2024 Autumn Term 1

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that this newsletter finds you all safe and well. It has been a positive start to this academic year at school. It has been great to hear and see so many of our children receiving genuine praise for their hard work and good behaviour in lessons across the school. 

Staff have been working hard to provide pupils with interesting experiences in their lessons to enable pupils to enjoy and flourish in their learning. 

I hope you all enjoy some good quality family time together during the half-term holidays. We look forward to pupils returning to school on Tuesday, November 12th. 

Best wishes,

Mr Anderson

Principal 

The school trip to War Horse was a fantastic experience for the pupils, who displayed exemplary behaviour throughout the day, better than some of the other mainstream schools there!

The captivating performance allowed them to engage fully with the story’s powerful themes of friendship, courage, and resilience. Watching the play provided a great story and helped deepen their understanding of history and emotional expression, enhancing their literacy and social skills. The trip offered a valuable opportunity for them to experience live theatre in a sell-out South Wimbledon stage, fostering creativity and broadening their learning in a meaningful and memorable way. 

Well done to all the pupils who attended this trip; your behaviour was exceptional!

Residential pupils from KS4 and KS5 were lucky enough to go to Wembley Stadium to watch the England Football team play against Greece. All pupils enjoyed the experience and behaved impeccably throughout the trip. 

Unfortunately, the result did not go our way. However, our pupils' experience was certainly memorable. 

Thank you to all the parents and families of our pupils and the staff who donated to the Harvest Festival.

We had a wonderful Harvest and gave 55.80 kg of food to Horsham Food Bank. This will help put food on the table for local households experiencing hardship.

So far this year, Horsham Food Bank has provided almost 7,000 individual food parcels, and they expect demand to increase as winter approaches. 

Your support is important, so thank you.

Stan took his first driving lessons this week with the school driving instructor, Ilohna. After the lesson, Stan was excited and was looking forward to his next lesson!

Ilohna said that Stan had a fantastic first lesson, and he drove the car back to school!

After getting his provisional licence and passing his theory test, Stan is now looking to complete his driving lessons and take his practical test.

Good luck Stan, we know you will smash it!

We are delighted that our pupils have been settling back into school life smoothly after the holidays. The classroom energy and enthusiasm have been fantastic, with pupils quickly re-establishing their routines and reconnecting with friends. Seeing them eager to learn and engage in their lessons is wonderful.

We also want to warmly welcome our new pupils who have joined the school this term. They are already becoming part of our school community, and it’s been lovely to see how well they are integrating and building friendships with their classmates.

Teachers have been working hard to create an engaging and supportive learning environment, and pupils are embracing the opportunities to challenge themselves and grow. We are looking forward to a positive and productive year ahead!

This half term, the pupils have been learning various topics and have had many opportunities to enhance their understanding. In History, the pupils have been learning all about Ancient Greece and building their own Trojan Horse model out of clay.

We have also been studying maps, addresses, and locations using physical and online maps, comparing the advantages and best uses for both. We mapped out a route to the shops, followed our route the following week and successfully made it, treating ourselves to a snack!

KS3 has been busy designing and creating their plush monster toys this half term.

Here are some of their finished designs.

CBT (Compulsory Basic Training)

Pupils will now get a chance to take a CBT test. Parents and pupils have asked about this. Taking the test could enable pupils to get around more and travel to leisure activities, college and part-time jobs.

CBT is not a test but a 5-point modular training course that runs for one day. It is designed for riders to show a competent and safe level of riding on public roads before being issued a CBT certificate (DL196), which will last 2 years from the date it was issued. You do not have to take your motorcycle theory test before completing a CBT, but if you have been on the road before, then it is strongly recommended that you practice one. All pupils taking the CBT will have a maximum of two riders per instructor.

At Muntham House School, the Careers team strives to get work experience placements that our pupils request. We are constantly growing our relationships with our current employers and looking for new placements to give our pupils more variety and a wider choice.

Below are just a few companies with which we are strengthening our ties and starting new partnerships. They include power companies, car wrapping companies, and cyber security companies.          

On Friday 18^th of October, Year 9 took part in a medieval reenactment workshop courtesy of the Plantagenet Society. The Humanities department organised this to work alongside their Warfare + British Society c.1250 - Present module they are studying.

The pupils learnt about different medieval weapons, including swords, axes, lances, spears, and maces, and of course, they did not forget the infamous British Longbow. Alongside learning about the weapons, they also got to have a go at archery and using various types of weapons through Squire Training. The pupils had a lot of fun, and everyone, as did the teachers, gave everything a try. In the afternoon, the pupils participated in a full contact reenactment of the Battle of Agincourt, learning how Henry V won this decisive battle. Finally, to conclude, the pupils were treated to a full-contact, sparring display by Phil, the instructor, and one of our own, Kyle, who had brought in his own equipment to assist. 

Quick update on reading in the morning: the pupils are embracing the time they have to catch up on some reading. They engage in a wide range of materials, which is great to see and witness.

Also, there has been a huge buzz of excitement around the arrival of new magazines with the Muntham pupils. They have been anticipating their arrival, prompting lots of discussion with their peers. From a teaching perspective, it's a pleasure to have a nonfiction text that creates excitement and makes pupils eager to use it. The layout has provided lots of opportunities to look at nonfiction features, their impact on a reader, and their purpose. As the information has interested and gained the pupil's interest, retrieval and discussion have been of a high quality.

Most library magazines can be used for research, reading for pleasure, or classroom assignments. While magazines offer a wealth of information, they also provide many opportunities for our pupils to learn and practice reading skills. They can help pupils develop vocabulary, understand context and grammar, and increase reading fluency. In addition, they can inspire pupils to explore topics and connect with their interests. Many of our pupils love sharing the articles they read with each other, which can lead to further exploration outside school.

The popularity of magazine publishing began to soar in the late 19th century, largely due to mass circulation. Once magazines could be distributed to a large audience, they could influence national trends and culture. As a result, many of today's popular fashion styles and food trends can be traced back to magazines.

Magazines are great for teaching reading skills; they have short text and colourful artwork. They can also teach important content area concepts, such as the main idea, details, characterisation, cause and effect, and predictions. These articles can be supplemented with other learning activities, such as comic strips, DIY projects, games, and quizzes.

PSHE has been all about our relationships with others and our personal coping mechanisms this half term.

Year 7 has spent time sharing information about themselves, recognising what makes us experience different emotions, and learning to build positive peer relationships.

Year 8 has engaged in lessons learning about drugs and alcohol and the pressures related to drug use, especially within peer groups.

Year 9 has demonstrated great awareness about peer influence, particularly groups of gangs, including why people choose to join gangs and the risks involved.

Years 10 and 11 have enjoyed a mix of social skills activities and self-care strategies, which are more important than ever as they prepare for their exams.

Break times in the PSHE classroom have been busy, lively, and fun. It’s lovely to see pupils from every year group engaging and getting along. The older peers are great role models, whilst the younger peers bring such joy to social activities.

POST-16 PSHE and WLR lessons also included some social relationship-building activities. Whilst the pupils may know their peers by face, the different year groups hadn’t necessarily engaged in much social time together. WLR lessons and activities have been built around independence, including planning, budgeting and preparing meals. We have also been investigating what support can be in place to access social activities in the community, such as Compass Cards, Travel Cards and Cinema membership.

As Patrick’s poster says, have a Happy Halloween and a safe half-term.

Year 11 pupils are all working on their coursework projects for the Design Technology exam.

Pupils have to identify a problem set by the exam board and design a solution. The pupils have taken to this well and made a great start this term, designing and starting to make folding furniture for their exam projects. They have been busy researching, drawing, and modelling their ideas, and they are ready to begin the manufacture of the final piece this term.

After a long summer, the Mechanics pupils have had a great start to the new school year.

Our newest Year 10 pupils have begun their first modules, while the Year 11 pupils continue their hard work toward completing the course. We are also excited to welcome back some older pupils who have returned with renewed enthusiasm for learning and have joined the Mechanic's course.

This year, we have introduced a couple of new modules to challenge our more experienced pupils, ensuring they have plenty to keep them engaged in the coming terms.

Additionally, we have acquired a new project bike with the hope of participating in next year's Malle Mile beach race. All pupils will have the opportunity to contribute to its assembly. We hope to have it ready in time, so wish us luck!

It's been a great start to the new academic year here for Team Science. We have had the absolute privilege of welcoming the new cohort of year 7s, who have been very excited to have lessons in the science lab, learn how to use a Bunsen burner, and behave sensibly in the lab.

Year 11s are studious as ever and wonderful learners. The KS3 pupils have been looking at the wonderful fungi proliferating our grounds, which are fascinating under a microscope. A big, happy Halloween from Team Science.

Happy Autumn, everyone. We have had a brilliant year for the Eco-schools award, and over the summer, we heard the brilliant and exciting news that we now have the award with a distinction, which is the top accreditation. This has taken much time and effort from the Eco-team and is a fantastic achievement. Last academic year, we made lots of positive changes for the school, including distributing more recycling bins, promoting the Terracycling scheme in the school and the residential areas and recruiting energy monitors to research areas of the school that tend to have the lights and the big screens on unnecessarily. We also surveyed types of litter found by our litter-picking duo, Dylan and Ryan. Our Estates team installed lots more LED lighting to save electricity and planted more trees, amongst many other schemes to help make the school more sustainable. Our fantastic chef used plenty of the produce grown in our horticulture area and found more supplies from ethically sound companies. Our finance director sourced the school's electricity from a company that uses renewable resources such as wind and solar power. Three members of the eco-committee made videos on their views on plastic pollution and the overuse of fossil fuels, which were delivered very eloquently. Ryan wrote a superb Eco-code, which is a pledge for our school values when considering the future of our planet, and we have an updated Eco-display. 

Eco-Code

The committee have decided on some changes they would like to happen this year, including the promotion of more plants in classrooms, further Terracycling promotion, talking to the staff members about the  Global Goals, a plan agreed upon by 193 world leaders to end extreme poverty, inequality, and climate change by 2030. Also, they would like the school to arrange a student uniform and toy swap. They have also expressed an interest in visiting a recycling depot and a refuse collection centre and participating in a beach clean again. Of course, this is very exciting, but it is also morally and ethically vital for future generations if we can enjoy our health and planet. 

Best green wishes, Miss Harris. 

A visit From Lyn Cooper of Crafty Cakes

We were fortunate to have 2 visits from Lyn. These were over 2 Wednesdays earlier in the month. Lyn has baked and decorated cakes for many years. I arranged for Lyn to show the pupils how to model with icing to make figures to go on cakes. Lyn demonstrated the models and helped the pupils of Years 7,8 and 9 to make their own. The pupils worked hard and were very successful with their figurines. They made various figures, including creatures from under the sea and jungle animals. We intend to have Lyn back in the New Year to teach the pupils how to pipe using an icing bag. The older boys will have an opportunity to do this.

Cooking Club

We’ve had so much fun setting up a new Cooking Club this term. It is held every Wednesday afternoon from 4 to 5 p.m. The club is pupil-led, and the students can choose to make anything they want (within reason). As expected, biscuits and cakes are very popular. However, recently, there has been a surge in Fried Chicken—move over, KFC!! All secondary students are very welcome.

Harvest Festival

Over this half term, we have been collecting food for a Harvest Festival Assembly. A great variety of canned and packet food was donated. During the Harvest assembly, the pupils were told about different Harvest Festivals worldwide and how it is important to support charities. For the last couple of years, we have supported Horsham Food Bank. So, at the end of the school day, Mrs Apicella and Mrs West took all the Food Donations to the Food Bank in Horsham, where they will be distributed to the local community.

The primary pupils have participated in a Royal Forestry Society challenge book. The challenges are mainly things the pupils have done in the past, with some new things they haven't done before. The challenges are great because they allow the pupils to take control of their learning, and they can see the progress they have been making. 

Meanwhile, the year 7s have been making woodland whistles. These are great things to make and stretch the pupils to use a carving knife in ways they may not have done before. I feel sorry for the parents who might have to endure it being constantly blown at home! 

The year 8s have been taking part in two different activities. One group has been making bows and arrows, again, another really fun activity that shows the pupils how else the woodland can be used for fun things to do and how it was used in the past! The other year 8 group has been continuing the making of the large bug hotel. This long-term project requires lots of focus due to the tools we are using and resilience due to how long it will take. 

It has been the wettest and coldest autumn for the school garden since we began, and although the grass has grown rapidly, the vegetables have suffered. The ground is cold and wet, and the root vegetables have rotted; the short warmer spell meant the cabbage white caterpillars hatched and have eaten all but a handful of the brassicas. This has been disappointing for the pupils. However, we have had a good crop of Peppers and Chillis in the polytunnel, and some of the braver pupils have enjoyed these during their lessons. The pupils also enjoyed eating the different varieties of tomatoes, and we compared the taste of different pears. Comice pears were the sweetest and juiciest, with Conference being a bit sour but crunchy!

We planted spring flowering bulbs in pots as the ground was too wet; they are something to look forward to after winter. We have also planted some more carrots and beetroot inside in the hope of a crop before Christmas. Some of the younger pupils have planted out some onion sets. We will plant some more inside after half term.

The wildlife has taken shelter in the garden area, and although it is wonderful to have such biodiversity, the squirrels have eaten all of the corn on the cob and most of the pumpkins and sunflowers.

We have taken the opportunity to focus on art in the garden, and all the pupils have enjoyed leaf rubbings and painting with sticks, stems, leaves, and seed heads, producing some fabulous artwork.

We harvested a huge amount of runner bean seeds, which will give us a good start in the spring and provide the pupils with an excellent resource to enjoy making pictures and patterns.

We assembled a harvest box for the Horsham food bank, including onions, squash, peppers, and celeriac. During our harvest assembly, a large bunch of sunflowers and dahlias was displayed. 

We have ended the term carving pumpkins. This was very popular with all of the pupils. They produced some very scary faces. 

The animals were very happy to welcome back old faces and new ones this term at Muntham House Farm. Although the weather is good in summer, the animals love having more people around to talk to, hang out with and demand snacks from!

Pigs

Bangers and Mash have moved into the rested enclosure full of green grass. They are under many oak trees, allowing pupils to walk past and throw acorns in for a treat. The pupils have been busy grooming and oiling the pigs to establish a relationship with them. Being in the enclosure poo picking and snapping the girls off branches helps to form a bond too. Although big and noisy, the pigs are very friendly and enjoy nothing more than a tummy scratch and a chat with the pupils in a session.

Donkeys

Buzz and Woody certainly have a spring in their step this term. They can be found play fighting daily and chasing each other around their enclosure. They are especially happy to have the pupils back having sessions; this means daily walks and access to the hedgerow around the Muntham mile. The donkeys are a keen favourite in sessions with the pupils as they are calm and non-judgemental. They always provide a large ear to listen to any problems. The pupils are learning how to be firm but fair with the donkeys, as they can be very cheeky when walking on all the lush grass at Muntham.

Chickens

At this time of year, the chickens moult, causing them to lose many of their feathers and not produce regular eggs. They need to preserve their energy and protein for regrowth. The pupils have been very patient and supportive of the chickens, offering them protein-rich snacks to help them grow back their feathers quickly. Although catching and hugging the chickens is a favourite activity for the pupils, they have been very patient and understanding that the hens are best left on the floor until they have stopped moulting and feel better.

Goats

Gizmo, Spike, Wallace and Gromit are all very happy to start the autumn term. They love being around the pupils, either walking around the grounds, walking to the village shop, or just being in their enclosure doing tricks for low-calorie treats. The goats give a huge amount of companionship back to the pupils; they never get bored with grooming, scratches on their heads, or just being in the pupil's presence. With the summer break being so quiet, the goats have become a little cautious of the school environment and noise. The pupils have been working on reintroducing the goats into the school corridors and classrooms. This has taught the pupils to be calm and patient with them as they don't always feel confident enough on the first go.

Year 9 

Year 9 started their DofE journey by looking at the types of food that are easy to cook – yet nutritious and delicious – on expeditions. Both year 9 classes tested out things like cups of soup, porridge pots, boil-in-the-bag meals and instant noodles. An honourable mention was made to Joe, Blake, Scott, and Will, who demonstrated exceptional independence during the cooking challenges of using the Trangia stoves. During the next half-term, the year 9s will look at different types of shelters for expeditions. The year group also has a task over the half term: to log on to their eDofE accounts for the first time. Parents and carers have been emailed with the relevant information and a video to support pupils with signing on. 

Year 10 

Year 10 started this year by exploring how they would like to carry out their Silver expeditions. The group went on a trip to Cobham Activity Centre to have an afternoon out on the kayaks to see if they would enjoy it as a mode of travel. However, due to the centre being on an estuary and the wind and current being too strong for individual kayaks, the group settled to have a session out on two canoes tied together. It wasn’t what they had hoped for, but they still managed to enjoy the choppy seas and take some cold dips – as demonstrated by James! 

Mr Imbert also challenged them to navigate back to school after being dropped at a random location, which they successfully completed. Next term, they will be awarded their actual Bronze Awards, so watch this space for pictures of some happy chappies. 

Year 11 

In lessons, the Year 11s have been bike riding and taking part in mystery hikes – where they have been dropped in random locations and tasked with making it back to school. But the big event of the half term was that the final few pupils and some Muntham House College pupils finished their Silver Awards by qualifying expeditions in Snowdonia. This was another successful trip for our boys – taking on some challenging terrain but ultimately enjoying completing their award with some outstanding views of Snowdonia. 

MHC 

The first term of DofE and outdoor education for the Muntham House College has been about enjoying being outdoors and knowing how to be safe with the activities that come with it. Many pupils have been challenged to lead small groups on walks and bike rides, putting their safety theory work into practice. Other pupils have been challenged to plan routes for short outings, showing an awareness of safety when identifying hazards and risks that come along the way. Toby and Stan have carried out exceptional work in plotting routes, following footpaths and bridleways, and demonstrating good leadership skills whilst navigating through hazards such as busy road crossings, livestock and weather conditions. This theme will continue into the next half term so that the Muntham House College pupils can safely explore the great outdoors more independently.  

This term, we have welcomed back Alfie for his second year residing in our Post-16 Provision. We also welcome Matthew, Oliver, and Joe, who have all moved up from Yr11.

The pupils have settled well into their new environment and are enjoying their time with us. We have been on various trips, including bowling, a local gym, music gigs, and a trip to Wembley to watch England play.

Matthew P is studying music at a local college, and his tutor, Mrs Green, recently took him to see his first music gig at the Brighton Dome. The band was called Soft Play, and Matthew really enjoyed his evening watching them perform.

We hope to involve Matthew in the local music scene and participate in open mic groups.

KS3

We have had a great start back after the summer break. The classes have focused on hand-eye coordination, leadership and decision-making. The pupils have been immersed in a variety of different alternative and traditional games. We have been learning some adapted dodgeball games, adapted football and basketball games, and different team-building games. Pupils have demonstrated good leadership skills and responsibilities in a team. They have learnt the importance of decision-making when playing a team game and developed their coordination with throwing, catching and shooting.  

KS4

Key stage 4 pupils have made a great start to the year. Our year 10s are working towards their level 1 BTEC award in sport. They have been researching different exercises in preparation for writing a 6-week progression plan. Our year 11's have been working towards their level 1 BTEC certificate in sport and have been learning how to create a session plan, including a warm-up, skill development, mini-game, and cool down. They have also learnt different types of warm-up games and mini-games to help them create their session plan.  

KS5

This term, our KS5 pupils have been working hard on the L1 BTEC Introductory in Sport Award, building skills that will support their future in the world of sport. The course offers an excellent blend of theory and practice, helping pupils develop crucial personal and professional growth abilities. Here are three key areas the pupils are focusing on: 

Developing a Personal Progression Plan 

One of the most important aspects of the course is creating a personal progression plan. This plan helps each student map out their future in sports, whether that's in performance, coaching, or management. The process involves setting short-term and long-term goals, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and planning actionable steps to move forward. It's a powerful tool for pupils to take control of their careers and stay focused on achieving their dreams. 

Being Organised 

Success in both academics and sport requires solid organisational skills. Throughout the term, students have been learning how to manage their time effectively, balancing coursework, training, and personal commitments. By using planners, setting priorities, and staying on top of deadlines, they're developing habits that will serve them well in any career path they choose. Organisation also extends to their sport, where planning training schedules and preparing for competitions is vital. 

Playing Sport 

Of course, no sports course would be complete without active participation in sport itself. Whether it's through team sports or individual events, playing sports gives students hands-on experience to apply what they've learned in the classroom. Not only does it help improve physical skills, but it also builds teamwork, resilience, and leadership qualities—important traits in both sports and life. 

The KS5 cohort is making great strides this term, and we look forward to seeing how they continue to develop their skills and progress towards their future goals in the world of sport! 

Football Fixtures  

It was a positive start for all 5 age groups at the start of the new football season. Having had a very successful season last year, all players were keen to get back into playing and continue to improve.  

Firstly, the U16s made the trip to Long Lane JFC full of confidence after winning the league last year and getting promoted to a new group.  

They played 7 games throughout the day, winning 5, drawing 1, and losing 1. This means they finished week 1 at the joint top of the league—a great start.  

A week later, it was the U14s' turn. They played four games. They won two, drew one, and lost one, which positions them second in the league after week 1. Another positive start.  

Then it was the U12 & Primary turn.  

The U12s made a great start, scoring within the first 10 seconds of game 1 and winning the first few games convincingly. Some tougher games followed, but the team continued to play well and work hard and, like the U14s, sit second in the league after week 1.  

We were also in a very fortunate position to field a primary team, something we haven't been able to do for a few years. The team may not have got the results they wanted, but it was great to see them attend, compete, and work together as a team, and we are confident they'll improve as a team as the season moves forward.  

Finally, Post-16. A strong team took to the field, some having not played for a while because last year, no Post-16 team was fielded.  

The team was rusty to start with, but the teamwork and communication skills they showed to improve their performances were fantastic. This led to positive results on the pitch, meaning they came out on top for that week.  

It was a very successful first term for the football team, and long may it continue. 

Primary PE

This half term, upper primary have been participating in weekly Basketball sessions in P.E. The pupils, week by week, have been increasing their knowledge of the sport and understanding of the rules along with adding a range of new skills through passing, moving and shooting the ball. Seeing a fantastic level of engagement and attitude towards the sport has been great! 

 

Basketball Academy 

We have had a great start back to Basketball Academy, where we have 15 pupils on roll attending the academy, which is the most we have ever had. We have Zaire back this year, coaching the basketball team. Zaire Taylor brings a wealth of experience, such as being the Worthing Thunder manager and an ex-professional Basketball player. Zaire has been coaching the team on dribbling, shooting with the correct technique and layups this term. We are slowly moving into small-sided games with the players and learning the rules of the game. If you would like to register your child for Basketball Academy, please contact [email protected] 

Below are the dates for next term's sessions.  

Basketball

12/11

19/11

26/11

3/12

10/12

Football Academy 

We have had a great start to the Football Academy this year, and we have some new players who have joined the academy. This term, we have been working on passing and moving, ball control and learning different types of shots, such as power shots and finesse shots. The players are making significant progress and are bringing what they have learnt into the South London Special League fixtures. If you would like to register your child for Football Academy, please contact [email protected] 

Below are the dates for next term's sessions. 

Cricket Academy  

Cricket Academy has been running this term. Fred Bridges has been coaching our players. Fred is part of the Sussex Cricket Disability team setup and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the sessions. Our players have precise/tailored sessions to develop them as cricketers, focusing on batting and fielding strategically to gain an advantage against an opponent. Unfortunately, we do not have enough pupils interested in Cricket Academy, so it is being changed to Trampolining Academy next term. This academy is only open to our Muntham House Boarders. 

Below are the dates for next term's sessions. Fred will hopefully still be coming into Muntham House but during the day during P.E. lessons rather than after school.  

Below are the dates for next term's sessions. 

Primary Football Academy  

The primary football academy group has been looking at striking the ball this half term. Each week, we have broken down sessions using different techniques. We have encouraged the pupils to try and feel comfortable shooting first time and then to take a touch to create space to further extend them. It has been great to see the pupils grow confident and start taking this skillset into match situations.    

It has been a busy first half term for the pupils on Hever, with new peers on the floor, Birthdays to celebrate, fantastic mentoring sessions from some of the older pupils, baking, cooking, and lots of fun, not to mention the various after-school clubs available for them to choose from now they are in our secondary provision.

We have had visits from some of the education staff who come up to see the pupils after school for a cup of tea and a biscuit. This helps the teachers build stronger relationships with the pupils outside the classroom. All have said this is a valuable experience, and the children have even said they see the teachers differently now and enjoy the fun side of their teachers! Sharon Taylor from Ready to Learn has been visiting us, doing various crafts with our pupils and making milkshakes and fruit kebabs. The pupils are looking forward to doing apple bobbing this week with her and have been busy carving pumpkins and choosing what Halloween film to watch on the last evening on the floor before half term.

This term has been full of activity for the pupils on the floor! When the weather hasn't been on our side, the pupils have been busy baking delicious cakes and cookies, from Banana Bread to Chocolate chip cookies and Blueberry muffins.

On sunnier days, the pupils enjoyed playing football with their peers, showcasing their skills and teamwork on the field. The excitement doesn't stop there. Sessions and runouts on the grounds have provided endless fun and laughter, encouraging physical activity and sociability among friends.

One evening, the pupils got creative and made their pizzas, experimenting with various toppings. The results were a hit, with everyone enjoying their culinary creations!

On another evening, they settled in for a movie night, watching their chosen film on the projector while sipping hot chocolate topped with cream and marshmallows.

Additionally, some pupils have spent their free time building impressive models out of Lego, proudly displaying their creations in their room and the common room for all to see.

It's been a fantastic term filled with creativity, sportsmanship, and many memorable moments.

Here at Arundel, we have dedicated ourselves to our learning journeys, practising GCSE past papers and developing our revision techniques and timetables. With mock exams only weeks away, the pupils have been delving into online learning, picking up books and tapping into their unused grey matter. Keep it up, pupils. Your efforts will be rewarded! 

Speaking of rewards, our leader, Mr Anderson, managed to procure tickets to watch the highly anticipated and lauded men’s England football team. Someone forgot to tell the team, though, as England crashed to a 2 – 1 defeat to those lively outsiders, Greece! Barring the result, everyone had a great night. Seven young people attended, experienced the grandeur of the National Stadium, and did well to curb the language under such a dire England performance. 

In other news, the gym continues to grow in popularity. Golf is now on the agenda, with a few pupils considering it after school. Golf is excellent for developing hand-eye coordination while learning to be disciplined, follow the process, and trust your judgment.  

And, as always on Arundel, we love to read, and the pupils engage their imagination and practise their literacy skills a ’plenty as the winter nights draw in and the heating gets turned up. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT PUPILS RETURN FROM

HALF TERM ON:

TUESDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2024

Term dates are on the school website, link below.

 Term Dates

Inset Days for half term are:

Monday 11th November

Friday 29th November

Monday 2nd December

Friday 20th December