As we come to the end of another busy week at SVPS, there is just time to take a breath before the fun continues with tomorrow’s SVPSPA Christmas Fair.

Our School Christmas Tree was unveiled this morning, during a busy Celebration Assembly, replete with baubles created, made and donated by the children in each class of the School.  As such, it is resplendent with a unique mixture of decorations; some are big, some small, some sparkly, some more understated. Each bauble has its place and contributes to the whole.  I heartily recommend you to have a close look tomorrow, to admire the range of adornments on show.

As with our tree, so it is with our School.  We pride ourselves on being a community where each cares for all and individuality is cherished.  This morning I announced the winners of the Prep School Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2019 competition, which was truly a display of all creatures, great and small!  Highly commended awards went to photos of shield bugs and lions, coyotes and snails amongst a host of others.  Congratulations to Eve and Charlotte for their winning photos which can be seen outside the Changing Rooms, in the Coles Building, as well as on the School’s Twitter account (@svsprep).

Celebration Assembly also marked the first time we have formally celebrated those children in our School Community who have gone Above and Beyond in their demonstrations of the Learning Powers that we have been talking about so much this term.  Because we have not had an assembly for a couple of weeks, it was brilliant to see quite how many of the children have received one of these accolades, predominantly for independence, initiative, empathy or reflection, all of which we have highlighted as key skills in the pursuit of effective learning.

The whole School has been busy with Maths Week, led expertly by Mrs Skelly.  As well as escape rooms, puzzles and some energetic maths games, the children have been completing a whole number of mathematical investigations, inspired by the humble jelly bean.  Many skills have been honed across various classes, including those of statistics, measuring, counting, sorting, calculating and much more besides.  We have also had a French play for Years 5 and 6 to add to the exciting learning taking place.

As if that were not enough, preparations for the festive period are in full swing, with nativities, pantomimes and carol services just around the corner.  All in all, it is just another normal week in the life of our vibrant, busy School.