Beachborough Newsletter: Friday 9th January 2026

Head’s Blog

 “Whenever you enter a room, you always have a little responsibility for the mood in that room.” Jürgen Klopp

As we begin a new year together, I have found myself returning to this simple but powerful quote from Jürgen Klopp. It is a line that resonates far beyond football. It speaks to schools, families, workplaces and homes and anywhere people come together.

At my start of term assembly on Tuesday, I shared this idea with the children, inviting them to reflect on the impact they want to have when they enter a room. We listened to a piece of music called Arrival of the Birds, which begins quietly and gradually grows richer as more sounds join in. Nothing is rushed; nothing overwhelms. Each part simply adds something of value, and together they create something warm and uplifting.

Every day, we all walk into many different “rooms”: classrooms, corridors, changing room and the dining hall. Each time they enter, they bring something with them. Not something tangible, but something just as influential, their attitude, their words and their behaviour.

I suggested to the children that rooms do not feel calm, purposeful or welcoming by accident. Equally, they do not become tense or unsettled without reason. The atmosphere of any space is shaped, moment by moment, by the people within it. We all have a conscious choice (and a responsibility) to decide what we will add to the spaces we occupy.

This is particularly important in the spaces where learning takes place. I mentioned to the children that, as a school, we share a collective responsibility for the emotional climate in which they learn. At the start of a new year, when change feels both natural and possible, there is a valuable opportunity for children to recognise that they always have a choice in how they show up each day. A smile, effort, patience or encouragement may feel small, but together these things create classrooms where children feel safe, valued and ready to learn.

We know that small things often matter more than we realise: a calm tone in the morning rush, patience during homework time, encouragement after a setback, or kindness when emotions are running high. These everyday moments shape the rooms the children enter, both at school and at home.

So, as we begin this term, I challenged the children to keep one simple question in mind:

When you enter the room, what will you bring?

Because it matters.

And it makes a difference.

Wishing you a warm and, hopefully, not too wintry weekend,

Simone

Head of Boardman News

Welcome back!

It has been wonderful to welcome every Boardman child back to school this week. The first few days have been filled with happy faces, reconnecting with their friends and teachers, and kicking off the term with buoyancy!

In our start of term assemblies on Tuesday morning, we reflected on the opportunity for a new start and chance to have a renewed focus, thinking about what we are looking forward to, want to work hard at and are keen to achieve. We reflected on the idea that a new year presents new opportunities to be our best self!

I particularly love the Spring term; children are settled within classes, aware of the routines and rhythm of school, and keen to get straight into their learning and experiences. The fun can begin from the very beginning of term!

I am really looking forward to seeing what each child will achieve, what they will try really hard with, put great effort into and, above all, feel proud of over the coming weeks.

I wish you all a very happy weekend and your child a truly magical term ahead!

 Mrs Tongue

A Staffing Update

After many years of dedicated service, we will be saying farewell to Karen Berrington, our Head of Maths, who will retire at the end of this academic year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for the contribution she has made to Beachborough over the years.

Karen’s leadership of the Maths Department, her commitment to the school, and the care she has shown to colleagues and the children alike have been greatly valued. She has been a consistent and reliable presence, and her work has made a lasting difference to the Maths department and to many Beachburians. Karen should be very proud of all that she has achieved. She will be missed, and we wish her every happiness for the future.

We will shortly begin the search for her successor.

Exciting Start to the Year — Form VII Investigates Reflection of Light

Form VII began the school year with a lively, hands‑on science lesson that had pupils eagerly experimenting and collaborating. In small groups they used ray boxes, plane mirrors and protractors  to investigate what happens when a beam of light hits a plane mirror.

  • Pupils traced the incoming ray, the reflected ray and the normal line, then measured angles with protractors.
  • Each group investigated the incidence and reflection angles and discovered the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection — a clear demonstration of the Law of Reflection.
  • Students discussed small experimental errors (misplaced protractors, shaky ray boxes) and compared data across groups.

The classroom was full of prediction, testing and careful observation. Many pupils enjoyed guessing where the reflected ray would travel, then checking their predictions. A few groups went further by changing the mirror’s angle to confirm the rule still held.

This practical not only introduced core ideas in optics but also reinforced key scientific skills: accurate measurement, diagramming, teamwork and drawing conclusions from evidence. Form VII’s enthusiasm and attention to detail made it a terrific start to the new year’s science lessons.

We look forward to building on this foundation with lessons on refraction and dispersion and real‑world uses of these principles. Well done, Form VII!

Dr Holder

A Spotlight on Our World Book Day Visiting Author

This term, we will be welcoming the author, Penny Chrimes, to Beachborough as part of our World Book Day celebrations. Before becoming a children’s author, Penny was a journalist, working in print and television news, but she now writes full time from her home in South London with the help of two cats, Betsy and Bonnie.

Penny writes magical adventure stories set on the dark streets of Dickensian London and she loves spending time exploring the streets of London, treading the same paths as the characters in her books.

Over the next few weeks, we shall be spotlighting her books, beginning with her debut book, ‘Tiger Heart’…


One magical friendship. One roaring adventure.

The magical tale of a bold young chimney sweep and a remarkable tiger, a dangerously hypnotic ruby and a mystical land found across an ocean and through a storm.

Fly never meant to end up in a cage with a man-eating tiger. And though she’s sure she’s no princess, when the tiger addresses her as ‘your majesty’, she can’t help but vow to free him and return him home.

But the bird-filled jungles and cloud-topped mountains of the tiger’s homeland are an ocean away. And not everyone wants the tiger – or Fly – to get there alive.

With dark and dangerous forces working against them, will Fly be able to fulfil her promise and maybe – just maybe – become the queen her tiger knows her to be?

Mrs Howard

Leo and Lila Fundraise for Mary’s Meals

Leo (PP2) and Lila (Reception) recently made a stand outside of their house, and asked passersby if they would like to kindly make a donation in return for some apples. They were selling bags of horse apples, eating apples, and cooking apples, and managed to raise an incredible £42.31 for Mary’s Meals!

We extend a huge thank you to Leo and Lila for their kindness and generosity, this money will make such a difference.

Do You Work in Engineering, Robotics or Motorsport? We’d Love to Hear From You!

As part of Enrichment Week (22nd–26th June), we are planning an exciting and immersive week where pupils will be challenged to design, build and race solutions to real-world engineering problems.

We are keen to hear from parents and friends of Beachborough who work in engineering-related industries, including technology, robotics, Formula One or similar fields, and who may be willing to support the week by:

  • Coming into school to give a short talk or presentation about their role and career pathway
  • Sharing real-world insights, challenges and experiences from their industry
  • Helping pupils see how classroom learning connects to future careers
  • Providing a contact for the school to be able to contact a company

Even a brief contribution can make a huge impact by inspiring the children and bringing the theme to life.

If you, or someone you know, may be able to help in this way, please contact Matt Phillips via m.phillips@beachborough.com. we would be delighted to explore how you could be involved.

Thank you for helping us inspire the next generation of engineers!

The Form V York Trip

Further to Mr Jackson’s note regarding the talk to FV parents about the York trip on Tuesday evening, if you are attending, please do consider parking in the Mill Lane car park, where we anticipate the traffic being far less busy at that time of day. Thank you in anticipation.

Players of the Match!

Due to the weather, many matches were unfortunately cancelled this week. However, for the fixtures that did go ahead, congratulations must go to the children who were awarded Player(s) of the Match in their respective fixtures.

Ultimate Activity Camps return in 2026

We’re excited to welcome back Ultimate Activity Camps in 2026, giving children the chance to try something new, grow in confidence, and make lasting friendships! Each week is bursting with over 40 exciting sports, games, and creative activities, all run in a safe and fun environment.

Ultimate Winter Saver – save up to £75 per week and £8 per day!

Offer ends Tuesday 20 January. Start the new year with great savings on your 2026 childcare.

This offer is available online. Visit https://www.ultimateactivity.co.uk/locations/beachborough-school to book and save today.

2026 camp dates
  • EASTER: 7th – 10th April 2026
  • SUMMER: 20th July – 21st August 2026 | Survival: 20th July – 21st August 2026 | Tech: 10th – 21st August 2026

Club Credits!

CLUB CREDITS AVERAGE
Boardman 196 2.11
Carder 156 1.75
Chappell 137 1.56
Sprawson 152 1.55

What’s on next week?

Monday 12th

  • Co-Curricular Activities start for the whole school

Tuesday 13th

  • Boys’ Football (all) U9 vs Swanbourne House (A)
  • Boys’ Football (all) U8 vs Swanbourne House (H)
  • 5.15pm – 6.00pm – York residential information evening (Whybrow Theatre)*

Wednesday 14th

  • 8:30am – FIII & IV Assembly
  • 8.30am – Head’s Assembly FV-FVIII
  • Girls’ Netball U13 vs Winchester House (H)
  • Girls’ Netball U11 vs Winchester House (A)
  • Boys’ Football U11 vs Kitebrook (A)

Thursday 15th

  • 8.30am-9.30am – Pre-Prep Parent and Carer Maths Workshop (Whybrow)*
  • 10.30am – Church Assembly FIII-FV, Year Group Assembly FVI-FVIII

Friday 16th

  • 8:30am – R-PP2 Assembly
  • PP2 Planetarium Visit (Whybrow)