As One Cumnor Newsletter Summer Term 2023

Welcome to As One

, a termly celebration of our children’s achievements, and a spotlight on school life.

As I reflect on this final term of the academic year, I do so with enormous pride and gratitude. Our children have enjoyed great success. 23 Scholarships have been won to Senior Schools across a range of disciplines, including 7 academic awards; our Year 8 Common Entrance grades have been outstanding, with the average grade across all subjects being an A. Our 1st Boys Tennis pair came 2nd in the IAPS National Tennis finals, and our 1st XI Girls’ Cricket team were crowned County Champions and placed 4th at the IAPS Nationals. We have enjoyed some superb performances, not least with our Summer Serenade and Pre-Prep Concert, as well as an outstanding production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ by Year 8 in our outdoor theatre. The end of term also saw our Year 8 Art Scholars present a superb exhibition of their portfolios.

Alongside, we have enjoyed two very special opportunities to come together as a whole community. The first was for the Coronation, a wonderful celebration, and the second was our Summer Fête; the fact that every child, from Nursery to Year 8, was involved in fundraising for our school charities was very special indeed. Enjoying the success we have is one thing; much more important is the sense of belonging, and the positive encouragement that this gives our young people. I will always maintain that the heart of Cumnor is its heart. Of course, none of this is possible without the considerable effort and energy that my brilliant team of staff provide. We say ‘goodbye’ to some wonderful people this term, and although it is invidious to mark people out, with a combined service of 66 years between them, I really want to say a special ‘thank you’ to Paddy Wigan, Maureen Boyland and Matt Mockridge, who have served the school with incredible loyalty. As I said in a recent speech about Matt, his appreciation of how the past, present and future walk together at Cumnor is unparalleled. They all, along with all our leaving staff and children, will be very much missed.

Nursery & Pre-Prep

Where to start?! What a busy and productive term it has been. The summer term always marks the fruition of our efforts throughout the year and it is important for the children to reflect on just how hard they have worked and how far they have come. The latter part of the term is also about preparation for future adventures and the Nursery and Pre-Prep have been enjoying a range of visits and experiences with new and familiar faces around the school, to smooth the move to a brand new year with opportunity aplenty. We wish them the best of luck and a summer of fun ahead.

Mrs Freeman Head of Pre-Prep

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It has been another fabulous term for Reception who fully embraced their first topic, ‘Come outside!’. We were lucky enough to have four beautiful ducklings hatch in our very own classroom, care for them and teach them to swim!  We were also incredibly busy plantingrunner beans, sunflowers, tomatoes, mint, cuca-melons and poppies!   The second half of term was all about ‘Our wonderful world...and beyond!’ where we began by learning about our school locality and then thought bigger and bigger and bigger until we were looking at our solar system! It has been such a fabulous end to a wonderful year in Reception. All of our children will be very much missed, but are so ready to head up to Year 1!

used magnifying glasses and microscopes to look at different insects and had the most wonderful time at the British Wildlife Centre, meeting all the animals and learning about their diets and natural habitat. They have also squeezed in a few swims in the outdoor pool, thanks to the sunshine. What a fun term we have had!

Fergus Llewellyn Headmaster

Year 1 have enjoyed honing their marvellous mapping skills this term, creating their own maps and learning to use a compass to find their way around the school grounds. They even created maps using natural materials they found outside. They observed excitedly as the cress they planted grew bigger each week, they have

It has been an African adventure for Year 2 who have learned all about the ‘Big Five’, interviewed Mr Llewellyn about his time in Kenya and designed and decorated some fabulous animal heads, adorned with Maasai patterns. There has been planting a-plenty in Grace’s Garden, having just made our first delivery of lettuce to the kitchen, and plenty of reflection from their time in the Pre-Prep as they penned some thoughtful letters to their friends in Year 1 about life in Year 2.

Huge congratulations to our brilliant Cumnor Nursery who this term were awarded daynurseries.co.uk Top 20 Nursery Award for the fifth year running! We couldn’t be prouder of our amazing Nursery team and all who support them.

The Butterflies have been fully immersed in ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ this term. Creating some Pollockinspired art, they thought about the oozy mud in the story, making chocolate mudpie puddings and creating a splatter picture in the garden.

On the sports pitch, Pre-Prep have had their first experiences with cricket, ably assisted by their Prep guides. Year 2 in particular have been introduced to all sports throughout the course of the year as they prepare to join the Prep school and are shaping up to be a very competitive year group!

Green Fingers

As we begin to enjoy warmer weather and green canopies all around, it is fitting to reflect on our efforts during this term’s ‘Green Week’ and throughout the year.

We are (literally, in some cases) harvesting the fruits of our labours! Pre-Prep have been busy planting, growing and tending our crops in Grace’s Garden and in the Reception greenhouse. We’ve picked the first yield of strawberries and thoroughly enjoyed sampling our crisp and juicy lettuces in the final few weeks of term. Lots still to look forward to, including blueberries, blackberries, peas and beans, and the kale is gathering pace, too!

Alongside, we have begun to build our sustainable ‘Cumnor Greenhouse’. This is a work in progress that will eventually provide sanctuary for winter crops, so please keep saving those 2 litre plastic bottles, we need them! In Year 6, some fantastic debating took place around the theme of responsibility for climate change; should children be involved in saving the planet? Much food for thought and healthy, considered thinking and exchanges of views.

It was a productive and thoughtprovoking Green Week, which we hope has inspired our children with a sense of their own personal responsibility and a vision for how they can live more sustainably.

Dance Coffee Concert

This term saw our first Dance Coffee Concert hosted by Mrs Harris and Mrs Coleman. The Theatre was packed to the rafters with a lively, excited and boisterous audience of parents and pupils, who whooped, clapped and cheered through the dance numbers! Highlights were the top hat-wearing Year 3 and 4 boys showcasing their Junior Occupation dance, the fabulously expressive Year 3 Modern Dance routine performed to the electro beats of a ‘Walking with Elephants’ and a beautiful contemporary dance solo performed by Olivia B in Year 8. Seeing the joy on the faces of all those who performed, reinforced our belief that all children should experience a wide and varied curriculum, and that self-expression through music, movement, dance and storytelling does not just exercise the body, but enriches the soul. We look forward to developing and supporting our budding dancers and we were delighted to be joined by the Heads of Dance from Hurst, Ardingly and Brighton College who all commented on the joy and energy that the children put into their performances.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

We finished the term with a joyous production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. It is no mean feat to produce a full Shakespeare play in little over a week.  But this challenge was well and truly embraced by our talented Year 8s. The unfortunate weather did not dampen their spirits; the first night’s performance was moved inside, but Wednesday’s production was back outside in our open air Theatre.

It is a truly magical moment, when the sun sets and the stars adorn the night sky; it makes for the most perfect natural setting for William Shakespeare’s most wondrous comedy. Our Shakespeare director Nicki Martin, said “Year 8 have thrown themselves into the rehearsal process with spirit, flare, and a mature dedication to perform this brilliant production.  I feel extraordinarily proud of the whole cast”. Their performances were enjoyed by family, teachers and pupils alike, and paves the way for the next generation of Year 8 Shakespeare players.

The Year 8 Drama Scholars had a compelling year working towards their assessment days. In February, they showcased their inspiring talents in a special evening of performance. It is a theatrical journey of confidence, presence, character, context, style and performance, bringing their pieces to life with vigour and flare.

More broadly, Drama at Cumnor has had a busy year with 123 children from Year 4 to 8 taking their LAMDA exams; a wonderful achievement, and we look forward to receiving their results over the summer.

We also launched our ‘Great Growing Competition’, inspired by the shortage of salad crops in the UK, Europe and beyond this year. Children were encouraged to plant and grow any edible salad crops including herbs, tomatoes, potatoes and edible flowers. The standard of growing, tending and the variety of plants and produce was simply fantastic so had multiple prize winners in each category, but the Gold Award went to Rupert and Poppy E, Flora C, Oscar E, Ollie C and Kelsey C. Congratulations also go to Gracia M who was awarded this year’s ‘Gardening Gnome Award’ for her imaginative and creatively designed Year 3 garden, which she has grown and tended with care over the term.

The Music Barn

Summer has been a busy and exciting term for the Performing Arts! It was an absolute pleasure to direct my first Summer Serenade at Cumnor, involving all of our instrumental and vocal ensembles, assisted wonderfully by Alice Boileau, Glen Rowlan and many of our team of dedicated visiting music teachers. Personal highlights include a fun and funky ‘Jonah Man Jazz’ performance given by chamber choir, and the overhead stadium-style clapping midway through ‘Rockin’ All Over the World’, performed by our Prep orchestra. Year 3 did a fantastic job with their musical production, ‘Pandora’s Box’, with some fantastic singing skills on display, as did PrePrep with their Summer Concert. It is lovely to see so many up and coming singers amongst the ranks!

Congratulations to Eliza B and Eva R for passing their Grade 5 Theory exams this term; this is a serious qualification with UCAS points, and not something often achieved before leaving Prep school. Our ABRSM exams went fantastically well with all 27 candidates passing their exams, including 12 Merits and 12 Distinctions. Congratulations!

This term, we are saying goodbye to Sebastian Charlesworth who has taught Singing at Cumnor for the past ten years. In September, we are welcoming two new members of staff - Sarah Hards will be teaching Piano and Sarah Pottinger will be teaching Singing. All of our musicians are looking forward to a well-deserved break - well done!

MR JELF , DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

The Art Studio

Inspired by our beautiful surroundings, Year 7 have been amongst the Cumnor flora, exploring proportion and repeat patterns; a stimulating and methodical process, we have been really impressed and excited to see their designs. We have taken Year 3 on an imaginary sketchbook tour of beaches, using mixed media and textiles to develop their own seascapes, Year 4 have produced some beautiful wax resist turtles and Year 5 and 6 have been perfecting their ceramic skills with pinch pots.

“It has been another hugely varied term, introducing new techniques and mediums to our budding artists. Looking ahead to next term I’m really excited to see our new heat press in action and continuing to encourage a love and passion of sketchbooks.”

MRS POPE , HEAD OF ART

Sporting Achievements

It’s been another busy term of sport with cricket dominating, and whether it has been softball pairs or full-on 25 overs, the games have been played with great skill and passion. Year 3 and 4 have been developing their skills through small-sided conditioned games, while Year 5 and 6 have been developing their confidence when playing with a hard ball. It has been encouraging to see so many of our young cricketers improving their standard of play and decision-making in game situations; we look forward to supporting their development in future years. Meanwhile, the Seniors have played some exhilarating fixtures over the term with many ending in very close games, coming down to the very last few balls. It’s been exciting to see our boys and girls represent Cumnor with passion and distinction; whether in the 1st or 4th team, team spirit has shone through.

• The first XI girls have set a high benchmark for future years. This year they have won the inaugural Sussex U13 Girls’ League and reached the finals of the IAPS Cup. Finals day was an extremely close encounter for the four top teams in the country and our team performed impressively, showcasing their skills under extreme pressure and inspiring future generations of cricket at Cumnor.

• Working to push their personal bests, there has been some excellent progress in Athletics, with all years furthering their understanding of the individual techniques required to improve performance. Cumnor hosted a successful first athletics meet of the season at the K2 in Crawley, allowing for early season experiences on the track and field events, and the season ended with the County meetings at Hurst and K2 with Isabel R, qualifying for the shot-put at the Nationals and finishing in 8th; a fantastic achievement and personal best.

• Congratulations to Alex R who qualified for the IAPS swimming finals held at the Olympic pool in Stratford. Alex represented the school and himself extremely well in the 25m backstroke U10 finals; an amazing achievement.

• It has been brilliant to see different combinations and ages of students coming together to represent the school with great pride in local tennis competitions. The U13 girls won the local LTA Division I and qualified to represent Cumnor in the regional finals, while for the first time in many years, our U13 boys’ pair came runners up at the IAPS Tennis Nationals following a tense match.

• The Cumnor Equestrian team has had a great year, culminating in the highlight of the equestrian calendar, Hickstead. Congratulations to Tilly E and Will C who both competed, with Will qualifying to ride in the main Derby Arena. Cumnor Equestrian has something for all riding abilities; join us under the instruction of Old Cumnorian, Olympic event rider and National youth riding instructor, Milly Kruger.

• The first XI boys have performed well, winning some very tight games against local schools and reaching the quarter finals of the County Cup. The standard of batting and bowling has demonstrated how far the boys have come over their years here and they should be proud of their efforts, competing well with passion and commitment to both training and matches.

“ This year has been a great sporting journey for all our students and I wish our Year 8 pupils the best of luck at their new schools and in the sporting opportunities that will present themselves; we are very proud of them all.”

MR ROGERS , DIRECTOR OF SPORT

A Legacy

We say ‘goodbye’ to some wonderful people this term, and with a combined service of 66 years between them, we asked Mr Wigan, Mrs Boyland and Mr Mockridge, to reflect on their time at Cumnor.

Mr Mockridge

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My family first came to Cumnor in 1870 and for 60 years this was our family home.  I returned in 1966 as a pupil and had my happiest years at School as a full boarder from 7-13 years, towards the end of which we started taking girls for the first time; there were just 85 boys and 4 girls.  I went on to Marlborough in 1972. In 1995, I was asked to come back to teach and I loved it immediately. Becoming Director of Sport in 1997 and Deputy Head in 1998, I then spent the next 25 years in a blissful state, teaching children Maths, cricket and about life and I have spent the last 7 years as Bursar.

There have been huge physical changes since the days before Cumnor bought the farm; the entire School was in the main house, except for Reception Block which housed the then gym, book-binding and Art. Boxing had just stopped, but we were still taken down to the basement for woodwork and pottery or out of our dorms at night for Astronomy on the terrace.

What has been constant though is the warmth and dedication of the staff.

Cumnor was unusually familial in the 1960s (we must have been one of the few schools where boys were addressed by their first name) and that has continued to this day. Former Head, Nick MilnerGulland, asked me, on his forced retirement due to ill-health, to maintain the ‘feel’ of Cumnor as I had known it as “man and boy” and very much hope that every child who has ever walked into Prayers, a class, the dining room or even on the ‘boards’ of the outdoor theatre, has felt happy, safe and lucky.  I know I have in my 28 years on the staff, as my time at Cumnor draws to a close.

Of all the things I shall miss terribly, and there are a great many, I shall miss the children most. If ever you need a tonic, be around young people; the Nursery is a wonderful place to go for a pick-me-up!  My brothers and I, and my three children, enjoyed the most special of childhoods at this school and I have now had the most fulfilled of careers here too, along with Teresa, my wife. Au revoir.

Mr Wigan

Cumnor Concept Trail

Following from Matt, both as “man and boy”, I have had the most wonderful time at Cumnor with so many enriching experiences. Cumnor is a very special place and sixteen years of happy employment here is testament to that. I will miss the energy and charm of the children, the kindness and support of those that I work with, and the variety that working at a place like Cumnor provides. Similar to the way I felt when I was about to leave as a boy, I have learned so many valuable lessons, and I am now ready for the next step. I feel reassured by the fact that the Cumnor community is such a strong and binding one. Having made so many long-lasting friendships while I was a boy here, I see this as such a huge strength of the school and I look forward to seeing the familiar faces of those I have taught and worked with in the future.

Mrs Boyland

Mr Wigan

More than a year in the making, this term we officially opened the ‘Cumnor Concept Trail’, a bike track designed and built by our Year 7 and 8 ‘Concept Learning Group’, supported by Mrs Park. Working closely with Cumnor’s gardener, Ricky, the team initially presented their ideas to Mr Llewellyn before going on to complete risk assessments and starting the build. Wildlife and environmental considerations have been at the forefront of the children’s minds, with the proceeds of a tree and seedling sale being donated to Team Seas.

Demonstrating excellent team work, project management and communication, the group have created a sustainable project for all to enjoy. Watch this space for the Trail being used during Occupations and in the evenings by our Boarders.

Race the Sun

Mrs Boyland

We arrived at Cumnor 22 years ago looking for a school for our children. Most of all we wanted a school where the staff knew who they were and we found it. I joined the staff two years later and from the outset I found Cumnor to be child-centred and not afraid of change. No two days have been the same! I have been able to share my passion for the world we live in, both within and outside the classroom in superbly kept grounds; a gift to a geography teacher.  This opportunity to create genuine encounters between our children, people and the environment is a privilege not to be taken for granted. My most precious memories will be of the people I have met, friends I have made and what the children here have taught me. Coming from a GCSE and ‘A’ level teaching background, I leave not only older, but also wiser.

Once again, four intrepid groups of Year 8s battled the elements and the dark to navigate the South Downs.  Leaving Cumnor after sunset, the teams were dropped off at four different locations from which they made their way back to the Long Bridge at Alfriston, covering a distance of 8km and armed only with two compasses and three maps, in time to take the minibus back to Cumnor before the sun rises – hence, ‘Race The Sun’. Inevitably, there is strong competition, but navigating on their own, admiring the night sky and negotiating dark paths with chalk boulders is an experience that stays with the children long after they have left Cumnor.

“I’m happy to report that, despite my group trying to go in the wrong direction for 40 minutes, we all made it safely home, winning the race. Having run this for over 20 years, I was happy to be able to walk with the children for a final time.”

- MATT MOCKRIDGE

The Cumnor Foundation

We are delighted to announce that The Cumnor Foundation Trustees have confirmed the next Foundation Scholar, whom we look forward to welcoming into Year 4 in September, following a rigorous assessment process.

Thank you to everyone who so generously supports the Foundation, offering a life-changing opportunity to young people in our community.