RGS Junior School Bulletin

INDEPENDENT ASSOCIATION OF PREPARATORY SCHOOLS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Last week I was privileged to represent our school at the IAPS Conference in Edinburgh, where the theme was, ‘Leading Inspirational and Aspirational Schools.’ From the many keynote speeches, I particularly enjoyed Dr Barry Hymer and also Dr Ben Garrod. You might have seen Ben on TV in ‘Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur’. I was, certainly, ‘inspired’. It is the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the association and it was a grand gathering of Heads from the UK, Europe and further afield, where IAPS influence is growing rapidly. I particularly enjoyed the Thursday dinner (well, I would!) which was held in the National Museum. If you know it well, like my family, you might imagine the spectacle of the main hall set out for the guests. ‘Dining with dinosaurs’ - it was a remarkable venue. In addition, I went to the Conference Service at the St Giles’ Cathedral on the Royal Mile. It was a very special event and of interest to those of you with association to Newcastle Preparatory School, Mr Harry Cockerill was mentioned in memorium. Harry was Head at NPS and also Chairman of Governors at the Kings’ School, Tynemouth, when I was a much younger teacher. A much loved and respected Head Teacher. Mr Craig

Friday 6th October 2017 Autumn Term: Volume 5

WEST END STAR IN THE MAKING! This summer, Zoe Brissenden-Lang (5B) made her West End debut and appeared in London’s West End!

Zoe made her West End debut this summer as she was accepted to take part in Westend Stage, the UK’s premier theatre summer school for young people aged 8 -21 years. Zoe was inspired to apply for Westend Stage as she gained her interest in the performing arts from attending Saturday theatre school school since she was 5 years old. Westend Stage gives young people from all over the UK the chance to perform at Her Majesty’s Theatre in the heart of the West End, home to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera. Throughout the week, Zoe was joined by other students at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, one of the top drama schools in the UK where the likes of Ewan McGregor, Daniel

Craig, and Orlando Bloom all trained. Zoe was put through her paces in Singing, Dance and Drama, as well as receiving specific industry based workshops, led by West End stars, such as Alistair Brammer who appeared in the recent international screening of ‘Miss Saigon’. The students were taken to the hit West End musical, Wicked and afterwards received a very special and private question and answer session with members of the cast; as well as being lead in a master class lead by some of the cast members. West End Stage said, “Zoe was an asset to the summer school and graduated West End with a Distinction! West End Stage is very proud of Zoe and we can not wait to see where her exciting future takes her.”

WHO KNOWS MOST ABOUT THE SCHOOL?

The season of prospective parents precedes the festive season in my school calendar (alliteration, Year 4?) Already, we have had visitors to look around school and my job is to make certain that they leave with as much information as I can give them. So, ‘How it is done?’ I hear you ask. Well; I work on a 1:5 ratio, which means that, for every minute the visitors spend with me, I make sure that they have 5 times that with student guides! Who best to show visitors around school and talk about what makes it buzz for them, but the students? A cunning plan on my part - and certain to impress, don’t you think? So I feel compelled to thank the following children for helping me recently: Sam Wardle; Julia Asherson; Hannah Cutler; Nye Pritchard; Daisy Cumpson; Ava Humble; Rory Linkleter; Archie Parbery; Gabriella Oliver and Sai Rajesh. As I write, I await the next appointment…..

Dates of interest: Information Evenings: Tues 7th & Mon 13th Nov Open Morning: Sat 18th Nov Open Week: Mon 20th - Fri 24th Nov Mr Craig

ART DAY The Junior School Art Day earlier

this week was a great success - we

sculpted, painted, weaved with

willow and even visited the Liang Art Gallery.

A creative day for all. More news to follow

next week. Mrs McCulloch

Chamber Choir Wedding!

Congratulations to Chamber Choir who sang beautifully

last Saturday at the wedding of a former Senior School

student at St George’s Church in Jesmond. They sang

whilst the bride and groom went out to sign the register and even

received a round of applause from the congregation! At the end of

the ceremony, I even heard one choir member ask Mr Fazlic when

they could next sing at a wedding! Mrs Wall

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Mon 9th Oct JS Chamber Choir rehearsal from 3.30pm until 4.15pm (from 3.45pm for Y6 members) - see below

Tues 10th Oct Hockey: All Year 4 girls v St Olave’s and GSAL (A) - leave 11.00am, start 1.30pm, return 5.00pm

Rugby: All Year 4 boys v St Olave’s and GSAL (A) - leave 11.00am, start 1.30pm, return 5.00pm

Class 6M Parents’ Conferences in Fenwick & Lilburne Halls- start 3.00pm, end 6.30pm

Wed 11th Oct Hockey: HMC Junior Schools’ Competition, GSAL (A) - leave 8.30am, start 11.00am, return 5.00pm

Rugby: HMC Junior Schools’ Competition, GSAL (A) - leave 8.30am, start 11.00am, return 5.00pm

Thurs 12th Oct Y6 children visit the Oriental Museum, Durham - leave 9.15am, return 3.00pm

Y3 and Class 6L Parent’s Conferences in Fenwick & Lilburne Halls - start 2.30pm, end 6.00pm

Football: Y6 team v Westerhope (2nd round of County Cup) - venue and timings TBC

Fri 13th Oct Hockey: Y4 & 5 teams at Bradford Grammar Festival (A) - leave 10.30am, start 1.00pm, return 6.30pm

Rugby: Y3, 4 & 5 teams at Bradford Grammar Festival (A) - leave 10.30am, start 1.00pm, return 6.30pm

CONGRATULATIONS...

...to Silvia Mosquera (6L) who recently played the piano in a concert at St Aidan's Church, North Shields, alongside her piano teacher and renowned professional organist Chiho Sunamoto and Chiho's husband Jon Smith, in front of a packed and appre-ciative crowd. Silvia played a jazzy piece called

Gospel Flair by Manfred Schmitz, one of the pieces she is currently learning for her upcoming Grade 2 piano exam. She played it very well! Well done, Silvia!

SIGNING IN AND OUT

If you come into school during the school day to watch a sporting

fixture, it is important that you sign in first at either the Junior School Office or the

main reception desk in the Senior School prior to entering the school grounds. If you need to

drop of kit/equipment for your child during the school day, please hand it in at the Junior

School Office and we will ensure that it finds it

way safely to your child.

Thank you.

Miss Gravely & Miss Noble.

DANCE & BALLET CLUBS CANCELLATIONS

Please note that there will be no Junior

School Ballet or Dance Clubs from Thursday

5th October until Wednesday 11th October inclusive as

Miss Richardson is getting married and will be absent

from school on those dates.

MANY HAPPY RETURNS

…..to Avantika Aradhyula, Abbie Farrell, Grace Saul-Gray, Alastair McClure, Thomas Vardy and Fern Angus who all celebrated their birthday this week. Miss Noble & Miss Gravely

HOUSE MUSIC COMPETITION - Wednesday 18th October

Excitement is rising high in the Junior School as we look forward to an exciting evening of competitive House Music on Wed 18th October in the Miller Theatre!

The Y3/4 competition will take place from 5.30pm until 6.30pm and the Y5/6 competition from 7.15pm until 8.15pm. All children will be expected to participate, wearing their school uniform. Tickets which are free of charge, are available online from Eventbrite.

Y3 and Y4 link: https://y3andy4housemusic.eventbrite.co.uk Y5 and Y6 link: https://y5andy6housemusic.eventbrite.co.uk In the first instance, tickets will be restricted to two per family (please only book seats for audience members, not for children participating). We will increase this number nearer the time, should there still be seats available. In order to ensure that there is room for the parents of the children participating, please only book tickets for the show in which your child is performing. Seats will be allocated on a first come, first served basis so please book

as soon as possible to avoid disappointment! Mrs Clappison

CHAMBER CHOIR

On Monday 9th October, Y3, Y4 & Y5 Chamber Choir members will rehearse in the Fenwick Hall from 3.30pm until 4.15pm.

Y6 Chamber Choir members will join them at 3.45pm. This is due to a staff training

session after school that day.

Mr Miller

Year 5 Residential at Robinwood

Year 5 enjoyed an exciting three days at the Robinwood Activity

Centre in Barhaugh Hall, near Alston last weekend. As we got off the

bus to walk the last mile and a half to the Centre, the rain began to

fall, but this didn’t dampen spirits and it turned out to be the only rain

over the weekend. The children were kept going from dawn to well

after dusk with a wide range of activities; climbing, zip wire, caving,

giant swing, the piranha pool, just to name a few. There is an element

of challenge to each activity and the children certainly learned a great

deal about themselves and each other, as they swung, climbed,

paddled and puzzled together. I’m sure that they will have taken away

some life long memories from their time there. Many thanks to

Mrs Barlow, Miss Whitney, Miss Wood, Miss Close, Miss Scott,

Miss Bolam and Mr Craig for their assistance over the weekend.

Dr Spencer

Y6 Rugby v Barnard Castle - Friday 29th September

A Team

First match of the season!

Year 6 travelled to Barnard Castle and prepared to face their opponents. Everyone was excited and the match

started well with a solid try from Taylor, backed up by strong rucking and tackling by Reilly, Boora and Van

Orsouw. Good passing and pushing support from Renwick, Vardy and Savic helped the team to drive forward

hard as the game carried on.

Barnard Castle continued to put up a good flight and came back with two tries. However, RGS went on to score

consistently throughout with further scores from Linkleter, Pritchard, Magill, and the last two from Wintrip.

Wardle and Searro, not able to play due to injury, travelled with the team to provide team support and

encouragement, and acted as medical assistants to Mr Pollock!

At the end of the day, a convincing win for RGS A team with 10-2. Well done, lads!

Alexander Searro (6W)

B Team

Straight from the kick off we conceded two early tries, however we quickly equalised and with end to end play the

half time score was 8-6 to Barnard Castle.

The second half was an amazing performance. We scored 4 unanswered tries so the game finished 10-8 to us!

Rajiv, Longstaff, Van Orsouw, Baranwal and Perry all touched down for us. Great job, everyone!

Zach Tyrell- Thrower (6M)

C & D Teams

The C and D teams played against Barnard Castle C team and an exciting triangular festival. The sun was beating

down and I suggested a Cricket game but was talked down! Barnard Castle fielded some physically robust boys

and tackling them to the floor proved tricky but we improved through frequent practice! Sulemaan Haque scored

a blistering try after catching the ball from kick off. The boys tried particularly hard...a smashing way to end the

week!

Mr Miller

Rugby v QEGS - Monday 2nd October Year 6

Second match of the season!

QEGS, the visiting side, played the A Team on Monday afternoon. It was a tough start with QEGS having the up-

per hand and scored an early try. RGS fought back hard and defended strongly, to even the score to 1-1.

However, QEGS sneaked another one just before half time.

Unfortunately, after dropping a few passes, this gave the advantage to QEGS who went on to score another 4

tries. They also defended well up the wing where RGS struggled to create space for a clear run.

As the last play took place, RGS managed slip through the opposition’s defence and bring home a second try,

making the final score at 6-2 to QEGS.

A disappointing loss but a good effort - better luck for the next match, lads.

Alexander Searro (6W)

Year 3

The Year 3 rugby squads travelled

just up the road to Novocastrian's

RFC for an afternoon extravaganza

of rugby. The conditions were not

pleasant and at times the pitch was a

flurry with tags. However, there was

some great rugby on show and the

Year 3 boys and girls should be

proud of their efforts. Here's

looking forward to the next one!

Mr Lloyd

CONGRATULATIONS to Wil-

liam Bates (3N) who was awarded a

much sought after trophy at Northern

Rugby Club last Sunday for excellent play

and respect and an excellent start to his

second season!

Well done, William!

RGS JFG Parents' Wine and Cheese Evening

& First AGM

Thank you for to everyone who attended or helped at last week’s

parents wine and cheese evening. Hopefully it will be the first of

many events for junior school parents.

Feedback was very positive and there was certainly lots of

chatting. Suzanne from Advintage wines talked us through each

glass and improved our pronunciation of several grapes varieties. It

was also fantastic to have Charlie from the Northumberland Cheese

Company to serve huge amounts of cheese.

Prior to the event, the JFG held our first AGM. It was great to

welcome some new members and to help us plan future events,

we've created a few roles:

Kate Pullman - Chair

Roma De Dominicis - Treasurer

Robert Barabino - Assistant Treasurer

Tom Pullman - Secretary

Julia Jobe - Social Secretary

However, keeping the JFG informal and open to all parents remains

our priority. Please get in touch with any ideas or opinions.

We have quite a lot of plans for the coming terms. Next we’re

focusing on the Halloween disco for Year 3/4 and then getting

ready for the family pantomime Aladdin. Money raised through

previous events will be used to subsidise the pantomime.

Website: www.RGSJuniorFamilyGroup.com

Email: RGSJuniorFamilyGroup@gmail.com

Twitter: @RGS_JFG

NECCR AWARD EVENT

Last Thursday, Henry and I went to Metro Radio to

collect the Children’s Cancer Run award for RGS. We

learnt that 8 out of 10 children now survive children's

cancer. It used to be 2 out of 10. The school that

raised the most money was Darras Hall First School

with over £5700 nearly double the RGS amount. The

total raised was £246185. After the awards we had a

metro station tour and met Ritiche, who gave RGS a

shout out on the radio later in the afternoon.

Billy Young (4C)

Barnard Castle and Bradford Grammar Hockey Match Report

On Friday, all of Year 6 went to Barnard Castle. The boys

played rugby and the girls played hockey. There were 2

pitches, so two games played at the same time. We played

Bradford first. With some good play, tackling and getting into

space the A team won 3-0 and the B’s won 1-0 with some

good attacking play.

The C team won 1-0 against Barnard Castle and the D team

lost 2-1 in their first round of matches.

In our second round of matches, everyone played Barnard

Castle. The A team won 2-0, B team lost 1-0, C team drew

0-0 and the D team won 2-1.

So overall we came away with 5 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses. A

great set of results - well done, everyone!!

Thanks to Mrs Barlow and Miss Whitney for taking us!

Cara Lee (6W)

LOST PROPERTY

William Reid (6L) has lost his named swimming shorts,

towel, goggles and navy drawstring swimming bag.

Andrei Nita (5S) has lost his trainers (light grey with blue/yellow marks).

Please can everyone keep a look-out for these items. Thank you.