Prep for the Week Issue 1807

Prep for The Week Issue Number 1807 9 October 2015 1

Issue Number 1807 – 9 October 2015

Prep for the Week

In this week’s issue… Headmaster's Blog and Commendations 11+ Preparations for Year 6 Pupils Kingfishers, Lower, Middle and Upper School News Cheltenham Literature Festival Years 5-8 Ski Trip - BOOK NOW! Art and Music Events Girls' and Boys' Sports Calendar Notices

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Follow us on Twitter:@CheltPrep

Spooky Baking Club!

Next week at Bakery Club we

have a Halloween theme! You may like to dress

up as a witch, wizard or monster.

You don’t have to wear a full outfit – you could

just bring a hat. You will be doing Halloween

decorating so please don’t wear a special

outfit or anything which will stop you from

working at the tables.

Mrs Barrett and Mrs Williams will be

arriving by broomstick!


Headmaster's Blog

Dear Parents Independent schools are now much more adept at balancing excellence and inclusivity. There are still, at times, obvious examples when striving for both results in conflict but, on the whole, through appropriate staff/pupil ratios, setting and differentiation, it is possible to reconcile these ambitions. There are few areas of school life which do not embrace excellence and inclusivity, however, an obvious exception is the award of scholarships.

Scholarship is a simple recognition of those pupils who hold exceptional talent in academic achievements, Art, Design Technology, Music and Sport. A scholarship test is one of the few occasions when children officially compete not only against a standard set by the School, but also against each other. Although attitude and behaviour are taken into account, exemplary performance in these areas cannot outscore excellence in a particular discipline. If scores are close, then that is a different matter.

Scholarships in independent schools have undergone a radical change in the last few years, prompted by the investigations into the charitable status of the sector. The result has been that less money has been allocated to scholarships and, instead, more financial assistance is given to those requiring means tested bursaries. To qualify for the latter, a child will have to have impressed in the scholarship assessment, after which the ability of parents to afford the fees is then tested.

A very unsavoury element of the scholarship ‘season’ has been the unseemly scramble for embryonic talent, during which children are effectively recruited by the highest bidder. Cheltenham Prep will not participate in any bidding

wars: the maximum scholarship award is 20%. Children are not a commodity to be treated like some Premier League football ‘star’!

Further information about scholarships is available from Mrs Jenkins (Academic), Mrs Parsley (Art), Mr Boyd (Design Technology), Mr Perona-Wright (Music), Mr Simpson and Miss Ramsay (Sport). All will be in attendance at our Scholarship Information evening, taking place in The Prep Library, next Tuesday (13 October) at 17.00. There will also be the opportunity to speak to those members of staff at College responsible for the continuation of scholarships awarded at 11 through to 13 and beyond.

Welcome to our new arrivals!

This week we say hello to six new members of the school community who are most certainly the best in their field – well, pen actually! Our farm is now alive to the sound of tiny trotters, 24 to be exact. Do pop over to see them but please mind little children’s fingers.

Mr Jonathan Whybrow


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Headmaster's Commendations

Individual AchievementHuge congratulations to Harry Dawson

who has been selected for the Gloucestershire U11 Cricket Squad!

Kamila Aldongar For a beautiful and imaginative story based on the frog lifecycle

Noah Campbell BlackFor a very scientifically detailed story based on the frog lifecycle

Denis Solovyev For superb in-depth analysis of the reigns of Henry III and Edward I

Louis Dessalles For an outstanding piece of additional research on 'The Top 10 Moments in British History'

Charles HellensFor excellent 'Historical Holiday Work' and additional 'Townsend-Warner History Prize' preparation

Holly EllisFor superb analytical work on poetry

Rory Maddinson For his outstanding comprehension work in analysing poetry

Javier BerrowFor an excellent story he wrote as part of his Coach House summer pack

Sammy Baines, Molly Krauer, Benjamin Urbanovsky, and Sofia-Maria CapelasteguiFor working extremely well during the ICT activity on Open Morning. They showed great teamwork, organisation and technical skills to complete a laptop fan replacement. A challenge was set for the first group to complete the

replacement and reassembly of the laptop for a reward of 5 pluses for each group member. They were focused and determined to achieve the challenge, executing all instructions flawlessly with little input from staff

Felix Tacey, Sivert Pedersen, Thomas Buxton and Emmerson KauffmanAs all the Year 2 boys were sitting on the wall outside my classroom preparing for their weekly Games lesson,

these four boys were thoughtful enough to leave their game during lunch time and come and help the younger boys lace and tie up their rugby boots. They could see the group of 20 Year 2 boys struggling with the task and it

was fantastic to see the kindness with which the older boys tried to teach them to tie their laces

Jasper BrumptonFor always proactively demonstrating kindness and helpfulness to a fellow pupil who struggles to get on and off

of the school bus with many bags and a cello


11+ Preparation for Year 6 Pupils

Dear Parents

The following information has already been sent via Clarion email to Year 6 parents, but here is a reminder of the preparations happening in school for the November 11+ assessments.

Later this term pupils will sit computerised tests in English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. They will also complete a short piece of creative writing carried out on paper. The results from these will be used to guide parents about options for future schools and the majority of our pupils will be offered a place at Cheltenham College at 13+ following these assessments. Please note that the scores produced are standardised, and for this reason pupils are not permitted access arrangements such as a scribe or extra time. All pupils must sit the tests, which are multiple choice, under the same conditions so that the scores can be compared. However, College will be aware of pupils who normally work with extra time or with a scribe, and will take this information into account when they look at the scores. No calculators are allowed, but pupils are allowed paper to do working out next to their computer. Extra time will be allowed for the piece of creative writing.

As the tests are computerised, there are no past papers or tests available. The positive side effect of this is that teachers can get on with the business of teaching and enthusing pupils, rather than asking them to struggle through endless practice exams which can be dull and repetitive. I would like to reassure parents, however, that we are reviewing key mathematical concepts in lessons, practising creative writing, refreshing pupils in verbal reasoning techniques and providing a weekly lesson to familiarise pupils with non-verbal reasoning questions.

These tests, called the Common Pre-Tests, have been designed and are administered by the ISEB (the Independent Schools Examination Board) and

their website provides information on the assessments: http://www.iseb.co.uk/Examina-tions-Assessments/Common-Pre-Tests.

Since I wrote this Clarion email to parents, however, the school has subscribed to the following website: www.bofa11plus.com. The pupils have all been given log in details and they will be able to use this site at home to practise English, Maths, VR and Non-VR. These tests are not identical to the ISEB test but will give them confidence using the computer. The websites below may also be useful with some general practice. Some of them may involve a charge to access the full content.

Mrs Vicky JenkinsDeputy Head (Academic)

http://www.brainmetrix.com/brain_arrange.htm

http://www.11plusswot.co.uk/Home.aspx

http://www.kidzone.ws/math/index.htm

http://amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/quiz.htm#maths

http://www.wiziq.com/tests/verbal-reasoning

http://www.assessmentday.co.uk/WJ/buy/index.html?utm_expid=12552828

http://www.lumosity.com/landing_pages/188?gclid=CMWulYn3krcCFVMftAidUSUAUA

http://www.jobtestprep.co.uk/spatial_reason-ing.aspx


Do you have any maths or word games gathering dust at home, that are no longer played with and need a new

home?

If so, Kingfishers would love to use them for their stretch and challenge activities!

Please drop them into the green box at the front of Kingfishers.

In assembly this week the children have heard the story The Other Ark by Lynley Dodd.

Over Half Term we would like them to provide a

personal response to this story. They can create and explore the idea in any way they wish and let their

imaginations run wild! They can present their work in any format they wish. It could be a painting, model,

ICT presentation or a written piece.

Kingfishers should bring in their work on Monday 2 November, which will subsequently be on display in the Kingfisher Hall. If you have any questions or

would like extra information about the book please email [email protected].

We look forward to seeing all the entries!

Year 2's topic this term has been 'Life in London'. This week we have gone back in time to the Stuart era to find out about Samuel Pepys and the Great Fire of London. We enjoyed creating amazing fire pictures using paint and collage! We have also written letters to King Charles II giving him solutions of how to put the fire out and we have sequenced the events of the fire. Any Year 2 will be happy to share some Great Fire of London facts with you!

Kingfishers


The Kingfishers and the Pigs

The children were delighted to help Mr Whybrow feed the new piglets this week. They weren’t sure they wanted to eat the same food!They certainly weren’t impressed by the pigs' manners, “Urghhh you should never stand in your food, that’s disgusting!”


Caring for Plants

In Science this term, Year 3 have been learning how to care for plants. We now understand how to plant seeds and how to care for the seedlings to make them grow well. We have even learned what photosynthesis is!

To increase our learning and experience as gardeners, Year 3 have decided to grow as many plants as we can and hold a plant sale. All of the money we raise will be given to Dundry Nurseries, who offer work experience to adults with learning difficulties. This project is managed by volunteers and relies on donations to continue.

We have been busy potting pansies, growing salad leaves and even making our own environmentally friendly pots out of old newspaper. Of course, no garden centre is complete without delicious cake! We have baked and iced cupcakes to tempt our customers to come along and spend their money for a good cause.

Year 3 hope they saw you at our sale on Friday 9 October at 16.00 outside Lower School.

Lower School"Of course, no garden centre is

complete without delicious cake!"


Middle School

Year 6 Poets

Middle School have had an exciting week of visits to the Cheltenham Literature Festival. Last Friday six lucky Year 6 poets immersed themselves in a whole day of poetry with poet Joseph Coelho. Evie De Quincey Adams, Thomas Hesketh, Isobelle Mace, Harry Dawson and Ben Barltrop were ambassadors for the school, throwing themselves into a dynamic session that included drama, learning poetic devices and creating fantastic adventure poems of their own.

Year 5 Fantasy

Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell had Year 5 in fits of giggles as they led us into their world of fantasy and science fiction. The highlight for us all was the question and answer session where Stewart verbally answered whatever was thrown at him and Riddell illustrated it. Our pupils walked away with a unique drawing of a dog’s eyeball being licked back into place by his owner’s tongue! If you want to know more about the story behind it, do ask any Year 5 pupil. Come and see the illustration in the library; it’s brilliantly gruesome!

"Poetry in the Little Big Top..."

"Fits of giggles in a world of fantasy!"

"brilliantly gruesome!"


Letter from the Library

We are so lucky to have such a prestigious literary event on our doorsteps and hopefully all the pupils have benefited from their visit to it. The common advice from all the authors was to read, read, read!

Year 8 were entertained by the theatrical Tanya Landman, talking about her strong female characters, the settings of her books and her passion for historical fiction.

David Almond carefully explained the process a writer goes through, from rough jottings and pictures, to print.

“What I took away from his talk was his quote: 'Wouldn't the world be boring if everything was perfect?' He was really inspiring. He even had me thinking I could write a book!” - a Prep teacher

Year 6 saw Frank Cottrell Boyce who read extracts from his best-selling books Cosmic and The As-tounding Broccoli Boy. He drew many laughs from the Year 6s especially when regaling them with memories of his first days at school and his ability to turn yellow!

Chris Riddell and Paul Stewart were a double act that impressed the Year 5s:

“I liked the way the illustrator drew pictures as the writer answered questions.” - Florence Piggott

“I liked the way the illustrator was drawing, he made everything look so cool!” - Kamila Aldongar

“The interaction with the audience was great, they made lots of jokes and were really funny.” - Meredith Aylott

If you want to get involved as a family, the Festival runs until Sunday 11 October with plenty of events for children on over the weekend.

Cheltenham LiteratureFestival

"On Sunday Morning I went to the Literature Festival to introduce

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. First, I went to the writers’ tent,

where I was given a special wristband (like a VIP badge). I

also met the Mad Hatter who was running the show. She helped Charles and me run a sound check while we rehearsed our speeches and

talked to members of the Festival team, who gave us cue cards and told us what to expect. As the show

started, I introduced the Mad Hatter who made the children very excited! At the end of the show, I asked

some of the children in the audience what they enjoyed about the show- while they were meeting the White

Rabbit! One answer I got was: “I liked the riddles!” Others said they liked drawing the tea party and doing silly voices, silly faces and silly walks! Overall, I think the event was a success and I would definitely recommend

it for younger children." - Isabella Reid, Y8


Upper School

Open Morning

Year 8 were fantastic ambassadors for the school during Saturday’s Open Morning. They led our visitors on tours, talked to them politely and informatively and made sure everyone felt

welcome! As a small thank you, they enjoyed a treat of doughnuts during break on Thursday.

Amongst the high praise for our bold Year 8 Guides, one family wrote in to say, "We very much enjoyed our Open Morning at Cheltenham Prep

last Saturday and loved the school. It was presented extremely well and [the children] who

showed us round were a credit to the school. Please thank them again from us."

Year 8 Prefect Appointments

This week we appointed three new Prefects from Year 8; Holly Ellis, Isabella Reid and Louis

Dessalles. We will appoint further prefects during the year, and our advice to Year 8 at this point is

to keep being role models, supporting other pupils and making good choices around school.

Upper School Football Club

Every Monday afternoon from 17.00-18.00, Upper and Middle School play football and work on improving their skills. So far we’ve had some

amazing goals, some lovely individual displays of valiant defending and some crafty midfield work.

Staff and pupils have greatly enjoyed the beautiful game.

"I know that all the boys and girls in Upper School are working very hard across all areas of school life."- Mrs Sarah Reid, Head of Upper School


Years 5-8 Ski TripDuring the Easter holidays, Years 5-8 Prep pupils will have the chance to jet off to Ponte di Legno in Italy for a week of fun in the snow! Don't miss out on this fabulous opportunity for your child to travel in Europe and develop adventure sporting skills.

Flying out to the Italian slopes, and staying at the 4* Hotel Mirella, Ponte di Legno, pupils will have the chance to learn new or develop existing skiing skills. In addition, we'll be making the most of the resort's swimming pool, enjoying a movie night and a pizza night - amongst various other entertainment.

"What I love about skiing is the mountain-fresh air! Being in breathtaking surroundings with friends makes this kind of holiday a truly memorable experience!" - Ms Amie Duggan. The trip will take place 19 - 26 March 2016 and will cost £975 per child, with flights, accommoda-tion, food, ski pass and equipment hire included. To secure a place for your child, a deposit pay-ment of £250 will be required by Monday 2 November.

For more information, or to book, please see Ms Duggan in classroom 2D in Kingfishers, or email [email protected].


Last Friday The Prep Art Room was buzzing even more than normal! The occasion was the second Year 5 Print Workshop of this calendar year.

We invited local primary schools to come and experience different printing methods, using the professional equipment we are so lucky to have here at The Prep. This time we focused on two main disciplines: lino (or reduction printing) and collagraph printing.

Firstly, the 20 children from five different schools were shown how to create their own collagraph, using mounting board, scalpels, glue, stickers, tape and wallpaper: these were left to dry until the afternoon.

Next, they were asked to draw around a piece of lino, then observe the fabulous Indian fabrics, prints and artefacts on display to create their own design suitable to be cut out. The children really enjoyed recording the shapes and adapting them, then carefully guiding the cutting tool to make shallow grooves in the lino.

Rollers were used to apply the ink to the off-set press used for lino prints, with tissue added to achieve a 'chine-colle' (Chinese collage). Stippling brushes were used to apply the block ink to the collagraphs and these were pressed through the etching press on to pre-prepared watercolour paper. A 'ghost print' was achieved by running a second print through the etching press with string, feathers or raffia laid over the top.

What a day! 20 Children, five different schools, working together. One whole day: being active, creative, learning, and having FUN!

Art


Musicians Visit Thirlestaine Park Care Home

Several of the music award holders (and potential music award holders) from Years 5-8 took part in The Prep's music outreach programme this week. The school is keen to take music out into the local community and, as part of that enterprise, the pupils were taken to a local care home to perform a short recital to the residents. Many are unable to leave the home and are clearly delighted to have some beautiful music brought into the residence, particularly by such talented and young children.

The manager of the care home commented on the power that the music had over the residents: he informed the children that one of the residents had been particularly upset during the morning, and that the recital had changed her mood entirely and she ended the afternoon with a huge smile on her face! We are due to visit each Half Term as part of this outreach programme, in addition to visiting local primary schools, so the department is as busy as ever! Well done and thanks to all the pupils who took part.

Music


Girls' Sports

For news, fixtures and

updates, follow us on Twitter!

@cheltprepgirls

Team of the Week – 1st VII

It was a delight to watch the 1st team this week and see them putting into practice all of the tactical plays we have been working so hard on over the past few weeks.

Typically at this time of year in Upper School, we are on a complete re-build, having lost players to other schools from Year 6 and gained new players into Year 7. It takes time to get used to new formations and the huge step up to the demands of 1st team hockey, but these girls have responded extremely well to the challenge and have been building on every game. They have learnt some hard lessons but remained positive and determined to succeed and we were so proud to see them bring it all together this week. Their positioning was sound, everyone knew and carried out the game plan, and they were hungry in front of goal. Denmark Road were a well organised side with some very good individuals but The Prep girls played as a team and looked threatening right from the whistle and they were rewarded with six well deserved and well executed goals. Keep it up girls!

Girls' Hockey ResultsTEAM OPPOSITION DATE SCORE RESULTU10 A Airthrie U11 7 Oct 4 – 0 WONU11 A Richard Pate 7 Oct 2 – 1 WONU11 B Richard Pate 7 Oct 8 – 1 WON1st VII Denmark Road HSFG 7 Oct 6 – 1 WON2nd VII Denmark Road HSFG 7 Oct 1 – 1 DREW

Internal MatchesU10 B v U9A 0 – 0 U10 C v U9B 2 – 0

Lower School House Hockey

We had an excellent turnout for our Lower School House Hockey competition on Saturday morning, with only three girls opting out. Everyone had on their coloured house shirts and all looked great. The girls had a fantastic morning, playing for the first time with Year 3 and Year 4 combined. Year 4 were excellent role models and led by example whilst Year 3 rose to the occasion and really made their mark. We saw some very exciting and competitive hockey, and the House spirit was evident throughout. In the end, it was Athens who triumphed, but all the girls should be commended for a very high quality competition.

Results1st – ATHENS2nd = ROME and CORINTH4th – TROY5th – PERSIA6th - SPARTA


Boys' Sports

Result of the Week – The U11A beat Beaudesert Park U11A 35-5

Rather like Usain Bolt, the U11A team are not the greatest starters but once into their stride, they are difficult to beat. This proved to be the case again, as the boys continued on their unbeaten run. Beaudesert Park began the game brightly and moved the ball intelligently before contact. Much against the run of play, The Prep opened the scoring with a breakaway effort to take the lead. The remainder of the first half reflected our bravery in defence but we struggled to impose ourselves when we had possession with slightly confused decision-making.

After half time, the patterns that we wanted to play clicked more smoothly into place and our backs ran from depth, posing far greater problems for the Beaudesert Park defence. Despite a self-inflicted free pass count against us, the team looked to move the ball wide earlier and elected to pass rather than hit rucks, opening up space with our pace and power. If the boys can continue where they left off this week, the next fixture at Bromsgrove will be an exciting affair on Saturday.

Boys' Rugby Fixtures

TEAM OPPONENT RESULT SCORE1st XV Beaudesert Park 1st XV Drew 12-123rd XV Beaudesert Park 2nd XV Won 17-12U11A Beaudesert Park U11A Won 35-5U11B Beaudesert Park U11B Won 20-0U11C Beaudesert Park U11C Lost 20-50U10A Beaudesert Park U10A Lost 5-20U10B Beaudesert Park U10B Lost 0-25U10C Beaudesert Park U10C Lost 20-35U10C Beaudesert Park U10D Won 20-10U9A Downs Festival Festival N/AU9B Downs Festival Festival N/AU9C Downs Festival Festival N/A

For news, fixtures and updates, follow us on Twitter!

@cheltprep_boys


CalendarSunday, 11 October 201508:45 Departure for Rugby Festival at Prior 08:45 Park (A): 1st XV. Start 10:00. Finish dependent on progress09:00 Boarders' Big Day Out (Full and Regular Flexi-Boarders Only) Monday, 12 October 2015 Week 6 (6) 12 - 18 October12:00 Kingfishers Parents' Lunch14:00 Year 5 Geography field trip to Cheltenham High Street18:15 Parents' Evening for parents of children in Year 6 (surnames A-H)

Tuesday, 13 October 201512:00 Kingfishers Parents' Lunch

Wednesday, 14 October 2015Fixtures12:30 Departure for Hockey v Beaudesert Park (A): 1st VII. Start 13:45. 2nd VII. Start 14:15. Pick up 16:1512:45 Departure for Rugby Festival at Wycliffe College (A): U11A IX, U11B IX, U11C IX. Start 14:30. Pick up 17:45 12:45 Departure for Rugby Festival at Beaudesert Park (A): U10A VIII, U10B VIII, U10C VIII. Start 14:30. Pick up 17:4512:45 Departure for Rugby v St John's-On-The-Hill (A): 1st XV, 3rd X. Start 14:30. Pick up 17:4512:45 Departure for Rugby v Prior Park (A): 2nd XV and 4th X. Start 14:30. Pick up 17:4513:00 Departure for Hockey v Bromsgrove (A): U10B, U11A, U11B. Start 14:15. Pick up 16:4513:15 Departure for Hockey v Beaudesert Park (A): 3rd VII. Start 14:45. 4th VII. Start 15:15. Pick up 17:0013:30 Cheltenham Prep School Hockey Tournament. U9A VII, U10A VII. Pick up 16:30

Thursday, 15 October 201512:00 Kingfishers Parents' Lunch14:30 Daylight Theatre Performance to Year 3 (Assembly Hall)15:45 Departure for Cross Country League Race 2 at St Edward's (A): Years 4 - 6. Pick up 17:0018:00 Boarders' Sports Night Out18:15 Parents' Evening for parents of children in Year 6 (surnames I-Z)

Friday, 16 October 2015 Half Term begins: Boarders can depart, timings by prior arrangement House Maths Challenge Departure for Rome Choir Tour House Art Competition (Entries to be returned after Half-Term)08:00 Lower School Open Door morning11:00 Lower School Tag Rugby House Matches12:00 Kingfishers Parents' Lunch14:15 Chapel (Parents welcome)15:30 Half Term begins for children in Kingfishers (no after school care, activities or tea)16:00 Half Term begins for children in Lower School (no after school care, activities or tea)16:15 Half Term begins for children in Middle and Upper School (no after school care, activities or tea)

All changes and additions to the School Calendar appear in pink.


NOTICES

Save the Date!Friends of the Prep invite you to enjoy a fireworks display on 7 November at 18.00

Shakepeare Schools FestivalThe 2015 National Shakespeare Schools Festival is in full rehearsal

leading to our performances at Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre on

Monday 9 November 2015.On this night the casts of Year 6 and Year 8 pupils will perform abridged versions of

their plays:

A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Comedy of Errors.Tickets are available from The Everyman Theatre Box Office

and we encourage as many parents and pupils as possible to come and support us on what will be a very entertaining evening.

Well done to The Prep's Art Enthusiasts who paid tribute to the final of The Great British Bake Off this week by drawing these excellently colourful cakes and pastries - they certainly got our tummies rumbling!


NOTICESSchool Uniform Shop

The School Uniform Shop term-time opening hours are:

Tuesday 13.30 to 15.30 Wednesday 15.30 to 17.00

We are happy to receive email enquiries, as it is not always possible to get to the shop.

We are also happy to accept clean uniform in good condition for sale.

Julie Tague and Irene Jones

Santa Family Fun Run 11.00 - 12.00

Sunday 6 December 2015Save the date - more details to come!

Tobias Evans 6Star Jamieson 6Eve Loosemore 7Alice Waley-Cohen 8Maxim Pioli DeCam 9Ben Richards 9Archie Wills 9Ollie Blanchfield 10Luke Richardson 11Max Brown 12Peter Marstrand 13Max Pinkham 13Felix Tacey 13

Happy Birthday to the following pupils next week!

Prep for the Week Issue 1807

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Transcript of Prep for the Week Issue 1807