Be Courageous, Be Belhaven!
Autumn Term 2025 – Co-Curricular Update
It’s a new school year and there are lots of opportunities for Belhaven children to try new things across our broad and rich co-curricular programme. They are encouraged to be courageous in everything they do.
In the words of the frequently-sung hymn 'One more step along the world I go', we hear the lyrics ‘give me courage when the world is rough, keep me loving though the world is tough, leap and sing in all I do’ – important reminders to all Belhaven pupils.
Let's find out what the Prep School children have been up to so far this year and hear what they have to say about their experiences. (You can also read Pre-Prep News here)
Games: Hockey, Rugby and Football
It is always good to be back for the Autumn Term, seeing the girls and boys make the most of the extensive pitches and Astro. During Games, the boys are playing rugby – the under 9s are playing touch, the under 11s are learning to play contact for the first time and the under 13 group are building on their skills from last year.
For new pupils, this can be a fun but nerve-wracking experience, as Carlos tells us:
‘On my first day of rugby, I wasn't very sure how to play but I had a couple of days of practice with different exercises. For example, there was a training dummy to show us where to attack the opponent, before playing in my first match. Overall, I loved it and I want to do another match as soon as possible.’
Above: U13, U11 and U9 rugby teams putting their new skills to the test in matches.
The girls are enjoying playing hockey on the newly-fenced Astroturf in their free time and during Games. They are also lucky to have access to several full-sized Astro pitches at Hallhill during these timetabled sessions. The development of their skills is coming along nicely, and it has been great to see how well all the new pupils have quickly grasped the concept of the game.
Above: U11A & B hockey teams putting their new skills to the test in matches.
For a couple of the girls, it has meant trying out as goalkeeper for the first time.
Imogen has just taken up playing goalie for the U13b team and tells us:
‘I was scared! The hockey ball coming for me at the speed of light! Even though I was covered with hockey pads I was still terrified! Where was she going to try and tap it into the goal? Questions flying all over my head with no answers, where was I to go? But I suddenly knew where it was going, bottom right-hand corner of the goal! I quickly side-stepped like a crab towards the ball and kicked it hard away from the goal, and inside my head I was going YAY! You are NOT going in the goal today!’
And Arabella trying goalie for the first time in the U11b team wrote:
‘We were asked in our first session whether anyone wanted to try out to be the goalie. I put up my hand and said “YES!”. I was a bit scared, but I put all the goalie kit on (and this took a long time) and I stood in the goal. Mrs Gale hit a few balls towards me, and I was saying to myself “Ah, I can save these” as I kicked the ball away. It was really hard at first, but I started to get used to it and played my first match as goalie against Strathallan – I only let in one goal!)
Activities
This term we have 30 different activities on offer each week. There are several of the old favourites – rockpooling, watercolours, drama, mindfulness, colouring, sewing crafts, Rubik’s cube and Just Dance – along with some new things to try. For example, the senior pupils asked to have extended Games sessions on a Tuesday and have enjoyed the extra time to practise their hockey and rugby. In terms of sport, football, running and some pre-season netball are also on offer.
The children are always encouraged to try something new. Sam has joined the sewing club activity, where we are making soft toy birds.
‘You never know what to expect when trying a new thing for the first time, but sewing is fun and calming, once you get the hang of it. It was difficult at first but I enjoy it now and look forward to seeing my finished toy’.
Art & DT
The Art and DT rooms are always a hub of energy and creativity, whether in designated activity sessions, free-time or during our very popular 'Sunday Art' session for boarders.
Above: Boarders making bunting during 'Sunday Art'
This term the Advanced Artists are busy preparing for their Scholarships. As part of their preparation, they produce a portfolio of work, and it is lovely to see their final pieces displayed in the Spring Term.
Above: Free-time DT creations – cricket bat and stumps and Norman shields
Music: Strings, Brass and a whole lot more
Belhaven is alive with the sound of music! New instruments are being learned and music groups are happening at every opportunity. Inspired by the visit from the Carducci String Quartet and trip to the LammerMuir Music festival, Belhaven now has its very own string quartet made up of four talented pupils. Here they are:
How does it feel to stand up and perform on your instrument in public? Let's find out:
On Saturday, at the Open Day, I played a duet called Straw Hat Strut with Miss Lloyd. I felt quite worried beforehand because I thought I would mess up. While I was playing, it felt a bit worrying, yet as I got into it, I wanted to keep going and it was exciting. I think I played very well and I felt tingly with thrill! I am very glad that I went to school, as that very morning I had been refusing to go! I have learned that I shouldn't be worried to stand up and perform in front of everyone else and if I am worried, it's OK and it will feel great afterwards. It is the same for literally anyone who performs anywhere else. Innes (Form 4)
Above: Innes and Sylvia performing for visitors at our September Open Morning.
Drama: Performing Arts Fridays
This term we continue with our Preforming Arts Fridays. Forms 3, 4 and 5 are busy working on their drama sharings, whilst the seniors are having the chance to learn some circus skills (don't let them try these at home!!) along with creating iMovies and learning some dance moves.
Many of the children take additional LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) lessons and can prepare for exams. Clemmie, who is one of these pupils, and loves her Drama, tells us:
‘Drama at Belhaven is always the highlight of my week. The lessons are teeming with all kinds of fun and enriching activities. We always start with drama games; these can range from trying to count to ten as a group, to potentially violent rounds of linky-linky! In the learning part of the lesson, we might rehearse scenes from the forthcoming school play, study a book and act it out, or plan an assembly.
Lamda is also amazing; we learn pieces from a text to act out in exams or for fun. I love it as it is like wearing a different person’s hat. I can transform into something else, just for a bit. Lamda puts confidence in everyone and it helps build up talent. The school play can achieve this as well. I find it helps conquer stage fright and makes us more confident in ourselves, whether we are the main character or part of the ensemble, like I have been so often. Drama helps me be myself and someone else; it is a truly wonderful art.’
Above: Clemmie performing her LAMDA piece at our September Open Morning.
