Do you know that VICARS THEMES is an anagram for Christmas Eve? And how many of you are looking at this week’s opening sentence and thinking to yourselves “Should there not be an apostrophe before or after the ’s’ of the word ‘VICARS’? Pardon me for leading off in a skittish, pedantic sort of way; it has obviously been a long, and testing term. But I make no excuses at all for inviting my loyal readers to compete in a Christmas anagram quiz. Read on, and you will find, below news from our final busy week, all jumbled up, more Christmas anagrams. Before that, tiered and tired though we may be, it is a good time to think about New Year Resolutions. What do we want to achieve in 2021 that we have been unable to achieve, because of Coronavirus, in 2020?
Only if you believe it will you achieve it. Ninety-year- old Maggie Keenan was up with the lark in Coventry on Monday, taking one small step for mankind. During the past 12 months, Captain Tom Moore has shown what can be achieved with determination and enterprise.
Perhaps the next 12 months will bring something new and special out of our children. Recent privations and restrictions might have served to build resolve and ensure that, like talent, and even good fortune, time is a precious commodity; not something to be frittered away.
This week, using a wishing stone, some of our children focused on what they would like to see happen in the world immediately – during this very festive season. Mr Newman (writer and creator), myself, Lord Derby, Mr Melia, Mr Kelly, Mr Moss (Grinch) and Ms Stacey (Librarian) put together a final service reflecting on The Christmas Truce of 1914 and how it could relate to our ‘pandemic’ Christmas. The story of the Truce put life into perspective. It showed us that Christmas may be different this year, but that it was unusual back in The Great War, too. And the story demonstrated that we still have so much to say thank you for! I hope and expect that this event will live in the children’s memories.
In fact, we have had a final week of memories for everyone at BCS to enjoy. After the excitement of the Pre-Prep nativities last week, Chaplain, helped in no small measure by Year 6 children and supported by her fantastic group of helpers, produced a lovely festive nativity service. ‘Bubbles’ from each year group watched this in Chapel, where our Chaplain created a reflective and thought -provoking environment with our stunning Christmas tree. A beautiful way to start Christmas in Prep.
Excitement was palpable, as Father Christmas and his Christmas animals arrived at School on Monday and stayed for four days so that every class could visit him individually, as well as write a Christmas prayer to hang on our eight Christmas trees in Forest School. Sitting around a fire that was kept ablaze by Mr Isherwood and Mrs Walker, warm-hearted children wrote beautiful prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving. Many thanks to the Friends for their support with the event – and the lovely selection boxes.
While on the subject of The Friends, in their year of giving, we must say thank you to them for running the second hand uniform sale, organising the Christmas Zoom Quiz and donating the above selection boxes. The Friends are just so supportive. Thank you!
On Tuesday the School, again in Year Group ‘Bubbles’, sat down to a beautiful Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. It was stunning! Thank you to ‘The Grinch’ and all his excellent catering team.
Today, we donned our Christmas jumpers, enjoyed our annual Mastermind final, a pantomime and Christmas parties. The children and staff were on top form. Congratulations to St Monica’s on winning this term’s House cup and to St George’s House for winning this year’s Mastermind trophy.
Sadly, we said farewell to Mrs McKenzie Ward, Mrs Shaw and Mr Kelly, all of whom have enriched our children’ lives over the years. We wish them all a restful Christmas and good luck in the future. They go with our best wishes and prayers.
Thank you to all the parents for their best wishes and generosity during this festive season. Jules and I really do appreciate your support and kindness. I do hope that you will find time to watch my Christmas address with Mrs Neeson as well as all the other recordings from the last week of term.
Have an enjoyable Christmas break and a wonderful 2021.
There are many challenges that lie ahead, but for the moment, something light and fun; four anagrams to keep your minds alert going into those well-deserved holidays. When unjumbled, the letters spell food (each of two words) that can normally be found on a traditional English Christmas table.
Clue 1: ROBUST SPURLESS
Clue 2: STREAKY ROUT
Clue 3: MUDDLING PUP
Clue 4: UNREADY CABS
First correct answer, sent to me by email, gets a tasty prize in January, 2021. Go for it!
