FOUR Miss Isaacs, Mrs Richards, Ms Peters, Ms Williams: their surnames are first names when you remove the last -s! Mrs Capaldi, Miss Pothunnah, Ms Mackin, Ms Peneda: the first three letters of their surname are nouns. Mrs Santoo, Mrs Garcia, Ms Latte, Ms Bouchy: teachers of MFL. Mrs Kelly, Ms Simpson, Mrs Smith, Mrs Walsh: DOYs. GUESS THE TEACHER 1 Miss Han 2 Mr Higham 3 Miss Pothunnah TEACHER CONNECTION They are all form tutors for Charity RIDDLE A keyboard! ANAGRAMS 1 Adjacent 2 Diameter 3 Brackets
WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP OTHERS FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG
Are you wondering what to give for Christmas this year? What about the gift of “belonging”? The human soul longs to belong. Over 30 million DNA Ancestry tests have been taken worldwide because people want to know who they are, and where they belong. There are many examples in our lives and as we grow up we come to learn that we belong in more than one community - our work, our family, our sports team, our friendship group, our Church to name but a few. And, while belonging helps us form our personal identity, belonging also fosters a commitment to preserve the group in which we belong; it creates a sense of loyalty and wellbeing.
This term at Holy Cross we have been working on what belonging means in our weekly tutorial sessions and recently we also celebrated Connnections Week full of activities designed to help you make connections and feel supported by others who share the same interests. Every single person in Team Holy Cross has the right to feel like we belong but also we have the responsibility to help others feel like they belong too.
So how does this connect with Christmas? The Christmas story is not just about the birth of Christ. It’s a story about God deciding that He “belongs” with human beings. The Christmas story tells us that God belongs with humans and we belong to God. This is the core of our belonging and this is a vital part of our belonging in Holy Cross.
I wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas. Take care of yourself and of others and I look forward to seeing you back again on Tuesday 7th January 2025.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
(1 Peter 2:9)
Mrs McConn-Finch
Reflections on the Sixth Form trip to New York
SPREADING THE NEWS IN NYC
Art, Psychology, and Sociology students spent a few days in New York City over half-term break, as part of their A-Level studies. We asked them for their thoughts on their time in the Big Apple, and what they took away from the trip to the city that never sleeps ...
What places did you visit?
Lavinia We went to the Empire State Building, Central Park, The Guggenheim Museum, and St Patricks Cathedral.
Christabel We went to Macy’s and The Hard Rock Cafe too!
Natalia ... and we also visited the 9/11 memorial.
What is something you learnt?
Christabel The history of immigration in the US, and how that affected the US economy and lifestyle. I also learnt more about the impact 9/11 had on not just the US, but many countries around the world.
Gus I learnt about the Manhattan boat evacuation on 9/11, where many people were rescued from a trapped part of land by a variety of boat owners who had no actual duty to save them.
Lavinia It was interesting to see how differently people interact with each other in the US.
Orla I realised how different city life is in the US - the people were very open and friendly.
What were your flights and the hotel like?
Natalia Overall great!
Katherine Really nice - the flights were long but they were smooth.
Gus The hotel was very nice and had good facilities.
What was your favourite memory from the trip?
Lavinia Walking through Central Park with my friends, and visiting the top of the Empire State Building at night. The view was beautiful.
Natalia Seeing the Statue of Liberty.
Christabel Being able to explore New York with my friends, and seeing the view of New York from the Empire State Building at night.
Gus The Empire State Buildingsomething I thought I’d only ever see on social media, yet I got to witness that view at night with some of my closest friends.
Orla The Guggenheim Museum was great. I loved the architecture of the building!
Would you recommend this trip?
Gus Definitely. I got to experience
so many things I never thought I’d be able to.
Orla Absolutely: I’d been to New York before but I got to explore places I’d never seen before, through the perspective of a photographer.
Christabel Most definitely. It’s a once in a lifetime experience which I’ll always look back on.
Lavinia Yes - 100 per cent! It was a fantastic experience.
What do you enjoy about your A-Level studies?
Natalia (Psychology) I enjoy learning about different types of people, and understanding different points of view and different theories.
Christabel (Psychology) It’s very interesting. I love learning about human behaviour and the different explanations for it.
Katherine (Psychology) I enjoy looking at how research in psychology impacts real-life situations.
Lavinia (Sociology) It is a very interesting subject, and provides a perspective to the world that no other subject can give.
Orla (Art) I love the opportunity you get to follow your own themes, and create pieces of work that match my individual passions.
KS3 DIVE INTO DIVERSE STORIES
The Holy Cross School was delighted to welcome Griffiths Akai from the Kingston Black Network (KBN) and Kingston Race and Equalities Council (KREC) as part of our Black History Month celebrations this November.
Griffiths visited our Year 9 English lessons as well as our lunchtime ‘Books and Cookies’ Book Club, where students explored diverse narratives, focusing on works by Black authors and characters. The sessions sparked insightful conversations about culture and history.
Other members of the KREC team joined Key Stage 3 lessons throughout the term to further discuss issues surrounding heritage and identity. Students took their opportunity to ask questions of our visitors, and themselves, and received high praise for their engagement and thoughtfulness - well done girls!
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
The Holy Cross School was well-represented at the annual Remembrance Day parade in New Malden.
Mrs Newman led a delegation of 20 students and staff, including Head Girl Lucy Reynolds, and Phoebe (8 Mercy) and Demi-Rose (10 Faith) Meager (pictured), in a march along New Malden High Street on the morning of Remembrance Sunday. The parade culminated at the war memorial statue, where the two-minute silence was perfectly observed.
The following day - the 11th November - the whole school lined up on the field at 11am to observe the two-minute silence as a whole-school community.
Students and staff took the opportunity to reflect on the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of those who served. It was a meaningful moment of respect, honouring their legacy and the freedoms they have protected.
“Our students were fantastic on both days, honouring our fallen heroes with solemnity and respect,” said Mrs Newman.
EVENINGS AT THE THEATRE
Key Stage 4 and 5 students were treated to numerous theatre trips this term to assist with their exam studies.
A Level English Literature students enjoyed their trip to see Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath at the National Theatre, and were impressed by the moving adaptation of the novel.
GCSE Drama students took in a staging of WarHorse at the New Wimbledon Theatre, and GCSE Dance students headed to The Bridge Theatre to take in Guys and Dolls, with immersive tickets that transported them to the streets of Manhattan and the bars of Havana!
Students will use their observations of the performances in their upcoming exams, where they will gain marks for insightfully commenting on the scripting, acting, dancing, and staging!
PREMIER PASSION
Footballers from Years 8 to 11 were on the ball when they got to experience an unforgettable day at Chelsea FC’s world-class training ground in Cobham in November.
The girls got given a tour of the facilities used by the west-London club’s Premier League superstars, and were then able to take part in an exclusive coaching session with Chelsea’s expert coaches.
Maria Marcos and Wiktoria Kazmierczak (9 Charity) were inspired by the trip, saying: “ We really enjoyed the trip. Our favourite part was the tour; we got to see a lot of the Chelsea Academy players training, and it was cool to see some of the drills they perform. The coaches were friendly, and the activities they laid on were fun.“
We look forward to seeing our very own future Lionesses chasing goals and making memories!
EMILY Remembering
This term marked the 10th anniversary of the passing of Emily Hodder, a beloved former student of the school who tragically lost her battle with mitochondrial disease at the young age of 16.
To honour her memory, we have planted a beautiful Acer palmatum ‘Pink Passion’ tree in the garden in front of St. Theresa’s. This tree, with its purplish-pink foliage, will stand as a lasting tribute to Emily, changing colours through the seasons, just as she continues to leave a lasting impression on all who knew her.
Over the years, Emily’s legacy has endured in various ways, including the annual school award in her name; a stained glass window in our chapel; and a bench in our Peace Garden.
Emily’s mum, Angela Hodder, and her grandmother joined us for the planting ceremony.
Angela has also been fundraising for The Lily Foundation, a charity that supported Emily and her family during her illness. If you would like to donate to this important cause in Emily’s memory, you can do so at https://shorturl.at/gteNQ.
After all these years, Emily remains a cherished part of the Holy Cross school community.
Rest in peace, Emily 01/10/1997 - 03/09/2014
YEAR 13 TACKLE BIG QUESTIONS
Year 13 Theology, Philosophy & Ethics students dived into profound moral debates at Dr Peter Vardy’s Ethis Conference in November.
From the sanctity of life to the ethics of war, they explored vital questions: What sets human life apart from animals or AI? Does marriage still matter in the 21st Century? How do Christians balance justice with mercy for offenders? Can war ever be justified, and what about modern challenges like drones and nuclear weapons?
It was a highly-engaging and thought-provoking day of discussion that further challenged the critical thinking skills of our A-Level TPE students.
This is just one example of the enriching experiences on offer in our Sixth Form, where students are challenged to think critically and engage deeply with the big questions that shape our world.
BUDDING ARTISTS ON THE CARDS
Aina Hojanizova (10 Mercy) has won the annual Southwark Diocese Christmas Card competition!
Aina’s design, depicting Mary cradling baby Jesus (right), won the judges’ first prize from a litany of entries, and Aina received an artbox as a reward.
Elise Thornely (10 Faith) and Anastasia Tutton (10 Peace) also received runners-up prizes.
The competition invites pupils to showcase their artistic talents and celebrate the true spirit of Christmas. It is open to pupils of all ages from every school in the Southwark Diocese, and the themes this year were: O come all ye faithful (Adeste fideles); O little town of Bethlehem; Silent night, holy night; and Joy to the world, the Lord has come!
The Christmas card competition is a wonderful initiative that combines creativity, education, and faith. It provides a platform for young pupils to express their artistic talents while celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.
CLIMATE AWARNESS IN THE HX MULTIVERSE
Art and English came together this term to lead a poetry competition for climate justice.
Year 8 students were tasked with writing a poem discussing how climate change affects different people, animals or places, or their feelings about the issue.
The competition was organised by the Get Creative for Climate Justice Project, which is jointly organised by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, the Royal Society of Literature, and Send My Friend To School with the support of the Climate Coalition.
The purpose of the exhibition is to showcase the creativity of young people, amplify their voices, and call upon their elected representatives to take action for climate justice.
Students produced some incredible poems inspired by the call for climate justice.
Three students - Bernice Lam, Jessica Rees, and Sylvia Gatto - were chosen to film themselves reciting their poem, and their videos were played during the art department’s Climate Justice exhibition!
AUTUMN TERM 2024
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING AT THE HOLY CROSS
Catholic Social Teaching is the part of Catholic teaching that addresses matters of social, economic and ecological justice in the world.
Like other parts of Church teaching, it is grounded in scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. It develops through time by placing these sources in dialogue with the signs of the times.
At The Holy Cross, CST underpins our school ethos, and our teaching and learning. Our commitment to this is recognised through the Saint Oscar Romero Award, which we began in 2022, proudly receiving our first level certificate: Participation.
The following year, we were blessed with our second level certificate, Developer, and we are now well on our way to receiving our third level: Innovator.
Our progress would not have been possible without the commitment and hard work of our students, their parents and caregivers, tutors, and teachers: a demonstration of how well we work as a team at The Holy Cross!
RED WEDNESDAY
To further demonstrate our commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, we organised Red Wednesday in November.
This was a day when all students wore red to raise awareness about Christian persecution all over the world.
Maria Yaneva and Nana Owusu-Ansah (8 Faith) explained: “On Red Wednesday,we wore red to support Aid to the Church in Need, a charity that helps Christians around the world who can not express their religious beliefs. Such Christians can be persecuted, kept in prison, and kicked out of their country.
“On Red Wednesday, we reflected on how lucky and grateful we are to live in the UK, where we have the freedom to express our religion. We are given the diginity and subsidiarity within our laws to celebrate and be proud of our religious beliefs, but we must never forget those who do not have the same opportunity.”
The school raised a fantastic total of £2004.50 on the day, with money used by Aid of the Church in Need to continue their support of persecuted Christians worldwide.
The Oscar Romero Award Aspire to be more Developer Level
ST OSCAR ROMERO
FESTIVE PAGE-TURNERS
THE WINTER PLACE ALEXANDER YATES
Paranormal Fiction; Years 7 to 10
Tess and Axel are enchanted and bewildered by the sudden appearance of a bear in their garden. This stunning event falls on the same day as a dark tragedy turns their home life upside down. Forced to relocate to Finland with grandparents they’ve never met, Tess is determined to find a way back to their home. While Axel - struggling with a failing body and battling everstronger hallucinations - has a different journey in mind. Adamant that a bear and mysterious stranger are connected to his family’s story, he sets out into the snow and ice ...
BLOOD RED SNOW WHITE MARCUS SEDGWICK
Historical Fiction; Year 8 and above
Russian fairytale and historical fact combine in this compelling account of Arthur Ransome and his experiences in revolutionary Russia. Ransome leaves his unhappy marriage in England and moves to Russia to work as a journalist for the Daily News, little realising revolution would erupt before his eyes. Called on by the British to spy upon the Bolsheviks, Ransome finds his loyalties torn when he falls in love with Trotsky’s secretary, forced to make some difficult decisions. No prior knowledge of the revolution is needed to enjoy this engrossing account of Rasputin, the Romanovs, and Lenin.
AFTER THE SNOW SD CROCKET
Science Fiction; Years 9 to 11
Fifteen-year-old Willo has been left alone in the freezing and snow covered hills that have been his home for years. Willo doesn’t know where his father and the rest of his family have gone, but donning the skull of a dog, whose spirit guides him, he resolves to try and find them. Willo’s journey takes him into the dangerous world of the city, where people live in fear and poverty. Soon Willo discovers some unnerving information about his father and as his fight for survival grows increasingly urgent, the boy must draw on reserves of strength he never knew he had ...
Looking for a bewitching book to snuggle under the covers with on a chilly Christmas holiday evening? Here are six highly recommended reads for you to consider ...
AS RED AS BLOOD SALLA SIMUKKA
Thriller; Years 9 to 11
Seventeen year old Lumikki lives alone in Tampere, Finland. When she discovers a stack of washed Euro notes hanging up to dry in the school darkroom, she unwillingly finds herself embroiled in a dangerous web of deceit and murder connected to renowned criminal boss, Polar Bear. Lumikki is brave and clever, but is even she smart enough to bring down a master criminal? The first in the Snow White trilogy, this gripping story features a strong and courageous heroine. Set against a wintry Finnish backdrop, this is an intriguing and brilliantly crafted thriller.
MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME VARIOUS
Romance; Years 8 to 11
A collection of Christmas-themed romantic short stories, one for each of the ‘twelve days’, by some of the best known American Young Adult authors, including Holly Black, Ally Carter, Matt de la Peña, Gayle Forman, Stephanie Perkins, and Laini Taylor. Anthologies have the advantage of providing a variety of styles and subject material, so within the very girly cover readers should find something to enjoy. The tales range over varied geographical settings and cultural backgrounds, encompassing different winter traditions, and include some supernatural events and fantasy settings.
PRISONER OF ICE AND SNOW RUTH LAUREN
Fantasy / Crime; Years 7 to 10
Valor’s privileged family is brought to its knees when her sister, Sacha, is imprisoned for stealing a valuable music box from the royal household. Seeing no other way to help her sister, Valor hatches a dangerous plan that will see her condemned to the same fate. After all, how can she free Sacha from an impenetrable ice fortress unless she, too, is on the inside? As holes start to appear in Valor’s simplistic plan, the mystery of the original theft, the involvement of a royal prince and the cruelty of the penal system bring evergreater challenges and complexity to the plot of this fantasy crime novel.
CONNECT FOUR ...
Can you identify all sixteen members of staff below - even those dressed up as Santa for the Christmas holiday?! After you’ve done that, can you sort them into four groups of four, according to a common link between them? As an example, if Mrs Khan, Ms Rout, Mrs Chen, and Mr Clark were below, they could form a group as they are all teachers of Maths. It’s a tricky one! Each member of staff can only be placed in one group. Solution on page 2!
GUESS the
teacher
Can you work out the identity of these three teachers?
Favourite ...
Film: Interstellar
Musician: HER
Book: The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
Sport: Running
Dream Holiday: Peru
If I wasn’t a teacher, I would be ... a dentist!
Favourite ...
Film: This is Spinal Tap
TV Show: The Wire
Book: 1984 by George Orwell
1
WHAT CONNECTS THESE FOUR HOLY CROSS TEACHERS?
2
Musician: Thou (Heavy Metal Band)
Restaurant: Koyal (Surbiton)
Dream Holiday: Peru
If I wasn’t a teacher, I would be ... a bankrupt record store owner
Favourite ...
Film: The Prince of Egypt
Sport: Badminton
Restaurant: Al Forno
Musician: Cat Burns
Book: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
If I wasn’t a teacher, I would be ... a Lay Chaplain
RIDDLE I have keys but no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter, but you can’t go inside. What am I?
3
Rearrange the letters to find three mathematical terms All answers on page
MR CLARK
MISS WARNA MS DUIZEND MS WHEELER
PILGRIMS OF HOPE
THE JUBILEE YEAR 2025
Christmas Eve marks the start of the Jubilee year in the Catholic Church.
A Jubilee, or ‘Holy Year’, is a special year of forgiveness and reconciliation, in which people are invited to come back into right relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. It is celebrated by the Church every 25 years; this has been the case since 1470 under the auspices of Pope Paul II.
The theme for 2025 is Pilgrims of Hope. Pope Francis has invited Catholics to renew our hope, and to rediscover a spirituality of God’s creation in which we understand ourselves as “pilgrims on the earth”, rather than masters of the world.
Often people will go on pilgrimage during a Jubilee year, to Rome or another holy site Pope Francis writes: “Pilgrimage is of course a fundamental element of every Jubilee event. A pilgrimage on foot is a great aid for rediscovering the value of silence, effort and simplicity of life.”
For 2025, Catholics are invited to be “Pilgrims of Hope”.
THE HOLY DOORS
doors are opened, and on 24th December 2024 (Christmas Eve), the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica, Rome will be opened!
JUBILEE YEAR AT THE HOLY CROSS
We will be celebrating The Jubilee Year throughout 2025 here at The Holy Cross, with a number of events and activities.
There are six ‘themes’ that we will be looking at in particular - Care for creation, Food poverty, Modern slavery, Managing debt, Forgiveness, and Rest.
In Catholic tradition, the Holy Door represents the passage to salvation — the path to a new and eternal life, which was opened to humanity by Jesus.
A Holy Door is one of the usually sealed entrances that lead into the major basilicas of Rome. The beginning of the Jubilee Year is marked by the opening of the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. It is only during a Jubilee Year that these
Which of themes seem of particular interest to you? Reflect on this with your parish, family, or friends, and explore the differences between God’s answers to these themes, and the world’s answers?
The Jubilee Year concludes on 6th January 2026. For everyone, may the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the “door” (cf. John 10:7.9) of our salvation.
THE HOLY CROSS SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT PRESENTS ...
THE ARTHUR COTTERELL THEATRE, KINGSTON 5 & 6 MARCH 2025
Loving Father,
This year, please help us to understand the true meaning of Christmas, and why God sent his only son down to earth to save us from sin.
Help us to find your loving light in the darkest times, and guide us through this Christmas season, leading us to make the right decisions in the years to come.
Help us to be kind, loving, and supportive to all.
