Headmaster, Mr Severino, and Deputy Headmaster, Mr Ferguson, bravely took on the Ice Bucket Challenge following a ‘kind’ nomination from a family within the school.  Four children seemed to take great pleasure in pouring the freezing iced water over their victims as they sat on the school field in front of a large, excited crowd of parents and children who had completed the annual St Andrew’s Prep Sponsored Walk earlier in the day. 

Mr Severino said, “Well done to the children for using their initiative. Mr Ferguson and I were very happy to oblige as it’s all for such a worthy cause.” 

The proceeds will be combined with monies raised for the Sponsored Walk and donated to the JPK Project which provides Residential Accommodation in the East Sussex area for people with a learning disability and the Guildford Rotary Eye Project which provides vital eye care to those in poverty in the developing world. 

Over 400 parents, pupils and friends of St Andrew’s Prep set off on the school’s 37th annual sponsored walk across the South Downs on Saturday. Routes varied in length and difficulty to suit the very youngest, inexperienced walkers (some as young as three) to the more robust and hardy who survived 11 miles in the stunning National Park. A meeting point at the Horseshoe Plantation provided an opportunity for the front-runners (literally) to catch their breath and take advantage of a drink and a biscuit.

The walk offered families, friends and staff the chance to catch up after the long summer holidays and to meet and welcome those new to school. In addition, it has raised much needed sponsorship money for two important charities; the JPK Project which provides Residential Accommodation in the East Sussex area for people with a learning disability and the Guildford Rotary Eye Project which provides vital eye care to those in poverty in the developing world.

We are very grateful to the Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Janet Coles, who kindly gave an insight into the charities and set the walkers on their way. Thanks also to our peripatetic saxophone and clarinet teacher, Evelyn Harrison, for providing wonderful entertainment for everyone as they tucked into their well-deserved BBQ lunch on return to school. And last, but by no means least, our thanks to the Rotary Club of Sovereign Harbour who ensured the safety of all those taking part by marshalling the route so vigilantly.

Wednesday 9 September was a warm, sunny, blue-sky day – perfect conditions for the annual Back to School Tea Party. Hosted by the Friends of St Andrew’s on the edge of the lush sports fields, the whole school gathered together to welcome new pupils and parents to the school and to greet those returning after the long summer holidays. The victoria sponge slices and strawberry scones and cream proved particularly popular among the children.

Parents and pupils spoke of the warm welcome they had received and our hope is that they feel primed and ready for an innovative, exciting, action-packed year full of fun and opportunities.

This is a very special community and one which we hope you will enjoy being a part of.

In the last week of term, the Year 8 children were treated to an Oscars extravaganza to celebrate all their academic and extra-curricular achievements over the last academic year.

Such was the transformation of the The Durlacher Gym, that those responsible were worthy of an Oscar themselves. The gym, tables and chairs were adorned with film reel decorations, balloons, glitter and special lighting. A giant golden Oscar statue (courtesy of Audrey Fletcher-Price) stood on the red carpet and was flanked by life size cut outs of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe where children posed for the ‘paparazzi’.

 Parents were invited to the pre-dinner drinks on the Long Asphalt before the children walked into the ‘Ceremony hall’ for a fabulous three course meal. Coveted golden statues were then awarded by the children to a number of staff.

A disco followed the feast after which everyone gathered outside on the lower field to release a balloon into the night air with the children’s special wishes for the future written on a card tied to the string. Just as everyone was about to head home, a well kept secret burst out and the pupils were treated to a fireworks display.Our final Oscars go to Denise Sykes, Audrey Fletcher-Price and their able crew for staging such a wonderful evening. Very many thanks.

As the term came to an end, the school’s summer fair took place on a balmy afternoon on the upper field.

Organised by the Friends of St Andrew’s and kindly run by many of our parents, the children were treated to a host of bouncy inflatables as well as the more traditional stalls including a coconut shy, splat the rat, tombola, shooting, sponge throwing, face painting, archery, china smashing and knock down the tins.

Not surprisingly, the sweet stall, burger bar and Pimms tents were very popular as well.

Many thanks to all those who helped stage a super event to mark the end of term.

The Pre-Prep children of St Andrew’s Prep were delighted with their new outdoor equipment last week. The traversing wall, bought with funds raised by the Friends of St Andrew’s, is a big hit with all age groups. The structure – doglegged and double sided with coloured holds for varing difficulties of ascent (but not high enough for any accidents) – was declared fit for purpose by the Headmaster, Simon Severino as he and the Chair of the Friends Committee, Catherine Fellows, cut the ribbon.

The children were then allowed to try out the wall and even given a slightly extended break time.  Many thanks to the Friends and all the parents who helped to raise money for this brilliant initiative.

St Andrew’s Prep congratulates Simon Severino on his appointment to be the Head of Alleyn’s Junior School (one of London’s top independent co-educational schools) from September 2015. 

The selection process for his replacement will commence next term in order to appoint the strongest possible person as his successor.

The U13 county championships were held at Bede’s the Dicker last Friday and both the boys and girls teams from St Andrew’s put in some great performances, together winning their first matches.

With both teams qualifying from their group, sadly the girls team was knocked out by a strong side from Mailles school who went on to contest the girls final.

The boys managed to win through the quarter-finals to a semi-final with Lancing College which produced two great games of doubles tennis that saw St Andrew’s win and go through to the final against Great Walstead.

After some nervous points, the boys managed to pull through and eventually win both matches. A great performance and all the players should be proud of themselves.