Spring Term Review 2024 by Ditcham Park School

Ditcham Park School

Where every child is known and valued

Spring Term Review 2024

p g y g g y success in ISA competitions, UKMT Maths challenge and the destinations of our current Year 11 pupils. We are delighted that pupils have been offered scholarships and sixth form places at prestigious schools such as Canford, Marlborough, Cheltenham and Wellington as well as more local colleges like Churcher’s, Godalming and Portsmouth UTC

Our Juniors have enjoyed some wonderful learning experiences both in the classroom and outsideincluding, for the older children, the chance to perform at the O2 Arena with Young Voices. Please enjoy reading about all that we have been up to.

Highlights

Grease is THE Word!

Without a shadow of a doubt, Grease - our senior production, was the highlight of the Spring Term. This absolute triumph was brought together by a lot of hard working pupils, staff and parents. And what a triumph it was! The stage, the set, the costumes, the music, the singing, the dancing - it was worthy of a West End Stage. Huge well done to Mrs Baker and Miss Bicknell, the Directors. This is one show we will be talking about for years to come!

Dragonflies Preschool

The Spring term has given our Dragonflies plenty of opportunities to play outside, taking part in The Big Garden Birdwatch, Easter Egg hunts, pancake races and the infamous Ditcham Egg Roll!

Inside, the children have been working hard on their numbers and phonics as well as learning about their bodies and the world around them. This term, Kylie and Claire created a beautiful new Sensory Room for the Dragonflies - a quiet and restful place for children (and adults!) to go to whenever they feel tired or overwhelmed Its been a big hit!

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C y C p p science and cookery lesson as they learnt how chocolate can be tempered at different temperatures. Pre-Prep also learnt what happens to objects when they freeze in their science as well as learning about baking - yummy! Our Reception children had the most amazing adventure when they discovered a Dinosaur egg in their classroom one morning - this was the perfect opportunity to go on a Dinosaur hunt and to put up some posters asking for clues! Prep journeyed back in time to Victorian days with a trip to Milestones Museum and got a taste for what school was like then! I think they much preferred school today...

Transition, Lowers, Middles and Uppers

Young Voices in early January kick-started the Spring Term off on the right note for Lowers to Uppers and what a fantastic day it was! Middles had been taking part in the 12 Days Wild Nature Challenge and getting out and about enjoying the natural environment. Lowers continued their good deeds and took part in a hedgerow planting session on a very cold February morning. Uppers enjoyed a fascinating trip to the National Portrait Gallery too. Science has been a big feature of this term from testing forces to looking at rocks and experimenting with States of Matter as well as learning how to mummify - all useful futureready skills! World Book Day was a celebration of all things literary with some fantastic outfits - not least the staff who went the whole Hogwarts!

Despite the seemingly never-ending rain, our Juniors managed to get out and about and compete in Rugby and Hockey matches. Often pitched against A Teams at other schools, our teams have continued to show impressive skills, clocking up many wins as the season progressed. They have worked hard to develop and refine their game techniques and this has resulted in some pleasing scores!

Year 11 students have enjoyed a great deal of success with their applications to Sixth Forms and Colleges and continuing our proud record of Oxbridge success, we received the heartening news that former pupil Oliver, who is taking his A levels at PGS this summer, has been offered a place at Brasenose College, Oxford to read Engineering.

Once again, this term, we have entered high quality work for Independent Schools Association (ISA) essay writing competitions and competed in the English Speaking Union (ESU) public speaking competition. 78 pupils in Years 9-11 entered the UKMT Maths Challenge which is more than ever before 37 achieved prestigious Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards which was an incredible school result!

Although the wet weather did impact somewhat on our sporting programme there was still much to celebrate. Our Senior girls’ hockey players have enjoyed another strong season and netball has shown improvement. This term there was a short Hockey Tour for our hockey players to Loughborough University in January which involved having a session with the University 1st XI ladies team coach and a game against Oakham School. Our U16s Rugby team who remain undefeated in their matches since Year 9 - they have really excelled as a team and have a formidable presence on the pitch!

Creative & Performing Arts

Without doubt, the Grease production this term consumed a huge amount of time and energy within the Seniors but whilst that was going on, it hasn’t stopped our pupils from excelling in the creative arts as well as other performances. Y9 students created some outstanding large portraits of people who inspire them. Elsewhere pupils have been learning about ‘forced perspective’ to create some really rather unusual photos in their STEAM rotation lessons!

The Music Department have been VERY busy this term! From Young Voices at the O2 Arena, Battle of the Bands, Lunchtime concerts, Senior Concerts to the Petersfield Music Festival, ISA Young Musician Competition finals, external music exams and of course, the wonderful band providing live music for Grease. Incredible performances and many talented musicians to make us very proud!

It’s been a busy term for our growing Tennis Academy! New skills have been learnt and refined with plenty of match play each week! Our indoor court set-up meant that even the bad weather did not stop play. New for the Summer Term - senior and adult tennis lessons - watch this space!

Outdoor Pursuits

Our staff and pupils are a hardy bunchyou have to be up at Ditcham where the weather can really turn! So it’s not a surprise to know that you can often find them out on bikes, camping, egg rolling, skiing or just enjoying the countryside around them. Whatever the age, our #ditchamcommunity loves the Great Outdoors!

Wren won the trophy for her flute performance at the Portsmouth Music Festival

Oliver’s Team ROAR won the North East Hants League Bowl

Sophie gained her Brown Stripe belt in Karate

Talented musician Henry bagged himself a VERY impressive second place in the Final of the ISA National Young Musician Competition Bella rode her way to place in the NESA Plate Championships