Prep for the Week Issue 1815

Prep for the Week Issue Number 1815 – 15 January 2016

In this week’s issue…

Headmaster's Blog and Commendations Sports Trips and Tours A View from the English Department ABRSM Music Exam Results Kingfishers, Lower, Middle and Upper School News Letter from the Library House Baking Girls' and Boys' Sport Calendar and Notices

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15 January 2016

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Headmaster's Blog Dear Parents The headline in an edition of The Times this week stated that David Cameron thinks all children would benefit from having ‘tiger mothers’. Possibly, or evenly probably, misquoted, I am sure that the Prime Minister simply hopes that all parents are supportive of their children and demanding of those who teach them, whether it is in school or anywhere else that their child learns. In The Prep, we accept our responsibilities to children and their parents, working tirelessly for every individual but restricted to working in the framework of the structure that we think will benefit all children.

As we return to work, quickly and efficiently getting down to the business in hand, we continue to look closely at our organisation, its routines, its rhythms and ethos to ensure that we are getting the best out of our resources for the benefit of the children. We constantly check our standards through professional development reviews, work scrutiny and observations.

Leadership and management are regularly questioned

by Governors at full meetings of the Council and various sub-committees.

So if David Cameron has unleased future waves of 'tiger mothers’ (or lion fathers perhaps?), then I know that we are ready.

As I have stated, Term has started well. It is a busy one and one which I always describe as ‘the difficult bit in the middle’. With no festive period or long summer holidays, it is to drama that we look to give us a target

to work towards. Do try to see both The Prep School’s production of Joseph and the College’s production of Les Misérables! The Saturday programme offers a balance of school fixtures, House competitions, including the swimming gala on 30 January, and opportunities for children to experience being ‘on show’. Academically, it is Year 8 who now see Common Entrance examinations and scholarships looming large on the horizon and already those who board, either as full boarders or as ‘flexis’, enjoy guided revision on at least four nights a week. As the father of a child who chose to be a weekly Boarder in order to access this revision period and who consequently had the ideal get out line at home (“I’ve already done my revision at school!”), I cannot endorse the offer more strongly.

And finally, I have asked the Heads of Departments to give you a ‘view’ from their perspective. My thanks to Miss Massey, Head of English, who offers her contribution this week.

Jon Whybrow

Sports Trips and Tours Some dates for your diary…..

GUERNSEY – Year 6 Boys' and Girls' Hockey and Netball Tour, March 2016 Please note that there is an information meeting about this trip on Friday 22 January at 16:30 in the Assembly Hall. It is very important that the parents of children going on the Guernsey Tour attend. Children are also most welcome.

HOLLAND – Upper School Girls' Hockey Tour, October 2016 Please note that there will be an information meeting on Monday 18 January at 18:00 in the Library. This is for any current Year 6 and Year 7 girls, who are interested in going on the Holland Hockey Tour, and their parents. No commitment is required at this stage, it is purely an information meeting.

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A View from the English Department Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it” (Henry David Thoreau) and that can surely be said of the English Department at The Prep. Within days of the beginning of the Autumn term, we dived into a sea of colourful tents at the Cheltenham Literature Festival where wide-eyed pupils were treated to hearing tricks of the trade from widely-acclaimed authors and illustrators such as Chris Riddell and Frank Cotterell Boyce.

The Writers’ Workshop and Young Poets’ Workshop proved hugely popular again this year and carefully formed stories and poems were brought back to school by triumphant writers and poets of our own.

National Poetry Day saw each member of staff

Above: Persia celebrate a victory in the English round of the Academic Olympiad

post their favourite poem on their classroom or office door for all pupils to enjoy and discuss, and it launched the first ever Upper School Poet Laureate Competition. All sections of the school indulged in an uplifting day of poetry reading, recitals and imaginative word-mastery and manipulation.

How did the Rugby World Cup link up with English?

You didn’t need to look any further than our library, always a hub of literary activity, where our librarian had created a sporting shrine dedicated to rugby literature and competitions, from Tom Palmer’s rugby and football-based books to thoughtprovoking sports’ articles in First News.

Above: Vivian French gives a team of Year 6 pupils top tips on writing gothic stories (Cheltenham Literature Festival 2015). Below: This week pupils have visited an acclaimed performance of Lord of the Flies in Bath.

The Spring Term will not be a time to rest on our laurels: Week 2 has seen some pupils in Years 6 to 8 journeying to Bath to see a highly-acclaimed production of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies; World Book Day in March means that the English department are currently plotting a plethora of exciting activities and competitions (we don’t want to say too much at this stage but we can tell you that eggs will be involved…); as good luck will have it (The Merry Wives of Windsor), 2016 will mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death – no doubt the school will be waiting with bated breath (The Merchant of Venice) to celebrate the bard in all his glory.

The English department: busy? Yes! Successful? The view looks pretty good from here!

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Headmaster's Commendations Gwener Wood for researching Ancient Greeks in the holidays and producing an excellent poster on famous Greek philosophers Emily Grant for keeping a detailed and well written diary of her Christmas holidays Caitlin Brister, Hermione Lloyd-Horton and Phina Wilson for outstanding Biology revision on the skeleton Poppy Treasure, Genny Richardson, Immy Creed, Alfie Watkins, Dekhan Dodo, Denis Solovyev, Emerson Kauffmann, Pablo Benedit and Ruby Coull for reading so many books over the holidays Jack O’Connor and Annie Carter for outstanding stem cell research in Biology Poppy Treasure and Caitlin Brister for their creativity in Radio Club Aleki Jeveons for achieving full marks in every spelling test we undertook in the Autumn Term

ABRSM Music Exam Results The Prep is delighted to share with you the results from the recent ABRSM music exams taken at the end of last term. Pupils acheieved excellent results all round - well done to all who participated!

Candidate Subject Grade Mark Cat KAMILA ALDONGAR Violin 01 130 Distinction MEREDITH AYLOTT Singing 01 130 Distinction Piano 04 131 Distinction GEORGE BAILEY ANNIE CARTER Singing 02 123 Merit EVA COLBOURNE Singing 01 121 Merit AUTUMN CONNER Piano 02

120 Merit ARABELLA FINCH Singing 02 137 Distinction GEORGE HARDY Cello 05 117 Pass ISABELLA ISAACHSEN Piano 02 116 Pass Singing 01 118 Pass ALEKI JEVEONS MARTHA LLEWELYN PALMER Oboe 01 108 Pass ROBYN PARKS Violin 01 120 Merit DOROTHEA PETERKEN Cello 05 135 Distinction GRACE WHITE Piano 02 126 Merit

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Kingfishers Off We Go to Forest School!

This term, all Year 2 children will be venturing into Forest School as part of their Spring Term topic entitled ‘Down at the Bottom of the Garden’. Ably led by our Forest School leader, Mrs Nicola Norwood, the children had their first session this week and once suited and booted, they began their investigations into planting seeds and discovering the variety of living things present under logs, inside tunnels and around the bug hotels. Sample jars, magnifying glasses and binoculars were fully utilised as the children took on the role of explorers and found worms, slugs, eggs, woodlice and an abundance of tree roots. The children confidently applied their learning from Science lessons, naming the different parts of plants, whilst some even went on to explain the function of the stem, roots and leaves. We have many exciting activities planned for the coming weeks, so watch this space!

Saturday Morning Fun in Kingfishers Saturday morning saw the first ‘Creative Club’ of the term for Kingfishers children and much fun was had by all! This term, all Year 1 and Year 2 children have the option of attending either Cricket Club or Creative Club on a Saturday morning from 09.00 until 10.00 and, last week, Creative Club children were truly creative, working together to create a mural for a big display in Kingfishers. The children thought about all the aspects of life in Kingfishers that deserve to be shared, including our fun playtimes, learning in Forest School, having assemblies with Mr Whybrow, Swimming and Games lessons, painting and making models and acting out dramatic stories. The children’s imaginative ideas were captured in detailed drawings and paintings. The teamwork skills demonstrated by everyone were superb and we are very much looking forward to seeing new faces attending Creative Club over the coming term. Remember to sign up on classroom doors before the end of the day on a Friday if you would like to attend!

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Lower School This term in Enrichment lessons, Year 4 are rotating around four different activities, using a wide range of different skills. One activity is mask making with Mrs Evetts. Each child has designed a different mask, taking influence from all over the world – including Chinese masks, Day of the Dead festival masks from Mexico and Venetian masks. They are then using tissue paper and pva glue over a plastic mould to create their masterpiece. We can’t wait to see what they will look like when they are finished!

Also in Enrichment, the children are sewing and practising cross stitching with Mrs Seamark, using iPads with Mr Theedom and utilizing their thinking skills with Mrs Hanson.

Middle School "Our play is preferred”: A Vibrant Midsummer Night’s Dream!

Following their performance at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre last November as part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival, Year 6 recieved a five star reveiw of their play from SSF coordinator, Elaine Paton.

"Congratulations to the cast and crew of Cheltenham College Prep School on their wonderful production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Everyman. This was an accomplished and original production, and I’d like to highlight a few key elements which really stood out for me.

• There were fantastic moments of comedy achieved through the actors’ reactions whilst remaining true to the situation. It was really clear that the cast members had fun, which meant the audience did too!

• The cast told a clear story, using vibrant voices and good eye contact with the audience, really drawing the audience into the world of the play.

• I particularly loved the beautiful song the cast sang to lull Titania to sleep – a lovely scene.

• I was really impressed with how professionally the cast worked throughout the day and how they pulled together as a team.

"I would also like to commend the whole cast on their brilliant energy throughout the performance. The cast was on stage throughout and constantly reacted to what was going on. Their enthusiasm shone through.

The production completely embraced the comedy throughout the story, particularly in the Mechanicals’ scenes – truly hilarious! This production was dreamy, colourful and fun."

A reminder: Year 4 are looking forward to their trip to Gloucester Cathedral on Tuesday 19 January. We anticipate that it will be a very chilly day and ask that children arrive prepared for cold weather with warm coats, hats, gloves and scarves. Thank you!

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“Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast”: A Fantastic Comedy of Errors!

Alongside the acclaimed Year 6 cast, Year 8 performed at the Shakespeare Schools Festival last year and SSF coordinator Elaine Paton, wrote this wonderful review.

"Congratulations to the cast and crew of Cheltenham College Prep School on their wonderful production of The Comedy of Errors at the Everyman.

This was an accomplished and original production, and I’d like to highlight a few key elements which really stood out for me.

• The combination of the Abbess entering with the other twins, coupled with the playing of the musical soundtrack was so comical that the audience applauded midway through the scene!

• There were some fantastic ensemble moments throughout the performance. I particularly liked when the whole cast froze in horror in the moment just mentioned. The four actors holding up the window frames added even more comedy.

• It was clear that the cast worked professionally as a team throughout the performance.

Upper School Year 8 Prefects take the Kingfishers Assembly On Tuesday morning, five Year 8 prefects, Anabelle Wells, Freya Coull, Charles Anton-Smith, Izzy Reid and Jess Hale, took the Kingfishers Assembly. Director of Upper School, Mrs Sarah Reid, had asked them previously to think of some suitable themes for the Kingfishers pupils, and they had decided on “Kindness and Friendship”. The prefects started the assembly by introducing themselves and asking Kingfishers what they thought friendship was about, and what made a good friend. The answers given were all connected with being kind and looking after each other.

Izzy read the pupils a story about looking out for our friends and the other prefects acted out the story, with the pupils joining in!

The prefects then concluded the assembly with a prayer, written themselves, which they sang to Kingfishers. Finally, the prefects asked that each pupil turn to the other and say “thank you” for being friends.

Staff were really impressed with both age groups – the prefects for planning, putting together and presenting a thoughtprovoking assembly and Kingfishers for listening, taking part and contributing so nicely. It was also lovely to see the age range of pupils involved as you can see from the photo below.

It’s important for all ages in the school to know who the prefects are, what they do and have someone to look up to as they move through the sections of the school.

"I’d like to commend the actors on their fantastic commitment to each and every moment of the piece. Each performer contributed to the comedy of the piece through their wonderful characterisations.

"This was a brilliant production of a comedy which is not often tackled due to the difficulties in staging the mistaken identities. The costumes, the Busby Berkley music and having girls play boys all added to the fantastic ‘gusto’ of this piece."

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Letter from the Library Happy New Year from the Library!

We have lots of new titles on the shelves, some selected using the wish list pupils added to before Christmas. They include: Ruby Redfort series

by Lauren Child Grandpa’s Great Escape

by David Walliams Dorothy must Die

by Danielle Paige Darkmouth

by Shane Hegarty Please remember about the Book Swap taking place on Monday 25 January in the Assembly Hall. Use it as an opportunity to sort through your bookshelves and to acquire a couple of new books. Here's how it works: Step 1 Bring in a minimum of two books (suitable for Year 3 and above) that you don’t want any more to either the Library or your form tutor.

Step 2 Make sure your name has been ticked off so you will be entitled to swap books.

Step 3 Come to the Assembly Hall on Monday 25 January and get some new books that other people have brought in. You will be able to take two books home to add to your collection!

House Baking Over Half Term pupils are being given the opportunity to use their baking skills to participate in the annual House Baking competition. Across the school we need Star Bakers to bake and decorate amazing and delicious biscuits, cakes and even 3D bread sculptures!

The categories are as follows: • Kingfishers: bake and decorate shortbread biscuits • Lower School: bake and decorate vanilla cup cakes • Middle School: bake and decorate a Victoria sponge • Upper School: design and bake a 3D bread sculpture The theme for this year is the Summer Olympics 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. Cakes can be decorated to show a specific sport, use the Olympic rings design or have a Rio de Janeiro theme!

Entries should be the work of the children, although of course adults should help, if required, for safety. All entries should be brought to the Prep Dining Room by 08.25 on Monday 22 February and will be judged by the School Catering team and Bakery Club staff.

Prizes will be awarded for each section of the school and House points awarded to all who enter. Kingfishers will have separate prizes.

Recipes will available to print from a Clarion to be sent to all parents in Week 6.

Be sure to earn some points for your House!

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Girls' Sports TEAM OPPOSITION DATE SCORE RESULT 1st VII The Downs Wraxall Sat 9 Jan 8 – 4 WON 2nd VII The Downs Wraxall Sat 9 Jan 2 – 16 LOST 3rd VII The Downs Wraxall Sat 9 Jan 12 – 3 WON U11 A The Downs Wraxall Sat 9 Jan 14 – 5 WON U10 A The Downs Wraxall Sat 9 Jan 9 – 10 LOST U10 B The Downs Wraxall Sat 9 Jan 5 – 5 DREW U9 A The Downs Wraxall Sat 9 Jan 5 – 4 WON U9 B The Downs Wraxall Sat 9 Jan 3 – 3 DREW U8 The Downs Wraxall Sat 9 Jan n/a Coaching Games

Team of the Week – U11 A This match was a great confidence builder for the start of the netball season. The girls got off to a bit of a frantic start and their passing was rushed, however both teams scored two goals a-piece in the first quarter and that helped to settle the nerves. Slowing the pace down a little, we went from strength to strength in the remaining three quarters with some fantastic turn over balls from the defence. We had lots of attempts at goal and our shooters did the team proud by converting most of those attempts into points. A great start, with plenty to work on in training.

s and s, fixture witter! w e n r o F s on T follow u , s e t a d up repgirls @cheltp

TEAM OPPOSITION DATE SCORE RESULT 1st VII Clifton 13 Jan 3 – 12 LOST 2nd VII Clifton 13 Jan 4 – 8 LOST 3rd VII Clifton 13 Jan 11 – 13 LOST 4th VII Clifton 13 Jan 2 – 21 LOST 5th VII Clifton 13 Jan 6 – 6 DREW 6th VII Clifton 13 Jan 4 – 7 LOST U11 A Clifton 13 Jan 4 – 4 DREW U11 B Clifton 13 Jan 10 – 0 WON U10 A Clifton 13 Jan 10 – 1 WON U10 B Clifton 13 Jan 6 – 11 LOST

Team of the Week – U10 A On Wednesday, the U10 A team travelled to Clifton to take on their counterparts. The Prep girls had a strong and solid start, following some great passing and movement to get the ball within scoring range.

They kept up the pressure, scoring a further two times before Clifton answered with a goal of their own, against the run of play. Throughout the four quarters of the match, The Prep girls played as a dynamic unit, utilising their skills and the undervalued bounce pass, to apply and maintain pressure on their opposition. The changes merely continued the dominant presence of our side. The girls finished the match 10-1, deserved victors, and will look to take this confidence into their next fixture.

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Boys' Sports

For n update ews, fixtures a s, follo w us o nd n Twitt @chelt er! prep_b oys

TEAM OPPONENT RESULT SCORE 1st VII Downs Wraxal l 1st VII Lost 4-6 2nd VII Downs Wraxall 2nd VII Lost 0-3 3rd VII Downs Wraxall 3rd VII Won 6-4 4th VII Downs Wraxall 4th VII Won 5-1 U11 A Downs Wraxall Colts A Won 1-0 U11 B Downs Wraxall Colts B Won 3-0 U10 A Downs Wraxall Colts C Won 3-0 U10 B Downs Wraxall Colts D Won 1-0 U9 A Downs Wraxall U9A Won 5-1 U9 B Downs Wraxall U9B Won 2-0 U9 C Downs Wraxall U9B Won 1-0 U8 Downs Wraxall U8s Mixed ability - no scores kept

Team of the Week – The U10B v The Down’s Wraxall Colts D, Won 1-0 The U10B’s hockey season started with a creditable 1-0 home win against The Downs Wraxall. The team followed the game plan to the letter, focusing on passing, movement and teamwork, and combining effectively in attack yet remaining calm and composed when defending. The Downs started strongly, making many runs towards The Prep’s ‘D’, though time and again the Prep’s defence was on hand to soak up the pressure effectively and start several counter-attacking plays.

Steadily The Downs lost possession and momentum, and it was the quick movement and passing out of defence that led to The Prep’s breakthrough on the stroke of half time. The wingers and striker combined to pull The Downs’ defence out of shape and pressure their goalkeeper into making a mistake, leading to a well-deserved goal.

In the second half, The Downs once more started strongly, however Cheltenham’s defence combined welltimed tackles with interceptions, and as the half wore on the Prep demonstrated excellent quick passing, exerting pressure on the opposition by switching play between flanks. For the first game of the season, it was very pleasing to see the squad hit the ground running with such effective teamwork, passing and movement into space from all of the players, and hopefully the boys can now build upon this as the season progresses.

Middle School House Hockey 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Sparta Troy = Athens n/a Rome Corinth = Persia n/a Upper School House Football 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Sparta Athens Corinth Persia Rome Troy Prep for The Week Issue Number 1815

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

Calendar

Sunday 17 January 2016 13:15 Boarders' Cinema Trip (Full and Regular Flexi-Boarders Only) Monday 18 January 2016 - Week 3, 18 - 24 January 12:00 Kingfishers Parents' Lunch 18:00 Holland Hockey Tour Parents' Information Meeting (Library) 18:15 Parents' Evening for parents of children in Year 5 (surnames A-La) Tuesday 19 January 2016 09:00 Year 4 visit Gloucester Cathedral 12:00 Kingfishers Parents' Lunch 18:15 Parents' Evening for parents of children in Year 5 (surnames Ll-W) Wednesday 20 January 2016 12:45 Departure for Hockey v Bromsgrove (A): 1st VII, 2nd VII, 3rd VII, 4th VII, 5th VII, 6th VII. Start at14:15 for 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th teams. Start at 15:00 for 3rd and 4th teams . Pick up 17:30

Departure for Netball v Beaudesert (A): 1st VII, 2nd VII, 3rd VII, 4th VII, 5th VII. Start 14:30.

13:00

Pick up 17:15 Departure for Netball v Beaudesert and Wycliffe (Beaudesert): U9A, U9B. Start 14:30. Pick 13:00 up 17:15

14:00 Hockey v Bromsgrove (H): U11A VII, U11B VII, U10A VII, U10B VII. Pick up 16:15 Netball v Beaudesert (H): U10A, U10B, U11A, U11B, U10/U11C. Pick up 16:15 14:30 15:00 Hockey v Bromsgrove (H): U10C VII, U11C VII. Pick up 16:15 Thursday 21 January 2016 00:00 Year 5 World War II ‘Play In A Day’. Performance to parents at 15:00 (Assembly Hall) Kingfishers Parents' Lunch 12:00 18:00 Upper School Music Award Holders' Concert (Thirlestaine Long Gallery) Friday 22 January 2016

House Maths Challenge Kingfishers Parents' Lunch 12:00 Kingfishers & Lower School Chess Challenge (Lower School) 14:00 Chapel (parents welcome) 14:15 Exeat begins for children in Kingfishers: no after school care, activities or tea 15:30 16:00 Exeat begins for children in Lower School: no after school care, activities or tea Exeat begins for children in Middle and Upper School: no after school care, activities or 16:15 tea Year 6 Guernsey Tour Parents' Information Meeting (Assembly Hall) 16:30 Sunday 24 January 2016 Boarders return (please arrive no later that 19:30) 18:30

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Cheltenham College Choral Society and Orchestra present

Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem Haydn Missa Sancti Nicolai Directed by David McKee and Kit Perona-Wright Saturday 16 January at 7.00pm Cheltenham College Chapel Tickets ÂŁ10 available from boxoffice@cheltenhamcollege.org

Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7LD E: boxoffice@cheltenhamcollege.org T: 01242 265600 Prep for The Week Issue Number 1815

www.cheltenhamcollege.org 15 January 2016

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NOTICES Happy Birthday to the following pupils this week!

Oscar Lait 6 Constance Lecat 6

Olivia Li 6 Jack Evans 7 Oliver Weale 7

Thomas Lait 10 Theodore Nelson 10 Joshua Poulain 12 Magdalina Afanaseva

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Uniform Shop Current term time opening hours are: Wednesdays 13.30 to 16.00 Fridays 13.00 to 15.00

Parents Netball Training with CC Foxes now taking place at Cheltenham College Sports Hall every Friday during term time at 9.50am

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