Year 7 pupils enjoyed a hands-on STEM experience with the Royal Navy, exploring the role of engineering in naval operations. Activities included programming Spherical robots, building hydraulic circuits to fire a piston and constructing electric circuits to launch a mini helicopter. This was a fantastic opportunity to apply STEM concepts in real-world scenarios! This engaging session encouraged pupils to apply STEM concepts in real-world scenarios, inspiring future engineers and problem-solvers.
Dr Rachael Jones, Head of Biology
HOUSE BAKE OFF
The annual House Bake Off saw pupils from Years 7–9 put their baking skills to the test in a deliciously creative competition. Each House entered a team, with the challenge of presenting three undecorated and six decorated small cakes based on the theme of ‘Springtime.’
In Round 1, teams had lunchtime to bake 12 small cakes using a basic recipe provided by Mrs Gibson. They could enhance their bakes with additional flavours and ingredients, staying within a £5 budget for extras. Round 2 was all about decoration. Using their pre-baked cakes, each team carefully designed and presented their creations, displaying them on platforms of their choice, from trays to baskets. The judges sampled both the decorated cakes and the plain ones to assess flavour, texture and creativity.
After much deliberation, the results were announced: 1st place – Blake, 2nd place – Galloway, 3rd place – Randle, 4th place – Cornish.
A massive well done to all our bakers for their hard work, imagination and teamwork!
Mrs Suzie Gibson, Head of Food Preparation & Nutrition
SCIENCE WEEK
By Dr Rachael Jones, Head of Biology
Science Week is a fantastic opportunity to spark curiosity and inspire our school community. Our pupils eagerly took part in a wide range of exciting activities, exploring the wonders of science through hands-on experiments and interactive learning.
Pupils tested their precision and patience in the Squid Gameinspired cookie challenge, carefully extracting shapes without breaking them.
Pupils competed in the "Battle of the Beaks" challenge, racing to gather the most food using different objects as "beaks"!
Pupils watched in awe as dry ice transformed into swirling fog, demonstrating sublimation in action.
Pupils partipcated in a frog dissection, fostering hands-on anatomical learning.
Pupils explored the solar system with immersive VR headsets from the Space Store.
JAYDEN'S OUTSTANDING MATHS ACHIEVEMENT
Year 11 pupil Jayden excelled in the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge, ranking among the top 1,000 nationwide and earning a place in the British Maths Olympiad. He won a gold medal in the first round, placed in the top 100, and qualified for the final. Jayden has secured an invitation to the exclusive Easter Maths Camp at Trinity College, Cambridge. An incredible achievement— we look forward to Jayden's continued success next year! Mr Shawn Moodley, Head of Maths
LAUNCHING THE MedSciSoc
This academic year a new Medical Sciences Society (MedSciSoc) was established, led by STEM Prefect Amelia S (Year 13) and Mr Boyce, who has a background in Pharmacology. The society’s goal is to inspire future professionals in Medicine, Veterinary Science, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and more. It provides a platform for younger pupils to connect with older students applying to these fields and offers exciting events.
One of the first events, held on 11 March during Science Week, was the Oxford High School Virtual Medical Conference. Amelia, alongside Year 12 and Year 10 students, attended talks on Adult Congenital Cardiology, Colorectal Surgery, and the role of AI in Medicine, featuring experts from various fields, including the CEO of Perspectum, a company specialising in precision health. Students had the chance to engage with speakers and participate in discussions.
YEAR 7 ENRICHMENT DAY
Year 7 pupils recently took part in an exciting Enrichment Day, working with the Problem-Solving Company. The day was filled with fun, interactive activities designed to enhance teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Pupils collaborated in groups to tackle a range of challenges, fostering creativity and communication.
ROSENMONTAG: A TASTE OF GERMANY'S KARNEVAL CELEBRATION
Rosenmontag is the highlight of Germany's Karneval season, especially in cities like Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Mainz. Held on the Monday before Ash Wednesday, it features vibrant parades with colourful floats, lively music, and people in elaborate costumes. The parades are famous for their satirical themes, the throwing of sweets (Kamelle), and the joyful atmosphere before Lent begins. Traditional Karneval foods like jam-filled doughnuts (Berliner or Krapfen), Currywurst, schnitzel, and pretzels (Brezeln) add to the celebration. During our school event, we enjoyed these treats, along with sweets thrown during the parades, making the experience fun as well as educational.
Any pupil can join the MedSciSoc, which offers valuable resources for those pursuing careers in Medicine or Dentistry. Contact Amelia or Mr Boyce to join!
DRAMA TRIP TO NEW YORK
Our drama students had an unforgettable trip to NYC, packed with incredible experiences!
From a sunset stroll on the Brooklyn Bridge to a Broadway workshop led by Hamilton’s Thane Jasperson, they fully immersed themselves in the city’s theatrical magic.
Highlights included exploring the Drama Book Shop, taking in breathtaking views from the Top of the Rock and enjoying the spectacular Chicago on Broadway.
With birthday celebrations, immersive dining, and plenty of laughter along the way, it was truly a trip to remember!
Mrs Esther Brown, Director of Drama
LUCKLEY HOSTS ISA DRAMA FESTIVAL
The Whitty Theatre was delighted to host the South Division of the National ISA Drama Competition, welcoming 14 schools from across the region. Pupils from Year 3 to Year 13 delivered outstanding performances, showcasing their creativity and passion for theatre.
Luckley’s entry, Ironmistress by April De Angelis, was performed by Darcey B and Kiana H, who captivated the judges with their depth of character and skilful use of proxemics. Their performance received high praise from the chief judge; a fantastic achievement!
Mrs Esther Brown, Director of Drama
YEAR 8 VISIT HAMPTON COURT
Year 8 pupils enjoyed an exciting trip to Hampton Court Palace, diving into Tudor history as they explored Henry VIII’s Great Hall and bustling kitchens. They also navigated the famous Hampton Court Maze, testing their sense of direction in the UK’s oldest surviving puzzle maze. It was a fantastic day filled with history, adventure and hands-on learning!
NEWS FROM LUCKLEY LIBRARY
Mrs Debbie Godfrey, Libaray Manager
WORLD BOOK WEEK
World Book Day becomes World Book Week at Luckley, with a variety of activities held between 3 and 7 March to engage pupils in reading for pleasure. Pupils played detective as they worked together to solve the case of slain Librarian Paige Turner, and Galloway claimed victory in this year’s highly competitive House Reading Quiz. Our extremely talented pupil bakers at Luckley showcased an incredible array of creations in our Literary Cake Contest. All in all a very fun week and an excellent celebration of books and reading.
CREATIVE WRITING FOR YEARS 7 & 8
Ms Morgan inspired Lower School pupils in creative writing workshops, sparking their imaginations to craft original short stories. Many outstanding pieces will feature in this year’s Luckley Literary Review, out at the end of the summer term.
WORLD BOOK DAY CAKE COMPETITION
Our tradition of celebrating World Book Day in cake form saw some absolutely outstanding entries this year. We had 17 superb cake designs from pupils across the school. These featured some much-loved literary characters, including Paddington, Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter and The Lorax.
We continue to be incredibly impressed by our Luckley pupils’ creations each year and the judging of the competition was a real challenge.
Whilst we saw numerous winners in the various categories, the overall top three were:
The Night Bus by Lucy M – Year 7
Paddington by Charlotte E – Year 8
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Clara G and Holly B –Year 8.
‘LUCKLEY LIBRARY LOVES...' BOOK REVIEW
The Secret History by Donna Tartt – Review by Jessica M, 10L
Wow. I think that sums up the book utterly. This two part story took me on a complete journey around the rural part of Vermont. After Richard Papen moves to Hampden College he is adamant to join their Ancient Greek class despite the professior, Julian, explaining that it is a very private class and he usually only takes on four steudents. When he joins the class, he finds it to be very cut off from the rest of the college and proceeds to only take classes taught by Julian. We meet his classmates, Henry, a very cold and stiff person who likes everything for the aeshetic, Francis, a snobby hypochondriac, Bunny, a subpar student who acts as though he has more money than he truly does, and Charles and Camilla, twins whom seem to be unsually close. The opening of the book starts with the description of Bunny's murder, with the book then following the events before and after. I absolutely adored this book and did find myself sobbing over the ending early this morning. From the moment I first picked up the book until the point of the end, I was completely hooked. I would recommend this to Year 10s and above due to some of the themes involved. Five stars from me!
HOUSE READING CHALLENGE
This year’s review competition saw an unprecedented 572 entries from all four houses, making it a tough contest to judge. Randle House claimed victory, with special recognition for Jessica B-F, Nia B, Catherine A, Coral B, Marilia C and Evelyn B for their outstanding contributions.
GCSE OPTIONS BREAKFAST
Our inaugural GCSE Options Breakfast took place on 21 January during form time. Mirroring the subject fair which accompanies Sixth Form Open Evening, the breakfast gave Year 9 pupils the opportunity to learn about the non-core subjects offered at Luckley. The Year 9s were eager to visit each subject stand and to engage with the teachers staffing each one to gain a real grasp of subject content and exam arrangements before committing to their course of study for the next two years. All those in attendance left ready to take the next step in their education.
YOUTH SPEAKS
This term, our talented debaters competed in the second district round of the Rotary Club YouthSpeaks competition at the Oakwood Centre, Woodley. Both our Intermediate and Senior teams delivered outstanding performances, impressing the judges with their confidence, clarity and well-reasoned arguments. The Intermediate Team (Tilly B, Victoria H, and Catherine A) debated whether the death penalty is a reasonable form of punishment, while the Senior Team (Trinity M, Amani K, and Jessica M) tackled the topic Disney creates unrealistic standards for young girls. The competition was of an incredibly high standard, and we are proud of our pupils' achievements—well done to all!
Mrs Angie Chick, Teacher of English
HOUSE DEBATE
This year’s Interhouse Debate Competition showcased impressive argumentation and critical thinking. Blake and Galloway debated whether social media should be banned for under-16s, while Cornish and Randle tackled whether parents should be fined for taking children out of school during term time.
We were honoured to welcome Ms Samantha Hunt MBE, former Head Student and now Deputy Head at Sandhurst School, as a judge. Galloway and Cornish won their respective debates, with Cornish taking the overall victory by just a few points.
Congratulations to all who took part – the standard of debating was exceptional, and we look forward to another exciting competition next year!
Mr s Holly Duxbury, Teacher of English
HIGH ALTITUDE BALLOON LAUNCH
Year 10 pupil Luke H-P’s high-altitude balloon project soared into the stratosphere, capturing stunning images and collecting atmospheric data. After months of planning, the team successfully tracked and retrieved the balloon, marking a fantastic STEM achievement.
Harry Styles’ cardigan
Jessica, Amani & Trinity
WELLBEING TRIP FOR YEAR 11
On Friday 7 March, Year 11 pupils enjoyed a well-earned wellbeing afternoon in Bracknell after completing their final mock exams. Accompanied by staff, they explored The Lexicon for lunch and shopping before heading to Hollywood Bowl for a fun-filled game of bowling. The trip provided a welcome break, allowing pupils to relax and enjoy time with friends outside the classroom.
Beyond the activities, the day was about celebrating friendships and unwinding after weeks of hard work. Laughter and conversation filled the afternoon, creating a positive and supportive atmosphere. As summer exams approach, this trip served as a valuable reminder of the importance of balance, ensuring pupils feel refreshed and ready for the challenges ahead.
Mrs Jenny Hayden, Assistant Head of Section (Upper School)
CAREERS WEEK
During National Careers Week, Luckley’s Careers Fair provided Year 9 to 13 pupils with an invaluable opportunity to explore a wide range of career paths. Representatives from leading organisations—including Syngenta, Arup, Clifton Ingram, and the Ministry of Defence—shared their expertise, offering insights into industries such as law, construction, artificial intelligence and business consultancy.
Pupils engaged enthusiastically, gaining a deeper understanding of emerging careers and the skills required for their future paths. The event also highlighted the diverse and often non-linear nature of career journeys, broadening pupils’ perspectives on professional life.
A huge thank you to all the businesses, parents and alumni who contributed to this inspiring and successful event!
Mr s Fiona Lennon, Head of Careers
HOUSE DRAMA
This term’s House Drama was a wonderful evening of entertainment, with pupils from Year 7 to Year 13 taking to the stage across the Junior, Senior, and Open Shakespeare categories. The atmosphere was one of incredible support, with pupils encouraging each other throughout the event.
We were delighted to welcome Katie Hamilton as our adjudicator, and we are grateful for her insightful and encouraging feedback.
The winners were:
Junior: Matthew P; Senior: Evelyn W; Shakespeare: Trinity M
Congratulations to Galloway, who secured the overall win by just one point in a closely contested competition. Well done to all performers for their confidence, creativity, and passion on stage.
Mrs Esther Brown, Head of Drama
SIXTH FORM UPDATE
Mrs Julie Rumble, Head of Sixth Form
EDINBURGH ADVENTURE
Year 13 students embarked on an unforgettable trip to Edinburgh, packed with history, adventure, and plenty of fun. They began with a Ghost & Gore tour, setting the stage for a weekend of exploration.
The students took in the city’s sights, with some hiking Arthur’s Seat for stunning views while others explored the National Museum of Scotland. They also enjoyed free time in the city, a cinema trip, and an evening escape room challenge.
Visits to Edinburgh Castle, the Dungeon, and Mary King’s Close brought history to life, before the journey home, where laughter and entertainment kept spirits high.
YEAR 13 WINE TASTING EVENING
Year 13 students had an evening’s wine tasting event with the expert help of Mark and Charles from Caviste. We were educated on the development of wine through the ages and taken on a tasting journey from around the Mediterranean. The evening provided the students with the opportunity to explore different wines and develop their palates. The wines were accompanied by an excellent meal designed to pair perfectly with the selected wines and served in Drake Hall. A fabulous evening was had by all.
James B, Head Student
CHARITY DRESS DOWN DAY
Sixth Form students enjoyed a Blue & Pink Dress-Down Day, raising funds for important charities, including Cancer Research UK.
The day began with a Penny Trail spanning 66.2 metres, raising nearly £50, while home clothes donations contributed over £270.
Well done to everyone who took part—your generosity and enthusiasm were inspiring.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AT HMS PRESIDENT
To celebrate International Women’s Day, our Lower Sixth female students attended a special event hosted by the Royal Navy at HMS President, Tower Hill. The day focused on women in unexpected positions of power, with team-building activities designed to enhance collaboration, communication, and networking skills. The event concluded with a thought-provoking presentation on women in the Royal Navy, leaving students motivated and empowered for the future. Blessed with beautiful weather, it was a truly enriching experience.
BOARDING NEWS
Mr Dave Rose, Head of Boarding
Our boarders have had a successful term, with pupils focusing well on prep and, for many, revision for mocks and upcoming final exams. Many new pupils have also enjoyed flexi-boarding during the week with structured prep sessions and fun activities.
At the weekend, full boarders took part in activities including paintballing, go-karting, and trips to Oxford, London, and Beale Park. It was great to see the weather improve at the end of term, allowing the BBQ to come out—something we’ll enjoy more over the summer term!
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME
It’s that time of year again, with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award practice expeditions well underway. Last month, our Bronze participants put their after-school training into action, navigating their way to Aldershot, while the Silver group took on the scenic but challenging terrain of the Pangbourne countryside.
Despite some brisk mornings, both expeditions were blessed with glorious weather, allowing participants to fully embrace the challenge. From map reading to teamwork, they demonstrated resilience and determination, putting their skills to the test. Well done to all involved—we look forward to seeing their continued progress in the upcoming qualifying expeditions!
Mrs Laura Simmonds, DofE Coordinator
ECO-SCHOOLS CLUB NEWS
This term, we took part in the RSPB Big Schools Birdwatch, spotting more birds than ever before! Highlights included seven long-tailed tits, a wren, three jays, a crow, five magpies, and a robin.
Our Spider Plant Challenge is well underway, with Year 7 pupils distributing plants to tutor groups after potting them up in enrichment club. It’s been fantastic to see pupils across the school caring for their plants with enthusiasm.
Thanks to our maintenance team, we now have raised beds in the Eco-Garden, where we will grow vegetables. Runner beans and potatoes are already sprouting in the greenhouse, with plans for tomatoes, lettuce, and strawberries.
Looking ahead, Luckley Earth Day on 25 April will feature quizzes and lunchtime activities in the garden—stay tuned!
Mrs Katie Clutterbuck, Eco-Schools Club Co-ordinator
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
Mrs Janice Ellwood, Director of Music
WOODLEY FESTIVAL
This term we took the Junior and Chamber Choir to perform in the Woodley Festival. It was a great experience to hear and compete with other schools perform Junior Choir won 1st place in the Under year 9 Choirs and Chamber choir came a very close 2nd in the Under Year 13 section.
Also congratulations to our young singers including Harry L, Lucy M, Anya A and Evie L who also competed in the solo and duet classes with outstanding results including winning classes and honours awards.
GCSE & A LEVEL CONCERT TRIP
This March we took a group of students to the Royal Festival Hall, London to see the London Philharmonic Orchestra perform two large orchestral pieces. Mahler’s 5th symphony and Schumann’s piano concerto. It was a great opportunity for the pupils to hear a huge live orchestra and experience supporting repertoire.
ROTARY YOUNG MUSICIAN
The semi-finals were held in Chelmsford with Nina A and Oscar ST representing the Rotary South Counties. The evening was full with outstanding performances from everyone involved. They both performed brilliantly, and Nina was placed runner up in the vocal section.
GCSE & A LEVEL SHOWCASE
A fantastic evening of performances, highlighting the talent and dedication of our Music students. From powerful vocals to skilful instrumental pieces, the event featured an impressive range of musical styles. A huge well done to all performers, including Tristan (bass), Brandon (clarinet), Kiana (voice), George (cello), Lola-Bella (drums), Mina (voice), Lara (piano), Csilla, Oscar (saxophone), and Imogen (clarinet), for their outstanding contributions to a truly memorable night.
HOUSE MUSIC
The House Music Competition was a spectacular showcase of talent, featuring outstanding performances from junior and senior instrumentalists, vocalists, and ensembles representing Galloway, Cornish, Randle, and Blake. Each House delivered impressive displays of skill, passion, and teamwork, making for a truly memorable event. Congratulations to Galloway House, who claimed the overall victory!
MUSICAL INTERLUDE continued..
EASTER CONCERT
A Spectacular End to the Easter Term with an Evening of Music
On the evening of our penultimate day of term, Luckley’s musicians took to the stage for a wonderful evening of performances from our talented ensembles and soloists. The programme featured an exciting mix of genres, from classical and musical theatre to pop and rock, showcasing the breadth of musical talent within our school. This uplifting event was a fantastic way to round off a busy and successful term for the Music Department, leaving the audience thoroughly entertained. Well done to all our performers!
EAST SUSSEX MUSIC TOUR
At the end of term we took the chamber choir and wind ensemble away to East Sussex to enjoy time away rehearsing, performing and sight-seeing in the beautiful South Downs. The group gave two concerts near Lewes and Brighton, which were well-received and were a fun way to end the term.
SPORTS UPDATE
Mr Tim Hamilton, Director of Sport
It has been another bumper term for Luckley Sport; we have put out 24 different teams, across six different sports, with over 200 pupils representing Luckley House since Christmas. We are extremely proud of all our pupils for the dedication and development they have shown, wearing the Luckley badge with pride. In the summer term we will play host to more fixtures, particularly in cricket, tennis and athletics.
NETBALL UNDER THE LIGHTS - Won 50-17. A special mention to Players of the Match, Matilda U (bottom right) and Ana D (top right), whose outstanding contributions on court played a crucial role in the team's success.
Our talented runners took on a very muddy ISA Cross Country event at the beginning of term, battling tough conditions to achieve fantastic results: George P won Gold in the Open Boys, Grace E won Bronze in the Open Girls and Jasper L won Gold in the U14 Boys category.
George, Grace, Jasper, and Year 13 student Oliver P, all qualified for the ISA National Final at Mallory Park, Leicestershire in March, where Jasper followed up his impressive 1st place at the National Championships with an outstanding 40th at the English Schools Championships. A huge congratulations also to George and Oliver, especially Oliver for stepping up at the last minute, for showing true grit as solid team members.
We are so proud of all our athletes and excited to see their continued success!
FOOTBALL UNDER THE LIGHTS (BOYS TEAM)
FOOTBALL UNDER THE LIGHTS (GIRLS TEAM)
LUCKLEY HOUSE FRIENDS
“Parents working together for our children”
Luckley House Friends have been hard at work this term, hosting events and raising funds to enhance our children’s experiences at Luckley.
BINGO & CHILLI NIGHT
A fun-filled evening where families came together for some friendly competition and delicious food! Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it a success.
CELEBRATION TEA PARTY
We were delighted to have a presence at this special event, chatting with prospective parents and sharing all the wonderful things LHF does to support our school community.
SECONDHAND UNIFORM SALES
Another round of sales is underway, helping families access affordable school uniform options while supporting sustainability.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and volunteered at these events. Your involvement makes a real difference, and we look forward to more exciting activities next term!
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED!
• Volunteer at an event
• Join your Parent WhatsApp group
• Join the Committee - meeting once a term
• You automatically become a member of Luckley House Friends when your child joins Luckley House School
Luckley House Friends supports and funds non-academic events and projects at Luckley. The Committee, a group of parents and Luckley staff, are always keen to hear from other parents, so if you would like to find out more or get involved please contact us via email at Luckleyhousefriends@ luckleyhouseschool.org
EASTER EGG HUNT
The ever-popular end-of-term Easter Egg Hunt was a highlight for pupils across all year groups. A big thank you to our Sixth Formers who helped the Easter Bunny hide the eggs!
SUMMER FESTIVAL
Friday 27 June 18:00
Our summer festival is a great chance to get together with friends, old and new, and chill out with drinks, food and exceptional Luckley House music.
