BEAUDESERT PARK SCHOOL
magazine
AUTUMN 2021
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
magazine
AUTUMN 2021 No. 18
Contents School Notes: Headmaster’s Speech Farewells Speech Day Prizes Form Prizes Scholarships, Valete
2 5 9 11 12
Boarding at Beaudesert 13 Beaudesert and the Community
14
Academic
15
The Arts
19
Outings and Events 35 Alumni 40 Activities 44 Lockdown – Remote Learning 47 The Pre-prep Department 50 Anthology 63 Sport 74 Friends of Beaudesert 90 Staff List 91
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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021
S C H O O L N OT E S Headmaster’s Speech at Year 8 Prizegiving to thank Year 8 for their wonderful play. Year 8, the more I reflect in the days since, the more I realise what an incredible achievement it was. I also uttered the words: ‘I think it’s coming home…’ And then an hour later, 30 minutes into the game, head in my hands, I couldn’t help feel I had tempted fate. Was it going to be another year of hurt? Well, not yet. But who knows.
Ladies and gentlemen, Year 8, good morning and welcome to the final day, not only of this school year, but of your time with us at Beaudesert. This morning is an opportunity to celebrate all your achievements and to thank every one of you for the many things you have brought to Beaudesert Park School. Every one of you of has brought something special to Beaudesert during your time here, whether that has been for nine years, or during the last two years. You all leave memories which will remain as a positive mark on the lives of others. Let your abiding memories be of the stories you have told and those yet to be written, which will be all the richer for everything you have learnt, especially about yourselves, while at Beaudesert. I could take this opportunity to list your endless achievements during this past year, or the many years before, but they are far too many and one risks missing so many wonderful moments, whether in the classroom, on the stage, playing sport with
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your friends, or in the surf of Cornwall. It is far better to leave you to enjoy your memories together, sharing them with joy for years to come, especially as the stories become richer and more elaborate, the truth stretched in all the right ways, and the warmth of the memories nurtured with each retelling. As you look back on the rich tapestry of your experiences at Beaudesert, cherish every recollection, let them live within you, and allow them to continue to guide who you are and who you become. Instead of looking back today, I would like to pause for a moment and look forward. You may be feeling desperately sad to be leaving Beaudesert; you may be itching to go and spread your wings further. Either is okay, and both are completely as things should be. Your years here have been to prepare you, and now is the time to go forward with confidence. The last time I spoke to many of you, it was at about 7.30pm on Wednesday night, just before England’s semi-final, and you were eager for me to stop talking as quickly as possible. Hopefully you will be a little more patient with me today. On Wednesday, the first thing I did was
That line from the Three Lions song: ‘30 years of hurt, never stopped me dreaming’ is one that is belted out with unbridled passion whenever the song is sung. It represents the simple truth that, no amount of challenge, no amount of failure should ever temper our dreams. It is now 55 years. And still we dream. Children, you will not have to wait for 55 years for most of your dreams to come true. The most important thing is that you have dreams. Let them run wild. Don’t let anyone tell you not to dream. Eleanor Roosevelt said: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” and let Walt Disney’s belief that “if you can dream it, you can do it” guide you in the years to come. The other words that make the song resonate so strongly is ‘home’. The sense of something collective. Together. Bigger than the self. The idea of home and place and belonging brings people together, in this case all for the silly pleasure, or otherwise, of watching a ball being kicked around. For you all, children and parents, Beaudesert has been a home in so many ways. It has been a rock of support, a blanket of comfort, and quite simply a part of your family. As we grow, it is natural that we move away from one home and make new homes afresh, but like all homes, Beaudesert will always remain here for you.
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
You are all both acorns and pebbles. You may have the faintest memory of an assembly in which Mrs Searson and I first spoke about acorns, then planted them, and then later shared them as they started to grow. They continue to grow still. For so many of you, when you came here, your growth was only just beginning; you are leaving us with your roots firmly set, reaching ever upwards and starting to branch out. Never stop growing. Don’t let yourself become proud or satisfied, because you can be a better, stronger version of yourself every day. And just like leaves on the trees, always turn to the sun. Seek the light. Look for warmth. If your path is directed towards people and things that bring light and warmth, you will grow healthy and strong. And pebbles. What do I mean by that? Again, somewhere in the midst of all the knowledge you have acquired about global location, the Battle of Agincourt, and Latin conjugations, you may remember me talking about ripples. The smallest pebble dropping into a mirror-glass lake will create ripples that grow and spread wide across the water’s still surface. So will you create ripples by your words and your deeds. Whatever you do, the ripples will be felt far and wide. Please make sure that they are positive ripples, touching others with goodness. You may have heard of the Butterfly Effect, the metaphorical theory that a
butterfly flapping its wings can create a chain that grows and eventually becomes a tornado. The idea is that every action has consequences that grow from small beginnings. Flap your wings with kindness, in the sure knowledge that this kindness will grow. A piece of advice to take with you… Always check inside your tub of ice cream. What do I mean by this? When we first tried a particular ice cream flavour (my favourite), we had our salted caramel and chocolate cake ready, but made the classic error of not taking it out of the freezer until we were about to have it, and it was rock solid. Having removed the lid, bent the spoon and sat patiently (or otherwise) for ten minutes until it was edible, we spotted the following words on the underside of the lid: ‘To enjoy this product at its best, leave to stand at room temperature for ten minutes before serving.’ I proceeded to grumble that it was a ridiculous place to put the advice, because by the time you took the lid off and read it, it was a lifetime too late. And then I thought, as is tragically the way when you are a Headmaster: I wonder if there is a way I can shoe-horn this into an assembly somewhere. So, here I am, shoehorning! Children, people can be like ice cream tubs. Some are hard and take time to
Gap Students and Graduate Assistants
soften. Some are soft and welcoming. Some are easy to read, with clear instructions on the outside. While others have secrets within. So my advice to you, as you enter your new schools and get to meet so many new people, look beneath the surface and take time to get to know people. Sometimes, when people are harder, they just need a gentle hand to warm them up. So now, as you look to what lies ahead, I suspect you have mixed feelings: hope and wonder, and sadness: excitement and nerves. Stepping into the unknown is one of the greatest gifts that we can have, for in the unknown and in the uncertain lies endless opportunity. As you move on from Beaudesert and face new choices be sure to: Leap boldly. Take risks. Try new things. Challenge yourselves. But above all, in everything you do from now on, take this one truth that you have learned from your time at Beaudesert. Try to bring goodness and kindness to all those you meet along your journey. If there is one way in which you measure yourselves, let it be in the light you share with others. Children, parents, throughout your time at Beaudesert, you have been guided, helped and supported by the most incredible and dedicated team of staff, some of whom you have spent time with on a daily basis, while others are making the magic happen quietly in the background. Whatever their role, however much they are in the spotlight or otherwise, the Beaudesert team is quite extraordinary; they are the spirit, the energy and the pulse that gives Beaudesert its magic. Please may you all join me in showing our enormous gratitude to all the staff at Beaudesert. And to you, our parents, thank you so much for all of your generosity of spirit, warmth and support. Ordinarily at this time, I would say a few words about all of our leaving staff. Most
From top left: James Taylor-Kimmins, Toby Baxter, Kelsey Tucker, Phillippa Hall, Gemma Price
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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021
are unable to be with us today as they normally would be. I would, however, like to pause and mention two rather special ladies.
And then, to Tree. “Let me just say this…”
“And breathe…”
How many times have we heard those words from Tree? They mean two things:
Children, many of you will have been lucky enough to have been taught by Mrs Poll. If you have, you have been blessed by receiving the care of a quite exceptional English teacher. Mrs Poll has the deepest passion for the art of teaching and in particular for the teaching of English. She pores over the very best texts to stretch, challenge, excite and inspire children in her care. But more than this, and I would say more importantly than this, Mrs Poll has the deepest passion for the children in her care. Seeing each and every child as the individual that they are, seeking to get to know the very fabric of what makes them who they are and what makes them tick. And then meticulously, chameleonlike, bending herself to the needs of each and every one. Mrs Poll, Maria, we thank you so much for all that you have brought to Beaudesert, as a brilliant teacher, an exceptionally supportive colleague and, to so many, the most wonderful friend.
1) Tree is about to solve all our problems in an instant with her wisdom and incredible quick-thinking.
Tree’s other favourite words. Her closing soother before putting down the telephone or finishing a conversation, which lets us know that she has made everything okay. And she always does.
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And… 2) With the gentlest of touches, but with absolute unwavering clarity, Tree is about to put us firmly back in our box and let us know exactly how things really are. Marvellous, magical, wonderful, extraordinary Tree. There really are not words to describe Tree. She is one-in-amillion. No… More! One in a billion, trillion, squillion! When thinking about Tree, I found myself thinking that, in truth, I am not the best person to be sharing these words. We saw from the unbridled joy as children and staff alike sang ‘Dazzling Tree’ yesterday, what she means to everyone here.
Tree, thank you. You have been the heartbeat of Beaudesert for so many years and things simply will never be quite the same without you. We wish you every happiness in the world. Ladies and Gentlemen, children, Tree! To you, our Year 8 leavers, we thank you for being part of Beaudesert and for embracing all the experiences you have had along the way. May you spread your wings and fly high, discovering exciting pastures new. And always remember that kindness should be at the heart of everything you do. C D Searson
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Farewells Theresa Yates-Round
“It’s Theresa here, how can I help?” Back in the day, a little before 2010 I think, the School engaged a company called RS Academics to do a survey of the place, encompassing everyone and everything. After a few weeks of analysis, they were ready to report to the Governors. Their presentation began like this. They had asked the parents to write down five things they liked most about Beaudesert, and were left with a question they had not anticipated: “Who, or what, is Tree?” This mattered, because the number one most common answer was just that – Tree. I think if the parents had been surveyed at any time in the past nineteen years that outcome would have been the same. The School has changed, and grown, but in the heart of it there has always been Theresa Yates-Round, not your average School Secretary. In many ways, Tree reflects something of the magic of Beaudesert as a whole. Thoroughly professional, crisp, articulate and clever, she is also utterly daffy, with a “distinctive” laugh, and an almost eerie ability to mimic members of staff. Her Jayson Bird is particularly good. Having had the most extraordinary life prior to pitching up at Beaudesert she has always had many tales to tell. A great multi-tasker, she can tell quite remarkable stories of escapades at convent school, while organising mailshots to the entire
school, while answering the phone, while tracking down Quentin’s black shoes… The more serious side to this is that she is able to understand the people she encounters, and to see things from their side. Not only parents I must add! Many times I have taken my latest brainwave to try out on her. She listens carefully to my finely-tuned arguments and says, “just playing devil’s advocate here…” not to prove me wrong, but to ensure that I have looked at all the angles. I haven’t, of course, which is why I go to her. I will miss this, deeply. As the School’s Registrar she is the first voice that most of our parents will hear, and the first person they meet when they arrive to look around. She knows where to find the shoes, how to name the clothes, who teaches Science, when the play is, why we aren’t having a Leave-out, where the match is, whether she is on the bus tonight, whether he needs his trainers tomorrow… You get the picture. When our parents tell their friends to come and look around, part of it must be because they feel well-supported, and much of that feeling surely has come from Tree. An abiding picture of her is in the Office, late in the day. There are small children yet to be picked up who have migrated there. There are books of reading and colouring, and various toys, with role-playing going on, often of the surreal sort that only small children can so effortlessly bring forth. Tree alternately answers the telephone for all the world as if she is speaking to the Duchess of Cambridge herself, and then pretends to be a Fairy Godmother who may or may not have snacks in her desk. Finally, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you on behalf of all the teachers who have worked here alongside her. Her support for us has been constant – always encouraging, always positive. It has been a joy working with Tree all this time, and I join with everyone in our little community, past and present, in wishing her a happy and joyful life after Beaudesert. KDB
Robert Kirby
Robert has been a brief, yet welcome addition to the MFL Department. He is a highly experienced teacher, who has taught French in the top three year groups in the Prep School over the past six months, including guiding a set of Year 8s to considerable success in Common Entrance. He has combined a dynamic, energetic approach to instructing French with instilling high expectations and standards, yet flavouring his lessons with just the right amount of fun too. We are very sorry to say ‘au revoir’ to Robert, but we quite understand that he is needed to work alongside his wife down in Devon, where the rest of his family are based. Keep in touch, Robert and best wishes from us all. OF
Ellie Toseland
Ellie has brought such joy and fun to her oboe lessons, and the children have thoroughly enjoyed having her as a teacher. Ellie leaves us to take on more teaching at a local primary school and to balance her time with looking after her twins, Tom and Evie. We wish Ellie all the best for the future. RS
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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021
Maria Poll
In September 2001, Maria Hussey crossed the threshold to join the Beaudesert community. Over the next twenty years, it became apparent to anyone that she taught or worked with the extent to which Port Regis’s loss was emphatically our gain. She has been a teacher of many parts but her heart and soul have always been in the English department. Her commitment to accuracy and presentation, her enthusiasm for the limitless expressive range of language, her patience with those who struggle and her glorious, unaffected sense of humour have lit up the classrooms in the School. Over the years, her ability to engage pupils of every ability has become legendary. The fact that she has probably taught every age group in the Prep School speaks volumes for her versatility and commitment to the subject she loves. Her marriage to Bill seemed to cement her happiness in the school community. The Headmaster, Mr Womersley, was
Claire Clarke
desperate that she return after her spells of maternity leave that saw the arrival of Chloe and Adam. Return she did, initially part-time and helping in Learning Support but later, into the hurly-burly of the classroom and later, as co-Head of English with Jess Porter. Their contribution to the department was detailed and great; they made the need for viable and useful assessment into a reality, as well as setting the Governors of the Education Committee an imaginative writing test to demonstrate exactly what the pupils have to face. Her skills extended beyond the classroom, too: Maria was a great sportswoman, responsible for hockey tours to the Netherlands and always striving to develop the idea of the team before the individual. She also took part in one of the early Year 7 trips to Outward Bound in Aberdovey. Her own recollection of the challenges, fears and pleasures she experienced there with the children deserve their own book. She was fully involved with the pastoral life of the School and was a very successful and popular Year 7 Form Tutor. She has been particularly effective in supporting the girls, always offering firm but fair advice on the plethora of issues that arose. Coming from a large family herself, she understood intuitively the dynamics of the family; these she deployed with great sensitivity and discretion. Her enthusiasms and interests are boundless – writing, always with a fountain pen in a beautifully legible,
We are sad to say goodbye to Claire, who has worked in the Year 3 department for the past few years. She has worked alongside the children in the classroom, helping and encouraging them to achieve their very best as well as support them outside during break and lunchtime. She has also been a great support to the teachers and we will miss her enormously. We wish her all the best as she embarks on her new career. KH
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rounded hand, all things natural, the rhythms and patterns of the seasons but it is, perhaps, the sea that holds her in rapt attention. Maria has been an exemplary Prep School teacher throughout these past two decades. We will miss a colleague who is truly compassionate, humble, honest and loyal. Our loss is Bill’s, Chloe’s and Adam’s gain and the entire Beaudesert community, past and present, wish her every happiness in that loving family environment. RT
John Harris
John leaves us after 17 years at Beaudesert, having taught so many pupils and bands throughout his time. John has made such an impact upon music at Beaudesert; his kindness and dedication both to his pupils and the department as a whole will be missed greatly. Over the last 4 years I have particularly enjoyed performing with John in many concerts and shows; Rock on Summer, Bugsy Malone, Oliver with a Twist and The Ash Girl… to name a few. John’s expertise in sound has been invaluable at Beaudesert. He was instrumental in sourcing and setting up the sound system in the Performing Arts Centre, and installing the new equipment in the drum pod to house a recording studio. I am so grateful for his calm approach, extensive knowledge and advice. Always an immensely kind, supportive and dedicated colleague, we will really miss John at Beaudesert and wish him the very best for the future. RS
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
Gill Price
Back in September 1999, Gill Price began her reign the leader of Beaudesert Park’s Pre-prep swimming, and what a lot of water has literally passed under the bridge since then… Gill has contributed so much to the swimming development of several generations of Beaudesert swimmers and as such, helped to bring home the accolades and reputation that Beaudesert swimming has had in the intervening years. Gill’s commitment and dedication to this has set so many of our children on their early swimming journeys, helping to turn them into confident, independent swimmers who are safely able to enjoy the water. Of all the lessons I have been lucky enough to teach with Gill, one session in
particular always sticks in my memory, that of rescue techniques and survival skills that is taught in Year 2. To make the lesson more experiential, the children are always asked to bring in lightweight clothing such as pyjamas to wear whilst swimming. On one occasion I can recall a rather overexuberant but very dapper tuxedo and bow tie being produced from a swim bag, and Mrs Price politely but firmly informing the child in question that PE shorts and a t-shirt would do! As well as running Pre-prep swimming, Gill has also been a teaching assistant within the Pre-prep. Regardless of the task, she is a shining light of helpfulness, rational pragmatism, professionalism and kindness towards her colleagues and the children. Her presence on a Pre-prep class visit is always reassuring, and her willingness to help in the classroom and assist the staff is endless. To borrow a lyric, “You don’t know what you’ve lost ‘til it’s gone.” This will only prove true in the oncoming months, but we wish her the absolute best in her retirement. Gill – your professionalism, dedication, kindness and friendship will be truly missed within these walls.
Pete Allen
Pete only joined our team of drivers last September, having previously worked driving rather larger buses for Stagecoach. He fitted in very quickly and was extremely popular both with his colleagues and with the children (especially Margaret). Regretfully, home circumstances have changed for Pete but his passion for buses has landed him a perfect new job which will involve driving tourist buses around Bath. Fortunately, they are of the open top variety which will accommodate his height! We miss him, and wish him well in his new role. MF-K
Alison Holland
HP
Bethan Jones
Bethan arrived at Beaudesert in 2017 as Head of the Pottery department as well as teaching DT and Art. Her contribution across all three of these departments has been immense. She has been the glue that has bonded the departments together, enabling us to form an even better creative provision. She has been a source of joy and inspiration to all the members of staff she has worked with and children she has taught.
She has modernised the Pottery department into Ceramics, developing a vast range of exciting and engaging projects for the children to get stuck into. She is a champion of practical subjects, of getting children to create, build and use their hands. She encourages exploration of materials, of learning through doing and of having a massive amount of fun in the process. Children will remember her for her series of funny voices, for encouraging dancing in the classroom and for turning washing up into a fun competition. Bethan leaves us to relocate to North Wales and we wish her all the very best for the future. We have been so lucky to have had her in our departments for the past four years and know that the future schools she works in will feel exactly the same. LS and LW
Alison Holland joined the Learning Support Department in January 2016. Her qualities of kindness and patience were apparent and she was dedicated to the learning development of her pupils. Alison shared her love of art, literature and nature with her pupils and created beautiful bespoke resources to use with the children in her lessons. Alison was a main player when we introduced in-class specialist support and was well-respected by her colleagues in the classroom, providing assistance effectively and unobtrusively. We all appreciated Alison’s calm approach and words of wisdom. We are sending our very best wishes to Alison who is now able to enjoy more time with her family in her new home. HW
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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021
Christina Lincoln
“Quel dommage!” was my reaction as soon as I knew Christina was calling it a day. I simply could not have wished for a better member of the MFL Department over the past decade. Whatever was required, she did not do only willingly, but extremely well. She taught all ages and abilities in the Prep School, with clear purpose and enthusiasm, yet real patience and understanding. Albeit the opposite of a drama queen, she loves drama and this came to the fore, both in and outside of the classroom. Who could forget the Journée de la Francophonie assembly she produced a few years ago, with the Scholars dressed as giant fruit, leading a whole school rendition of J’aime les fruits?! She was a fantastic, versatile deputy on the annual French trip too, who even fulfilled the unenviable Florence Nightingale role, looking after the sick with commendable equanimity and good humour. Indeed, she always managed to see the funny side.
Carl Sloman
Carl joined Beaudesert in the summer of 2018 and he most certainly didn’t fit the stereotypical ‘angry chef ’ mould; quite the contrary. Each day, and even in the most challenging of circumstances, Carl greeted us all, children and staff alike, with
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Among the challenges of taking 50 or so twelve or thirteen year-olds to Normandy, we always shared plenty of laughter, (n’est ce pas, Marlene?!) First-class teacher though she was, it was her many qualities as a person that made Christina such a popular member of staff. Naturally sociable, she was, and still is, always interested in other people. This friendliness, combined with an inherent kindness, was enhanced by calm, rational and wise support for both pupils and adults. Such qualities made her an excellent Form tutor, a part of the job which she shared for several years with the equally unflappable Sally Russell. I often asked Christina for advice, which was unfailingly helpful, based on her considerable experience and a shrewd notion of common sense. Having said that, she has offered to babysit my own children (foolishly). I fully intend to make her keep her promise! Many of us know that Christina will remain a great friend, as well as having proved herself to be an outstanding teacher, a marvellous colleague and just a wonderful person. Beaudesert’s loss is her family’s gain. Her leaving card was a waterfall of gratitude and respect. We wish her every happiness in retirement, especially being able to spend more time with her husband Adrian and acting as ‘Nona’ to her beloved, lucky grandchildren. À bientôt Christina et merci OF mille fois. warmth and a smile, which helped the delicious food slip down with even greater ease. During the three years that he was with us, Carl worked tirelessly to ensure the quality and variety of food we were lucky to enjoy was of the highest standard. Word of his memorable match teas spread far and wide. If an army marches on its stomach, and ours most definitely does, it was Carl and his team that kept us going.
Anna White
Anna White or rather, Madame White, joined Beaudesert just over three years ago. She bounded into the modern languages department with all the youth and energy of Tigger. Anyone who happened to walk down the “French corridor” will have heard her pupils singing their hearts out, blissfully unaware that they were learning key vocabulary; they were quite simply enjoying themselves. Anna was the only member of staff to have taught throughout the School from Reception through to Year 8, and although secondary trained, she increasingly enjoyed her lessons with the younger age groups. The creativity and fun – teaching in a banana costume on a “Fruit Friday” that she brought to her Zoom lessons will remain long in the memories of those lucky enough to be in her teaching groups. She has always been a professional and generous colleague, ready to help, whatever the setting, be it in School, during French trips, on crosscountry runs or leading House Shout rehearsals. Her classroom was always a sanctuary for any child who needed a boost.
Carl left us at in order to be closer to his family and we all wish him every happiness in his future endeavors.
We wish her all the best, as she embarks on her new role as a Year 4 class teacher in Morocco, and we are just a tiny bit envious of all that sunshine!
MP
CL
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
Speech Day Prize List Year 6 Charlotte Austen Henry Matcham Sahara Nicolas
Timms Drama Cup Davis Junior Maths Cup Timms Drama Cup
Year 8 Commended: Maths, Art and Outstanding contribution to Sport Commended: Geography, Drama and Equestrianism Commended: Outstanding overall academic performance Waite Shield for Strings, Petyan Prize for Geography Indigo Burton Commended: Maths, Latin and Art 8SM Form Prize for her caring and kind consideration of others, winner of the Brodermann Prize for integrity, decorum and poise Esmé Cartwright Commended: English, French, Drama and Science 8A Form Prize for consistent good manners and consideration for others, Austin Richardson Classic Prize Fred Douglas-Pennant Commended: Drama, English, Science and Outstanding contribution to Sport John Keyte Maths Prize, Vincent Keyte History Prize Rufus Edmonds Commended: English and Geography Matthews Science Prize, Kellie Cup for Brass, Cucknell Design Prize Theo Eugster Commended: Maths, Music and Good Common Entrance examination results Mander Philosophy & Ethics Prize Lili Evans Commended: Drama, Outstanding contribution to Sport Elgar Music Prize for Woodwind, Oliver Shield for Music Tom Evans-Gough Commended: Science, Music and Maths Honor Fanshawe Commended: French, Music, Geography and Science Stephen Henriques English Prize, Crick Drama Cup Tadgh Farrington Commended: Computing and an Excellent set of Common Entrance examination results, particularly in Geography and History Eliza Fleming Commended: Maths, Geography and French Hervey Adams Art Prize, Archibald Design Prize Florence Frost Commended: English, French, Music and Art Joint winner of the Good Egg Prize Wilfred Gemmill Commended: French, Drama and Music Ollie Greig Commended: Art, Geography and Drama Kulesza Technology Prize Tom Hack Commended: English, French and Maths Violette-Grey Halard Commended: Philosophy and Ethics, Equestrianism and Excellent results in her French Common Entrance examination Lucia Hargitay Commended: Maths and Outstanding enthusiasm for Sport Reid Science Prize Rosie Holloway Commended: Drama, Art and Outstanding academic progress in Year 8 Sam Jones Commended: French, Music and LAMDA 8B Form Prize for having a truly transformative year, winner of the Progress in Maths Award, Pope Computing Prize Georgina Longsdon Commended: Maths, French, Art, Science and History Poppy Baker Jake Bostock Caspar Burns
Cheltenham College Marlborough College Cheltenham College
Cheltenham College
Cheltenham College
Radley College Malvern College
Kingswood School Marlborough College Marlborough College Marlborough College Marlborough College St Mary’s, Calne St Mary’s, Calne Clifton College Kingswood School Cheltenham College Cheltenham Ladies’ College Cheltenham College Cheltenham College
Sherborne School
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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021
May Prize for English Jaspar Mackay-Lewis Commended: Maths, Geography and History Freddie Mullin Commended: English, Maths, Geography and History Will Noest Commended: French, Computing and Outstanding Common Entrance results 8B Form Prize for his unending reserves of optimism, good humour and determination George Pegg Commended: Maths 8SM Form Prize for his cheerful, beaming smile and happy demeanour Quitterie Peppiatt Commended: Art and Outstanding Common Entrance results across the board Chalmers French Prize, Progress in Maths Award Luca Phillimore Commended: Drama and Art 8A Form Prize for thoughtful and informed contributions to form dicussions, winner of the Shaw Piano Cup Kit Probert Commended: Effort and progress throughout Year 8 8A Form Prize for cheerfulness, resilience and general good humour Rufus Raynor Commended: Art and Drama 8SM Form Prize for his all-round participation and willing contribution to school life Archie Roche Commended: Computing, Drama and Overall contribution to Sport Breezy Sabine Commended: English, Maths and History 8B Form Prize for being the 8B Project Manager and driving force throughout the year on our many and various endeavours, winner of the Airey Art Prize Arthur Smith Commended: Geography, English and Overall contribution to Sport Rudy Smith Commended: Computing Russell Prize for Natural Flair in Maths, Lavery Arts Cup for Music, Drama and Photography Eden Stringer Commended: Geography, Drama, Maths and Science Sophie Thompson Commended: Drama, Music and Art Harmer Cup for Outstanding Academic Attainment, the Rufus Isaacs English Prize Milo Thomson Commended: Maths, French, History and Drama Blackmore Chorister Cup, joint winner of the Good Egg Prize India Trounson Commended: Maths, LAMDA and Equestrianism Amory Vanderbrook Commended: English, Geography, French, Science and Computing Duffy Dyer Cup for Endeavour Benedict Wateridge Commended: Drama and Outstanding contribution to Sport Nott Cup for Academic Attainment, Brickwood Physics Cup
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Stowe School Stowe School Marlborough College
Cheltenham College Rendcomb College
St Mary’s, Calne
Cheltenham College Westonbirt School
Westonbirt School Eton College
Cheltenham Ladies’ College Marlborough College
The King’s School, Gloucester Eton College
St Mary’s, Calne Marlborough College Cheltenham College Rugby College Radley College
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Form Prizes 3B 3B 3B 3H 3H 3H 3N 3N 3N 4H 4H 4H 4L 4L 4L 4M 4M 4M 4SM 4SM 4SM 5D 5D 5D 5G 5G 5G 5H 5H 5H 5S 5S 5S 6C 6C 6C 6H 6H 6H 6TC 6TC 6TC 6W 6W 6W 7B 7B 7B 7H 7H 7H 7W 7W 7W
R Cheetham Z Gillespie A Turner R Johnston A Longsdon T Settle I Dalrymple G Gilbey C Lloyd-Baker B Keegan H Pitman C Williams A Grand
For being good fun and jumping into Beaudesert life with two feet. For a fantastic attitude, super work and being a joy to teach. For being sensible, friendly, good fun and always smiling. For all round success, a ready smile and a wonderful attitude to all aspects of school life. For faultless good manners and kindness to others. For unwavering effort, blossoming confidence and coming into her own this term. For shining brightly and being an utter joy to teach. For effort, achievement and making the most of every opportunity in her first year at Beaudesert. For high attainment and an exceptional flair for creative writing. For his enthusiasm, kindness and humour. For her quiet determination and thoughtful approach to her learning. For having the strength of character to thrive and succeed. For always having time for anyone and for an endless helping of laughs and smiles, and being an allround good egg! W Kojima For all-round academic excellence and always looking to improve. B Tubbs For being an absolute superstar and giving 110% in all that she does. C Ellis For being a reliable and responsible member of the class and always striving for success. A Howard For understanding that hard work leads to success and for embracing new learning experiences and challenges. B Richardson-Thompson For accepting and acting on feedback which has helped to really excel his learning. H Graham For his love, enjoyment and appreciation of language. H Kinsella For her enquiring and inquisitive mind. E Thaiss For setting himself high standards, both inside and outside of the classroom. L Da Rosa For his wonderful approach to school life. F Jones For always being positive and hard working. R Spooner For his excellent effort and enthusiasm. O Johnston For attainment in all subjects. S Phillips For her great contribution to the Form all year. E Sánchez Farmar For excellent effort all-round. C Bostock For her cheerful and delightful manner to peers and teachers alike. B Elliott For a fabulous start to Beaudesert and we know you will continue to thrive and grow. P Floyd For having a super attitude towards school life, and fantastic effort and attainment throughout. H Kojima For his unfailingly cheerfulness and enthusiasm, and for making the most of every opportunity. I Parkes For perseverance and his kind and thoughtful nature. C Peppiatt For her faultless manners, cheerful disposition and her endless enthusiasm for all areas of school life. S McCulloch For his academic excellence throughout the year. F Robinson For his enthusiasm in all areas of Beaudesert life. R Sturgis For always giving 100% effort both in and out of the classroom. C Gifford For his smile and jolly nature each morning with excellent effort all year. A Marwood For being so polite and kind with her daily ‘good morning’ and ‘thank you’. J Thompson For excellent effort and attainment sustained throughout the year. I Adams For kindness, maturity and empathy beyond her years. K Calvert For unending positivity. E Wood For an insatiable zest for all things and all opportunities. C Austen For unwavering effort, determination and positivity. Charlotte works her socks off whilst bringing joy to everyone around her. L Fleming For consistent outstanding effort, whilst maintaining a warm and sunny disposition. L Walker For embracing all opportunities with a fierce determination, infectious sense of fun and good humour. E Hodson For always putting in her very best effort. G Lewis For being hard working, kind and polite throughout, and just great company. W Sturdy For consistently striving for excellence and fantastic academic achievement throughout the year. R Hudson For always being a positive and enthusiastic member of the form. F Millar For excellent effort and kindness. S Ratcliffe For always thinking of others before herself. H Holmes For a consistently sunny disposition and contribution to school life. J Gordon For outstanding and sustained performance in all subjects. K Johnston For exceptional effort and organisation whilst making the most of all that Beaudesert offers.
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Scholarships, Exhibitions and Awards Poppy Baker Caspar Burns Fred Douglas-Pennant Eliza Fleming Wilfred Gemmill Oliver Greig Lucia Hargitay Rosie Holloway George Pegg Rufus Rayner Sophie Thompson Benedict Wateridge
Sports Scholarship Music Exhibition Academic Scholarship Art Exhibition Sports Scholarship Art Scholarship Sports Exhibition Art Scholarship Sports Scholarship Drama Exhibition Bodinnar All-Rounder Scholarship Sports Scholarship
Cheltenham College Cheltenham College Radley College St Mary’s, Calne Clifton College Kingswood School Cheltenham College Cheltenham College Rendcomb College Westobirt School St Mary’s, Calne Radley College
Art Scholarship Academic Scholarship & Music Scholarship Academic Exhibition
Rendcomb College The King’s School, Gloucester Westonbirt School
Year 6 Red Goodman Henry Matcham Martha McMyn
Valete Year 6 Charlotte Austen Willa Bedford Red Goodman Tilly Lidstone Henry Matcham Martha McMyn Oliver Mitchell Tess Rowland Miya Thaiss Eleanor Williams Sofia Zinni
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Stroud High School Stroud High School Rendcomb College Cheltenham Ladies’ College The King’s School, Gloucester Westonbirt School Pate’s Grammar School Cheltenham Ladies’ College Stroud High School St Mary’s, Calne Cheltenham Ladies’ College
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
B OA R D I N G AT B E AU D E S E RT Although it was another disjointed year in the Boarding House, we felt we definitely finished on a high in the Summer Term. Although much of the year had limits on boarding, such as who could stay and how many nights, the atmosphere upstairs has been one of great happiness and a real sense of joy. A community was built – a home from home. For the boarders that we had, an atmosphere of a weekly boarding school developed. Weekly events such as ‘Tea Tuesday’, or the ongoing Mario Kart Grand Prix kept them busy in the evenings. Nevertheless, the flexis were keen to make a return. Despite our attempts at keeping them entertained from afar with parody songs, performed by the boarding staff, or hot chocolates on Zoom, when they could return in the Summer Term they did and they brought with them a much-welcomed injection of life and pace back into the Boarding House.
helping with the costumes in the Drama department, her three year stint as a Matron came to an end in April. This meant that we have warmly welcomed Kim Thomas, who has joined the team and has made an incredibly positive start. We are so looking forward to the academic year 2021-22 and many more challenges that are thrown our way. As ever, we simply cannot do the job we do alone. The boarding team is such a close one and we send a huge heartfelt thanks for all the support and help that we have had from the phenomenal team of Matrons, plus of course, Mr Griffiths. We are thrilled with the results of the revamp that took place in the summer holidays and we look forward to more developments upstairs soon. We simply cannot wait to see what the next academic year has is in store. Tom and Joey Layton
As ever, the activities programme took centre stage and they have continued to be a real highlight for both children (and staff in some cases). We are never short of things to do. The school grounds sell themselves as any child’s best possible playground. From fire lighting and toasting marshmallows at the pond, to indoor laser tag in the Sports Hall in the Autumn Term, or falconry displays on the banks and mountain biking on the Common in the summer. The children have fully immersed themselves in all that they have done and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. A happy and thriving Boarding House has such a positive impact on the day-to-day atmosphere within the School. As always, as years come and go, so do staff in the Boarding House. We welcomed Gemma Price in September, who joined us fresh from the University of Gloucestershire and d’Overbroeck’s. Gemma has been invaluable in helping the Matrons’ department and has settled in, like a duck to water. We also said a fond farewell to Matron Flavia Heseltine. Although Flavia is still with us at School,
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B E AU D E S E RT A N D T H E C O M M U N I T Y Once again, it was a good year when it came to our children supporting different charitable causes and projects. As a community, we continued to support and raise money for a wide variety of worthwhile causes and charities. The commitment and efforts shown by the children was superb and we were very proud of their achievements. We hope that their involvement, will help them to foster a lifelong understanding of the importance of helping those who need it. In the Autumn Term, we took part in ‘Jeans for Genes’ day, raising £404 in support of the charity who work tirelessly to help children affected by genetic disorders. In October, we continued our support of a local charity, the Stroud Foodbank, that provides food for people in crisis. As a School, we collected 402kg of food for them through our Harvest Festival service – a record amount! In November, with our Remembrance Day service, we continued to support the British Legion raising £284. In support of Children in Need, there was a sponsored silence on the school bus, a ‘Ready, Teddy, Go’ competition and a non-school uniform day which raised £864. In addition, a number of staff across the School took part in Movember, an event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues. The support they were shown was amazing and raised a total of £1,760.
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Individually over the Spring Term, Emily and Tilly in Year 6 cut and donated their hair to The Little Princess Trust, and Oliver, also in Year 6, raised £130 through a bake sale in his village for the Flying Scholarships for Disabled People, enough for someone to enjoy one hour of flying. Zachary in Year 3, Bluey in Year 4 and Delphie in Reception spent time litter picking in their local community, kindly helping their neighbours enjoy their time outside during Lockdown. We also collected a number of laptops and devices from the community to donate to disadvantaged children, following a plea by St James’s Place Charitable Foundation.
equivalent distance. With the support of parent and Olympic rower Zac PurchaseHill MBE, everyone spent just over two weeks on six rowing machines. Most breaks and lunches saw children of all ages clocking up the kilometres and through determination and a massive team effort, we achieved the distance as a team. The children and staff certainly did their best to support the incredible achievements of the Ocean Sheroes, helping them to raise over £30,000 for ‘Seabins’, a charity looking to help clean up our oceans from plastic pollution. A fantastic finale to the year! Thank you to all the children, parents and staff for their amazing support. LR
Come the Summer Term, our community certainly started where they left off. In May, parent Perusha Gordon took part in the Great Pacific Rowing Race, as a part of Team Ocean Sheroes, and accepted the challenge of rowing 2,700 miles from San Francisco to Hawaii. Children and staff raised the profile of her challenge by attempting to collectively row the
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2018
AC A D E M I C
Computing
e-Safety
It was great to be back at school for the Autumn Term. We covered Office applications, and reminded pupils of e-Safety and the slightly neglected skill of touch-typing. We also continued to encourage independent learning and thinking in Computing. During the Spring Term, working remotely, we worked on Coding. Luckily, we were able to use Scratch 3 online, which worked on almost all platforms. I’m also very grateful to the parents for the help they gave their children. We finished the term with a Scratch coding competition, and had some very imaginative and fun entries. The Summer Term has rushed by, and while younger years worked on their projects using a range of applications, Year 6 enjoyed using Sketchup, a 3D modelling program. Year 7 and 8 worked on Photoshop, Photopea and Wick Editor. Pivot has been popular among all years. We have gradually been able to return to using the Computer Suites for more lessons and Mr Layton has been delighted to get the Year 1 and Year 2 Pre-prep children into the suites this term.
This academic year, e-Safety has continued to stay at the forefront of everyone’s mind. The January lockdown meant we were once again back at our screens and, for many, left to our own devices. As a School, we have continued to try to educate not just children, but our staff and parents too. During lessons, the Pre-prep and lower KS2 children have continued to cover e-Safety during Computing lessons. Using resource programs such as Gooseberry Planet and Google’s Interland, we have been able to freshen up our approach to the way we teach e-Safety, keeping as up to date as we possibly can, while continuing to revisit tried and tested resources. We also took part in this year’s Safer Internet Day in February which focused on exploring reliability in an online world. In the past, we have welcomed external speakers to cover different topics and this year was no different. Last year’s speaker, Andy Robertson, published his book in early 2021 and parents were
given access to a free e-copy of ‘Taming Gaming’, a ‘recipe book’ of different games to help parents navigate the world of online games. In the Summer Term, we were also visited by School Beat Officer, PC Mark Weedon, from Gloucestershire Constabulary. He was able to visit the School and talk to children from Years 5 – 8 about a number of different areas including how to make themselves more secure online, how to report issues and who to talk to when things go wrong. As we turn our attention to the next academic year, we will continue to look for ways to keep up to date with the most recent apps and online content, as well as seeking ways to engage the children in such an important area. We shall continue to provide help for parents to tackle online issues, and we hope to resume our programme of guest speakers and experts to help in guiding children through the minefield that is the internet. TL
JG
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Science It was enormous relief to start the year back in our Science labs and be able to tuck in to some crucial, hands-on practical work with some very enthusiastic children. Just a few of the many lesson highlights would be the Year 4 ‘body parachute’ races and ‘The Great Jelly Baby Drop.’ The children were investigating air resistance and had to construct their own parachutes to safely guide their jelly babies to the ground. Sadly, we are not sure how many jelly babies made it to the end of the lesson… Year 6 had great fun dissecting chicken wings and the Year 7 children were able to carry out numerous investigations
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using the Bunsen Burners while they learned about heating different substances. Of course, we are also so happy about the incredible success of all of our Year 8s in their Common Entrance examinations. The school pond has also been widely utilised in Science this year and the children have loved going pond dipping. The pond looks brilliant and healthy, rich with aquatic life. It is always a nice excuse to slip out of the classroom with the children on a hot and sunny day. As always, our STEAM days were an enormous success. This year our Year 6s investigated how water temperature affects the rate at which bath bombs dissolve, and
went on to make their own sweet-smelling bath bombs. Our Year 7s had great fun conducting a biscuit dunking investigation – all very serious work. The fantastic Science team have held down the fort this year and we are all looking forward to next year with great anticipation! JLB
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Design, Technology and Engineering Through some adaptions to our curriculum, the amount of work we have been able to accomplish in Design, Technology and Engineering this year has been amazing.
the workshop. They have been brilliantly creative and produced some fantastic work including glass jewellery, hand sewn bags for life, model alarm rooms and soldered electronic mood lamps.
During the Autumn Term, children across all year groups were able to utilise their practical making skills, producing a range of outcomes from cam toys to hand grabbers, fleece travel pillows to tie-dye festival t-shirts.
During the Summer Term, we ran two STEAM days, one for Year 6 and another for Year 7. Both days involved taking children off timetable for the day, encouraging them to use their Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths (STEAM) skills to problem solve a range of aspects linked to the production of either bath bombs or biscuits.
Whilst at home during the start of the Spring Term, we focused on building the children’s theory knowledge of the projects they had worked on before Christmas. They learned about where our textile materials come from, and how cotton, fleece and manmade materials like nylon are manufactured. We encouraged children to search their homes to find these materials and to see first-hand how these materials are used in everyday clothing and household items. During the online learning period, children looked at mechanisms and searched to find cranks, levers and gears in their homes. This was a good lesson because they are all easily found, but rarely noticed even though they help us perform some of the simplest jobs more efficiently.
My lasting memory of this year will be the amazing feeling of being back in the workshop, watching children enjoy making things and being creative once more. Earlier this year, I heard the news that two Old Beaudesertians have gained places to study Engineering, one to Oxford and one to Cambridge. I would like to think somewhere in their past I was able to inspire them into the world of engineering, and that many of our current children will follow suit in the future.
YEAR 7 STEAM DAY, BISCUIT BOX DESIGNS
LW
We continued to push the children’s creativity and artistic talent by making them sketch, draw and render designs. We also asked them to start producing more formal drawings ready for production. The home learning curriculum allowed children to build on their general DT knowledge, and gave them the opportunity to think about the bigger picture and how DT links to their everyday life and homes. When we returned to School before Easter, the focus returned to practical making skills. It has been evident that the children have really enjoyed their time back in
YEAR 6 STEAM DAY, BATH BOMB PACKAGING
RUFUS B, YEAR 5, HANDY GRABBER
CAPI, YEAR 5, BAG FOR LIFE
KITTY AND GENEVIEVE, YEAR 5, BAGS FOR LIFE
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RUFUS E, YEAR 8, SCHOLARSHIP TANK PROJECT FRED D-P, YEAR 8, PILLOW
LIBBY, YEAR 6, BEE CAM TOY
CHARLOTTE, YEAR 6, GLASS COASTER
Recycled dress wins competition This year Isla C in Year 7 won a local sustainability competition with a dress she designed and created out of PPE. Her ball gown wowed the judges of the ‘Close to Home: Our Environment’ competition, organised by Cirencester Environmental Action Group. The competition challenged entrants to submit a project they had completed in the last year which has helped the environment in some way. Isla was awarded first place in the Under 16s category for the gown she had created, made entirely from medical waste. The undergarment and skirt of the dress was made from bubble wrap and plastic gloves, and the bodice was fashioned out of masks. As a Type 1 diabetic, Isla also made a tiara for the outfit using needles from her insulin injections. As the winner of her category, Isla has won a bee keeping experience and a day with a 3D printing expert. Well done, Isla, for representing the department so brilliantly outside of school. LW
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ESME H, YEAR 7, TIE-DYE T-SHIRT
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T H E A RTS
Art
AGATHA R, YEAR 6 SCHOLAR – ELIZA
LARA, YEAR 6 FLORENCE F, YEAR 8
CAPI, YEAR 5
SCHOLAR – ELIZA
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GENEVIEVE, YEAR 5
GEORGINA, YEAR 8
HERBIE, YEAR 6
LUX, YEAR 6
HONOR F, YEAR 8
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BREEZY, YEAR 8
YEAR 8 ADDING INK TO THEIR CONCENTINA SKETCHBOOKS
HECTOR H, YEAR 7
HONOR F, YEAR 8
SCHOLAR – OLLIE
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PALOMA AND MARTHA, YEAR 6
SCHOLAR – SOPHIE T
SOPHIE R, YEAR 5
SCHOLAR – OLLIE
QUITTERIE, YEAR 8 MIYA, YEAR 6
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POPPY B, YEAR 8
SCHOLAR – SOPHIE T
SCHOLAR – RED GI.
WILBUR, YEAR 7
SCHOLAR – ROSIE H
SOFIA, YEAR 6
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EMILIE, YEAR 6
ZOE, YEAR 7
SCHOLAR – ROSIE H
CERAMICS, YEAR 5
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Ceramics The past year has provided many opportunities for children to create artwork in Ceramics, teaching under the temporary banner of “3D Art”. The Year 3 children explored the positive, vibrant work of the artist Morag Myerscough, creating 3D sculptures using neon paper, and home learning featured pupils experimenting with homemade clay, tin foil sculptures and much more!
at home. The fun, creative and exciting responses to lessons really brightened my day. I have enjoyed rejuvenating the Ceramics Department at Beaudesert since joining in 2017. Ceramics is a fine craft that has been historically important to Great Britain for hundreds of years and I hope that Beaudesertians continue enjoy its unique benefits. BJ
3D HOUSES, YEAR 4
Year 4 studied the Ndebele people and the secret messages within the decorative patterns that adorn their homes. They created secret messages of their own to accompany their miniature 3D houses made from card, and decorated them with collage techniques. Children in Year 5 have explored symmetry in art, looking at Islamic, Christian and Buddhist artwork as inspiration for their own designs. The children explored a range of Computer Aided Design technology, for example using 2D designs to create laser cut stained glass windows, or experimenting with software to create mandalas. Whether at home or at School, pupils have engaged with a huge range of activities, and have adapted to working in new ways both inside and outside of the classroom.
CAD TETRAHEDRONS, YEAR 5
In the final term, all pupils engaging in the “3D Art Carousel” have had the opportunity to work with clay, studying the work of polka dot enthusiast and world renowned artist Yayoi Kusama. Pupils have worked hard to sculpt pumpkins, decorating them with garish colours and dots in Kusama’s signature design. The Summer Term has also seen the Art department diving in with ceramics, learning the ropes of how to work safely and effectively with clay to ensure the children continue to engage and work with this exciting medium. The children rose to the challenge of 3D Art, either in unusual classrooms, or
PUMPKIN SCULPTURES, YEAR 5
CLAY TILES, YEAR 4
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Music Last year, in my article for the school magazine, I wrote about community being at the heart of music and finished by highlighting the creative thinking of musicians. It would be remiss of me to write about this last academic year without mentioning both of these essential skills again… My goodness we have had to rely upon both community and creativity this year. In addition, I have been continually amazed by the resilience of the children at Beaudesert especially in light of the many disappointing announcements regarding our performance calendar. Still, because of the circumstances, we have determinedly continued to share as much music as possible either with a reduced live audience or via a virtual platform. Many children have taken ABRSM examinations this academic year. I am so impressed by the standard Beaudesert musicians have reached this year; their hard work and dedication is demonstrated by our fantastic set of results. Across the board, the exam results were 13% pass, 52% merit and 35% distinction.
Autumn Term After the disruption to the music calendar, we were eager to provide the children
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at Beaudesert with an opportunity to experience live music as an audience hence, the Beaudesert Piano Quartet was formed. With our desire to share music with as many children as possible and with the restrictions of bubbles, this led to one solution…to perform our concert thrice on the same day. Although a small marathon, it was our pleasure to perform Mozart’s Piano Quartet in G minor, 3 short pieces composed by Mr Mander and a few seasonal numbers to the Beaudesert pupils and staff to provide an uplifting way to end the term. Determined not to allow COVID restrictions to diminish spreading Christmas cheer, the Year 7 and 8 choir headed to Horsfall House in Nailsworth to sing carols to the residents. The end of the Autumn Term wouldn’t be complete without our Carol Service, and although in virtual form and with the unusual requirements of singing and playing at a distance, the quality of singing from our choirs and ensembles shone through. With the flexibility of filming performances in school, we used the opportunity to record performances of Christmas carols and songs by each of our instrumental ensembles. My thanks go to each of the instrumental teachers for directing and supporting the young musicians in these groups. A special mention to Honor for her beautiful solo of ‘Once in Royal’, which opened the Carol Service.
Spring Term At the start of the Spring Term, we were delighted to receive the news that Henry M in Year 6 was awarded a Music Scholarship to The King’s School, Gloucester, and Caspar B in Year 8 had gained a Music Exhibition to Cheltenham College, a result of their hard work and dedication to music during their time at Beaudesert. Throughout the Spring Term we enjoyed many solo performances in pupil assemblies, including an impromptu performance of the ‘Star Wars’ theme by Mr Holmes on the piano. A stand out pupil assembly moment has to be the Year 5 and 6 choir’s performance of the viral TikTok song ‘Wellerman’. After creating our own acapella arrangement of the song, complete with a round, harmony and Cajon accompaniment, it was such a pleasure to share this with the Year 5 and 6 bubble. Very well done to the choir for this performance and many thanks to Miss Hughes for her expert leadership. Later in the term, the House Music competition saw a record number of entries, with 154 solos performed over two days! I thoroughly enjoyed adjudicating the beginner classes on the first day of the competition and I was so encouraged by both the standard of musicianship demonstrated by our younger musicians, and the way in which the children were so supportive of one another. For the second day of the competition, we welcomed
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
George Bevan, Director of Music at Monkton Combe as our guest adjudicator. George’s enthusiasm for music and music education is infectious and his insightful and considered observations were so helpful in supporting the development of our musicians. He continually reminded the children about the importance of listening; listening to the sound when playing instruments or singing, and the necessary skill of singing for all musicians. The competition was a very close contest and this year C House were the overall winners with 720 points.
Summer Term With the promise of warmer weather and brighter days, I was hopeful that the Summer Term would provide more performance opportunities even if they were outside. In spite of a few moments of uncertainty, it has been wonderful to end the academic year by sharing live music with the Beaudesert community. Undoubtedly, the Summer Term included many musical highlights. Together, Mrs Crosbee and I always enjoy creating and adapting works for the children at Beaudesert and our first production this term was the ‘Rocking Romans’ performed by Year 3. Having begun learning the songs in lockdown, I am sure that many parents were equally as familiar with the songs as the children were
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by the time it came to the performance! All of Year 3 sang with much enthusiasm and joy, it was so encouraging to see all of the children supporting one another when singing out with confidence. Well done to
Year 3 for setting such a high standard in our journey of bringing back live music to Beaudesert. After learning a variety of traditional African songs in their class lessons, Year 4 were ready to share their music with family and friends in the Celebration of African Music concert. By combining the melody, harmony and rhythm on a range of instruments and with their voices, each of the Year 4 classes demonstrated excellent teamwork. The concert featured 4H’s performance of ‘Senua de Dende’, 4L’s performance of ‘Banuwa’, 4M’s performance of a traditional song from South Africa and 4SM concluded the concert by singing and playing ‘Kye Kye Kule’ from Ghana. Ordinarily our Rock On Summer Concert would feature performances by all classes
in Years 5 to 8. However, this year our scaled back version just featured Year 5. Because of their dedicated practice throughout the term, Year 5 took to the stage with confidence and an eagerness to share their music with the audience. Mr Jones, Mr Harris and I had great fun supporting and playing along with each of the class bands. This occasion seemed to be a real celebration of music and reminded each of us why we love live music. 5D opened the concert with ‘Waka Waka’ followed by 5G’s performance of ‘Best Day of My Life’. ‘Stand by Me’ was performed by 5G and 5S concluded the concert with ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’. The audience enjoyed their performances so much that every class performed each of their songs twice! Congratulations, Year 5. From the Prep School to the Pre-prep, some of our youngest musicians were keen to share their achievements and progress in the annual Year 2 concert. As friends and family enjoyed afternoon tea, the Year 2 musicians took to the stage in the Marquee with gusto. From solo performances to a guitar ensemble and finally an amusing song ‘You Wouldn’t Have a Pig as a Pet’ by the Year 2 Choir, the audience left thoroughly entertained and proud of the children, marking this important pillar in the musical journey at Beaudesert. The sheer determination and resilience of children at Beaudesert was further demonstrated when we had to adapt to sharing performances of the Summer Concert in virtual form. Thank you to all of the children involved for the support, and messages of “don’t worry Mrs Saunders!” I was so impressed by every band, instrumental ensemble and choir for their musicianship and professionalism when putting together our concert. I hope that many of you enjoyed the variety of music. Although listening from the comfort of your own home, I hope you sensed the buzz of our concerts at Beaudesert. The Year 8 production has always been an important event when marking the last year of Prep School for our oldest children at Beaudesert. We were determined that
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the current Year 8 would not miss out on this event which would usually begin in September, with performances at the end of the Autumn Term. After a jam-packed Summer Term, Mrs Crosbee and I set Year 8 a challenge of putting on a musical production in the equivalent time of 6 days of rehearsals. After intensive rehearsals and a few rollercoaster moments… Not only did they rise to the challenge, but far exceeded our expectations. Inspired by the play ‘The Ash Girl’, based upon the story of Cinderella, we adapted the work by adding in musical numbers to highlight and further illustrate key moments in the play. As the Ash Girl, Honor set the standard for music in the play with her beautiful singing of the opening number, ‘Clown’ by Emeli Sandé. The Year 8 production is often an
opportunity for children to realise talents and challenge themselves by stepping out of their comfort zones. This year I was particularly impressed by the solo and smaller ensemble singing by so many of the boys. The Seven Deadly Sins gave an energetic and characterful performance of ‘Dark Necessities’ by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and Benedict and Milo gave an atmospheric performance of ‘Mad World’ surrounded by eerily moving doors. Keen to end the first act on a high and leaving the audience wanting more, I felt that the lyrics and melodic riffs of ‘Ocean of Night’ by The Editors would be perfect for setting up the scene at the ball. Complete with a glitter ball and the support of the chorus, as the Man in the Mirror, Rudy led the song with assurance and creative flair. Very well done Rudy, for leading
such a memorable performance of this song. Having set the tone for Act 2, Rufus R continued to build on this with his solo performance of ‘Daydreaming’ by Radiohead. The whole ensemble brought the show to a rousing close when singing ‘Demons’ by Imagine Dragons and after Tuesday evening, I was so pleased that we had the pleasure of performing the whole show again the following evening. A heartfelt thank you to all of Year 8 for once again making one of our unique Beaudesert musical adaptations such an enjoyable and memorable experience. To bring the academic year to a close, we further celebrated the musical talents of some of Year 8, when listening to their solo performances on Speech Day. Very well done to Lili, Milo, Caspar, Luca and Rudy for providing such expert musical entertainment for this special occasion. When the first lockdown started, music teachers across the UK began to celebrate and support one another in continuing to provide musical opportunities for young people, by sharing performances, compositions, successes and achievements via #candomusic. This year I have realised that together at Beaudesert we will always find ways in which we can resiliently work together as a community to make this simple hashtag a reality. Well done to every child at Beaudesert for your musical achievements this year and I have no doubt that there will be many more to come. RS
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Music Exam Results Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)
M Figgis
Grade 2 Flute Distinction
G Miller
Grade 2 Cello Distinction
M Berkeley
Prep Test Piano
R Nicholas
Grade 2 Guitar Distinction
S Cooper
Prep Test Piano
Z Halpern-Lande
Grade 3 Singing Pass
P Floyd
Prep Test Piano
M Gemmill
Grade 3 Singing Merit
S Jones
Prep Test Piano
G Miller
Grade 3 Cello Merit
N McLaughlin
Prep Test Piano
S Nicholas
Grade 3 Piano Merit
B Tubbs
Prep Test Piano
S Nicholas
Grade 3 Singing Merit
M Berkeley
Initial Piano Distinction
E Skarda
Grade 3 Singing Distinction
G Evans
Initial Piano Distinction
S Thompson
Grade 4 Piano Pass
P Floyd
Initial Piano Distinction
A Oldman
Grade 4 Singing Merit
B Ratcliffe
Initial Piano Distinction
E Robinson
Grade 4 Piano Merit
E Thaiss
Initial Piano Distinction
D McShane
Grade 1 Flute Pass
London College of Music
F Blake
Grade 1 Piano Merit
G Gilbey
W Goldstone
Grade 1 Flute Merit
W Goldstone
Grade 1 Piano Merit
T Greig
Grade 1 Trumpet Merit
W Guise
Grade 1 Singing Merit
A Oldman
Grade 1 Viola Merit
E Tucker
Grade 1 Guitar Merit
Trinity College
E Williams
Grade 1 Piano Merit
R Edmonds
G Gilbey Performance Grade 1, Piano Distinction S Fitzpatrick
Grade 1 Piano Distinction
F Frost
Grade 1 Piano Distinction
T Lidstone
Grade 1 Tenor Horn
H Matcham
Grade 1 Xylophone Distinction
O De Rouet
Grade 1 Flute
Distinction
E Wood
Grade 1 Piano
Distinction
O Mitchell
Grade 2 Piano
Pass
F Blake
Grade 2 Piano Merit
S Cooper
Grade 2 Singing Merit
R Gifford
Grade 2 Trumpet Merit
E Robinson
Grade 2 Guitar Merit
O De Rouet
Grade 2 Flute Merit
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Distinction
Step 2 Piano Distinction
Trinity Rock and Pop D Dickins
Initial Drums Merit
M Thaiss
Initial Drums Distinction
S Smith
Initial Drums Distinction
Grade 4 Euphonium Merit
Rockschool Exam S Adsani
Debut Drums Merit
R Mordaunt-Hoon
Grade 1 Drums Merit
B Richardson-Thompson Grade 1 Ukulele Merit M Thaiss
Grade 1 Guitar Merit
H Wood
Grade 1 Drums Merit
F De Rouet
Grade 2 Drums Pass
T Greig
Grade 2 Guitar Merit
B Ratcliffe
Grade 2 Drum Merit
M Miller
Grade 3 Drums Pass
J Thompson
Grade 3 Guitar
Merit
O Bullock
Grade 4 Drums
Pass
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
Drama Senior Production The Ash Girl
When people watch a play they only see the very surface of it, they only see the final product. What people don’t see is the weeks of hard work and thought that goes into creating a successful play. Mrs Crosbee and Mrs Saunders, assisted by Mrs Austen and Mr Winchester, worked for weeks to plan this play until finally it came to audition week. We signed up on a sheet and they listened to us sing and then allocated us parts. The week after we
were measured for costume sizes by Mrs Heseltine. Then it came to rehearsal time. We had scheduled rehearsals when certain characters plan to do certain scenes. The rehearsals are like the becoming of the characters, it is where you get to know who you are playing and what you are doing. As well as rehearsing the acting, there are people who are sat there all day noting down every prop that is needed and when
and where it should be. There are also lighting people who have to learn the play backwards and forwards to learn all of the different lighting cues. The play has really come along. We all tried on costumes and we have been gathering props. This play has taken a lot of work behind the scenes, days of practice, even the gappies pitched in to make part of the set. Esmé C, Year 8
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Jerusalema Dance With over 7,000 YouTube views to date, the highlight of the dance calendar this year was undoubtedly The Jerusalema Challenge. Inspired by the dance trend from South Africa, The Jerusalema Challenge saw the coming together of the whole school community in a celebration of dance to music by Master KG. Pupils danced in their classrooms, on the terraces and in the playground, whilst staff danced together in the dining room, school office and marquee, culminating in a fabulous unforgettable film. Response to the film was overwhelming. Hundreds of emails
Speech & Drama This year, over 130 pupils have taken Speech and Drama lessons either individually, in pairs or in small groups. Pupils followed the LAMDA syllabus in various disciplines including solo and duologue acting, the speaking of verse and prose, public speaking and group acting. Through lockdown and in school, children prepared for the annual exam session (4th – 7th May). Results were extremely high with 93% of children passing with Distinction. Congratulations go to Algie and George in Year 7 who gave a perfect performance, scoring 100%. What an incredible achievement! Other successes were the four virtual LAMDA Galas for Speech and Drama pupils in the Autumn and Summer Terms, recorded for parents to watch the performances at home. The Galas gave parents the opportunity to feel connected with and see their children’s work during these restricted times, and this initiative will become a regular feature of the Speech and Drama calendar in the future.
LAMDA Exam Results Distinction Merit
(80+) 93% (65+) 7% CC/CT/SH
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from parents and families around the world rejoiced at the strong sense of community shown in the film. The accompanying words of the film explained our reasons for taking up the challenge: Whilst we must be far apart, the joy of dance brings our whole school community together. Even though we are living in these uncertain times, one thing is for certain. The united force
we have when we dance together is unmistakeable. And for those of us with two left feet, remember, when you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way! Search ‘Beaudesert Park School Jerusalema Dance Challenge’ on YouTube to watch the video. CC
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
Jerusalema Dance
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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021
Years 4 – 7 Stage Craft Week Our Prep School Stage Craft Week was a huge success! With stage combat, stage management, sword fighting, wig making and puppetry all on offer, the children had a fabulous time learning new skills and expanding their knowledge of the theatre industry. Year 5 and Year 7 enjoyed two brilliant stage combat workshops with Maisy Carter from MC Combat. While Year 5 created nail-biting fight scenes and learned how to ‘stage slap’, Year 7 tried their hand at sword-fighting in a ‘swashbuckling’ session. Louise, from BAFTA and Oscar awardwinning wig maker Peter Owen, in Bristol, joined Year 5 for a morning demonstrating how wigs are made for film and television. The children had the privilege of trying on some of the wigs that Louise brought with her, including one from Nanny McPhee and one made for Nicole Kidman. Did you know that each strand of hair is individually weaved into each wig?
Puppeteer Bella from Paper Jungle spoke to Year 6. She showcased some of the incredible puppets she had produced for previous productions and the children were enchanted with how she was able to bring the puppets to life. The children then got to make their own puppets out of recycled bottles, which they completed in their DT lessons later in the term. West End in Schools worked with our Year 4 children in a drama workshop titled ‘Our World, Our Planet’. Each group chose a different topic to focus on: deforestation, plastic in the ocean and rising sea levels. They asked themselves, ‘What can I do, what can we do and what can you do?’ and devised their own short scenes to demonstrate how to make a difference. And finally, James Hayden-Harler spoke to the Year 6s on Zoom about his role as a Stage Manager on shows such as Billy Elliot, Beauty and the Beast and Nativity on London’s West End. The children got to see James ‘cuing’ a live show, which
involves overseeing the lighting, sound, scenery and actor cues. There are over 30 cues on each page of the script! The children loved it. All of the children were so inspired to see what it is like on the other side of the curtain and to explore the variety of roles in a working theatre. What a week! The children had so much fun. CC
Year 3 Rocking Romans We worked tirelessly on our play, The Rocking Romans. Everybody got a part, these are the main roles: Wilf as the Presenter, Catherine as Adriana Wall, Jasper as Julien Caesar, Spike and Ruben as Team Remus, and Skylar and Tabitha as Team Romulus. The play is about a game show, two teams compete against each other in a competitive competition.
My part was a road builder. There were three of us. There was Thomas, Arthur and me. My costume was a beige-yellowish colour put together with a belt and comfy trousers. My part was to tell the other builders that the surveyors were coming. I still remember our first rehearsal, it was so fun! Unfortunately the play was moved
to the next week because of bad weather so we had a bonus rehearsal. We did three performances and you know what they say, three times the performances, three times the fun. I am sad the play has been finished, but I’ve got lots more plays to come until the end of Year 8. Henry J, Year 3
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Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
O U T I N G S A N D EV E N TS Leavers’ trip to Cornwall It was with a real sense of relief that we left Beaudesert and headed down to the Southwest for a few days of fun in glorious Cornish sunshine. Mr Burns had to be replaced at the last minute and George SM kindly took his place. Being given 20 minutes to get out of bed, pack and reach the minibuses; he made it in good time. Due to restrictions in place, we were able to try some new activities, one of which was BigDunk’s Paintballing. This proved to be a huge success; enjoyed by everyone including Mr Bird. A number of spectacular bruises quickly appeared but were soothed in cool waters soon afterwards when the group progressed to kayaking. This was another new adventure to the Leavers’ Trip. They launched their kayaks from Rock and paddled out with the tide, passing a few celebrity houses and ‘parking up’ on the Doom Bar, at the entrance of the Camel Estuary. Constant updates were given to them about the wildlife in the river and local area. Hot chocolate and biscuits were a welcome treat on the sand bank and then they paddled back with the incoming tide.
Many people were using The Camel Trail for walking, running and cycling as the Year 8 children hopped onto their bikes. It was very busy, however, both rides were very enjoyable and passed with only one minor incident, involving a cyclist and a patch of nettles. After 22 miles in the saddle, it was time for a surf. The conditions were perfect although experts may have called the surf ‘messy’ and therefore a little tricky.
All in all it was a great success; not only must I thank the other members of staff, who were such a help and a good team, but also the Year 8s, who were all great company and made the Leavers’ Trip 2021 very special indeed. JSM
As we were limited in venues to eat out, MasterChef came to Polzeath this year. Each caravan group were allowed to spend £10 in the Spar market to buy ingredients to create their own fine dining experience. They returned to their kitchens eager to get cooking and prepared their suppers with gusto. A variety of pastas was cooked (some using the kettles); macaroni cheese and pasta bakes were popular, however, Thai green curry, fajitas, omelettes, noodles and sausages were also on the menu. It was a great success and everyone was a winner as no one required treatment afterwards. The kitchens looked as though a bomb had hit them and required plenty of TLC afterwards to get them ship-shape.
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The Wilderness Centre The entire of Year 4 had an amazing time at the Wilderness Centre, which is in the Forest of Dean. On the minibus getting there, we sang 30 verses of the song ‘The Wheels on the Bus’… When we arrived, we were split into groups and had a go at
the first activity, which was challenges. The challenge was that you had to get a ball across the field without touching it. You could use some plastic pipes but they were not long enough. When that activity finished we had lunch outside on the
picnic benches. After lunch, we had a go at map reading, an obstacle course with low ropes and finished the day by going into dark tunnels with head torches. The day was awesome. Otis, Year 4
Chedworth Roman Villa Trip After the Rocking Romans performances, as a treat, we got to go to Chedworth Roman Villa. We got to go on the school minibuses. We were so excited! When we got there, we sat on the grass of the villa courtyard and talked about what we knew about the villa, which in my case was nothing. We noticed that the villa was nestled in a low valley. The building had wings on all sides. The story of how the villa was found was that a game keeper was working on the estate of Lord Eldon in 1864. He lost his ferret down a hole, so he sent his dog to get it. Tiny pieces of coloured stones appeared.
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Soon after, a museum was made with Lord Eldon’s initials carved into the ground. In the museum was lots of evidence that people were living in the villa, and we found out that some of the people were Christian. Next we went to the nymphaeum, a water shrine. This is where a natural spring sends water into an octagonal pool. After, we looked at one of two bath houses on the site. There was a room for undressing called an apodyterium, a tepidarium, a warm room, and a caldarium, a very hot room with a hot
tub. Then you jump into a cold bath to close your pores. Later, we went to the dining room where we saw a beautiful mosaic which has all of the seasons. My favourite was winter because I liked the little hat. Finally, we saw the latrine (the toilet). It was set out very cleverly. There was a stream going through the middle of the room, and rows of holes where people would sit. Yuck! It was so fun to have a lesson outside of school. Spike, Year 3
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
Beaudesert Equestrian Team After a slow start to 2020 and the disappointing news of the postponement of the Championships, September brought with it an opening of the show grounds and a rush to get entries in as everyone was wanting get ‘back on the horse’ and out competing. With lots of new riders and ponies joining the squad, as well as new combinations, there have been multiple teams competing over all the height ranges from 40cm up to 1m, with much success. The year started at Rectory Farm for the annual Cheltenham Ladies’ sponsored show. Our 50, 70 and 80cm teams all came a very respectable 3rd, with William and Jake both being individually placed in their respective classes too. The Dean Close Eventers Challenge in October was bursting at the seams with entries and the team came 5th in the 75cm Arena Eventing. The course of twenty jumps was causing lots of issues, but Clover completed a clear round finishing 7th individually. In the 85cm class, India and Georgina both cleared the 21 fences in style and were individually placed 3rd and 12th respectively. The following day, despite more torrential rain and an early start, the team jumped back into their lorries and travelled to the Pinewood Eventers Challenge where they came 5th in the 75cm Arena Eventing, with India and Connor also completing a super clear round in the 85cm class. This is just a snippet of the children’s equestrian achievements; children have been competing as individuals in all three disciplines all over the region and further afield, qualifying for the NSEA Championships, NSEA Plate, Hickstead and the Grassroots Championships, as well as representing the county and various Pony Clubs. We also have some very impressive young polo players coming through the school and have had success in tetrathlon. To round off the year, we were delighted to put on the annual Beaudesert Horse Show
in June and fortunately the weather was kind to us. There were 37 children, 41 ponies and a total of 83 rounds jumped over the course of the day with thrills and spills, laughter and encouragement.
A wonderful day had by all and some superb show jumping was on show. We were also very excited to test out our new Beaudesert jump! JDS
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Poetry by Heart Competition This year many Beaudesertians entered Poetry by Heart, a national poetry recital competition. The competition was open to children across the UK aged from 7 to 18 years old.
McBride Hoss. They were two of just fifty children who were invited to perform their poems in front of an audience of top British poets at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in July.
Sahara in Year 6 and Georgia in Year 3 were named as national finalists. Sahara was one of ten finalists in the ‘Celebration’ category and Georgia was one of ten finalists in the KS2 ‘Classic’ category. To be considered for the competition, Sahara performed a rendition of ‘Invictus’ by W.E. Henley while Georgia recited ‘What is Pink?’ by Christina Rossetti and ‘The Land Where The Taffy Birds Sing’ by Margaret
Sahara and Georgia had a fabulous time. They enjoyed the play ‘As You Like It’ on the Sunday evening and gave great performances of their chosen poems on the Monday, as well as listening to Michael Rosen sharing a selection of his poems and Simon Armitage giving a fascinating presentation of his poetry. We hope the girls’ successes will encourage children to enter again next year. RA
From the Archives “On November 11th, Armistice Day was, of course, observed in the customary manner. At about 8.30am Miss Richardson appeared with a large tray of poppies for sale; these were very soon disposed of, and the School realized a sum of three pounds and fifteen shillings. At a few minutes before eleven the whole school marched by teams on to the drive, and formed up in a square facing the porch, where the staff assembled. As the clock struck eleven the order was given and everyone sprang to attention; almost at the same moment we could hear the boom of the guns, probably on Salisbury Plain. And then for two minutes silence reigned, and our thoughts turned to those who had made the greatest sacrifice of all for their country’s sake.” Beaudesert Park School Magazine, 1924
Falconry Display In May, our Year 4 children were lucky enough to watch a falconry display on the school banks. Our instructor, Luke, from Wye Valley Falconry brought five birds to show the children including two hawks, two falcons and an owl. He talked to the children all about what the birds like to eat, how they live and hunt, and where they typically live in the wild. The children learned lots to include in their work about the Vikings, who brought falconry to Britain in the 800s and 900s. He did try to give us a flying display but the bird seemed far more interested in the magpies and the lawn mowers and was put back in his naughty box, eventually! TL
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“… the rationing, the black-outs, the curtailed exeats due to lack of petrol, and the absence of mothers and fathers; the changes of staff, less matches. Small things, no doubt, and of little consequence when seen upon the broader canvas of a country, struggling for its life; but big things to boys, nevertheless, and to those whose responsibility it was to keep the wheels turning.” Beaudesert Park School Magazine, 1946
“As you look at the small, red, green and black flower that you wear on your chest, it is not only the people who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country that you remember; it is also those who survived and those who continue to serve for your benefit and your freedom.” Excerpt from a film produced in 2020 for Remembrance Day, performed by Year 8, written by RT
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
Remembrance Day At 11 o’clock on the 11th of November 2020, the School fell silent to pay respect to the fallen soldiers from the World Wars and other conflicts. We all stood on the terrace facing out towards Nailsworth as The Last Post was played by a visiting trumpeter and we stood in silence thinking about the lives that were lost during the fighting. During the silence I was asked to lay the wreath. I walked down the terrace with Mr and Mrs Searson walking slowly behind me as everyone else watched in silence. I placed the wreath in front of the Sundial and then stepped back to join the other lines of the School as Mr and Mrs Searson bowed their heads in front of the wreath.
Each member of Year 8 had decided to read out a name of a past Beaudesertian who had either fought or died in the World Wars. There is a roll of honour board which states the names of the soldiers which we all so often run past without realizing or thinking about what they have done for us. There are 21 names on the board of those who served between 1914 and 1918, five of whom died. One of the names is Brian Egerton, who served as Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers during the First World War. He was sadly killed in action in France at the age of 20 and only 19 days before the end of the war. I read out his name. Caspar B, Year 8
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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021
A LU M N I A History of The Highlands – now Beaudesert Park School Following the demolition of two cottages, in 1850 a large house was built just below where the School stands today, owned by Charles Baring, Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol. When Baring became Bishop of Durham in 1861, the estate was sold to John Griffith Frith, a banker and former India Merchant, who in turn demolished it since it had been built on fuller’s earth
CECIL FITCH’S 1910 ELECTION POSTCARD
AN 1873 WATERCOLOUR OF THE HIGHLANDS BY AXEL HERMAN HAIG
and replaced it on a higher limestone level with the half-timbered mansion we see today. Frith died in 1868, five years before the completion of the house. His widow and daughter, both named Caroline, occupied The Highlands (as it was then known) until their deaths – the mother in 1897 and the daughter in 1909. Caroline junior was the widow of Rev R E Blackwell, Rector of Amberley. Following her death the property passed to her nephew, Robert Eaton White. In 1911 it was tenanted by Cecil E Fitch, a London barrister, and his family. At this time the estate was recorded as including a vinery, peach house, melon house, carnation house, two orchid houses and two ferneries. Fitch stood unsuccessfully as Conservative candidate for Stroud in the General Election of December 1910, one of a series of hopefuls who attempted to unseat Stroud’s long-serving Liberal MP, Charles P Allen. In 1908, Dr Alfred Brown married Gabriella Stella Bell, who came from Henley-in-Arden in Warwickshire and by 1911 he was in practice in Minchinhampton. In 1918, a friend, Arthur Richardson – who had founded his Prep School in Beaudesert, the neighbouring village to Henley – learned from the Browns of the availability of The Highlands and moved his school to Gloucestershire, retaining the name Beaudesert Park. During Richardson’s time, school fees were just fifty guineas a term. In 1921, ten acres of land were bought from the National Trust for playing fields, with more being added later. Richardson was succeeded as Headmaster by his sons, Austin and Barton, and his son-in-law, Vincent Keyte, whose own son John retired as Head in 1995. At this time the School, by then run as an educational charity, lost its connection with the founding family. Howard Beard (Staff member 1987-2003)
A FÊTE AT THE HIGHLANDS CIRCA 1907
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Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
Life as an Artist Alice Boggis-Rolfe (1995-2001) Ever since I was very young I can remember always making things, looking round the house and garden for a new project. Beaudesert was brilliant, in a single week we could do Art, DT, Woodwork and Pottery. I still have to pinch myself when I realise I now get to make things for my job. I always wanted to be an artist but I don’t think I ever imagined it would actually happen. My father gave me a set of oil paints for my thirteenth birthday and I never looked back. The colours, the texture and even the mess are intoxicating. I spent most of my school years in the art room, which seemed like a plausible explanation for not doing any other homework. After finishing school I went to Heatherley School of Fine Art in London, one of the few places left that still teaches painting rather than how to think outside of the box. I was there for two years and learnt a huge amount. We painted from a model every day and also tried sculpture and printmaking. The freedom that followed was so daunting I spent a couple of years making a mess and not really achieving anything at all. But panic set in on the eve of my 25th birthday and I spent the next day cycling all over London in search of a gallery space with no paintings to put in it. There’s nothing like a bit of pressure and the fear of failure to get oneself motivated. So having booked my first exhibition for a date ten months later, I set to work painting anything and everything. At the time I was working in an art materials shop three days a week so the other four were spent at the easel. I took my paints everywhere and amassed a pretty eclectic collection of paintings in time for the exhibition. The weeks running up to the show were terrifying, and sadly five exhibitions later they still are every bit as scary as they were then. To my relief and elation it was a success; people actually turned up and actually bought my pictures, and some of them I had never even met before. On cloud nine and with
a bit of money in my pocket I pondered what to do next. I loved living in London and working in the shop but I wanted an adventure... The following year I set off on a plane with all my painting gear in tow and spent six months travelling around the world, painting wherever I went. I painted temples in Japan, visited ancient ruins in Peru, painted in stinking Moroccan fish markets, and persuaded Vietnamese indigenous people to pose for their portraits. Every day was different. Some of it was lonely but overall it was exhilarating. I sent the paintings home as I went and on my return held an even more eclectic exhibition than the last. To my delight it went better than I could ever have hoped and finally I began to feel like a real artist. The years since have been a little less adventurous but no less exciting. Every day is still different, although quite a few of them are spent doing the tedious accounting side or updating my website. It’s not all painting pretty pictures. But the painting days are wonderful, whether I’m out on the cliffs in Cornwall or painting flowers from the garden in my studio with my dog Gypsy asleep beside me, it’s a gilded existence. All holidays count as painting trips so I have the luxury of being able to go where I like and it still counts as work. I have been lucky enough to have now had five solo exhibitions and I am just preparing for my sixth, the first with a gallery in London’s West End, called Panter and Hall. With every exhibition the fear of failure seems greater, but it’s not quite enough to put me off. I am so fortunate to be able to make a living out of doing something that I adore and that inspires me, and I will try to persevere for as long as I can. If there was one thing I could say to my ten year-old Beaudesertian self, it would be to have confidence. Not everyone can do anything, but you don’t know unless you try. www.aliceboggis-rolfe.com @aboggisrolfe_art
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A Life in the Army Lieutenant Colonel Dominic Davey (1989-1994)
MAJ DAVEY AND HIS SQUADRON COMMAND TEAM
HOSTING HRH POW
ARMED SERVICES TEAM SHOW JUMPING
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COMMANDING OFFICER ROYAL DRAGOON GUARDS
Little did I know in 1989 when I arrived at Beaudesert that an invitation to join the Shooting Club would lead to a life spent in the Army. It wasn’t until a few years later that I joined the Eton CCF that the idea really took hold. In 2003, I was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Dragoon Guards (RDG) after graduating from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and within a year I was deployed, leading my Troop on operations in southern Iraq. Operations followed in Bosnia, again in Iraq and Afghanistan, interspersed with training exercises in Canada, Poland and Germany over the next eight years. Some ten years later I am now in command of my reconnaissance regiment. Based in Warminster on the edge of Salisbury Plain, the RDG are currently preparing to deploy sequential Squadrons on operations with NATO to north east Poland over the next 12 months. We are training hard, practising military skills, playing sport, going on adventurous training and generally having fun! The path that brought me to this point started at Beaudesert. Part of the ethos of the School echoes that of military; that of being adventurous of spirit, striving to be the best version of yourself and most importantly, being part of a team. To paraphrase General Stan McChrystal, you cannot force anyone to grow, you can only create the right environment in which someone can fulfil their potential and then nourish that environment further with opportunity. Today as a Commanding Officer, I seek to deliver highly capable soldiers and officers who are physically and mentally ready for the rigours of operations. Reflecting back, I must pay tribute to my teachers who patiently put up with my determined efforts to thwart their efforts to bring me on; as it turns out, their influence has shaped my life for the better. Floreat Beaudeserta lies as much with its staff as with its students and I will be forever grateful.
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
Life as a Race Car Driver Will Cox (2003-2012)
2018 ROCKINGHAM PODIUM
I have always had a passion for motorsport since I was a young age. Throughout my time at Beaudesert, I would always watch Formula 1 or support my father when he was racing at the weekend. Whilst I was in Year 6, I began karting in the holidays, and this soon progressed into competitive karting where I competed in the Castle Combe Junior Karting Championship. In 2015, I began restoring a 1600cc 1991 Van Diemen Formula Vauxhall Junior and later that year I drove it for the first time. Whilst completing my A Levels, I did several days of testing and track days in the car, to practice driving on a track and get up to speed. Following completion of my A Levels in 2017, I started my car racing career. I compete in the Monoposto Racing Club’s two Championships, the Monoposto Championship and the Club’s Autumn Championship, called the Monoposto Tiedeman Trophy.
2019 PEMBREY WET RACE
The first Championship that I entered was the 2017 Monoposto Tiedeman Trophy, which was contested over six races. I had my first two wins and finished sixth overall in the Championship, out of 39 cars and was the highest placed car in my class (1600). In 2018, I entered my first race in the Monoposto Championship, which was held at Oulton Park Circuit, where I had the third win of my career! I once again entered the Tiedeman Trophy Championship in the autumn of 2018. The Championship visited Castle Combe, Brands Hatch and Anglesey circuit, in fantastic autumn weather. I managed to better my result from 2017 and win the Championship outright! I had a maximum point score with class pole position, race win and fastest lap in every race. I was the youngest person to win this particular championship, and the youngest Monoposto champion since the 1990s. Success continued for me in 2019 over at Castle Combe. During that weekend I had two more wins, but more importantly I managed to break the Monoposto 1600 class lap record by 2/10s of a second. The lap record had previously stood since 1999, making it almost as old as me. This record means that no other driver (in my class of car) has ever been as fast around the circuit as I have been.
The 2020 season suffered a delayed start, thanks to covid, but I contested a full season, competing at circuits like Silverstone Grand Prix, Silverstone International and Donington Park. I achieved seven wins and two second places, including a win on the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit. The championship fight went down to the penultimate race, where I managed to secure the 2020 Monoposto 1600 class championship. I also set another new lap record (my second) on the Silverstone International layout. The final race of the 2020 Tiedeman Trophy was a stand-alone event at Thruxton Circuit. Due to a problem with my own car, my dad lent me his 1984 Ralt RT3 Classic F3 car. It is a more powerful car than my own, so I was competing in a different class to normal. I was not up to speed in it, as I had not driven it before and it was a wet weekend, but I secured two wins, which was an incredibly special moment for me, as I had watched my dad racing this car as I was growing up. I intend to compete in the 2021 Tiedeman Trophy Championship, which will round out this year’s racing season.
2020 BRANDS HATCH
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AC T I V I T I E S Croquet Croquet club is fun because we play small games in pairs. The games are entertaining and very intense sometimes! We play croquet down on the lower banks. Sometimes Mr Clibborn joins in and plays and helps us with tactics and sometimes we get an extra turn. George is the ultimate champion. Paloma, Year 6
Boules When I signed up for the boules activity I didn’t know what it was, but after the first session I knew every rule I had to know thanks to Mr Kirby. Boules is a fun game to play with your friends for leisure and competitively. Theo E, Year 8
Golf Golf is a great activity, taught by the club professional Rob Ralph at the Minchinhampton New Course. Each week you practise either putting, chipping or driving. Every session has a series of challenges and competitions to win points, with the winner at the end of the term getting a prize. There is also a coloured golf ball given to the Player of the Week. Rob is a great coach and makes all the sessions fun and enjoyable. This activity is suitable for people of all standards and is available to Years 4 to 8. Freddie, Year 8
Pokemon Pokemon Club is really fun. You get to make Pokemon on an app called Poke Art and we also get to watch the Pokemon TV show on the board. At the end of term you do a hunt where Mr Curr hides pictures of Pokemon around the grounds. You have to go around and find the Pokemon and write down the codes on pieces of paper. The first team to find all the pictures and solve the code gets a prize. If you like Pokemon, join Pokemon Club and join the fun. Max S, Year 5
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French Filmmaking
Polo For the Tuesday activity, a group of pupils of various ages go off and play an afternoon of polo. We play polo at the Beaufort Polo Club. The group of children that play are Agatha, Lollie, Archie, Hector, Charlie, Honor, Nancy and Layla-Rose.
One of our activities that we did was French Filmmaking. The challenge was to make an advert about the school in French. The first thing we did was find a good spot to film and then add some transitions. It was nice to be outside in the sunshine, but at the end of the session we had to go back inside and add the voiceover and the music. This was really fun and I hope we do it again. Otto B and Louis, Year 6
We are driven there in the school minibus. Once we are there, we start on foot and warm up with our mallets while our polo ponies are tacked up. If the weather is bad, we will play in the indoor arena but if the sun is shining, we play outside and then we practise. Towards the end of the session, we are placed in teams and we play a chukka. Hector L-P, Year 7
Mini Beast Hunting We loved this activity! We looked for spiders and tried to identify them by looking at their patterns and then we tried to catch centipedes. They move too quickly. We also had these things called pooters, which had two pipes… These
were brilliant for trying to catch small bugs. One was blocked so that when you sucked up on their other pipe you didn’t end up with the bug in your mouth. Iris W and Tahlia, Year 5
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LO C K D OW N – R E M OT E L E A R N I N G
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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021
LO C K D OW N – R E M OT E L E A R N I N G
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Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
LO C K D OW N – R E M OT E L E A R N I N G
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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021
P R E - P R E P D E PA RT M E N T Welcome back to Beaudesert. It is so wonderful to see you all here and for you to join with us for our celebration. Today marks the end of your children’s chapter in the Pre-prep. For many of your children, you have been here since you started at the beginning of your learning journey, for others you have joined along the way. However long you have been here, you have made your own mark on this wonderful community. You have come together as a year group and I have loved watching your togetherness – celebrating each other’s successes, helping and supporting each other’s worries and welcoming new children into your year so warmly. I have said that there are two strands that are the two pillars of the Beaudesert community. They are kindness, and trying your best at everything you do. If you follow these, you can’t go far wrong. This is something that all of you have done this year, the many certificates you have received demonstrate all of the effort, heart and passion you have put into everything you do and for that you must all be commended.
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I thought it would be fitting to use our SCARF PSHCE programme as the basis for my speech today. You don’t want to hear me talk for too long; today is about the children and the successes they have achieved. Each letter stands for a different key element of your children’s learning. S stands for safety. The children have learnt many different ways of keeping safe. They have learnt how to care for themselves, to care for one another. They have learnt how to whittle, to light a fire and other adventurous things. They have learnt how to share, to fall over and to pick themselves up again. They have learnt that having a safe learning environment to take risks is key to development and success. A comforting and encouraging atmosphere full of support is essential for children to succeed. Happy children learn well. But children also need to fall both actually and metaphorically in a safe space to truly find who they are. They are now ready to take on the exciting challenges that the Prep School will offer. Going to the DT studio, using the Science labs, collecting their own
lunch and the greatly desired tree license. They have the grounding and experience to take on these new challenges with confidence and self-belief. C is for caring. The children in the Preprep are such incredibly kind and caring children. They have watched the Kindness Tree blossom all year and have seen the collaborative effort from every member of the Pre-prep team. For those of you who are unfamiliar, our tree began as just empty branches looking rather sorry and uncared for. As the year has continued, the tree started to burst with colour. With leaves, snowflakes, daffodils, robins, squirrels just to name a few. Each bird, flower or leaf represents five acts of kindness. The children are always thrilled to leave their mark on the tree. Kindness is an essential skill to maintain and replicate to those all around us. It is such a simple message to take through Beaudesert and their lives beyond. A is for achievement. All the children can say they have achieved wonderful things during their time in the Pre-prep. They immersed themselves fully in the
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
holistic approach to learning. They have all worked incredibly hard in their reading and their progress has been clear for all to see. This has been the springboard for all of their learning. Whether it be their Maths, their Science, their Computing, Art, Music, PE or any area of the varied curriculum, they have tried so hard and achieved great things. It may be that they have found they have excelled at one of the extra-curricular activities. Whatever their skills, they have the foundations in place to flourish and they are now ready for the next stage, of moving to Year 3, to the Prep School. This is the next chapter that they are all ready for. For us as their teachers, it’s about letting them spread their wings and allowing them to fly. R is for resilience. They have gained huge strength from the experiences they have had, particularly in the last year. We talk regularly about how their SCARF will feel down when they are finding something new challenging, but, with perseverance, they realise that things get easier. If they keep practising and are not afraid of getting things wrong, they will learn techniques to help them and realise that they can find areas of their learning that they used to find challenging, an achievable goal. This year, more than most, they have learnt from watching the adults in their lives showing an ability to adapt, to do things differently, to make things work somehow. They have watched firsthand the efforts of their teachers learning new skills. I will always remember the day I tried a ‘break out room’ on Zoom for the first time and saying to the children I am going to try this and it might go wrong. Sure enough they went in all different directions! This was invaluable for the children to see us as adults, us as educators, completely out of our comfort zones and trialling new things. They could see first-hand what we say to them all the time, that getting things wrong is not about failure, it is about the journey to getting things right. When else do children see this from so many people around them? The last letter stands for friendship. This is a key element. This is an area that we work
on for the whole of our lives. The skills we develop when we are little are critical. It is so important to learn how to communicate with one another. We can rely on one another, learn to talk to each other when things aren’t going as well as we hoped, and when we need extra guidance or to rejoice in our successes. The children have learnt to share, and to practise the art of compromise, both crucial skills to take with them as their lives develop. Friendships they have made in the Preprep will go with them to the Prep School and beyond. I’m sure they will gain even more friendships to enrich them further. I have tried not to mention the dreaded ‘C’ word too much today as for the children, life has carried on. This year hasn’t been about school trips and those type of things that would normally help us to judge events in our lives. It hasn’t been about going to friends’ parties or going home to each other’s houses on play dates. But what it has done is remind us of the simplicities of school life; what really matters. We have come together in somewhat strange ways. Our assemblies have been streamed to the classrooms. The children listened to the footsteps of those receiving prizes in Celebration Assembly. We could hear the clapping as it echoed around the Pre-prep classrooms, and the pleasure of the children celebrating each other’s successes.
adults, should look back on this year as an abstract year where we found strength. I am so proud of the children, each individual members of the Pre-prep team, and of our community. As Vivian Greene famously said, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning how to dance in the rain.” Each and every one of our children has learnt to dance with a smile on their face. Of course this would not be possible without the unwavering support from the staff. Their enthusiasm, dedication and passion for everything they do has helped each of the children find their way through the Pre-prep and for that I thank my extraordinary team. Thank you also to you, the parents for all the support you have given us along the way to enable us to help your children grow in the best way possible. Perhaps some of you may desire a career change after your lockdown efforts! A huge thank you from us to you. HS
It’s not about what we haven’t had this year, but more importantly the sense of community, working together, and being together. The children, and we as
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The Nursery
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Reception
AMELIE K
GABE
AXELLE
FATHER CHRISTMAS VISIT
MELODY
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OTTILIE S
REC C NATIVITY
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
WORLD BOOK DAY
JESSE T
SEBBY B
DELPHIE
ARABELLA D
REC W NATIVITY
MUD HOUSES
MILO
INDIGO R AND AMELIE K
WORLD BOOK DAY
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Year 1
1N NATIVITY RORY
14th May 2021 Dear Diary, I have been waiting for a star to land on Earth. I was looking out of my bedroom window and I saw a star and I made up my mind and the next day I went to the beach and I waited and I waited and then… I saw a star but it was a reflection! Then a real star washed up on the beach. Love from the boy. Diary entry by Max T
ALASDAIR W
1N ASSEMBLY
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CLEMENTINE
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Spring blossom is here Hip hooray for better days Sun and fun to come Spring Haiku by Arthur H
JOSHUA
LANA
1S NATIVITY
Dear Neil Armstrong, When you went to space who came with you? Did you feel scared? What did you eat? Did you miss your family? From Rose Letter to Neil Armstrong by Rose S
WORLD BOOK DAY
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Dear Diary, It is a calm and beautiful day today. I’m the one who has to climb up the rigging. My friend has to clean the decks. The day creeps by….It is finally bed time. The walls of the ship start to crash with the waves. My hammock that I’m sleeping in swings from side to side. Eventually I fall out! Finally it stops, I fall asleep and wake up. I see land ahead getting nearer and nearer….. Isla F Write a diary extract in which you imagine you are on the HMS Endeavour with Captain James Cook
WORLD BOOK DAY
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ANNA, ORION CONSTELLATION
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
Year 2
2A ASSEMBLY
2A NATIVITY
ALBY IO
LORCAN
Fire of London Senses Poem I can see orange, red, yellow, gold, sizzling. I can hear people shouting and I can hear wood crackling. I can taste the smoke flying everywhere. I can smell smog, burning wood sparks glow everywhere. I can feel the heat. I would feel scared. By Aurelio
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CANAL TRIP
One bright, sunny morning when the sun shone through the trees, the ducks swam in the long, blue canal and they thought that they could have a picnic. Sally asked if Jake wanted to have a picnic on the narrowboat with Milo. They started to pack up the picnic then they rode on their bikes. “I think we should eat strawberries and cream,” said Jake. “But what about our baguettes and cheese?” said Sally.
2B NATIVITY
They started again and they unlocked their bikes and rode on to the towpath. Then they approached the tunnel. Milo was too scared, he jumped off the boat. Sally saw Milo in the water and she told Jake, and they threw a piece of rope down to Milo. But as they were about to leave they saw a duck in trouble. They still had a bit of rope left and plonked it into the canal. Then they went back. By Ottilie
AMELIE
WORLD BOOK DAY
GREAT FIRE OF LONDON
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The Sloth
WORLD BOOK DAY
DULCIE
Woodland Story One sunny day all of the animals were playing. One squirrel didn’t have any friends and he had had enough of it. The squirrel was called Danny. He asked all of the other animals but they didn’t want to be his friend so he searched other places. No one wanted to be his friend but he would not give up until he found someone. Even the butterflies wouldn’t be his friend. Danny searched far and wide. He had to find somewhere to sleep. That night he found someone. She wanted to be Danny’s friend! She was called Woo. Woo was an owl. They flew away back home. Danny was on Woo’s back. Danny showed all of the other animals his new friend.
BARNEY T
In a lush rainforest lived a quiet sloth who spent his days quietly sleeping in a tree munching on leaves, listening to the birds sing whilst swinging gently on the branch. Birds pecked at berries whilst anteaters looked through trees. One day a loud clanging sound came to the rainforest like monsters wanting food but as it came closer the animals and people noticed that they were machines! They started to wreck the forest. As they did more and more animals came out of the forest to get away from these monsters destroying their home. Very soon only one tree was left and one animal was left. And soon nothing was… Until one man came. He wanted to see birds fly and monkeys swing through trees. So he planted more trees and more flowers and after years shoots came…and another sloth! He hoped that this forest would last forever. Chloe P
Amelie R LILY B
GREAT FIRE OF LONDON
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A N T H O LO G Y Sir James The sky was red, the sun was falling, dusk was coming. The hero of the night was here, his red velvet cloak blowing in the wind, his armour shining in the night sky. He was here to save us all. Taller than mountains, he stood on the castle walls of King William the Great. Eagles called his name, for he was called James, bringer of war. He was here to defeat William the Great as he has sentenced innocent people to death. His crown was smashed to pieces but he was ready for war with soldiers being forced to fight. The church bell rang, this was the sign that war had started. One man versus an army, fighting for their will. Who would win? “Surrender now, you have no chance against us!” “Maybe I die here but I’ll fight for my people.” The army charged slicing their swords here and there, but the knight simply whistled and everything was gone. No castle. No army. No nothing. All that was surrounding him was white. He blinked and he was back. People, screaming, suffering. This meant one thing, King William was here. It was all up to him to defeat the King… By Willough, Year 4
A Song about Lockdown I’m so sick of lockdown Wretched covid, covid Number 19 ringing in my ears So much stress and tears I need to find my peace Wind in my face staring east It’s time to saddle up my pony And no longer feel lonely Billy dog at my heels Sammi grunts and squeals As I gallop as fast as I can Moving from boy to man Sam’s snatching at the reins, Rid of all the mental pains She wants to go faster and faster Jumping ditches with her master Is that rain on my face? I am in a different place I’m free in my mind and soul Now I feel complete and whole. By William Golds., Year 4
The Wall Nothing came to mind. With pen in hand and paper on desk, he still couldn’t think of anything. He felt as if he were in a cage with no exit. He sat staring aimlessly out of the window, watching the birds fly freely around the open sky, all the while he was trapped. Trapped in a room of misery, facing a wall of impossible, the only sound coming from the clock on the wall. Ticking, ticking, ticking. What felt like hours later, and the page was still empty. The clock still ticking behind him. His mind still dry of imagination. Looking around for inspiration, he found nothing. ARTHUR B, YEAR 3
Moments later an idea came to him. He pondered for a minute, picked up his pen, looked at the clock and began to write. By Sam J, Year 8
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Dear Bumpa,
Trapped
I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am in my last term in Year 3 and I thought I would write and tell you some of the things I have been doing.
Bong! Bong! Bong! The church bell rung at three in the afternoon, its deep voice echoing around the zoo. Through the bars of my cage, I could see little children running around outside. I should be outside as well, in the jungle, hunting for my dinner. Here, there is no chasing the meal, there is no thrill of the fight. All they give me is a sad piece of mouldy steak, uncaringly shoved through the bars of my cage. I drag it into the shadows where I drown my misery with food.
My favourite lesson is Geography because I like the world and travelling. When you were at school what was your favourite lesson? My favourite sport is rugby and cricket because it involves catching. What was your favourite sport at school? Did you win any medals?
They come towards me now, shrieking and point in my direction. “Mummy, daddy! Look! Look! A tiger!” I hate them. I hate them all for trapping me here, away from my jungle and my fresh delicious food, only to press their fat, ugly faces against the bars and stare. Occasionally, a person who understands me will come. They will respect my distances, they will not scream and shout, and they move on swiftly. Only sometimes though. Those who do not understand me though, I will lash out at. I swipe at them with claws out and teeth bared. I will growl at them, and they will run away, hiding behind their parents. This satisfies me.
I have some special friends at school. They are called Jasper, Zander, Arthur L, Arthur B and Chips.
But mostly I know not show myself at all, and all the time I do not look at the gift store, at how it makes a mockery of me and my kind. I can only sometimes hold back my temper, and when I am angry, things get messy. Sometimes they will close my cage for the day, which is fine with me, but other times they will give me less food, and it is hard enough with what they give me already. So I try to hold back my temper, but I am a caged tiger, what do you expect from me?
At playtime we enjoy playing football and tag. Did you have some special friends at school and what did you do at playtime? Please say hello to the dogs. You can send your letter to school, I can’t wait to hear from you.
By Tess, Year 6
Love Albie, Year 3
Imprisoned In the two seconds he had before he hit the lake, he could only register the astonishing heaviness of his body, flailing clumsily in the air. The crack when he hit the ice was a gunshot, and the explosion of cold water almost stopped his heart. Instantly his ears, eyes, nose and mouth were filled with inrushing water, so icy it felt like a million needles. His chest jerked once with shock and his throat went into spasm as the lake probed callously down towards his lungs. He felt his eyes roll up into his head, sinking, hair caressing his face like a grieving mother. His last view was of the rising moon, blurred and bright, through the ballet of fractured glassy shards in the indifferent water which had claimed him. By Will S, Year 7
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ISLA D, YEAR 3
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
The Positive and Negative Consequences of Obsession on the Individual and their World In the Oxford English dictionary, obsession is defined as something you cannot stop thinking about. If we consider this definition of obsession, we can see that in a way, obsession can make people slightly mad, as they can’t stop thinking about something. This is evident in Patrick Ness’ And the Ocean Was Our Sky where Captain Alexandra is so obsessed with killing and hunting down Toby Wick that she leads her apprentices and herself to their death. Whilst it’s obvious that there are mostly negative consequences with obsession on an individual and their world, we must also consider the positive effects. Being obsessed with something can prevent you from getting bored because you are always thinking about it. Also, it can distract you from bad things in your life. There is an example of this in Ness’ And the Ocean Was Our Sky when constantly thinking about Toby Wick helped Bathsheba not think about her mother’s tragic death. Being obsessed with something can help you get things done. On the other hand, the negative effects of obsession, especially when considering the plight of Ness’ characters, appear to outweigh the positives. Patrick Ness shows us in And the Ocean Was Our Sky that obsession can sometimes be dangerous because being obsessed with Toby Wick eventually made the characters die. As I said earlier, being obsessed can distract you in a bad way. This occurs in And the Ocean Was Our Sky, when Captain Alexandra is so obsessed with just defeating Toby Wick that she didn’t think about what happened to her friends and what could and did happen to her apprentices. She also didn’t even consider making peace with humans and not putting other innocent whales’ lives in danger. In conclusion, although it can be a good thing, and a way to get things done, obsession is a bad thing because it can lead the individual to a bad consequence because they haven’t been taking notice of other things. That is why it is clear that obsession is not a good thing. By Charlotte, Year 6
A Recipe for Winter YOU WILL NEED: • A coat • A hat • Some gloves • A sledge • A pair of boots • Waterproof trousers And of course… SOME SNOW! So get some fresh air and have some fun! The animals enjoy the snow too. A frosty, fierce, furry fox crosses a freshly frozen pond. A fluffed up cat as orange as sunset stalks across the garden Looking for a freshly frozen mouse supper. Owls are flying in the night sky, hooting like bagpipes. When you wake up you can have some fun, And when you get back home you will feel so good that you have been outside. So when you are bored, just go outside and play, Sledging all day. Until you hear your parents calling, “Wilfred, come in it’s time for your next lesson.”
Prologue
Oh no, NOT MORE HOMESCHOOLING?!
The initial week of November is a miserable dreary time, far away from summer, but there is still a decent chunk of the year still to come until Christmas and the New Year. It’s like a train after you depart from the station, you have to endure the journey until the destination. The sound of leaves dropping is as monotonous as a metronome, tapping away. There isn’t the fiery embers of colour like in the previous months, just the boring grey-brown colour I loathe. It’s frequently raining but when the clouds take pity on us, it becomes cold. Not snow cold, just bitter coldness. It is a time to prepare for the frigid winter that is about to ensue, the calm before the storm, the time for berries to fall off the bush and get squashed by hikers. It is a time where people may stuff their pockets for the hardship ahead. By Sam H, Year 7
By Wilfred M-H, Year 3
The Market I ran into the market and I smelt the sweet summer air, I saw the colourful clothes of the men. I felt the smooth, marble buildings, I heard the crowd voting for the important politicians. I tasted the rough, spiky fruit. By Max Sh, Year 4
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What Are We Going to Do? My name is Marilla. I think when my mother named me she was hoping for me to be elegant and graceful like my name, though I have not turned out elegant or graceful. My hair is not fair like my mother’s, it is raven black like my father’s, and even he can wear it with style. I cannot. We are a rich family (though I would rather be poor and they loved me than rich and they are disappointed in me), and when my mother tried to curl my hair it just looked sad and limp, like me. I am ever so lonely on my own, sometimes I wonder if my dolls like me.
Spooky Writing There are rickety old trees. Tilting, the graves lie. The misty moon changes in the sky. Mist lazily sleeps in the air. The dusty earth rolls over the bumpy ground. The only thing that I can hear is the whispers of the dead underground. Eventually I reach the black gate with peeling paint like flakey skin. In the distance, I see the vivid outline of something I just can’t make out. As I get closer, right there, tall and grey, is a magnificent large house. When I am standing right there, thinking what to do, my legs suddenly take on a mind of their own. Grey pillars guard stone steps. The gothic mansion has a tight roof. Like coal, the glass in every window is black apart from one. Suddenly, a scream cracks the stone cold air like a trumpet exploding into a silent crowd. There is also a scurry of paws. Now I am close enough to pick up the smell of fresh flesh, stomping its way out of the open, lit window high above. As I tiptoe through the ginormous copper door, an unbelievable sight hits my eyes… By Sophie R, Year 5
The reason my mother is so disappointed is because I spend so much of my day outdoors. Mother thinks it best for me to stay inside and learn to stitch. Our manor has such big grounds I don’t know why not to explore them. Sometimes I hear mother muttering, “Oh what are we going to do? At this rate she’ll be lucky to marry a fisherman, let alone someone with respectable manners and money.” This made my eyes swell with tears knowing that no one liked me, so I ran off into the woods until I felt that my eyes were not red and tearstained. I ripped off my petticoats and it reminded me of the time when mother forced me to wear a corset when I was just 12 and I screamed because it we so tight. I screamed until my throat was sore. I clutched my throat now, as if I could still feel the same pain. I heard the sound of the rippling stream and I knelt down on my salmon-coloured frock, I hated the colour salmon almost as much as I hated my mother and I wept. I wept for a loving mother’s love. The woods were so welcoming, I stayed there all day. By Sofia, Year 6
KIT M, YEAR 3
Mi Instituto Hola. Mi instituto se llama Beaudesert. Estudio en un instituto privado y mixto. Hay uniforme es verde. En mi instituto hay unas aulas normales también unas aulas especiales. También hay un sala de informática, de dibujo, de tecnología, unos laboratorios de ciencias, una biblioteca y un gimnasio. Hay un teatro, dos piscinas y un patio. Estudio muchas asignatura. Mi asignatura preferida es el inglés porque es interesante y útil, me gusta la historia porque es divertida y práctica, No me gusta el Latín ŷ las mathemáticas porque son aburridos y difíciles. Me parece un colegio muy bueno. Benedict, Year 8
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Beowulf As the ship sailed across to the Land of the Danes, Beowulf stood guard. Beowulf was a brave and young man and his appearance showed just about that. He had glossy, blonde hair that rested on his straight shoulders. His eyes were blue and they were hungry for adventure, but if you looked closely you could see a flicker of sadness swimming in their depths of them, probably a lost soul that left a hole in his head. Though his back was straight and he marched with pride. By Romy, Year 4
Sunday Morning Post It was a Sunday morning when the parcel arrived, packaged in brown paper and tied with string that was frayed at the ends, fluttery strands that had escaped the tight weave of the twisted twine. It sat on the doorstep, complacent and at home amongst the wiry hairs of the doormat that bristled around it but it had a compelling and alluring ambience. Fingers trembling, I picked it up, clutching it against my chest, protective of the small bundle of string and paper that was cradled in my arms. I brought it into the cool kitchen which was tucked out of reach of the hot midsummer sun and placed it carefully on the scarred wooden table, pock-marked with burns and deep grooves. I silenced the shrill howl of the kettle that rocked on the stove then turned back to the parcel whose presence seemed to burn a hole in the back of my head as I moved, silently and swiftly around the room. I didn’t even need to read the address to know the sender. The lazy loops and curls of the letters sprawled across the tattered paper, the handwriting of an educated man whose qualifications meant nothing in the deep mud and gunfire of the trenches. The wrapping ripped easily as I gently pulled it away from its unknown contents. Gently placing the short and overly cheerful letter aside, my gaze moved to the neatly folded silk. It was muddied in places and scorched around the edges but silk was now hard to come by and highly prized. I ran my hand over its surface to feel the smooth and soft texture that was not dissimilar to the skin of a baby. My eyes stung and the salty tears clouded my vision, slowly breaching the high walls of my eyelids and rolling gently in clear shimmering droplets down the great valleys and gorges of my face like a river seeking the sea. I pulled the material towards me taking in its musty smell as if I could sense his presence on the fabric. I made a handkerchief out of it, embellished with scarlet poppies and the initials RG. It lay on his chair at the dining table, awaiting his return but he never saw the love that was sewed into it with every stitch and the care that was taken in embroidering flowers. For the brown paper parcel wasn’t the last thing to sit at the doorstep of the old country house waiting to be picked up and taken inside. Three weeks later on a blustery and callous day a telegram appeared on the bristly mat, formal and an intruder to the peace of the house, informing on the death of Robert Chambers, a Corporal on the Frontline. By Sophie T, Year 8
Falling Leaves The summer had turned to autumn and the leaves were falling, spiraling in the gentle breeze, each one different but put together, an orchestra of dancers, dancing across the biggest stage in the world. A leaf holds on as long as it can but when it falls it is like a fish swimming in the clear blue sky. The leaves are frayed, orange, yellow and red, all falling from different trees and when the day turns to night they silhouette in the moonlight and dance in peace like love at first sight. Leaves hold stories from the summer and spring, of children playing and old people just walking. Dogs, running and jumping. But at the end, they just fall and land on the frozen grass. Now leaves grow silent in the sun, and dance in the moon all over again for that is the beauty of leaves, they make no fuss, just dance in the wind. By Red Gi., Year 6
The view I turned my face to the inky black sky where a large snow white moon hung in the sky like a clock on the wall. The stepping stones were islands in an ocean of grass. The small drops of water were like pearls rolling down the grass. The water in the gnarled old bird bath was a mirror reflecting the glinting specks in the sky. The sleeping flowers were like a rainbow in the night. The roses were painted with blood, marigolds as orange as a perfect sunset, primroses a ray of sun, the leaves looked like a healthy tree in spring and the forget-me-nots were like a summer sky. The view was so perfect, you could almost see every leaf on every tree, hear every dog bark, every car start, but now there was silence. I turned my face back to the inky black sky. By Red Go., Year 6
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Peace
Evening view
I am the green of the brushed leaves.
I step silently outside. It’s my time of day now the lousy humans have fallen asleep. I look to see what is here today. A calm, cool, shimmering mist lies over the tangled mess of the courtyard. There are some muddy Land Rover tyres dumped carelessly in their corner. A thin lattice of a spider’s web sparkles in the moonlight, just centred perfectly to catch the flies as they attempt to fly through the tyres. There is a faint smell of a discarded sandwich behind the dustbins, just what I needed. I pad slowly over there twitching my whiskers carefully. Just as I thought, I’m on my own. The sandwich tastes heavenly. I scramble up the far wall and sit down tentatively on my tail to munch the sandwich. I still hear the faint rustling of pigeons settling down for sleep after a day of scavenging for people’s chips. Now that I’ve finished that wonderful sandwich I spring up onto the rooftops. This view still sets my fur on end. The wonderful view of downtown Paris still fills my tiny heart with pleasure. But that is not what I came for. I came for the Eiffel Tower. I leap soundlessly across the rooftops and down onto the soft grass surrounding the Eiffel Tower. I make my way up to the start of my evening climb. The metal feels cold but pleasurable under my paws. I start the slow ascent to the top. As I gain in altitude the view increases in its magnificent beauty, even in the moonlight. The roofs of the Notre-Dame, the Louvre and the many silver-tinted tiles of Paris still sparkle radiantly. As I reach the top, the river illuminates my soul as it and the surrounding countryside comes into sight. Now this is my home.
I walk as calmly as the still ocean and I live on the warming planet, but I fear the thunder in my mind. I feel my pulse softly beating when I speak with the thoughts in my mind, I wash away conflict. By Lochy, Year 7
My Nature Poem As the leaves fall from the tree, And they sway in the breeze, I drop down to all fours, And listen to the constant pause.
By Monty M, Year 7
As the hedgehogs gather food ready to hibernate, One catches a glimpse of his mate, So they decided to hibernate together, Each with a bed made of feather. A garden is a lovely place, Some are large and some with little space, Filled with wildlife big and small, Come winter, spring, summer or fall.
Nature Around the Pond The timid sound of slow, never-ending music comes from the little stream next to me as it continues its journey to the shimmering pond below me, like a ray of light from a faraway star travelling to Earth. The chorus of all the birds seems to come from everywhere, bouncing from tree to tree, representing the true wonder of nature. Small yews reach down to the smooth surface of the water, their branches so near, but so far. The moss covered rocks very slowly, year by year, descend into the soft earth like damaged ships sinking into a stormy sea. A crowd of lily pads in the pond sway and grow as they float there, unaware of the years passing and the world changing around them. The gnarled trees above the water drop their leaves like rain, and as their branches sway in the wind, their dark twins projected on the floor sway too. A small bird floats passed me and I am amazed by how easily it can stay in its beautiful airborne position.
By Georgia, Year 3
Confidence I am the burning joy of sunflowers, The confident stride of a giant. The air of a balloon inflating. The sweet taste of syrup. Rattling bails crashing to the floor. The concentration of the strings of the guitar. The loud sound of the amplifier. By Johnny G-L, Year 7
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By James, Year 6
The Beach Flicked into the air, the sand goes flying and settles somewhere new. It fits in so perfectly well and it does not settle for long. Soon the warm wind will pick up the grains of sand and blow them somewhere new. The golden beam from the sun made the sea glimmer like sequined fabric. The waves crashed down, foam spreading like an invading army making the shells glisten. The beach starts to chill. The sun is now a rosy pink, the sun is becoming a new character. Its pale yellow colour starts to become a milky white. The wind is changing, the sky is changing. Everything is changing. The once crowded beach is deserted, the great gold specs are now silver but one thing did not change, the glassy blue waves kept on rolling in. Eliza, Year 7
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
The Ruined Chapel There I was, in the gloomy wood, just standing there; waiting, watching, but knowing the dangers. The trees stood tall, towering over the ruin. The chapel had long fingers of ivy creeping up the sides and there was an old, musty smell to the place. As I stepped closer, I noticed some crows intensely watching me like nightmares… By Genevieve, Year 5
Lonely The sky turned a dark, depressing blue, The clouds crept closer; the sun hid. Slowly, my hands wiped my damp face. The yard was a gloomy grey. I feared being lonely. Her food would slowly rot, The stable echoed emptily. She pranced a heavenly dance, While I was left alone. By Isla R, Year 7
A Dragonfly’s Wing This creature’s pride and beauty, Delicate as a china bowl, Light as a fluttering feather. Shimmering its patterned church windows, MAGGIE, YEAR 3
Worn with pride and passion, Pebbles on a river bed, Drowned in metallic water.
Out of This World
By Clover, Year 6
I opened my eyes, I was in a room guarded with strange creatures. They picked me up and took me to their leader. “Who and what are you?” I said. “I was a human but I got changed. We have no name”, whispered the leader. “I’m taking you to my home planet.” I waited there for a long time and then we were finally there… Lightning struck, I heard rain tapping on the window and thunder roared. The leader’s face flew to the window and his face hit the window. “Hee hee!” I chuckled, luckily he did not hear me. The leader grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the UFO. “Where are you taking me?” I shouted. “To your new room!” shouted the leader, and he gave me a sleeping injection.
Excitement The blue of a snowy piste waiting, Where I explode like a firework. I live in the sharpened blades of skis, But deep crevasses terrify me. I play with ice and snow and contour, I am the shriek of delight;
I woke up and I was in a bed. “You are our new leader,” said the soldiers, “you can visit your mum and dad again whenever you want because you have magical powers now.” I closed my eyes and thought of my parents, then they appeared and I changed the planet to a happy place where my parents and I were the rulers.
The silence of snow; The whip of a slalom pole. Coldness made me live. By Theo M, Year 7
By Amarah, Year 3
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The River’s Journey Winding like a snake the river flows through Esqual, brave and strong she battles rocks and splinters trees that dare to stand in her path. She had been chosen by God, as a child she had manufactured her way. Starting the path she would take for years. Creating her future. At the start of her journey, she flows down the valley, kind she is, for no one has yet tried to stop her. The trees reach out and drink, their bows brushing her head. She spreads her arms to the inlet where animals wait to drink. But danger awaits, so the animals don’t follow there, or she will catch them in her fury and drown them with her anger. Her dancing turns aggressive, until she is shouting, an unforgiving torrent seeking to destroy the rocks in her path. Slapping and sidestepping the rocks, she tires and slows, becoming gentle and small. She rushes backwards, having ran this route for many thousands of years, she knows what is to come. She screams thundering backwards. Even after all this time, she has never learnt to deal with this pain. It is coming, there is nothing she can do, she closes her eyes and falls asleep, her body moving but her souls sleeping. She falls into what she thinks is her death, but really she is going to her new beginning. Meeting her sisters, finding her mother.
Life in the Jungle It was cold in the jungle, very cold. The silver moon lit up the jungle and shone through the gaps in the tall, strong trees illuminating everything in sight. I was woken up by a loud rustle in the leaves. I jolted upright and growled fiercely. Slowly out of the sea – green leaves rose a horn smothered in blood. As quick as a flash, the mysterious creature leaped into the cold night air. I sprung off the dirty ground like a jack-in-the-box and thwacked it as hard as I could with my large, scaly tail. The creature I had worked out it was, was one of those warthogs who had seen me killing a fish. Dark rainclouds loomed above my head. I ran back to my muddy shelter I had built yesterday. I gazed up at the sky and spotted the rainclouds closing in on me. I cowered in the shelter as lightning lit up the sky and set trees on fire. The wind howled and the thunder rumbled. It was not safe so I sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me. I heard a thunderous boom and I risked a quick glance back and saw my shelter burning away. Cheerfully, the orange flames flickered in the pitch black night.
By Hugo H, Year 7
By Patrick, Year 5
SKYLAR, YEAR 3
Revenge of the Hornet I could see the pilot ahead of me, his red neck glinting with sweat. I found some air vents and decided to come in through those. While I was in the vent, I found a dead worm. It was a high class fancy plane, so I wasn’t surprised when I saw sofas and water but I was surprised by the worm. I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. But, I remembered my mission was to kill the pilot. I needed to lay low so I flew near the very top to hide out. The pilot deserved what was coming to him because alongside being a pilot, he created an anti-Asian hornet spray called BEE-gone. A spray known to all bees, wasps and hornets. The holy-killer of sprays. It was in this time, that I had to decide to protect my family which meant making the decision to kill the pilot. My first move was to sting him on his neck. It only took one of my powerful stings to kill him but due to the pilot’s skin, my stinger got stuck! The plane was about to crash as I struggled to free myself before hitting the ground. Finally, my stinger got out and I flew through a broken window to escape. Just before I flew out, I grabbed the worm for a snack as I By Hugo G, Year 4 watched the plane go down in flames.
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Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
The Hiding Place
The Snake
The wind was horrendous. Small trees were ripped out of the ground whilst other strong ones were hanging on, just barely. Rocks and boulders were slung down the cliff edge, seeming almost to fall in slow motion. First came the thunder, then mere seconds later, came the lightning. Blue and electric as ever, it came down. As it forked in three places, identical to Poseidon’s Trident, it struck a nearby rock, which traversed down until it came to the sea. Crash! It lay to rest on the seabed.
Slowly, silently,
It slithered
Through the grass,
A thing of beauty
But hatred
A silent hunter
Sliding elegantly
A sharp smoothness
Chilling the air.
It stood, abrupt
Waiting
For its chance,
A patient killer
Its thick tail
Rattling like a war cry.
It pounced, smashing through the thickness,
Eyes fulfilled with fury, enhanced with rage,
Its mouth opened, revealing deadly fangs
And a beckoning mouth. He stared On guard, protecting his prize.
By Fred D-P, Year 8
Near the top of the deep, grey, rocky cliff a giant cavern lay, set in the bedrock. Inside the eagle watched. It sat on a colossal stalagmite, looking out to sea. The only sounds to be heard were the dripping of a leak in the roof of the cave and the deep rumble of chaos above and below. The cavern was small and isolated in the middle of the vast rock face and would only be able to be gotten to with the power of flight. The eagle perched there, still and silent, regal and ostentatious. Every so often, she would open up her great, majestic wings to their fullest extent and then neatly fold them back in. Hours passed but, as expected, the clouds eventually parted, the rain ceased and the sun shone, bright as anything. The great creature spread her wings and shot out. She soared to a great height and then dived. She pulled up at the last moment and let out a deafening but beautiful and divine call. By Herbie A, Year 6
Nativity Acrostic Nazareth was home to a girl named Mary, visited by an angel in news of a special son. A donkey took her and Joseph to Bethlehem, where only one innkeeper would give them a stable. The baby was born and named Jesus, placed in a manger. “I bring you a message to go see Jesus,” said an angel to some shepherds. “Very shiny gold, frankincense and myrrh!” exclaimed the wise men, clearly excited. In the manger, many people saw Jesus, with presents of lambs, sweet-smelling moisture and gold. They escaped to Egypt, when Herod started searching. You may call that day Christmas, which will never grow old. By Catherine LB, Year 3
Change Like a drop of ink into water, The sky darkens. Like an orange being peeled, The leaves of the tree drop. As the clouds open, It’s like a pipe bursting. People don’t notice me, I am invisible But I am always there. By Sid S, Year 7
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The Dive The boat lurches sickly, sinews tensing, and the swell rises higher and higher. The metal cylinder bites in my back and the sun shies away behind a cloud. Instantly the atmosphere changes. The waves bleed grey. The sky is drenched with heavy clouds, weighed down by rain. I’m forced to tumble to the edge of the boat, the long tendrils of our pipes trailing like the broken strands of a cobweb around me. The edge of the boat sinks like a void beneath me. The boat sways like a pendulum of a clock. My hands clamp at the side and I lean forward to prevent myself from falling. The sea churns and boils below, and I bend my back as far as I can. Just thinking of the crashing weight, the swirling black grave in those murky depths makes me shudder. I know it’s coming and although blowing up the life jacket helps, fear has gripped me. I wait for the waves to calm. I wait for courage, which is hiding somewhere deep inside me. Then as I slowly relax, so does the sea. The waves, if for only a second, loosen their coarse muscles and gently exhale. I can see the next bout of swaying, swollen swell and grasp my chance. The world tips like a wheeling seabird diving for a swish of silver, as I roll off the boat into the churning water. For a stolen second I am left hanging in the chasm between air and sea, one element to another. Then I am crashing into the water. I worry my head will hit the boat but as always it doesn’t. My head breaks the surface and I take a deep breath. The waves toss me to and fro, gentler now as though calmed, the tranquillity that only comes from the deep sea. Reaching for my regulator and pressing the air out of my tank, I sink down, down to the unnavigated bottom of the sea. By Honor F, Year 8
LYRA, YEAR 3
Looking Around The odd path out from the minute forest of green. The city of the dead. It’s known not where it comes from. But it is there. Its rocky mountains come in all shapes and sizes but from the biggest boulder to the smallest pebble, from the most aged mountain to youngest stone, they are all united. As children come running and playing over them, they miss the chance to ask them what the world was like, instead, they wonder what their future holds. Far behind the blunt hard stones, the sharp, pointy rocks and the towering tree, lies a small village. A place where children can play and adults can work. Behind every powerful wall, and through each shimmering window, glinting in the sun, a unique story is told. Dramatic arguments, cruel punishments and amazing experiments only scratch the surface of the pages you might read. Even the covers of the stories can amaze you if you take the time to look. So, take the time to look around, the results might surprise you. By Caspar J, Year 6
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Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021
Sport In the absence of a normal Autumn Term fixture list, an internal BPS Cup competition was run. Boys were split into four teams; the Lions, the Bears, the Panthers and the Tigers. For this competition the ‘Ready for Rugby’ touch rugby rules, set out by the RFU, were used. The boys were taught these rules in training before the competition commenced and had the chance to train as a team. Teams played each other twice throughout the season on their usual Wednesday fixture afternoon. It was a well fought competition in all age groups, played in excellent spirit. Mixed ability teams allowed leaders to develop and team spirit to shine through. Despite there being no contact involved, the skillset of each player progressed over the tournament and the children enjoyed the chance to play some competitive rugby. The Year 7 and 8 tournament was a nail-biting contest with three of the teams finishing the league with just 3 points between them. The Tigers took first place with 29 points, with the Lions following hot on their heels with 28 points. The Bears took third spot with 26 points and the Panthers fourth with 15. In Year 6, the Panthers and the Lions battled out for the top spot with the Panthers just tipping the results in their favour by one point. The Bears came in third and the Tigers fourth. The Year 5 league table saw the Lions leading with the Bears in second place, the Panthers in third and the Tigers in fourth. JG
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Rugby
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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021
Hockey All girls from Year 3 to 8 competed fiercely in the BPS Hockey Cup matches, a mixed team tournament. Each girl was allocated into either the Bears, Tigers, Lions or Panthers, a team that they would give their utmost commitment to over the course of the term. Paired with some of our top sports coaches, the girls were motivated and prepared during training to face their rivals over a series of weeks. We saw some fantastic teamwork between year groups, and the girls competed alongside players that they had never worked with before. Players stepped up into all sorts of leadership and motivational roles within their teams, some even becoming the team stylist. The Year 7 and 8 girls played all of their matches at Stratford Park astro while the Year 5s and 6s played at home on the school astro. We saw skilful play and lots of exciting goals throughout the tournament. The girls worked hard together and produced some lovely play. The results table shifted and changed over the tournament, and the results were very tight. For the Year 5 girls, the Tigers got Gold with a total of 8 points, followed closely by the Lions, then the Panthers and the Bears. Moving on to the Year 6 results, Lions came top, followed by the Tigers, Panthers and Bears. The senior tournament was won by the Lions with a fantastic total of 77 points, The Tigers followed with 63 points, the Bears and Panthers gaining 3rd and 4th place. At the end of every match, each team nominated a ‘Most Valuable Player’ from the opposite team. We recorded the results and the overall winner for the Year 7 and 8 players was Isla, and the Year 5 and 6 winner was Martha. FS
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Netball
Football
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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021
Cricket – Boys UNDER 13A The U13As made significant progress throughout the season and really hit their stride. There was a clear love for cricket from this group and an excellent team spirit shone through, no matter what the result (or the weather). The team was excellently led by Fred, who was a standout performer with both bat and ball from start to finish. Highlights of the season included an exciting win against Dean Close and the final game victory against a previously unbeaten Cheltenham College U12A team. In this particular game, everything the team had been working on in the field came together, bowling the opposition out for 36. There was clear progress by the end of the season, both in terms of performance and in general cricket awareness. The wicket keeping of Freddie was key throughout and the boys can move onto their next schools with plenty of confidence in this wonderful summer game. JG
UNDER 13B The joy of playing matches again was evident throughout this excellent season. It was a pleasure to work with the boys who maintained a super attitude throughout. Victories and defeats were celebrated with equal enthusiasm and the taking of catches, scoring of runs and bowling maidens were targets for all. We met some teams who were better than us, and some who were not. The improvement throughout was a joy to behold and there were some stellar performances. The real joy though was the awareness of their own abilities; in one classic moment as I jokingly warned the boys against copying the opposition who had done a press up every time a run was conceded, a clearly shocked young man who shall remain nameless replied by saying, “Sir, we would never do that – we can’t do press ups!”. SW
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UNDER 12A
UNDER 12B
The Year 7 cricket team made steady improvement across the summer with some excellent performances from both the team and individuals alike. With wins against Wycliffe by 109 runs and Cokethorpe by 8 wickets, the team finished with a comprehensive victory against Thomas’s Battersea boys with a win by 10 wickets. This was helped largely by the unbroken opening stand of 142 from Avery and Felix.
This has been a most enjoyable term of cricket with a group of talented and extremely enthusiastic boys. They have shown a tremendous attitude throughout and been keen to hone their skills in our competitive practice sessions.
Despite some narrow losses against St Hugh’s and Dean Close (where Oscar picked up 7 wickets in his spell!), the team has been one who have started to have real confidence in their ability. Led by Hector and Will, the opening bowling partnership has been particularly impressive. Explosive batting from Wilbur and Algie in the middle order has also seen the batsmen weigh in with some crucial performances too. All-rounders Charlie, Digby and Lochy have delivered match winning contributions and played the situation well, backed up by Max H who has batted higher up the order and George who has bowled consistently too. This year group will go into Year 8 with plenty of confidence from this season and we all look forward to seeing how they progress. SH
A difficult start against a strong Cheltenham Prep side was tough, but we battled hard and only just came up short in an entertaining, high-scoring game. Results were a touch up and down but I have been so impressed with how the team never gave up, supported each other excellently in the field and fought right to the end. We finished our season with a return fixture against Cheltenham and it was marvellous to see us coming out on top, performing at a high level in all disciplines. I must just highlight the contribution of Sid, Hari, Theo, Wolfie and Fred. Always wanting to perform for the side, prepared to take responsibility to do their best for the team, they have been a credit to themselves. After a tough year, it has been a pleasure to coach this group and I very much look forward to seeing their development next year and beyond. Very well done all. DR
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
UNDER 12C A season that was slightly interrupted due to weather conditions and covid regulations meant we were not able to play our full quota of games. Albeit, the games we did play were great fun and resulted in a 50% win-loss ratio. The boys enjoyed playing the softball variant of the pairs game and really applied themselves well to all practice sessions and games. The enjoyment of playing competitive matches against other schools was clear, and the laughter and enjoyment could be heard from a fair distance away. Over the course of the season, some great catches were made, wickets were taken and all in all, progression was made in all areas of the game. It was very encouraging that some of the boys stepped up to play in the B team with a hard ball, which had a positive impact on both teams. The most important thing to take from this season was that every member of the squad played in the spirit of the game and were very encouraging to their teammates, and also to their opponents. Well done. EC
UNDER 11A A season of two halves; a very promising start with five straight wins was followed by three defeats. It was so good to get back into playing matches against other schools but it did show up areas where by missing a season of cricket restricted the development of ‘cricketing brains’. Each and every member of the side was keen to bat and bowl. They did so with great enthusiasm, whether it was in a match or during a practice. In hindsight, our bowling was our strength although we either elected to bat or were put in, in each of our matches. Our strength in bowling was highlighted when playing Dean Close. They only needed 5 runs with 5 wickets in hand to win. They lost by 2 runs. Our accurate bowlers hit the stumps 5 times.
Herbie showed that he had a touch of class when he hit a comfortable 74 out of a score of 99 against Pinewood. Freddie showed great form with both bat and ball, scoring a very stylish 50 against The Downs Malvern and another against The Downs Wraxall. He showed that he was suspect at the start of his innings. Harry bowled extremely well and often took valuable wickets at important times. It has been a very enjoyable season and I look forward to seeing how the boys progress next year. Thank you and well done. JSM
UNDER 11B The Under 11B squad had a successful season playing 20 over pairs hardball cricket. While many started the season focussed on their preferred discipline, they became more confident cricketers by developing their skills in the three key areas of the game. Everyone’s effort and attitude in both training and matches was excellent, and so many members of the squad contributed to the successes of the season. Bowling was particularly strong within the team. Wylder and Agastyan led the way with some superb bowling figures. Sam and Max also had important spells in matches,
taking some key wickets and making it difficult for teams to score. When batting, Jean Christian, Rex and Cecil all showed some flare with the bat and played key innings in run chases or setting a target. However, when fielding it was a real team effort. With some impressive catches, key runouts and support for the bowler, many close matches went in our favour. Otto deserves a special mention as wicket keeper. It was great to see how they developed over the term and I was very proud of their achievements. Well done. LR
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UNDER 11C Despite limited opportunities to test their skills against other schools, owing to the everdependable English weather, the boys in the U11C team can look back on their cricket season with immense pride. For many, it was a journey from reluctant novice to accomplished cricketer. There were several obstacles to overcome, including getting used to cricket’s unique rules and terminology, the ever-present threat of the rock-like ball and an ever-changing squad as boys earned their chance to move up to the B team. The team coped admirably with each of these challenges, and a good-humoured competitiveness and collective desire to improve our game was established. With James leading from the front and captaining superbly, the boys swept aside all competition they faced, much as they became accustomed to sweeping balls to the boundary. Every player made great strides with their individual game and all should be applauded for their efforts. Special mention must go to Naoise who, having never played cricket before joining Beaudesert Park, worked through some early season difficulties with his bowling to play his final match without conceding a single extra. The
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highlight of the season goes to Henry, whose catlike reflexes in the field led to the dismissal of Dean Close’s most dangerous batsmen and earning his team a vital five runs.
A fabulous effort by all with just a hint of regret that the boys did not get to show their talents more regularly. I look forward to seeing them continue to enjoy their cricket next year. TC
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
UNDER 10A
UNDER 10B
UNDER 10C
It was great getting the boys over to the Playing Fields for games this term, and to get a few fixtures in was such a treat! These boys can only be described as incredibly enthusiastic, keen to learn and improve, and an all-round cheerful bunch. Although they only played in 6 matches, their progress as a team was outstanding. By our final couple of matches, they were a serious force to be reckoned with, putting runs on the board, which were backed up with some outstanding bowling and fielding. Well done team and best of luck next season! JLB
A gutsy team put out some fine performances over the course of the term. Despite the weather’s best efforts, we completed most of our matches with a winning season and a final match against Cheltenham that ended in a tie, something rarely seen in cricket. Rufus and Isaac were the backbone of our batting, with Rufus in particular scoring many of our runs with some powerful strokes to the boundary. Charlie came in at number three and was adept at finding runs where others couldn’t while Cassius, Freddie and Sebby provided dead eye, end to end bowling. George and Patrick evolved into fine bowlers and equally plucky batsmen working well together in a solid last pair. It was an enjoyable season with boundless team spirit, hard won victories and a camaraderie that burst forth at crucial moments to seal the win. BC
The U10C’s cricket season has been far from boring with every member of the team showing a desire to improve with every game played. Throughout the season every member has come on in leaps and bounds in all areas of their cricket and have been rewarded with a number of victories against opposing schools. The most notable success was against Bromsgrove where Griff managed to score a 4 on the last ball of the game to give the victory to Beaudesert. Another outstanding moment of the season came from Roman with his superb one-handed catch against Tockington, which both teams applauded him for. It was really refreshing to see every member of the squad put 100% at every opportunity, and try their upmost to improve as a team rather than a group of individuals. It has been a pleasure to coach the U10Cs this season and I wish them all the very best in the future. Well done. TB
YEAR 4 Having missed out on their normal cricket term in Year 3, this group of boys were eager to both learn and demonstrate their skills. They showed huge enthusiasm throughout the term and enjoyed both their training sessions and matches alike. We concentrated on bowling with a straight arm and the mantra of ‘line and length’. With batting, we encouraged them to ‘grip it and rip it’ but with a straight bat and steady head. The boys learnt largely through
small sided games, with a particular focus on being as active and engaged as possible. The boys had some real success on the field of play, recording a number of victories across the three teams. Players regularly rotated amongst the different teams and the progress from start to finish was evident for all to see. This is a group with plenty of potential moving forwards. JG
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Cricket – Girls GIRLS SENIOR HARD BALL (U12 AND U13) In the third season of cricket as the summer sport for girls, we introduced the hard ball game for those players in Years 7 and 8 who were keen to get involved. After the first all soft ball block fixture with Cheltenham Prep, every subsequent match day had a mix of both soft and hard ball games. Our preparations were supported by the cricket activity on Tuesday afternoons, as well as the usual games session practices. From the beginning there was a pleasing level of enthusiasm for hard ball from both year groups. The quality of bowling was particularly good throughout the summer with all players getting the ball down the track with some pace and good levels of accuracy. This was necessary as our batting was weak by comparison, and we relied heavily on the pairings of Poppy and Lili, and Katie and Jemima. Overall we tended to miss the bad balls, losing the opportunity to score easy runs, and sometimes the straight ones as well. Ouch. The missed summer of 2020 meant that running between the wickets was not as slick as it should have been. It wasn’t until our last game that the side displayed strength in depth on the batting front. After an opening soft ball loss to Cheltenham Prep, we had Beaudesert’s first ever hard ball match for girls at The Downs, Wraxall. A pairs game with twenty overs for each side on a beautiful day after weeks of rain, it came down to the penultimate ball, with a win for us by the narrowest of margins. Rosie saved the day by being the player who could keep out the straight balls! In our next match away at Pinewood it was decided they would play “proper cricket”, also known as “when you’re out, you’re out” cricket. Our problems with straight bowling and running between the wickets caught up with us, and it required a high score from extras to give us a defendable total. Our bowling was, again, much better than our batting, but after a flurry of wickets, a pair of skilled and determined batters got stuck in and stayed in, both eventually retiring on 25. With Pinewood’s fielding being superior to ours as well, all in all it was a sobering afternoon of sport. After a long break for half term, exams and Cornwall, we played our final match against a Year 7A side from Cheltenham as their Year 8s were on a trip. It was by no means a simple win, as Cheltenham have several very talented players, but we finally began putting away the bad balls, keeping out the good ones, and
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calling more effectively. Our ground fielding was much sharper, with good backing up saving several runs. As for our bowling, well it was just wonderful to watch. Almost no extras, straight, quick and pitched up - we would have been a match for any side. To end the season, and the Year 8s’ Beaudesert Park sporting careers, Poppy took a wicket with the last ball! It was a
memorable season, and my thanks go out to all the girls who took part so cheerfully and who made such improvements to their skills. There are many Year 7s who have taken part with great potential, and I am already looking forward to next summer’s action. KDB
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
SENIOR 2ND TEAM The Second team have had an enjoyable and successful term of cricket. They started with a loss against Cheltenham which really motivated them to do better in training. Great progress was made especially with bowling and fielding skills. Their confidence grew match by match as did their understanding of tactics and teamwork, winning all but one of the remaining matches. The highlight of the season came in the last match against Cheltenham where the girls had a big win, gaining fifteen wickets. The bowling was
UNDER 11A The U11A’s had a brilliant comeback season and dominated the majority of their matches. They thrived in both batting and bowling, regularly taking wickets and hitting boundaries. Bromsgrove was a particular highlight. Denying Bromsgrove runs, the team won on the final over by just 2 runs. The girls grew in confidence and performance as the season went on and I look forward to watching them grow in the senior teams. Congratulations to Darcey was took on captaincy and Charlotte who was awarded the most improved player of the season. A great season, well done. EH
UNDER 11B It has been fantastic to finally have some fixtures this term. The girls have made great progress in cricket and have had an unbeaten season playing some very close and competitive matches. It has been a difficult term with matches having to be cancelled, but the girls haven’t let this affect their confidence and I have been impressed with their attitude in both matches and games lessons. The highlight was playing against a very strong Bromsgrove team which saw us scoring lots of runs and in a good position. In the second innings, Bromsgrove bowled and fielded very well and it was a very close end to the match with us winning by one run. The girls have improved a lot over the term. They have been a pleasure to teach. Well done. GBW
great from all the girls, especially Isla R, scoring five wickets, and Indi who also made a fantastic one-handed catch. It was great to see Amelia and Esme deep in the field, diving to stop fours from being scored. The batting was good all round, finishing with a score of 323. I hope next year the girls will continue to work hard improving their skills and have a chance to play more hard ball matches. TP
UNDER 10B The cricket season was brief for the U10Bs but this didn’t take away from the team’s strength of spirit. There were some positive results and the hard work the girls have put in this term is clear for all to see. During training sessions the girls worked hard on their batting, bowling and fielding skills which helped them secure wins against St Hugh’s and Bromsgrove. A tough match led to an exciting draw at Dean Close. Savannah and Ella were crucial to this team’s success throughout the term. All the girls did a brilliant job and I am grateful to their parents for supporting the team this term. PH
UNDER 10C The U10C team had a great season together. Despite many fixtures getting rained out they persevered at practices and ensured the games they did play were worthwhile. With three wins under their belt this season it was a pleasure to see them consistently improve. There was an especially big love for fielding this season with some spectacular catches. Overall a great season and the girls are already looking forward to the next one. KT
SENIOR 3RD TEAM It has been a great term of cricket for the Third team, with lots of great training sessions, matches and team work. I have been really impressed with how much progress all the players have made, across all aspects of the game. I loved how we started the term off playing Cheltenham College, and finished the term playing them again in our last match. It was a real indication of just how much the girls have improved over the season and how much they have achieved. Lots of great bowling, batting and fielding from all the girls involved. Well done. PS
YEAR 4 The rain that seemed to descend on Beaudesert on match days didn’t dampen our spirits. We took these opportunities to work on all the cricket skills and knowledge we would need for the forthcoming matches. We managed to get a good match in against Wycliffe and were delighted with a win. With the next match against The Downs cancelled we were overly excited to be travelling to play Dean Close. The minibus was filled with singing and very enthusiastic girls ready to play cricket on a beautiful sunny afternoon. They played fantastically and were rewarded with two wins and a close match in the C team. We had another great game against Pinewood and enjoyed playing a home fixture with the parents watching. Unfortunately, covid crept back and saw the Clifton match cancelled. Our last game was away at Cheltenham Prep. It was lovely to see the girls so confident, demonstrating their accurate bowling and great fielding skills. With a well-deserved win they should all be proud of how much they have achieved this term. Well done! SF
UNDER 10A Our U10A team had a brilliant season and have worked so well together as a team. While a number of matches were rained off during a particularly wet May, the team won all of the matches they played. Particular highlights were matches against Bromsgrove and a close game with Wycliffe. The Bromsgrove team stood unbeaten but our girls sailed through the match, clocking up 326 runs to Bromsgrove’s 147, a win of 179 runs. They have impressed me so much with their team spirit and I have really enjoyed coaching the girls. Special mentions go to Capi for her accurate bowling and Chloe for her excellent effort throughout the season. They are a talented team and I look forward to seeing their cricket skills develop as they progress up the school. FS
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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021
Sports Day Towards the end of the Summer Term we were fortunate enough to be able to host a number of Sports Days at School, the first of which was the Pre-Prep Sports Day on a beautiful Friday afternoon. Children participated in a variety of events within their classes. There were eight events overall (an ‘Octathlon’!), and stickers were handed out to children for their skills and endeavour. The sack race was, as ever, a very popular event and it was great to see smiles and laughter from both children and parents. The following Friday saw Years 3 and 4 have their own Sports Day over at the Playing Fields with full use of the track. We were blessed with excellent weather and there were some fine performances throughout the afternoon, announced over the loud speaker by the one and only, impeccably dressed as ever, Mr Tiley. Children were pleased to receive an ice cream at the conclusion and awards were given in assembly for the boy and girl ‘athletes of the day’ in each form, as voted for by their Form Teacher. Despite the bumper Year 5-8 Saturday Sports Day being lost to the weather, we were able to rearrange the event for the last Thursday of term. Pupils represented their Forms and themselves with pride, and displayed excellent athletic prowess. The boys and girls participated in at least three events and there was a lovely buzz across the fields. Winners of each event were announced by Mr Tiley and were awarded with their certificates in the End of Term assembly, expertly written as always by Mr Burns. We are very much looking forward to the launch of the House Sports Day next year. JG
Athletics It is wonderful to see athletics continue to flourish at Beaudesert. Even without school fixtures to focus on, we saw plenty of superb performances across the board. I am always incredibly impressed with the effort and enthusiasm of the children, whether trying to gain those extra centimetres in the shot put or attempting to knock precious seconds from their 800m time! With our school Sports Days the primary target for our athletes, competition was fierce in practice sessions. Though we have been slightly restricted for time this term, the standards have remained pleasingly high. A number of long standing school records were in serious danger, but were just out of reach - for now! Athletics is a tough, mainly individual sport and it is so important for children in their sporting development. They have to learn to prepare in the right way, learn to peak and to perform at their best. It was fantastic to see such a successful Sports Day and a fitting way to end a most enjoyable term of athletics. DR
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Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
Sports Day Results 2021 U14 Boys 100m 300m 800m Hurdles Long High Discus Shot Javelin
W. Gemmill C. Burns T. Eugster W. Gemmill M. Thomson M. Thomson J. Bostock R. Edmonds A.Roche
U14 Girls 14.00s 44.67s 2m44s 4.15m 1.35m 19.70m 8.80m 21.07m
U13 Boys 100m 200m 800m Hurdles Long High Discus Shot Javelin
W. Hunter W. Hunter W. Mordaunt-Hoon T. Maculan W. Hunter L. Hazell M. Hargitay C. Chadwick O. Sánchez-Farmar
S. Casey H. Ahearne S. Casey C. Gifford O. Bullock O. Bullock R. Rowland H. Ahearne H. Ahearne
4.42m 1.28m 19.45m 8.11m 20.23m
S. Morris I. Stringer I. Stringer G. Evans S. Fitzpatrick R. Spooner W. Edmunds M. Hargitay W. Edmunds
100m 200m 800m Hurdles Long High Discus Shot Javelin
A. Oldman K. Johnston K. Johnston T. Walker E. Hodson Z. Halpern-Lande A. Oldman K. Johnston A. Oldman
15.90s 31.88s 2m51s
L. Walker L. Walker R. Gifford R. Sturgis R. Sturgis S. Trehearne L. Fleming I. Adams L. Walker
15.74s 32.10s 3m20s
C. Bostock S. Robinson C. Bostock S. Phillips T. Gordon C. Bostock C. Peppiatt A. Gibbs S. Robinson
16.58s 35.89s 3m07s
3.31m 1.19m 17.52m 7.25m 13.41m
U12 Girls 15.59s 32.45s 2m56s 3.46m 1.30m 16.70m 7.50m 31.20m
U11 Boys 100m 200m 800m Hurdles Long High Discus Shot Vortex
S. Thompson 15.34s S. Thompson 48.70s L. Evans 3m08s E. Fleming E. Fleming and V.G. Halard 2.98m F. Frost 1.25m F. Frost 16.20m L. Hargitay 6.71m E. Fleming 18.25m
U13 Girls 14.09s 30.77s 2m36s
U12 Boys 100m 200m 800m Hurdles Long High Discus Shot Javelin
100m 300m 800m Hurdles Long High Discus Shot Javelin
100m 200m 800m Hurdles Long High Discus Shot Javelin
3.35m 1.30m 14.00m 6.20m 14.50m
U11 Girls 16.35s 32.5s 2m57s 3.48m 1.15m 17.5m 6.00m 35.50m
100m 200m 800m Hurdles Long High Discus Shot Vortex
3.43m 1.15m 11.20m 5.60m 22.60m
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Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
Swimming With no galas this year, it was a quieter year in the pool than usual for competitions. In lessons, new skills were mastered, confidence was regained and swimming techniques were improved. This was further consolidated within swimming activities for the children who chose to recreationally swim and enjoy being back in the water. This year was particularly special for our younger years, some of whom experienced swimming for the first time. In the Spring Term, Nursery had their first dip in the pool. Equipped with armbands and floats to aid them, the children gained water confidence while having a good splash around through games and play. In Reception and Year 1 the swimmers began to develop a swimming stroke on their fronts and backs through games and more structured lessons. Skills such as floating, gliding and picking up objects off the pool floor were explored and developed throughout the year, aiding the children’s ability to move fluidly through the water. Year 2 continued their swimming progression by focusing more closely on stroke timings and breathing positions in the water. They also branched out and tried a few lifesaving skills by practising swimming lengths in their pyjamas to understand how clothes can affect their swimming ability. All in all it was a great year for swimming and much progress was made by all children, whether they were seasoned swimmers in our older years or just starting out swimming in the Pre-prep. HN
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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021
Cross Country I have been so impressed with the effort and enthusiasm shown by the cross country squad and all those who have joined in with the activity this year. We have seen regular training runs at break time. These have proved increasingly competitive and a real testament to those taking part consistently in all weathers. The cross country activity has proved great fun as usual, and we have been able to mix up the terrain, pace and session type regularly. Faster runs on the common one week, scrambling round Box Woods the next, and hill sprints on the school site were all part of the training plan and undertaken with much gusto! It was tremendous to see the whole school turn out for our inaugural 3km race over at the Playing Fields. High-quality front running in all the races was matched throughout by the determination and enjoyment of everyone taking part and it was a joy to see; a marvellous Beaudesert occasion. I very much look forward to continuing the fine tradition of cross country running at Beaudesert and look forward to testing our fitness in school matches once again next season. I must highlight the contribution and effort shown by Theo in Year 8 and Harry in Year 6 this year. Always keen for an extra training run, their fitness levels have seen significant improvement and I look forward to seeing further progression next year and beyond. Very well done all! DR
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Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
Tennis Fresh lines were painted and nets erected for the return of tennis in Beaudesert Park’s Summer Term. It was fantastic to see competitive matches return to the school games’ programme after such a long break. The children very much enjoyed returning to competition and indulging in a post-match flapjack after giving it their all on-court. The tennis coaching programme resumed this year, and it was wonderful to see tennis being enjoyed by many of our children on a summer’s evening. The girls worked hard on improving their tennis technique and match play during games sessions. Although some matches were affected by weather, the U12 and U13 girls had great matches, particularly against both Clifton and Bromsgrove School. Tennis captain Poppy led the way and performed consistently throughout the season. Poppy formed a strong partnership with Lucia in the U13A team. The U10 and U11 girls experienced their first school tennis matches and tennis festivals, and had great fun dodging in between rain showers. The Cheltenham College fixture which involved all the girls playing both singles and doubles was a highlight of the season. All children in Years 5 to 8 competed in the inaugural Beaudesert Tennis Championships. In PE lessons, children competed to qualify for the main draw with the semi-finals and finals taking place in the final week of term. Well done to all those who took part and enjoyed the competition. ND
Year 5 boys Winner Runner Up
Year 6 Girls M. Hargitay G. Miller
Year 5 Girls Winner Runner Up
L. Fleming C. Austin
Year 7 Boys C. Peppiatt T. Gordon
Year 6 Boys Winner Runner Up
Winner Runner Up
Finalists
M. Hargitay and O. O’Carroll
Year 7 Girls Finalists
L. Cuellar and J. Gordon
H. Ahearne O. Raphael
Year 3 Sport The Year 3s had a very impressive first year of sport in the Prep School. The focus at this age is to encourage the children’s enjoyment of their sport whilst installing some fundamental skills for the children to build on moving forwards. The girls brought energy and enthusiasm to their hockey, netball and cricket whilst the boys flourished in their rugby, football and cricket.
In Year 3, ‘green laces’ are awarded to children who demonstrate some of the most important sporting values such as teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship. Well done to all of the children who managed to receive this accolade. We hope the year group will look forward to their sport in Year 4 where they will continue to develop their skills and game play technique. JG
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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021
Friends of Beaudesert Looking back at last year’s magazine, I can see that in mid-2020 we were hopeful that activities might soon return to normal. But as we are all very much aware that didn’t happen, and even though the School was able to continue to offer a large part of the curriculum, including sports, the opportunities for parents to be involved on school premises was severely curtailed. For an organisation such as the Friends, which in terms of events really exists to bring Beaudesert families together, that was extremely challenging. Embryonic plans for quiz nights, wine tastings and reeling had to be put on ice. We also had to bite the bullet and cancel the Fireworks night which is always the highlight of the
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Friends calendar. And even organising a socially distanced Santa Fun Run was not really practical given the constantly shifting public health advice. On the other hand, the representational role of the Friends assumed far greater importance. Through our network of class representatives and the marvels of Zoom, with which we had all become so familiar, we were able to hold meetings with the Headmaster and other key staff, to raise with them the many questions that parents had regarding timetabling, sport and other queries, and to help in disseminating the answers among the community. We now have a strong team of Reps spread across the year groups and are learning together
FRIEN DS OF BEAUDESERT how we can support both the School and families. As ever, we are very open to suggestions as to what more we could do, or do better. Please do identify your Year Group Reps – they will likely be running a WhatsApp or other group that you will be encouraged to join. As we look ahead, plans are well advanced for the 2021 Fireworks which we hope will be a success, and serve as a spectacularly visible sign that the School and the Friends are back to “normality”, whatever that means in a Beaudesert context.
Stephen Kinsella, Chair Friends of Beaudesert
Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
Staff List 2020–2021 HEADMASTER Mr C D Searson
BA (Hons), Warwick; QTS, Warwick
DEPUTY HEADMASTER Mr J Holmes BA (Hons), Middlesex; PGCE Exeter; History
ASSISTANT HEAD, ACADEMIC Mrs H Bradley BA (Hons), Warwick; PGCE, York; French; Spanish
SENIOR MASTER Mr J Standen McDougal Dip Ag, Lackham Agriculture College; PGCE, Roehampton; Head of History; Year 8 Form Teacher
ASSISTANT HEAD, PASTORAL & DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD Mr L Robinson
Bsc (Hons), Newcastle; PGCE, UWE; Head of PSHCEE; Science
HEAD OF PRE-PREP Mrs H Searson BA (Hons), Exeter; QTS Bath Spa
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 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 Mrs C Clarke HND, Bath; CMI Level 5; Year 3 Classroom Assistant Mr B Clibborn BA (Hons), UCL; PGCE, Buckingham Head of Classics; Year 8 Form Teacher Mr E Craig BA (Hons), Northumbria Head of Geography Head of Activities; 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 English; Maths; 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; Year 5 Form Teacher Ms B Dismorr MA (Fine Art), UWE; PGCE, Buckingham Head of Art Mr O Figgis BA, Leeds; PGCE, Roehampton Head of MFL; Year 5 Form Teacher 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 Year 3 Co-ordinator; Year 3 Form Teacher Miss E Hobbs BSc (Hons), Gloucestershire; PGCE, Buckingham Maths; PE; Girls’ Sport; Year 5 Form Teacher
Mrs C Hockin BSc (Hons), Manchester; PGCE, Bath Science; Year 6 Form Teacher Mrs A Hodges BSc (Hons), Oxford Brookes; MSc, Exeter; PGCE, Wales Head of Maths; Geography Mrs A Holland BA (Hons), Sunderland; PGCE; Post Grad Cert SEN Learning Support Mrs E Holmes BSc (Hons), UWE; PGCE, Exeter Humanities; Science; Year 4 Form Teacher Miss S Hutcheson BA, Durham LAMDA Miss B Jones BDes (Hons), Manchester School of Art; PGCE, UWE Cermics; Art; DT Mrs S Jones BSc (Hons), Edinburgh; PGCE, Exeter Maths Mrs J Layton BEd (Hons), Plymouth Houseparent; Learning Support Mr T Layton BEd (Hons), Plymouth Houseparent; ICT; e-Safety; Forest School; English; Year 4 Form Teacher Mrs C Lincoln BA (Hons), Southampton; PGCE, Kingston French; Spanish; Year 7 Form Teacher Miss P Mulliner BA (Hons), Oxford Brookes; PGCE, Kingston Head of Year 4; Year 4 Form Teacher Miss H Niblett Year 4 Classroom Assistant Mrs R Nielsen BA (Hons), Cardiff; PGCE, Exeter Year 3 Form Teacher Mrs M Poll BA Ed (Hons), Exeter English Mrs C Potter BA (Hons), East Anglia; PGCE, Canterbury Learning Support Mr D Robinson BA (Hons), Thames Valley Sport Mrs R Saunders BMus (Hons), Cardiff; PGCE, Wales Director of Music Miss L Snow BA (Hons), UWE; PGCE, UWE Art Mrs A Standen McDougal BA (Hons), Chelt. & Glos. College; PGCE, Reading Head of Girls; English; Drama; Year 4 Form Teacher Mrs P Stevens BSc, UWE; PGCE, Buckingham Head of Girls’ Sport 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; Year 7 Form Teacher; NCFE Level 3 Bushcraft Instructor Mr L Waters BSc Civil Engineering, Glamorgan; PGCE, Exeter Head of Design and Technology; Forest School Leader Award Ms A White BA (Hons), Birmingham; PGCE, Oxford French 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 6 Form Teacher Miss K Winkworth BSc (Hons), Exeter; PGCE, Buckingham Science; Year 6 Form Teacher
PRE-PREP STAFF Mrs L Backhouse BA (Hons), Oxford Brookes Classroom Assistant, Year 1 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 Mrs J Chinnick NVQ Level 2 Classroom Assistant, Year 2 Miss G Crane BA (Hons), Chichester; QTS, Chichester Reception Form Teacher Mrs K Danks NNEB, Norland Diploma Nursery Assistant
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BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE Autumn 2021 Mrs N Evans BA (Hons) PGCE Exeter Nursery Assistant Mrs L Figgis BA (Hons), De Montfort University, Leicester; PGCE, UWE Music Mrs S Jackson NNEB Diploma Classroom Assistant, Reception Miss L Lagomarsino National Diploma in Childcare Learning and Development Classroom Assistant, Reception Mrs E Limburn BA (Hons), Cardiff; QTS, London French 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 G Price BA (Hons), Aberystwyth; FIST Swimming Mrs D Royston BA, Portsmouth; NVQ Level 4 Award Dyslexia Action; Special Tuition Learning Support 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), Southampton; PGCE, Southampton Reception Form Teacher
VISITING STAFF Mrs M Brownbill ARMCM Voice Mrs W Clark ARAM; LRAM; GRSM (Hons) Violin & Viola Mr M Coldrick AGSM Dip NCOS, Guildhall School of Music & Drama Drumkit Miss A Cubbin BA (Hons) Bath Spa Clarinet & Saxophone Mr S Garley Fencing Mrs L Hale BEd Bath College Piano, Recorder & Bassoon Mrs H Hardy AISTD BIB, NB Dance, Ballet Mr J Harris MA Cardiff Harp, Acoustic & Electric Guitar; Ukulele Mrs F Heseltine BA (Hons) Birbeck College, London Head of Wardrobe 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 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 L Mander BMus (Hons) Birmingham; PGDIP 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 Mr M Richardson BA (Hons), MA Fism, Kingston University Piano Mrs I Seth-Smith BA (Hons) ARCM Cello; Double Bass Mrs H Shaw Cert Ed, York; Piano Mrs E Toseland BA (Hons); PGCE, Exeter; ABRSM Oboe Miss C Tucker Mountainview Theatre School; LAMDA, London LAMDA
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Mrs B Turner Music Degree, N Virginia College, USA Flute Mrs G Waters BSc Leeds Ecology
MATRONS Mrs J Excell Mrs F Heseltine Mrs L Nicole 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 Mrs S Medcalf
(MA); BACP; ACC Psychodynamic Counsellor
MAINTENANCE/GROUNDS Mr T Attwood Mr C Bessant Mr K Gardiner Mr L Gardiner Mr R Niblett
TRANSPORT Mr P Allen Mr R Callingham Mr J Dudley Ms K Ellis Mr M Fitch Kemp Mr K Monkman Mr M Rutter
ADMINISTRATION Mrs J Abendanon BA Witwatersrand; Librarian Mrs E Allen Office Assistant; Alumni Co-ordinator Mrs M Bliss Finance Assistant Mrs J Grech BSocSc (Hons), Manchester; Headmaster’s PA Mr A Hale Estates Manager Mr C Harvey IT Manager Miss S Lodge BA (Hons), Cardiff, Head of Marketing and Communications Mrs A Platt Domestic Manager Mr J Stephenson BSc, Gloucestershire, IT Technician Ms C Thomas BA (Hons), Durham; Data Manager Mrs C Turner AAT Advanced Diploma, Level 3; Accounts Assistant Mrs T Yates-Round Registrar; School Secretary
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 J Cope Deputy Head (Pastoral), St Edward’s School, Oxford Mr P Evitt Headmaster; Highfield School, Hampshire Mr M Fawcett Former Parent; Company Director Lady Ford Former Head of Pre-prep; Educational Consultant 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 Mrs A Melvin Former Parent Mr J Nettleton Old Beaudesertian; Architect Mr J Thompson Parent; Doctor
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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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