Academic

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It is so important to give children the best possible start to their school career. They have many years ahead of them in formal education and we want to begin this exciting but challenging process in a sensitive and caring manner. We want them to view school from the beginning with eagerness, to enjoy their time in and out of the classroom, and to begin to develop a true love for learning.

We aim to provide a broad and balanced curriculum which will enable each child to develop emotionally, socially, physically, creatively, and intellectually to their full potential and at their own pace. Each child is unique and is valued as an individual.


Pre-Prep News

Christmas in Pre-Prep

It is such a magical time in Pre-Prep at this time of the year! Although not quite Christmas, from half term the Christmas story is at the centre of everyone’s thoughts and the excitement starts to build. As the days pass, out come the pots of glitter, glue, pasta shapes, cards and calendars; then the stage is set up, the backdrop hung and the lights installed: decorations go up and the tree arrives! Rehearsals for the Nativity start in earnest and - alongside our core subjects of Maths, English and Science - drama, singing and music, all come into their own. The Nativity is often the highlight of the year for the children and for the adults. It is not, however, just a charming and enjoyable experience for us as the audience, it is also of immense value to the children, who get the opportunity to perform, to sing, to recite poetry, to speak out in public, to interact with each other and with an audie nce and, most importantly, to work as a team. The quieter child may get the c hance to shine and the more outgoing child can learn to channel his or her energy into a group enterprise. The children develop an enormous pride in their achievement and they will, I hope, remember the experience for many years to come.

Another experience I know the Year 2 children will remember is their ‘Pirate Day’! They arrived in the morning in such a fantastic collection of costumes and had a great day searching for treasure and storming merchant ships!

The number of wet playtimes we had to endure during the second half of term nevertheless gave the budding architects in our midst a chance to show off their skills. Charlie Davies in Reception built a superb castle (see his photo).

Four girls from Year 2 built a lovely home with a bunk bed! And the boys built an enormous structure measuring nearly six feet long!

Thank you so much for supporting us in our Christmas Box appeal. The response was superb and there will be many children this year who will have a little more Christmas cheer than usual because of your generosity.

We also did well for ‘Children in Need’, collecting £87.28 in donations for the privilege of wearing ‘silly socks’.

 

 

Mrs Grenfell, who teaches, amongst other things, RE in the Upper School, joined us to take an assembly this term. The special theme was ‘gifts’ and served to remind us that gifts do not have to be expensive to be precious and that the gifts of kindness and friendship are more valuable than anything to be bought in a shop.

The children have worked very hard this term and our weekly Friday assembly is the time when this effort can be acknowledged in front of all the teachers and children. We have a rapidly filling up gold award book and each week Mr Nott comes to Pre-Prep to present these awards to the children. Mr Nott also takes great delight, from time to time, in turfing the teachers out of their classrooms and taking over storytime! I shall have to keep a close eye on him or we might be out of a job!

 

Everyone in Pre-Prep wishes you a very happy Christmas and a prosperous and peaceful New Year.