The Summer Term brought an end to a successful year for the School. For the first time for a while we were able to enjoy whole school community events such as the Queen’s Jubilee Fete in May and Festival 45 in June. All our pupils enjoyed the wonderful Festival of Sport in the final week of term.
On a very hot Friday before half term, FDPS organised a fun packed Jubilee fete – sunshine, stalls, food, drink and laughter filled the walled garden.
Graham Spawforth MA (Hons) MEd
June saw a fabulous event, Festival 45, rounding off the School’s 45th anniversary celebrations with past and current pupils and parents in attendance for a fabulous evening full of music, food, drink and fond memories.
This term we gathered for a whole school photograph, the first time in two years – a great addition to any home with plenty of smiling faces!
The final week of term was filled with an exciting Sports Festival. There were activities both on and off campus and lots of fun had all round.
Founder’s Day and Prize Giving was a great success. There were trophies galore and we also held the official opening of the Martin Pryce Sports Hall extension. Special guest Ruaridh McConnochie and patron Sir Sherard Cowper Coles were in attendance.
Middles had a stunning backdrop of the South Downs to take to the waves in Chichester Harbour on their Residential to Cobnor – a fitting end to a great year.
As part of Science Week where our very own Mr and Mrs Hoad conducted experiments, Middles and Lowers also entered an engineering competition which posed the question, ‘if you were an engineer, what would you do?’ with all children receiving a certificate for their hard work.
They had an opportunity to meet a Spacecraft Ground Systems Engineer, Steve Prankard from Airbus, who gave an inspiring assembly.
Dance classes at Ditcham have been a great success. Pupils have made excellent progress and here are Middles practising the lifts they have learnt!
Empathy Day saw Middles show off their empathy human superpower glasses
Reception enjoyed a trip to the Sustainability Centre focusing on minibeasts and the lifecycle of a butterfly; their assembly later that week shared some of their learning to parents.
Following the theme of minibeasts, Middles visited Reception to read their hard back story books about rainforest creatures.
had exciting flower filled visits this term.
They explored the Ditcham bluebells and enjoyed a visit to Lordington Lavender Fields.
Much fun was also had with messy chocolate mice whilst learning about Hickory
Prep learnt about Canada and made postcards with beautiful drawings of our school.
The class enjoyed a wonderful day at West Marden Farm and learnt where our food comes from.
Lowers enjoyed a walk to Buriton and met Vicar Judith.
Empathy Day also saw Lowers show off their Power Poses.
Transition had an action filled summer term with visits to Hillier Gardens and Chichester Cathedral.
Middles enjoyed an ‘under the microscope’ science lesson in the science lab this term.
Biscuit Day was a memorable morning with parents visiting to sample the delicious offerings!
Uppers enjoyed their bikeability experience and expanded their cycling skills.
Form 5’s had their last day in school just before half term.
Form 5 Leavers Prom was a beautiful evening to celebrate an end of an era…with a special appearance from Diego, a Bearded Dragon.
Form 4 had an educational visit to the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst where they heard a male and female cadet talk about leadership, preparing them for their new roles in the autumn.
Form 3 and 4 took a trip to WW1 Battlefields in Ypres for a history packed three day trip
Uppers production of the Keymaster was a truly fantastic event performed to packed audiences.
Summer was a bumper term for Music and Drama with many events, including:
LAMDA success for Seniors! Congratulations to our pupils for all achieving Distinctions.
Junior Concert – first time since 2019! (CDs available from the School Office).
Junior Young Musician competition
Form 2 completed an acrylic painting project on board and inspired by the contemporary artist Jim Dine, known for his giant heart sculptures and very textured heart paintings. Take a look at some of these on display in the Art department and in reception.
GCSE
Transition have created some wonderful sketches of plants
Transition have created some wonderful sketches of plants
ISA sport posters winners
It was a pleasure to welcome award winning artist Kas Williams, who joined us to work with our GCSE artists and Art Scholars. Our artists were tasked with looking at colour, shape and textures in response to an abstract still life, then bravely rip up their work and reassemble their paintings as collages.
Plenty of cricket played by all this term…with a spot of Rounders too!
Ditcham hosted the British Schools Cycling Association National Hill Climb on our
Sunrise Junior Cricket
LTA Tennis Leaders programme
Thank you to our wonderful FDPS
association with Petersfield Town Council her crewmate Rachel Lasham
