From the Headmistress

I hope you all had a wonderful end of term and enjoyed the many events at the School.  I equally hope that you have enjoyed reading and sharing your child's report and that you will take time to complete the back sheet so that the start of next term can be focussed. 

Thank you on behalf of all the staff for our wonderful gifts, goodbyes and thank yous which were much appreciated.

Do encourage your children to get involved in our holiday competitions and enjoy our final newsletter of term.   We will be back in touch at the end of August.  Happy holiday! 

Click here to read about this term's winners and here for the all important statistics.

League Officials

Congratulations to all our new league officials - click here to see the names and the positions of responsibility that they hold.  In addition the following pupils have also been offered positions of responsibility:

Captain of Hockey and Riding - Jemima Upton
Captain of Rugby - Jack Speakman
Captain of Swimming - Rachael Freedman
Captain of Football - Jordan Robertson
Head Gardeners - Jack Speakman and Jamie Smart
Green Team Leaders - Isabella George and Annabelle Martine
International Representatives - Ben Jewell, Isabel Brooks, Hugo Chisenhale-Marsh, Saskia Lucius-Clarke.

Trip to Boulogne

On Thursday 1st July, during Citizenship Week, Year 6 went on a school trip to Boulogne, France.

After waking up at 5:00am we all met at the prep school and boarded our coach, eager to leave. An hour or so later, we got to Dover and waited for our ferry. Once aboard we explored the boat, although I didn’t get to go on deck like my friends (but they did say it was really fun). When we finally got to Calais, we headed by coach towards Boulogne.

After 30 minutes of driving we got to Boulogne and walked to a restaurant called La Scala in the ‘old town’. For lunch I chose steak and enjoyed a large plate of chips. After a lovely lunch we got into groups again and went shopping down a street that had lots of markets. We all had a really good time; the boys went crazy over some cool glasses that only cost 6€!  We then went on a long walk around the old city walls (all the way!!) and enjoyed seeing all the wonderful historic buildings from high up.

At the end of a lovely day we had to say goodbye to France and got home at 9:40pm. And we even had an emotional and memorable surprise at the end…

Thanks to Mrs Hurriaga, and to all the teachers who accompanied us to France; we all had a great day!

By Lara Peck

News from Frome Court

Year 3 and 4 harvested their vegetables on Tuesday and enjoyed a healthy organic lunch as a result of their toil! One Year 3 said, 'It was the best day of this life,' as a response to the excitement of digging up a mound of carrots. It was a magical moment with all of them helping to collect carrots, radish, potatoes, lettuce, beetroot and peas. The peas and many carrots were eaten raw not even making it to the kitchen!

Year 5 citizenship week- Back to the Tudors

Year 5 were a little concerned that a week of History was not going to compare favourably to their Year 4 Legoland trip. Little did they know what was in store for them. The visit to Kentwell Hall, where all the workers are Tudor folk, set the tone for the rest of the week. With the promise of a Tudor Feast in our own Tudor school room the children worked hard to make their own lunch of potage and bread and produce a Tudor show. Minstrals, jugglers,jousters, jesters, Shakespearean court players, dancing and tumbling troops, to name but a few acts, were worthy entertainment for our gracious visitor Lady Jenny of Felsted.

Mrs Lee

News from Courtauld House

Year 8 Abel-Smith Challenge Cup 2010

This year proved to be a really good Year 8 inter League competition as all the pupils became involved in the Abel-Smith Challenge as soon as their Year 8 Examinations had finished. The first event as the orienteering challenge which sent the pupils all round the village in search of the elusive clues.  The result was: 1^st Smythies; 2^nd Lord Riche; 3^rd Grignon; 4^th Cromwell and 5^th Gaselee.

The next day saw the Leagues take part in the Dr Taylor challenge which saw them employ the skills they had learnt the previous day in their life saving and first aid courses as well as the orienteering challenge. They had to seek out various ‘injured’ members of staff around the village and then apply the correct first aid dependent upon the injuries. It proved to be a great deal of fun and the result was: 1^st Grignon; 2^nd Cromwell; 3^rd Smythies; 4^th Lord Riche and 5^th Gaselee.

Following their return from Leavers’ camp the Year 8s began the second half of the Abel-Smith Challenge with relish. We opened with a screening of ‘Slum dog Millionaire’ as an introduction to the ‘other side of life’. The Leagues were then given their project topics which were: Cromwell – Genocide; Gaselee – Poverty; Grignon – HIV Aids; Lord Riche – The Holocaust and Smythies – the role of Amnesty International. Over the next two weeks they had to put together a presentation on their topics and were challenged to take the ‘next step’ and devise ways in which they could bring about an end or a solution to their chosen topics. The use of sound and film was encouraged and the Leagues were given complete freedom to present in any manner they preferred.

Whilst working on their topics they also took part in the sporting competition of the Abel-Smith challenge which was there to provide some light relief from their presentations. The result of the sporting competition was: 1^st Grignon; 2^nd Gaselee; 3^rd Lord Riche; 4^th Cromwell and 5^th Smythies.

A new portion of the competition was added this year with the ‘Flitch Way Challenge’ where the Leagues were divided into two and sent off at timed intervals from School to see which group could navigate their way to the Braintree Discovery Centre the fastest. Fortunately the weather was kind that day and the pupils made quick work of the lengthy walk. Their reward was free time to explore and play in the Discovery Centre and amazingly 70 mature Year 8 pupils became carefree kids again! The result was: 1^st Lord Riche; 2^nd Cromwell; 3^rd Gaselee; 4^th Grignon and 5^th Gaselee.

Whilst all this was going on we also had a couple of other events to help the pupils with their presentations. We were very fortunate to have Mr Savage, a colleague and friend of Mrs Schwier, from Amnesty International come and talk to the pupils about the ideals, aims and work of the well respected charity. To say it was an eye opening experience is an understatement. Following this visit we are hopeful of setting up a real link with Amnesty International through Years 7 and 8 next year. In addition the pupils watched the very powerful and moving film ‘Hotel Rwanda’ to again inspire their research into their presentations. The film certainly had it's desired effect.

And so we finally came to the all important presentations on the last Monday of term. Lord Riche went first with an emotional and highly informative presentation on the Holocaust which combined powerful imagery with emotive music. It was a stunning presentation and the Q&A session that followed proved they had caught their audience’s attention and had researched their topic well. Next to go were Cromwell with another moving piece on Genocide and in particular the events in Rwanda in 1994 where nearly one million were massacred in 100 days of carnage. Needless to say the presentation was a powerful one. Next Gaselee presented on their topic of Poverty and they concentrated a lot on the solution, introducing to their audience the work of ‘Magic Bus’ which is a charity we would like Years 7 and 8 to become more involved in next year. Smythies then gave their presentation on Amnesty International which, following the visit from Mr Savage, was highly informed and informative and again the Q&A session illustrated a real interest in the subject from their audience. Finally Grignon came to the fore to present on Aids and HIV. Naturally they concentrated on the troubles in Africa in particular although one or two of their facts were slightly suspect! All in all the standard was high, the quality of the presentations in terms of visual and sound outstanding and the questions asked at the end of each presentation thoughtful and insightful. Special mentions in the feedback went to Sam Mitchell for all his hard work and for the way he lead his League’s presentation; to Pranjal Roy for his outstanding video and to Sebi Anderson whose quality of questions on each topic was quite superb. The result was: 1^st Lord Riche; 2^nd Smythies; 3^rd Cromwell; 4^th Grignon and 5^th Gaselee.

And thus to the overall result of the Abel-Smith Challenge: 1^st Lord Riche; 2^nd Grignon; 3^rd= Cromwell and Smythies and 5^th Gaselee. Over the whole competition Lord Riche were the deserved winners and huge congratulations to them.

Whilst all this was going on the Year 8 were also busy preparing their Leavers’ show with the incredible assistance of Mr Rees, Miss Mitchell and Mr Clarke in the forefront with able help also being given by Miss Sugden, Ms Linskey, Miss West, Mr Mark Burrett, Mrs Vignoles, Mr France and, of course, Mrs Burrett who had originally created the concept of the ‘pursuit of happiness’. The show was a triumph and a real testament to the talents of both the pupils and staff involved. As always Mr Rees produced a Leavers’ DVD that reflects his genius and creates a wonderful memento for all the Year 8.

And thus another Year 8 have come and gone and completed their Abel-Smith Challenge. They were undoubtedly a highly talented, hugely inspirational and incredibly well humoured year and they will remain within the legend of top Year 8 for many years to come.

My sincerest thanks must go to them and all the staff involved in the Abel-Smith Challenge Cup for making it another truly memorable year.

Mr Stringer

Fly Fishing !

A group of Preparatory and Senior boys recently went on a fly-fishing trip to Chigborough Lake, with its resident instructor and our fishing activity teacher, Ken Mansfield (also Grandfather of Davide). Although no fish were caught, a good time was had by all, and regular trips to the lake will be organised again next year.

Mr Hays

Pupil Commendation

Amber Aitken was delighted to present a Pupil Commendation to Mrs Peart on the last day of term to thank her for her excellent teaching.

Athletics Success

Our successful athletes from Bedford, Stefan Warner, Mikey Barton and Lara Peck spent a day in the sun with athletes from all over England and Scotland, doing Felsted proud.

Against the very best in Britain, Stefan came 6th in his 100m heat, breaking his PB, Mikey came 11th overall in the shot and Lara was 2nd in the shot. This was a great start for a re-invigorated athletics squad, and we look forward to a winter of core training and cross country, with the target of getting 6 athletes to next year's Nationals.

The next athletics event will be a sprint masterclass with Ken Hills from Braintree AC on Friday 27th August, from 10:00-11:30am, on the Prep School fields. All Bedford and Cambridge athletes are invited.

Mr Hays

From the Cub Pack

The Cub Pack is now finished for the summer break but we are very much looking forward to Cub Camp which takes place 3-5 September at Thriftwood.  Everyone should have all the information they need.  If you have any queries please email Mrs Lilley - kal@felstedprep.org.

LEADERS REQUIRED!

Could I just re-advertise that we are looking for Leaders to run the Cab Pack as soon as possible.  Anyone who is interested should contact Mrs Lilley on the email address above.   If Leaders are not found then the Pack may have to close.

Chapel Collection

Many thanks to the parents who attended Choral Matins on Speech Day.  Over £475 was raised which will be donated to The Felsted Mission. 

Holiday Competitions

Young Felstedians are invited to challenge themselves this holiday by entering our short story, holiday diary or 5 minute film competitions.  Pupils may enter any or all and there are no specific guidelines.  A guest judge will decide the prize winners.

Healthy Summer Holiday Tip!

Tuck into healthy salads and fresh fruit during the summer holidays.