Explorer – Spring term 2024 | Great Walstead School

WALSTOCK Music Festival 2024

With the sun beating down, over 100 performers from the Great Walstead community gathered for a glorious afternoon of music-making, car admiring and family time.

The event was kicked off in style with performances from both our ballet and street dance troupes. With the brass ensembles, rock band and choirs also rocking the stage, there really was something for everyone to enjoy. This year’s Walstock was particularly memorable as we had our first performance of the GWS community orchestra. The orchestra consisted of parents, teachers and pupils alike. Dusty violins, tubas and clarinets were pulled out of attics to make a special appearance. So many adults expressed their joy for rediscovering their love of music and gratitude for being given the opportunity to play again.

The pupils were hugely inspired to keep practising and to join in the future. After a few weekly sessions the orchestra was ready to join both the Junior and Chamber Choir for the grand finale; a medley of Queen’s iconic hits. Huge congratulations to everyone involved both on and off stage! Our thanks to everyone involved with the wonderful car show “Carfest”. The vehicles on display were a sight to behold. A special thank you also to the enormously generous and talented visiting music teachers team. Thinking hats are already on for our 100th birthday celebration on Sunday 11th May 2025.

NEWS FROM FOGWA

What a busy term the FOGWA team have had! We kicked off with our sell-out Ball at Pangdean Barn and, as the first one in six years, it felt so good to be back together and in such a beautiful setting too. Weeks of planning and preparation went into the Summer Party which saw smiles of joy on many children’s faces. Big events like these cannot go ahead without the support we have from parents; so thank you all. We were also delighted to see so many people supporting our Bags of Support collection, woods walk and second hand uniform sale this term.

We now say goodbye to two wonderful FOGWA members, Kerry Mathews and Mel Sturdy, as their youngest children move on to their senior schools. We’d like to thank them for all their time and efforts they’ve given to the school community.

If you’d like to find out more about getting involved with FOGWA, please get in touch via gwfogwa@gmail.com – we’d love to hear from you.

Head’s coffee mornings

A reminder that our Head’s Coffee Mornings take place every Friday in term time, at morning drop-off. Enjoy a catch up and complimentary coffee, in the Artists’ Courtyard, next to the Uniform Shop. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Send your books on a new adventure

Thank you for all the donations for the Children’s Book Project. You very kindly donated a huge bundle of 3052 books. Our thanks to Mrs Bartholomew and the School Council for organising this collection. We look forward to supporting the next School Council initiative.

"Your community has demonstrated the power of giving!" Children’s Book Project

WHO'S WHO?

Get to know Simon Dennis, Head Chef.

GWS Summer 24 digital images 16x9 0001 Chef Simon

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would love to live in Italy. They have the best food in the world!

What did you enjoy most when you were at school? I loved DT and cooking…obviously!

Would you rather have a cat or a dog as a pet? Dogs all the way! We have an adorable cocker spaniel called Otis at home.

Do you think it’s ever right to tell a lie? Sometimes…the children don’t need to know that there are hidden vegetables in their tomato pasta sauce!

Our Head Chef, Simon, took part in the CH&CO Chef of the Year Competition this term. Tasked with creating a plant based starter and cooking a whole herb fed free range chicken for the main, Chef Simon produced a stunning High Weald Slipcote cheese ravioli, topped with a botanical cured egg yolk, followed by a chicken thigh stuffed with wild garlic mousseline. In the face of strong competition the panel of esteemed judges awarded Simon 4th place. Our congratulations to Chef Simon on this outstanding achievement. We are very lucky to have him here at Great Walstead School!

Leavers 2024

We would like to congratulate each and every one of our leavers. We are so proud of you all. We would also like to congratulate all of those who achieved a scholarship. We achieved eight academic scholarships, six sports scholarships, one art and one drama scholarship. These are a terrific set of results with ¼ of the cohort achieving an academic scholarship, and 50% of the cohort achieving a scholarship across the different disciplines. Congratulations and good luck in your senior schools. Keep in touch!

Sporting success

Whilst the weather conspired against us at the start of the summer term, the sun eventually decided to shine and some fantastic performances were seen on
the cricket pitches and athletics track.
The most notable achievement of the term, however, goes to the U11 girls football team, who played superbly in their ISFA qualifying tournament and made it to the national finals at St George’s Park, the home of England football. They performed admirably on the day and are certainly a team to watch out for in the future.

Woof woof woofstead

All of our Walstead dog owners and their pooches had a great time at our dog show, Woofstead! Alongside meeting all the amazing dogs and enjoying the ice cream in the sun we raised a huge £285 for Guide Dogs, Sponsor a Puppy. Special thanks to Benyfit Natural Dog Food, Bodle Bros, Cuckfield Pet Store, Wag & Woof Pet Care and Victoria’s Dog Grooming for sponsoring our event.

SHAKESPEARE ROCKS

This term, Year 6 Pupils wowed audiences with a performance of ‘Shakespeare Rocks’ by Steve Titford. With funky songs, choreography and colourful costumes, they retold the Bard’s story in a new and refreshing way. Everyone had their chance to shine upon the stage,

which was brought to life with hand-painted set, props, and even gold pom-poms! The children’s outstanding energy and enthusiasm made this show one to remember. Well done Year 6!

JOIN US

We have an active and growing community of Old Great Walsteadians; ex pupils, parents and staff. If you would like to join our OGWs and be kept informed of our news and events please click the link below and read more.

LAMDA

Congratulations to our amazing students who took examinations with the London Academy of Dramatic Art (LAMDA). We had pupils taking examinations from Year 3 through to Year 8 and all 21 passed with DISTINCTION which is fantastic. Subjects covered ranged from Introductory examinations in the Speaking of Verse and Prose through to Grade 4 Acting.

LAMDA lessons can help to develop communication skills, increase self-confidence and develop strong social skills as well as teaching the craft of acting and speaking in public.

Please contact gwmail@greatwalstead.co.uk for
more information.

JOSH MASON

It was lights out and away we go at Great Walstead as we welcomed back OGW and racing driver, Josh Mason for a Q&A with the pupils. Josh spoke about his journey into motorsport and Indy NXT before answering questions from the children covering everything from speed, training and nutrition, diversity in sport, the differences between F1 and F2, to his favourite memories from his time at Great Walstead including his favourite lunch and Q-Day. A massive thank you to Josh for making a pit stop at Walstead to visit us.