Month: March 2023
Not far from Casterton there is a wonderful nature reserve of woodland, ponds, wetlands and reedbeds, home to a wide array of wild birds, plants and unique natural habitats. Bitterns and Marsh Harriers are two of the area’s most special and rare residents; on the recent Pre-prep trip to RSPB Leighton Moss, they provided a focal point for much of the wonderful learning and discovery that took place.
Following a half term’s engaging science work on animals and their habitats, excitement for the trip in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 was already high when we boarded a coach to the reserve on a slightly grey and gloomy early March morning. A last minute forecast of snow did not however materialise and by the time we arrived at Leighton Moss the sun was out and it was looking decidedly Spring-like.
After reassurances that it was not in fact lunch time yet, but only 9.30, the three Pre-Prep classes split into two groups: Bitterns and Marsh Harriers, and went in separate directions; one group to go pond dipping, and the other hunting for minibeasts in the orchard. The children enthusiastically scoured the water and woodland habitats for signs of animal life, and made some fascinating discoveries. Cries of excitement greeted every slug and damsel fly larva that was uncovered and classified using the reserve’s carefully planned resources. The children’s knowledge and enthusiasm for nature, animals and their habitats really shone through.
On to lunch; and we were able to sit in the sunlight and enjoy a packed lunch while entertainment was provided, as the teachers all tried different duck dispersal techniques to save sandwiches and satsumas from being snaffled by the reserve’s most friendly feathery residents. Sitting outside and enjoying a picnic was such an uplifting experience that really set the tone for the remaining exciting activities planned: a visit to the bird hides with binoculars and a trip up the ‘Sky Tower’, as well as classroom session to warm chilly hands while handling various bird nests, feathers and eggs.
Both groups spotted lots of common and some more unusual birds from the hides, honing their binocular skills while focusing on swans, ducks, geese and other waterfowl. The 5 storey ‘Sky Tower’ provided the chance to see the reserve from the height of a goose as it flew in to land and was very well received by all, with lots of children declaring that they would be back with their families soon.
Wandering through the reed beds, looking and listening out for bitterns and listening to the animated and happy shouts and laughter of the children, it was clear just how important outdoor learning is for children, and how much they benefit from it. On every front, skills were being acquired and honed – physical, language learning, social and emotional skills, questioning and observation skills, the list goes on. On top of this, lots of specific scientific knowledge was gained and facts logged away, hopefully to be shared with others at a later date. Tired, happy children trooped off the bus on our return and some lasting memories were made; what a successful trip and thank you to all staff, children and parents involved for your help and support. Here’s to the next one!
By Mr Burrell, Year 2 Class Teacher
The Wilson Run was started by Schoolmaster Bernard Wilson in 1881. In the early days, the runner’s progress was relayed back to the start line by cyclists, cadet corps using semaphore and even, on one occasion, by heliograph on Spectators Hill. Even harder to imagine is that the first runners set forth in pressed, all-white cotton outfits and formal leather shoes!
Running at Sedbergh School, and the event, has come a long way since then. This year’s runners, wearing the colours of their Boarding House, were sporting the latest in specialist fell-running shoes (usually from local company inov-8). The runners also wore tracking tags for progress and safety – and of course, the whole event was live streamed to viewers around the world. The stature of the event is evident in the feedback the School received from Old Sedberghians from as far away as the United States and Canada.
In the lead up to the Run, sixth form pupils described the event variously as a ‘rite of passage’ and talked about how much the Run’s ‘legacy’ means to them. Last year’s winner Jemima Berry said, ‘I just want to be able to do that again. Last year being able to win it was absolutely amazing. The feeling of running down the finishing straight with everyone around you was just the best thing. That’s why I want to do it again this year.’
Even qualifying is a challenge – and an example of the spirit behind the run. A Year 12 pupil George described his qualifying round: ‘I had two of my best mates helping me around, pretty much pushing and pulling me up the hills. I qualified with 10 seconds to spare! It was all really tough but I’m glad I did it. I’m just going to go and enjoy the day and run with my friends.’
This 2023 Run took place in what some say were the worst conditions for twenty years. But from a record 205 qualifiers the School’s intrepid sixth form pupils, battled through it all and set a further record – 192 pupils finished. After recent weeks of rain and snow, the course was exceptionally muddy and the streams flooded, so hopes of another record-beating run had to be put aside. In the end, in two gutsy, glory-filled runs, Sam won the boys race in 1:18 and Beth led the girls home in 1:47.
Beaming with pride, Sam, the overall winner, described feeling ‘ecstatic’ crossing the finish of a race he’d been ‘looking forward to and training for for a few years’.
See the live feed on our YouTube channel.
We are delighted that Sedbergh School has been ranked amongst the top boarding schools in the world by Fortune Magazine.
Of the 250 worldwide schools featured, Sedbergh was one of only 11 British schools to receive 5* status and 4 special recognition awards in community, music & arts, sport and value for money.
Fortune, with support from marketing research company Statista, says the list is “designed to identify the very top boarding schools around the world and help parents choose the best schools for their child.” The 2023 list is based on recommendations made by heads of school, boarding school consultants, parents and alumni from around the world.
Headmaster Dan Harrison said: “As the largest and leading full boarding school in the north of England, with 87% British boarders, it is wonderful to be recognised amongst other world-leading schools and is a true testament to the hard work of our unique and special community.
At Sedbergh School, we are receiving a record number of enquiries and to receive recognition in a variety of specialist areas supports the holistic education on offer to our pupils.
As we approach our 500th anniversary, Sedbergh School continues to go from strength to strength with many exciting projects planned over the next two years; work has already started on two state-of-the-art, floodlit astroturf pitches which should be completed by July 2023.”
Founded in 1525, Sedbergh School has a rich history and tradition of academic excellence with a reputation for a providing a well-rounded education. It is regularly recognised for the progress made by its pupils, known as ‘Value Added’ and with its strong full boarding community pupils take advantage of a broad range of subjects, sports, outstanding creative arts provision and extra-curricular opportunities.
Our aim in geography is to engage and inspire our pupils to want to learn about the world around them and we are very lucky to be able to do this with the amazing surroundings located right on our doorstep.
Our Year 5 geographers recently headed to Sedbergh to investigate the downstream changes of local Settlebeck Gill. The children are studying rivers this term and this field trip enabled pupils to see for themselves many of the key river features that they have been learning about this term.
The pupils enjoyed collaborating in small groups to collect data from the river and they were excited to use the new Senior School storm shelters to enjoy their lunch in – what a fun experience this was, although the weather was unseasonaly sunny and warm!
The group were then treated to a visit to Sedbergh School’s famous geology room, learning more about some of the rocks they had discovered when collecting the river data. The children finished the day with a hot chocolate in the art block.
This fantastic day out for our Year 5 pupils allowed them to apply their knowledge and classroom learning on rivers to the outdoor environment and great fun was had by all.
Two Sedbergh School sportswomen have progressed their way through the British Biathlon Union (BBU) Talent ID Programme and have recently been announced as part of the BBU Development Squad, with their sights now set on the Winter Youth Olympic Games next year in South Korea.
Elif (Year 10) and Isabelle (Year 12) started their Biathlon journey last summer, attending separate Talent ID Camps in Wales and Scotland. During the training camp in Scotland, which Isabelle attended, the athletes were joined by six-time Winter Olympian Mike Dixon.
Elif and Isabelle continued to work hard throughout 2022, and during October Half Term, they joined up with 24 fellow future athletes from British Biathlon and British Nordic Ski in the state-of-the-art snow tunnel training facility in Oberhof, Germany. Before the end of the year, the girls embarked on their second international training trip with BBU, under the guidance of Development Team Coach, Scott Nixon, for a week’s training camp in Norway.
As well as the high level of skill and technique needed to be a successful biathlete, the foundation for the sport is endurance, with Olympic biathletes burning up to 1000 calories an hour and also having to control their heart rates when it comes to shooting, the training camp put a big emphasis on diet, rest and recovery of the sport.
As Lent Term began at Sedbergh School, Elif and Isabelle were readying themselves for their biggest test yet – heading over to Ruhpolding, Germany to the British Championships to complete a 10km Nordic Ski event against other athletes on the programme, ultimately, to find out whether they would be selected into the BBU Development Squad. It was only a matter of weeks later that they both received the fantastic news, by Elizabeth Winfield CEO (BBU Secretary General), that they had successfully been selected into the Development Squad.
“Following a great training and racing period with us [BBU] we have been really impressed with your progress and commitment to training. We see real potential from your performances and look forward to developing this further with you.” Said Elizabeth Winfield CEO, in her letter to both Elif and Isabelle.
The girls now have further training camps to look forward to this year in Italy, Germany and Norway with the final camp in Austria at the end of the year, where the British selection races will take place.
“All of the travelling is a little nerve-racking, so it’s great that we can travel together.” Said Elif
Although in different school years, Elif & Isabelle live alongside each other in Robertson House, one of our three girls’ boarding houses. In between their academic studies, the pair are working hard on their physical fitness and wellbeing under the expert guidance of Strength & Conditioning Coach and former Great Britain Bobsleigh athlete, Mr Toward.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our parents.” Isabelle said. “We are both so grateful.”
“When British Biathlon launched their talent ID search last summer, it was immediately obvious from the selection criteria that this was something our girls could be perfect for.” Said Miss Leach, Assistant Director of Sport at Sedbergh School.
“It is just amazing to have watched the girls progress from filling in a simple questionnaire to now having made the squad, in the space of around six months. Elif and Isabelle epitomise the physical and mental toughness of Sedbergh sportswomen and I am just delighted for them.”