Bolton School Junior Boys' Weekly Newsletter - 20 December 2023

Bolton School Primary Division Junior Boys’ School Wednesday 20th December

Autumn Term, 2023 — WEEK A

From Mrs. Faulkner It was wonderful to see so many of you at last night’s Carol Service. I always enjoy that event a great deal, but felt particularly proud of the boys last night as they sang so keenly; the soloist, readers and choirs were quite impressive.

Wednesday 20th December Christmas Lunch Gymnastics Final, 1.30pm END OF TERM, 4pm

Today, we have all enjoyed a bit of a party day which the boys have engaged in with great joy and fervour. I enjoyed our Snowman Drive especially where I felt that the boys played against one another in great spirit which, at this age, isn’t always the case, as sometimes the competitive drive to win can take over which , at times, can result in tears.

Over the holiday period, if you do find yourself with a rainy afternoon to spare, playing a few board or card games is always a good way to spend the time, which I know that the boys really do enjoy – I would just say though, however tempting it is, don’t just let your son win. It is good for the boys to learn to play fairly, whether they win or lose.

I do hope that you all enjoy a restful break over the festive period and look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Monday January 8th, 2024.

SPRING TERM 2024 School starts, Monday 8th January

Contacting the School Office Park Road, BOLTON, BL1 4RD. t: (01204) 434735

Tuesday 9th January Chess, 4-5pm Y5/6 Pickleball, 4-5pm MORE DATES TO FOLLOW IN JANUARY

e: parkroad@boltonschool.org.uk. www.boltonschool.org

The School Office is open from 8.15am — 4.15pm during term time.

Please note that any texts sent by the Office cannot be replied to.

Please direct all enquiries to parkroad@boltonschool.org and always include your son’s first name and surname, as well as his form. Please note that ParkRoadOffice email is no longer monitored.

If your son is going to be absent from School, whether he be off sick or attending dental, medical or any other appointment, please email parkroad@boltonschool.org so that the registers may be marked accordingly. Please use this email address for all day-to-day enquiries relating to school matters to ensure that your enquiry may be dealt with in a timely manner.

For all coach / transport enquiries: Logistics Co-ordinator: Mr B. Gould, t: (01204) 434711, e: bdmgould@boltonschool.org.uk

News from the Park Road PA PA Festive Rainbow Hampers Wednesday 10th January Cub Leaders’ Planning Meeting

The raffle draw has taken place and winners have all been notified by email.

Congratulations to all those who won a festive hamper and to the winner of the £250 Amazon voucher.

Please do collect your hamper before we finish at 4pm.

Thank you to all who donated so generously and who bought tickets—we raised over £800 for the PA, which is phenomenal.

Thursday 11th January Y6 Hajj Workshops Beginner Ski Course, 4pm (ski trip attendees only), (collection from Chill Factore 6.30pm or Park Road 7pm) LAMDA, 4-5pm, Jujitsu, 4.5.30pm

With all good wishes to you from the PA for a wonderful Christmas and prosperous 2024.

Bursary Foundation Report 2023 During the 2022-23 academic year, an outstanding £2.39 million was donated to the School and to the Bolton School Bursary Foundation (BSBF), the charity established last year to hold the School’s bursary funds.

This exceptional total reveals the shared determination of supporters from across the School community to ensure Bolton School continues to act a driver of social mobility in the local area, and we are honoured to have received such outstanding support from so many individuals. Thank you.

To learn more about the transformational difference this generosity will make to the School, you can read the 2022-23 annual Giving Report in full here: https://issuu.com/boltonsch/docs/122314_digi_run_bs_giving_report_no_crops?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

Beech House Leaders Friday 12th January Fencing, 4-5pm Hockey, 4-5pm (collection from LP) Water Polo, (by invitation) 4-5pm

Last week, we saw the launch of a further pupil leadership role within school, the role of a Beech House Leader.

Saturday 13th January Water Polo fixture, Manchester Aquatics Centre, 9.30 am—6pm

This week, the boys got to know their Year 2 partner and they selected their book of choice. They will continue to visit Year 2 at lunchtime, on a weekly basis, after half term to read their chosen novel together.

Year 5 boys were asked to put themselves forward if they wished to visit Beech House next half term to complete some reading with our Year 2 pupils.

It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic boys keen to work across the Primary Division!

Unfortunately, we can only take six boys next half term, but we hope there will be opportunities in the future for many more.

We look forward to seeing how the relationship between our two schools continues to flourish! GF

Ensembles Concert Last week, we enjoyed the festive Ensembles Concert. It was an opportunity for the boys in Guitar Group, Strings Group, Recorder Group, Percussion Group and Tuned Percussion to show their family and friends what they have learnt this term and everyone performed brilliantly.

The event was filmed and can be viewed here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2dKTrXEK7E for those who were unable to watch or attend.

Many thanks to Mr Walker, Miss Moore and Mr Rodwell for preparing the boys so well. HJO

Gymnastics Final Twelve gymnasts from Years 5 and 6 battled it out in front of the whole school earlier today and displayed fantastic athletic prowess in our annual Gymnastics Final.

In a very toughly fought competition, there could only be one winner and all of our congratulations go to Harry Kay (pictured right).

Congratulations to all who took part and thanks to Mr Grieve and Mr Duxbury who judged the competition.

December Geography Mission

Strictly Come Dancing!

Instructions: Task 1: Choose your top two professional dancers in “Strictly Come Dancing” and research:

where were they born?, where have they lived?, which languages can they speak and what other skills and talents do they have?

Task 2: One of the most popular weeks is when the dancers perform at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Research why Blackpool is a popular tourist destination and find out 10 interesting facts about the area, including famous attractions and landmarks How to submit your research: email lgillibrand@boltonschool.org.uk with your submission by Sunday 31st December at 4pm!

PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS! WHO CAN CREATE THE MOST GEOGRAPHICAL AND CREATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT ?

December Bingo As a December challenge, the boys all have the opportunity to enter the December bingo competition to keep them busy with a range of writing/reading tasks.

For a chance to win, complete the whole card, uploading your photographic evidence of the tasks in Showbie in the Whole School Showbie Folder by Monday 8th January, 2024.

Boys who complete the whole card will receive a merit bonus and will be entered into a raffle to receive a selection of prizes.

Please note that some of the tasks may need adult supervision. MLB

Annual Burns Night Supper and Ceilidh Save the date! The annual Burns Night Supper and Ceilidh dance will take place on Saturday 27th January, 2024 in the Arts Centre, from 6.30pm until late.

Celebrate the life of Scotland’s National Poet – Robert Burns – in a way he would have wanted: eating, drinking, dancing and laughter, with a traditional dinner, ceremony, live piper and Ceilidh band.

Email: bsbdpa@gmail.com to reserve your spaces. Only 10 tables of maximum 10 guests are available for this very popular event.

Business sponsorship and donations of bottles, chocolates and items for hampers are also very welcome.

Please email bsbdpa@gmail.com with any enquiries.

Christmas Holiday Activities Please find linked here the schedule for the Kidzone Christmas Holiday Club. Do book early to avoid disappointment!

Please find linked here the schedule for the BSS Winter Sports Camp which will also be held in January.

Again, do book early to avoid disappointment!

News from the Art Room Inside the Sculpture Studio

Mr Minta’s Mad Merits

In Year 5, we have been exploring the human form through sketching and sculpture.

In addition to the usual merits, Mr Minta's English group also collected "Mr Minta's Mad Merits" over the course of the term.

Responding to the human figures cultures of Alberto Giacometti, the boys made small figures using wire armatures, covering them in modroc and then painting.

We crowned our first winner, Max Hymas, with a whopping 360,000 merits.

The boys made some great pieces, voted on which ones they thought were most interesting and now I am looking forward to displaying these works in cabinets around school. JPM

Max chose a crafting prize, so will be making some traditional wooden Christmas decorations for himself and his family.

We also awarded prizes to those with the lowest scoresabsolute madness! JPM