The Joys of the Summer Term Commence
When you are so immersed in the world of education, life seems to revolve around terms as much as seasons but how wonderful it has been to return to school with such glorious weather seemingly set in stone. It creates a sense of joy and happiness when the sun is out, and more activities can take place outdoors. The Cloisters is looking resplendent with brand new jasmine trees and with the grass tennis courts being assembled and accompanying volleyball courts to follow, the depths of winter really do begin to feel like a distant memory. The students have returned full of spirit and term has started seamlessly with our GCSE and A Level students finishing their penultimate week of lessons before study leave commences. We wish them the very best as they finish off final pieces of coursework and engage in past papers as the examinations loom.
And what a busy start to term the Prep Department have had; with a visit from the RNLI to help the students learn about water safety and a trip to the Suffolk Show for Children, the learning that has took place has fully encompassed areas beyond the curriculum. I hear that as a result of the Suffolk Show, a student led proposal for Saint Felix Farm will be coming my way! This is why what happens outside of the classroom is every bit as important as what takes place within. Learning takes on so many different forms and by seeing, hearing, and discovering new ideas and taking these opportunities, it can so often lead to future passions and even careers.
The Prep Department also begun their Summer Term activities at Oulton Broad Water Sports Centre; here, they have the chance to learn new sports and develop their resilience via a variety of different challenges whilst also becoming increasingly familiar with being in water.
Resilience is one of the five parts of our Learner Profile created collaboratively by the staff to encapsulate the academic and personal attributes and qualities that we are trying to instil in our students. They can be seen in every classroom and corridor along with the school values that were chosen by the whole community but now, they are also visible in the Visitor Waiting Room so that every guest and prospective student and parent can see who we are and what we are trying to achieve with our students. Together, the values and the learner profile provide the foundation stones on which the school is built and around which the new curriculum and shape of the day have been constructed to incorporate the Saint Felix Diploma, the broader co-curricular programme, and the mentoring scheme.
The PTA AGM will be in June and the PTA is looking for new officers, as the current team will be stepping down at the end of this academic year. The PTA has done magnificent work over the last few years under the outstanding stewardship of Cathy Pitt, donating thousands of pounds to fund equipment for the co-curricular programme, putting on events for the students and parents to enjoy, and establishing a second-hand uniform service that I know many of you really appreciate. There is no set programme of PTA activities, so the commitment can be as great or as little as you can spare the time for. I do know, however, that both the PTA and the School would be very keen to ensure that at least the second-hand uniform sales can continue. If you would be interested in being part of the team, please contact cathyPTA@pitt.me.uk for more information.
After fourteen years of outstanding service to the Saint Felix community, our much-loved Ms Hardcastle has decided it is the right time to retire in order to spend more time with her beloved daughters, family and friends. On a personal level, I am indebted to her for the support, guidance, and friendship that she has shown me and which has been invaluable. Having returned to Suffolk with her family in 2011, Ms Hardcastle joined Saint Felix on a part-time basis initially as Head of Drama and teacher of English. Unsurprisingly, various promotions followed with her becoming Deputy Head in 2016 and Acting Head in 2022, all of which she has taken on with her customary wisdom, attention to detail and solution focused orientation. We will all miss her enormously when the end of term arrives but are eternally grateful for all that she has done; she will leave with Saint Felix in a better place. Parents’ Day and the final week of term will provide an opportunity to say farewell and thanks to Ms Hardcastle and other departing staff in what is always a time of sadness mixed with gratitude and excitement as people go on to new adventures.
With the weather set fair for the weekend and beyond, I hope that you all get an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors over the coming days.
Yours sincerely,
Matthew Oakman
Head
Yours sincerely,
Matthew Oakman
Head
