Beachborough Newsletter: Friday 19th September 2025
Head’s Blog
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” Maya Angelou
I have spent the past few days at the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) Conference, where children’s wellbeing was very much at the heart of the conversations. The discussions were thought-provoking, sometimes sobering, but above all they reinforced the vital role schools play in equipping children with the skills to navigate challenges and setbacks without becoming anxious or overwhelmed.
Recent research shared at the conference highlighted a concerning trend: 26% of children aged 3–7 in Prep Schools have already experienced stress and anxiety. The figure rises to 31% for those aged 7–11 and 38% for 11–13 year olds. Even more concerning, 16% of these children have shown signs of avoiding school altogether.
We cannot afford to ignore these figures. The world our children are growing up in is changing quickly, and while academic knowledge remains essential, it is no longer enough on its own. To thrive, children also need the tools to manage setbacks and grow in confidence.
One of the most effective ways to nurture these qualities is by fostering a Growth Mindset. When children understand that challenges are opportunities to learn rather than threats to avoid, failure becomes part of progress rather than a source of fear. This shift in perspective can ease anxiety before it takes hold and encourage a more positive, curious approach to learning and to life.
Hand in hand with this comes resilience: the ability to recover when things do not go as planned. Resilience is not about ignoring emotions or ‘toughening up’; it is about giving children the inner resources to face difficulties constructively and learn from the struggle.
This term at Beachborough, Form V pupils have been continuing with the iheart programme, which they began in Form IV. This initiative helps them understand how their minds work and provides practical strategies to support their emotional wellbeing. My thanks go to Henny Taylor for delivering such an inspiring framework here at school.
Schools need to create environments where children feel safe to take risks, know they will be supported if things do not go right the first time, and are celebrated for their effort as much as their achievement. By embedding a Growth Mindset, building resilience, and investing in wellbeing programmes like iheart, we can reduce anxiety and empower our pupils to flourish, ready to face the future with confidence.
Wishing you an enjoyable weekend,
Simone
The U11 Girls put on a truly impressive display of skill, teamwork, and determination at the Stowe Hockey Festival. Competing against a strong field of schools, the team demonstrated excellent play and ultimately emerged tournament champions after a dramatic final.
Our main school charity, Mary’s Meals, is now serving over 3 million children every school day—a milestone that reflects both the scale of the need and the power of collective action. Each meal provided helps a child stay in school, learn, grow, and build a brighter future. But, as more children rely on these life-changing meals, our fundraising efforts become not just important—but essential.
in the UK—across both prep and secondary schools! This is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to the generosity, creativity, and compassion of our entire school community, so thank YOU!
Jenna (FVIII) delivered an outstanding performance at the British Triathlon Inter Regional Championships in Leicester last weekend, helping her South Central team secure a well-earned silver medal!
The 1st team rugby squad produced an exceptional display at the St Hugh’s Festival on Wednesday, delivering one of their most complete performances of the season so far. From the first whistle, it was clear that everything the boys had been working on in training was beginning to come together and the result was a series of dominant, high-quality performances across the afternoon.
Under 11A Match Report – Bloxham Hockey Festival
News travels fast in the prep school rugby circuit. Word of Beachborough’s excellent attacking rugby saw us invited to the prestigious Bloxham Invitational. (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.) For those unfamiliar with this tournament format, think of ‘March Madness’ and you’ll get the idea. 
