e v o l u t i o n Stroud’s Spring Newsletter 2019
The end of the Spring Term at Stroud is laden with performances in front of large audiences; from public speaking, to gymnastics and dance, to music and drama. The confidence that this builds cannot be replicated in a classroom, but the same confidence is transferrable to a pupil’s academic studies. There are elements of the annual syllabus that impact the normal curriculum, such as our focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Maths), or the programme for World Book Day. However, we continue to see the benefit of the wider curriculum in our standardised results for the core academic subjects. This is also evidenced by the success of pupils at senior school entry in Years 7 and 9, with another broad range of scholarships offered. Stroud proudly remains a school that selects pupils on a non-academic basis. With approximately 60% of all pupils moving on to highly academicallyselective secondary schools, such as King Edward’s, Bishop Wordsworth’s, South Wilts, Canford, and St Swithun’s, we can be reassured that our programme has the desired outcomes as well as the essential preparatory process. We will, once again, have full use of the playing fields at break time next term, but pupils will also be pleased to note the development of an additional play area near the Middle School hard courts. We are installing a 5m-high matrix climbing
net and will bring back the zip wire! The School Council is an active group and allows us to hear the pupil voice. I am grateful to Miss Edmondson and Mrs Chainey for their continued efforts in making sure this is heard by staff. Further development work includes an upgrade to the food technology room to increase capacity, as well as the installation of a permanent cover over the outside classroom space in the Early Years building. I would urge you to pay a visit to the Rose Garden to see the amazing display of pupil artwork that Mrs Brewer has exhibited to commemorate the Armistice. Pupils from across the whole school made ceramic poppies or inscribed tiles with the names of fallen soldiers. These were presented to the school during last term’s Remembrance Service, but are now on permanent display. Have a wonderful holiday and we will look forward to seeing you after the Easter weekend. Joel Worrall Headmaster
Latest news
Snow at Stroud The dropping temperatures brought some Lowry-esque scenes to the field, as students and teachers delved into the icy depths to sculpt snowmen and snow angels before it began to melt. No one was safe from a rogue snow ball! Who says school on a snow day can’t be fun?
Invacuation Plan As with the great majority of schools in this country, we have two types of emergency protocol at Stroud. The first requires an evacuation of all buildings and whole-school assembly at a designated point, the second is an ‘invacuation’ where pupils and staff must remain inside. The evacuation (fire) drill is well known and rehearsed each term, with both normal and ‘alternative’ modes. In some cases, we block exits, remove staff (or pupils), or add a generic condition that tests the system. The alternative, invacuation, is the opposite of evacuation. We have needed this when the ponies escaped their paddock some years ago, or in extreme weather conditions such as very high wind, but the same system functions in the highly unlikely event of an unwanted visitor to the school site or another safeguarding concern. We intend to hold a practice drill in the first half of next term, which is signalled by the intermittent sounding of the lesson bell. This will be communicated in advance to the pupils and the staff, however some parents may be onsite and they will be directed, as appropriate, by staff. 2
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The unseasonally clement weather in late February provided the ideal conditions for our contractor to begin work on the new wildlife area. The plan to improve the biodiversity and accessibility of this part of the site has seen the restoration of two sizeable ponds, the construction of dipping platforms and bridges, and the decaying wooden fence replaced with a hardy chestnut and wire structure.
Mental Health Week The decision to take part in Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week was an easy one. At Stroud, we are stepping beyond the standard pastoral cliché of a ‘positive, caring environment’ and teaching the children (and staff!) tangible coping mechanisms, as part of an ongoing programme to promote good mental health and help increase our resilience.
Latest News
Outdoor Development Project
The new gated paths should enable much easier access for all of the students, and the pond area should be operational in the Summer Term. In addition, our 2018 Year 8 leavers donated eight apple trees to expand our orchard, we will soon welcome chickens to the Stroud farm, and we have terraced an area for a polytunnel. These exciting developments aim to utilise previously under-used but beautiful parts of our school. Spending time watching the development work gave me some glimpses of early activity from our beehive; the bees have survived the winter and are embarking on their spring cleaning and first foraging missions. A reminder that warmer months lie ahead. Angus Reid Learning Outside the Classroom Leader
All staff and pupils took part in Stroud’s Mental Health Week, and enjoyed a range of activities, including mindfulness and philosophy; physical exercises, such as yoga and tai chi; and colouring and alpaca wool crafting sessions. All of the activities were designed to relieve stress and build positive mental health strategies. A talk on positive internal dialogue put the spotlight on happiness, which remains one of the core values at Stroud. Chris Jackson Deputy Head, Pastoral
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Early Years Big Schools’ Bird Watch Both Nursery and Reception went into full twitcher mode as they took part in the RSPB’s Big Schools’ Bird Watch last month. Nursery began preparing for the arrival of their feathered friends by threading apple, bread and sultanas onto wire to make bird feeders for the trellis fence. They then enjoyed observing and counting how many birds swooped in for a snack. Reception camped out during Forest School sessions to record the birds they spotted, using their tally charts and home-made binoculars. They also thought about bird nests and collected resources to build one for their toy robin.
Breaking the Ice Reception took advantage of the cold snap to conduct an experiment: would the water in the tray housing their splashing sea-based animals freeze overnight? Seeing the creatures encased in ice the next day certainly answered their question! 4
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As part of STEAM week, Reception got their vision tested as they enjoyed a talk from a parent on optometry. They learned all about the eye and looked at images through 3D glasses.
Early Years
Optical Inspection
February Festivities The arrival of Valentine’s Day got Early Years thinking about ‘love’ and the people that they love. All classes baked heart-shaped biscuits and cards to gift to their families. Reception also celebrated the Year of the Pig, learning about Chinese New Year with the help of one of our parents, and making lucky red lanterns.
Signs of Spring Along with the snow, Reception also enjoyed the sun and searched for signs of spring cropping up from the forest floor. As they were worried about ramblers trampling the new growth, the budding environmentalists created some signs to protect the plants; instructing others to ‘watch out’. They wrote their own placards, attached sticks to the back, and hammered them into the ground.
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Key Stage One
Scurvy Scallywags All aboard the Jolly Ship Stroud! Year 1 were replaced with some swash-buckling pirates, who created maps of the Seven Seas and whipped up a batch of tack biscuits (with raisin-flavoured maggots) in the galley. They soon disembarked the ship to hunt for a treasure chest on Stroud Island. Once the loot was plundered, they hoisted the Jolly Roger high whilst singing sea shanties on the upper deck.
Everyday Heroes... This term, Year 1 have been studying ‘Everyday Heroes’ and have been treated to visits from a physiotherapist, a chef (Stroud’s own Pete Brooker, who delighted the pupils with his fruit and veg creations), and a police officer (a Chief Inspector no less). The latter was followed by the sound of sirens at Stroud as we welcomed the arrival of a police van. Clambering into the The class containment section certainly arrested their attention, have also been to but thankfully all were bailed out. meet the Fire and Rescue team at Southampton Airport. After checking through the airport security, the students tried on some of the firefighters’ protective work gear and were instructed on the workings of the fire engines, including a demonstration of the hoses on the runway.
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This term’s theme also saw Year 1 making hand puppets modelled after the ‘Everyday Hero’ of their choice. Doctor, nurse, lollipop lady, chef, and policeman drawings were popular at the design stage, before they carefully sewed and cut the edges; releasing a host of heroes ready to lend a helping hand.
Key Stage One
....and Helping Hands
To The Moon Whilst exploring their ‘Space’ topic this term, Year 2 have been busy...
...designing and racing their own moon buggy models; spray-painted gold and silver to outshine the competition... ...delivering speeches about the planets with the help of some green screen technology...
The Egg Drop Challenge The latest science craze to hit Year 2 was the Egg Drop Challenge, where pupils designed a parachute contraption made of recycled materials to save Humpty Dumpty (or, in this case, Buzz and Neil) from a launch from the fire escape. We are pleased to report that every egg survived!
...and trying out an astronaut’s diet through tasting some freeze-dried space rations.
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Middle School
It’s all (Ancient) Greek to Us Luckily, Year 3’s latest visitor knew all about their new history topic…first hand. The Ancient Greek citizen from 2500 years ago delighted the class with tales of civilised Grecian society; from family life and children’s games, to weapons and war, to democracy and tyranny. Before he returned to his time in history, some students tried on his armour and tested dangerous weaponry – under his watchful eye.
Bryanston Maths Challenge We are proud of our competitors from Years 4 to 6 who pitted their wits against 50 schools in the maths challenge hosted at Bryanston School. All were a credit to Stroud, showing determination and a focused attitude throughout.
Prizes for Performing Poets
Congratulations to Annabel, Megan, Milly, and Rosa in Year 5 who represented Stroud at Pangbourne College’s Poetry Reading Competition; a nerve-wracking competition that involved performing a poem creatively with Destination: only an hour to Winchester prepare. They were very nervous, The night sky seemed a little closer to especially as home on Year 4’s trip to Winchester Science they were the Centre’s planetarium to support study on last to perform ‘Earth, Sun, and Moon’. After delving into of the seven space exploration with practical exhibits and competing a workshop on planning space expeditions, schools. The they should all know why Pluto is no longer team worked classified as a planet, where the highest brilliantly mountain in the Solar System is, and together, devising how much a tin of beans would actions for their weigh on the Sun. performance, which earned them second place. 8
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Tudor musicians serenaded Year 4 with songs about Elizabeth I played on traditional instruments, such as the fiddle, pipe, drum, and rebec. Whilst deducing which instruments were reserved for the wealthy and which were a poor man’s choice, they learned that the sackbut often had a rich owner. However, they feared public ridicule so paid sackbut musicians instead. Everyone joined in later to recreate a Tudor market scene by singing chants and cries of traders in a round.
Prepared Talks The 24 Middle School finalists confidently delivered polished and thoroughly researched performances for the Prepared Talks Competition 2019. Year 3 shared their interests, Year 4 educated us on all things Tudor and Year 5 talked about an historical figure they admire.
Middle School
Tunes and Tudors
Victorian Work Experience Tasty Towers Midget Gems and cocktail sticks were the building materials Year 5 used to explore bridge structures. One group engineered a 50cm freestanding tower!
Year 5 were also pulled into a time-travel wormhole as they immersed themselves in Victorian life at Beaulieu Palace House. The year was 1889, and the children were put to work in their stately home service placements as maids, footmen, and chauffeur’s apprentices. They learned how advances in transport during the era were fuelled by the Industrial Revolution, such as the ‘recent’ ground-breaking invention of the motor car.
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nsi de
Year 7’s visit to Jude’s company dairy taught them about the large-scale manufacture of ice cream and, as they sampled the final product (purely for educational purposes), they were set Jude’s Challenge: to design a flavour and sales pitch ready for the company’s return visit. The prize? Five boxes of Jude’s to sell in school to raise money for charity.
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Speakers’ Corner Last month, the Senior Public Speaking finalists showcased their talents hoping to receive one of the coveted trophies. The performance level was high as the solo contenders in Year 6 and the collaborative pairs in Years 7 and 8 battled it out with passion and confidence. Speeches from Year 6 concerned
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Senior School
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environmental issues, with Ida being awarded first place. Aoife and Grayson won the top prize for Year 7, debating both sides of the subject effectively, while the Year 8 team of Alex and Alex successfully challenged each other to diverge from their scripts.
Time for Tea
Modelled after the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the Stroud Civic Award has three levels for each of the year groups in the Senior School: Endeavour, Intrepid, and Forever Undaunted. With an emphasis on developing new skills, confidence, and independence, the programme covers service to both the school and the local communities, whilst also delving into an outdoor adventure. 10
The tinkle of teaspoons on china cups and plates of freshly-baked scones dolloped with jam meant our annual grandparents’ afternoon tea was back. Working towards the Intrepid segment of the Stroud Civic Award, some Year 7s worked tirelessly baking an array of delicious treats for their guests. They organised entertainment pieces from angelic singing to magic tricks, bingo to quizzes, and piano playing to guitar strumming.
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Senior School
Language Leaders The Language Leaders programme, developed for Years 7 and 8, gives students the opportunity to prepare, plan, and deliver some lessons in either Spanish or French to younger Stroud pupils, after a trial run with their peers. They received guidance from teachers on how to plan and manage time effectively, and worked very hard to decide which learning activities best support memory and pronunciation skills and build confidence.
Bright Sparks The senior science labs have been full of dynamic practical experiments this term. For a lesson on combustion, Year 6 triggered some chemical reactions and made their own sparklers.
Stroud also had a visit from King Edward’s Sixth Formers as they brought their Science Roadshow to Romsey, creatively demonstrating scientific theory through hands-on experiments and dynamic tests. Year 8 excitedly awaited their dissection lesson, and their careful execution of some complex instructions proved how attentive they had been to their teacher’s trial run.
Break a Leg! Stroud’s Year 8 Drama Scholar, Alex, will be starring as Audrey II in Mayflower Youth Theatre’s production of Little Shop of Horrors from Friday 31 May to Saturday 1 June. Tickets available now!
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Sports
Prep Schools’ Hockey Tournament Despite the changeable spring weather, Stroud joined U13 teams from King Edward’s, Chafyn Grove, Dumpton, Durlston Court, Salisbury Cathedral, and West Hill Park for some fierce competition. The team put on an impressive display; showcasing teamwork, individual skill, and goals.
Guernsey Hockey Tour The senior sports tour to Guernsey is an annual highlight of the term, and this year’s tour was no exception. It is a mixed squad of boys and girls from Years 7 and 8, who are hosted by their opponents’ families. The Stroud squad, led by captains Fred and Katie, returned from Elizabeth College, Guernsey, exhausted but brimming with life-long memories. The hockey was excellent and the team finished runners up in the tournament, after just being pipped to the post by Guernsey Hockey Club. However, special achievement awards were presented to our players: Rosie and Olly.
Strike a Pose Year 6 are developing great gymnastics skills using the springboard. It looks like the pupils could show the teachers a few tricks!
Regional Qualifiers Good luck to our Year 6 team, who will face the regional round of England Hockey’s In2Hockey competition after finishing in the top two of the county trials!
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A week of Year 5 Bikeability training started with the basics of cycling proficiency and maintenance for some first-time cyclists, but by the end of the first day, all had mastering signalling. The whole group then took their practical knowledge to the streets of Halterworth to practice safe cycling on the road. Their sessions covered U-turns, T-junctions, and overtaking cars, and all participants finished the week with either a Level 1 or 2 award under their belt.
Sports
Bikeability
Ping-Pong Pros
U10 Netball Festival
Well done to Vijayraj and Findlay who represented Stroud at the Hampshire Schools’ Individual Table Tennis finals!
Stroud had the pleasure of hosting the gloriously sunny U10 Netball Festival this month, where we welcomed eleven local teams to both Highwood House and Wellington for coaching and competition. Well done to the U10A team, who walked away Canford Cross Country with silver medals. Congratulations to the Year 6s whose fantastic team effort saw them take third place overall.
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Creativity
Springbursts and Sleeping Beauties Musicians and actors have been hard at work for various performances this term. Year 4 staged a version of Sleeping Beauty; lines were studied meticulously, songs were sung with gusto, and the princess woke up to meet the prince.
Orchestra and Senior Choir have had weekly rehearsals, preparing to show off their skills in the Springburst Concert on the last night of term. Year 5 took on a leading role, as they sang and danced to a medley of Mary Poppins numbers.
Magical Musical Moments Stroud’s orchestra members were treated to a children’s concert at Central Hall in Southampton at the end of January. Southern Pro Musica, the South’s leading professional orchestra, conducted by Jonathan Willcocks, delivered a host of classical pieces; from Strauss’ ‘Die Fledermaus’ to the ‘Dance of the Savages’ and from the ‘Radetzky March’ to Offenbach’s famed can-can. Magician, Neil Henry, acted as compere, delighting the audience with a twist on the classic rabbit-in-the-hat routine: pulling baguettes out of clarinets!
Peter Folkes Art Exhibition Our pupils from Years 6 to 8 have been at their easels creating pieces for the second annual Peter Folkes Prep School Art Exhibition at King Edward’s, which celebrates the artistic achievements of eight local preparatory schools. Students proudly showed off their artwork on display in the art studios and Atrium Gallery at King Edward’s.
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Events
World Book Day 2019 Book characters great and small walked excitedly into Stroud as students prepared for a day of book-based fun. Early Years and Key Stage One kicked things off early with a visit from author Jennie Maizels, who showed them the mechanisms used in her pop-up books before they tried their hands at their own with help from their Year 6 buddies. The whole school was treated to this year’s staff pantomime, Peter Pan, and a book raffle in the morning. Following the assembly, Senior and Middle School were briefed on their spy mission: helping Spynosaur solve the devastating disappearance of all Stroud’s books! They then went undercover designing book covers, creating comics, and finding words within words. Later, Stroud welcomed Spynosaur’s creator, author Guy Bass, who inspired budding writers, spies, and wannabe dinosaurs alike with his anecdotes and readings.
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Stroud Spirit
Summer Camps 2019 Stroud Summer Camps are running as normal this summer, with two, week-long camps run by Mr Worrall and the Stroud team starting Monday 22 July and Monday 29 July. These camps are based at Stroud, but the programme includes a high proportion of offsite activities. In previous years, we have been sailing, orienteering, den building, climbing,
and beachcombing. The onsite programme of music, sport, craft and STEAM activities is supplemented by daily swimming, cookery and bush-craft. Group sizes are set at a maximum of 20, however we have made provision for separate groups if required for Reception to Year 2, Year 3 to 5, and Year 6 to 8. Booking details will be sent out soon, and additional copies can be requested from Reception.
Sewing Session Superstars
Save the date: Saturday 29 June
There was a wonderful turnout of volunteers to join the costume team for the school summer play: Dr Dolittle. Thank you to our very talented and efficient parents, already hard at work to make it a memorable production. Looking forward to seeing the finished garments on the stage!
We are planning to combine the Summer Fun Day with the Cricket Festival. Fingers crossed for good weather!
Stroud School Association
Good Luck Noddie! We were deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our alpaca, Dodds. His passing has left Noddie unsettled and missing the herd dynamic. As Noddie’s welfare is paramount, we will be rehoming him with MCD Care, based in Ower, where he will live in a small alpaca herd alongside an extended family of four sheep, six goats, and some chickens. MCD Care provides high-quality support for adults with learning difficulties, so he will continue to help educate and inspire happiness in his new home.
We are delighted to report that over £800 was raised for school projects from the Comedy and Curry Evening earlier this month. Huge thanks are due to the catering team for the delicious food, Bespoke Comedy for the brilliant entertainment, and to the parents who helped set up and clear out.
Stay in the Know Keep up to date with Stroud’s latest by following @Stroud_School and @Stroud_Sport on Twitter and @stroudschool on Facebook.
Stroud School, Highwood Lane, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 9ZH