Weekly Newsletter 26th November 2021

Dear Parents

It has been wonderful to be back at school feeling better and able to enjoy the fabulous variety of Barrow Hills life. On Monday morning we were treated to a singing assembly at which the Bridewell Choir, our chamber choir, sang beautifully before being awarded their choir badges. Throughout the next two terms, the children will join their counterparts at King Edward’s Witley to perform at various ceremonies in London, attended by the Lord Mayor and City Aldermen, such as the annual Foundation Service at St Bride’s in London. 

I am looking forward to hearing them sing again this morning at our Bridewell assembly. Having had little opportunity over the last couple of years to be a part of joint occasions with King Edward’s, this assembly is to introduce the children to the history of Bridewell and its significance to Barrow Hills. Our Treasurer, Beadle and Principal will be present, in their ceremonial dress that they would usually wear at the various events throughout the year.

Today is also very exciting for our sports department as the Under 11 girls’ hockey team are at Millfield School in Somerset to represent Barrow Hills in the Independent Association of Prep Schools National Finals. Whatever the outcome, they have achieved so much already to have qualified – good luck girls, Mrs Burnett and Mrs Clarke!

Backtracking to earlier in the week, I joined Mr Hooker’s Year 6 maths class on Monday. The lesson was immense fun to be a part of. The work was challenging from the outset, but pitched perfectly to encourage collaborative learning. Discussions were had as to how to use previous learned concepts and knowledge to develop problem solving skills to meet new challenges. We have some very talented Year 6 mathematicians.

Yesterday, I dropped in at the netball courts to watch our Under 8 girls’ team take on Ripley Court. They acquitted themselves well, interchanging positions and playing with great composure and skill to finish with a win, before tucking into well earned pizza and chips. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to see any of the matches on Wednesday as I was at a Governors’ meeting at the Guildhall in London. However, I received many reports from the children on the Lower and at lunch yesterday that told me how well we had done against Amesbury and Ripley Court. There were a couple of losses, some exciting draws and a good number of convincing wins so well done to all the children for the efforts on increasing chilly afternoons!

It has also been lovely to see so many parents this week. Firstly, on Tuesday, we had some volunteers decorating the refectory to get the Christmas feeling truly underway. Thank you to all of you for giving up your morning. In the evening, we had a second round of consultations for Years 6, 7 and 8. There was a very positive exchange of congratulations for working so hard and many words of advice and encouragement to help the children improve further. Then there was the BHCC meeting on Wednesday morning, which was to debrief on the very successful fireworks and bonfire evening and the Christmas workshop last Friday and look forward to the events that are still to come. Please note the dates of 28th January for Burns Night and 1st July for the Summer Party for your diaries. Please galvanise one another to organise a group of fellow parents and/or friends to come along and enjoy a couple of sociable evenings and get to each other better. The parent reps will have further information and are a good point of reference to help organise tables for these events.

Finally, another couple of good luck messages for the children. Firstly, to those who are taking their LAMDA exams today. We have many talented and enthusiastic performers in our school and an incredibly passionate teacher in Tania Whatley so I am sure they will all achieve even more fabulous grades. Secondly, to all the children in Years 6, 7 and 8 who have their interviews for King Edward’s on Saturday, I’ll see you all there tomorrow morning!

Best wishes for a lovely weekend

Kind regards

Philip Oldroyd

Head

Pre-Prep

Dear Parents

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in Pre-Prep with the arrival of the Christmas tree and our Nativity next week. I have been truly astounded by the children’s singing and participation in our rehearsals; from Nursery up to Year 2, they have been fantastic! Year 2 have really worked hard on learning their lines and set a super example to the younger year groups by their excellent behaviour in the Chapel. I have been so impressed with the array of costumes which teachers and assistants have produced, it’s as if they’ve put on this play before! In all the practising we still found time to sing Happy Birthday to Hannah who is now 7, congratulations.

I know the Kindy team have really enjoyed meeting with parents this week for consultations. Thank you Parent Reps for your time in attending Parent Rep meetings, and parents thank you for your feedback. As always, these meetings are really useful for both home and school.

There is a lot happening over the coming week so please find below some useful information.

• Nursery and Kindy may wear their own clothes on Monday, Tuesday and Friday (with a Christmas jumper if they wish).
• Please do bring your child to the performances on Monday and Tuesday if you would like to, even if it is not their usual session time.
• We do ask for wearing of masks when inside the school and we will encourage distancing when seating so please try to come to either the Monday or Tuesday performance as detailed below:

Monday – 2.00pm Nativity dress rehearsal We encourage parents with younger siblings to join us for this performance and grandparents are very welcome too.

Tuesday – 9.00am Nativity for parents From drop off, tea and coffee will be available in the Refectory prior to our performance.

Wednesday – 9.00am Awards Assembly We look forward to welcoming you at 9.00am. We have decided to cancel our open classroom preceding this.

Thursday – Year 2 ‘A Day in the Life of a Tudor’ I am reliably informed that this will involve dressing up, a banquet and Tudor games! Pictures to follow next week.

Friday – Pre-Prep perform their Nativity to the Prep department in their assembly and I note there is a charity cake sale at the end of the day to finish off a super fun week.

The following week includes Christmas Forest School, the House Quiz, Christmas lunch and a trip to the Panto! Oh no it doesn’t, oh yes it does!

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Rachel E Harris

Head of Pre-Prep