Principal’s Report Christmas 2025
Dear Parents
As the festive season arrives, it feels like the perfect time to pause and look back on what has been a wonderfully busy and positive term. I would like to begin by extending a warm thank you to you, our pupils, and our staff. You are the reason our school is such a special place, and I am incredibly grateful for the trust, support, and sense of community that runs through everything we do.
So Much to Celebrate
This term has been filled with special moments that capture the spirit of our school. Our Nativity performances were absolutely beautiful; the children’s joy and enthusiasm truly were something to behold. The Carol Service at St Ann’s Church was a particular highlight. It was wonderful to see our pupils perform with such confidence, accompanied by the festive notes of Mr Sweeney on his trumpet.
We also got off to a wonderful start in September when our Year 7 pupils enjoyed their much-anticipated bonding trip to Willersley, a much-loved Tower College tradition. The trip provided a valuable opportunity for pupils to build friendships and settle confidently into life in the Senior School.
I had the pleasure of watching our Lower School pupils take part in our annual Spelling Bee competition (see image above). The event unfolded in two stages: an initial in-class round, followed by a final competition, both carefully designed to stretch and challenge pupils with age-appropriate—and delightfully tricky—words. It was a joy to celebrate the achievements of all those involved, and I was pleased to award certificates, medals, and badges in recognition of their hard work and impressive performances.
I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to our class winners: Natasha (Year 1), Willow (Year 2), Louise (Year 3), Roberta (Year 4), Fatima (Year 5), and Anaya (Year 6). Special praise must also go to Willow, who was crowned Key Stage 1 Champion; Louise, our Lower Key Stage 2 Champion; and Anaya, who earned the title of Upper Key Stage 2 Champion. I am already excited for next term when we look forward to entries for our Child Genius competition, which I have no doubt will be just as inspiring to watch.
Reflecting on our Speech Day, I was struck by how far our pupils have come—from those first small steps in the Early Years to walking confidently across the stage to receive their well-deserved awards. Like the story of Homer Hickam in the film October Sky, which I shared during my address, our pupils remind us of the power of resilience, curiosity, and hope. Whether through the Feel Good Films Project, the Construction Crew, or our pupil-led Talent Show, it is clear that when children feel supported to express who they truly are, their confidence and creativity grow naturally.
We continue to see the fruits of our pupils’ hard work. This year, our GCSE results were outstanding, with 90.3% of pupils achieving grade 4 or above.
Pride on the National Stage: Outstanding ISA Sporting Achievements
Beyond the classroom, our pupils have continued to excel at the very highest level in sport, representing the school with pride, determination, and exceptional skill. This year has seen outstanding success in ISA competitions, with several pupils reaching National Finals in Swimming and one of our Year 11 pupils achieving the remarkable distinction of being crowned a British Champion in Trampolining.
Five of our talented swimmers went on to represent both the school and the North ISA at the prestigious ISA Swimming National Finals, held at the London Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park. Competing against the strongest swimmers from independent schools across the country, our team demonstrated impressive focus in every race. Their performances resulted in two first-place finishes, one second-place finish, one third-place finish, and several strong fourth-place finishes. These achievements reflect not only athletic excellence but also the commitment, discipline, and sportsmanship our pupils bring to everything they do. We are incredibly proud of all those involved and congratulate them on representing the school so admirably on the national stage.
Global Citizens
I am always proud to hear how our pupils represent Tower College beyond our school gates. In mid-November, nine pupils attended a weekend Model United Nations conference at The Queen’s School, Chester, accompanied by Mr Jack and Mrs Christian. Congratulations go to Isabelle, Anushri, and Febo, who were recognised with individual committee awards—a fantastic achievement. Our delegates included Amaan, Brandon, Charley, Isabelle, and Tavimba from Year 11; Anushri, Lakshmi, and Malaika from Year 10; and Febo from Year 8.
The following week concluded a busy period of MUN activity, with nine pupils from Years 8 and 9 attending a Mini MUN conference at Cheadle Hulme School. Designed to support younger and less experienced delegates, this event provided an excellent introduction to formal debating and diplomacy. I was delighted to hear that our Poland delegation—Arthur, Connor, Febo, and Jensen—were awarded Best Delegation in the crisis debate. They were joined by Bella, Caitlin, Deyue, Emily, and Matilda, who represented the Philippines with equal commitment and enthusiasm.
Opportunities such as these develop confidence, global awareness, and critical thinking, and they embody the values we strive to instil in our pupils. My thanks go to Mr Jack and Mrs Christian for their continued dedication.
A Speech Day Speech to Remember
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the school awards ceremony. We were privileged to welcome Daniel Smith, a talented Liverpool architect, as our guest speaker. He delivered a memorable speech filled with wise advice for our pupils and reminded us that good architecture begins with people.
Over the past three years, Daniel has partnered closely with us. He praised the way our school works as a family, bringing pupils, staff, and builders into the conversation. Carefully planned site visits have turned construction into a brilliant learning experience, allowing our pupils to see how ideas become places.
We are grateful for his time, his story, and his confidence in our pupils. If you wish to read his full remarks, you will find the link in the top menu bar.
New Governor – Chantelle Joseph
I am delighted to welcome Chantelle to our Board of Governors. She brings more than thirty years of experience in the performing arts as a dancer, actor, producer, director, and theatre manager. She trained at Dolphin Dance Studios in Liverpool, completing a three-year diploma in Performing Arts and earning A.I.D.T.A. Teaching Certificates.
Highlights of her early career include performing with the English National Ballet in Giselle (1991), touring schools in Liverpool in the play Dead Drunk (1999), and appearing at the London Palladium with Dolphin Dance Company in Siege. From 2000 to 2011, she held leading pantomime roles, and on screen she appeared as Anne Willis in Courtroom (2004) and later as Michelle in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks.
For the past seventeen years, Chantelle has served as Resident Theatre Manager at St Helens Theatre Royal, helping the company grow year on year. She has produced and directed the theatre’s Christmas, Easter, and Autumn pantomimes and, as Touring Producer for Regal Entertainments, oversees productions across the North West. Most recently, she produced and directed the national tour of Rita, Sue and Bob Too, which played to full houses at ten UK venues and received excellent reviews.
Chantelle’s appointment is a significant asset for our school. As a governor, she will help us keep pupils at the centre of our decisions while bringing firsthand expertise in creativity, production, and teamwork. Her background will support our priorities in Teaching and Learning, Enrichment, Careers Guidance, and Community Partnerships. We are grateful for her commitment to our school and excited about the insight and energy she will bring to our work with children and families.
Generosity That Makes a Difference
As always, our community has shown incredible kindness. Our annual Colour Run returned in impressive style, and guided by the Student Council, it was agreed that funds raised would enhance our leisure facilities. Thanks to the generosity of pupils, families, and supporters, an impressive £2,500 was raised.
Our Macmillan Coffee Morning was also a wonderful success, raising over £100 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Organised by our Charity Ambassadors, the event brought the school community together for a giant coffee morning filled with warmth and generosity. Congratulations to our Bake Off champions: Hamish in Year 6, who claimed first place, and Henry in Reception, who was a very close second.
We also supported the St Helens Foodbank, the Poppy Appeal, and raised funds for the Prescot Church Roof Fund during our Fashion Show.
I must also thank our Parent Forum representatives. Their proactive approach has already helped make positive changes in areas such as school lunches, uniforms, and communication. We look forward to our next meeting in January to continue this important partnership.
Masterplan
As we look ahead, the future of Tower College is bright. We are beginning an exciting Masterplan to ensure our school remains ready for the future. This includes:
- Padel Courts
- Modern Library and Resource Room
- Technology Upgrades – ongoing updates to ICT systems and site improvements
- Long-term plans for a multi-purpose sports hall incorporating the performing arts
We are committed to involving parents and pupils as these plans develop.
Designing Our Future (A Message from Vidal)
One of the great strengths of Tower College is the way we involve pupils meaningfully in shaping school life. Over the past year, this has been demonstrated through the collaborative redesign of our library and resource areas. I am delighted to share this account from our school architect, Vidal.
Over the past year, we have had the pleasure of working closely with the pupils and staff at Tower College on the redesign of the school library and resource areas. What began as a project focused on creating a new library for pupils from Early Years to Year 11 has grown into a wider project. The vision now includes new resource work areas and breakout spaces, and enhanced Music facilities, including a dedicated Music Technology room.
Much like the Construction Crew student group, we formed a Student Library Team of ten pupils from different year groups. Throughout the year, we held a series of design meetings and workshops to set the brief, explore ideas, and shape the overall design. This collaborative approach has been invaluable, giving pupils a meaningful voice and direct influence on both the process and the outcome.
Most recently, the team came together to review a physical model of the proposed space. This session was especially helpful. The pupils’ thoughtful feedback enabled us to refine the design so it better meets their needs.
We love working alongside pupils in this way and learning from their creativity and insight. We hope they have enjoyed being part of the process just as much. We’re excited to see their ideas and hard work come to life in the year ahead.
Wishing everyone at Tower College a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at Smith Young.
Feeling Good About Ourselves
Feel Good Films – an inspired name for an inspiring company. What a joy it’s been to have them in our school. They are an award-winning video production company known for creating meaningful films that reflect the true character of an organisation. Their aim is simple: understand why you do what you do, then tell that story with creativity, authenticity, and care.
From the day they arrived, the team brought enthusiasm, professionalism, and real warmth. Their approach is collaborative, and our pupils responded with confidence. They didn’t just film our school; they invited children to take part at every stage, sharing their voices and ideas, speaking on camera, joining creative activities, and being themselves in everyday school life. Every child was made to feel valued, comfortable, and proud to be part of something special. I know this because it happened to me too!
These films are more than marketing. They’re a lively snapshot of who we are – our values, our achievements, and the joyful learning that happens here every day. We’re grateful to Feel Good Films for listening to our story, respecting our ethos, and capturing our pupils with such thought and creativity.
On behalf of the whole school, thank you to the Feel Good Films team for their exceptional work. We look forward to sharing the films with you soon and celebrating our school’s story in a way that truly feels good!
The Perfect End
The festive season was brought to life through our Twelve Days of Christmas celebrations, which offered memorable experiences for pupils and families alike. Highlights included a residential trip to Brussels, festive visits such as ice skating and Festive Funland in Birmingham, and a special pantomime performance for our younger pupils.
It was particularly lovely to welcome families into school for parent crafting sessions, strengthening the sense of community at the heart of Tower College. Celebrations concluded with Christmas Character Dress-Up Day, Christmas Jumper Day, and a very special visit from Father Christmas himself.
And… As If That Wasn’t Enough!
We held our very first Christmas School Disco for pupils in Years 4 to 8. The atmosphere was fantastic, with the dance floor full all evening. A special mention goes to Emily in Year 5, our Dance Off Champion, who entertained everyone with her confident performance. Pupils are already asking when the next disco will be!
I hope that this holiday season gives you and your family time to rest, celebrate, and make special memories. Thank you for your continued support and for being the heart of Tower College. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year to continue our journey together.
Ms Bingley