Junior School Warwickian - Michaelmas 2023

Michaelmas 2023

s g n i t e e r G s ’ n o s a e S ! l o o h c S r o i n u J m o fr

Edition 1

Note from the Headmaster

What a term it has been! From raising money for Guide Dogs for the Blind, to going on tour with rugby to London, to learning how to safely navigate dangerous environments at Hazard Alley, it has been wonderful to see the boys making the very best of all the opportunities available them since September.

From the Principal

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This is the inaugural stand-alone Junior School edition of The Warwickian. It is always such a treat to see the boys’ achievements and advantures chronicled in the Senior School magazine, but to be able to gift our families with their own end of term round-up is especially welcomed given how much goes on in our school. If the format is well received, we hope to grow the size of this magazine in terms to come so watch this space.

It is at this time of year that we are reminded most about the importance of community. As I rapidly approach my first full year as your Headmaster in January, I am reminded yet again of the incredible community that we have here at the Junior School.

On that note, I hope you enjoy reading these pages as you prepare for the festive season, reminiscing about what has been and what is to come. I wish everybody a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

New playground!

Over the summer, our playground got a huge upgrade for the start of the year!

The boys have loved using features such as the new play structure, basketball hoops and handball courts, while the pop of colour has added a lovely touch.

Who let the dogs out? Ignis!

On Friday, 24 November, Ignis held their charity day to raise money for their chosen charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind. Boys had a great time coming to school dressed as dogs and took part in a range of activities, such as making jam sandwiches blindfolded, playing ‘name the dog’, and showing their creative skills in an art competition - all while donating money. We are so proud of the boys, who managed to raise £806 for a great cause!

Earlier this term, we celebrated our annual Service of Thanksgiving, filling St Mary’s Church with representatives from across our schools and the wider Foundation family. This is the only time in the year which brings together representatives from all aspects of our charity’s work and reach, including our vital community partners trustees from the town charities which support our endeavours and representatives from the town’s schools with whom we have special relationships.

There is much talk of educational charities currently, and it is useful to remind ourselves that we exist solely because we are a charity with a very particular object: in summary, to operate schools in and around Warwick. As with every charity, we operate in line with the laws of the land and are accountable to the charity commission, and in our case, the Department for Education too via the Independent Schools Inspectorate for the quality of education each school provides. We are proud that each of our schools provides a wonderful environment for our pupils, and of the commitment of the senior teams in the schools to enhance opportunities for all, thereby living out our charity’s purpose: to transform lives through the power of education.

Close to home, that shared mission of transformation has unlocked opportunities across our schools. We see this in the lived experience of our pupils and the everyday opportunities they have to work together.

New ways to do this emerge both organically and strategically, whether that is through societies where pupils share and explore interests, new clubs to develop skills and talents, new educational pathways, or structured opportunities to work together. Three particularly important developments this term have been the Link Day for Years 5 and 6 across Warwick Prep and Warwick Juniors, the Global Universities programme and the arrival of Stuart Thompson as the Foundation Executive Music Lead. All of these, and more, mean that by being part of a larger whole, everybody benefits. That is also a useful life lesson, too.

This also means that there is more to share for everyone in our wider community too. The very special relationship we have with the town of Warwick is one we are gradually extending to Leamington, working with schools to support in areas most impactful for them, which beyond educational partnerships directly for pupils and staff, is now embracing support for parents too, for example through the pastoral forum on online safety. This increasing connectivity makes our charity more relevant to more people. This feels especially important as we head into 2024.

The combination of our five schools’ anniversaries - which include Warwick celebrating its 1,110 anniversary, King’s High 145 and Kingsley 140 - means that we collectively celebrate 1552 years of education. That is an extraordinary legacy and one on which we are proud to build.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year and would like to thank you for the individual and collective support you bring to our schools and therefore our charity.

Richard Nicholson Foundation Principal

Christmas Concert

On Thursday, 30 November, we held our Christmas Concert in Warwick Hall.

The concert was a sparkling showcase of the musical talent of the Junior School, with boys from Years 3 to 6 demonstrating their proficiency of a variety of instruments.

Colourful Christmas hats and tinsel adorned the instruments, all adding to the glitter and ‘feel good’ glow of the afternoon.

Bravo boys!

House Captains and Prefects Congratulations to the Prefects, and House Captains of Aqua, Terra, Ventis and Ignis, who have been elected for this academic year.

We look forward to seeing the boys continue their great work as role models within the school as the year progresses.

Hazard Alley

Earlier in the term, Year 4 visited Hazard Alley Safety Centre. The boys had a gerat day being introduced to risks, dangers, and hazards in a safe environment.

Building on from our school PSHEE curriculum, the boys continued to develop their knowledge of personal safety, but also finding out about water, fire, road, and railway safety to name just a few.

Link Day with Warwick Prep

The first link day of the academic year took place earlier in the term, with Year 6 girls from Warwick Prep School hosting the Year 6 boys from Warwick Junior School, and the Year 5 boys hosting the Year 5 girls.

The theme for Year 5 was the Coldplay song ‘a sky full of stars’, with pupils enjoying a carousel of activities centred around music, art and dance. Year 6 worked together to create a recycled fashion show.

London Rugby Tour On Friday, 1 December, thirty-seven Year 6 boys went on a rugby tour to London.

Highlights included; fixtures against Donhead Prep School and Hertford RFC; a trip to Hollywood bowl and the arcade; a tour of Twickenham stadium; a training session ran by Saracens academy coaches and a truly amazing experience of being on the pitch before the Saracens v Northampton Premiership match. Pizza Express under the Wembley Arch to top off a remarkable day!

The boys were also visited by Fin Smith (OW 2021), who started fly half for Northampton and came into the stands after the match to share a few words and a have his photo with the boys - an inspiring moment for everyone involved.

The boys on tour were an absolute credit to Warwick Junior School - their maturity, attitude and perseverance throughout made it a very enjoyable trip for everyone involved.

Chess Success

It has been a stellar term for Junior School chess; around 80 boys across from all age groups play chess in lunchtime clubs; we were recognised by the English Chess Federation (ECF) for outstanding achievements in chess; and our Junior School chess team has made great progress, including success in the Warwickshire Primary Schools Chess Championship and the Warwickshire Junior Chess Championships.

You can now follow us on Instagram (@warwickjuniorschool), Facebook, and X (@warwick_juniors)!