Independent Schools

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Newbury Weekly News

Thorngrove School

tance went on to represent the school at the IAPS Nationals in Birmingham. To cap it off Fraser Hart and Millie Quaintance were awarded Sports Scholarships to Millfield School, Somerset. On the music front, the Music Festival in the spring term was amazing with more than 150 performances and visiting judges from Abingdon and Monkton Combe senior schools. In the summer term, the clarinet ensemble played at the Highclere Church Fete, the Junior Choir sang outside St. Nicolas Church in Newbury on Father’s Day and a combined Thorngrove choir sang in a joint concert with the Andover Light Orchestra to commemorate the Battle of the Somme. To top it all the summer concert was a musical extravaganza, which included an amazing compilation of songs from the West End hit musical Les Miser- ables , with a huge French flag waving in the background. In Year 8, Leo Garrett was awarded a music exhibition to Bradfield College and James Daly was awarded a music schol- arship to Abingdon School. On the drama front, the Upper School play, Spoo-Quay was enjoyed by children and parents alike. It was superbly acted and the clever animation on the back- ground only added to the overall spectacle.

The final dance involving the two main actors was moving and beautiful. The Middle School stunned an appreciative audience with their take on Shakespeare’s Macbeth . Children in Years 3 to 5 worked with two professional actors from the Young Shakespeare Company to produce the most gruesome and murderous show- case in less than a week. Not to be outdone, the Lower School’s summer show Tatty- bogle ’ was a colourful, clever and creative performance. Finally, the school’s LAMDA teacher Mrs Lee-Delisle held a delightful teatime recital towards the end of the summer term. The children achieved some fabulous results this year with all of them being awarded merits or distinctions in all their drama exams. As you can see, Thorngrove is a busy, exciting and above all fun place to be. Please join them for their Open Morning on Friday, October 7 between 9am-11am. There will be tours of the school followed by the chance to meet heads of departments and other key staff. Call Mary or Bev in the office to reserve your place on (01635) 253172.

THORNGROVE School stands out from the crowd for a number of reasons. Everywhere you look, the chil- dren are happy, having fun in their lessons and actively engaged in their learning. It is clear that the teachers really do love teaching the children and lessons are exciting, fun and inspirational. The grounds are quite magical, beautifully kept and the best place to explore, have fun and be active in sport and play. Mr King, the Headmaster, who has been at the school for 12 years, believes that having fun is the key to learning. He is also keen to support every child’s wellbeing and the school is currently investing in an extensive programme to teach Mindfulness. On the sports front, for the first time in the school’s history the 1st XI hockey team were Berk- shire County Champions beating Lambrook, Eagle House and St. Andrew’s and were the South of England Plate runners-up. In the same term, the boys were also placed 6th in the National IAPS Basketball Championships. In the summer term, athletics came to the fore. The school had five Hampshire County finalists. Three pupils were crowned District Champi- ons at the West Surrey Prep Schools Championships and Alex Price and Millie Quain-

INSPIRATION CONFIDENCE ACHIEVEMENT

A leading prep school for children between 2 ½ and 13 years, located in Highclere near Newbury, on the border of Hampshire and Berkshire. Co-educational at all ages Rated ‘excellent’ in 2013 inspection Purpose-built facilities in 25 acres of grounds After-school care and clubs Top scholarships awarded to senior schools

OPEN DAY Friday 7 th October, 9am-11am

Take a tour of the school, see it in action and meet current pupils, staff and parents.

Limited spaces - book now with the school office on 01635 253172.

‘The surroundings are the stuff of childhood bliss.’ Tatler ‘Top Prep School Guide’ 2013

www.thorngroveschool.co.uk

The Mount, Highclere, Newbury, RG20 9PS Call: (01635) 253172