Prep News

Published: 02 Feb 2012

This week we have celebrated the different talents of many of our girls. We began with news of some sporting achievements which took place over the weekend. On Saturday we had success in the Hallfield Invitational Cross Country Competition and then on Sunday 17 girls and their families travelled to Macclesfield for the semi-finals of the National Schools Biathlon. You can read more about these events in the separate article.

Music certificates for effort in individual instrumental lessons were presented to girls this week and we were treated to several delightful solo music performances too. On Monday Briony Chitty played 'Columbine Dances' on the piano and on Tuesday Katrina Connolly sang 'A Dream is a Wish'. Both girls did well and gave us very assured performances which started our days off well.

Our girls' story reading and writing talents have also been much in evidence this week as we have marked National Story Telling Week. In assembly each day we have been treated to some stories which have been presented in a variety of ways. On Monday it was the turn of Year 3 and two girls took to the stage. Leah read the story of 'The Tooth Fairy' and then Maddy retold the same story but in her own words with nothing to prompt her. Both girls did extremely well as their audience numbered over 350 staff and pupils.

On Tuesday Year 5 shared their skills. Maddie O'Shea and Beatrice Herbert, prompted only by a series of pictures, told the enchanting tale of Bella and the Bear. During the tale they showed us how using character voices helps to bring a story to life. Then Aanisah Butt, Tulasi Parmar and Lily Mason read the fables they had written based on the style of Aesop.

Mrs Aston told us the story of The Enormous Turnip on Wednesday morning. The story was brought to life by the acting skills of girls from Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Then Simran, Sophie and Saniva read the versions they had written which we all enjoyed.

Year 4 completed our series of story-telling assemblies. Amy Campbell told us the story of Awongaleema which they had read in class, using only her storyboard as a prompt. This was followed by some other girls reading us their own versions of a similar story. These were very well written and told by Lily Brocklehurst-Cordell, Chloe Sahba, Jasmine Gill, Zarina Patel and Sameera Alibhai.

Westbourne have also shared stories together as you can see from the photos. They have had stories read to them and have retold some favourites, like The Three Little Pigs, using figures to help them.

Year 2 girls and staff have also enjoyed a visit to the theatre to see the stage version of a favourite story. They travelled to the Old Rep to see 'George's marvellous Medicine'.

Tuesday saw another type of celebration when it was the school's official birthday. This was marked in the traditional way as we sang Happy Birthday to the school in assembly, had displays of balloons in school and we had cake at break time, always a favourite part of any party. This year was extra special as the new building in the front of school was also officially opened by Sir Stephen Brown. To mark the day, Mrs Howarth, who is an old girl of the school, came to talk to us about the history of EHS through the eyes of some former pupils. You can read more about this part of our day on the separate page.

Our week up to Thursday, as Friday Headlines comes to you a day early this week, ended with news of our Year 5 netball team who travelled to Bromsgrove to take part in their first tournament which was played against 20 other schools. They played tremendously well and were placed a most impressive third. Well done to all!

Next week I will report on the assembly being taken by 1A girls on Friday and on the Gym Competition which 15 girls from Key Stages 1 and 2 are taking part in at Baverstock Sports College. This is the first time EHS has taken part in this competition which is run by the West Midlands Schools Gym Association. The girls will be competing against 17 schools on floor and vault routines. We wish them all good luck. We also look forward to welcoming parents to the Year 3 and 4 Inter House Gala on Tuesday afternoon and to our Parents' Evenings which take place all next week.

Mrs Sally Hartley
Head of Preparatory School