A Winter Wonderland

A very happy New Year to one and all but what an unusual start to the Spring Term!  The beautiful picture above was taken at Saighton Grange on Thursday 7th January but unfortunately this idyllic scene hides the traffic chaos and our frustration as the College was forced to close for an unprecedented two days and Aldford for three!  I am sure that many families enjoyed the opportunity to build snowmen at first but rest assured we are glad to be back and raring to go for the Spring Term.

The ‘big freeze’ has hit the headlines for the last two weeks and no doubt the ‘big thaw’ will follow very soon.  It seems an age since the end of the Autumn Term but I hope that you enjoyed our wonderful annual Carol Service in December.  As always the Choir, soloists, Aldford Choir and readers did a fantastic job and I thank all those who helped to make it such a special, festive occasion.  The Cathedral was full to bursting and I must commend our Aldford pupils and Year 7’s who had a restricted view of the service but behaved impeccably.  It was also wonderful to see Chester Cathedral in all its glory on Christmas Day on BBC1 and I felt very proud to see so many Abbey Gate College faces (staff, pupils and parents) in the Choir and congregation.

As Year 11s are completing Mock examinations and modules and the Sixth Form have returned to AS and A2 examinations I wish them well and hope they were able to dedicate sufficient time to their revision over the holiday.  I would also like to wish our J6 cohort every success with their upcoming Entrance Examination at the end of the month – I am sure that they will excel themselves.

With concerts, the College Play, numerous sports fixtures and other events I look forward to seeing parents supporting and watching our Abbey Gate pupils from the Foundation Stage to the Upper Sixth, making their mark and enjoying their educational journey with us.

I wish you health, happiness and success for the year ahead!