On Thursday 12 June, Lower 3 pupils took a vibrant journey into the world of Bollywood with a fun-filled workshop that blended music, dance, and artistic expression. The pupils dressed in traditional Bollywood attire, complete with dazzling costumes, jingling bells, and flowing scarves. All of the skills they developed were brought together in a routine to Ed Sheeran's "Sapphire”. Alongside the dance segment, pupils showcased their artistic talents through a variety of arts and crafts activities creating their own rangolis with a range of materials. The creative process allowed them to immerse themselves in the cultural vibrancy of the theme. To finish up the entire year group came together to showcase their dance skills. The workshop was not only a celebration of Bollywood but also an opportunity for Lower 3 to embrace creativity, build confidence, and experience the joy of performance.

Many congratulations to Will and his partner who came 5th overall, and finished the event by winning the medal race!

Congratulations to Kit for winning the German Jazz Prize in the piano/keyboard category.

It was a pleasure to see so many ONs at our recent ON v School fixture.

On Friday 13 June, Rev Child addressed pupils on the importance of community. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:32-37) Last Sunday was Pentecost, which is sometimes called “the birthday of the Church”. That reading we’ve just heard is about the earliest Christian community learning how to support each other by sharing what they had. Keep that theme in mind as I tell you an old folk tale called ‘The Story of the Magic Soup Stone’. There was once a traveller who arrived in a village, tired and hungry. He approached a house and knocked on the door. When a woman answered, he explained that he had been walking all day and asked if he could have some food. The woman apologised. “This is a very poor village. No-one has very much money or very much food. I’m sorry we can’t help you.” The traveller was undeterred. “If you’ll allow me,” he said, “I happen to be carrying a magic soup stone. Just put some water on to boil, and I’ll be able to make soup.” With that, he rummaged in his bag and pulled out an ordinary looking stone. The woman wondered if the man was a little mad, but all the same she lit a fire under a large pot filled with water. As it began to boil, the traveller dropped the stone in the pot. After a few minutes, he took a spoon and tasted the soup. “Mmm, that’s delicious,” he said. “That’s excellent soup. It just needs… a little bit of potato in it.” By this point a small crowd from the village had heard about the traveller and his magic soup stone, and were watching from the doorway. One of them cried, “I’ve got a couple of potatoes!” He dashed back home, returned with the potatoes, and dropped them in the pot. The traveller tasted the soup again. “Mmm, that’s great. It could just do with some vegetables as well.” “I’ve got some carrots!” said one villager. “And I’ve got some cabbage!” shouted another. They fetched the vegetables and threw them in the pot. “This is really coming together,” said the traveller as he tasted the soup. “The magic soup stone is definitely working. We just need some herbs and some bits of bread.” Sure enough, there were some villagers who had those things at home, and in fact there were some other villagers who thought of more things they had that could go in the soup. That evening a large group from the village shared an excellent meal of soup together with the traveller, their best meal for a long time. At the end of the meal the traveller thanked them for their company and rose to leave. The woman whose house it was stopped him. “Don’t forget your magic soup stone,” she said. The traveller smiled and replied that he would leave the stone with the villagers so they could use it whenever they needed it. My first thought on that tale is that you have admire the traveller for his ability to bring the village together. The real magic in the story, of course, is what can happen when people gather. The villagers sharing their food is not even enforced – it’s generous and spontaneous. Notice the similarity with the Bible reading we heard: All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. Some people have critiqued this part of the book of Acts as an endorsement of communism and a complete prohibition of ownership and property. I think that’s missing the point. I think Acts chapter 4 is much more about the magic that can happen when communities gather and develop instincts for sharing and living together. I have one or two old friends who have a real talent for bringing people together. It’s taken me years to recognise their talent, because it’s easy to miss. They aren’t always the loudest person at the party. Instead they are the person who organised the party. They are the person who first suggested meeting up; the person who sorted out a time and a date; the person who arranged the food; and so on. Do value this quality if you see it in other people; maybe even grow this talent yourself. Acts chapter 4 and the story of the soup stone show that it is a valuable quality, a community-building quality, we could even say a godly quality.

Lorna is raising funds to make a film about living with chronic pain. Read on to see how you can help.

In a heartwarming event that beautifully showcased the spirit of community and compassion, the children of Lower 1 and Upper 1 were invited to perform in the Hostery for a group of refugees supported by English+ - a cause proudly championed by the school. The young performers sang with poise and joy, delivering a delightful repertoire that included Summertime, My Favourite Things from The Sound of Music, The Body Song , and Wizards of the Sun from the infant musical, Wiz Wham Alakazam. Their voices filled the space with warmth and energy, captivating a supportive and engaged audience. The performance was met with enthusiastic applause and heartfelt appreciation. It was a moving experience for all involved, highlighting the power of music to bring people together across cultures and experiences. Following the musical presentation, the children of Lower 1 shared pots of herbs they had lovingly grown as part of their Outdoor Learning programme. These thoughtful gifts were received with smiles and gratitude, adding a personal and meaningful touch to the occasion. This special event not only brought joy to the guests but also offered the children a valuable opportunity to connect with others through creativity, kindness, and shared humanity. It was a truly memorable performance for the school and a wonderful moment for the charity.

The final notes of an unforgettable year of solo performances rang out in spectacular style last week as the Lower School's Lower 2–Upper 2 Informal Concert delighted audiences with a vibrant showcase of musical talent. From start to finish, the concert was a joyful celebration of the passion, creativity, and skill our young performers have nurtured throughout the year. The programme offered a rich variety of music, featuring everything from classical masterworks to rock anthems—each piece performed with confidence and flair. Highlights included a powerful rendition of Green Day on the drums, stirring Tchaikovsky melodies on the cello, and a cinematic performance of The Great Escape on the French horn. Meanwhile, Godzilla roared to life on the guitar, thrilling listeners with its energy and intensity. Both instrumentalists and vocalists shone, each bringing their unique voice and style to the evening. Whether it was a delicate piano solo, a heartfelt vocal performance, or a lively brass fanfare, every moment captured the enthusiasm and hard work of our performers. The audience’s joy was palpable throughout the concert. With smiles, applause, and more than a few proud tears from family and friends, the hall was filled with warmth and appreciation—a fitting atmosphere to close out a fantastic year of musical exploration and achievement.  As we wrap up this season of informal concerts, we extend a heartfelt thank you to our visiting music teachers for their guidance, to the performers for their courage and commitment, and to our families for their unwavering support. The future of music in the Lower School is undoubtedly bright, and we can’t wait to hear what comes next.

Following the redesign of our Upper 3 Service Award into the new Virtues Award( to reflect our school’s refreshed focus on core virtues) we held a vibrant exhibition at the Lower School on Thursday 5 June. The pupils embraced the opportunity with real enthusiasm. The hall was transformed into a hub of creativity and intellect, as pupils set up posters, experiments, collections of curiosities, and engaging presentations. Each class took a turn standing proudly by their exhibits, while their peers moved around the room asking questions, exploring ideas, and discovering new and fascinating facts. Topics ranged from crystal growth and atomic structure to the mechanics behind video game design and coding. Other highlights included models of WWII Anderson shelters and thought-provoking investigations into graffiti as art and social commentary. It was a fantastic afternoon filled with learning, inspiration, and the spirit of curiosity; an excellent reflection of the virtue of curiosity we continually champion.