This week in our school community: 19 December 2025

"Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year"

 

Still glowing from our fantastic production of 'Mary Poppins', we enjoyed another outstanding Carol Service full of joy and spirit at Our Lady and St Alphege church on Tuesday. As is tradition, we were joined by St John's RC Primary choir who warmed our hearts with their glorious singing. Thank you to all talented performers, staff, students and families for joining us for the service and the PTFA for providing a wonderful mulled wine and mince pie reception beforehand. This year, the artwork for the school Christmas card and Carol Service programme was produced by two talented artists, Florence H in Year 10 and Benjy N in Year 12. We appreciate Fr Robert and the community of St Alphege's support in hosting our service this year.

MEP students ventured to Chinatown in London this week as part of their studies of Mandarin and the second half of Year 8 experienced the magic of Christmas at Longleat on Wednesday. Students in all year groups have enjoyed their 'Name and Praise' assemblies to recognise excellence in learning, effort, attendance, literacy and oracy and displaying the school principles. We also hosted a Year 11 Mock Results afternoon where the cohort received envelopes with their mock exam results. They have worked hard this term and now deserve a good rest.

Our final day of term saw many St Greg's traditions such as our in-school Carol Service, student-led Christmas market (to rival Bath's market any day!) and tutor parties. We also said a fond farewell to Mr Parker, who began his journey at St Gregory's in 2002 as a peripatetic teacher before qualifying as a music teacher in 2006. Mr Parker stepped in to cover the end of Mrs Sterlini's maternity leave and has also supported school productions, Diocesan Mass, school liturgies and Sign and Sing Choir. He now takes up a new role as Head of Music at Wellsway and we wish him all the best for his next steps. Congratulations to Mrs Allsworth who has completed her English teacher training with us. A number of staff have completed their National Professional Qualifications recently - congratulations to Mr Richardson for completing his NPQ Headship and the following for completing their NPQ Senior Leadership: Mr Hayward, Mr Boutland Smith, Miss Bendall and Mrs Sarbatta.

I wish to draw your attention to a wonderful initiative which has risen off the back of the TV series, Adolescence. If you are a dad or step-dad, you have been invited to write a letter to your son filled with your thoughts and wisdom, your advice and your ideas about what being a man should be about. Selected letters will be published in a book in 2026. The Christmas break could be a good time to write your letter and submit it here: Letters to Our Sons by Stephen Graham and Orly Klein Survey

After a busy term, I would like to end by wishing you a "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" - may your festive season be full of joy, peace and love. I look forward to seeing the community back together on Tuesday 6 January at 8.40am.

Lord, the sight of the guiding star 

brought hope, courage and joy

to those who had journeyed to find you.

When our journey seems long,

when hope seems far away,

when our courage is failing,

fill us with faith and trust;

shine your light on our fears,

lift our hearts with your joy.

Help us to recognise you

in our brothers and sisters

throughout the world;

show us how we can work together as glowing saints

so that we may all come to share in the life

promised to us by Jesus,

the Saviour of us all.

Amen

Mrs Melissa George (BA Hons, MA, PGCE) 

Headteacher