In assembly this week, I asked Prep pupils if they had made any agreements with their parents about the earliest time they would be allowed to get up on Christmas morning, and about half of them said they had. Of those, about 50% confidently said they had honoured the deal, so I do hope that's a fair reflection of their 'compliance'. They seemed happy when I told them this automatically qualified them to be on the 'good' list for next year!
The perfect antidote to removing all the festive decorations from classrooms is to get the children back in - bringing their own life and colour to the department. Year 6 took their learning into the corridor in History, gasping in astonishment at the length of the Bayeux Tapestry - all 70m, from the Pre-prep entrance, right out the other side of the building to the Senior decking!
In Topic, Year 3 have been using atlases to identify and locate the world's major rainforests, whilst Year 4 were fascinated by the Ancient Egyptians' process of mummification - something they'll be (partially) practising on each other next week! Inspired by the snowy flurries, Reception have been learning lots of facts about polar regions and Year 2 have been considering typical weather in each season as part of their new 'Home and Away' topic. Year 5 have finished writing their biographies in English, Year 2 showed fantastic strategic thinking and focus in their adding and subtracting of 9 and 11 and Year 1 have begun comparing materials in Science. Lastly, all Prep pupils have been studying the tradition of 'la galette des rois' in French lessons this week. Bon weekend!
Reading Certificates:
Gold for Lottie O
Stars of the Week:
Nursery: Lizzie W for returning to school with so much confidence and increased resilience. Well done!
Reception: Finley F for increasingly expressive reading and setting yourself high standards in everything you do.
George VdB for good counting skills during practical maths activities, you were quick and accurate.
Year 1: Emilia VdB for her lovely attitude to everything we do. Emilia has a real can-do attitude.
Oscar P for being kind and helping a friend, even when he could have played instead.
Year 2: Oscar B for demonstrating fantastic perseverance and a positive attitude towards adding and subtracting 9 and 11.
Hector E for your consistent positivity and kindness towards all members of Pre-prep.
Mr Wright
It has been a fabulous start to the new term, with plenty happening in and around the School, enhanced by a few flurries of snow that brought much excitement. As we continue to celebrate our 50th Anniversary year, I spoke to the pupils about the School Orchard we will be planting this term. Each year group will choose a fruit tree to plant and nurture, and in time harvest, providing fresh fruit for us to enjoy and use in our kitchens. The Prep School pupils asked if they could plant a cacao tree – much as I would love to agree, the British climate makes this rather unlikely! We also have a new 50th Anniversary flag, which we will proudly fly throughout the course of the year.
We were thrilled to welcome Doug Branson to join us this morning to talk about his career in finance. From gaining a degree in European Philosophy and Literature, Doug took an unlikely path into the financial sector where he began filing share certificates before progressing into his current role as Head of Business Development. Doug has worked across six firms in his career spanning 27 years and spoke with great honesty and compassion about the challenges, highs and skills learnt along the way. Doug’s career path provoked plenty of interest and, as Doug said, we continue to implore the pupils to be inquisitive and ask questions as they start to form ideas about their own career paths. Thank you so much again Doug, it was a brilliant end to a fantastic first week back!
What a joyful start to the Spring Term it has been! The School has been buzzing with energy as teaching and learning resumed in full swing on Tuesday. During our first assembly of the year, pupils were reminded of the exciting celebrations planned for this year as the School marks its 50th anniversary. We also reflected on the important value of kindness, so strongly associated with Christmas, and discussed how kindness is not just for Christmas but should be shown all year round. As we begin the term, we are placing a strong focus on random acts of kindness and working to create a positive ripple effect throughout the Senior School.
Year 11 pupils have spent the past few days diligently preparing for their mock examinations, which began today. We wish them every success as they navigate the week ahead and demonstrate the hard work they have put into their revision.
