Summer celebrations guide 2024

SUMMER 2024 CELEBRATIONS

A TIME FOR CELEBRATING A message from headmaster

William Brierly

As we come towards the end the academic year at Claremont, we relish the opportunity gala day provides to celebrate the wonderful achievements of our pupils.

Bringing the school community together also provides an excellent opportunity to say ‘thank you’ for the endless support we see from our Claremont families - whether it is on the sidelines at fixtures, in the audience for the stunning productions of Matilda (senior school) and Peter Pan (prep school), transporting a child to an early morning trip departure, making sure the right ingredients are available for a food and nutrition practical, or perhaps offering insights for improvement at a parent forum. I recognise there is a collective determination which makes the Claremont experience so special.

On behalf of our pupils, a heartfelt ‘thank you for all you do’ and I hope you have an enjoyable gala day!

CELEBRATING SUMMER

a sense of the daily experience, of our wonderful students. Today promises an array of performances, activities, and time to come together as a community to enjoy our lovely school site. Like childhood, the weeks within a school year can seem long but the year always rushes by. The children are all older, taller and know more; I’m sure every one of them will carry with them special memories of time well spent. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm—it truly makes our school a special place to learn and grow. Let the celebrations begin!

A message from Michael Williams - head of pre-preparatory and nursery school

Our annual summer gala day is the perfect time to reflect on a year of fun and progress across the pre prep and nursery. Our young learners have enjoyed an action packed year of learning, supplemented with a huge array of enrichment opportunities, including three separate Christmas shows; educational trips and visits - from Chessington World of Adventures to the Milestones Museum in Hampshire; various musical showcases and competitive sports fixtures. Wow! I hope that this summer terms events go some way to capturing the energy, warmth and community spirit that define our wonderful school.

TRIPS

PREP SCHOOL

YEAR 3 TRIP TO UFTON COURT

YEAR 6 RESIDENTIAL TO FRANCE

YEAR 4 TRIP TO MARCHANT’S HILL

Monday 22 April

YEAR 5 TRIP TO SIMONSBATH, EXMOOR

Tuesday 14 May - Friday 17 May

Tuesday 23 April - Friday 26 April

YEAR 4 TRIP TO HASLEMERE MUSEUM

Tuesday 11 June

Wednesday 1 May - Friday 3 May

SENIOR SCHOOL

YEAR 8 COMPUTER

SCIENCE TRIP TO CISCO

YEAR 9 BRONZE DUKE OF EDINBURGH PRACTICE, EAST GRINSTEAD

YEAR 8

GEOGRAPHY TRIP TO DENBIES AND BOX HILL

Thursday 9 May

YEAR 10 SILVER DUKE OF EDINBURGH PRACTICE, NEW FOREST

Friday 14 June - Sunday 16 June

Saturday 11 May - Sunday 12 May

YEAR 9 TRIP TO CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES

Tuesday 14 May

YEAR 10 GEOGRAPHY TRIP TO TILLINGBOURNE

Monday 24 June

Monday 24 June

YEAR 7 TRIP TO WINDMILL HILL

Monday 24 June

YEAR 8 TRIP TO LIDDINGTON

YEAR 10 SILVER DUKE OF EDINBURGH EXPEDITION, CHILTERN HILLS

Tuesday 25 June - Thursday 27 June

YEAR 11 THORPE PARK TRIP

Wednesday 26 June - Friday 28 June

Thursday 27 June

YEAR 9 BRONZE DUKE OF EDINBURGH EXPEDITION, DORKING

Tuesday 25 June - Wednesday 26 June

YEAR 9 THEOLOGY TRIP TO ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL

(SPLIT BETWEEN THURSDAY - FRIDAY)

Thursday 27 June & Friday 28 June

SENIOR SCHOOL

YEAR 10 FOOD TECHNOLOGY TRIP TO GOODWOOD ESTATE

Friday 28 June

YEAR 10 DT TRIP TO THE DESIGN MUSEUM, LONDON

Thursday 29 June

SIXTH FORM

YEAR 12 TRIP TO THE GLOBE THEATRE

YEAR 12 TRIP TO THORPE PARK

YEAR 12 PHYSICS TRIP TO JET EXPERIMENT AT THE CULHAM CENTRE

Friday 17 May

GOLD DUKE OF EDINBURGH PRACTICE, PEAK DISTRICT

Thursday 6 June - Sunday 9 June

Tuesday 21 May

YEAR 12 GEOGRAPHY TRIP TO SLAPTON LEY

Tuesday 4 June

GOLD DUKE OF EDINBURGH QUALIFIER, LAKE DISTRICT

Tuesday 18 June - Saturday 22 June

Sunday 30 June - Thursday 4 July

This festival is a celebration of our pupils’ talents. A combination of concerts, performances, competitions and displays created to be enjoyed by pupils and parents. No summer festival would be complete without sports days too! Come along to our events this summer and see how much our pupils have flourished.

YEAR 1

GRANDPARENT’S

TEA PARTY

HOSTING ISFA

U13 FOOTBALL

SURREY

QUALIFIERS

Year 1 will be welcoming their grandparents in the PPN hall for tea and a singing performance. 14

HOSTING ISFA

U11 FOOTBALL

SURREY QUALIFIERS

We are so excited to be hosting this tournament for our U13 teams.

We are so excited to be hosting this tournament for our U11 teams.

Key to symbols

All welcome Book tickets Pupils only

16

STRINGS TEA PERFORMANCE

Prep and senior school pupils will be performing in The Great Room for parents, friends and alumni. 14

PPN YOUNG MUSICIANS

CONCERT

Come check out our youngest musicians as they shocase their talents.

17

PPN WEAR YOUR HAIR WITH FLAIR DAY

Show us what you’ve got! The more flair the better!

19

FAMILY FUN RUN

21

SENIOR SCHOOL PRODUCTION OF MATILDA

Fun run for pupils, alumni and their families.

Be a part of the magic in the JGC!

SENIOR

SCHOOL PRODUCTION OF MATILDA

Be a part of the magic in the JGC!

Key to symbols

All welcome Book tickets Pupils only

SENIOR SCHOOL PRODUCTION OF MATILDA

Be a part of the magic in the JGC!

YEAR 1 KINGS AND QUEENS DAY

YEAR 6 CHARITY FAIR

Year 1 will be getting dressed up and participating in various Kings and Queens activities.

Year 6 will be holding a fair with activities and craft stalls for the rest of the prep school to enjoy during their lunch break.

YEAR 6

CHARITY FAIR 14

FAN COURT FEST ‘24

Year 6 will be holding a fair with activities and craft stalls for the rest of the prep school to enjoy during their lunch break.

Pre-prep and nursery festival for pupils and parents full of performances, music, arts, crafts and more!

Key to symbols

Pupils only 18 14

PRE-PREP COFFEE MORNING WITH PARENTS

Pop in and join us for coffee and a chat!

All welcome Book tickets

21

SPORTS AWARD EVENING

21 25

PRE-PREP AND NURSERY

SPORTS DAY

Senior school sports award at the marquee.

A morning of fun sports activities for our youngest pupils. Weather dependent, back up date is 27 June.

ART, PHOTOGRAPHY AND TEXTILES EXHIBITIONS

This viewing is for parents of Years 11 and

YEAR 7 TRAVEL SHOW

YEAR 6

PRODUCTION OF PETER PAN

Travel all around the UK from the comfort of our new dining hall! This Year 7 geography event is one not to miss.

YEAR 4 FRENCH CAFE

Year 4 will be serving French food items using the French language they have been practicing. Find your inner lost boy and enjoy these performances in the JGC!

Key to symbols All welcome Book tickets Pupils only

28

YEAR 6

PRODUCTION OF PETER PAN

Find your inner lost boy and enjoy these performances in the JGC!

PREP SCHOOL

SPORTS DAY

GALA DAY

Cheer on our Prep pupils as they race on the top field. Weather dependent, our backup day is 1 July.

See page 26 for more

JULY

YEAR 11 PROM

SENIOR SCHOOL SPORTS DAY

An evening of celebrations at Sandown Racecourse for our Year 11 pupils.

Who will become house day champions: Banstead, Norwood, Radnor, Esher, Stanmore or Longcross?

YEAR 13 PROM

An evening of celebrations at Sandown Racecourse for our Year 13 pupils.

Key to symbols

All welcome Book tickets Pupils only

03

PREP SCHOOL AQUATHLON

A two stage race consisting of swimming and running.

NEXT STEPS

WHAT’S NEXT?

We are passionate about helping our pupils move into the next stage of their lives successfully. Our students are supported on their journey: from finding the perfect university, to moving up into the prep school. Read on to find out about what events we run to help our pupils take the next step.

YEAR 2 GRADUATION CEREMONY

Thursday 20 June

Tuesday 25 June

Monday 1 July

Monday 1 July

Monday 1 July

YEAR 6 GRADUATION

Tuesday 4 July

FOND FAREWELLS

After fifteen wonderful and very productive years at Claremont Fan Court School, and seven as Head of the preparatory school, Helen Hutton-Attenborough retires at the end of this year. During her time as Head, Helen has played a crucial role in the evolution of a vibrant prep school, bringing academic and organisational rigour whilst demonstrating the utmost care for and understanding of pupils, enabling them to flourish and succeed. While Helen will be particularly remembered for brilliantly navigating the prep school through ISI inspections, a global pandemic and a £4m refurbishment project, her role has encompassed all aspects of school life including working so effectively with fellow members of the key leadership team, chairing the diversity, equity and inclusion committee, leading memorable ski trips and supporting magnificent school productions. Helen is extremely well respected by pupils, parents and by her staff, to whom she provides outstanding care, support and mentoring. She is an exceptional leader, pragmatic, levelheaded with a calm approach, and commands the utmost respect on every occasion; an accomplished public speaker, she is engaging and influential. Her ability to deliver strategic change has made her a very effective leader and colleague. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Helen for all the work that she has done for the school over her long service, and we wish her well for the future. She will be greatly missed by all members of the school community.

After seven wonderful years as head of the pre-prep and nursery, Michael Williams and his family will be returning to an exciting new role at Patana School in Bangkok, Thailand in September. Mr Williams joined in 2017, and has led an academically ambitious, dynamic and collegiate school. Pupil numbers have increased under his headship, a clear reflection of the fun, supportive, exciting and academically ambitious school that he has led. Memorable events include the streamed launch of the school’s teddy into space, following a rocket launch from the triangle, the pre-prep and nursery’s very first ‘strictly talented’ talent show and the frequent

occasions in which not only the pupils dressed up to be monarchs, or book characters or rockstars, but so too did their teachers, and notably Mr Williams. We are all sad to be saying goodbye to Mr Williams and his wife Preeti, and we know what a happy learning experience the children in his care have enjoyed.

We say farewell to Emma Wells after 13 years at Claremont - her dedication, enthusiasm and kindness will be missed enormously. It was during the challenges of the pandemic when Emma’s unstoppable hard work defined the strength of our sixth form with her determination to minimise the stress and potential impact for each student’s goals. Recently Emma was awarded a BEM in recognition of her work in the community, and we are so proud that she has been celebrated with this wonderful achievement. Whether it is in teaching business, food and nutrition, leading a Young Enterprise team or heading up a flourishing sixth form. Emma has always embodied the Claremont ethos of enabling every pupil to achieve more than they ever thought possible. Thank you Emma and enjoy a well deserved rest!

WARM WELCOMES

PIA ENNIS - JUNIOR SCHOOL

As many young people may confirm it is difficult to know what career to choose. Coming from a family of teachers I decided to train as a primary teacher and see how it went. To my delight I fell in love with teaching and have not looked back since… 30 years later it is still the best job! I have taught both in the state and independent sector, co-ed and single sex, predominantly working in Early Years and key stage 1. I started at Claremont Fan Court 10 years ago and in that time have led English, then Key Stage 1, and more recently, Early Years. I make it my mission to get to know each and every child in the Pre-prep and take a keen interest in their learning journey, interests and achievements. I work alongside the most amazing team who show their passion, creativity and dedication each and every day. I am married to James, have 2 teenage daughters (16 and 18) plus a cheeky hound named Monty. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, countryside walks, visiting the theatre and spending time with family and friends.

MATTHEW JELLEY - HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

I’m joining Claremont as head of junior school from Holme Grange, a 3-16 coeducational day school where I’ve been deputy head for 7 years. Prior to that I have worked in a number of settings where I’ve worked across both the primary and secondary phases, within both boarding and day, co-ed and single sex environments. I also inspect for ISI for my sins... I have always loved literature and so a future as a secondary English teacher was mapped out early, and I loved the

experience of teaching my subject to A-Level and Oxbridge entry for the first decade or so of my career. I also branched out into sports coaching (mainly football - a passion of mine) and drama (2 visits to the Fringe as director of school productions). However, the unanticipated opportunity to teach and manage in prep schools presented itself and I took the plunge. The transition forced me to reflect upon and develop my pedagogy further and also provided me with the opportunity to really consider the type of teacher, and leader, I wanted to be. I’m grateful for the varied opportunities I have had, and know that I’m the better for them - even the ones where the going has been tough! I like to think I’m pupil focused, innovative and creative, but also have a conservative side; I’m aware that elements of tradition endure for a reason. Outside of school I love to run, having relatively recently retired from team sports. (Like dogs and children, if I don’t let off steam chasing around for a while I can get a bit jittery...). I am also kept busy by the menagerie at home where my wife and I manage the affairs for three children, three pets and a cat hotel business where we can accommodate anything up to 18 cats at a time...!. So, if you see me around, please do say, “Hi”, and also check my suit for cat hair - it will be appreciated.

WARM WELCOMES

EMMA LEE - HEAD OF SIXTH FORM

I have nearly twenty years’ experience in teaching, and have taught in both state and independent, single sex and coeducational schools. I am joining from Surbiton High School where I am currently the Head of English, a Year 13 tutor and an Oxbridge mentor. I came into teaching for my subject; I stay because of the students. Students demand a lot, and they won’t stand for inauthenticity. They know when you really care and when you ‘know your stuff’. I will always strive to meet their expectations and in return I expect them to meet mine. I lead with kindness and greet them where they are. They have high expectations – and so do I! I love that I laugh every day. Young people are perpetually surprising and the joy that they bring is extraordinary. The students make it. So, at Claremont, I am looking forward to forging new relationships, taking on a new challenge and being part of a community that celebrates and supports each other. And enjoying the incredible grounds!

GALA

WHAT IS GALA DAY?

Pupils, parents and alumni are invited to join us at our Sport For All themed Gala Day on Saturday 29 June, echoing the spirit of this year’s Olympics in Paris. This annual event promises to be a fun day showcasing the school’s fantastic productions, sports and pupils’ work. Our Gala Day features an inflatable assault course, an outdoor stage for performances, a food village with a range of cuisines from around the globe, and even a silent disco!

TIMES

Gates open: 9.00am Opening ceremony: 10.00am Event closes: 2.00pm

We are continuing to support our chosen local charitiesRentstart, The Grace Dear Trust, Shooting Star Children’s Hospice, Momentum and Elmbridge Foodbanks. All money raised will be donated to them through Claremont 100.

DAY

WHO CAN GET INVOLVED?

Gala Day is designed to be enjoyed by everyone. We encourage parents to browse classrooms to discover what their children have been learning. Alumni are also invited to reminisce about their school days and participate in some fun sports events. Siblings are welcome to join in with the activities too. Don’t forget to bring fold up chairs, suncream and a smile!

Toilets Inclusive toilet Fire assembly point Food village Tea and coffee Water fountains

First aid and lost children - Phone number: 07834055474