Following the successful development of Foundation ski racing over the past few years, we recently offered some taster sessions to encourage more students to give skiing and ski racing a go. Using our home base of Swadlincote Snowsports Centre, sessions took place on 19 April and 10 May.

Demand far exceeded expectations, with nearly 50 Year 5–7 pupils across the foundation attending the sessions. With those who can already ski gaining a taste of basic ski racing, and many pupils hitting the beginner slopes to learn to ski for the first time, the sessions have proved a great success.

Several of the beginners are aiming to prepare before going on school ski trips next winter and this training hopefully will provide them with the basic skills for when they reach the snow. Of those students who have skied before, a number have the potential to join our existing race teams! This should result in a stronger Foundation presence at forthcoming Regional and National school ski races.

We hope to be able to offer more sessions for all in the very near future. Watch this space for news of more taster sessions in the autumn too!

From Wednesday, 6 May to Friday, 8 May, Year 3 and Year 4 pupils from Warwick Junior School embarked on an unforgettable residential trip to the Mount Cook Adventure Centre in Derbyshire. Blessed with wall-to-wall sunshine, the two-night trip was filled with excitement, learning and camaraderie.

The Year 3 boys engaged in a variety of thrilling activities, including land karts, indoor climbing and the Game of Tribes. They also participated in prehistoric fire-lighting, shelter construction, archery and throwing. The evenings were equally adventurous, with sessions involving making a bow drill around a campfire and rocket building. Throughout these activities, the boys demonstrated empathy and resilience, working together and supporting each other through challenges.

Year 4 students took on more challenging pursuits, such as high ropes, ziplining off the top of the accommodation block, off-site orienteering, scrambling, and rock climbing. Their evenings were filled with abseiling and the Mount Cook challenge. The boys showed remarkable focus and independence, tackling each activity with enthusiasm and determination. Their ability to communicate effectively and take responsibility for their actions was evident throughout the trip.

The boys stayed in dormitories of 4 or 6, which led to some late nights filled with laughter and bonding. Despite the excitement, they made the most of every opportunity presented to them, demonstrating creativity and reflectiveness in their approach to the various activities. The food at Mount Cook was fantastic, providing the boys with the energy needed for their action-packed days. The Mount Cook staff were brilliant, offering support and guidance throughout the trip.

In conclusion, the trip was a resounding success, with the boys not only having fun but also developing important life skills. The combination of excellent weather, well-organised activities, and supportive staff made this an unforgettable adventure for everyone involved.

A heartfelt thank you to all the staff who made this trip possible. Their dedication and hard work ensured that the boys had a safe, enjoyable, and enriching experience. The boys returned home with wonderful memories, having had a fantastic time at Mount Cook.

Our Learning Strength this week continues to be Focus — that ability to give sustained attention, to persevere when something is challenging, and to remain purposeful even when there are distractions all around. This week, that message felt particularly apt as our Year 3 and 4 pupils headed off to Mount Cook for their residential adventure, and I was fortunate enough to visit them on Thursday. 

Stepping away from familiar routines and comforts offers a powerful test of focus, particularly when it can be the first time the boys have stayed away from home. Whether tackling the zipwire, lighting fires, building shelters, navigating routes through orienteering, or scrambling and climbing over unfamiliar terrain, the boys were required to concentrate fully on the task in front of them. Success did not come from rushing, but from listening carefully, working methodically and trusting both themselves and those around them. In each activity, it was heartening to see how focus translated into personal achievement and growing confidence. 

Equally striking was the way teamwork underpinned every challenge. Focus was not an individual pursuit; it depended on encouragement, cooperation and problem-solving as a group. The boys learned the importance of resilience when things did not go perfectly first time, adapting their approach, supporting one another and learning from experience. These moments — often small and easily overlooked — are where real development takes place. 

Residential experiences such as this create memories that last far beyond the week itself. Long after the kit bags are unpacked, the boys will remember the sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming a fear, mastering a new skill, or contributing meaningfully to a team effort. Above all, they return with a deeper understanding that focus, confidence and perseverance are qualities that extend well beyond the classroom and will continue to serve them throughout their lives. 

Links with the community continue to thrive with the Year 3 pupils helping with the design of a Junior School ‘peace tree’ for the Warwick Peace Festival being held at St. Mary’s Church in Warwick this weekend. Our tree, alongside those designed by the Prep School and other primary schools in Warwick will be exhibited at St. Mary’s and the College Garden this Saturday. Click here for more information.

Wishing you an enjoyable weekend with your family and friends, 

John Bond 

After achieving success in the annual Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge in November, when 21 of our Year 6 pupils ranked within the top 10% nationally, they proceeded to participate in the Raspberry Pi Coding Challenge.

Well done to Hugo, Alex, Edward, and Ben, who once again placed in the top 10% nationally! And further congratulations to Edward and Ben for achieving perfect scores!

Separation and divorce aren’t easy.  There may be bad feelings between the parents and their families. Children can pick up on this, which may confuse or upset them, or even lead to them blaming themselves for a break-up.

Working out how and when to tell children about a separation is never easy.  Remember, that while sharing the news is a big step, it's one step of many.  Separation and divorce aren't single events but processes that the whole family experiences.

When talking about a separation, it’s important to find the balance between sharing so much with your children that they become overwhelmed, or so little that they don’t understand what’s going on.

To support children during a separation and help them with their worries, it’s important to:

• remind them that both parents love them
• be honest when talking about it, but keep in mind the child's age and understanding
• be careful how you speak about your ex-partner, as any negative comments could make your children feel confused or resentful
• keep up routines, such as going to school and having specific mealtimes and bedtimes
• explain that it's OK to be sad, confused or angry and let them know they can talk about their feelings with you

Children’s responses

Children can have a wide range of feelings in response to your news, and their feelings could change over time. Particularly if they're younger, they might struggle to say exactly what it is that they're feeling.  And no matter their age, some of their emotions may come out in their behaviour rather than their words.

Some common responses include:

• Anger – this could be directed at one or both parents or be a general sense of anger that their life is going to change.
• Being upset – children might be upset at the prospect of change, or shocked by the news.
• Grieving – children might grieve their 'old life' once the separation becomes a reality and they are having to get used to changes in the family.
• Withdrawing – it's natural for children to withdraw from family situations if they're feeling hurt or confused. It's important not to force them to do anything while they're adapting to the news.
• Relief – children pick up a lot on their parents' feelings, whether or not you've spoken about them. If it's been a tricky time for your family, a child might be relieved that something will be changing, and things could get better in time.

Read the article in full and find out further advice.