Head
Dear Parents,
This week started with small steps for the Reception class, gently studying the ecology of the wetlands around Arundel. It ended with big leaps for Year 7 and 8, thundering down river ravines in canoes in the South of France. The Teddy Bears’ Picnic in Pre-Prep was a great way to relax with some drama, art, and sport activities along with our favourite cuddly toys. It was impressive to see Year 5 working on robotics in their computing lessons this week, and thanks to Andrew at Charterhouse for letting us use some advanced kit.
It was good to see many of you at our parent open afternoon today. It was an opportunity for parents to experience a bigger picture of what’s going on with learning and our site. Over the summer, we will continue with some exterior redecorations, renovations, and the replacement of some windows.
I know Lauren, Chair of the BHCC, will be reaching out for volunteers for next year. It would be great to build up a solid structure that will bring valued enjoyment to parents and the community and help with fundraising. Please speak to Lauren or me if you can commit any time to this – small or large contributions are both happily accepted.
We are fully staffed for next year, and last week I shared some of our strong new appointments. Some thanks, prior to the last busy weeks of the term: Mr Clarke is a valued part-time sports coach at Barrow Hills, who has been with us for many years. With his daughter due to join us soon, James is now ready to grow his local electrical business full-time. Mrs Klein, in Year 3, is coming to the end of her posting here, and we are grateful for her great service and contributions, particularly to ecological education (see below!). We wish Tom and Alice, our recent gap students, the best with their ongoing studies. Likewise, we wish Clara, in Nursery, success with the next steps in her educational journey.
Finally, we are delighted to receive a High Commendation Award from the Young People’s Trust for the Environment. Furthermore, we’ve also been awarded an Eco Schools Green Flag with Distinction! All the children involved, especially our 20-strong Eco-Committee, are rightly celebrated.
Have a great weekend
Mr John Towers
Head of Upper Prep
Dear Parents,
It has been a very quiet week in Upper Prep – I have missed the chatter and enthusiasm of Years 7 and 8. I have missed their sense of humour and their laughter. I have even missed reminding the boys to tuck their shirts in! I know from the photos and updates we have received that they all had a wonderful time in the Ardèche and I can’t wait to hear all their stories. Thank you to Mrs Goddings, Mrs Wood, Mr Smith and Mr Unwin for taking them.
I have spent some of my quiet week writing my final Year 8 final reports. This always feels very poignant as I have taught many of these children since Year 5 and known some of them for much longer. I will miss them when they move on to their new schools but I know that they have made the most of all the opportunities Barrow Hills has to offer. It has been lovely to read so many positive comments from their teachers, to see the progress they have made over their time at Barrow Hills and to write about the contributions they have made to sport, art and drama.
Finally, I would like to thank Max in Year 8 for all his hard work this week. He has been in school, helping Mrs Dudley in the library and he also helped at the Pre-Prep Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Thank you Max. Your support was really appreciated.
Next week, Year 8 continue with their post Common Entrance exam programme, including ‘The Drop’ on Monday and a day at King Edward’s on Tuesday for those children who will be going there in September. Year 8 children will also be enjoying an afternoon in Forest School and some art activities. Others will be speaking at our ‘Life at the Top’ event on Monday at 5.00pm and in the Pre-Prep Summer Celebration on Tuesday. Year 7 will receive their exam results, go through papers and set targets, which I know they will find useful.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Mrs Mason
Head of Middle Prep
Dear Parents,
This week has been full of excitement and activity. Year 3 has been diligently working on their science projects, preparing to share their data on the ‘Sunflower Challenge’ next week. I look forward to seeing their projects and the results from planting their sunflowers in early April.
Year 2 and Year 3 children spent a few lunchtimes getting to know each other this week, forming initial friendships in preparation for next year. I am confident that the Thomas More will be buzzing with excitement in September.
On Monday’s Moving Up Day, children will spend time with their new form teacher and also welcome those children who will join Barrow Hills in September.
We hope you enjoyed joining us to see our school in action on Friday.
Next week promises to be busy, culminating in Sports Day. Please ensure each day that your children come to school wearing sunscreen, and also have some in school to reapply. A water bottle and sun cap are also needed.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Miss Tyrrell
Head of Pre-Prep
Dear Parents,
Reception class experienced an exciting start to the week when they visited Arundel Wetlands Centre. Pupils enjoyed a guided boat trip, pond detective session and a minibeast safari, as well as hands-on activities and real life experiences throughout the day. These opportunities to interact with the wetlands wildlife enhanced their current work around minibeasts and habitats. There were smiling, albeit exhausted, faces when they returned at the end of a busy day.
On Tuesday, our Early Years children arrived to school with quite the variety of special cuddly friends from home, for their Teddy Bears Picnic. Pupils in Nursery, Kindy and Reception took part in different activities all morning including parachute games and face painting, before tucking into their picnics on the outdoor stage in the shade of surrounding trees.
Year 2 certainly appeared to take it in their stride on Monday and Wednesday this week when they joined Year 3 for lunch at a slightly later time as part of their transition to Prep this month. They were then able to have their first proper go on the adventure playground and astro!
This afternoon, we welcomed parents to see our school in action during our Parents’ Afternoon. Children were able to show their visitors around our site and have a go at various activities including on the astro, in the science lab, at Forest School and in the art studio.
Congratulations to our pupils who received Work of the Week certificates in this morning’s assembly: Teddy (Rec), Beau (1G), Sophie (1G), James (1R), Walter (1G) and Charlie (2G). We had a number of gold certificates to celebrate which were presented to Mia, Holly, Sophie and Alexander in Reception, Rafferty, Hannah, Jake and Ethan in Year 1, and to Bas and Danylo in Year 2. There’s clearly been a lot of hard work and tremendous effort to earn House points this year. Well done also to Freddie who achieved his Silver Mini Duke Award for some fantastic challenges including a long walk on the Isle of Skye, growing his own tomatoes and some creative den building.
This Tuesday we begin to draw our academic year to a close by welcoming you to our Pre-Prep Summer Celebration out on the lawn by the outdoor stage. Some seating will be provided but please do feel free to bring along your own camping style chair to sit on. Refreshments will be available from 8.15am on the terrace, so please do make your way there after drop off.
Pre-Prep Sports Day is next Friday, 28th June at 9.00am on the sports fields. Do join us for refreshments after drop off on the terrace beforehand. Kindy and Nursery pupils who do not usually attend a Friday morning session are warmly invited and further details will be sent from Mrs Taylor in Tuesday’s weekly comms.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend in the sunshine.
Mrs Barnett
School Notices
Leavers Service
I am delighted to invite you to join the Barrow Hills School community in a formal Chapel service as we celebrate and give thanks for the Year 8 cohort on Thursday 4th July 2024. The service starts at 8.45am and is expected to finish at 9.30am.
Due to space in Chapel, the number of attendees is limited to 60. Please indicate if you are able to attend by completing this google form .
Kind regards
Mr Frazer
Assistant Director of Music Barrow Hills School and King Edward’s Witley
