Intrepid explorers from the Prep School met on the 2nd April ready to travel to North Wales for a mountainbiking trip. On arrival however they were faced with more snow than expected, including avalanche warnings. Undeterred they set off the next day to explore Mount Snowdon. They retraced the footsteps of the miners who worked these mountains many years ago. They even celebrated a birthday near the summit of Mount Snowdon. On the third day they overcame any fear of heights and rose to the challenge of a 22m abseil. It was a fantastic few days in the Welsh mountains.

We have a national winner at Seaford College Prep School!

Eddie Gammon in Year 8 is the winner of the secondary school’s category in the Epilepsy Action National Doodle Day 2013 Competition. His design was among hundreds of doodles received and according to the charity the standard was exceptionally high. Judging took place at their head office on Friday 05 April and the winning doodles of this year’s competition (including Eddie’s) can be seen in the Doodle Hall of Fame at http://doodle.epilepsy.org.uk/doodles/competition-winners.html

Congratulations Eddie.

Sunday 10th February was the start of the Chinese New Year, known as Spring Festival. This year it is the Year of the Snake. Chinese students from Years 12 and 13 prepared seasonal delicacies such as pork dumplings for the Prep School pupils to sample and gave a talk about Chinese traditions associated with this time of year. There was a short video and quiz, followed by an opportunity for the pupils to try some Chinese-style paper cutting. The food was so popular that it had to be rationed!

(‘Kung Hei Fat Choi’ means ‘Happy New Year’)

The Key Stage 2 pupils put on a fabulous performance of Baboushka. The evening started with a range of songs from the Prep School Choir and the Year 6 pupils playing several pieces on their violins. Considering they have only been playing for a term, this was remarkable. We were then treated to a wonderful performance from the Year 3, 4 & 5 pupils who sang, danced and acted out the story of Baboushka. It was the perfect way to end the term.

Year 6 Enjoy Drusillas Zoo

On the 16th of May Year 6 went to Drusillas Zoological Park near Alfriston. Everyone was able to find out about classification in the Education Centre and there was plenty of information about all the different species that we were going to see. There was a chance to get close to a very docile corn snake and a very soft chinchilla. Some people found out how loud they could scream, or how fast they could run! Booklets were filled in with information comparing ourselves to the animals. Finally, after lunch and time in the adventure playground, we went on a train ride around the park. A fun and informative day was had by all.

Year 7 at Herstmonceux Science Observatory

On May 4th Year 7 went to the Royal Observatory at Herstmonceux. The Observatory has over 100 hands-on science exhibits as well as several large reflecting and refracting telescopes. Everyone had a very exciting day painting with light (when they could get Mr Hawes off it!), discovering how many people you could get to make the balance boat stable and discovering all about the telescopes and how observations had been made in the past. It took 8 people in the water park to make the pumps and levers work but eventually we managed to get a cycle going, even if we got a bit wet in the process! Miss Sims’ group proved themselves excellent bridge builders and walked away with the fastest time of the day. A good time was had by all and lots of new and exciting facts were discovered.

Year 8 Visit Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

May 8th saw Year 8 leave to visit the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Whilst there students explored HMS Warrior, which in its time was the fastest and best armed ship in the fleet. Each student saw the conditions and hardships of life on board a historic naval vessel and looked at the food and munitions that the ship carried. They were shown the treatments for wounds and illnesses that would have been available to the men who lived on board. In the Action Stations work room they had a glimpse of what the modern Navy does and on the big screen cinema the students saw how a modern day Frigate can help combat piracy. The science behind the ships was explained and everyone had a look at the way the engines worked and the problems of buoyancy. There was then a chance to race to the top of the indoor climbing wall. After such a busy day it was not surprising that many people fell asleep on the coach back to school!

Early on Sunday May 6th five students from the Prep School went to Bredon School near Tewkesbury for the second round of the Oxford Gun Company Clay Shooting Schools Challenge. There was a mixture of targets to challenge all competitors. The team – Charles Jeffrey, John Durkan, Jack Hubbard, Benjamin Cutler and Isabella Harte achieved second place in the Prep School category, only missing the top slot by one point. Isabella came first in the Individual Prep Girls. Congratulations to all who took part!

On Tuesday 20th March an audience of 200 or more were treated to a marvellous show of talent from the Prep School pupils. There were over 100 performers taken from Years 3-8. The standard of solos was exceptional. The massed instruments, recorders, ukuleles and violins, had to be seen to be believed. There were performances from Years 3, 4 and 5 music classes plus others groups: violins, ukuleles, ‘Concussion’ (percussion ensemble), the Orchestra and the Wilberforce choir.

Everybody had a fantastic time in a lovely relaxed environment. Year 5 pupil, Felicity Hitchcock, reported in her account of the evening: ‘The children sang and played amazing pieces while the parents sat with nibbles and wine.’‘I take my hat off to them for pulling that off’ commented Mr Randon, the drum teacher.

On Wednesday March 14th, a team from the Prep School entered The Schools Challenge at the Oxford Gun Company for the first time. Their aim was outstanding. Isabella Harte came first in her individual class. Charles Christie, Ben Cutler, John Durkan, Jack Hubbard and Charles Jeffrey achieved second place in their team event.

Congratulations to all who took part. Thanks must go to the parents who came to support us, Mr and Mrs Christie and Mr and Mrs Cutler, and to Tony Bracci, our coach. Without Mr Bracci’s commitment and hard work we would not have gained such an excellent result.

We are hoping to enter the British Schools and Young Shots Championships on the 28th April at High Wycombe.