This Week at Edge Grove

It has been an absolute treat to welcome our Junior Department pupils back to school for the 2025/26 Academic Year. Their smiling faces, bouncy steps, and proud faces as they step into school in their smart blazers really is a joyful site.

Over the summer, I have been reflecting on what makes Edge Grove the place we all love so much. I realised it is not just our ability to nurture confident young learners, but also our commitment to preserving childhood in a world where it is all too often eroded. Outdoor education plays a vital role in this. A recent study noted that while over 50% of EYFS lesson time is spent outside, this figure declines dramatically to only 1.5% by the time pupils reach KS2 for many educational settings (The state of outdoor play in primary schools – a Summary for Educators Spring 2025). We are fortunate to have over 48 acres of beautiful grounds, and we make full use of them. From Forest School and outdoor lessons across the curriculum, to playtime on our much-loved pirate ship and paddock, our young Edge Grovians benefit every day from the space, freedom, and fresh air our site provides. While our academic results continue to rise year on year, we never lose sight of the importance of preserving childhood. It is this balance between academic rigour and the joy of discovery that not only drives our excellent academic outcomes but also gives children that invaluable sense of achievement which comes through self-discovery. 

Parent–school partnership is also something I place great importance on. Without it, we cannot be truly successful. It was a joy to see so many of you at the Welcome Tea on Monday, and I look forward to greeting you again at our Curriculum Meetings next week where we will share the plan for the year and also answer any questions you might have. These are important meetings, and I encourage as many of you as possible to join what are sure to be interesting and informative meetings.

Mrs Wynne
Assistant Head (Junior)

Nursery

We’ve had a fantastic week in Nursery! Everyone has settled in really well and enjoyed getting to know their new friends. This week, the children began learning phonics and practised their counting skills in Maths. We also had an exciting time at Forest School, where we explored how honey is made. A special highlight was a visit from Mr. Stanley, who kindly read a lovely story to the class. We’re so proud of how well the children have started the year and are looking forward to more fun and learning next week!

Reception News

What a fantastic week it has been for Reception, and we are so proud of how well the children have settled in. It has been a busy one, filled with exciting learning and new routines. 

In Maths, the children have been ordering numbers from 1-10 and practising the correct number formation. 

In Phonics, we have been exploring environmental sounds and accessing activities to consolidate our learning.

In Literacy, the children have loved reciting the nursery rhyme Incy Wincy Spider, complete with the actions, and discovering that words which sound the same at the end are called rhyming words.

Forest School was definitely a highlight of the week. Mrs Doughty spoke to the children about staying safe during these lessons before heading to the orchard, where they helped collect all the apples that were ready to eat.

A brilliant start to the year – Well done Reception!

Year 1 News

What a roar-some start we have made to Year 1! The children have settled into their new routines so beautifully, and we have really enjoyed getting to know them this week.

We became detectives and searched for clues to help us identify our new focus text – The Tiger who came to Tea, and the children have produced some fabulous writing. We also enjoyed creating a tiger using our painting skills. In Maths, we have enjoyed representing numbers in different ways. We hope the children enjoy this week’s home learning task: going We particularly enjoyed our Spanish lesson this week, where the children showed off their singing and linguistic skills. With Forest School, PSHE, Music, Science and Computing we have had a very busy first week in KS1! Well done everyone, a great start to the year!

Year 2 News

We are thrilled with the fantastic start our Year 2 children have made to the new school year! They have settled exceptionally well into their new classes, showing positivity and enthusiasm for the year ahead. New friendships are blossoming, and there is a magical buzz in the air as their curiosity leads to carefully considered questions. It was lovely to see the children return from their very first Games lesson filled with joy and happy chatter. After an adventure in the woods with Mrs Doughty, where they marvelled at nature’s splendour, they came back as eager explorers. In English, their imaginations have been running wild, and they have dreamed up some very creative ideas about what they did not do this summer.  We cannot wait to see their poems! In Maths, they have been sharing clever ways to use a 100 square and their understanding of place value. Science has been an exciting discovery as they learn about materials and their properties including the correct vocabulary. What a wonderful first week it has been. Well done, Year 2!

It has been truly lovely welcoming the children  through the main entrance to the Apthorp Building this term. The children have come in each morning with smiles on their faces, ready to embrace the day, and it is wonderful to see them settling so confidently into their routines. We would kindly remind parents that, for safety reasons, morning drop-offs should not take place at classroom doors. Instead, please continue to drive around to the Rose Garden, where you and your child will be met by a member of staff. This helps us to ensure both a smooth start to the day and the safety of the children.

To further support the children, we have now arranged for kit bags to be stored in a cupboard within the Apthorp Building. This means that children will be able to access their sports kits easily whenever required, ensuring they are always prepared for lessons and clubs. Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping the children adjust so well to the routines of the Middle Department. We look forward to an exciting and productive term ahead, and as always, we are grateful for your continued partnership.

Mrs Tora Hodge
Deputy Head (Academic)

Year 3 – Miss Kyriacou, Miss Corin, Miss Lundrigan

Welcome to this exciting, new term. We are thrilled to see the children settling in so well and adapting brilliantly to the Middle Department. It is a joy to watch so many happy and enthusiastic children bounding into the Apthorp building every morning, ready for the exciting day ahead!

The children look exceptionally smart in their blazers, and we would like to express our sincere thanks for your continued support in this regard. Maintaining such a smart appearance each day greatly contributes to a sense of pride and formality within the school community.

This week, we have been diving into the place value of three-digit numbers. The children have been exploring hundreds, tens, and ones, and practicing how to read and write these numbers confidently.

In English, we have introduced our new text, ‘The Wild Robot’. The children have been actively engaged, focusing on their comprehension skills as they begin this exciting adventure.

Our young explorers have been learning about the different types of mountains and how they are formed. Ask them to share some fun facts about what they’ve discovered!

A special mention to our budding artists and designers! The children are especially excited about visiting the Art and DT department. Creativity is truly flourishing!

Thank you for your continued support as we embark on this fun-filled term. We look forward to sharing more of the children’s learning journeys with you soon!

Year 4 – Mrs Futerill, Mrs Warnes

Year 4 have settled brilliantly into the new term and we are now in full swing with a jam-packed timetable. The children have demonstrated excellent attitudes towards their learning, with increasing independence clearly on display. It is wonderful to see so many smiles as they arrive at school each morning, looking incredibly smart in their blazers and ties. 

In English, we have begun reading Freedom for Bron by N. S. Blackman. The children have shown great curiosity, quickly spotting links with their History lessons on the Saxons and Jutes, as well as with Geography through the idea of ‘settlement’. We are delving into the character development of Beogard and Rowena, and the dramatic moment “… quietly drawing his sword.” left 4W captivated at the end of their lesson.

In Mathematics, the focus has been on strengthening our understanding of number and place value. We all enjoyed using dice to play ‘Nasty or Nice’, which proved both entertaining and educational. In Science, we have started our topic on states of matter, investigating the properties of solids and liquids. For those who wish to continue the exploration at home, the following website is a useful resource: BBC Bitesize – States of Matter.

The focus of our Geography lessons are on settlements. The children have particularly enjoyed discussing their own heritage and reflecting on how families have settled in different parts of the world. In Games and Physical Education, they have thrown themselves into football and hockey with great enthusiasm, and are already looking forward to the return of matches later in the term.

We would like to thank all parents for the support you have given in ensuring such a smooth transition from Year 3 to Year 4. We are truly excited to be sharing this journey with your children and look forward to all the learning and experiences the term will bring.

Year 5 – Mr Russell, Mrs O’Brien

A huge congratulations to Year 5 for completing their first full week in the Upper Middle Department!

It has been wonderful to see the children settle so confidently into their new surroundings, moving from the familiar Apthorp building into the Jubilee building. We have been especially impressed by the way they are embracing greater independence – navigating timetables, adjusting to new routines, and moving confidently around the school. The excitement of meeting new teachers and working in new classrooms has been clear to see!

We have also really enjoyed getting to know the children better through our new lunchtime system, where Form groups sit and eat together. These relaxed conversations have been a lovely way to build connections, strengthen friendships, and nurture a real sense of community within each Form.

In PSHE, the children have also been exploring the importance of challenging stereotypes and learning why it is vital not to make judgements before truly understanding someone. Their thoughtful discussions and willingness to question their own assumptions were a real highlight, and these skills will serve them well both now and in the future.

The Year 5 team are thrilled with such a positive start to the year and look forward to building on this momentum. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s Form Tutor – we are always happy to help.

Finally, thank you for your continued support during the transition to our updated school uniform. The pupils look incredibly smart and professional in their blazers, and it has added a wonderful sense of formality to their appearance.

Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable weekend.

Year 6 – Mrs Allen, Mr Kay and Dr Moradi

What a fantastic start to life as Upper-Middle leaders!

Year 6 pupils returned to school with a wonderful attitude, showing eagerness to learn and a refreshed sense of maturity for the year ahead. Within just a week, they settled back into routines with ease, and it was heartening to hear comments like “Year 6 is the best year yet!” after only two days.

The Year 6 team has already begun interview preparation, with both group and one-to-one sessions taking place. Supporting resources are available on the form Google Classrooms. We encourage pupils to continue these conversations at home, just as they do at school. Practising questions and answers in a relaxed setting will help build confidence for the real thing. Why not add some fun ‘quirky questions’ into your dinner-time conversations, encouraging pupils to expand on their ideas and responses?

You can find Mrs Allen’s Presentation here which is all about How to shine and present yourself at Senior School interviews.

You can find a link to Popular 11+ and Quirky Questions here.

A quick note on uniform

The children are looking super smart in their blazers, and we would like to thank you for your commitment to this. It really does make a difference having them look smart every day, adding to the sense of pride and formality.

We look forward to the year ahead with great optimism – embracing new challenges and aiming for a very successful 11+ season. If you wish to contact your child’s form teacher about anything, we are always on hand.

Here’s to a fantastic academic year ahead!

A ‘Good Morning’ Goes a Long Way

The Seniors have been off to a flying start in firmly cementing that they mean business when they say they’re going to be ”The Best Seniors Yet”.  Beginning by welcoming all pupils into assembly with a friendly ”Good morning” – as you may have seen on the social media reel – the Seniors have stepped into the role as true Edge Grovians to whom the younger pupils can aspire.

In the boardroom with Mr Stanley, Mrs Wright and myself, the Seniors discussed at length what it means to be an ambassador of Edge Grove.  We discussed how they, as individuals and as a collective, truly have the chance to set the tone for the rest of the school.  As Grayson reflected, “we have a lot of responsibility on our shoulders now”, and it has been fantastic to spend Form Times supporting them in rising to the occasion.  

This sentiment is shared by all staff, with one staff member commenting on day four (four!) of the year:

“I just wanted to say how impressed I have been with the maturity, kindness and respect that has been on display from the Seniors.  I have had doors held open for me, ‘good morning/afternoon’ when passing in the corridor and just general politeness.”

We all have every confidence that our Edge Grove Seniors will continue along this excellent trajectory.

Next week, the Seniors will kick-start the Diploma 2025-2026, so watch this space for exciting news here and as shared in other subjects.  This half term, we would like to trial a different format of the newsletter.  Seniors can put forth their ‘highlights’ of the week (for a house point!) to be chosen and shared in this space, and staff may contribute too. 

Here are our Week 2 highlights:

Isaac: I have had many highlights already, but there is one that stands out. I feel very privileged to be named football captain and have my name in school history.  I have watched others be captain before from a young age, and I always thought: I want to be there someday.  I could not have had a better start to the year!

Eashan: My highlight of the week was in English where we got to do something I love: art!  We learned about the experiences of WW1 soldiers from the frontline, and then we designed a context page full of facts, quotes and drawings.  It was really fun but I couldn’t believe that the youngest soldier was our age…twelve!!

Noah: Blowing the Shofar in the Rosh Hashanah assembly in front of the whole school. I did terribly!!  All my friends laughed and said the only thing that came out was air, even though I had already attempted it earlier in the week.

Aydin: Being told that I am doing so well in football!

Alex: Playing my first football game for the Edge Grove 1st team!   I nearly made a comeback in the second half.

Max: Our first drama Ignite meet on Tuesday lunch!  We talked, played games, and laughed.  Overall, a very successful first week!

As Max reflects, it truly has been a successful, wonderful week!  The Seniors are looking forward to next week, where they are to introduce themselves to the rest of the School as a Champion for their chosen interest.  

In the Art department this week, all pupils taking Art have taken part in a skills lesson focused on observational drawing. This gave them the chance to revisit and build upon their previous knowledge of shading, tone, blending, and mark making, providing a strong and inspiring reintroduction to the art classroom.

Some of our pupils have moved onto the whole school art installation project, which we hope to display at the end of term for parents to enjoy. This exciting clay-based project explores the theme of community, with children beginning to experiment with initial design concepts while also evaluating the unique properties of clay. All in all, it has been a wonderfully busy and creative week in the Art department!

The ball is now officially rolling in the Performing Arts Department. Showcases are being prepared, instruments are being practiced (some for the first time in a while!) and the children are singing again!

Year 5 Showcase: Songs and Sounds of the World

We are delighted to inform you that Year 5 pupils have a performance opportunity this half term. They have already been rehearsing with great enthusiasm in preparation for their Year 5 Showcase. This event will be a joyful celebration of international song, dance, and music and we can’t wait to see it come to life!

The showcase will take place on Thursday 16th October at 18:00 in the Theatre.

Year 4 Pantomime – Cinderella Rockerfella

Year 4 have certainly hit the ground running and have been immersed into the magical world of Pantomime! Lessons have taken on a workshop-style audition format, with pupils learning songs, trying out characters, and discovering where they are best fitted to parts so we can cast the show just right.

Scripts and casting will be revealed at the end of next week (oh yes they will!), and pupils can already find the music and lyrics on Google Classrooms to start practicing.

We’re all set for the curtain to rise on rehearsals – and we couldn’t be more excited… OH YES WE ARE!

Other Events and Performances

Please note the following upcoming events this term:

• Ms Bernard’s Piano Platform – Monday 6th October
• LAMDA Platform – Tuesday 14th October
• Year 5 Showcase – Thursday 16th October
• ABRSM Exams – Thursday 13th and Friday 15th November
• Miss Undrell’s Piano Platform – Thursday 20th November
• Ms Wyatt’s Violin Platform – Tuesday 25th December
• Year 4 Pantomime – Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th November
• Year 3 Winterfest Performance – Saturday 29th November
• LAMDA Platform – Tuesday 2nd December
• Junior Platform – Tuesday 2nd November
• Edge Grove Carol Service – Friday 5th December
• EYFS Nativity – Tuesday 9th December
• Junior Nativity – Thursday 11th December

We are an incredibly busy department, as you can see, with lots of exciting performances and events for our pupils.

Instrument Lessons

Edge Grove offers 1-2-1 instrument tuition for all of our pupils from Reception to Year 8.  Our lessons are provided by professional musicians employed by the school, offering a vast array of musical instruments to suit our pupils.  

These include:

• Piano
• Singing
• Drums
• Harp
• Guitar
• Bass Guitar
• Ukulele
• Clarinet
• Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• French Horn
• Violin
• Viola
• Music Theory
  

Research has highlighted how beneficial musical learning is on a child’s mood and behaviour, and indicates that greater progress can be achieved across all areas of school life due to it.  This includes an improvement in academic progress, simply through learning an instrument!  If you would like to see a summary of the research, it can be found here.

In addition, senior schools are always on the lookout for excellent instrumentalists, particularly of the orchestral variety (clarinet, trumpet, violin etc).  Places and scholarships are more likely to be given to instrumentalists of this nature in order to build orchestras and bands.  Moreover, a majority of scholarships are offered to pupils who play more than one instrument.  If you’re interested in potential scholarships, I have roadmaps to scholarship success with planned activities and targets which can be found here.

Lessons are £34.20 for half an hour, charged in arrears.  We timetable our lessons on SchoolBase and rotate them weekly so that pupils do not miss the same lessons week-on-week.  An initial trial lesson is available for all instruments, which are also £34.20 each.

If you wish to sign up for lessons or a trial, please follow this link.

Music Ensembles

We also offer a wide variety of ensembles which benefit musical learning, social skills and look amazing on a future school application! This year we have:

• Wind Band with Mr Evans – Mondays at 10:30 (drummer and woodwind players needed!)
• String Ensemble with Ms Wyatt – Tuesdays at 8:30
• Guitar Ensemble with Ms Brammeld – Tuesdays at 8:30
• Chorus Choir with Mrs Allen – Thursdays at 10:30
• Chamber Choir with Mr Evans – Thursdays at 16:30 (Invite Only)
• Ukulele Club with Miss Lundrigan – Thursdays at 16:30
• Rock Band with Mr Kay – Dates and times TBC

If you would like your child to join any of our ensembles, please email music@edgegrove.com.

A Fantastic Start to the Autumn Term!

The autumn term has kicked off with great energy and enthusiasm across the sports department. Our U11 hockey players had an unforgettable experience last Friday as they travelled to the prestigious Olympic Stadium for an exclusive training session. Led by Haileybury’s Director of Hockey and supported by their 1st XI students, the session provided invaluable coaching, inspiration, and a glimpse into high-level school sport.

Back on home turf, this week has been equally action-packed. Our teams delivered strong performances in fixtures against St Martins, demonstrating great skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship. In addition, we proudly took part in the annual inter-school Haileybury tournament, competing alongside schools such as Westbrook Hay, Aldwickbury, and Heath Mount. The tournament was a brilliant opportunity for our students to challenge themselves and connect with peers from across the region.

We are also delighted to welcome a new member to the PE department. Mr Saunt joins us and brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our growing team. We look forward to the positive impact he will have on both our sports programme and students.

It’s been a brilliant start to what promises to be a very exciting term ahead!

Wednesday 10th September

Senior A Football v St Martins 

Score: Edge Grove 2 – St Martins 3

Edge Grove’s Senior A team faced a challenging away fixture against St. Martins yesterday, with captain Isaac leading a thorough and energetic warm-up to prepare the squad.

The match began on a timid note for Edge Grove. The team struggled to win individual battles for possession and appeared flat-footed, allowing St. Martins to gain an early advantage. A couple of quick defensive errors saw us fall behind 0-2 very quickly.

Despite the early pressure, there were some notable individual efforts. Alex made strong runs up front, though the team as a whole struggled to get the ball beyond the midfield due to static positioning. Aiden was a rock in defence, making several great last-ditch tackles to keep us in the game. In midfield, Isaac worked tirelessly to drive the team forward, while Max was strong on the ball and distributed some lovely passes. Zachary showed excellent game awareness, and Bolu displayed strength with the ball but was encouraged to inject himself more into the play. In goal, Noah made some good saves and closed down the opposition well, but unfortunately, a couple of kicking errors led to further goals. Leandro was challenged at half-time to be stronger on the ball and more composed with his passing after winning possession to prevent turnovers. Esahan won some key balls but was urged to fight harder for secondary possession and to improve his speed and movement to help the game flow and shut down the opposition.

The second half began with a complete shift in momentum. Edge Grove came out with renewed determination, winning individual battles more effectively and pushing forward. Unfortunately, a counter-attack saw St. Martins score their third goal against the run of play.

Showing excellent resilience and character, the team responded magnificently. Wave after wave of sustained attack put immense pressure on the St. Martins defence, culminating in a handball in the box. Captain Isaac stepped up to the spot and coolly slotted the penalty into the right side of the net, halfway up, to make the score 1-3. Noah made some key saves in the second half keeping us in the contest.

Our domination continued. Max played a superb through-ball to Isaac, who showcased his speed and composure. He calmly rounded the keeper in a one-on-one situation and slotted the ball home to make it 2-3. Despite running out of time to find an equaliser, the team showed incredible spirit and completely dominated the second half, ending the game on a high note.

Senior B Football v St Martins 

Despite the torrential rain, the Edge Grove Senior B Team showcased a fantastic display of football and sportsmanship in a mixed-team friendly against St Martins. Both teams gave a great account of themselves, playing with passion and skill that was a joy to watch.

The match, which saw a fluid rotation of players and positions, was a true test of adaptability. In defence, Blake and Joseph formed a formidable partnership, holding their ground and thwarting numerous attacks. Blake, in particular, was a force to be reckoned with, enjoying several powerful runs up the pitch and even managing to hit the side netting with a well-struck shot after one of his surges forward. In goal, Grayson was outstanding, making some key saves that kept his team in the game with his sharp reflexes and calm composure. Further up the pitch, Harry put in a tireless performance, showcasing his excellent tackling ability and a keen eye for a pass that helped to link the play. The attack was spearheaded by Aydin, who looked dangerous throughout the match. His ability to keep possession under pressure and his attacking runs kept the opposition on their toes. Meanwhile, Reuben showed great determination and grit.

Ultimately, there was no official scoreline due to the ever-changing nature of the teams. However, the result was a great afternoon of football enjoyed by all, a testament to the boys’ excellent effort and the spirit of the game.

Colts A Football @ Haileybury Festival

Results: 

Edge Grove 0 – 1 Duncombe

Edge Grove 1 – 0 St Joseph’s In The Park

Edge Grove 2 – 0 Westbrook Hay

Edge Grove 1 – 1 York House

Edge Grove 0 – 0 Aldwickbury

Edge Grove 2 – 1 Keble

Edge Grove 3 – 1 Heath Mount

The Edge Grove Colts A boys’ football team enjoyed a superb afternoon at the Haileybury Festival, competing in seven tightly-contested fixtures. Across the day, the team recorded 4 wins, 2 draws, and just 1 defeat, scoring 9 goals and conceding only 4.

The day began with a narrow 1–0 defeat to Duncombe, despite a valiant attempt to equalise late on and a remarkable triple save from Teddy to keep his side in the contest. The boys responded brilliantly, edging a hard-fought 1–0 victory against St Joseph’s in the Park, courtesy of a fierce right-footed strike from Tommy.

Momentum grew in the third game, as Edge Grove produced arguably their finest display of the afternoon to secure a 2–0 win over Westbrook Hay. Crisp passing and relentless pressing opened the door for Cooper and Tyler to finish smartly, while Teddy produced a crucial save at 1–0 to ensure the clean sheet.

A spirited performance followed against York House, where the team battled back from behind to claim a 1–1 draw, Tommy smashing in a spectacular left-footed strike to level the match. This was followed by a goalless stalemate against a strong Aldwickbury side, in which Harry’s resolute defending proved vital in securing the point.

The Colts then found their rhythm in front of goal once again, racing into a two-goal lead to beat Keble 2–1, with Coops leading the line superbly. They finished the festival in style, overturning an early setback to defeat Heath Mount 3–1. Relentless pressing from Louis and Jack forced turnovers high up the pitch, Louis finishing one chance himself, before Tommy rounded off a fine day with a thunderous free kick.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon of football, with every player contributing to the team’s success. The boys showed determination, skill, and togetherness throughout – a performance to be proud of.

Year 5 & 6 Colts Hockey – Training Report

A fantastic afternoon of hockey with plenty of short corner practice to get us ready for the season ahead! When the rain came hammering down, we quickly switched things up at the Apthorp, keeping the energy going with goalkeeper training and some sharp passing drills towards goal. We can’t wait to share who our hockey captain will be for this season—announcement coming next week!

Year 5 & 6 Colts Football – Training Report

Despite the Colts A Team being on match duties, the rest of the Year 5 and 6 Colts enjoyed a fantastic training session on Wednesday afternoon. We had an exciting programme prepared, and although the rain briefly halted play, it actually worked to our advantage. The boys were able to move seamlessly into small-sided games, giving them plenty of opportunities to showcase their skills and competitive spirit.

Before the weather intervened, the group rotated through four focused stations:

• Dribbling
• Passing and moving
• Shooting and finishing
• Match-based decision making

This structure ensured that every player was fully engaged, developing core techniques as well as their understanding of the game.

The commitment and enthusiasm from all the students was excellent. They trained with real energy, adapted brilliantly to the conditions, and showed determination throughout. It was especially pleasing to see such positive attitudes and teamwork across the year groups.

We are now entering the final stages of squad selection and are really looking forward to seeing the boys’ hard work translate into performances on the pitch. 

A big well done to everyone involved for making it such an enjoyable afternoon of football!

Year 3 & 4 Hockey – Training Report

Despite a delayed start to our afternoon hockey training due to the rain, we made the most of the time by speaking with all the players about the term ahead.

As soon as the rain cleared, we rushed outside to take full advantage of the sunshine. With our EG warm-up completed, we wasted no time and jumped straight into training games. These included channels to help players stay in the correct areas of the pitch, and to provide spaces to pass quickly and effectively into.

Teams rotated regularly, and it was fantastic to see how much the Year 4s have developed since last season. It was equally exciting to watch the Year 3s really step up and begin working together as a team.

Year 3 & 4 Football – Training Report

Thursday afternoon saw another excellent session for our Year 3 and 4 boys as we continue preparations for the upcoming fixtures. The focus this week was on finalising teams and giving every player the opportunity to demonstrate not only their footballing ability but also the positive attitudes we expect to see on match days.

The boys began with a series of passing and movement drills, designed to replicate realistic, match-like situations. This helped to emphasise teamwork, communication, and quick decision-making, all vital attributes we will be looking for when teams are confirmed.

To maximise learning, the groups were split:

• Year 3 moved indoors to the sports hall, where they were introduced to elements of futsal. This gave them a fantastic chance to develop close control, fast footwork, and quick transitions in a smaller space.
• Year 4 remained outside, where they put their skills into practice through conditioned games. These matches allowed players to apply what they had practised earlier, showing resilience, creativity, and determination throughout.

The effort and enthusiasm on display were outstanding. It was particularly pleasing to see how well the boys built on last week’s session, showing clear progress and a growing understanding of how to work effectively with one another.

A big well done to all involved, with such commitment and energy, we are confident that it will be a brilliant season.

Hi-de-hi,

It’s the end of the first full week of the year, and my-o-my has it been a doozy! As I’m sure you’ve heard a thousand times, the pupils look fantastic in their uniform with smiles emblazoned on their faces to match the grinning lions on their blazers. 

As Head of Houses, it’s my exciting duty to instil the House Spirit within our astounding pupils, setting them challenges, competitions and inspiring them to be the very best that they can be. It’s a pretty tall order, but I have the height to match… (For those of you who have read one of my articles before, you’ll notice that my jokes have not improved over the summer break)

After Sarnesfield’s victory last year (congrats!), we have now reset the totals and started the competition once again, and I’m excited to announce a new Head of House to you all, rallying the pupils of Gills to a possible victory. Many of you may recognise her from her work at Keen Bean over the holidays (she just can’t get enough of this place!), or from her work in the Nursery last year, OR as a now-staple in the Junior Department… Miss Saunders has taken on the mantle!

Therefore, in classic Mr Evans fashion, I hereby embarrass all of our Heads of Houses with the following baby photos:

Aren’t they cute?!

WEEKLY COMPETITIONS

As we had last year, we have weekly competitions for all of our pupils on Google Classroom:

Joke of the Week

For Years 3-6 we have JOKE OF THE WEEK! This became a firm favourite last year, mainly because the pupils forced me to read them out in assembly… At the end of this rather up-and-down week, it was this uplifting joke from Daisy in Gills that has won top House Points for Gills:

What did the lift say to the other lift in a race? You’re going down.

All entries to the Joke of the Week competition gain 5 House Points, with 10 being given to the winning joke! All other entries are published at the end of this article, and I look forward to reading all of your entries next week. Make me laugh… I dare you…

Senior Department Weekly Logic Puzzle

Not my snappiest title, but the Senior Department is in receipt of a logic puzzle each week, which will become progressively harder over time. Every correct entry receives 5 House Points and my praise for even I am struggling with some of them…

Photo of the Week

Our final weekly competition is that of Photo of the Week, open to all pupils. I have asked the student body to send in photos of the beauty of the  world around them, the best of which will be displayed in assembly and published here. The rules are simple: take a photo of anything BUT a selfie, a photo of another person, anything inappropriate, or a photo where your home location is clearly identifiable. Our winner this week is Aman in Sarnesfield with this photo of the oldest tree in Middlesex. It is called the ‘Master Oak’ located in Bentley Priory and is said to have been growing when Henry VIII was on the throne. I think you need to consider branching out into photography Aman…

And that, dear reader, is where I shall leaf you be. I hope you have a fantastic weekend and I look forward to updating you with more House information next week.

Mr Evans
Head of Houses
Director of Music
Comedian-in-training

Joke of the Week Entries

• How does a lion stop a video game? By hitting the paws button.
• The seal with a broken fin told the shark not to consume if seal is broken
• Why did the LEGO minifigure go to hospital? To see a plastic surgeon.
• What kind of music do sophisticated kangaroos listen to? Hopera.
• Why did the chorus hire the baseball player? Because he had perfect pitch.
• Knock knock. Who’s there? Claire. Claire who? Claire the way out everyone.
• Why did the triangle stop helping the circle? It was pointless.
• Did you hear about the race between 19 and 20? 21.
• What do you call a hippo with chickenpox? A hippo-spot-amus.
• What gives you the power to walk through a wall? A door!
• What did the skier say to his therapist? My life is going downhill.
• What did the Fisherman say to the Magician? Take a cod, any cod.
• How does the ocean say hi? It waves.

Future School Update – Week 2
Mrs Jane Broadis, Head of future Schools Curriculum

A warm welcome back in this busy and demanding Autumn term. During the course of the term we will be in regular communication regarding the unfolding of the senior school 11+ assessment process. As Mr Stanley reflected in his beginning-of-term letter, this can be both an exciting and anxious time, and we will do all we can to help support you and your children to help navigate the challenges ahead. 

We ask that parents keep us well informed of any applications that we may not be aware of, interview dates that have come through, and invitations to assessment days, so your children can take advantage of the personalised support we offer. Please contact Future Schools with all updates.

Aldenham Pre-Test Interviews – September & October

Those of you who have made applications to Aldenham have received a request to register your child for an in-person interview where they are accompanied by a parent or carer. Myself and Miss Saville are supporting children with interview technique, and members of SLT will give mock interviews over the coming days.

Please also note that the Aldenham assessment now tests Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and will no longer include Creative Comprehension and Puzzles.

Aldenham Test: held at Edge Grove 24th and 25th November

ISEB Pre-Test for Berkhamsted & STAHS: held at Edge Grove 6th October 2025

If you have made applications to schools that use the ISEB Common Pre-test, it is your responsibility to register on the Parent Portal which remains open.  

ISEB Pre-Test for all other schools: held at Edge Grove on November 20th

Reference Requests

Requests for confidential references are now starting to arrive at Edge Grove ahead of assessments. Please keep the Y6 reference support form up-to-date with achievements and accolades.  Our reference is always positive and summarises your child’s academic attainment in data, accompanied by reflections on and their strengths and talents in all areas of school life. 

Scholarship Applications

It is important that we can give tailored support to those of you with children who have scholarship potential who excel in a particular area. To this end, if you have not already done so, do reach out to Heads of Department with whom you may have already been in contact regarding a possible application. 

Autumn Updates from Schools and Colleges

STAHS

Marlborough College

Seven Oaks School

Queenswood are holding their first Open Morning of the academic year on Saturday 27^th September at 9am.

Visitors will enjoy a morning of activities, a guided tour of our beautiful 120-acre campus, and the chance to meet our pupils and staff – not to mention a legendary Queenswood brunch! You will also have the opportunity to ask any admissions questions in person. We’d love you to come and discover our approach to education that truly puts girls at the heart of all we do. You are able to book a place by clicking here