We looked across the coast and knew we had reached our destination; Polzeath. After we arrived at the beautiful caravan park, we unpacked all our bags and we headed out to try our first surfing lesson of the week. The surfing was amazing and the instructors made it so enjoyable. Then we came back in partners lifting the hefty surf boards back, as the salty water started to turn warm.

Every morning at 6.45am we would be woken up and encouraged to take an early morning swim in the sea. But then swiftly running back after a dip in the water, we argued over who would get the first shower.

A bit later on we were split into two groups. One would start the day with some surfing, then finish off with paintballing and the other would alternate. We all loved the paintballing, an adrenaline-fueled team sport with paint-filled markers and strategy.

On Wednesday, my group suited up into thick wetsuits and went kayaking, gliding down the current as it pushed down into the sea. When we had to go back up it was beyond impossible, but we didn't give up and pushed through all the waves and current and finished. But then we had coasteering, where we would all face our fears and go in caves and collectively jump off rocks. There were exciting jumps, crashing waves, coastal climbs, sea caves, laughter, teamwork, splashes, exploration, challenge, energy, and fun.

On Thursday, we started a bit later for a coastal walk, which was incredible and so much fun. The views were immense and astonishing. For the last activity of the blasting and eventful week, we had a long session of surfing, ripping through those waves and hitting the ‘double shakas’ on our decks.

We then spent the last special evening at Polzeath on the beach, with pizza, partying, and building sandcastles. What a great and thrilling trip to Cornwall. Thanks to the staff for organising this unforgettable experience for us!

George N, Year 8

We have a whole heap of photos from Cornwall; we will send these on to parents, along with photos of all of their other end of term activities, after the end of term.

After their return from Cornwall, this week, the children have visited Go Ape in Coleford, Bristol Zoo and AirHop Adventure and Trampoline Park, and started working on their Revue performances for next week. More adventures await next week!

There is no winding down, or indeed cooling down, as we head into the final fortnight of the year. The children have been amazing and impressing us in all sorts of ways, and we have been as busy as ever.

Sports Days this week were a huge success, with Nursery delighting us with their determination and confidence, as they ran and jumped and ‘walked the plank’! Reception to Year 2 children adapted brilliantly to their adjusted Sports Day format, in light of the exceptionally hot weather, and showcased their skills as well as their sportsmanship across a range of events. Huge thanks to our PE team, teachers and parents for their support.

The Ballet lesson demonstrations with Miss Tara were well received by parents and children alike, as was Nursery’s Judo lesson demonstration, with more to follow for other year groups next week.

In other news, we have been making refreshing drinks in Reception, and Vegemite sandwiches in Year 1, learning about patterns, caring for babies, researching, writing and creating works of art. 2B loved their Forest School picnic on Thursday as well.

In Year 2, children have been learning about the rainforests and deforestation, and wrote letters to local councillors and government officials in other countries to raise their concerns and take action based on their learning. Some children were so inspired by the unit that they made up their own song about deforestation, writing the lyrics and musical notation to accompany it and teaching it to the whole class. They even performed it for some prospective parents who passed through their class today, who were blown away by the children’s autonomy and creativity in their learning!

Anna Packman, Head of Pre-Prep

This week, we bid "bon voyage" to our Year 7 children, as they headed across the Channel for a week in Normandy, France. They are just returning to today so we will have a full report next week, but we've heard the children had an excellent time!

Last week, Year 6 headed north for their residential trip to Derbyshire. Leaving, filled with excitement, we stopped half way to visit the wonderful Warwick Castle.

Having first been taken on an attack and defence tour of the outside of the castle, learning about battering rams, arrow slits, crenulations, murder holes, gatehouses and portcullises, the year were divided into five groups to explore the castle’s interior. They enjoyed exploring the extensive stately rooms and battlements, and braved the darkness of the dungeon, before being treated to an amazing falconry display and watching the Wars of the Roses come to life in a live-action jousting display.

The next day, they headed further north to The Heights of Abraham, in the famous town of Matlock Bath. Having hopped aboard cable cars to scale the cliff face, they explored two caverns, and were wowed by the Seismic Lightshow that explained how the landscape had changed over the years, the history of the area and how limestone caverns are formed.

The final morning saw the group pack up and begin the journey home. As a final part of their Wars of the Roses studies, they stopped off at the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre where they enjoyed a tour of the battlefield, tracking the approach of the Lancastrian and Yorkist armies in 1485, and seeing the spot where Richard III met his end. Children were given roles within the story and carried the historic banners and coats of arms across the fields where centuries before the fate of England had been decided.

The teachers were really impressed with the way the children conducted themselves on the trip. They were a real credit to the School, and many of our guides said the same. It made for a wonderful trip.

On Monday, Year 5 made the trip across the old Severn Bridge to the ruins of Chepstow Castle. Having spent the Summer Term learning about the history of castles in this land and, specifically, how they were used by the Normans, post-1066, to subdue the disgruntled Saxon population.

The children enjoyed touring the battlements and the old kitchens, cellars and inner-baileys, and particularly enjoyed looking down the medieval toilets to the river far below. We then walked around the outside of the castle to see where the walls had been hastily rebuilt following the parliamentarian siege of 1648, and to see where the drawbridge once provided access to the back of the castle.

After a quick lunch in the shade of the trees, we hopped back aboard the minibuses and headed just 15 minutes up the road to the ruins of Tintern Abbey. There, under the guidance of Ms Dismorr, the children were encouraged to make the most of their surroundings which have, over the years, inspired some of the finest artists, and spend some time either sketching or writing. The scene was a tranquil and idyllic one, topped off by an ice cream on the Tintern cricket-pitch before we headed back to School.

Our girls had wings at Mercia Athletics Regional Finals in the blistering heat! Isla has qualified for the National Finals in the hurdles and the long jump, and Willa has qualified in the 200m. Our girls' relay team have also qualified for the Nationals, winning their final by a country mile. All of the children performed fantastically. A special mention must go to Dougie, who ran a brilliant 800m, and then stepped in to run a leg of the U14 boys' relay at the last minute.

We are sending our heartiest congratulations to OB Tommy Severn (2003-2012), who captained the England team in the Golden Jubilee Trophy match at Beaufort Polo Club this weekend. The team played against a strong USA side, winning 9-8.

Tommy said hello to some of our young Beaudesertian polo enthusiasts, who were playing in the RODA Polo Tournament over the weekend.

We have heard that lots of Beaudesert children took part in the RODA tournament, which is a form of one wheel polo. Well done to Rufus and his team who took to the top spot.

Year 4 enjoyed a lovely hot day visiting Widden School on Tuesday. They enjoyed workshops learning Arabic maths, some Romanian language, making chocolate balls, drawing zentangles, playing lots of football together, and having henna designs applied to their hands.

Paula Cawley visited us this week and hosted RSE workshops with our Year 6 and Year 8 children, speaking to them about relationships and changes in adolescence. She also spoke to parents at the beginning of the day, and will be returning in September to repeat this talk for those who missed it.

5G presented in Prep School assembly this week, explaining the history of Morse code. They wowed us with the speed in which Morse code is communicated, and tried to teach us some letters. While some of us picked it up quickly, many in the room were left floundering... It was a fascinating and insightful assembly. Thank you, 5G.

Ms Limburn organised a fantastic clothes swap yesterday evening for our staff, which has raised over £200 for Stroud Women's Refuge. Thank you to all our staff who donated to the cause.

The sun has made its presence known this week, and the Boarding House has felt like a little slice of summer. With blue skies, high temperatures and not a raincloud in sight, the whole place has taken on a slower, sun-soaked rhythm.

A small group of Year 8 girls chose to board all week, hoping to make the most of their final days at Beaudesert, and they certainly picked the right week to do it. From morning to evening, they have thrown themselves into every activity, every opportunity, and every sunny moment, determined to squeeze out every last drop of Beaudesert juice.

The outdoor pool has, understandably, become the centerpiece of each evening. Whether it’s swimming, floating, or just cooling off between games, it’s been in near-constant use. There’s been a steady stream of towels drying over railings, and children tiptoeing barefoot over the gravel from the changing room (we do tell them to wear shoes!).

The banks, as always, have been a hive of activity, though this week there has been a noticeable migration towards the shade. While games still continued, there was a new appreciation for a good patch of grass beneath a tree, a cold drink in hand, and the company of friends. Some stretched out to read, others sat in circles chatting. Even the most energetic of boarders seemed to be moving at a more relaxed, sun-drenched pace.

The combination of sunshine and a smaller, tight-knit group has made for a lovely atmosphere. Here’s to more sunshine, more swims, and a few more precious weeks of boarding memories before the term draws to a close.

Oli and Debbie Jones, Houseparents