Beachborough Newsletter: Friday 13th September 2024

Head TeacherHead’s Blog

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. Gandhi

I often reflect on the qualities that define our community. Beyond academic achievements, sporting victories, and artistic accomplishments, it is our values that truly set Beachborough apart. Among these, the spirit of generosity and the commitment to charitable actions stand out as pillars of who we are. Our community generously raised £31,407 during the last academic year, supporting our ten charities throughout the year:  Mary’s Meals, Brackley Food Bank, Children in Need, Samaritan’s Purse, Place2Be, Brain Tumour Research, Bright Ideas for Tennis, Restless Development, Air Ambulance, and Dogs for Good. This is an astonishing amount; thank you.

Nevertheless, a giving school community does more than support others – it shapes compassionate individuals who are ready to make a positive impact on the world. Being part of a giving school community means recognising that we all have the power to contribute, no matter how big or small. It is about fostering a culture where helping others is second nature, and where we take collective responsibility for making a difference.

In assembly on Monday, I challenged the children to ‘give’ to a friend, teacher, sibling, parent or someone they don’t know very well yet. In particular, I suggested volunteering to do a job no one else wants to do, to lend a helping hand at home or to simply take the time to be a listening ear, as each act of kindness contributes to the greater good, rather like the effect of a ripple on a pond when a stone has been thrown in.

In cultivating this mindset, we are not only supporting those around us but also equipping the children with skills and attitudes that will serve them throughout their lives. Learning to give and to consider the needs of others builds character and helps children develop into responsible, caring adults. It encourages them to look beyond their own circumstances and to be empathetic and understand the broader world around them.

We have got the term off to a flying start, Tuesday saw Form VIII set off on their Geography Field Trip, they ventured to the south of the county to undertake fieldwork and investigate the changes in a river channel and the drainage characteristics. During the day, they planned an investigation, collected and recorded data, including river measurements, field sketches, and observations on the human impact on the river. A brilliant day was had by all, and the children were a credit to Beachborough.

Wednesday saw our first Hockey and Rugby festivals of the season, with the girls journeying to St Edward’s and the boys to The Dragon. The girls showed true grit and determination playing through some challenging weather and placed second in their group. We were extremely proud that Eva P was voted player of the Tournament, not only did she play exceptionally well but also showed leadership and respect throughout the day. Equally, the boys had a superb day at The Dragon and won all three of their matches giving them an excellent start to the season.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,

Simone

     

 

Introducing our new teaching staff!

Miss Hannah Banks has joined Beachborough School from a local primary school, and is a Teacher of Pre-Prep 2 in the Boardman Building.

Miss Rebecca Fry has been teaching at a local primary school as a Class Teacher since 2020, and is leading the Nursery and Kindergarten team as an EYFS Teacher in the Boardman.

Mr Aidan Jackson has joined Beachborough Prep from Akeley Wood School. Mr Jackson is a Teacher of History, RS, and Games.

Mrs Hannah Tongue previously worked at Thomas’s London Day School, where she was Head of Lower School. Mrs Tongue is now Head of Boardman at Beachborough, and if you would like to discover more about her fascinating teaching career, please head to our recent news story, here: Welcoming our new Head of Boardman

Egg Week in Food Technology

This week, in Food Tech, FIII made a classic deviled eggs starter, specifically focusing on presentation. Over in FVIII, Rory J perfected his pavlova, becoming ‘Chef of the Week’ for his outstanding work!

Mrs Zimmerman

 

A brand new ESports Club at Beachborough Prep!

We are excited that our brand new Esports Club has started every Monday after school! This dynamic new program is an incredible opportunity for pupils to immerse themselves in the world of competitive gaming, where they’ll develop skills, form friendships, and represent Beachborough in exciting tournaments.

Esports is so much more than just playing video games – it’s a fast-growing, globally-recognised competitive field, offering pupils a host of benefits both academically and socially. By joining the Esports Club, our pupils will learn essential skills such as teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking. They’ll also have a chance to represent Beachborough in regional and national tournaments, held throughout the academic year, allowing them to put their skills to the test against other schools.

Additionally, Esports encourages problem-solving and resilience as players learn to analyse in-game situations and adapt quickly, helping them hone their decision-making skills under pressure. These are invaluable life skills, and it’s amazing to see them cultivated in such an engaging, future-forward activity.

The Esports industry is booming, with many universities now offering scholarships and career pathways in gaming, so this is also an excellent stepping stone for those with a passion for technology and digital strategy.

We will keep you informed of our progress – game on!

Mrs Blithe

The Robotics Club 2024/25 Season

The Robotics Club is back in action for the 2024-2025 season, and this year we’re diving deep—literally! Our team has once again entered the Lego FIRST League, where this year’s theme, Submerged, will take us beneath the ocean’s surface to explore one of the planet’s most fascinating and complex ecosystems. From vibrant coral reefs to mysterious deep-sea creatures, the underwater world is full of life, challenges, and opportunities for innovation.

Throughout the season, our talented team will use their STEM and collaboration skills to discover how each element of the ocean plays a vital role in maintaining a thriving environment. By tackling real-world issues affecting our oceans, we aim to unlock new ways to protect marine life and promote healthier, more sustainable ecosystems. This journey isn’t just about technology—it’s about strengthening our community and shaping a better future for the world.

In our first session, the team wasted no time getting started! They worked together to build mission models and are ready to begin designing their robot to tackle this season’s challenges. There’s a lot of excitement, and we can’t wait to see what creative solutions they come up with. Stay tuned for updates as the team makes waves and progresses toward building something truly remarkable!

We would like to thank Gary Foote for once again agreeing to coach our team again this year.

Mrs Blithe

Club Credits!

CLUB CHILDREN CREDITS AVERAGE
CHAPPELL 91 327 3.59
CARDER 90 327 3.63
BOARDMAN 93 345 3.71
SPRAWSON 83 331 3.99

U13A Rugby Team at the Dragon Festival on Wednesday

The results are in! 

Many congratulations to Eva P, who was awarded Player of the Tournament amongst all of the players from the 16 schools, at the St Edward’s School U11 girls’ Hockey Festival.

The FVIII Rivers Field Studies Council Trip

To read all about the exciting trip our FVIII children went on this week, head to our latest news article below!

Enriching the Curriculum

 

 

 

Netball Coaching with Charley Calland

We have had a very exciting sporting week, with lots of excellent sporting opportunities for our girls’. On Tuesday night, Charley Calland, Head of Netball from Stowe, visited us to coach the girls’ netball alongside Mrs Howkins. Mrs Calland has vast netball coaching experience and last year, Stowe First Team were runners up at the National Finals – second in the country for school netball. We feel very privileged to welcome Mrs Calland to support our netball program every Tuesday night. This is being offered to girls’ in Forms V-VIII.

Ben Scott, Head of Hockey from Stowe, is also supporting our hockey this term by allowing us to use Stowe facilities on a Friday. This allows us to have more space and develop the girls’ skills and game play.

Mrs Howkins

Spending time with Nursery & Kindergarten! 

This week, we paid a visit to Nursery & Kindergarten, where many new faces have joined us for the start of the autumn term. Miss Fry has introduced plenty of new toys and activities for our children to play with, both inside and outside of the classroom, which keeps our youngest Beachburians entertained all day long!

From water-based activities to sand trays, and balance boards to riding tricycles, our children spend a considerable amount of time outside. With their own little garden, which includes a living willow den and raised beds for growing vegetables, the curiosity and creativity of the children continues to grow each day.

A huge welcome to our new families within the Early Years setting, and it’s fantastic to see so many familiar faces return for the start of the new academic year!

What’s on next week?

Mon 16th

1.30pm – Girls’ Hockey – U13A & Colts A at the Stowe Prep Schools Festival (A)*
5.15pm – 6.15pm – HOD/Phase Leader Meeting

Tues 17th

2.30pm – Girls’ Hockey: U8s (all girls) v Winchester House (H)*
2.30pm – Girls’ Hockey: U9s (all girls) v Winchester House (A)*
2.30pm – Boys’ Rugby: U9s (all boys) v Ashfold (H)*
2.30pm – Boys’ Rugby: U8s (all boys) v Ashfold (A)*
5.00pm – Governors’ Meeting – H&S

Weds 18th

8.05am – 8.25am – Whole School Pastoral Meeting
8.30am – 9.00am – Year Group Assembly
1.30pm – Girls’ Hockey: Colts A & B at the Bloxham Festival (A)*
2.15pm – Girls’ Hockey: Colts Cavaliers v The Dragon (H)*
3.00pm – Girls’ Hockey: Colts Tigers v The Dragon (H)*
1.30pm – Boys’ Rugby: U11A & B at Bloxham Festival (A)*
2.00pm – Boys’ Rugby: U13A at St Hugh’s Festival (A)*
2.30pm – Boys’ Rugby: U10A, B & C v Spratton Hall (A)*
2.30pm – Boys’ Rugby Triangular: U12A v Cokethorpe and Bruern Abbey (Away at Cokethorpe)*
5.30pm – Forms V & VI Parents Sports forum (Whybrow)
6.00pm – 6.45pm – Kites Boarding Open House

Thurs 19th

8.00am – 9.00am – EYFS Coffee & Connect (The Hub)*

Fri 20th

8.00am – 9.00am – Beachborough Friends Coffee Stop (The Hub)*

Sat 21st

2.00pm – 4.00pm – Beachborough Charity Dog Show in aid of ‘Dogs for Good’*

Interested in attending a Discovery Event, for Reception Class 2025?