We are delighted to share with you a glimpse of the magic we enjoyed throughout our 2023 Christmas festivities at Clifton High School.
It really is the most wonderful time of year and we feel most especially fortunate to have such a warm and supportive School community who come together every year to celebrate with us.
Christmas Book Fair
Our School events began in November when all our pupils were invited to attend a Christmas Book Fair that extended over two days. The Pembroke Room was abuzz with children and staff members alike who were eager to select and purchase books for themselves and gifts - keeping the spirit of reading well and truly alive.
Year 3 Christmas Expierence Trip
Maintaining links with the Clifton Village community is an integral element of Clifton High School life and this was only reinforced when the traditional story of Christmas was retold from church members at Christ Church to our Year 3 children. They pupils were immersed in festive narratives with the meaning behind Christmas explained in anticipation of what they will experience at School and home over the holiday season.
The Infant School: Whoops-A-Daisy
The Infant School children shone in their Nativity Play, Whoops-A-Daisy Angel, which was a magical and memorable morning for all their families. After many hours spent rehearsing, we were all incredibly proud of these young pupils’ performance and would like to give them a big shout-out to say, “Well Done”!
The Christmas Fair
During the afternoon of Saturday 2nd December, many of us gathered to participate in and attend the most fabulous and festive annual Clifton High School Foundation Christmas Fair. The weather could not have proved more characteristic of Christmas as the winter mist and freezing temperatures were eased by carols from members of the University of Bristol’s Brass Band. Their music was transported throughout the fair and the extensive range of stalls, games, activities and much anticipated raffle were enjoyed by everyone, creating an atmosphere that firmly established ‘Christmas Spirit’.
Gratitude is always necessary, and we thank everyone that showed their support and added to the success of this whole School event. In partnership with Frenchay Forestry, the sale of non-drop Nordman Fir Christmas trees helped raise invaluable funds; all proceeds of which were donated to the Clifton High School Foundation who continue to be active in their fundraising efforts for past, present and future pupils.
The Junior Christmas Celebration
The momentum of festive events continued as our Year 3 to Year 6 pupils celebrated the tradition of Christmas with songs and performances at their ‘Junior Christmas Celebration’ held at Christ Church on Wednesday 6th December. Families joined us in watching the sheer enthusiasm and excitement of these young children as they provided an hour of holiday cheer and joy.
Christmas Jumper Day
The Christmas season would not be complete without ‘Christmas Jumper Day’ and, as a School, we united with the nation on Thursday 7th December to raise funds for the Save The Children Christmas 2023 Appeal. Children were encouraged to donate £2.00 via this link and in return wear their favourite Christmas jumper into School, enjoying also a special Christmas lunch hosted and served by our Senior Leadership Team. A whole School atmosphere including pupils, teachers and business support staff members pulling crackers, telling jokes and adorning paper hats proved that our unique communal energy is well and truly alive.
Christmas Celebrations
Also on Thursday 7th December, our older pupils enjoyed a day to socialise and bond in their own Christmas celebrations. Year 11 walked away from their classroom environment to enjoy an afternoon and evening at Laser Fusion and ZaZa Bazaar in Bristol City Centre playing a fun activity and eating at this globally inspired restaurant. Our Sixth Form students took time to relax and unwind after a busy term during their festive trip to Bath, with shopping and free time to explore the city and it's Christmas Market as well as enjoy dinner together at the New York inspired Giraffe restaurant.
The Hive Workshop
What a delightful morning we had on Friday 8th December when our youngest children in the Hive Pre-School enjoyed singing and engaging in activities with their family members and teachers at their 'Christmas Star' Celebration Workshop. These pupils deserve to be applauded for their hard work in making resources for this occasion and learning their Christmas songs so well.
Carol Service
As we gathered at Clifton Cathedral on the evening of Monday 11th December for the annual Senior School and Sixth Form Carol Service, we welcomed everyone to an enchanting evening of festive melodies and heartwarming harmonies. The evening was a wonderful embodiment of Clifton High School, giving us time to reflect on the year, remembering too those families around the world who are suffering hardships during these times. We offered our community support by acknowledging that 131,000 children nationwide will wake up on Christmas morning without a place to call home and raising funds for Shelter’s Christmas Appeal. We are grateful to all those families that joined us in donating to this worthwhile charity.
Shooting Stars Pantomime
Before we bid a final farewell to the Autumn Term, the last two days was not exempt from Christmas events. The Hive and Infant School had a special visit from the Shooting Stars Pantomime cast who entertained them a performance of Jack and The Beanstalk. Adults in the Rose Theatre took as much pleasure in the show as pupils sang along to upbeat songs, participated in the theatrical adventure and laughed at the heroic comedy.
Repunzel
The last event in the diary was our Junior School pupil's trip to The Redgrave Theatre to enjoy a Christmas production of Rapunzel; a hair-raising festive extravaganza about the lonely Princess trapped in a tower had everyone laughing, entertained and enthralled by the audience participation fun.
As our School gates close on another year, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone that makes Clifton High School so special and take this opportunity to wish you and your families, a memorable Christmas holiday and a new year that embodies our values of Curiosity, Empathy, Love and Direction.
