The Whinchat 2024 by Bedford-School

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Headmaster’s introduction WELCOME TO WHINCHAT MAGAZINE 2023-2024

As the academic year draws to a close, we reflect on the remarkable achievements and growth within our Prep School community. It has been another superb and successful year. Thank you to everyone who makes up our wonderful community for the support and hard work that is needed to make it such an amazing place to learn and work.

Mr Ian Silk, Headmaster

AAAs ever there have been so many impressive highlights and thank you to the Whinchat team who have attempted to record as many as possible within the following pages. I hope you agree that they have done a great job in capturing the essentials of a wonderful year of progress. At Speech Day and Final Assembly, we were also able to reward many of the boys for their successes. However, despite our endeavours we have not been able to capture or reward every single stride forward that our boys have made, some in quiet and more subtle ways, which are equally important to their development. To those, and all of our boys, I hope you find

s ever there have been so many impressive highlights and thank you to the Whinchat team who have attempted to record as many as possible within the following pages. I hope you agree that they have done a great job in capturing the essentials of a wonderful year of progress. At Speech Day and Final Assembly, we were also able to reward many of the boys for their successes. However, despite our endeavours we have not been able to capture or reward every single stride forward that our boys have made, some in quiet and more subtle ways, which are equally important to their development. To those, and all of our boys, I hope you find something within these pages

something within these pages to make you proud of what you have achieved, or make you smile and remember with fondness the special days of Prep School life.

to make you proud of what you have achieved, or make you smile and remember with fondness the special days of Prep School life.

Our sports teams have achieved success on our circuit, and our robotics teams have performed very well with gold medals at the two competitions they attended.

A few individual highlights which stand out include the record breaking try-scoring of Sam Williams, whose impressive 79 tries for the Under 13A team bettered the combined total of all the teams who scored against them. Equally impressive was Nayan Pattni who was crowned as IAPS National Table Tennis champion, and Daniel Lee who starred in a musical which toured China. In Music, Hugo Morgan auditioned successfully for The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Our teams have performed superbly, too. Our sports teams have achieved success on our circuit, and our robotics teams have performed very well with gold medals at the two competitions they attended. There have been superb dramatic performances, in The Comedy of Errors, Jack and the Beanstalk mini-musical, and the moving, war-themed House Drama competition. Bedford’s Got Talent was another triumph too, as reported by Cayo in his speech. The music has been sensational; my personal highlight was the wonderfully moving rendition of Earth by Hans Zimmer, performed by over 200 Prep School musicians.

Nayan Pattni who was crowned as IAPS National Table Tennis champion, and Daniel Lee who starred in a musical which toured China. In Music, Hugo Morgan auditioned successfully for The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Our teams have performed superbly, too.

There have been superb dramatic performances, in The Comedy of Errors, Jack and the Beanstalk mini-musical, and the moving, war-themed House Drama competition. Bedford’s Got Talent was another triumph too, as reported by Cayo in his speech.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our new outdoor classroom,

The music has been sensational; my personal highlight was the wonderfully moving rendition of Earth by Hans Zimmer, performed by over 200 Prep School musicians. We have

We have thoroughly enjoyed our new outdoor classroom,

thoroughly enjoyed our new outdoor classroom, The Welly, which was funded by the Bedford School Foundation and Trust. We would like to thank them for providing such an amazing new resource which has allowed a diverse range of lessons to benefit from the inspirational outdoor setting. And the new lighting and sound in the Erskine May Hall, funded by the amazing Prep Guild, has added an impressive quality to events in the building.

well-rounded individuals.

It is also important to remember that the school had an ISI inspection in the first term which was a resounding success. The results were unequivocal: our academic education and pastoral care received high praise. Despite the bland format of inspection reports, what did come across was that the inspectors were genuinely impressed by the quality of our academic, pastoral and co-curricular provision and

The Welly, which was funded by the Bedford School Foundation and Trust. We would like to thank them for providing such an amazing new resource which has allowed a diverse range of lessons to benefit from the inspirational outdoor setting. And the new lighting and sound in the Erskine May Hall, funded by the amazing Prep Guild, has added an impressive quality to events in the building. It is also important to remember that the school had an ISI inspection in the first term which was a resounding success. The results were unequivocal: our academic education and pastoral care received high praise. Despite the bland format of inspection reports, what did come across was that the inspectors were genuinely impressed by the quality of our academic, pastoral and co-curricular provision and our commitment to nurturing

well-rounded individuals.

our commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals.

We are used to high expectations in our school, and at times it is easy to overlook how exceptional our boys and teachers are. The Whinchat provides us with a lens through which we can reflect on the year’s accomplishments. As you peruse the pages filled with vibrant photos of the school’s highlights it becomes evident that this has been another year of outstanding achievements. It is a highlights reel, preserving many of the best bits - the moments which define our boys’ young lives - whilst inevitably missing some equally important details. Thank you to our teachers, parents and endlessly supportive Governors for all they have done. Thank you, most of all, to the boys who have made it all such a privilege.

I hope you enjoy reading our review of the year.

The Whinchat provides us with a lens through which we can reflect on the year’s accomplishments

WORDS BY

Mr Ian Silk, Headmaster

HEAD BOY’S SPEECH 2024

Headmasters, governors, special guests, staff, parents, and boys, welcome to Bedford School. It is both a great honour and privilege to be speaking to you today as Head Boy of Bedford Prep School. Today is a day where we as a school and community can celebrate and acknowledge all the wonderful achievements of the boys over the course of this year. Without further ado, I would like to give you my report of the year.

It feels like only yesterday when I was selected to be Head Boy and this incredible opportunity was bestowed upon me.

When I heard, I was overjoyed. My first thought was about what I would include in my speech and I came to the conclusion that humour would be a key element, and before you ask yes I did turn down Mr Guest’s jokes quite early on in the year. In fact, if my memory serves me correctly, I told him I was fine on the day I was chosen. Sorry Mr Guest, but you’ll get them next year.

I would just like to take a minute to share with you some of my highlights at Bedford Prep School. I really

enjoyed the Egyptian day in Year 3, trips to Ickwell, taking part in house events and the Year 8 Spanish trip, where we were given the chance to visit Barcelona, play a football match, go shopping and visit a local school. That was incredible even though we lost 14-0 in the football match.

It has reached the point where Mr Silk has been Headmaster at Bedford Prep School for 11 years, or if you want to make him sound older, over a decade.

I think it is time just to take a minute to appreciate and consider Mr Silk’s involvement and contributions he has made in all the time he has been headmaster. His enthusiasm to wear a wacky Where’s Wally or Winnie the Pooh costumes on World Book Day and also his consistency and passion for somehow having a somewhat relevant quote for almost every whole school assembly.

Mr Silk did once tell me that “A fine quotation is a diamond in the hand of a man of wit and a pebble in the hand of a fool”.

I will leave you to work out which one Mr Silk is!

Now let’s move on to the individual and collective endeavours that have allowed the

Prep School to thrive this year.

SPORTS

Overall we had a very successful first term of fixtures. The U13 A rugby team had an incredible season not just as a team but also with some incredible individual achievements. The team only lost two matches throughout the season. The main individual achievement for Year 8 in rugby was Samuel Williams and his legendary record breaking 79 tries scored. This meant that he alone beat the combined total number of all tries scored by every other school the A team played. What a remarkable achievement. The U13 C team also had an impressive track record in the first term, with only one loss resulting in 11 wins out of 12 matches. So well done to them. Teams at all levels enjoyed some excellent rugby and learned a lot. Over the first half term of the year, a group of 32 Year 8 boys enjoyed a rugby tour to Cardiff. During their brilliant, wet and windy five-day trip the boys played two fixtures against their superb hosts, Llanishen. I hope all the boys that attended enjoyed their time.

In hockey we had some tremendous performances on the pitch from Year 3 to Year 8; however attempts in IAPS were cut short when we lost quite early on. Overall, we did well and our coaches were proud of all the boys. Many matches took place over the second term of sport. From the U11s to U13s we only lost a handful of matches and we were triumphant in many areas. I hope you boys that played in hockey matches are proud of the progress you all have made. Cricket this year has overall been extremely exciting and competitive with many fixtures taking place from Year 3 to year 8. Just last week we had 180 boys from Years 5 to 8 playing in a block fixture with Caldicott. Every year group has also competed in house cricket this year which gives everyone a chance to show how much they have improved since the start of the term. A particular congratulation to Leo Tapp, Harry Spencer and Josh Edmundson for being the only boys in the Prep School with double cricket colours to date.

In table tennis, Nayan Pattni was crowned the national U11 champion at the IAPS championships, and the under eleven team consisting of Nayan Pattni, Quba Thomas, Sacha Ryan and Gabriel Stone earned the team bronze medal at the National Finals. So congratulations to them.

MUSIC

In music we have had a flourishing year with boys performing from the summer concert to The Bedfordshire Festival of Music Speech and Drama. This year we

have had over two thirds of boys doing music lessons ranging from singing to music tech or DJ-ing. Mrs Gedye has had her hands full with many productions and performances this year. The Year 3, 4 and 5 choir performed a musical version of Jack and the Beanstalk in the summer term; unfortunately I couldn’t watch, but from what I’ve heard it was exceptional, especially Ms Goodman’s stage management of the beanstalk itself! The Bedfordshire Festival for music went extremely well with many boys placing in the top three positions. Finally, House Singing this year was a great success with Bunyan coming first for unison with Hallelujah and Whitbread taking Part Song. Also a big congratulations to all boys who played in Earth by Hans Zimmer, this final performance was spectacular and a delight to watch.

DRAMA

On the stage this year over 150 of our boys competed in the Bedfordshire festival with over 60 placing first second or third. Special mention to Kian Walia in Year 7 and Daniel Lee in Year 6 for making it to the gala that took place at the end of the competitive week. I would just say make sure to enjoy your time at the festival as you can only compete for so long. We again this year had Bedford School’s Got talent hosted by Chris Gentry and myself. I’d say we did a good job being Ant and Dec that evening but that’s just me. We were treated to a wide range of performances including

Deputy Head Boy

Chris Gentry

Josh Edmunson

Head Boy

Cayo Sinclair

Head Boy’s Speech 2023

beatboxing, gymnastics, singing and stand up comedy demonstrating what a wide range of talent we have at the Prep School. The keenly contested House Drama competition was based on the theme of war and we were treated to some memorable and very moving performances. The overall winners were Bunyan - oh look Bunyan won again, just to be clear there are other houses. To round off the year the Year 6 to 8s performed a Shakespearean play with a modern twist. The Comedy of Errors in 30 minutes was a spectacular play and I hope all that watched enjoyed it too. There are lots of roles and opportunities to take advantage of in drama at Bedford School; actor is one but if you’re not as confident on stage you could be part of the backstage crew. In The Comedy of Errors, Harris McLynn was our helpful stage hand and he did a fantastic job moving and removing our necessary props and Juvan Sivasenthan, Jonathan Deng and Shray GararaPatel were working on the lighting in the tech box.

Now moving onto charities. This year the charity which all four houses have been supporting is Magpas Air Ambulance. We have done many fundraisers including a hike to the top of Mount Snowdon

(Yr Wyddfa) and back and our retiring collections after most events such as the carol service, house music, house singing, house drama and more. Magpas have come in for a few visits this year and they were kind enough to show us some equipment and they let us blare the sirens on their car. We also raised money for the Royal British Legion, Movember and Cancer

Research. Isaac Dailey and Henry Hillier in Year 7 cycled a marathon distance, and Mr Guest, Mr Dennis and Mrs Dale all raised money by doing various individual feats.

I would like to thank Ms Goodman for her dedication and thought that she puts into the organisation of our fundraisers.

A new addition to Bedford Prep School is The Welly, which is

an outdoor classroom designed for making outdoor learning accessible and fun. It’s named after George Hayward Wells as chosen and suggested by many boys. Mrs Russell was the organiser of this project so a big thank you to her for this new facility.

Finally, I would like to give some Thank yous.

I would first like to thank my deputy head boys Chris Gentry and

A new addition to Bedford Prep School is The Welly, which is an outdoor classroom designed for making outdoor learning accessible and fun

Josh Edmunson for all the hard work and dedication they have put into the organisation of the prefects and ambassadors. That also leads me onto thanking all prefects and ambassadors in Year 8 for carrying out their duties and responsibilities throughout the course of this year. Since joining the Prep School in Year 3, I have been lucky enough to have had some of the best form tutors: I would like to thank my form tutors from Year 3 to Year 8: Mrs Carrington, Mr Maitland, Mrs Rossington, Mrs Walker, Mrs Gordon and Mrs Gedye. They have supported and helped me through my life at the Prep School and helped me to enjoy every second

of every day, maybe with the exception of exam week. This leads me into thanking each and every teacher in the Prep School who all work very hard and somehow find a way to put up with us boys all day, every day. All of our teachers at the Prep School work very hard to make our lessons enjoyable and fun. I’m sure you all have a favourite teacher and my favourite teacher is….. well if I told you that, what kind of Head Boy I would be?

So, in Mr Silk fashion, I will finish with a quote, by Michael Josephson, “Take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don’t forget to enjoy the journey.” Thank you.

The Welly

MISS TANYA BYGRAVES Prep School Teacher

Miss Tanya Bygraves joined us from Bromham Primary School. She is an alumna of Dame Alice and has a Bachelor of Education from De Montfort University. She has taught in the state and independent sectors, in the UK and abroad in the USA. She enjoys Musical Theatre, Reading, Cooking and Swimming. She joined us to cover Miss Bamber whilst she was on maternity leave and will continue in the Autumn Term.

MRS HEATHER CLARE Head of Years 3 & 4

Mrs Clare joined the school in January 2024 as our Head of Year 3 and Year 4. Mrs Clare taught in the state sector for the previous twelve years following a three-year career in Archaeology. She joined us from Highover JMI where she was a Year 4 class teacher, a teacher mentor to undergraduates and PGCE students, and a History Specialist Leader of Education (SLE). She also led the Eco Council. Mrs Clare is an alumna from Bedford High School, has a BA Hons from the University of Exeter in Archaeology and a PGCE from the University of Plymouth. She has already made a number of improvements to our Year 3 and Year 4 provision and is an important member of the Senior Leadership Team.

MRS CLAIRE MCDOUGALL Director of Studies

Mrs McDougall will start at the Prep School in January 2025 as our new Director of Studies. We were fortunate to have a strong field of candidates, including Heads of local primary schools and current deputy heads of Prep and Senior Schools and Mrs McDougall stood out as the strongest candidate. She is currently the Head of Curriculum at Wellingborough School. Mrs McDougall has a diverse background, having served as a Business Development Manager at Lloyds of London and a Royal Navy Officer before moving into Education. She has been at Wellingborough since 2013, where she runs a musical theatre group, choirs and enjoys sports. She gained an Upper Second Class degree from University of Brighton and a distinction in her PGCE. She also runs training for other teachers and speaks at conferences about Teaching and Learning.

MRS NICOLA WALTER

Prep School Teacher

Mrs Walter took over from Miss Hone during her maternity leave. She joined us from Riseley Church of England Primary School where she was a Year 5 class teacher and the RE subject lead. She has a voluntary role as a trustee with responsibility for communications at The Messengers charity. She attended Dr Challoner’s High School as a pupil and has a BA Hons Upper Second Class degree in English Literature from the University of Birmingham, where she also gained her PGCE in secondary English. She enjoys music, drama, school council, board games and debating.

MR JACE WOODWORTH Art Technician

Mr Woodworth joined the Prep School in September, as our Art Technician. He attended Bedford Modern as a pupil and then gained a Distinction in Art and Design NVQ Level 3 from Leeds Arts University and a First Class Degree in Art from University of Arts London. He joins us from Bedford Modern School where he works as a Junior IT Support Technician and a Holiday Activity Course Leader. He has worked as a volunteer with youth groups and has run climbing courses, and comic and illustration courses. He has a Fine Art background and enjoys illustration, painting, printmaking, ceramics, textiles and digital art software.

Valete

MRS CHARLOTTE HEYWOOD Deputy Head

Charlotte Heywood joined the school in June 2021, as Deputy Head, from St Matthew’s Academy in Blackheath where she was Assistant Headteacher and was responsible for raising progress and achievement in the school. She joined us with a glowing reputation. She has also been Director of English and Head of Year previously. She attended an independent school herself, at St Dominic’s Priory School for Girls, and gained an Upper Second Class degree in English Literature from Sheffield University. This experience was crystallised in her role as Deputy Head with us and her glowing reputation was enhanced. She is an outstanding and talented leader, who has made a huge impact on the teaching and learning in the school. She has an incredible capacity for getting tasks done at incredible speed. For Harry Potter fans, at one point we were convinced she had one of Hermione Granger’s Time Turners. Miss Heywood is really enjoyable to work with, not taking herself too seriously, and getting involved in every area of school life. She even revealed just before leaving that she auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent, singing Pie Jesu. She will be hugely missed as she moves on to her next challenging leadership role at Bedford Academy.

MISS EMMA GOODMAN Assistant Head Co-curricular, Head of Geography and Timetabler

After 8 years’ sterling service at Bedford Prep School, Miss Goodman moves on to a new career in Network Rail. She had previously been a project manager at Mercedes Benz before becoming a teacher and deciding to make good use of her Upper Second Class Geography degree from UEA. She joined us from Bedford Free School, where she was Lead Teacher for Geography. She was our Head of Geography to start with but quickly rose through the ranks to take on the role of school timetabler. She recently joined the Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Head Co-curricular, leading our co-curricular provision and our charitable giving. She is a kind and supportive member of staff, who will be much missed. We have no doubt the Network Rail trains will be much more prompt with Miss Goodman on the team.

MISS HANNAH MARTIN-MERCHANT

Art Technician and Eagle House live-in tutor

Since September 2022 she has been our art technician and she has put her degrees, one (with distinction) in Art Museum and Gallery Studies from University of Leicester and a first class degree in History of Art from Reading University, to very good use. She joined us from the business world, working as a New Business and Marketing Coordinator at Gustafson, Porter and Bowman. Whilst she has been with us, we have supported her in her training to be a teacher; we feel she will do an excellent job as she moves to Kempston Academy as their Art subject lead. Not only has she done a great deal for the Art in the school but has also provided excellent care for the boys in Eagle House as the live-in teacher. We wish her all the very best in the new role.

MR SAM POWELL Head of Years 3 & 4

Sam Powell was our Head of Years 3 & 4 from September 2021. He joined us from Dulwich College, Singapore where he was a Head of House and a Y4 and a Y5 class teacher. He was the only employee to have been interviewed exclusively online. He had previously taught at Cheltenham College Prep and LVS in Ascot where he had experience in a boarding house. He is a Level 2 cricket coach, and represented Cambridgeshire up to u25 level; with us he coached rugby, hockey and cricket. Sam went to the Perse School in Cambridge, where he did English, Psychology and Class Civ A Levels. He has a 1st class degree from Anglia Ruskin University in Education Studies, and a PGCE from the University of Bedfordshire. He was appointed as Deputy Head at Bedford Girls School in January 2024, so he will not be too far away.

English

As the academic year draws to a close, it is with great pleasure that I share the achievements, events, and initiatives of the English Department. This year has been remarkable, filled with enriching experiences and opportunities that have fostered a love for literature and language among our boys.

CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS

Our schemes of work this year spanned a wide array of literary periods and genres, providing boys with a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of literature.

In Year 7, we began with the epic journey through the History of English, starting with tales of Anglo-Saxon times. Boys explored the rich tapestry of English literature from that period, traversing

ENGLISH REPORT

WORDS BY

Mrs Charlotte Heywood and Mr Greg Thomas, Acting Heads of English

through the Medieval period, the Renaissance, and the Romantic era. Modern and contemporary fiction also played a significant role in our curriculum, allowing boys to engage with diverse narratives and perspectives that reflect today’s world.

All year groups studied Shakespearean literature in the Spring term with boys from Year 3 to Year 8 engaging with the language, the social and historical context and the importance of his work today. It was great to see so many boys take part in the production of Shakespeare’s ‘Comedy of Errors’ at the end of the summer term - we hope they are inspired for a lifelong love of Shakespeare!

COMPETITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS OF TALENT

Our students have excelled in several prestigious competitions this year.

The Shakespeare Slam saw participants from all year groups performing scenes and monologues from the Bard’s works with impressive flair and understanding. This competition not only honed their acting skills but also deepened their appreciation for Shakespearean drama.

Congratulations to Cayo Sinclair (Year 8), Leo Butler (Year 7), Oscar Goodeve (Year 6), Joseph Costin (Year 5), Lincoln Langley (Year 4) and Henry Ruthven - Murray (Year 3) for being worthy winners.

The Poetry Recitation Competition was another highlight, where students memorised and performed poems with remarkable emotional depth and clarity. Their performances demonstrated not only

their oratory skills but also their ability to connect with and convey the nuanced emotions of the poems they recited. Well done to all the class winners who took part in the competition, and congratulations to the winners: Lohith Chirumamilla (Year 6), Will Basden (Year 5), Robert Hall (Year 4), Brendan Bansal (Year 3.)

The Whole School Poet Laureate Competition was a standout event this year, focusing on the theme of identity. This theme resonated deeply with our students, inspiring them to explore and express their personal and collective identities through poetry. The competition was a culmination of the Summer Term Curriculum Collapse Day, where students from all year groups participated in workshops and activities that celebrated their creative

Finalists of the 2024 Poetry Recitation Competition alongside judges Mrs Silk (left)and Mrs Heywood

English

expressions around the theme of identity. We also are delighted to announce the revival of the ‘Inky Blot’ where all boys’ poems have been published.

READING AMBASSADORS AND COCOA

A special mention goes to our Reading Ambassadors, a group of dedicated boys who have taken on the role of promoting reading for pleasure across the school:

Year 5

Gurshaan Powar

Finn Spicer

Tommy Barker

Paddy Hurley

Rory Brodie

Year 6

Harris Robertson

Callum Bennett

Thomas Hanbury

Arvin More

Samuel Myers

Gabriel Roberts

Saff Jethwa

Henry Van-Rensburg

Akal Marvaha

Evan Bryne

Year 7

Kian Walia

James Stockwell

Jasper Stone

Riddha Athreya

Author visits have enriched the boys’ learning

Nikhil Das Gupta

Abbas Baig

Jacob Schouten

Oliver Smart

Year 8

Kush Ganatra

Alex Woodhouse

Adam Purdie

Lucas Hill

Freddie Payne

Joseph Lucas

Gilbert Kirkby

Joseph Roberts

Rossi Noto

Oliver Featherstone

Jake Woodrow

Their efforts were wonderfully complemented by Cocoa, our reading therapy dog, whose calming presence has made reading sessions a delightful experience. Cocoa’s involvement has particularly helped reluctant readers find joy and confidence in their reading abilities.

VISITING AUTHORS AND THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

We were honoured to host several visiting authors this year, including our patron of reading, Steve Skidmore. His interactive talks captivated our students, offering them invaluable insights into the world of writing and storytelling. Steve’s enthusiasm and expertise left a lasting impression, inspiring many budding writers in our midst.

Additionally, the Red Heart Theatre Company brought a unique theatrical experience to our school with their one-man show. This performance launched our Year 8 Gothic Night, an event that immersed students

in the eerie and atmospheric world of Gothic literature. The combination of live theatre and classroom study provided a dynamic and engaging approach to this genre.

Year 6 also enjoyed an immersive production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ where boys were invited to perform alongside the actors, taking on roles and participating in scenes, which gave them a hands-on experience of Shakespearean theatre. This unique opportunity allowed them to develop their acting skills, build confidence, and gain a deeper understanding of the play’s themes and characters, making the literature come alive in an unforgettable way.

LOOKING AHEAD

As we reflect on a year filled with literary adventures and achievements, we look forward to the next academic year with excitement and anticipation. The English Department remains committed to nurturing a passion for reading, writing, and critical thinking in our boys. We aim to build on this year’s successes and continue to provide a stimulating and supportive environment for all. Thank you to all boys, staff, and parents for their unwavering support and enthusiasm. Together, we have made this year a truly memorable one in the English Department!

Leo Butler, 7G, with his winning performance as Lord Capulet from Romeo and Juliet in the Shakespeare Slam

The finalists of the Year 7 and 8 Shakespeare Slam celebrating their success

Inset: Cocoa doing her thing

WORLD BOOK DAY

WORDS BY Amy Lumley-Wood, Librarian

The Prep School celebrated World Book Day in style once again this year. Each class chose a book and used it as the theme for their costumes, which I think were even better than last year with lots of boys showing their creative prowess. The boys in Year 6 deserve a special mention as they had been working hard all term sewing their own dalmatian costumes.

World Book Day is about much more than dressing up as your favourite character. In a special assembly earlier in the week, boys had thought about how every book they read can teach them something—each page building their vocabulary, skills, and knowledge. Also the idea that you can venture to new worlds (real or imaginary), step back in time, or enjoy exciting adventures just by settling down with a book. Over the week, boys enjoyed watching

some short masterclasses to introduce them to some new female authors - International Women’s Day was the day after World Book Day this year. Maz Evans, Louie Stowell and Jennifer Killick were new names to a lot of boys but their books have been particularly popular since.

There were lots of activities and

competitions throughout the day, including looking out for the senior staff who were all dressed in red stripy tops, and guessing which teacher was hiding behind a book. The whole prep school got together for an assembly at the end to talk about reading and stories, as well as revealing the winners of the best class costumes.

From left to right: A great range of books were represented on World Book Day

WORDS

BY Mrs Kathryn Lee, Head of Mathematics

MATHEMATICS REPORT

The past year has been exceptionally rewarding for our young mathematicians in the Prep School. Their unwavering dedication and resilience have impressed us as a department. The boys competed in the following challenges. These challenges provided an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their mathematical skills and passion!

PRIMARY MATHS CHALLENGE

In November, Year 5 and 6 boys competed in the Primary Maths Challenge. Over 64,000 students participated across the UK. Outstanding efforts from all our boys who rose to the challenge.

From the initial challenge 4,500 students were selected to participate in a further round. We are pleased to announce that amongst these, the most talented mathematicians in the UK, were Aauram

Ganju, Samuel Wolfson, Daniel Zuotong, Vihaan Shukla, Jeremy Dunn and Aryan Cuchhadia. They should be extremely proud of this achievement.

From this further challenge, 1187 mathematicians were awarded a Bronze. Congratulations to Daniel Zuotong, Vihaan Shukla and Jeremy Dunn who were amongst these. 767 were awarded a silver - congratulations to Aauram Ganju with this result - only beaten by 153 gold award winning mathematicians. Amazing work allround and as a department we are especially excited to see how our boys perform in next year’s challenge.

UKMT JUNIOR MATHS CHALLENGE

The UKMT (United Kingdom Mathematics Trust) is a charity with a mission to promote problem-solving skills and foster a love for mathematics through various national-level competitions and enrichment activities. Each year we enter the Junior Maths Challenge with our top mathematicians in Year 7 and all boys in Year 8. This year, many of our boys were awarded certificates for their talents.

BRONZE

Ahmed Ali, Haneesh Bala, Noah Campbell, Max Cassidy, Eben Clarke, Arjun Dey, Robin Hu, Rishit Kumar, Ethan Lad, Benedict Long, Rory McDonald, Harry Middleton,

Rightt: Boys working collaboratively on the the House Cup Challenge

David Mmamelu, Orson Pettengell, Reuben Scheepers, Samarth Serish, Rafael Spajic, George Steed, Oliver Timothy, Luke Toland, Muhammed Abubakar, Cameron Dale, Jonathan Deng, Joshua Edmundson, Ethan Eniola, Oliver Gauntlett, Alexander Gibson, Kshetragna Gullapelly, Harry Kenmore, George McEntee, Haris McLynn, Michael Otulana, Khushal Pattni, Freddie Payne, George Plumley, Henry Sharp, Harry Spencer, Spencer O’Boyle, Aiden Wegrostek, Maximillian Wereszczynski, Samuel Williams, Zachary Wong, Ted Yeung Simon Zhang.

SILVER

Ibrahim Amin, Sebastian Bodﬁeld, Nikhil Das Gupta, Thomas Hendry, Abdullah Ismath, Dimitri Korontzis, Siddhartha Lankipalli, Louis Loughnane, Oscar McCartie, Ned Neale, Veer, Ramani, Austin Reddy, Jacob Schouten, Oliver Smart, Monty Adams, Alex Brooksbank, Matthew Byrne, Arjun Chawla, Chris Gentry, Daniel Joaille-Burge, Kyriq-Omari Jordan, Hugo Morgan, Berty Parry, Joseph Roberts, Juvan Sivasenthan, Jake Woodrow, Joshua Yuen.

GOLD

Oliver Gibson, Arsene Maxwell, Henri Helm, Ibrahim, Khalid, Alexander O’Cearbhaill

Highest in Year 7 - Joint Oliver Gibson, Arsene Maxwell

Highest in School

Ibrahim Khalid

Congratulations to Ibrahim Khalid and Alex O’Cearbhaill whose exceptional Maths awarded them an invitation to a further round -the UKMT Kangaroo Challenge. The top-scoring 25% of participants each receive a Certificate of Merit. Congratulations to Alex O’Caerbhail for being awarded this Boys continued to enjoy the online Maths platforms DoodleMaths, MathsWatch and CenturyTech to further their learning. A special mention goes to the following Year 5 boys Hugo Hellquist, Tommy Barker and Gurshaan Powar, and Year 6 boys Thomas McDonald, Daniel Lee and Aris Diakakis for their exceptional commitment to Doodle Maths.

As always, one of the highlights of the year has to be the Year 6 inaugural House Cup. Boys passion for Maths always shines through here as their natural competitive streak sees them competing for the top spot as Champions through various team activities.

Their logic, number skills, problem solving and athletic prowess see them fighting for victory. This year’s winning house was Bunyan.

TTRS STATS 100% ACTIVE,

we are active on average 8 minutes per day and each class has made progress.

3NC - average of 9 minutes a day

■ average correct answers 45,387

■ gone from an average of 3.4 second a question to 2.0 second a question. (1.4)

3OC - average of 8 minutes a day

■ average correct answers 9,519

■ gone from an average of 5.2 second a question to 3.1 second a question. (2.1)

3W - average of 8 minutes a day

■ average correct answers 22,543

■ gone from an average of 4.8 second a question to 2.6 second a question. (2.2)

4O - average of 8 minutes a dayaverage correct answers 14,896

■ gone from an average of 3.3 second a question to 2.6 second a question. (0.7)

4P - average of 8 minutes a day

■ average correct answers 36,810

■ gone from an average of 2.8 second a question to 2.0 second a question. (0.8)

4V - average of 7 minutes a day

■ average correct answers 20,966

■ gone from an average of 3.6 second a question to 2.8 second a question. (0.8)

Mathematics

Harpur Trust Rocks

Well done to every single Year 3 and Year 4 boy as everyone played their part in our victory over Bedford Modern School. We answered 143,964 correct against Bedford Modern’s 68,431.

England Rocks

Well done to all of the boys for their efforts during the TTRS England Rocks Competition. The boys did the school and themselves proud. Out of 4,359 schools and 30,017 classes they placed 219th in the country. It was impressive to see the dedication and progress made.

QUOTES FROM Y5 BOYS:

Maths in Year 5 has been much fun and I have enjoyed learning about new things and playing different maths games that challenge me. My favourite thing is Doodle Maths and earning merits for my weekly Doodle stars.

Fiyin Fasehun 5SR

Each lesson is a new challenge and I have particularly enjoyed the problem solving.

Reuben Frost 5B

I was excited to start Year 5 Maths and was enthusiastic about all of the fun activities on offer. I am eagerly awaiting more mathematical challenges in Year 6 next year.

Matt Barker 5SR

Below: Aauram, Alex and Ibrahim

Science

ISCIENCE REPORT

WORDS BY Mr Dan Mason, Head of Science

t has been a brilliant year in Science with lots of new experiences and topics being added to the curriculum, as well as the continuation of some of the most popular activities from recent years. Highlights included, the House Science Competition, some fascinating evenings at the planetarium and observatory and the Year 6 trip to Ickwell nature reserve. We also welcomed Miss Emms as the new science technician, as well as Stormfly, our bearded dragon, to the department.

In November, Sixth Formers Alex Lamb, Hugo Wilson and Sahvan Jutla gave a brilliant talk entitled ‘The Science of Snakes’ to boys

from Years 6 to 8. In this special lunchtime enrichment talk, the boys, all studying the IB in the Upper School, shared their collaborative science project explaining how snakes move and the physiological make-up of a snake.

Alongside the well-established and hugely popular Animal Care Club on Mondays, there was also a real buzz on Tuesday lunchtimes as boys in Years 5 to 7 attended Science Club, where they investigated many different aspects of science, such as the weird and wonderful life under a microscope, making copper sulphate crystals, and of course an old favourite…

exploding methane bubbles.

“Science club is fun as we get to do experiments which we can not do in lessons”. Aaniketh Gusswami Year 6

It was another successful year for the Year 5 and 6 science quiz team. In November, Oscar Craddock and Tommy Barker in Year 5 and Jeremy Dunn and Kavir Saxena in Year 6 reached the National Quiz Club Science final and took a place in the top 20.

As part of National Science Week in the spring term, the boys went head to head against each other in the eagerly anticipated House Science Competition. This year the theme was “Time”. With four students in a team (two from each year) the boys were given a box of equipment and challenged to create a way of measuring time.There were some truly amazing and wonderful ideas including pendulums, marble runs and sand timers.

Finn draws around Jayden to map out the human body

A close-up of Stormfly, our bearded dragon

Y7 AND 8

1st

Howard

2nd

Harpur

Joint 3rd

Whitbread

Bunyan

Y5 AND 6

Whitbread

Joint 3rd

Harpur

Howard RESULTS

Over the summer months, Mrs Walker and Mr Heaney have been busy in the Welly delivering a new topic on renewable

We welcomed Miss Emms as the new science technician, as well as Stormfly, our bearded dragon, to the department

energy to the Year 6 students. Whilst we did not have the best weather for outdoor learning, the boys made the most of the fantastic new facility. They delved into the world of sustainability and made use of the fully working wind turbine and solar panels to demonstrate how different energy sources are used to produce electricity. To round the topic off, the students researched the environmental effects of different energy sources.

GEOGRAPHY REPORT

WORDS BY

Miss Emma Goodman, Head of Geography

In a world that is constantly evolving and becoming more interconnected, the study of Geography remains a cornerstone of our boys’ education. Geography is not just about maps and landscapes; it is a profound journey that ignites curiosity and fosters a deeper understanding of our planet. This year, our boys have embarked on an exciting voyage through the diverse terrains, vibrant

YEAR 6:

My favourite Geography topic was geodes because I loved looking at all the different rocks. Breaking them open to find crystals inside was the best part! I got a white crystal, which was super cool. Geodes are formed when there are pockets of air inside rocks. This often happens around volcanic eruptions when the lava cools around air bubbles. These pockets leave space for groundwater to seep in, and even though the water

cultures, and intricate systems that shape our world.

The Geography curriculum has empowered our students to become insightful thinkers and adept problem-solvers. They’ve delved into the complexities of physical processes on shaping the Earth, explored the wonders of biodiversity, and examined the links between human societies and their environments.

itself doesn’t form the geodes, it brings in minerals. When the water evaporates, the minerals stay in the rock and form the crystals.

Words by Archie Taylor

I really liked the lesson where we went outside to find stuff like sticks, leaves, and stones. We had to use them to make a 3D model of a drainage basin. I used sticks to show the watershed and leaves to represent the river mouth. It was so fun to use things

Through this exploration, they’ve honed their analytical skills, learning to identify patterns, draw meaningful connections, and appreciate the impact of human actions on our planet. Moreover, our boys have been inspired to embrace their roles as global citizens. They’ve learned the importance of sustainability and the urgent need to protect and preserve our world for generations to come.

from nature to make our models! Words by Shayan Parmar

My favourite Geography lesson so far was when we got different rocks and had to break them open to find geodes inside. I loved breaking open the rocks—it was so much fun! There are little bubbles in the rock, and when water passes through, it crystallises. This was our first double Geography lesson, and I found it the most

interestingand creative one yet. I LOVE GEOGRAPHY!

Words by Daniel Lee

Some of my favourite things I’ve done in Geography are breaking open geodes and finding cool, vibrant crystals inside a dull rock. Another thing I really enjoyed this year was making a BBC news report on a flood. We made little clips about what happened and what they’re going to do in the future to stop it from happening again.

We even interviewed people! My group did Boscastle, and we learned all about what happened there. We also made playdough meanders and waterfalls, which was super fun!

Words by Gabriel Roberts

In Geography, I enjoyed learning about rivers and the Water Cycle because of the funny videos and practical work. Another interesting feature was the formation of a gorge, due to it being really challenging making it in playdoh!

Words by Callum Bennett

I have enjoyed making a drainage basin with materials we found in the classroom and natural materials from outside, such as stones, wood and leaves. I also really liked making a waterfall formation out of plasticine.

Words by Josh Featherstone

One activity that I loved learning about was the one child policy - it shocked me how many births it prevented - it was 400 million.

Words by Oliver Holloway

I really enjoyed learning about population. The one child policy was very interesting to learn about because of how it affected the Chinese population and what it did to the all round economy. The world population counter was very interesting to watch because the population was growing so fast it was so shocking.

Words by Sacha Ryan

YEAR 7

In Geography, we had this lesson where we got to use the radio to talk to a pilot who was flying over Montserrat. It was all because of this big volcano that had been

sleeping for like 300 whole years. The people who lived in Montserrat didn’t think it would wake up anytime soon, but then suddenly, it did! So, we had to talk to the pilot to find out what was going on.

After talking to the pilot, we had to figure out what to tell the people on the ground in Montserrat so they could keep safe. Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy making those decisions. Some of them took us a good 5 minutes to work out. But you know what? It was a blast!

At the end of the lesson, we checked our work to see how well we did. I really hoped we could do it again sometime!

Words by Dhan Katechia

Right before October Half Term, all of us in my class got into this cool decision-making challenge. We had to talk to a pilot to find out what was going down at the Montserrat Volcano. And then, guess what? It suddenly started erupting!

Once a big dome started growing, we knew we had to act super quick to save the people there. So, we came up with this awesome colour-coded map, showing us exactly where the danger zone was. Without that map, we’d be totally lost!

The best part? The winners got a merit! I really hope we get to do that again. It was like the most FUN thing ever!

Words by Stanley Banks

I found the bearings a really fun topic to learn about and I learned a lot about symbols. One activity I loved was the lesson where we used string to really accurately measure lines on the map (like roads) that were not straight.

Words by Oscar McCartie

I really enjoyed Map Skills because I loved learning all of the points of the compass and places on the OS map. This helped me in real life because when I was in Scotland my grandfather had an OS map that I could read and take us places.

Words by Charlie Tillison

I really enjoyed doing the ‘design a tourist destination’ project with the other class. I also liked The Butler Model and how sometimes a town can become more or less successful as a tourist destination.

Words by Oliver Gibson

The Butler Model fascinated me as it was interesting to learn about how places shut down or expand. I also enjoyed learning about National Parks, that there are more than ten in the UK and that tourists can destroy them. Learning about different types of tourism (eco-tourism, cultural tourism, adventure tourism) was also interesting; most people assume tourists are people who like travelling, but they can also be travelling for business.

Words by Stanley Banks

YEAR 8

Sandytown in Prepschoolshire was experiencing a big problem, the beaches were retreating! We then did a Dragon’s den-style investment piece where we had to come up with ideas of how to stop the erosion across 4 zones. With an investment budget of £2.35 million pounds, we had to decide on whether to use hard or soft engineering methods to protect the coast line: from groynes to sea walls to gabions and rock armour were our secret weapon to secure the contrac!

Geography

The unhappy residents of Sandytown seemed relieved that their beaches and shorelines would last for many more generations.

Words by Haris McLynn

Throughout the Year 8 Geography curriculum, we have explored a wide range of topics, from the depths of icebergs and the Titanic to coastlines across the globe. We began our journey by delving into the tragic story of the Titanic, uncovering the ship’s crucial flaws. Moving on to the Spring Term, we focused on the topic of coasts, examining the various components of waves and their key features, as well as the landforms shaped by coastal processes, including bays, headlands, arches, and stacks.

We applied our knowledge in a Dragon’s Den-style group project, where we tackled the challenge of protecting “Prepchoolshire” from rapidly increasing coastal erosion while managing our budget effectively.

As we drew close to the end of the academic year, we shifted our focus to the boom of urbanisation from 1750 to 1900 and the consequent effects on towns and cities.

To deepen our understanding and hone our essaywriting skills, we practised manipulating data from graphs and incorporating it into our essays.

Overall, throughout Year 8, I have thoroughly enjoyed the Geography curriculum. It has not only enriched my passion for Geography but also enhanced my overall school experience.

Words by Joseph Roberts

Modern Foreign Languages

WORDS BY Madame Kelly Faulkner, Head of Modern Foreign Languages

Below: Chicos en la playa listos para navegar en kayak!

Learning a foreign language opens doors to communication. It teaches us to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, fostering understanding and empathy. Whether it’s ordering food in a Parisian café or chatting with a pen pal from Spain, language bridges gaps. Of course, language learning isn’t just about words; it is also a gateway to culture. Whilst learning their tenses and vocabulary in the Wells building, the boys are afforded the opportunity to explore customs, traditions, and perspectives beyond their own, fostering global awareness. This year the boys have enjoyed competitions to raise the profile of languages, such as baking a cake for European Day of languages and decorating skull pictures for the Day of the Dead festival. The Year 8 boys whipped up a French cookery storm in the dining hall and enjoyed a cheese (but no wine) tasting to bring their curriculum learning to life. It has been my privilege to lead the MFL department for these past 23 years but now it is time for me to pass on le baton to Mrs Neilson. Keep enjoying your languages boys, and you will go far.

Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.

FLORA LEWIS

SPANISH TRIP

During the Easter holidays, 30 excited Year 8 boys had a fabulous trip to beautiful Barcelona, for four fun-packed days designed to give the boys the opportunity to practise their Spanish and gain a cultural appreciation of the country.

The boys enjoyed a morning of watersports, including kayaking and snorkelling in the beautiful clear ocean. Following on from this, we had some much needed relaxation time on the beach and in the hotel swimming pool before we headed off for a football fixture against two very strong academy teams. Even though a win was not on the cards, our boys really enjoyed the experience and were able to practise their numbers as the Spanish goals kept flying in! Another superb activity was spending the morning at a local Spanish school. This enabled both sets of pupils to practise Spanish and English and discover the differences and similarities in our respective education systems. With our new friends, we headed into the town of San Feliu to take part in an observational treasure hunt and sample the local ice cream.

Our sightseeing day in Barcelona included a visit to the Camp Nou museum, the impressive Sagrada Familia and shopping on Las Ramblas. Alas, all good things come to an end and once all of the Barcelona football shirts had been bought it was time to head back home. Thanks to the fabulous group of Year 8 boys, and Mrs Gordon and Mrs Neilson for coming along too. Kelly Faulkner

The Spanish Trip was a really fun and exciting trip which was far better than I ever imagined. My favourite part was the football which was brilliant although as the A team, we narrowly lost 16-0! The canoeing was really fun and getting to snorkel and dive was awesome. I would deﬁnitely recommend giving it a go because it was really enjoyable and exciting.

Joshua Edmundson Y8

Diversión en la arena

History

HISTORY REPORT

WORDS

Mr Paul Dennis, Head of History

YEAR 6

Ifound the following most interesting about Tudor history. I think you will enjoy this period in time. It begins with Henry VII and all his battles and rebellions and successions to keep his throne which is the War of the Roses. There are lots of Battles which is great. He joined the Lancastrians and the Yorkists by marriage (Elizabeth of York) joining the Red and White rose, the symbol of the Tudors. Then we come to Henry VIII. He was a very majestic king, rather blood thirsty but really interesting to learn about. Henry VIII’s daughter, Mary, was even more blood thirsty and executed hundreds of people. Finally, Elizabeth I, whose reign was amazing - so much happened, most exciting of which was the Spanish

Armada. These are my highlights when I was learning about the Tudors. In the Summer Term we also got to spend the day as Tudors during Tudor Day! We all dressed up and completed a variety of Tudor activities in the morning, before having a banquet in the afternoon.

Guy Jones, 60

YEAR 7 I

n Year 7 history, we covered several engaging topics. In the autumn, we studied James I and the notorious Gunpowder Plot using visual aids and real historical evidence. We delved into specific dates and information to gain a better understanding. Our study continued in the spring when we shifted our focus to topics such as

Charles I and his conflicts and corruption within Parliament. We also examined the various factors that contributed to the start of the English Civil War: money, power and religion. This discussion later became the essay question in our exam, where we had to choose and support our opinion on what instigated the war. In the summer, we explored the actual civil war in detail, along with Charles’ execution. We also delved into an in-depth analysis of Oliver Cromwell, discussing whether he was a hero or a villain. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed studying history this year as we covered a lot of detailed material, and I learned a great deal.

Jacob Schouten, 7G

The EMH is transformed into Tudor England

YEAR 8

Ihave loved History in Year 8, even if it has been quite hard hitting. In the Autumn term we learnt about the Industrial Revolution and the unsolved identity of the serial murderer Jack the Ripper. It was quite interesting to learn about how the Industrial Revolution shaped the British Empire and our modern world. In the Spring term we moved onto one of the most important events in history - the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Finally in the Summer term we moved on to discrimination, segregation and racism in the USA, to be honest this was my favourite topic we covered. The reason behind this is because I really enjoyed seeing how the world has changed and learnt not to discriminate people purely because of the colour of their skin. I’m really looking forward to continuing history in the Upper School and can’t wait to learn more about the past.

Harrison Ayers 8G

Well, here we are again! Following last year’s successes, nine boys from Y5-8 competed in the Prize this year, but once again, only two went to the Second Round. Before I truly begin, I must thank all nine of these boys, and Mr Dennis, for supporting us throughout this. The first round was a series of 100 questions, all on World History’s many fascinating subjects. As said, two people got through, myself, in 2nd place, and Ted Yeung (Y8), in 46th place.

The second round was a series of five essays, more about our personal views on history than pure knowledge, I particularly remember trying to defend Neville Chamberlain in one of them! Sadly, Ted was sick on the day, and I came 10th place in the whole country, a result I am proud of and I hope the School is too.

I wish the best of luck to next year’s competitors!

George Plumley, 8PD

Boys enjoy learning about life in Tudor England

Latin

Y6 LATIN REPORT

In Year 6 this year, we had the fantastic opportunity to explore the captivating culture of ancient Greece and Rome. Our journey began with delving into Greek history, followed by an exploration of the myths and legends of ancient Greece. Witnessing the enthusiasm of the students as they immersed themselves in tales of gods, epic quests, and legendary expeditions truly enhanced our learning experience.

“I loved Greek mythology and all the exciting stories about the Greek Gods. We had fun with plenty of hands-on activities as we could really express our creativity!” Callum Bennet 6L Latin commendation

“Greek mythology was my favourite topic too: the stories are so intriguing! I truly enjoyed the Trojan war and learning all about Greek epic” Oliver Holloway Winner of Latin prize for Y6

Y7 LATIN REPORT

Above and Right: Year 8 boys discuss Latin artefacts in Latin club

Throughout this year, we embarked on an extensive exploration of Latin grammar and the captivating realm of ancient Roman life. We discovered the intriguing similarities between Latin and contemporary languages, mastering the intricacies of tenses and declensions. In our study of classical civilisation, we traced the footsteps of Caecillius, an ancient Roman banker, and his family, immersing ourselves in the vibrant tapestry of Pompeii. Our examination of Roman society unveiled multifaceted aspects, from the intricate dynamics of slavery to the riveting spectacles of gladiatorial combat. Excursions to the Roman baths in Welwyn and immersive activities at the Roman museum provided unforgettable experiences.

LATIN REPORT

WORDS

Miss Moira Comani, Head of Prep School Latin

“I enjoyed Y7 Latin, especially learning about gladiators. Some parts of the language have been tricky, but I have learnt a lot of interesting words and facts about Ancient Rome. I really enjoyed seeing some real Roman baths during our trip!” Thomas Hendry 7S Winner of Latin prize for Y7

Y8 LATIN REPORT

“I liked the trip to Welwyn Roman museum as we got to make bread and style it in the shape of the famous Ancient Roman bread found in Pompeii. I choose Latin because I enjoy the language and it is a very fun subject to learn.”

Gene Baker 7M Latin commendation

In Year 8, our exploration of ancient Roman society persisted, delving into the cataclysmic eruption of Vesuvius. In our language studies, we ventured into new linguistic territories, mastering cases such as the dative and genitive. This deeper understanding empowered us to render translations with greater precision and tackle complex Latin texts with confidence.

“I enjoyed Latin this year, especially the challenges of the language and grammar. I had fun using the subtitles of the endings system to create unpredictable sentences. I look forward to learning more next year!”

Joshua Yuen Winner of Y8 Latin prize

YEAR 7:

Ibrahim Amin

In Year 7, we explored two major religions and asked many big philosophical questions. We have discussed subjects such as the teachings of Jesus and his disciples before taking a dive into the deep ocean of Islam and the Five Pillars. After these subjects, we studied philosophy and ethics and acknowledged famous philosophers such as Socrates and his student Plato, learning about their achievements as well as the ‘big questions’ they have asked themselves.

In the Autumn term, we started the year by looking at Early Christianity, talking about the Holy Trinity with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit before we took a look at Jesus and his disciples. I enjoyed taking a look at this as it made me understand more about the people around me and their history and beliefs.

As the year progressed, in spring term, we studied the religion of Islam, learning about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his life. He is the role model for all Muslims. We strive to follow in his steps in our daily practices. I also enjoyed sharing the knowledge of my own religion and how we pray and what we believe in. Additionally, the study of Islam included a detailed exploration of the Five Pillars: Shahada, Zakat, Salah, Sawm and Hajj. We asked each other questions and shared our opinion-based answers on questions such as what the most important pillar is out of all five.

To finish off the school year, we wandered through the libraries of philosophy and ethics, asking each other the big questions in life and having Socratic debates. In a Socratic debate, one asks the other questions until they have either run out of questions or until the other cannot disagree with you.

I have found joy in expanding my knowledge and understanding the different faiths of the people around me. Moving forward into Year 8, I am eager to continue exploring these topics, searching for greater perspectives that better my understanding of the world around me.

YEAR 6

Akal Marvaha

Religious Education was one of my most cherished subjects in Year 6. Our RE teacher Miss Williams covered a variety of religions in great depth. Our autumn term started off by learning about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and creation of Christianity. We explored the significance of the three holy days leading up to Easter which are: Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, and Good Friday. Moving into the spring term we learnt about Buddhism which focuses on the philosophies of inner peace, wisdom and enlightenment (Nirvana). I was particularly fascinated with the fundamentals of Buddhism which are the 4 Noble Truths and the 8 Fold Path. As we approached the Easter holidays my teacher offered me an opportunity to do a presentation about Sikhism for the School Enrichment Programme. As a follower of the Sikh religion I was able to share the various aspects of this religion. I took some articles of faith and

Religious Studies

showed them to my peers. My mother kindly assisted me in preparing a special flatbread called roti which is served at the Sikh temple. In the final term, we had culture day which gave every boy an opportunity to showcase their culture and religion. This was a fun filled day but also a great learning platform. In conclusion, I realised that all religions promote peace and harmony. In Year 6, I significantly benefi ted from the RE curriculum this year.

YEAR 6

Rocco Fattorini

Ireally enjoy our year 6 R.E lessons! Throughout the year, we learned about Christianity, Buddhism and Sikhism. In the Christianity subject there was an assignment to make a model of a church or a chapel. For this, I wanted to base my model on Chellington church. Chellington church was a church that was in a village that completely got wiped out due to the plague. I chose this church because it had a good shape to make a model of. I made the model by cutting out pieces of cardboard to the correct shape and making holes for windows; after this, I glued the pieces of card together. Then I got plaster of Paris and covered the church structure with it. Next, I coated the church in PVA glue and put model sand on it to show the rocky texture. After this, I coloured in some gelatine sheets with highlighters and put them on the window holes. And finally, I cut some wood into triangles after measuring out the angles to make an octagon for the spire and put the glue and sand on for the texture. When I had finished, I put a tea light in the church and watched the colours shine through the windows. A creative prep which I very much enjoyed!

YEAR 6

Hugo O’Boyle

When I was building my church I used cardboard boxes, tape, paints and made sure I labelled parts of the church, such as the steeple and the stained glass windows. I watched a video online to see how to build a church - then I followed some of the instructions but added in my own bits such as the grave stones. I found getting the roof angles right the most difficult part. I finished it off by using acrylic paints. I really enjoyed this project!

Computing

COMPUTING REVIEW

WORDS BY Mrs Kashta Dale, Head of Computer Science

CELEBRATING A YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE COMPUTING DEPARTMENT

As the academic year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the remarkable journey and celebrate the numerous achievements of the Computing Department. This year has been marked by an array of innovative activities, competitions, and projects that have not only engaged our students but also showcased their growing proficiency in coding, robotics, and digital literacy.

CODING WEEK

We started the year with an exhilarating Coding Week, where the focus extended beyond just coding to include robotics and

during their lunch break, students participated in a variety of coding events, eagerly engaging in handson activities that sparked their creativity and problem-solving skills. Year 6 students delved into Scratch AI activities, setting a high bar for the rest of the year.

‘It’s nice to see what you can make with code and when it works it is cool but it is challenging.’ Caelan Standen (Year 8)

BEBRAS COMPUTATIONAL LOGIC CHALLENGE

Hot on the heels of Coding Week, the entire school took part in the Bebras Computational Logic Challenge. This annual event tested students’ logical thinking and computational problem-solving abilities, providing a stimulating challenge for all participants. It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm and determination from students across all year groups.

NATIONAL CODING COMPETITION

This year, we placed a significant emphasis on peer programming. Year 5 and Year 6 students worked diligently on their projects for the Young Coders National Coding Competition. Their dedication and hard work were inspiring, and we eagerly await the results. Additionally, students from other year groups submitted their entries, showcasing the widespread talent and interest in Scratch coding within our school.

‘We enjoyed making a game because me and my partner Jack had fun every lesson and were looking forward to it, we even made a cool cutscene!’ Will Paull Year 5

‘I like the young coders competition because we had the freedom to make a space related game and make characters.’ Lohith Chirumamilla Year 6

THE PERSE CODING TEAM CHALLENGE

Some Years 7 and 8 students participated in The Perse Coding Challenge along with students in the Upper school. This competition

Main photo: an example of Bebras computational logic competition

is a series of coding tasks which focuses on text based programming such as Python. We are proud to announce that one of our students advanced to the second round, highlighting the high level of skill and competitive spirit within our department.

SAFER INTERNET DAY

Our Digital Leaders took on a signiﬁcant role this year by planning and leading our ﬁrst Safer Internet Day. They organised and delivered tailored assemblies for each year group, addressing important issues such as online safety and digital citizenship. Additionally, they tested computational logic games that will be introduced in the next academic year, demonstrating their proactive and responsible approach to their roles.

SUCCESS IN ROBOTICS

The Robotics Club, now in its second year, continued to thrive. Our students entered two competitions and proudly brought home trophies from both. This success is a testament to their teamwork, ingenuity, and dedication to mastering the complexities of robotics.

YEAR GROUP HIGHLIGHTS

■ Year 8: The curriculum included spreadsheet modelling in preparation for the “Come Dine With Me” event, binary conversion, hexadecimal systems, and creating HTML and CSS websites about people who inspire them. Python coding was also a key focus, with students using Turtle graphics to create ﬂags, build logic gates, and develop password generators.

activities showcased their broad spectrum of tech skills and ability to apply their knowledge in various contexts.

‘The scratch pong game was my favourite because it felt nice to create a working game.’

Tom Hanbury Year 6

■ Year 5: The focus was on a range of Scratch projects, digital editing using Photopea, understanding copyright law, and identifying fake news. These activities promoted both technical and critical thinking skills, preparing students for more advanced concepts.

‘I really liked making digital work on Photopea because you can draw.’

Reuben Frost Year 5

■ Year 4: Students learned how the internet works, created presentations in PowerPoint, and engaged with coding through Scratch and Logo Turtle. These activities built a solid understanding of digital concepts and prepared them for more complex topics in the future.

‘This year I really liked coding using ‘Logo

‘I found it quite interesting to learn about the number system and converting numbers into binary, as well as understanding the importance of binary and how it plays a large role in many things such as rocket launches etc.’ - Ibrahim Khalid Year 8

■ Year 7: Students became familiar with logic gates, Microbit, and Python coding. They created practical applications such as calculators, Magic 8 Ball, and Rock-PaperScissors games. Additionally, they explored video editing, laying a strong foundation in both programming and multimedia skills. ‘The topic I liked best this year was coding because it was fun making the Chatbot and the Magic 8 ball.’ Ahmed Ali Year 7

■ Year 6: Students engaged with Scratch, developed websites, explored Vex VR robotics, and used Microbit for physical computing, including coding Move Motor robots. These

turtle because it’s funny and cool seeing the turtle do all of these funny and sometimes strange codes we put in.’ Caspar HolnessWaud Year 4

■ Year 3: The youngest students in our computing curriculum explored digital literacy, networks, video editing, and Scratch. These foundational activities set the stage for their future learning in computing, instilling essential skills from an early age.

‘I have enjoyed ﬁnding out about e-safety because I learnt about community and the world.’ Rufus Franklin Year 3

As we celebrate the achievements of the past year, we also look forward to the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. The dedication and enthusiasm of our students and staff have set a high standard, and we are eager to build on this foundation. The future promises more innovative projects, challenging competitions, and opportunities for our students to shine in the ever-evolving ﬁeld of computing.

Below: Harry Page and Gabriel Ng working hard in their Year 3 computing lesson

MUSIC REPORT

WORDS BY Mrs Joanne Gedye, Prep School Head of Music

As another academic year draws to a close, we reﬂect on the mesmerising journey of musical marvels that have graced our school. The Music Department has once again soared to new heights, dazzling us all with a plethora of musical delicacies that were nothing short of breathtaking. We are ﬁlled with immense pride and gratitude for the boys and Music Staff, who have tirelessly nurtured this thriving musical community, making this year an extraordinary success.

The Prep Informal Concerts were, as always, a delightful treat for the senses. Nine informal concerts throughout the year provided a platform for budding musicians to showcase their talents in an intimate and supportive setting. The range of performances was impressive, reﬂecting the diverse musical interests and abilities of our boys.

The Autumn and Summer Concerts were the epitome of musical magic. From awe-inspiring choirs to numerous bands, guitars, string ensembles, and orchestras, the performances offered a musical banquet that delighted the audience’s ears. The remarkable

level of musical proﬁciency attained by our groups was truly astounding and a testament to their dedication and hard work.

The Christmas Carols brought festive cheer to the school, though sadly, the muchanticipated Kiosk Carolling was cancelled due to torrential rain, leaving the boys, parents and staff devastated! Nevertheless, the spirit of the season shone brightly through the heartfelt performances during our three Carol Services in the chapel; a ﬁ tting end to the term and start to the Christmas season.

The competitive events this year, including House Singing, the Composition Competition, and the Prep House Music Competition, were all ﬁerce displays of talent. The boys showcased their versatility and creativity, leaving us captivated by their performances.

Congratulations to all participants for their

outstanding efforts and contributions to these events.

The start of the Summer Term was marked by our hilarious Year 3-5 ‘Notso-mini-musical’, Roald Dahl’s “Jack and the Beanstalk” by Matthew White and Ana Sanderson. The boys never fail to impress with their theatrical flair and musical prowess, turning this classic tale into an unforgettable performance filled with laughter and joy. Special mention must be made to Henry Hanson and Olly Stopford for their brilliant portrayals of Jack and Mother respectively and, of course, for Miss Goodman’s exceptionally proficient ‘hoisting of the beanstalk’ - perfectly timed to the accompanying music!

The grand ﬁnale of the year was undoubtedly the Massed Piece at the end of the Summer Concert. Nearly every boy who is involved in a musical ensemble or in a choir in the Prep School, including all

boys in Year 5 and 6 boys, came together to perform “Earth” by Hans Zimmer. This awe-inspiring performance was a powerful testament to the unity and musical talent within our school community, leaving a lasting impression on all who were fortunate enough to witness it, more than compensating for missing England’s Euro match! The Great Hall resounded with the harmonious sounds of the over 200 strong ensemble, leaving the audience leaping up from their seats in awe and applauding with gusto.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering dedication and boundless energy of the Music Staff. Their commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering a love for music is truly commendable. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for their exceptional efforts throughout the year.

Above all, the biggest thank you must go to our boys, for their unwavering enthusiasm and their ‘give it a go’

Their commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering a love for music is truly commendable

attitude. Their passion for music and commitment to honing their talents have been the driving force behind this year’s musical triumphs. As we bid farewell to this remarkable year, we eagerly anticipate what the future holds, knowing that with such talent and determination, the journey onward will be nothing short of extraordinary.

Prep School boys enjoying various ways of making music

Design Technology

WORDS BY

DT REPORT

Mrs Michelle Aldridge, Head of Design Technology

Design and Technology (DT) education at Bedford Prep school plays a crucial role in developing pupil’s skills. Students learn to work together, think creatively, and innovate.

Our students gain knowledge in design, materials, structures, mechanisms, and electrical control. They explore how things are made and how they function. DT also prompts students to think about important issues like

sustainability and enterprise. They learn to design and develop products with purpose and consider their impact on the environment.

We include Textiles which plays a significant role in design and technology education. Our students learn about different textile techniques, a range of fabrics, and their properties, alongside some basic key stitching.

Woodwork in DT offers valuable benefi ts, fostering both practical skills and personal growth. Pupils learn how to be creative, problem-solve and develop a good idea of the manufacturing processes in that industry. Working with tools and materials improves hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

Students learn precision and attention to detail while creating wooden projects. In turn this builds self-confidence and resilience, having witnessed their creations come to life boosts students’ self-esteem. Woodworking also teaches our pupils patience and resilience as they overcome setbacks or tackle complex tasks.

We do explore career pathways from an early age, so that the students have a greater awareness of a wide variety of options and where DT can take them. Practical skills gained in woodworking can translate into future career prospects. Carpentry, craftsmanship, and understanding materials are valuable in various fields.

Metalwork in design and technology within Bedford Prep school provides students with specialised learning experiences. Using metal enables students to learn about shaping, cutting, bending, and pressing metals. They work with materials of mild steel, to create a coat hook. Students operate industry-related machines during this process, understanding how to sequence operations, set up machines,

Y6 Textileslearning a life skill: sewing and making slippers

Y7: Abbas Baig - designing and modelling a toothbrush handle for a child

Y8: Berty Parry learning how to build a Polyhedron.

and align parts is essential. Students must conduct themselves professionally, follow instructions, and work as a team.

Electronics also plays a crucial role within the DT educational programme, which impacts everything from home instrumentation to communication systems, industry, and scientiﬁc research. It provides a rich and ﬂexible learning environment for technology and engineering education.

Within the DT department we have been lucky enough to be sent a resource box from The James Dyson Foundation. This resource inspires young minds in the ﬁeld of design engineering and to get inspired and learn the Dyson way.

The students had fun, exploring the deconstruction and reconstruction of the Dyson head parts – developing an understanding of all the moving parts and their functions, sparking creativity in the classroom.

The Year 8s have developed and explored the understanding and the skills using the computer software SOLIDWORKS which is widely used in education and industry for 3D computer-aided design. Providing simulation, documentation, manufacturing, and visualisation tools in the world of evergrowing digital technology.

The Year 5s studied Jon Burgerman; he is a UK-born, NYC-based artist known for his instantly recognizable drawings, doodles, characters, and murals. His work spans various forms, including ﬁne art, pop culture,

and urban art. Burgerman’s lively and animated drawings burst with humour and playfulness, making them accessible and engaging for a wide audience. Whether the students doodle, draw, scribble, or scrawl, he and we encouraged students to pick up a pen and start creating! Jon Burgerman as a graphic designer provides a delightful exploration of his colourful and imaginative world. We inspired pupils whatever their ability to have a go, the Jon Burgerman way, there is no right or wrong, they particularly loved the “taking your pen for a walk” and seeing their creative outcomes come to life without overthinking it.

Clockwise from top:

Y5: Jasper Hinkins: Textiles - Worry Monsters ‘Place your worry in the mouth of the monster and it will eat up your worry’; Y6: a focused practical task (Egg Holder); building structures as a team

offers numerous beneﬁ ts enhancing creativity, encouraging them to think visually, experiment with colours, shapes, and layouts, and express their ideas artistically. Through their design projects, students learn to analyse problems, ﬁnd innovative solutions, and communicate effectively. Graphic design also equips students with the ability to convey messages, emotions, and information through visual elements. It’s a powerful form of communication in today’s digital world.

Having Graphic design in our curriculum

Well done to all the Prep School boys this year in learning and developing new skills and knowledge in a wide variety of creative areas. I would like to congratulate all the pupils that received a prize on Speech Day for their creative excellence.

Year 3 Billy Kotsidis

Year 4 Ben Gray

Year 5 Henry Hanson

Year 6 Saffal Jethwa

Year 7 Abbas Baig

Year 8 Bay Chater

Whether you’re curious about electronics, mechanics, or innovation, the Bedford Prep School DT Department has something for everyone. I am looking forward to seeing what talent comes through next year!

ART REPORT

WORDS BY

Mr Phil Studd , Head of Art

Art continues to play a vital part in every boy’s education here at Bedford. A subject that encourages them to observe and respond to the world around them. In class, boys get to develop their knowledge and experience of different media, as well as their exposure to artists from different times and cultures. Whether they are in Y3, or towards the end of their Prep School career, we ask boys to fully engage with teaching, so that they acquire skills and techniques from demonstration, but equally with their learning. The process of stepping back from one’s work, to reflect on what has worked, and then what needs to be worked on, remains a key part of progress.

Over the year, boys have consistently shown a motivation to deliver their best. Consequently, it has been a pleasure to witness a sense of awe and wonder when ideas materialise, beyond their expectations. A good example has been Year 5. Their

imagination and painting skills flourished, in the first term, to produce some quite outstanding homages to the eco-artist, Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Year 8s proved patient printmakers, learning the many and various processes involved with intaglio. Their precision with an etching needle, as well as their management of ink, paid dividends to

pull off Gothic Horror Landscapes to run alongside their creative writing in English. We have enjoyed our youngest operating as the earliest artists, communicating their observation of wildlife in the style of cave art. It is a truly magical place to teach and learn. We await another year of enthusiasm, excitement and progress in 2024/25.

HOUSE ART COMPETITION 2024

Creatures was the theme of this year’s House Art Competition, allowing boys the opportunity to work from observation, memory or imagination. There was a wide range of work on display, including the use of different materials and techniques.

Judge’s Results

Y3-Y4

1st Lincoln Langley, HOW

2nd Sridhar Manikanda Prabhu, BUN

3rd Elias Akhtar, WHI C Jiahe Yao, HOW

C Kaveish Elanko, BUN

OVERALL RESULT

Y5-Y6

1st Charlie Suthers, HAR

2nd Leo Watt, HAR 3rd Jack Efe Taylor, HOW 3rd Matthew Williams, HAR C Jeremy Dunn, BUN

Y7-Y8

1st Xavier Clark, HAR 2nd James Clements, HOW

2nd Max Blake, HAR C Arjun Dey, HAR C Simon Zhang, BUN

MY SCHOLARSHIP EXPERIENCE

Istarted my art journey at Bedford School just like everyone else in Year 7, starting with making the African mask, until the second half of the year when Mr Studd invited me to the art enrichment session with other Year 7s we were working towards the scholarship award.

As often as I could, I attended the art enrichment sessions, since I have always enjoyed art, and Mr Studd gave us a lot of opportunities to learn and do our own projects. I was really into it. This experience was long and hard, and all of us faced challenges. I significantly developed my drawing skills, as well as my art history knowledge in these sessions; it also trained me with a pair of observant eyes to capture beauty in everyday life. We made studies on famous artworks, we made reflections on our own artworks, we produced artworks through different media, and we drew still life. During the enrichment, I particularly enjoyed printmaking, of which I had no previous experience. However, for a novice, I printed well, beyond my expectations really. I still have areas to improve and practise. I made a lino print of my self portrait, and etchings for my grandparents.

Fortunately, I was awarded the title of ‘Art Scholar’ in the end, but I know it is all related to my hard work, and my passion for art itself. I would like to thank my art teachers, who consistently supported me. Not only through the enrichment session, but my whole time in the prep school. Thank you!

On the other hand, I believe everyone who applied for the scholarship tried their best to produce the best works they could. Well done for all your hard work and perseverance!

Simon Zhang Feb 2024

Drama

DRAMA REPORT

WORDS BY

Mrs Sarah Loader and Mr Sam Turton, Prep School Drama

Scenes from our summer production of Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors.

Drama

It has been such a joy to be able to see live theatre and drama opportunities come alive in school this year! This academic year has seen the boys go from strength to strength.

In Year 8, pupils have formed mini theatre companies and have enjoyed learning about marketing, box office sales and script writing skills this term in order to form an idea for devising theatre. Boys performed their scripts at the end of the term, pitching to an industry professional and getting feedback on their projects.

House Drama this year was a triumph, with boys turning their attention to the events of World War 1 and War Poetry. The boys split into their houses and created a number of performances. These were then performed in the Quarry Theatre for parents, members of the school community and our judge, Mr Craig Stratton. After an emotional evening, Bunyan House were crowned winners with Daniel Joaille-Burge chosen for the ‘most promising performer’ award.

Our Summer Production this year was Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors

Drama

House Drama this year was a triumph, with boys turning their attention to the events of World War 1 and War Poetry.

performed by boys from Years 6 to 8. This fast and furious production was interlaced with comments, summaries and tweets from our resident Shakespeare Influencers in their social media pod who were on a visit to Ephesus, where the play takes place. This juxtaposition between the Ancient ruins of Ephesus, classic Shakespearean language, and the hashtags, reels and selfies, made for a new and exciting approach to Shakespeare’s classic comedy. The boys rehearsed over a period of six weeks and showed much dedication to their performances, not flinching when dealing with Shakespeare’s complex language. Particular shout outs must go to Daniel Joaille-Burge and Kyriq Jordan for their superb performances as Antipholus of Syracuse

and Ephesus respectively. Their ability to make the language accessible and easy to understand, whilst delivering a stellar performance is nothing short of miraculous at their young age. Chris Gentry’s portrayal of Adriana, Antipholus of Ephesus’ wife, was exquisite, perfectly ridiculous and completely hilarious. The Sh’Influencers, Cayo Sinclair and Kian Walia must also get a mention as they kept the flow going and the hashtags flowing; as well as a very memorable rap and beat boxing breakout! Overall, the cast did a superb job and received nothing but praise and adoration from the audience for their performances. Huge well done to all the cast and crew involved.

Boys create moving scenes from the First World War in House Drama

Speech & Drama

SPEECH & DRAMA REPORT

WORDS BY Mrs Ana Iverson, Speech and Drama Teacher

There have been some incredible achievements in the Speech and Drama department this year, both in the Bedfordshire Festival and in the LAMDA exams. Moving into Palmers has proven to be very valuable for the department, as we have larger rooms and easy access to use the Atrium, which is a fantastic space to work in. This has allowed the boys to be more aware of vocal projection and stagecraft, enhancing their skills even further.

The Bedfordshire Speech and Drama Festival was an enriching experience for the Speech & Drama students. They competed in a variety of categories from Read and Speak

a Story/Verse where they creatively wrote a piece and were marked both for the writing and for the delivery, Verse Speaking, Speaking in Public, Group Dramatic Scenes, as well as a variety of solo and duo Acting pieces, and many more. Our boys made the school proud, as they stood bravely in the spotlight and performed in highly competitive classes, in front of some very large audiences.

LAMDA was very intense this year, and the boys did a fantastic job in a short space of time. They

focused and worked hard to make sure they were ready for their exams. We are waiting to receive the exam results from the LAMDA head office in London, but we are very confident that the results will be of the usual high standard that we have every year.

Enrichment

Prep

Enrichment

ENRICHMENT REPORT

WORDS BY Ms Chloe Neilson, Head of Enrichment

At Bedford Prep School, we pride ourselves on providing an educational experience that extends beyond the classroom setting. In addition to our extensive co-curricular programme, we offer a wide range of enrichment opportunities which are designed to nurture the naturally inquisitive minds of boys and equip them with a sense of curiosity and love of lifelong learning.

ENRICHMENT SESSIONS:

During the Autumn term our students were treated to an array of academic sessions that provided them with the chance to dive into new areas of study and broaden their perspectives. The program featured a wide variety of subjects that captured the students’ curiosity, including an enthralling Geography Escape Room challenge that had them solving complex puzzles. Year 8 mathematicians explored Circle Theorems and Years 3 and 4 unleashed their imagination by writing eerie stories. Our linguists had the opportunity to try Italian and Y3 and 4 explored the Mexican festival of Dia de los Muertos learning all about the customs and traditions. In addition, budding drama students were treated to a workshop on Acting for Screen. Our young

School boys gathered to hear a talk on venomous snakes from L6th boys

Enrichment

historians delved into the captivating story of Napoleon Bonaparte. Through in-depth discussions and research, they gained insights into the significant events that shaped his legacy. Our Art Scholars embarked on a thought-provoking journey into art history. In a session titled “Nazi Looting: The Case of the Stolen Schiele,” they explored the impact of World War II on art and culture. This exploration encouraged critical thinking and a deeper understanding of historical context. Students had the opportunity to explore beyond the classroom. Visits to the observatory and planetarium sparked curiosity about the cosmos and scientific wonders. Finally in preparation for upcoming exams, Year 7 to Year 8 students participated in specialised clinics. These focused on honing their writing skills, particularly in crafting well-structured PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) paragraphs. Boys learned about the importance of ‘zooming in’ on key words within quotations and squeezing meaning out of language as well as how to embed quotations in their own sentences thereby elevating the quality of their analysis.

In the Spring Term the boys enjoyed a series of sessions led by Upper School students. These included a very popular session on “The Science of the Snake”. Led by IB students, this captivating session explored the anatomy of snakes and the fascinating aspects that make some species deadly. Our boys gained insights into the intricate world of reptiles. Year 6 students actively participated in current affairs discussions led by Upper School students. Topics included the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the Ukraine War. These conversations encouraged awareness and

empathy. Year 5 boys enjoyed an engaging session on natural history which allowed them to delve into Earth’s past. They shared their knowledge about the Permian Mass Extinction, a pivotal period in our planet’s history. Upper School A Level Music technology students generously shared their expertise in music composition. Their guidance inspired creativity and gave the boys the opportunity to see some of the tech resources available in the Music School.

QUIZ MANIA

The Autumn and Spring Term saw groups of boys entering into the Quiz Club National School competitions in Science and UK Schools Challenge General Knowledge quiz.

The Year 5 and 6 Science quiz team, having come in the top 20 schools in their previous round, competed in the semi-finals. They unfortunately missed out on a place in the finals but performed really well, displaying excellent knowledge on a range of tricky Science questions.The Year 7 and Year 8 teams both qualified for the runners up plate in the National Schools General Knowledge Quiz and despite some excellent quizzing, narrowly missed out on going through to the next round.

Well done to Jeremy Dunn Y6, Kavir Saxena Y6, Oscar Craddock Y5, Tommy Barker Y5, Eben Clarke, Y7, Oscar McCartie Y7, Nikhil Das Gupta Y7, Jacob Schouten Y7, Daniel Joaille-Burge Y8, Chris Gentry Y8, Cayo Sinclair Y8 and Hugo Morgan Y8.

The quizzing continued into the summer term with teams taking part in the Quiz Club National Maths quiz and the eagerly anticipated inter-House quiz.

Prep School boys enjoyed a spooky, creative writing session

2023 2024

Y6 ENTERPRISE

Working in groups, our boys embarked on a mission to create a sustainable product and establish a business. Their startup investment? A mere £5. Through hands-on sessions, they learned essential aspects of entrepreneurship, including:

n Creativity: Brainstorming innovative ideas for their products.

Enrichment

n Research: Investigating market trends and customer preferences.

n Planning: Crafting strategies and financial planning.

n Production: Bringing their ideas to life, ensuring both profitability and sustainability

Who knows, perhaps we have the next Bill Gates among us, ready to revolutionise industries and make a lasting impact!

Inset: Y5 used images to help develop creative writing skills

Pictured above Prep School boys gathered to hear a talk on venomous snakes from L6th boys

Houses

TEAGLE HOUSE REPORT

WORDS BY Mr Ed Loader, Eagle Housemaster

All together on our Eagle House trip to Derbyshire

highlights, “It’s really sociable.” Games of werewolves, wink murder, the vegetable game, and many more were often played, and what was most pleasing was the way the boys grew in confidence when leading these games themselves - this is such a valuable life skill, and one that potentially gets lost in a world where technology makes individual entertainment so easy.

he past year has been an incredible journey filled with growth, learning, and unforgettable experiences for our boarders at Eagle House.

Our boarders arrive at the start of each year, excited and nervous for what is to come. For some, they are returning to a house they know well, but for many, it is their first experience of boarding at Bedford, or indeed their first experience of boarding anywhere! The manner in which this current cohort has gelled, supported, developed, and

matured has been fantastic to observe, and they should all be incredibly proud of what they have achieved this year. Looking back on the year, one is naturally drawn to particular highlights or moments. When speaking to the boys, they mentioned their love of the community in Eagle House, especially on Wednesday nights, when all devices go away and we spend time socialising together. “On Wednesday nights, we’re together like a real family,” said one of the Year 8 boys when asked about his

The Christmas party is also a big highlight from the year, with the boys doing a fantastic job of hosting this awesome event. The usual ‘12 Days of Christmas’ was sung gustily by all the guests, followed by a comedy sketch performed by the boys, and then karaoke back at the boarding house. A brilliant night, and a big thank you to everyone who attended and showed support for the boys. A particular well-done must go to Simon Zhang. As our Head of House, he gave a speech to all who attended, speaking with confidence and humour. He should be really proud of this, and of his role within the house this year. His kindness, diligence with work, and general attitude towards all aspects of boarding life has been really impressive.

The Easter term naturally starts with more of a focus on academics, with the boys knuckling down to get ready for their mid-year assessments. They were especially impressive here, showing a drive to succeed and creating a brilliant culture of work in the house. At the end of

each day, we meet as a house and share any ‘good news’ moments from the day. Seeing the boys’ pride at individual assessments will always be one of the highlights of my time in the house, and something I hope they remember long into the future. Our Easter term included plenty of fun moments too, with trips to various locations on the weekends and an Easter egg hunt as well!

The Summer term is always incredibly busy! Cricket dominates the sporting calendar, but with the Eagle House trip and House BBQ to entertain them, as well as various other house and school events, this term always flies by in the blink of an eye.

The house trip is always the culmination of much planning, but also a brilliant way to celebrate the year together. The way our boys come together from all over the globe, learn to socialise, support one another, and show kindness is an amazing achievement, especially as, for so many, they are in a completely new culture. Our trip this year was to the beautiful Ilam Hall in Derbyshire. We went to a waterpark, climbed the

challenging hill ‘Thorpe Cloud,’ went on a cycle ride to Thor’s Cave, played some epic games of laser tag, and finished with an amazing day at Alton Towers. To everyone who attended, thank you so much for making this trip so enjoyable.

The House BBQ was fantastic this year, with all the boys loving the activities and food! This event gives me, as Housemaster, the chance to say a thank you to the team of people who make life at Eagle House as special as it is. Be it the cleaning team, the laundry team, the matron team, the house duty staff, or those who support the boys during their time in school - from all the boys, a massive thank you.

To the house duty staff, Mr Gilbert and

Mr Roger, thank you so much for all your hard work supporting the boys this year. Finally, I need to say a thank you and farewell to Miss Martin. Miss Martin joined us this year as our livein tutor. She has brought a fantastic energy to the house, has supported the boys with their work and their friendships, and has been a brilliant support to all. She moves on to a new challenge as an Art teacher and Head of Department. From all the boys and our family, we wish her all the best.

Looking ahead to next year, we have an amazing group of boys returning to the house, and I already look forward to another exciting year in Eagle!

The house trip is always the culmination of much planning, but also a brilliant way to celebrate the year

Weekend House trips were great fun!

Houses BUNYAN HOUSE REPORT

It has been an extraordinary year for Bunyan House, with some remarkable victories across music, drama, sport and academia, showcasing what a dedicated and talented bunch of boys we have in our house. A standout highlight was in the Autumn Term, when we secured first position in the End of the Term Cup, a huge reward for the collective hard work that boys put in both in and out of lessons.

We started the year as we meant to go on with a stellar performance in the House Drama competition. Under the brilliant direction of Mr. Turton, Bunyan boys delivered a poignant performance of Rudyard Kipling’s “My Boy Jack”. The poem was brought to life by the exceptional acting of leads James Workman and Daniel Joaille-Burge, who went on to take the Best Actor Award, with the entire cast gelling together seamlessly to deliver an outstanding show. The boys took a deserved first place, setting a positive tone for the rest of the year and highlighting the artistic talents within our house.

Bunyan also shone brightly in the House Singing competition, delivering two flawless

performances to take home the overall trophy. The boys’ started with a beautiful, harmonious rendition of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen for our unison entry, wonderfully conducted by House Captain Daniel Joaille-Burge. This was followed by our own energetic, and perhaps unexpected, version of the classic nursery rhyme This Old Man which won the hearts of the audience and judges alike, securing part song 1st place for Bunyan. A huge thank you goes to Mr Roberts for expertly leading us through the months of rehearsals.

There were numerous victories and notable performances in the sporting arena. The badminton courts witnessed some of the most thrilling competitions of the year, with Bunyan emerging victorious in the Year 8 and Year 6 categories, thanks to the aggressive playing style of our teams and some smashing performances from star players Hugo Vincent, Tom Hanbury and Adeiza Ogedengbe. The squash teams faced tough competition but managed to secure a commendable 2nd place in Year 8 and 3rd place in Year 7. There were some formidable skills on show in house hockey with our Year 4, Year 6 and

WORDS BY

Mr. Dan Mason, Bunyan Housemaster

Houses

Year 7 teams all coming out on top, with the highlight being a fantastic goal from Noah Campbell to beat a tough Whitbread side in the Year 7 competition. Sports Day saw enthusiastic participation from all members, demonstrating superb commitment and teamwork.

The annual Tug of War Extravaganza demonstrated that you can’t be good at everything with Bunyan coming in a lowly fourth place… by some margin. Nevertheless, the team, consisting of Kyriq Jordan, Owami Sithole, Josh Featherstone, Freddy Folbigg, Gurvir Sira and Harry Roberts, displayed remarkable courage and determination throughout and the spirited support from the sidelines was something to be proud of. Although we didn’t win this one, the event reinforced the importance of perseverance and team spirit.

On the academic side, Bunyan boys once again excelled, taking home the House Reading Cup in the Autumn Term. The House Science Competition was fiercely contested, with the Year 5 and Year 6 team of Aaniketh Gusswami, Zach Caldy, Harris Robertson, Barnabas Fung and Dominic Burton showing some excellent teamwork and scientific thinking to produce a timing device that came in first place. The Year 7 and Year 8 team, comprising Nikhil Das Gupta, Isaac Dailey, Henry Hillier, Alex O’Cearbhaill and Ted Yeung, demonstrated some innovative problem-solving skills but ultimately came in third.

I would like to say a massive thank you to all the boys who have led Bunyan so brilliantly this year. The overall house cup victory from last year was a hard act to follow but Daniel 2023 2024

Rory

(Vice

Jake Woodrow (Sports

Oliver Featherstone (Vice Sports Captain), Alex Woodhouse and Adam Purdie (both Drama Captains) all rose to the challenge, acting with great enthusiasm and commitment.

Thank you also to Miss Bowis, Mr Guest, Mr Harries, Mrs Lee, Mrs Neilson, Mrs Turton and Mrs Valentino. The help and support provided by the Bunyan teachers this year has been invaluable, with some fantastic house assemblies being delivered.

Lastly, well done to every single boy who represented their house across all competitions this year. It has been a super year for house competition - a real testament to the team spirit, values and camaraderie shown by everyone involved.

Bunyan boys competed proudly during

Joaille-Burge (House Captain),

Fadairo

Captain),

Left: A triumph for Bunyan at the House Singing competition, led by conductor Daniel JoailleBurge

Sports Day

Houses

HARPUR HOUSE REPORT

In my final House assembly of the school year, I highlighted the achievements of the British athletes, Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, who competed in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games, winning gold medals in the 100m and 400m races respectively. Their stories were famously brought to life in the Oscarwinning film, ‘Chariots of Fire’, which captured their tremendous endeavour and integrity to achieve Olympic success. It was a fitting story to share with the boys because, not only is it the centenary of their triumph, but, as Harold Abrahams was an Old Bedfordian, it showed what could be achieved, despite any challenges or hardships that one faces.

I am extremely proud to be Housemaster of Harpur House, because I see the same Future Skills of Endeavour and Integrity, along with Responsibility and Kindness, displayed by the boys of the House on a daily basis. They were

WORDS BY

Mr Andrew Whitbread, Harpur Housemaster

particularly on show for House Drama in the Autumn Term. It was wonderful to see such talented actors from across the year groups, from Year 3 to Year 8, come together and deliver such a poignant performance inspired by the horrors of the First World War. Special thanks go to the ever-inspirational Mrs Loader, along with Drama Captain, George Plumley, for helping to create such a stirring piece of theatre.

Other highlights of the first term included victories in Year 4 football and Year 7 badminton, along with second places in Years 6, 7 and 8 squash, as well as second in the swim relays gala. We were also winners in the

Years 3 and 4 book reading, and placed second in Years 5 and 7. In fact, this was the first of a hat trick of wins for the Year 3 boys, who topped the book reading charts in all three terms; a commendable achievement, and one to build upon in years to come.

As always, the first half of the Spring Term was dominated by the rehearsals for the House Singing competition. In a first for the competition, we sang part of the ‘Moana’ unison medley in a language other than English. This was no easy task, but both Mrs Gedye and I were confident our talented boys could handle it. We were not disappointed, and they sang beautifully on the day, claiming a very creditable second place. Our conductor, Cayo Sinclair, led the House with calm assuredness, and the boys’ obvious enjoyment of performing shone through. This was also seen in our stupendous part song rendition

of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, ably led by Chris Gentry. To the shock of many, it was woefully under-marked, but the boys should take much satisfaction in producing a truly moving performance. Mrs Gedye, once again, conjured her magic, and we thank her for all her hours of tireless support and guidance.

Other notable moments from the second term included victories in Year 4 football, Year 6 school run, and, for the second successive term, Years 4 and 8 topped the merit charts.

More commendable results came in the Summer Term, with second places in Year 7 and 8 cricket, and a second place in the Years 3 to 6 Sports Day. Once again, throughout the day at the Bedford Track, Harpur were the undoubted victors of the unofficial chanting contest, as every Harpur boy was roared on by the ‘Mighty Red Army’ in the stands!

There was also a timely reminder in the final term that we display talents in a huge variety of areas, as Harpur won both the House Art and House Music competitions. Many thanks

to all boys who participated, and earned points for the House.

Thanks, also, goes to the Year 8 Harpur Officers, who have remained extremely reliable and resourceful, as well as great role models for all boys to look up to.

House Captain, Harrison Ayers, has been an impressively mature leader throughout the year, and he has been ably supported by the multi-talented team of Spencer O’Boyle, Abhay Raghunath, Joseph Lucas, Harry

Spencer, Freddie Payne, Cayo Sinclair, Chris Gentry and George Plumley.

A big ‘thank you’ also goes to a special team of House Tutors who have been so supportive and encouraging throughout the year. Sadly, we have to bid farewell to some of our amazing team. With a heavy heart, we say farewell to Mr Heaney, Miss Cavill, and our longstanding Tutor, Mr Affleck. We wish you all the best of luck in your new Houses….but not too much success!

...as Harold Abrahams was an Old Bedfordian, it showed what could be achieved, despite any challenges or hardships that one faces

Harpur boys showed determination and a sense of team spirit throughout the year. Here we are collectively with the red flag flying proudly in the background

Houses

HOWARD HOUSE REPORT

WORDS BY Miss Penny Oakley, Howard Housemaster

Asplendid effort chaps! No one could have given more than you did during the year, and I applaud the marvellous spirit and enthusiasm that you have consistently shown in all the House events and activities.

Our journey began with the House Drama competition, where all four houses collaborated to create a magical evening centred around WW1 poetry. Howard House chose the poignant poem “In Flanders Fields.” Under the creative direction of Mrs Iversen, our boys delivered an entrancing modern dance that vividly portrayed the story. Special recognition goes to Joseph Ram and Gene Baker, whose emotive and powerful recital helped secure our secondplace position in the judging. Well done to all the boys who performed; your dedication is truly impressive. It is always inspiring to see what can be achieved in such a short

time and was wonderful for the boys to have time to empathise, remember and thank our fallen soldiers.

As the term progressed, Howard House achieved sporting victories in various disciplines, including: Year 7 Badminton, Year 6 Squash, Year 5 and Year 7 Rugby, and the Swimming Relays. Our Year 6 and Year 7 boys also clinched first place in the Merits competition, contributing to our overall thirdplace finish in the Autumn Term.

The Spring Term focus was on House Singing, a highlight of our year! Howard House took the stage with “Build Me Up Butter Cup” (from The Foundations) as our Unison song,

and a stunning rendition of Andy Beck’s “Riversong” for the Part Song section. The final performance, a culmination of hard work and commitment, left me in awe. Despite finishing third in points, we can be proud of our performance given the high standard of competition. Congratulations to Bunyan House, whose exceptional performance left us speechless, and to Hugo Morgan for his admirable leadership of Howard on the big day.

Other events kept us busy, with Howard boys securing victories in Year 3 and Year 8 House Hockey, the Year 7 and 8 Science competition, and the Year 7 Reading and

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow. ANON

Merits. But perhaps it was the Spring Term Finale that was the highlight for Howardonians. The tension palpable. The astro roaring with excitement! It could only mean one thing; the House Tug of War! An impressive display of strength and grit from all the Houses concluded the Spring Term’s House fun. Howard’s mighty teams were: determined, focused, magnificent and victorious! Arlo Mallison, George Kotsidis and Sam Williams - powerful machines! Thank you for guiding the teams so well; encouraging the boys and leading by example. What an impressive and exciting win!

As we moved into the Summer Term, House Art continued to delight. The exhibition showcased an abundance of talent across various media. Special congratulations to Lincoln Langley, our Howard House winner in the Year 3 and 4 age range, for his stunningly detailed drawing of a snake.

Sports Day, as ever, was a joy to behold. Such a glorious event where the whole school community come together to share in what becomes quite simply a demonstration of every value we hold dear. The profound allegiance to the Houses is evident in the boys’ grit, bravery, and emotional investment, as well as their enthusiastic chanting. This camaraderie shines through as they support each other on the field and track. Some outstanding performances showing the wealth of athletic talent that exists at BPS in all of the Houses and a very thrilling victory for Howard on the day. Well done to all of the boys for their sterling efforts.

Year 6, 7 and 8 boys also won the Summer Term merits competition and Year 7 the reading, bringing home a last minute flurry of mega points resulting in Howard comfortably winning the Summer Term Cup. Well done boys!

I would like to, very much, thank my House officers: Monty Adams, Christopher Irving -Gamble, Edward Page, George Kotsidis, Maxi Wereczynzki and Hugo Morgan; a formidable team. I wish them well as they take on new challenges ahead. Your leadership has been invaluable, and I have no doubt that you will inspire countless Howardonians to embrace teamwork and enjoy their time as part of Howard House just as you have.

I also want to express my gratitude to the entire Howard House community, including our dedicated staff members. Our memorable assemblies on topics such as Bio-mimicry, Challenge, Kindness, Sign Language, Cultural Diversity, and D-Day

provided valuable learning experiences.

And so – although not raising the overall House Cup this year - we have much to learn from our adventures, Howard.

‘Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.’ (Anon)

Setbacks are just stepping stones toward growth, and resilience helps us bounce back stronger! We are constantly reminded of the enduring benefits of community and the threads that bind us together as they prevail above all else. Strong communities, like Howard House, offer valuable lessons and benefits. Beyond mere competition, they foster friendships and shared experiences. Cultivating our core values; endeavour, kindness, responsibility, curiosity, and integrity and with these we march ever forward, where everyone emerges a winner!

During the year we saw some AMAZING individual performances, and the following boys deserve a special mention:

Gene Baker – who has thrown himself into everything again this year including reading an utterly mind-boggling 18 million words (and

still rising, as we go to print)!

Sam Williams - whose magnificent and seemingly effortless ability to glide around a running track and rack up scores on the rugby pitch - will live with me for years to come.

Austin Reddy - Who in the pool appeared not even to cause a single splash as he destroyed the competition.

Charlie Tillison - Whose determination in far too many disciplines to count is the epitome of a role model; well-rounded, hard-working, humble and kind; an impressive young man!

Just a drop in the ocean of my personal highlights!

Every SINGLE year, something surprises me, excites me, brings a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. I feel very proud and privileged to be your Housemaster; to be a part of your journey in becoming fine young men. I am immensely proud of our collective achievements and the sense of community we’ve built in Howard House. Have a wonderful summer. Until next time…!

Howard

enjoy success in many arenas, not least the House Tug of War

Houses

BWORDS BY

This image: Whitbread boys working to form relationships of trust and unity

Below: Concentration, trust and determination

Mrs Michelle Aldridge, Whitbread Housemaster

WHITBREAD HOUSE

eing a Whitbread boy in our house system at Bedford Prep School has numerous benefi ts. Of course, each house has its own unique characteristics. For us, our unique characteristics include the beautiful colour green, having Yoda as our mascot, and the house motto of “May the Force be with you!”. Whitbread boys have earnt hundreds of house points for good behaviour, and for their various accomplishments, and participation in various activities throughout the school year. As I always say to the boys it does not matter where you come in an event, it’s the participation and the effort that you have put in for your house. Every point counts!

We have built a great sense of community in Whitbread fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie among all students and building upon individual strengths and abilities. Students have developed great leadership skills from all year groups and have been able to mentor their peers and become good role models. Within Whitbread we promote positive behaviour and reinforce the

school’s future skills.

Of course, we also enjoy healthy competition with the other houses, showing great determination and House competitiveness in academics, sports, charity events, drama, music and much more……Traditions and Identity are important, and these concepts help to support the house unity and enhance our Whitbread spirit. We promote inclusivity in the house, bridging gaps and working together with the wide range of talents and interests alongside allowing students to interact, get involved and have a voice.

The combined effect allows our Whitbread boys to thrive and come out of their comfort zone.

The Whitbread staff and I give great thanks to all the house officers and most of all our House Captain, Leo Tapp, who has led the way, taking his roles and responsibilities seriously and with great care. I believe that being a Whitbread boy promotes and encourages a good house culture, encourages positive interactions, and creates lasting memories!

Sports day was a grand event this year as it always is! The Whitbread students were buzzing with excitement, ready to enjoy the day ahead. The loud Whitbread chants which emanated from the stands were by far the loudest of the houses, as the boys bellowed that they were the mighty Whitbread House. You could see on their faces that each boy held their house in high regard - the passion and determination was vibrant! What a lucky Housemaster I am to have such wonderful passionate boys all striving for their house to achieve and succeed, whatever the outcome may be.

The day kicked off with Year 7 and 8 who took every event in their stride, with a cool, calm, collective approach. The seriousness and focus were intense, especially in the key event of the 4x4 relays. As always, it was a day of camaraderie, sportsmanship, and celebration—a firm memory etched in our hearts.

Perhaps our most important event occurred in the earlier part of the academic year, House Singing, a vibrant and memorable occasion that brings all our Whitbread boys together, fostering camaraderie, and a celebration of unity. This year Mrs Walker can take the credit for choosing the House Song (Reach for the Stars by S Club 7) and including the teaching the boys some sign language to use during the chorus. Although we did not win overall, we did win the part song, a real showcase of our Whitbread boys and their vocal prowess.

The House Drama event always creates a vibrant and memorable occasion, bringing together students, fostering camaraderie, and celebrating great theatrical talent. Wonderful bonds are formed between actors and crew members, and theatre leadership skills are gained. Drama helps our Whitbread students to understand others, fostering empathy and emotional intelligence. Exposure to different cultures and perspectives creates well-rounded citizens who empathise with people from the past and present. It also provides the students with a safe, supportive theatre environment that allows exploration of emotions and builds self-confidence, also encouraging risk-taking, self-expression, and

Students have developed great leadership skills from all year groups

connections to enhance self-esteem further.

Being in Whitbread House plays a significant role in fostering unity and a sense of belonging among students from Years 3 to 8, and the pupils still hold their Prep School House with high regard, even when they have left the Prep School and have moved up to the Upper School - continuing to support the younger boys in key events as they are passing through the school grounds. When students become members at the very start of their journey at Bedford Prep School, they join a smaller, close-knit community within the larger school system. This supportive network of peers and teachers creates a vibrant atmosphere where students feel connected and part of something green and greater!

As a house master for many years now, I encourage collaboration, healthy competition, and a shared purpose, reinforcing the bonds that tie students together. Whether through friendly competitions, inter-house events, or collaborative projects, interactive assemblies testing their resilience but with the sense of unity. For boys to support one another, whatever this might look like for them, which contributes to the overall sense of school spirit and identity.

Our House assemblies each week are a bit out there at times, the pupils always curious about what’s in my bag or what kind of assembly experience they might be in store for each Friday. Again, the topics are dynamic and engaging, once again promoting unity, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging among all students.

Encouraging students to feel like a team right from the start, I want to say what a great year we have had; the house flag has been flying many times too. Remember, Whitbread house is an opportunity to build connections, celebrate diversity, and create a supportive school environment! Go Whitbread- I am extremely proud of you all, you are amazing! We say goodbye to some long serving house staff and pupils, wishing them luck on their new journeys. Some staff are moving houses, so we wish them well in their new house experiences and thank them for all the support given in Whitbread House. A special mention to Mrs Walker who stepped into my role while I had two operations, I am truly grateful for her keeping the house ticking over and running it with smoothness and consistency. We welcome new Whitbread boys with open arms and hope you enjoy the exciting year ahead of us as we start the academic year again in September. Wear your Whitbread ties with honour and your green heart on your sleeve!

Left and above: Blind folded Jam sandwich and plates on Head: Whitbread boys during the curriculum collapse day, exploring life for someone who is visually impaired and using different parts of the brain to draw a visualised image.

THE WELLY Outdoor Learning

By Mrs. Jo Lock

On Saturday 23 March, boys, staff, and special guests gathered to officially open our new outdoor classroom, affectionately known as ‘The Welly.’ This remarkable, versatile space was made possible by the generous support of The Colonel Wells Fund (through our Bedford School Foundation Trust), so we were delighted to be joined by four members of the Wells family for the opening, along with the Deputy Chair of the Foundation Trust, Mark Hall, who had the honour of cutting the ribbon, which fi ttingly for the setting was a flower garland.

We were also delighted to welcome four of our Trustees of the Bedford School Foundation Trust, including the Chairman, Roger Marks (71-82), and the project’s lead build manager, Tom Stephenson from Timotay (who also brought

his dad along to check out their handiwork!).

Undoubtedly, the boys were the shining stars of the day, brimming with enthusiasm as they guided the assembled guests through the multifunctional space. They proudly explained the various resources, from exciting forest school activities to engaging nature explorations like bird watching and minibeast identiﬁcation. The boys showcased the geodome, composting station, solar and wind turbines, water ﬁltration system, indoor

Main image: Mark Hall ofﬁcially declares the Welly open! Below: Members of the Wells family

learning area and more, before tucking into nature-inspired cakes and hot chocolate.

In his speech, Headmaster Ian Silk thanked the many individuals involved in this hugely collaborative project. Special recognition went to Mrs Russell and Mark Hall, who conceived the idea and saw it through to fruition, the Foundation Trust for supporting the development, our contractors Timotay for the inspired design and build, and the Colonel Wells Fund, which made it all possible.

CHRISTMAS LUNCH 2023

WORDS BY Emma Lickley, Catering Manager

Every year, providing the Christmas lunches for the Prep school is such a joy for us here at Chartwell’s Independent. We theme the whole day, with Christmas songs, Christmas jumpers, and of course the Christmas lunch with all the trimmings! The atmosphere in the dining hall is electric at this time of year, with excitement running through all the boys as well as the staff. Along with the Christmas lunch itself, we also provide a choice of Christmas pudding or chocolate yule log, which the boys do enjoy, finishing off their meal with something sweet!

Christmas cheer abounds in the Prep School

Charity

CHARITIES 2023-24

By Miss Emma Goodman

n Snowdon Hike

The Yr Wyddfa Challenge witnessed our Prep School boys soaring to new heights, quite literally. Scaling 1,085 metres to reach Wales’ loftiest summit, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), they surpassed the peaks of England as well. Accompanied by dedicated staff and seasoned mountain guides, a group of 28 boys from Year 7 and Year 8 took on this formidable ascent, all in support of Magpas. Their journey commenced at the crack of dawn, setting out along the Pyg Track, renowned for its ruggedness and challenge despite being one of the shortest routes. With unwavering determination and spirits ablaze, the boys navigated through rocky terrain, scrambling and climbing their way ever upwards. Regular pit stops offered moments to refuel, hydrate, and indulge in some much-needed hot chocolate before tackling steeper stretches. The descent traced the Miners’ Track, initially steep and demanding. Negotiating the zigzagging path down the mountain required courage and skill, yet the boys persevered.

Conquering Snowdon was not just a personal triumph but a testament to their dedication to making a tangible difference for Magpas and the countless lives it touches

n Royal British Legion: Armistice Day

Raising money for the Royal British Legion is crucial to support veterans, service personnel, and their families. It helps fund welfare services, mental health support, care homes, community engagement, and emergency assistance. Additionally,

our funds can help toward organising Remembrance events and advocating for the needs of the armed forces community.

n Stephen Guest - Swimming Cancer Research UK

I would like to express my gratitude for the generous help from the charity’s fundraising group. Your support means a lot to me, and I am grateful for your assistance in making such a positive impact. The challenge was to attempt to swim 10km during the month of November in aid of Cancer Research UK. I exceeded my goal and was able to complete 27,500m during the month. That meant following a black line down the middle of the pool for many hours! By the end of the month I was on first name terms with a couple of the pool tiles. I’m very pleased to say

that I raised £705 to go to a very worthy and important cause. A big thank you to all the friends within the Bedford School community who also contributed.

n Harvest Festival Food Collection October

The Harvest Festival Food Bank collection is an initiative dedicated to supporting those in need by gathering essential food items. It not only fosters community generosity but also addresses hunger issues. Thanks to our community’s generous contributions, we made a significant impact on this collection effort.

n Christmas Hampers

We would like to extend our gratitude for your generous Christmas hamper donations. Thanks to your incredible support, All Nations Church surpassed previous efforts by providing a recordbreaking 870 hampers. This means that approximately 2000 people received nourishing food just in time for Christmas. Your kindness has made a significant impact, and we sincerely appreciate your continued support. Thank you!

n Kashta Dale Movember Campaign

In November this year, the Global Citizens organised a Moustache Day for Prep school boys. Participants crafted and wore moustaches of various shapes and colours, as not everyone could grow their own yet. The event included staff members as well. The aim was to raise awareness and funds for the Movember charity, which focuses on supporting men’s mental and physical health. Each class also captured a photograph of their creative moustaches.

n Paul Dennis - running 5k Movember

This year to help raise funds for Movember and, in particular, men’s mental health, I challenged myself to run 5km every day as well as 15km on the 15th November and 30km at the end of the month. Although it was challenging it was a great way to raise awareness as well as good for my own mental health getting out in the fresh air each day! A big thank you to all who donated taking me to over £600 raised. I’m not quite sure how I will “up the ante” next year, but I’ll

get thinking!

n Rapid Response Vehicle

Sirens and flashing lights signalled the arrival of two MAGPAS Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs) to the Prep School. We are pleased to say Steven, Sarah and Emma from MAGPAS were here to meet the boysnot for an emergency!

(Year 7) £930 raised independently

For my fundraising efforts, I participated in a sponsored marathon for MAGPAS Air Ambulance, a charity fully committed to saving lives, whether it be during a heart attack or a significant fall. The event was both challenging and enjoyable, with a memorable rocky-road snack break at Harold Country Park halfway through the marathon. Some of the main highlights included the snack breaks, the struggle up a particularly steep hill, the exhilarating descent down a dual carriageway with fast cars on either side, and, of course, the warm welcome upon returning to the starting and finishing point at Bedford School. Henry and I completed a total of 46 kilometres, cycling from Bedford School to Harrold Country Park and back, on November 25th 2023. Words by Isaac Dailey

During the lunchtime visit from the charity, the boys were able to find out more about MAGPAS, the types of accidents and emergencies they attend, the lifesaving technology they carry, the critical care they provide and, a highlight for all, the chance to sit behind the wheel and sound the sirens.

Isaac Dailey and Henry Hillier

Mr Dennis’ eyes on the prize!

Prep Guild

PREP GUILD REPORT

The Prep Guild have had yet another super year full of community spirit and we would like to thank you all for your continued support in our social and fundraising efforts. Without your interest and involvement, we wouldn’t have a cause to be here.

We kicked off the social calendar this academic year by hosting an informal coffee morning during pre-season rugby training, a fairly new event designed to get to know parents new and old whilst enjoying a sneak peak at our talented boys enhancing their skills.

This was followed by the everpopular Bingo and Burrito’s night which was once again full of energy and laughter as our host created a fast-paced traditional Bingo experience alongside some testing music rounds.

Before we knew it, the holiday season was upon us and our Christmas Sales market opened with a vast array of presents on offer for boys (and teachers) to purchase for their families, friends and pets. Thank you to all of our elves who helped to source, transport and wrap over two thousand presents at record

breaking pace!

The EMH’s new sound and lighting system was put into action when we created a cosy and atmospheric Christmas scene following the cherished Christmas Carol Service. Fires crackled and carols played whilst our parent community enjoyed warming mulled wine and mince pies.

The new year brought out some competitive spirit as Bedford Girls’ School hosted us at a joint Quiz Night. Our fantastic former Prep Guild Chair, Emily Hudson, perfectly matched the charismatic Girls’ School parent, Ollie Richbell, as they fired many rounds of challenging questions and selected the best dressed table.

We didn’t then have long to wait for the much-anticipated Prep Ball where the Great Hall was transformed into a set from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Our amazing team of volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure we held on to the reputation of throwing a wonderful party.

The sun finally appeared in time for the renowned Cricket Match of Parents Vs the Ousels (Teachers’ Team). Our skipper, Mark Pointer, rallied together

Top left: The Prep Guild team with Bingo host Top right: The Great Hall resplendent in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” style

a strong team but sadly didn’t quite get the win. Thankfully we had some Pimm’s and a tuck shop on offer to soften the blow.

Fortunately, the sun stayed out in time for the Y8 Fun Day where parents generously donated baked goods and their time to help raise money for this year’s Charity, Magpas Air Ambulance.

The busy year’s activities are rounded up by supporting Sports Day, a New Parents’ Evening and a Year 3 and 4 activity day.

All of the above wouldn’t have been possible without a fantastic committee and parent-helpers, but I would especially like to thank Laura Palmieri (ViceChair), Debbie Macey-White (Secretary) and our wonderful joint treasurers, Jen Hayes and Anna Heathfield-Taylor for their effort and support this year.

Looking forward to starting it all again in August!

WORDS BY

Mrs Melissa Morgan, Chair of the Prep Guild

BSA (Bedford School Association)

BSA REPORT

WORDS BY

Mr Hugh Maltby, Director of the Bedford School Association

The Bedford School Association (BSA) is made up of several groups from across the wider school community, including the Prep School Parents’ Guild, the Upper School Parents’ Guild, the Past Parents Association, the Old Bedfordians Club, and the Bedford School Foundation Trust. The objective of the BSA is “to harness the strengths and support of all associated with the school – past and present – for the benefi t of all.” During the last year, there have been numerous examples of our community coming together to support the school.

Our annual Old Bedfordian Careers Convention, which was once again online this year, attracted a broad range of 60 guest speakers from many different business sectors, giving 450 pupils, including those from eleven non-Harpur Trust schools, the opportunity to ask questions and learn about a variety of different careers.

The Bedford School Foundation Trust, founded in 1926 as the charitable fundraising arm of the school, has supported the Prep School in several ways this year. For example, boys throughout the Prep School over the years have benefi tted from day trips and activities to the Ickwell Conservation Reserve, our

outdoor activity centre. The Reserve was originally donated by the Colonel G. H. Wells (1884-94) Charity for use by the school and other youth and community groups. The objective of the charity was to promote the education of boys at Bedford School in the study of agriculture and allied subjects and sciences, botany, geography, geology, and environmental subjects. To continue his legacy, funds from his charity were recently used to bring Ickwell to Bedford School by creating an Outdoor Learning Centre (‘The Welly’ – in honour of Colonel Wells and a nod to the Wellington boot) in the Prep School playground. As you can see from the image, the Welly provides our boys opportunities to grow plants and vegetables, understand sustainability, and experience all that our outdoor habitat has to offer.

Until recently, boys entering

the Prep School in Year 3, along with pupils in Year 4, were divided across the Prep School site. This made it harder for some of the boys in these years to integrate and settle into the school, as they did not have their own dedicated space. Thanks to a generous £100,000 donation from a past parent, the school was able to plan upgrades to three buildings (Tisdalls, Palmers, and Nash’s). The school added additional funds to the project, which has now given boys in Years 3 and 4 their own space in Nash’s and Palmers, along with dedicated spaces for the Music Department, Learning Support, EAL, and Speech and Drama in the Tisdalls Building.

Eagle Connect (www. eagleconnect.uk), our digital business and social networking platform open to all parents, Old Bedfordians, and past

parents, now has over 2,250 members sharing connections and business opportunities. In the coming year, we hope to organise more networking events for members of the broader school community to share business opportunities and tap into our amazingly supportive community.

The annual commemoration of those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars took on added poignancy this year. During the curriculum collapse day, boys in the Prep School learnt about the 497 Old Bedfordians who lost their lives in WWI, the youngest of whom was just 17 years old. Poignantly, this is a total higher than the number of boys in the Prep School today. Their names took on renewed significance as each boy was given a unique identity card with a fallen Old Bedfordian that they could read about, thereby connecting the past and present pupils.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those connected to the BSA for their ongoing support and help for both our own and the local community.

Above: Eagle Connect Left: An identity card with details of an OB who lost his life in WW1

Boys enjoying reading in The Welly

Co-curricular

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

LANGUAGES CLUB

We had a great time exploring the languages spoken in our community. We found out there are more than 35 languages spoken in the Prep school and that almost half of the students either speak a second language or are learning one that is not taught in school!

Ms Moira Comani

CODING CLUB

Coding Club continued to be a favourite among students, offering a space where they could explore any area of coding they were interested in or seek support for their computing work. This open-ended approach allowed students to pursue personal projects, enhance their skills, and collaborate with peers. The club’s popularity and consistent attendance highlight the growing interest in coding and the importance of providing such a supportive environment for budding programmers. Mrs Kashta Dale

DIGITAL LEADERS

The Digital Leaders played a crucial role in promoting digital literacy and safety. They trained, planned, and delivered a

successful Safer Internet Day, created and tested educational games, and completed Chromebook duties. They also supported other students with computing tasks and made instructional videos. Additionally, the Digital Leaders recruited new members for the upcoming year, ensuring the continuity of their valuable work. Their dedication and leadership have been instrumental in enhancing the digital skills and safety awareness of our student body.

Mrs Kashta Dale

GLOBAL

CITIZENS

The Global Citizens Group, led by Year 8 leaders this year, made significant contributions to raising awareness and celebrating diversity throughout the year. They discussed global topics that were important to them and organised whole school events throughout the year. They started by celebrating Black History Month with a daily calendar, quizzes, and workshops. In November, they raised over £700 for the Movember charity by organising a Moustache Day and leading assemblies. They also focused on Arabic and Islamophobia awareness, Holocaust Memorial Day, and South Asian Heritage Month this year, featuring workshops that educated and engaged the entire school community. The group spearheaded ideas for Cultural Day including leading assemblies, the ideas for

the Global Village, Model UN, wearing clothes and colours from other nationalities as well as awarding class winners. They are continuing to explore how best to support our school’s natural environment and recruiting the next set of Global Citizens to continue their work this year. These activities not only raised awareness but also fostered a sense of global citizenship among students. Mrs Kashta Dale

LEGO CLUB

This year, the Lego Club for Years 3-5 has been a tremendous success, fostering creativity and teamwork among the students. The young builders have demonstrated skill and imagination, crafting a variety of structures. From trains to futuristic spaceships, their creations have showcased not only their technical abilities but also their collaborative spirit. Mrs Luisa Valentino

Clubs & societies

HUNGRY BOYS CLUB

From Year 7 to Year 3, boys have enjoyed cooking up a storm at Hungry Boys’ Club. Over the year, the boys have been busy making pizzas, chocolate chip cookies, spaghetti bolognese and muffins to take home and share with their families (or not!). The Hungry Boys’ Club is always hugely popular and provides boys with valuable and rewarding life skills, which we hope they put to good practice at home, too. Mrs Nicki Carrington

HISTORY CLUB

This year in History Club the boys have played a variety of Horrible Histories board games with the most popular proving to be Horrible Histories Monopoly. There have also been some intense Top Trumps battles as well as lots of laughter watching Horrible Histories and drawing our favourite historical figures. Mr Paul Dennis

ART CLUB

The Art Club has been a vibrant hub of creativity and expression this year. Students engaged in diverse projects that included making sugar skulls, poppies, rangoli patterns, and snow globes. These projects allowed students to explore various cultural and artistic traditions. Additionally, they focused on studying the works of renowned artists such as Alfred Wallis, Alma W. Thomas, Veronica Ryan, Deborah Roberts, and Sandra Dieckmann. Through these activities, students developed their artistic skills and gained a deeper appreciation for different art forms and the stories they tell. Mrs Kashta Dale

It required students to build and code a robot to identify different colours

ROBOTICS CLUB

The Robotics Club has seen remarkable growth, thanks to the generous support from Bedford Giving, which enabled us to purchase five additional robotics kits. This expansion increased the club’s capacity to 14 students, making it more inclusive. The club’s popularity is evident, with a waiting list of eager participants. Throughout the year, students learned to build, modify, and design robots, as well as code them to perform various tasks. The club participated in two notable competitions. The first, held at Bedford Academy, required students to

POKEMON CLUB

Pokemon Club is the place to be if you are ready to trade, or even just browse. Traders gather weekly, attempting to persuade each other to part with precious cards, in an effort to enhance their own collection. There are no easy wins at this club…be prepared to barter! Mrs Debbie Rossington

Y3&4

HOBBIES CLUB

Hobbies club is always busy! It is a great place for boys in Year 3 and 4 to get together and collaborate on an activity of their choice; sharing inspiration and ideas. The boys have been busy building awesome Lego models, creating a mystery story book and producing some fabulous drawings, to name but a few. Mrs Penny Oakley

build and code a robot to identify different colours. The second competition featured multiple obstacles that the robots had to navigate within a set time frame. In both events, students collaborated to earn the highest points possible. Our school performed well when paired with Bedford Academy; Ilyas Hosein and Laith Shadid won Gold, Jonny Pugsley and Thomas Hendry won Silver, Shray Garara-Patel and Haris McLynn got Bronze. In the final Competition of the season Jonathan Pugsley and Jack Efe Taylor secured first place at the St Edmunds College competition in partnership with Roseland School.

Mrs Kashta Dale

Co-curricular

ANIMAL CARE CLUB

WORDS BY Miss Lisa Emms, Science Technician

Animal Care Club on a Monday lunchtime continues to be popular with the boys. This year we introduced monitors from Years 7 & 8 who had demonstrated their enthusiasm and knowledge of handling and caring for the variety of animals at the school. They were a great help supervising the younger boys and passing on their experience. Our current offering includes two corn snakes, a royal python, a tortoise, a crested gecko, many gerbils, a tropical fish tank and our newest edition in January of a baby bearded dragon Stormfly who has settled in soundly. The taking care of our range of creatures has many positive effects on the boys from calming and excitement (especially at snake feeding time!) and cognitive development. The club also allows boys from different years to interact and form friendships. Several of the boys have shown enough responsibility to take the animals home for weekends or holidays to have the experience of caring for the animals at home..

A key moment from Animal Care Club this year must be when the python managed to get her body wedged under the gas tap in the science lab and we thought the students would have to share their science bench with a python! Luckily after a (long) few minutes of panic we wiggled her out!

Having different species of animals gives Bedford Prep School students a unique avenue to learn about many aspects of the Science curriculum such as ecology, adaptations, inheritance, energy and plant topics. They are often brought out during lessons to demonstrate specific features and allow the boys to learn how to handle the animals (if they wish). Lessons that they will be likely to remember in years to come!

Animal Care Club has a lovely relaxing, caring environment and we hope it continues to be popular next year.

Above left: Pepper the Python curls around Jacob Inset: Otis shows off Michelle the Tortoise Left: Stormfly the Bearded Dragon meets Cayo and Haris.

Trips, events & talks

CHRISTMAS SKI TRIP

WORDS BY Mr Paul Dennis, Head of History

At the end of the Autumn term 44 boys and 5 staff departed for the Zillertal in Austria. The weather was fantastic for almost the entire week with blue skies, cold temperatures and fantastic snow which allowed the most intrepid skiers to ski right to the bottom of the mountain. Having made the long journey we checked in to the hotel and

collected our ski hire in preparation for the week ahead.

The beginners made fantastic progress and were conquering red runs before the end of the week, whilst the more advanced skiers developed their carving skills pushing them to a whole new level of skiing ability. In the evenings we enjoyed the Tyrolean evening where the boys immersed themselves in all things Austrian and a special mention must go to those boys who donned lederhosen helping us get the

At the end of the Spring term it was the turn of Years 3-6 to head to Austria for sun, snow and skiing! After a long journey we arrived in the Tyrol and made the first important stop: food! The boys were then sifted through to sort out ski hire and ski groups based on previous experience. The next morning it was an early breakfast and ready to go up the mountain!

The speed at which all the groups learnt and made progress was amazing, especially given that some of the boys had never put a ski boot on before, and a big thanks must go to the Ski Astons instructors for all their hard work and patience. The conditions on the mountain were stunning, albeit very warm, and after a full day’s skiing and a busy evening entertainment schedule it wasn’t long before

overall win!

The boys also enjoyed bowling and swimming before a disco on the final evening. After a busy, brilliant week we headed home for Christmas with the dulcet tones of Mr Guest’s snoring soundtracking us into the holidays. A big thank you must go to Mr Guest, Mr Hoggett, Mr Mason and Mr Roger for all their hard work and support to ensure that the boys had an excellent time away.

the boys were in bed.

Highlights of the week away included the Tyrolean evening, swimming and Austrian bowling, but the progress of the boys on the slopes was the real high point.

The boys all listened well and were able to practise their skills and improve throughout the week. Eventually, a group of very happy, tired boys boarded the coach ready to head home. A big thank you as well to Miss Goodman and Mr Guest for all their hard work and energy throughout the week.

EASTER SKI TRIP

WORDS BY

Mr Paul Dennis, Head of History

Trips, events & talks

Y3 & Y4

BUSHCRAFT TRIP

On July 1st, Year 3 and 4 students embarked on an exciting overnight adventure to Bushcraft. The trip was filled with learning, camaraderie, and unforgettable experiences.

CAMOUFLAGE SKILLS

The boys delved into the art of camouflage. They learned how to blend seamlessly into their surroundings, a valuable skill for outdoor exploration. They then put their skills to the test with a game of predator.

FIRST AID TRAINING

Equipped with newfound knowledge, the students practised essential first aid skills. Little did they know that these skills would soon be put to the test!

REAL-LIFE SOS SITUATION

During the trip, an unexpected scenario unfolded. The students faced a simulated emergency, where they had to apply their first aid skills and work together to send an SOS signal. Teamwork and quick thinking were crucial as they helped their teachers who had been injured in a plane crash in the woods.

NATURE WALK

Exploring the natural world, the students

embarked on a guided nature walk. They discovered fascinating facts about local flora and fauna, including the reestablishment of red kites in the area. The highlight was learning about the “mother tree,” a majestic symbol of resilience and interconnectedness.

MARSHMALLOW TOASTING

As night fell, the group gathered around a campfire. Toasting marshmallows led to the creation of delicious s’mores—a sweet reward after a day of adventure alongside yummy hot chocolate.

DEN BUILDING

Using branches, leaves, and their creativity, the students constructed cozy dens. These makeshift shelters provided a sense of accomplishment and a place to rest.

TRIBE FLAGS

Each tribe designed their own flag, representing unity and shared experiences. These flags fluttered proudly in the breeze.

OUTDOOR GAMES

From sardines to 21, the students engaged in spirited outdoor games. Laughter echoed through the forest as friendships blossomed.

The Bushcraft trip was a resounding success. The boys not only honed practical skills but also forged lasting memories.

Y3 CADBURY WORLD TRIP

Our Y3 boys have been busy Spring Term uncovering the tasty world of chocolate – a real (sweet) treat!

This week, their studies took the boys on a unique learning adventure to Cadbury World and a wonderful Willy Wonka-style experience.

During their action-packed day, the boys participated in a manufacturing workshop, discovering the ingredients used to make chocolate and where they originate from around the world. Boys even dressed as factory workers to see how Cadbury makes some of their most popular chocolates.

They travelled 100 years back in time to Mexico to discover the origins of cocoa, and then explored the rich history of chocolate on a factory tour.

The boys also enjoyed an exciting ride and a 4D chocolate adventure cinema experience. And no trip to a chocolate factory would be complete without a tasting session, which predictably went down well!

The boys, inspired and enthusiastic, then designed their own chocolate bars, creating everything from flavours to packaging. And the best bit – the winning chocolate bar was made by Walkers Chocolate and delivered to school for all the boys to try.

Smiling happy faces on the Y3 & Y4 Bushcraft trip

WORDS BY

Mrs Nicki Carrington, Head of Year 3

School trips

In an exciting first, our Year 3 boys competed in our inaugural Chocolate Creation Final — the tasty first prize: their chocolate bar produced in the Walkers Chocolate factory.

As you can imagine, there was a huge amount of chocolicious creativity on show as the boys unveiled their creations.

The exciting final was the culmination of a term of learning, which saw the boys head to Cadbury World, learn about the cocoa bean journey, enjoy some serious chocolate tasting, research the different chocolate companies and learn about Fairtrade.

The boys even undertook their own research, investigating which types of chocolates and fillings were most popular, before designing their chocolate bars, using their research to inform their choices regarding flavours, shapes and textures.

They created names for their chocolates, used AI to create some brilliant artwork for their chocolate bars and even created adverts to sell their creations.

With all this hard work behind them, it was time to pitch their chocolate bars to the panel (or bar!) of chocolate judges, Mr Tom Murtagh from Walkers Chocolates, Mrs Clare and Mr Silk.

After brilliant presentations from all the teams, the judges had the almost impossible task of picking the runners-up and the winner.

Mr Silk praised all the boys for “their brilliant efforts”, ‘I could have chosen them all!’, he added.

Mr Murtagh was highly impressed with the boys’ “really exciting’ ideas. High praise from the true chocolate expert who sees pitches for new chocolates daily.

After some serious deliberation, the judges announced Rocklate and Choco Loid as the runners-up and Ray Bar the winner for their brilliantly rounded pitch for their irresistible milk chocolate bar filled with marshmallows and honeycomb.

The best part is that the Walkers Chocolate factory will now produce the winning boys’ chocolate bar in the factory and deliver it to school so every boy in Y3 can munch and enjoy it. Indeed, production talks between the winning boys and Mr Murtagh are already underway!

A huge well done to all our incredibly creative boys, who have the makings of future entrepreneurs!

Above: The winning chocolate bar, the Ray Bar

ENGINEERING ZONE

Boys from Y3 and Y4 are enjoying testing out their engineering skills in Tisdall’s Engineering Zone at lunchtime under the watchful eyes of our helpful and equally enthusiastic Y8 Ambassadors.

In the Engineering Zone, interlocking building blocks allow our younger boys to let their imaginations run wild and create a series of fantastic structures in free-form play.

On the day we popped down for a look, the boys happily worked together, deciding where the blocks, tunnels and ramps should go and building collaboratively. Their two finished structures were a Formula 1 race car and a fun ramp for running wheels down.

Henry, one of our Y8 Ambassadors, on hand to supervise the boys, explained the ambassadors’ role is to ensure the boys play safely, look after the equipment and tidy up the blocks at the end of the session. The best bit, he told us, “… is getting to know the younger boys.”

The zone, funded by the Foundation Trust, strengthens various skills through play, including construction and engineering, kinaesthetic learning, social skills, and teamwork. It also fires the boys’ creativity and imagination. Equally importantly, the zone is also great fun, and our Y3 and Y4 boys look forward to their sessions, and our Y8 boys relish their role of responsibility.

Y3 AND Y4 PANTO WITH BGS

Wednesday saw live pantomime come to Bedford Prep for our Y3 and Y4 boys, joined by girls from Bedford Girls’ School, thanks to the Pantomime Play theatre company.

Gnome Alone was this year’s laugh-out-loud show. Would Gnorman the Gnome earn enough friendship tokens to save Christmas when he keeps bumping into famous baddies? Would he make it back to the grotto in time to save Christmas from disaster?

The brilliant, interactive show also included an educational theme around bullying and friendship, with pupils actively involved, offering advice to help Captain Hook and Peter Pan resolve their differences and the Ugly Sisters find their beauty on the inside.

School trips

HARRY POTTER DAY

Our Y3 and Y4 boys enjoyed an enchanting Harry Potter Day filled with imagination and magic.

From dreaming up the most delicious and magical sweets to add to Honeyduke’s Sweet Shop to creating a new house and shield for Hogwarts, the boys let their imaginations and creativity run wild.

During their lunch break, the boys enjoyed fun wordsearches, spot-thedifference challenges and creating feather quills. in lesson time, Y3 boys did cauldron maths with negative numbers and Y4 worked out potion capacity. After school, boys designed packaging for their sweet inventions using fantastic alliteration to create some simply superb and sublime sweet names.

The day was also filled with sweet treats, from snitch cupcakes and cookies at lunch to tasting marvellous sweets from our Honeyduke’s sweet shop.

All too soon, the day came to a close, but not before some storytelling to wrap up a magical day celebrating the wonder of imagination and reading.

Y3 EGYPTIAN MUSEUM SHOWCASE

Our Y3 boys proudly opened the doors to an exciting new museum on Friday.

Inspired by the boys’ studies this term and their exciting trip to the British Museum, the Erskine May Hall, for one afternoon only, was filled to the brim with everything Egyptian.

The impressive Egyptian museum showcase, created by the boys, included a wealth of treasures, from fact files on the artefacts they have studied to travel leaflets with all the top places to visit, to models, artwork and PowerPoint shows created for their Mini Project Preps. A gallery section included the many photos boys took on their devices at the British Museum, and, of course, no Egyptian museum display is complete without a mummy - in this case, mummified tomatoes!

Head of Y3, Mrs Carrington, told us, “The boys have created some brilliant work this term, so it was wonderful to hold this special showcase for the first time and see the boys so proud in sharing all their hard work with their parents.”

Three is the magic number!

Year 3

YEAR 3 REPORT

A YEAR OF EXCELLENCE AND GROWTH

This Year 3 group has truly distinguished themselves as an energetic group. They have loved the hands on learning of our experiments, trips and finding out about the world around them. Academically, they have embraced every challenge with passion. Their imaginations have shone.

The Autumn Term showcased the boys’ creativity and knowledge during our first ever Egyptian showcase. They transformed our EMH into a museum filled with artefacts they crafted themselves. Each boy contributed unique pieces, demonstrating a

deep understanding of Egyptian history and culture. Their imaginative interpretations and detailed creations were impressive, showcasing their ability to think creatively and work collaboratively.

In the Spring Term the positive momentum continued. Our Topic work on Extreme Earth ignited the boys’ imaginations, resulting in outstanding Mini Project Preps. They created everything from hand sewn volcanoes to

They combined imaginative flavours and inventive packaging, demonstrating their ability to think outside the box

WORDS BY

Mrs Nicki Carrington, Head of Year 3

Year 3

What a wonderful year it has been! While we are saddened to see this year group move on, we are excited about what they will achieve as they spread their wings. Remember, boys, your energy, creativity, and kindness have made the biggest impact on us. Keep these special gifts at the forefront of your mind as you tackle the world ahead, and you will achieve anything you set your hearts on!

The boys’ dedication was also reflected in their reading. They not only achieved individual targets but also exceeded year group goals. Remarkably, we have even seen a handful of millionaires—an unprecedented achievement for Year 3!

YEAR 4

models of earthquakes and even our very own tornadoes. Year 3 displayed boundless curiosity and determination.

The Summer Term has been a particular highlight. The boys’ creativity shone through in their fantastic design ideas for chocolate bars after our fun filled trip to Cadbury World. They combined imaginative flavours and inventive packaging, demonstrating their ability to think outside the box. Additionally, their creative writing assignments truly came alive, with vivid storytelling and engaging narratives that captivated their audience. Their hard work and enthusiasm were evident in every piece of writing they produced. The Mini Musical also made a big impact. The singing, acting and laugh out loud moments really made this a production to remember.

Boys thoroughly enjoy their trip to

Cadbury World

Year 3 boys have been magical this year!

Year 4

WORDS BY

Mrs Heather Clare, Head of Year 3

It has been a privilege for myself, Miss Oakley, and Mrs Valentino to guide the boys in their journey through Year 4. They have the distinction of being the first cohort to remain within Nash’s and Palmers, our ‘School within a School’, for Years 3 and 4.

YEAR 4 REPORT

also symbolised the harmonious journey we have embarked on together this year. It has been an honour to witness and contribute to their growth and development.

over the year.

Upon joining our Year 4 journey in January, I was immediately struck by the unifying power of their collective voice. This unity was beautifully showcased during the Christmas Carol Concert in the Chapel, where the boys delivered a spiritual festive performance. Their harmonious voices not only filled the chapel but

Thumbs up for Year 4!

As the year has unfolded, with diverse experiences and learning opportunities, our Year 4 boys have wholeheartedly embraced the Future Skills Curriculum. Their enthusiasm and dedication has been evident in their social and academic prowess. We take immense pride in each and every one of them for their incredible achievements and the positive attitudes they have demonstrated

The boys excelled in Mathematics, participating enthusiastically in TT Rockstars, England Rocks, NSPCC Rocks, and the Harpur Trust competition. They demonstrated exceptional problem-solving skills and logical thinking in collaborative tasks. In English, they immersed themselves in the Accelerated Reader programme, consistently striving to reach and exceed their targets. Their creative writing skills flourished as they delved into a variety of topics. The boys embraced Alan Peat’s writing structures writing in role; explored the enchanting verses of The Lost Spells and embarked on the adventures of Arthur and the Golden Rope.

The boys’ oracy and presentation skills were evident also in our annual Shakespeare Slam, where they skillfully memorised and performed monologues from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” as well as during the Poetry

Year 4

acumen and their adeptness in Computer Science. Exceptional persuasion skills were on display, with wellresearched and inventive proposals about coming to Bedford that not only impressed the judges but also showcased their ability to analyse deeply, work together seamlessly, and articulate their ideas convincingly. These experiences have honed their skills to such a degree that they could now craft a compelling argument for just about anything. Their newfound prowess in creating persuasive presentations is sure to be an ace up their sleeve in future endeavours.

their commitment and fervour for the arts.

Recitation and Poetry Laureate events. Their ability to present to an audience was captivating and impressive. Our Year 4 boys have also delved into fascinating topics such as: Romans, local history and geography in Becoming Bedford, Rainforests around the world, Anglo Saxons and Vikings, displaying curiosity and enthusiasm in their learning through impressive Mini Project Preps and in lessons. In Science, they have explored electricity, light, sound, animals, and plants, broadening their understanding of the natural world and igniting their scientific curiosity.

The boys have enjoyed a variety of enriching trips, visits and experiences including: pizza making; a Bedford Learning walk, exploring the history of their local school community; a talk from a Bedford archivist; a visit from local author Megan Rix and a trip to Whipsnade Zoo. The Dragon’s Den finale showcased some remarkable presentations, highlighting the boys’ research

Across the year, our boys have participated in various co-curricular collapse days and workshops, including WW1 and Cultural Diversity Day, history and animal adaptation studies and World Book Day, enriching their educational experience. Each event demonstrated how our boys eagerly broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of the world around them, fostering a sense of empathy and global awareness.

A large number of boys from Year 4 participated in choir this year. The Mini Musical production of “Roald Dahl’s, Jack and the Beanstalk” highlighted their progress. Their incredible singing filled the room with energy and excitement, leaving everyone in awe of their performance. The boys’ harmonious voices and enthusiastic spirit truly made the musical a memorable experience for all. Informal concerts, a Music Composition competition, and Speech and Drama examinations further illustrated their skills. These activities embodied our school’s Future Skills by fostering creativity, confidence and teamwork. Their performances received high praise, reflecting

An unusually rainy year on the sports field could not dampen the spirits of our Year 4! Every boy experienced regular games fixtures throughout the year and of course, a well-earned post-match tea. On each occasion, boys demonstrated teamwork and sportsmanship, essential Future Skills attributes; leadership, respect, and a good understanding of healthy competition at every level. Their commitment to sports; their resilience in the face of challenging weather conditions and their positive attitude through wins, losses and draws, has been truly commendable. When summer finally arrived, Year 3 and 4 ventured to our Bushcraft Residential. They showcased further Future Skills through activities such as: fire lighting, den building and survival scenarios - we know we’re in safe hands! During this week, the boys also enjoyed a trip to the cinema, a Year 3 and 4 Beetle Drive and there was also time for a little extra cricket too. These experiences fostered teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience, and the boys approached each challenge with enthusiasm and determination.

It has been an unbelievably busy, yet thoroughly enjoyable year. Their achievements across academics, arts, sports, and personal development have been outstanding. Although the boys’ time in our ‘School within a School’ has come to an end, ‘Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end’; I hope they look back on their year, full of achievements and progress, with pride and fondness. As they step into Year 5, we know they will carry forward the same enthusiasm and dedication, making even more wonderful memories and progress in their learning.

Above: the Becoming Bedford project winners with the Mayor and Headmaster

Hello!

Year 5

Year 5 REPORT

WORDS BY

This year, Year 5 boys have enjoyed tremendous success. The shift from Year 4 and the arrival of many new students promised an exciting year ahead. The newcomers quickly found their footing, thanks to the welcoming nature of the boys in this year group. Before long, the four new classes were comfortable in their refreshed environments, embracing the independence that Year 5 brings.

The boys adjusted swiftly to life in Year 5, impressing us with their adaptability. Modest adjustments to their schedule allowed them more meaningful time with their tutors. Independence became our guiding principle, with boys encouraged to pack their own bags, manage their lockers, and navigate their schedules. Donning long trousers and blazers,

they seamlessly transitioned into the senior section of the Prep School.

Topic, in its second year, has continued to be a resounding success. Led by Mrs Hone, Mrs Walter and Mrs Russell, the boys explored the British Isles and our global context. Highlights included hosting a traditional tea party for parents, the Sustainability Expo at the end of summer, and an enlightening multi-faith tour in Bedford, which stood out in the Religious Studies component.

Some marvellous events have taken place with Bedford Girls School. The Great Egg Challenge was huge fun as boys and girls had to work together to create a parachute to protect their (hard boiled) egg as they dropped it from a great height (the first floor of the EMH). In the Spring Term our annual dance event remains popular. Brilliant to see everyone attempting Spanish dance with such enthusiasm.

Sports played a significant role especially on Wednesday afternoons, with the boys actively participating in Rugby, Hockey, Football, and Cricket matches against other schools. The camaraderie built through traveling and enjoying match teas proved as valuable as the games themselves, fostering social confidence and team spirit.

Another particular highlight was the threeday residential trip to Ickwell. The boys, divided into tribes, thrived in team-based activities, from pitching tents to showcasing talents in a brilliant Tribes Got Talent competition. These three days were filled with unforgettable experiences, all set against the backdrop of our fantastic Ickwell site, enhanced by visits to the Shuttleworth Collection and water activities at Box End. We have greatly enjoyed working with this outstanding group of Year 5 boys and are confident they will achieve remarkable things. Ms Bowis, Mrs Hone, Mrs Russell, Mrs Silk, Mrs Walter and I wish them all the best as they move up to the challenges of Year 6.

Mr Dominic Affleck, Head of Year 5

Year 6

Ayear full of events and personal development in Year 6 began with our Taskmaster style morning with Bedford Girls’ School in the Autumn Term. The girls came to visit us in October and embarked on a series of cryptic challenges. They started with ‘hunt the duck’, a timed challenge to find all the ducks hidden around the astro - we were still collecting them back days later. They then broke into groups to work on a story of exactly 200 words and a dance consisting of animal actions and dance moves. We finished by listening to each group’s story - which were very entertaining!

After half term, we had a postponed visit to Ickwell (after trying to avoid the torrential rain). The boys, as ever, loved making s’mores on the fire. They got to know their new forms

Year 6 REPORT

favourite by far, was the Archery Tag. Boys were particularly excited to aim at Mrs Walker, rather than their targets!

The Spring Term saw an afternoon spent with the girls at BGS learning how to stay safe online. They completed an upstander activity in groups creating posters of how to be an upstander for any online issues. They also explored e-safety issues through drama, encouraging empathy and understanding. They finished by developing campaign materials to highlight dos and don’ts of e-safety, fostering a culture of responsibility.

After exams in the Summer Term, we returned to Ickwell, this time for a Science trip. The boys learned vital field work skills, preparing them for future scientific investigations as well as adding to their learning about ecosystems. They completed pond dipping, net sweeping through the long grass, using quadrats to identify plant species in a given area, and observed a number of their finds using the microscopes. An invaluable afternoon of learning both Scientific and team skills.

The year culminated with our residential trip to Phasel’s Wood in Hertfordshire. The activities were themed around our Science topics of Ecosystems and Engineering, with a good dose of fun filled excitement added in to finish off the year. The boys worked in their form groups, starting with a scavenger hunt and bug hotels - identifying which minibeasts would live in the different parts of their hotel. They focussed on Engineering with their buggy building and crate stacking activities - which led to some very high and fast creations. Survivor Bushcraft and Explorers helped them to refine their plant identification skills. And just for fun, they had high ropes and archery. The evenings were full of games and some very interesting talents on show. A fantastic end to a wonderful year for Year 6. We wish them all the best on their journey into Year 7, they will be missed by the whole team!

WORDS BY

Mrs Charlie Walker, Head of Year 6

Year 6 enjoying Archery tag at Ickwell

Year 7

And just like that, another year has flown by!

As always in Year 7, the year began by welcoming almost 30 new boys into the year group, and thanks to our ‘old boys’ making them feel very welcome, they settled very quickly. It has been a pleasure to watch the whole year group grow this year, whether that growth has been in the classroom, on the sports fields, on stage, in concerts, or any other area that our fabulous school offers to the boys. Every single boy has progressed in a multitude of ways.

The Autumn Term was a busy one. On top of everyday lessons and clubs, the boys had an excellent team building day at Bedford School’s fantastic nature reserve in Ickwell. The boys were able to make dens, play archery tag, take part in some orienteering, and of course, arguably the best activity of the day, making s’mores on the campfire! It was a fantastic day which allowed the boys to lay the early foundations which have formed some brilliant, potentially lifelong, friendships.

On the sports field, the Autumn Term’s major sport was rugby. Once again, we managed to make sure that all boys in Year 7, providing they wanted to be, were selected to represent the school on at least one occasion during this term. From the A team to the F team, all teams played with courage and togetherness, showing an excellent level of strength in depth throughout the year group. Well done to all boys that represented the school at rugby this year, I look forward to seeing your continued enthusiasm next year.

House Drama was another major event during the first term, and it was a joy to behold. It was billed as ‘a play in a day’, and this is exactly what it was. From the acting, to the props, to the lighting, all of this was created during one school day - an extremely impressive feat! Bunyan were this year’s winners, but all four performances were very enjoyable.

The first term was finished off in style with a joint Bedford Prep School and Bedford Girls School disco, and then later in the week, the Autumn Concert. A huge well done to not only the many Year 7 boys involved in the concert, but also to Mrs. Gedye and the rest of the team who never fail to put on a great show.

The Spring Term soon sprang into action. Assessments dominated the first few weeks, and as usual, our boys dealt with these with extremely high levels of maturity. Following on from this, our boys enjoyed a plethora of opportunities such as the Informal Concert, The Bedfordshire Festival of Speech and Drama, U13 UKMT Maths Competition, visits to the schools very own Planetarium and Observatory, plenty of hockey fixtures and much much more. The main highlight of this term, however, was the wonderful House Singing competition. This is always such a great event. Well done to all boys for giving this their all, but a particular well done to the Bunyan boys for winning the unison and to Whitbread for putting in an exceptional winning performance in the part-song.

In what seemed like a blink of an eye, we arrived at the final term of the year. Another

busy term ensued with events such as a PGL trip to Osmington Bay, House Drama, Sports Day, the Public Speaking Competition, the Summer Concert, and of course, the cricket season. Well done to all boys who took part in the above events and well done to all boys who represented the school at cricket throughout the summer.

And so, to next year. This year group now move on to being top of the tree, and with that comes great responsibility. Quite often, they set the tone for the younger boys, so it is really important that they display the core school values on a regular basis. Well done to all boys that have been given leadership responsibilities for next year. I know that you will all do a fantastic job and I look forward to seeing your leadership skills progress as the year goes on. For those that missed out on leadership roles this time, don’t be despondent. Find out the areas that you need to improve in and aim for a leadership role next time round.

Finally, a huge thank you to my fantastic Year 7 team of tutors. Mrs Gordon, Mr Studd, Mr Harries, Ms Kashi and Mr Mason. Their care and support for the boys has been fantastic and it has meant that the boys in Year 7 have had a brilliant year. The role of a tutor is an extremely important one and I have been very lucky to have the team that I have had this year.

WORDS BY Mr Rob Heaney, Head of Year 7

Year 8

Year 8 REPORT

As we wrap up the academic year, it’s the perfect time to look back on the amazing journey and achievements of our Year 8 boys. This group of strong and optimistic young boys has faced many challenges, coming out stronger and more determined to be their best as they move on from BPS. They have truly embodied the spirit of our school, embracing life with enthusiasm, kindness, and a love for learning.

Leading the way for Year 8 were Head Boy Cayo Sinclair, along with Deputy Head Boys Joshua Edmundson and Chris Gentry, supported by their fantastic team of Prefects and Future Skills Ambassadors. Their outstanding leadership and modelling of good behaviour has greatly contributed to the success and achievements of all the younger boys in the school.

The Year 8s enjoyed many trips and outings during the course of the year. The joint team-building games day with Bedford Girls School was a huge success, building on the relationships fostered at the disco before Christmas. The boys also enjoyed a fantastic day out at Ickwell and three amazing nights away camping at the PGL site, Boreatton Park, in Shropshire. Here, the boys endured the cold temperatures of a British summer with smiles on their faces and an unyielding readiness for anything, which has been their typical approach to everything this year, making it so successful. Seeing the boys help each other on the climbing activities and celebrate success

WORDS BY

By Simon Lincoln, Head of Year 8

in axe throwing and shooting has been indicative of this year group. The trip was hugely enjoyable for all, and seeing the boys fill their downtime (without phones) with many different games around the campsite was so refreshing to see.

The sporting arena has witnessed the exceptional talents of this Year 8. The U13 Rugby Team was very successful in both 13-a-side and 7s. Special mention goes to Sam Williams, who scored over 60 tries for the school during the season. The Cricket and Hockey teams performed to a very high standard and were competitive in national competitions. To see so many Year 8s involve themselves in various sports has been inspiring and crucial to their development.

The Year 8s have also showcased their artistic, musical, and dramatic abilities. Their recent performances in The Comedy of

Errors, with lead roles by Daniel Joaille-Burge, Chris Gentry, and Kyriq Jordan, enthralled audiences and demonstrated the creative flair of the year. Whether on stage, in the art studio, or through musical performances, the boys have shown exceptional talent and a willingness to develop their skills.

Year 8 Future Skills Ambassadors took on the extra responsibility of leading the Global Citizens: Max Blake, Joshua Tsang, Michael Otulana, Ibrahim Khalid, Kshetra Gullapelly, Daniel Joaille-Burge and Abhay Raghunath were excellent at organising monthly activities: Black history month quiz, moustache day during Movember, Arabic and Islamophobia awareness days, global village for cultural day were all their ideas and hugely successful. They also led assemblies and lunchtime workshops throughout the year, all with great prizes and feedback from staff and students across the school and not to mention raising over £700 for men’s mental and physical health as part of Movember.

Shray Garara-Patel and Haris McLynn were great in the Robotics team this year working with other KS2 and 3 students, and together managing to secure bronze in the Bedford Academy and Bedford School Robotic challenge.

Right: Boys enjoy each other’s company during the Post-Exam programme

Below and bottom left: outdoor pursuits at PGL, Shropshire

Year 8 Y8 POST-EXAM PROGRAMME

WORDS BY Mrs Sarah Loader, Post Exam

The Summer term has been a very exciting one: once Summer Assessments were done and dusted, boys were able to begin their Year 8 Post Exam Programme. This year, boys enjoyed an Upper School transition talk and Q&A with current Year 9 and 10 pupils, Life Skills sessions to test how domesticated they are, Drama and Wellbeing workshops, a mock trial, Forest School sessions, Lifesaving First Aid course, silly sports day (as well as the regular one!) and a host of careers talks from parents and speakers within our school community. The highlights of this year’s programme were the Come Dine With Me events and the Box End Entrepreneurial Project.

This year’s Come Dine With Me events were of an exceptional standard. The boys started planning their events in the Spring term 8N chose a Caribbean theme; 8P celebrated the Day of the Dead in Mexican style; 8PD were inspired by Japanese culture whilst 8KD chose a French theme. Finally 8JG treated guests to A Night at the Musicals. They spent the afternoon of their event preparing for their guests’ arrival. Boys did everything from designing the room layout, making decorations and table centrepieces from scratch, providing guest entertainment (in the form of quizzes, karaoke, solo musical performances, even a can-can dancing competition!), delivering a thank you speech, and

designing, preparing and serving a three-course menu. Each class shone for different reasons, making it an incredibly tough competition. 8KD were the eventual victors thanks to their elegant and classy three courses of French onion soup, Coq-au-vin & Chocolate Brioche pudding, paired with some exquisite and varied entertainment, some very charismatic hosts and beautiful table designs. Most impressive was their excellent team work on the afternoon and evening of the event; everyone helped out where needed and supported each other to secure the win for this class.

The Box End Entrepreneurship Project was superb this year. Boys enjoyed the launch of the project at Box End Park itself after a lecture from the founders of the Park on how to be an entrepreneur. The brief they were given was ‘What is next for Box End Park?” In groups, pupils had to come up with the next big idea for the grounds and pitch their idea, Dragon’s Den style, to a panel of judges after a few weeks of preparation. The quality was remarkable and showed such indepth research into marketing, finances, recruitment and pitching. 8N proffered Mountain Biking as the next activity for Box End whilst 8P chose paintballing. 8PD’s offering was an outdoor water cinema, whilst 9JG built a case for Archery Tag. Finally,

8JG designed a hybrid Water Rugby/Gladiators course. Judges were blown away by the quality of the work including some astonishing promo videos alongside detailed websites for their new business idea. The winners here were 8N with their Mountain Biking idea. They had realistic finances, a well-thought through and sensible idea, an impressive and enticing promotional video, a very detailed website, a relevant, eye-catching logo and even a Diversity and Inclusion policy! Overall, the boys enjoyed an enriching final few weeks in the Prep School and will hopefully take these new skills and memories on with them. The year culminated with Speech Day and Prize Giving, which provided a moment to recognize and celebrate the multitude of talents present within Year 8. Among the deserving recipients, we must highlight Alex O’Cearbhaill, who was awarded the prestigious Arthur Tisdall Award for embodying the school values, particularly kindness. Congratulations to all the boys who received well-deserved recognition for their achievements in all elements of the school. We say goodbye to Spencer O’Boyle, Henry Warner, George McEntee, Simon Zhang, Alex Brooksbank and Oliver Gauntlett, who are embarking on new adventures elsewhere, and extend our best wishes for their future endeavours. To every Year 8 boy who has completed their Prep School journey, we commend you on your accomplishments and wish you continued success as you transition to the Upper School and beyond. A huge thank you goes out to this group of young men from their tutors. Your resilience, optimism, and achievements have made us all proud. As you move forward, remember to stay in touch and continue to make a positive impact wherever you go. Farewell, Year 8. You will be missed!

Ole!

The Chapel Choir at Bedford School is, we believe, unique in the UK in having boys able to stay in it from as young as Year 4 as probationers all the way to Year 13. No other school does this with their own Prep School and Upper School together. It is also unique within Bedford School in having boys of all ages taking part together simultaneously in a regular activity.

Prep School boys are therefore treated as equal members of the choir, from the youngest, and their first milestone is being admitted as full choristers from their probationary period. We start with our new choristers, welcomed in two batches by being given their surplices (white robes) with all due ceremony.

Congratulations to Daniel Joaille-Burge, Alex Woodhouse, Tristan Price, Oliver Timothy, Jasper Hinkins, Lincoln Langley, Nathan Omofonma and Natey Roberts.

Our job is to sing weekly services, usually on Sundays, and that means plenty of commitment to the rehearsal schedule. The boys have done an amazing job, which means we can learn lots of exciting music. The Chapel and its choir is very grateful for all of this, and the enthusiasm they (almost always) show when they are here. Thank you to all of our boys.

This year we have started training some

of our more experienced choristers to gain Royal School of Church Music awards. This rewards ability in singing hymns, psalms, medieval plainchant and anthems, as well as reading music, listening skills and understanding the role of the choir in the Chapel. 19 boys from the Prep and Upper Schools got their Bronze or Silver awards, including 9 boys from the Prep School with Bronzes, with 6 Distinctions among them. Well done to Alex Brooksbank, Chris Gentry, Henry Gandesha, Ollie Gauntlett, Luke Mitchell, Hugo Morgan, Eben Clarke, James Clements and Henry Hillier, who are below sporting their medals with fancy green ribbons. Purple ribbons, on some of our Upper School candidates, are for Silver Awards, which hopefully will be the next step for some of the Prep School boys in the future.

services the regular Cathedral choir sings from Tuesday to Sunday, and the boys stayed in the same dormitories in which some of the regular choristers sleep during term time. Needless to say, there were many activities, including bowling, go-karting and laser questing, and we had a day out at the seaside in Paignton, where plenty of fun was had on the beach, in the arcades and dodging the seagulls.

Plenty of highlights this year, including some super singing at the Carol Services, and our Christmas outing involved bouncing around and climbing at Xscape.

Our summer tour this year was a week’s singing in Exeter Cathedral. We sang all the

CHAPEL CHOIR

WORDS BY

Mr Keith Roberts, Head of Choral Music and Master in Charge of Chapel Choir

This summer we are going to Normandy for a week (as I write it is only seven days until departure), where we will be staying and singing services at the Abbaye de Mondaye, doing a concert in Bayeux Cathedral, and taking part in D-Day ceremonies – as well as visits to the Bayeux Tapestry, the Normandy landing beaches and Mont St. Michel, and sea-kayaking and zip-wire riding. More on that next year! It has been my privilege and pleasure to work with these gentlemen, and they should all be proud of their efforts this year.

Top and right: boys admitted as full choristers from their probationary period

Sport

The annual Sports Day event, held on a bright and cheerful day, was a magnificent showcase of athletic talent, school spirit, and camaraderie among students and staff. The entire school community came together to celebrate physical prowess, teamwork, and the dedication of every participant. From the morning competition for Year 7 and Year 8 to the final events of the Years 3 to 6, the day was filled with excitement, sportsmanship, and commendable achievements.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this year’s Sports Day was the outstanding effort displayed by all the participants. Every student, regardless of their athletic ability, gave their best in each event they competed in. The sheer determination and perseverance exhibited by everyone were truly inspiring. It was heartening to see students pushing their limits, striving for personal bests, and supporting one another throughout the day.

The enthusiasm and support from each House were palpable, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the day. Students donned their House colours with pride, creating a

SPORTS DAY

WORDS BY Mr Shawn Phillips, Director of Sport

sea of reds, blues, greens, and yellows that brightened up the field. House chants and cheers echoed across the stadium, with each House vying not only for victory but also for the loudest support. The camaraderie and unity within each House were evident, as students cheered on their teammates, offering words of encouragement and celebrating every achievement, big or small. This collective spirit played a significant role in motivating the athletes to perform their best.

The track events were a highlight of the day, featuring some of the closest and most thrilling races we’ve seen in recent years. The sprints were particularly exciting, with

photo finishes that had spectators on the edge of their seats. The relay races were another crowd favourite, with seamless baton exchanges (mostly) and strategic runs that demonstrated excellent teamwork and coordination. Each race was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the athletes.

The field events were equally compelling, with students showcasing their skills in events such as long jump, shot put, and javelin (of differing varieties!) throw.

With many impressive jumps and throws that drew applause from the crowd the competitors can be proud of their achievements.

The sprints were particularly exciting, with photo ﬁnishes that had spectators on the edge of their seats

Determination on show as boys give it all for their Houses

THE RESULTS WERE AS FOLLOWS:

Y3-6

1st - Howard; 2nd - Harpur (by 0.001 points); 3rd - Whitbread; 4th - Bunyan

Y7-8

1st - Howard; 2nd - Whitbread; 3rd - Harpur; 4th - Bunyan COMBINED

1st - Howard; 2nd - Whitbread; 3rd - Harpur; 4th - Bunyan

In summary, this year’s Sports Day was a resounding success, not just in terms of athletic performances but also in fostering a sense of community and school pride. The excellent effort by all participants, the great House support, the close races, and the competitive field events all contributed to a memorable day. It was a celebration of talent, hard work, and the joy of sports, leaving everyone looking forward to next year’s event with great anticipation.

Even the sky is blue. It must mean a Howard victory!

Rugby

U13A team practice in front of the main school

Rugby

WORDS BY

Mr James Hinkins, Director of Rugby

RUGBY REPORT

It was a term of two seasons. A blisteringly hot and dry first half of term followed by a wet, sometimes torrential, second half. Although the latter put pay to a number of fixtures, it didn’t dampen the spirits of the Rugby Club. When accounting for all fixtures played across all levels, we weren’t far off 200 for the term. Boys played a variety of formats against many different opposition, from straight fixtures to festivals and it was a busy and successful term of rugby. With an approximate 50:50 win/loss ratio, the boys had a good balance of competitive fixtures and opportunities to progress in the game. Making progress as a rugby player is important but not the main driving factor as, more importantly, boys learn about themselves, develop valuable personal traits, form close friends and make memories for life.

I would like to thank all staff, for the time and effort they put into their teams, often going above and beyond to give the boys the best experience possible. I would also like to thank the boys as it is them that make the job worthwhile, thank you for giving your best-efforts boys. A final thanks to parents for their unwavering support of the boys and the school rugby club, especially with all the last-minute changes and later than expected returns from away fixtures.

REPORTS FROM AROUND THE CLUB: U13 A

The U13A team have developed very well this year. They won 16 of their 20 games, only losing to a very good Warwick team as well as NSB, however they then drew against the latter in a second fixture showing how much they have improved. Oliver Featherstone captained the team superbly, leading by example on and off the pitch. In the backs Sam Williams has been a prolific scorer, scoring over 70 tries thanks to his power, guile and pace, whilst in the forwards Berty Parry has carried well and Alex O’Cearbhaill has been a menace at the breakdown. If they continue to work as a team and take on board feedback, then they will go from strength to strength.

Mr Dennis

Full colours awarded to: Freddie Payne, Berty Parry, Alex O’Cearbhaill, Josh Stone, Oliver Featherstone, Harry Spencer, Sam Williams, Max Dhillon, Leo Tapp.

Half colours awarded to: Jonathan Deng, Daniel Joaille-Burge, George Kotsidis, Josh Edmundson, Edward Page, Rory Fadairo, George McEntee, Spencer O’Boyle.

Rugby

U13B

The U13B have been a delight to coach this year; they have trained hard, played hard and massively improved as the season progressed. They won 9 out of the 15 matches played, by scoring some stunning tries, tackling hard anything that came towards them and most importantly enjoying their time together be it on or off the pitch. Oscar Wood has been a standout player this year; his confidence has grown on and off the ball, so well done! I wish them luck for their forthcoming rugby seasons where they will continue to get better from training and listening to feedback given. Well done all.

Mr Hone

U13 C

This year’s U13C have had a really good season. Apart from a narrow defeat to the Quinton House A team, the squad have won all their other fixtures. Traditionally strong sides such as the Dragon and Warwick School, have been despatched convincingly. There has been plenty of movement of players between the B, C and D squads this season, so every team that we have fielded has differed from week to week. However, there has been a continuity in approach. We have made it difficult for the opposition to keep possession. They have struggled to live with our tackling and counter-rucking. When we have had the ball we have managed to progress through several phases until the defence has run out of players.

I have been impressed with all the boys who have represented the School at C team level. They started strong but have not been

complacent and have worked hard to develop yet further.

Well done, boys. Enjoy your rugby in the Upper School.

Mr Mallalieu

U13 D

With 7 of their 8 games won, this group of Year 8s can look back on their rugby season with pride. Tackling was an issue in the one game that they lost, away to Warwick, just before half-term. It is a measure of their progress that they were able to inflict Warwick’s only defeat, two weeks later, at home. In this game, and all those that followed, they dominated physically, winning the contact areas with technique, to retain possession or turn over opposition balls. There was pace and strength in the side too - so, when the ball got through hands and out wide, we had two gazelle-like wingers who would convert space into tries. A great season, boys – enjoy your rugby as Year 9s!

Mr Studd

U12 A

It has been fantastic to see the progress made by this team of rugby players. It has been a season of extremes, with some fantastic performances and wins, and with some hard lessons. The highlight of the season must be our incredible results at the Finborough Festival, where direct running, as well as fabulous defensive commitment from every player, saw the team being crowned as the tournament winners. The boys should be incredibly proud of this achievement. There are lessons from our defeats too; most importantly for the boys, having belief in their own ability to win from the first whistle. The defeats they have experienced this year have built their character and moulded them into a better, more organised team. If they can believe in their ability to play fast, accurate rugby with consistency, they will be a team to watch out for in the future. I wish them all the best as they progress to Year 8. Well done, boys.

Mr Loader

U12 B W

hat a pleasure it has been coaching as part of the U12s team! Great enthusiasm, dedication and teamwork were evident throughout the squad from the outset, and each week the quality of play improved, with the calibre of rugby played in the closing stages of the season being the envy of most opposition –expansive, free flowing, with high levels of skill. Win or lose the boys enjoyed their rugby! A veritable rollercoaster of a season ensued, with five wins out of twelve and one draw. Throughout the season a number of players moved between the As, Bs and Cs - testament to the hard work and desire of every individual to improve, week-in, week-out, come rain or shine. A thoroughly enjoyable and successful season.

Well done boys!

Mr Harries

There are lessons from our defeats too; most importantly for the boys, having belief in their own ability to win from the ﬁrst whistle

U12C

Agreat season for the U12Cs this year. A few were moved up to the Bs, and some others were certainly of that standard but there was no room for them. All showed dedication to training and their individual work-ons. Pupils created a great training culture, where they helped each other, worked hard, and had an atmosphere of enjoyment. There was an awards session, where pupils were given awards that the others (and the coaches) had voted for, and it was great to see that pupils had recognised the different skills that each pupil brought to the squad. A thoroughly enjoyable group to coach.

Mr Roger

U12 D

It has been a rather tough season for the U12Ds who have been up against some tough opposition including many B and C teams. However, through hard work and a good team spirit great progress has been made, with the away win against Caldicott being the highlight of the season, playing some very expansive rugby.

Mr Mason

U11 A

It is always about progress, as a team and with a playing style. They certainly stepped up when required. A highlight of the season was the trip down to New Hall where the group grew and grew as the tournament progressed. They started to develop their play, becoming more expansive, and understanding that the wings were the best place to attack. They are aware that they will need to add more steel, as they move up to U12 but are minded to make that step.

Mr Guest

U11 B

The under U11Bs have been outstanding to coach this year. We had a slow start to the season, struggling to find a balance between taking the ball forwards but also finding space out wide. Our defence has grown considerably, with boys becoming more confident with the contact side of the game. The boys always worked hard for one another and left it all out there every time they played, especially in the back end of the season when the weather became a challenge. The highlight for has to be our final try when we had some great carries out wide and then bounced back and shipped the ball to score in the corner. Well done, boys.

Mr Hind

U11 C

This season has seen huge improvements made amongst this group of boys. From the first game against Warwick, where tackling and rucking were extremely limited, to the final match against Winchester House Bs, where every boy made countless tackles and hit endless rucks sums up the season extremely well. The highlight of the season was a hard fought win away to Dragon. Well done, boys.

Mr Heaney

U11 D

Aseason of growth in confidence and skill level for the squad. Several boys passed through making to higher teams as a result of their development and commitment. A variety of styles of matches from touch rugby through reintroduction to

2023 2024

This was achieved in abundance as the team understood their individual super strengths and executed them for the benefi t of the team. It was a really fun season for all involved in the As.

U10 C

The U10Cs have been brilliant to coach this year. We started with a very respectable draw against a strong Calidcott team and the boys took many a forward step after this fixture, continually improving throughout the season. We have been working hard at our tackling and rucking and this year and it was really pleasing to see the progress made. The boys produced convincing wins against Spratton Hall and local rivals BMS, but a particular highlight must be a hard-fought draw away at the Dragon. In a result earnt off the back of a

contact and on to full contact were played. There was much enjoyment shown by the players as results were not thought about but playing to their best ability was. Well done to all boys who donned the U11D shirt this termit’s been fun!

Mr Phillips

U10 A

The U10A enjoyed a fine season with so much progress in skill development, game understanding and team camaraderie. With 15 boys representing the As this year it demonstrates the strength of the Bs as the boys were really able to challenge each other in training preparing them further for their fixtures. The focus for the year was organisation, to allow the boys to showcase their ball skill with exciting and expansive play that created chaos in the opposition defence.

strong defensive performance, it was a game I thought summed up our season. You have been a brilliant team to coach this season, and well done for your efforts.

Mr Lincoln

U10 D

The U10Ds have had a good season and made lots of progress over the term, The U10s have been a pleasure to coach and have worked very hard developing their tackling and passing skills. Some of the boys who started in the Ds moved up to the Cs after some excellent performances in the fixtures. Well done to the whole squad on a very enjoyable season.

Mr Hoggett

Rugby 7s

RUGBY 7s

Unfortunately the weather affected several tournaments this year, but the boys were still able to showcase their skills during the Spring Term. The U11 team played at the Winchester House tournament, finishing 3rd overall playing some great rugby in the process against some very good teams. The U13s also played some excellent rugby, doing well at the Oundle tournament before getting to the semi-finals at the Winchester House tournament. In the showcase event that is Rosslyn Park, the boys won 4 and drew 1 of their games, finishing unbeaten and top of their group

- a superb achievement against some of the top schools in the country.

On an individual level, Sam Williams has had a superb year scoring 79 tries in both formats of the game since September and managed to score in every game that he played in! A phenomenal achievement!

Main photo: Undefeated U13s at Rosslyn Park

Inset: Max Dhillon making a break

WORDS BY

Mr Paul Dennis, U13A team coach

Team group: U13s at Oundle 7s Right: Bedford Prep implement their defensive line at Rosslyn Park

‘Rowing is the magical synthesis of passion, perseverance, and precision.”

— Unknown

I have been fortunate this year to have been involved in coaching the full range of abilities, from the beginners in the Prep School to the Senior Squad in the Upper School. It has been wonderful to witness, firsthand, the successes of not just the boys in the first eight but possibly the fastest second and third eight the school has ever had. Many of these boys started their rowing careers in the Prep School, where their passion for rowing was born.

Rowing is a sport that embodies all our Future Skills Values, developing self discipline, team spirit and amazing resilience. A mentality that will put anyone in good stead for all that life throws at them. It isn’t a surprise that Rowing is such a popular sport at Bedford School. 2023-24 has been no exception. With over 85 of our Year 7 & 8 boys involved in rowing either during games lessons or by attending one of our very popular after school rowing clubs. Boys have rowed in all sorts of boats from octos to single sculls and it has been great to watch them make such good progress. We have seen boys grow from nervous, wobbly scullers in September to being competent

ROWING REPORT

WORDS

BY Miss Imogen Bowis, Rowing Teacher

enough to take part in some fun racing in the summer.

Spring term saw us back to land training on the ergos, working on stamina and technique with fun competitions and challenges, testing both strength and skill. Plenty of progress was made with boys improving their run times on a regular basis, developing their core stability and improving their rowing technique.

May brought Bedford Regatta and some of our Year 7 & 8 boys stepped up, volunteering to man the stake boats. Their professionalism impressed us

all and it gave them a unique opportunity to experience the regatta environment and a race start before beginning their own racing career in the Upper School.

During the heatwave of the last week’s rowing of the summer term, Mr Hone reintroduced the ‘Skills Roulette’ in the single sculls where boys were given challenges of increasing difficulty until they were unsuccessful. It was great to see them challenging themselves to have a go and often surprising themselves with how much they could achieve. Special mention should go to Max Blake who managed to stand on one foot in his boat and stay dry and Hugo Morgan considered himself very lucky when he recovered his balance after a very near capsize.

We finished the term with some fun racing in quads where we mixed the boys with experience and size. Much fun was had by all, finishing the year on a high. I can already see some future stars and will follow their progress with interest, as they move up the school. Congratulations to the ‘Maltesers’ crew, made up of Henry Gandesha, Ailbe Mantini, Alex O’Cearbhaill and Max Blake and a big thank you to the two coxes, Hugo Morgan and Seb Raddan (together with ‘super-sub Mrs Maltby).

My thanks, as always, go to the amazing coaching team; without their dedication and patience, we wouldn’t be able to provide this fabulous experience.

‘‘Rowing is a sport that embodies all our Future Skills Values, developing self discipline, team spirit and amazing resilience’’

Boys practising balancing skills on the River Great Ouse.

CRICKET REPORT

WORDS BY

Mr Simon Lincoln, Head of Cricket

2023

2024

1ST XI CRICKET REPORT

It was always going to be challenging to match the success of the 2023 season, especially without a pre-season tour to Cape Town. However, with key players returning and new talent emerging from last year’s 2nd XI and U11s, there was hope for another successful season.

The cup run didn’t meet our expectations, with early round losses to strong teams from The Dragon and St Martins schools, in the David English Cup and IAPS, respectively. Despite these setbacks, our focus on individual skill development and improved

Above: Freddie steps up to bowl

team fielding through better execution and game management paid off. We made significant progress, enabling us to close out some tight games.

Notable victories included a double win against Caldicott School, both home and away, and a win against Derbyshire U13s. Another highlight was a tense match against Merchant Taylors School, which we won thanks to a superb closing spell by Leo Tapp. We set a target of 166 off 25 overs, anchored by a brilliant 53 not out from Harry Spencer. This result was even more special as we were the only school side to beat them this season. The

Josh Edmundson

Harry Spencer

Gilbert Kirkby

George McEntee

Oliver Featherstone

Jake Woodrow

Seb Pointer

Hugo Vincent

Most

Freddie

Samarth Serish

Ben Brading

Kush

Gantra

Finn Driver

Freddie Payne

season was finished with a very enjoyable T10 competition which they won in a very close round robin tournament thanks to a single bonus point. Well done to all the boys on their commitment to improve, the fantastic sportsmanship and teamwork they showed throughout the season to make it such an enjoyable year.

Left:U13A team in action in front of the main school

Full Colours Awarded to: Leo Tapp

Half Colours Awarded to:

Gibbs

Individual Awards Bowling Cup: Leo Tapp Batting Cup: Josh Edmundson

All-Rounder Cup: Harry Spencer Fielding Cup: Leo Tapp

Improved Players: Gilbert Kirkby and Ben Brading

CRICKET HONOURS

Above: T10 victors Left: U13A team host Cornwall Hill College from South Africa

Cricket

U8 & U9

A term of training and a few matches has seen all boys improve their skills of bowling, batting and fielding through hard work. The U8s played against Stamford and Bilton Grange with results being shared equally. The experience of having to stand in a set fielding position was a challenge but, ultimately, the understanding of the process grew. The U9s played against Spratton Hall, MK Prep, Kingshott & Akeley Wood. Much promise was shown, and we look forward to them progressing next year as they approach hard ball cricket.

U10A

A 100% success rate is always a satisfying record to hold but, of greater significance, this group developed their skillset and game awareness over the term. As a bowling unit, we were accurate in spells but, collectively, inconsistent with length. While lesser opponents failed to capitalise, stronger batsmen did, as was the case at Caldicott. The two Williams, Woodrow and Saunders, and Finn Spicer are the good standard they must aspire to. When Arka Athreya found his length, he was a real handful.

An encouraging aspect of each performance was our ground fielding. No need for the traditional call for ‘walking in’, this side were ready for any quick single and the accuracy of their throwing was electric. 14 run outs in total! In Aveer Nagpal, we had a quick set of feet and hands behind the stumps. 14 stumpings in 5 games is an impressive statistic.

With bat in hand, we were a solid outfit in the top order. Aveer Nagpal was our prolific run-scorer, but he was ably supported by Will Saunders, Finn Spicer and Theo

Weresczcynski. Their running between wickets however still resembles a 400m race! There is great potential here but much work to be done.

U10B

It was a very enjoyable season for the U10Bs who really kicked on and developed as a team. The highlight of the year was beating Caldicott School away having lost to them early on in the year. It was lovely to see George Payton move up from the Cs and hold his own in the Bs as well as Joe Southon whose hard on his technique made him a permanent fixture in the As. Well done too all the B team, this group of lads always played with good spirits and gave 100%; they should go far in the next couple of years.

UNDER 10C

The U10 C team enjoyed an action-packed fixture schedule this term. They played with enthusiasm and their team spirit grew as the term progressed. Led ably by Guiseppe Rampello, they won many of their games and should look forward to playing hard ball cricket soon.

U10D

The best U10D side for several years according to Mr Collier, the players were brilliant in training as well as in the matches. They all demonstrated great commitment in the field and sensible, but attacking, batting. Their target is to reduce the amount of no ball and wides when bowling. If this is done then they will progress nicely.

U 11A

This was a tough but promising season for the U11A team. After a good, close win against

Spratton Hall the boys struggled to get over the line in lots of tight games. However, a real indicator of the progress made was pushing Caldicott to the final over, eventually losing by 4 runs. Having lost handsomely to the same team earlier in the year this showed fantastic resilience and learning. The boys finished strongly beating Bilton Grange to end the season on a high. One of the strengths of the group is the fact that from 1-12 they can all bowl and all bat which bodes well for the future.

U11B

The U11Bs had a mixed group of results this season with 4 wins and 3 losses, however the cricket they produced improved as the season went on. The boys consistently played with a good attitude and were positive in their approach to the game. It was excellent to see some stand out batting and bowling performances throughout the season. Well done to all the boys who have played for the Bs and continue your hard work over the off-season.

U11C

A difficult season which saw the team defeated narrowly in every game. On the positive side of things our bowling greatly improved between our first game and last with wides being the top scorer on the first game and only a handful of wides being bowled in our last. Our fielding and running between the wickets also become better. However, with more practice over the winter and summer, this group of boys should do well next summer.

U12A /3RD XI

As Newbolt observed, when the U12As/3rd team played there was always a breathless hush in the Close. A season defined by the pursuit of risk and reward! They took their cue to always “Play up! Play up! and play the game!”

They finished the season with a mixed record, with the aim to always try and build an innings, “you should be there for a long time, not just a good time.” Occasionally shot selection proved to be too tempting an ask to not indulge.

Great stuff from our two leaders, Harrison Ayers and Joe Willard, supported by Albie, Charlie, Jasper, Jacob, Arthur et al. The most pleasing aspect of the season was that they all grew as cricketers and will have taken a great deal moving forward into next year.

U12B

A successful summer term for the 5th XI

(U12Bs) saw eleven of the fourteen scheduled matches played, with only three being cancelled due to inclement weather. Seven wins out of the remaining eleven reflected the competitive nature of the fixtures with the standout being the return match against Kimbolton U12As. Having lost away earlier in the term the U12Bs set a total of 118 for 9 off their 20 overs for Kimbolton to chase. Tight bowling and energetic fielding kept the Kimbolton run rate down, but it was always going to be close. With 11 runs needed from the last over the stage was set for a nail-biter. Eventually it came down to the last ball of the game, with Kimbolton requiring 4 runs to win. With the only options being to hit a boundary or run the four, Bedford set the field. The last delivery was bowled, the ensuing shot was played and the Kimbolton pair started to run. A safe pair of hands gathered the ball at deep point and an accurate throw into the awaiting wicket keeper resulted in the bails being removed as the Kimbolton pair turned for their third run. A Bedford win by one run! A fitting result to a game played in the right spirit, and one that reflected the U12Bs cricket season. A pleasure to coach and umpire - well done the U12Bs!

U12C

The under 12 C team definitely could describe their season as a success, losing only two matches throughout the season against tough opposition. The team was led brilliantly by wicket keeper and top order batsman Joe Hill, whose energy and enthusiasm not only to win but also to enjoy the game was infectious for all. The squad changed throughout the season which made competition for places high and adding an extra bit of bite to training. Our strongest part of our game had to be our bowling which only got better as the season went on. The boys were energetic and positive in the field, offering words of encouragement to the bowler and making sure that we had a ‘buzz’ throughout the match. Special mentions must go to Riddha Athreya who batted at the top of the order throughout the season and retired not out on more than one occasion, as well as Sam Parrish and Kian Walia who bowled consistently and accurately despite being late additions to the side.

U12D

I knew it was going to be a great season when, in the first session, we had 30+ boys playing a very energetic and fun game of non-stop cricket. Abdullah Ismath’s catch in the deep stole the show, earning him the first “champagne moment” of the season, not just for his balance and control but also for his

“drop the mic” celebration and nodding to an imaginary IPL crowd. That definitely set the levels. From that moment, it was clear that this group had something special. In their unbeaten season, Oscar McCartie exemplified outstanding leadership and organisational skills, consistently guiding the team, and delivering remarkable personal bowling performances. It was a real pleasure to see him manage the many inevitable challenges with patience, understanding and calm. Our squad’s growth was remarkable, with such great steps being taken in our training sessions. At one point, we had 16-18 boys eager to learn and support each other. All hungry for opportunities, and always with a smile.

U13D (6TH TEAM)

Well done to all of the boys who played in this squad this season. The bowling and batting were shared around, so all boys got plenty of cricket. On the whole, the team played really well all season and when they played other U13D teams, they tended to win the game, it was only against other schools C or B teams, where the team came up slightly short but by no means did they let themselves down. Excellent wins were secured against Berkhamsted, Merchant Taylors and Caldicott twice. A special mention to Luke Mitchell who had never kept wicket before but did an excellent job in all of the games.

U13C CRICKET

A fun season for the U13C cricket team in which 15 players represented the side over the term with a rotation of the players happening each match. Despite some changeable weather there were only two cancellations allowing the team to compete in 9 matches

altogether. Their all-round game improved with time showing that their enthusiasm for the game helped them reach a pleasing standard. Well captained by Rossi Noto, king of the rock/paper/scissors, the team showed confidence in their abilities by winning some tight games as well as dominating others. Runs, wickets, catches and run outs were shared around meaning that all played their part over the term. Their two losses came against Caldicott, who they later got revenge on by winning the return fixture, and a strong Merchant Taylors’ School. Fine wins were achieved over Berkhamsted, Aldwickbury, Kimbolton U13B, Bishop’s Stortford U13B (on the last ball of the game), Caldicott and Swanbourne U13B demonstrated their determination and willingness to play positive cricket. An exciting tie with Chigwell U13B was a result to keep all players and spectators on their toes.

2ND XI

A fantastic year for the Prep School 2nd XI. It has been a pleasure watching their development. Their progress has been undeniable, both in terms of their skill level and their understanding of the game, and Freddie Payne improved fantastically in his role as captain, manipulating field placings so as to protect runs and pressurize batsmen. Some noticeable moments include several superb batting performances from Joe Willard, Ben Brading, Chris Gentry, Albie Hanbury, Kush Ganatra and Ned Neale, backed up by some superb bowling performances by Josh Tsang, Rory Fadairo, Aarnav Varaganti, Eben Clarke and Berty Parry, have meant this team can look forward to great success in the future. Well done to all.

Swimming

This year Swimming has been excellent. There have been many improvements throughout the year. We will start with the under 8s and 9s.

They had a friendly against Pilgrims School and although no scores were recorded, they have significantly improved this year. We look forward to seeing them progress through the Prep School.

The under 10s, 11s, 12s and 13s all had two fixtures this year with a convincing win against Beechwood and later in the term we had a narrow loss to St Faith’s.

Next came the IAPS qualifiers at Bishops Stortford School where the Bedford boys had a strong

performance. Due to the high standard of competition this year we only had a handful of qualifiers for the finals.

Thomas Gray from Year 6, Luke Toland from year 7 and five Year 8s qualified for individuals and relays made up of Monty Adams, Lucas Northey, Arlo Mallison, George Kotsidis and Christopher Irving Gamble.

The finals took place on the 8th June at the London Aquatics Centre in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It was a fantastic day and a great experience for all involved. Many thanks to the teachers that joined us in London for the very early start.

THE RESULTS

■ THOMAS GRAY came 17th in the individual 50m backstroke with a time of 40.76 seconds.

■ LUKE TOLAND came an impressive 9th in the individual 50m breaststroke with a time of 42.22 seconds.

■ LUCAS NORTHEY came in 17th in the individual 50m breaststroke with a time of 41.03 seconds.

■ ARLO MALLISON came in 14th in the individual 50m backstroke with a time of 37.18 seconds.

■ GEORGE KOTSIDIS came in 17th in the individual 50m freestyle with a time of 31.24 seconds.

■ The Year 8 team came 13th in the medley relay with a time of 1 minute and 5.96 seconds.

■ And ﬁnally the Year 8 team came 14th in the freestyle relay with a time of 58.05 seconds.

■ Congratulations to the Bedford Swimming team. And a huge congratulations to all the boys that achieved their swimming colours this year.

SWIMMING REPORT

Year 8 pupil

WORDS BY Monty Adams

GOLF REPORT

It’s been another busy and exciting season for the golf squad this year. Every Tuesday night, pupils gathered at The Bedfordshire Golf Club participating in weekly visits to hone their skills. In addition to these regular sessions, the golfers dedicated countless hours to lessons in the golf simulator and played numerous rounds at their home courses. Amidst all this practice, they also found time to compete in a range of fixtures and tournaments, showcasing their talent and hard work.

One of the highlights of the season was the BPS Open, held as a 9-hole competition at The Bedfordshire Junior Course. The event was a great success, with the following results:

WINNERS

BPS OPEN CHAMPION: Oliver Gauntlett

Another notable achievement was the performance of the A team, consisting of Oliver Gauntlett and Nathan Nolan, who qualified for the ISGA League Finals. They secured their spot by triumphing over Cothill School Oxford on their home turf. The finals took place at Radley School, where both boys performed admirably, finishing in 4th place. The very next day, Caelen Standen joined Oliver and Nathan for the ISGA Open at Drayton Park Golf Club in Oxford. Despite the heat, the team had a fantastic day, with Nathan finishing 5th and Oliver 10th, contributing to BPS’s overall 5th place in the tournament.

Y7 & 8 RUNNER-UP: Caelen Standen

Y5 & 6 WINNER: Jack Greenwood

Y5 & 6 RUNNER-UP: William Saunders

LONGEST DRIVE: Caelen Standen

NEAREST THE PIN: Monty Pool

The most anticipated event of the year was undoubtedly the annual Staff vs. The Boys match. Played in a Ryder Cup better ball format, this competition was fiercely contested, with both teams vying for bragging

rights. In a closely fought battle, the boys sank some crucial putts on the final to snatch the momentum from the staff, ultimately securing a well-deserved 2-2 draw.

Reflecting on the season, it’s clear that the golf squad has made significant strides, both in terms of skill development and competitive achievements. Their dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship have been exemplary, and we look forward to seeing what they will accomplish next year.

Congratulations to all the players for an outstanding season!

FULL GOLF COLOURS

Oliver Gauntlett

WORDS BY Mr Simon Lincoln, Bedford Prep School

Hockey

HOCKEY REPORT

WORDS BY

Mr Dan Mason, Head of Hockey

The depth of talent and quality shown on the hockey pitch this year was truly impressive. We witnessed thrilling fixtures, nail-biting finishes and outrageous comebacks that kept us on the edge of our seats and, with over 200 fixtures being played, we had plenty of hockey to enjoy.

U13

It was a mixed season for the U13As. They started strong with impressive wins against Hitchin and Winchester House, where Freddie Gibbs and Ned Neale, both playing a year up, more than held their own. The boys were unfortunate not to progress further in their IAPs cup tournament but showcased their skill by winning the plate competition. Their attacking hockey was a delight to watch, with Joshua Edmundson being a stalwart in defence and Albie Hanbury and Oliver Featherstone tirelessly working in midfield and up front. This superb bunch of lads is poised to achieve great things in their hockey careers.

The U13Bs had a fantastic year, demonstrating real class throughout the team. Freddie Payne and Oscar Wood made

excellent decisions with the ball, contributing to the team’s overall success. Very few teams could match the class and fitness levels of Max Dhillon and Joshua Stone in midfield, while Henri Helm, Sam Williams and Seb Pointer consistently displayed excellent attacking play, always hungry for goals. Standout performances included a decisive 4-0 victory against St Faiths and a commendable 3-1 win against a very strong Bilton Grange side.

The U13C team enjoyed a hugely successful season with six wins and two losses. Their hard work on stick skills and game management paid off, leading to significant progress throughout the season. This was reflected in two incredible comebacks in the latter part of the season. Against Felsted, they turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 victory, and against Bilton Grange, they overcame a 4-2

disadvantage to win 5-4. The team scored some fantastic goals, with Spencer O’Boyle achieving two hat tricks, thanks to excellent assists from Maxi Wereszczyski and Arthur Ricketts.

The U13Ds had a very successful season, achieving six wins, one draw, and two losses. Their development and work ethic over the season were commendable, with significant improvements in game management and stick skills as the season progressed. These improvements were evident in their fine performances, reflecting their dedication and hard work.

It took some time for the U12As to find their feet in terms of understanding their defensive and attacking roles, but they matched their opponents’ energy levels and demonstrated

The depth of talent and quality shown on the hockey pitch this year was truly impressive

U13A action against Maidwell Hall School

Y7 boys enjoy a coaching session from the 1st XI

a resilient attitude.

Goalkeeper Ben Brading often spent spells of games spectating, but he was always ready when called upon, making outstanding blocks and decisions that often saved the day. Many players in this team genuinely enjoy the sport and show great promise for playing highergrade hockey in the future.

The U12Ds had a great year, really gelling as a team. Highlights included high-scoring games against Bilton Grange and Winchester House, as well as a closely contested match against Hitchin Boys. Arjun Dey and Rory McDonald played pivotal roles throughout the season, contributing to the team’s overall success and cohesion.

Y6

The U11s season was marked by significant development and week-to-week improvement. A major highlight was the outstanding team performance of the A squad at the IAPs tournament, where they were very unfortunately knocked out in the cup semifinal. Despite this setback, their progress was commendable. The Bs, Cs, and Ds worked hard throughout the season, focusing on improving their basic skills and adhering to their structure. It was encouraging to see many boys showcasing their skills and moving up through the teams, demonstrating the depth of talent in this age group.

The U12Bs had a year of fantastic progress, developing both their understanding of team shape and the ability to move the ball at speed. This resulted in some beautiful play, with the team often dominating possession and territory in their games. This is a talented group and the sky’s the limit for them.

Kudos to the U12Cs for their significant improvement this season. The team focused on shape and working back in defence and, by the end of the season, their efforts paid off. They looked impressive and racked up numerous team goals. Their development was a testament to their hard work and dedication.

U13A team receive their IAPS Plate winners certificates from Mr Hodgson

FULL COLOURS

Jake Woodrow

Josh Edmundson

Edward Page

George Kotsidis

Oliver Featherstone

Albie Hanbury

Harry Spencer

HALF COLOURS

Sam Williams

George McEntee

Alex O’Cearbhaill

Y5

The U10 teams made significant strides this year, showing promising potential if they can apply themselves as a cohesive group. Standout results included big wins for all teams against Kimbolton and a notable victory for the U10As over the BPS U11B team. The B team provided strong competition for the A team, and the Cs went the entire season unbeaten, which is a superb achievement. Additionally, it was pleasing to see 15 boys represent the D team, indicating a real strength in depth.

Y3&4

All Year 3 and Year 4 boys had the opportunity to play hockey matches against other schools this term. They experienced various formats, ranging from 4-a-side on one-eighth size pitches to 7-a-side on half pitches. The players showed notable development in their personal skills and a growing enjoyment of the game over the term. They are continuing to work on playing as a team and improving their understanding of positional play. The chance to play on hockey astros was particularly appreciated and significantly aided their skill development.

My personal highlight from the season occurred on a dark December evening, when the Upper School’s first XI squad came down to the Gordon Fields to coach the prep school squads.The camaraderie and mentorship displayed by our senior players was heartwarming, reinforcing the values we strive to instil in all our athletes. The future of our hockey programme is indeed bright, and we can’t wait to see what next season holds for these talented and determined young players. Well done to the following boys for achieving their full and half colours this year. I know you will go on to achieve some fantastic things in hockey.

Bedford Preparatory School

Abubakar, Muhammed Adams, Monty Ayers, Harrison Beckham, Aidan Blake, Max Brooksbank, Alex

Byrne, Matthew

Chawla, Arjun

Dale, Cameron Deng, Jonathan Dhillon, Max

Driver, Finlay

Edmundson, Joshua Eniola, Ethan Fadairo, Rory

Featherstone, Oliver Fleming, Archie

Ganatra, Kush Gandesha, Henry Garara-Patel, Shray Gauntlett, Oliver

Gentry, Christopher Gibson, Alexander

Gullapelly, Kshetra Hanbury, Albert Hayes, Conor Helm, Henri Hill, Lucas Irving Gamble, Christopher

Chater, Bay

Joaille-Burge, Daniel Jordan, Kyriq-Omari Kenmore, Harry Khalid, Ibrahim Kirkby, Gilbert Kotsidis, George

Lucas, Joseph Mallison, Arlo Mantini, Ailbe

McEntee, George McLynn, Haris Milioto, Angelo

Mitchell, Luke Morgan, Hugo Morgan, Samuel Murray, Michael Northey, Lucas Noto, Rossi

O’Boyle, Spencer O’Cearbhaill, Alexander Otulana, Michael Ozbay, Bora Page, Edward Parry, Berty

Patel, Shreyan Pattni, Khushal Payne, Freddie Plumley, George Pointer, Sebastian Purdie, Adam

Bedford Preparatory School

Ricketts, Arthur Roberts, Joseph Sagar, Aaryan Sharp, Henry

Spencer, Harry Standen, Caelan

Stone, Joshua Sun, Martin

Tsang, Joshua

Varaganti, Aarnav Vincent, Hugo Warner, Henry

Williams, Samuel

Raddan, Sebastian Raghunath, Abhay

Sinclair, Cayo Sivasenthan, Juvan

Tapp, Leo Thornton-Firkin, Arthur

Wegrostek, Aiden Wereszczynski, Maximilian

Wong, Zachary Wood, Oscar

Woodhouse, Alexander

Worboys, Joshua Yeung, Ted

Yuen, Joshua Zhang, Simon Woodrow, Jake

Wilson, Jayden

Credits

YEAR 3 01

Akhtar, Elias 02

Elanko, Kaveish 03

House Art Exhibition Opening

YEAR 5 01

Barber, Oliver 02

Niravane, Arjun 03

Hinkins, Jasper 04

Smith, Callum

YEAR 7 05

Gibson, Alex

YEAR 5 01

Kuei, Ethan 02

Simms, Hector 03

Macey White, Arthur 04

Barker, Tommy 05

Willis, Oliver 06

Niravane, Arjun 07

Smith, Callum 08

Barber, Oliver 09

Hinkins, Jasper 10

Barber, Oliver 11

Hurley, Paddy 12

Hinkins, Jasper 13

Paull, Will 14

Sehmbey, Jay

ART CREDITS

Page 28 -31

YEAR 6 15

Lociento, Jacobo 16

Myers, Sam 17

Navarro-Mosquera, Javier 18

Parrish, Henry 19

Parry, Hector 20

Wootton, William

YEAR 7 21

Athreya, Riddha 22

Baig, Abbas 23

Baker, Gene 24

Bodfield, Seb 25

Campbell, Noah 26

Clarke, Eben 27

Dailey, Isaac 28

Fraile - Lara, Marcos 29

Hendry, Thomas 30

Holt, James 31

Katechia, Dhan 32

Kumar, Rishit

Parting shot

Above: Prep School boys cleverly crafted poigant poppies from recycled drinks bottles to mark Remembrance Sunday 2023

Photo: House Drama