Prep for the Week Issue | 1797

Issue Number XXXX – XX September 2014

Prep for The Week Issue Number 1797– 15 May 2015 1

Miss S E Ramsay, Head of PE, Swimming and Girls' Sport

Issue Number 1797– 15 May 2015

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Prep for the Week

In this week’s issue…Headmaster’s Blog Kingfishers News Lower School News Tim Dutton VisitMusical MagicGirls' and Boys' Sport Boarders' News

Charity Tennis Tournament Book Collection for Children in Bosnia Individual AchievementsHeadmaster CommendationsNotices Birthday Celebrations The School Week Ahead

Parent/Pupil Charity Tennis Tournament

Last Sunday saw the largest turn out yet for the annual charity tournament which this year raised £360 for TURF.

Thirty eight pupils from Years 3-8, mostly Boarders who put up with their teachers as pseudo parents for the morning, along with mums and dads. Older siblings played in a round robin tournament.

The top two couples in each group qualified to play in the quarter finals, and winners carried on until we had our two finalists.

William in Year 6 (finalist last year), faced Louis in Year 7 in the finals. Keenly contested, Louis and his father continued their winning streak, having conceded very few points so far in the competition, and after a shaky start, went on to win this year's tournament!

Well done to everyone for taking part and raising so much money!

Mrs J Upton, Games



Dear Parents

"Never judge a book by its cover". This was the theme of this week's Kingfishers Assembly, and a saying of which I will be encouraging the older children to be more mindful. Those who ignore this advice, must suffer the consequences of their actions, especially if unkind words centre on a child's physical appearance. The strength of a great prep school is to harness the energies of adolescence whilst retaining clear parameters and this we will continue to do.

Headmaster's Blog

Parents’ Lectures/Question & Answer

I am very keen to set up a series of lectures and/or question and answer sessions to promote an interest in a range of topics. Therefore, if there are any parents who would be willing to talk about or be questioned on an aspect of their work, I would be interested to hear from them. These events would be informal, so please put your name forward, even if you do not consider public speaking a strength. My email address is [email protected]

Positions of Responsibility for the next academic year

Under the guidance of Mrs Reid and the Upper School tutors, Year 7 have been pressing their claims to be appointed to the following positions of responsibility;

Head BoyHead GirlHouse CaptainHead of the OrchestraHead Chorister Chapel Monitor PrefectCaptain of Rugby Captain of Hockey Captain of Netball Captain of Cricket Captain of Tennis Captain of Swimming Head of Boarding

Previously, all of these positions had attracted the status of ‘Prefect’. This will not be the case from September; those made Captains of a sport will not automatically be made a Prefect.

The allocation of positions of responsibility at this stage of children’s education is always fraught with the challenges of disappointment and a sense of inequality and unfairness. Suffice to say, any school under my leadership will look to ALL of the top year group for leadership, whether they carry a ‘title’ or not. Please refer to my opening paragraph. It is not the label, which carries the authority. Instead it is the character which is behind the title that is important.

My final word on this subject is to commend to you the thoroughness of the process that Mrs Reid has run when selecting the successful candidates.

Letters of application have been written and scrutinized, prefect duties have been undertaken and, most importantly, the behaviour and attitude of all children have been considered, not just in the last month or two, but throughout their time in Years 6 and 7.



Friends of the Prep

This term I have tried to introduce an alternative event to the Fete “The Family Camp Out”.

My reasoning was based on my experience that constant repetition of events result in them becoming stale. Be reassured, the popular fete will return next summer!

The Family Camp Out, which is due to take place on the night of Saturday 20 June, is an opportunity for whole families to use the idyllic settings of the Prep grounds to create our own camp site atmosphere. The event would run as follows:

16.00 onwards Tent pitching17.30 Fun in the Pool19.00 Evening meal

(either a BBQ provided by the School or takeaways sourced from the Bath Road!) No individual cooking arrangements in order to avoid scorching of the playing fields.

21.00 “Lighthouse” game for the children22.00 All quiet in the campsite

08.00 Bacon sarnies and hot tea in the Prep dining room09.00 onwards Break camp

The cost of a pitch would be £30 to cover the costs of the pool hire and to make a contribution to charity. Parents should be aware that their children will be their responsibility throughout the duration of this event.

If there are any families who would like to reserve a pitch, please can you let the Prep School Reception know via email ([email protected]).

To organize the pool event and catering efficiently, I need to know numbers by Monday 1 June, which is when we return to school after the half-term.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rachel Edwards for all that she has done for the Friends of the Prep, especially helping me as I took over the role of Headmaster. Rachel will hand over to Alex Young, to whom I am also very grateful.

There exist some vacancies as Year Representatives, a role which mainly involves disseminating information to one’s year group. If you are interested in becoming involved in the Friends of the Prep, please pass on your details to me and I will forward them to Alex.

Saturday reminders

Please do take the time to read next week’s issue when the plans for Saturdays in the Autumn term will be published.

You will also be pleased to know that we will produce a version of “What’s On” for the academic year (2015/16) as soon as possible. This will enable parents to plan well in advance.



Kingfishers

Year 2 visit the SS Great Britain

As part of our studies on Isambard Kingdom Brunel this week, Year 2 embarked on an adventure to one of Brunel’s most famous designs in Bristol ; The SS Great Britain.

Whilst travelling by bus we were lucky enough to also see another of Brunel’s creations; The Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Once we arrived, we were split into two groups. One group started with a workshop, travelling back in time to help with the building of the great ship. We also dressed up in Victorian clothes for the launch party of the SS Great Britain. The second group had an interesting tour of the SS Great Britain, learning all about how the poor people were separated from the rich and looking at the different conditions they had to stay in on their 10 week journey to Australia.

We all had a great day and if you ask us, we will be able to tell you many interesting things we have learnt!

Mathematics

In Mathematics this week we have been looking at capacity, and turned ourselves into potion makers for a wizard who wanted to sell our creations in his shop!

He had sent us different ingredients, such as Frog’s Breath and Troll Bogies! We measured in intervals of 100ml to create a 1 litre potion and had to measure carefully and write out our recipe so the wizard would be able to make the potion himself.

It was very exciting and we would have loved to have tried out the potions on ourselves and our friends!

Mrs C L Baker, Kingfishers Class Teacher

Reception at the Zoo

On Tuesday, our Reception children went to Bristol Zoo, and we were tremendously proud of the way they represented The Prep.

Although very excited, their behaviour was excellent. The Zoo staff commended them for their good manners and eagerness to learn.

The highlight of the day, was when our children held a Madagascan Hissing Cockroach and an African Tiger Snail during our Minibeast talk.

We all had a fantastic time, and as we boarded the coach to return, the competition started for who would fall asleep first, the children or the staff! (The children won easily).

Mrs T Batty, Kingfishers Class Teacher



Kingfishers - Forest SchoolForest School

A great morning was had by the parents and children who came along to our “Bring a Parent to Forest School”.

The rain held off for us, and a busy morning was had by all. Cooking meals in the mud kitchen, hunting down mini-beasts, ‘painting' some trees, charcoal drawings and den building were just a few of the activities enjoyed.

The hot chocolate and cookies were also very well received.

Thank you to all who joined in the fun, exploring, investigating and sharing the Forest School experience.

Mrs D Stovold, Kingfishers Class Teacher



Kingfishers Ballet

The Cottage ballet dancers galloped and clapped in pairs!

This year they are in the classroom but next year, with a bit of luck, we hope that some of them will dance on the Town Hall stage at the Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts.

Mrs MacInnes saw some very impressive and assured four minute solos by four year olds on that stage at this year's festival, so we have something to aim for!

Keep calm and carry on galloping ...

Mrs K McInnes, Kingfishers Dance Teacher



Lower School

On Tuesday 12 May Year 3 went on a trip to the Recycling Centre in Bishops Cleeve. First of all we walked up a steep, grassy hill to get a good view over the tip. What we didn’t know was that this hill was no ordinary hill. Underneath our very feet was a huge pile of rubbish. Any rubbish that cannot be recycled is put into a landfill site. When it is full, it is covered with clay and soil to look like an ordinary hill.

After that we reached the top of the hill and were given binoculars to look at the trucks dumping rubbish and compost on a new landfill site

Finally we recycled our rubbish at the recycling centre so that it could be made into something new. We have learned to reduce, reuse and recycle to save our planet.

Mrs L M Theedom, Lower School Class Teacher



Tim Dutton visits Years 5 and 7For several years now, Cheltenham Prep have been partaking in the Shakespeare Schools Festival (SSF). Initially, we started with Year 8, and last year we worked with our first Year 6 group.

As performances take place in a very busy term, we have started preparations early, therefore both Year 5 and Year 7 were invited to sign up this term.

The plays are thirty minute abridged versions of the originals, and this year we have a November performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Comedy of Errors at The Everyman Theatre.

The pupils had a wonderful opportunity this week to conduct a Q&A session with Mr Timothy Dutton, whose acting career has covered stage and screen. He was wonderfully relaxed in front of the children and was happy to answer any questions they threw at him, all of which I am glad to say related to his acting career. He really reinforced the idea of line learning and the importance of being part of a team - relying on those around you to assist if you forgot lines or froze. “Know your lines. Your lines are your friends.” He told many stories of his life on stage and reminisced about his Shakespearean roles - though he never did give us a soliloquy!Regarding live theatre, he said, “It’s lovely when you get in front of a theatre audience. You get very nervous and there’s a very live atmosphere. Comedies are fun because you get to interact with the audience and that’s a lovely feeling, when the audience reacts to you.”

We would like to say a huge thank you to Mr Dutton for giving up his time to impart the joys of acting to the children and to reinforce the pleasure that can be had from performing to a live audience. He can be seen in the West End in a production of 1984 in the Autumn.

We hope that as many of you as possible will support The Prep in November, and join us at The Everyman for four contrasting Shakespearean plays.

Mrs J Douglas, Drama Co-Ordinator Miss D M M Anderes, Lower School Class Tutor



Musical Magic

On Thursday 7 May, the Chamber Choir visited Bristol Cathedral to sing the daily office of Evensong.

This 34 strong, auditioned choir led the service with great aplomb, including various items 'cantored' by Charles Hellens (normally done by an adult).

Music included Panis Angelicus by Franck and the Nunc Dimittis by Burgon.

Both the singing and behaviour was a credit to the school. We were joined by many parents who had made the journey for the service, and we received many lovely comments after the event.

Mr K W Perona-Wright, Director of Music



Girls' SportTennis Scores

Team Opposition Date Score Result

1sts (A) - 3 pairs Clifton 9 May 3–5 matches (1 draw) LOST

1sts (B) - 3 pairs Prior Park 9 May 4–4 matches (1 draw)

32 - 31 games

WON

2nds – 3 pairs Clifton 9 May 3-4 matches (2 draws) LOST

3rds – 3 pairs Clifton 9 May 6-2 matches (2 draws) WON

4ths – 3 pairs Clifton 9 May 1-5 matches (3 draws) LOST

5ths – 3 pairs Clifton 9 May 1-5 matches (3 draws) LOST

1sts – 3 pairs Denmark Road HSFG 13 May 4-4 matches (1 draw)

32 – 32 games

DRAW

2nds – 3 pairs Denmark Road HSFG 13 May 4-4 matches (1 draw)

28 – 37 games

LOST

3rds – 3 pairs Denmark Road HSFG 13 May 5-3 matches (1 draw) WON

4ths – 3 pairs Denmark Road HSFG 13 May 4-4 matches (1 draw)

35 – 21 games

WON

Rounders Scores

Team Opposition Date Score Result

U9 A Dean Close 9 May 10 – 17 LOST

U9 B Dean Close 9 May 13.5 – 5 WON

U8 Dean Close 9 May 12.5 – 8.5 WON

U13 Denmark Road HSFG

13 May 8 – 9 LOST

Team of the Week – U9 B Rounders

The U9B team were very successful in their first rounders fixture of the season against Dean Close.

Our girls batted first and began the game tentatively, so as not to lose any players. Dean Close gave away a few half rounders with no-balls, giving us more confidence to hit harder and attempt some rounders.

After 18 balls, the teams swapped around, and some very slick fielding from our girls meant that Dean Close struggled to score. At the end of the first innings we were leading 8 to 1 1/2 rounders.

The second innings was more closely contested however! Dean Close gave away fewer rounders with their bowling, and their fielding became more organised. Despite this, and with determined batting and co-ordinated fielding we finished the game, winning by 13 1/2 rounders to 5.

A fantastic team effort!

Mrs L M Theedom, Lower School Class Teacher

Athletics

On the evening of Tuesday 12 May, the Year 3 and 4 athletics teams headed to St John's on the Hill to participate in a full athletics competition, involving track and field events.

All children took part in the Ball Throw, Standing Long Jump, Sprint and Relay.

Each school was split in to two teams, and all points gained were awarded to the team.

Our children gave their maximum effort to each event, resulting in Cheltenham Prep A-team ending as the overall winners.

Miss S E Ramsay, Head of Girls' Sport



Girls' Sport

Middle School House Tennis and Rounders

The Middle School girls had a week off from fixtures to play in their summer term House competition. It combined the two sports that are played in Middle School – tennis and rounders.

Due to smaller numbers in some Houses, for the rounders competition Sparta and Corinth joined together, Persia and Rome made up another team, with Troy and Athens playing as the third team.

At the end, the two Houses shared the allocated points. This meant that technically the tennis competition was worth double points because each house competed as themselves, and full points were up for grabs at the end of the competition. After a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in the sunshine, played in good spirits as always, the results were combined and the final placings were as follows –

1st – ROME2nd – SPARTA3rd eq – CORINTH and TROY5th eq – ATHENS and PERSIA



Boys' SportCricket Results

Team Opposition Result

1st XI St Hugh’s 1st XI Won by 95 runs

2nd XI St Hugh’s 2nd XI Lost by 19 runs

1st XI KLB U13A Won by 108 runs

U11A RGS U11A Won by 7 wickets

U11B RGS U11B Won by 8 wickets

U10A RGS U10A Lost by 20 runs

U10B RGS U10B

Wanderers XI RGS U11C

Firstly, an update on Seb In Year 8. He has now hit three centuries this season, following his unbeaten 100 against Katharine Lady Berkeley's School in the County Cup on Wednesday. In seven matches, he has scored 465 runs off 308 balls!

Special mention must also go to the two U11s who represented the 1st XI in the Cup game to allow the Year 7s to focus on their exam preparation.

I would also like to give credit to the whole of Year 6 this week, their outstanding results in the U11A, U11B and Wanderers XI follow on from very strong hockey and rugby seasons.

Year 6 is a tremendous sporting year group, who have consistently pushed each other in the playground, on the training pitches and during matches.

The strength of the C team drives the B team to perform and the strength of the B team pressurises the A team to deliver. The results you see are simply the reward for the hard work they have consistently put in.

Mr D E Simpson, Head of Boys' Sport



What have our Boarders been up to?What have our Boarders been up to?

Tennis Tournament, BBQ and Boarders Superstars

This Sunday, the Boarding House enjoyed a day of non stop activities, excitement and fun.

The day started with the annual charity tennis tournament, in which a record 22 Boarders took to the courts. The tournament was a great success, and Mrs Upton will proudly tell anyone that this year was the biggest turn out she can remember.

Those not playing were treated to a delicious BBQ, headed by Mr Jenkins and Mademoiselle Quicray.

Once tennis had finished, the Boarders held battle in the annual ‘Boarders’ Superstars,’ which tested team work and athletic prowess in some whacky aquatic and athletic events, including rafting, piggy back, egg and spoon, dressing up and slowest bike races.

Boarder Profile

Name : Edward in Year 8Dream job: Professional rugby/football playerRole model: My fatherFavourite sport: Definitely RugbyDream holiday: Amanda Bay, Kenya

Congratulations to Ed, for winning over half the Stowe Rugby Club’s trophies, including Players Player and Supporters Player at their Annual Prize Giving last week!



Book Collection for Children in Bosnia

This term The Prep is going to collect books to help build a library area in a teaching centre for English in the primary school of Gorazde.

The English Learning Centre is being built by a charity called The Gorazde Children’s Foundation Bosnia; Mr Evlyn - Bufton, established the charity.

During the Easter holiday, Simon in Year 6 and his father, were involved in running 26 miles at a charity event to raise funds for the English Learning Centre.

Here is Simon running the last 4 miles of the marathon. It was a hard run and he had a lot of hills to climb.

When Simon and his father turned the final corner of the race they were cheered on by a group of supporters on a nearby bridge. This encouragement gave them the extra boost of motivation and energy that they needed to finish the run.

As a school we would like to collect as many books as possible so that we can help fill the shelves in the English Learning Centre. If you would like to support this collection then please bring the books you would like to donate into your child’s tutor. Many thanks for your support. It would be lovely to think that as a school community we can help create a positive learning environment in a Bosnian school.

Ms B Williams, EAL Teacher



Charity Tennis Tournament in aid of Turf



Individual Achievements

Ross and Jack in Year 6 have been selected for the Gloucestershire County Best of District Cricket Team to play Cardiff & Wales on the 31 May.

Well done boys! Mrs Broughton-Johnson

Well done to the following pupils who have been awarded Headmaster's

Commendations

• Fifi Russell in Year 6 for excellent Spanish prep on her family tree

• Rory Jenkins, Rory Maddinson and David Noble in Year 6 for excellent geography

research

• Ben Mace in Year 3 for showing kindness and patience with a Kingfisher pupil



Notices

We welcome the addition of 'College Coffee' to the Prep, situated in the parking area outside the Sports Hall.

Please do come along and sample their locally sourced

products!

All week

The Travelling Book Fair will be in the Library, parental permission is required for all book purchases, which will be added onto your end of term account.

Friday 22 May

Boarders can depart at any time of the day by prior arrangement

No after school care, activities or tea



We would like you to be aware that there have been two cases of Scarlet Fever confirmed in Prep this week.

The children are in different classes, which is reflective of what is happening in the community as a whole.

Symptoms include a sore throat and high temperature, with a rash sometimes developing, usually on the neck and upper chest. Other common symptoms include headaches, vomiting and generally feeling unwell.

If your child has any of these symptoms, please be mindful of the fact that they may need treatment with antibiotics. If Scarlet Fever is confirmed, and treatment has commenced, they are required to be on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school.

May I take this opportunity to remind you of the school's policy relating to the illnesses or conditions below:

• Any diarrhoea or vomiting bug - pupils must be off school for 48 hours after their last episode.

• Chicken pox - pupils must be off school for five days from the onset of rash, or until scabs have crusted over.

• Mumps - pupils must be off school for five days from the onset of swollen glands.

• Coughs and cold - pupils should stay off school until they have recovered.• Head Lice - please treat at earliest opportunity.

Now that Hayfever Season is upon us, please could any child suffering from hayfever have any antihistamines /eye drops prior to coming to school. They may of course come to the Medical Centre for Piriton /Eye Baths if required.

If you wish to discuss anything further please feel free to contact the Medical Centre or email [email protected]

Many ThanksFiona Parry, Lead nurse Manager

Medical Notice: Scarlet Fever



Hugo Mudie ...............Age 6Faith Urbanovsky .......Age 9Jackson Joly ............Age 11William Bradley .......Age 12

Happy Birthday to the following pupils next week!



Sunday, May 17, 2015 - Sunday, May 24, 2015

Sunday, 17 May 2015Boarders' Wet and Wild (Full and Regular Flexi Boarders Only)11:00

Monday, 18 May 2015Week 6 (31) 18 - 24 MayTravelling Book Fair (Library)00:00

Tuesday, 19 May 2015Travelling Book Fair (Library)00:00Year 2 Assembly (Assembly Hall)09:15Y5 Experience Day at College11:00Lower School Maths Competition (Assembly Hall)14:00Selected musicians perform at local Care Home15:00

Wednesday, 20 May 2015Travelling Book Fair (Library)00:00Departure for Cricket v Dean Close (A): 1st XI, 4th XI, Colts A XI, Colts D XI, U9A VIII. Start 14:00. Pick up17:00 for U9s and 18:00 for all others

13:15

Departure for 5th VII Rowing. Pick up 16:3013:30Departure for Tennis v Dean Close (A): U13 14 pairs. Start 14:30. Pick up 16:4513:45Departure for Rounders v Dean Close (A): U13IX. Start 14:30. Pick up 16:4513:45Cricket v Dean Close (H): 2nd XI, 3rd XI, Colts B XI, Colts C XI, U9B VIII, U9C VIII. Pick up 17:00 for U9sand 17:45 for all others.

14:00

Tennis v Dean Close (H): U11 4 pairs, U10 2 pairs. Pick up 16:3014:30Rounders v Dean Close (H): U11 IX. Pick up 16:3014:30Tennis v Richard Pate (H): U11 3 pairs. Pick up 16:3014:30Departure for Rounders v St Edward's (A): U9A IX, U9B IX, U8A IX. Start 15:30. Pick up 17:1514:45

Thursday, 21 May 2015No flexi boarding availableTravelling Book Fair (Library)00:00Cottage Trip to Cotswold Farm Park. Return for 15:0009:00Departure for St Edward's Athletics Festival (A): Years 3-6. Start 14:00. Pick up 17:3013:30Kingfishers Summer Concert (Assembly Hall)14:30Athens and Corinth House Barbecue. Pick up 19:3018:00

Friday, 22 May 2015Half term begins00:00Non uniform day in aid of TURF00:00House Maths Challenge00:00Half term: Boarders can depart, by prior arrangement, at any time during the day00:00Travelling Book Fair (Library)00:00Year 8 Scholars' Drama Performance (Assembly Hall)14:15Transition Meeting for Parents of children in Year 2 moving into Year 3 (Library)15:00Half term begins for children in Kingfishers (no after school care, activities or tea)15:30

Half term begins for children in Lower School (no after school care, activities or tea)16:00

Half term begins for children in Middle and Upper School (no after school care, activities or tea)16:30

Duty Mobiles:MS/US 07867 505721, LS 07789 938512, Kingfishers 07789 938514

Please email [email protected] you need to inform us of any absence from school

Cheltenham College Preparatory SchoolThirlestaine Road

CheltenhamGloucestershire GL53 7AB

Tel - 01242 522 697Fax - 01242 265 620

Email - [email protected] - www.cheltenhamcollege.org

All changes and additions to the School Calendar are highlighted in yellow.

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Prep for the Week Issue | 1797