Beachborough Newsletter: Friday 7th February 2025
Head’s Blog
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today” – Malcolm X
Malcolm X’s words remind us that education is the foundation upon which future success is built. Today, in our ever-evolving world, children need more than traditional learning; they need opportunities to communicate, reflect, adapt, and collaborate in meaningful ways so they are equipped to face a dynamic future. With this in mind, I am pleased to introduce a new initiative to Beachborough, which will begin in September 2025: the CREATE Programme. This is designed to prepare Beachburians with the essential skills needed to succeed in their future lives, CREATE is a progressive skills programme that aligns closely with Microsoft’s 21st Century Learners framework and the current Beachborough Intellectual Learning Characteristics.
The future in which our children will live, and work is changing at an unprecedented pace. Traditional knowledge-based learning, while still valuable, is no longer enough on its own. Employers, universities, and global institutions increasingly seek individuals who can think critically, adapt swiftly, collaborate effectively, and innovate confidently. To prepare Beachburians for these challenges, we are embedding a structured approach that nurtures these very skills throughout their learning journey.
This new programme has been devised to be embedded within teaching and learning, ensuring that children explicitly experience and understand these essential skills. Rather than being a standalone initiative, CREATE represents a vision that blends the Microsoft Showcase Skills with the current Beachborough Intellectual Learning Characteristics embedding these competencies seamlessly into everyday learning.
The CREATE Programme is built around six important areas:
- Communication (C) – The ability to communicate clearly and effectively is essential for success in any field. Whether speaking, writing, or using digital platforms, strong communication skills enable children to express their ideas confidently, collaborate well with others, and build meaningful relationships in both personal and educational settings.
- Reflection (R) – Learning to reflect allows children to assess their own progress, understand their strengths, and identify areas for improvement. By developing a habit of self-evaluation, they build resilience and take ownership of their learning.
- Empathy (E) – Understanding and respecting different perspectives is a key skill in today’s interconnected world. Empathy helps children build strong relationships, work effectively in diverse teams, and develop emotional intelligence, qualities that are highly valued and contribute to positive social interactions.
- Adaptability (A) – Society is constantly evolving, requiring individuals who can embrace change and remain open to new ideas. By developing adaptability, children learn to approach challenges with confidence, think creatively in uncertain situations, and stay resilient in the face of setbacks.
- Tenacity (T) – Determination and perseverance are vital in overcoming obstacles and achieving goals. Encouraging children to be tenacious helps them develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and a strong work ethic, qualities which enable them to thrive in demanding and competitive environments.
- Engagement (E) – Actively participating and working well with others are crucial for success in both education and beyond. By fostering engagement, children develop teamwork and leadership skills, learn how to collaborate effectively, and contribute positively to their communities.
CREATE will be introduced across the whole school in a way that is appropriate to each age and stage of development. In the Manor House, the current Credit system will be adjusted to better reflect achievements in these key skill areas. This approach ensures that all children, regardless of age, have the opportunity to develop, practise, and be recognised for their progress in these essential competencies.
We are incredibly excited about the impact this programme will have on the children, and we look forward to supporting them on this journey.
Thank you for your continued support.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Simone
At Beachborough Prep, our children begin to play in competitive fixtures from Form III onwards; however, our Sports Department have taken a fantastic leap forwards by starting to recognise talented sportspeople from as early as Pre-Prep 2, which is a remarkable development.
The U11B team enjoyed a tremendous 23-2 victory in their home fixture against St. Hugh’s. This is the first time that these five girls have played together, and they were very impressive. They dominated the match from the first whistle, and every one of them scored during the game. It was too difficult to choose one individual stand-out performance, so the whole team were awarded ‘Players of the Match’.
Hello, we are Young Enterprise, and we are having a Valentine’s sale! We would love it if your children could participate in buying gifts that we have spent hours hand-crafting. We are raising money for Mary’s Meals, and to support our sponsored school in Malawi.
On a beautiful, brisk February day, our senior rugby boys took part in the annual Northampton Saints Sevens competition, hosted at Stowe School. Sevens rugby is a much faster-paced and more tactical format of the game compared to the traditional 15-a-side, requiring a unique approach and years of practice to master.
On Wednesday afternoon, the U10 A, B, and C netball teams experienced a highly successful tournament, with each team earning medals—a remarkable achievement that reflects the dedication and effort the girls have invested in their training sessions so far and on the day. We are immensely proud of all the players!
We can’t wait for Ultimate Activity Camps to return this year, with camps running during the Easter and summer holidays. These camps offer an incredible opportunity for children to discover new activities, boost their confidence, and make lasting friendships. Each week is packed with over 40 thrilling sports, games, and creative activities, all delivered in a safe and fun environment inspected by Ofsted.
On Thursday 6th February, the U11 Boys hockey team took part in the IAPS regional hockey tournament at Abingdon School. After a slight delay due to frost, the first match was against Bablake School. We started well and at half time we were 2-0 up thanks to goals from Jamie S and Nick H. Tournament games are always short matches and the key is to score first and put the opposition under pressure. In the second half, Bablake attacked hard leaving themselves exposed at the back. Jamie S scored a third goal but in the last minute Balblake scored from a well worked short corner. The final score was a very pleasing 3-1 victory. It was an excellent start.
On Sunday 27th April, Mr Blee will be running the Shakespeare Half Marathon, all in aid of raising money for Mary’s Meals!
On Thursday, we were delighted to welcome Form VII and VIII parents into the classroom for our Microsoft Showcase Afternoon. This special event gave parents the opportunity to join their children in Maths and English lessons, experiencing first-hand how we integrate technology into learning.
On Friday 31st January, our U13 Girls had their IAPS Netball Tournament at Uppingham School. Mrs Little very kindly volunteered to drive the minibus and was a great support for the girls. There were two pools in the tournament but unfortunately, we were in the tough one! The standard of netball was incredible and our girls put up a tough fight. We lost our first three games until finally, we won a game which then put us on a winning streak. We ended up in the ‘Bowl’ play offs and won our games comfortably – winning the Bowl overall!
