Friday 23 May 2025
Welcome to the Barrow Hills Bulletin, your weekly newsletter with a snapshot of life at School.
Message From the Head
Dear Parents,
The Athletics Pentathlon we hosted for six schools this week gave our pupils a great opportunity to demonstrate resilience and close teamwork across disciplines such as the 800m, long jump, and hurdles. A special mention goes to Nuala, James, and Hermione for their particularly strong achievements and grit. Thanks to the Sports Department for their excellent organisation and to all the parents who joined us in the sunshine. Click on the video link below to see our athletes in action.
It’s been a busy week, with history workshops, LAMDA exams, and cricket fixtures. I was pleased to see Green Commendations awarded to Vasco, Josh, and Flynn—all showing excellent presentation and pride in their work. It’s great to see standards rising across the board; now we must focus on maintaining and building on this progress in the next half term.
We’re great at fire drills—out and assembled in full order in about six minutes! Today, we also practised our ‘lockdown’ procedure. I explained to the children that reasons for a lockdown might include something like a swarm of bees or even a goat roaming the corridors eating exercise books! Of course, I’m sure parents will appreciate why schools take such matters seriously.
If you’re free on Bank Holiday Monday, Brook Village Fete (see the flyer below) is being sponsored by the Royal Bridewell Schools—do come along and join us for some fun.
Have a great half-term
Mr Towers, Head
News from Upper Prep
It has been an extremely busy week in Upper Prep as we race towards half term – and a well earned rest for the children in Year 7 and 
Year 8!
On Monday, Mr Behan ran a Science Revision workshop for the children in Upper Prep to help them prepare for their forthcoming exams. This covered not only the key topics to revise – but also how to revise them. Other teachers have posted papers and resources in Google Classroom and the children have been working on past papers and revision skills this week too. All the children also have a revision timetable which should help balance their revision over half term. It is very important they have time to recharge and relax too!
On Tuesday, Barrow Hills hosted a pentathlon for local schools. It was great to see the children so involved and engaged with this exciting event – some of Year 8 even volunteered to help clean up which was very much appreciated by the sports staff.
The Year 7 children have continued to balance their revision with learning lines for their Evening of Music and Drama on Tuesday June 10th. They have been working very hard on their funny sketches and I know you will really enjoy their performances. A final push with lines over half term would be appreciated!
Finally, a big thank you to all the children who have signed up to help at our ‘Hive Open Morning Event ‘ on Saturday June 7th. I know some are also staying to perform at Proms afterwards. I hope to see you there.
Have a wonderful half term.
Mrs Mason, Head of Upper Prep
News from Prep
The Prep Department was delighted to welcome years 4 and 6 back from their residential visits, and to have the children in school again this week. Year 4 very much enjoyed their 2 nights immersed in the Surrey countryside, and Year 6 had so many fascinating stories to tell of daring and achievement in the challenging tasks they tackled in Snowdonia.
Barely taking a moment to pause, it was full steam ahead with Sports Team photographs taken on Monday. This involves the children showing a good deal of maturity in managing some quick outfit changes and time management, and it was pleasing to see that they conducted themselves sensibly and with a minimum of fuss.
On Tuesday we hosted 5 other local Prep Schools for the much anticipated Barrow Hills Pentathlon. 22 boys and girls spanning years 3-6 took part, and I was very proud to see the children display kindness towards the visiting schools. Their competitive spirit and camaraderie amongst their teammates truly shone, and both visiting coaches and parents commented on how well they represented the school. Thank you, Sports Department and Site Team, for hosting such a fun and well run event.
On Thursday a number of our children took their LAMDA exams across the disciplines of Speaking Verse and Prose, Acting and Musical Theatre. LAMDA students have weekly lessons which take place within the school day, and the skills they develop build confidence, aid with public speaking, and contribute to their success when applying for Drama Scholarships when they move on to senior schools. Well done to all the children who took their exams this week – I know you will have given them your very best efforts, and look forward to hearing about your results.
Class Assembly this week focussed on the Power of Imagination. In our fast paced, high tech world, it is easy to overlook the importance of imagination and mindfulness. At Barrow Hills we encourage our children to appreciate the beauty of their surroundings, and connect with the world in a meaningful way, allowing their imaginations to flourish. We try to teach the children that their opportunities are limitless, and to dream big. Thank you to 4G for reminding us all to harness the power that is within reach of all of us – and to let it run riot!
Have a lovely half term break.
Miss Tyrell, Head of Prep
News from Pre-Prep
There was certainly a bee theme this week as Tuesday heralded World Bee Day! Reception had made beautiful bees out of black and gold sparkly pipe cleaners which they proudly showed to me when I visited mid week. They welcomed beekeeper, Alex, today who told the children how he provides a comfortable home for his bee colony and how he helps the colony to grow strong and healthy.
Thank you to all of the Pre-Prep children who designed a bee related picture as part of the catering team’s World Bee Day activity. Catering teamed up with Bumblebee Conservation Trust for this task and many of the children’s drawings are on display in the dining room.
Congratulations to Teddy, Sophie, Austin and Sammy who received their Gold Awards from Mr Towers in last Friday’s whole school assembly. Congratulations too to Luca, Indy and Annabelle (Rec) and Ethan (Year 2) who received their Gold Awards this morning. Leo (Rec), Luke (Y1) and Rafferty (Y2) were each awarded Work of the Week in this morning’s assembly. Very well done all of you. Our half termly Pre-Prep Playtime Award was presented to Sophie (Rec). What a fantastic role model you are in our garden, Sophie.
It was lovely to see many of you at our Open Classroom event this afternoon. From the children’s books and how enthusiastically they could talk about what they have covered, you could tell how hard they have been working with their teachers.
Wishing you all a lovely half term break.
Mrs Barnett, Head of Pre-Prep
School Notices
Proms in the Park
Join us for a little musical magic at our annual Proms in the Park on Saturday 7th May. Check your portal notifications and sign up via the google form. We can’t wait to see you there!
BHCC
Bacon Butties brought smiles this morning and helped raise a fantastic £177.80 in addition to last weeks £93.29
Thanks to our amazing team and the community for your support!
Summer Party
Don’t forget to book your tickets for our fast approaching summer party on Friday 13th June. It’s set to be a wonderful evening of music, delicious food and great company, so please do join us and celebrate our wonderful School community!
