Pipers Post | Autumn Edition - Second Half-Term

Issue 08. 2025

AUT U M N T E R M H I G H L I G HT S Come From Away Careers Month

Christmas at Pipers Alumnae News

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Come from Away - Senior School Production Come From Away first hit the West End in 2019, telling the true story of how the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, welcomed 7,000 stranded passengers after 38 planes were diverted on 11 September, 2001. This year, as the show toured the UK and Ireland, our talented students at Pipers brought their own extraordinary version to the stage.

There was something truly powerful about watching our students step boldly into every role, including traditionally male ones, with confidence, heart, and unmistakable Pipers spirit. Audiences on Thursday, Friday and Saturday saw that they didn’t just play the part…they owned it.

Through a rigorous rehearsal schedule for this year’s Senior School production, our students proved that there was no role they couldn’t take on, both on stage and behind the scenes. It was an exemplary piece of ensemble acting demonstrating skill at the highest level.

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Pre-Prep Storyteller In a special event organised with Chorleywood Book Shop, we welcomed professional story-teller Liz Fost, who (with the help of our willing volunteers) told a brilliantly interactive story of “The Turtle Who Turned the Tide”. This wasn’t just entertainment of course, it helped to build language skills, spark imagination and help our students grow in confidence.

Rememberance 2025 On 12 November, we proudly stood together in honour of Remembrance, to hold silence and turn our thoughts towards those who have fallen, our courageous Armed Forces, those who have come home and their families.

As part of the tribute, our students delivered a powerful assembly with poignant musical, spoken and drama pieces, to help encourage our community to reflect on those who have served their country.

We proudly honoured this tradition and support the Royal British Legion through our fundraising efforts.

Lest we forget.

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Sixth Form Sociology Students Explore Scientology As part of their Sociology studies, Year 13 spent the day visiting The Church of Scientology, London to deepen their understanding of why some people may turn away from traditional forms of worship and to explore the role of New Religious Movements (NRMs) in contemporary society.

During the visit, the students took part in a lecture, a Q&A session and a tour of the facilities, giving them valuable first-hand insight into how NRMs present their beliefs, practices and community life.

Studying NRMs forms a key part of the A Level Sociology curriculum because these groups help students understand how religion adapts to social change, individualism and globalisation. They challenge students to think critically about what counts as ‘religion’ today, and they offer rich examples of concepts such as charismatic leadership, social influence and the impact of the media.

This visit provided the students with fresh, real-world examples to support their exam work, particularly within the Beliefs in Society topic, and encouraged them to reflect on how people seek meaning and belonging in an increasingly complex and diverse world.

Debating the banning of short-haul flights at the ESU competition Congratulations to Tashvi M and Zahra P, who recently competed in Round 1 of the English-Speaking Union’s (ESU) National Debating Competition against five local grammar schools. This is the oldest and largest schools’ debating competition in England.

Tasked with opposing the motion ‘This House Would Ban Short-Haul Flights’ against Dr Challoner’s High School, Pipers were one of the teams selected to progress to Round 2. Tashvi and Zahra impressed the three ESU adjudicators with their strong rebuttal skills, attentive listening, and confident use of Points of Information — all delivered unplanned and unscripted.

Critical thinking and debating are essential skills, particularly in today’s world of simplistic soundbites and volume over substance. Debating also offers invaluable experience in stepping over the white line and confidently leading a room.

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Bucks Art Society Young Artist Awards Recognition We are proud to announce that three of our students have won top prizes in the 2025 Bucks Art Society Young Artist Awards and are currently having their artwork displayed in a special exhibition.

With a focus in supporting young artists as they take their next leap forward, The Bucks Art Society gives young people the opportunity to showcase their art.

Each year, the competition is hosted in conjunction with local schools and colleges to help inspire the next generation of talented artists.

In a private view and professionally hung exhibition in Wendover Memorial Hall, our students work was displayed alongside experienced artists from across the county.

Congratulations to the following students for their brilliant achievements: Summer S | ‘Little Sister’ - Second Prize Certificate awarded and £100 prize.

Florence C | ‘Flambe’ - Highly Commended Certificate awarded and 'People's Choice' vote at the BAS exhibition.

Martha T | ‘In too Deep’ - Highly Commended Certificate awarded.

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November - National Careers Month

November gave our students an inspiring window into the world of careers. Across the School, students have been developing the skills, awareness and confidence that will shape their future choices.

Year 7 took their first Senior School steps into career exploration, working collaboratively to research future roles and present their findings. This early exposure helps them build curiosity, critical thinking and the ability to articulate their aspirations: foundations that will support them throughout their education. Their session with Sarah Ainsworth-Coles from Bucks Health Trust highlighted just how broad and dynamic the world of work can be.

Further up the school, students have been gaining valuable insight into life beyond the classroom. Year 10 explored leadership and teamwork through an Army careers session, while Sixth Form students engaged in thought-provoking discussions on psychology, industry and the growing world of degree apprenticeships. These sessions strengthen decision-making skills and help students understand the diverse pathways open to them.

Our alumnae added an inspiring dimension, with Mailena Clarke sharing expert advice on personal branding and Rowen Stepney offering a brilliant perspective on combining her passion and experience in marine biology with owning a small business. Hearing directly from former students gives today’s learners real, relatable examples of ambition in action.

Throughout November, we also continued coaching modules for Years 10–13, supporting students to reflect deeply on their strengths, motivations and future direction.

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A Day of Rethinking Fashion for Sixth Form Textiles Students Our Sixth Form Textiles students spent a day at the Barbican Centre exploring the 'Dirty Looks' exhibition: a journey that challenged everything they thought they knew about beauty and design.

Rather than pristine perfection, they encountered garments that celebrate dirt, decay, and imperfection as deliberate design choices. For many, this was a moment of revelation: fashion as a language of resistance, sustainability, and cultural critique.

Students reflected on how embracing impermanence can disrupt the relentless pursuit of flawlessness in today’s culture. The exhibition didn’t just showcase clothing: it sparked conversations about identity, ethics, and the future of fashion. What does beauty mean when we value the worn and weathered? A new way of thinking about a sustainable fashion future...

Where can Textiles A Level take you at University?

Year 12 textile students were joined by Nottingham Trent University Students and Pipers Alumnae, Amber, Mary and Rosie, who have all just completed their first semester studying Fashion Design and Interior Architecture. Amber and Mary spoke about the intensity and creativity of their hands-on fashion courses and how the flexible faculty allows exploration of different creative paths. Rosie described her Interior Architecture course, combining technical precision with creative problem-solving, from pitching designs to LUSH Cosmetics to digitally reimagining architectural plans.

They highlighted how A Level Textiles (and even Mathematics) can open multiple routes into these creative degrees and encouraged students to gain work experience and engage proactively with the industry. Our Year 12 Students, in turn, showcased their Decay project-work inspired by their trip to the Barbican earlier this academic year, giving the alumnae a glimpse of current Pipers creativity.

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Spreading Christmas Spirit at Abbeyfield Care Home

Pre-Prep Highlights

Community spirit was in full flow when Pre-Prep visited the residents at Abbeyfield Care Home. The children confidently asked questions and spoke about themselves, sharing some Christmas carols too.

Snow came to Pipers

Family ‘Crafternoon’

In an unexpected flurry - snow came to Pipers! Our youngest Students made the most of playtime, building snowmen and making snow-angels.

They enjoyed how their learning could take on a new sensory experience in the snow.

Children across Pre-prep welcomed Mums, Dads, Grandparents and loved ones in to share an afternoon of Christmas crafting - always a highlight of the Pre-Prep Christmas calendar. Thank you to everyone who joined us in the festivities.

Camp fire Brownies World Science Day Experiments Year 2 conducting an excellent experiment to find out which material would work best for a bungee rope!

Introducing Harold from Borneo Year 2 are proud to announce that, as part of their research work in English, they have adopted an orangutan named Harold! He lives in the jungles of Borneo and the children are excited to learn more about him.

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Move over S’mores, there’s a new campfire treat in the forest! Pre-prep baked chocolate brownies over the fire. It took a lot of work, building and lighting the fire, mixing the ingredients, tasting the mixture, baking the cake and finally getting to eat it!

Year 3 get creative

Prep Highlights Dance Choreography Competition

Mastering the art of pom-pom making just in time to create decorations to hang on the Prep Christmas tree.

During Choreography Competition Week, students from Years 3–13 have been creating their own dances to the theme ‘Dancing Through the Decades’. With an impressive 34 groups and 78 students taking part, the energy and creativity have been fantastic. We captured Prep in action during one of the sessions.

Winning routines will perform in our annual dance show later this acaddemic year.

Reading Comprehension Skills

World War Two Letters

Senior School teacher Mrs Hamilton gave year 6 a Reading Comprehension workshop. All part of the preparation for the start of their Year 7 journey next September

Year 5 have been exploring daily life during the Second World War, from evacuation and the Blitz to rationing on the Home Front. They wrote powerful first-person diary entries focused on feelings, fears and hopes, To add authenticity, they enjoyed distressing their diaries, bringing their wartime stories to life.

Year 6 Forest School Discovery

Year 4 Learn about dental care As part of their digestion topic, Students tested their tooth brushing skills with the help of dental tablets to see how effective their brushing is! Always a fun practical highlight to this topic.

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Year 6 found a wonderful fly agaric toadstool in their Forest School session. They then used their carving tools on pieces of hazel wood to create mushrooms and textures.

St Albans Cathedral Carol Service

Christmas Fair

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Pre-Prep Nativity

Prep Christmas Show

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Christmas Jumper Day

Christmas Lunch

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Jolly Hobby-Horse Staff Competition

Charity Update As we approach the Christmas break, it seems appropriate to reflect on the incredible achievements of our School community during this academic year. So far, we have raised an impressive £4,130. This festive season alone, we have supported several worthy causes. All proceeds from the Christmas Fair went to the Cruse Bereavement charity. On Christmas Jumper Day, contributions were exchanged for items to support the Wycombe Food Hub. Additionally, the Staff Jolly Hobby Horse Competition, led by our Equestrian lead Mrs Brewer, benefitted World Horse Welfare.

Moreover, we received generous donations for the Harvest collection, the Salvation Army gift drive, and over 300 boxes filled with love for the Rotary Shoebox Scheme.

Thank you to all members of the Pipers community for your unwavering generosity and spirit!

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Celebrating Community and Environment

Raising money for Children in Need It was a whole-School mufti day in support of BBC’s Children in Need, with Year 2 students leading the fundraising through a charity bake sale. Despite the rain, students filled form rooms, libraries, and the Sixth Form Centre with activity: from lively Uno games and chess matches to relaxed reading tucked away from the weather. A strong community effort for a great cause.

Anti-Bullying Week Pipers marked Anti-Bullying Week with a cheerful splash of colour for Odd Socks Day, celebrating individuality and reminding students that everyone is unique.

The day encouraged our community to embrace differences, speak up safely, support one another, and use their Power for Good.

It was a simple but powerful way to show that kindness, acceptance, and standing together make all the difference.

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Celebrating Community and Environment Local Autumn Downpours Providing Investigative Opportunities for our Geographers It's been great to see our Senior and Sixth Form students embracing their lessons outside for fieldwork activities.

Storm Claudia provided a perfect opportunity for our Sixth Form Geographers to get out and about, investigating the catchment of the River Misbourne. The pouring rain afforded the students some great insight into stores and flows of water within the catchment as well as the impact of human activity.

Meanwhile, during an investigation on our School grounds, Year 7 have been learning more about how land use impacts rates of infiltration, which helped them to understand more about why some places are likely to flood than others, providing context when discussing recent flood events in the news.

Q&A with Greg Smith, Conservative MP for Mid Buckinghamshire As part of UK Parliament Week, we were pleased to welcome MP Greg Smith to meet with our Senior and Sixth Form students in a Q&A. During the session, students explored the role and responsibilities of a Member of Parliament, gaining valuable insight into the work of parliamentarians. They also had the opportunity to discuss topical issues, including the proposed votes at 16 initiative and matters affecting our local constituency.

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Celebrating Community and Environment

Antarctica Day - flag winners Exciting news for our Year 9 Geographers! The Antarctica flag class winners, Isabelle G and Evie L, had their flags delivered to Port Lockroy (the penguin post office) in Antarctica by postmaster Rachel.

Port Lockroy is an important natural and historic site, often described as a ‘living museum’. Visitors from around the world come to learn about Antarctica, and all profits support the renovation of other historic Antarctic sites.

YE News Our Young Enterprise team Afternoon Seed represented the School at the Marlow Late Night Shopping event showcasing their upcycled teacup and saucer hanging bird feeders, making £100 worth of sales in the process. Further success followed as they sold out at the School Christmas Fair.

Well done team.

Donations, near and far this Christmas Our students have been busy supporting the Rotary Show Box Scheme which sends gifts to children and families in need across Romania, Albania, Ukraine, and Moldova. Each year, around 30,000 shoeboxes reach orphanages, hospitals, women’s refuges, disadvantaged families, and older people in hostels.

After collecting empty boxes in the Autumn, our students filled them with toys, school supplies, toiletries, hats, gloves, and small treats. Last week, over 300 boxes were collected from Pipers families. Thank you for helping bring joy and practical support to so many!

We were also delighted to welcome our local Salvation Army representative to highlight the vital support they provide to children and families in High Wycombe at Christmas. Thank you to our Pipers community for your generous donations of toys and gifts to this cause.

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SPORTING HIGHLIGHTS

Well done to the intermediate students who competed at the ESSA national Swim Team Championships in Birmingham. The students worked really hard showing great teamwork.

They came 11th in the freestyle narrowly missing out on a finals position and 18th in the medley knocking a second off their qualifying time and gaining 8 places from qualifying. We are so proud of the students!

The U14A Hockey team performed brilliantly as a team against Wycombe High winning 5-0. POMs: Olivia and Lyra. Well done to all players!

The U13A Netball team had a great game against Sir William Borlase winning 17-9. POMs: Flo and Olivia.

Great netball from all!

More swimming success came from Lexi who won five medals for Wycombe, setting her on to the Arena National League Round 3.

Whilst Evelyn gained PBs across the board in her 10 races at the Wycombe County Regional Qualifier, bringing home 8 medals in total. What super representatives for the School!

Fabulous news from the IAPS Gymnastics competition. We had a team of Under 9 girls who represented the School and placed a very credible 5th ! Special mention to our Year 2 children who beamed throughout the event. Everyone performed so well and they should be incredibly proud of their achievements!

The U16 Netball team travelled to St Helens and St Katharine Girls school for the next round of the Sisters n Sport Cup. They played incredibly both in attack and defence. Their drive to succeed and determination was unmatched. Winning 32-16 overall.

We were delighted to welcome Pebe (award winning sports-bra brand) in to talk to the Senior students, educating us on the importance of having the correct sports bra, talking about myths and revealing scientific facts about women in sport.

Everyone had the opportunity to get measured and fitted which was an invaluable experience.

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Inter-House netball kicked-off this half-term with a lively competition between Years 7, 8 and 9. It was a close-run competition with Hampden taking home the most wins for Year 7B, Year 8A, and Year 9B. Mandeville, Milton ad Penn won for Year 7A, Year 8B and Year 9A respectively. Well done to all houses who played with enthusiasm and competitive spirit.

Q&A with Alumnae Rowen Stepney Tell us about your A Level experience at Pipers, Rowen. You were studying during the Covid pandemic, that must have been a challenging experience?

I left Pipers in 2021 after completing my A Levels in Biology, Psychology, and PE. The experience was certainly unique due to the circumstances at the time. Covid hit in March of my Year 12, disrupting the traditional learning environment. All of my A Level content was delivered online via Zoom, and instead of sitting the usual exams, we built up evidence through numerous assessments and a portfolio. This collection of work determined my grades. The results arrived in the second week of August, as is usual, but the process of receiving them was different—online rather than in person.

What about University Offers? Did you know what and where you would study? On the day I received my A Level results, I was thrilled to get a congratulatory email from the University of Exeter, confirming my place before I physically collected my grades.

This was a huge relief. Shortly afterwards, I moved to Penryn in Cornwall to start my degree in Marine Biology at the University of Exeter's Cornwall campus.

How did University life start for you? Freshers Week was unlike any other, with everyone masked and social distancing measures still in place. Some students had to quarantine in their halls due to Covid, which made socialising and making friends a bit difficult initially. My first lecture involved talking between masked classmates, which was a challenge for building connections. However, as regulations relaxed, life gradually returned to normal over the three years of my course.

Were your plans once Graduating clear for you at the time? I completed my undergraduate degree with a 2:1. As my final year approached, I was uncertain about my next steps. After exploring options including masters programmes and travel, I realised my passion lay in machine learning, environmental management, and marine biology. I enrolled in a relevant master's programme, which lasted a year from September to September. After completing my masters degree, I applied for and secured a place on a competitive internship programme in Indonesia, focused on coral conservation. This involves earning my dive master qualification and participating in conservation workshops. The internship lasts three and a half months, after which I hope to continue working in coral reef restoration or similar marine conservation roles, ideally in tropical locations, before eventually returning to the UK. What advice would you give anyone wanting to study and pursue a career in Marine Biology? Marine biology is a highly competitive and niche field. I pursued my master's degree early to distinguish myself and have volunteered with organisations like the Ocean Conservation Trust, contributing to projects such as seagrass planting. Taking every opportunity, whether offered by university or found independently, will be key to building not only experience, but confidence and independence.

Finally, how do you think your time at Pipers has impacted your further education and early career journey so far? Looking back (especially on those unusual Covid Sixth Form years), I really appreciate how the School created a sense of stability when everything else felt uncertain. The structure of the day, the continuity of lessons (even online), and the unwavering support from teachers gave me focus and a genuine feeling of safety. As someone from a military family who moved often, Pipers was the constant in my life. It was a place where I felt understood, valued, and supported as an individual. The relationships I formed have lasted well beyond my 11 years at Pipers; my PE A Level group still meets up and even after moving to Devon, I’ve stayed closely connected to the Pipers community. Pipers also encouraged me to explore every part of myself. I could be sports captain and still be a prefect involved in completely different areas. I was never pigeon-holed and that freedom built the confidence and versatility I’ve carried into university and my early career. Coming back in 2025 to speak to current students felt incredibly meaningful, I hope my journey shows them that their own ambitions, whatever they may be, are absolutely within reach.

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‘Crested Penguins’ by Frankie S | Year 13

‘Christmas at Pipers’ by Hattie M | Year 13

Pipers Corner School Pipers Lane Great Kingshill Buckinghamshire HP15 6LP 01494 718255 theschool@piperscorner.co.uk

www.piperscorner.co.uk