The new school year is well under way

After a seemingly long summer break the school is now well into the Autumn Term although the weather is enabling summer activities to be continued at this time.  There has been a number of changes in the management of the school. 

Hurst Lodge School, Ascot, is delighted to announce the arrival of our new Headmistress, Mrs Kate Leiper. Kate brings to Hurst Lodge a wealth of experience at some of the country’s leading independent schools and has a real passion for education. Kate says, “I am very excited about coming to Hurst Lodge, which attracted me from the start with its warm, welcoming atmosphere and I am greatly looking forward to help to build on the school’s recent wonderful inspection reports and superb examination results to take Hurst Lodge into the next phase of development.” Kate will be working alongside Vicky Smit, Principal and a Director of the school.  

There have already been a number of events.  Our first Open Day was a huge success with a very high attendance of prospective students and parents.  During the very first week we had a Maths Day which was designed by the Maths Department to encourage the use of logic and reasoning whilst enhancing and challenging the children’s mathematical ability in a fun way.

“MURDER AT HURST LODGE” was a mathematical murder mystery whodunit based on the game Cluedo where a most gruesome murder had taken place at Hurst Lodge School which left the Police completely baffled until the pupils of Hurst Lodge took control of the murder scene and solved the crime. 

They had to obtain as many clues as possible by answering maths questions. They then had to analyse the clues to find out which staff member had committed the murder. Stainer was the first house to identify the evil perpetrator as none other than Deputy Head, Mr. McCoy.

YOU’RE FIRED! – The Hurst Lodge version of the popular TV show The Apprentice.

The pupils had to come up with a unique business model and present their ideas to the Board which decided which houses were fired and which house was hired. Following a unique presentation and good business reasoning, the house

which was hired was Stainer. They presented a business plan to host a Halloween Fete where money raised would be donated to a charitable cause.  The students had to consider where and how to market the event, what activities would be successful and balance this against costs.

Other activities consisted of worksheets which challenged the pupils to use their numeracy skills. They had fifteen minutes to complete each worksheet and gain as many points as possible for their houses. The winner, once again, was Stainer.

The pupils enjoyed the day and all three houses worked extremely hard

to make this event a huge success.

The end of the Summer Term

As usual the end of the Summer Term was a very busy time for everyone.  The School Show, Sports Day, Inter House swimming and rounders competitions, as well as the Art Exhibition and continuing with a normal school timetable ensured that neither staff, pupils nor parents (!!!) had a moment's peace.

The term finished with Prize Giving Day.  This is the highlight of the year when pupils are presented with certificates, prizes and cups to mark their achievements throughout the academic year.

We are now in the middle of the school holidays and no doubt the students of Hurst Lodge are spread around the world.

Next week sees the arrival of the exam results and the waiting for years 11, 12 and 13 will be over. 

We look forward to another successful year in 2011/2012 

Biathlon 2011

Last Saturday Hurst Lodge hosted the annual inter-school biathlon competition.  The weather was very kind if a little too warm for running!  Holme Grange did very well as a team but there were some outstanding individual performances from the Hurst Lodge children.  It was open to years 3,4,5 and 6 and the plan for next year is to involve more boys in the event. 

The event was very well attended with good support for all of the schools involved.  

Party in the Park

What a fantastic day.  We were so lucky with the weather, after a lovely, warm, sunny day the rain started very close to the end of the performances at which time, singers, musicians and audience crammed into the marquee to listen to the final songs by ex students of Hurst Lodge who are now at various universities and colleges.

The standard of singing was really good from the children of the Junior school through to the sixth form and older.  The musical accompaniment was also very professional and it was hard to believe that they had only a couple of hours in the morning to practice together.

There was food available in the shape of a hog roast and a cake stall although many brought along a picnic and basked in the pleasant sunshine.

There were prizes awarded for the different categories although, in my view, the day was a prime example of "it is not just about winning, it is a home for their passion". The evident confidence of the performers, no matter what age, was incredible and the enjoyment on their face wonderful to see.  There are a few more photographs available on the Hurst Lodge Alumni facebook page.  

Visits and things

Hurst Lodge recently staged a Courtesy week which was a very positive experience and there were lots of doors being held open and 'pleases' and 'thank yous' around the school.   

We will find out at Prize Giving on Wednesday, 6^th July who has won the overall prize and the Courtesy Cup.  'Long live good manners!'

Years 1 & 2 had a great day out on Tuesday to RHS Wisley and back at the school the children have all been working furiously on the polytunnel, setting up the irrigation system, potting and getting all our seeds planted.  There will be photographs available on the website next week.

Year 10 Art students and Sixth formers are visiting the Kluckow Gallery  to see the Dali exhibition of prints and sculptures.  They and the Performing Arts students also have the opportunity to visit the 'Degas and the Ballet' and 'Hungarian Photography' exhibitions at the Royal Academy in London.

Rehearsals for Romeo and Juliet and Aesop’s Fables RETOLD are underway in preparation for the Summer Show.

Future Events

The Years 12 and 13 BTEC performing arts group are treating us to some excerpts from the musical Mamma Mia in the studios this Friday.  It forms a part of their coursework which will count towards their final marks.  The 2 year course is equivalent to 2 “A” levels and is very varied in its content.

There are 2 other productions under construction for this Term.  An abridged version of Romeo and Juliet is currently being rehearsed and is due to be performed between the dates of 29^th June and 2^nd July.  The Juniors are presenting Aesop’s Fables Retold written by Drama teacher Bart Lee with Music by Andrew Holdsworth and directed by Nicky Fereday.  This will take place on the same days as Romeo and Juliet with the interval being the break between the two productions.

Following the success of a previous Party in the Park the PTA are again hosting this event in the school grounds.  Students from the school are invited onto the stage to perform a song of their choice backed by a live band.  Soloists, duets and groups are welcome and, from previous experience, there will be a couple of surprise performances from staff and a visiting group of musicians.

The Great Escape

What's happened this week?  You may have noticed that Sky have been featuring The Great Escape again.  Obviously the pig arc has had a television set installed because one of our pigs is consistently trying to explore territories new.  On the most recent occasion year 8 were quickly called out of their RE lesson to help Miss Smit to return the escapee to its rightful home.  I must say they were quite proficient and he was soon encouraged to go back to his family - until the next time.