reformation where they conducted themselves superbly, impressing all. The Geographers in Year 11 had an equally inspiring trip, although more local, as they utilised the coastal and rural landscape of Southwold to inform their greater knowledge of the power of nature and its impact on the land that we inhabit with a focus on groynes. In addition, they explored and investigated how second-home ownership has had an impact on the town and the students were able to immerse themselves in their local area gaining valuable insights into the geographical challenges that it faces, all with enough time for an ice-cream by the sea at the end of a long day. With upcoming trips to Morocco and Normandy combined with a Skiing Trip for Easter 2026 (details to be announced before the end of term), we will continue to look to build on this vital element of school life where education can flourish in a different mode.
Jude G has undertaken a different kind of trip over the last few days as he competes in the Para Swimming World Series in Barcelona representing Team GB. In his first international race in the Freestyle over 100m, he stepped up from the heats to the finals and despite feeling under the weather, he did incredibly well to win the Bronze Medal. With his preferred discipline of the Butterfly starting today and further events over the weekend, we wish him the very best and hope that he might be able to improve on his medal tally before returning to school. In further sporting news, Harley C competed at Gorleston Golf Club over the weekend in their Junior Winter Stapleford Cup 18-hole competition where he came in a fantastic 2nd place only beaten by countback after both Harley and the eventual winner scored a highly
impressive 36 points. And in a fixture outside of the norm, our Under 18 Mixed Netball team travelled to Langley for a local derby and much-anticipated match. Across the four quarters Saint Felix dominated play, demonstrated sharp passing and strong defensive pressure as well as excellent shooting accuracy. Their cohesion and tactical awareness were second-to-none and as confidence grew, the scoreboard began to reflect the Saint Felix level of play with a final victory of 48-18 points.
The Prep Department had an excellent Shakespeare workshop day this week looking at Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest, two of his most magnificent plays that provide a reminder of the enduring power and influence of his work; the single greatest literary figure that this country has produced. On a different note, it was so heart-warming to see Leon G’s wonderful rendition of My Favourite Things at the Empire in Great Yarmouth as part of their magical night of musical theatre; Saint Felix really is blessed to have so many fine vocalists across both Prep and Senior and we now look forward to their musical showcase and recital evenings over the final two weeks of term. Please do come and watch along with the A Level and GCSE performances of their examination material on Thursday 27th March, which will also include Year 10 and 12 devised pieces of work and extracts from John Godber’s most famous works, “Bouncers” and “Shakers”.
And finally, it was the Pi recital competition last week in the Dining Hall that really put our students on the spot with some impressive feats of memory. Rima J, John P, Bruno A, Ruth P and Harley C all won a Geometry Set by recounting 18 to 38 numbers whilst Fraser C took home the Raspberry Pi with an impressive 47 numbers. None of them though could come anywhere near our Head of School, Dominica J, who could recount an amazing 242 numbers in her second (or third) language. A very clear winner!
Have a lovely weekend.
Yours sincerely,
Matthew Oakman
Head
