MICHAELMAS TERM 2023
Great Christmas Bake Off is BACK!
Divisional Competition Celebrity judge will be selecting the winning bakes, with his latest cookbook as the prize for each winner! Prizes, Show Ups and Plus Points to be won! Lower Prep and Prep Categories Winners announced at the start of the Lent term.
Email a photograph to Mrs Tuhill by 31st December at: s.tuhill@saintedmunds.co.uk
FROM THE HEADMASTER The very warmest of welcomes to the Michaelmas term 2023 edition of the Arrow, marking the start of the academic year in which we celebrate our 150th anniversary since St Edmund’s was founded in 1874 on the Norfolk coast. The planning for our Sesquicentenary celebrations next summer are well advanced and we will unveil details in the New Year. Schools are places of change and it has been wonderful to see our pupils settling into their new year groups, their new classes, and, for our joiners, their new school. I have also been delighted to welcome many new and existing parents to our social evenings and our new breakfast drop-ins, where parents and staff can get to know each other. Our community is vibrant and in great heart and we are experiencing record demand for our taster and assessment days. The programme for the children this term has seen a diverse and captivating range of workshops and speakers including Coding, Bollywood Dancing, Zoolab, disability awareness, antibullying initiatives, and the very popular Elevate revision sessions.
and the spirited Inter-Schools Cross Country event, featuring participation from 30 schools and over 1300 runners. Special congratulations go to our girls U13 hockey team, who secured bronze medals in the bowl competition at the recent IAPS hockey national finals. Over the term, more than three hundred pupils have joined me for lunch in the study. The children are great company and they talk with passion and enthusiasm about their lives at St Edmund’s. In the following pages, I hope you enjoy reading about some of their memory-making experiences.
The Michaelmas Term, synonymous with sporting excitement, saw the launch of our Boats Swimming races
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NEWS FROM EYFS NURSERY AND RECEPTION BOLLYWOOD WORKSHOP
HALLOWEEN On 31 October, our catering partner Thomas Franks treated our pupils to a ‘spooktacular’ Halloween themed lunch. Our little ones in Nursery had fun dressing up, hunting for creepy crawlies in jelly and crafting witches’ hats!
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EYFS CHRISTMAS PARTY
CHRISTMAS IS COMING! Reception posted letters to Father Christmas last week. We went to the office and got our letters stamped and then walked into Grayshott village to post them.
NURSERY TO RECEPTION NATIVITY Nursery 2 and Reception’s Nativity on Friday was full of magical moments. The classic Nativity story was given a twinkling twist and was the perfect way to remind us the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you to Mrs Bailey and the EYFS team and Mrs Colwell for her wonderful music. The children sung their hearts out! The costumes were fantastic too!
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NEWS FROM THE LOWER PREP
Click here to see the full photo gallery, password: Marketing
FORMS 1&2 NATIVITY
Unveiling the Wonders of Brooklands Museum with Form 1
Congratulations to our outstanding Form 1 and 2 students for delivering a captivating rendition of the ‘Baarmy Bethlehem’ nativity play. Parents were treated to a lively and enjoyable celebration of the Nativity, as our pupils showcased remarkable enthusiasm and energy throughout the performance, leaving smiles all around. The show kicked off with the spirited rendition of ‘Bethlehem is Barmy Tonight’—a fantastic effort by everyone involved!
Form 1 had a thrilling trip to Brooklands Museum. They had a guided tour of vehicles from the earliest models to the latest electric racing cars. One activity was assembling their own racing cars out of pegs and buttons which led to a Knockout competition to find an overall winner. After lunch they participated in various activities to show the components in aircraft assembly and the highlight was making their own metal plane.
FORM 4 GILBERT WHITE FIELD STUDIES CENTRE
FORM 2 ADVENTURE AT LOOKOUT DISCOVERY
Form 4 explored nature at Gilbert White’s house and gardens in Selbourne this term. The children investigated the natural world with a spot of stream dipping, bird watching and looking at creatures in the leaf litter and in the wood piles. We roamed through his beautiful gardens, learned about his pioneering work on the natural world, and even got a glimpse into his daily life in the 18th century. 04
FORM 1 JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
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Form 2 Explores Science Wonders and Soars with Paper Helicopters. On 26 September, Form 2 visited the Lookout Discovery Centre. It was a great opportunity to explore a range of science topics and for our new children to get to know their classmates outside of school. We attended a workshop focusing on animal grouping and life cycles and had a fantastic time exploring all the hands-on activities. Making and flying paper helicopters was a particular favourite. We also climbed the lookout tower and admired the views. A fun and educational day was had by all.
FORM 3 EXPEDITION TO HASLEMERE MUSEUM
FORM 3&4 YOUNG SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
Egyptian Wonders and Mummification Adventures
Form 3 and 4 participated in a production of Romeo and Juliet with the Young Shakespeare Company on Friday. The children were fully immersed, becoming warring Montagues and Capulets so that they could understand some of the reasons for, and emotions behind, the tragic ending. Solemn and thoughtful in the final scene, the children showed their ability to predict, empathise with and understand plot and characters - key skills for budding writers.
Like the permanence of the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Form 3 pupils participated in St. Edmund’s annual trip to Haslemere Museum. Haslemere Museum and its resident teacher Kay are real treasures, where the children discovered incredible facts such as: • Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza were built at the same time. • The Egyptians believed that their thoughts came from their hearts and not their brains. • Mushed up mummy brains were possibly fed to pet cats. • It is impossible for a mummy to reanimate and chase you around the museum. After a gruesome mummification practical with the Museum’s life-sized doll, the children got the chance to see the real thing! The Museum’s 3000-year-old mummy is an incredible exhibit and if you look closely, you can even see its blackened toe sticking out of its bandages! After a quick lunch, the Form 3 pupils took on the role of archaeologists where they sketched real Egyptian artifacts, deciphered hieroglyphics and viewed x-rays of the mummy. Later, the children were able to buy treasures and curiosities from the Museum’s shop. Finally, they got the chance to mummify a toy with bandages, amulets and a death mask. Luckily, no stuffing needed to be removed!
FORMS 1&2 MUSICAL MARVELS AND MILITARY MAGIC On 12 October, Reception, Form 1 and Form 2 journeyed to St Catherine’s School in Bramley to watch a display by the Marching Band of the Welsh Guards. This was an exciting opportunity to hear their music and see the impeccable timing of their marching patterns up close. The children particularly enjoyed their rendition of “You’ve Got a Friend In Me”. After the performance some of the guards came to speak to the pupils and were happy to show them their medals and let them feel the fur of their bearskin hats. It was a fantastic experience that will stay with all who went for years to come.
FORM 1 DEVIL’S PUNCHBOWL WALK
LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM Forms 3 and 4 enjoyed hunting for mini-beasts in their ‘learning outside the classroom’ afternoon in October.
Form 1 thoroughly enjoyed their Nature Walk through The Devil’s Punchbowl. Surrounded by so many trees there were plenty of autumn leaves and pine cones to collect along the way, and there was even the odd sprig of heather! Dr Inward was on hand to identify birdsong and answer questions ranging from ‘What is that toadstool?’ to ‘Do snakes poo?’ The children were excited to spot some of the same trees that can be found in the St Edmund’s grounds. It was a fun afternoon and a memorable way of reinforcing some of this term’s Science learning about seasonal changes and the difference between deciduous and evergreen. THE ARROW
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NEWS FROM THE PREP FORM 6 BRINGING ENGLISH TO THE FOREST
FORM 8 SHAH JAHAN MOSQUE
Form 6 took their English book The Silver Donkey into the woods and re-enacted several key scenes from the text... and tried out their French accents! Tres Bien!
Form 8 visited the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking in September. They were shown around the mosque by Habib and the trip was to further their studies of the Islamic faith.
FORMS 7&8 ELEVATE WORKSHOP Elevate Education ran their study skills programmes for Forms 7 and 8 earlier this term. Their study skills workshops and seminars are designed to achieve behavioural change amongst pupils and helping them to use and apply the skills they learn.
GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP TO WEST WITTERING Form 8 undertook a fieldtrip to West Wittering as part of their PSB Geography project. Whilst there they collected data to analyse and present on their return to school. Pupils undertook beach profiling, bi-polar analysis, sediment samples and wave counts. We are looking forward to working with the pupils on their write ups!
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FORMS 5&6 PREP DEBATE FINAL Arrow (proposing) vs Crown (opposing) “This house believes we should ban junk food for children completely.” Winner: Arrow, 2nd Place: Crown, 3rd Place: Wolf, and 4th Place: Martyr.
FORM 6 RE-ENACTMENT OF THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS On 3 November, Form 6 marched to the Battle Fields and re-enacted The Battle of Hastings. Armed with their shields, the Saxons and Normans fought it out and the rain poured down. However, the sun came out as the Norman tactics started to break down the Saxon shield wall. Harold Godwinson, King of England was killed, and William of Normandy was victorious! The Normans celebrated with gusto. The afternoon brought the classroom learning to life.
BOLLYWOOD WORKSHOP Reception to Form 6 had a wonderful time when they took part in a Bollywood Dance Workshop. We learnt a bit about the history of Bollywood and how Diwali is celebrated. We dressed up like real Bollywood dancers in shawls that jingled as we moved and had so much fun learning all the dance moves. At the end of the workshop, we even managed to perform a Bollywood Dance routine. Thank you, Mrs Anelay, for organising such a fun event.
FORM 7&8 SENIOR PREP DEBATE Arrow (proposing) vs Crown (opposing) “This house believes that every individual has a right to march in protest”. Winner: Crown 2nd Place: Arrow, 3rd Place: Wolf and 4th Place: Martyr.
FORM 5 ZOOLAB Form 5 had a rainforest adventure this term when one of Zoolab’s rangers took the children on an exciting experience through this important ecosystem. The children were fortunate to have three interactive workshops learning about the layers of the rainforest while getting hands-on with the animals and learning about why the animals are coming under threat.
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SENIOR ACADEMIC SIMON HYETT The Michaelmas term with its darker days and storms is perhaps easy to characterise as dreary but it has been anything but dull. Academically, this term has seen a number of trips including the Somme Battlefields, Lark Hill Artillery, Blood Brothers, the British Museum and GCSE PE Rock Climbing, as well as more engagement with parents as we return to live parents’ evenings and talks. Form 9 finished the term with their first Senior School assessments in the Jubilee Hall. This helps us monitor pupil progress and allows pupils to see how their newly selected option subjects are going. My thanks go to the external invigilation team and our exams officer, Mrs Smart, for helping to introduce Form 9 to this process so that when they reach their public examinations it all feels like second nature. Form 9 English pupils went to watch ‘The Mousetrap’ by Agatha Christie at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford this term. It’s a wonderful ‘whodunnit’ with twists and turns throughout. The pupils were gripped by the play and all sorts of conspiracy theories about the suspects were discussed during the Interval. As thrilling as the production was, the trip was designed to see how characters could be multi-layered, how an effective atmosphere can be crafted and how to create a compelling plot. This is in preparation for the ‘writing for tension’ unit in the Summer term, a unit the pupils always enjoy. Hopefully, the pupils will reflect on this production in times to come and always remember to NEVER REVEAL THE ENDING!
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Form 9 GCSE Classics pupils were challenged to make a cake linked to their study of the ‘Gods and Goddesses of Mount Olympus’. Congratulations to the runners up and winners from both Classics classes; Arther dPM, Charlie H, Jake B and Danielle M (runners up) and Eric WM (winner) and Ollie K and Max A (joint winners). With only two years to go, Form 10 have started to think about their futures. This term saw a return to live parents’ evenings and included a Future Schools talk from myself and Dr Walliker. It’s important that pupils and parents have the information now to start thinking about future schools given the large number of strong providers locally. St. Edmund’s pupils continue to achieve places at a range of independent and maintained schools and I am sure this year group will be no exception. I do encourage parents of all pupils in the Senior School to book an appointment with me if they wish to discuss the available options. Form 11 pupils have been completing their in-class assessments and their practice non-exam assessments (NEAs). Form 11 Food Nutrition and Preparation pupils have been making their practice pieces while Art pupils have completed their mock exam with a huge variety of pieces. Finally, GCSE Drama pupils have shown their devised pieces; always a creative challenge. Now, with some courses finishing their content teaching, pupils have taken away many ‘Christmas presents’ from their teachers to complete over the holidays as they prepare for their January practice exams.
SENIOR PASTORAL The Form 9 to 11 Senior Management Team (SMT) Parental Drop-In took place on 8 November. It was an informal way for parents of our Senior School pupils to have a chat with other parents and also members of SMT as well as enjoy a light breakfast together! This term we hosted a Senior Breakfast where pupils were registered in the Dining Hall and had free time to chat with their friends, Senior subject teachers and eat a (2nd!) breakfast. We hope to continue this initiative next term. We are now running Senior focus groups where pupils remain in their tutor group but have a different teacher. This gives them a forum for a discussion and takes place during Form and Tutor Time. Pupils are provided with breakfast and a hot chocolate as well!
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NEW HEADS OF SCHOOL We are thrilled to announce Rohan S and Katie M (Form 11) as the newly appointed Heads of Senior School, along with Esme A and Tommy B (Form 8) as the new Heads of the Prep School. Congratulations to each of you on securing these prestigious and important roles. We eagerly anticipate witnessing your leadership and guidance throughout the upcoming year. Stay tuned for more insights in the upcoming Lent term 2024 edition of The Arrow, where our Heads of School will share details about their roles and highlight the exciting initiatives they have undertaken thus far.
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PREP SCHOOL TIES: FORM 8 PREFECTS In the last term of Form 7 and throughout Form 8, pupils are allocated duties to help with the running of the school, giving the pupils a sense of community duty and a pride in their school – such as raising and lowering the school flag, assisting with library duties or helping with the running of Chapel services. Well done to the following pupils who have been selected as our Form 8 ties: Henry B, Florrie H, Cassie S, Evan T, Kiki T.
SENIOR HEADS OF HOUSES OAK AMELIA N, ARCHIE R, SAM S
ROSE EVIE H, MARIELLA T, NOAH W
MARTLET CHARLOTTE C, SIENNA I, BEN P
ELECTION HEADS/ DEPUTIES OF DIVISIONS AND HEADS OF HOUSES Many congratulations to our recently elected Divisional and House winners. Voted for by their fellow pupils, our Divisional and House Leaders are now embarking on their newfound responsibilities, setting an example and ensuring they are fully supporting their peers in various divisional competitions throughout the year. Well done everyone!
DIVISION
LEADERS
DEPUTIES
ARROW
NICK A ESME B
SAM R CASSIE S CONNOR O
CROWN
EVAN T ROSIE T
OLIVER F ELIZABETH P ISABELLA W
MARTYR
ROCCO V KIKI T
WILLIAM W LEILA H HARRY G
WOLF
HENRY B MOLLY S
EMILY H SOPHIE B ANNABEL Z
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ASSEMBLIES FORM 1
FORM 2
Form 1 did a fantastic job of reminding everyone about World Kindness Day, with a heartwarming rendition of “The Smartest Giant in Town”. The children embraced their roles with enthusiasm, with the ‘giant’ exemplifying generosity by sharing comfort and clothing with friends. Each child showcased the importance of empathy and their enthusiasm and genuine expressions made this rendition a delightful celebration of kindness.
Form 2s assembly saw them use their new Geography knowledge of the continents, to travel the globe and find out if we are all one of a kind. They celebrated their individuality by embracing their differences and recognising that, despite these differences, we are all unique, and can all be friends, no matter where in the world we live. Even on a tall mountain, in a desert, a thick jungle, the cold arctic, on the shores of a deep blue ocean or on a faraway island.
FORM 5B Form 5B kicked off the term with their assembly on ‘Forgiveness’. They spoke beautifully about the importance of saying sorry and admitting mistakes in order to make a stronger friendship and become a better person.
FORM 5T 5T’s assembly was all around the subject of bullying. They spoke about how to be accepting of each other and kind to one another.
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FORM 4R: ROMAN ASSEMBLY
WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY Dr Walliker along with other staff members presented end of term awards in a Whole School Assembly on the last day of term. Awards went to pupils for achievements such as highest number of merits, sports awards, music awards, drama awards and citizenship awards to name a few.
FORM 10S Form 10S got into the Christmas spirit in their assembly this term with their assembly in which they reflected on the origins of Christmas. They spread a lot of cheer to their audience!
FORM 9W FORM 8W St. Edmund’s were taught a lesson all about gratitude in Form 8W’s assembly this term. Each pupil stood up and told the school what they were grateful for which included things such as sport, family, friends, and even playing Dungeons and Dragons! Mr Barnes summed up the assembly at the end by reminding the children how lucky they are to have so many things to be grateful for.
CELEBRATION ASSEMBLIES During our Celebration Assembly this term we celebrated some incredible achievements from pupils which took place outside of school. From gold medals in sports tournaments to raising money for charity, we love to celebrate the wonderful things our pupils have done and take time to give them the recognition they deserve.
Form 9W put on an assembly about famous people that were born in October. These included Ghandhi, John Lennon, Charlton Heston and Margaret Thatcher. They reminded us that we can learn a lot from the people that have come before us and what they have achieved in their lives.
FORM 3C Form 3C put together a ‘souper’ assembly to highlight the powerful message about cooperation and contributing. They showed how when people work together as a team, more can get done!
FORM 10G 10G’s assembly was all about pupils ‘challenging the teachers’! Dr Carlin and Mr Sikipa competed in an egg and spoon race against the pupils while Mr Hall happily volunteered to take part in a digestive eating competition.
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SUBJECT FOCUS: HISTORY MR TAYLOR , HEAD OF HISTORY Can you tell us a bit about the History department at St. Edmund’s? History is one of the biggest and busiest departments at St. Edmund’s. History is taught throughout the school from Nursery to Form 11 and we have a wonderful team who deliver this fantastic subject. Mrs Cozens teaches history in EYFS; Mrs Anelay, Mrs Darrington, Mrs Messina, Mr Church, Mr Adams and Mrs Roberts teach history to our Lower Prep pupils; Mrs Lyall, Mrs Taylor, Mrs Berry, Mr Kalinski, Mrs van Oudtshoorn, Mr BowenPerkins and myself teach Prep School pupils and in the Senior School, GCSE History in Forms 9, 10 and 11 is taught by Mr Bowen Perkins and myself. How do you help develop a growing interest in history for Prep School pupils? Inspiring children to learn history is a rewarding and impactful endeavour. History is, by nature, a subject rich in stories, events and lessons from the past. To inspire interest, I believe it is important to show the relevance of why history matters; to discuss how historical events have helped shape the world and highlight the connections between the past and present, demonstrating how historical knowledge is essential for making informed decisions and understanding contemporary issues. All children learn differently and therefore a variety of strategies are used to teach, such as artefacts, trips to battlefields, interactive learning such as role playing, use of technology, connecting history to pupils’ interests, encouraging questions to foster curious mindset and personalising learning through projects like the Battle of Britain. It is also essential that critical thinking is taught alongside moral and ethical stories, which also play an invaluable part of our teaching. Children have varying interests and learning styles, so it is really important for the history teachers at St. Edmund’s to adapt their approach to each child’s preferences and abilities. Ultimately, fostering a love of history in children involves making it engaging in order to spark their curiosity and critical thinking skills. How did you develop your own passion for teaching history at St. Edmunds? Development of a passion for teaching history is really a personal journey and it involves a combination of personal interests, experiences and inspirations that lead me to pursue a career in both education and history. 14
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What areas of History particularly interest you? I enjoy all aspects of history, but I am particularly passionate about both the First and Second World Wars. For pupils who choose to study History at GCSE, what periods of history and historical events do they study? Our GCSE history pupils’ study ‘The 19th Century’ which includes fascinating topics such as The Development of Modern Nation States 1848–1914, the Revolutions of 1848, Italy and German Unification and the American Civil War. GCSE history pupils also study in depth the First World War and their written coursework this year is on the development of technology during the First World War. What skills do pupils learn by studying History and how can they use these in further education or later in life? History helps pupils discover how the world evolved and contributes to developing skills to look beyond the headlines, to ask questions properly, and to express their own opinions. History trains the mind and teaches pupils how to think and process information. Pupils explore the subject from a diversity of perspectives, including social, economic, cultural and political. History encourages pupils to raise questions and to develop and deploy historical skills. Pupils at St. Edmund’s are given the opportunity to: • explore historical concepts such as cause and consequence, change and continuity • appreciate historical evidence and how to use it and gain a greater understanding of international issues and inter - relationships • learn how to present clear, logical argument How and Why is History such a relevant subject to study for all age groups from Prep to Senior? Understanding the past provides historians a window into the past, allowing us to understand how societies, culture and civilizations have evolved over time. It helps us make sense of the world we live in today by showing us the roots of current events, ideologies and institutions. Whether you are a pupil, an adult, or a retiree, the study of history has something valuable to offer.
FORM 10 & 11 GCSE TRIP TO THE SOMME An early departure time of 3.45am saw Mr Bowen-Perkins, Mrs Walliker, Mrs Drummond and myself along with 41 GCSE History pupils from Forms 10 and 11 visit the Somme battlefields in early September. This was principally to follow the events of the 1 July 1916. The first stop was to pay our respects, with a wreath and a minute’s silence, at the graveside of Bobby Soames, an OSE who lies in Carnoy cemetary. A re-telling of the football match where the “East Surrey`s played the game” informed the children as to why so many young men are located in this particular cemetery. This was immediately followed with a brief stop at the Devonshire Regiment cemetery, where 160 of the 163 graves are all dated 1 July 1916 and the poignant message outside the graveyard reads: “The Devonshires held this trench, the Devonshires hold it still.” The group then travelled onto Lochnagar Crater where pupils were able to stand atop of the rim of the world`s biggest mine (no less than 100m across) which created an explosion at the time that was heard in London. The girls in Forms 10 and 11 were able to lay their own wreath at the memorial by the crater, which is dedicated to the women of the First World War and following this, Mr Taylor took a few moments to retell and remember the fateful journey of Private
George Nugent whose body was found by the lip of the crater in 1998. Before leaving Lochnagar, the heroic endeavours of one of our very own, Lt Richard Jennings, OSE, who lost his life on the 3 July 1916 in nearby La Boisselle was retold. We then travelled the short distance into Albert to visit the Battle of the Somme Museum. After lunch the children laid their third and final wreath to all those missing on the Somme at the Thiepval Memorial, dedicated to 72,000 soldiers whose bodies were never recovered and still lie somewhere on the battlefields. The final destination saw the group take a short ride by coach to the Newfoundland Memorial, where pupils walked in and along the trenches, which are still preserved on the site. Here a brief talk was given about the heroism of the 780 Newfoundlanders who advanced on the morning of the 1 July, but only 68 were available for the roll call the following day! The final stop before supper was the Sunken Lane, where men of the First Battalion of the Lancashire fusiliers were stationed just before 7.30am on the 1 July. The children took up the same positions as the soldiers did on that morning. After supper pupils were lucky enough to visit the preserved underground bunkers that served as a casualty clearing station during the war, before embarking on their return journey. THE ARROW
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DRAMA UPDATE
PREP SCHOOL PRODUCTION ANNOUNCEMENTS Following the success of last summer’s ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Matilda’, we cannot wait to get started on our Prep School productions. The announcement of the Forms 5 and 6 production will be made at the start of next term, so please keep an eye out.
GREASE PRODUCTION ANNOUNCEMENT We are delighted to announce that the dates for next term’s senior production of ‘Grease’. The performance will run from Tuesday 12 March to Friday 15 March 2024, and tickets will be available to book in January.
GCSE TRIP TO BLOOD BROTHERS On 27 September, our Form 9 and 10 GCSE Drama pupils made a short trip up the A3 to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre to see ‘Blood Brothers’ by Willy Russell. The story is set in Liverpool in the 1960’s, and centres around Mickey and Edward, twins who are separated at birth. The story spans three decades and explores how their different upbringings affect their adult lives. Both funny and moving in equal measure, the production proved to be very popular with our pupils, and a wonderful opportunity to analyse and evaluate live theatre.
If you haven’t already heard we are excited to announce that the Forms 3 and 4 production will be Frozen Kids. We can’t wait to embark on a magical journey into the enchanting world of Elsa, Anna and Olaf! Our talented students will be working tirelessly to bring this timeless tale to life, and we can’t wait for you to witness what should be some incredible performances.
FORMS 10 & 11 GCSE TRIP TO ‘THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE’ Our Form 10 and 11 GCSE Drama pupils spent the day in London to visit not one but two theatres. The day began with a private guided tour of the National Theatre, with the opportunity to see the different departments at work, including set and prop construction. One of the highlights of the tour was being able to watch some of the tech rehearsal for the brand-new musical ‘The Witches’. After lunch and a brief visit to Covent Garden, we all went to see ‘The Ocean’s at the End of the Lane’ at the Noel Coward Theatre. The production, an adaptation of a Neil Gaiman novel, was enthralling and an outstanding example of storytelling, partly through the incredible use of lighting, sound, and puppetry.
DRAMA STAR FOR THE MICHAELMAS TERM Lyla T – Form 6
We nominated Lyla as our Drama Star this term. Lyla has found an ability to connect to the characters she is playing with empathy and understanding. She commits fully to the lessons and the role she is playing and is learning to trust her instincts. Lyla joins in with class discussions and shares her thoughts and ideas. Above all, Lyla shows courage and commitment to all aspects of our lessons and bags of performing promise. Well done, Lyla, you’re a star! 16
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FORMS 10 & 11 DEVISED PERFORMANCES On 22 November, our Form 10 and 11 GCSE Drama students took to the stage to perform their devised pieces. The audience were treated to four short plays, each written and performed by the students. It was exciting to see the pupils apply their knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre to create performances that were both compelling and thought-provoking. A huge well done to all.
LAMDA UPDATE FROM MRS DARRINGTON We are delighted to share that our 70+ LAMDA pupils excelled in their examinations in the summer term, with every child achieving a Merit Level or above. An impressive 99% of pupils were awarded Distinctions, covering qualifications from Entry Level to Grade 8 (Gold Medal). Those who took their medal exams have some extra UCAS points that can be added to their university applications. All pupils should be thrilled at this enormous achievement and such fantastic results. Miss Barr and I are so proud of you all! This term, presentation skills have been at the heart of our LAMDA lessons, with pupils choosing a subject they feel passionately about, constructing a speech and performing it. From Tennis to Taylor Swift, Spain to Star Wars, we have been thoroughly entertained. Pupils learn about the power of posture, how important vocal expression is at engaging the audience and above all, learning to enjoy it.
We are now moving onto exam selections. Younger form groups have chosen a poem to learn, older pupils are either creating their very own piece of devised theatre or focusing on acting pieces. Confidence is being built and a lot of fun is being had along the way. THE ARROW
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MUSIC UPDATE As the Michaelmas term hurtles towards its busy peak, the halls and corridors echo with the enchanting notes of musical talent. This term has proven to be a ‘symphony’ of events, showcasing the diverse musical abilities of pupils from Forms 3 to 11. From grand galas to intimate carol sing-alongs, the musical landscape at St. Edmund’s has been nothing short of extraordinary.
ABRSM INSTRUMENTAL AND SINGING EXAMS: A MUSICAL MARATHON Following the gala, the St. Edmund’s music department plunged headfirst into a whirlwind of activity with the ABRSM instrumental and singing exams. The school experienced a flurry of preparation as a significant number of pupils eagerly participated in these prestigious examinations. The exams provided a unique opportunity for pupils to showcase their technical skills and musical understanding, and the busy intake reflected the enthusiasm and commitment of the school’s budding musicians.
“A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES” MUSIC GALA: A GRAND OPENING ACT The concert season kicked off with a crescendo as St. Edmund’s hosted the spectacular “A Night at the Movies” music gala. This dazzling event featured ensemble and soloists, as well as choirs from Forms 5 to 11; each performance a testament to the pupils’ dedication and musical abilities. The Farley Hall transformed into a cinematic dreamscape as melodies from beloved films filled the air, creating an unforgettable night for pupils, parents, and teachers alike.
Click here to see the full gallery, password: Marketing
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CAROL SERVICES The traditional St. Edmund’s Carol Services took place at St. Luke’s Church in Grayshott at the end of term. They were a wonderful finale to this busy term and showcased the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and musical growth of our pupils. Our pupils relished the opportunity to spread holiday cheer through the power of music in the heart of our local school community.
Click here to see the full photo gallery (Forms 1-4), password: BETHLEHEM Click here to see the full photo gallery, (Forms 5-8), password: SHEPHERDS
ADVENT CONCERT IN THE CHAPEL: SPIRITUAL HARMONY The beautiful St. Edmund’s chapel set the stage for the Advent Concert, a spiritual and musically enriching experience. Featuring two choirs and numerous soloists from Forms 3 to 11, the repertoire was a diverse mix of sacred and seasonal compositions. The ethereal acoustics of the chapel enhanced the performances, creating an ambience that resonated with the spiritual significance of the season.
Click here to see the full photo gallery (Forms 9-11), password: ANGELS
CAROLS BY THE FIRE: A WARM WINTER’S NIGHT As the temperatures dipped, we hosted our first “Carols by the Fire” event. A huge success with the George Bernard Shaw Room brimming with parents standing by the flickering glow of a crackling fire and the sweet aroma of mulled wine. Pupils from across the school came together to share the joy of the festive season through traditional carols. This intimate gathering allowed for a cosy and festive atmosphere, fostering a sense of community and harmony among the school’s musical talents. We look forward to this becoming a fixed date on the Michaelmas term Calendar for years to come. THE ARROW
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PREP SCHOOL YOUNG MUSICIAN OF THE MONTH OCTOBER ROSIE L From a young age, I have always had a passion for performing. I loved to put on shows for my family that included dancing, singing, and acting. I have been lucky to see some fantastic West End musicals, leaving each show dreaming that it would be me on the stage one day. I started singing lessons in Form 3 under the guidance of Miss Barr. At first, I sang purely for fun, choosing songs which appealed to me. I had opportunities to sing in school concerts, which really boosted my confidence. Miss Barr has always encouraged and inspired me, and I am now working towards my Grade 3 Musical Theatre exam.
SEPTEMBER LOUISA V I have always had a passion for singing, and always enjoyed performing in school concerts and plays or just to my family. I started my singing lessons in Form 6 with Miss Barr and she has helped me a lot. I began playing the flute in Form 4 at my previous school and at St. Edmund’s have greatly enjoyed my lessons with Mrs Shillabeer. I am sitting my grade three exam this term with the help of my new teacher Mrs Chalmers. I am a member of the orchestra and chapel choir, both led by Mr Fabian.
In Form 5, I took the opportunity to audition for Chapel Choir. The experience of performing with the choir, with friends in other year groups has given my love of singing another dimension. In particular, my highlights have been singing Evensong at Guildford Cathedral and going on the choir tour to Salzburg which was an amazing experience. The concerts in Salzburg will always be in my memory bank, and I feel so proud to be part of the choir. Throughout my time at St. Edmunds, I have been given lots of opportunities to perform, this has allowed me to bring together my passion for singing, dancing, and acting. In Form 5, I had the privilege of being Young Simba in “The Lion King,” and in Form 6, I was honoured to be awarded the role of Matilda. These experiences ignited an even stronger determination to pursue a future in the performing arts.
My family have always been so supportive of my musical ambitions, and I look forward to taking part in future concerts and shows.
NOVEMBER ROSIE T My musical journey started when I was taken to see “The Lion King” at the age of six. That inspired me to join Stagecoach Performing Arts School in Liphook. Whilst there, I have been in many shows, from a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz, to more recently, Gingy in Shrek. I am currently a member of the Performance Group and I have benefitted from the many opportunities that has offered, including performing at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End! St. Edmund’s has also been instrumental in my musical life. In Form 5, I started singing lessons with Miss Barr. I am currently working towards my Grade 3 ‘Singing for Musical Theatre’ examination. Highlights at St. Edmund’s, so far, have included playing the role of ’young Nala’ in the production of the Lion King (where it all started for me) and being 20
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given opportunities to sing solos during many concerts, as being a member of the Chapel Choir. Despite being a Performing Arts Scholar, I haven’t always found it easy to perform in front of an audience and especially after Covid, I struggled with anxiety. I am so very grateful to everyone who supported me through that. I still sometimes get nervous when performing but have learnt to overcome the crippling anxiety, thanks to the support from my music and drama teachers. I am excited to see what further opportunities may arise and will continue to work hard to improve my performances. Thank you!
SENIOR SCHOOL YOUNG MUSICIAN OF THE MONTH SEPTEMBER ROHAN S Rohan’s musical journey began, aged 5, when he joined the Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre and was lucky enough to perform in a multitude of musical productions ranging from The Selfish Giant to Bugsy Malone.
Last summer Rohan joined British Youth Music Theatre and played the part of Oberon in a musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
One highlight of his six years there was the opportunity to appear in CBBC’s The Dog Ate My Homework with Iain Stirling. After joining St Edmunds’s in Form 7, the music and drama departments continued to nurture Rohan’s love of acting and performance but also built his confidence in singing and music, encouraging him to join choirs and take singing lessons.
Rohan is also member of the National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) and most recently performed in the world premiere of a new musical, The Boy Who Sailed the Ocean in an Armchair, at The Curve in Leicester.
Rohan continues to benefit from all that school has to offer and now also trains in musical theatre with the Junior Conservatoire at the Guildford School of Acting where he specialises in acting, singing, ballet and jazz. He also plays the piano and keyboard and enjoys composition and performance. He plays locally at church performing modern worship music.
OCTOBER MAX D Max started playing the violin when he was 6 years old followed shortly by the piano. He worked through several ABRSM grades but since Form 6, voice and piano have become his main instruments. Max’s love of performance has continued to be encouraged and nurtured since his arrival to St Edmunds in Form 7. He started singing lessons with Mr Colwell which has helped him develop his technique and confidence as a singer. The opportunities and experiences given through the Music and Drama departments have been amazing for Max; taking part in the Drama Showcases, School Music concerts, Orchestra and the brilliant School productions, all of which have increased Max’s enthusiasm for the Performing Arts - not to forget being in the Chapel Choir, singing at Remembrance and Carol services, going on tour to Salzburg and singing in Guildford Cathedral. Being in Form 10 now, Max sings in the Senior Choir and Voces Volantes, the boys’ choir which he really enjoys and is so looking forward to starting rehearsals for Grease, the latest school production. Max is very grateful to all the Performing Arts staff at St Eds for inspiring him to perform on many different occasions, for teaching him to improve as a performer and for bringing fun to so many of these experiences.”
Rohan would like to thank all of the performing arts department at St Ed’s for their ongoing encouragement and dedication. “Mr Fabian and Mr Darrington have really helped me hone my skills and develop me as a performer and musician alike.
NOVEMBER WILL R Will’s first musical performance at St. Edmunds was in Form 4 where he sang the song ‘Love Is Easy’ by McFly. Will had never performed in his previous school and he soon got a taste for it, following up with a song from ‘James and the Giant Peach’ in the showcase. He joined the Chapel Choir, then he started to have drum lessons at school and shortly after this he also started singing lessons. Will found that he had a talent for music and wanted to follow in his brother’s footsteps as a guitarist. He took up the bass guitar first but now also plays the electric guitar. Will played the Artful Dodger in Oliver! when he was in Form 7, and he is really looking forward to playing Danny in the musical Grease next year. He is very grateful to all of the music and drama staff at St. Edmunds, as well as the peripatetic teachers for fostering his musical talents and encouraging him in all that he does.”
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SPORT UPDATE It has been a busy, yet tremendous start to the year at St. Edmund’s. Our dedicated athletes have been hard at work, representing our school with pride and determination. Here are some highlights from the Michaelmas term.
FANTASTIC FOOTBALL Our girls’ and boys’ football teams continue to impress. The Senior and Prep School girls reached the second round of the Small Schools FA Cup while our boys’ U15 first team is currently on a winning streak with strong teamwork and excellent sportsmanship. They have progressed to the third round of the Small Schools FA Cup.
NETBALL DOMINANCE The netball pre-season is in full swing, and our teams are showing remarkable progress. Both the Senior and Prep School First Team squads have secured several victories including reaching the third round of the Sisters N Sport Cup competition.
HISTORY MAKERS IN HOCKEY Our Prep School First Team hockey have had an excellent season. They visited Cheltenham College for the IAPS Regional Hockey Competition where they finished third and qualified for the national finals at Haileybury School where they finished third in the Bowl competition. This is the first time in St. Edmund’s history that this has been achieved! A huge well done to the girls involved: Esme A, Kinvara B, Freya D, Millie G, Leila H, Rosie L, Lauren S, Lily S, Isabella W and Annabel Z.
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CROSS COUNTY CHAMPIONS It has been a great term for Cross Country. 30 pupils from St. Edmund’s attended the Waverley District Trials at Charterhouse with incredible results. Year 7 Girls: Lily S (1st); Hannah A (6th) Year 8 Girls: Isabelle G (3rd) Year 10 & 11 Girls: Sienna I (2nd) Year 7 Boys: Miller M (3rd); Seb T (6th); Theo H (9th) Year 10 & 11 Boys: Toby W (8th) We also welcomed over 25 schools to our annual St. Edmund’s cross-country race on 24 November. Notable performances came from:
MEDALS Individuals: Lily S – 1st U12 girls; Isabelle G – 1st U13 girls; Esme A – 3rd U13 girls Groups: U9 Boys – 1st team; U10 Girls - 3rd team; U12 Girls – 2nd team; U13 Girls - 1st team; U14 boys - 3rd team
BRILLIANT BOATS
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This year has seen a change in the programme for Boats and the first round has been moved to the Michaelmas term. Boats is the inter-form swimming gala that takes place in the prep school each year. It was a very exciting afternoon and in Forms 3 to 5 the current leaders are Form 5T1 winning three out of three races and in Forms 6 to 8, 8T1 are in the lead having won the final race of the day. We look forward to the next two rounds in the Lent term with the final round taking place on the day we break up for the Easter holidays, with the top teams racing against staff.
UPCOMING EVENTS Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the upcoming games and meets. The Lent term is set to be another busy one with Cup matches, Swimming galas and IAPS netball, as well as preparing for the upcoming sports tour to Holland. We will also have another busy fixture programme and we encourage parents and pupils to come out and support our teams. Your enthusiasm makes a big difference in boosting our athletes’ spirits!
We are incredibly proud of our athletes for their dedication, hard work, and sportsmanship. They continue to make us proud, not just with their victories but also with their unwavering commitment to representing St. Edmund’s in the best way possible. Stay tuned on our social media channels for more exciting updates as our sports season progresses.
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ART UPDATE
FORM 3
FORM 4
FORM 5
Form 3 have been learning about rotational artwork this term with Mrs Drinkwater. They have learnt about the Boston born Pakistani American artist Ambreen Butt, who specialises in creating labour intensive Persian art with many of her pieces using a rotational pattern. The children have created two printing tiles. One which they have etched a design into to create a background print and another where they have created an open pattern for a rotational print using string to create an impression print.
Form 4 have been learning about the History of Maya weaving this term with Mrs Drinkwater. They have learnt how the craft was predominantly created by women using a backstrap loom. Form 4 then created their own piece of weaving using a cardboard loom learning about warp and weft threads and how to create a tight weave. All the children made wonderful miniature pieces of weaving.
Form 5 have been focusing on the topic of ‘fish’ this term with Mrs Drinkwater. They have learnt several drawing techniques such as sketching, tonal drawings and colour gradation. Recently, the children have looked at the work of Yusei Nagashima and his wonderful watercolour pictures of fish. The children then created their own wonderful watercolour fish pictures. We are now studying the work of Daniel Jean-Baptiste. Looking in detail at his amazing silk Batik paintings. The children will soon be creating their own Batik paintings using a Tjanting.
ART DEPARTMENT NEXT TERM
7 February 2024: GCSE Artists in Forms 9 to 11 to take part in a figure drawing workshop (school safe life drawing!) with external artists.
1 February 2024: Form 9 GCSE Artists visit to the Grayson Perry exhibition at the Lightbox Gallery in Woking. 24
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1 and 2 May 2024: Form 11 GCSE Art exam
FORM 6 Day of the Dead This term in Art has been very exciting for Form 6. The pupils have been researching ‘Day of the Dead’ festivities and have all designed and made a ceramic skull inspired by their visual research. The pupils then carefully painted the skulls with glazes and the results are phenomenal! Many pupils chose to cut out areas of the skull so that a tealight could be placed inside. We hope that you will enjoy seeing the finished pieces when they come home!
FORM 7 Form 7 have also been busy using clay this term. The pupils have been working on a cross curricular project with the English department. In both Art and English, they have been studying war and refugees. In Art, the pupils have created their own feet out of clay and then decorated their foot with images and patterns associated with one of the many countries that refugees flee from. They have also undertaken research into their chosen country to find out why people are fleeing. This has been a great project to work on and the final pieces will be displayed alongside the poetry that they have written in English. Watch out for a large wall decorated with walking feet and poetry!
Future Artists have also been developing their observational drawing skills as well as their paint handling. This term they have all been working from still life’s and have created small paintings in the style of Clyde Semler who uses flat blocks of colour to build up images of bottles. The term has been challenging for many pupils, however they have persisted well and have produced some lovely, vibrant work. Next term, they will be creating three dimensional versions of themselves out of clay.
FORM 8 Form 8 are working on one theme for the whole year – natural form. This term, the pupils have been perfecting their observational drawing skills using a wide range of wet and dry media such as pen, pencil, ink, dip pens, chalk, charcoal and watercolours. They have been looking really hard at the objects and have produced some fabulous work. Next term, they will be starting a clay project inspired by natural form and will be experimenting using a range of textures, oxides and underglazes to recreate old bark, lichen and fungi. THE ARROW
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GCSE ART UPDATE I am really proud of all of the GCSE Artists this term. All have worked exceptionally hard and have developed some fantastic work!
FORM 9 Form 9 have made a tremendous start on their GCSE in Art and have been learning lots of new skills such as dry point etching and chine colle. They are currently starting work on a reduction print in lino. In the new year, they will be visiting a Grayson Perry exhibition and then designing and making their own ceramic vase inspired by their identity!
FORM 10 Form 10 are working on a theme titled ‘The Everyday’. Form 10 have been developing some amazing observational drawings and artist studies. As the project progresses, they will have the opportunity to experiment using their choice in art media before starting to develop their ideas into a final piece of work in response to the theme. Exciting work to come!
YEAR 11 Year 11 have worked so hard and this term have completed their Art mock exam where they started work on their final piece for their last coursework unit. In January they will be submitting all of their coursework before being given the externally set assignment from the exam board. They will be working on this until May when they will produce a final piece of work in response to their chosen theme. 26
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DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
FORM 3 Form 3 have been busy in the DT workshop with Mrs Drinkwater this half term. The children have been designing and constructing their own marble mazes with great success. They have learnt how to use the hacksaws to cut the frame and paths of their maze. Well done Form 3.
FORM 4 Form 4 have been creating a two-sided board game in DT with Mrs Drinkwater this half term. They have designed a ‘knock-down’ game and a ‘target’ game. There have been football themes, netball, basketball and even a gardening theme. Amazing work Form 4.
MICHAELMAS TERM LAND ART COMPETITION We were delighted to receive so many entries to our Land Art Competition The winning entries: Antonia D-E, 4T (Reception to F5 age category) Ella B, 7VO (F6 to 8 age group) Mrs Berry won the staff entry! Special mentions to Mrs Danes, Mrs LG and Magnus LG for their St.Edmund’s logo entries!
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CLUBS & ACTIVITIES
“I just really like maths and want to do as much maths as I can.” William K
St. Edmund’s offers pupils a wide range of clubs and activities. After-school activities offered may be sporting, artistic, dramatic, creative, musical or cultural in nature and are led by our energetic and committed teaching staff. In this edition we are highlighting the amazing extra-curricular clubs on offer to our pupils and in the Lent term edition of the Arrow we will focus on the sports clubs on offer.
CODING CLUB “At Coding Club, we make learning about computers super fun! So, if you’re excited about any of these awesome topics, come join us. It’s like a journey into the digital world, where you become a computer whiz while having a ton of fun with your friends. Don’t miss out – let’s code, create, and explore together!” - Mr Reckless
“Maths Club was my mum’s idea but it’s a lot better than it sounds. It’s really good fun!” Toby E
MATHS CHALLENGE CLUB The Maths Challenge Club is run by Mr Reckless and is a competition organised by www.UKMT.org.uk, which focuses on intriguing math questions and problem-solving. In the club, pupils practice questions from past competitions and collaborate to discover elegant solutions to these problems. Pupils have one hour to solve 25 questions, although typically around 10 correct answers will earn them a certificate. Bronze, silver and gold certificates will be awarded to those who perform sufficiently well. Mr Reckless highly recommends it to anyone who enjoys maths and wants to push themselves a bit further. The challenges will take place on the following dates, and anyone is eligible to enter, even if you don’t attend the club. Please contact Mr. Reckless for more details. Junior Mathematical Challenge (Forms 7 & 8) Thursday 25 April
PERFORMING ARTS CLUB Performing Arts continues to thrive at St. Edmund’s, with as many as 40 children attending the club every Tuesday. This term, pupils have covered a range of different topics, including characterisation skills, drama techniques, and script writing. It is a wonderful opportunity for the children to express themselves and develop the skills that are necessary in performance. We look forward to seeing many of them on stage very soon.
ART CLUB The children who have attended Mrs Drinkwater’s Art Club have had lots of fun making a giant papier mâché pencil in the first half of term. They started off by making a cardboard tube and cone shape before the messy fun part began. Once their tube had hardened, they were able to start painting the base colours before adding realistic details of leads and rubbers. They are now moving onto Christmas, taking inspiration from the story ‘Monster Christmas’ by Giles Andreae and Nikki Dyson. The children are designing a Christmas monster before creating a 3D version. 28
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Intermediate Mathematical Challenge (Forms 9-11) Wednesday 31 January
CROCHET CLUB “Crochet Club gives the pupils a place of tranquility, peace and refuge. It allows them to learn a skill that provides them with a sense of purpose, whether that’s understanding how to do a double crochet or how to piece together a toy animal! I started Crochet Club because I wanted to share my love of yarn with the pupils and allow them the satisfaction of creating something unique.” Miss Willis.
“Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy roleplaying game which has become a hugely popular mainstream hobby in recent years. Growing far beyond the 80s’ Saturday morning cartoon, there are now YouTube channels devoted to it, video games, and even a recent Hollywood movie featuring Chris Pine. For those unfamiliar with Dungeons & Dragons, it is an immersive game which offers players an opportunity to act out a character and journey through imaginary adventures narrated by a Dungeon Master (or DM). Not only does it encourage imagination, it also develops collaboration and problem-solving skills as the players have to work together to overcome traps, fight monsters and navigate social encounters with non-player characters (NPCs). It also involves a large collection of colourful dice, which you can never have too many of!
I started playing the game when I began secondary school and continue to play on a regular basis with old school friends. It has been wonderful to have had the opportunity to share my passion with the children in Forms 7 to 9 and the club is very well-attended, with some of the children now planning to run their own adventures.” Mr Kalinski
“In Dungeons & Dragons club you get to be transported to another world!” Sophia W “It’s really fun and interesting to play. There are lot of options in your quest to choose from.” Patrick M
JOURNALISM CLUB “Journalism Club provides pupils the opportunity to try a variety of skills. This could be copywriting, editing, photography, and interviewing. Pupils work together on topics for that term; they are taught to be bold with their questioning, creative with their writing and collaborative with their team to get the job done. At St Edmund’s, we have The Arrow newsletter, but we wanted to give a voice to the pupils at the school. We wanted to allow Click here to read them to express their ideas in a the ‘St. Ed’s Scoop’ variety of ways.” Miss Willis
CHESS CLUB “I joined Chess Club to meet new people and to improve my chess.” Caspar P
“I have played Chess before and its fun but I want to get better so I can play in tournaments.” Wills T “This is my first time learning to play Chess and I want to be really good so I can beat my sister.” Henry C
WARHAMMER “Warhammer club goes from strength to strength with fresh conscripts reporting to the frontline. Most weeks feature over 20 attendees embracing the full spectrum of the hobby. Pupils are producing some fantastically painted armies and I love the creativity they show each week. We will also soon be including more of the Black Library novels in library soon for older pupils alongside the Warhammer Adventure series already present. Special thanks to Oscar M (Form 9) for running our league this term where pupils gain points for building, painting, and playing each week.” Mr Hyett THE ARROW
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EVENTS
BONFIRE NIGHT We were delighted to host our very own St. Edmund’s fireworks display on Bonfire Night for our St. Edmund’s community. We were joined by parents, pupils, OSE, governors, and neighbours for a wonderful celebratory evening. Despite some rain, the bonfire roared! We hope our St. Edmund’s families enjoyed it.
HARVEST FESTIVAL Our Lower Prep pupils shined brightly at the October Harvest Festival held in the school chapel. Led by Mr Church, Reception to Form 2 showcased their talents with enchanting songs and poems. A special mention to Reception who sang a touching rendition of ‘Big Red Combine Harvester’ which even brought tears to Dr Walliker’s eyes! Form 2s performance of ‘Cauliflowers Fluffy’ and the heartfelt prayers from four pupils was also exceptional. Thank you to everyone who came, watched and joined us in celebrating the joy of Harvest Festival.
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ST EDMUND’S DAY Globally observed on the 20 November each year, ‘St. Edmund’s Day’ pays homage to Edmund the Martyr (also known as St. Edmund or Edmund of East Anglia) who served as the King of East Anglia from around 855 until his demise on 20 November, 869. As we approach the momentous occasion of our 150th year since we were founded, it was only fitting to reflect on our rich heritage and significance behind our school’s name – as well as enjoy some St. Edmund’s School cupcakes!
REMEMBRANCE DAY We had the honour of welcoming Commander David Wilcocks, MBE RN (OSE 1995) to our Remembrance Service on 10 November for pupils in Forms 5 to 11. He shared poignant reflections on the essence of heroism and the profound meaning of being a true hero. Commander Wilcocks highlighted two significant heroes in his life: his former Commanding Officer and his father. Wreaths were laid by our new Heads of School, as well as one of our Heads of Prep, accompanied by the soul-stirring notes of The Last Post played by former pupil Reuben Anelay (OSE 2019). Our younger pupils also had their own Remembrance Service around the flagpole earlier in the morning.
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GREAT ESCAPE PREP 32
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GREAT ESCAPE SENIOR
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ACTIVITY EVENINGS & THEME NIGHTS
FORM 7 & 8 AMERICAN THEME NIGHT Over 100 Form 7 and 8 pupils took part in our American Theme Night in September. They were put into six teams and spent the evening outside playing baseball and dodgeball, followed by an American themed dinner.
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The Yankees
The Eagles
The Stars & Stripes
The Red Sox
The Globetrotters
The Cowboys
ACTIVITY EVENINGS FORM 9 ACTIVITY EVENING Much fun was had by our Form 9s who went off-site to the ice skating disco at Guildford Spectrum for their activity evening.
FORMS 3 TO 6 ACTIVITY EVENING Forms 3 to 6 enjoyed playing team building games and dodgeball for their for their Activity Evenings although the highlight was of course the Laser Tag!
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CHARITY
Mrs Vassallo and Mrs Le Guyader St . Edmund’s Charity Co-ordinators
ST. EDMUND’S CHARITY REPS
In the spirit of giving back, our thoughtful pupils from Reception to Form 2 continued the tradition of donating harvest festival food items to a local Food Bank in Headley Down. These contributions will provide crucial support to those in need within our community.
In September we recruited this year’s St. Edmund’s Charity Reps. This is a voluntary role and we were delighted by how many children wanted to join our team. Our charity reps this year are: Amelie H (5B); Isabella V, Sophie U, Harry O’H (5DE); Alex B, Georgia C (5T); Maggie S (6K); Florence H, Darcey B and Briony D (6L); Isla D (6P); Issy B (7H); Miller M (7P); Bea M-B (7vO); Imogen H (7Ad); Charlotte T, Poppy H, Freya C (7Am); Rocco V (8HM); Eddy H, Ivan W (8R); Kiki T (8T); Esme B, Illiana V and Sam R (8W). They were each presented with a badge for their blazers and attend a weekly meeting on Thursday afternoons to find out about our latest initiatives. The first Charity Representatives meeting was held earlier in the term. Our wonderful Charity Representatives spoke to their classmates about the upcoming collection for Liphook Food Bank. From 2-13 October donations were dropped off in Form rooms and items included tinned meat, pasta sauces, tinned fruit and tinned tomatoes. The food bank team were delighted with the full car load that was dropped off!
FIREWORKS NIGHT The highlight of our Michaelmas Calendar must be the fireworks night - our reps helped to choose the products we sold on the glow goods and sweets stall. They were also invited to come and assist us in the selling of the products.
THE LIONS CLUB St. Edmund’s were also proud to support the Lions Club, Fleet this term by donating some of our IT equipment that can no longer be used. The Lions Club aim to inspire brighter futures to African school children and our IT equipment and donations are being put to great use and is helping to transform education in African schools. The pupils and members of their communities will be able to benefit from life-enhancing knowledge and skills, access to further education and improved opportunities for employment. If Click here to you have IT equipment you would get involved with the ITSA Digital Trust like to donate online. 36
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LINK TO HOPE Over half term our Charity Reps sent out our second campaign to support Link to Hope, a charity that sends shoeboxes full of gifts to needy families in Eastern Europe. St. Edmund’s sent a total of 33 boxes and many parents donated money directly to the charity. They were very grateful for our support. “Link to Hope currently works with nationals in Moldova (NE) and Romania (NE), Bulgaria (N) and the Ukraine (S & W). It also sends Christmas Shoeboxes to all of these countries. Our aim is to help the poorest and most marginalised through education and social care and to change lives by releasing communities out of poverty. We deal directly with trusted partners who deliver the aid directly to the people that need it and therefore see results very quickly. We are very proud that money is not wasted and every penny that is given counts.”
CHARITY CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY This year the St Edmund’s Charity Christmas Jumper Day raised over £800 for Dementia UK, the specialist dementia nursing charity that provides advice, support, and understanding to those suffering from dementia and their families.
Each year the Form 6 pupils are invited to choose a charity close to their hearts and create a stall to raise (imaginary) funds for it at the yearly Charity Fair Morning, the pupil that has raised the most imaginary funds, has their charity chosen as one of the three school charities. Congratulation to Forbes T who raised the most money. Forbes chose Dementia UK “because I lost my grandpa to Dementia, and I would hate for anybody else to feel that kind of pain”. We hope to raise £2000.
LIPHOOK FOOD BANK
St. Edmund’s also answered Liphook Food Bank’s appeal for Advent Calendars for the families they support. We donated 108 of them and they were delighted.
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CHRISTMAS AT ST. EDMUND’S 2023
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DUKE OF EDINBURGH BRONZE QUALIFYING EXPEDITION SEPTEMBER 2023 On 22 September, the Form 10 Duke of Edinburgh participants spent the day training for their upcoming Bronze award expedition. They spent the day with instructors from @activadventures and enjoyed sessions including First Aid, campcraft, map reading and route planning. D of E participant Jamie K commented “the most enjoyable part of the day was completing the navigation challenges set by the instructors during our hike to Waggoners Wells”. On the morning of Saturday 30 September the teams met in Shalford and, after a kit check and safety briefing, they set off to explore the Surrey Hills. The first day consisted of a 14km hike through Farley Green in the sunshine. Participants made use of their newly acquired outdoor adventure and teamworking skills before arriving at Sayer’s Croft campsite. After putting up tents and cooking a hot meal, everyone settled in for the night. The following morning the pupils struck camp and set off on their return journey. Fortunately, the weather stayed dry throughout the weekend, which helped keep spirits high. Congratulations to all who took part!
SILVER QUALIFYING EXPEDITION SEPTEMBER 2023 On Friday 29 September the Form 11 Silver Duke of Edinburgh participants completed their qualifying expedition. The group took on the challenging and unpredictable terrain of the New Forest, an area unfamiliar to all of them. Having completed a practice expedition in May, the group were well-prepared for the final challenge of their award. The three teams met in East Boldre for a briefing and equipment check before exploring the beautiful countryside around Beaulieu and Brockenhurst. A few light showers in the afternoon ensured that the group were kept on their toes. Fortunately, that was the only wet weather over the weekend. The first night was spent at Foxlease Campsite, where Mr Sikipa and Ms Adkin arrived with Friday stodge!
A dewy morning followed a chilly night, before the group set off on the longest day of the expedition on Saturday morning. The sunshine helped keep spirits high as the participant skilfully completed the 16km hike to Wilverley campsite. This time it was Ms Humfress who was on-hand to keep morale high, before Mr Sikipa arrived later in the evening with his customary doughnuts. The final day went smoothly, with the instructors commending the teams for their outstanding teamwork and resilience. THE ARROW
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DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
EDI AT ST.ED’S This term we have been focusing on celebrating disability and helping the children to develop a greater awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities, and the ways in which we can make the world fairer and more equal for all. During the first half of the term, Alison Wright from Accept, Listen & Learn attended the school to deliver a workshop to the children in Forms 1 to 4. Alison was born with short arms after her mother was prescribed Thalidomide by her doctor. She established Accept, Listen & Learn with the aim of educating children about disability and the importance of accepting difference in others. She will be returning to the school in Week 11 to deliver a talk to Forms 6 to 11 and to help us mark International Day of People with Disabilities, which falls on 3 December each year.
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PUPILS LEARN HOW TO KICK BULLYING INTO TOUCH At the start of November in support of anti-bullying week our pupils were encouraged to wear odd socks to school. It was a chance to celebrate the fact that we are all unique and to symbolise standing united against bullying by celebrating our unique differences. This is something we feel passionately about at St. Edmund’s. Pupils across the school focused on bullying and how to prevent it happening as part of national Anti-Bullying Week. The week raises awareness of bullying so that pupils, staff and parents can look to educate, comfort and support each other.
CELEBRATING OUR SISTERS In October, the school also marked Black History Month, which was a focus of form time discussions. The theme this year was ‘Celebrating Our Sisters’ and the role of women in Black History There is a link to some useful websites, including a video featuring Morgan Freeman challenging the idea that we should need a Black History Month which would make an interesting discussion point, especially for the seniors.
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WELL BEING AND SAFEGUARDING Dr Carlin, Deputy Head and the Lead Designated Safeguarding Leader (DSL), would like to take this opportunity to introduce an exciting new toolkit for parents and his team of experienced Deputy DSL’s: Mr Barnes (Deputy Head) Mrs Weetman (Deputy Head, Senior Pastoral) Mr Bowen-Perkins (Deputy Head, Prep Pastoral) Mrs Richardson (Deputy Head, Director of Girls) Mrs Burke (Head of Academic Support) Mrs Bailey (Head of EYFS) Mrs Moxey (Lead Nurse, Health Centre) Whilst all our staff are actively responsible for inspiring our amazing students to achieve their potential and ensure they make many happy memories at St. Edmund’s, the DSL team are responsible for promoting the welfare of children and are committed to making sure that all children and their families receive the support and help they need during their time with us. This includes access to our fantastic new ‘Online Safety Hub’ for parents which can be accessed from home. We understand that keeping up to date with the everevolving online world and how to keep your children safe can feel overwhelming, especially for busy parents. However, supporting the wellbeing of children has never been more critical. All custodians of a child, from parents, to teachers, governments and policy makers are more focused than ever on ensuring that children are protected from online harms. In line with the Department of Education’s recently published ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ policy and as part of St. Edmund’s commitments to preparing students to safely participate in this digital world, we are pleased to be able to launch our new online safety hub which is packed full of expert advice and guidance to help you manage your child’s safety online.
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It includes information on the latest hot topics, such as how to manage your child’s screen time, understanding the latest gaming platforms, what they mean for your child’s safety and lots more. You can now access the Online Safety Hub FOR FREE. Head to the Online Safety Hub for lots of expert advice and guidance to help you manage your child’s safety online. It includes information on the latest hot topics when it comes to keeping your child safe, such as how to manage your child’s screen time, understanding the latest gaming platforms, what they mean for your child’s safety and lots more.
Click here to access The Online Safety Hub
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THOMAS M & ALEX V
STAR PUPILS
Thomas M and Alex V in Form 8 recently joined the Haslemere squadron for RAF cadets. They volunteered their time in early November to sell poppies at the local Tesco. They will both also parade on Remembrance Day in Haslemere. Great effort boys!
BEN & SAM M In October Ben and Sam M raised money for GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital) race in Hyde Park and raised an incredible £250.00.
FREYA AND NOAH
LILY-MAY J Lilly-May J (F5) is in the Guildford City Regional Swimming Squad and won 3 medals at her recent swimming gala. She placed 3rd in the 200m individual medley, 3rd in the 100m backstroke and 2nd in the 200m backstroke.
MIMI T Well done to Mimi T who was awarded ‘runner up’ in the Blue Peter Dr Who Art Competition. Mimi had to design and draw some fan art to celebrate the 60 th Anniversary of Doctor Who. She received a framed copy of her winning art and a special edition Doctor Who badge
COUNTY SUPERSTARS!
CROSS COUNTRY Isabelle G (F8) and Sienna I (F11) have been selected to represent Surrey for their age groups in the SEAA Inter-County race in Oxford on 9 December.
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After studying Private Peaceful in their English lessons, Freya C and Noah C-D (Form 7) drew some terrific illustrations of the characters which were sent to Michael Morpurgo himself! He was so impressed he sent a personal postcard back to thank them!
MAX S Congratulations to Max S who represented St. Edmunds’ School and took part in the ‘Inter School Judo Development Event’, held at High Wycombe Judo Centre. This was a development event to give the pupils a taste of competition and for them to see the result from all their training – I’m sure they will all be training even harder now ready for the next tournament. Thank you to the parents for all their support.
This term we have pupils in our Prep and Senior School who have been chosen to represent their County for their particular sports. These are amazing achievements and St. Edmund’s are very proud!
CRICKET Both Lauren F (F7) and Noah M (F5) have been selected to play for Hampshire County Cricket Squad.
STAFF NEWS
ST. EDMUND’S BABIES! Joseph James Mussell born on 18 October 2023 weighing 6lb 10oz
At the beginning of the Summer, Mr Adams entered the singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles club tournament at Headley Tennis Club. The tournament was played throughout the summer and the finals day was held on the first weekend of September. Mr Adams did very well and won both the Singles and Mixed Doubles tournament and was runner-up in the Men’s Doubles.
Mrs J Roberts and Miss E Humfress won the ladies Sussex cricket finals in September and Miss Humfress also named allround player of the season for Chiddingfold cricket club! Miss Humfress also competed in the Ironman 70.3 in Turkey and was placed 4th in her age group as well as qualifying for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in New Zealand. It was her first ever 70.3 and her longest race since her accident!
Well done to Mrs Macready who qualified in her age group for the England 10k last weekend while competing for Sussex at The Brighton 10k. We’ll be cheering you on when you race in Birmingham in May.
Arthur Leo Hamilton Reckless born on 5 August 2023 weighting 9lbs 10oz
On 20 October, Miss Messina received her PGCE in Secondary Education at Chichester Cathedral.
Ms Miller has been busy as a member of the race crew for ‘Firebrand’, a 43 ft classic yacht based out of Hamble, Southampton. She spent most of the summer racing it and is looking forward to the Winter series, where she will help race it every Sunday. THE ARROW
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LIFE AFTER ST. ED’S
Olivia Issacs (OSE) WHEN DID YOU LEAVE ST. EDMUND’S AND WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE THEN? I left St. Edmund’s in 2021 to go to Hurtwood House where I studied English, Drama and Media Studies. I have always had an interest in theatre and Mr Darrington’s enthusiasm for drama and productions helped steer me towards wanting a career in the theatre. While at St. Ed’s I had roles in a few of the productions and played Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island and Alice in Alice in Wonderland. WHAT ARE YOUR BEST MEMORIES OF YOUR TIME AT ST EDMUND’S? I particularly remember the boarding nights, ‘It’s a knockout’, Wednesdays in the woods and playing with friends who I am still in contact with today.
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HOW DID YOU DEVELOP YOUR LOVE OF DRAMA AND ‘BREAK INTO’ THE TV INDUSTRY? While at St. Edmund’s I was encouraged to find an agent and so I auditioned for Sylvia Young who accepted me onto their books. St. Edmund’s were very supportive in me following my dreams and aged 10/11 while at St. Edmund’s I achieved a role as an extra on a Disney set as well as other TV roles. I also did as much Drama and LAMDA at St. Edmund’s as I could! At Hurtwood House, I produced my first short film about a family going through a divorce which was fun but challenging.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS? I was also accepted into the Hurtwood House Film Academy and Acting Company. I had to audition to join the Acting Company which is an elite company of 12 and we perform a play in which I was one of the lead roles in ‘Colder Than Here’ - Mr Darrington actually came to watch!! For Film Academy I had to submit a few short film and documentary ideas as well as participate in an interview. During my time with the Academy I made two other short films, one with a 16mm bolex camera which sparked my interest in film instead of digital footage and in colour grading. I also came runner up in a BFI national competition for my opening sequence film (3 min short film) that I did for Media A-Level which my teacher submitted for me; I got to go to London to the BFI was very cool! WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS NOW YOU HAVE LEFT HURTWOOD HOUSE? I am auditioning as much as possible and I have recently been filming a role in a new BBC Comedy show which is coming out next year as well as filming various parts in other tv shows. I also like spending time behind the camera and have really enjoyed returning to St. Edmund’s to shadow the film crew who are producing the new St. Edmund’s School film. In January I am planning to go travelling for a few months and then I hope to go to either Bristol or Exeter University in September to study for a BA Hons in Film, TV and Drama.
WINNER OF TICKETS Leo Masella – Taylor (OSE 2023) won 2 x tickets to Liphook Cinema in last year’s Form 11 prize draw to incentivise more of our recent leavers to join our thriving OSE community. We are already looking forward to hosting our next event in 2024, which will be a special sesquicentenary OSE celebration. Watch this space!!
REMEMBER TO STAY CONNECTED Sign up to our alumni website at: www.alumni.saintedmunds.co.uk
The Old St. Edmund’s (OSE) has flourished for more than 100 years and is all about supporting a large and vibrant network of former students across the world - as well as supporting their future endeavours and sharing their fantastic achievements!
WHY SIGN UP?
STAY CONNECTED Careers advice Work experience opportunities Invitations to school events Bonfire Night, Summer Fair, School Quiz OSE reunions
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INTRODUCING
THE NEW
FOSE TEAM HELEN GORROD (FOSE CHAIR) I am Helen, Mum to Charlotte in Form 3 and Sophie in Reception. I am a Freelance HR Consultant and a keen runner! My husband, Rich, is a Lighting Designer and we have a lovely 9-month-old Springador called Storm, who is certainly keeping us all on our toes. We joined the school in 2020 and are all very happy here and I am looking forward to being more involved with the school as part of FOSE.
ED NEWNHAM (TREASURER) My daughter Celeste is in Reception and loving every minute at St Ed’s. As an old boy it is an absolute pleasure to see the next generation enjoying the school as much as I did. Although I think the swimming pool was kept at a far lower temperature back in the 80’s! I run an accountancy practice with my wife, Chloe, in Petersfield and have done for the last 13 years. I am a chartered accountant and have been qualified now for over 20 years. I very much look forward to supporting FOSE with my financial knowledge and expertise. 48
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LYDIA MURRAY (VICE CHAIR) I am Mummy to triplets Katherine, Jennifer and Nina in Form 2. I am a freelance Yoga teacher and student, currently working towards a Yoga Teacher Training Level 4 diploma. My husband, Tristan, is Sales Director at his family’s lab and glassware manufacturing business, and is also a St Ed’s old boy. We joined St Ed’s in 2019 and it has been wonderful seeing our girls thrive. Our favourite family event at school is the Bonfire night! I am excited to support our new chair, Helen, and look forward to the fun and camaraderie that comes with being part of FOSE.
JULIE WILLCOX (SCHOOL LOGISTICS AND COMPLIANCE) Our family joined St Ed’s in 2018, our daughters’ Hannah and Alice are currently in Form 1 and Form 4, some of you may know me from being a previous FOSE chair, or just the blonde who seems to run around a lot at events or my husband Simon who is the FOSE Wi-Fi man! I have loved every minute of being involved with FOSE and helping to deliver memories to the St Ed’s Community, I am so thankful to the new team for taking on the reins and look forward to supporting them and helping them to hatch new activities and events that we all get to enjoy.
DISCO FOSE kicked off the new school year in style with a super sparkly Disco The children enjoyed a hot dog before heading over for a boogie, and we of course sent them on their way with some sweets. This year we were delighted to be able to cover the costs of the Disco with money raised from the second-hand uniform sales. The smiles, cheers and sheer noise coming from the Farley Hall on the night, proved it was a huge success. Events like these can only be delivered with the support and volunteering of the parents and staff of the St Eds community, so a big thank you to everyone who helped make a memory for the children that night. If you would like to help plan or deliver the next disco then please contact: fosechair@saintedmunds.co.uk we would love to hear your ideas!
FOSE COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND COFFEE MORNING In 2024 we are planning to have committee meetings and coffee mornings on different days, hopefully allowing more of you the opportunity to join and see what is going on, listen to your ideas and have some fun!
CHRISTMAS JUMPER SWAP As Christmas Jumper time approaches, we were delighted to hold our second ever Christmas Jumper Swap Coffee Morning! A huge thank you to all who came along. It was a great turnout, with just under 30 people, the tea and coffee was warming and the pastries delicious. Lots of new faces and people to meet, many of whom found new jumpers to take away with them
JOIN FOSE We are currently looking for a Secretary to join the committee and there are a number of other non-committee roles also available, so please do get in touch if you would like to explore these further. Email fosechair@saintedmunds.co.uk today!
CHRISTMAS HAMPER RAFFLE Thank you to everyone who donated to the annual FOSE Christmas hamper raffle; as usual there were some wonderful donations which included jewellery, vouchers, champagne and much more! It’s a great way to support FOSE who use the funds raised to buy the children Easter Eggs at Christmas and use towards the fantastic events they put on for the whole community.
NEW EVENT ALERT! Friday 5 January 2024 will see the launch of our new FOSE Run Club. Held on the first Friday of the month and meeting at the punchbowl, any running or jogging ability is welcome (or if you fancy it you can walk). So come along, meet and chat with other parents and have a coffee (and maybe cake) in the café afterwards, more details to follow! THE ARROW
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ol o ch S s d’ ad n u he m d ind E H St
Multi-Sports Christmas Camp 11th – 15th December 2023 book: www.activeacademies.co.uk email: info@activeacademies.co.uk
Upcoming
Open Mornings Saturday 3rd February 2024 - Whole School Friday 1st March 2024 - Prep School - Reception to Form 6 Wednesday 13th March 2024 - Little Ed’s Stay and Play - Nursery Saturday 18th May 2024 - Whole School Read the latest news at: saintedmunds.co.uk/news-and-events/latest-news
To stay informed with all our latest happenings, follow our social media platforms:
S U M M E R TE R M 2 023
St Edmund’s School, Portsmouth Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6BH 01428 604 808 • schoolsecretary@saintedmunds.co.uk • saintedmunds.co.uk @stedmundshindhead @stedmundsschoolsurrey