Co-Curricular The Adventure of childhood
Welcome
At Hatherop, our co-curricular provision aims to provide a personalised and extensive programme that offers maximum opportunities for all children to explore their interests and passions and create their own unique story. Co-curricular opportunities are invaluable in shaping an individual's character. Throughout the academic year, the children at Hatherop are given a plethora of fantastic opportunities, such as appearing on podcasts, performing on stage, embarking on the Welsh Three Peaks challenge, or being part of a rock band. At Hatherop, we firmly believe in individuality and recognise the significance of fostering curiosity and passion, supporting our values of ambition and character. Our Director of Co-Curricular is Mr Nick Williams, who plays a pivotal role in shaping our comprehensive offering of Co-Curricular activities. If you are interested in gaining more insight into a wide array of opportunities we provide, please do not hesitate to contact him directly at nick.williams@hatheropcastle.co.uk. Mr Williams would be delighted to share with you the reasons why we hold our Co-Curricular programme in such high regard. Our commitment to co-curricular activities goes beyond enhancing our pupils’ academic experiences. We believe that these activities play a crucial role in nurturing their personal growth, character development and overall wellbeing.
Art
Art plays a pivotal role at Hatherop by offering countless benefits that contribute to a well-rounded education and aids the children’s passions in creating their own unique story. Creative Expression and Critical Thinking Hatherop aims to foster holistic development, and art provides an avenue for our pupils to express themselves creatively. Engaging in artistic activities such as painting, sculpting and clay modelling encourages pupils to think outside the box, explore new ideas, and develop their unique perspectives. This nurtures their ability to think critically, solve problems creatively, and approach challenges from multiple angles – skills that are valuable across various academic disciplines and real-life situations. Emotional and Social Development Art is a powerful medium for emotional expression and self-discovery. At Hatherop, we believe through artistic endeavours, pupils can explore complex emotions, communicate their feelings visually or through performances, and gain a better understanding of themselves. Additionally, collaborative art projects promote teamwork, communication, and empathy, enhancing pupils' social skills and their ability to work effectively with peers. Art Exhibitions and Arts Week We take immense pride in showcasing a splendid Art Exhibition during the Christmas season, a time when our senior pupils derive heightened delight from exhibiting their creations to staff, fellow pupils, parents, and the community. Additionally, we host our very own Arts Week, a designated week dedicated to the arts, affording children the opportunity to display their creative prowess and acquire fresh skills through diverse art workshops. In the previous year, children enjoyed a diverse array of workshops encompassing sewing, design technology, enamelling, pottery, and plaster casting, among others. Incorporating art into Hatherop's co-curricular offering provides a comprehensive educational journey that fosters creativity, emotional acumen, and cognitive advancement. These advantages transcend the confines of the art classroom, sculpting well-rounded individuals primed to navigate academic, personal, and professional trials adeptly.
The Creative Arts
At Hatherop, we recognise that the Arts serve as a powerful platform for our children to cultivate essential qualities such as confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Our approach is grounded in the belief that true growth often arises from stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Therefore, we strive to empower our pupils to speak in public, maintain eye contact and embrace the unfamiliar. To support, we offer a wide array of opportunities for our pupils to showcase their talents. Through concerts, speech & drama activities, plays, bands, exhibitions, musical theatre performances and choirs, our pupils have the chance to build their confidence and express themselves authentically. Our goal is clear: we aim to equip our pupils with the skills and mindset to realise their fullest potential. A highlight of our Arts calendar is our much-anticipated annual Arts Week. During this immersive experience, all pupils from Reception to Prep 8 come away from their usual day-to-day timetables to immerse themselves in the Arts. The week culminates in our captivating 'Castlebury' showcase. This unique event features every child in the school taking the stage, whether it's through comedy, singing, dancing, performing or storytelling. Castlebury embodies our commitment to celebrating every child's individuality and supports our aim of allowing pupils to create their own unique story. We invite you to catch a glimpse of the vibrant energy and creativity through our Arts Week video provided below. At Hatherop, we take pride in nurturing confidence and creativity through the Arts, helping our students discover their own voices and embrace the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.
Drama
Drama shines as a standout strength at our school, a source of immense pride due to the exceptional performance skills our pupils exhibit. Beyond the pure enjoyment they derive, drama provides a powerful avenue for each child to nurture essential life skills. Confidence, self-awareness, social & emotional development, communication prowess and creative expression all flourish through drama. Our diverse drama program embraces various dramatic forms from different cultures, reflecting the tapestry of our world. Productions Our commitment to drama culminates in annual productions that engage every student. Early Years showcase their talents over the Christmas period; Prep 1 and 2 present captivating Christmas plays. The Lent term sees vibrant productions – the Middle School Show by Prep 3, 4 and 5, and a short play by Prep 7 and 8. The Summer term showcases musical brilliance with productions like 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' and 'Matilda Jr.' Speech and Drama Lessons Many students actively participate in Speech and Drama lessons, shining on our Speech and Drama evenings. Achievements often include Distinction and Honours in Poetry Vanguard Examinations. Our commitment bears fruit as numerous pupils earn Drama Scholarships to Senior Schools, a testament to their dedication nurtured at Hatherop. Beyond the Stage Our dedication to drama transcends performances. Several former pupils, inspired by our nurturing environment, have embraced drama at elevated levels, even pursuing careers in theatre. Drama is not merely an art; it's a journey of self-discovery, personal growth and expressive power. We invite you to explore the enriching world of drama at Hatherop Castle.
Music
Regular Class Lessons Nursery to Prep 8 Music forms an integral part of our school's fabric, engaging all pupils in an extensive spectrum of performance events and nurturing their creative and expressive abilities. Our music curriculum mirrors the diverse tapestry of our world, thoughtfully incorporating music from various cultures. Practical skills development, particularly singing, takes centre stage. Pupils participate in class singing from an early age, cultivating their sense of pitch, rhythm and percussion instrument use. Prep 3 students embark on class ocarina lessons and orchestral instrument introduction by our peripatetic teachers. As they advance, keyboard instruction guides them through music organization and composition. Individual Music Lessons Many pupils benefit from individual music lessons, with offerings spanning orchestral instruments, music theory, piano, voice, keyboard, guitar and drums. Our pride lies in the numerous Music Scholarships earned by pupils at senior schools over the years. Exam preparation includes boards like Associated Board, Trinity Guildhall and Music Teachers Board. Performance Performance is a cornerstone for nurturing musical talents. Hatherop boasts regular concerts featuring choirs and ensembles, alongside intimate instrumental showcases highlighting individual musicians. Our choirs span genres from the Contemporary Choir to the Senior Chapel Choir, which leads church services. Music takes centre stage in productions, with recent shows including 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat', 'Rats! The Musical' and 'Matilda Jr.' Music resonates beyond notes; it's a journey of self-discovery and expression. We invite you to explore the melodious world of music at Hatherop.
Sport
At Hatherop, we wholeheartedly recognise the significance of sports in shaping our school community. Whilst we certainly take immense pride in our children’s participation in national tournaments and their accomplishments on the field, we firmly believe that the true value of sports lies beyond the scoreboards. Our sporting provision is driven by the invaluable life lessons that sports instil in our students – teamwork, humility and resilience. In the picturesque setting of our breath-taking grounds, our dedicated and experienced coaches possess the expertise to nurture talent, providing all children with ample opportunities to explore a diverse range of sports, whether at a competitive or non-competitive level. At Nursery and Pre-Prep levels, sport is integral to the curriculum, allowing pupils to engage in a wide array of activities. As they progress to Prep level, our students actively participate in football, rugby, hockey, athletics, netball and cricket. It brings us immense pride to share that cricket and football have become compulsory for our girls and we've achieved remarkable success in these disciplines. Moreover, we extend their sporting experiences to include a rich variety of other sports such as golf, lacrosse, fencing, badminton, tennis, swimming, basketball and gymnastics. Games are thoughtfully scheduled during the week and we encourage children to represent Hatherop at competitive levels. Some of our students even compete at regional, national and international arenas. While we take pride in the remarkable results attained by our students, we emphasise that the way they play the game is equally crucial. We instil in them the understanding that behaviour, attitude and sportsmanship supersede mere aptitude. The 'Aspire' Sports Scholarship Program offers individual sporting programs that aim to develop, enhance and extend performance. Pupils get the opportunity to apply for a sports scholarship once a year when moving from the Middle School to the Upper School. We are committed to serving our pupils both individually and collectively. Additionally, we reach out to offer coaching and fun sports sessions to the local primary school community, aiming to foster a love for sports and physical activity among younger students in the area. At Hatherop, our aim is to provide a comprehensive and holistic approach to sports, where children not only develop their physical abilities but also cultivate essential values such as teamwork, respect and a positive attitude towards both victories and defeat.
Activities
During lunchtimes and after school, our students have access to a multitude of engaging and enriching activities. Our offerings cover a wide spectrum, ensuring that there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy. Whether it's exploring their creativity through Song Writing or MasterChef, expressing their thoughts and ideas in Debating or Podcasting, or delving into the world of technology with Lego Robotics, our students have the chance to find their 'thing' and nurture their interests. We take pride in the variety of options available to our students. For those with a green thumb, we have gardening activities, providing a space to connect with nature and cultivate a love for the environment. For the imaginative minds, den building sparks creativity and imaginative play. South American dance offers a vibrant and culturally enriching experience, while fencing provides an opportunity for physical skill development and discipline. Additionally, for the young performers, Musical Theatre offers a stage to showcase their talents and passion for the arts. Our lunchtime offerings include Aspire and Booster sessions, providing extra coaching to help students excel in their chosen sports and foster enthusiasm for physical activity. Our tennis program spans from Prep 2 to squad sessions in Prep 8, offering a structured and progressive experience for skill development. After school, students can engage in diverse activities like cross country, cricket, hockey, rounders and table tennis, nurturing teamwork, resilience and a lifelong passion for physical
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