From Mrs Hall

Fifteen-year-old Harry returned to the Pre-Prep (where he started his time at Pilgrims') and delivered his assembly with great confidence. He asked thought-provoking questions, which the boys enjoyed answering. Thank you, Harry!

Later in the week, we welcomed a group of Year 5 boys who introduced us to Neurodiversity Week. They performed a short play to highlight the importance of celebrating our differences, and our boys engaged brilliantly in the discussion, reflecting on the moral of the story. It was wonderful to see their thoughtful contributions and growing understanding. Thank you to Mrs Thorne, Teddy, Freddy, Alfred, Patrick and Tommy.

Looking ahead, the boys have been busy preparing for our special Mother’s Day in the Woods event, taking place on Thursday 27 March. Invitations are on their way, and we hope you can join us for this lovely celebration. We will end the week with our Celebration Assembly at 1500 on Friday, where we look forward to recognising the boys' achievements before we all head off to enjoy a well-earned Easter holiday.

Wishing you all a restful weekend.

Winchester Books Festival
We are delighted to share details of the upcoming Winchester Books Festival, which takes place on 25–27 April. There are a number of fantastic children’s events, most of them free, with a special session featuring Maz Evans. The festival aims to make literature accessible and enjoyable for all families. You can find more details here, and we encourage you to take a look!

 

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Shell awards:

Reception: to Hammie for the enthusiasm and knowledge he always shows during our 'Show and Tell' sessions.
Year 1: to Felix for his careful listening and considered approach when acting on instructions for tasks this week.
Year 2: to Tymur for his focus and attentiveness during the trip.
Well done Hammie, Felix and Tymur!

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Save the Dates !

Musical Shells and Little Shells for Toddlers and Babies
A new 6-week course begins on 1 May for our musical preschool group: Musical Shells. Space is limited, so sign up soon if you'd like to join in!
Little Shells play sessions take place on 2 May and 6 June.
We encourage you to spread the word to friends and family - all are welcome! (See flyers at the bottom of this newsletter).

Wednesday 26 March	All day	Reception trip to Manor Farm
Thursday 27 March	tba	Pre-Prep Mother's Day in the Woods
Friday 28 March	15:00	Celebration Assembly in the Octagon
Friday 28 March	15:30/16:30	Term ends for Easter holidays, returning: Thursday 24 April

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Notices

Menus are available here on My School Portal. 
^{Reminder: no food is to be brought into the school and/or given to boys at any time, especially at sign-out.}

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Reception

We have been thinking about farms this week in Reception Class, farm machinery, farm animals, farm life and farm stories.

I have read the story 'Farmer Duck' by Martin Wadell and Helen Oxenbury to the boys, which led to discussions about seasons and the types of work different seasons bring, when working on a farm. The story also links very well with kindness, working together, looking out for our friends and doing the right thing. Poor Farmer Duck did all of the work while the Farmer lay all day in bed asking, 'How goes the work!' The boys thought this was unkind, unhelpful and felt sad for Farmer Duck.

Sequencing stories, writing captions, painting, cutting and sticking, small world farm play and construction building were all activities the boys enjoyed this week.

We are all very much looking forward to our Manor Farm trip next Wednesday where we can see the animals, take part in fun activities, feed the goats, explore the Victorian farm cottage and much more. It should be a great learning opportunity for the boys.

I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend.

Mrs Sarah Huntley
Reception Teacher

Year 1

Beanstalks have been the inspiration for a lot of work being carried out in Year 1 this week. The boys have investigated different types of bean seeds through how they look, how they feel and their mass. They have been amazed to find bean seeds can differ hugely and have particularly enjoyed investigating them using the weighing scales which always prove to be a popular resource when in the classroom.

They have planted broad bean seeds to investigate how seeds germinate and start to grow. Understanding that seeds need light, heat and water to grow, we have placed our bean seeds in plastic bags with moist tissue and taped them to the classroom window. Since planting day, the boys have come into school every day to investigate whether anything has happened to their seed… we are being very patient! Amongst other tasks, a lot of very interesting books on plants and seeds which the boys are enjoying looking at are helping to distract us.

We have investigated instructional writing and looked for the features that are common to this type of non-fiction writing. We have found a list of equipment, numbered bullet points, time connectives and imperative verbs to be paramount. A diagram or illustration is also of use. Can the boys find any examples of instructions at home? Recipes and Lego booklets, perhaps! We have written our own instructions to plant a bean seed to great effect. Next week, we shall follow a set of instructions in the form of a recipe to make some Easter biscuits.

Mrs Victoria Ford
Year 1 Teacher

Year 2

A Day to Remember: Our School Trip to The Hawk Conservancy Trust

On Monday, the boys wrapped up in coats and hats for an exciting trip to The Hawk Conservancy Trust — and even though it was a cold day, their enthusiasm and engagement never faltered! The focus of the trip was on adaptation, and the boys were eager to discover how birds of prey have evolved to survive and thrive in their environments.

The day began with a workshop, in which Jillion quizzed the boys on their understanding of adaptation. During the session, the boys were treated to a unique display by a  young Little Owl, called Mozzarella. The boys were captivated as the Little Owl hopped from perch to perch, demonstrating its agility and quick reflexes. Jillian pointed out how the owl’s mottled brown and white feathers provide excellent camouflage, helping it blend into tree bark and avoid predators. The boys showed great curiosity, asking insightful questions about the owl’s hunting habits and adaptations. The boys were also shown real owl pellets and learned how they are formed from the indigestible parts of the owl’s prey, such as bones, fur, and feathers. 

After a quick snack it was time for the Woodland Owls flying display. The boys watched in amazement as the owls glided silently through the crisp morning air, showcasing their remarkable adaptations for hunting in woodland environments. The handlers explained how the owls’ soft-edged feathers help them fly without making a sound — a key adaptation for sneaking up on prey. The boys were fascinated to learn how the owls’ forward-facing eyes and sharp hearing allow them to detect the slightest rustle in the undergrowth. 

After lunch, a play, and time to explore the park, the boys were treated to the thrilling Birds of Prey display. This time, they witnessed the power and precision of two white-backed vultures, a snowy owl and eight black kites as they soared through the sky and demonstrated their hunting skills. 

One of the standout moments of the display was the chance to see the Secretary Bird in action — a true highlight for many of the boys! The Secretary Bird’s long legs and striking appearance immediately captured everyone’s attention. The handler demonstrated how this bird uses its powerful legs to deliver swift, deadly kicks to catch and kill snakes — a unique adaptation not seen in other birds of prey. The boys were fascinated by the bird’s hunting technique and asked lots of questions about how it survives in the wild.

Throughout the day, the boys’ excitement and curiosity never waned. They asked thoughtful questions and were eager to share their observations about how each bird’s unique adaptations help them survive in the wild.

Despite the chilly weather, it was a day full of awe and learning.

Mrs Maxine Kent
Year 2 Teacher

Forest School

Year R learned about the challenges faced by birds at this time of year. After chatting about the structure of a nest, the need for it to be able to withstand the elements as well as being warm and cosy, the boys set about creating their own nest. The challenge they had was that they were only allowed to use a pair of tweezers like a beak to carry one twig at a time! Once the nest was created the boys placed their decorated eggs in their nest.

Music is such an important part of life at The Pilgrims’ School, so we brought music to Forest School this week for the boys in Year 1. They had fun creating music in the natural environment using logs, pots, sticks and bottle tops. We even had a go playing a rhythm with them in our woodland orchestra!

The boys in Year 2 became ‘Eggsperts’ this week! The boys were given the challenge of trying to solve a series of riddles in order to match the bird to the right eggs. It certainly proved challenging as many of the eggs are very similar and the boys needed to read the riddles carefully. During free exploration time, the boys took the responsibility of looking after a real egg. I was impressed with how everyone cared for the egg and after 45 minutes it was still intact.

Mrs Fiona Walker
Forest School and LAMDA Teacher

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Pre-Prep for preschoolers