Autumn Term
30th NOVEMBER 2020 Issue 1 : 4th September 2020
Dear Parents, In terms of the marathon, we've entered the stadium and we're on the last lap! Michaelmas term is always a busy one and as we hurtle towards Christmas, it becomes exceptionally so. Despite covid, it is such a joy to be able to keep our wonderful tradition of Inter House Arts alive. It is genuinely the highlight of the entire school calendar. This year, girls will rehearse and film on Monday and Tuesday, then the Houses' most tech-savvy boffins will magically edit their efforts together, prior to the grand unveiling on Friday. Judging will take place as normal, and bubbles have, of course, been kept intact. This will be followed by Gary's epic Christmas lunch (in year groups rather than houses, for 2020 only), and a closing service. What a term it will have been. This week it was a pleasure to be able to help with rehearsals for our Carol Service, taking place on Tuesday 8th December, in the evening at 6pm, via Teams. This is, again, no small undertaking, requiring, at last count, 14 iPads (and equal number of chargers, extension cables and associated tech), 12 members of staff, choirs from five year groups, three pianos, one organ, and a partridge in a pear tree. I am a firm believer in extraordinary times calling for extraordinary measures, but all prayers to St Isidore of Seville gratefully received. The incredible Mrs Yalden and Deacon Simon produced a wonderful Advent Evensong this week, although all credit goes to members of the Year 7 branch of Schola Cantorum who sang simply beautifully. My congratulations to these superb choristers. It was a moment of calm and poise amongst the busy-ness. We also welcomed Year 9, albeit virtually, to their Options' Evening. This important milestone of choosing GCSEs was observed via Teams, and my thanks to Heads of Dept, Mr O'Farrell, Mr Pinks and all who attended or presented. The presentation and paperwork can all be found on the relevant Teams channel. My renewed thanks to FOST who organised an amazing online fair last week - it was such a pleasure browsing the site and marvelling at the scale and scope of what they also achieved to keep traditions going. Please may I remind parents that girls should wear their PE kit properly, that hoodies must be St Teresa's PE kit only (and of no other brand or school!), and the skort should be worn over leggings. Leg coverings in general should be navy blue (I'm flexible as to brand on this point). Full, smart school uniform for all girls on Friday 11th December, please - there are no PE lessons taking place. I do wish you all a wonderful weekend. Best wishes, Dr Claire McShane.