A leading independent prep school in Somerset, offering excellence in education for 3-13 year olds
Our Year 6 girls had great fun at their Loft Night this week, followed by the Year 4 boys. Talking of the Loft, it was a hive of activity on Thursday as Book Club got underway for Years 3-5. The children enjoyed a hearty discussion about the merits of Varsha Shah’s debut novel ‘Ajay and the Mumbai Sun’ which centres on the eponymous newspaper set up by a group of poor Mumbai slum children with a passion for journalism and uncovering the truth. We were especially pleased to see our own Roving Reporters in the audience!
On Tuesday evening, a group of Year 8 girls attended a fascinating talk at Crewkerne Museum by the celebrated local photographer, Pauline Rook. The talk coincided with the launch of her book ‘Behind the Hedges’ which charts 20 years of photography in the Blackdown Hills. It was a wonderful event; thank you to everyone involved.
Year 4 went on a history trip to Maiden Castle last week to explore the largest and most complex Iron Age hillfort in Britain. As well as learning how the Celts lived in roundhouses and what the hillfort would have looked like 2000 years ago, they got to explore the steep ramparts and search for evidence of the Roman invasion and abandonment. They also had great fun attacking and defending the hillfort!
Pin the tail on the school dog? Yep. Soak the Headmaster? You bet. A teachers’ sack race? It can only be the Perrott Charity Fundraising Morning, featuring a host of pupil-led stalls and events on the Front Terrace. This year, pupils were raising money for Merriott-based charity Prodigal Bikes, which reconditions and ships old bikes to Africa to enable school children and teachers to get to school. And if that’s not worth a wet sponge in your face, we don’t know what is…
There were big smiles as Prep pupils took part in their annual Community Action Morning. Whether they were collecting apples at the Haselbury Plucknett Community Orchard, cleaning St Martin’s Church in North Perrott, helping at the North Perrott Farm Shop or performing at the West Abbey Care Home in Yeovil, the children approached the morning with their usual energy and enthusiasm and we couldn’t be prouder!
Many thanks to Anthony Raybould of the Merriott-based charity, Prodigal Bikes, who gave an inspirational talk to Years 3-8 recently about his work to recondition and ship bikes to Sub-Saharan Africa so that children and teachers can get to school. His charity was selected by the children following a presentation given by Harry and Oliver, pictured with Anthony, at last term’s charity assembly.
Years 7 and 8 were given a fascinating insight into the life of a solicitor on Tuesday, as part of our programme of Careers Talks for Upper Prep. Mr Michael Brierley, a partner at Stokes Partnership in Crewkerne who specialises in dispute resolution, gave an engaging talk and was particularly impressed by the quality of questions he received. Thank you, Michael.
Our Nursery children have been getting to know their classroom and exploring all the lovely activities over the past few weeks. As well as learning where everything belongs and making new friends, they have started exploring the topic ‘all about me’. Last week, they used their new mirror tuff tray to look at their faces and talk about the different emotions they feel. This week, they will be reading and discussing ‘Lost and Found’ by Oliver Jeffers and making acorn handprints to accompany a poem about growing up. A wonderful start to the term – Miss Becky and Miss Jo are very proud!
Year 8 went on a geography and teambuilding trip to Wales at the start of term. As well as spending the day in Tenby collecting data for their Common Entrance coursework, they built campfires, played cricket on the beach and went rock pooling, caving and abseiling. They even took part in the annual night walk, which was great fun! Many thanks to Mr Coverdale, Miss Nicholson and all the staff at the Pendine Outdoor Education Centre for a brilliant week with lots of fun and laughter.
The long reign of Queen Elizabeth II was marked by her strong sense of duty and her determination to dedicate her life to her throne and to her people. On her 21st birthday the young Princess Elizabeth declared to the Commonwealth that ‘my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service’.
For more than seventy years, through times of prosperity, innovation and hardship, Her Majesty never wavered on that pledge, leading by example and showing us all what true service and dedication looks like. On behalf of everyone associated with Perrott Hill, I would like to express our sincerest condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts and prayers are with all members of the Royal Family in this time of national mourning.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II leaves behind a remarkable legacy, having ruled for longer than any other monarch in British history, and her faithful leadership, selfless service and voice of reassurance throughout her seventy-year reign will be remembered by us all. I know that we will unite in loss, but in celebration, too. We will continue to follow her example of kindness, resilience and unwavering commitment which she embodied throughout her reign.
– The Headmaster
