VE Day Celebrations
On Thursday 8 May, the School community came together to commemorate Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a vibrant street party lunch and a themed Mufti Day, creating a wonderful sense of celebration across the School
Students dressed in red, white and blue to reflect the colours of the Union Jack and made donations in support of The Veterans Charity, which provides vital assistance to those who have served in the armed forces.
At lunchtime, the main Lawn was transformed into a celebratory space, where students and staff enjoyed an incredible spread prepared by our catering team. Bunting fluttered, music played and the atmosphere was filled with appreciation and pride as the School community honoured this significant moment in history together.
In the afternoon, a reflective assembly provided an opportunity to pause and consider the historical importance of VE Day the moment on 8 May 1945 when the Allies formally accepted Germany’s unconditional surrender, marking the end of World War II in Europe Students reflected on the sacrifices made by so many, and the importance of remembering those who served
Pre-Prep ‘Fly’ to Geneva
Pre-Prep students recently embarked on a wonderfully imaginative journey to Geneva as part of a themed celebration of the Women’s World Cup Clutching their handmade French passports, the excited ‘travellers’ began their trip at ‘UK border control’, where Year 6 students questioned them in French With passports stamped and tickets in hand, the group ‘boarded the plane’ for their international adventure. Once onboard, they were greeted by a Year 6 ‘cabin crew’ (complete with safety demonstration!) and a cheerful welcome from the ‘pilot.’ Refreshments were served mid-flight, and before long, the plane had ‘landed’ in sunny Geneva. There, the young explorers passed through a mock Swiss border and stepped into a bustling ‘Swiss market,’ sampling pretend French delicacies and soaking up the atmosphere Energised and eager, they then joined a football warm-up session led by Year 6 trainers’, all conducted entirely in French!
Beyond The Kitchen | Our Commitment to ring
While students enjoy freshly prepared meals in the Arts Centre Café or in the Dining Hall, Holroyd Howe has been working hard behind the scenes to make meaningful environmental changes. These efforts span the entire supply chain, from sourcing ingredients to reducing waste. “We’ve been actively challenging our suppliers to rethink everything from delivery vehicles and packaging to warehousing and delivery frequency,” John Bantawa-Doman, HH General Manager at Pipers, explained “It’s about making positive changes without compromising on quality or provenance ”
One of their biggest areas of progress has been in supporting regenerative farming This approach promotes biodiversity, improves soil health and helps capture carbon all essential for tackling climate change The team also prioritises ‘buying British’ wherever possible to cut down on food miles and support local producers A key initiative has been their partnership with Waste Knot, where we use ‘wonky’ fruit and vegetables that might otherwise go to waste.
Reducing waste on-site is also a top priority. “We’ve made real progress in minimising food waste in both the kitchen and front of house, we’ve improved our ability to monitor and improve our environmental impact.” These changes are just the beginning. With more initiatives in the pipeline, HH’s commitment to sustainability ensures that the food enjoyed at Pipers is not only nourishing, but also increasingly planet-friendly.
Empowering Young Voices Comminucation Workshop
Led by experienced trainers from ‘Talk the Talk’ one of the UK’s leading providers of Oracy interventions. These recent sessions for our Senior School students offered practical, engaging strategies for effective communication. Students explored techniques such as PEEEP (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Example, Point) and the three Vs (Visual, Vocal, and Verbal), learning how to structure persuasive arguments, use open body language, maintain eye contact and listen actively
“Friends for Life”
Pipers-Abbotsleigh Exchange
This year, two of our Year 9 students, Poppy and Katie, had the incredible opportunity to take part in an international exchange with Abbotsleigh School in Sydney, Australia Their counterparts, Clem and Ellie, are now enjoying life at Pipers, completing the UK leg of what has proven to be a truly life-changing experience As Clem put it: “We’re so lucky to have had this experience it’s something we’ll remember forever ”
Exploring Meaningful Partnerships Year 2 Peru Art Day
Pipers has long fostered a unique and impactful relationship with Picaflor House in Cusco, Peru This dynamic after-school educational and nutritional program provides local children with the resources they need to thrive
More recently, Senior students make an annual pilgrimage to Picaflor House as part of the World Challenge initiative However, this meaningful global perspective starts much earlier, with Year 2 students engaging in cross-cultural exchanges that deepen their understanding of Peru
At this time of year, Pre-Prep hold an annual Peruvian Art Day, where students immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of Peru through Art and creative activities This event also ties into the Year 2 Geography curriculum, where they explore Peru and its unique attributes
The artwork they create culminates in a large display, showcasing their enthusiasm and understanding of Peru, its people and culture
To make the experience even more engaging, the students bark on an 'imaginary' trip to Peru, writing postcards to r families about their imagined adventure, all in paration for writing real letters to the children of flor House later this summer partnership between Pipers and Picaflor House is e than just an educational exchange; it’s a bridge that nects two distant communities through compassion understanding Through these initiatives, students at ers gain valuable insights into global citizenship, laying groundwork for future involvement in broader manitarian efforts The School's commitment to turing this relationship reflects its dedication to ering a sense of global awareness and social responsibility in its students.
Drama Festival Season
This spring, our Year 10 Drama students had the exciting opportunity to perform The Addergoole Fourteen by Joseph Clements at two prestigious local festivals – the Maidenhead and Henley Drama Festivals The students thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience They relished the opportunity to collaborate across different GCSE classes, perform at professional venues, compete against other talented groups, and gain valuable feedback through formal adjudication
Year 8 Experience Physics in Action at
Chessington
World of Adventures
s part of the Science Department’s celebrations for British Science Week, 91 excited Year 8 students, accompanied by seven staff members, enjoyed a thrilling and educational visit to Chessington World of Adventures
Taking place immediately after Assessment Week, the trip offered a welcome opportunity to explore key Physics principles beyond the classroom. Designed to bring the curriculum to life, the day focused on providing a real-world context for students to investigate forces, motion and energy fundamental topics in Physics
Year 4 Forest School Day
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Which included wood carving, obstacle courses, Mandala mapping and a delicious lunch and snacks prepared on the camp fire
Postcards from the Peak District
Year 5 enjoyed an adventure-filled trip to Bonsall Camp in the Peak District, a multi-purpose activity centre nestled in the picturesque countryside near Matlock Bath. The students spent most of their time in the fresh air engaging in various adventurous activities catered to different interest and skill levels.
From abseiling at Black Rock, to hiking the Bleaklow Ridge this residential was a super opportunity for each student to reach beyond their comfort zone The week culminated in a final rock climb and a canoeing session at Carsington Water and it was clear that they had all made huge strides in confidence and ability in just a short time
Gold Award Achievers Honoured at Buckingham Palace
A number of our students recently completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, the most prestigious level of this nationally recognised scheme that develops independence, resilience and teamwork
To mark their incredible achievement our students were invited to attend a special presentation at Buckingham Palace.
Martha F reflected on her wider DofE journey “The practice expedition was the first time I’d done anything quite so difficult – we didn’t know what would work and what wouldn’t, which was part of the challenge But by the time we got to the qualifying expedition in the Lake District, I felt a lot more prepared ”
Her team had refined their food plan (including homemade brownies for morale!) and learned what essentials to carry “It was quite wet –unsurprisingly – so I was very grateful for a dry pair of pyjamas The sense of achievement when we reached the summit of Helvellyn is something I’ll never forget”
Congratulations to all our Gold DofE students for their determination and hard work.
Pipers Host Young Enterprise Regional Finals
The Arts Centre buzzed with excitement as ten outstanding teams from Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire gathered to showcase the businesses they’ve built from the ground up.
Among the standout teams were Grounded and Hive It Your Way, representing Pipers with creativity, confidence and poise Both teams have impressed throughout the competition developing original business ideas and navigating realworld challenges
Hive It Your Way earned high praise for their strong commitment to sustainability Grounded delivered an exceptional performance, which resulted in them earning the title of Regional Final Winners
Inter-House Sport: A Winning Start to a New Tradition
This term has marked the exciting introduction of Inter-House competitions across a range of team sports. The new initiative has already created a buzz of friendly rivalry and House Spirit throughout the School
So far this year, our Prep students have enthusiastically taken part in hockey, netball and swimming events Meanwhile, students in the Senior School have also embraced the challenge, competing in hockey, netball, rounders and football
Looking ahead, we ’ re excited to build on this momentum and develop a brand-new Inter-House Programme to run throughout the next academic year
Senior Students Impress at ESSA Track and Field Cup
Our students braved the cold to deliver an impressive performance at the ESSA Track and Field Cup. With the Juniors (Years 7 & 8) competing in the field events and the Inters (Years 9 & 10) taking to the track, every student rose to the challenge, each competing in two events
The Juniors secured a strong fifth place overall, with standout performances from Zoe N and Florence F in the 1500m, Liv W in the 800m, and Penny E in the 300m. The Inters, who placed eighth overall, also gave it their all, with Katie B and Tula T both excelling in the 800m and Grace C impressing in the shot put.
The day concluded on a high, with the Inter relay team running a confident and well-executed race to earn a vital 20 points for their team
Celebrating Storytelling
Year 2 students have been getting hands-on with clay in a wonderfully creative 3D art project inspired by the classic children’s book The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch by Ronda and David Armitage. In the art studio, students have been channelling this inspiration into their own clay creations. The session was as much about creative exploration as it was about technique Mrs Rees spoke about the idea of serendipitous moments in Art –those happy accidents that can lead to something unexpectedly beautiful
Electric Umbrella in the Year 6 Charity Challenge
he Year 6 Charity Challenge is one the highlights of the Prep epartment calendar. Every student the year group is an important art of this social event and this year e event continued the tradition of oung leaders putting themselves out there to raise an extraordinary amount of money their wonderful chosen charity - Electric Umbrella
The School and the students themselves are proud to be earlyadopters of the charity, choosing them back in September 2024, before their meteoric rise on Britain's Got Talent.
Thanks to the enthusiasm of the children and the support of parents, local business and Prep staff alike, £2,362 was raised for the charity.
We were utterly thrilled to welcome Claire Boulter from the charity, who enthusiastically engaged in the evening, and spoke passionately about the work the charity does empowering learning disabled and neurodivergent people through creativity and connection
We were excited to welcome Claire and the charity back a few weeks later to perform for our students in the Pre-Prep and Prep departments
Pre-Prep Highlights
Years 2 and 3 enjoyed an educational day out at The Oxford Natural History Museum where they learnt about all the different types of skeletons! It was a great opportunity for these two year groups to work together - Year 3 sharing their knowledge and Year 2 having a taste of what Year 3 learning will look like for them in September
Pizza Making Morning
Pre-Prep headed to Pizza Express in Beaconsfield to try their hands at kneeding, stretching and forming dough in to delicious pizzas!
Years 1 and 2 enjoyed a beautiful walk to the shops as part of their local area studies in Geography They had a go at paying for some yummy treats using coins as discussed in Maths and PSHE
Pre-Prep enjoyed making volcanic erruptions with vinegar and baking soda! What great results!
Explosive Science Club!
Oxford Natural History Museum
Pre-Prep Highlights
Moving on Up...
As part of a gentle introduction to life in Year 3, Year 2 students have been spending time with the older year group exploring the Prep play equipment They’ve enjoyed getting to know the climbing frames and slide, growing in confidence as they begin to picture themselves in their new surroundings This slow and supportive transition is helping them feel comfortable and excited about moving up in September and they’re already looking forward to calling Year 3 home
Butterflies fly the nest!
Year 2 took part in a hands-on science project observing the lifecycle of butterflies They watched closely as the caterpillars grew, formed chrysalises, and eventually emerged as butterflies
After caring for them in the classroom, the students released the butterflies into the garden, marking the end of the project with a simple but memorable moment The activity offered a clear, realworld example of growth and change in the natural world
Getting Sports Day Ready
Pre-Prep students have been getting ready for Sports Day with plenty of practice in sprint races, relay and throwing events. These sessions have helped them build confidence, develop their coordination, and enjoy being active together in the lead-up to the big day
Good Luck Year 13
Year 9's making a classic VE day dish of meringues! Strawberries and cream at the ready!
Fantastic design and practical assessment work produced by Year 9 Textiles Their Food inspired wall hangings are going to be bright, bold and fun!
SENIOR NEWS
We said good luck to our Year 11 Students as they headed off on Study Leave, ahead of their GCSE Exams this summer. A happy and sunny afternoon was had by all.
Year 8 Textiles modelled their finished t-shirts in the sun. Their Pop Art inspired t-shirts were tie-dyed with Batik patches.
The Year 10 German Exchange came to an end with a final stop at Cologne Cathedral
A hands-on Year 7 Chemistry lesson exploring Acids and Bases making salts
Year 8 have been printing dry prints on the them of landscape and cityscape and sculpting mandala’soften used in the practice of meditation.
Year 3 worked cooperatively with respect and kindness to create a collage of human organs
Year 4 have been making incredible clay fish in their art classes - we can’t wait to show you how they progress
PREP NEWS
The first of the Prep House days took place this week - stalls were set and games played by Mandeville and Penn All proceeds will go to this year's charity Electric Umbrella
Year 5 had a fascinating World War II History trip to Bentley Priory Museum
Year 4 have been exploring times tables in imaginative ways A particular highlight was creating paper fortune tellers with times table puzzles What a great idea!
Year 6 led the Pre-Prep visit to Geneva - entirely in French!
We were delighted to welcome families to the Prep Informal Music Concert Singing soloists, drummers and a wonderful Cello performance made for a lovely afternoon celebrating music
Year 3 Chinese dragons using oil pastels on black card - very scary!
How lucky we are to live, work and play in an area with an abundance of bluebells at this time of year! Year 1 enjoyed the blanket of blue We were excited to find evidence that Red Kites have been nesting in our forest - look at the egg shells we found!
Year 2 went on a different type of treasure hunt! They looked around the School site for signs of animal activity by analysing the droppings they found They concluded that birds, badgers, deer and rabbits all visit Pipers Corner School!
These Reception learners demonstrated excellent teamwork, imagination and creativity when making a fairy village (complete with zip line!)
Year 6 have had a productive start to their Forest School sessions this term, with den building, Nordic braiding, mud kitchen creations and chair building, all on the agenda!
Year 5 displayed good technical skills in their shelter building, working positively and cohesively within their teams!
OUTDOOR LEARNING
Year 6 made Greek Flatbreads and toasted them on the open fire
Reception collected some beautiful flora which they used to decorate their forest crowns.
Year 1 had fun practising a Japanese printmaking technique called Hapa Zome
Congratulations to our U11 Swim team who have qualified for the IAPS National Finals at the London Aquatics centre, Olympic park on Saturday 7 July! What an amazing achievement to rank fifth out of 169 schools in the Medley Relay and tenth out of 187 schools in the Freestyle Relay. A special mention to Seanna in Year 5 for swimming in the team relays and for qualifying in fourth position in the U11 category. We look forward to seeing them perform in their first national competition!
Over the Easter holidays, Evie and Bea competing for the Pipers Equestrian team at the 80cm Show Jumping round at Berry Farm They performed excellently and both placed in the top 20 overall. Fantastic competitive spirit, well done girls!
The U13 Football team did incredibly well at the ISFA Football tournament at The Forest School They were so close to getting into the semi finals, resulting in fifth out of 15 teams. They played so well and should be proud of their efforts and teamwork shown. Well done to all players!
SPORTING HIGHLIGHTS
Meg’s Quad won a bronze medal in the National Schools Regatta which was held at Holme Pierrepoint in Nottingham on the last day of term before the break They were predicted to come first but faced stiff competition and were very pleased to get into the A final after their time trial, coming third in that final and walking away with a bronze!! Next event for them will be the Marlow International Regatta which is held at Dorney in a couple of weeks time.
Great day at the Wycombe district athletics Well done to the Year 9s coming third and the Year 10s coming second
A fantastic weekend for Lexi, Seanna, Harriet and Rosa who qualified for the National Finals in Sheffield after competing in the ESSA competition They came first in the medley by 0 08 and came up against strong competition We are super proud of them! Well done girls
The U15B cricket team had a great game against Sir William Borlase which ended up being very close losing by 5 runs Players of the Match: Maia and Georgia
The U13B Cricket team had a great first match of the season in the sunshine. A very close game against Borlase. Fantastic batting and bowling was highlighted.
Delighted to have our U16 Cricketers play Wycombe Abbey at the start of the season, showing some excellent bowling, batting and fielding!
The U15 Cricket team had a fantastic game against Sir Henry Floyd with some excellent tactical batting and fielding Player of the Match: Lexi
A lovely evening of cricket for the U13B Cricket team at Burnham Grammar School. Great communication, teamwork and bowling from the team. Players of the Match: Flo and Mimi.
As spring flowers bloom and the sun begins to shine with purpose, cries of “Howzat!” echo across the playing fields marking the arrival of cricket season at school
Cricket is now firmly established as a summer sport at Pipers, with matches on the front Lawn, league fixtures, and tournament appearances. Across year groups, many students play for local clubs, and some represent Buckinghamshire, raising the standard of play impressively
Thanks to early exposure in Prep, students are developing strong foundations A recent ISA festival saw the Year 6 team place a creditable sixth out of ten schools, and the Year 5s are preparing to defend their title at Ballinger’s annual Kiwi Cricket tournament. In the Senior School, the girls have already enjoyed success against Godstowe and Wycombe High, and this season marks their exciting first step into hardball cricket
The enthusiasm with which the girls approach every game is inspiring, and with continued support and encouragement, there’s every chance that Pipers could become a true hub of cricketing excellence.
Writer | Nigel Kerry - Cricket Coach
Q&A with Sarah Lomax, Teacher of German
Tuesday 1 July | Sports Awards An evening celebrating sport across all age groups, alongside awards presented to individual students and teams from Years 5 to 13 to recognise their achievements and contribution to Pipers Sport. We do hope you will be able to join us for this wonderful evening of celebration Special Guest Speaker GEORGINA BRAYSHAW Double European Champion, World Champion and Olympic Gold Medallist R
Wednesday 25 June | Sports Day Always a thrilling day of Sporting fun and achievement for all year groups A celebration of sport and our School Houses, come prepared to cheer and represent Penn, Hampden, Milton and Mandeville
Saturday 26 July | PipersFest This year's PipersFest is bigger and better than ever - we've tripled the number of acts, tripled the festival feasts offering and with even more family-friendly activities on offer. Visit the Pipers Corner Box Office via the Pipers Corner website to book
Saturday 5 July | Speech Day The culmination of the School year, celebrating achievements from all year groups and the announcement of the Prefect Team for 2025/26
Every Head Girl sews their name into the prefect gown before it is passed to the successor
