Dear Parents, As the academic year draws to a close, pupils across the school are quite rightly celebrating their successes and highlights before departing for the long summer holiday. For some the transition to senior school looms large and for others there is the excitement of moving to the next year in the prep school system. This is, for me and my teaching colleagues, a poignant time because we share each and every one of those same emotions. Each year we look forward immensely to reading the thoughts and special messages sent by our pupils in cards at the end of term. One of the great strengths of Stroud is the willingness of the staff to go above and beyond the needs and demands of the classroom. They are in a constant cycle of planning and delivering their lessons, alongside organising trips and visits, and giving up family time for residentials and co-curricular clubs. Looking through the calendar, this term alone there have been over 140 staffed nights and weekends – even more impressive when we consider it is our shortest term at just 11 weeks. These are such an important part of what we do and, we hope, create a lasting memory and inspiration for our pupils – I want to publicly thank the team for their ongoing commitment. Earlier in the term, we celebrated success in the Sports Department as the school achieved a Gold Sports Mark Award. Sport is an important, and highly enjoyable, part of daily life at the school and I am pleased that others have recognised the high standards of this provision. I am delighted to announce also that Stroud has achieved the Foundation Level of the British Council International School Award, which recognises our efforts to link with international communities. Finally, thank you to all those pupils who helped create our new prospectus, which focuses on the six elements of the Stroud Spirit. The final version can be viewed on the school website. I wish you all a happy and healthy summer break. I look forward to seeing the pupils on the Stroud Summer Camp and I hope that you all have a chance to spend quality time, home or away, with your families. Joel Worrall Headmaster
Stroud School, Romsey
King Edward VI Preparatory School
Latest news
Stroud is delighted to have achieved the British Council International School Award at Foundation Level.
Running Man In April, our very own Mr Rouse ran the London Marathon! He completed the race in an impressive 3 hours 19 minutes, especially so given this was the hottest marathon on record. Well done to Mr Rouse on a super achievement.
The assessors noted: Stroud is “introducing core values through enriched curricular experiences and opportunities. You have identified the significant benefits of sharing common curricular objectives, with international partner schools. Parents are also invited to share in learning experiences through active participation. You recognise the role of learning modern foreign languages in nurturing a greater knowledge and understanding of diversity within your own school community, as well as in other countries. Introducing pupils to culturally related cross-curricular practical activities appears to be an effective strategy in promoting language learning. This includes educational visits to Spain and France. Having identified the positive impact of ICT, pupils are able to develop an interest and learn about countries beyond Europe.�
KS1 Development The new Key Stage 1 building is on schedule, and nearing completion. It is currently being equipped with its mechanical and electrical fittings. Classroom flooring is due to be laid soon, along with external paths and landscaping.
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Stroud joined Hampshire’s School Library Service last year; a fantastic resource which gives the school access to over 800 new titles for the children to borrow via our three libraries. The service allows us to exchange these books throughout the school year to ensure that our libraries are kept up to date with the latest children’s literature. Our Librarian, Mrs Hounsell, is available to help the children choose their next read and has a vast reading list, which she is happy to share with both pupils and parents. Please email her directly at kjh@stroud-kes.org.uk. A member of staff from Romsey Public Library joined us for an assembly to promote the Public Libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge. This takes place every year during the summer holidays. Children can sign up at your local library, then read six library books of their choice to complete the challenge. There are exclusive rewards to collect along the way, and it’s free to take part! The theme for 2018 is ‘Mischief Makers’, inspired by the much-loved iconic children’s title ‘Beano’, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year. More information can be found at: www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/join-in
Latest news
Love Your Library
For those of you that haven’t recently visited our local public library in Romsey, it is very much worth a trip having benefitted from a cash boost by Hampshire County Council as part of its plans to invest £500,000 a year into libraries and technology buildings. Its refurbishment included new self-serve kiosks, new carpets and a redesigned information point. We have also updated recommended reading lists on our VLE (Resources/My Curriculum/English/ Reading Book Suggestions). Lists are available for children from Reception through to Year 8 and have 20 plus titles, all of which have been reviewed and deemed suitable should you not be able to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge. We are also very excited to announce that we will soon be able to offer the children an eBook facility from which they can choose from over 3,300 titles to borrow. This exciting new initiative will be rolled out across Middle and Senior School, in the first instance, throughout the Autumn Term. Finally, please help us win £5,000 of National Book Tokens for the school library - and get £100 for yourself! The more entries we have nominating Stroud School, the greater our chance of winning! Just enter online at http://po.st/schools18
Honesty, Respect, Happiness
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Early Years Fun in the Sun Early Years have been making the most of the amazing summer weather this term with lots of trips, outside learning and swimming lessons. We started the term welcoming new life into the world. Every class had an exciting delivery of tiny caterpillars. They did not stay tiny for long and both the children and staff were amazed by how quickly they grew. It was a wonderful experience to gather as a class and release the butterflies from the net. We were also very lucky to have incubated eggs. Each day the children counted down to the day they would hatch. It was such an exciting moment when the first crack appeared and we watched these tiny wet chicks emerge. They soon became adorable bundles of fluff that the children loved to hold and take care of. All the children were really keen to celebrate the royal wedding so everyone dressed up as princes, princesses or in red, white and blue. We learnt about the royal family and then made sandwiches and cakes for an afternoon tea outside under the bunting and balloons.
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Early Years
Animal Adventures The Perform Drama Company visited Early Years and took the children on a jungle adventure. They had a wonderful time being different animals and telling stories. Nursery and Kindergarten visited Finkley Down Farm for the day. They groomed horses, fed the animals and had the chance to hold some of the baby animals. Reception went to Bournemouth Oceanarium and learnt all about a variety of sea creatures and habitats, and then spent the afternoon playing on the beach.
A Smooth Transition In preparation for their move up into Key Stage 1, Reception pupils attended a Beach School session at Lepe.
CALLING ALL TIDDLERS! We have a lovely group of under 3s and their parents who come to play in our Early Years building every Wednesday afternoon, 2 - 3:15pm. There is no charge and a snack is provided. Do join us and tell your friends!
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Pre-Prep
Activities Week A jam-packed, fun-filled week for all of Key Stage 1 with lots of games, creativity, and exploring. We spent a day at the beach with each class where we held a sandcastle competition and colour scavenger challenge. The children helped devise beach games in teams and everyone enjoyed the BBQ for lunch. Back in the classroom, Year 1 made clay gnomes and designed scarecrows for the garden, while Year 2 stitched wildlife tapestries, made bug sculptures and learnt how to do lino printing.
Tiny Dancers Pupils visited Woodley Grange Care Home to perform country dancing routines, some of which they choreographed themselves. They received a warm welcome, and both children and residents enjoyed chatting after the performance. 6
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Beaulieu Motor Museum gave Year 1 pupils the chance to experience an array of transport with trips on the monorail, an open top vintage bus, classic cars galore, and the ‘Wheels’ ride. We also enjoyed the playground and pretending we were running our own garage.
Pre-Prep
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Jungle Fever A trip to Longleat for Year 2 involved a rainforest animal workshop, river boat ride to see the gorillas and hippos, and even a safari, complete with monkeys clambering on the school minibuses, much to the excitement of the children!
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Middle School
Avon Tyrell Adventures From ‘orb hunting’ to raft building, and canoeing to mountain biking, Year 4 pupils learnt to survive in the wild and had huge fun doing so.
Roman Life
Tuneful progress in Year 3
Year 3 had a super day out at Fishbourne Palace. They learnt all about what life would have been like at the home of Tiberius Claudius Togidubnus. The pupils particularly enjoyed looking at the beautiful mosaics, and made their own Roman purses called ‘bullas’.
All Aboard SS Great Britain for Year 5 8
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Middle School
Remembering WWII The Summer Term saw Year 4 immersed in WWII life. On Evacuees Day, they cooked using only their rations; made up plays based on the WWII novels they had studied in class; played games of the era; and took a ‘trip’ around Highwood House imagining they had just arrived here after getting the train from London. The children also created an incredible WWII Museum for the rest of the school, showcasing the ‘artefacts’ they had made for homework.
Victorians in Shropshire Year 5 were sensational on their residential to the Ironbridge gorge. Having experienced life on a Victorian farm, sat through a Victorian lesson, washed and rinsed laundry with a mangle and hand-hrown a Victorian brick, they now have a clear insight into how tough times were for many of their ancestors. They travelled by steam train, mine cart and shire horse, returning safely to the 21st century, exhausted.
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Senior School
Spanish Facetime Building on our connection to Barcelona, Year 6 pupils took part in Facetime video conferences with a school in Barcelona during the Summer Term. The Mare de Deu de la Salut School is located within the Sabadell district. It was lovely to witness the excitement from our pupils, speaking Spanish with children their age.
No Frogs Were Harmed Year 6 collaborated well during their maths investigations to work out the right sequence of moves for their frogs crossing the pond.
Kew Curiosities As part of Science curriculum, Year 6 visited Kew Gardens to see how plants are adapted to live in different habitats and learn about some of the most important crops around the world.
The highlight was seeing some of the world’s rarest and most threatened species, such as the Cycad Encephalartos Woodii, in the Temperate House. This plant is now extinct in the wild, and has been dubbed the loneliest in the world because there are no known female specimens with which it can breed. All other examples of the plant found in other botanic gardens around the world are clones of this specimen. 10
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Senior School Forest Camping Year 7 pupils spent a night camping at Tile Barn in Brockenhurst, completing the ‘Adventure’ element of the Stroud Civic Award. After travelling by train and hiking to the site, the children completed archery and climbing sessions, toasted marshmallows around the camp fire and cooked up a delicious breakfast on the Sunday morning. A super time, in the glorious sunshine, was had by all.
Flour Babies Year 8 spent time creating and looking after their very own flour babies. The children had to write or film a diary of their experience, which were highly entertaining. The project was a lot of fun and the children enjoyed spending time with their ‘children’ and adding their own baby accessories.
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Sports
Stroud Girls Step Up to the Crease From training with members of the England female cricket team to competing in cricket festivals, Stroud girls across all the year groups have been developing their skills and understanding of the game. From next summer, the curriculum will change to focus entirely on cricket so this term has given them a thorough initiation into the game, set them up for future success, and, hopefully, lots of fun playing.
Smooth sailing Stroud pupils set off for Weymouth on a beautiful day in mid-May for the IAPS National Sailing Competition. They cruised to 3rd and 5th places overall. We were delighted to be the top school team in the Feva class. In the SWAC Summer Regatta, Stroud brought the trophy home, with a mixed team of 18 sailors and plenty of golds.
Take a Bow At the end of March, Isabel achieved her black belt in Choi Kwang Do. This was as a result of three and a half years of dedicated effort and 18 gradings. She has shown great determination, skill and perseverance to reach this level and we congratulate her. Pictured here with the chief instructor. 12
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Sports
Guernsey Hockey Tour The hockey tour to Guernsey was a roaring success. The team won two tournaments and enjoyed a packed weekend of fixtures. The tour couldn’t happen without the fantastic support of Elizabeth College and their host families. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed their time on the island and made the most of the hosting experience. We look forward to the return of Elizabeth College in the Autumn Term for their football tour.
Cross Country Competition At the end of the Spring Term, Stroud hosted its second cross-country event of the academic year, for children in Years 3 – 8. A bitterly cold Saturday morning didn’t stop over 170 children and their parents arriving to participate in the event, which welcomed both boys and girls from independent and state schools. We had teams of runners from across Hampshire, including Springhill Catholic Primary School, Wordsworth Primary, Boundary Oak School and Walhampton. Overall, it was another exciting event with healthy competition between both state and independent school pupils, with medals being awarded to runners from all of the schools.
Making a Splash Middle and Senior School pupils enjoyed fabulous sunshine and a friendly, competitive atmosphere at their swimming galas, with lots of family there to cheer them on.
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Trips
Beautiful Barcelona During the Easter break, Year 7 and 8 pupils took a trip to Barcelona and had great fun. The children were excellent ambassadors for our school. We were often complimented on the way they behaved in restaurants and various local attractions. The teachers that accompanied them were really proud of all of them. Throughout the trip, besides listening attentively, the children asked thoughtful questions and gave thoughtful answers. It was inspiring to hear them make connections between what we do in the classroom and what they saw and heard when out and about. Of course, travelling is an excellent way for our children to improve their language skills, hear the language used in context and learn about everyday Spanish life.
Such opportunities to go abroad provide a wonderful chance for pupils to develop independence and create their own memories amongst their peers. We are already looking forward to Barcelona 2020!
Fun in France A week of history, fine cuisine, biscuit making and the opportunity to practise their French awaited Year 6 pupils when they set off for Normandy. They learnt about the D-Day Landings and showed tremendous respect visiting the war cemeteries.
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Events
Representing Stroud Hugo, Rosa, Eddie, Hope (Year 4), Issac (Year 5), Raaghav, Thomas, Grayson, Quinn, Benjamin (Year 6) and Alex (Year 7) were invited to attend the Pangea Maths Competition UK Awards Final at Queen Mary University in London. Eighty seven schools, and nearly 6000 pupils, took part in the first round, so being one of the finalists was already a huge achievement. All pupils received a certificate of outstanding Maths performance. Ben secured 2nd place overall in the Year 6 category - a very significant result! It was a privilege for the staff to attend this prestigious event with our excellent Stroud mathematicians.
Springburst 2018 We marked the end of the Spring Term with a spectacular display of music , drama and dance; showcasing skills from some very talented pupils.
Sports Relief 2018 Pupils took on a ‘Tough Mudder’ style assault course in aid of charity and raised a tremendous £2755 in the process.
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Stroud Spirit
A Stroud Family by Mr Jonathan Taylor Forty-three years span my arrival at Stroud and William's departure this term, with Max and Abby in between. It was an absolute privilege for me that my first teacher, Judy Gregory, was able to show the whole family around the school in 2013, and the detour to show me the pre-prep classroom where she taught me was a surprisingly moving moment. Whilst the school has visibly improved since my time here, I can confidently state that the spirit of Stroud that I experienced as a pupil continues unabated. All three of my children soon found their feet at Stroud, despite Max and Abby being late joiners. Max still prides himself on having won the award for best newcomer. Cindy and I were made particularly welcome by the current Stroud fraternity and we will miss getting involved with the social side of the school. Stroud has a long history to look back upon proudly. Maybe in another two or three decades there will be a third generation of Taylors back for more.
Finally, mention must be made of the entire Stroud staff, both teaching and non-teaching. Beyond impressive, they are attentive, energetic and highly-skilled, wonderful people playing a pivotal role in turning our children into wonderful human beings.
Endless Endeavour
Stroud School Association
We are very proud of Gregory for showing such spirit and giving up his own time to serve his community. Inspired by the Civic Award Endeavour litter pick, one weekend he decided to conduct his own clean-up in the areas around Stroud and collected three bags of rubbish.
The SSA enjoyed getting involved in a very busy Summer Term of school events with Pimms tents at the Middle School and Senior School Sports Days, as well as a barbeque at the family cricket festival in June. We’re delighted to announce that this year we have raised over £3000 to help fund school projects. The SSA relies on the tremendous and enthusiastic help given by parents to organise and run events. Please come to the AGM next term, and contact your year rep or the committee on thessacommittee@gmail. com to get involved. Dates for your diary: 14th September - Summer Fun Day 24th November - Champagne Supper 30th November - Christmas Fayre
Stroud School, Highwood House, Highwood Lane, Romsey SO51 9ZH