AD ASTRA
This has been such an incredible year, from school plays to sports days. We have all achieved such incredible things and we should all be proud.
Whether you stayed at STAHS or left to join a new school, you will always be able to reflect on the memories we have made. Personally, I loved the charity days, especially when I won something; it's so fun preparing stalls or seeing them prepared. I also loved our Anglo-Saxon trip as it was so fun exploring the huts.
We have all learned something that we can take away from STAHS. I learned most in my position as Head Girl; I learned how to make more responsible decisions and how to listen to others.
I can't wait for the next year of memories and joy and I wish you all the best.
Saffy Hardyman Head Girl,
Welcome to your new yearbook!
From the first ever Party at the Prep to national football, netball and swimming success, 2024-25 was a brilliant year packed with amazing achievements.
There have been big wins within pupil leadership too. One of my main goals when I joined STAHS was to give the girls a voice and ensure that their opinions were taken seriously. There are many ways this has come to fruition, with increased leadership responsibilities – particularly, but not exclusively –for our Year 6s being the main one. From leading our inaugural Kindness Week to having significant input into Party at the Prep, as well as helping to reframe the Prep School Values and behaviour procedures, the girls have really had an impact on their school.
The Student Leadership summary on page 6 shows how many roles of responsibility there are now throughout the School, and the fantastic write-ups from our 2024-25 Pupil Council – Saffy, Prithika, Ruby and Molly – show how this has benefited the girls.
Our Drama offering also had an overhaul, with the Pre-Prep girls joining forces for The STAHS Nativity, and Year 6 delivering an unforgettable last hurrah in July with their take on The Wizard of Oz at Marford Memorial Hall.
In addition to a feature on Mr Vandewalle, who left Prep at Easter after over nine years at STAHS, this volume also shines a light on many of our wonderful support staff, from my PA Mrs Upton to our librarian Mrs Munday. These valued members of staff are well known to all of the children here at Prep; I hope you enjoy finding out more about them while revisiting the year’s many highlights!
Mike Bryant Head of STAHS Prep
WELCOME
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
PUPIL COUNCIL
Head Girl
Saffy Hardyman
Head of Charity
Ruby Ghosh
Head of Eco
Prithika Mukherjee
Head of Recreation and Wellbeing
Molly Beane
HOUSE CAPTAINS
Julian
Evie Harding, Hettie Matthews
Mandeville
Ella Huckle, Maya Patel
Paris
Elina Bahl, Holly O’Neill Verulam
Pritisha Banerjee, Penelope Ketchin
HOUSE CHARITY
CAPTAINS
Julian
Evelyn Paine
Paris
Lana Patel
Mandeville
Emily Bullock
Verulam
Lucia Carradice
ART CAPTAINS
Sara Abdul-Hady, Catherine Cheung, Eliza Ishaque,
Scarlett Ye
CHOIR CAPTAINS
Anoushka Arun, Anaya Ganatra, Isabelle Nnaji
ECO CAPTAINS
Anya Charmokly, Tallis Oliver
LIBRARY CAPTAINS
Francesca Sales, Charlotte Sprei
MATHS CAPTAIN
Grace Li
ORCHESTRA CAPTAINS
Olesia Mokshina, Aimee Xing
SCIENCE CAPTAINS
Sunaina Kembhavi, Emmy Sharp
SPORTS CAPTAINS
Athletics Captain
Phoebe Calhaem
Cricket Captain
Roshini Arumugam
Football Captain
Chloé Powell
Gym Captain
Sophie Orr
Netball Captain
Ella Rumian
Swimming Captain
Angelina Huang
TECH CAPTAINS
Clara Sher, Poppy Smith
PRE-PREP CAPTAINS
Ellie Choi, Olivia Clarke, Nuria Dziduch, Lilla Firth, Selin Hilmi, Lara Panesar, Sofia Robbins, Sadie Sprei
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Year 1
Milly Cleverly, Alice Kichenside, Esther Peng, Nyla Shah
Year 2
Aria Downes, Emilia Glynn-Jones, Poppy O’Brien, Ophelia Thimont
Year 3
Lizzie Dar, Amara Jayaratnam, Ellie Preston
Year 4
Aveline Chantry, Isla Drummond, Aurora Thimont
Year 5
Harriet Brown, Alessia Grogan, Emilia Lima-McCulloch
Year 6
Eliza Ishaque, Sophie Orr
WELLBEING AMBASSADORS
Year 2
Bella Downes, Ettia Williams
Year 3
Audrey Capdefier, Maddie Gardner, Florence Laing
Year 4
Sukhi Athwal, Swaha ChandaChatterjee, Ariana Desai
Year 5
Lucy Back, Molly Fuller, Sadie Kordel
Year 6
Ellie Choi
ECO COMMITTEE
Year 2
Evie Mytton, Carys Turner
Year 3
Aila Baber, Maya-Sophia Nielsen, Sophia Valentine
Year 4
Hettie Bray-Stacey, Florence Eslami, Sabine Quirk
Year 5
Elizabeth Hartridge-Lambert, Lottie Snape, Francesca Spiteri
Year 6
Anya Charmokly, Tallis Oliver
House Captains
GOODBYE, MR VANDEWALLE
Deputy Head Academic Martyn Vandewalle left the Prep at Easter after nine years. Before he left, he reflected on the highlights of his time at the School and the legacy of fun he leaves behind ...
Are you excited about your move?
Yes. I’ve been here nine years. It’s a really long time! I’ve built up so many good friendships and I’ll definitely keep in touch with everyone. I’ve loved my time here, but it’s time to move on.
What was the Prep like in 2016?
It had been going through a period of change; Hillary [Green] came in at the same time as me and Judy Rowe was newly appointed Head. Jenny Brown was Head of the Senior School.
What were your first impressions?
The site really sold it. I was a forest school-trained leader, so to come in and see the woods, that got me. I had an interview with Judy and Jenny, a really nice chat, then Judy came over to my school and watched me teach. I remember really liking Judy, so that was key.
What was your previous school like?
I came from a really good state school, Wroxham, in Potters Bar. It was very forward thinking, and we were right at the forefront of state school teaching. Our headteacher was Alison Peacock who is now the CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching.
FEATURES
What were your proudest moments at Prep?
I’m proud to have helped establish the book festival. The first year we had David Baddiel and Simon Pegg, who was a Prep parent; they were just phenomenal. Over the years, we had lots of really good authors visit, and one year we even had a Spitfire fly overhead!
What will your legacy be?
I hope that I’ve brought fun to the staff room and assemblies; I think it’s really important for staff and pupils to have that kind of happy atmosphere. I’ve really enjoyed working with the staff and the parents – the parents are great. The key thing is to build those relationships so that when you do need to talk about something academic or pastoral, you’ve got those relationships already built.
And the same with staff. We’ve got a great, happy staff because they always feel listened to. They can always come and talk to me. I think that way of working and dealing with issues with humour is a legacy that I’ll leave.
What have been your funniest moments?
When I had Year 4 and I was doing a play called Time Lord, which was a take on Doctor Who. I was teaching Tilly Pegg at the time, so I knew Simon Pegg would be coming along to watch. I was thinking, ‘oh, he’s going to be expecting some pyrotechnics!’, so I came up with this idea that when the time machine landed and they opened the doors, there’d be smoke coming out.
I contacted the Drama team at the Senior School, who brought their smoke machine across. We were rehearsing in the Lodge and, as we opened the door of this time machine, the smoke billowed out, set off all the smoke alarms, and the entire school was evacuated.
Oh no!
Everyone saw the funny side and it was all good! It was a really good play in the end, but we didn’t use the smoke machine, we left that out!
Did the Pegg family enjoy it?
I think so. Simon was laughing all the way through. I hope in a good way!
Do
any residentials stand out?
The Year 5 residentials in Norfolk were always great ones, on the lakes, canoeing and rafting and stand-up paddle boarding. I remember being out on the lake a couple of years ago; we had a really good bunch of girls, and they were having a great time, pushing me in and I was pushing them in. It was just such a lovely time. You think, ‘I get paid to do this job!’.
Teaching during Covid was challenging. Were you proud of the way the Prep coped?
Yes. Getting through Covid was a really trying time for everybody, but we were a brilliant team. I think we set the gold standard for teaching during the pandemic, with live lessons and a proper timetable for the girls.
The parents were really happy with what we did as a school. One morning I was teaching and there was a knock on the door, and I’d had this delivery from the parents of my class – a Rick Stein threecourse meal, with two bottles of wine. The parents were just so pleased with what we were doing. I think that’s one thing I will miss, that appreciation. The parents here are so kind.
You were Acting Head during Trinity 2023, between Judy Rowe retiring and Mike Bryant joining. What was that like?
That was one of my happiest times. It was really hard work, and stressful. But we had such a good team, built up from goodwill from all of the things we’d done, and the parents were really supportive.
Did you fancy a permanent headship after your term as Head?
Part of me did. But there were certain things that were really hard and stressful, and I’d think, ‘why do you want that?’. I enjoyed it, but I don’t think I’d want it full time.
What I like is doing a bit of teaching with a bit of leadership. I like being involved in planning the exciting whole school events as well as overseeing the academic side of things, such as assessments and writing policies and proposals. My dad was a deputy head, so I’ve followed in his footsteps.
Is he proud of you?
Oh yes. He was a deputy head in a state school and then he was a head for a few years, but he didn’t enjoy it as much as being a deputy. But he’s obviously very proud of what I’m doing.
Did you always want to be a teacher?
No, I wanted to join the police.
What happened?!
I took a year out after I graduated, went to Camp America, and really enjoyed it. It was in a lovely camp in the vineyards of California, teaching kids swimming, archery and mountain biking. I just thought, ‘oh, this is really good, really enjoyable’.
Then I did some skiing, went back to Camp America, travelled around North America for a couple of months, and ended up in Long Island, New York. It was brilliant. Then, when I came back, I did a PGCE.
Do you love teaching?
On a good day, it’s the best job in the world. But I often go back and think, ‘oh, maybe I should look at the police’. And I did actually consider that for a period in the last year. I was looking at going in as a detective. If you’ve got a degree, there’s a specific training course for detectives. I actually started to apply!
The other thing I wanted to do when I left school was join MI5. I filled out the application, but I never got anywhere. They did a background check on my parents, probably!
What
were your school days like?
I went to a state school, Lynn Grove High School in Norfolk. It was a nice school, and I was a good student. I worked hard, knuckled down and did my work. I’m still in touch with some friends from there.
Were you thinking at that time that you wanted to become a teacher?
I probably was, yeah. But I also wanted to be a vet at one point; then I remember watching All Creatures Great and Small and thinking that putting my hand up a cow’s bum was not appealing. And then there was the spy thing. That would have been good. I think if I was to do my time again, I would certainly want to join the police. Join the Secret Service ...
What did you study at university?
Psychology at Middlesex. It was a really good grounding for teaching. And police work. I could have gone either way ...
Is it still in the back of your mind that you might join the police?
Yes. Like I said, I did apply. I was about to be put forward to faceto-face interviews. I mean, it could still happen. Maybe my MI5 application is just taking a long time!
Mr Vandewalle’s advice for life
Martyn shared these wise words with Year 6 leavers at the end of Trinity 2023 ...
Don’t worry if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. The most stupid question that adults often ask children is, ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’. Who knows. I still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up! The best piece of advice is: find the thing that you love and work out how to get paid to do it!
Believe in yourself! Believe in your abilities.
Success isn’t about how your life looks to others. It’s about how it feels to you. If you’re happy, then that’s good. Being successful isn’t about being impressive, it’s about being inspired and in turn, becoming an inspiration to others. Remember that learning is a lifelong pursuit. Seek knowledge, ask questions, and never stop exploring the world around you. Embrace diversity, celebrate differences, and show kindness to others. Your actions have the power to make a positive impact on those around you. 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 2
Work hard – it sounds easy but it’s not. You have to work at developing a work ethic … that takes time and determination. But it’s all worth it when you achieve your goals. Avoid distractions (not easily done!), embrace that growth mindset, and find what motivates you.
Focus on the successes and accept the failures – they both teach you something. Always keep in mind how far you’ve come and the lessons you’ve learned. Things will go wrong. You will make mistakes. You will fail and sometimes that will make you cry. That’s OK. It means it meant something. Some of those failures should ignite a fire in your belly to try again, to try harder … You will learn from those. Some of those failures will be just that … a failure. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try something else. But always remember the things you got right.
Surround yourself with positive people who celebrate success with you and pick you up when you need picking up.
Reduce your time on social media. When you’re with your friends and family, put your phone away – have real conversations. Take your eyes off the screens and notice the beautiful world around you.
Take every opportunity – do lots of activities, play outside, look to do things that are perhaps outside your comfort zone. See the world!
Remember your manners. Manners cost nothing and can make all the difference. They are the foundation for creating positive relationships. They can help to diffuse difficult situations. They reflect our character and our values. They are vital.
Be kind and helpful. Not everyone you meet will be a friend (and that’s OK), but treating everyone with kindness won’t cost you anything.
Do your best – it’s all anyone can ask of you.
Enjoy every minute because time goes so quickly.
STUDENT VOICE
Besides Head Girl Saffy Hardyman, three Year 6 pupils held positions of great responsibility this year. Here Molly Beane, Ruby Ghosh and Prithika Mukherjee explain how these roles helped them hone their leadership skills and make their voices heard ...
RubyDuring 2024-25 I worked hard being part of the student voice and making sure that I fulfilled all your expectations for being Head of Charity!
As well as this, I have enjoyed working and organising events such as Harvest assembly, the friendship box campaign, the charity disco, and many more exciting things to help charities across the globe. In addition to this, I led a brilliant team of four House Charity Captains, and we strived to make sure that everyone was getting the help they needed.
I have learned from being a part of the Pupil Council to listen to ideas and be a good leader to my peers. This year has been one of my best, not only because I have learned many things but also because I have accomplished my goal of being a good leader and inspiring people who wanted to be in my position.
Head of Charity is such a special role. It has helped me to learn and to grow throughout my time in Year 6.
I have learned to be a good leader to my peers
Molly Prithika
As Head of Recreation and Wellbeing, I helped with several areas such as Party at the Prep, where I worked to collect ideas from students all over the School to make it a memorable experience for everyone in all years.
In my time in this role I also worked to change the school menu so more people were satisfied with the meal choices, as well as helping select new playground equipment for the School. This was a huge learning experience, and I definitely enjoyed it.
One of the most important lessons I learned from this was that public speaking is not as scary as it seems; when you look back you realise that there was no need to be so worried, it only meant that you cared.
I think one of the things I have most enjoyed about this experience is talking to different people and seeing their different perspectives.
I was our prep school’s first Head of Eco. I am extremely proud and thankful for the opportunity to be part of the Pupil Council, where I helped our school become more environmentally conscious and eco-friendly. During my time, I acquired many leadership skills and qualities such as listening to everybody’s ideas – no matter their age – and making sure to incorporate everyone in a group decision.
I really enjoyed my leadership role, especially when I got to work together on projects with the Pupil Council, and my Eco Committee. Our Pupil Council helped come up with our school values, which STAHS girls can follow, not only in the classroom, but in our day-to-day lives.
This was a huge learning experience, and I definitely enjoyed it
Also, we came up with the idea of Party at the Prep, a funfair held at our school on a weekend, which had many different activities for all ages. With my Eco team, we organised an inter-House food waste challenge, which encouraged the girls to waste less of their meals.
I acquired many leadership skills and qualities
Support Staff Spotlight
From the forest to the reception desk, there’s a strong team of support staff hard at work in and around Wheathampstead House. Here’s what some of them have to say about their roles ...
Gabby Upton PA to Head of STAHS Prep
When did you join STAHS? November 2019.
What does your job involve?
I organise Mr Bryant’s diary, arrange meetings, help organise events, and so many other things. All in all, I will try and make his workday go as smoothly as possible. We work very well together; a great team!
What do you like most about working at the Prep?
I love to witness the journey of young Reception girls growing into confident, polite and fun Year 6 girls. To play a small part in their educational journey at Prep remains a real privilege. STAHS Prep is a happy place to work with wonderful colleagues.
Briefly describe the work you did before joining STAHS ... I spent seven years as Office Manager and Personal Assistant to the head of a school in St Albans. Prior to having children, I worked as a long-haul flight attendant with KLM. Working in Business Class and having a part-time contract made it an exciting role in my 20s. My husband-to-be was in the Royal Navy and he often came with
me on trips or I flew out to see him. I continue to be grateful for the experience of extensive travelling and look back on that time and smile.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself ...
Until I was 14, I spent two months per year on a sailing boat. When I reflect on that time, amazing memories come to mind. I still love being by the water and I know I always will.
Marion Mackenzie Admissions Officer
When did you join STAHS?
September 2017 as Senior School Receptionist. I changed to Admissions Assistant in July 2020 and have been Admissions Officer since September 2024!
What does your job involve?
Organising open events and assessments as well as touring prospective families and joining new pupils at our welcome events, which include a teddy bears’ picnic in the woods!
What do you like most about working at the Prep?
Our pupils are always so keen to talk to you and love welcoming and speaking to our visitors, so my tours are always very entertaining.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you at Prep?
Cuddling a dinosaur at BookFest.
What did you do before joining STAHS?
I was looking after my three children for many years, but earlier careers were in music (I used to be the Marketing Manager for the London Philharmonic Orchestra and then worked for EMI Classics and Hertfordshire Music Service).
Caretaker
When did you join STAHS? June 2023.
What does your job involve?
Setting up for assemblies, class plays and other events, plus repairs and improvements in the school grounds and buildings. Fire alarm checks, rolling up PE mats – general behind the scenes things.
What do you like most about working at the Prep?
The pleasant people and children. Also, the variety of different jobs to do, not forgetting the amazing setting and grounds the School has.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you at Prep?
I locked a member of staff in the building one evening; they exited through a window while I returned to see why the alarm had gone off!
What did you do before joining STAHS?
I was an electrician in the construction industry for over 30 years. I also spent a couple of years tending specimen trees at a tree nursery.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself ...
During my electrical career I worked in the Royal Box at Ascot racecourse.
When did you join STAHS? September 2023.
What does your job involve?
Leading assemblies, getting involved in school trips and lessons, helping to make sure that everyone at the Prep and Senior School is flourishing.
What do you like most about working at the Prep?
How friendly everyone is – and that there’s often cake in the Staff Room. And I like the forest!
Andrew Howes
Rev Rosie Chaplain
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you at Prep?
On the 2024 Year 6 residential we did loads of fun things on the Isle of Wight! I think the funniest thing was the evening we went bowling. I took one of Miss Skuse’s turns while she was busy, and managed to get her a strike, without ever managing one for myself!
What did you do before joining STAHS?
I was a curate, so a trainee priest, working in a parish church in Devon. I led services, visited the local schools to take assemblies and chapel services, ran a baby and toddler group, and looked after the people in my churches.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself ...
I am a campanologist; I can ring church bells (less well than I used to be able to!).
Jo Brooks Receptionist/Administrator
When did you join STAHS? March 2018.
What does your job involve? I meet and greet all visitors to the School and also fulfil an administrator role.
What do you like most about working at the Prep?
I love seeing our happy girls, working with lovely colleagues and meeting our parents.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you at Prep?
I really enjoy hearing funny snippets of conversation. One of the funniest was during a tour,
hearing one of the Year 6s say, ‘these are the stairs, we go up and down these!’.
What did you do before joining STAHS?
I was an air stewardess for 15 years. I took the England football team to a match in Norway and chatted to David Seaman the goalkeeper for most of the flight – yes, it was quite a long time ago!
When did you join STAHS? September 2016.
What does your job involve?
Running Library lessons and book clubs, organising literary events and managing a catalogue of around 20,000 books. I have the brilliant task of organising author, poet and literary visits for Book Week and other special occasions and helped organise the STAHS Book Festival. It is an immense privilege to work in the lovely Library space and share it with all the children and follow their reading journeys. I do believe it to be the best role in the School!
What do you like most about working at the Prep?
The children are avid readers, and it is a joy to share book recommendations. The Library is a warm, calm space for reading, where children can enter other worlds, providing comfort and reassurance for busy school days. I love working with all the supportive and brilliant staff at the Prep and sharing in the vibrant energy of the School.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you at Prep?
When my lanyard got caught in the laminating machine during Book Club and I managed to save it and the laminator! The lanyard does however remain permanently bent but is in good working order and this story always amuses the children!
What did you do before joining STAHS?
I worked as a management consultant in London and travelled to clients all over the world to implement IT systems. I read a lot but not as much children’s fiction as I do now!
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself ...
I’m fluent in English, Italian and Afrikaans and semi-fluent in French and Sotho/Basotho (although very rusty!) and I have worked 3km underground in a gold mine, implementing a mining ore system.
Simon Brady Supervising Caretaker
When did you join STAHS?
September 2017, as a caretaker at the Senior School, transferring to Prep the following year.
What does your job involve?
I mostly work alone throughout the day with many varied tasks, from room set-ups and lighting fires for Woodland Club to afternoon pick-up car parking duty.
What do you like most about working at the Prep?
The people (staff, pupils and parents) are all nice, kind
and highly motivated. I like to keep busy and at Prep there is always something to do, not just indoors, but also out in the forest. I enjoy the multitude of different things I do, and being able to use my initiatve when I think I can make a difference. The forest is an amazing place, especially when it is quiet; you can see muntjac dear, foxes, badgers, mice, and literally thousands of frogs and toads. There is also a huge variety of fungi.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you at Prep?
One of the funniest things that happened was when I was moving a tree trunk and got my hand trapped underneath. I tried everything I could to shift it, but it was well and truly stuck fast. There was another caretaker on site at the time whose shift was finishing in half an hour and I didn’t want the embarrassment of calling him. As time ticked by, with thoughts of Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours playing inside my brain, I eventually reached for my phone with just 2% charge remaining, swallowed my pride and rang him for help.
What did you do before joining STAHS?
I worked as a manager in food retail, with daily meetings about sales, wastage, man hours and performance management reviews. What I do now is completely different and a lot more satisfying.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself ...
I buy, sell and collect rare books. I also have two pieces of advice I was given and would like to pass on: 1. Be kind to each other and always try to see the best in people; 2. If you want to make a good pair of shoes last 20% longer you need to increase the length of your stride by one fifth.
Sabrina Munday Librarian
DRAMA
Pre-Prep
The STAHS Nativity, courtesy of our Pre-Prep girls, was a joyful and lively experience! From bopping reindeers to hip-hop dancing wise men, each girl shone brightly, bringing plenty of festive sparkle to this special performance.
Year 3
The Year 3 girls performed their productions, What’s the Crime, Mr Wolf?, Tuishi Pamoja and The Bumblesnouts Save the World to an eager audience in the morning and evening. The girls acted and sang beautifully and all the plays went swimmingly!
Year 4
Year 4 took to the stage and delivered fantastic performances in their class plays, Victorian Villainy, Let Loose and Glint of Gold. Their hard work and dedication truly shone through, and it was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and confidence on display. The audiences were treated to a mix of drama, humour and creativity, with each play bringing something special to the stage. A huge well done to all of Year 4 for their fantastic performances. Their hard work truly paid off!
Year 5
Year 5 dazzled parents and teachers alike with a trio of imaginative and thoughtprovoking class plays.
5GB presented a witty courtroom twist on Roald Dahl’s Goldilocks and the Three Bears, where Goldilocks stood trial for her porridge-related crimes. With humour, suspense, and a dash of Dahl’s trademark mischief, the class kept the audience guessing – was she innocent or just a very sneaky porridge thief?
In Walter Mitty and His Big Imagination, 5SC explored the colourful mind of a quiet boy with enormous dreams. From haute cuisine to climate concerns, Walter’s fantasies were both hilarious and heartfelt, inviting us to reflect on how imagination can shape our understanding of the world.
Finally, 5CC brought intensity and intrigue with Holes, a gripping tale of curses, mystery, and dusty desert labour. Through the story of Stanley Yelnats and his unforgettable journey at Camp Green Lake, the class delivered a powerful performance full of drama, danger and hope.
A truly memorable showcase of storytelling, talent and teamwork!
Year 6
Year 6 took Marford Memorial Hall by storm with a fun and fabulous take on The Wizard of Oz. Having been given a platform to do something really special they more than delivered, with fantastic dance routines, excellent delivery of lines and fabulous singing. Their energy, talent and teamwork shone through on stage and transported the audience to the land of Oz. A really wonderful way to round off their time at Prep!
Prep Christmas Concert
More than 150 pupils took part in the Prep Christmas Concert in December – a wonderful showcase for the Junior Orchestra, Concertante and Lower Strings Ensemble, plus the Prep choirs.
Highlights included instrumental performances of The Nutcracker and Carol of the Bells. There were also some fun renditions of I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas and It Feels Like Christmas from The Muppet Christmas Carol. The Junior Choir and Lower Prep Choir also gave some lovely performances of The Lights Will Lead Me Home and Christmas Bells respectively. The STAHS Singers performed two accomplished songs: Brazilian Christmas Carol and A la Cart. The concert came to a close with all performers giving an energetic rendition of The 12 Days of Christmas, complete with actions! We also said a warm farewell to Mrs Hunt, Director of Music, who left at Christmas.
MUSIC
Tea and Music Concerts
Tea and Music Concerts took place regularly throughout the year, with pupils from Reception to Year 6 taking to the stage to share their latest musical accomplishments. For many, it was their very first time performing, and each young musician showed admirable confidence and poise. The sessions featured a mix of musical styles, from musical theatre and jazz to classical repertoire, reflecting the range of musical interests developing across the School. Some performers had only been learning their instruments for a short time, while others were already confident and experienced musicians.
It was lovely to see the newer performers watching and learning from the more experienced girls and the variety, enthusiasm, and musicality on display was a pleasure to witness.
Pro Corda
On 16 March the Szeryng Quartet, featuring Felicity Li, Haidyn Leung, Alessia Grogan, and Lottie Snape in Year 5, travelled to Woldingham School in Surrey to compete in the finals of the National Pro Corda Chamber Music Festival. The girls had a wonderful day and delivered a beautiful performance on stage. As the youngest participants in the Under 12 category, they stood out with their remarkable talent.
The adjudicator warmly praised all of the finalists, emphasising that reaching this stage was a significant achievement and a true celebration of chamber music. She was particularly impressed by the Szeryng Quartet’s exceptional musicianship for their
age, highlighting their refined staccato technique and their elegant interpretation of the Waltz. Their seamless transition into the lively Galop further demonstrated their skill and versatility.
The girls enjoyed listening to other outstanding performances, including the Senior School girls’ Steinway Trio and St Albans School’s Piano Quartet, as well as ensembles from across the country.
Both Ms Jepperson, the Szeryng Quartet’s dedicated coach, and Ms Mills were incredibly proud of the girls and are excited to see how they continue to grow and develop on their musical journey!
Reed Scheme Celebration Concert
On 31 March, the members of the Beginner Reed Scheme gathered for a celebratory concert, delivering a lovely programme of ensembles, solos and large group pieces, including some original compositions by the girls themselves. The girls had clearly worked hard over the last two terms with help from the inspirational teaching of Ms Eddie, Miss Chapman and Ms Lythgoe-Bathurst. It really is extraordinary to have so many girls learning oboe, clarinet and bassoon at such a young age!
String Scheme Celebration Concert
We were delighted to hear from the members of the Beginner String Scheme on 26 March. The girls had been learning to play violin, viola, cello and double bass over the previous two terms, and performed a variety of pieces in different styles. They particularly enjoyed the ‘boogie fall down’, composed by our very own Ms Nisbett, which featured some dramatic touches!
Summer Concert
Our final musical event of the year was the Summer Concert on 8 July. With a packed and varied programme, the evening featured performances from the Junior Orchestra, Woodwind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Year 6 String Quartet, Lower Prep Choir, Junior Choir and STAHS Singers.
The girls rose to the occasion, playing and singing with confidence, expression, and real musicality. One of the highlights of the evening was the finale, Summer’s Magic – a song co-written by Year 6 pupil Evie Harding and Ms Shakespear. With all of the 140 performers on stage together, it was a fitting way to end the evening and a wonderful example of their creativity and teamwork.
The concert showed what can happen when pupils commit to their instrument and to playing together over time and was a real celebration of their hard work. Above all, it showcased the many different ways our pupils engage with music and the joy that comes from making music together.
Crinkle Crankle Community Concert
Eight of our Year 4, 5 and 6 girls took part in a special midsummer concert, performing as part of a joint choir with pupils from St Helen’s C of E School and Beech Hyde School. Set in Wheathampstead’s picturesque Crinkle Crankle Gardens and bathed in beautiful evening sunshine, the occasion was a real celebration of community and music-making. The girls sang beautifully, and we look forward to making this an annual fixture in our musical calendar. Congratulations to Pritisha Banerjee, Sunaina Kembhavi, Haidyn Leung, Maggie Gallop, Lana Patel, Claudia Williams, Sadie Kordel and Ellie Choi.
ART
Prep pupils having been working hard this year on a wide range of creative endeavours. From honing their needlework skills with some excellent applique techniques to perfecting their brushwork with some stunning self-portraits, this gallery shows just some of what’s been achieved ...
Aria Pabani, Year 4
Lottie Snape, Year 5
Ella Rumian, Year 6
Isabelle de Baat, Year 4
Elizabeth Birkbeck, Year 5
Emilia Percival, Year 5
Chloe Henchley, Year 5
Hettie Matthews, Year 6
Anya Rai Kandalum, Year 4
Sukhi Athwal, Year 4
STEM STEM
Car Club
It was a fantastic year for the Prep Car Club, with the team picking up three trophies across two events!
Having worked hard all year to build and test their car, design their own merchandise, take part in fundraising and learn about racing lines, the Rainbow Racers were very excited to travel to Staffordshire on 6 June for their first competitive race.
The girls were great ambassadors for STAHS, cheering each other on, driving fearlessly and not being deterred by any setbacks. They competed in drag, slalom and sprint races,
picking up trophies for third place in both drag and sprint.
On 29 June, the girls headed to Goodwood with their kart to compete in another competition. This time their races included a drag race, a chicane sprint, a slalom race, and a lap of Goodwood. They also took part in a pit-stop challenge, changing all four wheels as fast as they could!
Staff were extremely proud of how the girls conducted themselves and so were the judges who awarded them ‘Best Presented’ and commented on how passionate they were throughout the competition!
First Lego League Robotics competition
Our Year 6 girls enjoyed great success in the First Lego League Challenge: Submerged robotics competition in March, coming out on top in several categories!
One of the major highlights of the competition was the Innovation Challenge, where the girls were tasked with solving a real-life problem associated with the ocean. They put their heads together to develop creative solutions and came up with ideas to address important environmental issues. To help inform their project, they interviewed Mrs Waite, an expert in biogeochemical engineering, who provided invaluable insights into the challenges and solutions in this field. The girls then presented their work to a panel of expert judges.
The real success came when they won the Knockout Competition, competing against older teams of 16 to 18-year-olds! This was an amazing achievement for our Year 6 girls, demonstrating their talent and perseverance. They also earned the Core Values trophy, recognising their outstanding teamwork and commitment to the values of the competition. To top it off, the girls were awarded the Rising All-Star award, celebrating their potential and achievements.
It’s been an incredible journey of hard work, perseverance and teamwork, and we couldn’t be prouder of what the girls have achieved!
Science Week
We had a great time celebrating British Science Week at Prep in March!
Highlights included a Pre-Prep Science afternoon, where the girls took part in a number of different science experiments, from lava lamps and volcanoes to chromatography rainbows and fizzy slime. Year 1 and 2 also visited the lab for the first time and made squishy toys and milk plastic keyrings.
Pupils undertook astronaut training online with Tim Peake and Year 6 attended a special lecture by Mrs Waite about her time working as an oceanographer. Year 3 were also treated to a special Zoom call from a volcanologist and Year 4 went to Whipsnade and attended a workshop about tiger food chains, consolidating their work on habitats and food webs.
There were also two whole-school challenges linked to protecting our planet: the first was to send a trawler net full of crisp packets to the Crisp Packet Project to be transformed into blankets for the homeless and those displaced by war. The second was a House competition to reduce food waste. A great fun and highly educational week for all!
Chicks hatching
Year 1 experienced the wonder of life first-hand as part of their Science topic on Life Cycles. A clutch of 12 eggs arrived at STAHS and were carefully placed in an incubator, watched over with great anticipation by pupils and staff alike.
The girls were fascinated by the changes they observed each day, from watching the eggs in the incubator to seeing nine fluffy chicks emerge, grow and become more confident. Our Live Chick Cam was a huge hit, allowing staff and pupils to keep a close eye on the chicks’ progress from their classrooms and even from the Senior School!
The girls loved getting to hold and cuddle the chicks, forming strong bonds with their little visitors and learning all about their needs and development. The experience sparked endless curiosity, thoughtful questions and lots of smiles!
Although the whole Prep community was sad to see them go, the chicks have now started the next chapter of their lives at Hammonds End Farm in Harpenden, where they will enjoy a free range life as laying hens. All at Prep feel very lucky to have been part of the beginning of their journey – a truly unforgettable experience for all involved.
SPORT
What an exceptional year it was for sport at STAHS Prep! Our pupils showed remarkable talent, determination, and sportsmanship across a wide range of disciplines, achieving national recognition and making the school community incredibly proud.
Our U11 football team had a phenomenal year. They were crowned District League Champions and went on to represent St Albans at the District Wix Finals, where they triumphed in a dramatic penalty shootout to take the title.
In their debut year at the IAPS football competition, the team not only qualified for Nationals but reached the final, securing a remarkable second place finish. Their success continued into the summer term at the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) competitions, where they progressed to the semi-finals of the National Tournament at St George’s Park, placing fourth nationally.
The U11 netball team continued to shine, qualifying for the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) National Finals for the second consecutive year. The team travelled to Dorset to compete among 220 schools, finishing an impressive 11th overall. They had a standout season locally too, clinching both the District League and District Tournament titles – a testament to their hard work and skill.
Our swim squad competed regularly throughout the year, with standout performances at league galas. The relay team qualified for the English Schools’ Swimming Association (ESSA) National Championships in Sheffield, showcasing their strength on a national stage. Special recognition goes to Angelina Huang (Year 6), who not only qualified individually for the IAPS Nationals but also reached the final, placing ninth nationally in her stroke –an outstanding achievement.
The cross country team delivered another stellar season, coming first in the District League, while our athletics team narrowly missed the top spot, finishing as District runners-up.
IAPS Tournament
IAPS National Finals
District Cross Country League winners
ESSA National Championships
ISFA National Tournament
STAHS gymnasts delivered another year of brilliance, showcased in a dazzling Gym and Dance Display at the Senior School in March. All age groups – U9, U10, and U11 – competed at the IAPS TwoPiece Finals in Guildford with exceptional results:
U9 team – third overall (Aveline Chantry – sixth individual)
U10 team – second overall (Sharica Markandu – second individual) U11 team – third overall (Sophie Orr – sixth individual)
At the Independent Schools Gymnastics Association (ISGA) finals, the success continued:
U9 team – sixth place (Aveline Chantry – fifth individual)
U10 team – second place (Sharica Markandu – fifth individual) U11 team – sixth place (Sophie Orr – fifth individual)
Congratulations to all our athletes, teams, and coaches for an inspiring year of sport. Your dedication, teamwork, and competitive spirit have truly embodied the values of STAHS Prep!
GYM AND DANCE DISPLAY
CLUBS
There are countless clubs on offer at Prep, from Chess to Karate. We shine the spotlight on five of pupils’ absolute favourites ...
Cheer
In Cheer club, Year 2s learn simple cheers and safe jumps. The club is a great outlet for pupils to develop their coordination and rhythm while staying active, having fun and strengthening their teamwork skills.
Relaxation Yoga
A quiet class focused on developing harmony of the mind, body and environment, Relaxation Yoga helps girls in Years 1 and 2 boost their balance while having fun.
I most enjoyed Scratch, making our own creations and being creative with endless possibilities of code
Ella Huckle, Year 6
Card Games
This great club gives pupils an opportunity to try out new card games while building friendships and honing their gameplay expertise.
Coding
Coding club gives older girls in Years 5 and 6 the chance to stretch themselves on the ICT front, exploring Scratch, HTML and so much more.
I loved how there was always music matching the game
Isabelle Nnaji, Year 6
I really enjoyed the game Poetry for Neanderthals, where you guess a word someone sees on a card, but they can only describe it in one syllable words!
Scarlett Ye, Year 6
I really enjoy the freedom of the woods. You can climb trees, eat snacks, create dens and spend time with your friends Maya Patel, Year 6
I most enjoyed the s’mores Michelle Yang, Year 3
Wild
Woodland
Open to pupils in Year 1 upwards, Wild Woodland maxes out the value of the Prep’s stunning grounds. Girls are given the freedom to explore the great outdoors in a safe setting, with cooking over an open fire being a particular highlight.
Garden Party
Our annual Garden Party in May proved a perfect culmination to the first half term of Trinity. The girls loved performing for their parents and showing off their amazing classwork, and we all loved coming together as a community for this fantastic event.
Team-Building Days
Prep pupils took part in a series of fun team-building days throughout the year, designed to encourage collaboration, problem-solving and resilience. These special age-appropriate missions ranged from making caterpillars from egg boxes in Reception to mastering a human knot challenge (which required clear communication and resulted in lots of laughter!) in Year 4 and rock climbing and shelterbuilding with the boys at Aldwickbury in Year 6.
All the girls worked hard to enhance their collaborative skills and developed many useful character traits and life skills along the way, such as communication and patience.
It was so fun trying to break the world records, especially the long jump. Everyone did so well, and one girl did hula hooping for over 10 minutes! Everyone showed determination, resilience and they were encouraging all their friends
Imogen Bunting, Year 5
I especially enjoyed making the sugar cube igloos. Even though ours fell, we still managed to finish building it and it was satisfying to look at our finished product knowing that we had persevered
Eva Hussain-Shah, Year 5
The first ever Party at the Prep, held on 7 June, was a huge success. The weather held out – just about! –allowing children and adults alike to enjoy the wide variety of stalls on offer.
From dodgems to face painting, the unclimbable ladder to the human fruit machine, and penalty shootouts to tombolas, there was something for everyone.
A stage full of entertainment, music from the funfair rides, and a live guitarist all helped to create a vibrant, festival atmosphere. The event was filled with laughter, fun, and a wonderful sense of community spirit.
Thank you to our STAHS community for helping to make it a truly memorable celebration for all.
Residentials
Year 3 – Rootd Adventure
The weather was rather grey at Rootd Adventure in June, but it did not dampen the girls' spirits! On the contrary, despite the inclement weather, they tackled all activities with their usual willingness and enthusiasm.
They had the opportunity to try archery and high ropes, as well as learning about bushcraft, including constructing shelters and lighting fires. Overnight, they were cosily accommodated in sleeping 'pods' with bunk beds for up to eight. Though not much sleep was had, the girls demonstrated positivity and great collaborative skills during the trip.
I enjoyed roasting marshmallows and making our own fires
Year 4 – Celtic Harmony
Year 4 had an unforgettable adventure on their one night residential at Celtic Harmony in June! Over the course of two days, the girls immersed themselves in the Stone Age to Iron Age eras, bringing history to life through hands-on experiences and outdoor learning.
From building shelters in the woods to learning the art of fire-lighting, they demonstrated fantastic teamwork, resilience and curiosity. They tried their hands at ancient crafts like pottery and weaving, listened to stories around the fire, and even took part in a spear-throwing session. Sleeping in the roundhouses added to the excitement and gave everyone a real taste of life in prehistoric Britain!
It was a joy to watch the children grow in independence and confidence as they took on new challenges and supported one another throughout the trip. The shared experience strengthened friendships, sparked imaginations, and created memories that will last a lifetime.
Hettie Garland
Year 5 – Norfolk
Year 5’s trip to Manor Adventure in May was a memorable one, with the girls showing fantastic bravery and a great sense of fun.
They enjoyed canoeing and kayaking on a rather cold morning, with many of them jumping in the lake for fun. Luckily, no teachers were pushed in this year!
The girls also took part in a range of activities including caving, climbing, high ropes, axe-throwing and navigating through a blind trail. The evenings were fun too, with a movie night, a disco and, of course, having fun with friends in the dorms (with some sleep scattered in there too!).
Year 6 – Isle of Wight
Year 6 had an incredible final Prep residential at Tapnell Farm Park on the Isle of Wight in May. Both the girls and the weather were exceptional throughout, and it was pleasing for staff to see pupils push themselves out of their comfort zones, aim high and embrace new opportunities. Highlights included the aqua park, laser tag and seeing the wallabies with their new baby joeys. A trip to remember!
My favourite part was pushing Mr Tovell into the water on the aqua park then running away as he came for revenge!
Scarlett Ye
Day Trips
Reception
Reception had a fantastic time on their trip to Cedar Nature Reserve. The girls took part in an exciting mini beast hunt and discovered some fascinating creatures, including an African land snail and a tarantula. They also listened to an interesting talk about a skunk and saw a bright blue frog up close.
Year 1
St Albans Abbey was the first day trip destination for Year 1, who took part in a maths trail and studied the stained-glass windows. They also spent a day as mini chefs at Pizza Express, where they shaped their own dough, spread the sauce, and added a cheesy topping. The highlight was tucking into their freshly made pizzas!
Year 2
Year 2 visited Hertfordshire Zoo, where they enjoyed a talk about birds, and saw all of the animals, including penguins, meerkats, tigers and camels.
They learned more about Judaism during a visit to the Masorti Synagogue in St Albans, which boosted their RE learning, and had a fabulous day at Tring Natural History Museum, where they were captivated by the extraordinary variety of species on display, including a giant sloth and a pygmy hippo. Some of the children took the opportunity to dress up as mammals and insects, which proved a thoroughly enjoyable experience!
Year 3
There was some phizz-whizzing fun to be had by Year 3 at the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre! The girls also enjoyed spotting places that inspired Dahl’s classic tales during their tour of the village of Great Missenden.
I enjoyed the Roald Dahl museum because it was so fascinating
Ottilie Sharp
I enjoyed West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village. It was very interesting and funny when we saw wolf skin and everyone gasped in unison!
Anaya Ganatra
Year 4
Year 4 were transported back in time to 1880 during their trip to the British Schools Museum in Hitchin. The girls spent the day in a real Victorian school with old-fashioned desks, ink pots and no heating. There were even a couple of incidences of using the cane and pupils being given the dunce cap!
They had an equally enjoyable time on their trip to Whipsnade, where they took part in a workshop on tiger food chains and met a variety of animals, including lion cubs, bears, giraffes and chimpanzees!
Year 5
The girls learned about staying safe online and around roads, fire and water during their trip to Hazard Alley. Highlights included a fire safety demonstration, a stranger danger scenario and a first aid session, which introduced basic emergency response techniques, such as calling 999 and assisting someone who is unconscious.
They also embarked on an unforgettable overnight adventure to the Science Museum for the much-anticipated Astronights experience. From building their own UV torches to a hands-on workshop on the digestive system and a trip to the Wonderlab gallery, it was a whirlwind of excitement, exploration and discovery from start to finish!
Year 6
Year 6 visited Lincolnsfields Children’s Centre to immerse themselves in the life of children during World War Two. The girls learnt about the challenges faced by the country at the time, how it felt to be an evacuee and the very different behavioural expectations of children. The highlight was meeting Mark – who experienced World War Two first-hand – as he shared his experiences of this most testing of times.
They also visited West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and immersed themselves in Anglo Saxon life, asking thought-provoking questions to the Village’s expert, as well as making inferences and deductions through the study of artefacts.
I enjoyed the World War Two trip because we got to spray a house on pretend fire and get each other wet
Emmy Sharp
Sports Day
Our Prep and Pre-Prep sports days were brilliant fun, with individual records broken and success across the board for Verulam!
Top points scorers
Year 3
1st – Kiana Amar-Aigbe (89)
2nd – Erin Procter (87)
3rd – Emilia Hollowood (86)
Year 4
1st – Adriana Chernookov (109)
2nd – Melisa Hilmi (101)
3rd – Aveline Chantry (100)
Year 5
1st – Sharica Markandu (111)
2nd – Layomi Clark (93)
3rd – Chizoba Nnatuanya (90)
Year 6
1st – Ella Huckle (121)
2nd – Ella Rumian (96)
3rd – Chloé Powell (95)
Record breakers
Year 3
High jump: Maddie Gardner – 1.1m (No previous record)
Year 4
High Jump: Adriana Chernookov, Georgie Khanna and Lara Mell – 1.15m (No previous record)
Year 5
Javelin: Sharica Markandu – 12.45m (No previous record)
High Jump: Sharica Markandu – 1.25m (Original record was set at 1.23m)
70m: Layomi Clark – 10.82s (No previous record)
Year 6
Javelin: Ella Huckle – 18.85m (No previous record)
Rounders ball throw: Ella Huckle – 42.2m (Original record was set at 35m)
70m: Ella Huckle – 10.94s (No previous record)
PRE-PREP RESULT
1st: Verulam
2nd: Paris
3rd: Julian
4th: Mandeville PREP RESULT
1st: Verulam
2nd: Paris
3rd: Julian 4th: Mandeville
STAHS Book Week
In February, we spent a week celebrating books and the joy of reading. Chloe Inkpen inspired the younger girls with her energetic talk and fantastic drawing workshop, which included examples of the illustrations that she did when she was younger. Meanwhile, the older girls were excited to hear how Piers Torday created his Wild series.
Classes also participated in a range of other activities including literary treasure hunts, sharing picture books in House Families and choosing new reads at the book fair, plus a dress-up day in honour of their most beloved literary characters!
Charity Days
As ever, there have been lots of fundraising initiatives at the Prep this year, which wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of parents. These are just some of the many highlights ...
Prep Fun Run
... in support of the Jessica Brady CEDAR Trust - £3,171
The girls had a wonderful time doing a fun run to raise sponsorship money for the Jessica Brady CEDAR Trust. There were challenges and obstacles all the way around, plus plenty of bright colours and some wonderfully proud smiles on completion. It’s a cause close to our community’s heart, as proven by your generosity.
Kindness Week
... in support of the NSPCC – £638
Pupils had fun decorating painted rocks with kind messages on them, having a treat meal organised by the Head Girl, and dressing in their own clothes to raise money for the NSPCC.
Charity Disco ... in support of Children in Need – £330
Christmas Jumper Day ... in support of Save the Children – £259
Lights Up event, Wheathampstead ... in support of the Salvation Army – £128
Poppy Appeal
... in support of the Royal British Legion – £232
Music Practice-A-Thon ... in support of Music of Life – £1,777
Harvest Festival
... in support of St Albans and District Foodbank – 357.8kg of donations, equating to 852 meals
Pupils did an incredible job bringing in donations for the St Albans and District Foodbank this year. As part of our Harvest celebrations, our Charity Captains told pupils about the harvests that are celebrated in different places around the world, and representatives from the food bank shared some interesting facts about their work. We all enjoyed the performances from Reception and the Pre-Prep Choir too!
House Charity Days
PARIS
... in support of the Jessica Brady CEDAR Trust – £1,009
Paris really did us proud when hosting their charity day for the Jessica Brady CEDAR Trust, a charity with a truly noble cause and close ties to the STAHS community.
Inspired by our ‘reach for the stars’ theme, Paris girls created imaginative and engaging stalls, which were enjoyed by all.
VERULAM
MANDEVILLE
... in support of Show Racism the Red Card – £345
Mandeville pupils organised a great day of creative stalls to raise funds for Show Racism the Red Card, with Year 6 girls accompanying Reception children to take part. A lovely occasion with a great atmosphere!
... in support of Action for Children – £311
Verulam girls hosted a summer-themed charity event, raising money for Action for Children. They were creative with their ideas for stalls, and it was great to see the whole school having fun while supporting such an amazing cause.
JULIAN
... in support of Rennie Grove Peace Hospice – £558
Pupils from Julian House hosted a very successful charity day, raising money for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care. The stalls created and run by the Julian students were fantastic and the whole school thoroughly enjoyed themselves, despite the cold weather!
House Sport
Pupils in Years 3 to 6 continued to compete in four House Sport events during 2024-25: football, netball, swimming and cross country. It was fantastic to see the girls fully engaged in sports and showing such enthusiasm, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout.
The matches, galas and races took place within year groups, with points then tallied to produce three House rankings. These are the 2024-25 House Sport winners in full ...
House Games (football and netball combined)
1st: Mandeville
2nd: Paris
3rd: Verulam
4th: Julian
House Cross Country
1st: Mandeville
2nd: Paris
3rd: Verulam
4th: Julian
House Swimming
1st: Julian
2nd: Paris
3rd: Verulam
4th: Mandeville
