Year 10 and Year 12 students attended a careers trip to Sky Studios where they worked in 3 teams to produce a film trailer in their state of the art XR studio. The experience allowed students to operate cameras, digital editing in post-production roles and perform live for screen complete with props and costumes. The students created some impressive short films that were then screened, they had a studio tour where Jurassic World and Wicked have recently been filmed. Students got to play a careers game which revealed the vast amount of jobs available in the film and tv industry, it was very inspiring and the students took a huge amount of knowledge and inspiration away from the tour. Massive thank you to Mrs Gray for arranging this experience for our students.
As the school year drew to a close, our Year 11 and 12 students took on the final major challenge of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award: the Silver and Gold expeditions. With a combined total of over 100 participants between the two levels, these expeditions were a true test of endurance, teamwork and determination – and our students more than rose to the occasion.
This year’s Gold expedition doubled as a practice for our Year 11s and the qualifying expedition for Year 12 students – a demanding yet rewarding five-day adventure in the rugged beauty of Snowdonia.
Fifty students set off, and an impressive 45 completed the full journey, covering tough terrain with daily hikes lasting up to 8 hours. Routes took students to heights of 890 metres with punishing inclines, challenging even the fittest participants. Blisters, aching limbs and early starts were par for the course – but spirits remained high.
Each evening, groups plotted their next day’s route, using compasses and Sharpies to navigate the mountains ahead. Despite the midges (which were, at times, relentless!), students embraced the camping experience. Campfire games – including Codenames, MöLKKY, and even frying-pan rounders – brought much-needed laughter and camaraderie after long days of hiking.
The Gold groups showed tremendous grit, good humour, and mutual support – all qualities that lie at the heart of the DofE Award.
Meanwhile, our 68 Silver participants completed their three-day qualifying expedition in the Chiltern Hills this week, experiencing a very different challenge – high temperatures and blazing sun, with some days reaching 30°C.
Students trekked for 7 hours a day across open countryside, with every single participant successfully completing the expedition. Evenings were full of laughter and energy, despite the exertions of the day – from sleeping bag races down hills to a spontaneous and now-legendary water fight.
The spark? Dec’s water balloon catapult. What followed was a full-scale showdown: instructors, campsite owner Colin, and Dec himself versus the students. The hillside echoed with squeals of delight as students ran free, phones forgotten, creating memories that will last long after the sunburn fades.
As the sun set on the final evening, casting golden light over the Chiltern landscape, there was a strong sense that something special had happened. Not just an expedition completed, but a shared experience of resilience, friendship, and joy.
Across both expeditions, our students were exceptional. They tackled extreme terrain, unpredictable weather, and physical exhaustion – and still managed to lift one another up, stay positive, and show outstanding teamwork and resilience.
These expeditions were not just a test of endurance; they were a celebration of character. We are incredibly proud of every student who took part. Whether reaching the summit in Snowdonia or cooling off with water balloons in the Chilterns, they demonstrated what it truly means to be part of the Presdales DofE community.
Well done to you all.
Well done to all the athletes, supporters and leaders who recently competed in the Nicky Morris Athletics Competition at Wodson Park. You were all amazing!!! Your effort and determination in every event made us very proud.
Leaders/reserves… your support and assistance throughout the day was invaluable! What a superb team you all are!!!
Year group results….
Year 7 – 2nd place (3 points behind Goffs)
Year 8/9 – 1st place
Year 10+ – 2nd place (2 points behind Saffron Walden)
Overall CHAMPIONS!!!!!!
Massive congratulations to all the athletes that competed in the District Athletics Tournament at Wodson Park. They all performed so incredibly well!
Year 7 (Minor girls) 3rd place
Year 8/9 (Junior girls) 2nd place
Year 10/11 (Intermediate girls) 2nd place
Year 12/13 girls (Senior) 1st place
Year 12/13 boys (Senior) Fab performances from the boys!!!!
Exceptional performers from the event were closely contested with two senior athletes; Jacob winning his 800m and coming 2nd in 200m and Teah winning hurdles, second in triple jump and winning team in the hurdles!
Individual girl best athlete for her 400m and her relay was Beth Botheras!
Overall position –
1st – Presdales
2nd – Broxbourne
3rd – Simon Balle
Massive well done to all the pentathletes who competed on the 19th June in the Hurdles, Shot, Long jump, High Jump and then finishing with an 800m! They did incredibly well, and in the hot conditions!!
The Year 7s did amazingly, their first time competing in all events. Individually Lily Farr came 2nd and Layla Singh won it overall.
In the team competition they came 1st!!!
In Year 8/9 (with our Year 8 team!) we came in 2nd just behind Goffs Academy.
Well done all … fantastic performances!!!
Well done to Jess who came third in Year 8/9 shot put and Beth who came fourth in Year 12/13 400m at the Herts County Athletics champs.
Amazing achievements girls!
Congratulations to the Year 10 Tennis team who are now through to the Nicola Mabbitt trophy finals. A super achievement on a very hot day.
Well done to Phoebe, Lily, Ava and Annabel who beat Queenswood! A super result!
Our U15s had a great day of cricket at St Margaretsbury CC. The team was made up of all Year 9s due to the Year 10 exams so they faced mostly older opponents and some experienced cricketers in their matches.
Considering that only one of our girls plays cricket outside of school, they performed brilliantly on an extremely hot day. They definitely won the tournament for effort, commitment, teamwork and sportsmanship. A lovely group of girls to spend the day with and a great water fight at the end!
Coaches Player of the Tournament was Matilda P.
Well done to all the girls!
Two lovely games for the Year 9 and 10 teams against John Warner.
Excellent batting and brilliant anticipation and accuracy in the field, gave us convincing score lines. Well done team!
Year 9s won 11 – 4 : Player of the Match was Emma
Year 10s won 13 – 8 1/2 : Player of the Match was Ruby
Massive well done to the Year 8 Rounders team who finished joint first at the district tournament.
It took them the first game to get properly warmed up and then there was no stopping them! Some awesome hits, fielding and catches!! They played some super rounders with wins against John Warner (8 rounders to 3.5), Goffs A (5.5 rounders to 3) Robert Barclay (5.5-2.5), Chauncy (7 rounders to 1) and Goffs B (8.5-2.5). The one loss was in their first match to SB where they lost 4 rounders to 2.5. Well done all of you!
Star Player was Aina who hit some amazing balls to score several rounders, and caught several big hitters out whilst deep fielding!
Please see more student achievements in non-school sporting activities on our PE Facebook page. We have recently had student successes in Cheerleading and Swimming!
Mr Boyter will be flying over to America with co-designer Kedric Winks at the beginning of August, to promote their new tile laying game Guildlands published by Outset Media.
The launch of Guildlands is exclusive to Gen Con in Indianapolis, America’s biggest board game convention, with 70,000 unique attendees expected to take part in the fun. Mr Boyter and Kedric will be demonstrating the game over the four day gaming fest. Outset Media have even produced an exclusive mini expansion to celebrate the game’s launch.
Click the link to find out more!
We had an amazing day last Friday when the whole school enjoyed a dry and sunny sports day. The weather was kind as not too hot, and not a drop of rain in sight.
The team selection was complete. House colours were in full force and the competition was gaining traction. It was a delight to see each house embrace the competition and appreciate those who were competing on the day. There were students who were determined to win, but many who simply enjoyed the competition and earned precious points for their tutor group and houses.
A special mention must go to three students who broke the school record:
In Year 10, Poppy Ward broke the Triple Jump record by 9 cm, jumping 9.25m.
In Year 12, Lewis Thorne broke the Javelin record by over 10m. Throwing 28.03m
And finally, Jacob Colligan who broke two school records. He was able to Triple jump 9.02m, breaking the previous record by 32 cm. He was also able to complete the 800m race in 2m15sec. This smashed the previous record by close to 30 seconds which is an unbelievable performance.
The is an award for the best performance in each year group, otherwise known as the Victrix Ludorum which translate to “victor of the games”:
Year 7 Skye Howard
Year 8 Lottie Stocker
Year 9 Georgia Street
Year 10 Poppy Ward
Year 12 Jacob Colligan
It was a day of celebration, and the students were amazing. They supported their own house. But showed appreciation and respect towards every competitor. Thank you
Latest News
Coming Up
w/c Monday 12th
HOUSE : Badminton
Nightingale House Charity Week
Monday 19th to Friday 30th
Year 10 In-class assessments
Thursday 22nd
Year 11 Learn4Living Day
Friday 23rd
EMC Magazine Conference for Year 12 Media Students
Contact Us
Presdales School
Hoe Lane
Ware
Hertfordshire
SG12 9NX
Tel: 01920 462210
admin@presdales.herts.sch.uk
Headteacher:
Mr Warren
