This week’s newsletter for Rossall Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School.
Dear All
As we draw this half-term to a close, it is hard to believe how much we have packed into just a few short weeks. From inspiring author visits to sports triumphs, creative performances, and charitable initiatives, the energy and enthusiasm from everyone in our community have been simply outstanding.
Today, we were thrilled to welcome Stephanie Kwok, author of Granny Gets Golf, for an inspiring and delightful visit. Stephanie captivated our children with her creative storytelling, and her message of embracing new challenges, no matter your age, truly resonated with the children. Many of them left the talk eager to pick up their golf clubs and follow in Granny’s footsteps! The visit was a reminder of the joy of reading and the power of a good story to spark new interests.
Our annual House Poetry Competition was another high point of the week, with pupils showcasing their creativity and public speaking talents. The quality of the performances was exceptional, and the competitive spirit was alive and well as each house cheered on their representatives. It was a pleasure to see our pupils embrace poetry with such enthusiasm; I am so proud of all the participants for their courage and effort.
On the sports front, it has been a thrilling week. Our football and netball fixtures against St. Pius were hard-fought, and the pupils displayed excellent teamwork and resilience. However, the crowning moment was our victory at the AJIS football round-robin competition, where we triumphed over Birkenhead, Stockport, and Newcastle-under-Lyme to progress in the tournament. The skill and determination of our team were remarkable, and they have made us all incredibly proud as they progress to the next stages of the competition.
Rossall Rhinos Rampage to Finals: Unstoppable U11s Shine at Birkenhead Festival!
Rossall’s U11 football team delivered a thrilling performance at the Birkenhead U11 Football Festival, emerging as winners and securing their place in the finals. Their campaign began with a commanding 2-0 win over Birkenhead, where Rossall’s sharp attacking play and rock-solid defense set the tone. Quick passing and clinical finishing sealed an impressive victory against our hosts.
The second match against Newcastle Under Lyme was a rollercoaster. Rossall raced to a 2-0 lead, displaying fantastic teamwork and energy. But Newcastle Under Lyme fought back, scoring twice to level the game. As the clock ticked down, Rossall pushed hard for the winner, but a stunning save from Newcastle’s goalkeeper denied them the decisive goal in a nail-biting 2-2 draw.
The final match saw Rossall hit top gear with a scintillating 6-0 victory over Stockport Grammar. From the very first whistle, they dominated possession and pressurised Stockport’s defense with fluid, attacking football. The goals flowed freely, with Rossall’s forward line combining brilliantly, and their midfield pulling the strings. The defense remained impenetrable, keeping Stockport’s chances to a minimum.
With two wins and a draw, Rossall stormed to the top of their group, qualifying for the finals in style. Their determination, skill, and teamwork shone throughout, and they now head into the finals with great momentum and confidence. A truly outstanding display of Prep School football!We also had the pleasure of hosting our first Parents’ Evenings, this week. It was wonderful to meet so many of you and share in the progress and achievements of your children. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated, and these evenings are a valuable opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and School, ensuring that every child is thriving both academically and personally.
Rossall’s Teamwork Triumph: U11s Secure 3-1 Win Over St Pius
The Rossall Rams football team delivered a brilliant 3-1 victory against our friends from St Pius, showcasing excellent teamwork and determination throughout. The match started with Rossall dominating possession, and their efforts were soon rewarded with a well-worked opening goal, following some sharp passing and movement. Confidence grew, and a second goal quickly followed as the team’s attacking chemistry shone through.
Rossall’s defense remained solid, frustrating St Pius’s attempts to get back into the game. Midway through the second half, another slick team move led to a third goal, giving Rossall a comfortable lead. St Pius showed great spirit, pulling a goal back near the end.
The final whistle blew, securing Rossall’s 3-1 victory. With great teamwork and a strong all-round performance, the Rams celebrated a fantastic win, continuing their impressive form this season. Well done, boys!
Our Music Assembly Concert on Wednesday was a true celebration of talent, featuring stunning performances from so many individuals across the School. From instrumental solos to the magnificent Year 6 choir performance, the concert highlighted the breadth of musical talent within our School and highlighted the positive impact of our Prep Instrumental Programme. It was a joy to watch the pupils perform with such confidence and passion, and I know we will be hearing much more from our budding musicians in the future.
In addition to our busy academic and sporting schedule, we took time to focus on mental health and wellbeing with our Wear Something Yellow for Mental Health and Wellbeing Day. The day was a joyful splash of colour, and I am delighted to announce that we raised a significant sum for deserving charities. Thank you all for your generosity and support of this important cause.
Finally, our youngest pupils in Reception brought the magic of stories to life with their Book Character Day. Seeing them arrive at school dressed as their favourite literary characters was a true delight. Their excitement for reading and their imaginative costumes were infectious, and the day was filled with excitement and creativity.
During today’s assembly, I set all of the children a half-term challenge to read a minimum of one book each. They all readily accepted and I look forward to them telling teachers about their books upon our return! As we look ahead to what is always a magical time of year in the Prep School in the run-up to the festive season, I would like to wish all of you a restful and well-deserved break. We look forward to seeing you all again on Monday 28th October.
Mr M Turner
Headmaster of Preparatory School & Nursery
STEM Club
We tested our designs today to withstand an earthquake using the shake test with a tray of sand and some weighted balls. It was great to put our designs and ideas to the test and see how we could improve our designs next time.
We cannot wait for next term where we will take a look at Pasta Bridges!
U10/11 Netball
Rossall v St Pius X
Rossall Prep fielded three netball teams on Wednesday afternoon, to play against St Pius X Prep. The hard work on the netball court, and in training this half term has really paid off! The Rossall teams produced their finest performances to date. The girls all now have superb positional awareness, as well as the skills both on and off the ball, to implement effectively into their match play. Well done to all the netball squad for the commitment and dedication you have shown this half term!
Year 6
What an action-packed and incredible half-term it has been! The past six weeks have been filled with exciting learning, unforgettable experiences, and so much fun that it’s hard to believe we’ve come to an end already.
This week, we wrapped things up with our highly anticipated House Poetry Competition. And while the house performances on Friday were a blast, for Mrs. Kenmare and me (Mrs. Scott), the real magic happened in the classroom. Watching the students step up with such confidence and deliver their individual poetry pieces was simply incredible! It’s moments like these that show how much our students grow in just a few short weeks. At Rossall, our house competitions offer something for everyone—whether you’re into poetry, football, singing, cross-country, athletics, or anything in between!
Wednesday brought another standout moment, as our Year 6 choir stole the show at the Assembly Concert with their breathtaking rendition of David Waggoner’s Child of Peace. Their performance was not only beautiful but also a perfect way to wrap up our ‘Peace and Conflict’ topic in humanities. In class, the students have been working as mini-historians, learning how to interrogate sources and question the truth behind photos and accounts of evacuee life during World War II. They asked all the right questions and dug deep into the past.
In Religious Studies, we dove into the fascinating world of humanism, exploring the key ideas and learning about some incredible humanists from history. We were shocked to find out that George Eliot, one of literature’s greats, was actually a woman named Marian Evans, who used a male pen name to get published! We reflected on how much has changed, and how important it is to keep building a world where kindness and fairness are for everyone.
For our final week in the kitchen as part of Rossall Rotation, we had a fun and delicious experience baking cupcakes. We enjoyed learning new baking techniques, from cracking the eggs to mixing the batter. It was a sweet way to wrap up our time in the kitchen, with everyone proud of their tasty creations!
As we look back on these whirlwind six weeks, Mrs Kenmare and I are beyond proud of all the students have achieved. They have worked hard, risen to every challenge, and had a lot of fun along the way. Now, it’s time for a well-deserved break, and we can’t wait to see everyone return recharged and ready for even more exciting adventures!
Year 5
The class have made an outstanding start to Year 5 and the achievements that we have made individually and collectively this first half term have been extremely impressive and rewarding.
This week has seen the class prepare and perform poems in the House Poetry Competition. Firstly in the class preliminary round, where the children loved listening to each other’s recitals of classics like ‘The Ning Nang Nong’ and ‘The Owl and The Pussy Cat’, before all taking part in the team competition, where they worked together confidently to perform on the big stage in ‘Big School’ like Shakespearean actors!
This week has given many of the children the opportunity to demonstrate their talents for the stage, and our Assembly Concert was a big hit with the Year 5 children leading the way with outstanding performances on a range of instruments, including dazzling vocals.
Our Forest School activity in Rossall Rotation was a trick or treat, with the children getting into the Halloween mood discovering creepy crawlies and creating witches potions to make spooky spells!
Well done, Year 5, have a wonderful half term!
Year 4
Our recent focus in English this week has been on the power of poetry, as the children have been discovering how to express their thoughts and emotions creatively. In preparation for the House Poetry Competition, the class had been enthusiastically exploring exciting vocabulary to bring their ideas to life. We had a fantastic time reading them aloud to our class and hearing other children’s thoughts and feedback. It was great to celebrate how hard everyone had worked on their individual pieces.
“So, Fox learnt a lesson, one quite clear,
It’s not about the socks – it’s how you steer!
Whether in space or on a stage,
It’s your clever ideas that steal the page!”
On Tuesday, we held our well-being afternoon, where the children took part in thoughtful discussions centred around vital topics such as conflict resolution and fostering positive friendships. This activity encouraged our children to reflect on their own experiences and develop strategies for being exemplary friends within the school community. The insights shared were invaluable, and we believe they will help to reinforce a supportive environment for all. Our favourite line from the afternoon came from Arla who could not say it any better: “A friend should be someone who is always there and willing to lend a hand when you are in need.”
Finally, we concluded our Rossall Rotation activities of the half term with a visit to the farm, where the children had the opportunity to apply the skills they have garnered throughout the term. Working collaboratively, they finished planting and tending to the seeds and assisted in caring for the animals one last time. This hands-on experience reinforced the importance of teamwork and responsibility, while also deepening their understanding of nature and agriculture. A huge thank you must be given to the staff who have helped run this activity, the children have returned to class each week eyes sparkling and full of exciting stories to tell.
We are incredibly proud of our Year 4 pupils and the progress they have all made this half term. Please enjoy the photos below of the children’s end-of-half-term art project. They have been exploring how simple shapes cut from wallpaper and cards can be made into interesting designs and levelled up using marker pens.
Year 3
As we reach the final week of the half term, it is remarkable to reflect on the six wonderful weeks we have spent together in Year 3.
In English, we concluded our final writing task by composing letters to Grandad from the perspective of the main character. To support our writing, we examined a range of example letters to identify key features. Students then crafted their own letters, incorporating paragraphs using prepositions, as well as interesting verbs and adjectives.
Additionally, we were thrilled to welcome Stephanie Kwok, the author of Granny Gets Golf, for a visit. A very exciting way to end the term!
On Thursday, we enjoyed our last Rossall Rotation of the term, concluding our memorable experience at Beach Schools. Year 3 has fully embraced the opportunity to explore and learn in this outdoor environment.
In Humanities, we have been studying the water cycle and investigating weather conditions. Our hands-on approach to this has involved setting up a station to capture and measure rainfall along with designing kites.
Year 2
The last week of half term and yet again Year 2 have been busy and working hard!
Earlier in the week, the children sampled different foods and classified them using the Eat Well Plate. We then thought about our own meals and worked out how many ‘treats’ they had over the week!
Later in the week, we had a visit from author Stephanie Kwok whose book Granny Gets Golf was the focus. The children were a fantastic audience and asked some intelligent questions!
Finally, the children had their last Astronomy session as part of Rossall Rotation. The children looked at the stars and were able to see Orion’s Belt, The Big Dipper and linked the stars to Greek mythology.
Year 1
How is it already the end of our first half term in Year 1? We have had such a great start to this academic year and I am so proud of how hard the children have worked so far. This week we celebrated World Mental Health Day and had an assembly to learn about wellbeing, feelings and our mental health. We talked about how we can look after our mental health and thought about strategies to help us. It was lovely to see a splash of yellow in our classroom to acknowledge the day.
In Maths, we have been learning about fact families and number bonds. We have been using the part-whole model to help us understand the numbers that belong in a fact family. It has been tricky, but we have persevered and now we are developing our understanding.
In English, we have completed our final piece of writing and written our own versions of Lost and Found. We have had stories about lost unicorns, snakes, crocodiles and bunnies to name a few! We have used the original story of Lost and Found as our stimulus and worked hard to write in full sentences using finger spaces, full stops and capital letters.
We also had our final session of Golf in Rossall Rotation this week, and on Friday we had a visit from a local author, Stephanie Kwok. Stephanie is the author of a book called Granny Gets Golf. With so many keen golfers in the class, they loved listening to a reading of the story and having the chance to ask questions about her writing.
Next term we are looking forward to baking some delicious things in the Rossall Kitchen.
Reception
This week, the Reception Class had a wonderful visit to the Chapel, and it was a very special experience for everyone! We were lucky enough to meet Rosie the puppet, who helped us learn lots of new words like pew, altar, and pulpit. The children were so engaged as Rosie guided them around the Chapel and taught them what each part is used for.
We also had a special performance from one of our students, Rosie, who played both lively and calming music on the organ, filling the Chapel with beautiful sounds.
During our visit, we learned a little bit about the history of the Chapel, and the children had lots of fun with a treasure hunt! They had to find six things hidden around the Chapel: Noah’s Ark, George and the Dragon, a donkey, some candles, Jesus teaching children, and some angels. The children were very enthusiastic and did an amazing job spotting all the items!
The children were so well-behaved that we were invited back for a storytime in the Chapel soon. We are all looking forward to another visit!
Nursery
This week in Nursery we have focused on Understanding the World.
Sanderlings
This week the Sanderlings have been learning all about the world around them. There have been many activities to support this. The staff have introduced real pumpkins and flowers of all different shapes, sizes and colours for the children to play with. This allows investigative and exploratory play. Some of the children liked picking the petals off the flowers and watching them fall to the ground. In the garden, the children have been using the cars and balls to push through the guttering and roll down the ramps. In addition, the children have taken a keen interest in some of the musical instruments and this has led to listening to music from different cultures. This has coincided with Black History Month and the children (and staff) enjoyed listening to songs from Africa. To help promote independence, the older children have been encouraged to tidy up. Staff have supported the children to put toys back where they belong.
Sandpipers
It has been another busy week with lots more fun and engaging activities. Autumn is in full swing and the staff have been talking to the children about the life cycle of a pumpkin. This then led to a pumpkin hunt in the classroom, in the garden and even around the Rossall grounds. The children really enjoyed searching high and low for pumpkins of all sizes and colours. Whilst in the outdoor environment, the practitioners challenged the children to look at different objects and how they can be described. Some examples were, ‘green grass’, ‘big house’, and ‘blue sky’. As Halloween fast approaches, the children have been creating some lovely artwork to display in the room. Spiders, bats, witches, cats and skeletons were all discussed and then various colours were used in the form of paint, crayons and tissue paper. Finally, group time this week has centred around different cultures. Staff have explained foods from other countries and also different languages spoken. The children had a go at saying ‘Hello’ and ‘Goodbye’ in French and Spanish.
Pre School:
This week has seen the continuation of the book of the month, ‘Room on the Broom’. The children went on a walk around the grounds in search of ingredients to make a witch’s potion. There was mud, some stones, leaves, feathers and sticks. Once everything had been collected, it was back to the Nursery to stir it all up in the cauldron. On Thursday, there was a visit from one of the sports coaches from Fleetwood Town FC who came to provide a training session for the children. They were all very excited and participated extremely well. It was a great success! The Pre-School staff have worked hard to provide lovely environments for the children to play, explore and investigate. Loose parts, such as flowers, conkers, sticks and grass have been used to allow the children to create their faces using these different materials.
Awards
Year 6
6R – Aaron for showing curiosity and independence in his Home Learning and Florence for showing curiosity, perseverance and independence in Mathematics.
6S – Olivia M for showing creativity and curiosity in her Home Learning and Humanities and Olivia T for showing resilience, determination and good leadership.
Year 5
Stanley for being an outstanding role model and kind friend to others.
Romano for outstanding leadership and contribution in class.
Year 4
Ayanna for working incredibly hard all term and demonstrating brilliant resilience when faced with new and difficult challenges.
Harry for a brilliant effort all half term with the home learning tasks, showcasing your enthusiasm for your learning both in and out of school.
Year 3
Jessica for demonstrating an enthusiastic approach to learning and working hard to add lots of detail to work.
Teigan for genuine curiosity and eagerness to contribute to class discussions, as well as persistence and determination with handwriting.
Year 2
Vova for putting in extra effort in his work this week.
Rupert for improved effort across all subjects.
Year 1
Leo for fantastic effort with his storywriting.
Ted for trying his best and persevering with his Maths work.
Reception
Arthur and Lucy for asking and answering lots of questions during our recent visit to the school chapel.
