This week in our school community: 19 December 2025

Advent has been such a special time for our school and the wider community

 

As always, Advent has been such a special time for our school and the wider community. So much takes place in such a short period of time as we build up to the coming of our saviour at Christmas. Sometimes it can seem we miss out in secondary schools by not experiencing nativities, with all their joyous mishaps, adorable costumes and the enthusiastic retelling of a story we treasure at the heart of the most wonderful time of the year. However, in its place our students find the most heart warming, generous and wholesome ways to bring the message of the season alive with involvement in reconciliation services, reflections, artwork, decorations and hampers. Their talent has been at the forefront of our Carol Service with St John’s at Our Lady and St Alphege’s Church, as well as the two additional services on the last day of term in school.

Each tutor group has taken the time to assemble a Christmas Hamper to donate to a local charity or organisation to support those in our community who appreciate the gift and thought behind each donation. A dedicated group of sixth form students have taken the lead with organising the initiative this year, helping each year group choose a different focus, encouraging them to create thoughtful hampers full of kindness and joy before helping with lots of elf standard wrapping. We delivered so many boxes on Thursday to Julian House Homeless Shelter, Bath Women's Refuge, RUH Children's ward and a local care home. For our young people it was a special opportunity to see where their gifts would go, meeting clients, residents and patients. At the care home, manager Joby spent time showing students around and talking to them about the way the staff ensure respect and dignity are at the heart of their work, treating each elderly person with such care and love.

This week we have been blessed to witness the incredible talents of our students and staff leading us in music and scripture to prepare us in our Carol Services. On Tuesday evening our joint liturgy with St John’s Primary took place at Our Lady & St Alphege with a standing room only congregation made up of students, staff, families and parishioners. As we come towards the end of the Jubilee year: Pilgrims of hope, our readings and music gave us a foretaste of the hope that each of us is entrusted with moving forward in a renewed relationship with Christ.

Thank you to the parish of Our Lady & St Alphege and Fr Robert who were so accommodating and supportive, to those who joined us in the hall beforehand for mince pies and mulled wine prepared by our ever supportive PTFA, to all those who champion our young people, and to those who kindly donated to our retiring collection for Julian House and Help For Homeless - supporting those who find themselves on the streets this Christmas.

Our other two Carol Services took place this morning in the school hall, allowing every student to end the term with the message of hope ringing in their ears and in their hearts. Our final prayer is shared below for you.

Finally, our term culminated with the traditional Christmas Market, allowing every student to contribute to our huge fundraiser and giving the Bath Christmas Market a run for its money with far more games and variety! It was, as ever, a real celebration of all the creativity and generosity of our young people who have planned, created and led their class stalls as part of this joyous event. There was everything from raffles, tombola's, sports games, karaoke, face painting, photo booths, and so many more food, drink and game stalls to tempt our students to donate well to the homeless. Our final total raised from the market, the Carol Service retiring collection and our Christmas Dress Up day will be shared in January’s first newsletter.

Mr Robinson

Lay Chaplain