Newsletters

Friday 6 November

Book Club is back!

We invite boys in Years 3 to Year 8 to join a Book Club. All are welcome and further details about the book choices and the meetings are to be found in today's SchoolPost mailing.

Mrs Brill

Quirister News

The day before Lockdown, an excited group of Quiristers (and adults!) travelled by coach to London to record in the world’s most famous recording studios: Abbey Road. We were there to record and film carols for a service which would normally take place in December in Chelsea, in aid of the Alice Martineau Appeal for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

It was an incredible experience for all the boys (some of whom had only previously sung three services!) and they coped with the rigours of the day tremendously well. The service will be broadcast on YouTube on 17 December and information on the mechanism for buying tickets in support of the charity will be forthcoming. 

Mr Cunningham

Speak Out. Stay Safe. NSPCC Assembly on Monday

Last Monday's Head’s Assembly was about a very important message. Called Speak Out. Stay Safe, it was prepared for schools by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). The assembly was hosted by Ant and Dec with NSPCC educators. Our purpose in showing it here at Pilgrims' was to make sure that every boy knows that if he has worries or if someone (another child or adult) is being unkind or making him feel uncomfortable or sad in any way, he should speak to a trusted adult. That might be a teacher, parent, nurse, friend, family member or another adult, but the most important thing is that they are trusted so he feels happy to speak to them about what is worrying him. 

There were two assemblies: one for the Pre-Prep (KS1) and one for the Juniors and Seniors (you can view them by following the links below). In the assemblies, the teachers showed how children’s worries (e.g. “Mum is crying at home”, “My school friends are sending me nasty messages online”, “I am finding my school work very difficult”) can be like heavy bricks in a sack on a child’s back (a heavy sack of worries weighing them down, if you will). They then showed that by talking to a trusted adult each brick, one by one, can be taken out of the worry sack, reducing the weight. The analogy was not lost on the boys.   

If a boy does not feel he can talk to a trusted adult he knows, it was explained that he can contact Childline (0800 1111 or online https://www.childline.org.uk/). 

 Link to the NSPCC assembly for Pre-Prep:

·         Key Stage 1 (England), Primary 1-4 (Northern Ireland), ?Primary 1-3 (Scotland), Foundation Phase Years 1-2 (Wales).

Link to the NSPCC assembly for Juniors and Seniors

·         Key Stage 2 (England), Primary 5-7 (Northern Ireland), Primary 4-7 (Scotland), Key Stage 2 (Wales).

Housemaster's Log - Sunday 18 October

With the Stroud and Year 6 Big Matches safely concluded, the residential population of school enjoyed a fine oriental supper. Q School Year 8 boys headed back with Mr Armstrong for a movie and popcorn making, leaving Mrs Ford and me with a handful of boarders in Years 5, 6 and 7. Mission Impossible had an airing (red light! green light!). Who'd have thought it's 24 years old. 

Sunday morning started with its traditional full English and then we de-camped to the school fields for some fresh air and space. We had a kick about, threw a frisbee around. The youngest ones made a den in a tree. There was some time to chill out in the IT room before a lovely Sunday lunch and then we strolled up the hill to the cinema. On our return, what with it being the last school weekend before Hallowe'en, we spent the rest of the afternoon carving pumpkins. Mr Furmage, one of our Gap students, added a gruesome twist by cutting himself.

You'll be relieved to hear no boarder was hurt - blunt knives for carving added extra challenge to the task. Sam from the kitchen made us a curry for tea - yum. The bedtime routine followed - all ready for the final few days before half-term!

Mr Short

Sport News - from Saturday 17 October

Amendment: Set X-Country

Kit Marnham was previously published as in the wrong Set. Gaining third in the Year 3 race, he is, in fact, a proud Norman!

Mr Short

U12A vs Stroud

After what has felt like a veritable age, it was excellent to be able to herd up a very eager Y7 cohort on to the bus, and travel the short distance to Stroud for our first competitive game of the season. After kick off, it took the boys a little while to find their shape, but once they did, they began to impose their game on the opposition. Silas Kendall was excellent from start to finish, and scored a quality goal to make it 2-0. From that moment on and with the safety of a two goal cushion, they played some good football. Ted McSheehy was a constant menace and displayed some deft touches dropping deeper to get on the ball and whilst Stroud battled gamely, we had a bit too much for them in the end. Archie Currie led the line well and Ollie Kaung was his usual immovable self at the back. An excellent game and at 4-0, a great result. Well done.

Mr Darlow

U13As and Bs vs Stroud 

So, after the risk assessments had been done, the arrangements made, Pilgrims’ Year 8s enjoyed their first competitive fixtures of the year.  It was wonderful of Stroud to host both our A and B teams, with their small Year 8 group playing each in turn in two half an hour matches.

Pilgrims’ U13As 1 - 0 Stroud (Ivo Corrie)

The As started strongly and immediately put Stroud under pressure.  However, through a combination or our poor finishing, and some resolute defending, actual chances were few and far between.  Whenever with did get a clear cut chance, the Stroud goalie was having one of those afternoons that ‘keepers sometimes have – saves overhead, saves off the legs, blocks with the shoulder.  Our boys started to get a bit nervous and perhaps a little frantic, until finally after 20 minutes, Ivo Corrie bundled home after a rebound.  Stroud had a couple of chances to level it, but the game ended fairly with a comfortably victory to Pilgrims’.

Pilgrims’ U13Bs 0 – 2 Stroud

What a match!  It was end to end stuff, with both teams creating chances and two very committed sides.  Stroud probably had the greater quality in key positions, but the effort and organisation from the Pilgrims’ Bs more than made up for it.  In the end, it was two goals from corners that was our undoing, which was frustrating, but definitely something we can put right next time.  However, the result hardly mattered when the boys had played so well, and just to be out there in a competitive fixture was such a wonderful thing to behold.

All round then, a hugely successful afternoon, and much thanks go to Stroud for hosting the event.  The matches were so good, there is talk of a return after half term; I’m sure both teams feel that they could have another good go.

Mr Duncan

Photo: set matches

From the Base - Visible Positive Learning Traits

What makes a good learner?  What attributes help students make the most of the classroom environment?

There is a real mixture of answers to these questions, and opinion differs.  Some see it as a complex concoction, others a very simple equation.  For me, it is a blend of different traits.

I would describe some as being:

• Attentiveness
• Creativity
• Enthusiasm and curiosity
• Cooperation and mutual support
• Determination
• Resilience
• Response to feedback
• Positive language and attitude

There are others, of course, but these are powerful keys to learning.  Seen through different eyes, they may well be the keys to a happy, fulfilling life as well?  As with all such things, I find good advice in one area is often transferable to others.  For example, good practice in the classroom to support dyslexic children generally is good practice for all pupils.

Are these abilities innate or learnt?  I would argue the culture of the classroom, the school, of society, is the biggest contributor.  And with all education, the relationship between teacher and pupil is paramount.

I enjoy teaching the pupils here. Part of that is the relationship I enjoy with them.  They are good boys.  Hopefully I can help them develop their positive learning traits.

Mr Shroff

Creative boys at WAC (Wrap Around Care) 

Given a theme of ''wildlife'', enthusiastic boys started to sketch some wonderful drawings.  I was so impressed by the selection that I promised I would put the pictures into this next newsletter.  We hope you enjoy them. 

Mrs Brown 

Year 2

It has been wonderful to be back at school with your sons this week!  The Pre-Prep is flourishing, despite the very serious issues that continue to affect our World.  We have held our first 'Virtual Parents' Evening' successfully; it was so good to talk about the progress and learning that your sons' have made.  The Pre-Prep staff have been impressed by the boys' focus and concentration, particularly during our first Year Group Bubble Commoners this week.  

Thank you for your understanding as we have transitioned into the darker evenings.  We have come up against one or two issues regarding our Covid-Secure arrangements that worked perfectly well during the summer months and light evenings. Please be assured that we are reviewing these arrangements and will adapt wherever we can to make the drop off and pick-up times work as smoothly as possible.

Mrs Ross

Year 1

An action-packed first week back from halt-term wholly befits one parent's comment during the Year 1 parents' evening this week: "Do you really fit all of that into a day?" 

Yes! We do!

This week has found the boys exploring onomatopoeia in firework poetry, each creating their own beautiful firework sculptures using natural materials during Forest School, and learning to compare number bonds in Maths lessons.

We have also been learning about "Speak out, Stay safe" in our PSHE lessons and the boys have been thoughtful and mature when discussing what to do in unsafe situations, and knowing who to talk to.

It was lovely to speak with so many parents on Wednesday evening and my thanks to all of you for your continued support and positive feedback!

Mrs James

A busy week

The boys have returned from half-term running and skipping into their classroom each morning, which is an absolute delight to see. During break time they have had great fun playing Dodgeball and Hide the Ball, practising the throwing and aiming skills taught by Mr Buck and Mr Greenwood in PE lessons. I am very impressed with their accuracy.

The week drew to a close with some impressive fireworks paintings and the first ever, Art and Craft Club. Well done, boys. 

Mrs Kent

Forest School

Crisp Autumn leaves, the smell of wood smoke and the hushed tones of boys hard at work were the lasting images of Forest School this week. The Year 1 boys embraced the firework theme, using natural objects to create a 3D ‘firework display’. Meanwhile, the Year R’s and 2’s worked on the themes of safety and teamwork. Year R learnt how to safely whittle sticks using potato peelers, before toasting marshmallows on the campfire. Meanwhile, Year 2 used a variety of tools to lop, chop and prepare fire-wood ready for drying. Shrieks of laughter then reverberated around our site as the boys enjoyed the rope swing!

Mrs Judd