Summer 2026
Nursery Walking the Plank
Apple Bobbing One day, we were exploring ‘floating and sinking’ in our water trays. As part of this, we decided to give apple bobbing a go! It was tricky, but such fun - so wet and ultimately, so rewarding with a lovely juicy apple as our prize!
“Ooh arr, me hearties!”… Some sneaky pirates crept into our Nursery and left behind a hidden treasure chest! But before we could discover the treasure, the pirates set us a series of exciting challenges. Each challenge helped us uncover clues to a secret treasure map that would eventually lead us to the hidden treasure. We had great fun walking the plank, hunting for rhyming words, and creating fantastic pirate crafts along the way. What an exciting pirate adventure it was!
Outdoor Waterfall Nursery loved creating a waterfall in our outdoor area. They worked collaboratively to collect the water, catch it at the bottom and carefully observe the path that the water took. It inspired so many of the children to join in with some magical conversations.
Healthy Eating We love our cooking time in Nursery; it is a great way for the children to explore a variety of foods, discuss healthy eating, and develop their motor skills by chopping, mixing, kneading, and cutting. After learning about healthy eating during their PSED circle time, the children were challenged to chop up their fruit and carefully thread it onto a skewer to make a fruit snake.
BeeBots! The Nursery children have been exploring these wonderful programmable robots called BeeBots. They have really listened carefully about how to care for them, program them, and direct them on different journeys. They loved it!
Off to Octopus Island After reading our Book of the Week, ‘The Boy and the Bear’, the children decided to go on a little boating adventure of their own using cardboard boxes as boats. It was wonderful to hear the imaginative language the children used throughout their play as they described sailing to ‘Octopus Island’.
2 • FOCUS
Junior
Reception Pirate Day!
Pirate Day was a huge success, with children arriving in fantastic costumes ready to set sail on their adventures. They took part in a range of pirate-themed games and activities, working together, using their imaginations, and showing brilliant teamwork throughout the day. The pirate picnic was a particular highlight—the food looked incredible! Inventively re-naming it and presenting it in a creative way meant there was barely anything left at the end. It was a truly wonderful day full of excitement. Luckily no one was sent to ‘walk the plank’, as everyone was far too busy having fun.
Art in Nature Everyone has loved art this term. The children have created observational drawings in nature. They spent time outside carefully looking at trees and plants in the school grounds before sketching what they could see, developing their fine motor skills. They focused on shapes, colours, and details, showing great concentration and curiosity as they observed seasonal changes in their environment. It was wonderful to see such careful and thoughtful drawing as they connected with the natural world around them.
Looking After our Teeth As part of our Book of the Week, ‘All the Nonsense in my Teeth’, the children took part in a fun science experiment linked to looking after their teeth. They used toothbrushes and toothpaste to clean tea-stained eggs, carefully observing the changes and making predictions, supporting the ELGs: ‘Understanding the World’ and early ‘Scientific Enquiry’. This helped them make important links to their own dental hygiene and healthy routines. The children also joined in with a tooth brushing song for two minutes, which felt surprisingly long but very effective, helping to build awareness of self-care habits.
Ducklings! The children were very excited when the duck eggs arrived in school. They watched closely each day as they began their incredible journey, noticing changes, which they shared with one another. This led to lots of curious thinking and rich conversations as the children predicted what might happen next, supporting their ‘Understanding the World’ and ‘Speaking’ development. When the ducklings eventually hatched, the children were beyond excited! Everyone held them, doing so with great care and confidence. This experience taught them empathy and responsibility towards living things.
FOCUS • 3
Year 1
On Yer Bike! Year 1 were very excited to continue their Bikeability sessions in May. The children have been developing their balance and control skills, practising gliding, and learning how to use their brakes safely and effectively. A particular highlight was playing ‘Grandmother’s Footsteps’ on bikes, which helped the children to practise stopping and starting with confidence while having lots of fun.
Marwell Zoo Year 1 enjoyed a memorable visit to Marwell Zoo as part of their science learning on animal classification and habitats in hot and cold climates. Highlights of the day included seeing the incredible giraffes at close range and spotting a very special seven-week-old rhino. The inquisitive meerkats showed great interest in the children and made an appearance, despite the rainy weather! As they explored more of the zoo, the children particularly enjoyed visiting the tropical house, where they were surrounded by colourful plants as well as a variety of vibrant and fascinating creatures. The beautiful snow leopard proved especially popular, while the playful penguins brought plenty of smiles to finish the day.
4 • FOCUS
Discovering Seasonal Changes Year 1 welcomed spring, by exploring seasonal changes, discovering how animals adapt, including birds nesting. Children created their own nests using natural materials from the sensory garden and investigated clouds, learning how they reveal weather patterns. A highlight was outdoor cloud spotting, where they excitedly identified shapes and formations in the sky.
A Spark of Learning Year 1 explored the Great Fire of London, learning how Tudor house designs and materials helped the fire spread. They created their own Tudor house models and considered their structure carefully. In art, the children produced dramatic fire-inspired pieces using shaving foam, paint, cardboard templates and printing ink to create striking Tudor houses against colourful, fiery backgrounds. Their finished artwork was both creative and effective.
Blowing Hot and Cold! The children explored the differences between hot and cold places, as well as learning about the Equator. Inspired by the story ‘Lost and Found’, by Oliver Jeffers, set in the South Pole, the children created their own polar landscapes using a range of materials, including sparkling icebergs and carefully drawn penguins. They also learnt about the animals that live in both hot and cold habitats. The ‘blubber glove’ experiment caused lots of excitement, where the children experienced how animals like whales and seals stay warm in icy waters. They were amazed to find that one hand stayed so much warmer than the other.
Junior
Year 2
Grandparents' Afternoon Early in the Spring Term, grandparents, family members, and close friends visited Year 2. The children were delighted to show them around the school, to ask them questions about their own school days, and spend time planting seeds together. The visit also included a lovely afternoon tea, and the day ended with a beautifully performed rendition of ‘I Once Saw an Elephant’.
Winchester Science Centre
Andy Goldsworthy Year 2 have been exploring the wonderful, nature-inspired artwork of Andy Goldsworthy. The children began by researching the artist and learning about his creative use of natural materials, such as leaves, stones, sticks, and flowers. They were then inspired to create their own beautiful pieces of artwork using objects found in nature. The creativity and enthusiasm shown throughout the topic was phenomenal, full of fantastic imagination, teamwork, and care while creating their unique designs. They were incredibly proud of their finished artwork.
Year 2 enjoyed an exciting trip to the Winchester Science Centre. The children had a great time exploring the wide range of fascinating exhibits and especially loved the chance to make their own slime. The day was perfectly rounded off with an amazing planetarium show, making it a memorable experience for everyone.
FOCUS • 5
Little Linguists
Cracking Good Fun! Year 2 discovered the colourful Mexican tradition of ‘Cascarones’ hollowed-out eggs filled with confetti and beautifully decorated. Made to mark all kinds of celebrations, ours were created especially for Easter. The very best part? Cracking them over a friend's head and watching the confetti fly!
Important Research In preparation for their much-anticipated trip to France, Year 6 had a wonderful time exploring traditional French cuisine. They are now true gastronomes!
El Dia de la Torilla Spanish Club celebrated ‘El Día de la Tortilla’ with a delicious tasting of authentic Spanish omelette, lovingly prepared by our wonderful kitchen team. What a treat to savour this classic dish together before the school day began!
6 • FOCUS
Year 5 Love Crêpes! Year 5 learned that in France you have at least two good reasons to eat crêpes (not that anyone really needs one!) - 'La Chandeleur' is one excuse we learned about, where crêpes symbolise the return of the sun. The children practiced describing their favourite toppings in French and designed their own paper plates to show off everything they'd learned.
Junior
Music
Teatime Concerts Our regular series of teatime concerts have continued, giving our pupils the chance to perform in front of a friendly and supportive audience. It has been wonderful to experience the breadth of music-making, not just in style but in the variety of instruments represented across each year group.
New Music Tech
Joining Forces Many of our Year 5 pupils formed the ‘Festival Choir’, joining forces with pupils from eight other local schools to perform at The Petersfield Music Festival Youth Concerts in March. Repertoire spanned movements from Hadyn’s ‘Creation’ to a medley of numbers from Disney’s ‘Hercules’, which we rehearsed in school and also with the amassed choir on several occasions in Petersfield. The concerts were a great spectacle and something of which our pupils were very proud to be a part.
We have been fortunate to equip the Music Room with 12 Music Technology Workstations to enhance the music curriculum. Each workstation consists of an iMac, MIDI keyboard controller and sound module, and some industry standard software, which our pupils are becoming more familiar with using. This will provide us with the opportunity to explore composition in a more contemporary manner, to teach and further keyboard ability, and to develop aural and theory skills on a more personal level.
FOCUS • 7
Year 3
Guild Success
Fun and Games Year 3 is a place where hard work and fun go hand in hand. We embrace every opportunity to make learning exciting and memorable, whether that means coming to school in pyjamas, enjoying Book Week with a favourite toy and story, building a model mountain, or conducting an orchestra at our Senior School. Both in and out of the classroom, we love exploring new experiences while developing our confidence and skills. Our 5Rs are at the heart of everything we do, and pupils who demonstrate them are invited to Rocks Club, where they can enjoy a hot chocolate and cookie with Mrs Robinson and feel very grown up.
Congratulations to our Year 3 pupils who have successfully completed their Apprentice Award. Throughout the year, they demonstrated dedication and perseverance by completing a range of skills, physical activities, and community projects. The award culminated in fantastic presentations, where they confidently shared their learning on a diverse range of topics including Percy Thrower, bees, horses, Thailand, and the history of dance. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and growing confidence were evident throughout, making it a wonderful celebration of their achievements and hard work.
8 • FOCUS
A highlight of the Spring Term was the very seasonal visit of a clutch of duck eggs, which hatched into the most adorable ducklings. Year 3 really enjoyed their visit to the classrooms and luckily all the ducklings behaved themselves and everyone had fun!
Mill Farm
Stone Age Fun Year 3 are history mad, and had a brilliant time exploring and learning about the Stone Age in the Spring Term. From carving spear heads out of soap to having a Stone Age campfire, they enjoyed a mix of written work and practical, fun activities. 3M topped the whole topic off with an assembly where the whole group were transported back in time by travelling through a portal to the Stone Age. They also enjoyed studying the book ‘Stone Age Boy’ in their English lessons and were able to construct their own versions of this lovely story.
Hello, Ducky!
Science Flowers Year 3 explored how flowers are pollinated and how fruits are produced. Using their artistic talents, they created these wonderful flower models inspired by their learning. We also discussed the important role insects play in the natural world, not only supporting ecosystems but also by being essential for pollination and the production of much of the food we eat.
The children were delighted to welcome Mill Farm for a memorable and hands-on animal experience. They enjoyed meeting a fascinating range of animals, from familiar favourites such as pigs and donkeys to some more unusual visitors, including tortoises and turkeys. There were plenty of opportunities to brush, stroke, and interact with the animals, allowing the children to learn about them up close. Everyone embraced this experience with smiles and giggles, which concluded with some thoughtful and enthusiastic questions as the children discovered more about their new animal friends.
Junior
Year 4
Celts vs Romans in Liphook! In history lessons, Year 4 traversed the field which became Britannia, fighting battles as the Celts and Romans. Using blue face paint, half of the year group became the Celts being led by Boudica, Queen of the Iceni.
Creating Circuits This term, the children have learnt all about creating circuits. They made a human circuit to investigate the key components needed, and how they needed to be connected for it to work. Later, they carried out investigative challenges to create their own working circuits, solving problems and finding out about connecting series and parallel circuits to power appliances, such as bulbs, motors, and buzzers.
Channelling the Romans at Fishborne
New Designs for the Quiet Quad
Year 4’s adventures took them to the remains of the Roman palace at Fishbourne. Uncovered in the 1960s, it was amazing to see the excavated finds from nearly 2,000 years ago. We had an amazing day around the site and enjoyed finding out about the role of the military, Roman food, and everyday life and chores as a Roman in those days.
Year 4 learnt all about habitats and as part of the unit drew up some new designs for the Quiet Quad. These are currently being put in place, and the quad now has a green wall, lots of planters, and some bird feeders.
FOCUS • 9
Drama Summer Festival
Early Years and Infant children took part in the Summer Festival of Performing Arts. This was a wonderful mixture of singing, dancing, and poetry performance. This year the theme was ‘Books and Reading’. It was a beautiful sunny day and every child shone!
10 • FOCUS
Junior
Year 4 Put on a Show!
Year 4 delivered a truly magical performance of Scheherazade, delighting audiences with their confidence, energy, and enthusiasm. From the moment they stepped into the mysterious junk shop, they transported us into a world of sultans, genies, and unforgettable adventures. Through impressive acting, lively dancing, beautiful singing, and engaging storytelling, the children brought the magical tales vividly to life. The cast worked brilliantly together, creating many humorous and memorable moments along the way. Their teamwork, creativity, and stage presence ensured a colourful, entertaining production that captivated and thoroughly delighted everyone in the audience.
Class Cabarets
Year 6 pupils took part in their Class Cabarets this term. These were a mixture of music and comedy sketches. Each pupil worked in a team to devise, plan, choreograph, costume, and perform their sketches and musical pieces. It was a real exercise in communication and collaboration.
LAMDA Showcase
LAMDA pupils from Years 3 and 4 have shown off their confidence and performance skills in our LAMDA Showcase, in preparation for their exams. Year 3 pupils performed two poems each, while the older year group shared their acting skills in their duologues. Well done to every pupil taking part.
Years 5 & 6 Take the Initiative
Well done to children in Year 5 and 6 who performed one lunchtime earlier this term. They performed a play called ‘Catkins Academy’, written and directed by Jessica (6NR). They have been rehearsing at breaks and lunchtimes and organised all their props and costumes themselves. It was so wonderful to see the children use their own initiative and creativity.
FOCUS • 11
Year 5
Flash Mob Returns We Love a Campfire! A chilly day in March saw Year 5 get cosy round the campfire on a Friday afternoon listening and reading Tudor tales! Accompanied by hot chocolate and s’mores – what was there not to love?
On a glorious sunny breaktime, Year 5 surprised the entire school with a brilliant flash mob performance to the song, ‘Where Is My Husband?’. After just two weeks of practice, the group burst into action with sharp, perfectly-timed moves, leaving the playground crowd with mouths agog! Surrounded by cheering pupils and staff, the dancers showed fantastic confidence, rhythm, and teamwork. It was a joyful and energetic moment that brought the whole school together and created a wonderful buzz across the playground.
Inspirational Assemblies Both Year 5 classes held their assemblies before half term. 5HT focused on space, their science topic, which included the exciting Artemis 2 mission, while 5O presented a wonderful insight into all their learning on Africa.
12 • FOCUS
Junior
Africa Day The first day of the Summer Term saw the children immersed in Africa. From learning about the countries that make up this vast continent to the lives of the humans and wildlife across the regions, it was a wonderful introduction to this topic.
All About Science
Triathlon Stars
In Science, the children’s learning has all been about space and sound. This has included wonderful posters of the planets, confident assemblies as astronauts, and brilliant ear-splitting experiments, including getting active in the playground! The children particularly loved demonstrating the phases of the moon with Oreo cookies!
We are incredibly proud of our Year 5 pupils who took part in the Knight Frank Schools Triathlons. Competing across the swim, cycle, and run events, students represented the school with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship. They encouraged one another and celebrated each achievement together. In addition to their sporting accomplishments, they also showed remarkable dedication to fundraising. Through their hard work and generosity, they raised money for Restless Development, the event’s main charity, as well as for our own school charity, NEF. Together, they raised more than £1,000, a truly outstanding achievement and a reflection of their commitment to supporting others.
FOCUS • 13
Year 6
When in France! Year 6 enjoyed the mix of adventurous activities and cultural experiences on their trip to France. They shopped in a market at Le Touquet, enjoyed the beach, and visited the aquarium at Bolougne where they also explored the old town. They practised their French every mealtime at the hotel and had to buy their own lunch for a picnic.
The Return of Masterchef! The corridors were filled with the promising aromas of chicken teriyaki, halloumi-filled tacos, and good old ‘spag bol’, as pupils in Year 6 donned their aprons, sharpened their knives, and readied themselves for Churcher’s Junior MasterChef. After travelling to our local supermarket in the morning and completing a highly strategic (and impressively restrained) trolley dash for ingredients, they returned to school to work in teams of four, preparing succulent savoury treats for the delectation of the assembled judges.
14 • FOCUS
Junior
Year 6 Welcome Sarah Page, An Inspirational Speaker We were delighted to welcome Sarah Page, an inspirational ultramarathon runner, who came to speak with our Year 5 and 6 pupils in May. Sarah shared her incredible experiences of running 100-mile races both in the UK and abroad, as well as her journey raising money for CCHS UK. Her message focused on the importance of a growth mindset, staying active, and building positive self-belief. Her key takeaway for the children was simple but powerful: care about yourself and always give your very best. The pupils were truly inspired and motivated by her assembly, leaving with a renewed sense of determination and confidence.
A Visit from Reverand Will As a response to numerous questions about Christianity during Religious Studies lessons, Year 6 enjoyed a thought-provoking visit from our local vicar, Reverend Will, who spoke engagingly about Christianity, creation, and beliefs about God. Pupils asked thoughtful questions and explored how faith shapes our understanding of the world and our place within it. We also never imagined we would hear the will of God being described as a game of snooker, either!
FOCUS • 15
Sport
Hockey Tournament
What an electrifying afternoon at the U11 Hockey Tournament! One hundred children brought unstoppable energy to 40 minutes of fastpaced, high-quality hockey. Goalkeepers were fearless between the posts, standing strong alongside united and determined defensive lines. Midfielders displayed superb composure while strikers were relentless and tenacious at the mouth of the goal. A true celebration of the season’s finale - crowned in style with a fantastic tournament win for the A1 team!
Racing to the Top
Sunshine and cross-country proved the perfect combination at the Highfield Cross-Country Event, where 35 runners proudly represented Team Churcher’s with determination and team spirit. Our athletes raced brilliantly across the challenging course, achieving eight top 10 finishes and three podium places. Team successes included Year 5 Girls finishing 1st, Year 6 Girls taking 2nd, and Year 3 Boys securing 3rd place overall - a fantastic day of running from everyone involved!
Shooting for Success
Our Year 6 netballers truly shot for the stars at the IAPS Netball Tournament at The Marist School in Ascot. Competing against strong Surrey and London schools, the girls showed fantastic skill, determination, and teamwork across 84 minutes of fast-paced netball, finishing their pool matches on an impressive 12 points and reaching the plate competition. Special congratulations to Caitlyn, who captained the team brilliantly with confidence and positivity throughout the day.
16 • FOCUS
Cricket Festival
Year 2 stepped up to the crease for their very first cricket festival, and what a ‘wicket’ day it was! The children showed fantastic teamwork, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship throughout the event. There were plenty of impressive runs, brilliant batting displays, and some amazing fielding that had everyone cheering. Most importantly, a great time was had by all, and our young cricketers certainly proved they are ready to bat their way to future success!
Junior
Rugby 7s Success Defending with Determination
On 2 February, nine of our U11 boys travelled to Tonbridge to compete in the IAPS Hockey Tournament. The team played brilliantly, topping their group without conceding a goal and progressing to the quarter-finals with two wins and a draw. Although they were narrowly defeated 1–0 in a hard-fought quarter-final, the boys showed fantastic teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship throughout.
The Year 6 boys travelled to Roslyn Park for the first time to compete in the largest Rugby 7s tournament in the country. Facing strong new opposition, the team showed great grit, determination, and excellent tackling throughout the day. After several closely fought matches, the boys finished on a high with a convincing final win. A fantastic effort from all involved!
Swimming News Making Waves in Guildford
Qualifying in both the open school 4x25m freestyle and mixed relays, our children swam their hearts out in a buzzing gala atmosphere at Guildford Spectrum. They finished in 6th place and blew their qualifying time out the water by 1.25 seconds!
At the IAPS
A team of four boys and four girls from Years 5 and 6 proudly represented the school at the IAPS Regional Swimming Qualifying Round in Guildford. Competing against six other schools, the swimmers made a real splash with their commitment, teamwork and sportsmanship in both their individual races and relay events, representing the school with pride and enthusiasm.
Year 6 Swimming Gala Year 5 Swimming Gala
The Year 5 Swimming Gala was a huge success, with all children taking part in at least three 25m races. The pool was packed with close finishes, loads of smiles, and a fantastic atmosphere throughout. Parents filled the benches, delivering some truly impressive Mexican waves in support. There were lots of personal bests in the pool, alongside some highly proficient swimming and diving, including confident butterfly swimmers. A massive congratulations to Arun, our overall winner, and well done to all Year 5 swimmers for an outstanding effort!
The Year 6 Swim Gala was a fantastic celebration of four years of hard work, filled with exciting races, huge improvements, and plenty of smiles. From thrilling wins to the fun of the surfboard race, the event created memories to last a lifetime, with brilliant support from parents adding to the electric atmosphere. Congratulations to overall winners, Meon!
FOCUS • 17
Adventurous Activities
Ten Tors Challenge
After many months of training and selection, a team of six Fourth Year students took part in the Ten Tors Challenge on Dartmoor in May. The event sees 2,400 students set off unsupported to complete either a 35-, 45- or 55-mile route, starting at 07.00 on Saturday morning and returning to the finish by 17.00 on Sunday. The Churcher’s team took part in the 35-mile challenge, and reached the finish at 10.48 on Sunday morning. An incredible achievement! To top it all they were in school the next day despite sore feet and very stiff legs. They are now all members of a very exclusive club of young people to have taken on and completed the challenge. Well done!
Bushcraft Day
In May, Second Year pupils took part in the annual OSCA Bushcraft Day, designed to build confidence, teamwork, and practical outdoor skills. Led by highly experienced and qualified instructors, the day featured four engaging roundrobin activities where students worked in mixed-gender groups and rotated between sessions. Pupils learned how to light fires safely, filter and purify water, identify plants and trees, including their edible and medicinal uses, and create natural cordage using plant fibres. The sessions were delivered in a fun, relaxed environment with a strong focus on hands-on learning and participation. Throughout the day, students developed valuable real-life survival skills while enjoying the outdoors and working together with their peers.
Rother Valley Expedition
In spring, half of our OSCAneers participated in the Rother Valley expedition, hiking through beautiful countryside, gradually taking responsibility for navigation and map reading through immersive, hands-on experiences. Along the way, they explored their surroundings, learning to appreciate local plants, scents, and landscapes. Activities also covered essential expedition skills, including nutrition, storm shelters, and emergency procedures. The evening at camp was a highlight, with pupils managing their own firepits and cooking pizzas and marshmallows. Despite a frosty night, everyone completed the expedition successfully and enjoyed a stunning sunrise.
Wilderness, Waves and Wild Experiences!
OSCAneers returned from an action-packed three-day residential full of adventure, teamwork, and challenge. Pupils enjoyed sea fishing, Ringo rides, coasteering, and rockclimbing, while camping and managing daily responsibilities. The trip built confidence, resilience, independence, and friendship, creating unforgettable memories along the way.
18 • FOCUS
Senior
Peak Performance
During the May half-term, 40 Lower Sixth students travelled to the Lake District to complete their Gold DofE assessed expedition. Divided into seven teams, they navigated 10–15km each day across challenging fell terrain over four days and three nights, with some tackling iconic peaks including Scafell Pike and Helvellyn. Warm weather added to the challenge, making the ascents even more demanding. Many teams enjoyed wild camping in spectacular locations with stunning views. All participants successfully completed the expedition, celebrating their achievement in Keswick before beginning the journey home.
DW Returns!
This year’s DW team delivered an outstanding performance, with months of training in harsh conditions culminating in a remarkable achievement over the Easter weekend. Beginning in Devizes on Good Friday, they kayaked 34 miles to Newbury, continuing 36 miles to Marlow on Saturday. Sunday’s demanding 38mile stretch to Teddington tested their endurance, before a final early start on Monday carried them to Barn Elms. Against stiff competition, the team, Josh, Will, Grisha, Torquil, Chloe, Eva, Conor, and Flo, secured second place among junior teams with a combined time of 61 hours. Individual successes included category wins and top-10 finishes. They also raised a whopping £1,560 for Surfers Against Sewage, supporting cleaner waterways.
The Great New Forest Adventure
The Summer Term started with two Bronze DofE expeditions to the New Forest, involving 143 Third Year students. Across two weekends, 12 teams completed a two-day expedition, staying overnight at a campsite. Each day the teams had to navigate a route of between 10 and 15 kms, spending at least six hours journeying and achieving their objective. During their travels, they counted flora and fauna, composed a rap song, and prepared a skit, which were performed to their assessor at the end. The weather was glorious for both weekends and, despite getting regularly geographically embarrassed, all participants had a great time.
FOCUS • 19
Winning Arguments Wild Ideas Take Root at the Grill Lecture Churcher’s College welcomed conservationist and author, Isabella Tree, for this year’s Grill Lecture, in May, which drew a large audience of pupils, parents, and community members. Isabella - best known for ‘Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm’ - spoke about the power of rewilding and restoring nature-led landscapes, and shared insights from the Knepp Estate project in West Sussex, showing how allowing land to regenerate naturally can dramatically boost biodiversity. Her talk explored the challenges and opportunities of rewilding in modern Britain, encouraging audiences to rethink traditional conservation and embrace more dynamic approaches. Students engaged enthusiastically, reflecting on links to sustainability and their own studies. The evening formed part of the College’s long-running Grill Lecture series, designed to inspire curiosity beyond the classroom.
The Art of Argument Performing and debating in the same chambers once associated with Churchill is no ordinary school day, yet that was the experience for our public speaking team at the finals of the English Speaking Union competition, held at the historic Dartmouth House. Representing the school, Ottie M (Speaker), Peter Z (Chair), and George H (Questioner) competed against ten other schools. Ottie delivered a compelling speech on unequal opportunity, while Peter and George collaborated with a student from South Wilts Grammar on authenticity and performance. Despite strong performances, the team did not place, but gained invaluable experience at a prestigious national venue.
20 • FOCUS
Senior CCALS ACADEMIC LECTURE SERIES
Freud on Dreams Stefan Marianski Private & NHS Psychotherapist
Tuesday 17 March 2026
4.30pm start, refreshments from 4pm Lecture Theatre
Students attended a one-hour lecture exploring dream analysis, a therapy technique first developed by Sigmund Freud. The session introduced Freud’s method for interpreting dreams and examined how dreams are constructed through symbols, memories and hidden meanings rather than random images. Students discovered that there is no simple ‘dream dictionary’; instead, the meaning of a dream depends on the individual and the personal details within it. They also explored how dreams can reveal unconscious thoughts, childhood experiences and conflicting wishes, giving fascinating insight into how the human mind works both during sleep and in everyday life.
In March, we welcomed Ali Mitchell back to speak about artificial intelligence (AI). He opened with a series of ‘Fact or fiction’ questions, including the surprising statistic that 50% of new cars sold in California last year were fully self-driving. Ali shared a positive firsthand experience of travelling in a self-driving car and highlighted the vast scale of AI’s growth. The largest AI companies already consume as much energy each day as Glasgow and could match the energy use of an entire country by 2027. With around $1.5 trillion invested in AI last year, London remains an important AI hub. Ali also explored AI’s potential impact on human cognition, household robotics, and even longevity.
Debating National Finals The Sixth Form Debating Society recently competed in the national finals of the prestigious ESU MACE Debating competition at Dartmouth House, London, having qualified as South Regional Champions. Reaching the finals was a significant achievement in itself, placing them among the top 12 teams nationally from more than 350 schools and 1,500 debaters. Alexa, Mason and Eleanor debated against St Joseph’s College, Ipswich, on the motion that the United Nations Security Council should remove permanent membership. The round was exceptionally close, with both teams performing to a very high standard. Ultimately, St Joseph’s progressed and went on to win the competition. Judges praised the exceptional quality of debating, noting that our students rose impressively to the challenge.
FOCUS • 21
PA Consulting Raspberry Pi Competition
Lockheed Martin Challenge Twelve Computer Science students from the Fourth Year, Fifth Year, and Lower Sixth travelled to Lockheed Martin, in Havant, for the annual Code Quest competition. Three teams competed, fuelled by snacks, drinks, and 150 pizzas. In the novice category, ‘Unhandled Exceptions’ (Maisie W-B, Abi K, and Tim X) scored 150 points finishing 4th, ‘418 I'm a Teapot’ (Eliza C, Saphia P, and Jake L) came 7th, and ‘Cache Me If You Can’ (Oliver N-H, Ollie M, and Fin M) finished 19th. In the advanced category, ‘Null Pointers’ (William D, Benjy K, and Caspar M) achieved 8th. More than 40 teams participated, with Churcher's students performing strongly.
Building Bridges... and more! As part of our STEAM initiative (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics), Third Year pupils enjoyed a hands-on day exploring the theme of bridges. Activities challenged their creativity, problem-solving and teamwork through art, design, maths, science and even pizza and focaccia baking. In Art, Ana K, Emily M and Gracie-Mae I produced the winning conceptual bridge design. In Design & Technology, teams built and tested wooden bridges, with top performances from Nelson (Sam T, Albie R, Charlie A) and Collingwood (Jack P, Tom S, Beau S). Pupils also investigated bridge networks in Maths and resonance in Science. The day concluded with a DaVinci bridge challenge, won by Rodney (Astrid R, Timmy S, Forbes T, Freddie T, William V and Liv W) with a 6.11m span.
22 • FOCUS
PA Consulting runs an annual competition challenging students to design and build a product using a Raspberry Pi. Working during lunchtimes, our students developed two impressive projects. MangoPi created a device to help visually impaired people check food freshness by detecting ammonia levels and providing warnings through a screen and coloured lights. Tomato Club designed a tomato-shaped plant care assistant that monitors environmental conditions, displays plant wellbeing, and automatically waters plants when needed. Both teams earned perfect marks for their promotional videos. Tomato Club reached the finals, with MangoPi just 0.25 points behind. At the finals in Google’s London offices, they impressed judges with their innovation, teamwork, communication skills, and confident presentations, finishing among the top four schools from 350 entrants.
Modern Languages
Senior
Buzzing at the Translation Bee Four Churcher’s pupils represented the College at the regional finals of the Routes into Languages Translation Bee, held at Bath University. Competing against some of the region’s strongest linguists were Isobel S and Spencer G (Year 2 French), alongside Lara A and Sophie M (Year 3 Spanish). The standard of competition was exceptionally high, and Sophie narrowly missed out on a place in the national final after a tiebreak. Congratulations to Spencer, who successfully qualified and will represent Churcher’s at the national finals at Cambridge University later this month.
Back at the Château This year’s trip to our beloved Château de Warsy was another fantastic week full of excitement and fun. The goat farm was a big hit again, with lots of kids to feed and hold; the chocolate, honey, mayonnaise, crêpes, snails and frogs legs tasting events were enjoyed by… not quite everyone! But Disney Land was certainly a treat for all. Each day delivered huge smiles a lot of French practice! Finishing our visit at the largest aquarium in Europe was definitely a bonus, with its sharks, penguins and rays to admire. Everyone came home with stories to tell and, a bag full of baguettes, biscuits and brie.
From Petersfield to Plaza Mayor With bags packed and loaded onto the minibus, students from Fourth Year up set off for Salamanca - the ‘Golden City’ of Spain - famous for its beautiful architecture, rich cuisine, and one of Europe’s oldest universities. Mornings were spent in Spanish lessons, while afternoons featured cultural activities, including sightseeing, village visits, dance workshops, and cooking classes, all conducted in Spanish. This immersive experience helped students develop both their language skills and understanding of Spanish culture. We were also fortunate to visit during Semana Santa, when Salamanca’s streets fill with traditional religious processions. On our final day, we travelled to Madrid, visiting the Bernabéu Stadium before enjoying lunch at San Miguel Market and some last-minute shopping.
FOCUS • 23
Sixth Form Biologists Go Wild The Lower Sixth residential trip to Slapton Ley Field Centre in South Devon is a highlight of the A Level Biology course, giving students valuable experience in ecological sampling and data analysis. Over three days, students investigated limpet shell morphology and species zonation at East Prawle’s rocky shore, discovering wildlife including a Cornish sucker fish and a sea hare. At Slapton Sands, they studied ecological succession using systematic sampling and estimated snail populations through mark-release-recapture techniques. An evening bat walk explored the area’s rich bat diversity, although poor weather limited sightings. Small mammal trapping proved successful, capturing bank voles and a field mouse. On the final day, students examined freshwater ecosystems in Slapton Stream, finding significant differences between pools and riffles and catching bullhead fish and a juvenile eel.
Brain Day Lower Sixth Psychology students explored the fascinating world of Neuroscience during Brain Day, investigating how brains can differ in conditions such as schizophrenia, addiction and antisocial behaviour. They heard about cutting-edge research, including emerging studies beyond the syllabus, and took part in a brain dissection. The experience brought classroom learning to life, deepening their understanding of brain anatomy, human behaviour and this rapidly evolving field.
Footballers End Season on a High The Sixth Form football team ended their season in style, with an impressive 2–0 victory over Bohunt. The squad, a talented and committed group of players, have consistently given everything in every match throughout the year. Their hard work and team spirit were evident once again in a strong final performance to close the season on a high. Thank yous are extended to all players who represented the team. Awards were presented to Freddie M, named Players’ Player of the Season, and Max B, who received the Manager’s Player award.
Prefect Training Day The newly elected Prefect body kicked off the Summer Term with a One Day Film School, developing skills in screenwriting, filming, film history and choreography. Teams created short films for the '10 Shot Challenge', taking on roles from directors to actors, and working to tight deadlines. The day concluded with a premiere and awards, celebrating creativity, teamwork and leadership, including Best Performance and Best Motion Picture winners.
24 • FOCUS
Senior Ramshill Boules Competition It was fitting that the winner of the 2026 Ramshill Boules tournament, which reached its finale on Leavers’ Day, was Upper Sixth pupil George L, who beat Lower Sixth student Zac H in a pulsating final. George won 3-1 in front of a capacity crowd, with the final end being decided by Mr Baker’s tape measure. Mr Baker is seen presenting George with his prize.
Sports Dinner The annual Sports Dinner once again celebrated the achievements and contributions of Upper Sixth students, recognising their commitment to sport throughout their time at Churcher’s. The evening provided an opportunity to reflect on their shared journey and sporting successes. A highlight was a guest appearance by Michael Owen, former captain of Wales and the British and Irish Lions, who delivered an inspiring speech on teamwork, resilience and elite performance. A range of awards were presented for outstanding individual and team performances, including Team of the Year, awarded to the 1st VII netball team for their exceptional season. The evening marked both a celebration and a heartfelt thank you to the Upper Sixth.
Return of the Reptiles Have you ever held a snake? What about a tarantula? Thanks to a recent visit from Tom's Talking Reptiles, Sixth Formers got to do exactly that - and it was unforgettable. Tom brought along a fascinating collection of animals and students could watch, handle, and learn about each creature up close. Puzzle the python was a particular favourite! Tom has a brilliant way of making even the scariest-looking animals seem approachable, explaining their habitats, diets, and behaviours with real enthusiasm. Whether they arrived terrified or curious, students left with a whole new respect for the animal kingdom and themselves having ‘faced their fears’.
FOCUS • 25
Drama & Dance
Something Wicked This Way Came For the College’s annual Shakespeare production, ‘Macbeth’ proved to be a striking and atmospheric success in the Assembly Hall. Performed by members of the Lower Sixth and Fourth Year, the production showcased an impressive level of commitment and maturity, with the cast mastering their lines early in the rehearsal process and delivering nuanced, confident performances. Staging the play indoors enhanced its dark and foreboding tone, allowing the creative use of low fog, projection, and dramatic lighting to create a truly eerie atmosphere. The combination of strong characterisation, physical storytelling, and technical effects brought Shakespeare’s tragedy vividly to life. The cast are to be congratulated on an outstanding achievement.
26 • FOCUS
Senior
Drama & Dance Showcase The Drama and Dance showcase was a fantastic celebration of creativity and talent, featuring more than 100 pupils from across the school. The audience enjoyed a wide range of performances, with different pieces and styles that highlighted the pupils’ enthusiasm and hard work. It was especially wonderful to see so many students performing on the Churcher's stage for the very first time, growing in confidence and delivering such memorable performances.
Youth Dance Platform
Showcase Time!
Dance Squad went to the Youth Dance Platform performance at Bedales, where the Intermediate group danced a lyrical number to ‘Survive’, and the Intermediate Tap Group performed a dance to ‘If You’re Over Me’. It was great to watch the other schools perform too, with two of the Churcher’s dancers performing with their own dance schools, and two of them learning a Dance in a Day with a professional performer, which gave them the chance to develop their contemporary dance skills.
Dance Squad’s tappers once again performed in the Drama and Dance Showcase this term, along with the Beginners Tap Group dancing to ‘Pretty Woman’, and the Junior Dance Squad performing a Grease Medley.
Dancers Extend Their Repertoire For the Senior Cabaret, the Advance Dancers learnt a new dance style “fosse”, and also performed in a ballet which included dancers en pointe, with additional dancers performing as backing dancers, too.
FOCUS • 27
CCF
Mountain Biking in QE Park Fifteen Navy section cadets took part in a mountain biking CCF field day at Queen Elizabeth Country Park. It was a great chance for many of them to try a new skill while exploring the park’s trails. Throughout the day the cadets worked together, communicating and helping each other out as they tackled different challenges along the route. It was a really fun and adventurous day that encouraged teamwork and problem solving, all helped by the beautiful weather and great surroundings.
Historic Silver for Clay Team In April, Churcher’s CCF top shooters attended the annual National Cadet Clay Championships, hosted at Cambridge Gun Club. Senior cadets Matthew C, Hugh F, Ollie H, and Fred T took part in a two-day shoot consisting of a variety of disciplines of clay shooting. The team performed well on the first day’s English Sporting Competition, followed by the team Flush. The second day saw the firers tackle the most challenging discipline, ‘Down the Line’, in which each member of the team shot at randomised targets ejected from a hidden trap from a progressively harder position on the line. Not only did our team place second overall on DTL, but Fred and Hugh came joint second as individual shooters, too! The team deserves congratulations on being awarded the contingent’s first ever silverware for clay shooting.
Cadets Take to the Water In the second week of the Spring break, 43 cadets and three officers took the ferry from Gunwharf Quays to the UKSA training centre in Cowes for four days of full-on water-sports. In unseasonal sunshine they enjoyed kayaking up the River Medina, SUPping and wet-games around the marina, dinghy sailing off The Shrake and keel-boating in the Western Solent. Evening activities included a sea-survival session in the centre pool and a tour of the Cowes Inshore RNLI facility.
Orienteering Challenge
28 • FOCUS
The Spring Term closed with our annual triservice orienteering competition. Eighty-four cadets spent a sunny evening navigating around the park’s orienteering course. Doughnuts were issued at the finishing line and the winning team of James, Alex, Charlie and Matthew were further rewarded with a box of chocolates.
Senior
Changing of the Guard At the start of the Summer Term, we say farewell and thank you to our retiring senior cadets – contingent lead cadet WO1 Alice F (RN), and section WO2 leads Gabe D (RN), Raph C (Army) and Rupert H (RAF). And we promote and welcome WO Charlie S (RAF) as lead cadet and WO2s Eleanor P (RN), Fred T (Army) and Nathaniel J (RAF) as section leads.
RAF Latest Summer Term Update The Summer Term has been a resounding success for the RAF unit, with cadets demonstrating enthusiasm, resilience, and a growing sense of teamwork during both our parade nights and field days. Evenings have focused heavily on fieldcraft, giving cadets the opportunity to build shelters, practice first aid, and develop camouflage techniques. Cadets also experienced cooking in the field, although results varied and were perhaps successful only in the loosest sense of the word. Weapons handling lessons on the L98 rifle have continued successfully, with cadets improving their safety awareness, discipline, and practical handling skills under close supervision.
Field Day Fun A major highlight of the term for RAF cadets was the field day at WildFit Surrey, which proved to be a monumental success for the unit. Lead Cadet WO Charlie S delivered an outstanding performance, beating the long-held assault course record by more than one minute and setting an exceptional standard for others to follow. Cadets ran up vertical walls, tried their hand at axe throwing and finished the day with toasted marshmallows.
FOCUS • 29
Music Cabaret Time! The annual Cabaret is a highlight of the year for many pupils and parents, and this year it showcased the outstanding talents of our Senior musicians and dancers. With professional lighting and a full stage production, the evening was truly memorable, opening with Raph C’s dynamic performance of ‘The Greatest Show’, and closing with the Senior Choir’s powerful rendition of ‘This Is Me,’ complete with choreography. In between, a wide range of high-quality solo and ensemble performances filled the programme, many supported by a live band and string quartet. Highlights included the Senior Chamber Choir, Jazz Band, SSA, Barbershop group, and two dance groups, who impressed with vibrant costumes and polished routines set to ‘Adiemus’ and ‘Le Jazz Hot.’ The Upper Sixth musicians also performed a farewell performance of a Beatles medley with excellent harmonies, further demonstrating the remarkable breadth and depth of talent across the school.
Petersfield Music Festival Churcher’s musicians joined local schools at the Petersfield Music Festival for a large-scale collaborative concert. The Junior Wind Band combined with TPS and Ditcham Park to form a massed ensemble, performing James Bond themes alongside Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’. The Jazz Band joined the TPS Swing Band for lively performances of ‘Crablegs’ and ‘Moanin’’ by Charles Mingus. Churcher’s Brass players supported a joint schools’ choir in Haydn’s Creation, featuring soloists Tahlia H, Raph C, and Rupert H. Tahlia, winner of the Young Composers Competition, also performed her original piece ‘Stay’ for voice and piano.
Spring Concert The Spring Concert at St Peter’s Church was a memorable highlight of the musical calendar. The 120-member Senior Choir delivered an outstanding performance of Mozart’s Requiem, an impressive achievement given they had just seven weeks and short lunchtime rehearsals to learn the work. Their dedication resulted in a polished and professional performance alongside a professional orchestra. The concert also showcased excellent performances from the SSA Choir, including Sofia J’s GCSE composition Nature’s First Green, the Barbershop Choir’s energetic rendition of Pompeii, and the Senior Chamber Choir’s powerful performance of Mendelssohn’s Richte mich, Gott. The Orchestra completed a varied programme with works by Sibelius, music from Jurassic Park, and Márquez’s lively Conga del Fuego.
30 • FOCUS
Senior
Lower School Recital Following an outstanding Senior Recital, the Lower School Recital featured impressive performances from Years 1 to 3, with highlights including piano performances by Anna P and Polly R, and a beautiful rendition of Saint-Saëns’ Romance by Scarlett R on French horn. Ensembles also shone throughout the evening, from the energetic Lower School Strings and accomplished Lower School Jazz to the 130-strong Lower School Choir. The Lower School Chamber Choir brought the concert to a memorable close with Cantate Domino. The audience left inspired by the remarkable quality, confidence, and musicianship on display.
Inspiring the Junior School The Lower School Wind Band took centre stage as they entertained a selection of pupils from our Junior School. After learning about the different sounds that the various instruments from the Woodwind, Brass and Percussion families make, thanks to demonstrations from various members of the band, Mr. James soon had the young audience clapping along and smiling to many well-known tunes. There was even an opportunity for a couple of young audience members to step forward and conduct the Lower School Wind Band – the results were impressive as the Band reacted to the different speeds set by the young conductors!
Musicians' Dinner
Singer-Songwriter Competition Early June heralded the return of the annual Songwriting Competition, with entrants ranging from Third Year to Sixth Form. The songs were all absolutely amazing and showed a real breadth of styles and some wonderful performances. They were judged on their use of chords, the quality of their lyrics, and their melodic writing. Congratulations to all our songwriters, who were brave enough to share their craft with us, and especially to Lucy, who won Amazon vouchers for her incredible song!
As the academic year ends, we say farewell to another exceptional group of musicians who have contributed greatly to music at Churcher’s. Twenty-eight students and their parents attended a black-tie three-course dinner to celebrate their time in the department. Alec S-P, Nicole P, Raph C, and Cecily M reflected on their musical highlights and memories, while live performances were given by Rupert H, Clement S, Charlie B, Ari M-W, Raph, Cecily, and Josh T. The evening concluded with all musicians performing a Beatles medley. We thank them for their dedication and wish them every success for the future.
FOCUS • 31
Sport
A Historic Day for Churcher's Girls! Earlier this term, Churcher’s Girls’ 1st XI made history in a landmark first fixture against the prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) from Lord’s. Played under brilliant sunshine, the match delivered both high-quality cricket and a vibrant atmosphere, marking a memorable occasion for players, staff and supporters alike. The event was a proud celebration of girls’ cricket and highlighted the continued growth of the sport within the school community.
Girls Make the Finals Churcher’s U15 and U13 girls’ cricket teams had a fantastic experience, reaching the Hampshire indoor finals at the Utilita Bowl. The atmosphere was lively and exciting, with a real sense of occasion throughout the day. Matches were closely contested and often tense, reflecting the excellent standard of play on display. Just as impressive was the sportsmanship shown by all teams, with players competing hard while also supporting one another.
Boys Take on the MCC The Boys 1st XI had a fantastic day taking on the MCC from Lord’s, with the weather being especially kind to us throughout. It was a brilliant atmosphere from start to finish, creating a memorable occasion for everyone involved. The opportunity to play against such excellent players was both exciting and invaluable for the team - a proud experience, and one that will stay with the boys for a long time.
U13s Grow in Confidence
32 • FOCUS
The U13A boys have enjoyed a strong start to their Hampshire Cup campaign. In the first round against Hounsdown, the team delivered an excellent all-round performance. Joey B produced a superb bowling display, taking a six-wicket haul and being awarded the match ball. With the bat, Theo C played a composed and valuable innings, scoring a well-made 51 runs to help set up victory. Building on this momentum, the team went on to defeat KES Southampton in the quarter final. They now look ahead to a semi-final clash against Farleigh School, with confidence growing as their cup run continues.
Senior
Pipped at the Post After a long drive over to Cambridgeshire, the U16A boys lost a tightly contested affair against The Leys School, who went on to be overall winners of the England Hockey U16 Tier 2 National Cup competition. An excellent showing from the squad as a whole and they should be very proud of their achievement!
Continued Success at the Sisters in Sport In March, our U15 and Senior Netball teams were flying high after reaching the Sisters n Sport Finals Day at Loughborough University. Both teams performed exceptionally well, showcasing outstanding netball throughout the competition. Our U19s finished 4th in the country, while the U15s achieved an incredible 2nd place. Well done to everyone involved!
U13s Make the Podium! U13A Boys and Girls both competed in the U13 In2Hockey Regional Finals, with both teams medalling and finishing in third place overall in their respective competitions. A massive achievement and the first time we have achieved this level of success for both boys and girls in a single age group; the future is bright!
FOCUS • 33
Sport The Eaton Games The stage was set for the return of the Eaton Games; the sun shone on six temporary netball courts, and the fancy dress was bold. From farmyard animals to Pitbull look-a-likes, it was a brilliant effort from all. The tournament of nine teams began with fantastic spirit, and the usual stretching of the rules!
Tennis on Tour The tennis season got off to a fantastic start with the annual pre-season tour to Cyprus, where 40 pupils enjoyed an unforgettable week of training, competition and relaxation. The tour provided an excellent opportunity for players to sharpen their skills through high-quality coaching sessions, while also trying their hand at padel. Away from the courts, pupils embraced the local culture by sampling traditional cuisine and making the most of the hotel pool in the Mediterranean sunshine.
34 • FOCUS
Play Your Way to Wimbledon One of the highlights of the season so far was hosting the annual Play Your Way to Wimbledon competition, which attracted more than 100 pupils for a day of exciting and highly competitive tennis. The event showcased the depth of talent within the school, with some exceptional performances across all age groups. In the U18 competition, George and Tobias of the Fourth Year claimed the boys’ title after a series of impressive matches, while Phoebe and Maya from the Lower Sixth were crowned girls’ champions. In the U14 category, Rufus emerged victorious over Sammy in the boys’ competition, with Emily taking the girls’ title following some excellent performances throughout the day.
Senior
Girls Swim to Success Churcher’s U12, U13, and U15 girls took on St Swithun’s in the pool. It was a great atmosphere, with lots of close racing, finishing in first place in 63% of the races. Standout performances came from Martha O in the 50m backstroke, Mary H in the 50m breaststroke, Charlotte J and Lexi H in the 50m fly. It was a fantastic team performance, winning four out of the six relay races and showcasing the depth of our swim teams.
The Boys Take on RGS The U12, U13, and U15 boys recently competed against the RGS swimmers, facing some tough competition. There was a nailbiting 4 x 50m medley race from the U12 boys, with the lead changing throughout between Churcher’s and RGS. Supporters from both sides cheered their teams on in an exciting contest. On the final leg, Milo N swam freestyle for Churcher’s, stretching for the wall and touching first by just 0.56 of a second. Standout performances came from Max P in the 50m breaststroke, and Louis H and Will D in the 50m backstroke.
Waterpolo Goes from Strength to Strength The U15 water polo team travelled to the Mountbatten Centre for a Thursday evening match against Portsmouth Water Polo Club. It was a superb final game of the season, with the team dominating in the pool and securing a 24–8 victory, with nearly every player scoring a goal. The team worked cohesively in defense, not allowing the opposition any time or space on the ball, communicating effectively about player marking, and blocking the majority of shots on goal. The highlight came once possession was won, as every player reacted tirelessly to the change in play, breaking forward to create multiple scoring opportunities.
FOCUS • 35
Magistrates' Visit In May, three Lower Sixth and ten Fourth Year students took part in our final Magistrates’ Court visit of the academic year. With more than 50 pupils attending across the Spring and Summer Terms, these visits have become a much valued opportunity for those exploring a future in law, as well as for anyone wanting a clearer understanding of the justice system as a citizen. We are especially grateful to the Magistrates who kindly delivered an engaging presentation at school beforehand and who welcomed and hosted us so generously at the Court itself; their time and insight made the experience truly memorable.
Medicine’s Full House All eight Upper Sixth students on the school’s Medical Programme have received university offers to study medicine or dentistry, achieving a 100% success rate in one of the most competitive application routes. Since Lower Sixth, they have followed a structured programme including UCAT preparation, interview training, work experience planning, and personal statement support, which has been delivered through weekly sessions and individual mentoring. Families also attended an online briefing to support the process. Enrichment activities included PBL workshops, mock interviews, an MMI practice day, drug calculations training, and ethics teaching.
36 • FOCUS
Senior
Rising to the AI Challenge Four Sixth Form students visited London in April to attend a Women of the Future event at Salesforce Tower, home of the global pioneer in cloud technology and AI. They were welcomed with stunning views from the 26th floor, setting the scene for an inspiring day. The morning began with a dynamic talk on Artificial Intelligence and how it is reshaping the world of work. Students explored the skills needed to thrive in an AIdriven future, including the increasingly important ability to prompt effectively. Real-world examples highlighted its growing impact across industries. After lunch, a career panel provided insight into a range of roles and career journeys. The day concluded with even more spectacular views of the city, before out into the London sunshine, with plenty to reflect on.
Learning from the Leaders For many years, we have been privileged to attend a variety of Women of the Future events, each offering invaluable opportunities for our students to connect with inspiring leaders and role models. This year, seven Lower Sixth students attended the Women of the Future Summit in London for the first time. Focused on the theme ‘Courageous Leadership: Rising to the Challenge’, the Summit explored leading with authenticity, resilience, and purpose in an uncertain world. Students heard from an exceptional range of speakers, including business leaders, activists, diplomats, politicians, and wellbeing advocates, who shared insights on leadership, human rights, diversity, technology, and personal resilience. Highlights included addresses from Tom Ilube CBE, Angela Rayner MP, and Elif Shafak, recipient of the Global Visionary Award. Our students left inspired and empowered, taking away powerful lessons in courage, authenticity, kindness, and supporting others.
FOCUS • 37
Educational Escapes
Historians Head for London
Lessons from the Front Third Years enjoyed a trip to Fort Nelson and the D-Day Museums in Portsmouth, bringing their World War studies to life. At Fort Nelson, costumed actors, including a Sergeant Major and nurse, immersed pupils in WWI history. They handled weapons including grenades, rifles, and a Vickers machine gun, and learned about trench foot, gas attacks, and battlefield medicine in a dressing station workshop. At the D-Day Museum, they explored WWII’s turning point through a landing craft exhibit, took part in a quiz on the Overlord embroidery, and took a guided tour. They reflected on the four-day Channel crossing in June 1944 and the sacrifice involved, gaining a deeper understanding of the tragedy of war.
Geographers Brave the Elements Seventeen Lower Sixth Geographers spent a weekend in early June along the Somerset coast, practising techniques and implementing their sampling strategies to collect primary data for their NEAs. Foci ranged from beach morphology at Porlock Bay to sense of place in Watchet and the effectiveness of coastal defences in Minehead. Despite some grim forecasts, they thankfully escaped the worst of the rain and were based at the architecturally grand FSC field centre at Nettlecombe Court.
38 • FOCUS
Our Lower Sixth had a fabulous day expanding their knowledge on their Churchill A Level paper. We visited the galleries in the Imperial War Museum and were moved by the personal stories of those who lived and died during the Second World War. We saw incredible artefacts, such as the bomb shelters, a boat that was used at Dunkirk, and the damaged Nazi eagle. We then walked to the Cabinet War Rooms and got a real flavour of the claustrophobia that the strategists in wartime London had to experience underground. This exhibition was full of excellent memorabilia of the whole of Churchill's life. A great trip!
Senior
Pantheon and Pastries Forty French Revolutionary historians had a fantastic Spring trip to Paris and Versailles. We visited Louis XVI's ornate palace of Versailles, and its magnificent gardens. In Paris we visited the Carnavalet museum (full of revolutionary treasures). We walked to the Pantheon and the Cordeliers club, had a sunset trip down the Seine, and we saw the grandiose tomb of Napoleon at Les Invalides, and the immense Medieval stain glass windows of St Chapelle, as well as the gloomy residence of Marie Antoniette in her last days at the Conciergerie. Students also enjoyed heading to boulangeries and cafes and enjoying 'printemps à Paris'.
Geography Comes Alive in Iceland In April, 27 senior geography students enjoyed an unforgettable field trip to Iceland, the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’. Exceptional weather and stunning light created spectacular views of the island’s dramatic landscapes, providing a unique opportunity to experience geography beyond the classroom. Highlights included bathing in the geothermally heated waters of the Secret Lagoon, visiting a series of impressive waterfalls, standing on the bridge between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and witnessing a remarkable demonstration of flowing lava. Students saw first-hand the powerful forces that have shaped Iceland’s landscape and even enjoyed an unexpected meeting with the country’s President, making this an extraordinary and memorable educational adventure.
FOCUS • 39
In Other News Charity Fundraising
All Aboard! Earlier this term, students from the school’s new Model Club enjoyed a sunny and rewarding trip to the Watercress Line, a heritage railway that runs for 10 miles between Alton and Alresford. During the visit, students took part in a variety of activities, including photographing their club sign against the backdrop of vintage trains and the scenic Hampshire countryside. The group also explored the nearby Alton Model Centre, where many purchased Airfix kits to support their modelling interests. The trip provided an enjoyable way to round off the club’s first year, inspiring new ideas and great enthusiasm for future projects.
Trolley Triumph Nelson Gets Trolleyed… again saw an incredible community effort raise over £3,600 for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, enough to fund one life-saving flight. With the charity completing around seven flights a day and relying entirely on fundraising, the impact was keenly felt. Over 12 continuous hours, pupils, teachers, and parents pushed six trolleys around the course, completing 6,001 laps and covering more than 420 km. The event brought the whole school community together in support of a vital service, demonstrating remarkable teamwork, determination, and generosity throughout the challenge.
Stairway Heroes To support OC Lauren Hill (25), who is raising funds for mental health charity ‘Student Minds’, Grenville pupils and a few guests took on an Everest-inspired challenge in May, climbing the equivalent height of Everest using the three-storey Science Block staircase. In total, 35 pupils completed 35 ascents in one hour, with one energetic Second Year achieving an incredible 50 climbs in 50 minutes. The event left plenty of smiling, if rather red-faced, participants and raised £65 for Student Minds, which supports student mental health and helps young people build effective wellbeing toolkits.
School Archives Day In March, we marked School Archives Day with a special mini display created in partnership with the History Club. Pupils selected and researched a range of fascinating items from the school archive and showcased their findings to visitors during a lunchtime exhibition. The event provided a wonderful opportunity to share some of the stories and treasures preserved within the archive. Recent discoveries and projects included the renewal of links with Emanuel School through a commemorative rugby trophy, research into the school's 1984 production of ‘The Silver Sword’, and the donation of historic materials belonging to former Head Groundsman, Bob Pett. We also shared our history with local groups and refreshed the display of whole-school photographs, helping to preserve and celebrate Churcher’s rich heritage.
40 • FOCUS
Dressage News Horsing Around The Equestrian Team has enjoyed a highly successful Spring Term, with Sophia M and Willow B achieving national placings at the British Showjumping Winter Championships. Further highlights included clear rounds, championship qualifications and impressive Eventer's Challenge results. Thirteen pupils have proudly represented the school this academic year.
First Years Rebecca P, Beatrice T and Sophia S represented the school with outstanding results, achieving a team second place and impressive individual placings. Sophie qualifies for the Nationals at Addington, while Rebecca enjoyed further success at Hickstead, achieving top results with her pony, Bilbo. These achievements mark and exciting equestrian first for Churcher's.
Success Outside School
National Schools Rowing Regatta At a scorching Guildford Rowing Club outing at Dorney Lake, crews raced at the National Schools Regatta. Third Year Emily M-J’s WJ14 coxed quadruple scull impressed coaches, finishing 4th in the 1500m time trial out of 60 entries to reach the A final. Despite a strengthening cross/ headwind, the crew, among the smallest and lightest, finished 6th after a determined race against strong opposition including Headington School, Lee Valley RC, Maidenhead RC, Henley RC and Walbrook RC. Training on a 700m stretch compared with rivals’ long reaches, the girls produced an outstanding and courageous performance on the national stage.
Award Winning Percussionist Fifth Year student Jayden S has achieved outstanding success, winning the Under 17 Percussion category at the Guildhall Young Artists National Percussion Competition, held at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London. The event brought together leading young musicians from across the country, with Jayden performing in front of an expert judging panel and taking part in inspiring workshops. Adjudicators praised the high standards and supportive atmosphere. Jayden’s success is a superb recognition of his dedication, skill and musical talent.
Senior
Surrey Cricket Superstar Year 5 student, Rory E, has proudly represented Surrey U10s Cricket this season. In May, he delivered an outstanding performance, taking 4 wickets (4-4-16) and playing a key role in his team's victory. As a result, he is currently the leading wicket-taker in his Surrey age group this season! Congratulations on this well-deserved success - we can't wait to see what comes next!
Rugby Champs The U18 boys of Petersfield RFC enjoyed a superb final day of the season in May. Having already secured the division title last month, they entered the plate final against New Milton at Winchester RFC in front of a large crowd. Several Churcher’s boys featured throughout the Colts season, and were again outstanding in this match. In an almost errorfree, textbook performance, PRFC dominated a physically strong New Milton side. The centre partnership of Sam T and Ted M proved particularly devastating, breaking the opposition defence repeatedly and helping seal a convincing victory.
County Football Triumph Four Upper Sixth pupils, Tristan H, Seb M, Jack R and Freddie M, representing Milford Pumas YFC, helped secure a superb 5–2 victory over Bedhead FC in the U18 Youth Surrey Cup Final on 25 March. The team’s journey included dominant wins in both the quarter-final and semi-final, showcasing consistent attacking flair and solid defence. On the night, standout performances and teamwork sealed the result in a competitive, good-spirited match. With two players also earning Churcher’s PE awards, this achievement highlights exceptional allround dedication. Congratulations to our players on a fantastic success!
FOCUS • 41
Thank You Mr Williams for Twenty-Two Extraordinary Years!
42 • FOCUS
Senior
FOCUS • 43
Parent Socials & Volunteering Dates for your diary Autumn 2026
Spring 2027
Summer 2027
The Winter Ball Saturday 21 November
The Spring Quiz Friday 5 March
The Summer Party TBC
Parents' ‘Coffee & Connect’ Morning 12 September
PA Committee Meeting 11 January
PA Committee Meeting 19 April
PA Committee Meeting 14 September
Futures Convention/CV Clinic 4 March
Churcher’s Golf Day 14 May
1st Year Parents' Reception with the Headmaster - 16 September
Sixth Form Interview Coaching Various evenings online
Summer Solstice Walk 20 June
Butser Hill Challenge - 20 September
Lower Sixth Networking Events TBC
Upper Sixth Parents’ Farewell Drinks 7 July
5th Year Parents' Academic Information Evening with the Headmaster 21 September Lower Sixth Parents & Students Reception with the Headmaster 23 September 2nd & 3rd Year Parents' Reception with the Headmaster- 1 October Parent Volunteer Drinks Reception 12 October
Get involved! We greatly value our parent volunteers — it’s a wonderful way to get involved, meet others, and make a real difference to school life. To find out more, contact Louisa Taylor at Volunteer@ChurchersCollege.com
The Summer Party 2026