News Round Up 31st January 2025

This week, we welcomed Richard and Alexandra Wise from WiseUp Team Building to run some workshops for Year 10 and the Lower Sixth. Students were tasked with a series of challenges, which involved communication, problem solving and team work skills in order to complete the tasks. These life skills are just as important as academic success, when it comes to building bright futures and shaping well rounded individuals.

Classics Trip

On Tuesday the Year 10 and Lower Sixth Classics students went to the British Museum to see the Parthenon Sculptures or Elgin Marbles. Studying the Sculptures, which depict scenes from Greek mythology, is part of both the GCSE and A Level curricula. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed this important part of Greek history.

It was really fun to look at the Parthenon sculptures. Emily, Lower Sixth

My favourite part was seeing the caryatid. Eloise, Year 10

Very fun. Gisele, Year 10

So happy I got to see the metopes. Diya, Year 10

Highlight of my week. Mabel, Year 10

Chinese New Year

7James Form Time

To celebrate Chinese New Year, 7James made Chinese lanterns and wrote messages to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

They then made a display with the lanterns and drawings, celebrating the Year of the Snake.

Boarders' Celebrations

Our boarding community enjoyed a special evening celebrating Chinese New Year, on Wednesday as well with a range of Chinese dishes on offer and of course, some colourful decorations!

Gymnastics Success

This weekend, our gymnasts competed in the BSGA floor & vault regional competition at Abedour Prep School in Tadworth, Surrey against 10 other schools from the South East region. Our teams performed brilliantly with the U14 team, comprising Year 8's Isla, and Jendayi, Emilia, Jessica and Annabelle from Year 7, finishing in second place and the U19 team, consisting of Year 11's Darcey, Year 10's Lucy, Year 8's Zarina and Emily and Year 7's Chloe, finishing third. A fantastic achievement by all.

Year 10 History Challenge

Year 10 rose to the challenge this week by taking part in the Historical Association’s Great Debate. This year the theme was: "How can your local history tell a global story?" The students worked as a team to research the story of Margery Polley, a local Protestant woman, who was burnt at the stake by Queen Mary in 1555. She is commemorated by a stone horse trough in Pembury. The student made links to sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia Muslims today, and also before Margery’s life.

The students worked well as a team, with everyone playing to their strengths; some delved deep into the independent research, even contacting a local historian for further information, while others honed the wording and structure of the speech ensuring it met the criteria set. Finally the speech was ably and passionately delivered by Diya with input and suggestions from the rest of the group. Mrs Edwards was extremely proud of all of the group.

Intermediate Maths Challenge

On Wednesday 29th January, our top mathematicians from Years 9, 10 and 11 took part in the United Kingdom Mathematical Trust Intermediate Challenge. This involved solving 25 thought-provoking questions in one hour. It is aimed at the top third of students in these year groups, so some of the questions were rather challenging! We now await their results.

Here are three questions from this year’s challenge, which test angle facts, algebra skills and logical thinking.

Use this link for practice questions to have a go!

Boarding Trip to London

Our boarders enjoyed a lovely day trip into London last weekend. It was a bright, sunny day, albeit a bit chilly along the river.

The students had a lovely brunch at Borough Market, before walking along the river, up and over Tower Bridge, taking a boat down to Westminster and walking past Downing Street and Trafalgar Square as well. Not to mention finally hitting the shops! It was a busy but lovely day!

Year 8 Flexiboarding Night