Message From the Head 
Dear Parents,
We’ve had a lovely start to the summer term, with the children enjoying their break times on the fields and our first cricket fixtures basking in sunshine. The school is busier than ever, now running an impressive 49 extra-curricular clubs each week. With such a wide range on offer, we still have places available—so please do sign up if your child is ready to try something new.
It’s sunshine and study, as our older year groups begin preparing for formal assessments and exams. A slow, steady build-up is always better than last-minute cramming, so well done to Years 5 and 6 for their sterling concentration this week.
We were delighted to welcome so many of you to our recent Life at the Top session, designed for parent insight into Years 7 and 8. Due to the positive feedback, we will run this again in future. I hope even more parents will hear not only the academic and social outcomes from our pupils but also the compelling experiences of parents whose children have been truly known, valued, and supported as they move on to thrive at senior schools and in their GCSEs as young leaders.
We also have an online parent seminar on anxiety and stress reduction coming up on 12th May. Please check this week’s Portal for sign-up details.
Enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend!
Mr Towers, Head
News from Upper Prep
It has been wonderful to enjoy some glorious weather this week and see the children enjoying their lunch time breaks on the field, playing football and cricket or just chatting with their friends in the shade.
On Monday, the children in Year 7 and Year 8 attended their first Study Skills Support Session to help them prepare for their exams in June. Mr King covered history and geography topics and gave the children some very useful revision tips. We have more Study Skills Support Sessions to come and these will run alongside the revision preparation done in lessons and in form time.
On Tuesday, we held our Life at the Top meeting for parents of children in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6. This was a chance to find out more about all the opportunities for the children in Year 7 and Year 8. I was really impressed with George J, Delilah, James R and Henry who spoke with such confidence and passion about the things they enjoy in Upper Prep. They also talked about the extra responsibilities they now have and how they feel this has benefited them. Thank you also to the parents who were so vocal in their support of our Upper Prep. It was really valuable to learn about the experiences of your children at Barrow Hills, (now in Years 9 and 10 at other schools!) – and to hear how glad you are that they stayed here for Year 7 and Year 8!
Well done to all the children in Upper Prep who participated in the Edgeborough Athletics Competition this week. It was a very hot day but you worked very hard and did your best, achieving some superb results. Congratulations to the team: George, Bo, Toby, Hugo, Reuben, Charlie, Delilah, George P and Philip.
Finally, I would like to welcome George and Ben to Year 7. We hope you and your family will be very happy at Barrow Hills. Thank you, Year 7, for all you have done to help the boys settle in this week.
I wish you all a very restful Bank Holiday weekend!
Mrs Mason, Head of Upper Prep
News from Prep
Last Wednesday’s April showers couldn’t dampen the mood as we welcomed all the children back for the Summer Term. There was much excitement as they caught up with their friends and teachers, and it was a joy to hear about their Easter adventures.
The School Skiing Trip proved to be a highlight for many – thank you to the remarkable team of staff for organising such a wonderful excursion. Art Camp and Sports Camp were also a hit with the children – thank you to all involved for hosting such engaging activities.
Without stopping for breath, we hit the ground running with the Spring Art Exhibition, held in the Chapel. Through her support and encouragement, our wonderful Art teacher, Ruth Waller, manages to bring out the creative side of every Barrow Hills student, proving through a range of artistic mediums that “everyone is an artist”. Thank you to everyone who attended – the children are always so excited to share their work.
This week, years 5 and 6 have been focussed on their assessments, following a few days last week spent on revision. We aim to foster good learning habits early on in the children’s academic career, as assessments will be a regular feature of school life. Understanding what works for them in terms of revision techniques, and how to tackle papers, will prove invaluable as they get older. An exam hall is always going to be nerve wracking, but hopefully familiarity with such a setting will mean they learn to overcome their anxieties and perform.
On the subject of anxiety, Monday night’s seminar “Responding to Anxious Feelings”, held at King Edward’s School, Witley, addressed childhood fears and worries, managing anxious feelings and reducing stress. This well presented in-person workshop has hopefully equipped parents with some useful tools to help our children and young people navigate the stumbling blocks that we all face at some point in our lives.
Thank you to all of you who attended the “Life at the Top” presentation on Tuesday. The Upper Prep experience at Barrow Hills is invaluable, allowing our children a “bonus” couple of years to grow and develop in their own time, away from the pressures that senior schools can bring. We value our Upper Prep children, who embrace their position at the top of the school, and thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to take up captaincies, act as Peer Mentors, and start to explore a more demanding curriculum with teachers who know them and are able to tailor their teaching to suit individual needs. For anyone who might have missed the chance to attend this presentation, please feel free to contact the school so that we can arrange a time to chat personally.
Miss Tyrrell, Head of Prep
News from Pre-Prep
There’s no doubt we are into the summer term with the wonderful sunshine we’ve returned to. Sun hats and sunscreen have been a must this week as the children have enjoyed warmer playtimes amongst the welcome shade of our trees and lessons in the garden, as well as a Kean house walk for Year 1 to Year 8 to start the day on a particularly warm Thursday morning.
The Spring Art Exhibition launched the start of the new term and what a spectacle it proved to be. It was wonderful to see such a range of creativity from across Pre-Prep. I know the children have hugely enjoyed their Art Studio visits to see Mrs Waller and experiment and develop her ideas in their own ways.
This term our PSHE theme is Relationships and it was wonderful to witness Kindy exploring the theme of families outside in the Willow Dome on Thursday morning. Mrs Dudly shared a story with the children linked to this theme, all enjoying some much needed natural shade.
Thank you for supporting our Lent Appeal last Friday by sending the children in wearing starry accessories to support Year 8’s chosen charity this year, Shooting Stars Children’ Hospices. There is still time to donate by clicking on this link to the Just Giving page.
Those of you with children in the Nursery will have met our newest member of the Pre-Prep team, Mrs Camilla Buchholtz, who has started with us this term. We are delighted to have her and her expertise as a former Nursery Manager and teacher on board.
Congratulations to Hugo, Arthur and Ben who received Work of the Week certificates in assembly this morning. A very well done also to some of the older Pre-Prep children who achieved their Gold Awards for their house point collections this week. Otis, Orson, Beau, Sophie, George W and Matilda received their certificates this morning and Matilda also received her Piano Prep Test certificate. A very well done to each of these children.
Pre-Prep is joining the National celebration of Share-a- Story Month this May. Can you help us celebrate the power of storytelling? Mrs Dudly invites everyone to bring in their favourite book from home (named please). We will share the stories during class library time.
Wishing you all a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend.
Mrs Barnett, Head of Pre-Prep
BHCC
Bacon Butties were a welcome sight this morning, raising £184.18
Thanks to our amazing team and the community for your support!
