Week in Pictures
From the Headmaster’s Study Dear Pupils and Parents, We have enjoyed another busy and stimulating week at Ballard, with pupils embracing opportunities across academic, sporting and wider school life. On Thursday afternoon, our Senior Girls' Football Team and Senior Boys' Rugby Team took part in the inaugural Varsity fixtures against Bournemouth Collegiate School. Both matches were played in excellent spirit and enjoyed enthusiastic support from pupils from Year 3 upwards. The skill, determination and teamwork displayed by all involved made for a memorable occasion, and we hope this becomes a valued tradition in the years ahead. Thank you to pupils who entered submissions to Project WHY. Pupils across the school have investigated areas of scientific interest and presented their findings through creative and thoughtful posters. The quality of work has been impressive, and I have certainly learned a great deal, including the answer to the question of why our eyes water when we chop onions. It has been wonderful to see such curiosity, enthusiasm and independent thinking on display. As I write, I am looking forward to the Friends of Ballard School Fireworks Event. My sincere thanks go to the parent volunteers who have given their time so generously to organise what I am sure will be a fantastic evening for our community. This weekend, many members of our community will take part in local Remembrance events. Thank you to those pupils representing Ballard at commemorations across the area. Pupils are very welcome to wear school uniform if they wish. We will also mark Remembrance together in school on Wednesday. Finally, for parents, if you have not yet had the opportunity to do so, I would encourage you to read Mr Jackson's letter regarding mobile phones, which was included in yesterday's parent notices. The letter outlines our intention to move towards Ballard becoming a smartphone -free school for pupils up to the end of Year 8 and explains the thinking behind this important development. With best wishes, Stuart Turner (Headmaster)
Filming with Derek Jacobi
Two of our GCSE Drama Scholars were lucky enough to have the opportunity, through our connection with New Forest Open Air Theatre, to meet theatre legend Sir Derek Jacobi while he was filming at the site of the new theatre last week. It was fascinating to watch the filming process behind the scenes and to talk to the production crew; a great experience for our pupils and one that enhanced their Performing Arts education at Ballard.
Project Why “Our Year 7 STEM project centred around one simple question:
Why?
Pupils were challenged to devise their own question to investigate, carrying out research, collecting evidence and drawing conclusions before presenting their findings in a creative and engaging way. They spent the first half of term working independently on their projects at home. This week, the Chapel was transformed into a STEM Fair, showcasing the impressive range of 'Why?' projects for the school community to enjoy. The displays highlighted not only the hard work and originality of our Year 7 pupils, but also their curiosity, critical thinking and problem -solving skills. From fascinating discoveries to innovative presentations, the quality of work on show was outstanding.
Congratulations to all involved. The judges are currently making their final decisions, with winners to be announced in assembly soon. There are some fantastic trophies up for grabs, kindly provided by the DT Department.” Mrs Greaves (Prep School Science teacher) and Mr Cornwell (Head of Design and Technology/STEM)
A Proud First for Ballard Sport This week marked a memorable milestone for Ballard as we hosted our very first Varsity fixture event. Our 1st XV Rugby team took on UMM and BCS, while our 1st XI Girls' Football team faced BCS in an exciting afternoon of competitive sport. What made the occasion truly special was the incredible support from across the school, with pupils from every year group coming together to cheer on our senior teams.
The atmosphere was fantastic, with the whole school getting behind the players and creating a real sense of occasion. It was wonderful to see the Ballard community united, celebrating teamwork, determination and school spirit while supporting their peers. We are immensely proud of every player who represented Ballard. Their commitment, resilience and sportsmanship were exemplary, and they should be proud of the part they played in making our inaugural Varsity event such a success. For full match reports and results, please see this week's Bulletin. You may watch our video here.
Whole School Assembly “In our whole school assembly this week, it was my pleasure to celebrate with the pupils our achievement of being named the best independent school in the South. I took the opportunity to recognise all that they contribute through their enthusiasm for learning, commitment to kindness, and willingness to challenge themselves in all areas of school life. The Head Prefects summarised the key points arising from our Pupil Voice discussions, responding to the agenda items that had been raised earlier in the term by each tutor group. Mr Jackson promoted the Lymington Santa Dash, which will take place on Sunday 6 December in support of Oakhaven Hospice. Every entrant will receive a House Point. Mrs Gray shared important information about the arrangements for the FOBS Fireworks Night on Friday, as well as our acts of remembrance taking place next week.” Mr Turner (Headmaster)
Pupil Voice Following the launch of our four new Pupil Voice Groups earlier this term, we are pleased to share highlights from our Wellbeing and Co -Curricular groups. Having previously featured our Food and Nutrition and Teaching and Learning sessions, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the excellent ideas, thoughtful feedback and enthusiasm shown by pupils as they explored ways to enrich all aspects of life at Ballard. To ensure the whole school could benefit from the discussions, Mr Turner and the Head Prefects led a whole -school assembly on Monday, sharing the key findings and recommendations from all four Pupil Voice Groups. The assembly celebrated the positive contribution pupils are making to school life and highlighted how their feedback is helping to shape future developments across the Ballard community. Discussions were animated at our first Co -Curricular Pupil Voice meeting. There were positive discussions focused on trips, with the forum providing an excellent opportunity for our senior pupils to share highlights from their previous residentials with our younger pupils, and one or two top tips of advice! Pupils expressed a desire for more day trips and residentials where possible, which are always a highlight of the school year. There was a particular appetite for more theatre trips, cros scurricular opportunities and excursions to sporting events. Our Activities Programme featured highly on the agenda as well, with discussions around the best environment for senior pupils to study during Homework Club time, and a desire for more sporting, performing and creative arts opportunities across the School. Managing clashes on nights where there is so much to choose from will always be a conundrum! The pupils present were excellent ambassadors and represented a balanced view of opinions across the board. We look forward to our next meeting.
The inaugural meeting of the Wellbeing Pupil Voice Group brought together pupils from across the school to discuss how Ballard can continue to support wellbeing, positive relationships and a happy school experience. Pupils shared thoughtful feedback on a range of topics, including opportunities for relaxation during the school day, wellbeing facilities, movement between lessons and academic pressures. Suggestions included wellbeing clubs, quiet spaces, walk-and-talk opportunities and initiatives to further strengthen the support available to pupils.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of balancing academic achievement with personal wellbeing, particularly for older pupils as they prepare for examinations. There remain several important items on the agenda such as lockers, routines, social spaces and cross age group interactions. Ideas raised by the group will be explored further over the coming months, and future meetings will continue to provide valuable insight, ensuring that pupil voice remains at the heart of wellbeing developments at Ballard.
Clipper Racing Inspired by the spirit of adventure that defines so much of life beyond the classroom, Mr Bellars recently took on one of the Mediterranean’s most prestigious offshore sailing events: the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Following his experience in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, he joined a team of former crewmates to compete aboard a high performance Volvo Ocean 65, navigating a demanding 606 -nautical -mile course around Sicily, past active volcanoes, through challenging conditions, and against some of the world's finest sailors. In this engaging account, he shares the excitement, camaraderie and unforgettable experiences of an extraordinary voyage. To read Mr Bellars' full report, click here.
STEM @ Ballard
Animal -themed Pen Box “Year 7 pupils are deep into their animal -themed pen box project. This week's focus is all about precision sanding to prepare the base for painting. Pupils will be putting our laser cutters and 3D printers to work, creating custom animal attachments to make each pen box truly one of a kind.” Mrs Skelton (DT Teacher and Deputy Head of Upper Prep)
Digestion “Year 4 brought their Science lessons to life this week by modelling the different stages of digestion. It was quite disgusting, made some feel a bit queasy, but hopefully they have a better idea now of how food moves through the human gut! They 'digested' banana and jam sandwiches and followed their journey through the mouth, stomach and intestines until eventually faeces (poo) were formed!
Tights, bags, lemon juice, a potato masher and cutlery were all involved. Yuk!" Mrs Greaves (Junior Science Teacher)
Arts @ Ballard
BSO Trip “Our GCSE Music pupils enjoyed a wonderful evening at Poole Lighthouse, experiencing a programme of three contrasting masterpieces performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Prokofiev's Classical Symphony opened the concert with wit, elegance and playful energy, cleverly reimagining the style of Haydn through a twentieth-century lens. Schumann's Piano Concerto followed, showcasing a beautifully balanced partnership between soloist and orchestra, with lyrical melodies and rich orchestral textures captivating the audience throughout. The evening concluded with Beethoven's Second Symphony, a work bursting with optimism, vitality and joyous exuberance. The concert provided our pupils with an inspiring opportunity to hear professional musicians perform live and to deepen their understanding of some of the most significant works in the orchestral repertoire." Mr Prangnell (Head of Music)
Remembrance Day Poppies “This week, all pupils have been supporting the Art Department by creating poppies for our annual Remembrance Day display. As part of the project, children have been learning about the importance of remembrance and reflecting on why we honour those who have served and sacrificed in times of conflict. Using a variety of craft materials and techniques, each child has created an individual poppy that will contribute to a large collaborative display in school. We are incredibly proud of the care, creativity and respect shown by our pupils , and we look forward to sharing the finished installation with our school community.” Mrs Hitchens (Head of Art)
New Forest Open Air Theatre Lecture At the end of term, we hosted a talk from Abbey Wright, Artistic Director of the newly formed New Forest Open Air Theatre. Abbey recounted stories from her time working in the West End with some of the greatest names in British theatre, before going on to outline the plans for the Open Air Theatre. The audience was fascinated by the inspirational and informative talk. We are delighted to be working with Abbey and the New Forest Open Air Theatre and are excited about the projects they have planned for our local community.
Sport @ Ballard
T eam of the Week
Life @ Ballard
AHHA! Club's visit New Forest Heritage Centre's Archives Legendary local historian Nick Saunders and Centre Education Lead Hayley Long led a session on how to use an archive. This included an instructional session on what to take with you, how to find the items needed and how to handle them, before moving on to a practical session in the archives themselves, handling items and artefacts from Ballard School's history, as well as some impressive maps requested by the group.
Geography Stop Motion “Year 9 Geographers used stop motion animation to create a short film showing how a coastal stack is formed through the process of hydraulic action.” Mr Harrowven (Head of Geography)
Bikeability “Ballard School once again welcomed Bikeability to our site over half term. As part of our commitment to the local community, non -Ballard children were invited to participate as well. Children from Year 3 upwards were able to learn how to ride their bikes safely on the road. Skills learnt included bike and equipment checks, starting and stopping, junctions and, for the more advanced Level 3 pupils, roundabouts and filter lanes. Mr Elliott, who helped organise Bikeability and is an avid cyclist, enthused: "Bikes open up a world of adventure for children, so being able to partner with Bikeability and teach our children to ride safely will help them to go and explore our wonderful local area." Mr Elliott (Lower Prep Teacher)
MFL Bake -Off Competition “Our talented linguists swapped dictionaries for mixing bowls as they took part in this year's MFL Bake -Off Competition. Pupils showcased an incredible range of creative and culturally inspired bakes, including national flags, cheeses, croissants, the Swiss Alps and even a volcano! The standard was exceptionally high, making the judging process tremendously difficult. We were impressed not only by the creativity on display, but also by the technical skill and thought that had gone into each creation.
“Congratulations to all who took part, and particularly to our prize winners: not only by the creativity on display, but also by the technical skill and thought that had gone into each creation. 1st Place Albert (Year 8) for his imaginative pizza cake, which stood out for its originality, creativity, presentation and technical skill. Runners -Up Isabella (Year 7) for her Highland Cattle bake, recognised for its technical skill, precision and strong cultural association. Henry (Year 3) for his Holland windmill creation, praised for its creativity, finesse and cultural connection. Well done to everyone involved for producing such fantastic entries and celebrating languages and cultures through baking.” Mrs Thomas (Head of French)
Exploring Relationships and Choices in Spanish “Year 10 Spanish pupils are learning about relationships and choices, making good use of mini whiteboards to develop their writing skills.” Mrs Guillen Uzquiano (MFL Teacher and Head of Senior School)
Pumpkin Patch Party More photos from our fabulous Pumpkin Patch Party
Pumpkin Patch Party
SeaCity More photos from our recent Year 9 SeaCity trip.
Eco @ Ballard
Alumni @ Ballard
From Ballard to International Stages We were delighted to welcome former pupil Joe Perkins (Class of 2009) back to Ballard recently to reflect on his remarkable j ourney in music. After leaving Ballard, Joe studied guitar and composition at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and City University before embarking on a successful career as a professional musician. A highly accomplished jazz guitarist, Joe has toured across Euro pe, performed at the prestigious Montreal Jazz Festival and held a residency at the world -famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club for severa l years. He has also worked alongside chart -topping artists and internationally recognised songwriters. Alongside his performing career, Joe is now a composer and lecturer at both Goldsmiths and City University, inspiring the next generation of musicians .
Looking back on his time at Ballard, Joe spoke warmly about the opportunities that helped nurture his love of music. "It really was amazing. It was great to have such a diverse range of experiences. Ballard prepared us for whatever musical situations came afterwards.“ Joe highlighted the importance of embracing every opportunity available, from performances and productions to ensembles and bands; experiences that helped build the confidence and adaptability that have been central to his career. His advice for current pupils? "Speak to your teachers, explore what's available and get involved. Ballard provides so many opportunities, and making the most of them is the best thing you can do." We look forward to welcoming Joe back to Ballard in the future to work with some of our young musicians and share more of his experiences in the music industry. You may view Joe's websitehere.
From Ballard to University Challenge We were delighted to see former Ballard pupil Liam Plimmer (Class of 2015) representing St John's College, Cambridge, as capt their team in the 2026/27 series of University Challenge.
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An Academic Scholar during his time at Ballard, Liam has gone on to excel in higher education and is currently completing a P hD in English at Cambridge. His appearance on the iconic BBC quiz programme marked the culmination of a long -held ambition, having previously auditioned for the show as an undergraduate before finally securing his place on the televised team. Leading St John's through a dramatic campaign, Liam helped guide the team from a narrow opening -round defeat to Oxford's University College through the highest -scoring losers' play -off, where they secured an impressive 220-100 victory over the Londo n School of Economics. Their run eventually came to an end in the second round following a fiercely contested Cambridge derby against Pembroke College. Reflecting on his University Challenge journey, Liam described making the team as particularly special after several attempts that this was his final opportunity to compete before completing his doctoral studies. Everyone at Ballard is incredibly proud of Liam's achievements and his continued academic success. We congratulate him on representing St John's College with distinction and wish him every success with the remainder of his PhD and future career.
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