“Spring is Nature’s Way of Saying Let’s Party!” (Robin Williams)
Whilst on a technical level the seasons exist due to the tilt in the Earth’s axis, it is the sense of change that never ceases to create a sense of awe and wonder. Spring always feels like a moment of rebirth and happiness as the long winter months draw to a close and the flowers begin to blossom. Robin Williams, the anarchic comic, has it spot on with this quote, and it has been wonderful to see Saint Felix start to radiate as the weather improves. The final week of the Lent Term has seen Easter Egg Hunts across Nursery, Prep and Senior and the finale of House Scramble. This year will see a new addition to this special Saint Felix event with a staff team competing having undergone a rigorous training programme through the off-season in order to peak for this moment; we will see how they do! It is a delightful way to round off the very busiest of terms and my first newsletter of next term will highlight the winners and special moments.
This week has also shown the strength of Saint Felix music with two superb showcases across both Prep and Senior. What a wonderful array of music it was too with so many wondrous voices heard alongside such a mix of instruments being played with such precision and dedication. With twenty-five students from the Senior Department playing an eclectic mix of music from classical to musical theatre to more popular pieces on a wide range of instruments, it really was an evening to remember. With seven students making their debut and Rima J (who is already an extremely accomplished pianist) performing on the violin for the very first time as well, and some new collaborations having formed amongst the student body, it really was a testament to the power of music in bringing people together to enjoy, listen and appreciate. Amongst the record number of performances in the Prep Department, there were simply too many highlights to pick out an individual one, but I think that it is safe to say that the future of musical theatre at Saint Felix is in a very strong shape after so many delightful renditions. My thanks go to Mrs Collier, Mr Garner, Ms Playle, and all of the peripatetic teachers for the unstinting support and guidance that they give to our students. Music has a special place at the heart and soul of Saint Felix, and I am also hugely grateful for the support from the parents as well that ensures it is seen as such.
The Food Tech room is now up and running and we are all looking forward to this becoming a pivotal part of the Saint Felix offering. This week saw our Year 6 students enjoy the experience of making Easter Egg nests and there will be much more to follow including from September and as part of the Saint Felix Diploma, a half-term course to learn the seven dishes that you need to know how to make before leaving school! It is the role of these Diploma lessons to enhance and broaden the offering enabling life skills to play a central part in the development of all of our students. Whilst academic development will always take the primary role, it is these opportunities that make the difference for future wellbeing and aspirations. This was certainly the case when students in Years 9 and 12 visited the Sizewell C construction site and Visitor Centre as part of the Saint Felix Careers programme. The visit provided a valuable insight into one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects. A highlight of the trip was the guided bus tour around the construction site, giving students a first-hand view of the scale and complexity of the development. This was followed by an engaging talk covering the history of the Sizewell site, alongside the wide range of apprenticeships and career opportunities available within the energy sector. Students also explored the wider economic importance of energy security and its impact on the UK, helping them to understand how their studies link to real-world industries and future career pathways. With Shakespeare workshops having also taken place in the last few days, every ounce has been squeezed out of this term to ensure that their horizons really are broadening on a weekly basis.
As we think ahead to the Summer Term, I would like to wish all of our Year 11 and Year 13 students the very best as they embark on a holiday that will be dominated by revision. Whilst work should be their priority, it is also important that they take some time to rest and relax with plenty of sleep and ideally physical exercise as well. Steady and often is always the best mantra when it comes to revision, gradually working through the content and syllabus material with an increasing emphasis on working through past paper questions to test knowledge and understanding. They should be aiming to peak for their exams in May and June, using this period of time to ensure that they have cemented their knowledge and understanding across the totality of the course content.
You will also see my letter that is attached to this newsletter concerning a number of areas that were best dealt with outside of my weekly newsletter. Please do take the opportunity to read this as well since it contains important information related to school fees 2026-27, mobile phones, uniform, and Parents’ Day 2026.
I hope that everyone has an enjoyable Easter break and that the students return refreshed and reinvigorated for the final term of the academic year where there is still so much to look forward to.
Yours sincerely,
Matthew Oakman
Head