Our Art Scholars have been working their socks off over the holidays, as they prepare their digital portfolios for senior school scholarship assessments in the coming weeks. Our scholar hopefuls are applying to six different senior schools, each with different application criteria. Their portfolios are only a small portion of the scholarship process, but a very important one.

Last year, six of our leavers gained art scholarships, to six different senior schools, cementing our strong record year on year. We are wishing this year's cohort the very best of luck in their upcoming assessments.

To support their learning on the Ancient Greeks this term, our Year 4 children spent the day learning and re-enacting some Ancient Greek traditions. They explored Hoplite artefacts and roleplay through warships and battle geography, dressed up as gods and goddesses, performed in Greek theatre, and competed in a traditional version of the Olympic Games. The children had a fantastic day, fully immersing themselves in the activities and igniting their passion for the topic ahead.

Huge well done to our U11A boys who won the Plate Competition at the Winterfold Football Tournament yesterday!

After battling through some close and challenging group matches against Westhouse, The Elms, Hereford Cathedral, RGS, and King's Hawford, they advanced to the Plate Competition.

In the semi-final, the boys put in a strong performance to secure a fine win against King's St Alban's. The final was a tense and dramatic affair against The Elms, with the team clinching a well-earned 1-0 victory thanks to their focus and teamwork.

Well done to all the players for their effort and determination throughout the day.

On Wednesday morning, Mrs Wilkins joined our Prep School assembly to talk to the children about the joys of learning a brass instrument. She explained the different 'personalities' of the trumpet, French horn, tenor horn and the trombone, and some of our brass players gave fantastic demonstrations. Her passion for the brass family definitely shone through!

We have space for children to learn any of the brass instruments featured. If your child would like to have a go, please email Mrs Saunders, who can organise a taster lesson.

3HJ spent one of their afternoons drawing vegetables found in Mr McGregor's garden, as part of their work learning about their upcoming play, 'Peter Rabbit'. They had fun exploring the different textures they could create for different vegetables, using pencils and crayons.

3N had a fabulously frosty Forest School session last week, using compasses to navigate south to Forest School like migrating birds, and then binoculars to do some bird spotting. They practised travelling in bird formations and played some bird identification games. After a warming hot chocolate, whilst listening to different bird calls, they heard and saw a green woodpecker flying over them! The children were excited to find out if it was a lesser spotted woodpecker, and they had lots of questions.

If you have a moment, perhaps you would like to read the RSPB British Woodpecker Identification Guide and Calls at home.

On Tuesday morning, Mme Bradley led our Prep School assembly to speak to the children about how they could reflect on their learning and set themselves small targets to improve. This is building on our Beaudesert 'Habits of Mind', which encourages children to use the 'Be Specific' mnemonic in their learning. The mnemonic reminds children how they can be the best learners.

Over the first two weeks, we have been launching our new inquiry-based topics in Pre-Prep. This important part of our inquiry cycle is called ‘Tuning In’, in which we seek to pique children’s interest and get them thinking about our topic, and what they already know and would like to find out.

In Nursery, the children started exploring ‘What is beyond the clouds?’, as families took advantage of the early sunsets to enjoy some star gazing last weekend. Children brought their ideas back to School and thought about what they saw, what they thought and what they wondered.

Reception are using stories, both traditional and modern, to fuel this term’s topic. They investigated evidence and clues left around the Reception environment that looked suspiciously like a wolf had been there causing mischief; CCTV from Mr Hale later proved that this was indeed the case! This will branch into a study of 'The Three Little Pigs' and other tales.

But we had more mysterious visitors in the Pre-Prep! Year 1 found the Pre-Prep Hall in disarray. Twigs, leaves, upturned tables and chairs, scorched paper… And then they discovered what we believe to be a dragon’s egg! Children are taking care of the egg and starting to study dragons, including through some rather special artwork.

Year 2 are going to be exploring the question ‘Could the Great Fire of London have been prevented?’, and started 'tuning in' to the topic after discovering an old wooden box filled with unusual things such as a quill, a map, old artefacts, candlesticks and a snuffer. They used ‘I see, I think, I wonder’ to come up with some wonderful ideas and questions to drive their inquiry.

We are all very excited about what is going to come next as we move into our ‘Finding Out’ phase.

Anna Packman, Head of Pre-Prep

What a week it has been in the house; busy, buzzing, and absolutely brimming with energy! If walls could talk, they would be asking for a nap.

On Monday evening, with fitness classes starting next week, the group took full advantage of the downtime... To run around like they had eaten three helpings of dessert. Who needs a trainer when you have endless energy and no shortage of mischief?

On Tuesday, the children organised a house-wide game of hide and seek. Everyone got involved, as we heard giggles and hurried footsteps from every corner. There were some very creative hiding spots (and a couple of not-so-great ones... Better luck next time, under-the-table crowd!).

Midweek, the Year 8s turned the grounds into their personal adventure park. They were in the forest, on the astro, and gathering by the banks. From the Boarding House, it looked like a giant game of 'Ring-a-Ring O’ Roses', complete with singing that could be heard across the Common.

By Thursday, it was time to hit the astro again, where football, rugby and other sports all seemed to amalgamate, and there was enough action to keep the spectators entertained. We are starting to wonder if there is a secret stash of energy drinks somewhere... How do they have so much energy!

With all this activity, it is safe to say everyone has earned a well-deserved rest, or at least a chance to recharge before the next round of adventures kick off. Let’s see if next week can top this one!

Have a lovely Leave-out,

Oli and Debbie Jones, Houseparents

Ultimate Activity Camps will be running during the school holidays at Beaudesert Park in 2025. The camps offer an opportunity for children to discover new activities, boost their confidence, and make lasting friendships. Each week is packed with over 40 sports, games, and creative activities, all delivered in a safe and fun environment inspected by Ofsted.

They are currently running an introductory offer where parents can save up to £75 per week. Prices start from £45 per day (offer ends 4^th March for Easter camps, and 3^rd June for Summer camps).

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