Newsletters

Dear Parents,

What an amazing week we have had at St. Bernard's Prep!

Our Year 1 children kicked off the week with a visit to Denham Aerodrome, which truly brought their studies of the Wright Brothers to life. They were thrilled to watch planes take off and land, and they even had the unforgettable chance to sit inside a light aircraft.

On Wednesday, we proudly hosted the Slough Catholic Schools Football Festival, welcoming teams from St. Anthony and Our Lady of Peace. It was a fantastic day filled with competition and sportsmanship, where St. Anthony’s claimed the boys' division title and Our Lady of Peace emerged victorious in the girls' group. A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful sports team: Mr. Barendse, Mr. Hawkes, and Miss Robinson.

I would like to thank all the EYFS parents who joined us for the Stay and Play session on Thursday. The children were delighted to share the fantastic activities they enjoy in Early Years and were especially excited to show off our beautiful ducklings. This wonderful school-home partnership plays a vital role in their learning journey, and we truly appreciate your involvement.

I would also like to thank the Year 4 parents who attended Thursday’s residential trip meeting. It was a fantastic opportunity to provide you with the details of the trip and give you an opportunity to address any questions you may have had.

This morning, we began the day with a Lenten Reflection and Family Breakfast, followed by our Sponsored Walk for Hope on the field. It was a wonderful walk, with all the children enthusiastically participating in their house groups. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has sponsored their child—there is still time to donate via ParentMail.

Spring Musical Concert – A Celebration of Talent!

Last Friday afternoon, our school was alive with the delightful sounds of music as we hosted our eagerly awaited Spring Musical Concert. It was a remarkable event where children displayed their exceptional musical talents, captivating the audience completely.

The school band kicked off the afternoon with an impressive rendition of Imagine Dragons' hit 'Bones,' showcasing their commitment and teamwork. Their performance set the perfect tone for an unforgettable day.

In addition to the band, many talented young performers took the stage, playing various instruments such as the saxophone, drums, guitar, and piano. Our youngest performer, Ayah from Early Years, enchanted everyone with her violin performance. Each child's hard work and passion for music resonated in every note, earning well-deserved applause from proud families and friends.

A huge round of applause and heartfelt thanks go to Dr. Bunce, whose dedication and enthusiasm have truly transformed the music program at St. Bernard’s Prep. Thanks to his inspiring leadership, 50% of all children from Reception to Year 6 now engage in instrumental or singing lessons, nurturing a love for music throughout the school. His influence has been nothing short of remarkable!

The concert was not merely a showcase of musical talent but also a celebration of the children's dedication and the joy that music brings to our school community. 

Wellbeing Weekend Wisdom for International Day of Happiness

Celebrate Happiness Through Culture

Happiness Around the World – share a favourite family tradition, cook a special meal, or watch a movie from another country that brings joy.

Gratitude Wall at Home – Set up a space where each family member writes or draws something that made them happy each day. 

Family Connection Activities

Weekend Kindness Challenge – Complete small acts of kindness, such as writing a kind note to a friend, calling a relative, or doing something helpful for a neighbour.

Family Fun & Dance Party – Play favorite songs from different cultures and have a dance-off or sing-along together.

Happiness Story Time – Share favourite childhood stories or read books that bring happiness.

Family Gratitude Journal – Each family member writes down one happy moment each day over the weekend, then shares their favourite on Sunday evening.

Outdoor Adventure – Families can go for a walk, have a picnic, or simply spend time outside enjoying nature. They can challenge themselves to find and share five things that make them smile.

Music Workshop Day 

On Sunday 27th April, Hampton School is hosting its 25th annual Junior Schools Music Workshop for local Junior School pupils in Year Three and above. On the day, we will be running a series of workshops for string, wind and brass players. In addition to this, we will be running a choir session for singers. Unfortunately, there is no provision for keyboard players or guitarists to come and play, though they are more than welcome to come and sing for the day!

The workshop will start at 10.00am (registration from 9.30am). We will break for lunch and activities at 12.30pm. At 2.30pm there will be a concert in the Hammond Theatre presenting all the music prepared during the workshops. All parents and teachers will be very welcome to attend this concert, which will be free to attend.

The workshop offers an excellent opportunity to work with experienced musicians, and allows pupils the chance to work in a large ensemble. The day will be suitable for brass, woodwind and string players of at least Grade One standard, and for singers of all standards. The course, including lunch and refreshments, is free of charge.

Sports News

Year 4 Netball Tournament at Gayhurst

On Tuesday, our Under 9 Netball team travelled to Gayhurst to participate in their annual Buzzer Bee Netball Tournament. Our team played exceptionally well throughout the event with all of our players making a massive contribution in each of the 5 games they played in. The girls linked up well on the courts, both in defence and on attack, and overall we were the bronze medallists on the day. Well done to the team and special congratulations to Avnoor for being nominated as the Player of the Tournament.

Under 9 Football vs Thorpe House

On Tuesday, we welcomed Thorpe House for the final Under-9 football fixtures of the season. St Bernard’s Prep had four teams in action, all delivering an outstanding performance against tough opposition. Our teams secured three victories and one draw, ending the season on a high note. The A and B teams each claimed a 3-2 win, while the C team dominated with a 4-0 victory. The D team put up a strong defensive display, finishing with a 0-0 draw. A huge well done to all our players for their fantastic efforts! Special congratulations to Varun, Jeevan, Siddhartha, and Shivaansh for being named MVPs for their respective teams.

Slough Catholic Schools Sports Festival:

On Wednesday, March 19th, St Bernard’s Prep proudly hosted the Slough Catholic Primary Schools Football Festival, welcoming teams from St Anthony’s, Our Lady of Peace, and our own school. Each school entered both a boys’ and a girls’ team, making for an exciting display of primary school football. The tournament was filled with thrilling matches and plenty of goals. St Anthony’s emerged as the winners in the boys’ division, while Our Lady of Peace claimed victory in the girls’ competition. St Bernard’s teams put in strong performances against tough opposition, with our girls securing an impressive 2nd place finish and our boys coming in 3rd. A huge well done to all the players for their fantastic efforts! Special congratulations to Zayna and Shrey for being named MVPs of the day.