SUMMER TERM 2024
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FROM THE HEADMASTER
What an amazing Summer term! These last few weeks have been action-packed with the sunshine making a glorious appearance at many recent events such as the FOSE Family Summer gathering, Grandparents’ tea parties, Father’s Day breakfast, Hogwarts’ Night, and the Form 11 Leavers’ Dinner at Frensham Ponds hotel.
It was with mixed emotions that we celebrated the successful completion of GCSEs by our Senior pupils. Many of those pupils have been with us since they were tiny dots back in Little Ed’s or Lower Prep, and it has been an absolute privilege to watch them flourish and develop during their time at St. Edmund’s. They are now moving on to a variety of different Sixth Form providers, including Blundell’s School, Bohunt, Charterhouse, Churcher’s College, Cranleigh, Godalming College, Guildford College, Peter Symonds, Reigate Grammar School, Royal Grammar School, Seaford College, St Edward’s Oxford, and Stonar School. They can each reflect with pride on the contributions they have made to the St. Edmund’s community, as well as their individual personal achievements and successes.
Those achievements and successes have not happened by accident, and I also want to take the opportunity to thank our wonderful and talented team of staff here at St. Edmund’s, who continue to provide a first-class academic and pastoral experience for the pupils. Their dedication to educating, nurturing, and guiding our pupils is a privilege we never take for granted.
The year has been marked by our celebrations of the school’s 150 th birthday and our ‘special edition’ Sports Day picnics were a roaring success. It was lovely to join together to enjoy our children’s sporting endeavours while reminiscing about how sports days have evolved since the school started 150 years ago, from a small Prep School to the successful co-educational institution we are today, complete with an established and thriving Senior School. When Emma and I arrived in 2000 the school had just over 170 pupils – next term we will have more than 600. However, our roots are important to us, and we work hard to retain the best qualities of a small school approach of care for the individual whilst taking advantage of the enhanced opportunities on offer to our children due to school’s ongoing success.
Music and the Performing Arts have been busier than ever with three major school performances. We kickstarted the season with the Senior production of Grease in March, followed by the
Lower Prep’s incredible adaptation of Frozen, The Musical just before the May half-term. I am told that learning the words of the songs was not an issue! Just last week, Forms 5 & 6 treated us to a stunningly spooktacular version of The Addams Family musical – what fun! Our concert programme has been in full swing with a spangly evening of ABBA performances, a Chapel Choir recital and solo voice pieces, and culminating in the final week of term at the end-of-year Community concert – such an array of talent on display.
It was super to see so many of you at the recent Art exhibition and I am sure that, like me, you were blown away by the standard of the work on display. Our Pre Senior Baccalaureate (PSB) programme continues to thrive, with our second cohort of Form 8 pupils recently receiving their certificates for successful completion of the course. The children told me that they had particularly enjoyed the opportunity to engage in some fascinating projects and independent coursework. The inclusion of continuous assessment alongside formal examinations provide a balanced and inspiring course structure which leads seamlessly into the GCSE programme.
Our two Speech Days were wonderful occasions to gather as a school community and applaud the remarkable achievements of our students in various fields: academic, cultural, sports, arts, citizenship, and extracurricular activities. Our visiting speakers, the world-renowned oceanologist, Dr Helen Czerski, and top barrister OSE Kerim Fuad KC, entertained us as we acclaimed successes, big and small, acknowledged the efforts that went into so many endeavours, and celebrated the successful completion of the academic year across all age groups. I am sure that you were impressed by the breadth of achievement and effort being recognised.
I am enormously proud of all our children – they are an inspiration to me, and I thank you for lending them to us. However, the time has come to hand them back and I hope that, wherever you may be spending the summer, you and your family have a fantastic break reconnecting and recharging your batteries. Emma and I look forward to welcoming you to the new academic year in September – it’s going to be great!
NEWS FROM EYFS NURSERY
AND RECEPTION
We’re thrilled to introduce our newest addition to the EYFS family: Little Ed, The Ted! Little Ed will be joining our Nursery and Reception pupils on their exciting journeys, often accompanying them on school trips or to assemblies, and always ready for cuddles!
EYFS FILMING
Nursery and Reception children loved starring in our new EYFS film. The film is available to view (click below) and provides a lovely snapshot of life in Early Years at St. Edmunds.
Click here to see the video
MILL FARM VISITED NURSERY TO FORM 2
Nursery and Reception enjoyed a really lovely visit from Mill Cottage Farm this term. The children got to meet Maggie and Bramble the donkeys, George and Peppa the piglets, Marigold the chicken, Gobble the turkey, sheep, goats, ducks, rabbits and guinea pigs. We love having the farm to visit every year and it is really interactive experience for the children, who get involved with feeding and brushing the animals.
SUCCESS FOR OUR RECEPTION PUPILS!!
Congratulations to our Reception class for reaching their early learning goals at the end of their EYFS journey. We are so proud of them all and thank Mrs Cozens and Miss Olsen for their hard work and support to enable all the children to achieve.
EYFS SPORTS DAY
Lots of fun was had at the EYFS Sports Day this year. The sun shone as they ran their socks off and had an absolute blast! We are always so proud of our youngest St. Edmund’s pupils on this day, they take part with so much confidence and enthusiasm. We think you are all super sports stars!
FATHER’S DAY BREAKFAST
Father’s Day Breakfast was a success with a great turn out and the weather was kind to us allowing our Nursery and Reception pupils to play and have their breakfasts with their families. The children loved showing off their work, play spaces and introducing them to friends.
PAINSHILL PARK
Reception had a lovely June day enjoying a fairytale walk followed by going on our own adventure exploring the park. We thought the grotto was amazing and loved ‘Cinderella’s castle’ and all the bridges.
NURSERY 2 GRADUATION
Parents of our Nursery 2 children were able to visit the Jubilee Hall at St. Edmund’s at the end of term to watch their children ‘graduate’ into Reception.
SHOWCASE
Reception – Form 2 performed a fantastic showcase for their parents. Each year group performed a dance routine, recited poems, sang songs and there were a few super solo performances from some of our talented young musicians too. Well done all of you!
Click here To view a short film of the showcase
NEWS FROM THE LOWER PREP
ALL ABOARD FOR FORM 4 AS THEY VISIT THE WATERCRESS LINE
Form 4 visited Ropley Station on the Watercress Line, as part of the Humanities studies of the Victorians. The guided tour of the station by Dan was informative and the children went on to re-enact some of the events that took place at Ropley during the building of the station. After a great playtime on the full-size replica locomotive, they engaged their brains in a STEM session where they were challenged to build a motorised engine that could move a small train along a track. A super day was had by all.
F2 EVACUEE DAY
COULTERSHAW
Form 1 had a fabulous, action-packed day at Coultershaw Heritage Site. They started the day watching the historic waterwheel drive the Beam Pump to produce an amazing water fountain, saw the Archimedes screw turbine using water to generate green electricity and had a go at using different water pumps in the Engine House. They then designed and made their own boats to race down the Coultershaw water chutes!
After a relaxing picnic lunch in the sunshine, the afternoon was spent enjoying the beautiful nature and wildlife, learning how to be ‘tree detectives’ and completing the Detective Duck Nature Trail in addition to some games and craft activities.
BUTSER FARM
School memories can often fade quickly but nearly every child who has been in Form 3 remembers their trip to Butser Ancient Farm! It is here that the children get to experience a brief taste of lron Age life in the UK. We know huge amounts about the lives of Ancient Romans or Greeks but our knowledge about the History of pre-Roman life in Britain is pretty vague. Luckily, Butser Ancient Farm is an experimental archaeological site that is dedicated to rediscovering the lost skills and techniques of our mysterious ancestors. It’s also a fabulous place to visit!
PORTSMOUTH DOCKYARD
Form 1 had a brilliant trip to Portsmouth Historic Dockyards. They explored HMS Warrior, enjoying being aboard such a grand old ship and learning about its history. The children enjoyed hearing stories about life at sea from the friendly guides. Afterwards, the harbour tour provided stunning views and a chance to see modern naval ships up close. The day was a memorable educational experience for everyone.
During a fun packed and rain free day the children experienced; the dark and eerie interiors of various iron age dwellings, carved Celtic images and symbols into chalk, got messy while building walls out of ‘clunch,’ carefully searched for ancient treaures in archaeological pits, handfed an ancient breed of horned sheep and purchased modern treasures in the Butser shop.
If you happen to have a day spare in the Summer holidays, you can visit Butser yourself and experience their amazing selection of historical buildings.
Thank you to our Form 4 parents for their book donations for the Lower Prep
In celebration of their graduation from the Lower Prep, children in Form 4 selected some of their favourite books to donate to future pupils in the Alliss Building. Their books feature book plates on which the children have written a message, passing their wisdom on to future generations and leaving a lasting reminder of their time in the Lower Prep.
NEWS FROM THE PREP
LITTLE CANADA
Form 6 had a fabulous time at Little Canada Activity Centre, on the Isle of Wight in April. This was the first Residential trip for our Form 6’s and a great way to prepare them for a longer residential trip in Form 7, when they go to France.
Highlights of the trip included, the giant swing, sea kayaking, archery, zip line, climbing, sleeping in cabins with their friends and the campfire. You may view photos of their time away HERE . Well done Form 6, it was a pleasure to take you on your first two-night St. Edmund’s residential trip. The staff were so impressed with your courage, resilience, and wonderful sense of fun whilst we were away.
TRANSITION TO FORM 8
Transitioning between Form groups can be a significant change for pupils, but we strive to make it as seamless as possible. Our preparation activities include Senior Step-Up Days, time spent with older peers, orientation, and team-building events.
DISCOVERING OUR NORMAN ROOTS!
Form 6 visited Arundel Castle on 9 May to learn about the development and history of the Castle from its Norman roots. They also discovered how Matilda and Henry II spent time at the castle during the 12th Century.
They explored the castle; climbing up to the Keep across the Fosse, looking into the well and oubliette as well as spending time in the Great Hall. The workshop helped support and consolidate the children’s learning about the Normans and Plantagenets with the classes having the opportunity to handle artefacts and try on costumes.
In the Summer term, our Form 7 pupils are assigned their Form 8 duties. These responsibilities help them develop a sense of accountability within the school community. Duties range from break time supervision and library assistance to recycling and flag duties.
As pupils advance to Form 8, the final year of our Prep School, they take on more leadership roles, such as becoming Prefects (Ties), Divisional Leaders and Deputy Leaders. Scholarships are awarded in Form 8 as they prepare to transition to our Senior School.
Additionally, we organise an end-of-year Form 8 residential trip to Letton Hall, Norfolk and the academic journey through our PSB (Prep School Baccalaureate) (our alternative to Common Entrance) framework concludes at the end of Form 8, marking the completion of their Prep School education.
HAMPTON COURT
On 16 May, Form 5 went on an exciting trip to Hampton Court Palace to walk in the footsteps of Henry VIII.
They took part in a Tudor kitchen workshop, exploring the palace kitchens and finding out all about the food Henry VIII would have enjoyed at his feasts, as well as the roles of the staff who worked for him.
Form 5 then had the chance to further explore the palace. The Great Hall, the Chapel and the ‘Haunted Gallery’ were all highlights.
The children were knowledgeable and inquisitive, asking excellent questions. It was a fabulous day out, further enriching their knowledge of the Tudor period.
A DECLAMATION TO REMEMBER!
The Declamation competition remains one of our great showcase events at St Ed’s and the children just love it! It shows the depth of reading at school and this year proved to be stiff competition.
From Charles Dickens’s ‘Oliver Twist’ to Suzanne Harris’s ‘The Hunger Games’, the audience were kept engaged with wonderful readings which captivated everyone in the Farley Hall. It was also wonderful to hear Charlie H read Winston Churchill’s speech to the House of Commons on 4 June, 1940. There were certainly both tears and laughter. I really do want to congratulate everyone involved and can’t wait to do it all again next year.
Many thanks to our judges Mrs DaSilva and Mr Ballak who faced some difficult decisions. Our form group and overall winners were:
Form 3 - Aimee W
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Form 4 - Alice W
The World’s Worst Children by David Walliams
FORM 5 - WILLIAM N
SHOE WARS BY LIZ PICHON OVERALL WINNER
Form 6 - Oscar W
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Form 7 - Iris M
Geek Girl by Holly Smale
Form 8 - Esme B
This Book Kills by Ravena Guron
Overall winner - Ava H
The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
You are all stars!
Congratulations to all Form 8 pupils on the completion of their PreSenior Baccalaureate!
We are thrilled to report on the continued success of our Pre-Senior Baccalaureate programme at St. Edmund’s, which is now in its second year. This innovative curriculum for our Form 8’s has further evolved, providing our pupils with even more opportunities to broaden their educational experience. It has been wonderful to see our pupils make significant strides in developing the crucial learning skills that will serve
as the foundation for their Senior School studies and beyond, all while maintaining the high academic standards that are the hallmark of St. Ed’s!
FORM 6’S MAGICAL VISIT TO HARRY POTTER WORLD IN LONDON
Our Form 6 pupils had a fantastic trip to Harry Potter World - a trip that was highly anticipated and has fast become a highlight of the year.
We were warmly welcomed by the team at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and issued with passports and maps to guide us. We don’t want to give everything away to those who have yet to visit, but we can say that everything we saw was an original prop or scenery from the films. We all had a photo on a broomstick, most of us squealed in the Forbidden Forest, some of us took a trip on a steam train whilst being pursued by a dementor and we all gasped as we were able to walk down the real Diagon Alley and into Gringotts Bank.
The children were able to learn about how a book is transformed into a script and then into a film, with amazing insights into special effects, costumes and set-design. Plenty of Butterbeer was consumed and souvenirs were admired and bought. We were delighted when, yet again, members of the public congratulated us on the excellent behaviour of the St. Edmund’s pupils. Well done Form 6 - you made us proud.
DEPUTY HEAD (SENIOR ACADEMIC)
SIMON HYETT
This final term offers many trips to give pupils inspiration in their chosen subjects. Form 10 had a visit to Duncton Mill to take part in a ‘pond to plate’ fishing trip as part of their Food Technology course. They learnt about casting and fly fishing as well as taking part in a casting competition. They learnt all about aquaculture and how to catch, gut and fillet a fish.
Mrs Drummond’s Form 10 Classics pupils spent a day at the British Museum in June. Many of the resources studied as part of the GCSE are housed in the Museum, including some of the Parthenon sculptures, so it is an invaluable day and very much enhances pupil learning and understanding of the subject. This year they were also lucky enough to visit the ‘Roman Army’ exhibition which is also a topic on our syllabus.
I always look forward to the Senior Art exhibition in the Summer term and I was not disappointed. My thanks to all the Form 11 artists, Ms Millar and Ms Rizzi for their contributions to an excellent display. I hope the inspiration on offer guides our future artists in lower year groups.
With this in mind, I have been finalising the GCSE options for next academic year and it has been a long process, but it is now complete, and the results of all the steps and timetable iterations are worth it. Classical Civilisation as well as Food Technology and Nutrition have been exceedingly popular this year and the school has put on additional classes to meet the demand while maintaining our class size commitments. Demand for traditional subjects remains strong with one in four taking Triple Science and Geography and Latin now at record numbers. The broad range of subjects and our flexible timetabling means we have been able to chart a multitude of pathways for our young people and give them the best start in September.
However, this term is always dominated by the public examinations in Form 10 and Form 11. Pupils have worked hard in the build-up, and I am pleased with how many of them have taken up the clinics, workshops, and Saturday sessions on offer. Staff work equally hard, and my thanks go to all the teachers who have been tireless in their quest to get pupils the best grades possible. Our exams officer Mrs Smart and her team of invigilators know the pupils very well by the end of Form 11, having shepherded them through Form 10 examinations and the January mocks, but a huge amount still goes on behind the scenes to make sure pupils have the best experience possible. I look forward to seeing the hard work of all rewarded on the 22 August at our GCSE Results Day. I wish all of Form 11 the best of luck at their future schools and colleges.
SENIOR PASTORAL
JESS WEETMAN
In the Senior School, we believe that a strong sense of community is a huge part of our thriving educational environment. Therefore, our pastoral care programme is designed to foster this sense of belonging and support among our pupils. Through various initiatives, we aim to nurture not only academic excellence, but also personal growth, resilience, and responsibility and I am proud of our Senior pupils and their efforts this term. Here are some of our highlights:
PEER MENTORING: GUIDING THE NEXT GENERATION
One of the cornerstones of our community-building efforts is the Peer Mentoring Programme. As pupils transition from the Prep School to the Senior School, the move can be both exciting and challenging – even though we are all very friendly!
To ease this transition, Form 9 pupils are trained to mentor those in Form 8. These mentors provide guidance, friendship, and support, helping younger pupils navigate the new academic and social landscape. This programme not only benefits the mentees but also instils a sense of leadership and empathy in our Form 9 mentors, reinforcing the importance of community and mutual support. Watching these Peer mentoring sessions has been an absolute pleasure and I look forward to welcoming the current Form 8 in September.
PROMOTING ROAD SAFETY: STUDENTS TEACHING STUDENTS
Safety is a shared responsibility, and our pupils have taken proactive steps to ensure the youngest members of our community are extremely well-informed about road safety. This year, Form 9 pupils planned and delivered a Road Safety Programme for children in Reception, Form 1, and Form 2. Through this interactive session, they taught essential skills such as understanding traffic signs and practicing safe crossing techniques.
This initiative highlights the caring and responsible nature of our senior students, who are committed to protecting and educating their younger peers.
NAVIGATING THE DIGITAL WORLD: INSIGHTS FROM KARL HOPWOOD
In an increasingly digital age, online safety is paramount. We were fortunate to have Karl Hopwood, a renowned expert in online safety, speak to our senior students. His talk covered critical topics such as managing social media responsibly, recognising and preventing cyberbullying, and safeguarding yourself in an ever-evolving world. This session equipped our pupils with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly, underscoring our commitment to their overall well-being. Furthermore, the session for parents was extremely well attended – if you were unable to attend, the link is HERE . I highly recommend watching it.
Watch this space – Next term’s talk will be on Nutritional Wellbeing.
CELEBRATING MILESTONES: THE FORM 11 LEAVERS’ DINNER
As our Form 11 pupils prepare to move on to new challenges and opportunities, we celebrated their journey at the Leavers’ Dinner. This special event is a cherished tradition at St Edmund’s, providing a time for pupils, parents, and teachers to reflect on their shared experiences, celebrate achievements, and look forward to the future. It is a poignant reminder of the strong community bonds that have been formed over the years. We wish all our Form 11s the very best – we are extremely proud of them and will miss them very much.
WELLBEING WALKS: CONNECTING WITH NATURE
Physical and mental well-being are integral to our pastoral care approach. One of our most beloved initiatives is our Wellbeing Walks which I started last year. These walks, set in the beautiful natural surroundings of Hindhead (Waggoner’s Wells is stunning!), offer pupils a chance to unwind, reflect, and connect with nature. These excursions provide a much-needed break from academic pressures, promoting relaxation and mental clarity and are a firm favourite amongst staff and pupils. The fruit lollies en-route are a bonus for all!
BREAKFAST FOCUS GROUPS
Pupil voice is hugely important at St. Edmund’s and every term our Form 10 pupils attend a ‘Breakfast Focus Group’ where they have the opportunity to discuss an array of topics ranging from feeling safe at school, how to escalate a problem as well as barriers to success. These sessions are hosted in an informal outside environment where possible and facilitated by a Senior School member of staff.
It has been a busy and rewarding term for our Senior pupils, and these highlights showcase just a few of the enriching experiences they’ve enjoyed. At St. Edmund’s, we actively encourage and nurture a strong community spirit. I am immensely proud of the dedicated team of staff and the enthusiastic students who bring this vision to life. Together, we help our students live up to our motto, “per manendo vincimus”, and conquer challenges through effort and unity.
DEVELOPING LEADERS: THE SPORTS LEADERS’ PROGRAMME
Leadership and teamwork are essential qualities that we aim to develop in our pupils. The Sports Leaders’ Programme is designed to cultivate these skills. Form 10 pupils organised and lead sports activities, encouraging Form 3 and 4 pupils to participate and excel. This programme not only promotes physical fitness but also teaches valuable lessons in leadership, communication, and collaboration. The sessions were extremely fun and a delight to watch.
FORM 1 BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE
Pupils did a fantastic job at bringing to life famous historians from Florence Nightingale, Queen Victoria to Christopher Columbus.
FORM 2 KENYA
Form 2 transported us on a safari adventure during their assembly, exploring the wonders of Kenya. They showcased the diverse wildlife native to the region and introduced us to the rich culture of the Maasai Mara tribes.
FORM 3A CELTS
Form 3A’s fascinating assembly was all about the Celts, led by Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni!
FORM 4T VICTORIAN INVENTIONS
Form 4 captivated us with a brilliant assembly about the remarkable inventions of the Victorian era. They highlighted groundbreaking advancements like the railway and shared some of the more unusual innovations, such as egg throwing, while demonstrating how women washed their hair during that time!
FORM 4R VICTORIANS
4R brought us an assembly about the lives of Victorian children. The audience experienced the harsh conditions of a Victorian school and learned about the even harsher lives for working children. They all concluded that they are very lucky to be pupils in a modern day St. Edmund’s.
FORM 6LP LITTLE CANADA
It was wonderful to hear more detail about their residential trip to Little Canada Activity Centre, on the Isle of Wight. It sounded like a fantastic trip and certainly inspired the younger pupils who will have this trip to come!
FORM 7VO THE OLYMPICS
7vO put together an assembly on the Games. The count down is on - 65 days to go to the Paris Olympic Games!
FORM 6K D DAY 80 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Form 6K presented a very poignant assembly commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day and talking about courage. Pupils shared heartfelt stories about their family members’ involvement in World War II. It was incredible to hear about the diverse and crucial roles their relatives played, from factory workers and front-line soldiers to secret agents. They also discussed the important ways we can all demonstrate bravery in our everyday lives.
DID YOU KNOW?
BREAKING
(AKA BREAKDANCING)
IS A NEW OLYMPIC SPORT TEAM GB HOPES TO WIN 62 MEDALS
THE MEDALS HAVE A PIECE OF THE EIFFEL TOWER EMBEDDED IN THEM THERE IS COMPLETE GENDER PARITY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THESE GAMES
The motto of the Olympic Phryge and Paralympic Phryge is: “Alone we go faster, but together we go further,” representing the ways in which the mascots, and the people of the world, can make each other better by working side-by-side.
FORM 8R D DAY
Another poignant assembly covering the topic of D-Day 80 th anniversary.
FORM 7AD SUSTAINABILITY
Form 7AD’s assembly was on ‘sustainability’. Pupils discussed the ways in which they try to reuse, reduce and recycle at home. Examples included walking or cycling to school instead of driving, buying 2nd hand clothes and eating more leftover food at home.
WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY
Mr Taylor led a Whole School Assembly around the topic of ‘Big Trees’. He spoke about horse chestnut trees and the joys of playing conkers with friends, the large Redwood trees found in the USA (particularly General Sherman the biggest tree in the world at 83.8m high!) and the effects of deforestation in the world’s rainforests.
CELEBRATION ASSEMBLY
This Summer term the whole of the Prep School (Reception to Form 8) gathered in the Farley Hall for a bumper celebration assembly. Mr B-P ran the assembly with the Prep School Heads and Ties (Prefects) helping with presentation and awarding duties. The assembly focussed on Golden Moments witnessed by Form Takers and Tutors over the first half of this term. These moments ranged from going the extra mile in lessons, random acts of kindness, conquering fears, to
succeeding through perseverance. There were many fantastic examples showcasing individual and community spirit.
The children’s achievements beyond St. Edmund’s were also celebrated, it was wonderful to hear about all the amazing achievements of our pupils, young and old, in sporting arena’s, swimming pools, theatres, concert halls, kitchens and much much more.
HEADS OF SCHOOL
ESME A AND TOMMY B SHARE INSIGHTS INTO THEIR ROLES AS HEADS OF OUR PREP SCHOOL
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING HEADS OF OUR PREP SCHOOL?
Esme: “The highlight has to be our pizza lunches with Dr. Walliker in his study! We usually have a fun chat about life at school, but sometimes we cover more important topics, including our roles and responsibilities as Heads of Prep School. We both enjoyed helping with the Christmas charity shop window too!”
WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU THINK ARE IMPORTANT FOR HEADS OF PREP SCHOOL TO POSSESS?
Tommy: “It’s important to be approachable, especially with the younger pupils. We chat with them during our break times, and they always know they can come and speak with us if they have questions or are struggling with something.”
WHAT HAVE YOU ENJOYED THE MOST ABOUT BEING HEADS OF PREP SCHOOL AND LIFE IN FORM 8 AT ST. EDMUND’S?
Esme: “It’s been great having the opportunity to study all the GCSE subjects in Form 8. We get to try everything, including Sports Science. Completing the PSB framework has allowed us to cover interesting topics in more depth, like the Spanish Armada. This has made the exams less stressful and pressurised since we’ve completed a big chunk of the course throughout the year in the form of coursework. I’ve particularly enjoyed doing presentations on the weather and the Witterings for Geography.”
WHAT SKILLS DO YOU BRING TO THE ROLE AS HEADS OF PREP?
Tommy: “Being a strong leader, approachable, and engaging are vital qualities for Heads of Prep, so that younger pupils have confidence and trust in us. A level of confidence helps us with this role, and the teachers support us in developing these skills.”
WHAT ARE YOUR ASPIRATIONS FOR YOUR TIME IN SENIOR SCHOOL AT ST. EDMUND’S?
Esme - I’m looking forward to the privilege of going into the village and wearing my hair down! I also want to do well in my GCSE’s so lots of hard work ahead with some fun too!
Tommy - I’m looking forward to concentrating on the sports I want to focus on. I can’t wait to grasp every opportunity.
“My advice for the next Heads of Prep School is to grasp all the opportunities being a Head of Prep offers you and maybe look into doing speeches at Open Days like our Senior Heads of School do.”
FORM 11 2024
We are immensely proud of this year’s 16+ Scholars who have won scholarships to a mixture of schools including Blundell’s School, Charterhouse, Churcher’s College, Cranleigh and Seaford College for Academia, Drama and Sport, as well as Headmaster Leadership Awards.
This year, our Form 11 pupils received offers from a variety of schools including: Blundell’s School, Bohunt, Charterhouse, Churcher’s College, Cranleigh, Godalming College, Guildford College, Peter Symonds, Reigate Grammar School, Royal Grammar School, Seaford College, St Edward’s Oxford and Stonar School.
The Leavers’ photo class of 2024 is also available to download in the parent section of our website under 2024 photos .
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Scholarship Awards were achieved by Form 11 pupils in the following subjects
FORM 11 (16+ SCHOLARS)
BLUNDELL’S SCHOOL
Headmasters Award – Joshua B
CHARTERHOUSE
Drama Scholarship – Katie M
Headmasters Leadership Award – Katie M
CHURCHER’S COLLEGE
Academic Scholarship – Darcy W
Academic Scholarship – Finlay T
Academic Scholarship – Leo DB
Music Scholarship – Finlay T
CRANLEIGH
Academic Scholarship – Archie D
SEAFORD COLLEGE
Drama Scholarship – Libby M
Sport Scholarship – Sienna I
LEAVERS DINNER
Form 11 celebrated the end of their exams and their time at St. Edmund’s with a Leavers Dinner at Frensham Ponds Hotel.
PREP BOOK REVIEWS
MY NAME: Charlotte T
MY CLASS: 7Am
TITLE OF THE BOOK:
Girl (in real life)
AUTHOR: Tamsin Winter
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BOOK
(A SHORT SUMMARY OF THE STORY): Eva has been famous since before she was born but she has had enough of her parents oversharing her life on the internet. Eva takes back control of her life. This book is about a girl growing up in the spotlight.
WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I couldn’t put this book down. You really felt what the character, Eva, was going through.
HOW MANY STARS WOULD YOU GIVE THIS BOOK:
MY NAME: Callum B
MY CLASS: 7Ad
TITLE OF THE BOOK: Escape The Rooms
AUTHOR: Stephen Mangan
GENRE: Greek & Roman Myths & Legends
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BOOK (A SHORT SUMMARY OF THE STORY): The book is about a girl who meets new people when her Dad sends her to a holiday camp.
She meets a group of people and has to escape from rooms. There are lots of challenges and levels. For example, one room is a chess game against a computer that always wins. They have to win the game and escape from the room before it catches fire.
WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I liked this book because there was lots of mystery and tension, you never knew what would happen next.
HOW MANY STARS WOULD YOU GIVE THIS BOOK:
MY NAME: Sophie B-J
MY CLASS: 5T
TITLE OF THE BOOK: Ghosts (Graphic Novel)
AUTHOR: Raina Telgemeier
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BOOK (A SHORT SUMMARY OF THE STORY):
The book is about 2 sisters who move house because the youngest one is unwell and has breathing problems. The move is to help with her illness. The new house has ghosts but one sister does not believe it until one day something happens...
WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: It is easy to read and has lots of picture. It is mythical but real at the same time because it covers real life issues.
HOW MANY STARS WOULD YOU GIVE THIS BOOK:
MY NAME: William N
MY CLASS: 5DE
TITLE OF THE BOOK: The Famous Five – Five are Together Again
AUTHOR: Enid Blyton
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BOOK
(A SHORT SUMMARY OF THE STORY):
It is about a famous scientist who has some very special blueprints. Some bad people threaten to kidnap the scientist’s daughter if they don’t get the blueprints. The scientists daughter joins the famous five on Kiren Island and they keep her safe.
WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I like this book as it is all about mystery and adventure. The Famous Five books always end really nicely, there is never a bad ending.
HOW MANY STARS WOULD YOU GIVE THIS BOOK:
MATHS SUBJECT FOCUS
Maths is definitely a marmite subject - love it or hate it! But at St. Edmund’s we love Maths (and sometimes marmite!) Our Form 7 and 8 pupils have been busy competing in the Junior UKMT Maths Challenge. This is a national challenge organised by Leeds University designed to promote mathematical thinking. The pupils have one hour to complete 25 multiple choice questions.
Our Maths Stars this term are Toby E and William K in Form 7 for the joint best scores in the year and Tommy B in Form 8 for the best score in the school.
Fancy having a go... Here is one of the questions!
Look at the back of The Arrow for the correct solution!
A palindromic number is a number that reads the same when the order of its digits is reversed. What is the difference between the largest and smallest five-digit palindromic numbers that are both multiples of 45?
We think you will agree these questions are definitely thought provoking and challenging.
Well done to all those pupils who participated - you did brilliantly.
If you are looking for something to interest and amuse on a rainy day, the Maths department can suggest www.parallel.org.uk This is a website run by Dr Simon Singh MBE. It is free and designed for mathematically curious children between the ages of 10 and 16. There are problems to interest children about the maths we find in the world around us. It contains everything from the Third Dimension and Beyond, to chess problems and solutions and to Chicken Nugget Numbers! Check it out to find our more and be inspired!
MUSIC UPDATE
END OF YEAR COMMUNITY CONCERT: A GRAND FINALE
CHAPEL CHOIR RECITAL
The Chapel Choir recital, held in the serene environment of St. Edmund’s Chapel, was a highlight for pupils from Form 5 to Form 8. The event was beautifully organised and provided an excellent platform for our young vocalists to shine. Alongside the Chapel Choir, we were treated to special solo performances that demonstrated individual talents and hard work. Additionally, performances from The Probationers choir added an extra layer of depth to the evening. The acoustics of the chapel, combined with the pure, angelic voices of our pupils, created a truly magical experience for all who attended.
Click here to view photos of our 2024 Chapel Choir
ABBA CONCERT: A TRIBUTE TO MUSICAL LEGENDS
The End of Year Community Concert was a fitting conclusion to a year rich in musical endeavours. This gala concert, which included participants from Form 1 to Form 11, was a celebration of the school year and a showcase of the diverse talents within our community. The concert featured a wide array of performances, from instrumental solos to choral arrangements, reflecting the broad musical education our pupils receive. It was a joyous occasion that brought together students, staff, and families to celebrate the achievements of the past year. The sense of community and shared accomplishment was evident as we enjoyed the final notes of the school year together.
The Abba Concert was a vibrant and energetic event that featured over 75 participants from Form 5 to Form 11. This concert was a fabulous celebration of ABBA’s musical heritage and brought together pupils, teachers, and families for a night of fun and nostalgia. The live band added an authentic touch, allowing the performers to fully immerse themselves in the timeless hits of ABBA. The enthusiasm and excitement of the performers were palpable, and it was clear that countless hours of rehearsal had paid off. This concert not only highlighted the pupils’ musical abilities but also their capacity for teamwork and showmanship.
Click here to see the full gallery
YOUNG MUSICIANS OF THE TERM
“Music has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I picked up the ukulele when I was just three years old, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, but I loved the feeling and rhythm of music and fancied myself as a bit of a Jack Johnson! Ever since then, I’ve been hooked.
When I joined St Ed’s in Form 3 music lessons became one of my highlights of the week. Carol concerts, singing in the chapel with my friends, - it felt special and made me feel happy. I joined the Pop Choir in Form 5, and I discovered a whole new world of singing. From Grade 1 to Grade 2, I’ve been working hard and recently earned a distinction in my Grade 1 Musical theatre singing exam. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’ve loved every minute of it.
Music is more than just a hobby for me - it’s a way to channel my energy - I have lots - but also, find peace. Whether I’m belting out tunes on stage as Mowgli in “Jungle Book”, singing a duet with Wednesday as Lucas in ‘’The Addams Family’’ or
playing the cornet in Mr. Lowe’s lessons, music is where I feel most alive.
I believe that music should be accessible to everyone because we all have our own strengths to share. From
singing in choirs to performing in musicals, I’ve seen firsthand how music can bring people together and lift our spirits.
As I continue on my musical journey, I’m excited to see where it takes me. Whether I’m on stage or in the practice room, one thing’s for sure, music will always be a big part of my life.”
SENIOR SCHOOL
MAGNUS LG TABITHA F PREP SCHOOL
“I have always loved music and spend most of my free moments listening to all kinds of music from reggae to synth and acid jazz to folk. I was so excited when my Granny offered to give me piano lessons. My Granny is a Mezzo-Soprano singer, and she plays the piano beautifully too. When we go to visit her in Devon, I love to watch her sitting at the piano playing her favourites Beethoven, Mozart and Debussy. I think all the early memories of music made me fall in love with the piano. Sometimes when I’ve had a hard day I can go to the piano and all the stress and worries seem to disappear. I find it easiest to learn music by ear but with Mr Cooke’s help I’m getting faster at sight reading. Whilst I love classical music I’ve become really into jazz and am having a lot of fun working my way through the Lala Land scores. I’m also teaching myself guitar and the ukelele. Chapel choir was brilliant in the prep school and now I have joined the Senior choir.
My favourite memory of music at St Ed’s was being a part of the Grease production – I enjoyed it so much and felt really sad when it was over. I’m so grateful for all the music we get to be a part of at school.”
SPORT UPDATE
As the Summer term unfolded at St. Edmund’s School, the school was abuzz with the sounds of cricket bats striking balls, athletes racing across fields, and the excitement of tennis matches. Here’s a glimpse into the sporting highlights of school: St. Edmund’s cricket teams have shown remarkable prowess this season, with both our junior and senior teams clinching victories in competitive fixtures. Under the guidance of our dedicated coaches, our young cricketers have honed their skills, showcasing exceptional teamwork and sportsmanship on the field. Highlights include ...
50 RUNS
Isaac B (Form 10)
Kyle G (Form 10)
Max D (Form 10)
Sophia W (Form 10)
Esme A (Form 8)
Bella C (Form 8)
Patrick M (Form 8)
Lauren F (Form 7)
FORMS 1 & 2
SWIMMING
Well done to the St. Ed’s pupils who took part in the Aquathlon at the Guildford Lido on 14 June . Cheered on by Miss Humfress, it was encouraging to see pupils who have participated in her Tri-Club this term taking part and having a go at this multisport (running and swimming) endurance event with each pupil finishing in the Top 10 in their age groups. Special mentions to Lily S (Form 7) who came 3rd and Beatrice MB (Form 7) who came 4th in their Tri-Star, as well as Clemmie S (Form 5) who came 2nd in her Tri-Star. For any other pupils keen to have a go, there is another Aquathlon taking place in August and pupils can sign up HERE
ATHLETICS
Our Forms 1 and 2 pupils had an incredible time in June at the Athletics Festival 2024!
This event was a great success, filled with exciting competitions and team spirit. From sprints to long jumps, every event was met with energy and determination. It was wonderful to see our young athletes giving their all and supporting each other throughout the day.
RECORDS
In the Waverly District Athletics meet at Charterhouse in May we had a number of pupils achieve outstanding performances and qualify to represent Surrey Schools in the next round:
William R (Form 9) – 200m
Sienna I (Form 11) – 3000m
Isabelle G (Form 8) – 1500m
Kyle G (Form 10) – High Jump
Our Prep School athletes were involved in the West Surrey Schools athletics at Guildford Spectrum in June. This was a high level, competitive event and St. Edmund’s had some truly exceptional performances.
William W (Form 8) 3rd in Javelin and Long Jump
Leo R (Form 8) 4th 75m hurdles
Max F (Form 8) 4th 1500m
Isabelle G (Form 8) 4th 1500m
Lily S (Form 7) 4th 1500m
Tennis enthusiasts at St. Edmund’s have been serving up some impressive performances on the court. With coaching tailored to individual skill levels, students have been refining their techniques and mastering the art of the game. From exhilarating singles matches to thrilling doubles showdowns, our tennis players have showcased their talent and determination throughout the term in a record number of tennis fixtures across the board.
It’s been yet another successful year for the Sports Leaders’ programme, boasting over 60 students from Form 10 who have completed the course and earned their qualification as sports leaders. The activity afternoon organised by the Form 10s for the Form 3 and 4 students was a delightful and thrilling experience enjoyed by everyone involved.
Another fantastic year unfolded for the staff versus parents Ryder Cup event. The intense match reached a thrilling climax, culminating in a playoff hole where the pressure proved too overwhelming for the staff, resulting in a victory for the parents.
As the Summer term draws to a close, we reflect on the achievements and memories created on the sports fields of St. Edmund’s. While trophies and medals serve as tangible symbols of success, the true essence of sport lies in the lessons learned, friendships forged, and the joy of participating. As we bid farewell to another term of sporting excellence, we eagerly anticipate the challenges and triumphs that await us in the seasons to come.
We hope you enjoy all of the sport that is on offer this summer, including Wimbledon, The Hundred and of course The Paris Olympics.
SPORTS TOUR EASTER 2024
JOIN JUDO CLUB AT ST. EDMUND’S
To experience Judo, you need to have a go, so why not come along to your school Judo club for a no-obligation trial lesson and join in with your school friends! You can be rest assured of a very warm welcome! Judo has the power to help educate, shape, and teach people. By including Judo as part your educational development, it will help instil values such as honesty, respect, and friendship as well as:
BUILDING PHYSICAL FITNESS, FLEXIBILITY, AND CO-ORDINATION
IMPROVING FOCUS AND CONCENTRATION
DEVELOPING POSITIVE ATTITUDES ABOUT SPORTS IN GENERAL
INCREASING SELF-ESTEEM, SELF-DISCIPLINE, SELF-RESPECT, AND COURTESY TOWARD OTHERS
BUILDING CHARACTER AND DEVELOPING SOCIAL AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS.
LESSON TIMES: FRIDAY’S
Form’s 3-4 ................ 09:50 - 10:50pm
Form’s 5-6 ................. 12:10 - 13:10pm
Form’s 7-8 .................. 11:10 - 12:10pm
LOWER PREP & PREP SPORTS DAY
Our annual Sports Days were a resounding success, with pupils from all year groups participating in a variety of events, from sprints to long jumps. The competitive spirit was palpable as students cheered on their peers and demonstrated their athletic abilities. Sports Day not only fosters a sense of camaraderie amongst pupils but also encourages a sense of pride and passion for sport. Well done to Martyr the winning division in the Prep School and Rose in the Senior School.
SENIOR SCHOOL SPORTS DAY
Forms
F9 GCSE SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Well done to our Form 9 drama pupils who performed a fantastic version of ‘Shakespeare in Love’ this term. A great finale to end the first year of their GCSE drama course.
gallery, Password: GOMEZ
ART UPDATE
ART
Pupils have been studying Sarah Graham and practising drawing and painting food packaging in the Lent and Summer term. The children took close up photos of packaging themselves, thinking about creating an interesting composition. They then recreated their photo using acrylic paints on canvas.
FORM 7
FORM 6
POP ART T SHIRTS
Our GCSE pupils exhibited their GCSE coursework at the Form 11 Art Exhibition to parents on 25 June.
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
FORM 9
Form 9 have been making sweet dispensers during their GCSE DT lessons this term.
FORM 11
FORM 10
Form 10 complete their ‘Mock’ GCSE coursework project this term. The brief was to design and make a posable lamp. The lamp part was made using our 3D printers while the bodies were made from wood. As you can see the classes have produced some high quality pieces of work.
INTERNAL CALENDAR EVENTS
GRANDPARENTS TEA PARTY
The sun shone for our annual Grandparents Tea Party for Reception to Form 4.
150TH DINNER & JAZZ
We celebrated our 150 years with a wonderful Dinner and Jazz night in June. The Dining Hall was transformed and guests ate a delicious meal while listening to the wonderful sounds from the ‘Jazzberries’.
HARRY POTTER THEME NIGHT
The children in Forms 3–7 enrolled in the St Ed’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardy for one night only at our Hogwarts Activity Evening. Each child was sorted into their school house by our very own Sorting Hat––aided of course by Profs. Roberts and Walliker––and was also gifted their own Marauder’s Map to navigate the corridors. The evening was spent racing to Hogwarts, playing Quidditch on the Top Field, enjoying a Potions class with Prof. Tuhill and Danes, and venturing into the Forbidden Forest in the search of Aragog’s web. It finished off in true St Ed’s style with a feast in our Great Hall. Thanks to all the children who came along and to all the staff who volunteered their time to help make the evening such a success.
150TH EVENT PUPIL CELEBRATION
On 24 May our Top Field was transformed for our 150 th Anniversary pupil celebrations!
GREAT ESCAPE PREP
GREAT ESCAPE SENIOR
PREP SPEECH DAY
SENIOR SPEECH DAY
LANGUAGES UPDATE
APRIL & MAY LINGUISTS OF THE MONTH
Florry B FORM 8
Isabella W FORM 8
Rory O’C FORM 6
Freddy P FORM 7
JUNE LINGUISTS OF THE MONTH
Forbes T (Form 7) FOR FRENCH
After a long week of class assessments, the languages department took different groups outside to play traditional French Boules! We believe it is so important to also learn the culture as well as the language. Pétanque is taken very seriously in France!
Isla L (Form 7) FOR SPANISH
FOOD TECH UPDATE BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE: WWI COOKING WORKSHOP FOR GCSE HISTORIANS
GCSE
A fantastic trip to @dunctonmill fishery for our GCSE Food Tech pupils to learn about aquaculture, sustainable fishing, fly fishing and how to gut a fish. Pupils returned to school with two rainbow trout to gut and fillet themselves in the food technology room. This was a fantastic experience and a wonderful way to enrich their ‘food provenance’ topic as part of their GCSE.
FORM 10
Form 10 learning about sustainable farming and the future of protein making crunchy critters. They sampled a variety of insects including locusts, meal worm, buffalo worms and crickets. They ground the crickets into flour which was used for high protein, high fibre carrot cake!
Our GCSE history pupils had the the unique opportunity to experience history hands-on in a World War I Cooking Workshop. At this immersive event pupils had the opportunity to cook authentic trench stew using Tommy cookers and sampled traditional ‘hard tac biscuits.’
Form 7 have learnt all about Roman cooking in a cross curricular classics and food project. They made olive relish, roman spelt bread, honey biscuits and libum (latin for cake!)
WORLD CUISINE
Form 5 have been on a culinary journey around the world in their ‘World Cuisine’ project.
They have made:
French fruit tarts – crème patisserie
Mushroom risotto – Italy
Rice and peas – Jamaica
Sauerkraut – Germany
Polish pancakes
Green salad - Greece
Mexican fajitas
Spring rolls – China
Potato cakes - Ukraine
Thai green curry
Vegetable tagine – Morocco
Pea and mint falafel – Egypt
STAR PUPILS
MYLA A & EVA A (FORM 5)
Haslemere Hockey team won the Hampshire IN2 tournament before Easter and qualified for the regionals in reading, where they came 3rd
SCARLETT B (FORM
6)
Congratulations to Scarlett who is has become a probationer in the Guildford Cathedral Girl’s choir.
OSCAR M & SEB A (FORM 8)
Attended a tournament at Warhammer World earlier this term. Oscar got 2nd place and an award for being the ‘most sporting’ while Seb came 9 th out of more than 40 players.
RILEY E (FORM 10)
HENRY B (FORM 8)
FREDDIE S (FORM 4)
Freddie is a keen fisherman. Here he is with a rainbow trout which he caught at Frensham Fisheries at the weekend. An impressive catch!
Henry B played in the U13s Surrey rugby waterfall cup final for Guildford at the end of April where they came 2nd out of the 58 teams in Surrey!
MIMI T (FORM 8)
Mimi T has reached an incredible 450-day streak on Duolingo Latin. She is working hard at it as she is taking GCSE Latin in Form 9.
Riley won a Highly Commended Award in a national competition organised by Noreland Nannies. The competition invited pupils in Year 10, 11, 12 or 13 with an interest in the early years to provide a response to the question ‘What do you think is the most important value to share with children and why?’ The response could be 500-word essay, a two-minute video, a photo slideshow or another creative response and Riley put together an amazing video!
ZACHARY D, MEMPHIS M & ROSIE L (FORM
7)
Zachary D, Memphis M and Rosie L are performing in a production of Matilda for the Haslemere Thespians – Next Generation. They all have a named part in the production and had to audition for the parts.
ELIŠKA H AND FREYA C (FORM 7)
Eliška H and Freya C competed in the Hilary Marston Choreography Competition in June and came first, winning the senior cup. Their dance was about being themselves and not conforming to the pressures of social media.
STAFF NEWS
MR WOODGER
Mr Woodger married Tula on 6 April 2024 at Warbook House. Many of the sports department were there to support him on his big day!
Mrs King from our Front Office took part in the ‘Mighty Hike’ on Saturday 8 June She walked for 26 miles (a marathon!) from Brighton to Eastbourne to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The Little Eds children and staff would like to say a very big Thank You to Tatiana Escobar Vargas for being such a huge help to us all in nursery for the last year. Tatiana has now completed her Level 2 in Early Years qualification placement with us. We will miss her very much!
3K AND 10K
Staff and pupils from St. Edmund’s took part in the Midhurst Milers 3K and 10K event on 5 May. Well done to all those who took part and especially Mrs Butchart from our sports department and our music teacher Mr Colwell
KIM RILEY
Kim Riley from our Nursery has always wanted to do a Skydive and this year she had her chance! All of the nursery children and staff think she is very brave!
Emma Chandler from our Academic Support department attended the Endure 24 in Reading where she had to run a 5-mile loop as many times as she could over 24 hours….she clocked up an impressive 50 miles!
Huge thankyou to our 20232024 Gap Year Students Callum, Jack, Natalia, Penny and Will for all your hard work and help over the past academic year. We wish you luck at your universities and move to London.
CHARITY
“Every penny raised helps us towards our goal of transforming the lives of families who are affected by autism and we are very grateful indeed for your help.”
Dogs for autism Laura McCreadie
Community Engagement Officer
& Volunteer Coordinator
This term Saturday activities have been a whirlwind of creativity and productivity at St Ed’s, as hundreds of products have been lovingly crafted by our dedicated volunteers.
The atmosphere has buzzed with excitement and camaraderie as students and staff work together to create beautiful bracelets, charming key rings, and delightful bath bombs, among other items. These handmade goods were then sold at the FOSE Family Fun Day, raising a whopping £444 for Dogs for Autism . Well done to the charity team!
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to our book drive. We had a huge selection of fiction and nonfiction books for all ages, which were sold at the FOSE Family Fun Day. Thank you also for all the items donated in the final fortnight of term for Liphook Food Bank- once again we were delighted by your generosity.
Here is an extract from a letter we received from the Liphook Food Bank :
“You have overwhelmed us with your kindness, your fundraising skills and the generosity of the St Ed’s team! We do appreciate that there are many other worthwhile local charities, so we are even more grateful that you have chosen us, on several occasions, to be the recipients of your efforts.
For your information, the number of our Food Bank clients continues to grow, and we are now supporting around 90 households a week…”
This year we are delighted to announce that we have donated the following sums of money, this includes collections at the end of concerts, our weekly stodge swap, the glow goods and sweets stall on Fireworks Night and Christmas Jumper Day:
Well, what a wonderful FOSE Family Fun Day!
The sun was shining, the air was full of children’s laughter and parents’ chatter and we saw the whole St. Ed’s Community come together.
Highlights included Soak the Teacher. Thank you, Mr Barnes and Mr Sikipa, for getting soaked! The children seemed to rather enjoy it!
The Tug of War saw the competitive streak come out of everyone, with children as young as 5 years old taking park in the Pupil v Pupil game, although we are sure some parents sneaked in on that one too.
Our sweets tombola was a roaring success and our craft area meant children and adults could get sparkly and glittery!
Our FOSE Bar, manned by volunteers sold out of Pimm’s! Luckily, we had the ingredients for Sangria so we didn’t have a riot on our hands!
The school charity tent was bustling, the amount of effort and work the pupils had put into creating the items for sale was truly amazing and a wonderful reflection of the kindness and compassion to support others that our children have.
The bouncy castle kindly sponsored by the Grayshott Surgery provided a lovely space for the smallest members of the community to have a bounce, whilst the adult’s inflatable take over provided lots of laughs, and minimal injury!
As always, these community events take a significant amount of planning and support to make happen.
Our heartfelt thanks to Jeremy and the Estates team, the staff and parents that volunteered to set up and man the stalls, the kitchen team for their support, Debbie Bevan, Joe Thomas-Moore and Beesha Howse for supporting Hels Gorrod and Lydia Murray as fantastic FOSE Event planners and the many who stayed behind to tidy up and take down the tents. For the first time ever, the majority of the top field was packed away on the day, meaning minimal clear up on Sunday morning for the tired FOSE team.
As we recover, we are already thinking about the events next term. We have the FOSE Back to School Disco on Friday 27 September, which with the partnership of staff and parents delivers a fantastic opportunity for the children to get together and make new friends. Due to the support and success of our 2nd hand uniform sales and the Family Fun Day, the event will be free to attend and enjoy.
The FOSE Bar will be supporting the St. Edmund’s Bonfire Night on Saturday 9 November, so expect to see some warming hot drinks and our fabulous draft IPA and Lager on tap.
We have also started planning for Christmas (Sorry!) In order to put on a Christmas event this year we need more volunteers to help with the planning and organising. If you can spare 30 minutes to come to a meeting, we run Zoom, offsite and onsite meetings at different times to ensure everyone has the opportunity to attend, it would be a shame to not have an event for the children to enjoy this Christmas.
If you have any feedback or suggestions regarding the Family Fun Day or future events then please come along to one of our committee meetings or coffee mornings next term. Alternatively, please send an email to Hels Gorrod on fosechair@saintedmunds.co.uk
FOSE Calendar Michaelmas 2025
FOSE were delighted to buy everyone an Ice Cream at the school’s 150th Year celebrations before half term!
With the school celebrating their 150th Anniversary this year, FOSE created a special edition 150th Year Celebration Hoodie. Thank you to the many of you who purchased a hoodie, it has been so lovely seeing people walking around wearing them!
OSE & LIFE AFTER ST. ED’S
ALICE STUTTAFORD OSE 2010
Senior Parliamentary Assistant to the Rt Hon
Sir
Iain Duncan Smith MP
PLEASE TELL US ABOUT THE TIME YOU SPENT AT ST. ED’S AND YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES.
I was the one of three girls – amongst the first group of girls to arrive at St. Ed’s. I have incredibly fond memories of Great Escape evenings and I absolutely loved the music and drama.
WHERE DID YOU CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION AFTER ST. ED’S?
I left St. Ed’s in 2010 to go to St. Mary’s Ascot and from there went to Edinburgh University to study Politics. In my final year, there were course modules devoted exclusively to Middle Eastern Politics. WHAT LED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT ROLE AS SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY ASSISTANT TO SIR IAIN DUCAN SMITH MP?
Following my degree, I was keen to pursue a career in Westminster. I wished to make a genuine contribution to a changing world, and I had always admired politicians’ ability to make a difference, not least to the lives of ordinary people but also in international affairs and to businesses. I had lucky break when I got my job with Sir Iain Duncan Smith, and I was fortunate to be promoted quickly to senior Parliamentary Assistant after the current incumbent left.
IS THERE ANY ADVICE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO OUR FORM 11 PUPILS LEAVING ST. EDMUND’S AND MOVING ON TO THE NEXT PART OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY?
DID ST. ED’S SHAPE YOUR LIFE IN ANY WAY?
Always follow your gut and dreams. Don’t be afraid to follow different routes even if it is not correct first time. Have confidence in yourself.
STAY CONNECTED
I feel enormously grateful for the opportunity I had to go to St. Ed’s. I came away with an inner confidence and a feeling that anything was possible. The teachers were inspiring and encouraged me to perform to the best of my potential.
