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Headmaster’s Lines – 13.05.22
‘We will be alright don’t you think, Sir?’, one of the Fifth Form students asked me today with a grin on their face. This is their last day before study leave begins.
Read MoreYear 6 French Trip 2022
This week, Year 6 enjoyed their first residential trip abroad since 2019. Four days based in Le Touquet saw the children visit a bee farm, a chocolaterie, a snail farm, the beach and - the children's favourite - the Vimy Ridge war memorial.
Read MoreForest School – 13.05.22
Reception classes took the book 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' to the Forest School this week.
Read MoreSomerhill Mathematics Competition
This week, the Mathematics department have been busy competing against 16 other schools, and up to 40 teams, at the Somerhill Maths Competition.
Read MoreMathematical Mocktails
Last week, our Year 6 pupils learned about ratio. At the end of the topic, the year group got into groups to bring ratio alive! How would ratio be used in a real-life situation?
Read MoreSuper Ski Champions
On Sunday, our Junior Ski team competed at the Kent Schools Ski Championship at Chatham Snowsports Centre. The boys’ team became the Junior Boys’ Kent Ski champions finishing first and third in their group and the Mixed team came second in their category!
Read MoreSVPS Design Challenge
Maidstone Museum launched a design challenge for schools across Kent. Designers had to use inspiration from an artefact, gallery or special exhibition at the Museum to produce a prototype product that could be sold in the Museum Shop.
Read MoreAcademic Deputy Head’s Lines – 13.05.22
‘The crown of literature is poetry’ - W. Somerset Maugham With the SVPS Poetry Speaking competition next Friday and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations just around the corner, this quote seemed somewhat fitting and pertinent.
Read MoreSuccessful Shooting Competition
On Sunday at 6.30am, a small team of crack shots gathered by the School’s armoury to get ready for the 11th Infantry Brigade’s annual 7.62 Shooting competition held at a small range near Guilford.
Read MoreHeritage Design Challenge
On Wednesday afternoon, Miss Peart-Price took the three shortlisted students, Sophia Parkin (Second Form), Simone Rai and James Hackett (both Third Form) to pitch their designs and prototypes at Maidstone Museum for the Heritage Design Challenge.
Read MoreTrips Calendar
As things continue to work their way back to some form of normality, so we have started to compile a trips calendar that will run through to Summer 2025.
Read MoreThe Soup Movement
This term, in English, our Year 5 children have begun studying a new text, 'The Soup Movement' by Ben Davis. It is set in present-day England and follows the story of a boy called Jordan, who encounters a homeless man living in a tent in the park.
Read MoreDrawing Awareness
Our Year 5 pupils have been researching endangered animals as inspiration for extending their drawing skills. Using pencils and applying their tonal variation and textural techniques, they drew their chosen animal in detail.
Read MorePrefect Piece – Ella G
For her prefect piece, Ella G (Year 6) writes about her love for Hockey. She talks about the mixed Hockey summer league that she is taking part in and the learning powers that participating in this requires.
Read MoreGrandparents’ Day 2022 – SVPS
On Tuesday, the School was delighted to host Grandparents’ Day. Miss Corkran, Head, and Mr Watkins, Deputy Head, reflect on the day below.
Read MoreHead Boy Piece – Rhys M
This week, Head Boy, Rhys M (Year 6) writes about his newfound hobby - Park Run. He talks about how he accepted the challenge of running five kilometres with his family.
Read MoreApprenticeship Fair 2022
Students in Lower Sixth that expressed an interest in apprenticeships, visited the University of Kent, Canterbury last week, to discover opportunities and prospective courses from universities. William Ervine (Lower Sixth) was in attendance and writes about the experience below.
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines – 06.05.22
How lovely it has been to have had, quite literally, hundreds of visitors during this shorter-than-normal week. Seeing all of the grandparents and relatives here on Tuesday was a delight, the Music Concert that evening really was top drawer, and last night’s in-person Parents’ Evening for the Lower Sixth felt like a much-desired return to normality!
Read MoreTrenches Trip
On Wednesday afternoon, a group of Fourth Form Army cadets transported themselves back in time to the First World War trenches in Railway Wood, Ypres. The replica trenches at the Kent County Showground provide a snapshot of what it would be like to have been on the front line.
Read MoreGCSE/GCE Summer Examinations 2022
All parents should have received a copy of their child’s ‘Green Final External Examination Timetable’ for May/June 2022. A second copy has been given to students via their tutors.
Read MoreHead of School Speeches – Summer Term
During the Headmaster's assemblies, we heard Head of School speeches from Tobias Butler and Hannah Slipper (both Lower Sixth). You can read their speeches below.
Read MoreGrandparents’ Day 2022
On Tuesday, the School was delighted to open its doors to host its first Grandparents’ Day in three years. Given the event’s hiatus, it was wonderful to welcome over 180 guests on the day, many of whom had not visited the School previously.
Read MoreSuper Showjumping
Two of our youngest members of the SVS Equestrian team, Isla D (Year 5) and Amelia P (Year 4) competed locally in Staplehurst over the Easter holidays in a Showjumping competition against other local schools and they both came away with fantastic results.
Read MoreDeputy Head’s Lines – 06.05.22
The old adage 'it takes a village to raise a child' is rooted in the value of a strong community, with its range of skills and experience in the development of young children.
Read MoreConstance Linsley – A Level Art
Constance Linsley (Lower Sixth) has written a piece reflecting on her A Level Photography project. Constance describes the artists that she has been inspired by and how she challenges herself to try new techniques.
Read MoreSkittle Sampling
Last Saturday, as part of the research methods topic in Psychology, students were tasked with a sampling exercise using skittles. The skittles were the target population and pupils had to obtain participants by using different sampling methods.
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines – 29.04.22
It has been such a pleasure being in all four of the School assemblies over the last two days. Amongst all the encouragement and words of advice from colleagues, I saw awards for digraph writing and timetables work in Pre-Prep, a plethora of certificates ranging from Skiing to LAMDA in Prep, reading prizes in the Juniors, and it was an honour to hand our Head of Corps ties as well and also hear from Hannah Slipper (Lower Sixth) give her Head of School speech in Headmaster's Assembly this afternoon.
Read MoreANZAC Day 2022
On Monday, the School, courtesy of its close links with Westminster Abbey and the New Zealand High Commission, organised an ANZAC Day event for gap students working at schools in the UK.
Read MoreGreat Hockey Success
Another great weekend for SVS Hockey! Elizabeth Burden and Evie Smith (both Third Form) were in action at Lee Valley again last weekend for the England Hockey Supra League National finals.
Read MoreArt and Photography Exhibition 2022
The Art department is very busy curating the Art and Photography GCSE and A Level end of year exhibition. All students have been working hard to complete their practical coursework to showcase their work.
Read MoreThird Form Range Day
On a bright Wednesday morning, the Third Form, along with some willing NCOs, assembled at Hythe Ranges for their annual Shooting Day. During the preceding two terms, the cadets have been developing their weapon-handling skills in preparation to fire on a live range.
Read MoreCard Sharks Club
A new club in Pre-Prep started this week - Card Sharks. The children learnt about the names of the various suits, shuffling, dealing, hands and most importantly how to have fun playing a new card game!
Read MoreA Commendable Comic Club
Our Year 5 Comic Club has filled Monday lunch breaks with creativity, fun and laughter. Promoting pupil voice, the club was organised and run by Year 5 children with a sense of humour, love of comic characters and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Read MoreYear 6 Magistrate’s Workshops
This week Alvin Shaw, a local magistrate, visited our Year 6 pupils to talk to them about the processes and procedures connected to our law system and the consequences of breaking the law.
Read MorePrefect Pieces – 29.04.22
This week's prefect pieces come from Sienna C and Henry K (both Year 6). Sienna writes about her fascination with the Titanic and its tragic story and Henry describes his experience seeing osprey eggs on his holiday in Scotland!
Read MoreLearning Powers – 29.04.22
Our final pair of Learning Powers this year is Curiosity and Originality. Mr Watkins, Deputy Head, introduced these to the children last week, through the lens of how we use questions to solve problems in new and creative ways.
Read MoreBrilliant Beatrix Potter
This week, children in Year 5 applied their Super Hoot Learning Powers of flexibility and collaboration to create mood board maps that reflected the life and art of Beatrix Potter. This brilliant woman’s legacy lives on through her amazing artwork, stories and films.
Read MoreTerrific Tallying
Children in Year 1 have been learning about tally charts in creative and exciting ways - including porridge tasting! They have also been using their knowledge and skills from their ICT lessons to problem solve.
Read MoreFantastic Fashion Designers
The Year 6 Design and Technology lessons have been giving the children the opportunity to be fashion designers. They are making items of clothing for the rabbit character from the book 'The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane'.
Read MoreWrite Dance – 29.04.22
Last Friday, our Reception children took part in their weekly Write Dance session in the Pre-Prep Hall. They enjoyed the story of Big Water Shute, explored the language and listened to the lyrics of the song.
Read MoreHead of Pre-Prep’s Lines – 29.04.22
What a fabulous start to the Summer Term it has been. The sun started to shine for us, and the children have enjoyed playing outside, swimming in the outdoor pool and developing their learning through outdoor opportunities and new topic themes.
Read MoreDelightful Digestion
Our Year 4 children have been getting their teeth stuck into their new Science topic on digestion and food chains. They have learnt about the first stage of the digestive system. In particular, the different types of teeth such as incisors, canines and molars, as well as considering why they have different shapes.
Read MoreHead’s Lines – 22nd April 2022
What glorious weather for the first week of Summer Term! Many children and parents have commented on our beautiful grounds and I have passed these kind words on to the wonderful team of gardeners who work so hard to ensure our children learn and play in this most glorious setting.
Read MoreBSA Award Finalists
Each year the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) celebrate the achievements, hard work and dedication of schools and individuals with the Boarding Schools’ Association Supporting Excellence Awards.
Read MoreIncredible Racing
The Easter weekend saw Joshua Miller (Fifth Form) and his teammate compete in the British GT Championship, where they finished second and became the youngest ever drivers on the British GT Podium!
Read MoreA Level Photography
Madeleine Presland (Upper Sixth) writes about her A Level Photography project. The main theme of my A Level Photography project is colour. I learned, over a period of time, how to apply and capture ultraviolet paint in different lights.
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines – 22.04.22
We returned after the Easter break on Wednesday to a beautiful campus which has been bathed in sunshine and blossom petals - what a lovely way to start the Summer Term.
Read MoreExceptional Evie
The Easter holidays saw Evie Smith (Third Form) play for the England Hockey U16 squad in the Five Nations against The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Ireland.
Read MoreSuper Skiing
Maximilian (Upper Sixth) and Oliver Laughland (Fourth Form) have had an impressive season so far. Max has worked incredibly hard all season and has achieved some great results including becoming the U18 British Downhill Champion 2022.
Read MoreHockey Nationals
The Easter holidays proved a very busy time for some of our Hockey players. The England Hockey National U16 Tier 2 Plate Final saw Marden Russets play Havant at Cambridge University on Sunday 3rd April.
Read MoreYoung Artists’ Summer Show
The Young Artists’ Summer Show, run by The Royal Academy of Arts, is an opportunity for young artists, from age four to 19, to show off their artistic skills and be inspired by the work of others.
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines – 25.03.22
Well the Lent Term has certainly flown by! The last few weeks have been particularly busy with so many different events that you will note in this week’s newsletter (and in other recent editions).
Read MoreSpring has Sprung
Year 5 Art Club has captured the call of spring in their mixed media masterpieces. They were given freedom of expression to interpret the word spring using a medium of their choice.
Read MoreInvicta STEM Challenge
Four Year 6 pupils attended Invicta Grammar School’s STEM and Maths Challenge last week. This tested their planning skills, teamwork, nerves, science and maths skills.
Read MoreChamber Choir Go Pro in London
The SVPS Chamber Choir had a flavour of the professional lifestyle when they visited the VOCES8 Centre in London on Wednesday. VOCES 8 are a world-renowned vocal ensemble particularly renowned for their exquisite a cappella singing.
Read MoreYear 4 Production 2022
Last week saw the magnificent production of Year 4’s play, Hansel and Gretel, come to life on stage! After two years of restrictions and no audiences, it was wonderful to be able to invite family and friends to watch the acting, singing and sheer enjoyment of a very talented year group.
Read MoreYear 2 Showcase 2022
On Friday 18th March, Year 2 parents were treated to a thoroughly enjoyable and accomplished performance of music and poetry. 2C and 2MD have been studying the styles of famous artists and taking inspiration from them to produce their own creative interpretations over the past six months.
Read MoreThe SVS Swap Shop
Next term, the Eco Society is attempting to tackle the impact of fast fashion. The global impact of fast fashion is astonishing. Two hundred and thirty five million items of clothing were sent to landfills last year alone and 1.2 billion tons of carbon emissions are produced by the global fashion industry annually.
Read MoreSurreal Self-portraits
Miss Peart-Price’s First Form Art students have been busy creating their surreal self-portraits this term, inspired by the artist Maria Rivans. Maria Rivans is a contemporary British artist, known for her scrapbook-style collage aesthetic.
Read MoreHead’s Lines – 25th March 2022
As the term draws to a close, it has been as busy as ever over the last couple of weeks and the children have continued to throw themselves wholeheartedly into every opportunity. A super example of this was last week’s Year 4 play.
Read MoreCharity Easter Raffle 2022
On Thursday, the egg-citement mounted in the Library as the Headmaster drew the winning tickets for the Easter Egg raffle. The winners were delighted with their prizes, the first prize being a large Lindt egg with a Lindt bunny and Lindt chocolates, won by Joshua Fawell (Lower Sixth).
Read MoreJunior Gardeners 2022
In the glorious March sunshine, the daffodils, which had been planted by First Form students back in November (raising money and awareness for Sepsis Research FEAT), had bloomed beautifully.
Read MoreFlying Challenge
During their Design and Technology lesson this week, our Second Form pupils undertook an exciting STEM challenge. Pupils were given 30 minutes to design and manufacture a flying or falling device that would stay in the air for as long as possible and then land as close as possible to a given target.
Read MoreMilitary Competition 2022
On Sunday 13th March, ten CCF cadets attended a military skills competition at Longmore Army Camp. Colour Sergeant Maximus Woods (Lower Sixth) has written the following report on the competition.
Read MoreCCF Inspection 2022
On Wednesday afternoon, the CCF held a Promotion Parade where the entire CCF contingent was on parade, complete with Honour Guard to provide a final farewell for the Upper Sixth cadets and present various promotions to senior NCOs
Read MoreRosslyn Park 7s
Throughout the week our U14s, U16s and U18s Boys’ Rugby teams have been taking part in the prestigious Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s tournaments. The following is a summary of their results.
Read MoreBSSRA Postal League Success 2022
Each term, members of the Shooting team compete in the British Schools Smallbore Shooting Association (BSSRA) postal league matches. Teams of four or five shoot five cards at the school’s 25-yard range, which are then posted to a scorer to be marked.
Read MoreABRSM Examination Results 2022
On Thursday, students received their ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) examination results and we are delighted to share the grades which have been achieved. All students should be incredibly proud of their results, which you can view below.
Read MoreLent Term Netball 2022
As we come to the end of the Lent Term, here is a summary of the final few games of the Netball season. Evie Smith (Third Form) wrote the following report on the Birley’s tournament at Kings Canterbury:
Read MorePoetry Live! 2022
Last Friday, two Fourth Form English classes attended Poetry Live! at the Dominion Theatre in London. The students heard from poets such as Carol Ann Duffy and Imtiaz Dharker, both of whom have written poems that feature in the students’ poetry syllabus.
Read MoreBlue Gowns – Lent Term 2022
We were delighted to see so many students receive their Blue Gowns this term. Any student who earns two Blue Badges in their School career is awarded a dark blue gown (similar to a Prefects’ gown) to wear in Chapel and on special occasions.
Read More1st XV Captain Speech
Tyler Weekes (Upper Sixth) gave a powerful speech during the Headmaster’s Assembly today, where he describes the National Vase final at Twickenham and the squad he captained on the day.
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines – 18.03.22
I spoke in Headmaster’s Assembly this afternoon about pride. There are so many things of which we can be especially proud here at SVS, and this week has been no exception.
Read MoreCounty Level Hockey
We are delighted to share that 15 players from SVS are currently playing at County level! They each play in a league with their next matches being on 10th April.
Read MoreCopy Prizes – March 2022
A number of Headmaster’s Copy Prizes have been awarded recently for some excellent academic work. In First Form, two copy prizes have been given for some fantastic Mathematic research.
Read MoreFrench Theatre Visit 2022
This morning, a language theatre company visited the school to perform a French and Spanish play for Second to Fourth Form students.
Read MoreKent School’s U16 Tournament 2022
On Thursday, we hosted the Kent School’s U16 seven-a-side Rugby tournament. We were blessed with some incredible weather, which was in total contrast to the constant downpour 24 hours earlier.
Read MoreThe Superpower of Looking
Appreciating the work of different artists is a common occurrence in the art room. The children are introduced to new and varied artworks and encouraged to be artistic thinkers, who are able to express their opinions and look closely at the elements that make up artwork.
Read MoreSustainable Sandals
Our Year 4 children have been given the task of designing and creating a Roman sandal that fits their own feet and is constructed from recycled materials.
Read MoreReception Dinosaur Workshop 2022
Reception had a visit this week from Maidstone Museum so they could learn more about their dinosaurs topic. They learnt how fossils were created with heat, pressure and time for the bones, claws and teeth to be turned into fossils.
Read MoreAcademic Deputy Head’s Lines – 16th March 2022
‘In that earliest childhood, we get those invisible glasses through which we look at the world all our lives, and these glasses colour our views’.
Read MoreSpringing Back to Live Performances 2022
It was thrilling to see the children so excited about performing, at last, in front of a large audience again on Thursday 10th March. A buzz of anticipation built throughout the day as the final rehearsals took place for the Spring Concert.
Read MoreCross Country Competition
On Monday 14th March, we competed in the Ashford Prep School Cross Country competition. Despite being a dry afternoon, the course proved tricky, with some very muddy and wet patches in places.
Read MoreDesign and Technology Inclusivity
This term in Design and Technology, the Second Form pupils have been working on an exciting inclusive design project. Pupils have been developing their understanding of what inclusive design means and exploring the importance of designing products that are inclusive.
Read MoreKent Schools Friendly Dewar Match
On Saturday, the Shooting team entered the first Kent Schools Friendly Dewar Match, shot between SVS, Sevenoaks School and Tonbridge School. This match, shot at the Tunbridge Wells Target Shooting Club, saw two teams of four from each school (24 students in total) shoot at 50 metres and 100 yards.
Read MoreThe Heritage Design Challenge 2022
Maidstone Museum Foundation is currently running a design challenge for all schools across Kent, and are encouraging children across all year groups to participate.
Read MoreChester’s Judo Success
Chester Livesey (First Form) attended the British Schools judo competition in Sheffield on Sunday, competing in the Under 38-kilogram category.
Read MoreMarvellous Mummies 2022
This week, our Year 1 children have been learning about mummification. The children investigated this Ancient Egyptian process practically using soft toys.
Read MorePrefect Piece – Esme S
In her prefect piece, Esme S (Year 6) talks about her love for dance and the commitment that this hobby involves.
Read MoreSweet Science 2022
Our Year 5 pupils have been busy finding different ways to separate materials. They have used sieves of varied sizes and discovered that filters are all around us and do not always have to be something physical - for example, an internet filter.
Read MoreSenior Leader’s Lines – Friday 11th March 2022
Despite the best efforts of the three large storms of late, it is encouraging to witness the School grounds beginning to show the white, purple and yellow colours of springtime plants.
Read More1st XV National Vase Semi-Final Match Report
The 1st XV captain, Tyler Weekes (Upper Sixth), has written a report on their National Vase semi-final win against Reading Blue Coat School (RBC).
Read MoreStreet Art Photography 2022
A Level Photography student Yves Davis (Upper Sixth) is especially interested in old 20th Century photographs, as well as street art and decay in urban areas.
Read MoreMiss Kicks Ambassador
Harriet Onions (Fifth Form), an excellent footballer playing for Tunbridge wells Foresters FC U16 Girls’ team, has been selected as an ambassador for Miss Kicks, a football clothing line made for girls and women.
Read MoreSwimming Gala Success – 3rd March 2022
Last week our Swimming team attended a Girls’ Swimming gala against pupils from Cobham Hall School, who have always proved to be tough competition in the past. It became apparent early on that the overall result would be very close as we finished the individual races with equal scores.
Read MoreKingdon Society Lecture Review 2022
On Thursday 3rd March, as part of the Kingdon Society, Professor Andrew Linn gave a talk on linguistics. Phoebe Connell (Fifth Form) wrote a review of this lecture.
Read MoreIEA Budget Challenge competition 2022
On Wednesday, three Lower Sixth Economics students travelled to the Vinson Centre for Economics at the University of Buckingham, having made the national final of the Institute for Economic Affairs Budget Challenge competition.
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines – Friday 11th March 2022
Well, it has been a busy week here in School with our ‘special guests’ joining us. There are various regulations in place about how much I am able to pass on at this stage to the community.
Read MoreNetball Tournament Winners
On Tuesday, the U14A Girls' Netball team competed in the Birley’s tournament at The King’s School, Canterbury. Evie Smith (Third Form) has written a fantastic report of the day.
Read MoreScience Observatory Trip 2022
On Wednesday, our Year 3 children took an exciting trip to The Science Observatory at Herstmonceux! Their faces lit up as we arrived, as they were met with six magnificent green domes containing both reflecting and refracting telescopes of varying sizes.
Read MoreWorld Book Day March 2022
Where’s Wally? And Hermione? Or Fagin, Thing and Alice? Well, they, and many more book characters, were right here at SVPS!
Read MoreTilly C – Prefect Piece
Tilly C (Year 6) speaks in her Prefect Piece about her recently discovered love for drawing with charcoal. I had only recently discovered drawing with charcoal, which I love, when I got some chalk pastels for Christmas.
Read MoreWeather Working Wall
In Humanities, our Year 3 children are creating a working wall to support their Weather and Climate topic. They have identified the continents and become aware of the significance of the equator and the tropics.
Read MoreCollaged Characters
Having previously drawn self-portraits that reflected their likeness through perfect facial feature proportions and shading to enhance 3D realism, our Year 4 children have made a move towards the surreal.
Read MoreDeputy Head’s Lines – 04.03.22
Each half of term at SVPS starts with a now-familiar pattern. On the first day back, in assembly, I always talk to the children about our new pair of Learning Powers and when I speak to the children about what these Learning Powers look like, I always try to give some examples, to illustrate how they might look in the real world.
Read MoreWorld Book Day 2022
This week, we celebrated World Book Day in the library by having two talented members of staff read to the First and Second Forms.
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines – 04.03.22
I am writing this on Thursday evening having just returned home from a very well attended and fascinating Kingdon Society lecture given by Professor Andrew Linn (former parent and current Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Westminster).
Read MoreSixth Form Spring Ball 2022
The Sixth Form Ball Committee are delighted to announce that the Spring Ball will be taking place on Saturday 19th March. The Sixth Form have chosen to support mental health charity, Mind for the evening.
Read MoreBSSRA International Match 2022
Callum Davis and Daniel Wild (both Lower Sixth) have been selected to represent England in the BSSRA Home Countries National Match 2022.
Read MoreFreshers Fifteen Forum
The Sixth Form forum is a four-week programme covering necessary practical skills in preparation for university life. These topics include personal safety and wellbeing, cooking, practicalities of student life and study skills beyond A Levels.
Read MoreUpper Sixth Form Art 2022
Our Upper Sixth Art students are currently working extremely hard to ensure their artwork pieces are complete to the best of their ability to meet the A Level submission deadline.
Read MoreU10 Rugby Festival 2022
On Friday 25th February, SVS hosted the annual U10 seven-a-side Rugby festival that saw eight local schools take part in a hotly contested set of matches.
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines – 25.02.22
Today it was lovely to welcome over 100 students, and their parents, from local prep schools to our annual Under 10 Rugby Festival. The sunshine certainly helped create the wonderful atmosphere here at SVS.
Read MoreHead’s Lines – 25th February 2022
This half term, we are focusing on the Learning Powers of Flexibility and Collaboration and I am sure we will have many opportunities to hone these skills, given how many exciting opportunities and events are taking place over the course of the next month or so.
Read MoreCuriosity Day Lent Term 2022
Curiosity Day this term took the theme of World Inventors' Day and Innovation. All children from Reception to Year 6 took part in a range of exciting and challenging activities throughout the day.
Read MoreMandarin Lessons
Nǐ hǎo, hello from Beijing! By popular demand and following last year’s successful introduction to Chinese, our Year 6 students have been getting initiated with Mandarin Chinese during the Lent Term.
Read MoreOuter Space 2022
Have you ever been curious about what it would be like to float in space? What would it really look like through the visor of an astronaut’s helmet? Year 5 had the opportunity to explore this concept artistically on Curiosity Day.
Read MoreViking Visit 2022
The Vikings came to SVPS on Wednesday! Year 2 had the most informative and exciting day and we are grateful to Peter the Viking who led the day in such an inspirational way.
Read MoreVamping it up with VOCES8
The afternoon would not have been complete without another rendition of the all-time favourite Mango, Mango but with the addition of some new fruits to the menu.
Read MoreFelting Fun 2022
Felting fun filled the Art room and it was awash with colour, creativity, and water! Our Year 6 pupils had fun extending their skills to create fantastic felted landscapes in a workshop led by felting expert Sue Kimber.
Read MoreSplendid Screwdrivers
Our Lower Sixth Design and Technology students have recently completed their screwdriver manufacture project. Throughout this project, they have successfully developed their skills in manufacture and have learnt how to use a wide range of new tools and processes within the Design and Technology department.
Read MoreTerrific Timber
Our Fourth Form Design and Technology students have been working hard to complete their timber project this term.
Read MoreSurvive and Save
Since the beginning of term, the Fourth and Fifth Forms CCF Royal Navy section cadets have been undergoing a lifesaving course in the School's swimming pool.
Read MoreShow Jumping Competition
The Equestrian team had a successful day at the NSEA Duckhurst Farm Inter-Schools Grassroots and Show Jumping competition on the 16th February, over the Half Term break.
Read MorePhotography Brent Varrall
Brent Varrall (Fifth Form) is an ambitious and creative photographer currently focusing on his final project theme 'Dreamland'. He has recently completed a photoshoot 'Expression and Shapes' inspired by a British photographer, publisher and film director named Rankin.
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines – 11.02.22
It is amazing how much we manage to fit into small periods of time here. The last five weeks really have flown by and I am certainly aware of how much we all need to have a bit of a break over the next week for Half Term.
Read MoreMEGA Manners Week 2022
After Half Term, Years 3 to 6 will be having a MEGA Manners Week. It will be an opportunity to raise, remind and reinforce the SVPS values and Super Hoot Learning Powers by encouraging children to embrace expectations and celebrate returning to the learning zone of School.
Read MoreLearning about Levers
What do seesaws, oars, wheelbarrows and our arms all have in common? Amazingly, they are all simple mechanisms that use levers - a rigid beam that is free to rotate on a pivot and is perfect for lifting and moving heavy things.
Read MoreBoarders Trip to Brighton
Last weekend, our boarders took a trip to Brighton seafront. Johanna Lang (Fifth Form) has written a short report on the visit.
Read MoreHead’s Lines – 11th February 2022
During his half of term, the whole School focus has been on the learning powers of tenacity and bravery. We have continued to consider this year’s theme of ‘How to make a better world’.
Read MoreYear 4 English (Iron Man)
In their English lessons, our Year 4 students are studying The Iron Man by Ted Hughes - a timeless tale of good versus bad, working together and relationships.
Read MoreSwimming Championship 2022
Olivia Q (Year 6) has been busy participating in the Kent Swimming Championship 2022. Due to the cancellation last year, this campaign has been the first championship in which Olivia has qualified in the 10/11 age group.
Read MoreCCF Annual Leadership Lecture 2022
After a delay of two years, we were finally able to gather for the annual leadership lecture, this year given by Major-General Jonathan Shaw.
Read MoreMaidstone Young Artist Award Exhibition
We are delighted to announce that, after submitting her painting ‘The Stacks’, Grace Manning-Greene (Third Form) has been selected to be part of the Maidstone Young Artist Award exhibition.
Read MoreMixed Media Art
Miss Peart-Price's Third Form Art students are currently working on a mixed-media fantasy inspired self-portrait. The students have been using a range of processes and techniques to create their mixed media artwork that is inspired by the artist Sharyle Doherty.
Read MoreKent U13 Tier 1 Tournament
Following the success at U12 In2Hockey tournament on Monday 31st January, the U13s – including five members of the U12 team - travelled to Kent College, Canterbury to compete for the County cup.
Read MoreMusic with Laurel
Wow, was the atmosphere buzzing in the Music department on Monday! The Chamber Choir were fired up with excitement at the prospect of their first visit from VOCES8 education leader, Laurel Neighbour, who was to spend the afternoon rehearsing with them.
Read MoreListen up
This half of term, our Year 4 pupils have been exploring the topic ‘sound’. The first lesson started off in complete silence; the pupils thought Mr Strydom had lost his voice!
Read MoreKent Hockey Success
After many weeks of trials and training sessions, this year's Kent Hockey squads have now been finalised. The following pupils have been selected for their respective age group squads and will represent Kent in the South Hockey league that runs between March and May.
Read MoreShining Stars
Edward Tulane, a china rabbit and the main character in Year 6’s set text, has an affinity for the stars. They comfort him throughout his miraculous journeys and we, the reader, are reminded of their regularity and shining status as events begin and end.
Read MoreSweet Art
Children in Art club have been enjoying sweet times while furthering their observational drawing skills. Focusing on drawing 3D forms, they mastered the art of drawing cubes, cylinders, cuboids and spherical shapes.
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines – 04.02.22
I was warned about February before I moved to Sutton Valence. Freezing, snowy, icy, damp, dark….. I was told. That has certainly not been the case so far (apart from the drizzle this morning which has now passed as I type).
Read MoreAcademic Deputy Head’s Lines – 4th February 2022
As romantic as it is mathematical, the ‘butterfly effect’ theory can be found in all areas of life. The ‘butterfly effect’ is so called because if enough butterflies whirr their wings in the Amazonian rainforest, a tornado can be unleashed hundreds of miles away.
Read MoreFrank Mason Memorial Tournament
On Thursday, the 1st XI Boys' Hockey team travelled to Canterbury to compete in the prestigious Frank Mason memorial tournament. Mr Braddick reports on the day.
Read MoreSwimming Success – 4th February 2022
The Swimming team faced their third gala of the season on Thursday night, against The King’s School. The team knew that King’s would be tough competition, however, the whole team pulled together and swam incredibly well, resulting in another convincing win for SVS.
Read MoreJunior Leadership – 4th February 2022
As part of the Junior Leadership curriculum, our Second Form pupils have been participating in a £5 challenge, where they come up with an initiative to generate as much money as possible for charity.
Read MoreThe Historic Society Great Debate
The Historical Society Great Debate took place virtually on Monday and Sixth Form students from across Kent debated the following question, "The 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II has seen global and widespread changes including in societal infrastructure, industry, rural life and the environment. Which changes of the last 70 years have affected your local area the most?".
Read MoreGCSE Art – Ian Murphy
Mr Thompson and Miss Peart-Price's Fourth Form Art GCSE students have started researching the artist Ian Murphy. His work focuses on his fascination with the rugged, earthy surroundings.
Read MoreIn2Hockey Kent Tournament 2022
Congratulations to our Boys' Hockey U12 team for winning the In2Hockey Kent tournament on Monday 31st January. A short report of the day from Mr Braddick, Head of Hockey, can be read below.
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines – 28.01.22
January certainly has flown by and I have been very impressed with how much we have all managed to fit in! We began the week with a moving Chapel service marking Holocaust Memorial Day.
Read MoreConnecting with Bridges 2022
‘Effort and hard work construct the bridge that connects your dreams to reality’ - Daisaku Ikeda. Our Year 5 pupils have embarked on a new learning journey in Design and Technology.
Read MoreTiki Masks 2022
Miss Peart-Price's Second Form Art students were busy sculpting their Tiki-inspired masks on Thursday afternoon. The students have been researching and analysing work from Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures.
Read MoreSwimming Achievements
On Thursday, the Swimming team took part in their second gala of the season against King’s Rochester, winning convincingly by 51 points. A huge congratulations to all those who took part.
Read MoreSenior Leaders Lines
As SVPS and all other schools across England approach the halfway point in the School academic calendar, Chinese schools are reaching the end of their academic year.
Read MoreThe SAMA Charity Walk
Mr Dawling, our Strength and Conditioning Coach, is taking on a fantastic fundraising challenge for the SAMA charity. This year will mark the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands War in the South Atlantic.
Read MoreSwimming Gala
The first swimming gala of the season took place on 18th January 2022. Our First and Second Form at SVS joined forces with SVPS, swimming against Dulwich Prep, and achieved a brilliant win.
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines
A well-earned exeat weekend awaits us. I hope that the pause is helpful for all, not least for our Upper Sixth students who will be doing their final revision before their A Level mock examinations start next week.
Read MoreDeputy Head’s Lines – 21.01.22
It has been a real pleasure, over the last couple of weeks, to spend some more time with the Pre-Prep children, in assemblies, dropping into classrooms, and at break and lunchtimes, too.
Read MoreSwimming Gala – 18th January 2022
The first swimming gala of the season took place on Tuesday this week. Our First and Second Form at SVS joined forces with SVPS, swimming against Dulwich Prep, and achieved a brilliant win.
Read MoreJoy Sticks – Year 6 Art
There is a new addition to the art room... paint sticks! A marvellous new medium – acrylic paint in a stick form - like a rainbow of lipsticks, an array of flavoured ice lollies, a cylinder of creativity and joy without the need for water and a paintbrush. Introduction to the paint sticks involved lots of experimentation as our Year 6 pupils excitedly scumbled, blended, stippled and graffitied with their new friends.
Read MoreMagnificent Measures
In Year 6, pupils have been solving measurement problems using up to three decimal places! They have used simple formulae to calculate area, perimeter and volume, and have converted between many different units.
Read MoreYear 6 Mandarin Lessons
Year 6 has now undertaken their first in a series of live, online Chinese Mandarin lessons with the innovative and exciting DragonsConnect Company.
Read MoreYear 3 Wonders – P4L
Are you a bystander? Are you unique? These were questions Year 3 pondered in P4L. They read the book We’re All Wonders by R.J Palacio. and met Auggie, who was no ordinary kid; he was different.
Read MorePrefect Piece – Montgomery T
I like being a prefect and helping out around the School. As part of my prefect responsibilities, in the mornings I hide the 'wanted word' for the Year 1 children to find. I like doing this as it means the children are able to have fun whilst also developing their reading skills.
Read MoreYear 6 Mandarin Lessons
Year 6 has now undertaken their first in a series of live, online Chinese Mandarin lessons with the innovative and exciting DragonsConnect Company. Mme West and Mrs Harrison have been thrilled to see the pupils engage so enthusiastically with their Mandarin teachers, taking on board new vocabulary and phrases.
Read MoreChinese New Year Piece – Sienna C
As the Chinese New Year begins on the 1st February, Sienna C decided to write about what fascinated her regarding the Chinese calendar and how to find out the animal zodiac sign that represents the year you were born.
Read MorePrefect Piece – Barney B
The day before my Sport scholarship assessment, I was extremely nervous. However, I was also excited because sport is a huge passion of mine. The main reason that I hoped to be offered a Sport scholarship, was to become more advanced in Sport and achieve my dream of being able to play for my country in the future.
Read MoreTudor Treasures
In Design and Technology, Year 5 took inspiration from Tudor jewellery to design their own treasures. After analysing different styles and types of jewellery worn in Tudor Times, Year 5 sketched detailed designs for their own unique piece of jewellery.
Read MoreMusic on your Mind
New term, new year and possibly new musical resolutions. Are you seeking inspiration to get your new year off to a good start? If learning a musical instrument is a new year resolution of yours, Xanthe B (Year 6) has some excellent advice about the power or perseverance required.
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines – 14.01.22
It is a stunning afternoon here at School. The School site looks beautiful today, bathed in sunshine with hardly a cloud in the sky. Sunrises and sunsets have also been breath taking; I wonder how many more days we can have like this as the winter progresses.
Read MoreHead of School Speech
During the Headmaster's Assembly today, Katherine Sawyer (Upper Sixth) delivered her Head of School speech, which you can read below.
Read MoreMessage from the Head
It has been fantastic to see the children really getting stuck into School life over the last ten days and, with clubs up and running this week, they have been showing their enthusiasm for both the academic and enrichment aspects of School life.
Read MoreHead of School Speech
During the Headmaster's Assembly today Theodore Dransfield (Upper Sixth) delivered his Head of School speech, which you can read below.
Read MoreIndoor Hockey Success
Over the Christmas break, several of our pupils competed at the Indoor Hockey UK Championships. This is a tournament ran independently of England Hockey, aiming to give more athletes a taste of Indoor Hockey, in a highly competitive environment.
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines – 07.01.22
Happy New Year for 2022 to all the Sutton Valence community. The atmosphere at both Schools has been very positive in the first couple of days and I know the students are pleased to be back in to (still slightly amended) School routines after a most welcome break.
Read MoreThe Next Head of Pre-Prep
Mr James Thomas, Headmaster at Sutton Valence School, is delighted to announce that the Governing Body has appointed Mrs Carly Froggatt as the new Head of Pre-Prep at Sutton Valence Preparatory School, effective as of April 2022.
Read MoreFestive Hampers
This year, we decided to collect presents for the patients, their families and staff who are on the Hedgehog Ward at Pembury Hospital. Each tutor group organised a hamper full of goodies to help bring Christmas joy.
Read MoreGood luck Louise!
After ten years of incredible care, selflessness and support, we are sad to see Louise Schembri move on to pastures new in January. As well as being the School nurse, often seen running down the sideline at sports fixtures or helping children in the Medical Centre.
Read MorePrize and Award Winners 2021
As announced in the Headmaster's Final Assembly of the year, we were delighted with how many prizes and awards our students have amassed this term.
Read MoreArt Department’s Christmas Card Competition
Following on from the Art department's Christmas Card Competition, we were very impressed by their Christmas enthusiasm and creativity that was reflected in all of the unique designs.
Read MoreThe Next Head of SVPS Announcement
Mr James Thomas, Headmaster at Sutton Valence School, is delighted to announce that the Governing Body has appointed Mr Mark Scholey as the new Head of Sutton Valence Preparatory School, effective as of September 2022.
Read MoreYear 5 Trip to Leeds Castle
On Tuesday, Year 5 went to Leeds Castle. Charlie H has written this fabulous report of the day. 'We started to get out of the buses and a very nice lady called Marilyn split us up into two groups...'
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines – 10.12.2021
I have just returned to my desk following the run-through for the choir for the Carol Service on Prefects’ Lawn; it is a lovely afternoon with a clear sky – let’s hope it is the same on Sunday.
Read MoreQ&A with HIKSVS
Last Friday, members of our Press Gang arrived at School early to participate in a live Q&A session with HIKSVS, our sister school in China. Tess, Xanthe, Isabella, Olivia Q, Olivia W and Tilly loved talking to the Chinese children, staff and their Headmaster.
Read MoreGreat Gymnastics
Charlotte C (Year 5) participated in the South East Regional (Vault and Floor) Gymnastics Competition at the Spectrum in Guildford. She was in the team that represented Pegasus Gymnastics Club.
Read MoreHead’s Lines – 10th December 2021
For the second half of the Michaelmas Term, we have focused on the Learning Powers of Empathy and Reflection and so it seems appropriate, for my last Head’s Lines of 2021, to reflect on this term and all that has been achieved despite the ongoing, challenging circumstances that we find ourselves in.
Read MoreBebras
The Bebras Computing Challenge introduces computational thinking to students. It is organized in over 50 countries and is designed to get students from all over the world excited about computing. Each pupil answer questions that focus on computational and logical thinking.
Read MoreBSSRA Winter Open competition
The SVS Shooting team left for Bisley on Saturday 4th December to attend the BSSRA Winter Open competition. The competition invited a total of ten schools, with 148 competitors for a day of excellent shooting.
Read MoreArt Trip to Shoreditch
Our Sixth Form Art students recently headed to Shoreditch, East London for a guided street tour by leading UK street art critic and journalist, Dave Stuart. Elizabeth Goodwin (Lower Sixth) reports on the day.
Read MoreSemi-Finalists!
On Wednesday, our First XV Rugby team had a fantastic win against Bristol Grammar School in the Quarter-Finals of the National Vase. Securing their spot in the Semi-Finals, SVS won 24-10 with a stunning display against high-level opposition.
Read MoreAgainst Breast Cancer
Over the last 18 months, our fantastic nurse, Louise Schembri, has been reaching out to staff to help aid her bra recycling scheme. This scheme takes unwanted or unloved bras, passes them through a network of bra banks which in turn raises vital funds for pioneering breast cancer research.
Read MoreHeadmaster’s Headlines – 03.12.21
The Christmas trees and decorations are up around the School and we are approaching the end of term with a festive feel around the place. Many thanks to everybody for their continued cooperation with our amendments to the routines around the School.
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