Many of you will have noticed that the Horse Chestnut trees are shedding their fruit in the autumnal sun, which signifies that it is time for your boys to gather their conkers and start doing whatever it is that young boys at prep schools have done for years and years – 'play conkers'!

Some boys have been known to soak them in vinegar, or bake them slowly at a low heat in the oven before threading them onto a shoelace but, whatever it is they do, I hope they get permission or do it with your supervision! I was delighted to see at tutor time this morning the energy and enjoyment a bunch of boys discussing the rules by which they were going to engage, with a referree, before a quick game to set them up for the day.

Bryony Carpenter
Science Teacher