This week, we marked National Anti-Bullying Week across the School. We sported our odd socks on Monday, celebrating how each of us is as unique and individual as our socks, be it spotty, stripey or neon leopard print.

In the Pre-Prep, Mrs Packman spoke to the children about standing up for kindness. They discussed what kindness and unkindness is, and the children were encouraged not only to manage their own behaviour, but to stand up and call out any unkindness by 'just saying "hey"'.

Mr Jones led assembly in the Prep School on Wednesday about the power of words. He spoke about how words can lift us up, make us laugh and sometimes hurt. The highlight was watching the Great Beaudesert Toothpaste Race, which showed how difficult it is to take back words once they have been spoken. Children were encouraged to think before their speak, and use their words to show kindness.

Kind Hearts are the Gardens

Kind hearts are the gardens,

Kind thoughts are the roots,

Kind words are the flowers,

Kind deeds are the fruits.

Take care of your garden,

And keep out the weeds,

Fill it with sunshine;

Kind words and kind deeds. 

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

As we gear up for the Year 8 performance in a few weeks' time, the Performing Arts Centre has been a hive of activity today, as the set for the production has arrived!

As well as the multi-tiered set, Mrs Crosbee has spent much of her time this week donning her hard hat, moving lighting fixtures for the production. The Year 8s will spend next week off timetable, giving their full energy to the upcoming show.

It was a fantastic day for the girls at the Severnside Tournament this week! The U9A, U9B, and U10A teams all claimed first place, the U10Bs were also on the podium in second place, and our Firsts earned a well-deserved third place. Countless goals were scored, crucial saves were made, strong tackles were taken, and there was brilliant passing throughout. Well done, everyone!

This week also marked the first swimming gala of the season, with our Years 6 to 8 swim squad heading to Wycliffe. It’s a different kind of season with the ongoing pool refurbishment, but we’re thrilled to celebrate our enthusiastic swimmers; from those eager to get back in the water to those who also swim for clubs outside of school. It was a great event ending in a convincing win for Beaudesert, well done all!

On Tuesday, we marked Remembrance Day with a two minutes' silence on the Banks, attended by staff and all children from Reception and Year 8. After an assembly which explained the reasons why we wear our poppies, we congregated on the banks to hear the names of the Old Beaudesertians who had given their lives in war. George in Year 8 did a splendid job of playing The Last Post. As the autumn leaves scattered at our feet, we remembered all those who gave their today for our tomorrow.

Mr and Mrs Searson attended the Remembrance Service at Amberley Church on Sunday and laid a wreath on behalf of the School, and one of our bus drivers, Karen, played in Nailsworth Silver Band at Minchinhampton's Service.

At lunchtime today, we had the pleasure of listening to some of Mrs Pearce-Coleman's talented singers. From seasoned performers to those stepping up for their first Prep School concert, we were wowed by their poise and confidence. Well done, all.

We have been making the most of the wet and soggy weather in Forest School; building dens, discussing hibernation, looking for animals' homes, creating natural art, and exploring squidgy, squelchy, sensory mud through our play!

We have been conducting experiments linked to climate and weather and, through implementing a ‘fair test’, explored how fast we can melt ice, adding sugar and salt to different samples. We estimated how long it would take to melt our ice, and to free the toys that had been frozen inside.

We have also spent time learning about Remembrance Day, through stories and artwork, creating some beautiful pieces that are displayed around Pre-Prep.

In French, we are incorporating lots of movement alongside our favourite songs, helping embed our learning with actions. And in Late Stay, we have been expanding our creativity through play, with hairdressers, real-life stretchy men and yoga this week.

With story-writing, poetry, shape and number work in abundance, it has been another busy and fun-filled week in Pre-Prep.

Anna Packman, Head of Pre-Prep

Year 5 have been taking part in various team challenges in their Moving On sessions. This week, Mr Waters' group made a tower structure from paper, learning about tubes and triangle construction methods to make a strong and tall paper tower. They did a fantastic job.

We’ve had a fantastic week in the Boarding House, with our activities spreading far and wide.

Monday saw Year 4 warming up their escapee and stealth skills ahead of next week’s Breakout. They explored every nook and cranny of the forest in an effort to avoid the dreaded beam of the Spotlight. Tuesday followed in similar fashion for some, while others stayed cosy indoors in the Sports Hall with a range of active games.

Wednesday meant one of my favourite activities: our Year 8 young adults rediscovered their inner child during a whole-school game of hide and seek. It’s always a firm favourite and loved by all.

Thursday’s weather kept us inside, but our creative juices flowed with bracelet and charm-making. This was later followed by rugby and an enthusiastic round of Britains' Got Talent. Thankfully, these took place in different parts of the School.

A quick shout-out for the upcoming Christmas trips: if you would like your child to board, please ensure you sign up before Monday. All details were sent out on Monday this week.

• Years 7 and 8: Cheltenham Christmas Market and Ice Rink on Thursday, 4th December
• Years 4, 5 and 6: AirHop, Gloucester on Tuesday, 9th December

Have a lovely weekend,

Oli and Debbie Jones, Houseparents

Thank you to our community for your donations today, either dropped into (some rather soggy) buckets this morning, or to buy a tasty cake from our Year 8s this afternoon. These will go a long way to helping children in need across the country.

After seven years unbeaten, Mrs Searson finally lost a game of Pucket on Wednesday evening. Fierce-fingered Thirza was just too quick for Mrs Searson at this week’s Year 8 Supper. We hear Mrs S is putting in additional training sessions...