A leading independent prep school in Somerset, offering excellence in education for 2-13 year olds
One of our favourite events of the year – the much-loved Grandparents’ Tea Party – took place on the Front Terrace last Wednesday. It was such a joy to see the children’s faces as they led their grandparents off around the school, before enjoying a delicious afternoon tea and a short concert by our wonderful musicians. Our favourite number from their set? ‘Tea for Two’ of course… Many thanks to everyone involved in such a special afternoon.
Years 6 and 7 enjoyed a brilliant trip to France recently, where they were hosted by the wonderful Maison Claire Fontaine staff in Burgundy. As well as visiting the towns and villages of Avallon, Flavigny and Vézelay, they also toured le Château de Bussy Rabutin and took part in various workshops and competitions – all in French, bien entendu! Congratulations to Alice and Euan who were chosen as the two Perrott Hill ambassadors in recognition of their hard work and superb attitudes throughout the week, and to all of Years 6 and 7 who did themselves and the school proud. Un grand merci à Madame Brooks, Mr Finch, Mrs Tarrant et Miss Foice. Les enfants sont rentrés avec des souvenirs plein la tête et ont fait beaucoup de progrès à l’oral!
Congratulations to the ten finalists who took part in our annual Year 5 Storytelling Competition in the Library. Pupils had to write and recite their own stories based on Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Just So’ series and it was lovely to see such creativity and imagination on display. Well done to Alvin, Willoughby and Milly who came 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively – and a big thank you to Mr Silk and our adjudicator, Mark Hambleton, Head of English at King’s Bruton.
Our senior choir and musicians took to the stage at the Beaminster Festival last week, performing a half hour set in the glorious St Mary’s Church. Following this, they were lucky enough to listen to and then take part in a Q&A session with the pupils of the internationally renowned Yehudi Menuhin School, who told them all about their favourite composers, starting out as musicians and what it’s like to attend one of the best music schools in the world. Many thanks to Mr Shortman and the organisers of the festival for a truly magical morning of music.
Nursery and Reception have been learning all about animals this half term. Last week, their learning was brought to life by a fantastic visit from the wonderful Axe Valley Wildlife Park. The children got to hold and stroke animals including an African land snail, a bearded dragon and a royal python called Percy! Plus, keep your eyes peeled for a story about the day a T-Rex came to school.
Some exciting news to share on behalf of our ‘parents and friends’ cricket team, The Perrott Hill Plodders… At their recent match against Hardington and West Coker at North Perrott Cricket Club, the Headmaster presented John Grundy with his cap as newly appointed President of The Plodders. John is the son of Perrott Hill’s founder, Mr Bill Grundy, and a lifelong cricket fan. Needless to say, the team are delighted to have John on board. Soon after, Sparkford CC was the venue for The Plodders’ inaugural fixture against The Sandpipers. Thank you to Sparkford for allowing the team to use their ground and for bringing out the bunting! Last week saw not one but two Plodders’ matches against Bow House Cricket Club at Sherborne School and then v The Port Rejects at North Perrott CC.
We recently hosted our Pre-Prep Sports Day – a slightly smaller version of the Prep School event but with no less mettle! Very well done to all our Pre-Prep children who jumped, threw and ran their socks off, and to our brilliant Pre-Prep and Games staff for their support and guidance on the day and in the run up. It was especially lovely to see our Year 8 pupils supporting and encouraging the little ones; something that makes us all proud to be Perrott! Go, Pre-Prep!
Mr Silk, Mr Edgar and Mr McCullough took a group of 16 boarders to the County Ground in Taunton recently to watch Somerset play Kent Spitfires in the Vitality Blast T20 competition. It wasn’t the result they were hoping for as Somerset lost by 32 runs but nonetheless a great time was had by all. The children especially enjoyed collecting autographs and chatting with the players after the game! Many thanks to Mrs Layfield for organising a great night out.
The Year 2 children enjoyed a brilliant transition morning into the Prep School last week, where they spent time in the classroom with Ms Bresland and had a guided tour of the school with Year 3. Later, they had great fun at their boarding taster session where they had a tour of the dorms, asked lots of questions and took part in a bed-making competition. They were so full of enthusiasm for the task that they now hold the record for stripping and making a bed in under four minutes! Excellent work, Year 2; Mrs Layfield was very impressed.
The Prep School enjoyed a fantastic Sports Day recently (head to our social media pages to see the video!). The sun shone, the Pimm’s tent did a roaring trade and the Perrott spirit was out in force – not least in the parents’ tug of war… Numerous records were broken, including the U11 javelin, the U12 shot and the U13 high jump which Barnaby smashed by a whopping 12cm, taking it from 1.40m to 1.52m – incredible! Very well done to all our pupils, who took part with such pride and camaraderie, and a big round of applause to all the winners on the day – including this year’s winning house, Blackdowns. It was a brilliant day; proud to be Perrott.
