Newsletter

12 July 2024

As we conclude an incredible last two weeks of term, I am filled with pride and gratitude. It has been a busy and purposeful end to the ​academic year, with a focus on preparing for transitions. Our Move Up Day for pupils and new joiners, along with various induction ​presentations for parents, helped everyone in our community get to know their new pastoral teams and understand the next steps in each ​pupil’s educational journey at Feltonfleet. An essential part of this preparation was providing opportunities for a meaningful farewell, including ​the Year 2 pupils’ Final Assembly marking their transition from Pre-Prep to Prep School, the Year 8 Leavers’ School Review, and our Leavers’ ​Service tomorrow.

Celebration has also been high on the agenda, with numerous Celebration Assemblies, music concerts, a House Winners’ Party, the Friends of ​Feltonfleet Summer Ball, a Boarders Family BBQ, and two spirited Sports Days, all culminating in tomorrow's Prizegiving. The term was ​brilliantly topped off with our U11 cricket team becoming national champions yesterday, exemplifying the outstanding standard of Feltonfleet ​sport.

What a fantastic year it has been at Feltonfleet. We congratulate all our pupils on all their efforts and progress made and thank parents for ​their support and encouragement. As we head into the Summer break, we wish everyone a joyful and restful holiday. Enjoy your time off, and ​we look forward to seeing you refreshed and ready for another exciting year ahead! Have a wonderful summer!

Our U11 cricketers have achieved an incredible milestone by becoming National Champions! This marks a fantastic end to a season where the ​team has shown remarkable dedication and skill, emerging victorious across four major competitions.

After winning both the local and regional Geoff Richards tournaments, the team were crowned regional champions, earning their place in the ​English Schools' Cricket Association U11 8-a-side National Final held at Oakham College. The journey to the finals was intense, with a nail-​biting group stage followed by a spectacular performance in the knockout stage, where they defeated Millfield Prep to become U11 National ​Champions.

This success is complemented by their victories as Surrey Schools Champions in the Verney Cup and Surrey Prep Schools Champions.

Huge congratulations to the entire team: George B, Arlo BK, Oliver B, Barn F, Alex H, Jay K, Ben MC, William S, William MI, Joe H, and ​Hugo BK. Special thanks to our brilliant coaches, Jon Molloy and James Thompson, for their exceptional guidance and support.

Well done to all for an outstanding season!

Andrew Rishton

#FeltonfleetSport

We are thrilled to announce that Feltonfleet has been shortlisted for the prestigious ​Independent Boarding School of the Year 2024 award! This is a testament to our unwavering ​commitment to providing an exceptional boarding experience for our pupils.

We are incredibly proud of this recognition and grateful for the support of our entire ​Feltonfleet community. The shortlisting affirms our dedication to providing an outstanding ​boarding experience that prepares our pupils for adulthood and their place in 21st-century ​society.

We look forward to the awards ceremony in the Autumn and will keep you updated on our ​progress. Thank you for being an integral part of Feltonfleet’s success!

#FeltonfleetBoarding

As the academic year draws to a close, we are thrilled to celebrate the exciting conclusion of the House Competition. It was a thrilling battle ​right up to the finish, with the Otters relentlessly chasing down the Tigers in a display of determination and spirit. Following two triumphant ​Sports Days where the Otters emerged victorious, they have finally claimed the coveted title of House Champions. Their unwavering dedication ​and teamwork has been truly inspiring throughout the year, and their victory is a testament to their hard work and perseverance.

A celebratory party was held at break time today which was a fitting tribute to the Otters' winning journey. The festivities kicked off with a ​rousing performance of "Better When I'm Dancin’”, the Otters winning song in this year’s House Song Contest. The dining hall was adorned ​with vibrant decorations in the Otters' signature colours. Highlights of the year were spoken about by Mrs Stewart (House Leader), bringing ​back cherished memories of hard-fought victories and team spirit. Laughter and cheers filled the room as pupils and teachers celebrated and ​enjoyed cake.

Congratulations to the Otters for their outstanding achievements and remarkable journey to the top!

The end of June and start of July saw pupils ‘moving up’ for a day into their classes. All of a sudden they seem to have matured to ​the upper end of their current year group. We notice this development in their physical growth, what they say, how they draw, write ​and reason their way through each new learning opportunity they encounter. The three year olds who joined us in September 2020 ​between the two lock down periods are now flourishing as they make their transition from Pre-Prep into Lower School.

We celebrated their progress and development with a Year 2 Final Assembly in which pupils retold their memories and sang a medley of ​uplifting songs from musicals of children’s stories. We are incredibly proud of this year group of Year 2 movers for the resilience and ​adaptability they have shown during their Pre-Prep days.

As the sun sets on the final day of our school year, it feels appropriate to celebrate the joyful experiences of childhood that happen in Pre-​Prep. When we ask any of the children what they most enjoy about being in school, they say playing with their friends. Friendships made here ​in our Pre-Prep are built to last a lifetime. So much social and intellectual learning, and problem solving happens during these playtimes, ​capturing a few moments of the children in their final week seemed a fitting way to end the year.

As my seven year chapter as Head of Pre-Prep closes, I am thankful for all the friendships I have seen and made here, from the littlest people ​to the incredible Pre-Prep team of staff and the words of our Year 2 assembly ring loud and clear:

Round the corners of the world I turn,

More and more about the world I learn,

And the new things that I see,

You’ll be looking at along with me.

And it’s from the old I travel to the new,

Keep me travelling along with you.

#FeltonfleetPrePrep

As the end of year draws to a close, we celebrate the myriad of achievements of our pupils, reflecting on a journey brimming with ​growth and discovery.

Year 3

This year has been marked by impressive strides in reading, writing and mathematics, with each Year 3 pupil overcoming unique challenges to ​unlock their full potential. We have delved into the wonders of IPC, explored rich histories and cultivated creativity through art, drama and ​music, fostering a love for learning that will last a lifetime. This first year in the Lower School has no doubt been an unforgettable chapter, full ​of new experiences. The pupils have all secured a firm foundation for Year 4 and we look forward to seeing them flourish further next year.

Year 3 vISIT TO THE scIENCE lab

Year 3 had a special treat this week when we were invited to the Science Lab to make 'magic wands' with Mrs Crowe. It was exciting to have ​a safety briefing, don our science goggles and then get to work holding sticks, which had been soaked in different substances, into the Bunsen ​burners! We can't wait to visit the lab more often next year.

Year 4 MATHS

Pupils have been designing their own ‘shops,’ deciding what to sell and what to price each item as. They enjoyed visiting each other's shops ​with a maximum budget of £100 to spend in total. They practised their rounding when working out if they could afford all the various items the ​wanted. The buyers kept a running total of what they had spent and the shop keepers worked out the change owed and kept a record of what ​they had sold. This activity really helped pupils to link their classroom maths to real life and their calculating skills were impressive!

TT ROCKSTARS

Year 4 pupils came an impressive 3rd in the national London Rocks competition, in which 368 schools took part. This position reflected the ​excellent times tables accuracy our pupils have achieved and is testament to all their hard work this year. All pupils should be incredibly proud ​of their efforts and can give themselves a huge pat on the back!

Congratulations to Arthur K, George Q and Sebastian D, who were Feltonfleet’s highest scorers in the TT Rockstars Competition!

#FeltonfleetYear3

#FeltonfleetYear4

Year 5 Science

In Mr Pomeroy’s Year 5 Science class, pupils explored the concepts of forces and variables through an engaging experiment. They ​investigated how the shape of an object affected the time it took to sink in water. By changing the shape of the object and measuring the time ​it took to sink, pupils gained hands-on experience with scientific principles.

Through this experiment, pupils learnt that the independent variable is the one that is changed, the dependent variable is the one that is ​measured, and the controlled variables are the ones that are kept constant. In their experiment, the independent variable was the shape of the ​object, the dependent variable was the time taken to sink, and the controlled variables included the weight of the object, the temperature of ​the water, the point from which the object was released, and the type of liquid used.

Inka Wilson

#FeltonfleetYear5

EXPLORATION OF THE sECOND wORLd War

This term, Year 6 has been delving into the compelling history of the Second World War, with a particular focus on its profound impact on our ​local community in Elmbridge. Exploring the bombing of the Vickers factory in Brooklands, the presence of Canadian troops in Cobham and the ​evacuation of Feltonfleet School pupils to North Perrott in Somerset, pupils have connected the past with the present and highlighted the ​resilience and courage of those who lived through these challenging times.

Beyond local history, our pupils have been researching various aspects of the war, such as the Blitz, air raid shelters, and the critical role of ​women in the war effort. Identifying Allied, Axis, and Neutral countries and their leaders, helps pupils understand the global scale of the ​conflict.We were delighted when Jack W shared the captivating story of his great-great-uncle Bill, who fought in the war, and displayed some ​of the remarkable medals he earned for his bravery.

A particularly moving part of our curriculum involved the pupils writing diaries and letters as if they were evacuees during the Second World ​War. Using empathy and imagination to vividly portray the emotions and experiences of children their age who were uprooted from their ​homes and sent to the countryside for safety, our pupils expressed the fear and uncertainty of leaving their families, the adjustment to new ​surroundings, and the small joys and friendships that brought comfort in such turbulent times. This activity not only deepened their ​understanding of the personal impact of the war but also honed their skills in expressive and emotive writing, resulting in some truly poignant ​and insightful pieces.

Melissa Williamson

#FeltonfleetYear6

pspq presentations

This year, our Year 8 pupils excelled in their PSPQ (Pre-Senior Project Qualification) extended projects, showing dedication and intellectual ​curiosity.

Each pupil selected a topic of personal interest, formulated a guiding question, and set objectives. They critically engaged with various ​sources, evaluating reliability and bias, and many designed surveys to gather primary data. This approach enabled them to draw insightful ​conclusions and present balanced arguments.

The viva exam with a senior leadership team member was a highlight. Pupils discussed their research processes, reflecting on the challenges ​and insights gained, showcasing their understanding and mastery of their topics.

Throughout the project, pupils honed skills in planning, referencing, and time management, valuable for their future academic endeavours.

We are incredibly proud of our Year 8 pupil’s achievements and the impressive breadth of topics explored. Congratulations to all for their ​outstanding efforts in their PSPQ projects!

Enrichment Program

The final few weeks of the Year 8 term were centred around enrichment activities, aimed at inspiring and motivating pupils.

These ranged from talks of A.I. by visiting subject matter experts, to the French Oscars hosted by the very talented languages department. ​There were also day trips to London to visit the National Portrait Gallery and Westminster Abbey, where pupils were able to immerse ​themselves in art and history dating back hundreds of years.

The pupils also had the opportunity to dedicate time to volunteering and charity work by delivering on a community service project in Cobham. ​The Year 8 pupils also got to take part in a sponsored walk from Guildford to Box Hill summit for the local charity Cherry Trees.

We were also able to host the inspiring Andrew Patterson who spoke to the pupils about resilience, drawing upon his own experience of living ​with a degenerative disease. There was also a talk by former pupils who had just finished Year 9 and were only too happy to share their ​experiences.

#FeltonfleetYear8

Year 6-8 Choir & Orchestra Showcase

On Wednesday 26 June, the Year 6 Choir, Year 7-8 Choir and Years 6-8 Orchestra showcased their talents in a fabulous concert. The ​children performed some of their favourite pieces of music from the year including, ‘Proud Mary’, ‘Our House’ and ‘ Happy Day.’ Well done to ​all of our performers and thank you so much to all that came to support. It was an uplifting and joyful experience for all.

Guitar Concert

The pupils of Julian Taylor had their chance to shine in a super guitar concert on Monday 24th June. There were some very beautiful, stylish ​performances. Thank you to those parents who came to watch.

Guitar Concert Performers were Sofia B, Elliot C, Olivia B G, Ben M and Toby P.

Lower School Concert

The children in Lower School, together with the Year 3-5 Orchestra were excited to perform in their end of year concert on Tuesday 2nd July.

There were super performances from the Year 3 and 4 recorder players and there was some very assured playing from our youngest orchestra. ​The Lower School Choir sang beautifully and the whole of Year 3 and 4 wowed us with two big numbers; ‘I’m a Believer’ and ‘Ghostbusters’.

ABRSM RESULTS

The following music exam results have just come in. Another set of fabulous scores. Well done, in particular, to Oliver P, who shares the ​current Feltonfleet record of 143 - an amazing result!

Chris Andrews

#FeltonfleetPerformingArts

Royal Academy of Dance Ballet Exams

On Saturday 22 June a group of 43 dedicated boys and girls participated in their yearly ballet exams and class awards. The event was a ​wonderful display of talent and hard work, highlighting the students' commitment to their art.

The examiner from The Royal Academy of Dance was particularly pleased to see a number of boys participating in ballet. She remarked on ​how evident it was that all the pupils genuinely enjoy their ballet practice, which shone through in their performances.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that there will be a special showcase in October. This event will provide our talented dancers with ​an opportunity to present their work to family, friends, and the wider School community.

Georgina Smith

#FeltonfleetPerformingArts

Les Césars étaient incroyables!

The Feltonfleet Oscars were certainly an incredible experience! The whole evening was planned to perfection by the MFL department, and the ​excitement of dressing up, enjoying drinks, canapés and cake, and cheering for the recipients of the awards was so entertaining. Thank you to ​all the French team, Mr Fellingham, and the pupils who made the hilarious trailer. What a night!

I will never forget that super fun night!

#FeltonfleetYear8

#FeltonfleetLanguages

The Art Scholars and Extended Art Group dazzled everybody with their end-of-year exhibition, showcasing a remarkable array of talent and ​creativity. Featuring a diverse collection of paintings, pottery, and multimedia installations, the exhibition highlighted the pupils'' innovative ​approaches and technical skills.

Each piece reflected the artists' unique perspectives, evoking a range of emotions and sparking thoughtful conversations among attendees. The ​event was a testament to the dedication and hard work of both the scholars and their mentors, underscoring the importance of arts education. ​Visitors left inspired, eagerly anticipating the future contributions of these promising young artists to the art world.

Arie Coetzee

#FeltonfleetCreativeArts

Our talented students from Year 6-8 have been hard at work, participating in this year's Spirited Arts competition! This annual event challenges ​pupils to create inspiring pieces of art based on a selection of thought-provoking themes.

This year, the themes included “Faith in Humanity”, “Looking Beyond”, “How do we envisage God?”, “Wise Words? Holy Words?”, “Green ​Faith, Green Future”, and “Why do animals matter?” Each theme encouraged pupils to explore their creativity and express their ideas through ​various artistic mediums. See here.

Our pupils approached these themes with enthusiasm and imagination. From vibrant paintings and detailed drawings to intricate sculptures to ​musical compositions and dance routines, the artwork produced reflects the diverse perspectives and talents within our school community.

We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication shown by participants. All entries are currently displayed in the RE room, where they ​can be appreciated by the entire School.

Additionally, we are excited to announce that the following pieces have been chosen by the judges to be sent to the Spirited Arts competition:

Winners:

Rose E (Year 7): 2124 (Painting)

Amani F, Zara G and Zoe A (Year 7): Melody of Hope (Song)

Tamara G (Year 7): Blinded Beauty (Photography)

Freddie B and Bertie B (Year 7): Holding the Future (Sculpture)

Sophia S (Year 7): A World Without Animals (Model)

Zane R (Year 6): In the Beyond (Painting)

Paloma F, Happy H, Charlie A and Josie VN (Year 7): Cracked Earth (Painting)

Paul B and Charlie S (Year 8): A World of Fire (Drawing)

Thomas B (Year 6): Caring for God’s Green Earth (Photos)

Evie M (Year 7): Looking Beyond (Painting)

Highly Commended:

Oscar W, Dylan R and Sam H (Year 7): Killing our Earth (Painting)

Jack W, Ivan G and Tom W (Year 6): My Shield (Song/ Rap)

Evie F (Year 6): You are not alone (Dance)

Ferdy S (Year 6): The Truce (Graphic Art)

The results of the competition will be announced in September. We wish our selected artists the best of luck and look forward to seeing how ​they fare in this prestigious competition.

Jennifer Butcher

#FeltonfleetHumanities

the tournament of BOOKs Winners

Lower School: Iris B (4MSm)

Middle School: Isabella P (5BBa)

Upper School: Victor H (7JCr) (

Reader’s Breakfast

We were delighted to welcome 71 pupils to the library on Wednesday morning for the ‘Reader’s Breakfast’, celebrating our word millionaires ​and pupils who have shown great effort with reading. Pupils enjoyed pastries, flapjack, hot chocolate and of course millionaires shortbread. ​We hope to see even more children joining the ‘Reader’s Breakfasts’, next year.

Francesca Kinghorn & Emma Burnside

#FeltonfleetLiteracy

Congratulations to Jack F (4MSm)

‘Max and Chaffy. ​Welcome to Animal ​Island’

By Jamie Smart

Max has just moved to Animal Island and it's full of new friends: ​Orlando, Crumbs, Moose, Pedalo and a very special creature called ​a Chaffy, who only goes ‘Meep’. But wait…Chaffy is lost! So it's ​down to Max to find Chaffy’s true home.

What I love most about these books is that the text is kept nice and ​simple, perfect for struggling or reluctant readers. The colourful ​illustrations have plenty to look at and there are even ‘Where’s ​Wally’ type Meep hunts after each chapter.

If you have a child who is struggling with reading, possibly even ​runs away at the mention of it, give these books a try and just let ​them do the repetition of the ‘meeps’ to build confidence.

Guide Age 5+

Last week, Year 6 took part in their annual drama excursion. This year’s trip was to the Adelphi Theatre in London to see "Back to the Future: ​The Musical!"

The outing was an incredible success, filled with excitement, laughter, and memorable moments. Our pupils were captivated by the ​outstanding performances, stunning special effects, and the engaging storyline that brought this classic film to life on stage. The theatre staff ​were incredibly accommodating, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Beyond the sheer entertainment, this trip provided a valuable cultural experience and a chance for our pupils to bond outside the classroom. ​pupils’ behaviour was exemplary; representing our school in such a positive light and making all staff very proud.

We look forward to more enriching experiences in the (Back to the) future!

Simon Fellingham

Sports REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2024

Last week, part of our school community came together for the much-anticipated SROTY (Sports Review of The Year), an evening dedicated to ​celebrating the achievements of our 1st team players across 16 different sports. The event was a testament to the hard work, dedication, and ​sportsmanship displayed by our pupils throughout the year.

The evening was highlighted by the presentation of awards in three prestigious categories for each sport: Team Player of the Year, Most ​Committed Player of the Year, and Player of the Year. Selecting the winners was a challenging task, as all our pupils have shown incredible ​talent and perseverance. However, the chosen awardees truly exemplified the spirit of excellence and dedication that we value so highly.

We were honoured to have the excellent Greg Searle as our guest speaker. Greg, an Olympic gold medalist, delivered an inspiring speech ​that resonated with both pupils and parents alike. His insights into the world of sports, the importance of resilience, and the value of teamwork ​left a lasting impression on everyone.

The atmosphere was electric as parents, pupils, and staff gathered to celebrate and reflect on the year's achievements within our sporting ​community. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the award winners (listed below) and express our gratitude to everyone who made ​this event such a memorable success.

Here's to another year of outstanding achievements in sports!

Winners:

Andrew Rishton

#FeltonfleetSport

Pre-Prep Sports Day

Our youngest pupils took centre stage at the Pre-Prep Sports Day, an event filled with enthusiasm, laughter, and boundless energy. The day ​featured a variety of exciting activities designed to introduce our budding athletes to the joy of sports. Events included the Egg and Spoon ​race, Beanbag Throw, Obstacle Course, Hurdles, Ball Throw, and Long Jump. Each pupil participated with immense enthusiasm and a sense of ​competitiveness.

One of the highlights of the day were the relay races, where, despite a few wobbly moments, everyone just about managed to stay in their ​lanes! More importantly, this event provided a wonderful opportunity for our young athletes to come together, enjoy sport, and represent their ​Houses with pride and teamwork.

Well done to all who took part!

PREP Sports Day

Is that the sound of the M25\A3 road works? Not this time! It’s the sound of Feltonfleet’s Prep Sports Day 2024 kicking off in true House ​pride with House chants, cheers and singing around their opening lap.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Prep School took to the field adorned in house colours and flags to take part in the most competitive sporting event ​this side of Wimbledon.

With an ambitious new format, Years 3 to 8 were ready to do their best for their House and their adoring fans. With weather adding to the ​technical skills required, the pupils took to their track, throw and jump events with anticipation and excitement.

We had tense races, gripping finales in the jumps and impressive throws. A huge well done to our pupils who were all kind, supportive, ​gracious winners, proud runner ups, wonderful house representatives and all round good sports.

After our houses had thrown themselves down the long jump, over the high jump, had thrown javelins, balls of all weights and sizes and ​sprinted races and relays, the results were in. The scores were incredibly close with just 21 points separating first and second. With tension ​being too much to take, Mrs Collard-Rowe finally revealed that the winners of Sports Day 2024 were The Otters!

Thank you to all the pupils, parents and staff who made the day an incredibly special day that celebrates community, hard work and ​teamwork.

#FeltonfleetSport

#FeltonfleetCharacterAndCulture

We were delighted to welcome back our 2019 leavers for a heartwarming lunch last week. Friends reunited, sharing laughter and memories ​as they reminisced about their time with us. It was a joyous occasion, filled with nostalgia and the pleasure of catching up. We look forward ​to seeing the incredible paths they continue to forge!

sUMMER bALL

The Friends of Feltonfleet Summer Ball took place on a balmy evening last weekend. Guests arrived to a champagne reception in the courtyard ​with a magician to keep them entertained and the option of purchasing a voucher for the gift tree. Guests then made their way down to the ​marquee which was decorated in a monochrome Hollywood theme to enjoy a three course meal and a live auction. The band, After Sun, really ​got the party started at 10:30 and the dancing continued until the early hours.

While awaiting the final tally, it appears that our efforts have raised approximately £28,000 for Cherry Trees, the school’s chosen charity! ​We would like to thank everyone for their generous donations throughout the evening.

#FriendsOfFeltonfleet

VPA is a NEW Performing Arts school for all children aged from 3-16 years launching at Feltonfleet school, Cobham Surrey. Principal Hannah ​Varnham has over 15 years of experience in the industry performing in musicals such as Mamma Mia!, We will rock you & Strictly come ​dancing tours.

VPA is dedicated to providing a fun, nurturing, and inclusive environment where pupils can thrive. We aim to inspire pupils through different ​genres of dance, singing and acting all whilst building their confidence individually and as a team. Our highly experienced teachers are ​committed to helping each student reach their full potential, both artistically and personally.

We are thrilled to be launching VPA with our first of many summer workshops in August 2024. Our Autumn timetable will launch on the 4th ​September 2024. VPA is open to pupils and non pupils of Feltonfleet. Please see here for more information.

Check our Muddy Stilettos’s Summer Guide - gull of ideas for things to do over the summer!

#FeltonfleetPeopleAndCommunity

Please send your news, or any feedback, to marketing@feltonfleet.co.uk.