October 14th 2023
What a wonderful Arts Week we’ve had, with so much going on across all the year groups. The ‘Roses’ art exhibition in the marquee was an opportunity for all the children in the school to display their work, and it was brilliant to see so much creativity in one space. Thank you to Mrs. Cummings (Head of Art) for inspiring the boys in their creations and for co-ordinating the exhibition.
Many congratulations to the Year 5 boys who performed the first ever productions of the musical, ‘Roses’ which was written especially for Year 5 and Arts Week, by Karen Braden (Director of Music) and her husband, Ali. Under the expert guidance of Ash Edwards (Head of Drama), the boys brought the excellent script to life, and surely it can’t be long before the West End beckons!
It was a busy week for Karen and the music department, as we were then treated to two lovely concerts on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, with soloists, ensembles, the Pop Choir and the Senior Choir all performing to a high standard, and having great fun while doing so. As I write, rehearsals are underway for the Pop Vocals concert this afternoon, and thank you to Josie Lunnon who is an inspiration to so many of your boys. Watch out if you are a parent in Year 7, as your boys spent Thursday learning the art of Stage Combat!
The Pre-Prep have also been joining in the fun, combining their Arts Week with celebrating Harvest Festival. The Reception children have all created fruit and vegetable harvest artwork, and everyone has designed harvest baskets in their IT lessons - a wonderful fusion of learning about the natural world while developing new skills. The Pre-Prep had a super Harvest Festival in the Moulsford Church, and it is so lovely to have this strong and important link with the village. Thank you to all the Moulsford staff who have gone above and beyond to immerse the children in the arts during this very special week.
After Half Term, we are delighted to welcome two new members of staff to the Moulsford team. Annalisa Mullaney will be our new Head of Learning Support, having been the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator at The Heights Primary School in Caversham since 2018, and previously a class teacher. A very large thank you to Lauren Severin who has been outstanding in her role as our interim Head of Learning Support and will support Annalisa as her Deputy from November.
Lee Chaffey joins the staff to work alongside James Springer (Director of Sport) in November and December and will become Moulsford’s interim Director of Sport from January to July, following James’ departure to the Dragon School. Lee was the Director of Sport at the Oratory Prep School until April 2023, a post he has held with distinction for nine years. We will be seeking to appoint a new full time Director of Sport from September 2024.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming both Annalisa and Lee to Moulsford.
We hope that your children have a super and well-earned half-term break.
