We were not able to be on campus for the final week of Term 1 last year, we are certainly making up for that this year! This week has been a joyous medley of celebration, collaboration and singing.
The language of carols
The week began with our fabulous Year 7 MFL students showing off their ability to sing in different languages. Students of Spanish, French, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin Christmas caroled their way around the campus, bringing joy to students and staff alike. This has been an EP Christmas tradition for our Year 7 students that we were all thrilled to see return this year. Congratulations to all Year 7 students who took part.
We were also treated to some pop-up lunchtime Christmas music events this week by our EP brass musicians. Regaling us with some classic Christmas carols, we were truly able to eat our lunch in style. A huge thank you to the students and staff involved, who gave up their lunchtime and played beautifully for us in spite of the midday sun and heat.
Commending and Celebrating
Students at EP receive commendations from their teachers to recognise when they go above and beyond in their school work or in their efforts around school. This might be through the act of producing work or demonstrating behaviours that are above and beyond that which is expected. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we held our Commendation Ceremonies, during which students received bronze, silver or gold awards depending on the number of commendations they have received this term. To achieve a bronze, silver or gold means that a student has consistently persevered in their studies, demonstrated a positive mindset and behaviours that support not only their learning, but that of others. Congratulations to each of our awardees this term.
Thanks go also to our pastoral teams and student leaders who led on this week’s key stage celebration assemblies. These assemblies brought together highlights and reflections on the term that has been and all that our students have achieved and enjoyed.
Sing-off and Panto
One of my favourite traditions at EP is our unique and characterful final Christmas assembly. It is the last thing we do together as a community before we launch into the Christmas break and it always leaves us on a high. This year did not disappoint, with a pun-tastic Spongebob Squarepants pantomime created by Ms Whittington and ‘performed’ by our teachers and our house sing-off competition. Congratulations to Muir House for their stirring rendition of 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' which won high praise and marks from the judges and secured them first place in the sing-off. As for the pantomime, there will be students who never look at their teachers in the same light again….
Merry Christmas!
Thank you to all of our parents, students and staff for a tremendous Term 1. Thank you for helping us to keep our campus and community safe by supporting our SOPs and thank you for helping us to recapture that community feel that lies at the heart of Alice Smith. It has been incredibly uplifting to have our students back where they belong: learning in their classrooms, interacting with and energising each other, creating, collaborating, connecting and filling our campus with life and laughter. I wish all our Alice Smith families a wonderful Christmas break and a Happy New Year.
