Beachborough Newsletter: Friday 12th December 2025

Head’s Blog

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” – Norman Vincent Peale

There is something undeniably magical about the final weeks of the Christmas term, and this week at Beachborough has been no exception. There is a noticeable shift in energy across the school at this time of year, a mixture of excitement, pride in what has been achieved, and anticipation for the traditions we all treasure.

The week began with our Festive Concert, where our musicians’ delivered performances filled with confidence, and genuine embodiment of the CREATE skills. Whether playing in groups or stepping forward for solos, the children showed impressive composure and a real love of performing. It set exactly the right tone for the days ahead.

The Reception to PP2 Nativity followed, offering a moment of simple Christmas magic. There is something wonderfully grounding about watching some of our youngest pupils share the Nativity story with such openness and delight. Their singing lifted the Whybrow, their acting was heartfelt, and their teamwork was evident throughout, a real highlight of this term.

At the other end of the school, Form VII brought a different kind of brilliance to the stage with Macbeth. Their production was mesmerising, thoughtful and confidently delivered. Shakespeare is a challenge at any age, yet they embraced it with maturity and creativity, producing a performance that held the audience from start to finish.

In Wednesday’s assembly, I took the children on a whistle-stop tour of unusual Christmas traditions from around the world. From festive roller-skating in Venezuela to KFC for Christmas lunch in Japan, the children were interested and engaged. It was a simple way of showing that while traditions may vary widely, the heart of Christmas – a sense of connection, wonder and shared experience – is universal.

No Beachborough Christmas would be complete without some friendly chaos, and the Club Wide Games delivered exactly that. This year’s whole-school “hide and seek” was a spirited affair, and although I was convinced my hiding place was an inspired choice, I was discovered in under ten minutes. The children’s determination and their delight were unmistakable.

Our Christmas Feasts have provided moments of laughter, conversation and community, while the Prize Giving and Celebration Assembly allowed us to pause and recognise the effort, growth and character shown by so many of the children this term. These occasions remind us that achievement comes in many forms, and each one is worthy of celebration.

As the term draws to a close, I warmly invite all FIII-VIII families to join us for our Christmas Carol Services on Tuesday. They are always a treasured moment in the school year: a chance to come together, reflect, and enjoy the music and readings that so beautifully marks the season.

Thank you for your support and partnership throughout this busy and rewarding term and I wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas when it arrives.

Simone

Head of Boardman News

The Beauty and Joy of the Nativity 

This week, Beachborough was filled with the true spirit of Christmas as our Reception and Pre-Prep children took to the stage to share the Nativity story with their families. The performances on Tuesday and Wednesday were nothing short of magical, heartfelt and beautiful – just what a Nativity should be. 

From the very first note to the final bow, the Whybrow was alive with joy, wonder and adoration for the children! It was a celebration of confidence, collaboration and creativity. Every child played their part with enjoyment and pride, and together they told the timeless story of hope and love in a way that touched every heart in the room. 

A very special thank you goes to our Reception and Pre-Prep teaching teams for their incredible efforts, inspiration and care in supporting and preparing the children for these performances. The energy, time, thought, patience – and yes, plenty of drama jazz hands – were evident in abundance. The children’s confidence and joy on stage were a true reflection of the dedication and creativity of these teams. This year’s new format was a wonderful success, showing beautiful progression from the Nursery and Kindergarten production and reminding us of the power of collaboration and creativity. 

We want to extend our sincerest thanks to you, our parents, for your unwavering support. Your encouragement and enthusiasm make these moments possible. Thank you for sharing in the magic and for being part of this special tradition. 

As we approach the festive season, we wish you and your families a very Happy Christmas. May your holidays be filled with joy, peace and the same magic we witnessed on stage this week. 

Thank you for your time, effort and Christmas spirit. Here’s to a season of warmth and wonder! 

 Mrs Tongue

A Beachborough Friends Round-Up!

It’s been a busy and brilliant term for Beachborough Friends!

Our Fireworks Night was tremendous fun, with families enjoying a dazzling display on a clear evening. It was wonderful to see children and parents alike soaking up the atmosphere—and even having a dance to the music! Thank you for all the lovely feedback; we hope to repeat it again next year.

Two weeks ago, on a rather soggy Saturday, we welcomed the Beachborough and wider community to our fantastic Christmas Bazaar. Despite the weather, spirits were high and the festive cheer was unmistakable. Fifty stallholders filled the school with a wonderful selection of gifts, and our brilliant American community brought a magical Christmas Grotto to life. A local florist guided children in making over 50 beautiful festive centrepieces, while a wide range of children’s activities kept our younger visitors entertained.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, the Beachborough Choir delighted everyone with a programme of Christmas carols throughout the day. We were also grateful for the continued support of Mary’s Meals and the Young Enterprise team, raising funds once again.

The Bazaar is a bi-annual event due to the enormous amount of organisation involved, and our heartfelt thanks go to our fantastic parent volunteers and the many staff who generously gave their Friday evening and all of Saturday to prepare, run, and tidy away.

These two wonderful events have taken our fundraising total to around £4,500, which is brilliant given we are only one term into the year. At the end of the last academic year, we had raised £8,500, and together with this term’s achievements our current pot stands at £13,000.

We are delighted to share that plans are now underway to decide how these funds will make a difference to the school, including enhancing the outdoor learning spaces. Mrs Mitchell will be sharing more details with you soon. We are also thrilled to be supporting our local community by donating to the Air Ambulance and Food Bank charities.

The Beachborough Friends

Attitude to Learning Lunch

On Monday afternoon, we were delighted to invite a wonderful group of children to our Attitude to Learning Lunch, in celebration of their outstanding approach to learning this term. These children consistently show curiosity and resilience, alongside supporting others, embracing challenges and seeking opportunities to grow both in and beyond the classroom. We are incredibly proud of them!

Form VI Sparks Curiosity with Circuit Investigation

This week, Form VI pupils stepped into the world of electricity with an exciting hands-on challenge: building a simple series circuit using Locktronics equipment. Their mission? To discover which everyday materials conduct electricity and which act as insulators.

Working in small groups, pupils connected wires, bulbs, and switches to create complete circuits. Then came the real test—adding different materials to see if the current would flow. Among the items tested were:

  • Copper wiring – a superb conductor, lighting the bulb instantly.
  • Plastic socket covering – no glow here, proving it’s an effective insulator.
  • Carbon – a fascinating result, showing partial conductivity.
  • Aluminum – another strong conductor, just like copper.
  • Wood – stayed firmly in the insulator camp.

The activity sparked lively discussion about why metals conduct electricity so well and why materials like plastic and wood are used for safety. Pupils left the lab not only with glowing bulbs but with glowing enthusiasm for science!

Dr Holder

The Beachborough and Bloxham Volts Partnership

Over a series of Saturdays, pupils in Forms IV–VI embarked on an extraordinary adventure at Bloxham School as part of the Volts Partnership. The theme? Nothing less than preparing humanity for life on Mars.

Across the sessions, pupils immersed themselves in a wide range of exciting and thought‑provoking activities. They tested propulsion and learnt the science behind space travel through rocket launching, designed and built decompression chambers in Tech, and cooked dishes suitable for Mars, including pancakes made with rehydrated egg. They also explored how communities might be structured on Mars by experimenting with different leadership models, and investigated the properties of various elements in the science laboratory.

The programme culminated in presentations to parents and the Heads of both schools. Each group showcased creativity, scientific curiosity, and teamwork. They all spoke with confidence, incorporating humour amongst their impressive technical understanding. The Form V group was crowned the winners for their impressive depth of understanding in politics and leadership, earning praise from the judging panel.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Bloxham School for hosting this enriching experience and to Sue Russell for her outstanding facilitation of the sessions.
Together, our pupils proved that the journey to Mars begins with imagination, innovation, and teamwork right here on Earth.

As part of the Volts Partnership, Form VIII Beachborough pupils were joined by Year 7 and 8 pupils from Bloxham School for a fascinating series of sessions held at Beachborough. This time, the theme was transformations, and pupils discovered how change shapes our world in many different ways.

The journey began with an investigation into how land use in the Bedford area will be transformed by the arrival of the planned Universal Studios park. Pupils considered the geographical impact of such a development and how it might reshape communities and landscapes. From there, they turned their attention to languages, exploring how they evolve over time and the profound influence they have on culture and communication. The arts provided another lens for transformation, as pupils studied how Picasso’s style shifted throughout his career, reflecting his emotions and experiences. Mathematics offered its own surprises, with an introduction to topology: the mind‑bending idea that in this abstract world, a donut and a mug can be considered the same shape. Finally, science brought the theme to life in the natural world, as pupils examined the icefish, whose blood is colourless due to the absence of haemoglobin, a remarkable adaptation to its environment.

Together, these sessions highlighted the many ways transformation occurs, and encouraged pupils to think critically about change as a constant force in life.

The Volts Partnership continues to inspire curiosity and collaboration between Beachborough and Bloxham, offering pupils opportunities to explore big ideas in creative and interdisciplinary ways.

Mrs Exarheas

Celebrating Scholarship Success

We are delighted to share the wonderful news of several additional scholarship achievements to those already announced this term. Scholarships awards represent not only impressive ability, but also dedication, perseverance, and a brilliant attitude toward learning, challenge, and personal growth.

These children have demonstrated excellence across a range of disciplines from academics to sport, music, and art and their successes are a testament to their hard work, curiosity, and willingness to push beyond their comfort zones.

We are incredibly proud of every pupil who has taken part, or is currently taking part, in scholarship preparation. Whether they have already secured an award or are awaiting the next stage of the journey, each one has grown in confidence, skill, and independence.

A huge thank you to the staff and parents who have supported, encouraged, and guided the children throughout.

Please join me in congratulating our successful scholars on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to celebrating further accomplishments as the year continues.

Rugby Sports Scholarships
Rafferty P – Scholarship

Keagan L – Headmaster’s Award

St Edward’s Sports Scholarships

Ian D – Scholarship

Bloxham Sports Scholarships

Oliver G – Scholarship

Bloxham 11+ Scholarships
Krystian B – Academic Scholarship
Maggie J – Art Exhibition

Genevieve S-D – 11+ Music Exhibition

Warwick School
Krystian B – All Rounder Scholarship

 

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

Festive Concert 2025

A huge well done to all of our children who performed in the Festive Concert on Monday evening. You are all superstars!

A Collection for St Augustine’s Church

At our carol services on Tuesday, we will be holding a collection in aid of funds for St Augustine’s Church, Westbury. Throughout the year, we are hugely fortunate to be able to use the beautiful church for so many services – including the heating and lighting – and we are very keen to continue to build links between the village and the school. Please do give as generously as you are able – many thanks in advance.

Join Beachborough Prep’s Board of Governors

We are seeking an experienced individual to take on the role of Committee Chair (Property & Estates) and become a member of Beachborough Prep’s Board of Governors.

To support with recruiting for this appointment, we’re pleased to be partnering with Nurole, the leading board-level search specialist. If you would like to learn more, view the job specification, or submit an application please click here. Applications close at midnight on 6th January 2026.

For an informal chat or for any queries, please contact Vasile Boico at Nurole directly via vasile.boico@nurole.com.

We look forward to welcoming the successful candidate to the Board.

Exciting News!

We are delighted to share the exciting news that Isla R (FVII) has been invited to attend swimming trials for the Commonwealth Games, being held in Glasgow this summer. The trials will take place during the February half term in Swansea. This is a fantastic achievement, and we wish Isla every success. It is an experience she will always remember.

Club Credits!

CLUB CREDITS AVERAGE
Boardman 473 5.09
Carder 368 4.13
Chappell 379 4.31
Sprawson 469 4.79

What’s on next week?

Monday 15th December

  • No Music Lessons/Groups / Activities or Clubs.
  • All remaining equipment to go home, including boiler suits and outdoor trainers.
  • 9.15am – Whole school Club Fancy Dress (Astro/Sports Hall if wet)
  • 10.00am – 10:30am – Junior Choir singing at Westbury Cafe*
  • 11.30am – 12.30pm – Form III & IV Carol Service rehearsal at St Augustine’s Church, Westbury
  • 2.30pm – 3.15pm – Form V & VI Carol Service rehearsal at St Augustine’s Church, Westbury (plus Chamber Choir)
  • 3.30pm – 4.15pm – Form VII & VIII Carol Service rehearsal at St Augustine’s Church, Westbury (plus Chamber Choir)

 

Tuesday 16th December

  • 9.00am – FIII & IV Carol Service (plus Chamber Choir) at St Augustine’s Church, Westbury*
  • 10.15am – FV & VI Carol Service (plus Chamber Choir) at St Augustine’s Church, Westbury*
  • 11.45am – FVII & VIII Carol Service (plus Chamber Choir) at St Augustine’s Church, Westbury*
  • 12pm – Collection for N-PP2 – supervision available until 1pm for any pupils who are unable to be collected
  • 1.00pm – Term Ends – All pupils depart