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The
Beechwood Lion Michaelmas 2015
Classics and French trip to Provence – page 5
From The Headmaster Dear Parents, What a dynamic term this has been! It has been lovely to get to know your talented and wonderful children over the past twelve weeks and to gain a strong sense of our community in action….and what action we have seen! Whether it is in the classrooms, on the sports pitches, in the Music rooms or the Performance Hall, the Beechwood Park energy reverberates far and wide. Across a breath-taking diversity of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and outdoor activities, I have watched our children carefully honing their skills and deepening their understanding both of themselves and the world around them. I have seen great kindness and leadership from our Top formers, but also in children much, much younger. Beechwood Park, it seems to me, is not only firmly rooted in the here and now, but it also sets its sights firmly on the future. Yes, it prepares children for success in examinations into competitive senior schools at 11+ or 13+, but it has a longer-term vision, instilling in children a genuine love of learning and an appreciation of all that life itself can offer.
Woodlands Nursery Ten weeks ago, Beechwood Park School opened the glass front doors to its beautiful new Nursery School, which nestles at the edge of the woodlands. Not surprisingly it is called Woodlands Nursery and the very first cohort of 21 pupils is called our Woodlanders! Ten weeks on, the Woodlanders have bonded into a vibrant, happy and confident class of 2, 3 and 4 year olds who skip, with energy and enthusiasm, through those glass doors every day at 8.30am, along the corridor, through the Snug and into their bright, airy and stimulating classroom. Awaiting them in the classroom are six teachers, breakfast, creative opportunities and so much more. This first term has seen the children build a dinosaur den, learn to care for
This is why the many senior schools which I have visited over the past term comment on the Beechwood blueprint. They comment on young people who are emotionally intelligent, who have the humility and insight to observe and reflect, to be agile and indeed resilient in the face of challenge and change. One of the most impressive strengths of Beechwood Park that I have witnessed over the past term, is its resolutely child-centred focus. Beechwood Park leads the prep school world in its educational foresight, sometimes forensically reflecting on its educational practice in order to ensure that it prepares every child for the future. I am particularly indebted to Jaime Packer and the Heads of Departments for their everyday discussions as to how we might hone our practice in order to provide the very best educational preparation for your children. I am also very grateful to Helen Dalkin, Shirley Hayman and the Woodlands Nursery staff who have successfully provided our youngest pupils with the very best trampoline with which to cushion them as they fly the nest, before launching off into their future learning! Woodlands demonstrates daily best EYFS practice and we look forward to welcoming an additional ten children into Woodlands after Christmas.
It has been a privilege to sit with our pupils and staff at mealtimes and to hear their observations and insights, to see them go out bravely to battle the opposition on the ‘vasty’ playing fields of Beechwood, and at another to perform music or poetry with such artistry and sensitivity. I am hugely proud of the monumental amount that the staff and pupils have achieved together this term. I am equally so grateful for your support and commitment, particularly in support of the high quality BPSPA Quiz Night, Bonfire and Firework Night, the Christmas Fayre and the decoration of the entrance hall. Finally, to the Music Department, for whom the end of the Michaelmas term is always frenetic, thank you for some wonderful advent and Christmas carol services. It only rests for me to wish you all a very happy and restful Christmas with your friends and families. We look forward to seeing you in 2016! With best wishes, Yours,
worms in our wormery, play pretend chefs in our Mud Kitchen and in many cases learn to write their names. Every day, they paint, stick, pour, mix, connect, transport, draw, sing, exercise, dance, chat, share, learn to take turns, to listen and to increase stamina levels. On our ‘My Space’ notice board the Woodlanders choose their favourite pieces of work to display. On our brilliant interactive white board – the Woodlanders research the topics that interest and fascinate them - Pompiers and Camels, to name just two! Our Top form buddies, David and Freya, visit us twice a week and the Woodlanders love to see them, welcoming them with loud cries of, “our buddies are here…yay!” Now our energy is focused on devising and practising for our ‘nativity with a twist’ on 8th December when we are expecting an audience of nearly 80 people! Yikes!
What an amazing first term we have all been privileged to share. We look forward to 2016 with excitement and so many new ideas to make Woodlands the best nursery in the world!
EDWARD BALFOUR
SHIRLEY HAYMAN
Pupils from 5G chose books to read to the Woodlands children during a recent visit to the Nursery. We plan to go again next term as it was a lovely experience for all.
The newsletter of Beechwood Park School, Markyate, Hertfordshire AL3 8AW
LESLEY-ANNE GOODMAN
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