This Week at Edge Grove

As we conclude the first half of the summer term, I find myself reflecting on my first few weeks in my role as Head of the Junior Department. Welcoming you and the children each morning brings such joy. The beaming smiles and skipping steps of enthusiasm are infectious and really do set one up for the day.

Monday mornings are always special as we come together for our weekly department assembly. In honour of World Day for Cultural Diversity on 21st May, we engaged in meaningful discussions about the importance of diversity, recognising that our differences enrich our shared experiences. We all agreed that the world would be a rather boring place if we were all the same.

It was an honour to host the Hertfordshire Branch of the Schools’ Library Association for their Annual General Meeting. It was a pleasure to showcase our Junior Department, and we received high praise for our library and classroom book corners. They were equally impressed by the politeness and engagement of our pupils.

We have an action packed second half of term with our much loved Open Classrooms, informal Coffee Mornings, a Grandparents Forest School session, Sports Day, the Year 2 showcase and our special end of year celebration in the form of Speech Day. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at these events.

We have accumulated a significant number of lost items, including several high-quality water bottles. If your child is missing any belongings, please visit the Junior foyer at the end of the school day to check for them, as we will be clearing out unclaimed items over the half-term break.

I wish you and the children a restful break as you find time to recharge and enjoy much-needed family moments.

Mrs Wynne
Assistant Head (Junior)

Nursery

This week in Nursery, we’ve embarked on a delightful adventure exploring the letter ‘K’. Our young learners have been captivated by activities centered around keys, kites, and kings, reinforcing their understanding of this week’s sound. In maths, we went on an ‘oarsome’ adventure with Pirate Pete, using our knowledge of prepositional words. We experimented putting the pirate on the ship and watching the dolphin play in the water next to the boat. We then put our learning to the test by creating our own treasure maps and we had an abso-loot-ly wonderful time trying to find the buried treasure with our home-made telescopes. X marks the spot!

Reception News

The children loved learning about recycling this week. We read the story ‘Somebody Swallowed Stanley’ and thought about the impact rubbish can have on the environment. We then discussed how we can help our environment and what we can and can’t recycle. The children were so interested in this topic that we then decided to use old bits of card and paper to make recycled crowns and became Recycling Kings and Queens. We even wore our new crowns around school to see if we could find any pesky bits of litter lying around.

After working super, super hard this week with our core lessons of Phonics, English and Maths we decided we needed a break and a well deserved treat so we went to the adventure playground and had the BEST time. The children continue to amaze us with their strength when climbing and moving around difficult obstacle courses like the adventure playground and, of course, they do it with the biggest smile on their face- our favourite part! Did you know, climbing helps build up core strength in children which impacts their fine motor skills and supports in things like pencil grip and handwriting? So, lots of climbing over the half term break please! We can’t wait to see you after the break.

Year 1 News

The children have been wowing us with their knowledge of animals in science. We have investigated their characteristics, animal group and diet. They have accurately drawn animals in different habitats and produced some lovely writing, investigating them further.

The children love our guided reading sessions and are mastering their VIPERS skills. We are particularly focusing on inference and we are improving our ability to explain our reasoning. We are trying hard to draw a conclusion or reach a decision based on the evidence in the text. Please continue to practice this at home when you read with your child.

Queen Elizabeth herself would be very proud of our portraits of her. The children worked hard to draw her key features and write facts about her. On Wednesday 4th June we will be exploring Knebworth House and taking part in Tudor activities including dancing, music, writing and dressing up. We can’t wait!

Year 2 News

Our children have been enthusiastically participating in role play to enhance their speaking skills in Spanish. They are becoming quite the little experts at ordering food in a restaurant. ¡Excelente!

In Forest School, the children have been busy building dens. They have used various materials to work together and create a lovely home away from home. It’s been wonderful to see their teamwork and creativity blossom.

In English, our focus has been on developing comprehension skills. We are practising retrieving accurate information from the text, and the children are becoming increasingly proficient at this important skill.

We have begun thinking about the transition into Year 3. To help with this, we have engaged the children in activities designed to make them more familiar with the Apthorp building and routine. The children have enjoyed joining the middle and senior department for Friday celebration assemblies, break times with Year 3 and activities in the Year 3 classroom. This transition process has been both exciting and reassuring for them.

Dear Parents,

As we wave goodbye to another action-packed half term, it’s time to dig up the highlights and dive into everything that made this one memorable.

We unearthed some serious knowledge thanks to our guest author, Amy Atwater, who took Edge Grove Year 2 & Year 3 pupils on a prehistoric page-turner through the fascinating world of fossils. Who knew extinct creatures could inspire such living excitement? The edges of the playing fields are not pock-marked with mini excavations from inspired fossil hunters.

Meanwhile, the school theatre transformed into a Wildcat wonderland, with our spellbinding and high-energy immersive performance of High School Musical. Students dazzled with a show that was dramatically unforgettable.

History came to life during our thrilling trip to the Tower of London, where students explored centuries of stories, secrets, and splendid ravens. The day proved royally riveting.

Back on home turf, there was a splash of excitement with the re-opening of the swimming pool. Pupils were quick to make waves, showing off strokes as strong as their enthusiasm.

Wishing you a wonderful half-term holiday!

Mr Thorne
Assistant Head (Middle Department)

Miss Corin writes…

We have had a great last week of the half term. The children were very excited to visit the science labs for another engaging experiment, this time focused on rocks. During our exploration, we examined the various characteristics of different types of rock and considered whether they were permeable or impermeable. Max made an astute observation that the chalk was permeable, while Alessandra highlighted the delightful discovery that some of the rocks contain crystals, with a few exhibiting a notably rough texture.

In addition to our scientific endeavours, we celebrated National Numeracy Week, which provided Year 3 with an opportunity to engage in dynamic learning through a live lesson. The enthusiasm displayed by the children was infectious, as they participated eagerly in a range of numeracy activities designed to enhance their understanding and appreciation of mathematics.

I hope you all have a restful break, and I look forward to welcoming the children back refreshed in the next term.

Mrs Senghani writes…

In Science we have been looking at rocks and soils this half term. On Monday we went to the science lab to explore different types of rocks, their properties and if they were permeable or not. The students got to touch and explore the textures of the rock, and how it might change over time. The students had 4 different tools (sand paper, metal spoon, lollipop stick and a nail) to try and manipulate the rock. Students found that the softer rocks were easier to manipulate, in comparison to the harder rock. 

This week we continued to finish our seasonal poems, and students recited them by heart demonstrating their oracy skills. The majority of students were able to present their poem beautifully, and were very proud of their work, as was I. We also continued our topic of Roman and began to research different things the Romans brought to Britain, and made posters, which allowed them to to tie together the wonderful things they have been learning in history too.

On Wednesday it was World Numeracy Day and the students were taking part in live activities online to allow them to build their love of maths. 

We also welcomed the Year 2’s to the Apthorp and were answering questions they had about the transition as well as telling them about all the amazing new things year 3 has to offer. They worked in pairs with a member of year 2 and created their own animuddle creator. Both the Year 2’s and 3’s had a great time, and look forward to more frequent visits and time together.

I hope you all have a restful half term, and I look forward to seeing the children back for the last 5 weeks of the year, which has a lot of adventure and fun to come.

Mrs Fox writes…

3W have had an incredible week full of creativity and discovery! They proudly performed their own original poems, explored a variety of fascinating rock types, delved into the history of Hadrian’s Wall and the fearsome Picts, and even hosted Year 2 for an exciting transition morning.

I was especially impressed by the poetry this week, which we have entered into the Young Writers’ Competition. Although there were some initial nerves about performing in front of the class, once the students began, they did not want to stop. We enjoyed multiple performances, with pupils eager to refine their delivery and grow in confidence each time.

Fostering a love of poetry is incredibly important, in my view—it encourages creativity, adaptability, and allows children to explore their imaginations in powerful and meaningful ways. As my favourite poet once said, ‘Poetry is the music of being human. And also a time machine by which we can travel to who we are and to who we will become.’ Carol Ann Duffy.

Well done, 3W. You have developed a life skill this week, and I could not be prouder of each and every one of you.

The Year 4 team writes…

What a whirlwind of a half term it’s been, short but absolutely packed to the brim with learning and laughter! Our Year 4 students have truly outdone themselves this week, showing incredible resilience and determination while tackling their progress assessments in English, Maths, and Science. Their positive attitudes were infectious, and it’s clear to see them maturing and getting ready for the adventures of Year 5. We’ve been so impressed with their unwavering commitment to try their absolute best – a truly inspiring sight!

Beyond the assessments, our Year 4s have been making a splash with their swimming lessons, honing their cricket skills, and as always, Forest School has been a hugely popular highlight.

In English, creativity has been flowing as we’ve delved into writing a newspaper report on the mysterious vanishings of cats across the city. 4W, in particular, has been sharpening their reporting skills by crafting insightful questions and even hosting a captivating interview with Varjak, who some might say is the saviour of all cats! Here are a few intriguing snippets from recent newspaper reports for you! Adam kicked things off with a truly heroic tale: “A heroic cat saved the day in a house in Stratford.” Sansiya then delved into the mystery, adding, “The vanishings started ten to twelve years ago. It happened all over the city.” Finally, Teddy brought his report to a close with a dramatic resolution: “The man, who was identified as Bobby Greg-Gregster Bill, was sentenced to 101 years in the highest security prison in the world, and all of the cats were put in a cat home.” Using the skills we learnt in Performing arts, we then wrote a script for a TV Show and presented our introductory paragraph. ‘Lights, camera, action…’

Meanwhile, our Maths groups have been enjoying the challenge of analysing graphs and timetables, putting their analytical minds to good use.

History lessons have taken us back in time to explore ancient punishments, where we’ve certainly realised that justice was, shall we say, definitely a deterrent and in no shape or form ‘fair’! (Though we must admit, some Year 4 children did find the gruesome punishments dished out by the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings rather fascinating!).

We wish all our Year 4 families a wonderfully happy and relaxed half term. Get ready to ‘attack’ our final term as Year 4s with the same fantastic energy and enthusiasm you’ve shown so far!

Mrs Toniolo writes…

As we wrap up a busy and brilliant half term, here are some of the highlights from our classroom this week!

In English, Josh R, Harry, and Jasmine are all excited about the new book we’ve started. Jasmine is especially enjoying A Midsummer Night’s Dream, describing it as “funny and chaotic”.

On the cricket field, Avi was thrilled to nearly take a wicket and is also feeling proud after completing a tricky maths challenge. Aahil had a fantastic game against Kingshot, scoring several strong fours and showing real skill!

Looking ahead, Hridhaan can’t wait for the Water Rockets Workshop his dad will be running next half term!

In Maths, Nico and Luke have both loved the lessons this week and shown great enthusiasm and focus.

Well done to everyone for your hard work, energy, and positivity this half term. Wishing you all a restful, fun, and well-deserved break – see you after the holidays!

Mr Russell writes…

It has been a thoroughly enjoyable final week before half term in 5R. Here is what we have been up to.

Our form time Topic Tuesday this week was all about celebrating World Bee Day and understanding the vital importance of bees to our planet. The children were buzzing with interest after learning about these amazing creatures, and a lively quiz followed! Congratulations to the Sunrisers table, who were victorious in our bee-themed challenge!

Ben and Riley have been particularly excited by their Science practicals this week. They learned clever techniques to successfully retrieve solids from water, even after they had dissolved into particles. Tommy has been making a splash in the pool! He thoroughly enjoyed learning how to master the tumble turn, putting his new skills into practice in both his early morning swimming lessons with Mr. Bissix and his PE lesson. Adam found a new appreciation for languages by playing French battleships, thoroughly enjoying using French directions to sink his opponent’s ships. A massive congratulations goes to Sami who completed his drum exam this week! He was really pleased with how it went, and we are incredibly proud of his dedication.

A huge well done to all of the children in 5R for their continuous efforts in what has been another excellent half term. Their hard work, positive attitudes, and growing independence are truly commendable.

We hope you all have a restful and enjoyable break, ready for our final half term together in Year 5.

Have a great half term!

Mrs Allen writes:

Wishing all of 5A a restful and enjoyable bank holiday weekend and half term break.

We’ve had another excellent half-term together, full of enthusiasm, effort, and progress.

 I look forward to welcoming everyone back after the break as we begin our final ‘pizza slice’ of the school year – do ask your children what that means!

Ishaq, Natty and Freddie’s Comic Club has reached the end of an exciting term, and the Year 2s are delighted with the final comic strips that the Year 6s helped them create!  My huge thanks to Mrs Yacub for supporting this endeavour so enthusiastically.  

The Year 8’s Diploma is closing soon, but they are still blazing ahead to earn those last minute Credits in the race for Gold!  Timi even created his own website to showcase his Diploma and give it some longevity (please use your Edge Grove login to view the website).

In English, Year 6 has been thoroughly enjoying Matt Goodfellow’s verse novel, ‘The Final Year’.  Inspired by a poem about the protagonist’s classroom, the pupils crafted their own poems about school and life lessons.  See Niam’s fantastic use of metaphors in his poem below!  He has earnt a duly deserved Head’s Commendation.

Life is a video game,
You level up by learning as you grow.

Books are portals,
They transport you into new dimensions.

Playgrounds are tickles,
You can laugh and cry.

Schools are a treasure hunt,
You find the golden nugget to succeed in life.

Life is a rollercoaster,
There’s ups and downs…scary…exciting!

A good friend is a lifeboat,
To help you stay afloat when things get rough

Year 6 pupils have been learning about the Kingdom of Benin, exploring its rich history and artistic traditions. After exploring the traditional motifs and meanings behind the famous Benin Bronzes and other artworks, the children designed and created their own imitation bronzes using clay. The pupils showed creativity and skill in shaping their pieces, gaining a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and cultural significance of Benin’s famous bronze sculptures

Science

Year 5 celebrates their learning on separation techniques through an engaging practical session, exploring various materials with methods like filtration. They also embraced two revision sessions, revisiting topics covered since January, setting the stage to embark on the new half term with confidence and vibrant energy.

Year 5 had an incredible opportunity to dive into the exciting world of robotics. They embarked on a thrilling introductory session tailored just for their age group, and the enthusiasm was contagious. The students clearly had a blast as they explored the fundamentals of robotics, sparking their creativity and curiosity. It was an unforgettable introduction that left everyone eager for more!

Vision 2075: The Future of Edge Grove (Ignite)

Well done to every Ignite (Academic) Cub and Fellow who brilliantly showcased their ideas in the ‘Vision 2075’ challenge this week! In three inspiring sessions, 53 pupils from Years 4-8 unveiled their detailed concepts for Edge Grove’s transformation by the year 2075.

The challenge pushed them to innovate across these key areas:

• Classrooms & Learning Spaces: Imagining new teaching methods and learning environments.
• Technology & Innovation: Envisioning the futuristic tools students will use.
• School Environment & Sustainability: Designing an eco-friendly and modern campus.

During the half term break, the teachers and I will be meticulously assessing all presentations to identify those who demonstrated exceptional research, creativity, and presentation for further recognition and reward.

More to follow in Summer Term II!

This week we had the privilege of hosting a meeting of School Library Association librarians and I was able to share my insights in to the topic of ‘Breeding Readers: the Trials, Triumphs and Turning Points’. I took them through how we, as a whole school staff team, encourage a love of books and reading and why that is so important. Mrs Volioti, our School Librarian, also shared her passion for supporting children across the whole school and nurturing literary engagement in all our pupils from Nursery through to Year 8. You will find her interview below:

How I Support Children Across the School

From Mrs Volioti, Librarian

As the Edge Grove librarian for the past three years, I have the privilege of nurturing literary engagement throughout the school community. My role allows me to connect with children from Nursery through to Year 8, tailoring experiences to support their developing literacy skills and fostering a love of reading. 

Junior Department Library (Nursery-Year 2)

In weekly 30-minute sessions, I guide our youngest readers through book exchanges with personalised recommendations and introduce them to new library acquisitions. Nursery have their ‘Book Bags’, Reception children borrow one book, while Years 1 and 2 take home two books – one fiction and one nonfiction. After selecting their books, the children gather on the carpet for interactive storytimes where we discuss the narrative and enjoy the experience together. Year 2 sessions include a special poetry component where one or two children voluntarily recite a poem of their choice or share an original composition each week, developing their confidence in public speaking.

Apthorp Library (Years 3-4)

These sessions focus on developing independent selection skills across both fiction and non-fiction collections. I support their reading for pleasure that complements their curriculum-based Lexile books, while expanding their literary horizons through guided exploration of diverse genres. The children are encouraged to choose books that spark their interest while I provide gentle guidance to help them discover new authors and topics.

Main Library (Years 5-8)

Working collaboratively with English teachers, I facilitate book exchanges in the main library for our oldest students. During these sessions, I provide personalised recommendations aligned with their maturing reading abilities and highlight new additions suitable for more advanced readers. This partnership with their teachers ensures that library visits remain relevant to their academic development while still nurturing the joy of reading.

This progressive approach ensures each child receives appropriate guidance as they develop into confident, enthusiastic readers who view the library as both a resource provider and a space for literary discovery and enjoyment.

The Main Library is open every break and lunchtime for children in Years 4 to 8 as a quiet place for reading and reflection. On Tuesday breaktime a pupil led reading group for Years 4 and 5, called Roaring Readers, meets weekly. On Fridays when I am not in school, senior librarians keep the Library open.  

As we reach the end of another half term, it has been an incredibly busy, exciting, and rewarding few weeks for all things Performing Arts!

I’m sure you’ve heard all about the spectacular week we had last week with High School Musical… It truly was the most special week, and we thank you for all of your incredible feedback. Our hearts are so full with immense pride, gratitude, and Wildcat spirit!

Looking ahead to the final five weeks of term, we have much to look forward to: LAMDA exams, the Junior Platform Concert, the Year 2 Showcase, and a number of speech and drama performances. Our choirs will no doubt be singing their hearts out at Speech Day, just before some of our pupils move on to the exciting next step of Senior School.

It was particularly lovely to welcome prospective parents to our Open Morning today and share with them what makes Performing Arts at Edge Grove so special. Many commented on the pupils’ exuberant confidence, excellent communication skills, and their role as true ambassadors of the essential life skills, ones which transcend beyond the stage, that will serve them so well in the future.

A special mention must go to Freya, Sophie, Robert, and Keith, who spoke with such clarity and confidence during Open Morning. What a fantastic example of the ‘Edge Grove Way’ in action.

Once again, it is clear that Performing Arts plays a vital role in the character development we value so deeply at our school.

Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable break!

A Flying Start to the Summer Term!

It’s hard to believe how quickly this half term has passed — it’s certainly been our fastest yet! We began the term with great energy, taking all of our Year 5 to Year 8 pupils to the St Albans track for a fantastic day of athletics. Pupils took part in a wide range of events, from sprints to shot put, and it was a brilliant way to launch into the summer sports season. The event also gave us valuable data to help finalise our athletics teams for the first fixtures of the term.

We’ve been incredibly proud of our pupils’ performances across the board. Their enthusiasm, determination, and sportsmanship have stood out, and we’re looking forward to seeing them shine again at our Junior and Middle/Senior Sports Days after the half-term break.

Cricket has also been a highlight this term. Our 1st XI team has led the way with strong performances and a high number of wins. We’re equally proud of our youngest players in Year 3, who have embraced the game with energy and enthusiasm. They’ve participated in a variety of formats, from pairs to diamond and even a game of mixed cricket — showing impressive progress and teamwork throughout.

Thank you to Mr Craxton for running a fantastic Parent-Pupil archery tournament last weekend. The annual Parent + Pupil Pairs competition took place last Saturday under sunny skies. It was a close competition throughout with Bal and Eashan B (955 points) winning the senior category with the junior competition won by Brian and Lili P (852 points). Well done to everyone that took part.

As we head into the half-term break, we want to thank all of our pupils for their fantastic efforts so far and all our parents for their continued support. We hope you have a restful and enjoyable break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 2nd June for the final stretch of the school year.

Tuesday 20th May

U11 Girls Hardball Cricket – Hertfordshire County Tournament

Edge Grove 217 – 265 Heath Mount
Edge Grove 209 – 256 Westbrook Hay
Edge Grove 228 – 248 Berkhamsted
Edge Grove 236 – 262 Bishop’s Stortford
Edge Grove 215 – 247 Beechwood Park

An early start for the girls as we left for Beechwood Park at 8:45 for a day of hardball cricket. Each team played 5 matches of 8 overs paired cricket on the day.

Most of the girls were put outside of their comfort zones playing hardball cricket. They played extremely well all day, and were very unfortunate not to have won a game. 

Lucy and Sienna took a total of 3 wickets each across the day, Prithvika took 2 and Tilly took 1, all beautifully bowled hitting the stumps.

Most valuable players voted by each school was Lucy and Sienna voted 3, and Ruelle once. 

Each of the girls played really well, and showed great resilience and determination throughout the day.

After a tough day of games, Beechwood coach came over to me and told me that he thought Lucy had played the best shot he had seen all day, with a beautiful 4 on the off side. 

Wednesday 21st May

1st XI vs Kingshott

Kingshott 94 for 9 in 20 overs
Edge Grove 95 for 5 in 16.4 overs
Edge Grove won by 5 wickets

In a very enjoyable game of cricket, the boys put on an excellent team performance against Kingshott who we managed to keep under pressure with some fantastic performances. Bowling first, Kaelan led the way taking 4 for 11 in his 4 overs which included two very good catches off his own bowling. Timi opened the bowling with Kaelan and he took an important wicket through an excellent catch by Robert on the boundary after a very powerful shot. The turning point in the match was when Noah took a very good catch off his own bowling to dismiss the Kingshott captain who is an outstanding cricketer. Noah took a second wicket and Eashan and Arav both chipped in with wickets of their own through good catches by the stand-in wicketkeeper Max. The old adage of “catches win matches” was proved this afternoon with us taking 7 good catches which ultimately was the difference between the two teams. 

Going in to bat I think the boys were confident of an easy win until the Kingshott captain took a wicket with his first ball bowling at an incredible speed. He proceeded to take two more quick wickets and then a silly run out after a mix up saw Arav dismissed for 10, which he scored in two shots with a 4 and a 6, saw us in trouble. However, a very steady 40 not out by Noah, supported by Harry who scored a sensible 10 not out in 20 balls to support Noah saw us home to victory. 

2XI vs Kingshott

Edge Grove 2nd XI 111-4 (20 Overs)

Kingshott 2nd XI 112-6 (19.4 Overs)

Kingshott 2nd XI emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Edge Grove 2nd XI, chasing down Edge Grove’s total of 111 with just two balls to spare. The match, played out over 20 overs, was a testament to resilient batting and persistent bowling from both sides.

Batting first, Edge Grove 2nd XI faced a challenging start. The Kingshott bowlers applied early pressure, restricting Edge Grove to a mere 5 runs off the bat in the first 10 overs. It was a period of “Test Match batting” as Edge Grove dug in, patiently seeing off the Kingshott attack. The momentum shifted significantly in the latter half of the innings, largely thanks to Alex, who unleashed a flurry of six boundaries to accelerate the scoring. Edge Grove ultimately posted a competitive total of 111 for 4 from their allotted 20 overs.

In response, Kingshott 2nd XI faced an immediate challenge from Edge Grove’s invigorated bowling attack. Tio, Aiden, and Rabbie spearheaded the early assault, each claiming crucial wickets to put Kingshott on the back foot. However, the tide began to turn as Kingshott’s final batsmen displayed remarkable composure and grit. They steadily chipped away at the target, demonstrating excellent temperament under pressure. Despite further wickets falling to Greyson, Bolu, and Daniel, Kingshott’s lower order held firm, ultimately reaching their target of 112 for 6 in the 19.4th over, securing a hard-fought victory.

This close contest highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams, with Kingshott’s late surge proving just enough to overcome Edge Grove’s determined effort.

Colts A vs Kingshott

Kingshott 96/6 in 20 overs

Edge Grove 97/4 in 16.4 overs

Edge Grove won by 6 wickets

What a fantastic performance from our Colts A team this week, securing a brilliant 6-wicket victory over Kingshott! 

We started the game in the field, and it was a challenging opening as Kingshott’s openers batted cleverly, frustrating our bowlers with some near misses. The breakthrough finally came at the start of the eighth over, with Kingshott on 39 runs. Henry delivered an absolute peach of a ball, taking out the bails and making that vital first breakthrough! This wicket opened the floodgates, and Henry quickly followed up by removing another batsman with yet another brilliant delivery.

Edge Grove had to remain patient for the next wicket, but our perseverance paid off. A fine delivery from Elliot saw some quick hands from Syon and Daniel, who combined for an excellent run-out to dismiss the batsman. Aksh and then Elliot again picked up crucial late wickets, ensuring Kingshott’s total remained under 100, setting us up perfectly for our batting innings.

Our chase began with Ved S and Freddie opening the batting. They quickly got into their rhythm, working hard together to put on a solid 26-run partnership before Ved S was unfortunately bowled out. Skipper Daniel came in next and confidently steadied the ship with some great running between the wickets, before being dismissed in the eighth over.

Chris then took to the crease and confidently set about his business, building an effective partnership with Freddie and scoring a solid 12 runs. Freddie continued to impress with a lovely range of shots, showcasing his talent throughout his innings. Chris was unlucky to hit his own wicket after playing a shot, bringing Henry to the crease. Henry continued the quick run rate, expertly capitalising on overthrows and Kingshott’s mis-fielding. Freddie’s excellent innings eventually came to a close when he was run out, but Alex stepped up to join Henry, and together they calmly brought the win home with overs to spare!

It was a truly great team performance from everyone involved. Well done, Colts A!

Colts B vs Kingshott (Home Fixture)Date: 21/05/25
Format: T20 Venue: Edge Grove School

In glorious afternoon sunshine, the Colts B team took to the field for a thrilling T20 cricket match against Kingshott at home. Edge Grove won the toss and opted to bat first, setting the tone for an exciting and competitive fixture. Opening the batting, Jack D and Cooper W got the team off to a promising start, scoring a combined 22 runs before both were bowled out in the 3rd and 4th overs respectively. Despite the early breakthroughs by Kingshott’s disciplined bowling attack, Edge Grove held firm with a fantastic partnership between Nathaniel H and Syon T. The pair demonstrated excellent technique and composure, with Syon anchoring the innings until the 13th over and Nathaniel continuing to the 15th. Together, they contributed a valuable 77 runs.The innings was capped off by a confident performance from Atlas D and Ollie M, pushing the team total to an impressive 143 for 6.Edge Grove carried their momentum into the bowling innings with immediate impact. Ollie M struck in the very first over, giving the team a perfect start. Syon T continued the pressure with key wickets in the 6th and 17th overs, supported by Ayush who made his mark in the 7th.

Jack D showcased his all-round capabilities, claiming two crucial wickets in the 9th over. Further wickets from Ollie MC (11th over), Cooper (13th), Tommaso (14th), and Atlas (16th) rounded off a dominant bowling performance.The teamwork, energy, and enthusiasm displayed by the boys throughout the match were commendable, reflecting their growing passion and skill for the game. It was a fantastic team effort, both with bat and ball, and the result was a well-deserved victory for Edge Grove.

Final Score:
Edge Grove Colts B: 143 for 6
Kingshott: 87 for 10

Colts C
Edge Grove 258 – 211 Kinshott

Colts E
Edge Grove 284 – 257 Kingshott

The Colts E team got the game underway by batting first. Although it was a slow start—with Kingshott fielding tightly and limiting any early boundaries—the team soon found their rhythm. There were some impressive shots from Aarin, Harry, and Louis, whose well-placed strokes helped push the total to a solid 284 runs. Excellent communication from Arhaan, Pranay, Avi, and Riley ensured that Edge Grove avoided unnecessary run-outs and were able to add valuable runs to the scoreboard.

In the field, the Colts Es showed great enthusiasm, though their energy sometimes translated into a slightly frantic performance, making it challenging to contain Kingshott’s batters. Despite this, Nico delivered a strong defensive effort, preventing any runs from being scored off his bowling, while Aiwa made a key impact by taking two wickets.

A good effort from the Colts E team this week.

U12 County Cup vs St Clement Danes

Edge Grove 121 for 2 in 16 overs

St Clement Danes 105 for 4 in 16 overs

Edge Grove won by 16 runs

This was a very competitive match with both teams batting well and scoring at an excellent rate. Edge Grove lost the toss and were put in to bat and got off to a good start with Isaac scoring 28 runs of 32 balls in an opening partnership of 67 with Daniel. Isaac went out trying to increase the run rate which brought Noah to the crease and he scored an impressive 33 not out off of 23 balls in a second wicket partnership of 54 with Daniel scoring 34 runs off 36 balls before being run out off the last ball of the innings. With St Clement Danes needing 7.5 runs per over with a very quick outfield the game was in the balance. They were on track until 4 excellent catches by Thomas, Max, Noah and Isaac dismissed their best 4 batsmen and with Noah, Freddie, Niam and Daniel claiming these important breakthroughs we were able to win a great game by 16 runs. On to the next round!

U11 A Girls Cricket Hard Ball

Edge Grove 249-249 Kingshott

What a thrilling match for the U11A Girls Hard Ball Cricket Team – a true nail-biter that ended in an exciting draw!

Edge Grove won the toss and chose to field first, this was challenging due to fielding a six player team. Kingshott finished on 259 and Freya and Keavy opened the batting with confidence and flair. Freya set the tone early, smashing two 4s and an impressive 6, while Keavy followed up brilliantly with two 4s of her own. The final two overs saw Edge Grove trailing by 11 runs. However, another excellent over from Keavy and Freya saw them take the draw. The team batted with great determination and teamwork, reaching a strong total of 249.

Defending the score proved challenging with only six players on the field, but the girls rose to the occasion. Despite the reduced numbers, everyone gave it their all. Kirsten and Prithvika stood out with some excellent bowling, keeping the pressure on Kingshott throughout their innings.

In the end, the match came down to the wire – and with the final runs scored, the teams were level. A fantastic draw that showcased the team’s spirit, skill, and resilience. Well played, girls!

U11B Girls Cricket

Edge Grove 331 – 250 Kingshott

The U11B girls played a great match against Kingshott this week. We opened the batting with Abigail and Ruelle – a slightly slow start, but the team quickly found their form. Sienna, Caoimhe, and Tilly impressed with some excellent shot placement, each hitting multiple 4s to help us finish on a strong total of 331 runs.

Heading into the field, our bowling was sharp and focused. The team took 3 wickets during the innings, with Eva and Sienna standing out—claiming two of the three between them.

Well done to the whole team for a fantastic performance and a great game!

U11C Girls Cricket

Edge Grove 118 – 61 Kingshott

A fantastic demonstration from the U11C girls’ cricket team this afternoon, who were praised for their excellent teamwork and the supportive spirit they showed towards both Edge Grove and Kingshott pupils.

The team worked hard from start to finish, showing determination, focus, and sportsmanship throughout. There was great communication on the field from Maya-Rose and Abbie, helping to keep the team organised and alert. Orly and Anna also played a key role, consistently backing up the wicket and supporting the fielding side with energy and awareness.

Their efforts paid off with a fantastic and well-earned win – well done, girls!

U10A Girls Cricket

Edge Grove 102 – 102 Kingshott

A beautiful afternoon for cricket with the sun shining. The girls started their batting strongly, with Edith and Ayomipo scoring 22 runs in their 3 overs, with beautiful 4’s from both the girls. Aria S and Amber followed with 22 off 3 overs, with a beautiful 4 hit by Amber. Lyra and Jasmine followed as the 3rd batting pair and scored 20 runs off their 3 overs. The girls were then put in to bat again as we had fewer numbers and the team managed to score a further 63 runs of 8 overs. Some beautiful batting from once again from Edith and Amber, with a beautiful 4 from Jasmine too. 

The girls bowling reflected their energy, however after a bumpy start Lyra bowled a brilliant 4 run over, followed by a wicket from Edith. Lyra, Amber and Edith all bowled excellent overs, resulting in a draw.

Excellent performance all round on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon. Well done girls.

U10B Girls Cricket

Edge Grove 96 – 46 Kingshott

The U10B cricket team had a fabulous afternoon of cricket in the sunshine on Wednesday. The players demonstrated great teamwork, supporting each other on and off the field and showing true team spirit throughout the match.
Bowler of the Match was Tippi, who delivered an exceptional performance. Her accuracy and consistency kept her on top form from start to finish.
Batter of the Match was Asayoma, who impressed with her strategic play, always looking for the gaps in the field and taking full advantage of them.
An excellent and well-deserved result for the whole team!

Thursday 22nd May

Edge Grove U8 (Miss Evans’ Team) vs Belmont – Match Report

Edge Grove 299-227 Belmont 

The Edge Grove U8 team, led by Miss Evans, played a thrilling game of cricket against Belmont. Edge Grove lost the toss, and Belmont chose to bat first.

It was an outstanding performance in the field, with some excellent bowling and tight fielding keeping Belmont’s total down to 227. Iylah and Coco both took key wickets, and Eila bowled brilliantly throughout.

Edge Grove responded with determination. Anira and Eila opened the batting confidently, with Eila hitting a fine 4 and the pair scoring 21 runs. Bella and Shreya followed with a fantastic partnership, adding 28 runs. Iylah and Alessandra kept the momentum going with 17 runs, and Coco and Emma chipped in with 1. Bella and Shreya returned to the crease and added another 21, before Shreya and Eila closed the innings with 12 more runs.

Bella was on top form with the bat, scoring three impressive 4s and earning the Batter of the Match award. Eila’s excellent bowling earned her the title of Bowler of the Match.

A fantastic team effort from all – well done, girls!

U8 Girls Mrs Emms Team

Edge Grove 283 – 215 Belmont

The U8 girls cricket team delivered an exceptional performance in their latest fixture, showcasing the brilliant tactics and teamwork they’ve been developing throughout the term.
The team opened the game with a strong fielding effort. Leah and Zianna were quick off the mark, showing sharp awareness by running in on open balls and returning them efficiently to the bowler. Their alertness in the field helped keep the pressure on the opposition right from the start.
When it came time to bat, the girls seized every opportunity with confidence. Their eagerness to run between the wickets was a key factor in their success, putting them well ahead on the scoreboard. A special mention goes to Toyosi and Tireni, who had a fantastic time at the crease—smashing multiple boundaries and even clearing one massive six, much to the excitement of their teammates and spectators.

It was a superb all-round display that perfectly embodied the Edge Grove cricket spirit. Well done to all the girls for their hard work, discipline, and team play. Keep it up!

U9 Mixed B Team vs Manor Lodge

Edge Grove 242 – 226 Manor Lodge

Our Year 4 Mixed B cricket team triumphed this week with a home win against Manor Lodge by 16 runs! 

Edge Grove started the match in the field, and our bowlers immediately put pressure on Manor Lodge. Raphy got us off to a dream start, putting the Manor Lodge openers to the sword with two fantastic wickets in the very first over! Krishna followed up with a steady second over, stamping out any chance of a quick reaction from the opposition. In the third over, captain Seb bowled fantastically, giving away just a single run. The accurate bowling continued from Sansiya, Teddy, Tulsi, Monty, and Lily L, who all delivered low-scoring overs. The pressure really mounted in the final two overs when Wolf and Jola piled on the pressure, securing three crucial late wickets. This excellent effort in the field restricted Manor Lodge to a score of 226.

Buoyed by their superb bowling and fielding, Edge Grove set about their run chase with confidence. Monty and Lily L got our innings off to a solid start with an opening partnership of 11 runs. Next up, Teddy and Tulsi ran their hearts out, tirelessly scoring as many runs as possible and adding an impressive 12 to the total despite some late wickets against them. Sansiya and Seb continued to comfortably add to the score, putting on another 10 runs.

The top scorers of the game were Raphy and Krishna, who formed a fantastic partnership of 20 runs, which included three brilliant boundaries! To bring the victory home, Jola and Wolf stepped up to face Manor Lodge’s best bowling pair, navigating the pressure with composure. They saw us reach a total of 242, securing a well-deserved victory for Edge Grove!

U9 Mixed C Team vs Manor Lodge

Edge Grove 269 – 238 Manor Lodge

A colder afternoon of cricket for the year 4’s, however they did not let that stop them. Opening the batting was Wolf and Jola, who scored 22 runs of their 4 overs. Kevin and Sienna took to the crease scoring a brilliant 24 runs off their overs. Followed by a combination of Wyatt and Sienna and Wyatt and Kevin taking Edge Grove’s score to 269 of their batting 210 overs. Some great batting, with 4’s kit by Wolf, Jola and Kevin.

Wolf opened the bowling, only conceding 2 runs off his over. Sienna, Wyatt, and Wolf then followed with beautifully bowled overs with only 2 runs conceded from them. As a team they worked incredibly hard whilst batting and in the field, and this was rewarded in a great win.

Well done to all the students. 

Year 4 Mixed Teams vs Manor Lodge School (Away Fixture)
Format: Pairs Cricket
Teams: Edge Grove Year 4 D, E & F Mixed Teams
Date: 22/05/25
Venue: Manor Lodge School

On a bright and competitive afternoon, Edge Grove’s Year 4 D, E, and F teams travelled to Manor Lodge School for an exciting round of pairs cricket. With a combined squad of 16 players, flexibility and teamwork were key as the pupils mixed across teams to ensure a full and enjoyable set of matches. The collective spirit and effort paid off with Edge Grove securing 2 wins out of 3 games – a fantastic achievement! The matches were marked by some excellent all-round cricket. In the field, Kwabena stood out with two superb catches, showing great awareness and reflexes. Iyanu also impressed with a brilliantly executed run-out wicket, showcasing sharp fielding skills under pressure. Bowling was consistent across all teams, with particular praise going to Oscar, Kush, and Leila, who demonstrated both accuracy and control throughout their overs. Their efforts helped keep the pressure on the opposition and created opportunities for wickets. With the bat, Edge Grove played with determination and focus. Special mentions go to Liliana, Torin, and Isabella for their composed and confident batting, helping their teams post competitive totals and rotate the strike effectively. It was particularly pleasing to see the pupils mixing between teams to ensure everyone could play – a testament to their sportsmanship and adaptability. The day offered valuable match experience and highlighted the importance of teamwork, communication, and continued practice. Well done to all involved – a great afternoon of cricket with promising performances across the board. Let’s keep building on this with enthusiasm and effort in training sessions.

Salut!

Another week has flown by: High School Musical is now a distant (but ever present) memory and I still twitch if anyone mentions anything to do with the Disney showcase spectacular!

That being said, with Open Morning today, our megamix of pupils displayed their House and School pride, highlighting to everyone a sense that we’re all in this together. Sporting activities have been emboldening the House spirit with so many heads firmly in the game, and my twitchy eye is threatening to break free from its socket.  I’m counting on you to call a doctor!

A final plug for EdgeFest on Saturday 7th June, with the updated band performance times.  We’re all very excited to perform for you on the stage in front of the main house: my set even includes some Status Quo!  Requests will not be accepted, you can’t always get whatever you want!

Three weeks ago I started something new with the creation of Joke of the Week.  What I’ve been looking for is the funniest, side-splittingest pun to bring a smile to my slightly sombre face.  It’s swiftly become a staple in our Friday assemblies and the number of entries has been increasing week-on-week.  Today’s winner, or should I say winners, who have bopped their way to the top are Riley and Asayoma for this characterful joke:

I only know 25 letters of the alphabet. I don’t know why (Y)!

Have an excellent half term and remember that we’re all in this together (reprise).

Mr Evans
Head of Houses
Director of Music
Exhausted

As our Year 6 pupils move into the final phases of their chosen senior schools’ admissions processes, parents with pupils in lower year groups may be starting to think more about the journey that they and their child will be embarking on in the not too distant future. If your child is in Year 5 or below and you would like to meet to discuss their academic profile and next steps, please book an appointment via Mrs Thomas, Head’s PA on futureschools@edgegrove.com 

The Future Schools Presentation to Parents is now available to view on the Future School Documents section of the app.

INFORMATION FROM SENIOR SCHOOLS

ABINGDON SCHOOL

Abingdon Senior School will start to welcome girls to our First Year (Year 7) and Sixth Form from September 2026. We will therefore welcome girls at the 13+ stage in 2028.  

We have a number of events for prospective families running throughout the course of this term and next – all of which can be booked online via this link.

ABBOT’S HILL SCHOOL

13+ Scholarship Opportunities

We have recently launched some new Scholarship opportunities. Scholarships will be available in the following areas:

Sport
Music
Drama
Art+Design

Enquiries to  https://www.abbotshill.herts.sch.uk/scholarships/ or email admissions@abbotshill.herts.sch.uk

BISHOPS STORTFORD COLLEGE

Whole School Open Event – Saturday 20th September

11+ entry in September 2026. 

Application Deadline for entry to the College in September 2026: 

Monday 3 November 2025

Scholarship Assessment Days:

Tuesday 11 November 2025 (11+ art and music) 

Wednesday 12 November 2025 (11+ sport)

11+ Entry Testing Day:  

Saturday 15 November 2025

Outcomes sent to parents:

Friday 28 November 2025

CHANNING SCHOOL

Here are the Channing 11+ (2026) key dates for your diary:

11+ Application Deadline: Friday 7 November 2025

Bursary and Music Scholarship Application Deadline: Friday 7 November 2025

Channing offers both bursaries and Scholarships for Year 7.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at admissions@channing.co.uk if we can be of further assistance.

CITY OF LONDON SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

11+ Admissions Brochure

 For more information and to book, visit www.clsg.org.uk

HAILEYBURY

We are always happy to welcome any interested families to come and visit us; this can be done in a number of ways:

• Families can book onto one of our Open Events. Please encourage prospective families to book their place via the School’s website. 
• Contact the Admissions department (admissions7to9@haileybury.com / 01992 706353 ) to arrange an individual family visit during term time.

Once a family has decided to proceed with an application to Haileybury, we encourage them to register with us by completing our online Registration Form.

JOHN LYON SCHOOL

Admissions Brochure

To book a School in Action Open Morning please contact admissions@johnlyon.org

THE LEYS

Information on small group visits can be found here and, in addition, we’re always pleased to discuss the possibility of a private visit with families too.

LONDON 11+ CONSORTIUM

Information regarding the Consortium can be found on our website.

These are the key dates:

Closing date for registrations: Friday 7 November 2025

Consortium Assessment dates: Friday 28 November, Tuesday 2 December and Thursday 4

December 2025

Offer date: Friday 13 February 2026

Deadline to accept: Wednesday 4 March 2026 – 12 noon

MILL HILL

Visit Our School | Senior Admissions North London | Mill Hill

MILL HILL COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

APTITUDE TEST DATES FOR YEAR 7 ENTRY FROM SEPTEMBER 2026

Registrations for Aptitude Tests will open on Friday 21st March 2025 and close at 3pm on Friday 9th May 2025. Registrations for Aptitude Tests are to be made online via the Mill Hill County High School website

https://www.mhchs.org.uk/1763/apply-for-aptitude-tests-4

RADLEY COLLEGE – 2026 ENTRY INFORMATION

All the details of our Open Days can be found on our website here. 

All 2028 entrants, regardless of their route of entry, will need to sit the ISEB Common Pre-Tests by 28 November 2025 .Parents need to register their children directly with the ISEB to sit the Common Pre-Tests via the ISEB Parent Portal. Parent Registration will open on 10 June 2025. 

Boys who have been shortlisted following receipt of the ISEB Common Pre-Tests results and Head’s report, will be asked to attend one of the following Assessment Days:

13, 15, 20, 22, 27 January & 3, 5 February 2026.

RMS – PRIVATE TOUR OF RMS FOR GIRLS – Contact Admissions to book a tour

 Do not hesitate to contact our friendly Admissions Team who will happily arrange a private tour of the School at a time convenient for you.
Please contact admissions@rmsforgirls.com 

SHREWSBURY SCHOOL

We are always delighted to welcome families to our Open Days, when they can get a sense of our beautiful campus site.  Each Open Day starts with a presentation from the Headmaster and other senior staff, followed by a Q&A session with pupils.  Families visit one of our houses and then enjoy a school tour with pupils, followed by lunch.  Open Days & School Tours | Shrewsbury School

The Director of Admissions, Martin Cropper (mc@shrewsbury.org.uk), is always pleased to talk to parents and to offer advice on our Admissions process.  We welcome applications for September 2026 onwards, and a small number of places for September 2025 have recently become available.

SOUTH WEST HERTS CONSORTIUM – Secondary Transfer 2026

This year, registration for the tests spans a period of almost ten weeks, from Tuesday 1st April to Friday 6th June 2025. As previously, no late registrations will be accepted. If a parent has extenuating circumstances for failing to register for the tests, this may be cited as part of an appeal to an independent panel at a secondary transfer appeal hearing.

The Test Administration Team can be contacted via email only at info@swhertsschools.org.uk. There is no facility to telephone.

Key testing dates can be found in the image at the bottom of this section.

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL

The School has numerous Open Mornings taking place. These are a great opportunity for families to discover what a Tonbridge education can offer their son, as well as the chance to meet boys and staff.

Come along and find out what makes us the top boys’ boarding school in the country as well as the best boys’ school in the South-East, as ranked by The Sunday Times’ Parent Power table.

Book your place using this link.

UPPINGHAM SCHOOL

Uppingham’s Visiting Days Families can sign up to attend via our website or contact Sarah Heading (sch@uppingham.co.uk). 

This term is such a busy one with so much organising going on behind the scenes!

We are excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for Edge Fest, a treat of a weekend on 7/8 June including a night under the stars on our beautiful grounds. Tickets can be purchased here

Ticket sales will close soon so make sure you get in there early!

We are also busy selling Edge Grove branded hoodies and torches. Perfect for camping trips, enrichment week and forest school! The deadline for the hoodies to be here in time for enrichment week is 13 May so please get ordering soon!

The second hand uniform shop is looking very empty right now! We are especially short of PE kit and cricket whites, so please drop any unwanted items to the main or junior receptions so they can be used by someone else!

Don’t forget FOEG coffee mornings will take place on 13 June and the AGM will be on 1 July. It would be great to see you there. Anyone who would like to help us out next year please do get in touch!

Have a lovely bank holiday weekend.

Mrs Carr
Chair of the Friends of Edge Grove

As a Tooled Up member, you’ll be familiar with our wide range of evidence-based resources designed to support children’s wellbeing and resilience. As part of that support, we also want to ensure that parents and carers thrive, as when you are feeling your best, your children are more likely to flourish too.

The rush of daily life means that focusing on your own wellbeing can often take a back seat. That’s why Tooled Up has created a host of resources specifically aimed at you. These cover a range of topics including relationships and mental health, and we’ve included some examples below.

How can couples with busy lives stay connected? As parents, how can you ensure that your relationship remains healthy, loving and strong? Watch this webinar with relationship therapist Sue Wintgens on The Importance Of Connection for Couples.

Adult life is full of unexpected twists and challenges. Our instinct is to keep on going but is there a better way to handle wobbles and worries? This article on Coping With Change and Uncertainty, collates links to all the Tooled Up resources that can help adults manage anxieties and become emotionally resilient.

Many parents may be experiencing or have questions about the menopause. It’s no surprise then, that the expert webinars we’ve hosted on this topic are among the most popular. In this session with Dr Gauri Seth, explore how menopause affects family life and learn practical strategies to support your loved ones during this time of change: Menopause, The Brain, and How to Support the Family System.