Outings and Events

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.

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. 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

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. 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

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!

Poetry by Heart Competition From the

This year many Beaudesertians entered Poetry by Heart, a national poetry recital Archives competition. The competition was open to children across the UK aged from 7 to 18 years old. 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

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! 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 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

“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

TL

“… 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

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