Junior School

What do you remember about this academic year? The easing in Covid restrictions, or perhaps the 300th anniversary celebrations? Either way, it’s been an unforgettable year full of successes and achievements.

It’s a particular joy to reflect on the tercentenary year of Churcher’s College. After the turbulent years of lockdowns and a life full of restrictions, the whole community rose triumphantly to enjoy a return to activities and whole school gatherings, and we all rejoiced to the popping of ‘bubbles’. Helping the school celebrate 300 years was an unforgettable privilege, and we will all remember the whole school photograph, the mosaic project and its unveiling, and the tree planting.

This year was also an opportunity to join in with national Platinum Jubilee celebrations too – we had our own bake-off competition with a red, white, and blue picnic on the field, to which parents and family members were invited. There was live music and barn dancing, and no-one will forget the long queue for the ice cream!

We all felt absolute delight when live concerts and productions were back on the performing arts menu. From nativities, tea time concerts, and assemblies, to full-on productions, any nerves felt at the beginning of the year as a result of missed opportunities due to Covid, were quickly forgotten by the end of the academic year and showed the children’s great ability to rise to the challenges.

Despite all these wonderful events, resilience continued to be a vital attribute for all members of the community, as many of us, at one time or another, were rendered in isolation at home with Covid. Where a pupil normally sat, it was commonplace instead to see a screen with their face on their desk in class, either participating in a group activity or in paired work. The creativity of the teachers knew no bounds with ways in which to include pupils, who were isolating at home, in the learning activities happening at school. Even in assembly, the teachers often sat with a laptop and a pupil’s face on it so that they could be involved. We really understood how much the pupils missed these activities, and acknowledge how far these small acts of kindness went in helping pupils feel valued. Whatever you remember of this year, Churcher’s College will no doubt continue to sail on ahead for another 300 years!

Ffion Robinson