Well done to our fabulous Year 8 children, most of whom sat their Common Entrance examinations this week!

They are on the homeward stretch now; next week their are off to Cornwall for a week of fun in the sun, followed by preparations for the Year 8 play in a few weeks’ time. We could not be more proud of their hard work and dedication to their studies over the last year; we hope they enjoy their post-CE barbecue this evening!

This week our Year 8 academic scholars have been doing a series of challenges whilst the rest of Year 8 sit their Common Entrance exams. Mr Winchester was so impressed with their leadership skills as they created and taught a Maths lesson for the Year 7s.

Here’s a report from Sophie R in Year 7:

On Thursday, we had the Year 8s teach us coding. The lesson was amazing because, not only did they explain the lesson clearly, they also taught us about when and why codes were used. My favourite code was the Caesar shift but also the pigpen cipher because it includes logic. 

The scholars were also challenged to measure the school buildings and create a mathematically accurate 3D bird’s eye view of the School – they are doing a great job so far!

Wow… What a tremendous week in the Boarding House! Life up here has been going at a million miles an hour but we would not have wanted it any other way. To start with, I must say a very public thank you to our amazing Matrons who have worked tirelessly to make sure beds are ready in time for new boarders each night. They have been superstars!

Monday night saw the return of the Year 6s and the order of the evening was a ginormous game of outdoor Virus. With such good weather, it was inevitable that they were going to spend time outside. On Tuesday, with perfect weather conditions, the Year 7s enjoyed the inaugural outdoor swim of the year!

On Wednesday we hosted the Year 4 taster evening, which was an absolute belter. The children enjoyed outdoor swims, a barbecue on the Terrace and treasure hunts around the dorms to introduce them to the Boarding House. There were some very excitable children!

Finally, on Thursday, we welcomed back many of the Year 5s as well. Again, some extremely excited children meant that the volume levels in the Boarding House were turned up high for a second night in a row… but we’ve missed it for the last 16 months, so bring it on!

There will be some very happy (and rather tired) children this weekend, as well as some pretty tired boarding staff, but it is just super to have so much life upstairs once again.

We are really looking forward to the Year 3 taster evening next Wednesday. Please note that we are changing the date of the Boarding House Coffee Morning to Monday, 5th July. More information will be coming shortly but if you would like to have a look around the Boarding House and come and ask any questions, please do.

Tom and Joey Layton, Houseparents

Our equestrian team was very busy over half term. India represented Beaudesert at the NSEA Eventers Challenge Championship at Hickstead, placing 25th as an individual out of a class of 180.

The Cotswold Cup series is well under way, Tinks produced a super dressage test and went double clear putting her in 4th place in the 80cm ODE at Oxstalls. Georgina also produced a double clear in the 90cm class.

At the NSEA Jumping with Style competition at West Wilts, Otti, Iris and Tinks came 2nd in the 70-75cm and have qualified for the Championship competition. The team of Jake, Otti, India and Tinks came 6th in the 80-85cm class and have qualified for the Plate competition.

Eleanora also had a very successful day at CCR Equestrian, winning both the 65cm and 75cm classes.

We are so happy to hear a number of children have been extending acts of kindness this week.

Max and Harrison in Year 4, and Rose and Lana in Year 1 wrote to the Queen, at Buckingham Palace, to let her know how sorry they were to hear about the death of Prince Philip. They have been delighted to receive a reply from the Queen this week.

Barney in Year 2 and Gus in Year 1 swam 100 lengths recently to raise money in memory of their grandfather. Well done, both!

Did you know we have a race car driver on staff at Beaudesert? One of our brilliant bus drivers, Martin, took part in the first round of the British and Midland Hills Championship at Shelsley Walsh last weekend. Unexpected rain and inappropriate tyres meant the car took a very unconventional racing line… Rest assured, Martin does keep the minibus on all 4 wheels and the black stuff during the week!

Year 3 went to Chedworth Roman Villa on Wednesday for an exciting Roman adventure. They looked at the hypocaust running underneath the villa and the pool built to contain natural spring water. They also visited the dining room where the Roman guests would have dined and watched entertainment. The mosaic on the floor was amazing and so well preserved. They learned so much and had a really lovely day out.

Today, Year 6 have been taking part in a STEAM Day all about bath bombs! Through Science, ICT, D&T, Art and Maths they have been learning about the booming bath bomb business, learning how to market their products, price them and create beautiful packaging for them! We hope they have had fun!

Coming back to glorious sunshine after all that rain, our Forest School site has turned into a jungle. This gave our Forest School leaders the perfect opportunity to plan exciting experimental learning through mini beast safaris.

Equipped with magnifying glasses, identification sheets, books and bug finders, the children have had a great time. They searched and explored in the undergrowth, identifying invertebrates before building bug hotels and writing beautiful poems which they shared with their peers before returning to lessons.

In the Craft Activity this week with Miss Jones, Year 6 finished up their bug hotels with pinecones foraged from the grounds to create makeshift habitats.