We've just heard that former student, Izzy Cottrell, has received a national award for coaching. Izzy, who left Lady Manners School Sixth Form last year, has won UK Coaching's 'Heather Crouch Young Coach of the Year' Award. Izzy played a huge part in sport and coaching teams and clubs during her time here at school. She has continued her involvement in sport whilst at university, where she is studying to become a PE Teacher. Further details of her award are available on at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/get-inspired/46372333. Many congratulations to Izzy – an inspirational former student!

The Christmas spirit was abundant on Saturday morning at our Christmas Fayre. The German themed event was largely run by our Year 7 students, under the watchful eye of Sixth Form assistants and their ingenuity and imagination was in evidence in the number of Christmas themed games to play. In addition our younger visitors took part in a variety of crafts and activities. The culmination of the morning was a very impressive raffle with a host of prizes including a six foot Christmas tree! We are very grateful to all those who kindly donated prizes to the raffle including Gulliver's Kingdom, Peak Feast, Tag Lane Dairy, Ginger Butchers, JW Nayler, Holdsworth Chocolates, Thornbridge Brewery, The George Hotel (Youlgrave), Youlgrave Shop, Bakewell Cheese Factory, Mad 4 Ink, Byways Café, John Hattersley Wines, Chocolates of the Peak, Bakewell Swimming Pool, The Fringe, The Wee Dram, Maria Slack, Adrian Frost and a number of our staff, students and their families. The event was made more festive by the addition of Christmas music, performed by our excellent Senior Windband. The whole event was presided over by Santa himself.

We're all ready and waiting for our German themed Christmas Fayre, which is happening tomorrow, Saturday 8 December between 10.00am and 1.00pm. Entry to the Christmas Fayre is free and it is aimed at primary school aged children and their families. Please do come along at any time between 10.00am and 1.00pm. There will be plenty of craft activities and Christmas games (20p a go) going on all morning so the earlier you arrive the more you can do. We look forward to seeing you!

Our 1st XV Rugby Team travelled to Worcester on Wednesday for the much heralded quarter final match against The King's School, Worcester, in the RFU's NatWest Bowl competition. The King's School presented a tough and well drilled opposition. Our team played really well but this was not to be their day. We are very proud that the team made it so far through this national competition – all the way to the quarter finals. They have represented the school well throughout, eventually seeing their winning form brought to an end by a very strong team. Good luck to The King's School in the semi-finals.

Last night the school was full of students, parents and carers across Years 8-13 as we held our biennial Careers Convention. Students met representatives from 19 universities and colleges, and 38 local companies and organisations to discover more about the options available to them when they leave school. In addition, talks on 21 different career options were available to attend throughout the evening. These focused on a wide range of subjects from 'Art and Design Careers' to 'Uniformed Services Careers' and from 'Why study at University?' to 'Apprenticeships: Part of your Future?' We'd like to thank the delegates who attended on the night, providing a great deal of useful and thought provoking information to our students.