Senior Department News 23 June 2023

Top Form Trip to Skern Lodge

Here are some photos from Top Forms trip to Skern Lodge. These are just a taster, more to come in the End of Term newsletter.

From Mrs Clarke

Future Schools Questionnaire

In order to help Mr Darcy with his co-ordination of Senior School Admissions in September, please complete this Google Form if you have any updates to let him know of. We would be grateful if parents of all children in Year 5 would do this. It would also be useful to have the information for Year 3 and 4 and for those Year 6 pupils remaining at Beechwood next year.

ISEB Pre-Test

More information about this type of senior school admissions test can be found here

The walk through test is particularly useful. The Guardian Portal will open for current Year 5 pupil registrations in August. Current Year 6 pupils will also need to be registered if they will be sitting for Bedford Boys School in Year 7.

Registrations for Senior Schools

Please remember that many senior schools require pupils to be registered well in advance of their assessments. Check their websites if you are unsure of the deadlines. If current Year 5 boys wish to sit the Merchant Taylor’s School 13+ assessments for a Year 9 place, parents must register by 30 June this year.

Year 7 Forest School

Wellbeing in the Woods: Exploring Nature and Nurturing Curiosity

This week it was the turn of Year 7 to take their learning beyond the traditional classroom setting and immerse themselves in our beautiful outdoor environment. We are so fortunate to have amazing outdoor facilities at Beechwood that provide our pupils with the opportunity to connect with nature, develop essential life skills, and foster a love of the outdoors.

Under the guidance of our wonderful Mrs Le Bas, Year 7 were able to engage in hands-on activities and experiential learning.

The benefits of Forest School are vast and far-reaching. Here are a few reasons why we are thrilled to provide our Senior Department pupils with this opportunity:

1. Connection with nature: Forest School allows pupils to disconnect from screens and reconnect with our natural environment. Spending time outdoors not only promotes physical health but also enhances mental well-being and reduces stress levels.
2. Environmental stewardship: through hands-on experiences and environmental educations, Forest School cultivates a sense of responsibility and stewardship towards the environment.
3. Emotional and social development: Forest School provides a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters social connections and emotional growth. Working together on projects, overcoming challenges, and collaborating in nature-based activities encourages teamwork, empathy and resilience.

At Beechwood, we are committed to providing a well-rounded education that prepares our pupils for the complexities of the 21^st century. Forest School aligns perfectly with this vision, enabling our pupils to develop essential life skills, a sense of wonder, and a lifelong love for nature.

Save The Date – Latin Plays Festival

Details as follows:

• Date:  Thursday 29 June
• Time: 11.20am for a prompt 11.30am start and finishing at 1.00pm
• Venue: Performance Hall

Many pupils have been learning their lines and working hard at their pronunciation.  Fantastic!

I’d be so grateful if you would please encourage your child to practice saying their words aloud.

Helpful Pronunciation Guidance

• Pronounce v as w villa  =   willa  (country house)
• Always pronounce c as if it were k cibus =  kibus   (food)
• Always pronouns g as in the word ‘get’ (not ‘gym’)
• Always say the ends of the words, unlike French.  We need to hear the final ‘s’ and the final ’t’.   et (and)  in Latin is fully pronounced.  Likewise  es and est.
• u is pronounced  oo as in ‘book’.   cibus = kiboos
• i before a vowel is pronounced as y.  Therefore iam = yam
• The stress never falls on the last syllable of a Latin word.
• We need to hear every syllable very clearly.

Costumes and props

I have asked the pupils to organise this amongst themselves.  I’ll post a few suggestions on Google Classroom.   If your child doesn’t know what they should wear please email me. Thank you so much for your help and support.

Head’s Commendations

Congratulations Arthur S who this week was the recipient of one of Mrs Cussans’ Commendations for inspiring others.

From the Senior Department Library

Island by David Almond

First published in 2017 as a World Book Day edition, award winning David Almond’s new book Island is a moving coming-of-age read. Illustrated by the award winning children’s illustrator David Litchfield, Island is set on Lindisfarne, where Louise has travelled with her father every year ever since she can remember – the place Louise’s mother loved best of all. The arrival of Hassan changes everything. Louise is restless and yearning for independence; meanwhile, the fiercely free and self-reliant Hassan seems to know the island from long ago as if it were his home from birth. Hassan is an acrobat, maybe a sorcerer, possibly a source of great danger. The wild boys who call the island their home want to cast him out.

The forces of love, death and hope move Louise and Hassan together. The island will change their lives forever.