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King’s Ely Pre-Prep and Nursery – 50 things to do before you fly

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King’s Ely Pre-Prep and Nursery

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The contributors to our story are the children, families and

teachers who come together every day to ignite the spirit of childhood that we so cherish.

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Childhood is a fleeting time, which should not be hurried. It is a time when our experiences, values and friendships forge so much that makes us the adult we ultimately stand up to be. And so it is our ambition that our Acremont way of living

offers a unique and very special range of opportunities that you really shouldn’t miss out on.

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“Both our children have been at King’s Ely from the moment they became eligible, and we have enjoyed watching them thrive as they have progressed through the Nursery and into the school setting at Acremont Pre-Prep. Sophie and Louis relish their time at school, and the wide-ranging opportunities afforded to them there. This, combined with the overall care and nurturing environment provided by the excellent staff is clear to see. We have been delighted to watch their confidence grow and their constant thirst for knowledge aptly fed.”

King’s Ely Acremont 28-30 Egremont Street Ely, Cambridgeshire CB6 1AE

01353 660514 admissions@kingsely.org www.kingsely.org

Mr and Mrs Millard

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WELCOME to Acremont Welcoming children into our beautiful old house is one of my most favourite times of the day. A smile, an encouraging greeting and a helping hand are great ingredients for getting the day off to a positive start. Faye Fenton-Stone Head of Acremont

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50 things to do before you fly 1. Develop learning habits for life with Chester, Otis, Cara and Buzzbee. (Can you find them hiding in the book?) 2.

Learn outdoors in the Roundhouse.

Experience learning a stringed instrument.

Tinker in the woodwork workshop.

Invite your grandparents into school for afternoon tea.

Watch a performance in The Hayward Theatre.

Decorate the Christmas Tree in The Queen’s Hall.

Build a den in the wildlife area.

Learn to swim in our King’s Ely swimming pool.

10. Go to London on a school trip. 11.

Raise money for charity.

12.

Learn to speak, write and read French.

13.

Help look after Colin and Martin, the guinea pigs.

14. Be a House Captain. 15.

Share your learning with others at Book Share afternoon.

16.

Go wild at Church Farm, Shepreth Wildlife Park and Banham Zoo.

17.

Relax and be mindful in the Quiet Garden.

18. Cook around the campfire at Forest School. 19.

Bake and deliver treats to key workers in our community.

20. Immerse yourself in our annual Festival of Reading. 21.

Watch eggs hatch in the incubator.

22. Run a race for your House at Sports Day. 23. Play in the tree house and hobbit hut. 24. Write a manifesto and vote in an election. 4 | KING’S ELY ACREMONT

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25. Join the Teddy Bears’ Picnic with your friends. 26. Be awarded the Kindness Cup. 27. Perform your nativity in the Cathedral. 28. Grow food in the Nursery Allotment. 29. Play with King’s Ely Senior Prefects in the garden. 30. Explore the local community. 31.

Take part in our Remembrance Service.

32. Go pond dipping in the wildlife area. 33. ‘Stay and Play’ with your family. 34. Find a friend on the buddy bench. 35. Learn to play a wide range of different sports. 36. Celebrate your friends’ achievements in the weekly Celebration Assembly. 37. Learn to sing a wide repertoire of songs. 38. Put on your wellies to play in the garden. 39. Attend the annual Snow Ball. 40. Take part in the Acremont Ramble with your friends and family. 41. Join the Acremont Easter Egg Hunt in The Old Palace. 42. Go to the Seaside with your friends. 43. Buy treats at the pop-up tuck shop. 44. Experience what it is like to be a cathedral chorister. 45. Develop creativity and critical thinking in Nursery philosophy sessions. 46. Join in STEM activities in the Nursery outdoor classroom. 47. Invite your parents to come to a parent workshop. 48. Take part in collective worship, including our annual Palm Sunday Procession. 49. Enjoy the garden and all it has to offer. 50. Be a part of the wider school community. 50 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU FLY | 5

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Friends for life Our four favourite creatures were chosen by the children to reflect important attitudes which develop our life-long learning skills. At the start of a child’s time in Pre-Prep, they will receive a beautifully illustrated storybook about the adventures of Chester, Otis, Cara and Buzzbee. Much of the artwork and text were created by the children. Modelling creativity, collaboration, reflection and resilience, these creatures inspire and motivate the way we learn. From school council to assembly, from classroom to the playground, our learning habits help to guide our play, our stamina for learning, and our decision making. We enjoy working as a team, we are courageous and imaginative tryers and thinkers and our learning habit creatures are there to support us on this journey. Faye Fenton-Stone Head of Acremont

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Fresh air learning At King’s Ely Acremont Pre-Prep and Nursery, we have the unique ability to take our learning outside whenever we may choose. Our spacious outdoor garden affords us ample opportunities to use the space to enhance our learning further. Included in our outdoor area is our Roundhouse, a large, wooden, covered space to help take our learning outdoors all year round. We often use our outdoor spaces for things such as sound walks, uncovering artefacts, observing and discovering more about wildlife including trees and minibeasts, materials hunts and even playing a part in exciting scavenger hunts during our Festival of Reading. In addition to all of this, the area plays host to our Woodlife Area and Forest School, where the children enjoy getting their wellies on and discovering all our garden has to offer. Andrew Hart Class Teacher and Pre-Prep Humanities Coordinator

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3. Super strings You can often hear the sound of music drifting through the corridors at Acremont. From the percussive sounds of our weekly curriculum music lessons to the melodic sound of our singing in assembly, music is in the air! During their time here, every child has the opportunity to try out the violin and cello in our string taster sessions. Though all children will have experienced music in many forms by this point in their Acremont journey, for some it is their first opportunity to pick up an orchestral instrument and add yet another string to their bow! Helen Monk Class Teacher and Pre-Prep Head of Music

4. Woodwork wonders As part of the curriculum here at King’s we are fortunate to run woodwork sessions for pupils in Reception. The children get to explore creativity (“absolutely you can have a Spider Man themed bird box”), problem solving (“would a ladder to the bird box ‘actually’ be a good idea”) and collaborative thinking in a safe environment. By developing trust, the children are empowered to use their imagination and learn new skills, resulting in unique pieces of original work. Nicholla Pearson EYFS Teaching Assistant 8 | KING’S ELY ACREMONT

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One lump or two? “As Grandparents, we feel our visits to Acremont have been welcomed enthusiastically by children and staff. We are always impressed by the range of activities and the depth of the project work which we see. Our grandchildren’s confidence and communication skills have blossomed as a result of taking part in dramatic and musical productions which include the whole year group, and which we much enjoy.

These always include a superb tea with cake and biscuits! Pupils are nurtured, independence is encouraged, and strong relationships are built. We, as grandparents, love being involved with Acremont.” Peter and Margaret Riches Acremont Grandparents

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6 Bravo

Theatre is a means to develop our creativity, fire our imaginations and develop our confidence and our emotional intelligence. Beyond the performance opportunities that are available for our children we make sure that everyone is able to be part of an audience, sometimes watching the wonderful shows produced by King’s Company in King’s Ely Prep or King’s Ely Senior, sometimes a visiting professional theatre company, always an opportunity to think “Wow...maybe one day I can do that too.” Harriet Gervasio Acremont Deputy Head 10 | KING’S ELY ACREMONT

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Tis the season to be jolly It is important to look after old people at Christmas. So, every year, everyone in Year 2 comes to the extremely (800 years!) old Queen’s Hall to eat extremely large cookies and help Mr and Mrs Attwater (not so old) decorate their extremely tall Christmas Tree with wonderful decorations they have made. Then Mr Attwater reads a Christmas story by the tree, assisted by Topsy the cat and Oscar the dog. John Attwater King’s Ely Principal

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8. Build a den Throughout the seasons, children play and explore in our wildlife area using natural resources and a favourite is always den building! Whether building a hedgehog home, fairy houses or dens to get in and play with friends, there are boundless opportunities for teamwork, problem solving and creativity. Throughout their time at Nursery and Pre-Prep, children become very familiar with the flora and fauna they encounter, and their understanding of the natural world develops, along with a desire to value and protect it. Harriet Gervasio Acremont Deputy Head and Forest School Leader

9. Make a

“I love Forest School because it’s calming. The only noises are the birds and the windchimes and we can play with our friends.”

Lola (Year 2 pupil)

splash

Pupils in Pre-Prep gain water confidence and develop their swimming skills on site at Prep in our school pool. Participating in a week-long intensive swimming course enables children to swim every day, learning and developing basic strokes. Following the completion of this, children have a weekly swimming lesson throughout the Summer Term to continue developing their technique. Swimming lessons continue as children move on to Prep, in what has become a familiar environment. Ruth McAlinden Head of Prep Games

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A Capital day out School trips at Acremont bring learning to life beyond the classroom walls, offering children memorable experiences that enrich their education and spark their curiosity. From in-house visits to meet the Estates team and nurses, where they learn about the people who help the school run smoothly, to exciting off-site adventures, each trip enables the children to connect their learning to the real world. The journey through Acremont is topped off by Year 2’s trip to the iconic Tower of London, where they are amazed by the Crown Jewels, visiting the guards and exploring the White Tower. Leah Wheatley Class Teacher and Pre-Prep Mathematics Coordinator

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Donations please It never fails to astonish me! No, I’m not talking about our playground football scores, I’m talking about School Charity, and the amounts of money we raise each year from our charity events. From The Snow Ball to Tuck Shop, pyjama days and cake sales, the generosity of the children and their families never ends. Victoria Walker Pre-Prep School Council Leader and Science Coordinator

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Parlez-vous le francais? Learn a new language! Research has long shown the cognitive benefits of learning a foreign language, especially from the ages of 0 to 6 years old. At Acremont, children as young as Nursery learn French from a native speaker in a fun and relaxed environment. We play games, sing songs, listen to stories, and so much more so that the children not only acquire French vocabulary early on but also develop a lifelong emotional connection with the language they will learn until they leave Acremont in Year 2 ... and possibly decide to keep learning throughout their journey at King’s Ely! Marie-Camille Grainger Pre-Prep Modern Foreign Languages Teacher

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Gorgeous greens and sunflower seeds We really love our pet guinea pigs Colin and Martin. They help teach us responsibility and empathy towards living creatures and provide us with lots of teachable moments and entertainment. We have learnt the types of food they like to eat and keep our eyes peeled for juicy dandelion leaves or fresh grass when playing on our large playing field. We sometimes take a walk to the pet shop to buy hay or treats for them to make sure their home is extra cosy and comfortable, and some of the vegetables we grow in our own allotment are reserved for the boys! Lucy Hunt Nursery Practitioner

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d a e l y m Follow

“I really enjoyed it, I felt like a teacher leading House Assembly and I loved being in the procession in the Cathedral, I saw my sister and really felt part of the school.”

George (Year 2 pupil) “I was one of the first House Captains this year, so I was nervous and excited. I felt very proud of everyone in Jupiter who got house points when it was my turn to lift the House Cup in assembly.”

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My Once Upon a Time The doors of the house are open to everyone for our annual family Book Share afternoon, where parents, grandparents, sometimes aunties and uncles, are invited into school to spend some quality time with the children who eagerly await their arrival. Books at the ready, we delve into the year’s learning to reflect on and celebrate the year.

Auxane (Year 2 Pupil)

“It feels nice that your parents can be with you at school.”

“I was so happy, it made me feel excited. You can describe what you have been doing in your year and you feel really proud of yourself.”

William (Year 2 pupil)

“Book share gives a great insight and is a live account into your child’s progress during the term. It enables us both to understand the topics being taught which is a great step up in explaining and supporting homework and reading.”

Mr and Mrs Lee (Acremont parents)

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Mimic the Meerkats and chat to the Chimps

“The children of Acremont are my favourite visitors”

“It’s so good being able to help with the children’s learning”

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Our Early Years children embark on several enriching trips, from a day at Shepreth Wildlife Park for our youngest children, to Banham Zoo for our Reception cohort. These opportunities enable the children to explore a variety of animals, fostering a love for wildlife and nature through interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences. In the Summer Term, the Reception outing to Old Hunstanton offers the perfect opportunity for seaside adventures, where children can build sandcastles, discover seaside treasures, and foster a deeper love for the outdoors. Closer to home, outings around Ely provide enriching experiences, from visiting historic sites like Ely Cathedral to exploring parks and sunny river walks. A visit next door to the Fire Station, introduces them to local heroes, encouraging discussions about safety and teamwork. These trips are designed to spark curiosity, stimulate imagination, support learning within school and create lasting memories of community and fun. Heather Strudwick and Head of Early Years

Lucy Holden Deputy Head of Early Years

“I wish we could visit Acremont and join the children in their classrooms”

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17. Sssshhhhh! Wellbeing at Acremont is a central thread that runs through the fabric of the school. We encourage resilience as a tool to help our individual wellbeing. We look out for each other, and we check in. A walk through the Quiet Garden is the perfect space to be surrounded by nature and find calm. We practise mindfulness and we are kind to ourselves and each other. Rebecca Menzies Learning Support Coordinator and Wellbeing Lead

18. Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle The birds whistle, The campfire sizzles, The flames dance, the biscuits crunch. The marshmallows taste sweet, what a delicious treat, We all felt peaceful, it was such a lovely day. Reception Children

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19 Thank You So Much

On World Kindness Day we like to thank the different key workers, such as Police and Fire Fighters for all of the work and help that they deliver to the community. We delivered them some lovely baked goods which the children have worked hard to make. We talk to the children about the importance of the jobs that the key workers do and how vital they are to keeping our community safe. Lizzy Thomas Nursery 1 Lead

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And we all learned happily ever after! Monty here, Chief of the Acremont Friendly Folk! We live around the grounds, and we depend on imagination to survive. Luckily, there is plenty of that at Acremont! Last year, during the annual Reading Festival, we came into the house – leaving messages in mirrors, scrolls in the book corner, and footprints on the tables – to ask the children to create a book which would store the magic of their imagination. We had visiting authors to help us, a Book Fair, story times, library visits, treasure hunts, and codes to crack. In the end, the children gave us everything we could hope for. It’s not the first time the Reading Festival has turned up something odd – who could forget the year we found that dragon egg? Monty Chief of the Acremont Friendly Folk

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Cheep, cheep!

The annual arrival of incubators and eggs and the suspense that follows is one of the most hotly anticipated events in our calendar!

“It’s really exciting when we get the eggs, because we never know when they are going to hatch… then we see a crack appear! We also get to hold the chicks and we have to learn to look after them.”

Louis (Year 2 pupil)

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On your marks... get set... GO! House Athletics is a highlight of the sporting calendar for Acremont, as we don our house colours and cheer each other on in a variety of events, culminating with the epic house cannon relay, in which everyone competes together to try and win the coveted House Cup! Our youngest Eleans take part in Nursery Sports Afternoon, running races and showing off our gross motor skills in a carousel of activities with our families, where audience participation is a must!

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“It was such a fun day, I was so happy! People were cheering when I ran my races… and I won two!”

Arlo (Year 1 pupil)

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Set your

Our wooden structures are always a hive of imagination and creativity, enabling children of all ages to further enhance their communication and language skills.

“These conkers are our food. Come on Jason, good dog. Sleep there, Jason. Good boy.” Esme (Nursery pupil) “That’s £100 for your rainbow ice cream, thanks.” Anna (Nursery pupil) “Do you think they’ll find us in here? We’re hiding really well.” Charlotte (Nursery pupil) “Quick, jump down here. I can see the Gruffalo! Look! Over there!” Lorenzo (Nursery pupil)

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ur imagination free

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Vote for Acremont! Remy was proud to have been elected to the School Council by her peer group and has thrived on the responsibility of representing her class on important topics this term. The process has given Remy confidence when presenting her manifesto to the class and also required her critical thinking skills to develop her own ideas and reasoning. The children were encouraged to vote based on their favourite ideas. Remy said, “I like going to School Council meetings, choosing what charities we support this year and discussing our manifestos with the group.” Harriet Davison Acremont Parent

If you go down to the woods today... The annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic is not only a fun and engaging activity for the children. It encourages social interaction, imaginative play, and creativity as the children bring their favourite stuffed animals to a shared outdoor experience. The event fosters a sense of community among both Nursery and Reception children, aiding transitions and making it a delightful way to strengthen bonds while enjoying nature and playtime. Kayleigh Darkens Nursery 2 Lead

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Rewarding kindness Kindness appears at the top of our list of Acremont values and permeates all aspects of school life. In our weekly celebration assembly, the Kindness Cups are awarded to individuals in each year group, acknowledging, and celebrating both large gestures and more often than not, the small and spontaneous acts of kindness that have been observed throughout each week. We learn to help each other and show kindness to everyone in our community, celebrating our uniqueness and strengthening our friendships along the way.

“It felt so good inside, I felt really nice and relaxed. I just like being kind.”

Primrose (Reception pupil)

Hunter (Reception pupil)

“I was handed the cup in assembly, I felt happy, it’s important we are kind to our friends”

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Follow the Star We have angels sent for re-training because the high-pitched singing makes the wobbly bit at the back of their throat hurt, shepherds who want to be Marine Biologists, and Roman soldiers complaining about the lack of place value in Roman numerals, but never forget the central story. An Acremont career isn’t complete without a Nativity in Ely Cathedral, underneath the Octagon. There is no better place to bring home the true meaning of Christmas… and enjoy a mince pie afterwards, obviously. Simon Dean Class Teacher and Pre-Prep English Coordinator

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Green fingers At King’s Ely Acremont Nursery, our children experience the magic of growing their own food in our vibrant allotment. From planting tiny seeds to nurturing them into flourishing vegetables, they learn the joy and responsibility of caring for living things. Every step is a sensory adventure: the earthy smell of soil, the excitement of spotting a first sprout, and the satisfaction of harvesting produce they’ve grown themselves. This hands-on experience fosters curiosity, patience, and a love for nature that lasts a lifetime. Joanna Coldrick Senior Practitioner

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Perfect Prefects Following our first visit to Acremont we were immediately struck by the laughter, the joy, and the creativity demonstrated by every pupil. It was inspiring how confident and mature the children were and we loved seeing how each child showed compassion and supported their peers. This is something that we as Year 13s also strive to illustrate. Alongside their incredible kindness we hope the positivity, that we were so lucky to experience, is something they take with them as they enter the Prep School. Edith and Yanki King’s Ely Senior Heads of School

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What’s on our doorstep? In the Early Years, children explore Ely, discovering new things through first-hand experiences. Whether on foot, by mini-bus or with a seat in the much-coveted Nursery carriage; Our explorers get to know our local environment and have an active role in our community. From walks around Ely Market with the youngest children, to days out at Ely Museum in Reception. The children are exposed to a variety of different learning experiences.

VISITING ELY MARKET WALKS AROUND ELY COUNTRY PARK WALKS TO ELY RIVER, WATCH THE ROWING ELY MUSEUM BABYLON ARTS GALLERY TRAIN STATION TOPPINGS BOOKSHOP BAKING GOODS FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES VISITING THE LIBRARY

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Remember the fallen The everyday hustle and bustle stops and our playground falls unusually silent just before 11:00 on November 11th every year as we gather together to observe a silence and pay our respects to those who paid the greatest price. We listen to The Last Post and the poem ‘For the Fallen’ before carefully laying our poppy wreathes at the foot of our soldier. Heather Strudwick Head of Early Years

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Let’s go dipping! Kneel on the decking, that’s it, net in Now swirl it around, not too deep, don’t fall in And scoop, bring it out, now, into the tray, And see what you’ve found, ooo, a tadpole…hooray, Or a water louse, beetle, what’s that caught in your net? Now pop them back in…and don’t get too wet! Victoria Walker Pre-Prep Science Coordinator

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Keep it in the Family Families join us each term for a session of seasonal activities. It’s a fabulous way for the children to share their environment with those who matter to them the most. Omar Kouzel Nursery Parent “It was wonderful to see our son William fully engaged in the ‘Stay and Play’ sessions. These sessions provide a valuable insight into the kind, supportive, and engaging environment at Acremont House. They are a lot of fun! We are very much looking forward to the next ‘Stay and Play’ session.”

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Friends for Life “The buddy bench is there so when someone sits down they can find a friend.” Auxane (Year 2 pupil) “If you are sad you can go there and someone will find you.” Isabelle (Year 2 pupil) “There is a squirrel and an owl on the ends of the bench, so you are never alone.” Emilia (Year 2 pupil) “If someone is sitting on the buddy bench there are lots of other people who can ask ‘do you want to play’ or ‘do you want to join in?’ It’s just us being kind and inclusive.” Prateek (Year 2 pupil)

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35 Game, set and match!

Firefighter training, pirate adventures, exploring jungles and island hopping are just some of the activities you will take part in. Our fun, energetic sports lessons are led by specialist teachers who encourage the children to find a love of movement. Nursery children will take part in a weekly PE lesson. From Reception onwards, the children will have a weekly PE and Games session. The children move through the years adapting and improving on their skills. The children will take part in a wide variety of sports such as Gymnastics, Football, Rugby, Tennis and many more. To showcase just a snippet of our skills we love the build up to Sports Day, where we can show off our athletic skills and cheer on our House team-mates. Ellie Cullum Class Teacher and Pre-Prep Games Specialist

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36 EXPERIENCE

Three cheers for everyone Friday afternoon each week is an opportunity to share in our successes and celebrate each other as we award cups, crowns and learning habit creatures to recognise outstanding effort and achievement of individuals, classes, and houses in our Celebration Assembly. Often the children will take turns in leading this important community event.

Tiggy (Year 2 pupil)

“We always start with the kindness cups, because kindness is SO important. The creatures remind us of our learning habits. When someone gets a cup I clap as loud as I can for them, because they have tried their best and I love my friends. It’s important that we are happy for each other.”

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Sing, sing, sing! Singing is part of everyday life at Acremont, in class, in the Music Room and in the Assembly Hall. We want everyone to find their voice; to experience the joy of singing together, of learning about music, about communication. We mark the year with songs that give meaning to what we see. But everyday life becomes transcendental when the children hear their own voices in one of the most beautiful and remarkable buildings in the world, Ely Cathedral, where children’s voices join the chorus of sound that has echoed off the walls of the Cathedral for hundreds of years. The everyday becomes sublime and the memory lives for ever. Peter North King’s Ely Head of Vocal Studies

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Mud, glorious mud! Our welly wall at Acremont is often quite muddy. We love our garden, including the mud. As the seasons change there is no deterrent that will stop us putting on our wellies and going off to play in the garden. Who knows what adventures we will have... As the Summer Term comes to a close we host an annual tea party for the Acremont Alumni who are coming to the end of their A level study leave. They take a much needed rest from revision to return to Acremont and the beginning of their King’s Ely Journey. A resounding memory for all is ‘putting on their wellies and playing in the garden’ – although the garden may seem a little bit smaller than it did all those years ago, the memories will be there for a lifetime.

“There is so much space to play!”

Amelie (Year 2 pupil)

“There is so much to do in the garden. There are lots of toys and our friends to play with.”

Lola (Year 2 pupil)

Prateek (Year 2 pupil)

“We can play in the bamboo , or play football, I love to play football and score goals. If it’s raining we can go in the treehouse and if it’s dry we can go on the trim trail and climb the log tangle, there is always something to do.” 44 | KING’S ELY ACREMONT

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39 Say YES to the S-No-Wball!

“The Snow Ball is our Christmas disco. We thought it was fun, with music and decorations! We had to think of ideas and prepare.”

Dora (Year 1 pupil) “It was hard work setting it up and thinking of ideas. It’s a party to celebrate Christmas and raise money. We had to invite everyone, that was part of our job as School Councillors.”

Olivia (Year 1 pupil) Nehth (Year 2 pupil)

“We can wear our own clothes and go in the hall when it’s dark! There are disco lights and I was dancing and moving with the lights. It helps us raise money for charity.” 50 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU FLY | 45

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Get ready to Ramble Families, including our friends of the four legged variety, are regularly invited to join together with staff for the Acremont Ramble. This popular charity event is a wonderful opportunity to explore our local and beautiful surroundings, be that the Nature Walk at Ben’s Yard in Stuntney or the beach at Old Hunstanton. Wellbeing is boosted with friendly, relaxed conversations and a post-walk visit to the cafe and play area is strongly encouraged! Past charities supported during this event have included Children in Need, Water Aid and The Sea Life Trust, with accompanying merchandise for children and adults to sport during the event! Kirsten Reader Acremont Parent and Nursery Practitioner

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Eggstravaganza! There are many special things about Acremont, one of which being the amazing community of students, parents, and teachers. Our class rep group organises events throughout the year like the Easter Egg Hunt and Summer Garden Picnic, giving families a chance to come together in our beautiful surroundings, and there is always, always cake! Great fun for children and parents alike, and only adds to the family friendly feeling King’s provides. Rachel Laing Acremont Parent and Class Parent Representative

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42 “It was sandy, I collected shells in my bucket and played with my classmates. I was excited to be there with my friends.”

Sea, Sun and Sandwiches Our annual ‘We do like to be beside the Seaside’ topic would not be complete without a trip to Hunstanton! We visit the Sealife Centre to find out about life in rock pools before we play on the beach and have a picnic together, prepared by our fabulous school cooks. “It was sunny and we played with our friends. We dug a big deep hole and made sand castles. In the Sealife Centre we saw fishes and sharks. It was so exciting to be there with my classmates.”

Harley (Year 1 pupil)

Olivia (Year 1 pupil)

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43 Tuck-in!

“The tuck shop sells sweets, sometimes, it’s not every day, for charity. We had to sort the sweets out and give people change. It was fun! Then we give the money to charity.” Bertram (Year 2 pupil) “It was helping people out. We had to help everyone with their money. It was our idea to raise money for charity.” Katherine (Year 1 pupil)

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Choristers Members of Ely Cathedral Choirs visit our Nursery and Pre-Prep assembly every year to perform, sing alongside, and inspire our young Eleans. The pathway to becoming a Cathedral Chorister begins with Chorister Experience Days that are available to Acremont pupils. During these events, children can find their own voice through musical fun and games. They experience Evensong in Ely Cathedral.

“Being a chorister is something that I enjoyed lots. If you like singing, go for it! Coming back to Acremont was always exciting and fun.”

Albert (Acremont Alumni, Chorister Alumni and King’s Ely Senior pupil)

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The Meaning of Life Our engaging philosophy sessions encourage our youngest learners to explore big questions through play, storytelling, and creative activities. The children learn to think critically, express their ideas, and develop empathy by discussing themes like friendship, fairness, and our core values. These interactive sessions foster curiosity and help children understand their feelings and those of others, laying the foundation for thoughtful and compassionate individuals. Lucy Holden Deputy Head of Early Years

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We spy with our little eyes... In our outdoor classroom we explore where creatures can be found around the world on our giant map. We love to examine the mini beasts, leaves and flowers we find in the garden under the magnifying glasses or in the magnified mini beast pots; looking at all the detail of the creatures and how they move. The large, bright magnets are used to explore material properties, testing if they stick or slip from different equipment in the garden. Georgia Smith Nursery Practitioner

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Never too old to learn “The termly Acremont Parent Workshop is always a warm and welcoming environment to meet with staff and other parents to discuss specific topics. These evenings are always a great way to share information and keep up to date with your child’s current curriculum and learn more about ways to support your child from home. It is brilliant to hear from the professionals who are invited in to host the events and we always leave feeling we have gained valuable insights!” Jodie Rake Acremont Parent

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48 Faithfully Yours Do you want to walk with a donkey in the garden, create a fruity orange world or experience ‘goosebumpy’ moments in Ely’s magical Cathedral? These are a few of the memorable ways in which we celebrate Christianity. But…we live in a diverse world and embrace this whole-heartedly! Our school community includes families and staff who are eager to share their beliefs and cultures with us. Wait…can there be more? What about special events? Let me tell you about the time we all learnt and performed a Lion Dance… Gretta Funnell Reception Teacher and RS Coordinator Reception Teacher and Religious Studies Co-ordinator

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49 Blooming Marvellous!

Our garden is always a hive of activity. Whether it be creative play in the Tree House, the roar of a goal being scored on the football pitch or a mindful moment in the Quiet Garden to name but a few favourite activities, our children are fully engaged in the business of being children. Thanks to our ecoconscious pupils the most recent addition to our outdoor space is a nectar café, full of irresistible plants for bees and butterflies.

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Happy Families Our community can appear vast at a first glance when seen through the eyes of our youngest pupils. However we have strong and meaningful links with King’s Ely Prep, Senior and International. We invite the Sixth Form Prefects to come and play in the garden. We learn about the cultures and languages of our international boarders. We join whole school services in Ely Cathedral where our House Captains and School Councillors process into the Cathedral alongside Prep and Senior School Scholars and Heads of Houses. We develop a huge sense of pride and belonging. The King’s Ely adventure begins here at King’s Ely Acremont.

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Onwards and Upwards And so, at the end of the Summer Term, and as we conclude on another busy year, our Acremont community gathers under the Octagon, in Ely Cathedral. We give thanks for the wonderful year we have shared together and we bid our Year 2 leavers farewell as they move on to Year 3 at King’s Ely Prep. It is here, supported by friends, families and staff, that Year 2 share their memories of their time at Acremont, they shake hands with Mr Attwater and receive a gift. As the service draws to an end, they are asked to stand to receive The Valediction and with these words comes the knowledge that their early adventures at Acremont are almost over.

Leavers, take with you your Acremont heart, your King’s Ely creativity and your very own mix of laughter and courage and leave with our blessings and our love.

Faye Fenton Stone Head of Acremont

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50 5050505050 50 50 50 50 50 5050 505050 50 things to do before you f ly

The contributors to our story are the children, families and

teachers who come together every day to ignite the spirit of childhood that we so cherish.

things to do things to do before you fly before you fly

things to do before you fly

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offers a unique and very special range of opportunities that you really shouldn’t miss out on.

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things to do before you fly

King’s Ely Acremont 28-30 Egremont Street Ely, Cambridgeshire CB6 1AE

01353 660514 admissions@kingsely.org www.kingsely.org

Mr and Mrs Millard

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King’s Ely Pre-Prep and Nursery – 50 things to do before you fly

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King’s Ely Pre-Prep and Nursery

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