Dear Parents,
I would like to personally welcome you back to what promises to be another exciting term at Stover School. Before I draw your attention to a few of the key upcoming events, I would to express my deepest thanks for your support of Red Nose Day on the 15th March, resulting in our Preparatory School successfully raising in excess of £635, as well as the annual FOS Bunny Hop, which raised £485. Thank you to everyone who contributed towards these worthwhile fundraising activities.
During the final week, we celebrated all the wonderful Easter bonnets/hats and garden design entries which were on display in classrooms and which were captured on a slideshow in our final awards assembly- so all the children could see the amazing effort that had gone into the designs. Thank you for supporting this creative, yet fun, end to the term.
Continuing on the theme of Easter, on the final day of the Spring term, children from Nursery to Year 6 took part in an exciting egg rolling competition and Easter egg hunt around the school grounds. Our pupils took pride in their decorated eggs and put time and effort into their designs.
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mrs Waring on her successfully directing our annual Prep School Production of Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies, supported by Mrs Barlow (choreography) and Mrs Yonge (Head of Prep Music). The show was breath taking with brilliant solo and cast performances, acting and dancing. I think we all agreed, that the humour entertained from start to finish.
We are also to congratulate our swimming team who continue to achieve and compete at the highest level in all competitions. They once again performed in outstanding fashion at the Plymouth Gala, winning the tournament and more recently at the Millfield regionals: competed in determined fashion; qualifying for the Nationals in Sheffield for the second year in succession. The team have been led by the dedicated Mrs Coster (Head of PE. & Games at the Prep School). We wish our squad the very best of luck in their next competitive event.
The Prep School also held a highly successful Welly Day organised by Mrs Harrison (Outdoor Learning Lead) on Friday 15th March,where parents, grandparents, friends and relatives of our pupils adorned wellies and got messy! Helpers were busy from 9am-3:30pm and, again, I would like to extend our thanks to staff, including Mr Halse and FOS, for their continued efforts and levels of dedication in supporting our school in such a positive way.
The aim of our Welly Days are to enhance our school grounds and provide further opportunities for our pupils to access additional learning opportunities, within our unique setting.
Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning. The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences. As Forest School Leader, Mrs Harrison will continue to teach Key Stage 1 and 2 year groups on a rota basis throughout the summer term, to develop children’s skills of self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, good social communication skills, independence and a positive mental attitude through increased self-esteem and confidence.
The Prep School have set up a base camp in the jungle and have added a weather proof tarp and more ‘permanent home comforts’ to our new Forest School Site.
By now, you should have received a newsletter from your class teacher containing important information pertinent to your class, including key dates. If you haven’t, please contact your class teacher. As previously mentioned, we have a busy term ahead of us and I would like to draw your attention to upcoming events in more detail:
Wednesday 24th April- Forest School Y3 Parents’ Meeting 3.45-4.10pm Venue: Reception Class, led by Mrs Harrison (Outdoor Learning Lead)
Thursday 25th April- Year 6 Residential talk (4:45pm in Turkey Hall)
This will be led by Mr Forsyth, our outdoor learning and pursuit leader, supported by Mrs Head
Monday 29th April Year 5 Residential talk (4:45pm in Jamie Walsh’s classroom)-
This will be led by Mr Forsyth, our outdoor learning and pursuit leader, supported by Mrs Head
Monday 29th April Year 3 Forest School begins 1:00-3.30pm (4 weeks)
Fun, engaging and challenging activities led by Mrs C. Harrison (Outdoor Learning Lead)
Tuesday 30th April 4-6pm Yr 3-6 Cyclo-Cross at Stover
A perfect way for our bikers to test their endurance and bike handling skills across a challenging course
Wednesday 1st-Fri 3rd May Speech and Drama Festival @Paignton Festival Theatre Start 9:50a.m.
Building on the success of last year we wish our pupils the very best of luck when taking to the stage. Details to follow from M. Downes
Wednesday 1st May EYFS Gruffalo Trail 9.00am-details to follow
Monday 6th May BANK HOLIDAY
Tuesday 7th-Fri 10th May Year 6 History Week
Year 6 will immerse themselves in activities and themed events from the past and will have every opportunity to use their imaginations, undertake research and work on small scale projects
Wednesday 8th May Foodbank Assembly-details to follow
Thursday 9th May Year 6 trip to the Spitfire base @ Yelverton
Year 6 are already excited about the prospect of visiting this all important educational attraction
Friday 10th May Wild Hair Day
Fundraising activity organised and run by Mrs Pallister, Mrs Waring and the Prep School Council-details to follow
Saturday 11th May Whole School Open Morning 10:00 am
Please be aware that many of our children may be asked to help out for the morning. Any assistance you can provide with this will be greatly appreciated.
Monday 13th May Yr 5 Taster Morning @ the Senior School
This is an opportunity for all Year 5 pupils to spend the morning in the Senior School in preparation for their transition to Year 7.
Tuesday 14th May Prep School Photographs 9:00-12:00
The school photographer will once again be visiting the Prep school in the morning to take photographs of individual classes. Please ensure that your child comes to school in the correct uniform, including their blazer.
Tuesday 14th May EYFS Peppa Pig Muddy Puddle Walk PM
Our Nursery children will be taking part in a walk to raise money for ‘Save the Children’. Further information regarding this event will follow closer to the time from the EYFS team.
Wednesday 15th May Year 1 trip to Golden Hind
A exciting prospect awaits our young sea-farers boarding the famous English galleon, best known for her circumnavigation of the globe between 1577 and 1580, captained by Sir Francis Drake
Wednesday 15th May Reception and Year 1 Pirate Day
Pirate fun for all. Pupils to arrive at school dressed in themed costume-details to follow
Thursday 16th May Millfield Maths Quiz Competition 2:00-3:00pm
We wish Mrs Fallshaw and our Year 6 team ,the very best of luck in this intellectually challenging event
Friday 17th May Nursery & Y6 Forest School Parents’ Meeting
Time: 3.45-4.10pm, Venue TBC
Informative and useful information presented by Mrs Harrison (Outdoor Learning Lead)
Friday 17th May G & T Maths Workshop Venue @ Senior School 9:00am-12p.m
Exciting mathematics challenges await are Year 6 pupils (invitation only). Led by Mr S. Cocker (Head of Mathematics)
Monday 20th May – Tuesday 21st May Stover Archaeology Dig Whole School
What historical artefacts lurk beneath the soils of the Prep School site? Get digging everyone! Fun excavation activities for all Prep children-led by Mr Harrison (are very own Tony Robinson)
Tuesday 21st May Reception and Year 1 start swimming
Letters to be sent out by Mrs Martin (School secretary)
Thursday 23rd – Friday 24th May SPS Year 4 Dartmoor Residential
Our Year 4 children are already very excited about this trip
Friday 24th May, Outdoor Classroom and Welly Day
Led by Mrs Harrison (Outdoor Learning Lead)-details to follow
Friday 24th May-Sun 2nd June Half term
Wednesday 5th –Friday 7th Jun SPS Year 6 Mount Batten Water Sports Residential
Our Year 6 pupils will spend a few days taking part in a range of activities, based at the Mount Batten Centre, Plymouth. Led by Mr Forsyth and supported by Mrs Head
Wednesday 5th June EYFS Teddy Bears’ Picnic 11.30am
All parents welcome. Come and join us!
Friday 7th June Nursery and Year 6 Forest School begins (4 weeks)
Monday 10th June Prep School, Sports Photos-details to follow from Mrs Coster
Monday 10th June Year 1 trip to Teign Heritage Museum
A great venue full of fascinating stories
Tuesday 11th June Open Ballet Classes
Year 3 8.35 – 9.05am.
Year 2 10.10 –10.40am
Year 5 12.00 – 12.30pm
Year 1 1.00 – 1.30pm
Parents are invited to watch their children take part in their ballet class-led by Mrs Barlow
Tuesday 11th June 4-6pm Yr 3-6 X-Country at Stover
A test of fitness and perseverance. We wish our teams the very best of luck
Wednesday 12th June – Friday 14th June Year 5 Bicton College Residential
Our Year 5 pupils will undertake a range of outdoor activities, based at Bicton College. Led by Mr Forsyth and supported by Mrs Head
Thursday 13th June LAMDA exams- Drama Studio-details to follow from
M. Downes
Thursday 13th June Open Ballet Classes
Nursery 9.30 – 10.00a.m.
Reception 10.50 – 11.20a.m.
Year 6 12.00 – 12.30p.m.
Year 4 12.45 – 1.15p.m.
Parents of pupils who take ballet are welcome to attend
Friday 14th June ESB Exams Start 9:00 am
Further information regarding this event will follow shortly from Mr Walsh (English Lead).
Friday 14th June Year 6 Debating Competition
Year 6 will undertake a topic of research and will present in their group to their peers
Tuesday 18th June Prep Music Assembly-Years 4- 6, Start 8:50 am
These short assemblies offer the opportunity for children who play an instrument, in or out of school, to showcase their progress. Please note that not all children take part in every assembly performance and parents will be contacted directly by their peripatetic teacher. If your child plays an instrument outside of school and you wish them to perform in these assemblies, please let Mrs Martin, Prep School Secretary, know
Tuesday 18th June 9.30-11.30 Young Play Leaders at Stover
Selected pupils attend a fantastic course on how to develop their leadership skills-invitation only. Led by Mr Coster
Wednesday 19th June The National Preparatory Schools Athletics Championships @ Birmingham NEC
Selected pupils will compete at the highest level after qualifying from one of the three athletics meets in track and or field events, held at independent schools, throughout the summer calendar
Thursday 20th June 3.45-5pm Yr 1 & 2 Football at SDCC-details to follow from Mrs Coster
Thursday 20th June Pre-Prep Music Assembly Rec-Year 3, Start 8:50am
Our young performers will show-case their hard work and talent(s) on their chosen instrument/voice. Parents of musicians are welcome to attend. Mrs Yonge will contact parents of musicians by invitation.
Thursday 20th June Annual Sports Day Event: Nursery & Pre-Prep Sports Day 10.00am
All parents are invited to cheer on our youngest children
Friday 21st June Prep & Senior Sports Day
All parents welcome to come along and support our pupils competing in this major sporting spectacle
Friday 21st June- ‘Grandparents’ Lunch-invites from Mrs Notman (details to follow)
Friday 21st June SPS Year 2 Dartmoor experience & barbecue
Following a walk on Dartmoor, our Year 2 children will return to Stover Prep and enjoy a ‘cook up’ in our outdoor learning area at the Prep-collection time 7pm
Saturday 22nd June- Stover Summer Fair
Set in the beautiful grounds of Stover School, the annual Summer Fair has something for everyone. Organised by FOS
Monday 24th June-Whole School Induction Day
Each pupil joins their class and spends time getting to know their new teacher for Sept 2019
Thursday 27th June Nick Futrell Memorial Cricket & Netball matches
Join us on our sports fields to take part in parents vs teachers matches in memory of Mr Nick Futrell-details to follow
Friday 28th June Prep School Speech Day & Prize Giving 10:30 am
This year, the celebration of pupil’s progress and achievement will take place in the morning and the Senior Prize Giving will be on the same day, in the afternoon. Further information will follow closer to the event
Friday 28th June Year 3 Residential
Following a walk on Dartmoor, our Year 3 children will camp out overnight on our school grounds
Saturday 29th June- Summer Ball Starts @ 7pm
Come along and enjoy this wonderful occasion, it would be fantastic to meet you!
Monday 1st July Reception Graduation Ceremony 2pm
Buffet and drinks reception followed by presentation of graduation certs and a short presentation by Mrs Harrison
Wednesday 3rd July KS1 Trip Summer (Reception, Year 1 & 2)-details to follow
Wednesday 3rd July Year 6 Graduation Dinner & Disco
Year 6 celebrate the end to a fantastic final year at the Prep. The evening begins with photos, which take place outside the portico, followed by a sit down dinner and a fun-packed disco in the Senior School hall. Smart dress essential.
Thursday 4th July Reports distributed to parents
Please collect your child’s report from their form teacher from 8:00-8:30am. Reports which are not collected at this time will then be sent to Mrs Martin’s office for collection after school. Any reports which remain, will then be posted out on Friday 5th July
Friday 5th July Celebration Assembly (Year 6)
Venue: Turkey Hall, Time: 11:10am
All Year 6 parents are invited to join us in celebrating the end of Preparatory Education for our Year 6 pupils. Venue: Turkey Hall
Nursery Picnic 11.30-1:00pm-details to follow from Mrs Humphries (Nursery Manager)
End of term Family Picnic 1 pm-details to follow
Buses Depart 1:15pm
Thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards,
Mr Appleby (Acting Head of Stover Preparatory School)
