On Thursday 9th July, The Purbeck School proudly hosted its annual Celebration of Success Evening, recognising and applauding those students who have consistently demonstrated excellence, commitment and a positive attitude throughout the year. The evening provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of students across a wide range of subjects, acknowledging not only academic success but also dedication, perseverance and enthusiasm for learning.

Awards were presented to students from Years 7–10 across all curriculum areas, including English, Maths, Science, Humanities, Languages, the Arts, PE, Computing and Technology. A special congratulations goes to our STEM award winners, who were recognised for their outstanding achievements in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Design Technology.

Among this year's award recipients were;

Year 7

Luke Gould (Maths), Sam Caudell (Geography), Beatrix Notley (Design Technology), Elias Barnes (PRE), Iona Hannant (French), Alexander Belviso (Spanish), Maya Haworth (Art), Jacob King and Maisie Biles (PE), Freya Matthew and Seren Morris (Science), Freya Matthew (History), Stanley Butt (Computing), Madison Russell (English), Oscar Sherlock (Drama), Stanley Butt (Music), Beatrix Notley (Music), Mia Lovell, Fia Davison, Cienna Powell, Thea Hewitt and Beatrix Notley (STEM).

Year 8

Felicity Schubert (Maths), Lucas Spiller (Geography), Neveah Lee (Design Technology), Ava Gray (PRE), Orla Anderson (French), Cobie Savage (Spanish), Darcy Blu Bryden (Art), Daniel Norman and Eva Gadenne (PE), Thorne Beesley (Science), Elijah Pike (History), Isabelle Allen (Computing), Oscar House (English), Isabelle Allen (Drama), Benjamin Brewster (Music), Sophie Starr (Library), Amelia Suttle, Ella Webster, Felicity Schubert, Daisy Margetts and Hannah Kent (STEM) and Lorelei (Swift House Leader Award).

Year 9

Aida Schulte (Maths), Aidan Bugler (Geography), Oliver Croucher (Design Technology), Oliver Croucher (PRE), Isla Whincop (French), Sophia Cooke (Spanish), Romany Harris (Art), Sonny Dutton-Davies and Hettie Poole (PE), James Hardy (Science), Isla Whincop (History), Liam Bulpitt (Computing), Hannah Budden (English), Alfie Hunt (Drama), Toby Debenham (Music), Evie Woolford, Hettie Poole, Aida Schulte, Hannah Budden and Isabella Deas (STEM).

Year 10

Grace Woolford (Maths), James Oakley (Geography), Ryan Knott (Product Design), Isaac Coppack (Food Technology), Maizie Pratten (Health & Social Care), George Ralls (PRE), Ana Smith-Morris (French), Alfie Joyce (Spanish), Ellie-Mae Baggs (Phoography), Thomas Warren (Art), Vincent Nickless and Seren Roberts (PE), Alayna Carter-Hobbs (Geology), Marcus Evans (Physics). Joe Bohane (Chemistry), James Oakley (Biology), Seren Roberts (Combined Science), Ezra Orgee (History), George Whitaker (Computing), Theo Burnett (Business Studies), Daniel England (English), Jacob Bissett (Drama), Rosie Kent (Music), Nola Downs (Media), Rosie Kent, Izzie Cutler, Nola Downs, Ana Smith-Morris and Maisie Kearley (STEM), Thomas Warren (Skylark House Leader Award), William Nix (Kingfisher House Leader Award), Jack Jervis (Kestrel House Leader Award) and Bertie Warren (Headteacher Award).

Their achievements reflect the hard work and determination shown by all students recognised during the evening.

The Purbeck School would like to congratulate every award winner and thank families, staff and governors who joined us to celebrate these successes. We are incredibly proud of our students and look forward to seeing their continued achievements in the year ahead.

As part of our annual student celebrations, we were delighted to present the inaugural Charlotte Hosker Scholarship Trust Awards this year. The CHST sponsored 20 awards to recognise girls in STEM who have demonstrated enthusiasm, determination, and engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. They celebrate students who have embraced opportunities in these subjects and shown a commitment to developing their skills and potential. For more information about the Charlotte Hosker Scholarship Trust visit https://www.purbeck.wessex.ac/key-information/key-information/careers/charlotte-hosker-trust

Harry Potter

Thorpe Park

What an amazing day at Thorpe Park for our 263 Year 9 and Year 10 students! Glorious (although slightly too hot!) sunshine and soaring temperatures, students made the most of every moment, enjoying the park's thrilling rides, attractions, and fantastic atmosphere. From adrenaline-filled roller-coasters to spending time with friends, it was an epic day filled with excitement, laughter, and unforgettable memories. The students represented the school brilliantly throughout the trip, and despite the heat, their energy and enthusiasm never wavered. A truly amazing day!

On a summer’s day just like Thomas Hardy would have liked, many of our English Literature and Language students headed out to Dorchester and its environs to research the writer’s context and wider work. Thomas Hardy is Dorset’s most-famous author and poet, and students have just begun to study his novel ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’.

The group made an initial stop at Woolbridge Manor, the setting for key scenes in the novel, before visiting the Hardy statue and Dorset Museum in Dorchester, where we were given a highly informative presentation by Alban O’Brien. After having some free time to explore the Hardy exhibition and other areas of the museum, we headed to Hardy’s birthplace in Higher Bockhampton, learning about his origins and family whilst standing in beautiful surroundings. After a pit stop at McHardy’s restaurant, the group headed to our final location, which was Max Gate, a grand and unusual house which Hardy had built as a space to work, surrounded by trees, a druid stone, and his pet cemetery.

On Thursday 18th June, year 10 Spanish students set out on a trip to Southbourne to sample some tapas as part of their GCSE course. They explored a well known part of Spanish culture through a variety of authentic tapas dishes – along with some (non-alcoholic) sangria! We had a lovely time and even our picky eaters found new dishes that they enjoyed!

Last week we were fortunate enough to take a selection of children over to Hethfelton House near Monkey World. This is a charity that has been providing enrichment days for schools/colleges to go and learn about the Primates in regard to many respects.

We were lucky enough to have a couple of talks by Cat Talbot which looked at being a Primate Keeper and all the jobs they have to do throughout the day. It would seem it involves a lot of cleaning and food preparation with monkeys being fed up to 8 times a day. The second talk was about the different types of communication primates use. There were a surprising number of different types of calls. Some of them were rather interesting and some very comical. It certainly kept the students interested and many went home and talked extensively about it to their parents. So a thoroughly worthwhile experience. 

Interspersed throughout the day, we were also fortunate enough to make some enrichment toys for the Primates. These ranged from preparing piñatas and then filling ones that a previous group had made with tasty snacks. We also had the opportunity to make willow snack baskets for Capuchin monkeys and Gibbons. Finally, we put together a multitude of lush boxes and cable tied these together once filled with treats for the Chimps and other primates.  

A huge thank you to Cat and the team at Hethfelton house. The students had a fabulous day, as did the staff. We hope the Primates enjoyed the toys, and we hope to see you again soon.

Thanks

 Miss Hamblin