SPRING TERM REVIEW – 2022 –www.ditchampark.com Where ever y child is known and valued DITCHAM PARK SCHOOL Where ever y child DITCHAM Where ever y child is known and valued DITCHAM PARK SCHOOL Wh DITC
Headmaster’s Welcome
It is frustrating to reflect on the passing of another term which has been impacted by Covid-19. I would like to thank all the staff, both teaching and support, for their goodwill and commitment in adversity. Despite Covid, I am really pleased we managed to go ahead with the school production of Bugsy Malone in February. Likewise, we enjoyed watching and listening to over 50 pupils in Seniors sing and play at a joyful Seniors Music Concert in March. The day after the Seniors Concert, 8 bands performed in the Battle of the Bands and the following week pupils in Uppers and musicians in Seniors took part in the Portsmouth Music Festival.
Other highlights this term include World Book Day, Juniors Science Week, many sporting fixtures, a visit from GB elite athlete Adelle Tracey, the ski trip to Italy, a Geography trip to Iceland and Charities Week. We also have enjoyed using the new extension to the Martin Pryce Building which provides us with a second indoor sports hall, more changing rooms, two new classrooms and a wonderful fitness/activities studio.
Graham Spawforth MA (Hons) MEd
Charities Week has seen the whole school involved in various activities, with events such as soak the teacher, tuck shop Tuesdays, car washes, and a fabulous fete: Whole School Events This term we have raised an astounding £2,355.77 in aid of Ukraine DEC through fundraising and Non Uniform Day House Charities Week, to be split between the 4 Senior House Charities has totalled £1427.73! So that is £356.93 for each charity
Charities
Week:
Juniors
Happiness has been a key theme for Juniors this term, both in assemblies and classrooms, from New Year’s resolutions on what we can do to make ourselves happier, to continued acts of kindness between peers –so wonderful to see our Juniors developing some key skills to take forward with them in the future.
We held a number of sessions in Reception this term, with both internal pupils from Dragonflies in attendance and some new faces.
New Play Equipment
A huge thanks goes to our FDPS for their generous donation of funds towards play equipment for Juniors – we have very happy and grateful
Mental Health Week saw our pupils pay particular attention to their well being and mental health, learning skills and ways to improve their mental health through a wide range of activities, including yoga sessions, practising mindfulness exercises, making calming KineticSand and spending time outside, in the presence of the Ditcham Dragon!
Science Week saw another busy week this term, with lessons led by Mr and Mrs Hoad on how to use microscopes, active yeast experiments and Rocket launches in the Junior Courtyard. We hosted a special assembly with Steve Prankard from Airbus about the life of an engineer who said ‘Dream, Believe, Achieve.’ Middles received a response to their messages to the astronauts in the European Space Station!
KS1 & EYFS Pancake Races
Families enjoyed watching pupils’ Shrove Tuesday pancake races! Again, another in person event which was so lovely to share together. Check out the creative millinery!
Dragonflies have enjoyed exploring animal themed books, alongside an adventurous holiday club with an under the sea theme, finishing the term off with a fabulous Mother’s Day afternoon tea with mums and grandmothers!
Reception enjoyed gym in the new MPBX.
Pre-Prep fabulous return to school trips with a visit to Petersfield Museum learning about the history of toys and a (windy) beach day at Bracklesham!
Transition have been exploring all things Egyptian, making their own cartouches and learning about Rhodopis
Prep explored the world of chocolate, including a visit from the Crafty Chocolatier and making their very own chocolate bars!
Lowers have been exploring all things Roman, making vases, mosaics and even a trip to the Roman Palace at Fishbourne.
Middles fully immersed themselves in the Bishops Stortford Festival of Literature and, inspired by their talks from Jamie Smart, we have some budding comic book artists in the making!
Uppers’ trip to the National Gallery in London was a fantastic venture with a talk from the wonderful staff followed by a walking tour taking in views of the sites including the Mall with Buckingham Palace in the distance and Horse Guards Parade.
Seniors
54 pupils and 7 staff embarked on the annual Ski Trip to Italy, overseen by Mr V organising the largest ski trip the school has ever taken!
With a plane piloted by one of our parents Tim Huxham, it proved to be a safe and friendly flight. Loads of fun was had across the 6 groups of ranging ability, from beginner to advanced, all were well fed and the trip was packed with events both on and off the slopes.
part of their RE/Philosophy curriculum. Pupils were introduced to a whole host of careers within Police, from forensic science to the wider criminal justice system. An inspirational day from the world of criminal investigations.
Bugsy was a fantastic production from all involved, with fabulous reviews, standing ovations and an extra performance added due to high demand and rave reviews!
A special early performance was also put on for Buriton Primary School’s Emerald and Pearl classes and our guests even enjoyed an ice cream at the interval!
Music and Drama
Battle of the Bands was a fantastic evening showcasing 8 of Ditcham’s bands ranging from Form 1 to 5 – what an atmosphere!
Will G and Seb H compered the evening, with Darren Reeves judging the bands based on musicianship/ technicality, originality/creativity, stage presence and audience reaction to win the coveted BOTB Trophy.
Congratulations to Stationary Rocks a mix of Form 2 and Form 4 pupils who took home the trophy with a mindblowing rendition of Toto’s complex ‘Rosanna’.
Portsmouth Music Festival saw a debut performance from ‘Ditcham Park Guitar Trio,’ (Ben W, Cody D, Kit W) who, against adult competition, won the Guitar ensemble with an outstanding mark and taking home the Hago Cup and Ben W taking home the Clarenden Cup for the Solo Class Grade 6 and under.
Lunchtime concert at St Peter’s Church, Petersfield 11 of our pupils performed
The stage was set for around 50 pupils who took part in our first Senior Concert in front of a live audience in two years! A fabulous evening was had, listening to a wide range of styles from all of our pupils including solo performances on the piano, cello, trombone, classical and electric guitar and by many vocalists.
The Spring term has been packed full of sporting fun, including: Rugby and Hockey fixtures galore
Sport
Every pupil had a chance to meet with Adelle Tracey, our elite athlete guest who so generously spent her rest day with us….and went running with Dragonflies, held a masterclass with our Sports Scholars and hosted Junior and Senior assemblies.
Adelle, who is a British Dyslexia Association Ambassador, also visited Learning Support to find out how we work with pupils who have dyslexia.
MTB club first Adventure ride of the year at QE Country Park
Our Sports Scholar visited Surrey Sports Park Hampshire Cross Country
DITCHAM PARK SCHOOL
DITCHAM PARK SCHOOL
Where every child is known and valued
Where ever y child is known and valued
DITCHAM PARK SCHOOL
DITCHAM PARK SCHO
Where every child is known and valued
Where ever y child is known and valued
www.ditchampark.com @DitchamPark @DitchamParkSchool @ditchamparkschool