BEHIND THE STUDY DOOR
Thanking the unsung heroes of school
As I review the events of each week, chronicled in our newsletter, I often pause and consider what has gone into each event to make it happen, and in almost every occasion, a success. This is more so this week as we come together as a school community to celebrate many festive events. Of course, the boys and girls are the driving force behind all we do as a school, and it is down to their commitment, enthusiasm and desire to get stuck in that we are able to enjoy a wide spectrum of events and activities; the staff provide the inspiration behind all we do, often going above and beyond the call of duty; however, it is the support, commitment and, quite often, hands-on engagement, that allows us to achieve what we do as a school. As I start to reflect on the term that has passed, examples of this are far too numerous to mention all, but they include: the many talks, demonstrations and visits from our parents to support the ‘Unit of Inquiry’; running after-school clubs; reading to Year 1 pupils; the magnificent work of our PA and volunteers in running events such as the Back to School BBQ, Christmas Fair and Pumpkin Party; parent volunteers running our book fair; support on the hockey and rugby touchlines; attendance at assemblies and concerts; involvement in our riding, swimming, dance and gymnastics events and competitions out of school; coaching at Madras Rugby Club. There are many more occasions where parents and extended families have provided invaluable support. The same commitment and engagement also comes from parents and families who provide support from afar.
St Leonards is a family school, which extends to the entire community, and I speak for my colleagues and the pupils in recognising the enormous impact you all make in the running of the school, but also its ethos and culture. So, as we prepare for the final week of term and all the festivities that come with it, may I thank you for all you have done over the last fifteen weeks, and continue to do. This generosity in spirit from the whole school family creates a very special atmosphere. I believe this family ethos is key to education, and stands alongside the academics, co-curricular provision and fabric of any school in being critical to a child’s happiness. We have this a plenty at St Leonards, and for this, I am extremely grateful.
Wishing all St Leonards families a happy weekend – wherever your adventures take you.
William Goldsmith
U10 & U12 HOCKEY WINS
U10 & U12 HOCKEY WINS | The U10 dream team fought hard on the hockey pitch on Wednesday afternoon, winning 10-1 against Lathallan. Well done to Rebecca Hooley who captained the troops and, at times, stepped up into midfield to distribute the ball. Anna Black scored four goals, with one each from Polly Morris and Thea Wright, and two each from Melissa Alexander and Emily Logan.
For the U12s, who also took on Lathallan this week, it was their best performance of the season, winning 7-0 with a hat-trick for Sophie Clark and two goals each for Millie Love and Eva Smeddle.
Congratulations to the girls – ending the term’s hockey on a high note!
ST NICHOLAS DAY SERVICE
ST NICHOLAS DAY SERVICE | Year 7 had an important part to play in the St Nicholas Day Service in St Leonards Chapel on Wednesday evening. They had been practising a German song to perform at the well-attended celebration and delighted the congregation with a rendition of ‘Lasst uns froh und munter sein’, conducted by Mrs McGregor. Here they are ready to sing!
ADVENT ASSEMBLY
ADVENT ASSEMBLY | Year 6 took the opportunity to get everyone into the festive spirit on Monday morning when they put on a fantastic Advent Assembly! They entertained and informed the audience with a game show-style sketch, which explained lots of different facts about Christmas. Why do we put up Christmas trees? Why do we hang up sprigs of mistletoe in December? Year 6 had answers to all of these seasonal questions and delivered them through a fun script, complete with plenty of creative costume changes! The boys and girls projected their voices wonderfully so that they could be heard right at the back of the hall and rounded off their performance by telling the most important story of all – that of the first Christmas.
Well done to all the performers in Year 6 for putting on such a fun Assembly and for making sure we all went away having learnt something new about Christmas!
U10 RUGBY
U10 RUGBY | Well done to the U10 boys who played against Lathallan at home on Wednesday. The final score was 1-11, with Ben Clark scoring the try.
CELEBRATION ASSEMBLY
The following pupils received certificates at Celebration Assembly on Monday:
Roy for creating a magnificent pirate map, complete with authenticity and great care.
Kyle for creating a model ship as part of the homework heroes tasks. This has taken a great deal of time and effort and the result is magnificent.
JKDA DANCE CELEBRATION
JKDA DANCE CELEBRATION | Budding Junior School dancers wrapped up the term's classes with a special performance and prize-giving ceremony in St Katharines Hall. The girls showed off their steps with some fantastic ballet, jazz and Highland dance routines! Mrs Pennycook had the difficult job of judging each performance and awarding the bronze, silver and gold medals. Well done to our wonderful dancers for treating everyone to such an impressive demonstration of everything they have learnt!
TERRIFIC TREES
TERRIFIC TREES | The Junior School was looking lovely this afternoon with rows of beautifully and imaginatively decorated Christmas trees ready for tonight's festival! Thank you to everyone who dropped off their magnificent creations!
CHILD GENIUS
CHILD GENIUS | Producers at Channel 4 are looking for gifted children aged between 8 and 12 to take part in the sixth series of Child Genius. Applications for the 2018 series are now open, with the team keen to hear from the parents of gifted and talented children who may be interested.
In addition, there will be a Mensa-backed Open Day in January with quizzes and strategic puzzles, as well as a chance to meet with other families of gifted and talented children. Full details of this event and about how to apply for the next series of Child Genius can be found on the flyers above.
CHRISTMAS FAIR
CHRISTMAS FAIR | This year's St Leonards Junior School Christmas Fair takes place tomorrow from 10am - 1pm. In addition to imaginative stalls run by the children, there will be vendors selling plenty of gift ideas from candles to condiments, skincare products and ceramics! Father Christmas will be making himself at home in Mr Goldsmith's study once more, and there will be gingerbread decorating for all ages (booking for both of these activities is essential).
Thank you to the St Leonards Parents Association for all their hard work in organising this favourite festive event!
ST LEONARDS CHRISTMAS CARD
ST LEONARDS CHRISTMAS CARD | This year's beautiful St Leonards Christmas card is still available to purchase, and there will be packs on sale at tomorrow's Christmas Fair. The cards cost £6 for a pack of ten.
Anyone who still wishes to order cards should fill out the form sent out via email last month and return it to the Junior or Senior School Office, or email contact@stleonards-fife.org. Proceeds from the St Leonards Christmas cards will be donated to St Andrews charity Families First.