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The School Year 2024
2024 proved to be another busy and successful year with many individual, team and whole school achievements.
W e came through another full and very thorough ISI Inspection just before the end of the Autumn term with commendable success in a number of key areas as well as meeting all the standards required in this inspection. The Inspectors highlighted two particular areas of strength and recognised both ‘the high quality of pastoral care’ as well as ‘the highly effective teaching.’ Furthermore, the school was awarded a ‘significant strength’ in promoting and supporting pupils’ mental health and emotional wellbeing. Early in January 2025, the school was also inspected by the EAL Academy and given a Gold award for its provision. This is a wonderful achievement as St Andrews is the first Boarding Prep school in the country to be given this accolade. Another indicator of the school’s many strengths can be found by reading the report compiled for The Good Schools Guide (June 2024). This can be found on the school’s website and I would urge you to read it as it gives a very detailed and accurate
and Matthew took over the reins in the boarding House. Turning to the stage, there was a wonderful showcase of musical talent in the Summer Serenade concert as well as two amazing dramatic productions. In the spring term the Seniors gave an enchanting performance of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,’ whilst, in the summer term, the Middles came together to treat us to a magical performance of ‘Madagascar.’ Bad weather forced the postponement of Sports Day until the final week of the summer term (something that I cannot recall happening in any of the previous 35 years). And the Autumn term drew to a close on Dec 13th with the traditional Carol Service, but not in its usual location at St Johns. This time it was held in All Saints Church which not only afforded more space but also the wonderful Harrison and Harrison Organ and more rewarding acoustic that this building enjoys. A fitting end to another busy and successful year. Notable Staff changes that occurred during 2024 included Beth Ewen-Firman OA who
left at the end of the summer term to dedicate more time to completing her Masters and explore opportunities within the area of education and technology. The summer term also saw the retirement of Jeff Mackie-Savage after 31 years of service at St Andrews. For the majority of this time Jeff taught as the Head of Modern Languages but, in recent years, he then took on the role as Head of TPR. Another retirement at the end of the summer term was that of Chair of Governors, Philip Broadley OE, who stepped down after 24 years of service as a Governor. Philip became vice chair in 2005 and has been Chairman of ECI since 2017. He chose this moment to step back as it was the 50th anniversary of him joining the College as a pupil. The charity is now led by Mrs Nicky Eckert who was chosen to succeed Philip by the Governors. Nicky has long connections with both schools as not only a parent (daughters Rosie, Maddie and Bella are all OEs as well as OAs) but St Andrew’s Governor for many years as well as becoming an ECI Governor in 2010.
endorsement of the quality of education that St Andrews provides to its pupils. Go to www. standrewsprep.co.uk Click on the ‘About us’ tab and then select ‘Good Schools Guide Report’ from the drop-down menu. It has been another successful year for individual awards with 17 scholarships won. On the sports front there were notable individual achievements in three areas. In Tennis, Katie Rennie and Sienna Charsley became the IAPS U13 Champions. In Table Tennis, Herbie Gregory was a Finalist at the National Schools Championships whilst Charlotte Millar was the IAPS U13 Champion. And in Swimming, the French brothers, James and Henry, were Sussex Champions in 200m Backstroke and Butterfly as well as both being Finalists at the IAPS Championships. At team level, both the U10 and U11 Rugby sides enjoyed unbeaten seasons. This year saw a change in Colstocks as Mark and Trudy Tomsett stepped down after nine years as Houseparents. Their place was taken over by the Ministers as Libby (OA and OE)
Science week
Chitty Chitty bang bang – Senior production
Jazz Day
Carol Service at All Saints
Ski trip to Andorra
Superhero’s Day – Pre Prep
Madagascar – Middles production Colour Fun Run
Eco award
Y6 French trip to Normandy
U13 IAPS Champions
Well Being walk
Newsletter compiled by Chris Laughton, OA Administrator. Email: claughton@standrewsprep.co.uk
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