The Bulletin – Edition 22
I am absolutely delighted with the sport that has been played here at the Prep this term. Mr Salt writes his usual excellent summary of the boys’ sporting endeavours more fulsomely below. I have been particularly struck by just how many fixtures have been organised, how many matches the boys have played and the success and excitement that surrounded the Year 5 rugby tour to the Midlands earlier this term, right through to our own mini 7-a-side rugby festival that took place this week.
For me, it is the breadth of opportunity as represented by our fixture list this term, that really stands out. We all know that not every boy will always like all aspects of school life simultaneously. Some are keener on music, some keener on sport, some love reading, some are developing a predisposition towards maths. No matter what personal journey each boy is on here, in terms of finding his own passions and recognising what he really loves in life, it is our duty to open up as many opportunities as we can for them all along the way. This has been particularly true from a sporting angle this term. It matters to us that the boys feel positive about sport and physical exercise in general. To that end, I have really enjoyed seeing some boys for whom rugby was not their most loved activity (yet) actually understand that playing the sport and representing their school is a hugely positive experience.
Prep
Year 3’s Museum
Year 3 boys have been studying a number of aspects of the ancient and prehistoric world in their history lessons this year, supported by visits off site to reinforce what they have covered in class. This inspired them and Mrs Tinkler to create a museum of their own, here at school, for the education and delight of their parents, and us! It was exciting to welcome visitors to the museum set up in the James Hall on Wednesday afternoon this week.
QuizClub Interschool General Knowledge Competition
On Thursday this week the first heat in the QuizClub Interschool General Knowledge Competition took place here at school. We had two teams of budding and enthusiastic general knowledge fiends, who battled it out online against a range of teams from other Preps in and around London. Of the two teams we entered, ‘Hampton Prep Team 2’ did themselves proud and have made it through to the next round. They will compete again next Tuesday morning. Watch this space…!
News from Mr Salt, Head of Games:
The worst weather of the week blew in with ‘perfect’ timing just as the inaugural Hampton Prep U10s Mini Rugby Festival kicked off in Carlisle Park this Wednesday! Not only did the rain create a more ‘traditional’ British rugby playing surface (read: mud bath), but it also brought some gritty Saharan dust with it. The Hampton boys did themselves proud through the festival, playing King’s Wimbledon, Willington Prep, TPS and Surbiton Prep. They were organised and on the front foot, remaining undefeated through the event, with one draw against Kings. A big well done to them for embracing the conditions and playing like they did.
Next week the U11As will be travelling to Rosslyn Park for the U11s 7s tournament. The best of luck to them. The final school rugby event of the year will be House Rugby on Wednesday. All boys should come to school in their games kit and wearing their House T-shirt (if they have one). Please do come along and spectate for what will be no doubt a high-spirited event!
Pre-Prep
A word from Mrs Murphy
I can hardly believe this is the last bulletin of the spring term – where has the time gone? Looking back a great deal has been packed into the term. For me, a particular highlight is the fact our educational visits programme has been getting into full swing once again. There are so many positives to be said for excursions off-site, not least amongst them getting the children out of the classroom to experience the real world, igniting passion by ’doing’ and making lasting memories. Year 1 had great fun at Hanwell Zoo this week and, next week, it’s the turn of Year 2 as they head off to Windsor Castle as part of their humanities work on significant individuals.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten have been looking at the signs of Spring. The first is the snowdrops appearing, we then talked about the many different spring flowers such as, daffodils, tulips and crocuses that we had seen on our way to school and on walks in the park at the weekends. We also discussed new life at springtime, discovering at this time of year many insects and animals awake from their hibernation sleep and young animals, such as chicks, goslings, ducklings, lambs, rabbits are born.
Reception
Reception have been having an ‘egg-cellent’ time thinking about Spring time, Mother’s Day and Easter! The children have enjoyed decorating a spring tree, matching eggs to their chicks, printing with celery heart to make beautiful flowers and making chocolate Easter nests – yum!
Year 1
Year 1 travelled on their magic carpet to the African Savannah this week! The children used their five senses to imagine what it would feel like in this tropical grassland. They then encountered a tower of giraffes! This set them off on a voyage of discovery to collate as much information as they could about giraffes. Next week they will write information leaflets containing giraffe facts.
Year 2
Year 2 have a had a busy week this week preparing for their class assembly, which took place this morning. The assembly was all about the significant individuals we have been studying and the children decided which facts they wanted to share with the rest of Pre-Prep. In fact, Year 2 wrote most of the assembly themselves and designed a supporting PowerPoint too! Every child read their facts so beautifully that they earned some extra marbles for their jar. We are so close to filling it now and would love to have a special treat before the Easter holidays if we can fill it in time.