Ditcham Park School
Autumn on the South Drive
The Autumn Term is always a busy and exciting term and Autumn 2024 was no exception! Our Ditcham Community was out in force representing the school at events across the county in sports, music, drama and outdoor pursuits. The run to Christmas was particularly enjoyable although a lot of hard work for our staff and pupils. The carol service in St John’s Cathedral was a joy and finished off the term in style. Please enjoy looking through some selected highlights for the school this Autumn.
Headmaster’s Welcome Highlights
Raising funds for Dementia Awareness
Hill Challenge
Butser
Prep-Prep visit Marwell Zoo
The Autumn Term brought us plenty of sunshine and good times for our youngest pupils. We welcomed the new Reception class to Ditcham and they soon settled in to ‘big school’ and had fun exploring the grounds, looking out for signs of Autumn. Pre-Prep’s new term was full of story-telling adventures and a trip to Marwell Zoo. In their first assembly back, our Juniors all met Philip the Frog who taught them all the story of perseverance - the theme for this academic year. Our Christmas Nativity (Born in a Barn) was a triumph with some stellar performances from all the children and got everyone in the festive vibe.
Petersfield Dementia Festival
Transition, Lowers, Middles and Uppers
Transitions went into their make-shift caves as part of their Stone Age project this term, whilst Lowers got to grips with learning about good manners in PSHE. Middles have been focusing using sensory detail to describe an imaginary planet as part of their space theme for the term. Uppers took part in an AIM Higher Writing day. Out and about Transitions went to Butser Ancient Farm to learn some skills from a time gone by. The Dementia Festival in Petersfield gave our children a chance to support this important cause and our Uppers enjoyed their Autumn residential trip to Osmington Bay
Butser Hill Challenge
The annual Butser Hill run saw a record turn out of over 40 children and 10 staff from Dticham taking on this gruelling hill climb with some personal records being set as well! Our teams out on the sports pitches and courts worked hard this term and were rewarded with some great scores and results. We also had teams taking on swimming galas as well including a brilliant win for the Junior boys’ team at Churcher’s which gave Ditcham the overall win for the gala against some very strong competition. Not bad for a school without a pool...!
Butser Hill
Y9 Trip to Belgium
Yr 11 had the opportunity to meet with local Colleges
Seniors
Our student leaders welcomed prospective parents at our Open Morning
Year 8 pupils took part in a performance of Twelfth Night at the New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth
Year 9 visited the WW1 Battlefields in Belgium
Year 7 reinacted the Battle of Hastings!
Year 8 got to grips with Genetics in Science lessons this term
Our Seniors have had a great term of fixtures with some great results in cross-country, netball, football and hockey. Swimming has been strong too this term with a resounding win at the Churcher’s Gala.
Outdoor Pursuits
The Autumn Term is a great opportunity for all the pupils to get outside. From kayaking to expeditions and bike rides to sunset dog walks, pupils from Juniors up to Seniors took advantage of the late summer sunshine
Eco Committee
Our Eco Committee has been very busy this term, encouraging the Ditcham Community to make less waste, to recycle and re-use, especially in the run-up to Christmas. We loved their Eco guide to Christmas in particular - solar power lights, re-usable wrapping paper and gifts of local produce. Great ideas!
Louis L, Daniel J and Seb I all received awards at Hambledon Cricket Club!
U11 Prep School Cup at St George’s Park that Ditcham boys took part in!
Freddie B raced to victory at the British Indoor Karting Championships
Outside School Achievements!
Hester travelled to Slovakia to compete in the GBR U17 Coupe De Samaria
Laila-Rose performed as Teen Fiona in Shrek The Musical in Fareham
Many of our staff and children take part in sports, drama and activities beyond the school day and here are just a few of those super stars
Millie T was selected to run for Hampshire at the Autumn InterCounty races
Barnaby took up golf and earned himself his first official handicap.
Neve and Bethan performed in Cinderella at the Chichester Festival Theatre
Talented musician Henry M performed at the Royal Albert Hall with the Hampshire County Band
Barnaby took his DPS bobble hat to New Zealand!
Hush Hush Student And Staff Choir
We had a bumper number of donations for our Harvest Festival Festive Vibes for our bus drivers!
Mr Spawofrth enjoyed the Christmas Fayre Ditcham Sparkling Wine was launched in time for Christmas!
Our annual Carols in the Quad was a huge hit!
OurWonderfulFDPSprovidedcakeand refreshmentstallsforOpenDay-even theDadsgotinvolvedintheprocess! ThankyouFDPS!
We welcomed back our Year 11 leavers to receive their certificates
