St Andrew's, Berkshire

This Friday evening and throughout the night, until Saturday morning, Year 8 and 5 members of staff will be "sleeping rough" (cardboard for bedding only)
in support of World Homeless Day and homelessness in general. The RIDE Committee is raising money for Launchpad Reading. If you would like to donate, please click on the link in the bio.

Our Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 celebrated harvest with a special service in the School’s Chapel yesterday. An enormous thank you to our community for their kind donations for the food bank in Reading. Thank you also to the Rev Katy Weston, associate minister for the benefice of Basildon, Aldworth and Ashampstead for blessing the food and explaining how important it is to provide for those who do not have enough. Our Pre-Prep children sang a number of songs about harvest including ‘Dingle Dangle Scarecrow’ which you can watch over on Instagram!.

On Monday, we celebrated European Day of Languages. Read more about the day in our blog:

Celebrating Languages at St Andrew's On Mon 25th September, St Andrew's Pre-Prep and Prep celebrated European Day of Languages, led by our Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Mr Phil Bates. Every teacher learnt to say “Hello”, “Welcome” and “Goodbye” in a different language, and shared knowledge and facts about the country wi...

Delighted to see OSA (Old St Andrew's) pupil, Sam, being interviewed in Radley School's Impact magazine. Sam was awarded both a music scholarship and an academic exhibition to Radley in 2022 and was selected to receive The Hamish Aird Foundation Award. In the interview he discuses his involvement in many musical ensembles as well as sport and a choir tour to France. Keep up the great work Sam, we're very proud of you! Radley College

Current parent, Ben Covey and former St Andrew's parent, Tim Wakefield, have partnered with River Action UK to raise awareness of their Rescue our Rivers Petition: a call on Government to adopt their Charter for Rivers.

Starting at Lechlade last Tuesday 12th September, they are paddle boarding, rowing, swimming and kayaking the 237 km journey along the Thames to Tower Bridge.

The Rescue our Rivers Petition sets out 10 ambitious but actionable goals which will make our rivers healthy for nature and people by 2030. When Ben and Tim reach London (any day now) they will support the hand in of the petition to Downing Street.

Only recently, the River Pang, has been downgraded to ‘poor’ ecological status due to sewage pollution. Ben and Tim would greatly appreciate your support, which you can do by signing the petition here: https://bit.ly/RRivers

If anyone would like to follow their progress, visit their Instagram account

Rescue Our Rivers I just signed 's petition calling on political leaders to rescue our rivers and freshwaters to health for nature and people by 2030. Will you join me and add your name?

Today, Head Master, Ed Graham, revealed the Year 8 positions of responsibility. Congratulations to Fred and Bella, our new Head Boy and Head Girl, and Deputy Heads, Wilf and Sophie.

Head of Seniors and Year 8 Form Tutor Mr James Fearn said: “We are delighted to announce our Year 8 positions of responsibility this morning and look forward to seeing how much they thrive in their roles this year.”

A reminder that our Open Morning is coming up on Friday 6th October. Be sure to book a place via our site - link in the bio

St Andrew's is one of five Prep Schools to be accredited Microsoft Showcase status, joining four hundred other schools across the globe.

Following an extensive, year-long application process, we are delighted to be recognised for our creative and innovative digital developments across all areas of school life.

Find out more here: https://www.standrewsberkshire.co.uk/post/st-andrew-s-becomes-a-microsoft-showcase-school

Thank you for another heartfelt review in Tatler Schools Guide

Make hay while the sun doesn't shine, and start clearing out those unloved clothes, shoes & accessories: the Eco Committee needs you!

We're looking for good quality adult and children's items that you're happy to donate to a new home (next term). And, if you've got any portable clothes rails we can borrow, please let Jane Taylor [email protected] know.

You'll also have the opportunity to grab a vintage, retro, preloved bargain when you come to our school-only event on Wednesday 18 October between 3.30 & 6 pm.

More details (and surprises) to follow... For now, please start rummaging (it's therapeutic) and perhaps enrol some help (calling all Eco Warriors)!

Disclaimer: this is an internal St Andrew's, Berkshire School event only, and unfortunately, not open to members of the public. Family members of course, welcome.

Supporting The Cowshed

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It's another news-splash! Despite intermittent weather, which clearly didn't dampen anyone's spirits, St Andrew's Summer Camps got off to a cracking start last week. Aside from a deep dive into our indoor heated pool (who needs the Greek islands?), children enjoyed some crafty creations, and an epic expedition scaling the heights of our very own super-duper climbing wall (eat your heart out, Zermatt). Like we said, who needs to get on a plane, when this is on your door stop. Enjoy children, enjoy..!

St Andrew's Prep School Speech Day 2023 welcomed Simon O'Malley, on behalf of the St Andrew's Committee, and Guest Speaker, Mike Windsor, Head of School. Years 3 - 7 were awarded attainment prizes for academic work and subject prizes for art, drama, music and ICT. Sports prizes were awarded for U9 and U11. Our Year 8 received awards and cups for best embodying our School's values.

Aside from hearing a spectacular performance from 'The Song Factory', with solos from Hattie & George G, our community was treated to a poetry declamation from Theo H and Immie C, Head Master, Ed Graham's review of the year, and outstanding (and at times, highly amusing) speeches from our Heads of School, Ella R and Charlie.

Following drinks on the lawn for all, our Year 8 pupils, parents and staff rounded up a superb morning with the Year 8 Leaver's Lunch. Congratulations to everybody on such a memorable and successful 2022 - 2023! We shall miss our Leavers very much.

Pre-Prep's Speech Day was thoroughly enjoyed by parents, Governors, staff and pupils in our Sports Hall, last Friday. While some were awarded a cup, and others a certificate, in St Andrew's eyes, every pupil's a winner and the day was about celebrating individual ability and talent. Thank you to everyone behind-the-scenes for making it such a special occasion, and also to our Deputy Heads, Theo and Bea, for inspiring our younger generation.

Yesterday, our Year 8, parents and staff took a gentle country stroll with their furry friends around Sulham Woods. It was a beautiful way to end a very busy week!

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St Andrew's Reception to Year 4 took the lead as tour guides this afternoon for our annual Family Day. We were delighted to see so many family members (including god-parents) enjoy al fresco refreshments, explore our grounds, visit our John Le Carre library, experience our Forest School and observe our classrooms. The afternoon rose to a creative crescendo with a music concert performed by our children in the Sports Hall. What a day to remember!

It's so exciting when one of your own hits the headlines! St Andrew's guitar teacher, Jack, and one of the bands he plays in, got the surprise of their life last month, when as they were playing a Green Day cover, the real lead singer of Green Day, Billie Joe Armstrong, leapt up on stage to join them. Jack said: "At first, we didn't know what was going on and I was about to ask the gentleman to get down from the stage, but then we realised it was Billie Joe!"

Thank you to Director of Music, Malcolm Gunningham, for highlighting this story, and thanks to Jack for agreeing to let us share it.

Photo credit: BBC Reporter, Sam Gruet

It's gone trip-tastic at St Andrew's! Just as Year 7 returned from their awesome week at Chateau de la Baudonniere, our Year 8 made a swift exit for a week in the Isle of Wight, while our Year 6 experience a new activity every day in Wiltshire. Here are a few shots of them abseiling and trying a spot of archery. Well done Mrs Follett for scaling that tower. Eat your heart out Spiderman!

Congratulations to cast and crew for their outstanding performance of David Grant's 'Free!'. Free! shows how a group of Year 8 children react when their supply teacher doesn't turn up for their first lesson of the day. Of course, nothing could possibly go wrong..!

Head of Drama, Meg McSweeney, said: "Year 8 was sensational on stage and should be extremely proud of themselves. Filled with laughter, the performance was a true celebration of their time at St Andrew’s. Well done to all!"

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What a glorious day for Year 2 to do some observational drawings of the front of our School, noting the distinctive architectural features associated with the work of Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed The Natural History Museum. Great work boys and girls!

Our Prep School Sports Day on Saturday was a triumph! Sections battled it out in javelin, shot put (cricket ball), high and long jump, long and short distance running, relay and tug of war. Cheered on by parents and staff, the sport-astic day ended with Pritchard (the blues) taking home the cup.

Thank you Mr James Mortimore and Mrs Chloe Henderson for organising yet another sporting highlight of the 22 - 23 academic year.

Pre-Prep's Sports Day, a firm favourite in the St Andrew's calendar, involved pupils from Nursery to Year 2, racing their way to the finish line...in a sack, on a Space Hopper, with egg and spoon, over a hurdle, or around the track on two legs, positively egged on by parents, Year 8 and our staff.

There was a little surprise ahead of Father's Day this Sunday, when Dads were set a series of special challenges, including hula hooping, throwing the woggle, bouncing ball and catching beanbags. Well done St Andrew's Dads!

A HUGE thank you to everyone for making it such a successful day, and massive congratulations to the overall winners, Watney, ably captained by Silas in Year 2.

When you can't look any happier on a sunny summer's day!

(Photo credit: Miss Megan James, Nursery Teaching Assistant)

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Anyone for tennis? More St Andrew's sporting success: HUGE congratulations to our Year 6 girls, who received the silver shield as runners up in the Bradfield Prep School's tennis tournament last week. Our Year 6 boys also served up a superb performance and came a very impressive third. Many thanks to Mrs Jo Follett for coaching and developing the team. Roll on Wimbledon..!

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There aren't many other outdoor settings that could pull off a Greek Trilogy drama performance, as spectacularly as Bradfield College's 'Greeker', which Year 6 parents, pupils and staff were lucky enough to witness this week.

Once a disused chalk pit, Bradfield's Headmaster at the time (1888) decided to transform it into a replica Greek theatre, which still remains the heart of the College's campus today.

St Andrew's, Head of Drama, Megan McSweeney said: "Our Year 6 actors exuberated confidence and showcased skill beyond their years for their Greek Trilogy, made even more authentic by performing in Bradfield College's open air Greek Theatre. Congratulations to all on an outstanding performance. I am proud beyond belief."

Thank you The Good Schools Guide for sharing our 'magical' review!

Visitors encountering St Andrew's, Berkshire for the first time are greeted by one of the most idyllic panoramas you are likely to encounter at a prep school – like walking into a gallery of Constables.

Academic ambitions are being cranked up half a notch. French for all from pre-prep. Latin is introduced in year 5. Parents and children mentioned English, history, maths and public speaking as particularly fabulous 🧮

Performing arts are joyful. Music for all every Tuesday morning during a protected time and around 40 per cent of pupils learn an instrument or sing 🎼

Pre-prep is a very special place. We watched (with bitter envy) as children, all sensibly suited and booted in robust coveralls, made kites for a windy day. Leaf prints, fire making, whittling, singing in the rain all feature 🪁

‘It needs to choose whether it wants to be a very academic environment or to keep the magic,’ said a parent. So far, we think it’s managing both 🪄

Access the full review here https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/schools/st-andrews-school-reading

Visitors encountering St Andrew's, Berkshire for the first time are greeted by one of the most idyllic panoramas you are likely to encounter at a prep school – like walking into a gallery of Constables.

Academic ambitions are being cranked up half a notch. French for all from pre-prep. Latin is introduced in year 5. Parents and children mentioned English, history, maths and public speaking as particularly fabulous 🧮

Performing arts are joyful. Music for all every Tuesday morning during a protected time and around 40 per cent of pupils learn an instrument or sing 🎼

Pre-prep is a very special place. We watched (with bitter envy) as children, all sensibly suited and booted in robust coveralls, made kites for a windy day. Leaf prints, fire making, whittling, singing in the rain all feature 🪁

‘It needs to choose whether it wants to be a very academic environment or to keep the magic,’ said a parent. So far, we think it’s managing both 🪄

Access the full review here https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/schools/st-andrews-school-reading

More out of school success! Congratulations to Immie and George, who represented the Garth South Pony Club in a tetrathlon/minimus triathlon over the weekend at Wellington Riding School and Lord Wandsworth College.

George achieved personal bests in the shooting and swimming categories and came a super-impressive sixth. Meanwhile, Immie (and Mooche) competed in the tetrathlon over 2 days, and came a remarkable fifth, helping her team win their section of the competition.

Proud is not the word!

Only 10 sleeps to go until our FOSA (Friends of St Andrew's) Fun Day on Saturday 10 June at 1.30 - 4.30 pm. Start pampering those pooches, dig out those (Tombola) donations, find your inner Mary Berry, and... if you can spare time to help run stalls, please get in touch. Look forward to seeing you then!

Our grounds here at St Andrew's look pretty spectacular in all weathers. The summer term, however, is a special time. The trees come back to life, flowers burst open, the pupils get to make the most of the sun.
Also our amazing grounds team Paula and Martin do a fantastic job of getting the athletics pitches and sports fields looking wonderful. Thank you to both of them for all their hard work and fantastic painting skills. 🌳🏑

An unforgettable day of South African celebration took place in Pre Prep yesterday! The day kicked off with an insightful assembly led by Mr. Mabbett, sharing tales of The Grace School - a cause dear to St Andrew's.

Melodies in Zulu resonated as a heartwarming thank-you song. We appreciate your generous donations and welcome more this Monday if you have not donated already and would like to.

The rhythmic heart of the day was a drumming workshop for every child, culminating in an exuberant end-of-day show. What a day of joy, learning, and making a difference!

Year 5 stepped back in time at Ufton Court last week, immersed in the drama and intrigue of Tudor life. They explored Ufton’s sprawling grounds and historic house, piecing together clues of religious persecution from the past. A Crime & Punishment workshop had them role-playing accused, accuser, and jury in engaging court cases. They even re-lived 'The Raid,' a local incident of a hidden Catholic priest. Capping off the day in true Tudor style, we reveled in a hands-on banquet, complete with period food, costume, and joyous dance under the sun!

This week, our Y1 explorers embarked on a thrilling adventure to The The Living Rainforest ! Filled with curiosity, they dove into a world of exotic creatures like the Poisonous Dart Frogs, Channel-billed Toucans, and Emerald Tree Boas. A game of hide and seek with Cinnamon, the elusive tree sloth, who kept everyone on their toes. Luigi, the free-spirited Yellow-knobbed Curassow, added a fun twist with his unique calls.

Picnic lunch amidst nature was followed by laughter and joy on the popular swings at the playground. The day wrapped up with the little ones picking cherished souvenirs. What a day to remember!

During , we asked Mental Health Lead and Form 5 Tutor, Haig Howard, to share some of things we've been doing to help support our pupils.

To find out what he had to say, head over to our blog! https://www.standrewsberkshire.co.uk/blog

Cricket season is in full swing as our Summer Term bowls along. The intermittent showers did not stop the enthusiasm of our Years 5, 6, 7 & 8, who played some excellent cricket against our visiting teams.