Lower Prep pupils are firing on all cylinders in the run up to the end of term; our 8s spent a Night in the Library, our 9s got muddy on a residential PGL trip and our 10s scrubbed up beautifully for their graduation.
To reward pupils for all their hard work over the academic year, a whole host of team-building and fun activities have been organised for them by their teachers. After two years of on/off remote schooling and very few school events, pupils and staff have been making up for lost time at Harrodian!
First up was the return of our popular Night in the Library event for our 8s pupils, above. Organised by librarians Brenda, Lilli and Celia, the evening is a wholesome celebration of stories and storytelling. Dressed in their pyjamas and night robes, the children enjoyed drinking hot chocolate, eating popcorn and talking about their favourite books with their English teachers and some of our Sixth Form Prefect helpers.
The children listened to stories read by Ms Field in the library (above), made their own story books with the librarian team, acted out Revolting Rhymes with Mrs Hitchcock and Ms Edge (below) and watched a short story film with Mr Maybury.
For more Night in the Library photos
Meanwhile our 9s attended their first two-night residential trip with the school. They enjoyed participating in a range of challenging activities including abseiling, climbing, trapezing, and raft building with PGL (aka Parents Get Lost). In the evenings, around the campfire they enjoyed toasting marshmallows and singing songs. Head of 9s, James Almond, was grateful for the opportunity to get his whole year group together and has really felt the benefits on returning. "All the children gained something from the trip. They gave every activity a go and many of them overcame challenges. It was great to see them making new friends and widening their friendship groups too," he enthuses.
All the children gained something from the trip. They gave every activity a go and many of them overcame challenges. It was great to see them making new friends and widening their friendship groups too.
Head of 9s James Almond
For more photos of the 9s PGL trip
After a wild and muddy Bushcraft trip, our 10s scrubbed up beautifully in smart and stylish outfits for their graduation ceremony.
They enjoyed an impressive piano performance by Charlie - his own medley of six songs – followed by speeches written and delivered by a group of boys and girls who reminisced about their fun times in the Lower Prep. Ms Foster then delivered a wonderful talk to the 10s about taking initiative and supporting each other. "I have no doubt that you will continue into the Upper Prep with your heads unbowed - looking up for opportunities to seize but also looking out for one another," she told them.
She then welcomed each class onto the stage so that every pupil could collect their year group photo and shake Mr Hooke's hand. A slideshow followed with photos of all the highlights of the 10s academic year including concerts, dance shows, and many other events and trips. The ceremony closed with the 10s choir singing 'There's a power in the music,' by Lin Marsh. Afterwards ice cream and squash was served outside the dining room for all to enjoy.
I have no doubt that you (the 10s) will continue into the Upper Prep with your heads unbowed - looking up for opportunities to seize but also looking out for one another.
Clair Foster, Head of Lower Prep
