Congratulations to our U11 football team who came top of the league in a quadrangular tournament held at Hurst with victories over Dorset House and the hosts Hurst. The tournament was played with high spirits and excellent sportsmanship was shown by all teams throughout. 

The newly refurbished fives court at St Andrew’s Prep School in Eastbourne has been christened by four prominent players with a strong Eastbourne College Charity connection. Old Androvians Andy Pringle and Simon Beal were joined for an afternoon of mixed doubles by the reigning national ladies champions and Tessa Mills (former pupil at nearby Eastbourne College) during an Open Day at the school.

Congratulations to our U12 Hockey team who have claimed the Eastbourne College Prep School Hockey tournament title.  The girls showed terrific levels of skill and won three games in a row, sealing victories against Vinehall, Windlesham and St Ronan’s. St Andrew’s finished 28 points ahead of the competition, highlighting their huge potential this upcoming season. Many thanks to Eastbourne College for hosting the event. 

A very successful OA Lunch was held at St Andrew’s on Saturday 8 October attended by many former pupils and members of staff, including four Headmasters (Dod Wainwright, Hugh Davies Jones, Jeremy Griffith and Gareth Jones).  Everyone had a great time reminiscing and reconnecting with people, places and stories from their shared past as well as enjoying an excellent meal and a walk around the school.  The highlights of the tour were the new Goodwin Sports Hall and the very recently renovated Fives court where a demonstration match was played by two OAs, Andy Pringle, former director of the Rugby Fives Association, and Simon Beal, master in charge of Fives at Eastbourne College.  For part of the afternoon they were joined by two guests from Eastbourne College, the reigning national ladies champion and former College pupil Tessa Mills. There could not be a better advert for ladies Fives!

Throughout the afternoon there was a brilliant pictorial and memento-rich anthology of material from the archives on display which amused and entertained.  Many of the children who attended were fascinated to see pictures of what their parents got up to when they were pupils at St Andrew’s!

Many tales were told as the afternoon wore on; this was one of the favourites: When St Andrew’s was evacuated to Chaddleworth, Berkshire during the war, the chef at the time tried to make some cherry jam.  He succeeded after a fashion but the result was apparently pretty unappetising (probably due to the rationing of sugar) so nobody much enjoyed their bread and jam for tea – and yet it continued to be the only spread available for week after week after week until it was finally finished!  Times have certainly changed!

On Tuesday 4 October, Year 6 visited Canterbury Cathedral in the beautiful autumn sunshine. The conflict between Thomas Becket and Henry II has been their area of study this term and pupils were keen to see where the dastardly deed was perpetrated by the king’s knights on 29 December 1170. A workshop activity making pilgrims’ badges, engaging in brass rubbing and using quill pens was enjoyed by everyone.

This week, the Friends of St Andrews held a charity coffee morning for Macmillan Cancer Support and collected approaching £200.  Funds were boosted by the raffle of a beautiful cake made in the school blazer colours by a local cake designer.  

Six Year 5 pupils took part in a Maths Challenge hosted at St Andrew’s last Thursday. Thirteen schools competed and the children worked together in pairs on various challenges. Congratulations to one St Andrew’s pair who came second out of 32 couples and special thanks to the Year 7 and 8 children who helped with the marking – the organiser was very impressed.

With the sun beaming down on St Andrew’s Prep, the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) hosted an outdoor and adventurous learning conference on our site. This involved a number of teachers from across the South East of England exploring our wonderful Forest School. IAPS provided the teachers and introduced a large number of new resources to those attending which they can use for outdoor learning in order to help pupils discover skills outside of the classroom. 

Forest school is designed to enhance outdoor learning and provides an opportunity for pupils to develop all areas of the Foundation Stage of the National Curriculum in a fun and safe outdoor environment. Pupils can learn skills such as cooking, shelter building and even wood carving.