Harvest Festival is a wonderful opportunity to pause amid the busyness of school life and reflect on the many things we can be thankful for at Banstead Prep. Its message is a simple but important one: to appreciate what we have, recognise the opportunities we are fortunate to enjoy, and consider how we can use them to help others.
In such a complex world, taking a moment to look beyond our own day-to-day lives and think about the experiences of others feels particularly important. Gratitude is not just about counting our blessings; it is about recognising that we all have something to give, and that even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this year’s Harvest Festival, whatever their contribution.
On Tuesday, we enjoyed a heart-warming assembly that brought this message to life beautifully. A huge thank you to Mrs Lane and Mrs Abbott, alongside our Eco Leaders and Performing Arts Leaders, for creating such a thoughtful and uplifting celebration. Thank you, too, to our school choir, our Year 5 poets and, very importantly, our Reception children, who performed in front of the whole school and their parents for the very first time – all in their first few weeks at ‘big school’! Standing in front of an audience takes tremendous courage, and it is easy to underestimate just how much confidence that first step requires. It was a lovely reminder that, as adults, we must never take these milestones for granted. What may seem like a small moment to us can feel like an enormous achievement to a child, and we are so proud of them.
It has been another incredibly busy half-term across the school, and I want to take a moment to recognise the children and staff who have been working so hard. Our Year 6 children have had a particularly demanding term, balancing assessments and questions and decisions about senior schools alongside all their usual learning and leadership responsibilities. I have been so impressed by the maturity and resilience they have shown, and by the positivity they continue to bring to school. There is a great deal to navigate at this stage, and it is wonderful to see them supporting one another and approaching the next steps in their journey with such grace.
A huge thank you to our Year 5 and Year 4 teams for the residential experiences they have provided at Condover Hall and Hindleap Warren. These trips offer so much more than a change of scenery: they give children the chance to build independence, strengthen friendships, try something unfamiliar and discover what they can achieve when they step outside their comfort zone.
Our Year 3 and Year 4 children are now busy preparing for their performances after half-term, and the excitement is certainly building! We look forward to seeing all their hard work come together in *Magpie Manor* very soon.
It has also been lovely to see our Pre-Prep and Early Years teams settle into another busy school year. The start of a new journey can be a big step for little people, and some children need a little extra time, reassurance and TLC as they find their feet. Our staff work so hard to provide that nurturing start, building the routines and relationships that help children feel secure and ready to learn. I have particularly enjoyed seeing the focus on relationships, early reading, and curiosity and excitement which is a great foundation to a successful journey at BPS. There is something very special about watching children begin to see themselves as explorers of learning, ask questions about the world around them and grow in confidence as they discover just what they are capable of.
Finally, a huge thank you to everyone involved in Saturday’s Open Morning. These events take a great deal of planning and teamwork, and I know just how much thought, energy and care go into making them a success. Nothing quite ‘fills up the cup’ like having the opportunity to show prospective families what our staff put their heart and soul into every day. It was a pleasure to welcome new faces and share the enthusiasm, expertise and warmth that make Banstead Prep such a special community.
As we head into the half-term break, I hope we can carry a little of that Harvest spirit with us: appreciating the people around us, noticing the good things in our everyday lives and remembering that even small acts of kindness can make a real difference. There is so much to celebrate across our school, and I hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved rest.
Wishing everyone a lovely half-term break.
Lisa Crook
Deputy Head
