Bedales Prep and Pre-prep celebrate Harvest Festival

Pupils at Bedales Prep, Dunhurst and Pre-prep, Dunannie took part in the schools’ annual Harvest Festival celebrations last week.

Traditionally a time for reflection and gratitude, children at Dunannie were joined by Sue Jones, Reader and Ordinand from the churches of Steep and Froxfield, and David Barton, Trustee at Petersfield Food Bank, for their Harvest Festival assembly on 6 October.

At the assembly, which was well attended by parents, children sang a selection of Harvest songs, including Beautiful World, which the Dunannie Choir also performed at the Three Schools’ Concert on 4 October.

David spoke to the children about the work of Petersfield Food Bank, which provides food and other essential items to families and individuals experiencing financial difficulties, and thanked the Dunannie community for their donations.

Pupils at Dunhurst also contributed to a collection for the food bank, with donations delivered by Head of Community Service Jonathan Peers, Head of Outdoor Work Ryan Walsh and the Friends of Dunannie (FoDs).

Back at Dunhurst and Dunannie, pupils and staff celebrated Harvest Festival with a delicious lunch prepared by the school’s catering team. In Dunhurst’s Outdoor Work lessons, pupils also had the opportunity to harvest and cook with produce for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)’s Big Soup Share.

Head of Dunhurst Colin Baty said: “It is the time of year when farmers harvest but also a time of thanks for what we have sowed and are now reaping in food. The generosity of both Dunhurst and Dunannie families to the local food bank has been wonderful. It is so important that we continue to reach out and support our community.”

Head of Dunannie Fiona Read added: “The children felt a wonderful sense of being able to come together and support people in the wider community. Thank you everyone.”

Bedales Prep, Dunhurst | Bedales Pre-prep, Dunannie | Petersfield Food Bank