2021 Autumn Term 1

Dear Parents/Carers,

It has been a positive start to the new school year for all of our pupils at Muntham House School.  The pupils have enjoyed being back in normal lessons instead of the year group bubbles which they have been throughout the Covid situation.

Work has progressed steadily on our new Therapy Centre, we are hoping to open after half term.  The switch over of electrical power is the final aspect for us to complete this project. The new Therapy Centre will provide 7 rooms enabling us to deliver therapy or counselling to all of our pupils who need this provision.

Muntham House School hosted a regional Football competition which was a great success with 7 other schools attending.  Our team qualified for the National finals at St Georges Park, where 12 qualifying schools from across the country took part under COVID safe conditions.  Our pupils played well and were an absolute credit to the school.  This was a great experience for our pupils which will provide wonderful memories for a lifetime.

I hope that all pupils enjoy a well deserved break over half term and I look forward to all pupils returning on Tuesday 9th November.

Best wishes

Mr Anderson

Principal    

Building work on the new Therapy Centre is almost complete, the flooring will be laid over half term and exterior grounds will be developed. Transferring the electrical power to the new centre will be the last challenge for us to complete. The new centre will provide 7 state of the art rooms for pupils to have counselling or therapy as and when it is needed. The building is spectacular and will make a powerful improvement to Muntham House School. 

This term sees the fantastic new playground area finished.  A full-size basketball court and a 5 aside Football pitch provide the perfect space for pupils to play sports and have fun together.  The new playground surface is made of soft rubber to avoid any cuts or grazes and to help look after our pupils. 

We look forward to all the pupils playing and enjoying the new playground area during breaktimes, lunchtimes, P.E lessons and during after-school clubs. 

We came back to school with a farm full of vegetables, we have dug potatoes, carrots, beetroot and swede and picked lots of runner beans.

Chef has used lots of our harvest in the kitchen. 

Looking forward we have potted up lots of new strawberry plants and sown broad bean seeds for an early crop in the late spring. 

The brassicas are doing well, even with some caterpillar damage! And we are hoping for a bumper crop of sprouts for Christmas. We have grown some pumpkin and gourds and have decorated the poly tunnel for Autumn. 

The sunflowers have been fabulous and now the gold finches are enjoying the seeds. 

The new Pygmy Goats; Wallace, Gromit and Gizmo have settled into life at Muntham House very well indeed, their characters are coming out and they have become more and more confident with the pupils (it helps if they have a tasty treat too!)

We have been slowly introducing sessions with the animals so that the pupils can learn about both the goats and the chickens, collect fresh eggs each day, feed all of the animals by hand,  learn to maintain their stables/coop and even walk the pygmy goats around the grounds... this gets some comments from passers-by or the onsite builders as it's not everyday you see goats being taken for a walk! 

Spending time with the goats has been interesting for all as the pupils have now taught the three goats to follow them around the pen, climbing up and down and over obstacles with a tasty reward at the end of it. Having the opportunity to spend time and sitting down with the animals is calming and has given both animals and pupils a great opportunity to build confidence with one another.

A fourth pygmy goat Spike is joining us next week who the pupils will enjoy spending time with. Luckily our new school Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys Buzz and Woody will join us in November. 

This half term the infants and juniors have been enjoying the change of seasons, so we've been going on long walks to explore the local area and how the trees and flora change this time of year. The infants were enjoying themselves whilst exploring a local stream that was over-flowing and learnt how water can change a landscape through erosion. 

The infants and juniors have also been exploring what mini beasts (insects) live within and around the forest school area and identifying these by the unique feature each mini beast has.

The secondary boys this half term, as well as enjoying the aesthetics of the woodland and how it changes at a new season, have been making bow and arrows. For this the pupils need to select the appropriate material while being mindful of where they collect material and only take what they need for the purposes of sustainability. The pupils then learnt how the material used for the bows works and why we chose that particular material.

The Canine Centre has had another busy half term with lots of pupils benefitting from quality time with the dogs. All pupils who have visited have enjoyed walking, talking and grooming our school dogs. 

We thought you would like to see the new Muntham clothing merchandise on Omar and Buzz. We think they certainly look very handsome.

                            

In Junior 3 as part of our science curriculum, the pupils have been enjoying investigating and looking at materials and their properties. 

Through a variety of experiments we have tested: conductors and insulators, dissolving different solids into liquids and understanding how materials are used for a variety of things. All pupils have enjoyed learning and participating in the practical experiments. 

On the final afternoon the Primary Department had a fantastically spooky time celebrating their fantastic achievements this term by having a Halloween party.

We had skeletons, a pumpkin, a pirate, a few Harry Potters, some zombies, a creepy clown and even Baby Yoda as well as many other fantasy creatures!

Throughout the afternoon the pupils took part in a carousel of activities which included, the Million Pound Drop, biscuit decorating, doughnut and sweet eating challenges and making stick and string spider webs around an open fire. The pupils all took part in each activity with enthusiasm and showed just how well they are able to work together and how much they enjoy each other's company as the afternoon was filled with giggles as great memories were made! 

Muntham House school had  a visit from Wonderdome company. They were in school for a whole day delivering a practical / sensory experience to each of the groups within the Primary department. The pupils had a wonderful experience, and learnt a great deal about space. Pupils got to sit inside an inflatable igloo and see into space!

Pupils were taken on an immersive adventure where they learnt about the planets, our solar system and how astronauts survived whilst living in the International Space Station.

The experience allowed us to see what was beyond our planet and our own seven wonders.  The pupils found the whole experience mesmerizing and inspirational. 

All pupils in Year 8 have enjoyed working on a class project involving designing and building their own vehicle powered solely by a Leaf Blower.

Pupils have been inspired by similar designs which they have researched and investigated through ‘Youtube’ and searching on the internet. The pupils have been building a version using skateboard wheels which has enhanced their designing and problem solving skills.

So far the pupils have really enjoyed this project and it has been great to see all pupils working collaboratively on this project. Pupils have demonstrated superior negotiation and communication skills. We obviously have some budding future engineers within the class.

Food Technology lessons have been added for all classes this year as we consider this to be an important life skill for our pupils. Post-16 pupils have been provided with the opportunity to select food technology as part of their choice options within their curriculum. 

The pupils have enjoyed cooking a variety of dishes: Chicken pittas, chocolate orange brownies, cupcakes, chicken and chorizo jambalaya, chocolate cakes, bbq chicken and sausage rolls.

Every class has really enjoyed taking part and have produced amazing results. Pupils have learnt many new skills: chopping, slicing, creaming sugar and margarine for baking and rubbing in to make shortcrust pastry. 

Christmas will be upon us soon therefore the next half term will involve making festive treats which hopefully do make it home for you to enjoy. Please do have a look at some of our creations by clicking on the photos below. 

We have been blessed by some fantastic sunny weather during this half term. The pupils have been making the most of the warm weather, while it lasts, by continuing with our Watersports Programme, both at Hove Lagoon and Portsmouth Watersports Centre. They have been progressing with their Stand up Paddle Boarding and Sit on Top Kayaking skills.

In the final few weeks of this half term, the pupils have been learning how to be part of a team by doing some Canoe Rafting. We have also been exploring some of the South Downs by doing some fell walking in and around Chanctonbury Ring, which is a pre historic hill fort, and a very good area for a game of Man Hunt! The pupils have been learning how to navigate with the use of a map. A skill we will work on further over the winter.

Next half term, wind and weather conditions permitting, we tackle sailing.

Set in 330-acres of stunning Staffordshire countryside, St. George's Park is the home of England’s national football teams. With 14 outdoor pitches, including a replica of the Wembley surface, a full-size indoor 3G pitch, a suite of rehabilitation and sports science areas, and an indoor futsal arena, it provides a plethora of world-class facilities for the England teams ahead of international fixtures.

The Muntham House School football team made the journey to St. George’s Park, as part of the engage in their future football finals tournament on Wednesday 13^th October 2021. As part of the residential experience pupils got the opportunity to explore the magnificent site of facilities, stay in the Hilton Hotel at St. George's Park, eating like professional footballers and staying in the former rooms of their international footballing idols, including England’s team captain Harry Kane! This was extremely exciting and fulfilled the dreams of both pupils and staff.

For the twelve schools that qualified, the finals tournament provided pupils with the opportunity to play against schools from across the country at world class facilities, in a full day of seven-a-side fixtures and compete for the tournament winners' cup.

The Muntham House School football team played with fierce determination and unyielding resilience across eleven games. They faced strong and relentless sides throughout but fought well and came away with one win and four draws across the tournament. Whilst they didn’t bring home the silverware this time, they were a credit to their school and demonstrated fantastic strength of character in their ability to work as a team outside of their comfort zone, with great enthusiasm and sporting spirit.

Muntham House would like to share a big well done to all participating schools and send our congratulations to Castlewood School for winning the tournament, to Lindsworth School for winning the Fair Play award, to the William Henry Smith School for winning the Team Spirit trophy, and to Grafham Grange for winning the Team of the Day trophy.

Thank you to Engage, Hettle Andrews and all members of staff that supported this football competition and made the opportunity for our pupils possible. This tournament was enjoyed by all pupils who were a true credit to their schools. The sportsmanship, fair play and empathy displayed by our team made me extremely proud of our pupils. 

Overall, it proved to be an amazing experience for everyone. Muntham House School are incredibly proud of our football team and the fine young sportsmen they have proved themselves to be. We are very much looking forward to hosting the regional qualifying tournament, for the engage in their future 2022 football competition next year and once more offering the opportunity of St. George’s Park.

Standout Players of the tournament: GA
Top Sportsmanship within the tournament: AC

Principle's recognition award: CD

Set within 23 acres of beautiful West Sussex countryside, Muntham House School hosted a successful regional qualifying tournament, for the engage in their future 2021 football competition.

Seven teams from across the southeast region competed in friendly seven-a-side fixtures against each other, not just to win, but also for the chance to qualify for the finals tournament at St George’s Park, the FA national football centre and home to England’s 27 national teams, on Thursday 14th October 2021.

Tournament highlights...

All teams displayed great effort throughout the tournament, showing some strong performance and great resilience. However, West Heath, St Dominic and Grafham Grange dominated the league table advancing away on match wins and all made it through to the finals. St Dominic and Grafham Grange on equal points then faced off in a penalty shootout, with Grafham Grange taking the win 3 goals to 2 and making it through to the final.

Both Grafham Grange and West Heath demonstrated outstanding performances during the final, going all the way to a penalty shootout. However, West Heath edged the win with 3 goals to two and securing their qualifying place at St George’s Park, on Thursday 14^th October.

Overall, all visiting schools enjoyed a great day. Pupils played and competed against peers showing fantastic team spirit and sportsmanship, and staff were able to network with colleagues and discuss the collaboration of more exciting future sports opportunities.

Standout Players of the tournament: RP and PK

Most improved players of the tournament: OC and AM

Top Sportsmanship within the tournament: AC and LS-M

The U12's kicked off our first fixture of the season representing the school as part of the South London Special League. All pupils involved were excellent on the day and were a credit to the school. Playing against four other schools, they picked up maximum points winning all of their games! Fantastic stuff! This meant not only did they win the tournament on the day, coming home with the medals, but they have also collected points to see them lead out the season. 

All pupils showed great teamwork, sportsmanship, and determination. They supported other teams and gave it their all on the pitch, even when playing a goal down at the start of their last match. A special mention to JB who really supported his team, taking our primary players under his wing. He was also incredibly kind to other team's players and staff throughout. Secondly, to CM who played with great determination and volunteered to play a match for another school when one of their players stormed off mid match. An outstanding start to the season!

Player of the fixture: CM

This term Mr Hansford, Mr Blewett, Mr Fisk and Mr Rogers were very happy to launch our Basketball Academy for our juniors and secondary pupils. They have been extremely impressed with the developing interest in basketball and pupils participating across this half term.

All pupils have demonstrated an eagerness to learn new skills and excellent levels of teamwork. This half term they have been focusing on dribbling, passing, footwork, changing direction, shooting, and learning rules of the game. 

They have also applied their new skills into lots of brilliant game play featuring a number of baskets being scored.  

Next term, they will continue to work on developing their fundamental skills, passing accuracy, tactics, decision making and shooting consistency. The coaching team are looking forward to seeing pupils improve even further and become a well-rounded team!

The players of the term were Bradley S for Juniors and Oliver S for Secondary.

After half term basketball academy will continue on the following dates:

Tuesday 9th November

Tuesday 16th November

Tuesday 23th November

Tuesday 30th November

Tuesday 7th December 

Tuesday 14th December 

If you are interested in getting involved in basketball academy, please see more details below and register your interest with Miss Lawson at [email protected]  

This term has seen a fantastic turn out for Football academy with a quarter of the school attending! 

The Juniors have been working on their dribbling skills using different parts of the foot to move the ball. They have also been working on looking for spaces on the pitch and what to do with the ball when they find it. Next term, they will be working on their passing skills, learning how to send and receive the ball in different ways.  

Secondary pupils have been working on their team play, developing passing patterns and attacking and defending as a team. Next term, they will be aiming to advance these skills even further in a variation of small sided drills and game play. 

The sporting spirit and attitude of all the pupils has been tremendous and developments in overall performance during game play has been outstanding.  

The players of the term were Bradley S for Juniors and Piotr K for Secondary.

After half term football academy will continue on the following dates:

Thursday 11th November 

Thursday 18th November

Thursday 2nd December 

Thursday 9th December

If you are interested in getting involved in football academy, please see more details below and register your interest with Mr Clarke at [email protected]  

On Hever residential floor, this term we have been making the most of the last nice weather, we have been out on lots of walks to places like the Warren in Storrington. Pupils have also enjoyed long bike rides around our lovley school grounds.

We have also hosted some successful playdates where we have had some of the day boys from school who don't board for a play date. This seemed to be a big hit with all the boys, they enjoyed playing, eating and spending time with one another.  

The pupils have also visited the "Ceramic Shack" which is a pottery painting workshop where Vinnie painted a wonderful frog that is now taking pride of place on the shelf on Hever floor!,  we will definitely be going back to visit soon. 

This term on Arundel floor we have managed to get out during the evening's for a variety of leisure activities including swimming, walks, long boards and visiting the gym. Pupils have also enjoyed the opportunity to participate in Outdoor education during the evenings, going on long bike rides each week. Pupils have also experienced Forest School each week, cooking their own tea over a campfire.  Pupils have also been to Laser Quest where they were split into two teams to play against each other, which definitely showed the boys competitive sides! 

For an end of half term treat, we joined up with Bodiam floor, and all went to Flip Out indoor trampoline park. All the pupils really enjoyed jumping, bouncing, flipping and playing together. 

After hours of energetic fun, the pupils were all hungry so we headed to the Harvester for our dinner. All boys were appreciative of going to a restaurant for a lovely three course meal, with unlimited salad bar and drinks, what a lovely treat! Safe to say we all felt extremely full and tired afterwards, but smiles and happy pupils all around! 

The pupils were taken bowling at Chichester Gate, what fun they had, the pupils divided themselves up into two teams and filled out the board with the name of their team and the team players.

They took this very seriously and took time choosing their team’s name. The names they chose were Lucky Strike and King Pins. They were extremely competitive and several strikes were scored by both teams.

However the winning team was The King Pins with 180 points, no losers though as they were all treated to dinner out afterwards, fantastic evening with the boys, such a credit to the school.

UEFA Euro Prize Draw Winners Wembley Trip 
 

Following outstanding and consistent sportsmanship and participation in sport, this term our fantastic UEFA Euro prize draw winners and runners up got to go to Wembley.  

This is how their day went... 

After a typically British soaking as they walked and approached the stadium, pupils' anticipation and excitement of the super sports venue still built. Receiving their stadium passes, the tour started following corridors adorned with flags, boots, shirts, photos and other rich historical mementos of Wembley. A reminder of all the incredible sporting events that have happened within the stadium site since 1923, including the famous 1966 England World Cup win! When it certainly did come home! 

One strange but fantastic feature of the tour for the pupils was standing in the empty stadium and hearing themselves echo across the pitch. They could really feel and see the vast scale of the 90,000-capacity stadium. They learnt about the stadium world records, including the 2618 toilets, before stepping down the stairs of fame and seeing every great player and event that has graced the crowds of Wembley.  

Then came the favourite part of the tour, the changing rooms! Pupils got to sit in the seats and see the kits of some of their idols, including Jack Grealish and Harry Kane. This followed with a tunnel line up, where they got to feel what it might be like getting ready to step out on the pitch for a cup final. 

They then headed pitch side, whilst they didn't have 90,000 fans screaming at them, they could still anticipate the energy and the excitement the players must feel stepping onto the hallowed turf and the honour of representing your country. After a few poses by the team sub bench, it was time to head to the royal box and finish up the tour. This was where the England and Italian players collected their medals in this year's UEFA Euro final, with an incredible view of the pitch. It was the perfect end to a winner's day, well done to the winning pupils!

                 

Muntham House School hosted a Coffee morning / Bake Off for Macmillan Cancer Support on 4th October 2021.

This was to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and Teenagers Cancer Support.  Also to give staff a few moments to come together and have some well deserved time out.  As well as to eat cake, play games and drink lots of tea/coffee. Hopefully all staff went away full up on cake after donating to the worthy cause of Macmillan Cancer Support.  

Muntham House Bake Off, followed the theme, ‘Colour and Sparkles’ and an amazing cake made by Angie from our FIT Team came 1st place. 

Miss Lawson our PE Teacher was the closest to guessing the sparkles on Colin the caterpillar cake. 

A really big thank you to you all, not forgetting our wonderful chef Dave and assistant Karen for providing the tea and coffee and donations of cakes. 

We had a really good turn out, raising an amazing £226 which was split equally between the two amazing charities. Well done everyone.

Muntham House School had a very unexpected emergency landing of a magnificent Virgin Hot Air Balloon.

Amazing how big these balloons are up close and the wonderful spectacle our local neighbours to see. We helped the balloon team collapse the balloon safely. This is the first time in the schools history we have ever had a hot air balloon on our school fields. 

Please note that we return from Half Term on

Tuesday 9th November 2021

Term dates are on the website

 Term Dates

FOR INFORMATION THE INSET DAYS UNTIL THE END OF

AUTUMN TERM ARE: