In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, we must not overlook the significance of ceremonies and traditions for the children in our care. These rituals hold timeless value, especially for our children. They offer more than just a break from routine; they provide a sense of belonging, identity and continuity which anchors them as young people in a rapidly changing world.
Our Remembrance Day Service on Monday was one such event which we hold so dear at Vinehall. The annual opportunity to stop and reflect continues to foster a sense of pride and teach respect for heritage. My thanks to Emily Platt, Anna Webb and Mary Alderson who supported our Year 8 children in their public speaking, as they led the prayers and presented the beautifully poignant readings with great maturity and understanding for the occasion. Indeed all our children were impressive, singing in full voices before holding an incredible stillness as they respected the one-minute's silence. Well done, Vinehall.
Joff
Pre-Prep - Remembering to Remember
Nicky Whittaker - Head of Pre-Prep
Pre-Prep proudly planted the poppies they had created with Clare Ruddle and Anja Pomeroy last week. The children had enjoyed turning a reused plastic bottle into a poppy; but the real purpose of the exercise came when each child thoughtfully planted a poppy as they left assembly on Monday morning.
At 10.30am, Year 2 represented Pre-Prep when they attended the Remembrance Service in the Theatre with the Prep school. We were very proud of their efforts to sing and join in, and they listened beautifully to the poems recited by Year 8. The children have really connected with the beautiful display they helped to make, and even our youngest children understand that they made a “poppy to help them remember.”
Nursery - Introducing Chef Bear
Sarah Wolford - Head of Nursery & Kindergarten
This week the Little Vines children were introduced to Chef Bear. Chef Bear has been part of the Vinehall community for many years and he loves to cook healthy and nutritious food. He is very excited about going home with a child each week to be part of the family where he can cook and eat delicious food.
This week he helped to cook Banana Bread, which the children loved.
These cooking activities promote and encourage curiosity, imagination, creativity, problem-solving, investigation and so much more.
Thank you for all your help Chef Bear!
Kindergarten Special Festivals
Catherine Garlick - Kindergarten Teacher
This week we have been learning all about Remembrance Day and planting our own poppies in memory of fallen soldiers. We have also been learning about the Thai festival, Loy Krathong. We learned that this is a very special time in the Thai calendar, where people make krathongs and float them on the river to give thanks to the water and to say sorry for polluting the water. Lanterns are made and floated up in the sky with a wish. We made our own krathongs and lanterns and practised some Thai dancing.
Reception
Claire Sparks - Deputy Head of Pre-Prep
It has been an action-packed week in Reception! We enjoyed a wonderful drama workshop with Mary Alderson on Tuesday, based on the story 'The Moon Keeper'. The children acted out different emotions, transformed into animals and thought about the different things in the night sky.
We also enjoyed our second Forest School session of the year this week. The children impressed us all with how well they remembered the rules of Forest School, as well as how expertly they handled the bow hammer and fire lighters. Our crumpets with honey were very well-earned!
In our learning this week, we have been exploring 2D shapes and were super shape detectives hunting for circles and triangles hiding all around our environment.
Year 1
Jacklyn Garwood - Year 1 Teacher
Year 1 blasted off to space this week experimenting with air-powered rockets. The children pretended to be scientists, making predictions and testing the different types of forces and how the rocket was propelled into the air. Afterwards, the children made their own ‘movable rockets’, investigating what was needed to ensure their rocket moved smoothly. You were super scientists this week Year 1 - keep up the fantastic work!
Year 2
Louise Hawtin - Year 2 Teacher
Year 2 had a lovely day at Drusilla's on Tuesday to find out more about the rainforest. The children enjoyed spotting all the different animals that live there, before taking part in a workshop to learn more about the different layers of the rainforest, as well as which useful products come from there. The children were then very brave, like Maisie Monkey, as they were allowed to stroke a hissing cockroach, a giant millipede and a royal python named King!
After lunch everyone loved playing in the adventure playground and having a go on the carousel and flying cheetahs. What a wonderful trip!
Year 3 - Magical Manipulatives
Carina Everist - Year 3 Teacher & Religious Studies Teacher Years 3-6
Year 3 used manipulatives to visualise how number bonds to ten can help them work out number bonds to a hundred and even a thousand!
Year 3 - Around the World in Eighty Days!
Carina Everist - Year 3 Teacher & Religious Studies Teacher Years 3-6
Year 3 were very enthusiastic in their Humanities lesson this week. They helped each other to locate the countries that Phileas Fogg visited in the novel by Jules Verne. Fantastic work with the atlases, Year 3.
Year 4 – Kindness
Carina Everist - Year 3 Teacher & Religious Studies Teacher Years 3-6
Year 4 acted out the parable of 'The Good Samaritan' in RS this week earning themselves collaborative dispositions with some very dramatic performances!
Year 4B: English - Instructions
Louise Barrett - Head of Juniors
This week we have been learning about the features of instructions. 4B had to follow the instructions to create some artwork. They are great. Parents can view them at our book look next Friday.
Year 4 – Life Skills
Louise Barrett - Head of Juniors
Year 4 enjoy their warm-up game in the Life Skills room. We have been learning about kindness and how to solve problems when things go wrong.
Year 6 - Visit to Mountfield Church
Carina Everist - Year 3 Teacher & Religious Studies Teacher Years 3-6
As part of their Religious Studies, Year 6 have been learning about Christianity this term. They visited Mountfield Church where Jackie Spriggs kindly talked to them about the historical significance of this beautiful and ancient building. There are also many links with Vinehall, both past and present. The children asked some searching questions and were interested in the graveyard, the stained glass windows and the font in particular. One of the highlights was when they all ascended the stairs to the organ loft, even having a go at playing the organ!
Thanks to Ally Linney for accompanying us on a really lovely outing. I hope Year 6 enjoyed it as much as I did.
Year 7 Workshop Inspires Conservation Awareness at The Big Cat Sanctuary
Becky Prior - Head of Science
Year 7 pupils recently enjoyed a unique learning experience at The Big Cat Sanctuary, where they took part in a hands-on workshop designed to raise awareness about the threats facing Big Cats worldwide. Through interactive Lego scenes, pupils examined real-world issues affecting Big Cat populations, including deforestation, poaching, habitat loss, trophy hunting and the impact of industries like the palm oil trade.
Pupils also learned to distinguish between “Big Cats” and “small cats” and discovered the rich diversity among these majestic animals. They explored authentic artefacts, examining 3D models of lion skulls, claws and fur samples, and compared recorded Big Cat sounds. A highlight was the chance to visit the sanctuary’s veterinary room, gaining insight into the care provided to these animals.
The afternoon tour offered pupils a close look at numerous cat species in their habitats, including pumas, tigers, lions, leopards and jaguars. The pupils voted for Baikal the white tiger as their favourite, who seemed the most inquisitive. This memorable experience deepened pupils’ understanding of conservation and inspired empathy for these vulnerable animals and the importance of conservation.
Year 8 - Year 8s Get Back to Nature
Ally Linney - Deputy Head (Pastoral)
Last Friday, our Year 8 pupils enjoyed a well-deserved break and trip down to our beloved Gully with Ally Linney. They completed their first round of mock exams in preparation for Common Entrance in the Summer Term. So, we donned our wellies, hugged a few trees, played in the ravine and got good and muddy!
This is a treasured aspect of Vinehall and the Prep School model where we preserve childhood for as long as possible. It was refreshing to see our "big kids" just be kids, have fun in nature and play together. The pupils were sad to hear when we had to head up for lunch, some hoping that we would spend the entire afternoon in the Gully ... maybe next time!
Maths
This week our pupils took part in a range of activities in support of Maths Week England.
Every morning pupils were encouraged to try out a puzzle, (see below)
Reception
Years 1 - 4
Years 5 - 6
Years 7 - 8
Why not try them yourself?
On Wednesday and Thursday, the Prep children took part in the Great House Maths Challenge; a relay competition where pupils had to answer challenging questions in house groups.
Finally, pupils have been competing in the Times Tables Rock Stars England Rocks competition against 4,500 other school nationwide. Our final position in this event will be in next week's Vinelines.
Latin
Kate Wood - Subject Leader of Latin
Inspired by the houses discovered at Pompeii, the Year 6 Latin class spent half term making beautiful Roman villas in a shoe box. In class we have been discussing how, centuries later, Roman style still influences architects and interior designers today!
Sport
Matt McKinnon - Director of Sport
It was another busy week on the sports pitches for the Vinehall pupils. The senior girls played very well against Sutton Valence at home on Wednesday afternoon, with the 1st team playing their match of the season, deservedly winning a close game 2-1. The Colts A & B teams had a fun afternoon at Sacred Heart in Wadhurst, with Louise Barrett extremely pleased with the continued effort shown by the group. The U8 & 9 girls travelled to Marlborough House on Thursday for an enjoyable afternoon of netball.
The rugby season officially started this week and it was great to see and hear how all the teams faired against Holmewood House and Dulwich. It was particularly pleasing to hear how well those boys playing their very first contact matches got on. Please can all rugby kit be washed on Tuesday evenings, ready for the matches on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.
Dobson Trophy Cross Country Event
Laura White - Girls' Sport & PE Teacher
Charlie C from Year 7 secured first place in the U13 boys' category and our U9 boys' team were placed third. Additionally, several of our runners achieved top 10 finishes at the Dobson Trophy cross-country event last Friday.
Gymnastics
Nikki Towner - Teacher of Gymnastics
Congratulations to the Vinehall U13 team who did brilliantly at the IAPS 2 Piece Gymnastics Championships at the weekend, which was held at St Catherine’s Prep, Guildford.
Rosie A, Lucie B, Margot C, Lily F and Seren K achieved some great scores, particularly on voluntary vault.
In the individual competition Rosie came 1st, Lucie 2nd, Margot & Lily joint 3rd and Seren 5th. Rosie was presented with the IAPS silver salver and the team were awarded the IAPS team silver salver.
Very well done to you all!
Swimming
Derek Guy – Swimming Coach
The Vinehall swim squad travelled to Eastbourne College to take part in the St Andrew's Cup. It was a very difficult evening, with a very small boys' team that could not take part in all the races.
The team gave their all, with some good swims throughout the evening, but they could not accumulate enough points to make a difference to the result. Vinehall finished 4th. The girls' cup was won by Battle Abbey and the boys' by St Andrew's.
Boarding
Petra Campbell – Gapper
The first weekend back after the half term break was great fun! On Friday night, we had the Year 8 taster night, where we made homemade pizzas and watched a film in the theatre. Saturday morning was filled with the usual DT, art and carpentry activities, and we enjoyed the school facilities. After lunch, we headed to Tunbridge Wells to watch a film, 'Red One', which was fantastic and really got us all in the Christmas spirit.
Sunday started off slowly with the usual full English breakfast, before we went to Mountfield Church for the Remembrance service. We returned to school and spent the rest of the day relaxing. A group of Year 6 and 7 girls even made brownies for everyone to enjoy for dessert after dinner! To top it all off, we had a huge game of hide and seek together after dinner.