School Calendar
Please click on the link below to access the School Calendar
Boarding
Thank you so much to all the parents who came along for the boarders' coffee morning. We appreciate that it was during working hours and so if you were unable to come along but would like to have a chat with Mr Nish or have a tour around the boarding house, please contact Mr Nish at jamie.nish@hatheropcastle.co.uk
Developments in the Boarding House
We are delighted to share with you a sneak peek at our newly decorated girls' dorm. This is an exciting new development for our boarding house and the new boys' dorm is currently being designed and work will begin very shortly.
Notices
Prep 2 Swimming
Next Thursday 10th October Prep 2 need to bring a pair of pyjamas to swim in. These need to be a two piece and not a fleecy onesie please!
Discover Activity Camp - October Half Term
We are running Discover Activity Camp from Mon 28 Oct - Fri 1 Nov. Tickets are currently on sale and Early Bird tier 2 discount is available until Monday 7th October. More information and booking can be found on the Discover Activity Camps website.
Young Leaders in Service
Over the past months, we have built an excellent rapport with the Lechlade Lions, collaborating on a number of different projects. Today, the Prep School was fortunate to be joined by the Lechlade Lions, who spoke to the pupils about ‘Young Leaders in Service’. We are looking to evolve our community projects and want our pupils to gain a better understanding of the importance of contributing to society – the significance of giving.
All pupils in Prep 5 and 6 will be bringing home a Young Leader in Service booklet, explaining the scheme that the Lechlade Lions will be running, which we will be supporting. The initiative is designed for pupils to track the hours they spend supporting the community. Activities such as litter picks, volunteering in the library, and charity challenges are examples of how the pupils can contribute to the local community.
If this is of interest, pupils will need to complete the form and return it to school. Forms should be handed to the front desk and will then be sent to the Lechlade Lions. Following this, pupils will receive a booklet to record their hours of community service. At this stage, we are focusing on pupils in Prep 5 and 6. However, if pupils in other year groups within the Prep School would like to participate, please email Mr Williams at nick.williams@hatheropcastle.co.uk
We hope many of our pupils will feel inspired to take on a project, enjoy the opportunity to learn new skills, and give back to the local community. Finally, if any parents would like to get in touch with any suggestions on how they feel we could support the local community, please email Mr Williams.
Bonfire Night
We are very much looking forward to welcoming you all to our annual bonfire night, hosted by our wonderful PA. We would ask if anyone has any wood they are able to donate to the school for the bonfire, could it please be dropped off to the site team before half term, please email estates@hatheropcastle.co.uk to arrange delivery of any wood.
Please complete the form below to book your tickets for the event. Tickets will be available to purchase until Friday.
Illness amongst children
Please may we politely remind all parents that we have a strict 48-hour policy regarding sickness and diarrhoea, and children are not permitted to return to school before this time period has elapsed. We would also like to remind parents that if they feel the need to give their child Calpol before school to make them feel better, the child should not be attending school. Over the past week, we have had a number of children attending who are too unwell to be at school. We would greatly appreciate parents' support in helping to reduce the spread of illness during the cold season.
Pre-Prep Harvest
We are very much looking forward to celebrating Harvest Festival next Friday, 11th October. The service will begin at 2.30pm at St Nicholas' Church, Hatherop. We will be collecting donations for Cirencester Foodbank next week and hope that every child will be able to bring something to support the charity’s fantastic work in caring for people facing hardship. Please see the poster for a shopping list of the most needed items and details on how to access the full list of items being collected. It would be a valuable learning experience for your child to be involved in each stage of the process—selecting, purchasing, and donating the item(s). From Monday, please support your child in bringing donations to school, where they will be stored in classrooms ahead of Friday’s service. Thank you so much for your support.
Art Challenge from Mrs Thomas
Arty Crafty Little Monkeys Holiday Club
Arty Crafty Little Monkeys will be hosting two holiday club sessions this half term. These specially designed sessions are the perfect place for arty children to have fun, be creative, and learn new skills.
Sessions will take place in the Art Studio between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm on Tuesday, 22nd October, and Friday, 25th October. Numbers for each session are limited, and booking is essential. Full details can be found on the website: www.artycraftylittlemonkeys.co.uk
Menus for this week
Sport Notices
Team Sheets - Girls
Team Sheets - Boys
Swimming
Highlights of the week
Pre-Prep children have been observing the signs of the season changing with different autumn-themed activities each week. So far, they have enjoyed leaf and bark rubbing, and this week, they collected beautiful leaves to make their own autumn trees. We are also excited about what's happening underground, as they have helped to plant 'bulb lasagnas!' We look forward to alliums, daffodils, tulips, and snowdrops peeking through early next year!
Reception's Adventures with The Little Red Hen!
Reception have been enjoying using language related to measures. They have explored "full" and "empty" using rice, "heavy" and "light" using objects from around the classroom, and "big," "medium," and "small" while listening to traditional tales and rhymes. Do you know how to make different colours? Exploring colour mixing using pipettes and watercolours was a real hit. We found out that blue and yellow make green, yellow and red make orange, and all of the colours mixed together make a sludgy brown!
The Little Red Hen set us some more challenges this week. She asked us to investigate three different problems: Who will help me scoop the wheat? Who will help me weigh the flour? And who will help me measure how tall the wheat is? We put all of our measuring and maths skills to use to solve these problems.
Prep 1’s Time-Travel Toy Adventure!
Prep 1 were treated to a wonderful experience on Tuesday afternoon, exploring, handling, and playing with a huge variety of toys from the past at our Grandparents' Toy Workshop. From puppets to battleships, magic mirrors to Spirographs, the children were absolutely captivated, and it was a joy to see. Thank you so much to all the generous grandparents who so kindly supported this lovely event.
"Prep 2’s Mummification Magic: Turning Tomatoes into Ancient Egyptian Masterpieces!"
This week, Prep 2 took a hands-on approach to learning about the fascinating ancient Egyptian practice of mummification. The children have been enthusiastically exploring the science behind preserving a body, and they kicked off their investigations by mummifying... a tomato!
In true Egyptian style, they began by carefully scooping out the juicy insides of the tomatoes. Next, they filled the hollowed-out fruit with salt, a key ingredient in the ancient mummification process. The room buzzed with curiosity as the children made predictions about what might happen to their salt-filled tomatoes over the coming weeks.
With excitement (and a few funny faces!), Prep 2 are eagerly awaiting the transformation as they observe their very own "tomato mummies." It's a brilliant way to bring history to life, fostering curiosity and critical thinking as they dive deeper into this ancient technique. Stay tuned to find out what surprising results lie ahead!
Learning Life-Saving Skills
This week, the children from Reception to Prep 6 at Hatherop Castle School have been learning invaluable life skills through their fantastic first aid courses, led by Gloucestershire Mini First Aid. With eager hearts and curious minds, our pupils were introduced to vital techniques that could one day save a life.
From understanding the recovery position to learning how to save someone from choking, the children have gained hands-on experience in dealing with a variety of emergency situations. They also learned how to treat burns, the importance of keeping wounds clean with plasters, and were even guided through the steps of performing CPR.
These practical sessions have empowered our pupils with the confidence and knowledge to act swiftly and responsibly in critical situations. Not only did they have fun practising these life-saving techniques, but they also gained a profound sense of responsibility and care for those around them.
A huge thank you to Gloucestershire Mini First Aid for providing such an engaging and informative series of lessons. These essential life skills are sure to stay with our pupils for years to come, helping to create a safer and more aware community.
House Magic, Welly Walks, and More!
This half term, pupils have the opportunity to take part in House Magic, Table Tennis, Welly Walks, House of Games, and Reading Heroes, as well as earning house points throughout the school day.
The Welly Walk, House of Games, and Reading Heroes give pupils the chance to build relationships within their houses. These opportunities provide all of our pupils, from Reception through to Year 8, the chance to mix across the school and develop the family feel within the houses.
The Table Tennis draw has been made, and first-round matches will start next week. Pupils who have signed up for the Magic Show need to practise their tricks at home in preparation for the auditions/semi-finals on Thursday, 10th October, during House time.
Swimming
THE HATHEROP SWIM TEAM NEEDS YOU!
We need swimmers from each group, Prep 3, 4, 5 and 6 to join the team at Westonbirt on Tuesday 8th October 2024. Please email Mr Bailey if you would like your son / daughter to have the opportunity to swim and compete. Please can you add your child’s best 2 strokes. The children in Prep 3-5 will need to be able to swim (25m) in either front crawl, breast stroke and back crawl. Children attending in Prep 6 ideally need to be able to swim butterfly. I am hoping spectators are welcome to come and watch.
On this occasion the children will be selected on a first come first serve basis. If your child doesn’t swim on this occasion then they will be put forward for the next one during the Lent Term 2025.
Please could you let Mr Bailey know if you intend to pick up from Westonbirt at approximately, 5.30pm, or from HCS at approximately 6.15pm.��Nigel.bailey@hatheropcastle.co.uk
Rugby
U8 Tag Rugby v Cricklade Manor Prep
This was another really encouraging display of teamwork and skill. The tagging was excellent; however, the highlight today was watching the support runners follow the ball carrier and then pass 4-5 times to score a try. On this occasion, the ball was passed to every player, resulting in Walter running in to score. This happened a few times on different pitches, which was pleasing to see. A great all-round team effort in both defence and attack, with some standout performances this week from Harry, Isaac, Ralph, Fergus, and Bodie.
Well done to everyone who played. Our first home game is next week against Abingdon Prep School. Please come and support the team if you can.
U9 Rugby v Cricklade Manor Prep
Our U9 rugby team hosted Cricklade Manor Prep. The HCS squad were in good form, having enjoyed two solid training sessions this week with a focus on defensive structure and tackle technique. The match was split into four quarters to allow continued progression and improvement in tackling technique.
Both teams started brightly, with tries exchanged early on. As the game moved into contact, the Hatherop team displayed good defensive structure, stifling the visitors' attack and forcing mistakes through sustained pressure. Both teams continued to work hard as the game became more physical. When the final whistle blew, Hatherop claimed victory in a keenly contested rugby match.
Players of the Match: Josh W & Freddie R.
U10/11 Wishford Rugby Festival
The U10/11 boys' Wishford Rugby Festival was a great display of teamwork and effort, with the boys showing determination and enthusiasm throughout. Their forward running was particularly impressive, as they consistently broke through defensive lines and gained valuable ground. However, one area for improvement is using the width of the pitch more effectively by spreading the ball through quick and accurate passing. The boys won 2 out of their 3 matches, with victories over Heywood Prep and Westonbirt. They should be proud of their performance and the steady progress they are making as a team. Well done, boys!
Players of the Festival – Rupert A & Freddie SJ
U11A Boys Wishford Rugby Festival
What a transformation a few weeks have made. The U11A team played with confidence, running the ball wide and into space whenever they could. The team’s organisation is improving, especially out wide, with some great tackling and effort to hold the ball carrier. The physical element of the game is not always easy for everyone, but their commitment was fantastic today. There were some superb tries in each game, along with strong rucking and ball-carrying qualities.
The whole team earns the award for players of the match today. Throughout the festival, Hatherop remained unbeaten. The team drew 5-5 against Heywood, beat Cricklade 15-5, and in the final match, beat Westonbirt 15-10 to finish the festival unbeaten. Well done to everyone who played.
Hockey
U8 v Cricklade Manor Prep
The Hatherop U8 girls' hockey team made an exciting debut in their very first match against Cricklade on Tuesday, delivering a great performance that ended with victories in both games. The girls showed good skills, teamwork, and determination on the field, creating an unforgettable start to their hockey journey. A great effort—well done, girls!
U9 Hockey
The U9 Girls' Hockey team delivered an impressive performance against Cricklade Manor Prep, showcasing a blend of tactical awareness, strong teamwork, and relentless attacking play throughout the match. From the very first whistle, the girls demonstrated excellent use of space across the field.
The highlight of the match was their outstanding attacking play. The U9 girls were relentless in pushing forward, applying constant pressure on the Cricklade Manor defence. Their forwards displayed fantastic movement, regularly finding open spaces and creating multiple scoring opportunities. Although there is still some work to be done, it was a fantastic game overall!
U10B & U11B Wishford Festival
On Wednesday, both the U11B and U10B hockey teams faced tough competition at the Wishford festival held at Cricklade. Each team played four games in total. Despite their best efforts, both the U11B and U10B teams experienced a single loss each. The remaining three matches for both teams were hard-fought draws, all ending with a scoreline of 0-0. Though they couldn’t secure a win, both teams displayed solid defence and determination throughout the festival. Well done girls!
U10 & U11 Hockey
The U10A and U11A Girls' Hockey teams put on an outstanding display of passion and determination at the Wishford Hockey Tournament, both earning an impressive 2nd place finish. Throughout the competition, the teams demonstrated relentless energy and commitment, playing with heart in every match. Their well-coordinated passing, solid defence, and sharp attacking plays consistently challenged their opponents.
Despite facing tough competition, the girls showed resilience, adapting to various game situations while never losing focus. Their hard work and teamwork paid off, as they fought their way to the final, only narrowly missing out on the top spot. A fantastic achievement for both year groups!
Football
U13A Football PlayStation Cup Round 1 vs Europe School, Wiltshire
We entered this competition for the first time last year, which brings together schools from across England in a one-off knockout competition.
For this season, the U13s will be using the local Hatherop village pitch, and I must say, it was a great resource to have so close to the school. Playing on a full-size pitch with full-size goals was certainly going to test everyone’s fitness and ability to use the space. Despite losing 3-1, the game was incredibly well-matched. Both sides missed a few chances, but it was Europe School who scored first. Tom Cameron netted the equaliser for HCS just before the end of the first half. The score remained 1-1 until midway through the second half, when the visitors scored an excellent header and followed up with a third goal soon after.
The quality of football from both sides was impressive, as were the skill level, energy, and determination displayed throughout. Well done to everyone who played and represented the school. Special mention goes to Jasper G, Albie, and Harry for their quality and skill on the ball, and to Xan and Jasper S, who each had an excellent half in goal. Great keeping, you guys!
Fencing
Ralph
Ralph’s ability with blade in hand continues to improve every week. His parries are becoming smaller and he is using different ways to score hits. Brilliant Ralph!
Freya
Freya has natural hand eye coordination so fencing comes naturally to her. She is always keen to get stuck into a friendly duel with her peers and never takes a backward step. Very well done Freya!