FROM THE HEADMASTER
Scholarship Success
I am delighted to announce more scholarship success for our Year 8 children. Florence Granger has been awarded a Music Scholarship to Oakham and Harry Rogers has been awarded a Sports Scholarship also to Oakham. This is tremendous news for both children – many congratulations to them.
Staff News
I am sad to report that Mrs Bradnam, who teaches French and Games, will be leaving at the end of this academic year. Many of you will know that Mrs Bradnam lives in Oundle and it is no surprise that finally the long journey to and from school has got the better of her! We will be looking to appoint her replacement in the coming weeks.
Solar Panels
It has been so lovely to have some sunshine this week – just in time for it to power our new solar panels that now adorn the Underwood roof. As mentioned in a previous newsletter, I am so very grateful to Sesh Diu and James Maule for their generosity in getting these up and running.
Cross-Country
Following Years 5 and 6 House Cross-Country on Monday and then our Years 3 and 4 taking part in our own festival on Tuesday, this brings to a close the cross-country events taking place on home soil. Very well done to all of our children who ran on Tuesday. Particular congratulations to the Year 4 girls and Year 3 boys for winning their particular races.
The pinnacle of the cross-country season takes place this Sunday with the National Prep Schools Cross-Country Championships at Malvern College. I wish all of our runners the very best in what is always a challenging race with hundreds of competitors from other prep schools taking part.
Parent/Teacher Meetings
Round Two of these meetings began again with Year 6 last night. Next week, we have Year 7 on Tuesday and Year 4 on Thursday. Both begin at 6.00pm in the Dome with last entry for parents at 7.00pm.
World Book Day
This is always a much anticipated event with huge excitement in the school as the children, and indeed staff, dress up as a book character for the day. There will be special book-related events and activities throughout the day.
Beauty and the Beast
This year’s major school production of Beauty and the Beast is now only just over three weeks away. Families of the cast and crew will receive their invitation to book tickets next week, then all parents will receive an invitation a few days later. I have no doubt that the production will be its usual high standard and I am very much looking forward to it.
ClarionCall and SchoolPost
Our new service SchoolPost is still not quite up and running due to technical issues in the background, therefore, we are still using ClarionCall, though we hope that the final changeover will happen next week.
Simon Clarke
Headmaster
PRE-PREP
Year 1’s Assembly – Off to Ancient Egypt!
Year 1 captivated us on Thursday afternoon with their engaging Egyptian-themed assembly. Packed with fascinating (and rather gruesome!) facts about life in Ancient Egypt, it was truly impressive how much knowledge the children had retained. Combining both glamour and gore, we admired their ornate, sparkling headdresses and brightly coloured death masks before cringing at the vivid description of the mummification process! With two lively songs adding to the atmosphere, it was certainly an entertaining step back in time.
Get Your Feet, Moving to the Beat …
Children, movement and music are three words that go together beautifully. Engaging both the cognitive and emotional parts of the brain, Dance is such wonderful vehicle for heightening children’s learning and development. Stepping into one of Mrs Willoughby’s Dance lessons, it is a joy to watch the children explore this creative opportunity. From developing their spatial awareness, to learning to control and co-ordinate their body movements in an imaginative way, Dance lessons are a mood boosting 35 minutes that leave everyone feeling energized and refreshed.
Learning about Shabbat – Year 2 Explore Judaism
In Year 2, the children enjoyed an enlightening start to their week, when they welcomed a special visitor in to talk about the many traditions of the Shabbat meal. They listened with fascination as they learned how wine overflowing from the Kiddush cup symbolises the peace of Shabbat flowing into the week ahead. The children also delighted in hearing the loud hiss when the wine was also used to snuff out the Shabbat candles. With the added treat of puffy, delicious freshly baked challah bread to take home and sample, it was a wonderful and memorable afternoon.
World Book Day, Thursday 6th March – the Countdown Begins!
With less than a week to go, excitement is bubbling as to which story characters the children (and staff!) will come dressed as for World Book Day. A fantastic line-up of activities awaits, including the much-loved Pre-Prep Costume Parade. We are particularly looking forward to the Pre-Prep ‘Big Book Swap’ – a chance to trade in a pre-loved favourite, whether fiction or non-fiction, for a tantalising new read to take home. In a mission to spread the joy of reading, any remaining books will be donated to the children’s wards at Northampton General Hospital. Please keep an eye out for my letter from Wednesday with all the details!
Fiona Sanchez
Head of Pre-Prep
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
Pre-Prep
Congratulations to Ottilie Osborne who has successfully achieved her Diamond Award for completing Numbots.
Well done to the following children who have gained medals and certificates for their effort and skill when skiing – Cecilia Ryopponen, George Al-Azzawe, Liliane Scott, Beatrice George and Aya Wilson (level 6).
Congratulations to Harley Horton-Walker for gaining her first two tags in Brazilian Jujitsu and to Freddie Matts who has achieved his Level 2 Award in Swimming.
Well done to Romilly Boyson who was chosen as ‘Player of the Week’ in both her football and tennis clubs, and to Micah Leung who was awarded ‘Star of the Week’ at his theatre school.
Prep
Congratulations to Grace Balneaves (pictured) for securing second place in backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle (swimming her new PB) at the recent Northamptonshire County swimming competition in Corby. She also made second reserve for the finals in the 11 year old category.
Well done to both Martha Miles and Tom Miles who received a 3* ESF skiing award and 1* ESF skiing award respectively over half term.
MUSIC NEWS
Monday 10th March – Informal Concert Years 3-7
We are really looking forward to the Informal Concert on Monday 10th March. Tea will be provided for those on the programme and for an siblings who have requested it. All are welcome to attend.
Performance Success
Congratulations to Shanaya Phatak for her recent performance on the piano at the European Piano Teachers Association Regional competition in Cambridge. She came second and was highly commended for her performance.
Mrs King
Director of Music
LIBRARY NEWS
ART NEWS
Artist of the Week
This week’s Artist of the Week is Anna Sanders 6L for her neatly presented environmental issue painting.
Mrs Moreton
Head of Art
SCHOOL NEWS
Year 5 History Challenge
Year 5 have been busy over the half-term holiday, expanding their knowledge of motte and bailey castles. Miss Savage and Mrs Hanford have been greatly impressed by the incredible models, castle visits, Lego creations, and drawings the children have produced. These fantastic projects are currently on display in the Hunter Hall foyer – feel free to come and take a look, but please do not touch.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Please click the link below to view the most up-to-date schedule for next week, including sports fixtures and clubs news.
NOTICES
