District & County Cup Cricket and District Rounders

We've now transitioned into summer sports, with Year 7 & 8 girls and Year 9 & 10 all competing in rounders, while the boys have moved on to cricket. The Year 8 boys kicked off their cricket season in fantastic form with strong performances in both the district and county cups, though they recently faced a tough loss to Kennet in the county cup. Other year groups have experienced mixed results across the board. The girls' rounders teams have had a combination of wins and losses in their district matches, similar to the Year 7s. A standout this term has been the Year 8 girls’ cricket team, who remain undefeated—even when playing short-handed.

District Athletics Success

Our U15 and U17 athletes travelled to Thames Valley for the district athletics meet and delivered an outstanding performance. Several students brought home medals, showcasing their talent and hard work. Charlie and Josh both secured 2nd place in triple jump in their respective age groups, with Ewan finishing 3rd. Ant impressed with a 2nd place finish in the 1500m, while JJ dominated the shot put, taking 1st place. Noah and Melissa both earned 2nd in the 100m sprints, and Tabatha topped it off with a brilliant 1st place in the javelin. A huge well done as these students have made it into the County Athletics competition along with new student, Harriet and Beth in Sixth Form.

Several students also participated in the Newbury Relay races, where several local schools raced in varied relay races. It was great to see schools coming together to join teams.

Next term we look forward to the U13 District Athletics.

Fun Fridays is a key event that brings our students together and celebrates our Value of “Work Hard” at the end of the week.

We returned after Easter break with ‘Keepy Uppy’ and surprisingly good fun for our older year students where they were given large air-pumped beach balls to keep in the air like volleyballs.

For international Earth Day, Mr Gianakakis hosted a ‘takeover’ to promote Earth Day. He gave the students an opportunity to make their own seed bombs from soil, clay, water and wildflower seeds to plant in selected areas of the grounds at PHS. What a wonderful idea by Sir and the committee and well done for the effort he’s put into it.

With a positive turn in the weather, we drew out the fun outdoor ideas like ‘Limbo’ and ‘Paper Aeroplanes’ to host at the field at lunch times. Limbo attracted some competitive students, including teachers, to test their flexibility.

We are incredibly lucky that we have a big field to use for Fun Fridays events that encourage students and staff to get involved in the field.

We had the exciting opportunity to visit the MINI Plant in Oxford to gain a better understanding of real-world business operations and manufacturing processes.

The tour enabled us to see how it manages production, logistics, innovation, and quality control. The tour began with a brief introduction to the history of MINI and the role the Oxford plant plays in BMW Group’s global production network with its £750 million investment and its 1200 + robots.

Students were guided through the various stages of the manufacturing process, including body-in-white assembly, the paint shop, and final assembly. Observing the integration of automation and robotics in production was particularly eye-opening, highlighting how technology and efficiency are critical to modern manufacturing.

This experience offered valuable context to topics such as operations management and strategic planning which gave the pupils a clearer understanding of the complexity which goes into the production process of a major company.

On 26th April 2025 Yashi Gandhi, a student in Year 12, performed at The Bhavan, London, which is the largest centre for Indian Classical Arts in the UK. Yashi’s performance was a part of the celebrations for World Dance Day. Yashi’s group dance was specially selected among many entries, and she was asked to show her talent in front of 500+ people featuring artists from across England and dances ranging from classical to folk to mythological themes. Yashi danced one of the Indian classical dance forms called Bharatanatyam, she regularly attends dance classes in Newbury. We are all very proud of Yashi’s achievements.

Last weekend, 53 of our Year 10 and 11 students embarked on an unforgettable football tour to Torquay, packed with football matches, team bonding, and plenty of fun along the way!

The action kicked off on Friday, with our teams taking on Torquay Boys’ Grammar School and Newton Abbot College, securing fantastic victories across the board. The evening’s bowling showdown proved just as competitive, with Mr King delivering a masterclass!

Saturday began with a lovely coastal walk along the Torquay seafront, followed by an impromptu kickabout and another spirited contest…this time on the crazy golf course! The day continued with an exciting trip to watch Torquay United vs. Bath City, a full-blooded clash that had everyone gripped from start to finish.

The final day of fixtures saw goals galore as we faced a local club side and a small independent school, bringing the tour to a brilliant close. Throughout the weekend, our students were a credit to the school, showcasing great sportsmanship, camaraderie, and, of course, some excellent football.

It was a truly memorable trip, and now all eyes turn to South Africa, we can’t wait for the next adventure!

Year 10 student Molly is an accomplished Bassoonist, she achieved her Trinity Diploma grade last year. She regularly performs with OCYO Oxford County Youth Orchestra and with the National Youth Orchestra.

We would like to say a huge congratulations to Molly who performed at the Woodley Music Festival playing the Weber bassoon concerto in the under 16's concerto category and placed 3rd.

Well done.

In the secluded estate of Kinderholt, our Year 10’s and 11’s braved the last cold nights of Winter, to camp out and endure two days of hiking.

They showed great independence as their teams led themselves to meander through the local estates, occasionally running into farm animals and wild deer, carrying rucksacks full of essential kit.

They all arrived back to camp on schedule to cook themselves a hearty hot meal. And the Activity Centre was a much needed breakout area for them to sit and socialise, play cards and Table Tennis before ‘lights out'.

The second night was a testing one. As the temperature dropped, our students huddled in and stayed warm to get a good night's rest as a thin layer of frost settled on the ground. Their final day started as soon as the sun rose, a great opportunity to pack down tents, cook their breakfast and set off in a warmer temperature.

Waiting for the students towards their final destination in Kintbury, was great for us to see the courageous hikers ready to go home. Thank you to Ridgeline Adventures for their professionalism in the DofE programme, to Mr Bouzida for helping out during the weekend and to Parents & Carers your support. We look forward to the Assessment in June.

March marks just over a month since our Year 12 Classics enthusiasts embarked on a thrilling theatrical journey: vibrant, riotous, and utterly unforgettable!

We witnessed the hapless god Dionysus, disguised as Herakles (complete with questionable lion skin and an even more questionable sense of direction), as he descended into Hades to retrieve the great playwright Euripides, whom he believes can save Athenian theatre. Accompanied by his perpetually anxious slave, Xanthias, Dionysus’ journey was anything but smooth.

The play was a whirlwind of slapstick comedy, biting (modernised) satire, and profound philosophical debate. From the chorus of croaking frogs, to the epic showdown between Euripides and Aeschylus, the production was a masterclass in theatrical chaos and brilliance.

What struck us most was the sheer energy and creativity of the performance. An ancient text revived with modern flair, seamlessly weaving in contemporary humour and physical comedy.

Beyond the laughter, “Frogs” offered us a fascinating glimpse into the world of the ancient Greek theatre and society. Deep exploration of highbrow themes, wrapped in layers of humour.

It was a truly enriching experience for our Yr 12 classicists. If you ever get the chance to see “Frogs”, don’t hesitate - prepare to be entertained, challenged, and perhaps even a little bit croaked!

House System Update: A Thrilling Month of Competitions!

The House System has been buzzing with activity over the past few weeks, with students stepping up to showcase their creativity, teamwork, and competitive spirit. From bridge-building challenges to heated debates, it's been fantastic to see such high levels of participation and enthusiasm!

STEM-SATIONAL: Who Built the Strongest Bridge?

Our latest House competition, STEM-SATIONAL, put students’ engineering and problem-solving skills to the test! The challenge? Build the strongest bridge possible using only straws and tape, while sticking to a strict budget. It was a true test of planning, strategy, and construction skills as teams worked against the clock to design structures that could withstand the most weight.

The competition was fierce, with some impressively strong (and some not-so-strong!) designs making their way to the testing stage. As the weights piled on, the tension in the room was high until finally, we had our winners:

🥇 Joseph House stormed to victory with an outstanding bridge that held the most weight.

🥈 Chaffey House followed in second place with a strong and well-planned design.

🥉 Croft House secured third place with a solid attempt.

🏅 Albert House came in fourth, but their teamwork and effort were commendable!

A huge well done to all students who took part. This competition showcased some truly brilliant engineering minds. Who knows, maybe we’ve got future architects and structural engineers among us!

On Thursday 13th February, I took 8 talented mathematicians to the GLT Year 7 & 8 maths challenge. Our A team was made up of: Phineas Allison, Lucy Mugford, Felix Bush and Bea Candy. The B team was: Sophie Snell, Henry Tanner, Eliza Hayes and Finn Knight. We travelled to Yate Academy, Bristol to compete against 12 other teams. Having lots of fun, completing a whole day of mathematical activities, the students did exceptionally well. They demonstrated mathematical resilience, determination and teamwork, resulting in Park House winning 1st and 2nd place for the day. Below is a table of the overall results – Park House smashed it! Well done to all the students involved.

After months of hard work and dedication, our school’s production of Matilda Jr. was a resounding success! Rehearsals began in September, with a phenomenal 108 students coming together to form the talented cast and hard working crew. Their commitment and passion truly shone on stage!

Before the evening performances, the students had the opportunity to showcase their work in a special dress rehearsal for Falkland Primary School. Then, during the first week of February 2025, they took to the stage for three unforgettable evening performances, captivating audiences with their energy, enthusiasm, and talent.

We are so proud of every student who took part, both on stage and behind the scenes. A huge thank you to the staff who supported us throughout this journey—this production would not have been possible without you!

Bravo to everyone involved!

Netball & Football

As we continue through the spring term, our sports teams have been keeping busy with over 20 fixtures played across different year groups. With a mix of victories and challenges, our students have demonstrated outstanding commitment to training, and their hard work is clearly paying off!

Netball Update: The netball teams have been putting in an incredible effort, with many teams seeing great progress and success on the court. The Year 7 A team has been particularly impressive, securing victories in three out of their four matches. Their teamwork and determination have truly shone through. Meanwhile, the Year 7 B team has faced some tough competition, but their perseverance and dedication to improvement remain commendable.

The Year 8 team has had a fantastic run, winning both of their fixtures. Their continued development in shooting accuracy and defensive play has been a key factor in their success. Keep it up, Year 8!

Year 9 had an exciting friendly match against St. Barts, which resulted in a strong win. This momentum carried through into their first round of competitive matches, where both the A and B teams secured victories in all their games. A fantastic achievement for the squad!

Year 10, despite their best efforts, have faced a tough set of opponents and unfortunately haven’t secured a win yet. However, their resilience and commitment to training are promising signs that success is just around the corner.

The Year 11 A team has had a mix of results, with three wins and one loss. Their ability to adapt and work together as a unit has been commendable. Meanwhile, the Year 11 B team secured a great win against Trinity, showing strong teamwork and determination.

The Sixth Form team has had a challenging season so far, losing both of their matches. However, their sportsmanship and effort on the court have been admirable, and we’re confident they’ll bounce back stronger in their upcoming fixtures.

Football Fixtures Update: Our football teams have also been showing great skill and teamwork this term. The Year 7 team has been off to a strong start with a win and a draw. Their defensive play and attacking strategies continue to improve with every game.

Year 8 have had a particularly impressive season, securing victories in the majority of their matches. Their teamwork and ability to control the game have been a key part of their success.

Year 10’s football team has been in outstanding form, winning all of their matches so far. Their dedication to training and strategic gameplay have made them a formidable force on the pitch. Well done to all involved!

Badminton & Rugby Highlights: It’s been fantastic to see so many students getting involved in a wide range of sports this term! The KS3 & KS4 Badminton Festivals were a huge success, with students competing against multiple schools in a display of great skill and sportsmanship. Seeing so many students taking part and enjoying the competition was a real highlight.

Meanwhile, the Year 7 girls had an exciting Rugby Development Day, where new players had the opportunity to come together with students from other local schools to experience expert coaching and develop their skills. It was great to see the enthusiasm and teamwork on display. This Thursday local schools come together for the hockey development day and we look forward to seeing how much the students learn.

Looking Ahead: As we move forward, we encourage all teams to continue their hard work and determination in training. Whether experiencing victory or facing challenges, the spirit and dedication shown by all players have been fantastic. We are proud of each and every student representing the school in sport. Keep up the great work, and we look forward to even more exciting matches ahead!

House Competition Update – The Battle Continues!

The House Competition is in full swing, with Chaffey House claiming another victory in the Ultimate Mathlete Challenge, further strengthening their position at the top of the leaderboard! The other Houses put in a strong fight, earning crucial points, but with more competitions ahead, the race is far from over.

Currently, students are putting their engineering skills to the test in the STEM-Sational Bridge Building Championship, which runs until Friday, 14th March. Teams are designing and constructing 30cm bridges using only straws and tape, aiming to build the strongest possible structure. The final showdown will take place on the Main Hall stage, where bridges will face their ultimate test – how much weight they can hold before total destruction!

Next Up: The Great Debate!

Coming soon, the next major House event will be The Great Debate! This competition will challenge students to sharpen their argument skills as they debate key topics in classrooms, with teams battling it out for a place in the live finals on the Main Hall stage. Expect passionate arguments, clever counterpoints, and plenty of House Points up for grabs!

Which House will take the lead? Stay tuned for more updates as the competition heats up!

On Wednesday, 26th February, our Form Captains and Character Representatives from Years 7, 8, and 9 experienced an unforgettable visit to the Houses of Parliament, getting an exclusive insight into the heart of British democracy.

The day began with a fascinating guided tour, taking students through the grand corridors of the House of Lords, where they stood in the very chamber where key national decisions are debated. But the excitement didn’t stop there— just as we approached the House of Commons, we witnessed none other than the Prime Minister himself walking in for Prime Minister’s Questions! Seeing government in action at such a pivotal moment was a real highlight and an incredible chance to witness democracy as it happened.

Adding to the experience, our students had the privilege of meeting Lee Dillon, MP for Newbury (Liberal Democrat), who took time to answer their questions on everything from local issues to national politics. Engaging in direct conversation with an MP gave our young leaders a real appreciation of how Parliament represents the voices of the people.

This visit was an inspiring and eye-opening experience for our students, showing them democracy in action and sparking their interest in how decisions shape our country. A huge thank you to everyone who made this fantastic day possible!

What an amazing week had by everybody on the ski slopes in Artesina, Italy!

91 students and 12 staff set off on the coach on Saturday morning and arrived and settled into our hotel by the Sunday lunchtime. Students had ski boot fitting that evening and enjoyed an evening bum boarding on the slopes.

The next day ski lessons began in earnest with lots of beginners out on the slopes. The progress made was amazing for the staff to watch and for the students to experience. That first evening we had a quiz night that was run by our ski rep.

Second day was another full day of lessons and then in true Italian style a Pizza Night in the hotel.

On the third day everyone was progressing really well so lots of groups headed up on chairlifts higher up the mountains. That evening was snow tubing. There were three runs of varying speeds to go down and then what started off as coming down the slope by yourself soon turned into four or five people coming down at once.

The fourth day was beautiful sunshine and a full on day of skiing. This was followed by night skiing where the slopes are lit up in the evenings. All groups went up to the top of the two slopes and all did amazingly by coming down and doing this loads of times throughout the evenings. The advanced groups made it to the snow parks to try out some of the jumps.

The last day skiing was amazing weather again and our “Fancy Dress Friday”. We saw some incredible outfits on the slopes which included a T-Rex, Teletubbies, Superheroes, Super Mario, a Lobster, Penguins, Winnie the Pooh characters, a Flamingo, a Traffic cone, Bananas and Minions. Students had made a real effort and with 103 of us on the trip it certainly attracted attention from the ski instructors and members of the public.

It was then back onto the coach for the return trip the UK.

The students all made such great progress in their skiing ability and it was incredible to watch this throughout the week. We hope that lifelong memories have been made and that all students had a fantastic time away. We all had #snowmuchfun!

Quotes from students:

“I think the main reason I enjoyed the ski trip so much was because of how much time we spent skiing. The more skiing, the better.”

“I really enjoyed learning more about how to ski and the overall experience was really fun.”

“It was the best experience and such an amazing trip.”

“I really enjoyed skiing so night skiing just made the whole day feel better.”

“It was amazing and a lot of fun, and a good way to spend time with your friends whilst making new ones in the process.”

“It was really fun and I learnt how to ski.”

“Really enjoyed it, learnt lots, in groups with friends, good food”

Extracurricular Clubs – Something for Everyone!

At Park House, we are proud to offer a huge range of extracurricular activities running before school, at break, lunchtime, and after school. Whether students want to get active, be creative, or challenge their minds, there’s something for everyone!

Some clubs are drop-in sessions, where students can come along when they have time, while others have regular attendees building skills and teamwork over the term. From sports, dance, and drama to STEM, debating, and creative writing, our students are making the most of these fantastic opportunities.

Club Highlights – Student Favourites!

Some of the most popular clubs include:

🌟 Dungeons & Dragons Club – A lunchtime favourite for students who love role-playing, storytelling, and adventure!

🌿 Gardening Club – A brilliant way to get outdoors, learn about plants, and help make the school greener.

💃 Dance Clubs – With multiple groups for different year groups, students are enjoying everything from contemporary to musical theatre performances!

Alongside these, there are sports teams, homework support, science and maths challenges, and even a journalism club for budding writers. Champions Hour sessions continue for Year 11s, offering subject-specific support to help them prepare for exams.

Keep an eye out for our latest club posters going up around school, and don’t forget to get involved—there’s always room for more!

It’s been a frosty and now wet start back to the January term but as a department we’ve managed to fulfil 13 sporting fixtures over the last three weeks. This term we move onto the main district sports of boys football and girls netball with other sporting fixtures interspersed. Clubs have been up and running since the first week so check the extra-curricular timetable and get stuck in!

 

Girls netball

There have been some great numbers out to netball club already and the Year 8’s started off the season with their first round of round robin matches. They played Trinity in the first game and won 17-5. There were some great passes and coming forward for the ball across the court with some fantastic shooting. However, in their second game against St Gabs a taller side the overhead pass started to be picked off which resulted in them losing 9-15. The following day the 6th form team played their two matches against St Gabs and Kennet. The team won both with some good play 25-19 and 16-11 respectively, a huge well done to the Year 11’s who played up. The Year 9’s unfortunately fell to storm Herminia and the rain as their matches were cancelled, however keep posted as these will be rearranged.

On Wednesday 5th February Year 9 students saw a hard hitting realistic live drama performance in the main hall exploring relationships, identifying unhealthy relationships, exploitation, drugs and alcohol.

Students were immersed in the young people’s stories and contributed to the whole class discussion at the end.

It was run by "2engage" an educational theatre company and helps to further develop our students understanding of how to make the right decision in tricky situations. This all builds on their in class learning in PSHE about healthy relationships.

On Thursday 23rd January, Graham Waton, the Widening Access Outreach Manager at the University of Bath visited Park House School to deliver a series of assemblies to different year groups.

Graham’s first session was with Year 12 & Year 13 students in the 6th form centre. The students were shown a presentation on why they should consider attending the University of Bath and had a wider discussion about all aspects of University life with Graham. All students found this talk to be very beneficial and informative as it provided them with an opportunity to ask questions about what University would look like for them.

Later on in the day Graham delivered a series of sessions in the Main Hall to Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 students all about the benefits of University, why they should all consider University as part of their future and busted some myths about the finances of gaining a degree. Our aim was for these sessions to inspire our students and to have them think aspirationally about their futures.

With our Year 9 students making their GCSE choices in the coming months and our Year 11 students approaching a mock exam window this assembly was an opportunity for students to recognise where all their hard work can take them.

Finally, during Y12 parents evening at school that day Graham delivered a series of talks to Y12 students and parents about University life, the finances of University and was able to answer any questions both students and parents may have about the upcoming UCAS application process.

A very worthwhile visit that has resulted in many students having follow up conversations with teachers about University courses, the University of Bath and their hopes for the future.

Well done to all the dancers who took part in the recent Breakout Dance Performance at The Arlington Arts Centre on Wednesday 22nd January. I am extremely proud of all the Park House dancers who represented our school with three outstanding dance works performed by 53 students from across all years from Year 7 to 12. The event was such a successful evening which enabled dancers from Park House to share their dance work with students from Trinity and The Downs Schools. What an inspiring and uplifting evening of dance which had real drive and energy, and was so well received by a packed and enthusiastic audience.

- Mrs Mawazini

"I want to congratulate again on another successful Breakout at Arlington Arts, it is one of my favourite events of the year. I love watching all our students come together and share their passion for dance. It is only possible because of your commitment and hard work.

Please congratulate the students on their performances, I thoroughly enjoyed them. I particularly enjoyed the Senior Dance Companies piece which was incredibly sharp and well executed."

- Dr C Wilson, Executive Headteacher, Trinity School

Fun Fridays is a key event that brings our students together and considering our return after the Winter Break, we listened to our Year 11’s and brought back Karaoke. At PHS, we encourage participation and give our students many opportunities to thrive in other areas to try and step outside of their comfort zone. It’s always good to see our year groups sing on stage with their peers and we always look forward to karaoke.

Encouraging students to keep warm during the Winter, we followed with Tell A Joke which is very popular. For Fun Thursday before Inset day, we had a Rhyming Words rally where students had to guess the answers of short questions, which rhyme with a particular word.

And this Friday we show appreciation for Chinese New Year and play a famous family and friends game; The Chopstix Game, suggested by Maths Teacher Dr Yuan.

We’re always looking for ideas suggested by our students and we are looking forward to seeing more Year 7s become confident at public speaking.

Top of the Bench

Our team of Year 9, 10 and 11 students took part in a day of Chemistry problem solving challenges at the Chemistry Teaching labs of the University of Oxford. Using top of the range analytical equipment, the girls were able to test their samples and diagnose medical conditions using a combination of thin layer- chromatography, UV-Vis spectrometry and logical deduction. After their time in the lab we all listened to a lecture of explosives and unusual routes into Chemistry. Well done to Phoebe, Imogen, Sofia and Grace for their teamwork and stepping up to try each new technique with enthusiasm.

 

Chemistry Olympiad

Year 12 and 13 Chemists took on the Chemistry Olympiad this term, pitting their wits against Sixth formers across the country and the stretching questions! From clay pigeon shooting at the Olympics, to carbon nanotube and how Paddington Bear is linked to radioactive decay the students had to be creative to apply what they already knew to very novel topics. Results will be out after half term.

It’s the turn of the KS4 students next with the Junior Chemistry Challenge taking on their paper on Tuesday 11th February. Keen scientists in years 9, 10 and 11 are welcome to have a go.