Update from the Head - 12th December
It has been a great week at Balcarras—we are in the full swing of Christmas activity and there has been a lovely atmosphere. Isn’t this a great time of year!
School Production
The week has been dominated by the school’s production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. As I write this update we are eagerly awaiting the final night. I have been to all three performances so far and it has been just wonderful. We have operated a split cast—Team Winter performed Tuesday and Thursday whilst Team Spring were in charge Wednesday and Friday. Operating a split cast meant that in total 179 pupils have taken part from every year group in the school.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the show’s sponsors—the principal sponsor is Prosperity Care and Wellbeing and the partner sponsors were the Bam Agency and My Stage School. I would like to thank each of these for their very generous sponsorship.
I would also like to thank the Balcarras PTFA for running the bar each evening. We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated and committed PTFA. I will write more in the final newsletter of term but I should thank the staff involved and particularly Ms Went, Miss Ball and Mrs Watts.
Here are a few snaps.
Christmas Lunches
Another major event this week has been Christmas Lunches. They have been served every day from Tuesday. I have just left the canteen after the final serving—in total Mr Cole and his team prepared, cooked and served 1290 dinners for pupils here at Balcarras and for Charlton Kings Juniors. I’ve been in the canteen every day, apart from Thursday, and it has been great fun. The canteen staff make it look easy. I’m preparing Christmas lunch for my in laws this year—in total 7 of us and I’m nervous about that! Here is a photo of the catering team.
Support Staff Mince Pies
On Tuesday, as is tradition, the support staff met at break for mince pies. We have been organising this for a long time. It is a nice opportunity to thank everyone who works at the school for their contribution to our community.
Mars Rover
On Tuesday Mr Gell took a group of pupils to Cleeve School to take part in the Mars Rover Project run by the Cheltenham Education Partnership. The group’s next two sessions will be run at Balcarras. If you are interested see article on the website.
Year 11 Visit to St Mary’s Charlton Kings
On Thursday afternoon Mr Constance’s Year 11 RS group visited St Mary’s Church in Charlton Kings. The group are currently studying Christian worship so the opportunity to visit a Church and study in in context was a great opportunity. The pupils were met by Bethany Revell who is in charge of outreach and the Reverend Graham Bowkett. St Mary’s is a beautiful church and it traces its history back to 1190. It’s great to have a such a wonderful church right on our doorstep. The RS department are going to arrange for the other RE group to visit in the new year.
Trust School Improvement
I wrote an article for the school website this week about how the three schools in the Trust have worked together this term. If you are interested see an article here:
https://www.balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=1372
Teaching School Hub Update
In a similar fashion we thought it might be a good idea to keep parents informed of all the work we do as a Teaching School Hub. See article here from Mrs Cullis:
https://www.balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=1375
Balcarras Comedy Club - Fundraiser - Fri 6th March 2026
The Balcarras PTFA have revealed details of their next Comedy Night:
These are high quality evenings…I recommend you go along although I wouldn’t sit at the front if I were you!
Right that’s the end of the penultimate update of the term. It has been a truly great week but I do feel tired. I’m going to have a nice rest on Saturday and then on Sunday back to the stress of the Premier League. Can Leeds follow up their sterling performances against Chelsea and Liverpool by gaining three points at Brentford? We’ll see.
Have a nice weekend.
Dominic Burke