Catch up on all the latest news stories from across the school.
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Leaving Nursery Behind
19th February 2018Starting ‘big’ school can be an anxious time for families, sometimes more so for parents than children. As an experienced Infant class teacher, I helped countless children make the move from nursery to school. Yet when I left my youngest son on his first day in his Reception class, it was an emotional milestone for me and tears were shed. Many parents ask me 'How
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Our Cologne Adventure
15th December 2017A group of pupils from Year 8 to Year 11 have this week enjoyed a fantastic, festive trip to the city of Cologne in Germany. The party arrived back at school, safe and sound - and on time - on Thursday evening. A report of their adventure follows. "We all made our way to school for an early 5:00 am start. Despite our concerns about
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Mixed-Ability Setting: To Set or Not to Set
14th December 2017In 1998 a paper was published in the Journal for Research into Mathematics Education entitled, “Tell Me With Whom You’re Learning, and I’ll Tell You How Much You’ve Learned”. It’s a provocative title, given that a significant focus in any educational environment is ensuring that all pupils make progress. Not just any progress, but the holy grail of rapid and sustained progress, for every individual.
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Growing Coastal Opportunities
22nd November 2017Meoncross School has offered learning outside of the classroom in the form of 'beach school' for our lower school children over the last four years. The success of the regular visits and the impact this has on pupils learning and their wellbeing has been evident. As a result, we are busy building plans to open this offer to those in the upper school. As an
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Head of History on Study Tour to Berlin
16th November 2017During October half term Mr Lovett, Head of History, travelled to Germany for a teacher study tour of Berlin. The tour was fully funded by the German Foreign Office and organised and run through the European Academy Berlin. It involved visits to a diverse range of locations with specialists on German culture, politics and history. Here, Mr Lovett reflects on a fascinating visit. “After 12
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Gone to the beach for half term fun
2nd November 2017Families turned out in force to enjoy our coastal themed fun day on a stretch of Hampshire shoreline overlooking the Solent. A large gathering of parents, grandparents and children descended on Hill Head Beach near Fareham on Friday, 27th October for a free community event. Children made creatures and wind chimes using driftwood, shells and rocks scavenged from the beach. They learnt to tie boating
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Mobile Phones in School
26th October 2017During the first half of the autumn term, I wrote to you of my reading on the teenage brain and the potential impact of both the neuroscience and various other factors including peer pressure, risk taking and examination stress. I promised then to write further on the research currently coming to the fore on the impact mobile phones can have on pupils’, and indeed adults’,
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Teen Depression, Wellbeing & Mindfulness
20th September 2017Listening to the radio this morning, I heard the headlines reporting the increased levels of anxiety and stress in our young people with 25% of girls and 9% of boys reporting having struggled with their emotional wellbeing. The reporter stressed how important it is that we all deploy strategies to help. The detail is better explained here. As you may have read in earlier blogs
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Wellbeing in childhood
13th September 2017“The single biggest predictor of success in adult life is wellbeing in childhood”, says Sarah Ebery, Headmistress at Meoncross School in Fareham. Mrs Ebery is purposefully embedding the five strands of wellbeing – connect, be active, take notice, learn and give – into her school, to equip all pupils with the resilience they need to navigate the world. Mrs Ebery, an experienced teacher, is bringing
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Hard Work Bears Fruit
5th September 2017The last fortnight has seen the press filled with commentary on the increased rigour of the new GCSE and A-levels after the recent reforms. Here at Meoncross we know how very hard all of our pupils have worked and we had everything crossed for a fair reward for their efforts. The outcomes were more than we dared hope for; at A-level, in subjects as diverse
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The Teenage Brain
24th August 2017I was lucky enough on Thursday to share results day with our first ever Year 13 leavers: young people with top grades from a wide range of subjects including Mathematics, Textiles, Business and Physics [...]
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Celebrating GCSE Success
24th August 2017GCSE results at Meoncross School in Fareham have eclipsed the national picture with pupils achieving top grades against a backdrop of exam reform and increasing academic challenge. Tough new exams in English language, English literature and maths have tested the quality of teaching and learning at Meoncross School and found it to be first class. The new exams are graded 9 to 1, with 9
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Celebrating A Level Success
17th August 2017Congratulations are in order for our students who have completed post-16 studies. We are today celebrating a clean sweep of success in the sixth form with the publication of A-level and equivalent results. Christopher Dunster achieved A* in Maths, A in Physics and B in both Chemistry and Further Maths. Chris joined us into Year 9 and he has benefited hugely from the small classes,
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Ronnie raises the bar
24th July 2017A teenage triathlete has done the school proud with a rip-roaring performance in a national competition. Ronnie, pictured, finished fourth in the national independent schools triathlon, despite very wet and slippery ground conditions. The 13-year-old, a member of Chapel Tristars, swam 300m, cycled 6.9km and ran 2.4km in 31 minutes and 51 seconds. Proud mum Mrs Reeve said: “Ronnie was definitely up for the challenge
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A Level Classics Trip 6 July 2017
14th July 2017On Thursday 6 July the A Level Classics group went on a Roman Sussex road trip! We visited Fishbourne Roman Palace in the morning, where we experienced a site tour and domestic life workshop. During the workshop, we explored Roman cooking methods, handled ancient artefacts and enjoyed photo opportunities in a Roman kitchen. After a lunch stop in Roman Chichester, we set off for Bignor Roman villa
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Year 4 'Not Much Sleep' Sleepover
30th June 2017On Friday 23rd June, Year 4 were invited to the inaugural school sleepover. Following a morning of team activities at the Beach, a picnic lunch and swimming as normal, Year 4 bid farewell to the rest of the school as they set up camp in the Junior block. Mrs George, Mrs Jenkins, Mrs Marshall and Mr Stamper were amused, dismayed and astounded by how much luggage
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Nursery Beach School at the Witterings
27th June 2017The Nursery trip to West Wittering was a huge success! The weather was glorious and everyone had so much fun. Once at the beach we talked about our beach safety rules which apply to our usual Beach School. An area was marked with cones ensuring children kept safe within the zoned area. The children were very excited to see so much sand and could not wait to
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Greek Cookery Masterclass
27th June 2017Year 5 were 'Masterchefs' on Friday 23 June, creating traditional Greek salads. They learned how to use a sharp knife sensibly and sliced juicy tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers. They added feta cheese, green and black olives to their salad and then prepared a dressing of olive oil and oregano. At lunchtime, they enjoyed a minced lamb and cheese dish accompanied by their salad. To complete their meal, fresh
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Upper School Volunteer Police Cadets Visit
26th June 2017On the morning of Friday 23 June, the Upper School Assembly welcomed Sgt Gooding and PC White, from the Volunteer Police Cadets. This came as a result of a suggestion by Jack F in Year 8, who is himself a Police Cadet, and we were delighted that the school could benefit from a pupil's personal interest like this: thank you, Jack! The talk by Sgt Gooding
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Year 3 SeaCity Museum Trip
23rd June 2017Year 3 enjoyed a trip to SeaCity Museum in Southampton to support their investigation of the Titanic disaster. On arrival, the children were in awe of the dark city streets of 1912 Southampton, the figures, the old shops and the piped street sounds.They looked carefully at the names on the 'Crew Wall' and identified that over three-quarters of the crew came from Southampton. In their
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Professor in Bacteriology from the University of Southampton gives Vaccine Talk to Year 10
23rd June 2017On Monday 19 June, Dr Myron Christodoulides, a professor in Bacteriology from the University of Southampton visited Year 10. He gave a talk about "Vaccines for Human and Animal Health". In it he explained about the history of vaccination, how vaccines work, current vaccination schedules and recent develops in vaccine technology. It was an excellent talk which was well received by Year 10.
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Year 1 Create Art in the Style of Andy Goldsworthy
23rd June 2017This week Year 1 have been creating art in the style of Andy Goldsworthy. Andy Goldsworthy OBE is a British sculptor, photographer and environmentalist producing site-specific sculpture and land art situated in natural and urban settings. He lives and works in Scotland. Pupils collected items from the beach and then used them in their nature art.
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Debating Society hold a Leaders' Debate inspired by the General Election
23rd June 2017The Upper School Debating Society, inspired by the prospect of a General Election, started to work on their own "House manifestos" at the start of this term, and we finally managed to hold our very own "Leaders' Debate" this week. The aim of the exercise was not political, so the brief was about running the school, not the country. Some of the manifesto pledges included: a
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Fathers' Day Breakfast Proves a Popular Choice!
20th June 2017Friday 16 June saw the Lower School share breakfast with their Dads and Grandads for Fathers' Day. Chef Debbie and her team did a sterling job and provided everyone with delicious bacon or sausage baps. It was great to see so many Dads attend. We hope you all enjoyed your breakfast and that you had a wonderful Fathers'day on Sunday.
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Robot wars inspires learning
20th June 2017The next generation of surgeons, pilots and software engineers are being inspired to study STEM subjects through robot wars. The weekly after school club, open to Years 6, 7 and 8, is proving hugely popular amongst pupils. It teaches pupils how hardware and software link and how mechanical objects are designed and built to provide a solution. At the end of each half term, the
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Nursery 'Keeping Healthy'
16th June 2017The Nursery topic this week is ‘Keeping Healthy.’ The Nursery currently has a Dental Surgery set up in the role play area and to reinforce the children’s learning we had a visit from Olivia Burrows who is part of the dental team at Westleigh Dental Practice in Fareham. Olivia explained to the children that they need to take care of their teeth as these are used
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Year 6 Discover Strange Circles on the New Field
16th June 2017To celebrate the end of KS2 SATS week, the Year 6 pupils were taken on a tour of the new sports field. All agreed that it is a fantastic addition to the school. Mr Waites gave a presentation on the stages of construction, which was very informative and they also toured the area where the excess water will drain into. They want to return on a rainy
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Bones, Joints and Muscles
16th June 2017On Wednesday 7th June, Year 3 were delighted to welcome Mrs Lynch to their Year 3 Science lesson. Mrs Lynch, who is a Physiotherapist, told the children all about their bones, joints and muscles. Did you know that there are 206 bones in your body? Did you know that the femur is the longest, heaviest and strongest bone in your body? Well, Year 3 do! Mrs
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Nelson's Shipmates!
16th June 2017Year 2 enjoyed a trip to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on Tuesday 13 June. Travelling by Gosport Ferry added excitement to the day and they enjoyed spotting landmarks such as the Emirates Spinnaker Tower. The 'Nelson's Shipmates' workshop was both wonderful and informative, with five different activities about life on board 'The Victory'. After lunch we boarded HMS Victory and explored every deck of the ship. It was
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Coastal Classroom Brings Learning to Life
2nd June 2017Pupils decamped from their classroom for real-life lessons on the beach on their doorstep. Year 4 children took their geography lesson outdoors to learn about coastal erosion and human impact on the environment. It is part of a regular ‘beach school’ delivered by teachers at Meoncross who make full use of the natural resource just minutes from their gates. The eight and nine-year-olds considered the
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Grandparents take over the classrooms!
4th May 2017The very popular annual event, Grandparents Day, was this year spread over two afternoons, to cater for the numbers wanting to participate. Lower School pupils invited their grandparents to join them for lessons in the classrooms, which is always so much fun for the children and their relatives. Afterwards, the grandparents enjoyed a delicious Afternoon tea whilst being entertained by Lower School pupils in a
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The Big Row - A Message from the Head
2nd May 2017I thought it worthwhile putting pen to paper at this stage to explain why we felt such a strong compulsion to take part in the Big Row event in support of James Shone and his charity 'I can and I am'. You may remember that we welcomed James to Meoncross earlier in the academic year. He was an inspirational speaker and both staff and pupils
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Meoncross Sports Scholar wins Hampshire County Cup with Fareham Hockey U14s
2nd May 2017County Hockey Success for Harriet, Year 7
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Open doors for a special evening event
30th April 2017If you are looking for an independent school for your child, we understand how hard it can be to visit schools during the working day. For this reason, this term we are opening the classrooms and facilities for a special evening open event. Thursday 11 May 6 - 8pm Prefects will show you round the school and talk to your about their experiences at Meoncross; staff
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The Big Row!
28th April 2017Pupils rowed 128 miles in a single day to raise money for the 'I can and I am' Thames Challenge.
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1st Place for Sports Scholar in Cross Country
28th April 2017Friday 28 April 2017 Schools from Dorset to West Sussex attending this cross country event held at Oakwood School. Meoncross put up a talented team of Under 10s and 11s which secured both excellent individual performances and a strong overall team performance. Charlie B, sports scholar, 1st place , Gabe S 5th place and the rest of the team finishing in the top 20. Competitors : Charlie B, Gabe S,
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U13-15 Netball v Australian International School of Singapore
28th April 2017Friday 28 April 2017 Lost 33-18 Charlotte S (C), Ciara F, Lauren B, Lucy I, Kelci-Rose B, Sara W and Charlotte T. Ellie H (Assistant Coach) On Friday, the AIS Team finished their Cognita Netball Tour at Meoncross. Having played 7 matches in two weeks, they were vastly experienced as a team winning every match on the tour. The Meoncross team, consisting of pupils from years
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Cricket v Dunhurst U9/10
26th April 2017Wednesday 26 April 2017 Lost 108 Runs Dunhurst - 83 Runs to Meoncross Team: Zayn-Ali H (c), Tom B, Mats V, Carter F, Patrick B, Louie J, Leo S, Oscar L, Sam O Wicket Takers - Louie J, Patrick B, Leo S, Tom B Player of the Match: Tom B for his excellent bowling and organisation in the field. He motivated the team well.
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Top Prize for Meoncross Quilter
24th April 2017A tea set made from fabric scraps wins Matilda a national quilting prize
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ISA Pre Prep Athletics Festival
21st April 2017Victory for Year 2 pupils at their first athletics event
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Student Forum generates brilliant ideas for young people
12th April 2017A recent student forum, hosted by Meoncross was run by Unloc, and attended by Bay House, Bridgemary, St Vincent's and Brune Park.
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'Alice in Wonderland' wowed us all
3rd April 2017Alice in Wonderland was a feast for the eyes and ears as Years 5 and 6 put on their production at the end of term.
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Annual Whole School Walk
2nd April 2017The annual whole school walk was a 5km route around the new sports field and across the countryside surrounding the school, walking off the hog roast lunch provided as an end of term treat for the pupils.
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Out of this World Day
30th March 2017A day of space exploration at Meoncross that was enthusiastically enjoyed by gifted and talented Year 5 pupils from local state schools and our own pupils.
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A farewell vlog to our Chilean friends
28th March 2017What is different about school in England, and what did our Chilean visitors most enjoy about their stay?
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Chao to the Chileans
28th March 2017Five visiting pupils from Chile, and their teacher, leave Meoncross after a month of study and fun at the school.
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Upper School Egghead Challenge
27th March 2017Will Upper School House teams win against the Eggheads?
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What have the Romans ever done for us? Ask Year 3!
27th March 2017Year 3 took part in a very educational and fun packed day inspired by the Romans
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Mothers' Day Breakfast Celebration
24th March 2017A Lower School Mothers' Day breakfast celebration and bunches of flowers for every mother
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Hustings for Senior Prefect roles
23rd March 2017A brave cohort of Year 10 pupils tackled the Prefect selection process at the end of the spring term. Each candidate had to stand before an assembly of their peers and teachers and speak for one minute about why they would make a good senior prefect and to introduce their ideas for how to make things even better at the school. Amongst the qualities required for
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Headmistress' Commendations for English
21st March 2017Excellent English work gets Year 4 pupils Commendations from the Headmistress
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Headmistress' Commendations for storytelling, Latin and History
20th March 2017For amazing storytelling, high Latin scores and a History reportage, Commendations all round!
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Duke of Edinburgh Overnight Camp
17th March 2017A practice camp for pupils taking their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award
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Inspired by Lowry and Gainsborough at Southampton Art Gallery
13th March 2017Year 3 visit Southampton Art Gallery where they discover the work of famous artist and explore their own artistic skills during a colourful workshop
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Beach School Workshop: a pupil report
11th March 2017Making jewellery from coloured glass, aboriginal stone painting, fitness bleep tests were some of the many activities taking place at our termly Beach School workshop
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Celebrating International School Meals day
10th March 2017Tasty dishes from all over the world, introduced pupils to new flavours and textures
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Headmistress' Commendations for Science
7th March 2017What effect does exercise have on breathing and on pulse rate? Year 7 girls explored these questions in science, which earned them a visit to see Mrs Ebery.
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Alex Thomson inspires pupils to never give up
6th March 2017Alex Thomson visited Meoncross to talk to pupils and parents about his recent challenge, the Vendee Globe round-the-world solo sailing race.
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Meoncross pupils get stuck into Great British Spring Clean Up
3rd March 2017Joining the community and Fareham Council to help clean up Stubbington Green
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Year 3 creating composters in Science
2nd March 2017Year 3 asked "what happens when you put soil, worms and food scraps together?"
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World Book Day spectacular!
2nd March 2017Imagine running into all your favourite literary characters in one day. This is World Book Day at Meoncross!
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Headmistress' Commendations for Maths and English
27th February 2017For diary work, for decimals and for hard work at home in Maths, rewards all round for Year 5 pupils
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Visitors from Chile join Meoncross
27th February 2017Five pupils travelled from South America to join us for a month
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Headmistress' Class Commendation for Year 3
16th February 2017Year 3 rewrite popular stories and publish them in a booklet.
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Musical Assembly gets pupils bopping!
13th February 2017An energetic musical display inspires pupils to take up playing an instrument
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Welcome home Alex Thomson
11th February 2017Alex Thomson returned to Gosport on the Hugo Boss yacht that he raced round the world in the Vendee Globe. Parents and staff turned up at the Gosport Hard along with many others in this sailing community, to wave flags and cheer as the flotilla entered the harbour and ushered Alex, with Oscar - Meoncross Infant and Alex's son - standing bravely on the deck
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Headmistress' Commendation for English
9th February 2017Kareem from Year 2 visited Mrs Ebery in her study and brought with him the work he had been doing in English on The Twits. He produced a very good comic strip showing his favourite piece from the story, where Mr Twit ties Mrs Twit to a metal hoop in the ground and fastens balloons to her so that she will stretch. Kareem used a
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With thanks for your charity donations
8th February 2017We would like to thank you all for your kindness and support in donating towards our charities last term. Time and again we are overwhelmed by your generosity when we ask for your help. The Diana Award, following The Anti Bullying Ambassadors initiative - £176.62 BBC Children in Need Appeal - £176.61 NSPCC following Number Day - £210.15 Thank you again.
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Headmistress' Commendation for English
6th February 2017The Twits was the inspiration for this excellent piece of written work.
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NSPCC Number Day
3rd February 2017Fun mathematical activities encouraged fund raising for the NSPCC
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Juniors in the Science laboratories
2nd February 2017Burning materials in the Chemistry lab lights up the Year 5 pupils!
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Making Aspirin in A-level Chemistry
31st January 2017Chemistry practicals in the Sixth Form laboratory are mostly conducted in the fume cupboard!
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Headmistress' Commendation for Reading
30th January 2017Mrs Ebery was visited in her study by three girls from Year 6. Isabella, Sasha and Jessica who all received Commendations for their commitment to reading and the daily completion of their reading records. All three girls received five House points for their efforts.
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Chinese New Year Feast
30th January 2017Lion dancing and a Chinese banquet for Year 5 pupils to see in the New Year
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Young Games Designer of the Year competition
19th January 2017Coding Club pupils enter national competition
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Works of Art for the Chinese New Year
17th January 2017Lanterns, dragons and Chinese calligraphy aids Year 5 art classes
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Exploring archaeology in Year 3
12th January 2017Year 3 discover about finding artefacts and understanding how to understand the relics of the past
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Marwell Zoo adventures for Year 1
10th January 2017A wonderful workshop studying animals from the tortoise to the monkey and amazing sights around the zoo.
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Lower School Council selection
5th January 2017The school council plays an important role in giving pupils a voice in the school
