Science Week here in the Prep School has been an undoubted triumph. As a mathematician, and thus almost a scientist, it has been a real delight to me to see the way the week’s events and activities have captured the imagination and enthusiasm of our children. A deep and abiding interest in the world around them is something I’m keen to see all our pupils develop, and an understanding of scientific method and ideas is going to be crucial for the children as they grow up in an increasingly technological society.It’s been a particular pleasure to welcome a number of senior school scientists into prep school classrooms over the course of the week, with Dr Gate talking on numbers in nature and scuba diving, Mrs Dell introducing Years 3 and 4 to psychology, Mrs Jakubowski speaking on volcanoes to Year 5, Mr Hicks explaining the inner workings of computers, Dr Otter and Mrs Duffy running a biology quiz and Mr Pluck’s chemistry experiments with Year 4 and 5. Being able to draw on expertise like this is a great strength of the close relationship between the prep and senior schools. We were also delighted to welcome one of our governors, Mr Charles, to talk to Year 5 on sound, and sixth formers Alice and Emily to lead electricity experiments.

Equipped with little more than dowel, elastic bands, teamwork and wonderful imagination, Upper Prep classes took part in a brace of architecture workshops on Thursday. Year 5 and 6 revised recent work on 3D shape as they were taken on a journey from single struts through tripods, tetrahedrons and Wallis trusses to their own designs of cantilevered and beam bridges. Later in the day, Year 3 and 4 designed and built their own shelters, making the best possible use of the human and physical resources to hand.

Sounds of laughter and enjoyment could be heard from the Marian Hall on Thursday when Alton Convent Sixth Form joined with students from Salesian College to provide an evening of comedy, music and drama. The second of its kind, the aim was to raise funds in order to send handicapped children to Lourdes.
After the chance to socialise over a delicious ploughman's supper, the audience were in for a treat! The first displays of talent came from Katie and Izzi with their portrayal of two politicians- as always making perfect sense!