weekly round up 7th March

Dear Parents

I hope you are all well.

We enjoyed a wonderful World Book Day yesterday. From a parade of costumes in assembly to various workshops and activities, the pupils enjoyed a day devoted to the theme of books. On the costume front, I can report that characters from the Harry Potter series remain popular and there was definitely an uptake in numbers of superheroes this year – but great to see the Three Little Pigs and Paddington out and about too. Events like this do not just happen so I would like to thank all the staff who made it such a memorable day for the pupils.

I went on a fascinating training course earlier on in the week all about AI and how schools are integrating it into their curriculum planning. During one of the practical sessions, I was rather proud with my attempt to turn a Wordsworth poem into a book cover, a song and the ethos for a new planet! The mantra of the day was that we needed to stop thinking about AI as “the future” and more about it as “the now”. I have no doubt I will find navigating this ever-growing facet of our lives both fascinating and, at times, bewildering!

Finally, it has been so good to have some sunshine this week – I hope that it lasts…

Best wishes

Luke Harrison

Dear Parents,

What a truly magical week it has been in Pre-Prep! Our annual Book Week has once again been a time of joy, imagination and inspiration, and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Mrs Wake and Mrs Granger who have worked across the whole school and whose dedication and creativity have ensured that this week has been a memorable experience for all our children. Their efforts have not only brought books to life but have reinforced the importance of reading as the foundation of academic success.

At Sevenoaks Prep, we believe that a love of reading is central to a child’s intellectual and personal growth. Unlike many other primary settings, where reading is often embedded as a mechanical skill, our approach is holistic – books are a gateway to creativity, discussion, critical thinking and self-expression. Our carefully curated Book Week events exemplify the enriched experiences our children benefit from as part of a Prep education.

Throughout the week, the children have enjoyed a wealth of engaging activities in their Literacy lessons, designed to spark curiosity and nurture a lifelong love of books. Each class has explored literature in creative ways, from decorating their doors with artwork inspired by favourite stories to designing book covers and bookmarks. Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) moments punctuated our days, immersing children in stories at different points throughout the day, with even our teachers setting a wonderful example by reading their own books!

The excitement continued with scavenger hunts through books, dramatic retellings of favourite stories and collaborative storytelling activities that encouraged imagination and teamwork. Each year group focused on different authors, deepening their appreciation of storytelling styles and literary themes. These immersive experiences go beyond curriculum expectations, reinforcing reading as a joy, not just a skill.

A highlight of the week was welcoming two inspiring authors into our Pre-Prep family. On Wednesday, Sophie Bresnahan captivated our younger pupils with readings from The Mouse and the Mushroom Blooms, sparking wonderful discussions and creative responses. Thursday saw us celebrate World Book Day in true Prep style – our Sports Hall was a sea of colour and character as children proudly paraded their book-themed costumes, setting the tone for a day of literary delight.

In addition to our much-anticipated dress-up day, the children took part in The Big Draw, bringing their favourite book characters to life through illustration, and were enthralled by a visit from Katie Ford, author of Puffy Puffs Up. From our youngest Nursery children to Year 2, Katie’s engaging storytelling and activities encouraged creativity, empathy and a deeper connection to the books they love. These author interactions are more than just exciting events; they enrich the curriculum and expose children to the breadth of possibility that reading and writing can bring.

No Book Week would be complete without World Book Day tokens! Each child has received a £1 book token, encouraging them to explore new literary adventures and build their personal libraries. These tokens can be exchanged for a free World Book Day book or used as a discount on a book of their choice – a perfect way to continue their reading journey beyond the classroom.

At Sevenoaks Prep, we understand that reading is the bedrock of academic excellence. Studies consistently show that a rich reading culture enhances comprehension, vocabulary and overall academic attainment. Our approach – immersing children in the world of books through author visits, creative activities and discussion – ensures that our pupils develop not just strong literacy skills, but the confidence, critical thinking and analytical abilities that will serve them for life.

Book Week has once again been a reminder of the magic that literature brings into our lives. A huge thank you to our teachers, parents, and of course, our wonderful children for embracing the spirit of the week so wholeheartedly. Happy reading!

Warm regards,

Helen Cook