The Foundation Christmas Fair
Amidst two weekends of biblical storms, the Foundation Christmas Fair emerged as a calm and joyful afternoon of festive cheer on Saturday 30th November. Welcoming over a thousand guests onto the School site, the event truly brought Christmas to life. The University of Bristol’s brass band set the tone with carols and festive tunes, whilst every corner of the School was abuzz with activities that captured our true community spirit.
The organisation and planning of this event was evident in the array of gift and food stalls to activities and the much-anticipated appearance from Santa Claus - there was something for everyone. Santa’s grotto was a true depiction of his Arctic home and a magical wonder for children of all ages to cherish. Special thanks go to Mr and Mrs Doubleday whose time, efforts and enthusiasm brings this spectacle to life every year. Whilst adult guests enjoyed mulled wine, children indulged in hot chocolate, gingerbread-making, popcorn and candyfloss to create warm and happy memories – all sugar-coated with joy! The Christmas Fair is always a feature event in the School calendar, bringing together the entire Clifton High School community to celebrate the end of the busy Autumn Term. It also creates an atmosphere of belonging which reinforces the sentiment that Clifton High School is “Beyond A School, A Place to Belong.
Clifton High School came alive to celebrate Christmas with a whole host of events, activities and performances in the lead-up to the holiday season. Pupils, students, parents and extended family members came together in wonderful spirits and with much generosity.
Generous Giving
In support of several local charities and initiatives, including Northwest Bristol Foodbank, CLIC House and Dementia UK, and our 2025 Christmas charity, 1625 Independent People, the giving of our community reflects the goodwill and love we have for others.
We believe that together we can make a difference, and we do.
1625 Independent People
Our Christmas charity this year, 1625 Independent People, raises funds to help young people who are homeless, leaving care or at risk of homelessness in Bristol and the Southwest. As well as providing safe, stable accommodation, the charity offers practical and emotional support to help vulnerable young people build healthy relationships, develop independent living skills and access education, training or employment.
Northwest Bristol Foodbank's Christmas Appeal
To launch the Christmas season at Clifton High School, we held a successful Foodbank collection where every year group from The Hive Pre-School through to the Sixth Form donated a wide range of non-perishable items. The response was overwhelmingly generous, helping families in need locally during the festive period. We thank everyone who contributed at this important time of the year.
CLIC House Bristol
Junior School children were invited to raise money and buy gifts for families spending Christmas at CLIC House, supporting their child through cancer. Their response was phenomenal. They spent an afternoon wrapping and sorting the gifts before loading them onto our minibus for delivery in time for Christmas Day. CLIC House were deeply appreciative of our community’s generosity.
Dementia UK
Our Sixth Form Charity House Prefects treated our Year 5 and 6 children to a Christmas Movie Night, in aid of their chosen charity, Dementia UK. The evening featured a classic film, The Polar Express, hot chocolate, popcorn and plenty of festive camaraderie.
A Love of Books at the Christmas Book Fairs
To encourage a continued love of reading, the fantastic Library team organised the annual Infant and Junior School and Senior and Sixth Form Christmas Book Fairs, in partnership with local bookseller, StorySmith. Over two days, children and teachers visited the Book Fairs to browse a selection of fiction and non-fiction titles, purchasing special books to enjoy themselves or give as Christmas gifts.
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.
Carol Service - A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Gathering and uniting in the beautiful setting of Clifton Cathedral, our Senior School community enjoyed another wonderful opportunity to celebrate each other and the festive season. It was a time to feel connected and share the pride and appreciation for what makes us such a special School.
In an atmosphere of love and joy that truly encapsulated the spirit of the season, the evening was a traditional service of nine lessons and carols. Whilst everyone contributed to the evening by being present, we have much gratitude to our performers, readers and most especially our dedicated Music Department for curating the event.
Following the Carol Service, families were invited to return to the School Lawn to enjoy seasonal drinks at a festive Drinks Reception.
