Weekly News
Week Beginning: 16th June 2025
Making Waves: Challenge, courage, and camaraderie
ComfortZoneshavebeenwellandtrulyleftbehind thisweekatMowdenHall.Somuchofwhatwetalk aboutarethoseopportunitiesoutsideofthe classroom,andnowthatexamshavebeen completedandthechildrenhaveworkedsohard,we canreallymakethemostofwhatwehavetoofferat Mowden
OnSaturdaylastweek,theYear8Leavers’,plussome staffandevenagoodnumberofparentstookpartin theGreatNorthSwim.Halfamileofopenwater swimmingisagreattestofdetermination,aswellas arelianceonpreparation Eachtimewetakepartin thiseventIammostimpressedwiththeapproachof thechildrentowardsparticipation,somearenot strongswimmers,andmanyareapprehensiveabout theslightlymurkywater EverysingleYear8child swamthisyearandeverysingleonegotstraightin thewater,pushedthemselves,andcameoutthe otherwithabeamingsmileontheirface.Itwasa greatexperienceastheculminationoftheir swimmingdevelopmentovertheyearsatMowden
TheInter-HouseSwimmingGala,whichtookplaceon Wednesdayafternoon,continuedthewater-based themethisweektoo Thiseventistheepitomeof “comfortzoneextraction”foranumberofchildren andteststheirwillingnesstogivethingsago.That said,theattractionofcompetingforyourhouseisa verystrongoneanditwasimpressivetoseethelevel ofparticipation
Weinsistona“participation,notperformance” attitude-Iwanteverychildtoexperiencethe euphoriaofstandingonthestartline,hearingthe entirePrepSchoolcheerforthem(itiscloseto deafening!)andthenswimtheirmetaphoricalsocks offtothefinishline.Takingpartiswhatmattersand thehighlightisthecamaraderiethatisexperienced byall,aseverychildischeeredalongtheirlane, puttingeverythingoutthereinsupportoftheirHouse.
Finally,Pre-Prephavebeenonamissionthisweek too,withbothYears1and2performingtheirEndof YearCelebrationAssemblies.Theyhavecollectively turnedTheHarrisonTheatreintoaTheatreof emotion,withbeautifulsongs,videosandartwork thathavepushedeventhehardest-nosedparentsto wellupOrwasthatjustme?!?!Year2thenbounced intoanovernightcamponParkField,supportedby MrsKnight,MissPembertonandMissFreya-thestaff arecertainlyoutoftheircomfortzonesandlooking forwardtotheirbedzone!
Ithasbeenanotherfull-onweekatMowden,richin sport,activities,academicsandadventureIwish everyoneanenjoyableexeatweekendandlook forwardtothefinalfortnightofterm
Mr.PhilSturt Head
Pre-Prep: A week of kindness, curiosity, and creativity
TomarkEmpathyDay,MissPembertonsharedthe storyofTheGoodSamaritanandexploredthe emotionstheSamaritanmighthavefeltduringhis journey.Thisledtomeaningfuldiscussionsabout theimportanceofkindnessandbeingawareofhow othersmaybefeeling Eachclasswassetaspecial challenge:toworktogetherasacommunityto demonstrateempathyinvariousways Thisincluded comfortingafriendwhoisupset,recognisinghow someonefeelsthroughtheirbodylanguage,caring foranimals,andofferingkindorencouragingwords whenneeded Everytimeachilddemonstrated empathy,theycolouredinaflowerpetalasavisual reminderoftheircaringactions Thegoalwastosee howmanypetalseachclasscouldfillbytheendof theweek andtheresultshavebeentrulyheartwarming!It’sbeenawonderfulopportunityforthe childrentoreflectonthefeelingsofothersand understandthepositiveimpacttheirempathycan haveonthosearoundthem
TheNurseryhasbeenbusygrowingtheirveryown beans,justlikeJackandtheBeanstalk!Thechildren havelovedwatchingthemshootupsoquickly(let’s hopethegiantdoesn’tappearatthetop!) Their curiosityhasblossomedalongsidetheplants,with wonderfulconversationsandquestionsabouthow thingsgrow.It’sbeenamagicalmixofstorytelling, Science,andimagination!
TheReceptionassemblylastweekwasajoyful celebrationoflearning,featuringdinosaurdancing withswishingtails,athrillingliveScienceexperiment, andadelightfulmixofdinosaurfactsandjokesthat hadeveryonesmiling.Thechildrenhavemade tremendousprogressunderthethoughtfulguidance andcareofMrsFaircloughandtheMowdenteam, blossominginconfidence,curiosity,andcreativity Theirloveoflearninghasbeendeeplynurtured througharich,play-basedcurriculumthatbrings educationtolifeinexciting,meaningfulways.
Year1hasbeenbusywritingthoughtfuland imaginativelettersasLighthouseKeeperscarefully choosingtheirwordstoshareideasandask questions Theyareshowingfantasticprogressin usinggrammar,punctuation,andspelling accurately,withgrowingconfidenceand independenceintheirwriting.
InYear2,childrenhavetakenoffonathrilling journeythroughtime,soaringthroughthehistoryof flight fromthedreamsofearlyinventorstothe marvelsofmodernaviation.
Wehaveplentyofenjoyableactivitiestolook forwardtointhelasttwoweeksofterm,makinga positiveendtotheschoolyear.
We’reexcitedtoinviteyoutoourEnd-of-YearArt Exhibition,openingTODAYandrunninguntilthe endoftermThisvibrantdisplayfeaturesa stunningvarietyofartworkcreatedbyour talentedstudentsfromNurserytoYear8.
�� Where:PrepSchoolReceptionandCorridor �� When:Friday20thJunetotheendofterm Whetherit’sboldpaintings,detaileddrawings,or imaginativemixed-mediapieces,there’s somethingtoimpressandinspireeveryone.We’d loveforyoutocomealongandcelebrateyour children’screativity!
Wednesday25thJune
1400Year1and2SwimmingGala-allfamilies welcometospectate.
Thursday26thJune
08.00onwards,NurseryClasscelebrationofwork and09.00classassemblyintheHarrisonTheatre
Friday4thJuly, PirateSplashDay
TheSchoolCouncilisorganisingpirate-themed wateractivitiesforthelastdayofterm.Children arewelcometocomedressedaspiratesand bringawaterpistolandswimwearforafunday
Pre-Prependofterm-normal collectiontimes
Mrs.KirstenKnight HeadofPre-Prep
Introducing
Wearedelightedthat,fromMonday30thJune,thecateringteamatMowdenHallwillbe supportedbynewcateringpartnersThomasFranks
ThomasFranksisafamily-ownedcateringpartnerwithaglobalreputationforserving exceptionalfoodmadefromlocallysourcedproduce.
ThomasFranksworkwithmanyoftheworld’s leadingschools,butalsohaveanextensive presenceinbusinessandindustrywith clientssuchasAutotrader,Barings,Britvic, Burberry,Cushman&Wakefield,Dentons, EdinburghAirport,PZCussons, SomersetCountyCricketClubandWithers
In2022,ThomasFrankswontheBestEmployer AwardandtheFoodserviceCatererAwardat TheCateys,andfollowedthisupwiththeHealth andNutritionAwardin2023.InvestorsinPeople awardedthemplatinumaccreditationin2025 andTheSundayTimesnamedThomasFranksin theTop10oftheirBestPlacestoWorkin2025.
FOODANDMENUS
Forbreakfast,boarderscanchoosefrom ahotbuffet,awiderangeofcereals, yoghurts,pastriesandfruit
Lunchisservedtoall,wherepupilscan expectthreeorfourhotoptions,aselection ofsidedishesandanextensivesaladbar. Weofferthreeorfourchoicesforpudding, includingfreshfruit.
Therangeisslightlysmallerfordinner,but weaimtoservepupils’favouritedishes, ensuringtheyarewell-fuelledfortheir co-curricularcommitments.
Inadditiontothecoremenu,theThomas Frankschefteamwillhostregular pop-upssopupilscanexplorethefoods oftheworld.Thesecouldinclude sushi-makingworkshops,pastabars, mezzenights,Mexicanfiestasandthe much-lovedsmoothiebike
ALLERGIESANDSPECIALDIE
ThomasFrankshascomprehensi allergyandspecialdietpolicywhic clearproceduresfortheidentifica managementofallergiesandd requirements Alltheirschoolsh ‘nut-aware’policy.
TheMowdenHallteamwillrec comprehensiveandup-to-datetrainingon currentlegislation,andclearinstructionsonhow tocarryoutallergenmanagementprocedures
Dishescontainingallergensaresegregated fromotherdishesinthekitchenandonthe counters,preventingcross-contamination whereverpossible
ThomasFrankswillworkcloselywithMowden parentstofullyunderstandtheneedsofeach pupil.Theparentsofpupilswithlife-threatening allergieswillbeinvitedtomeetwiththecatering managertoagreeonabespokeallergy managementplan.
Amemberofthecateringteamwillbeselected asanAllergyChampion.Theywillactasan additionallevelofduediligenceintheallergy managementprocess,overseeingand encouragingcorrectworkingpractice.
CREATIVITY
ThomasFrankshasembeddedcreativity acrosstheirbusiness Theywerethefirst cateringcompanytoemploygraphicand locationdesignerstoensuretheirkitchens arestructured,efficientand–most importantly–anenjoyableplacetobe.
Chefshostregularthemeddaystogive pupils atasteofglobalculturesortosupport specificeventssuchasChildren’sMental HealthWeekorVeganuary.
Theirpartnership withtheNatasha AllergyResearch Foundation promotesfood allergenawareness andassistswith immunotherapy research.
ksis ring the ly by K.
Boarding
OurboardershavebeencelebratingNational BoardingWeekwithaprogrammeofevents suggestedbytheBoardingSchoolsAssociation MondaywasNationalFudgeDaysoourboarders weresentoffonanelaborately“fudge”themed scavengerhunttofindtheindividuallywrapped treatswhichwerethensharedoutattheend. Tuesdaywasaminigolfcompletion Weareso fortunatetohaveourownlittlePitchandPuttarea andsoourboarderstooktheopportunityto practicetheirskills!
WehostedanumberofYear3boardersforabig boardingsleepoveronWednesdaynight Thiswas thefirsttimetheyhadsampledweeknight boardingandwhatanight!Wehadsomeepicfun withtheparachutefollowedbyafabulousversion ofRoaldDahl’s‘TheTwits’,expertlyreadindramatic fashionbyMrsPhillipsonwhilewecosieddown withcushionsandblankets
ThursdaynightwasTaskmasternightandour boardersweresentoffindifferentgroupstocomplete variouschallenges-roundingoffwhathasbeena brilliantweekofboarding!
Ourfinalboardingweekendoftheyearisalmostupon us,andwe’rehopingtogetasmanyofyouinas possibleforafun-filledweekend,whereyouarein charge!Thoseofyouwhosignupwillhavethe opportunitytodecidewhatyouwouldliketodoon Sunday,andwewilldoallwecantomakeithappenunlessyouwanttogotothemoon!!Inordertoallow plentyoftimeforbooking,pleasecanweaskthatyou signupby5pmonMonday23rdJune Whilewewill acceptbookingsafterthattime-we can’tguaranteethatyouwillbeable tosubmityourchoiceofactivity!
BOOKFORWEEKEND BOARDING-28THJUNE
Mr.SamShaw-Kew DeputyHead Co-Curricular&Boarding
PRE-SEASON
@ MOWDEN
SATURDAY 30TH AUGUST
1000AM YARM SCHOOL
MONDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER
1000AM - 300PM MOWDEN HALL
U13A Hockey Tournament
U8, U9 and U10 Hockey Training and U8, U9 and U10 Rugby Training
Packed lunch, plenty of water and sunscreen needed
TUESDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER
10.00AM - 3.00PM MOWDEN HALL
U11, U12 and U13 Hockey Training and U11, U12 and U13 Rugby Training
SIGN UP FOR TRAINING CAMPS
Booking essential for training camps All packed lunches and any snacks should be nut-free
For more information, please contact Head of Sport, Tim Hardy
Packed lunch, plenty of water and sunscreen needed.
Fixtures for the Week Ahead - Week 9
Allparents,grandparentsandfriendsareinvitedtowatchschoolmatchesinwhichtheirchildrenare playing.TeawillbeprovidedatWednesdayandSaturdayfixtures–usuallyintheSmallDiningRoomor Pavilion–afterthematch.PleasekeepacloseeyeontheSOCSportal(sportsportal)ortheSchool Calendarbothofwhichprovidethemostuptodateinformationonfixturesthatmayinvolveyour children Informationwillalsobesharedviathisweeklynewsletter,ifchangeshavebeenmadetothe publishedcalendar Ifyouareinanydoubtaboutafixture,pleaseringtheSchoolOffice TeamlistsanddetailsofmatchesarepublishedontheSchoolSportwebsite Fixtureinformationcanbe accessedeitherviatheSportCalendarorbychoosingthespecificteamyourchildisinvolvedin(ie U10 Netball) ThepasswordforaccessingteamlistsonSOCSisMowdensport Inordertosecuretheprivacy ofourpupils,pleasedonotsharethispasswordoutsidetheMowdencommunity.Forfurtherinformation onhowtousetheSOCSportal,pleasecontactDeputyHead(Co-CurricularandBoarding),SamShawKeworHeadofSport,TimHardy.
Wednesday25thJune
10.00am-U12AGirls@AmpleforthWorsleyCupCricketCompetition,YorkYO62
GirlsinYear7willtravelearlyonwednesdaymorningtoTheAmpleforthWorsleyCup,wewillneed todepartat7:15amfromMowdentoarriveforthemeetandthefirstmatchesstartingat10:00am, followingseveralhardballgameswhichwillconcludeat4:30pm,wewillreturntoMowdenat approximately6:30pm.
2.00pm-Pre-PrepSwimmingGala@MowdenHallSwimmingPool
Years1&Year2fromthepre-prepschoolwillcompeteintheMowdenHallSwimmingGala,across avarietyofracesinthepool Thiseventwillstartfrom2:00pmandisopentoparentswhowillbe abletospectateineachrace Witheventexpectedtoconcludeby4:00pm
2.00pm- U11ABoysandU11BGirlsvHexhamMiddleSchool,NE180QT
BoysinYear6andGirlsinYear6willtravelviaminibustoStamfordhamCricketClubNE180QTfora boys(hardball)andagirls(softball)cricketmatchagainstHexhamMIddle,matcheswillstartat 2:00pmandareexpectedtoreturnby4:00pmatMowden,spectatorsarewelcometoattend.
2.00pm-U12ABoysvOvinghamMiddleSchool,MowdenHall-Parkfield
BoysinYear7willplayacricketfixtureagainstOvinghamMiddleSchoolonourparkfieldpitch,the matchwillstartat2:00pmwithspectatorswelcometoattend.
Friday27thJune
2.00pm-U12AGirlsvDameAllan's@MowdenHallParkfield
GirlsinYear7willplayacricketfixtureagainstDameAllan'sonourparkfieldpitch,thematchwill startat2:00pmwithspectatorswelcometoattend
Launch of Mowden Hall Cricket Academy
Wearedelightedtoannounceanewandexciting partnershipwithAuldAllianceCoaching,beginning thisSeptember,whichwillseethelaunchofthe MowdenHallCricketAcademy.
Thiscollaborationrepresentsasignificantstep forwardinthedevelopmentofcricketatMowden Hall,offeringahigh-performanceenvironment wherechildrencanrefinetheirskills,growin confidence,andreachtheirfullpotential.The coachingteambringsawealthofexperienceand expertisetotheprogramme:
BarryMcGeachy–AnECBAdvancedCoachwith animpressivebackgroundinyouthperformance development Barryhaspreviouslycoached withintheCricketScotlandandDurhamU18s performancepathways,bringingdeepinsights intoeliteplayerprogression.
DavidBordes–AlsoanECBAdvancedCoach, DavidisaformerFrenchInternationaland currentlyworkswiththeCricketScotlandU18s performancepathway Hisinternational perspectiveandexperiencewillbeinvaluablein nurturingyoungtalent.
Inadditiontoregularcoaching,theacademywill featureguestappearancesfromLukeDoneathy,a localtalentwhorepresentedEnglandU19sand playedprofessionallyforDurham.Luke’sinsights intotheprofessionalgameandhisjourneythrough therankswillserveasaninspirationtoaspiring cricketersatMowdenHall
Thisisafantasticopportunityforpupilstobe coachedbysomeofthemostknowledgeableand passionatecricketprofessionalsintheregion,and tobepartofaprogrammethatprioritises development,enjoyment,andexcellence
Notices
CreativeWorkshop
Friday20thJune
OurnextCreativeWorkshopwilltakeplaceintheHarrisonTheatrethisafternoonat1pmTheseconcerts areopenevents,forbothperformersandparents,togiveaninsightintohowourchildrendevelopover thecourseoftheirstudiesatMowden
Ifyouareunabletoattend,arecordingwillbeemailedtoyoushortlyafterwardsThisrecordingis intendedforfamilyuseonly.Weaskthatyoudonotsharethislinkonlineoronsocialmedia.
ArtExhibition
Friday20thJuneuntiltheendofterm
OurendofyearArtExhibitionisopenfromtodayuntiltheendof termPleasecomealongandhavealookattherangeofamazing artondisplayfromNurserytoYear8.Theexhibitionisinthemain schoolreceptionareaandcorridor.
PrepSchoolSportsDayandpicnic
Saturday28thJune
PrepSchoolSportsDaywillstartat12.30pmonSaturday28thJune.Allpupilswillbeinvolvedintrackand fieldeventsacrosstheafternoon.WeanticipatethatthepresentationoftheHousewinnerswillbemade atapproximately4.00pm,withsignoutshortlyafterwards-however,pleaseappreciatethatwithso manychildrencompeting,theremaybealittlerunover!Attheendoftheevent,childrenwillneedto changeintotheiruniformandsignoutasnormalatthefrontentranceInadvanceofthisweare delightedtowelcomeyoutotheeverpopularfamilypicnicpriortoSportsDay2025
Youarewelcometoarrivefrom1115amtofindaspaceonthefrontlawn,oraroundtheoutsideofPark Field-pleasedonotsetupon/insidetherunningtrack,oryoumaybeaskedtomoveYourchildrenwill joinyoufrom1130amAhooter/bellwillbesoundedataround12.15pm,atwhichpointpleasecanall pupilsbesenttothePavilionIfyouarenotabletoattendforanyreason,yourchildwillenjoyapicnic withthestaffprovidedbytheschoolkitchen-pleasecompletethisformtoletusknow.
SpeechDayTrophies
SpeechDaytrophiesawardedlastyeararetobereturnedtotheschooloffice.Pleaseensure youhavehadyourchild’snameengravedontheawardbeforereturning.Ifyouhaveanyquestions aboutthispleasecontactMissMillerintheSchooloffice,byemailatamiller@mowdenhallpst.org.
Suitcasesforbelongings
CouldwepleaserequestthatallpupilsinYear8bringalargesuitcaseintoschoolonthemorningof 23rdJune.Theseshouldbeclearlylabelledandleftintheboardinghousesittingroomforthestartof theirendoftermpacking.
AllpupilsinYears3-7willberequiredtobringlargesuitcasesinonthemorningofthe30thJune Pleasedonotunderestimatetheamountofbelongingswewillbepackingforyourchild!Large suitcasesenableustocondensethispackingasmuchaspossibletopreventthechallenges posedbymultiplebags
Notices
MyMowden-SummerHolidayClub
BookingisnowavailableforourSummerHolidayClub,booknow viatheClassforKidsplatformtoguaranteeyourspot.
Thecampsrunforthefirst3weeksofthesummerbreakforthose aged3to9yearsandwillincludeavarietyofactivitiessuitablefor childrenaged3-9years,includingarts&crafts,sports,woodland fun,freeplay,constructionandmore!ClickHEREtobookyourplace.
NewadventurecampcomingtoMowden
WearedelightedtobeworkingwithTheWildOutdoorstoofferan action-packedweekoffunforchildrenaged8-12. Theywillbe hostingafour-daysummercampatMowdenHall Schoolfrom Tuesday26toFriday29August2025.Runningdaily from8:30amto 5:30pm,thecampwillincludeplentyofactivities fromzorbsuits,to archery,waterfights,slipnslidestopeddlego-karts,fromlawn gamestoninjalines
Thecostis£50perday,butweareabletoofferMowdenparentsa 10%discountonthepricebyusingthediscountcodeWILDMOWDEN atcheckout TobookyourplacevisitTheWildOutdoorswebsite
Year8Leavers’Programme
TheYear8pupilshavecontinuedtheirleavers’programmethisweek-withthefirstscript writingmeetingfortheirupcomingLeavers’Play-aperformancenottobemissedfortheir parentsonFriday27thJune.Theyhavealsoattendedapersonalsafetyworkshop,atriptothe Lit&Phillibrary,givenbacktotheMowdencommunitythroughamorningofcommunityservice, undertakenadebateinfrontofanaudienceofYear6pupils,spentthedayridingrollercoasters atFlamingolandandengagedinaworkshopaboutsubstanceabuse-anotherpackedweek! Nextweek,theywilltakeonthestaffinagameofrounders,withthelosingcaptainbeing subjectedtoabucketofgungeoverthehead-goodluckMrSturt!!Theywilltaketheir communityserviceontheroad,withavisittoMorpethRoadSchooltohelpintheirSchool garden TheywillendtheirpenultimateweekatMowdenwiththePrepSchoolSportsDaywhichhousecaptainswilllifttheconvertedtrophy?Wecan’twaittofindout!
Pop-up BookShop
DigitalLearning
AsaschoolwearecommittedtothevalueoftheChromeb devicesandtheGoogleplatform.Forawhilenow,ourpupil havebeentakingadvantageofmobiletechnologyintheir learning.Havinginstantaccesstoinformation,alongwithth acquisitionofdigitalfunctionality,meansthatweareprovid theMowdenpupilswiththemostuptodatetechnologicals formoderndaylife.
OurexpectationisforallpupilsintheUpperSchool(Years3 tohavetheirownpersonaldeviceinordertomakethemostof theireducationatMowden.Weexpectthemtobebroughtintoschool,charged,onadailybasis.We requireallpupilstohavetheLenovo300emodelofChromebookwhichyouareabletopurchasefrom theMowdenChromebookshop.Moredetailscanbefoundhere:Chromebookshop
IfyouchoosetopurchaseyourChromebookfromusthenyouwillbeinvoicedsoonafterreceiptofthe device,itwillnotbeaddedtoyourtermlyinvoiceOrderscanbeplacedatanypointfromnowYour Chromebookwillbedeliveredtoschoolandsetupontheschoolsystemwithoursafetyparameters installedEarlierorderingwillincreasechancesofarrivalpriortotheendoftermandthesecanthenbe deliveredtoyouviayourchild’steacherIfthedevicearrivesafterwebreakforthesummerthenthe ChromebookwillbegiventoyourchilduponourreturntoschoolinSeptember
YouarewelcometopurchasetheChromebookfromanotherretaileraslongasitisthemodelstated above(Lenovo300e)butpleasebeawarethatyouwillnotbecoveredbyourcollectandreturn warranty
AllChromebookswillbeenrolledontheschoolsystemandwillbecoveredbythesamesecurityfeatures foundonallschooldevicesAssuch,whileenrolledonoursystem,onlyyourchild’sschoolaccountwill beabletoaccessthedeviceandthedeviceshouldonlybeusedforeducationalpurposesUponyour childleavingMowden,theChromebookwillberemovedfromoursystemandwillbeavailableforyouto useasyouwishinthefuture
Weaskthatyouprovideasimple,inexpensivecoverwithahandleforyourchild'sChromebookto protectitfromdaytodaywearandtearAnexampleofsuchacovercanbefoundhere:Coverexample Finally,aspartofthecontentsofyourchild’spencilcaseinYear3andbeyond,weaskthatasimplepair ofheadphonesareprovidedforusewiththeChromebookThesecanbethein-eartypeortheover-ear type.
SoonafterthestartoftheAutumnterminSeptember,thechildrenwillbegivenafullbriefingondaily expectationsandroutines.
Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecontactMrHartleydirectlyatihartley@mowdenhallpst.org
Mowden Hall School
Mowden Hall School, Newton, Stocksfield NE43 7TP
