Wild Saint Felix takes on Attenborough with Badgers and Muntjacs
Stretch and challenge are key components of every academic element within our school programme as we look to ensure that every student can flourish, thrive and achieve to the best of their potential. This is true within every subject and faculty area as well as across the whole co-curricular programme. Within the overall curriculum though, the Saint Felix Diploma was designed to provide that element of stretch and challenge above and beyond and in areas that might be new to instil curiosity and develop passion.
As we move towards the next academic year, there will be tweaks and adaptations to ensure that the Diploma represents an outstanding additional provision that enhances the academic and broader life of school. There has been a wide array of areas that the Diploma has focused on but to pick out a few highlights, it has been most heartening to see our Year 10 and Year 12 students develop their own personal areas of interest via the Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) and Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Having delivered the EPQ to five students, I have been encouraged by their willingness to start to think differently and develop their ideas across new avenues with research based independent work across genetics, political theory, historical concepts, social issues and the creative. Choice and passion fuels academic development and this has also been seen across the Arts Award, the Crest Award and individual ISA competitions. It is only the start as we look to perfect the offering and grow the opportunities even further.
Academia comes in many different forms, but it is often at its most impressive when it has a truly interdisciplinary feel to it. This is certainly the case with the magnificent Year 4 Nature Documentary, “Wild Saint Felix”. It all started with Hedgehog Club and the desire to create an environment for these beautiful creatures to inhabit in our grounds. In turn, this led to the installation of a nature camera or two and eventually a full-blown documentary where they have shown their understanding of the animals that inhabit our space, their homes, families and needs whilst putting this all together showing creativity and passion. What a magnificent achievement, and I am sure that you will enjoy watching it as much as I did! No hedgehog as yet, but the badger scene is an absolute highlight not to be missed. Watch Here
Another academic highlight of the term is the annual Creative Writing and Poetry Anthology (Ink and Imagination) under the stewardship of Mr Lynch and Mr Perry. A selection of well-crafted poems, short stories and even a play, the sense of student ownership runs through them all. Evocative, heartfelt and warm, the varied pieces of work have a depth and breadth that is very impressive, pulling on inspiration from so many different sources. Please do spend some time reading this when it comes out next week.
Yesterday, meanwhile, was a day of musical highlights that started with a wonderful lunchtime recital in St Edmunds Church as part of the Southwold Arts Festival. Twelve students performed to the assembled crowd and put on a delightful concert that was a mixture of song, piano and guitar. It was a very special hour of musical joy in a serene setting. Then, later in the day, it was followed by an even broader selection of students taking part in the Senior Summer Recital. Once again, the audience were blown away by the range of performances showcasing the talents of our student body. Music is going from strength to strength at Saint Felix and plays such a pivotal role in all that we do.
Last Friday, it was delightful to see the campus so busy with a fantastic Open Morning that was hosted in the Cloisters and Silcox Theatre, combined with an extremely well attended Primary School 6-a-side Football Tournament. The grounds looked resplendent, the weather was glorious, and lots of smiling and happy children created an excellent vibe to the day. Opening up the school to others is a key element of our outreach programme and we will be looking to host one such event every term across the academic, cultural, music, drama, and sporting arenas. Over the last two years, we have also been steadily and purposefully reconnecting with the Old Felicians, and on Tuesday, the inaugural OFs vs Students vs Staff Golf Match took place; a wonderful event and one on which to build for next year, perhaps with a parental team as well! Congratulations go to the Old Felicians who recently came 3rd in the highly prestigious Silver Tassie competition. The Silver Tassie | Ladies Golf Competition. We are now planning an OF Football and Netball match against our respective 1st teams for the upcoming academic year; they will become an annual tradition very quickly.
In assembly on Monday, we were all blown away by the presentation on autism that Henry FG gave; it was powerful, well presented and wonderfully endearing. It made an impact on everyone who was present, and it is moments such as this that remind us all of the power of education and communities.
A reminder that the PTA Charity Auction closes at 5 p.m. on Tuesday 1st July. There are some fantastic Lots that have been generously donated by parents and local businesses. Please do have a look and potentially grab yourself a bargain (whilst also bidding generously of course)! Please click here for the auction and use the following invitation code: 678584.
Next week brings the term and academic year to a close. Our students have achieved so much during the last twelve months, and to see them visibly grow in confidence and become increasingly more aspirational has been my greatest joy. Over the course of next week, we have the House Drama Festival, three Sports Days, Cultural Day as well as saying farewell to the Year 13 leavers with a dinner and chapel service. The week culminates with Parents’ Day on Saturday, where we will celebrate the academic and broader achievements of our students, enjoy some of the creative and performing highlights of the year, and come together as a community for lunch before departing to enjoy the summer break. Details have all been sent and I look forward to welcoming you all for this marvellous event.
Yours sincerely,
Matthew Oakman
Head