This week in our school community: 29 November 2024

"This week we invited our governing body into school to spend a day with students and staff. "  

This week we invited our governing body into school to spend a day with students and staff. Our governors attended the Year 9 and Year 10 collective worship assembly where they witnessed 10G deliver an excellent and inspiring collective worship on the topic of Christ the King and Youth Sunday. Students even got to play a version of pass the parcel, although with a king's crown, and when the music stopped Year 9 and Year 10 students were asked what they would do if they were in charge for the day. Some of their responses were well considered, such as bringing an end to all wars and ending poverty. Thank you to Ms Wright for overseeing such an excellent presentation from her tutor group.

Governors then got to meet students who make up our Senate and find out what they think about St Gregory's. Afterwards, one of our governors said that the students she had spoken to were a credit to the school and we are indeed immensely proud of them. Governors do such an important job in holding us to account to ensure that we are providing the very best education for the whole person - academically, personally and spiritually - and we are grateful for their time, guidance and care of our community.

In other news this week, we raised £67.07 for our recent Poppy Appeal which contributes towards The Royal British Legion continuing their benevolent work. Thank you to all those who contributed during the month of November. As November draws to a close and we approach Advent, a reminder that this weekend St Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Combe Down is holding its annual Christmas Fayre - please come along to support after the Saturday evening and Sunday morning services. For those of you who have not yet heard, please keep Fr Bill, the parish priest of the church and our school priest, in your prayers as he recovers from a fall.

Year 11 have worked hard in preparing for their mocks and have done well in coping with a full week of exams. External exam invigilators have commented on their maturity and good behaviour which we are delighted to hear. 

A reminder that we have our next PTFA meeting on Tuesday 3 December at 6pm in our Reading Room - all are most welcome. If you haven't been before, please consider coming along to meet the friendly group of parents and carers who are doing so much to fundraise and support the school in so many ways. 

Whether you are visiting Christmas markets or church fairs, I leave you with this beautiful reflection on winter as we go into the weekend:

Lord, In the midst of Winter, when the days are cold and wind can pierce, remind us of the warmth of your love. In the midst of Winter, when days are short, dawn comes late, and dusk arrives early, remind us that in the darkness your light still shines. In the midst of Winter, when the flowers of spring still lie hidden in the earth, when leaves are off the trees, and the world can seem bleak, remind us that Easter is but a short time away. And when in our lives we feel as if we are experiencing a season of winter, reach out to us with the power of your resurrection so that we may feel the warmth of your love and see your light that alone can take away the darkness of our soul. Amen

Mrs Melissa George (BA Hons, MA, PGCE) 

Headteacher