Spring Term Highlights
Spring Term Review
“Welcome to our Spring Term Highlights. I hope you enjoy taking a moment to reflect on the many fantastic experiences and achievements of the term just gone.
The breadth and depth of our cocurricular programme shines through, alongside academic endeavour and the strong sense of our warm pastoral environment. From the Ballard mallards, to New York City, to Stonehenge, to portraits, to Grease the school musical and talks on sports nutrition, this review captures the energy, breadth and depth of our outstanding offer. Happy reading.”
Mr Stuart Turner Headmaster
January 2026
New York & Washington
We welcomed back our Year 11 pupils from their Christmas visit to New York and Washington. They had an amazing time. “I wished I could relive every single moment - the sightseeing, slipping on the ice, the laughter… This trip was pure magic.” (Sarah). You may watch the video here.
GCSE Presentation Evening
We welcomed back last year’s Year 11 pupils and their parents for this celebratory event, highlighting yet another year of exceptional results. Special congratulations go to William and Betsy for achieving straight 9s, and to Ollie and Spencer for their highest ‘value added’ scores . Value added is the measure that is used to show how pupils have exceeded expectations. As a whole, our Year 11 pupils last year achieved almost one grade higher in each subject than we would expect.
Year 9 Culinary Creativity for Celebration Evening
“Our talented Year 9 pupils took on an exciting challenge in Food Technology: creating a selection of canapés for the school’s Celebration Evening. Working collaboratively, they produced an impressive array of treats, including meringue kisses, mini quiches, chocolate biscuits, and classic sausage rolls.
This project encouraged pupils to develop practical skills, creativity, and teamwork. From mastering pastry shaping to perfecting presentation, the experience gave them a real taste of professional catering and event preparation. The results were not only delicious but beautifully presented, reflecting the pride and effort each pupil put into their work. This hands -on learning opportunity highlights how Food Technology at Ballard equips pupils with life skills, confidence, and enthusiasm for their Food lessons.” Miss Clarke, Head of Food Technology.
GCSE Mock Results
Year 11 pupils collected their mock results in the same room and format they will experience in August. There were lots of happy faces.
Effective Revision
All of Year 9 attended a presentation on their upcoming formal assessments, an important step in their preparation for GCSE examinations in Year 11. Mr Brown, our Exams Officer, took pupils through the assessment schedule, outlining when and where each assessment will take place. Mr Walter (Director of Curriculum & Assessment), spoke about how pupils can ensure they are fully prepared. Finally, Mr Rose (Director of Teaching & Learning), explained where pupils can find all the revision resources and guidance they need, as well as how to revise effectively.
This is just one of the many ways that we help our pupils prepare for their GCSE examinations.
Maths for Parents
Mrs Brebbia (Specialist Teacher) launched the second series of 'Maths for Parents' talks following the success of last year’s meetings. The first session offered a general introduction to how we develop number sense and the various factors that can hinder our mathematical understanding.
DT GCSE Work
Our Class of 2025’s DT projects were on display, showcasing the creativity, skill, and hard work that has gone into their designs. There were some truly fantastic outcomes, with all pupils passing their GCSE and an impressive 57% gaining top grades (9 –7). A brilliant achievement.
DT Prototypes
Year 10 GCSE pupils learnt some valuable lessons testing their design ideas and creating prototypes. Lots of problem-solving and creative thinking were involved as they refined and developed their designs.
Co -Curricular Club Highlight -SFX
Our Special Effects pupils were showing off some serious skills! They have been busy crafting 'zombie virus' sores that are so realistic they’re practically movie-ready. Check out these oozing, professional -grade effects!
GCSE Art & Textiles
Our Class of 2025’s exceptional Art and Textiles projects were on display. All our pupils passed their GCSEs in these subjects, with two pupils achieving an outstanding 100% and an impressive 67% gaining the top grades in Art and Textiles. A remarkable set of results.
Art Visit to St Barbe Museum and Gallery
Year 7 explored the Life of the Fields exhibition at St Barbe’s in Lymington. Applying their recent landscape studies to real artwork, pupils impressed staff with their behaviour and enthusiasm during the workshop and gallery talk.
Portraits
“Inspired by the bold, graphic style of artist Shepard Fairey, our Year 8 pupils explored how colour, contrast and composition can transform a simple portrait into a striking piece of artwork. Throughout the project, they developed strong practical skills, including controlled brushwork, confident application of acrylic paint and an introduction to digital design through vectorising their own images using Photoshop, a professional graphics software widely used in the creative industry. The combination of traditional and digital techniques has resulted in a fantastic range of expressive and contemporary portraits, showcasing both their creativity and growing technical ability.” Mrs Hitchens (Head of Art).
Artist Workshop
Our Year 10 artists were inspired by artist Shelley Perry, who ran a workshop exploring advanced colour -mixing and the effects of warm and cool tones. Working only with primary colours and painting entirely with their fingers, pupils experimented boldly with representing natural forms through colour. The session boosted their confidence and creativity, giving them skills they can now apply to their GCSE coursework.
LAMDA Success
A huge congratulations to our 28 pupils from Years 2 to 11 who all passed their LAMDA examinations with Distinction. Whether Level 1 or Bronze Medal (Grade 6), they all achieved the highest possible grade, continuing our 100% record – incredible!
Young Voices
“Year 5 and 6 pupils joined a choir of nearly 9,000 schoolchildren as part of Young Voices at the O2. A vibrant, colourful and fun -filled performance was enjoyed by all, with highlights including the Disco Fever medley, joining the audience in an energetic dance-off, and experiencing the breathtaking performances of the guest artists and Urban Strides dancers. It was an event that will stay in the pupils’ memories for a long time.”
Mrs Gray (Deputy Head – Co -Curricular and Operations).
Junior Music
Nursery and Kindergarten were bursting with musical excitement, diving into singing, dancing, and getting handson with real instruments - the ukulele proving a firm favourite.
Meanwhile, in Reception, the children were busy becoming mini composers, transforming their names into catchy melodies, singing about their latest adventures, and exploring their Space topic through imaginative musical creations. The classrooms were alive with creativity, curiosity, and plenty of melodic noise.
Our Year 1 pupils have also had a wonderful time in music as they learnt how to pluck the strings of violins and a cello.
Interhouse Cross Country
Hockey Triumph
The U13B team delivered a masterclass in determination and teamwork at the Walhampton Plate Tournament, defeating three teams to be named champions. The defensive discipline was impressive and the boys did not concede a single shot all afternoon. A special mention goes to Eli, who led the team superbly as captain and was rightly named Player of the Tournament. A fantastic achievement for the whole squad.
Strength & Conditioning
“Our Sports Scholars started their weekly Strength and Conditioning sessions via the programming of Jack Phillips formerly of Bristol Bears and McLaren and now founder of Good Things Coming (GTC). These youth athletic development sessions will provide structured training of fundamental movements to support performance in their sport as well as support injury prevention. We endeavour to expand the opportunity of Strength and Conditioning to more pupils in the summer term as we explore the programme and space further.” Mr Wood (Director of Sport).
Co -Curricular Club Highlight - Karate
Lower Prep pupils have been stepping onto the karate mat with real energy and determination this term. Led by England international and Ballard alumna, Carla Rudkin Guillen, a 2nd Dan and current English, British and Commonwealth Karate Champion. Each session blends discipline, co -ordination and body awareness; growing selfconfidence and fitness. With a champion guiding every kick, block and stance, our young learners discover what it means to challenge themselves, persevere and have fun while doing it.
Geography Field Trip
Our Year 10 Geography pupils stayed close to home for their fieldwork trip to Southampton. They completed environmental quality audits in areas of the inner city and inner suburbs to compare the quality of life for local inhabitants.
Stonehenge Trip
Year 3 pupils had great fun at Stonehenge as part of their Stone Age topic.
Antarctic Talk
Year 6 has been learning about Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1914 –16 expedition to Antarctica in English. Mr Bellars (MFL Teacher), gave a talk about his father's visit to Antarctica as a veterinary surgeon back in the 1960s to help us understand more about what it might have been like for Shackleton and his crew.
Co -Curricular Club Highlight – Young Pilots
“This term saw our latest after -school activity take off: Ballard Young Pilots Club. Guided by a trained instructor, the pupils are set to work through a theory programme and flight -simulator exercises, setting them on the path to becoming qualified pilots of the future. Every half term, weather permitting, they will have the opportunity to take flight from a local airfield. We look forward to seeing their progress. Permission to buzz the tower…!” Mr Elliott (Lower Prep Teacher).
Early Years Communication & Language Workshop
Parents came into Pre -Prep for a practical workshop to promote the development of communication and language for their children, a fundamental building block for all other learning, social interaction and emotional development. The children loved taking part in the various exciting activities with their parents.
ECO
The Ballard Mallards are delighted with their new duck house, beautifully made and installed in our Victorian Pond. A huge thank you to Mr Robinson (Director of Facilities) and his family for their time, skill and commitment to this lovely project.
This is just one example of the many ways our dedicated team works in conjunction with our pupils, particularly our Eco Ambassadors, to make a meaningful and lasting impact on our environment. We are extremely proud that this collective effort has been recognised with the Eco -Schools Green Flag award.
Our sustainability work continues to grow, with a pledge to be carbon -neutral by 2050. Already, 28% of the school is powered by solar energy (with plans to increase this to 40%), and pupils have planted a wide array of saplings across the site. Together, these initiatives reflect our shared commitment to environmental responsibility and stewardship.
February 2026
Pre-Prep Maths
As part of our multiplication and division topic, our Year 2 pupils made equal groups and then worked through some calculations with concrete materials and got a friend to check their workings. With each new topic we begin with concrete materials before moving onto pictorial and then abstract calculations.
UK Maths Trust Success
Well done to our Year 9 & 10 pupils who took on one of the hardest Intermediate Maths Challenges in a long time. The questions were fiendish, but the pupils acquitted themselves to the task with great determination. This challenge even awards negative marks for wrong answers towards the end of the paper.
The Maths Department is delighted to announce that almost 40% secured a Bronze, Silver or Gold certificate, and we have one or more pupils who have qualified for the Cayley Olympiad, the Hamilton Olympiad, the Maclaurin Olympiad, the Grey Kangaroo and the Pink Kangaroo. Well done to all our competitors. Could you answer this example question?
Solution:
Grease
“Pure unadulterated joy.”Audience member. Our Senior School production of Grease wowed audiences with five fabulous performances. Well done to everyone involved in this incredible production. You can see our photobook here.
Pop Art Food
“Year 6 has been thoroughly enjoying their Pop Art Food project this term, taking inspiration from artists Ron Magnes and Peter Anton. They began by studying Magnes’ bold, graphic style before creating their own vibrant paper collages of food items in true Pop Art fashion. Building on these designs, pupils are now working on an exciting large -scale three-dimensional food sculpture, inspired by Peter Anton’s playful oversized artworks.
Using cardboard, newspaper and Modroc plaster bandage, they are developing both construction and surfacebuilding skills while bringing their creative ideas to life. The classroom is currently filled with giant cakes, burgers, sweets and snacks taking shape, and Year 6 are rightly proud of their imaginative and ambitious work.”
Mrs Hitchens (Head of Art)
Valentine’s Cards
“Reception has made their own beautiful Valentine cards for their parents by making hearts out of Hama beads. Some of them made different coloured patterns, and they all loved finishing their hearts.” Mrs Edwards (Pre -Prep Teacher).
Nursery & Kindergarten
Padel
“This term, pupils in Years 9 –11 had the opportunity to take part in padel taster sessions at Advantage Padel in Mudeford, and the enthusiasm was fantastic from start to finish. For many, it was their first experience of this fast-growing sport, and they embraced the challenge with real positivity and energy.” Mr Wood (Director of Sport).
U14 Basketball Players Crowned Regional Champions
“At the ISA London West U14 Boys Basketball at ACS International School Egham, we won our opening match 29 -25 against the hosts and our second match 53 -10 vs Boundary Oak to be crowned regional champions. Well done, boys.” Mr Wood (Director of Sport).
Hockey Success
A huge well done to our U14 Hockey team who after playing brilliantly in the Hampshire Cup, qualified for the South Central Area Schools Under 14 Regional Finals Tournament in March.
ISA National Cross Country Success
“Following our success at the ISA London West Cross -Country, where our Year 5 and 6 boys won their age category and many of our runners achieved top -ten finishes, five dedicated runners took on the ISA National Cross -Country. Lining up against 70 other competitors from as far north as Newcastle and as far south as Cornwall, they rose to the challenge with remarkable resilience and determination, conquering relentless inclines and rapid descents with true Ballard spirit. Their commitment, courage, and teamwork shone throughout the event as they supported one another, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.” Mr Wood (Director of Sport).
Sports Nutrition Presentation
We welcomed Dr Jules Strauss, BSc Sport & Exercise Sciences, MSc Nutrition & Metabolism, PhD Exercise Metabolism, RNutr (Sport & Ex) and founder of Total Endurance Nutrition (TEN) for our Sports Nutrition Presentation.
Jules delivered a pupil and parent session on Eating for Energy: Foundations of Fuelling as a Young Athlete, which focused on the basics of nutrition to support an active lifestyle, included myth-busting on carbs, supplements and energy drinks and hosted a Q&A for parents and pupils.
Our Headmaster Elect – Mr Stuart Turner
We were delighted to welcome our Headmaster Elect, Mr Stuart Turner, to Ballard. After meeting our staff and some of our parents and pupils, Mr Turner commented on the warm welcome he received and was amazed by our pupils’ performance of Grease.
Saxon Coins
“Year 4 was delighted to welcome back former Ballard teacher, Mr Craven (1984 –2016), for a fascinating presentation of his rare and exclusive collection of Celtic and Anglo -Saxon coins. Pupils listened intently as Mr Craven shared the history behind these valuable artefacts, later posing a series of excellent questions that put his extensive knowledge of the era to the test.
This visit provided a brilliant bridge between topics, introducing the Vikings just as the pupils finished their study of the Anglo -Saxons. It allowed the children to consolidate their learning and filled specific gaps in their historical understanding, particularly regarding the monarchs and leaders of the Anglo -Saxon era. Seeing these figures "brought to life" through the coins was incredibly beneficial and the pupils were especially thrilled to handle a Celtic coin made of real gold!” Mr Winch (Deputy Head of Lower Prep).
Warner Bros. Studio Tour - Harry Potter
“Our Year 7 pupils enjoyed a fantastic visit to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter. Pupils were taken on an immersive studio tour where they saw hundreds of original costumes, sets, and props from the Harry Potter films. A highlight for many was the green screen experience, where pupils had the chance to “play” Quidditch - posing on broomsticks and reaching out for the Golden Snitch.
They also took part in a one -hour Art and Design workshop focused on Theatre Crafts, exploring how costume designers help tell stories on screen. Pupils learned about the processes behind creating and “breaking down” costumes to add weathering or battle damage, before having a go at distressing their own sample of fabric.
The day concluded with a very excited visit to the gift shop, where pupils picked up everything from chocolate frogs to wands and house pins. It was an enjoyable, inspiring day for all involved, with exemplary behaviour throughout.” Mrs Hitchens (Head of Art). You may view our photobook here.
Elsie - Our Inspiring Fundraiser
Elsie (Year 9), gave a presentation to her class about the important work of MacMillan Cancer Support, before having her head shaved for the charity.
“We are incredibly proud of Elsie, who has shown remarkable courage, compassion, and community spirit by taking part in ‘Brave the Shave’. In a heartfelt tribute to her grandfather, Elsie chose to shave her head to honour his memory and support those affected by cancer. Her bravery is a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make. Elsie has not only raised awareness but also inspired others across our school community with her kindness and strength.” Ms Clarke (Head of Food Technology).
Encouraging a Love of Reading
“At Ballard, we are committed to nurturing a lifelong love of reading in every pupil. With weekly library lessons up to Year 6 and dedicated Literacy lessons in Years 7 and 8, our children enjoy regular, structured opportunities to develop confidence and enjoyment in reading.
We are also fortunate to have two fantastic librarians working alongside our exceptional English teachers to support and inspire pupils.
Our literacy lessons have been particularly successful. Each week, pupils take part in targeted reading and spelling activities, including group reading roles based on a short fiction extract and a weekly spelling focus drawn from the text. Teachers also read aloud for part of the lesson, modelling fluent, expressive reading while pupils follow along. Since these lessons were introduced in September, many pupils have made significant progress in their reading ages.
While many children love stories, others are more engaged by non -fiction. Factual books, articles and biographies provide a flexible, accessible way for reluctant readers to discover topics they genuinely enjoy, often without realising how much reading they are doing. Non -fiction also strengthens vocabulary and supports learning across the curriculum.
Whether pupils connect with fiction, non -fiction or a mixture of both, what matters most is helping them find reading that feels meaningful. With the support of our librarians, dedicated lessons and a rich range of texts, Ballard pupils are well placed to develop a reading habit that lasts a lifetime.” Ms Maughan (Head of English).
Forest School Awards
Congratulations to our Year 5 pupils, who gained their Forest School Awards this term. Elizabeth and Elsie gained Bronze and Cerys showed fantastic determination to gain her Silver and Gold awards. Well done, girls.
Duke of Edinburgh Success
“We were proud to be able to hand out the first group DofE awards with 29 Bronze awards and 14 Silver awards. These pupils have put in a great amount of time and energy into their volunteering, physical and skill sections, as well as successfully completing their expeditions. These are all life skills that they can take forward beyond their Ballard days. We look forward to presenting the remaining awards over the next term and a half.”
Mr Elliott (DofE Co -ordinator).
March 2026
DT Rotary Festival
“Twenty-four DT pupils from Years 8 to 11 took part in the DT Rotary Tournament this term, competing against several local schools. Their challenge was to design and build a motor -powered vehicle capable of pushing rubble through a PVC pipe. Pupils in Years 10 and 11 faced an additional task: engineering their vehicle to reverse back down the pipe once the rubble was cleared.
This was a demanding brief that required creativity, problem solving and teamwork, and our pupils rose to the occasion brilliantly. Four of our teams earned second and third place medals within their age categories, an achievement they should be incredibly proud of. It was a fun, inspiring and action -packed day, showcasing the talent and determination of our DT pupils.” Mrs Skelton (DT Teacher and Deputy Head of Upper Prep).
Deciphering
“Year 10 Computer Science pupils enjoyed their trip to the Royal Signals Museum at Blandford Forum Army Camp. Pupils engaged in a Q&A with someone who worked within the MOD's Cyber Division, deciphered an encrypted message sent from John F. Kennedy using the Playfair cipher, and investigated how robots could be used within warfare by programming a wheeled robot to complet e a maze.
We then spent some time looking around the museum at the various exhibits encompassing the history of military communication from the earliest days through to the wars in Afghanistan and the Gulf, and on to modern cyber warfare. Lots of interactive e xhibits allowed pupils to practise Morse code, to learn about radio waves and communication networks, as well as the role of the SOE in the Second World War.” Mr McNeice (IT and Maths Teacher).
British Science Week
At Ballard, everyone loves science and we celebrate British Science Week for a fortnight. This year was even bigger than before - well done to all our amazing Science teachers for their hard work creating such a fun and engaging programme. With plenty of experiments, trips, workshops and talks, there was something for everyone : from our new N&KG water feature and floating boats to F1 workshops and medical career lectures. Our Curiosity Project was a real success too. To see all the amazing things our pupils did during our Science Week fortnight, please click here. To learn more about our Curiosity Project, click here.
Letters
“This term pupils have been focusing on detailed measurements and construction along with 3D printing to make their plywood 3D letters - the outcomes are exceptional.” Mr Cornwell (Head of DT and STEM)
Chocolatey Egg Nests!
Reception learnt so much while making their delicious Easter treats: science – changes of properties (melting and solidifying); maths – measuring ingredients; fine motor skills – mixing and spooning the mixture into cases; and most importantly – enjoying the yummy cakes! Our younger pupils made some too.
Eating Well
“Our Year 8 pupils have recently taken part in their Individual Choice practical lesson, an important milestone in their Food Technology rotation. For this task, pupils selected, planned and cooked a single -portion savoury meal, applying their understanding of the Eatwell Guide to ensure their dish supported the principles of balanced and healthy eating.” Ms Clarke (Head of Food Technology)
ISA Young Musician of the Year Final
Well done to Isaac (Year 8) for reaching the KS3 finals of the ISA Young Musician of the Year.
Isaac is an exceptionally accomplished young musician: a Grade 8 flautist, Grade 7 singer and Grade 7 pianist and was up against an incredibly strong field of older pupils, so this is an incredible achievement. Isaac was accompanied by one of our piano teachers, Mr Doug Gould, and performed the 3rd movement of the Hindemith Flute Sonata (Sehr Lebhaft and Marsch).
Reaching the national final is a tremendous achievement and reflects Isaac’s dedication and talent. We are immensely proud of his accomplishments.
Music Making
“The Year 4s made their own string orchestra using violins and cellos to rehearse Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King. One brave pupil even volunteered to be the conductor!” Ms Wilcox
Music - Spring Recital Series
“Over the course of two weeks, the Music Department presented a remarkable series of four recitals, each one a celebration of dedication, musical growth, and the joy of performance. The PAC was filled at every event, with a wonderfully supportive audience of parents, friends, family members, and grandparents, whose enthusiasm added real warmth to the occasion.
Across the series, there were an impressive 83 performances, showcasing a wide range of ages from Years 1 to 11, instruments, and musical styles. Every pupil approached their performance with professionalism, musicality, and admirable composure. Whether they were stepping onto the concert platform for the very first time or building on previous recital experience, each performer contributed to an atmosphere of encouragement, achievement, and a genuine love for music making. A heartfelt thank you goes to our dedicated Visiting Music Teachers, whose careful preparation, commitment, and support were evident in every performance. Their presence at the recitals and their ongoing encouragement play a vital role in nurturing the Ballard pupils’ confidence and musical development.
Holding this programme of recitals in the Spring Term remains an important part of musical life at Ballard. Not only does it provide valuable preparation for ABRSM exams at the end of term, but it also offers pupils the essential experience of performing a solo in the PAC in a supportive environment where they can practice and refine the skills that reach far beyond music itself.
Confidence, organisation, presentation, teamwork, preparation, and consistent practice all come to life on the concert platform, helping Ballard’s young musicians grow into poised, capable individuals. Congratulations to every performer on a wonderful fortnight of music making!” Mr P. (Head of Music).
You may watch some of the performances on our music page.
Textiles
“In Textiles, our Year 9 pupils are developing their own digital pattern designs. Over the past two weeks, they have explored a wide range of mark -making techniques using acrylic paints and inks, creating original artwork to scan and edit. Pupils are now refining these designs using digital editing tools, experimenting with layering, colour and composition.
A key focus of this project is introducing pupils to the creative processes used within the surface design industry. Their patterns will be printed onto fabric and considered for real -world applications such as fashion, homeware and stationery. This experience gives pupils valuable insight into how designers develop concepts into commercially viable products and highlights the breadth of career pathways within the creative industries.”
Mrs Jarman (Textiles Teacher).
Acrylic Dinosaurs
Year 3 has explored a variety of acrylic painting techniques - they have printed, stencilled, scraped and twirled to achieve the different textural effects of the landscapes behind and then used a mixture of acrylics and paint pens to add details to their dinosaurs. What a colourful world they live in.
Floral Display
With lots of folding, cutting, scrunching and rolling, alongside listening and following instructions, our Reception pupils created this colourful display of spring flowers.
Happy Easter
We love these Easter cards made by our youngest pupils.
Physical Theatre
“Year 10 GCSE Drama pupils have been exploring physical theatre practitioners Steven Berkoff and Frantic Assembly as part of their course".
Mrs O’Connor White (Head of Drama)
You may watch a video here.
U13 Boys Hampshire Hockey 7s Festival
“The team were outstanding throughout the group stages, winning all five games without conceding a single goal, which saw the m progress confidently into the final. Their discipline, teamwork and work rate were evident in every match. In the final, the boys started brightly and took the lead through Euan, making it 1 –0. Despite creating chances, they were unable to capitalise further , and sustained pressure from Beadles eventually told. A superb reverse hit into the top corner levelled the game, and from that po int the momentum shifted, with Beadles going on to win the final 2 –1. While the final result did not quite go our way, the boys showed g reat spirit, sportsmanship and togetherness throughout the tournament. They represented the school superbly, truly demonstrating t he Ballard way, and should be very proud of their achievement.” Mr Steadman (Deputy Director of Sport and Head of Upper Prep).
Regional Hockey Match Report
Our U14 boys competed at the Regional Hockey Finals in Reading against eight teams from across Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. Holding their own against much larger schools, including Eton and Radley, the boys secured 4th place overall, an achievement everyone should be extremely proud of. Well done to all the players, coaches, and supporters involved.
Regional Hockey Success
Fourteen enthusiastic and confident young men from Years 10 and 11 left school hopeful of securing a trophy at the ISA Hockey Regionals. There were twelve teams involved this year, in two pools of six. With wins against impressive teams, they gained three wins, two draws and only one defeat in a dead rubber achieving joint third on the day.
Perry Dalziell Cross Country
“On a lovely sunny, but cold day, we took 24 athletes to take part in Walhampton's annual cross-country event. With over 400 runners taking part, approximately 70 runners in each race, our Ballard pupils did the school proud with some top 10 finishes from th e following pupils: Year 3 – Alex (10th); Year 4 – Emilia (8th); Year 5 – Austin (7th), Oran (8th) and Evie (10th).
We had to wait until the last race to cheer on Josh (Year 6) who took first place and a well -deserved gold medal! In addition, t he Year 5 group managed a 3rd place in the mixed team category which is an outstanding achievement! Well done to all the runners who to ok part and a huge thank you to all the parents for their unwavering support, it really makes a difference!”
Miss Romain (Head of Nursery to Year 6 PE and Games).
Cricket Training
Our Year 7 girls and boys squads enjoyed a sunny training session, focusing on key bowling and fielding fundamentals. Pupils worked on position, run ups, and target bowling drills to build accuracy. In fielding, they practised catches, clean pickups, and quick returns. A great start to the season with plenty of energy and improving technique on show.
Netball Festival
“All our Year 3 and Year 4 pupils played in fun netball festivals this term. The emphasis at this age is on participation, enjoying and learning the basics of playing the game of netball, but there were goals scored by Ballard in every game, proving the shooting practice has been paying off!” Miss Romain (Head of Nursery to Year 6 PE and Games).
World Book Day
At Ballard, we don’t just celebrate World Book Day, we celebrate World Book Day Week!
With four Booky Breakfasts, three guest authors, multiple catwalks and an array of amazing costumes, you may view our photo book here.
Gameathon - Young Lives with Cancer
“Finlay's friends worked hard to raise money in his memory. Andrew, Arthur, George and Harrison officially started gaming at 7am with the support of staff
Throughout the day pupils from Year 8 took it in turns to keep the gaming going. Staff were also keen to show off their Mario Kart skills.
The room was full of laughter and fun all day. The gaming finally wrapped up after 12 hours at 7pm. Ten very happy and proud boys stayed to the end to finish the challenge. Harrison said afterwards, ‘I think it was a very nice way to remember Finlay.’
Thank you to all those who have supported the event by donating to Young Lives vs Cancer.”
Mrs Jones (Specialist Teacher)
Pre-Prep Forest School
“Reception enjoyed using the slack line this term. With a rope to help them balance when moving along the line, they enjoyed developing their sense of balance while strengthening and improving their gross motor skills.
Using a slack line in Forest School enhances children’s physical and mental development by improving balance, core strength and spatial awareness, while boosting confidence. This engaging activity builds focus, encourages persistence and fosters a deep connection to nature. It acts as a fun, low -risk way to develop coordination and social skills.” Mrs Verdon (Kindergarten Teacher and Pre -Prep Forest and Beach School Lead).
See what our Reception pupils say about Forest School here.
Red Nose Day
It was lovely to see so many pupils embracing their inner comic today and wearing something red to raise money for this important cause. You may view our Red Nose Day photo book here.
Anglo Saxons
“Year 4 went back in time to Anglo -Saxon Winchester as part of their Humanities lessons. Visiting the Great Hall, the children were greeted by an Anglo -Saxon lady who set them three tasks. They had to find runes that helped them understand the kings of the era, barter in the local shop with the shopkeeper, and write a riddle based on AngloSaxon artefacts. We then visited the Winchester City Museum, where they had the opportunity to play some board games from the era. The whole day really enhanced their understanding that history is all around us.” Mr Elliott, (Lower Prep Teacher).
Co -Curricular Club Highlight: Mandarin
“In Mandarin Club this week, the pupils were learning an important topic, food. Mr Farley showed them the vocabulary for some common foods which pupils were then using in a sentence to say whether they liked to eat it. There was even enough time for pupils to research the words for some of their favourite food types, - 冰淇淋 'Bing Qi Lin' (ice cream) being a popular one.” Mr Farley (Head of Lower Prep).
New Milton Civic Celebration
Congratulations to Elsie (Year 9), Izzy (Year 11) and Ben (Year 10), who were awarded a Mayor’s Commendation at the New Milton Civic Celebration for their outstanding charity work.
Elsie was recognised for her ‘Brave the Shave’ in support of Macmillan Cancer Support, which has already raised an impressive £2,562. Ben received his commendation for his sustained commitment to charitable causes. His most recent achievement was an abseil in September down the tallest permanent abseil tower in the world, the National Lift Tower, which raised £1,125 for the PWSA UK charity.
Izzy was nominated by Hale Gardens Tennis Club in recognition of her fundraising for a commemorative bench and for her sporting success. She has won the ladies singles trophy at the club championships for two consecutive years, despite being the youngest competitor.
Well done to Elsie, Ben and Izzy for their remarkable contributions to their community.
