2017 S MAGAZINE SCHOOL BERKHAMPSTEAD UMMER TERM OUTSTANDING SCHOOLin all & DAY areas NURSERY ISI INSPECTION CLASS ACT Pupils take to the stage On your marks SPORTS DAYS 2017 INSIDE: SUMMER ART EXHIBITION | SCIENCE ACADEMIC FOCUS | TRIPS & VISITS NewsFROM AROUND THE SCHOOL AN INSPECTOR CALLS You can imagine our surprise – and, initially, Thoughts from Spotlight on disbelief - when Mrs Watkins announced THE HEAD MEL MAIN that a team of ISI Inspectors would be descending on us in less than twenty four he Summer term has to be my favourite for all the obvious reasons. What did you do before Berky? hours! Fortunately, we are constantly working to improve our school, and always thinking T The sun comes out and there are opportunities to enjoy cricket, I started my career as an Early Years rounders, and athletics as well as the many happy and valuable trips. The of new and exciting ways to interest and ALL-ROUND Practitioner in Surbiton, Surrey and engage the children; we just had to hope Year 6 drama production and recital were magnificent showcases for the moved to Cheltenham 16 years ago, acting and musical talent at Berkhampstead and the Sports Days showed that, rather than getting completely bogged I worked at Charlton Kings Infants’ down in paperwork, the Inspectors would see EXCELLENCE the athletic potential that is being realised in our very youngest through School for 12 years before joining Berky. to our senior pupils. There is no doubt that the Summer term is the most our school for what it is – a brilliant learning ISI REPORT action-packed and this has been exemplified by all that our Year 6 pupils What do you do in your spare time? environment with a broad and stimulating have enjoyed during their final weeks with us. I am married to Ian, we have 3 curriculum provided by an exceptional staff 2017 children and Billy our dog. Alice our team dedicated to going the extra mile and The final year at Prep School is the most exciting. It is also the most eldest is at University, Daniel and ensuring the children’s well-being. We just challenging, both academically and pastorally. The children focus on their Lucy are at Balcarras School. They had to be ourselves! Entrance Exams and work tirelessly to prepare, completing practice take up most of my time, but I enjoy papers and looking at exam technique in a quest to do themselves We need not have worried. Berkhampstead the outdoors, walking, camping and gardening. justice when the day of the ‘real thing’ arrives. This year’s cohort was very was awarded the top rating of ‘excellent’ I love concerts and live music and take every opportunity to do this. successful and acquitted themselves very well, managing to win sixteen in all areas and the Day Nursery achieved grammar school places and many senior school scholarships in the If you were a character from a book which one would you be? ‘outstanding’ – also the highest possible process. They were all delighted when their destinations were decided and Miss Honey from Matilda. She appreciates and notices everyone and grading; the glowing report is now available ON THE AIR we celebrated their individual successes. everything. She recognises individual abilities and does all she can to for all to read on our website. However, there is still much we want to achieve and we will During the Easter holidays, BBC Radio We welcomed an Independent School Inspection team into school offer encouragement, care and support. Great qualities in a teacher. most certainly not be resting on our laurels. Gloucestershire ran a week long feature on early in the term and we were thrilled with their endorsement that What have been the highlights of your first term at Berky? GA Berky on their afternoon show. DJ Jon Smith Berkhampstead School and Day Nursery is ‘Outstanding’ in every way. The children…. they are amazing, I look forward to coming to work interviewed Reception children about their This is, of course, down to the hard-working, diligent and creative staff and each day, and we have so much fun it never really feels like work. Easter party, Prep children about House Cross wonderful pupils they teach. I knew Berky was the right choice as soon as I had my first tour of Country and their Mother’s Day service play, The photographs and articles in this edition of the Berky Blazer capture the school. The Early Years team are such a lovely group of people. and Year 6 pupils about the Spring Concert. many of those individual moments of this term and are a wonderful He was bowled over by Mrs Rutherford’s representation of our school. I hope that you will enjoy looking through What would you most like to learn? incredible keyboard orchestra. these pages as much as I have. As a child I used to play the trumpet and subsequently had a few lessons to play drums which was great fun, but I would love to be able to play the piano. What do you look forward to? Richard We have been renovating our house and needed to move out for Richard Cross 6 months so I’m really looking forward to moving back in. Headmaster What is your favourite film? Roman Holiday, starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. I love any film starring Audrey Hepburn; she had such great style, and this FRUIT OF THEIR was her first film and a particular favourite of mine. What is your favourite children’s book? LABOUR As a child I loved The Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton; The Wildlife Garden has been a hive of the characters were all unique and the children had such great activity for Year 2 this term. Having chosen adventures visiting strange and magical lands, although you were the vegetables they were going to grow, never sure if they would be stuck in a land before The Faraway Tree they have reaped the fruits of their labour, PTA NEWS moved on. and have been harvesting strawberries, PTA activity began with a rush as we returned The Summer Fayre took place in glorious french beans, peas and potatoes. Although What are the most important qualities to instil in KG children? from the Easter holidays. The James Bond- sunshine and embraced a ‘foodie’ theme. the wildflower meadow has seeded itself, themed May Ball was held at the magnificent Fresh baked pizzas from a wood-fired oven To be kind and honest, to have the courage to try everything, show the green-fingered children have been kept respect for their environment and those that live in it. Pittville Pump Room. The food seemed even were enjoyed along with strawberries and busy by Mrs Taylor in her weekly gardening better than usual and music from “The Pleasure cream and glasses of Pimms. The usual range What is your wish for the KG children at this early stage club hedge trimming, replanting Dome” encouraged even the most reluctant of stalls selling a myriad of books, toys and of their education? strawberries from runners. and dancers onto the floor! bric-a-brac jostled with candy floss and ‘fruit thinning carrots and beetroots. Most of all I want the children to be happy and I believe that Fiona and her team once again produced kebab’ making. Year 6 pupils demonstrated their providing a fun, carefree, stimulating and secure environment where Many of Year 2’s other lessons entrepreneurial flair! The tug o’ war competition have taken place in a dazzling display of cakes provided by our they can learn, build self-esteem and self-confidence is key to this. Year 5 and Reception parents for this term’s was, as always, fiercely contested and the the Wildlife Garden standard set by our children in the “Berky’s got too this term. ‘Cake at Break’ sale. The children always seem so enthusiastic about this event, eagerly handing Talent” reached new heights! Steve Ackland, 2 over their 50p coins. PTA Chair 3 NewsFROM THE NewsFROM DAY NURSERY PRE-PREP Kindergarten’s RECEPTION JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY ONCE UPON A Time… Outstanding The children have been inspired by our topic, Having read the story of the Gingerbread Man, the ‘The Gruffalo’ and have initiated most of the children were shown a painting of a river, and were activities. They have loved dressing up as the asked to construct a bridge for the Gingerbread ISI APRIL 2017 characters and playing in the ‘Gruffalo cave’ Man to cross to escape from the fox! Lots in all areas! role play area. We have been drawing the of measuring and engineering took place Gruffalo and we have learned the Gruffalo and brilliant bridges were made. song where lots of grrrowling is expected!! Another day, the children received letters from Mummy Bear and Goldilocks. Mummy ather than winding down in her last few commented, “Berkhampstead Day Nursery had We have planted bedding plants outside Bear wanted the children to check to see days before taking maternity leave, heavily the Kindergarten, and many helpers have R its fifth birthday in April, and in the same month she had enough food for a picnic for Daddy pregnant manager of the Day Nursery Emily was inspected. We are thrilled that what we BERKY BEARS MUSIC promised to care for the plants over the COMES TO THE DAY NURSERY! coming months. We also sowed cress and Baby Bear. The children loved sharing had to accommodate four ISI inspectors who believe is an outstanding Day Nursery has now the food and ensuring the two bears had the paid the School and Day Nursery a surprise been validated by the inspection team.” Music is integral to life at Berky and it seeds and learned about how plants grow, change and decay.