SPRING 2025 Assembly
IN THIS ISSUE
FROM THE HEADMASTER
PRE-PREP REPORT
BOOK WEEK
YEAR 8 COMEDY NIGHT
TRIP TO NAPLES
AH ART GALLERY
TRIPS & WORKSHOPS
MUSIC REVIEW
WELLBEING WEEK
DRAGONS DEN
SPORTS ROUND-UP
FROM THE HEADMASTER
Welcome to the Spring 2025 edition of Assembly. We have been reminded by the media that it was five years ago this month that schools were closed in the pandemic, and many children only attended classes for only fifty days of the subsequent fifty-two weeks.
Those days are, thankfully, long behind us but it is interesting to look through this magazine and reflect on what makes our school days so special. One educational theorist states that school experience for children revolves around the three Cs: crowds, challenge and comparison. Children move away from the small family unit and learn how to be effective contributors to a larger community; they are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone in order to learn new knowledge and skills; they notice difference and should become comfortable with that. Only a very narrow aspect of one of those was possible during the lockdowns, and yet the pages that follow are bursting with all of them.
Arnold House boys are enjoying busy days, moving through an almost endless series of exciting challenges, as a team, supporting one another to grow as individuals. It has, in all ways, been a hugely successful term but my final measure is whether the boys are actively engaged in their development, rather than having it forced upon them – the articles in this magazine are clear evidence that we are scoring very highly. The quality of the staff team is responsible for that and I hope you will sense the creativity, ambition and dedication that I witness first hand every day. Enjoy this edition of Assembly as we get ready for an equally inspiring summer term.
Giles Tollit Headmaster
As the saying goes, ‘time flies when you’re having fun,’ and here we are, two-thirds of the way through the school year! Although the spring term is a shorter one, it has been packed full of opportunities for learning and growth. At this stage, the boys in Pre-Prep are brimming with confidence, displaying positive attitudes toward learning, and a willingness to ‘have a go’ at most tasks. The environment around us is a true testament to their efforts, with an eclectic array of work on display throughout the school, all representing the ‘voice of the child.’
This term, we celebrated Wellbeing Week with an array of mindfulness activities that encouraged our boys to reflect on their thoughts, feelings, and overall wellbeing. From guided breathing exercises to creative journaling and calming art sessions, it was wonderful to see the boys engaging with these activities in such a positive and thoughtful way. They learned the importance of taking time for themselves, practicing gratitude, and supporting their mental health—skills that will benefit them for years to come.
The class breakfasts were another highlight this term. It was heart-warming to see our Pre-Prep boys and their parents coming together for a special breakfast spread. These mornings provided a fantastic opportunity for families to connect and enjoy some quality time before the school day began, and the sense of community was truly evident.
Book Week including World Book Day was another stand-out moment. The boys’ inventive and cleverly made costumes showed off their creativity and love for literature. The real magic happened when we invited the older boys from Year 8 to come and read with our younger boys. Watching the Year 8 boys scale down to the smaller chairs, sitting side by side with our Pre-Prep boys, sharing stories and laughter was truly something special. This intergenerational exchange fostered a love for reading and helped build meaningful connections across year groups.
The Pre-Reception and Reception boys also had the opportunity to perform in an Easter and Spring-themed assembly for their parents. Their enthusiasm and joy were evident in their singing, acting, and storytelling, and it
was a truly uplifting celebration of the changing seasons. Everyone is incredibly proud of the boys’ efforts on stage. Year 1 has been busy practicing and rehearsing for their upcoming play, which will be performed to parents in the summer term at Canons Park. They have been working hard to perfect their lines, songs, and dance moves, and we cannot wait to see all their hard work come to life on stage.
We were also fortunate to have Reverend Kristina from St Johns Wood Church visit the Pre-Prep boys to speak about the origins and celebration of Easter. The boys listened attentively as she shared the meaning behind the Easter traditions, providing them with a deeper understanding of this important celebration.
As the weather grows warmer and the first signs of spring start to appear, we are reminded that change is ahead— not just in terms of the seasons, but also in preparation for what comes next on the boys’ Arnold House journey. Looking ahead to the summer term, transition will be a big focus. We will be sharing plans for the next steps with parents early in the term to ensure a smooth and seamless progression for all.
Looking forward, our curriculum remains busy and full of exciting, learning opportunities. There is so much more to look forward to in the coming term, and we are eager to continue nurturing our boys’ growth in both academic and personal development. With much more to come, we cannot wait to see what the rest of the year has in store for us!
Ms McKenzie Head of Pre-Prep
Pre-Reception
Pre-Reception has had a wonderfully busy spring term, full of exciting learning opportunities and memorable experiences.
In Phonics, we have continued to explore Set-1 sounds, including ‘g, o, c, k, u, b, f, e, l, and h.’ The children have been enjoying segmenting and blending these sounds to create CVC words, building a strong foundation for their early reading skills.
In Maths, we have been focusing on space, shape, and measure. The boys have been counting using 1:1 correspondence, subitising numbers up to 6, recognising numerals up to 10 and beyond, and learning about parts of a whole.
Driven by the children’s fascination, we explored the wonders of space. We learned about the planets in our galaxy and discussed space exploration through the space shuttle and the International Space Station. The boys enjoyed painting large-scale representations of the planets and crafting rockets and spaceships using recycled materials.
Wellbeing Week was a highlight of the term, packed with enriching activities. The children participated in mindfulness exercises, created individual superpower cards for the Arnold House flag, took part in a dance workshop focused on wellbeing and emotional literacy, and wrote poems during a poetry workshop with a visiting poet.
In celebration of Lunar New Year, we learned about the Great Race and placed the Chinese zodiac animals in order, from the Rat (1st) to the Pig (12th). The boys enjoyed watching a short video of a lion dance, making paper chain dragons, hanging lanterns, and taking part in a workshop led by some of our parent community.
Our generous parents have also shared their expertise with the class. The children had the opportunity to learn
about various professions, such as finance, medicine, and greeting card design, as well as the celebration of Eid. We are fortunate to be able to take advantage of all that London has to offer, including visits to some of the city’s incredible museums. A trip to the Postal Museum was a big hit, where the children learned about the history of the post office and enjoyed a ride on the Mail Rail Express. A visit to London’s Sea Life Aquarium also proved to be an exciting adventure, where the boys especially enjoyed watching the sharks swim past in the vast tanks. Back in the classroom, they created sea creatures using recycled materials.
During Book Week, the boys celebrated all things literary. They learned about the different parts of a book, such as the front and back covers and the spine, as well as the roles of the author and illustrator. The children shared their favourite books with the class and enjoyed dressing up as their favourite characters.
Science Week was another fantastic opportunity for exploration. The boys participated in various experiments, including testing materials that float and sink, guessing the volume of containers, hypothesising about the changes an egg would undergo in the egg and vinegar experiment, and even creating a volcanic eruption using bicarbonate of soda and vinegar.
Finally, the Pre-Reception boys learned songs and dialogue for our Spring Assembly and confidently performed for their parents. Performing for an audience plays a key role in the children’s personal, social, and emotional development, helping them to gain confidence and a sense of achievement. We are incredibly proud of their efforts.
It has been a wonderful term, full of learning, growth, and fun!
Miss Geffriaud & Mrs Taylor Pre-Reception Teachers
Reception
What an exciting and fulfilling term we have had in Reception! It has been such a joy to witness the progress the boys have made across all areas of learning.
In Literacy, we embarked on a fun-filled journey into rhyming, inspired by the magical stories of Julia Donaldson, including Zog, The Gruffalo, and A Squash and a Squeeze. The children enjoyed creating rhyming strings and constructing their own rhyming sentences. We also had fun playing rhyming games like Silly Soup and the Name Game. Additionally, we explored alliteration and wrote sentences using a fun language tool. We introduced key writing rules, such as using capital letters at the start of sentences, finger spaces, and full stops at the end. The children have worked really hard to remember these rules when writing their sentences. For Book Week, the boys took part in a variety of writing activities, including designing their own book covers and writing extended sentences about their favourite books, using the word “because” to explain why they love them. In Phonics, we continued with Ruth Miskin’s Read Write Inc. reading scheme, and the boys have made impressive progress in their reading journey.
In Mathematics, we explored 2D and 3D shapes, comparing their similarities and differences while investigating their properties. We also worked on addition, using methods like the part-part-whole strategy and ten frames. The boys enjoyed practising doubling up to 20 and learning about subtraction through the use of objects and ten frames. Our discussions on time led us to explore the seasons, months of the year, and the days of the week. We also had fun halving and quartering shapes, which naturally progressed to halving numbers. The boys discovered odd and even numbers, learning through the story of Mr Odd and Mrs Even. Finally, we delved into measuring, comparing the length and height of various objects.
This term, Reception had the opportunity to visit the RAF Museum, where they went on an exciting hunt to find “the gold medal” as part of their interactive workshop. They explored different types of transport and enjoyed some fun playtime in the museum’s playground. We also visited the Science Museum and explored the amazing exhibits on display. As part of Wellbeing Week, the boys had a wonderful time walking Arnold the dog to Violet Hill Park, where they played in the playground and had a blast. Additionally, we were thrilled to welcome parents to school for some enriching sessions. The boys had the chance to learn about Ramadan and the Holi Festival, which they thoroughly enjoyed.
It has been a term full of learning, exploration, and fun, and we cannot wait for what’s to come next!
Miss Hennessy & Miss Rafferty Reception Teachers
Year 1
The boys returned from the Christmas break with excitement, eager to share their winter adventures! In English, they created engaging recounts of their holiday experiences, incorporating time connectives and vivid adjectives. In addition, they set New Year’s resolutions, discussing their personal goals for the upcoming year.
One of the most thrilling topics of the term was ‘Space.’ The boys began by learning about Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space, through the book Mae Among the Stars. Inspired by her determination to achieve her dream of becoming an astronaut, the boys explored the message of never giving up. They worked on creating detailed fact sheets about her life and discussed the reasons behind her remarkable journey. We examined the achievements of Tim Peake, a British astronaut, and his efforts to make space exploration more accessible to the public. In 2014, Peake launched a competition to design food suitable for space, which led to a fascinating study of the ideal diet for astronauts. The boys researched and analysed what foods would best support astronauts on their missions.
Continuing with the space theme, we explored The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers. Using this story as a springboard, the boys brainstormed creative ways to rescue someone stranded on the moon. They honed their persuasive writing skills by composing postcards to their parents, asking for help with their lunar rescue. Some even shared their excitement of being stranded on the moon!
In Maths, Year 1 has had a busy and productive term, striking a great balance between practical and written tasks. We started by reinforcing number bonds and practicing essential number skills. As the term progressed, the boys engaged with non-standard measurements, recording their findings in various ways. They explored weight, capacity, and length, rounding off the term with a focus on tens and units.
In Understanding the World, Year 1 explored the properties of different materials through exciting experiments. The boys tested which ball was the bounciest and investigated why some objects float while others sink. Their teamwork and problem-solving abilities have developed, and their lively discussions showed their curiosity and understanding. This learning was tied to History as the boys studied how manufacturing processes have changed over time. They also explored materials’ geographical connections, considering how things are made in different parts of the world. The boys had a fantastic time on their trip to the Young V&A in Bethnal Green, where they discovered toys from the past and how they have evolved through modern materials and power sources. The ‘Hero Arm’ workshop was especially
memorable, as the boy’s demonstrated empathy and celebrated individuality. The trip provided valuable connections between Science, Technology, and History. The term concluded with a visit to the Tower of London, where the boys learned about the building’s rich history, including its suits of armour, cannons, and the Crown Jewels. They participated in a workshop, testing their knowledge and even viewing the king’s bedroom, while completing the challenges required to become a knight. In school, the boys delved into the fascinating world of knights, battles, and castles. After learning about the features of castles, the boys built their own turret, complete with a drawbridge and portcullis. They used various media to research different parts of the castle, discovering the ‘long drop’ and learning about the people who worked there, such as the gong farmer! This sparked a lively discussion about the best and worst jobs in a castle. The boys were equally enthusiastic about exploring both defensive and offensive strategies when it came to castles.
In Art, the boys explored the works of Van Gogh and Ana Zaja-Petrak. They compared the contrasting styles of both artists, noting that Van Gogh’s artwork was filled with small dashes and intricate details, while Ana ZajaPetrak’s style was simpler and bolder. After studying Van Gogh’s techniques, the boys experimented with creating their own artwork using texture and small dashes. Their final project was a collaborative effort, where each boy contributed a section to their version of Starry Night. In their exploration of Ana Zaja-Petrak’s bold, striped backgrounds, the boys created a mixed-media collage, each adding their unique touches to the artwork.
In Enquiry, the boys decided they would like to know more about weather systems which led seamlessly into learning about ‘Extreme Weather’ and the devastating impact different events can have. While learning about this, the boys became very interested in the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’ and seismic activity which of course led onto our topic of Volcanoes and Earthquakes. The boys have shown such incredible teamwork and IT skills when researching topics and completing their tasks. They have truly embraced the subject as an ever growing and developing one, giving them ownership over their own learning.
It has been a term full of exciting discoveries, creative projects, and lots of learning! The boys have made excellent progress across all subjects, and we look forward to another fantastic term ahead.
Miss Brennan, Ms Legan & Miss Ayrton Year 1 Teachers
Forest School
In Pre-Reception, the boys had a wonderfully busy time exploring the natural world. Their bird-watching activity at Canons Park was a delightful opportunity to learn about the variety of birds that inhabit the area. The children eagerly identified different bird species and learned to recognise the distinct sounds they make. To celebrate the Lunar New Year, the boys took part in a creative project, crafting an impressive dragon’s head from a cardboard box, which they adorned with natural materials. They then brought the dragon to life with a lively dance that delighted everyone.
In the spirit of the season, the children engaged in thoughtful discussions about the challenges birds face during the colder months. This led to a heartwarming project where they made bird feeders to hang in the trees, providing food for their feathered friends. The boys also had a wonderful time creating windmills and exploring the weather conditions necessary to make them spin. Their creativity shone through in an outdoor painting activity, where they decorated sticks with vibrant colours, adding a playful splash to their natural surroundings.
Meanwhile, Reception boys have embraced a range of creative learning opportunities in their Forest School sessions throughout the winter and into the spring. The highlight of this season was participating in the annual Big Bird Watch, where the boys eagerly identified and named a variety of birds at Canons Park. They learned about how challenging it can be for birds to find food in winter and discussed the importance of caring for wildlife. The boys eagerly got to work creating bird feeders, learning about different foods that help sustain wild birds.
The boys tried outdoor yoga, connecting the practice to both physical well-being and the beauty of nature. Forest School continues to provide rich opportunities for the boys to explore their interests and engage in handson activities. One of their latest experiments involved creating windmills and discussing the weather conditions needed to make them spin.
Year 1 has also been busy with exciting learning experiences during the colder months. They started an ongoing weather diary, tracking the weather each week by recording temperatures, wind patterns, and drawing symbols to reflect the changes they observed. They also created a rain gauge to measure weekly rainfall, making predictions about the weather for the upcoming week. The boys delved into the fascinating world of birds, identifying them by name, colour, and size, and studying the bird life cycle using key vocabulary.
Creativity was encouraged as the boys worked in teams to build kites, experimenting with various materials and discussing which would provide the strongest construction. In addition, the boys have been honing
practical life skills by learning how to tie different types of knots, exploring their usefulness in everyday activities.
Forest School continues to inspire the children to connect with nature, nurture their creativity, and develop essential skills that will serve them in both the classroom and beyond.
Mrs Wootten Forest School Teacher
World Languages - Mandarin
This spring term, I had the pleasure of introducing the Mandarin language to the Pre-Reception, Reception and Year 1 boys, focusing on both the language and cultural aspects. The boys have made great progress in their Mandarin, learning through a fun and interactive approach. The lessons were engaging, interactive, and tailored to suit their developmental stages, ensuring that the boys enjoyed learning while acquiring new skills.
From the first lesson, the boys learned about the rich culture associated with the language, including the countries where Mandarin is spoken, such as China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore. They explored the significance of Mandarin in these regions and how it plays a key role in communication and traditions. Additionally, they were introduced to the celebration of Lunar New Year, discovering its importance as one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Chinese culture. They learned about traditional customs, such as dragon dances, red envelopes, and the symbolic meanings of certain foods. This lesson gave them a deeper appreciation of Mandarin as not just a language but also a gateway to understanding a vibrant and ancient culture.
All the boys learnt the ‘Hello’ song, also known as the ‘nǐ h o’ song. They have mastered the song so well and sing this just before we start every lesson each week. The boys were introduced to basic Mandarin phrases to help build their conversational skills. We practiced greetings like nǐ h o (hello), zài jiàn (goodbye), and xiè xie (thank you), which the boys learned through repetition, roleplay, and songs. We looked at numbers 1-10 (y , èr, s n… shí), practicing pronunciation and recognition through counting games and songs. To help them internalize these numbers, we incorporated clapping, jumping, and visual aids, which kept their attention focused.
They too learned a variety of fruits in Mandarin, using engaging activities like matching games and flashcards to reinforce their vocabulary. The boys learned about different colours and their names in Mandarin. They practiced pronouncing and writing common colours,
such as red (hóngsè), blue (lánsè), yellow (huángsè), and green (l sè). Along with learning the vocabulary, they also discovered the cultural significance of certain colours in Chinese culture. For example, they learned that red symbolizes good luck and happiness. Through fun activities like matching colours to objects and playing interactive games, the boys developed their Mandarin language skills while gaining insight into the cultural importance of colours in Chinese traditions.
In addition, action games played a big role in their learning, helping them associate Mandarin words with physical movement, making vocabulary more memorable and enjoyable. Additionally, each week they were introduced to a new animal, gradually expanding their knowledge of Mandarin animal names. Through a mix of games, songs, and hands-on activities, the boys not only learned new words but also gained confidence in speaking Mandarin while having fun.
Miss Lam World Languages – Mandarin Teacher
PE
This term, our PE lessons have focused on developing fundamental movement skills through a variety of sports and fun games. We have explored rugby, continued building on football, and even introduced some cricket through throwing and catching activities. The skills we’ve been working on include jumping, balancing, hopping, and skipping, all of which are essential for coordination and motor development.
In rugby, the boys have learned the basic rules of the game, focusing on safe handling and passing of the ball. We have also incorporated some fun games with rugby balls, so the boys have had the chance to practice running with the ball in hand. Throughout these activities, the boys have been building teamwork, communication, and social skills, all while working on their physical fitness and coordination.
These fundamental movements form the foundation for more complex sports and skills as the children grow older. We make sure to incorporate both structured and fun games to teach specific skills while reinforcing the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. It’s been a pleasure watching all the boys develop, and I’m looking forward to introducing them to cricket and tennis next term—hopefully with some sunshine to enjoy along the way!
Mr Lutyens
PE Teacher
BOOK WEEK
Book Week is a highly anticipated event on the Arnold House calendar, and with good reason! This year, my first at the school, was an absolute delight, and I was continually impressed by the boys’ enthusiasm for all things ‘Book’.
Years 3 to 6 had a fantastic visit from the author Louie Stowell, writer of the much-loved Loki and Dragon in the Library books. She presented an exciting assembly on Norse mythology with lots of engagement from the boys, including a lively re-enactment of Loki’s story with stellar performances from boys and teachers! After that, Louie delivered workshops discussing creation myths, after which each boy spent time imagining and developing their own creator god.
I had a wonderful time visiting Year 1 and Reception as a part of their Revolting Rhymes themed Roald Dahl Day. After we all discovered a more-grisly-thanusual version of Jack and the Beanstalk, the boys each turned their golden magic beans into individually decorated leaves on class beanstalks, which can be now found winding their way round windows and along the walls of their classrooms. Some leaves depict grizzly scenes, others glimmer in the sunshine like the gold leaves from the story.
The theme of book week this year was Reading Together, and it was brilliant to hear from families who enjoyed the daily challenges designed to encourage shared reading activities at home. In school, the theme was taken up by the older boys, who did a wonderful job of reading with pre-prep students: I’m sure all parties learned something from that exchange. A number of boys also recorded fantastic book recommendations for their peers. We had no shortage of volunteers for this activity, and boys’ enthusiasm for their chosen titles is infectious.
The production company Rabbit in Headlights brought their production of Louis Sachar’s ‘Holes’ to Canons Park, bringing what is already a much-loved text to life.
A packed week culminated in a joyfully wacky World Book Day. This year the usual theme of Book Characters was brought imaginatively to life in some absolutely incredible costumes, from dictionaries to detectives, wizards to Wonkas (not to mentions several Where’s Wallys), robots to rabbits!
Huge thanks to Louie Stowell and Rabbit in Headlights, who injected so much excitement and imagination into this year’s Book Week. Thank you also to parents and staff for their contributions and participation in all the challenges and activities (including putting together some fabulous costumes). Final thanks, of course, to the boys, who brought their characteristic humour, insight and enthusiasm to everything that was going on this week. We can all look forward to continuing the theme of Reading Together into the rest of the school year and beyond.
Ms Dunnett Librarian
YEAR 8 COMEDY NIGHT
Year 8 brought some much-needed warmth and laughter to a cold January evening with a delightful night of stand-up comedy, with Canons Park turned into a comedy club for the night.
Treating the audience to rants about public toilets and siblings, sketches showing school lunch times and shop robberies and even a risky game of ‘truth or dare’, the boys performed with confidence and style, performing material written and devised in their drama lessons. With jokes, impressions and even some audience participation, the boys had the crowd leaving with big smiles for a cracking night of comedy.
Mr Ofield Assistant Head of Drama
YEAR 7 TRIP TO NAPLES
At the crack of dawn on Wednesday 13th March, Year 7 met with Mrs Watts, Mrs Rendell, Mr Tunley and myself to drive to Gatwick for the annual Classics Tour. This year our destination was Naples. Despite the early hour, the boys were all in great spirits, excited for the adventures to come. When we arrived in Italy, we wasted no time and immediately boarded our coach for Naples City.
Our tour guide, Luca, showed us around the fascinating and enigmatic Naples Underground City, built by the Greeks as a reservoir of fresh water for the city, and later used as a bomb shelter during the Second World War. The boys, true to form, were all full of questions and threw themselves into the experience; some overcoming nerves to climb through quite narrow and dark tunnels. We then had a short walk through Naples, seeing much of the local character. Last stop of the day was the wonderful Archaeological Museum of Naples, which the boys took to with great enthusiasm and reverence.
The next day, we learnt that there had been an earthquake in the region over night. We hadn’t felt a thing and luckily weren’t affected. The tour continued with a trip to Pompeii with tour guide, Gian-Carla. Pompeii was for many boys (and teachers!) the highlight of the trip. The boys were particularly intrigued by the ancient food stalls and insights into daily life of 2000 years ago. In the afternoon, we climbed an eerie and atmospherically foggy Vesuvius. The boys were, again, bursting with questions, and the locals, tour guides, and other tour groups could not stop complimenting their behaviour: the word bravissimi was a common descriptor of the AH boys.
On our third day, we took a ferry to Capri to explore Villa Jovis, an opulent seaside residence for the Emperor Tiberius. We climbed the large hill to reach the villa,
only to discover that it had closed without notice. The boys showed remarkable patience as I told them all about Tiberius (a personal favourite), and yet again I was bowled over by their maturity and presence of mind. The trip back to the mainland was eventful to say the least. A broken-down ferry, a protest by local workers and an escort by the local carabinieri certainly added to the adventure. The boys’ behaviour was admirable and that evening their patience and forbearance was rewarded with a pizza making workshop, where they learnt from professional pizzaioli how the dish is made, and got to make their own.
Our final day started with a tour of Herculaneum, which the boys saw as a fascinating comparison to the larger site of Pompeii. With our tour finished, the boys were allowed to go and get some lunch independently on a small street near Herculaneum, and we then boarded the coach for our final journey to Naples airport. The boys, by this point, had learnt a great deal about Roman and Italian culture. They had even learnt some of the language, throwing grazies and pregos and buongiornos to everyone they possibly could. It was a wonderful experience and each boy should be proud of how they showed themselves and represented Arnold House abroad.
Mr Davidson English Teacher
AH ART GALLERY
Boys in Years 3&4 have been working hard this term on a wide range of creative projects. Year 3 have been using their design skills to redesign the London skyline, incorporating the mosaics of Gaudi alongside the intricate botanical illustrations of Ernst Haeckel.
Year 4 have reimagined florals inspired by the work of artist Sabine Finkenhaeur. Using painted paper collage, organic forms are broken down and rearranged. Tiny painted stickers mimic the texture of beadwork to create deconstructed abstract compositions.
Kate Housden Art teacher
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TRIPS & WORKSHOPS
Y2 Great Fire of London Workshop
Year 2 boys took part in an immersive Great Fire of London workshop, bringing their history lessons to life. They stepped back in time, taking on roles as Londoners from 1666 and experiencing what it might have been like during the fire. Through engaging activities, they explored how the fire spread so rapidly and the methods used to extinguish it.
Miss Thomson
Y2 Potty Potions Workshop
Year 2 boys had a fantastic time at the Potty Potions workshop, where they became young scientists for the day. They conducted three exciting experiments: changing the colour of liquids, investigating the density of different substances, and launching a rocket using lemonade and bicarbonate of soda. The hands-on activities sparked their curiosity and enthusiasm for science.
Miss Thomson
Y3 Ancient Egypt Workshop
The Year 3’s took part in a whole day workshop on Ancient Egyptians. They were immersed into the story of Pharaoh Akhenaten, Tutankhamun’s father and his journey to power. The boys had a chance to create art, pottery, amulets and their own wax melts, just as those did over 3000 years ago. The day ended with three drama performances for “Pharaoh Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti”. The Year 3 teachers couldn’t be prouder of the boys!
Mrs Bennett
Y6 London Transport Museum
Year 6 were great ambassadors when they attended the annual TFL Junior Citizenship scheme at the Transport museum in Convent Garden. They heard from members of the Metropolitan police, London fire brigade, Hope UK, London Ambulance service and TFL staff in engaging and relevant discussions to ensure they are prepared for the challenges they will face as they become more independent in and around London.
Mr Matthews
Y6 Screenwriting Workshop
The Year 6 boys had a great experience exploring the wizarding world at the Warner Bros Studios Making of Harry Potter. The visit started with a screenwriting workshop where they were fortunate enough to handle real props from the films, taking inspiration from them to create their own stories. They then had a full tour of the Harry Potter Studios learning how the magic of the books was brought to life.
Miss Hall
Y7 Art of Foley Workshop
Year 7 visited the Warner Bros studios to learn all about the Art of Foley. A Foley Artist is someone who creates background sounds for films. The boys participated in a workshop where they explored the science behind sound as well as trying to add their own sounds to clips from the Harry Potter films. They learnt about how background sounds are split into three areasfootsteps, movements and specifics. After the workshop, the boys then enjoyed a tour of the rest of the studios and learnt how they made the magic come to life!
Mrs Miller
Y8 Medieval Women Exhibition
Year 8 boys visited the British Museum to see the heralded exhibition showcasing a multitude of women from varied backgrounds who soared during medieval times, from Joan of Arc to the first woman to make her living as a writer, and mystics such as Julien of Norwich. As well as a tour of the Library’s treasures (among which Shakespeare first folios and The Beatles’ first drafts), we were guided on an investigation of the material behind the glass cases. A day to remember, and perhaps one that the boys will look back on as a slow burning revelation.
Mr Moss-Marks
Y8 F1 in Schools
Some of the boys in Year 8 have spent the last term preparing for the London West, entry class, F1 in Schools competition during an after-school STEM activity. The competition, held at the Bicester Motion campus, involved the boys creating a 3D design for a car, preparing a portfolio and making a verbal presentation. It was fantastic to see their cars on the racetrack after all their hard work. I am sure the boys learned as much about time management, teamwork and presentation skills as they did about aerodynamics and CAD design.
Mr Harahap
MUSIC REVIEW
The dedication of boys at Arnold House to music shines through in their attitude in rehearsals and music lessons. Year 3 have been working hard towards their performance of Nessie and the Chapel Choir have performed with aplomb at three church services. The new Year 5 pop band has been formed and we are looking forward to our big summer concerts on the 20th May and 18th June. We have had four Breakfast Concerts for Years 5-8 this term with an eclectic mix of music and instruments performed. The Reception performances all about opposites in music were excellent and the Foxes and Bears performances took us an on excellent adventure to the woods.
Mrs Tomsett-Rowe Director of Music
‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’ was this year’s theme for our Wellbeing Week, aligning with the UK’s Children’s Mental Health Week. Boys from Pre-Reception to Year 8, along with staff across the school, took time to reflect on themselves and choose a word that best represented their character - one that contributed to our positive culture and strong sense of belonging. The culmination of this thoughtful exercise was a whole-school flag, symbolising our shared values and unity.
Miss Hall Director of Wellbeing
YEAR 8 ENTREPRENEURS ENTER
There continues to be a move to stress the importance of oracy in modern education and once again this year, our Year 8 boys impressed with their abilities in this realm. I have no doubt that the parents and teachers present at our Dragons’ Den event this term would agree with me in recognising that public speaking is a particular strength of our Year 8 boys. This has developed through the variety of opportunities they have experienced at Arnold House which have also enhanced their confidence. They displayed their capabilities by captivating their audience, using persuasive language and successfully planning convincing responses, in a demanding situation, to some really tricky questions from the Dragons!
The boys combined their communication skills with effective branding, they created solutions to everyday problems, produced detailed business plans and developed impressive either app or product designs. Through their collaborative efforts working in their team, the boys all produced entertaining, informative and thorough pitches.
Our guest Dragon was an AH old boy, Dr Alastair Darwood, a medical doctor and inventor - who is a founder of Skarper. The boys were fortunate to hear about his experiences when he gave an interesting talk to them before the event began.
Congratulations go to the winners on the night; it must have been incredibly difficult to choose from such a strong field. The boys who made the car checking app, Car Check, included a guest (video) appearance from footballers, Max Kilman, Jack Grealish and Morgan Gibbs-White, as part of their social media campaign. CraveSave were very thorough and successfully built upon a previous year’s idea and EEO demonstrated further potential with a compartmentalised cricket bag that could be used in general and in other sports.
My thanks go to the other two Dragons, Mr Tollit and Mrs Dart, who really challenged the boys with their questions and significantly contributed to the success of the event in their roles, and also to Stephanie Jones-Miller who organised the event brilliantly.
Jon Harahap
Head of Years 7&8 and IT
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SPORTS ROUND-UP
Rugby
Under 13 Rugby
The Under 13 rugby team had a fantastic season under the guidance of coaches Mr. Ingram and Mr. Harahap. A highlight was their tour to Belfast, where they secured victories against Sullivan Upper and Regent’s House School—a clean sweep not achieved in years! The team also showcased their skills in 7s rugby, placing second in both the Durston House Tournament and our own event. Mr. Ingram identified the team’s overall progress as the season’s biggest achievement, with his personal highlight being the hard-fought 20-15 victory against Westminster Cathedral School, secured through strong ball carrying and stellar defense. The team played 9 and won 6 and lost 3.
Prize Winners – 1st XV
• Most Improved:
• Player of the Season:
• Top Tackler:
• Coach’s Award:
• Special Award (Top Try Scorer):
• Coaches: Mr. Ingram & Mr. Harahap
Under 13 2nd XV
The 2nd XV had a solid season, playing seven matches with a record of three wins, two losses, and one draw. Coach Mr. Milburn Fryer praised the team’s resilience and physicality, particularly noting , and for their fearless tackling. A standout moment was their thrilling comeback victory at The Stonex Stadium, home of Saracens RFC.
Prize Winners – 2nd XV
• Most Improved:
• Player of the Season:
• Top Tackler:
• Coach’s Award:
• Special Award (Top Try Scorer):
• Coaches: Mr. Milburn Fryer & Mr. Golding
Under 11 Rugby
The Under 11s, coached by Mr. Matthews (Colts A) and Mr. Milburn Fryer (Colts B), had a stellar season. The Colts A team, featuring a strong contingent of club players, played eight matches, winning six, drawing one, and losing one. Their crowning achievement was winning the Durston House tournament for the first time in 14 years, finishing undefeated.
Prize Winners - Colts A
• Most Improved:
• Player of the Season:
• Top Tackler:
• Coach’s Award:
• Special Award (Top Try Scorer):
• Coach: Mr. Matthews
The Colts B team also enjoyed success, winning four out of six matches. Mr. Millburn Fryer highlighted their enthusiasm and improving physicality, noting that several Year 5 players stepped up to compete with Year 6s, preparing them well for future seasons.
Under 10 Rugby
The Under 10s, coached by Mr. Ingram and Mr. Ofield, adapted well to new elements introduced at this level. Playing six games, they won three and lost three, with several boys stepping up to play with the Year 6s.
Prize Winners – Under 10
• Most Improved:
• Player of the Season:
• Top Tackler:
• Coach’s Award:
• Special Award (Top Try Scorer):
• Coach: Mr. Ingram
Under 9 Rugby
Year 4 is a crucial development stage as tackling is introduced. Mr. Milburn Fryer, who oversees this age group, was delighted to see all the boys grow in skill and confidence.
Prize Winners – Under 9
• Most Improved:
• Player of the Season:
• Top Tackler:
• Coach’s Award:
• Special Award:
• Coach: Mr. Milburn Fryer
Under 8 Rugby
The Year 3 boys focused on touch rugby under the guidance of Mr. Tunley. Despite often facing Year 4 teams, they rose to the challenge with enthusiasm. By the end of the season, they demonstrated excellent teamwork and strategic play, scoring some memorable tries and displaying fierce defensive efforts.
Prize Winners – Under 8
• Most Improved:
• Player of the Season:
• Coach’s Award:
• Special Award (Top Try Scorer):
• Coach: Mr. Tunley
A Rugby Season to Remember
From the youngest touch rugby players to the seasoned Under 13s, it has been a term full of impressive performances, sportsmanship, and team spirit. Congratulations to all the players and award winners for their dedication and achievements.
Hockey
The Spring Term is synonymous with hockey at AH, and this year was no exception. At the Year 7 and 8 levels, AH regularly fields three teams in block fixtures, ensuring all players get valuable game time.
Under 13 A Team
Under the guidance of Mr. Kerr and Mr. Stones, the U13 A team had an outstanding season, playing 9 matches
against strong opposition such as Hill House, Westminster Under School, St Anthony’s, The Hall, Durston House, and Newton Prep. The team secured 8 wins, a draw, and only 2 losses, with a season highlight being their triumphant performance at the AH Hockey Festival, where they were crowned champions.
The squad also enjoyed a successful tour to Belfast, securing convincing wins in both matches. The annual AH tournament served as a thrilling season finale, victories over Westminster Under School, St Anthony’s and Hill House set up a final with our rivals from The Hall. With the scores tied at full time AH recorded a memorable victory after winning the resulting penalty shoot out.
Award Winners – 1st Team
• Golden Stick Award –
• Coach’s Award –
• Player of the Season –
• Most Improved –
• Special Award –
• Coach – Mr. Kerr
Under 13 B Team
This year, the Years 7&8 boys were combined into mixed A and B teams, with the B squad featuring a strong contingent of Year 7 players—promising signs for next
year’s A team. Coached by Mr. Lutyens and Mr. Emmery, the B team played 8 competitive matches, recording 5 wins and 3 losses.
Award Winners – 2nd Team
• Golden Stick Award –
• Coach’s Award –
• Player of the Season –
• Most Improved –
• Special Award –
• Coach – Mr. Lutyens
Under 11 A Team
Coached by Miss Hall, the U11A team enjoyed a fantastic season, combining attacking flair with solid defensive play. The team demonstrated excellent teamwork, tactical awareness, and a growing understanding of the game. A particular highlight was their ability to execute disciplined marking and strong goalkeeping under pressure.
Award Winners – Year 6
• Golden Stick Award –
• Coach’s Award –
• Player of the Season –
• Most Improved –
• Special Award –
• Coach – Miss. Hall
Under 10 Team
Mrs. Miller and Mr. Emmery led the Year 5 boys through an excellent season, securing 4 wins from 6 matches. The team showed remarkable improvement, particularly during their performance at Charterhouse, where they competed fiercely against schools with dedicated hockey programs. The future looks bright for this promising group of players.
Award Winners – Year 5
• Golden Stick Award –
• Coach’s Award –
• Player of the Season –
• Most Improved –
• Special Award –
• Coach – Mrs. Miller
Cross Country
Cross country running continues to be a key part of the spring term at AH, with the boys demonstrating grit, endurance, and team spirit in both house competitions and inter-school meets.
House Cross Country Championships
The eagerly anticipated House Cross Country events saw fierce but friendly competition across all year groups. Every runner played a crucial role in securing points for their house, with Pitt House emerging as the overall champions. The final standings are below:
Top Individual Performances
Several standout runners delivered impressive performances across the year groups, finishing in the top three of their respective races:
Inter-School Cross Country Success
Our athletes also performed exceptionally well in external competitions, representing AH with determination and skill.
Under 11 Team
The U11 squad took part in two major cross country events this term:
• Hereward House Cross Country – The team secured an impressive 2nd place out of 8 schools, with 72 runners competing. AH athletes dominated the top 10, with being our highest-placed finisher.
• AH Annual Cross Country Meet – The team put in a strong performance to finish 3rd out of 6 schools in our own competition.
Under 13 Team
Our senior boys also made their mark in highly competitive meets:
• Hereward House Cross Country – The U13 team finished 3rd out of 9 schools, competing against 83 runners. AH had three athletes in the top 15, with (4th), (5th), and (12th) leading the charge.
• AH Cross Country Meet – Another strong showing, with finishing as AH’s fastest runner in 3rd place
AH Cross Country Stars
Across all competitions, our athletes displayed outstanding endurance and determination, making this another successful season for AH cross country. A huge well done to all runners for their commitment and effort!
Swimming Round-Up
Swimming remains an important part of the AH sports program, offering boys the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence in the water. This term, boys from Years 3 to 6 took part in swimming sessions at Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre, with a focus on technique, stamina, and overall water confidence.
Years 3&4 Swimming
Years 3&4 boys had the chance to take part in swimming this term under the expert guidance of Mrs Bennett. With a wide range of abilities in the group, each session focused on skill development, helping every swimmer make personal improvements. More experienced swimmers explored new strokes, while intermediates refined their technique in front crawl, breaststroke, and backstroke.
Reflecting on the term, Mrs Bennett praised the boys for their dedication and progress:
“It was fantastic to see all the boys working hard and developing their skills. I’d love to see them continue swimming in the future and keep building their stamina. An excellent term!”
Year 3&4 Award Winners:
Most Improved Swimmers –
• Swimmer of the Term –
• Backstroke Award –
• Front Crawl Award –
• Breaststroke Award –
Year 5 & 6 Swimming
The Year 5 and 6 boys also had the opportunity to develop their swimming skills, with sessions taking place on Thursday afternoons. Mr Lutyens led the program, supported by Rachel Ayrton and Nikki Stewart, two highly skilled swim coaches from Marlborough Place.
Mr Lutyens was impressed with the boys’ attitude and improvement throughout the term:
“Every boy has strengths in certain strokes, but it was great to see them working hard to improve in their weaker areas. Whether refining their technique or enjoying some fun challenges, their enthusiasm was fantastic. Well done to all!”
Year 5&6 Award Winners:
• Most Improved Swimmers –
• Swimmer of the Term –
• Backstroke Award –
• Front Crawl Award –
• Breaststroke Award –
A huge well done to all our swimmers this term – we look forward to seeing you continue to develop your skills and confidence in the water!
Year 3&4 Multi-Sports
At AH, we strive to make our sports program as inclusive and varied as possible. This term, in addition to rugby and swimming, we introduced multi-sports as an exciting new option for Year 3 and 4 boys. The response was fantastic!
Mr. Wint, Year 3&4 Games Coordinator, shared his thoughts on the term:
“I really enjoyed working with this talented group in our new multi-sports sessions. The boys showed great adaptability as they took on different sports, including touch rugby, ultimate frisbee, unihockey, and crosscountry running. It was brilliant to see them work together in small-sided games, mastering new skills. Great work, boys!”
Multi-Sports Award Winners
Year 3
• Coach’s Award –
• Cross-Country Award –
• Uni-Hockey Award –
• Multi-Sports Award –
Year 4
• Coach’s Award –
• Cross-Country Award –
• Uni-Hockey Award –
• Multi-Sports Award –
A huge congratulations to all the boys who took part! Your enthusiasm and teamwork made this a fantastic term of sport. We can’t wait to see what next term brings!
Mr Kerr Director of
Sport