Outdoor and active

Prep School pupils have been enjoying the great outdoors. Students loved getting stuck in when they were digging a path for a new pebble stream in the playground during the spring term. However, adventures awaited outside of the school walls too, and Years 3 to 6 got to embark on some amazing trips this summer where they immersed themselves in nature and new experiences.

- Butterflies by Angel B - Squirrel by Emilie M

Marchants Hill was surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Devil’s Punchbowl, where Year 4 got to try a giant swing and a wooded sensory trail. Year 5 enjoyed enjoyed exhibits at Enginuity and the Museum of Iron before taking a short walk across the famous Ironbridge. A Victorian classroom experience, candle dipping, print making and tile making all featured in the visit too! Year 6 had an eventful week at the Isle of Wight taking part in canoeing, abseiling, trapeze, climbing, archery, challenge course and BBQ’s on the beach.

Parents attended the annual Pre-Prep and Nursery School parade in March to celebrate Easter. The children sang spring songs and marched around the field wearing their homemade hats. The highlight of the morning was a visit from the Easter bunny who posed for photos with the children in their classes around the field.

“I’m a real spring chicken and I’ m having a ball!...

PLANT SALE

The Pre-Prep school held a plant sale in May to help with their flower displays that were featured outside their classrooms. The pretty flowers were red, white and blue in honour of the Platinum Jubilee.

FOREST SCHOOL

It has been a joy for the children of Claremont to experience the changing seasons of Forest school, from growing enormous pumpkins and gigantic sunflowers in the garden, to lighting fires and learning skills in the woods. The children love Forest school and always listen carefully and try their best. This year we have started to really embed learning by exploring the topic of climate change, learning about sustainability and how we can think about nature and the planet. It has been a year of fun and adventures with many more to come...

-Art work by Casper U -Music notes drawn by Emilie M

SPORTS

OVERVIEW

It has been fantastic to see sport resume this year, with no restrictions in place. Pupils have thoroughly enjoyed making up for lost time and have immersed themselves in weekly fixtures, tournaments and many special occasions, including house matches and sports trips. 2nd place at Under 10’s Danes Hill Cross Country event

Under 10’s coming 3rd in their pool at Hinchly Wood football tournament

A very enthusiastic, group of Years 5 and 6 students were fortunate enough to watch London Irish play rugby at their ground in Brentford. The match had pretty much everything, 9 tries, a yellow card, a red card and a fantastic win for London Irish. Everyone enjoyed themselves and they had perfect seats at the front. At the end of the match, some Irish players, including Sean O’Brien and Augustin Creevy applauded them, which was a wonderful way to end the afternoon.

Years 5 and 6 girls see Surrey Storm play netball

31 girls from Year 5 and Year 6 went to Surrey Sports Park to watch Surrey Storm face Loughborough Lightening in a Super League netball match. The girls thoroughly enjoyed watching a top class game, with lots of scoring. The girls also noted the speed of play and how dynamic and strong players were on the court. A few noted the (controlled) aggression and determination shown by all players on the court in their endeavour to secure a win for the team. Years 5 and 6 boys invitation - Gallagher rugby premiership

Summer sports The Prep School girls and boys took advantage of the sunshine while participating in summer sports like cricket. They have also been able to host successful athletics meets with other schools which has helped to build school spirit.

REINDEER RUN WALKATHON

The Pre-Prep and Nursery enjoyed their annual walkathon in November to raise funds for the PTA. It was a wonderful adventure which included some fantastic sci-fi costumes and alien mystery solving! Thank you to all our members of the Pre-Prep and Nursery PTA who helped to make the event so memorable.

On the final morning of the autumn term—it’s Reindeer Run time! Prep School pupils get immensely excited about wearing their antlers and representing their house. The course is short and sweet, with a challenging hill around the half-way point. The race always produces some surprises and pupils enjoy running with their friends and waving to their teachers. We occasionally see a teacher join in!

SPORTS

Pre-Prep and Nursery sports day was a wonderful morning of sporting participation and achievement. We started with the school’s youngest students participating in a range of activities designed to challenge their running, throwing, jumping and key movement skills. The rest of the morning was taken up with the Years 1 and 2 sports day with a series of short sprints. The year groups then split up to compete in longer races and field events. The field events were a javelin throw, a long jump and a kneeling soccer ball throw. The morning finished with the relay races, another opportunity for the pupils to demonstrate their competitive side.

DAYS

Prep School sports day was gloriously sunny. Years 5 and 6 started proceedings in the morning and this also housed the Victor and Victrix Ludorum (all-round athlete) competition. 69 races took place, with all pupils participating in a 50m plus two events of their choice, with field events having taken place during the previous two days. Years 3 and 4 took over in the afternoon, with 48 races on the programme. It was wonderful to see Year 3 participate in their very first Prep School sports day and equally wonderful to welcome our parents back to support the children.