Elstree School Echo - Issue 18 2021

Elstree School Day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 3-13

Echo A Newsletter for the Elstree Community Issue 18

January 2021

H E A D M A S T ER ’ S W ELCO M E At the end of a year quite unlike any

The exhausting-looking list of events,

other, it is with considerable pride

activities and enriching opportunities

that I write this introduction to the

demonstrate this spirit. In the absence

latest edition of Echo. The whole

of formal sport matches, we have

Elstree family – pupils, staff, parents,

introduced the Elstree Leagues and

Governors and wider community –

the mixed programme of sport (with

has worked together in a tremendous

badminton, kayaking, golf, netball,

spirit of togetherness during this most

squash, cricket nets, trampolining, yoga

challenging of times. The overriding

and table tennis); we have continued

message has always been to explore

with a full musical programme, with

what we can do, rather than regret

concerts live streamed to all parts of

what we cannot, and, importantly,

the world and our memorable Carol

for us to have the determination to

Service recorded in different areas of

give the children an academically

the school; we have put on two senior

and emotionally enriching school

drama productions – the Year 7 Play

experience in amongst the many

in a Day and the Year 8 recording of

restrictions imposed on us.

The Demon Headmaster; our Church Services have included anthems sung by

It has been a term full of contrasting

the choir and sermons from a number

emotions. On the one hand it

of senior school representatives; the

has without doubt been the most

build up to Christmas saw our inaugural

challenging periods for all schools,

Community Car Park Carols, House

with so much uncertainty and so

Bubbled Cross-country Relays, a choir

much changing guidance. On the

recording for the Charlie Waller Trust

other hand, it has also been one of

Carol Concert and the usual Christmas

the most enjoyable and successful

Jumper Day in aid of Save the Children.

times due to what we have managed to achieve, how well everyone has come together and how energising the happy presence of children in

I take great comfort from the fact that our pupils and staff have continued to find ways to thrive, even when facing

the school has been.

the unprecedented challenges of the

One key development of course has

and restrictions to the normal school

been the arrival of our first cohort of

routines. My thanks go to the whole

girls to the Prep School. They have

staff team who have demonstrated

thrown themselves into Elstree life

extraordinary resilience, patience

with remarkable enthusiasm and

and commitment to the cause. I am

energy. It is as if they have all been

fortunate to have such a dynamic and

here for years and we love having

supportive team. This latest edition

them with us. Mention too to the

of Echo celebrates everything that

boys who have adapted so well to

has been positive and productive at

a co-educational Elstree. Pleasingly,

Elstree. I hope you enjoy reading about

the news of the girls’ successful start

everything that has been going on.

national lockdown, remote learning

has spread far and wide, and we are delighted to have met a huge number of families who are keen to give their girls, as well as their boys, an Elstree education.

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Sid Inglis, Headmaster Elstree Echo Issue 18

EL S T R EE ’ S P OS I T I V E R E S P O N S E TO T H E PA N D EM I C Director of Learning and Teaching Mr Pilkington explains how being proactive and adaptable has been critical to the success of online learning at Elstree.

“During the first national lockdown of 2020, we launched our ‘Remote Learning Programme’ using Firefly as our ‘go to’ online platform every day for live lesson links to zoom, tasks and assessments.

As the term progressed, our development of Microsoft Teams complemented the Firefly package, letting pupils and teachers work collaboratively in real-time.

We focused our programme on academic lessons in the morning, and then introduced more creative subjects and PE in the afternoons.

Every two weeks, we sought valuable feedback from parents across different age groups, which helped us adapt and develop. As a result of their input and an agile and flexible approach, it meant the whole programme growing from strength to strength.

When we returned for the Autumn Term, our ‘Remote Learning Programme’ developed into a ‘Blended Learning Programme’ to accommodate pupils abroad or those self-isolating.

Everyone across the school could join into all lessons ‘live’, including assemblies and church services.

Elstree teachers have been fantastic adapting to our IT developments, and our new Head of Digital Learning Mr Wootten supported the staff and pupils magnificently.

Recording lessons and marking work online is now a way of life for us at Elstree. Being proactive, adaptable and seeking feedback has been critical to the success of both of our ‘online learning programmes’. None of this would be possible without the ‘can do’ attitude of the Elstree community.”

When the first lockdown was announced, and children were not physically allowed back to Elstree, Senior Master and Berkshire County Cricket Captain Mr Morris had to come up with a strategy that would engage pupils with sport - remotely.

“I designed a series of remote sporting initiatives that our pupils could take part in from home by tuning in to our YouTube channel. There was a series of HIIT sessions appropriately named ‘Move with Moz’, and weekly sporting challenges.

Once back at school, with Elstree’s extensive grounds and sports facilities at their disposal, running sports programmes became a whole lot easier.

Sadly, with restrictions still in place, it meant competitive fixtures remaining off the sporting agenda.

With no cricket or football matches being played over the course of the Summer and Autumn Terms, we had a challenge on our hands to keep all the children engaged with their sport as well as satisfying the urge for competitive action.

The Elstree Football Leagues were created at the beginning of the Autumn Term to provide some much-needed team-spirit and camaraderie. And the children have responded positively and enthusiastically to everything.”

Elstree Echo Issue 18

During lockdown, Elstree took the opportunity to undertake several refurbishment projects.

Aside from the McMullen Hall having a face-lift, the Elstree Sports Hall of Fame (aka the McMullen corridor) was reinstated, along with interactive digital TVs on newly painted walls, a new ceiling and new flooring. Meanwhile, facilities including a new dormitory ‘Finlay’ were created, in preparation for the arrival of our pioneering Prep girls.

Outside, the dead yews along the iconic Pineapple Walk were removed and the holes filled and reseeded. Then, during the Autumn half term, 30 new yews were planted.

Before

After

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HERE ARE THE ELSTREE GIRLS Elstree’s move to becoming a fully co-educational school last September was a resounding success. The 2020 Autumn Term started with 31 girls in the whole school, of which 14 were in the Prep. Six more girls have joined Elstree for the Lent Term, with another four joining in the Summer.

Elstree Pre-Prep has been coeducational since it was founded nearly 30 years ago. Now, girls like boys, can continue their Elstree education from Nursery (age 3) up to the end of Year 8 (age 13).

One term in, and the cohort of pioneering girls in Years 3 to 6 have already positively contributed to Elstree’s fully co-educational status.

Headmaster Sid Inglis said: “Last term marked the start of arguably the most significant development in the school’s history, other than its move from London to Woolhampton at the beginning of the Second World War. It has been extremely exciting welcoming our first cohort of girls to the Prep School: the response has been remarkable.”

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Many areas within the school were redeveloped and refurbished to accommodate the girls, including a new girls’ dormitory for boarding, affectionately named ‘Finlay’ in memory of our much-loved former School Nurse.

Like the boys, boarding is available from Year 4. It is a popular and fun part of Elstree life, with around 50% of the total number of pupils boarding on a flexi or weekly basis.

Elstree was crowned Boarding School of the Year at the prestigious Independent Schools of the Year 2020 awards.

Girls’ main sports are hockey during the Autumn Term, netball during Lent, and tennis, athletics, swimming and cricket in the Summer. They also participate in cross country and some football.

Head of Girls Crispy Kidson said: “There is no doubt that the girls have brought a wave of enthusiasm and a real sense of purpose with them. It feels as though they have been here for years.”

Elstree Echo Issue 18

EL S T R EE G I R L S’ S P O RT Elstree’s Head of Sport Mr Champkin shares his report on girls’ sports last term: “The girls have enjoyed a fantastic start to sport at Elstree and have made excellent progress in their first term. Despite the absence of school matches, the girls have worked hard to develop their skills, knowledge and fitness in hockey, netball, football and cross country.

They have also enjoyed a netball session during activities on a Thursday. Next term there will be more netball sessions and some hockey will continue.

We are all very excited to watch the girls’ sport grow and evolve at Elstree over the next few years. We look forward to many happy and enjoyable times to come. Well done girls you have all done brilliantly this term!”

The sport programme for Year 5 and 6 girls last Autumn comprised of one netball session, four hockey sessions and one football league session per week.

Most sessions are girls only, but two hockey and the football leagues have been with some of the boys.

The programme for Year 3 and 4 included four hockey sessions, two football sessions and a cross country session every other Thursday.

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EL S T R EE A LU M N I L I F E A S A N EL S T R EE G A PPER Four new Gappers joined Elstree for the 2020 Autumn Term, making a total of five.

Two of the five - Christian and Ed - were former Elstree pupils. Here they explain what it was like returning to Elstree for a term, but this time, as part of the Staff.

Ed Hodson (Former Eton College Head of House): “ I started Elstree in 2005 and left at the same time as Christian, at the end of the Summer Term of 2015. I then went to Eton until July 2020.

Like Christian, I only spent one term as a Gapper at Elstree.

My plan is to do the ski season in a hotel in Meribel, then apply for an internship or travel - dependent upon the global pandemic. As yet, I am undecided which University I shall be attending, but my plan is to study Economics.

Christian Johnson (Former Elstree and Sherborne Head Boy and Captain of Rugby at Sherborne): “I went to Elstree between 2010 and 2015, and then Sherborne School until July 2020. I have secured a place to study Human Geography at Durham University, starting September 2021.

I am so pleased that many of the Elstree traditions continue, albeit in ‘bubbles’. Some of my favourites are: Kit-Kats for the winning house, half-holiday, Fugitive, Convoy and Round the House games.

Elstree will always hold a place close to my heart, and when here, I always looked up to the Gappers. I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to experience being one.

Although, I also love the new competitions like Mr Wyatt’s Cross Country Relay, Car Park Christmas Carols and WellyWanging.

It has been particularly fascinating seeing how the school runs from the other side; seeing that teachers can have fun and that some of them are actually normal!

Elstree hasn’t changed dramatically since I was here.

It has an amazing friendly and loving atmosphere which has only grown stronger since I left.

The biggest change has of course been the girls. They have been a brilliant asset and each girl has been absolutely superb.

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I am eternally grateful to all the staff for making me feel so welcome. It’s like I never left. Elstree is a place that is responsible for so many fantastic childhood memories and now having been a Gapper, many, many more.”

Elstree Alumni Christian Johnson with his former Headmasters - Dr Dominic Luckett, Headmaster of Sherborne School and Mr Sid Inglis, Headmaster of Elstree

My experience of being a Gapper at Elstree has been amazing. It is so interesting being on the other side of the fence and seeing how magically things happen for pupils.

Big Weekends have remained the same, but bring even better levels of fun. The old classic Escape from Colditz is still a highlight.

There is no doubt that Elstree has an incredible group of children and staff that make anyone new joining the school feel welcome.

I absolutely loved coaching the U11 Cs, supporting at the themed weekends, and serving ‘Buns’ with a smile.

When I was at Elstree, I remember there being lots of different Gappers – mainly from Australia or South Africa.

My advice to anyone interested in returning to Elstree as a Gapper is bring lots of energy to everything, always offer to help and get stuck in.”

Elstree Alumni Ed Hodson talking with pupils

Elstree Echo Issue 18

A snapshot from our former pupils now in Upper Sixth We always enjoy hearing about how our former pupils are getting on, so it was a lovely surprise when several Upper Sixth boys recently got in touch.

Henry Bentley

Marlborough College

Head of House and Music Scholar

Henry was awarded a Music Scholarship to Marlborough. He plays in the Symphony Orchestra and Brasser, sings in the Chapel, Chamber and Compline Choirs, performed in ‘Cabaret’ and led the House Shout and House Harmony. Henry plays rackets and cricket and is a keen cross-country runner. In his final year, Henry is both Head of House and Head of Choir. He would like to study International Relations or Combined Studies at University.

Hugo Crawford

Elstree Old Boys’ Christmas Drinks 2019 We were delighted to welcome over 100 former pupils and their families to Elstree for a reunion just before Christmas 2019. Leavers from 2014, 2015 and 2016, enjoyed reminiscing about their time at Elstree, catching up with current news and raising a glass to the future.

Eton College Oppidan Scholar, Head of House, 6th Form Select

Since joining Eton, Hugo has been awarded an Oppidan Scholarship and enjoyed being involved in school sport. Now in Upper Sixth, he is Head of House (Holland) and has been elected a member of Sixth Form Select, the group of academic prefects that has the responsibility of performing speeches in front of the school. After Eton, he is hoping to study Physics at Oxford.

Ned Hine

Wellington College

Sports Scholar

From Elstree, Ned was awarded a Sports Scholarship to Wellington College. Aside from studying IB, he represents Wellington in Football (main sport), Hockey, Rugby, Tennis and Polo. He has played 1st XI Football since fifth form, and Polo for the 1st Team (senior) every year since his final term at Elstree. Ned would like to read Economics/Business after taking a gap year, where he hopes to continue playing polo professionally full time.

Johnny Inglis

Eton College

Music Exhibitioner

Johnny has been awarded a Music Exhibition at Eton. He plays first trumpet in the School Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band, is head of the Eton College Pop Choir, and performed in the band for the school play ‘The Producers’. Johnny also plays cricket for Eton, numerous House sports, is Head of the Italian Society and Head of the Eton Wine Society. He is hoping to read Modern Languages at University.

Max Jardine-Brown

Radley College

Head of House

At Radley, Max has not only thrived in all sports, but has been lucky enough to play Bigside (1st XV and 1st XI) for hockey, cricket, and rugby. He is Head of House (K Social) and Head of the Radley College Darts Society. Through a volunteering programme, Max has enjoyed teaching maths to children at a local primary school.

Fergus McKendrick

Bradfield

Deputy Head Boy and Art Scholar

Fergus joined Bradfield with an Art Scholarship, where a passion for photography that started at Elstree has continued. Aside from playing golf for the 1st team, he has been appointed Deputy Head of School. This has involved focusing on key topical subjects and supporting his peers through the current COVID restrictions. After taking a gap year, Fergus hopes to study History of Art at University.

Harry Tufnell

Radley College

Music Scholar

Harry went to Radley College with a Music Scholarship and has since been heavily involved in everything Radley has to offer. Leaving Elstree as a pianist and an oboist, he became first oboist in the Radley orchestra, and started DJing. In December 2019, Harry was the DJ at the Feathers Ball in the Ministry of Sound. After Radley, Harry would like to study Politics & Philosophy at University.

Alex Trew

Eton College

Oppidan Scholar

Since Alex has been at Eton, he has excelled in rowing, represented the school at the National Schools’ Regatta and Schools’ Head of the River, and become involved in various societies. He has been awarded the MacMillan Prize for Politics, the Andrew Duncan Prize for History, the Coutts prize for General Academic Achievement and was recently made an Oppidan Scholar. After Eton, Alex is hoping to read History at Oxford.

Elstree Echo Issue 18

Dates for the Diary Elstree Alumni versus Headmaster’s X1 Cricket Friday 20th May 2021 Elstree Alumni Christmas Drinks

Thursday 16th December 2021 7

EL S T R EE PR EP N E W S AC A D EM I C Geography river field trip for Common Entrance Last term, on a surprisingly warm September day, Year 8 hot footed it to the River Pang in Berkshire, to collect data on a field trip. Fieldwork is embedded within the geography curriculum, and now accounts for 20% of Common Entrance.

Travelling in style by tractor, our pupils then waded through the Pang to investigate how the river changed from source to mouth.

They used their enquiry skills to observe how elements such as velocity, discharge, friction, load and width changed the features of the river as it travelled downstream.

DR AMA

Pupils then spent several weeks collating their primary field work data, supported by maps, annotated field sketches, photographs, graphs and charts, to substantiate their results.

When a global pandemic strikes, it’s time to think outside the box. Last term, Head of Drama Mrs Oliver enrolled the services of photographer and videographer Jonathan Bond, to film The Demon Headmaster on location at Elstree. An edited version, was then screened to pupils, staff and parents via YouTube the following week.

The Demon Headmaster filmed live at Elstree

The Demon Headmaster is a play by Adrian Flynn, based on the famous novel series by Gillian Cross.

Every member of Year 8 had a part to play, and while the final version is edited to a slick 50 minute film, the production involved a whole term’s work and involvement outside the Drama department.

MUSIC The Autumn Term music concert After a term’s worth of informal concerts, everyone eagerly awaited the Autumn Term Music Concert. Pre-recorded and managed in ‘bubbles’, every performance was delivered with aplomb.

The concert featured a variety of ensembles from our more experienced and higher-level Year 8 musicians. The programme included seasonal treats including ‘Autumn’ by Vivaldi played by the orchestra, and a jaunty rendition of Jingle Bells by the newly formed bassoon ensemble.

Mrs Oliver said: “I’m extremely proud of Year 8 and their confident acting, musical and technical skills. This was their first full length play and most of the cast had a huge amount of lines to learn.

I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the film genre, as well as using the many settings to create interesting drama and it was great to see them having so much fun too. Well done, Year 8!”

“Thanks also to Mr Duarte for props, Mr Attwood for logistics, Mr Smith for lighting, the maintenance team for preparing the stage and outdoor settings, and Mr Bond for filming.”

A link to the film was also sent to author of The Demon Headmaster Gillian Cross, who commented on our Twitter feed:

Choirs in ‘bubbles’ sang their hearts out and the string ensembles made a fantastic sound. Head of Music, Mrs Westley concluded: “The breadth of the timbre of our Year 8 soloist was notable.

The concert involved the bassoon, voice, drums, piano, violin and saxophone. Judging the by the numbers of views on our YouTube channel, this was an Autumn Concert to be proud of.”

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Elstree Echo Issue 18

L I B R A RY

ACCO L A D E S

A Carnival of the Animals parade for Book Week

Elstree crowned Boarding School of the Year 2020

Elstree pupils, teachers and staff enthusiastically descended in droves, swarming the grounds in costume for the much-awaited start of Elstree Book Week.

Organised by School Librarian Mrs Walker (dressed as Julius Zebra), this year’s theme was the Carnival of the Animals.

S P O RT Elstree is one of the Top 50 Prep Schools for cricket Elstree was selected as one of the Top 50 Prep/Junior schools in The Cricketer Schools Guide 2021.

Sound system-ready, Headmaster Sid Inglis, aka ‘Acoustic Rooster’, introduced the parade with an appropriate reference to Aesop’s Fables. Music pumping, our year group ‘bubbles’ then circled the ‘D’ outside the front of school, showcasing their exceedingly imaginative animal disguises.

Taking inspiration from favourite books, literary characters included Fantastic Mr Fox, Aslan from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Tintin’s sidekick Snowy and Harry’s best friend Hedwig. The prize for the most inventive costume had to go to Mr Williams’ Form - 8FAW – for their coordinated and colourful take on Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

For the rest of the week, our enthusiastic bookworms were rewarded with Readers’ Celebration Parties in ‘bubbles’. The parties are the perfect opportunity for pupils and staff to share their favourite books with each other in a relaxed and fun environment.

It followed an exhaustive process that saw a record number of schools submitting entries, despite of the pandemic. All entries were judged against an extensive set of criteria, which included compelling commitment to cricket in the curriculum, facilities, fixture programmes and coaching.

The Cricketer magazine editor Simon Hughes said: “This year’s Schools Guide is particularly important in showcasing our schools. They have kept the game alive through a very challenging summer.”

The 148-page bumper-packed guide, accompanied the December issue of The Cricketer magazine, is also available on their website.

Last term, Elstree was crowned Boarding School of the Year at the prestigious ISOTY (Independent School of the Year) 2020 awards. From more than 300 nominations nationwide, Elstree was the only preparatory school to be shortlisted. It was also a finalist in the category of best Independent Pre-Prep School. The winners were announced during a virtual event on 8th October.

To celebrate the accolade in style, boarders and staff were treated to a sensational award-winning supper, including an impressive chocolate fountain.

Head of Boarding, Iain Hepburn, believes that Elstree’s flexible boarding model has huge benefits for pupils: “It enables children to learn to live as part of a community and to build up their self-confidence, independence and organisational skills. Resilience, selfreliance and the ability to get on with others has never been more important.

Children leave Elstree having developed a strong set of values, friendships and good manners which they not only take to their senior schools, but also into adult life.”

Mrs Walker said: “The readers’ parties are held to celebrate children’s efforts with their reading over the summer holidays, particularly those children who have gone that extra mile. It’s not about having the longest book list, more about who made the most effort, enjoyed it the most and showed the most enthusiasm.”

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EL S T R EE PR E- PR EP N E W S AC A D EM I C

Elstree Year 1 was incredibly lucky to visit the Steam Museum in Swindon last term, who despite restrictions, kindly opened its doors as a special treat.

Outdoor learning for Elstree Early Years Nursery and Reception had their first taste of outdoor learning in September.

They started the day by buttering their bread and making their own sandwiches.

Elstree likes to encourage independence in our Early Years whenever possible, so children can be successful on their own.

As the apple trees and blackberry bushes in our school grounds were adorned with fruits, the children enjoyed picking them and putting them in to their own little pots. Our teachers talked to them about the thorns on the bushes and all of the children picked with great care.

A colourful day Colour day for Pre-Prep was another highlight of last term. A wide range of activities was organised, including planting spring bulbs in the woodland, going on a scavenger hunt, threading autumnal leaves onto a lace and collecting sticks to paint.

Elstree Head of Art Mrs Syckelmoore joined Pre-Prep to run the stick-painting activity. They were used to make a beautiful rainbow arch in recognition of the NHS workers.

After this, letters were written to the 10

Swindon Steam Museum opens especially for Year 1

Not only is blackberry picking a wonderfully fun activity for all ages, it is a perfect way to develop fine motor control in little fingers, ready for a secure pincer pencil grip. Little did our children know that they were secretly having a handwriting lesson!

After a delicious picnic in their Early Years’ ‘bubble’, the children came back to school with their ripe pickings, with the plan to make a crumble.

Our children were introduced to Stephenson and Brunel, tried on railway costumes of the time, and reconstructed a nineteenth century train. They also virtually drove their own train, pulled levers to let the Royal Train pass and played a train track game.

When it was then time for Year 1 to return to school, after such an insightful time learning about the invention of trains, the children wished they were travelling back on a steam train and not on the coach.

woodland animals, some beautiful natural artwork was completed and a colourful colour pallet was created using items that they found outside.

In the afternoon, the children went on an acorn hunt. Each year group had to collect as many acorns as they could. After fifteen minutes, the children gathered in their ‘bubbles’ on the playground to find out the results. After the acorns were weighed, the winners were announced. First, was Year 1 with 8333g, second was Early Years and in third place, was Year 2. A terrific day was had by all.

Elstree Echo Issue 18

MUSIC AND DR AMA

A RT Christmas art workshop Lucky Pre-Prep got to visit Mrs Syckelmoore in the Elstree Art Room for a workshop. Inspired by the ‘Rainbows for the NHS‘, each child was given a template to work from and different colour Fimo modelling clay.

Pre-Prep’s Nativity film Not to be deterred by current restrictions, Elstree Pre-Prep performed their Nativity on camera at the end of last year. Filmed on location in the grounds of Elstree, our stellar cast and crew rose to the challenge, making their teachers and parents very proud.

Scenes were rehearsed in ‘bubbles’ inside the classrooms, while songs were learnt in music lessons. Filming took “ What an inspired and fabulous Nativity you have all produced this year. Love the replacement of Bethlehem with the Elstree grounds.

Congratulations on making it special and incredibly memorable. Thank you to you and your team.” “ Just watched the nativity – it is AMAZING!!!! Just gorgeous!

And we were in hysterics watching the sheep and their enthusiastic singing and actions!!! Huge thanks for all your serious hard work and for the amazing biscuits…so, so thoughtful and fun for all.”

place in a variety of locations, including the Groundsmen’s Woodshed, Alec’s House, and the Elstree woods, where our stars, sheep and shepherds performed around the fire circle.

The children loved acting outside.

They felt very grown up being part of a film set with a professional camera and microphone. And after numerous ‘takes’ and ‘cuts’, they even joined in with the helpful calls of ‘action’!

To celebrate the ‘at home’ viewing experience of Elstree Pre-Prep’s Nativity, every child baked a Christmas cookie for each member of their family, thanks to the support from Lara and the Elstree Catering Team.

The ‘artisan’ cookies were then sent home in Christmas cellophane bags, so families could enjoy them as they watched ‘The Christmas Movie of 2020 - The Missing Halos’.

First, the Pre-Prep children were taught how to turn a ball of clay into a ‘sausage’ shape by rolling it between the palms of their hands. After that, they learnt how to bind the colours together to create the arch of a rainbow. They also made clouds from white clay to attach to either end of their rainbow.

The class teachers then brought the children’s rainbows back to Pre-Prep and put them in the oven to set. Once they were hard, a ribbon was added and each child joined Head of Pre-Prep Miss Holifield in the entrance hall to hang them on the Christmas tree.

As Christmas music filled the air, each child chose a branch upon which to hang their rainbow. At the end of term, they took their colourful decoration home with them to hang on their own family tree.

Toddler Sessions If you would like to join us at our next Toddler Sessions on 2nd & 16th March between 9.00am and 10.30am, please email the Registrar: registrar@ elstreeschool.org.uk. The sessions are fun and engaging, and include music, stories and time outdoors in our Early Years Garden.

“ Absolutely fantastic. The children are brilliant and using the grounds so well made it even more special.”

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ELSTREE 2021 DATES FOR THE DIARY 2021 OPEN MORNINGS:

Saturday 27th February and 6th March

2021 FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP ASSESSMENT: Saturday 20th March