What a fantastic way to round off the half term in Little School and Junior Prep!
Our final day was the much-anticipated Break the Rules Day, when Prep pupils were invited to bend (just a few!) of the usual school rules. Children arrived in their own clothes, brought in snacks that went beyond the standard fruit and vegetables, styled their hair creatively, and even introduced a favourite soft toy to their classmates. It was a joy to see so much personality on display and to witness the excitement that comes from a slightly more relaxed school day.
Mr FitzHerbert also entered into the spirit of the occasion by bringing in a rather sizeable member of his family’s soft toy collection. The furry guest attended assembly, sat in on meetings, and appeared to offer some very thoughtful contributions throughout the day!
Prep pupils also enjoyed an off-timetable Enrich and Explore day.
Reception, having spent the past few weeks learning about Chinese New Year and exploring Chinese culture — including performing a wonderfully colourful and energetic Dragon Dance — celebrated with a special tasting session. The children sampled pancakes with hoisin sauce, prawn crackers and noodles, and even tried using chopsticks. The experience concluded with the opening of fortune cookies, as everyone eagerly discovered what the Lunar New Year might hold.
In the afternoon, Reception embraced the great outdoors during Forest School. As part of our Nature Explorers programme, the children immersed themselves in woodland activities, enjoying both guided tasks and independent exploration. Despite the rain, spirits remained high — and a warm cup of hot chocolate around the campfire was the perfect way to end a muddy but magical Friday afternoon.
Years 1 and 2 also took part in a series of engaging activities as part of Enrich and Explore — our bespoke programme designed to develop the skills and experiences that extend beyond the traditional curriculum. From British Values, mindfulness and wellbeing to community engagement and cultural awareness, the programme helps nurture some of life’s most important lessons.
Year 1 travelled around the world through cultural dance, learning a selection of steps before creating their own informative booklets to showcase their new knowledge. They also enjoyed some time to get creative by crafting and choosing their materials.
Year 2 focused on caring for their community, beginning with a litter pick across the school campus to help keep our grounds tidy. They then embarked on a winter scavenger hunt, searching for signs of the season before continuing the theme with some hands-on creativity — making their own snow globes and delicious melting snowmen biscuits in a fun cookery session.
Junior Prep pupils explored a wide range of topics, from designing and creating their own board games to learning about different cultural practices. Some also partnered with Reception children as Reading Buddies, demonstrating wonderful leadership and kindness.
The day concluded with a charity bake sale in the Outdoor Classroom. Tables were filled with delicious homemade treats, and we were delighted to welcome Claire Bear, who came along to support the pupils’ fundraising efforts for Claire House with plenty of high fives and hugs.
We wish all our families a restful and happy half term break.
To read more about how we enrich our Prep curriculum through programmes such as Nature Explorers and Enrich and Explore, please visit:
