This Week at Edge Grove

What a fantastic and enriching week it has been across our Early Years and Key Stage 1 classrooms! The sunshine has certainly added an extra spark to our learning, whether it was the Nursery children delighting in their farm adventure, Reception exploring the world of time through Tiddler’s story, or Year 1 getting their hands messy with multiplication arrays. It has been wonderful to see so much curiosity and excitement as the children immerse themselves in new experiences, both in and out of the classroom.

Our little learners continue to amaze us with their growing confidence and enthusiasm. From the joy of feeding lambs and hunting for digraphs to discovering the mysteries of the pyramids and investigating life cycles, every child has played an active role in their learning. We are so proud of their creativity, perseverance, and ability to make meaningful connections across different subjects. As we prepare for the much-anticipated EYFS Spring Concert next week, we know the children are eager to showcase their hard work, and we cannot wait to welcome you for this special occasion.

As we approach the end of term, we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support. The children’s energy and enthusiasm are a reflection of the encouragement and care they receive both at school and at home. We wish you all a restful and joyful weekend, and we look forward to another exciting week ahead!

Mrs Hodge and Mrs Wynne

Nursery

We were blessed with glorious sunshine this week to accompany our nursery children to Aldenham Country Farm. The children had the opportunity to see and feed all the animals on the farm that we have been learning about over the past week, including poultry, pigs, cows and goats. We were treated to a marvellous presentation about lambs from the farmer, and the children all had a go at holding the milk bottle to feed them! There were a few very excitable characters, all named after different types of coffee (the sheep, not the children!)! 

After thoroughly washing our hands, we picnicked in the sunshine and rounded off the trip exploring the fantastic adventure playground. 

Back at school, we have been learning about creatures which you certainly will not find on a farm: dinosaurs! We used our phonics knowledge to create some “d for dinosaur” pictures, as well as being archaeologists and making our own dinosaur bones! The children have also loved being able to explore capacity with water outside in the sunshine, and we have been practising recognising if objects are empty, half full or full.

Reception

Starfish…yes Miss Davies, Jellyfish….  Yes Miss Lamptey Senior, Shark…. Yes Miss Norali, Tiddler…. TIDDLERS LATE! What an amazing chance we have had this week to do some super, cross curricular learning. In maths we learnt all about telling the time, we made giant clocks using our bodies as the hands and spotted that the little hand is the hour hand. Throughout the day the children have used the watches that they made, and the clocks in the classrooms to point out the time. 9 o’clock phonics time, 10 o’clock breaktime and 3 o’clock nearly home time! In English we have continued our focus on verbs. The children created a scene for Tiddler to be doing an action, then wrote their own sentences including their chosen verbs. 

In phonics we have moved onto digraphs and are trying to be digraph detectives; listening for if the digraph comes at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of the word. This weeks sounds have been th and ng. 

As we are seeing glimmers of sunnier weather, please may you ensure that all clothes, including jumpers, are labelled. We look forward to welcoming you to our special EYFS Spring Concert next week!

Year 1

Mr A, Mr E, Mr I, O, U! This week’s phonics sessions have focused on our vowels as we explored split digraphs. The children have loved learning about the cheeky letters and why they need to be separated with a consonant. 

Our broad beans are starting to shoot and we are enjoying watering them each day and making sure they have lots of sunshine to grow healthy. We have been monitoring their growth in our bean diary and were excited to see the first shoots come out.

We travelled to the continent of Africa to find out more about its amazing landmarks, culture and animals. The children were so enthusiastic about this session and we extended our knowledge to focus in on some landmarks that particularly inspired them. The Pyramids of Giza was a hit and the children were fascinated by its history. Coincidentally, it has been in the news recently with regard to a hidden city underneath it.

The children have been wowing us again this week in maths where we explored arrays. They are pictorial representations of multiplication using rows. We especially enjoyed getting messy with finger painting to show each array. 

We look forward to watching the EYFS Spring Concert next week, Easter crafts, as well as joining the whole school in an end of term assembly.

Year 2 

In our maths lessons, we have been exploring the concept of time. The children are learning to read both digital and analogue clocks, becoming confident in understanding ‘quarter to’ and ‘quarter past’. Additionally, they are practising recognising five-minute intervals. This foundational knowledge is being applied to solve engaging word problems, enhancing their problem-solving skills. We also have been revisiting previous concepts such as fractions and money in order to keep the skills fresh in our minds! 

Our focus in PSHE this term has been on teaching the children how to keep themselves safe and understand the importance of privacy concerning their body parts. We are working with the NSPCC’s valuable resources to ensure the children grasp these essential principles.

In science, we are embarking on a fascinating journey into animal life cycles. The children are learning about various animal offspring and their respective life stages. We are celebrating their curiosity and enthusiasm as they discover the wonders of the animal kingdom.

Dear Parents,

The magic of storytelling came alive once more at Edge Grove as our Year 5 children took to the stage for An Evening of Disney. It was a night filled with music, emotion, and the boundless energy of young performers eager to share their talents with an enchanted audience. The evening was a testament to the power of performance to bring joy and inspiration to all.

Acting is an art that has been passed down through generations, an enduring tradition that binds us to those who have come before. From the grand stages of Shakespearean theatre to the beloved musical numbers of Disney, the act of stepping into another character’s shoes is one of both great courage and deep generosity. For me, what makes performance truly remarkable is its selfless nature—those who perform do so for the benefit of others, knowing that they themselves can never experience the show as an audience member. It is an act of pure altruism, a gift given without expectation of personal reward beyond the knowledge that they have created something beautiful for others to enjoy.

To our MVPs, Mrs Allen and Mr Evans (the Susan Stroman and Mel Brooks of Edge Grove), I hope you know how valuable you are to this school – what an absolute triumph you coordinated – thank you for your unwavering commitment to creativity, musicality and performance at Edge Grove.

To our incredible Year 5 performers: your dedication and enthusiasm have upheld this noble tradition, and your efforts have left an indelible mark on all who were lucky enough to watch. Through your hard work, you reminded us of the wonder of live performance, the magic of storytelling, and the joy of coming together to share in something truly special.

Mr Thorne
Assistant Head (Middle Department)

Mrs Fox writes…

This week, 3W delivered a fantastic presentation to the middle school on the importance of creativity, impressing everyone with their Animuddles – imaginative creatures formed by combining two different animals. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and the audience was excited to create their own unique designs.

In History, we revisited all our learning on the Tudors, completing our striking Tudor-style portraits and designing personalised coats of arms. Each creation featured symbols representing strength, power, and justice, showcasing both creativity and historical understanding.

In Science, 3W explored UV protection by designing their own sunglasses, hats, or a combination of both. Their curiosity shone through as they asked insightful questions, deepening their understanding of the world and demonstrating a true love of learning.

Quotes from 3W about their week:

Emma: ‘Maths was my favourite subject this week because we were correcting errors, which was fun!’

Ray: ‘On Wednesday in English we had a really fun Titanic lesson and started to write our newspaper reports.’

Eila: ‘My favourite part of the week was the Year 5 Showcase because it had really funny parts in it!’

Miss Corin writes…

This week, class 3C has been engaging in a fascinating exploration of shadows in our science lessons. The students had the opportunity to create their own shadow puppets, providing an exciting hands-on experience. Notably, Riyan highlighted the importance of using opaque materials for the puppets, as this prevents light from passing through and ensures the desired shadow effect.

During our experiment, we employed two different light sources: natural light from the sun and artificial light from a torch. The pupils eagerly moved their shadow puppets closer to the light source and then further away, observing the changes in the size of the shadows. Reyansh made an astute observation that when the puppet was positioned near the light source, the shadow appeared larger, whereas moving it further away resulted in a smaller shadow. The class thoroughly enjoyed this experiment, relishing the opportunity to discover the relationships between light and shadows.

In our English lessons, we have continued our exploration of the Titanic. This week, we delved into Chapter 6, entitled “Disaster Strikes,” where we uncovered the harrowing details surrounding the sinking of the famous vessel in the Atlantic Ocean. The pupils were deeply captivated by these events, which inspired them to commence the creation of their own newspaper reports recounting the tragedy. 

As we approach the final week of the Spring term, we eagerly anticipate all the enriching experiences that lie ahead for 3C. Thank you for your continued support.

Mrs Senghani writes…

This week has been a fun filled week from science experiments to the year 5 showcase.

Who knew shadow puppets could be so excited. This week in science we continued our work on light, reflections and shadows. The students have been looking at the difference between translucent, transparent and opaque materials and how light and shadows appear different with these materials. The students got creative in line with our value of the fortnight and drew some spectacular templates, they varied from food and drinks to animals and objects. The sun was not on our side, however we managed to create just the right atmosphere with the use of torches, to create shadows. Aari P drew a shark with his teeth, and was able to determine that the shadow becomes bigger as the light is further away from the object, and the shadow is smaller if the direct light is closer..

Zach drew Mario and enjoyed looking at the varying shadows that were created, and how fun science can be.

A huge well done to the year 5’s in their showcase, Arjun was truly inspired by Lucy on the drums, and now would love to take them up himself. We have brilliant role models to look up to and be inspired through.

The final week is next week before a restful two weeks break. I look forward to the excitement building up as the children continue to tell me about their holiday plans.

Year 4 News…

This week, Year 4 had the chance to culminate their sound topic with a fantastic science workshop led by the brilliant “School of Noise.” The children were treated to a rich, hands-on experience, extending their classroom learning through exciting experimentation. The array of instruments was truly impressive, with every child having the chance to play the ethereal theremin and the captivating omnichord, even the teachers had great fun playing them. The students were particularly fascinated by the way sound could be transformed into art, and thoroughly enjoyed manipulating tuning buttons to create unique visual masterpieces.

The children’s enthusiasm was palpable, and their reflections speak volumes:

Kevin: “I liked the ear confuser. I have never experienced something like it.”

Dennis: “It was brilliant, it was the most perfect way to experience sound. I liked being a foley artist and creating snow crunching noises.”

Alexa: “It was a really fun way to explore sound. The omnichord was exciting to play and the Theremin was really interesting.”

Alice: “My favourite instrument was the omnichord and we made music using fruit!”

4F collectively stated: “We thought it was very interactive. We enjoyed making music using fruit. It was such fun.”

Workshops like these provide invaluable opportunities to enhance learning and create lasting memories. It was a perfect way to end our Sound topic. We were also very proud of the excellent behaviour and positive attitude of all the Year 4 children who represented Edge Grove so well throughout the day.

Mrs Toniolo writes…

This week has been packed with exciting activities and memorable moments for 5T! From lending a helping hand to the youngest members of our school community to putting on a dazzling Disney showcase, our pupils have shown teamwork, creativity, and enthusiasm in everything they have done. We have also celebrated sporting success, marveled at the wonders of nature, and enjoyed some hands-on learning in the classroom.

Ariya: On Tuesday, we went down to the Junior department to help out with the Reception children’s morning activities. We played lots of games and we tried to teach them about taking turns, and how important that is. We are looking forward to going back next week to share some stories.

Harry: My personal highlight this week was scoring three tries in the rugby match on Wednesday! We won 7-3 against St John’s. It was a triumphant victory, and I’m really proud of the team! 

Nico: On Thursday, we put on an amazing showcase: ‘An Evening of Disney!’ We performed scenes inspired by ‘Brave’, ‘The Princess and the Frog’, ‘Aladdin’, ‘Snow White’, ‘The Lion King’, ‘Pinocchio’, and more. It was a fantastic night, and everyone did an incredible job bringing the magic of Disney to life!  

Luke: In English, we made ‘messages in a bottle’, which was such a fun activity! I also can’t wait for our upcoming science trip—it’s going to be a great adventure!

Hridaan: I was so excited when my app told me that the Northern Lights were visible over England! It was amazing to think that such a rare and beautiful event was happening right above us.  

Mr Russell writes…

Firstly, we must extend a huge congratulations to all the children for their absolutely amazing performances during the Year 5 Showcase, “An Evening of Disney”! We were so incredibly proud of each and every one of them. Their enthusiasm, energy, and talent shone brightly on stage.

A particular highlight was our whole class rendition of “Be Our Guest,” which was a truly spectacular and joyful performance. The children worked so well together, and it was a delight to see them bring the song to life.

We were also treated to some superb individual performances from the Form, showcasing the diverse talents within 5R. It was wonderful to see the children confidently take to the stage and share their abilities.

A massive shout out must go to Mrs Allen and Mr Evans for their tireless efforts in preparing 5R for the showcase. Their dedication, creativity, and support were instrumental in making the evening such a success. Thank you both for everything you do!

Away from the bright lights of the stage, the boys have also been representing the class brilliantly on the rugby field. They played their last fixtures of the year, signing off with some terrific performances. We were thrilled to hear that Arhaan and Pranay achieved their first win of the rugby season in their final game! Hunter also deserves a special mention for finishing the season strongly, scoring two tries in a convincing away win at St Johns Prep. Well done to all the boys who played!

As we look towards the final week of term, we have one more exciting event on the horizon: our 5R Class Assembly! We are very much looking forward to performing and entertaining Years 3, 4, and 5 during the Middle Department assembly on Monday. Alongside our showcase rehearsals, we have been practising hard, and the children are eager to share what they have been working on.

Thank you again for another fantastic week. Have a lovely weekend.

Mrs Allen writes…

Bravo, Year 5! Thank you and congratulations for bringing An Evening of Disney alive with energy, enthusiasm and magic. 

When brainstorming a project for the Year 5 performance term, I wanted to create something unique, moving beyond the traditional chorus role in which they support and sing in a Year 6 production. My vision was for Year 5 pupils to have their own showcase—a more challenging approach than the Year 4 pantomime and a stepping stone towards the grander Prep School musical—in line with our Performing Arts performance tiers.

The showcase provides pupils with the opportunity to collaborate within their form group and perform an ensemble number, as well as perform in an additional smaller group, ensuring ample time in the spotlight and valuable rehearsal-based skill enhancement.

The theme of Disney resonated with me instantly, and I knew this cohort would enjoy the Disney magic! Disney’s musicals and music are central to its timeless appeal, and I hope you thoroughly enjoyed watching your children bring that magic to life on stage last night!

The Year 5 pupils have put in tremendous effort and I am very proud of them all.

Miss Senior writes…

In English, 5 JSE had lots of fun creating a ‘message in a bottle’ from protagonist Michael as he decides it’s time to be rescued from his tropical island in the Coral Sea.  The children truly captured Michael’s voice, and have shown off a variety of sentence structures and pieces of imagery through their writing.  They had lots of fun staining their messages with tea to create a weathered, ocean-battered look, and many children even brought in bottles to launch the message into the churning waves – just look at the photos below!  Many ‘Michaels’ asked for Kensuke to be rescued with him, and Year 5 are waiting with bated breath to find out what happens as we draw ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ to a close next week.  Year 5 has engaged brilliantly with this unit of work, and the English department is very proud of their efforts.

A huge thank you to the Friends of Edge Grove for the new play time equipment that we have received this week. This includes two new outdoor table tennis tables, new bats and a wide range of break time equipment for the children to play with. 

Last Friday we had the Spring Concert which was a huge success. Thank you to Mr Evans, Mrs Allen and Mr Kay for their hard work in making this such a successful and enjoyable concert. Following on from this we had the magnificent Year 5 Showcase last night which was a fabulous evening. Thank you again to Mrs Allen and Mr Evans and the whole Year 5 team for a great show.

Mr McManus
Assistant Head (Co-Curricular)

Sport Update

Notice: Swimming During the Summer Term

We would like to remind you of the following information regarding swimming during the Summer term:

• Both PE kit and Swimming kit must be in school from Monday morning.
  
• Swimming sessions will be outdoors, so please ensure your child is prepared accordingly.
  
• If your child wishes to wear a rash vest, this is permitted, but it must be black.
  
• Please ensure your child wears a black swimming costume or black shorts/trunks.
  
• House-colored swim hat is required.
  
• Goggles may be worn, but they are optional.

Thank you for your cooperation.

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Performing Arts

It’s been another busy Show-Week in Performing Arts!

Spring Concert

On Friday of last week we held our annual Spring Concert, with stunning performances from all of our musical ensembles, and the Terrific Tenors (registered trademark) of Mr Kay and Mr Evans.  A huge congratulations to all of the pupils involved, and a massive thank you to Mrs Allen, Mr Kay, Ms Brammeld, Ms Wyatt and our Estates Team for making the concert possible!

Classical and Jazz Concert

On Tuesday morning we held our Classical and Jazz Concert.  This is a brilliant opportunity for pupils to gain their first experiences playing in front of an audience.  We had fifteen musical performances ranging from supreme saxophone solos, to dynamically diverse drum pieces and well-practiced piano pieces.  Well done to all involved!

Year 5 Showcase: An Evening of Disney

When brainstorming a project for the Year 5 performance term, I wanted to create something unique, moving beyond the traditional chorus role in which they support and sing in a Year 6 production. My vision was for Year 5 pupils to have their own showcase—a more challenging approach than the Year 4 pantomime and a stepping stone towards the grander Prep School musical—in line with our Performing Arts performance tiers.

The showcase provides pupils with the opportunity to collaborate within their form group and perform an ensemble number, as well as perform in an additional smaller group, ensuring ample time in the spotlight and valuable rehearsal-based skill enhancement.

The theme of Disney resonated with me instantly, and I knew this cohort would enjoy it. Disney’s musicals and music are central to its timeless appeal, and Year 5 certainly brought that magic to life on stage last night!

The Year 5 pupils have put in tremendous effort over the course of this term, and their progress has been vast. We are very proud of you all and hope this is another Edge Grove Performing Arts memory to treasure! 

Friday 21st March

U13 Basketball v Lockers Park
Lockers Park 28 – 22 Edge Grove

The Senior Basketball team travelled to Lockers Park for an afternoon fixture, putting in a strong performance despite a narrow defeat. Representing Edge Grove were Leandro, Isaac, Max S, Timi, Blake, and Tio.

The game started at a steady pace, with Lockers Park taking an early lead at 8-6. However, Edge Grove quickly responded in the second quarter, with Isaac and Max demonstrating excellent teamwork and spatial awareness to shift momentum in our favour. Timi was a standout in defence, frustrating the opposition with his relentless pressure, while Blake’s ability to feed the ball into the key contributed to solid offensive play.

Leandro played exceptionally well in the first two quarters before departing for the Spring Concert, and Isaac provided a highlight moment by scoring the only three-pointer of the game. Edge Grove maintained their lead heading into the fourth quarter, showing great determination and discipline. Unfortunately, Lockers Park capitalised on fresh substitutions in the final minutes, just managing to pull ahead to secure the win.

Despite the 28-22 loss, the team displayed fantastic effort and resilience. Well done, boys—keep fighting and working hard in training sessions.

ESSA Swimming Regionals

Freya, Kiersten, Tommaso and Joshua put on a fantastic display at the recent IAPS regional swimming competition, showing incredible skill and determination throughout the event. With a strong team performance, they secured 3rd place in both the Medley Final and the Freestyle Final, a remarkable achievement that demonstrates their hard work and commitment to the sport. 

In the Medley Final, the team were fractions off a second place finish, with Kiersten leading the way superbly in backstroke, Freya delivering a strong leg in breaststroke, Tommaso pulling away in butterfly and Joshua fighting till the end to secure 3rd place. The freestyle final was just as polished, with smooth transitions and a great display of diving that allowed the team to again secure a fantastic 3rd place against some very strong schools.

With the team finishing in third place in both events, we now eagerly await to see if they’ve qualified for the National Championships. Fingers crossed for the next step in this fantastic journey!

Wednesday 26th March

U12 Rugby v St Margaret’s
Edge Grove 7 – 0 St Margaret’s

Twas the final game of the season, and in another fantastic display of sportsmanship and skill, the U12 rugby team triumphed over St. Margaret’s with a positive 7-0 victory. The boys played a superb game, showcasing their teamwork, discipline, and athleticism from the very first whistle. Despite the scoreline, the boys also demonstrated incredible support for St. Margaret’s who were introducing themselves to the game, and the boys made sure they felt welcomed and respected throughout.

The match saw some thrilling moments, with the team working seamlessly together both in attack and defence. The boys’ camaraderie was particularly notable as they encouraged St. Margaret’s, offering help and advice to the opposition players. It was a true testament to the spirit of rugby and fair play.

Try scorers –  Isaac, Noah, Matt, Blake, Eashan, Max and Aidan.

End of Season Awards:

• Player of the Season: Aidan
  Aidan was a standout player throughout the season, consistently giving his all in every match. His leadership, work ethic, and ability to control the game from the midfield made him a deserving winner of this award.
  
• Coach’s Recognition: Isaac
  Isaac was selected for his outstanding leadership, attitude, dedication, and commitment. His positive impact on the team both on and off the field didn’t go unnoticed, and his support for his teammates was a key factor in the team’s success.
  
• Most Improved: Zachary
  Zachary’s growth throughout the season has been remarkable. His improvement in physical confidence, technical skills and understanding of the game earned him the title of Most Improved Player, a reflection of his hard work and determination.
  
• Wrecking Ball: Bolu
  Bolu’s powerful presence on the field and his ability to break through tackles with relentless energy earned him the Wrecking Ball award. His strength and fearlessness have been a huge asset to the team.
  

A huge congratulations to all the players for their efforts throughout the season! The team has shown incredible progress and spirit, and it has been a joy to watch their development. As we close out the rugby season, we now look forward to a summer term of cricket!

Well done to all!

Edge Grove U11A Rugby – Season Report

It has been an incredible season for the U11A Rugby team, filled with unforgettable moments, immense personal growth, and collective achievement. The squad has impressed at every turn, playing with heart, tenacity, and an unwavering team spirit that has set the bar incredibly high for future Edge Grove teams to follow.

One of the many highlights was winning the prestigious Haileybury U11 Rugby Festival; doing so without conceding a single try. The team also performed admirably at the Beechwood Park 7s, claiming third place, and followed that up with a fantastic performance to win the Plate Competition at the IAPS U11 Rugby Tournament.

The final match of the season, away at St John’s School, was nothing short of a masterclass. We dominated possession from start to finish, rucking and tackling with relentless intensity. The final score 25 tries to 0  was a reflection of the control and power this team has developed. The St John’s coach, a seasoned observer of junior rugby across the country, stated afterwards that he had never seen a better U11 team in all his years of watching. A fitting tribute to this outstanding group of young athletes.

Each player has brought something unique to the team, and the development across the squad has been phenomenal:

• Josh has made remarkable progress, becoming a fierce tackler and using his blistering pace to pose a constant threat to the opposition.
  
• Ishaq has evolved from a playful presence to an aggressive and determined ball carrier and tackler – a transformation that’s been wonderful to witness.
• Ollie has been a true general on the pitch. As our playmaker, he directs the attack with intelligence and flair. His pace and ability to create and finish tries out of nothing has been extraordinary, while his defensive work is equally impressive.
  
• Freddie, our captain and scrum-half, has led by example throughout. His defensive record is almost flawless, missing just one tackle all season. His deceptive speed and smart decision-making have set up countless attacking opportunities, often catching defences completely off guard.
  
• Tommaso is electric close to the try line, combining speed and guile to make him almost unstoppable within five metres. His ability to spot and exploit gaps has added real dynamism to our attack.
  
• Daniel brings strength, intelligence, and versatility. His aggressive ball carrying and clever use of space and timing; changing angles or delaying passes have consistently outwitted opponents. Defensively, he’s a powerhouse.
• John is an elusive runner with excellent footwork and tackling is fierce, often setting the tone for the rest of the team with his physicality in defence.
  
• Alexander is a constant threat on the charge, regularly breaking the line with his power and aggression. His skill at stealing possession at the breakdown has turned many games in our favour.
  
• Nathaniel has used his lightning pace and quick feet to devastating effect, scoring numerous tries and breaking open defences with ease. His counter-rucking has been truly awe-inspiring and pivotal in high-pressure moments.

This has been a truly special group to coach. Their commitment to each other, their willingness to work hard, and their hunger to learn and improve have made them a dream to work with. It is with genuine sadness that we write this final report for a team that has brought so much joy to both myself and Mr Dippenaar. Watching them grow over the years has been a privilege.

We are immensely proud of everything they’ve achieved and have no doubt that this group will go on to accomplish incredible things in sport—both at their next schools and, in many cases, on national and international stages.

What a team. What a season.

U11B Rugby Edge Grove vs St John’s Prep & Senior School
Edge Grove 14 – 6 St John’s 

What a fantastic way to end the season for the U11B rugby team! In a thrilling home fixture against St John’s Prep & Senior School, the boys delivered an outstanding performance, demonstrating determination, skill, and teamwork to secure a commanding victory.

The first half was a tightly contested battle, with Edge Grove edging ahead 5-4 at the break. Elliot W was an absolute force to be reckoned with, tearing through the opposition’s defense with unstoppable pace – no one was catching him! The attacking efforts were superbly supported by Atlas D and Robert G, both of whom showcased brilliant support play and offloading skills, each scoring an impressive three tries.

As the second half kicked off, Edge Grove took complete control of the game, dominating play and extending their lead to a final score of 14-6. Quick ball from Henry W kept the team’s attack flowing smoothly, while the defensive unit was rock solid, with Rafael P, Aksh, and Aydin putting in some excellent work to shut down St John’s attacks.

Special mention must go to the Player of the Match, Ayush M, who put his body on the line time and time again with his fearless tackling, setting the tone for the team’s defensive resilience. Additional support came from A-team players Nathaniel and Alexander GR, whose contributions added to the team’s overall strength and fluidity.

This match was not just a victory; it was a statement of the team’s dedication and spirit throughout the season. For some, this was their final game of rugby at Edge Grove, and what a way to finish! Keep up the massive effort wherever you continue your rugby journey – you’ve done yourselves and the school proud!

U10A Rugby vs St John’s
Edge Grove 9 – 5 St John’s

What a great game of rugby and a fabulous way for the boys to end the season. We were playing against St John’s for the first time so did not really know what to expect but we came out firing, scoring a try from the first phase of play with Tyler running a great line and feeding Tommy who showed great strength and determination to power over the line. St John’s came back into the game but solid defence kept them at bay for long periods. When we did force a mistake and win possession we were ruthless, running with speed and power which was just too much for the opposition to handle. St John’s did have some strong runners and despite some great tackles from Josh, Cooper, Tommy and Tyler they did score some good tries. The boys regrouped and started to play some excellent rugby, passing the ball quickly and creating space out wide for the attacking players. Tommy enjoyed his afternoon, staying on his wing and scoring a number of great tries. Hunter and Jack should take credit for assisting a number of these with some straight running and good, quick handling creating the overlaps. As the game wore on Ved S and Aiwa came more into it, tackling well and rucking effectively to win the ball. Ved S, Hunter and Cooper were all rewarded by scoring tries however this match was a prime example of how good straight running and moving the ball quickly into space results in great team tries. Well done to all the boys but special mention to Tommy for his great defence and try scoring ability.

U10B Rugby vs St John’s
Edge Grove 12 – 6 St John’s 

The Edge Grove Under 10B team travelled, for their final game of the rugby season, to St John’s Prep and secured a fantastic 12-6 victory in an exciting away match. The game was characterised by some great offensive play from Edge Grove, with tries coming from a number of players.

Louis was a constant threat, crossing the try line multiple times, while Chris and Ved also contributed crucial tries to the scoreline.  Adding to the points tally were Itai, Tom, and Riley, who successfully converted opportunities to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

While the attack was firing on all cylinders, the defence was equally impressive. Jack and Luke did a superb job of keeping the team organised and disciplined. A special mention must go to Ved, who put in some ferocious tackles throughout the match, ensuring St John’s Prep struggled to break through and ultimately securing a well-deserved win for Edge Grove.

This was a brilliant team performance from the U10B side, showcasing both their attacking flair and defensive resilience. A great final result to take away from St John’s Prep!

U10C Rugby vs St John’s
Edge Grove 10 – 10 St John’s

Edge Grove’s Under 10C team concluded their rugby season with a battling draw away at St John’s Prep in a match dictated by the significant slope of the pitch.

Playing downhill in the first half, Edge Grove showcased some impressive attacking rugby. Aarin, Chenleng, Ben, and Hridhaan all crossed the try line, contributing to a strong first-half performance. Syon was named man of the match for his excellent contributions throughout the game, including a well-deserved try.

Aman also deserves recognition for his bravery in the tackle, working hard to help Edge Grove maintain their lead going into the break.

The second half presented a different challenge as St John’s Prep utilised the downhill advantage to gain momentum. Edge Grove found themselves under more pressure but displayed great character and determination to hold firm. 

Despite the shift in momentum, the team pushed hard and fought their way to a well-earned draw.

U10D Rugby v St John’s
Edge Grove 7 – 3 St John’s

We had a beautiful afternoon of Rugby ahead of us as the sun was shining to end the season. The boys started strong with a lot of defensive play and great tackling, followed by a turnover allowing a sprint run through the opposition from Aahil to score the teams first try. Joshua followed with an excellent run around all the opposition, however did not make it to the try line on this occasion. The boys defended well, making each touch count. Garv made some brilliant consecutive tags, leading to a turnover, giving Harry a chance to run straight down the line to score his first try. Aahil followed soon after with his second try of the game, leaving the score 3-2 at half time. 

The boys were pumped and ready to attack in the second half, the boys defended the ball really well, getting stuck into touch tags and working hard to get the ball turned over to them. With great teamwork and encouragement the boys kept turning over the ball, allowing them to take advantage with a great run from Joshua R through and then around the opposition scoring his first well earned try. It was not long after Harry flew through the opposition pulling them wide to get his second try of the game. St John’s pushed hard, with a few brilliant tackles from them, making the boys more determined to succeed. The boys passed the ball beautifully through their formation, allowing Joshua R another chance to take a brilliant run to score his second try. Team spirit and energy was running high, and the boys had time for 1 more try, with a brilliant run from Joshua R, and a swift pass to Harry to allow him to continue his attack wide and score his third try for the match.

What a way to finish the rugby season, a great 7-3 win and some excellent sportsmanship and teamwork. Well done boys!

U10/U11 A Girls Football Tournament at Manor Lodge

Edge Grove 0-2 Radlett Prep A
Edge Grove 0-2 Duncombe A
Edge Grove 0-3 STAHS A
Edge Grove 1-1 Beechwood Park A
Edge Grove 1-0 Manor Lodge A
Edge Grove 1-2 RMS A
Edge Grove 0-0 St Edmunds A

The U10/11A girls’ football team faced a tough start to their afternoon, with the challenge of playing one game on and one game off. Despite this, the girls showed great resilience, and after a few games, they found their rhythm. Tilly was solid in goal, making crucial saves to keep the team in the game. Caoimhe proved to be the star of the afternoon, scoring the decisive goals, while Freya played a key role in advancing the ball up the field. Their combined effort helped turn the tide, and the team managed to pull the afternoon back with well-earned victories towards the end of the afternoon.

U10/U11 B Girls Football Tournament at Manor Lodge

Edge Grove 1-0 Beechwood Park B
Edge Grove 4-0 Duncombe B
Edge Grove 0-0 STAHS B
Edge Grove 0-0 St Edmunds B
Edge Grove 2-0 Manor Lodge B
Edge Grove 0-0 Beechwood Park C
Edge Grove 0-0 RMS B

The U10/U11 B girls’ football team had a fantastic afternoon, finishing undefeated with a mix of wins and draws. Aria led the charge with 3 goals, followed by Abigail with 2, and Eva and Tippi each contributing 1. The defense was rock solid, with Sara, Sophie, Jasmine, and Amber all putting in great work to clear the ball away from goal whenever it came their way. It was a brilliant team performance all around, and the girls should be proud of their efforts. Well done to everyone involved!

Hello intrepid readers!

Tis I, the Head of Houses, bringing you the news of the week from the school that puts the Edge in Edge-ucation.  The jokes don’t get any better.

We’re approaching the end of term, the weather is improving, barbecues are being brushed off, the flowers are appearing, and my hay fever is coming to see me off!  Final House Points will be counted and verified (I’m not trusted to count that high) ready to celebrate the winning House for the term.  Will Gills be left floundering after winning spectacularly last term?  Will Churchills raise the V for victory?  Will Hedgerows be able to leaf the competition behind?  Will anyone ever tell me my jokes are actually pretty good?

On April 2nd, we will be hosting a Celebration Meal in the library for the pupils with the most House Points in each House.  After much debate between the kitchen and myself, I can confirm that this very special meal will celebrate the cuisine of Greece!  I have been informed that I’m not allowed to smash any plates… nor sing…

καλή εβδομάδα!

Mr Evans
Director of Music
Head of Houses

As our Year 6 pupils move into the final phases of their chosen senior schools’ admissions processes, parents with pupils in lower year groups may be starting to think more about the journey that they and their child will be embarking on in the not too distant future. If your child is in Year 5 or below and you would like to meet to discuss their academic profile and next steps, please book an appointment via Mrs Thomas, Head’s PA on futureschools@edgegrove.com 

The Future Schools Presentation to Parents is now available to view on the Future School Documents section of the app.

INFORMATION FROM SENIOR SCHOOLS

ABINGDON SCHOOL

Abingdon Senior School will start to welcome girls to our First Year (Year 7) and Sixth Form from September 2026. We will therefore welcome girls at the 13+ stage in 2028.  

We have a number of events for prospective families running throughout the course of this term and next – all of which can be booked online via this link.

ABBOT’S HILL SCHOOL

13+ Scholarship Opportunities

We have recently launched some new Scholarship opportunities. Scholarships will be available in the following areas:

Sport
Music
Drama
Art+Design

Enquiries to  https://www.abbotshill.herts.sch.uk/scholarships/ or email admissions@abbotshill.herts.sch.uk

AMPLEFORTH COLLEGE

Our next Open Morning is on Saturday 10th May 2025 10am – 1:30pm. Registration for this event can be found here.

CHANNING SCHOOL

Summer Term “school-in-action” Open Mornings – Attendance is by booking tickets in advance, at the following links:

Thursday 24 April (9am – 11am)

Tuesday 24 June (9am – 11am)

Here are the Channing 11+ (2026) key dates for your diary:

11+ Application Deadline: Friday 7 November 2025

Bursary and Music Scholarship Application Deadline: Friday 7 November 2025

Channing offers both bursaries and Scholarships for Year 7.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at admissions@channing.co.uk if we can be of further assistance.

CITY OF LONDON SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

11+ Admissions Brochure

 For more information and to book, visit www.clsg.org.uk

FRAMLINGHAM COLLEGE

Framlingham College Senior School invites you to explore the exceptional opportunities for pupils in Year 9 -13.

Open Morning – Saturday 26th April

HAILEYBURY

We are always happy to welcome any interested families to come and visit us; this can be done in a number of ways:

• Families can book onto one of our Open Events. Please encourage prospective families to book their place via the School’s website. 
• Contact the Admissions department (admissions7to9@haileybury.com / 01992 706353 ) to arrange an individual family visit during term time.

Once a family has decided to proceed with an application to Haileybury, we encourage them to register with us by completing our online Registration Form.

JOHN LYON SCHOOL

Admissions Brochure

To book a School in Action Open Morning please contact admissions@johnlyon.org

KING’S CANTERBURY

Open Morning Saturday 17 May

There will be displays and exhibitions of life at King’s all around the school.

The link to sign up is:

https://www.kings-school.co.uk/admissions/senior-kings/register-for-an-open-morning/

THE LEYS

Information on small group visits can be found here and, in addition, we’re always pleased to discuss the possibility of a private visit with families too.

LANCING COLLEGE

Saturday Open Event For Year 9 entry –  22 March 2025

At our Open Events, you will have the opportunity to hear from the Senior Leadership Team and student leaders, followed by an extended tour of the school with pupils. During the tour, families will visit classrooms, Boarding and Day Houses, with the opportunity to participate in various activities. The event will conclude with refreshments and an opportunity to talk to other teaching, pastoral and admissions staff.

MILL HILL

Visit Our School | Senior Admissions North London | Mill Hill

PANGBOURNE COLLEGE

We are only a few weeks away from our Open Morning on Saturday 26 April, and we would be delighted to invite any parents from your school who are interested in finding out more about Pangbourne College. 

The Open Morning will include a welcome talk from the Head, and a guided tour of the College, led by our Sixth Form students. The tour is an opportunity to see our stunning 230 acre campus and visit the many subject departments, who will have a range of exciting activities taking place throughout the morning.

Registration for the event can be made via our website pangbourne.com/visit

QUEENSWOOD 

We are holding our final Open Morning of this academic year on Saturday 10 May. Please use this  booking link.

Families will have the chance to tour Queenswood, hear from our Principal, meet pupils and staff, ask any admissions questions and take part in lots of fun educational activities. Of course, no visit to ‘Q’ would be complete without sampling our legendary food – brunch will be served in the Dining Room from 11.30am.

RADLEY COLLEGE – 2026 ENTRY INFORMATION

All the details of our Open Days can be found on our website here. 

We have a number of Open Days on Saturdays throughout the year where we will host up to 70 families for talks, tours of the school and lunch – please see the Key Dates on the portal. Further details, including a booking form, can also be found on our website here. 

RMS – PRIVATE TOUR OF RMS FOR GIRLS – Contact Admissions to book a tour

 Do not hesitate to contact our friendly Admissions Team who will happily arrange a private tour of the School at a time convenient for you.
Please contact admissions@rmsforgirls.com 

SHREWSBURY SCHOOL

We are always delighted to welcome families to our Open Days, when they can get a sense of our beautiful campus site.  Each Open Day starts with a presentation from the Headmaster and other senior staff, followed by a Q&A session with pupils.  Families visit one of our houses and then enjoy a school tour with pupils, followed by lunch.  Open Days & School Tours | Shrewsbury School

The Director of Admissions, Martin Cropper (mc@shrewsbury.org.uk), is always pleased to talk to parents and to offer advice on our Admissions process.  We welcome applications for September 2026 onwards, and a small number of places for September 2025 have recently become available.

SOUTH WEST HERTS CONSORTIUM – Secondary Transfer 2026

This year, registration for the tests spans a period of almost ten weeks, from Tuesday 1st April to Friday 6th June 2025. As previously, no late registrations will be accepted. If a parent has extenuating circumstances for failing to register for the tests, this may be cited as part of an appeal to an independent panel at a secondary transfer appeal hearing.

The Test Administration Team can be contacted via email only at info@swhertsschools.org.uk. There is no facility to telephone.

Key testing dates can be found in the image at the bottom of this section.

TONBRIDGE SCHOOL

The School has numerous Open Mornings taking place. These are a great opportunity for families to discover what a Tonbridge education can offer their son, as well as the chance to meet boys and staff.

Come along and find out what makes us the top boys’ boarding school in the country as well as the best boys’ school in the South-East, as ranked by The Sunday Times’ Parent Power table.

Book your place using this link.

UPPINGHAM SCHOOL

Uppingham’s Visiting Days Families can sign up to attend via our website or contact Sarah Heading (sch@uppingham.co.uk). 

We understand many parents and schools are currently navigating concerns sparked by the themes highlighted in Netflix’s series Adolescence.

At Tooled Up, we are committed to supporting parents and carers when it comes to the issues raised in the programme and have a host of resources on topics including misogyny, incel culture, social media and the rise of violence against women and girls.

If you worry about information on TikTok, listen to our podcast Misogynistic Content on TikTok, which explores how incel ideology covertly proliferates on mainstream social media and what parents might do to counter this.

Every parent has heard of Andrew Tate, the self-confessed misogynist whose videos have been viewed billions of times. Our webinar Andrew Tate and Toxic Influencers: A Guide looks at his methodologies and appeal and examines what can be done to mitigate the risk that exposure to this type of material can bring.

For access to all Tooled Up resources on themes raised in Adolescence click Netflix’s Adolescence: Related Resources in Tooled Up where we have collated a comprehensive list to support you.

IMPORTANT: UPCOMING WEBINAR

Adolescence on Netflix – Action Points for Parents and Staff: 23rd April, 19:00 BST

Join Dr Kathy Weston for this interactive session reflecting on essential lessons, key takeaways, and the practical actions that parents and educators can implement on the issues raised by Netflix’s Adolescence series.

There will also be a Q&A at the end of the season.

To register click here: Adolescence on Netflix: Action Points for Parents and Staff