News from The Prep

THE PREP NEWS FROM THE PREP

There is an uncomfortable sense of deja vu as I sit here summarising the position The Prep finds itself in and writing, ‘the last twelve months has been challenging and extraordinary but the future is bright and exciting’. I expressed similar sentiments 12 months ago with the hope that the Covid days were behind us. That, as we know, proved to be a very false dawn and the last year has undoubtedly been tougher than the previous one. However despite the obstacles put in our way, The Prep had an outstanding year. Online education went from strength to strength, when necessary, but for the majority of the year we had happy children, in school, with their friends, learning. There were, of course, lots of restrictions on what activities could take place, but the talk was always of what we could do, rather than what we could not. In particularly trying circumstances the year was a great success and our Year 8s did us proud; an outstanding set of Common Entrance results was concluded with an amazing Leavers Programme. We even managed to get the Year 8 parents in (very socially distanced!) for Speech Day!

Things really do look different for the coming year: assemblies, Chapel, plays, fixtures and trips will all return in person, not virtually, and ‘bubbles’ will have gone. One of the great strengths of The Prep is how the children mix with likeminded souls. Look outside and a group will be kicking a ball around, or in the DT room, another group will be working on the e-racing kart while another group will be working together in the Library - those groups will be mixed with different years and genders - it will simply be children doing something they love, regardless of age.

The Pre-Prep has had a complete refurbishment over the Summer and looks spectacular. The first brick of the new Nursery was expected to be laid in October ready for 2022-23. The Year 8s will all be participating in The Chadwick Programme in the coming year - a new leadership course, that will see every one of them challenged and giving their very best both within the school and beyond it into the local community.

Numbers remain at a 15 year high and the sense of excitement is palpable for the year ahead.

Sport at The Prep

After 12 months without trips to other schools, the return of competitive fixtures at the start of the Summer Term brought unprecedented levels of excitement.

Sadly, the early weeks of the Summer Term also brought unprecedented rainfall, repeatedly forcing cancellations and disappointed children, teachers, ground staff and coach drivers. Finally, the sunshine broke through and the boys and the girls were able to grab their bats and take to the field to represent the school again. A particular highlight of the year was the introduction of the new girls’ cricket programme and a swimming gala with Cheltenham Ladies’ College. The latter being much needed after nearly 18 months out of the pool for many of our young swimmers. Scores were recorded in all of our sports matches however, more than ever this year, it was really all about the joy of piling onto a bus with friends and heading off to another school and playing sport.

The last year has seen much disappointment with pupils not able to have their one chance to play for The Prep 1st team in hockey, rugby or netball, with swimmers unable to compete and with our overseas tour cancelled, however the children and the coaching staff have brought boundless enthusiasm to every session on the fields. We have explored new territory with sessions in Gaelic football, girls’ rugby, boys’ netball and Aussie Rules whilst using the time to develop the children in ways we often don’t have time to work on. That being said, we look forward to the coming year and a chance to return back to ‘normality’ – especially with the return of The Prep’s outstanding match teas.

Mr Tom O’Sullivan Head, Cheltenham Prep

THE PREP Creative Arts at The Prep

‘The show must go on…’ and indeed it did at The Prep this year. Whilst we could not welcome audiences into the school for many of our usual performances, we still delivered an array of productions.

Day-by-day and week-by-week our pupils became more accustomed to performing in Chapel services via video link, undertaking online music exams and utilising technology to continue as much practical musicmaking as they could. Various virtual groups (both pupils and staff) came together to produce videos for the whole school, with several of them being featured on local radio.

Drama flexed and adapted in much the same way as Music at The Prep. Rehearsals all moved online, and film versions of the annual Shakespeare plays were produced in the Autumn Term. Christmas productions were also a novelty, with many angels, shepherds and reindeers captured for all eternity on digital video. During the Spring and Summer Terms, The Prep children filmed our most ambitious production yet. Code Zero is a contemporary drama which was filmed on location around the whole site. The story centres on two teenagers who get in trouble with the police. This was shared with the school community and online.

We look forward to hearing the applause of the audience once again in the coming year.

THE PREP Academic Life at The Prep

The classrooms at The Prep were once again bursting with enthusiasm and dynamic teaching and learning in September as we returned to the school for the Autumn Term.

This enthusiasm was unwavering as we moved in and out of remote learning during the year and everyone, both staff and pupils, demonstrated great adaptability and creativity to continue to move their learning forward.

Online, the ‘Take One…’ project was a particular highlight as we collaborated with The Ashmolean Museum for a day of unique, selfdirected activity for the whole school. Our Year 8s acted as true leaders and role models for the rest of the school during these activities and enabled everyone to explore their passions and interests during the event.

Back together again at The Prep for the Summer Term, we enjoyed the usual extraordinary lessons and learning experiences. Outdoor Learning was used to enrich everything from Maths to Science to Art. We were delighted to continue our links with Gakushuin School in Japan, writing to our new pen pals. We hope to begin a full schedule of educational trips, both at home and overseas, as soon as we can. Whilst there are so many academic achievements and events that we could recognise this year, what we must put on record is the fantastic attitude of our pupils throughout this rather different year. Everyone embraced change and challenge, recognised mistake making as a fundamental part of learning, were not afraid of ‘hard stuff’ and achieved highly.

Thank you to our staff for their continued focus on wellbeing and supporting pupils’ emotional needs. The results of everyone’s efforts are visible in the engaged, happy children that leave The Prep each day and our continued high level of attainment in scholarships awarded.

PREP VALETE VALETE

Our Fond Farewells from The Prep

Dickon Baird

Dickon has been Head of History and Head of Boarding at The Prep since 2017. Throughout his time at The Prep he has been a role model for both boarders, historians and our pupil body as a whole; displaying an incredible work ethic, passion for communication and love of prep school life.

The boarders at The Prep have benefitted hugely from Dickon and Lucy’s passion for prep school life. Their influence on the Boarding House has ensured that it truly is a home-from-home for our Boarders who have had a range of brilliant experiences under the Baird’s care. The memories made for our Boarders, both in-house and on the amazing trips and farm camping weekends, will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

As Head of History, Dickon has inspired many young minds to engage with, and achieve within, the subject. This is evidenced not least by our pupil’s continued annual successes in the Warner-Townsend History Prize.

Dickon, Lucy and Harry leave us as Dickon takes up a Deputy Headship at Westbrook Hay Prep School. We wish them all the very best in the next step of their prep school journey.

Lucy Baird

Lucy joined The Prep in September 2014, moving into Waterfield Close. She was quickly involved in life in the Boarding House, helping with movie nights and more on a weekly basis. In 2017 she and Dickon moved into the Boarding House as Dickon took on the role of Head of Boarding.

Lucy has played her part in life across all areas of The Prep. On the academic front, she joined the Science Department in 2015 as maternity cover and completed her PGCE. She has been responsible for many amazing lessons and activities, with camera links back to her parent’s farm a particular highlight for many of the pupils. Lucy has also been a stalwart of staff activities – shooter for the netball team, goal scorer in hockey and winner of art competitions, she really can do it all.

Asked to describe Mrs Baird, our pupils summed her up perfectly: ‘Kind, caring, fun, gentle and fair’.

Jonny Bass

Jonny is leaving The Prep, but he is not moving far, as he will join College from next year as a teacher of History.

Throughout his time at The Prep Jonny has been a valued and loved member of the Common Room and has contributed to all aspects of life at The Prep. He has worked tirelessly as both Form Teacher and teacher, and the pupils he has taught will we know be pleased to see him again as they graduate to College and arrive for their History lessons.

Jonny’s Prep colleagues have said that they will miss so much about him. However they have also confessed that they will enjoy the increased availability of flapjacks in the Common Room, as they wave goodbye to a man that it is claimed has more flapjack than water in his body. Good luck at College Jonny!

Geraldine Bedford

Geraldine has been at the Prep since 2013 as a Learning Support Worker. During her time here she has worked in most classes, with a focus on Year 3. She has led intervention groups, created resources, talked, listened and, most importantly, played a crucial role in the lives of so many children.

Pupils at The Prep are incredibly fond of Geraldine and they have all benefitted greatly from her influence. Her legacy will live on in their successes in the years to come and also in the ‘Chill and Chat’ sessions that will continue in Lower School. Geraldine is credited with naming and founding this scheme which has supported so many children over the years.

Geraldine will be remembered by all of her colleagues as smiley, happy and bubbly. Thank you Geraldine for all that you have given to The Prep.

Gemma has worked at The Prep (then known as The Junior) for 10 academic years. She started in The Coach House working with Years 3-8 and she has worked with Nursery, Year 1 and Year 2 since starting in the Pre-Prep.

There is nothing that Gemma cannot do. She joined the Pre-Prep in 2014 and she has crafted her trade, confidence and experience in this time. She is an exceptional Teaching Assistant and friend. If you look up Teaching Assistant in the dictionary, you will find Gemma Bishop.

As well as supporting the children, Gemma has provided the very best support for the teachers she is working with. We will all miss the little sweet treats left on our desks throughout the day. We are so pleased that Gemma is leaving to do her PGCE. Teaching really is the perfect job for her and she will be a fantastic teacher.

Harriet Boland

Harriet has been a part of The Prep community for several years now. She initially began her time at The Prep supporting games lessons, but over the past two years she has joined us to complete her PGCE. It was during Harriet’s post-grad year that she discovered her passion for teaching in Lower School and she has been a valued member of the team ever since – loved by colleagues and pupils alike.

Despite undertaking her training during the most challenging of academic years, Harriet has excelled, she is certainly now well-versed in delivering remote learning and running schemes for keyworker children. We hope she will never have to use those skills again!

Everyone in Lower School and the Boarding House will miss Harriet as she begins her first ‘proper’ role teaching a Year 4 class a little nearer to home. We wish her every success.

Rachael Buttress

Rachael departs Cheltenham Pre-Prep this year for a new opportunity as Head of Pre-Prep at Cheltenham Muscat. Whilst this new challenge may seem daunting at first, it is nothing compared to the adventure she has had over the past 25 years at The Prep.

Rachael joined the Junior School in 1996 as a fresh-faced NQT to learn her trade. She quickly settled into the reception team and developed her skills and expertise as an early years teacher. In 2013 Rachael became the Head of Pre-Prep and has not just supported our young pupils to grow and develop, but has also inspired many staff members to follow their dreams and become teachers.

Rachael will be remembered by her colleagues as level-headed, professional, energetic and lots of fun to work with. We’re pleased that you are not leaving the Cheltenham family completely, and that your adventure continues beyond this first quarter of a century!

Catherine Ellis

Catherine has been an incredibly valued member of her team, full of fun and always up for any challenge. Everyone at The Prep loved her lessons and she regularly brought a host of fresh ideas to the Department, as well as a very welcome understanding of new technologies!

Catherine embraced games teaching and took it on with a great attitude and empathy. A highlight was her taking part in the Department dance routine for the Christmas pantomime. Catherine had not danced before but she got stuck in and had a hilarious time choreographing and rehearsing during lunch breaks. Catherine will be remembered as a brilliant team player, always sharing ideas and resources. She will be sorely missed.

Tilly Farr

Tilly joined the Pre-Prep in 2012 as a Teaching Assistant before completing her PGCE and joining us as a class teacher. Tilly’s enthusiasm, energy and sense of fun will be incredibly hard to replace. They often outstrip those of the lively young children that she has been teaching – quite an achievement! Throughout her time in the Nursery and Reception, Tilly has approached every day, lesson and teaching challenge with an incredible level of positive energy and we are all so incredibly grateful for her efforts.

Tilly’s communications skills with parents, pupils and other staff members are second to none, apart from when it comes to saying ‘no’. She never turns down a challenge and will never be forgotten as some of her greatest moments in the Pre-Prep have been saved digitally due to taking place during lockdown learning. Who will ever forget the exercise and the weekend floss dance videos?!