Christingle
Our little Children's Chapel in the school grounds was full of Christmas magic on Tuesday morning when Nursery to Year 4 took it in turns to experience their own Christingle service.
View more photos on Instagram here:
Pre-Prep – Awe and Wonder
Nicky Whittaker - Head of Pre-Prep
Children bring light and life into our lives every week of the year, and never is this more evident that in the run up to Christmas. Pre-Prep certainly brought light and life into their amazing performance of "A King is Born" this week, and it was a joy to watch their enthusiasm and energy as they lit up the hall. I was so proud of their brilliant acting and singing, and their courage in performing to a large audience. A special mention must go to the children (Oscar B, Louis C, Sloane O and George VG) and to Mum (Zara F) and Dad (Rory C), who wove the story together so beautifully and had such a large number of words to remember.
The magical Christingle services held in the Vinehall Chapel helped to bring the awe and wonder of Christmas to Pre-Prep this week, and this was clearly evident on the faces of the children as their Christingle candles were lit, and they had time and space to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you to Joff for leading these services so beautifully for the children.
I wish all our children a truly magical Christmas, full of excitement and celebration, and look forward to seeing them, and you, our amazing families, back at school on 8th January 2025. Happy Christmas!
Nursery – Seasonal Traditions
Anja Pomeroy – Early Years Practitioner
At Vinehall Christmas is a time when every classroom is buzzing with excitement and what a wonderful week for our Little Vines children as we immersed ourselves in festive traditions.
We started our week by making Christingles and discovering what they represent. The Nursery children attended a service at the chapel with Joff Powis, which further cemented the children’s understanding of Christingle.
The children thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas Lunch, where we got to pull crackers and enjoy a traditional turkey roast dinner whilst wearing our party crowns.
Wishing our Little Vines community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Nursery team.
Merry Christmas from everyone in Kindergarten
Cathy Fuggle - Kindergarten Teacher
What a wonderful half term we have had learning all about festivals from around the world. We have learned all about Fireworks Night, Loy Krathong, Hanukkah, Santa Lucia and of course our favourite celebration, Christmas! This week we have been immersed in all things Christmas and visited the Secrets Room, went to our beautiful chapel for a Christingle service, ate a delicious roast dinner, watched the Pre-Prep nativity, dressed as an elf, and of course had a brilliant Christmas party day. An exhausting but incredibly enjoyable end to the team. We hope you have an equally wonderful Christmas and we look forward to seeing your little ones in the New Year. Merry Christmas !
Reception
Sanchia Wells – Teaching Assistant
What a fun-filled final week in Reception. We set up Royal Mail HQ and delivered all the mail to Pre-Prep, sorting the letters and organising them into bundles. We struggled to find the time to do it. Deliveries were interrupted due all the wonderful things that were going on.
We made Christingles and had a lovely service with Joff Powis in the Children’s Chapel. We had a delicious Christmas lunch and enjoyed the Pre-Prep party, where we were delighted that Father Christmas was able to visit. The children were all so brave in their fabulous performances in the Nativity, remembering all the songs, smiling and having fun.
We actually did do some really hard work in between all the fun, completing our first independent free write and focussing on our tricky words. Happy Christmas everyone!
Year 1
Jacklyn Garwood - Year 1 Teacher
A well-earned fun and festive week in Year 1 to mark the end of our very productive term. The children all outdid themselves performing and singing in their Christmas nativity - it is lovely to see how their confidence has grown over a few months! It was a peaceful service in the chapel looking at our handmade Christingles and thinking about the people in our life that we love and care about. The children learnt about 'Starry Night' by Vincent Van Gogh and put much effort into creating their own versions using paper mosaics.
Most important, was the love that was shared between the children - all joyous and working well together to celebrate this special time of year. We are so proud of you Year 1 for all your hard work this term. Have a Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you in 2025!
Year 2
Louise Hawtin - Year 2 Teacher
Year 2 have had a wonderfully festive week. They have made Christmas cards and calendars, attended a special Christingle service in our chapel, bought gifts in the enchanting Secrets Room, enjoyed a festive Christmas party and acted with such confidence in our two performances of 'A King is Born'. What a memorable week!
Year 3 - We love reading!
Carina Everist - Year 3 Teacher & Religious Studies Teacher Years 3-6
As well as reading independently, it has been lovely to see the children enjoying a book with each other during activity times and at reading rest.
Year 3 - Following Instructions
Carina Everist - Year 3 Teacher & Religious Studies Teacher Years 3-6
Year 7
Becky Prior - Head of Science
Year 7 enjoyed a relaxed form time on Thursday morning, opening gifts from their Secret Santa and supporting Rushton's charity by wearing an array of colourful Christmas jumpers! Seasons greetings to all, from Becky Prior and Anna Webb.
Latin
Kate Wood - Subject Leader of Latin
The Year 6 Latin class enjoyed a feast in last Friday's lesson to celebrate the Roman mid-winter festival of Saturnalia. They enjoyed flatbreads, olives, hummus and grapes, washed down by 'vinum' (fruits of the forest squash)! Some of our Christmas traditions, such as carol-singing and decorating the house, can be traced back to this festival. Happy Christmas - and 'io Saturnalia'!
Art: Vinehall Christmas Decoration Competition
Tracey Konyu - Head of Art
Firstly, a very big thank you to all those pupils who rose to the challenge to create a beautiful ornament for Christmas. Every entry was amazing.
Because of the extremely high standard, the judging panel found the process particularly difficult. They made their decisions based on whether the ornament showed a high level of creativity and a competent use of materials.
The top prizes were awarded to James H and Emma H for their detailed ornaments made from natural materials, including seed heads and bird feed. They were delicate and had a professional finish. The second prize went to Lily F and her illustrated pyrography tree with lights. Finally, the third prize went to Henry P and his feathery robin.
There were also four Special Recognition prizes, awarded to William C, George S, Amelie V and George F.
All participants have received recognition for their superb contribution to a fantastic demonstration of talent from the Vinehall artists.
To pupils, parents and staff, thank you for your support.
Sport
Matt McKinnon - Director of Sport
On Wednesday the senior Netball and Rugby teams travelled to Cranbrook for an entertaining afternoon of matches. The 1st team Netball did well to win their game, with the 2nds narrowly losing by one point. The U13 rugby team have been working hard on speeding up their play and offloaded brilliantly throughout the game. The final score was 35-50, but they played some of their best rugby of the term. In a game against two very evenly-matched teams, the U12s drew 40-40 and kept the Cranbrook defence guessing all afternoon.
The action does not stop on our return, with fixtures on Wednesday 8th January. The Netball sides take on Marlborough House, with the 1st, 2nds & 3rds away and the Colts AB at home. The U13 & U10 rugby teams travel to St Andrew's with the U12s & U11s playing at home against the same opposition.
The sports department would like to thank everyone for their continued support on the sidelines and we wish you and your families a Merry Christmas.
House News
Ally Linney - Deputy Head (Pastoral)
A little dash of Christmas Spirit in our House Meetings
Many thanks to our Year 8 House Captains and their little elves who helped to prepare 'Pin the Nose on Rudolf' in Rushton and Paxton (Christmas colours!), Christmas Bingo in Ashton and Saxton and a dash of mindfulness colouring sprinkled around various Santa's grottos.
We continue to be impressed by the initiative and leadership of our Year 8 pupils — many thanks to our House teachers who continue to support them.
Happy Christmas!
House Winners' Treat!
Saxton had lots of fun celebrating their success as House winners on Monday afternoon in the hall!
Boarding
Petra Campbell - Gapper
The weekend started with the usual Saturday morning DT, Art and Carpentry before our delicious Christmas lunch, consisting of roast turkey, Christmas crackers and chocolate brownie for dessert. After lunch we went to the Vinehall Carol Service in Salehurst. After dinner the boarders all took part in a Gingerbread House Decorating Competition, with Ivan and Timi taking the win!
On Sunday we enjoyed the usual full English breakfast. At lunchtime we headed to the cinema in Tunbridge Wells with the Powis Family. Everyone enjoyed watching Paddington or Moana 2, before a nice quiet afternoon keeping out of the stormy weather.
Goodbye to our Gappers!
As always, Christmas is the time that we say goodbye to our gap students. This year they have been outstanding. A very big thank you to Petra, Emma and Laurie for all your care and support this year. You have been an exceptional team, going beyond what was asked of you for both me and the children.
You will all be missed. Best of luck and Thank you.
Kath Kirkwood
Congratulations!
Lots of celebrations in the house of one of our families this week as all three children learnt they had been awarded All-Rounder Scholarships to Battle Abbey – India excelled in her Academics, was the stand-out Artist and also performed well in her Sports; Monty was awarded for Academic and Sport; and Max for Design and Sport. Many, many congratulations from everyone at Vinehall!
Well done Ronen!
Congratulations to Ronen Z who was awarded a merit badge this week. He had his hair cut and donated it to The Little Princess Trust who give hair and hope to children and young people with cancer.
Here are the before and after photos!
FoV Secrets Room!
Our amazing FoV created a breathtakingly stunning Christmas Secrets Room on Thursday. Thank you so much to all the parents who gave up so much time!
Follow the link below on Instagram to view our Pre-Prep children discovering the Christmas magic