Beachborough Newsletter: Friday 14th March 2025

Head Teacher

Head’s Blog

“Celebration is about making moments special, cherishing those moments, and making sure that everyone is aware of the joy in the air.” Unknown

At Beachborough, we take immense pride in celebrating the achievements of the children, particularly those who strive for scholarships to senior schools. Whether they attain the scholarship or not, each child who embarks on this journey demonstrates qualities that extend far beyond academic ability and talent. As Gever Tulley wisely said, persistence and resilience are born out of the experience of working through challenges. This journey, with its ups and downs, truly helps the children develop these important life skills. The perseverance required to face these challenges, as well as the resilience to bounce back when things don’t go as planned, are essential traits for success both in and out of the classroom.

The process of preparing for a scholarship is no small feat. It demands dedication, spirit, and a deep passion for the specific area of interest. The pupils who take on this challenge commit themselves to hours of preparation, refining their skills, and stretching their abilities to new heights.

While those who are awarded scholarships receive well-earned recognition for their excellence, it is equally important to acknowledge the courage and determination of those who put themselves forward but do not achieve their desired outcome. The experience itself is a victory, teaching invaluable lessons about perseverance and self-belief.

It is important that we recognise that the scholarship process is not just about securing a place at a senior school; it is about building character. The qualities nurtured during this experience will serve the children well in every aspect of their lives. To those who have been successful, we extend our heartfelt congratulations. But also, to those who have tried, we applaud your determination and spirit.

In every scholarship attempt, there is a story of effort, dedication, and aspiration. That is what truly matters, and that is what we celebrate.

Scholarship Roll 2024 – 2025

I had the wonderful experience of judging some fantastic models from both Form V and Form VI pupils this week, and I was thoroughly impressed with their efforts!  The Form V, space models of the solar system showcased not only a deep understanding of the planets and various aspects of our solar system, but also a remarkable level of creativity. It was clear that each child had put a great deal of thought and care into their models, and I was amazed by their detailed explanations of planetary features and orbits. In Form VI, the models of different types of plant and animal cells were equally impressive. The children demonstrated a strong grasp of the different types of cells and their constituent parts, while also presenting their knowledge in such creative and imaginative ways. It was a joy to see the hard work, dedication, and passion that went into both sets of models. Congratulations to all of Form V and VI, you should be incredibly proud of your brilliant work!

On Wednesday, I had the absolute pleasure of watching Form III perform their assembly “Are You Smarter Than a Form III?” The assembly was cleverly conducted like a fun game show, with the children competing against their parents in a lively and engaging way; the friendly competition added an extra layer of excitement. The assembly was an outstanding display of the children’s learning across a variety of subjects, including English, Maths, History, Science, and the Arts. They not only demonstrated their impressive knowledge but also showcased their creativity, teamwork, and confidence. An absolute joy to watch.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,

Simone

Congratulating Jude and Isla

Siblings, Isla and Jude, took part in the Milton Keynes Festival on Saturday 8th March. They showed real maturity considering they were much younger than the other performers in their classes.

Jude performed at the festival to an audience for the first time, playing 2 songs in the percussion class. He gained 1st place for his performances with a highly commended. The adjudicator commented on his “Great rhythmic drumming with contrast” and said  “he is a born drummer”.

Isla first performed in the grand theatre for the intermediate piano solo Ludovico Einaudi class, receiving a highly commended. After which, she performed 2 songs for her flute solo and received 1st place with honours; the adjudicator said she gave a “delightful performance with excellent articulation”. She then performed in the Piano 20th/21st Century Solo intermediate class, gaining a highly commended with 1 mark off an honour. She finished the long day with another Piano 20th/21st century solo intermediate class, gaining a well deserved 1st place for a brilliant performance with a high honours – 1 mark off outstanding from the highly regarded adjudicator Joseph Tong (associate of the Royal Academy of Music and  Wells Cathedral School). Joseph noted her “impressive and musical playing showing excellent technical control and a secure sense of rhythm”.

Congratulations Jude and Isla – a wonderful achievement!

Shrewsbury Art Competition

We were invited to enter the Shrewsbury School Prep Schools Art Competition this year. With the challenging theme of ‘Reflections and Shadows’, many of the Manor House put forward their brilliant entries to be judged last week. Shrewsbury School were thrilled with all our entries, however, it was Edward C (Form VIII) who wowed the judges with his entry and has gone forward as a finalist for the event this Friday. Well done Edward, a deserved accolade! Thank you to all those who entered and let’s hope to be invited back next year too.

Mrs Cox

FVI Netball

With the Form Vs away on an exciting trip to York, the Form VIs enjoyed a home fixture against Maidwell Hall.

The girls were excited to have their first taste of 7-a-side netball in a competitive environment, and they certainly rose to the challenge.

Once again, it was wonderful to see the progress our players have made and having played 5-a-side all season with positional rotations every quarter, it was a privilege to be able to play to the girls’ strengths.

Both teams finished with well-deserved victories; we shall certainly look forward to following this cohort’s progress playing 7-a-side in Form VII.

Vicki Little

PP2 go to Woburn Safari Park!

Pre-Prep 2 enjoyed a fantastic day out to Woburn Safari Park last Friday. To start the day, we had a guided tour around the safari, learning all about the animals found in different continents, which fits perfectly with our topic learning. The children particularly enjoyed learning about the lions, bears and giraffes. After a picnic in the sunshine, the children went on a foot safari, looking at many more different animals, including penguins, sea lions, reptiles and lemurs. We then had an exciting educational talk about African animals. The children were so passionate and excited to explore and learn about a range of animals located around the world.

Pre-Prep 2 definitely demonstrated the Beachborough values and represented the school brilliantly. We would also like to thank our parent helpers, Kelly and Fern, for being a big help and supporting the children.

Miss Banks and Miss Morle

At the next Link meeting on Monday 24th March, we welcome Philippa from Strive OT, a specialist Occupational Therapy service dedicated to providing high-quality, evidence-based support to children, families, and schools. Philippa will be discussing how Occupational Therapy can support children both at school and at home, offering practical solutions for a range of developmental challenges.

Philippa is looking forward to meeting you all and sharing her experience on how Occupational Therapy can make a real difference!

Winchester House Rugby 7s

On Saturday 8th March, our U13 and U11 boys’ teams took part in the annual Winchester House Rugby 7s festival, in beautiful Spring like weather. This would be the final outing of the year for both sides, after their regular school season finished back in December; they have been involved in some 7s events since then, exposing them to a different format of the game.

After an excellent showing at the Cothill competition back in February, in which the team won each of their games, the U11’s didn’t quite match the heights from that particular day. High level sport is sometimes a game of fine margins and this certainly felt the case for the boys last weekend. Our first two games, against very accomplished opposition in Bromsgrove and Caldicott, went right to the wire, ending in the narrowest of defeats (2 tries to 3 against Bromsgrove and 4-5 to Caldicott, having led 4-2 at one point). Perhaps it was the frustration of losing two nail biters that prompted a dramatic response but our final pool game against Oratory Prep was a very one sided affair and a comfortable win ensued. This led to a final game against St Joseph’s School, Ipswich from the other pool and the theme of close matches continued as a 4-4 draw completed our competition.

The U13 boys began their day with a tough looking encounter on paper against Bedford School. However, a 4-4 draw was just reward for a very good showing. The boys then lost narrowly to another strong outfit, Maidwell Hall, and as a result, moved into the Bowl competition. Ashfold and Oratory Prep provided some resistance but ultimately, our boys showed their class with two comfortable wins, running in a number of tries in the process. On an individual note, Josh S was voted by a panel of UR7’s (a team of referees and scouts) as the most valuable player of the day across all of the teams taking part, embodying all of the core rugby values on show. This was a fitting way for the team to end their rugby career at Beachborough on and also send Mr Preece out on a high in his final game as coach of Beachborough.

Mr Usher

Club Credits!

CLUB CHILDREN CREDITS AVERAGE
CHAPPELL 93 416 4.47
CARDER 90 350 3.89
BOARDMAN 92 436 4.74
SPRAWSON 88 419 4.76

The results are in…

Ultimate Activity Camps 2025!

BEA EASTER EBO POSTERWe 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.

Easter Early Booking Offer EXTENDED  from 04/03/25 to 11/04/25

Don’t miss out! Ultimate Activity Camps are returning this Easter and summer, offering an incredible opportunity for children to explore new activities, build confidence, and make new friends. Each week is packed with over 40 exciting sports, games, and creative activities, all delivered in a safe and fun environment.

  • Prices start from just £48 per day!
  • Save up to £60 per week
  • Offer ends 11th April 2025!
  • EASTER camp dates: Monday 7th to Friday 11th April 2025

This offer is available online so please visit: https://www.ultimateactivity.co.uk/locations/beachborough-school to save on your holiday childcare.

Georgie Raises Money for Mary’s Meals

Big thanks go to Georgie (FV) for managing to raise enough money to feed two children at our sponsored school in Malawi: £38.30. Georgie did chores around the house to earn some extra pocket money to donate to Mary’s Meals. Thank you for your support!

 

 

Boys U11 National Hockey Finals at Framlingham College

On the 10th March, the U11 National Hockey Finals at Framlingham College provided a memorable and exciting experience for the team. The standard of play was exceptionally high, with all teams demonstrating great skill and determination. Despite facing tough competition, the U11s performed admirably and showcased significant improvement throughout the tournament.

The group stage began with a closely contested match against Millfield. The team put in a strong effort but narrowly lost 1-2. Undeterred, they moved on to face a formidable Cargilfield side. The team created several excellent chances early in the game but were unable to capitalise on them. As the match progressed, Cargilfield found their rhythm and secured a 3-0 victory.

In the third group game against Dumpton, the team once again displayed great resilience. It was another tightly contested match, but despite their best efforts, they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat. With one final group game remaining, the team knew that a victory against Feltonfleet would secure a spot in the plate knockout stages. The game was tense, with both teams defending well, resulting in a 0-0 scoreline deep into the match. In the final moments, a short corner opportunity arose, and the team seized the moment, scoring a dramatic last-play goal to win 1-0.

Advancing to the plate quarter-finals, the team faced St Michael’s Prep School. Their opponents proved to be an exceptionally strong side, and despite a valiant effort, the team was defeated 3-0. Although the tournament ended there, the boys should be immensely proud of their performance and the dedication they displayed throughout the day.

Reaching the National Finals itself was an incredible achievement, and the team’s effort and enthusiasm were commendable. Every match was a learning experience, and the players demonstrated excellent teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship. The event provided a fantastic opportunity for development, and the experience gained will undoubtedly benefit them in future competitions.

A huge thank you goes out to all the parents who travelled to support the team. Their encouragement and presence on the sidelines played a crucial role in motivating the boys. It was truly a wonderful day filled with competitive hockey, valuable experiences, and proud moments for everyone involved.

Mr Stoop

Ex Beachburian set for England debut

We are delighted to share that Ex Beachburian, Henry Pollock, is set to earn his first senior England men’s cap from the bench this weekend, in the Wales v England Six Nations final round!

We are wishing the best of luck to Henry and the team.

Read more about it here.

U13A girls victorious against Maidwell Hall

On Wednesday, we travelled to Maidwell Hall with our 1st and 2nd Netball Team. Some fantastic netball was played by both teams. The 2nd teams game was incredibly close, managing to win by 1 goal, and the 1st team won with a very healthy score! The 1st teams score didn’t reflect the match; Maidwell played their socks off and were incredibly competitive. Once again, the 1st team girls were incredibly adaptable, playing in a variety of positions and working really well as a team to perform some very skilful netball, allowing them to achieve such a fantastic win. Well done!

Mrs Howkins 

 

Introducing Fencing to Beachborough!

This morning’s assembly was run by Mr Robert Parsons, a fencing coach who currently works at Rugby and Daventry Fencing Club, as well as Rugby School and Tudor Hall. Robert provided pupils in Forms III to VIII (minus Form V who have been away in York on their residential trip) with an insight into the art of fencing, showing them a series of movements and the equipment required to take part. One of our Form VI pupils, Thom J, currently fences at Robert’s club and was heavily involved in a number of demonstrations to the remainder of the school.

Fencing will form of part of the co-curricular programme from next term and further information will be coming our shortly to parents about a taster session.

Use of Mill Lane Car Park

We ask that all members of the Beachborough Community using the Mill Lane Car Park remember to drive at a slow and safe speed when entering and driving in the car park. There are often young children and families using this car park and we need to ensure their safety.

Additionally, please could we remind drivers to park as close as is sensibly possible to the car next to them so that we can ensure the car park can be used to its full capacity.

Thank you for your support.

Mr Blee’s Half Marathon for Mary’s Meals…

On Sunday 27th April, Mr Blee will be running the Shakespeare Half Marathon, all in aid of raising money for Mary’s Meals!

Mr Blee has set a generous target of £1,000, which will feed 52 pupils at our sponsored primary school for a whole year. We have no doubt that you will join us in supporting him along the way, and we are wishing him the best of luck for April.

We have created a JustGiving page, if you wish to kindly donate: JUSTGIVING PAGE

Thank you so much for your generosity!

Form FVI are super excited about performing Madagascar Jr. on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th March! 

If you would like to secure a spot for one or both nights, we are able to offer 3 tickets per family (per night). If you would like to reserve some places, please send an email to Louise Dodd (L.dodd@beachborough.com) with how many tickets you’d like, along with any special requirements (for example, wheelchair or pushchair access).

What’s on next week?

Mon 17th
9.00am – 11.00am – Form VI musical rehearsal followed by performance to the Boardman
9.45am – 11.00am – Beachborough Explorers Event
5.30pm – Music Teacher Parents’ Evening (Online via SchoolCloud)*

Tues 18th
Form VII Tutor Team Meeting
2.00pm – Girls’ Football: U9 (3 Teams) at the St Hugh’s Festival (A)*
2.00pm – Boys’ Hockey: U9 (All Boys) v New College (A at Iffley Road Astroturf)*
2.00pm – Boys’ Hockey: U8 (All Boys) v New College (A at Iffley Road Astroturf)*
4.00pm – Full Governors’ Meeting
4.00pm – 6.00pm – PP1 & PP2 Parents’ Evening (Classrooms)*
6.00pm – 8.00pm – Form VII Parents’ Evening (online via SchoolCloud)*
6.00pm – 7.00pm – Form VI Musical Performance to Parents (The Whybrow Theatre)*

Weds 19th
All Day – Site-wide Marketing Photoshoot Provisional
8.05am – Whole School Pastoral Meeting
Form III – VIII Club Assembly
2.30pm – Girls’ Netball: Colts A, B, Cavaliers and Tigers v Bilton Grange (H)*
2.30pm – Girls’ Netball: U13A, B and Cavaliers v Bilton Grange (A)*
2.30pm – Boys’ Football: 2nd XI and 4th IX v Bruern Abbey (A)*
2.30pm – Boys’ Football: 1st XI and 3rd IX v Bruern Abbey (H)*
2.30pm – Boys’ Hockey: Colts A and B v Bilton Grange (A)*
2.30pm – Boys’ Hockey: Colts E v Bilton Grange (H)*
3.15pm – Boys’ Hockey: Colts F v Bilton Grange (H)*
3.15pm – Boys’ Hockey: Colts C and D v Bilton Grange (A)*
5.30pm – 8.00pm – Form VII Parents’ Evening (online via SchoolCloud)*

Thurs 20th
8.00am – HODs meeting
8.40am – 10.00am – Spring Prize Giving
1.45pm – 3.00pm – 4+ Discovery Event
5.00pm – 7.00pm – PP1 & PP2 Parents’ Evening (Classrooms)*
6.00pm – 7.00pm – Form VI Musical Performance to Parents (The Whybrow Theatre)*

Fri 21st
8.30am – Celebration Assembly
2.00pm – Cross Country: Maidwell Chase (Select U9, U11 & U13 Boys/Girls) (A)*
7.00pm – Kites Form VII & VIII Formal Dinner (regular boarders only)

Sat 22nd 10.30am – Boarders Collection