Prep Headmaster's Weekly Blog

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Prep Headmaster's Weekly Blog

Stronger, healthier and happier

Dear all,

Hot on the heels of Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK, comes our much loved and highly anticipated Enrichment Week 2024. This year’s theme for Mental Health Week UK was all about the positive impact of exercise and being outdoors, and this dovetails beautifully with the Enrichment Week programme which has been so thoughtfully planned for maximum impact for our children.

Some children like to race through mud and water, some like to go to Spain to use their language skills, some like to spend time learning outdoors whilst problem solving with their friends, some like to be part of a crime scene investigation; others like to be taken back in time to the age of dinosaurs or to the days of Vikings or to explore galaxies far far away in our Space Workshop. Some like to build an entire town from Lego, some like to visit the beautiful Leeds Castle and others like to examine wild animals up close. Next week, our pupils will be able to do all of these things and much, much more besides.

All of these are hallmarks of what we proudly call ‘Enrichment Week’ at the Prep. The Collins English dictionary defines the word enrich as ‘to bestow with fine or desirable qualities’. The children can embrace new challenges, stay away from home overnight possibly for the first time and overcome fears that they never believed they could conquer. They make new friends from other classes and get to know teachers who have not taught them yet; this is what enriches them over the course of five magical days at Brentwood Prep. They will certainly ‘develop desirable qualities’ in every sense.

If asked, the vast majority of our pupils will say that Enrichment Week is their favourite week of the school year, and I would say that they certainly deserve it after the recent assessments they have all sat. I hope that the children will convey their sense of enjoyment to you and that you enjoy the stories and images from our various social media platforms that will help form part of the story of the week.

Since September 2021, the pupils have been able to enjoy an academic enrichment programme within their weekly timetables, and all of them have been spending more time learning outdoors. This approach epitomises what a Brentwood education is all about - breadth, opportunity and enjoyment.

Finally, as you can imagine, an Enrichment Week with such variety and ambition doesn't happen by chance. Mrs Barke has been working on this programme for several months, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank her and the staff in advance on behalf of the children.

Finally, can I ask that we all keep our fingers crossed for some decent weather (certainly for those of us who are UK based).

Have a great (and restful) weekend when it arrives.

Jason Whiskerd

Relive Enrichment Week 2023 with us and have a flick through our photo albums, or click here to see all albums.

Flickr album: EYFS & KS1 Enrichment Week 2023 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

Flickr album: KS2 Enrichment Week 2023 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

Open Morning 2024

Our next Whole School Open Morning will take place on Saturday 8th June and this is the perfect opportunity for prospective pupils and their parents to meet our pupils and teachers and explore our 75-acre grounds.

Tours will start at 10am and must be pre-booked via our website linked here. Refreshments will be served throughout the morning.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 2024

Director’s notes

I started with Joseph in 2003 as my directing debut for Brentwood Prep School, so it is fitting that this is also my last show as director, before I retire - and what an ‘amazing’ show it has been!

This cohort is full of very good singers (thanks to Mrs Bartlett, Mr Revels and Mr Barber in previous years), so Mrs Romhany (our Director of Music) and myself decided that Joseph was the ideal show for them; it is in essence an ‘opera’ with very few spoken words and requires a consistent level of singing power and commitment.

Both Kiaran and Flo rose to the vocal and acting demands of the leading role, portraying Joseph as a conceited dreamer and efficient Pharaoh's no. 2 - fiercely accusing the brothers of stealing - but my favourite song for both of them was ‘Close Every Door to Me’ sung with such conviction, and well-supported by the technical effects from Mrs Roberts and Mr Herson, and lovely singing from the chorus and such well-drilled guards!

Flickr album: Year 6 'Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat' Cast 1 2024 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

The Brothers and Wives all developed their own characters, with many having the chance to sing solo, and all working hard on their harmonies and facial expressions or body stance, whether as their ‘worst selves’ covered in blood and guts and gore, or as their ‘best selves’ sacrificing themselves in order to save Benjamin.

All of the characters - including Jacob, Narrators, Mr and Mrs P, Butler, Baker, Lively lad and Adoring Girls - were excellent; I can’t fault their acting, singing and characterisation - they responded to direction extremely well, as did all the chorus - not one child on that stage looked bored or out of character, every single one of them committed fully to each scene.

Flickr album: Year 6 'Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat' Cast 2 2024 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

A big shout out must go to the ‘Hairies’ - such quick changes from chorus to Hairy Ishmaelites, to goat/sheep, to cowboys, to guards, to stage hands - proving there is so much more than singing involved in this show (ably supported by the skills of Miss Hossack, Miss Sheridan and Miss Trevelyan backstage).

Both casts were supportive of each other; they enjoyed the healthy competition of Ms Knight and Mrs Roberts as assistant-directors for each cast. We had much debate about which cast was approaching the different scenes in the best way, and in the end it was so difficult to tell them apart, such was the excellent level that both of them achieved.

Mrs Romhany not only put the children through their paces as Musical Director, but also put together a fantastic band, including teachers Mr Blom (guitar) and Mr Barber (keyboard), as well as pupils from the Senior School: Sophia on violin, Owen on Trombone and Lily on bass guitar. These talented musicians enhanced the production without distracting from the children performing, which is such a skill.

The simple, but very effective set (including golden chariot) was produced in art lessons and spare evenings/weekends by Mrs Blee, Mrs Howard, Mrs Falco and Mrs Claydon. Thanks also must go to the Front of House team - Mrs Sheridan, Mrs Williams, Mr Smith, Mr Marsh, Mr Savill and Miss Mitchell - as well as to Holroyd Howe and our catering team.

We are so fortunate that we have the facilities and enthusiastic staff to make this production as near to ‘professional’ as we can. I am sure the Year 6 children will remember this production as an amazing experience, probably for the rest of their lives - I know I will 🙂

Mrs Cooke
Head of Drama and Deputy Head, Academic

Please click here for the full photo albums - our website only allows us to post 100, and there are definitely more than that to enjoy.

A Message from the Prep Library

Thank you for your kind book donations which we have received this term. The children are really enjoying reading them. If there are any more books out there which need a home we will be very pleased to have them - please leave the books in Reception and we will collect them.

After half-term we will need to collect all of our library books back in for the summer.

Years 3 to 6 will need to return their books in the week commencing 10th June, and Reception to Year 2 a week later in the week beginning 17th June. Thank you very much for your help with this.

We hope everybody has a fabulous Enrichment Week full of fun and a relaxing half-term to recover afterwards.

Mrs Peacock and Mrs Lee

A Rumble in the Jungle for Reception

There was certainly a rumble in the jungle in Reception this week when they took us far away from the dreary weather to a wonderful rainforest. Each class performed an amazing class assembly with fabulous facts, impressive artwork and superb singing. The children had learnt so much about life in the rainforest over a very short period of time and showed great maturity by speaking their lines confidently. It was clear for all to see just how much the children are enjoying their learning and watching them boogie their way through a rendition of Down in the Jungle was a delight. Well done Reception!

Year 2 Trip to The Royal Observatory

On Wednesday 15th May, Year 2 went on a trip to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, as part of our new topic ‘Out of This World’. The children had great fun learning about Space Ted and his travels into the Solar System with Plant. We also learnt, during an interactive workshop, about the seasons and how they happen due to the Earth spinning at 23° on its axis.

House Music

With House Music fast approaching, your child’s House needs you!

Each House has been allocated a song to learn for the House Music Competition (Friday 7th June) and we are asking for your help with learning it. You will find the song for your child’s House on their House Google Classroom. Here’s a chance for you to take a walk down memory lane during half-term and get the whole family involved - Grannies, Grandads, Uncles, Aunties, brothers, sisters, even pets. Please get singing and grooving...

This is what is up for grabs for the winning House - and also a lovely edible treat!

Sport News

U11 IAPS Girls’ Football

On Tuesday, the girls' football team travelled to Portsmouth to participate in the IAPS U11 Football South competition. From the moment they got on the bus, the children were an absolute credit to the School, striking a fantastic balance of ‘professionalism’ and competitiveness with joy and fun. The girls finished the day unbeaten, winning the final 2-1 to be crowned champions! The girls were thrilled to meet Portsmouth women's football team members, who even played a game of ‘keepy-uppy’ with them. A fantastic day was had by all. We are proud that the hard work has been reflected in outstanding outcomes. We thank the parents for travelling down and supporting the girls.

Essex Independent Schools Tennis Tournament 2024

On Tuesday, we hosted the Essex Independent Schools Tennis Tournament across 24 courts throughout the day at Brentwood. Our U9 and U11 teams participated in the Prep tournaments which ran in the morning and it was great to see so many pupils on court and enjoying themselves at this annual doubles event. All the pupils performed very well and a huge well done to Brody P & Mark N (both Y4) who reached the final of the U9 Boys’ tournament and had a great match against Chigwell. Congratulations to Ruby E (Y5) and Teccla A (U6) who won the U11 Girls’ competition and also Alexander L and Oscar F (both Y6) who won the U11 Boys’ tournament with a strong win against New Hall in the final. Thank you to Mr Simpson-Crick and the Tennis Coaches for delivering a successful tournament.

Flickr album: EIS Tennis Championship 2024 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

Additional Accomplishments:

We are delighted to announce that Kaya Y (Y3) has officially signed for Tottenham Hotspur FC. The team walked out on the pitch for a parade during last Tuesday night’s 1st team game between Tottenham and Manchester City, which looked like an amazing experience for Kaya and his teammates.

Click here for our Sport Weekly programme, including fixture arrangements and other updates.

Brentwood School Tennis Academy Holiday Camp

We are running a Brentwood School Tennis Academy holiday camp during the May half-term and summer holidays.

All ability levels are welcome and the camps are open to anyone, from any school, aged between five and fourteen years old. The camp will provide players with an opportunity to enjoy developing their tennis skills under the guidance of our Academy tennis coaches led by LTA Level 5 coach, Mark Simpson-Crick.

The May tennis camp costs £45 per day or £120 for all 3 days and runs from the 28th - 30th May 2024. Our Summer Camps are running throughout July and cost £45 per day or £160 for a full 4-day week. This covers all training and competition prizes.

To find out more information, please click here for our BSTA Tennis Camps flyer.

Alternatively, you can contact Mr Simpson-Crick via email: [email protected] or book online here.

Sunday Chapel Service to celebrate Pentecost

You are most warmly invited to join us for a very special Sunday Service in Chapel on Sunday 19th May at 10am as we celebrate Pentecost which marks the birth of the Church. I am delighted that we will have our Junior Choir (Years 3 and 4) with us who will help to lead our worship and singing. The service will be suitable for all ages and open to all within the wider community of Brentwood School and beyond. Parking will be available on the school site and can be accessed by entering the School through the gates at Middleton Hall Lane. Parking will be in Library Square which is a short walk to Chapel. Refreshments (and cake!) will be served after the service so please do let me know if you are able to join us so that we can cater accordingly. I look forward to welcoming you to this service.

With every blessing

Revd. Adrian McConnaughie

[email protected]

Chapel Services 2023-24

Throughout the year, there are regular Sunday Chapel Services which are open to all within the wider community of Brentwood School. Most of the services begin at 10am and are suitable for people of all ages.

The details of all our services for this academic year can be found in our Service Booklet which is attached. If you are planning to attend, I would appreciate a short email so that I can cater accordingly for those who come. I look forward to welcoming you to our Services.

Revd. Adrian McConnaughie

[email protected]