The final drama performance of the year at Christ’s Hospital was a spellbinding production of Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett – a comic and chaotic take on Shakespearean tropes with a distinctly Discworld twist.
Directed by Ms Wylie, the show brought together an enthusiastic cast of junior pupils who tackled Pratchett’s witty, pun-laden script with energy, confidence, and great comic timing. The students impressed not only with their performances on stage but with their professionalism and camaraderie offstage, taking responsibility for the production and working as a collaborative, good-humoured team throughout.
A highlight of the production was Ms Wylie’s realisation of a long-held theatrical dream – the use of the Victorian stage illusion Pepper’s Ghost. First made famous in 1862 by John Henry Pepper, the effect uses light and a reflective surface to create the appearance of a transparent figure. In this production, Perspex stood in for glass to bring the ghost of King Verence eerily to life, adding a touch of theatrical magic to the experience.
Once again, the set provided a visually rich and atmospheric backdrop, perfectly capturing the play’s blend of fantasy and farce.
With a cast of 50 and an audience full of laughter and praise, Wyrd Sisters proved a fitting final performance of the year: inventive, joyful and a testament to the creativity and teamwork of our students. We hope they are as proud of what they achieved as we are.
Christ’s Hospital’s Family Day on 22 June was a vibrant and joyful celebration of school life, bringing together students, parents and staff for a packed programme of events and activities.
The day began with a warm welcome to families arriving on site, coinciding with the House Athletics track events, where students competed in good spirit and with great energy. The Hertford Centre was a lively hub throughout, hosting student-led affinity group stalls – a chance to meet the passionate leaders behind the 17 groups that reflect CH’s diverse and inclusive community. Games, treats and cultural displays brought colour and excitement to the space.
Elsewhere, the CH Museum opened its doors, offering a journey through the school’s rich history with interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and the ever-popular model railway. New for this year was a special display marking 50 years of CH Theatre.
Creative talent was on show in the GE Art Exhibition and across the Art School, where visitors could admire sock monkeys, sculpture and sketchbooks. Meanwhile, music filled the air thanks to Band practice in the Quad, some rock and pop entertainment in Garden Quad and a soulful Gospel Choir concert in the Chapel.
Cricket fans enjoyed a friendly 1st XI fixture against the Old Blues, and the afternoon saw charity fundraisers outside the boarding houses – complete with games, stalls and ice cream.
Families gathered for lunch on house lawns and later enjoyed tea and cake together before the day concluded at 5pm.
Family Day 2025 was a warm, fun-filled occasion and a true celebration of the CH community.
On 24 June, Christ’s Hospital hosted its annual GE Careers Keynote and Networking Conference – a dynamic and engaging event aimed at helping students explore potential future career paths and develop confidence in networking with professionals.
The evening began with two keynote talks delivered in Big School. Old Blue (former student) Matt West gave an insightful session on entrepreneurship, start-ups and the tech industry, while renowned composer and director Tim Benjamin (also an Old Blue) offered a fascinating look into careers in music and the arts.
Later, the main Careers Conference took place, where students had the opportunity to attend two of eleven themed industry tables. Each table represented a different sector – from engineering, medicine and law, to creative arts, entrepreneurship, the Armed Forces and the Civil Service. With over 25 professional guests in attendance, many of them Old Blues, students benefitted from hearing directly about varied career journeys and the steps involved in breaking into each field.
Students praised the event for its impact, describing it as ‘a great experience’ that gave them ‘a helpful insight into a whole field of profession’ and ‘specialist advice’ that would aid future decision-making. One student remarked how valuable it was ‘to hear directly from Old Blues who know the school and could share their real-life experiences.’
Christ’s Hospital is immensely grateful to all the professional guests – especially our alumni – who gave up their time to support current students. Their generosity, expertise and enthusiasm made for an inspiring evening, and we are proud to continue connecting past and present generations of CH students in this meaningful way.
On Saturday 28 June, Christ’s Hospital hosted our traditional end-of-term Beating Retreat – a stirring and spectacular celebration to bid farewell to departing Grecians.
Under the direction of Band Director Tim Carter, the performance featured an impressive display of musical precision and pageantry from the CH Band. The programme included rousing marches such as The Voice of the Guns, Washington Post and the ever-popular Thunderbirds, as well as more reflective pieces including Hymn to the Fallen.
This year’s event was particularly poignant as it marked the final Beating Retreat for Head Teacher Simon Reid before his retirement, adding an extra layer of significance to the occasion. The final moments of the ceremony saw the Band march off to Sussex by the Sea, followed by Auld Lang Syne – a touching tribute to those departing.
The afternoon was a fitting conclusion to a busy and successful year for the Band, with performances ranging from the Lord Mayor’s Show to Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. and now heading straight into a European tour across France, Germany, and Switzerland.
On 23 June, the Christ’s Hospital library was transformed into a literary celebration as GE (Year 11) student Kiishi held the official launch of her debut novel, Revelated.
A passionate reader, Kiishi’s love of books naturally evolved into a talent for writing, culminating in the publication of her first novel at just 15 years old. Revelated is a compelling reimagining of the biblical end times, following sixteen-year-old Agape as she grapples with friendship, faith and survival while the world unravels around her. When Kaleb, a sceptical exchange student from America, unexpectedly enters her life, the story takes a dramatic turn as their fates intertwine amidst the chaos of prophecy and apocalypse.
The launch event featured a reading from the novel, a thoughtful Q&A session with Kiishi about her inspiration and writing process, and an opportunity for attendees to purchase signed copies of the book. The Christ’s Hospital Gospel Choir also performed, adding a powerful musical backdrop to the occasion.
Revelated is available to purchase on Amazon, and marks an impressive milestone in what promises to be an exciting writing journey for this talented young author.
The Christ’s Hospital Theatre was alive with rhythm and energy on 25 June as the summer Big Band Concert delivered a spectacular night of jazz, soul and swing.
Directed by Tim Carter and Steve Titchener, the concert showcased the immense talent and versatility of CH’s Senior Jazz Ensemble, Dixieland Band and an array of accomplished soloists and vocalists. The programme featured a wide range of styles, from Duke Ellington and Henry Mancini classics to bold contemporary pieces and popular favourites.
The evening opened with a stirring ‘Tribute to the Duke,’ featuring standout solos from Amer (DG/Year 12 – trombone), Alexandra (GR/Year 13 – tenor sax), and Whittaker (DG/Year 12 – trumpet). Highlights included vocal performances from Nana (DG/Year 12 – ‘My Girl’), Harvey (DG/Year 12 – ‘Hey Laura’), Sasha (DG/Year 12 – ‘Beyond the Sea’), and Edinam (DG/Year 12 – ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’), all of whom captivated the audience with their stage presence and musicality.
The concert also featured impressive instrumental solos, with memorable contributions from Hoyeon (GR/Year 13 – alto sax), Dominic (DG/Year 12 – piano), Elis Graur (DG/Year 12 – guitar) and Raphael (DG/Year 12 – drums), among many others.
The Dixieland Band brought flair and fun to the second half of the evening, while the Jazz Ensemble dazzled with dynamic performances of ‘Madiba’ and ‘The Scope.’ The grand finale saw the full band deliver an energetic rendition of ‘Aardvark,’ complete with commanding solos and a driving rhythm section.
It was a night that celebrated musical excellence and collaboration, sending the audience into the summer holidays with toes tapping and spirits lifted.
A video of the concert is available here:
On Friday evening, Christ’s Hospital’s Grecians Y(ear 13 students) marked the end of their CH journey with the much-anticipated Grecians’ Ball.
In true CH tradition, the leavers made their way down the Avenue in formal dress for a drinks reception at the Head Teacher’s House, where staff and students gathered to celebrate their time at the school.
The evening continued in Big School, which had been transformed into a stunning Regency ballroom, for the occasion. The beautifully decorated hall provided the perfect backdrop for a night of music, dancing and shared memories.
It was a joyful and memorable send-off for this year’s Grecians, and we wish them every success as they embark on the next stage of their lives.
CH was honoured to attend the prestigious National Schools’ Theatre Awards Gala on 23 June, held at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End. Known as ‘the Oscars for schools’, the event celebrates the talent, creativity and hard work behind school productions, offering young performers the chance to shine in front of industry professionals.
Four CH students Nana (DG/Year 12), Amelia (GE/Year 11), Dominic (DG/Year 12) and Amelie (DG/Year 12) – were shortlisted for Best Actor/Actress in a Musical, a remarkable achievement that placed them among the top school performers in the UK. The evening began with glamour and excitement as they walked down the red carpet.
The highlight of the night came when Nana delivered a moving and technically flawless rendition of ‘Empty Chairs at Empty Tables’ from Les Misérables. His performance earned rapturous applause and unanimous approval from the 1,200-strong audience – and was one of only two solo performances selected for the evening’s programme.
In a moment of great pride for CH, Nana was awarded Best Male Soloist in a Musical, recognising not only his extraordinary vocal ability but also the commitment and emotional depth he brought to the role of Marius. It was a well-deserved honour that reflected months of dedication and rehearsal.
The evening also stood out for its incredible spirit of support and celebration, with performers cheering each other on throughout the gala. All four CH students can be proud of their national recognition and the way they represented the school on such a high-profile stage.
On 17 June, students at Christ’s Hospital enjoyed a unique, hands-on STEM workshop led by two ambassadors from McLaren Formula 1. The visit offered a rare behind-the-scenes look into the fast-paced world of motorsport and engineering, with insights into careers, apprenticeships and the cutting-edge work of a top F1 team.
The session began with an inspiring presentation that showcased the innovation and precision behind McLaren’s engineering excellence. Students then took on a real-world engineering challenge: designing and building a nose box capable of absorbing energy during a head-on collision. Working in teams with provided materials, they were tasked with meeting design criteria – including a 10cm height minimum and a loading platform – before testing their creations under vertical load pressure. The strongest structure was crowned the winner.
STEM is a vital part of life at CH, and we were delighted to welcome McLaren to inspire the next generation of engineers, designers and innovators.
Two CH students, Kamsy and Taiki (both DG/Year 12), have achieved outstanding success in this year’s Isaac Physics programme – a national initiative that challenges students with high-level questions in physics, chemistry and mathematics.
Both students were selected to take part in the prestigious Senior Physics Challenge, placing them among the top 100 physics students across the UK. This selection is based on exceptional independent performance in some of the most demanding problems the Isaac Physics platform has to offer – a remarkable accomplishment in itself.
Taiki’s success went even further, as he placed in the top 50 nationally. As a result, he has been invited to attend a summer residential course at the University of Cambridge. The programme will offer Taiki the opportunity to engage in advanced problem-solving workshops, attend lectures from leading academics and experience life as a physics student at one of the world’s top universities.
Congratulations to both students on their exceptional achievements – we wish Taiki the very best for his upcoming experience at Cambridge.