Snow before the ski trip!

We have enjoyed a wonderful half term and have had much to enjoy and celebrate. It was lovely to see the students, and many staff, playing in the snow this morning and despite threats made as snowballs were hurled in my direction, I can reassure students we will not be introducing triple prep for Year 7 next half term!  We have lots to look forward to over the coming weeks, including pancake races, our first boys’ football fixtures, a Blue Cross seminar, Grandparents’ Day and of course the ski trip, to name a few.

National Storytelling Week

This week has had a literary theme being National Storytelling Week. We were very fortunate to welcome Tessa Harris to school who gave an engaging and incredibly interesting talk on her journey toward becoming a published author. It was wonderful to see the students, and staff, inspired and with new vigour to write and tell stories.  Our balloon debate has been highly entertaining and it has been lovely to spend time listening to children reading in the Junior School and Pre Prep.  A love for and exposure to literature is invaluable and promoting reading in all genres and at all levels is something we are keen to continue to develop. Having been asked to judge this year’s BBC Radio 2 500 words writing competition, I will be encouraging as many of our students as possible to write their own stories for entry.  I have found that when children read with their parents or for older students,  the same books as their parents, the ensuing discussions and debates can stimulate reading enormously. If you would like any guidance on suitable material, please do ask our English Department who would be delighted to recommend books that could be of interest.

Polo Success

Hurst Lodge Polo Team played a fixture against Royal Holloway University. Although they started off slowly going down 3 goals to nil in the first Chukka, the girls dug in and Georgia P scored the first goal early in the second chukka. This transformed the team and their confidence soared.  Although both teams really started playing well and Royal Holloway scored a fourth goal, Hurst Lodge replied with three goals of their own in quick succession tying the game with only a minute to go.

In the dying seconds of the match Iman D broke free and showed some great ball control to score the winning goal giving Hurst Lodge its first Polo win ever.  The pupils have only been playing for a short while and although nervous about playing a team of university students, Iman being 10 years younger than the youngest Royal Holloway player, they rallied and worked as a cohesive unit winning them the match.

Jenna and Lesley

We would like to take this opportunity in wishing Jenna Randall who attended Hurst Lodge School, Ascot from 2000 to 2006 every success at London 2012. Her dedication and hard work was rewarded in 2004 when she achieved solo and team British Champion. Her drive, motivation and performance resulted in her becoming an Olympian in 2008 when she and her partner became the first GB synchro swimmers to compete at an Olympic Games since Barcelona 1992. In the European and World Championships she gained several top 10 places and won Silver medals in both the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games. Jenna is looking to accomplish her dream of becoming Olympic Champion, and a star of London 2012. Hurst Lodge English teacher, Lesley Owusu, is an experienced international 400 metre runner who has represented Great Britain at World, Commonwealth and European stages. Lesley is on a sabbatical and is hoping to qualify for the Olympics.

Science Day

In a through school we are able to remove the pressure of Common Entrance and look to broaden the experience of every student which will undoubtedly lead to better performance in core academics in addition to a
mature and comprehensive understanding of the world outside the school environment. This has been nowhere more evident than in our consistently impressive science results over the last few years which I feel strongly are
enhanced by the natural science and sustainability context our children experience. If you are feeling scientific there is a wonderful science open day at the Royal Holloway on the 25th February which is a free event for
families that I would warmly recommend for a super hands on experience.

Christmas at Hurst Lodge

The run up to Christmas has started.  On Friday we are holding a Christmas fair in the studios, starting at 2:45pm. The fair will consist of various stalls, such as Santa’s Grotto, lucky dip, hit the reindeer and a raffle. Also there will be refreshments and food. All of the money made on the day will be donated to charity.

The parties have been planned and the decorations are up.

The Pre Prep Christmas Play ‘Are We Nearly There Yet?’ and “The Three Kings” which is the Kindergarten production will also be held on Friday 9th December.

The Christmas Carol Service will be held at Sunningdale Church on Wednesday 14th December. 

New York Charity Race

Congratulations to James of Year 2 who travelled to NYC to raise money for charity. He ran a 5km dash/run (3.1 miles) in 41 minutes 23 seconds. This was an event that took place as part of marathon weekend. James-Tobias raised £285.00 for ‘Get Kids Going’, a charity that provides wheelchairs to children and young adults so that they can also take part in sporting events and some have become Paralympian winners.

This charity is also now introducing ‘Get Kidz Dancing’ - a scheme that will offer help to children and young adults who may need wheelchairs to dance.