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BEAUDESERT PARK SCHOOL

magazine

AUTUMN 2023

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

magazine

AUTUMN 2023 No. 20

Contents School Notes: Headmaster’s Speech Farewells Speech Day Prizes Form Prizes Scholarships, Valete

2 5 8 10 11

Boarding at Beaudesert

Beaudesert and the Community

Academic

The Arts

Outings and Events

Alumni

Activities

The Pre-Prep Department

Anthology

Sport

Friends of Beaudesert

114

Staff List

115

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

S C H O O L N OT E S Headmaster’s Speech at Prizegiving say thank you to all of our children for embracing the countless opportunities they have had, across every area of school life, working as teams or individually, giving to others and aspiring for themselves. Children, you should all be proud, every single one of you, of your progress, your achievements, and all that you have individually brought to each day to make Beaudesert a better place.

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, teachers, parents, and, most importantly, our brilliant students. As we gather here today, at the close of another remarkable academic year, I stand before you, both honoured and humbled to address this extraordinary community. Okay, what is it that gave away that that was the beginning of my Friday evening, pure panic, Chat GPT speech? Was it the use of the word ‘students’? Or the word ‘brilliant’?! At the advice of a couple of kind mums after our Pre-Prep Prizegiving, I plugged in to AI and in 30 seconds had a speech. It was really rather good, but it wasn’t what means so much to us all at Beaudesert. It wasn’t personal. So, hoping I haven’t now set myself up to fall, in my words… Good morning, and welcome to Beaudesert’s Prizegiving 2023. We come together this morning as our final act to mark the end of another wonderful year at Beaudesert, to reflect and celebrate together, and to say some fond farewells. I shan’t now list all of the incredible achievements of our children this year. Where would I stop? The weekly Buzz has been bursting and we would end up having today’s lunch for breakfast tomorrow morning. But I would like to

This morning is one of many celebrations we have enjoyed together in the past few weeks. Our sporting year has been rounded off in fine style at our recent Sports Days, while we wrapped up our musical calendar in the most impressive and joyous fashion at our Summer Concert on Tuesday evening. And some of you will have been here yesterday afternoon as we closed the year for our Pre-Prep with their Prizegiving. On such occasions, I find myself looking at our youngest children and imagining who they may become by the time they are these marvellous people in Year 8, readying themselves to move on to their senior schools. I look at our wonderful Year 8 children and reflect on the extraordinary journey they have enjoyed here during their time at Beaudesert. For some, you have been with us since Nursery, while others have joined us for the final couple of years. Whether 2 years or 10, we are proud of every single one of you and say farewell today with great sadness, but with hearts full of hope and optimism, knowing you have a grounding and roots here at Beaudesert from which you can continue to grow with confidence in the years to come. After hearing our wonderful brass ensemble play ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ in honour of Southampton F.C., some of you may have been thinking, “Hang on, this is the last thing Mr Searson would wish to hear.” Far from ‘marching in’, the season ended with Southampton sadly ‘limping out’ as they were relegated from the Premier League.

To be entirely honest, I have not yet fully come to terms with it! I would, however, like to spend a few minutes indulging my love of The Saints, and reflecting on the lessons – not all easy – that we learn from being a sports fan. And, Year 8, if you hadn’t worked it out yet, this is my rather ‘teachery’ way of giving you some parting words of advice. Believe it or not, Southampton have not always been the mighty footballing force they are today. When I first took Archie to watch Southampton over ten years ago, we were not in the Premier League. He was more interested in watching ‘Shaun the Sheep’ on my phone to be entirely honest, while I, along with everyone else in the stadium, was dreaming big. We were always looking up, believing that our dreams would be fulfilled and, sure enough, we were quickly promoted back to the Premier League. Year 8, life will have its ups and downs, but when you have those downs, don’t let your heads drop, instead turn and look up. Keep believing and following your dreams. As a team supporter, you are rarely alone. You are all in it together, sharing the experiences, side by side on an emotional rollercoaster. Archie and I have sat next to one another with our heads in our hands (you notice that Mrs Searson has wisely kept her distance!), and we have danced together at Wembley. Don’t ask if we actually won or not. Year 8, life’s journey is better enjoyed with others alongside you. Seek out and surround yourselves with good people. Be that good person for others, to celebrate their successes and be their support in need. It is obvious to say, but football is a team game. And teams are made up of players with different skills and different strengths. Teams need players with skill, flair, charisma, and strength. Goal scorers and defenders. A team where all the players were the same would not be successful.

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

So it is in life. Year 8, you are all different. You have learned at Beaudesert to be proud of who you are, to embrace your own strengths, and to celebrate the different strengths of others, working together towards one shared goal. This has been your greatest gift as a year group. Never forget it. People talk about the all-time greats of football. Messi, Pele, Ronaldo, Maradona, perhaps. But the greatest ever is almost certainly… Matt Le Tissier. Well perhaps not, but he was pretty magical. Especially as a Southampton fan, because he was ours, and he always played for Southampton. In a world where so many are always chasing the next best thing, he remained loyal. It would be easy for me to switch allegiance from Southampton now, to support the winners, to forget my roots. But then you end up with no roots at all and the ground beneath you becomes increasingly unstable. Year 8, of course you mustn’t stand still. And true loyalty doesn’t mean staying in the same place. But it does mean being committed, showing gratitude, and remembering your roots. Loyalty to your friends will ensure that you never find yourself alone. So Year 8, as you move on from Beaudesert, please remember these things: • Look up with hope and ambition. • Keep believing and following your dreams.

• Hold your faith when you face the bumps in the road. • Be a team player – embrace who you are, and celebrate those around you. • Be loyal. • Be true to yourself. • Be a good and kind person, the best version of yourself you can possibly be. If you don’t know by now, my favourite philosophers are not Plato or Aristotle, but Winnie the Pooh and Piglet, and it was Piglet who wisely said: “The things that make me different are the things that make me, me.” The confidence our leaving children take with them comes from the relationships they build here, both with their friends and, so importantly, with the adults who care for them so well. Beaudesert is the place it is because of the passion and dedication of all who work here, whether housekeeping, cooking, looking after our grounds and buildings, working in offices behind the scenes, teaching our children in all aspects of their learning, or caring for our children’s pastoral needs. Seeing our Year 8s alighting minibuses for the last time yesterday morning with tears in their eyes as they wished their drivers farewell after their final journey together, watching them on stage with Lezlee, joking around affectionately with their teachers in Thursday night’s Revue, and listening to the heartfelt words of thanks that they have been sharing in recent days are all evidence of the incredible bonds formed with the staff here.

Graduate Assistants

Today, we sadly say goodbye to a number of members of staff, many of whom are not with us today, but some who are, and I would like to take a moment to thank some of our Prep School teachers. Issy Aulakh, Kuber Berry and Siobhan Reynolds have been the most incredible support to our children and teachers, throwing themselves headlong into every area of school life. One moment they are listening to our youngest children reading, the next coaching on the sports fields, the next looking after our boarders, and everything in between, including some of the less glamorous roles. Issy heads back to the University of Bath to finish her degree in Sports Science. Kuber begins his higher level studies in PE and school sports at Hartpury University, and Siobhan is going to Oxford Brookes to complete an MSc in Pre-Registration Physiotherapy. We wish you all the very best for your futures and hope our paths cross again very soon. Miss Hannah Niblett came to Beaudesert as a lifeguard in 2017 before becoming a Teaching Assistant in the Prep School in 2018. Hannah has proved to be an absolute natural, making instinctively warm connections with children, always being at the front of the queue for our outward bound trips, and this year honing her innate skills as she has successfully completed her iPGCE with us. We are delighted that Hannah starts her teaching career close by, at Minchinhampton Primary, and quietly hope that an opportunity may arise in the future to tempt her back to Beaudesert. Gemma Price joined us as a Resident Graduate Assistant in 2020 and we quickly realised that we had struck gold. She took the reins as Girls’ Assistant Houseparent and became a Teaching Assistant a year later. Gemma has excelled in these roles, taking everything in her stride, always with a smile on her face, and being a fabulous support to children and teachers alike. Unfortunately for us, Gemma’s ‘can-do’ attitude means she is now leaving us to fulfil her dreams of travelling to New Zealand and beyond. Good luck, Gemma, and thank you for everything.

From left to right: Zak Armitage, Siobhan Reynolds, Isabella Aulakh, Kuber Berry

Freya Swan joined as a Sports Assistant in January 2016, but it immediately became

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

apparent that her skills were far too great for this role. She became a full blown P.E. teacher, and more recently our Head of Girls’ Games. Freya inspires children with her easy but unshakable passion for sport, while also possessing a natural pastoral touch. She moves to London to take up an exciting new PR opportunity, and I also hope that opportunities to keep inspiring children remain. Good luck, Freya. The best way to know the true qualities of a teacher is through the impact they have on the children around them. Yesterday, a Year 5 boy came to see me looking for Mrs Waters. He had discovered an abandoned nest on the floor in the school grounds and his first thought was, this is the perfect gift for Mrs Waters. This is a measure of how she connects with and has inspired so many children at Beaudesert to develop a genuine and deep passion for the natural world, and a caring approach to our environment. Gemma leaves Beaudesert having been a part-time Ecology and Science teacher here since 2007. But her influence, especially through brilliantly leading the Eco-Committee and Green Flag initiative, has gone far beyond the reach of any normal part-time teacher. It is entirely appropriate that it is work within a conservation organisation ‘Bug Life’, working directly to safeguard wildlife, that has drawn Gemma away for us. Thank you, Mrs Waters, and we wish you every happiness in your new role. Richard Tiley first came to Beaudesert as Head of English in 2006, having

previously taught in a range of prep schools across the country. As well as being a passionate English teacher with a voracious appetite and passion for literature, which he has at his fingertips to share with children, Richard is a keen actor and singer and has, in the past, been a key figure in leading dramatic productions at Beaudesert. Mr Tiley has the ability to inspire all children to share his love of the English language and his qualities as a wordsmith are never better showcased than when his dulcet tones are echoing across the Common on Sports Day. And then, of course, there is his great love of the outdoors, especially when hitting mountainous heights. Beaudesertians have loved learning about connecting with nature, either through Bushcraft Club or the annual Tiley Trundle. Thank you, Mr Tiley, or as our Year 8 affectionately know you – T-Dog – and we wish you the very best for all future trundling. Before we move on to our prizes I would like to share one story with you. In a recent History lesson, Mr Curr asked his class why the North had won the American Civil War. A hand shot up. “Great”, thinks Mr Curr, “once again my inspirational teaching has hit the mark.” “Yes”, asks, Mr Curr. “They were fighting downhill!” comes the answer.

Now that is cross-curricular teaching at its very best, top level geographical and historical knowledge – Curr and Craig – in perfect synthesis. I’m so proud of our Humanities department. As she did last year, Mrs Packman wrote a rather marvellous poem for the PrePrep yesterday. I was told my effort of last year: ‘Year 8, You’ll be great.’ didn’t cut the mustard. So I tried AI, again. I didn’t like it, again. So, had a quick spin. Forgive me in advance. Another year has flown on by, Beaudesert spirits ever high. Our children all stuck into ‘stuff’, With cries of ‘more’, it’s never enough. On stage and pitch, in class, at play, Each Beaudesertian finds their way, To newer grounds and greater heights. There’s just too much to share highlights. So here instead I say to you, A cracking year all, ‘toodle-oo!’ Have happy summers ‘til next term, When once again we’ll meet to learn. To all our leavers, ‘tis not goodbye, You spread your wings and off you fly. But on life’s travels, sure you’ll roam, Back to sweet Beaudesert; always home. And so, before we move on to the presentation of this year’s prizes, I would like to wish you all a happy and enjoyable summer.

C D Searson

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

Farewells Jackie Abendanon

Anthea Dufour one small classroom, to a porta cabin, and finally to the new facility we have today. She introduced the loaning system, and invited many authors to give inspirational talks. Beyond the Library, Jackie was responsible for instigating our link with supplying old sports kit to children’s clubs in South Africa. She also assisted with a cricket tour to South Africa, where Beaudesert also built a football pitch for a school later on.

Jackie has been associated with Beaudesert for many years both as a parent and as a member of staff. She is an avid reader, interested in every aspect of life; history, culture in all its forms, sport, charities, news, music and theatre. Each event is an education for Jackie; she absorbs the world around her and lives each day in all its fullness. Around School, we only had to look at the noticeboards to find that Jackie had discovered a fascinating article to inspire the children. As a colleague and friend, Jackie loved to have a good old natter and was always interested in who and what made each of us unique. Jackie has a special ability to make every person feel treasured for who they are. Early on in her time at Beaudesert, Jackie decided that one of the best ways to get to know the children at Beaudesert would be to take her test to become a minibus driver. Following this, she could be called upon to ferry children of all ages to theatre trips, music and drama exams, activities, a new bus route to Painswick, trips for the boarders… You name a trip or event, and Jackie was there 99% of the time. As Librarian, Jackie was integral in leading the transformation of the Library from

Jackie’s reliable support of the Music Department at School is still missed today. She was always at lunchtime concerts, supported us with administration, supported our youngest children getting to and from their lessons, and always noticed the small things that made a big difference to the day to day running of the department. Behind the scenes, but never unnoticed, Jackie’s generosity of spirit made her the oil that kept many cogs turning at Beaudesert. To quote a message from a member of the music team, Jackie ‘is Beaudesert’. We wish her a very well-deserved retirement, full of time to explore the world with family. Jacs, hartelijk bedankt! RS

Manos Charalabopoulos

We were extremely fortunate to enjoy a year with Anthea at Beaudesert, as she stepped in as maternity cover Registrar and Head’s PA - two exceptionally busy and challenging roles, which Anthea took to with her gentle touch and warm nature. Immediately, staff and visitors started speaking about the kind and considerate approach that Anthea brought to the School Office, helping to quickly make people feel at home and in safe hands, while responding to the plethora of daily changes and challenges in a calm and positive manner. Anthea sees the very best in people and her positive influence was greatly appreciated by us all. We are delighted that Anthea’s time with us has helped her to move on to a permanent registrar role and we wish her every happiness.

When I first met Manos to discuss teaching at Beaudesert Park, I felt incredibly fortunate. It has been such a pleasure to work with Manos, who is the most humble colleague and an immensely talented musician. For children who have been taught by Manos, I know that their musicianship has been nurtured through his attentive and creative teaching. For those who have heard Manos play piano either for the Year 8 musicals or in the recital alongside Wendy, I am sure that you will agree that it will be a while before we hear the piano in the Performing Arts Centre ‘sparkle’ in the same way. I would like to wish Manos the very best as he settles into his new life in Colombia with RS his wife and daughter.

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Katie Hainsworth 4, but her impact on the School has been felt across the wider community. She leaves us to spend more time with her family and to take up a part-time role at Crudwell Primary School.

It is with a mix of gratitude and sadness that we say goodbye to Katie Hainsworth as she leaves Beaudesert Park for new adventures. Over her time with us, Katie has been an integral support to Years 3 and

Katie had an unwavering dedication to her role. She embraced her responsibilities with enthusiasm, warmth and care for the children. Her nurturing hand allowed her to build strong and meaningful relationships across the year groups; the children still ask after Mrs Hainsworth which is testament to how much of an impact she had on their educational journey. Katie’s contributions extended well beyond the classroom and she was a great support to all areas of school life. Her artistic talents, in particular, were a great asset and the children, and staff,

thoroughly enjoyed following her as she led us through her creative ideas either for Christmas cards, artwork or posters to show off learning. Nothing was too much for Katie; as she was a qualified teacher, she was able to see ahead and always planned for every outcome. This allowed Katie to go way beyond the role of a TA, which was a bonus for all the teachers she worked alongside. When asking staff to sum up Katie in a word, the overriding theme was her calmness, her caring nature and her kindness… It will not take long for her new colleagues to see this as well, and we wish her the very best of luck as she settles in to her new role.

Gemma Price

I jumped at the chance to say a few words about lovely Gemma because she is genuinely one of the warmest, kindest, most selfless people I have ever met. Upon meeting her, it was clear that Gemma had everything we were looking for in a Graduate Assistant and Assistant Houseparent. Sporty, a knowledge of independent schools, intelligent and a warm smile. Not only had she completed a Masters before coming to us, but she was actually running a boarding house in

Oxford. Let’s just say Tom and I were both impressed and a little nervous given we were only in our second year in the job!

her sports, but the recent Half Marathon shows you that she can turn her hand to anything.

She is a fabulous Assistant Houseparent; a huge support to the children with exactly the right balance of nurture and discipline. Anyone who’s done the job will know what a difficult role it is, and Gemma seems to take it all in her stride. She never complains.

Throughout her time at Beaudesert, Gemma has had time to go on many trips both in and out of School. She is an explorer, and will jump at any opportunity to see the world. She joined the French trip last year, even though she can’t speak a word of French, and skiing this year, even though she can’t really ski. She was notoriously taken down a black slope (on her bottom) with only 7 days of skiing under her belt.

Not being one to stand still, Gemma soon moved on to a role as Teaching Assistant in the Year 3 corridor, and what an asset she has been! She is an unbelievably efficient TA, completing everything in record speed, and reading everyone’s mind by completing jobs before they need to be done. She is a regular on the lower field every lunchtime, allowing the children an enjoyable break time, and creating strong relationships with all the children. On the games fields rain or shine, Gemma slots in perfectly to the sportier aspects of Beaudesert life. Swimming and netball are

Given her wide range of travelling experiences, it is no surprise that Gemma is heading off to pursue her dreams of travelling across New Zealand. She was only supposed to stay a year – 3 years later, delayed by covid, she’s finally on her way. We know that she will have the best time. You will be so missed, Gemma. Happy Travels!

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

Hannah Niblett a job as a lifeguard, utilising her affinity for the water. However, Hannah’s journey at Beaudesert did not end at the pool. She was hired by the School and transitioned from being a lifeguard to becoming a Teaching Assistant. In this role, she quickly demonstrated her value by going above and beyond her duties. She coached on the sports fields, supervised trips for all year groups, assisted with Art, and Design and Technology, and fully immersed herself in all aspects of school life. Hannah Niblett has had a long and significant association with Beaudesert, starting from her early years. Her connection with the School began when her mother attended pre-natal swimming classes here. At the age of 4, Hannah herself started swimming lessons in our very own pool as well. Later, at 16, she got

Gemma Waters

Gemma Waters has worked at Beaudesert for the past 16 years, and in that time has contributed across a broad spectrum of school life. Whether she is teaching Science to Year 5, running painting workshops for the Year 8 Art Scholars or doing brilliant face painting for school productions, Gemma has done so with enthusiasm and a smile. Perhaps best known for her passion for the natural world, her love of the environment has had a hugely positive effect on all

In recent years, Hannah has made the transition from Teaching Assistant to Teacher, and she has proven herself to be dedicated, passionate and committed to her students. Her natural ability to facilitate learning and her creative approach to lessons have allowed her to

of the children she has taught, and on Beaudesert as a School. Through running the Ecology department, Gemma has given the children of Years 3, 4 and 5 a deeper understanding of our environment. She has shown the children the full potential that the school grounds, and the wider world, have to offer. She has instilled a respect for nature within them, as well as nurturing their curiosity about wildlife and what we can do to protect it. Often found checking her animal footprint traps, running a litter pick, or putting up bat boxes in all manner of weathers, Gemma has had a profound impact on the wildlife around the School, as well as our understanding of it. Her incredible achievement in leading the School’s Eco-Committee towards being awarded the Eco-Schools’ Green Flag last year is a testament to her passion and expertise in the ecology field. We wish her all the best for the future as she goes back into working in ecology. She leaves Beaudesert in a much stronger, ecoconscious position thanks to her efforts over the years. LS

engage each and every child in her care. Her presence in the Year 4 team and indeed across the School, will be greatly missed. As Hannah moves on to pursue her teaching career across the Common, working with the children of Minchinhampton Primary School, Beaudesert staff and children bid her farewell and express enormous gratitude for her invaluable contributions to the school community.

Freya Swan

When I asked some of the children to describe Miss Swan, these were the words most frequently used: kind, fair, listener, and sporty. I think they summed her up perfectly. We have been lucky to have Miss Swan at Beaudesert Park for the past 9 years. She has been a highly valued member of the PE and Games Department. Over her time at Beaudesert she has helped and supported us all and has never been afraid to get involved with school life, whether that be boarding, school trips, lessons, swimming or fixtures. You can always rely on Miss Swan as a colleague, friend and as a teacher. She has been a real rock to us and especially to the children. I would like to thank Miss Swan on behalf of us all for her support, dedication and kindness over the years, and we wish her all the best for the future.

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Speech Day Prize List Year 8 Iris Adams Chalmers French Prize, winner of the 8B Form Prize for her outstanding CE results and her contributions to all aspects of school life Herbie Ahearne Harmer Cup for Academic Achievement, joint winner of the Sporting Achievement Prize, winner of the 8W Form Prize for outstanding work ethic, success and integrity Henry Biddle Commended for: His extraordinary ability to solve the staff’s IT problems. Archibald Design Prize, joint winner of the Pope Computing Prize Bea Blastland Commended for: Consistent hard work, and her unfailingly resilient attitude to learning. Max Breitmeyer 8B Form Prize for outstanding CE results and contributions to all aspects of school life Otto Bullock Commended for: Consistent progress and effort in all aspects of sporting life, and his academic subjects, especially Maths. Kasper Calvert Lavery Cup for the Arts, joint winner of the Pope Computing Prize, winner of the 8B Form Prize for his entire and unique Beaudesert career Sholto Casey Commended for: His positivity, academic effort and progress. Joint winner of the Sporting Endeavour Prize Bella Charlesworth Commended for: Consistent hard work, and a resilient attitude to learning with a permanent smile on her face. Joint winner of the Sporting Endeavour Prize Freddie de Rouet Commended for: His academic efforts across the board but especially in Science. Joint winner of the Sporting Endeavour Prize Harry Douglas-Pennant Commended for: His truly scholarly approach to learning. Matthews Science Prize Edward Easton Commended for: His effort and academic progress, alongside a cheerful disposition, mature sense of humour and efforts on the sports fields. Alfie Ellis Commended for: His excellent Common Entrance results. May English Prize, and joint winner of the Hervey Adams Art Prize Poppy Farrington Commended for: Her positive attitude; her growth mindset promoting steady progress and her cheerful disposition. Inigo Fieldhouse Commended for: His effort and his academic progress; his contributions on the cricket pitch. Libby Fleming Commended for: Her outstanding Common Entrance grades. Joint winner of the Airey Art Prize Amelie Frost Commended for: Her excellent attitude to learning and significant academic progress on multiple fronts over the course of the year. Cecil Gifford Joint winner of the Hervey Adams Art Prize, winner of the 8A Form Prize for his exemplary conduct and consistent effort Red Gifford Commended for: Her positive attitude and her contribution to school life. Mander Prize for Philosophy & Ethics Ted Greig Commended for: His participation in Music, his steady academic progress and his all-round contribution to school life. Wylder Guise Russell Prize for Creativity in Maths Zac Hughes Commended for: Improvement in Common Entrance grades over the year and his contributions to the sporting life of the School. Bea Hulbert Commended for: Her excellent Common Entrance grades, the result of consistent hard work throughout the year. Rufus Isaacs English Prize Caspar Jack Commended for: His academic progress across the board. Petyan Prize for Geography Paloma Johansen Joint winner of the Oliver Shield for Music, winner of the Waite Shield for Strings

Marlborough College Eton College Cheltenham College Cheltenham College Bradfield College Cheltenham College Stowe School Marlborough College Cheltenham College Marlborough College Radley College Cheltenham College Marlborough College Cheltenham College Rendcomb College St Mary’s, Calne St Mary’s, Calne Cheltenham College Cheltenham College Kingswood School Cheltenham College Cheltenham College St Mary’s, Calne Winchester College Marlborough College

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

Seb Jones Joint winner of the Crick Drama Cup, winner of the 8A Form Prize for his Marlborough College thoughtfulness and willingness to help others Naoise Lambert Kenward Commended for: His artistic ability. Wycliffe College Clover Longsdon Commended for: Her academic effort and progress. Stowe School Joint winner of the Airey Art Prize Jean-Christian Lucas Commended for: A positive attitude to learning and steady progress, alongside Cheltenham College his unfailingly cheerful demeanour and sporting contributions. Alice Marwood Unsung Hero Cup for her high-quality, all-round contribution to the School in a The King’s School, good-natured and unassuming manner. Gloucester Sam McCulloch Commended for: Academic effort and progress across the board. Radley College Kellie Prize for Brass Doug McMurtry Commended for: His hard work and excellent Common Entrance results. Cheltenham College Brodermann Cup for Dignity and Integrity Darcey McShane Joint winner of the Sporting Achievement Prize, winner of the 8W Form Prize for Cheltenham College academic excellence, all-round contribution to the life of the School and being a model pupil Oliver Mitchell Commended for: His all-round contribution to school life. Cheltenham College Joint winner of the Crick Drama Cup Hugo Moffatt Commended for: Consistent hard work and a resilient attitude to learning, as Cheltenham College well as his contribution to sport. Ottilie Orchard Commended for: Determination, resilience, her enthusiasm and constructive Green School, Bali contributions on the sports fields. Gabriel Parker Commended for: His outstanding academic achievements. Wycliffe College Stephens Henriques English Prize Leo Pettifer Commended for: His academic progress. Cheltenham College Joint winner of the Sporting Achievement Prize Lara Pridmore Commended for: Pursuing every aspect of her life at School with unfailing Badminton School cheerfulness and joie de vivre. Joint winner of the Sporting Spirit Prize Helena Raphael Commended for: Her excellent artwork, her effort and much improved Cheltenham College academic grades. Oliver Raphael Commended for: His contribution to the sporting life of the School. Marlborough College Vincent Keyte History Prize Fynn Robinson Good Egg Prize in recognition of his outstanding attitude and participation in Cheltenham College school life Ned Robinson Brickwood Physics Cup, joint winner of the Sporting Spirit Prize Cheltenham College Agatha Roche Reid Science Prize, joint winner of the Sporting Spirit Prize, winner of the 8A Form Marlborough College Prize for excellent Common Entrance results, a cheerful disposition and sense of fun Rex Rowland Commended for: His musical contributions. Cheltenham College Wallace Prize for the Performing Arts William Sanford Commended for: Much improved Common Entrance grades over the course Cheltenham College of the year, and his sunny disposition. Agastyan Sivanesan Commended for: His positive attitude, a growth mindset, as well as his sporting Cheltenham College contributions. Edward Skarda Cucknell Design Prize, Blackmore Chorister Cup The King’s School, Gloucester Ruby Sturgis Commended for: Her constant cheerfulness and positive approach to school life. Stowe School Duffy Dyer Cup for Endeavour Louis Slater Commended for: His sporting contribution, his academic progress and being Bradfield College the Year 8 raconteur. Austin Richardson Classics Prize James Thompson Nott Cup for Academic Attainment, John Keyte Maths Prize Radley College Scarlett Trehearne 8W Form Prize for her academic progress, outstanding Common Entrance results Marlborough College and a cheerful approach to school life. Lollie Walker Elgar Woodwind Music Prize, joint winner of the Sporting Achievement Prize Marlborough College Emilie Wood Commended for: Her warmth and cheerful nature. St Mary’s, Calne Joint winner of the Oliver Shield for Music, winner of the Shaw Cup for Piano Layla-Rose Ziar Commended for: A year of progress across every aspect of school life. Bradfield College Kulesza Technology Prize

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Form Prizes 3B

3N 3N 3N

Fergus Doyle For his enthusiasm, thirst for knowledge and readiness to challenge himself and take his learning beyond the expected. Whitney Craig For her continuous effort across the curriculum and her fantastic contribution to school life, especially the Eco-Committee. Isla Fitzpatrick For her outstanding effort, consistent hard work and wonderfully positive approach towards all lessons. Amaya Rawson For her shining example of hard work, kindness towards others and positivity. Milo Peaty For his unquenchable thirst for knowledge and learning and mathematical achievement. Clementine King For her wonderful contributions to school life, especially the Eco-Committee, and unfailing effort in all that she does. Nellie Searson For outstanding achievement, along with her kindness and joy which has brought sunshine to us all. Rory Dalrymple For embodying all that it means to be a Beaudesertian. He is a true gentleman. Juniper Cook For grasping life at Beaudesert with both hands and absolutely sparkling in 3N.

4B 4B 4B 4L 4L 4L 4M 4M 4M

Martha Matheson William Batey Matilda Bell Tabitha Grieves Ottilie Bohling Teddy Jackson Cassius Chilton Fonz Farrington Margaret Keay

5F 5F 5F 5G 5G 5G 5H 5H 5H

Henry Jones For his positive attitude and hard work in class and sport. Rosie Hunter For her cheerful attitude and great effort in everything she does. Amelie Lucas For her helpfulness in form and cheerful attitude, and her riding successes. Isla Dalrymple For her excellent effort in all she does. Zachary Jones For his cheerful engagement in all aspects of school life. Chips Floyd For his good nature in the face of difficulty. Tabitha Wood For using her competitive nature to commit and dedicate herself to improve in all aspects of school life. Thirza Guard For gaining momentum as the year has gone on, bringing energy, positivity, and happiness to all she takes on. Gabriel Hope For his conscientious and positive attitude throughout.

6C 6C 6C 6TC 6TC 6TC 6W 6W 6W

Arthur Grand For being a natural entertainer and 6C socialite. Youssef Bouhrazen For academic progress and determination to achieve the deserved results. Willa Jones-Davies For outstanding contributions to all areas of Beaudesert life. Willough Kojima For outstanding effort and drive, as well as positivity in all aspects of school life. Poppy Charlesworth For infectious positivity and good spirits – a great influence on all others. James Brostoff For all-round incredible progress, maturity and perseverance. Max Shuttleworth For boundless positivity and enthusiasm, both in and out of the classroom. Thank you for giving your all to everything you do! Bonnie Tubbs For her unwavering kindness and selflessness – always looking out for others and being the first to offer her help. Cleo I’Anson For flourishing in Year 6 and throwing herself into every aspect of school life.

7B 7B 7B 7C 7C 7C 7S 7S 7S

Olivia Johnston For her cheerful enthusiasm and approach to each and every day. Bertie Millar For his positivity and the happy manner in which he tackles all aspects of school life. Finn Chilvers For outstanding effort and academic excellence throughout the school year. Rupert Spooner For being a stand out academic and sporting performer in the Form. Alasdair Vanderbrook For setting the benchmark for kindness, humility and determination. Natasha Berry For her enthusiasm and embrace of school life and all it has to offer. Capi Peppiatt For a happy, positive and determined attitude to school life. Wilf Edmonds For always smiling and being an all-round good egg. Max Slater For his happy approach and positive attitude throughout the year.

3B 3B 3H 3H 3H

For her unwavering positive approach to lessons and her incredible hard work. For pure enthusiasm and love for learning. For outstanding effort both in the classroom and in her extra-curricular activities. For academic excellence across the board and not shying away from a challenge. For being the most supportive and caring friend one could ask for. For being such a helpful and happy chap, who seizes every opportunity thrown at him with both hands. For his love of learning and his steadfast determination. For unfailing focus in class and always giving his best. For her cheerful demeanour, her consistent effort and unwavering kindness.

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

Scholarships, Exhibitions and Awards Year 8

Max Breitmeyer Harry Douglas-Pennant Alfie Ellis Libby Fleming Cecil Gifford Wylder Guise Paloma Johansen Seb Jones Naoise Lambert Kenward Clover Longsdon Darcey McShane Oliver Mitchell Gabriel Parker Leo Pettifer Fynn Robinson Ned Robinson Rex Rowland Edward Skarda James Thompson Lollie Walker Emilie Wood

Year 6

William Goldstone

Art Scholarship Academic Exhibition Art Scholarship Art Scholarship Art Exhibition Prain Academic Scholarship and Art Scholarship Music Scholarship Drama Scholarship Academic Scholarship Art Scholarship Sports Scholarship Academic Exhibition Academic Scholarship and Art Award Sports Exhibition Sports Exhibition Academic Scholarship Drama Exhibition Design & Technology Scholarship and Music Scholarship Sewell Academic Scholarship Sports Scholarship Music Scholarship

Bradfield College Radley College Marlborough College St Mary’s, Calne Cheltenham College Cheltenham College Marlborough College Marlborough College Wycliffe College Stowe School Cheltenham College Cheltenham College Wycliffe College Cheltenham College Cheltenham College Cheltenham College Cheltenham College The King’s School, Gloucester Radley College Marlborough College St Mary’s, Calne

Drama Scholarship, Music Scholarship and Sport Scholarship

Dean Close School

Valete Year 5

Gabriel Hope Catherine Lloyd-Baker Kit Massey

Year 6

Romy Cuellar William Goldstone

The King’s School, Gloucester The King’s School, Gloucester Wycliffe College

Angus Howard Edward Snell George Wood

Year 7

Carlos Garrido Bellón Sienna Medina

Sir Thomas Rich’s School The Crypt Grammar School Cirencester Deer Park School

Moving to Spain Tudor Hall School

Cheltenham Ladies’ College Dean Close School

Appointments Captain of Rugby Captain of Girls’ Hockey Captain of Football Captain of Boys’ Hockey Captain of Netball

Leo Pettifer Lollie Walker Otto Bullock Oliver Raphael Iris Adams

Captain of Boys’ Cricket Captain of Girls’ Cricket Captains of Cross Country Captains of Athletics Captain of Swimming

Herbie Ahearne Darcey McShane Harry Douglas-Pennant and Bea Blastland Lollie Walker and Sholto Casey Ottilie Orchard

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

B OA R D I N G AT B E A U D E S E RT We can’t believe that we are bringing the first year of our tenure in the Boarding House to a close already - time truly does fly when you are having fun! This year has gone by in the blink of an eye. We have cherished our year of firsts at Beaudesert. Our first year in the House, our first boarding duty, our first overnight alarm(!) and of course our first experience of Wachy Special. We have, undoubtedly, learned more this year than any other, and the boarders and staff have been the perfect teachers.

The thing that we have learned the most, is how much the children at Beaudesert love their School, so much so they want to spend the night. Over the Summer Term in particular, it has become increasingly clear that the children have the most fun when they are using all the grounds and playing with their friends. For all the exciting events we have run over the year, the children are often at their happiest when creating their own game of virus, running down the banks, playing on the Astro and climbing all over BoB. We’ve had some truly remarkable moments that will be etched in our memories, and

hopefully the boarders’. Flour on faces at our autumn parties, performers walking the boards in ‘Beaudesert’s Got Talent’, our inaugural Boarders’ Breakout (possibly Mr Jones’ favourite night of the year!), and of course multiple karaoke and disco nights. A highlight for us is also seeing Toby (and Monty) have a huge number of older siblings, who are always there to entertain, amuse and show unwavering delight whenever we bring him into the House or to supper. To the boarders who will be moving on this year, we hope that your experiences this year will forever be remembered. I am sure you are taking with you many memories and funny stories from your time in the House. It is so awesome that every child in Year 8 has boarded at some point this year, and whether you are now going on to a full boarding school, or your final ever night of boarding was at Beaudesert, we know that those Wednesday nights will be remembered. We have loved every moment in the House this year. While we are looking forward to a rest, we will undoubtedly miss the hustle and bustle of the children in the House. Thank you to the boarding staff, Matrons and Grads for making the House run so smoothly. We also extend our gratitude to the children. You have all been awesome. Getting to know you has been an absolute pleasure, and we can’t wait to see you grow through your time at Beaudesert and in the House. Enjoy the well-deserved break, Oli, Debbie, Toby and Monty Jones

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B E A U D E S E RT A N D T H E C O M M U N I T Y It was a special year in terms of our charitable fundraising at Beaudesert. This year we had a nominated charity, OSCAR International, based in Mumbai, India. OSCAR support and help underprivileged girls and boys living in the slums in India to become role models within their communities, and support their education through their love of football. Our aim was not only to support children based in India, but also help to fund a football tour for 16 girls and boys coming to the United Kingdom in October 2023.

4,543 miles; the equivalent distance from Minchinhampton to Mumbai. Duncan Ferguson, the then Forest Green Rovers manager, was able to visit us during one of our dribbling events. It took nine days longer than planned, however we completed the tough challenge with several children from all age groups dribbling over 20 miles each. Our Fundraising for OSCAR finished with the ‘Charity Auction and Curry Night’. Expertly hosted by Tristan Gemmill, parents enjoyed a fantastic

evening that included live music by Ben Cipolla, and a delicious curry by the Chartwells team. A wide range of lots were available to bid on thanks to the generosity of the school community, and from that event alone we raised an incredible £12,301.50 in total. On that same weekend, 21 members of staff took part in the Bristol Half Marathon. A mixed group of abilities and running experience, they succeeded in completing the 13.1 mile course and in doing so raised £5,643.

The support given to OSCAR, by the whole school community over the academic year, was amazing. We saw a wide range of events both in School and beyond that involved children, staff and parents. It was a real team effort. In October, our fundraising started with a Colour Run for all children in the Prep School, and Colour Fun for our Pre-Prep children. Over the Autumn Term, other charity events included the Santa Fun Run, hosted by the Friends of Beaudesert, a donation made by the Friends following the Fireworks night, and the Christmas Jumper Swap. It was great to have so much support from the parent community. Following on from our big launch, they hosted a number of activities and events outside of School including Halloween activities, baking parties and coffee mornings. In the Spring and Summer Terms, our support for OSCAR continued with the return of the school charity disco with a ‘neon’ theme, ‘the Big Breakfast’ for parents hosted by Chartwells, and in April, we had the privilege of listening to a wonderful Violin and Piano Music Recital by musicians Manos Charalabopoulos and Wendy Clark. We ended our year of fundraising on a high. ‘The Big Beaudesert Dribble’ returned, where the whole school community collectively dribbled footballs

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

It really was down to the amazing support and hard work of the whole school community. The commitment and efforts were incredible and we were so proud to have raised £24,465 in total. We very much look forward to welcoming the OSCAR Tour in October 2023. Our OSCAR fundraising did not stop us from continuing to raise money throughout the year for other initiatives and charities. In the Autumn Term, we held our annual Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning and through the generous contributions from parents, we managed to raise £385. This was followed by the return of the Brilliant Breakfast, by Women Supporting Women for The Prince’s Trust, and they raised £310 for this worthwhile cause. In October, we continued our support of a local charity, Stroud Foodbank, providing food for people in crisis, and through our Harvest Festival service we collected 384kg of food for them. We also saw the return of the Autumn Fair in October. Our annual charity shopping fair was back and bigger than ever, supporting local Nailsworth charity, Read for Good. Over 60 local and national businesses joined us for the event, which raised £8,000. Our children also got involved, taking on a sponsored readathon. In support of Children in Need 2023, a small group of Year 5 and Year 8 children hosted a cake sale. In total, they raised an impressive £593. With our Remembrance Day service in November, we continued to support the British Legion, and our charity shoebox appeal returned to support Operation Christmas Child, organised by the charity Samaritan’s Purse. Thanks to the generosity of our families, we collected over 60 boxes. In May, over 80 children took part once again in the Restless Development children’s triathlon at Clifton College. The event was a huge success and from

the efforts of all our families involved, the Beaudesert Park community managed to raise an amazing £8,972.48. As part of this initiative, each school was able to send a proportion of the money raised to an additional charity of their choice, so £2,168.00 was donated to OSCAR. It has been an amazing year, and we hope that with the involvement and enthusiasm shown by all our children, it will help them to foster a lifelong understanding of the importance of helping those who need it. Thank you to all the children, parents and staff for all their incredible support.

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ACADEMIC

Celebrating a Year of Digital Exploration In the Autumn Term, our focus revolved around Office applications, equipping our children with essential skills for the modern world. Simultaneously, we reinforced e-Safety awareness, ensuring our learners navigate the digital landscape with confidence and caution. We also worked on touch-typing, encouraging independent thinking and fostering a love for computing. Mrs. Packman captivated the minds of our youngest learners in Years 1 and 2, delivering her sessions in the ICT room of the Prep School. In the second term, we delved deeper into the world of coding. Each year group embraced a unique combination of programming applications tailored to their developmental stage. The activities worked on included Year 8 children enjoying creating their own zombie games in Scratch, Year 7 making a racing game in

e-Safety Report As ever, this year has been another important one from an e-Safety point of view. We were thrilled to continue the roll out of Chromebooks to children in Year 7 but as ever, it comes with an added responsibility to ensure that our delivery around e-Safety is up to date. Like in previous years, during lessons in both Pre-Prep and the Prep School, the children learnt about different ways to ensure they stay protected from the

Kodu, and Year 6 making rocket games in Scratch. Year 5 worked on Kodu, Scratch and Logo, Year 4 on Lightbot, Scratch and a computation thinking game, and Year 3 moving from Beebot robots, to Scratch Junior, to Scratch. With the arrival of the Summer Term, our younger learners immersed themselves in project-based work, exploring a diverse range of applications that nurtured problem-solving skills, time management, and the ability to synergize different programs seamlessly. An age appropriate selection of image-editing software was used, along with Pivot, screen-recording software and Moviemaker. Years 7 and 8 worked on visual design, tackling some of the intricacies of Photoshop, Photopea, and the dynamic Wick Editor. Meanwhile, Year 6 children delved into the captivating world of Sketchup, manoeuvring the 3D dangers of their online worlds, and they have been taught what to look out for to ensure that they stay safe online. They have done this in lots of different ways; using resources from Google’s Interland, ThinkUKnow or CEOP, as well as programs such as Gooseberry Planet. Our message has remained the same despite changes happening all the time; to make sure children have a trusted adult to speak to if (and when) they make a mistake when they’re online, not to give away private information, as well as knowing what sites to trust. We encourage a responsible and safe use of the internet on all the different platforms that our children use, but understand that mistakes can be made. It is important that

modelling program to fit with Pivot, the much-loved and newly updated animation software. As we bid farewell to the year, we celebrate the resilience, growth, and creativity within our children, while they become skilled and comfortable in the digital world. We look forward to the adventures that await us in the coming year in the ever-evolving digital realm.

children know what to do and how to handle them, and we have continued to try and model and teach this as well. As was the case last year, we have enjoyed listening to guest speakers who have come to School to speak to both parents and children. This year, Angela Loveridge, from Better Together, came to visit the School for Safer Internet Day. She spoke about how to stay safe online, sharing her expert tips on what one should or should not do. As well as this, we enjoyed our inaugural e-Safety coffee morning for parents in the Summer Term, and we will seek to build on this next year. The development of AI has become more pertinent this year, and we will continue to develop and adapt our curriculum to suit the challenges our children face in their digital realms.

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Maths

outstanding with 78% of our children gaining bronze, silver or gold medals. This was swiftly followed in the Spring Term by school competitions in Bristol for some of our Years 4, 5 and 6 children. These were fantastic days out, giving our children the chance to go head-to-head with other schools, and resulting in enthusiastic and excited problem solvers.

Just when we think our Maths diaries can’t get any fuller, off we go and squeeze in even more exciting mathematical challenges for the children… and they certainly rise to the challenge! The Autumn Term saw 53 children from Years 5 and 6 enter the annual Primary Maths Challenge 2022. The results were

Also in the Spring Term was one of the highlights of the Maths calendar – the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge. About 250,000 children nationally, from Years 7 and 8, take part in this challenge. This year, we continued our longstanding excellent results in the competition with 85% of our children gaining awards (26% were gold medals), and nine of whom scored highly enough to gain entry into

the second round (a record for Beaudesert Park). The UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge swiftly followed this, which is for children up to and including Year 11. Our Year 8 Set 1 children take part in this competition, and around 40% of them were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals. Three of these children scored highly enough to gain entry to the second round, with one of them achieving a Merit award by finishing in the top 25% nationally. An outstanding achievement. The competition calendar drew to an end in the Summer Term, when thirty one children from Years 3 and 4 entered the First Maths Challenge from the Mathematical Association – a competition to stretch and excite our youngest mathematicians. 100% of the children scored gold, silver or bronze medals. Determined to go out with a mathematical bang, the Summer Term ended with an amazing and jaw-dropping flourish when Willough Kojima from Year 6 achieved a Guinness Book of World Records attempt, by recalling the first 300 decimal places of pi. At the end of the successful attempt, she made us all laugh with the words “I know the next digit too”. An example of a child who fully embraces challenge!

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Learning Support September saw the arrival of two new teachers in the department: Mrs Amber Conway and Ms Dilly Powell. Mrs Conway originally hails from Wisconsin, and made sure that we celebrated Thanksgiving, 4th July and even Groundhog Day this year. Ms Powell is very creative and wowed us with her homemade outfit on World Book Day. She also likes raiding her house for items such as food colouring and hair gel to make multi-sensory resources. We kicked off the term with the Learning Support coffee morning in September, which was a great opportunity for parents and teachers to meet and talk. As usual, we celebrated Dyslexia Awareness Week in October. We strive to celebrate learning differences and neurodiversity. Our display board, which is in a prominent place within School, features famous people with differences such as ASD, Tourette’s and dyspraxia. Across the School we are seeing a broader range of neurodiversity and our in-service training, in addition to past experience, ensures that we are fully equipped in order to meet the needs of our children.

games, dominoes, bingo cards and revision resources being created and shared. Many of our revision resources can be found on Firefly. Speaking of games, we love using games for learning. A useful resource is TRUGS (Teaching Reading Through Games), Boggle and Bananagrams, though we also make plenty of our own games. Mrs Potter is particularly adept at transforming a Snakes and Ladders board, Who’s Who or a Jenga tower to fit a learning target. The further application of assisted technologies for SEN children in the classroom continues to be a departmental target. This year, we have seen more children practising touch typing skills, using the dictation and Immersive Reader function on Office 365, and using Reading Pens to support their reading in class. Some of the older children at Beaudesert are offered CEP (Common Entrance Programme) classes, rather than studying

Latin. This year, we have had two Learning Support teachers providing the CEP literacy support in Years 7 and 8. As some of the CEP children also receive one-to-one Learning Support, this is a double blessing for them and an opportunity not to be missed. Sadly, we say goodbye to Mrs Layton this summer, as she moves to take on a new role as a Teaching Assistant in Year 4. She will be sorely missed, having been in the department since 2018, and provided such caring one-to-one support. Some of our Year 8 children leaving this year have been receiving Learning Support for a number of years. It has been a pleasure to witness their progress. They are all ready to spread their wings further, and I wish them all the best in their future endeavours at their senior schools.

We hold regular meetings in the department which gives us opportunities to share resources and ideas. Last year, we introduced Widgit; a programme which uses easily-recognised symbols to support written text. This has been used more extensively this year with board

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Design and Technology In Design and Technology this year, we have had great fun learning lots of traditional and modern methods of production. Across the year groups we have produced a wide range of different outcomes, with each year group working on two projects. The breadth of cross-curricular skills used in D&T are impressive, and children leave with pride in their individually customised creations, and a wealth of knowledge, ranging from woodwork to electronics. Year 4 have produced fantastic model boats which we put to the test in the school swimming pool. They have also helped insects find a home by making sustainable and very colourful bug hotels. Year 5 have made exciting moving cam toys, and sustainable felt bags for life, improving their hand sewing skills.

TEDDY J, YEAR 4 BOAT PROJECT

SKYLAR, YEAR 5, CAM TOY

Year 6 have produced beautiful glass work, and invented their own festival brand, making tiedye t-shirts as merchandise, as well as a lanyard entry ticket. Year 7 have been busy with the sewing machines, producing beautiful cushion covers, and then learning all about electronics to make wonderful spray painted nightlights. Year 8 children have spent the year designing and making a ‘Robot Wars’ robot, which they sent into battle during their last lesson at Beaudesert Park.

HECTOR K, YEAR 7, MOOD LAMP

BETSAN, YEAR 4, BUG HOUSE PROJECT

ROSIE, YEAR 5, BAG FOR LIFE

CONNIE, YEAR 6, FESTIVAL PROJECT

ROMAN, YEAR 7, PILLOW

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

SCHOLARSHIP PROJECT – EDWARD S

A highlight of the year for the department was when Edward Skarda won his Design and Technology Scholarship to The King’s School, Gloucester with his V4 engine-themed stereo. Congratulations, Edward! Watch this space for news on our new cohort of scholarship applicants, who began preparations during the Summer Term. Another highlight of the year, as always, was the STEAM days. Years 6 and 7 both enjoyed a day off timetable to produce a product from start to finish, combining not only their DT skills, but also skills from Maths, Science, ICT and Art. It’s been another brilliant year in D&T, with some outstanding work produced across all year groups!

YOUSSEF, YEAR 6, GLASS PROJECT

LIBBY AND IRIS A, YEAR 8, ROBOT WARS

JAMES T AND TED, YEAR 8, ROBOT WARS

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Science We welcomed our children back to the Science Department after a warm, wonderful summer break. It is such a packed year for all, with a full and testing curriculum in each year group. This year, we welcomed back children in Year 4 from Widden School for their exchange day, and our children joined them in creating colourful spiders and butterflies as they carried out some chromatography testing in the labs. Jonathan’s Jungle Roadshow returned in January for Year 5. The groups were

enthralled by some of his creepy crawlies, and learned a great deal about both vertebrates and particularly his many invertebrates, which they got to hold. Our STEAM days for Years 6 and 7 were of course both very successful yet again. Special thanks to Mr Waters for putting the whole programme together. Our children continue to love their Science, thanks to our passionate and hard-working team, who always endeavour to instil a lifelong interest in the subject.

JLB

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T H E A RT S

Art

YEAR 4

ALBIE, F, YEAR 5

AGATHA, YEAR 8

BEA E, YEAR 7

SCHOLAR – EMILIE

SANDY, YEAR 4

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

ART SCHOLARS OBSERVATIONAL DRAWING

MAX SH., YEAR 6

PETRI DISHES, CREATED BY 7B HARRY JD, YEAR 4

SCULPTURES BY 5H SCHOLAR – WYLDER

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

ALBIE F, YEAR 5

MAX SH., YEAR 6

WILLOUGH, YEAR 6

SCHOLAR – LIBBY

YEAR 4

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

SAM M, YEAR 4

SCHOLAR – CLOVER

TEXTILES SCHOLARS WORKSHOP JAN 2023

SCHOLAR – ALFIE E

YEAR 4

VIOLA, YEAR 5

SCHOLAR – CECIL

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SCHOLAR – CECIL

SCHOLAR – ALFIE E

DRAWING IN SHADOWS, YEAR 7

GENEVIEVE, YEAR 7

SCHOLAR – ALFIE E

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

HONOR P, YEAR 6

SCHOLAR – CLOVER

SCHOLAR – LIBBY

SCHOLAR – MAX B

WILLA, YEAR 6

ART SCHOLARS OBSERVATIONAL DRAWING

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Music Children at Beaudesert often ask me who my favourite musician is, or what’s my favourite song. Whilst there are songs and artists that I will always enjoy listening to, the honest answer to both of these questions is that it changes all the time! Part of the joy of teaching music comes from sharing in a constant world of discovery, either through listening, composing or performing and learning new repertoire.

Autumn Term Whilst the rich sound-world of orchestral music does not necessarily have the loudest voice in children’s listening repertoire, it is important that we celebrate and promote this both in schools and at home, and so the decision to highlight this ensemble at the start of the academic year was very intentional. We began the year with our Orchestra Morning, forming the largest orchestral ensemble to perform and learn music together at Beaudesert Park. Within a few hours, children who play string, woodwind and brass instruments came together to learn new repertoire, to experience the sound of an orchestral ensemble, to learn why and how to follow a conductor, and to collaborate in one of the most authentic reflections of teamwork our culture has to offer. The past year has seen a focus on diversity throughout the musical calendar in order to promote and encourage a broad range of ensembles and repertoire. Our concert at The Sub Rooms in Stroud included music from The Temptations to Nirvana! Due to the kindness and generosity of

Hugh Phillimore and the team at The Sub Rooms, the opportunity to take some of our music to a venue within our local community seemed like one not to be missed. Watching the smiles on faces, the swaying and foot-tapping in the audience (some of whom I’m convinced wanted to get up and dance), and hearing the children perform on stage made all of the preparation more than worthwhile. It felt appropriate that an evening in a renowned local music venue was drawn to a close with the combined choir performing a medley of iconic music by Queen.

Expertly led by Madame Hughes, the senior choirs at Beaudesert continue to go from strength to strength, and this academic year has seen them perform an ever-extending range of repertoire. The Years 5 and 6 choir enjoyed a choral day at Downside, which concluded with an opportunity to perform in their abbey. Progressing from Queen at The Sub Rooms, this choral event included plain chant and music by John Rutter.

Scan the QR code and watch snippets from the Sub Rooms concert

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

When it came to the Year 8 musical, Mrs Crosbee and I had been hatching a plan to produce ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ from the moment the curtain closed on the final performance of ‘The Jungle Book’. Perhaps it was the set of ‘The Jungle Book’ that led us to the conclusion that the next step was to install a man-eating plant in the Performing Arts Centre… After such a strong round of auditions, we decided to have a double-cast for all the leading roles. From R&B to tango, ballad to Motown, the musically diverse

score by Alan Menken is challenging, but Year 8 made it look easy as they sought to intricately combine singing, acting and dancing, demonstrating skills beyond their years. The Carol Service gave us an opportunity to shine a light on the choirs at Beaudesert. This special event was summarised beautifully when one of the bus drivers described the singing as ‘the best he has heard in a Beaudesert carol service’. From Edward Skarda’s solo performance of ‘Once in Royal’ to the joyful ‘African

Noel’, and the sound of the brass ensemble which is so synonymous with Christmas, the end of the term was brought to a close with a festive feast of music.

Spring Term The Spring Term promised further opportunities to discover and enjoy music. As the ensembles and choirs focused on new repertoire in preparation for the Spring Concert, children continued to work towards individual goals, Lunchtime Concerts, the House Music competition and music exams in their instrumental and singing lessons. Staff dedicated to their Houses stepped up to lead in learning ‘songs from the movies’ for this year’s House Shout. They certainly didn’t disappoint; complete with props, dance moves and the aim to entertain, this was once again a hotly contested event. It was a pleasure to invite David McKee, Director of Music at Cheltenham College to adjudicate the event, in which Willow were the House Music winners of 2023. Over the past few years, the children have enjoyed a number of music days at senior schools, and this year’s choral and string days at Dean Close Senior School were no exception. The Years 7 and 8 choir surpassed themselves when learning and performing the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ after a day of fast paced rehearsals; this was a masterclass in how to quickly navigate a musical score. In a recent interview, after his headline performance at Glastonbury, Elton John described his experience of singing in a choir; “I was never good enough to be a part of the Academy orchestra…but to be a part of the choir was incredibly fulfilling, just the noise you

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

The results of the House Music Competition 2023: Singing Beginner L Aumonier, Willow V Strang Steel, Willow Prep Test A Block, Rowan Grade 1 H Miller, Willow Grade 2 A Block, Rowan Grade 3 B Hulbert, Maple Grade 4 & 5 M Shuttleworth, Rowan

Piano Beginner Initial Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 & 4

I Fitzpatrick, Maple C Pettifer, Rowan G Miller, Hazel G Parker, Maple J Giffard-Lindsay, Hazel

Strings Beginner T Duffy (Guitar), Hazel Debut L Goodman (Guitar), Rowan Initial L Da Rosa (Double Bass), Rowan Grade 1 B Richardson-Thomson (Guitar), Rowan Grade 2 G Hurrell-Ashburner (Guitar), Maple Grade 3 E Wood (Violin), Willow Grade 4 & 5 P Johansen, Hazel

Drums Initial T Gordon, Willow Grade 1 A Box, Rowan Grade 2 D Dickins, Hazel Grade 3 E Sánchez Farmar (Hand Pan), Maple S Smith, Willow Grade 4 & 5 P Johansen, Hazel

Brass & Woodwind Beginner T Cade (Saxophone), Hazel Prep Test I Dalrymple (Clarinet), Willow Initial O Bohling (Flute), Hazel Grade 1 I Thompson (Flute), Rowan Grade 2 S Smith (French Horn), Willow Grade 3 R Gifford (Cornet), Maple

make, and the camaraderie… it is the most life-affirming experience, singing in a choir.” After the success of The Sub Rooms, the Spring Concert brought a much anticipated opportunity to showcase the breadth of music at Beaudesert. 22 different ensembles performed in the concert, and on reflection this was probably the broadest range of repertoire; there can’t be many prep schools who have music by Johann Pachelbel, Madness and Black Sabbath in the same concert. This year we added the Samba Band to our range of ensembles, giving our percussionists the opportunity to develop their musicianship by learning and performing such a lively genre of music.

Summer Term The team of instrumental teachers at Beaudesert are an outstanding group of musicians. It was a privilege to host the recital for the OSCAR foundation by Manos Charalabopoulos and Wendy Clark, and to hear them perform a carefully curated programme of music for violin and piano with such ease and exquisite tone. Manos generously presented each of the pieces with insightful narratives, which contextualised the artists and their

work. In a bid to continue supporting the OSCAR fundraising, Ben Cipolla provided mellifluous musical entertainment at the Charity Auction and Curry Night. Upon receiving an invitation to a Rock and Pop Day at Stowe School, I knew that this would be an ideal opportunity for Year 8 musicians to create a keepsake of their time with their band at Beaudesert. Each of the three Year 8 bands learnt new repertoire in workshops, which they recorded in Stowe’s top of the range studio and performed to one another in the theatre. This was a memorable experience, and one that opened eyes and ears to the many skills involved when recording music. ‘Rock on Summer’ asks much of the children in Years 5, 6 and 7, as they only have a few lessons in which to learn a new song, and often learn new instruments in a large ensemble. Each year I explain that this event is in

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

equal measure about developing skills of teamwork and musicianship, and each year I have a fresh realisation of the extent to which this is accurate! Well done to everyone who performed in this concert. Although performance opportunities provide a platform to share and celebrate learning, I believe it is even more important to focus upon the learning journey and to emphasize the need for consistent time, energy and care in order to develop as musicians. For children to learn this from the beginning of their musical journey is key. The Year 2 Concert is always a poignant event in which to mark the end of a first year of learning an instrument, and then transition on to more music in the Prep School. Every child who performed in the Year 2 Concert played with such purpose, and it was so joyful to see each of them developing a love for their chosen instrument. This year, Caron de Burgh’s Year 2 recorder ensemble and Wendy Clark’s Year 1 violin ensemble brought an extra special dimension to the concert. The musical events continued until the last week of term, with the Summer Concert and performances at Prizegiving. As a music team, we were really proud of the standard of performances across all ensembles and choirs in the Summer Concert. It was particularly poignant to watch and listen to the Year 8 children in their last concert. Throughout the last six years I have been at the School, so many of them have brought so much to the Music Department and have led

by example during their last year at the School. A special mention and thanks to Lollie, Emilie, Edward, Paloma and the Brass Ensemble for their performances at Prizegiving. Whilst the musical events are an integral part of Beaudesert Park music, the backbone of the department is the team of instrumental and singing teachers who inspire children each week. It is due to their dedication and teaching that the children are able to achieve their success. Whether exploring foley sound in studio club, working as a team with children from different year groups in ensembles, or preparing for a music exam, each element brings a unique aspect to a rich tapestry of musical learning at Beaudesert.

Scan the QR code and watch clips from our Summer Concert

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

Music Exam Results 2022 to 2023 Trinity Rock & Pop

T Wood

Grade 1 Singing

Merit

D Dickins

Grade 2 Drums

Distinction

B Doyle

Grade 1 Singing

Merit

S Smith

Grade 3 Drums

Merit

J Skarda

Grade 1 Piano

Merit

P Johansen

Grade 4 Drums

Merit

A Shaw

Grade 1 Piano

Merit

M Berkeley

Grade 1 Piano

Merit

W Kojima

Grade 1 Piano

Merit

T Bradley

Grade 1 Piano

Merit

Rockschool R Dalrymple

Debut Ukulele

Merit

I Dalrymple

Grade 1 Piano

Merit

A Box

Debut Drums

Distinction

C Wakefield

Grade 1 Piano

Merit

I Isa

Debut Drums

Distinction

T Settle

Grade 1 Cello

Merit

L Goodman

Debut Guitar

Distinction

R Johnston

Grade 1 Singing

Distinction

X Hamilton

Grade 1 Electric Guitar

Merit

R Shuttleworth

Grade 1 Singing

Distinction

S Marlow

Grade 1 Drums

Merit

G Miller

Grade 1 Piano

Distinction

A Box

Grade 1 Drums

Distinction

S Cooper

Grade 1 Piano

Distinction

J Skarda

Grade 1 Drums

Distinction

L Guise

Grade 2 Singing

Pass

A Forbes

Grade 2 Drums

Merit

F Lidstone

Grade 2 Singing

Pass

E Thaiss

Grade 2 Drums

Merit

R Hunter

Grade 2 Singing

Pass

I Parkes

Grade 2 Guitar

Merit

A Roche

Grade 2 Piano

Pass

B Ratcliffe

Grade 4 Drums

Pass

L Shaw

Grade 2 Piano

Pass

O Bullock

Grade 5 Drums

Pass

G Parker

Grade 2 Piano

Pass

J Thompson

Grade 5 Acoustic Guitar

Merit

A Lucas

Grade 2 Piano

Pass

S Smith

Grade 2 French Horn

Pass

I de Horsey

Grade 2 Singing

Merit

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)

G Gilbey

Grade 2 Singing

Merit

R Johnston

Grade 2 Singing

Merit

Z Gillespie

Piano Prep Test

R Awbery

Grade 2 Trumpet

Merit

N Searson

Piano Prep Test

B Ratcliffe

Grade 2 Piano

Merit

S Campbell

Piano Prep Test

B Tubbs

Grade 2 Piano

Merit

F McCulloch

Piano Prep Test

F Blake

Grade 3 Piano

Pass

A Lucas

Initial Grade Violin

Merit

I Thompson

Grade 3 Singing

Merit

I de Horsey

Initial Grade Piano

Merit

I de Horsey

Grade 3 Singing

Merit

M Scott

Initial Grade Piano

Merit

N Berry

Grade 3 Piano

Merit

W Mackenzie

Grade 1 Piano

Pass

W Goldstone

Grade 4 Piano

Pass

G Hope

Grade 1 Piano

Pass

O de Rouet

Grade 4 Flute

Merit

H Douglas-Pennant

Grade 1 Guitar

Pass

M Shuttleworth

Grade 4 Singing

Distinction

I Thompson

Grade 1 Flute

Pass

E Skarda

Grade 5 Singing

Merit

A Gordon

Grade 1 Saxophone

Pass

G Miller

Grade 5 Cello

Merit

B Tubbs

Grade 1 Singing

Pass

P Johansen

Grade 5 Violin

Distinction

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Drama Senior Production Little Shop of Horrors Year 8’s production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, jointly-produced by the Drama and Music Departments (with additional support from Rachael Austen and Eleanor Lang) was the most thrilling production of the year. All of the children from Year 8 were involved in the two performances on Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd December. Unlike other years, there were two casts, which allowed for an increased number of children to have a lead role. This also led to a more effective way of rehearsing, as children worked together on their roles; suggesting direction and watching and learning from one another. The impressive set, including four maneating plant puppets, transformed the Performing Arts Centre into downtown ‘Skid Row’, Los Angeles for a fortnight. Here we met Seymour Krelborn, the meek and dejected sales assistant at a floral shop ‘Mushnik and Son’. The audience were delighted by the unexpected twists and turns of the story in which Seymour happened upon a strange plant on the eve of a total eclipse of the sun. Little did he know, though, that this strange and unusual plant would develop a soulful

R&B voice, a potty mouth, and an unquenchable thirst for human blood! Hiring the incredible set (created by Scenetec scenery design and construction in Dorchester) gave the production a really professional feel and an unforgettable theatrical experience for performers and audience alike. Another benefit to hiring the set was its environmental impact.

Using a set that was re-used, and not purpose-built, supported the school’s ecostanding and Green Flag status. I was really impressed by the quality of the performances our children delivered, and their fantastic ability to support each other through the process.

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

Year 7 A Masked Anthropology IV The Masked Anthropology was definitely one of my favourite plays to perform, as it is so different from the other productions we have done. It is such a unique style of acting. I performed in the Masked Anthropology, but I also got to watch in the audience as well. It was so clever as you couldn’t say anything whilst performing, and had to use body actions to express feelings. As a viewer in the audience, this came across so effectively. When you watch a play, you only see the resulting performance, but the amount of effort and time the Year 7s put into the production and learning how to bring each mask alive was truly incredible. It took five weeks to bring this play together, and the result was such a success. Every Year 7 class was split up into groups of 4 or 5 people to pick their scene, which included music as well. Every group was assigned a set of masks to be brought alive, which on the night of the performance they most definitely were.

Tahlia, Year 7

Year 6 The Wizard of Oz

out the people who were going to be on stage later on in the show. The actors have worked hard, with some having few lines, and others learning lots. They only had two weeks to learn all of their lines, so they have been working really hard to perform the best performance for everybody who came to watch.

This year, Year 6 have been working hard so they could perform ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in front of parents, children and many more. There are three main acts in the play, performed by one class at a time. Part I was

given to 6W, part II to 6C and part III to 6TC. The backstage crew have been very busy as well, and have been sorting out props, handling the lighting board, and helping

On the night, the nerves and adrenaline started, but the actors put their costumes on and waited to get on stage. It went smoothly with a few mistakes here and there, but some performances were outstanding – like the three Dorothys singing at the end. Their high-pitch, note perfect, beautiful performance got the best applause from the audience. Overall, everything went to plan.

George K, Year 6

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Year 5 Play in a Day

This year’s Play in a Day for Year 5 was written and directed by Suki Hutcheson. ‘Look Up’ was a concentrated project where children learnt lines and songs, and performed to an audience of 60 parents at the end of the day. The year group was split in half, and the project was repeated with both groups on Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th February. It was a wonderful example of collaboration as the children worked creatively to produce a polished piece of theatre in just six hours! The theme of the production tied in to Children’s Mental Health Week, where children explored missed opportunities by spending too much time on a screen. With “Tele Head”, “Selfie”, “Gamer” and “Candy Crusher” characters, the piece was grounded in an accessible world to the children, and raised issues CC they were able to identify with.

Year 4 The Comedy of Errors The Deer Theatre Company demands that her ‘husband’ comes home for lunch, however he refuses “because he has no wife!” In another scene, a fight breaks out when the wrong twin is asked for the money for a gold chain he was wrongly given.

Our play was called ‘The Comedy of Errors’. This play is about two sets of twins and their parents who get separated by a storm at sea. As the children grow up, they forget about their family. Many years later the twins happen to be in the

same town, and trouble ensues as mistaken identities occur. In one scene which the audience found particularly hilarious, uproar is caused when the ‘wife’ of one of the twins

At the end of the play, the long lost families come together in the abbey and are reunited after so many years apart. Then they realise the reason for all the chaos! We thoroughly enjoyed performing our play and felt it was a great success!

Immy, Amber, Lyra L, Martha and Chloe P, Year 4

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Julius Caesar The Hedgehog Theatre Company

In Performing Arts, we learnt how to put on a play called ‘Julius Caesar’. The play started with people offering for Julius to be the king. People including his friend were afraid he would become a tyrant, so they made a plot to kill him.

They murder him! However at Julius’ funeral, Mark Antony turns the crowd against the plotters, forcing them to flee. Brutus raises an army, but so does Mark and Octavius, Julius Caesar’s brother. During the battle, Brutus feels guilty and kills himself.

It was fun learning the play. Mrs Crosbee decided who was who in the play and she directed us. Everybody did really well.

Sam Ma., Year 4

Romeo and Juliet The Hare Theatre Company

The 4M play was the Shakespeare tragedy of ‘Romeo and Juliet’. In the tragic story, Romeo and Juliet’s family were at war, but Romeo and Juliet fell in love. I, the Friar, tried to help them but it all ended in tragedy. The script was made easier to learn by changing the lines from Shakespeare’s

language, but some of the original words were kept in. Learning these words was a bit more challenging. The Performing Arts Centre was a great place to perform our play as we already had a balcony for the scene between Romeo and Juliet where they say “I love you” to each other. Our

costumes were modern and each family wore something different – Romeo’s family wore smart suits, but Juliet’s family wore cool dresses and leather jackets.

Fonz, Year 4

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Year 3 The Dreamcatcher

Speech & Drama The Speech and Drama Department has seen strong results again this year. Over 140 children from Years 4 to 8 have taken lessons; with approximately 75 lessons timetabled per week across three staff. This year saw the largest uptake by Year 4 children to date with over 25 boys and girls starting lessons in September. Children have followed the LAMDA syllabus in various disciplines, including solo and duologue acting, the speaking of verse and prose, public speaking and group acting. Children were prepared for the annual exam session (4th and 5th May) with two visiting examiners from the exam board. Results were extremely impressive with a 100% pass rate, and 107 children achieving the top mark of Distinction. Following the examination session, visiting LAMDA examiner, Emma Alston, took the time to write to the School to say:

‘The Dreamcatcher’ play is about North American Plains Indians. My character was New Hawk. My favourite part was the Great Spirit whose name was Wakan Tanka. In the end, the play turned out amazing. The costumes were made by Mrs Heseltine. It took a few tries to get the play perfect but it was brilliant in the end, and the lighting was amazing as well. It was great and the songs were so good.

Clemmie, Year 3

House Drama The House Drama competition on Tuesday 28th February gave all children, regardless of taking Speech and Drama lessons, the opportunity to prepare scenes, present work and compete for certificates and prizes, along with gaining points for their Houses. Approximately 50 children took part and the visiting adjudicator, professional actress Emily Templeman (an Old Beaudesertian), took time to speak to the children about pursuing a career in theatre. House point totals were as follows: Willow: 200 Maple: 130 Rowan: 200 Hazel: 100

Everyone who took part was rewarded with a certificate, the winners from each House were given medals, and the overall winners were given an engraved ‘Oscar’.

“Without a doubt, every pupil who I met (both in the examination room and within your establishment) was polite, positive and well-mannered. It was so refreshing to see so many happy children, plus the addition of a few doggies! This cemented my feeling that you have succeeded in creating a warm and truly well-balanced learning environment.”

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

OUTINGS AND EVENTS Above and Beyond Mornings Our Years 5 to 8 children have thoroughly enjoyed our Above and Beyond Mornings this year. In the Autumn Term, we were thrilled to have renowned chef and Masterchef finalist Andrew Kojima with us for our ‘Saturday Kitchen’ themed morning. After a talk by Chef Koj with all the children, our Years 5 and 6 children had a go at creating cake designs inspired by ‘Great British Bake Off’ illustrator Tom Harvey, and made pizzas in the Dining Room. The Years 7 and 8 children conducted experiments in the Labs to find out how much glucose grapes contain, and competed in team challenges to design a new food product or kitchen gadget. The children had to develop their concept, design and marketing, before presenting it to their new CEO, Chef Koj! At the end of April, the children took part in an Armed Services morning. The children enjoyed a series of workshops, including a talk with Major Olly Snell, who described his journey from being a pupil here at Beaudesert, to flying Apache helicopters in Afghanistan as part of the Army Air Corps. Years 5 and 6 took part in some orienteering exercises, and worked as groups to fashion makeshift stretchers in their ‘rescue mission’ activity. Meanwhile, Years 7 and 8 spent time with Cheltenham College’s CCF unit, learning how to build camps with the help of some Old Beaudesertians currently at Cheltenham. They also spent some time with two authentic military tanks, which had been driven into the School Courtyard, along with a 1953 Korean War jeep. The children learned how the scorpion and sabre tanks were used on the battlefield, and got the opportunity to ride on the tanks around the car park (very slowly!).

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Chepstow Castle On the 8th of June, Mr Curr and other teachers took Year 5 to Chepstow Castle and Tintern Abbey, or Abaty Tyndryn in Welsh. I enjoyed the experience very much because there were so many things to learn about this old and incredible castle. Built in 1067 by Earl William FitzOsbern, a close friend of William the

Conqueror, it is one of the first Norman strongholds in Wales. Did you know that the door of Chepstow Castle is the oldest in Europe? Now it is not being used but kept as a historical artefact. Also, Chepstow is the oldest stone post-Roman fortification in Britain, isn’t that amazing? This twisted and towering fort is one of a

kind; we reached heights that are very impressive for an old castle. Chepstow castle is an amazing place, I would recommend going there!

Zandi, Year 5

Sport Scholar Trip to Bath University In January, a group of 12 Year 8 sport scholars went to Bath University for the day. We were all very excited. When we got there, we were greeted by Charlotte and Josh who were both very nice. We started with a tour of all their amazing facilities. First we went to the indoor tennis courts and the indoor swimming pool. Then we went outside and looked at the athletics track where the GB modern pentathlon team train and the amazing astros. Next, we went to see the gyms and the sports halls. After our tour, we had a session in the sports hall working on our hand-eye coordination. We did some intercepting drills, and then played some bench ball. Then we had a look at their wall of fame and had some lunch. It was very amusing having lunch over ‘the Fishbowl’ which was the gym. Following on from lunch, we had

a talk and a Q and A with Phoebe, who rows for GB. Later, we went to the indoor athletics track and did some sprints, fun

races and some stretching to cool down. Then we said our goodbyes.

Lollie, Year 8

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Children’s Mental Health Week Beaudesert Park School celebrated Children’s Mental Health Week, which is run annually in February by the charity Place2Be. This year’s theme was ‘Let’s Connect’, which encourages children to think about making healthy, rewarding and meaningful connections in their lives, which can improve our mental health. In Prep School assembly, Mrs Packman asked the children to think about happy and rewarding relationships they have experienced, and encouraged them to connect with their peers, their family and the wider school community over the course of the week. During break time, activities were arranged to encourage connection across year groups, which saw the children playing chess, card games and ‘connection’ based games. Elsewhere in the School, Year 4 created a ‘tree of connections’, writing down the names of people they connect with on leaves.

The activities culminated on Friday, when the entire school came together to literally ‘Embrace Beaudesert’. While wearing their ‘Dress to Express’ outfits, the school community joined hands in a loop of over 400 children and staff that wove in and out of the school buildings, to show how everyone is connected at Beaudesert Park.

Scan the QR code and watch our Embracing Beaudesert video

The School was filled with shouts, laughter and dancing as the children held hands with their peers, teachers, admin and catering staff, and waved at the drone flying up ahead. It was a wonderful opportunity to come together and, quite literally, connect.

House Declamations Competitions 2023 Each year, children at Beaudesert Park in Years 3 to 8 spend part of the Spring Term choosing and learning a poem to perform as part of the House Declamations competition. After reciting their poems in their English classes, Form Teachers and English teachers select finalists from each year. Our Years 3 and 4 finalists performed to parents, children and our adjudicator, Mr Tiley.

calibre of oratory talent within our Prep School, and it was a joy to watch. Well done to each and every child who learned and performed a poem, and to our worthy finalists.

A few weeks’ later, we welcomed Mrs Laura Siller, Head of English at Cheltenham Ladies’ College, to adjudicate our Finals for Years 5 to 8. It was not an easy task for Mrs Siller, as previous rounds had already whittled down our finalists to just four in each year group.

Z Jones (Year 5) Nothingmas Day by Adrian Mitchell

House Declamations are always a wonderful demonstration of the

The winners were; N Searson (Year 3) The Elf and the Dormouse by Oliver Herford W Mackenzie (Year 4) On the Ning Nang Nong by Spike Milligan

P Charlesworth (Year 6) How to Cut a Pomegranate by Imtiaz Dharker E Sánchez Farmar (Year 7) Mushrooms by Sylvia Plath M Breitmeyer (Year 8) The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

English Department

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Cornwall

The beginning of the trip was a blast. I was with my friends on the bus just talking to each other, playing games, reading books and we were on our way to the first stop, Exeter Service Station.

first day, we all had learned the basics for surfing and could stand up. The instructors were really good, and we would get to know them well by the end of the trip. In the evening, we had a nice BBQ.

When we finally got to the caravan site, we had the School’s famous cheese sandwiches. When we all first looked at the caravans that we would live in for the next 5 days, we noticed that everyone had completely different ones.

For the second day, we had paint balling (which was painful), and another surf lesson for the two groups, then we would switch after having a pasty lunch. In the evening, we had the Cornwall MasterChef, which was fun and got us working with the people in our caravans. On Wednesday, we had a very tiring kayaking session after putting on difficult wetsuits,

We had surf lessons on the first day with Surf ’s Up Surf School. By the end of the

and a relaxing coastal walk. Then Group A had coasteering, while Group B had another surf lesson. Later we had some nice pasta. Thursday was just the activities switched around, with pizza on the beach. Finally, Friday came, and we had a full English breakfast in the restaurant. As a whole, I think that the trip was really fun and that it should keep happening every year if possible. I think that future years would enjoy it.

Gabriel P, Year 8

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

Coronation Report On Friday 5th May, in celebration of King Charles III’s Coronation, Beaudesert embarked on an afternoon of celebrations. The Dining Room was decorated with Coronation decorations. We ate fish and chips, and the special Coronation quiche with spinach, broad beans and tarragon. Half of the Prep School had lunch, while the other half had some fun at the stalls designed and run by the Year 8s. There was a massive variety of stalls to choose from, such as the ‘Human Fruit Machine’, ‘Hungry Hippos’ and ‘Splat the Rat’. Then, after lunch the groups swapped. At lunch, we had mixed year seating, so it was a really great time to get to know some other people outside of your year group. We also got to wear red, white and blue clothes to School. Overall, the afternoon was fun for all.

Henry B, Year 8

Coronation Poem (Rap) Together as a nation, We come together in joy, To have a celebration, About a special boy. We get an extra day, For this wonderful occasion, Are you going to play, Or watch the presentation? Flags rise high to greet him, He stands with exhilaration, He can feel his heart beating, As we gaze in admiration. The crown is placed upon him, There will be no cancellation, All eyes are on him, It’s the King’s Coronation! Iris A, Year 8

Charles III will become King in Westminster Abbey on May 6th.

Oaths will be solemnly made to the country. Royalty will walk wearing rich robes of velvet. On St Edward’s crown, jewels will glitter. Nation will come together to celebrate. A ll eight horses will pull the carriage, with King Charles waving.

The time has come for the parties to begin. It is the moment for the fireworks to strike! Outside Buckingham Palace people will dance. Never will we forget this amazing day. Rory, Year 3

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Dartmoor On the first day we came to School, we had to sign in with our Form Teachers. We then had a 3 hour bus journey, but luckily the teachers let us stop after 1 and a half hours for a quick pit stop, so it was alright travelling the rest of the way to our expedition. We stopped at Castle Drogo to have a tour around. It was a magnificent place and was, and still is, the newest castle in England, being built in 1910 by Edwin Lutyens for Dr Christopher Drewe, his son. Eventually we got back from Castle Drogo and headed to the youth hostel. We got all our stuff unpacked, ate some tuck in our dorms, went down to have some delicious food made by the staff, then went back upstairs to chill and play some games while watching TV. We woke up on Thursday to get ready for the Tor. We pulled up on a very windy and wet moor. We walked for a bit and every so often, the tour guide stopped us and told us a few facts, like

it used to be a grand ice factory. It was quite tiring walking up the continuous hill, when we reached the top we were at cloud level! But the fog started to roll in so we had to get down quickly. Then we went to Dartmoor Prison. It was sort of like the Tor because every so often when we were walking, the guide would tell us different facts about the prison. On the last day, we headed off to Whitelady Waterfall. The waterfall might look small, but it’s a lot bigger in person. The rocks were flooded because of the rain so we had to be extra careful. After taking some photos we headed back up to get ready to see the Devil’s Cauldron. This was probably the most amazing part of our trip. We got to see the erosion in the cave and where the water has risen, you can see it has cut away the sides. You can also see the moss build up on the sides. It was a truly amazing place, but be careful, watch your step! I really enjoyed this trip and all the different places we went to.

Delphi, Year 6

Kenton Cool Lecture On Thursday, 16th March, we hosted Kenton Cool in the PAC for a talk to parents and children about how he became a climber, the struggles that he had to overcome, and some great stories about expeditions he has led. He is one of Britain’s leading alpine and high altitude climbers and has reached the summit of Mount Everest 16 times. He has also summited other mountains including K2 and others. The talk was split into two halves. The first half of his talk was about his childhood and how he became a climber, and the struggles he overcame including when he broke both of his heels. He was told by a doctor that he may never walk again without a stick, but he persevered to follow in the footsteps of his hero Sir Chris Bonnington. He also talked about the smaller peaks he had climbed to get himself on the map. In the second half, he told us stories of when he was taking clients up Everest and K2. At some points it was very tense, like when he was walking across a 200ft deep crevasse, with two B&Q ladders that had been tied together with some rope, and his crampon got stuck in one of the rungs, or when they were wading through a river and it started raining boulders. The event was sponsored by Steppes Travel and in aid of the Beaudesert Bursary Fund. Overall, the talk was amazing and for a great cause.

Henry B, Year 8

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

Eco-Schools Report The Eco-Schools initiative is all about helping young people to make realistic but dynamic change, creating positive impacts for our planet now. After winning our Eco-Schools Green Flag Award for the first time last year, it has been all systems go to work towards this year’s Eco-School projects. Eco-Captains, the Eco-Committee and many other children have been busy working on three new topics; healthy living, energy and marine support. Pre-Prep children decided they were keen to be more active, and have chosen some new play equipment to help them. They made sure everyone knew to follow

the rules and how to use them! Pre-Prep Eco-Captains have been taking their roles seriously, helping the environment at home as well as at School. In the Prep School, our bright eco-team sparked the idea that we should use less energy, and especially stop energy wastage. Our eco signs have been put up through the whole school to remind everyone “to turn off the light when no one is in sight!”, or ask the question, “Do the lights even need to be on?” So many children worked together to create a wonderful art installation about sharks in the Library, highlighting the

severe decline of these amazing creatures, as well as lots of fascinating information about different species. Our ‘BPS loves sharks’ campaign ended with an assembly at the end of term, which showed there was a lot of positive energy for these marine superstars! It has been fantastic to see the passion and effort given by the children, with staff support making these ideas come to life for the benefit of our school community. As we proudly fly our Green Flag in the Courtyard, we know we will keep working to improve our environment for now and for our future.

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Earth Day To mark Earth Day 2023 (Saturday, 22nd April), our Drama and Ecology departments collaborated with the Year 4 children to create a series of group tableaus inspired by artwork from ‘The Great Realisation’ by Tomos Roberts. The children worked in groups and practised their skills in patience as they recreated scenes including a polluted city, a whale, and a wave full of plastic. A video was created showing the group’s tableaus, with the children narrating words from the book. The children also made their own eco-pledges, which they shared with the rest of the Prep School during assembly, encouraging them to make their own ecopledges for the year ahead.

Scan the QR code and watch Year 4’s Earth Day video.

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

France

Tuesday

Monday (The journey): The ferry journeys were probably one of my favourite parts of the trip. It was a great place to wander round, play games and catch up on some sleep. My favourite part of the crossing was the general knowledge quiz, as it was engaging and really fun. We went to the cinema and watched Puss in Boots. We played Uno on the deck and played games in the café. There were other schools there as well and we had dinner in a restaurant.

Natasha, Year 7

Out of our hotel window was a pleasant view of the vast beach and morning clouds on the horizon. Our first stop was the market. There were clothes shops, a fruit and vegetable market, jewellery stalls and much, much more. Everyone found something to wear, eat or take home (almost everyone had a metrelong baguette in their hand). Afterwards, we headed to the Arromanches 360 cinema where we learnt about D-Day. After lunch, we arrived at a boulangerie which had lots of lovely animals, all very friendly which we were even able to feed. In the bakery, the joyful man, who had a strong character like someone out of a storybook, taught us all to make organic bread and the history behind how he makes bread without machines. Everyone tried their baguettes, which were delicious.

Mabel, Year 7

Wednesday In the morning we drove to Mont SaintMichel, a castle out in the sea. The first thing we did was visit the abbey, where we went to see the unique arches in the hallways. On our way down, there was a

balcony where you could see the sea and the mainland. After that, we were let loose in the small town within the castle’s walls in little groups. We had the task of buying a postcard and stamp in French. When we got back, we had dinner and most of us tried snails. In most people’s opinion they were quite good. After we ate, we went to the beach and this time it didn’t rain! Some people played tag, while others buried themselves, and a small group of us went crab hunting.

Louisa, Year 7

Thursday We visited a French school where we met our pen pals who we had been writing to. All the students were very friendly, they showed us around their school, and we got to know them. After our visit to the French school, we visited the Bayeux tapestry where we learnt all about the history of events surrounding the conquest of England in 1066. Next, we visited a World War II cemetery before setting off for a goat farm. At the goat farm we fed, groomed and petted the goats while learning about them in both English and French, as well as trying some of their cheese. Genevieve, Year 7

Friday On Friday, we visited a French supermarket and we had the chance to wander round in groups. On the ferry, we were very tired but had lots of fun chatting and exploring the ship. There was a beautiful sunset with a blend of orange, red and pink and it was really nice to sit on the deck while the sun was setting. I think all in all the trip was an amazing experience and will live in my memories for a long time. Natasha, Year 7

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Skiing in Sauze d’Oulx This year, we went to Sauze d’Oulx in the Italian Alps. We flew out from Bristol Airport in the early hours of the morning to Turin. On the first day, we had to get to grips with our hotel and the town around us which meant no skiing until the next day. On Sunday, we were all feeling a bit unstable on the mountain which meant a lot of wipe-outs! For lunch, we went to a place called Hotel Monte Triplex, which we went to most days. By the third and fourth day, we were feeling more confident and everybody had been putting loads of effort in to improve their skiing ability and succeed on the harder slopes. We managed to carry on this way for the rest of the trip. In town, we were allowed to wander freely into whatever shops we wanted and buy anything we were able to. This meant lots of unnecessary fridge magnets and random souvenirs! We had an extra day without any skiing due to flight times, so we went to the lovely

Lake Como. When we arrived, we strolled into the park and ate the lunch we were made by the incredibly fun and energetic lady back at our hotel in Sauze d’Oulx. After that, we hopped on our tour boat that was taking us around part of the lake. From there we could admire some breathtaking views and many grand houses. The rest of the day was spent looking through souvenir shops where many more fridge magnets were bought. Check-in and security at the airport went pretty smoothly, but our departure time was delayed. There were many games of cards, and football games including one against local Italians in the airport. It was all finished off by meeting three professional footballers that played for Como Women. They were lots of fun and we went on to dance with them on the metal airport seats! We were all very sad for it to be over but also delighted to be reunited with our parents back at the airport.

I would recommend this trip to anybody because you get a great chance to improve your skiing as well as having lots of laughs and fun with your friends.

Rupert S, Year 7

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Equestrian Report What an incredible year we have had within the Equestrian Team. The children have represented the School in over twenty competitions, in the disciplines of Show Jumping, Arena Eventing, Jumping with Style, One Day Eventing and Polo. Some of our highlights were: Schools Equestrian Games 80cm ODE Championships Team 2nd M Berkeley, O de Rouet & C Longsdon 70cm Show Jumping NSEA Championships at Hickstead Team 3rd T Gordon, A Lucas & M Berkeley 70cm Show Jumping NSEA Championships at Hickstead Individual 1st M Berkeley 70cm Arena Eventing NSEA Championships at Hickstead Team 5th T Gordon, A Lucas, M Berkeley & R Sturgis 80cm Arena Eventing NSEA Championships at Hickstead Individual 1st M Berkeley 80cm Show Jumping NSEA Championships at Hickstead Individual 1st C Bostock 90cm Show Jumping NSEA Championships at Hickstead Team 2nd M Berkeley, R Sturgis, I Walker & C Bostock Beaufort Inter-Schools Polo Cup (mixed school teams) We have also qualified for the Addington NSEA Championships and Plate in October, as well as the Hickstead Grassroots Championships. Amazing. With new team kit, more confidence, pony changes, lots of lessons and unwavering help and support from parents, the children have gone from strength to strength. We now have 42 children registered with the NSEA and 27 Beaudesert Polo Players playing weekly. Luckily, we are only losing a few children to new schools in September; I would like to thank all the equestrian leavers, they will be missed. The annual Beaudesert Horse show in June, a highlight of our equestrian calendar, was a resounding success, with almost perfect weather conditions for competing, lots of thrills and, luckily, only a couple of spills. We had children from Year 1 to Year 8 competing over courses from 40cm to 1m, and it was wonderful to see all of the children supporting and cheering each other on. Well done to everyone who has competed this year; we have the biggest squad we have ever had and I am very excited to see what the 2023-2024 season brings. JDS

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ALUMNI John Keyte When John joined the staff in 1964, the School was still privately owned by the Richardson family. He soon realised that to survive, the School would need to become a charitable trust in order to raise funds for a building programme, which would equip the School for life in the second half of the twentieth century. Once the necessary funds had been obtained via an appeal, John’s vision for updating the School could begin. John was a keen amateur architect and could often be seen moving from A to B placing one twelve inch foot in front of the other, and measuring the dimensions of a possible site of a new building. Jo relates how a child in her class looked out of the window during a history lesson and on seeing John pacing up and down exclaimed, “Oh look! Mr Keyte is architecting again.” Once plans were drawn up John would often change them and send them back to Peter Falconer who must have torn his hair out to see his plans butchered once again. However once a building went up, John’s changes were always correct. John was very keen to develop the sporting curriculum, having been a keen rugger player, swimmer and discus thrower at Radley. He was always keen to find out how away matches had gone and occasionally he had to endure one of Miles Wachter’s leg pulls. One of the best occurred when Miles took a very strong team to the National Prep Schools’ Athletics Championships. On returning they stopped at the Lodge and John came out expecting to hear good news. The children had been primed to look glum. “Sorry headmaster, fourth was the best we could manage.” John returned to the Lodge obviously disappointed. The next morning at the end of assembly John was out of the door when Miles called

him back. He then asked the athletes to stand up and they announced that two of them had won their hurdles races in record times and the 4 by 100 relay team had also won. John of course was ecstatic, and couldn’t get over how the athletes had managed to keep a straight face the previous evening. John was also keen on winter sports and took a number of school ski trips to France. In the years when we had regular snow falls, the children brought back toboggans at the beginning of the Spring Term and given the right conditions, the fields below the School were ideal for tobogganing. On one famous occasion the track in the lower fields was very fast. John called the children together and told them that as there was no run-off it was very important to bail out well before the fence at the bottom. He then demonstrated how it should be done but unfortunately bailed out too late and his momentum took him at high speed into the fence, where he snapped a post and damaged a rib. In those days the children had too much respect to laugh but the staff present were killing themselves. John had a marvellous sense of humour and he saw the funny side of his misfiring demonstration. John’s professional expertise and unbounded enthusiasm enabled the School to go from strength to strength. With great support and a steadying hand from Jo, John led the School to academic and sporting success. Whenever the news of a scholarship came, John would rush to the Staff Room in break and congratulate the staff. Thanks to him, the Staff Room was a very happy one and he made his staff feel appreciated, which is why many of us stayed so long. When you see Beaudesert Park today, a very successful and well thought of school, you should remember that the hard work and dedication of John and Jo laid firm

foundations, and we should be proud of what they achieved. John was a great headmaster, a loyal colleague and a true friend.

Michael Stevens

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Being a Volunteer

James Castle (1979-1984) For nearly thirty years, I have been a member of The Royal British Legion and have volunteered in various ways to help our ex-forces community. Each November, I take a tray of poppies around my local area for the Poppy Appeal but am also the district Poppy Appeal Organiser, Branch Secretary and Standard Bearer, as well as having been the County Youth Officer. Through this, I have had the opportunity to take part in some incredible experiences. As a Standard Bearer, I take a leading role on Remembrance Sunday, but I also attend funerals of ex-service people and take part in commemoration services. In 2018, I took part in ‘Great Pilgrimage 90’ where 2,500 RBL members visited the cemeteries and battlefields of France and Belgium. The three-day pilgrimage ended with a parade of 1,120 Standards at the Menin Gate in Ypres. In November 2018, my son and I were invited to take part in the Festival of Remembrance in front of Queen Elizabeth II. It was an incredible experience to be on stage in the centre of The Royal Albert Hall representing the RBL. In 2021, I was awarded the RBL Centenary Award for Passion in Kent, and was invited to the RBL Centenary Service at Westminster Abbey. My son and daughter were also invited to be part of the selected congregation as a reward for their own efforts with the Poppy Appeal. I was also selected to be one of 83 Standard Bearers who were to parade at The Cenotaph during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Nothing can prepare you for the enormity of the task ahead. For a week, we practised, cleaned our shoes, polished our brass and ironed our clothes… then repeated the process, again and again. We are used to people watching us, but when you know that over four billion people are watching the television, it is hard not to be nervous. Marching on to Whitehall was incredible.

A mixture of both pride and panic swept over me. Three and a half hours standing rigidly at attention is hard work and our muscles were aching. The noise was incredible too, as it varied between echoing commands, brass bands at deafening levels and hushed silence. In response to our efforts that day, each of the Standard Bearers was awarded the RBL Certificate of Appreciation which is the Legion’s highest award. President John F Kennedy once said “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. I was unable to join any of the armed forces myself as I have had spinal surgery, but I have a long-standing respect for all those who have served. By volunteering as a Poppy Collector I have been able to raise a large amount of money to support our exforces community, while being a Standard Bearer has enabled me to represent my community in paying respect to all those who have both served and died in the service of their country. It is a privilege to be able to do this. I have been fortunate in being recognised for my efforts, which has allowed me to take part in events that I never thought possible. On the day of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, I said to my brother, Richard Williams (OB, 1979-1982), that I felt like a fraud as I stood at the Cenotaph, thinking that thousands of veterans deserved the place more than I did, as I had never served. Richard simply replied, “Today, you did serve”.

LONDON BRIDGE 2022

OUTSIDE 10 DOWNING STREET WITH HIS CHILDREN TOBY AND JEMIMA 2021

Put the effort in, and you never know where it may lead.

POPPY APPEAL COLLECTING 2017

STANDARD BEARER 2021

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70 Years Since the Successful Ascension of Everest Michael Westmacott (1935–1939) 2023 is the 70th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Mount Everest. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit on the 29th May 1953. While Hillary and Norgay were the first two to reach the summit, it took a much larger team of sherpas and mountaineers to attempt the expedition. Old Beaudesertian, Michael Westmacott, was part of this expedition team. Westmacott attended Beaudesert from 1935 to 1939, before going on to attend Radley College. He served in the Indian Army Corps of Engineers in Burma before reading Mathematics at Corpus Christi, Cambridge. His passion for climbing began at university, when he discovered the mountaineering club, which he later became president of. He continued his

climbing after graduation, and worked as a statistician. Westmacott applied to join the Everest Expedition team after hearing about the trip from a friend, and was successful. Ever modest, he told the BBC his selection was “a bit of luck. I was at the right age at the right time.” But his contribution to the team was substantial. As well as picking a line through the treacherous Khumbu icefall, he also supported the team in pushing a route through the Lhotse Face, a wall of glacial ice almost 4,000 high. After suffering from altitude sickness, as John Hunt’s team were reaching the upper reaches of Everest, Westmacott helped keep the route through the icefall clear for supplies to continue to move up the mountain.

He also helped Times reporter James (later Jan) Morris travel safely down Everest with the news of Hillary and Norgay’s success, and stopped the reporter from potentially taking a fatal break in their journey. Michael continued to climb after his historic feat, often with his wife Sally. Another of Westmacott’s huge contributions to the mountaineering

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community was his creation of the Himalayan index, a database of 2,850 peaks in the greater ranges of Asia, and an invaluable resource for climbers. He was also president of the Alpine Club and Climbers’ Club.

Michael came back to Beaudesert Park School in 1954 to speak to the children about the victorious Everest expedition, thrilling them with coloured lantern slides of his adventures. In our 1954 magazine, former pupil C. J. Davey writes, “Michael

Westmacott made little mention of himself in his lecture, although we know how much he did and we are very proud of him. And we all owe him a great debt for coming to tell us about this great adventure.” SL

EVEREST CAMP

EVEREST MAP

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ACTIVITIES Illustration and Card making

Pottery In pottery club, we make fun things like a teacup or a star clock. You get to keep what you make. You can go on a pottery wheel. It is loads of fun.

Bertie W, Year 4

Gardening Club Report We love gardening club because it is a place not only to enjoy nature, but to also have fun. We go down to the gardening patch every Thursday to dig out the weeds and to plant fruit and vegetables. Mr Layton takes us for gardening club and he gives us great tips and tricks on how to make our fruit and vegetables taste the best they can. In gardening club, we have a variety of years that

join us from Years 3 to 8. We recently planted strawberries, cucumbers and peppers and we are especially excited for the strawberries. We have been working extremely hard on the gardening patch and have managed to make it look brand new. In just a few weeks we will hopefully have some fruit and vegetables to enjoy.

Illustration and card making is one of the most fun activities. On a Tuesday, Mrs Hodges takes the activity, and on Thursday we have Ms Snow. Every week we use a different material to make a different themed card. For example we have done: Happy Birthday, Get Well Soon, New Home, Hallowe’en, Christmas and Happy New Year cards. We have used Posca Pens, watercolour, Sharpie pens, coloured pencils and more! We design a completely different card each week and everyone makes different, unique, and vibrant cards. I love illustration and card making.

Bea E, Year 7

Poppy F and Ruby, Year 8

Archery Report Archery is a new activity at Beaudesert and it happens on Tuesdays. People who are the best win a medal each week. Archery makes me feel great because our teacher is cool. You have to hit a target to succeed.

Sid, Year 2

Sewing Club Report In Sewing Club, we learnt how to do cross stitch. We practised on a piece of card, which was a bit fiddly, but then went on to bookmarks, sewing in our initials or flowers. It was really fun and everyone enjoyed it so much. Lots of children are going to do it again next term!

Isla D, Year 5

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Lollipop Mega Build Activity

Playdough Club Report

The Lollipop Mega Build Activity runs every Thursday and involves boys and girls between Years 5 and 7. Armed with a stack of lollipop sticks and a glue gun, they have a ball and get to explore their creative sides. Some children keep it simple, making things like keepsake boxes, others get a little more adventurous. I’ve had one child make a replica of Big Ben. I’ve also seen some very impressive bridges, and a few bird feeders to use in the spring. With a little music in the background, and a bit of fun, it’s the perfect end to a long day.

JLB

Modern Dance

Playdough club is every Tuesday up in the Year 3 corridor at 4 o’clock in the afternoon with Mrs Burnford. We have a new topic every week, and Mrs Burnford puts up lots of pictures to do with the theme of what we are making to help us with our ideas. We have made aliens, insects, bakery items and loads more. At the end, we normally have ten minutes of free time to make whatever we want. It is a really fun, creative and exciting activity and everyone really enjoys it.

Archie F, Year 4

I chose Modern Dance because I really like dancing. I like the style of dancing we do and I like learning new routines, practising them and getting better. Each week, we have a different song and we learn new moves to go with the lyrics. I really enjoyed when we danced to a song from ‘Matilda the Musical’.

Isla F, Year 3

Recording Studio Club Recording Studio Club has been my favourite club this term. I love to be involved in the technical side as well as the singing. I’ve especially enjoyed the song we are doing, ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’. The teachers are very enthusiastic and make sure that everyone has a part.

Teddy, Year 4

Gymnastics In gymnastics, we are taught how to jump and move in lots of different ways. I love gymnastics because there is a fun and happy atmosphere. It is so fun to play with my friends and Mrs Stevens is a great teacher. She teaches us things I did not know I could do. I really think gymnastics is a really good activity to do.

Arthur G, Year 6

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P R E - P R E P D E PA RT M E N T

It is a wonderful privilege to be a teacher. Each day we are greeted by bright smiles, and sometimes tears, and welcome these little people, the most precious in the world to their families, into our days. Each of those days is filled with abundance; I see children with their heads up as they march out to playtimes and Forest School, with their heads down as they participate in their writing tasks, and with their heads going from side to side as they look around them and try to figure out their unique place in the world. Of all the lessons that children learn in their young years at school, how to be a good, kind, hard-working and honest person is arguably the most important. Whatever class you walk into during a day at Pre-Prep, you will find teachers and children working together to figure out what is the best way to engage, what is the right way to behave and how to be a successful part of a community. A classroom is a miniature version of society. There are rules, agreements and targets. There are acts that are praised and others that are not. Finding our way through our days, our class or our society, knowing how to be our best and do our best, is – or at least should be – as compelling for adults as it is for children. And often it is our children who remind us that we must never stop thinking about the choices we make and how we behave.

Mrs Searson, the wonderful Mrs Searson, has a mantra in her classroom. That mantra, that message and reminder, is to follow your moral compass. Sometimes I see her look at a child and tap her chest twice, and will see that child look back at her and mirror this action – and then do exactly the right thing. Not always, of course, but often enough! I hear and see similar versions of this in all our classrooms and lessons, inside and out, as teachers work with children, and children work with children too, to remind each other to stop and think about how to do the right thing. Even when, especially when, others may be struggling to figure this out. In Pre-Prep we have our Golden Rules. They speak to being friendly, kind and helpful. To doing our best. To listening, really listening, to others. Looking after our property and our world. Being honest and polite. If our children can truly learn, live and act in line with these Golden Rules, then we are collectively (parents and teachers) doing an excellent job in supporting their learning journeys. This week in assembly I read the children a poem by Shel Silverstein – and it inspired me to write a version of my own, which I would like to share with you today:

Little Voice There is a voice in each of us That guides us on our way It sometimes makes mistakes, of course That much is fair to say But if we listen closely To our little voice inside We will find that it can lead us forward And be our one true guide There are times along our journey When the paths ahead aren’t clear We have to choose which way to go Although we might feel fear

“If I go this way, will it lead To outcomes most desired? Will I help the ones I need to? Will others feel inspired?” Along our way there’s choices About how to overcome The barriers we’re faced with The hurdles on our run It’s easy to make choices When there is no risk involved When both make people happy None need a stance that’s bold But when you have to make a choice About what you’ll do next And suspect that you’ll be questioned And your courage will be stretched Then listen to the voice inside And ask it what to do Some call it your integrity It is the core of you So move on up and go on forward With confidence today And let that brave and honest voice Guide you along your way.

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The Nursery

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Reception

HATTIE

ARCHIE HS

PRE-PREP SPORTS DAY 2023

COTSWOLD FARM PARK TRIP

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Growth Mindset Giraffe I can swim in the deep end. I can’t play tennis very well… Yet!

Casey

HENRY R

HENRIETTA

My Growth Mindset Story Once upon a time, a lion got lost in the sunset. He found his baby friends and went to the pond.

Arabella P

GAIGE

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

REC W CLASS ART PRE-PREP NATIVITY 2022

PRE-PREP SPORTS DAY 2023 PRE-PREP NATIVITY 2022

WORLD BOOK DAY 2023

MOLLY M

WORLD BOOK DAY 2023

ZAVIER

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Year 1

BERKELEY CASTLE TRIP

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10 Things I Would Take to Space in my Rocket 1. Mummy 2. Daddy 3. Honey bunny 4. Water 5. Brother 6. Croissants 7. Space helmet 8. Bed 9. Sick bag 10. Toys

Agi

WORLD BOOK DAY 2023

OSCAR SW

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OSCAR P

PRE-PREP NATIVITY 2022

ARTHUR SS

My Australian Diary Dear Diary, On the first day I was cold and I was hot as well, and it was sunny. I ate fruit and I saw a seal, and I got to Australia.

Emily L HARRIET

WILFRED

In the holidays I went to Cliffe Cottage by the sea, and I travelled in a car. I went with my dad and my brother. I ate a snail and there was a bouncy castle.

Flora Lle.

WORLD BOOK DAY 2023

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Forest School

As well as knowledge-gathering and developing an interest in the natural environment, here at Beaudesert, our Forest School sessions help learners develop socially, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Our woodland Forest School site creates a safe and nurturing environment for children to explore the world around them. Led by seasonal changes throughout the year, children have hands on experiences enabling them to connect theory and knowledge learned in the classroom and put it into real-life situations. Forest School is child-led, with small achievable tasks on offer and real life problems to solve, helping children build confidence, self-belief and resilience. We hope you enjoy a glimpse of what we have done this year…

Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process that offers our children, from Nursery to Year 3, opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It helps our children become healthy, resilient, creative and independent learners.

SSM

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I N

T M

ER S

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Year 2

SHROVE TUESDAY EBLEY CANAL TRIP

ORLA

HAZEL

SPORTS SHOWCASE 2023

FLORRIE

THE LIVING RAIN FOREST TRIP

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A Recipe for Friendship Ingredients: These are the things we need to be a good friend. Kindness Positivity Sharing Jokes Games Truth Helpfulness Good things Fun Warmth Laughter Memories Chatting Hugs Love • First take all the fun games you have. • Second, carefully pour some love and fun. • Then, add lots of kindness to your cake. • Next take a spoonful of chatting and quickly mix. • Take a pinch of sharing. • Use lots and lots of jokes and laughter. • Get all of the good things you’ve done together. • Put it in the oven for 30 minutes. • Now for the icing! • First get a pinch of positivity. • Second add lots of memories that you’ve done with your friends. • Then take 2 tablespoons of you and your friend’s favourite thing. • Then mix until light and fluffy. • Finally eat and enjoy!

HUMPHREY

Axelle

NATIVITY 2022

MARGOT

Great Fire of London Poem Flames burning People panicking Red, orange, yellow everywhere Fire spitting Destroying houses Jumping from house to house Pudding Lane going Lots of explosions Everything dramatic Everything going in its path Blaming the baker For starting up the blaze.

Storm

NATIVITY 2022

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SPORTS DAY 2023

PUDDING LANE

SPORTS SHOWCASE 2023

SPORTS DAY 2023 WORLD BOOK DAY 2023

SUMMER

ASSEMBLY

The Living Rainforest It was very hot in the greenhouses and very humid, because this is how these plants and animals survive and grow. Adaptation means change and survival. We saw a blue morpho butterfly. Many morpho butterflies are coloured shimmering shades of blue and green. We also saw a toucan, and they have the longest bill of any bird. Toucans are renowned for their large colourful bill. A toucan’s bill grows up to 8 inches or 20cm. It is the same as the body, and the body grows up to 25 inches. Toucans eat mainly fruit but sometimes prey on insects and small lizards. We also saw a sloth. The sloths live most of their life in the trees and only come down when in danger. Sloths have very sharp claws to protect themselves. We also saw some tortoises. The tortoise tried to do acrobatics and their mouth went quite quickly. We saw a snake. Snakes have four bones in their head and they don’t have any chin bones.

Henry T

RECORDER ENSEMBLE

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ANTHOLOGY Something in the Attic The ladder creaked and the door wailed. I stepped on to the mouldy wood which gave a cry. On the left, there were dusty old pictures of an elderly couple, looking very smart together. Next to that was, I guessed, the same couple on stage! The woman was singing and the man was playing the piano. A misty light shone through the chalky window. On the right, there were even more pictures. Most of them were photographs of the couple when they were young. And then, at the back of the crumbly attic, was a piano… It was hardly a piano. It looked as though someone had beaten it with a stick. I crept forward, stepping over the remnants of on old, dusty, rusty bicycle. The piano was at the back of the attic. The farther I went through, I began to notice that, on the pictures, there was now only the man. Then, the pictures abruptly stopped. I started to wonder why the piano was here. My thoughts were clouded by the musty aroma of rotting wood. A bang made my head snap backwards. I noticed what seemed to be a framed newspaper. With my sleeve, I wiped the dusty glass to reveal the headline: “Three die in massive car crash”. I started to piece together the strange fragments of the story of the attic: a young couple, both musicians, one dies, leaving the other depressed. He locks away the piano and then… I walked slowly and carefully towards the dusty instrument and, lifting the lid, played a note. It made a huge clang that shocked me dearly; its low note vibrated through my dirty, skinny body. Then, I heard my mum shout, “Dinner!” I raced back, abandoning the ancient pictures, dusty objects and their sad story, and headed out into the light.

The Ancient Ship It was a still and silent night as the bright, gold moon shone over the ominous ship. Not a single cloud to be seen in the sky, just glistening stars shining over the navy blue sea. The ship was abandoned many years ago, but somehow it still stands on the top of the surface with its anchor holding it in place, still as the gentle sea underneath it. The ship still has the smell of old beer and fish lurking around, from when pirates had been on the ship, travelling around the world to get their glorious treasure. The treasure is now a fish’s home at the bottom of the sea, still waiting to be discovered. The story of the pirates begins as they’ve just set off for their adventure. The sun was beaming across the boat as the sailors waved their last goodbyes to their friends and family…

Amelie B, Year 7

Ethan, Year 6

A Recipe for a Phoenix Make a body and head from a meteor that landed in the Sahara Desert, and burned from the impact. Pour in crystal and diamond water, as blue as sapphire, and create the neck. Stir in a million year-old firestone from Venus to form the wings. Whisk magma from the core of the Earth to make the tail. Finally, decorate with gold and ruby claws. You have made a phoenix. Gaze upon it!

Alasdair W, Year 3

YEAR 6 CORALS

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Archer

Tintern The Abbey stands tall, Bruised by wrongs of the past. Roof gone, The tears of the sky fall in. A maze of crumbled houses, Sit patiently, waiting for solace, And I am here, Sat in a bathtub.

Zachary J, Year 5

Beaudesert Memories Haiku The den was called the Woodborrow Hotel, a hedge

Rosaline stuffed her bow and arrow far under her wardrobe. The wood would be an excellent guise for her new ‘unladylike’ hobby. She then slid under her bed and pulled out a diary, tied with a ribbon for she couldn’t find a lock and key. She slumped on top of her lacey bedsheets and scribbled over her day. Sadly, too soon, a knock arrived. Rosaline stuffed her diary under her bed and answered. It was simply her tailor, come for a fitting. But Rosaline still glanced under her bed and wardrobe from where she was standing. She flushed with guilt but the tailor simply shrugged. After her fitting, Rosaline stared out of her window until she was sure the tailor long gone. Next, she fished out a wig and shirt. Trousers were well hidden in a drawer. As she replaced her towering wig with a short blonde one, she changed into boy’s clothes and wondered a little. Imagine if her mother discovered she took archery lessons disguised as a boy! A proper Georgian girl should not by any circumstances be a good hunter, or dress as she pleased! These prejudices were held by most of the rest of the population. Especially her mother. Francesca Willow was the mother of Rosaline, and ruled her mansion with an iron fist. Rosaline was taught to embroider and arrange flowers. Meanwhile, her brothers went to school and had archery lessons. There was a strict code from the wealthy women. Rosaline had had enough.

Catherine LB, Year 5

Near the cricket nets. Sweeping leaves every Breaktime, creating paths then They would disappear. Racing down from lunch To protect our special den No boys could invade. Pointless sweeping of Crispy autumn leaves, knowing They would fall again.

Emilie, Year 8 YEAR 4

A Letter to Someone You Admire Dear Mrs Campbell, I am writing to say that I completely admire your art and I think it is so admirable that you have made your artwork out into wrapping paper, bowls, plates, and just plain amazing paintings.

But what I am asking from you, only if you would want to of course, is if you could send me a signature on any small piece of wrapping paper, if you would be free to do that. It would be a privilege to own one of your

signatures. If not, that is completely and utterly fine, I adore you in every aspect. Yours sincerely,

Delphi, Year 6

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

The Sunset

Bonfire Night

The beach was quiet and deserted, no one near to disturb. The sun’s light still lit up the sky like a firework, and it sat on top of the water getting its last view of the golden beach.

I was at a fireworks display a week ago. It was wonderful. As soon as you got there, you could smell the scent of burning in the air. The light from the sun-bright fireworks illuminated everything in sight. The embers from the burning fire were floating around like paper on a windy day. The people watched every firework rocket up into the coal black night sky. The people were littered around the bonfire like wasps around a fizzy drink. With every ten seconds came a new ray of colourful firework, and with it an ear piercing crackle. There just seemed to be neverending colours. There were bright reds, dark yellows, peach-coloured oranges and grassy greens. The people in the nearby houses were peering out of their windows looking at the dazzling display.

The water rippled and swirled into the beach and out. Instead of it being a deep blue, it was pink, purple and warm orange. No waves in sight. The sunset was stunning and it looked like a painting. Its beams spread wide, giving a sense of warmth and comfort. The earth was in its element, peaceful and happy, and it would soon be back for more. It stepped down and rolled away, the light stretching for more, like lasers at a concert. The sun left. The stars had a mystical feeling. I could hear nothing but the water and the rocks bouncing along the beach. The sand was warm from the sunset. Earth had gone to bed.

Chloe B, Year 7

And if you didn’t care about the display or the fire, there were games like hopscotch, the boxes lined out on the grass in thick chalk lines, or mini five-a-side football matches. Although the pitch and goals were miniature, everyone wanted to play and it turned into more of a ten-a-side game. Everyone still managed to play their share of the game.

Charlie T, Year 7

ANNIE, YEAR 3

ISABEL T, YEAR 5

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

A Peaceful Scene The days were comfortingly warm, with a slight breeze of déjà vu. The sun was glowing, but running out like a candle, slowly melting out into the sunset, leaving a soft ombre. The trees swayed from side to side, like ballerinas, carefully leaning over the shady spot where I sat. The moon started to rise from its rest, the reflection laying on my face. The sun slowly dropped down, the sky turning from a lovely orange, bleeding into a deep navy.

Eye of the Storm The sky was grey and the weather was calm. The clouds had the texture of candy floss. Then soaring through the sky came a funny looking spaceship. It was lifted up by a big balloon and inside lived a woman with her pet dragon. The ship was big and had a viewing platform coming out. She stood in a black cloak, with two piercing eyes the colour of gold. She wore massive sized hiking boots. Her long claw-like fingers were ready to pounce. She walked out onto the deck with a box in her hands, ready to throw it overboard, but then it hit her. She looked back into the past and the good version of her, the old version of her. She had changed. The small little girl was so innocent, she would be so sad to look into the future and see what she had become. She would be ashamed. She remembered that one morning long ago, when she thought it would be a good idea to go down to the beach and set sail…

Willough, Year 6

The light green grass danced in the wind, sharply pushing past my knee. A sharp blade of grass cut my knee. Blood dripped down my leg, like a velvet river being poured by its source. I stared up at the sky, the stars spinning and glistening in the sky, twinkling. The flowers leaned on me, covering me. Their petals slowly opened, the pollen blowing in the wind with the dandelion seeds. The blush pink petals extended out, leaving the flowers in full bloom. I glanced up at my arms, the bleeding had stopped. I had a sudden nostalgic feeling branch out inside me. This felt like home. The final clouds glided through the sky, the contrast between the cream clouds and the dark blue was fascinating. A small fishpond splashed by me. Multicoloured koi fish swam gracefully in the grassy deep, the water dancing alongside them. Nothing else surrounded them, it was like an endless field. No houses were in sight, even though I felt comfort, I yearned for at least another living being near me. The planets were aligned in syzygy, there was a mellifluous voice surrounding me, wherever I went. It was like honey. It was the quintessence of calm. The sight of the moon was beautiful. It was frightfully beautiful, unnatural, a sight to remember, yet I still yearned for something more.

Nancy, Year 7

HOUSE ART COMPETITION

The Dragon Down in the dark cave the horrifying dragon stares at you with piercing bloodshot eyes. Ripping apart the dragon’s fresh prey. Anger is kept inside of their rock solid body. Giant wings enjoying the moonlit night. Often dragons cut their prey with their dagger-like claws. Night is their playground for catching their prey.

Titus, Year 5

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

Scottish Sprouts Stumble on Sword

A Storm at Sea

Coming back to her allotment after the school run, Mrs McVities was planting sprouts when she came across an unknown object.

It was a calm day at sea. The boat cut through the water like a knife through butter. There was a storm approaching. I hid under the sail, keeping out of the wind. Suddenly, the storm was above us. Lightning struck the nearby lighthouse. A boat was being tossed over the tsunami-like waves. The rowers were rowing with all their might, but there was one mysterious thing about them. They were otters. A boat next to us had just been struck by lightning. One of the otters pointed towards it and it was sinking quickly. They altered their course at once, heading for the boat. Our boat arrived minutes later at the once beautiful boat, to help find any survivors. There were two otters on board, and they quickly brought them aboard. The centre of the storm was approaching the boat. The otters suddenly started rowing to shore. It was difficult to identify them because they were all wearing the same uniform.

Around 8am on Monday 27th February, after dropping off her two children at school, a 40 year-old mother was digging in her allotment, Edinburgh, when she hit something hard. At first, she thought it was a rock, but on closer inspection, it turned out to be made of metal. She took it out and decided to bring it to Mrs May, a local historian. Mrs May concluded it was from the Viking era, probably from Lindisfarne Monastery due to the location. Mrs May believes it probably has religious origins, most likely a decorative object. It might be around 1,200 years old, from the Lindisfarne Raid in 793 AD. Mrs McVities hopes the historians will be able to pinpoint the exact origin of the artefact. As she said, “I am going to start digging a lot deeper in every bed. I hope to find more in the following months.”

Will B, Year 4

A Recipe for a Pegasus Take a head as white as snow, a body as white as milk, and a braided mane. Add daisies in her hair, some teeth as shiny as the sun, and eyes like the midnight sky.

George M, Year 7

Decorate with wings like twinkling stars, a tail coloured like pearls, and some shiny silver hooves. Sprinkle with magic dust, cook for ten minutes and you have made a Pegasus. Believe!

Cora, Year 3

Behind the Waterfall As I swam out of my dark cave and entered the foaming, crystal clear water underneath the waterfall, I looked up. I could feel my silvery scales glinting in the bright morning sun. The ferns and leaves glistened like early night stars. The sun’s rays shone through the canopy, illuminating the deep lagoon. I felt relaxed as if there wasn’t a care in the world. Thick ivy covered the ground. I could practically feel the sun’s rays warming me. The four leaf clovers seemed almost magical, peeping out of the undergrowth. The mushrooms looked as if they could be houses for fairies. I looked back at the gigantic waterfall.

Edward C, Year 4

CORA, YEAR 3

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

The Abbey The Abbey sits solemnly, Towering over its ruins, Isolated by the test of time. The Abbey lies alone, Standing tall in peace, Yet still crumbling. The Abbey remains ruined, No matter the help, It still caves in. The Abbey has fallen, All hope is lost, All faith gone.

Sam Gr., Year 5

FRED W, YEAR 3

A Recipe for a Griffin Take a fierce eagle head that is white like snow, a body that is as strong as a lion, and sharp claws like a knife.

Lost She carried on, in the uncanny silence, and in the impenetrable darkness, that even her lamp could do little to fight off, providing just a small bubble of light around her. She suddenly realised she was cold, very cold. When she finally acknowledged that fact, she also realised in her hurry to escape, she had taken a wrong turn, and was now completely lost in the labyrinth maze that was the secret passage. The wind blew harder, and her hair whipped about her face, like enraged snakes. Heavy, regular thumps were echoing down the passage behind her. When they finally stopped, she thought she heard breathing, and felt the heat on the back of her neck. Eventually, deciding it wasn’t just her mind playing tricks on her, she turned around…

Oliver M, Year 8

Add a set of wings that beat like a drum, pricked up ears painted like a skewer and a beak that shines like gold. Throw in a dash of evil, fry in a hot pan for a thousand years, and you have made a Griffin. Take care that your eyes are not pecked out!

Fred W, Year 3

The Bear As the bear trudged through the undergrowth, the trees waved ominously in the wind. The sun peeked out of the canopy of the trees, in which sat birds in a kaleidoscope of colours, as they sang their mellifluous song. The bear carried on wandering through the forest until it encountered a jaw-dropping, un-plausible, mesmerising waterfall. You could see the salmon leaping in the rushing water. The water glistened in the sunlight (which was fading away). The vivacious colours of the setting sun lit up the sky, until the night fell. All of a sudden, a twig snapped. The bear couldn’t see the surroundings that well by the moonlight. Slowly, the bear’s eyes flickered and it slowly started to drift off.

Jasper, Year 5

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

The City at Night During daylight hours, the streets of London were extravagant and colourful; at night, it is a different story. The wind is biting and the cars’ headlights probe nervously through the dark. Shops were closed and locked; the ones still open are filled with dreary-eyed people and tired employees, whose skin looks unnaturally pale in the harsh lights of the store. Outside, the few trees break through the silence of the sleeping city, bristling in the wind. Their dark green leaves turn a deathly black in the smothering night. Deep alleyways lurk in the corners of the city, more threatening and scary than during the day. They could be harbouring a malicious surprise, or merely a harmless cat. The pale moon illuminates anything not hidden by the towering buildings. Stars shine weakly – all but invisible to the human eye because of the dazzling constellations of artificial city lights. One by one, these turn off, leaving the city darker than before. Street lamps cast ghostly shadows across the few sidewalks that have them. The city rumbles, asleep. The parks have an otherworldly feeling in the moonlight. Leaves are bleached silver. The space feels much bigger, much quieter without the picnicking couples and shrill children running around. It rests in the caressing dark before the exhausting sun colours and cheers it all up once more. The restaurants are closed with not a waiter nor a chef in sight. Only the hospitals remain fully awake. It is the only building that never sleeps. The nurses and doctors, grim-faced and sullen-looking, funnel out; the new shift file in. There is a determination in their eyes to do their jobs right. They prove that London never sleeps.

Sebastian L, Year 7

Carrots Carrots, carrots, carrots, I love carrots, It’s got a lovely orange crunch, Just perfect for your lunch. I know it is a vegetable, But it’s actually good, I really think you should try it, I really think you should. I know it’s not like sweets, Which bang, pop and whizz, But trust me it’s phenomenal, It leaves a nice sort of fizz. Your first bite will blow you away, Shock you out of your mind, And transport you into May. It’s got the perfect orange shade, And a little green crown, Carrots aren’t manmade, But you can buy them in town.

Marbella The fountains were splashing constantly, creating a bath for the animals. The birds were tweeting happily up in the highest branches of the trees. I felt like I was in paradise. Everybody did. The animals were up all night, singing their songs and minding their own business in a way that wouldn’t be done anywhere else. Like the humans here, the animals were on holiday, partying late and sleeping in too! At night, the plants focused on themselves and went back into their cocoon-like cases. The flowers disappeared, leaving just the lime green stems showing. Everywhere you looked in the daytime you would see a flower and a few hours later, they were all gone. The stars in the sky looked like a million pieces of gold hung up on show. They created an almighty glow of blinding light that put the sun to shame. The stars in Marbella could never be recreated, no matter how hard you tried. Despite all this noise, you could still hear the crash of each and every wave against the golden sand. This was my favourite place to be in the evenings. Watching every move that the sea could produce. The wet sand in between my toes. The distant light of the picturesque harbour creating shadows of the palm trees all down the beach. It is a thing to behold.

Rupert S, Year 7

They can come in any shape or size, Carrots are really cool, and very, very wise, You can cut them up, mush them or eat them raw, You can boil them, spoil them and lots more.

Willa, Year 6

My Mind at Tintern As I walk through corridors I hear the monks and bishops in a party of silence and mist. As I trudge in the mud of the gallery, the bird and man sing a song of quiet deaf and murmur. This is the way I step through the masterpiece but gone in the way of sound.

Gabriel H, Year 5

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Welcome Back Siggy Suddenly, there came a loud, huge and unexpected bang followed straight after by a series of clattering. “I’ll go and investigate” remarked Zoe. “No you will not!” shouted Mrs Ellis strictly. Then something happened so quickly that it was as if lightning had just screamed “hello” in everyone’s ears. “Siguard is back!” boomed Siguard. “Soggy Siggy is back?” questioned Mr and Mrs Ellis at the same time. “Siggy! How did you get back?” exclaimed Zoe admiringly. “Ow! That crab just pinched me!” said Tim, rubbing his arm.

Margaret, Year 4

Loud Silence Scratchy, warm breath like smoke in front of your face. Itching, frozen skin prickling with goosebumps. Murmuring gusts of wind, seeping through a ghostly mist, decorated with swaying shadows. Snapping, thundering footsteps of creaking giants. Roots crawling along frosted ground, but every time you flinch to the break of a twig, the forest is still a graveyard. Loud silence ringing in your ears, mind racing with the tempo of a thumping heartbeat. Blinking orbs glaring through the gaps in the rustling, lifeless leaves, watching you. Cackling crows hovering above, laughing at you. Hearing, seeing and yet in reality you are the only one, alone, in this bare forest, other than the odd worm or spider… Mabel, Year 7

Spring Haiku Cherry blossoms fly Spring leaves fly in the warm air A frog jumps in ponds

Wilfred Ma., Year 4

A Change of Heart A hunter lifted his rifle to his shoulder noiselessly and slowly examined the lake in front of him. From his hide, positioned on the bank, he had a clear view of the surroundings. The sun just started to peer cautiously around the magnificent, snow-capped mountains that dominated the skyline. They seemed alien, towering above the velvety mass of green that carpeted their feet. Everything was still. The only sound came from a meek, little stream that had made its long, meticulous journey down from the peaks, through the fern and brackendominated forest floor, where grand redwoods that had stood for centuries loomed above… Snap! Something was there. The hunter, suddenly alert, pulled the scope closer to his face. A vast shape stirred in the darkness. What was it? Were the hunter’s eyes playing tricks on him? The vast shape roared a sound from Satan’s locker that thundered across the peaceful landscape, shattering all sense of tranquillity. Slowly, the beast lumbered forward. The moose stood tall, dwarfing its surroundings. Its antlers resembled bolts of lightning that had been frozen in time and shoved into the beast’s head. Then, all was still. The moose’s whole body trembled as it unleashed yet another earthrumbling roar before it bent its head. Its huge shoulder muscles rippled as it stooped to drink from the lake. The hunter’s hands were trembling as, once again, he brought the rifle to his shoulder. He lined up the crosshairs; his finger curled around the trigger… But why didn’t he squeeze it? The hunter’s face saddened. He knew it wasn’t right. It was a crime against nature to kill such a magnificent creature. Quietly, the hunter laid down his rifle to marvel at what nature could create, if given the chance.

Leo P, Year 8

The Chips and Doug One sunny morning, a seagull called Doug was flying over the pier trying to spy someone eating chips. Doug is quite a chubby seagull and he’s got a dark patch of feathers over his eyes, so his friends call him “the Chip Bandit”. Now, as well as liking chips, Doug also fancies a good old sandwich or two, so if he couldn’t find someone eating chips, then sandwiches were second on the list. Doug and his friends swooped high and low but they couldn’t find anyone eating chips, or sandwiches for that matter. They even went way out to sea to see if the fishermen were eating chips, but they weren’t. What they did seem to have were sandwiches. They may be number two on Doug’s list, but he still liked them. So Doug told all his friends that right below them, there was a boat that had a sandwich cut into four – and all together, Doug and his friends made four. On Doug’s signal, they decided to dive bomb the sandwiches. Three, two, one and on ‘one’, Doug sent two brown and white smelly bombs onto the roof of the boat. They dived. It was chaos. They were going so fast that some of their feathers fell off! They all opened their wings at the same time and snatched up the sandwiches! With a great flap of their wings, they were gone.

James B, Year 6

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

The Far Lake There’s a few lakes around here. A couple of smaller ones that couldn’t be home to more than a few fish. Bigger ones that stretch out for miles, a sea in the towering walls of the basins. They seem to cluster around this area like a bejewelled brooch on a velvet green cloak. Excluded from this cluster of lakes is a mediocre sized bit of water surrounded by thick forests. The trees stand vertical in the mirror world, pointing straight down towards the sky. The water, undisturbed, lies there untouched, still, and gives you a sense of ancient wonder. That far lake is a perfect place for life but has denied access to humans. Thousands of years gone by and not an imprint into this impeccable canvas has been made. The other ponds and oceans have seen a human face, seen the destruction of man, and seen the peril they bring. Not the far lake. The far lake is as secluded from mind and mining as an imaginary dream. A dream filled with wonder and tranquility. One that floats over the earth, always mysterious and inexplicable. The far lake is flawless. The far lake is bliss.

Sebby F, Year 7

The Amazon Rainforest In the depths of the Amazon Rainforest, where the parrots swoop and glide, where the monkeys swing and where all the animals are free, humans are mining the botanical beauty each year. Normally, the rainforest is alive, buzzing with the sound of excitement, but not now. The animals are starving as all the plants are gone! Humans are ridding the Amazon Rainforest of the plants. This is the story of how to do the right thing. Two men walked into the Amazon Rainforest. Seconds earlier, the rainforest was alive with an orchestra of sounds, now all went silent. The larger of the men walked out of the rainforest, and then the man left in the silent, ominous rainforest started digging up plants. Soon after he was weary and he slowly fell into a long, deep sleep. Later on, a plump, friendly bee buzzed over to the man and buzzed in his ear. “Please don’t take all the flowers. We need them to pollinate, and if we don’t pollinate there will be no more seeds to plant.” Just after the bee, a cute, talkative monkey swung over and chattered in his ear. “Please don’t take the bananas, me and my friends need them to survive.”

FERGUS, YEAR 3

A Busy Train Station As Rose ambled along the pokey platform, she could hear the ancient train shrieking as it came into the dusty train station. As spiders hung precariously off their glistening webs, Rose saw the train waving at her as it whizzed through the urban station. As the platform shook, Rose thought it could hold the world. There was a man waiting in a suit a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours, like a coral reef. Hanging from his arm, a bird (which had mesmerising feathers) was humming a melody and sticking its fluorescent yellow beak out of the golden cage. With some trepidation, she crept onto the train and looked through the transparent window into the ominous tunnel. With a crash and a bang, they had gone into the tunnel and were shrouded in smoke.

Rose J, Year 5

Abruptly, the man woke up and sat there in the undergrowth. He looked around him to see all of the animals and then he replanted the plants, gave the animals some food and walked out. Thirza, Year 5

Beaudesert Memories Rosslyn Park Sevens: Whirling wind rips and bites me; My heart pounds harder.

Cecil, Year 8

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

How Do You Eat a Pear? Now I’ve never eaten a pear, Not here, not there, not anywhere. But just for a moment, imagine with me, What would the right way to eat one be? Do I eat it upside down like the leg of a bird? For a pear I think that would be absurd. I really don’t know what the way is, When it comes to pear eating, I am not a whizz.

My Favourite Place The morning sunlight glimmered through the ancient pine trees, the needles casting dancing shapes and patterns into the quintessential log cabin. A faint trail of smoke spiralled out of the thin, moss-covered chimney and circled up and away out of the dense canopy. The winding path leading up to the cabin was dotted with pebbles and stones, and coated in years of lichen and shrubs. The sound of a nearby storm, carving its way through the forest, filtered through the trees into the little clearing surrounding the cabin. The soothing song of the birds had started, and it echoed through the forest creating a calming lull. The woods were a large cluster of trees on a gentle slope, surrounded on all sides by green pastures and fields. At the front of the cabin, a vast, ancient oak tree spread its winding branches. It was the oldest tree in the woods and had battled through whipping winds and ruthless rains. The oak tree was now weathered and antiquated, living its last few years in peace. The oak’s thick and gnarled roots spread out underneath its enormous weight, almost to the foot of the cabin.

Shall I cut it into pieces and eat it with a fork? Then would I look like a sweaty dork? I really don’t know what the way is, When it comes to pear eating, I am not a whizz.

Inside the sheltered and secure log cabin, a small fire roared, casting a pleasant orange glow onto the pinewood bookshelf. The bookshelf was lined with many old leatherback books, coated in a thin layer of dust. The smooth, deep hazel brown floorboards were partially covered by a cosy sheepskin rug on which a large rocking chair sat undisturbed.

Now I’ll tell you one thing about the wonky green fruit, They contain every vitamin (look it up, it’s true!), So clearly eating pears is very beneficial, And since it’s in my poem, now it’s official.

A Big Storm

Though… I really don’t know what the right way is, When it comes to pear eating I am not… a… whizz.

Hugo G, Year 6

Sugar Rush Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to you on behalf of all of the Year 4 students who would like to see chocolate as part of the daily snack in Year 4. We all feel that our snacks at the moment are just not good for us, and having chocolate only once a week is not enough. There is plenty of milk in chocolate and

Herbie, Year 8

As the sky split in half, a hurricane of rain spat down on us. The world trembled with fear. Hailstones, which were as large as rocks, hammered down on our roof. The sky, black with rage, swirled ominously above us. With great trepidation, the girl stepped outside, only to be hit with wind so strong, it could push over trees. The girl was whisked away as if she were a feather. Suddenly, without warning, lightning burst through the clouds. The world was screaming in agony, pleading the sky to stop. Trees wailed as their roots were ripped up. Homes were destroyed. With an earth shattering thud, an electricity pole fell to the ground. The girl, who was clinging to a branch, felt isolated. The tears were streaming down her face when a bolt of lightning hit her hand and she fell down into a never ending black hole…

Isabel, Year 5

milk has calcium, which research has shown is good for your bones. Did you know in one Dairy Milk bar, there is one and a half glasses of milk? I believe that eating chocolate can make you feel completely calm and stressfree. Cocoa is rich in resveratrol that helps to create happy endorphins. These endorphins help to make you calm and stress-free. By being calm and stress-free, we will be able to concentrate much better and not get distracted.

Chocolate is very versatile, so you can eat it in so many different ways. You can eat it with fruit, so depending on what fruit you eat it with, you get healthy vitamins and sweet yummy chocolate. Did you know that cacao means “food of the gods”? I do hope you will consider looking into the matter and will talk to the Kitchen about it. Yours faithfully,

Florence F, Year 4

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

Night The sky darkens to a deep orange shade. The clouds were swimming along the beautiful ombre of colours in the sky. A blend of flamingo pinks and deep orange shades created a smooth paint palette of autumnal tones up in the atmosphere. As time moves on, the sky dims and the horizon glistens with rays of bright light, flying across the rows of soft green grass and fluffy leaves on the fir trees below. Darker. The beams of light weaken and the sky fades to less bright colours of greyish purple and tints of muted blue.

HEIDI J, YEAR 3

A Day in the Life of Tenzing Norgay The first golden rays of sunlight creep over the high peaks of the Himalayas, exposing our little group of tents on the snowy face of Everest. Watching the sun rise through the open doorway of my tent, I am once again struck by the beauty of this huge mountain range. I look down at my open diary on my lap with only half a sentence written messily in the dim, early morning light. As the sun continues to rise, it illuminates the sprawling town, miles below, sending blinding flashes of sun reflecting on corrugated iron roofs into my eyes. I realise that this town is my hometown, nestled amongst the tall mountains like little bird eggs in their parents’ nest. I begin to continue writing in my diary when heavy footsteps disturb me from my silent moment, and a muffled voice under layers of coats and cloth tells me to get up. Twenty minutes later, I am scraping the last dribbles of porridge out of my tin can, and watching everyone running on the spot to keep warm in the bitterly cold breeze, or preparing and packing the equipment to continue the long climb. My legs are already aching when we turn the first corner around the icy ridge, leaving our campsite abandoned like we had found it on that exposed slope. Every now and again I hear the scuffle and cry of someone slipping over and we all quickly turn to see them lying on the ground, their face flat in the snow, clinging to the rocks for dear life. The further we climb, the steeper the snowy slopes become, until we are soon carefully clambering up the unclimbed rock faces and crawling through deep snow. When we reach a sheltered gully, we stop for a brief break, shivering and sipping on warm tea. I, however, sit on a large boulder and look up at the unconquered summit, run my hand through untouched snow and listen to the gentle mountain breeze rush through undiscovered crevasses.

The stars are white sprinkles of paint splattered across the deep midnight sky, and I see flocks of birds zoom through the air like rockets. Stray pebbles fly off the cliff edge into the dark, dank, eerie sea below. A shadow reflected off the dark hollow sky. A damp smell fills the air and as night falls slowly, the screeching noise from the birds and creatures that surround them, and the nocturnal animals awake.

Natasha, Year 7

The Five Palms Hotel The Five Palms Hotel is set in a luxurious area. It has three amazing 50 meter swimming pools and a luxury spa. The hotel has a stunning restaurant which offers all sorts of food. Children can play in the exciting play area and join our adventurous clubs for four to twelve year olds, which run from 9am until 5pm each day. The hotel is on a creamy coloured beach, with astonishing sea views and big balconies for all rooms. The hotel is only fifteen minutes away from the airport. Why would you want to go anywhere else?

Maia, Year 4

James T, Year 8

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Sport

Rugby

1st XIII The 1st XIII had a thoroughly enjoyable and competitive season of rugby. The team was ably led by Captain Leo P and Vice-Captain Fynn. They were a team of highly skilled individuals. With over 20 boys representing the 1st team within Year 8, it was a squad with plenty of strength in depth. After a strong start to the season against Monkton and a successful festival at St Hugh’s, the team was hampered by illness and injury for matches against Pinewood and Cheltenham. However, a fine run of form including wins against The Elms, RGS Worcester, Wycliffe and Clifton College demonstrated just how capable this team was. Player of the Season, Freddie de R, stood out with his tackling at Full Back all season. The team could rely on him and often did! It was in attack, however, that this team really thrived. Seb, Herbie and Fynn regularly pulled the strings and brought powerful and elusive runners such as Otto Bu., Sholto and Hugo M into the game. It was evident that this team was getting better and better as the season went on. Their understanding of the game, as well as each other’s roles within the side, developed excellently. This was proven in two fine wins against Bromsgrove and Dean Close. The victory against Dean Close on the final day of the season really epitomised this team’s spirit and hunger to play for each other. Hard work in contact from Ned (Most Improved Player), Cecil, Wylder and Doug M did not go unnoticed and often kept the team in the fight. The boys were a pleasure to coach and have big futures in the game. JG

2nd XIII This has been a marvellous term of rugby with a group of extremely enthusiastic boys. Results have been mixed, but I have been tremendously impressed with the attitude and effort shown by all. Even in trying circumstances under severe pressure, they gave their utmost to remain competitive and to do their best to stay in the game for as long as possible. With pace to burn, Max B, Alfie E and Louis S were our main scoring threats. When we were able to get the ball out wide, we looked a good side; tries for all three boys in our final fixture was a fine reward. Ferocious tackling and determined rear-guard action from the indomitable Rex were a consistent highlight of the term. He has a fantastic tackling technique and certainly led the way in this regard, and he should be proud of his performances this season. Oliver R, Will

S and Edward Sk. were our other standout performers, prepared to put their body on the line in the contact areas, and to receive the ball and look to gain yardage when it was easier not to! Starting with a convincing win at Pinewood, the omens were good, Kasper ripping it up with four tries in a blistering first half as we played a wonderful blend of fast, free-flowing rugby. Reality checks at Cheltenham and Abberley followed, but the boys never gave up. Team spirit remained high and pride in the jersey never wavered as we negotiated the physicality of the opposition, the autumnal weather, and a yearning from some for a sport with a proper shaped ball. This came after Christmas boys! My thanks to all for a thoroughly good show. DR

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

UNDER 12A The U12A side demonstrated real potential this rugby term, with lots of positives to take away despite the results not always being in their favour. A win away against Monkton Combe was a good start to the season, followed by a fiercely competitive 10-10 draw against Pinewood. Captain Monty H and Vice-Captain Rupert S demonstrated excellent leadership throughout the term, both in their ability to pull others along with them and play with enthusiasm. A defeat against a very physical Cheltenham Prep and a narrow loss to RGS Worcester in challenging conditions showed that the team was showing bravery and determination in difficult circumstances. The trip to the Border Shield, where they played some excellent rugby, and a fantastic win away to The Downs, Malvern were certainly the highlights of the term.

UNDER 12B This was a long and very competitive season where some of the results might have gone against us, but it was great to see how the boys developed their rugby awareness and ability as the weeks went by. From the starting point in September to the end of the season in December, there was a marked improvement and confidence when battling against other schools on the pitch. The Cheltenham Rugby Festival was a highlight, and although we were the underdogs physically in all matches, the boys’ skill level, speed and bravery won us the C team competition. They all deserve a huge pat on the back for their efforts in training and when playing competitive fixtures. Well done. TL

The away trip to Bromsgrove was a great test, competing against a much physically bigger team. However, the likes of Sebby F, Isaac and Bertie M all stood up to the task, and when given the opportunity to attack did so with real flair. The boys really came together in possibly their best half of rugby away at Pinewood. Attacking from all parts of the pitch, orchestrated by Hector K and the returning Hector M, defending resolutely and competitively at the breakdown, led by Wilf E and Rufus B, meant a lead of 15-0 going into the turn. Pinewood rallied and eventually came back to draw 15-15 in a tremendous game. I have enjoyed working with all the Year 7 rugby players this season and look forward to seeing them develop further next year. SH

UNDER 11A What a team, what a season! This has to be one of my “all-time” favourite groups of boys to have coached. It’s a group that would rather be out on the rugby pitch, scoring tries, making tackles, rucking and taking a knock, than anywhere else. They all love the game, its technical and physical nature, and always gave 100% on the pitch. The results speak for themselves. Barnaby P was a fantastic leader and is sure to go onto greater things in the future. Strong, fast, brave and very unselfish too. Angus H was our terrier on the pitch, he tackled well and regularly robbed the opposition of the ball. William Go. and George K carried well and were both strong runners with the ball. Arthur G won many rucks for us and tackled well. Otis and Frederick B were our impact players, smashing through and putting the team on the front foot. Harry G, Edward Sn. and Ethan were fantastic ball carriers, each possessing an element of speed, agility and elusive side-stepping. The team just worked, each individual contributed to the overall ‘machine’ – what a great season! JB

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

UNDER 11B The U11B had a wonderful season of rugby. The group started the season with good wins against Monkton Prep and Pinewood. During the season, we had three brilliant fixtures against Cheltenham College, however, the team didn’t manage to get over the line in these games despite showing great improvement and determination. It was great to see Max Sh. playing well at the breakdown, and Bluey made some big tackles during the term. Our fixture against Bromsgrove was a highlight and a joy to watch, as the team played with cohesion and discipline, resulting in a 40-25 victory. George N and Ralph both scored two tries in this stunning victory. The team always came to training with high energy and a willingness to learn new skills and techniques. This resulted in excellent progress throughout. It has been a pleasure to coach the group this year and I wish them all the best for next season. KB

UNDER 11C The Beaudesert Park U11C rugby team had a very good, albeit mixed season with an overall record of 12 games played; 5 won, 2 drawn and 5 lost. It was an up and down season plagued by illnesses and injuries, but included an emphatic 9-2 away victory over Wycliffe, a 7-2 victory away at Clifton College, and a convincing 8-2 win against Pinewood at home. The highlight was probably a thoroughly absorbing and entertaining 22-22 draw away at Pinewood, in which Bluey scored 10 tries and got himself promoted to the B team. The C team often showed great courage going forward with brave runs from Hugo G, Max St., George W and Ralph, with Hugo regularly getting on the score sheet. Almost every single player scored at least one try during the season, with virtually the whole team scoring during the 22-22 draw at Pinewood. Harrison, along with Jake and Edward T were always ready to get stuck in, and James B was always keen to take drop-kicks. The Cs were unlucky not to have won a couple more games, but there were occasions where they were forced to field a small team of 6 or 7 against teams with 12 or more, who were able to rotate throughout the match. All things considered, it was an enjoyable season where the boys showed great sportsmanship and grace, whether they won or lost, and enjoyed some great post-match food! IH

UNDER 10A What a season! Although not officially unbeaten, the boys managed to beat the two teams who won matches against them later on in the season. Our first festival was a real awakening into contact rugby, which was not helped by the September sun hardening up the pitches. Our obvious strength on the day was with the ball in hand, scoring some exceptional, individual tries. This continued to develop throughout the first half of the season, however the solo efforts started to become team tries as our skills and teamwork developed. A real strength was the rucking shown by the whole team but led in particular by Titus and Albert F, who were keen to hit every ruck with huge gusto, and produced turnovers to keep our try count high. The first half of the season did not produce the tests that we needed as a group, but this changed after the Half Term break. On our return, we had three tricky fixtures in a row, which produced a draw with Bromsgrove and two losses against St Hugh’s and Pinewood. Although these tight games didn’t go in our favour, the lessons learned would be hugely beneficial for the team. A strong defensive line and passing the ball into space would be what we needed to overcome stronger opposition. Luckily, we had a chance to right our wrongs the following week, at Marlborough Rugby Festival. Cheered on by an Old Beaudesertian and fuelled by the Lucozade that he kindly provided the team, we beat the two teams that had beaten us in the previous two fixtures. Not only this, the rugby we played on that day was superb, and progressed throughout the day, with Sam Gr. showing excellent skills with ball in hand, and Xander H using his feet to create space, score tries and feed his team mates. A great day to top off a fantastic season. Well done to all! OJ

UNDER 10B An exceptionally strong ‘rugbying’ year group produced an exceptionally strong B team this year. The fact that so many players were able to earn a chance to impress for the A team highlights the strength in depth this year group has; one which I’m sure Mr Griffiths will be looking forward to coaching in a couple of years’ time. Sweeping aside almost all before them, the B team boys played with great enthusiasm and team spirit over the long season, ending up with an impressive record of one loss, one draw and eight victories. Pip led by example as the regular Team Captain, supported ably by either Reuben, Jasper or Arthur L who all showed such electrifying skills that they were often called up to the A team. With Arthur L, Asher, Seb M and Zandi showing great pace and footwork to run in countless tries; Wilf, Jasper and Reuben making chopping tackles all over the pitch and organising the defensive set; and with Pip and Zac linking the play with their intelligent, darting runs and well-timed passes, the team really came together as a formidable unit. Special mention must also go to Tom W for his boundless positivity and general love of the game. He was the glue the team needed and proudly led them out as Captain for the final match of the season. Overall, it’s been a fantastic season where each of the boys has progressed, scored and, most importantly, enjoyed the game. It’s a cliché, but rugby was the real winner. TC

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

UNDER 10C It was an arduous season for a group of boys on a sharp learning curve from the gentle rugby of previous seasons, to the more confrontational and physical form they now face. Nevertheless, they learned fast, even if at times it was forced upon them by circumstance more than by will. Chips found his rhythm after a few uncertain starts and grew into a confident passer of the ball, learning to read the game well. Henry J and Lorcan A provided muscle when it was needed, powering through weak opponents like a blow torch through ice. Arthur B, initially so timid on the field, grew into the tackler of the team. Against Pinewood he had his epiphany, and once he realised the satisfaction of felling the larger man he became a lion on the field. Izzy and Gabriel H gently found their way, they learned to play angles of attack and by the end of the season were scoring tries with some ease. Fleet of foot Kit and Milo J often showed the opposition their heels, burning down the wings, normally in the right direction, and scoring the lion’s share of the team’s tries. We won some and we lost some, but most of all, a group of fair-weather rugby players developed a genuine taste for the sport. BC

UNDER 9s

Great fun was had, and progress was made by the U9 boys throughout the term playing rugby. The boys were introduced to tackling for the first time, and some played contact matches. The boys developed their core skills and knowledge of the game through both contact and non-contact matches. All teams played with determination and enjoyed the competitive nature of school matches and festivals. The boys relished their Monday and Friday morning Games sessions. ‘Crossing’ the Common to the rugby fields developed speed and agility in early autumn, accelerating past large cows and dodging cow pats. The boys

continued to impress with their resilience and effort in training sessions as the days grew colder and clothing layers thicker. I was impressed by the effort shown by the boys in all three teams throughout the season. It was obvious the boys were gaining an understanding of the game and developing the ability to play more cohesively, valuing the importance of team work. The boys came across some tough opposition, and the resilience and determination they showed was something the boys should be proud of. It has laid a sound foundation for future enjoyment of the game. ND

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Girls’ Hockey 1ST VII

Captain Lollie has led the Girls’ First Team valiantly through a packed season of fixtures this year; with Vice-Captain Darcy offering constant support and energy. At the back, Ottilie O, Olivia J and Darcy have been a tough line to beat. Their tactical awareness has improved and they have worked as a tight unit. Down the middle of the pitch, Sophie R, Lollie and Bella have controlled the game, keeping composure and racking up the goals. Out on the wings, Ruby and Scarlett have worked tirelessly in attacking phases as well as getting back in positon to defend. The local Pinewood derby has been an interesting one this season. The first game away at Pinewood saw a 5-2 win to Beaudesert, while the return fixture was tighter resulting in a 3-3 draw. Goals galore for both matches, and pleasing for the girls to retain the title for another year! We wait with anticipation to see what will happen next season. A season highlight was a 3-2 win against Bromsgrove. Travelling an hour to a fixture can often lead to a lethargic start, but that certainly was not the case for our Beaudesert girls. We quickly took the lead, scoring within the first 3 minutes from a short corner and continued to lead for the first half. With five minutes to go we were drawing 2-2; the tension was building and the girls’ hunger for a win was growing. A quick turnover from the back and excellent composure in the D resulted in a fabulous team goal, it was slotted in the back post to win the game. The girls have a bright hockey future ahead of them, well done. EH

2ND VII Next year’s 1st VII will be a real force to be reckoned with if this year’s Year 7s continue their incredibly passionate, enthusiastic and tight knit approach. A successful season for the 2nd VII ended with an outstanding run in their last 4 matches, starting with a 5-0 win against Pinewood (a second victory of the season over them), a comfortable 3-0 defeat of St Hugh’s, a second 2-2 draw with Cheltenham (coming back from 2-0 down at half time again), and a pulsating 3- 2 victory at Dean Close. Significantly, these teams consisted of six Year 7s. Chloe B picked up the Most Improved Player of the season as our rock in defence, Otti de R added a powerful cross and excellent finishing to her repertoire, Savannah P displayed an incredible appetite for running and goals, whilst Iris W was simply outstanding with her dribbling and shooting ability. Capably martialled and led by Year 8

Libby, with Paloma catlike in goal, this was a team to be reckoned with. Add Tahlia (who also played for the 1sts), as did another Year 8, Emilie, and there was strength in depth in every position. An early season trip to IAPS (what a wonderful experience for a 2nd team) underlined our strength in depth as we defeated Leweston School’s first team and pushed everyone to the end. It was immediately clear that we had 10 or 11 players who could play for the 1sts, and 20 or more who could represent the 2nds confidently. Scarlett, Bella, Bea B, Alice M and Agatha had the

most appearances for us, and all bought into the team ethic with abandon. Red, Poppy F, Genvieve, Lara, Mabel and Capi (before her injury) also had successful matches for us. Special mention to Bea E who kept goal so brilliantly for us on a couple of occasions, including a never to be forgotten outing in torrential rain at Stratford Park, when she stayed on having just kept for the 3rds - a real team player indeed. Well done to all, and I look forward to seeing how the 2023 season pans out. SW

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

3RD VII It was such an enjoyable season for the 3rd team, and the depth of talent was clear to see as no fewer than 22 players represented the team in matches at some point or another over the course of the term. The attitude and effort shown by everyone was simply excellent. Individually, Bea E played very well in goal throughout the season, with a number of strong performances and clean sheets to her name. In defence, both Alice M and Agatha were excellent in breaking up the opposition’s attacking play and linking with the midfield. Genevieve and Mabel were superb as wingers, showing some great stick skills and pace out wide. Bea B led from the front in midfield with her efforts to win back the ball and her driving runs into the D. Red was instrumental in the team’s achievements over the course of the season by not only defending resolutely, but also scoring some great goals. The improvements shown by so many players in their passing, shooting and interplay were very apparent, and all of the matches were extremely competitive. So often, the result went in our favour; largely down to the team spirit and effort of absolutely everyone in the squad. All those involved should be so proud of their achievements and I hope they have had an enjoyable season, thank you! LR

4TH VII Over the course of the hockey season the girls’ 4th team had great success, winning over 90% of their matches. The girls’ success was a testament to all their hard work in their training sessions, even in poor weather conditions. Their brilliant, consistent and resilient attitudes were amazing to see, and made the season for me. While we had so many girls moving from team to team, every girl was willing to step up and play in different positions, and test their individual skills.

The majority of games ended with a high number of goals scored by us and few against, highlighting the great skills the girls had and continued to refine over the course of the season. Not only was their hockey impressive, but the way they conducted themselves out at other schools was a testament to the Beaudesert ethos. SR

UNDER 11A This group of girls have had a phenomenal season, with 7 wins and 2 losses, this season was in touching distance of an unbeaten season. The busy fixture schedule was kicked off with two competitive hockey festivals, hosted by Cheltenham College and St Edward’s, Oxford. This was a great start as it allowed a large squad of girls to play lots of hockey, against several schools that are not usually in our circuit, such as Winchester House and The Dragon. Both tournaments allowed the girls to see what it was like to be in a top Year 6 hockey team. The team showed promising talent over the course of both tournaments, and three players; Willa, Poppy C and Isla P were talent scouted to attend a hockey workshop later in the season at St Edward’s, Oxford. Our first two matches, St John’s and Pinewood were fiercely competitive. The team were working hard to grasp formation and linking passes during these fixtures. The girls fought hard against St John’s, narrowly losing in the last few minutes. Early in the season, we played in the IAPS qualifying round. We were entered in a highly competitive and strong group of Oxford and London schools, which allowed us to step up our game and play some new oppositions. We came third in our group, which progressed us on to the plate competition, in which we faced Winchester House in the final, losing 1-0. It was a long day of hockey, and a special mention must go to Willa who was a fantastic Captain, leading the team throughout the day. The second half of our season was unbeaten. We trained hard and worked on possession, being goal hungry, and composure on the ball. We beat Clifton College 2-0, which was a huge result. Both Isla P and Poppy C showed determination and skill up front, scoring the goals. Lauren and Cecilia R formed an impressive defensive partnership, keeping the ball far away from our goalie, Hope. To finish our tremendous season, we claimed a triumphant 5-0 win against Cheltenham College. This was the best the girls had played all season. They linked together, showing accurate, powerful passes and structured sequences of play. We looked sleek, fierce and threatening. This is a promising young team and definitely one to watch. FS

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

UNDER 11B It has been an absolute pleasure to coach the U11B hockey team this term. During the season, some areas of focus were clearing the ball from the D safely by utilising the wings, and working on marking our opposition more closely. All of the girls tried hard to put this into play during matches. An area which we consistently excelled at was our counterattack, and it was very fun watching many breakaway balls resulting in goals in matches. As coach, what I appreciated most about this team was the relentless grit and determination that the girls displayed. Their enthusiasm and hunger for a win was palpable in every match, but most notably in our second time facing Pinewood. In this very close and tense game, each and every girl fought to the bitter end to ensure that we clinched the win. It was a super match to watch and I was very proud of every single player. Well done team, it’s been a very enjoyable hockey term! KW

UNDER 11C It seems a long time ago now that we headed out to our first match of the season against Kingswood; but that first victory set us up for a really good term of hockey, with five wins, two draws and only three losses. Our most notable win was the 7-0 against Pinewood in front of a good home crowd. Honor P and Cleo were the early favourites in goal, with Honor bringing her athleticism onto the pitch to boost the forwards. As we lost Cleo to the B squad for much of the season, it was Camilla who stepped into the fray and saved some fantastic goals through nimble footwork. It was lovely seeing Camilla being awarded a prize for her efforts in the end of term Prizegiving, and likewise Flora M,

who had a brilliant season, stepping up midway through the term from the Cs to the Bs, and was awarded the ‘Most Improved Player Award’ for the whole of the U11s. Connie was our chief goal scorer this term, a highlight being a hat trick against The Downs in our 5-1 triumph. Heidi B showed herself to be very versatile; while strong in defence, she also made some incredible breakaways alongside our very talented and reliable forward, Ottilie M, to both assist and score. Romy deserves special mention for her excellence in defence; she was always there to make that last crucial tackle and distribute the ball back to our forwards. The girls worked incredibly hard this season, partnerships developed and they should be very proud of their efforts. JDS

UNDER 10A What a fantastic hockey season it has been! The enthusiasm, talent and dedication that the U10A team has shown has been amazing. With eleven matches and one tournament, the girls have been busy. At the start of the season we came up against some talented teams such as Cheltenham and Bromsgrove, with Bromsgrove being the only team we lost against all season. As the term progressed, the girls played with more passion and never gave up until that final whistle. The midfield of Georgia G, Isabel, Rosie and Tabitha W were great, they created some good patterns of play in order for Rose J, our forward player, to get shots on goal and were always working back defending hard. Amelie L and Petra were strong in defence, they have impressed me with their distribution as well as their timings of tackles. Tabitha C has played very well in goal and did a magnificent job in making controlled saves and clearing the ball with confidence. A special mention must go to Rose J, who has scored many goals this season and has set up a lot from her quick stick skills and speed. As the team’s first line of defence, she has proved to be a fantastic tackler. Tabitha W has also played a major part in the team’s success due to her work rate and speed which has enabled her to score some fantastic goals. The highlight of the season was winning the Severnside Tournament. The girls played with energy, enthusiasm, determination and more importantly, as a team. They won every match convincingly and brought the trophy back to Beaudesert. Well done girls for a thoroughly enjoyable season, it has been a pleasure to teach you.

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

UNDER 10B The U10B team had a very successful and enjoyable season. They started with a fantastic 6-1 win over Kingswood, which gave them great confidence for the season ahead. This was followed by a tough match against Cheltenham, showing where improvements could be made, and the girls realising they can’t all play centre forward. They worked hard in training, making improvements with their passing, defending, and positioning. As the season went on, they began to successfully use the wings to add pace to attacking play. They have proven to be a very versatile team, with most players swapping positions, and playing attack and defence in all matches. Eloise, Bridget, and Cosima were always hungry for goals and demonstrated great determination around the D. Imogen de H, Maggie, and Lyra G were strong in midfield, setting up many attacking plays and goals. Skylar

and Flora Li. were our strongest defenders, slowing attacks and timing their tackles nicely. A special well done must go to Isla D, who, after breaking her arm, returned to matches with great enthusiasm as our goalie. The highlight of the season was the last match against Dean Close. The passing and positioning was great. Tabitha S was quick on the wing and used her stick skills nicely going around defenders to score the first of our goals. I was very impressed to see the progress the girls had made with their skills and teamwork, finishing the season with a fantastic 7-0 victory. Over the term they had 6 wins, 4 draws and only 2 defeats, scoring 35 goals for and 15 against. Well done. TP

UNDER 9s

UNDER 10C A team is a group of people coming together to achieve a common goal. This is exactly what the U10C team did. 9 girls, including some new faces, came together to support one another to beat the opposition. It didn’t take long for the new girls (Thirza, Thalia and Viola) to settle in, and in the case of Thirza and Thalia, to learn the game before playing our first fixture. With a relatively balanced ratio of wins and losses throughout the season, there has been some great hockey played. With our goal keepers rotating most games, one benefit of this was enabling the girls to try out many different positions on the pitch. Alice B, having played several different positions, including a good goalkeeping performance in the first fixture, eventually found her preferred position on the wing, where she contributed well, and displayed super sportsmanship and team values. In defence Amarah, Layla R and Catherine demonstrated some excellent tackles, managing to keep the ball away from our goal, whilst also highlighting their ability to support one another. Thirza and Arabella S have become those players that everyone wants on their team – they are so versatile! They can play on the wings or in defence, and they contribute immensely to the team. Iona can get the ball forward and is a player who successfully uses rollouts to beat a player time and time again, which in the match against Pinewood created a goal. Our forward players of Viola, Thalia and Iona have linked well, applying pressure on the opposition’s defence, as well as tracking back to help their own defence, once again supporting their team. There is that word again – Team. T - Together E - Everyone A - Achieves

The girls were full of enthusiasm as we started the hockey season. They have worked very hard in every lesson, and it has been a pleasure to watch them put the skills they have practised into their match play. They have an impressive set of results, with 8 wins and 1 draw. Our third fixture was a tournament at Rendcomb. Here they really showed their true strength and character, with seven matches in the pouring rain. They were so excited to win the tournament and come home with gold medals around their necks. Arabella M has run herself ragged in every match using her great stick skills to score goals and defend. Immy, Iris B and Ottilia have also worked very well together helping score many goals. They have had a strong defence with Martha, Amber, and Annalisa always there to bring the ball back up the pitch. The girls had a tough last match against Dean Close on a cold winter’s day. They played amazingly and were rewarded with a well-earned draw against a very strong team. Thank you to all the parents that have supported the team throughout the term.

The U9Bs have also had a great season of hockey, enjoying a mix of friendly and triangular matches alongside some competitive matches. We focused this year on our accuracy and positioning. The team played with great enthusiasm and commitment, training hard and growing in confidence as their skill levels rose. The girls only lost one match this season. The final game saw us head to Cheltenham for an away fixture against Dean Close. Some excellent hockey was played by all. A huge well done to all involved in the 6-0 win, with a special mention to Evie T who finished off the game with a hat trick, and to Margaret who was awarded Player of the Match.

M - More And the U10Cs certainly did.

It has been great to see all the girls grow as a team, working hard in sessions, enthusiastic to improve their skills. They should all be proud of the effort that they have put in. We have been extremely impressed with them and look forward to seeing them develop and transfer their skills in the seasons to come. SF & GP

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Football 1ST XI This has been a most enjoyable season with a group of talented and extremely keen boys. It has been marvellous to see the enthusiasm and technique on show in our competitive practice sessions, and then be able to showcase their skills in our school fixtures too. With a tough set of fixtures, we started our season at the Winterfold 6-a-side tournament. The standard of football on show was a joy to see; narrowly missing out on the top spot, this was a very encouraging start to the term. Other highlights included the hard fought yet deserved victory against QEH, our first win against them for many years. Three fine goals swung the match in our favour. We had to soak up massive pressure from the opposition, including a vociferous penalty shoot, and it was testament to the boys that they were able to do so. Narrow losses to Pinewood and Clifton followed, but these were close, high-quality games that we played our fair share in, and could have gone either way. It is wonderful to see football flourishing at Beaudesert. It has been a pleasure to coach this group of boys over the last few years and they should be very proud of their contribution. I wish them well with their football for the future. DR

2ND XI The 2nd XI football team had a remarkable season, with some thrilling victories and heartbreaking losses. Throughout the season, the team played with determination and teamwork, earning them some impressive results. The season kicked off with a 6-1 victory over Hatherop Castle, where the team showed their attacking prowess with some excellent finishing. The victory was an excellent start to the season and set the tone for what was to come. The second game of the season saw the 2nd XI team face off against Wycliffe College. The team demonstrated their dominance on the pitch, with an impressive 8-0 victory, playing with confidence and executing their game plan to perfection. The QEH game was the highlight of the season, with the team putting in a memorable performance. Despite a tough challenge, the 2nd XI team managed to secure a 3-2 victory.

Unfortunately, the team suffered a 1-0 defeat to Pinewood in a closely contested match. Despite the result, the boys showed great resilience and fought until the final whistle. The season ended with a 3-1 loss against a strong Tockington 1st team. We put up a good fight, but it wasn’t enough to secure the victory. However, the team had a lot to be proud of, and their performances throughout the season were outstanding. Charlie T was the top scorer for the team, showing his excellent finishing abilities, while Sam Mo. was a standout player in the midfield, controlling the game with his skill and vision. Oliver M was a reliable presence in goal, making some crucial saves throughout the season, helped by a strong defence in front of him with Isaac deserving a notable mention. A great season with some beautiful football and fantastic teamwork. OJ

3RD XI This was certainly an entertaining season. As a group, they were a good bunch of boys, each possessing a reasonable level of ball skill and definitely able to compete. While some of the matches didn’t go our way, our best matches were two thrilling draws. What sums up the team for me was how much they all enjoyed being out

there, giving their best. In one memorable match, we were 6-0 down to a very good QEH team and our boys just didn’t want me to blow the final whistle – they would have kept playing for another hour! Full of fun, well done lads!

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

4TH XI The football season for the mighty 4th XI saw an extraordinary run of results, which led to an unbeaten season! We started up at The Downs, Malvern, where the non-stop heavy rain didn’t stop us from putting 7 goals past them on their astro. It was a great start to the season that put us in an excellent position going forward. A frozen pitch meant that the weather got the better of our fixture against Abberley Hall, unfortunately, however the following week we travelled down to QEH where we played them in thick, thick fog! That aside, it was a terrific game of football and a 2-2 draw meant that the honours were even. For the block fixture against Pinewood, we travelled down there on a Saturday morning, where we ground out a 1-0 narrow victory. A VAR decision went with Inigo F for a goal-saving tackle right at the death, which meant we kept the clean sheet. With one game left, and still unbeaten, we hosted Tockington and raced ahead into a 3-0 victory, but the strong winds in the second half meant that Tockington were able to make a terrific comeback. At 3-3 with 3 minutes to go, out of nowhere Kasper scores a scorcher to put us 4-3 ahead. 1 minute to go… Can we hold on? No! Tockington scores from a corner to bring the result to 4-4. An excellent match to finish off a wonderful season and a huge well done to everyone involved in such a wonderful team. TL

5TH XI The 5th XI threw themselves into the soccer season with great enthusiasm, determination and a smattering of skill! Throughout practices and matches the boys’ work rate was exemplary and the progress made was extraordinary, with several boys able to gain promotion to higher teams. It would be wrong to claim that we became world beaters, but we did learn to play in a set position and to retain possession through drilling our passing skills. The boys honed their goal scoring skills too, but the obvious enjoyment which every boy gained from our sessions was an undoubted highlight of the year. SW

6TH XI The three games our 6th XI played resulted in a win, a loss and a draw. This was a positive season as our goal difference was greater than the goals scored against this hard working team. Carlos and Henry B were the work horses of the side, charging around and creating scoring opportunities for Roman, who wove his magic and scored some impressive back of the netters. Cassius G and Raffy were physical in midfield, making strong challenges and passing the ball effectively to our attacking players. Johnny and Finn stood their ground well when the opposition players charged through and defensively they saved this side on a number of occasions. Our final line of defence with Naoise in goal was certainly an intimidating presence. His shot stopping certainly improved as the season progressed. Well done to you all for training and playing hard. EC

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

UNDER 11C

UNDER 11A The Under 11A football team displayed commitment and determination, evident in their gameplay. They made significant progress, performing well in tournaments towards the end of the season. Barnaby P, in central midfield, was a standout performer, showing incredible vision and passing skills, dictating the game’s tempo and making crucial interceptions. As the goalkeeper, Harry CW was exceptional in his performances, displaying incredible reflexes and making vital saves that kept the team in contention. His presence in goal inspired confidence in the team and proved to be a formidable barrier to opposing teams. In defence, Angus H, Edward T, and Otis formed an impenetrable backline that consistently thwarted opposing attacks. Their tactical awareness and positional play improved significantly as the season progressed. Will Go. and Bluey made great progress throughout the season, always working hard and taking on feedback. Their confidence improved significantly.

The attacking trio of Ethan, George K and Harry G constantly threatened opposing defences. Their quick feet and ball control allowed them to weave past defenders and create goal-scoring opportunities. Harry G’s explosive pace and dribbling skills, combined with Ethan’s clinical finishing, made them a force to be reckoned with, especially in the Malvern indoor football tournament. They secured a commendable third-place finish in the Malvern indoor football festival, showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level. In the Wycliffe 6-a-side tournament, they once again finished third, winning the third place playoff on penalties. More than their success in tournaments, what truly stands out is the team’s remarkable progress throughout the season. Their hard work, dedication, and determination have paid off, and they have grown into a cohesive and disciplined unit. Each player has played a crucial role in the team’s success, and their ability to work together has been impressive. As coach of the group, I very much enjoyed the time spent with a great bunch who always give their all. ND

Consistency is always a boon in sport, and this year’s U11C team were very much the same team that had played a year before in the U10s. Their teamwork and spirit quickly showed and as a result, the boys saw out the season with a majority of strong wins. Up front, Harry AW was powerful, a yard faster than most defences he scored goals against with consistent regularity. In midfield, he was supported by the workhorses and dominance of Max St., Max Sh., George W and Arthur G, who also captained with confidence and maturity. In defence, Jake, Harrison, Chips and Edward T took their cue from the Spartan 300. While Hugo G grew into the keeping gloves he donned twelve months before, springing elk-like from post to post, he gave the team the confidence it needed to push forward. The team lost just the one match this term, a testament to how far it had come since the previous season. BC

UNDER 10A I was very excited to coach this group of boys. Their reputation as a sport-mad group preceded them and, having been involved with the U10s during the rugby season too, I had seen first-hand how their competitive spirit often drove them to rise to the occasion against strong opposition. I was not disappointed. With Reuben barking orders like a prime Peter Schmeichel and offering a resolute last line of defence between the sticks; Xander H channelling his inner N’Golo Kanté to do the work of three players; Sam G, so calm and assured on the ball, bossing the midfield and picking passes like Kevin de Bruyne; Archie T’s Coutinho-esque quick feet leaving defenders bamboozled and Titus’s thunderous, no-nonsense finishing bringing a certain Geordie icon to mind, this team was always destined to excel. That strong spine of a team was completed by the equally fantastic Albert F and Spike, whose pace down the wings and pin-point crossing brought them each countless assists and by Arthur L, whose positivity and diligence in his defending set the standard for the rest of the team every game.

UNDER 11B The U11Bs football side has been a great team to coach throughout this football season. All of these boys have shown dedication towards training and have given their best efforts in games. The most memorable experience for these boys would have to be the 5-0 victory the boys put on Tockington earlier in the year. All the boys

played so well and left nothing out on that pitch, especially Rollo, whose hard work around the midfield was vital in that game and throughout the season. Overall, it’s been a pleasure coaching these boys and all of them should be proud of the personal progress they have made in the sport. JL

It was a pleasure to coach these children, and the fact that they lost only one game all season, to a very strong Minchinhampton team, says it all. They are a great young squad with a fantastic team spirit and a real desire to win. I look forward to seeing them form the basis of a truly excellent first XI in a few years. Well done, boys! TC

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

UNDER 10B The U10Bs had a mixed season, with a resounding 8-0 victory against Hatherop Castle School being their best victory in a very short, but highly entertaining season. There were several exciting draws, including a pulsating end-to-end 3-3 game against Wycliffe. The team pushed themselves, occasionally playing against A teams or U11 squads. Particular note should be given to our defensive team of Tom W, Kit and Alfie G (in goal) who had great seasons and saved us from heavier defeats. The midfield of Wilf MH, Zandi, Zachary and Asher were strong, and while chances on goal were limited, Ollo and Jasper bagged a few goals here and there. Overall, there were several brave and strong performances in a short, but fun season. IH

UNDER 9s As the football season arrived, the boys enthusiastically greeted each other with the classic Ronaldo ‘Siiiiiiii’ celebration, setting the tone for an exciting journey ahead. Throughout the season, the boys thoroughly enjoyed their time participating in both training sessions and matches.

every opportunity to learn and improve. Their enthusiasm and positive attitude made the football season enjoyable for the boys and coaches alike.

The training sessions were designed to foster the development of fundamental principles of the game and enhance their technical abilities. The boys were consistently encouraged to refine their skills, both individually and as a team. Over time, their tactical awareness and technical knowledge showed significant improvement, which was clearly evident during the final games of the season. The boys’ dedication and commitment to training translated into their performances on the field. Their increased tactical awareness allowed for better decisionmaking, while their enhanced technical abilities enabled them to execute techniques with improved precision. Looking back on the season, it is evident that the boys embraced the challenges, along with

UNDER 10C The U10C footballers had an enjoyable season. They showed plenty of fight during a competitive season and worked hard in some very close encounters. The efforts of our goalkeepers Gabriel H and Arthur B were invaluable, and the energy offered up the pitch by Milo was key for this side. The engine room in Izzy and Asher enabled the team to link up nicely. The boys grew into the season and the 1-1 draw with Pinewood, who they had previously lost to 6-1, really showed their improvement levels. Henry J and Chips were committed in defence and formed important cogs in this exciting side. Well played to all boys involved with the Cs this season. JG

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Girls’ Football This year, football for girls has really started. We have had activities, House matches and matches against other schools - all sorts going on which has been really exciting. l love football, and I am so happy that we have had the opportunity to do lots of it this year. l am really pleased about Beaudesert hosting the OSCAR Foundation’s girls’ team next year, and l am really sad to miss it as I will be at my senior school. In the spring, we had a tournament against other schools. Our second team won one of the rounds, with the firsts coming a very close second, only being beaten in the penalty shootout. We had a lot of fun and we had a chance to chat to the other schools about the football at their schools. Football means a lot to me, and l hope the girls at Beaudesert will keep playing, and that l will have a chance to play at senior school. Red, Year 8

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

UNDER 13A

Netball

The netball season started with trying to transition the girls from hockey players into netballers. After a long hockey term of being low to the ground, we worked on getting the girls standing tall, and moving at high speed with good control and agility. The U13A girls had a quick start to the term, with Severnside and IAPS being in the first few weeks. The girls put the effort in during training, which showed in their solid performances at both. It was really rewarding to see them hold their own on the court; there were some fantastic intercepts from all players, great skills in attack, and the shooting was on fire! In the second half of term, we fine-tuned the way we handled the ball, held our space and how well we worked as a unit. It has been really enjoyable coaching the Year 8 girls this term. They are a lovely bunch of girls who play very well as a team. All the girls are looking like super netballers. I hope to see them playing for clubs in the future! A special mention must go to our netball Captain Iris A and Vice-Captain Libby who have been superb leaders and role models to the rest of the team, and to the School. PS

UNDER 13B After a tough start to the season with a loss against Cheltenham, the girls quickly gelled as a team. They worked hard in training and made great improvements with passing, movement on court and tactics. Their second fixture was the Severnside B netball tournament, where they won their group stage and semi-finals. The final was against Cheltenham, so we were expecting a tough match. The girls were super determined and made improvements with footwork and discipline on court. They produced a great win in the last minute of the game which was very exciting to watch. Over the season, Poppy F was strong as goal attack, always giving 100% and working effectively with her accurate goal shooters, Bea H and Scarlett. In defence, Bea B was strong, using an effective lean against shots, with Alice

UNDER 13C The U13C netball team started off with an amazing tournament win at Dean Close St John’s, against some very strong oppositions. Throughout the season, the girls showed a great attitude towards the game and always pushed themselves to improve. As the season progressed, the girls teamed up with the U12 B and C teams to boost their numbers. The girls worked incredibly well together, putting out a strong second half of the season. The girls were a pleasure to coach and I wish them all the best in their next sporting ventures. SR

M making some great interceptions. The midcourt players, Emilie, Lara, and Ruby were quick around the court, used speedy passing and made great interceptions. Some highlights of the season were both matches against Pinewood. In the first, Pinewood were leading until the last quarter, when some super teamwork and shooting led to a win for Beaudesert. In the second match, it was the opposite; Beaudesert were leading 9-1 at half time. Pinewood made a great comeback, but luckily with a few changes of positions, Beaudesert were too strong and held on to the win. Well done to all the girls for a very enjoyable and successful season.

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

UNDER 12A The U12 girls have had a fabulous netball season. We started the season off early, entering the Sisters in Sports Netball Tournament. We got drawn to play against St Helen and St Katherine School, Oxford early on in the term. We travelled to Oxford and had an excellent start against a team that has trained all year round. In the first quarter, we were 4-3 down and we entered the second quarter feeling confident. The girls worked incredibly hard defensively and had some strong turnovers. We came away from the match feeling disappointed, however we learned a lot and knew we had certain set plays to work on before the start of the netball season. The U12 girls worked hard during each training session and brought a positive mind set to every lesson. We won 7 out of our 10 matches, which the girls should be proud of. We have had multiple combinations of players on both the attack and defensive side, demonstrating a versatile and strong young team, however Sophie R and Savannah P worked impeccably well together, creating an indestructible defensive team in the D. Iris W dominated the centre court with composure and dominance, bringing the ball through centre court and feeding accurately into Chloe B and Tahlia, our shooters.

UNDER 12B The U12B team has matured and developed greatly over the course of the season only losing one match all term. They started off the season with the St Hugh’s Tournament, which resulted in the girls coming 3rd and playing some fantastic netball in cold conditions. Pinewood and Clifton were very good matches, and the girls showed

Our best game was against Clifton College, which we turned up to with only a squad of 7, no substitutes. The girls were fierce and flawless and came away with a 19-15 win. The ball was end to end, making the match incredibly exciting. Each girl put in 100% effort to this game and

should be very proud of the result.

lots of determination and played some very impressive, fast-paced netball resulting in two great wins. Our strengths this season have been our intercepting and passing around the circle, which has given our shooters lots of scoring opportunities. The team has listened carefully to the coaching advice, and took on board new tactical ideas. Our defence of Sienna C, Ella SF, Tilly and Bea E have been very strong. They have reacted quickly to rebounds and have distributed

the ball from the back line with more success. Our attack of Mabel, Phoebe, Lux and Genevieve have demonstrated fast, dynamic movement and passing, which has enabled our shooters Nancy, Sienna C and Sienna M to display confidence around the circle, shooting from anywhere. We finished the season with a fantastic win against Cheltenham; the team played with such enthusiasm and it was a joy to watch all of their hard work come together.

The team has been wonderful to coach and I look forward to seeing how they get on next netball season.

Well done, girls, for a thoroughly enjoyable season.

GBW

UNDER 12C The U12Cs kicked off their season with a visit to Malvern for a Netball Masterclass. The girls got stuck in to the excellent training on offer, working hard on practising turning in the air and keeping the ball high. A highlight for the U12Cs was their fantastic performance at the St Hugh’s tournament, where the girls played excellently against every single team they faced, and secured themselves the win. This drive and hunger for a win persisted throughout the season, and all players worked hard to improve their discipline on the court. They should all be commended for their versatility and willingness to play in a variety of positions. Well done, girls! I look forward to seeing you play next year. KW

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

UNDER 11A Wow, where to start with this amazing group of girls… The U11As have had a brilliant season where they have dominated most of their matches winning 5, losing 3 and coming second place in two tournaments. Our first game was against a very strong Cheltenham side, which was tough and left us with a lot to work on for the rest of the term. Our next fixture was the Severnside tournament held at Cheltenham, where the girls put all their training into practice and we came a very well deserved second place. We had another tournament at Cricklade where we battled hard, finishing in second place again. Our next games were very promising ahead of IAPS, as we had a 6-2 win over a very well-trained Bromsgrove side. Bonnie had an incredible game playing goal shoot. We then took an 8-3 win against Pinewood. IAPS was our next outing. We had a tough start in our group stages against some very talented teams, but the girls did not let their heads drop. After a couple of team chats from Captains Poppy C and Willa, the girls stepped up and showed everyone what they can do, which led to some very well-deserved wins. Standout performances came from Willa, where no matter what position she played in she managed to control the game and others so well. Overall, we progressed to the bowl semi-finals, where we finished in a very strong 3rd place. Our last fixture of the term was a rematch against Cheltenham. Our superstar shooters Poppy C

and Eve stole the show, where they scored nearly every single shot that they put up. Every single girl played their best game, and this reflected in the score. Special mentions to Isla P and Cecilia R, our dynamic duo who have gelled wonderfully. Willough has also been unbelievable in defence, where she turned over the ball countless times. Our girls managed to keep composed and come out with a 12-11 win! This game highlights how

much the girls have improved over the course of this term and how hard they have worked in each games lesson. These girls have been an absolute delight to coach, and I wish them every success with their futures in netball. Keep a close eye on this team, they will go very far! IA

UNDER 11B The U11Bs were thrown straight into the deep end at the start of the season coming up against Cheltenham Prep for their first match. It was certainly a learning curve and quickly provided us with the necessary objectives for the season. The matches then came thick and fast, with some narrow defeats against Cokethorpe and Berkhampstead. With every game, the girls were getting closer to that win, which finally came with an 11-2 victory against The Downs. Due to the 5-a-side format, all of the team had a chance to contribute to the scoring, playing either goal attack or goal shooter throughout the match. As the season progressed, we transitioned to the 7-a-side game, with the girls starting to find their preferred playing position. This was evident in our 8-2 win against Clifton where Ellie B’s shooting was phenomenal as goal shooter, and Lauren as centre maintained the pace of the game, making it difficult for her opposition to mark her. The girls were lucky enough to be involved in a touring schools fixture, where Hope (having

been promoted from the C team) made some superb interceptions and applied pressure when marking as both wing defence and goal defence. This match also saw Delphi, Connie, Tabitha B and Ellie B score an impressive 13 goals between them, ending the match 13-3 to Beaudesert. The final game of the season was a rematch against Cheltenham Prep. However, this time we were playing 7-a-side. Violet certainly had her work cut out, demonstrating her speed and agility to intercept, while also not being afraid to snatch the ball into her possession. Meanwhile, Flora M did all she could to get the ball forward, highlighting a variety of different passes in the process. Unfortunately though, it wasn’t enough and Cheltenham took the win. Though there have been many ups and downs, the girls have thoroughly enjoyed their competitive matches and it will be exciting to see what happens next year when their whole season is 7-a-side play. HB

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

UNDER 10A

UNDER 10B

The buzz of Bee Netball continues as the Year 5 girls took on High 5. The season has been full of variety and the girls have thrown themselves into every challenge. The U10As have taken part in 2 tournaments and 8 matches this season. A season highlight was the girls’ highest place finish at the St Hugh’s tournament. They shot with confidence, moved dynamically and passed with power. The girls should be proud of their versatility; seamlessly adapting to the position when rotating according to the England Netball rotations. A special mention to Isabel on winning the Player of the Season in the Spring Term Prizegiving. Well done to all. EH

The U10B team has had a good season this year. We may not have won all of our matches; however, the girls worked hard and adapted well to playing the 5-a-side rules. It is not easy to play a new position every quarter, along with changing ends, with the team itself often changing, but they tried their best and supported each other. I think that the highlight of our term had to be winning the Clifton Severnside Tournament. We played four, won four and the team was on fire, getting the goals in and using the court well. It was also wonderful to have so many parents cheering the girls on from the side-lines and witnessing their success. Our final match of the tournament, against Clifton, was a nail-biter, nil all at half time with both teams having won all their other matches and being even on points. In the final two minutes, we scored, and I think all our hearts were racing until the final whistle blew and an almighty cheer went up. A great season, lots learnt and things to work on for next year, but they have been a pleasure to coach. Well done. JDS

UNDER 9s The girls have had a great term playing Bee netball. Over the term, it has been a pleasure to watch all three teams progress. Although we do not focus on results at this young age it has been exciting to see them playing other schools with such confidence and enthusiasm. All the girls have enjoyed visiting other schools and making new friends over match tea. The girls have impressed me with their focus and hard work both in lessons and matches. It has been lovely to see the girls’ accuracy with shooting improve with each match. All three teams have had a busy term playing matches. Storm and Lightning were delighted with a second place at the Severnside tournament. They all now have a very good set of netball skills to take forward as they move on to High 5 netball next year. Thank you to all the parents that have supported us this term. SF

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Boys’ Hockey 1ST VII The 1st VII had a fantastic season, playing some beautiful hockey and showing great progress. The first two fixtures of the season were festivals, which allowed the team to play a lot of hockey in a short period of time, and learn about their strengths and areas for improvement. After a successful Severnside tournament at Clifton, the team travelled to Cheltenham to compete in the IAPS competition. They played incredibly well in the group stages, scoring goals, creating opportunities, and defending solidly. This was all with only one substitute. Unfortunately, despite only losing one game, the boys were knocked out of the main competition on goal difference, and were entered into the Plate competition. They finished third, and produced their most impressive finishing display of the season against The Downs, scoring 7 goals in a short game. After Half Term, the team had another impressive day at The Downs, Malvern. They won all of their games and progressed to the final. After an incredibly tight game, they finished as runners-up. After three festivals of short games, the team were excited to play their first full fixtures. A great performance against Clifton saw them narrowly lose 4-3 in a brilliant game. The following week, they came out as victors in a tough game against Pinewood. Their final game of the season saw them come up against a strong Cheltenham team. An outstanding performance by Herbie, who scored 3 goals, kept them in the match before two late goals from Cheltenham saw them narrowly miss out.

The team had a fantastic season and showed real teamwork and progress on the pitch. What was even more positive was to see the relationships and support that they offered each other throughout the season. They were incredibly constructive and always bringing those around them up, and oozing positivity. OJ

2ND VII The 2nd VII hockey team had a highly enjoyable season. Everyone who played worked extremely hard on their game and made great improvements. Unfortunately, we struggled to score goals and so our results did not always reflect our performances, especially when faced with teams who had a full term of hockey rather than the half term which we did. Nevertheless, we defended with commitment and aggression, and refused to let our heads drop. By the end of the season our ability to create space and move the ball with speed was much improved, and we were able to compete with more experienced opponents. I really enjoyed working with such an enthusiastic group of boys. SW

3RD VII This was such a fun, but short season of hockey. The boys enjoyed each and every game. The boys experienced both wins and losses over the season, but the losses were all very close games and played with fantastic spirit, and not an accurate reflection of the effort the boys put into the hockey. JLB

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

4TH VII The boys’ hockey 4th team performed with effort and enthusiasm, with notable performances and commendable teamwork. One player who truly stood out was Gabriel P, whose unwavering effort and infectious enthusiasm were a constant source of motivation for the entire team. His commitment and dedication to the game were truly remarkable. James T and Wylder proved to be formidable defenders, consistently thwarting the opposition’s attacks and providing a solid backbone to the team’s defence. Rex proved to be a force on the field with his exceptional goal-scoring ability. His precision and skill in finding the back of the net were instrumental in securing victories for the team. Defensively, Will S and Alfie E formed an impenetrable wall, showcasing their strong defensive capabilities and making it incredibly difficult for opponents to break through. Wilf E was a force to be reckoned with in the midfield; Ned’s boundless energy and exceptional positional play made him a vital asset to the team. His ability to read the game and make intelligent decisions on the field proved invaluable throughout the season.

5TH VII This was a most enjoyable season with a group of extremely keen hockey players determined to make the most of our excellent round of school fixtures. We were lucky enough to enjoy competitive training sessions with the 3rd and 4th squads. With places in these teams at a premium, it was a pleasure to see the boys play with such enthusiasm and spirit to impress the coaches, and great to see a number of boys getting experience in the 3rd team having begun the term in the 5ths or 6ths. Highlights included a commanding victory in wintry conditions at Pinewood. It was wonderful to see the boys get stuck in, compete for the ball at every opportunity, and look to create chances for the attackers in the final third - brilliant! I have been so impressed with the attitude shown by the Year 8s this term, setting a fine example on and off the pitch to the Year 7 boys; win, lose or draw, they were a credit to themselves and to Beaudesert. Very well done, all. DR

6TH VII The 6th hockey side have been a wonderful team to coach throughout this season. All these boys have shown excellent dedication towards training and always given their best in games. The most memorable experience for these boys was their 7-0 victory against Pinewood. All the boys played so well. Their victory would not have been possible without the work of Henry B’s hat-trick that found us up early in the game, whilst Kasper sat just behind feeding excellent assists for these goals. The wingers of Monty F and Bertie M also played vital roles in getting up the field with pace, whilst working hard to get back and defend the clean sheet. The defending three of Cassius G, Inigo and Caspar stood strong in defence. Oliver M is also to thank for this with his incredible shot-stopping masterclass as goalkeeper. Overall, it’s been great fun coaching these boys and all of them should be proud of the personal progress they have made in the sport. JL

Charlie T displayed his remarkable shot-stopping abilities in goal, consistently making important saves to keep the team in contention. In midfield, Sebby F’s relentless work rate energized the team and disrupted the opponent’s play. The boys’ hockey 4th team made significant progress throughout the season as a collective unit. A couple of close losses early in the season allowed the boys to reflect on their play and performances, which improved towards the end of the Spring Term, with excellent wins both home and away against Pinewood School. They gained confidence and improved their technical and tactical abilities. The team’s commitment to each other and unwavering determination was evident in every game. Overall, it was a season filled with success and growth, and the boys had fun developing their skills and competing against other schools.

7TH VII It was a wonderful season for the mighty 7ths. All of the boys made great improvements and developed key skills over the course of the term. The boys travelled to Monkton and Cheltenham, as well as a double header against the old rival, Pinewood! The boys worked hard when facing different oppositions and developed the all-important skills that sport and matches offer. They did well to draw against Monkton in the first game of the

season on what was a barmy, warm February afternoon down in Bath. The double header against Pinewood finished all square; a win each, before heading over to Cheltenham where their strength and experience turned out to be too strong for us. Overall, a hugely successful season and a massive well done to all the boys who took part.

BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

UNDER 11A It was a really fun season for the A team, which included both children new to the game of hockey and those who had some experience playing for a local club or through the hockey activity. They all worked hard to develop their stick skills and positional play, and their great progress came from their excellent attitude when training and in matches. Everyone played their part in the team’s success, and they should all be proud of their achievements. Special mentions include Angus H who consistently played well in defence; breaking up the opposition’s attacking play and moving the ball forward. Harry AW grew in confidence as goalkeeper and made some important saves at key moments in matches. Barnaby P was instrumental in midfield, not only defending resolutely, but also linking with the wingers and driving the ball forward towards the opposition goal. All the matches were very competitive and the team achieved some notable successes against some strong opposition. A really enjoyable season, thank you!

UNDER 11B & 11C The U11 B and C hockey squads had a short yet action packed half term of hockey. Seeing the vast majority of the boys going from having barely picked up a stick to the hockey they produced on the pitch was impressive. There was a real positivity and hunger to learn in training sessions. This was then transferred into fixtures where the boys gave their all and worked well together. It was great to see Bluey charging around the pitch, demonstrating some excellent stick skills, while Jake was commanding in defence and used his stick to clear any danger. Both Max Sh. and Max Sl. played with a high energy level and always got themselves into good positions when in attack or helping Jake at the back. Many players represented both the B and the C team and it was pleasing for some to also play in the As. These groups have much potential moving forwards and they have been a pleasure to work with. JG & EC

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Cross Country As usual, the enthusiasm and effort shown by the cross country squad has been a joy to see. Regular training sessions at break, lunchtimes and in our cross country activity slot have proved invaluable. The increasingly fast tempos of these runs as fitness improved was evident in our school fixtures, culminating at the National Prep Schools Championships at Malvern in March, where we had our best results across the board for several years. We are so lucky to have the school grounds, Minchinhampton Common and Box Woods as our training venues, as the differing terrain, gradients and underfoot conditions have all certainly helped our fitness and ability to perform on the varying courses that we face during the season. Again, it was

marvellous to see the whole school compete with such enjoyment and determination in our House competition this year. This is becoming a fixture in the Beaudesert calendar, and the challenging 3km course around the Playing Fields is a tough yet thoroughly worthwhile test for the children striving to gain those valuable points for their Houses. It is wonderful to see cross country in such fine fettle. The numbers of Year 3, 4 and 5 children particularly who are keen to push themselves in this tough sport is testament to the wonderful attitude that they have. Long may it continue! I must highlight the contribution of Harry DP over his career at Beaudesert, and I look forward to hearing of future successes in the years to come. Very well done, all. DR

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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023

Boys’ Cricket 1ST XI The Beaudesert Park 1st XI had a very successful 2023 season. The team had a good blend of Year 8 and Year 7 children, and the excellent inclusion of two Year 8 girls; Darcey and Lollie. Victories against Cheltenham College, Bromsgrove and Clifton were the highlights of the season, however, narrow defeats to Pinewood and Dean Close are also deserving of a mention. A dominant win against Llandaff Cathedral School in the IAPS competition was followed up with a very tough trip to Millfield that ended the cup run for us. Herbie led the team throughout the term superbly, ably assisted by his trusted ViceCaptain Hector M. The new ball bowling pair of Freddie de R. and Leo P were complemented by the likes of Fynn, with his leg spin, and Lollie and Darcey with seam bowling. Seb J, Inigo and Rupert S (wicket keeper) batted nicely throughout the season, and it was great to see their confidence grow. The belief of the team was evident and the confidence to bat first in many games was also fantastic to see. This was put to the test in a nail-biter at Cheltenham, where the team defended 187-5 to win by 1 run. Hector M delivered a superb final over under pressure, and managed to hold his nerve and take 2 wickets to ensure victory! It has been a great pleasure to coach this team of Beaudesert cricketers and I wish them all the best in their future cricketing endeavours. SH

2ND XI This has been an absolutely brilliant season of cricket and all boys gave their very best. I had such a well-balanced team, every boy could bowl and we had some real depth too. Cricket is such an interesting game, filled with a huge number of twists and turns unfolding within each and every match. We can lose a game one week, are bowled out for not very many and then completely decimate the opposition the following week. That just keeps things very interesting. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed looking after these boys this season. They are committed, great fun, and showed good sportsmanship. Well done boys, I hope that you all continue to love your cricket in the years to come. JLB

4TH XI The 4th XI lost their first game but went on to win every other. That first defeat was perhaps a reflection of the early spring chill, the team still more in hibernation than not. Once the sun broke on a fine English summer, the squad sprung into battle with renewed vigour. Ably led by Captain James T, modelling himself in style on his Anderson namesake, the team enjoyed a bounty of good old-fashioned agricultural batters and bowlers. With the ball, Isaac zipped and fizzed taking many important wickets. He was backed by the pace of Ed Sk., the gentle

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3RD XI The self-styled ‘Gentleman’s XI’ had a most enjoyable season. 8 matches were played in total and 5 of them were won, including that rarest of beasts, a double over Cheltenham College Prep. One of the losses was at Clifton, against their U12A team, the day after the Year 8 trip to Cornwall… Which would have been a tough match for any of our cricketers! As always, the vagaries of availability and fixtures meant that a very large number of different boys played for the team during the course of the season (in fact, more than 20). As we had a policy of getting everyone involved, I can genuinely say that every single one of them made positive contributions. Mention must be made of some regulars, Captain Cecil, openers Wilf E and Agastyan, and star bowler Max Sl. I can only hope that all who played enjoyed the season as much as I did. SW

turns of Jean-Christian (also the world’s unluckiest batsman), the deceptive arm of Ted G, and the ultimate cricket fan Sebby F. The team’s all-rounder and very much its fulcrum, Sam Mc., took a bucket of wickets while plundering runs with the bat. He was supported at the crease by Rex (44 n.o. v Cheltenham), Monty H, Caspar and Leo, who himself grew with great maturity into the role of the team’s batting anchor. Behind the stumps, George M kept things tidy. Clumsy drops steadily became a thing of the past as our confidence grew and our win count accelerated BC

Autumn 2023 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE

5TH XI This has been a most enjoyable term, with a group of extremely keen and able cricketers. Playing a mixture of soft and hard ball cricket, I have been impressed with the improvements made by the squad in all facets of the game, borne out by our impressive set of results. It has been great to combine our practice sessions with the 4th and 6th team squads, giving opportunities to a large number of boys to play in different teams and formats, and meaning practice has had a healthy competitive element, playing for those coveted 4th and 5th team spots. Our school fixtures have been great fun, and always competitive. It has been wonderful to see the team relish their opportunities to do the best for the team; whether fielding in the deep, running in to bowl, or with bat in hand. Our two fixtures against Pinewood and Cheltenham stand out as highlights. They were extremely close games, with contributions from all, and were perfect examples of how cricket should be played at this level. Very well done, all. DR

6TH XI The 6th XI had an unbeaten season this year, with a superb winning margin against St Hugh’s. Many of the boys had opportunities to play in the team above, or playing in some of the mixed games throughout the season, so their cricketing skills were always being tested and improved. Our most improved player was Carlos, who was attempting this strange game with funny rules for the very first time. By the end of the season, his bowling was fast and accurate, and he could give the ball a good clout with the bat. It was great to see how far he has come from the start of the season. Henry B led this team with his superb organisation. Without his leadership, their undefeated record may not have been intact. Well done, boys, for everything you gave in your matches, and also during our ‘crazy’ cricket practice match sessions.

UNDER 11A It has been an excellent season for the U11A cricket side with some notable victories. The team has worked together well as a unit, and there have also been great individual performances. Barnaby P has been the rock in the batting (highest score 68) and his reliability has ensured a respectable total. He has been backed up admirably by Ethan (highest score 45) but others too, like George K (39), Freddie B (27), Harry G (27), and Angus H (24 n.o.). There are memorable moments: Angus H’s winning boundary off the only ball he faced, chasing down 185 to beat Pinewood away, was the highlight of a great game in the match we really wanted to win after a home defeat. With the bowling too, there were wonderful match-changing performances from Barnaby P (hat-trick against Cheltenham College) or Angus H’s 4 wickets in 2 overs against The King’s School, Gloucester, or the reliable, penetrative Ethan who had to be relieved of the attack against Clifton in the second over as he looked like mopping up the opposition far too soon! Rollo always seemed to take a key wicket, as did Freddie B and Harry W. Fielding was often tidy but can still improve, as bodies were not always behind the ball to stop a boundary. Well done too to the fringe players who have contributed fully to the success of the team. The competitive and team spirit has been very much alive and we have all enjoyed the games together. RK

UNDER 11B An exceptionally strong cricketing year group produced an astonishingly strong B team; a team whom opposition sides, on the whole, simply could not cope with. With Tahha bowling with pace and accuracy; James B zipping deliveries in at the batsman’s toes; the Noest brothers bamboozling opponents with their left-arm-round and right-armover combo; Bluey tempting rivals in to an array of desperate shots, and with Edward Sn. alert behind the wicket, victory was assured before the boys even had a chance to strut their stuff with the willow. Even so, the runs flowed freely each game. Tahha and Harry AW’s innings were Stokes-esque, smashing fours and sixes for fun, and drawing admiring glances and compliments aplenty from opposition coaches. Both Max Sh. and Max St. offered a double threat, consistently dangerous with the ball and increasingly confident with the bat. Special mentions have to go to Youssef who worked tirelessly at his skills to be by far the Most Improved Player, and to Arthur G who captained the side wonderfully, always staying positive and encouraging his teammates, as well as being individually brilliant and often getting a callup to the A team. There were also fantastic cameos from Harrison and Edward T, who thoroughly deserved their opportunities to impress. Overall, a hugely successful season, filled with great cricket and win after win. TC

UNDER 11/10C The U11/10 side had a successful cricket season to wrap up the sporting calendar for 2023. The boys took their matches seriously and their professionalism during the matches, both home and away, was exemplary. The standard increased steadily after each training session, noticeably with more accurate bowling. The batting and decision making was excellent with very few run outs, a handful of sixes and lots of boundaries per game.

There was always good team spirit, and on a few occasions Beaudesert had to lend/borrow players, so the boys were playing against their friends which added to the fun! The boys were always keen to support each other, and always gave a huge three cheers to the opposition after each game. All in all, it has been a pleasure to work with these fine young sportsmen and I hope they watched The Ashes and have continued playing over the summer holidays. IH

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UNDER 10A This term has been a fantastic success story for the U10A cricketers. They have made excellent progress over the course of the season, and some terrific cricket has been played. The term got off to a slow start with results not going our way but as the term progressed, we started turning things around thanks to our hard work and dedication during training sessions. Over the whole term, we got very lucky with the weather. Excellent batting innings and improvements from the likes of Spike, Sam Gr. and Titus meant that we accumulated some good totals for oppositions to chase. At times, we really were playing Beaudesert’s version of ‘BazBall’, which put smiles on everyone’s faces! In addition, there were some great bowling figures from everyone, especially Zachary J, Albert F and Ollo which meant that they found it very hard to chase the totals down.

UNDER 10B The Under 10B cricket team has had a phenomenal year, marked by tremendous growth and development in every aspect of the game. From the first match to the last, the children showcased their skills and determination, creating memorable moments with thrilling finishes and edge-of-the-seat endings. One of the most anticipated milestones for the team was the opportunity to play with a hard ball towards the end of the season. The excitement was palpable among the players, as they had eagerly awaited this transition. The muchawaited hard ball match against Bromsgrove stands out as a remarkable achievement for the

team. With unwavering focus and determination, our batsmen displayed incredible prowess, setting a challenging target for the opposition. It was a delight to witness their precise strokes and calculated shot selection, leaving the spectators in awe. Not to be overshadowed, our fielders and bowlers rose to the occasion, showcasing their talent and teamwork. The disciplined efforts of our fielding restricted Bromsgrove’s run rate and allowed Beaudesert to run out victorious. Congratulations to all the members of the Under 10B cricket team for an outstanding season. OJ

A huge well done to all who took part in a great season, and I can’t thank the boys and the girls enough who engaged so well in such a fabulous season! TL

U9 BOYS AND GIRLS CRICKET Our Year 4 children had a very enjoyable term of cricket. Games sessions included plenty of small sided matches, drills and skills. The children showed great positivity throughout the term as they worked on their batting, bowling and fielding, as well as learning key tactics of the game. There were plenty of matches played throughout the term in which the children really progressed. There were many standout performances from teams and individuals during the season and it was great to have so much parental support at the matches. We look forward to seeing how this group develops as they head into Year 5 next year. JG

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Girls’ Cricket 1ST XI Net practice began in the darkness of winter and it was apparent that there was going to be plenty of talent available for the summer of cricket 2023. Sadly, not much actual cricket took place early on in the term as the weather was unusually wet and cold, but by mid-May we were in to a good routine over at the fields. In our first match we were away to St Hugh’s. We won by 79 runs in a hard ball pairs match, with our bowling seeing us over the line, the standout being Iris W. Already it was clear that Sophie R was going to be a huge asset to the team as wicketkeeper. This was immediately followed by an IAPS cup match away at Bilton Grange where we batted first, but slumped dramatically to 24 for 4 after four overs! We recovered to a highly respectable 124, and then bowled them out for 70. We then had a winning start to the home season beating Cheltenham College, followed by a win against The Downs, featuring a hat-trick from Bella! Another fine win at Clifton College’s first team ground was particularly noteworthy, as Clifton has really been pushing forward their girls’ cricket. A second round IAPS win at home to Swanbourne (pleasing Mr Burns no end) was very tense, with BPS winning it in the final over with Darcey’s outstanding death bowling. This was followed by a win against Pinewood. A visit to the far side of the country (Cambridge) ended with us being knocked out of IAPS, but we ended the season with wins against Clifton and Bromsgrove. With a strong bowling attack, including Lollie, Darcey, Iris A, Bella and a variety pack of promising Year 7s plus a hard-hitting batting line-up, it was not surprising that we won all our “regular season” matches. I would like to thank all the girls who played for the team for their hard work and dedication. It was a huge pleasure and honour to work with Miss Swan this summer with her last ever Beaudesert team. I know the girls have loved working with her over the many years they have done sport with her! KB

2ND XI What a great bunch of girls the seconds have been this term. They have worked hard to improve their skills, especially bowling, which has helped them to win many matches. The season started with a good win at St Hugh’s. Ottilie O made a great start to the season with two wickets in the first over. Otti and Agatha showed excellent fielding skills both making tricky catches. Next was a home win against Wycliffe, followed by our first hard ball match of the season against Cheltenham. Even with Helena’s four wickets and a catch, our fielding was not good enough. More communication and movement was needed. Cheltenham batted really well for the win.

We travelled to Bromsgrove for the last match of the season. Beaudesert batted first with some of the best batting of the season. Libby started the bowling off with a wicket, followed by some great bowling and fielding from Chloe B and Emilie. Ruby and Poppy F were strong in deep field, using their speed to get to and stop any balls from hitting for fours. A great win, the Year 8s were especially pleased to win their last match for Beaudesert. Well done to all who played for the seconds, it was a very enjoyable season. TP

We played Stroud High School at Painswick Cricket Club. The girls really enjoyed playing on such a great pitch with a very large boundary. They were strong in the field and bowled lots of wickets, keeping Stroud High’s runs down. They were very confident going in to bat, only needing 10 runs to win. The batting could have been better, but Savannah P and Poppy F showed good form. Beaudesert won by 16 runs. The best match of the season was a win against Pinewood. All of the team played well (Agatha was fantastic), scoring many fours when batting, and saving fours with some great dives when fielding. Red was excellent as wicket keeper and very strong batting, showing quick reactions and decisions. Emilie and Ottilie O both made impressive, accurate throws at the wickets to run players out.

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3RD XI As the Summer Term comes to an end, it is great to look back and reflect on what has been a very successful cricket season for the girls’ 3rd team. The girls have been a pleasure to coach both on and off the cricket pitch. Each of them has worked hard to make sure they do their best for one another, always cheering each other on and backing each other up when fielding. Our batting has been outstanding this term, with many fours and sixes being scored. Our bowling has gone from strength to strength, with few no balls in the last matches. The girls have enjoyed playing both ‘incredi-ball’ and ‘hard ball’ in training and matches. Our fielding has been super, with some lovely catches, accurate throws to the stumps and even some dives to stop the ball rolling over the boundary. A standout performance for me was against Pinewood at home. The girls worked hard throughout the match in all aspects of the game, and they were on their toes in the field ready to hunt for the ball. When batting, the girls were aiming in all directions to avoid Pinewood’s fielders. We were down by 10 runs going into the last over, whereby Amelie F and Bea H held their nerve and scored some amazing fours and sixes, winning us the game by just 3 runs! An extremely exciting match! Years 7 and 8 as a whole have been a real strong group of cricketers this year. They have been super role models to the younger years in the School, well done to all the girls involved! PS

4TH XI

What a wonderful season we have had in the 4th team. After losing the first match, away at St Hugh’s, on the last ball of the game, the girls came back out all fired up and won the rest of their games, often by some large margins. Our batting certainly needed work to begin with; hand-eye coordination to hit the ball was a little off after a year’s break, but as the training sessions progressed, the girls became more confident to move to the ball, rather than expecting the ball to come to them. Enthusiasm was something we never lacked. Mary in particular kept everyone’s spirits high with her encouragement from the boundary, and the more we won, the more the girls wanted to experiment and venture out of the crease to smash no-balls for fours and sixes. Bowling was certainly a strength for us; Natasha took four wickets in the game against Pinewood, receiving the ‘Best Bowler’ vote from her opposition more often than not. Sienna C also worked hard and had a very strong, fast bowl, catching the opposition off guard and creating a lot of dot ball scores.

I think our best game was the final game of the season against Westonbirt. We usually played pairs cricket with an ‘incredi-ball’; this time we arrived to be told it would be a harder ball and a ‘normal’ game set up where if you were out, you were out. The girls were a little nervous at first, although excited at the same time. Westonbirt gained a couple of early wickets with Mary bowled for six in the second over, Ella SF run out for one in the third and Natasha caught for ten in the fourth, but then Lux stepped up to the crease, followed by Mabel on the next over, and they struck a partnership of 84 not out before retiring. Mabel’s hitting was on fire, scoring nine fours during her innings, and she and Lux communicated brilliantly, only retiring to give the rest of the team a shot. We finished on 137. Westonbirt came in to bat and only managed to score 86, with wickets from Sienna M, Sienna C, Natasha and Nancy. I must also mention Mabel for her excellent wicket keeping; she did not miss a ball. Well done to everyone. A fantastic season.

JDS

UNDER 11A The start of the summer season was slow due to rain, but the U11As quickly picked up the pace once the clouds cleared. Year 6 is an important transition year where the girls’ growing abilities lead to opportunities for hard ball matches. The girls embraced the challenge and enjoyed pushing themselves, with the highlight of the season being their victory in the IAPS final. In a four match tournament, the girls faced off against The Downs in the deciding game, both teams

having previously won all their games. Despite the sweltering hot weather, the girls remained unfazed and emerged victorious, securing the tournament win. Congratulations to Captain Willough, Poppy C, Isla P, Willa, Cecilia R, Ellie B, Violet and Eve for their impressive achievement! The A team maintained their momentum throughout the season, with appearances also from Bonnie, Heidi B, and Lauren. Well done! EH

UNDER 11B It was a really enjoyable season for the U11B squad, with great team spirit at the heart of everything. Everyone’s effort and attitude in both training and matches was excellent and I was so impressed with the support and encouragement the girls gave each other. Bowling was particularly good within the squad with Connie, Flora M and Delphi all bowling a consistent line and length. When batting, Honor P and Ottilie M were a strong pairing, running well between the wickets. Tabitha B and Romy also played some lovely shots. Everyone developed their skills in all three areas of the game and I was so impressed with their efforts. Special mention to Hope, Camilla and Cleo who were a joy to have in the team and made important contributions at key points in matches. I was very proud of all of their achievements. Well done. LR

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UNDER 10A The U10A cricket team has had a fantastic season and has made excellent progress throughout the term. They started the season well at the St Edward’s Tens Tournament. The girls stayed focused throughout the day and played some excellent cricket. They won all four group matches and made it to the final against The Dragon School. They missed out on winning the trophy by a few runs but put on a great performance. Each game they have made more and more progress, only losing two matches all season. The last game against Bromsgrove was a tough match, as their opposition was an excellent, well-drilled team that had recently won the U11 county cup. We worked hard in the field and bowled with consistency. We were chasing 244 and were confident we could win. They faced some quick, powerful bowling and batted well. Isabel hit three fours and put us in a good position. Unfortunately, we couldn’t quite catch them and we lost by 9 runs. It was an excellent performance by the girls and a brilliant game of cricket. Each girl has played their part in such a successful season. A special mention must go to Tabitha W who has been a key player with her strong batting and bowling. She has had the spectators and myself amazed at some of her diving catches! This team has impressed me with their skills and attitude. It has been very exciting to see them progress over the term and I am sure they will go on to be as successful next year. It has been a pleasure to teach them, well done! GBW

UNDER 10B The season began with a few wet weather programmes which meant the U10B girls reached their first fixture with little practice behind them. However, it was still a nail-biting match against St Hugh’s with the teams only separated by 1 run in the end. Flora Li. and Arabella S both took wickets, whilst several fours were also scored by Flora Li., Tabitha S and Eloise. After this promising start to the season, the next fixture was on a Saturday, which, combined with several unavailable players, meant the team selection for this fixture was quite different. Cheltenham’s bowling was spot on, which proved difficult for our batters, but Arabella S and Eloise both bowled with precision and accuracy when they had the opportunity. Our next game was against Pinewood. We learnt a lot from this fixture, with the girls starting to improve their decision making when running between the wickets. The girls had a great fixture against Berkhampstead

with Amelie L bowling dot ball after dot ball, making it difficult for the opposition to score any runs. Bridget was very proactive in the field, putting in to play what we had worked on in practice. When batting, Flora Li. and Rosie implemented what they had learnt from their previous match, communicating well and pushing for run after run, which contributed to a tremendous victory. When playing The Richard Pate School, Isla D opened well, restricting the opposition to two runs off her over, but a few errors in the field allowed them to score more runs as the game progressed. However, our good batting managed to salvage a draw. Although it was a mixed season of results, the girls should be proud of their efforts. With significant improvements in their bowling ability and understanding of the game. We look forward to following their progress next year. HB

UNDER 10C I have thoroughly enjoyed spending the summer with the U10C team this year. The girls started the season with a bang, winning their first match against St Hugh’s School convincingly. They did not rest on their laurels though, and used their training sessions to work on their battling, bowling and fielding skills, as well as their communication as a team. Their last match against Bromsgrove was a testament to this, although they just narrowly missed taking the win. The girls really impressed me with their support of each other, and I hope this season has given them more confidence in their cricketing abilities when they return to the sport next year. KW

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Tennis

The tennis season at Beaudesert Park School was a fantastic success, with all children taking part in tennis lessons as part of their PE curriculum during the Summer Term, and additional opportunities to enjoy the game including tennis lessons in the evenings, participation in the Beaudesert Tennis Championships, school matches, as well as the LTA Schools Competition.

last Wednesday of the year, during a beautiful summer evening. As the sun set and Mr Layton’s sausages sizzled on the barbecue, the doubles, which comprised of a member of staff and a Year 8, battled it out. A very enjoyable evening was had by all, and the 2023 title was taken by Oliver R and Miss Hobbs in an excellent final against Lollie and a Mr Dan ‘Diving’ Robinson.

Early in the term, the U11 and U13 boys proudly represented the School at the Severnside Tennis Competition. The tournament featured formidable opponents, including Dean Close and Clifton. Throughout the term, Years 7 and 8 children represented the School in the LTA Schools Competition. The boys met some strong opposition, which included county standard players. They had a very close match against Westonbirt School, which was won on a shoot-out tie break. The Years 7 and 8 girls had some great matches against Pinewood School and Clifton College, winning convincingly. Years 5 and 6 children also had the opportunity to compete against other schools, including a fantastic match against Pinewood School for both girls and boys at the end of the school year, with Beaudesert coming out as the eventual winners in a closely fought contest.

Overall, the tennis season at Beaudesert Park School was a great success. Thanks to the enthusiasm of the children and the excellent support at all tennis events from the parents, tennis is a thriving sport at Beaudesert. We look forward to even more success in the years to come. ND

All children had the opportunity to compete in the annual tennis championships, an individual competition with results contributing to House tennis results. We saw some close matches and some excellent tennis, which was a credit to the effort the children had put into their tennis this term.

House Tennis Results: 1st: Hazel

2nd: Maple

YEAR 8 AWARD WINNERS In our Prize Giving assembly at the end of the year, Year 8 children were awarded Colours for recognition of their contribution towards tennis at Beaudesert Park School. Full Colours were awarded to H Ahearne, O Raphael, H Douglas-Pennant, F de Rouet, L Walker, D McShane and L Fleming. Half Colours were awarded to R Rowland, O Mitchell, B Charlesworth, O Orchard, M Hargitay, G Miller, B Ratcliffe and C Peppiatt.

3rd: Rowan

4th: Willow

Beaudesert Tennis Championships 2023 Results Year 5 Girls:

Year 6 Boys:

Girls Winner:

T Wood

Boys Winner:

B Pettifer

Runner Up:

P Elliott

Runner Up:

E Thiass

Year 5 Boys:

Year 7 Girls:

Boys Winner:

A Turner

Girls Winner:

C Peppiatt

Runner Up:

S Graham

Runner Up:

T Gordon

The Year 8 Players for the Season awards were bestowed upon Lollie and Herbie. Well done to everyone who took part in the competition with determination and great competitive spirit.

Year 6 Girls: Girls Winner:

P Charlesworth

Boys Winner:

M Hargitay

A highlight of the school calendar is the Year 8 v Staff tennis. The event took place on the

Runner Up:

W Jones-Davies

Runner Up:

G Miller

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Year 7 Boys:

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Swimming The swim team has had an extraordinary year, making waves and leaving their mark in the world of competitive swimming. With an impressive line-up of over 30 galas throughout the year, the team has showcased their exceptional talent, dedication, and teamwork, culminating in an outstanding performance at the National Swim Finals. The team’s hard work and relentless training paid off as they qualified for the National Swim Finals in multiple events. Five relay teams and five individual swimmers displayed their exceptional skills and represented Beaudesert with pride. The road to the finals was no easy feat, but their unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of excellence set them apart from their competitors. Among the team’s notable achievements at the national swim finals, Georgia G stood out by securing a well-deserved bronze medal in the fiercely contested 50m Fly event. Georgia’s exceptional speed, technique, and sheer determination propelled her to the podium, earning her a place among the top swimmers in the country. The U13 and U12 girls’ relay teams also demonstrated exceptional teamwork. The collective effort and trust in one another’s abilities were evident as the teams showcased their skills in the pool. The swim team’s achievements are a result of the dedication and hard work put in by the swimmers themselves. Their accomplishments reflect the values of perseverance, sportsmanship, and excellence that Beaudesert stands for. As the swim team wraps up another remarkable year, they serve as an inspiration to their fellow

students. Their achievements will undoubtedly motivate future generations of swimmers to follow in their footsteps and strive for greatness. Congratulations to the entire swim team for their outstanding performances throughout the year. Your achievements have brought immense pride to the School, and myself. It has been a great joy to be Head of Swimming at Beaudesert and I wish all swimmers the best of luck in the future! FS

National IAPS Swim Finals U10 Butterfly 50m

G Gilbey

Bronze Medal

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Year 3 Sport Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

In the Autumn Term, the Year 3 boys embraced their first term of rugby. This was a very enthusiastic and capable group who embraced every training session and played with smiles on their faces. The focus in the early part of the term was to instil confidence in the boys, ensuring there was plenty of opportunity to have the ball in hand and, of course, to score lots of tries!

As the boys moved on to football in the Spring Term, they were able to benefit from having football sessions on site. Having access to our Multi-Use Games Area enabled more coaching time, and the boys threw themselves into the season with full commitment.

Year 3 began their cricket journey in the Prep School with great enthusiasm and dedication. Throughout the summer, the children actively participated in games, honing their bowling, batting, and fielding skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the game.

Fixture afternoons with Pinewood and St Hugh’s were highlights as was the combined House football with Year 4. The boys played with skill and enthusiasm and showed great progress throughout the season. Some internal ‘World Cups’ with the Year 4 group made for some exciting Friday Games sessions.

One of the season’s highlights was the interschool tournament, where the children experienced the thrill of competition. They faced different teams weekly, showcasing their skills and sportsmanship. It was a joyous occasion for everyone involved, especially the children who had the opportunity to play in front of their parents. The cheers and support from the side-lines only added to their motivation. As the season ended, the children were excited to represent the School in a match against Clifton College. The performance displayed by the children was nothing short of brilliant. They showcased their improved skills and game knowledge, leaving everyone impressed.

We had some really enjoyable fixtures against Cheltenham, Clifton and Pinewood. The boys played excellently in these and demonstrated their skills to the packed side-lines. There was certainly some exciting attacking rugby, and it was great to see the boys working together. Towards the end of term, we progressed from tag belts and played ‘touch’ rugby. This serves as a nice progression before the boys learn contact skills in Year 4. The Year 3 girls were a pleasure to teach and to watch flourish over their term of hockey. The girls worked hard, developing fundamental skills such as dribbling, different types of passing and attacking and defending. Not only have they worked hard on the physical skills, they have also looked to gain an increased level of game understanding. The girls have applied these well in game situations and have played in a number of competitive fixtures and festivals against Clifton College, Cheltenham College and Pinewood. The girls have also demonstrated brilliant behaviour, etiquette and sportsmanship during these fixtures, representing the School excellently. The girls have worked hard to develop their hits and early shots at goal, scoring plenty of goals over the season.

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The U8 netball season was a resounding success, with enthusiastic participation from all Year 3 girls and a display of remarkable talent by all. The season featured several friendly fixtures and netball festivals, fostering a sense of camaraderie and healthy competition for the young netballers. The BEE Netball rules allowed each and every girl to develop a wide variety of skills including shooting, attacking skills and defensive skills and movement through the court. The season emphasised skill development, teamwork and fair play. The girls exhibited tremendous growth and improvement throughout the season, showcasing their agility, teamwork and sportsmanship on the court.

The coaches were delighted to work with such an enthusiastic group of children, and look forward to continuing their journey with these children, supporting their development as the year progresses. With the passion and commitment shown, there is no doubt that they will continue to achieve great things in the future. JG, ND & FS

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Athletics We had another most enjoyable and successful term of athletics, and it was wonderful to see our qualifiers perform so well at the National Championships recently. We are lucky to have weekly athletics slots for all children in Years 5 to 8, and we have seen many fine performances across the board, with the children focussing on two disciplines per session, allowing greater time to hone their skills. Sports Day, now run as a House event, was the next target for the majority of children and I have been so impressed with their efforts to work on their throwing techniques, sprint starts, relay changeovers and more. Athletics is a tough, mainly individual sport and is so important for a child’s sporting development; having to perform at one’s best at a certain time under heightened pressure is a real skill and something we have worked hard on. There was a fantastic turnout for our evercompetitive Severnside meeting, with many of the strongest schools on the circuit in attendance. The Beaudesert athletes certainly rose to the occasion. Not run as a team event, we saw many first place finishes on the track in very fast times. With our field event athletes also in fine form, featuring a number of podium finishes, this was an afternoon to remember. This is a prestigious, high-quality event and is testament to the effort, determination and talent on show that we were able to perform so creditably. With the Year 8s in Cornwall and the Year 6 girls at their cricket IAPS, it was down to the Year 7s to lead the way at the Mercia Regional Championships at Stourport, and they did not let us down! Slick changeovers and fast sprinting meant the Year 7 girls ran out as convincing relay winners to book their slot at Nationals. Savannah P won the shot competition, and Chloe B won the long jump and the 200m in a very fast time. This was a very successful and enjoyable day. We rounded off the term at the National Athletics Championships. With the Year 7 girls representing Beaudesert Park, we travelled to Nuneaton. Savannah P started proceedings with a big first round throw in the shot put. She produced a series of competitive throws to finish

in a marvellous fourth place, a fine achievement which showed her tenacity and determination to perform when it mattered. Chloe B, in her 200m heat, ran a lightning 27.34 seconds to progress to the final as the fastest qualifier. It was here that the experience of last year paid dividends; managing her nerves to perfection, she stormed to a wonderful victory in the final, holding off last year’s champion in a closely fought battle to emerge as National Champion. The relay team, displaying nerves of steel too, came through their heat comfortably enough to set up an exciting final. With less than half a second separating the top five teams, it was all to play for. Sophie R, Savannah P and Iris W ran brilliantly competitive legs to leave us very much in contention at the final changeover, handing over to Chloe B in a very close third. Running with such determination and refusing to settle for anything less than gold, and with the lead changing two or three times, she just managed to summon the energy to get us over the line ahead, making the team National Champions. Many congratulations all on a fantastic day. DR

National Athletics Championships Results U13 Shot Put U13 200m U13 4 x 100m Relay

S Phillips C Bostock S Robinson, S Phillips, I Walker and C Bostock

4th Place 1st Place 1st Place

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Sports Day Our annual Sports Days formed a fitting culmination for the sporting year. Pre-Prep Sports Day kicked us off on a pleasant Friday afternoon. Children participated in a variety of events, rotating around the track in their forms, supported by staff and family. There were 6 different events and stickers were handed out to children for their efforts by our Year 8 helpers. The afternoon concluded with the House relay races around the track, and this was followed by a parents’ relay which was as competitive as ever. A week later, Years 3 and 4 had their turn. The children competed for their Houses in a range of track and field events. There were some fine performances throughout the afternoon, with all scores going towards their overall House totals. Mr Tiley ensured that everyone was aware of the various results during the afternoon, and certificates were awarded to selected boys and girls in each form as chosen by their Form Teachers. The Years 5 to 8 Sports Day took place on Saturday, 1st July, in which children competed wholeheartedly within their Houses. The boys and girls participated in a minimum of 3 events and there was a lovely buzz across the Playing Fields. Winners of each event were announced by Mr Tiley and we also saw some new school records to celebrate. The overall results were presented in front of the Pavilion, and the brand new House Athletics Trophy was handed out by the Headmaster. Our second House Sports Day was once again a great way to round up a very successful sporting year. JG

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Sports Day Results 2023 House Results YEAR GROUP

1ST

2ND

3RD

4TH

Years 3 and 4

Rowan

Hazel

Maple

Willow

Years 5 to 8

Hazel

Rowan

Maple

Willow

OVERALL

Rowan

Hazel

Maple

Willow

U14 Boys 100 200 800 Hurdles Long High Discus Shot Javelin

S Casey S Casey M Breitmeyer O Bullock M Breitmeyer S Casey O Mitchell E Easton L Pettifer

U13/14 Girls 100 200 800 Hurdles Long High Discus Shot Javelin

13.06s 25.22s 2m35s 11.10s 4.36m 1.45m 18.24m 9.96m 33.50m

C Bostock C Bostock R Gifford S Phillips R Sturgis C Bostock D McShane H Raphael L Walker

13.12s* 27.34s* 2m54s 11.53s 4.00m 1.40m* 17.17m 6.54m 27.23m

S Morris S Morris I Stringer G Evans S Morris R Spooner M Hargitay M Hargitay R Baalack

14.95s 29.40s 2m42s 13.12s 4.05m 1.10m 15.57m 8.98m 19.84m

B Pettifer B Pettifer G King M Shuttleworth B Pettifer O Rowland F Blake O Rowland O Rowland

14.32s 29.02s 2m51s 13.45s 4.50m* 1.15m 17.28m 7.19m 19.76m

P Charlesworth P Charlesworth L Biddle

14.78s 30.97s 3m06s

U13 Boys 100 200 800 Hurdles Long High Discus Shot Javelin

Hurdles Long High Discus Shot Javelin

I Phillips I Phillips L Biddle H Breitmeyer W Jones-Davies W Kojima

12.19s 3.81m 1.15m 11.83m 5.86m 11.72m

X Hamilton A Forbes X Hamilton J Acloque Z Jones A Longsdon A Turner S Graham S Graham

15.68s 31.22s 2m49s 12.63s 3.15m 1.05m 16.78m 5.89m 34.71m

T Wood I Thompson T Wood T Wood I Thompson E Howard P Elliott A Lucas P Elliott

16.33s 32.29s 2m58s 12.55s 3.43m 1.05m 15.08m 4.92m 22.09m

U11 Boys 100 200 800 Hurdles Long High Discus Shot Vortex

U11 Girls 100 200 800 Hurdles Long High Discus Shot Vortex

* denotes a new school record

U12 Boys 100 200 800 Hurdles Long High Discus Shot Javelin

U12 Girls 100 200 800

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Friends of Beaudesert

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FRIEN DS OF BEAUDESERT

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Staff List 2022–2023 HEADMASTER Mr C D Searson

BA (Hons), Warwick; QTS, Warwick

DEPUTY HEADMASTER Mr J Holmes BA (Hons), Middlesex; PGCE Exeter History

HEAD OF PRE-PREP Mrs A Packman BA (Hons), Manchester; PGCE, UCL

ASSISTANT HEAD, ACADEMIC Mrs H Bradley BA (Hons), Warwick; PGCE, York French; Spanish

ASSISTANT HEAD, PASTORAL & DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD Mr L Robinson

Bsc (Hons), Newcastle; PGCE, UWE Head of PSHCE; Science

ASSISTANT HEAD, CO-CURRICULAR Mr T Layton BEd (Hons), Plymouth Head of e-Safety; Year 4 Form Teacher

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC; HEAD OF SCHOLARSHIP & CHALLENGE (ARTS) Mrs R Saunders

BMus (Hons), Cardiff University; PGCE, University of Wales

FINANCE DIRECTOR Mrs T Scrivener

BA (Econ), Manchester; ACA

PREP STAFF Mrs R Austen MA (Hons), Oxford; Cert TEFLA, Cambridge; PGCE, Open University Head of English; Year 8 Form Teacher Mrs G Baber-Williams BA (Hons), UWIC; PGCE, Gloucestershire Girls’ Sport; PE Mr J Bird Dip Ed, University of Natal Head of Science; Year 7 Form Teacher Mrs L Blackmun BA (Hons), Cardiff Metropolitan University; PGCE, University of Buckingham Year 4 Form Teacher Mrs H Bloodworth BA (Hons), Manchester Metropolitan University Sport Mrs N Braune BSc (Hons), RAC Cirencester; Year 3 Classroom Assistant Mrs H Burnford BA (Hons), Exeter; PGCE, Exeter; QTS Year 3 Form Teacher Mr K Burns BA (Hons), McGill, Montreal Director of Academic Administration; Maths; Year 8 Form Teacher Mr B Clibborn BA (Hons), UCL; PGCE, Buckingham Head of Classics; Year 7 Form Teacher Mrs A Conway BSc (Hons), University of Wisconsin Learning Support Mr E Craig BA (Hons), Northumbria Head of Geography Year 6 Form Teacher Mrs C Crosbee BA (Hons), Middlesex Head of Drama, Speech & Drama; LAMDA; Dance Mr T Curr BA, Butler University, USA; PGCE, University of Gloucestershire Head of History; Year 6 Form Teacher Mrs J Davies-Smith BA (Hons), Exeter; PGCE, Roehampton Maths; Geography Mr N Dill BA, Wales; QTS, Gloucestershire Head of PE Ms B Dismorr MA (Fine Art), UWE; PGCE, Buckingham Head of Art Mr O Figgis BA, Leeds; PGCE, Roehampton Head of MFL Mrs S Frapwell Girls’ Sport Mr J Gillespie BA (Hons), Leicester; MA, Kent; PGCE Plymouth Head of ICT; Year 5 Form Teacher

Mr J Griffiths BSc (Hons), Exeter; PGCE, Buckingham Director of Sport; Assistant Houseparent; Geography; Theology, Philosophy & Ethics Mrs K Hainsworth BEd (Hons), University of Gloucestershire Years 3 & 4 Classroom Assistant Mrs K Hale BEd, Bath Head of Year 3; Year 3 Form Teacher Mr I Haythornthwaite BSc, University of Central Lancashire; PGCE, Liverpool Hope University Maths Miss E Hobbs BSc (Hons), Gloucestershire; PGCE, Buckingham Assistant Head of PE; Head of Pre-Prep Sport; Year 5 Form Teacher Mrs C Hockin BSc (Hons), Manchester; PGCE, Bath Science Mrs A Hodges BSc (Hons), Oxford Brookes; MSc, Exeter; PGCE, Wales Head of Maths Miss L Hughes BA (Hons), Cardiff University; PGCE, University of Bristol; CELTA, Cambridge; Dip, ABRSM French; Spanish Mr O Jones BSc (Hons), Exeter Head of Boarding Mr R Kirby BA (Hons), Manchester; PGCE, Bath University French; English Mrs J Layton BEd (Hons), Plymouth; Dip (Level 5), Dyslexia Action Learning Support Miss C Maher BA (Hons), UWE; PGCE, UWE Year 3 Form Teacher Miss P Mulliner BA (Hons), Oxford Brookes; PGCE, Kingston Head of Year 4; Year 4 Form Teacher Miss H Niblett BA (Hons), Open University Year 4 Classroom Assistant Mrs R Nielsen BA (Hons), Cardiff; PGCE, Exeter Year 3 Form Teacher Mrs C Potter BA (Hons), East Anglia; PGCE, Canterbury Learning Support Ms C Powell MA (Hons), University of Glasgow; PGCE, University of London Learning Support Miss G Price Year 3 Classroom Assistant; Assistant Houseparent Mr D Robinson BA (Hons), Thames Valley Sport Mrs E Smith BSc (Hons), University of Bristol; PGCE, University of Bristol Science Ms L Snow BA (Hons), UWE; PGCE, UWE Art Mrs P Stevens BSc, UWE; PGCE, Buckingham Head of Girls’ Sport Mrs M Sujeewon Year 3 & 4 Classroom Assistant Miss F Swan Diploma in Sports Therapy; UWE Girls’ Sport; Year 5 Form Teacher Mr R Tiley BA (Hons), Anglia Ruskin; PGCE, Kent; Dip Arts Admin English; Theology, Philosophy & Ethics; NCFE Level 3 Bushcraft Instructor Mrs G Waters BSc Leeds Ecology Mr L Waters BSc Civil Engineering, Glamorgan; PGCE, Exeter Head of Design and Technology; Forest School Leader Award Mrs H Winchester BSc (Hons), Aston; Dip SpLD, Hornsby, TEFL; Special Teacher Assessor (OCN Level 7) Head of Learning Support Mr S Winchester BA (Hons), Trinity, Dublin, TEFL Maths; English; Year 7 Form Teacher, Head of Scholarship and Challenge (Academic and Sport) Miss K Winkworth BSc (Hons), Exeter; PGCE, Buckingham Science; Year 6 Form Teacher

PRE-PREP STAFF Miss L Barnes BA (Hons), Oxford Brookes Year 1 Form Teacher Miss S Barber Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education Classroom Assistant, Year 2 Mrs A Barnett BA (Hons), Edinburgh College of Art; PGCE, Plymouth Year 2 Form Teacher Miss P Bett BA (Hons), Lancaster; PGCE, Chelt. & Glos. College Year 2 Form Teacher

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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2023 Mrs J Chinnick NVQ Level 2 Classroom Assistant, Year 2 Mrs K Danks NNEB, Norland Diploma Nursery Assistant Mrs L Figgis BA (Hons), De Montfort University, Leicester; PGCE, UWE Music Miss M Hatherall Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education Teaching Assistant, Reception Mrs S Jackson NNEB Diploma Classroom Assistant, Year 1 Mrs D Jones BA (Hons), University of Bath; PGCE, Bath Spa University Houseparent; Teaching Assistant, Nursery and Year 1 Mrs E Limburn BA (Hons), Cardiff; QTS, London French Mrs J Lore Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education Teaching Assistant, Nursery Mrs G Naish BA (Hons), Surrey; PGCE, Exeter Year 1 Form Teacher Mrs H Payne BEng (Hons), Plymouth Level 2 Supporting Teaching & Learning Classroom Assistant, Year 1 Mrs F Price NNEB, Clifton College Forest School; Nursery Assistant Mrs H Searson BA (Hons), Exeter; PGCE, Bath Spa Deputy Head of Pre-Prep; Year 1 Form Teacher Miss S Shearer-Manning BA Early Years, Open University; NVQ, Level 3 Forest School Leader Mrs R Weinberger MA (Hons), St. Andrews; PGCE, London Nursery Teacher Mrs E Whitworth BA (Hons), Oxford Brookes University; PGCE, Bath Spa Reception Form Teacher Mrs H Wittig BA (Hons), Southampton; PGCE, Southampton Classroom Assistant, Year 1

VISITING STAFF Mrs M Brownbill ARMCM Voice Mrs C de Burgh BMus (Hons), Goldsmiths, University of London Oboe Dr M Charalabopoulous BA (Hons), University of Oxford; MA, University of Bristol; PhD, King’s College, London Piano Mr B Cipolla BA (Hons), University of Gloucester Guitar & Ukulele Mrs W Clark ARAM; LRAM; GRSM (Hons) Violin & Viola Mr M Coldrick AGSM Dip NCOS, Guildhall School of Music & Drama Drumkit Mrs A Cubbin BA (Hons) Bath Spa Clarinet & Saxophone Mr S Garley Fencing Mrs H Hardy AISTD BIB, NB Dance, Ballet Mrs F Heseltine BA (Hons) Birbeck College, London Head of Wardrobe Ms B Heywood Chanter Mr S Houghton Level 2 Coaching Rugby, Level 3 Coaching Cricket Sport Miss S Hutcheson BA Durham LAMDA Mr A Jones BA (Hons), Middlesex University Acoustic, Electric and Bass Guitar, Ukulele Miss E Lang BA (Hons), University of Manchester Guitar, Ukulele and Bass Guitar Mr M Maidment British Judo Association and BJC 5th DAN (Competition Grade) Judo Mr P Mackenzie BA (Hons), Bath Spa; Postgrduate Conducting, RCM Piano Mr B Mason BA; ARBS; HDFA Drumkit Mrs L Pearce Coleman BA, Colchester Uni; PGCE, Bath Spa; LTCL, LTCL Mus Ed Voice Mr G Rees Dip. Welsh College of Music & Drama Brass Mrs I Seth-Smith BA (Hons) ARCM Cello; Double Bass Mr Sharp BMus (Hons), Cardiff University Piano Mrs H Shaw Cert Ed, York Piano

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Miss C Tucker

Mountainview Theatre School; LAMDA, London LAMDA Mrs B Turner Music Degree, N Virginia College, USA Flute

MATRONS Mrs A Owens Mrs S Gardiner Miss K Thomas

Lead Matron

SCHOOL NURSES Mrs D Davies RGN; RSCN; NNEB Mrs E Powell BSc (Hons) Registered Adult Nurse; SCPHN

SCHOOL COUNSELLOR Ms J Wilson

A, University of East London; PGCE, University of M Lancaster

MAINTENANCE/GROUNDS Mr T Attwood Mr C Bessant Mr R Bryan Mr K Gardiner Mr L Gardiner Mr R Niblett Mr J Scarlett Mr R Toon

TRANSPORT Mr R Callingham Mr J Dudley Ms K Ellis Mr M Fitch Kemp Mr K Monkman Mr M Newman Mr M Rutter

ADMINISTRATION Mrs J Abendanon BA Witwatersrand; Librarian Mrs E Allen Office Assistant; Alumni Co-ordinator Mrs P Birch School Secretary Mrs M Bliss Finance Assistant Mr W Eatwell IT Support Technician Mrs J Grech BSocSc (Hons), Manchester; Headmaster’s PA; Registrar Mr A Hale Estates Manager Mr C Harvey IT Manager Mrs W Jenkins HR Manager Miss S Lodge BA (Hons), Cardiff; Head of Marketing and Communications Mrs R Merrett BA (Hons), Southampton; School Secretary Mrs A Platt Domestic Manager Mrs F Shufflebotham Librarian Ms C Thomas BA (Hons), Durham; Data Manager Mrs C Turner AAT Advanced Diploma, Level 3; Accounts Assistant

GOVERNORS Mr M Pyper Former Headmaster – Gordonstoun Chair Mr T Ahearne Parent; Managing Director Mrs S Block Parent; Consultant Mr C Casey Parent; Non-executive Director Mr A Collins Second Master; Dauntsey’s School, Wiltshire Mr S Elliott Parent; Corporate Financier Mr P Evitt Headmaster; Highfield School, Hampshire Lady Ford Former Head of Pre-Prep; Educational Consultant Mrs K Holloway Former Parent; Business Owner Mrs H I’Anson Parent; Solicitor Mrs C Kay Former Parent; Solicitor Mrs C Lough Retired Head; St Christopher’s School, Hampstead Mr J Massey Parent; Company Director Mr J Nettleton Old Beaudesertian; Architect Dr J Thompson Parent; Doctor Mrs E Walker Parent; Counsellor

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Beaudesert Park School Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire GL6 9AF Telephone: 01453 832072 Email: office@bps.school www.beaudesert.gloucs.sch.uk @beaudesertpark @beaudesertparksch

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