News Archive
We invited our new Drama Teacher at Spencer House, Miss Cruddas, to judge the finals of the Year 2 and 3 Reading Competition, and she had a very difficult task! All twelve finalists, who recited a poem and read an extract from their favourite book, spoke so clearly and expressively. One of the finalists, Isabella, Year 3, reported: I felt quite nervous as I came into the Hall and when I read I was so nervous that I got a bit wrong - I missed a bit out for the first time ever! (No one noticed.) I thought everyone was very good and if I were a judge I would have found it very hard to decide. I was happy to be the runner up and very happy for the winner, my friend Molly.
We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded Artsmark Gold status by The Arts Council England in recognition of our school's commitment to, and excellence in, arts education. Moira Sinclair, Executive Director of the London division of The Arts Council said:
“The award recognises The Study Preparatory school’s passion for the arts and belief in the power of creativity.”
Mrs Nicol, our headmistress said:
“I’m delighted that the Arts Council has recognised The Study’s dynamic arts education programme. Our students enjoy a huge variety of creative disciplines; from music, voice, fine art, drama, dance, musical theatre - as well as benefiting from our programme of collaboration with external artists, production companies and theatre groups. I’d like to congratulate all the Study girls on their fantastic achievements and thank all our staff, in particular our Creative Team, for their hard work in achieving this award.”
For further information on the award click here for our press release.
We saw more than a touch of French flair last week, when the girls were encouraged to celebrate the best of French culture over two days.
We celebrated French culture, art, food, music and fun in a two day extravaganza. Girls came to school dressed in a myriad of French-inspired costumes – including Joan of Arc, musketeers, Degas dancers and even an Eiffel Tower! One of our girls cycled from Putney to Wimbledon Common in order to recreate the Tour de France!
French Day brought much of the French language lessons to life and the girls enjoyed many activities, including learning how to dance the Cancan, watching professional mime artists, listening to a French accordion player and even having a go at playing boules! Girls chose their own delicious lunch by purchasing French delicacies from market stalls using Euros. The day was summed up by Freya in Year 1: 'I don't want to go home because I love French Day. I want to stay and learn more French.'
This term, our Year 6 girls have been working on an amazing arts project! Working in collaboration with local artist and sculptor Sam Loggie, the girls have been creating artworks inspired by six of the greatest artists of the 20th Century: Kandinsky, Munch, Mondrian, Pollock, Lichtenstein and Warhol. Not only have the girls produced some fabulous art, but they have been listening to the music from each artist's era and writing fantastic poetry inspired by the work of Pollock and Lichtenstein.
We welcomed Charlene Hewitt to The Study to tell us about her amazing cycle ride and how we can help children in Africa. She cycled from Scotland to Zimbabwe to raise money to help stop rhino poaching and now she has set up a charity called Tree Africa. Tree Africa works on a range of projects to improve the livelihoods of rural communities. One of the examples she gave was the provision of water and nutrition gardens for rural schools. The girls at Wilberforce enjoyed showing Charlene the plants they are growing in the playground.
'We had an excellent, exciting and interesting day at Painshill Park finding minibeasts in their different habitats. We learnt a lot of interesting facts. We even had an ice lolly.'
Year One Yellow
Both Year 2 and Year 3 have recently enjoyed learning outside with visits to Cannizaro Park and Wimbledon Common, both on our doorstep!
Sophie and Jessica, Year 3, wrote about their afternoon on the Common: It was a really good trip. We found out so much about the Common. Mr Haldene, Assistant Ranger and Wildlife Liaison Officer, told us all about the wildlife and plants on the Common. On our walk we met a keeper and his horse. They patrol the Common and make sure there are no problems. We were shown a badger's set. It is hidden from public view so the badgers are not disturbed. Badgers' holes usually have flies flying in and out as they are attracted to the smell. Mr Haldene also showed us a man made pond. There are small platforms so the swans can nest. There are ducks, pike, terrapins and little fish in the pond. The mother swan was very protective of her babies. Finally, we were told about the annual Stables' Open Day and some of us are going to try to go, especially as there is a 'Wacky Dog Show'!
Year 3 Study girls and teachers were delighted to be invited by our neighbours at the Norwegian School to their National Day Celebration on 17 May. The day began with a ceremony held in the gardens of the school. This consisted of speeches (in Norwegian!), raising the flag and singing the National Anthem. A hearty breakfast followed, to which we all contributed, and with it a chance to meet members of the school. Many of the pupils, parents and teachers wore exquisite national costumes.
'On Saturday 9 May The Study Year 5 'A' rounders team played in a tournament at Woldingham School, along with eleven other schools. The competition was very tough; we had some very close matches but we won each match we played and at the end of a long morning found ourselves in the finals against Thomas's School, Clapham. Both sides fought hard but we won by one rounder! We were so excited and happy, we couldn't stop smiling.'
Rebecca, Year 5
We held our own mini marathon to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. Organised by Alicia and Ambar, whose father ran in the London Marathon this year, the marathon was a great success, with lots of girls from 4 to 11 taking part. Since January we have raised the fabulous sum of £2846.02 for GOSH and we look forward to sending them an even larger cheque when the marathon money pours in!
'Mr Cherry was a pupil at The Study a long time ago, when it was a school for boys and girls. He came to visit us to tell us what our school was like in those days. He had lots of interesting information for us and quite a few funny stories to tell too. Did you know that the first thing he learnt was how to knit? We were very surprised and it made us laugh. His class was allowed to ice-skate on Rushmere Pond in the winter. The pupils could also go to Ann's Pantry to buy sweets. What a great time Mr Cherry had at school. We were so lucky to meet him.'
Year 3
Year 2 delighted us all with an alternative performance of the traditional tale, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Laura and Maya, Year 2, wrote, 'Our play was about a little girl called Goldilocks who looked really nice but was very mean. We had to decide if we would convict her or let her go free'.
