15th February 2019

Eisteddfod Our Prep School Eisteddfod celebrations will take place on Thursday 21st February. Girls may choose to wear their traditional Welsh costume, rugby shirts, national dress or their house colours to show support for their house. The deadline for competition entries is Monday, so there is still time! Every entry gets a housepoint for their house. See end of newsletter for a reminder of the competitions.

Uniform Please ensure your daughter is in the correct HSL branded uniform, including her coat and PE kit for school. All of our uniform is available from John Lewis.

Cakes/Sweets Please do not bring in to school any cakes or sweets to school as birthday treats for break time snacks. We want to promote a healthy school and also we have girls with allergies/food intolerances. Thank you.

500 Words BBC Radio Two and the Breakfast show are re-launching the 500 WORDS competition that has proved so popular over the last 8 years. This brilliant short story writing competition is back for 2019, and they need your help to make it bigger than last year! Log onto Radio 2 website to find out more about 500 WORDS and how your daughter can be a part of this wonderful competition. BBC 500 Words All entries must be submitted online, completing a registration form before the story is typed out. Competition entries for 2019 are open NOW and close at 7.00pm on Friday 8th March. It’s super simple. All entrants must pen an original story, no more than 500 words in length, and submit it online. It can be about ANYTHING you want – space-ships, grannies, insects, microwaves. The list is endless! Each child can only enter once; so make sure only the very best story is submitted, and check that you are completely happy with it before you submit.

Could your daughter write a story that will dazzle and delight the judges? If the answer's yes - get writing! Good luck!

Year 5 whizz bang science On the 5th February 2019 year 5 walked up to the senior school for whizz bang science. Five college girls lead this workshop (with Mr King.) The first activity was slime we each got a transparent cup which we poured glue into. Then we added water and mixed. Next

came the fun part, food colouring and mixing! We then added borax, soon after the slime was ready! We mixed. And mixed. Then played with it. Everyone loved it! The next activity was lava lamps. For this we needed a plastic bottle of water, food colouring, salt, vegetable oil and a beaker. The first step that we had to was mix food colouring with vegetable oil and mix. Secondly, pour in the vegetable oil in with the water. Next, you had to pour in some salt but not too much. Finally, you had to wait and watch and then the oil and food colouring mixture will separate and it will look like a lava lamp (If you tip it.) After that was holograms. We needed a bottomless pyramid and an IPad. We turned the pyramid upside down and on YouTube found a hologram video you could see sharks, horses, unicorns, pandas and lots more. Then we made one of ourselves by taking a selfie then copying it four times on a PowerPoint. Then we could see ourselves as a hologram. Next came the deep sea divers we had a pen cap and covered the end in plastercine and placed it into a bottle full of water. Then we put the cap back on and squeezed. Then it floated up to the top and created bubbles. If you let it go it will sink back down to the bottom. Over all everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. The college girls were extremely friendly, patient and helpful. Thank you to the college girls and Mr King from all of year 5. By Celeste, Milly, Catherine and Amelia.

School Council News To support Red Nose Day, we have decided to run a bring and buy sale. So if you are having a clear out over half term please bring in any unwanted, good quality books, clothes and toys. We will be talking to everyone about this in assembly next week.

String Machine, Junior Wind Band, Junior Orchestra & Band Skills Groups

The Junior Orchestra, String Machine & Junior Wind Band will be performing and accompanying the singing at the Prep School Eisteddfod next Thursday 21st February. Please make sure you have your instrument and music in school on Thursday! These 3 groups will have their rehearsals at the usual times next week.

Band Sills Groups There will be no lunchtime Band Skills Groups next Thursday 21st February due to the change of timing of the day. Band Skills will resume after the half term break. Thank you very much for your hard work and commitment so far this term!

W

Parent Blog This week’s Parent Blog is available to read by clicking here.

Celebration Tea Howell’s Prep School girls had much to celebrate on Wednesday 13th February, when Mrs Davis welcomed a group for a Celebration Tea. Click here for more information.

Students from China Visit Howell’s On Thursday 7th February we were delighted to welcome a group of Chinese students who are training to be teachers. They were being hosted by Cardiff and Vale College for a two-week exchange programme to explore teaching methods and practices in the UK. Click here for more information.

Diary Dates Whole School Open Morning

Keen to know what goes on behind the doors at Howell's? We will be holding our first Whole School Open Morning for Nursery, Prep School and Senior School on Tuesday 19th February from 9am-11am, so why not come and see for yourself? Just pop in on the day, or for further information email admissions@how.gdst.net or telephone 029 2026 1832. Please do pass on the information to anyone you think may be interested in finding out more about life in Howell’s School. Story Time Nursery Open Morning

We are delighted to be holding a Story Time themed Open Morning in our Nursery from 10.00am – 11.15am on Thursday 14th March. The Open Morning will provide an excellent opportunity for little girls to explore the creative, stimulating and nurturing environment of our Nursery, where we plant the seeds of curiosity, nourish them with experience and care and watch as our girls grow in confidence, compassion and knowledge. If you or if you know of anyone who would like to join us, places can be reserved by emailing hannah.roberts@how.gdst.net or telephoning 029 2026 1825.

Second Hand Uniform Sale

The next Second Hand Uniform Sale will be held on Thursday 28th March in the Hub, 8-9am and 3-5pm. Donations of uniform can be left with Mrs Hatcher in the Prep School reception. We are particularly in need of Prep School summer dresses and Senior School PE kit.

Les Misérables, at the WMC

After the brilliant success of our evening at the Wales Millennium Centre before Christmas watching Matilda, we will be returning to the WMC on Tuesday 10th December 2019 for the performance of Les Misérables, Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed production of the musical based on the Victor Hugo novel. We have an allocation of 150 tickets for this fantastic production, which are available for the Howell’s community to buy at a discounted price of £55. Tickets include access to a private room from 5pm where you can buy drinks and food as well as order your interval refreshments. We are also hoping to have the Stage Director and members of the cast come to talk to us at this time. A private room is also available during the interval. Tickets are available to the Howell’s community only on a first come first served basis; to reserve seats and arrange payment please email Hannah Roberts in the Marketing Office, hannah.roberts@how.gdst.net. The Wales Millennium Centre recommends that the production is suitable for anyone over the age of 8.

Prep School Dates

Thursday 21st February Prep School Eisteddfod

Monday 25th February to Friday 1st March 2019 inclusive

Half term

Monday 4th March JCC competing in Barnardo’s Choir final in London

Thursday 7th March World Book Day – dress up as a book character!

Friday 15th March Comic Relief – ‘Red Nose Day’ – details to follow.

Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th March

6L Parents’ Evening

Thursday 21st March JCC competing at GDST Young Choir of the Year in London

Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th March

Nursery to Year 6 Parents’ Evenings (except class 6L)

Wednesday 3rd April Whole School Photograph

Friday 5th April End of Spring Term 1pm finish - no After School Care

World Book Day 2019 - Thursday 7th March

As part of our drive to maintain, promote and engage pupil interest in reading, Howell’s

Prep School is celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 7th March.

On this special day, your child can come to school dressed as a character from a book. In

addition, during this week, the children will be participating in exciting activities, sharing their own special

book from home as well as sharing their teacher’s favourite books – mainly just enjoying all the books and

reading has to offer.

We would like the girls from Key Stage One (Nursery to Year 2) to choose a book from one of the following

authors and dress up as one of the characters:

Eric Carle

Julia Donaldson

Jill Murphy

Beatrix Potter

David McKee

Janet & Allan Ahlberg

A.A. Milne

And for Key Stage Two (Years 3-6) to select a character from a book by one of these authors to dress up

as:

Anne Fine

David Walliams

Dr Seuss

Jill Tomlinson

Michael Morpurgo

Enid Blyton

Jacqueline Wilson

It would be good to discuss with your child different characters from these popular and well-loved authors.

Maybe by reading a different book by these writers every evening, inspiration will strike! So get thinking and

reading!

We are also inviting the girls to bring their favourite book to school, along with a prop or object, which

represents, or is featured in, the story.

The girls will have the opportunity to share their book and object with their class, explaining why it is

important to them. This will be a lovely way for the girls to become aware about books they may not have

heard of before, and maybe it will encourage them to try a new author or style of book that they would not

normally choose.

Please note, normal lessons will continue and playtimes will be outside so please ensure suitable

footwear and warm clothes are either worn or included in your daughter’s bag.

We look forward to seeing your child dressed up for the special day on Thursday 7th March.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Mrs J Ashill (Head of Prep School)

Miss J Kenyon (Literacy Co-ordinator)

Howell’s Prep School

Dear Parents

HOWELL’S PREP SCHOOL EISTEDDFOD

Our annual Prep School Eisteddfod to celebrate St David’s Day, will take place on Thursday,

21st February, as St David’s Day is during the half term break. The girls will celebrate many

aspects of Welsh culture throughout the day, participating in creative activities, handwriting

competitions and performances. Each girl will also have the opportunity to perform a Welsh

item with their year group, for the rest of the school to enjoy. The girls may choose to wear

the traditional Welsh costume, rugby shirts, national dress or their house colours to show

support for their house. As in previous years, the tradition of the chairing of the bard

continues for Year 6 girls with details to follow in due course from class teachers.

The home competition is an open homework and all entries will win house points.

Reception class – Decorate a pebble with a Welsh theme using your own choice of materials.

Year 1 – Create a lovespoon in any media.

Year 2 –Create anything you can using an egg! Use your imagination!

Year 3 - Submit a printed photograph entitled ‘Wonderful Wales’.

Year 4 – Prepare a Welsh dessert using locally sourced ingredients and considering your

carbon footprint.

Year 5 - Create a spring floral arrangement in a small container suitable for displaying on a

windowsill using any media.

Year 6 – Create an item of jewellery with a Welsh theme.

Please return all entries to class teachers on Monday 18th February with your daughter’s

chosen pen name and house clearly labelled. Girls are also invited to participate in the music

competitions, details of which are outlined by Mr Ian Beckett.

It will be a joy to see every girl taking part in this cultural day of celebration, enabling each

pupil to develop confidence and self-esteem. We are all looking forward to a most enjoyable

day. If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact your class

teacher.

Llinos Randall Judith Ashill

Welsh Coordinator Head of Junior School

TOOT Timetable over February Half Term 2019 for

Parents

25th February – 1st March (1 week)

Last Day for TOOT Bookings Today 15th February! If you have booked your child into TOOT over the February Half Term weeks, please read the

timetable below for the main activities so that you know what is happening each day and what to

bring. We still have a few places if you have not yet booked!

Days 25th February – 1st March Springwatch Things to bring Monday Art and craft

swimming with Mrs Griffiths Dangling bird feeders/ seed mats

costume, hat, towel

Tuesday Art and craft

Floral pillow designing and making Creating a bug house/beaded beetles

Wednesday Art and craft

Cookery – Daffodil cakes cosmic yoga Pompom bugs

Thursday Art and craft

Trip to Tredegar House with Bird Box carpentry Welsh Dragon printing/flag making

warm, waterproof coat, strong shoes or wellies, hat if cold

Friday Art and craft

Swimming with Mrs Griffiths Daffodil pots/Welsh cake making

costume, hat, towel

Other things to bring A spare set of clothes (especially for younger children), hat, and a warm, waterproof coat.

Do email TOOT@how.gdst.net for any further information.

TOOT Contact Numbers when running and Email for Parents Email TOOT @how.gdst.net

Call Howell’s School 029 2026 1811 (Prep Hall)

or leave a message at the main office.

Have a wonderful holiday.

See you soon!

Mrs Ludlam and the TOOT Team