This week in our school community: 16 January 2026

"we are born originals but many die as photocopies."

 

Have you noticed the afternoons and evenings getting a little lighter? This week, despite some unsettled weather, it has felt like we are turning a corner and the dark days of the winter equinox feel like they are in the past and the lighter evening skies give us hope that Spring is just around the corner.

Some of our Y tutor groups have produced excellent collective worship assemblies this week on the millennial saint, Carlo Acutis, who famously said that "we are born originals but many die as photocopies." Students were keen to convey his message that it is important to stand out from the crowd and use your faith and conviction to make a real difference in school, out in the community and even on a global scale. 10Y created a particularly impressive reflective video showing their thoughts about what it means to be a glowing saint in this day and age - some of their ideas were to be kind, selfless, love thy neighbour and seek justice for those who are on the margins. The Year 11 Prefect team talked about Saint Carlo as a shining light and a role model for young people all over the world. Well done to all who presented and spoke so confidently in front of a large audience.

A group of our students who embodied what it means to be a glowing saint this week are the Year 10 Young Volunteers. Using money from their pre-Christmas fundraising, they cooked up delicious hot meals in school on Thursday and then travelled into the centre of Bath with Mr Robinson to hand them out to those who find themselves living on the streets this winter. I am so proud of their initiative which places human dignity, the common good and solidarity at the centre of the project.

Mr Richardson, Mr Boutland-Smith and I continue our observations of PHSE lessons, with a particular focus on Relationships and Sex education this term. We have seen a variety of excellent lessons where students are fully engaged and discussing important, sensitive topics in a mature, respectful way. Parents and carers, you are the first educators of your children so please do look at the PSHE learning journeys and curriculum information on our website so you can extend discussions at home.

Year 13 have started their mock A level exams very well; we hold them in our prayers so that they may find wisdom, resilience and tenacity in these days to tackle their exam papers and showcase their learning to date. Best of luck Year 13!

To end, as I stare out on the bare trees from my office window, I will leave you with this beautiful little poem to capture the majesty and awe of this season:

Winter Trees by William Carlos Williams (1883-1963)

All the complicated details

of the attiring and

the disattiring are completed!

A liquid moon

moves gently among

the long branches.

Thus having prepared their buds

against a sure winter

the wise trees

stand sleeping in the cold.

Mrs Melissa George (BA Hons, MA, PGCE) 

Headteacher