Toddler Group thoroughly enjoyed a festive and fun filled morning this week. Our Christmas party got off to a good start making candle decorations, party hats, Christmas decorations, snowy messy play and mixing reindeer food, ready for Christmas Eve. After enjoying pass the parcel and singing Christmas songs, the children were in for a surprise! Father Christmas came to visit all the good boys and girls, chatted to them about Christmas Eve and introduced his reindeer. He parked his sleigh on the roof of RGS The Grange and gave stockings packed full of presents to every child.

We would like to wish all Acorn Toddlers a very Happy Christmas and thank all who made the party a very special one.

PRE-SCHOOL ON THE FARM

Pre-School took a magical trip to Smart Trees Farm to visit Santa and his very special friends. We had a wonderful time venturing through all of the Christmas trees hunting for different games which represented the 5 days of Christmas. We even got to ride on Santa’s sleigh (which was being pulled by a tractor as the reindeer were getting their rest in before the long journey on Christmas Eve). The children were in awe of Santa’s grotto where on entry, there was a post box to send our letters to the North Pole. There were also reindeer to meet, a wishing well to toss a coin in, snow falling from the sky and not forgetting the cosy house of Father Christmas where we were able to meet Santa and receive a gift.

Before embarking on our sleepy coach journey home, Santa’s elves delivered special letters for each of the children from Father Christmas and gave us our very own Christmas tree to bring back to school, which the children shall enjoy decorating and redecorating over the next few days

FESTIVE FUN ON THE RAILWAY

Christmas got off to a magical start in Reception this week, with a journey on the Severn Valley Railway Christmas Cracker Steam Train. We arrived at the beautifully decorated station and met some of Santa’s little helpers, then excitedly boarded the train. As we ate our lunch, the train travelled from Kidderminster to Bewdley, passing the Safari Park, where we looked out for Santa’s Reindeer but saw elephants instead! Our journey continued on to Highley and we sang Christmas songs and played sleigh bells with Mr Holly. Then to our amazement Santa came to visit us on the train and brought each of us an early Christmas present, a lovely cuddly teddy bear. He told us that we needed to be good and go to bed early on Christmas Eve. We arrived back at school, tired but very happy that Christmas would soon be here.

moved up a grade in their sport. Master Johnson who runs the club at RGS The Grange, reported that this was the most belts awarded in the School. 

Josh Fisher, Year Five, who has been studying Karate for over two years said, “Karate teaches discipline and it is like an invisible friend which helps you to be stronger in self-defence.  Karate is like moving meditation and my favourite form is ‘peaceful confidence’”.  Josh is now working towards his black belt.

Mr David Bousfield, Head of Sport at RGS The Grange said, “Karate at The Grange has grown and grown under the watchful eye of Master Johnson.  The pupils love not only the karate lesson but also the meaningful stories that he tells at the end of every session. It is evident that a number of children have really grown in confidence under his tutelage, learning both the physical and spiritual lessons in the discipline.”

The belts gained at the grading at RGS The Grange are as follows: 

4 Yellow Belts

6 Orange Belts

4 Purple stripes

1 Green

5 Green Stripes

1 Brown

1 Brown Stripe

3 Red

1 Red Stripe

To find out more about RGS The Grange, go to www.rgsw.org.uk or telephone 01905 451205.

variety of equipment that will help children with their motor skills, co-ordination, strength and most importantly, play.

Gareth Hughes, Headmaster of RGS The Grange says, “Enthusiasm, for children of primary age, is a fundamental requirement and one that will ensure that every child enjoys their time and succeeds here.  This new play equipment absolutely fits in with this first principal of education at RGS The Grange and we are delighted to see the children enjoying it so much.”

The playground, constructed by Creative Play which is based in Chester, took two weeks to construct and consists of safety rubber mats, a wobble board, galleon, sand pit box, a framed climbing net, tunnel mound, rope tunnel, a four tower climbing frame with twin slide and a shop front for role play, a weaving panel and activity clock panel.  The large grassy area which the playground is built on is partly shaded by trees and allows room for ball games.

Mr Hughes added, “I am proud to have this additional equipment added to our already excellent outdoor facilities. We provide a nurturing environment and would be delighted to welcome families to RGS The Grange, at any time, to show them our fantastic school and its outstanding facilities.”

at RGS The Grange. Enthusiasm, for children of primary age, is a fundamental requirement and one that will ensure that every child enjoys life and succeeds here.

The school develop enthusiastic learners; children who are happy to face the challenges of school and are safe in the knowledge that their contribution will always be valued and their enthusiasm rewarded.

Children are expected to do their best; both in and out of the classroom and are offered a rich and diverse curriculum and the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and enjoyment across a wide range of activities.

The children’s happiness is paramount and their wellbeing essential and so high levels of pastoral care are evident throughout. RGS The Grange offers a unique learning environment for its pupils as our provision, whether academic, sporting or in the preforming arts is of the very highest standard.

Taught by enthusiastic and inspirational teachers our children benefit from an unrivalled education – the best way to see that for yourself is to visit the school – Open Day, Saturday 16 January, 9.30am until 12.30pm.

To find out more about RGS The Grange, go to www.rgsw.org.uk or telephone 01905 613391.

This saw iPads become an integral part of teaching and learning in both Prep Schools. Digital technology has become embedded into lessons across the curriculum with children switching seamlessly between books, paper and pen and iPads – all in the space of a single lesson.

iPads make learning come to life in ways that have never been possible before; not only can information be presented in a multitude of different formats – text, images, videos, voice – but the children can become much more involved in their own learning, creating content in ways that they find exciting and memorable.

Amelia Lane, a Year Six pupil said, “Lessons are more exciting with iPads and we can do our own independent research, it’s fun to find out things for ourselves.”
Jensen Lee, also from Year Six said, “I can send my homework straight to my teachers as soon as it’s done through Showbie, and that way I feel more organised.”

Gareth Hughes, Headmaster of RGS The Grange said, “Pupils from Year One to Year Six have created online books on a wide variety of topics; from polar bears in Year One, to floods and droughts in Year Three, then onto Victorian Britain in Year Six. Not only can the children research the subject areas for themselves, but they can put together text, pictures and videos, and then record themselves explaining the subject over the top.”

Children are able to quickly take photographs or videos and even make sketches using an art app. They are then able to annotate the pictures, produce presentations, eBooks and iMovies from their learning.

Apps have become a useful learning tool; Popplet, is used for mind mapping exercises, allowing children to organise their thoughts clearly and succinctly and Socrative has allowed teachers to give instant feedback and to gain an immediate overview of how well individual children and the class as a whole have understood a particular topic.

Laura Brown, Headmistress of RGS Springfield said, “The world that our children inhabit is inherently linked with technology. The RGS Prep Schools are giving children the grounding and passion for technology that will serve them well, providing them with the skills, knowledge and appetite for learning that they will need in a swiftly changing world.”

If you would like to know more about the Digital Learning Programme at all three Schools, please go to: http://www.rgsw.org.uk/rgs-worcester/academic/digital-learning-programme-at-rgs/

For more information about RGS Worcester go to www.rgsw.org.uk or phone 01905 451205.

its teams win through from the regional stages to qualify for the U11 Independent Schools football finals and also the Under 11 Independent Prep Schools netball competition.

The boys continue off from last season when they were crowned national U11 football champions. In the regional finals, held at Repton School, The Grange’s new crop of players won their pool beating Witham Hall, Monmouth, Eversfield, King’s Hawford and Bluecoat School.

They went on to play another Worcester school, King’s St Albans, in the semi-final, winning 2-0. Despite losing the final on penalties, the team was delighted with their overall performance and the knowledge that they had once again made the finals at  the FA’s national centre, St Georges Park.

An equally memorable day at Millfield School saw the U11 Girls play in the South West Regional netball tournament, where they won eight of their twelve matches (Richard Pate, The Downs, Bristol, Blundells, King’s Hall, King’s Hawford, Bournemouth College, Kingswood and Perrot Hill) in an exhausting day of competition. By reaching the semi-finals, where they lost 6-3 to Millfield, The Grange girls qualified for the national finals for the very first time.

Dave Bousfield, Director of Sport at RGS The Grange: “It is a huge credit to both the girls and the boys and their attitude towards sport and physical activity. They train and play with a wonderful sense of commitment. It is also worth mentioning that during the same fantastic fortnight our U11 Boys’ cross country, U9 netballers, U9 footballers and U11 rugby 7’s teams also competed and won several other tournaments both locally and regionally.

Netball caption:

LR back – Josie Taylor, Lottie Atkinson, Isabelle Nott, Theo Boyce, Alice Atkinson

L-R front – Mia Pepperdine, Olivia Watts, Heini Hughes, Evie Dickinson

from RGS The Grange was competing at Repton School, against schools from the North West Region. The Grange started well with a 4-0 victory against Westbourne School from Sheffield. Then came Leeds Grammar and despite having the upper hand, the Worcester side only managed a 1-1 draw. A straightforward 5-0 victory came next against Brooke Priory, from Rutland.

The final two pool games against Wycliffe School and Dean Close were goalless, but this was enough to secure a place in the quarter-finals. Both that encounter and the semi-final, against Norwich Lower School, ended 0-0 and so followed two extremely tense rounds of penalty flicks. Unlike the England footballers, The Grange stayed calm, securing a 1-0 win from both.

The final pitted The Grange against local rivals The Elms in a a tough and tense game. The Elms took it 1-0, loss meaning both schools qualified from the 24 schools.

The Grange and The Elms now move on to the National Finals at Bishop Stortford School on 15 November. The school finished as national runners-up in the same competition in 2012.

Caption:

L-R back row: Bella Fielden, Izzy Nott, Evie Dickinson, Lottie Atkinson, Thea Boyce.

L-R front row: Heini Hughes, Jodie Ruane, Olivia Watts, Mia Pepperdine.

from RGS The Grange travelled to the inaugural finals of the tournament, held at the magnificent St. George’s Park National Football Centre, as Midland Champions.

In the group phase The Grange faced Wellingborough Prep, Holmewood House, The Hawthorns, Milton Keynes Prep and St. Martins, but the side maintained its record from the Midland Championships of not conceding a goal, to qualify for the latter stages of the competition.

In the quarter-final the team faced Forest School (London), where a well-controlled 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Tom Godwin and Brandon Sarfo saw the side through. It was Sarfo who continued the team’s momentum in the semi-final with a goal after 12 seconds against Bolton School. But after a late equaliser, the game went to a penalty shoot-out, where The Grange eventually saw off their opposition in sudden death.

In the final St. Edmund’s (Hertfordshire) and The Grange played out another entertaining match, with the Worcester side looking in charge, before taking a first-half lead through a Rees Bonham, which they held to the final whistle.

The team, who gained plaudits throughout the day for their impressive style of play, had the honour of becoming the Independent Schools National Champions and the first holders of the beautiful trophy that was presented to them by Les Howie, Head of Grassroots Coaching at The Football Association.

Caption: L-R (Back): Mr James Hodgkins (Coach), Alex Peake, Seb Thompson, Sam Chamberlain, Rees Bonham, Tom Godwin, Mr Roger Scase (Coach).

(Front): Joshua Wares, Luke Allen, Brandon Sarfo, Finley Chance, Ben Pinner.

means the team has qualified for the National Finals, which may have looked unlikely after a frustrating 0-0 opening game draw against Leicester Grammar School. But a 1-0 win against Hereford Cathedral settled nerves and the team entered full ‘tournament mode’. The boys comfortably defeated Westbourne 2-0 as Tom Godwin and Finley Chance converted two of several well-worked goal-scoring opportunities. The final group game was another comprehensive victory thanks to two goals from Josh Wares and a strike from Ben Pinner, giving a 3-0 win over Edenhurst.

RGS therefore topped the group and then breezed past Westbourne 3-0 in the quarter finals. A semi-final against a revenge-hungry Hereford side loomed and a highly competitive affair ended 0-0 and went to penalties. Seb Thompson easily converted, followed by Rees Bonham and Luke Allen. Hereford also slotted three of their penalties. Step up ‘safe hands’ Alex Peake, who saved Hereford’s fourth effort in superlative fashion. Brandon Sarfo needed to score and he did, launching the team into the final.

Despite the near two-hour journey to Repton, The Grange ended up pitted against local rivals King’s St Albans in the final. An outstanding display by sweeper Sam Chamberlain helped the team maintain its record of not conceding a single goal all day (penalty shoot-out aside). In the first half, Rees Bonham attacked a Tom Godwin cross, got to the ball first, turned his marker and provided a classy finish into the corner of the net from a tight angle.

RGS The Grange showed an increased desire to win, evidenced by a last minute goal from Seb Thompson to seal the 2-0 win and the Midlands Championship. The team has now qualified for the National Finals, to be held at The National Football Centre, St George’s Park.

James Hodgkins
RGS The Grange – Football Coach

team from RGS The Grange started the tournament in disappointing fashion, with a 1-0 defeat to Clifton Prep School. But the side’s battling qualities showed as they followed up with three wins against South Lee (Bury St Edmunds), Witham Hall (Lincolnshire) and Twyford School (Winchester), without conceding any goals, to finish second in their group.

In the quarter finals The Grange came up against the previous year’s champions; Danes Hill from Surrey. A tremendous defensive performance was franked by a goal five minutes from time from Lottie Atkinson to secure a 1-0 win.

In the semi final, the girls played local rivals Warwick Prep School. Keeper Jess Biddle continued her good form, producing one breath-taking save. With the clock ticking down a Lucy Hawkes strike deflected in for a 1-0 lead and a place in the final against Junior King’s Canterbury.

The Grange started the final on the back foot conceding an early goal. Despite a huge effort, the girls could not peg it back and the school finished 0-1, but runners-up was an extraordinary achievement.

“I was incredibly proud standing on the touchline,” said Gareth Hughes, Head of The Grange. “This caps a superb season for the team, winning three tournaments, including the IAPS Regional Final. We can rightly call them one of the very best teams in the whole country and that is some achievement.”

Caption
Back row (left to right): Lucy Tasker; Lottie Atkinson; Hannah Middleton; Isabella Nott; Jemma Moseley.
Front row: Sophie Thompson; Charlotte Atkinson; Jessica Biddle; Hannah Atkinson; Lucy Hawkes

nursery and prep school, cheered as he declared The Jubilee Wood open. “I am a big supporter of this type of outdoor area,” said Mr Walker. “This is a wonderful corner of The Grange and could not be further from my own experiences at school in London, which made my holidays in the countryside so special. Those rural escapes helped develop my curiosity for the world around me.”

The Jubilee Wood is named to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and was developed following the success of the school’s original Forest School. “We have had a small area for two years, which has been an overwhelming success,” said Headmaster Gareth Hughes. “Children need a range of experiences in the natural world to develop their senses and gain new understanding and skills. They can be creative, playful, independent, messy and inquisitive – skills that are invaluable as they grow up.

“We are enormously grateful to Mr Walker for officially opening The Jubilee Wood and it was fascinating to hear that he is such a fan of outdoor learning.”

Funding for the project was raised by the school’s Parents’ and Teachers’ Association along with services volunteered by The Duckworth Trust to construct a pond area, decking and fire pit. An African hut is due for delivery any day now.

children from 2 years of age from September 2012, rather than 2.1/2 years as was previously the case. 

The two schools are: RGS Springfield, which is based in Britannia Square in the heart of Worcester and RGS The Grange, which occupies a splendid position in Claines. 

Independent verification from the key external organisations, ECERS (Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale), ISI (the Independent Schools Inspectorate) and Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) at their most recent inspections show both schools’ nurseries in the very best of lights. 

Springfield received the highest possible Grade 1 mark in all 17 of the areas assessed, whilst The Grange’s ISI report described the nursery as ‘outstanding’, once again the highest grading available.

“Dedicated staff in both our nurseries have created the perfect early years environment, said Head of RGS Andy Rattue. “We had been asked many times to take slightly younger children, so it is very exciting that we are now in a position to welcome parents with two year olds.”

Contact at RGS Worcester: Fran Schneider

01905   613391   frs@rgsw.org.uk           www.rgsw.org.uk

Grange, a nursery and prep school in Claines, Worcester, ran a sponsorship campaign, cake sale and non-uniform day to raise the much-needed funds for the charity.

Canine Partners trains dogs to perform an extraordinary array of tasks, such as picking things up, opening doors, operating pedestrian crossings, loading and unloading washing machines, assisting with dressing as well as providing companionship.

Local Canine Partners fundraiser Stella Hewett, who has an assistance dog Jenson through the charity, was on hand to accept the cheque. The School’s Charities Co-coordinator Tom Barnes commented: “In an assembly, pupils and staff were treated to a delightful display of obedience from Jenson, who is a remarkable example of the work done by the charity Canine Partners. He behaved himself impeccably and Stella was an interesting and inspirational speaker.”

The money raised will go towards completing the purchase of an assistance dog that will be based locally. The dog will provide someone with life-altering disabilities to re-gain their independence and enhance their quality of life.

Photo: RGS The Grange Headmaster Mr Gareth Hughes with Stella Hewett and Jenson.

which commended the dedicated staff and the enthusiasm and confidence of the children.

In addition to The Grange’s Early Years passing all the regulatory requirements, the ISI report stated: “Outcomes for children are outstanding. They are enthusiastic, confident, articulate and independent learners who make excellent progress in relation to their starting points and begin to develop skills for the future.”

The ISI inspectors have given the Early Years the highest possible award in all areas of the assessment, including Early Years provision, leadership and outcomes for children. Comments from the report include: “The effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding. Leadership and management demonstrate clear vision, high aspirations and a continual striving for excellence, which are communicated very effectively to staff.”

Head of Pre-Prep, Mrs Sarah Atkinson commented: “We are delighted with the report as we feel it captures the wonderful opportunities our very young children have at The Grange. I am proud to lead such a dedicated and professional team. We are continuously reviewing and developing what we do in Early Years to ensure the experiences for our children are the very best they can be. Our aim is that every child is happy, busy and stimulated to reach their full potential in everything they do.”

Headmaster Gareth Hughes added, “This report is such a strong endorsement of the high calibre of the work undertaken in our Early Years setting. The improvement since our last inspection (2010) is there for all to see. To be graded ‘outstanding’ in all areas proves what a super start children have to their education at RGS The Grange. I am delighted!”

a row.

The Senior Choir at RGS The Grange fought off stiff competition to be crowned the winners at the annual event. The choir received a distinction from the adjudicator David Lawson for their performances of ‘The Lily and the Rose’ and ‘Circles of Motion’ by Bob Chilcott. Mr Lawson commented: “This was a very expressive and successful performance of some very difficult songs, well done.”

Michelle Corrie, Head of Music at the school was so proud of the choir’s achievement and said: “It is all down to the children’s hard work and dedication, especially as they have also been preparing to sing as part of RGS Worcester’s Choral Concert at Worcester Cathedral next week.”

RGS The Grange has a proud history of musical success and their choirs have been going from strength to strength. With the aim of taking part in more competitions, the choir certainly has a bright future ahead.