This Week at Edge Grove

It was such a pleasure to welcome our Reception and Key Stage 1 parents to this week’s curriculum meetings. These sessions are always a highlight for us as not only do we get to share the magic of the school day, but we also benefit from your valuable feedback.

One of the best parts of my week is visiting lessons across the department. Our Nursery children have impressed me as they have settled so beautifully into life at Edge Grove. Their artwork is simply fabulous, and I must admit this is often the classroom I find myself drifting into whenever I have a spare moment. They really are a special bunch!

Reception children have been showing off their Phonics and were keen to point out all things beginning with ‘s. In Year 1, the children have been working with one of my all-time favourite stories, The Tiger Who Came to Tea. I was so proud to see their writing filled with question marks, full stops, capital letters and even fronted adverbials. Meanwhile, Year 2 pupils have been wowing me with their Science, as we explore animals and their offspring together. Their enthusiasm is infectious!

Mrs Wynne
Assistant Head (Junior)

Nursery

We’ve had a great week in Nursery, filled with curiosity, creativity, and lots of fun learning! In Maths, the children have been enthusiastic about exploring numbers in the world around them. One of their favourite activities was discovering and talking about door numbers, which sparked lots of wonderful discussions and number recognition skills. It’s been lovely to see how engaged they’ve been in spotting numbers in everyday places. In Phonics, our focus was on the sounds we might hear during a visit to the park. The children listened carefully and used their imaginations to identify and describe sounds such as birds chirping, dogs barking, leaves rustling, and children laughing. Outdoors, the children have thoroughly enjoyed using the bikes practising their balance, coordination, and confidence while riding around. Overall, it’s been a productive week. The children continue to amaze us with their enthusiasm and growing independence. We’re excited to see what next week brings!

Reception News

This week, a very special visitor climbed into our classroom – Incy Wincy Spider! The children loved hearing the nursery rhyme and worked hard to sequence the events of the story. We used pictures and our own words to retell what happened to Incy Wincy as he went up the waterspout! We were also introduced to the sounds ‘s’ and ‘a’ in Phonics. The children had great fun playing ‘I Spy’ and other sound games to help them tune into the initial sounds in words (It also linked very well with our eight legged friend-spider!). In Maths we have focused on number formation; practising how to correctly write numbers and recognise them in our environment. Fantastic focus from everyone! We’ve certainly packed a lot into our week and we’re so excited for all the learning ahead.

Year 1 News

This week, the children have been continuing to read The Tiger Who Came To Tea and have enjoyed being detectives! We have explored different types of punctuation to ask probing questions about a rather tall, furry and stripy gentleman, who was last seen helping himself to all the food in the fridge and all the food in the cupboard (and that’s not to mention all the water from the tap!). We then designed some wanted posters to help find and catch the cheeky culprit using our best adjectives to find him!

In Science, we have started to explore our senses, this week focusing on how we use our ears to hear. We heard some rather mysterious noises and had to use our best listening skills to try and work out what they were: who knew that a pig and a horse sound quite similar when you are just relying on your hearing!

Year 2 News

This week in Year 2 we have been delving into the revolting world of Mr Twit! We have explored nouns by winding our way through the rancid jungle that is Mr Twit’s beard and the children enjoyed writing their own sentences about what grotesque delights they might discover in there! The Year 2 children also enjoyed exploring the beautiful grounds here at Edge Grove to complete their own Noun hunts- looking out for people, places and things whilst remembering to identify a proper noun by using their capital letters. 

In Humanities, we have extended our topics of maps by introducing what Europe used to look like before the breakout of WWI. The children used geographical language to explain the differences and the similarities, discussing the change of borders, countries and use of keys.

It has been a truly wonderful week at school.  During my visits to classrooms, it has been a pleasure to see the children so focused, enthusiastic, and eager to embrace new challenges. Their readiness to learn and their thoughtful engagement with each lesson are a credit to both their hard work and the support of our dedicated staff.

A particular highlight was an afternoon spent in Forest School, where the children immersed themselves in outdoor learning with energy and curiosity. Watching them collaborate, explore, and reflect on the natural world was both inspiring and uplifting. Experiences such as these enrich their education and nurture a love of learning that extends far beyond the classroom.

Just a friendly reminder to please make sure your child’s sports bag is clearly labeled. We have a lot of similar-looking bags, and labeling them with a name helps us quickly return any that are left behind. If you don’t have a label handy, a distinctive ribbon, keychain, or piece of tape on the handle works great too!

I wish all our families a restful and enjoyable weekend, and I look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready for another exciting week of learning.

Mrs Tora Hodge
Deputy Head (Academic)

Year 3 – Miss Kyriacou, Miss Corin, Miss Lundrigan

We are thrilled to share another delightful week of learning and growth. We have been so proud of the children and how they have adapted to life in Year 3. They arrive at school organised and ready to embrace the the day ahead.

This week, our focus in maths has been on reasoning with 3-digit numbers and understanding place value. The children have been eager and attentive, developing their skills in recognising and manipulating these larger numbers. Their ability to articulate their thought processes has been impressive, and we are looking forward to their continued progress.

In English, we are continuing with our captivating text, ‘The Wild Robot’. The children are delving into the features of a diary, enhancing their understanding of narrative perspective and personal expression.

In history, we embarked on an exciting exploration of the Stone Age. We discovered how people from this era communicated their life experiences. By examining secondary sources, the children learned about the fascinating world of cave paintings and the stories they told. It was enlightening to see their imaginations spark as they connected with the past.

Our reasoning lessons, both verbal and non-verbal, continue to be a highlight of the week. The children have exhibited tremendous enthusiasm and skill in these sessions, developing critical thinking capabilities that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

As always, we celebrate the effort and dedication that each pupil brings to their learning. Their curiosity and eagerness to engage in classroom activities are truly commendable.

Year 4 – Mrs Futerill, Mrs Warnes

This week, Year 4 was buzzing with excitement, especially after a truly inspiring visit from the acclaimed author, Caroline Boxall, last Friday. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to get a firsthand look into the world of writing and storytelling.

Caroline shared with us the incredible real-life stories that have inspired her novels. She spoke about the resilience of homeless children in India who must use their wits to survive and the lives of young people in other parts of the world who start working from an early age. The students were particularly captivated by her books about children training to become Russian spies! It was a powerful reminder of how stories can transport us to different worlds and teach us about the lives of others.

Her visit left our students feeling incredibly motivated to create their own stories. Caroline then led a wonderful workshop, guiding us through the process of planning a novel. The theme she chose for the workshop was truth, which will also be the theme for her annual young writers’ competition next year.

We are so excited to see what our talented Year 4 writers will come up with. We’re encouraging all students to enter the competition, and we’re hopeful that some of their incredible stories will earn a place in a published book.

We can’t wait to share their final stories with you!

This week in science, our lessons have really come to life as we officially kicked off our hands-on experiments! The classroom was a hive of activity as we explored the states of matter. We learned about solids, liquids, and gases, and the children demonstrated their understanding by jiggling around the room like the particles in each state. It was great fun to see them transform from a tightly packed “solid” to a free-flowing “liquid” and a rapidly moving “gas.” We also conducted a fascinating experiment to prove that air has weight. By carefully weighing balloons before and after inflating them, we discovered that while it may not seem like much, air does have weight. The students were amazed by this simple but powerful demonstration. It’s been a truly engaging and active week of scientific discovery!

In English, the children have been engrossed in our new novel, Freedom for Bron. This week, we found a fantastic description of a sword within the story that happened to include the spelling word ‘precious’ from our last spelling list. This discovery sparked a brilliant idea! The children were challenged to design their own Anglo-Saxon weapons and write a descriptive piece about them, focusing on the use of rich and advanced adjectives. We were so impressed with the students’ ambition and the sophisticated vocabulary they used to bring their weapons to life. Their creativity and command of language were truly remarkable!

This was a memorable week that truly sparked our students’ creativity and showed them that inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places.

Year 5 – Mr Russell, Mrs O’Brien

It has been another fantastic week in Year 5 as we continue to grow our independence and get to grips with the differences that being in Year 5 has to bring. It has been brilliant to see their confidence shine across all of their subjects.

Our days are off to a great start with our new Form time routines, where we have been sharpening our penmanship each morning. This week’s highlights included our first Topic Tuesday, where we celebrated National Play-Doh Day by learning about the product’s fascinating history before testing our knowledge in a competitive online team quiz. Next Tuesday, we are looking forward to National Comic Book Day! On Wednesday, the children’s brains got a workout with a series of 1% Club questions. All of this was done while enjoying some Soul music, our “Music of the Week.” The children might have thought some of the songs were “too old,” but we are sure they discovered some new favourites!

In PSHE, we continued our work on challenging stereotypes by creating film villains without a visible difference. This project helps children understand that a person’s appearance does not determine their character.

We love hearing about the children’s personal achievements. Here are some of their own highlights from the week:

Alex enjoyed his first LAMDA lesson, feeling he could truly express himself. Wolf and Sienna loved their Science lesson, where they took apart a flower to learn about its different parts. Rafael made a fantastic debut for the Colts A team, scoring a goal in their narrow 3-2 loss. What a great start! Oscar also had a successful week on the football pitch, making an extra special save under pressure. Ava enjoyed her English lessons, especially the creative and engaging spelling activities Mrs Broadis designed. Jesse had fun in Computing, creating a fake news story to learn the difference between misinformation and disinformation. Raphy impressed us all with his performance in the after-school badminton club, winning his league group and the play-off. His name is now climbing the Edge Grove ladder!

A big well done to all of the children for another great week. We cannot wait to see what next week brings! As always, please do get in touch with your child’s Form tutor should you have any questions or concerns. 

Have a terrific weekend.

Year 6 – Mrs Allen, Mr Kay and Dr Moradi

A very happy Friday to you all! For this week’s newsletter I hand over to pupils from 6A to tell you about the highlights of their week:

Lucy: “I have enjoyed choir because it was really nice when you see lots of other pupils there (from different year groups!), and singing makes me happy! Also it was a great sense of achievement to beat Manor Lodge 10-0 in football this week – Go D Team!”

Cooper: “I liked finishing my CAT4 results and trying my hardest and feeling a sense of achievement”.

Asayoma: “I enjoyed finding out in assembly that I am this term’s Hockey Captain!”

Tyler: “I am really excited to find out what the 2026 school musical is going to be – there are lots of clues around school!”

Keep up the fantastic work, Year 6 – we can’t wait to see what next week brings!

This week, the Seniors have stepped into their roles as Champions of their areas of passion.  In assembly, they stood up in front of everyone and pledged to support their younger peers in nurturing the talents that they now champion.  From Leandro asking, ”Who knows, perhaps we’ll start a charity together sometime?” to Noah asking to be invited down to Form Times to celebrate cricket achievements, to Reuben offering book recommendations, to Aiden offering to share his rugby tips and tricks, and to Harry leaving us laughing with a joke – and much more besides as you can see from the infographic below – the Seniors have certainly made their mark.  It took real courage to stand up there in front of everyone, and they have earnt a duly deserved group Head’s Commendation.  I know I speak for all their teachers when I say we can’t wait to support them as they put their words into action.

We also had a fantastic trip to First Place Nursery. and you can view some of the photos below.

Apart from watching the boys take to the assembly stage, and seeing them be so gentle and kind with the nursery pupils as Mrs. Wynne and Isaac and Noah have mentioned in their highlights below, I would have to say my highlight was returning from our Nursery trip and heading to the library alone to have my soup in peace and quiet…or so I thought!  I accidentally stumbled across Mr. Aitchison and the Senior boys having their pre-tournament team-talk in the library.  I did try and sneakily reverse out, but Grayson pulled me up a chair!  I felt so privileged to hear Mr A giving one of his trademark, passionate homilies about courage, determination and grit.  Mr A is simply gifted at identifying the things that really matter, and instilling a sense of togetherness, purpose and passion through a joint vision.

Isaac, the new Football Captain, was Mr. A’s right-hand man as he galvanised his team by pointing out everyone’s strengths, and making sure all of his peers felt ready to do their best.  What fabulous messaging from Mr A that was just bursting with sportsmanship and unity.  I very much wanted to get on the bus and go to the tournament too!  

Highlights:

Isaac & Noah: We loved our trip to First Place Nurseries.  It was great to put a smile on their faces (this one kid COULD NOT stop laughing at the story).  They did so well to concentrate for 20 minutes!

Blake: My highlight was earning 3 Head’s Commendations in one day!  

Bolu: I loved speaking about being a Champion in assembly…probably because I am the new Champion of Oracy and Public Speaking!  Already I have been asked to help train the Y6s to speak at our October Open Day.

Aiden: I loved the Haileybury tournament as it was really fun to play as a team.

Eashan: Even though I was so nervous about standing up in assembly to speak about being the Champion of Archery, it was so fun and I am so glad that I did it.

Mrs Wynne: It was an absolute treat to take the Seniors to First Place Nurseries.

They were not only excellent role models for the school, but they also went above and beyond to engage with the younger ones. From animated voices to expressive actions, their reading sessions were truly memorable.  Miss Senior and I gave a group House Point, with Inspiration Head’s Commendations going to Isaac, Noah, Alex, Bolu and Leandro for going the extra mile in interacting with their groups.

Mrs Broadis: Every year we welcome our new Seniors with the gift of a book.  This year, the choices created quite a stir, and a whole range of new titles have been chosen.  Continuing to read when life becomes academically demanding, and leadership opportunities take up time remains so important.  Those who read, always succeed! 

Senior Of The Week

A new initiative…. Each week, there will be a Secret Mission…I will ask a member of staff to keep their eye on the Seniors for a certain reason.  The Seniors won’t know who is watching out for what!  This week, I asked Mrs. Wildman, our fabulous supervisor, to keep an eye on conduct and courtesy around School.  She has named Alex as Senior of the Week!  Alex has won a coveted squishy.

CAT4 Cognitive Ability Tests: What are they and what do they tell us?

Mrs Broadis, Head of English and Future Schools Curriculum

Towards the start of each academic year, many schools across the country have their pupils take ‘CAT’ tests.  Here at Edge Grove CAT4 tests are taken by Year 3 to Seniors and we are currently within the testing window. Year 6 have completed their tests this week and we are expediting the release of their results to help support parents with senior school decision-making. All other results will be released later this half term as tests are completed. 

Cognitive Ability Tests are specially designed to assess a child’s underlying ability, and comprise four batteries which together, give an accurate impression of a child’s potential:

Verbal: indicates a child’s ability to express ideas, and reason through words

Quantitative: indicates a child’s ability to use numerical skills to solve problems

Non-verbal: indicates a child’s ability to problem-solve using pictures and diagrams

Spatial: indicates a child’s capacity to think and draw conclusions in three dimensions 

Standard Age Score (SAS)

This is the most important piece of information derived from testing. Your child’s SAS is based on a raw score which has been adjusted for age, and placed on a scale that makes a comparison with a nationally representative sample of pupils of the same age across the UK from a range of educational settings. 

The average score is 100. The average range is 90-110

Below average is < 90

Above average is > 110

Analysis of children’s scores in each battery helps us to understand their strengths and areas for development. Teaching in English lessons and reading for pleasure can help improve the verbal score, whereas teaching in maths most impacts the quantitative score. For those children who speak English as an additional language, we can look at the three batteries that are not dependent on language to assess their academic potential. 

Where one score seems anomalous compared with the others, this can sometimes be an indicator of a particular barrier to learning. For example, the child with analogous scores in all batteries aside from verbal may well have dyslexic traits (or speak English as an additional language), whereas the child with analogous scores in all but quantitative, may struggle with number. 

When we compare mean standardised scores from across the Middle and Senior Departments we can see that at Edge Grove, on average, children gain over 10 points from Year 3 to Year 8 which is the ‘value added’ of an Edge Grove education. CAT scores are used by future schools to assess the strength of applicants, and based on historic data, we are able to advise on which schools will be a good fit academically for your child, and where they are likely to flourish.

You will have the opportunity to talk to teaching staff about your child’s progress at Autumn parent meetings.

It was no surprise this week when children returned from their first senior school interviews to report back that they were asked, ‘What are you reading at the moment’ and ‘Who is your favourite author?’ Senior schools know that children who read for pleasure are those with the broadest vocabularies, the widest knowledge bases, and often make for the most thoughtful, empathetic and curious learners.

Those of you who have been at the school for some time will be familiar with my drive to promote reading for pleasure, and to this end, I work hard to bring authors into school. When a child meets a writer who enthuses about a story or ideas, the thought of keeping a bit of the magic of meeting them in a book becomes so special. A personal interaction with an author can often inspire even the most reluctant of readers. 

We have already welcomed author Caroline Boxall with her novels, and on October 6th we welcome Jonathan Drori to launch his new non-fiction children’s book: The Stuff That Stuff is Made Of – Plants Edition. A former BBC science and education producer, and trustee of organisations including the Woodland Trust, WWF, Eden Project and the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, he brings a wealth of experience that I am sure will inspire our environmentally aware Edge Grove pupils. This will be a wonderful opportunity for pupils in Years 3 to 5 to learn from his passion for the natural world and to get his first children’s book signed. I have read The Stuff that Stuff is Made of and have learned so much; it contains a wealth of interesting and engaging information about vanilla, cacao, papyrus, coconut, sugarcane, tea – in fact Jonathan teaches us about how we use 30 different plants. This text is perfect for browsing together or reading independently and is packed with fascinating facts and complemented by beautiful annotated illustrations.

I have once again written an accompanying workbook designed to promote comprehension skills, and book prizes will be issued for completed booklets submitted after half term. My booklet will be issued with each book pre-ordered for signing by Jonathan on his visit. I have negotiated a discounted price of £12.24 (RRP £16.99). Please click here to order. 

Your child does not have to be in Years 3 to 5 to order a copy – it would make a wonderful gift!

The deadline for orders is 9am September 26th.

Edge Grove Musical 2026 – A Message For Year 5, Year 6 and Senior Parents:

I am delighted to share that preparations are underway for the Edge Grove Musical 2026! In the lead-up to the official announcement, we will be sharing hints and clues across the school and in assemblies over the coming week before the big reveal next Friday! Needless to say, the energy and excitement around the school is palpable…

Competitive auditions for this production are open to all pupils in Years 5 – 8 and take place on Tuesday 30th September from 16:30 to 18:30. You can find all the information on the Edge Grove app.

These auditions will allow us to cast the show and share outcomes with pupils and parents before the October half term. As places in the cast are limited, the process will be competitive, and not all pupils will be allocated a role; however, we encourage as many pupils as possible to audition, as it is a valuable learning experience.

No prior preparation is required for the auditions. The auditions will be held in the style of a workshop where pupils will be required to sing, dance and act, having been taught the material.

Please email jallen@edgegrove.com to confirm your child’s attendance. 

We are preparing for bigger and better things than ever before… 

Break a leg!

Cinderella Rockerfella – Year 4 Pantomime

Our Year 4 children are buzzing with excitement as rehearsals for their big production begin next week! Today they received their full scripts and casting – a very special milestone.

This performance project is a fantastic opportunity for the children to develop their characters, build new skills, and learn how to work together as a cast. With many songs, stage moments, and key cameo roles, every cast member contributes to completing the show. Every role is important, and the process is about more than just lines – it is about growing confidence, stage presence, and enjoying the magic of performing together. 

It is a wonderful way for the children to create another memorable moment at Edge Grove.

Performances will take place on:

• Tuesday 26th November

• Wednesday 27th November

Please save the dates – we can’t wait to share their hard work and talent with you!

Year 6 Shine in Drama: Improv Workshop Success!

Year 6 pupils have truly impressed Mrs Allen in their drama lessons with their proactive participation in energetic improvisation workshops, where they have been exploring the ‘Golden Rules’ of Improvisation! Improv encourages pupils to think quickly, communicate confidently, and work collaboratively – all skills that are invaluable both on stage and in senior school interviews.

Through these exercises, pupils are developing creativity, resilience, and the ability to respond to new challenges with poise and originality. Their enthusiasm and imagination have been inspiring, and it is wonderful to see them embracing every lesson with confidence and curiosity.

Well done on showing such a mature, creative, collaborative, and spontaneous approach. Your improvisation skills are really developing!

What a fantastic week of fixtures we’ve had, with pupils from Year 3 right through to our Seniors taking part. With plenty of wins already under our belts, it’s brilliant to see our teams continuing to develop, sharpen their techniques, and refine their tactics.

This weekend our Colts A hockey team will be heading to the annual Orley Farm Tournament, we look forward to sharing their progress with you next week.

During Wednesday’s assembly, Mr Stanley proudly introduced our Senior Circle of Champions. Within the Sports Department, we also revealed our two Champions of the Term, with announcing our Football and Hockey captains for the season ahead. A huge congratulations to Isaac K and Asayoma S, your dedication and passion have already shone through, and we look forward to working with you both this term.

It has also been inspiring to see how well pupils have embraced these first few weeks of the academic year, working together across year groups to support one another and grow as a community.

Wednesday – September 17th

Senior U13 Festival @ Haileybury

Match One: Edge Grove 1 – 1 Kingshott

Match Two: Edge Grove 1 – Haileybury 6

Match Three: Edge Grove 1 – St Martins 3

Edge Grove arrived early and prepared meticulously for the Haileybury U13 Football Festival, with the full squad excitedly getting ready for their three matches.

Match 1 vs Kingshott

The first match against Kingshott started with a strong attacking display from Edge Grove. The team applied pressure from the outset, and it paid off when Aydin calmly played the ball through to Isaac, who showed great composure to slot home a cool finish, giving Edge Grove a 1-0 lead.

The boys showed great determination throughout the match, tackling well and hustling for every possession. Defensively, Bolu was strong and reliable, while Aiden held the back line together with his exceptional pace and powerful tackling. In the midfield, Leandro combined for some crisp passes and used his strength to protect the ball, and Max showcased his excellent dribbling skills to create attacking opportunities. Blake was also a fierce presence in defence, using his speed and strength to great effect. Meanwhile, Alexander used his pace and anticipation to cause problems for the opposition.

Goalkeeper Noah made several excellent saves, but in the final minute, a moment of misfortune saw him kick the ball directly to a Kingshott striker, who capitalised on the empty net to level the score.

Despite the disappointing last-minute equaliser, the team’s effort and strong performance throughout the match were clear. Their teamwork and tenacity were on full display, and the boys were unfortunate not to secure the win.

Match 2 vs Haileybury

The second match against Haileybury presented a sterner test for the squad. Played as a 10-a-side game on a much larger pitch, the new format provided a significant challenge. Isaac again led the line up front, using his pace to create opportunities, but he was often isolated as his teammates sat too deep to provide adequate support.

Edge Grove’s fitness issues became apparent on the bigger pitch. The team struggled to close down space created by a far more mobile and penetrating Haileybury side, who consistently opened up the Edge Grove defence. This match highlighted the team’s need to adapt to a larger playing area and maintain a higher level of stamina and positional discipline.

Match 3 vs St Martins

With a narrow loss against St Martins last week, the boys were positive about turning things around in the final match of the day. Playing 10-a-side on the bigger pitch again, Edge Grove started well, moving the ball wide with purpose. However, they were exposed early on by a fine finish from the opposition, which saw their confidence dip.

The team quickly raised themselves, and Isaac brought them level at 1-1 with a smart finish. There were strong individual performances, with Leandro playing some nice passes after winning possession and Bolu making powerful runs to create momentum. Eashan gave his best, and Zackh played strongly, using his pace effectively. Joseph gave his all chasing down the opposition to regain possession, while Aiden was again strong in defence, often stripping opponents of the ball in dangerous positions. Grayson was fast and gave 100% in defence, thwarting some of St Martins’ attacks, and Noah made some great saves throughout the match.

Despite their efforts, Edge Grove were caught twice on the counter-attack, which ultimately put the match to bed for St Martins.

Edge Grove vs Manor Lodge Hockey Colts A

Edge Grove 8 – 1 Manor Lodge

It was an excellent afternoon of hockey for our Colts A team in their opening match of the season. Our newly appointed captain, Asayoma, led the team onto the pitch with confidence, setting the tone with a focused warm-up followed by a sharp passing drill.
The first ten minutes of the match were tightly contested, with both teams battling for possession and the ball moving quickly from end to end. Edge Grove managed to break the deadlock, scoring the opening goal, which they swiftly followed up with two more before the end of the first half.

Edge Grove continued to apply pressure in the second half, finding success with several well-executed attacks. There were strong attacking runs from Lily and Seb, while Aria made some excellent clearances, driving the ball back up the field and relieving pressure on the defence.

I am incredibly proud of how the entire team performed. Their determination, teamwork, and sportsmanship were evident throughout the match. This was a promising start, and I look forward to what’s to come in the season ahead.

Edge Grove vs Manor Lodge Hockey Colts B

Edge Grove 4-11 Manor Lodge

Edge Grove played their first-ever indoor hockey match this week in an exciting fixture against Manor Lodge. Although they had a slow start, the team soon found their rhythm, with Iyanu scoring the opening goal for Edge Grove. Manor Lodge dominated the first half, netting seven goals. However, Edge Grove came back fighting in the second half, scoring twice and showing great improvement throughout the game. Freya and Olivia worked tirelessly in defence, preventing multiple goal-scoring opportunities and holding the line with determination. Bella A impressed on the wing, creating space and linking up well with the forwards. Sienna’s powerful passing was instrumental in pushing the ball into the D, allowing Iyanu and Bella to each score a goal.It was a strong finish to a historic debut, with lots to build on for future matches.

Edge Grove vs Manor Lodge Football Colts A

Edge Grove 2 – 3 Manor Lodge

The Edge Grove Colts A team suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat at home to Manor Lodge in a tightly contested match. Despite the disappointing result, there were many positives to take from the team’s performance.

Edge Grove started the match brightly, with Cooper opening the scoring after a well-executed corner routine. He capped off a smart run by turning home a low, driven cross from Tommy. The central midfield trio of Jack, Edith, and Cooper were linking up well with Tyler, controlling the flow of the game.

However, a moment of lapsed concentration and a loss of possession led to a swift counter-attack from Manor Lodge. Their pacy striker broke through the defence, rounded goalkeeper Teddy, and slotted home the equaliser. Shortly after, Manor Lodge took the lead with a simple tap-in. The team showed great resilience, though, and equalised just before half-time. Following a goalmouth scramble, Rafael showed his poacher’s instinct to stab the ball home from close range.

The second half saw Manor Lodge pile on the pressure, making it difficult for Edge Grove to get out of their own half. Despite some fantastic defending, including a fingertip save from Teddy and an impressive performance from Harry, Manor Lodge eventually found the breakthrough with only a couple of minutes remaining.

While it was a disappointing end to the match, the team showed great spirit and determination. The effort from players like Tommy and Harry, in particular, was commendable. The team looks forward to getting back on the training pitch next week to continue their development and improve further.

Edge Grove vs Manor Lodge Football Colts B

Edge Grove 2 – 9 Manor Lodge

The Colts B team went into today’s fixture against Manor Lodge with high hopes and plenty of energy. The boys started positively and showed real intent to compete, but despite their efforts, the opposition proved too strong.

Garv was outstanding in goal, pulling off several excellent saves and showing great bravery under pressure. Despite his efforts, the Manor Lodge attack managed to find gaps through the middle and capitalised with clinical finishing.

In defence, Harry put in a tireless shift, constantly organising, covering, and leading the defensive line. His determination to be everywhere on the pitch stood out and set the tone for the team’s fighting spirit. On the wings, Louis and Rafael worked tirelessly, moving up and down the flanks to support both attack and defence. Special praise goes to Hunter, who epitomised resilience and determination. Covering the entire middle channel from box to box, Hunter never stopped running and kept driving the team forward. His hard work was rewarded with a well-taken goal in the second half, adding to Ved’s excellent first-half goal.

Even as the goals went in, the boys showed fantastic character, encouraging one another and continuing to battle right to the final whistle. While Manor Lodge were the stronger side on the day, Edge Grove can be proud of their effort, teamwork, and never-give-up attitude.

Edge Grove vs Manor Lodge Football Colts C

Edge Grove 0 – 4 Manor Lodge

Edge Grove Colts C began the match brightly, moving the ball confidently and making good use of the wide areas. Despite this positive start, the team struggled to find sufficient support in the box to capitalise on their build up play. Manor Lodge soon grew into the game, showing strength on the ball and beginning to dominate possession. Edge Grove’s defensive line held firm, with captain Daniel L and Syon T displaying excellent resilience at the back. Oscar J was outstanding in goal, making a series of brilliant saves to keep Manor Lodge at bay throughout the first half. In midfield, Monty T and Chimdi I impressed with their skills and composure, while Tom A worked tirelessly to link play. Aiwanehi showed great determination, continuing to battle hard for the team until the final whistle.Although the result did not go Edge Grove’s way, the team demonstrated effort and commitment. With further training on maintaining structure, improving off-the-ball movement, and providing greater attacking support, the Colts C will continue to grow stronger in future fixtures.

Edge Grove vs Manor Lodge Football Colts D

Edge Grove 10 – 0 Manor Lodge

A great effort from Edge Grove Colts D this week who put in a dominant performance against Manor Lodge, securing a 10-0 win. From start to finish, the team showed determination, skill, and excellent teamwork. An impressive number of players made their mark on the scoresheet, with Wolf, Joshi, Aarin, and Itai all scoring goals. 

Josh and Itai had a great game in goal. Both produced a confident display, including a well-timed goal kick that helped set up the attack. The defence also played their part, with Tippi and Lucy working tirelessly to clear the ball and keep Manor Lodge from creating any chances.

A fantastic all-round team effort.  Edge Grove Colts D can be very proud of this performance – well done all! 

Edge Grove vs St Martins Football Colts E

Edge Grove 1 – 6 St Martins

The boys played with tremendous spirit and determination in the first game of the season, but couldn’t quite convert the many chances they created. A few “soft” goals at the other end left the final scoreline looking harsher than the game deserved. Aman, Ben, and Luke were rock-solid in defence, working tirelessly and combining well as a unit. In midfield and attack, Rayan, Sami, Hamza, and Kwabena impressed with sharp passing and creative play, carving out multiple opportunities. Rayan capped a fine performance with a fierce strike from out wide. Chenlang contributed superbly, showing composure in defence and making key saves when he stepped into goal. Despite the result, it was a promising start and the team can take plenty of positives into the next match.

Edge Grove vs St Martins Football Colts F

Edge Grove 4 – 9 St Martins

A great start to the season for the Edge Grove Colts F team. From the start, Edge Grove showed resilience. This was an exciting and hard fought game. All players were passing the ball well and trying to play a good level of football. St Martins scored some early goals, however we showed good grit and determination to keep working hard, resulting in goals. They played with maximum effort and showed positive team spirit and enthusiasm. It was great to see the team apply their skills learnt in lessons into their football matches. Well done to all the players and a positive start to the season.

Edge Grove vs St Martin’s Colts G

The Edge Grove Colts G team played a series of three competitive matches against three different St. Martin’s teams.

Edge Grove 1 – 1 St. Martin’s

The first match was a hard-fought affair that ended in a 1-1 draw. The Edge Grove Colts G team started strong, displaying excellent teamwork and determination. The defense held firm against St. Martin’s attacks, with Avi putting in some great defensive work. The midfield worked tirelessly to create opportunities, and Thomas was a standout performer, scoring the team’s only goal. The team’s attack also showed promise, with Jesse making a fantastic run and having some brilliant shots on goal. The team showed great spirit and resilience, setting a positive tone for the day.

Match 2: Edge Grove 0 – 1 St. Martin’s

The second game was a closely contested match that saw Edge Grove Colts G lose 1-0. Despite the loss, the team showed incredible courage and fighting spirit. The defense, led by Aarhan and Aahil , put in a tremendous effort, making some crucial tackles and blocks that kept the team in the game. Upfront, Reuben was in the box looking to poach some goals, while Alex put in some great through balls to Jesse. The player of the match was Kush for his fantastic goalkeeping, which kept the team in the game with a series of brilliant saves. The team’s effort was commendable, but they were unable to convert their chances, and a single goal from St. Martin’s proved to be the difference.

Match 3: Edge Grove 0 – 1 St. Martin’s

The final match also ended in a 1-0 defeat for Edge Grove Colts G. The game was a testament to the team’s enduring effort and commitment. St. Martin’s put a lot of pressure on the Edge Grove defense, but the players stood their ground. The team continued to battle until the final whistle, but despite their best efforts, they couldn’t find the back of the net.

Overall, the Edge Grove Colts G team had a challenging but rewarding afternoon. They finished the day with one draw and two narrow losses. While the results may not have been what they hoped for, the boys can be proud of their effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout all three games. The experience gained from playing against strong opposition will undoubtedly help them improve in future matches.

Thursday – September 18th

Edge Grove U9A v Lochinver House

Edge Grove’s U9A football team secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Lochinver House in an exciting display of skill and teamwork. The match began with Edge Grove on the front foot, showcasing their dominance by moving the ball with speed and precision, creating numerous opportunities to exploit the Lochinver defense.

This early pressure paid off, with Edge Grove opening the scoring and heading into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 lead. The team’s strong performance was a testament to several standout players.

Noah was a constant threat to the opposition, using his clever footwork and touch to create chances. James was relentless in his efforts, tirelessly winning back possession and proving to be a force in attack with his powerful dribbling and a well-taken goal. Making his debut for the A team, Zachary was solid in defense, making several crucial tackles that helped keep Lochinver at bay.

The team was expertly led by captain Danny, who was immense in his role. He not only marshalled the defense with authority but also orchestrated the team’s attacking plays, topping off his impressive performance with a fantastic goal. On the wing, Ray was excellent, holding his position and consistently delivering accurate passes to his teammates. In goal, Tobi was electric, making a series of stunning saves to protect the lead and keep Edge Grove secure at the back.

Arjun proved to be a handful for the Lochinver defense. While a constant threat in attack, he is encouraged to focus on maintaining his defensive shape and transitioning more effectively between attack and defense to better support the team.

Despite a dominant performance, a couple of lapses in marking allowed Lochinver House to score two simple goals, making the final score a tighter 3-2. Overall, it was a fantastic team effort and a well-deserved victory for Edge Grove.

Edge Grove U9 Mrs Emms vs Manor Lodge

Edge Grove 9 – 2 Manor Lodge

What a brilliant way to kick off the season for our U9 hockey team!
The players got off to a strong start with a focused warm-up, followed by some sharp drills and an intense attack vs defence session. This preparation had the team ready and raring to go for the match ahead. By half-time, we had already taken a commanding 4-1 lead. Bella and Leah were superb in attack, driving forward with confidence and skill, while Alessandra led the way in defence with some excellent clearing work that kept our opponents at bay.
In the second half, the team maintained their composure and continued to play smart, cohesive hockey. We added another 5 goals to the scoreboard and conceded just one, finishing the match with a dominant 9-2 victory.
It was a fantastic team performance from start to finish, every player contributed, and the teamwork on display was outstanding. A huge well done to the whole squad! Let’s keep the momentum going!

Edge Grove U9 Miss Evans vs Manor Lodge 

Edge Grove 3-1 Manor Lodge 

What a wonderful game of hockey from our U9 team! Showing true grit and determination, the team bounced back after going 1–0 down in the first half to claim a well-deserved victory. The team’s excellent movement and passing game were on full display, creating countless opportunities in attack. Shreya and Leia were fearless in defence, keeping Manor Lodge out of the D with some superb tackles and positioning. In midfield, Eli worked tirelessly to win possession and feed the ball forward to Minyuan, whose sharp play in the D gave her multiple goal scoring opportunities. Eli’s work rate eventually allowed him a well earned goal. Savannah was brilliant on the wing, making some fantastic passes into the D and helping to set up two more goals for Minyuan.

A fantastic team performance — well done, everyone!

Edge Grove Year 3 A vs Lochinver House 

Edge Grove 3 – 3 Lochinver House

From the first whistle, this was an exhilarating contest that kept everyone on edge until the very end. Under 8 A’s started brightly, with Killian opening the scoring in style. Picking up the ball on the right-hand side, he drove forward and, from a very tight angle, unleashed a powerful strike that beat the keeper brilliantly to make it 1–0.

Despite the strong start, Lochinver House responded well and managed to turn the game around, taking a 2–1 lead into half-time.

The second half, however, saw the Under 8 A’s step up their intensity. Freddie was a constant threat down the left, showing tireless energy and determination. Isaac covered every blade of grass through the middle channel, tracking back when needed while also driving play forward to support the attack. Nathaniel also deserves credit for his solid contribution and commitment throughout the game.

At the back, Danyal worked tirelessly in a developing th eright wing-back role. He showed excellent awareness in balancing defensive duties with attacking opportunities, growing more confident in this new position. Behind him, Jagger was outstanding in goal, producing a string of saves to keep the team in the game and showing great bravery under pressure.

Thanks to the team’s collective effort and resilience, the game finished 3–3—a fitting result for such an exciting contest.

A fantastic performance all round, with plenty of positives to take into the next fixture.

Edge Grove Year 3 Red vs Lochinver House 

Edge Grove 2 – 0 Lochinver House

What a fantastic Edge Grove debut for the U8 Red team! They played with skill, determination, and excellent teamwork, moving the ball well and creating plenty of scoring opportunities. There was also some outstanding individual flair on show. Aryan S impressed in goal, commanding his area confidently and keeping a well-earned clean sheet. Ruairi and Zak were rock-solid in defence, working tirelessly for the team. Arlo excelled in both attack and defence, showing intelligent positional play and sharp passing. In midfield, Asher and Jay broke up opposition moves and linked play effectively to the forwards. Ayden showcased superb individual skill, scoring both goals, with a brilliant assist from Oscar C, who worked tirelessly throughout and was a real star performer.

A brilliant start to the season—well done to the whole team!

Edge Grove Year 4 Orange vs Lochinver House 

Edge Grove 0 – 1 Lochinver House

The boys were full of excitement for their first game of the season and played with excellent spirit. At times we bunched up and didn’t create quite enough space, but that was down to sheer determination—and it’s something we’ll work on as the season progresses. Riyan was rock-solid in goal, supported well by Musa and Veer in defence. Veer in particular showed impressive vision, picking out teammates in space and sparking several attacking moves. Maximilian, Neevan, Oliver, and Keshav all worked tirelessly across defence and midfield, while Matthew led the line with strength and persistence, putting real pressure on the opposition. Despite conceding a very early goal, the team battled hard and a draw would have been a fair reflection of a closely fought match. A promising start to the season!

Edge Grove Year 3 White A vs Lochinver House 

Edge Grove 5 – 0 Lochinver House

The Edge Grove White A team put in a commanding performance this afternoon against Lochinver House, securing a well-deserved 5–0 victory at home. Captain Finlay F led by example, not only controlling the team’s formations and substitutions but also making a huge impact on the pitch with an outstanding hattrick. Zakaria D added two well taken goals of his own, showing sharp finishing and composure in front of goal. It was a massive team effort, with Edge Grove moving the ball around confidently and working together to break through Lochinver’s defence. The boys played with energy and determination, and their teamwork ensured they outperformed the opposition across the pitch. While this was an excellent result, there is still plenty of work to be done in training as the team prepares to face stronger opposition in future fixtures. The commitment and hard work shown today set a fantastic platform to build on.

Edge Grove Year 3 White B vs Lochinver House 

The Edge Grove White B team played out a competitive 0–0 draw against Lochinver House in an evenly balanced contest. Captain Theo worked hard to organise the team’s formations and showed strong leadership throughout. In goal, Rajveer C was outstanding, making a number of fantastic saves to keep Edge Grove in the match. Going forward, Oscar I created several brilliant attacking opportunities, while Luca M impressed with excellent dribbling runs in attack as well as determined defensive work when needed. Although all the boys showed great individual skills and effort, there is still plenty to work on in terms of overall structure, passing, and movement. With continued focus and hard work in training, the team will only grow stronger.

Another week has flown by and we appear to be firmly in Autumn’s chilly grasp! My desk has been inching closer to the radiator.

HARVEST

Starting off with the important stuff: we are collecting food  to donate to a local food bank as part of our Harvest Celebration. Boxes are now in place in the Front Office, Junior Department and Apthorp. The collection will end on Friday 10th October in preparation for our Harvest Assembly the week after. Please donate as many non-perishables as you are able to help those in need.

House Assemblies

This week we had our first House Assemblies of the year, featuring many team-building activities and games for our pupils. Maybe you’d like to try them at home when the rain is pouring and the urge for the sweet bliss the (insert video game system here) affords!

Photo of the Week

This week’s Photo of the Week comes from Ahser, Year 3, in Hedgerows who should take a bow for this wonderful image:

The Photo of the Week is displayed in our assemblies and gains 10 House Points! Entries also gain 5 points. Currently Hedgerows is in the lead with this competition, with Gills sadly in last place having not entered any photos!

Joke of the Week

Entries to this competition are steadily rising with Gills currently in the lead with the most points. They may not be able to take a photo, but they certainly are a funny bunch. This week’s joke had personal resonance for me and it comes from Isabella, Year 3, in Stratton:

Why can’t the music teacher start his car? Because his keys are on the piano.

As with the Photo of the Week, all entries gain 5 House Points, with the winner receiving 10!

Have an excellent week ladies and gents, and look out for upcoming announcements about the School Production!

Mr Evans
Head of Houses
Director of Music
Lover of the electric blanket

Joke Entries

• Knock knock. Who’s there? Britney Spears. Britney Spears who? Knock knock.Who’s there ? Britney Spears. Britney Spears who? Oops I did it again
• What kind of tea is hard to swallow? Reali-tea.
• How fast could the korma run? As fast as his little legs could curry him! 
• A man wondered how long it would take to throw a boomerang across the world, then one day it hit him. 
• Why are mountains so funny? Because they are hill areas.
• What’s a sea monster’s favourite snack? Ships in dip.
• Where will you find Friday before Thursday? A dictionary.
• Why did the baker go to jail? He was caught beating the egg.
• What did the cheese say to itself in the mirror? Halloumi.
• What did the shark eat after having his tooth removed? The Dentist!!
• Who’s the king of the classroom?  The Ruler.
• What is a spider with ten eyes called? A spiiiiiiiiiider.
• I’m writing a book on glue but I’m still stuck on the first chapter. 
• What do you call a funny chameleon? A stand up chameleon.

Future School Update – Week 3
Mrs Jane Broadis, Head of Future Schools Curriculum

It is that time of year when Senior Schools get in touch with Edge Grove to let us know of upcoming key dates in their calendars: Open Days, Assessment Days and Scholarship Days.

This week we have heard from three schools to which we have sent many Edge Grove pupils over the years.  Please find recent updates from Belmont Mill Hill, Merchant Taylors’ and Queenswood. Aside from key dates regarding making an application, all include invitations to register for forthcoming Open Days which offer you the ideal opportunity to get a feel for a school, speak to staff, look around and ask whether you think your child would thrive there. You don’t need to be in Year 5 or 6 to visit; we recommend starting to think about your child’s Future School in Year 4. 

This week our Year 6s have sat the SW Herts Consortium Music Test, interviewed at Aldenham, been assessed at Queen Elizabeth’s School Barnet, visited Berkhamsted and completed CAT tests here at Edge Grove. (Please find more details about the CATs in this week’s Academic update.) After one child’s Aldenham interview this week, to which parents were invited, one Dad remarked that he could really see the difference that interview preparation at Edge Grove had made to his child’s confidence in answering questions. I was pleased to have firsthand evidence that our programme of small group preparation sessions, form time practice, and 1:1 mock interviews with Mr Stanley and Mrs Hodge is developing children’s skills and enabling them to shine! As staff, we are delighted to see our pupils’ maturity in tackling the exciting demands of their 11+ journeys.

Belmont Mill Hill 

Merchant Taylors’

Queenswood

UNESCO’s International Day of Literacy last week highlighted the essential role of reading and writing in children’s learning, daily lives and future success.

Literacy is a cornerstone of education, beginning when children are introduced to phonics, and as they continue to develop reading, writing and speaking skills with greater fluency and confidence.

As parents and carers, it’s natural to feel a sense of responsibility to support children’s literacy at home, and ensure that they are making steady progress at an age-appropriate level.

Tooled Up’s resources will help build your knowledge and confidence in this important area.

In this webinar for parents of younger children, language learning expert Professor Kathy Rastle explains the importance of phonics learning and deals with some misconceptions that surround it. Why Phonics Matters: Parents’ Questions Answered.

A substantial body of research explores literacy acquisition – the development of reading and writing skills. What motivates young children and teens to expand their vocabulary and why do some struggle with word learning? Our podcast, Professor Krishnan and Professor Ripollés Discuss the Role of Intrinsic Reward in Word Learning explores these key topics.

The benefits of a diverse and regular reading routine are well-known, but as children grow older and other activities and devices compete for their attention, how can we inspire them to continue reading at home? Ten Tips to Promote Reading at Home has been developed in collaboration with librarians in Tooled Up schools and offers practical ideas to foster a love of reading.