Beaudesert Park School Magazine 2025

PARK SCHOOL

SCHOOL NOTES

Headmaster’s Speech at Prize Giving

The piece Frederick played for us is the theme to ‘Interstellar’, a sci-fi film in which, due to depleted resources on Earth, it is necessary to seek and find a new habitable planet in another galaxy. The need to explore in order to discover new opportunities.

Much of our children’s lives here is about exploration, both in the classroom and beyond. Not because they have to, but because exploration is fun. New experiences and new challenges bring excitement and joy, sparking curiosity and, sometimes getting the pulse racing.

But exploration is not always easy. And it doesn’t always come with a route map. In fact, the destination is not always known when you set out. It requires balanced risk, only then can one truly find reward.

There is a Swedish word, ‘resfeber’, which describes the restless beat of a traveller’s heart before the journey begins, a mixture of anxiety and anticipation.

This surely, for our children, is an essential feeling.

In the Pre-Prep Prize Giving yesterday, Mrs Packman spoke beautifully about the balance in encouraging children to develop ‘gentle strength’. Such a wonderful and appropriate oxymoron, I thought.

I would like to talk about a word that is very important to us all at Beaudesert, especially as our children grow through their Prep School exploration. That word is freedom.

I had a conversation with a visitor to the School about three weeks ago and he said to me, “Watching the children at Beaudesert rather reminds me of my prep school days of about 50 years ago.” That’s rather nice, I thought. “They clearly relish the freedoms that they have,” he said. Excellent, I thought, and quite right too. “So, how do you know that they always make the right decisions?” he asked. To be honest, I didn’t have an answer. And nor should I have. Who possibly could?

Perhaps I should have referred him to someone a little wiser than myself. And no, children, I am not talking about Mr Craig! I can’t quite believe how many Year 8s listed him as their greatest inspiration at Beaudesert in their leavers book…

It was, in fact, Mahatma Gandi (similar to Mr Craig in so many ways) who said, “Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err.” In other words, freedom is nothing if one can’t make mistakes.

Another rather lovely word for you, this time Japanese, ‘Wabi-sabi’, which describes finding beauty in the imperfections, an acceptance of the cycle of life.

Mistakes are necessary, especially for children as they learn. If I were to ask you to take a moment to think of some of your strongest memories from childhood, I suspect many of them would be of mistakes you made along the way. I can still vividly remember the feeling as my misdirected shot while playing sitting room football with my brother (yes, I wasn’t always a Lionel Messi-like finisher)

brought my parents’ favourite picture crashing to the floor.

I suspect you learned from your mistakes. Even if not necessarily straight away. And I suspect you were also forgiven.

In Jonathan Haidt’s important book, ‘The Anxious Generation’, he speaks powerfully about the critical importance of and the decline in ‘free play’ for children as they grow up. And the significant, detrimental effect that research shows this is having on our future generations. He doesn’t just talk about ‘play’, he specifically uses the term ‘free play’. There is a clear and important difference. It is only through the ‘free’ element of play and their learning that children can truly develop the social skills, the confidence, and the self-awareness that will shape their true characters and allow them to flourish in later life.

Of course, this is not to say that mistakes do not have consequences, for lessons must be learned. Although I can’t promise I have fully learned not to play sitting room football, nor that my shooting has become any better.

George Bernard Shaw reminds us that ‘liberty means responsibility’, something our children know well.

Children, I wonder if you know what ‘déjà vu’ means. Yes, it’s that feeling that you are living a moment that you have already experienced.

Well, as teachers, we have plenty of déjà vu moments. Many conversations, or moments offering support, have repeated annually and will continue to do so. The ways in which our children grow, change and develop tends to follow similar patterns, so whether it was Jemima in 2005, Jessica in 2015, or Jemma in 2025, life’s natural patterns tend to offer up

similar moments of learning. And we must not stand in nature’s way.

When our children are first learning to walk, as parents, we stand in front of them to catch them if they fall. We then step beside them, ready to help pick them up if they need us. And, importantly, the time comes when we stand behind them and let them walk ahead for themselves.

One of the greatest honours we have as teachers is helping to guide our children through their moments of learning, offering them the experiences, the tools and the confidence to walk forwards and follow their own paths.

While walking around the School on Thursday, I witnessed two crystal clear examples of the growth we see here at Beaudesert. I firstly happened upon the ICT room where, having completed their kit tidy, 5G were enjoying watching the 2021 video of the whole school dancing to ‘Jerusalema’ together, and I saw them leaping up with joy to say, “Oh, look how small I was”, or “I can’t believe that was me.” I then walked along the top terrace and, looking down, saw a gaggle of Year 8 girls sat on the grass, watching a Reception PE lesson taking place on the grass below them by the Wellingtonia. No doubt they were happily musing about the journey of growth, discovery and enlightenment they have enjoyed since they were in Reception themselves. Either that or they were talking about boys.

Whichever it was, for me, that moment framed the extraordinary privilege and delicate responsibility we hold here at Beaudesert. Last year, I spoke about trees that grow without feeling nature’s winds and thus don’t develop true, rooted strength. I am proud that we continue to hold firm to giving our children at Beaudesert the time and space they need to grow into strong, individual young people, having learned the lessons of gentleness along the way.

Children, I wonder if you know what ‘déjà vu’ means. Yes, it’s that feeling that you are living a moment that you have already experienced…

While some experiences in a prep school may repeat, the children most certainly do not.

Every child is completely unique and deserves to be seen as such. It is the art of the finest teachers, and we are truly blessed here, to seek out and find the special qualities in every child.

I recently received an email from parents who are sat here today, leaving Beaudesert after 11 years, which included the following words: “One thing we have always been impressed with is the teachers’ tendencies to go above and beyond for the children, especially those having a tough time or those that don’t fit the mould. As such, we would really like to leave an annual award for a teacher who has gone

above and beyond for the School and the children.” This could apply to so many of our exceptionally caring and committed staff, and I would like to take this moment to thank every member of the Beaudesert staff for all they have done this past year. We shall discover the first recipient of the Rowland Teachers ‘Above and Beyond’ Cup a little later.

Today, we sadly say goodbye to a number of members of staff, and I would like to say some words of thanks to those who are with us this morning.

Jacob Critchley, Natasha Gorton, Flora MacIntosh and Joel Watt have been a truly exceptional group of Gap students, each bringing their own unique qualities to the role and, thus, working as the most splendid team. One never quite knows how an eclectic group of young people will bond and work together, but these four have gelled and excelled this year. They have most certainly found the perfect balance of hard-work (without a hint of a grumble) and finding time for lots of fun. Jacob, Natasha, Flora and Joel, our children have been incredibly lucky to be supported and inspired by you all. Thank you.

Miss Lucy Pietroni joined us at the start of this year as maternity cover in Year 4, fresh from her first year of teaching in Newcastle. An instant hit with all the children in her class, Miss Pietroni has brought incredible warmth and love to every child in her care. I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone tell children they and their actions are ‘gorgeous’ more often and more genuinely. We are incredibly sad that our time with Miss Pietroni has not been for longer, but hope that we may be able to tempt her back in the future. Thank you, Lucy.

Charlotte Maher also joined us initially for a maternity cover position in Year 3 in 2023. A year in the Pre-Prep followed as a Year 2 teacher, before she yo-yoed back into Year 3 again this year. Charlotte has brought a huge amount of teaching experience from her time working in other countries, offering fresh ideas and always

GAP and Graduate Assistants

From left to right: Flora MacIntosh, Jacob Critchley, Tom Tooth, Joel Watt, Natasha Gorton

seeking for the best learning experience possible for her children. Happily for Charlotte, yet sadly for us, she has been offered an exciting leadership role at Jebel Ali School in Dubai from September. Charlotte will be returning to a place she knows well, and the travel bug has proved too tempting once again. While with us at Beaudesert, Charlotte has been truly ‘in the thick of it’, getting stuck into every opportunity, showing wonderful flexibility, and embracing all areas of school life, including evenings supporting our older children in the Boarding House, and always being the first to sign up to a staff social opportunity! Thank you, Charlotte, and good luck.

Ah, Mrs Saunders. The beating heart of Beaudesert music for the past eight years. The positive influence that Becky has had on music at Beaudesert and, most importantly, on our musicians is impossible to measure. It can only be felt. And it was felt so clearly at her final Summer Concert. The warmth and gratitude in this room was palpable, so thick in the air that one could reach out

and touch it. Our children’s performances on that evening were testament to the confidence and the joy for music that Mrs Saunders has helped to instil in every single one of them. As I said on that evening, whenever I have watched concerts here, whether small or large, I see our children smiling, and I see Mrs Saunders smiling right back at them. She cares deeply for children, and she is committed to them and their needs in a very rare way indeed. What most people see is the Mrs Saunders at concerts. What you may not know is the extraordinary and unwavering additional commitment she has always shown, always putting the needs of children above her own. Once a Beaudesert musician, always a Beaudesert musician, and Becky spends an amazing amount of time on evenings and at weekends going to watch and support our Old Beaudesertians in concerts and musical performances at their senior schools and beyond. Just this week, when speaking to a child ahead of a performance, Mrs Saunders said the following words, “However much time and help you need from me, I’m here for

you.” And she meant it. Mrs Saunders is the epitome of a teacher who goes above and beyond for children, and I can think of no more appropriate first recipient of the Rowland Teachers ‘Above and Beyond’ Cup than Mrs Saunders. Becky, thank you for the music.

Children, I wonder if you know what ‘déjà vu’ means. Yes, it’s that feeling that you are living a moment that you have already experienced… Okay. Enough!

To our leaving children, cherish your memories of Beaudesert, remember the lessons you have learned, embrace the freedoms ahead and hold fast to your responsibilities to others. Step forward with the gentle strength that will ensure you are a good friend to many and continue to leave positive footprints on your journey.

And so, before we move on to the presentations of this year’s prizes, I would like to wish you all a very happy and enjoyable summer.

CD Searson

Farewells

Jan Chinnick

27 is a special number; Uranus has 27 moons, a Rubik’s cube has 27 individual cubes, Mozart wrote 27 piano concertos, Leviticus has 27 chapters, the Hebrew alphabet has 27 letters, Jan Chinnick worked for over 27 years at Beaudesert Park School!

On the 1st May 1997, Tony Blair became the UK’s Prime Minister, and a young enthusiastic new Teaching Assistant joined the Pre-Prep team in the Reception class.

Known affectionately as ‘Jam’ for the first 6 years of her Pre-Prep tenure, Jan was incredible at supporting all the children in her care, whilst holding a special place in her heart for the youngest and least able. Generations of families and plenty of work

Helen Bloodworth

Helen has been a valued member of the Girls’ Games Department since 2022. After recently welcoming her first child, she returned to teaching with enthusiasm and energy. We were delighted to welcome

colleagues have come and gone in her time, all of whom will undoubtedly have fond memories and stories to tell of the warm and kindly lady with pink hair, lots of sparkles, and an array of impressive earrings that could rival Claire’s Accessories.

A truly great teacher is hard to find, difficult to part with, and impossible to forget. That is all true of Jan Chinnick. Starting in Early Years but working in both Year 1 and Year 2 classes over the years, her pastoral care of little people was impeccable and often unforgettable to those who benefitted from it. It takes a lot of patience to work with children, and Jan had that in spades. Watching her teach her phonics groups – “s” “t” “a” “p” “i” “n” was a lesson in enthusiasm, support and encouragement from her first lesson to her one hundredand-first lesson.

Jan Chinnick retires from Beaudesert leaving us with many happy memories. She richly deserves all her new ‘me-time’ and we are certain her garden will look blooming marvellous by the end of the year!

So, after an impressive 10,099 days ‘in class’, I think we have really grown to know Mrs Chinnick. HP

her and benefit from the wealth of experience she brought, having previously been the Head of Girls’ Games at Wycliffe.

Helen quickly became an integral part of the team, thanks to her calm and friendly demeanor with the children and her sociable, supportive nature with staff. Her passion for football has been particularly inspiring, helping to motivate the girls and elevate the programme to where we are now.

Helen has been a joy to work alongside, and we wish her every success as she embarks on the next chapter of her teaching career.

Rebecca Saunders

It is never easy to say goodbye, but saying goodbye to such a well-loved and respected colleague who has made an unprecedented impact on the whole of our school community is incredibly difficult. During her 8 years as Director of Music at Beaudesert, Becky has reached new heights for music for all at Beaudesert, initiating multiple concerts, ensembles, orchestra days, scholarship successes, House music competitions, school productions, community singing events and performances at Cadogan Hall in London, to name but a few. At her final summer concert, Becky said that her ambition was always to lead a music department which gives every opportunity to learn and experience many forms of music as listeners, composers and performers. It is safe to say that Becky has unequivocally realised this vision.

Looking to the future, having completed her Master of Education with the University of Bath this year, and working as a governor at Brimscombe Primary School, Becky looks for new opportunities to help others grow and develop to make more musical journeys possible. Effortlessly modelling our school values of kindness, compassion, curiosity, creativity, aspiration, courage, individuality and respect, she has been the epitome of everything we strive to teach our children, and her attitude of making the most of every opportunity will undoubtedly bring her a wealth of exciting, new successes!

Jenna Dickerson

We’re saying goodbye to Jenna Dickerson, our brilliant Chartwells’ Catering Manager, who’s heading off on a new adventure with her family in France.

Jenna joined us back in September 2022, having previously worked as one of the House Chefs at Winchester College. With her army training behind her, she brought a perfect mix of structure, resilience and calm to the kitchen.

Margaret Bliss

Margaret Bliss has been an essential part of the school’s Bursary for the last 11 years, and left us at the end of the Summer Term to enjoy her well-deserved retirement.

We will miss Margaret’s efficiency and dogged determination in pursuit of the best price. She has a no-nonsense approach, while also packing a sharp wit and humour when required. She has

From the start, Jenna created a space full of professionalism and fun. Her warm humour and lovely smile made the kitchen a great place to work and the Dining Room a welcoming spot for all. She threw herself into everything with real enthusiasm, especially the themed nights. Whether it was planning decorations or choosing costumes, Jenna made sure those events were memorable. The Harry Potter Night and the Year 8 Leavers’ Formal Supper are two standouts we’ll be talking about for years.

Jenna’s care for her team was second to none. She always made time to listen, support, and celebrate their wins. She’s leaving behind more than just a well-run kitchen, she’s leaving a whole school that will miss her dearly.

Thank you, Jenna, and bon voyage!

Charlotte Turner

MP

kept on top of the many packages and parcels ordered by our staff, and makes sure deliveries end up with the correct owner. She will help solve any ordering challenge, and investigates the mystery of the missing parcel which Amazon has accidentally delivered to the other side of Minchinhampton Common.

Margaret has kept things ticking along beautifully in the Bursary, with a quiet kindness that ensures our Office is a welcoming place. She is a friend to all, and always happy to have a chat or lend a hand.

We have enjoyed hearing about Margaret’s adventures in her motorhome, which has reignited her passion for travel, and we hope to hear many more tales of her future adventures. She will be hugely missed, and we wish her a very long and happy retirement.

TS

Charlotte joined Beaudesert in January 2020 as Accounts Assistant; a breath of fresh air in the Bursary, replacing her predecessor who was retiring. AAT qualified, Charlotte was responsible for the school payroll and billing: two very important jobs. She quickly adapted to the school environment and efficiently dealt with queries from staff and parents alike.

She was very adept at juggling work with home life including looking after her children and ferrying them to their various after-school activities, her horses (the numbers of which were ever changing – she may have eight or more!) and more latterly, in the last couple of years, being very hands-on with building her own house.

She often chatted in the Office about the various breaks that she and her family enjoyed: trips to Dubai, skiing in France and other holidays in the sun, all of which made us quite envious!

Charlotte wanted to cut back on her hours at Beaudesert and was delighted to be offered a part-time role at All Saints’ Academy in Cheltenham, and we wish her the very best of luck.

Charlotte Maher

Once in a blue moon you come across someone rather special and you think to yourself – lucky me! Or in this case – lucky

Lucy Pietroni

This academic year, we had the pleasure of welcoming Miss Lucy Pietroni to our staff as maternity cover in Year 4. Lucy has been a wonderful teammate; approachable, reliable, and always willing to lend a hand or share a laugh.

Her children speak of her with real affection. When asked to describe her in three words, they provided far more: “kind, caring, funny, amazing, and lovely jubbly” were just a few of the highlights. They also noted her gift for cheering them up when they were feeling down, and helping them remember their punctuation.

As she moves on to take up a fulltime Year 4 role in Cheltenham, we know she will continue to bring the same passion and care to her next cohort. Thank you, Lucy, for everything. You have been, as your favourite word implies, “gorgeous”. PM

us! The wonderful Charlotte Maher has brought passion, commitment, creativity and flair wherever she has been over the past couple of years with us.

Starting off in Prep School and making a quick turn-around to join Pre-Prep for a year, before reverting back once again when needed, supporting boarders, activities, events and school initiatives.

Staff would return from half terms saying how lovely it was to spend time in the garden, maybe to regrout the bathroom;

not Charlotte! She dashed off to far flung locations whenever, and wherever, she could… The travel bug (the good kind) is at the heart of Charlotte’s love of life and learning, and it is this desire to explore and connect with the big wide world that means we are now saying farewell to Charlotte. Her passion for travel and overseas opportunities has drawn her away to new horizons – and we are delighted for her. We know Jebel Ali will provide her with amazing opportunities and we hope they know how very lucky they are to have her.

Stuart Houghton Elizabeth Barr

After six excellent years at Beaudesert Park School, we say a fond farewell to Mr Stuart Houghton as he moves on to a full-time role with Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

Stuart joined Beaudesert Park following a distinguished career in the army, and brought with him a calm authority, strong leadership, and a deep commitment to teamwork and discipline. He has been an outstanding member of the Games Department, with particular expertise in rugby and cricket. His coaching has inspired many children, and his ability to bring out the best in those he works with has made a lasting impact.

Stuart’s reliability, loyalty, and professionalism have been valued by both staff and children. His presence on the games field has been one of strength and encouragement, and his positive influence has been felt across all areas of school life.

He leaves with our sincere thanks and best wishes for the future. Stuart will be greatly missed, and we look forward to hearing about his continued success in the world of professional sport.

It is always rather nerve wracking when there is a change in staffing for such a small department. However, Elizabeth’s passion, experience and joy for teaching art was apparent at interview and this enthusiasm continued through the year of her maternity cover.

Highly adaptable in her teaching, she was able to create lessons in which children were able to flourish and gain confidence in a range of mediums, producing work of which they were proud. One of Elizabeth’s skills was her intuition and sensitivity to the children in her care, and I know she became a firm favourite with some because of this. Out of the Art Studio, she was keen to become involved in the wider school community, helping with the make-up during ‘Beauty and the Beast’, going on school trips, and taking part in the Above and Beyond days.

As a colleague, Elizabeth was inspiring and great fun to work with. She now continues her role as Art Lead at Horsley Primary and I hope that we will have the chance to collaborate in the future.

Speech Day Prize List

Year 8

Rollo Awbery Rufus Isaacs English Prize, Kellie Cup for Brass

Cheltenham College Commended for: His all-round contribution to the School.

Lauren Biddle Austin Richardson Classics Prize, winner of the 8B form prize for making Cheltenham College Mr Burns laugh out loud more than anyone else.

Frederick Blake Shaw Piano Cup

Cheltenham College Commended for: His excellent academic achievements across the curriculum.

Ellie Blastland Wallace Prize for Performing Arts

Cheltenham College Commended for: Her superb attitude to learning and being a joy to teach.

Tahha Bouhrazen Commended for: His friendship, his academic effort and progress, as well as Cheltenham College his contribution to the sporting life of the school.

Youssef Bouhrazen Winner of the 8A Form Prize for sheer hard graft, determination and impressive Cheltenham College academic progress.

Tabitha Bradley Winner of the 8W Form Prize for her outstanding academic effort and progress, Marlborough College alongside her willingness to participate in all areas of school with a huge smile on her face.

Heidi Breitmeyer Hervey Adams Art Prize Bradfield College

James Brostoff Unsung Hero Cup

Cheltenham College

Jake Cartwright Pope Computing Prize Cheltenham College Commended for: His determined approach to academics across the board.

Poppy Charlesworth Sporting Endeavour Award, winner of the 8W Form Prize in recognition of her Cheltenham College outstanding hard work, never-ending enthusiasm for school life and wonderful sense of humour.

Delphi Dickins Sturgis Cup for Horsemanship, Kulesza Technology Prize

Connie Ellis Chalmers French Prize

Dean Close School

Marlborough College Commended for: Her academic success and contributions to all aspects of school life.

Violet Gemmill Block Singing Cup Clifton College

Harry Gordon Commended for: A year of exciting academic improvement and huge The Green School, Bali contributions to sport.

Hugo Graham Nott Cup for Academic Attainment, Russell Prize for Creativity in Maths Eton College

Arthur Grand Winner of the Good Egg Award, Crick Drama Prize Cheltenham College

Cleo I’Anson

Stephen Enriques English Prize

St Mary’s, Calne Commended for: Her outstanding work ethic and superb academic progress.

Willa Jones-Davies Harmer Cup for Academic Attainment

Marlborough College

George King Brickwood Physics Cup, Sporting Endeavour Award Kingswood School

Hope Kinsella Archibald Design Prize

Willough Kojima Brodermann Prize for Dignity and Integrity, Matthews Science Prize

Cheltenham College

St Mary’s, Calne

Lucas McCormick Commended for: Great Common Entrance grades and excellent all-round Radley College commitment to sport and drama.

Flora McCulloch Winner of the 8A Form Prize for her cheerful spirit, impressive determination Westonbirt School and excellent progress across the curriculum.

Ottilie McIntyre Airey Art Prize Stowe School Commended for: Her academic effort and also her determination in the face of adversity.

Harrison Miller Winner of the 8B Form Prize for having a truly transformational Year 8. Marlborough College Commended for: His cheerful and talented contributions to a wide spectrum of school activities in and out of the classroom, especially in the Arts.

Eve Mordaunt Sporting Spirit Award, winner of the 8W form prize for her unfailing politeness Tudor Hall School and helpfulness, whilst throwing herself with absolute commitment into every facet of Beaudesert life.

George Noest Winner of the 8A Form Prize for his irrepressible good humour and sunny charm. Cheltenham College Commended for: His progress in Maths.

Ralph Noest Commended for: Outstanding Common Entrance grades and an energetic Cheltenham College contribution to the school’s sporting life.

Barnaby Pettifer Sporting Achievement Award Cheltenham College

Isla Phillips Sporting Achievement Award Bradfield College

Honor Pitman

Winner of the 8W form prize for her academic progress, winning smile and St Mary’s, Calne spirited support of her friends.

Commended for: Her academic progress and super Common Entrance results.

Cecilia Raphael Lavery Cup for the Arts Cheltenham College

Bluey Richardson-Thomson Cucknell Design Prize King Edward’s School, Commended for: His academic progress across the curriculum. Bath

Otis Rowland

Vincent Keyte History Prize

Cheltenham College Commended for: His contributions to sport.

Parker Scott Duffy Dyer Cup for Endeavour, winner of the 8B form prize for her Monkton Combe School extraordinary ability to work cheerfully and to great effect with absolutely anyone, in any sphere of school life.

Max Shuttleworth Oliver Shield for Music, Blackmore Chorister Cup Cheltenham College Commended for: His academic effort and progress.

Clemency Silverton-Heron May English Prize Westonbirt School Commended for: Her outstanding progress in singing.

Max Stockdale Wachy Specialist Cup Stowe School Commended for: His excellent progress in Maths and his sense of humour.

Aurelia Stowe Commended for: Her steadfast friendship as well as her academic progress, Westonbirt School in particular the remarkable strides which she has made in English.

Ethan Thaiss Sporting Spirit Award Cheltenham College Commended for: His contributions to all areas of school life.

Bonnie Tubbs Reid Science Prize, Petyan Geography Prize

Marlborough College

Edward Tucker Mander Philosophy & Ethics Prize, Waite Shield for Strings Cheltenham College Commended for: His diligent approach to work and his perseverance.

Camilla Williams Commended for: Her ability to always enrich the Beaudesert community. International School of St Petersburg

Harry A. Wood Commended for: His academic progress across the curriculum. Eton College

Harry Wood Oliver Shield for Music, John Keyte Maths Prize, Elgar Woodwind Music Prize Cheltenham College

Form Prizes

3HJ R Turner For her hard work, positive attitude and joyful spirit, which have made her a true role model in class. Keep being amazing, Rose, the sky is the limit.

3HJ W Pemberton For consistently showing dedication, responsibility and a mature attitude, alongside kindness to all.

3HJ M Woodman For always putting her heart into all that she does, setting an example to all and reaching for the stars.

3M M Heal For being a true all-rounder who embraces every opportunity with passion, energy and a love for school life.

3M M Matheson For her wonderful dedication and consistent effort, always giving her best and often going above and beyond expectations.

3M A Matheson For his excellent attainment and for bringing kindness and thoughtfulness to our classroom every day.

3N C Keay For her tremendous ability, and her glowing success in so many areas of school life.

3N E Greville-Heygate For his thirst for knowledge, his lovely, easy-going nature, and his brilliant sense of fun.

3N A Birch For her sparkling set of reports, her kind and caring nature, and her happy calming presence.

4H M Britten-Long For academic performance and thirst for knowledge.

4H H de Horsey For excellent effort and growth this year.

4H A Dhillon For her endless enthusiasm and positivity.

4M A King For her steadfast effort and determination across all areas of school life throughout the year.

4M F Lamb For showing that courage and effort make hard things easier than they seem.

4M D Richardson-Thomson For brightening the classroom with her energy, charm and joyful sparkle.

4P M Vandoorne For always pushing herself and excelling in everything she does.

4P F Kaye For giving her all in everything she sets out to do.

4P A Marlow For his cheeky charm, vibrant energy and wholehearted enjoyment of school life.

5C C Wakefield For having the highest standards in everything she does academically across the year.

5C A Bower-Sallitt For putting 100% into Beaudesert life, and having a fantastic attitude.

5C E Vestey For her beaming smile and showing perseverance with her work this year.

5G R Dalrymple For his constant good humour, kindness and effort.

5G H Jacobs For her quiet cheerfulness and good effort.

5G W Craig For her calm, happy and friendly approach to school.

5H A Abhilash For his positive cheerful personality and caring attitude towards others.

5H F Doyle For his kindness and willingness to help others, boundless energy and sense of fun.

5H V Strang Steel For her positivity, kindness to others and resilience.

6C L Lucas For her happy, positive and bubbly nature at school.

6C F Fleming For always being motivated and hardworking, both in and out of the classroom, while making excellent academic progress.

6C R Tomlinson For being a modest, sociable, kind hearted and talented member of 6C.

6TC H Frost For his boundless positivity and spreading a little joy around school.

6TC A Tomlinson For great endeavour and even better humour.

6TC W Wilcox For resilience, perseverance, positivity and a sense of fun.

6W H Guard For her diligence and determination whilst also maintaining a fantastic sense of fun.

6W C Pettifer For her sunny outlook and aiming high in all that she does.

6W A Wall For his continued effort across the year and taking each day with maturity and cheerfulness.

7B R Cheetham For demonstrating the value of hard work, grit and determination, and outstanding academic achievement this year.

7B T Guard For her excellent attitude, effort and positivity throughout the year.

7B S Ziar For being focused, hardworking and reliable, and can always be counted on – a quiet strength in 7B!

7C R Johnston For her all-round outstanding contribution to school life, and her kindness, charm and maturity.

7C Z Jones For standout and exemplary academic excellence and performance throughout the year.

7C A Longsdon For his diligence, effort and quietly getting on with the business of making his mark on all he does.

7H I Thompson For her outstanding effort and enthusiasm for all aspects of school life.

7H I Dalrymple For her positive attitude and relentless hard work.

7H J Fox For taking Beaudesert life in his stride and approaching every task with commitment and endeavour.

Scholarships, Exhibitions and Awards

Year 8

Heidi Breitmeyer Art Scholarship Bradfield College

Poppy Charlesworth Sports Exhibition Cheltenham College

Violet Gemmill Drama Scholarship Clifton College

Arthur Grand Drama Scholarship Cheltenham College

Willa Jones-Davies Art Scholarship Marlborough College

George King Academic Scholarship Kingswood School

Hope Kinsella Academic Exhibition Cheltenham College

Willough Kojima Bodinnar All-Rounder Scholarship St Mary’s, Calne

Ottilie McIntyre Art Scholarship Stowe School

Harrison Miller Drama Scholarship Marlborough College

Eve Mordaunt Sports Scholarship Tudor Hall School

Barnaby Pettifer Sports Scholarship Cheltenham College

Cecilia Raphael Sports Exhibition Cheltenham College

Otis Rowland Academic Exhibition Cheltenham College

Max Shuttleworth Art Scholarship Cheltenham College

Music Exhibition

Clemency Silverton-Heron Head’s All-Rounder Award

Ethan Thaiss Academic Exhibition

Harry Wood

Sports Scholarship

Academic Exhibition

Music Scholarship

Valete

Year 6

Betsan Evans Kingswood School

Margaret Keay Stroud High School

Wilfred Mackenzie Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School

Sam Manassei Malmesbury School

Kaia Rakheja Cheltenham Ladies’ College

Arthur Isotta Lansdale Cranbrook School, Australia

Edward Contractor King Edward’s School, Bath

Appointments

Captain of Rugby Barnaby Pettifer

Captain of Girls’ Hockey Isla Phillips

Captain of Football Otis Rowland

Captain of Boys’ Hockey Rollo Awbery

Captain of Netball Poppy Charlesworth

Captain of Cross Country George King

Year 7

Westonbirt School

Cheltenham College

Cheltenham College

Alfie Gordon The Green School, Bali Lorcan Aumonier Oundle School

Captain of Boys’ Cricket Ethan Thaiss

Captain of Girls’ Cricket Willough Kojima

Captains of Swimming Poppy Charlesworth and Eve Mordaunt

Captain of Tennis Harry Wood

Captain of Athletics Isla Phillips

BOARDING AT BEAUDESERT

The 2024/2025 boarding year has been one to remember. From the very first evening back in September, the House has been full of energy, laughter and that special sense of togetherness that makes Beaudesert boarding so unique.

We kicked off with a full programme and a full House, mixing much-loved traditions with new ideas to keep things fresh. Autumn evenings meant torch games, cosy chats around the firepit with toasted marshmallows, and plenty of time in the woods. Winter brought film nights, baking and lively Sports Hall

games, while Spring saw us spilling back outdoors for barbecues and lighter, longer evenings.

By Summer, the Boarding House was in full “open air mode”, with almost every evening spent outside. The outdoor pool became the hub of activity, whether it was for races, cooling off after a busy day, or simply floating and chatting with friends. The banks were as busy as ever with games, cartwheels and chatter, though on the hottest evenings shady spots under the trees were in high demand. And of course, Summer also brought the

return of Wachy Special, the much-loved game that always delivers fun, friendly competition and laughter.

Two brand new events this year really stood out. Our Harry Potter night turned the House into Hogwarts, complete with magical sorting potions, a grand feast, with pudding served on swirling dry ice, and a whole menu of wizarding activities. From potions and pyrotechnics, to Quidditch challenges, Triwizard trials, and treats worthy of Honeydukes. It was a night filled with magic.

The other new addition was the Year 8 Formal, ‘Over the Rainbeau’, with a Wizard of Oz theme. The leavers looked incredibly smart as they enjoyed welcome mocktails in the PAC, followed by a three course dinner straight from the Emerald City. The night ended with colour, music and dancing at the themed disco, a perfect celebration for their final weeks of boarding life at Beaudesert.

Alongside these new additions, we have had all the other favourites too; discos, Spotlight, Boarders’ Break Out, the slip and slide and plenty of smaller moments that make boarding life so special. Sometimes it has been about the big events, but often it has been about the little things; sitting on the banks with

friends, chatting in the dorms or enjoying a game together as the sun goes down.

We have also had some important milestones. Our Year 3 taster night was full of excitement as our youngest boarders-tobe explored the dorms, enjoyed the pool and played games well into the evening. By breakfast the next morning, it was clear they had made the most of every moment. At the other end of their Beaudesert journey, the Year 8 Boarding Weeks gave our leavers the chance to experience life as full boarders before moving on to senior school. They threw themselves into everything from tie-dye and woodfired pizzas, to evening swims and astro games, making their last term with us unforgettable. We will miss them a lot, but

it has been such a joy to share these final days with them.

None of this could happen without the amazing team behind it all. Thank you to the boarding staff, Gaps, Matrons, catering team, domestic staff and everyone in the Beaudesert community who makes the Boarding House such a welcoming and happy place.

And finally, the biggest thank you goes to the children. Your humour, kindness, energy and endless enthusiasm are what make the Boarding House such a vibrant and joyful place. Every game, every story and every laugh is what keeps its heartbeat going.

OJ and DJ

BEAUDESERT AND THE COMMUNITY

This year, our children have once again demonstrated incredible compassion and dedication by supporting a range of charitable causes and projects. As a community, we worked together to raise money for charities both near and far, including local initiatives that make a real difference close to home. The children approached every effort with enthusiasm and determination, and we are very proud of everything they have accomplished. We hope these experiences will inspire in them a lifelong commitment to kindness, generosity, and helping others.

In September, we hosted our annual Macmillan Cancer Support coffee morning, led by a small group of dedicated Year 8 children. Thanks to the generosity of our parents and community, we raised £177 for this important cause. We also maintained our ongoing support for Stroud Foodbank, a local charity providing essential food supplies to individuals and families in need. As part of our Harvest Festival service, the School came together to collect 192kg of food to donate to the foodbank.

In the second half of term, we continued to support the British Legion with our Remembrance Day Service, raising £325 through poppy sales. In support of Children in Need, the Pre-Prep organised a series of activities, and a group of enthusiastic Year 8 children hosted the annual Children in Need cake sale, contributing to the success of the event. Altogether, we raised a fantastic £796 for this national cause.

The Beaudesert Autumn Fair was another huge success and raised £8,500 for Gloucestershire Young Carers. This amazing charity works with, and for, young people who take on a caring role for a family member. They provide young carers with advice, advocacy, group support, short breaks, and safe spaces to share, and they were hugely appreciative of all the support the School gave them.

At the end of the Autumn Term, we once again supported Samaritan’s Purse and their Operation Christmas Child initiative. Families at Beaudesert filled over 40 shoeboxes full of gifts for children in need in Europe and beyond. In addition, from this year’s Christmas Carol Service collection, we donated £844 to Gloucestershire Deaf Association and Future Talent, who inspire young musicians.

The Spring Term saw the introduction of House charity events, where each

House picked a school-based activity for children to take part in, and a cause that they wished to support. Those chosen were The Little Princess Trust, supporting children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment or other conditions, The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals, and Stroud Valleys Project, a community-based charity in Stroud, focused on environmental sustainability and community wellbeing. The events organized included a ‘crazy hair day’, a charity football match and a ‘retro’ themed Spring Disco. These events also included

two further cake sales, with the Years 3 and 4 sale raising an amazing £938 alone. With the addition of a ‘Big Breakfast’ event for parents that raised £145, the total we managed to raise was £600 for each of these worthwhile causes.

In the Summer Term, 15 children from Years 3 to 6 took part in the Schools’ Triathlon events hosted at Clifton College and Marlborough College, in support of the charity Restless Development. Through their efforts they managed to raise over £1,000 for this amazing cause.

Our final event saw the return to a fundraising initiative in support of the charity ‘Heart Felt Tips’. Children across the School took home an empty pencil case and filled them with unused stationery at home. Over 140 pencil cases were donated and the Local Foodbank were so grateful. They were distributed to families in the local area unable to afford some of this basic school equipment.

It is also worth mentioning that throughout this year, we continued our strong link between Beaudesert and local hospices. Children continued to visit residents each week at Horsfall House, a nursing home and care centre in Minchinhampton, as part of the activities programme, while donations totalling £450 through class photographs were given to Longfield Hospice, based in Stroud.

Thank you to all the children, parents and staff for their amazing support throughout the year.

ACADEMIC

We are immensely proud of academic results across the board in 2024-2025. A number of our Year 8 academic scholars were successful in their pursuit, and we received examination results above the national average in most year groups and subjects. Key strengths in English and Maths include our reading comprehension, creative writing, spelling, algebra and frequent feedback for children to reflect on. We are pushing our Year 8s towards GCSE level knowledge in some subjects which is holding them in very good stead for their scholarships and exams.

Each department has made full use of the resources it has been provided. Our Chromebooks for Years 7 and 8 have made a tremendous difference. They’ve allowed children to delve deeper into their inquiries in Science, to research their own passions in History, and reflect and self-assess in Maths. The Learning Support department have also made use of new resources, including coloured reading overlays, pencil grips, wobble cushions, chew sticks, and weighted blankets. Headphones have helped children minimise distractions, while a ‘talking tin’ has enabled children to record and play their dictated ideas. Other new resources include the ICT department’s use of the Cyber Trust’s security challenges, the Maths’ department’s use of Sparx Maths to monitor and support children during tough questions, and the MFL Department’s use of Language Gym for verb practice.

Our Heads of Department organise numerous events and activities throughout the year to extend our children’s learning past the curriculum. This year, we have celebrated European Languages Day, House spelling and handwriting competitions, and entered national competitions like the ISEB Time to Write competition, and the UMKT Junior Maths Challenges. Our Year 7 children visited Bletchley Park to try their hand at reading and deciphering code, while our

Science department welcomed children from Widden School once again to create butterflies using chromatography.

Many of our departments worked together to organise trips away from School, including a trip to Normandy with the French and History departments, a joint Geography and History trip to Derbyshire, and a History and Art trip to Chepstow Castle and Tintern Abbey. Our Science, DT, ICT, Art and Maths departments worked together to host STEAM Days for our Year 6 and Year 7 children, and our History and Geography departments led our Year 8 children on a cross-curricular project where they were able to research and present their own topics in the form of beautiful posters.

We are lucky at Beaudesert to have such capable, experienced and enthusiastic teachers who care deeply about the children under their wing. Their commitment is essential to our children’s progress and I must thank them for the work they have contributed to their departments this year. I’m sure we have another successful year ahead of us.

RC

YEAR 8 HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY PROJECT

Design and Technology

We have had another fantastic year in the D&T department, where children have been creative and learned new design skills. The work you see in these pages represents just a few of the many excellent individual projects the children have completed this year.

Highlights in the department include running the Year 6 STEAM Day, which, in collaboration with Malvern School and Morgan Cars, was themed around classic cars. During this event, children’s design skills were challenged as they created models of future Morgan cars inspired by organic forms. Thank you to them for bringing a Morgan +4 car, Mr I’Anson for bringing an extremely rare and beautiful Frazer Nash sports car, and staff members providing their classic racing cars.

We also celebrated scholarship success with Bluey Richardson-Thomson, who won three scholarship awards to different schools. I wish him continued success with his studies at his new school.

As I pack away the tools and machines for another year, I would like to thank all the children for the fun and creative times we have had together throughout the year.

LW

SCHOLARSHIP PROJECT – BLUEY

ALEXANDER M, YEAR 4, MOTORISED BOAT

AMELIE R, YEAR 6, GLASS FRIDGE MAGNET AND PENDANT

MAIA, YEAR 6, GLASS FRIDGE MAGNET AND PENDANT

EDWARD C, YEAR 6, TIE-DYE T-SHIRT

HONOR G, YEAR 6, GLASS AND COPPER COASTER

EVE, POPPY AND CONNIE E, YEAR 8 ROBOT WARS PROJECT

FLYNN, YEAR 4, BUG HOUSE

IMMY, YEAR 6, TIE-DYE T-SHIRT

YEAR 6 STEAM DAY MORGAN MODEL

MATILDA S, YEAR 5, TREBUCHET

MONTY, YEAR 6, TIE-DYE T-SHIRT

ORLA, YEAR 7, PILLOW CASE

JACK, YEAR 7, PILLOW CASE

OTTILIE S, YEAR 4, MOTORISED BOAT

ISABEL, YEAR 7, PILLOW CASE

ISLA D, YEAR 7, PILLOW CASE

THOMAS, YEAR 7, MOOD LAMP

YEAR 3 CONSTRUCTION

WILLA AND WILLOUGH, YEAR 8 ROBOT WARS PROJECT

HONOR P AND AURELIA, YEAR 8, ROBOT WARS PROJECT

Art THE ARTS

SCHOLAR – OTTILIE M

AVA, YEAR 4

NINA, YEAR 4

SCHOLAR – WILLOUGH

ALASDAIR W, YEAR 5

FLORENCE F, YEAR 6

CRAFTED CHRISTMAS TREES

YEAR 5 SCULPTURES

HENRY T, YEAR 4

SCHOLAR – CONNIE E

HONOR P, YEAR 8

BETSAN, YEAR 6

HEIDI J, YEAR 5 MAIA, YEAR 6

ARTHUR IL, YEAR 6

SCHOLAR – MAX SH

SCHOLAR – BONNIE

ETHAN, YEAR 8

SCHOLAR – HEIDI B

HENRY T, YEAR 4

OTTILIE, YEAR 4

ISABEL, YEAR 7

STORM, YEAR 4 YEAR 7

AND INK OBSERVATIONS

ARTHUR IL, YEAR 6

SCHOLAR – FLORA M

WILLIAM B, YEAR 6

THIRZA, YEAR 7

SCHOLAR – WILLA

AMELIE R, YEAR 6

YEAR 7 PETRI DISH ARTWORK

MAX BL, YEAR 4

YEAR 8 CONCERTINA SKETCHBOOKS

FREDERICK B, YEAR 8

STORM, YEAR 4 –WINNING ENTRY OF THE BIG DRAW

Music

Autumn Term

We’ve enjoyed another fun-filled year of music at Beaudesert, beginning with our Orchestra Morning in September. Brass, woodwind, string, and percussion players from across the Prep School came together for a morning of musical discovery – an exciting first orchestral experience for many. The event culminated

in a vibrant and energetic performance of a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ medley. We were also treated to some wonderful solo performances by our music teachers, which proved both a joy to hear and a true inspiration for the children.

Alongside the many opportunities for our instrumentalists, our singers have also flourished, developing their musicianship through a wide variety of

events and concerts this year. A particular highlight was the Years 5 and 6 Choir’s visit to Wells Cathedral for a choral day. Singing alongside hundreds of other children from prep schools across the region, the children performed ‘Seasons and Charms’ by Jonathan Dove, as well as a range of repertoire learned on the day. Their performance was superb; a memorable experience in the awe-inspiring surroundings of Wells Cathedral.

Year 8 demonstrated their impressive talents and musical maturity in this year’s production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

Whether singing solo or chorus numbers, or carefully timing spoken dialogue with the underscore, the cast rose to the challenge of the complex score with professionalism and heart. Their teamwork and commitment resulted in truly magical performances.

Spring Term

We were thrilled when Marlborough College Chapel Choir invited our Years 7 and 8 Choir to join them for a Choral Evensong service in their magnificent chapel. The choir performed the introit ‘I Will Sing with the Spirit’ by John Rutter, and joined the Marlborough College Chapel Choir in singing the responses throughout the service. It was both inspiring to hear the Chapel Choir and an honour to perform in such a beautiful setting.

The Years 7 and 8 Choir also enjoyed a wonderful day at Dean Close for their annual Choral Day. Under the expert guidance of Mr Simon Bell, Director

As we entered the festive season, we were treated to a sparkling Pre-Prep Nativity full of Christmas cheer, and some excellent solo and group singing from our youngest musicians. The term concluded with the Prep School Carol Service at St George’s, Nailsworth. From the rousing anthem ‘And We Sing Gloria’ by Jay Althouse, to the gentle beauty of Rutter’s ‘Carol of the Children’, and a stunning opening solo of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ from Parker in Year 8, the service was a joyful celebration of the true meaning of Christmas.

of Choral Music at Dean Close Senior School, the choir worked exceptionally hard throughout the day. Their repertoire included ‘Hosanna, Loud Hosanna’ by Bedford and ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ from Handel’s ‘Messiah’. The day concluded with a special service celebrating the joy of singing and the message of Easter.

It is always a delight to hear from Old Beaudesertians, and therefore Mrs Shaw and I jumped at the opportunity to support OB Elliot Ransome (2011–2020) as he performed the first movement of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the orchestra in his final concert at Marlborough College. We were both bursting with pride and beaming as he gave

the most outstanding performance to a spell-bound audience. Our musicians at Beaudesert also continue to achieve much success, Isabel and Orla in Year 7 and Max in Year 8 are all in the National Children’s Choir of Great Britain. In addition, after much time and dedication we were

delighted that Max Sh. was awarded a music exhibition and Harry W a music scholarship to Cheltenham College. A culmination of years of dedicated practice and richly deserved.

The competitive spirit was alive and well during the eagerly anticipated “songs by bands” House Shout competition. Maple performed ‘I Want It That Way’ by the Backstreet Boys complete with their carefully choreographed dance moves; Rowan a buoyant and lively performance of ‘Reach’ by S Club 7; Hazel performed ‘Hall of Fame’ by The Script, expertly navigating two independent parts, and Willow gave a rousing rendition of ‘Counting Stars’ by OneRepublic. Staff enthusiasm was equally contagious, adding to the event’s lively atmosphere!

This year, we introduced a refreshed format for the House Music Competition, designed to provide opportunities for both participation and celebration of musical excellence. This year’s competition unfolded over three stages: Preliminary, Second Round, and Final. In total, 191 solo performances were entered in the

Preliminary Round, with 82 progressing to the Second Round. Our finalists performed to an audience of staff and children from the Prep School who warmly encouraged and supported the superb performances.

Following the Second Round these children (listed below) were selected to represent their House in the Final Round for each of the respective grade categories. Dr Charlotte Exon, former Director of Music at Downe House and Westonbirt, and Director of Music at St Helen & St

Katharine from September 2025, had the unenviable task of selecting a winner for each category.

Willow were the overall winners of House Music and Rowan were the winners of the House Shout.

Our musical extravaganza, the Spring Concert, was the concert of medleys, as the choirs entertained us with songs by Abba, The Beatles, Queen and songs from ‘Matilda the Musical’. The Year 7 and Year 8 bands gave outstanding performances

Scan the QR Code to watch the House

Rowan F Llewellyn T Guard I Thompson I Thompson (guitar) (singing) (flute) (singing)

Maple I Harvey H Jacobs J Acloque O Prince (guitar) (singing) (guitar) (singing)

Hazel S Wells J Fox S McCormick* (guitar) (saxophone) (singing)

Willow T Jackson* A Lucas* P Scott H Wood* (singing) (viola) (singing) (flute) *denotes the winners of each category.

including ‘Lucky Man’ by The Verve, ‘I Need Your Company’ by Michael Kiwanuka and ‘All Day and All of the Night’ by The Kinks. Our instrumental ensembles eagerly took to the stage as the String, Brass and Flute ensembles, Dynamite Reed and the Samba Band demonstrated excellent musicianship and shared their polished performances.

Scan the QR Code to watch highlights from our Spring Concert

At each stage of the competition children were awarded House points for each of their solo performances. The overall totals for each House were:

Points

Rowan 321

Maple 215

Hazel 345

Willow 457

Grades Initial & Debut

Grades 1 & 2

Grades 3 & 4

Grades 5 & 6

Shout Performances

Summer Term

Our Rock on Summer Concert gave all children in Years 5, 6, and 7 the opportunity to showcase both their musical talents and teamwork. Each class came together to perform, listening to one another, encouraging their peers, and giving each performance their all, with much enthusiasm and resilience. From the rock classic ‘Rockin’ All Over the World’ to the Motown energy of ‘Dancing in the Street’, and pop favourites, ‘Riptide’ and ‘Waka Waka’, this fun-filled evening perfectly embodied our “music for all” ethos.

The Pre-Prep Music Concert remains a firm favourite in our musical calendar. It is a joy to support our youngest musicians as they take their first steps to perform a solo to an audience. We are also delighted

to see growing interest in our Pre-Prep ensembles, including violins, doods, and recorders, as we continue to promote orchestral instruments. How special it was to have the Pre-Prep Songbirds bring our jubilant concert to a close!

From our beginner musicians in the PrePrep to our oldest musicians, at Speech Day we were treated to excellent solo performances by our Year 8 children. Bonnie, Frederick B, Rollo, Max Sh. and Harry W each took to the stage with a quiet confidence, maturity and much musical skill as they gave their final solo performances at Beaudesert.

The Summer Concert was a memorable evening of musical celebration. Through a diverse and exciting range of repertoire, the children demonstrated their musicianship and the strength of our extra-curricular music programme. From

the children reminding us “why we sing,” to original songs by Year 8 bands Too Blue to be True and 10/10, the serene Guitar Ensemble’s performance of Satie’s ‘Gymnopédie No.1’ and the panache of the Samba Band, the concert was jampacked with special moments. It was a privilege to combine all of the Prep School Choirs together to perform a medley of music from ‘The Lion King’. Supported by staff and the music team ‘house band’, the children sang their hearts out with beaming smiles, as together we concluded a musical chapter at Beaudesert.

2024 to 2025 has been a truly wonderful year of music at Beaudesert, with countless performances in our Lunchtime Concerts, and children continuing to explore and discover music through our curriculum and extra-curricular programme. Many children have risen to the challenge of sitting music examinations, with some outstanding results from the Prep and Initial Grades through to Grade 5. My heartfelt thanks go to the inspirational teachers and musicians who are the outstanding ‘music team’ - without them, none of this would be possible.

As you look forward to your next musical adventures, whether here at Beaudesert or at your senior school, may your journey continue to be filled with joy, creativity and song. In the words of Bob Dylan, “May your heart always be joyful, may your song always be sung.” Thank you for the music.

Music Exam Results 2024 to 2025

Each term, many children choose to work towards and sit music examinations with either, ABRSM, Rockschool or Trinity College exam boards. Many congratulations to everyone who sat a music exam this year; your results are a reflection of your efforts and consistent practice.

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music

W Graham Prep Test Clarinet

A Dhillon

V Heelis

L Kikic

Grade Initial Piano Pass

Grade Initial Violin Pass

Grade Initial Violin Pass

A Packman Grade Initial Piano Pass

G Shaw

E Vestey

R Bell

H de Horsey

M Heal

O Shipway

Grade Initial Piano Pass

Grade Initial Piano Pass

Grade Initial Piano Merit

Grade Initial Piano Merit

Grade Initial Piano Merit

Grade Initial Violin Merit

R Turner Grade Initial Violin Merit

H Contractor Grade Initial Piano Distinction

V Parker Grade Initial Viola Distinction

B Skarda

Grade Initial Violin Distinction

B Doyle Grade 1 Saxophone Pass

E Howard Grade 1 Violin Pass

I Robinson Grade 1 Piano Pass

A Bower-Sallitt Grade 1 Trumpet Merit

B Evans Grade 1 Piano Merit

A Gillespie Grade 1 Harp Merit

T Jackson Performance Grade 1 Merit Singing

H Jacobs Grade 1 Singing Merit

C King Grade 1 Piano Merit

C King Grade 1 Singing Merit

L Miller Grade 1 Singing Merit

D Richardson-Thomson Grade 1 Singing Merit

I Rodgers Grade 1 Singing Merit

M Scott Grade 1 Piano Merit

G Tonkinson Grade 1 Singing Merit

M Vandoorne Grade 1 Singing Merit

W Wright Grade 1 Piano Merit

A Bower-Sallitt Grade 2 Trumpet Pass

E Contractor Grade 2 Tenor Horn Pass

I Dalrymple Grade 2 Clarinet Pass

I Dalrymple Grade 2 Piano Pass

C Gordon Grade 2 Piano Pass

C King Grade 2 Singing Pass

A Shannon Grade 2 Singing Pass

M Aumonier Grade 2 Singing Merit

S Jayna Grade 2 Piano Merit

A Lucas Grade 2 Viola Merit

W Mackenzie Grade 2 Trombone Merit

H Miller Grade 2 Singing Merit

A Pitman Grade 2 Piano Merit

C Wakefield Grade 2 Piano Merit

V Strang Steel Grade 2 Singing Distinction

P Charlesworth Performance Grade 3 Pass Singing

W Kojima

W Mackenzie

O Bohling

Grade 3 Piano Pass

Grade 3 Trombone Pass

Grade 3 Flute Merit

E Mordaunt Performance Grade 3 Merit

Singing

A Shannon Grade 3 Piano Merit

R Shuttleworth Grade 3 Singing Merit

C Silverton-Heron Performance Grade 3 Merit

B Tubbs

E Vestey

R Awbery

Singing

Grade 3 Piano Merit

Grade 3 Singing Merit

Grade 4 Trumpet Pass

F Blake Performance Grade 4 Pass

Piano

A Lucas Grade 4 Piano Pass

P Scott Performance Grade 4 Distinction

Singing for Musical Theatre

W Jones-Davies Performance Grade 5 Merit

I Thompson

Singing for Musical Theatre

Grade 4 Flute Merit

I Thompson Grade 5 Singing Distinction

Rockschool

S Campbell

I Harvey

H Lidstone

W Mackenzie

D Dickins

E Grieves

W Wright

I Harvey

E Grieves

Grade Debut Electric Merit

Guitar

Grade Debut Electric Merit

Guitar

Grade Debut Electric Merit

Guitar

Grade Debut Bass Guitar Merit

Grade Debut Bass Guitar Distinction

Grade Debut Electric Distinction

Guitar

Grade Debut Drums Distinction

Grade 1 Electric Guitar Distinction

Grade 1 Electric Guitar Distinction

J Skarda Grade 1 Electric Guitar Distinction

D Richardson-Thomson Grade 2 Ukulele Merit

I Isa Grade 3 Drums Merit

J Skarda

E Thaiss

H Wood

Grade 3 Drums Merit

Grade 4 Drums Merit

Grade 4 Drums Merit

Trinity College London

A Van Steenkiste

O Bohling

M Woodman

W Batey

Z Jones

Grade Initial Piano Pass

Grade Initial Drums Merit

Grade Initial Piano Merit

Grade 1 Piano Pass

Grade 3 Drums Merit

Music Teachers’ Board

I Nettleton

Grade 2 Oboe Pass

Speech & Drama

The Speech and Drama department has seen huge successes this year. Approximately 140 children from Years 4 to 8 have taken lessons; following the newly-published LAMDA syllabus in various disciplines, including solo and duologue acting, the speaking of verse and prose, and group acting. Children were prepared for the annual exam session (8th and 9th May) with two visiting examiners from the London-based drama school. Results were outstanding, with a 100% pass rate, and 123 pupils achieving the top mark of Distinction. Note-worthy performances by M Scott, A Shannon and R Johnston all scored over 90 marks. Huge congratulations to all who took part.

Senior Production Beauty and the Beast

In Autumn, Year 8s performed ‘Beauty and the Beast’. It was much loved by children, parents, and teachers. Everyone has memories of the original animated movie, and Year 8 brought that to life. It was a lengthy process, beginning with auditions in the Summer Term of Year 7, to the performances on the 28th and the 29th of November.

‘Beauty and the Beast’ is a musical where a spoiled prince gets turned into a beast, and all the household staff are turned into candlesticks, feather dusters, and teacups. The protagonist, Belle, lives in a provincial town and just wants to get away. When her father becomes a prisoner in the Beast’s castle, Belle goes to save him and ends up a prisoner instead. After a musical and dance filled dinner, Belle runs away quickly and is attacked by wolves. The Beast comes to her aide and endears himself to her. Their friendship grows and they learn to appreciate each other despite their differences.

‘Beauty and the Beast’ was the most fun I have experienced doing a production. With help from Mrs Crosbee, Mrs Saunders, Miss Lang, and Mrs Austen, Year 8 had an incredible experience. We were encouraged and supported, children were able to participate even if singing and speaking in front of an audience was not comfortable for them. The audience experienced a wide spectrum of drama, suspense, and comedy. I am so grateful to have been a part of the Year 8 production. This will be a lasting memory, helping to round out our final year at Beaudesert Park School.

Parker, Year 8

Year 7 The Masked Play

All of the drama lessons of the Summer Term were spent working on our masked plays. Masked theatre is a form of theatre where the actors hide their faces with masks, assuming a new identity. Simplifying the actors’ emotions to happy, sad, or angry makes it very relatable to the audience in a direct and clear way. It can be very engaging for the audience, and for the actors it makes them very aware of their surroundings.

We were put into small groups of four or five to create skits with the outcome of an ensemble of nine separate three minute performances. We had freedom over the storyline and what direction it took, with a bit of guidance from Mrs Crosbee. The first step of making our skit was choosing the music to connect to our chosen theme. Most of the groups chose different genres of music, ranging from ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ to Adele. One group even made their own soundtrack, mixing different sound effects, an alarm, snoring, and a count down from 10, building to a sample from an upbeat getaway song.

My group wanted to do a sad play, so we picked Adele’s ‘When We Were Young’. Then we based our storyline off the feeling of the song. We created a story without words, telling the story only using our body language. We got to pick masks after we had chosen our storyline.

Masked theatre is a great way to bring your message across using your body language. In our production, we didn’t speak, so it was really important to focus on our posture and the way we moved. It felt amazing to perform a style of acting that I wasn’t familiar with, and some of my classmates were much more confident at the end. I love masked theatre, it’s a great way to express yourself. It was such a great experience.

Thirza, Year 7

Year 6 Wilde Tales

For our Year 6 play we did ‘Wilde Tales’, which was a series of different plays including ‘The Happy Prince’, which was performed by 6W, ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’, performed by 6TC, and ‘The Selfish Giant’, performed by 6C. All of the plays were written by Oscar Wilde.

We all had three weeks to learn our lines and in drama lessons we would practise them. Each class had a designated day where we tried on our costumes and ran through the play with no scripts. After that, we had one more day to practise linking the plays together. And before we knew it, it was time for us to do the dress rehearsal.

We each had beautiful costumes, all made by Mrs Heseltine, that really brought the plays to life. As a narrator, I wore a black t-shirt and leggings with a gold, hooded cape. The lighting also gave the play a magical feel.

It was so much fun performing the play to all the other year groups and parents, and seeing their reactions to all the funny bits, but then also seeing the sad bits. All in all, it was such a fun time, and I really enjoyed it.

Year 5 Play in a Day

The Year 5 play was about four emotions, and a child’s birthday. It’s Dot’s (Dotty’s) birthday. Her parents aren’t home and her grandad isn’t feeling well. Dot’s brother Jack makes matters worse by boasting about his age. In the end, she resolves the matter with a nice warm hug. It was a really fun play.

Simon, Year 5

Chloe P, Year 6

Year 4P Treasure Island

4P did a really amazing play called ‘Treasure Island’. We did it all outside under the gazebo, and it was the most entertaining play I’ve done so far. The costumes were really fun to wear, but some of them kept ripping and tearing, so we had to keep sewing them up. Some of the costumes were really cool. It took quite a long time to practise, but we finally did it on the dress rehearsal. As I say, it was so fun and exciting. I hope all the plays in the years above me are this exciting and fabulous.

Year 4H

A Christmas Carol

On Tuesday 10th December, 4H performed an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’, with the help of Mrs Crosbee, Mrs Heseltine and Mrs Sujeewon. I was one of the lucky three to play Scrooge. My favourite part was when Fezzywig hosted a big party! It was a hard and tiring process, as we had been practising since September, but we got through it as a team and had lots of fun too! It was pretty nerve-wracking when we went out to perform in front of our parents and Mr and Mrs Searson. Thank you to Mrs Crosbee for helping us prepare and learn our lines. Thank you to Mrs Heseltine for getting our incredible costumes ready.

Max BL, Year 4

Year 4M Oliver Twist

I was really excited when I first heard that we were doing Oliver Twist, because I had never heard of it before or seen the movie. When I started to get into it, it got more interesting, especially after Oliver escaped from nasty Bill Sykes and Fagan. Mrs Crosbee was really good at teaching us and helped us say our lines more clearly. My favourite part was the end because I liked the funny last line when Oliver said, “Well, I really want this play to end so I can get some food!”

Mattie M, Year 4

Rosie B, Year 4

Year 3 Tales of Beatrix Potter

In March, we performed our play of ‘The Tales of Beatrix Potter’. Our play was ‘Tom Kitten’.

The story was about a mischievous kitten called Tom and his sisters, Mittens and Moppet, whose mother washed them, combed their whiskers and put the girls into pinafores, and Tom into a hat. Tabitha sent them out to play in the garden. Soon, some naughty puddle ducks came along and stole their clothes, and the local squirrel gang came too, and told the audience their usual jokes.

My part in the play was Tabitha Twitchet. I had to wash and dress the kittens, shout at them, set up the tea party with Mr Pickles, John Joiner and Mrs Henny Penny, and I told a lie! I wore a lovely blue dress, with a blue belt and cat ears.

The part of the play that I enjoyed the most was shouting because I could express my loud voice. I also liked it when the squirrels said their jokes. I loved doing the play. I learned a lot of things and I will never forget it.

Georgiana, Year 3

This play is about a regal frog called Jeremy Fisher, who loves a day of fishing. When he looks out of his window in his little damp house, he can’t wait to get on his little lily pad boat. So one day, he goes on a fishing trip and meets lots of animals, some nice and some not so friendly pond creatures. Then, suddenly, he gets taken off his little lily pad boat by a most enormous trout! Does Mr Jeremy Fisher escape in time to get home to his friends for dinner alive? You’ll have to find out… Elspeth, Year 3

OUTINGS AND EVENTS

Eco-Schools Report

This year, our Eco-Schools journey at Beaudesert Park has been an exciting one. Our passionate Eco-Committee includes both Pre-Prep and Prep School children, along with some of our dedicated staff, who have embarked on a mission to make our school greener, cleaner and more connected to the natural world.

Our work has centred around three core themes: Waste, Global Citizenship, and Enhancing Our School Grounds. Our committee have been hard at work organising sponsored hedgehog walks for the Wildlife Trust, crafting eco-friendly Christmas baubles, and diving into the world of minibeasts.

We’ve also been busy transforming our school environment with the following developments:

• Litter-picking stations have been set up in the Pre-Prep and in the Year 3 corridor by our youngest advocates.

• Prep School children took part in a lunchtime food waste challenge, adding a competitive element to reduce what we throw away. Year 1 children participated in workshops about healthy eating and sustainably sourced food.

• Year 3 children have been monitoring the School’s rewilding project through a ‘BioBlitz’, identifying local wildlife and plant life to better understand the ecosystem around us.

Cadbury Tour

We went to Cadbury World because we are learning about the ancient Maya. The Maya made chocolate but instead of putting sugar in it, they mixed honey and spices into it so it tasted very different to today. When we got there, we got a tour about the history of chocolate. Then we went to a 4D movie and we wore 3D glasses. It was very fun because the seats

• Nursery to Year 5 children have created new habitats for bugs and birds, helping to encourage biodiversity right on our doorstep, whilst Year 2s focussed on pond life and food chains to understand how our lovely grounds staff help us maintain healthy ponds.

• In English, Year 6 children worked on their Island Project, where they devised and drew their own islands, thinking about climate, population, natural resources and how to use them, along with creating their own flora and fauna.

Being part of the Eco-Schools programme empowers our children to lead meaningful action, deepening their connection to nature and the wider community. Their dedication is not just inspiring, it is a beacon of hope for the planet’s future.

A huge thank you to every child, staff member, and family member who has supported our eco-efforts this year. We could not have done it without you!

moved! After that we had lunch and then played in the playground. When everyone had finished their very nice lunch, we had a talk all about the Mayas and how they made chocolate. We got to hold a real cocoa bean, it was very old and crusty. It was such a fun trip and I hope the next Year 4 children will get to do it too!

Florrie K, Year 4

Year 6 STEAM Day

Our Year 6 children enjoyed a car design and engineering STEAM Day including a Design Technology Morgan experience with Malvern College.

The children spent the morning rotating around a series of different subject-based activities. In Science, the children had to determine how fast their selection of matchbox cars could go, measuring the time and distance of each car as it came down a ramp, and comparing their speeds. Up in the Library, the children worked with Mr Gillespie to program robotic cars, guiding them around a track. In Maths, they practised drawing Morgan cars to scale, and in art they observed different car engine parts and sketched them using chalk and charcoal.

Staff from Malvern College joined us for the afternoon, and our Courtyard was filled with a smorgasbord of beautiful cars for the children to observe and sit inside, including a Lotus Europa, a Fiat X19 hill climbing car, a 1950 Fraser Nash Le Mans Replica, and Malvern’s wonderful Morgan. The children got to ask questions about the different cars, and noticed differences in each of the designs which affected the performance of the cars. There was lots of excitement when the engines were revved! The children then worked in groups to create their own Morgan designs and create a prototype with different DT materials. The children had a fantastic day and went home brimming with ideas.

Above and Beyond Mornings

Children in Years 5 to 8 have enjoyed two brilliant Above and Beyond mornings this year, taking place on Saturday mornings in the Autumn and Spring Terms. These mornings aim to inspire our young minds and give them the opportunity to try something out of the ordinary.

Our ‘Movers and Makers’ Above and Beyond Morning included workshops on stop-motion, animation, model making and producing flip books.

The morning began with a talk from model maker and sculptor Peter Pullon, who is best known for creating Orville the Duck. He spoke to the children about puppets and models he had created for film, TV shows and advertisements, including puppets for the ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ and ‘Doctor Who’. Peter spoke of challenges that he faced as a model maker and how he often had to be creative in his solutions. He emphasised his passion for model making and after asking the children about their passions, encouraged them to think outside the box when pursuing them as a career.

The children then enjoyed a host of different specialist workshops. Year 5 spent their time split between making morph figurines and flip books, both of which they could take home. Year 6 used bendy robots to plan and create their own stop motion videos on iPads, which they watched together at the end of the session.

The Year 7s had an expert workshop with Bryan Panks, a lecturer in animation at the University of Gloucestershire, before having a go themselves in the ICT Suites. Meanwhile, our Year 8 children spent time creating wire models, and creating gory wounds with stage make-up specialist Holly Chaffey from Clifton College.

At our hip hop themed Above and Beyond morning, the children were grinning from ear to ear all morning. Our guest speaker and poet, Kimba, spoke to the children first thing about what poetry

means to him, and how they can use their imaginations to write their own poems. He tested them on the vital components of poetry; SHAMPOO (similes, hyperbole, alliteration, metaphors, personification, onomatopoeia and oxymorons), and punctuated his talk with poetic performances that had the children in stitches of laughter, as well as gasps of admiration.

Next, our Years 6 and 8 children split their time between in-depth poetry workshops with Kimba, and creating graffiti inspired designs to print onto to t-shirts.

Year 7 spent time with Mr Jones learning about the history of rap and hip hop culture in the United States, before writing and performing their own raps in groups. Meanwhile, the Dining Room was used as an impromptu studio as our Year 5 children produced striking pieces of artwork inspired by famous graffiti artists.

lucky, lucky children! SL

What

Equestrian Report

The Equestrian Team has had a fantastic year, welcoming lots of new recruits and thankfully this year we are only losing a couple of Year 8 riders. The season always starts for us at Rectory Farm for the Cheltenham Ladies’ College Show Jumping, and the competition didn’t disappoint. We had children qualifying as both team and individuals for the Grassroots Championships, as well as for the Addington NSEA October Championships. Since then, the children have travelled to the Unicorn Centre, West Wilts, Allen’s Hill, Hickstead, Addington, Rectory Farm and back again numerous times, picking up

multiple placings, and qualifying for next year’s NSEA Championships in the 70, 80 and 90cm classes. They have gained friends, enjoyed successes and analysed knocks.

In June, we once again hosted the Beaudesert Park Summer Horse Show at Rectory Farm, which saw 31 Beaudesert children from Reception to Year 8 competing over courses ranging from 30cm to 90cm, and, at the end of May, we hosted 35 children from multiple schools at the Beaudesert Park Polo Tournament at Beaufort Polo Club. Both were great successes.

On the polo field, the children have also enjoyed great success, winning the Open competition at the SUPA Junior Schools Summer Open Championships, as well as coming 2nd and 3rd in the Intermediate, and 3rd in the Novice.

All in all, another fabulous year. They say to never work with children and animals, well, at Beaudesert I enjoy every moment of being a part of their equestrian journey. Well done, everyone. Thank you to all the parents and helpers for their continued support.

JDS

Digital Perspectives Initiative

Community is at the heart of any school, so they are well-placed to help support members of the community to lead positive change. Schools have a responsibility to do what they believe is right for the children in their care, setting up for the brightest, happiest and most successful futures possible for them. They must be ready to offer guidance to families along the way.

It was with these sentiments in mind, that Beaudesert Park began its Digital Perspectives Initiative in the summer of 2024. This initiative began life as a concept about developing an e-Safety Charter, yet quickly evolved into something more nuanced and all encompassing. From an initial idea about asking Beaudesert families to commit to certain approaches of our children’s online engagement, it grew into a reflection and series of discussions and collaborations about our children’s digital lives. This included discussing wellbeing, approaches to the use of technology (both at home and school) and the risks of smartphones.

In the Summer Term of 2024, Beaudesert staff were surveyed about their related thoughts and in Autumn 2024, parents were invited to be part

of a consultation. From here flowed the idea of surveying our entire parent community about their views about smartphone-free school days, our use of technology in the classroom, and how families were navigating tech usage at home. This survey was developed with parental input and shared with our community, with an impressive response rate. In the Spring Term, as part of our Children’s Mental Health Week, we gathered children’s voices about the benefits and challenges of using technology, as well as how their engagement was managed at home. Staff members were invited to form a focus group, and we began the iterative development of our Digital Perspectives document, which was shared in the latter half of the year.

We are proud of our final piece of work, which sets out what we, as a community, will always do and what we will aspire to do, both at school and at home with our children. The document includes links to advisory centres, so parents can research particular platforms or pieces of software to better understand the risks and rewards they present, as well as guidance on how to create family agreements about the use of technology. Most recently, our parent representatives initiated a further step, with a follow up survey to our community to gauge the level of support for our guidance. We are hugely grateful to all who have been involved in this initiative and know it will be revisited and evolved further in the years to come.

Scan the QR code to view the Digital Perspectives booklet

Children’s Mental Health Week

Beaudesert Park was abuzz with activity as we celebrated Children’s Mental Health Week across the School in February. Over the week, the children participated in lots of activities that encompassed this year’s theme, ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’. In Form Time, the children thought about the electronic devices they use at home and how these can have positive or negative impacts on their mental health. Mrs Packman also spoke to the children in Pre-Prep and Prep School assembly about the ‘Three Houses’: the House of Good Things, the House of Worries and the House of Dreams, which the children explored further in their classrooms, thinking about what makes them happy, what makes them worried, and what they wish for the future.

On Friday, they enjoyed a special treat. To help the children reflect on their feelings, and think about what might help them regulate their emotions, they could visit a number of zones in the Courtyard. Children could visit the ‘Chill Zone’ which was filled with cushions, bean bags and books, the ‘Expression Zone’ where they could do some mindful colouring, and a ‘Movement Zone’ with music, hula hoops and skipping ropes to burn off energy.

Even in the chilly weather, the children thoroughly engaged with every activity. Some took to skipping in groups, some danced with gusto in front of the speaker, while others relaxed on bean bags, or made paper aeroplanes. We hope the children enjoyed the activities, and can take these ideas into the future to help them with their emotional regulation.

Chepstow and Tintern

In the summer, Year 5 made the trip across the old Severn Bridge to the ruins of Chepstow Castle, having spent the Summer Term learning all about the history of castles in this land and, specifically, how they were used by the Normans to subdue the disgruntled Saxon population.

The children enjoyed touring the battlements and the old kitchens, cellars and inner-baileys, and particularly enjoyed looking down the medieval toilets to the river far below. We then walked around the outside of the castle to see where the walls had been hastily rebuilt following the parliamentarian siege of 1648 and to see

where the drawbridge once provided access to the back of the castle.

After a quick lunch in the shade of the trees, we hopped back aboard the minibuses and headed 15 minutes up the road to the ruins of Tintern Abbey. There, under the guidance of Ms Dismorr, the children were encouraged to make the most of surroundings which have, over the years, inspired some of the finest artists, and spend some time either sketching or writing. The scene was a tranquil and idyllic one, topped off by an ice cream on the Tintern cricket-pitch before we headed back to school.

Aberdovey

Aberdovey is a thing to remember at Beaudesert. I don’t think I will ever have a trip with that many opportunities again. Every day was jam packed with incredible things to do, from hiking through beautiful countryside to getting soaked by jumping off a pier.

My absolute favourite thing was hiking through the countryside because it was a sunny day, and everybody’s hopes were high. Not a sound could be heard if everybody was quiet. We hiked through sun, through grass, and sometimes jumped over a river!

Once we arrived at camp, we cooked our food (which was in a bag) and headed off to sleep in our tents. The night was silent, not a word to be heard. The wind picked up now and then, but other than that it was silent.

That is an experience I will never forget. We did many more activities, lots were water based. One of them was jumping off the pier! The sea was cold, and everyone was excited. I was the last person to jump,

and when I did the sea was freezing. I was too cold to think about how cold it was, so I had the greatest time ever.

So, any of the year groups reading, you should be looking forward to your time in Aberdovey, you will love it!

Tabitha S, Year 7

Chedworth Villa

We went to visit Chedworth Roman Villa to find out more about life in Roman Britain. We travelled along the Fosse Way in the school mini buses. Everyone was excited.

First thing, we looked at a metal model of what the Roman villa might have looked like thousands of years ago. Everyone thought that it looked different. Also, it’s not far from Cirencester, which was very important at the time.

The first room that we saw was the toilet. The Romans had a bench with a hole in it, a channel of water to wash

it away, and a sponge on a stick to wipe with. Next, we looked at the kitchen. The Romans had an igloo-shaped oven to cook lots of yummy brown bread to feed the Roman people.

Then we went into a building to see some mosaic tiles. The mosaic represented the four seasons. Winter has a cupid holding a leafless twig and a hare wearing a cloak called the birrus britannicus. Spring is a cupid holding a basket and a swallow. Summer is a cupid holding a garland and a basket of flowers. Unfortunately, we couldn’t see Autumn.

After that, we went to the bathhouse, where there was a cold bath, which was called the frigidarium. The hot bath was

called a caldarium. Also, you would have to wear wooden sandals, and the Romans used olive oil and lavender as soap. You cleaned it off with a metal strigil and then put the soap in a jar to reuse, and also to sell because it’s been in a famous person’s bath!

Finally, we made colourful patterned mosaics. Everyone did amazingly! I used reds and blues and yellows, and also greens. Some people made smiley faces.

I enjoyed that day so much. My favourite part was the mosaic making. Even though it was hard I found it very fun, and I hope I can go again with my family.

Eddie, Year 3

Cornwall

The Cornwall trip! We looked across the coast and knew we had reached our destination, Polzeath. After we arrived at the caravan park we unpacked all our bags and settled into our new home for the week. Then we headed out to try our first surfing lesson of the week. The surfing was amazing and the instructors made it so enjoyable.

Every morning at 6:45am we would be woken up and highly encouraged to take an early morning swim in the sea. Swiftly running back after a dip in the water, we argued over who would get the first shower.

We all loved the paintballing. It is an adrenaline-fuelled team sport with paint-filled markers and strategy, it was so exciting. The surfing was also so entertaining. It had epic waves, perfect weather, and friendly vibes.

Every night, we would gather and sit down to do something called ‘court’, where

throughout the day all the teachers would take notes of people doing epic stuff, but also take notes on people doing naughty and silly things. At the end of the day they would reward us with money if we did cool things, but if we did silly things they would fine us...

On Wednesday, my group suited up into thick wetsuits and went kayaking in the blistering sun, gliding down the current as it pushed down the sea. When we had to go back up, it was beyond impossible, but we didn’t give up and pushed through all the waves and finished. After this tiring day we had coasteering, where we would all face our fears and go in a cave, and collectively jump off rocks. We enjoyed exciting jumps, crashing waves, coastal climbs, sea caves, laughter, teamwork, splashes, exploration, challenge, energy, and fun.

On Thursday, we started a bit later for a coastal walk across the coast which was incredible. Then we had a long session of

surfing, ripping through those waves and hitting the ‘double shackas’ on our decks. It was windy but beautiful.

We then spent the last special evening at Polzeath on the beach with some pizza, partying and building sandcastles. What a great and thrilling trip to Cornwall, thanks to the staff for organising this unforgettable experience for us!

George N, Year 8

Year 7 Visit Normandy

Year 8 Visit Normandy

The French trip was really fun. We got to travel on a ferry to Normandy. We arrived at the hotel quite late at night and went straight to bed, ready for a full day of fun the next day.

We got up at 7am and took the coach into the market, where we bought everything from sausages and bracelets, to wallets and crepes. Then we went to a French supermarket where we could buy snacks and other things. We took a coach back and ate a scrumptious supper at the hotel, and went to the beach for an after dinner play, then went to our rooms and got ready for bed.

Once again, we were up at 7am and we set off to a French school and met some lovely French children. After that, we visited the Bayeux Tapestry. Next, we visited a goat farm and got to taste some goat’s cheese.

Mon Voyage en France

Le lundi

Le lundi nous avons voyagé en bus et en ferry. Le ferry était amusant mais fatigant. J’ai mangé des nuggets de poulet. Nous sommes arrivés à l’hôtel à 10 heures. J’ai partagé une chambre avec Rosie.

Le mardi

Le mardi nous avons visité un marché c’était très sympa et j’ai acheté de la nourriture. Après, nous sommes allés au cinéma circulaire. Le soir, nous avons visité un cimetière et c’était intéressant mais très triste.

Le mercredi

Le mercredi nous avons visité le Mont Saint Michel. C’était très amusant et j’ai adoré. Nous sommes allés dans beaucoup de magasins et avons acheté des bonbons ! Après, nous sommes allés au supermarché et avons acheté encore plus de bonbons.

Le jeudi

Le jeudi, nous sommes à dans une école et avons parlé beaucoup de français. Après, nous sommes allés à la tapisserie de Bayeux et c’était très intéressant, ensuite nous sommes allés dans une chocolaterie, c’était très amusant.

Imogen de H., Year 7

We got an early night as we had to be up at 6am.

We were woken up and not all of us were sprightly at that time. We got on the ferry and enjoyed a nice time strolling around and wandering around the top deck. We

watched another film and then a few of us had a sleep.

We arrived back in England and then hopped back on the coach, and after a short 4 hour drive, we were back at Beaudesert, tired but happy.

Hope, Year 8

Classics Trip to Naples

On Saturday the 19th October, we were taken from school to the airport to go to Rome. We arrived in Rome at lunchtime and got picked up by a coach to get pizza and visit the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli. It was super interesting because we were given headphones to hear a guided tour of the museum. At the end of the day, we arrived at our hotel.

The next morning, we went to Villa Oplontis, which was the home of the wife of Emperor Nero. The house was huge and gave you an idea of what a rich house looked like in Roman times. There was a massive swimming pool, with its own Roman bathhouse too. After lunch, we left for Pompeii. We had a guided tour but since it is so big, we could not go around it in one day. It was so amazing that we were walking on the same streets that the Romans did nearly 2000 years ago. It was super cool looking around all the deserted paths and shops that would have been flush with life a long time ago.

On our third day, we spent the morning climbing up Mount Vesuvius. Looking down into the massive crater really gave me an idea of how destructive and powerful the eruption was, and how terrifying it must have been when the Romans were living there. We visited Herculaneum which was interesting because it was so much more detailed than Pompeii, with paintings on the walls and skeletons in the boat house. Herculaneum was a lot smaller than Pompeii.

On our last full day, we visited Capri, an island off the coast of the Gulf of Naples. We took a boat to the island and then we made an extremely long hike up to the Villa Jovis, which was very impressive with lots of goats roaming around. The boat took us from Sorrento, which is known for its lemons. We did lots of shopping here. The food was amazing and we ate more pizza and pasta than I can count!

Jake, Year 8

Sauze d’Oulx

The ski trip was so fun! When we got our skis it was easy and quick, so we could do as much skiing as possible. You take a test to make sure you’re in a group with people at your level, which makes skiing much more enjoyable. The food was amazing up the mountain and in the hotel. The ski trip gives you so much freedom because in

the afternoon, you are free to get out some money from your assigned teacher and go into town with your friends, there’s a playground and so many shops. In the late evening, we came together to talk about the day and what we had done. After that, we left for our rooms and went to bed.

Flora

L, Year 7

Derbyshire

In June, Year 6 headed north for their residential trip to Derbyshire. Leaving, filled with excitement and undoubtedly a few nerves too, we stopped half way to visit the wonderful Warwick Castle.

The children toured the inside and outside of the castle, learning about battering rams, arrow slits, crenellations, murder holes, gatehouses and portcullises. We enjoyed exploring the extensive stately rooms and braved the darkness of the dungeon, before being treated to an amazing falconry display and a live-action jousting display.

The next day, we headed further north to The Heights of Abraham in the famous town of Matlock Bath. Having hopped aboard cable cars to scale the cliff face, we explored two caverns, and were wowed by the Seismic Lightshow that explained how the landscape had changed over the years.

The final morning saw the group pack up and begin the journey home. As a final

The Nook

This year, our wellbeing provisions have grown at Beaudesert Park with the addition of ‘The Nook’.

The Nook is a new space which provides children with a quiet place to rest, reset and replenish their mental, emotional and social needs.

The calming space was developed with input from community members,

part of our Wars of the Roses studies, we stopped off at the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre where we enjoyed a tour of the battlefield, tracking the approach of the Lancastrian and Yorkist armies in 1485 and seeing the spot where Richard III met his end. Children were given roles within the story and carried the historic banners and coats of arms across the fields where centuries before the fate of England had been decided.

including our children. The Nook supports our children in a variety of ways, from children who need a quiet space during break time or a gentle entry point in the morning, to a child who might need an alternative environment to their classroom for reflection during the school day. Children can visit the Nook on an occasional basis, as well as through more structured sessions.

The renovated room is furnished with areas for informal chats and reading,

The teachers were really impressed with the way the children conducted themselves on the trip. They were a real credit to the school and many of our guides said the same.

mindful activities like colouring, and a ‘nook’, filled with soft cushioning and sensory lights.

Our specialist wellbeing staff, which include our School Counsellors, ELSAs (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants), and Play Therapists have access to the new space. Trained Year 8 Pastoral Ambassadors are also on hand to support those in need.

ALUMNI

Old Beaudesertian Musicians

We have heard wonderful news from our recent Old Beaudesertians whose musical journeys have thrived in their senior school and beyond.

Evie Jones (2010-2019)

I started taking piano lessons at Beaudesert at the age of six, and began learning the cello a couple of years later. Throughout my time at the School, I had weekly oneto-one lessons on both instruments, in which I learned fundamental techniques and I was exposed to a wide range of musical styles. My teachers gently pushed me to develop as a performer, while still allowing me to learn at my own pace, and understanding my individual needs. I was supported through performance and music theory examinations, as well as being encouraged to play widely outside of the classroom in the numerous ensemble opportunities that were presented to me: the orchestra, string ensemble, consort and jazz band, to name but a few! The complexity of playing alongside others taught me how to collaborate and helped me to train my ear.

When I left Beaudesert at the end of Year 8, my love for music stayed with me and I continued to receive instrumental tuition throughout senior school. Because of my exposure to orchestral playing from such a young age, I felt confident joining a new orchestra with so many older musicians, and upon reaching my final year of playing there I was fortunate to be made a principal cellist. Now, in my first year at the University of Edinburgh, I am continuing to play to a high standard through my involvement with their Symphony Orchestra, which rehearses regularly under the guidance of a world-class conductor and exposes me to a varied repertoire. I often think back to my formative musical years at Beaudesert, which undoubtedly laid strong foundations for my continued love of playing.

Paloma Johansen (2020-2023)

The Music Department was so inspiring for me while I was at Beaudesert. The ensembles, bands and concerts encouraged me to appreciate aspects of music. The Music Department supported me so much to help me get my Music Scholarship to Marlborough College. My favourite memory of music at Beaudesert was when all the bands went to the Stowe recording studio to record some songs professionally. Since leaving Beaudesert, I have played at the Royal Academy of Music with my peers at Marlborough, and I aspire to study there in the future.

Ivo Parkes (2017-2024)

We are delighted to hear that Old Beaudesertian and music scholar, Ivo Parkes, has been offered a place at The Brit School. Whilst at Beaudesert, Ivo had an active involvement in the Music Department and had individual lessons in guitar and singing.

Will Shipsey (2011-2017)

Will was awarded the Basil Hume Music Scholarship to Ampleforth College when he left Beaudesert Park. At Beaudesert, he was keenly involved in instrumental ensembles and choirs. Will plays clarinet and is a singer. At Ampleforth College, Will particularly enjoyed his singing, and Mrs Saunders was privileged to watch him sing in a performance of Handel’s Messiah. Now, studying Classics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, Will has been awarded a place in the Merton College Chapel Choir.

Elliot Ransome (2011-2020)

Beaudesert was the place where I was first introduced to music. I started piano lessons in Year 2 and immediately fell in love with it. A year later, I took up classical guitar where I progressed to Grade 5. I went from not knowing how to read music, to Grade 7 on the piano.

My teachers at Beaudesert gave me skills that set me up perfectly for continuing my musical journey at Marlborough College. I was given so much encouragement at Beaudesert Park, and was supported in my application for my Music Scholarship at Marlborough. A key part of my development as a musician was performing in lots of different concerts at Beaudesert. Performing is never easy, but the support at Beaudesert meant my confidence grew.

I took up the drums and the violin during my time at Marlborough, which was made significantly easier from the foundations I had acquired at Beaudesert. At Marlborough, I have had the opportunity to sing in the chapel choir, play percussion in symphony orchestra, play the drum kit in big band, and develop my chamber music skills by playing the piano in various trios. Last year, the chapel choir performed one of the pieces that I had composed at Evensong, which allowed me to work with the choir to bring the piece to life. Most recently, I played the first movement of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the symphony orchestra, side-by-side with Sinfonia Smith Square, where Mrs Saunders and Mrs Shaw came to support me.

Looking Back with Fondness

John May CVO OBE DL (1971-1977)

There’s something wonderfully timeless about the black-and-white timbered frontage of Beaudesert’s main building. I visited just a couple of weeks ago, and approaching the front door (one which we were never allowed to use as boys) I was taken back to the not entirely dignified scrum in the boot room as we changed from black outdoor shoes or wellies to our brown t-bar sandals for indoor wear, the chatter of boys in green and grey blazers (and it was only boys in the 1970s, save for my friend Joanna, the solitary female pupil), and early morning choir practice in the music room up the stairs from the Covered Way, next to Michael Stevens’ classroom.

Beaudesert was the place where my younger brother and I both discovered drama. Playing Androcles in ‘Androcles and the Lion’ was a turning point. Alec Chalmers – whose mercurial temper made him a legend in his own lunchtime –may not have succeeded in teaching me French, but he gave me a lifelong love of performing. Winning the Crick Cup for acting was one of those moments that stuck. It told me that it was okay to be expressive, imaginative, and a little different. That early confidence on stage helped shape a life spent in front of audiences: in classrooms, on conference platforms, on international stages representing the UK and World Scouting, and now – perhaps most improbably of all – wearing breeches and a sword as His Majesty’s High Sheriff of Oxfordshire. My brother Joe went on to act professionally.

Music, too, was a constant. I was a proud member of the school choir, up and singing by 8:15am each weekday morning. Sunday services were held in the gym, which tripled as assembly hall, theatre and wet playtime space, with the fold-out altar set up next to the medicine ball shelf. It may not have been a chapel, but the sense of shared rhythm and ritual stayed with me.

Swimming lengths in the open-air pool to earn my mile badge felt like a true test of endurance, and our hikes across Minchinhampton Common to games lessons gave us space to talk, to explore – and, yes, even to stop and make daisy chains without chastisement. That freedom to be both gentle and spirited, expressive and curious, was a gift. The food? Let’s just say I still haven’t quite forgiven liver and onions…

But alongside the bits of gristle came the enduring values Beaudesert quietly instilled in us all: kindness, honesty, and fun. Those values have grounded me through a career that’s taken me from teaching in various parts of the UK (and in refugee camps in Uganda), to helping young people gain skills for life through The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, to leading charities in the UK and around the world.

Strictly speaking, I left the School still too short – and too young (by a month or so) to be allowed long trousers. The rule was five feet tall or thirteen. I was neither. But my mother, ever the advocate, pleaded my case with Mr Keyte, who eventually relented. And so, for my final term at Beaudesert, I strode around in long trousers and a dark green prefect’s tie, with all the pride of a boy who felt he’d finally arrived – even if the trousers were a touch too long, with plenty of room for growth when I moved on to public school.

And perhaps that says it all. Beaudesert never asked us to grow up too fast. It just helped us be ready to grow.

Founder’s Day Tea

Beaudesert Park opened its doors to former pupils, staff, parents and Governors on Saturday 17th May for our Alumni Founder’s Day Tea.

Founder’s Day was historically celebrated on the 13th May; the birthday of our founder, Harry Richardson, and incidentally, Marking Day for the cattle on the Common.

On Saturday, guests enjoyed an afternoon tea and a chance to wander through the School and grounds, reminiscing on memories from years gone by. There was also a selection of photos from our archive on display, many of which were mystery photos, with no names or locations. Our guests had great fun identifying faces, events and classrooms from years gone by.

We heard great stories too, of boys only able to wear trousers when they reached a certain height, and what happened to the stag heads which used to sit above the fireplace in the hallway. Another mystery solved!

It was a wonderful day for all involved. We look forward to welcoming alumni back for more events soon.

Laser Tag

Laser tag is a brilliant new activity that you can do on Tuesdays for Year 6 and Thursdays for Years 7 and 8. Beaudesert kindly rent out proper professional laser tag guns which are very realistic looking. For laser tag you can wear anything you want, from your school tracksuit to the uniform or even your own military outfit. Where we play varies each week, for

Pétanque

example it could be in the Year 8 woods, next to BOB (Beaudesert on Branches) or next to the astro and cricket nets. Thank you, Mr Jones and Mr Dill, for volunteering to organise it. If your child likes clay pigeon shooting or the military, it is a good activity for them and I highly recommend it.

William M, Year 6

In pétanque, you usually play with metal balls that are about the size of a tennis ball. Each player has two balls and there are normally three people on a team. To start the game, one of the players throws the coche (a smaller ball, about the size of a ping pong ball). The players take it in turns to throw their balls as close to the coche as possible. Whichever team gets nearest to the coche wins the round. Don’t get too excited though if you get close to the coche, as the next player might knock your ball out of the way! Your team gains a point for each ball closest to the coche, up to a maximum of two points per round. The winning team is the first to score 13 points.

If you’re taking it extra seriously (as we normally do at pétanque club!), you can

Book Character Illustration Club

I think Book Character Illustration Club is a very good club because you can do a fun drawing activity (that Mr Hainsworth announces at the beginning), or you can draw whatever you want! Also, you are mixed in different years, which is amazingly good, so you get to know each other. I like it because you get to see different styles of other people’s drawings. The vibes are extremely nice, and we have so much fun. Also, if you are looking for a calm club, this is the one. That is why I think the club is very good.

use a fancy circle to stand in when you’re throwing. If you step out of the circle during your throw, it’s disallowed. The sport is mostly played on a gravel pitch in a rectangular shaped court with wood around the outside. If your ball hits the wood, your ball is removed from play.

Instead of metal balls, you can play with plastic balls on the beach. At pétanque club, we play with plastic balls on the gravel pathway above the astro, but it’s just as much fun as playing on the beach with your family!

I highly recommend playing the sport the next time you find yourself on the beach.

Reuben, Year 7

Delphie RT, Year 4

Pre-Prep Late Stay Help

I love this activity because it is so fun, it is my favourite part of the day! All the little children line up, pushing in front of each other just to spend time with us. This activity is a time to have fun and see the little Pre-Preppers you would never get to see in your normal school day. I love colouring in with them, and reading to them because they focus so hard and are so cute. Also, whenever you see them around School, they will always run up to you and hug you or wave to you. This is one of my favourite activities ever, I love doing it and enjoy the opportunity!

Petra, Year 7

Pottery

Pottery is a creative club where you get to make your wildest dream in clay. You start with a shapeless lump of clay, which might feel daunting at first, but as you start to see the form, your worries go away and turn into excitement.

Every one of the children gets a chance to have a go on the wheel. This is the machine that spins clay, to make circular objects like bowls, vases, mugs and pots. It’s a bit of a challenge, but once you master it, it’s really, really fun!

Once you’ve made your object or sculpture, next you leave it to dry, before it goes in the kiln for its first firing. This is called the bisque firing. Now your pottery is ready to be glazed, which is a glass-like paint that can have different colours or textures. The final stage is the high temperature glaze firing, where your pot is transformed and the colours become bright and shining. Like magic, you have a beautiful piece of pottery. I hope you are going to join!

Honor G, Year 6

Racquet Sports

In Racquet Sports, you can play tournaments with your friends and just play matches. It is a fun sport because if you are new to the sport, it is easy to catch on. These are some facts about the sport. Pickleball is a blend of several sports. It’s played on a badminton-sized court with a tennis-style net. The game uses paddles similar to oversized ping pong paddles, and a plastic ball similar to a wiffle ball. It can be played in singles or doubles format.

Algy DS, Year 7

2D and 3D Design Club

I love DT because of the things that you can make. It is endless what you can do. You could make a pillow with whatever design you want! You could also join DT club and make more designs, like I made my own clock out of wood. I cut out my design, it is really good. Take a look in the DT Studio!

Jack, Year 7

Lego Club

Lego Club is enjoyable and interesting. Miss Gorton sets us challenges and the winners get prizes. Reading Club do their club in the same room as us. When they have finished their books they play with us. We like Lego Club because there is a bit of competition.

Caroline, Year 5

PRE-PREP DEPARTMENT

It is wonderful to welcome you to celebrate our fabulous young children in Pre-Prep. Their year has been jam packed with learning with and from others, opportunities in and out of school, exploring the natural world, forming friendships, overcoming adversity and trying new things. We are hugely proud of the children and all they have achieved, individually and collectively.

Coming back to school after a holiday is always one of my favourite days (I promise), as we realise how much we have genuinely missed the children and they come bounding into school full of stories and enthusiasm, ready to see their friends and teachers. Sometimes there are bumps on the road, and some children will experience some nerves or trepidation, but by working together we fold them into the heart of school life and move forward with positivity and unity.

I would like to thank you all, children, for making our days so exciting, so rewarding, so frequently unpredictable and so full of joy.

I would also like to express my profound thanks to our exceptional teaching team in the Pre-Prep, who are one of the most dedicated, responsible, caring and openminded group of ladies (all ladies) that I have had the privilege to work with over my career; our children’s development this year is thanks to them and the wonderful partnerships we have with you.

As a parent body, I am continually blown away by the level of support and engagement you bring. Our Year Group Reps have once again been magnificent this year, and have helped to evolve so many important initiatives and bring parental insights to the fore as we continue to enrich our beautiful school. Our parent helpers, working in classrooms and on school trips, have also been such a welcome addition over recent years. I am hugely grateful to all of you, parents, for how readily you communicate with us for the betterment of our children’s experiences, and how kind and balanced you are in all you do. Our school is a better place thanks to your openness to being a part of our daily life. Thank you.

I would like to speak to you about how gentleness and strength are at the heart of what we are seeking to achieve here for our children at Beaudesert.

The Oxford dictionary defines gentleness as: ‘the quality of being kind, tender or mild-mannered’…. ‘softness of action’…or ‘lightness’.

It describes strength as: ‘the quality or state of being physically strong’… or ‘the capacity of an object to withstand great force or pressure’.

I believe when speaking about human traits, we can combine these two words to think about how we might each build ‘Gentle Strength’ and use this capacity or ability to be happy and well, to persevere, to look after others and ourselves, and to embrace the challenges that life brings.

Here at Beaudesert, we seek to instill confidence in our children, and not arrogance. To instill the ability to voice and justify their own opinions, while being able to listen to and respect the ideas of others. To be courageous enough to have a go and make the most of new opportunities, whilst recognising that things might not come easy to each of us

and that we may need to persevere. To aim high in all we do, and be aspirational in our goals, but to remember to encourage others along the way, to have humility and recognise we all have our own personal bests.

With this in mind, I have written a poem for today which is called ‘Gentle Strength’. I would like to share this with you now.

Gentle Strength

Skipping and smiling through each of their days,

Embracing each moment in their unique ways,

The flurry of life and of learning is theirs, Full of joy and fulfilment and breadth.

And what’s it all for, and this richness we seek,

To provide our young children each hour, day, week,

All these chances and choices and challenges too,

Things we ourselves did – or wished we could do.

It’s an eye on the future and what they might become,

It’s an eye on the past and traditions we’re from,

It’s an eye on the present and living each day,

For in childhood when the sun shines –make hay!

And amidst an abundance of learning new skills,

Of the building of knowledge and the testing of wills,

Of striving, exploring in lessons, sport, art, There’s a kernel of greatness right at its heart.

It’s to gain gentle strength in how we learn to be,

As a fish learns to glide through tempestuous sea,

As a bird flies the nest and can weather a storm,

An unshakeable oak tree was first an acorn.

Gentle strength avoids bluster and pride it has not,

It need not be noisy, nor must it be ‘top’,

Gentle strength is not bolshy or unkind or rough,

Gentle strength is not feeling the need to be tough.

Gentle strength is the courage to try something new,

To understand others may do better than you,

To be gracious and grateful for what you receive,

The Nursery

To stand up firmly for what you believe.

Gentle strength is the confidence we nurture inside,

To explore ourselves fully and never to hide,

From failure, as from this entity, We learn perseverance and humility.

To do what is right when others do wrong,

To accept that critique can help us grow strong,

To know that when we have not yet reached our aim,

We can pick ourselves up and just try, try again.

To have gentle strength is to know who you are,

Consider yourself from within and afar, Whatever the person you grow up to be, Let that person be gentle and strong.

CAMERON

SPORTS DAY

3, 2, 1 Blast Off!

Once upon a time there was a bear. His name was called Mr Toby. He got on a rocket and got on the closest planet to Earth – Mars. He meets an alien. This alien does magic stuff. He turned into different things; a frog, a dinosaur, a piggy and a rainbow. The alien was a bit sad because he didn’t have any friends to play with. Toby made a friend for him. He got a friend from the station for him. Time to go home! He got in his rocket and he blasted off far away, all the way back home.

Dictated by Toby

COTSWOLD WILDLIFE PARK

NURSERY CHRISTMAS SONGS

THEA

WORLD BOOK DAY

Reception

FELIX

LUCAS P

HECTOR S

LOLA S

WORLD BOOK DAY

ROSHEN

BENJI

MONTGOMERY R

ARTIE

NATIVITY

My special person is Mummy. She is special because she orders play dates. She looks after me and helps me read. She takes care of me by listening to me. I look after her by giving her cuddles.

Agnes

COTSWOLD FARM PARK

ARTHUR D

ROMILLY AND WILSON

ARCHIE P

WORLD BOOK DAY

BERKELEY CASTLE NATIVITY

NATIVITY

What Made Tiddalik Laugh

This story is called what made Tiddalik laugh. One day Tiddalik woke up thirsty, so he drank a lake, but he was still thirsty so he drank a river, and a stream! He was sleepy so he had a nap and the next day all of the animals were thirsty, and so were the flowers and the trees. They tried to make Tiddalik laugh but he did not!

Once upon a time there was a kangaroo called Kangy. He lived in the Outback and he loved his tail. In the morning his tail was gone… He was very sad, and then his friend came over to play, and she had her tail. Kangy got her tail back. The end.

AMARA SAVANNAH

GEORGIA B

Kangy

Ottilie CJ

Minnie

YEAR 1 ASSEMBLY

Dear Mummy and Daddy,

I hope you are well? I am having a fantastic time. How is Percy? I went to Sydney Opera House. I am staying in Sydney. The Opera House looks like a sail. It was lovely, and I climbed the Harbour Bridge. The person who built the bridge, his name is John Bradfield. I saw some fireworks, and they spiralled in the sky. Lots of people went.

From Romilly

SAM V AND SUNNY

ELODIE GT

SOPHIE SUNNY

Forest School

At the heart of our outdoor learning at Beaudesert Park lies our wonderful Forest School, a place where curiosity thrives and the natural world becomes our greatest teacher.

Rooted in the ethos of child-led exploration and play, respect for nature, and learning through experience, our Forest School gives children a chance to step outside the classroom and into a living, breathing magical environment

full of play and discovery. Whether it’s building dens or habitats, identifying local flora and fauna, or simply observing the changing seasons, children develop not just knowledge, self-esteem and resilience, but a deep emotional connection with nature.

Forest School is so much more than just outdoor play; it is practical ecological learning in action. Through activities like bird watching, plant identification,

These are a few of our favourite Forest School activities:

Fire lighting

cooking on the fire, pond-dipping, and bug-hotel building, children gain hands-on insight into sustainability, biodiversity, and the delicate balance of ecosystems. These skills and experiences directly support our school’s eco-projects, inspiring young environmentalists and helping bring our Eco-Committee’s vision to life in our school grounds.

Jumping in muddy puddles

Whittling sticks

SSM

Forest School Café Menu: Stinging nettle crisps Elderflower fritters

Wild garlic potatoes Mud pies

Playing games Willow crafting Damper bread

A Letter to the Government

Dear Government Leaders,

I am writing to you because deforestation is making the animals die and making us have less oxygen. How are you okay with this? You are cutting down too many trees. Please stop cutting down trees. Rainforests are very important to us and the animals. Please do something about this. Thank you for reading my letter.

Sincerely,

Molly S

ARCHIE HS

MOLLY M

IMOGEN C

SAPHIRA

NATIVITY

EBLEY CANAL

WORLD BOOK DAY

HENRIETTA

ISLA Y

ATTICUS G

ARTHUR G

SPORTS DAY

Dear Mrs Rainforest Councillor,

We are writing to you today because we are very worried about the rainforest destruction. Please can you help us before it is too late?

The forests are perishing as we speak! The people are fleeing! Animals are losing their homes and will become extinct.

The planet is getting HOTTER!! Money doesn’t matter, life costs more!

DEFORESTATION is a serious threat to nature and we must act NOW!!

Yours in hopefulness, 2N

WORLD BOOK DAY

Our Day Out to The Living Rainforest

We went on a school trip to The Living Rainforest. First, we went on a coach and I sat next to Gaige. It was a very long time and at the end of the drive I got very bored. Then we all got a biscuit and we went to play on the playground. It was really fun until I got a bit dizzy so I sat in the shade on a bench. Then I went on an obstacle course like a mini Go Ape. After that we went to a little basecamp. Then a man called Rupert came and told us all the rules. We then went into a greenhouse and met our tour guide called Esther. First we saw stick insects then leaf insects. We saw all sorts of jungle animals. My favourite was the tarantula I called Poison Sally. Then it was lunchtime. I had a cheese sandwich, crisps and fruit. Then we went back on a second tour. This time, we saw the sloth called Cinnamon on top of a box, his arm was reaching up. We left and went home. This was the best day of my seventh year.

Joshua P

TRISTAN

SPORTS DAY

ANTHOLOGY

The Scorofox

The Scorofox is made fromBlood red teeth so you will never escape the wrath of death, Talons of a scorpion so sharp they can rip your soul out alive, The tail of a dragon as solid as obsidian, one hit and you will die.

I saw it once –

In a deep, dark sewer glaring at me, Beyond the fence of the underworld, Under the drains of the bathroom blackness, Between the gates of the cemetery.

The Scorofox can –Darken skies with a swish of its tail, Poison you with murders, Breathe fire as hot as hell, Smear darkness across your soul.

If the Scorofox escaped –It would be the end of history.

Storm, Year 4

The Volcano

“It’s been inactive for decades,” promises the tour guide. I only manage to gasp for air at the upward climb. We’ve been staggering up the black rubble for what feels like decades, but I can finally see the black, gaping lips of the volcano. I freeze suddenly. Smoke. I shake my head, realising it’s from a cigarette. How hygienic! I’ve not believed one word this ‘professional’ has said after he claimed he didn’t need suncream, and now he’s brighter than the lava this so called ‘monster volcano’ isn’t making.

We collapse onto the ground, I feel a small tremble. No, surely it’s just the weight of many sweat-clad bodies. But no, this time I look at the guide, but he’s looking at his feet. Another rumble. A giant waking from a great sleep. A small wisp of ash rises. Before I can say a thing, the wisp turns into a great, thundering plume radiating heat. I choke on ash, my mouth drying up to the sharp, smoky taste burning me. My eyes drown in un-spilled tears. The skin of the great beast shudders, shaking off its sleepy state. Questions fill the air, their concern angering the great giant. Our professional guide splutters on his words.

Rocks, hundreds of rocks, tear into the sky as the beast screams. A small trickle of tears runs down its face. Tears of unruly, ferocious lava. It was time to go.

I run, my feet flashing beneath my body as a million questions run through my head. I don’t realise that I’ve started falling. Dirt and rubble encase my body. My skin screams for air nearly as loudly as my lungs. My body stops its painful decent. Before I know it, I’m running again. Running for my life. I risk a look backwards. People are dashing down, screaming. My body halts to a stop, grass appearing beneath my feet. I run into the town, as ambulances wail through the street.

Skylar, Year 7

A Spooky Scene

Through a mysterious mist, a certain thing could be seen. A blur of what looked to be the most bonkers mansion ever. As the ash fell like hail out of the sky from the tallest turret, I saw that the person who was throwing the ash was much more bonkers than the whole mansion. His misshapen face made him more scary than he already was. Laughter was the only thing that was heard throughout the whole mansion. His face was covered in clown make up, even though this mansion was so big no body or soul knew what it was or where it was, let alone who lived there. Suddenly, the waterfall roared like a lion, then BANG. Gunfire took to the air…

Sandy, Year 6

EDDIE G, YEAR 3

Persuasive Writing about our created Roman Towns

Are you ready? Ready for what you may ask? Well that’s easy…the spectacular, amazing and breath-taking town of Corinium Dobunnorinium!

Firstly there is a massive, round, entertaining and exciting amphitheatre where you can watch games and shows that will keep you on the edge of your seat. As gladiators battle wild animals, watch as your eyes widen in amazement. Doesn’t that sound great?

In addition, we have a lovely bath house to wash away all of your stresses and worries. Not to mention the exquisite mosaics on all the walls. Chatter to friends as you relax in the calm water. Become part of the hustle and bustle of the busy, bustling forum. Taste the delicious species from India and China. You will also find beautiful silks and togas that would make a great gift!

Don’t forget the religious temple where you can pray to the gods and make offerings. Let’s hope you keep them happy. There is a gentle flowing river on the north side of the town. You can catch fish to eat for your dinner. Also there’s a stone gatehouse on the south side. It is guaranteed that no enemies will get in with soldiers guarding it day and night, twenty four hours a day.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your sandals and bathing clothes, grab an adult and visit now!

Ottilie P, Year 3

A Lightning Storm

The lightning’s powerful force struck the earth in fury. The sky’s clouds ran away in fear, while the dewy grass quivered. The road froze in shock as the gloomy skies got darker and darker…

Wilbur, Year 5

The Newt

If you are craving revenge or feeling angry, I have the perfect idea for you. You will never feel guilt and never feel regret, you will just have the taste of success and tingling butterflies fluttering and dancing in your stomach. If your brother or sister is getting on your nerves, use this prank. I used a newt, but you can use any insect. Slyly, slip your insect into a jug. Next, fill up the jug with water and place it on the table. Finally, be patient and wait for the magic to happen.

A Roman Call to Arms

This is where we hold them This is where they die! I see a whole strong army of Country men! We may die but They won’t take our freedom! We are fighting for our Freedom. Remember we are fighting Our foes and for our land Take everything they have And win this War!!

Ottilie S, Year 4

Autumn Poetry

Cold, brown conkers

Falling, rolling, cracking

Out of their spiky green shells, waiting to be collected

Fluffy, cute squirrels

Searching, storing, hiding

All of their delicious crunchy nuts, in their secret stash

Little, spiky hedgehogs

Scrambling, hibernating, snuggling In their little burrows, away from the cold air.

Georgia T, Year 3

Rose J, Year 7

ARCHIE K, YEAR 3

Autumn Magic

Autumn shimmers through the trees

A sunset dance on every breeze

The leaves, once green, now fade to gold

As the days get short and the nights get cold.

The earth is now soft and bare

With smells of wood and fresh, cold air

Tree branches stretch with fingers thin

And shadows stretch as night begins.

A bright, full moon begins to rise

With silver starlight in the sky

The wood grows quiet, the winds grow light

As autumn wraps the world in night. Orla, Year 7

Hades

Hades is a god you want to be on your side, with his flaming locks of dark, grey hair like ash out of a volcano. Hades’ palace is more like a dungeon than a palace. When you enter, you hear one voice with a thousand screams. It would shatter your ears into a million pieces – not even Hephaestus could fix it. When Hades is extraordinarily angry, his hair lights up like a volcano about to explode everywhere, and when he is annoyed, his face turns as red as fresh blood.

Hades is the god of the Underworld, a realm where souls are believed to go after death. He is the ruler of this realm and supervises the trial and punishment of wicked souls. Hades’ name means ‘the unseen one’, because he normally carries around his helmet of invisibility. Hades is either as wicked as a witch, or as dark as midnight, that is why he is the best god.

Arthur Sa., Year 5

Seasons

The summer’s sun can bring joy. You see, for many on this Earth, they love the green grass, and multi-coloured flowers, with hot holidays and lovely, refreshing seas. Then, out of nowhere, comes autumn, drying every leaf, so the flowers no longer shine. With a hush breeze to move them, the leaves dance on the ground. Autumn is my favourite season. The amber, orange, red, yellow, brown and maroon colours are all around. I can hear them all whispering secretly to each other in the wind, thinking I can’t hear them, when really I can. Gradually though, it gets more cold and a chill enters the air. Nights darken like a man seeing the end coming closer, closer, closer. The flowers and leaves have all died, and trees are left naked and freezing out in the chilly, white powder that lies like a cat refusing to leave, until a child hits the branch. Afterwards, spring is like a burst of light through the crusty, musty clouds.

Gimlee

As I looked down from the hill, I saw a short, fat man. He had orange hair that went down to his belt. Some had been tied into thick braids, thick enough to form a large rope that could hold down a small cargo ship. His face was freckled and chubby, with small, joyful eyes, shining with glee and excitement, waiting patiently for his next meal. He was drooling just thinking about it. His belly pressed forcefully against his shirt, begging to escape to the outside world. His buttons strained to control it. His red shirt was laden with baked beans, and a small gilet completed it. His dark, charcoal trousers tucked into beautiful, stitched boots, which were oiled and well kept. These were snuggly tucked into iron stirrups, on a chestnut brown Appaloosa horse, the white dots fading to black as a keen viewer’s eyes flowed along its flank. Its legs were strong, or at least they had become strong, straining to not collapse under its heavy cargo each day. He pulled out a large bratwurst and munched happily, his plump lips smacking blissfully as he, in truth, was just happy to be there.

Lucas, Year 8

Describing a Mythical Creature

Demon turned around and he saw some elegant eyes, a fluffy, swishing tail moving lightly in the wind. Demon reached out his hand to feel the creature. The creature felt like velvet. Just then, he smelt something. It smelt like blueberry muffins. Suddenly, he jerked backwards because he heard a strange noise. He looked into the creature’s stable. The creature’s body was gone, instead there was a reindeer in its place. Demon realised that the creature could shapeshift and at that moment, on the door of the stable, there was some writing on it…

Melody, Year 4

Max Sh., Year 8

Aunt Opal

Aunt Opal is the youngest of three siblings. She has struggled with things from a very young age, and is encouraged by her father. She is an open-hearted witch and loves all the hidden folk with her whole heart. She cares for them and looks after them until her father dies, that is why the hidden folk call her the heartbroken witch. Opal has ADHD so she struggles to concentrate, which made her fear school. She learns to get over this struggle as she embraces her power over water. Deep down, Opal is just a girl who can control water and can’t concentrate on anything. This puts too much pressure on Opal, forcing her to give up her magic. Her calm demeanour gets her where she wants to be, and she is determined to get her sisters back on her side. Eventually, she realises the only way to do this is to reconcile with herself and use her magic again!

Isla D, Year 7

Rookwood School

The car slid through the enormous gates and the school towered ominously above me. Perched upon the tall walls sat stone rooks, whose eyes stared accusingly down on me. Unnerved, I distracted myself by gazing down the long, wet sports pitches at a bunch of girls hopelessly trying to play hockey on the muddy grass.

I stepped out of the car, and the sound of the car door closing echoed around the medieval dungeon that I would now call school. I traipsed up to the grand front door, and it screeched as I opened it, as if it hadn’t been opened for years.

Inside, I was hit by the stench of sweat and slightly off food, and it made me gag. All the walls and floors shone. I walked past a group of girls and asked, “please could you tell me where the dorms are?” I tried to sound kind, but my voice came off cold, hollow and shaky.

“Go away,” snarled the taller looking one, and she flicked her blonde hair, and stormed down the corridor.

“Wait, Penny!” squealed another girl, and raced down the corridor noisily after her.

Isabel, Year 7

Beaudesert

As I reach my arm out, I wrap my skeletal fingers around the boiling hot chain of the swing, from the roasting sun. The heat of the chain pierces my nerves with a pain in my hand. The bright reflection of the murky, brown pond catches my eye with a flick like a match. I take in one big waft of the fresh air and the smell of freshly mowed grass protrudes into my nostrils. I suddenly feel a relaxing sensation as the cool breeze brushes past my hair, it feels wonderful.

I can hear the magnificent birds singing their beautiful song. I close my eyes and suddenly I can hear the wind louder than before. It runs around and around the trees, and then it sprints up the Banks and, with a blink of an eye, it is gone.

Bertie G, Year 6

The Magic Box

I will put in the box…

The first joyful word my sister gifted to me,

A unique paw print of my puppy and her gentle lick,

A black polished note from my melodic piano.

I will put in the box…

A handful of snow from my family ski trip,

An orange from Mallorca made into a glass of sour juice,

The sound of a page turning from an old book.

I will put in the box…

My first birthday cake made of blueberries,

A gecko made of coloured patterns from Mauritius,

Some flowing notes played on my flute.

I will put in my box…

The seal that I can see when I go to Devon,

My necklace with aquamarine and a J to represent me,

A certificate to congratulate my LAMDA exam.

My box will be made of primrose petals,

Juniper berries with caterpillars crawling through,

I am going to keep my box in my tree outside

My room so no one but me knows where it is.

Juniper, Year 5

The Limited Gift

Time gives, that’s true to say, But, over time, time takes away, Time plants the flowers, that grow day by day, And, over time, they wilt, die and decay.

Time doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor.

Whoever you are, time gives you no more.

Empires think they’ll never fall, But time showed them, time showed them all.

Time isn’t bad, just unforgiving. For you can’t undo time, you must keep on living.

So go on, embrace it, enjoy your great gift.

Time doesn’t stop for you, time only drifts.

Hugo G, Year 8

Stitch Head Review

Meet the ‘Unforgettable Stitch Head’ in a tale where monster meets man, in a story which will bring you to ‘almost life’ in the castle of Grotteskew.

Stitch Head is a kind hearted monster always longing to be loved and noticed, but his crazy master, the professor, brings to almost-life yet another creation. The creature just wanted to be friends with Stitch Head, but when a showman comes for monsters, it changes Stitch Head’s almost-life forever.

I loved Stitch Head, it was gripping. It pulled me to almost-life in an adventure that could make you cry, laugh or shriek with surprise. It was so intriguing I could never put the book down.

Heidi J, Year 5

A Drunken letter from Mr Cherry Owen to Mrs Cherry Owen (from Under Milk Wood)

To my most wonderful wife, Mrs Cherry Owen (that’s you),

Hello, my love. My dear. My kettle boiler, my sock-finder, my Queen of shouting. I’m writing this letter because I am not entirely sure where you are right now. Maybe you are in the kitchen. Maybe you’re in my imagination. Either way, I love you more than whatever I was just drinking. Which may have been beer. Or possibly gravy…

Now listen – I may have had a small drop of something, or maybe three drops. Or maybe six. But it’s all in good fun and good health. You see, the lads said “Cherry, have a pint!” and I, being a polite and proper gentleman, said “Yes please!” twelve times. Because I was raised right.

YEAR 3

You should have seen me down at the pub. I gave a speech to the darts board. Told it about our wedding day. The darts board was very moved. Cried a bit, actually, though that might have been me.

Anyway, I wanted to say, you are the strongest, cleverest, most terrifyingly beautiful woman in all of Llareggub. When you shout, the birds stop flying. When you slam a door, sheep fall over. It’s incredible. And I love you for it.

You know I’d be completely lost without you. Literally – I got lost in the garden once without you and had to shout for help. You found me near the compost, crying into a boot.

So if I come home later than expected – or earlier than tomorrow, don’t worry. Just put the kettle on, throw a slipper at my head, and tell me I’m a fool. Because I am, but I’m your fool.

With all my love and half my brain, Mr Cherry Owen

p.s. Do you know where my other shoe is?

Harry W, Year 8

CLARA,

No Escape

It was a cold, winter’s night and I was driving home in the dark in my little red mini. Suddenly the engine coughed and spluttered, then turned off with a loud, ‘Bang!’ I remember looking out of the window to see where I was. There were trees everywhere and the road was almost totally covered in mud. In the dark, I had no clue where I was. Moonlight illuminated the smooth, black tarmac that was peeking out of the squelchy brown mud. I opened my phone so that I could call someone, but there was no signal.

Suddenly I heard a sound. A short, sharp scream in the quiet. It still gives me the chills today. It was like when your knife scrapes against your plate and makes your ears ring. There it went again, I thought I was losing my mind. I got out of the car, walked to the bonnet and lifted it up. Smoke bellowed out, the engine had overheated! I looked up and, in the woods, I saw the black silhouette of a man. I managed a, “Hello?” but he didn’t respond. The man started to walk towards me so I quickly closed the bonnet, got into the car and locked it. The man was next to the car now, banging violently on the window. I tried to start it but it stalled again. He smashed the window. There was no escape!

Fonz, Year 6

The Woods

Rapunzel looped her golden hair around the metal and dropped to the floor, like a beautiful petal falling from a flower. Her feet moved as if she were a ballerina, and her eyes were big and blue, like oceans in the sun. Her dress twirled like a big tutu and spun like wind propellers. Her light, soft feet tickled the floor as she finally lowered to the bottom of the tower’s ground. The air tasted like flowered rose petals, and Rapunzel became emotional. It was like that earthy smell after the rain had stopped. Rapunzel pondered and she could not imagine that she had finally set foot on this new awakening. She collapsed onto the floor like an angel, and spread her arms out wide while staring into the endless blue sky. As she got up, pink, purple and blue flowers flew from her hair. She wriggled her feet and spun around once again, and turned around to see her childhood home that she was now viewing for the first time. The tower had a blanket of flowers with crumbling stones. The thatched roof had plants emerging through the gaps. The tall stones were stacked up with long, ivy fronds blowing from side to side like waves rolling back and forth. Rapunzel took a big, relieved breath in, and sniffed the natural air once more. When it reached night, the forest was silent again.

Flora M, Year 8

A Walk in the Woods

Creeping out of his burrow, the fox, as nifty as a shadow and as hungry as an ogre, set off into the deep, dark wood to find his supper. Walking along, step by step, the crunch of the leaves under his dainty feet, he suddenly spotted out of the corner of his eye a fluffy, black rabbit. He crouched down, then, as quick as a flash he pounced….gone!

Henry F, Year 6

Time

Time moves like a shadow, Always ahead, just out of reach. I wake up, and it’s morning, I blink and it’s night. I try to hold onto moments, But they slip away, Like water through my fingers.

Time does not wait. It does not ask if it’s ready. One day, I am a kid, running through summer, Laughing in the sun.

The next I am taller, older, Watching memories fade, Wondering how I got here.

I ask time to slow down, But it only stares, Silent, steady, Always moving forward, Never turning back.

I wonder if time ever misses The moments it takes. If it ever stops to look back, Even just for a second.

But time does not answer. It only keeps going, Pulling me with it, Whether I am ready or not.

Harry W, Year 8

The Legend of Pik

In a far off village under the deep blue sky

Lived a boy where the trees grow high

But rain wasn’t there so it was dry

The crops stopped growing so the villagers sighed.

Pik loved playing with his ball

He played pok-a-tok for all

He stood up when the sun shone bright

And said, “I’ll challenge Chac tonight!”

“If I win, the rain will fall If I lose, he’ll take my all.”

The villagers gasped, Pik was thin

But Pik believed that he could win.

He practised hard with all his might

His friends watched all night

Then came the quetzal soaring around

As Pik and Chac played on the ground.

Chac was using his tricks,

But Pik did work on his kicks

He leaped with lots of care

His courage filled the air.

The game’s end was near Pik fought with fear

At last the crowds gave a cheer

He won, victory was near.

The clouds turning grey

And gentle rain on that day

The crops flowed

The people glowed.

So remember Pik, so brave and true

With heart and hope

Even when skies are dry,

Your courage will go up high. Flynn, Year 4

Demon’s Dangerous Deed

Last week, Hera arranged a massive party as her precious Hydra came back to life. A young, heroic stable boy, who is a half boy, half god, used Hera’s golden apple (full of magic), in the hospital shed on Mount Olympus, to cure Hera’s scaly pet. Hercules chopped all nine heads off the Hydra as one of his twelve labours.

It all started in the early afternoon, when Hera’s scaly, mythical pet was noticed slumped down on the damp grass by the gloomy, muggy swamp. All of a sudden, Hera screamed in rage, and it was all up to Demon, who is a young stable boy and the son of the god Pan.

“I’m not sure that Demon will be able to fix my pet Hydra because he’s young, not experienced and has not got much practice,” Hera said.

Meanwhile, the young, scruffy stable boy was very scared not to fix the Hydra. His magic box wouldn’t help at all, it just kept flashing red, and that’s when it was reported that he went to Hephaestus. Apparently Hephaestus fixed the magic medical box and strangely, it gave him a bucket of cinnamon soil and an apple seed. Demon cleaned up whilst thinking what he was going to do. The significance of these objects remained unclear, but there was already talk amongst the gods as to whether the beast keeper would be successful.

It was reported that Demon had to solve the puzzle of the apple seed and the soil. According to Arnie, the golden griffin, Hera grew very special golden apples that give you eternal life. In order to succeed, Demon went to Ophelia, for help to grow one of Hera’s golden apples quickly. Apparently, a golden apple grew almost immediately, and that was because Ophelia the tree nymph was dancing and prancing around the apple tree.

“I was filled with pride. I’m not going to lie, at first I didn’t think the heads were going to float up! Where were the heads?” said Demon.

This is a story of great resilience and persistence. How will Hera treat Demon? What became of the heroic stable boy? Stay tuned to find out.

Axelle, Year 4

What I Saw

I slouched on my bean bag, shaking, sweat running down my back like a tap. I could finally calm down now. I was in my safe haven, my treehouse. This morning I was getting water from the river, like I always do, and I spotted something. Perhaps you want to know what I saw? Well, trust me, you really don’t. I’ll tell you later. Right now I’m going to tell you what I did after I saw what I saw. My whole body started shaking, with goosebumps creeping up my limbs. I ran and ran until I saw my treehouse and I climbed up the ladder, my hands slipping and sliding, desperate to get away from the beast. So now, I’m on my bean bag in my secluded treehouse. Now I’m going to tell you what I saw… It was a tiger! The colour of fire!

Annalisa, Year 6

Seasons

As the night folds into the break of dawn, colours begin to form, and the black canvas that covered the sky is now ripped off for the painting of the morning. It is autumn now, and the cold air grasps for its next victim with icy hands. Red, orange, yellow and brown fill the floor with leaves of different types. The city blocks stand high, watching over the city of colour with curious eyes. The awkward decision of what to wear lies over you as you wake up, as the temperature is not quite cold but not hot enough to wear a t-shirt. As the autumn season begins to end, spring comes into view. It has an irresistible urge to make the city right again after the mess its previous owner has left it in. Flowers emerge from the hidden cracks of light, their colours matching the mood of the eyes seeing them. Creatures of spring come out from their burrows and houses, eager to see happiness again. Purples, yellows, whites and pinks; such a change from the dull colours seen in the previous months. But that is not all from the year to come, as on comes summer. Its glorious positivity invades people’s cold thoughts and replaces them with new, better ones. Pools, sun, ice cream, swimming, all signs of a new world. Never in a bad mood, always smiling, until those smiles are gone as September comes. On the odd day, the sun peeps out from behind the clouds, but retracts back inside when it sees no potential. Smiles are now frowns and straight, proud backs are slouched and hunched. No more fun. No more sun. Things are scarce if best in the winter, it’s a sad time. Although Christmas is near, all anyone can think about is summer and the good times. This is life, a constant cycle of ups and downs, highs and lows.

Clemency, Year 8

The Minotaur

Theseus felt his way in the dark. Suddenly, breath that smelled of blood was breathed down his neck. Theseus turned around slowly, dreading what he would see. Then, a huge bellowing roar ripped through the darkness. Theseus stumbled backwards hurriedly. He fumbled around with his pockets and pulled out some flint. He lit a stick on the ground and held it up high. A horrible face loomed out of the darkness at him. It had wiry hair, like a bear, and a bony curve of a horn. This monster looked like a half man, half bull. Underneath the horns there were devil-like eyes, and under that, there was a fanged mouth. Theseus lowered his torch and gasped. There was a hairy stomach and sharp hooves. This confirmed Theseus’ belief that this was the Minotaur. He screamed loudly, and the Minotaur roared and reared up on its hind legs. Theseus noticed that the Minotaur’s hind legs had claws!

The Minotaur was now rampaging around, roaring his heart out. It stopped, suddenly. Theseus then knew what was coming. He drew his sword and at the glint of it, the Minotaur charged at Theseus. Thick horns clanged against his shiny sword. Theseus ran at the Minotaur and stabbed it in the chest! Unfortunately, Theseus had missed the Minotaur’s heart and had to dodge the assault. Theseus ran forward and looked around, flaming torch still in his hand. Suddenly, he was lifted off the ground and thrust into the air! The Minotaur had kicked him! Theseus landed on his feet and in the confusion, he stabbed the Minotaur again, this time slap, bang in the middle of its heart. The Minotaur gave one, last roar of rage, and then fell silent. Theseus had done it! He had killed the Minotaur! He laughed and made his way back out of the maze.

Caroline, Year 5

Open the Door

Go and open the door

Maybe outside there’s

A car or a train

A building

Or a giant bridge

Go and open the door

Maybe there’s a dog rummaging

Maybe you’ll see a face

Or an eye

Or a tail

Go and open the door

If there’s a smell

It won’t clear

Go and open the door

Even if there’s only

The whirring of an engine

Even if there’s only

The dark clouds

Even if Rain Is there

Go and open the door

At least

There will be

A light

T, Year 5

A Lightning Storm

The clouds were smoking like a dragon’s fumes as the storm raged through the sprinting, soaking road. Lightning was jumping off the blue clouds with agony, like a speeding bullet which screeched onto the fearful road. The sky was seeping and smelled like pain and death, as lightning slashed through.

Aarash, Year 5

Max

Autumn Poetry

Horrifying, orange pumpkins

Staring, sitting, glowing

In neighbours’ windowsills, scaring all the trick-or-treaters

Excited, dressed up trick-or-treaters

Knocking, booing, collecting

In their spooky lit up village, filling up their baskets

Spiky, sleepy hedgehogs

Scuttling, sleeping, collecting

Getting ready for hibernation in their nests

Edward G, Year 3

Under Milk Wood Didmarton

To begin at the beginning,

It is spring, there’s a twilight sky in the small village. The clouds drift slowly over the chimneys, over mossed roofs, and through narrow gardens, where the daffodils close their heads to the soft, silent night.

The road winds gently between rows of houses, past doorsteps and leaning fences, past the pub where voices rise and fall, the wooden sign creaking in the air.

The park is still, the swing swaying slowly in the breeze, the pond dark with many secrets within, but just the reflection on the outside. The horses are still as statues on the grass, their heads low and their eyes wide in the evening air. The border of the village is lined with trees in the deep, deep wood.

Silence, nothing to be heard. The baker, postman, milkman, shopkeeper and blacksmith are sleeping. The cows rest in their barns and the dogs lie in their beds, their breath slow and quiet.

The houses are old and quiet, shutting their eyes as they go to sleep. The porch lights flicker then die out. They lean a little from the years, with crumbling bricks and sloping roofs. The paint has worn and the gutters are dull with colour, as they hold on and stand still. Some tilt, some creak, and some have steps which are almost gone.

Cat in the Window, What Do You See?

A babbling waterfall, as clear as glass, flowers are blooming on the thick dewy glass.

Vines are hanging from the trees, rocking very slow. Crocodiles are lurking, deep down below.

It is peaceful and calm, until a parrot squeaks in alarm!

A cheetah is sitting on a rock, almost pretending it is a duck.

A rainbow has formed in the sky, way up above – but suddenly my cat sees a flock of doves, soaring up high.

The river is a shimmering green, with a beautiful gleam.

And the hummingbirds sing a wonderful hymn.

Flora Ll., Year 3

It is neither day nor fully night. The sky is painted with pink brush strokes. The air is touched by the first breath of night. In the fields where the horses are, the grass whispers to the trees, and the leaves rustle in the wind. Some dance, some stand still, their silhouettes contrasting with the light.

As the village slips deeper into the night, the stars above grow brighter, their light soft and steady. Everyone is asleep, everything is asleep. The land, the water, even the sky. Waves of dreams wash over like the tide going up and then falling.

Bonnie, Year 8

LILLIAN, YEAR 3

Thriller Opening

Every step Olivia took it got darker, until soon the only light leading her way was the cold, dim light from the moon. As the gravel crunched below her feet and the wind whistled slowly through the tall, shadowy trees, Olivia’s tummy started to turn. She had never been out this late by herself, it was almost 11 o’clock. At that moment, grey clouds started closing in above her. Thunder shook the sky, then, out of nowhere, it started to hail. Every cold, hard piece of ice, falling from the sky like from a gun, shot and then shattered into a thousand pieces when it hit the sharp, bumpy ground. She could feel her heart beating fast in her throat, her ears starting ringing. Just then, a rustling sound in the bushes brought her back to life. The furtive sound was right next to her. Was there another human here with her, or was it just a rabbit or something like that coming out of its burrow? Those thoughts started running around in her head. Now, she was out of breath, like she had just done a marathon. She felt her eyes prick with tears. Whoever or whatever was there, they weren’t meant to be here. This was her family’s camping ground. They rented it for themselves. The hail had finally cleared, and Olivia had a stroke of bravery to go on, but all the way back she couldn’t help feeling that someone was following her…

P, Year 5

The Magic Box

I will put in the box…

The hug of a soft, light, grey, misty morning fog, The deep, loving, rumbling purrrrrr of the grey cat I never had, The neat, fresh, eager scent of a spring morning.

I will put in the box…

A swish of a mane of a galloping, black horse, A hoooowwlll of a pure, white wolf, A cool, smooth, rounded touch of sadness.

I will put in the box…

Thriller

As the cold moonlit night filled the air, there was a faint uncertainty creeping into the room. It was a cold, eerie feeling. Lizzy was semi-conscious.

One cold evening in late October, a young girl called Lizzy was isolated high up in a modern hotel. The cold breeze was filling the air. Lizzy was lying semiconscious on the clean sheets of the bed. The tall branches which had bark peeling away towered above the hotel, leaning against the window panes of Lizzy’s room. Suddenly, the clouds started to darken and a drizzle of rain emerged. The old pine wood trees swayed like dancing figures that were firmly stabbed into the ground. The sun was still resting in the earth, like a dying fire about to fade away.

The sun had faded out and an eerie sound was coming closer and closer like footsteps. It was starting to get louder but then… Silence. Lizzy’s heart was throbbing. She was scared but didn’t know why. She could barely move out of bed. The moonlight covered the room like a mist, and a silhouette was revealed behind the door. A sharp flicker of an object was shown. A jolt slammed against the door…

Alasdair, Year 5

The soft, silvery, placid warmth of a swaying silver birch, The last sigh of the moon as it falls through the world, The first smile of a silky, goldenhaired llama on a summer morning, Where the breeze plays through the tree as the sun shines.

I will put in the box…

A bright, neat fragrance of a Saturday evening, A golden feather from the last rainbow canary, The heavy, warm breath of a dying phoenix.

My box is made from kindness, and happiness, and hope, With thoughtfulness in the corners and gold, bright, warm gratitude on the lid.

I will take my box and open it to the world, rewarding those who are good and mean well

And gently moving and nurturing those who mean less well.

Annabelle S, Year 5

Annabelle

A Character Review of Nighthand

Nighthand is an enormous figure, towering over anyone he sees. His huge silhouette and criminal-like features may throw you off, but deep down he has a heart of gold. His jet black hair and deep, dark eyes make him a master of blending into backgrounds, which makes him a formidable opponent.

In the book, there may be some moments that push his bravery to the limit, but he may never show it. His sword skills and acrobatic ability is not something you would associate with a man of his size. His loud, booming voice makes him a great leader. It’s a voice you could hear from far and wide.

Nighthand is a strong, power hungry character. His strategic thinking always puts him one step ahead of his opponent. He represents the battle between good and evil, and his commanding aura makes him someone people fear but respect. His commanding presence is why he is such a key character in this book.

Albie F, Year 7

MARTHA-MARY, YEAR 3

The Lion

He was the most unusual lion because lions are meant to be brave and fearless, but this lion was known as the Cowardly Lion, because he was really scared of everything. He was a golden coloured lion, and had a long mane which emphasised his beauty. He had also been trying to get to the Great Oz so that he could give him some courage.

He was so friendly and sweet, but you would not want to scare him suddenly. He would run for miles and would not turn back. He is also very vulnerable, and he will need to find some courage to survive this thrilling book of adventure.

Dorothy, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow are the only people he has ever been able to trust, and the only people that have not made fun of him for being scared of things. With them, his personality is completely different. He can be honest about things, and most of all, they all give him courage and confidence.

Amelie L, Year 7

The Memory Tree

One snowy, cold day in December, there was a man who had lots of feelings about nature. He had a dog with a red collar, and his dog was called Elvis. Elvis was a black spaniel who had a very long, pointy nose like a thorn. The man was wearing some denim, baggy trousers, a pink hoody, and also mittens, a hat and a North Face puffer coat. His name was Bryn.

Every day, Bryn and Elvis would go through the white sheeted floor of the forest, along a pathway and to a location in the forest where they would always remember. At that snowy location was a tree – not just a tree, but a beautiful, elegant and snowy tree. That tree was a memory tree, with a big, half pink, half red heart carved out by Bryn. Every day, Bryn would touch the heart and have the best memories.

One mile beyond the snowy forest, there was a village, and that was a magical and enchanted village where everybody had their own memory tree in the same forest, so almost everywhere they walked, you would see a half red, half pink heart on a tree.

The man never visited the village because he was more of a quiet man, and liked being alone after all his family passed away. That is why he always went to the memory tree, to remember his family.

Alby W, Year 5

BOB

Swinging peacefully below the wooden deck, my legs going up and down as the swing got higher, a light tickle of wind rushed past my face. I could taste the scent of garlic as it wafted up my nasal cavities, and as I sat, I watched the trees as they blossomed for spring. As I stood up from the swing, I could hear the faint noise of boys and girls playing hockey matches; every so often the chatter would erupt, then quieten down. Standing still now, I listened to the twittering of robins and woodpeckers close by. Looking around me, I saw a squirrel digging up its stash from the winter – as it noticed me it scurried back up the tree to safety.

Albie H, Year 6

Sport Rugby

1ST XIII

The 1st team rugby season was one of determination, resilience, and flashes of brilliance. The campaign began with a strong start at the Dean Close Pre-Season Festival, where the team showcased early promise with some strong performances. This momentum carried into a dominant home victory against The Downs, Malvern, setting the tone for a season filled with a number of hard-fought contests.

As the season progressed, the team encountered a challenging run of fixtures. Despite facing tough opposition, they competed fiercely in every game, never giving up. The leadership of Barnaby P, who captained the side from fly-half, was instrumental throughout. His control at number 10, vision, and decision-making were crucial in keeping the team competitive, and his efforts earned him the well-deserved Player of the Season award.

A key strength was the powerful centre partnership of Otis and Lucas. Their combination of physicality and skill consistently broke through defensive lines, providing the team with attacking momentum and solid defence. Harry G was a model of reliability at scrum-half, ensuring quick and accurate service to the backline, while George K and Ethan added pace and flair, making the backline a constant threat. George K’s progress throughout the season was particularly noteworthy, earning him the Most Improved Player award.

In the forwards, Tahha, Arthur G, and Frederick were stalwarts, anchoring the scrum and working tirelessly at the breakdown. Their work rate laid the foundation for the team’s attacking play. Hugo G, Harry W, and Rollo provided consistent and dependable performances, contributing significantly to the team’s efforts.

A standout highlight of the season was the team’s success in the Dean Close 7s and Pinewood 7s tournaments. At Dean Close, they played five matches, winning three, drawing one, and narrowly losing a thrilling game to Cheltenham. Their skill and determination were on full display. At Pinewood, the team played with superb spirit, winning five out of six games, falling only to the eventual winners in a tightly contested match.

The season concluded with a nail-biting draw against Tockington Manor School. Despite dominating possession in the second half and launching wave after wave of attacks, the team was unable to find the decisive score. Their

commitment to the final whistle epitomised the resilience they had shown all season.

This season was a testament to the team’s potential. They showed glimpses of what they are capable of against tough opposition and

2ND XIII

The 2nd XIII rugby team enjoyed a memorable season. The season started well at the Dean Close Tournament, where the boys dominated, winning all three games with confidence and flair. This promising start showcased their potential and set an encouraging tone for the matches ahead.

They then had some challenging fixtures where they recognised areas for improvement, and the boys dedicated themselves to refining their tackling and rucking skills during training. After all their hard work in training, the team was up for the match against The Downs, Malvern, where they battled hard to earn a well-deserved draw, reflecting their growing discipline and determination.

The season concluded with an exhilarating match against Tockington Manor School, a true highlight of the year. In a game evenly poised at half time, the boys showcased their grit to

laid a strong foundation for future success. Congratulations to all the players who represented the 1st team. The team should be proud of their efforts, and with the experience gained this year, the future looks bright.

emerge victorious by 9 tries to 6. Harrison, Edward T, and James B played an essential role in defence, helping to slow down the opposition with their determined efforts. George N, Ralph, and Youssef would then help finish off the tackles, keeping the opposition at bay. Meanwhile, Max Sh., George N, Ralph, and Bluey were exceptional ball carriers, driving the team forwards and scoring vital tries. Their commitment and teamwork shone through in a hard-fought second half, earning them a thoroughly deserved victory. While Max St. was absent from this fixture, he provided great tackling throughout the season and was a crucial member of the 2nd XIII.

This season was a testament to the team’s unwavering commitment and resilience. Each player should be proud of their contributions to a season that ended on such a fantastic high note.

UNDER 12A

The Beaudesert Park U12A rugby team has been excellent to work with this term. They have worked incredibly hard on their defence, and explored playing in several positions whilst transitioning from 10 to 12-a-side. What has been notable is their ability to deal with some periods of adversity, which has been great to see.

Despite losing key players throughout the season through injury, Sam G, Xander and Alfie G, the team pulled together with players such as Archie T, newcomer Jack F and Henry J really coming to the fore. The backline became settled and were led beautifully by Albie F at fly half, whilst Titus and Arthur L formed a great partnership in the centre.

The strong running of Thomas W and Asher gave plenty of go to move the ball along, with Wilf MH as hooker who won many a scrum against the head! Zachary became more confident as scrum half, and Algy displayed his versatility by playing several positions over the term. Jasper A became a potent weapon on the wing, with his speed and powerful running making him an incredibly difficult player for the opposition to cope with.

Some good performances against Dean Close, Pinewood and at the Severnside Festival suggest that there is plenty more to come from this group, with a number being selected a year early for the Year 8 7s squad. Well done!

UNDER 11A

The Under 11A rugby team delivered a season filled with grit, growth, and glimpses of real promise. While it was far from plain sailing against some formidable opponents, the boys rose to the occasion time and again, showcasing their resilience and team spirit.

The campaign kicked off with a tough opener against a well-drilled Pinewood side at home. Despite coming up short, the boys set the tone for their season, refusing to back down and playing with pride. A week later, they earned a well-deserved draw away at The King’s School, Gloucester in a game that went down to the wire. It was a clear indication that this team wouldn’t give up without a fight.

Momentum started to build with an impressive win over Cheltenham College on the road. William M was outstanding at full back, mopping up opposition kicks with ease and charging forward with confidence. At the Hatherop Castle Rugby Festival, the team’s positional awareness began to shine, with Sandy and Archie F powering through tackles and making vital

UNDER 12B

It is not often that a sports team remains relatively unchanged three seasons in a row. It has been immensely encouraging to observe how this group has grown and evolved over the last several years, not only as rugby players but also increasingly as confident individuals. From Hugo MH and Henry J who found their power and strength to challenge opposition defences, through to Jarvis and Milo J who learned the beauty and reward that comes from felling a runner twice your size. Chips, Lorcan

A and Arthur B have slowly perfected the art of scrummaging, while Pip C has proven the sharpest scrum half, deft of hand and silky in his pace. On the wing, Sebastian M finally found his heels and ripped many an opposition to pieces, and in defence suddenly popped up Izzy, who stole the mantra that none shall pass, and regularly whipped the ball away for his own try. As ever it was a season of mixed results, but three years’ work finally bore abundant fruit.

gains. Harry JD was pivotal in defence, producing countless tackles that thwarted opposition attacks, while Henry F and Joey S showcased their strength and determination, carrying the ball forward with confidence and driving the team up the field.

As their understanding of tactics developed, so too did their ability to challenge even the strongest opponents. Against Clifton College, Alby W dictated play beautifully from fly half, his pinpoint kicking a key feature, while Rufus T dazzled with his sidestep, leaving defenders grasping at thin air. The season wasn’t without its challenges. Return fixtures against Pinewood and a clash with Dean Close proved too much for the boys, but these encounters underlined how far they had come. They were beginning to trust the ball in hand, and give more thought to their play.

The final weeks of the season brought two memorable games. Away at St Hugh’s in snowy conditions, the boys put their bodies on the line. Dougie and Rory I made heroic last-ditch tackles, while Will B delivered a defensive masterclass,

refusing to let the opposition cross the line easily.

The season finale against Berkhampstead at Beaudesert was rugby at its best. Monty D and Archie F, standout performers throughout the season, led the defensive effort with lightningquick line speed and relentless tackling. Will B pulled the strings from scrum half, whipping the ball out to the attacking line with precision. In the dying moments, trailing by a single score, the boys launched one final assault—a perfectly executed cross-field kick finding space but just evading their fingertips as the ball drifted into touch. It was a dramatic end to a hard-fought campaign.

This season has been about more than results; it has been a story of character and growth. The boys have played with passion, determination, and an ever-improving understanding of the game. Coaching this team has been a pleasure, and the progress they’ve made is something to be immensely proud of. ND

UNDER 11B

We had a solid season of rugby and finished with a mix of a few wins and a few losses. The team always gave their very best and certainly enjoyed their rugby. As these boys continue to develop their tackling, they will certainly become more of a force to reckon with in the future. Skill levels went up with each and every match played and I am very proud of this team’s overall attitude and performance.

UNDER 11C

The Under 11C rugby team have had a fun and rewarding season overall. Although it had its ups and downs, the boys showed their interest both on and off the field. Throughout the term, they played against multiple rival schools, and produced different results each time. It was evident that their skills and techniques learned in practice were adopted all through the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the season was an away trip to Wycliffe School, where the boys faced a tough challenge. After a long 15 minute journey, they arrived in high spirits, ready to play. The game went level with the opposition and we struggled to pull away. It seemed that for every try we scored, they somehow also managed to score. This was until the last couple of minutes where

Wycliffe took a quick 2 point lead making it 12-14. Suddenly, the boys banded together and realised they needed to perform. Bertie G made an outstanding run from the kick-off before performing the most seamless offload to Edward C, who went to score a tremendous try. Thereafter they quickly scored 2 more back to back tries in no more than 4 minutes, to cruise to a dominant 15-14 victory.

The season was not just about the results, however. Their ability to work together as a team improved with each match, and it was clear to see that they were not just becoming better players, but also better teammates. I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching this wonderful group of boys.

JC

UNDER 10A

The Under 10A rugby season was a joy to be part of, showcasing both the talent and growth of the team. They began the season full of potential, and by the end, they had developed a deep understanding of the game, playing some exceptional rugby.

A standout performance early in the season came against Cheltenham College. Something clicked that day—suddenly, the ball was moving seamlessly from one side of the pitch to the other, culminating in multiple tries down the wing. This, combined with a number of players stepping up defensively, made it a very memorable game.

The two fixtures against Pinewood were the most challenging yet rewarding encounters of the season. The boys demonstrated extraordinary effort against a strong opposition. Their defence was tireless and formidable, and while the results didn’t go our way, the team walked away with something more valuable: the understanding that rugby is about more than just winning. They felt they had grown into true rugby players, ready to take this experience forward into the rest of the season and beyond.

As a year group, they are brimming with talent, but what sets them apart is their attitude. Every single player was determined to give their best for their teammates on the pitch. This mindset will be the cornerstone of their rugby journeys at Beaudesert, and I am excited to see them develop further in the years to come.

Well done to all the players on a fantastic season, and thank you for making it such a pleasure to be involved!

JB

UNDER 10B

The Under 10B team had a super end to their season, winning the final six matches at a canter, to win a very respectable 7 games out of 12.

The first loss was during an opening day festival at Clifton College on a cold, wet and windy Wednesday back in September, which was probably due to a lack of match fitness so early in the season. However, they soon found their rhythm. As the boys got used to each other, and began to improve tactical skills and show more bravery, they played some beautiful rugby.

Atticus M and Simon often showed their strength, determination and bravery to win balls, which were then passed wide, allowing Alasdair W and Henry L to use their speed to show the opposition a muddy pair of heels on more than one occasion.

Archie BS and Wilbur also made some mazey runs, whilst Hugo S and Aarash backed up the team supplying width and a strong defence.

The other losses came at the hands of a Cheltenham A team and against Wycliffe, but the brave Bs can hold their heads high after such a fine achievement.

UNDER 9s

The Under 9s have had a fantastic season of rugby. They were introduced to contact for the first time this year and have worked hard in training to improve their core skills. Their tackling and ball handling skills have progressed significantly, but equally important has been the development of an effective attacking structure and a strong defensive ‘green wall’. These points have been pivotal in helping the boys achieve some real highs and successes along the way.

The season began with half the year group on contact and the other half playing touch games. However, as everyone improved and grew in confidence, both the Warriors and Sharks

fixtures became contact. The highlight of the season was the festival at Clifton College in mid-November. It felt like a particularly rewarding morning as all the hard work on the training ground was evident and came to fruition.

Overall, the boys should be hugely proud of their efforts. They have made great progress since the start of September, continuously demonstrating great enthusiasm and an eagerness to improve. Good job, boys; you have set yourselves up well for Year 5 rugby next year.

JC and TC

1ST VII

What a remarkable season for the girls’ first team—National IAPS Finalists! Under the leadership of Captain Isla P and Vice-Captain Lauren, the team fostered an incredible atmosphere driven by their shared love for the game and collective support of each other. This season highlighted the power of a positive team environment in achieving success.

The girls immersed themselves in training, improving and learning valuable lessons from every match. In defence, Hope in goal was supported confidently by Lauren and Cecilia, who proved to be a formidable force. The midfield of Rose J, Willa, Poppy, and Isabel skilfully built the play forward, while Isla P dominated the forward line, earning her title as the team’s top goal scorer. Contributions from Violet, Eve, and Petra further helped the team’s success, each making their mark when called upon.

The regional rounds took place at St Edward’s, Oxford. Winning two and drawing two games placed them second in the group and through to the cup; one win away from qualifying. With the results in, we drew top of group A, setting up a thrilling showdown against our local rivals, Cheltenham College. A tight game saw a 1-1 score at the end of full-time, and it all came down to a golden goal – the first team to score, wins! A fantastic play out the back saw Poppy pick up the ball, drive into the D and send the ball bottom right to secure the win in the quarter finals and qualification to Nationals!

Next up, the girls took to Stamford College for the National Finals. A tough first game against Millfield set the standard for the day. The girls didn’t let this get them down, building strength through the group stages, and finishing on 4 points from a win and draw. This placed them 4th in the group and through to the Plate Competition. A very evenly matched game saw a 1-1 draw at full time with a golden goal for the decider. They battled hard and but couldn’t quite get there. In the end, the Beaudesert U13 team finished 16th in the country.

A season to remember, a season to celebrate, and a season to be proud of!

Girls’ Hockey

2ND VII

This has been a most enjoyable term of hockey with a talented and enthusiastic group. Results have been mixed, but the willingness to give their best for the team, remain competitive and to ensure the opposition work extremely hard has been wonderful to see. Our overall play has come on in leaps and bounds, and the girls learned the art of moving the ball quickly, supporting the ball carrier, looking to find our attacking players in the D. Defensively, they have been practising working hard as a unit, closing down the opponents and denying space where possible. Our training sessions have been competitive and we have enjoyed playing with the 1st team.

Highlights of the term include our victory over Cheltenham Prep. The girls battled all the way for a well-deserved hard fought win. This was testament to the efforts that the girls have shown this term, reversing an early 3-0 defeat to a victory. The Severnside Tournament at Dean Close was also a memorable afternoon, with the team just finishing outside top spot, following a narrow loss to Tockington. This was a great example of very good tournament play and finding a way to win in tight situations, which will stand them in good stead next year and beyond. My thanks to all and very well done. DR

3RD VII

It was an enjoyable season for the 3rd team, with a number of highlights the girls can be very proud of. The depth of talent was clear to see, with no less than 18 players representing the team in matches at some point over the course of the term. The attitude and effort shown by everyone was simply excellent.

Individually, Isla D played very well in goal throughout the season with a number of strong performances, stopping shots and keeping clean sheets. In defence, both Maggie and Flora L were excellent in breaking up the opposition’s attacking play, driving the ball forward and linking with the midfield. Bonnie and Rosie H worked tirelessly as wingers, showing some great stick skills, and an understanding of their positional play in matches. Ellie and Tabitha S led from the front in midfield, with their efforts to win back the ball and their driving runs into the D. Flora M was instrumental in the team’s achievements over the course of the season by not only putting defenders under pressure, but also scoring some great goals.

So many players showed great improvements in their passing, shooting and interplay, and all the matches were extremely competitive. So often, the wins were not only from the skills shown, but also the team spirit shown by everyone in the squad. All those involved should be proud of their achievements, and I hope they have had an enjoyable season, thank you!

4TH VII

This season, the 4th girls’ hockey team had a busy schedule, playing nine matches and showcasing nearly 20 different players in the seven-a-side format. While the frequent lineup changes posed challenges for consistency, it did ensure that everyone had the opportunity to shine. Goalkeeper Cleo was a standout performer, delivering excellent displays, and sometimes doubling up for the 5ths as well.

Defensively, two of the Year 8s, Heidi B and Parker were pillars of strength at the back, providing stability and leadership outfield. Team highlights included impressive wins over St Hugh’s and RGS Worcester, demonstrating great determination and skill. However, the match of the season was a nail-biting 4-5 defeat against Cheltenham; a thrilling contest that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

Special thanks go to the supportive parents who cheered so loudly and positively from the sidelines. It was a great season and I hope that the girls continue to play hockey in the future.

SW

5TH VII

It has been an absolute pleasure to have the 5ths for hockey this term. I have been so impressed by the enthusiasm and work rate displayed by all members of the team. During the term, we have particularly worked on getting the ball away from congested areas and we have enjoyed many an exciting counter attack down the wings.

We have had some super matches, but one that really stood out to me was our match against

UNDER 11A

The Under 11A hockey team has had an outstanding season, filled with impressive performances and notable achievements. Their journey began with a trip to St Edward’s, Oxford, for the annual U11 Tournament. Despite facing tough opposition and challenging weather conditions, the girls displayed incredible determination, skill, and conviction in every game. Their hard work paid off as they were crowned the overall winners of the tournament and returned with well-earned medals.

The season continued with a fiercely contested match against Dean Close. The game was closely balanced throughout, with both teams demonstrating excellent play. The ball was passed from end to end, and the match could have gone either way. Unfortunately, the game ended 3-4 in favour of Dean Close, but the girls showed resilience and determination throughout.

Following that match, the team went on a remarkable winning streak, claiming victory

Clifton College, as we were playing against their U13C team. The girls fought to the bitter end and earned themselves a thoroughly deserved 2-0 win. They played with energy and determination, and most importantly as a team. It has been such fun cheering these girls on and I am very proud of every single player.

in the next five games with impressive performances. The toughest challenge came in the match against Clifton, a well-drilled and talented team. The speed and skill of Clifton made it difficult for our team to maintain possession, but despite the loss, the girls kept their heads high and continued to show their commitment.

The season concluded with a strong finish, as the team bounced back to win their next four matches. They secured second place in the Severnside Tournament and third place in the IAPS, showcasing their consistency and teamwork.

Their commitment in both training and matches has been outstanding and their dedication, spirit, and love of the game have made them a joy to coach. Well done to all the players for their hard work and fantastic achievements!

UNDER 11B

The girls’ Under 11B have been great fun to coach this term. They are all enthusiastic about their hockey and have made great strides in improving their individual skills as well as gameplay. They managed to win 9 of their games, only losing to teams with A-team players. A total of 35 goals were scored in normal fixtures, at an average of 3 goals a game, which shows how confident and effective they were.

Notable scalps along the way were against Dean Close, Clifton and two against Cheltenham. Amelie R and Evie T were both top goal scorers, with 13 each. Their unselfish link up play and positional interchange was wonderful to see, and they had a keen eye for the corners of the goal. Honor G had boundless energy playing on the left, and also contributed with important goals in

UNDER 11C

The Under 11C team has had an excellent season, with just one loss against some really tough opposition. Throughout, they have demonstrated incredible resilience, consistently playing impressive hockey even under pressure. Their passing accuracy and offensive tactics have steadily improved throughout the season, leading to some brilliant goals and strategic play. One unforgettable moment was when Maia scored her first of many goals, a moment that captured the team’s growing confidence and camaraderie.

More standout moments came during their away match at The Richard Pate School, where

games against Clifton and Cheltenham. Betsan was the most improved player at right midfield, with all opposition teams unable to cope with her strong running, keen skills and bullet crosses into the D. Chloe P was Miss Reliable in defence, and was also very quick to get our play and attacks moving from sixteens. Her ability was noted and she had the opportunity to play up with the As during the season. Iris B was aggressive in the tackle and fantastic at one on one marking when required against Cheltenham. Kaia made some excellent saves at important times, especially against Clifton at the death to ensure the victory.

Several others played for the Bs, but special mentions must go to Tabitha G and Ottilie B who both played well when given the opportunity. The highlight of the season was the Severnside

tournament at Cheltenham, where the girls played their best hockey, sweeping aside all opposition in the group stages and semi-final, and scoring 14 goals in four 10-minute games. Sadly, they came up short in a frantic final against Berkhampstead School (who they had beaten 2-0 earlier). The girls had all the early pressure, hitting the post and having five good chances saved by an inspired goalkeeping performance. As is often the way, Berkhampstead then scored from their one opportunity. This did not upset the girls too much and they still had a great time. I look forward to seeing how their hockey progresses as they move up the school. Thank you to all the parents for their support throughout the season.

Beaudesert triumphed with an incredible 9-4 victory, showcasing their dominance despite the freezing weather. Ottilie B was able to score a hat-trick, and was given the opportunity to play for the B team. Tabitha G provided great support as centre half, and communicated brilliantly with the wings and rest of the team. Our winning streak would not have been possible without the resilience of our defenders and goalkeeper. It has truly been an impressive season, and the girls should be really proud of the effort and enthusiasm they have put in.

UNDER 10A

It’s been a great term of hockey for the Under 10A team, they have shown hard work, resilience, dedication and, most importantly, enjoyment for the sport. This term, the Year 5 girls have enjoyed learning lots of new skills and tactics. They have worked hard as a team both in training and matches. In matches they have done a great job to make use of the space and have been able to chain wonderful passes and movements together as a team. They have had a successful season with lots of victories and were runners up at the Severnside Tournament, missing out on 1st place by one goal difference. The Under 10A team have been a joy to coach this term, I look forward to seeing them play again next year.

A special mention must go to Nellie who rightfully deserves her Player of the Year award, and Saskia, who won Most Improved Player. Her stick skills went from strength to strength each week. Well done to all girls for a great term of hockey!

UNDER

The Under 10B team had a brilliant season, winning all but one of their matches. They worked hard in training developing their stick skills, game awareness and confidence. It has been great to see them apply these in matches. Some highlights of the season were our first match against Cheltenham where the girls used the wide pitch, nicely passing effectively out to the wings, who set up some great goals. Another was the match against Wycliffe after a few changes to the team, with players moving from the Cs and others to the As. The girls worked excellently together, scoring nine goals. Annie G scored first on her debut to the Bs, and Sabrina scored 4 of them in the second half.

The girls were able to swap positions in matches, which will help develop their game. Matilda S and Isla F were solid defensively, using some well-timed tackles to send the ball up the pitch with strong passes. Amaya, Ella, Sabrina and Lana were always determined and made great progress, especially with their control and passing. Annie G was focussed on scoring goals and scored in most matches. Well done to all the girls for a brilliant season and keep up the hard work next year. TP

10B UNDER 10C

The Under 10C team had a good season, gaining lots of experience, and really improving their skills and match play. We had a mixture of results, but when we won, we won in style: 11-0 against Dean Close and 7-0 against both St Margaret’s and St Hugh’s to name a few.

The team were able to adapt to different positions well, showing good versatility, and everyone got to have a go in goal at some point to see if we had any budding goalies in our midst. Annie G was amazing up front in centre forward, taking goal opportunities whenever she got the chance, and was soon commandeered by the B side along with Lana, who was a fantastic midfield player for us. Juniper and Caroline, although both very useful on the wing, were invaluable in defence, reading the ball well and clearing it away from goal. Likewise, Meredith, who was new to hockey this year, has proven herself a natural in defence and also worked well in midfield. Summer probably had the most time in goal, saving some fantastic shots on target; Annabelle S also did well in goal but, once on the pitch, was a whippet, running up the wing and into tackle. She was a positive force, along with Whitney and Marina who were the stalwarts of the attacking line-up. Well done girls, a great season and a lovely team to work with.

UNDER 9s

The girls were full of enthusiasm as we started the hockey season. They have worked very hard in every lesson, and it has been a pleasure to watch them put the skills they have practised into their match play.

The Tigers team has had an impressive unbeaten season. At the Severnside Tournament they really showed their true strength of character. They won all their four back-to-back matches. They were very excited to bring the trophy back to school and present it to Mr Searson! Mati E ran herself ragged in every match, using her great stick skills to score goals and defend. Arabella D, Vali and Amelie K have also worked very well together, helping score many goals. They have had a strong defence with Ottillie S, Axelle and Nina ready to bring the ball back up the pitch.

The Lions and Panthers teams have also had a great season of hockey, enjoying playing other schools with a mixture of wins, draws and losses. We focused this year on our accuracy and positioning. Both teams played with great enthusiasm and commitment, training hard and growing in confidence as their skill levels rose.

All three teams should be proud of the efforts they have put into the hockey season. We have been extremely impressed with them, and look forward to seeing them develop and transfer their skills in the seasons to come.

Thank you to all the parents that have supported the above teams throughout the term.

1ST

XI

Three wins, a draw and a loss; 13 goals scored across 5 games... Those are stats Unai Emery would be proud of and suggest a season of great success. But they don’t tell even half the story.

This was a young team, a team more than half filled with Year 7 boys, just learning their trade in First Team football. Several players spent the season playing in unfamiliar positions and yet all rose to the occasion brilliantly. Next year should be a good one!

The season began with disappointment. The cancellation of the Winterfold 6-a-side tournament was put down to bad weather, but it felt like a decision made out of fear at the prospect of Beaudesert’s participation. Putting that denial of silverware behind us, we set our sights on a pair of tricky home fixtures against The Downs and then RGS Worcester.

With Reuben ever-dependable between the sticks and with a strong back four of Ethan, Sam G, Otis and Titus in place, there was a solid foundation to build on. The midfield quintet of Barnaby, Xander, Harry G, Archie T and Albie F was enough to strike fear into any opposition, and with the likes of George K, Bluey, Algy DS and Alfie G all stepping up when needed, the potential for a successful season was clear to see. An exciting 3-2 win was followed by a more emphatic 5-3 victory, but there was still work to do. An exceptionally strong Pinewood team drove that point home (five times) and the season we had been hoping for threatened to slip away. Then came the real highlight of the season.

The first team we look for as the fixtures are made available is QEH. A result against them is the sign of a strong season. A battling 1-1 draw, which could have easily been a win on another day, showed the fighting spirit of this team and set the team up beautifully for the season finale against Wycliffe.

Changes were made, with Rollo and Harry W coming in to make well-deserved first appearances. They, along with the rest of the team, blew the opposition away. Four wonderful goals, including the goal of the season from Ethan, saw Beaudesert finish the campaign with a 4-1 win and the fans head home happy.

Well done to all, and I look forward to building on this success next year.

TC

Football

2ND XI

This season for the 2nd XI has been one to remember, filled with determination, growth, and ultimately, a fantastic finish. It’s fair to say we’ve faced our share of challenges, with moments where things didn’t quite go to plan, but the team spirit never faltered, and each player gave their best.

Our final match against Wycliffe was the highlight of the season. Everything we had worked on throughout the year finally clicked beautifully into place. It was a joy to watch the players express themselves on the pitch, showcasing skill, teamwork, and resilience in equal measure. It was also great to see the sportsmanship when players helped out Wycliffe to make up numbers, where they tried their

3RD XI

This season has been a hugely enjoyable one for the 3rd team, made up of a lively and enthusiastic group of Years 7 and 8 boys. Throughout the term, the team approached every match with great determination, teamwork, and a positive spirit.

Regardless of the results, the boys consistently displayed excellent sportsmanship, encouraging one another and playing for

absolute hardest. So much so, that a couple of screamers were scored against Beaudesert, by Beaudesert!

Special recognition goes to Harry W, whose heroics in goal saved us time and again. At the back, Rollo and Frederick B formed a formidable partnership, consistently keeping opposition attackers at bay. Meanwhile, Arthur G brought energy to midfield, always keeping the momentum going with his tireless effort.

Every player deserves a pat on the back for their commitment and positivity. A great foundation for the Year 7s for next year and a final hurrah for the Year 8s. Well done, all.

the sheer love of the game. Each fixture was contested with energy and enthusiasm, often leading to closely fought encounters that tested both skill and resilience, and it was great to see their confidence and ability grow with each match.

I look forward to seeing many of these players continue their footballing journey next year.

4TH XI

The boys enjoyed their football this term, and our training sessions had a relaxed feel to them. With some encouragement, the boys moved away from just shooting at goal to developing their passing and movement with the ball. The boys also learnt that controlling the ball can be useful at times, but that this was harder than it looked on TV.

Matches were played in good spirits with some close games against The Downs, Malvern, Hatherop Castle and Pinewood. These last matches against Pinewood were competitive and the highlight of the season, with Beaudesert playing their 4ths (losing narrowly) and 5ths (winning narrowly).

Memorable moments include some great saves by Izzy in goal, the bone-crunching tackles of Jack in defence, Asher’s wonderful ability to fall to the ground on a regular basis, Jake and Henry J’s physicality with the clearance (get rid of it!), Hugo MH’s Beckham-esque passing, and Milo ‘Erling’ J’s goals. Well done to all who played and to those that supported.

UNDER 11B

The Under 11B football team played with fantastic energy and commitment, showing great teamwork throughout the season. Archie F and Teddy J provided a strong foundation, while Sandy’s direct running down the right wing added attacking threat.

Fine wins against Pinewood, Tockington, and Berkhampstead were highlights. William B and Wilfred M showed vital versatility in goal and outfield, while Isaac was a rock at the back. Barney T, Fonz, and Joey made valuable contributions when called upon. This team progressed throughout the season and their hard work in training paid off.

A season of hard work, resilience, and great team spirit – well done to all players!

UNDER 11C

This was a stop-start season where some weeks the boys were playing hockey matches and then going back to football, which prevented our boys from getting into a flow. It was great that a few wins were recorded, but at times the boys struggled when playing other schools’ B teams and were severely tested in these situations. It is a good learning curve for them to show how they could ‘up’ their game in the coming seasons.

Albie H, William W and Bertie W had lots to do during each match, growing into the defensive

UNDER 11A

The Under 11A football team had a strong season, making considerable progress throughout the term.

The group made a very promising start at the Winterfold Football Tournament, where they won the Plate. The day featured some outstanding individual performances from William M in goal and Harry JD, who scored the winning goal in the final. However, it was the semi-final and final that stood out as two of the team’s best performances of the year. Every player contributed, and the victory was thoroughly deserved.

Another highlight was a hard-fought win against QEH. A quickly taken corner by Alby W caught the defence off guard and was calmly finished by Rufus T, securing a narrow but well-earned 1–0 victory.

Despite these successes, it’s fair to say that some results didn’t always reflect the quality of football the team played. This was particularly true in the match against Tockington, where the team

role and making positive impacts when being tested by the opposition’s attacking play. Their tackling became harder, and they often forced mistakes when pressing players hard.

Arthur IL, Lorcan I and Edward C worked tirelessly in the midfield role, always charging around the pitch and helping the three at the back when play was in our half. Their passing became slicker and provided striker Bertie G the opportunity to net a few goals over the course of the season, which he took well.

dominated the first half and played brilliantly, but couldn’t break the deadlock. Just before halftime, they conceded against the run of play and never quite recovered. Although the result was disappointing, it offered a valuable lesson in the importance of taking your chances, and showing resilience and perseverance when things don’t go your way.

Individually, Dougie and William M have worked tirelessly all term, showing a great attitude and a real desire to improve. Fonz, Henry F, and Monty D have impressed in defence, each making noticeable progress as the season went on. In midfield, Harry JD, Rufus T, and Alby W have displayed great skill and creativity, regularly linking up with Rory I up front, whose clinical finishing has been a key asset.

Overall, the boys should be proud of the progress they’ve made. Their passion and love for football have been clear throughout the season, and this positive attitude will serve them well as they move into senior football next year.

My Player of the Season has to be Sam M, who was a brave shot stopper and kept us in the game many a time. He was nimble on the goal line and not afraid to dive around saving shots from all angles.

Each member of this squad contributed in all games and practice sessions, and I was pleased with how they wanted to improve their overall play and game management. They got stuck in and didn’t complain when things got tough. Well done.

UNDER 10A

This has been an enjoyable term of football with a talented and committed group. The boys have shown a wonderful attitude throughout, contributing excellently in all aspects of our practice sessions and then showcasing these skills in our competitive round of school fixtures.

Bar a poor 10 minutes against Pinewood in the return fixture, the team have done themselves proud, maintaining spirits when results were going against us, encouraging each other and trying to play in the right way; passing and moving, always looking to create that next opportunity. Training with the formidable and very successful B team squad was fantastic for the boys, allowing them to work together and gauge their progress, whilst maintaining healthy competition for those coveted A team places.

With our school fixtures coming thick and fast, it has been great for me to be able to give a number of boys the chance of representing the School at A team level. We have come across some accomplished players and teams this term, and these experiences will, I hope, stand them in very good stead going forwards in their football journeys. This is a group of footballers who love the game and I look forward to seeing this continue as they move through the School. My thanks, and very well done all. DR

UNDER 10B

Beaudesert Under 10Bs had a super start to the football season, with two wins in the first two games, away at Berkhampstead and home to QEH. Ten goals scored and only one conceded gave high hopes for the season, with Henry L in fine form up front and Gus excellent in goal.

The next match was a tough fixture away at Pinewood. However, Beaudesert were cruising 2-1 until the end of the match, when they pressed forward and unfortunately left gaps at the back allowing Pinewood 2 goals in 2 minutes and no time to react – a disappointing 2-3 loss.

Beaudesert learned lessons and had three resounding victories on the road against Tockington Manor, St Hugh’s and Hatherop Castle, scoring 24 goals and only conceding one. Max T netted several, along with fine goals from George T and Arthur A, whilst Archie BS and Fergus defended superbly.

A home loss to a strong Pinewood team followed, but then two more victories home to Cheltenham and away at Ashley Manor Prep meant the season was finished on a high, with great play from Atticus M and Hunter.

UNDER 10C

This was an eager and enthusiastic group of boys that took to the field in the cold, dark days of January. On a regular basis, six of them played a prep school version of total football, or so at times it seemed, with all hands on deck from first to last whistle, depending on the rub of the green.

Up front, William AS scored with ease and abundance, supported in his attacks by a steely Simon. Hugo S was often there for the set-up, and a slinky footed Alasdair W similarly provided bags of assists. Holding the fort at the back, Aarash, Milo P and Joshua B rotated between goal mouth and actually wearing the gloves, holding off opposition forays while the rest of the our team ran pellmell back to help out. It was a good season with plenty of wins, a plethora of goals and, of course, some proper agriculture football of which C teams are made.

UNDER 9s

If we were allowed to charge to watch the U9s this season, we could have made a fortune. Every match had bundles of goals, dazzling skill and determination – are you not entertained?!

The teams played fantastic games against Cheltenham, Wycliffe and St Hugh’s in both blazing (slightly unseasonal) January sunshine, and cold, wet afternoons. The boys were speedy on their feet and quick with their reflexes, using the skills they had learned in training to adapt to their opposition. They finished the season on a high note, with a terrific showing at the St Hugh’s football festival, especially for the Cobra team who finished on a 4-1 victory. They all did the School proud.

Girls’ football continues to thrive, building on last year’s momentum. This season marked a significant step forward, with every girl from Year 3 to Year 8 taking part in a competitive match, showcasing their enthusiasm and growing talent.

One of the standout moments was our firstever block fixture against Pinewood in the Autumn Term, a milestone that highlighted the

Girls’ Football

girls’ motivation to play and competitive spirit. Additionally, football festivals for the U11s, U9s, and U8s provided fantastic opportunities for match experience. The football activity on Tuesdays remains as lively as ever, buzzing with budding footballers eager to refine their technique and build their game play. Meanwhile, Football Fridays have become a much-anticipated part of the games programme for the Years 3

and 4 girls, offering them fun sessions to develop their skills and knowledge.

The journey of girls’ football continues to gain momentum, and with such passion and dedication on display, we eagerly look forward to even more exciting moments next year!

1ST VII

The 1st VII team had a strong start to the term, with Severnside and IAPS matches in the opening weeks. The girls put in tremendous effort during training, which was evident in their solid performances at both events. It was incredibly rewarding to watch them hold their own on the court against some tough opponents. There were fantastic intercepts from all players, great attacking skills, and their shooting that was truly on fire!

In the second half of the term, we focused on fine-tuning our movement and drives onto the ball, improving our ability to hold space, and working seamlessly as a unit. Each week, the girls’ performances grew stronger and more confident. Coaching the senior girls’ netball team this term has been an absolute pleasure. They are a fantastic group of players who work exceptionally well together, and even when they are down, they never let it affect their effort or teamwork.

Each week, I recorded our Player of the Match (voted by the opposition) and our Players’ Player (voted by the team). This year, the most-voted Player of the Match was Isla P, and the most-voted Players’ Player was Eve. Well done, girls!

A special thank you goes to our netball Captain, Poppy, and Vice-Captain, Willa. Both have been outstanding leaders and role models, not just for the team but for the entire School.

2ND

VII

The 2nd VII have shown tremendous growth and development throughout the season, displaying maturity, skill and teamwork in every match. Winning 7 out of 11 games is a fantastic achievement, and a testament to the hard work and dedication the girls have put into both games lessons and competitive matches.

Throughout the season they have played some outstanding matches, particularly against Pinewood and The Downs School, where their determination and teamwork were evident. However, the highlight of the season was their performance against Clifton College. It was the best game of netball I have seen them play. Their movement, communication and execution on court was exceptional, demonstrating just how much progress they have made.

Netball

Their commitment in lessons has been commendable, and this hard work paid off in the IAPS competition, where they performed brilliantly and were rewarded with well-deserved medals for coming 3rd in the Plate competition.

Special mentions must go to Bridget and Petra, who have formed a formidable defensive duo, working seamlessly together to disrupt

opposition attacks and regain possession. Rose J has also been outstanding, showcasing excellent shooting accuracy and intelligent movement in the circle, making her a key player in the team’s attacking success.

Well done to all the girls on a fantastic season. GBW

3RD VII

The third team netball have played with incredible tenacity, and they have worked really hard in both training and matches which is clearly visible in how much the team has improved.

It was a tough start to the season, yet it was impressive how adaptable the girls were and how much they were willing to try. With wins coming largely in the latter stages of the season against The Downs and Hatherop Castle, it was great to see how they had progressed. In the final match against St Mary’s, Calne, it seemed that everything that they had been practising had paid off. Having worked together all term, they were able to work together as a unit and pass effectively down the court as if they knew where the next person would be. Their chemistry secured them an impressive 20-11 win, which was a great feeling, particularly considering it was the last match of netball at Beaudesert for many of the team.

Although the skills displayed by the 3rd team have been brilliant, what has been the most impressive is their attitude, always encouraging each other and never giving up even against some really tough opposition. It has been a fantastic season, and I wish the girls the best in their netball endeavours in the future.

4TH VII

What an exciting netball season we have had! A combination of both home and away fixtures brought with it a host of opportunities, challenges, and a diverse range of weather too.

One of my lasting memories from this term must be when the whole team showed immense resilience during their match at Pinewood. Midway through the first quarter, clouds engulfed the sky, swiftly followed by driving rain, and at one point even hail! Despite such challenges, I was so proud of the way in which all the girls rallied together and kept their heads up.

Another highlight this season was when we ventured to King Edward’s School for a thrilling triangular with Clifton College and KES. A late night at the disco the previous evening didn’t stop the fourths, as collectively they dug deep and came from behind, securing a nail-biting win in the closing minutes of the final quarter.

Most notably however, this season has been encapsulated by the way in which the fourths have gelled as a team. In mid-court, we have had the luxury of drawing on the combination

5TH VII

The 5th team squad had a really good season this year; they showed a lot of potential, winning 4 of their 5 matches convincingly which was excellent.

Our first match against St John’s was a good warm up for the season, the girls played well, winning by 13 goals to 4. Aurelia and Ottilie M struck up a good partnership in goal, with the very versatile Flora M occasionally stepping away from centre court and adding to our goal tally. In defence, Heidi B was very solid in the GK position, and got some good interceptions and rebounds. The centre court relationships grew stronger with the girls getting to know each other’s styles. Honor P controlled the play

of Thirza, Orla, Tabitha C, Viola and Tabitha S, which meant that opposition were regularly met with steely determination as they fought for possession.

In the shooting circle, Isla D has grown in confidence, while Tabitha B showed great flexibility not only playing at GA, but venturing to GD when the team needed her defensive skills.

Eloise has been steadfast as GK throughout the season; not only gaining numerous interceptions, but regularly picking up any stray balls and regaining possession. The defensive partnership between Eloise and Connie has continued to flourish.

There have been numerous highlights to this season but most impressive has been the way in which every member of the team has been increasingly open to explore new positions. This, in turn, has offered the squad greater flexibility when it comes to match play. Well done girls; I am so proud and can’t wait to see what next season has in store!

CM well from the centre, and Flora M, Iona and Cleo switched between the wings to get the ball up to our scoring D.

One of our best matches has to be the one against Pinewood. Outside, the other teams were battling torrential rain, but inside we ruled the court, winning by 12-4. The girls marked well, some excellent goals were shot by Aurelia, Flora M and Ottilie M, and the team worked brilliantly together. You could see how much they wanted to win. Our final match was against Cheltenham Ladies’ College and we finished in style, convincingly winning by 12 to 6. Well done, girls. JDS

UNDER 11A

The Under 11A team has had a busy and exciting season, playing 9 fixtures and competing in 2 tournaments, including their first ever IAPS netball competition.

They started strong, winning their first 4 matches back-to-back; a true testament to their adaptability as they followed England Netball’s 5-a-side rotation regulations. On 6th March, the girls travelled to Millfield School for the IAPS competition, where 2 wins and 1 loss secured them second place in their group, and a spot in the Cup competition. In the quarter-finals, they faced a strong King’s Hawford School and, despite a competitive and determined performance, were narrowly knocked out. The girls showed incredible resilience, pushing right to the final whistle.

To round off the season, they stepped up to 7-a-side matches in preparation for next year, finishing in a competitive match against The Richard Pate School in the sunshine.

Congratulations to this term’s prize winners, Amber and Immy R!

UNDER 11B

The Under 11B netball team have been a joy to coach this term. They were enthusiastic in both training and matches, making lots of progress with their core skills and fitness. They bonded well as a team and showed great determination in their match play. The first half of term was 5-a-side netball, and the team followed position rotations every quarter. The girls adapted quickly to new positions and enjoyed having a go in all areas. They produced some exciting wins and only a couple of losses against strong opposition.

After Half Term, they progressed on to 7-a-side netball, adapting quickly to the new

UNDER 11C

What a brilliant season it was for the Under 11C netball team! With just one defeat, the girls can be incredibly proud of their achievements. Their outstanding work rate, commitment, and determination without doubt contributed to their success. Each player listened carefully to my feedback, and approached training with enthusiasm, trying hard to then implement new skills and tactics in matches.

As the season progressed, it was lovely to witness the girls identifying their individual strengths and coming into their own in more set positions on the court. In each and every fixture, the girls showed a fierce hunger to win, and battled firmly against each opponent. Their teamwork, fantastic attitude, and growing sense of discipline and composure during matches really shone through by the end of the season.

Well done, girls! I look forward to seeing what you bring to the court next year.

KW

wing positions and changes of areas they were playing in. They quickly showed their strengths. Evie T, Chloe P and Tabitha G proved to be reliable shooters, scoring many goals and beginning to work more effectively together.

Ottilie B, Issy and Matilda S worked nicely in defence, making good improvements with their close marking and interceptions. Honor G, Iris and Lola L were very speedy around the court as centre or wings, making many flying interceptions, leading to fast breaks in attack. They won all their 7-a-side fixtures. Well done to all the team for a very enjoyable and successful season.

UNDER 10A

The Under 10A netball team has had an action-packed term, competing in nine matches, two tournaments, and a festival, resulting in a mix of results. However, before diving into competitive play, the girls had to adapt to the 5-a-side format, learning new positions and rotations that differ from their Under 9 experience. They embraced this challenge with enthusiasm, working diligently to refine both their attacking and defensive skills.

On the court, the team delivered some outstanding performances, securing impressive victories against Westonbirt, Dean Close, and Hatherop. A particular highlight was an exhilarating Saturday morning match against Pinewood, which ended in a thrilling 8-8 draw. While there were also some tough defeats, the girls showed remarkable determination, never giving up and always striving to minimize the opposition’s scoring opportunities.

As a team, all the players brought different strengths that contributed to their overall performance. Clemmie and Marni were invaluable team players, showing adaptability, determination, and a relentless work ethic in every match. Their willingness to step into any role and give their all made them a vital part of the squad’s success. Nellie and Saskia increased the speed of play, passing and moving quickly to keep the game flowing. Isla F had a knack for drawing players out before driving in to receive the ball, while also making crucial interceptions. Annbelle P remained calm under pressure when shooting, and Rose S showed excellent awareness, using support players around the D to create better shooting opportunities.

Overall, it has been a term of growth, resilience, and teamwork for the Under 10A squad. Their hard work and positive attitude have been commendable, setting a strong foundation for future success.

HB

UNDER 10B1

The Under 10B1 netball team has made steady and encouraging progress this term. The girls have embraced the opportunity to explore different positions and have developed their technical skills, particularly in passing and movement around the court. They have been an absolute pleasure to coach and have celebrated some impressive team successes—most notably finishing 2nd place at the Severnside Tournament at Clifton College.

Our standout performance of the season came in a superb 10–3 victory over The Downs, Wraxall - a particularly satisfying result that showed how far the team has come.

Throughout the term, the girls have demonstrated great versatility and teamwork. Matilda S, Cora, Ella, and Sabrina have combined effectively in attacking positions, while Meredith, Lana, and Heidi J have been consistently solid in defence and adaptable when asked to play in the centre.

With 7-a-side netball on the horizon, there is no doubt that several players from this team have the potential to make the step up to the A team in Year 6. I wish them all the very best in their future netball journeys.

UNDER 10B2

The Under 10B2 team have had a successful netball season, starting strongly with a brilliant win against Westonbirt. The improvement in their teamwork and overall netball skills has been immensely impressive, and they are well on their way to becoming a brilliant netball team.

As individuals, they have each brought invaluable traits and infectious team spirit. Even against tough competition like Clifton College and Pinewood, their positive can-do attitudes and determination never faltered, and have turned many a game to our advantage. During their time at the St Hugh’s Netball Festival, playing three back-to-back matches, the B2s could leave with their heads held high after one win and a draw.

Their natural ability to adapt to different netball positions, with some girls starting to shine in particular roles, shows great promise for the future. They will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with in upcoming seasons.

NG

UNDER 9s

The girls have enjoyed playing BEE netball this term. It has been a term filled with remarkable progression, watching all three teams advance in their skills and teamwork. Though we do not focus on results at this young age, it has been thrilling to see them playing against other schools with such confidence and enthusiasm. The camaraderie developed over match tea, making new friends and sharing experiences, has been truly heart-warming.

I am impressed by their focus and hard work, both in lessons and during matches. Their accuracy in shooting has consistently improved with each match, showcasing their dedication and practice. All three teams have had a bustling term, engaging in multiple matches, and the Storm team was especially delighted with their 3rd place finish at the Severnside Tournament.

As they prepare to transition to High 5 netball next year, they carry forward a robust set of netball skills. This foundation will surely serve them well in their future endeavours. I extend my gratitude to all the parents who have supported us throughout this term. Your encouragement and presence have been invaluable.

1ST VII

The 1st VII hockey team can reflect on an outstanding season filled with exceptional skill, teamwork, and numerous memorable moments. From fantastic goals to spirited teamwork, the players approached every match with determination, energy, and positivity, even when faced with challenging opposition.

The highlight of our season was the Malvern Hockey Festival, where the team delivered an outstanding performance. Remaining undefeated throughout, the squad showcased brilliant hockey, scoring some fantastic goals that were a delight to witness. Although the hockey gods were not with us in the final (narrowly losing on shuffles), it didn’t overshadow the excellence of our overall performance.

Special mentions must go to Harry W, whose impressive displays in goal provided confidence and stability throughout the season. Albie F proved formidable up front, most notably with his spectacular four-goal performance against The Downs. Barnaby deserves huge credit for his exceptional contribution during the Malvern College tournament, where he consistently excelled and helped drive the team forward. Great leadership from our Co-Captains Rollo and Frederick B provided the backbone for the team’s spirit and cohesion, guiding us superbly through highs and lows alike.

Congratulations to every member of the 1st VII for a fantastic season.

Boys’ Hockey

2ND VII

The boys have really enjoyed their hockey this term, making a huge amount of progress as the weeks went by. After having one training session, there was a baptism of fire playing in a Severnside Tournament at The Downs, Wraxall. The boys came up against 4 strong teams who had all been playing hockey since the start of the term. While we lost three and drew one, I was impressed that heads did not drop, and the boys showed real determination to keep going and a willingness to listen and adapt as the afternoon progressed.

Performances improved steadily with further losses, but goals began to be scored as skills and link-up play became more effective. Wins were finally recorded against The Downs, Malvern and Hatherop Castle, but the best game of the term came against Clifton College. On a perfect sunny morning for hockey, all the boys stepped up against strong competition in a fantastic advert for the sport. The team kept their shape well and linked up effectively, hitting Clifton on the break at regular intervals. Some great goals were scored by Beaudesert as well as some astonishing saves to keep the game close. It was testament to both sets of boys that they asked if they could keep playing when the match was finished.

Well done to all, they were great fun to coach. Thank you also to all parents who supported. RC

3RD VII

This season has been a hugely enjoyable one for the 3rd VII, made up of a lively and enthusiastic group of Years 7 and 8 boys, whose energy (and occasional creative interpretations of the rules!) made every match a pleasure to watch.

Over the course of seven fixtures, the boys experienced the full range of hockey emotions: two excellent wins, three hardfought draws, and two narrow defeats. Regardless of the scorecard, the team approached every match with great determination, excellent team spirit, and plenty of good humour.

Throughout the season, the boys showed real progress in their skills, decision-making and teamwork — and perhaps most importantly, they never forgot to enjoy themselves. Whether it was a perfectly timed tackle, a well-worked goal, or simply a committed sprint back in defence, everyone contributed to a thoroughly entertaining term of hockey.

It has been a real pleasure to coach such a positive and good-natured group, and I look forward to seeing many of them back on the pitch next season, hopefully still remembering which way they’re shooting! JB

4TH VII

The 4th boys’ hockey team enjoyed an excellent season, showing steady improvement throughout the term. Comprising mainly of Year 7 players who are still relatively new to hockey, the team developed well and embraced the sport with enthusiasm.

A particularly tough away fixture against Pinewood resulted in a 3-1 loss, but the boys delivered a determined performance. Hugo was outstanding in goal, making numerous brave saves to keep the team in the game.

Against Cheltenham College, the team worked hard but found it difficult to break down a strong opposition. The match against Clifton College was closely contested, with the boys creating several chances, though they ultimately lost 3-1. Their hard work paid off in a well-earned victory against The Downs, Malvern, where a solid defensive display secured the win. The season concluded with an exciting 2-2 draw against St Hugh’s, a match that demonstrated the team’s progress and fighting spirit.

This has been a promising season for the 4th boys’ hockey team. Their enthusiasm and commitment have been excellent, and with continued development, they have a bright future ahead. Well done to all the players for their efforts this term! ND

UNDER 11A 5TH VII

It was an action-packed and enjoyable season for the Under 11A team. As in previous years, the squad was a blend of experienced club players and those new to the game. The team’s success was built on their excellent attitude and effort, both in training and on match days. In a short time, they made great progress, developing their stick skills, tactical awareness, and positioning on the pitch. Their commitment paid off, with some memorable victories along the way against some strong opposition.

Individually, Barney T worked hard to improve as a goalkeeper, delivering some standout performances. In defence, Alby W and Will B were strong, consistently breaking up attacks and clearing danger. Rufus T and Joey commanded the midfield with energy and vision, linking play with the forward line. On the wings, Harry JD, William M, Henry F, and Dougie showed relentless effort, contributing in both attack and defence. Up front, striker Rory I impressed with his movement in the D and scored some important goals.

To have achieved so much in such a short season is a credit to the boys. They should all be very proud of what they have accomplished. Thank you for an enjoyable season. LR

Too often the focus in sport is on results. Not so in the Fifth team this year, where the focus was purely on endeavour and progress.

As we left the puddled pitches of the football season behind and headed for the water-logged astros of hockey, there was a general sense of unease around a team lacking in confidence and, for the most part, experience.

Chastening defeats by hockey powerhouses Clifton and Cheltenham left us licking our wounds. A battering by the elements and the opposition away at Pinewood showed there was a lot of work to do. At no point though did the boys allow their heads to drop.

With Jake, Max Sh. and Izzy lethally effective in defence, Lorcan A and Asher beginning to

UNDER 11B

The Under 11B hockey team approached the season with a real hunger to learn and improve, developing their skills and game awareness at an impressive rate. Their commitment and enthusiasm were evident in every match, and their progress was rewarded, with excellent wins against The Elms, St Hugh’s, and The Downs, Malvern.

Teddy J and Archie F were standout performers, playing with relentless energy and determination, driving the team forward in both attack and defence. At the back, Monty D was outstanding

find their scoring touch, Arthur B resolute in goal and the likes of Harrison, Edward T and Jarvis increasingly confident dribbling up the pitch, the team began to inch their way towards being competitive.

By the final fixtures of the season, at home to St Hugh’s and then away to Clifton College, we were ready to make a fight of things. Back to back draws, 2-2 and then 1-1, was a wonderful way to round off the season and was just reward for the boys’ unfailing positivity and hard work. Often in these reports I end by saying, “hockey was the winner” but on this occasion, despite not actually ever winning, we came out of the season all feeling like winners. Well done, lads!

in goal, providing a solid foundation with his brave and assured performances.

Key contributions from Isaac, Sandy, and Lorcan I added further strength to the side, helping to shape a well-rounded and competitive team. Their teamwork and willingness to improve were key to their success.

It has been a fantastic season, and the team should be proud of their efforts. Well done to all!

UNDER 11C

The Under 11C team had a fantastic start to the season with a 3-0 win away at Westonbirt. The boys showed a natural affinity for the game of hockey and have only gone from strength to strength. There has been notable progress, particularly defensively, which was evident against St Hugh’s where they kept a clean sheet and showed great commitment and enthusiasm from the back. Lorcan I at centre back and Monty D in goal were particularly good on that day.

The team has worked hard in training every week, and made progress with their skill level and technique with regards to pushing, slapping and hitting the ball. Through their weekly matches, they have had plenty of opportunities to showcase their development and increase their understanding of the sport. A huge well done to all the boys for their efforts. JC

UNDER 10A

It has been great to give the boys an introduction to hockey and I have been so impressed with the attitude of the group as they negotiate, for many, a new sport and all that entails. As we were lucky enough to have use of the astro facility at the RAU, we have worked hard on the basics of the game. This included short and longer range passing, small sided game play, fitness-based dribbling drills and shooting practice, with great results! The improvements have been plain to see, and whilst we had a tough start to our school fixtures at the very competitive tournament at Westonbirt, the boys played with wonderful enthusiasm throughout, relishing the opportunity to test themselves and to improve their game.

Results and our competitiveness quickly improved, as did a greater understanding of the game; trying to move the ball, and the opposition, quickly to change the angle of attack as well as maintaining discipline in defence. This is a group that has plenty of potential, and I look forward to seeing their progress as they move through the School. Well done, all.

UNDER 10B

DR Beaudesert Under 10Bs won 3 out of their 4 hockey matches this season, starting with a narrow 1-0 win against Westonbirt in a game of few chances. Wilbur, Arthur An. and Willam AS battled it out brilliantly upfield, whilst Fergus kept a clean sheet in goal superbly.

Dean Close St John’s away was another closely fought game, with the opposition showing more composure to edge it 4-3. Great play from Fred W and Rory D made it an entertaining game. The home game to Clifton College was a thriller which could have gone either way in a tight contest, with Beaudesert coming out on top in a 4-3 victory. Will G and Milo P played well.

The final game of the season ended up being a resounding 8-0 victory to Beaudesert in a one-sided contest, with Henry L scoring several goals, and Simon with a cool tap-in. Aarash and Archie BS made some last minute interceptions, whilst Atticus M and Joshua B controlled the midfield.

We have had another enjoyable and successful term of cross country with a group of enthusiastic and committed runners. The cross country activity was as popular as ever as we started our training sessions in September, with runs across the Common, group relays on the school grounds and tough, hilly routes through Box woods; brilliant! It was fantastic to have a group of runners happy to push themselves in this tough but very rewarding sport, and great to see their training efforts pay off with such positive performances after Christmas.

The competitive fixture at Pinewood was an excellent way to start the round of races. On this wet and demanding course against talented opposition, the team did themselves proud, with the Under 11 teams in particular taking to the fore. Packing well and running superbly as

Cross Country

a team, they gauged their efforts really well to make the podium; a great effort in such a high quality race. The senior teams ran determined races too, battling hard to the finish, and it was wonderful to see the whole team run with such determination and enjoyment (sort of!)

We lined up with a sense of excitement and just a little trepidation at the Nationals at Malvern, with full teams in the Under 11 races. It’s an amazing sight, as 250 of the best cross country runners in the country set off and sprint to get into the top 75 by the first corner. This was the first requirement, and they all pretty much managed it! Battling all the way to the finish, each doing themselves proud, was a fantastic way to end another memorable season of cross country running. DR

1ST XI

The 2025 season proved to be both successful and full of promise for Beaudesert Park’s 1st XI. With 9 wins from 13 fixtures, the team displayed a winning blend of experience and youthful energy, uniting Year 8 leadership with the raw talent of several standout Year 7s.

A major highlight of the season was the team’s superb run in the IAPS National Cricket Competition, where they battled their way to the quarter-finals. Their spirited showing against Millfield, one of the country’s most formidable cricketing schools, underlined the quality and determination that defined this campaign.

Throughout the season, the team showcased a well-rounded skillset. The bowling attack, spearheaded by the disciplined seam pairing of George K and Frederick B, was consistently backed up by the intelligent spin of Zachary, who caused problems for even the most accomplished batsmen. The bowlers combined control with attacking intent, regularly restricting opposition totals.

With the bat, Beaudesert proved equally formidable. Barnaby P led the scoring charts with 330 runs at an average of 47.1, including a fluent 72, against Llandaff, while Captain Ethan set the tone from the top of the order, amassing 288 runs at an average of 48 – a figure that speaks of his consistency and class. The middle order, including Sam G, Albie F, Rollo and Harry G also made crucial contributions at key moments, ensuring the team never relied on one or two individuals. Xander kept the energy levels high from behind the stumps and was a bit of an unsung hero here. Meanwhile, Harry W made some valuable contributions when called upon.

Beyond the numbers, this squad stood out for its sportsmanship, maturity, and camaraderie. The older players took genuine pride in supporting and guiding their younger teammates, creating a team culture built on respect, hard work, and fun. Their off-field conduct matched the excellence shown on it, and with a good crop of Year 7s having already made their mark, the future of Beaudesert cricket looks exceptionally bright.

It has been an absolute pleasure to coach this group of boys. I commend them for their efforts and attitude, and I wish them all continued success in their future cricketing journeys.

SH

Boys’ Cricket

2ND XI

This season the boys performed admirably! The weather was good to us, and so were the results, playing eight matches, winning four and losing four.

Each and every player contributed to the team’s success and cricket was always thoroughly enjoyed by all. The boys worked hard at their individual skills, be it with the bat, the ball or their athleticism and determination on the field.

I have really enjoyed spending time with the team this year, and I wish all the boys the best of luck with their cricket in the future.

JB

3RD XI

A winning season for what in the end turned out to be a stronger side than it seemed at the start of the season. All 3rd XI teams are a balance of artistry and the agricultural, and this one, peppered with a rash of differing talents, was no different.

Behind the stumps James B gave the team its well needed anchor, he grew into the role as the season unfolded, and as his confidence grew so our bowlers bowled with greater zeal. Max St. took a well-deserved hat trick, and that it was against Pinewood only added to its glory. He also knocked a fine fifty, as did Max Sh., and there were cameos with the bat from Archie T, Sebastian M, Wilf MH, all of whom proved reliable and plucky bowlers. Pip C and Hugo G, the team’s greatest cheerleader, both patrolled the boundary sharper than guard dogs, and provided solid bowling and batting. Bluey and Harrison equally deployed a range of all-round talents, at once deft with the bat and then throwing willow at the ball like ploughing farmers. Bluey was another to put a half century under his belt in an impressive knock at Hatherop. Arthur B poked and prodded, chased and hunted at every turn. All in all, it was an impressive season marked as much by its team spirit and camaraderie as anything else. BC

This was a tough season for this group of boys where results went against us on a number of occasions due to playing against some very good sides from other schools.

It was great to see players like Chips, Jake, Edward T and Jarvis taking some wickets during the matches, and I was impressed with how their bowling improved over the course of the season.

Hugo MH, Milo J and Henry J were our team’s all-rounders, effective with both bat and ball and always made some useful contributions during our competitive games.

Lorcan A and Jack shared wicket keeping duties throughout the season and developed their skills behind the stumps to great effect, stumping and catching out the opposition players on a number of occasions.

Thomas W and Izzy were enthusiastic in the field, demonstrating some excellent hand-eye coordination when taking catches as well as throwing at the stumps for run outs. Both were aggressive batters and could hit the ball powerfully towards the boundaries.

Although more victories were hard to achieve, it was great to see a win against St Hugh’s where everything went well, and a hard fought game against Dean Close resulted in a narrow loss but demonstrated some good progress with their cricketing skills and understanding of the game.

Importantly, the boys showed pleasing sporting development throughout the term which hopefully they can build upon next year, whether at Beaudesert or at their senior school.

UNDER 11A

An up and down kind of season began with some chastening defeats, first at home to Pinewood and then away to RGS Worcester. Despite these reverses, there were signs of promise. The group clearly included talented individuals. Sandy and Alby W showed they were capable of classy innings; Rufus T and Henry F kept the opposition openers pinned at their crease; William M kept wicket beautifully, and the likes of Harry JD and William B showed great all-round promise. It was just a question of getting it all to click at once.

That finally happened away at The Elms, and victory there was soon followed by another over St Hugh’s. A heavy defeat to Cheltenham was made a little sweeter by one of the best catches I’ve ever seen in prep school cricket. William M dived full-length to his right to take a one-handed catch behind the stumps.

Harry JD was Captain at the start of the season but others were soon given the chance to hone their leadership skills. Harry’s gutsy knock away at Dean Close just about preserved a draw for the team and his attacking innings set up the victory at home to QEH. Rory I was pivotal in that game too, and deserves special mention for

his resilience and steady improvement with the bat across the season.

Other notable contributors to the team were Arthur IL, who steadily improved; Monty D, who did a great job bowling at the death against The Elms; Albie H, who took some vital wickets; Dougie who only played once but took a couple of wickets; and Joey, who earned a call-up to the team late in the season but managed to make a mark in each game he played.

As I say, it was an up and down kind of season, going from moments of brilliance like William’s catch or seeing our batsmen crunch drives through the covers for four, to comical runouts and coming close to snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. There was never a dull moment and it made for a fun and exciting season. I was particularly pleased to note the bond in the team, and to see how the boys supported each other. They always played with a determination to win, but were also able to show a graciousness in moments of defeat. I couldn’t ask for much more.

UNDER 11B

The boys have enjoyed their cricket this season and been good fun to coach. They have all worked hard at their batting and bowling with an encouraging amount of progress made. Fielding is still a work in progress, and I would urge all of the boys to try and be more proactive in this area. Not only will this help them in turning matches in their favour, but it will also help them to become more interested in the game itself. Having said this, there have been moments of brilliance.

Dougie’s one handed catch behind the stumps at Pinewood, a number of fine catches by Wilfred Mac. against RGS Worcester and some sharp fielding in the covers by Monty D against QEH all come to mind.

Our matches have seen a steady improvement in performance. Our bowling certainly got straighter with time and there were some fine bowling spells by all the boys at various points. Special mention to Albie H for his 4 wickets against The Elms and he deserved his chance in the As. Archie F and Wilfred Mac. were the most consistent, but Teddy J, Barney T, Sam M and Edward C all took wickets at key moments. Isaac also demonstrated huge progress with his bowling given he had never played cricket before

this summer. Well done, Isaac. However, the star of the show had to be William W. It is rare for a bowler to be accompanied by a team chant when they bowl, but William has this honour. If you’ve witnessed the ‘Rock and Roll’ you will know you have seen something special.

Batting also improved, with the boys learning not to get out and pairs partnerships were forged. Fonz and Arthur IL showed some A team class putting bad balls away. Barney T and Bertie G calmly brought us home against Berkhampstead. Bertie W liked to play tip and run without calling, testing Mr C’s nerves, and Joey always batted confidently and was strong behind the stumps. He deserved his move up to the As. Finally, Wilfred Mac. and Sam M formed a very effective left-hand duo on a number of occasions. Our best batting was against Pinewood, where we avenged the earlier loss against Dean Close where no wickets were lost and the boys all scored freely in the summer sun.

Well done, all, and thank you to parents for their support on the boundary.

UNDER 10/11C

The Under 10/Under 11C team had a very short but thoroughly enjoyable cricket season with some great performances and some exciting matches.

Our opening match at home to RGS Worcester proved to be a damp squib of a game under a cold, grey sky. Beaudesert put on a good show while batting, with several fours from Fergus, Atticus M, Fonz and Isaac. Fielding was less successful and ultimately Beaudesert lost by 20 runs.

The next match away at Dean Close against a mixed gender team saw some good batting from Edward C and William W. However, the opposition managed to hit the ball more and racked up runs quickly for a relatively easy victory.

Pinewood away is always a daunting place, and it proved so in a difficult match. Our batters decided on a philosophy of hit and run, which Pinewood soon cottoned on to and Beaudesert

UNDER 10A

The Under 10A cricket team can look back on their season with great pride after a campaign marked by growth, teamwork, and some excellent results. With fine wins over Pinewood, Cheltenham, Dean Close, QEH, Berkhampstead and St Hugh’s, the boys consistently demonstrated both their potential and their progress. Remarkably, only one fixture was lost to the weather, allowing the team to enjoy a full and fruitful season.

At the heart of the team’s success were some standout performances with the bat. Will G and Max T both reached the landmark of a half-century in the season, often anchoring the batting line-up with confidence and flair. They were ably supported by Wilfred B, Fred W, and the ever-improving Rory D, who all contributed valuable runs and showed increasing maturity at the crease.

The bowling unit grew in consistency and discipline as the term went on. Arthur Sa. and Hunter were ever-reliable, offering control and pressure throughout, while Walter and Wilbur both made noticeable improvements in their all-round games during the season. Behind the stumps, George T took on the role of wicketkeeper with commitment and energy, always giving his best and playing a key part in the team’s success. He was ably supported by Gus T who fielded with full commitment and saved many boundaries.

The fielding as a whole developed significantly, with greater awareness, sharper reactions, and improved communication across the group. The St Edward’s Tournament after the Half Term break was an opportunity for the boys to learn lots and self-manage as neutral umpires were provided. Despite having some tough games, the team displayed their ever-growing tactical understanding and team spirit.

The boys played with real enthusiasm and camaraderie throughout the term, and with such a strong foundation laid this season, the future looks bright for this talented group of cricketers.

were easily run out several times, losing vital runs.

The final match of the season versus Rendcomb College saw good performances from Hugo S, Aarash and Milo P, Bertie G and Henry L.

All in all, the U10/11 boys had fun, sometimes in the sun and despite no victories, managed to end the season with their heads held high and having done their best.

U9 BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CRICKET

The Under 9 cricket season was a resounding success, with both boys and girls demonstrating impressive progress and a growing enthusiasm for the game. Each session offered opportunities to refine batting, bowling, and fielding techniques, while also deepening their understanding of match play and cricketing strategies. The teams (Gladiators, Dragons, Rockets and Sabres) all approached the fixtures with energy and commitment, showcasing excellent sportsmanship and teamwork.

Particular highlights came against Wycliffe and Dean Close where there were some impressive performances. It was especially pleasing to see the confidence and competence of each player grow as the term progressed. Their collective development was evident across all areas of the game, and this season has undoubtedly sparked a genuine love for cricket. We eagerly anticipate seeing this group flourish further next summer. JG

1ST XI

This has been a most enjoyable term of cricket with a super keen and talented group. Expertly led by Willough, who has inspired with bat and ball, and with her vocal encouragement in the field has guided, cajoled and encouraged the team throughout. The girls have worked so hard on their skills, and games lessons have been competitive, with nets sessions and middle practice with fielding drills all being carried out with gusto. It has been great to see the improvements being carried forward into our competitive round of school fixtures.

Starting the season in fine form with a closely fought victory over Pinewood was fantastic, and a real confidence booster. It was just what was required as we prepared for our first round IAPS match away at Llandaff, where a fine team performance with significant contributions from many saw us easily progress. Coming up against a strong Dumpton School team was just a step too far; we were competitive throughout, but their talented batting line-up just got them over the line. Not to be deterred and with fixtures coming thick and fast, we regrouped and the victories (and occasional defeats) kept coming.

It has been marvellous to see such impressive contributions from the whole squad. Undoubtedly reliant on Willough, particularly with the ball, the rest of the attack stepped up; Eve, Cecilia, Petra, Tabitha C and Clemency all bowled a number of impressive spells, bowling with great discipline and skill. Petra, with her hat trick against St Hugh’s, was a case in point, bowling fast, straight and full. Run scoring was never an issue; matchwinning scores came from a number of players, including 50 for Clemency and runs for the free-scoring Tabitha C, Rose J, Petra, Poppy, Eve and Isla P meant that our victories were more often than not real team efforts.

My thanks to the Year 8s for setting such a fine example to the talented Year 7s. Their attitude, inclusivity and team spirit has been a real credit to them. Well done, all.

DR

Girls’ Cricket

2ND XI

The girls’ 2nd cricket team enjoyed a fantastic and varied season, showing great adaptability across multiple formats, including incrediball pairs, hardball pairs, and a full T20 match.

The core group of Year 8 players (Violet, Tabitha B, Bonnie, and Ellie B) led with enthusiasm and maturity, fostering a fun, supportive, and nurturing team environment. Season highlights included a convincing win over The Downs, Wraxall and a superb final victory against Westonbirt, capping off the term on a high.

Isla D, Rosie H, Isabel, and Lyra all made key contributions by taking wickets, while Flora L enjoyed an excellent run of form with the bat. The team’s spirit, improvement, and adaptability were evident throughout. A special mention goes to Maggie, whose consistent bowling and confident batting earned her several well-deserved call-ups to the 1st team.

3RD XI

The girls’ 3rd XI had a great start to the season with two convincing wins. Flora M and Heidi B showed fine batting form against Wycliffe, scoring many fours. Connie E bowled accurately and everyone was extremely impressed with her one-handed catch. Against The Downs, the girls bowled well, Tabitha S and Imogen de H scored their first wickets of the season. Bridget was great in the field, taking two tricky catches. The batting was good all round, with Honor P hitting a six.

Next was St Hugh’s away on an extremely hot and sunny day. They lacked a little determination in the field, letting too many balls roll over the boundary. The batting was better, and they just lost out by 3 runs.

They had their only hardball match of the season against a strong Pinewood team. Beaudesert fielded first, with some excellent bowling from Amelie L and great fielding reactions from Connie E, Bridget, and our wicket keeper Hope. Having not batted hardball before, they found it very tricky, especially with the extremely fast bowling from some of the Pinewood girls. Pinewood won, but the girls should be proud of their fielding efforts.

The Year 7Bs played a successful match against RGS Worcester. Viola bowled 2 wickets, and Skylar made a great catch in deep field. They batted well against a strong fielding team for the win. The last match of the season was a home win against Westonbirt. There was some great bowling, especially from Amelie L and Viola. Imogen de H, Flora M, and Hope batted many boundaries, and the girls finished with a big run total, for the win. Well done, girls for an enjoyable season.

4TH XI

The 4th team girls have enjoyed an excellent season, marked by impressive performances and great team spirit. The campaign began with a couple of strong wins, showcasing the girls’ confidence and sportsmanship from the very start. A challenging run of fixtures tested their resilience, reaching a high point with a thrilling home match against Dean Close. A solid batting performance from the entire team gave Beaudesert a competitive total. With some well-timed wickets, the match built to a dramatic

UNDER 11A

The Under 11A cricket team had a really enjoyable season. From the very first match, the players approached every game with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. It was great to see their confidence grow as they developed key skills in batting, bowling, and fielding, while also strengthening their overall game awareness. This season was truly a team effort, with contributions coming from every member of the squad.

Bowling was particularly strong, with all players taking wickets. Martha M and Amber showed great pace and accuracy, and a knack of ‘making things happen’. While Issy, Betsan, and Evie T impressed with their consistent line and length, restricting runs at key moments.

In batting, every player stepped up at different times, either by protecting their wicket or by adding valuable runs. Chloe P displayed great timing in her shots, and Immy showed an ability to find the gaps in the field with careful

finale, with Dean Close needing just ten runs off the final over. After some tense and determined fielding, the game ended in a tie which was a fitting conclusion to a nail-biting encounter.

The season was rounded off with a wellearned win, giving the girls the opportunity to demonstrate the progress they had made and how well they had gelled as a team. It was a fantastic end to a memorable season.

placement of the ball, both then running smartly between the wickets.

The spirit and energy of the team were exemplified by Lola L and Honor G, whose determination lifted those around them. They showed such willingness to step up to the challenge to try and help the team win.

Many of our victories were shaped by crucial moments in the field; timely run outs and welltaken catches. Annalisa was superb behind the stumps as wicketkeeper, quickly learning the different skills needed in the important position, while Amelie R and Arabella M set the standard in the field with their sharp stops, accurate throws and back up!

It was a joy to see the whole team throw themselves into the season with such passion, relishing the challenge of hardball cricket. Well done to everyone involved. LR

UNDER 11B UNDER 10A

This season, the sun didn’t just light up the skies—it lit up the pitch. The Under 11B girls have embraced every moment of this cricketing journey, transforming the school fields into arenas of effort, learning, and spirited team play.

Fielding has seen the most noticeable progress. Gone are the days of hesitation; the girls are now backing each other up, alert and agile. Iris, with her lightning-fast reactions, often led the charge, stopping balls and cutting off runs with real determination. A big leap forward came as players began to ditch the instinct to stop the ball with their feet and instead got down confidently with their hands.

Bowling, too, has flourished. Accuracy and consistency began to pay off, particularly in the thrilling match against Wycliffe. Scarlett impressed all with two wickets in a single over, closely followed by Maia, who snagged two more across two overs. Io (fondly dubbed ‘Miss Dot Ball’) was typically unrelenting, adding another wicket to her name while keeping opposition batters tied down.

On the batting front, Kaia electrified the match against St John’s by dispatching four sixes, securing her place as the season’s standout batter. And in our clash with Dean Close, Margaret K made a vital impact on the scoreboard, contributing significantly to the team’s total.

Individually, every player has shown fantastic improvement. Tabitha G took ownership of her bowling run-up, working hard to blend speed with controlled delivery. Florence F focused on refining her release, aiming to keep a consistent line. Matilda B quietly absorbed feedback throughout the season and began weaving thoughtful tactics into her game play, showing an emerging cricketing intelligence.

Each girl has carved out her own path of progress, and together, they’ve grown into a cohesive, determined, and joyful team.

This has been a season rich in development, teamwork, and memorable moments—a true highlight of the Summer Term.

HB

UNDER 10B

This year’s cricket season seems to have passed in a flash. At the start, we focused on the core cricket skills of passing, catching, bowling and batting. We later explored catching higher balls and the importance of backing up when fielding.

One of my lasting memories from this term will be when we played against Berkhamstead. The whole team showed immense focus and determination, putting their progress in bowling and fielding into action. This, combined with some consistent batting, enabled the girls to secure a great win against their Under 10A team – proud is an understatement! We shall forever remember the look of joy on Matilda S’s face when she made that crucial catch.

Most notably however, this season has been encapsulated by the way in which the girls have gelled as a team. We have had the luxury of

drawing on the accuracy of Juniper, Amaya and Marina’s bowling, which meant that opposition were regularly met with quick balls. As always, Summer, Kaitlyn, Meredith and Caroline batted with determination, while Matilda S, Annie G, Sabrina and Annebelle S’s quick thinking out on the field made sure the priority was to aim for the wickets or get the ball back to the bowler.

The season culminated with our final match against The Richard Pate School and I have to say, it was wonderful to see all the progress the girls had made. They remained alert on the field, securing numerous stops and preventing the opposition’s ball hitting the boundary. As a result, the season ended with another win – well done, girls! Thank you, as always, to the parents for your amazing support and of course to Caroline’s dog, Ginny, who we adopted as our Under 10B mascot.

The Under 10A cricket team have had a fantastic season and have made excellent progress throughout the term. They started the season well at the St Edward’s 10s tournament. The girls stayed focused throughout the day and played some excellent cricket.

The girls have shown outstanding dedication, enthusiasm, and a true passion for the game. With consistent hard work, they have grown both as individual players and as a team, demonstrating remarkable improvement in their skills, teamwork, and confidence on the pitch. Out of the nine matches played this season, we proudly secured victory in six. These wins were the result of focused training, tactical play, and an unwavering team spirit. Every player contributed, whether through disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, or smart batting under pressure.

The three matches we lost were all incredibly close contests. The Cheltenham Prep match came down to just a handful of runs on the last over. Despite the disappointing outcome, the team remained positive.

As the season comes to a close, we celebrate not just the wins, but the progress made by every member of the team. Special mentions go to Rose S who has been a key player with her strong batting and bowling, and Cora who has impressed me with her excellent bowling and attitude to learning.

It has been very exciting to see them progress over the term, and I am sure they will go on to be as successful next year. It has been a pleasure to teach them, well done!

The Summer Term of 2025 brought with it glorious sunshine, providing the perfect backdrop for a season full of tennis at Beaudesert. Whether developing their skills during PE lessons, enjoying friendly games at break times and during boarding evenings, or participating in tennis coaching with our professional coaches, tennis remains a prominent and much-loved feature of school life.

Several children proudly represented Beaudesert Park in competitive fixtures this term. The Under 13 boys demonstrated impressive strength and depth in a home match against Hatherop Castle School early in the term. Our Under 13 and Under 11 girls’ teams also travelled to Dean Close School to take part in the Severnside Competition, while both the boys’ and girls’ Under 10 and Under 11 teams enjoyed away matches at Pinewood School.

Every child in Years 5 to 8 had the opportunity to compete in the House Tennis Championships, with qualifiers taking place in PE lessons, and knockout matches played later in the term. The level of tennis on display was superb, and it was heartening to see not only fantastic rallies and match play, but also excellent sportsmanship, even in defeat.

Evening coaching sessions continued in the warm summer light, with our external coaches once again providing valuable tuition and guidance to children keen to further their skills.

The highlight of the tennis calendar remains the much-anticipated Year 8 and Staff Tennis social in the last week of term. This year, the final was a closely fought and entertaining contest between Year 8 boys Barnaby P and Otis, and the staff and pupil pairing of the experienced Mr Figgis and talented tennis player Eve. Spectators were treated to a thrilling match, eventually settled by some sharp net play from Mr Figgis and composed baseline work from Eve, who held her nerve to clinch victory. It was a popular and welldeserved win, met with great applause from the crowd.

Tennis continues to thrive at Beaudesert Park, and this term has been a shining example of the enthusiasm, skill, and camaraderie the sport brings out in our children.

Tennis

Beaudesert Tennis Championships Results

Year 5 Girls:

Runner Up: S McCormick

Winner: R Shuttleworth

Year 5 Boys:

Runner Up: A Bower-Sallitt

Winner: M Tom

Year 6 Girls:

Runner Up: A McCartney Winner: A Tomlinson

Year 6 Boys:

Runner Up: W Mordaunt Winner: A Wall

Year 7 Girls:

Runner Up: I Thompson Winner: T Cade

Year 7 Boys:

Runner Up: A Forbes Winner: X Hamilton

Year 8 Girls:

Runner Up: W Kojima

Winner: P Charlesworth

Year 8 Boys:

Runner Up: H Wood

Winner: B Pettifer

Swimming

Competitive swimming remains a pillar of sport at Beaudesert Park, with gala events showcasing the strongest swimmers from Years 3 to 8. This year, the team travelled to Cheltenham College, Wycliffe, and Cheltenham Ladies’ College, and also hosted fixtures against Dean Close and Stroud High. All events offered fantastic opportunities for our swimmers to display their speed and strength. Due to popular demand, a swim squad session was reintroduced this year, successfully providing additional training for those eager to push themselves further.

We had another fantastic year at the IAPS swimming competition, with the Under 12 girls’ relay teams and several individual swimmers qualifying for the National Finals. Congratulations to Tabitha S and Bridget, who represented the School at the London Aquatics Centre in June. Tabitha qualified in the 50m backstroke, while Bridget competed in the 50m freestyle. An incredible performance from Bridget saw her advance to the finals, placing her among the top 10 in the country for her age group!

A huge thank you to our Year 8 swim Captains, Eve and Poppy, for their leadership and dedication to the squad this year.

Autumn Term

The Under 8 children kicked off their competitive sporting journey at Beaudesert with hockey and rugby fixtures against Cheltenham College, Clifton College and Pinewood.

The girls embraced the chance to showcase the hockey skills they had practised during their Games sessions, enjoying every moment on the pitch. The girls are already well-versed from their foundational knowledge in the Pre-Prep, but they have come on even further this year. Through gameplay, they have developed a good understanding of positions, rules, and basic tactics, displaying confidence and determination throughout. It has been a fantastic start, setting the stage for an exciting journey ahead.

The boys rose to the challenge too, playing with great spirit and flair. This group is bursting with talent and their enthusiasm was matched by their skill, with plenty of brilliant tries scored across the season. The boys demonstrated great teamwork, supporting each other on and off the pitch, and embodying the rugby values we emphasise—respect, discipline, and sportsmanship.

Year 3 Sport

Spring Term

Our Year 3 girls embraced both netball and football with enthusiasm. Their netball skills have continued to flourish with impressive progress throughout the season. Competitive fixtures against Pinewood, St Hugh’s, and Cheltenham College were definite highlights, providing valuable experience and plenty of excitement. Football Fridays brought an extra buzz, as the girls eagerly developed their skills and enjoyed playing matches. Their hard work culminated in their first competitive fixtures against Pinewood in March; a memorable afternoon in the sunshine, filled with smiles and plenty of goals.

The Year 3 boys made a fantastic start to their Beaudesert football careers. From the very first training sessions, it was clear that this group not only love their football, but also have a natural competitive streak, always eager to improve and give their best on the pitch. The season was filled with exciting fixtures, and the boys played with confidence and enjoyment. Their teamwork built and built throughout the term and we are really proud of their progress. This is just the beginning!

Summer Term

The Year 3 children approached cricket with great energy and a willingness to learn. They tackled new skills with enthusiasm and made excellent progress throughout, as seen during the May skills afternoon and in their matches after Half Term against Pinewood. It was heartening to observe their enjoyment and increasing understanding of the game. Children made strides in all areas, from confident batting to accurate bowling and alert fielding. Their passion for cricket is clear, and we look forward to building on these strong foundations next year, when they will begin playing in pairs matches.

JG & EH

Another successful term of athletics culminated at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham for the National Championships for four of our Year 8s. Isla P, Willa, Poppy and Lauren should be very proud of their achievements, qualifying for this high-quality and prestigious event is a moment to be proud of, and it was great to see them perform so well and with such enjoyment. Three 5th place finishes are great accomplishments.

Athletics at Beaudesert is in fine fettle, and it has been wonderful for us to have our regular training sessions at the games fields for all year groups, giving everyone the opportunity to hone their skills, techniques and fitness as we geared up for our Severnside meeting and, of course, Sports Day. The children have, as always, been truly committed to every event, working hard to gain those precious extra centimetres in the shot put and discus, perfecting starting techniques for the sprinting events, and lapping the track with aplomb as the 800m heats loomed large.

Performances across the board at the 40th Severnside meeting were a joy to behold; matching, and in many cases surpassing, expectations and competing vigorously in all age groups and disciplines. We more than held our own in what is always a super competitive event. This has been another hugely enjoyable athletics season. DR

Athletics

This year’s Sports Days brought down the curtain on a vibrant year of sport at Beaudesert, with each event celebrating not just athletic achievement, but also community spirit, sporting resilience, and fun.

The festivities began with the Pre-Prep Sports Day, which, due to soaring temperatures, was relocated to the lower banks. Far from dampening the experience, the change of setting made for a magical afternoon. With six fun-filled stations dotted around the resplendent grounds, families moved from one event to the next in a relaxed, festival like atmosphere. The children shone in every activity including sprinting, jumping, balancing and more, while parents and staff offered their cheers and support.

A week later, Years 3 and 4 took to the Playing Fields for their turn in the spotlight. Representing their Houses, children competed across a range of track and field events, with every point hard-earned and going towards the House totals. Certificates were awarded to selected boys and girls in each Form in

Sports Day

recognition of their achievement, effort, and sportsmanship. The results from the day added further excitement ahead of the final instalment… The Years 5 to 8 Sports Day.

The Years 5 to 8 Sports Day, held on Saturday, 28th June, began under an uncertain sky, with light drizzle accompanying the early events. However, true to the Beaudesert spirit, neither children nor staff were deterred. Adaptations were made where needed, and the competition carried on. Children took part in at least three events each, pushing themselves to try different disciplines, and supporting one another with infectious enthusiasm. The mixed relays at the end of the morning proved a highlight, with edge-of-your-seat battles between teams.

As always, the Winstones ice cream van kept the crowds happy, especially as the sun finally broke through. The day concluded with the traditional presentation in front of the Pavilion, where the Headmaster awarded the coveted House Athletics Trophy to the overall winners, Hazel House.

Sports Day 2025 Results

House Results

YEAR GROUP 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH

Years 3 and 4 Rowan Hazel Willow Maple

Years 5 to 8 Hazel Maple Rowan Willow

OVERALL Hazel Rowan Maple Willow

U14 Boys

100 O Rowland 13.47s

200 O Rowland 27.57s

800 M Shuttleworth 2m42s

Hurdles** E Thaiss

Long

High O Rowland 1.37m

Discus L McCormick 23.02m

Shot O Rowland 10.15m

Javelin L McCormick 18.05m

U14 Girls

100 I Phillips 13.75s

200 I Phillips 27.90s

800 L Biddle 3m10s

Hurdles** I Phillips

Long F McCulloch 3.49m

High L Biddle 1.40m*

Discus D Dickins 15.99m

Shot W Jones-Davies 7.70m

Javelin P Charlesworth 12.40m

U13 Boys

100 X Hamilton 14.03s

200 X Hamilton 29.55s

800 X Hamilton 2m58s

Hurdles** J Fox

Long A Forbes 4.05m

High X Hamilton 1.15m

Discus S Graham 18.88m

Shot S Graham 8.99m

Javelin J Fox 16.21m

U13 Girls

100 E Howard 15.07s

200 E Howard 30.98s

800 R Johnston 3m12s

Hurdles** B Doyle

Long I Thompson 3.76m

High E Howard & P Elliott 1.20m

Discus P Elliott 16.50m

Shot T Cade 8.53m

Javelin P Elliott 14.34m

Mixed Relays

U12 Boys

100 I Harvey 15.06s

200 D Settle 33.52s

800 D Settle 2m53s

Hurdles** M Dhillon

Long

High W Batey 1.15m

Discus A Fitzpatrick 14.81m

Shot W Mackenzie 6.07m

Javelin W Batey 14.58m

U12 Girls

100 A Box 15.11s

200 A Box 31.56s

800 A Box 3m02s

Hurdles** A Tomlinson

Long

High M Matheson 1.23m*

Discus A McCartney 12.60m

Shot I Robinson 5.40m

Javelin A McCartney 8.50m

U11 Boys

100 W Ansell-Shaw 15.42s

200 W Ansell-Shaw 32.61s

800 H Lidstone 3m02s

Hurdles** A Sackville

Long** G Trehearne

High A Sackville & W Graham 1.10m*

Discus R Dalrymple 19.60m

Shot M Tom 6.06m*

Vortex F Wall 27.25m

U11 Girls

100 S McCormick 15.59s

200 R Shuttleworth 34.27s

800 S McCormick 2m58s

Hurdles** A Gillespie

Long** E Vestey

High S McCormick 1.16m*

Discus I Fitzpatrick 13.30m

Shot C Wakefield 4.54m

Vortex I Fitzpatrick 24.64m

* denotes a new school record ** events adapted due to weather, no official times or measurements

U14 – Willow; O Rowland, I Phillips, R Awbery, T Bradley

U13 – Hazel; A Forbes, B Doyle, S Graham, R Shuttleworth

U12 – Rowan; W Batey, B Evans, H Jones-Davies, A Box

U11 – Rowan; A Sackville, E Vestey, W Ansell-Shaw, R Shuttleworth

Friends of Beaudesert FRIENDS

Staff List 2024–2025

HEADMASTER

Mr C D Searson BA (Hons), Warwick; QTS, Warwick

DEPUTY HEADMASTER

Mr N Morrell MA (Cantab),University of Cambridge, PGDip, ILM

HEAD OF PRE-PREP

Mrs A Packman BA (Hons), Manchester; PGCE, UCL

ASSISTANT HEAD, ACADEMIC

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

ASSISTANT HEAD, PASTORAL & DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD

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

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

Mrs E Barr BA (Hons), University of Wales, Aberystwyth; PGCE, Cambridge University Art (Maternity Cover)

Mr J Bird Dip Ed, University of Natal Head of Science; Year 7 Form Teacher

Mrs L Blackmun BA (Hons), Cardiff Metropolitan University; PGCE, University of Buckingham Year 4 Form Teacher

Mrs N Braune BSc (Hons), RAC Cirencester; Teaching Assistant, Year 3

Mrs H Burnford BA (Hons), Exeter; PGCE, Exeter; QTS Year 3 Form Teacher

Mr K Burns BA (Hons), McGill, Montreal Maths; Year 8 Form Teacher

Mr R Cleaver MA, University of Worcester; PGCE, University of Worcester Head of Maths

Mr B Clibborn BA (Hons), UCL; PGCE, Buckingham Head of Classics; Year 7 Form Teacher

Mrs A Conway BSc (Hons), University of Wisconsin Learning Support

Mr E Craig BA (Hons), Northumbria Head of Geography; Year 6 Form Teacher

Mrs C Crosbee BA (Hons), Middlesex Head of Drama, Speech & Drama; LAMDA; Dance

Mr T Curr BA, Butler University, USA; PGCE, University of Gloucestershire Head of History; Year 6 Form Teacher

Mr M Davies Design and Technology Technician

Mrs J Davies-Smith BA (Hons), Exeter; PGCE, Roehampton Maths; Geography

Mr N Dill BA, Wales; QTS, Gloucestershire Head of PE

Ms B Dismorr MA (Fine Art), UWE; PGCE, Buckingham Head of Art

Mr O Figgis BA, Leeds; PGCE, Roehampton MFL

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

Mr B Hainsworth BEd, University of Gloucestershire Year 4 Form Teacher

Mrs K Hale BEd, Bath Year 3 Form Teacher

Mrs V Harris BA (Hons), Durham University; PGCE, Durham University Year 4 Teaching Assistant

Mr I Haythornthwaite BSc, University of Central Lancashire; PGCE, Liverpool Hope University Maths; Year 5 Form Teacher

Miss E Hobbs BSc (Hons), Gloucestershire; PGCE, Buckingham Head of Girls’ Games; Assistant Head of PE; Head of Pre-Prep Sport; Year 7 Form Teacher

Miss L Hughes BA (Hons), Cardiff University; PGCE, University of Bristol; CELTA, Cambridge; Dip, ABRSM French; Spanish

Mrs D Jones BA (Hons), University of Bath; PGCE, Bath Spa University Houseparent; Year 3 Form Teacher

Mr O Jones BSc (Hons), Exeter Head of Boarding; Head of Enrichment; Head of Year 6

Miss C Maher BA (Hons), UWE; PGCE, UWE Year 3 Form Teacher

Miss P Mulliner BA (Hons), Oxford Brookes; PGCE, Kingston Head of Year 4; Year 4 Form Teacher; Academic Co-ordinator; English

Mrs R Nielsen BSc (Hons), Cardiff; PGCE, Exeter Head of Year 3; Year 3 Form Teacher

Miss L Pietroni MArch, Edinburgh University; PGCE, Durham University Year 4 Form Teacher (Maternity Cover)

Ms C Powell MA (Hons), University of Glasgow; PGCE, University of London; Level 4 Award in Perspectives on Dyslexia Learning Support

Mr D Robinson BA (Hons), Thames Valley Sport

Mrs R Saunders BMus (Hons), Cardiff University; PGCE, University of Wales Director of Music

Ms L Snow BA (Hons), UWE; PGCE, UWE

Art

Mrs P Stevens BSc, UWE; PGCE, Buckingham PE and Games

Mrs M Sujeewon Level 3 Dip, Cirencester College; ELSA Cert. Teaching Assistant, Year 4

Mr L Waters BSc Civil Engineering, Glamorgan; PGCE, Exeter Head of Design and Technology

Miss S Weaver Teaching Assistant, Year 3; Assistant Houseparent (Girls)

Mrs H Winchester BSc (Hons), Aston; Dip SpLD, Hornsby, TEFL; Special Teacher Assessor (OCN Level 7) Head of Learning Support; SENCo

Mr S Winchester BA (Hons), Trinity, Dublin, TEFL Senior Academic Co-ordinator; Maths; English; Head of Scholarship and Challenge; Year 8 Form Teacher

Miss K Winkworth BSc (Hons), Exeter; PGCE, Buckingham Head of Girls’ Pastoral Care; Science; Year 6 Form Teacher

PRE-PREP STAFF

Miss L Barnes BA (Hons), Oxford Brookes Reception Form Teacher

Miss S Barber Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education Teaching Assistant, Year 1

Mrs A Barnett BA (Hons), Edinburgh College of Art; PGCE, Plymouth Year 1 Form Teacher

Miss P Bett BA (Hons), Lancaster; PGCE, Chelt. & Glos. College Year 2 Form Teacher

Mrs K Danks NNEB, Norland Diploma Nursery Teaching Assistant

Mrs G Guan BSc, University of Bristol; MA, UCL Teaching Assistant, Year 2

Miss M Hatherall Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education Teaching Assistant, Reception

Mrs S Jackson NNEB Diploma Teaching Assistant, Year 2

Mrs E Limburn BA (Hons), Cardiff; QTS, London French

Mrs J Lore Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education Teaching Assistant, Nursery

Mrs S Loveridge BMus (Hons), University of Birmingham; PGCEi, Birmingham City University Music

Mrs G Naish BA (Hons), Surrey; PGCE, Exeter Year 2 Form Teacher

Mrs H Payne BEng (Hons), RNEC Manadon; MSc, RMCS Shrivenham Teaching Assistant, Year 1

Mrs H Pillinger BSc (Hons), University of Gloucestershire; PGCE, University of Gloucestershire; Level 4 Award in Perspectives on Dyslexia Learning Support

Mrs F Price NNEB, Clifton College Forest School Teacher; Nursery Teaching Assistant

Mrs H Searson BA (Hons), Exeter; PGCE, Bath Spa Deputy Head of Pre-Prep; Year 1 Form Teacher

Mrs S Shearer-Bird BA Early Years, Open University; NVQ, Level 3 Forest School Leader; Eco Co-ordinator

Mrs R Weinberger MA (Hons), St. Andrews; PGCE, London Nursery Teacher

Mrs E Whitworth BA (Hons), Oxford Brookes University; PGCE, Bath Spa Reception Form Teacher

Mrs H Wittig BA (Hons), Southampton; PGCE, Southampton Teaching Assistant, Reception

ADDITIONAL STAFF

Mrs H Bloodworth BA (Hons), Manchester Metropolitan University Sport

Mrs M Brownbill ARMCM Voice

Mrs C de Burgh BMus (Hons), Goldsmiths, University of London Oboe

Mr B Cipolla BA (Hons), University of Gloucester Guitar & Ukulele

Mrs W Clark ARAM; LRAM; GRSM (Hons) Violin & Viola

Mr M Coldrick AGSM Dip NCOS, Guildhall School of Music & Drama Drumkit

Mrs A Cubbin BA (Hons) Bath Spa Clarinet & Saxophone

Mrs S Frapwell Sport

Mr S Garley Fencing

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

Miss E Lang BA (Hons), University of Manchester Guitar, Ukulele and Bass Guitar

Mr M Maidment British Judo Association and BJC 5th DAN (Competition Grade) Judo

Mr P Mackenzie BA (Hons), Bath Spa; Postgrduate Conducting, RCM Piano

Mr B Mason BA; ARBS; HDFA Drumkit

Mrs L Pearce Coleman BA, Colchester Uni; PGCE, Bath Spa; LTCL, LTCL Mus Ed Voice

Mrs T Phelps BEd (Hons), London Sport

Mrs I Seth-Smith BA (Hons) ARCM Cello; Double Bass

Mr M Sharp BMus (Hons), Cardiff University Piano

Mrs H Shaw Cert Ed, York Piano

Mrs C Shilling BSc De Montfort, RCSLT Speech Language Therapist

Mrs E Toseland BA (Hons), University of Exeter; PGCE, Liverpool Hope University Piano

Miss C Tucker Mountainview Theatre School; LAMDA, London LAMDA

Mrs B Turner Music Degree, N Virginia College, USA Flute

Miss T Walton-Breeze Ballet

Mrs H Wilkins MA, Royal Northern College of Music Brass

Mrs J Wilson MA, University of East London; PGCE, University of Lancaster School Counsellor

MATRONS

Mrs A Owens Lead Matron

Mrs S Gardiner

Miss K Thomas

SCHOOL NURSES

Mrs D Davies RGN; RSCN; NNEB

Mrs E Powell BSc (Hons)

Registered Adult Nurse; SCPHN

SCHOOL COUNSELLOR

Ms J Wilson MA, University of East London; PGCE, University of Lancaster

MAINTENANCE/GROUNDS

Mr T Attwood

Mr J Chytry

Mr M Dannenberg

Mr K Gardiner

Mr L Gardiner

Mr R Niblett

TRANSPORT

Mr R Bryan

Mr M Davies

Ms K Ellis

Mr K Monkman

Mr M Newman

Mr M Rutter

Mr R Toon

ADMINISTRATION

Mrs E Allen

Mrs P Birch

School Office Administrator

School Secretary

Mrs M Bliss Finance Assistant

Mr W Eatwell IT Support Technician

Mrs J Grech BSocSc (Hons), Manchester; Headmaster’s PA; Registrar

Mr A Hale Estates Manager

Mr C Harvey IT Manager

Mrs W Jenkins HR Manager

Miss S Lodge BA (Hons), Cardiff; Head of Marketing and Communications

Mrs A Platt Domestic Manager

Mrs E Rixon School Secretary

Mrs F Shufflebotham Librarian

Ms C Thomas BA (Hons), Durham; MIS and Cover Manager

Mrs C Turner AAT Advanced Diploma, Level 3; Accounts Assistant

GOVERNORS

Mr S Jones

Retired Headmaster (Warden), St Edward’s Oxford Chair

Mr T Ahearne Parent; Managing Director

Mrs S Block Former Parent; Consultant

Mr C Casey Parent; Non-executive Director

Mr A Collins Second Master; Dauntsey’s School, Wiltshire

Mr S Elliott Parent; Corporate Financier

Mr P Evitt

Retired Headmaster; Highfield School, Hampshire

Lady Ford Former Head of Pre-Prep; Educational Consultant

Mrs K Holloway Former Parent; Business Owner

Mrs H I’Anson Parent; Solicitor

Mrs C Kay Former Parent; Solicitor

Mrs C Lough

Retired Head; St Christopher’s School, Hampstead

Mrs Z Lucas Parent; Business Owner

Mr J Massey Parent; Company Director

Mr J Nettleton Old Beaudesertian; Architect; Parent

Dr J Thompson Parent; Doctor

Mrs E Walker Former Parent; Counsellor

Beaudesert Park School

Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire GL6 9AF

Telephone: 01453 832072

Email: office@bps.school www.beaudesert.gloucs.sch.uk

@beaudesertparksch

Design, Artwork & Print by Qwertyop