To be a child in summer again
The scent of freshly-cut grass drifts through the air, and suddenly I am ten years old again, sitting cross-legged on the sun-warmed school field. The hum of lawnmowers, the busyness of bees on the clover and the distant shouts of children echo through a haze of summer afternoons. That simple smell carries the weight of long-forgotten moments, pulling them into the present with startling clarity, when time moved slower and everything felt possible.
Our children are so very fortunate. What an amazing first full week back - the summer term is very much here and the children are in high spirits - lucky things!
Joff
Pre-Prep - Delights of the Summer Term
Nicky Whittaker - Head of Pre-Prep
It was wonderful to welcome back all our families, and to see how the children have matured during the unusually long Easter break. Thank you to all the parents and grandparents who joined us for the Spring Walk on Friday morning; it was truly a wonderful sight to see so many of you enjoying the grounds with the children and admiring the woods full of beautiful bluebells.
The break has clearly served the children well, and they have returned eager to learn and embrace all the opportunities awaiting them. Our newest children have settled quickly and happily and new ventures, such as “Create Club”, are quickly proving to be a great success.
Year 2 are delighted to join Year 3 for their playtime on Friday mornings, and the opportunity to queue up and choose their own Friday lunch is clearly relished!
I have heard a whisper that Florence Nightingale is to visit Year 2 on Tuesday, before their fitness workshop with Matt McKinnon. Have a wonderful bank holiday weekend, and I look forward to seeing how much we can all fit into four days next week!
Nursery - The beauty of Vinehall
Sarah Wolford - Head of Nursery & Kindergarten
What an idyllic first few days for our Little Vines; the sun has been shining and all the children have settled so happily into the summer term.
The summer term is always one of my favourite times as we prepare for our performance, transitions and sports day. It is wonderful to have such beautiful grounds in which to practise the skills needed for sports day. The children demonstrated amazing listening skills, as Nikki Towner explained how to run keeping in the lines; this is such a tricky challenge when you are only 2 years old! They also worked together by taking turns and being like our Pre-Prep Pal, Billy Bee - well done children!
Kindergarten
Cathy Fuggle - Kindergarten Teacher
This week we started with a splash and the children had their first swimming lesson in the Vinehall pool. They were all amazing and loved it, splashing about like little fish and mermaids. We also launched our transport topic with the fabulous book ‘Who Sank The Boat?’ The children have had great fun making their own boats, going on an imaginary journey in our class boat and doing a maths experiment to see how many animals it would take to sink our boat.
As the weather was so glorious we also began practising for our Pre-Prep Sports day and enjoyed playing in our beautiful grounds.
Reception
Holly Newton - Reception Teacher
This week we have been finding out that a farm is a special place where people grow food and care for animals. We learnt that farms grow plants, fruit and vegetables and some raise animals such as cows, pigs and hens that give us food like milk, eggs and meat. We set up our own farm with the small world equipment and thought about similarities and differences between adult animals and their young; we named lots of baby animals, such as a baby horse is called a foal.
We read the story ‘Rosie’s Walk’ about a hen who lives on a farm and thought of some good words to describe Rosie and the fox who followed her, such as ‘sneaky’, ‘calm’, ‘peaceful’, ‘clumsy’, ‘unlucky’ and ‘focused’. We also followed a 'how to draw' video to carefully draw a picture of Rosie and were so thrilled with the results!
We set up a Vet's Surgery in our role play area and have been finding out what happens in a vet's surgery and filling out lots of patient records and medical forms for the poorly animals. Lots of operations have been performed and we have been learning the names of the equipment they use. The life of a vet is a very busy one!
In Maths we have been making the numbers 11-19 with practical apparatus and thinking about how these numbers are made up of a ten and some ones. We ordered the numbers from 11-19 and matched pictures of corresponding numerical representations. We have also been looking at the numbers that are one more and one less than any of these given numbers.
We had a wonderful morning in the woods, searching for minibeasts and naming and describing those we found. We found that they preferred dark damp environments rather than being in direct sunlight. We used some clay to make minibeasts and used natural materials from the forest floor to add details such as legs, shells and antennae. We also practised using a claw hammer to hammer nails into wood and chopped vegetables to make the vegetable soup Quinn had requested for snack time. We LOVE Forest School and look forward to going very much.
Year 1
Jacklyn Garwood - Year 1 Teacher
What a fantastic start to the new term for Year 1. The children were introduced to their new topic of ‘United’ by taking part in a ‘Being British’ drama workshop. It was lovely to see the children queuing in straight lines, pouring each other cups of tea or pretending to be the components of a full English breakfast!
We used atlases to find the United Kingdom and all of the countries that make it up. We were so lucky to enjoy the sunshine on the patio sculpting our own United Kingdoms out of clay. Well done to all the children!
Year 2
Louise Hawtin - Year 2 Teacher
Year 2 have been learning about fractions in Maths this week. First the children split shapes in half to find two equal parts, before finding half of different numbers. We then learned about quarters and split shapes into four equal parts. The children also worked together like Billy Bee to draw dots and use counters to find quarters of numbers. Great work Year 2!
Year 3 - A taste of Italy!
Carina Everist - Year 3 Teacher & Religious Studies Teacher Years 3-6
In Year 3's first Humanities lesson of the term, we had discussions about the Pope, St Peter's Square and pigeons before making pizzas.
Karen Walker and Lucy Stone ruled the roost in the Cookery room, while back in the classroom the children used atlases to find out and label a map showing the capital cities in Europe. Of course, Rome was the first one they looked for as Italy is our topic at the moment. The pizzas went down very well as an extra tea time snack!
Year 3 Science - "What do Plants need to become strong and healthy"
In Science, Year 3 have begun their investigation. Thanks to Louise Waters for sourcing the bean seedlings. More to follow ...
Year 3 in the sunshine
Karen Walker - Teaching Assistant Year 3
Year 3 enjoying the sunshine in the DeBeer garden on Thursday after a very busy week.
A Walk Through Time: Year 5's exploration of plants and prehistoric Ginkgo trees
Becky Prior - Head of Science
Year 5 pupils took a walk around the school grounds to identify a variety of plant species and observe their adaptations. They looked closely at features such as leaf shape, stem structure and habitat. A highlight was discovering the ancient Ginkgo tree, with its unique fan-shaped leaves. Pupils were fascinated to learn that Ginkgo trees date back over 200 million years and were alive during the time of the dinosaurs. This outdoor learning experience helped them understand how plants survive and thrive in different environments.
Year 7 - Calculate the speed of sound
Becky Prior - Head of Science
Year 7 pupils enjoyed a sunny lesson outdoors while investigating the speed of sound. Using a simple experiment involving distance and timing, they calculated how fast sound travels through air. The beautiful school grounds offered plenty of space to carry out the investigation effectively.
Year 8 - Neutralisation Reactions
Becky Prior - Head of Science
Year 8 pupils explored neutralisation in Science by reacting Sodium Hydroxide with Hydrochloric Acid to produce Sodium Chloride and Water. Using Universal Indicator, they tested the pH before and after the reaction. This hands-on activity helped them understand how acids and alkalis interact and how neutral solutions are formed.
Art - Year 5
Tracey Konyu - Head of Art
Year 5 took advantage of the beautiful weather and the amazing views across our grounds to work on their landscape project on the front lawn.
Art - New Art Movement / The Upcyclers
We have a band of innovative artists and designers who have formed a new Art movement called 'The Upcyclers'. They are Rex L, Arthur P, Alexander W and Guillame B-L. They have transformed discarded items into beautiful artworks. Hopefully their work will inspire other pupils to create future works using so-called 'rubbish'.
Sport
Matt McKinnon - Director of Sport
One could not have asked for better weather to start the cricket season and, with the grounds looking as beautiful as ever, it was wonderful to see and hear from all about their action-packed afternoons.
Girls' 1st team v Holmewood House - A good opening season performance against strong opposition.
Girls' 2nd team v Holmewood House - A solid win on the astro to kick start the term.
Girls' Colts A v Holmewood House - A very evenly-matched game until a swarm of bees arrived and the match had to be abandoned.
Girls' Colts B v Holmewood House - A high-scoring contest, with plenty learnt over the course of the afternoon.
Boys' 1st team v Sevenoaks U13B - Too many extras gave the advantage to Sevenoaks.
Boys' Colts A v Holmewood House - A tough batting performance against an accurate bowling unit.
Boys' Colts B v Holmewood House - Not enough runs scored off the bat.
Girls' U8 v Skipper's Hill - An enjoyable afternoon of pairs cricket for all.
Boys' U8 & 9 v Holmewood House - An entertaining afternoon, with some wonderful early season cricket skills on show.
I would like to remind parents that cricket does take considerably longer than other sports. The finish/return times published on the team sheets are approximate.
Forest School – Year 5
Emily Platt - Head of English
Amy and Laura created another fantastic and fun forest school afternoon for Year 5 on our first day of term. James is back to reinventing the wheel and Albert is now the master of firewood! We are delighted to welcome Romilly to 5P (who built a fantastic den with Arya).
Year 5s are big fans of Forest School!
Forest School – Year 6
Acorn Clayton - Head of Modern Languages
6PW celebrated May Day in Forest School. The children enjoyed the sunshine and bluebells, working together to build dens, learn new skills and make crafts. They learned how to safely harvest young nettles and everyone enjoyed a refreshing cup of nettle tea!
Vinehall Venturers
Acorn Clayton - Head of Modern Languages
The Vinehall Venturers are back, ready for outdoor adventures during the Summer term. VV is an after school club for children in Years 3-6 inspired by Scouting.
To celebrate May Day, the Venturers worked in teams to create faces using natural materials, inspired by the mythical figure of the Green Man and Jack-in-the-Green.
Here are some of their creations to wish everyone good luck and a fruitful term ahead!
House News - Ashton
Acorn Clayton - Head of Modern Languages
On Friday morning, the Ashton House captains, Tymofii and Frances, welcomed back a guest speaker. Kenresa Stratford spoke to the Prep children about the work of Dandelion Time, a wonderful local charity which provides therapeutic outdoor education for children who have gone through difficulties. Ashton House were able to present her with a cheque for £641.54 raised by the Seedling Challenge in the Lent Term.
In a few weeks, a group of pupils in Ashton will be able to visit one of the Dandelion Time sites, so we are looking forward to that.
Vinehall families are warmly invited to visit the Dandelion Time May Fayre which will be held on Saturday 10th May: May Fayre 2025 - Dandelion Time.
There may also be some keen golfers who would like to sign up for a special charity Golf Day at Bearsted to be held on Thursday 5th June: Dandelion Time Charity Golf Day 2025
Thank you so much for your support for this really beneficial charity work.
Boarding
Katherine Kirkwood – Head of Boarding
We had a lovely sunny weekend and made the most of the beautiful weather. On Saturday afternoon we had cardboard box races on the golf course hill. It was very fast and competitive, but boys won the best of three and had a later bedtime for their efforts.
We lazed around for the rest of the afternoon playing cricket, table tennis and skipping.
On Saturday evening we made mocktails, complete with little umbrellas. The evening was spent listening to music on the lawn and just enjoying being outside.
On Sunday morning we had a lazy start and then headed to Eastbourne for a little shopping. We wandered down to the seafront and had a ride on the big wheel. All the children went on the ride, although some may have regretted their decision. We returned to school and had dinner outside before getting ready for the week.
Coming Soon …
International Concert Series at Vinehall
6th Concert: MELIORA COLLECTIVE - Saturday 10th May at 7.00pm – Chaplin Theatre
Geoffrey Whitehead
The Meliora Collective will perform Berwald's sunny Grand Septet of 1828 followed by the ever-popular Schubert Octet.
Book online: www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/61678
Tickets / Details: 01580 883092 or email geoffreywhitehead@vinehallschool.com.
The Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex will be attending this concert. The Lord-Lieutenant is the Sovereign’s representative within the County of East Sussex. The current Lord-Lieutenant is Mr Andrew Blackman. Mr Blackman is a keen supporter of the Performing Arts in East Sussex, and it will be a great pleasure to welcome him so he can see what we are offering at Vinehall. You will have a chance to meet him in the interval over drinks on the lawn. It is not a formal event, so anyone expecting him in full ceremonial outfit and plumed hat will be disappointed.
The Meliora Collective is a freshly established flexible ensemble, consisting of an array of dynamic, creative and spirited young artists. They are in the unique position of performing as a dectet, formed of five wind players alongside five string players, but we shall just have eight of them! Rather like Tier3 whom we heard in December, founding members, Meera and Steph dreamt up this ensemble in the midst of the pandemic.
The versatility afforded by this set-up allows for intriguing programming, spanning a range of styles and incorporating concert favourites alongside less familiar but equally enchanting repertoire. Meliora Collective enjoys presenting highly inventive arrangements, ranging from Mendelssohn to Tchaikovsky. They received an award from the Oleg Prokofiev Trust, as well as an RVW Trust award to fund a new commission by award-winning composer, Rafael Marino Arcaro.
As recent graduates of conservatoires including the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Northern College of Music, each of the musicians brings a strong musical identity to the ensemble and it is part of the ethos of our Vinehall concerts to encourage the very best of young musicians as well as those who are well-known. They will perform Berward’s Septet, a relaxed and informal work written in 1828. Franz Berwald (1796-1868) is best known for his symphonies but his Grand Septet in B flat is an earlier work and has the same instrumentation as Beethoven’s very popular Septet which was regularly performed in Stockholm at the time. After the interval we will hear another very sunny and convivial composition, Schubert’s much-loved Octet.