17-Jun-2013

Fantastic Athletics Achievements

Well done to all our athletes

Last Friday, some Sevenoaks Prep athletes performed fantastically well at the Kent Prep Schools Athletics Championships.  Ten talented athletes travelled to the annual event and brought home an astonishing nine medal haul.  Huge congratulations go to:

Max Denniff - Hurdles Gold and Long Jump Silver
Vita De Munck - 800m Gold and Long Jump Gold
Mercy Bannister - 200m Gold
Luke Novell - Hurdles Bronze and Long Jump Bronze
Jonny Watson - Hurdles Silver
Darcey Friend - Long Jump Bronze

Ellie Burke (100m finalist), James Murphy (Long Jump, 4th) Chloe Burdon (100m) and Isabella Prescott (100m) also performed extremely well in their events.

Max, Vita and Mercy will all travel to Birmingham on 2nd July to represent both Kent and Sevenoaks Prep in a total of five track and field events at the National Preparatory Schools Athletics Championships.  A remarkable achievement from them all - Well done!  Miss Lovegrove

13-Jun-2013

Scholarships and Exhibitions

We are delighted to announce that the following pupils have been awarded scholarships and / or exhibitions to their future schools:





Year 8
Millie Bonny - Sports Exhibition to Sutton Valence School
Max Denniff - Sports Scholarship to Bethany School
Francis McAuley - Academic Scholarship to Caterham School
Oona McLuskie Academic Scholarship and Music Exhibition to Brighton College

Year 6
Luke Bernicchi - Sports Scholarship to Sutton Valence School
Isabelle Haigh - Academic Scholarship to Kent College, Pembury
Jack Stanton-Gleaves - Sports Scholarship to Sutton Valence School
Angus Thomas - Academic Scholarship to Caterham School
Barty Wardell - Academic Scholarship to Sevenoaks School

12-Jun-2013

Junior School Top Table

This week's winners are . . .

Please look at the pictures below to see the latest winners of the Junior School's Top Table Award - a recognition of excellent table manners.

Are your manners good enough to get on the Top Table?

08-Jun-2013

Students want to use the lastest kit

Prep pupils captivated by communication technology

The Prep took delivery of another iMac recently. While Mr Copeland was trying to set it up, he found it difficult to get near the machine due to the crush of pupils.

22-May-2013

Year 3 invade Hever!

Year 3 recently enjoyed a day at the castle and grounds of Hever. Although the sun was absent, a great day was had by all! The beautiful gardens were investigated to see flowers from around the world. Wild plants were also discovered around the lake. The children thought about what we use plants for and how important they are to life on Earth. We also had a chance to test our orienteering skills in the mazes. As you can see from the pictures, we still need a little practice at this!

21-May-2013

Prep Idol 2013

Biggest Crowd Ever

Prep Idol 2013 was a huge success and was witnessed by a record crowd of over 450! The standard of musicianship from the bands was incredible and every act performed really well. The eventual winners, who won the right to perform at the school fashion show at the end of term, were 'The Enlisted'. A life of fame and fortune now awaits! Well done, boys and well done to all who took to the stage.

As well as being a hugely entertaining evening, a significant amount of money was raised and will be split between two of our school charities: Haller (www.haller.org.uk) and Hope HIV (www.hopehiv.org). More detailed information about how much money was raised will be published in the coming weeks.

Thank you to all those pupils and members of staff who worked tirelessly to make the event happen. Roll on next year!

If you took any photos of this year's event, and wouldn't mind sharing them, please feel free to send them to robin.collings@theprep.org.uk.


Mr Collings and Mr Pears

19-May-2013

Fun in the Sun

22nd - 26th July

Fun in the Sun will take place from 22nd - 26th July, not August as was stated in a recent letter. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Miss Ablett and Mr Collings

13-May-2013

Year 1 Gymnastics

On Friday 3rd May, four girls from Year 1 represented Sevenoaks Prep in a local gymnastics competition. It was held at Combe Bank School, and run by The British Schools Gymnastics Association. Each child had to learn a set floor routine consisting of ten moves, and perform it for the judges. They also had to do a simple vault. All four girls worked hard to prepare for this competition, and did their very best on the day. This effort was enough to secure the gold medal in her age group for one of our girls, and while another gained a ribbon for 5th place. All of the girls did very well and the Junior School were proud to celebrate with all of them the following week when they were presented with certificates in assembly.

Well done, girls!

10-May-2013

Bush Craft Meeting for Year 7 Parents

Monday 13th May, 4.30pm

On Monday afternoon, the Bush Craft Company (who will be running next year's Year 8 residential trip) will be visiting the school to showcase the kind of activities the trip will offer. Year 7 pupils will get to see what their experience will be like during the afternoon, and there will be a meeting for Year 7 parents to learn more about the trip at 4.30pm in the Oakery.

10-May-2013

Exam Week Information

Year 4 - 8 Exam Timetables

Please click here to view exam timetables for Year 4 - 8 pupils.

02-May-2013

Ultrafast Underriver Information Evening

Friday May 10th, 7.30 - 9.00pm

Would you like to learn more about bringing the fastest broadband in the country to your village?

The Ultrafast Underriver project has called an open meeting to answer questions related to the broadband project for the villages near the school. This will be a chance to learn more about benefits such as instant access to high quality films, cut-price and crystal-clear phone calls and uninterrupted, high-definition video conferencing, as well as information about the project timescale, availability and the practicalities of installation.

The meeting is at Underriver Village Hall Friday 10th May from 7.30pm to 9pm.

More information can also be found at the Ultrafast Underriver website. If your home or business is in the Phase One area (linking Underriver, Seal, Godden Green, Bitchet Green, Stone Street, Ivy Hatch and Shipbourne) please consider completing the online order form via the 'sign up now' button at www.gigaclear.com/communities/underriver.

26-Apr-2013

Les français arrivent bientôt!

We are all very much looking forward to welcoming Ecole Saint Pierre d’Ascq to Sevenoaks Prep next week for their three day visit! There will be a Cream Tea on Tuesday at 5pm for Year 6 and their French friends. Year 6 pupils will need to be collected by 6pm. However, if you are kindly hosting French children please could you come to the French room at 5.45pm on Tuesday to meet M. Degand, their headmaster. The barbecue on Thursday evening at 6-8pm is for all Year 6 families. Let’s hope the weather is good so we can return the wonderful hospitality that we received in Lille in February!

16-Apr-2013

Former pupil to play in FA Carlsberg Vase

Tunbridge Wells through to Wembley Final

Josh Stanford, a former Prep pupil, will be playing for Tunbridge Wells FC at Wembley in the FA Carlsberg Vase Final on Saturday 4th May. It is a tremendous achievement for a club like Tunbridge Wells to get to the final and we are extremely proud that Josh will be a part of it. He has played for Tunbridge Wells all season and has scored a number of goals in a very successful season. They have also recently won the Kent Cup.

If you are interested in going to watch the match, we will be taking a Sevenoaks Prep party up to Wembley for the day and have booked a coach. Prices, including all travel, are £35 for adults and £25 for children. If you would like to join us please contact Mr Smith on donald.smith@theprep.org.uk as soon as possible. Places will be offered on a first come first served basis. There are 30 places available.

We hope that you may consider joining us to cheer on Josh, and Tunbridge Wells, and experience the unforgettable atmosphere of a Cup final at Wembley.

21-Mar-2013

UltrafastUnderriver

Sign-up threshold approaches 50%

The UltrafastUnderriver project, bringing super-fast broadband to local villages from Seal to Shipbourne, is now accepting orders; and sign-up is half way there!





Expressions of interest have been collected faster than was hoped. Construction work could begin in July 2013 to bring a world class, fibre optic broadband service to villages near The Prep. The community-led project is now just waiting for 100 more orders to begin. If your home or business is in the Phase One area (linking Underriver, Seal, Godden Green, Bitchet Green, Stone Street, Ivy Hatch and Shipbourne) please consider completing the online order form via the 'sign up now' button at www.gigaclear.com/communities/underriver.

19-Mar-2013

IAPS Netballl

Excellent performance from Prep U11s!

On Thursday 7^th March, eight of our year 6 girls took part in the IAPS U11 Netball Tournament held at Roedean School, Brighton. We were drawn in Section A along with Great Walstead, Derwent Lodge, Sutton Valence, Cumnor House, Hoe Bridge, Caterham and Feltonfleet.

We got off to a fantastic start with an 8 - 1 win against Great Walstead.  Our second match against Derwent Lodge resulted in a convincing win.  Despite the cold damp weather, the girls were on a high and continued to play brilliantly for the rest of the morning.  They finished having won 5 of their 7 games.  We finished second and were therefore faced with playing against Hazelwood in the play-offs!  Although it was a close match of end to end netball, this was unfortunately to be the end of our busy but fantastic day.

Congratulations girls; the standard of netball played at this tournament was extremely high and you should be really proud of how well you all played.

12-Mar-2013

Latest snow pictures

Here are some pictures of conditions at school on Tuesday morning.

06-Mar-2013

U10 Netball Success!

The Prep win the Russell House Tournament

On Saturday our U10A netball team travelled to Russell House to take part in their annual netball tournament. On arrival our girls were very excited and were ready for the matches ahead! The team got off to a brilliant start and finished top of their group by drawing against St Michaels and beating both Derwent Lodge and Hilden Oaks. The semi-final then followed, against the runners up of the other group, Russell House, and what a superb match it was!  It was fast and furious ‘end-to-end netball’ of the highest quality and our girls eventually won the game 6-5. Before we even knew it, we were in the final against Granville, which again was a fantastic game of netball. The girls fought so hard to the very end and fully deserved to finish the day as the overall tournament champions with a 4-2 win. Fantastic work girls, you have made us all extremely proud. Well done! 

Miss Lovegrove

27-Feb-2013

'Pancakes for Porridge' Morning a Huge Success!

£277 raised for Haller!

The recent 'Pancakes for Porridge' fundraising event raised an impressive £277 for Haller. The money will go straight to the school we are involved with in Mdengerekeni and will provide the 86 pupils with a bowl of porridge every morning for 3 months! Please visit www.haller.org.uk for more information. Thank you for your continued support.

16-Feb-2013

Well done Izzy!

Former Pupil Wins U17 GB Fencing Championships

In February, the Women's Cadet (under 17) Sabre title was won by former Sevenoaks Prep pupil Isabel Turnbull. This follows a succession of wins for Isabel who has been fencing since she was 9 years old.

Speaking shortly after the final, Isabel said; 'This feels great and is totally unexpected after a tough international season. The hard work has paid off and I’m lucky to have so many people helping me – especially my friends and my coach.'

Isabel was ranked 6th as she went into this championship - but beat the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 8th ranked girls to win the Championships.

We are all delighted for Izzie, her family and coach and send many congratulations!

13-Feb-2013

Enfin la journée de notre départ est arrivée !

Aujourd’hui nous allons à Lille ! Nous sommes très impatients de rencontrer nos correspondants !

Cet après-midi nous allons faire un tour à pied de Lille. Ce soir il y a une fête à l’école !

Au revoir et à bientôt !
Le CM2

12-Feb-2013

Middle School Play Rehearsals

Please click here to view a timetable for Middle School Play Rehearsals after half term.

04-Feb-2013

Vita wins Kent Schools Cross Country Championships!

Form 7 pupil, Vita, took first place in the Year 7 girl’s race at the very muddy Kent Schools Cross Country Championships in Bexleyheath.  Sevenoaks Prep are so proud of her and enjoyed seeing her special medal in assembly.  Vita will now go on to represent Kent Schools AA at the inter-county English Schools Cross Country Championships.  Well done Vita!

31-Jan-2013

Congratulations to Mrs Jeremy!

Congratulations to Mrs Jeremy, who has graduated as a Master of Education. Here she is receiving her award from the Vice Chancellor of Canterbury Christchurch University. 

31-Jan-2013

Year 7 and 8 February Mock Examination Timetable

Please click here to view details of Years 7 and 8 mock examinations.

28-Jan-2013

Pancakes for Porridge

Tuesday 12th February

As part of the school's ongoing support for the charity Haller (www.haller.org.uk), on Tuesday 12th February pancakes will be on sale at break time. Proceeds will go to providing porridge for children in Kenya.

Please click here to find out more about Haller's latest fundraising opportunity.

27-Jan-2013

Sevenoaks Three Arts Festival 2013

If you would like your son or daughter to enter the Verse Speaking Section of the Sevenoaks Three Arts Festival in June, please collect a letter from the office or download it here. Applications must be in by half term as the poems need to be chosen before I fill in the entry form for the school. If you have any questions please come and speak to me.

Mrs Matthews

24-Jan-2013

Prep Choir to sing in the Pamoja Hall

Tuesday 5th February

Dear Parents of Choir Members

The choir has been invited to sing in a concert with other local junior and prep schools in the superb Pamoja Hall at Sevenoaks School on the afternoon of Tuesday 5th February. You are also most welcome to attend.  The concert will run from 2.30-3.30pm, followed by tea at Sevenoaks School. The children will leave school at 2.00pm. They will be ready to be collected from Sevenoaks School at 3.55pm. If you are unable to collect them from Sevenoaks School they will be brought back to the Prep in the minibuses and should be back at the prep by 4.05pm at the latest. You will shortly receive a letter about the concert.

I hope that you will be able to attend the concert and look forward to seeing you.

Jozik Kotz

23-Jan-2013

UltrafastUnderriver

Fibre Optic Broadband Cables

The Prep is supporting UltrafastUnderriver, a community led project for our surrounding villages that will deliver a fibre optic cable right to your home or business premises. The project will deliver a world class broadband service and significantly improve download and upload speeds.

Phase One of the project will link Underriver, Seal, Godden Green, Bitchet Green, Stone Street, Ivy Hatch and Shipbourne while Phase Two aims to include Plaxtol, Dunks Green and Ightham as well.

As the Prep will form part of phase one, as well as many of our families home addresses, we ask that you take time to register your interest now at www.gigaclear.com/underriver.

Once enough people have registered their interest, Gigaclear will then seek a firm commitment from a minimum number of properties.  As soon as this is achieved, the project will be scheduled and the rollout will start.

There are open days planned when you will be able to meet representatives from Gigaclear to understand how this service could help you personally with work, entertainment and communicating with friends, as well as supporting the Prep in improving the internet service.

Please register your interest now at www.gigaclear.com/underriver and we ask that you please pass this message on to others in your neighbourhood.

21-Jan-2013

Pictures of the snow at school

These images were taken at school over the last couple of days.

18-Jan-2013

French Exchange Meeting

Tuesday 29th January, 4.15pm

There will be a French Exchange meeting on Tuesday 29th January at 4.15pm when we will be giving out our itinerary, contact details, a kit list and some forms to be completed. We would be grateful if at least one parent per child could attend. Please be reminded that your child needs an up to date passport and an EHIC Card for the trip -  for information on how to apply for a new EHIC Card for your child please click here.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Mme Clark, Mrs Jeremy and Mr Collings

13-Dec-2012

The Mariner

Senior School Play a Huge Success

This year's Senior School Play was a great success and the children performed admirably. Both nights were of an incredible standard and everyone involved should be thoroughly proud of their contribution. As ever, an event such as this could not have been possible without an unbelieveble amount of hard work from one of the most dedicated back-stage teams I have ever had the fortune to work with. Producing and directing 'The Mariner' will live long in my memory. Thank you to the cast and crew for your support. Have a merry Christmas and a restful New Year - You all deserve it!

Mr Collings

25-Nov-2012

Junior School Performance Assembly

Violin players wow the crowds!

The children in Form 1 and 2 who learn the violin played in assembly on 23rd November. Many of them have been learning in groups, doing a 6 week taster course, and they were able to show what they have learnt. Those who learn individually played solos. We were joined by Oliver and Oona from the Senior School, who helped by playing along with the groups and they performed a violin trio with Mrs Dwinell, showing how beautiful the violin can sound after years of practice! The assembly finished with a rousing performance of 'He's Got the Whole World in His Hands'. Well done to all involved!

24-Nov-2012

Christmas Bazaar a Great Success!

Saturday 17th November

Our annual Christmas Bazaar, organised by the S.E.C, was once again a hugely enjoyable day, and certainly put everyone in the festive spirit for the rest of term. Many thanks to all who worked tirelessy to make it happen!

20-Nov-2012

Paralympic Medallist Visits The Prep

Will Bayley discusses London 2012!

Just before half term we were delighted to welcome Paralympic table tennis medallist Will Bayley to the Prep. Will was kind enough to spend some time at school and share his experience of competing at London 2012, where he took silver in a hard-fought final. It was hugely inspiring and was an excellent chance for the children to hear first hand how hard you have to work to become a champion. Will, a local hero, is also linked to the school through his work as a patron of Haller, one of our supported charities. For more information please visit www.haller.org.uk. Children left the assembly proud of Will’s fantastic achievement, and thoroughly inspired to take their sport to the next level. For more information about Will, please visit his website at www.willbayleytt.com.

20-Nov-2012

Message from Nurse Betts regarding illness

Please click here to see some advice from Nurse Betts.

19-Nov-2012

Sutton Valence Maths Competition

Thursday 15th November 2012

Our traditional visit to the Sutton Valence Maths Competition for prep schools was extremely successful.  Teams must answer twenty questions over a thirty-minute period.

Our Year 7 team, Emily, Oliver, Tom and Annie, were loudly confident, yet quietly nervous.  They got off to a flying start and continued from strength to strength throughout the half hour, finishing in fine style in third place behind Dulwich and the winners, Kent College.  A fantastic result in a competition with a quality field of 19 schools.

Meanwhile, the excitement, adrenalin and anxious fear had been building in the Year 8 team as they waited for their turn.  Oona, George, Rory and Francis had worked themselves up into a frenzy of numbers and processes.  Fortunately, their first question went well and this seemed to settle them.  However, all the teams were to find the questions very difficult as, with five points for each correct answer, they all languished on the ten mark for several minutes.  In the end, we were only beaten by St Edmund’s, King’s Canterbury Juniors, Marlborough House and the eventual winners, Dulwich Prep.

Many thanks for all the support and encouragement from our parents who went out of their way to give the teams another great mathematical experience.

12-Nov-2012

Senior School Play Tickets

The Mariner - A tale of love, murder and vengeance on the high seas.

Tickets for the Senior School production of 'The Mariner' are now available. They are free for parents and siblings, but additional tickets for extended family members / friends will also be available for £5. This year tickets will be available from Mr Culley (not the school office). He will endeavour to be in his room each morning, and as often as possible, after school. There will numbered seats for the performances so the sooner you buy your tickets, the better your seats will be! The performances will be on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th December at 7.00pm.


N.B. The content of the play means that it may not be suitable for Years 3 and 4. Parental discretion is advised.

07-Nov-2012

School Ski Trip - Last Few Places

April 6th - 13th 2013

Come with us to the luxury and convenience of Hotel Sonnhof and the sunny slopes and Austrian Ski School expertise of the Amade ski area of Salzburg.  We still have one or two places for either a family group or pupils in Forms 6/7/8. Please see Mrs Jeremy, Miss Lovegrove or Mr Collings for further details and a booking form. Don't miss your chance to reserve a place for April 6-13th 2013!

10-Oct-2012

GB Olympic athlete is Guest of Honour at Thomas Trophy!

Jo Pavey makes special appearance!

Pupils, staff and parents were extremely happy to welcome Jo Pavey to our Thomas Trophy cross country event on Friday 5th October. Team GB's leading female distance runner kindly gave up her time to be with us throughout the afternoon. Jo started each race, gave out the individual medals and presented the trophies at the end of the event. She also happily signed autographs throughout the afternoon and then donated the school a signed Team GB training vest which will soon be on display in the Sports Hall.

09-Oct-2012

Thomas Trophy 2012 a huge success!

Friday 5th October

On Friday 5th October, nineteen schools from the South East of England attended Sevenoaks Prep's annual cross country meeting. Over 700 runners took part in six races around the school grounds and Knole Park. Thankfully the rain held off for most of the day, but still left behind a muddy, challenging course. Our Sevenoaks Prep runners were an absolute credit to the school, as were our Year 6,7 and 8 marshals who helped mark out the course. To top off a fantastic afternoon, our very own Vita finished in first place in thh U13 race for girls, and collectively the girls team finished 2nd in the overall team rankings.

08-Oct-2012

Brenchley Cross Country Relays

Sevenoaks Prep runners perform admirably!

Four teams of runners travelled to St.Ronan's School on Friday 28th September to compete in the annual Brenchley Relay race. Each team was made up of one runner from Year 5, 6, 7 and 8, and the fastest team to finish the course would be declared the winner. Every Prep runner ran with grit and determination and certainly made us all proud. To top off a great afternoon of running Millie, Vita, Inger and Darcey won their race and brought the trophy home for the first time in 19 years! Vita was also awarded the winner of the fastest recorded lap by any girl on the day. Fantastic work everyone!

18-Sep-2012

Year 8 Ashburnham Trip

Team-Building for Prefects

Year 8 have recently spent a very enjoyable week at Ashburnham in Hastings, carrying out initiative and team-building exercises to ensure that they are prepared for an important year ahead. From rock climbing to kayaking, all of the children threw themselves into every activity and were fantastic ambassadors for the school. They also began work on their Common Entrance Geography Field Project, carrying out a number of investigations in the River Cuckmere, and visited Bodiam Castle for their History. We look forward to them taking up their prominent positions of responsibility within the school over the coming terms.

17-Sep-2012

Stylish Upper School!

New Year 7 and 8 blazers have arrived.

Welcome back to our Year 7 and 8 pupils who are looking very smart in their new black blazers, some of whom are are pictured here. At Sevenoaks Prep Years 7 and 8 are our 'sixth form' so we wanted to recognise their important role as prefects and leaders in our school community. Look out for more information about The Oak Award which our Year 7 pupils will be embarking upon later in the term, which will inspire development in the 3 Cs: Challenge, Community and Creativity. If you would like to know more about why so many of our pupils decide to stay with us into Year 7, please come and talk to Mr or Mrs Harrison or any of the upper school teachers.

05-Sep-2012

Fantastic Common Entrance, Scholarship and 11+ successes at Sevenoaks Prep!

If you would like to find out more about the results and our destination schools please click here.

04-Jul-2012

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

No, it's a Maths teacher!

On Monday 25^th June, Captain Purdy brought a Jetranger helicopter to school for the children to see close up. It was on static display throughout the day and all the children heard a talk about the principles that allow it to fly. Some lucky children from Form 7 and 8 were allowed to sit in the pilot's seat and see the controls and instruments at first hand.

29-Jun-2012

Form 4 and 5 Maths Competition

Walthamstow Hall Great Maths Race

On Tuesday 26^th June teams from Form 4 and Form 5 attended the Maths Competition at Walthamstow Hall.  There were 14 schools attending in each age group.  As usual, the competition involved answering 20 questions in 30 minutes with five points for a correct answer.

The Form 4 team of Ian Ratnage, Toby Harrison, Thomas Rigney and Emily Hopkins were first and languished on 40
points for some time before racing into 2nd place with a very good score of 70 points. They were just pipped to the post by Amherst with 75 points.  A very exciting and satisfying result for all! The Form 5 team of Edward Nix, Angus Thomas, Isabelle Haigh and Oliver Bright were next.  They had the experience of last year to fall back on but, despite scoring a very good 65 points, were relegated to 11^th in an extremely strong competition.  Again Amherst came first with 90 points.

The purpose of these competitions continues to be enthusing children and exposing them to pressure situations in which they have to focus their concentration.  We look forward to their progress next year, hoping that as their maths gets even stronger, so their placing will improve.

It is always a most enjoyable event for team members and their supporters.  Many thanks to all the parents who came to support the teams.  It was a very exciting and challenging event.

12-Jun-2012

Junior School Jubilee Celebration

Friday 1st June

On Friday 1st June the Junior School celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with our very own Garden Party. Hundreds of children, parents and grandparents gathered together to enjoy an afternoon of fun that included a Big Picnic, Music from The Pagoda, May Pole Dancing and even an Ice Cream van!

Earlier in the day the children were treated to a visit from a real Irish Guardsman, complete with scarlet tunic and bearskin and enjoyed listening to our Chair of Governors, Mr Edward Oatley MBE, talk about his visit to Buckingham Palace.
Another highlight of the day was when an original 1960’s London Routemaster bus drove onto the playground! A brilliant time was had by all.

Many thanks to all who helped make the day such an enjoyable experience. Special thanks to Mrs Dwinell and our wonderfully talented senior musicians for their musical entertainment and to our catering team for delicious refreshments throughout the afternoon.

31-May-2012

Prep Idol 2012

Capacity audience wowed by amazing performers!

We can now officially confirm that we have counted the money raised from ticket sales and donations at the bar at Prep Idol 2012. We are delighted to announce that the final figure, to be split equally between Haller and Hope HIV, is £3200. Thank you to all those who attended the event and helped raise such a terrific amount of money. Details of monies raised by Form 8 pupils' S.E.P will be announced later in the term.

------------------------------------------------

This year's Prep Idol was a resounding success. Not only were there more performers than ever before, but the audience was the biggest we've ever had. Twelve bands / performers wowed the crowd with some exceptional performances and a great deal of fun was had by all. Members of Form 8 launched their S.E.P businesses and did fantastically well by selling drinks, sweets, pizza and all manner of glow-in-the-dark trinkets. More details regarding how much money was raised and photos of the night will follow soon. We are thoroughly proud of everyone involved in the event, and would like thank all those who helped make Prep Idol 2012 the best one yet!
Mr Collings and Mr Pears

21-May-2012

School Ski Trip

Plans are underway!

The date of next year's School Ski Trip has now been confirmed as Saturday 6th April - Saturday 13th April 2013. Places are going quickly, so if you are interested please see Mrs Jeremy as soon as possible. The trip is open to current pupils in Form 3 - 7 and their families.
Thank you.

17-May-2012

Let's All Ride The Eye

Junior School Day Out In London

On Wednesday 16th May all of Reception, Form 1 and Form 2 went on a trip to London to ride the London Eye. We have been learning all about London as part of the Queen's Jubilee Year and this was a fantastic opportunity for the children to visit some of the attractions we have talked about.  As well as a ride on The Eye, we also walked along the Embankment and across Hungerford Bridge taking in the sights and some very welcome sunshine. It was a tremendous day and everyone throughly enjoyed the experience. We returned to school in a double-decker bus, tired but happy.

17-May-2012

Drum Concert

Monday 21st May, 4.15pm

The Drum Concert will be held on Monday 21st May at 4.15pm in The Studio. Refreshments will be available in The Oakery from 4.00pm. I hope that you will be able to come along and support the children. I look forward to seeing you.

Mr Kotz

15-May-2012

7Oaks Junior Aquathlon

Sunday 8th July

The 7Oaks Junior Aquathlon will be held on the afternoon of Sunday 8th July 2012 at Tonbridge School Sports Centre. An Aquathlon is a swim / run event. The competitor is continuously timed from the start of their swim, during the ‘transition’ (changeover) and until the end of the run. Entries are open to anyone born between January 1st 1996 and December 31st 2004. More information on the event can be seen on the 7Oaks Tri Club website (www.7oakstriclub.co.uk) including an FAQ which is very comprehensive and a link to online entry which is open now.

10-May-2012

The Big Dribble

Prep hockey players wish Team GB luck!

Last week a group of Sevenoaks Prep hockey players took part in 'The nPower Big Dribble' event held at The Vine Gardens in Sevenoaks.  Starting in Edinburgh, the Great Britain Hockey roadshow toured the country for 18 days and gave people of all ages and abilities the chance to pick up a stick and take part in the dribble.  Our girls also had the opportunity to wish Great Britain’s hockey teams ‘good luck’ ahead of the Olympic Games by writing a message on the giant inflatable hockey ball, which also travelled around Britain before it was presented to the GB teams at the end of the event.  Our girls had a great time and judging by the pictures, certainly demonstrated better hockey skills than Miss Lovegrove and Mr Oatley!!

04-May-2012

Start The Week With A Song

New time for choir!

It’s summer time and the children want to be outside at break times so I have decided to move choir rehearsals to Mondays from 8.25am - 8.55am. Singing is a great way to put yourself in a good mood and to feel energised for the week ahead, so please encourage your children to keep coming to choir. We are a team like any other and we depend on loyalty and commitment. Plus we are singing some great songs and there’s no chance of getting wet! The first rehearsal at the new time will be on Monday May 14th. Mr Kotz.

03-May-2012

Science is "Flying" at Sevenoaks Prep

Design An Aircraft Prizewinners

Sevenoaks School recently held a week-long programme of activities to celebrate Science and Technology Week. Their theme was 'Our World in Motion' and you may have noticed the fantastic aerobatic displays by the vintage aircraft over the school playing fields a few months ago. Sevenoaks Prep Year 6 pupils entered the Science poster competition which challenged them to 'Design an aircraft of the Future'. 3000 entries were received and from this, 10 prizes were awarded.

Sasha Cannon received first prize for her fabulous horse-themed poster and Peter Westbrooke was awarded a runners-up prize for his futuristic circular design. They both received some fantastic 'motion themed' prizes. Well done to you both!

30-Apr-2012

'SEP' Launch Evening

Form 8 are inspired!

Form 8 pupils, their parents and members of Amherst Rotary Club were addressed by Mr Pears (Headmaster Junior School), Tobias McBride (Tonbridge School pupil), Owen Hunnan (VINE Publishing) and Malcolm Elvines (President of Amherst Rotary). The evening was both thought-provoking and hugely inspirational as the audience heard stories of the incredible work of HOPEHIV (www.hopehiv.org) and the tremendous entrepreneurial success of Tobias McBride, who was part of the SEP at Tonbridge School and has gone on to make over £6800 for charity through his small business - and he’s still only 16 years of age!  Local businessman Owen Hunnan delighted the crowd with stories of his entrepreneurial exploits selling Mars bars from his school locker as a teenager and how it led to him setting up his own publishing business, which only five years on boasts the area’s number one lifestyle magazine and business directory.

10-Apr-2012

Save the Date for Summer Fun

Don't forget to hand in your forms!

Are you in Form 3, 4, 5 or 6? Do you like fun? Do you like sun?
Come and join Miss Ablett and Mr Collings for a week of Fun In The Sun from Monday 13th August to Friday 17th August.

Please hand in your completed forms to Miss Ablett as soon as possible.
If you need another form there are spares in the office.

28-Mar-2012

Children Go Bowling For Charity

SPS Pupils join in with Sport Relief

On Thursday 22nd March after school, Miss Lovegrove, Mr Oatley and Mr Smith took twelve Prep children to Hollybush Lane to have a go at Indoor Bowls. We started with a bit of practice and we were kindly coached by a few members of the Club. Then it was on to the competition! With rings drawn around the jack, worth 30, 20 and 10 points, we tried our best to get as close as possible. The children got the hang of it pretty quickly and some of them started to pick up big points! And those who found it harder weren't a million miles away. The winning score was 80 points from 16 bowls.

Well done to all the children who took part: from Form 8 Sam; from Form 7 Francis and Harry T; from Form 6 Tabby, Will, Celine, Edsard, Jasper, Luke, Tim, Anne-Marie and Myfi. And thank you to all the other senior Prep children and parents whose £1 went towards sponsoring us for Sport Relief. Not only did we get to meet some new people in our community and try a new sport, we also raised money for the very worthy Charity of Sport Relief. If you click on the link, you can see which two children won the competition and which lucky children sponsored them to win a small prize of their own. A big thank you to everyone involved. We had fun!

28-Mar-2012

Year 7 and 8 Battlefields Trip

On Friday 16th March, Years 7 and 8 visited The Somme battlefields. Highlights of the trip included Sunken Lane, Beaumont Hamel, Ulster Tower, Lochnagar Crater and Vimy Ridge. Prior to the visit, the pupils had researched some of the soldiers whose names appear on their local war memorials in Kent. Perhaps the most poignant moment of the trip was at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, where each pupil located the name of their soldier amongst the 73,000 names that adorn the monument and laid a wooden cross at the foot of the relevant pier. Two of our students located their great grandfather on the memorial. Poetry was read in several of the locations and our guide, Colin, helped the pupils to try and understand the full horror of what happened in the area nearly one hundred years ago. An educational, sobering and, in many ways, uplifting experience.

22-Mar-2012

Spanish Armada Day

Form 4 visit Penshurst Place

On Tuesday Form 4 visited Penshurst Place for a 'Living History’ morning based on the Spanish Armada. They experienced everyday life in an Elizabethan household and took part in lots of fun activities including dancing, learning about punishments given for crime and trying on Elizabethan clothes. Fun was had by all and there were only a few heads chopped off by the end of the morning!

07-Mar-2012

IAPS Netball Success!

Under 11 Netball Team in Action!

Last week an excited U11 A netball team travelled to a very sunny Brighton to take part in the Annual IAPS Netball Regional tournament at Roedean School. A record number of teams took part this year - 64 Prep Schools in total! Our girls played fantastically well and missed out on automatic qualification to the National Finals by just one point. To achieve 2nd place in our group was simply outstanding. This took us through to the play off stages where we just lost out after a very tiring day. We were positioned somewhere between 13th and 16th out of the 64 schools- a fantastic achievement. We are extremely proud of all our girls. The effort, determination and standard of play they demonstrated throughout the tournament was a pleasure to watch. They were truly brilliant and the whole day is certainly something that we will never forget.

Miss Lovegrove

U11A Netball Squad: Ella Hughes, Ellie Burke, Holly Keeling, Zoe Eifion-Jones, Annabel Richards, Myfanwy Smetham, Emily Rigney, Annelise Lemonius and Chloe Burdon.


Group Stages
SPS vs Farlington - 2-0 W
SPS vs St Georges - 0-5 L
SPS vs Hurst - 4-0 W
SPS vs JAPS - 6-1 W
SPS vs Cowarth - 9-1 W
SPS vs Micklefield - 6-2 W
SPS vs Russell House - 9-1 W

Play-offs
SPS vs Vinehall - 7-2 W
SPS vs Broadwater - 1-3 L

01-Mar-2012

The Vet comes to visit . . .

KGH and Nursery learn about caring for animals.

Today, KGH and Nursery had a special visit from the vet Anna Brunner. She showed the children a soft toy dog that had a tummy ache. We could see on an X-ray that it had swallowed a spoon! The children helped with the anaesthetic, opening up its (zip) tummy, finding the spoon, removing it, bandaging it and then waking it up. She gave the children bandages, syringes and stethoscopes to try out. We then went out in the garden and met some special visitors – Ben the Shetland pony, Margot the hen (who had laid an egg on the way) and Molly the black labrador.

19-Jan-2012

Here is one we prepared earlier . . .

Year 6 Cell-Builders

The Science lab took on a distinctly 'Blue Peter' feel to it this week as both Year 6 classes rose to the challenge of designing and building 3-D models of plant and animal cells. Lots of shredded paper, shoe-boxes and tennis balls were transformed into cytoplasm, cell walls and nuclei, which really helped all the Year 6 pupils to learn their new cell structure vocabulary.

Now, where is that sticky back plastic . . . ?

11-Jan-2012

To The Trees . . .

Our new treehouse is officially opened!

This year we are fortunate enough to have a brand new treehouse on the old 'climbing' tree, and on Wednesday morning a large group of excited children (and one or two excited teachers . . .) watched in wonder as it was officially opened. A huge thank you to the S.E.C. for funding the build - we are very grateful. We are all looking forward to many hours of tree-based fun in the future!

In the words of Sam in Form 3: 'That is one awesome treehouse!'

21-Nov-2011

A New Adventure Playground for the Junior School

An amazing amount of fun.

After watching from the sidelines for a week whilst the building took place, the children in the Junior School finally had the chance to play on their lovely new adventure playground equipment. Following a ribbon cutting ceremony performed by Mr Pears, each class had two specially chosen representatives to be part of the first group of children on the 'big tower'. Then it was the turn for all the children and one very eager and excited teacher - Mrs Clark!  A huge THANK YOU to the SEC for funding this fantastic outdoor play area.

13-Oct-2011

Wonderful World

An assembly presentation

After many requests for another opportunity to see today's Senior Prep assembly, here is the Wonderful World presentation. All the photographs are School pictures. They range from our partner school in Mdengerekeni to John R. sent out to roll the cricket pitch (such things were occasionally done in the 1990s!). The sheep is not part of the Prep - she just wanted to get in on the action. Click the link and enjoy watching!

10-Oct-2011

Year 8 enjoy habitat studies at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve

16-Sep-2011

Junior School Top Tables