As we reflect on our first full year as part of the Effingham Schools Trust in Surrey, it has been wonderful to see that opportunities to collaborate with both Cranmore and St Teresa's have led to a range of sporting, academic and creative experiences for our pupils and staff.
Over the last sixteen months, regular interaction, dialogue, learning and play have gradually shaped events, strategic planning and day to day life.
The younger children have immediately bonded over multi-sports events, Forest School experiences and visits from public services as they develop skills and knowledge within the EYFS framework and Key Stage 1.
Across the Independent Prep and Senior School, we have mapped collaborative events for every year group tailored to match age and maturity.
From a leadership perspective, Ms Fantham has worked with both the Manor House School Governors and the wider EST Board to navigate the complexities and challenges of the imposition of VAT on fees, the loss of Business rate Relief and more recently the increase in Employer National Insurance while ensuring the continued delivery of a high quality, well rounded education for the pupils.
We have also focused on the launch of the EST Sixth Form which will be an exciting new prospect for our Senior girls.
The Finance Team has consolidated and centralised for ease and efficiencies, and the Director of Finance has an experienced and highly skilled team.
The Minibus service is also operated by a central Transport Manager and the coordination of 38 buses across Surrey into West London, while complex, is advantageous to all.
During the Autumn Term, Reception enjoyed a trip with Cranmore pupils to the Wildlife Centre in Lingfield.
Year 1 and 2 have enjoyed Forest School in both The Dell at Manor House School as well as the Cranmore Forest School setting.
Year 3 were treated to an amazing Stone Age Day with Cranmore. They cooked mackerel on a camp fire and developed a greater appreciation for what it would be like to live in this period!
A group of girls from Year 5 were enthused by exciting Mathematical Masterclasses run by Sixth Form students. These masterclasses offered students a fun and inclusive opportunity to investigate mathematical ideas and concepts outside the curriculum and explore the wider aspects of the subject.
Year 6 visited Cranmore for a joint Onatti French Play.
Since joining the Trust, our Year 7 and 8 pupils have demonstrated their intellectual prowess during a lively quiz at St Teresa's, while our Year 10 and 11 students developed their English and Drama talents by joining their peers at St Teresa's for two captivating English plays on their set texts.
Year 11 girls have also benefited from insightful PSHRSE talks across the Trust, fostering through provoking discussions.
The Sports Department has worked in partnership with Cranmore and St Teresa's to extend the sporting offer for our pupils. Facilities and staffing arrangements have been shared where feasible.
Children in Early Years have this term, travelled to Cranmore for Swimming lessons led by the Cranmore Swim Team. Our Lower Prep children travelled to St Teresa's pool with Mrs McMillan and the Head of Swimming at St Teresa's.
Year 3 will also utilise this facility in the Spring Term.
The Fitness Suite at St Teresa's proved popular in Year 11 PE lessons and we reciprocated by offering our Football pitch for matches.
Mr Willbank, an experienced Rugby Coach from Cranmore coached Prep pupils in the Spring Term. For some this was a new Sport and all pupils enjoyed the experience.
In the Summer Term, the Cross Trust Rounders Tournament was an enjoyable event too.
Regular fixtures are played between the Schools at all levels and ages to provide friendly competition.
One of our Sport Scholars has been selected to train and play with the St Teresa's 1st XI Hockey squad playing both girls and mixed Hockey in the England Hockey tiered competitions.
GCSE Physical Education and Food & Nutrition students enjoyed meeting Ellie Olds, Head Nutritionist for Holroyd Howe and Fulham FC ladies who have an insightful presentation on nutrition for Sport. They then worked in teams to make post workout protein balls!
Looking ahead, we are very excited by the planned Swimming Gala which will involve all three schools followed by a BBQ event.
PE staff have worked together to moderate and assess the GCSE practical assessments and continue to look for opportunities to work creatively together
The Music Department at Manor House School, Cranmore and St Teresa's have been busy working together to provide exciting opportunities for our pupils. Last year, Music Scholars attended rehearsals at St Teresa's as part of their Night at the Opera Concert, in which players performed as part of their Chamber Orchestra, supporting Sixth Form vocalists and their Year 7 Chorus. Manor House School string players were also treated to the String Fever Workshop hosted at Cranmore last Spring, in which they rehearsed new arrangements of string orchestral pieces and performed to over 200 parents in their auditorium.
All three schools collaborated to showcase solo performances at our recent Effingham Sixth Form Open Evening.
The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) programme continues to thrive, with weekly sessions, building discipline and leadership skills. The numbers of Manor House School pupils participating in January will double as the new recruits join.
Children in Nursery to Year 3 have been invited t join Cranmore Schools Ski Club at Sandown too.
Meanwhile our Year 8 students impressed at the Inter-Trust Debate, mastering the art of argumentation and beating many Year 9 teams to gain top place at the Inter-Trust Debate.
Gymnastics opportunities have been offered to students across the trust for holiday clubs and regular Gymnastics lessons.
All EST schools are offered opportunities to use the Equestrian centre at St Teresa's for lessons and holiday clubs. Students competing in the NSEA are offered the chance of specialist training at the Equestrian Centre. We are also looking forward to taking our Kindergarten students to the Equestrian Centre in the new year to meet the horses.
Key Stage 4 pupils had a taste of future opportunities during the Sixth Form Experience Day alongside St Teresa's and Cranmore students who will become the first intake to the new Effingham Sixth Form.
At the start of the Autumn Term, Key Stage 4 pupils were invited to the Effingham Sixth Form Open Evening. This was an invaluable opportunity to hear about the Sixth Form, meet pupils from the other Trust schools and talk to teachers about the courses and opportunities on offer. Mr Coulston, Director of the Sixth Form has also been in the Manor House School to present the vision and plans for the new Sixth Form.
Year 11 pupils have attended scholarship assessment days and Manor House School pupils have been awarded Academic, Art and Sporting awards. Four Year 11 pupils joined pupils from Cranmore and St Teresa's one lunchtime meeting to discuss the new Sixth Form plans and put forward their ideas for its development. This was a valuable opportunity for them.
We look forward to seeing what collaboration looks like for the remainder of this academic year, and in future years. It is exciting!