Last week, members of the School Council welcomed Marick from Noah's Ark Community Centre for a special meeting focused on how we could best support their food bank during the Christmas period. Marick shared with the boys the increased needs local families face at this time of year and highlighted items that are particularly helpful, including tinned fruit, mince pies, biscuits and other festive treats that bring comfort during the holiday season.

This year’s Harvest Festival celebrations at Loyola were made all the more special thanks to the incredible generosity of our boys and their families. Throughout the year, we collect food donations to support those in need in our local community, with key collection times at Easter, through our Easter Egg Appeal, and most recently with our Cereal Box Domino Challenge.

Reception, KS1 and Prep boys had an absolutely fantastic time taking part in the Drama4All workshop from Perform! The session was filled with energy, imagination, and laughter, as the children threw themselves into storytelling, role-play, and performance. It was wonderful to see every boy—no matter how shy or outgoing—finding their voice and having fun while learning new skills.

Last Friday, Rudiments enjoyed a truly special day on retreat at Walsingham House at Abbotswick, a beautiful spiritual centre run by the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service (BCYS). Set in the peaceful Essex countryside, the retreat offered the boys a chance to step away from their busy routines and spend time reflecting, praying, and growing in their faith together.

At Loyola Prep School, we are proud to announce the appointment of our Rudiment boys to their leadership positions for the year. As the eldest year group in our school, these boys have been entrusted with prefect responsibilities, house and sports captaincies, as well as the esteemed roles of Head Boy and Deputy Head Boy.

As the half term drew to a close, our school community gathered at the iconic Lee Valley Athletics Centre for a Sports Day to remember. This world-class venue, famously used as a training ground during the London 2012 Olympic Games, provided an inspiring backdrop for our pupils to shine—not in classrooms, but on the track and field.