Prep for the Week Issue 1846

Prep for the Week Issue Number 1846 – 9 December 2016

In this week’s issue…

Headmaster's Blog and Commendations Order Your School Photos in Time for Christmas!

Nursery and Reception perform their nativity Years 1 and 2 perform Shine Star Shine Lower School Adventure in the Orient Year 8 Hockey Team Take on Games Staff Boys' Sport Update Christmas with Cheltenham Activity Camps Calendar and Notices

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Headmaster's Blog Dear Parents It has been a great joy to attend the nativity plays presented by the Early Years as well as Years 1 and 2.

You may not be aware but schools are now required to promote ‘Fundemental British Values’ as part of their curriculum. This we do on a day-to-day basis, ensuring that this does not stray into the territory of jingoism and also fuses with an awareness of cultures of other countries. But the nativity play is really part of our heritage and I am not just referring to the religious message but also to elements of the ridiculous which accompany each production. Staff who dress in black, crawling around on their kness, manoeuvring small children into position whilst believing that the audience can’t see them. Our manger, which is a four storey construction totally out of scale with the tiny children who perform in it. The incredibly noisy pronouncement by the arriving Kings that they are bearing gifts – loud enough to wake up not only the Baby Jesus but also every other infant for miles around. And countless tea towels, retrieved from their day to day duties of drying wet crockery in order to replicate the appropriate headdress. Priceless and something of which I never tire!

Meanwhile in the classrooms we work on towards the end of term, stopping only to enjoy our Christmas mufti on Thursday (do come and listen to the staff singing carols outside the Davis Block on Thursday morning). The flu outbreak did threaten

Headmaster's Commendation Verity Cooke for making such a huge effort to improve her handwriting and consistently using her new style Edward Lait, Kate Officer and Zara Leach for fabulous pieces of weaving in Design and Technology

Prep for The Week Issue Number 1846 9 Decemeber 2016

to take the ‘wind out of our sails’ but I have been pleased with the attitude of the pupils and staff who have, wherever possible, carried on regardless.

Consequently, we can press on to the end of term enjoying the community spirit that is unique to schools at Christmas time.

You will have noticed that the time of the Carol Service has reverted to the morning time that I inherited on my arrival. By moving it to the late afternoon I had hoped to encourage more parents to attend but attendances refused to increase. I apologise to those parents who are unable to attend on account of work commitments and I do hope to see as many of you as possible next Friday morning.

Jon Whybrow

School photos in time for Christmas:

A reminder to parents

If you would like your child's school photographs in time for Christmas, please ensure you place your order as soon as possible. If you have lost your child’s details, you can contact Gillman and Soame directly at enquiries@gillmanandsoame.co.uk or on 01869 328200, quoting the security password cheltenham752et. Once the security password has been given, they will be able to retrieve your login details for you.

All of the class groups are available to view and purchase at www.gsimagebank.co.uk/cheltenhamcollege/?t=cheltenhampr ep2016.

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Christmas Bake Sale Thursday 15th December from 8.00am

outside the Davies Block and at pick up time in the afternoon Please bring all your cakes to the Homfray Room on the afternoon of Wednesday 14th December.

Please remember to label your cake tin with your name

Prep for The Week Issue Number 1846 9 Decemeber 2016

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Booming Voices!

The Cottage and Reception children gave a delightful performance of the Nativity story on Wednesday afternoon.

All the children were so excited and proud of themselves for singing with such lovely voices and remembering to use their big BOOMING voices to say their lines. Many thanks to Miss Jones for the music and to all the staff for helping the children to perform so beautifully.

Prep for The Week Issue Number 1846 9 Decemeber 2016

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Shine Star Shine

The children of Years 1 and 2 outshone themselves this week, with their interpretation of the Nativity story, Shine Star Shine this week. All children acted and sang with enthusiasm, pride and enjoyment as their parents, grandparents, siblings and the like watched on. There were twinkling stars, graceful angels, dancing sheep, tired wise men, pages and camels and not forgetting Mary, Joseph, a donkey and wonderful narrators. Key Stage One should feel immensely proud of their performance. Merry Christmas!

Prep for The Week Issue Number 1846 9 Decemeber 2016

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Lower School Adventure in the Orient Year 4 have studied India as part of their Geography studies this term. In celebration of this, we have had our very own India day in Lower School. The children have participated in a range of activities to celebrate Indian culture and cuisine including: Rangoli pattern-making, dressing up in traditional dress and preparing and cooking a variety of Indian I liked making picture frames for the photos of us dressed up.

– Zhangir Aldongar The best part was the Indian food.

– Eme Hesketh My favourite part was at the end of the day when we got to eat lots of Indian food.

– Oliver Watkins My favourite part of the day was making the Rangoli patterns. I like mine because I added a lot of flour to it.

- Maya Colbourne We made really good food with spices in. It was delicious.

– Florence Walker.

Everyone had a great day learning about Indian food and culture. Mind you, we don't recommend Chef Theedom for your next Indian-themed dinner party...

Mr Theedom set the smoke alarm off when he was cooking!

– Jules Hazeldine Prep for The Week Issue Number 1846 9 Decemeber 2016

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Clash of Hockey Titans as Year 8 Take on Games Staff!

"The Girls' Games Coaches played a hard fought contest against the girls of Year 8 this week. The 5-2 scoreline, in favour of the staff, did not reflect how close the game was. A great match - both for the players and the spectators!"

- Mr Whybrow It was a cold Wednesday evening and the Year 8s had already undertaken an afternoon of sheer hard work on the netball courts.

The absence of injured Thea was heavily grieved. As we entered the astro we could see that the teachers looked like they could actually play hockey and that it wouldn’t be easy but we were totally up for trying. The teachers took the lead with an amazing goal from Miss Ramsay. Then our first goal was scored after excellent team passing work from

Anya to Laura to Gabby.

Miss Seville scored another goal for the staff then it was the end of the first quarter.

Miss Sheehan scored with a powerful hit at goal but we came back, winning a short corner which Millsy scored with a beautiful slap hit. It stayed at 3-2 for most of the match then, a hard fought battle going from end to end. Just a few minutes from time though, Miss Sheehan fired home two more goals, catching us on the break when we were fighting for an equalizer.

The game finished 5 – 2.

Congratulations to Duniya who was amazing in goal and definitely earned player of the match. Everyone had a great time, it was so much fun getting to tackle the teachers.

By Gabby, Anya, Laura, Hanna, Millsy and Duniya

Prep for The Week Issue Number 1846 9 Decemeber 2016

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Boys' Sports Boys' Rugby Results TEAM OPPONENT RESULT SCORE U13 Storm Abingdon Prep U13A Won 30-0 U13 Thunder Abingdon Prep U13A Won 35-0 U12A Abingdon Prep U12A Won 45--5 U12B Abingdon Prep U12B Won 40-10 U11A Abingdon Prep U11A Lost 0-50 U11B Abingdon Prep U11B Lost 20-45 U11C Abingdon Prep U11C Lost 15-50 U10A Abingdon Prep U10A Won 40-25 U10B Abingdon Prep U10B Won 50-15 U10C Abingdon Prep U10C Won 50-20

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

U12B Rugby vs Abingdon Prep School The final U12B Rugby match of the season took the team to Abingdon Prep School. This Cheltenham Prep side has had more wins than losses, but with a few players out to injuries and illness more regularly than hoped, those playing have had to raise their game to compete against good opposition. This was a last chance to put into practice some of the excellent team work that had seen victories against Dean Close and Clifton.

After a purposeful session on Monday and a quick warm up after getting off the coach, the boys were keen to establish an early dominance. It was crucial that the first run, tackle, ruck and try were strong, sending out a clear message. The pitch was wide and the team needed to use the width and get the ball out to the wings. The Prep rose to the occasion and imposed themselves on the game from the kick-off. The significant difference between the two teams was The Prep’s ability to build ‘phase rugby’; retaining the ball and recycling play. The forwards were excellent in going to ground ‘long and strong’, as well Prep for The Week Issue Number 1846 9 Decemeber 2016

as unselfishly protecting the ball at the breakdown, ensuring that this was available for the scrumhalf. An early lead was established which was turned into a three try advantage at the break, without reply.

Not content with the lead, the boys gathered at half time to constructively discuss how to play better and put more points on the board. It was decided that at times the pass needed playing slightly earlier; the ball should be held lower going into contact to protect possession; and the backline needed to be more organised both in defence and attack.

to score in the corners. There were some good moments of effective handling and distribution, as well as strong tackles and big hits, a fitting way to show the progress made over the season. Almost a third of the U12Bs had not played Rugby before joining this term and it was fantastic to see some of these players running strongly with the ball and breaking through tackles.

The last try of the game was scored in the dying moments by one of the Boarders, new to the game and the school in September, a special moment for him, but what was more special was the reaction of his team mates, who were just as happy as he was for his Another five tries were scored for achievement. This is a spirit typical the Prep, with only two conceded: of sport at The Prep and one that this was made possible by a greater has made coaching these boys a awareness of the space and trying real privilege.

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Monday 19th to Wednesday 21st December Drop your kids off while you go shopping

3 day Camp & Swim just ÂŁ135 or half hour swimming lessons each day for ÂŁ25

www.cheltenhamactivitycamps.co.uk

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

Calendar

Sunday 11 December 2016 11:00 Friends of The Prep Santa Fun Run (College) 13:00 Boarders' Fun Day (Full and Regular Flexi-Boarders Only) Monday 12 December 2016, Week 15, 12 - 18 December 14:00 Lower School 2nd Christmas Performance (Assembly Hall) 18:00 Boarders' Christmas Feast (Full Boarders only) Tuesday 13 December 2016 18:30 Middle and Upper School Christmas Concert (Assembly Hall) Wednesday 14 December 2016 14:00 Kingfishers Christmas Party 14:00 Upper School House Football. Pick up 16:15 14:00 Middle School Hockey and Football Training. Pick up 16:15 14:00 Middle School Netball Pre-Season. Pick up 16:15 14:00 Upper School Netball Pre-Season. Pick up 16:15 18:00 Upper School Jingle Bells Christmas Party Thursday 15 December 2016

Christmas Mufti and Christmas Lunch 08:00 Friends of The Prep Christmas Bake Sale (Outside Davies Block) 08:00 Staff Carol Singing (Outside Davies Block) Friday 16 December 2016 10:30 Carol Service for Years 1-8 after which Term ends. (Chapel) (parents welcome) 11:30 Term ends for children in Kingfishers Cottage and Reception

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NOTICES Happy Birthday to the following pupils this week!

Grant Fielden

4

Thomas Bridge 12

Elizabeth Keen

6

Joe Blanchfield

13

Theory Clarke

13

Seraphina D'Orazi Octavia D'Orazi Matilda Culpan

6

8

10

Fred Barter 11 Harry Mills 11

Verity Rudin 12 Oliver Callon Hine

Jemimah Kayode

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Pupils Show Off Finished Design and Technology Projects!

As the term comes to a close, many of our Design and Technology classes are coming to the end of their projects!

Year 5 have made a desk tidy using numerous hand tools, before putting on their own decoration. Year 6 have printed a sports bag, for which they designed their ideas in CorelDraw, a computer aided design software, before heat sublimating the picture on to the bag. Year 8 have designed and made their own juggling balls out of felt: they hand-embroidered their design on one side, then added an applique before sewing up the sides with a sewing machine, filling with rice and blind stitching the top. Well done to all our Design and Technology classes you have all been putting our new Technology suite through its paces!

Year 6 Sports Bags Prep for The Week Issue Number 1846 9 Decemeber 2016

Year 8 Juggling Balls

Year 5 Desk Tidy 11