St Ed's The Arrow (SUMMER25) AW

SUMMER TERM 2025

A ROUND UP OF ACADEMIC AND PASTORAL NEWS EDUCATION FOR A LIFETIME

Parent

Breakfast Club

MICHAELMAS TERM 2025

Tuesday 4 November – Forms 9 to 11, Wednesday 12 November – Reception to From 4

Tuesday 25 November – Forms 5 to 8.

Start your day the right way!

Join us for our Parent Breakfast Club – a relaxed, friendly opportunity to enjoy coffee and pastries, catch up with other parents, and chat informally with school staff. It’s a warm and welcoming space to connect, share, and support one another as we begin the school day together.

We look forward to seeing you there!

FROM THE HEADMASTER

What a fantastic end to the academic year! The Summer term has been packed with memorable moments from the FOSE FEST Summer Fair and the Grandparents’ Tea Parties to our Father’s Day Breakfast and Hogwarts’ Night.

We held the Form 11 Leavers’ Dinner at the Lythe Hill Hotel and it was a privilege to celebrate the completion of their GCSEs. Many of those Senior pupils have been with us since their early days in Little Ed’s or Lower Prep and it has been a joy to watch their growth and development throughout their St. Edmund’s journey. I am enormously proud of each and every one of them – they have been a great cohort. As ever, they move on to a variety of destinations including Charterhouse and Churcher’s College as well as Godalming College and Bohunt. We send them off with our warmest wishes, confident that they leave us with solid foundations; academically, socially, and morally guided by our enduring “Education for a Lifetime” philosophy. I look forward to welcoming them back in August for GCSE Results Day as well as to the regular Old St. Edmund’s (OSE) network events in London and at school.

One of the standout moments this term was the recognition of our Drama and Performing Arts Department when our Les Misérables cast received four nominations at the National Schools Theatre Awards. We travelled on a June Monday to the Gillian Lynne theatre in Drury Lane where, after a day of technical and other rehearsals, our pupils enjoyed a red-carpet reception. The evening was nothing short of magical, and our pupils did us proud, not least in returning to full costume to perform “One Day More” to close the first half of the evening. Of course, our amazing drama is not confined to the Seniors and this term the Forms 3 & 4 production of Finding Nemo and Forms 5 & 6’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang were exceptional.

I was fortunate to be able to accompany the Chapel Choir on their tour to Sicily – another highlight. Memories were made on Mount Etna, the Greco-Roman theatre at Taormina, at concerts in amazing venues and, importantly, at various pizza and gelati outlets. As I wrote in the ArrowHead newsletter, it was a true privilege to witness their performances and camaraderie. It is exciting to see younger pupils now auditioning for the Chapel Choir and I look forward to hearing the new line-up in the Michaelmas term.

This year’s Prep and Senior Speech Days were wonderful opportunities to come together and celebrate the full breadth of pupil achievement – academic, artistic, sporting, cultural, and personal. Our guest speakers, OSE Charlie Bull (Pro Golfer) and Mr Richard Taylor (Deputy Head Prep Academic), inspired us all with their words as we acknowledged not only successes but also the dedication behind them. Our recognition of pupil achievement is not limited to formal occasions as our rewards system, celebratory lunches, Divisional end of term parties and, of course, the much-loved Headmaster Stodge (with everreducing amounts of sugar!), consistently acknowledge and encourage every child’s effort and growth.

This Summer term is also tinged with sadness as we prepare to say goodbye to Mr and Mrs Taylor, who have been pillars of the Prep School for over two decades. Their contribution to St. Edmund’s has been immeasurable and their legacy will be deeply felt. I hope you’ll enjoy reading more about their remarkable journey in the special feature within this edition.

Despite wider challenges facing the independent education sector, particularly around affordability, we end this year in a very strong position. With over 600 pupils on roll, both now and next term, our community is thriving and we will continue to pursue a quality and value agenda for our pupils and parents. So many new families join us following your kind recommendations and I am very grateful to you for your support. In terms of new developments, we are currently working on planning applications for a large multipurpose astro sports pitch on the Carna field and a new two-storey classroom building to house Art and Design Technology. We intend to submit later this summer. You may have noticed that contractors are already in preparing to consign our gravel areas to dust and replace with block paviors – hooray! The main car park outside the School Office (what we used to call the Match Day Car Park) will also be upgraded to a tarmac surface.

So a busy summer beckons and I wish you all a restful and joyful break with the family. Emma and I look forward to welcoming you back in September for the Michaelmas term when the adventure starts again – hold on to your hats!

Adam Walliker, Headmaster

NEWS FROM EYFS

NURSERY AND RECEPTION

FABULOUS EYFS SPORTS DAY!

See more Photos in the gallery

What a fantastic sports afternoon we had with our Nursery and Reception children! From hobby horse races to teddy bear relays, fancy dress fun, obstacle courses, and the classic egg and spoon race. Our little stars gave it their all, showing brilliant determination, teamwork, and the biggest smiles!

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.

MILL FARM VISIT SCHOOL

Children in Nursery - Form 2 enjoyed a super visit from mill Cottage Farm. We met all our favourite animals and enjoyed looking after them. Our favourites were the goats and pigs!

PAINSHILL PARK

We had a lovely 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

We bade our Nursery leavers a fond farewell at the Nursery 2 graduation. It was really lovely to be joined by so many parents for the celebration on the day. We wish all of our school starters the best of luck for the future – you are all superstars!

VISIT FROM MR BAKER THE DENTIST

We had a special visit at nursery from Mr Baker, who is Humphrey’s dad and a dentist. He taught the children how to brush their teeth properly and explained which foods are good and bad for our teeth. The children also learned what to expect during a visit to the dentist. A big thank you to Mr Baker for taking the time to come in and share his knowledge with us!

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.

NURSERY HUNTINGTON HOUSE VISIT

Towards the end of term, our Nursery children enjoyed a wonderful visit to Huntington House, a local care home. The pupils had a fantastic time exploring the beautiful grounds, meeting the friendly horses, and taking part in fun games and activities. It was a joyful outing filled with smiles, laughter, and special moments shared with the residents.

STEP UP TO RECEPTION TEA

We recently hosted a relaxed afternoon of play and tea for our new Reception starters. The event, held towards the end of term, is part of our effort to ensure a smooth and happy transition into school life at St. Edmund’s. It was wonderful to meet so many new families, some children were even proudly wearing their new Reception uniforms already!

See more Photos in the gallery

NEWS FROM THE LOWER PREP

RECEPTION TO FORM 2

SHOWCASE

Reception to Form 2 put on a fantastic end-of-term showcase for their parents. Each year group delighted the audience with a dance routine choreographed by the wonderful Miss Michelle. It was a joy to see the results of their hard work in dance lessons come to life on stage.

The children also recited poems, sang songs, and impressed everyone with some exceptional solo performances from our talented young musicians. A special congratulations to Anjola S. for her outstanding piano recital—truly a highlight of the show!

Well done to all the children for such a brilliant performance!

You can view them on our website here by clicking on each of the individual subjects

FORM 3

Form 3 spent time outdoors this term, connecting with nature and creating beautiful bark rubbings in our school woods as part of their LOTC (Learning Outside The Classroom). The children love exploring the natural world around them.

FORM 3 VISIT BUTSER FARM

After a brief minibus journey down the A3, Form 3 arrived at Butser Ancient Farm ready for their Iron Age adventure. Prior to the journey, Mr Church had made suitable offerings to the Celtic Gods, which ensured that the weather remained sunny and dry for the whole day!

Our Butser guide was Tanya, who managed to bring enthusiasm and energy to the topic of the Iron Age. During the day, Form 3 were able to experience Celtic life through a number of engaging activities, which were as follows:

• Creating Celtic artworks by carving chalk with sharp pieces of flint.

• Exploring a recreated Celtic home and handling the artefacts within.

• Building a wattle fence by weaving hazel branches together.

• Making a ‘Celtic concrete’ mixture called clunch, which was then used to build a wall.

• Participating in an archaeological dig, where the children made all sorts of amazing discoveries.

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 and activities.

ALLISS BUILDING BOOK DONATIONS

Each year, the children in Form 4 like to donate a book to the Alliss Building to mark their progression from the Lower School and to encourage and inspire future readers.

FORM 1 VISIT COULTERSHAW HERITAGE SITE

Form 1 had a fabulous, action-packed day at Coultershaw Heritage Site in the last week of term. 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, 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.

We’re excited to let you know that from next term, St Edmund’s will begin introducing elements of the Harmony Project curriculum across the primary years. Rooted in the principles of sustainability, environmental awareness, and deep thinking, the Harmony curriculum offers children a rich and meaningful way to explore the world around them—through questions that matter.

At its heart, Harmony is about understanding the natural world and our place within it. Through carefully crafted projects and cross-curricular learning, pupils will explore big ideas such as climate change, biodiversity, and how we can live more sustainably. It’s a curriculum that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and care—empowering children to see the connections between subjects and to develop the knowledge and values they’ll need for the future.

Exactly how this will unfold across the school is part of the exciting journey ahead—but rest assured, the seeds have been planted and the first shoots of change are beginning to grow.

We look forward to sharing more next term and inviting you to join us on this important and inspiring new chapter.

ALL ABOARD FOR FORM 2 AS THEY VISIT THE WATERCRESS LINE

Form 2 visited Ropley Station on the Watercress Line for an Evacuee Experience workshop., dressed in World War II costumes. A super day was had by all.

FLAT ED SUMMER ADVENTURE

PROJECT RECEPTION TO FORM 3

Before the summer holidays, pupils will have received a Flat Ed template to take home. The idea? Take Flat Ed along on your summer adventures! Whether you’re exploring a new city, enjoying the seaside, or just spending time in the garden—bring Flat Ed with you, snap a photo, and send it to: summeradventure@saintedmunds.co.uk

In September, we’ll share all the places Flat Ed has visited— including those from teachers! It will be a fun and engaging way to start the new school year, with plenty of stories to share after the long summer holiday.

NEWS FROM THE PREP

DECLAMATION

Our annual Declamation competition is one part of the public speaking programme that we run at St. Ed’s; which also includes poetry recitation and debating.

During Declamation finalists from Forms 3 to 8 delivered a previously written speech from a book of their choice in order to convey its message with clarity, emotion, and persuasiveness. The goal is not to simply recite the text, but to engage the audience through delivery and interpretation.

2025 DECLAMATION WINNERS FORMS 3 TO 6:

Form 3: Hugo U

Form 4: Sophia M

Form 5: Charlie M

Form 6 & Overall Winners: William N and Sophie U

2025 DECLAMATION WINNERS FORMS 7 TO 8:

Form 7 & Overall Winner: Harry B

Form 8: Freya C

WHAT BETTER WAY TO BRING GEOGRAPHY TO LIFE THAN WITH BISCUITS!

Our Form 5 pupils had great fun this term building edible models of Stonehenge to celebrate the end of their ‘Amazing Places’ topic! This hands-on, collaborative activity was a brilliant way to turn their visual learning into something creative and tangible.

Throughout the topic, they’ve explored awe-inspiring locations like Yellowstone National Park and the Northern Lights.

FORM 6 TRIP TO LITTLE CANADA

Form 6 had a fabulous time at Little Canada activity Centre, on the Isle of Wight in May . This was the first Residential trip for our Form 6’s and the weather was glorious for them!

Highlights of the trip included the giant swing, sea kayaking, archery, zip line, climbing, sleeping in cabins with their friends and the campfire.

JUNIOR DUKE

We are incredibly proud of our Form 5 pupils who received their Junior Duke Gold Awards at the end of term. This award recognises the hard work and dedication they’ve shown across a range of practical life skills—from bike repairs and swimming challenges to community service, including helping at church coffee mornings and learning to cook.

Form 6 pupils who completed the next level were also awarded their Platinum Junior Duke Awards. The Junior Duke programme continues to be a fantastic opportunity for our students to grow in confidence, independence, and resilience.

See more Photos in the gallery

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.

FORM 6 TRIP TO HARRY POTTER WORLD

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 Ed’s students. Well done Form 6 - you made us proud.

FORM 5 STEP BACK IN TIME AT HAMPTON COURT PALACE

On Thursday, 12 June, Form 5 enjoyed an exciting and educational trip to Hampton Court Palace, following in the footsteps of King Henry VIII.

The day began with a hands-on workshop, where pupils examined fascinating artefacts from the time of the Tudors. They explored the palace kitchens, learning all about the feasts Henry VIII loved—and the foods which were eaten at that time.

Form 5 also had time to discover more of the palace’s rich history. Highlights included the magnificent Great Hall, the Chapel Royal, and the eerie ‘Haunted Gallery’, all of which captured the children’s imaginations. Despite the rather wet weather, we also had time to let off some steam in the palace gardens.

Throughout the visit, pupils impressed the guides at the palace with their curiosity and knowledge, asking thoughtful questions and making insightful observations. It was a fantastic day that brought history to life and deepened their understanding of the Tudor period.

FORM 8 MARKING THE END OF PREP!

Now firmly part of our Prep School experience, the PSB in Form 8 has given pupils a fantastic way to learn—not just in the classroom, but in how they grow as young people, ready for the next stage of their education.

This year, our Form 8 pupils have been busy learning across a full range of subjects, and instead of preparing for big end-of-year exams, they’ve been building up a strong body of work throughout the year. Teachers have been assessing their progress through classwork, small tests, projects, and presentations. This has helped pupils to stay focused, develop good study habits, and feel more confident in their learning—without the pressure of one big test at the end.

One of the best parts of the PSB is that it doesn’t just focus on what pupils know, but also on how they learn.

Our pupils have worked hard this year on skills like teamwork, communication, independence, and resilience. These are things that matter in school and in life, and it’s been wonderful to see how much they’ve grown in these areas. At the end of Form 8, every pupil received a PSB Certificate that recognises all their achievements—both academic and personal. It’s a great way to mark everything

they’ve accomplished during their final year in our Prep School. Our Form 8s also took part in our post-PSB enrichment programme. This includes our much-loved residential trip to Letton Hall, where pupils enjoyed time together, taking part in outdoor challenges and making some lasting memories. Pupils also undertook digital skills training to help prepare them for the online learning tools and platforms they’ll be using more often in the Senior School as well as learning essential water life-saving skills.

We’re so proud of all that Form 8 has achieved this year. They’ve shown maturity, positivity, and a great attitude throughout—and they’re more than ready for the next step.

You can read more about it on our website here

DIGITAL LEARNING

PREPARING FOR THE SENIOR SCHOOL

During the Lent term of 2025, Form 8 pupils embarked on the first phase of their digital learning journey. They were introduced to Microsoft Outlook, where they learned to use key features such as the calendar, inbox rules, email signatures, automatic replies, and the fundamentals of email etiquette.

Later in the Summer term, Form 8 pupils took part in an intensive week of digital skills training. This next step prepared them for the transition into Form 9 and the use of Microsoft Surface devices.

Over twelve one-hour sessions, students explored Microsoft Teams, how to access and submit assignments, and became familiar with a range of Microsoft Office 365 applications available through their school accounts.

The Form 8s completed their PSB assessments in the week after half term. Having done so, their sights started to shift to looking ahead to September. With that in mind Form 8 spent time on the devices they will be using in the Senior School learning about how to use them to make presentations, receive assignments and use them to help them generate high quality coursework

at GCSE level. Outside of that they undertook activities such as lifesaving and team building activities such as the paper tower challenge to help broaden their horizons. At the end of the week Dr Walliker enjoyed handing out their PSB certificates and celebrating their many fantastic result with them.

In addition to software training, students were introduced to their new ‘EnglishType’ accounts to practise and enhance their touch-typing skills. They also engaged in a variety of hands-on projects designed to strengthen their IT and digital literacy. This includes using digital inking and how to use digital Class Notebooks effectively.

To round off their learning, students worked collaboratively on an exciting group project. Each team created a PowerPoint presentation on The History of St. Edmund’s —and added a fun twist by imagining what they would do if they were Headmaster!

LETTON HALL TRIP

The annual trip to Letton Hall provided further opportunity for Form 8 to celebrate the completion of their time in the Prep School. A great week away saw them undertake activities such as climbing, Go-Ape, karting and stand up paddle boarding all while based a lovely 18 th century Georgian Hall. Other highlights included the evening football matches and the receiving of the Form 8 awards. A great way to celebrate our fabulous Form 8s!

NEWS FROM THE THE SENIOR SCHOOL

SENIOR ACADEMIC SIMON HYETT, DEPUTY HEAD

The Leavers’ photo class of 2025 is also available to download in the parent section of our website under 2025 photos.

While the weather has been variable one thing that is consistent in the summer is that everyone is busy. Exams, trips, exhibitions, performances, sports days, Leaving Dinners and it all happens in what feels like a very short space of time.

FORM 10

Form 10 have a lot crammed in now so they can have a clear run in Form 11. Some pupils went off to their now annual visit to Duncton Mill for some ‘pond to plate’ fishing as part of their Food Technology course. They learnt all about aquaculture and how to catch a fish, some more successfully than others, before learning how to gut and fillet.

Mrs Drummond’s Form 10 Classics pupils have been whisked away for a day at the British Museum. The museum is home to one of the truly great collections including some of the Parthenon sculptures and every year it proves itself an invaluable day. Improving pupil learning and understanding of the subject while bringing it to life.

Form 10 Geographers have been completing their field work at Slapton Sands during their residential. Practical geography is a core part of the course and there is no better way to learn about the skills necessary than trying to utilise them in the field.

FORM 9

Form 9 had a fantastic time at the STEM afternoon. Parents, OSE guests and friends of St Ed’s spent the afternoon talking to Form 9 about a wide variety of careers built on scientific skills. It is an inspirational event that broadens the horizons of many pupils, science and engineering is so much more than just the classroom. My thanks to Mrs Newton for all her work on this.

Form 9 drama students put on a wonderful evening performance of Invisible Friends. Normally students perform a few scenes at this stage of the course but this year they put on a play in record time, not because they had to, but because they wanted too.

Form 8 options have now been collected and processed as they become the largest year group in the history of the Senior School.

Despite this, with some bespoke timetabling we look set to provide every pupil with their ideal choices.

Classics, Food Technology and History sit as the three most popular choices this year but even taking into the account the size of the year group, Music sits at record numbers.

Both the median and mean average class size for the year group is set to be 13 pupils as despite all our growth we continue to believe that small classes benefits all students.

The Senior Art Exhibition is a great event that showcases the best work produced by Form 11 each year. This year was another excellent display. I hope the inspiration on offer guides our future artists in lower year groups.

Despite all the above this term is defined by the public examinations in Form 10 and Form 11. This term we moved two IT suites to great an exam area that included the Exams and Senior offices, the Jubilee Hall, two large IT suites and a series of separate invigilation. With excellent computer facilities, air conditioning and a capacity of over 100 pupils it allows us to meet the needs of pupils to allow them to achieve the highest possible grades. My huge thanks to all the staff who put this in place over the Easter holidays. The running of exams is inspected every year by JCQ and their glowing feedback this year is a testament to the hard work put in.

SENIOR PASTORAL JESS WEETMAN, DEPUTY HEAD

The goal of our pastoral care programme is to help our pupils feel supported and like they belong. Our goal is to foster not only academic excellence but also personal development, resilience, and responsibility through a variety of initiatives, and I am proud of our senior pupils’ efforts this term. The summer term has been buzzing with activity, achievement, and some absolutely brilliant weather! With the sunshine on our side, everyone has been soaking up the outdoors, diving into new learning adventures, and savouring those all important community moments.

ROAD SAFETY EVENT

At our annual Road Safety Event, Form 9 students took the lead in teaching Reception, Form 1, and Form 2 pupils the importance of staying safe while crossing the road.

This heartwarming Friday Activity tradition demonstrates the creativity, kindness and care of our Senior students, who always find engaging and thoughtful ways to pass on these vital messages to their younger peers.

PEER MENTORING EVENT

As the Summer term continues to be filled with activity and achievement, we are also looking ahead to the next academic year. One particularly meaningful initiative is our Peer Mentoring Programme, through which our current Form 9 pupils support and guide Form 8 pupils as they prepare for the transition into the senior school. This opportunity allows our older students to offer wisdom, reassurance and encouragement, helping to ease any uncertainties and foster a sense of connection. The atmosphere is always positive, with moments of laughter and shared experiences that strengthen our school community.

SENIOR STEP UP DAY

Along these lines, we also held our Senior Step-Up Day – a valuable opportunity for Form 8 pupils to experience a little of what awaits them next year. The day included an entertaining and unforgettable talk delivered by Mr Hyett and myself, a guided tour of the Village, delicious bacon sandwiches and engaging team building activities. It undoubtedly provided an insight into the vibrant atmosphere, strong sense of community and exciting opportunities that await in the Senior school.

CHARLIE’S PROMISE

Pupils in Forms 9–11 attended a powerful and thoughtprovoking talk during Activities on Friday 25 April, delivered by Martin Cosser from the charity Charlie’s Promise. This session explored the story of a local boy, Charlie - Martin’s son - whose life was

taken in a knife attack. Through sharing this deeply personal story, Mr Cosser highlighted the real-life consequences of knife crime, it’s impact on families and communities, and what young people can do if they encounter someone carrying a knife.

The talk was informative and eye-opening, but presented in a way that was sensitive and supportive - not frightening. It aims to educate and empower pupils with practical advice, awareness, and empathy. To learn more about the charity and its mission, you can visit: https://www.charliespromise.org/

GIRLS ON BOARD

We place a real priority on the happiness and well-being of our students. GIRLS ON BOARD is a key part of our approach to pastoral care and it aims to empower our girls with the tools they need to solve their own friendship issues.

F11’S LAST DAY BEFORE STUDY LEAVE

Form 11’s final day before study leave was filled with a mix of excitement and reflection. The day featured a memory making football match that brought everyone together, creating a great sense of fun and community spirit. After the game, students enjoyed signing each other’s shirts, sharing memories and camaraderie. It was a meaningful moment that marked the transition from classroom learning to focused revision, with the whole school wishing them every success.

I wish everyone a wonderful summer break — I am excited to see familiar faces back in September and look forward to hearing all about the successes and adventures our Form 11 pupils will be celebrating next!

Read about this initiative on our parents’ secure area

LEAVERS DINNER

The Leavers’ Dinner this year was held at the new and very lovely Lythe Hill, marking a joyous occasion for all. It was a special moment where we shifted from wishing our pupils success in their exams to celebrating and encouraging them in the exciting next steps of their futures.

See more Photos in the gallery. Password: LYTHE HILL

See more Photos on the website

ASSEMBLIES

FORM 8CR

8CR’s assembly was about the science around happy accidents; unplanned scientific discoveries which changed the world! Did you know that coca cola was originally created because a scientist in 1866 mixed a syrup (created as a medicine for headaches) with fizzy water? Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin by leaving mould overnight in a Petri dish in his lab in 1928 and the Kelloggs brothers left stale cooked wheat out for days which turned into Cornflakes!

FORM 2

Fantastic assembly by our Form 2s, where they recited word perfectly ‘A room on the broom’ by Julia Donaldson, as a rap.

FORM 8M

Form 8M discussed ‘changes and challenges’ in their assembly this term highlighting that we all face challenges no matter what our age. They reminded the audience to always be kind to one another as you never know what anyone is going through. Challenges in life need to be managed with balance and positive thinking – “sometimes it’s ok not to be ok”.

FORM 8DH

Form 8DH held their assembly during Mental Health Awareness Week and discussed the importance of raising awareness about mental health. This years chosen theme is ’community’; no-one living in the UK should be deprived of the opportunity for good mental health because of who they are, the community they come from or where they live.

FORM 3C

The core message of the Form 3C ‘Eco Warriors’ assembly was to highlight that the planet Earth has only so much that it can give and that we need to become more mindful custodians of our precious home.

However, saving the planet for future generations can be a daunting task! Luckily, the 3C ‘Eco Warriors’ were able to show some of their own ‘mini projects’ that they had implemented during the term. These projects ranged from seaside litter picks to building bird feeders and bug hotels. Hopefully, these projects gave the audience some practical steps to becoming ‘Eco Warriors’ as well!

You can view the video here

FORM 4T

For Mrs Taylor’s final assembly, the children told the story of the genius that is Roald Dahl. They performed the parts of people he met in his early life who became the inspiration for the well-known characters in his books such as Mrs Trunchbull. When Roald Dahl died did you know he had a Viking burial from his family and was buried with snooker cubes, red wine, HB pencils, a power saw (!) and of course....chocolate!

CELEBRATION ASSEMBLIES

As we wrapped up the Summer Term, alongside our Prep and Senior Speech Days, we held our end-ofterm Celebration Assemblies— an inspiring finale to a busy and successful year. These assemblies are a chance to recognise the incredible achievements of our pupils across a wide range of areas including sport, chess, public speaking, and citizenship.

We also marked significant milestones within our school community, celebrating dedicated members of staff who have been with us for 10, 20, and even 25 years—a testament to their commitment and passion.

Our heartfelt goodbyes went to those pupils leaving St Edmund’s, each receiving a special momento book to commemorate their time here. We also extended our sincere thanks to our wonderful Gap Year students, whose energy and support throughout the year made a real difference. As Dr Walliker shared, our ‘gappies’ are a vital part of school life, often bridging the gap between students and staff with their fresh perspective and enthusiasm.

To all our leavers, we wish you the very best in your next chapters—and remind you that you’ll always be part of the St Edmund’s family through our Old St Edmundians (OSE) network.

SUBJECT FOCUS ART

ALISON MILLER, HEAD OF ART

Are there any particular artists, styles, or movements the pupils are studying or being inspired by?

Pupils across the year groups study a range of artists within their lessons. For example, this term, F7 have been looking at the graphic paintings of Sarah Graham, whilst F6 have recently completed oil paintings of toys in the slightly sinister style of Margaret Morrison. An awareness of different art styles and techniques is vital for the development of creative work.

What kinds of materials and techniques will pupils be exploring this term?

This term, a huge variety of materials and techniques have been used. F5 have been using clay and also creating their own felt. F6 are using IT to develop and print their very own Pop Art inspired T-shirt ready for the summer holiday, whilst Year 8 are investigating the opportunities provided using ‘new ‘textiles’ as an art medium – exploring how heat can be used to manipulate the surface of man-made textiles. As can be expected, the GCSE students explore a wide range of media and then develop final responses according to their preferred techniques.

How does the art programme support creativity and self-expression across different year groups?

The Art curriculum at St. Edmund’s is carefully planned to ensure that across all year groups, pupils have the opportunity to develop both 2d and 3d skills each year, developing skills in drawing, painting, textiles, sculpture, IT research and artist analysis. This ensures that during the year, there are projects to excite everyone, whilst also developing core skills needed to progress in Art.

Are there any upcoming art projects, exhibitions, or collaborations that the school community should look out for?

On Thursday 25th June, we have the GCSE Art exhibition which the St. Edmund’s community are warmly invited to. Next term there will of course be the divisional competitions and the Art department plan to enter more local and national competitions next academic year!

How do you encourage students who may not feel ‘naturally artistic’ to engage confidently with art?

As mentioned before, each year group create work using a range of media over the year. Although a child might feel that they struggle in one particular area, they hopefully will thrive using a different media in another terms project. Art is all about ‘having a go’ and enjoyment. At St. Edmund’s we celebrate this in the Art department and hope that everyone enjoys their time in the Art room regardless of whether they feel they are naturally artistic.

St. Edmund’s Form 11 GCSE Art Exhibition 2025 Wednesday 25th June 5.45 - 7.30pm in the Jubilee Hall

What has been a standout moment or piece of work from a student that really impressed you recently?

Form 8 really impressed me in the Lent term. The year group were studying the ceramics work of Courtney Mattison and despite being on rotation with a time constraint, managed to create some wonderful ceramics inspired by Coral. These can be seen on display outside the common room at the top of the main building. This project enabled a lot of students who found drawing and painting challenging, to show off their 3d ceramics skills.

How can parents support or extend their child’s interest in art at home?

It would be great if parents let their child create art at home, without worry of mess.

Lots of newspaper on the table is always a good idea! If children could experiment with using a range of art materials, and create both 2d and 3d work, that would be fantastic!

Art materials are also always a great idea for birthday and Christmas presents!

Visiting art galleries is a great experience. Look out for exhibitions at local galleries too. The Lightbox gallery in Woking often has some big-name artists work on exhibition and the Pallant House gallery in Chichester is also well worth a visit. Both galleries regularly host activities for families and children.

What do you hope students will take away from their experience in art this term?

I hope that every child will have enjoyed their Art lessons this term and will have developed even more confidence in their skills. Ultimately, Art should be fun and enjoyable.

BOOK CLUB

Our new whole school library in The George Bernard Shaw room has been a huge success, especially the open library sessions at morning break where pupils can choose and read a book in a quiet corner if they fancy a change from outside play. Here are some book reviews from pupils in Forms 3- 8. Why not choose one of the books, have a read over the Summer Holidays and see if you agree with their ratings!?

MY NAME: Briony D

MY CLASS: 7A

TITLE OF THE BOOK: Jennie

AUTHOR: Paul Gallico

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BOOK (A SHORT SUMMARY OF THE STORY): The book is about a boy who loves cats. One day he sadly gets run over by a car when he is crossing the road. He comes back to life as a cat. As a cat he has to learn how to fight, balance and use all his cat senses. He meets another cat called Jennie and they go on lots of adventures together. I will keep the last part of the book secret as there is a twist and I don’t want to ruin it for other readers.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: This book is a really heart felt story of how cats might think of the world differently to humans and how hard it can be to live life as a cat. It is about friendships turning into love and overcoming obstacles.

HOW MANY STARS WOULD YOU GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY NAME: Heather LG

MY CLASS: 3A

MY NAME: Zachary T

MY CLASS: 4R

TITLE OF THE BOOK: Nature Stories

AUTHOR: Enid Blyton

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BOOK (A SHORT SUMMARY OF THE STORY): This book has lots of short stories about Animals and people who can talk to animals. My favourite story is about a hedgehog and a boy who talks to him. The boy’s house is burgled some rings are stolen, the burglar hides them in the hedgehog’s nest. When the boy next talks to the hedgehog he pushed the rings out with his nose for the boy to find.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I like this book so much as I enjoy nature. I spend lots of time watching nature and birds. I would recommend this book because Enid Blyton has a great imagination and uses lovely words. I hope to read Animal Stories by Enid Blyton next.

HOW MANY STARS WOULD YOU GIVE THIS BOOK:

TITLE OF THE BOOK: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

AUTHOR: Original book was written by the Brothers Grimm

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BOOK (A SHORT SUMMARY OF THE STORY): Snow White’s stepmother has a magic mirror and she asks it ‘who is the fairest of them all’ every day. One day it replies Snow White and the stepmother is very angry and chases Snow White away. Snow White meets the dwarfs and they look after her and she looks after them. They live in a little cottage in the woods. There is a happy ending because Snow White marries the prince.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I like this book because its creative as all the dwarfs have different emotions like happy, grumpy. It shows we are not all perfect. This is a nice book for children. HOW MANY STARS WOULD YOU GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY NAME: Tobin P

MY CLASS: 3A

TITLE OF THE BOOK: Around the World

AUTHOR: National Geographic

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BOOK (A SHORT SUMMARY OF THE STORY):

This book is about lots of different countries and tells you facts and information about them. I have learnt a lot from this book. It has a fun magnifying glass quiz on many of the pages too.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: It is interesting to learn about other countries and they have other books in the series I would like to read.

HOW MANY STARS WOULD YOU GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY NAME: Wilfred T

MY CLASS: 3A

TITLE OF THE BOOK: Dirty Bertie

AUTHOR: Alan MacDonald

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BOOK (A SHORT SUMMARY OF THE STORY): Bella and Suzy are friends at school and Bertie is trying to annoy them by setting spooky traps and putting worms in the school salad. He is very naughty.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I like this book because it is very funny.

HOW MANY STARS WOULD YOU GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY NAME: Eva A

MY CLASS: 6PR

TITLE OF THE BOOK: Being Miss Nobody

AUTHOR: Tamsin Winter

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BOOK (A SHORT SUMMARY OF THE STORY): The story is about a girl called Rosalind who has SM so cannot speak. Rosalind wants to stand up to bullies so she creates a blog called Miss Nobody so all the nobodies can stand up for themselves.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: This book makes you relate to other people as sometimes people do want to speak up to bullies. It is very realistic, and I like the way Rosalind created a blog to be a voice for herself and other people who felt they were nobodies.

HOW MANY STARS WOULD YOU GIVE THIS BOOK:

CALENDAR EVENTS

VE DAY

This term we marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a special day of remembrance and celebration.

Our pupils from Forms 3 to 10 began the day with a thoughtful assembly, reflecting on the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for peace and freedom in 1945.

In true St Edmund’s tradition—just like in 1945 when pupils enjoyed two days off and a picnic on the South Downs—our pupils stepped back in time, dressing in WW2-style outfits, enjoying a themed VE Day lunch, digging for victory in the garden, and taking part in a variety of activities across the school.

It has been wonderful to see the pupils and staff alike make such a huge effort in celebrating what VE day means.

IT’S A KNOCKOUT

We wrapped up for the May half term with a bang! Pupils were treated to an unforgettable ‘It’s a Knock Out’ adventure, with inflatables taking over both the top and lower fields.

From ice creams to soaking up the sunshine with friends, it was an afternoon full of laughter, fun, and memories. It was fantastic to see so many of our Form 11’s take a well-deserved break from their GCSE exams and join in all the fun! Just another reason why St Edmund’s is #WhereMemoriesAreMade .

Interest in the Duke of Edinburgh Award at St Ed’s has reached an all-time high this term, with record numbers of pupils embracing the opportunity. Seventy-five Form 9 pupils—an impressive 97% of the year group—have signed up for their Bronze Award, while thirty Form 10 students have enrolled for Silver.

There continues to be a wide variety of activities chosen by pupils for each section of the award, ranging from martial arts as a skill to Geocaching as a physical activity. Special mention must go to a group of four pupils who have begun their volunteering at a Haslemere-based charity that provides inclusive sports, clubs, and leisure opportunities for children with disabilities and additional needs, along with their families and friends. Their contribution is a true testament to the values at the heart of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

joined by Dr Carlin, whose presence provided a welcome morale boost.

Earlier this term, our Form 10 Silver participants undertook their practice expedition in the beautiful Surrey Hills, demonstrating impressive commitment, teamwork, and resilience throughout. The journey began in Ewhurst, where the students spent the morning revisiting key skills from their Bronze Award—such

as first aid, map reading, and camp craft. They then hiked to Etherley Farm Campsite, where they set up camp for the night and were

The following morning, the groups set off bright and early, honing their navigation skills en route to Bentley Copse Campsite. Once there, they turned their focus to planning routes for their qualifying expedition, which will take place in the New Forest this September. Mr Amor joined the group on the second evening, bringing both encouragement and enthusiasm.

After another early start, the final day saw the students strike camp and complete a challenging 16km walk. Parents were a welcome sight on Sunday evening, as the teams returned with tired legs, full backpacks, and a real sense of achievement after three days and two nights of expedition life.

A special thank you to Dr Carlin who stepped in to lead the expedition.

A number of Form 11 Silver Duke of Edinburgh pupils also completed their final expedition in the New Forest over a wet weekend last September.

See more Photos in the gallery

HOGWARTS EVENING 2025

A charmed group of over one hundred witches and wizards were sifted into houses by the Sorting Hat before gathering for this year’s Hogwarts challenge.

In the Ministry of Magic Mailboxes encounter, honours went to a dazzling Ravenclaw team whilst Slytherin were described by Professor Roberts as ‘dire’. The Dragon Egg Gauntlet saw a distracted offering from Gryffindor whilst the intelligent and co-ordinated Hufflepuff were the clear winners to the applause of the three Professors Messina. The Quidditch matches paired Gryffindor against Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw against Slytherin. Although the Gryffindor and Slytherin teams put in fine Golden Snitch performances, the on-field quaffle and bludger successes of the chasers and beaters from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff placed those houses in the top two positions for the evening. After the usual deductions and adjustments for magical mischief, the eventual winners of the Goblet of Fire, by a small margin, were the team from Hufflepuff.

A celebratory feast was enjoyed by all and a warm tribute was paid to the two Professors Taylor on their impending retirement to conduct mystical botanical research in the West Country.

RUBEUS

HAGRID

See more Photos in the gallery

FAMILY

SKI TRIP

SKI SAUZE D' OULX EASTER 2025

We’re looking forward to our next pupil only ski trip in December 2025 to Les Orres, France

YOUNG MUSICIANS OF THE SUMMER TERM

PREP SCHOOL: LUCAS M (FORM 8)

Music plays a big part in my life, both in and outside of school. I started learning the piano aged 8 and last year, I switched to focus more on modern music which my teacher Mrs Kent has really supported me with. Recently I went outside my comfort zone to perform ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ at a school concert.

I like spending time listening to music from a range of genres from classic rock, R&B to jazz. I have been lucky to see some amazing performances live such as Faithless and Kasabian.

SENIOR

SCHOOL:

The musical side of my family and my teachers have helped me develop my piano skills and my understanding of musical composition. I enjoy learning jazz music and expanding my skills experimenting with different genres on the piano. I started to teach myself the guitar earlier this year and would love to learn the drums and saxophone in the future.

BELLA C (FORM 10)

I’ve always loved music and musicals. My parents have funny videos of me singing Frozen songs on a plastic keyboard and bashing away on my Granny’s piano while singing nursery rhymes before I knew what middle C was! I’ve been really lucky to go to a school that values music so much.

I remember being so excited to start learning piano in Form 2 at St Ed’s. We only had a keyboard at home then, but it felt amazing to play actual songs. Even though I didn’t mind performing at home, I used to feel shy playing in front of big audiences. One of the best things about St Ed’s is how they encourage everyone to perform, no matter their age or level. Even as beginners we were invited to play in concerts and it helped me get used to the nerves. Everyone feels equally important, whether you’re in prep school or senior school.

I think my first concert was when I was about 7. Playing the grand piano felt so special, and even though I was nervous, the applause made it all worth it. I’ve played in concerts every year since. However, it isn’t just the playing in a concert that is valuable. Growing up, listening to other pupils play all kinds of instruments and styles has made me appreciate how much work goes into music. When I was younger, I remember looking up to the older students and wanting to play like them. Now, I watch the younger ones just starting out and appreciate how far I’ve come and the fantastic opportunities St Ed’s has given me from such a young age.

When I reached Grade 5 on piano, I started learning guitar—first acoustic, then electric. I even saved up from my part-time job to buy my first electric guitar, and I’m now working towards Grade 3. Playing an instrument really shows you how practice pays off. It’s amazing when a piece that felt impossible at first suddenly clicks.

Last summer, I took my Grade 5 theory exam. It helped me understand the technical side of music and improved my sightreading. It was a bit like learning a new language, but the focus it taught me has helped in my other school subjects too.

Neither of my parents are musical (they’re both tone-deaf!) so they were really proud when I got into the Chapel Choir in Year 5. I loved wearing the robes and singing at St Ed’s and at St Luke’s Church in Grayshott. One of my favourite memories is going on the choir tour to Salzburg, where we sang in the church from The Sound of Music! I have also been part of the senior choirs and take singing lessons, which have really boosted my confidence and helped me perform solos and audition for school productions.

I’ve been in a St Ed’s show every year for the past 10 years and loved every minute of every show. Being in Les Misérables this year was definitely a highlight. When you’re working on a show, the cast starts to feel like a family. It’s something really special and I’m always sad when it’s over.

Now that I’m in Year 10, I know music will always be part of my life. St Ed’s has given me so many chances to grow as a musician, and I’m very grateful for all the support and encouragement I’ve had along the way from staff, friends and my family.

TAYLOR SWIFT

Our Taylor Swift concert held in June treated the audience to an exciting mix of Taylor Swift songs, performed by solo singers, our Show Choir and pupils who courageously took to the stage with our live professional band. The concert offered a fantastic opportunity to showcase contemporary pieces in a relaxed atmosphere that truly captured ‘Swift Spirit’!

A heartfelt thank you goes to Mrs Tuhill, Mrs Drinkwater, and the excellent students of the Food Technology Department, who created Taylor Swift-themed sweet surprises for our guests to enjoy

CHAPEL CHOIR TOUR TO SICILY!

Made up of talented pupils from across the school, including our Head Choristers and Choir Scholars, the Chapel Choir brings exceptional musical leadership and passion.

During their trip to Sicily in May, our Chapel Choir repertoire included traditional hymns to contemporary sacred music.

SUMMER MUSIC GALA ST LUKE’S CHURCH

The Summer Gala Concert was a vibrant celebration of musical talent with pupils from Forms 3 to 11 in a diverse and uplifting programme. Showcasing the breadth of the school’s musical life, the evening included impressive solo performances, our brass band, and captivating choral contributions from both The Probationers Choir and the Chapel Choir. The soloists displayed remarkable confidence and musicality, while the ensembles brought energy and cohesion to a varied repertoire. The Probationers sang with enthusiasm, demonstrating the strong foundations of choral training, and the Chapel Choir provided a polished and expressive performance to conclude the evening. The concert was a wonderful end to the academic year, reflecting the dedication of the pupils and the richness of our school’s music-making.

DRAMA UPDATE

LES MISÉRABLES CAST SHINE AT NATIONAL SCHOOL THEATRE AWARDS

On Monday 23 June, our talented Les Misérables cast had the incredible honour of performing at the prestigious National School Theatre Awards, held at the iconic Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End. From walking the red carpet to performing in the heart of the UK’s theatre scene, it was an unforgettable experience that truly celebrated the hard work, passion, and talent of our pupils. We are immensely proud of the entire cast— what a phenomenal achievement and a memory to treasure forever! Our Head of Drama, Mr Darrington commented ““The pupils delivered an outstanding performance that was powerful and moving; I was proud of each and every one of them”.

START OF THE FORM 9 GCSE DRAMA JOURNEY

Our Form 9 GCSE Drama pupils performed the play ‘Invisible Friends’ by Ala Ayckbourn this term. The moral of this cautionary tale was carefully spelt out to the audience; sometimes when you get what you think you want, it’s not always what you wanted!

FINDING NEMO JR. MAKES A SPLASH ON STAGE

Our Form 3 and 4 pupils performed spectacular performances this term.

FORM 7 & 8 SHOWCASE

Performing Arts Club pupils showcased their acting skills by performing extracts from plays such as Johnny and the Bomb by Terry Pratchett and Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian.

BRINGING MAGIC TO THE STAGE!

Form 5 and 6 pupils dazzled audiences with their incredible performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, this term turning the beloved story into a vibrant, high-energy stage sensation. The incredible set with a real Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car, amazing choreography, and acting brought the whimsical world of flying cars and fantastic adventures to life.

Congratulations to everyone involved for creating such a memorable and magical production.

See more Photos in the gallery

NEW PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCEMENT!!

The Performing Arts Team are delighted to announce the following productions planned for the forthcoming academic year.

MICHAELMAS TERM 2025: ELF JR.

THE MUSICAL (FORM 7 & 8)

LENT TERM 2026: WEST SIDE STORY (FORM 9-11)

LAMDA

MRS BELL & MRS DARRINGTON

SUMMER 2025

It has been a fantastic term for the LAMDA department at St. Edmund’s as we celebrated a year of dedication and progress during our LAMDA Exam Weekend on the 14 and 15 June. Over the course of the two days, more than 70 pupils took part in a wide range of examinations, including Acting, Speaking of Verse and Prose, and Devising Drama. The examiners created a warm and encouraging environment, helping students to shine in what can often be a nerve-wracking experience. Pupils from across the school took part, from our enthusiastic Form 3’s reciting poems, right through to two of our dedicated Form 11’s undertaking their Bronze Medal exam. We are incredibly proud of all our LAMDA students and their outstanding performances. A huge well done to all the students for their hard work!

Find out more about LAMDA at St. Edmund’s in our new film

SPORT UPDATE

CRICKET

This year has been a highly successful cricket season across both the Prep and Senior schools. At the Senior level, we fielded six hardball teams across the girls’ and boys’ programmes, showcasing depth and enthusiasm throughout the squads. The teams also competed in County Cup competitions, where we performed strongly and were unfortunate not to progress further.

In the Prep School, an impressive twelve hardball teams were in action, reflecting the growing strength and participation at the junior level. Several of these teams enjoyed outstanding seasons, demonstrating excellent skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

A shout out to our girls 4th team who finished the season on a high winning their last match convincingly with a fine display of batting and fielding. All girls who have played in this team have improved hugely in all areas of their play and should be very proud of the positive attitude and effort displayed throughout. Overall, it has been a season to be proud of, with both performance and participation on the rise across all age groups.

TENNIS FORM 8 ROUNDERS WITH PARENTS

This term has seen a surge of interest in tennis among Senior pupils, with courts regularly in use during break and lunchtimes. It has been fantastic to witness so many pupils actively enjoying the sport in a relaxed and social setting.

The introduction of Pickleball has been a particularly positive addition, making racket sports more accessible and inclusive for a wider range of pupils. The enthusiasm and engagement across the student body have been a highlight of the term.

The parents claimed victory this year in a friendly rounders match against their Form 8 children, held as part of the end-of-Prep-School celebrations .

ATHLETICS

FORM 1 & 2

ATHLETICS FESTIVAL

To round off the term, our Form 1 and 2 students took part in a fun and lightly competitive athletics afternoon with Frensham Heights and Ditcham Park. A fantastic experience for all — and a great taster of the competitive fixtures to come for our Form 2s as they gear up for matches in the Michaelmas Term!

WAVERLEY SCHOOL ATHLETICS TRIALS

The Waverley Schools Athletics Trials took place on 6th May at Charterhouse. Pupils from Forms 8-11 participated in track and field events including sprinting, long distance, hurdles, high jump, long jump and javelin.

These trials took place as part of a qualifying event and those selected will represent Surrey at the County Championships on Saturday 14 June in Kingston. It was wonderful to see the children so focused on their events and some willing to compete in more than one event. The standard was very high and our athletes did really well, especially our Form 8s who had to compete against Form 9s; in athletics this is how the age groups work!

Athletes in Forms 5 to 8 competed at the Prestigious Tonbridge Athletics in Kent this term going head to head with top independent schools. In a unique twist, boys and girls competed together in all events – and our athletes rose brilliantly to the challenge.

Despite fierce competition at this invitation only event, we finished 7th out of 14 schools showing incredible determination and team spirit.

There were so many notable performances across the day and many pupils gained PBs but special mentions should go to the following:

Rosie L (Form 8) – 1st in 800m

Lily S (Form 8) – 1st in 1500m

Digby S (Form 8) 1st in 200m

Alice W (Form 5) – 1st in 80m

Millie G (Form 8) – 2nd in 100m

Ralph G (Form 8) – 2nd in 300m

Charisa M (Form 8) – 2nd in hurdles

Despite fierce competition at this invitation only event, we finished 7th out of 14 schools showing incredible determination and team spirit.

STAFF V. PARENTS RYDER CUP

The Staff v Parents Ryder Cup Day this term was enjoyed by everyone, although the Staff were unfortunately outplayed by the Parents once again! Highlights of the day included impressive eagles on the 12th hole by Mike Gowar and Russell Howe.

IAPS JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS

St. Edmund’s School pupils entered the IAPS Judo Championships this term. Hosted in partnership with British Judo and Core Judo Coaching and held at the Bishopsgate School in Egham, around 340 Judoka from 32 Prep Schools took part.

The competition was split over two days, with the girls competing on the Saturday and the boys split into various groups staggered across the Sunday. Each session started with a mass warm up with all the participants from each group, followed by a short demonstration on rules and procedures before the action kicked off.

The level of competition was fierce and the standard of Judo on display was very high. Many pupils were experiencing competition for the first time and in doing so made the following results even more impressive.

Jacques dT (F6) Bronze Louie O’R (F7) Bronze

LOWER PREP AND PREP

SPORTS DAY

See more Photos on the website

See more Photos on the website

DT UPDATE

Form 4 pupils made the most of the sunny weather this term during their art lessons painting landscapes of our school grounds.

F5 GLAZING FISH

GCSE Art Exhibition took place in June to showcase the talents of our GCSE Art pupils

Form 3 and 4 Art Club have also taken their creativity outdoors. They explored tertiary colours and have been working on a vibrant group project:, a collage titled “Tertiary Peacock.”

Form 5 have been making a multifunctional drum in DT this term. Thery created a design in their ICT lessons with Mr Batten and used laser cutters to etch their patterns onto the lids of their drum.

St. Edmund’s Form 11 GCSE Art Exhibition 2025 Wednesday 25th June 5.45 - 7.30pm in the Jubilee Hall

FORM 9

Form 9 have completed a range of sweet dispensing machines. They were carefully tested with skittles to check that they worked. Many of then incorporating complex and detailed parts that were made using the department’s 3D printers. Here are three of the Form 9 projects and some of their CAD work used to print the parts.

FORM 6

Form 6 build their own robots. They developed a knowledge of simple circuits and mechanisms. Here you can see them testing their work in an epic robot battle.

ART UPDATE

The Summer term has again been a busy one in the Art department with a wealth of exciting projects being undertaken!

The Form 11’s have now finished their Art GCSE and concluded their studies with their Art exam at the start of May. They have worked exceptionally hard and produced some fantastic work. Sadly, we aren’t allowed to show you their work in print or online until after their exam results come out in August, but will definitely showcase their work in The Arrow newsletter in the Michaelmas term! Hopefully, some of you will have been able to visit their Art exhibition on the 25th June to see their work in person and will agree that the standard was very high. Well done to the Form 11 Artists!

The other GCSE groups in Forms 9 and 10 have also been busy, developing ideas for their final responses to their coursework projects. Coursework counts for 60% of the GCSE and so they have been experimenting and refining their ideas for this. There are some exciting plans, ranging from painting and drawing, through to textiles, ceramics and even glass work!

Form 8 spent the term experimenting with ‘new textiles’ such as Tyvek and Lutradur. Both manmade fabrics that can be dyed, painted and manipulated with heat. They absolutely loved this work and produced some great pieces as can be seen in the photos.

Form 7 have been painting circular shaped canvases with oils and acrylic paints, creating close up sections of food packaging. These will be displayed around school shortly.

Form 6 have thoroughly enjoyed designing and printing T-shirts inspired by Pop Art and their own popular objects. This is always a very successful project and the children are really looking forward to wearing their one-off personally designed T-shirts over the summer holiday!

Form 5 have had a fantastic term concluding their year of studying fish, by creating some marvellous ceramic fish wall decorations which they then glazed. Form 5 have also learnt how to create felt, using wool top, soap and hot water to felt the fibres together. These were made into 3d fish using sewing techniques.

FOOD TECH UPDATE

CLASSICAL COOKING

Form 7 pupils were inspired by a recently discovered fresco in Pompeii depicting a 2000 year old pizza bread! The Roman bread was made with a sweet, honey dough and decorated with moretum, honey, dates and pomegranates.

CULTURAL FOOD PROJECT

DUNCTON MILL FISHING 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.

TAYLOR SWIFT

Form 8 catered for the Taylor Swift Concert some incredible Taylor Swift themed cakes and biscuits.

FORM 9

STREET FOOD

Form 9 completed mock coursework on the topic. ‘Steet Food for all’. They each designed, cooked and presented two street food dishes as part of their practical assessment this term.

LANGUAGES UPDATE

GOING TO FRANCE THIS SUMMER?

HERE ARE MADAME MORRISSEY’S 5 FRENCH FUN TIPS TO USE WITH NEW FRIENDS!

SAY HELLO THE FRENCH WAY!

French people love it when you greet them politely. Say:

Bonjour ! = Hello (daytime)

Bonsoir ! = Good evening

Salut ! = Hi (with friends)

When you meet someone new, smile and say:

Je m’appelle... = My name is...

Et toi ? = And you?

ORDER LIKE A PRO AT THE BOULANGERIE (BAKERY)

Yum! Time for a snack? Say this when you buy something:

Je voudrais un pain au chocolat, s’il vous plaît. –

I’d like a chocolate pastry, please.

Merci ! = Thank you!

C’est combien ? = How much is it?

Cultural fact!

In many villages, people buy fresh bread every single day from the local boulangerie – often carrying home a warm baguette under their arm!

BE BRAVE, BE POLITE, BE YOU!

French kids are just like you – curious, friendly, and ready to play! You don’t need to speak perfect French – just try your best and smile. A little effort goes a long way.

Magic words to remember:

Bonjour = Hello

Merci = Thank you

S’il vous plaît = Please

Excusez-moi = Excuse me

Au revoir = Goodbye

MAKE A FRIEND – ASK QUESTIONS IN FRENCH!

Want to talk to someone your age at a park or campsite? Try these: Tu t’appelles comment ? = What’s your name? Quel âge as-tu ? = How old are you? Tu veux jouer ? = Do you want to play? Tu aimes le foot ? = Do you like football?

JOIN IN & HAVE FUN WITH FRENCH GAMES

Kids in France play loads of games just like you do! Cache-cache = Hide and seek

Le foot = Football

La corde à sauter = Skipping rope

Jacques a dit = Simon says (literally “Jacques said”!)

You can ask:

Tu veux jouer à cache-cache ? – Do you want to play hide and seek?

BONUS CHALLENGE!

Learn this sentence and try it out:

Je suis anglais(e), mais j’apprends le français ! = I’m English, but I’m learning French!

Let us know how you get on when you return to school in the Michaelmas Term.

Why not send us a postcard if you’re in France using your best French, telling us where you’ve been and what you’ve been doing.

LINGUISTS OF THE MONTH

ZACH K (FORM 7)

QUINN H (FORM 3)

HECTOR M-B (FORM 5)

FREYA C (FORM 8)

MYLA A (FORM 5)

OLIVIA C (FORM 7)

SENIOR SPEECH DAY

A special shout-out to the incredible Senior Rock Band , who kicked off the event with an unforgettable set — what a way to start the day, thank you Will, Chloe and Grant!

FOSE FEST – A DAY TO REMEMBER

A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered, attended, and supported FOSE Fest on Saturday 21st June! It was a fantastic day brimming with community spirit, live music, laughter, and fun. We were delighted to welcome current families, past pupils, and even future ones from both St Edmund’s and St Hilary’s.

This year also saw the debut of the Teddy Tombola , which was a roaring success. Apologies to any families who had to upgrade their cars just to fit in the bears — next year, we might need a dedicated teddy drop-off zone!

The Wellness Tent created a wonderful space for everyone to explore, chat, and enjoy mini treatments with some of the amazing therapists we have within the St. Ed’s Community.

The Tea Tent was a huge — and delicious — success, offering a perfect spot to relax, enjoy a treat, and catch up with friends. A massive thank you to Mrs Drinkwater and Mrs Tuhill who baked, and to those who brewed, and served with a smile!

A huge thank you to the wonderful Dr Carlin and Mr Messina for keeping us all updated throughout the day — and for keeping the tunes going with great energy and spirit! We’re especially grateful considering they had only just returned the night before from Letton Hall. True dedication!

A huge thank you to Debs Bevan, Beesha Howse, and Joe Thomas-Moore for all the time, effort, and behind-the-scenes work they put in to make the event run so smoothly. FOSE Fest would not have happened without you!

NATIONAL DONUT DAY

Because who doesn’t love a Friday treat? FOSE marked National Donut Day in delicious style this term — any excuse for a sweet start to the day!

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

In addition to these big moments, several other well-loved events have continued to enrich school life thanks to FOSE’s ongoing support, including:

‘It’s a Knockout’ Ice Creams – the perfect refreshment after bouncing around on the inflatables!

Coffee Morning – always a lovely chance for parents to catch up and connect.

LOOKING AHEAD YOUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU

After two rewarding and joy-filled years, the current FOSE Committee will be stepping down this October. It has been an absolute pleasure to serve the school community and be part of so many memorable events.

Now, it’s time for us to pass the baton and enjoy future occasions from the other side — as proud supporters and parents. We’re excited to see what the next chapter brings and confident that FOSE will continue to thrive with fresh energy and ideas.

For FOSE to continue, we need new volunteers to step into key roles: Chair, Treasurer, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Form Reps

According to Parentkind (the national PTA organisation), a minimum of a Chair and Treasurer is required for the association to remain active. Form Reps are also essential in helping us stay connected with the wider school community.

This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in school life, help shape the events calendar, and make a lasting impact on the children’s experience and memories. Whether you’re bursting with ideas or simply keen to lend a hand, there’s a role for you. The new team can keep favourite traditions alive — or create brand-new ones. FOSE is what you make it.

Being part of FOSE is about more than just organising events — it’s about friendship, creativity, teamwork, and making a genuine difference. With a strong team, the workload is shared, the laughter is plenty, and the support is something truly special.

To keep all the fantastic FOSE events running — from Quiz Night and second-hand uniform sales to Easter treats, the Summer Fair, and Christmas celebrations — we need a new team to step forward by October.

These much-loved events bring so much joy to the school community, and with your help, they can continue to thrive. We know how much the children love them — and we’d love to keep that magic going.

ONE LAST HURRAH THEN IT’S OVER TO YOU!

The current FOSE team is proud to be delivering one final event: the FOSE Back to School Disco on Friday 27th September. It promises to be a fantastic send-off — and after that, it’s your turn to take the reins.

If you’re even slightly interested in getting involved, please do get in touch. We’ll provide a full handover, ongoing support, and plenty of encouragement to help you hit the ground running.

FOSE has given so much to the school over the years — now it’s your chance to be part of its future and help shape something truly special for our children.

Wishing you all a wonderful summer, see you in September!

Hels Gorrod - FOSE Chair

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP WITH ANY OF THE BELOW?

Your support of FOSE can be an hour a week, or a couple of hours a month. The more people we have, the lighter the workload, and the more fun it is!

• Event planning and ideas

• Social media and Comms, Newsletter, Open Day participation

• FOSE Community support

• Finance management

• Calendar, admin and rep coordination

• New parents’ engagement

• 2nd hand uniform

• Event lead for pupil events such as school disco, easter eggs.

Check out our exciting events for the summer term and beyond

If you’d like to get involved, we’d love your support – email Hels at fosechair@saintedmunds.co.uk to find out more!

Stay Connected

Our main platform for updates and events is Classlist. If you haven’t joined yet, sign up at classlist.com and search for Parents of St Edmund’s. SEE YOU NEXT TERM! TEAM FOSE

LIFE AFTER ST. ED’S

OLIVER ROYDS (OSE 1989-1995), THEATRE PRODUCER

WHEN DID YOU FIRST BECOME INTERESTED IN THEATRE AND FILM PRODUCTION?

I’m not quite sure exactly but my mother reminded me that I was always putting on shows at home from an early age. I ended up building a little stage and theatre in one of the farm barns at home with a pulley system to enable people to fly in from the rafters. I used to rope all my school mates and siblings into it and then we would perform to the parents.

PLEASE CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR CAREER TO DATE?

After studying History at Newcastle I decided not to go to drama school as I wanted to get into producing rather than performing. At the time the North East had a real push for entrepreneurship so I decided to stay in Newcastle and set up my production company BOS Productions (Bums On Seats!) with some friends from Uni.

We sat down, got out a copy of the yellow pages out and looked for the biggest venue at the time in Newcastle which was the 2,500 seat City Hall. We rang them up and managed to persuade the manger to programme us for a night. We created a show called “Swing Fever” which was a big musical show celebrating swing music. Our first show was a hit but we then decided to tour the show around the country. Sadly we were not experienced enough and our hutzpah got the better of us as we ended up owing hundreds of thousands of pounds

It was the best lesson I could have learnt as it taught me how to be resilient at the very beginning of my career. Highlight quote!

I eventually moved to London and started producing and general managing shows in the West End and across the UK. I ran The Woman Black for 6 years, revamped Stephen Daldry’s Award winning production of An Inspector Calls, and then started putting on shows in non-conventional venues like Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens in a 1,500 seat tent in Kensington Gardens, The Railway Children, David Bowie’s last ever show ‘Lazarus’, an all-female Shakespeare Trilogy with the Donmar Theatre, as well as producing a big revival of Guys and Dolls in the West End with David Haig, Sophie Thompson and Rebel Wilson.

Out of the success of The Railway Children we set up KX tickets, a producer friendly ticketing platform that we use to sell our own tickets and which now offers tickets to most of the top West End shows, as well as Troubadour Theatres which is now what I spent the majority of my time on.

I also have a production company called Nicoll Entertainment which creates award-winning children’s shows such as The Tiger That Came to Tea and Dinosaur World Live.

I have produced a couple of short films and a full-length feature film which was shot on location in Tanzania and London called White Widow which is now available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

DID ST. ED’S INFLUENCE YOU WITH CAREER – DID YOU STUDY DRAMA OR PERFORMING ARTS AT SCHOOL?

St Ed’s definitely had a big influence on me and at the time there was an amazing drama teacher called Trevor Gibbs. I played the role of Sonia the prostitute in Godspell and was bet a case of coke by Mr Hopkins the sports master to sit on the Headmaster (Mr Sangster)’s lap during the sultry song I had to sing “Turn Back O’ Man.” I think it was the only time we ever saw him be embarrassed and it was in front of all the parents!

I actually didn’t study performing arts, although I was always heavily involved in theatre both at St Ed’s and latterly at Haileybury. I did do lots of LAMDA exams during my school years but I went on to study History at Newcastle to keep the old man happy! Although I spent most of my spare time playing Rugby and putting on shows throughout my time there via the University’s theatre society which I ended up running in my final year. I also met my wife through the society in a show that we did at the Edinburgh Festival together.

HAVE YOU BEEN BACK TO ST. ED’S SINCE YOU LEFT AND IF SO, WHAT ARE THE GREATEST CHANGES THAT YOU HAVE NOTICED? DO YOU KEEP IN TOUCH WITH ANYONE FROM ST. ED’S?

I came back last year for the 150th celebration. The place has changed a lot, especially due to the fact that no-one boards anymore. I couldn’t believe how big the school is now as we had 150 pupils in the entire school when I was there. Four of my best friends are from St Ed’s - two of them are godparents to two of my children.. I think St Ed’s was pretty special in the lifelong friendships that were formed there. Highlight quote YOUR PRODUCTION COMPANY BOS PRODUCTIONS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE THEATRE AND FILM PRODUCTIONS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS INCLUDING GUYS AND DOLLS, AN INSPECTOR CALLS AND THE RAILWAY CHILDREN - WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE AND WHY?

I think probably The Railway Children. It was such a unique production which featured a real steam train along with carriage (built in 1870 and loaned to us by The National Railway Museum in York), that came into the auditorium during the show.

You obviously can’t fit an 18 tonne steam engine into a normal theatre so we had to build one, firstly on the old Eurostar platform at Waterloo and then on a siding in Kings Cross. We also took the train across the Atlantic on a boat and opened a production of it in Toronto. Thankfully the boat didn’t sink! The show ran for 2.5 yrs in London and was a huge hit both critically and financially. It won me my first Olivier Award and it also enabled me to buy my house!!

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new London production of Starlight Express which is playing at our theatre (Wembley Park Theatre) and I’m about to produce the first ever stage production of The Hunger Games which we are also building a bespoke theatre for in Canary Wharf. The show opens in October this year. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OUR PUPILS STUDYING GCSE DRAMA AND WANTING A CAREER IN THEATRE PRODUCTION? HAVE YOU BEEN BACK TO SEE ANY OF OUR RECENT PRODUCTIONS?

Sadly I have not managed to get back to see any shows at St Ed’s but hopefully one day I will get back to see a show.

To those wishing to get into the theatre or creative industries I would say “follow your gut and go for it!”. Highlight quote

You do need a lot of resilience as it is highly competitive so you need to be prepared for a lot of rejection. But, if you are passionate and talented and are keen to put in the graft, it is an incredibly rewarding career - just don’t expect to get rich quickly! Also with the advances in Ai I truly believe the creative sector is about to enter a golden era so it’s a great time to be getting into it. Good luck!

STAY CONNECTED

Remember to stay connected, sign up to our alumni website at: alumni.saintedmunds.co.uk connect with us on our new Linkedin page @St.Edmund’s School

STAR PUPILS

Erin B (F7) Sportshall Hockey Nationals took place over the Easter holidays. Erin and the Surrey U13 girls did brilliantly, winning overall Gold!! Erin also won speed bounce so is the National champion!!

Myla A (F5) Myla – Faldo futures, Myla had a ball and won her age group and is going to the regional finals in Birmingham.

Francesca F (F6) Francesca won both her classes at an event at Crofton this term and has qualified for the sunshine tour. A huge well done to Francesca!

At the Hartpury south west championships Francesca came 2nd in both classes the 60 cm and the 70 cm where there were 60 competitors in each class – Great effort!

Congratulations to Xanthe L (Form 6) who performed the role of Elsa in a production of Frozen at the Haslemere Halls in May.

Elsie’s Big Lake Swim 2025

Hi! My name is Elsie, I’m 12 years old and I love swimming for my club Wey Valley. I have great coaches and friends at the club. I train 3 times a week, as well as at my school. I love racing, and beating my personal best time, and sometimes winning medals, but this July I’m going to do a much longer swim!

My neighbour Helen Jenkins is doing a swim across the English channel, and I’m not quite ready to join her, but I wanted to do a big swim challenge to help raise some money for the 5 great Charities that Helen is supporting, you can read more about these charities on my gofundme page

Whilst I am visiting my family on Vancouver Island this summer, I’m going to swim all the way across Sproat Lake… and Back again. It’s just over 3KM! Please sponsor me! Love Elsie x

Good luck to Elsie H in Form 7 with her Big Lake swim in Canada, over the summer holidays raising money for 5 different charities. Elsie will be swimming over 3km across Sproat Lake. We can’t wait to hear how she gets on.

Molly P (Form 11)

– Congratulations to Molly who will represent GB in the summer at the 2025 FEI European Championships for youth dressage.

Georgia C (Form 6) performing at the English Youth Ballet for the September Performances of Sleeping Beauty.

Ed W (Form 11) is volunteering as a football coach in Ghana in July. He is going with ‘Projects Abroad’ and will be coaching football to Ghanaian children and helping to maintain their sports facilities.

Lilly-May J (Form 6) Lilly-May swam 200m and 400m free at the ESSA’s for St Edmund’s in June and gained a PB in both. She has also been playing water polo for Portsmouth in addition to swimming for Guildford City. This weekend she was selected to play in an U18 girls and U15 boys mixed tournament at Eton College. She showed real grit and determination and scored a goal as well as being sent to the sin bin!

Millie G (Form 8) –

Congratulations to Millie who came 11th out of 17 in the Surrey Schools County Championships Athletic tournament and just missed qualifying for the final by 0.23 secs.

FAREWELL TO THE TAYLORS

REMEMBERING 20 YEARS OF THE TAYLORS AT ST. EDMUND’S

Farewell and Thank You to Mr and Mrs Taylor. Mr Taylor began his journey with us as a sports coach, while Mrs Taylor brought her expertise to the swimming pool. Over the years, they have taken on many roles across the school, always bringing with them warmth, laughter, and unwavering dedication.

Their support has helped pupils achieve some truly impressive results, and their kindness and enthusiasm have left a lasting mark on our school community. From sports to swimming and

countless Friday activities, they’ve been an integral part of so many memorable moments.

We thank Mr and Mrs Taylor for everything they’ve given to Saint Edmund’s and wish them all the very best in their next chapter! We caught up with them in their final weeks of term and asked Mr Taylor for a few of his favourite memories of his time at St. Edmund’s and Mrs Taylor for insight into what the future holds for them on their next chapter.

KATHRYN TAYLOR - LIFE AFTER ST EDMUND’S

Interview by Justin Church

Trying to persuade Mrs Taylor to do an interview about her upcoming retirement wasn’t easy but I managed to persuade her with a trip to the ‘Red Rose’ tea room in Grayshott!

You must be so excited about your retirement but what’s the first thing you’re going to do?

We’re going to buy a greenhouse for our allotment and 2 electric bikes to get over the Devon Hills.

Can you tell us a little more about the place you and Richard are retiring in?

We’ll be living in a small Devon village in the South Hams called Aveton Giffard. It has one village school, one shop, one church and one pub. The village is located at the top of the Avon estuary so you can paddle or swim 2 ½ miles to the sea. Richard and I have lived there for 25 years so we have already got lots of local friends.

What activities will you be getting up to?

There will be lots of hiking on Dartmoor and wild swimming in quarries, pools and rivers. I particularly like paddle boarding and Kayaking on the River Avon and the sea.

Richard and I own an allotment, where we will be growing lots of produce such as raspberries, blueberries, asparagus, tomatoes, potatoes and onions.

We love to fish from our rowing boat called ‘Suli Suli,’ which means ‘Sailfish’ in Swahili. A good catch often nets a sea bass, mackerel or pollock.

During the Summer, we’ll be going up to Scotland to do some bird watching and with luck see some Golden Eagles! Hopefully, I’ll also have time to have a few cheeky visits to some Scottish distilleries as well!

That sounds fabulous but are there any big ‘Taylor’ family events on the horizon that you are also looking forward to?

My son Jack has been on a long working visit/holiday to Australia with his fiancée Ella but they will be returning soon to the UK, I can’t wait to see him. Then in 2026 they be getting married and settling down.

Jessie, my youngest, recently finished her PGCE and will be starting her first teaching job in Fulham. She’ll be teaching Year 4, just like her mum!

Richard and I might potentially be having a road trip through France and Spain next year. We have no fixed destination in mind, we’ll travel wherever the road takes us.

I know that you love books, but do you have a favourite one and where will you read it?

My absolute favourite book is ‘Our Mutal Friend’ by Charles Dickens. I read it on the beach, in a tent or in my own little boat called ‘Puffling’.’ If life is too crowded at home or I want to go off on my own, I’ll throw a book, flask and binoculars into ‘Puffling’ and head out into the water.

I know this chat was about your life after St Ed’s but do you have an enduring memory about when you first arrived in 1999?

Richard and I had been teaching in a Kenyan school called the Banda before coming to St Ed’s. It was a real fight to get my children to put their shoes on, as they were so used to going barefoot in Kenya. They soon changed their minds when the first frosts came though!

Thanks, Mrs Taylor, for answering my questions, it sounds like you and Richard have an idyllic retirement on your hands!

We asked Mr Taylor’s about some of their happiest memories whilst at the school and what makes St. Edmund’s the special place it is today.

What has changed the most at St. Edmund’s over the past 20 years?

From a little boys’ prep School to a co-ed senior school, but most of the school still feels the same from when I first arrived in 1999.

What’s stayed exactly the same?

The main building, stodge and the activity nights formally known as boarding nights and a sense of fun

Were there any particularly funny or unexpected moments during your time here?

The night one of the teachers drove a minibus onto the top field in order to play nighttime golf and then proceeded to wedge it between two trees by the first green. He abandoned the minibus by the rear door, left the lights on and the groundsman couldn’t get it started because the battery had gone flat – the tractor had to be pulled in to get it free.

In 2003, my four year old daughter got her finger stuck in a gate lock just as the ISI inspectors were about to arrive. Mrs Taylor and I said just get the lock off before they come round the corner and we told our head of Maintenance to just take the whole lock off and hide her in the maintenance shed until the inspectors had left. The lock made it safely back and is still in working order. The finger is also intact.

Can you share a time when a pupil surprised or inspired you?

Everyone I have had the privilege to teach either in the classroom or the games pitch

What are you most proud of from your time at St. Edmund’s?

Not having a single failure in my GCSE History group to date

The Somme trip with my GCSE History pupils, Quiz nights and the Christmas sale.

What advice would you give to new staff members just starting at the school?

What has working with children taught you over the years?

Don’t take yourself too seriously and learn to laugh and have resilience.

Do you have a favourite event, trip, or annual tradition you always looked forward to?

Have a good sense of humour and throw yourself into every opportunity available to get the most out of your job.

How do you hope your time at St. Edmund’s will be remembered?

That I was someone who always had the time to listen to the pupils when they needed to chat

What are you looking forward to in this next chapter of life?

Time, rest, the chance to travel during term time and being with my family.

What are your happiest memories of your time at St. Edmund’s?

Too many to remember, but one that sticks out is Sunday lunches when St. Ed’s was a boys’ boarding school and all resident staff and their families got together in what is now the Heritage Room to eat together. There were usually around 25 of us, together with the 3 boys who didn’t go home. Those boys loved being part of our big family.

STAFF NEWS

Mr Fabian had his article “Harnessing music psychology and music therapy to support social and emotional development in children” published on the 15 May in the Journal of the Chartered College of Teaching.

Mr Silva is raising money for the Lions Club IT Programme. Since 2019 the Lions Club have supplied over 3,000 refurbished computers to members of the local community and those around the world in need. If you would like to help, please donate your unwanted laptops, in any condition, via the School Office or email it@ fleetlions.org.uk to arrange collection.

Mrs Drummond has recently been offered a position on the Council of The Roman Society. Founded in 1910 to advance the understanding of ancient Rome and the Roman Empire, today the Roman Society has almost 2,000 members worldwide and is the leading organisation for those interested in Roman history, archaeology, literature and art. As part of the governing body Mrs Drummond will be responsible for overseeing the direction, activities, and administration of one of the UK’s leading classical societies. It’s an honorary and unpaid position, typically held by respected scholars, teachers, or professionals in the field of Classics or Roman studies so we are very proud of her for being selected!

Mrs Darrington has recently completed two specialist diplomas at The London College of Style, a renowned centre of creative excellence in the fashion industry. She graduated with Distinction in both Personal Styling and Advanced Colour Analysis and is now officially accredited by the British Accreditation Council.

Congratulations to Mr Tye who got engaged over the Easter Holidays; he proposed to Kimberley while climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge!

Congratulations to Mr Wilkinson who won the Staff vs Student Table Tennis Tournament 2025!

The annual Staff versus Student Table Tennis Tournament culminated in an exciting final held during assembly between Mr Evans and Mr Wilkinson. It was a tense and nail-biting match, with Mr Wilkinson narrowly edging out Mr Evans to claim victory. As always, huge thanks to Katy Newton for organising this fantastic community event.

The Burrow WELLNESS HUB

What is The Burrow?

The Burrow is a calm, welcoming space in our school (top of the main school building) where pupils can:

Take a break when feeling overwhelmed

Talk to a trusted adult

Learn calming strategies

Build emotional resilience

Why it matters:

We understand that children face daily pressures, from academics to social situations. The Burrow supports their mental wellbeing, giving them tools to stay focused, regulated, and ready to learn.

Tools

Mindfulness & breathing exercises

Creative expression activities

Social-emotional learning resources

Peer support opportunities

Staffed by caring professionals

Our trained wellness team helps students manage big emotions and teaches positive coping skills.

How parents can help:

Encourage your child to use the Burrow when needed

Reinforce that it’s okay to ask for help

Reach out to staff if you have any concerns or questions

For more information, please contact: Anna Jackson, a.jackson@saintedmunds.co.uk