A leading independent prep school in Somerset, offering excellence in education for 2-13 year olds
We are delighted to announce that Perrott Hill has been Highly Commended in not one but two categories at the Muddy Stilettos Best Schools Awards 2023! The first is for ‘Creative Learning Through Play (Early Years)’ in recognition of the excellent work and experiential learning and play that takes place in our amazing Pre-Prep each day. Says Acting Head of Pre-Prep, Mrs McCullough: “Learning through play is central to everything we do in the Pre-Prep at Perrott Hill; we use a mix of traditional, modern and Montessori methods and all our lessons are hands-on, making it all the more memorable for the children. We are extremely proud of the creative learning on offer, the benefits it brings to our children and the way in which it makes their eyes light up inside and outside of the classroom.” The second Highly Commended is for ‘Outstanding Pastoral Care’ which is a glowing reference to the steps we have taken over the past few years to put pupil wellbeing at the front and centre of everything we do. This has included the introduction of new ‘nurture sessions’ in our wonderful Surgery for children who need additional emotional support, and teambuilding/bonding sessions with smaller groups of pupils led by Form Tutors and Section Heads. We are thrilled that the hard work of our talented and dedicated teachers and support staff has been recognised in this way! Proud to be Perrott.
We were delighted to welcome John Grundy, the son of Perrott Hill’s founding father, back to school last week. John came to help our youngest Perrott Hillian on the day, Max, plant a tree on the North Lawns to commemorate Charles III’s Coronation, which provided a wonderful opportunity for the whole school to come together. There was a strong sense of déjà vu for John as he vividly recalled helping to plant the mulberry tree along the exit drive at the last Coronation in 1953. It was a very special occasion and one which will be remembered for some time to come. Thank you, John.
We celebrated the King’s Coronation in true Perrott style last Friday, with a street party like no other… Our biggest thanks to Mr Silk, Madame Brooks, Miss Dawson and all our staff for spearheading the fun; to our wonderful catering team for the delicious spread; to all the parents who ran events in Pre-Prep and in the Discover Farming Tent on the Front Terrace; to the Friends of Perrott Hill for keeping the Pimm’s flowing; to Jonathan and Fiona Waterer for bringing two rather fabulous shire horses along for some carriage driving; to beekeeper Nic Bard for a series of brilliant talks; to Robert Boileau and his team for the amazing sheep herding display; and to Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Alex Priest, for leading the singing of the national anthem to close the show. It was truly magical and we are all so proud to have been part of such a special day. Head to our social media pages (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) to see a video of the day.
Very well done to Captain of Boys’ Summer Sports, Oli, who was presented with a miniature bat this week in recognition of his debut as cricket captain scoring 39* and, even more impressively, taking a hat trick towards the end of the match to secure a Perrott victory. Next week, we look forward to welcoming Sherborne Prep and All Hallows.
Year 5 are studying the Tudors in history this year and recently started a new topic about Henry VIII. The class were split into pairs and asked to produce a poster presenting a range of facts about the former King. Extra house points were on offer for the most unusual research facts about Henry and, at the end, commendations and house points were given by Mrs Gardner for artistic design, while Mr Finch awarded prizes for historical content. Well done, Year 5, for producing some superb posters and fascinating facts!
Year 3 spent last term studying Ancient Greece in their classical civilisation lessons with Dr Longley-Cook, looking at the Persian Wars. This term they are moving onto Ancient Egypt and recently made their own plaster walls and Eygptian friezes in art with Mrs Palmer. They also used clay to make canopic jars, which were used during the mummification process to store and preserve organs. Excellent work, Year 3; Dr Longley-Cook can’t wait to ‘dig into’ Egyptian archaeology with you this term!
The end of last term’s meeting brought the curtain down on the spring term’s Book Club with a lively discussion of our two Year 6-8 books, Sophie Anderson’s ‘The Thief Who Sang Storms’ and Gavin Maxwell’s ‘Ring of Bright Water’. Pupils discussed everything from characterisation to central themes, and the gathering was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The books for this term are ‘The Butterfly Lion’ by Michael Morpurgo for Years 3-5, and ‘Swallows and Amazons’ by Arthur Ransome for Years 6-8.
Mr McCullough kick-started the summer term with a brilliant assembly this morning all about puddings. After a poll of pupils’ favourite puddings (with raspberry pavlova coming out on top), the children discussed the meaning behind the saying ‘the proof of the pudding is in the eating’ and looked at how this can often provide a test of faith with us having to experience things in order to believe them. Afterwards, it was lovely to see so many happy, smiling faces at morning break! It’s good to be back.
Our brilliant boarding team laid on an Easter eggs-travaganza for the boarders on the last night of term, with fun and games in the Grundy Hall and Front Car Park. They all took part in Mr Edgar’s Easter egg hunt too! Meanwhile, the final morning’s Easter Service in St Martin’s Church was a fine and fitting way to end a busy and successful term. Many thanks to Reverend CJ Davis for leading such an uplifting service, to Mr Shortman and our Junior, Senior, Chamber and Staff/Parent Choirs for their magical singing which left us all mesmerised, to our wonderful musicians and pupil and staff readers, and to our Prefects and Head of School for welcoming the congregation. The service was full of spirit and joy, just like our pupils themselves! Proud to be Perrott.
