Newsletter - End of Summer Term
Academic News
We are delighted with this year’s Common Entrance examination results, coupled with an unprecedented number of academic scholarship awards. Well done to our leavers for all their hard work and application. We send our very best wishes with them for happiness and success at their new schools.
Destinations for senior Cottesmorians in the new academic year in September include Benenden, Bryanston, Charterhouse, Harrow, King’s Canterbury, Leighton Park, Marlborough, Millfield, Oundle, Seaford College, St Edwards (Oxford), Stowe, Sevenoaks, Tudor Hall, Uppingham, Wellington and Worth.
This talented group of seniors has set an excellent example right across the school, to those who will become next year’s seniors, through to the youngest members of our school community.
In the other year groups diligence has been the order of the day too, with excellent learning outcomes and exam results across the remaining year groups.
Chapel
Each new day at Cottesmore begins with a short service in our chapel. The perfect setting for stillness, focus and reflection.
Our Sunday Evensong service is an opportunity to welcome visiting preachers, including Heads and Registrars from other Schools, these have included: Mr James Outram (Registrar) from King’s Canterbury, Mr Ed Venables (Registrar) from Wellington, Mr Magnus Bashaarat (Headmaster) from Bedales, Mr John Moule (Headmaster) from Radley College and Reverend Nick Tilley, the Chaplain from Harrow.
An informal chat with parents over a glass of wine is always a welcome event after the service.
Our Leavers’ Service on the final Sunday of the summer term is always a very special occasion where we all (including their parents) celebrate and our leavers’ give thanks for their years at Cottesmore.
Sports Round-up
Our cricket teams and their coaches have been justifiably proud of some excellent results in a season. Notably, this has been the first year of a full summer cricket programme for our girls, who have enjoyed a remarkable season. Both our U10 girls and U9 boys cricket teams are unbeaten for the season.
The girls U11 rounders teams have enjoyed victories with their resilience and determination coming to the fore.
The swimming squads have had an incredible term with galas and competitions. The junior squad haven’t lost a gala and remain unbeaten! We successfully qualified for the IAPS National Championships again, where we were placed 7th.
Cottesmore’s 42nd Chess Congress Tournament was a huge success with invitations extended to over 15 other schools in the county. Of all 48 participants, one of our Year 8 pupils clinched the title. A big well done to all of our Cottesmorians who participated.
Our Clay Pigeon Shooting team returned victorious from the IAPS competition, for the second consecutive year, with a Cottesmorian now the U12 National Champion. With other Cottesmore team members placing 4th in the U12 and 4th in the U11 categories, respectively.
Our coaches in every sport have been delighted with the determination and application shown in every age group.
Sports Day traditionally closes the first half of the summer term; our marching band were in fine form, playing traditional favourites alongside more contemporary works. Not to be dampened by the summer showers, our Sports Day was a superb family day providing a fitting finish to the first half with camaraderie and sportsmanship always to the fore. A marvellous match tea, the medals ceremony and some wholehearted speeches from our Seniors completed an action-packed, rainy but incredibly cheerful afternoon.
Arts Week
The second half of term began with Arts Week and this annual cross-curricular initiative is a firm fixture on our calendar. This year sees the introduction of a LAMDA showcase. Through the prism of the Arts, Cottesmorians gain valuable insights and unlock new ways of working and learning.
Visits and Lectures
There has been a rich programme of visits throughout the term. The Classics and History departments led trips to Fishbourne Roman Palace, Hever Castle and Portsmouth’s historic dockyard. The Geography department led a successful trip to Goodwood Park.
The 4th Form enjoyed a week’s cultural immersion in France from their beach-side base in Porte des Iles in Normandy. Designed to enhance all four language skills, the trip included activities where they were taught in French by experienced tutors. The caramel tasting was especially popular, along with artisan bread making. A packed and comprehensive programme included visits to the Normandy beaches, Arromanches, the Bayeux Tapestry, the UNESCO Heritage site of Mont St Michel and a goat farm. There were opportunities at the end of each day for relaxation and fun with beach games and walks along this beautiful stretch of coast.
The Remove pupils continued their preparation for the transition to public school with a number of ‘taster’ lessons in new subjects, including a Mandarin workshop, a ‘Wandering Bear’ workshop on life skills and a Choir trip to Goring. After the classroom exertions of scholarships and Common Entrance exams, they undertook a week-long residential visit at an outward-bound centre in Somerset. As well as enhancing essential social skills and teamwork, the Centre provided a range of activities and physical challenges. The ‘leap of faith’ was especially popular!
Fun Activities
The summer term is packed with activities and opportunities for fun and games, whatever the weather, with relaxation on Sundays ‘in’ high on the agenda. Ultimate Laser is always popular for a Sunday trip out of school, but this term it’s the fun activities programme in our beautiful grounds that has been very popular.
The End of Term Set matches, the tennis competition, Set plays and the Leavers’ play are all much-enjoyed end of term events for our pupils. One long-standing tradition is Old Cottesmorians’ Day, which is held on the final Sunday of the summer term. It’s always a pleasure to see recent and not-sorecent leavers return for a day of friendly sporting rivalry with cricket and rounders matches, picnics and reminiscences.
Pre-prep News
The energy and focus which characterise the Prep school shone through in the Pre-prep, where they too have enjoyed a busy and successful term.
Exploration of our magnificent grounds has augmented their studies, as well as a visit from a storyteller who brought the BFG to life. The Preprep children have also enjoyed trips further afield; a super day of seaside activities at Goring and celebrating National Science Week at Herstmonceux were just two of the destinations which supported their study topics. A popular trip to Hever castle inspired castle-related activities including designing and building their very own castles.
The Pre-prep’s own concert, sports day and swimming gala were particularly exciting events in their calendar; the Reception children undertook their own trip to Washbrooks Farm.
Valete
After an incredible 30 years teaching Girls’ Games at Cottesmore, Mrs Jacky Watkins will be retiring at the end of the summer term. We wish her well on the golf course in her much deserved retirement!
Chris Pearson retires after 6 years at Cottesmore as Head of Geography. Mr Pearson will be relocating to Scotland with his wife Lesley.
Hannah Bosher (Science) leaves us after a temporary one-term cover of science.
Salvete
In September we welcome one new member of staff: Tana Purcell, who will take up the post of Science teacher.