June 2026
Published 2nd June 2026
Following a fantastic first Firefly Team Racing event during the Easter holidays at Itchenor Sailing Club, where our newly formed team finished an incredible 2nd place overall, the team returned for a second event during the half-term break.
The Easter event saw Bishop Luffa win every race on the water, with final positions decided on points alone. Hosted in brilliant sunshine and cool breezes, the event featured strong competition from HISC, Seaford and ISC, and was a superb introduction to team racing for our sailors.
At the second event, four teams competed in another closely fought day of racing, winning 50% of their races. Special thanks also to parent supporter Mr Board for helping and supporting the team throughout the event, it was hugely appreciated.
A huge well done to all our sailors for their teamwork, determination and sportsmanship across both events.
Team Members are Matthew Board (12Andrewes), Jack Gardner (12Otter), Harry Hatfield (12King), Sam Holben (12Andrewes), George Long (12Otter), Charlie Mealing (12Otter), Isabelle Tonks (12King), and Claude Young (12Ridgeway).
Published 12th June 2026
Even though the sun wasn't shining as much as it normally is, we were delighted that so many students and their families attending Fruition 2026.
The evening was an opportunity for us all to celebrate the fruits of our creativity in the Arts over the year. It was a highly enjoyable and very busy evening. The Design and Technology Faculty also joined us again this year for the event, and the whole event was a vibrant celebration of our students' achievements in Arts and DT subjects.
Displays included:
- An Art Exhibition presenting the work of GCSE and A Level Art students;
- Dance performances from exam groups and extra-curricular Dance clubs;
- Extracts from this years’ House Drama Festival and performances from extra-curricular Drama clubs;
- A range of GCSE Media Studies and A Level Film/Media Studies projects;
- A screening of the winning Interhouse Short Film Competition entry;
- A wide variety of musical performances from exam groups and extra-curricular Music clubs;
- A Design and Technology exhibition of products created by students across all key stages;
- A demonstration of cooking techniques from the Food department;
- A display of the Green Power Team’s car ‘Mercury’
Photos from Fruition and the Design & Technology Awards can be viewed by clicking on this link.
We would also like to thank the PFA for providing a BBQ and refreshments throughout the evening.
Jo Lawlor, Head of Arts Faculty
Published 12th June 2026
As part of Chichester Cathedral's Festival of Flowers, students attending the History Battlefields trip to Belgium and France were invited to come and make a poppy as part of their journey of remembrance. Students worked with Mrs Satherley in the Art department to create over 200 paper poppies for Mrs Sheridan-Downes from 'Flower' on North Street. She used their work in her beautiful display in St George's Chapel.
Laurelly Thorpe, Team Leader of Art
Published 18th June 2026
On Friday 5th June, 44 Year 9 and 10 students and five members of staff caught the early ferry to France for the French department trip to Paris.
We arrived in Paris in time for lunch, before walking along the Seine to the Musée d’Orsay, home to the largest collection of Impressionist art in the world. After this, we took the scenic tour back to the coach, taking in The Louvre, the Jardins de Tuileries and Place de la Concorde, where there was a huge pop up screen showing the Roland Garros tennis matches! We ate dinner in a restaurant in Montparnasse and then finished our evening on a boat trip down the Seine as the sun set, passing all of the well known sights of the capital and ending with seeing the Eiffel Tour light up at dusk.
We awoke early on Saturday morning for a buffet breakfast before heading to a local supermarket. Students enjoyed choosing their own lunch and headed back to the hotel with their arms full of baguettes and delicious French food to last them until lunchtime! We caught the shuttle bus to spend the whole day at Disney - excitement levels were high! We enjoyed a fun packed day and stayed to watch the fireworks together late in the evening.
On Sunday, we drove to Nausicaá (French National Sealife Centre, the biggest in Europe!) in Boulogne before heading home.
It was a fantastic weekend and my thanks go to the staff who came on the trip and the students for making the weekend so much fun!
Kate Christie, Head of French / Head of Languages
Published 19th June 2026
Congratulations to our outstanding Key Stage 3 students who have been recognised for their exceptional commitment and achievement in Design and Technology.
These awards celebrate students who consistently produce high-quality work, keep all classwork up to date, and demonstrate confidence and responsibility within the workshop environment. Recipients have shown a willingness to support their peers by sharing newly acquired D&T skills, acting as positive role models for others across the faculty.
Their classwork sets an excellent example, reflecting creativity, precision, and a genuine enthusiasm for learning. They approach design challenges with innovation, explore ideas beyond the obvious, and display the qualities of true problem solvers. It is a privilege to recognise these students and an honour to see such a strong future for design and innovation developing across Bishop Luffa’s Key Stage 3.
Photos from the Awards can be found by clicking on this link.
James Bonney, Head of Design & Techology
Published 22nd June 2026
A maths classroom transformed
A team of Sixth Formers take the lead
A group of clergy in support
Paint, post-its, stones, pins and world maps, a tray and labels
25 class visits
Invitations to staff and students
A diverse range of prayer stations
These are the ingredients that contributed to the 3rd June 2026 being a special day set aside for prayer at Bishop Luffa School.
We were privileged to have a team of Year 12 students provide a prayer room for our school. The day saw 25 classes visiting, with several staff finding the whole class wished to take part. A group from our clergy team kindly offered their expertise in support. Visitors to the prayer room moved around a variety of ‘prayer stations’. These each offered a different way or resource to prompt and enable prayer. For example, some put pins in a map selecting a country of the world that they wished to prayer for, others rolled individual toy cars through paint as they prayed for wisdom and guidance.
The day was initiated by members of our student Faith & Community Committee. They had asked for more opportunities for prayer. The prayer room was a response to this request.
Photos from the events taking place in the Prayer Room can be viewed by clicking on this link.
Thank you to all those involved in supporting and providing this opportunity.
Angela Smith, Assistant Head - Christian Distinctiveness
Published 29th June 2026
On one of the hottest evenings of the year, our wonderful Year 13 students came together for one final celebration at the stunning Chichester Yacht Club – a fitting venue for such a special occasion. The Leavers’ Ball marked the end of their school journey and the beginning of exciting new chapters.
Spirits were as high as the temperature as students arrived dressed in elegant gowns and sharp suits, ready to make lasting memories with their classmates and teachers. Laughter, music, and the unmistakable buzz of celebration filled the air as everyone enjoyed a night of dining, dancing, sunsets and heartfelt goodbyes.
There was a bittersweet atmosphere as we said farewell to a year group that has been such a valued part of our school community. Their energy, kindness, and determination have left a lasting impression, and it has been a true honour to have taught and supported them throughout their time with us.
We will miss them dearly, but we are so proud of all they have achieved. As they await their A-level results this August, we wish every one of them the very best of luck. We know they will go on to do incredible things.
To the Class of 2026 – thank you for the memories. You will always be part of our school family.
Jamie Saunders, Head of Sixth Form
Published 29th June 2026
On Sunday 28th June four of our students and their families joined many others in Chichester Cathedral to be presented with their Faith in Action, during the Evensong service by the Dean.
For some time, Isla Hayman (8Andrewes), Hannah Vosper (9King), Millie Malcolm (8Ridgeway) and Sebby Forder (7Ridgeway) have been meeting to work on their awards. Faith in Action is not about getting an award because you believe, but rather celebrating and encouraging the acts of service and kindness that come out of our faith. Some of the activities take place within school (fundraising for the House charity, leading prayers or worship etc) and other elements come from their own church or community context (serving teas and coffees, playing a part in church activities or an act of service in the community).
This is coupled with ongoing reflections as to how faith prompts service, and service prompts deeper faith (i.e. how do we bless others, because we feel blessed?) Each student was invited to submit a final piece which the moderators offered high praise in their feedback.
Congratulations to these four students who we hope will progress to the next level in the award and we will start again in September for anyone else who would like to consider taking part.
Fr Phillip Amey, School Chaplain & Angela Smith, Assistant Headteacher - Christian Distinctiveness
Published 30th June 2026
Bishop Luffa performers have been awarded a wealth of trophies at a prestigious national music festival.
Under the leadership of Head of Music, Jane Bowen-Melfi, Bishop Luffa School’s soloists, musicians and girls’ chamber choir have not only won bronze, silver and gold trophies following their participation in the third UK Schools Music Festival 2026, but have also seen one musician garner a life-changing win.
Following a review of all Gold Awardees from both the live competition and video submissions, Year 12 student Izzy Deans has been awarded the Guildhall Young Artists Online Prize prize for her advanced trumpet, cornet and flugelhorn performance.
Mrs Bowen-Melfi said: “At the festival, Sophie Williams and Izzy Deans were awarded Gold for their solo performances. We are now thrilled that Izzy has been awarded this phenomenal prize for her musicality, expression and technique. She has won a significant amount for online tuition, to support her application to music college next year.”
In addition, the school’s Jazz Band, led by English teacher Steve Collins, was awarded Silver and the La Diva chamber choir has been awarded Bronze.
Heads of Guildhall Young Artists Online Joshua Jones and Julie Beaman said: “We have been particularly impressed by the breadth of talent on display across the country. We felt Izzy captured us completely in her musicality, with a sense of joy in her performance."
The school’s two chamber choirs – La Diva and Los Divos – regular perform at city events. Recent occasions include Evensong at Chichester Cathedral and a performance in The Assembly Rooms, Chichester.
On Friday 5th June, the choir was invited to sing at a Triangulation event for the Rotary Clubs of Speyer, Germany, and Faenza, Italy, hosted by the Mayor on behalf of the Rotary Club of Chichester. They sang Mozart’s Ave Verum, Three Little Maids by Gilbert & Sullivan and other classical and rock pieces.
Mrs Bowen-Melfi said: “This was a wonderful experience for the choir. We were also very grateful to be awarded a scholarship by Town Crier Richard Plowman on behalf of the Rotary Club of Chichester. This generous donation will make a significant difference to our choir tour to Normandy in Spring 2027. At the tour, La Diva and Los Divos will be singing with the local conservatoire, as well as at a chateau and the world-famous Basilica Ste Therese in Lisieux.”
Before the tour, the choir is already booked to sing at the Chichester Assembly Rooms on 30th September, in Chichester Cathedral on 8th December and at Pallant House Gallery on 10th December.
ublished 30th June 2026
We were lucky to be offered the opportunity to have the Dryvebox at the school for a day, where they bring in a PGA Professional who does some coaching with our students, as well as them experiencing technology in sport. The idea is to grow the game and it is fully funded through the Kate and Justin Rose foundation.
Students who expressed an interest were given 1 hour in groups of 10 during the day, as well as additional students during the breaktimes and after school.
We would like to thank Matt, Pedro and Alex who made this possible for our school. Over 70 students hit a ball in the simulator and they received lots of encouragement and tips on how to improve their game.
Andy Jackson, Assistant Headteacher
Published 30th June 2026
At the end of June members from Dance Club performed as part of a Schools Summer Dance Showcase at the University of Chichester. The students performed work that had been created at our weekly dance club. Students were given a valuable opportunity to represent the school and perform to a live audience alongside other schools in the area.
It was a fantastic experience for all students involved and despite a very warm walk back to school we all enjoyed the day very much!
Jo Lawlor, Head of Arts Faculty