Thank you to our generous community who donated pasta, biscuits, tinned meats and custard this week. Our bus drivers delivered the collection to Stroud District Foodbank, who were thrilled with the donation.

Our children gave thanks for the harvest season on Tuesday morning, and we were joined by Head of Lower School, Mrs Woodhead and Rev Rosie Amess from Cheltenham Ladies' College, who led our Harvest Festival Service. Rev Amess spoke to the children about how we are all different, but that each and every one of us has a special talent or offering to give to the world, just like the 'wonky' fruit and vegetables we see in the supermarkets.

Year 2 wrote some lovely harvest prayers which they sent to Farmer Bett this week. Below is Ffion's.

Dear God,

Thank you for the harvest. Thank you for all the farmers that grow us fruit and vegetables, like tomatoes and carrots and apples. Thank you for the cows and pigs that bring us bacon and milk. Thank you for all the hard work that the farmers put in for us. Thank you for the rain and sun that help the crops to grow. Thank you for the soil we plant seeds in. Thank you for the wheat that makes my cereal and bread. Thank you for all the chickens that give us eggs.

Amen.

We have been revelling in all things Harvest this week.

Reception children have been retelling the story of 'The Little Red Hen', using story maps and actions, amidst the autumn leaves, and exploring conker painting techniques and measuring in different contexts.

Year 2 attended their first ever Prep School assembly, one of a few such opportunities that will follow this year, created harvest prayers and collaged harvest baskets, selecting fruits and vegetables with which to fill them. They also painted lizards as part of their Mexican topic work.

In preparation for their visit to Westonbirt Arboretum next week, Year 1 have been delving into tree and leaf identification with games such as ‘leaf-snap’, and matching seeds and fruits to their tree. The children have learned why trees are so important and how we can protect and care for them.

In Nursery, children have been collecting natural objects from outside to help them with their counting skills. They have also been talking about different emotions, and have been introduced to the Zones of Regulation, with related activities using drawing, playdough and loose parts to make different faces with different expressions.

Forest School continues to be a weekly highlight, aiding class learning and helping woodland animals prepare for winter by collecting wood and building up our dead hedges.

Anna Packman, Head of Pre-Prep

This week, we are doing a special 'Staff Spotlight' on our wonderful minibus drivers, who drive all over the Cotswold hills in the mornings and evenings for our families.

Our buses run every morning, arriving at Beaudesert between 8.00-8.15am. They depart each evening (except for Wednesdays) at 5.40pm. The drivers take the same routes every day, and get to know the children and families on their route.

Below is a list of our drivers, the routes they take and a little more information about them.

Mike D - Dursley

Mike D is husband to our School Nurse, Deanna, and also works as a DT Technician with Mr Waters.

Mike N - Kemble/Cirencester

Mike N plays the flugelhorn in Avening Silver Band.

Martin - Colesborne/Ampney Crucis

Martin is our Head of Transport and has spent the last decade competing in national hill racing competitions.

Kim - Painswick

Kim is one of our Matrons, keeping the Boarding House spick and span. She also enjoys flower arranging in her spare time.

Richard - Grittleton/Sherston

Richard is a builder and restorer extraordinaire, and spends his spare time restoring his house and cars.

Karen - Malmesbury/Tetbury

Another brass enthusiast, Karen plays the cornet in Nailsworth's Silver Band.

Keith - Great Somerford/Little Somerford

Keith is our longest standing bus driver, who has been driving Beaudesertians for over over 11 years. He is a keen supporter of our Equestrian Team, and often goes to support his passengers when they compete for Beaudesert.

New Bus App

Since September, Beaudesert has been using a platform called Vectare to organise its minibuses, which allows parents to book trips online (in bulk or as a one-off), and see live updates as their children are travelling.

There's lots more information on our Vectare site, please use the link below to see details on routes and prices.

Find out more about Transport

This week, Year 7 have begun their study skills sessions with Elevate Education, who will be visiting them regularly over the academic year. Their session this week focussed on time management, and how the children can plan their days to make sure they are not overwhelmed with revision and study work. These are skills they can take forwards into Year 8, senior school and beyond.

Many parents may only see one part of the School on a regular basis, but our staff do an incredible job of updating display boards across the site, both in classrooms and corridors. We are going to regularly feature displays in the Buzz to showcase the brilliant creativity and diversity of work which is displayed.

Mr Cleaver has promised a prize to the first parent who can decode his display, so get your pens at the ready...

Boarding this week has been buzzing with energy, laughter, and noise spilling out of every corner. From the Sports Hall to the Astro, the children threw themselves into each activity with their usual mix of enthusiasm and imagination.

Monday saw the return of strength and conditioning, with 20 of our young athletes working hard under the guidance of our personal trainer. There was plenty of sweat, plenty of competition, and plenty of smiles. Those not in the gym turned their attention to the PAC, where they staged a brilliantly inventive battle scene using the Nerf Guns.

On Tuesday, glorious weather tempted everyone outdoors to the Astro and the woods, likely our last chance to enjoy natural evening light before the darker nights set in. While the fading sunshine was met with a little sadness, it also sparked excitement for the return of Spotlight. Later, our Year 8 boarders impressed with their engineering skills, building a full race course in the Sports Hall, complete with chicanes, hairpin bends, and even jumps.

The Year 8s enjoyed some well-earned downtime after their matches on Wednesday, although their down time is different to mine... Hide and seek and two hours of football/touch rugby on the Astro! Thursday followed in the same cheerful spirit; the Year 8s headed out for a hit on the range, whilst the Year 7s split their time between exploring the forest and enjoying games on the Astro.

The Beaudesert Park Charity Autumn Fair is fast approaching, please mark Saturday 1st November 8.30am to 3.00pm in your diaries.

The Committee is still looking for donations of more raffle prizes! Please get in touch if you are able to help at bpsautumnfair@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram for the latest updates @bpsautumnfair.

We would like to thank all the people who have already come forward with incredibly generous gifts! This week, we have received two beautiful Eccleston scarves from HERD, a weekend Family Camping Ticket at Rock Oyster Festival, and a two night stay in a gorgeous cottage on the Isle of Wight.

All proceeds will go to The Grand Appeal, The Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity.

We will be selling raffle tickets for £2 each every Friday at Collection from 3.00pm to 5.30pm so please buy generously for this great cause.