December 2025
Published 1st December 2025
We hosted a Talk-the-Talk workshop for our Law students to elevate their public speaking skills - a crucial skill to have in any industry but even more so in Law. Here is what the students had to say about it:
"I loved it, it was super fun and helped me with improving my confidence in public speaking skills by teaching ways to prevent yourself using fuller words." – Alasdair Sturrock
"Improved my confidence when speaking, even in a short amount of time." – Matthew Hewett
"I found it helpful working and presenting with/to people who I would not normally work with." – Wilf Brixey
"I found it very useful where I learnt to present in front of people. Instead of saying ‘Um…Ah…’ these words. I can pause and take a deep breathe. These skills are useful for me as I can use these in interviews." - Elisa Chau
"It was a beneficial experience, everyone had a chance to express their thoughts and improve their confidence." – Jeasmine Idris
"It was extremely beneficial, I am now much more conscious of the way in which I talk in front of others, the process is now much less daunting and I can do so with more confidence and clarity." - Tom Lowe
What a super day!
Fiona Langstone - Teacher of Law
Published 3rd December 2025
Year 13 Economists were recently fortunate to have a visiting speaker from the Bank of England. As part of their outreach programme the Bank is keen for staff to visit schools, and we were able to welcome Charlie Evans to the School. Charlie is a Degree Apprentice, so as well as explaining the role of the Bank, including such complexities as Quantitative Easing, he was able to explain his career path up to this stage. Charlie then took questions from the students, and staff, helping to dig a little deeper into the exact function of the Bank and its role in the economy.
Such visits help illustrate the real-life role of Economics, and the impact it can have on not just the economy, but by association, people’s lives.
Justin Barnett, Head of Humanities
Published 8th December 2025
The Bishop Luffa Intermediate Boys’ Cross Country team delivered a performance of extraordinary courage and determination at the English Schools Cross Country National Final, hosted at the beautiful Princethorpe College in Rugby, Birmingham. Competing against some of the most established sporting schools in the country, our runners arrived as underdogs but left having shown exactly what it means to live out our school ethos of “Always our best, because everyone matters.”
A Tough Course That Demanded True Grit
The Princethorpe course, already known for its difficulty, became even more challenging after relentless rain. The ground was waterlogged and heavy, with deep puddles and slippery stretches that forced all our runners into 15mm spikes simply to stay steady on their feet.
Covering 4100m, the Intermediate Boys’ route wound through sheep-grazed fields, punishing mud, and two steep hills that tested the stamina and spirit of every athlete. Despite the tough conditions, the setting was impressive rolling countryside and the historic college buildings framing one of the most demanding races of the season.
Outstanding Performances Across the Team
Every Bishop Luffa runner rose to the occasion, pushing themselves to new heights:
• Joe Stewart (10An) – 10th
• Max Gayle (10Bu) – 11th
• Freddie Gay (10Ri) – 55th
• Frank James (10Ri) – 106th
• Reuben Shewan (10Wi) – 133rd
• Levi Pearce (9Ki) – 139th
The final sprint was nothing short of inspirational. Joe, Max and Freddie unleashed remarkable finishing bursts, overtaking several competitors in the last few metres and securing crucial points for the team.
A Top-Ten Finish to Celebrate
Out of 28 elite schools, Bishop Luffa achieved an incredible 10th place, demonstrating exceptional resilience, teamwork and belief. This result reflects the strength of their preparation and their unwavering commitment to each other.
A Proud Day for Bishop Luffa
The entire team represented Bishop Luffa with distinction, courage and unity, showing that even when the most elite national competitions our students have the heart and talent to achieve something special. Their success at a national level will inspire future runners and stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when we truly give our best.
A huge congratulations to all our athletes, you have made the Bishop Luffa community incredibly proud.
Tim Godfray, Team Leader of PE
Published 11th December 2025
On the 10th December 2025, we had our annual Year 13 RE Conference. We had the pleasure of welcoming Pastor Chris Fry, from Hope Church, Chichester, to facilitate the discussion that focused on the big question of: "Do we have a purpose in life?"
We started the day with some pastries- thanks to Jane and the team for having these ready for us. Students then examined different arguments, through a range of different lenses: biological, philosophical, spiritual, and religious lenses. There was the opportunity to explore ideas from Freud, Nietzsche, Ghandi, C.S. Lewis, Rosseau, and more.
Students had time to prepare presentations to determine whether we have a purpose in life, and their responses were brilliant.
It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm from students, and the innovative ways they shared their arguments, using film, PowerPoint, and even a rap!
Many thanks to all Year 13 students for their participation- it was a joy to watch your presentations. Special thanks to Year 12 Theology students, who came along and gave feedback on the presentations. We are already looking forward to the Year 12 conference in the Spring term!
Claire Duke, Head of RE
Published 15th December 2025
Chicken Club has had another great term with over 20 additional members joining our lunch time sessions and more students benefiting from our daily morning 'Calm Chicken' intervention. The hens have been having a well deserved rest from laying and are all looking really happy and healthy after their autumnal moult.
After our various fundraising efforts last year, including 'Chicken Week', we have had exciting updates this term with the hens getting some upgrades! Their outside run is now covered with netting to keep them as safe as possible from Avian Influenza and they have more 'henrichment' activities in their inside run to keep them 'hentertained'.
We also now have a water supply fitted to the brick outbuilding (which was renovated last year after our first round of fundraising) so we can wash hands there and clean, wash and fill drinkers. We will soon have fed drinkers installed by the Christmas holidays which will mean no more lugging watering cans and fiddling with upside down drinkers!
Our next stage of our project will be to get an electricity supply in the outbuilding so we can have heating for warming and drying the wellies and overalls, as well as lights so we can see what we are doing and make the outbuilding a more usable space! More fundraising activities to follow in 2026 to help us continue to flourish!
Finally thank you to the staff and students who help look after the hens as well as the large team of volunteer families who help at weekends and holidays.
Louisa Fowles, Teacher of History
Published 15th December 2025
Heavy rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the 1,500 students and more than 40 visitors from education and industry who attended the annual Bishop Luffa Careers Fair earlier this month. Despite the wet weather, the atmosphere throughout the day was lively and enthusiastic, with students making the most of the opportunity to explore future pathways and speak directly with professionals from a wide range of sectors.
The event proved to be a great success, bringing together an impressive and diverse range of employers and education providers. These included organisations such as Border Force, Rolls Royce, HNW Architects, Chichester Harbour Conservancy and BAE, alongside Further Education providers HSDC and Chichester College, and universities including Exeter, Surrey, Cardiff and Southampton. Together, they offered students valuable insight into careers across engineering, science, conservation, public services, creative industries and higher education.
We were also delighted to welcome some new exhibitors to the fair this year. Collaborate Global joined us for the first time, giving students an insight into working within an experiential agency, while Creative Beatz showcased their unique focus on Community, Coffee and Craft. Both organisations are also strong supporters of our work experience programme, and students enjoyed learning about the creative and practical opportunities they offer.
Throughout the event, students were actively involved and highly engaged. They had the chance to interact directly with visitors by trying on equipment, handling contraband, answering questions, practising resuscitation techniques and taking part in interactive games. These hands-on activities helped bring careers to life and encouraged students to think more deeply about different career pathways, further and higher education routes, and vocational training options.
Students from all year groups took part, and many visitors commented on how engaged, polite and genuinely interested the students were, describing them as a pleasure to talk to. The fair not only helped students gain knowledge and confidence, but also left a very positive impression on our visiting organisations.
We would like to say a huge thank you to all the visitors who gave their time and expertise to support the event. With the continued support of employers and education providers such as these, we are able to offer meaningful employer encounters to all students as part of our careers programme. We are always keen to hear from organisations that can offer employer experiences such as work experience placements, employer talks or attendance at future careers fairs. If your organisation would like to be involved in future careers events, please contact Mrs Hopp at hoppa@bishopluffa.org.uk
More photos from the Careers Fair can be found by clicking on this link.
Angie Hopp, Careers Coordinator
Published 18th December 2025
In the lead up to Christmas, Story House were full of the spirit of goodwill and were keen to get involved in several charity-based adventures. This began with members of the House and supported by other students and staff in the school dressing up as elves and making a donation in the form of money, food bank donations or prayers. Some chose to exchange an item of school uniform for a red or green alternative, others wore an elf hat, there were also who went "full-on elf." Special Mention to the innovative design of Arlo Minett (8Story) who came as elf on the shelf! (giggle) In the weeks leading up to Elf Day we also raffled off Elfie. Congratulations to Mrs Knight who won.
My little elves also took their charity endeavours out into the community and were welcomed at Homelands Nursing home where our Christmas Choir sang to the residents, most of whom have dementia. All the students enjoyed themselves as did the residents and carers.
Choir Singers: Autumn-Rae Carter, Fern Carter, Evie Clark, Lily Davison, Hannah Griffiths, Scarlet Hackett, Amelia Harper, Rebekah Jolly, Daisy Kirk, Jessica McGovern, Annabelle Ruff, Emily Scott, Ella Slade, Oluchi Ahiwe.
Lastly during the last week of term, we held cake and donut sales all week as a final push before Christmas, raising a final total of £785.00! A massive thank you to everyone who dressed up donated, sang and baked and brought cakes to support our events. Merry Christmas from Story House.
Shona Charge, Head of Story House
Published 19th December 2025
Year 7 have started learning German in their Language lessons this half term and this has culminated with learning all about how Christmas is celebrated in German Speaking Countries.
German Christmas traditions are rich with festive markets, Advent customs like wreaths and calendars, unique decorations (Nutcrackers, Pyramiden), special foods (Glühwein, Stollen, Lebkuchen), St. Nicholas Day gifts, and the magical Christmas Eve (Heiligabend) when trees are decorated and gifts exchanged, often brought by the Christkind (Christ Child).
You can see below examples of some of the lovely Christmas cards the children have made in their lessons.
Denise Williams, Teacher of German
Published 19th December 2025
On Friday 19th December Mr Cooke from Edward Cooke Family Solicitors came to speak to the Year 12 Law class about being a family lawyer, surrogacy law and Mediation. His contribution on various committees and associations reporting to government on a child-focussed approach to mediation in particular, is ground breaking and much needed in Family Law. He has offices in Chichester, Brighton and Farnham so he talked to us not only about the law aspect but the business aspects too. We very much enjoyed the talk, we asked lots of questions and learnt a lot about the pathways to becoming a solicitor and what steps can be taken to succeed at the interview stage. A huge thank you to Mr Cooke from the Law class for coming in to see us and inspire us to consider these areas of Law as a career.
Fiona Langstone, Teacher of Law