Prep Chronicle 28 November 2025

24 NOVEMBER 2025 8 JANUARY 2024 3 JULY 2023 Message from the Head of Prep Last year, we took part in a successful Guinness World Record attempt by award-winning writer Laura Mucha for the ‘Largest Poetry Lesson’, and we were delighted to be involved in her poetry workshop on Monday. Year 6 really shone, showcasing their creative writing skills. Reception to Year 2 were also able to let their imaginations run wild with some magical Drama workshops, exploring lands of knights and dragons.

On Wednesday, we hosted another swimming gala with our visitors on this occasion being Boxgrove. Thank you to Mrs Calpin for all the hard work that goes into coordinating these competitions. Our swimmers gave an excellent account of themselves, earning a hard-fought victory.

Thursday morning’s tuckshop proved very popular. Well done to the Chaplaincy team for helping with the organisation and to Mr Jakubowski for overseeing the event. This was followed by a delicious themed lunch for St Andrew’s Day, our school’s patron saint. Staying on the theme of food, praise must go to the catering staff for the way they have responded to our School Council’s suggestions over recent months. It is amazing to see some of the children’s ideas come to fruition. Cupcake Day was particularly impressive, as was the Oreo cheesecake dessert.

Final rehearsals have taken place in readiness for our Nativity performances of “I’m Gonna Shine” on Monday and Tuesday. With Advent starting on Sunday, it is a fitting way to mark the coming season of peace, hope and joy.

Mr Heaver

Poetry Workshop for Year 6 On Monday, our Year 6 pupils took part in a live online poetry workshop led by poets Laura Mucha and Zohab Zee Khan in partnership with the National Literacy Trust. Working alongside other participating schools, we shared ideas—some of which were woven into the final poem edited by Laura and Zohab.

The poets offered inspiring tips for writing, such as jotting down song lyrics you love, turning everyday sights into something magical, and using the refrain “I dream of a world where…”.

Our young writers then created their own poems and left brimming with ideas for future poetry adventures.

Mrs Watkinson and Mrs Castle

Year 5 Maths Masterclass at St Teresa’s Last Friday, November 21st, St. Teresa’s School hosted a Year 5 Maths Masterclass titled “Maths in Medicine”, presented by Dr. Amanda Moon. The session offered students a captivating look at how mathematics underpins modern healthcare. Dr. Moon explained the use of various quantities in medicine and demonstrated how positive and negative powers of ten apply in real-world scenarios. Students also learned practical skills, such as dispensing tablets with a triangular tablet counter and creating accurate prescription labels. The workshop was both engaging and enlightening, inspiring students to see mathematics as a powerful tool beyond the classroom and highlighting its crucial role in driving future medical innovations.

Ms Fagan

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

Chaplaincy Charity Tuck Shop On Thursday, our Chaplaincy team hosted a hugely popular charity tuck shop, offering pupils the chance to purchase freshly baked St Andrew’s Day cookies, chocolate bars, Fairtrade advent calendars, and journals. The event raised over £400 for this term’s chosen charity, Mary’s Meals. A big thank you to all our student helpers for making it such a success!

Mr Jakubowski, School Chaplain

Upper Prep Action Day Update We’re delighted to share that Upper Prep Action Day in October raised an impressive £941.50 for Macmillan Cancer Support and Mary’s Meals. A huge thank you to everyone who sponsored our pupils! Congratulations to 4EF, who raised the highest amount among all Upper Prep forms and enjoyed a well-deserved treat during break today. Well done, 4EF! Your generosity will make a meaningful difference to these incredible charities.

Ms Evans

Ice Hockey Success We are thrilled to share that one of our pupils, Charlie R in Year 6, has been selected for the Elite British Select ice hockey team and will be participating in the "Best v the Best" three-on-three showcase in Scotland on 18th of December. Charlie is in the top 1% of children in two age groups: the 2014 and the 2015s.

Congratulations, Charlie!

Lower Prep Drama Workshops On Tuesday, pupils from Reception to Year 2 enjoyed an incredible drama workshop. They were whisked away to a magical world filled with knights, royalty, and dragons as they took part in a series of imaginative games led by a representative from Perform. The children were fully engaged throughout and represented the school brilliantly.

Mrs Prothero

Year 2 News In English this week, Year 2 have been exploring The Magic Paintbrush as inspiration for their own creative writing.

They began by developing two main characters and worked collaboratively to generate imaginative story ideas. The results were truly fantastic!

Mrs Green

Reception News Reception have been drawing and painting woodland animals this week as part of their 'Nuts about Autumn' topic. They carefully sketched their chosen animal first with pencil, before using a variety of paints and brushes to create the finer details. Great work, RLP! Mrs Prothero

Sports News This week has been packed with sporting excitement across the Prep School! Our rugby teams have enjoyed a series of thrilling fixtures, demonstrating superb teamwork and determination. On Wednesday, we welcomed Boxgrove for a vibrant swimming gala, where every swimmer gave an outstanding performance filled with energy and competitive spirit. A special congratulations to our U11 football team, who secured a remarkable 10-0 victory over St George’s in the Surrey Cup semi-final. This fantastic achievement earns them a place in the Surrey Cup Final, taking place this afternoon—best of luck, team!

Mouthguards Home Fit Cranmore Mouthguard - please use this link to order Cranmore’s bespoke mouth guard (discount code cranmore10 to receive 10% off).

Professional Fit Mouthguard (at local dentists) - Topguards. To book: https:// form.jotform.com/241132543497355 For more information: enquiries@topguards.co.uk Mr Hodgson, Director of Sport

A Message from our Chaplaincy Team

This Week A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.

And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favoured one, the Lord is with you!”

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Reflection We have entered the season of Advent—a time of preparation, light, and hope. Mary embodies the spirit of Advent: chosen to bear and carry God’s Son, she is a model of faith and trust, even in the midst of uncertainty and change. This Advent, let us draw closer to God and echo Mary’s courageous “yes.” May we realign our lives toward the living God who loves us.

Prayer “Christ, our Light, shine within us with hope and promise. Grant us clear vision so we remain attentive to this sacred season. Help us to seek you in simple acts of kindness and love.

We await your coming with hearts full of wonder.”

Amen

"At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern."

Notices

Menu

Week 3

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Soup

Soup of the day

Soup of the day

Soup of the day

Soup of the day

Soup of the day

Main

Smokey Chorizo Macaroni Cheese with Crispy Onions

Braised Beef Cottage Pie with Cheddar Mash

Roast Pork With Yorkshire Pudding, Stuffing & Gravy

Vegetarian

Traditional Baked Macaroni Cheese

Mushroom Stroganoff

Autumn Vegetable Filo Parcels with a Grainy Cous Cous

Gemistra Greek Stuffed Peppers

Cheese and Vegetable Empanadas

Sides

Steamed New Potatoes Broccoli

Steamed Rice Green Beans

Thyme Roasted Potatoes Roasted Root Vegetables

Steamed Rice Asian Green Stir Fry

Skinny Fries Garden Peas

Additional

Jacket Potato & Baked Beans Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar

Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar

Jacket Potato & Baked Beans Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar

Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar

Jacket Potato & Baked Beans Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar

Victoria Sponge Cake

Chocolate Chip Sponge and Chocolate Sauce

Unicorn Cake

Dessert

Peach Crumble and Custard

Chocolate Brownie

Items in Italic - Sourced from F Conisbee’s, our local butcher

Chicken Katsu

Freshly Battered Fish or Fish Cake with Ketchup and Tartare Sauce