As always, it has been a busy term and Leweston Life reflects the many achievements of our pupils over the last few months The number and variety of these accomplishments exemplify how many opportunities the pupils have across allareasofschoollife
The end of term saw the welcome return of Mrs Newnham to the Maths Department but we sadly said goodbye to Mr Bawden from our Commercialteam.
Over the holidays we will be refurbishing both the boys and girls mesh and the common rooms so that is something lo look forward to when we allreturninJanuary
I would like to send Christmas wishes to all of our readers and hope that you enjoy the festive periodwithyourlovedones
John Paget-Tomlinson
At the end of August, Dr Milestone, Eloise S and August W (also known as Alice), both Lower Sixth, joined members of the Sherborne Douzelage Committee at the Douzelage General, Education and Youth Meetings in Škofja Loka in Slovenia. Dr Milestone attended the Education Meeting, where she met with teachers from all over Europe to discuss best practice in the classroom and wider school environment August and Eloise attended the Youth Meeting, where they met other young people and engaged in various team-building activities. There was also time for a day trip to visit the stunning lakes, mountains and waterfalls.
In October, over Half Term, Sixth Form Scholars visited Chojna in Poland, supp by the Sherborne Chojna Committee an Sherborne Douzelage. They performed two concerts and were on some brilliant day trips. They were l after very well and are welcoming the P students back to Leweston in the Spring
As part of the LEaD prog ir Enrichment options each term. These have i digital effects in movies, visiting elderly residents of a local care home, and investigating ways for Leweston to be increasingly sustainable and eco-friendly. This term, Ms Robinson’s enterprising group were set the project of designing and selling Christmas ornaments at the Christmas Fair to raise money for the charity Crisis at Christmas. Throughout the project, students had to consider costs, target market and designs, as well as producing a report with their projected profit against actual money raised. A big well done to the students for raising over £225 for Crisis at Christmas.
Students and staff put together end of term pantos and performances in their Houses; Mayne, More, Fisher, and Campion. It was a fantastic and fun way to bring an end to the term before the Carol Service. Congratulations to winning House Fisher
Each term students' efforts and achievements are showcased in a regular 'Student Profile' feature on our website. These profiles are a brilliant way for the pupils to talk about their experiences at Leweston
This term Charlie, Lower Sixth, talked about studying Art in Sixth Form, achieving a Grade 9 at GCSE, and the opportunity to display his skills when painting the men for the School Café. Felicity, Year 10, discussed her passion Drama and the opportunities she has be given whilst studying the subject at Leweston; from playing the main part in Matilda to taking on a big role in the jun production The Little Match Girl You can read their full profiles on our website.
We welcomed the school community for our Senior Carol Service in Sherborne Abbey on the last day of term.
Students and staff performed brilliantly, from the Procession of Light to the readings and carols The service, as always, was a lovely way to end the Autumn Term.
BATH RUGBY COACHING FESTIVAL
To mark the start of the Rugby season, Leweston hosted a Rugby Festival for pupils from Perrott Hill and Bryanston. The pupils were introduced to a variety of coaching styles whilst implementing the four principles of play: going forward, supporting, maintaining continuity, and exerting pressure.
Eight pupils travelled to the World Biathle and Triathle Championships in Machico, Madeira, taking part in competitions from 27-30 October.
The four days consisted of Biathle and Triathle relays, Triathle, and Biathle.
Leweston athletes finished with some great results; with Thomas taking an Individual Triathle Silver, and Mixed Relay Bronze, and Reuben achieved a GB Team Gold! Izzy finished with GB Team Silver in the Triathle and Biathle
Well done to the whole GB team on an excellent event and to all the Leweston athletes who got to experience competing in World Championships
The Inter-house Cross Country took place on 16 September, and was run over an undulating 2 4 km course consisting of two laps of the school grounds. The event saw lots of impressive results with Campion crowned the winners followed by Fisher, with Mayne in third and More in fourth place.
Leweston also hosted our annual Boys' and Girls' Cross Country events, welcoming schools from across Dorset and Somerset with some great results for the school. Read more about the boys' event and girls' event on our website
This year’s South West Schools Air Pistol Shooting competition was once again hosted by Leweston 140 shooters from around the region took part, with 29 Leweston pupils competing in the three categories; Junior Years 6 to 8, Intermediate Years 9 and 10, and Senior Years 11 to 13.
Leweston had great success; the Junior team finished third in the region, the Intermediate A team came an impressive first, and B team third. The Seniors A team finished first, and the B team third
A big congratulations to the Intermediate and Senior A teams, and Reuben C and Henrietta J individuals, who have qualified for the National Finals
View the full results on our website.
Leweston had so many impressive results at their sporting fixtures this term; a big well done to those who attended the North Dorset Schools’ Swimming Gala with three first places at the event.
Further congratulations goes to our 1st U12 Hockey Team who played their best performance of the season at Downside Follow
Many congratulations to our riders who thrilled us with their competitive riding in the Team Jumping competition on 3 September in the main ring at the Dorset County show, winning a well deserved third place and receiving a special mention for their smart turnout and great riding. The riders donated their winnings to the Willberry Wonder Pony Charity and were fantastic representatives for the school
Very well done to the nine riders who represented Leweston at the NSEA National Championships at Keysoe International EC, Bedfordshire
The Regional Points League Championship is an exciting mixed height competition. Our eventual third place was well deserved against thirteen of the top equestrian school teams in the country.
Many congratulations to double National Champion Molly C and ‘Lisnagrow Ricardo’ who were on top form to take the Intermediate (90-95cm) and the Open (1m -1.05m) Championship titles in two thrilling jump-offs.
Well done also to Darcie N and ‘Wainfelin Starlight’ who were also an highly competitive partnership and took individual fifth in the Novice (80-85cm) and third in the Intermediate (90-95cm)
Follow our page on Facebook for the latest Equestrian news. - @LewestonEquestrian
The Pontispool EC NSEA Eventers Challenge qualifier for Hickstead proved to be challenging for all. Battling the heavy rain and a technical, difficult course, our 90-95cm team took a very impressive win against 12 teams. The demanding 80-85cm course saw just 39 out of 81 starters finish with Ruby P and 'Liscannor Prince' jumping a fantastic round finishing second and qualifying individually. Well done to all of our riders and their supportive parents for coping in those taxing conditions!
The boarders kick-started their weekend activities with a trip to Thorpe Park. The students had no problem showing off their ‘Leweston Learner Adventurous’ characteristic by tackling some of ‘Intense Thrill’ rides during their trip. They also got creative, and in keeping with Leweston boarding tradition, painted their own mugs at the start of the academic year Thanks to Pot Doddles in Yeovil for such a fun and creative session
Boarders also enjoyed an adrenaline-pumped laser tag day, shopping trip and a visit to the bowling alley followed by ice cream!
Some of the boarders took a trip to London to visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre to see ‘Much Ado about Nothing’, as part of their celebration for International Boarding Day.
The students had a thoroughly enjoyable time, with some London sight seeing on their way to the Theatre Sights such as Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and the Westminster were spotted!
The performance was incredible, with lots of laughter from students and staff to be heard. Drama enthusiast, Felicity P-R, Year 10, was called up on stage and had no problem in participating!
Follow Lewestonboarding on Instagram for the latest news and updates.
Halloween was all treat and no trick for Leweston’s boarders! All four boarding houses came together to enjoy a spooktacular spread put together by Chartwells Independent, followed by a hot chocolate bar hosted by the boarding team and movies in the Common Room. A fantastic evening had by all year groups with some delicious treats
The boarders had a fantastic time as they came together and walked to Sherborne, through the Dorset countryside with Miss Wallace and Miss Bailey They enjoyed some beautiful scenery and fresh air.
Follow Lewestonboarding on Instagram for the latest news and updates.
The four boarding houses enjoyed lots of festive evening and weekend events towards the end of term. They started to get into the festive spirit making Christmas cards to go to a local care home Each was hand crafted and finished with a personal message They were also busy in the school Home Economics room baking and decorating cupcakes for charity. Everyone had a great time during a trip ice skating followed by decorating the Christmas tree in the Dining Hall.
On 5 December the boarders joined together for a candle lit Christmas service in the beautiful Trinity Chapel arranged by Sacristan Julia G, followed by a sumptuous hot chocolate bar.
On 10 November, Leweston celebrated World Science Day with students busy in the labs Year 7 were focusing on friction whilst Year 8 looked at pressure Both of these were brought to life with practical experiments. Meanwhile Year 10 made standardised solutions in Chemistry and Lower Sixth students carried out titration practical work, using an alkali solution of known concentration to calculate the concentration of an acid solution.
The brilliantly creative Chemistry department put together a very festive Chemistry tree, in the lead up to Christmas, using apparatus from the laboratory.
On Friday 14 October Sixth Form Geographers and accompanying staff flew to Iceland for a fascinating field trip. Lower Sixth students put together a blog post reflecting on their experience; "...after having packed so much in, we were able to make so many memories and experienced a lot of ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunities It was hugely enjoyed by everyone and a trip not one of us will forget!" Read their full write up on our website.
In September we celebrated the European Day of Languages! This fun event takes place every 26 September from 2001 with the aim to promote the benefits of language learning and draws attention to language and cultural diversity in Europe
Students spent the morning testing their European knowledge on quizzes with their Tutor group, then refuelled their brain on some delicious snacks from various European countries. As a boarding school, we welcome many International boarders from as far as Hong Kong, Mexico, Poland, France and Spain, just to name a few, so it’s wonderful to be able to celebrate this day as a school community.
Last spring, Year 8 students participated in a poetry writing workshop run by the Somerset Literacy Trust. The theme was ‘letting in the light’: an opportunity for young people to reflect on their experiences, concerns and hopes Following the workshop, students in both Year 8 and 9 composed poems and entered them for the competition of the same theme, run by the Trust for 2022. 71 schools participated, with almost three thousand entries.
Leweston students dominated the awards with First, Second and Third prizes going to Year 9 and 10 students.
Six further students were also commended! This was an impressive testament to the inventiveness and inspired imaginations of
Representatives from Leonardo attended Leweston this term and spoke to the Sixth Form and Year 11 students about their careers within the organisation. Ben (Software Engineer), Freya (Transmissions Design Engineer), and Kayley (Craft Mechanical Apprentice), spoke about their experiences of the Leonardo graduate and degree apprenticeship schemes. It was interesting to contrast their different routes to employment at Leonardo and learn about the benefits of a degree apprenticeship.
On 20 November, the Leweston Ten Tors team put their best feet forward and embarked on the first of many training and selection walks. Led jointly by Leweston and Sherborne Air Cadets staff, students honed their map-reading and navigation skills while trekking the 17.5km route through the Dorset countryside.
On 3 and 4 October, Lower Sixth students visited Mill on the Brue in Somerset for a two-day residential focussed on team building and leadership. Over the course of their stay, the students were tasked with completing several challenges across the beautiful site Highlights included tackling the muddy assault course with a number of blindfolded team members while carrying a log, building a bridge across the River Brue using only barrels, planks and rope, and whizzing through the trees and over the river on the two zip wires.
Year 9 pupils were invited to an overnight camping event in the Leweston grounds to celebrate the start of the new school year and to enable pupils to spend time with their year group in a relaxed and fun environment, reaffirming old friendships and forming some new ones.
On arrival, pupils were shown how to put up their tents, which provided a good practice opportunity for those going on to do their Bronze DofE. Read the full story on our website
For one spooky night, and to celebrate the end of a fantastic first half term, the Sixth Form attended a special Halloween-themed night at the Anchor and Buzzard. Complete with creepy decorations and a playlist of Halloween music courtesy of Florence (Head Prefect), Cedars Café was once again transformed into an evening social venue for Lower and Upper Sixth to enjoy.
On 3 December, Leweston Sixth Form students enjoyed their Winter Ball. Ellen and Tully (Lower Sixth) have written about the evening on our website.
“On the last Saturday of the Autumn Term, Year 12 and Year 13 came together to celebrate at the Christmas Winter Ball! All students look incredible in their black tie and evening gow ready to enjoy the festivities It was a wonderful way to end a successful first term the academic year Merry Christmas!”
Read the full write up and view the gallery on our website.
This year's talented Lower Sixth Fine Art students embarked upon the extremely challenging task of creating a ceramic head Students gained confidence working with clay and getting to grips with proportion and the complex features of the head! Once finished, the sculptures were hollowed, dried out and fired in the school kiln
Congratulations and good luck to our three current students, and one Old Antonian, who have all been invited for interviews at the University of Oxford; Caitlin H (Ancient and Modern History, Lady Margaret Hall), Rosie H (History, Christchurch College), Anna E-B (Geography, St John's College), and Eve F (Philosophy and Theology, Keble College)
Leweston is delighted to be able to support our Sixth Formers through the Leweston Oxbridge Programme which offers help and guidance throughout the application process.
Mental Health First Aid Training was offered to our students this term as part of their activities programme During November a group of Sixth Form students met to discuss psychosis and the affects this has on the mental health of young people and adults
On 5 October, the whole school community got together in the School Chapel to celebrate Harvest Mass All non-perishable food was then donated to the Sherborne Food Bank to help those in need.
Continuing our link with Trinity Manor Care Home, Dr Milestone, Director of Music, took ten Sixth Form students to the residential home as part of their Enrichment programme. They performed some music for the residents, read to them, chatted and played some games - it was a truly wonderful atmosphere. They continued to go down every fortnight during term time to expand on the friendship.
This term our Nepal committee organised a Sponge the Teacher fundraising event. The students had lots of fun sponging the teachers, before they got their own back! The money raised, along with funds from the Tuck Shop, the Carol Service collection, and other upcoming fundraising events, will go towards new agriculture equipment for the classroom which our students helped to build on their last visit. Next year’s Year 11, 12 and 13 will be visiting Nepal in October 2023 when they will purchase the equipment in Kathmandu and take it up to Jana Jyoti school with them.
We were thrilled to be joined by so many people at our Bonfire and Fireworks display in November. Thank you to everyone who came and enjoyed the spectacular fireworks and delicious food and refreshments that were on offer
Over the October half term we hosted a fun Art Club, making spooky art creations and a Mad Science Club, both for 7 to 14 year olds!
We were delighted to welcome people back on site for the Leweston Live festival again this September, where performers including Junior Jungle and Kellie-Leigh took the stage, entertaining the crowds.
There was something for the whole family with a variety of activities and stalls for the children, delicious refreshments, and entertainment through to the night!
The school has enjoyed many themed dishes this term, supplied by Chartwells Independent One example of this was our Spanish Day, complete with tasty paella!
Boarders enjoyed a spooky themed dinner for Halloween, as well as a hot chocolate bar!
On 7 December the school enjoyed a delicious Christmas lunch provided by Chartwells Independent.
As Christmas tunes played, students and staff came together in their Christmas jumpers to celebrate the festive season over lunch. As part of the school's tradition the Headmaster, Mr Paget-Tomlinson, and the Bursar, Lt Col Scott-Masson, kindly helped to serve the food to the school!
Year 7 Assessment Day: Saturday 7 January
