Headteacher’s Blog 22/12/2022

Here we are in the last week of term and certainly everyone is ready for a break!

 

Being in school during the final week before Christmas allows us the opportunity to pause, reflect and celebrate with our students in preparation for the upcoming feast. We were delighted to be able to return to a face to face Advent Carol service at St Vincent’s church in Crookes on Tuesday. This is was a wonderful evening as usual, that helped set the tone for the final run in to Christmas. My thanks to Mr Ward, Mrs Francis, Mr Neal and the students and staff of St Marie’s school, Fr Walsh and the parishioners of St Vincent’s and all our students and staff who lead us so beautifully.

 

Over the last couple of days students have attended an Advent Service at St John’s Church with their year group. It was a beautiful service led by Reverend Otieno. It was also wonderful to see the return of Mr Loftus on his guitar leading us in the carols.

 

The excitement of this week follows a jam packed half term. Anyone who was lucky enough to see the school production of ‘Six’, will have had a real treat. As we have come to expect, the production was ambitious and everyone rose brilliantly to the challenge. The set, costumes and technical side, the back-stage crew, the musicians, choreography and the amazing performances by the two casts were all of such high quality. I must give particular thanks to Miss Wildes as Choreographer, Mr Hogan for leading the technical crew, Mr Nixon for the set design and Mr O’Farrell and Miss Carrigan our inspirational directors. Our productions are gaining such a reputation, so much so that the wonderful problem we have is too many students wanting to participate for the number of parts needed. For that reason we have had 2 casts for ‘Six’ and an additional opportunity for students to be involved in the Winter showcase.

 

Over the last two weeks we have also had the pleasure of being able to return to ‘in person’ Prize Nights for our GCSE and A level students. Both occasions were very special with so many students and families joining us. A very special thank you to Mark Dowdeswell, former History teacher and SENCO at Notre Dame for giving us an inspiring St Julie’s speech.

 

I wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and I hope that you are able to enjoy some rest before we head into the new year.

 

God Bless

Mrs Cleary