Newsletters

Welcome to this Week’s Newsletter – The Final Few Steps, and What They Say About Us

It’s hard to believe we’re heading into the final half term of the school year (yes, that always sounds like a made-up measure of time, but here we are). The atmosphere in school has a bit of everything: joy, pride, exhaustion, energy, gratitude—and a few “how is it nearly the end?” stares from staff and parents alike.

Year 6, in particular, have been on my mind this week. The photos, the leavers’ prep, the little moments where they walk down the corridor and you see them differently now. Taller. Calmer. Ready. The truth is, they’re doing more than just preparing to leave—they’re processing what they’ve achieved. That’s what I’ve always wanted our kids to learn: not just to do the things, but to notice them. To stop and ask themselves, “What does this say about me?”

Because what it says is this: you were brave. You coped. You cared. You mattered. You still do.

Across the school, children are doing the same. Processing milestones, small wins, big challenges, and all the beautiful bits in between. It’s in the quiet SCARF award, the lost tooth, the trip reflection, the kindness unnoticed by most but not by all. That’s where the gold is. And I’m proud—so proud—of how far they’ve all come.

Add to that a  PTFA team whose kindness and graft genuinely blows me away, and it’s safe to say: this school is something special. It really is.

So as we head into the last few days of this half term, let’s not just look ahead to the break—let’s look back and ask, “What does this say about us?”
And if the answer is teamwork, heart, resilience and joy, then I’d say we’re getting it right.

Someone said something to me last week that really struck a chord:
"St George’s is the most formal school I’ve ever been in... but wrapped in joyful informality."

And do you know what? They’re absolutely right. We are formal. We’re highly structured. Our curriculum is meticulous. Our assessment systems are rigorous. Our expectations are high—unapologetically so. But all of it, every bit, is delivered with a smile, a spark, and a real sense of human warmth. That’s what the kids see. That’s what they feel. That’s the bit that makes it stick.

It’s a bit like that quote we love—"Be curious, not judgemental." You can have high standards and still be kind. You can be organised and still be joyful. And that’s the essence of St George’s—big-hearted precision, with just enough chaos to keep it real.

Let’s finish well.

Andy 

As we wrap up this week, here’s something to ponder:

If you find yourself bored over half term here’s a list to tick off…. And it doesn’t cost a penny! Tick them off return the list…. Leaves available…. No prizes! It’s just good fun!

Email, Facebook your pictures… whatever….. get them to us for the website! Good luck and enjoy! Let's cover the website with Half Term Fun.....

Get covered in paint/mud/chalk

Have a water fight – get drenched

Go swimming (safely and only when supervised) in a freezing cold pool or sea…. Stay in until you get used to it!

Be made to sit next to your enemy Stay there until you get used to it!

Laugh so much that drink comes out through your nose

Make and throw a paper plane – let me know how far it goes! Who can get the furthest? Allow yourself 3 different designs!

Do something you don’t want to do – do it, until you get used to it!

Invent something

Make a fool out of yourself/embarrass yourself more than once

Grow some flowers or vegetables

Have a pyjama day

Learn a new joke – tell it to me when we get back!

Discover your favourite author

Create an exploding volcano

Read a book in a weird place…..

Run around in the rain

Make a daisy chain

Throw a custard pie at your mum or dad…. And let them throw one back!

Giggle – a lot

Learn to fly a stunt kite on a beach.