That Was The Week, That Was - 11th July 2025

So, the snails…

I won’t lie, they were ok, and the owner of  L'escargotiere du Choquel does cook up a lovely blend of flavours (including goats cheese and tomato, garlic butter and feta cheese), but there does come a point where you realise you have just eaten 5 snails and you don’t really fancy any more! It was still a great experience though!

Following the theme of last week’s adventures, this week saw a number of trips, excursions and experiences for students of The Stanway School: Year 10 students have been particularly busy. The remaining Art students classes have been at Gainsborough House these past two days, Construction students have been conducting their Practical Drop-Down day, MFL students have been doing their Speaking & Listening exams, selected students have been representing their House in the Sports Day field events, others have been rehearsing for their performances in the Stanfest Drama Evening and even more embarked upon a History residential trip to the Belgian battlefields and memorial sites.

And, that’s just Year 10 students!

In fact, the school has been incredibly busy this week with lots of activities going on in all parts of the school. Sports Day Field Events have run alongside End of Year celebration assemblies, Awards Evenings for Years 7 & 8, Stanfest Drama, and many more events.

But, as a rather calming alternative to the hustle and bustle of school life, the Christian Youth Outreach Service also set up their annual “Sanctum” installation in our Breakout Space this week. This is a space where students have been able to reflect on some of the big issues of life, through a number of guided activities and then be free to draw their own, personal reflections together. This has always been a thought-provoking project run by the CYO and one that we are very happy to have back at The Stanway School (we have not been able to host it over the last few years). I hope it has been a help to all students and an opportunity for some personal contemplation.

Last night was also the crescendo of the Year 11 experience when we held our Prom at Wivenhoe House Hotel. The event was a wonder to behold, in such a beautiful setting, and allowed for our Year 11 students to really enjoy their last soirée. The cars, the outfits, the heels! Everything was a spectacle of celebration and indulgence. A good dance was had by many (including a few staff) and it was a genuine pleasure to see our students all glammed up and grown up, ready for the next steps in their education journeys. The students were a real credit to the school and it was a great way to finish the year.

Lastly, this week, I wanted to make a special mention of a particular young student in our school…

Beau Harvey in Year 10, in collaboration with his father, completed a Marathon Mighty Hike for Macmillan Cancer Support along the Jurassic coastline this past weekend. Not only was the scale of this challenge an amazing achievement in itself, 26.2 miles of very beautiful but hilly coastline being traversed, but Beau and his father actually finished in the Top 100 of all competitors too! We therefore wanted to take this opportunity to share this success with you all. So far, they have managed to raise more than £1500 in donations for this very worthwhile cause, but if you would also like to contribute and recognise this achievement, then Beau’s JustGiving page is here:
Beau's JustGiving Page

Next week, we finish the school year with more Awards Evenings, Stanfest Music Evening and Sports Day. Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

John Player

Head of School