Head
Dear Parents,
Next Thursday at 6.00p.m. in the Chapel, we will hold our annual Senior Transfer Seminar for parents. This seminar will cover essential information about the 11+ and 13+ exams for entry to independent senior schools. While the seminar is aimed at parents of children in Year 4 and above, it is open to anyone who is interested. We are delighted to share that all of our graduates last year were accepted into their schools of choice, with 24 scholarships and awards achieved.
Regarding the Chapel, we will complete the refurbishment with new carpets and radiators by the end of the half-term. This space is essential so we can come together as a school. We now enjoy a whole school assembly on Mondays. On Thursdays, we hold House assemblies or year group assemblies, with parents invited to join us. On Fridays, our assemblies provide more space for celebrating achievements and presenting awards, with parents invited when their child receives a special award or mention.
Speaking of celebrations, I’d like to mention one of our alumni, soprano Holly Graham. Holly visited us last week and will be performing at the Watts Gallery in October a wonderful opportunity to introduce your children to the arts.
I’d like to thank all those who supported the bacon buttie stall this morning as all proceeds will be donated to Macmillan this week. The efforts of the BHCC team running the stall week in and week out, come rain or shine, are much appreciated.
Finally, a note of encouragement: since the start of the term, the children have accumulated 1,826 House points, averaging 114 points per school day. They are being recognised for their excellent behaviour, attitude, and citizenship. Feedback from staff, children, and parents suggests that the new reward cards, which each child in Years 3-8 now has, have significantly helped reinvigorate their focus and attention.
Have a great weekend
Mr John Towers
Head of Upper Prep
Dear Parents,
The children in Upper Prep have gone mad for books this week and it has been wonderful to hear about all the wonderful reading that has been going on at home and in school. Mrs Dudley, our Librarian, has set Year 7 and Year 8 children a challenge on ‘Track my Read‘. Can they log 25,000 minutes of reading by half term? I am delighted to report that the children are already a quarter of the way to meeting this target and we have had many interesting discussions about books in our library lessons. In fact, I was so intrigued by books recommended by George, ‘The Blue Book of Nebo’ and ‘Hugo, I Know You Did It’, that I have downloaded them to my kindle. I am looking forward to talking about them with the children when I have read them! Daily reading really does make a difference to creative writing as well as developing comprehension skills and vocabulary so please keep it up.
As usual, Year 7 and Year 8 children have thrown themselves into all aspects of the curriculum with great enthusiasm.
Highlights from the children in Year 7 this week include:
‘Helping Mrs Wheeler and the children from Chandler School with their art project.’
‘I loved doing garageband in music. It is really fun to compose your own music!’
‘My highlight of the week was the Bedales tournament. My team came 2nd out of 16 schools. I loved playing football with my friends.’
‘My favourite part of the week was our science lesson when Mr Behan put an empty beer can over a bunsen burner and when it was hot enough he put it in a bowl full of ice water. As soon as it hit the cold surface of the water the can crushed because of the pressure, it was so cool.’
Have a lovely weekend everyone.
Mrs Mason
Head of Prep
Dear Parents,
This week has been a lovely one, despite the unpredictable on-and-off rain! The weather may have been a bit gloomy at times, but inside the school, the atmosphere has been full of warmth and energy.
We started the week with an assembly focusing on the theme of kindness and the impact of unkindness. I shared how our words and actions affect others. Hopefully, the children came home and told you all about the ‘magic trick’ and the toothpaste! The demonstration aimed to show how, once unkind words are said, it’s impossible to take them back – just like trying to put toothpaste back into the tube. Instead, we would like to help others bloom around us. It sparked a great deal of thoughtful discussion among the children about the importance and impact of kindness.
Throughout the week, the children have been busy and engaged in their lessons, making great strides across all subjects. Whether it’s tackling new maths challenges, exploring creative writing, or diving into science experiments, the classrooms have been buzzing with excitement and focus.
Clubs have been in full swing as well, with children participating in everything from sports to arts and crafts. Thank you for your ongoing support, and we hope the children are enjoying sharing their experiences with you.
Wishing you all a restful weekend.
Kind regards,
Miss Tyrrell
Head of Pre-Prep
Dear Parents,
It’s been another active week in Pre-Prep as we’ve embraced the unusual September downpours and continued to enjoy our Forest School sessions. Last Sunday was the autumnal equinox and children recognised this in this week’s sessions by creating crowns to wear using all kinds of resources from the woodland floor.
Congratulations to Sophie (R), Mia (1G) and Orson (2G) who all received Work of the Week certificates today. We are so proud of all of them for the efforts we’ve seen in English lessons, singing Harvest themed songs in Pre-Prep Assembly and in the detailed answers given in maths sessions. Well done everyone.
Next week, Year 1 look forward to their Titanic Day where we look forward to seeing the children dressed up and spending the day focused on themed activities. Thursday morning is the Phonics workshop for Reception Parents at 9.00am. There will be refreshments in the Refectory after drop off.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend.
Mrs Barnett
BHCC
BHCC Bacon Butties profit today is £310.00 to be donated to Macmillan.
School Notices
Esteemed soprano and Old Barrowhillian, Holly Graham and distinguished harpist Imogen Ridge, have joined together to create the contemporary classical ensemble, Eloquent Duo. They will be performing at the Watts Gallery on Saturday 19th October. For a beautiful evening of music please see more details here.
Come and try something new! On Saturday 12th October, Southern Navigators orienteering club are holding one of their ‘Saturday Series’ events on Witley Common.
These events are ideally suited to beginners, juniors and family groups who want to try orienteering or move up from school to forest orienteering. More details can be found here.
Please refer to your handbook here on the website for useful day-to-day school procedures. Your password to this section of the website is found in your parent portal.
A polite reminder that food and drink should not be bought into Chapel please.
Message from the School Chaplain, Reverend James Radcliffe
For those who would like to gather, we are bringing together a Bridewell Parents & Guardians’ prayer meeting on Tuesday 1st October from 8.15 – 8.55am. Refreshments will be available at the start. Please meet at the King Edward’s Reception between 8.00-8.10am to be signed in and the Chaplain will meet you there. If you intend to come, please let him know (48 hours beforehand) so catering requirements can be organised. Parents and guardians may alternatively join via Zoom at the same time as the in-person meeting is taking place: details below. If you have any further questions, please do get in touch: RadcliffeJ@kesw.org
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 819 8055 5257
Passcode: 2I2waJ
