Friday 27th February 2026

Welcome to the Barrow Hills Bulletin, your weekly newsletter with a snapshot of life at School.

Message From the Head

Dear Parents,

Sports Day Poster

It’s good to be back for the second half of the spring term. We enjoyed the couple of days of sun earlier this week and I can report an early sighting of children making daisy chains. Happy!

A few reminders for next week that may be of interest.

On Monday 2nd, after drop-off, we’re hosting a relaxed coffee and workshop for parents curious about where we’ve got to with digital technologies. Our Year 8 pupils will be showcasing the safe, ‘closed’ Bridewell AI system they’ve been using to build critical thinking, and Mr Hinds and I will share a little about where we’re heading next. Do join us at 8.30am in the Refectory.

We then head into World Book Week activities in earnest. Thursday 5th brings the always-joyful World Book Day dress-up, with children invited to come as a favourite book character. We love seeing creativity (and occasional last-minute ingenuity!). While costume competitiveness is entirely optional, joy is essential – whatever makes your child happy is perfect.

On Friday 6th we’re extending our ‘open classrooms’ approach, with parents invited to see their own children in learning action from Reception to Year 5. It’s also a lovely opportunity for those with younger children to glimpse the road ahead. We’ll send a timetable and map beforehand so you can explore and see what a typical afternoon looks like.

And just over the horizon on Friday 13th: the School Disco, courtesy of the BHPA. As Seneca wisely observed, “Life, if well lived, is long enough.” We suspect he would have been fully in favour of a good disco, had they existed in ancient Rome.

Warm regards,
Mr Towers, Head

News from Upper Prep

It has been great to welcome the children back after the half term break and to hear all their news. The children in Upper Prep have had a fun packed and sunny week and everyone has enjoyed spending some time outside in the sunshine.  

Year 8 have received their Mock 13+CE exam papers and marks this week. As always, it is not just about the score, but how to improve and make progress going forward, and I know that the children have found reading their feedback very useful. These targets were shared with the children and their parents at our Parent Consultation meeting on Tuesday evening and it was great to chat with so many parents about their children’s progress. Year 7, it will be your turn in the coming weeks so stay focused and keep working hard!

On Thursday, Year 8 took centre stage to launch this year’s Lenten Appeal. Each group delivered a compelling pitch for a local charity, leaving the final decision to the school community. The contenders are:

  • The Godalming Food Bank (Supporting local families in need)
  • Halow (Empowering young people with learning disabilities)
  • Guildford Home Start (Helping families through challenging times)

Find out next week which cause we will be championing this season.

Finally, the week ended with a Careers Talk for the children in Upper Prep. They enjoyed two fascinating presentations from Stratton King, an orthopaedic surgeon for the Royal Navy and Tristan Aspray, a geoscientist. The children really enjoyed listening to both speakers and asked some very interesting questions! Thank you to both parents for giving their time.

Next week is World Book Week so don’t forget Dressing Up Day on Thursday 4th!

Have a lovely weekend everyone! Best wishes,
Mrs Mason, Head of Upper Prep

News from Prep

It has been wonderful to come back to the slightly brighter days as we embrace the run into spring!

On Tuesday, our Book Fair was a great success, with children eagerly browsing the shelves and enjoying the opportunity to choose some new books. Fostering a genuine love of reading is something we value enormously, and events like this are a fantastic way to nurture that excitement.Rehearsals for High School Musical are very much ramping up, and there is a real buzz of anticipation with the cast and crew working incredibly hard. I am very much looking forward to joining everyone on Sunday for our rehearsal at KESW. Please drop the children at Reception for a 10am start. Comfortable home clothes should be worn, and please do bring a packed (nut free) lunch for your child, along with a water bottle.

Sport has also featured heavily this week, with a number of tournaments and fixtures taking place. It is always impressive to see the determination, resilience, and camaraderie displayed by our pupils as they represent the school.

Looking ahead, next week marks World Book Week, and I am particularly excited about the wealth of literary opportunities the children will be able to enjoy. From themed activities to special events, it promises to be a celebration of stories, imagination, and creativity.

We also begin parent consultations next week, which provide an important opportunity to discuss progress and next steps together. These conversations are invaluable in strengthening the partnership between home and school.

Finally, we will round off the week with our Open Afternoon, and we warmly invite you to come and see what we do for children up to Year 5. It is always a pleasure to showcase the wonderful learning taking place across the school.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. I wish you all a restful weekend.

Kind regards,
Miss Tyrrell, Head of Prep

News from Pre-Prep

While the children enjoyed an extra day’s rest on Monday, the staff embarked on the second part of their phonics training to strengthen and continue high quality teaching, consistency, and confidence across the school. When our children returned on Tuesday to spring sunshine, they made the most of the welcome warmer weather and took their learning outdoors at various opportunities throughout the day. There was also the wonderfully familiar smell of pancakes cooking this week as Nursery, Kindy and Reception made their own and enjoyed them afterwards.

Very well done to Hattie (Kindy), Isla (Rec), Anabella (Year 1), and to India and Sammy (Year 2), who were each presented with Work of the Week certificates in whole school awards assembly this morning. Silver Awards were achieved by Ethan, Oliver and Arnold (Reception) for their super house point totals so far this year. Mr Smith also awarded Hugo (Year 1), Arthur, Austin, Holly, Kit, Luke, Matthew, Mia and Sammy (Year 2) with certificates for IT. Congratulations to all of you.

Next week is of course Book Week and there is a packed schedule ahead including paired reading across the school, a visiting author, dress up day, Drop Everything and Read sessions, as well as Year 2’s class assembly on World Book Day itself! Parent Consultations for Kindy to Year 2 also take place on Wednesday and Thursday next week, and on Friday 6th we host our ‘Come & See What We Do Afternoon’ for parents of Reception to Year 5. Parents will be able to join us at 2:30pm to come and see their child’s exercise books, before afternoon tea, followed by a walk around the School to see a snapshot of an afternoon in action, engaging in different activities taking place around our site by their teachers. Children are welcome to go home with their parents straight after the event, once they have been signed out at the front desk.

Have a lovely weekend.
Mrs Barnett 

World Book Week

Monday 2nd – Friday 6th March, is World Book Week!

We have an incredibly busy week – (see timetable).

A couple of key points to highlight:
Ongoing events:
– Reading buddies
– Drop Everything & Read
– World Book Week Assemblies

Specific Dates:
– Wednesday 4th March – Author Visit, Tamsyn Murray
– Thursday 5th March – ‘Dressing Up Day’, we can’t wait to see your costumes!

STEM Week – Flight of The Swans

STEM Week is fast approaching and we have a very exciting week lined up! Sacha Dench (aka The Human Swan), is an internationally recognised conservationist, pilot, documentary filmmaker and Ambassador for the UN’s Convention on Migratory Species and CEO and founder of Conservation Without Borders.If you would like to hear Sacha’s talk, please book your tickets here!

Sacha will be visiting Barrow Hills School with project Engineer, Brain Middleton on Friday 13 March 2026, 9:00am – 9:30am, to share the story of how she flew thousand of miles across countries and mountains with swans to see the world through their eyes and to track this incredible migratory species.

Sacha will be talking to pupils and parents about her film, Flight of The Swans. The event will conclude with a Q&A session, and refreshments will be provided.

You can book your seats here!

School Notices

Music Lesson Timetables

Music lesson timetables are published every Friday via the School Portal. While our music teachers endeavour to attend on their designated days, there may be occasions when adjustments are necessary. We kindly ask parents to check the published timetables each week to ensure that students bring their instrument and music to school on the correct day.

School Disco

On Friday 13th March, we will be hosting the BHPA School Disco! Book your tickets here!

This event will be run by fully safeguarded BHPA volunteers. Please contact us on info@barrowhills.org if you are interested in volunteering with the BHPA.

Event times:

Reception – Year 4: 3.30pm – 5pm
Year 5 – Year 8: 5.15pm – 7pm

Year 2 – 8 Easter Sport Camp

From Monday 13th April – Friday 17th April, 9.00am – 4.00pm, the Barrow Hills sports team will cover coaching in Cricket, Tennis and Athletics. Children will need a packed lunch and the cost is £40 per day. Click here to book your spot!

Tree Tots at Barrow Hills

From February we’re thrilled to invite little ones to a new baby & toddler class – Tree Tots @ Barrow Hills!

Tree Tots welcomes girls and boys aged 6 months – 3 years for a magical hour of play. Babies can relax in our baby sensory corner as toddlers take on themed activity stations – we’ll then all come together for songs, games and story time.

The classes will meet every Wednesday at 9am during term-time – the first two classes will be free to attend, or £5 thereafter, and include a hot drink and snack for both carers and their little ones!

Please do bring along any children and spread the word with friends – tickets must be booked in advance, through the Happity website.

Early Morning Cross-Country Club

Sallys Swim School – Easter Swimming Course

Looking for a fun and confidence-boosting activity this Easter? Join Sally Swim School for our popular Easter Swimming Course!
📅 Dates: April 7th – 11th (4 days of tuition)
⏰ Lesson Times: Between 9:00am – 11:00am
📍 Venue: King Edward’s School, Witley
This course is designed to build confidence and improve technique over four days in a supportive and fun environment.
👶 Minimum age: 4 years (no upper age limit!)
👥 Small class sizes with experienced teachers in the water to support weak and non-swimmers.
🌊 Perfect for beginners and those looking to improve their skills!
🔗 For class ability levels and booking forms:
👉 www.sallyswimschool.com
📧 Or email: info@sallyswimschool.com
Bridewell Poetry Competition

Submissions are now open for the Bridewell Poetry Competition.

Click the link here to find out more information!

Barrow Hills Parents’ Association

Bacon Butties were a welcome treat this morning, and helped raised £129.48. The Bacon Butty stall runs every Friday from 7:45am, serving a selection of delicious breakfast treats and hot drinks, and is a fabulous meeting point for everyone to catch up at the end of the school week.

Thanks to our amazing team and the community for your support!

 

Bridewell Schools Dry Cleaning & Launderers

 

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