Spring Term Newsletter Monday 16th February 2026
Bowbrook Newsletter 2026
From the Headmaster
On stage, behind the scenes, technical, make up, scenery, tickets, admin or refreshments!… So very proud of all of them and for what we, as a whole school can achieve.
Many staff were involved to. Too many to mention and in a huge variety of roles, from technical and construction to supervision and counselling! Not to mention musical and theatrical direction… My thanks to each and every one of the staff involved in another wonderful production that will have developed so many talents, given confidence and will live long in the memory for all. It is what we do so well here at Bowbrook!
Lastly and most importantly a huge congratulations to all those pupils who contributed. Who gave of their time, energy and talent to challenge themselves. Ver, very, well done all! Annie Jr was a huge success!
Mr Allen.
In other news
From the Production Team: Annie Jr.
And that’s a wrap! What a journey it has been! It feels like a long time ago that we were holding auditions for Annie Jr back in September.
With close to 80 students involved, ranging in age from Year 1 to Year 11 it has truly been a Whole School production. Alongside our very talented and hard-working performers we have had students making contributions in such diverse roles as tech crew, backstage hands, make-up and assistant directors.
Every single student involved has worked really hard to make the show a success. We could not be prouder of each and every one of them. Of course, their participation and commitment would not be possible without the support of parents so we are really grateful to all of you. Thanks also go to the Prefects for working on Front of House and of course the Bowbrook Catering staff and Parents’ Committee for the delicious refreshments.
We hope that you all enjoyed the performances and are looking forward to a well-deserved rest over half term, which starts ‘Tomorrow’ – although we know some are performing in Grease next week so perhaps not quite so restful for them – Break a leg to all involved!
‘It’s a hard knock life’, so we look forward to seeing the cast and crew in the hall on Thursday 26th February, 4-5.15pm for a fun filled party! (invite attached)
The Annie Jr. Production Team
Art News
A huge well done to students for their hard work in producing the Art Deco inspired artwork for Annie Jr. A really exciting range of designs and images has been created and displayed!
Year 11 have now completed 50% of their Art exam. Well done them and I look forward to seeing your work develop next half term.
Congratulations also to those students named on the half term 3 Hall of Fame:
Wishing you all a wonderful half term break!
@BowbrookArts
Exciting news from The Science Department
It is British Science week 2026 (9th -13th March) and we are excited to announce our fourth, biennial ‘Zoo for a day’ at Bowbrook. On Wednesday 11th March, the science department welcomes pets into school.
Caged animals (not dogs or cats) can be brought into school on Wednesday 11th March from 8.00am and booked into lab1. If parents are able to plan time into their day, then dogs can be brought in from 1.45 and at 2.00 pm we will be having a school community dog walk. All pupils from Year 6 to Year 11 (fixtures allowing) will join the walk along with parents, grandparents and their family dog.
We also like to have a field zoo at lunchtime 12-2.00 and at this point are appealing to those families with larger domestic animals to offer to bring goats, sheep, ducks, calves, horses, alpacas………..
If you are able to bring an animal for the field Zoo, please contact Mrs Robinson janet.robinson@bowbrookhouseschool.co.uk
Letters will be coming home to book cages animals in for the day and to register for the dog walk.
Thank you
Mrs Robinson
Science Dept.
Mrs Robinson
Science Dept.
News From the Prep School
It has been fabulous to have Annie this week with so many of the children involved, both on stage and behind the scenes. We are so proud of all our children from Prep and above and want to say a special mention to our youngest actor, Phoebe. She has been a fantastic little orphan. Thank you for all your support in the children attending rehearsals.
This week the J6 classroom was transformed into Bowbrook Cineworld, where the children were treated to popcorn (under 5s had a different treat!) to watch the premiere of ‘Remedy of Time.’ The children in J6 have really enjoyed their topic of Medicine through time this half term, doing lots of cross-curricular work including digital art for the tickets, scene changes, as well as script writing in English etc.
Do take a look if you haven’t already and see if you can spot some familiar staff faces!
Our Stars of the week this week are:
- N/R - Charlie - for super work on rhyming words in phonics
- 1/2 - Phoebe - for a fantastic job representing Infants in Annie
- 3/4 - Camilla - for always using excellent manners
- 5 - Theo - For always being ready and eager to be challenged
- 6 - Ollie - for being a great sport in getting into character/acting as Galen
Mrs Thorneywork led a superb Forest School session this afternoon with Juniors not in Annie. They have also sewn some great pancakes using felt. It was very enticing in her J5 class yesterday too, as I caught wafts of chilli chocolate as I popped in – all part of their exciting Ancient Maya topic!
Year 3/4 have produced a fabulous collaborative Art piece, in hommage to Annie – please do go and take a look outside their classroom next time you are at Byland. We’ll also share their wonderful work on our socials. They’ve also created some great posters this week about staying safe whilst on holiday at the beach in conjunction with the RNLI.
Year 1 and 2 blasted off into their Topic learning this week, using their map skills to dodge incoming meteors and navigate like real explorers. They discovered the Kennedy Space Center on a map of Florida and used compass points to spot nearby cities with growing confidence.
N/R have designed and made their own Valentine’s cards to give to people they love and had some very yummy pancakes!
Wishing you all a lovely half term break.
Kind regards
Mrs Mao and Prep Team
Note From Your PC
Rags to Riches NEW date to Thursday 5th March not the 4th for the next collection.
I have attached an amended notice.
Music Enews
Congratulations to all of our performers, backstage helpers, technical crew, and makeup artists on a wonderful show! Stars of the Week will of course be our superb vocalists and performers who I’m sure you will agree have showed much perseverance, dedication and courage.
Music Extra-Curricular activities will return after half term:
Monday: Junior Ukulele Club with Mr Bell (J3-J6) from 4.00 – 4.45. Please see the online sign up form which went home via the portal. There are still some places available.
Tuesday:
String Group will be returning to its’ normal from 3.45 – 4.15. This will now take place in the School Hall
Orchestra: Will resume from 4-5pm in the Music Room.
Wednesday:
Upper Chamber Choir in the Music Room from 4-5pm
Thursday:
Wind Group will continue at 1.30 in the Music Room
Junior Samba Drumming Club with Mr Booton (J3-J6)will continue in the Music Room from 3.30-4pm
Junior Recorder Group will begin at 3.30-4pm in Classroom J3 (This club will begin the second week back after half term; not the first)
Friday: Folk Group at 1.30 in the Music Room
We are looking forward to seeing everyone to make more marvellous music!
Instrumental Lessons: We would like to support our students in J6, and the middle and senior school to make their own independent way to their instrumental lessons punctually. I do understand that it is often difficult to remember to leave their subject at the correct time each week; especially as lessons are rotated and they may so easily be engrossed in their learning. I would like to suggest that parents could consider purchasing a little pager which discretely goes on the wrist and buzzes when the alarm is set; prompting them that it is time to leave for their instrumental lesson. I would recommend setting the alarm every Sunday for 5mins before their lesson time each week to allow them time to gather their belongings and make their way to the practice pod. Please search amazon using the below:
Or contact Mrs Izod at school…
Mrs Izod