The Bulletin Edition 22

As ever, the final week of the Spring Term has been a wonderfully full and spirited one at Hampton Prep, with boys and girls embracing every opportunity on offer. From the energy and camaraderie of House Rugby to the impressive efforts of our Year 5 pupils on their sports tour, there has been much to celebrate both on and off the field. Meanwhile, the creative talents of Year 3 and 4 were on delightful display in their performance of The Jungle Book, and it was a pleasure to see the whole school come together for Sing Up, raising their voices in unison with great enthusiasm. The curiosity and innovation showcased at the STEM Fair, the musicality of our parent/teacher recital, and Year 4’s fascinating visit to Hampton Court, and one can safely say, it has been a week rich in experience and achievement!

Such moments are a timely reminder that the life of the school extends far beyond the classroom, nurturing confidence, creativity and a genuine sense of community. As we reach the end of term, I would like to thank all our boys and girls, staff and families for their continued energy and support.

I wish everyone a restful and happy Easter holiday, and very much look forward to welcoming you back for the Summer Term.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

Here’s a round-up of our Instagram posts from this week – take a look below!

Make sure to follow us on Instagram for regular updates and snapshots of daily school life.

House Rugby on Wednesday was the perfect way to cap off a fabulous term of rugby. Given that much of the term has been wet and cold, it seemed only fitting that an arctic hailstorm blew in just ten minutes into the competition, sending the whole school scurrying for shelter in the cricket pavilion. Thankfully, it was short and sharp, and before long the boys were back out, spirits undampened and rugby very much resumed.

Our U10 pupils embarked on an unforgettable Sports Tour to Bristol- undoubtedly one of the highlights of the term. The tour began at the impressive Bristol Grammar School Sports Grounds, where the boys took to the football pitches with enthusiasm and confidence. Drawing on everything they had learned during the autumn term, all four teams (A–D) competed in closely fought matches that showcased both skill and teamwork. There were well-earned victories for the A and B teams, while the C and D teams experienced narrow defeats. Regardless of results, the focus remained firmly on enjoyment, effort, and playing free-flowing football in the sunshine.

The Hammond Theatre became a vibrant jungle setting, as Years 3 and 4 transported the audience to The Jungle Book. The production brimming with colour, confidence and infectious energy - a testament to the hard work of everyone involved. The characterisation throughout was a real highlight. Mowgli radiated adventurous spark, Baloo charmed the audience with easy-going warmth, and Shere Khan commanded the stage with a genuine sense of menace. Kaa’s hypnotic moves delighted the crowd, and every performer threw themselves into their role. The stage was filled with a veritable rainbow of characters, all watched over by a quarrelsome couple of comedy kites!

The James Hall was filled with music and joy on Monday morning as parents, teachers and Prep boys gathered for a wonderful parent–teacher recital. The programme opened with Baroque elegance, as Ms Markoff performed Allegro by J. H. Fiocco on the violin. A varied repertoire followed, from the cool rhythms of Take Five by Paul Desmond to the warmth of Misty by Erroll Garner, both performed by Mrs Morrison on saxophone and clarinet. A moment of calm came with Erik Satie’s Gymnopédie No. 1 on piano, before Steven Dodgson’s playful Circus Pony added a touch of charm through Miss Bee’s flute. Vocal performances were equally memorable. Miss Bee’s heartfelt rendition of The Place Where the Lost Things Go moved the audience, while Mrs James shared a touching original composition on guitar, Compass. The energy lifted with a lively staff band performance of You Can Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac, before a euphoric finale. Led by Ms Markoff and Miss Vaduva, Viva la Vida by Coldplay had every boy on his feet, singing along. Thank you to all our performers for a truly memorable morning.

Sing Up Day assembly was a joyful celebration of music and community, bringing together children from Reception to Year 6. Centred on the theme of resilience, the session encouraged pupils to see setbacks as stepping stones to success, creating a real buzz of energy and enthusiasm across the hall. This year’s anthem, We Get Up Again, perfectly captured the message, with its powerful chorus inspiring everyone to keep going. Children reflected on their own triumphs and challenges, with some bravely sharing their thoughts in front of the whole school. Both pupils and staff embraced the warm-ups and performance with confidence and joy, turning the assembly into a truly memorable moment. We recorded the performance to send to the Sing Up Foundation and will share the link to the international Digi-choir as soon as it arrives.

The STEM Fair was all about imagination in action! Our pupils showcased impressive confidence as they explained their ideas and explored hands-on experiments that turned big concepts into real creations. From a jelly-and-pea turbulence model to a fully built V8 engine made from salvaged parts, and even a hydraulic Ironman arm complete with a hidden compartment - their innovation was on full display. A fantastic afternoon of critical thinking, creativity, and pure scientific curiosity!

Year 4 Stepped Back in Time at Hampton Court Palace. Pupils stepped into the fascinating world of Tudor England through a range of interactive and immersive experiences. A particular highlight was meeting an Elizabethan deckhand named John, who brought the Age of Exploration to life. Through engaging storytelling, the children learned how voyages of discovery introduced new and exotic trade goods to England, including spices, gemstones, animal products and foods from across the globe.

Our pupils were delighted to welcome software engineer Mr Howard for a careers talk following their six-week Mathematics Careers Carousel. Earlier in the term, they explored how maths is used in architecture, data analytics, and economics. Building on this, Mr Howard shared how mathematics underpins his work in software engineering, particularly in cyber security. Through an interview-style session, he spoke about his studies, the importance of problem-solving, and how clear communication is essential when working with code. He also highlighted the value of creativity, teamwork, and emotional intelligence in the tech industry. We are very grateful for his time and insights, and the boys especially enjoyed asking their own questions at the end.

What a marvellous end to the term we have enjoyed in Pre-Prep!  The week began with great excitement as Year 2 set off on their visit to Windsor Castle on Monday. They returned brimming with enthusiasm, eager to share all they had learned about Windsor Castle - life in times past and the striking contrasts between how the rich and poor lived in bygone eras. They also discovered how the castle became a deeply significant and peaceful place for Queen Victoria.  On Wednesday, Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep was filled with joy and energy as we came together for Sing Up. It was a truly uplifting occasion, showcasing the children’s confidence, musicality and sheer delight in performing from Reception to Year 2. A huge thank you to Miss Bee for making our Wednesday start with a swing! 

Our much-loved Easter Bonnet Parade made a joyful return, bringing colour, creativity and plenty of smiles to the school community. Children from Kindergarten through to Year 2 showcased their wonderful creations, truly egg-sceeding expectations as they embraced this special seasonal tradition. The variety of designs was fantastic, with everything from racing courses and dinosaurs to Minecraft-inspired hats - a real egg-lectic mix! Many bonnets featured beautifully decorated eggs and Easter baskets, adding a classic festive touch and proving the children are certainly no spring chickens when it comes to creativity. It was a delight to see the children’s imagination shine - they really cracked it! The parade was a wonderful celebration of Easter cheer, leaving everyone hopping away with smiles on their faces.

The Easter Bunny made a very exciting visit to Pre-Prep, leaving a wonderful trail of eggs for the children to discover. There was a real sense of excitement in the air as pupils eagerly searched high and low, delighted by every new find, before being rewarded with chocolate treats at the end.

Our Year 2 children embarked on a fantastic journey back in time during their visit to the historic Windsor Castle. Their day was filled with excitement, curiosity, and hands-on learning, beginning with the wonderful workshop Queen Victoria: Dear Diary. During the session, the children explored what life was like for Queen Victoria and her family at Windsor Castle. They examined facsimile pages from her diaries and handled Victorian artefacts, including items that once belonged to the Queen herself. Some of the children also had the opportunity to dress up as rich and poor Victorians, as well as Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, which really brought the past to life.