Dear Parents,
What a fantastic Thomas Trophy event we enjoyed last Friday! Huge congratulations to our runners, marshals and staff for showcasing The Prep so brilliantly and for making our visitors feel so welcome. There was certainly plenty of competition out on the course, but what makes me particularly proud is the way our pupils cheer on not only their friends and teammates, but also runners from other schools. Winning races is wonderful; displaying kindness, encouragement and good sportsmanship is even better.
Word Explorers Day was another great success. The School buzzed with creativity, curiosity and challenge as pupils immersed themselves in a wide range of activities. It was one of those days when classrooms seemed to contain just a little extra excitement than usual. You can read more about the day later in this newsletter.
Last week I attended the IAPS Conference in Birmingham. I was spotted by a parent at Charing Cross on my way there and immediately felt the need to explain that I was not, in fact, playing truant. Like many teachers, I always experience a huge sense of guilt when I am not physically in school on a school day, so I rather hurriedly reassured them that I was not “off on a jolly” before disappearing into the Underground.
The conference itself was fascinating, with seminars covering everything from sports psychology to leadership and wellbeing. One session in particular caught my eye: The Loneliness of Leadership. Expecting a poignant reflection on the solitary nature of headship, I wandered in wondering whether I might be the only attendee. As it turned out, I could barely find a seat. The room was packed. It was, without question, the least lonely discussion on loneliness that I have ever experienced.
As always, there is much happening at The Prep as we move through the term. Thank you for your continued support, encouragement and partnership. It is greatly appreciated by all of us.
Luke Harrison
Dear Parents
It has been another busy and exciting fortnight in Pre-Prep, with so many opportunities for the children to learn, explore and celebrate together. Word Explorers Day was a particular highlight, made even more special by a visit from author and performance poet Christian Foley. The children thoroughly enjoyed his energetic and inspiring sessions, which brought words, rhythm and storytelling vividly to life. We have also marked the European Day of Languages with a delicious European-themed lunch, giving the children an enjoyable opportunity to celebrate different cultures and traditions.
Year 2 also enjoyed a wonderful trip to Kent Life, where they developed their understanding of food and farming by making soup and bread. It was a fantastic hands-on experience and a lovely opportunity to see their classroom learning brought to life.
Our Family Day was a great success, and it was wonderful to see so many families enjoying time together in our school community.
Parent consultations have begun successfully with Nursery and Reception this week, and we look forward to welcoming Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 families to their consultation evenings in a couple of weeks.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
Anna Arnett