Pre-Prep News, Friday 23 May

Photo: Home grown radishes in Forest School are harvested.

From Mrs Hall:

We began the week with an assembly celebrating World Bee Day. The boys were absolutely fascinated to learn all about bees, from the important role they play in pollination to the different types of bees. We also took the opportunity to explore how bees work together as a team, linking this beautifully to our own Pilgrims' values. The boys were quick to spot which types of bees would make the best Pilgrims – teamwork, purpose, and hard work featured strongly!

A huge thank you to Mrs Ford and Year 1, who have led a fantastic awareness campaign for the RNLI. Thanks to their enthusiasm and the generosity of our families, we’ve raised a tremendous amount of money for this life-saving charity. It’s been heartwarming to see the boys so engaged in understanding the important work the RNLI does and wanting to make a difference.

We were also thrilled to welcome Bear, our labradoodle therapy dog, for a special visit this week. The boys were calm, gentle, and incredibly caring towards him. It was a joy to watch the way they interacted. Bear brought a sense of calm and comfort to the day. The boys are already excited for him to join us again after half-term.

We wish you all a restful and happy half-term break and look forward to welcoming everyone back for the final part of our summer term.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Save the Dates !

Little Shells for Toddlers and Babies
Little Shells play sessions take place next on 6 June. We encourage you to spread the word to friends and family - all are welcome! (See flyer at the bottom of this newsletter).

Monday 2 June	0830	Teaching resumes
Monday 9 June	all day	Year 1 visit Portsmouth Lifeboat
Thursday 12 June	1330	Pre-Prep Father's Day in the Woods event
Thursday 19 June	0900	Whole School photograph
Thursday 26 June	1900	Year 2 to Year 3 Move-Up meeting for parents
Friday 27 June	1500	Pre-Prep Cathedral Assembly
Monday 30 June	1500	Reception only Parents' Evening
Tuesday 1 July	all day	New boys' day
Friday 4 July	1600	Pre-Prep and Junior LAMDA Showcase for parents
Monday 7 July	0815-0845 1330	Pre-Prep Open Classrooms Pre-Prep Sports Day
Tuesday 8 July	0815-0845 all day	Pre-Prep Open Classrooms Pre-Prep beach trip
Wednesay 9 July	1545	Pre-Prep end of term
Thursday 4 September	0830	Term resumes

* * * * * * * * * *

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.}

* * * * * * * * * *

PPA News

Dear parents,
Anna has two boys at school, along with two daughters attending St Swithun’s. Wilfrid is a Quirister in year 5, and his younger brother Inigo, in year 4, will join the Quiristers next year. With a background in litigation law in the city and a PhD in the twentieth-century novel, along with ten years of teaching experience in London, Anna brings a host of skills and interest to the role. Having been a year rep for both boys, and currently the chair of the reps group, she is really looking forward to this next step as PPA chair, made all the easier by a very supportive PPA team!
As outgoing PPA chair, it has been a privilege to serve with so many other committed (and fun!) parents, who have made the job so much easier than it could have been – a wholehearted thank you to everyone on the PPA and beyond, who has given up their time and energy to support the PPA events, fundraising and uniform shop. Also, particular thanks to Sam Birks and her catering team, Andy Clark and the maintenance team and the front office team and teachers who regularly go above and beyond their official roles to support the PPA functions, which mean that we can support projects like the outdoor classroom and provide equipment for theatre productions and playgrounds.
After ten incredibly happy years at Pilgrims' with our two boys, I am still regularly astounded by the incredible environment and opportunities that the boys dwell in each day. It might be easy to take for granted the ethos of kindness, respect and encouragement of others, which first drew us to the school, but there is a great opportunity as parents to support this unique culture - through our own approach to their school years, and in taking part where we can – perhaps volunteering for the PPA, or helping at or attending events, or contributing to the culture conversation by supporting events such as the Pilgrims’ Parley and Wellbeing sessions.

I am so pleased to be leaving the PPA in such capable hands with Anna and the team next term, and am looking forward to a jam-packed final half term….here’s a reminder of the dates!

Saturday 7 June: Pilgrims’ Parley
Saturday 21 June: Sponsored walk and fête
Friday 27 June: School of Rock event
Saturday 28 June: Parent/Staff cricket and family rounders with BYO picnic

With very best wishes from

Sarah and the PPA

Reception

The boys have all worked very hard this half term. It has been a short half term but packed full of many different learning opportunities. To name a few......

Incubating eggs
Hatching ducklings
Caring for ducklings
Learning more about Continents of the World
Learning about different animals and where they come from
Painting pictures
Constructing on a large scale
Learning about the artist Henri Matisse
Measuring
Comparing lengths and heights
Learning about 3D shapes......

I can not quite believe we will be moving into the last half term of the year after this May holiday. I am excited to be able to introduce woodwork to the boys after the holidays too. Happy half-term!

Mrs Sarah Huntley
Reception Teacher

Year 1

Year 1 have been working so hard throughout the month of May to complete the RNLI Mayday Challenge. Each day throughout May they have completed a mile a day together as a class team. They have completed the route around the school in various ways like running, jumping, skipping, hopping, balancing bean bags on heads, bouncing balls, walking on stilts to name just a few. All these ideas were thought of by the boys. It has been really fun but really quite tiring, and it has certainly tested us as a team. We have had to draw on some deep energy reserves and lean on our teammates for support at times.

We are so grateful for all the donations from parents, family, friends and staff to our Mayday Mile Challenge. The boys have thought about their favourite parts of the challenge:

Lucas – My favourite challenge was rolling the hoop. We got to roll the hoop all the way round our course and roll it really carefully without making it fall.
Willoughby – Lots of people have sponsored us in Year 1. We would like to say a big THANK YOU! We have currently raised £1288 for the RNLI!
Skerdi – My favourite challenge was walking on stilts. It’s because it was fun to hold the strings and pull them up. I had to really concentrate.
Macarthur – I really enjoyed walking on stilts because I felt I got lots better at it. It was amazing.
Rory – My dad was saved by the RNLI and Red Jet 6. He came to talk to us about it with my class. We learnt that water can be dangerous but the RNLI saves lives on the water.
Felix – My favourite challenge was balancing the bean bag on my head. You had to be really focused!
Tomas – I enjoyed skipping because I felt high up.
Christopher – I really enjoyed raising over £1000 for the RNLI.
Edward – I enjoyed rolling the hoop challenge because Mr Butcher came with us.
Maximilian – The RNLI has been going for 200 years. And, they have saved an incredible 146,277 lives.
Justin – I enjoyed everything! Two in a hoop was the best because two people got to run together.

After half term, the class will be visiting the RNLI Lifeboat Station in Portsmouth to learn about exactly what our fundraising money may go towards.

A huge well done to the Year 1 team and their fundraising efforts. We are all very proud of you!

Mrs Victoria Ford
Year 1 Teacher

Year 2 Trip to Chichester Harbour and Dell Quay

What Was the Best Part of the Day?
There were so many highlights—it’s hard to choose just one! But if I had to, I’d say beachcombing was my favourite… especially because I found and picked up a live crab!

Our day began at the peaceful Fishbourne Pond, a haven of tranquillity. After a short walk, we stopped by a river for some river dipping. Our most prized discovery? A beetle and a worm engaged in what looked like a full-on battle! Next came meadow sweeping, where we found spiders, ladybirds, and more.

From there, we set off towards the Education Centre, just under a mile away. The distance flew by as we strolled beside the salt marshes, listened to the calls of reed warblers, and crossed bridges over brackish waters.

After lunch, it was time for beachcombing. We searched for crabs, barnacles, and bladderwrack seaweed, to name just a few of our treasures.

As we made our way back to the minibus, one thoughtful boy remarked, 'Ah, that’s why there were only three things on the timetable today.' What a memorable day we’ve had! Have a wonderful half-term, Year 2. We look forward to welcoming you back for your final half of term in the Pre-Prep.

Mrs Maxine Kent
Year 2 Teacher

Forest School

Magic was once in the air again for Year R, this time in the form of a magic potion. Beautiful and fragrant items were collected from the forest floor and added to a pot of water. After some careful mixing and a magic chant, the magic potion was ready. At the end of the session, the boys shared with the class what their magic potion could do.

Year 1 enjoyed becoming dragon hunters this week. After listening to a story about a boy who lived with dragons, they went on a hunt for a dragon fruit tree at Elizabeth Mead. The boys were most excited when they discovered three colourful eggs hidden in the fruit tree. We handled the eggs carefully, picking them up with a heat-resistant glove, as the eggs were very hot. Using small branches, sticks, and bits of bark, the boys worked in small groups, creating some fabulous woodland dragons with teeth, claws, and scales that were responsible for guarding the eggs!

This week, I chatted with the boys in Year 2 about the basic requirements needed for an animal to survive, and we focused on a safe place to rest. The boys selected a small minibeast from the bag and designed a shelter that provided the animal protection using material from the forest floor. Skills were recalled from previous sessions, and some boys added a fabric canopy for extra protection.