Posted: 7^th December 2021

Stormont Singers choir were invited to take part in the Hertfordshire Showband performance at The Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. This is the first time that this choir had performed at a theatre and did so in front of a packed audience. They rose to the occasion and it was a great success.

Girls from Years 4 to 6 can join the school choir and is always well attended. They rehearse at lunchtimes with the Head of Music at Stormont School and perform concerts for parents and families at different times of the year. To be able to be in a much bigger arena was great for their confidence and Mr Nick Pegden said “When the invite was received it was a definite yes from the school. The girls are always enthusiastic and love to learn new songs. They all worked so hard and I am very proud of them all.”

The Hertfordshire Showband is based in Potters Bar Hertfordshire, and is one of the UK’s most successful marching bands. The 60 strong band is administered by the Hertfordshire Band Academy and caters for young people and adults. They put on ‘The Show Must Go On’ at the theatre and invited the Stormont School choir to sing. Stormont Singers sang two songs splendidly and then added some festive cheer towards the end.

A Year 5 parent said “I personally want to congratulate the School Choir for such a marvellous performance. It was a joy to listen to and especially when so many children were involved and sang so beautifully and harmoniously. They all did the School and their parents proud!

“These are the memories of our kids being at school that last a lifetime and we are truly grateful for the experience. Thank you for working in your spare time to make this possible. We loved watching Isha.” said a Year 4 parent.

Miss Louise Martin, Head of Stormont School said, “I couldn’t be prouder of the children and my staff who have worked so hard with the girls to achieve such a high standard of performing. Well done everyone.”

Posted: 2^nd December 2021

We are super proud of our Pre-Prep this week (and every week) who have performed their nativity play over two days.  They have been working hard in their rehearsals and when it came to it, they were outstanding.   Such confident little girls who have enjoyed every minute on stage with staff and families watching.    Their enthusiasm was contagious and raised a smile across the faces of the audience, even though face masks were worn, we can tell by the eyes.  The girls were word perfect and arrived on stage at the right time full of promise.  It was a colourful spectacle of farmyard animals, angels, shepherds, soldiers and of course Mary and Joseph.   The staff have been amazing putting this together and whilst it is something they do every year, the narrative is different each time and takes a lot of time and effort.  So applause goes to them.

It has been great to bring everyone together for this special time of year to celebrate life and being kind and supportive of each other.   The mince pies and a nice cuppa went down a treat with the parents and grandparents after the performances, all supplied by the Stormont kitchen staff, thank you.    A perfect start to the festive season.

Posted: 25^th November 2021

Take a trip and join our online Art Exhibition to view some stunning work by the pupils at Stormont School.  From Reception to Year 6 every child is engaged in all types of medium to create some truly amazing work under the expert tuition of Mrs Burgess, our fabulous art teacher.

The school has its own large dedicated art room fully stocked for exploration of the arts.  Next to that is our quaint pottery room with its own kiln so that every item produced by your child is made from basic clay and transformed into something quite unique with beautiful decoration.  You need to see this to believe it!   Who wouldn’t want their very own 3D brightly coloured and glazed cockerel for the kitchen.

And on to the DT room where your child can make a model car with turning wheels and a battery.  Yes, it really works.  The tools on offer to the girls gives them the skills to use in a safe and controlled area, there is no stereotyping here.  Girls can do anything at Stormont School.

Posted: 25^th November 2021

Congratulations go to both the U9 and U11 gymnastics teams at Stormont School in The National ISGA (Independent Schools Gymnastics Association) NOVICE 2 piece at Lady Eleanor Holles School, Hampton. Up against six other schools, the U9 team were first in the U9 Novice Championships with Christina A receiving the silver medal and Lilly L being placed 4th overall. The U11 team came 5th overall in the NOVICE 2 piece with Lucy A placed 3rd overall and Sophie P 7th. The ISGA 2 piece consists of 2 disciplines; a set floor routine and a voluntary vault.

This prestigious competition returned to the calendar and Stormont took this great opportunity to

compete after almost two years absence due to COVID restrictions. Stormont School was thrilled to be able to send two teams and we thank the parents who took the time to travel to Twickenham to support their children. The school is super proud of their achievements. Mrs Sarah Portsmouth, Head of PE, said “We are so proud of all the girls who have worked incredibly hard to achieve this amazing result”.

Gymnastics is included in PE lessons from Reception to Year 6 at Stormont. There are gymnastics camps in the holidays and after school gymnastics clubs for all ages. There is also a club at weekends run by one of the parents at the school. In fact, the Johnston Sports Hall was originally opened by Olympic medal winner, Beth Tweddle, in 2009 so its credentials are long established. Many winners and participants have trod the stairs down to the sports hall over the years.

Christina A, an accomplished gymnast outside of school, won the silver medal in the U9 Novice Championships. She performed a squat through vault scoring 7.90 out of 10 points and in the set floor routine, she scored 8.85 out of 10. Christina said “I was so excited to win the silver medal in the U9 Novice competition at the National ISGA Championships”.

Posted: 30^th June 2021

What a fantastic start to Wednesday. So many talented musicians got together for the Stormont School Summer Concert. All the performers worked so hard to prepare for the event, a major contribution to the school calendar.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions an audience wasn’t possible and all the performers had to keep to their bubbles but with lots of rehearsals and planning it went brilliantly. The concert was recorded so that parents are able to watch at their leisure. The singers were so entertaining and certainly set the tone. The range of instruments played included piano, saxophone, guitar, clarinet, drums, violin and the flute, all the girls were outstanding. Many of the music teachers also performed to accompany on the piano or guitar.

Girls as young as 7 played on the stage as soloists, some only just starting to learn their instrument this year. The standard of the pupils’ achievements is high at Stormont and all are encouraged to try their best and introduce instruments such as the saxophone, drums or electric guitar. These aren’t always seen as a girl’s ambition to play but at Stormont it is normal. The saying is always, give it a go, take a risk!

Pupils learn many instruments at Stormont School from Year 2 and are taught by peripatetic teachers employed by the school in the dedicated Millennium Building where there are two practice rooms in the Music Studio. The Music Department has a strong presence at Stormont and each class from Reception through to Year 6 is taught music on the timetable every week. There is also a recorder club running on Teams but Stormont can’t wait to get back to having their clubs before school, at lunchtimes and after school. Rock choir, rock band, ensembles, orchestra and all manner of bands or groups are part of the school week.

Mr Nick Pegden, Head of Music, said “I am proud of all the girls’ performances, for some it was the first time on a school stage. They have all been fantastic and I look forward to working with them throughout their time here. Keep up the good work!”

Posted: 29^th June 2021

The first event at Stormont went ahead at last and everyone was so excited. The Pre-Prep and Prep sports days were held on the school field on Thursday, 24th June. The weather was great, not too hot and not too cold. It was unfortunate that we could not have the parents because of restrictions in place during the COVID-19 lockdown but the whole day was a great success.

Prep were first in the morning but the preparations were being made long before that. The PE department had put so much work into working with the girls leading up to the day. All the equipment was transported early morning ready for the big day. The field had been cut and the lines marked out in advance, results spreadsheets were prepared to record the house scores and staff were given their roles.

Traditional races such as the egg and spoon race and the sack race were included alongside running in and out of poles and the relay races at the end of each event. All the school houses, St Andrew, St George and St Patrick were represented in every race and the girls loved the competition. Healthy rivalry exists but all competitors are applauded for their efforts.

The Pre-Prep had their turn in the afternoon and for some it was the first time, but you wouldn’t have known. They all performed brilliantly. There could be some athletes of the future emerging!
A great day was had by all.

Posted: 24^th June 2021

Like every other school in the country planning trips of any kind has been beset with disappointment but not this time. Stormont School achieved what seemed like the impossible this month with a residential trip for 21 excited girls. Even better, they didn’t have to travel on a motorway in a coach to get there, the camp is literally on the doorstep in Hertfordshire, which meant more time enjoying the grounds! Cuffley Camp was under new management just before the start of lockdown and reopened very recently to schools.

Three fun-packed days and two nights were booked with the girls staying in dormitories with their friends. Tomahawk (axe throwing) seemed to slice opinion, laser quest was enlightening and camouflage and concealment wasn’t apparent! So much to experience but the highlights of this trip were making memories sitting round the campfire, night walks, rock climbing and fire lighting. The teamwork tasks were challenging and will build their skills in problem solving for the future. Growth mindset is part of the school day at Stormont School and all the girls were positively encouraged to try everything once, take a risk and leap into the unknown.

At this girls’ only school the pupils benefit from learning in a safe environment, get to test their resilience, gain confidence and take risks without distraction. Miss Martin, Head of Stormont School, surprised all the girls with a visit one afternoon, she said “It has been a tremendous opportunity for them, bringing the curriculum to life and enhance learning outside of the classroom is so important.”

The girls loved sleeping in the new cabins, before bed on the first night they sat round the campfire which they learnt how to build, singing songs and eating S’mores. The next day they had the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice when they had to build their own fire, light it and toast marshmallows. The Year 5 Form Tutor, Madame Allin, said “The trip was a lot of fun and it brought us all closer to nature and to each other at the same time. It is fabulous to have been able to make fond memories. The trip is just what the girls needed after a year of interruption with lockdown.”

Miss Stephens, Head of Learning Support, said “It was great to see all the girls having fun in the great outdoors, try new activities and learning to work together which is something that they have all missed out on due to COVID-19.”

Shanti B said “It was a good experience of being out of your comfort zone, the wall climbing challenged me.” Bella F said “I would recommend this to another school because you learn loads of new things and learn how to survive in the wild.”

Posted: 18^th June 2021

One in four disadvantaged children across the UK has fewer than ten books of their own at home, and one in eight has none at all. The Children’s Book Project seeks to tackle book poverty and to give every child the opportunity to own their own book. The charity takes donations of books that children have grown out of and gifts them directly to children with very few books of their own, or none at all.

Families at Stormont School were invited to donate any new or gently-used children’s books from baby books all the way up to those suitable for age 18. The response has been amazing. Parents and children have scoured their shelves and cupboards for books that have been read and loved but now ready for a new owner. The school has been inundated with donations from parents and children, their generosity has been wonderful.

The books are cleaned, sorted and redistributed to schools across the UK. It is important for all children to have books that they can share with their family and friends helping them to broaden their literacy skills. Developing important communication in both the classroom and at home is essential for a child’s welfare.

Mrs Paramor, parent to a Year 2 child at Stormont, contacted the school to highlight this brilliant charity and asked for them to get involved.

Mrs Paramor has a real passion for reading and said “I have recently become aware of a charity working in the area (South East and London) called the Children’s Book Project, which aims to tackle book poverty by re-distributing good-quality second-hand children’s books to kids that have very few books of their own.” She went on to say “I think it would be a lovely thing for our girls to know that the books they have outgrown will have a new home to go to.”

Stormont School is always willing to help support others and this project has sparked great interest. The girls watched a YouTube video https://youtu.be/cvxS50JEk4s which explained the project and were excited to get involved.

Pupils from Years 3 and 4 were chosen to represent the school and help load the books when collected. Further information about the charity and its work can be found at www.childrensbookproject.co.uk.

Posted: 14^th June 2021

Mr Andrew Newland, Chair of governors at Stormont School presented £1,200 to Mr Roger Moore, Chairman of The Hart and Parker Trust. The Hart and Parker Trust is a local charity that Stormont School in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire supports. The Trust helps families with food bank parcels, baby equipment, furniture and anything that helps the daily life of an individual or a family. They do tremendous work in the community and one that is supported every year by Stormont School. The Trust receives almost all its referrals from the local Children’s Centres, Health Visitors, Family Support Workers and the CAB.

The girls from Reception to Year 6 took part in the Captain Tom 100 Challenge on 30th April by completing different challenges. They were all encouraged to get sponsored and help to raise money. Stormont pupils and staff were proud to be part of the event.

Miss Louise Martin, Head of Stormont School and Miss Alexis Sobell, Deputy Head attended the presentation with representatives from each class from Reception to Year 6. It is always a pleasure to support local charities and know that the amount raised will make a difference. Mr Moore explained how a local family, who had recently been affected by bereavement, had been supported by the Trust. The family’s children had needed essential new clothing at a difficult time in their lives.

Year 6 House Captains nominate local charities at the beginning of the academic year but The Hart and Parker Trust is one that Stormont supports year on year. In the past there have been food parcels and sponsorships. This week parents and children are being asked to donate books in good condition (from baby books, up to age 18) for a separate charity, The Children’s Book Project. The parents’ association (SPA) wants to help re-home books that children have outgrown and pass on to those children who have few books of their own. Stormont School prides itself on helping others.

Posted: 14^th June 2021

Our Pre-Prep experienced a day with Safari Pete who brought his animals to show the classes.  An amazing collection of animals and reptiles made an impact with the girls with a real hands on experience.  A crocodile was the star of the show or was it the barn owl, maybe even the tarantula, could have been the meerkat?   There were certainly many to see and learn about – Safari Pete talked about the habitats of each animal, the food they liked to eat, how they hunted and where they came from.  He was enthusiastic and kept the girls’ attention brilliantly.  When they got to hold and touch the crocodile it was pure delight on their faces and watching the snake eat their prey was incredible.    We think that there could be some potential vets or conservationists in our Reception or Year 1 & 2 classes!