To celebrate Children's Mental Health Week, we have been talking to children across the School about kindness, inclusion and belonging.

All children have had the chance to fill our kindness thermometer; a huge thermometer which has been sitting outside Mr Searson's Study, where children could add a sticker for an act of kindness they have seen this week. Our thermometer has been peppered with kind acts including: offering to carry a box for a members of staff; helping to find someone's Legami pens; holding a door open; waiting for someone after band practice; and "asking if I was okay at breaktime".

Children also took part in their 'Three Houses' activity, where they write down ideas in their House of Good Things, House of Worries and House of Dreams, which we do every year. Not only does this give children a chance to reflect on their own feelings, but it gives our pastoral staff another insight into our children's voice and perspective, which they can review each year.

It has been lovely to see kindness shining through in so many different ways this week.

 

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Mud, glorious mud! Out and about at Forest School, we have enjoyed campfire cooking, making protein pancakes, pancake races, log rolling and muddy faces – predominantly in the pouring rain! We are not deterred by such things here at Beaudesert, though we do admit to looking forward to the onset of spring and sunshine...

We are so proud of our children’s literacy and writing in Pre-Prep this term. From starting to recognise and form letters in Nursery, to writing Valentine’s inspired sentences in Reception, to inquiry-based topic writing about Amelia Earhart in Year 1 and Princess Victoria in Year 2, our children’s focus, enthusiasm and skills are progressing beautifully.

Happy Half Term to you all.

Anna Packman, Head of Pre-Prep

Declamation season is always a joy. It is a time that always reminds us that spring it on its way. As the fresh shoots of spring are just poking their heads out, the melodic words of poetry float through our corridors. Children across the Prep School have been choosing poems in their English lessons, with every child performing in front of their class. This week, we heard from our Years 3 and 4 finalists, who performed to both their year groups and their family members. Mrs Maria Poll joined as our adjudicator (a familiar face to many), who had the enormously tough task of picking a winner. All of our finalists performed tremendously well. Congratulations to Joshua and Barney, who took the top spots.

Our Year 8s thoroughly enjoyed Baking Club this week, baking beautiful, jammy heart biscuits in pairs. Miss Winkworth ensured they kept to accurate measuring and mixing methods, and Ria, our pastry chef, came to give them some expert advice. We hope the biscuits were polished off with those they love at home.

The Joneses have a secret.

Not a particularly scandalous one, but something only those closest to us know.

We love karaoke.

This week, I felt like a very proud Houseparent.

On Tuesday and Thursday, the children grabbed the mic, cranked up the music and turned the Boarding House into their own concert venue. Karaoke might seem like a fairly ordinary activity, but I think it represents something far more important. It represents comfort. It represents joy. It represents the confidence to be gloriously imperfect, because nobody is flawless on the mic.

Whether it was ABBA or K-Pop Demon Hunters, the song choice did not matter. The result was the same: laughter, energy and an awesome time had by all.

Thursday was even better. As I walked past the 'karaoke room', music was spilling into the corridor, but it was not the only sound. In another room, a group of children were learning and practising a dance routine together. Different space, same spirit. That willingness to have a go, to be seen, to trust those around you. And the noise? The best kind of noise. Music, yes, but more importantly, laughter.

That same spirit was already there last Friday, when the boarders got stuck into circus skills with diabolos, juggling balls and yoyos. There were plenty of dropped props and tangled strings, but what stood out most was the encouragement. Year groups mixing, older pupils helping younger ones, everyone determined to master something new.

Those are the moments that make a house feel like home.

Have a wonderful Half Term. We have loved this one, and we have plenty more fun planned after the holidays.

Oli and Debbie Jones, Houseparents

6TC inspired us in assembly on Thursday morning by talking to us about the power of possibility. The children told the story of Roger Bannister, who was the first person in the world to run a mile in under 4 minutes. Before this, many scientists thought it was impossible for a human to run a sub-4-minute-mile. In 1954, Roger broke this record in 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds, and the record has since lowered by over 16 seconds. They encouraged the children to aspire to things that are yet to be achieved, and to not be discouraged by those who say something is impossible!

Following our Year 6 STEAM event on Saturday, the following children have been recognised for their contribution to the morning and their excellent models:

• Milo P
• Henry L
• Simon W
• William AS
• Heidi J
• Marina LB
• Annie G
• Sabrina J
• Summer C

We have a whole school Open Morning coming up after Half Term, where families will be able to tour the School grounds with our Year 8s, and chat with Mr and Mrs Searson and Mrs Packman over coffee. If you know any families that are looking for their next school, please do send on our details.

Register for Open Morning

Muddy Stilettos have just launched an art competition for children aged 5 to 11 years old, with a chance to win a family holiday to Thailand. Please visit their website for more information.

Muddy Stilettos Art Competition