Newsletter

15 March 2024

It's been an incredibly eventful fortnight at Feltonfleet, with a myriad of enriching learning experiences spanning from Nursery to Year 8. It's been a whirlwind of educational exploration.

Alongside school trips to Hampton Court, Pizza Express, Gatton Park, Windsor Environmental Centre, Living Rainforest, Bough Beech there have been informal music concerts, House Chess Competitions, Author Visits and World Book Day, it is clear our pupils of all ages are thriving and making the most of the opportunities available to them. It’s so encouraging to witness the development of our pupils' character. Skills such as teamwork, resilience, critical thinking, and problem-solving are being honed, setting a strong foundation for their future endeavours. We couldn't be prouder of their achievements this term and this week’s Newsletter reflects their appetite for learning.

An integral part of the Upper School journey is the showcase Year 7 musical production, a highlight eagerly awaited by all members of the community each Spring Term. We were transported to ancient Egypt as our talented pupils brought the musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" to life on stage. Joseph is ambitious. It has a big cast; a large number of songs and is a complex blend of music, drama and dance and Year 7 pulled out all the stops. It was brilliant!

Every single member of the cast demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment, supporting each other through countless rehearsals. The hard work certainly paid off. It was simply outstanding. From excellent characterisation, seen so clearly in every face, fantastic set management and brilliant 80’s costumes to the precision of the musical score the production was outstanding in every respect reflected in the thunderous applause of the audience.

Yet again it resembled a professional West End show and it is hard to believe that it is a cast of 11 and 12 year olds. Our thanks go to our outstanding Performing Arts Team; Simon Fellingham (Director) and Chris Andrews (Musical Director), as well as everyone who contributed to this unforgettable experience.

This strong sense of community was also evident at last Friday's entertaining Friends of Feltonfleet Quiz Night, where the Ashbee Theatre buzzed with enthusiastic parent teams competing for the Quiz Champion title. The meticulous planning and preparation by FoF shone through, resulting in a tremendously successful evening, expertly and humorously hosted by Matt Rochford. Definitely an event not to be missed next year.

As we approach the end of term, there's still much excitement ahead. From Pre-Prep Spring Assemblies to House Cross-Country Festival, Music Concerts, Easter Bunny Visits, Easter Bonnet Parade, and the Year 6 Air Hop, there's something for everyone to enjoy. It's a fitting end to a term filled with dedication and achievement.

We hope you enjoy a restful weekend, and we look forward to the final week of activities before the well-deserved break.

One day never seems quite enough to celebrate the joy of reading so as always we made a week of it here at Feltonfleet.

Monday saw Upper School treated to author Julian Sedgwick who held the audience spellbound with his stories taken from his travels to Japan, focusing on tales of resilience and hope from the Tsunami disaster, reminding us that you can do anything if you just keep going.

Tuesday welcomed the inimitable Jack Meggitt-Phillips to Lower School, author of the award winning Beast and the Bethany books. Jack had everyone in stitches with his gruesome, beastly books and invited the children to help him create some future villains, all truly hideous.

Wednesday brought Tom Palmer, author of over 60, war, football and rugby books to speak to Middle and Upper School. Tom talked honestly about the process of being a writer answering all the pupils 50+ questions! Tom enthralled us with how he honours real people in his war stories, whilst there was much debate and dare I say a few heckles whilst talking about Tom’s football series. Let’s just say Tom’s love of Leeds Football Club was met with passion.

On Friday the Pre-Prep were delighted to welcome Chloe Inkpen, picture book author and illustrator, and the co-creator of the Zoe and Beans series alongside her father Mick Inkpen. Chloe is not only a brilliant story creator but also story teller, and she held the pupils spellbound with her inspiring session.

All the authors took the time to sign pupils' books and bookmarks after the sessions and I can honestly say the queue to get a book signed by Tom Palmer is one of the biggest I’ve ever seen.

One of the nicest things about World Book Day Week was hearing every single author compliment our school and pupils whole heartedly for their intelligent questions, polite manners and level of engagement. Well done everyone.

Book Character Dress Up Day

The big day itself arrived on Thursday and everyone dressed up as their favourite book character, from Nursery to Year 8, including the teachers! This is always a fun day and this year was no exception with everyone looking fabulous.

Hogwarts Experience

Our theme this year was ‘Harry Potter’. Years 3 - 6 entered Hogwarts (The Sports Hall) for the morning, attending Professor Snape's Potions Class and completing his fiendish spell to earn points for their houses. Visiting Professor Trelawney’s Divination lesson, testing their powers of logic to divine characters from the books and our own teachers who were playing them. Care of Magical Creatures Class was next which saw pupils creating their own mythical beasts and endowing them with some weird and wonderful traits.

We finished off by playing our annual Quidditch match. A few points were lost due to foul play, but mostly it was a good clean game with Otters or Slytherin winning both games, earning 800 points in total towards the house cup.

Don't forget to use your World Book Day vouchers. Vouchers can be used in bookshops to purchase one of 12 special World Book Day books or provide a £1 discount on a book of your choice.

Francesca Kinghorn & Emma Burnside

#FeltonfleetLiteracy

RAMADAN

Ramadan is a special month for Muslims all around the world. In Pre-Prep this week Mirna Sabbagh shared with the pupils what Ramadan means to her and her family. She discussed what the purpose of fasting is and how Ramadan Mubarak is celebrated.

In Lower School, Nava Ahmed (mother of Mikayeel) came in to talk to pupils about Ramadan. She explained that Ramadan is a quiet, reflective time of worship, prayer, helping others, and spending time with loved ones. Mikayeel and Hussein wore traditional Islamic clothes to show the pupils.

In Upper School, Aisha and Amani shared what Ramadan means to them and their family. They explained that fasting can be hard but it allows them to reflect and think of others during this time.

To everyone celebrating Ramadan, we wish you goodwill during the holy month.

#FeltonfleetWhereIndividualsReallyMatter

World Book Week in Pre-Prep was filled with creativity, imagination, and a love for reading and storytelling. Mrs Doherty challenged each class to compose their own verses for an alternative version of The Gruffalo.

We were delighted to welcome visiting author Chloe Inkpen, who inspired the children and staff alike. Pupils had the opportunity to become authors and illustrators by creating their own versions and characters.

Chloe guided the children on the journey of creating their own books, emphasising the importance of embracing mistakes as opportunities for new creations. Furthermore, we were thrilled to welcome parents of Pre-Prep children into our classrooms to share their children’s favourite. stories.

Reception had a brilliant day out at Windsor Great Park Environmental Centre on Tuesday. The children had great fun looking after some forest friends by thinking about everything the animals need to keep them happy and healthy. The children made shelters to keep them dry and warm as well as collecting food for their forest friends to eat.

#FeltonfleetPrePrep

Focus on english

In English this week, Year 3 embarked on a tea tasting journey where they engaged their palates and ignited their senses. This was an immersive introduction to their delightful new book, 'Cloud Tea Monkeys.’ From pomegranate and raspberry to mango and green tea, pupils tried a variety of tea flavours and learnt about the history of tea culture and ancient traditions. Over the next week, pupils will be exposed to a range of language activities to stimulate grammatical development, descriptive writing and reading comprehension skills.

Focus on IPC

As part of their learning about balanced diets and food groups, the pupils in Year 4 developed their understanding of calories this week by taking on the 'Freddo Challenge!' They understood that calories are units used to measure energy and that the body needs calories to perform its functions, such as breathing, circulating the blood, and physical activity. They were tasked with finding out how much energy they would gain from eating a small Freddo chocolate bar and were surprised to find that the calories equated to roughly 15 minutes of running. Most felt that the sweet treat was worth running for, so they set off at a fast pace but it wasn’t long before many ended up walking or stopping! At least it was good practice for the House Cross Country

Year 3 Living Rainforest Trip

Year 3 pupils were transported to the Amazon on their recent trip to the Living Rainforest. As they wandered through the vibrant greenery, the air hummed with the sounds of exotic creatures and they saw towering palms, delicate orchids and pitcher plants. The children encountered Cinnamon the sloth, green tree boas, water monitor lizards and an iguana named Rio. They even saw a special species of giant stick insect that were only discovered in 2014! The tour guides were impressed with the pupils’ wide range of knowledge, which they were eager to share. The pupils gained a great insight into the fragile ecosystems, as well as a newfound appreciation for these vital habitats and a desire to protect them.

#FeltonfleetYear3

#FeltonfleetYear4

In the MFL Department we are constantly looking for different ways to engage our students in the exciting adventure that is learning a new language. That is one of the reasons why our French curriculum includes working with French children's books.

Our Year 5 students have made a crucial transition in their learning while reading a book called ‘Mamie Petronille et le pirate’. This fun and entertaining story has not only been a ticket to a world of fantasy but also a very effective way of teaching them some key French vocabulary and grammar.

Throughout the year our young linguists have progressed from using separate words to learning more sophisticated grammar and putting sentences together in French, while looking carefully at their structure. Reading ‘Mamie Petronille et le pirate’ in class has been instrumental in the development of their understanding and application of the language. Our lessons have included adjectives and verbs practice, as well as making our own pirate hats and describing in French what different pirates are and look like.

They have all made impressive progress while increasing their confidence levels and enjoying themselves communicating in French, both orally and in writing.

Nil Karaca

#FeltonfleetYear5

#FeltonfleetYear6

The Middle School disco proved unforgettable, with a lively DJ keeping the dance floor energised and our students impressing everyone with their fantastic dance skills. Joyful laughter filled the Ashbee, where children revelled in the ambiance, making memories with their friends. A heartfelt appreciation to the Friends of Feltonfleet for their work in coordinating this memorable evening

#FeltonfleetYear5

#FeltonfleetYear6

#FriendsOfFeltonfleet

This week was ‘curtain up’ for the production of "Joseph", performed by Year 7 students. Audiences were transported on a whirlwind journey of vibrant colours, catchy tunes, and youthful exuberance.

Presented to the entire school community and later to parents for two evening performances, this production was a delightful testament to the creativity and dedication of the young performers.

From the moment the first note struck, it was evident that this rendition of "Joseph" was going to be something special. The energy emanating from the stage was infectious, as the cast dove headfirst into their roles with passion and enthusiasm.

The musical numbers were a highlight of the production, led by Mr Andrews and showcasing the students' impressive vocal abilities and choreography skills. From the lively "Go, go go Joseph" to the country and western farce of "One More Angel in Heaven," every song was delivered with emotion and precision, leaving the audience tapping their feet and humming along.

The colourful costumes and inventive set design added an extra layer of magic to the performance, transporting viewers to ancient Egypt and beyond and our thanks go out to Miss Hunt, Ms McDonald and our wonderful LAMDA tutor Miss Taylor. The attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the production, from the intricate props to the seamless scene transitions and glow-in-the-dark make-up.

One of the most impressive aspects of the show was the sense of camaraderie, collaboration and teamwork among the cast and crew. It was clear that countless hours of rehearsal had gone into perfecting every scene, and the hard work paid off in the form of a polished and professional production. It was a joy to witness the talent and creativity of these young performers as they brought this timeless story to life.

Congratulations to all involved for a truly unforgettable experience!

#FeltonfleetPerformingArts

#FeltonfleetYear7

Cello & Double Bass concert

Many thanks to our cello and double bass players who gave us a tremendous concert last week. Our “coffee concerts” are not only a great performance opportunity, but a chance for students to hear each other and entertain friends and family.

Huge thanks to Mrs Jayne Spencer, our cello & bass teacher for preparing students so ably, and to parents for their ongoing support!

Lulu S, Milo NG, Eva S, Isla N, Troy J, Rupert S, Roshan P, Iris BK, Evie G, Arthan P, Molly G, Sebastian C, Thomas B, Eliana B, Henry L

Chris Andrews

#FeltonfleetPerformingArts

Congratulations to Eli S (6JBu)

Wildsmith into the Dark Forest

By Liz Flanagan

Rowan must flee the city she’s always known with her mother leaving her father behind to fight in the war. They head to the Dark Forest to stay with her Grandfather, a healer of people and animals, but that’s not all he is, he is also the last Wildsmith. A person with the ability to talk to animals and wield healing magic.

Rowan makes new friends and together with Grandfather’s loyal wolf Arto discovers that more than people live in the Dark Forest, mythical creatures are protected here, not just by the Wildsmith, but also a powerful trio of witches.

Then poachers come to the Dark Forest seeking dragons to steal their powers for the enemy leaders. Can Rowan help the dragons and is her Grandfather really the last Wildsmith?

An exciting adventure for those who love magic, adventure and animals. 170 pages with not too much text to a page and lots of pictures.

Recommended for age 7+

By Wilbur H

3SRa

Francesca Kinghorn & Emma Burnside

#FeltonfleetLiteracy

A guide to Hitchball

For the eagle eyed reader, you will have heard mention of Hitchball, a favourite amongst our Boarders! Here, some of our pupils explain what they love about it and you can see a game in action.

#FeltonfleetBoarding

St Hilary’s Cross Country

The latest cross-country event of the year was hosted by St Hilary’s School and held at Loseley Park on what was a lovely sunny afternoon and near perfect running conditions.

The U8 boys and girls were the first to run and it was an incredibly fast race with Hussain F bringing home first place for the boys. Next up were the U9’s who ran a fantastic race with George Q coming in first place for the boys. The performances only improved with the U10’s Max T and Elizabeth B both winning first place in their races. In the team races, which combined the scores of all the finishes, Feltonfleet were to win U8 Boys, U9 Boys, U10 boys and girls. A truly fantastic performance, well done to all of our athletes.

Boys’ Sport Update

IAPS National Hockey Finals

On Monday the U11 boys hockey team competed in the IAPS National Hockey Finals at Cheltenham College in Gloucestershire. Reaching this level is an achievement in itself and this group of boys thoroughly deserved to be there through their hard work and training alongside the incredible Mr Molloy.

The day started with a tough assignment, Millfield Prep, who had won their regional qualifier earlier in the season. The Feltonfleet boys got stuck into their task with energy and belief, giving no quarter to their talented opponents. Having successfully defended a string of short corners, we were able to break and Thomas G made a spectacular pass into the D where Jay K was able to finish with aplomb. With Millfield now chasing the game, Feltonfleet were again able to counter attack successfully with the link up between Thomas G and Jay K providing a second goal. Millfield scored a late consolation but a win in the first game was a spectacular start.

We then played Winchester House and played excellently again without capitalising on the chances we created leading to a 0-0 draw. 4 points after two games was a good start and put us top of the group. Our next game was against Kingswood School, from Bath, where we played our best hockey of the day. Kingswood couldn’t live with the speed of ball we played with nor with the physicality we showed. We scored two excellent goals where good link up play from Aspen R and Will S unlocked space on the right hand channel where Barn F was able to drive into the D and pull the ball back for Arlo B-K to expertly finish.

We finished the group stage with back to back matches against Cargifield School, who had flown down from Edinburgh, and Brambletye School. We started slowly against Cargifield, conceding a goal at the start of the second half. We created some chances but eventually lost our first game of the day 0-1. This meant that, although still top of the group, we needed a win against Brambletye to confirm going through into the top competition. Against Brambletye we were back to ourselves, moving the ball more effectively and giving the opposition less time and space, the hard work of Sam D and Oliver B shining through. We scored our first goal from a short corner with Will S sweeping the ball away after a good save from the goalkeeper.

This win meant we topped our group and qualified for the quarter finals where we would meet Solihull Prep. The game was tight with both sides working the ball into the opposition D and both defences working stoutly to shut down the space. The Feltonfleet boys gave it everything they had but couldn’t unlock the Solihull defence, whilst we conceded two goals to two moments of high quality play from the Solihull midfielder. There were some amazing saves from our two goalkeepers, Jack W and Will L, who had performed excellently throughout the day.

Finishing as one of the eight best U11 hockey schools in the country this year is a wonderful achievement. As a team we focused on two objectives: to have fun and to work as hard as we could. By doing this we were able to make the most of our abilities and achieve some fantastic success. My thanks to all the parents for their unwavering support through the season. A big thank you also to Mr Molloy, whose excellent, passionate and expert coaching has driven incredible progress and growth in this team.

Aldro Rugby 7s Festival

The 1st VII travelled to Aldro for the annual Aldro Rugby 7s festival on Wednesday. The boys played brilliantly through the day to win the Plate competition. They played five games, winning four and losing just one. Throughout they played 7s with fantastic style, keeping the ball alive whilst showing exceptional handling. Alongside this our defensive effort and organisation was excellent. All the boys must be credited for their hard work, determination and skill shown on the day. Many thanks to Mr Roberts for his passionate leadership of the 7s programme this year and to all the parents for their wonderful support of the boys.

Other Hockey Matches

The boys have displayed some brilliant Hockey skills over the past couple of weeks. We saw the Lower School House Hockey competitions, all the pupils worked super hard in their houses to produce some riveting matches. For our U8s this was their first outing in a fixture setting. They performed incredibly well and we have seen such improvement from the start of the season. Our U9s travelled away to Eagle House and despite the weather put in some superb efforts. Our U11s were hosted by Cranmore and came away with some excellent victories and our U10s dominated Shrewsbury House in a set of home fixtures. On the senior side of things, we hosted Cranmore and the boys did us proud with an excellent set of results. As the hockey season draws to a close, as staff we have all commented on the enormous amount of progress that all pupils have made within the sport. Thank you all for your hard work, effort and dedication this season.

Andrew Rishton

#FeltonfleetSport

girls’ sport round up

It has been truly inspiring to see the progress that girls from U8 to U13 have made this term with their netball. Pupils, parents and staff have all witnessed their dedication and improvement. In our recent fixtures against KEW, our senior girls walked away with four impressive win. Our U10s showed their skills with a flawless performance against Danes Hill winning all three of their matches. Last Saturday morning, our U11 girls battled fiercely and secured two wins out of four matches against Danes Hill, with the A team narrowly losing by just one goal in the last quarter. The U8s played their first 5 a-side fixtures v Claremont and showcased their impressive knowledge of the rules, awareness of different positions and their incredible shooting accuracy. Sadly the netball term draws to an end this week but we look forward to playing more netball next year and continuing to build on the progress and excitement from this season.

U11 Hockey - South East Regionals

The U11A hockey team have had a remarkable journey, when last term they clinched victory at the Surrey County Tournament, earning them a well-deserved spot in the South East Regional Finals. After a considerable hiatus from the hockey pitch, they commenced their preparation with a warm-up game against St Teresa's on Friday, February 23rd, securing a confident 2-1 win. This victory set the stage for an outstanding performance at the tournament. The team kicked off with an explosive start, triumphing over Burgess Hill with an impressive 6-0 win in just 10 minutes. Next, they faced Sevenoaks in a hard-fought battle that ended in a 0-0 draw. Undeterred, they took on St Michaels, the IAPS National Finalist winners for their age group, displaying determination and skill despite succumbing to a 2-0 defeat. In the final showdown against local rivals St George's, the girls delivered a stellar performance and a fantastic interception led to the opening goal. They maintained their momentum, scoring two more goals to secure a crucial victory, finishing second in the tournament. Their dedication and hard work throughout the hockey season truly paid off, and I couldn't be prouder of their exceptional achievements. Well done, girls, you've earned every bit of this recognition!

#FeltonfleetSport

Staff v Parents Hockey match

Friday 1st of March saw the Staff take on Upper School Parents for the annual Hockey fixture (The Meacock Cup). With huge thanks to Mr & Mrs Winter who manage to put the best side of parents out we’ve seen since the inception of this event. This with a handful of helpful pupils saw some of the Staff slightly worried about the prospect of retaining this converted trophy. With help from Mr Woodward (man of the match, goal-keeper) the staff limbered up and with the help of Mr Blewitt, who umpired the match, we were off! Playing 3 x 15 minute thirds. The staff had an early lead. By the end of the 2nd third, it was clear that some of the staff were tiring and with only a 2-1 lead, the most competitive spirit (Mr Thompson) gave an almighty team talk to the rally the staff. Equally, some of the parents hadn’t let off how good they really were. Mrs Wilcox, Mr McAndrew, Mr Hendrikx, Mr 7 Mrs Turtle & Mrs Rao had clearly been putting in practice before hand! The final whistle blew and the staff remained the holders of the Meacock Cup, however, I feel with how competitive the parents are becoming, this may not be for long! Thank you again to all staff (past and present), parents, pupils who took part, helped and supported!

#FeltonfleetSport

Helen Marland and Naomi James are running the London marathon on April 21. Helen is raising money for Young Lives Vs Cancer who help children and young people with cancer get the right support at the right time. Naomi is raising money for Helen Arkell whose vision is of a day when people with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties have the same opportunities as everyone else to achieve their goals.

Here’s wishing Helen and Naomi all the best for this amazing feat of endurance! Any support that you are able to give, be it donations to their causes or cheering from the pavements, will be hugely appreciated!

#FeltonfleetLiteracy

Pre-Prep

George B (2SLa) - For gaining confidence in co-curricular activities

Lower School

Aleks J (3SR) - For being a positive role model to all his peers and his 'can do' approach to his learning

Middle School

Alex M (6JWo) - for his resilience and much improved work ethic

Upper School

Tahlia T (8BWh) - for consistently demonstrating a willingness to go above and beyond in numerous areas of school. She is a good friend often displaying kindness and compassion to her peers

#FeltonfleetCharacterAndCulture

Our school's recent quiz night was a celebration of community, knowledge, and generosity driven forward by a well stocked bar and the smell of fresh pizzas! Matt Rochford, our charismatic quiz compere, guided the audience through rounds of brain-teasing questions with his quick wit and infectious energy - and even a spontaneous rendition of Eye of the Tiger when a slight technical hitch hampered the music round!

As the final scores were tallied and Redbull’s Racing Equal Opportunities Department group winning by just one point, it was clear that the true victory lay in the sense of camaraderie and goodwill that permeated the room.

Events like these not only foster bonds within our school community but also enable us to make a positive impact through donations to our charity Cherry Trees. None of this would be possible without your continued support as parents and the help of all our wonderful volunteer reps. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we managed to raise just under £5000.

We look forward to seeing you at the Summer Fayre on the 8th June

Natalie Wolton

#FriendsOfFeltonfleet

Gymnastic success for Athena

Last week Athena took part in the women’s artistic gymnastics competition in Wiltshire. Athena performed her routines well, demonstrating her newly acquired skills. She earned 3 silver medals for her performances on the individual apparatus - beam, bars and range and conditioning, and a rosette for her 4th place in the All Around. Congratulations Athena!

Newcomers Cubing for CHarlie

Charlie S in Year 6 took part in the World Cubing Associations newcomers' event in Stevenage last weekend. Out of 200 participants in Charlie's age group, he came a very creditable 58th, with a time of 23.5 seconds. The winning time was under 7 seconds!

A huge well done to Charlie for taking part and having a great time.

Next week we will be celebrating Neurodiversity Celebration Week. This is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. Pupils will spend time with their forms doing a range of activities and discussing how we all have different minds and respecting that we don't all learn the same way.

#FeltonfleetPeopleAndCommunity

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