St Nicholas Arrives Early For Some Very Lucky Pupils!

This week, Christ College Brecon opened its doors to younger pupils, accepting pupils under the age of 11 for the first time in its 474 year history. This year St Nicholas House, which is the newest development at Christ College, will welcome 30 boys and girls aged 7-11 years into its new Junior section.

St Nicholas House features its own interactive classrooms, a networked IT suite with the latest IT equipment including iPads, outdoor teaching facilities, its own library, and a brand new ‘Timber Tangle’ playground and adventure trail. It also has its own ‘messy room’ for cookery and craft activities. St Nicholas House pupils will also have access to the senior school’s extensive facilities too, including its immaculate sports fields, the Hubert Jones Science Centre and the new state-of-the-art Centre for the Creative Arts, The Neuadd, which houses a theatre, an art gallery and a recording studio.

St Nicholas House has a small class size policy and will eventually grow to a maximum of 15 children in each year group between Years 3-6. One of attractions will be additional curriculum activities including specialist music and modern languages.

Emma Taylor, Head of Christ College Brecon, said: “We’re delighted to be extending the Christ College family to include younger children. It’s a huge milestone in the school’s long history. Our focus is very much on creating a friendly environment that encourages imagination, creativity, hard work and mutual respect and we will be passing these values on to our new, younger generation. St Nicholas House pupils will receive the same excellent care and attention and standards of teaching that our older pupils enjoy.

“Our Year 7 and Year 8 pupils in the senior school will also play an important role too, getting involved and supporting St Nicholas House pupils, maintaining our family atmosphere, which sees everyone at Christ College working together and developing skills that will benefit them during their time at the school and beyond.

“It’s been wonderful seeing the first St Nicholas House pupils in their new uniforms, settling into their new routines and enjoying the benefits of our inspiring setting as they explore their new school.”

Head of St Nicholas House, Mrs Julie Lewis, commented: “It’s fantastic to be able to plan and start a school ‘from scratch’. We have been able to develop the school to specifically meet the needs of the children, and the current curriculum to offer the very best modern facilities and opportunities for learning. It’s been lovely to meet the children and their parents this week as they start their journey within Christ College, making history at the same time!”

Why St Nicholas House? Many visitors to Brecon walk to the bridge over the river Usk, recognising it as a vantage point for photographing exceptional views of the Brecon Beacons. In the foreground lies a group of buildings, also worthy of the visitor’s attention – Christ College Brecon. Founded by Royal Charter in 1541 by Henry VIII, the school is already embedded in the history of the town. But the site itself, lying alongside the river Usk and below the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, has actually been occupied for over 750 years. The Dominicans arrived in Britain in 1221 and Brecon Friary, on the site of Christ College, was first mentioned in 1269. History suggests it grew and become a flourishing community. The friary was originally dedicated to St Nicholas, the patron saint of children, and it is this link that provides us with the compelling reason for naming our Junior School in this way.

On Saturday 4th October, there will be an Open Day at Christ College Brecon, starting at 9.30 am. From 12.30 pm on that day, St Nicholas House will be opening its doors to prospective St Nicholas House pupils and their families. Click here for details.