Inspicio Vol. 5

Inspicio

“I have come so that you may have life, life in all its fullness” John 10:10

Inspicio | Vol. 5

INSIDE WORDS FROM MR WALTON OPEN EVENING ELEV:8 RESIDENTIAL CULTURE DAY GAME CHANGERS MISSION FUND JACK PETCHEY WORKSHOP ABBA VOYAGE ALL SAINTS DAY WORLD OPERA DAY MOZART’S REQUIEM JAZZ CAFÉ ALUMNI INSPIRES COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS DINNER WINTER CONCERT NINE LESSONS & CAROLS MEET MISS O’SULLIVAN KEY DATES

Inspicio | Vol. 5

INSPICIO ( def. review, inspect, look into ) VOL NO.5

www.allsaintscc.org.uk

Inspicio | Vol. 5

FROM OUR ACTING HEADTEACHER Mr Paul Walton

As we return from the Christmas break, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our families a very Happy New Year. Although the summer GCSE examinations may already feel like a distant memory, the Year 11 students performed brilliantly and their achievements are worthy of recognition. The headline results were among the strongest in our history, with 75% of students achieving the standard pass in both English and mathematics, while an impressive 33% of all grades awarded were at 7–9 (equivalent of an A*/A). Our Progress score once again placed All Saints in the top 5% of schools nationally, reflecting the determination of our students and the exceptional commitment of our staff.

2025 also saw the completion and opening of our £5.5 million St Francis of Assisi building. This outstanding new facility includes six modern classrooms, brand new toilet facilities, a fully equipped conference suite, and a roof terrace that provides an inspiring space for learning and events.

The building represents a significant investment in our school and will benefit students, staff, and the wider community for many years to come.

Demand for places at All Saints continues to grow. Our recent open evening and open mornings were a tremendous success, attracting more than 1,500 adults and children — a record number for the school. It was a real pleasure to welcome so many prospective families and to see our students and staff so proudly showcasing all that All Saints has to offer. This growing interest is also reflected in our extensive waiting lists across all year groups, underlining the confidence families place in our school.

WELCOME BACK

Over the summer, we recruited exceptionally well, and I am delighted that every class is once again taught by a subject specialist. This makes a tangible difference to students’ learning and reinforces our commitment to delivering the highest possible standard of education.

Alongside our strong academic focus, we remain determined to change the narrative around school and education — ensuring it is about far more than examinations alone.

While GCSEs are important, we believe All Saints should be a place where students develop a genuine love of learning and a strong sense of belonging. This year, we will continue to invest in a rich and exciting programme of enrichment opportunities to ensure every student feels inspired, included, and proud to be part of our community. Our Year 8 students have already attended a fantastic two-day PGL residential as part of the Elev:8 programme, and Years 7, 8, 9 & 10 can look forward to their enrichment day on 4th February.

As we start 2026 I look forward to continuing to work closely with students and families to make the year ahead another memorable and successful one. Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

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Open Evening 2025

Another record-breaking Open Evening at All Saints!

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On Tuesday 9th September we welcomed over 1000 visitors into All Saints as we held our annual Open Evening for prospective parents. The evening gave families the chance to visit our school, many for the first time, meet our staff, view our fantastic facilities and hear from the Headteacher. This year was even more exciting as it was the opening of our brand new Assisi building- bringing 6 new classrooms, two new meeting and conference spaces and the roof garden terrace.

The evening was a huge success, with families speaking so highly of how much they enjoyed the evening. Many commented on how welcoming and friendly the staff were and how helpful, mature and polite all of the students who supported it were. It is always a pleasure to welcome so many people into our school and to show the fantastic school community we have built.

To follow on from this evening we also ran multiple Open Days. These allowed many more families to visit All Saints while the school was operating as normal. Over 500 more people visited across these days and were able to see classes being taught, students in lessons and meet and talk with key staff.

These days allowed families a real insight to what a day at All Saints is like and families left feeling well informed and commented on the warmth and community they could feel. We look forward to welcoming many of these prospective families to our school community in September.

Elev:8

A Week of Growth, Nature and Teamwork Inspicio | Vol. 5

Elev:8 Residential for our Year 8 Cohort

At All Saints Catholic College, we believe every year of a student’s journey matters. That’s why, this academic year, we have launched an exciting new initiative: “Elev:8” — a year-long project designed specifically for our Year 8 students.

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While Year 7 is often marked by transition and novelty, and Year 9 by growing maturity, Year 8 can risk becoming a period of drift. Elev:8 redefines this narrative. It positions Year 8 as a pivotal, high impact year in which students consolidate strong learning habits, expand their aspirations, and grow as reflective, diligent and compassionate young people — guided by our school motto: Orare, Laborare, Servire (To Pray, To Work, To Serve).

Earlier this term, Year 8 students enjoyed a wonderful two-night residential experience at PGL Liddington as part of our Elev:8 programme. The trip provided an excellent opportunity for pupils to develop their confidence, teamwork, and resilience while taking part in a wide range of exciting outdoor activities.

Throughout their stay, students enthusiastically participated in challenges such as abseiling, rock climbing, and the Jacobs Ladder, each activity encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones and support one another. The ever-popular Giant Swing proved to be a particular highlight, with laughter and cheers echoing across the site as pupils took on the thrilling drop with great courage and enthusiasm.

Away from the climbing walls and ropes, students also took part in survival skills sessions, working together to build shelters and develop practical outdoor techniques. These activities strengthened teamwork and highlighted the importance of perseverance and cooperation.

Evenings provided time to relax and reflect, with the second night’s Silent Disco proving a real highlight — a joyful and memorable experience that brought everyone together.

The PGL residential was a great success, with students embracing every challenge positively. They returned home tired but proud, having made lasting memories and strengthened friendships.

This term, students will be encouraged to raise their ambitions through assemblies and tutor time, learning from inspiring role models. Year 8 students will also take part in the London Leaders Challenge, developing key business and leadership skills, with top performers earning a place on an immersive business experience day at leading companies.

CULTURE DAY

Culture Day 2025 was an explosion of colour, creativity, and community spirit. Students and teachers alike arrived at school dressed to impress in their traditional cultural attire and the colours of their nations’ flags.

With this year’s theme of ‘Carnival’, lunch time at All Saints came alive with music, laughter, and celebration. The playgrounds turned into festival zones, filled with the sounds of live DJ sets, staff and student karaoke at a Main Stage to rival Glastonbury, and the buzz of students showing off their limbo skills and dance moves.

What made the day truly special was the sense of unity between students and staff. Teachers joined in the games, got their faces painted, danced alongside students, and shared stories from their own backgrounds. Cheering each other on during limbo contests or solos on stage, the genuine connection, built through creativity and shared experience, made the day more than just an event. It became a reminder that our school is a community built on respect, joy, and understanding.

From painted flags on faces to heartfelt stories in the writing workshop, every activity captured the joy and diversity that make our school so special.

More than just a celebration, Culture Day reminded us why our diversity is something to be proud of. It showed how music, art, and laughter can bring people together and how our differences make us stronger as a community. The energy and happiness of the

It truly felt like the whole world had come together in one place for an afternoon of shared

day will stay with us for a long time — and we’re already looking forward to next year’s celebration, promising even more colour,

celebration.

creativity, and festival spirit!

Game Changers Three Students, Three sports, One School This term, we shine a spotlight on three exceptional athletes who, through passion, perseverance, and discipline, are making waves in their respective sports.

Giulietta (Year 7) Taekwondo European Medallist Giulietta’s Taekwondo journey began at just six years old. By the age of seven, she was already winning gold medals in both sparring (kyorugi) and poomsae (choreographed patterns), a sign of the remarkable journey that was to come.

Now a red belt and a seasoned competitor, Giulietta has represented Great Britain at the 2024 European Martial Arts Games, where she proudly earned a bronze medal, becoming a European Medallist. She continues to train and compete at a high level, embodying the sport's core values: respect, perseverance, and selfdiscipline.

Giulietta proudly represented the UK at the World Martial Arts Games in Norway, competing against around 500 athletes from multiple countries—including 250 from the USA and 100 from the UK—and was awarded World Champion in one category, earning one gold, two silver, and one bronze medal.

Ruby-Jo (Year 10) GB Boxing Champion In just four years, Ruby-Jo Dos Santos Mulligan has become one of the country’s rising stars in women’s boxing. Known for her discipline, focus, and relentless drive, Ruby-Jo trains most days of the week and continues to push her limits to compete at the highest level.

Her hard work paid off when she became National Champion, winning the Golden Gloves title at the Schools National Championships.

Shortly after, she was selected to represent England at the Three Nations Tournament, where she earned the title of GB Champion.

We are incredibly proud to share that Ruby-Jo became European Champion, winning a Gold medal at the U15 European Championships in Budva, Montenegro (16–26 October 2025). With dreams of Olympic gold and a professional career in boxing, Ruby-Jo represents the values of ambition, resilience, and excellence that we celebrate at ASCC.

Angelinou (Year 11) Arsenal Rising Star Angelinou Pedro is a name to watch in the world of football. A key player in the Arsenal U16 squad, his talent and maturity have already seen him step up to the U17 and even U18 teams, a rare and impressive feat for someone still in school.

Earlier this year, Angelinou was part of the Arsenal U17 squad that travelled to Brazil and won the prestigious Flamengo Adidas Cup, an incredible international achievement that speaks volumes about his potential. More recently, he played for the Arsenal U18s in a friendly against Dover, a game usually reserved for older, more senior players.

Despite his demanding training and match schedule, Angelinou remains committed to his education and continues to be a positive role model for his peers. His journey is a powerful reminder of how hard work, humility, and passion can open doors — both on and off the pitch.

While Giulietta, Ruby-Jo, and Angelinou each excel in very different sports, they are united by their determination, discipline, and pride in representing ASCC on the national and international stage.

We are incredibly proud of their achievements and inspired by their stories — and we can’t wait to see what they do next.

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The Mission Fund Through The Mission Fund, we ask families to consider making a regular donation or a one-off gift to the School Fund.

This is entirely voluntary, and we understand that financial circumstances vary. From £10 a month to larger amounts - all donations make a difference.

The Mission Fund helps sustain and develop the school, and the funds raised have directly contributed to the outstanding facilities and opportunities available to your children today.

We are delighted to announce that The Mission Fund is now a registered charity, meaning families can now make donations alongside a Gift Aid declaration, allowing the school to claim back additional tax on every eligible donation.

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The school attributes its success not only to academic excellence but also to its holistic approach to education. Its mission is to develop the whole student, placing equal emphasis on confidence, spirituality, wellbeing, and life skills—alongside exam performance.

Supporting Success: The Mission Fund To sustain this high standard of education, the school runs The Mission Fund—a voluntary regular giving scheme for parents and carers.

This

fund

directly

supports

school

development projects, including enhanced learning environments and student opportunities. Even small, regular donations make a lasting impact.

Current core fundraising goals We’re excited to be raising funds to enrich our school community!

Your support will help us add: New library books Upgrade our goalposts and nets on the Astro Provide memorable reward trips and our special Celebration Day

Every contribution makes a real difference!

The Mission Fund We are delighted to announce that The Mission Fund is now a registered charity, meaning families can now make donations alongside a Gift Aid declaration, allowing the school to claim back additional tax on every eligible donation.

Current core fundraising goals We’re excited to be raising funds to enrich our school community!

Your support will help us add: New library books Upgrade our goalposts and nets on the Astro Provide memorable reward trips and our special Celebration Day

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Jack Petchey Workshop "Speak Out" Challenge Last term, our Year 10 students took part in the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge, an inspiring public speaking programme designed to help young people find their voice, build confidence, and express themselves with clarity and passion.

The day-long workshop, run by expert trainers from the Speakers Trust, offered students the opportunity to develop essential communication and presentation skills in a supportive and engaging environment. Through a series of practical activities, they explored how to structure a speech, use body language effectively, and speak with confidence in front of an audience.

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By the end of the day, every student took to the front of their class to deliver a speech on a topic that truly mattered to them — from personal experiences and social issues to creative and thoughtprovoking ideas. The range of topics and the courage shown by our students were truly inspiring, with peers and staff alike commenting on the maturity, honesty, and individuality of each performance.

"Speak Out" Challenge The workshop also encouraged meaningful discussions about the power of storytelling and the importance of self-expression, helping students to see how their voices can make a difference both inside and outside the classroom.

We’re now looking forward to the next stage of the challenge, when selected students will perform their speeches once more in the Assembly Final. The winner from that round will go on to represent All Saints Catholic College in the regional final — a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talent and confidence nurtured here at ASCC.

A huge well done to all of our Year 10 participants for your enthusiasm, energy, and willingness to step out of your comfort zones. You have truly embodied the spirit of the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge — speaking up, speaking out, and making your voices heard.

Our Year 7 and Year 8 students enjoyed a truly unforgettable experience on their rewards trip to ABBA Voyage — an innovative concert that brings ABBA’s timeless music to life through a stunning blend of digital technology and live performance.

The visit was a well-deserved reward for students who have demonstrated outstanding effort, kindness, and commitment throughout the term. From Dancing Queen to Mamma Mia, the atmosphere inside the ABBA Arena was electric, with students singing, dancing, and celebrating together to some of pop’s most iconic songs.

The day was a joyful reminder of the power of music to bring people together — and of the positive, supportive culture we continue to build here at All Saints Catholic College.

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VOYAGE

All Saints Day

This year’s School Feast Day, All Saints Day, was joyfully celebrated on Thursday 23rd November, as the 1st of November fell during half-term. From the moment students arrived, the atmosphere was vibrant. Staff welcomed pupils at the gates with a lively rendition of “Oh When the Saints Go Marching In,” setting a warm, celebratory tone that carried throughout the day.

The celebrations centred around our guiding school mottos — Orare (to pray), Laborare (to work), Servire (to serve) — with each year group taking part in activities that brought these values to life in meaningful and memorable ways.

Under Orare, students explored the virtues of their house saints and created thoughtful Prayer Boards, deepening their understanding of how prayer shapes both personal character and the wider school community.

For Laborare, pupils embraced a hands-on team challenge: designing parachutes to protect an egg dropped from the top floor.

The corridors were filled with creativity, problem-solving, and laughter as teams tested their designs and celebrated each other’s efforts.

In Servire, each year group supported a different charity for the Advent Appeal — from shoebox gifts and food bank collections to fundraising and raffle prizes.

Together, pupils demonstrated a spirit of generosity and service that lies at the heart of All Saints Day.

Throughout the day, RISE Theatre led engaging sessions that encouraged students to reflect on their faith and to live it confidently and joyfully in their daily lives.

Their workshops added depth to the celebrations, prompting pupils to think about how they can be modern-day saints in small but meaningful ways.

At lunchtime, year groups shared a special meal prepared by our brilliant catering team, followed by energetic karaoke that brought staff and students together in true festive spirit. The joy and unity on display captured everything we strive for as a school community.

The day concluded with a live YouTube awards ceremony led by Mr Walton and Mr Holland, recognising students who best exemplify the virtues of their House Saints: • St Simon – Charity: Tia T-S (11S) • St Anne – Faith: Margaret S (8A) • St Ignatius – Fortitude: Leon G (7I) • St Nicholas – Prudence: Skye H (9N) • St Teresa – Temperance: Toby M (10T) • St Catherine – Justice: Millie R-J (9C)

All Saints Day remains one of the most cherished celebrations in our school calendar — a day that brings our community together, strengthens our shared identity, and reminds us of the call to live “life to the full.” A huge thank you to Mr Willis, his team, and all staff whose hard work and enthusiasm made this year’s feast day such a joyful and inspiring celebration.

Icons created for All Saints by Aidan Hart

Celebrating World Opera Day with Opera Holland Park In honour of World Opera Day (25th October), our Schola and GCSE Music students had the incredible opportunity to take part in a masterclass with Opera Holland Park. The session provided a fascinating insight into the world of opera — exploring vocal technique, stagecraft, and the storytelling power of music.

Our students were especially inspired by the outstanding April KoyejoAudiger, who generously shared her experience and passion.

Her guidance helped pupils deepen their understanding of performance and the discipline of classical music, sparking confidence and curiosity in every participant.

It was a truly enriching experience that celebrated creativity, collaboration, and the joy of live performance.

A big thank you to Opera Holland Park for supporting our young musicians and helping us mark World Opera Day in such a memorable way.

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MOZART’S REQUIEM A musical masterpiece & ASCC Schola In November of this year, the Schola invited parents, teachers and concertgoers to yet another Requiem concert - Mozart’s following Faure’s in 2022 and Duruflé’s last year.

Full of soaring melodies, rich contrasts and vigorous fugues, Mozart’s Requiem is a choral tour-de-force and was a rich and compelling experience for students as we learned it.

Mozart’s setting included the ‘Dies Irae’ sequence, set to dramatic effect in six movements, and offering many opportunities to give the audience a jump scare. Singing the entire piece through is a real achievement for Schola students, and they did exceptionally well.

For the first time, solos in the piece were performed by All Saints students, rather than hired professionals. Ten students did solos, including three (Loza, Victor and Milad) who had already got a taste for Mozart in 2024, performing in the school’s production of his opera Le Nozze di Figaro. Four other students, in Year 7 also performed solos for the first time at an All Saints concert.

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The concert also happened at a new venue for the choir, and one we’d be keen to return to: St Augustine’s Kilburn. Located a short bus journey away, its enormous Neo-Gothic space provides a wonderful acoustic for choirs and, even though it’s on a busy road, you can hardly hear the world outside. We also had a chance to experience the church’s recently restored Harrison and Harrison organ, which was appropriately thunderous at the right moments.

We finished the concert with Sir James MacMillan’s ‘In Paradisum’, which he wrote for the Schola. We gave the premiere of this commission at our Grenfell Requiem in June, and it was great to perform the piece for the first time in concert.

In an effort to involve more students in the kind of cultural and religious education that Schola members receive, we made a video that was played to students in form time.

Focusing on November as the month in which Catholics especially remember the dead, the video invited students to reflect on deceased friends and family and listen to one movement ‘Lacrimosa’ as a spur for reflection.

Head of History Miss Kiely also included a fascinating historical perspective on the unusual genesis of the work. The video is available to watch on the school’s YouTube channel.

Congratulations to all students involved, and many thanks to all the staff who supported this memorable evening

JAZZ CAFE There is nothing the performing arts department love doing more than causing as much disruption to the school site as possible (sorry Mr Kerr!). The Fringe, taking over classrooms, the concerts and musicals taking over the hall for weeks, along with stair cases, to paraphrase Shakespeare, the whole school is a stage for us. Nothing more so than turning the canteen in to an intimate jazz club, complete with stage, lighting, soft furnishings, and nibbles.

One of the things we are most proud of is the depth of music making that happens throughout the department on a weekly basis, from opera and symphonic repertoire to rap and pop to smooth jazz, there isn’t a genre that isn’t represented. Having transformed the canteen in to Ronnie Scott’s West London branch, we were ready to make some music!

Our inaugural Jazz Café last year featured one saxophonist (Jemima in Year 9); this year we started off with a horn section 400% larger! Grabbing the audiences attention with a classic jazz standard, Chameleon, Ladbroke Groove has also grown, playing ‘Superstition’ entirely without staff support. Taking our professional musicians in residence out of student ensembles has been an aim of ours, and we are delighted to see how self sufficient students have become after only one year.

Compered by Zara and Tristan (Year 9 & 10 respectively), Jazz Café was really a celebration of the breadth of talent on display across All Saints. Our mission in music is to widen students’ ears to all sorts of genre, and to treat good music like good music. The old adage is that ‘it’s good enough for jazz’, anyone who was at the performance would agree that it wasn’t just ‘good enough’ but really exemplified the excellence that we encourage in students.

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WWW.REALLYGREATSITE.COM

JAZZ CAFE

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ALUMNI INSPIRES AWARD-WINNING PRODUCER, AUTHOR, AND EDUCATIONALIST LAURA HENRY-ALLAIN MBE INSPIRES STUDENTS AT ASCC In October, ASCC had the privilege of welcoming back one of its most distinguished former students, Laura Henry-Allain MBE. Laura is an award-winning producer, author, educationalist, and the creative mind behind JoJo & Gran Gran — the UK’s first animated series to centre on a Black British family. Her return to ASCC was met with excitement and anticipation from staff and students alike.

Reflecting on her return, Laura said, “What an honour to be back at my secondary school. I was amazed at the pupils' thoughtful questions about my career and life — it was inspiring to see such engagement and openness.” Her words left a lasting impression on all who attended, reminding us of the power of resilience, creativity, and staying true to oneself.

During an inspiring assembly with Year 10 students, Laura shared her incredible journey — from her early days at Sion Manning (now ASCC) to becoming a celebrated creative professional in the arts and education sectors. She spoke openly about living with dyslexia and how this challenge never stopped her from achieving her goals.

“Dyslexia is just one part of me, not the whole story,” she explained, encouraging students to believe in themselves and to pursue their passions with determination and confidence, regardless of any obstacles they might face.

Laura Henry-Allain’s visit was not only a celebration of her remarkable achievements but also a reminder of the diverse paths our students can take. We are incredibly grateful to her for sharing her story and inspiring the next generation to dream big, work hard, and believe in their own unique potential.

The assembly was highly interactive, with pupils asking thoughtful and insightful questions about Laura’s career, experiences, and time at school.

Laura described this engagement as one of the highlights of her visit, appreciating the genuine curiosity and enthusiasm from our students.

She also took the opportunity to introduce her latest book, Maya and Marley and the Great Big Tidy Up, which was inspired by a local adventure playground in W10. The book encourages young readers to care for their environment while enjoying imaginative play, reflecting Laura’s commitment to education and community.

Community Christmas Dinner

Towards the end of the Michaelmas Term, we welcomed elderly residents from our local area to All Saints Catholic College for our annual Christmas Community Dinner. The event is an important part of how we connect with and celebrate the members of our wider community, and it was wonderful to see so many guests join us for an afternoon filled with warmth, conversation and festive cheer.

From the moment our guests arrived, we greeted them at the door, helped them to their seats and spent time chatting with them throughout the afternoon. It was lovely to hear their stories and see how much they enjoyed speaking with our students, creating a lively and uplifting atmosphere in the hall.

We served a traditional Christmas meal prepared by our catering team, complete with all the trimmings. Our students supported by serving dishes and making sure everyone felt cared for. The room was full of conversation, laughter and the sound of Christmas music, making it a truly joyful meal.

The raffle brought a great sense of excitement, with guests eagerly checking their numbers. Seeing the delight on the faces of the winners was one of the highlights of the afternoon, and we were thrilled to be able to offer prizes that brought so much joy.

To end the event, we invited everyone to join in some line dancing led by staff members. Whether dancing or clapping along, our guests loved the energy and fun, and it provided a cheerful end to a memorable day.

Our Christmas Community Dinner was a joyful occasion for all of us at All Saints Catholic College, and we feel privileged to have celebrated Christmas with valued members of our community. We look forward to continuing this tradition and strengthening the bonds that make our school community so special.

The Winter Concert Christmas is a time for community, hope, and bringing people together - this concert embodied those values in a very real way On Tuesday 9th December, 85 students took to the stage in our Winter Concert in the school hall. Showcasing all the hard work that students have put in over this term, a mixture of ensembles and soloists shone to warm our winter hearts! Expertly compered by Zara and Tristan (Y9 and Y10 respectively), the concert began with Ladbroke Groove arriving at the station with Chattanooga Choo Choo. One of the things that has struck the entire team of music teachers is how little we have to do in these concerts compared to even a year ago.

The students are self-sufficient and play to such a standard that we just get to sit back and listen to their fantastic playing.

Other solos included Emma on cello, Milad on trumpet, Kim on flute, Marcel on classical guitar, Daniel on piano, and Loza and Victor singing. The breadth of music on offer at All Saints is truly astonishing, with over 20 different instruments being played every week.

Having the courage to go on stage to a packed theatre and perform your piece is one of the things we work hard at encouraging, and given how many times students have performed, they feel at home on stage.

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This confidence builds and expands on the curriculum provided in Oracy and Drama, alongside music, to develop articulate and passionate young people.

The ensembles were again on fine form, culminating with all 85 performers “ruining” Whamageddon for everyone with a massed performance of Last Christmas.

While the number of students on stage is always impressive, the thing that struck me most was the number of Year 7 students taking leading roles in our flagship ensembles — from Josh in the tenor section of Schola, to Juliette on the cymbals and timpani in Symphony Orchestra, all the way through to Paylan playing the clarinet solo at the start of Romeo and Juliet. If this is the standard we are starting at, I can’t wait to write this same review in five years’ time!

Christmas is a time for community, hope, and bringing people together. This concert embodied those values in a very real way.

The Winter Concert 2025

Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight

by Dr Slimings, Director of Performance It is very easy to forget in the barrage of

Following on from this, Schola performed

services,

jumper

pieces in English, Latin, Church Slavonic,

general

Scots, and Auld English in a programme

madness that Advent is a season of

that spanned over 500 years. Other

penitence and anticipation. Many of us

notable stand outs were Miley and Vinheal

have that moment we wait for until it is

(Year 9) singing beautiful verses from

finally Christmas for us, and for me it is the

Darkes setting of ‘in the bleak midwinter’.

days,

Christmas

lunches,

shopping,

pantos,

and

Nine Lessons and Carols Service at our namesake church, All Saints Notting Hill.

For me, Lux Aurumque, Latin for “Light and Gold”, is a highlight of the programme, a

Nine Lessons is an Anglican service that

piece in which silence is part of the musical

has become a staple Christmas tradition

journey. Research shows that singers’

first started by Kings College Cambridge in

heartbeats

the 1930’s. The service narrates the

synchronise when they sing together, and

nativity, with a mixture of congregational

these silences, like a breath, encourage the

carols, choral settings, and readings. It

audience to become part of that collective

famously starts with a solo chorister

liminal instrument of the choir. Existing just

singing the first verse of Once in Royal

for that second as a community, playing

David’s City by candlelight. Having done 5

with the concept of light and gold.

and

even

brainwaves

of these services, we have had 5 amazing renditions of this by our year 7 Schola

Of course, we finished with some classic

members, with Emma starting off this

descants, and hearing members of staff

time.

join in so lustily means that I’ll be nabbing some of them for shows and concerts!

In a dark church, lit by 150 candles and over 200 people in the congregation, this

Once the final chord of Hark! The Herald

moment never ceases to make me

had died away, it was lovely to share a glass

emotional at the memories these young

of mulled wine and a mince pie with the

people are forging and the pride Mr Bick

wider

and I feel in every one of them.

highlight of the year, some very tired

school

community.

Always

a

children (and music staff) are ready for their Christmas dinner on Thursday!

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MISS O’SULLIVAN

Joining the school in September 2025 Languages Teacher and Teaching and Learning Lead at All Saints, Miss O’Sullivan brings a wealth of experience, and dedication to both her subject and the pastoral side of her role

Q+A Why did you come to work at All Saints?

As someone who grew up locally, I have always been intrigued and impressed by the journey that All Saints has been on. Having previously worked in a Catholic secondary school in West London before moving to a role as Head of Languages at an international school in Dubai, I knew that upon returning home, I wanted to work in a Catholic school centred on values such as respect, hope, and kindness. When I visited All Saints last autumn, I was immediately excited about the prospect of working here.

From the warm welcome from all staff to seeing the new building take shape—and, most importantly, witnessing the warmth and manners displayed by the pupils—I knew it would be a fantastic place to continue my teaching career.

Tell us about your background/upbringing.

My family is from Ireland, with my grandparents moving to London to live and work, like many others, in the 1950s. I am extremely proud of my Irish heritage and grew up playing Irish music and attending Irish dancing classes. Born and raised in North-West London, I attended school locally, where my love for languages began in the secondary classroom. I immediately fell in love with the sounds and possibilities that speaking another language brings, and this passion led me to spend part of my university degree living in southern Spain.

What hobbies and interests do you have?

Aside from travelling to new places and learning about different cultures, I have recently developed an interest in running. On Saturday mornings (not every Saturday, I must admit...), you can find me at a local 5K parkrun. In February last year, I completed my first halfmarathon in the heat of the Dubai desert.

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Although the training was incredibly challenging, it was an extremely rewarding experience, and I’m now enjoying running in cooler climates since returning to London. I also love baking, especially for friends and family.

My go-to recipes are a family scone recipe and triple chocolate brownies.

What’s your role at ASCC? I am a Languages Teacher and Teaching and Learning Lead at All Saints. I love working alongside my fantastic colleagues in the Languages department to deliver a dynamic, exciting curriculum. We recently celebrated the many languages spoken by our school community on the Day of Languages in September. Alongside the recent Culture Day, it was wonderful to see how proud our staff and pupils are of their heritage and cultural traditions. Seeing our students performing on stage—singing and dancing—was a definite highlight for me! As part of my role as Teaching and Learning Lead, I am actively involved in the school’s literacy drive, and I work closely with teachers in the early stages of their careers, offering support and guidance. I love being able to see the fantastic teaching and hard-work displayed by our pupils across different curriculum areas through my role.

What is your focus?

My teaching philosophy centres on ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality education in a safe, nurturing environment, where their well-being and progress are always prioritised. I am a proud member of The Chartered College of Teaching, an association for educators passionate about improving their practice and staying up to date with educational research. This half-term, I was recognised by The Chartered College of Teaching with a certificate for engaging with research-informed practice, and I am excited to continue employing these strategies in my classroom and sharing best practice with colleagues.

KEY DATES Lent Term 2026

January 2026

8 January | Year 9 Parents’ Evening (4–7pm), early finish 2:30pm 21 January | Year 7 Parents’ Evening, early finish 2:30pm February 2026 3 February | Year 8 Parents’ Evening, early finish 2:30pm 4 February | Curriculum Enhancement Day 6 February | Maths Number Day 16–20 February | Half Term 23 February | Shoulder Day for Year 8 and Year 11 (all other years do not attend school) 25–27 February | Little Shop of Horrors | School Production March 2026 2 March | Year 9 Pathways Evening (6–7pm) 2–12 March | Year 11 Mocks 5 March | World Book Day 6 March | Year 10 Careers Day 19 March | Spring Concert 26 March | Schola Concert 27 March | INSET Day (no school for pupils) Easter Holidays 30 March – 10 April 2026 Inspicio | Vol. 5

Inspicio | Vol. 5