Children in Years 2 to 8 and staff took part in a moving, sombre, thought-provoking Remembrance Service this morning.  In between hymns, six Year 8 children did readings.  These included a timeline of important worldwide events during 1918 which lead, eventually, to Armistice Day.   One of the children read Wilfred Owens’s famous poem, Anthem for Doomed Youth, and pupils sang a setting of the poem, In Flanders Fields by John McCrae.  After the wreath-laying, the names were read out of each Old Beaudesertian who gave his life in either in the Great War, the Second World War or the Korean War.  This was followed by an accomplished playing of The Last Post by Bryn and Archie B in Year 7, before the two minute silence was observed.

From Monday, tickets will be available to book for what will certainly be an entertaining evening.  Book early to avoid disappointment!  Please note that priority will be given to Year 8 parents and guests.

Thank to the Friends of Beaudesert for organising a fantastic Fireworks Party for the crowds to enjoy last weekend.  The fireworks display was exceptionally good, and the sky was alight and alive with colour and sound.

This Thursday the school was positively awash with creativity.  Taking its lead from the national Big Draw initiative, the day featured a fleet of activities all designed to get children doodling and drawing right across the school.  The theme of the day was ‘play’, with special inspiration courtesy of doodling supremo Mr Doodle.  Activities included a collaborative ‘Big Doodle’ during break, an all-school (and all staff) doodle postcard competition, and special doodling-themed sessions during art, pottery and other after-school activities, as well as in the boarding house in the evening.

Earlier today, 1N gave a class assembly all about memory.  The children explored how both happy and sad times tend to stay in our memories.  They discussed what makes things memorable, and talked about things that they are good at remembering (like birthdays), and things that they sometimes forget (like tidying bedrooms)!  In addition, they talked about how we help to remember, such as knotting a handkerchief, to looking at photographs and writing Post-It notes. Next they showed off their gorgeous My Special Memory paintings before putting on their ‘field of poppies’ headbands for a section which focussed on the importance of the Armistice Centenary, and of remembering people who have died at war.  Rousing renditions of traditional wartime songs “It’s a long way to Tipperary” and “Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag” were followed by a prayer, read beautifully by Flora and Isabel.

Our Year 4, 5 and 6 swim team had a very successful win away at Dean Close Prep on Tuesday.  There was great team spirit and some fantastic swims. The Year 5 girls deserve a special mention for winning in all their individual and relay races.  Well done to all swimmers!

A group of Year 7 and 8 girls planned and led the U9 girls’ training sessions this week over at the field.  They planned a warm-up, some drills and umpired some very competitive matches. The senior girls were absolutely fantastic with the younger girls, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The Year 4 girls were full of smiles as well.  Fun all round.  Well done to all.

Google are running a program to help young people stay safe online.  It includes a game module called Interland which takes the user through a series of different worlds where they have to answer questions correctly to complete each stage.  Check it out via this link: https://beinternetlegends.withgoogle.com/en-gb

This week has seen a return to relative normality in the boarding house. The first full week back of the half term, no parties and no trips which has meant everyone has been in on their nights – what a joy!

Monday night football with the Year 4s was a huge success.  Our Year 4 children were joined by Minchinhampton Football Club for the first training session of the term in a hugely happy evening of sport.

On Tuesday a group of Years 5 and 7 girls used the Laytons’ kitchen to make some quite delicious chocolate brownies whilst the rest of the boarders enjoyed playing under the floodlights on the astro for the first time this term.

One of the evening events on Wednesday came at the expense of the staff with many of the children deciding that they wanted to watch the quite thrilling staff football match between Beaudesert and Wycliffe.  Happily, they saw a victory for the staff they have come to respect and love so much!

Finally, Thursday was the Beaudesert Big Draw and this was celebrated in all parts of the school, as well as the boarding house.  Mrs Layton had lots of fun in the Art room with the Year 6 boarders doodling away using many different mediums.  Art at its best!  A huge thank you for your kind emails following the email we sent out this week. We have had a really positive response both from people who are keen to try boarding for the first time, and those who simply wish to continue.  Do keep letting us know by emailing us at houseparents@bps.school.

Our 1st X111 rugby players enjoyed a fabulous game of rugby last night.  Organised by Cheltenham College as a memorial match for William Davies – their former Headmaster and also Chairman of Cheltenham Rugby Club, the match took place on the brand new floodlit 4G rugby pitch at Cheltenham Rugby Club.  To complete the pro feel, the referee was none other than Chris White who has refereed at three Rugby World Cups.

Wednesday saw 7T take a powerful and poignant form assembly, with the horrors of war at its core.   The form had delved into the archives to read copies of the Beaudesert school magazine dating from 1915 and 1916, in order to learn about members of the school who served during the Great War, some of whom died.   In fact, although Beaudesert was only ten years old by the end of WWI, twenty of its boys served in the armed forces, and five of them did not return.   The children read out carefully chosen excerpts from letters and other passages taken from the magazines, including harrowing accounts of what some of their predecessors and other men faced.   The assembly served as a compelling reminder of the significance of the imminent Armistice Centenary.

Tickets are now available for the first in what promises to be a very enjoyable series of evening concerts featuring professional and semi-professional musicians.   Ben Cipolla & The Nouvelle House Band will take to the stage here in the Performing Arts Centre on Friday 1th January – the first of three different acts set to perform across the school year.   Tickets are available to purchase via Eventbrite.  Adults £8.45, including a glass of wine.  Children free.  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ben-cipolla-the-nouvelle-house-band-at-beaudesert-park-school-tickets-51150807442

All children in Years 5 to 8, and a number from Years 3 and 4 will be playing in the second Super Saturday of the month tomorrow when they compete all morning against their Cheltenham College counterparts.   Do come along to support them if you can.

Consort had a fantastic day at Monkton Combe on Tuesday.  Alongside five other prep schools, they learnt a variety of music to perform to friends and family at the end of the day.  Music included arrangements of Amazing Grace, A Clare Benediction by John Rutter and a world premiere of The Falcon Carol by Jonathan Wikeley.  Very well done to Consort for their excellent singing and enthusiasm.    To hear a snippet please see the musicatbeaudesert Twitter page.

Nursery children had their first taste of the indoor pool this week, and clearly enjoyed their dip.  Despite a fair amount of excitement they listened really well to their teacher’s instructions throughout the lesson.  One water baby even swam a whole length!

The girls gave a really creditable account of themselves at the U13 IAPS hockey regionals at Millfield on Monday.  They managed to remain unbeaten in their five group games and just missed out on progressing to the plate competition on goal difference.  Staff commented on how the team more than held their own in tough matches against The Downs, Wraxall and Cheltenham Prep, and the effort, determination and enjoyment shown by all was great to see.  Unfortunately one of the squad sustained an injury during the match, but the whole squad rallied together brilliantly and were desperate to do her proud, which they certainly did.  We all wish Saskia well and a speedy recovery.

We were delighted to have author Tom Palmer with us for the day today.  Tom is the author of 45 books featuring spies, history, the RAF, ghosts, detectives, war, football and rugby.   His recent book Over the Line is an historical novel about a professional footballer’s experience in WWI.  Throughout the day he took really inspiring workshop sessions using the themes of wartime, football and rugby with the different year groups from Years 3 to 8. His energetic passion for his subjects was infectious and the children were completely engaged and enthused. Thank you Mr Palmer!

Eight schools came together to play in and host a fun and fulfilling afternoon of festivals and tournaments for the Severnside Rugby day this week.  There was some superb playing in evidence and plenty of enthusiasm across the various groups from Years 5 to 8.   Well done to all involved.