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A group of young schoolchildren wearing maroon blazers and ties stand in a row, smiling and laughing whilst performing actions with their arms in what appears to be a classroom or assembly setting.

Music, Merit, and Movement to End the Term

As far as last week of terms go, this one has lived up to the usual expectation that we never wind down, we always wind up to the break. The children have been in excellent form as they have danced in the sunshine in one moment, stood under falling snow and hail in the next instance and merrily been blown about by the gusting wind. Yesterday saw our two Easter Services, one in the Prep Hall for Reception and Years 3 to 6, and the second one in our school Chapel for Years 1 and 2 and parents. Revd Dr McConnaughie delighted in the children’s poems and songs, retelling the Easter story and bringing in extra fun with the actions to Spring Chicken.

Click here for more photos.

A group of children in matching maroon uniforms sit in wooden pews inside a church, with adults seated in front. A man stands at the front near a lectern, speaking, whilst others stand beside him near stained glass windows.
A group of schoolchildren in maroon blazers and striped ties stand together. A boy wearing a red turban stands at a microphone and music stand, appearing to prepare to speak or sing.
A group of young children in matching maroon school uniforms sit and raise their hands on a wooden pew, appearing attentive and engaged, with a few adults seated among them.
A young boy in a maroon school blazer stands at a music stand with a microphone, singing or speaking, whilst other pupils in matching uniforms stand behind him.
A group of schoolchildren in maroon blazers and ties sing together. One girl stands at the front, singing into a microphone with a music stand in front of her. Other children stand behind her, listening attentively.
A group of young children in matching maroon blazers sing and gesture enthusiastically in a church with wooden pews and a large organ in the background. Adults are seated in the foreground, watching the performance.
A man in a suit speaks into a microphone in a school hall, standing near a lectern. Children in uniforms sit on the stage behind him and on the floor in front, listening attentively.
A group of students in uniforms stand on stage singing, with a conductor facing them. Behind them is a screen showing three crosses on a hill and the text “Prep Chapel Choir: Dadi Li”.
Three children in school uniforms perform on stage. One holds a toy sword and shield, while another drapes a purple cloth over a wooden cross. A large candle marked “2023” stands nearby.
A student wearing glasses and a maroon uniform speaks into a microphone whilst standing at a lectern, possibly delivering a presentation or speech in a school setting.
A man in glasses holds a lit match near a candle on a table beside a wooden cross, while three schoolchildren in uniforms stand nearby, two facing away and one facing the man.
Four children stand on stage holding large white cards with the letters L, I, F, and E, spelling LIFE. The background is dark, and one child wears a purple cloth over their shoulders.

In the evening, the Prep Chapel Choir joined the Senior School musicians in Brentwood Cathedral for the Choral and Symphonic Concert. Oli P and Pippa P, in Year 13, made their debuts as concerto soloists in Guilmant’s 1st Symphony for Organ and Orchestra and Saint-Saëns’ 2nd Piano Concerto, respectively, accompanied by the Senior School’s wonderful Symphony Orchestra. The Prep Chapel Choir waited patiently, in awe of the older children’s musicianship.

In the second half the Brentwood School Choral Society – numbering over 100 singers and consisting of the Senior School Chamber and School choirs, and Prep Chapel Choir as well as Old Brentwoods, former and current parents, staff, and singers from the local community performed Fauré’s exquisite Requiem with strings, featuring solos from Laura B in Year 13 and Osi B in Year 12. It was a jaw-dropping series of musical delights, and although it was way past bedtime for the Prep children, they were buzzing with performance adrenaline. Well done to all.

A choir and orchestra perform together in a hall. The choir, featuring adults and children in uniforms, stand behind musicians playing string instruments. Everyone is focussed and engaged in the performance.

This week, there were several successful nominations for the Head of Prep Award. From Mrs Blee, four standout Year 3 pupils for their approach to their torch project.

Betty W for showing a fantastic eye for detail by evolving her torch design to include a sturdy, well-placed handle. This clever addition was a total game-changer, transforming her torch into a truly portable gadget that can be carried on any adventure with ease.

Kanan G was noted for his creative design and perseverance in developing a robot torch. He showed determination and strong problem-solving skills to produce a unique and imaginative product – a true innovator.

Kavi G’s innovative use of materials to design and create a standing torch using an LED made a lasting impression. She demonstrated excellent problem-solving skills when fitting her circuit into a tight space while maintaining both the design and usability of the switch.

Taylor A showed outstanding independence and initiative throughout the torch-making project. By making clever decisions and following a plan with such great care, she has created a finished product that is both a technical triumph and a real treat for the eyes.

Well done to these fantastic Year 3 engineers.

Four children in school uniforms hold certificates and projects while standing in front of three smiling adults. They are indoors, and all appear to be celebrating an achievement.

Arthur B in Year 4 was presented with a Head of Prep Award for creating a propaganda poster entirely independently. Arthur and his class were looking at how propaganda works, fitting into their PYP topic in inquiry, ‘How media influences us’. Arthur chose to promote ice cream and created a propaganda poster by researching other posters, especially those used during the Second World War. His end product was really well-made and eye-catching. Great work Arthur.

A smiling woman holds a certificate next to a young boy displaying his colourful drawing; another woman sits on the other side, all seated on patterned armchairs in a bright room.

To complete a term of home and school collaboration, today Mrs Ludwig, one of our Pastoral Mentors, set a challenge as part of our build up to the whole school Race Across the Globe bursary fundraiser event in June.

The Prep will be leading the way with “Skip to Race Across the Globe.” All Prep pupils will work collaboratively to skip the Earth’s circumference over a four-week period.

Reception & Foundation children will participate in a “Hop & Skip” activity, carefully tailored to suit their stage of development. Key Stage 1 children will skip the UK Coastline, and Key Stage 2 children will take us around the world.

To get ready for this, Mrs Ludwig is encouraging the children (and their families) and the staff to send in photographs and videos of them skipping this holiday. It could be together or solo, in interesting locations or trying new skipping moves. We are having fun getting fit.

Click here for further details from Mrs Ludwig

Please look out for details of how you can take part in Race Across the Globe on Friday 12th June and help raise funds for transformational bursaries in the Senior School.

Wishing you a wonderful Easter,

Alice Goodfellow

 

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