3rd October 2025
It has been a busy week of sport for everyone in Prep this week with a number of hockey and football fixtures both home and away.
We have had some fantastic results, including the U10 & 11 A Team who won the Reddam House Football Tournament where they played St Gabriels, Reddam House and St Edward's Prep. Please see the sports report below for more information about the football and hockey matches played this week.
In Monday's assembly, we celebrated the remarkable achievement of the England Women's team who won the Rugby World Cup last weekend. I focused though on the losing finalists, Canada, and talked about the creative ways in which they had prepared for the tournament, with few of the resources in terms of players, clubs, and financial support that the England team have. Given the disparity, their achievement in finishing with silver medals was all the more impressive and a lesson in thinking differently.
On Thursday this week, in the Deputy Head’s assembly, it was wonderful to watch presentations from a number of children who have enjoyed completing a homework enrichment task so far this term. If your child is keen to attempt one of these, the enrichment tasks are listed below. You can read more about Thursday's presentations here.
Harvest donations
From Monday, we are asking families to bring in donations of food and household items for the local foodbank. We do this annually as part of our Harvest celebrations. The list of suggested items can be found here. Please bring your donations in either bags or boxes to the Courtneys entrance at drop off or the school hallway where there will be designated tables, and it would be wonderful if your children could help to choose items to give. This is an important activity for the school as it shows the children the significance of giving back to the community and those less fortunate than themselves. A representative from NOMAD will join us in assembly on Monday and at our Harvest festival to talk to children and parents about how our donations benefit those in need.
Prep Sports Tops
Hopefully by now, children in Prep will have received their new sports tops and those who have done so already are very excited about wearing them! We were kindly joined by Josh Lewsey this morning who took some photos of with a groups of Year 6 children to help us launch the new kit, which is going to look very smart when worn at upcoming fixtures. I appreciate some parents have questions about the change, so please do read this letter for more information about when and where to wear the new tops.
Internet Safety
Mrs Newman and Mrs Fletcher are creating monthly information sheets for parents highlighting a few bitesize pieces of relevant information on the use of the internet by children. It is important that we all keep up to date with what our children are looking at and are interacting with online. After all, to quote an online safety charity, "You wouldn't let your child walk alone through a dangerous neighbourhood. The internet has its dark alleys too". Please take a look at their tips here.
Young Voices
The deadline for signing up to Young Voices (which takes place on 23rd February 2026 for Years 4 to 6) is Monday 6th October. It is an incredible afternoon and evening of rehearsal and performance with over 9000 other children at the O2 in London and is an unforgettable experience for all. Almost all the children are keen to take part in the event every year, with them having learnt the songs in their Music and Performing Arts lessons beforehand. Please click on this link to sign your child up: https://forms.office.com/e/S6F0Qb7BR7
Good luck to everyone taking part in the cross county at Chiltern Edge tomorrow. Remember – everyone from Years 1 to 6 is welcome to just come along and run – no prior registration is required.
Best wishes,
Nick Armitage