On Monday 1st July, our littlest legs ran, jumped, hopped and balanced their way to the finish line at our Early Years’ Sports Afternoon – perhaps the cutest event in our school calendar!  
 

On Friday 28th June, after our Annual Prize Giving, we enjoyed an afternoon of superb sporting efforts on the track and field for our Sports Day.  

Congratulations to Flynn and Daisy Taylor who were selected as this year’s recipients of the Calne Foundation Trust Cup. This award recognises those pupils at St Margaret's Prep who have shown commitment to a charitable cause. 

On Friday 28th June, we celebrated the end of another wonderful year at St Margaret’s at our Annual Prizegiving and Open Day. 

On Thursday 6^th June, Year 5 were lucky enough to enjoy a Cyanotype workshop here in school with visiting artist Libby. They had an amazing time learning all about the Cyanotype process.
 

On Monday 17th June, Reception went on a fantastic Calne town centre scavenger hunt.  Along the way they visited the Library, Post Office and Supermarket.  Employees very kindly spent time talking to the children about how things work and invited them to demonstrate their super questionning skills!

On Friday 14th and Saturday 15th June, we were delighted to present a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Pupils in Years 5 and 6 sang and danced their hearts out, bringing an old favourite to life in the Southwell Hall! 

Huge Congratulations to the staff and pupils of St Margaret’s Prep who raised an incredible £900 for our School Charity, the Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital, during our Enterprise Week!

The Art Room has been busy lately, with two visiting artists running workshops for our pupils. Sarah Glazier-Hart ran a session for our Year 6 classes, while Stephen Ellis joined our Year 4- Yeat 6 Art Club last week!
 

Residential season is well and truly here, with Years 4, 5 and 6 all enjoying adventures this term! At St Margaret’s we talk a lot about our pillar ‘Fostering Exploration’.  Mr Bromwich often refers to this as the pupils pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone to experience or learn something new.
 

On Friday 10^th May, we were pleased to hand over the contributions donated by the St Margaret’s community to Bag2School. Bag2School is a free eco-friendly fundraising scheme that helps schools, businesses, community groups, local councils, and charities raise funds through textile recycling as well as spreading textile recycling awareness.  

On Friday 19^th April, Year 2 kicked off their new unit of learning all about the Victorians with an adventure to Sevington Victorian School.
 

Year 6 started the Summer Term term on their bikes, learning key skills and gaining confidence to cycle on the road. Each class took on two days of Bikeability training, learning that while cycling is of course a fun hobby, it is also a key life skill and knowing how to ride safely on today’s roads is an essential life skill!
 

A huge well done to our Fledglings (pre-schoolers), who are getting ready to start Reception in September – they have been practising walking down to our Dining Hall for their lunches!

On Wednesday 27th March, we celebrated the end of the Spring term with our annual Easter Hat Parade. There was much excitement in school as the children delighted in sharing their creations with each other.

On Monday 25th March and Tuesday 26th March, we were delighted to host our annual Spring Concert - this year with a 'Strictly' twist. 'Strictly St Margaret's' brought colour, song, dance and plenty and sparkle to the Southwell Hall!

We were delighted to welcome Calne Town Mayor Cllr Robert MacNaughton to St Margaret's earlier this week. He enjoyed a tour of our campus and then joined Year 5's cookery session with Vaughan's Kitchen Cookery School!

Congratulations to our Chamber Choir, who were selected to perform at Barnardo’s National Choral Competition – the largest of its kind in the UK.

After much excitement over the last few weeks, the Year 2 boys represented St Margaret's brilliantly at Elstree School's Football Fesitval earlier this week. 

We are delighted to announce that, following a rigorous recruitment process, we have appointed Mr Alex Hopkins, to succeed Mr Luke Bromwich, as the new Head of Prep School from September 2024.

On Friday 9th February, Year 4 enjoyed a jam-packed day to kick off their new unit of learning all about the Vikings!

On Friday 9th February, our Nursery and Reception classes enjoyed a Chinese feast to celebrate the start of the Year of the Dragon!

To support their recent areas of focus on classification in Science and Biomes in Geography, Year 4 enjoyed a day out at Noah’s Ark Zoo near Bristol.

Matilda (Year 6) shares her reflections on the First Lego League 2024 - a challenging but fun experience for the Year 6 team of eleven.  This year the theme was ‘Masterpiece’ " to ‘imagine and innovate new ways to create and communicate art across the globe’.  

Congratulations to Years 3 and 4 for their two superb performances of 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Camelot'. Years 3 and 4 delievered the show with confidence, joy and perfect comedic timing!

Last week, Year 2 enjoyed a wonderful day of immersive learning to ignite their interests in their new unit of learning 'Journey to a Faraway Land'.  The children looked fantastic in their nautical outfits as they undertook a day of carefully planned activities designed to 'hook' them into their new unit.

The Governors are delighted to announce, after a very thorough recruitment process, the appointment of Mrs Anne Wakefield as the new Headmistress of St Mary’s Calne and St Margaret’s Prep from September 2024, at the beginning of the next academic year.

On Wednesday 6th December, Years 1 and 2 delivered a fabulously sparkly performance of 'Prickly Hay'. The children treated us to a truly festive performance, jam-packed with fantastic singing, dancing and performance.

Huge congratulations to our pupils in our Bluebird Nursery and Reception classes for their super performance of 'Maybe it's a Baby'.

This year, our Year 6 pupils have taken part in the Bebras UK Computing Challenge 2023, along with just over 117,000 pupils participating all over the UK.
 

St Margaret’s Prep were delighted to once again attend the Devizes Eisteddfod, this time with 18 of our Year 4 singers.

Last Friday afternoon, pupils in Reception were very excited to take their first trip in the school minibus to visit Kingsplay Farm, Heddington.

 

On Saturday, we were delighted to host our Annual Fireworks Display, kindly supported by our fabulous Parents' Association.

Outdoor Classroom Day is a global movement to make time outdoors part of every child’s day. Rain did not stop play for last week's Outdoor Classroom Day! 

 

Thank you to Charlotte, Ysa and Seren for their write up of Year 6's learning about World War II this term which culminated in a visit to Steam - The Museum of the Great Western Railway. This trip is always a popular highlight to the Autumn Term and last week's visit didn't dissapoint! 

We are pleased to share Shyia's (Year 6) beautiful painting of a bee has won at the Calne Music and Arts Fesitval's Children's Art Competition!

Last week, pupils across St Margaret's enjoiyed participating in the National Literacy Trust's 'Take 10 to Read'. On Tuesday 10th October, at 10 o'clock, children and staff stopped their busy days and enjoyed sharing a book with a friend, or found a quiet spot to enjoy a story alone. 

On Friday 6th October, we celebrated our annual Harvest Festival at the Chapel at St Mary's.

This term Year 5 have have been learning about the Tudors so, to enhance their learning, they went on a trip to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard to explore Henry VIII's warship, The Mary Rose. 

Over the last few weeks, it has been wonderful to have parents of our Early Years' pupils join their children in our wildlife garden for two very special Paddington themed Woodland Adventures.

Last week, Year 3 enjoyed their first taste of a residential trip - a two day outdoor activity programme with H5 Adventure and camping out on the field!

Last Friday, Year 4 jetted off to Florida for the day to immerse themselves in their new Geography unit where they will be learning all about the Sunshine State. 

Our Year 5 and 6 pupils enjoyed an inspiring visit from St Mary’s Calne alumnae – Elan and Grace (2022 Leavers), who shared highlights from their charitable efforts and exciting adventures in Kenya.

It has been wonderful to welcome everyone back to St Margaret's for a very sunny start to the Autumn Term! 

Last week, Year 1 enjoyed a fabulous day where they embodied their superpowers to kick off their furst unit of work 'Marvelous Me'.

Yesterday, Year 2 kicked off their new unit of learning all about The Great Fire of London with an action-packed day of themed activities to 'hook' them into their new learning!
 

Congratulations to our Year 5 and 6 pupils, as well as the whole staff team for two outstanding performances of Beauty and the Beast.

On June 30th, our school community came together for a slightly soggy but hugely successful Sports Afternoon! 

A huge well done to all of our pupils in Bluebird Nursery and Reception for their superb efforts in their Sports Afternoon!

On Friday 30th June, we were delighted to open our doors to our parents and wider community, who joined us for a tour of the school and our Annual Prize Giving. 

Reception had a brilliant time at their minibeast- themed garden party, and they certainly looked the part in their amazing costumes!

 

It was fantastic to see such enthusiasm for our recent, fully booked, primary teachers art workshop. The session was focused on drawing techniques.

On Friday 19th May, we were delighted to welcome some very special visitors to school - our Grandparents! It wasn't the sunny day we had planned, but the rain and thunder did not stop play.

Year 5 and 6 took part in an exciting art workshop last Thursday, run by local Cyanotype artist Libby Mornement from her company Bloemen and Blue. 

 

Huge Congratulations to our Reception class who successfully delivered a fantastic class assembly on Friday! The children performed brilliantly - they had clearly been working very hard to prepare!

Georgie and Emilia in Year 6 share their experience of Bikeability, a cycle course Year 6 took part in at the start of the month. One group were luckier than the other with the weather, but everyone gave 100% and came away with new skills. 
 

Thank you to Bertie in Year 6 for sharing his experience of a morning's cooking at Bromham Farm Cookery School. After a windy bus journey, we finally arrived at Bromham Farm Cookery School. Once we arrived, we were greeted by 3 lovely ladies called Gretchen, Jodie and Laura.  We were then given aprons - this made us feel like real chefs!

Last week, Year 5 enjoyed an action-packed few days at the North Devon Activity Centre.

On Monday 20th March and Tuesday 21st March, our annual Spring Concert brought the end of term to a close. We were treated to two wonderful nights of 'Animal Magic' which showcased the amazing musical talent we have here at St Margaret's.

Last week, we celebrated Science week with lots of different scientific activities happening throughout the school. We were also joined by a very slithery guest of honour - Cornelius William Snakespere! 

On Wednesday 22nd March, everybunny made a huge effort for what is always an eggstra special day in our school calendar... what fun we had at our annual Easter hat parade and egg hunt!

 

Spring was in the air at the Spring Term performance by the Major Minors Children’s Choir, a combined primary schools’ choir that was created in this year as a community initiative of St Mary’s and St Margaret’s.

On Tuesday 14th March, pupils from Longleat house took to the stage to deliver their Informal House Concert. Parents and pupils from Longleat house came along to support the performers in what was an excellent showcase to round-up the last few weeks of Informal House Concerts.

Great fun was had on Friday 17th March for our Mad Hair and Mufti fundraising day in honour of this year's school Alzheimer's Support Wiltshire. The school was awash with colour and all kinds of crazy hairstyles to raise money for this valuable cause.

 

On Monday we had the pleasure of hosting our first-ever art workshop for local primary school teachers, organized by our Art Teacher Mrs Konstantina Paroussi.

There was much excitement this week as we woke up to a white blanket of snow on Wednesday 9th March. The campus looked beautiful and the children clearly enjoyed an opportunity to construct the obligatory snow sculptures and play together in the snow!  

On Tuesday 7th March, it was the turn of our Bowood pupils to perform at their Informal Performing Arts Concert.  This new format for our informal concert allows pupils to perform to their parents and fellow 'housemates' from across the school. 

On Thursday 9th March, we were treated to two fantastic performances from our Rock School band - those children who have been participating in Rock School club over the last term. 
 

This week, we have been celebrating our annual Book Week and the joy of reading - and what a week it has been!  

This week the children in Year 2 thoroughly enjoyed a visit to Avebury's 'Gourmet Goat Farm' to kick off their new unit of work 'Farm to Fork'.

Children from Littlecote and Avebury performed brilliantly this week at their Informal Performing Arts Concerts. This year, we chose to deliver our Informal Concerts in houses, so that children from across the school could perform together, to their parents and fellow 'housemates'. 

We want our children to understand that staying safe in water is an important life skill and to know what to do in the case of an emergency in the water.

 

We were delighted to welcome children from local primary schools for a Lion King-themed Creative Arts workshop called ‘Simba’. 

Congratulations to our Lego League Team, 'Energy Warriors' who competed in the First Lego League competition last week. Samson and Jessica, two of our Energy Warriors share their reflections on the day:

There were no signs of the 'January Blues' at St Margaret's last week, with two fun-filled performances of Hansel and Gretel from Years 3 and 4. 

Next in our Sports Alumni series, we are pleased to share the story of Amelia Hatlapa, who left St Margaret's in 2012.  Read what she had to say here. 

This week in the Early Years, children celebrated the Lunar New Year with a Chinese banquet - what better way to see in the Year of the Rabbit! 

Last week, Year 4 visited Bristol’s Wild Place project to enrich their Geography and Science curriculum. They learnt all about the Savanna Biome and the different animals which make this place their home. 

This year we celebrate 150 years of St Mary’s Calne, and in turn, the beginning of our establishment and the education of young people here in Calne. 

Last week the Reception classroom was awash with red, white and blue as the children planned and prepared for a Paddington themed New Year’s Tea Party.

Mr Callahan, Head of Computing, shares his insights into how Virtual Reality Headsets are transforming our pupils' experiences in the classroom.

Next in our Sports Alumni series, we are pleased to share the reflections of Felix, Jacob and Samuel, three of our sports scholars who left St Margaret’s in 2021.

Yesterday Year 1 kicked off the new term and their new unit 'Dinosaur Detectives' with a day filled with fun activities to ignite their interests in this new exciting topic.

On Monday 5th December, we were delighted to present the very first public performance of the Major Minors Children’s Choir, a combined primary schools’ choir that was created in September as a community initiative of St Margaret's and St Mary's.

Yesterday we were treated to a dazzling performance of our Pre-Prep Nativity 'Lights, Camel, Action 2, The Sequin'. Year 1 and 2 have been working hard over the last few weeks in preparation for the performance.

Nursery and Reception children delivered a fantastic performance of 'Thr Grumpy Sheep' to kick-start our Christmas celebrations here in school!

The Devizes Eisteddfod is always an important event in the St Margaret’s calendar. Performance, music and the arts form a key part of the school curriculum and the pupils at St Margaret’s have been busy with their preparations in the lead-up to the event.

We are pleased to bring you the next in our Sports Alumni series, Eva-Rose Ferguson, who left us in 2017 and went up the path to St Mary's Calne, where she has now just started Sixth Form.  

After a fantastic day out at Avebury, Year 3 enjoyed a brilliant hook day last week to launch their unit of work all about the Stone Age.

Over the next few months, we are pleased to be shining a light on some of our Sports Alumni.  

Last Friday, 7^th October, the school came together in St Mary’s Chapel to give thanks and celebrate Harvest Festival. In a service led by Father Johnathan, pupils sang and read beautifully.
 

In assembly last Monday, Mr Bromwich launched our celebrations for the European Day of Languages.
 

As part of their studies about World War II, last week Year 6 visited Steam - The Museum of the Great Western Railway. Alice and Georgie share their report of the day. 

 

We are delighted to share both Mrs Perkins and Mrs Worsey have now qualified with their Level 3 Certificate in Forest School Programme Leadership. 

On an action-packed day to the Royal Naval Dockyards in Portsmouth last week, Year 5 relished the opportunity to experience the Mary Rose, Henry VIII’s flagship.   

Reception have done brilliantly at settling into all the changes and new routines which come with moving to 'Big School'. For the first few weeks of school Reception have been busy engaging in a wide range of activities to help them become familiar with their new peers, their classroom environment, resources and routines.

Year 1 kicked off the new year as they mean to go on... as superheroes! They had a fantastic day of celebrating individuality and honouring differences as they started their new unit of learning 'Marvelous Me'.

The FIRST LEGO League Challenge is a major event in the calendar at St. Margaret’s Preparatory School. Every year a global STEM challenge is set for 9-16 year olds. It encourages teams of young people to have an interest in real-world themes and develop key skills for their future careers.

By Sarah Harlock, Year 3 Class Teacher & Maths Subject Coordinator

People are always surprised when I tell them that I have not always had a love for Maths. In fact, my passion for the subject has only really developed since becoming a teacher and delivering Maths lessons to the many fantastic classes that have come and gone through my door. 

By Juliette Heal, Deputy Head Pastoral

Staff and pupils at St Margaret’s Prep are eagerly awaiting the completion of our new Early Years' classrooms and courtyard in September. The newly redefined space will add even more to the already well-established Early Years’ Department, ensuring that we can quickly settle our new Bluebird starters from the age of 2, creating a positive start to their journey at St Margaret’s.

St Margaret’s Prep in Calne is expanding its Bluebird Nursery to welcome 2-year-olds.  From September 2021, following internal refurbishment and the development of a purpose-built Early Years outdoor courtyard, the school’s popular Kindergarten will become The Bluebird Nursery, providing a safe and stimulating environment for younger children to explore and develop. 

Pupils produced an innovative presentation to win a top award in the First LEGO League regional heats.  

By Alex Hopkins, Deputy Head Academic

One of the ongoing debates in education revolves around the question of breadth versus depth when it comes to curriculum design.  Is it better to foster a deeper understanding in subjects (depth) or expose our pupils to a wide variety of concepts (breadth)?

By Luke Bromwich, Headmaster

There has never been a more important time to bring children’s mental health to the forefront of our educational priorities.

Head of Sport at St Margaret’s Prep in Calne, Dan Dury, is determined to keep everyone smiling through these extraordinary times by introducing themed, virtual fitness sessions for the school community.

Pupils at a Calne school got into the festive spirit to raise money for charity by showing how well they know their teachers.

Talented pupils at a Calne school were able to enjoy their moment in the spotlight despite Wiltshire’s biggest music and drama festival becoming a casualty of Covid.

A mixture of high-tech wizardry and old-fashioned arts and crafts helped transport children from a Calne school back to the time of the Second World War.

A Wiltshire charity battling to help people with mental health issues during the coronavirus pandemic is to receive a welcome boost from a Calne School.

Book-loving pupils at a Calne school were chosen by an international company to become a pod squad for its on-line reading club.

A Calne School has had to adapt its usual traditional Harvest Festival chapel celebration to take into account coronavirus restrictions but that has not stopped it helping the town’s food bank.

Children at a Calne school are reaching new heights thanks to a climbing wall which has just been installed.

Children at a Calne school are learning they have the power to make a difference to the world by becoming part of the Fairtrade movement.

All pupils at a Calne school will be back in the classroom by Thursday (June 25) after bubbles were set up to keep everyone safe.

CHILDREN and their families who were dressed as rainbows brought smiles to the streets of Wiltshire when they took part in a run that met lockdown restrictions to raise charity cash.

Children from a Calne school can get on their bikes with confidence after passing their Bikeability tests with flying colours.

Children aptly dressed in their brightest clothes as they took part in their first fundraising event of the school year to raise money for their chosen charity of the Rainbow Trust.

There was plenty of traditional singing, dancing and jokes when a Calne school put on a pantomime, but there was also a very modern message.

Celebrated chef Peter Vaughan is showing children at a Calne school how pizza can be a healthy option rather than a naughty treat.

An enthusiastic team of Year 6 pupils from St Margaret’s Preparatory School in Calne competed in the regional heats of the First LEGO League Challenge in Bristol last week, and came away with the Core Values Award for showing discovery, innovation, impact and teamwork.