SCHOOL NEWS

Bromley’s big birthday

School Merger

St Dunstan’s College and Rosemead Prep have merged. St Dunstan’s Head Nick Hewlett says: “The merger will be a wonderful opportunity for our two schools, one set in the heart of Catford and the second in the heart of Dulwich, to work closer together, learning from one another and enhancing our students’ educational journeys”.

Bromley High School GDST celebrated its 140th birthday in January. Junior School pupils dressed up as notable females and other celebrations so far have included a House A ernoon Tea party and a gala concert at the Royal Academy of Music. All pupils have pledged 140 minutes of their time volunteering in the local community.

Sky fall

Hanford pupils were avid watchers of the only children’s team in this year’s national Indoor Skydiving Championships, as their Year 7 classmate Rachel was a member of the four-strong Mini Jets. The flying foursome performed brilliantly and have made it through to the International Championships in Slovakia. Rachel’s next goal is to learn to skydive upside down.

Cricket Vision

Merchant Taylors has begun construction of its Julian Hill Cricket Centre, named in memory of an old boy. The facility will be for the school and wider community, including Middlesex CCC and Sunrisers, and will include indoor bowling lanes capable of replicating spin and seam, a fielding area, video analysis equipment and a large events space.

Suffolk arrival

James Large becomes Head of Old Buckenham Hall School, Suffolk from September. Large grew up in the county and joins OBH from Norwich School, where he has spent the past 13 years. His wife, Harriet, is also a teacher. “I am excited to begin a new chapter at Brettenham Park with my wife, Harriet, and our son, Albie,” he says.

Happy Dance

The International School of London held a celebration of the Chinese New Year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit. Students watched a performance of traditional Chinese singing and dancing, culminating in a fantastic Chinese lion dance. They were handed red envelopes symbolising good wishes and happiness.

Family show

It was showtime at St Benedict’s School, with a three-night run of The Addams Family in early February. The ghoulish Beineke family and ancestors were brilliantly brought to life by the cast and backstage team. The show was produced by Head of Drama Mark Randall, and with musical direction by Assistant Director of Music Amy John.

Garden Heroes

The RHS has launched its school gardening competition a er a three-year break, with the charity hoping to uncover the nation’s green-fingered stars. Schools can nominate the RHS Gardening Team and Gardening Champion of the Year. Judges include George Hassall, RHS Young Ambassador and a former Young School Gardener of the Year. schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk

Farming Folk

Pupils at The Downs Malvern are welcoming a new cohort, thanks to Headteacher Andy Nuttall’s initiative to teach them about animals. The Worcestershire prep will soon be home to rare breed pigs and will ‘babysit’ sheep from a neighbouring farm. There are also plans to add geese and guinea fowl to the school flock – pupils already tend chickens and quails.

New Head

Maida Vale School (MVS) will have a new Head Teacher from April, when Magnus Bashaarat takes over at the Gardener Schools Group co-ed Senior. A former Head of Milton Abbey and Bedales, Magnus Bashaarat also held senior roles at Stowe and Eton. He read English at Edinburgh and worked as a journalist prior to teaching. He is a governor of Winchester University and a keen sportsman.

Chelsea additions

Cameron Vale School in Chelsea recently welcomed Alison Melrose as its new Headmistress. Its little sister, Chelsea Nursery also has a new lead, Lara Van Romburgh. The nursery has recently added a brand new baby room for children aged from six months. This is designed as a cosy home from home, with sleep areas and a focus on learning through play.

Dolphin dragons

Dolphin School in Hurst hosted its Dragons Den competition for Year 7 students as the finale of the DPQ (Dolphin Project Qualification). Pupils had learned what it takes to be an entrepreneur – from research to design and marketing. They then pitched their ideas to three visiting ‘dragons’ from business in front of a school audience.

Hockey Victors

Cumnor House Sussex (CHS) is the first stand-alone independent prep to win the IAPS U13 Girls’ Hockey National Championship since 2016. The win was the culmination of regional rounds with up to 100 teams participating. CHS U13 hockey also had wins in both the UKSA and Worth School’s hockey tournaments as well as an unbeaten run in its season’s fixtures.

ROCKIN’ THE BOAT

Francis Holland School pupils performed two sell-out performances of Guys and Dolls at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith at the end of January. Featuring a cast of over 80 girls from Years 7-13, this fresh take on the classic Broadway musical received standing ovations and rapturous applause that lasted long a er the cast had taken their bows.

Maths fun

Kew Green Prep held its annual Maths Week recently, with Lower and Upper School Countdown Competitions at the end of the week where pupils stood in front of their peers and answered maths questions. Fun activities included 3D pyramid building and hunting for secret treasure in Smart Town. There were also problem-solving trails and times table challenges.