Beachborough Newsletter: Friday 3rd October 2025

Head of Boardman News

The Power of Adaptability: Helping Our Children Thrive 

In an ever-changing world, one of the most valuable skills our children can develop is adaptability. Whether it is learning a new concept, trying a different approach to a challenging task or working with new friends in a group project, being adaptable helps children respond confidently to change and challenge. 

Adaptability goes hand in hand with resilience – the ability to bounce back when things don’t go as planned, which in life does happen! When children learn that it is OK to make mistakes, change direction and try again, they build the confidence to tackle new situations with curiosity instead of fear. 

At school, we often talk about the importance of being flexible thinkers: adjusting strategies when something isn’t working, listening to others’ ideas in a team and welcoming new perspectives. These skills help children not only succeed in the classroom but also grow into confident, collaborative learners. 

The CREATE adaptable squirrel is a perfect reminder of this! Just like a squirrel adjusts its path to find food or build its nest, our children learn to adapt and persevere as they explore, discover and grow. 

By nurturing adaptability at home and at school, we are giving our children a lifelong tool – helping them navigate change with confidence and embrace new opportunities with enthusiasm. 

Mrs Tongue

Boarding Bushcraft

• Fire lighting and building – mastering techniques for creating fire using natural resources.
• Camouflage and concealment – blending into the woodland surroundings and testing their skills in a torch-lit game.
• Archery – developing concentration and accuracy on the range.

Club Harvest Collection

To celebrate harvest and to help others, we are organising to collect non-perishable foods (packaged in your child’s club colour) to donate to Brackley Food Bank.

Pupils and staff are being asked to bring in food that is packaged in their CLUB COLOUR.

Collection Point:  Back of The Whybrow Theatre.

Collection Weeks 5 and 6:  Monday 29th September to Friday 10th October.

Ideas for food to buy when you next go shopping (please just add an extra tin or packet to your normal shop):

• Tins of: Baked Beans, Spaghetti, Tomatoes, Vegetables, Soup, Fruit, Rice Pudding, Cooked Meat or Tuna Fish.
• Cartons of: Fruit Juice, Long Life Milk, Custard or Tomato sauces.
• Packets of: Biscuits, Cup a Soup, Teabags, Coffee, Sugar, Breakfast Cereal, Stock Cubes, Dried Pasta,
• Jars of: Jam, Marmalade or Spreads.

Please remember that we are a NUT FREE school, so please ensure there are no nuts in the ingredients of your items.

Thank you for your generosity – we know that this will make a huge difference!

Sporting Excellence

Congratulating Jack…

Jack A (FIV) was awarded U10s Player of the Year at Thornborough Cricket Club’s annual awards last weekend. This is a significant achievement as Jack is only eight years old!

When presenting the award, the team’s coach noted that Jack is “possibly the most technically correct batter across the entire junior section”, and a regular wicket-taker who “bowls with great control and accuracy, and with a fair amount of pace for someone of his size.”

Congratulations, Jack! What a fabulous achievement.

Isla’s Charity Swim

Isla R (FVII) is an avid swimmer, but she is about to face one of her biggest challenges yet!

This month, Isla will be swimming  8k to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, a charity which is committed to giving seriously ill children a fuller and longer childhood.

Isla would love to raise as much as possible for this incredible charity, so if you would like to kindly donate, her fundraising page can be found here.

Club Credits!

School Shoes and Apple Watches

Westbury Church Event

On Sunday evening at 6pm, there is a ‘Cider and Songs’ event in Westbury Church to celebrate Harvest Festival (non alcoholic apple juice is also available!). All members of the Beachborough community are warmly invited to attend. 

Can you help?

If any families have any unwanted board games or jigsaw puzzles that are no longer needed, we are looking to build up a collection for pupils to use during the colder months if they wish to at break times, in response to requests from a number of children. Please drop any suitable games into the main school Reception for Mr Phillips.

Many thanks in advance.

Team Photo

The U11A rugby team following their fixture on Wednesday.

The Form VIII Field Studies Trip!

On Monday 29th September, Form VIII enjoyed an exciting trip to the Field Studies Council in Amersham, where they investigated how rivers change as they flow downstream. Armed with hydro-props, floats, and sketchpads, the pupils got into the River Chess at both its source and at its confluence to collect data.

Working in small groups, they measured the river’s width, depth, and velocity, comparing results from different points along the course. Using floats to track the speed of the current and hydro-props to assess water flow, they discovered how the river gradually widens, deepens, and quickens as it travels. Field sketches helped them capture the changing landscapes and features around each site.

The day gave pupils a chance to put their classroom learning into practice and to develop valuable fieldwork skills, all while experiencing the geography of a local river first-hand. Despite the chilly water, the enthusiasm (and splashing!) was clear to see.

Mrs Exarheas

FVII go to Condover Hall

Day 1:

Form VII began their long-anticipated residential trip to Condover Hall today, and what a memorable start it has been. We arrived at the site full of excitement and anticipation for the days ahead. On arrival, the children were warmly welcomed by the Condover Hall team, who provided an introduction to the facilities and outlined the programme of activities. Once the initial orientation was complete, the children settled into their accommodation, unpacked and organised their belongings for the stay. There was a clear sense of independence as the children took responsibility for their own spaces, setting the tone for the personal growth and responsibility that this trip encourages.

The very first activity of the trip was abseiling, which immediately captured everyone’s attention. For many children, it was a completely new experience and the towering wall provided both a physical and mental challenge. As each pupil clipped on and took their turn, there were nervous moments, but these were quickly replaced with pride and exhilaration as they made their way down. The encouragement from their peers was heartfelt, and it was inspiring to see how everyone supported one another in overcoming fears. Abseiling proved an ideal opening activity: it encapsulated the purpose of the trip, encouraging pupils to step outside of their comfort zones, build resilience and develop self-confidence in a supportive environment. It also offered an early chance to practise leadership skills, as some children naturally took the initiative to motivate their friends.

After the activity, the group enjoyed a well-earned supper of pizza and potato wedges in the dining hall. The meal was met with enthusiasm and the children relished the chance to sit together, share stories from the afternoon and laugh about their triumphs and near-wobbles on the wall. With appetites satisfied, the evening programme concluded with a campfire gathering. The children participated in games, songs and shared activities under the glow of the fire. The atmosphere was joyful, relaxed and filled with camaraderie, as everyone came together to enjoy the simple pleasures of community and friendship.

Day 1 at Condover Hall has been a fantastic success. Pupils have already begun to demonstrate the key aims of the residential: developing leadership, embracing challenges, and working as a team. Spirits are high, and everyone is looking forward to the adventures that the rest of the week will bring.

Day 2:

After a much-needed night’s sleep, the children woke with their energy levels restored and ready to tackle a demanding second day of activities at Condover Hall. Spirits were high at breakfast, and it was clear that the group’s batteries had been recharged for what promised to be another action-packed schedule. The day provided countless opportunities for the pupils to showcase their leadership skills, demonstrate resilience and strengthen camaraderie through teamwork.

The morning began with a session of archery, where the children were challenged to focus their concentration, refine their technique and practise patience. There were plenty of smiles as arrows hit their targets, and a healthy dose of friendly competition added to the fun. Next, the children moved on to climbing wall, an activity that required perseverance and problem-solving. Some scaled the wall with ease, while others had to dig deep, overcoming nerves and testing their determination. Each success—whether reaching the top or simply attempting a new height—was celebrated warmly by their peers.

The afternoon brought two particularly exhilarating activities: the trapeze and the aerial trek. On the trapeze, the children had to climb to a significant height before leaping with courage to grab hold of a bar suspended in mid-air. For many, this required confronting fears head-on, and it was inspiring to see them rise to the challenge with encouragement from friends echoing below.

The aerial trek was undoubtedly the highlight of the day. Suspended around 20 metres above the ground, the children were tasked with navigating a demanding assault course made up of wobbly bridges, narrow beams and tricky obstacles. This high-adrenaline experience tested not only their balance and bravery but also their ability to support and motivate one another. The sense of achievement at the end was immense, with the children buzzing from the thrill of completing such a daunting course.

As the sun began to set, the group gathered for the evening’s entertainment: laser tag. This fast-paced activity brought plenty of excitement and laughter as the children strategised, worked in teams and enjoyed a lively yet good-natured competition in the arena. It proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable way to round off the day.

By bedtime, it was clear that the children were tired but content after a day filled with adventure, achievement and shared experiences.

Day 3:

After a truly restful night’s sleep and a delicious breakfast, the children were ready for their final morning at Condover Hall. With energy levels topped up, there was an air of excitement as they prepared for one last round of activities before heading home.

The programme for the morning gave pupils who had not yet experienced certain challenges the chance to do so. The climbing wall once again tested determination and problem-solving skills, as children pushed themselves to reach new heights with the encouragement of their friends cheering from below. Meanwhile, archery offered the opportunity to refine concentration and technique, with plenty of smiles and friendly competition as arrows found their way to the target. The ever-thrilling trapeze was another highlight, requiring participants to dig deep for courage as they climbed up, steadied themselves and then leapt out into the air to catch the bar. Each attempt, whether successful or simply brave, was met with enthusiastic support from classmates.

With the activities complete, the children gathered for a short but special presentation. Each pupil was awarded a certificate of achievement, recognising not just their accomplishments in the activities but also the resilience, teamwork and leadership they had shown throughout the three days. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the growth and confidence that had developed over the course of the trip.

After a quick lunch, bags were loaded onto the coach and the journey back to school began. Although there were many tired children, it was clear that everyone was returning with a strong sense of achievement and happy memories.

The trip has been a resounding success, and the children have been an absolute delight throughout—enthusiastic, supportive and a credit to their school.

Mr Stoop

What’s on next week?

Monday 6th October

• Skill of the week – TENACITY
• Whole School Charity Harvest Colour Collection: Donations in aid of Brackley Food Bank (cont.)

Tuesday 7th October

• 2.30pm – Boys’ Rugby: U9A and B v Swanbourne House (A)*
• 2.30pm – Boys’ Rugby: U8’s (all boys) v Swanbourne House (H)*
• 2.30pm – Girls’ Hockey: U9A and B v Swanbourne House (A)*
• 2.30pm – Girls’ Hockey: U8’s (2 teams) v Swanbourne House (H)*
• 4.30pm – 5.00pm – Singing Assembly
• 4.00pm – 6.00pm – Early Years (N,Kg & Rec) Parents’ Evening (Classrooms)*
• 4.00pm – 6.00pm – Forms III & IV Form Teacher Parents’ Evening (Classrooms)*

Wednesday 8th October

• 8:30am – Harvest Assembly (FIII-VIII) (Whybrow)
• 9.15am – 9.45am – Nur-PP2 Harvest Service (Westbury Church)
• 2.00pm – Boys’ Rugby: U10A and B at the Bilton Grange Festival (A)*
• 2.15pm – Boys’ Rugby: U11A, B and C v Caldicott U11B, D and F (A)*
• 2.30pm – Boys’ Rugby: U12A v Ashfold (H)*
• 2.30pm – Girls’ Hockey: U13 Cavaliers v Bilton Grange (H)*
• 2.30pm – Girls’ Hockey: U13A and B v Bilton Grange (A at Stowe School)*
• 3.15pm – Girls’ Hockey: U13 Tigers v Bilton Grange (H)*
• 2.30pm – Girls’ Football: U11A IAPS practice (H)*

Thursday 9th October

• Volts’ sessions for academic scholars – Session 3 – Shape Shifters: Transformations in Maths Investigating mathematical transformations and their real-world applications.
• 9.45am – 12.30pm – FVIII Metcognition Workshop : Elevate workshops to FVIII (‘Getting over the finishing line’ and ‘Mnemonics’)
• 5.00pm – 7.00pm – Early Years (N,Kg & Rec) Parents’ Evening (Classrooms)*
• 5.00pm – 7.00pm – Forms III & IV Form Teacher Parents’ Evening (Classrooms)*

Friday 10th October

• #Helloyellowday – World Mental Health Day & Mufti Day
• 8.30am – 9.00am – Rec-PP2 Assembly (Boardman)
• 10.00am – IAPS U11 Girls’ Regional Football Championships (A at Cothill School)*
• 2:30pm – Harvest Goods collection
• Kites Friday Night Boarding – Willy Wonka Chocolate theme night

Saturday 11th October

• 10.30am – Boarders Collected
• 10.30am – Great Westbury Pumpkin Hunt