DofE Expeditions in the New Forest

At the end of June, it was the turn of Years 9, 10 and 11 to venture out for their four night, five day camp in the New Forest. ‘Ownership’ is one of our four key Heritage goals; in undertaking their Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Expeditions the pupils had the incomparable opportunity to take responsibility for themselves – ensuring they brought all the kit they’d need, including food to prepare themselves, and independently following the map routes, in their groups. After the odd extra turn about the moors, all of the pupils confidently and successfully completed their expeditions! On the Tuesday Year 9 also went giant paddle boarding near Swanage. Absolutely no phones or electronic devices (other than digital cameras) were permitted for the week, allowing the pupils to be truly present in each moment. The week was a precious opportunity to form new friendships and deepen old ones, across the year groups, and, for Year 11, to enjoy making memories in their final Heritage experience together. They all spent the last evening on Avon Beach, then in the morning had fun at Laser Quest before coming home.

Thank you to Mr Fletcher, Mrs Lowe, Mr Wayman and Mrs Atkinson, and to the excellent volunteers: Jonathan Bell, Simon Scott, Ralph Bayley, Rhys Williams and Debbie van Wyk, who all pulled together to support the camp. Mr Fletcher’s favourite week of the year did not disappoint! Check out the gallery below to take a peek at some of the fun they had…

 

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Lower Prep Class Assembly: Living & Growing

For their very first Class Assembly, Lower Prep shared all that they had been learning in Science as they explored the topic ‘Living and Growing’. By way of introduction, the pupils held up pictures of different types of seeds, including the seeds of a sunflower, avocado, apple, cress, oak and horse chestnut tree to show how seeds come in different shapes and sizes. Next they shared the results of their experiment into how seeds grow, with four hoops on the floor to represent the dishes and a pupil crouched inside each hoop representing a cress seed. One had sunlight and no water, and did not grow; one had water and no sunlight, and grew a little; one had no water and no sunlight and did not grow; and the final seed had water and sunlight and grew tall! Lower Prep also showed us their bean plants and bean diaries, where they have tracked the growth of their plants. To finish, the class used ribbons, movement and musical instruments to imaginatively take us through the journey of how seeds grow – first by us digging and planting, then by the rain and sun, then the waiting, before finally, with a xylophone flourish, the seeds start to grow into plants and trees.

Thank you to Mr Lam and Miss Cage for supporting with direction and props. Very well done Lower Prep – you spoke clearly and confidently and, most important of all, looked like you really enjoyed yourselves!

Years 5 & 6 Go Camping on the Norfolk Broads

In June we sent out our second group of campers, this time Years 5 and 6, for a two-night camp on the Norfolk Broads, where they stayed at Patteson Lodge Activity Centre. For some, it was their first ever experience sleeping outdoors, so the first activity was to learn how to set up their tents! The sun shone all the while as the children had a very happy time kayaking, braving a high ropes course, seal spotting at Horsey Gap, coastal hiking and playing wide games, then singing around the campfire on their last night.

Thank you to Mr Fox, Mr Dalton, Mrs Young and Miss Monk (the gourmet chefs!), Mrs Hayward, Mr Campbell and Mr Carter, and to our generous volunteers Irenee Daly, Werner Baumker and Steve Wright who all made the camp possible.

 

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Screen Free Week 2025

Screens now feature in our lives in ways that were inconceivable even 25 years ago. The developmental impact of smartphones and screen time upon children and young people is profound, and is becoming a matter of deepening concern. We all need a ‘digital detox’ to make sure that we are getting the balances right and we also need to be modelling this as adults to our children.

To this end, each year in June we encourage families to participate in Screen Free Week; those who do commit to not making use of screens for leisure purposes for the whole week. It involves saying ‘no’ to TV, the internet, movies, YouTube, video games, social media, your favourite apps, online shopping, online news, etc. and saying ‘yes’ to time with family and friends, books, toys, sport, painting, music, climbing trees, walks, bikes, writing a story, cooking, baking, board games, museums, and so on!

Screen Free Week runs from 8.00am on Monday 9th June until 8.00am on the following Monday, 16th June.

 

Summer Camps Get Going with Years 7 & 8 in the Peaks

Heritage places the highest priority on getting out into the real world. We want our pupils to appreciate nature and explore some of the most beautiful places in the country – places to which they might return later. Every pupil from Year 5 and up goes on a school camp each year – always under canvas – thanks to the enthusiasm of staff and volunteers.

Just after the May Bank Holiday, our first camp went out, with Years 7 and 8 travelling to the Peak District for three nights away. They arrived to beautiful sunshine and, after setting up camp, walked along the Monsal Trail, finding an abandoned train station from WWI along the way. On the second day they enjoyed a sunrise run, then went weaselling (scrambling between, over and under the gritstone rocks) on Higger Tor and negotiated a high ropes course. On the third day they went past Castleton’s caves and hiked Mam Tor, descending along a stream in the valley and that evening relaxed around the campfire singing songs. There was lots of opportunity for downtime, playing games like frisbee, mafia and capture the flag. The campers were also fortunate to enjoy the delicious cooking of Mrs Bruins.

Thank you to Mr Fox, Mr Burden, Mrs Eastwood, Mrs Pluke and Miss Monk, and to volunteers Rachel, Ruth, Zara, Peter and Nicolas for all of their work to make the camp such a success and happy time for all. Thank you as well to Mrs Lowe, our Educational Visits Coordinator, who brilliantly oversees the planning and safe running of all Heritage trips, including the three summer camps.

 

 

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