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With an excitable audience of all our Prep school pupils, Michael wowed us with card tricks, juggling, gravity-defying acts, optical illusions and much, much more. At one point he even made his own head shrink to the size of a lemon and then swell like a balloon! The audience were oooohing and ahhhing at his every move. Even the teachers were gob smacked at the mind-bending visual tricks he played. Who could figure out how he made a piece of rope break in two and go back together... all in the blink of an eye. What an amazing start to the week!  

The children from Years 3-6 then attended a magic workshop where they learnt several tricks to perform on family and friends with balls disappearing into cups, elastic bands swapping fingers and card tricks.

Everyone enjoyed every moment, and I am sure we have some talented magicians in the making!

They were taught a range of basic techniques and how to portray stage violence effectively with correct actions and reactions. They also gained an understanding of the basic principles of stage combat including angles, staging and misdirection.  They then moved onto using swords and again learnt the fantastic skills needed to convince their audiences that they were really fighting.

The children had a great time and those children who really listened, choreographed their fights and rehearsed every move were amazing. Those with discipline, focus, teamwork skills and determination performed the best. There was lots of dramatic action and reactions!  Who will we see on television and in film in the future?

Working with lots of enthusiastic children, amazing pieces of performance based on Harry Potter were created.  

The Speech & Drama Showcases were a lovely time to show parents what the children have been working on all term and good preparation for their exams next week. All children were confident at performing and the audiences enjoyed the entertainment of poetry and acting duologues. 

With a chance to experiment with wrapping, gluing, and painting, and following our demonstrations, some children opted to jump straight in and begin adorning their sticks with the range of materials on offer. Many of the older year groups chose to create a more authentic, Harry Potter inspired version. With instruction and guidance on how to form and attach a handle, pupils went on to decorate this section with glue to create a more 3D effect, before embellishing these areas with bronzes, silvers, golds, and gems.

The room was certainly buzzing with creative responses, and it was a true delight to see the different outcomes, as well as the fun and engagement that ensued. We are now busy using our new creations to cast a range of spells, so you may be witness to a wave of the wand and hear many utterings of phrases such as ‘Cruciatus, Expelliarmus or a simple Abracadabra’!

The hands-on experience allowed them to construct their very own handmade blackboards using an array of tools, including the laser cutter, electromagnetic sheet metal folder, and pillar drill.

The laser cutter, renowned for its precision, enabled the students to effortlessly shape and engrave intricate designs onto their blackboards. The electromagnetic sheet metal folder ensured seamless bends and folds in the metal, while the pillar drill allowed for precise holes to be drilled with ease. Throughout the workshop, the students learned essential skills such as measuring, cutting, shaping, and assembling the various components. They explored different techniques, combining their newfound knowledge with their artistic visions to bring their blackboards to life.

“The workshop experience was incredibly fulfilling, as it allowed us to apply theoretical knowledge and witness our designs materialize before our eyes," shared one of the enthusiastic students.

This fantastic weather means we are loving being able to spend our evenings outside, but I am not so sure the children are as pleased about it being so light so early in the mornings! I have been teaching the children what a ‘dawn chorus’ is and how lucky we are to hear it, although they are not convinced that being woken up by “very noisy birds” at 5am does make them lucky!!  

Last weekend we headed off to Bristol for lunch at Zaza Bazaar. The children were brilliant at trying new foods they had never tried before and had fun using chopsticks, even using them to eat jelly! The amount of food consumed by all of us was impressive and several people proved that no matter how full you might be, there really is a separate stomach for dessert. The chocolate fountain and being able to use the ‘Mr Whippy’ machine were definite highlights. The short walk back to the minibus was a good thing and then most of the children slept all of the way home – eating is definitely exhausting!  

It has been very quiet this week without the Year 8s and Miss Chippendale around, we have heard they are having a great time in Devon. The Year 7s have been getting themselves organised for the French Trip leaving VERY early on Saturday morning, whilst the rest of us enjoy a lie in as it is a long weekend.  

Have a great weekend and bon voyage Year 7. 

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If your child would like to come and see what it is like to board here and experience a night in school, we would love to welcome them to one of our Boarding Taster nights - there are still a few spaces so please click on the relevant link for more information and to book.  

Hi everyone, my name is Jack and I am this term’s Head Boy. 

I finished my exams last week which went very well and this week I am lucky enough to be in Devon with everyone in Year 8. We have done some amazing activities like swimming in the sea, orienteering and archery. The highlight so far has been ‘The Big Sheep’, a big indoor play area with lots of fun exciting death slides. I am also looking forward to the high ropes. 

Recently we have also been planning for the Year 8 fete. We have to plan our own stalls, my group is doing a football penalty shoot out. It should be a really fun afternoon for everyone to enjoy. 

Next week Year 7 are going away to France, I hope they have fun like I did when I went. My favourite moment from the trip last year was kayaking and paddle boarding on the lake.  

There are lots of exiting things still to come before the holidays, I hope everyone enjoys the final couple of weeks of term. 

It's been a busy and very sunny June so far ...

They are a kind and creative bunch, which makes for an all-round pleasurable learning experience.

As this will be the last update on 3W during this academic year, Mrs Willmott would also like to add that she is going to miss them being in her tutor group next year. However, they won’t be too far away in the Rose Garden with their lucky Year 4 teachers!