Our theme today was based on our behaviour codes to ‘Be Hard Working’ and ‘Be Resilient.’

We talked about the importance of having a growth mindset and recognized that achieving a new skill means there is a process of learning.  That mistakes will be made and instant success is unlikely but by keeping a positive attitude, getting help with the tricky parts and thinking of an alternative approach to a difficulty can lead to eventual success.

We hope you enjoy reading the first e-news of the school year.

The children have now all settled into their new forms and are starting to become adjusted to the increased demands of the older year group. Very well done to our newest pupils. Our Junior One class have settled remarkably quickly into their new school. Bravo to Junior One!

As we reach the end of another academic year, we would like to thank all of our pupils, parents, staff and wider school community for making it such a memorable one. Our final week has been filled with excitement, celebration and togetherness.

The children set off this morning to go back to the Stone Age.  After a week of class based lessons on the Neolithic period of history, they were ready to try out some practical skills and practise working collaboratively to achieve a shared goal.

We begin this week's eNews by extending our warmest thanks (pun intended) to the entire CHS community for pulling together so admirably in response to the exceptional heat. From the kitchen team, who have produced a steady supply of ice lollies and iced drinks, to our wonderfully inventive teachers, who have made creative use of ice, water, and shaded outdoor spaces to keep everyone cool - your efforts have been truly appreciated.

As we are quickly approaching the end of term with various events taking place in the next three weeks, please do take the time to read all the way through for further details on our upcoming events. With a heat wave expected next week, there will be no requirment for pupils to wear their school blazer but suncream and school caps will most definitely be needed. 

Form One led this morning’s assembly, dressed in their wonderful ‘messenger’ costumes. They shared their learning from History (Messages over time), showed clay tablets they made in class, and engaged the whole school in a timeline activity, ordering different forms of communication from the earliest to the most modern.

Ms Galligan led the Jigsaw PSHE Assembly, which focussed on helping the children understand the journey of growing up and navigating the many transitions from childhood into adulthood. We discussed how change is a natural, constant part of life, though some changes are naturally more significant than others.

With a busy and exciting second half of the Summer Term ahead, please take a few moments to read through the eNews. There are a number of important events coming up, so please do scroll to the bottom for the full list of dates for your diary.

Children have been immersed in reading for pleasure this week and Forms 2, 4, 5 and 6 have been sharing books and reading stories with the younger classes. Thank you for encouraging your children to read for pleasure and for making very generous donations to the charity already. Our Readathon continues for another two weeks so Keep Reading.

All of our pupils returned to school after the long weekend looking extremely smart in their summer uniforms, complete with their school blazers. Although it was a shorter four-day week, the children have still enjoyed a very full programme of activities, including a school trip and the launch of our whole-school charity Readathon, alongside plenty of engaging learning and fun together in the classroom.

Just a reminder to everybody that all children should be in their summer uniform (dress or shorts) and be wearing their blazer to school from next week, after the bank holiday on Monday.

Welcome back! We hope you all had a restful and enjoyable Spring break. It has been lovely to see the children return refreshed and ready for the busy and exciting Summer Term ahead.

What a wonderful Open Day celebration we enjoyed this morning. The children all arrived, smartly dressed and ready to show their family and guests the progress they have made so far this year.

Form Four delivered a fantastic assembly this week based on their Science topic of sound. Inspired by Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saëns, the students performed a range of musical pieces representing Lions, Sparrows, Cuckoos, Aquariums, Horses and even an Elephant!

This week during assembly, the children learned about the importance of good sleep hygiene. They discussed why sleep is essential for their health, well being, and learning, and were able to recognise how good sleep habits help them feel ready for the school day.

This afternoon, we enjoyed an engaging poetry recital. Our youngest pupils in Form One and Form Two delighted us with their own thoughtfully written poems and lively class performances, while pupils from Junior One and Form Three, Four, Five & Six captivated the audience with confident and expressive readings of works by poets including Maya Angelou, Joseph Coelho and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

On Friday morning Ms Galligan led the PSHE Jigsaw Assembly with the help of the Form Six pupils. The children listened to a story about the Jigsaw Jo character and the challenges of making healthy food choices.

As we approach the half term break next week, the children have enjoyed an especially full few days, with plenty of activity and achievement across the school.  

On Friday afternoon, the children in Form Six joined Mrs Hampton for a surprise afternoon tea, to mark the end of the 11+ season.