Archives for 2025

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Off to Neverland: A Magical End-of-Year Show

Off to Neverland we went for our unforgettable summer show! With a sprinkle of fairy dust from a certain fiery fairy – Tinkerbell – we were taken on a magical musical adventure with Peter Pan and his friends, who had a very special story to tell.

From the pirates of the sea to the loyal warriors, the glamorous mermaids, and the mischievous lost boys, every child brought their character to life with heart and energy. It was truly admirable to see the dedication from both our young actors and the Hopelands team: children learning lines, practising during their free time, and staff working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure everything ran smoothly.

The performance was a wonderful way to celebrate the end of the school year. The whole Hopelands community came together to share in the joy, laughter, and a little bit of magic. And after the show, one thing was certain – we definitely believe in fairies!

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A Fond Farewell to Our Year 6 Leavers

Once again, the time came for us to bid a heartfelt goodbye to our wonderful Year 6 children. Their final assembly was nothing short of spectacular and served as a perfect reflection of the creativity, humour, and spirit they’ve shown throughout their time at Hopelands.

The event began with a surprise awards ceremony, where the children took centre stage to present custom-made shields to unsuspecting staff members—each one thoughtfully based on individual personalities and interests. This light-hearted and touching moment set the tone for what was to come.

Next, the children delighted the audience with a series of sketches that humorously captured their memories and experiences of school life. They then performed one of their farewell songs, beautifully accompanied by our Year 5 choir, which moved many in the audience.

Following this, the official awards ceremony took place. Excitement and anticipation filled the room as the children discovered which cup or shield they would be receiving in recognition of their hard work and unique contributions.

To close the assembly, the children gave one final special performance before enjoying some well-earned snacks and running through the traditional flag parade, waving goodbye to everyone as cheers, laughter, and a few tears filled the air.

It was a truly memorable celebration, one that reminded us all just how incredible this group of young people is. We are so proud of everything they’ve achieved and cannot wait to see the great things they will go on to do in the future.

Good luck, Year 6—you’ll always be part of the Hopelands family.

 

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Multi Skills

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 had an exciting afternoon at Cheltenham College Sports Centre, taking part in a fun-filled multi-skills session led by the Move More team.

The day began with a lovely picnic under the trees, giving everyone a chance to relax and refuel before the activities began. Once back on their feet, the children joined in a high-energy Zumba dance warm-up, setting the tone for an active and enjoyable session ahead. Following the warm-up, pupils rotated through a carousel of skill-based stations, each designed to support their development of ‘FUNdamental’ movement skills. These included balance, kicking, catching, jumping, object control and more – all essential for building confidence and coordination in sport and physical activity.

What really stood out was the way our young athletes embraced the School Games values throughout the afternoon:

  • Respect
  • Honesty
  • Determination
  • Self-Belief
  • Teamwork
  • Passion

Their positive attitude and enthusiastic participation were recognised with wristbands celebrating their commitment to these values.

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STEM Day 2025: A Whole School Marble Run Challenge!

Last week, Hopelands was buzzing with creativity, collaboration, and scientific thinking as the entire school took part in our annual STEM Day. From Nursery through to Year 6, every pupil got involved in this year’s exciting challenge — designing and building ball or marble runs!

Early Years Exploration
Our youngest engineers in Nursery and Reception had a fantastic time working outdoors with a variety of equipment, including traffic cones, stools, and drainpipes. They explored how different sized balls moved through their custom-built tracks and enjoyed experimenting with speed, slope, and materials.

KS1 Teamwork and Big Ideas
Key Stage 1 worked alongside their teachers and our brilliant Year 6 helpers to turn their ideas into reality. There was a great sense of teamwork as they built imaginative and impressive structures, learning through trial, error, and lots of laughter.

KS2 Engineering in Action
Years 3 to 5 put their engineering hats on to independently design and build marble runs from scratch. With each new addition to their track, they carefully tested, tweaked, and refined their designs to ensure a smooth—and slow—journey for the marble. We were particularly impressed with the scientific thinking behind some clever ideas to slow the marble down, rather than just extending the track length.

Celebrating Innovation and Collaboration
What stood out most throughout the day was the problem-solving, resilience, and collaboration on display. It was a joy to see pupils of all ages learning together and supporting one another.

A huge thank you to all our class teachers for their enthusiasm, our TAs for their support, and of course our wonderful Year 6 helpers who guided and encouraged the younger pupils throughout the day.

Thank you also to everyone who donated tubes, boxes, and materials over the past few weeks — they made all the difference!

We’re already looking forward to next year’s challenge. But for now, congratulations to all the winning teams who achieved the slowest marble runs of the day — what an achievement!

Well done, everyone!

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Year 6 Residential to Spain – Adventures and Memories Made for Life!

Year 6 embarked on the adventure of a lifetime as they travelled to Spain for their residential trip. The journey began with a train ride and a bustling transit through London, filled with excitement as they awaited their flight. Upon landing, the group travelled to Somiedo, a picturesque village in northern Spain. They spent four nights in a beautiful, traditional Spanish hotel and were warmly welcomed by everyone they met.

Their itinerary was jam-packed with unforgettable experiences. One of the highlights was visiting a local school, where the children took part in a variety of end of term activities, such as a lively percussion workshop and a friendly game of volleyball. Our young travellers made us incredibly proud as they bridged the language gap with impressive Spanish conversations and plenty of laughter!

Another standout moment was visiting a hydroelectric power station. The children were fascinated to learn how, in 1915, two local engineers harnessed the power of water from nearby glacier lakes to generate electricity, a brilliant example of sustainability in action. They even had the chance to try a simulator and operate turbines, axes, and generators themselves, bringing the experience to life in a fun and engaging way.

The group also took time to explore the stunning natural surroundings. The valleys and mountains of the region were breathtaking, and it was heartwarming to see the children support each other during their hikes through some truly amazing landscapes. After their treks, they enjoyed a refreshing swim in the pool to cool off.

One particularly magical moment came during a local bear hunt expedition. Guided by a knowledgeable local, the children were captivated by stories of wildlife in the area. They spotted vultures, chamois, and deer, and there was great excitement at the possible sighting of a bear in a cave!

It was a busy week filled with adventure and discovery. It was wonderful to see the children immerse themselves in Spanish life – from the language and food to the culture. They were truly amazing.

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Forest School Adventures: A Day of Discovery at Westonbirt

Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 had a truly fantastic time at forest school this week. Breaking away from their usual spot in the spinney, the children embarked on an exciting new adventure, taking a different route through the beautiful grounds of Westonbirt.

Their journey began with a walk through the vibrant walled garden, bursting with colourful summer blooms. From there, they made their way to a stunning open glade, surrounded by shady trees and nestled beside a peaceful woodland area and pond.

After settling down for a snack and revisiting the forest school safety rules, the children were free to explore within set boundaries. The glade offered endless opportunities for curiosity and play – from climbing trees and running across open grass to discovering secret corners, including a hidden cave! This unexpected find sparked lots of excitement and imaginative storytelling.

One of the most memorable moments of the day came during pond exploration. The children were thrilled to spot hundreds of tiny froglets hopping through the grass and splashing into the water. It was a magical sight that led to fascinating discussions about nature, habitats, and life cycles.

The whole session was a brilliant mix of fresh air, freedom, and hands-on learning. It’s days like these that truly capture the spirit of forest school, where adventure meets education in the great outdoors.

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Hopelands Prep School & Nursery Celebrates the Spanish Language with Grandparents and Grandfriends Event

Hopelands Prep School was alive with colour, music, and community spirit during its recent Spanish-themed celebration, which welcomed over 60 Grandparents and Grandfriends from the school community.

A highlight of the event was the vibrant Spanish café, where Year 5 pupils served traditional delicacies including Spanish omelette, sangria, and a tempting selection of cakes – all warmly received by the guests. The day was brought to life by joyful musical performances from children across the school, from the youngest in Nursery to pupils in Year 4, showcasing their enthusiasm for the Spanish language and culture.

Year 6 pupils took to the stage with an engaging presentation about their forthcoming residential trip to Somiedo, while both Year 5 and 6 pupils shone as confident and enthusiastic tour guides, proudly leading visitors around the school.

Adding to the celebratory atmosphere was a themed photo booth, capturing happy moments throughout the day. Guests were also invited to share their own treasured school memories, which will soon be displayed around the school for all to enjoy.

The children relished the opportunity to share their learning with their extended families, and it was truly heartwarming to witness the joy and connection between generations throughout the day.

It was, without doubt, a day to remember, filled with laughter, learning, and a shared love of language and culture.

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