From the Headmaster
Asusual,thishasbeenaverybusytermandIhopeyou enjoyreadingaboutsomeofthehighlightsinthefollowing pages.
Weareconstantlyreviewingwhatweofferandasasmall school,arenimbleintermsofbeingabletoimplementnew ideas.Inrecentyears,thishasincludedmajorchangestothe curriculumatthePrependoftheschool. Thistermsawfurtherrevisionstothetimetablewhichhave allowedforacomprehensiveenrichmentprogrammetobe introducedforchildreninYears5to8. ThanksgotoRuth Burton-Haigh,(DirectorofStudiesandHeadofMaths)and AdamBardouleau(HeadofPE,Year5FormTeacherand PastoralLead),whomastermindedtheprogramme,andto allthestaffwho,intypicalfashion,haveembracedthe changesandencouragedchildreninahostofnewactivities. (Seepages8-9)Thisinitiativebuildsonourwell-established LeadershipProgrammeandcomplementstheYear7 BusinessEnterpriseProject. (seepage6).
Morethanever,thesoftskillsfosteredbytheBusiness Enterpriseproject,whichincludecommunication, teamworkanddecisionmaking,arevitallyimportant,not onlyforseniorschools,butforlifeafterwards.Senior schoolsoftencommentonhowwellpreparedDHchildren areandatourrecentHeads’Forum,DominicMott,Head atHurstandDominicOliver,HeadatLancing,saidthat
AnewgenerationofDHchildrenenjoyedtheview ontheirfirstdayofschoolinSeptember.
ourchildrenstandout.Theyweredescribedas `independent,motivatedandreflective’and‘..allindividual andopentotryingnewthings’.
Thesupportthechildrenreceivedfromparentsand grandparentsduringthisprojectistypicalofthehome/ schoolrelationshipwhichissuchanimportantpartoflifeat DorsetHouse.
Thisterm,wehavereceivedtremendoussupportfromyou andImustthankRobBoughton,who,alongwiththe Parents’Association,enabledtheresurfacingandextension oftheAstrowhichisinconstantuse.
ThePA,ledbyCo-ChairsJoWinterandNickyMills togetherwithEmmaMair,workedtirelesslyonthe spectacularChristmasMarket.Thankyoutoallinvolved. Wearelookingforwaystoincreaseparentandgrandparent involvementinthechildren’sschoollivesandareplanninga Grandparents’teapartyandinvitationsforparentstojoin theirchildrenforlunchinthenearfuture.
ThePre-Preparealsoreflectingconstantlyontheirplansand thechildreninChampsaregoingtostartnexttermwithan exciting,wholedepartmentsurprisetopic!
IlookforwardtowelcomingeveryonebacktoDHin JanuaryandhopeyouallhaveaveryHappyChristmasin themeantime. MattThomas
Governors
IwasfirstintroducedtoDorsetHousejustover10yearsago whenthethenHeadmaster,RichardBrown,askedifIwas interestedinbecomingaGovernorafterIretiredtoSussex.I hadknownRichardforquitesometimeasourpathshad crossedwhenIwasHeadmasterofMoulsfordPrepSchool inOxfordshireandhewasteachingtwoofmydaughtersat PangbourneCollege,wherehewasaHousemasterbefore becomingtheHeadofDorsetHouse.Myoverriding memoryonmyfirstvisit,aswetouredtheschool,waswhata wonderfulPrepSchoolandthatfeelingisasstrongtodayas itwasthenandI’msurethereasonwhyyouhavechosen DorsetHouseforyourchildren’seducation.Itisaspecial place.
Thispublicationisalwayssoinformativeabouttheactivities ofyourchildrenandwhattheschoolhasbeenuptowitha message`FromtheHeadmaster’,andwebothfeltit appropriatethatweshouldincludeaGovernor’spage.So hereitis!
Ifyouareinterestedinwhoweare,ourprofilesareonthe school’swebsite.Iamluckytohavesucharichandvaried groupofpeoplewhoallsharethepassionfortheschool. Someareex-parentswhoallhavebeenphenomenally successfulintheirowncareers,someareveryseniorstaffat someofthetopschoolsyourchildrengoonto,aswellasa currentparent.Allofthemhaveadeepunderstandingofthe schoolanditsvalues.WeallmeetonceatermasafullBoard andhavevarioussub-committees.TheHealthandSafety committeemeeteachterm,asdotheEstatesandFinance committeeandtheAcademicCommitteemeettwiceayear. AsChair,Iattendallthemeetings.Thosearetheofficial meetingsandareincludedintheschoolcalendar.Whatisn’t perhapssoobviousthoughistheconstantdialoguethatgoes onbetweenus.Forexample,NigelParsonswhoChairsthe EstatesandFinanceCommitteeandoverseesBuryManor Barn,talkstoandmeetstheBursaratleastacoupleoftimesa monthandalsomeetswithJulieThomaswhorunsBury ManorBarn.DominicMott,inhisroleasChairofthe AcademicCommitteespendstimeatDorsetHousein classroomsaswellasdiscussingtheeducationalprovision
withseniorstaff,whichhasincludedRuthBurton-Haigh recentlyfocussingontheenrichmentprogramme.In addition,IspeaktotheHeadmasteratleastonceaweek.Our roleinallthisisgovernance,strategy,oversight,supportand challenge-butnotoperationalmattersasthatisdowntothe Headmasterandhisseniorteam.Hopefullyweareupto speedaboutallaspectsoftheschool.
NeedlesstosayGovernors’activity(andnotjustatDorset House)hascertainlyincreasedoverthelastfewmonthspromptedbyachangeofGovernmentandtheirlessthan supportiveattitudetoIndependentSchoolswiththe implementationofVATonfeesandtheremovalofbusiness raterelief.Wehaveattendedseminarsandmetwithother colleaguestodiscussareasofcommoninterest.Ithas certainlybeenabusyandchallengingtime!
ItisaprivilegetobeinvolvedwiththeschoolandIalways welcomeyourthoughtsasweallsharethesameambitions foryourchildrenandthefuturesuccessoftheschool.
MikeHigham ChairofGovernors
French Trip
Year7and8startedtheschoolyear withatriptotheChâteaudela BaudonnièreinNormandy.Itwasa perfectstarttotheterm,beinga greatbridgebetweenthesummer holidaysandschool,andanexcellent opportunityforbondingandteam building.Alltheactivitiesareledby nativespeakersandthechildren practisedtheirFrenchinpractical situations.Thisincludedworking togethertobuildaraft,tacklingan assaultcourse,archery,bread making,aswellasmealtimesand eveningactivities.Wealsovisited MontSaint-Michel,oneofFrance’ s mostrecognizablelandmarksanda UNESCOWorldHeritageSite. Here,thechildrenhadthe opportunitytolearnaboutthe historyoftheAbbeyandbuy souvenirs.WealsovisitedCaen marketandpractisedbuyingitems inFrench.Herearesome soundbites:
‘Myfavouriteactivitywastheassault coursebecauseyougotcold,wet andmuddy.’ Finley
‘MyhighlightoftheFrenchTrip wasprobablyMontStMichel becauseitwasveryinterestingandI boughtsomesouvenirs.’ Henry `IlovedMontStMichel-itwasso beautiful’ Coco
‘MyfavouritepartoftheFrenchtrip wasthemarket.Ilovedwalking aroundthestallsandlookingatthe deliciousfood. James LisaGreen
Year 7 Business Enterprise
ThiswasthefifthtimeourYear7 pupilshaveundertakentheBusiness EnterpriseProjectandwhatalongway ithascomeoverthattime!
Theclassnominatedvariouscharities tosupportandsettledontheRuth StraussFoundation.
Theythensetto decidingwhatto maketosellattheArundelFarmers’ MarketandalsoattheParents’ AssociationChristmasMarket. WesetasidetwoEnterpriseDaysand thechildrenworkedingroupswith MrsHarrison,MrArbuthnot(AKA MrArbie),MrsO’BrienandMrs Posnett.
TheyprintedChristmascardsandtags, designedandprintedbeautifullabels fortheirgoods,cookedbatchesof chutney,marmalade,piccalilliand mincemeat. InDTtheymadeoaktea lightholdersandtheysewedre-usable giftbagsanddogandcattreatbags whichtheyfilledwithbiscuits. (Thank youtoZacharyandFinleywho broughtinbiscuitsfromhome.)
Cocohadthebrilliantideaofmaking hairscrunchiesfromoldschool uniformandtheseprovedtobeagreat hit,asdidherChristmasscrunchies whichsoldout.
MrsBurton-HaighhelpedtheFinance CommitteetocreateExceldocuments andtalkedtothewholeclassabout profitandloss. Shealsoworkedon customerserviceskills,handling moneyandusingthecardmachine. Thesupportfromparentsandstaff wasamazingthisyear,withMrGoss providingallthejarsforthepreserves
andMrsRedgroveandMrMitchell assistingtheirchildreninmaking marmalade,jamandjellyathome. JacksonandHenryworkedwith Jackson’sgrandparentstoproduce somestunningwoodenreindeer, coastersandchoppingboards(which werefinishedatschoolwithMr Arbuthnot’shelp),inadditionto cakesandbread. Honorbrought indeliciouschocolatechipcookies, SamCbroughtbrowniesandwho couldforgetPaxton’scakepopswhich madeanappearanceatboth markets sellingoutonboth occasions.
Paxtonalsoworkedon3Dprinted DHkeyringsandminiGrinchfigures. Thechildrenranatombolaatthe Bonfirepartyandintheendthey raised£2255whichwasincredible. Eachgrouphasbeendeterminedto beatthetotaloftheyearbeforeand thisgroupreallysmashedtheirtarget of£1000.
(Via`TheBigGive’,thisdonation hasbeendoubledto£4510)
Thankyoutoeveryonewhosupported thegroup-viathetombola,Arundel Market,DHChristmasMarket, ChristmasConcertandNativity-and congratulationsYear7.Weareallso proudofthewayyourosetothis challengeandsomanycustomers remarkedpositivelyonyourapproach andbehaviour.
Itisfairtosaythatsomeofthegroup weremoreconfidentthanothersin termsofdealingwithcustomersbutby theendoftheproject,everyonewas enjoyingthisaspect. SarahO’Brien
Charity
OurYear8pupils,ledbyTiggy, CharityandEventsPrefect,havebeen busyorganisinganumberofevents thisterm.
ForTurningTides,£127.65was collectedataFridayeveningchurch serviceandchildrenbroughtinfood whichwasdeliveredtothe LittlehamptonFoodBank. Childrenworesomethingyellowfor YoungMindsandthisraised£58.10.
AteddybearraffleforChildrenin Needraised£162.
TheRoyalBritishLegionCollection attheRemembranceServiceraised £289-plusthemoneywhichchildren putintotheRBLcollectionpotfor poppiesetc.
AtthetopofthepageisaphotoofYear 8pupilsattheendofanActofRemembranceinBurychurchyard-attended byBuryandColdwalthamSchools, OliviaPinkney,CBEQPMDLand soldiersofthe12thRegiment,Royal Artillery.
Enrichment
Introduction
SinceSeptember,thepupilsinYears58havethoroughlyenjoyedthenew EnrichmentProgrammerunningat theendofthedayonMondays, TuesdaysandThursdays.Activities havebeenthoughtthroughtoinclude thosewhichextendandbuildupon existingsubjectknowledgeforthe children,whilstalsoprovidingan invaluableopportunitytodevelopnew skillstooandexploresubjectsina slightlydifferentway.
Sessionshaveincludedteambuilding tasksandgames,danceandother fitnessbasedactivities,drama,cookery, designandengineering,music, Spanish,Greek,academicextension, woodlandactivities,digitalliteracy, journalism,geologyandpalaeontology andgardening.
Therehasbeenanoverwhelmingly positiveresponsefromthechildren andithasbeenapleasuretoseethem allsoengagedwitharangeofdifferent activitiesandlearningopportunities throughouttheterm.Thechildren havehighlightedmemorablemoments andtheseincludelearningnewskills andgettingtodothingstheywouldn’t usuallydo,alongwithfondmemories fromsessionsspentwithfriends.
Goingforwardsthechildrenwillhave theopportunitytorotatearoundthe sessions,withadditionalsessionsbeing introducedincludingsignlanguage, performingarts,andvisualarts.
RuthBurton-Haigh
Gardening
Ourgardeningclubgotofftoaflying startwithanenthusiasticteamofYear 7sandYear8s.Welearnttoidentifyall ofthetreesontheschoolsiteand, havingrecognisedthattree-planting andwild-flowerplantingencourage biodiversity,ourteamplantedconkers andwild-flowerseedsaroundthe pitches. Thesewillbenefitgenerations tocomeaswellasencouragebees, birdsandinsectsaroundtheschool grounds.Abusyteamtidedupthe ZenGarden,weeding,rakingand trimmingthehedgessothateveryone canenjoythegardenoverthe winter. Plentyoftulipbulbswere plantednearChampsreadyfornext Springandhyacinthsweretakenhome inpotsreadyforChristmas. Asthe winteryafternoonsclosedin,we finishedthetermbypreparingaPower Pointpresentationofourdream garden. Welldonetoourgardening teamforalloftheirhardworkand enthusiasmthisterm.
SarahArmstrong
Geology&Palaeontology
Thistermthepupilshavebeen researchingrocks,mineralsandfossils –hands-onresearch–usingNational GeographicActivityKitsandspecialist researchtools/resources.Duringthese researchsessions,pupilshavestudied thegeologytimeline(ArcheanperiodHoloceneperiod),typesofrocks,the rockcycleandrockstratification. Additionally,pupilshavealso researchedfossilsanddinosaursfrom theJurassicPeriod.Pupilshave developedtheirrock/fossil classificationskillsanddetailed sketchingskillsduringthesesessions.
DrRichardWintle
returningtotheforestfortheir enrichmentsessions.Wheretheyhad learnttousethefiresteelsinPre-Prep tomakesmallfires,theytookthose skillsfurthertohelpbuildthelargefire andpreparehotchocolateforeach other.Aspartofalargerproject,they havedesignedawoodsheltertostore thefirewoodfortheForestSchool sessions.Theystartedtocollect resourcesandusetoolstostartthe buildingprocess.AliFentiman
Journalism
TheJournalismEnrichmentoffering hasbeenalearningcurveforall involved!Theoriginalplanwasto produceastudenteditionofthe termlynewsletter–similarinlayoutto theparents’versionbutwithallthe photosandcontentwrittenbythe Enrichmentgroup. Threemonthsdowntheline,theplan hasevolved:thefinishedproductwill nowbeacompilationofworkfromall thestudentstakingthisunitandthere willbeonebumpereditionofthe newsletterpublishedinJuly2025, coveringallthreetermsofthe academicyear.Thiswillbeprintedso thatthereisasectionforeachmonth, withdifferentstudentjournalists creditedforeachsection. Itishopedthat,bydoingthis,Year7 studentswillbeabletotakealeadrole innextyear’sJournalismEnrichment groupsandthatYear8willhavea properprintedrecordoftheirfinal yearatDH.
LauraHutchings
Engineering
Intheselessons,thestudentshave beenlearningsomeofthebasicsof mechanicalengineeringthrough variousprojectssuchasaneggdrop competition,teachingthemabout forcesandacceleration;and deceleration,acatapultmadefrom tonguedepressors,andamousetrap car,teachingthemaboutleversand moments.
Alex
Arbuthnot
GreekDrama
Havingenjoyedtheopportunityto performarehearsedreadingofthe ‘Agamemnon’beforetheirfellowPrep pupils,theGreekTheatregrouphas beenworkingonlearninglines.You see,wehavetohaveourhandsfreeto addgesturesandexpressiontoour words.Watchthisspace exaggerated movementnext.Justdon’tcallit dance!
Cookery
Ithinkit’ssafetosaythattheYear7& 8childrenhaveloveddoingCookery intheirenrichmentsessions.Weblind tastedchocolatewithdifferentpercentagesofcocoasolids -thechildren weresurprisedtofindoutthatwhite chocolatecontainsnone!Eachweek theytakehomewhattheyhavemade, whichhasincludedmuffins,cheese straws,cookiesandmincepies.One weektheyhadtocookandpresent theirfoodasinMasterchef–pizzas andsaladswereonthemenuandthe bonuswastheygottoeatwhatthey madeattheendofthesession.
CarlyHarrison
Spanish
PupilsinYears5and6havetakenpart intheEnrichmentSpanishcourse. Theyhavelearntsomebasicgreetings, numbersandcolours.Wehavealso lookedatsomeculturalaspectsof Spanishspeakingcountriesandhave learnthowtoaskforfood,saywhich foodwelikeanddislike.Wefollowed recipestomakesomeSpanishtapas andcakes.
LisaGreen
Forest School
Wehavehadanotherglorioustermin theforest,comerain,windorfreezing weatherwehavebeenoutthere makingthemostofourbeautiful surroundings.
TheEeceptionchildrenhaveloved theirfirsttermintheforestandhave beenbusylearninglotsofnewskills. Thefallingoftheleavescreatesmany craftactivitiesincludingcreatingour veryownleafhedgehogsandsquirrels withbushyleaftails.Thechildren enjoyedlisteningtothestoryabout Hattiethehedgehogandher hibernationpreparations,aswellasa visitfromTheVeryHungry Caterpillar.Theswinghasbeena particularhighlightfortheReception children,thereisalwayswithabig queueofchildrenwaitingtohavetheir go.
DuringtheAutumnterm,theforest comesalivewithdifferentfungiand thechildreninYear1havehadfun learningaboutandidentifyingthe differenttypeswehavefound.The childrenlearnthowtomaketheirvery ownbraceletsusinganage-old techniquecalledVikingknitting.Of course,oursessionswouldn’tbe completewithoutsomepopcorn makingandmarshmallowcooking overtheopenfire.
Bughuntinghasbeentopofthe agendaforalotoftheYear2sthisterm andtheyhavemadesomequite extraordinarydiscoveriesandnotjust bugs!MiloandTobyhavefound numerousamphibiansincludingnewts andaverylargetoad!Thechildren
havebeenworkinghardonhoning theirfire-lightingskills,usinglotsof perseveranceandpatience.Aspartof theirREtopic,theYear2shavebeen learningaboutthefestivalofDiwali andthechildrenfinishedtheirDiwali lampsbymeltingthewaxoverthe openfire. AliFentiman
Reception
Receptionchildrenhavebeenreal superstarsthisterm.Fromdayone, whentheyfirststartedatDorset House,theyhavesettledstraightin andbuiltlovelyfriendshipsamongst themselvesandacrosstheotherYear groups.Theyarenowwellandtruly popularmembersofDHcommunity. Inthefirsthalfoftheterm,wecovered the'AllAboutMe'topic,learning aboutourselves.Welearnedaboutour families,pets,ourbodies,ourlooks, feelings,andoursenses.MrBoney cameforavisitandbecameamember oftheclassbytheendoftheweek!We exploreddifferentbonesonthe skeletonandrelatedthemtoourown bodies.Childrenbecameexpertson fixingfracturesthroughroleplay aboutdoctors,involvingLOTSof bandages.During'PetWeek'the childrenwereinvitedtobringintheir familypets.WewelcomedSimba-the talkingcat;Benjamin-themagnificent tortoise;Sasha-theexcitedspanieland Dave-themagicalpony.
Inthesecondhalfoftheterm,wehave beenlearningaboutcelebrations aroundtheworld.Startingwith HalloweenandBonfireNight,we madeandlaunchedrocketsand enjoyedourfirstDHbonfire.We listenedtothestoryofDiwali,and madegoldenclaycandlelamps.We tastedpomegranateandappledipped inhoneyforRoshHashanah-Jewish NewYear.Winnie'sbirthdayin Novemberwasaperfectopportunity tolearnaboutdifferentbirthday traditions.Oh,andnottoforgetthe carrotcakeshebroughtintoshare!We discussedwhatthingsareimportantto usandwrotedownwhatweare thankfulfor,tomakegratitudepaper chainsforThanksgiving.Our Celebrationsdisplayisnowfullof creationsandmemories.Itwillbesad totakeitdown,butwearelooking forwardtofindingoutwhattheSpring Termhasinstore.KatkaMarconi
Year 1
Thechildrenhaveembracedthemove upfromReceptionwithenthusiasm andexcitement,workinghardand playingwithequalgusto. Year1haveenjoyedtwotopicsduring theAutumnTerm,startingwith ‘AnimalAntics’andmovingonto ‘IntotheToybox’.Duringouranimal topic,thechildrenlearnedhowtosort differentanimalsandlabeldifferent bodyparts.Thechildrenread‘Owl Babies’byMartinWaddelland‘Hairy Maclary’byLynleyDoddduring Englishlessonsandhaveworkedso hardontheirsentencecomposition andhandwriting. WeenjoyedatriptoArundelLibrary tolearnmoreaboutthelibraryservice andhowtoborrowbooks,audio storiesandevenboardgames!The childrenbehavedbeautifullyandwere greatambassadorsoftheschool.
Whenlearningabouttoys,the childrenhavebeenfascinatedbythe differenceinmoderntoysandtoys fromtheVictorianera.Theclasswrote theirownnon-fictionbookswith contentspagestosharetheir knowledge.
Thechildrenhavehadthechanceto maketheirownpaperhelicoptersand movingdogtoystoo.Wehaveread ‘OldBear’byJaneHisseyandloved hercharacterssomuchwedrewand paintedthemduringartlessons.One ofthehighlightsthistermwaseach childsharingtheirfavouritetoywith theclassduringashowandtelllesson, developingspeaking,listeningand questioningskills. BlaizeAnderson
cookinglessonswithMrsManger, makingautumnsoup,bonfirebread brownieswhichwereenjoyedbyall.
Year 2
Despitethewarmerthanusual temperatures,Year2havebeenthrown intotheextremecoldofthePolar regions! Theyhadanigloointhe classroom,whichprovedtobeanideal readingandstudyingareaandlearntall abouttheclimate,animalsandpeople wholiveandstayintheseregions;as wellastheexplorersthroughhistory whohavebeenbothnorthandsouth.
Allthechildren’sarthascentred aroundthistopicanditisgoodtohave theopportunityofsharingsomeof thiswithyou.
AsAutumntookhold,Year2made themostoftheleavesthatwereinthe woodsanddidtheirbesttocompletely submergethemselvesinthehugeleaf piles.Somuchfuntobehad!
SashaMetzger&EmilyThoms
Nativity
Childrenofthe World
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have worked really hard this year to tell the Christmas story. This year’s Nativity enabled the children to learn about how Christmas is celebrated in different countries. Every year, Gabriel and the angels celebrate the birth of Jesus. We were told how children from around the world celebrate differently. Travelling from as far afield as USA, Malawi, Poland and Australia, each group is brought to Gabriel to tell of their special Christmas customs and sing songs together. Dressing up and performing has taken over this half term and I’m sure you’ll agree that they did themselves proud. Sasha Metzger
Year 3
Year3havehadafuntermlearning abouttheAncientEgyptians.The childrenhavebecomekeen Egyptologists,lookingforevidence fromhistoricalsourcesandpiecing togethercluesaboutthepast.Weare nowexpertsinTutankhamunand mummification–weevenlearnta mummificationrapandfilmeditin variouslocationsaroundtheschool!
Aswellasourannualtripto HaslemereMuseum,wehadatripto TescoinPulborough.Weshoppedfor ourcookingingredientsandlearnt aboutbudgets,foodgroups,pricesper kiloandscalingrecipes.Thechildren particularlyenjoyedusingtheself-scan machinesattheendandchoosingthe correctnotes/coinstopaywith.
AnotherhighlightforYear3thisterm wastheChristingleService.The childrenreadtheirwordswith confidenceandsangbeautifully. Weevenmanagedtoenjoyplayingin thesnowforashortwhile!
SarahWake
Year 4
ThistermtheYear4childrenhave embarkedonaTudoradventure.They havelearnedhowtheWarsofthe RosesbroughttheTudorstopower andimaginedavisittothecourtof HenryVIII.
OnatriptotheMaryRoseMuseum, theyhandledartefacts,triedonTudor costumesanddiscoveredwhatlife wouldhavebeenlikeonboard.They evenfiredareplicacannonandlooked atevidencefromskeletonsfoundon thewreck.
AttheWealdandDownlandMuseum, thechildrenplayedwithTudortoys andvisitedaTudorfarmhouse.The apothecaryexplainedthecuresusedby Tudorsforsimpleailments,including tyingafrogtoyourneckforsore throatsTheycertainlydidn’tsound appealing!
OurTudorvisitortoldusofhislifein thereignofElizabethandthechildren usedpastelstosketchartefacts.
AtStNicholas’ChurchinArundel, FatherDavidexplainedhowthe churchchangedduringtheTudor period.
Year4alsoenjoyedsomeTudor cooking,ForestSchoolanddancing. Inart,thechildrenhavecreatedmixed mediaTudorportraits.Theywerevery excitedtousethewoodworktoolsin DTtomakeawoodengame.
JanetWhite
Year 5 went to an alternative venue for their Leadership trip this year. Marchants Hill proved to be a big hit with the children and staff, it certainly exceeded expectations! Mr Bardouleau and Mrs Posnett took the children for a fantastic two day residential.
We were impressed with the enthusiasm, bravery and perseverance across Archery, Giant Swing, High Zip Line, Abseiling, Problem-Solving, Fencing and Climbing. The children worked hard on their communication, problem solving and teamwork. The first day of hard work was capped off with a camp fire, wacky songs and marshmallows!
The children enjoyed the highly intense, fun environment created by the centre staff, singing songs between activities (they're still ringing in my ears!), dancing, basketball and football during free time and the excellent menu on offer. We were extremely proud of all the children’s efforts to participate in all activities, overcoming fears and showing resilience.
Adam Bardouleau
Back at DH, Year 5 had a very different experience as they were transported back to Victorian times for lessons with Dr B Have and Mr Terry Bull.
Music
Thefirstbigeventinthemusicalcalendarwasthe opportunityforournewchoristersinYear5tosingwith overahundredotherchildreninthechapelatLancing College.Whatanexperienceforthemandtheyallreturned enthused.
Fortheadultsreadingthis,doyouremembertheexperience ofsinginginachoir?Thereissomethingquitemagicalabout itandthefeelingitbrings(evensingingintheshowerisfun, right?!).Ithinkthisiswhy,whengiventhe opportunity, manyofourstaffjumpedatthechancetosing withtheDHchoirattheRemembranceService(StealAway –Quigley),somethingwe’venotdonesince2019.Indeed, followingthis,evenmorecameoutofthewoodworktosing attheCarolService(Holy,holy,holy.Holyisthenight’–Schubert)–allthingsbeingwell,18adultshavejoinedforces withthepupils.Howwonderful.Doweneedaparent choir!?
ThesingingcontinuedwiththeInformalConcertseriesfor Years1-4.TheYear1srelishedtheirfirstchancetoperform, andsotootheYear3sontheirinstruments.Itwasalsolovely toheartheprogresstheYear4childrenhadmadeafterayear ofplaying.
TheChristmasConcertwasafantasticevent:childrenand parentsadornedintheirChristmasjumpers,mincepies freshfromtheovenandthemulledwineflowing.The WoodwindGroup,BrassGroupandSaxGroupentertained withsome‘busking’beforehandbeforeproceedingskicked offintheinnerBarn.HighlightsincludedtheSwingBand’ s ‘JingleBellBossaNova’,theOrchestra’srenditionof ‘RudolphtheRed-nosedReindeer’, theJuniorChoirwith ‘WhenJosephWasa-Walking’accompaniedbyLucas Spellman-Welsh,JamesRatcliffeandLaithDriver,and theJuniorSinger’ s ‘SantaClausIsComingToTown’. However,thenumberthatseemstobethemosttalked about,andindeedsungthenextdayatvariousbreaktimes, wastheChoir’ s ‘LaplandJoik’.Youcouldhearapindrop forBeaBelgeonne,LillaSkinnerandAnnaTustinperformingHolst’ s ‘InTheBleakMidwinter’.Wewerealsotreated tosolosbyGeorgiaPosnettonthetrumpetwith‘Rockin AroundTheChristmasTree’andJamesRatcliffeonthe cellowith‘Nina’.Sufficetosay,Ithinkitgotusallinthe moodforChristmas! JasonMarconi
Sport
Autumn2024
TheAutumntermisalwaysabusy oneforthegirlswithamixtureof hockeyandnetball.Thegirlshave competedinnumeroustournaments andfestivalswhichhasgiventhema lotofexposuretothesportand differentteams.
TheU8playedintheirfirstnetball festivalatWestbourne.Thisisalwaysa fun,firstforayintonetballforthegirls wheretheygettoplay4‘ noncompetitive’netballmatcheswithina tournamentstyle.Theycertainlylearn alotveryquickly!Theystartedwell withawinoverWestbourneHouse Redteam,theonlygoalinthegame scoredbyOrla-RoseKirby.Thiswas followedbytwodrawnmatches againstAmesburyandWestbourne
HouseGreyandalosstoCranleigh. Thegirlshadagreatafternoonand, despiteplayingalotofnetball,were fullofenergyandenthusiasmandit wascleartoseetheirloveofnetball.
TheU9shavehadafantasticseason playingbothhockeyandnetball.At thepointofwriting,thegirlshavenot lostamatch!AttheWestbourne Tournament,thegirlshadanother successfuloutingplayingagainst Seaford,AmesburyandWindlesham.
TheU8shavemadeagreatstartto hockeythisterm,learningtwobrand newsportsisalwaysachallengebut theyhaverisentothechallengeand reallyenjoyedit.Theyhadagreatwin againstLancingPrepatWorthing.
TheU9girlshavecontinuedtohone theirhockeyskillsandhadafantastic8 -0winagainstSeaford.
U8NetballMostImprovedPlayer goestoClaraParker.
U8NetballPlayeroftheSeasongoes toOkieWaddell.
U9NetballMostImprovedPlayer goestoOttilieGriffiths.
U9NetballPlayeroftheSeasongoes toLottieLewis.
ThetermkickedofffortheU10/11 girlswithatournamentatArdingly College.It’salwaysachallengetoplay inatournamentsoearlyintheterm buttheU10/11girlsrosetothe challenge.Manyeitherhadn’tplayed hockeybeforeorhadn’tplayedsince lastyear.Afteratrickystart,thegirls broughtitbackwithaclosefought0-0 drawagainstHawthorns,whowenton tothefinals!Thegirlscontinuedto buildinconfidenceandonlynarrowly losttosomelargeschoolslikeBrighton CollegeandSeaford.Aspecial mentiongoestoEttieHardingfor takinguptheroleofgoalkeeperforthe firsttimeandmakingsomeimpressive saves.PlayerofthematchwasLily Winter,forexcellent,attackingplay. TheU11Ashavehadareallysuccessful hockeyseasonandhaveplayedsowell asateam.Outoftheirsixmatchesthey havewon2,drawn2andlost2.A specialmentiongoestoMinnie
U11BHockeyPlayeroftheSeason goestoEvieStone.
U11AHockeyMostImprovedPlayer goestoFloraLewis.
U11AHockeyPlayeroftheSeason goestoBeauBlack.
ColtsColoursforhockeyareawarded toMinnieAndrews,BeauBlack, FloraLewis,HermioneGoss.
Andrewsforsteppingupandplaying asgoalkeeperforherteamvery successfully.
TheU10girls’returntonetball certainlywasabusyone,with6 matchesattheOakwoodTournament. Thegirlsplayedreallywellasateam andsoongotbackintotheswingof things.
Theystartedtheafternoonoffwitha drawagainstRydeRed,theyhadtwo greatwinsagainstRydeWhiteand Prebendal.
U11BHockeyMostImprovedPlayer goestoLeilaBradley.
TheU13shavehadafantastichockey season,workingwellasateamandall findingtheirroleswithintheteam.A specialmentiongoestoBeatrice Belgeonnewhohasledtheteamwell thistermandtoOliviaSmithfor excellentgoalkeepingthroughoutthe season.Onacold,sunnyafternoonin November,theYear7and8girls finishedtheirhockeyseasonoffwitha bangatthePennthorpeU13Hockey tournament.Ourgirlswere outstandingallafternoon.Ourtwo teamsonlylost1matchbetweenthem andwentthroughtothefinals, finishinginanimpressive2ndand4th positionoutof
8teamsincludingteamsfromDukeof KentandFarlington.Aspecial mentiongoestoCocoGoss,Chloe MitchellandHonorMacmillan whohaveplayedthewholeseason againsttheyearabove.
U13HockeyMostImprovedPlayer goestoLillaSkinner.
U13HockeyPlayeroftheSeasongoes toBeatriceBelgeonne.
Seniorcoloursforhockeyareawarded toBeatriceBelgeonne,Tiggy Allum,GGPosnett,LillaSkinner, AnnaTustin,OliviaSmith. AliFentiman
Sport
Football
The1stshadagoodseasonwithahost ofstrongperformances.Theboys managedvictoriesagainstLancingat WorthingandSomptingAbbottsand therewerehardfoughtdrawsagainst PennthorpeandFarlington. WeenteredtheSussexCountycupfor thefirsttimeforafewyearsandwe weregiventhemammothtaskof ArdinglyCollege.StanleyWinter, RoddyCleghorn,Edward GreatorexandTommyDavies steppedupfromYear6tostrengthen theside.Whilstwewereonthewrong sideofa6-1loss,thesecondhalf performanceshowedpositivesignsfor nextseason.
Theboys’finalchallengewasthe defenceofthePennthorpe Tournament.Thekeydifferenceinthe standardofplaythisyearwasthe physicalityandsizeoftheiropponents. AfewhighlightswereSamCrowley’s freekickintothetopcornerfromthe halfwayline;StanleyWinterwitha crunchingtackleonthemanmountain fromChrist’sHospitalandFinley Boughton’sacrobaticsaveagainst GreatBallard,pluckingtheballoutof thetopcornerinthedyingmomentsof thematch.AspecialmentiontoHarry Redgrovewholedthe1stteamthis seasonwithconfidenceandsetan exampleeveryweekwithhistireless workrateanddetermination. The2ndshadamixedseasonwith someimpressiveteamperformances andsomenarrowlosses.
PaxtonClough-Humphrieshada positiveseasonasstriker,scoringsome fantasticgoals,andthemidfielders (ZacharyBinneyandLucas Spellman-Welsh)providedsome amazingassists.Attheheartofthe team,thedefensiveduoofThomas SirettandJamesRatcliffe(Captain) providedasolidwallattheback,with greatcounterattacksfromdeep. ThomasSirettandJamesRatcliffe coveredeverybladeofgrasson numerousoccasions–running continuouslythroughouteachmatch. Ourgoalkeeper(LaithDriver) performedsomeoutstandingsavesto keepusinsomematchesandwasa greatassettotheteam.Specialmention mustgotoLucasSpellman-Welsh forhistrulyamazingpenaltyagainst Cottesmorewhilstplayingforthe combined1stteam.
TheColtsAcameflyingoutofthe
blockswithsomegreatresultsagainst HurstandWestbourne.Tobeatthese sides,despitethemhaving3timesthe numberofboystochosefrom,just highlightsthepowerofDH.The keystoneinthesidewasStanley Winterwhowasabletowin possessionandsetuptheattack. RoddyCleghornprovidedthethreat uptopwithhisdrivingrunsdownthe rightchannel,whilstTommyDavies
keptusinmanygameswithsome fantasticsaves.Specialmentionshould gotothetwoyoungermembersofthe team–CameronRaeandBenji Kirkham,whowerethrownintothe deependascentraldefendersbutwho copedincrediblywell.
TheColtsBandCteamsbothhad toughseasons,howevertheynever gaveup.Notableperformanceswere RufusBorthwickwithhisstrength inbothdefenceandattack,InigoLe Pagewithmanyreflexsavesand AtticusVandenBerghwhocould turndefenceintoattackwithhispace andclosedribblingskills. Aspecial mentiontoJackStevensonforhis effortandapplicationineverymatch. WilfredAnnisonwasalwaysfullof energyandRexxWaddellwas courageousingoal.
TheU9Ateamhadaphenomenal seasonandwerevictoriousagainst Windlesham,Westbourne,Lancing Prep,Oakwood,Sompting, CottesmoreandPennthorpe.Iwas impressedwiththeboys’
performancesineverymatchand whentheyimplementedthestyleof playworkedoninlessons,theywere ruthless.FreddieGortonpulledoff somefinesaveswithhisreflexes; EdwardGimsonstartedoffseveral attackswithhiscomposureandrange ofpassing;NoahMackiewasstrong indefenceandoftenseenracingdown thewing;FreddieBuxtonplayeda varietyofpositionswithconfidence andeitherstartedanattackwithalong diagonalpassorfinishedtheattack; HenryCleghornandSebastian Donaldsondrovewiththeball, beatingopponentswitheaseand scoredseveralgoaloftheseason contenders.Sebastianfinishedthe seasonon14goalsandHenryon15 goals.Finally,BenRichardson workedhardonhisgameasawinger andcentreforward.TheU9Bsmade greatprogressandfinishedtheseason witharunofimpressiveresults.Keyto theirsuccesswastheinputfrom
playerslikeJamesSmallandVann Jones,aswellassomeencouraging performancesfromKillianHayes. GregWeaver
Cross-Country
Agreatwaytostartthetermwasa seriesofthreecross-countryevents heldatSeafordoverthefirstthree FridaysinSeptember.Eachagegroup fromYear3-8hadthe opportunitytocompeteoveran undulatingandfastcourse.Thetop5 runnersineachteamaddedtogether theirplacingstocreateateamscore. Thelowesttotalwon.
Wehadsomegreatteamresults.Some highlightswereU9girlsteam3rd/9, U9boys4th/12,U13boys2nd/7(2nd by1point!).
DorsetHousealsocompetedinateam relayeventatRikkyoSchoolinteams of3.ItwasgreattoseeourYear7boys andYear8girlswinthisevent.
EmmaFootman
Art and DT
Year4havebeenstudyingtheTudorsastheirtopicthisterm andintheirartlessonstheyhavebeenworkingonTudor portraitsembellishedwithjewels,goldpaintandlace.They havealsoworkedonwatercolourstudiesoftheMaryRose, whichhavegoneintotheirbeautifulscrapbooks.On Mondays,Year5havebeencreatingtheirownjungle paintingsinspiredbyHenriRousseauandonThursdays theyhavebeenlookingattheworkofPaulKlee. Year6are makinglanternfish,whichconsistsof aframeworkmadeof furniturecanethencoveredincolouredtracingpaper;when finishtheywillhavealightinsidethem.Year7areworking onlinoprintdesignsinspiredbytheworkofMarkHearld. Theprojectsrequiresthemtosafelyandskilfullycarveout theirdesignandprintsuccessivecoloursusingtheprinting press.Year8areworkingoncollagesinspiredbyartistPeter Clark.TheirfinishedcollageswillbeprintedontoT-shirts.
CarlyHarrison
'ThisterminDT,wehavehadalotofdifferentprojects runningatthesametime.TheYear4shavebeenintroduced totheworkshopwiththeirusualpeggamewheretheyhave learnedtousetenonsaws,thediscsander,thepillardrilland lotsmore.TheYear5sand6shavetakenDTtotheICT roomandhavebeenmakinguseofourtwonew3Dprinters andCADsoftwaretodesignandprintmugs,anda personalisedsectionedbox.TheYear6shavealsogoneonto designtheirowncoasterset. BackintheDTworkshop,theYear7shavebeencrafting somelovelyflatpack,plywoodanimalsalongthethemeof 'TheLionKing'andtheYear8shavebeenworkingonsome Anglepoiselamps’wherethey'venotonlybeenlearning somenewskillswithafretsawbutalsolearninghowtowire upaplugsocket.
AlexArbuthnot
Art and DT
Prefects
Forsomeyears,allthoseinYear8have beeninvitedtoapplyforpositionsof responsibilityandfollowingreceiptof theirlettersofapplicationanda rigorousinterviewprocess,rolesare awarded. Accordingtothesizeofthe cohort,rolescanbecombinedand newrolescreatedtoensureeveryone hasarelevantposition.
AttheendofSeptember,Iwasmade HeadofSchool.Sofar,Ihaveheldtwo Prefectmeetings.Thesehavebeento seewhateveryonehasdoneandwhat theyareplanningtodo.Ialsodida readingattheRemembranceserviceat StNicholas’inArundel,whereIalso playedthe‘LastPost’.IwasmadeNetballCaptain.Iamplanningtohelp peoplewiththeirshootingatbreak times. GGPosnett AttheendofSeptember,Iwasmade DeputyHeadofSchoolandIamjoint CricketCaptainwithLilla. Ihavedoneareadinginthechurch serviceandhaveheldPrefectmeetings withGG.GGandIputdownthe wreathforRemembranceinBury churchyardandweareplanningtodo thingsinthefuture. AnnaTustin
AttheendofSeptember,Iwasmade SportsandActivitiesPrefect.Sofar,I havehelpedorganizea‘Childrenin Need’raffleandanti-bullingactivities. Bea,LucasandIarehelpingto organiseandrunthePre-Prep ChristmasCraftsDay.Beforeand afterChristmaslunchIhaveplanned tohaveaChristmasparty,withmusic andfungames!AftertheChristmas holiday,GGandIarestartinga NetballClubforYear2toYear8.In theSummerterm,Iamplanningto startanAthleticsClubforYears5to8.
ForSportsRelief,BeaandIaretaking thePre-Preptohaveawholemorning ofsportswithlotsoflearning activities. OliviaSmith
AttheendofSeptember,Iwas appointedSciencePrefect,ICTPrefect andHeadofOrchestra.Sofar,Ihave recommendedvariousScience competitionsforpupilstoparticipate inforMsGoldfinch.IruntheDH MinecraftServer,ahugeMinecraft Serverwith8memberscurrently.Ialso aidLaithintherunningofChess AnalysisClub,whereresourcefullywe play/sourcegamesanduseChess.com andLichessAnalysistostudythem. Nextterm,IamhopingtorunanICT club. JamesRatcliffe
Hello,mynameisLaith.Attheendof September,Iwasnominatedasthe AcademicandLibrarianPrefect.Iam planningtomakeasystemfortaking booksoutsothatpeoplewon'tlose them.IhavecreatedaChessAnalysis ClubatMondaylunchbreak.
LaithDriver
Prefects
IwasgivenArtPrefectandHeadof SchoolCouncil.
ForSchoolCouncil,Iimmediately foundrepsforeachYeargroup.The classeschosetheirownSchoolCouncil repsinavote.Everytwoweekswe holdsessionsinwhichtheclassreps presenttheirideasfromtheirrespective Years.Afterthemeetings,Imeetwith MrThomasandtellhimtheideas presentedtome.MrThomasthen bringsupanyideashethinkscould workatSMT.
FormyArtPrefectduties,IgotoArt ClubeveryweektohelpMrsHarrison andanyclubattendeeswhowouldlike myhelp.Laterthisterm,Iwillbe helpingwithPre-PrepChristmas CraftsDay,alongwithBea,thePrePrepPrefectandOlivia,theActivities Prefect.
LucasSpellman-Welsh
AtthebeginningofSeptember,I appliedforPre-PrepPrefectandHead ofChoir.BytheendofSeptemberwe gottoldwhattheprefectsweregoing tobe.IgotgivenPre-PrepPrefectand HeadofChoir.TheSports Departmentthenchosethesports captains.IamHockeyCaptain.Sofar thisterm,Ihavedonetwochurch servicesinwhichIdotheresponses andintheRemembranceserviceLilla andIsangaduet.IntheCarolserviceI sangthesoloatthebeginningof‘Once
InSeptemberallofYear8weremade prefects.MyprefectrolesareHeadof EventsandCharityPrefect.
IwasalsomadeFootballCaptain.I startedmyrolebyorganizingthe collectionoffoodforHarvestFestival. Wemanagedtofill18boxeswithfood forTurningTidesandraised127.65 inthechurchcollection.Thiswas closelyfollowedbythepoppysalefor Remembranceinwhichweraised £289.LillaandIhavealsoraised £51.10forWorldMentalHealthDay ina‘GuesstheNumberofSweetsin theJar’challenge.Iamlooking forwardtodoingmuchmoreinthe Springterm. TiggyAllum
AtthebeginningofSeptember,Iwas madeHeadofBoardingand WellbeingPrefectandwasalsomade CricketCaptain.ForHeadof BoardingIhavehelpedorganisethe HalloweenpartyandBoarders’Secret Santa.TiggyandIdidAnti-Bullying WeekandWorldMentalHealthDay. I'mlookingforwardtomakinga wellbeingwallwith MrBardouleauandMrsTruscott.
LillaSkinner
Bury Manor Pre-School
Webeganthetermbylearningabout thechangesintheseasonsandspent manyhappytripsouttothewoods collectingconkersandacorns,sticks andleavestotakebacktoschooltouse inourcrafts. Weendedthefirsthalf termcelebratingHarvestwithbothPre -Schoolscomingtogethertoenjoythe harvestcookiesthatthechildrenhad made,singingHarvestsongsand makingAutumnCrownsand PumpkinBalloons.
Thechildrencollectedmanytiny thingsfortheirraisinboxfill–the mostcollecteditemswere40withthe prizegoingtoImogen;insecondplace, Thomaswith32itemsandinthird place,Tommywith25items! WehavebeeninspiredbytwoNativity performancesthisyear.Wewerevery excitedtobeinvitedtowatch Reception,Year1andYear2perform theirNativityandthefollowingweek thechildren‘livedtheirdream’by travellinginthemini-bustowatch BuryPrimaryinfantsperformtheirs! Thechildrenhavebeenbusycreating Christmasdecorationsoverthelast fewweeksandIhopeyouhave managedtofindspacetohangthem! AvisitfromFatherChristmasatthe ChristmasPartywasawell-deserved treatafterthechildrenhadperformed theNativitysobrilliantlyfortheir parents. Wehadaveryfunny magiciantoendthepartywhichkept thechildrenbrilliantlyentertained. Withbestwishesforaveryhappy ChristmasandpeacefulNewYear. TraceyBrooks
Boarding
Throughoutthisterminboarding, we'vehadafantastictimeenjoying campfiresandroastingmarshmallows. Movienightswithpopcornandsnacks wereabighit,bringingeveryone togetherforacozyandfunexperience. TheHalloweenpartywasahighlight, filledwithexcitinggamesanda thrillingscavengerhunt.OurTuesday boardershadablastwhentheywentto watchWorthingFC,seeingthembeat WellingUnited1-0.TiggyandGG evenmanagedaphotowith Worthing'sNo.10DannyCashman! Wealsohadanunforgettabletimeat TenPin,wherebowlingandlasertag createdagoodcompetition.Thisterm hasbeentrulyamazing,andIcan't waittoseewhatisinstorenextyear.
LillaSkinner-HeadofBoarding
Other News
Ourequestrianteamshavehada fantasticstarttothisyear. Theintroductionofnewmembers IylaCrumley,StirlingHeerema, FloraLewisandMiloValeriani–Haverhals,enabledtwoteamstobe presentedattheNSEAcompetitions. Theyhadahighlysuccessfulstartwith individualandteamwinsatFelbridge, Coombelands,HadlowCollegeand SandsFarmresultinginqualification forregionalsonthe7thDecember. Wishingthebestofluckto competitorsOpheliaGould,Iylaand ArchieCrumley,MiloandMaia Valeriani-Haverhals, StirlingHeerema,TiggyAllum, FloraLewisandEttieHarding. Thankyoutoallparentsfortheir unwaveringsupport,especiallyonthe extraearlyfrostystarts. CharlotteCrumley DHwouldliketothankCharlottefor organisingtheteams.
Theregionalshadtobepostponed thankstoStormDarraghbutwewill keepyoupostedwithprogressonce theyarere-arranged.
Other News
NewStaff
MrsFootmanwhoiscoveringMiss Rippington’smaternityleave,has beenafantasticadditiontoourPE andGamesdepartmentthisterm, bringinghervastknowledgeofsport, aswellashealthandfitness,toevery lesson.Shehasintroducedthechildren tomanyfunandinterestingfitness activities,includingusingplaying cards,skippingropesandeventhe amphitheatresteps-thesehavebeena hugesuccesswithchildrenacrossthe wholeschool!Thisterm,shehasled our1sthockeyteamwhohadan extremelysuccessfulseason,finishing up2ndinthefinalofthePennthorpe HockeyTournament.AliFentiman WealsowelcomedEmilyThomswho isteachingYear2alongsideSasha Metzger. Sashawrites: Emilyhasbeenteachingfor12years andpriortothatshewasaflorist.She lovesallthingsoutdoorsandactive, playsnetballandparticularlyenjoys surfing.Sheisafunmemberofthe teamandithabeenbrillianttowork withherthisterm.
GoodbyeandGood Luck!
Itisalwayssadtosay`goodbye’toour Gapstudentsandthisyearisno exception. DarceyJones,Riley KimptonandRubyCarrhavebeen involvedinallareasoflifeatDHand areknownto allthechildrenfromthe Pre-PreptoYear8. Theyhavebeenanintegralpartofthe boardingteamandwethankthemand wishthemallthebestforthefuture.
ArunValleySchools
DHwelcomedover60boysfromlocal primaryschoolstoparticipateinthe ArunValleySchools'U11Football Tournament.Despitethethreatof someverywetweather,theeventwasa hugesuccess,withsomewonderful footballplayedandallintheright spirit.DHwerejoinedbyteamsfrom Amberley,Coldwaltham,StPhilip’ s, Fittleworth,Petworthand Storrington.Congratulationsto Storringtonforwinning,having defeatedFittleworth3-0inthefinal.
Meet Ms Goldfinch
PamelaGoldfinchjoinedDorset HouseinSeptemberasHeadof Science. HereshetalkstoSarah O’BrienaboutteachingScienceand herfirstimpressionsofDorsetHouse. WhydidyoubecomeaScience teacher?
IhadinterestandaptitudeinScience andMathsatschool.Iwantedtohave acareerwhichinvolved communicatingwithpeopleand buildingauthenticrelationshipswith them–asopposedtoonewhichcould beisolatingand/ordisconnectedfrom therealworld.
Childrenhaveanhonestand transparentresponsetowhattheyare facedwitheachday–theirsincerity, andknowingthatIcouldworkwith theiropenness,wasappealing(children generallytellyouwhatyouneedto knowandprovidehonestfeedback withoutbeingprompted!)
Scienceprovidessomany opportunitiesforaweandwonder, whichiswhyIchosetoteachthis subject,specifically–everythingcanbe madeexciting!
Whatisthebestpartofyourjob?
Seeingtheenthusiasmandexcitement buildwhenchildrenhearandseeanew conceptordemonstrationforthefirst time–theexpressionontheirfaces alwaysreinvigorates/energisesa teacher,nomatterhowlongtheyhave beenteaching.
Childrengoinghomeandtellingtheir parents/siblingsthattheywantto repeattheexperimentthattheyhave justdoneinaSciencelessonand
parentstellingmewhattheyhadto buyonawhimovertheweekend…! WhyisSciencesuchanimportant subject?
Scienceexplainstheworldaroundus–itenablesustounderstandhowmost thingsworkandgivesushopefor improvementstohometechnology, medicalcareandenvironmental conservation.Scienceopensup discussionanddebate,whichareskills thataretransferableandimportantto somanyotheraspectsoflife;it encouragescriticalthinkingand discouragespeoplefrommakingthe assumptionthatthereisonlyone ‘correct’outcome/routetosuccess. Whatdopupilshaveaccessto todaythatyoucouldonlyhave dreamedofwhenyouwereat school?
ChildrentodayhaveSurfaceGo laptops,andotherdevices,whichmake itpossibletohaveawealthof informationatthetouchofascreen–Ihadtorefertobooksmuchmore
whenIwasatschool.Theinternetwas stillinitsearlydayswhenIwasachild andwehadtowaitforbookstobe updated/neweditionstobereleasedas opposedtoreceivingalmostinstant updatesonline.
Whatisthemostexcitingscientific developmentinrecentyears?
Adrugcalledantisense oligonucleotidehasallowedhuman neuronstodevelopnormallydespite carryingamutationduetoagenetic disorder.Itcouldbethebeginningofa neweraformanyconditionsand diseasesthatwefirstthoughtwere untreatable–schizophrenia,epilepsy, ADHD,autismetc.
ScientistsinJapanhavealsobeen workingontheabilitytogrownew adultteeth,whichshouldpreventthe needfordentalfillingsinthenear future!
Theimpactofthegutmicrobiomeon whole-bodyhealth,includingbrain functionand,therefore,behaviour.
Whathavebeenyourfirst impressionsofDorsetHouse?
Verywarm,welcomingandacloseknitcommunity.
Wonderfullyengagedchildrenwho wanttoworkwiththeirteachersand helpeachothertolearn.
Beautifulgroundswhichdelightthe sensesandmakemelookforwardto mydriveintoworkeachday!
Quiteuniqueinitsabilitytosustaina healthybalanceofbothtraditionaland contemporaryapproachesto education.
MsGoldfinchisintroducinglotsof excitingnewexperimentsforthe childrentoenjoyinthelab.Thisterm, thesehaveincludedelephant toothpastewhichwasextruded throughpumpkinsforHalloweenand homemadeslimeasanendofterm treat.
Other News
AlumniNews
Wewerethrilledtohearthatfourof ouralumnihavebeengivenpositions ofresponsibilityatBrightonCollege forthisacademicyear.
BeaHughes-HeadofNewHouse
HarryPearce-DeputyHeadofSchool
BenSaunders-HeadofSchool
CharlieWoodage-HeadofSchool House.
HeadMaster,SteveMarshall-Taylor writes,‘Theyareallwonderfulsenior pupils,andaresuperbrolemodelsfor ouryoungerpupils.Youandthe DorsetHouseteacherscanfeelvery proudofthem.’
Wealsolearntthatoldboy,Hamish Skinner,hasbeenawardedHouse CaptainofRedCrossatHurst.
Congratulationstoallofthem.
ChessUpdate
James(Year8)spent9daysinHull competingintheChampionships duringthesummerholidays. Inthe mainstandardplaycompetition,he played7games,taking2wins,3draws and2losses. Thisnotablyincludeda drawagainstlastyear'sU12British champion. Thisplacedhimjoint12th overall.
JameshasbeenawardedBestJuniorat HorshamChessClubforlastseason wherehehelpscoachthejuniorsandis oneofthebestplayersintheadult section,comingsecondintheirrecent blitzcompetition.
Parents’ Pages
DearParents,
Notonlyhasthetermgoneby incrediblyquicklybutithascertainly beenoneofthebusiestforthePA. TheAutumntermbeganwith Headmaster’sdrinks,itwasfantasticto meetsomanynewparentsandenjoy deliciouscanapésprovidedbythePA. Ihopeyou’llallagreewehadanother fabulousbonfirenightatDHon1st November.ThePAarrangedgamesin theBarnforthechildrentoenjoy beforetheamazingfireworkdisplay, forwhichthePAsharedthecostwith school.
ThePAandlotsoflovelymums descendedontheBarnbeforethe ChristmasConcertandNativityto makesureitlookedsuitablyfestive! Wewouldliketothankeveryonewho volunteered,andforthosethatgave foliageweareverygrateful. Finally,wemustmentionourfabulous ChristmasMarket!Despiteawful weatheronthedayandadjustingour planstoensureeverythingwas indoors,wehadaverysuccessfulday. Wearestillfinalisingtheexact amount,butwesawover200people comingthroughthegatestoenjoy festiveshoppingwithourlocal stallholders,funintheWinter Wonderland,meetingSanta,playing games,enjoyinghomemadecakesand festivedrinksandlisteningtobusking byourtalentedyoungmusicians. Togetherwiththecalendars,cutetea towels,scrunchiesandmugsfromour “DHMerch”wehaveraisedroughly £3000fromtheChristmasMarket,
whichwearethrilledabout.Money raisedwillgotowardssmallschool projects,theAstropitchandour chosencharity,ChestnutTreeHouse. We’vehadsomanypositivecomments frompeople,includingthelocal communityandoldparentsandpupils whowereexcitedtovisittheschool again.
Wehavelotsmoretocomefromthe PAnexttermwhichwillseethereturn ofthechildren’sschooldiscoonFriday 31stJan.Lookoutformoreinfovia yourclassrep.
AlsolookoutforourQuingonight whichwillbeonFriday28thFeb.This promisestolivenupyourFriday eveningwithamixtureofbingoand ourusualquizevening.Therewillbe moredetailsintheNewYear.Of coursenoneofthiswouldbepossible withoutouramazingPAteam,who workincrediblyhardinbetweentheir
busylivestobringyouthesefantastic events,weareverygrateful!
WithspecialthankstoEmmaMair, SophieAnsteeandSuzanne Donaldson,AndreaVandenBergh,all thefabulousvolunteers,parentsstaff &Gapstudentswhohelpedusatthe ChristmasMarket.Wecouldnothave doneitwithoutyou!
Wehopeyouallhaveawonderful Christmasandlookforwardtoseeing youandyourchildrenin2025.
JoandNicky-CoChairs
Parents’ Pages
Thethemeforthisyear’sGuy competitionwas`singers’. Lucas(Year 8)interpretedthisinanovelwayand MsHutchingspurchasedhismodelas shecouldn’tbeartoseeitburnt!
Below,MrMarconileadsbuskersat theChristmasMarket,raisingmoney forChestnutTreeHouse.
OPEN MORNING
FRIDAY 14th March 2025
10.00am - 12 Noon
(Please add X, Facebook and Instagram)
Minibus pick-ups available
Day and flexi-boarding Prep School for children from Reception to Year 8
`Outstanding’ Pre-School on site for children from 2