Our Christmas Countdown added daily excitement in the final two weeks, with a spinning wheel offering prizes such as early lunch passes, hot chocolate with a friend, and the ultimate grand prize—a £50 voucher! Each day brought a buzz of anticipation as students waited to see who would win.

Breakfast club was made extra cosy with delicious hot chocolate, and our wonderful Christmas Lunch, cooked by our fantastic kitchen team, brought everyone together. It was a joy to see students pulling crackers, enjoying great food, and spending time with friends in the festive spirit.

December also saw the return of our brilliant Christmas Fair, expertly organised and run by our CYLs (Co-op Young Leaders). With games, stalls, Santa’s Grotto, and activities for all, it was fantastic to see students, families, and members of the community joining in the festive fun.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of staff and customers at Dunelm Newcastle-under-Lyme, the Alice Charity, colleagues at Co-op Academies Trust, and our own staff, we were able to give out presents to so many of our students. Our pastoral team carefully selected and handed out gifts, delighting students and making a real difference this Christmas for many families in our community.

Other highlights included the Festive Afternoon Tea for KS3 students, the Year 11 Mock Results Afternoon, and a group of students visiting the Birmingham Christmas Lectures at the University of Birmingham. Each event added to the seasonal celebrations and rewarded our students for their hard work and achievements.

To round off the term, KS3 students with the best behaviour and attendance celebrated at a lively Christmas disco, complete with music, dancing, and plenty of fun.

What a way to finish the term! A huge thank you to everyone who made these events possible and to our students for embracing the festive cheer. Here’s to a fantastic New Year ahead!