13 Mar 2024

School launches Eco Fest with collaboration with Barefoot Running Farmers.

Connecting with sustainable farmers and well-known conservationist, Ben Goldsmith, Hazlegrove Prep School used its annual festival this year to highlight its new drive for sustainability and all things Eco. Hazlegrove's Eco Fest is a week-long festival that aims to ensure that every child in the school has a sense that their place in the world matters, and that everyone has a part to play in ensuring that the world is as clean and protected as possible.

The festival’s patron, conservationist Ben Goldsmith is well known for his views regarding the positive impact that nature has on all aspects of our lives and the need to rewild areas wherever possible. The school also launched its annual festival with an exciting collaboration with Higher Farm, in Somerset, a regenerative food and farming business. Higher Farm, led by brothers Matteo and Giacomo Grasso and colleague Basil Gibson will be creating an exciting new kitchen garden project with Hazlegrove which they plan to roll out to other schools. In order to raise funds, the intrepid farmers are running three marathons in just three days barefoot along the Jurassic Coast.

Matteo said, ‘Our project is focused on supporting a future for local, natural and accessible food. Our vision with this fundraiser is to set up a kitchen garden at Hazlegrove Prep, to provide nutritious, organic and sustainable food, and to incorporate the pupils, offering an educational experience growing and learning about food. We are partnering with Hazlegrove Prep and if we can raise more funds, we will be able to work with more schools.’ Speaking to BBC Somerset, Matteo said, ‘I started experimenting barefoot around the farm and thought maybe I can use this to make my challenge a bit more challenging’.

Mr Benbow said, ‘We are so excited to be working with Matteo, Giacomo and Basil and their vision to increase localisation of food whilst supporting local economies and making good food accessible to everyone sits perfectly with our aim of Eco Fest. We are also extremely lucky to have Ben Goldsmith, a passionate environmentalist, as our patron this year and as well as supporting his Iris Project charity which helps outstanding young individuals in finding solutions to the climate and ecological crisis, we will also be supporting the Young People's Trust for the Environment'.

Ben Goldsmith said, 'The Hazlegrove Eco Fest is a brilliant idea. Sitting among the ancient Somerset oaks, overlooking the once-shimmering landscape of the Somerset levels, pupils at Hazlegrove are about as connected with nature as it's possible to be. Children, more than any of us, need a connection to nature if they are to thrive'.

The programme for the festival included talks from the Young People's Trust for the Environment (YPTE), Green Up Your Act delivered hands-on Eco workshops to teach the children how to limit their ecological footprint, the children created wind-turbines and solar panels, they studied a broad range of eco-themed topics throughout the week including the impact of synthetic fertilisers and global climate targets, they recycled and reused items to create sustainable gifts and had a full school 'Swap-Shop' where everyone found new homes for pre-loved items. Budding artists in the school repurposed fabrics to stage a fashion show and they even learnt a rap song in French about sustainability as well as using PSHE sessions to look at empathy and develop a greater understanding of neighbours and cultural approaches to sustainability.

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14 Dec 2023

Local Hazlegrove Pupil Stars in The Velveteen Rabbit on Apple TV+ this Christmas

Phoenix L, a pupil at Hazlegrove Prep School, is starring in the film adaptation of Margery Williams’ The Velveteen Rabbit, which is now available on Apple TV+. The adaptation is a recreation of the 1922 classic by screenwriter Tom Bidwell (My Mad Fat Diary) and Martin Pope (The Gruffalo) and is a beautiful mix of live-action and animation.

Phoenix auditioned for the role in 2022, and the live-action portion of the movie was filmed in Dublin in November of that year. The film features a star-studded cast, including Helena Bonham-Carter as Wise Horse, Alex Lauther as Velveteen Rabbit, Nicola Coughlan as the Playroom Fairy, and Tilly Vosburgh as Momo.

According to Phoenix’s mother, Zoe, some of the trickiest parts of the filming process were recording his voice for the animation scenes in a recording studio and performing with the rabbit when the rabbit wasn’t even there. However, Phoenix quickly got the hang of it and was unperturbed by the entire experience. Even when they arrived on set with all the cameras and trucks and people, he just instantly felt right at home.

The costumes in the film are wonderful, and Phoenix loved the clothes that were made for him. All his outfits, even his pyjamas, school uniform, and cricket outfit, were bespoke. Phoenix had a tutor on set who kept him up to date on any school work that he was missing.

The film has already received rave reviews, including The Los Angeles Times, which quotes Pope recalling how pleased they were at casting Phoenix in the role of William, describing it as 'a critical point because much of the story hinges on his performance. On the first day of filming, Pope called Apple and said, ‘We are going to be all right.’ He recalls one of the crew members getting teary after watching Laroche perform in rehearsal. ‘He’s really a natural. I think he’s tremendous.’

The children at Hazlegrove watched the trailer for the film in their end-of-term Celebration Assembly. Headmaster, Ed Benbow says, 'We are so proud of Phoenix – it was a privilege for the whole school to watch the trailer together, and we are very much looking forward to watching the film!'

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14 Nov 2023

Syrian Refugee Dentist Shares his Inspiring Story with Pupils

The pupils had been reading Refugee Boy by Benjamin Zephaniah, a novel about a young boy who flees Ethiopia and Eritrea and seeks asylum in England. The school wanted to further expose the pupils to diversity and foster their understanding and empathy for others, especially those who have to leave their homes and seek refuge in a foreign land.

Mr Zinah told the pupils about his life in Syria before the civil war, his studies and work as a dentist, and his love for his country and culture. He then described his harrowing journey from Syria to the UK, involving smugglers, a small wooden boat in the Mediterranean Sea, and a long trek across Europe. He also spoke about the difficulties and discrimination he faced as a refugee in different countries, and the kindness and generosity of people who helped him along the way.

The pupils were captivated by his storytelling and were moved by his courage and resilience. They asked him many questions about his experiences, his feelings, and his hopes for the future. Mr Zinah answered them with honesty and humour, and encouraged them to be open-minded and compassionate towards others.

Mr Zinah also talked about his achievements and contributions in the UK, where he has been granted asylum and citizenship. He has resumed his dental career and is currently pursuing his PhD in dental public health at King’s College London. He is also a volunteer dentist for Dentaid, a charity that provides dental care to people in need around the world. He has addressed the House of Lords, been interviewed on the BBC Breakfast Show, and visited over 350 schools to share his story and raise awareness about the plight of refugees.

The school staff and pupils expressed their gratitude and admiration for Mr Zinah, and said that they learned a lot from his presentation. They also said that they gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the struggles and aspirations of refugees, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in society.

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