Mowden Hall End of Term Letter 270326

End of Term Mowden Hall School

Friday 27 March 2026

DearParentsandCarers,

Aswecometotheendofabusy,productiveand thoroughlyenjoyableSpringTerm,Iwouldliketothank youforyourcontinuedsupportandtakeamomentto reflectonwhathasbeenachievedacrosstheschool

Fromtheverybeginningofterm,therehasbeena strongsenseofpurposeandmomentum.Pupils returnedwithenergyandfocus,quicklysettlinginto routinesandembracingtheopportunitiesahead Our charactervaluesofResilienceandIndependent Thinkinghavebeencentraltothisjourney.Wehave seenpupilsperseverewhenlearninghasbeen challenging,supportoneanotherthroughsetbacks, andincreasinglydemonstratetheconfidenceto question,reflectandthinkforthemselves.

Thistermhasbeenrichinbothbreadthanddepth BritishScienceWeekwasaparticularhighlight,with theschoolalivewithexperimentation,curiosityand intellectualexcitement Thissatbeautifullyalongside ourmarkingofInternationalWomen’sDay,where pupilsexploredthestoriesofinspiringwomeninSTEM, developingbothawarenessandappreciationofthe impactofinnovationanddetermination

Earlierintheterm,MentalHealthWeekprovidedan importantopportunityforreflectionandconversation aroundwellbeing,remindingusalloftheimportance ofbalance,kindnessandself-awareness Meanwhile, NumberDayandWorldBookDaybroughtenergyand creativityintoclassroomsandcorridorsalike, celebratingboththejoyofmathematicsandthe powerofreadingtosparkimaginationand independentthought.

Ithasalsobeenatermofstrongandmeaningful partnershipwithparents.OurHead’sDiscussions andparentforumshaveprovidedvaluable opportunitiestolisten,reflectandsharethinking Theopenness,engagementandsupportshownby parentsintheseconversationsishugely appreciatedandplaysanimportantrolein shapingthefuturedirectionoftheschool

Acrossallofthis,whathasstoodoutmostisthe characterofourpupils.Theirwillingnesstoget involved,topersevere,tosupportoneanotherandto embracechallengeiswhattrulydefinesaMowden education.Thesearethequalities alongside kindness,curiosityandindependence thatwill servethemsowellintheyearsahead

Aswelookforwardtothesummerterm,Iwishour wonderfulYear8childrentheverybestasthey preparefortheCommonEntranceexaminations-I knowtheyareverywellprepared-andIamexcited tolaunchtheCompassCurriculumforYear7,starting withanoutstandingweek-longresidential,andalso enjoyingtheirfirstimmersiveweekofthecurriculum afterhalfterm,learningallaboutRobotics!

Pre-Prep - Mrs. Kirsten Knight

Aswereachtheendofabusyandrewardingterm,it isapleasuretoreflectonthetremendousprogressour Pre-Prepchildrenhavemade Thistermhasbeen markednotonlybyenthusiasmandcuriositybutalso byclearacademicgrowthacrossallareasofthe curriculum.Thechildrencontinuetochallenge themselves,buildstrongfoundationsintheirlearning anddeveloptheconfidencetothinkindependently andsharetheirideas

Oneofthemostexcitingdevelopmentswithinour schoolcommunitythisyearhasbeenthecontinued growthofourprovisionforouryoungestlearners.The Nestisflourishing,anditiswonderfultoseechildren beginningtheireducationaljourneyatsuchanearly stage FromthosefirststepsinEarlyYearsthroughto thesenioryears,Mowdennowoffersatrulyconnected experienceforchildrenagedtwotothirteen Beingpart ofawhole-schoolenvironmentbringsenormous benefits.Ouryoungerpupilslookuptotheolder children,whiletheolderpupilsnaturallytakepridein supportingandguidingtheyoungestmembersofour community Thiscreatesawarmandpurposeful atmospherewhereeveryonefeelstheybelong

Academically,thechildrenhaveworkedwithrealfocus anddeterminationthisterm.InLiteracy,theyhave developedreadingfluency,comprehensionandwriting skills,showingincreasingindependenceinexpressing theirideasandstructuringtheirwork InMathematics, pupilshaveapproachednewconceptswith confidence,strengtheningtheirunderstandingthrough reasoning,investigationandproblem-solving Ithas beenparticularlypleasingtoseethechildrendevelop resilienceastheytacklechallengesandlearnthat perseveranceisanimportantpartofsuccess

Theirlearninghasextendedfarbeyondthecore subjects Sciencelessonshaveencouraged questioning,predictionandexploration,whileFrench lessonshaveintroducednewvocabularythrough stories,songsandconversation.Musiccontinuesto bringcreativityandenergy,withthechildrenenjoying singingandexperimentingwithrhythmand instruments Dramahasalsobeenawonderfulwayfor thechildrentobuildconfidenceandexpress themselves Throughrehearsals,storytelling,and performancesonthetheatrestage,theyhave developedtheirspeakingskills,creativity,andstage presence,takinggreatprideinsharingtheirworkwith theirfamiliesandthewiderschoolcommunity

Physicaleducationandswimminghaveprovided opportunitiesforthechildrentodevelopstrength, coordinationandteamwork,whilealsolearningthe importanceofcommitmentandsportsmanshipand

inYear2,representingtheschoolatcompetitive events.OurOWL(OutdoorWildLearning)sessions remainamuch-lovedpartoftheweek.These experienceshelpchildrenapplytheirlearningin practicalwayswhiledevelopingconfidence,curiosity andcollaborationoutdoors Thechildrenhaverelished thechancetoexplore,investigateandproblem-solve inadifferentenvironment,strengtheningboththeir independenceandtheirteamworkskills.

Tripsandeducationalvisitscontinuetoplayan importantroleinbringinglearningtolife Asasmall andflexibleschool,wearefortunatetoregularlytake ourchildrenbeyondtheclassroom,enrichingtheir understandingthroughreal-worldexperiences.These opportunitiesdeepenknowledge,sparkcuriosityand createlastingmemories

Lookingahead,weareexcitedabouttheopportunities plannedfornextterm Alongsidecontinuedacademic challengeintheclassroom,wearepreparingarange ofenrichingexperiences,includingvisits,special eventsandresidentialtripsforourolderpupils.These opportunitieshelpdevelopindependence,resilience andconfidence,qualitiesthatsupportbothacademic successandpersonalgrowth

Aboveall,whatstandsoutmostthistermisthe children’sattitudetolearning.Theyhaveshown determination,kindnessandawillingnesstotrynew things Theirprogressismeasurednotonlyinwhat theyknowbutalsoinhowtheyapproachchallenges, supportoneanother,andtakeprideintheir achievements Thankyou,asalways,foryour continuedsupport Wewishallourfamiliesarestful breakandlookforwardtowelcomingthechildren backforanotherexcitingandsuccessfulterm.

InthePrepSchool,studentsfromYear3throughto Year8haveshowngreatcommitmenttotheirstudies Ithasbeenencouragingtoobservenotonlytheir academicprogress,butalsotheirgrowingmaturity, resilience,andwillingnesstoembracenew challenges.OurYear8students,inparticular,haveset astrongexampleasleaderswithintheschool community,andweareproudofthewaytheyhave preparedforthenextstageoftheireducation Weare alsodelightedtocelebratethesuccessofanumber ofpupilswhohavebeenawardedscholarshipsthis term anexcellentachievementthatreflectsboth theirhardworkandthesupportoftheirteachers.

Academic Matters - Mr. Tom Hillman

Ourpupilshavealsomadeexcellentacademic progressthroughtheirinvolvementintheperforming arts.Year6pupils,throughtheirworkonTheTempest, havedevelopedadeeperunderstandingoflanguage, character,andinterpretation,strengtheningboththeir literacyskillsandconfidenceincommunication Similarly,Year5pupils,throughtheirperformanceof Matilda,haveenhancedtheirreadingcomprehension, expressiveskills,andabilitytoworkcollaboratively; demonstratinghowcreativeopportunitiescan significantlyenrichacademicdevelopment.

Lookingaheadtothenexthalfterm,wewillbe focusingonsupportingourYear8pupilsintheirfinal preparationsfortheirCommonEntrance examinationsfollowingtheMayhalfterm Weare confidentthat,withcontinuedeffortandguidance, theywillapproachthisimportantmilestonewith confidenceandsuccess-justastheydidfortheir Mockexamsearlierthisterm

Iwouldliketoextendmysincerethankstoour dedicatedstafffortheirhardworkandcommitment, andtoyou,ourparentsandcarers,foryourcontinued support.Together,wecreateanenvironmentinwhich ourpupilscanthrive Ilookforwardtowelcoming everyonebacknexttermforanotherexcitingperiodof learningandgrowth

Pastoral Care - Mr. Gareth Townley

DuringChildren’sMentalHealthWeek,wetalkedabout belongingandhowthisisdifferenttojustfittingin As always,thechildrenshowedtheirunderstandingand compassion

CareersWeeksawthepupilsexploringlotsofdifferent typesofcareers,andstartingtothinkaboutwhatthey mightliketodowhentheyareolder.

ThefactthatInternationalWomen’sdaycoincided withScienceweekmeantthatwewereabletofocus ourworkontheamazingachievementsthatwomenin STEMhaveachievedovertheyears,andIamhopeful thatthiswillhaveinspiredmanyofourgirlstopursue afutureinthisarea.

Finally,thepenultimateweekofthetermwas NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek MissMilburn deliveredanexcellentassemblythatexplainedthatall ofourbrainsarewireddifferently,andthatweshould alwayscelebratethisfact.

TheWellbeingQuestionnairesthatthechildreninYears 3to8completedpriortohalftermshowedthatthey feelsafeandwelllookedafterinSchool Thisis confirmedbythedaytodayinteractionsthatIhave withthem,whentheyarealwayshappy,positiveand excitedaboutlifehereatMowdenHall.

Boarding - Mr. Sam Shaw-Kew

Co-Curricular-Mr.SamShaw-Kew

Thisterm,oureveningextra-curricularprogrammehascontinuedtothrive,withalargeproportionof PrepSchoolpupilstakingpartinactivitieseachnight Ourbroadofferspansfivekeyareas:sportand physicalfitness,creativearts,academicenrichment,socialopportunitiesandlifeskills,ensuringthereis somethingforeveryone

Wehavebeendelightedbytheenthusiasticresponsetoseveralnewadditionsthisterm,including HorribleHistoriesClub,CosyBookClubandGirls’Rugby,allofwhichhavequicklybecomefirmfavourites. Alongsidethese,ourlong-standingactivitiessuchascrosscountryrunning,STEMClubandourvaried swimmingsessionsremainaspopularasever

Lookingaheadtonextterm,weareexcitedtomakethemostofthewarmerweatherbytakingactivities outdoorswhereverpossible Thereturnofsummerfavouritessuchasfieldathletics,outdoorcricketnets andtheever-popularNerfWarsissuretobeeagerlyanticipated.

sideand11-asideformatgameswithTerringtonHall, AmpleforthCollegeandBarnardCastle Thetourwas thoroughlyenjoyedbyallinvolvedandwillnodoubt bealastingmemory

Swimminghascontinuedtogrowasanareaof strengththisterm Wehaveintroducedagreater numberofswimminggalas,includingmeetswith BarnardCastle,homeandawayandOvingham MiddleSchoolwhowehavehosted,whichhave providedmorepupilswiththeopportunityto representtheschool Additionally,weenteredIAPS swimmingforthefirsttime,anexcitingstepforward andintroducedblocktrainingatRGStofurther supportskilldevelopmentandperformance These initiativeshavebeenwellreceivedandmarkan importantprogressioninourswimmingprogramme.

Ithasalsobeenfantastictoseetheenthusiasmwith whichgirlsinYears5–8haveembracedrugby sessions,followinganinspiringassemblyearlyinthe termfromMayCampbell,EnglandandSaracens Women'sRugby.Participationlevelshavebeen excellent,withpupilsshowingawillingnesstolearn newskillsandengagepositivelywiththephysicaland tacticalaspectsofthegame Asaresultofthis growinginterestandcommitment,theU11girlshave beeninvitedtotakepartinatournamentatthestart ofthesummerterm anexcitingopportunityanda testamenttotheirprogress.

Overall,thistermhasbeencharacterisedbystrong participation,notableachievements,andaclear senseofenjoymentacrossallareasofsport Welook forwardtobuildingonthismomentuminthecoming months WeareexcitedfortheupcomingSummer termandwhatwecanbringtotheupcoming athleticsandCricketseasons.

Art - Mrs. Sarah Thompson-Halsey

Year6pupilscompletedtheir3Dcakedesignsusing papermache,modrocandclay Theyhaveproduced someuniquepieceslinkedtotheirinterestsand hobbies Iwasthrilledthatallpupilswereboldand brave.Wethenmovedontothetopic‘Illustrationand Collage’wherethepupilsdevelopedtheir observationaldrawingskillstoproduceaclassfinal piece

Year7pupilsmovedonfromtheirsculpturetopicin theAutumntermtothetopic‘TheElements’inthe Springterm.Theywereencouragedtoresearchand developtheirownfinalpieceinspiredbyartistssuch asLauraCasini(water&fire),LnLeCheviller,Damien Hirst(Earth,Air,Fire,Water,2004)andTonySmibert Thepupilshaveproducedarangeofmixedmedia piecesusingdifferentscalesandcompositions

Year8havebeenworkingonT-shirtdesignsthisterm linkedtoathemeofinterest.Theyhaveexplored differentformsofdrawingtocomeupwithafinal design Theyhavehadtothinkaboutscale, composition,colour,lineandshapewithintheir designs Weverymuchlookforwardtowelcoming youintoschooltoseeallpupils'artworkwhichwillbe exhibitedinourendofyearArtexhibitioninJune.

Music-Mr.MickFowlds

TheMusicDepartmenthashadarelativelyquietterm,recoveringfromahecticChristmasprogramme andalongandproductiveAutumnTerm MrSmithtookonmoreresponsibilitiesasMrFowldsbeganto winddownaheadofhisretirement,andheplayedakeyroleinboththeYear5and6productionsof ‘Matilda’and‘TheTempest’.

Theperipateticteachershaveworkedhardtopromoteensembleplayingthisterm,andtheorchestra andbigbandwillgettheirchancetoshineintheSpeechDayConcert.Theyhavepreparedasmall groupofchildrenfortheirABRSMexams(resultsduesoon)andenjoyedestablishinganewgroupof futureinstrumentalistsfromYear3

Wehaveproducedtwoconcertsthisterm InJanuaryweshowcasedtalentfromacrossthewhole schoolanditwaslovelytoseethecontrastbetweenabsolutebeginnersandwellestablishedperformers Itisnevertoolatetostartlearninganinstrument,asThomasDinsmoreshowedwithhissaxophone solo,whileasmallgroupofYear4sshowedhowquicklyprogresscanbemade AngusMarshall (trumpet),ZanderMackie(saxophone)andLeonLi(drums)willsurelybecomethestarsoftheMusic departmentintheyearstocome.

EarlyinMarch,Years3and4combinedtogiveaconcerttotheirfamilies,withYears1and2joiningusto fillthetheatreandenjoythefun.Everyonetookpart,tryingtheirabsolutebest,anditwasgreattosee thewiderangeofinstrumentalmusicinthelowerschool.WatchingtheYear1and2childrenasthey movedtothemusicwasfuntosee,andmanyofthemwillhavebeeninspiredbywhattheysawand heard Ithinksomeoftheparentswerequitesurprisedtoseehowtheirchildrencopedwiththepressure ofperforminglivetoanaudience

ArchieDaleandFredUlothhavebothbeenawardedMusicScholarshipsthisyearandtheSpeechDay concertwillbeourlastchancetoseethemperformatMowden,alongwithquiteafewoftheirequally talentedpeers.ThisshouldmakeforanexcitingSummerTerm,somethingforallofustolookforwardto.

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