We trust that families are enjoying the half term break. Pupils are due back in school on Wednesday 2nd November after the two staff INSET days on Monday and Tuesday. Please find a few updates below:

PFC Review 
The PFC on 18th October was attended by about half of our families and covered important developments in school life. We covered the ISI Inspection this academic year and an update to our RSE curriculum with an introduction to Ten:Ten resources (based on John 10v10 “I have come to give you life and life to the full”). Mrs K Sharples is currently preparing a parent update and questionnaire which will give further insight into this resource. 

We talked about building projects planned this year. These involve upgrades to our hot water system, urgent structural work and refurbishment of the Reception and Year 1 classrooms, and replacement of windows/insulation at the back of the building. In terms of energy costs in the current climate, we also plan to install solar panels before May 2023 when our current fixed price electricity contract of approximately £10,500 per year, is due for renewal and will increase significantly. Our heating and hot water boilers run on oil which is not on a fixed price contract and has more than doubled over the last 18 months to about £28,500 so the improvements above will help with this until prices go down. 

We have agreed funding for these projects thanks to an incredible business loan from within our community which we can draw-down as required. The repayments on the loan will form part of our budgeted costs in future years. But it’s worth noting that the size of the loan will be reduced the more gifts and donations we receive each year for renovations. We see this as a very strategic and timely blessing as God is providing for our needs through the generosity of His people. We take none of these blessings for granted and are very grateful to God for His provision and guidance during these challenging times. 

We also spoke about the Schools Bill which was working its way through Parliament until last week. It’s been described as the most dramatic change in education policy in this country since 1870. Please look out for developments in this area as the new government picks up the reins, and pray for wise and Godly perspectives. 

Another development is that the Labour party have officially committed to end tax exemptions for independent schools. This could have a significant impact on independent schools. Please consider writing to your MP, asking them to consider the implications. 

School Production
Mr Farrington formally announced our next school production, which will be a contemporary interpretation of The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, abridged and adapted as a musical by a former CFS pupil, Stephen Sammons. As a school, the choice of play has always been very important to us as a shaping experience for the whole of Upper School, however they’re involved. Please join us in praying for our pupils who have taken to the script and the songs already. The message is very challenging and relevant for our times while the use of humour and modern production techniques should make it a very enjoyable experience for all involved. The performances will take place the week after the February half term, so please consider who you would like to invite. 

We ended the PFC with prayer and thanksgiving, always a core element of our times together. Please may I ask parents who were not able to make this event to prioritise future PFCs.

Other Updates
Please look at the website diary for the school events over the next half term. The first event is the Year 7 Parent Forum next Wednesday 2nd November which we have written to parents about.  

Please note that the Middle School Musical event is now on Wednesday 14th December rather Tuesday 13th as previously advertised. For parents who are new to CFS and a reminder for all others, all pupils in years 4 to 8 participate in this event, performing various Christmas and other songs. Last year we had to cancel this event at the last moment due to Covid, so we’re really looking forward to seeing parents and close family for this very enjoyable opportunity to be together at Christmas. We will send additional information in a couple of weeks’ time. 

A reminder for parents whose children are planning to start in Reception in September 2023, to get in touch with Mrs K Sharples for application forms. We believe we have quite a number of new families interested for next year which is very encouraging, and of course we would like to ensure that siblings of our current families have secured their places. 

A uniform reminder in cold weather - pupils are expected to wear their uniform correctly throughout the school day, which means that coats, gloves and scarves are for outside wear only.  Please would parents ensure that their children wear sufficient warm base layers underneath their school uniform, as pupils will not be able to wear their coats indoors except in exceptionally cold weather. Pupils in Middle and Upper School may wear PE hoodies with the school logo over their school jumpers if they are still cold.  

We mentioned at the PFC about our link with a school in Kiev, Ukraine, which is similar in size and character to ours. Some of their pupils joined with our Upper School pupils last June for an international online project. The school is continuing to operate during very trying times and are looking for sponsorship of £60 per month for about 20 pupils whose parents have been displaced, lost their jobs or have died in the war. They also need help to buy wood to heat the school during the coming winter. Please contact Mrs Boulton rb@cfschool.org.uk if you would like more information about this.

Finally, we would like to mention a friend of the school, Ann Pendray who was a French teacher at CFS for just over a decade in the 2000s. Ann went to be with the Lord on Friday last week after a long illness. The Pendrays are a long-standing CFS family and all three of Mike and Ann’s children were pupils at CFS. Ann was a much valued member of staff, encouraging and supportive of her students. She stopped teaching when she became ill and has been very committed to continuing to pray for and support school since then. She is remembered with affection and gratitude by the school community and will uphold her family in prayer at this sad time.