News and Views
Visit this page for news, information, ideas, celebrations of success and opportunities to support our Christian community.
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Advance notice about Swimming Gala
Mon 16 Jan 2023We are very pleased that Mrs Fairclough has been able to be more involved this year with our weekly swimming provision for Lower and Middle School. However, we are not planning a swimming gala this year, although we hope to return to this popular event in the future.
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Uniform and hair
Mon 16 Jan 2023We have sent a separate email to upper school parents and pupils which you can view HERE. For all pupils, please ensure that uniform is in good order and items are replaced or mended if they are lost, break or wear out. We will keep you informed about any proposals to change or enhance the uniform in due course.
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Attendance and holiday requests
Mon 16 Jan 2023We will shortly be sending your child’s attendance information for last term in a new format that gives more detail about your child’s attendance and lateness and will allow you to track patterns. Where there is persistent lateness or absence, we will work with you to see if we can help resolve any underlying difficulties.
As a school, we are increasingly clear that term time holidays should only be requested in rare and exceptional circumstances’. It is not always easy to have a consistent view about what counts as an exceptional circumstance but as a guide, celebrating a significant birthday with the wider family is not considered an exceptional circumstance, but seeing grandparents who normally live abroad and are only available on specific dates might be. To help with holiday costs, families might like to consider the very first week of the summer holidays when prices are lower because most other schools are still in session. If you do make a request for holiday absence, please put your request in before you book flights etc, and at least two weeks before the event. Sometimes an authorised absence will not be granted. In Year 11 any request for extended time off will not generally be considered. Occasionally if an absence does not fall under the exceptional category, a family may consider to have an unauthorised absence, but please always consult school by talking to Mrs K Sharples about this first - ks@cfschool.org.uk
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Hygiene and health
Mon 16 Jan 2023The Department for Education has reissued guidance to schools about the high rates of viruses including Covid and Step A at the moment. We want to maintain high standards of hygiene in school to minimise the spread of both respiratory and other viruses by encouraging pupils to use tissues to blow their nose and ensuring they clean their hands before eating. We are also maintaining some ventilation. Please keep your children off if they have or are starting a streaming cold and certainly if they have a temperature. Please email office@cfschool.org.uk to report an absence by 9.30am each day of absence or phone school on 0151 709 1642 between 8.30-9.30am when you can speak to someone or leave a message.
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Upper school uniform and hair
Sun 15 Jan 2023Boys' hair and pupil uniform
As you are aware, we are looking at our school uniform policy this year with a view to some changes to the uniform itself and a review of other aspects of the dress code policy. We hope to introduce further changes from September 2023.
I would specifically like to mention the length and styling of boys’ hair. I met with some boys from the School Council last term to hear their thoughts and views. I also used the opportunity to explain that what may seem like a straight forward request involves multiple considerations. These include the need to be sensitive to the views of those within our community who see hair length and style as being more than just a matter of personal choice. I referred to various biblical passages that inform different Christian perspectives. I was encouraged by the readiness of the boys to acknowledge the importance of respecting people with different views, although they were clearly surprised that hair length was even mentioned in the Bible! I explained that we needed to move forward together as a community and not let hair styles undermine the mutual respect on which our community life is based.
We are mindful that in contemporary culture, hairstyle is a part of how people choose to express themselves as part of their God-given personality and this is something that matters to young people - and therefore to us.
The need to chart a careful and considered course between different sincerely held points of view means that change can seem frustratingly slow to young people. However, as the school leadership continues to consider possible changes, I would like to clarify that until we reach an agreement on new guidelines, we expect boys' hair to comply with our existing dress code (uniform policy). This means that boys’ hair should not be too short (shaved or part shaved) and longer hair should not be in the eyes, tied up, nor longer than collar length.
It is very important for year 11s to set an example for the rest of the school and to abide by school guidelines on uniform and other aspects of appearance at all times. This applies right up to the end of the GCSE exams in June.
Please look up the dress code (uniform policy) and follow it. Sometimes there are specific reasons why someone is allowed to wait a couple of weeks before they have their hair cut. Several boys have been asked to have their hair cut as soon as possible and one or two have already done so. However, if you are personally puzzled about something, whether it is about hair or other aspects of uniform, do speak discreetly to Mrs Johnson.
I trust that this email puts both students and parents in the picture. We would appreciate your prompt cooperation. -
School Production!
Fri 06 Jan 20232023 School Production
The Pilgrim's Progress is on 22nd to 24th February. This is a new Musical by Stephen Sammons, based on the book by John Bunyan. Click HERE to see the flyer, with more information.
Tickets
Adults £3 : Children* £2
To book your seats please email: bookings@cfschool.org.uk
Payment will be on the door, preferred by cash, but card payment will be an option.
* suitable for secondary aged children -
Christmas Events II 2022
Tue 13 Dec 2022As we progress through the final week of term, we want to thank parents for their support with the very challenging weather conditions. The children seem to be managing very well and we plan to continue with our events as planned.
Middle School Christmas Concert, tomorrow years 4 to 8
All children should arrive at 6.45pm to 6.50pm. The event will begin at 7.15pm and we hope to finish soon after 8.30pm. There will be no interval.
Pupils should go straight to the hall and sit in their pre-arranged seats; and should wear clean, well presented uniform. Girls should wear grey tights and can wear appropriately "school-coloured" hair accessories. All pupils should wear cardigans or jumpers, and base layers in school colours. Outdoor clothes should be left with parents.
Parking is available on the school playground and you can enter via the back door, though we will also welcome parents on foot at the front of the building. We will take a collection for Asylum Link, which is the refugee charity next door.
Christmas Assembly, Thursday 15 December 9.00 am to 9.45 am
Parents are very welcome. We will have a short Christmas message, sing together and announce housepoint and competition winners.
Upper School PE Assessment, Friday 16 December
Because of poor weather, last Friday the hockey assessment was postponed. We’re hoping to go ahead this Friday morning instead if the playing surface is improved. This activity involves year 10 and 11, as well as some of year 9 pupils. So, please ensure that pupils come to school in jogging bottoms and school PE hoodies, as well as coats and hats. They arrive back by lunch time for the Upper School party, and should bring their own clothes to get changed into. However, we will keep an eye on the weather and the conditions at the sports grounds, and will only go ahead if we feel it is safe to do so.
The Christmas fayre was very well supported and we raised over £1,100 for our projects and good cause. We trust that the children will enjoy their various parties later in the week.
May the joy of our salvation fill our hearts and minds as we celebrate the coming of Emmanuel, to seek and save a lost and broken world. May God keep us in His perfect peace as we play our part as families in His Kingdom, in these days. -
Lower School Nativity Play
Wed 07 Dec 2022Our faces and costumes sparkled today as Lower School confidently performed their Nativity Play, Christian Fellowship School of Stars. All the songs were beautifully sung with lively actions. The play was adapted by Mrs Williams and Mrs Gray based on the Original Play New Star by Sharon Kay Chatwell, Copyright 2015.
www.Sunday-School-Center.com -
Christmas Events 2022
Sun 20 Nov 2022We are writing to let you know about practical arrangements for our Christmas events. Please read the information carefully to aid us all in the smooth running of the school.
Christmas Fair, Tuesday 29th November 3.00pm to 4.30pm in the school hall. We will have a range of stalls including home-baked goodies, and FairTrade Advent Calendars and Candles. The event will be run by Mrs Virr and the Year 9s as part of their Equipped to Serve programme, and funds raised will go towards various outreach and social action projects planned this academic year.
We trust that this will be a very enjoyable community event which is usually well supported by the wider community. Children up to Year 6 may attend the fair with their parents at the end of the day. Years 7-11 are welcome to attend on their own if they are not already involved in running stalls or serving in some way.
Reverse Advent Calendars. Once again we are running our annual collection of tins packets and toiletries and would be grateful for donations. Please look out for flyers coming home. All donations will be passed on to the Micah Project.
Christmas Jumper Day, Monday 12th December. Please bring a £1 donation per child for our chosen charity Special Children’s Trust. Normal uniform should be worn on the lower half.
Lower School Nativity Production, Wednesday 7th December 9.00am to 9.45am.
Parents, family members and friends of children in Reception to Year 3 are warmly invited. There will be plenty of seating available as the rest of the school will watch the performance the day before. We will also have some refreshments available in the hall after the performance up to approximately 10.30am, so please do stay to fellowship.
Middle School Christmas Concert in the school hall, Wednesday 14th December. This event will involve all of Middle School. It will start at 7.15pm and we will aim to finish by 8.45pm. There will be no interval. Middle School pupils will need to arrive between 6.45pm and 6.50pm, and should go straight into the hall and be dressed in full and well presented uniform including jumpers, and grey tights for girls.
Please park on the playground by driving through the side gates and enter the building via the girls cloakroom from the playground into the foyer. We will take a collection for Asylum Link which is a refugee charity based next door at St Anne’s.
Years 7 & 8 Christmas Lunch Buffet, Monday 12th December. This is an annual event for these classes and parents should look out for a separate letter outlining details for preparing food at home, which will then be brought into school on Monday morning. There is an element of competition to this tradition which adds extra interest and excitement to the event.
Lower School Christmas Party, Thursday 15th December. The pupils will also have a trip to Imagine That! on Tuesday 13th December.
Middle School, Years 4 - 6, and the Upper School Christmas Parties, Friday 16th December. All pupils are permitted to wear their home clothes. The guidance for this is to keep to school ethos in terms of modesty, though we do recognise that pupils are dressing for a party and not a field trip! We also ask pupils not to wear football kits. Please consult the How to Wear Your Uniform page on the school website if in doubt.
Please look out for various party letters which will outline days, costs and food contributions from home.
Whole School end of term Christmas Assembly, Thursday 15th December 9.00am - 9.45am. Parents are very welcome and should be seated by 8.55am. We will celebrate together with a Christmas message and announce housepoint and competition winners.
School Finishes at 3.30pm on Friday 16th December for all pupils, and Upper School will not have PE that day.
We look forward to a wonderful season of celebrations together. -
October Parents Bulletin
Fri 28 Oct 2022We 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.