Year 5 enjoyed a fascinating visit to Hooke Court recently. Their morning was devoted to a study of life in Tudor times, with a host of hands-on activities including cookery, purse making and writing with a goose quill. They loved dressing up in period finery, too! Many thanks to Mr Silk and all the staff at Hooke Court for a terrific day of learning.
Years 3 to 6 have been getting to grips with beekeeping this term, as part of our brilliant extra-curricular activities programme. As well as visiting the hives, inspecting the frames and using the smoker to deter any errant bees, they’ve been checking up on the queen and learning to distinguish between the worker bees and the drones. Many thanks to local beekeeper, Nic Bard, for sharing his expertise – and to Mrs Palmer and our friends at the North Perrott Fruit Farm where the hives are kept. What an enriching experience for our children, who are looking forward to sampling the honey later in the year.
Huge congratulations to our friends at Brighton College for winning the Boarding Innovation Award (and the Boarding Extension Award) at last week’s BSA Awards. We might not have taken home the trophy, but what an achievement to be one of only three schools shortlisted – and alongside the giants, Brighton College and Cheltenham College, too! We are so incredibly proud to show that small can indeed be mighty. Many thanks to the Boarding Schools’ Association for recognising our great strides and successes in boarding this year and for hosting a brilliant evening which we were honoured to be a part of.
Amongst all the whittling, sawing and fire lighting in Forest School, Years 1 and 2 took a mindful moment to appreciate the many different sights and sounds in the woods yesterday. This is part of a school-wide discussion about the uplifting effects of nature, in support of Mental Health Awareness Week this week.
Last week saw the final debate in this year’s school calendar – and what a corker it was! Year 7 were contesting the motion, ‘This house believes every child should experience life in a different country’, with strong arguments put forward by both sides. Well done to all the pupils who took part and a special mention to guest speakers, Maraya and Pelayo, who spoke beautifully about their experiences as EAL pupils at Perrott Hill. “When I first arrived, my heart was thumping and I was worried I would understand nothing,” said Maraya. “Now I am in my final term and I have achieved so much. I’ve made great progress in English and, most importantly, made some amazing friends! I think anyone who has the opportunity to live in a different country should take it – it will be the best year of your life.” What lovely words.
We are delighted to announce that Perrott Hill has been shortlisted for the Boarding Innovation Award at next week’s BSA (Boarding Schools’ Association) Awards. We are one of only three schools in the country to be shortlisted for this award, alongside Brighton College and Cheltenham College, so this is big news – and is testament to the excellence we offer in our boarding houses. For the full shortlist, please see below; winners are announced next week!
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· Vulnerable Children, sponsored by aba Design · Lord Wandsworth College · Royal Alexandra and Albert School · Royal Hospital School · Boarding House Extension, sponsored by Darwin Group · Brighton College · Giggleswick · St Leonards · Boarding Research, sponsored by iSAMS · Burford · Steyning Grammar School · Wellington College · Stephen Winkley Award, sponsored by RSAcademics · Alison Bridge, Ludgrove · Richard Foster, Windlesham · James Shone, Monkton Combe School · Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Tracy Shand · Bredon School · Lord Wandsworth College · Ratcliffe College · Innovation Award, sponsored by School Trunk · Brighton College · Cheltenham College · Perrott Hill · Khadija Saye Photography Award, sponsored by Tempest Photography · Winner: Daisy Dai, Kingswood School · Runner up: Tess Donnelly, Eastbourne College · Runner up: Dimitri Georges, Rochester Independent College. |
Our Lower Prep pupils have been trying their hand at pinhole photography with Mrs Johnson, as part of our science and art morning for Years 3 and 4 on Saturday. As well as experiencing the dark room and learning about shutter speeds, they’ve been setting their pinhole cameras up for a range of outdoor shots (with their subjects having to stay still for 40 seconds – no mean feat for an excited group of 7-9 year olds!). In science, the children have been identifying twigs and leaves as part of their nature walk around the school before making bug hotels. Meanwhile, in the art studio they’ve been using soft print rollers and oil paints to create some stunning pieces of leaf art. It’s been a pleasure to see so many smiling faces; many thanks to Mrs Layfield and Mrs Palmer for organising such a fun and imaginative morning.
Many thanks to our local MP, Marcus Fysh, who visited the school on Friday and ran a hugely interesting and informative Q&A session for our Year 7 and 8 pupils in the library. The children quizzed him on everything from climate change and congestion charges to government leadership and Brexit, with some extremely thought-provoking and intelligent questions. Many thanks, Marcus.
We were delighted to have Jane Evans from Queen’s College, Taunton with us this week for our Year 8 play auditions. As well as being Director of Outreach, Jane also works in the drama department and used to run a theatre company with her husband, who is Head of Drama, so she knows a thing or two about stage production. Needless to say, we’re very excited to have her on board, along with former Queen’s pupil Georgina, who has just completed her drama degree and joined us for the auditions as well. The pupils have been working hard on their audition pieces for this summer’s production of High School Musical and are about to find out who’s playing which role. Exciting times!
We are so proud of our Pre-Prep children, who treated families and friends to an impressive and incredibly joyous informal Spring Concert to end the term. We still haven’t stopped smiling! Thank you to our amazing Pre-Prep staff – Ms Williams, Ms Bresland, Mrs McCullough, Miss Fussell, Miss Becky, Miss Sarah and, of course, Mr Shortman and Mr Andrews; the children are so lucky to have such support and encouragement in their early years.
