This Week at Edge Grove

The importance of reading is something we all know only too well, and this week in classrooms I chose to focus on the power of daily storytime. It was wonderful to see how engaged both pupils and teachers were in these moments. From sharing a poem in Year 2, to exploring the colours of sunflowers in Nursery, to Reception’s impressive knowledge of the terms blurb, author, and illustrator, and even Year 1’s thoughtful judging of books for the Children’s Book Awards, the children were clearly captivated by this special part of the day.

In Nursery, it has been a pleasure to see how settled the children have become. I was particularly impressed by the immersive nature of their maths lesson. Using acorns and leaves as counting tools brought learning alive and the outside right into the classroom.

In Reception, I was greeted by an enthusiastic chorus of voices announcing, “Mrs Wynne, we have been subitising!” It is a joy to hear the children using accurate mathematical language so early in their education journey, and it reflects the strength and richness of our Edge Grove Maths Curriculum.

Year 1 have been busy writing their own imaginative versions of The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Their retellings featured some very creative visitors, including Miss Day, Miss Bridgman, cheetahs, and even dinosaurs! The food choices were equally inventive, ranging from drinking coke and eating brownies to consuming all the dog food.

Year 2, meanwhile, delighted (and slightly horrified) us all with their adventurous descriptions of Mr Twit especially the sardines in his beard! 

We are very much looking forward to welcoming you for our first Parents’ evening of the term on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th October. A letter detailing the exact arrangements will be out shortly as we are also aware that these dates fall during Sukkot.

Mrs Wynne
Assistant Head (Junior)

Nursery

We’ve had another exciting week in Nursery, full of fun and learning! The children have been developing their problem-solving skills by completing a variety of puzzles, showing great perseverance and teamwork. In Maths, we focused on number recognition and comparing numbers, learning to identify which numbers are bigger or smaller. The children really enjoyed these activities and are becoming more confident each day. In Phonics, we continued exploring environmental sounds we might hear in the park, such as a man running or the squeaking of a merry-go-round. The children were enthusiastic and engaged, using their listening skills brilliantly. We also had a fantastic time at Forest School, where the children collected natural resources like leaves, sticks, and acorns. These treasures will be used to create beautiful autumn collages. We’re so proud of all the children and can’t wait for another wonderful week ahead!

Reception News

What a busy and exciting week it’s been in Reception! In Literacy, the children have been enjoying the classic tale of The Three Little Pigs. They brought the story to life through enthusiastic role play, using both actions and props to retell the events with huffing and puffing included! In Maths, the focus has been on subitising, and the children have been practising recognising number dot patterns with increasing confidence.

Phonics this week introduced the sounds ‘t’ and ‘p’. The children took part in a range of fun activities to help them identify and respond to the sounds – one highlight was running to the correct point when they heard the target sound! In celebration of Rosh Hashanah, some children tasted apples and honey and were pleasantly surprised to discover they really liked it.

Responding to a growing interest in writing, a small café role-play area was set up in the classroom. This gave children the perfect opportunity to practise writing down orders, develop their communication skills, and enjoy some lovely social interactions. Well done Reception for a fantastic week of learning and fun!

Year 1 News

It has been another incredibly busy week in Year 1! The children have learnt all about how climbing the “story mountain” can help us to craft a story, and have created their own versions of The Tiger Who Came To Tea. We have had quite the menagerie of animals, ranging from guinea pigs to dinosaurs! Maths this week has been all about comparing numbers, and we have enjoyed learning about crocodiles and how they only like to chomp the bigger numbers – how greedy!

In humanities, we have continued our Geography focus, exploring the different countries of the UK and their capital cities and our exploration of the 5 senses in science has led us to thinking about sight and how we use our eyes. We played a fabulous game of alien i-spy!

A brilliant week, Year 1, well done!

Year 2 News

During our exploration of World War 1, the children have shown remarkable curiosity and enthusiasm as they delved into the causes and Britain’s involvement in the Great War. Our classrooms have buzzed with excitement as our pupils engaged in a variety of learning activities designed to deepen their understanding of this historical event.

We have had a strong focus on expanding our understanding of English language components. The children have been distinguishing between common nouns, like ‘bird’ and ‘tree’, and proper nouns, like ‘Mr. Twit’ and ‘Mrs. Twit,’ enhancing both their reading and writing skills. We have also been using adjectives to create vivid imagery, helping the children paint colourful pictures with their words. We have turned simple sentences into magical experiences! 

We have also seen remarkable progress in how the children up-level their vocabulary. Instead of just ‘sad’, they have learnt to express feelings with words like ‘unhappy’, ‘miserable’, ‘solemn’, and even ‘melancholy’. Their ability to use more descriptive language is impressive and makes their verbal and written responses truly striking!

It was wonderful to welcome you to the recent Year 3 Curriculum Meeting. We truly value the strong partnership between home and school, as it plays such an important role in every child’s learning and development. By working closely together, we can always find positive solutions and the best way forward, so please never hesitate to get in touch with us at any time.

One of the highlights of my day is greeting the children at the door each morning, sharing conversations, and watching their confidence and curiosity flourish. The children are arriving so independently each morning, and we recognise that moments of transition can occasionally bring small challenges. Please be assured that we are here to support the children as they grow in confidence and navigate these experiences. 

A reminder that the Year 4 Curriculum Meeting will take place on Tuesday 30th September at 8:45am. We understand that some parents may be unable to attend, so please do not worry if that is the case—we will share the presentation with all families afterwards.

Please also remember that if children arrive late in the morning, please can you take them to the main office to sign in. Thank you!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, and thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Mrs Tora Hodge
Deputy Head (Academic)

Year 3 – Miss Kyriacou, Miss Corin, Miss Lundrigan

Another exciting week in Year 3 has come to an end, and we are thrilled to share all of the wonderful experiences our pupils have been having!

The girls showed incredible teamwork and enthusiasm as they played their very first hockey match. The whole school was buzzing with excitement, and we are so proud of everyone’s efforts on the field!

In English this week, Year 3 focused on fronted adverbials, which are words or phrases placed at the beginning of a sentence. We have also been exploring spelling patterns for words that end in ‘sure’, helping our pupils to spell with increased confidence and accuracy.

In maths, we worked on understanding the value of 3 and 4-digit numbers. We’ve been practicing partitioning and counting on and back in 100s, which helps to strengthen the children’s number sense and arithmetic skills.

We delved into the fascinating world of the Stone Age this week, learning about hunter-gatherers and how they managed to adapt and survive during this ancient time. Our pupils were captivated by the stories of innovation and survival.

We would like to celebrate the resilience and hard work our pupils have displayed throughout the week. Their curiosity and eagerness to learn continue to amaze us!

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. We look forward to another week of discoveries and learning.

Year 4 – Mrs Futerill, Mrs Warnes

What a beautiful week it has been, filled with sunshine and a truly autumnal atmosphere. Year 4 returned from Forest School brimming with excitement, proudly carrying conkers and other treasures collected from the woods. In English, we are exploring two characters from Freedom for Bron and using our imaginations to create our own ‘raider’ and ‘young Jute’ characters in preparation for our first story-writing task next week.

In Mathematics, the focus has been on rounding numbers to the nearest 10, 100 and 1000, with many children challenging themselves further by working confidently with five and six-digit numbers. Both 4W and 4F have enjoyed a times table battle, demonstrating excellent good-natured competitiveness.

Science lessons were particularly exciting this week as Year 4 carried out investigations in the ‘lab’ to discover whether materials melt at the same rate. We carefully measured temperatures and children offered thoughtful hypotheses as to why butter melted more quickly than chocolate. “Butter is full of oil,” one suggested, while another explained, “Butter contains fat and that heats up fast.” The only disappointment, of course, was that the melted chocolate could not be eaten!

In Geography, we explored the use of land and enthusiastically identified familiar places, including shops and even our school, on local maps. During reasoning sessions, held twice a week, pupils have shown just how inquisitive they are by applying systematic thinking to solve a variety of problems.

Finally, Year 4 were inspired by Mr Stanley’s assembly on Wednesday, which reminded us all of the importance of every individual’s role in achieving and inspiring success in our class. ‘We all have a role to play’. 

We wish all our families a restful weekend and thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Year 5 – Mr Russell, Mrs O’Brien

It has been another busy, but enjoyable week in Year 5! 

This week, we took part in the European Languages Day quiz. There was some fierce competition, and we cannot wait to see which house comes out on top! Mr. Russell is, of course, rooting for Stratton!

Our Form Time Topic Tuesday was all about celebrating National Comic Book Day. We had a great time exploring the origins of the first comic books and their rise to popularity, discussing everything from classic heroes to modern graphic novels.

In PSHE, we have continued our important work on challenging stereotypes. The children are doing a wonderful job of ensuring our school community is a place where everyone feels free to pursue their interests, regardless of their gender.

We also had our first Upper Middle Department assembly, which focused on the topic of healthy friendships. The children worked in mixed groups with our Year 6 peers, discussing different scenarios that challenge friendships and how to navigate them effectively. It was great to see such mature and thoughtful discussions.

Here are some of the children’s highlights from this week:

In maths, Alice has been enjoying learning about square and cube numbers, while Izzy was delighted to win her TTRS battle.

Sansiya loved getting creative and designing her own resin lamp in DT.

Iyanu was awarded the 5O class mascot for her wonderful display of independence. 

Torin and Isabella showed brilliant teamwork during their sports matches this week. The whole of Year 5 had a fantastic time at their away fixtures in football and hockey at Heath Mount or Westbrook Hay.

Daniel found his Science lessons particularly interesting, as we delved into the fascinating topic of plant reproduction.

As always, thank you for your continued support. We look forward to another fantastic week next week!

 Have a lovely weekend!

Year 6 – Mrs Allen, Mr Kay and Dr Moradi

This week, Year 6 took part in their very first Upper Middle Department assembly, which focused on the theme of healthy friendships and managing conflict. Led by Mr Russell and Mrs Allen, we began by exploring the key “ingredients” for building strong friendships: listening, sharing, and compromising. The children then worked in mixed groups with their peers to tackle a range of scenarios that can sometimes put friendships to the test. Together, they reflected on how to respond to challenges with kindness, empathy, and resilience. It was a joy to see the children engaging so thoughtfully, listening attentively, and offering such mature and constructive ideas.

During form time this week, we continued this important work by talking about the concept of “foaming, not fuelling, the fire.” We reflected on how small actions can either escalate or de-escalate situations, and the importance of being mindful in our social interactions. The children shared strategies for calming tensions, supporting one another, and finding positive ways to manage friendships.

Adding to the excitement of the week was the big reveal of our 2026 school musical – Bugsy Malone! While Year 6 had already been piecing together the many clues hidden around the school and had pretty much guessed it, the official announcement still brought plenty of buzz and anticipation! 

Wishing everyone a restful and enjoyable weekend.

This week has been another busy one!  

The Seniors received their CAT scores, and we discussed the importance of remaining in first gear and getting ‘ahead of the game’ for Year 9 through consistent academic curiosity and exemplary behaviours for learning.  Those pupils who have yet to secure places in Senior schools now can focus their attention on specific reasoning practices to ensure they show off how brilliant they are!  Further information regarding CATs can be found in Mrs Broadis’s Future Schools section of this week’s newsletter here.

The small class sizes are the best opportunity for the Seniors to truly make the most of all that their specialist subject lessons involve.  

Last week, our First Chapter Friday was ‘Holes’ by Louis Sachar – Aydin and Alex enjoyed it so much that they borrowed it afterwards and have made great progress.  This week, we began Dan Brown’s famous ‘The Da Vinci Code’. 

In Form Time, we undertook an online masterclass in preparation for our Sky Studios visit next week, where, using Sky Studios’s template, the Seniors have been collaborating in small groups to create an outline for a short film.  Sky Studios would like us to vote on and submit two ideas to be made into reality during our visit, so you can imagine the spirit of friendly competition that is currently coursing through the year group!

We also wished Shana Tova to Reuben, Max, Noah, Isaac and their families.  

Finally, the Seniors have been beginning to think about ideas for how to take the lead with October’s Black History Month, so watch this space!

After all of this, I would have to say my highlight of the week was the conversation I enjoyed with Eashan and Harry after Mr. Stanley’s ‘Teamwork’ assembly.  The assembly ended with a video of the F1 pit stop to highlight how everyone is more efficient when working together, and Eashan and Harry – avid F1 fanatics – told me all about the various F1 world records on our walk back to class afterwards.  We have decided to bring in a group F1 lego project to start up in Form Time next week!  Teamwork in action.

Staff and Pupil Highlights

Aiden: My highlight was making the film pitches for SkyStudios.  I am really pleased with my group’s idea and was so happy when it got voted as the one to produce on the trip!

Leandro: My highlight was helping our form to reach 250 House Points….now we are going to Ninja Warrior!

Eashan: In English, we made blackout poetry and I loved keeping the semantic field of struggle whilst drawing a large cross to represent their fate in the background.  It is for ‘Dulce Et Decorum Est’ – my favourite poem that we’ve studied so far.

Aydin: My highlight was making Team of the Week for football!

Mr. Russell: It was a real pleasure to have the Seniors join us for the Y2 Games this week. The boys were fantastic assistants, helping warm up the children, organise them into teams, and lead various activities. We were very grateful for their help, and the children absolutely loved being coached by them. Thank you again, Seniors!

Mme Laneri: The Spanish Senior group did a great job writing a small paragraph about themselves using interesting adjectives and intensifiers.

Senior of the Week

This week’s Secret Mission was to contribute excellently in the humanities.  Mrs. Nichols has nominated Eashan as Senior of the Week for outstanding verbal and written contributions across TPR, Geography and History.  Eashan has asked excellent questions and shown brilliant behaviours for learning.  Eashan has won his chosen ‘squishy’ from the coveted prize chest, and has his picture on our Form Board for the week.  Well done, Eashan.

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.

What’s in the CAT Test?

Mrs Broadis, Head of English and Future Schools Curriculum

In last week’s newsletter, I explained what your child’s Standard Age Score (SAS) from the Cognitive Ability Tests (CAT) could tell you.

As Year 5 and Year 4 continue to take their tests this week and next, and other years receive their results, this week I would like to  share more about the content of the tests. This will enable you to see where your child’s strengths and areas for development lie. Please click the link here to view a full guide to CAT Tests.

As always, please do let me know if you have any questions about CAT Tests or anything relating to the Future Schools Curriculum. You can email me on jbroadis@edgegrove.com.

Edge Grove’s 2026 Musical Revealed! 

We’re delighted to announce – straight from the speakeasy – that the 2026 Edge Grove Musical will be… Bugsy Malone!

This toe-tapping, splurge-tastic production is packed with jazz, razzmatazz, and larger-than-life characters. It is guaranteed to be a hit with our Edge Grove community, young and old – a real “swell” time!

The big reveal was made in assembly today, following weeks of pupils investigating the mystery musical from the clues dotted around the school. We can already hear the buzz – and no, that’s not just the sound of splurge guns warming up!

Auditions will take place on Tuesday 30th September, from 16:30 – 18:30.

Now it’s time for Mr Evans and Mrs Allen to take a shot at Bugsy Malone – and we promise, nobody will get custard on their clothes (well… maybe).

What a fantastic week we’ve had in the gorgeous autumn sunshine!

It has been wonderful to see our PE curriculum spring into action across the school. Pupils from Year 3 to Year 8 have been making great progress in the swimming pool, while our youngest learners in Nursery have been developing their FUNdamental movement skills, practising skipping, hopping, and double-footed jumps with lots of enthusiasm.

Nurturing Tomorrow’s Sports Scholars: An Early Start to High Performance

We are incredibly proud to launch the Sports Scholars Programme, an exciting initiative designed to prepare our most promising young athletes for success in their future schools and beyond. A select group of students from Years 6, 7, and 8, identified as potential sports scholars, have been invited to participate in intensive early morning sessions focused on building a truly well-rounded athlete—one who is physically strong, tactically aware, and mentally tough.

The programme’s core focus is on physical, tactical, and mental development, ensuring our students are fully equipped to excel in the competitive scholarship assessment process and the demanding world of high-performance sport.

In Week 1, the inaugural session on Tuesday, 23rd September focused on setting a baseline and establishing a clear course for the term. The students demonstrated outstanding commitment, arriving bright and early to complete a series of fitness tests measuring key athletic attributes. These included the Cooper’s 12-Minute Run for aerobic endurance, sprint testing for speed, the Standing Long Jump for explosive power, and a Reaction Test to assess processing speed and responsiveness. This vital data will be revisited later in the term to assess progress. Looking ahead to Week 2, on Tuesday, 30th September, the focus will shift to Foundational Strength and Injury Prevention. A strong, resilient body is essential for avoiding injuries and sustaining performance, so the session will emphasize full-body strength and conditioning, with a balanced mix of lower body, upper body, and core exercises. Time will also be dedicated to proper techniques for dynamic warm-ups, effective stretching, and cool-downs. We are already incredibly proud of the effort, time, and focus these children have invested. Their dedication to these early morning sessions reflects the drive needed to achieve their scholarship goals, and we look forward to tracking and celebrating their progress throughout the term.

Saturday 20th September
U11A Orley Farm Tournament

It was a cooler start to Saturday morning, but we left school bright and early, full of energy and ready for the day ahead. After a solid warm-up, we were prepared to take on the challenge of five matches.

With plenty of time on the ball, we quickly realised the need to increase both our ball pace and the strength of our push passes. We did well at spotting and using space to pass into, but we’ll need to improve our fitness to get into those positions ahead of our opponents.

With a few changes to our usual line-up, we just weren’t quite sharp enough to secure more than one win and one draw. Despite that, it was a fantastic morning of hockey and a great start to the season. We now have a clear focus for our next training sessions and know exactly what to work on ahead of our upcoming matches.

Monday 22nd September

Swimming Gala Match Report: Edge Grove vs. Beechwood Park

Edge Grove’s swimming team showed incredible determination and spirit in a fiercely contested gala against Beechwood Park. Every swimmer gave their all and showcased remarkable resilience and solid swimming skills throughout the afternoon.

A special mention goes to our senior team of Aiden, Eashan, and Alex. Despite being a few members short, their passion and willingness to compete in multiple races was a testament to their dedication to the team. Their leadership and drive were truly inspiring.

The standout performance of the day came from Ivy. Competing in the Year 7 boys’ Freestyle and Backstroke events, she was unstoppable, sweeping aside the competition with a masterful display of speed and technique. Her wins were a highlight of the gala.

Our individual winners were:

• Backstroke: Ivy
• Breaststroke: Arjun, Edith
• Freestyle: Matthew, Tireni, Alex, Edith, Eashan, Ivy

While the final scores weren’t in Edge Grove’s favour, the true victory was in the effort and teamwork displayed by every single Edge Grove swimmer. 

It was a fantastic afternoon of sport, and we look forward to the next challenge!

Wednesday  – September 24th

Senior A & B Football v Westbrook Hay & Aldwickbury

Edge Grove’s Senior A and B football teams delivered an outstanding set of performances this week in their fixtures against Westbrook Hay and Aldwickbury, playing excellent football across all matches and securing wins in all but one fixture—a hard-fought 1-1 draw for the Senior B side in their final game.

The Senior A team showcased both flair in attack and resilience in defence, with several players delivering notable individual performances. Aiden proved to be the team’s hero, saving a last-minute penalty to preserve a crucial lead. The defensive unit was anchored by Isaac, who controlled the play expertly at the back, consistently intercepting opposition moves and displaying great vision to shift the ball quickly and accurately out wide to start attacks. In the midfield and attack, the team produced moments of genuine quality: Noah scored a fantastic goal, heading the ball home at the back post following a lovely cross from Max. Leandro was pivotal in attack, shifting the ball intelligently and scoring a lovely goal placed perfectly into the bottom left corner, while Harry K also grabbed an excellent goal against Westbrook Hay. In defence, Blake was immense, holding his position exceptionally well and providing a very strong defensive barrier, and Alex was quick, sharp, and moved intelligently off the ball, creating space for his teammates.

The Senior B side put in a spirited effort, demonstrating great teamwork and individual skill to achieve their impressive set of results. The B Team were superbly led by Captain Joseph, who made several telling interceptions in the midfield, breaking up the opposition’s play and turning defence into attack. Bolu showed great strength and control, consistently proving difficult to dispossess when on the ball. In attack, Aydin was clinical, scoring some well-taken goals that showcased his finishing ability. Zachary offered flair in possession, displaying some lovely touches and great turns, culminating in him scoring a spectacular long-range screamer of a goal. The defence was resolute, thanks to Grayson who defended consistently well throughout the afternoon, and upfront, Eashan was a constant threat to the opposition, displaying good movement and attacking intent. Overall, it was a highly successful outing for both Edge Grove Senior teams, reinforcing the strength and depth of the school’s football programme. The collective teamwork and individual flashes of brilliance bode well for the remainder of the season.

Edge Grove Colts A Quadrangular vs St Columba’s, Westbrook Hay and Heath Mount

The Edge Grove Colts A team travelled to Heath Mount on Wednesday for a festival of football, facing tough competition from Heath Mount, St Columbas, and Westbrook Hay. It was an afternoon that showcased the team’s resilience, determination, and fighting spirit in every match.

The Colts A began the day with a closely contested match against hosts Heath Mount. After conceding a goal in the first half, the team had to dig deep. They responded with relentless pressure in the second half, pinning Heath Mount in their own territory. The persistence paid off when a powerful free-kick from Tommy caused chaos in the box, and Jack, displaying his excellent poacher’s instinct, was on hand to turn the ball in for a hard-earned equaliser. The match finished 1-1, a fair result for a spirited comeback.

In the second game against St Columbas, the Colts A found themselves chasing the game early on after an initial setback. The team’s response was outstanding, as they peppered the St Columbas goal with shot after shot. The opposing goalkeeper, however, proved to be in fine form, making a series of remarkable saves. In a moment of frantic action just before half-time, a goalmouth scramble saw Rafael, Tyler, and Edith all have efforts cleared off the line in a breathless 10-second spell. Despite a great initial save from Teddy in the second half, St Columbas managed to score a second goal against the run of play. Edith pulled one back with a fine finish, but unfortunately, there was not enough time to find an equaliser, and the game ended in a 1-2 defeat.

The final match against Westbrook Hay proved to be a difficult challenge. Westbrook Hay’s attack showed some fine individual performances, with strong running that caused difficulty for the Colts A’s backline. The team worked tirelessly, with Cooper constantly pressing the opposition’s defence to win the ball back high up the pitch. Harry was as solid as ever, putting in a resolute defensive performance on his side of the pitch. After a goalless first half, Westbrook Hay’s pressure eventually told, and they netted three goals, leading to a 0-3 defeat for the Colts A.

Despite the final result, it was an enjoyable afternoon of football with plenty of positive takeaways for the team to build on for next week.

Edge Grove Colts B Quadrangular vs St Columba’s, Westbrook Hay and Heath Mount

The Colts B team, a mixed Year 5 and 6 side, travelled to Heath Mount School for a quadrangular seven-a-side fixture full of excitement and determination.

We began the afternoon against the hosts, Heathmount. The boys made a promising start, working hard across the pitch and showing some excellent passages of play. Despite their efforts, Heathmount took their chances and we fell to a 2–0 defeat.

In the second game we faced St. Columba’s. This proved to be a tough test against a very well-organised side. Edge Grove continued to battle right until the final whistle, but we struggled to find a breakthrough and eventually lost 7–0.

The final fixture of the day was against Westbrook Hay, who were strong across all areas of the pitch. The Colts showed resilience and determination throughout, but Westbrook Hay’s finishing proved decisive, resulting in a 4–0 loss.

Although the results did not reflect the overall performance, there were plenty of positives to take away. Garv, in goal, produced several show-stopping saves and was outstanding throughout the afternoon. Harry Nash also deserves a special mention for his versatility and leadership, playing in three different positions across defence, midfield, and attack, while always keeping the team’s morale high.

The boys should be very proud of their efforts; their smiles and enthusiasm summed up what was a fantastic afternoon of football. While there are areas to develop, the performance, team spirit, and determination shown by all involved made it a thoroughly enjoyable occasion.

Edge Grove Colts C Quadrangular vs St Columba’s, Westbrook Hay and Heath Mount

EG 0 – Hearth Mount 3
Edge Grove 0 – St Columba’s 3
Edge Grove 1 – Westbrook Hay 3

The Colts C faced strong opposition in Wednesday’s quadrangular festival at Heath Mount but showed excellent determination throughout. Despite creating several good chances, we couldn’t quite convert them into goals.

Oscar J was outstanding in goal, pulling off a series of sharp saves. In defence, Daniel L and Aarin S read the game superbly, breaking up numerous attacks before they reached the danger zone. Syon T controlled the centre of midfield with strong tackling and clever distribution, while Monty T, Aiwa I and Chimdi I worked tirelessly in midfield and were unlucky not to add to the scoresheet.

Our play improved as the afternoon progressed. Next week we’ll focus on holding our positions to create space, winning the first ball to maintain possession, and moving the ball forward more quickly.

Edge Grove Colts D Quadrangular vs St Columba’s, Westbrook Hay and Heath Mount

EG 0 – 2 Heath Mount
Edge Grove 0 – 1 St Columba’s
Edge Grove 1 – 1 Westbrook Hay

The Colts D enjoyed a busy and exciting afternoon of football during Wednesday’s quadrangular tournament.

The team began with a tough opening fixture against Heath Mount. The game was evenly matched in the early stages, with both sides working hard to break through strong defensive lines. Josh produced an excellent display in goal, making a string of important saves and quickly resetting play to launch counter-attacks. Despite their best efforts, Heath Mount found space to score twice late on.

Showing impressive resilience, the Colts bounced back in their second match against St Columba’s. Kwabena’s skill on the ball and determined tackling created several chances, linking well with Rayan, Joshi and Hamza in attack. At the back, Tippi and Lucy were solid and dependable, reading the game well and clearing the ball with confidence.

The final game against Westbrook Hay proved to be another closely fought contest. Edge Grove struck first, with Sami finishing superbly to give the team a deserved lead. The Colts worked tirelessly to hold onto their advantage, but Westbrook Hay managed to equalise in the final minute, leaving the score at 1–1.

Across all three matches, the Colts D demonstrated excellent teamwork, effort and determination. Every player contributed to a series of competitive performances, and they should be very proud of the way they represented Edge Grove.

Edge Grove Colts E Quadrangular vs St Columba’s, Westbrook Hay and Heath Mount

Edge Grove travelled to Westbrook Hay to take part in a quadrangular football fixture against the hosts, Heath Mount, and St Columba’s College. The boys showed great determination, teamwork, and skill across all three matches.

In the opening game against St Columba’s, Edge Grove battled hard and came away with a 1–0 victory. The decisive moment came from Hridhaan P, who scored a fantastic goal to secure the win and earn himself player of the Match. The team defended superbly, with Wyatt W and Itai L putting in strong performances at the back, while Kevin C was outstanding in goal, keeping a clean sheet with some brilliant saves.

The second match saw Edge Grove take on hosts Westbrook Hay. The boys again rose to the challenge, playing with confidence and composure to record a 2–1 win. Goals came from Itai and Hridhaan, both finishing brilliantly. Luke Silverman was awarded Player of the Match for his excellent defensive work, bravely taking on much bigger opponents and winning crucial challenges to help secure the result.

Our final match was against Heath Mount. Despite a strong fight, Edge Grove narrowly lost 2–1. The team gave everything until the final whistle, with Hridhaan once again finding the back of the net. There were excellent performances across the pitch. Ben K was tireless, constantly battling for the ball. Aman L and Pranay M showed brilliant defensive skills, and Torin J impressed with his intelligent positioning off the ball.

Across the afternoon, the boys demonstrated great energy, spirit, and teamwork. There are clear areas to work on, particularly passing accuracy, movement off the ball, and tactical positioning, but the attitude and determination shown throughout were outstanding. Keep up the Edge Grove spirit, boys!

Edge Grove Colts F Quadrangular vs St Columba’s, Westbrook Hay and Heath Mount

The Edge Grove Colts F team showed fantastic effort and determination at their recent quadrangular tournament. The team played with great heart against tough competition, learning and improving with every game.

Match 1: Edge Grove 2 – St. Columba’s 3

The opening match was a thrilling back-and-forth contest. The team’s defensive efforts were anchored by Kush, who made some excellent saves in goal to keep the score close. Offensively, Nico was the star of the show, scoring two brilliant goals that highlighted his impressive skill on the field.

Match 2: Edge Grove 0 – Westbrook Hay 3

Despite the scoreline, the team continued to fight hard. Kush moved from the goal to the midfield, where he delivered several superb crosses to Nico, with Nico converting them to some excellent shots on goal. Though they were unable to find the back of the net, the boys showed great teamwork and created some very promising attacking opportunities that were unfortunately saved by a strong Westbrook Hay defense.

Match 3: Edge Grove 0 – Heath Mount 7

In their final game, the Colts F team faced a very strong Heath Mount side. Although the result was not in their favor, the boys never gave up. Toran showed exceptional courage and tenacity, fighting hard for every ball and putting in a determined performance right until the final whistle.

Overall, it was a valuable learning experience for the team. They should be very proud of their effort and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

Edge Grove Hockey Colts A v Health Mount U10A & U11B

Edge Grove 4-2 Heath Mount 

Edge Grove 2-0 Heath Mount

It was another great afternoon of hockey for the Colts A team, with a few changes to our lineup bringing fresh energy to the pitch. After a short but focused warm-up, we got straight into the action.
Asayoma, playing in a mid/defender role, was brilliant at pushing up the pitch and finding gaps in the opposition’s defence. She and Lily worked seamlessly together, backing each other up and combining well to take on the Heath Mount defenders, even challenging the goalkeeper together with real determination.

In defence, Aria was outstanding once again, pulling off numerous excellent saves and confidently clearing the ball wide when under pressure. Ivy was quick to take advantage of those clearances, driving the ball forward with pace and purpose.

There are still a few areas for us to work on, especially increasing our speed on the ball and committing to stronger tackles, but overall, it was another brilliant performance.

Two fantastic games, and the Colts A team remains unbeaten so far this season. Well done, team!

Edge Grove Hockey Colts B v Health Mount U10B+C

Edge Grove 0-18 Heath Mount 

The Colts B hockey team faced a tough challenge against a strong Heath Mount side, eventually falling to an 18–0 defeat.

On the wing, Isabella A was tireless, working hard both in attack and defence and constantly looking to push the team forward. In defence, Freya impressed with some excellent tackles and clearances, showing determination against relentless pressure. Olivia, in goal, had an incredibly busy game but rose to the challenge, pulling off a number of fantastic saves to deny Heath Mount even more goals.

Midway through the match, Tamsin came on in midfield and made an instant impact, adding energy and composure to the team’s play.

Thursday – September 25th

Edge Grove Miss Evans Team

Edge Grove 0-2 Heath Mount

Edge Grove 0-5 Chesham

The U8 Miss Evans hockey team had a challenging start to their season in a tough triangular tournament against Heath Mount and Chesham. Despite the results, a 2-0 loss to Heath Mount and a 5-0 defeat to Chesham, the girls showed admirable determination and team spirit throughout.

There was some excellent work rate and resilience on display, particularly from Orla and Darcy, who never stopped chasing the ball and fighting for possession. The highlight of the day came during a slick passage of play from the back, moving the ball out wide to Isabella, who held her position well on the wing before feeding a smart pass into the middle for Orla, a brilliant example of teamwork and vision.

Edge Grove grew into the tournament as the games progressed, with players learning quickly and adapting to the pace. Special mention goes to Isabella, who consistently held her space and provided a good outlet out wide.

Plenty of positives to build on as the season gets underway!

Edge Grove Mrs Greens team

Edge Grove 2-3 Heath Mount

Edge Grove 2-3 Chesham

Mrs Green’s U8 hockey team began their season with a challenging but exciting triangular tournament against Chesham and Heath Mount. The girls showed fantastic spirit and teamwork throughout both matches, making a strong start to the season.

Lara was outstanding across both games, scoring all of Edge Grove’s goals and making some crucial tackles when playing in defence. Gabriella and Willow also stood out with their excellent movement and passing, helping to create some exciting moments on the pitch.

In their first match against Heath Mount, Edge Grove went 2-0 down but showed great resilience to fight back and level the score at 2-2. Unfortunately, Heath Mount managed to grab a winning goal in the final minute, ending the game 3-2.

Against Chesham, the team continued to work hard and build on their play. While it was another tough match, the girls showed clear improvement and determination, keeping the game close. 

Edge Grove Miss Lundrigan’s team

Edge Grove 1-2 Heath Mount

Edge Grove 3-1 Chesham

What an exhilarating start to the hockey season for Miss Lundrigan’s Year 3 team! The girls began with unmatched enthusiasm and tenacity, showcasing exceptional tackling skills that kept their opponents on their toes. Unfortunately, our first match ended in disappointment with a disallowed goal that would have changed the game. Nevertheless, the girls demonstrated remarkable resilience and vitality throughout, embodying the true spirit of sportsmanship as they faced the challenge.

In the second game, the team’s performance soared to new heights! Each player displayed outstanding teamwork, closely following instructions and effectively creating space on the pitch. They remained disciplined in their positions, pushing forward to assist in defence when necessary. The synergy on the field was palpable, and the girls showed their growth as players. It was a fantastic day of learning, and we can’t wait to see how they continue to develop this season!

Edge Grove Miss Corin’s team

Edge Grove 2-2 Heath Mount

Edge Grove 2-1 Chesham

Miss Corin’s team had a great start to the Hokey season, the team played brilliantly, demonstrating great sportsmanship throughout the matches. In the game against Chesham, both Nyla and Aria scored well-earned goals. Nyla stood out in particular for her precise passing and great communication, calling out teammates’ names before making her passes, showing real team awareness. During the second match against Heath Mount, Nyla and Aria again scored another goal. Even though we drew, the girls showed great team skills. We had a brilliant afternoon of matches and we are looking forward to developing our skills further.

U9 Hockey- Mrs Emms Team 1

Edge Grove 5-4 Heath Mount

It was a fantastic autumn afternoon of hockey for the U9 teams. After a sharp warm-up, the players were ready to get stuck into the game. Throughout the match, Alessandra and Bella worked brilliantly together, moving the ball up the field with determination and teamwork. In defence, Emma was quick to react whenever the ball came into our D, making sure to clear it safely up the side of the pitch.

A great performance all round, I’m really looking forward to seeing how the rest of the season unfolds!

Edge Grove Mrs Warnes’ team

Edge Grove 8 – 2 Heath Mount

The U9s started with fantastic energy and were rewarded within the first two minutes with their opening goal. Up front, Tireni and Coco showed great speed and agility, breaking through Heath Mount’s defence time and again. In the middle, Shreyas was always ready and defended solidly, giving the team confidence to push forward. With a little more practice on passing and teamwork, rather than running through the opposition, this is certainly a team to watch. A brilliant display of enthusiasm and determination – well done!

U9 Hockey- Mrs Emms Team 2

Edge Grove 3-7 Heath Mount

What a strong start for the team! They worked brilliantly together, with Leia and Savannah combining well to clear the ball away from our goal. Savannah and Ilar-Rose then linked up beautifully, moving the ball quickly up the pitch to score. A fantastic effort from the whole team, well done everyone!

Edge Grove Under 9A Quadrangular vs Lockers Park, Westbrook Hay and Heath Mount

The Under 9A team went into today’s quadrangular fixture at Edge Grove in high spirits, with a slight change in formation. Nivan stepped up in goal, which gave Toby the chance to move out into the field and make a big impact on play.

Game 1 – Edge Grove vs. Lockers Park (1–1 Draw)

The opening game finished 1–1 in a thrilling contest. Toby almost gave Edge Grove the lead after a surging run, only to be denied by the narrowest of margins. At the back, Matthew and Veer were superb, showing resilience and determination to hold off strong attacking pressure.

Game 2 – Edge Grove vs. [Heath Mount] (2–0 Win)

Building on their momentum, Edge Grove secured a 2–0 victory in the second match. James Russell’s outstanding strike set the tone, with Danny linking up brilliantly to unsettle the defence. Goals from James and Noah ensured a well-deserved win.

Game 3 – Edge Grove vs. Westbrook Hay (2–0 Win)

In the final fixture, the boys produced another excellent display to run out 2–0 winners. Danny worked tirelessly, driving the team forward and creating opportunities, while Ray’s fantastic crosses caused constant problems for the opposition. Once again, the team’s work ethic shone through, with every player contributing to the result.

Overall, it was a fantastic afternoon of football with plenty of positives to take forward. The boys showed great teamwork, resilience, and creativity on the pitch. Well done to all involved, and we look forward to building on this success in next week’s fixtures.

Edge Grove Under 9A Quadrangular vs Lockers Park, Westbrook Hay and Heath Mount

The Edge Grove Under 9A squad showed great spirit and determination in their recent quadrangular tournament against Lockers Park, Westbrook Hay, and Heath Mount.

The day started with a fantastic performance against Lockers Park, where the team secured a convincing 2-0 victory. Following that success, the boys faced a tough challenge against Westbrook Hay, losing 4-0. The final match against Heath Mount was a thrilling contest, ending in a hard-fought 2-2 draw after the team unfortunately conceded a penalty in the final moments.

The entire squad demonstrated fantastic effort on the pitch. Special mentions go to Maximilian, whose tireless box-to-box movement in midfield was a driving force throughout the day, and to Zachary, who defended exceptionally well. The efforts of Keshav, Oliver, Riyan, Musa, Arjun, and Amirtaha all contributed to a day of impressive performances and valuable experience for the team.

U8A Football Edge Grove vs York House (At Westbrook Hay)

Edge Grove played their first away fixture of the season against York House at Westbrook Hay School. It was a closely contested match that ended in a narrow 3–2 loss, but the performance from the team was outstanding.

From the outset, Edge Grove showed great determination and teamwork, moving the ball with confidence and creating several strong opportunities. Jagger was exceptional in goal, making a series of brilliant saves while also distributing the ball quickly from the back and organising the defensive positions with maturity. Also playing brilliantly from the back was Isaac J, who covered the field with fierce defensive play and calm decision making under pressure.

Further up the pitch, Freddie S, Maximillian V, Cillian W and Nathaniel S combined effectively, working well together to secure two excellent goals for Edge Grove. The boys showed great spirit, pressing high and supporting one another in both attack and defence.

Although the scoreline did not fall in our favour, the boys can be very proud of their performance. As a team, they now need to focus on improving their passing and movement under pressure. With continued effort in training, there is no doubt the team will keep improving and build on this strong foundation for the rest of the season.

Edge Grove U8B Quadrangular @ Westbrook Hay

The U8B football squad arrived full of excitement for their quadrangular tournament, and they settled into the competition with remarkable ease. Showing exceptional skill and teamwork from the first whistle, the team put on a series of dominant performances, securing three decisive victories without conceding a single goal.

Match Results

• Edge Grove 4 – 0 Westbrook Hay
• Edge Grove 5 – 0 York House
• Edge Grove 4 – 0 Lockers Park

Player Performances

The boys’ success was built on a foundation of ferocious tackling and excellent field position. Our defence was a fortress, expertly led by Jay, who was outstanding at shutting down the opposition’s attacks. His powerful and accurate distribution from the back was instrumental in launching our own attacks. In goal, Ayden was a steady presence. While he didn’t have a huge amount of work to do, when called upon he made some excellent saves and distributed the ball with skill, effectively coordinating the defence from the back.

In attack, the team was a constant threat. Asher was a powerful force, making telling runs and delivering brilliant passes to link the midfield and forward lines. Arlo was full of energy and a constant danger in front of goal, scoring several lovely goals while also remaining strong defensively. Oscar used his pace and presence to great effect, skillfully dribbling past opponents and connecting with accurate passes to his teammates. He was equally strong on the defensive end, making many brilliant tackles.

Danyal was a threat all over the pitch, demonstrating excellent close control to dribble past the opposition and scoring many goals throughout the matches. He was also fantastic at linking with his teammates and contributed with many telling tackles. His exceptional all-around performance earned him the well-deserved title of Player of the Tournament.

A fantastic day of football for the U8B squad, showcasing great skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

U8 Football Westbrook Hay and York House

Edge Grove’s Year 3 footballers enjoyed their first away fixture on Thursday afternoon, travelling to Westbrook Hay full of excitement and representing the school brilliantly.

Mr McManus’s two teams produced some excellent football, combining creative skills with a flurry of goals. They embraced the day’s aims—playing as a team, moving the ball well, and showing fine sportsmanship throughout.

Their efforts paid off with three wins and a draw, proving too strong for the opposition overall. Next week’s focus will be on passing forward to teammates in space and showing even greater determination when challenging for the ball.

Well done to all the boys involved!

Ahoy!

This week has been rather quiet on the Houses front, with no assemblies and no events to speak of. Preparations are underway, however, for upcoming competitions and events like Cross Country and our Harvest Celebration. Boxes are now out in the Junior Office, Front Office and Apthorp for your food donations.

Joke of the Week

Speaking of food, our joke of the week comes from Year 6 student Tom in Gills. My stomach and wallet rumble at the thought:

I had pelican curry last night. It was great but you should’ve seen the bill.

Photo of the Week

This week we had our most entries ever with Gills having entered four photos, taking the most points home to the House. That being said, it was Year 5 pupil Lily’s photo that won the prize for Churchills this week.

That’s it from me this week, so have a restful weekend and let’s do it all again next week!

Mr Evans
Head of Houses
Director of Music
Reader of 48 books this year (yes, actual books)

Joke of the Week entries:

Two men walked into a bar, the third one ducked.

Why did the banana go to the doctor? Because he wasn’t peeling well.

Why can’t you trust an atom? Because they make up everything.

My wife and I got divorced because I love Star Wars too much. I said “my divorce be with you”.

How many beans can you fit in a pot of chilli? 239. Just one more and it will get too-farty.

What does lightning wear under its clothes? Thunderwear.

Why are Christmas trees so bad at sewing? They always drop their needles.

A man walks into a bar. Ouch.

Knock knock. Who’s there? Eileen Dover Eileen Dover who? I leaned over your fence and broke it.

What do you call a cloud’s pants? Thunderpants.

What happens when it rains cats and dogs? You have to be careful not to step in a poodle.

Where does the pirate go to get his hook? The second hand shop.

What did the triangle say to the lazy circle? You’re pointless

What do you call a cow in an earthquake? A milkshake.

What do you say when you rip up carpets? Carpet Diem.

Why is Cinderella so bad at football? Because her coach is a pumpkin.

What did one plate say to his friend? Tonight’s dinner is on me.

What did the snowman say to the other? Do you smell carrots?

What is the maths teacher’s favourite drink? Water because it’s H2O, hundreds tens and ones.

Future School Update
Mrs Jane Broadis, Head of Future Schools Curriculum

INVITATION – details of Future School evening Monday 13th October

On October 13th we invite parents who are starting out on the Future School journey to come along to a meeting in the Apthorp where Mr Stanley, Mrs Hodge and myself will be sharing information which will help parents navigate the process of selecting a Senior School for your child. 

For our children in Year 6 and the Senior Department this week has been a relatively quiet one as Senior School registration deadlines begin to close and children prepare for upcoming assessments. We celebrate those children who got through to Round 2 of the SW Consortium Music Test this week and we hope for success!

HABS Senior Schools have sent through their newsletter which joins the ones we have already received below.

Belmont Mill Hill 

Merchant Taylors’

Queenswood

It is essential that we remain informed of interview dates so we can schedule support here at school. Thank you for your continued support and communication.

We are looking forward to holding the ISEB Pre-Test for pupils applying for places at Berkhamsted School on Monday 6th October. Do let me know if you have any questions about this by emailing me on jbroadis@edgegrove.com

As parents, we play a vital role in shaping the next generation of global citizens. By helping our children understand that they are part of a wider world, we can teach them how their actions can make a difference in the local community and beyond.

Global citizenship encourages values such as respect, empathy, and responsibility, whilst teaching children and young people to appreciate diverse cultures and perspectives. By fostering global citizenship, we empower our children to care for others as well as the planet.

We’re here to support you with Tooled Up resources to help nurture these important qualities in your child.

For parents of younger children, watch our video What is a Global Citizen? to help open up conversations when thinking about this concept.

For all ages, including teens, we have created Talking With Children About Global Citizenship which is designed to stimulate rich discussions at home about how we care for the planet and how our individual actions can have real impact.

The heart of the idea of global citizenship is the concept of belonging and what it means for us as humans. Social connection is a powerful component of a healthy, happy life. It is a protective asset for mental health, wellbeing and resilience.

For children to step confidently into the wider world, it helps if they feel loved, secure, valued and confident. Explore this Tooled Up guide on social connection to learn more about how strong, resilient families shape confident global citizens: Quick Guide to Social Connection.