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Dear Parents,

What a week it's been at school! From historic trips to fun theatre experiences, our children have had an action-packed week of learning and discovery.

Upper Prep enjoyed an amazing day at Windsor Castle on Monday, experiencing history up close and making their Castles history topic come alive! They toured the stunning State Apartments, absorbed the rich history of St George's Chapel, and even witnessed the flag change as King Charles departed the castle. It was truly a memorable experience to see history unfold before their eyes!

Prep welcomed the wonderful Knit & Chat group from Iver, enjoying a lovely community experience.

Our EYFS children had a special treat with a theatre group visiting to bring the theme of ducklings to life, perfectly timed with the arrival of our own ducklings hatching in the classroom!

A huge thank you to the parents who attended Mrs. Kimberley's Grammar Workshop on Thursday morning—it was great to see so many of you engaged in supporting your children's learning.

Upper Trans and Remove embarked on an incredible artistic adventure at the National Gallery. Armed with their very own sketchbooks, they explored masterpieces by legendary artists, taking inspiration from the stunning paintings around them. The adventure didn’t end there. After immersing themselves in art, they headed to the theatre to catch the iconic Back to the Future show. From the gallery to the stage, it was a day full of learning, laughter, and unforgettable memories. 

We are also grateful to the families who joined us this morning for our Lenten Reflection—such a special school community event.

To top it all off, we celebrated Pi Day and wrapped up the week with an incredible Music Summer Celebration Concert, showcasing the amazing talents of our pupils. (More about this next week!)

What a wonderful and busy week we have had. We are now looking forward to all the exciting events ahead.

Knit & Chat group 

On Monday, Prep had the pleasure of welcoming the wonderful Iver Knit & Chat group to our school. They brought along some amazing examples of their beautiful knitting and shared their creativity with our children. The morning was filled with fun as they sat, chatted, played games, built LEGO, and even carried out exciting art activities together!

The children absolutely loved spending time with the group and even performed a special song for them in appreciation. A huge thank you to Janet Clark for organising this heart-warming visit and for bringing so much joy to our school! 

The Oratory School -Reading

This week our Year 5 children had a fantastic opportunity to visit The Oratory School in Reading for an exciting interactive lecture on The Secret Life of Scent as part of British Science Week. The session explored the fascinating science behind scent - how we perceive smells, the chemistry of fragrances, and their impact on our daily lives.

The children were fully engaged, asking insightful questions and taking part in hands-on activities that brought the topic to life. Such a memorable and inspiring experience!

Lower Trans Assembly - Lent

Lower Trans delivered a beautiful and thought-provoking assembly on the theme of Lent this morning. They managed to bring the Lenten season to life through sound—from palms swaying and crowds shouting Hosanna to silver coins changing hands and the solemn echo of nails on the cross. They also recited the Jellybean Prayer, adding a colourful reflection on the message of Lent. The assembly concluded with a heartfelt performance of Care, making it a truly moving experience for all.

Achievements

Congratulations to Amreece (Y3) and Mia (Y5) on their fantastic musical achievements! Amreece has passed her Grade 1 piano exam and Mia has passed her Grade 3 piano exam. Well done girls!

Congratulations to Arjen for achieving his green/black belt in karate this week! His dedication and hard work have truly paid off!

Wellbeing Weekend Wisdom for Science Week

1. Nature Science Walk 

• Identify different plants, birds, and insects.
• Collect leaves and investigate their patterns.
• Use magnifying glasses to explore textures and details.
• Take deep breaths and enjoy the fresh air!

2. Kitchen Chemistry Fun 

• Bake bread and observe how yeast makes it rise.
• Make fizzy lemonade using lemon juice and baking soda.
• Create homemade ice cream using salt and ice!

3. Stargazing & Mindfulness 

• Use a stargazing app to identify constellations.
• Share fun facts about space.
• Practice deep breathing while watching the night sky.

4. DIY Lava Lamps (Relaxation in a Bottle) 

• Fill a clear bottle with water and oil.
• Add food colouring and an Alka-Seltzer tablet.
• Watch the bubbles move in a soothing way.

5. The Science of Sound & Music 

• Play different types of music and notice how it affects mood.
• Make simple instruments (e.g., rubber band guitars).
• Explore sound vibrations using a bowl of water and a tuning fork.

6. Bubble Therapy & Outdoor Play 

• Experiment with different bubble solutions.
• Try to create giant bubbles.
• Observe the science of surface tension while playing.

Music Workshop Day 

On Sunday 27th April, Hampton School is hosting its 25th annual Junior Schools Music Workshop for local Junior School pupils in Year Three and above. On the day, we will be running a series of workshops for string, wind and brass players. In addition to this, we will be running a choir session for singers. Unfortunately, there is no provision for keyboard players or guitarists to come and play, though they are more than welcome to come and sing for the day!

The workshop will start at 10.00am (registration from 9.30am). We will break for lunch and activities at 12.30pm. At 2.30pm there will be a concert in the Hammond Theatre presenting all the music prepared during the workshops. All parents and teachers will be very welcome to attend this concert, which will be free to attend.

The workshop offers an excellent opportunity to work with experienced musicians, and allows pupils the chance to work in a large ensemble. The day will be suitable for brass, woodwind and string players of at least Grade One standard, and for singers of all standards. The course, including lunch and refreshments, is free of charge.

Sports News

Under 8&9 Rugby vs Caldicott

On Tuesday, our junior rugby teams welcomed Caldicott for the second time this season, and it was evident just how much progress St Bernard’s had made since their last encounter. All three teams played outstanding rugby, moving the ball skillfully across the field and scoring some exhilarating tries from open play. Our A and C teams put up a strong fight but narrowly lost to two formidable Caldicott sides, while our B team battled to a hard-fought 8-8 draw. A huge well done to all the players, and special congratulations to Raaghav, Aryan, and Aiden for being named MVPs!

St Bernard’s Prep Under 9 Football Festival:

On Saturday March 8th, we hosted our annual Under 9 Football Festival, welcoming teams from Upton House School, Langley Hall Academy, Gayhurst, Herries, and Thorpe House. Upton House School emerged as the overall winners. The event was a fantastic display of Prep School football, with all teams thrilling the large crowd with exciting plays and numerous goals. Congratulations to Niko and Akaal, who were both nominated as MVPs of the festival. Mr. Barendse extends a special thank you to Mrs. Liz Robinson and her team for their hard work in preparing such a delightful match 'tea' for our visitors.