The Prep Times Welcome from the new Head of Prep
June 2013
A Big Thank You To The PA
I hope you like our first e-newsletter, which is intended not as an alternative to the termly In Focus Magazine, but rather as a mid-term snapshot of what’s happening in Prep. I’ve been delighted by the warm welcome I have received from
pupils, parents, staff and governors. I had the privilege over the first halfof-term of observing every teacher in class and I have been very impressed by the standard of teaching and learning, as well as the pupils’ enthusiasm for all that they undertake.
many more parents at the wonderful summer events we have planned. May the sun shine on the second half -of-term and all good wishes in particular to Year 6, as they reach the culmination of their time in Prep.
As we embark on the last month of the school year, I look forward to meeting
H. FitzHerbert
All Aboard!
Many thanks to the Parents’ Association for the outdoor tabletennis table in Junior Prep Playground, which will certainly add an exciting new dimension to break times. Thanks also for the Prep Bingo after school on 21st May, which was very well attended and terrific fun.
Inside this issue: Shaping up
P2
Y1 Trip
Children of Pre-Prep show interest in re-enacting bus play. Using Birkenhead School’s minibus, Dylan acts out the role of a bus driver, driving his passengers to
Little School Clubs
P3
Roman Invasion Calligrapher Visit
Manchester. Pre-Prep children demonstrate imaginative role play by creating their own bus. They spontaneously sing, “The Wheels on the bus go round and round...all day long!”
Y5 Cricket
P4
Y6 Adventure Trip
Summer Concert Diary Dates
P5
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Shaping Up in Reception Reception pupils have been learning about three dimensional shapes. They have been exploring shapes around them and have enjoyed investigating the properties of these shapes.
The Reception playground is also taking shape. Following the success of the alphabet letters last year, a sixth form student, Tom Weller, has created a piece of bespoke playground furniture for the Reception children to enjoy. The design incorporates seating and planting areas whilst also providing storage. The staff and children of Reception would like to thank Tom and Mr Guinness, Head of Design Technology.
Come rain or shine! Year 1’s adventure started on a cold and wet Friday Morning. They had been promised a morning at Hoylake Lifeboat Station and an afternoon at the seaside, but due to the weather this didn’t look likely. The teachers, Mr Smith, Mrs Winn, Miss Ault and Mrs Pye set off with their classes trying to keep the mood upbeat. They arrived at the Lifeboat Station around 10am and had a quick snack before starting their tour. Whilst shivering in the rain, Kim (the Lifeboat man), told them about a heroic rescue that had taken
place hundreds of years ago. After experiencing some of the weather Kim had been describing, the adults and children dried off inside the station and saw the latest lifeboat (The Lady of Hilbre). It too had been on many rescues during its 21 years of service at Hoylake. Reluctantly, the children left the warm station and were soon back on the bus to go to a church hall for lunch. The sun was beginning to peek through the clouds and all the teachers began to feel a little more positive about their chances of visiting the seaside. Beginning
to get restless, Cara Curtis said, “Has the sun come out enough for us yet?” With trepidation, Miss Ault glanced out through the stained glass window. The sun was out and the clouds had disappeared, so they set off again to the seaside at New Brighton. The children enjoyed their quiz and found out a lot about the seaside.
At the end of the day Mr Smith commented, “It was a shaky start but we are a determined bunch and knew we would get to the seaside, come rain or shine!”
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Summer Spectacular Pupils in the Years 1 and 2 Arts and Crafts Club have thoroughly enjoyed helping prepare for this year’s Summer Show. The children have been using a variety of materials to create the scenery for this spectacular bonanza on Friday 28th June.
Also, the Year 2 Summer Games Club has gone from strength to strength. Rounders has now become more tactical, skilled and competitive. Pupils have responded positively to the introduction of the new rules and are overflowing with confidence in this sport. Well done Summer Games Club!
Snow delays Roman invasion Year 3 finally had the opportunity to experience their inspiring Celt and Roman workshop, after snow caused the cancellation of last term’s event. The children enjoyed a full day of hands-on and interactive activities, to enhance their learning from the previous two terms. The action-
packed day included dressing up as Celtic Warriors, archaeological digging, sorting artefacts and painting woad designs onto their faces. Workshop leader Tony Cope said, “I was so impressed with the children’s knowledge, interest and enthusiasm and their behaviour
was excellent.” The day was such a great success, pupils have been pleading for a Viking day for our current topic.
Isabella Heckstall-Smith commented, “It was brilliant. I loved dressing up as a Roman!”
Japanese Calligrapher Visits BPS Yukiko Ayres presented a workshop for a group of Year 6 pupils, prior to taking part in the Two Rivers Festival. The children were taught how to construct the brush strokes to create their own name in Japanese Calligraphy. Thank you to Anushri for the following report: On Friday 12th May calligrapher Yukiko Ayres came to our school to do a Japanese Calligraphy
workshop. I was one of the lucky pupils in Year 6 chosen to take part. Yuki demonstrated how to use the equipment and we were very impressed with her writing. We were then put into small groups and taught how important it was to have good posture, to sit up straight and hold the brush at the correct angle. We then “We really enjoyed the experience wrote our names in Japanese. and thank Mrs Smith for organising it for us.” Anushri
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Year 5 Cricket Team off to Winning Start Despite the inclement weather that has been a feature of the fledgling cricket season, the boys have managed to play three games and they remain unbeaten.
A visit to The Grange, resulted in a convincing 91 run victory, the highlight being a last pair partnership of 51, between Henry Wild and Louis Mason.
A strong batting performance at Stockport was wasted as the heavens opened, putting paid to the game at the halfway stage. Valiant attempts to resume, proved futile in the face of the poor weather.
An entertaining home fixture against King’s Chester proved a low scoring encounter, with Birkenhead School securing victory by 23 runs, a far more comfortable looking margin than the game suggested. Credit is due to Matthew Diaz-Rainey,
Samarth Kumar and Luke Crocker for some tight bowling, just when it was needed. Henry Wild summed up the mood of the camp, “We were a little concerned about the strength of our batting before the start of the season, but everybody has pulled together and we have performed well with both bat and ball. Let’s hope the season can continue in the same vein.”
Fun in the Sun for Y6
The annual Year 6 excursion to Caythorpe Court, near Grantham is always a highlight of the school year. Thrills, spills, excitement, team building, sleep deprivation... yes, these are all watchwords of a week away in the Lincolnshire countryside with forty ten and eleven year olds.
From the nerve jangling heights of the high ropes course to the stomach churning thrill of the giant swing, the children were put through their paces by a team of PGL instructors, often to the accompaniment of a variety of annoyingly catchy songs. Whether the children were on the water in the kayaking session, or indeed under it, during the raft building exercise, a memorable time was had by all. The challenge to overcome trepidation and enter into the jaws of adventure, was summed up on the face of Caitlin Watson, who stood at the base of the 40 foot climbing wall, gazing upward,
biting her lip and alternately shifting her weight from foot to foot. “Is it nerves or excitement?” she was asked as her safety harness was tightened. “Neither,” she replied, her eyes never leaving the vertical ascent ahead of her. “I just want to go to the toilet.”
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Parents Praise Performance Mummy’. The children sang their hearts out and clearly enjoyed what they were singing. Some of the lyrics in their second song clearly amused the audience, adding an element of humour to this wonderful evening Prep Orchestra opened the concert of music. The audience were with three Jazz pieces: ‘Dan The treated to performances by Bar Man’, ‘Frothy Coffee’ & ‘5 Jive!’ Line, Big Band, Concert Band, Having worked hard and been The Chapel Choir and the Senior committed to attending weekly Choir. A big thank you to all the rehearsals, all the children played Music staff, and especially to to the best of their ability and the Philip Robinson, Director of audience was ‘wowed’ by what they Music and Sue Keating, Prep heard. Music Teacher. A very special mention must Later in the concert, pupils in the be made of the virtuoso Year 5 Choir sang two songs: performance of Massenet’s ‘Build On The Rock!’ & ‘Make A Meditation by solo violinist Dionne Lee. Dionne, who is currently in Year 6, recently Head Boy, Toby Brown, commented, “It was passed her Grade 8 violin a valuable experience and I enjoyed seeing exam with distinction. Her the exciting and interesting music going on breathtaking performance throughout the School.” captivated the audience from beginning to end. On Thursday 9th May, to the delight of their teachers and parents, Prep Orchestra, Year 5 Choir and solo violinist Dionne Lee performed superbly in the Birkenhead School Summer Concert, in Bushell Hall.
Dates for your diary: Tuesday 18 June at 1pm—Infants Sports Day Thursday 20 June at 12pm—Junior Prep Sports Day Wednesday 28 June—Induction Day 26, 27, 28 June at 7pm—Y6 Performance of The Pied Piper of Hamelin (Tickets £5 adult/ £3 child available from the Prep Office) Friday 28 June at 2pm—Infants Summer Concert Tuesday 02 July at 2pm—Pre-Prep Sing-along Tuesday 02 July at 7pm—Junior Prep Prize-giving Wednesday 03 July at 11.45am—End of Term
Finally, don’t miss the bumper summer edition of In Focus Magazine at the end of term.