Boundary Oak School

Although the end of term is now in sight, there has been no slowing down across the school! ☀️

One of last week's highlights was welcoming back alumna Abi, who shared her journey beyond Boundary Oak and her inspiring work with UWC, offering valuable insight to our Senior pupils as they begin to think about their own next steps.

Our Acorn Theatre has also come alive with music during this year’s Global Music Week. Led by Mr Roebuck, pupils continue to enjoy a range of performances and impressive drum solos from Grace (Year 6) and Charlie (Year 5).

Meanwhile, our Year 10 Citizenship pupils attended the Magistrates' Court, gaining first-hand experience of the justice system, while their peers in took part in a fascinating live dissection session that deepened their understanding of key biological concepts. Our Year 4 pupils have also put their problem-solving and teamwork skills to the test in this week’s Pentomino maths challenge.

Hands-on experiences have continued across the school, with Year 9 pupils putting their baking skills to the test in a Strawberries and Cream Bake Off Challenge. Their delicious creations were judged by members of staff. Year 1 have also enjoyed a field-to-fork experience, harvesting lettuce and mini cucumbers from their vegetable garden before sharing their home-grown produce with the kitchen for our lunchtime salad bar.

With plenty more still to come before the summer holidays begin, we're looking forward to making the most of the final weeks of term.

What a fantastic few weeks of sporting success for our pupils.🌟🥇

From national finals and academy selections to international representation and championship medals, our children continue to show what can be achieved through commitment, resilience, and a love of sport.

🛼 Peter (Year 10) helped his Roller Derby team secure a national Silver medal and earned two MVP awards along the way.

🪩 Georgie and Hermione (Year 5) danced their way to 2nd Place at The Great Big Dance Off National Finals, finishing just one point behind the winners.

🏐 We are thrilled for Sienna (Year 10), who has been selected for the London Pulse Pathway Power U15 Academy Long Squad following a highly competitive trial process.

🎱 Congratulations also to Benjamin (Year 10), who will represent England in Junior Billiards at the Home Internationals later this summer.

👟 Our athletes also excelled at the ISA National Athletics Championships, bringing home Bronze, Silver and Gold medals while demonstrating outstanding teamwork and determination. Special congratulations to George (Year 9), Codie (Year 7), and the Year 6 relay team of Oscar, Harry, Finley and Joel, who successfully retained their title as National Champions! 🥇

🏏 As if that wasn't enough to celebrate, a number of our pupils had the honour of serving as flag bearers at the Women’s T20 World Cup match between Ireland and New Zealand on Friday evening.

We couldn't be prouder of every pupil who represented themselves so brilliantly!

There is much to look forward to at our upcoming Charity Cricket Match in support of Bethan's Fund. 💙

Bringing together staff, parents and Senior pupils, the event is a wonderful reflection of the spirit of our school community and our shared commitment to supporting important causes.

We are grateful for the enthusiasm and support already shown and look forward to an enjoyable afternoon of cricket, fundraising and community on Monday 6th July. We hope to see you there!

Enterprise and creativity were on full display across the Junior School last week, as pupils took on projects that encouraged problem-solving, teamwork, and confident decision-making.

Our Year 4 pupils have been busy designing their own towns as part of a project set by Welborne. After developing their ideas in the classroom, they had the opportunity to visit the site and gain a first-hand understanding of how a new community is planned and built. Seeing their learning connected to a local development sparked thoughtful questions and plenty of discussion.

Meanwhile, our Year 6 pupils took part in their UNLOC Enterprise Day, working together to develop and pitch business ideas in a Dragon’s Den-style challenge. From craft-based ventures to community basketball tournaments, pupils presented concepts shaped by their own passions and interests, whilst demonstrating careful planning, collaboration, and confidence in sharing their ideas.

It was wonderful to see pupils supporting one another, thinking creatively, and embracing new challenges. Which business idea would you have invested in?

A successful qualifying expedition completed. ✅🥾

Over the weekend, our Year 9 DofE pupils spent two days navigating, camping, and working together in the South Downs, demonstrating the skills they have developed throughout the programme.

After an early start at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, the group set off on foot, tackling the route with determination and positive spirits. Whether checking maps, making decisions as a team or encouraging one another along the way, pupils approached each challenge with self-assuredness and maturity.

As evening arrived, tents went up, dinner was cooked and there was time to enjoy a well-earned rest, helped by a friendly four-legged visitor who joined the group as they watched the sunset.

The expedition was a chance to put months of preparation into practice, but it was also a reminder of what makes the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award so valuable. Congratulations to all pupils who completed this important milestone in their Bronze Award journey!

Year 9 had a beautiful setting overnight while away on their Duke Of Edinburgh’s assessed expedition! The pupils had a very successful first day, and are making great progress to the final checkpoint 🥾👏

Well done to our debaters on an excellent week of competition and discussion! 🗣️

On Monday evening, Elora and Tristan (Year 7) and Holly (Year 8) won their debate against Swanmore College while proposing the motion to prohibit schools from enforcing gendered or culturally restrictive dress codes. Their success reflected not only strong preparation and persuasive speaking, but also a willingness to engage thoughtfully with a challenging topic.

Additionally, pupils from both the Junior and Senior School also participated in a range of Globeducate debates alongside pupils from schools across the international network. Topics included whether examinations still have merit and whether the Enhanced Olympics represent a positive development for sport.
Debating encourages pupils to think critically, communicate clearly and consider perspectives beyond their own. It has been wonderful to see so many of them embracing these opportunities with such maturity and enthusiasm!

This week, our Year 6 pupils have had a fantastic time on their two-night residential at Cobnor Activity Centre. ⛵🌦️

Pupils took to the water in keel boats, tackled the climbing wall, tested themselves on the high and low ropes, bounced into friendly competition on the AeroBall courts and worked together through a series of initiative challenges.

While the activities were certainly memorable, it was the way pupils approached them that stood out most. Whether encouraging a friend to take that next step, celebrating a shared success or working together to solve a problem, the trip was full of moments that reflected the spirit of this year group.

As a highlight of their final year in the Junior School, this residential provided the perfect opportunity for pupils to celebrate friendships, work collaboratively and create lasting memories.

More than 85 families joined us for our Boundary Oak Big Forest Clean last weekend, cleaning a local woodland area and showing just how much can be achieved when a community comes together. 🌳💚

Armed with litter pickers, gloves and plenty of determination, pupils eagerly searched amongst the trees, proudly comparing their collections and encouraging one another along the way. Joined by a fantastic local Scout group, our volunteers collected an amazing 56 bags of rubbish from the woodland area!

After all that hard work, there was time to relax with ice pops in the sunshine before gathering with Portsmouth Forest School for a well-earned treat around the fire. Using the fire-lighting skills they've developed through their own Outdoor Learning experiences at Boundary Oak, many pupils confidently helped prepare the fire before toasting marshmallows and making delicious s'mores!

A huge thank you to every family who gave up part of their weekend to support the event.

Click here to read more about the initiative: https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/environment/foxes-forest-clean-up-boundary-oak-school-scouts-tidy-up-wildlife-haven-8663248

Join us this Sunday for Boundary Oak's Big Forest Clean! 💚🌳

Led by our fantastic Charity Club and Eco Council, we're coming together to support our school charity partner, WWF, caring for a local woodland area this World Environment Day.

We're delighted that Portsmouth Forest School will be joining us too, with a special midway stop for toasted marshmallows and some fascinating conversations about local wildlife, and how we can all play a part in protecting our environment.

This family-friendly event is all about making a positive impact, so whether you can stay for the whole morning or just drop by for a short while, every helping hand will make a difference. It's shaping up to be a wonderful community day filled with fresh air, teamwork, and plenty of smiles!