Head
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to the second half of the term. I hope you were able to enjoy some quality family time over the break. We’ve had a strong return, with children enthusiastically sharing news about the Sponsored Reading Challenge over the holiday – so far we have raised £460. They have been busy devouring books, and the structured library lessons on the timetable will continue to help feed that enthusiasm.
We enjoyed a fantastic class assembly on Thursday delivered by 4R, exploring the history of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot through words, song, and art. For those who missed the light show, the children will display their beautiful lanterns at the entrance of our fireworks display tonight. Year 4 was also busy with an exciting ‘Living Rainforest’ trip in Berkshire earlier this week.
Many thanks in advance to the BHCC for tonight’s event, and to all the parents who came out on a recent Sunday to help build our big bonfire. A bit of drizzle won’t diminish its magnificence! Doors open at 6.00pm, with fireworks scheduled for 7.00pm, and we expect to finish by 7.30pm. The BHCC is providing a bar, and Chartwells will offer hot dogs and veggie dogs. Mulled wine, hot chocolate with marshmallows, and more will be available. Staff will be marshalling parking and supporting a ‘lost child’ gazebo near the gate.
Elsewhere this week, the boys had their first rugby fixtures at home, playing both tag and contact, diving right into the action. Likewise, the girls were away, competing in hockey.
I hope to see many of you later.
Mr John Towers
Head of Upper Prep
Dear Parents,
It has been lovely to welcome the children in Year 7 and 8 back to Barrow Hills after their half term break and to hear all about their holidays. As usual, the first week back has been a busy one – not only in the classrooms but on the sports pitches too. Our joint sports programme with Year 7 and Year 8 at King Edward’s continues to be successful and the children have enjoyed playing football, rugby, hockey and netball.
Rehearsals continue for ‘Lord of the Flies’ and our poster can now be seen around the school and on the Barrow Hills Instagram page. This performance will be on Thursday 5th December at 7.00pm. Please come and watch if you would like to see how we challenge and extend our oldest children with a really ambitious production. Mr O’Kelly and I are so very proud of the effort and commitment our talented cast have shown during our rehearsals. Keep learning those lines everyone!
Back by popular demand is a new Track My Read challenge for Year 7 and 8 which will run from 5th November until 5th January – the target is 60,000 minutes. Next week, the children in Year 7 and Year 8 will receive their reward for hitting last half term’s target of 25,000 reading minutes – well done to everyone. This is a remarkable achievement – and you all thoroughly deserve your prize next week.
Finally, I hope to see many of you at our Parent Consultation evenings on Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th November. Please do book via the Portal if you haven’t already. It is a great opportunity for you and your child to catch up with teachers and receive some feedback on their current progress and some targets for the future.
See you all at the BHCC Bonfire and Fireworks night.
Mrs Mason
Head of Prep
Dear Parents,
Welcome back! We’ve had a fantastic start to the new half-term, and it’s been a wonderfully busy and engaging week here at school.
On Wednesday, our Year 4 children had the opportunity to explore The Living Rainforest in Berkshire. It was an adventurous day filled with new discoveries, as they learned about the unique plants and fascinating animals of rainforest habitats. The children returned with bright smiles and wonderful stories to share, they even had the opportunity to spot the resident sloth – though it was peacefully napping, much to their amusement! They should feel very proud of how they conducted themselves throughout the trip.
Meanwhile, our Year 6 pupils have been hard at work, sitting their pre-test mocks today. The children approached the assessments with impressive maturity and resilience, we are incredibly proud of the effort and perseverance they showed.
As the week draws to a close, we’re all looking forward to a grand finale tonight with a bonfire and fireworks display organised by the BHCC. This seasonal celebration is a lovely way for the school community to come together.
Kind regards,
Miss Tyrrell
Head of Pre-Prep
Dear Parents,
Pre-Prep have thoroughly enjoyed being back this week, feeling well rested and ready to embrace a typically eventful run up to Christmas.
With the school adorned with poppies this week, Pre-Prep Assembly provided the ideal platform in which to talk to the children about the importance of Remembrance Day and why there are poppies for sale by Mrs Hubble’s desk, as well as why is it a poppy that is used as the symbol of remembrance. Year 1 and Year 2 both used their art lesson with Mrs Wheeler to create their own poppies out of bottle tops and fabric which are now displayed outside around the grounds. On the 11th November at 11.00am, children from Kindy, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will gather in the Pre-Prep garden where we will have a minute’s silence.
While the theme of Remembrance provided the backdrop for the older Pre-Prep children this week, Early Years were not going to let Guy Fawkes Day on Tuesday go unnoticed. Beautiful firework paintings and collages were created by the children. A range of colourful crafting pieces and glittery playdough in Reception were used to create sparklers and fireworks, whilst Nursery created conker rolling prints with paint.
Well done to Leo (R), Ava (1G) and Freddie (2G) who were awarded Work of the Week certificates this week for significant efforts in letter formation, reading and addition across 10. Sammy, India, Arthur, Alexander and Austin from Year 1, and Otis, Orson, George B and Jake from Year 2, all achieved their Bronze Awards in assembly this morning for the House points they have been awarded so far this term. Congratulations to all of the children.
Tonight is, of course, Bonfire Night at Barrow Hills. Wrap up warm and I look forward to seeing many of you this evening for what is always an exciting and enjoyable event!
Mrs Barnett
BHCC
Bacon Butties profit today was £228.56. The stall is always such a welcoming sight on a Friday morning.
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