PRINCIPAL’S REPORT – CHRISTMAS 2024

Our People, Our Strength

As we approach the Christmas season, I want to take a moment to reflect on the many wonderful experiences we’ve shared this term. Our achievements and celebrations have been a testament to the power of teamwork and collaboration, with everyone—children, staff, and parents—playing a vital role in our success. From inspiring accomplishments to festive moments of joy, it has been a busy and exciting few months. It gives me great pleasure to share some of this term’s wonderful highlights, as they serve as a reminder of my gratitude for the ever-present support, dedication, and collective spirit that make Tower College such an extraordinary place.

Honouring the Past

One of the most poignant moments of the term was our Remembrance Day Service, led by our History teacher, Mr. Jack. This beautifully conducted event served as a touching tribute to those who have sacrificed for our freedom and was a reminder of the importance of remembrance and reflection.

Beyond the Classroom

Innovation took centre stage in our “Beat the Architect” competition featuring two formidable local architects. Jaiden and Belle impressed us with their ingenuity and composure under pressure. Our participation in the Model United Nations at The Queen’s School in Chester provided an invaluable opportunity for pupils to refine their debating and critical thinking skills. Thanks again to Mr Jack for his outstanding coaching, which allows the children to compete with older children at such a high level. Meanwhile, our talented swimmers made waves at the ISA Swimming Finals in London, representing Tower College with skill and determination. A huge congratulations to Mr. Southward and the team for their outstanding achievements!

Promoting Safety and Well-being

Mrs Wright and Mrs Traverse have made it their mission to create a safety culture in and beyond school, and I thank them for their tireless commitment. With Road Safety Week, the children gained so much from engaging in practical and engaging activities about safe practices. The My Happy Mind programme, a brilliant NHS-backed initiative, has already made a big impression on our children, who have benefitted from and enjoyed this engaging approach to mental well-being. Self-care and emotional awareness discussions have sparked meaningful conversations, encouraging the children to express themselves openly and support one another. The positive impact it has had on their daily lives is clear.

Inspiring Adventures and Memories

Trips and outings have added to the richness of this term, from local visits to exciting adventures. One standout moment was our recent ski trip, which has been wonderfully documented through photos shared on our Facebook and Instagram pages. These experiences offer our pupils wonderful opportunities to learn, grow, and make lasting memories.

The Great Outdoors

Our young explorers discovered ladybirds and their larvae, planted garlic and daffodil bulbs, and expressed their creativity by weaving with vibrant autumn leaves. As frost descended, the children crafted ice decorations and proudly displayed them for everyone to see. During National Tree Week, pupils celebrated the beauty of nature through stories and learned new skills, including knot-tying and tool use in the lodge. Year 3 pupils brought history to life by creating Stone Age-inspired artwork, using natural materials such as charcoal and chalk to produce their own ‘cave paintings.’

Other highlights included crafting journey sticks, identifying fascinating fungi (without touching, of course!), balancing on a slack line, making “conker comets,” and planting a ‘poppy field’—a display we eagerly anticipate seeing bloom next year.

Thank you to our nature supremo, Mrs Boyd, for organising such a rewarding experience for the children. Here’s to our spring term outdoors – whatever the weather!

Spreading Christmas Cheer

Our singers brought festive joy to Rainhill Village during the Christmas Light Switch-On under the expert guidance of Mr. Brown, our Music teacher. Back at school, our Christmas Character Dress-Up Day showed our pupils’ creativity in a delightful display of costumes. The nativity plays and carol services added to the festive magic, with the children’s performances leaving everyone filled with pride and holiday cheer.

Celebrating Winners!

We are thrilled to announce this year’s winners of our ever-popular form competitions. Congratulations to 1P, led by Miss Porter, who clinched the title for Best Form Photo!

Meanwhile, 9S, under Mr. Southward’s guidance, wowed everyone with their incredible décor, earning them the Best Decorated Form Room award. Only the boys were brave enough to jump into the celebratory photo—our equally brilliant girls decided to sit this photo out (maybe next year, ladies!).

A huge well done to everyone who took part. Your enthusiasm and team spirit are what make our school shine. We look forward to seeing what next year’s contests will bring!

Looking Ahead

Developments on the Horizon

We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our Tower Tots provision to accommodate increasing demand. The current library will be transformed into a dedicated space for children aged 3-4, while a new library and resource room will be developed on the second floor. The children and staff have been involved in shaping these plans, ensuring the new spaces meet the needs of our school community.

Real-World Learning

We’re excited to launch a new fashion project for students in Years 4 to 10 next term in collaboration with Jane Gaynor, owner of Want That Dress. This initiative will inspire creativity and provide real-world learning opportunities. Applications are open until Friday, 17th January 2025, so please encourage your child to participate!

Calling all Parents

We’re exploring hosting a parent/staff charity ball alongside other community events next year. If you’re interested in helping us organise these initiatives, please contact msmcnamara@towercollege.com. We will arrange a meeting in the new year to discuss this further. We can create wonderful experiences that bring our school community closer together.

And finally …

As we wrap up this term (forgive the pun), I encourage you to explore the rest of our newsletter, highlighting the achievements and activities that make Tower College remarkable. I entitled my report Our People, Our Strength because the combined efforts of our pupils, staff, and parents drive our success and create the supportive, thriving environment we are so proud of. I eagerly look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the new year.

Thank you once again for your support. Wishing you and your children a festive and joyful Christmas.

Ms Bingley