This term, I asked the boys to reflect on ‘Altiora Peto’, our school motto, which reminds them to ‘seek higher things’.
It is therefore a pleasure to look back at the events of the Lent term and witness how the pupils have fulfilled this challenge in so many different areas of school life.
The Year 4 boys packed out the Bridge House Theatre with their performance of Gladis Baker, Gladiator. The months of hard work learning lines and rehearsing paid off with the boys acting, singing, and dancing with skill and great enthusiasm. As always, the boys worked effectively together as a team and supported by the dedicated staff, they produced a performance that was hugely entertaining and one that will have left the boys and the audience with some wonderful memories. The Junior School boys continued to show their musical talents through the Woodwind, String, Guitar, and Brass Concerts this term. Sharing the stage with pupils from Warwick School and the wider Foundation, the boys put in some wonderful performances, and it was a valuable opportunity for them to share the stage with the older pupils. Congratulations also to the boys who reached the semifinals of the Pro Corda competition.
It was a very busy term on the sporting front with fixtures for all years in football, swimming, cross-country, and hockey. The boys also competed in swimming galas, both locally and regionally, with the Under 11 medley and freestyle relay teams qualifying for the ESSA
Primary National finals. A highlight of the term was the annual Warwick Junior School Sevens festival, with schools from across the country joining us showcasing teamwork, competitiveness, technical ability, athleticism, and fair play. The Under 11 boys also had an unbeaten record at the highly competitive Caldicott Sevens tournament.
Teamwork remained a theme during the residentials this term, with Year 6 travelling to Snowdonia and Year 3 and 4 taking part in a joint two-day residential to Derbyshire. The boys developed a whole range of skills including resilience, cooperation, independence, and responsibility, and made some lifelong memories.
In the curriculum, Year 5 and 6 had a workshop with the Young Shakespeare Company, while there were trips to the National Space Centre, the Botanical Gardens, and Bletchley Park. The boys celebrated World Book Day by wearing their book themed hats and our parent association, PAWS, organised a hugely successful book sale. We continued to support the boys in developing their independence and creativity in their learning with our Open Homework weeks, on the theme of Earth Day.
This term saw opportunities for the boys to work together with their peers towards a common goal. Ventis House organised a highly successful charity day, raising money for Myton Hospice, whilst towards the end of term, Terra House ran a charity day for the RSPCA.
We continue to foster links with other schools in the Foundation, with the boys in Year 3 and 4 joining the girls in the Prep School to take part in a range of Maths and Engineering activities as part of our Link Day programme. Year 6 also visited Warwick School to take part in a Robot Art activity as part of the transition process into Year 7.
The term finished with a fun afternoon of Easter-themed fun activities, ran by PAWS, which was a wonderful way to end the term – thank you to all those parents who helped run the afternoon. It’s been a hugely successful term, and we look forward to the summer months ahead with great anticipation.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
One of the joys of our Myton Road campus is the access it gives to all our pupils to such an amazing array of facilities. I overlook the Head’s Garden, which has been home to our Warwick Prep Forest School for some years, and it is now also the venue for a new Warwick Junior School gardening club. All manner of seeds have been planted in readiness for a new raised bed (tomatoes get a big thumbs up, broad beans a rather more mixed response). I shouldn’t be at all surprised if, after Easter, the boys are showing off their new gardening exploits to the Warwick Prep girls, and that before we know it, there’s a Prep vegetable patch too!
I have always believed that education is about opening as many doors as possible for young people and keeping them open for as long as possible. That may be through a broad and varied curriculum offer, vibrant experiences outside the classroom, or meaningful opportunities to engage with the wider community - ideally (and here), all three. These experiences over the duration of a school career enable each one of our pupils to get the best out of themselves and to give the best of themselves to others.
Whilst each school does this brilliantly for the pupils directly in their care, being part of a family of schools provides an extra layer of richness. Some initiatives grow organically from pupil or staff interests, whilst others come from a more structured approach.
One such development has been the extension of ‘link days’ between the Prep and Juniors. This term has seen activities in engineering and arts for Years 3 and 4. They are important opportunities for the girls and boys to ‘check in’ with each other, and to explore common interests. Another structured change has been the introduction of the Junior Foundation Symphony Orchestra, whose first performance is this term, bringing together the orchestras of Kingsley Prep, Warwick Prep, and Warwick Juniors.
These types of opportunities simply cannot be provided by single schools on their own.
Amidst the profound challenges the independent schools sector is facing, our ethos and values as a community have never been more important. We cannot compete with the political headwinds, but we can proudly and boldly restate our purpose: to transform lives through the power of education. We live that every day and know that our pupils, your children, benefit in so many different ways from a very distinctive education.
Thank you, as ever, for your ongoing support.
Richard Nicholson, Foundation Principal
On World Book Day this year, PAWS held the Second Hand Book Sale which took place during lunch and after school. PAWS are raising funds to
SECOND HAND BOOK SALE
contribute to the Michaelmas term Young Shakespeare Company day‘Romeo and Juliet’. Through the donations sale of books from pupils and parents, PAWS raised £329!
SUPPORT THE PAWS NEARLY NEW UNIFORM SHOP
Looking for affordable, high-quality school uniforms? Look no further than the PAWS Nearly New Uniform Shop! We offer a wide range of items to help you get your child ready for the new term. All items are sold on behalf of parents, with a small percentage of the sale price going towards supporting PAWS and covering administrative costs. We’re also happy to accept donations, with 100% of proceeds benefitting PAWS.
In order to run the shop successfully, we rely on parents donating, or selling, their old uniform through us. If you have any items to donate or sell, please consider using the shop. There will be several drop-off days over the summer term, so keep an eye on The Bear for more details.
For more information about the PAWS Nearly New Uniform Shop, please contact us at nearlynewuniformwarwick@ gmail.com.
NEWLY ELECTED PREFECTS
At the beginning of this term, five boys became our newly elected prefects. The boys were voted for by staff and they will now join the rest of the prefects and carry out their duties. Congratulations to Arthur, Ethan, Harrison, Harry and Maxwell!
Playtime Pals
This year, boys from across the Junior School chose to be Playtime Pals, where they support other children who are feeling lonely or down. The Playtime Pals have been chosen by Ms Sayers and Mrs Shepstone. Playtime Pals was meant for boys who are often feeling alone or have no friends to play with. Our kind Playtime Pals are a major help to teachers on duty. If you signed up, you could choose when your duty is so that you do not have to be forced to be on duty when you do not want to, or if you are on a lunchtime club. Furthermore, if you signed up, you got a special badge to show to other
children that you are a Playtime Pal. Also, when Playtime Pals are on duty, they get to wear a high vis jacket to help children spot them when they are on the playground. As well as that, the Playtime Pals had their photo taken together. The main responsibilities of the Playtime pals include noticing people who are playing on their own or are having friendship issues, and
informing teachers of broken playground equipment. Even if their duty does not work out, they can ask Ms Sayers or Mrs Shepstone to change their duty. By Diego and Jai in Year 4
BLETCHLEY PARK
On Friday, 4 April, the boys in Year 6 went on a school trip to Bletchley Park. The bus journey was long, but nothing could stop me thinking about the fun that we would have here.
As we all arrived, I couldn’t help but be amazed at the history that had taken place here. One-by-one, we hopped out of the coach before walking into a narrow set of corridors that contained a room with lots of green manuals. Our instructor said that we were signing up to promise that we should never say anything about the work we do here at Bletchley Park. I loved the role-playing as we had to have a go at decrypting messages in Morse code and Enigma code! We even got to have a go at pressing a button on an actual Enigma Machine.
Next, we arrived at a place where these huge machines called Bombes were responsible for testing every single possible code for the Enigma Machine. The number of possible codes was a very big number that was so huge it couldn’t even fit on the screen! We got to see the
Bombes in action as they turned round and round. Lunch went down so quickly as we were already at the next hut! I learnt lots of fun things in the remaining huts, including how Alan Turing hung his mug on a chain because people kept using it!
As we hopped back on the bus, I took a last look at Bletchley Park before turning into the coach. I enjoyed Bletchley Park a lot and I would love to go back again.
By Arthur 6RS
NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE TRIP
One cold winter’s day on 10 January 2025, Year 5 had the incredible experience to go to the National Space Centre in Leicester. We went because we had just completed a topic about Earth and Space.
That frosty morning, as we entered the school gates, we were overjoyed. We collected our lunches of sandwiches, wafers, and crisps, and then boarded the coach. The journey was about an hour or so, but as we saw the Space Centre, a cheer erupted. We had made it!
As we entered the building, we saw the “home planet” section with a massive globe! There was a big moving floor that
changed from icebergs to beaches. After exploring that section, we went up the 42m rocket tower.
On the first level were two bottle rockets. Sometimes they flew really high! Others didn’t even launch. On the second level there were two launch simulators, and a timeline of space exploration compared to life on Earth. Finally, we went up to the top level! On this level there was GENUINE MOON ROCK and an amazing view of the two rockets. After we went down, it was time for lunch. After lunch, we got to look round the universe and the solar system sections. In the universe section, there was a supernova simulator and a screen showing
the known universe. In the solar system section, there was a simulator showing Venus and information about the early solar system. Soon after, we saw the planetarium.
The planetarium show was incredible – it showed the effect of space on the human body and a future rocket. After we looked around a bit more it was time for the gift shop, where I bought a keyring, a magnet, and a coaster. Sadly, it was time to go home.
All in all, it was a very successful trip. We learnt a lot about space and had lots of fun. Thank you to all the staff that went on the trip.
By George in
Year 5
PLAS-YBRENIN
Year 6 had adventurous and challenging week during their residential trip to Plas-y-Brenin, where they showed resilience and teamwork despite the freezing temperatures and tough conditions!
After arriving on Monday, they split into groups for their first activities. Some hiked around Capel Curig, learning about the area’s history and geology, while others participated in team-building exercises and rope courses at Plasy-Brenin.
Tuesday brought even colder weather, with wind chill making it feel like -5°C, but the boys persevered! Some braved the icy waters of Geirionydd for gorge walking, while others climbed Crimpiau or explored the Rhiwbach slate mine. In the evening, they took on orienteering and activities like indoor climbing and a nightline challenge.
Wednesday tested them further with rain and biting winds. One group reached the snow-covered summit of Moel Siabod, while others tackled Crimpiau’s steep scramble or explored the slate mines, even
climbing underground waterfalls. The boys later continued with evening challenges, though the quiz night was noticeably quieter as tiredness set in!
On Thursday, their final full day, some boys delved into the slate mines, gaining insight into the miners’ harsh lives. Others faced their toughest gorge walk yet, while three groups completed a demanding 12km hike over Moel Eilio, Foel Goch, and Foel Grach. Though the sun briefly appeared, the wind chill dropped to -6°C. The trip ended with the much-anticipated Towel-Origami competition, a fun and light-hearted way to wrap up an intense and rewarding week!
Throughout their time in Snowdonia, the boys demonstrated perseverance and were a testament to themselves and the school, making it an unforgettable experience filled with adventure and personal growth.
If you would like to read the full detailed daily diaries, click here.
BOTANICAL BRILLIANCE!
On 2 April 2025, Year 5 went to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens to learn more about the Amazon Rainforest – their current geography topic. It was a great
experience for all and was full of wonderful opportunities and awe-inspiring facts.
After resting in the playground, Year 5 boarded their buses and arrived at the gardens where they proceeded with many fun tasks, like learning about the plants, animals, and artefacts. There was even the opportunity
to handle several exotic animals like snakes, giant snails, and even tenrecs.
Here is what I, as a participator, thought personally of the trip: “It was amazing! I learnt so much and had loads of fun and wonder!”
So, there it is! Overall, it was a great trip which will stay in Year 5’s hearts forever and more!
By Roving Reporter, Hugo A
Y MOUNT COOK
ear 3 and Year 4 pupils enjoyed an exciting residential trip to the Mount Cook Adventure Centre in Derbyshire from Monday, 31 March to Wednesday, 2 April. Blessed with great weather, the trip was filled with adventure, teamwork, and personal growth.
Year 3 pupils participated in activities such as land karts, climbing, archery, and firemaking, showing resilience and cooperation. Year 4 pupils took on more
challenging tasks like high ropes, ziplining, rock climbing, and abseiling, demonstrating independence and focus.
The boys bonded in dormitories, enjoyed fantastic food, and benefited from the guidance of the Mount Cook staff. The trip was overall a great success, helping the pupils to develop key life skills while having fun. The Year 3 pupils are already eager to return next year for new adventures!
Ventis house raised a whopping £447.95 for the Myton Hospice
VENTIS HOUSE CHARITY DAY
On Friday, 31 January, Ventis House held their charity day. Their chosen charity this year is a local charity, and they chose to raise money for the Myton Hospice.
Butterflies are a symbol of the hospice, therefore all of the games and activities were butterfly-themed. The boys had lots of fun taking part in a range of games and activities that included a raffle, name the butterfly, pin the wing on the butterfly, and many more, all to raise money for a great cause.
Throughout the event, Ventis House managed to raise £447.95 for the Myton Hospice. Well done to Ventis House for organising another successful charity day! Thank you to everyone who took part, and for all of the donations.
Terra house raised nearly £550 along with lots of animal care donation for the RSPCA
TERRA HOUSE CHARITY DAY
On Friday, 28 March, Terra House hosted their charity day in aid of their chosen animal charity, the RSPCA.
The boys in Terra House came up with three different ways that everyone could get involved in to help raise money: Firstly, the boys were asked to dress
up in something beginning with R, S, P, C, or A, and to bring in a £1 donation.
Secondly, ‘Terra’s Treasure Chest’ encouraged boys to bring in something that would enrich the life of an animal in need, and the school received donations of canned food, small pet toys, and enrichment games for small pets. This was then all donated to the
nearest RSPCA centre.
Finally, ‘Terra’s Terrible Tuckshop’ saw boys in Terra House donate sweets and chocolate to be sold at lunchtime, with items being sold for 50p each.
Overall, Terra House raised nearly £550, along with lots of donations for the local RSPCA branch. Well done to Terra House for organising a successful charity day this term, and thank you for all of the donations and to the boys who participated.
WORLD BOOK DAY
his year, our World Book Day theme was ‘hats’. To celebrate, pupils were asked to get creative and wear a hat that represents their favourite book character. The boys did an amazing job, and we saw some very unique hats!
TA VISIT FROM THE YOUNG SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
On Wednesday, 29 January, the Year 5 and 6 boys participated in a workshop hosted by The Young Shakespeare Company. This year’s session focused on A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The boys had a fantastic time engaging in the workshop, where they explored the main characters and key events of the play. They even had the opportunity to play some of the lead roles themselves! Not only did the boys have a lot of fun, but they also gained a deeper understanding of this iconic work by William Shakespeare.
Aggie turns 10!
In February, we celebrated Aggie’s 10th birthday! She had a lovely birthday week spending time with her friends at Warwick Junior School!
Y YEAR 4 PLAY –GLADIS BAKER, GLADIATOR
ear 4 stepped back in time to Ancient Rome for this year’s play. The story took place in the Colosseum where the stage was set for the first ever Great Roman Bake-off! There were no gladiator fights, but the boys were whisked into a frenzy, beaten to a foam, and knocked back in a competition where Flour was Power!
Orphan Gladis managed to escape the clutches of her miserable aunt and uncle by winning the Great Roman Bake Off and becoming the ‘Gladisbaker’.
The uplifting and cheery songs, alongside the impressive acting talents shown by the boys, made this show unforgettable for everyone who came to watch it. Well done, Year 4!
YEAR 3 AND 4 LINK DAY
The Year 3 and 4 boys recently collaborated in a successful Link Day with the Year 3 and 4 girls from Warwick Prep School.
The Year 3’s were at Warwick Prep School for a Maths-themed morning. They designed and tested the flight of paper aeroplanes and created pictures using Tangrams before putting their communication skills to the test. They gave their teammates clues to help them recreate the picture without seeing it.
The Year 4’s were at Warwick Junior School for a morning full of group activities. They built 3D shapes with match sticks and plasticine. They also used their problem-solving skills to create Tangrams and then later battled it out in a game of Battleships!
The pupils showed amazing teamwork and creativity whilst taking on the various tasks. Everyone had a fun-filled morning!
DIGITAL LEADERS POP-UP CLUB
This term, the Year 6 Digital Leaders hosted two exciting pop-up clubs for Year 3 and Year 4.
The club, which was planned, organised, and led by the Digital Leaders, was a huge success! Boys had the opportunity to design their own online Easter eggs, showcasing their creativity and digital skills.
With so many fantastic designs, the competition was a tough one. The creativity and effort put into every entry were truly egg-ceptional! A huge well done and thank you to all the boys who took part.
After much deliberation, the winning designs were chosen – Congratulations to Charlie B (Year 3), Ronnie C, and Louis C (Year 4) for their outstanding creations!
Checkmate!
On Saturday, 15 March, James P played for the Warwickshire U11 Chess Team in the Midlands Zonal of the National Junior County Chess Team Championship (Primary). James produced an excellent performance, winning all three of his games to help Warwickshire win the Zonal outright and qualify for the Final.
Coventry Junior Open
On Sunday, 23 March, the Coventry Junior Open took place. This English Chess Federationrated chess tournament attracted a huge turnout of 140+ children, including a sizeable contingent from Warwick Junior School. Some outstanding results were achieved. Bo was by far the youngest participant in U18 Group C, but he scored a fantastic 3.5/5 for a silver medal, performing well above his rating in the process. In U11 Group C, Sammy won bronze with 3/5, as did Jason in U11 Group D. In U11 Group E, Diego produced a tourde-force performance in his first tournament outside of school to win gold, and the section outright with 4.5/5. Then in U8 Group E, Alex won silver with a super 4/5.
WARWICKSHIRE PRIMARY SCHOOL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Warwick Junior School and Warwick Prep participated in the Warwickshire Primary Schools’ Team Championship on 1 March at Solihull School. The A team (Bani, Ilyas, James and Sammy) finished second in the Final, while the B team (Alex, Cian, Leon and Libby) secured second place in the Plate— both improving on last year’s third-
Warwick Junior Chess Open
On Saturday, 1 February, the Warwick Junior Chess Open took place on home soil at the Bridge House Sports Centre. This English Chess Federation-rated tournament attracted a big turnout, with all of Warwickshire’s leading junior chess players out in force!
A number of Warwick Junior School boys from chess club entered, and there were some great results achieved. Bronze medals were won by Barnaby and Forbes, while silver medals were won by Jason and Zach; excellent achievements for all. Zach,
place finishes. The B team lost only to champions Blue Coat, with Alex as the top scorer (6/7). The A team narrowly lost to Hallfield but had more board points, with Sammy achieving a perfect 7/7. Warwick’s players showed great sportsmanship, making the tournament a rewarding experience. Congratulations to everyone involved!
who is in Year 3, was playing in his first chess tournament outside of school and managed to beat three players who already had ratings, while Jason finished the tournament undefeated.
A big well done to the prize-winners and to all of our boys who competed!
U10 Football Success!
The Warwick Junior U10A football team had an impressive run at a football tournament held at RGS The Grange.
The boys started strong, winning their first two games comfortably against Kings St Albans and The Elms. Although they faced a tough challenge in a competitive group game against RGS, which they lost, their overall performance allowed them to progress to the semi-finals.
In that crucial match, they defeated Winterfold, setting the stage for a rematch with RGS in the final. The boys excelled in the final, showcasing excellent passing, organisation, and teamwork, which ultimately led them to a convincing 3-0 victory over RGS The Grange, making them the deserved overall winners of the tournament! Well done boys!
THE JUNIOR WARWICK 7S T
he 34th Annual Warwick Junior School Rugby 7s Festival took place on Wednesday, 26 February in challenging conditions, as eight schools battled through relentless rain, hail, and thick mud. Despite the weather, the teams showcased outstanding skill and resilience, delivering an exciting display of rugby. Warwick’s team performed exceptionally well, winning all but one game. Their defensive strength was particularly impressive, with their match against Aysgarth demonstrating their ability to dominate possession. As the day progressed, the team refined their gameplay, moving the ball more efficiently and creating
space rather than relying solely on physicality.
Beyond the matches, the festival’s spirit of camaraderie was evident. Players from different schools bonded over lunch, embodying rugby’s core values. Special recognition was given to Anoop and Koa, who stepped in to play for Akeley Wood School. Their contributions were so valuable that Akeley Wood’s director of sport sent a heartfelt thank-you, praising their sportsmanship and dedication. Both boys received Headmaster Commendations for their efforts.
Despite the difficult conditions, the festival was a great success, adding another memorable chapter to its long and distinguished history.
O THE CALDICOTT 7S
ur U11 sevens rugby team enjoyed a rare Saturday fixture, taking part in the annual Caldicott Prep 7s festival, with 12 teams taking part on the day.
The first game was the toughest, taking on a strong Caldicott team on their main pitch, with the game being live streamed on YouTube! The boys
defended brilliantly, but the game ended in a 1-1 draw. The boys showcased some fantastic rugby, having worked very hard in training to improve their attacking skills. They went on to win all five of their remaining games.
A highlight of the day was a full-length of the pitch, multiphase try against our friends at Clifton College, who we had met earlier in the season on tour. But
MATTHEW THACKER SHIELD TOURNAMENT
On Wednesday, 22 January, Winterfold House hosted the Matthew Thacker Shield Tournament. The Year 6 Football A-team had a fantastic start to the season, as they finished runners-up in the 7-a-side tournament.
The Warwick boys finished top of their group of seven teams, with a record of five wins and one draw. They qualified for the semi-final, which they won after a sudden death penalty shoot-out.
Unfortunately, Warwick lost the closely contested final but incredibly, this was the first goal that the team had conceded in the whole tournament.
Well done to all the boys who represented the school brilliantly throughout the whole afternoon. The boys put in a great effort and showed true sportsmanship. We are very proud of them!
a highlight for the coaches was watching the boys do player-led huddles and team talks, piecing together what the focus of each game should be. A real sign of maturity from the players!
It was a fantastic day overall, and having a large parent group there in support gave the boys a lift throughout the day. Well done to all of the boys who took part!
THERE IS SOMETHING FISHY GOING ON
really enjoy fishing - I often go with my dad to the River Blythe where we catch trout, pike, and chub. I have my own travel fishing rod to take with me on my holidays, and we catch lots of different of fish.
IThere is a big problem with fishing, it all starts with pollution in the rivers. The pollution is killing the fish and stopping the baby fish from being born. The pollution comes from dirty sewerage and chemicals from farmers fields. Litter is also a massive problem!
If we don’t do something quickly to help the rivers, there will be no fish or fishing for us!
If you are interested in helping, you can register with the River Severn trust. I will be doing this with my dad over the summer! By James 3BA
The Sandwell Open Swimming Gala
On Sunday, 23 March, I went to the Sandwell Open Swimming Gala in the Commonwealth Games 50m pool. This was my first open gala because I’m only just old enough to enter. I won gold in three events, and silver in two others! I also set four club records for my age group for Leamington Swimming Club. I had a great day out, and I’m looking forward to my next gala! By Theo 4P
MY PIANO JOURNEY: PASSING GRADE 1
Iwant to tell you something I’m really proud of. After loads of practice and hard work on the piano, I’ve finally passed my Grade 1 piano exam!
Learning the piano hasn’t been easy for me. Sight-reading was super tricky, and practising on my own sometimes felt a bit boring. There were times when I got really annoyed and wanted to quit. But I didn’t give up, and now I feel so proud to have reached this goal.
Even though it was tough, getting my Grade 1 certificate shows how much better I’ve got. It’s the first piano certificate I’ve ever earned, and it makes me excited to keep going and learn even more cool stuff.
I think that with patience and practice, anyone can do awesome things, just like I did with piano. So, if you’re finding something hard, don’t give up—keep trying!
By David 4GH
Springing into action!
I competed in the West Midlands Regional Trampolining Qualifier One at North Solihull Sports Centre with my club - Central Galaxy Coventry Trampolining Club.
This is the first of two competitions against other boys from all over the region, with the top two boys over both qualifiers going through to represent the West Midlands later in the year at the Inter Regional Challenge Cup Final.
I did two fantastic routines and placed second, taking the silver medal. This put me in a good position going into the second
qualifier in March and having a good chance of making the West Midlands team!
Trampolining is so exciting and fun - give it a go!
By George 4P
Swimming
Success
I spent a weekend at the Rugby Open Swimming Meet. I took part in five races. I came 4th in the 50m breaststroke and got a creme egg, but I got disqualified in the 50m fly. I was thrilled to get bronze and achieved a PB for 100m breaststroke, and I got a silver medal for my first attempt at the 100m backstroke.
I’m looking forward to competing in the first round of the junior league national competition with Theo and Elliot for our Leamington Swim Club. We have done lots of practice and we did well in the first junior league practice at Pingles so, fingers crossed!
By Hugo 4W
STRINGFEST
This term, we celebrated all things strings at this year’s Stringfest Concert at Warwick Hall.
We had a feast of music - ranging from small ensemble music-making of living female composers, right up to a string orchestra of Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings.
Spanning the complete age range of boys from Junior School to Upper Sixth, and a selection of girls from King’s High, St Patrick’s Day was marked in style with performances of traditional reels and jigs, including a heartwarming rendition of Ashokan Farewell and Danny Boy.
Congratulations to all of the String Players for their contribution to a wonderful evening of music-making.
The Big Brass concert
The Big Brass Concert is a highlight of our music calendar at Warwick. It was a spectacular event, showcasing the outstanding brass music-making that we are so proud of here. The boys all performed superbly - well done to everyone who took part.
Pro Corda Chamber Music Festival
On Thursday, 27 February, the Junior School Kleine Cello Quartet made it to the semi-finals of the Pro Corda Chamber Music Festival!
The boys put on an incredible performance - a fullydeserved reward for all their hard work. The adjudicator said it was rare to have such excellent ensemble playing for such a young group!
A huge well done to Alexander, Finn, Jake and Kamran!
INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
As part of the Foundation’s ongoing development, and in particular the exploration of additional income streams, we announced the exciting news that we are investigating the potential for establishing international franchise schools.
UK independent schools creating
international brands is not uncommon, and the market over the coming years is likely to become more crowded. Nevertheless, we plan to ensure that the educational provision which make our schools so special is translated into a compelling international proposition. However, this does not take away any of the focus on ensuring the excellence of educational
Orchestra of the Swan
On Thursday, 20 March, the Foundation’s ongoing partnership with Orchestra of the Swan resulted in another wonderful evening of music at Warwick Hall, with Foundation pupils having the truly unique opportunity to perform alongside professional musicians.
‘Elements’ presented the four classical elements in musical form, with the orchestra performing an array of musical pieces - including Jean-Féry Rebel’s ‘Chaos’, Manuel de Falla’s ‘Ritual Fire Dance’, and Debussy’s ‘La Mer’. It also featured a world-premiere performance of ‘Air’, a newly commissioned piece from jazz musicians David Gordon and Tim Whitehead, which they performed alongside some of our top musicians and the Swan orchestra.
All of the pupils excelled; they fit in seamlessly on stage alongside the professional musicians, which
is testament to the quality of performance that they produced on the night.
We now look ahead to ‘Interstellar - the Swan’s final concert of the season at Warwick Hall - on Thursday, 19 June. Featuring acclaimed actor Anton Lesser and the intertwining of narration and musical pieces, you won’t want to miss it. Book here: https://www.bridgehousetheatre. co.uk/show/orchestra-of-theswan-interstellar/
provision for your children, now or in the future.
It is likely that any contracts will take a number of years to come to fruition and we look forward to updating parents with progress in due course. News and updates will be added to the Foundation website in the coming weeks and months: warwickschoolsfoundation.co.uk
WSF MultiAcademy Trust receives approval
Following a period of consultation with the communities of the founding schools in December, the Department for Education approved the creation of the Warwick Schools Foundation MultiAcademy Trust in January. This means that the four founding schools - Evergreen School, Exhall Grange Specialist School, Clapham Terrace Primary School, and Westgate Primary School - have received approval to become academies. The date for academisation and the opening of the Trust is now scheduled for 1 September 2025.
More information can be found at: https://www.warwickschoolsfoundation. co.uk/wsf-mat
