Prep for the Week Issue Number 1897 – 29 June 2018
In this week’s issue… Headmaster's Blog & Commendations Kingfishers Update Lower School News Boarding House Update A view from the Latin department Leavers' Dinner pictures Birthday Announcements Invitations and much more...
r a e y g n azi m a r e e v Anoth a H ! nd e n a o t and comes r e m um s c i t s a r u a fant o f o l al o t k c u good l leavers!
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Headmaster's Blog Dear Parents
Headmaster's Commendations Edward D
For his commitment to his spelling prep and achieving 100% in spelling tests all year.
Jack E
For acting as such a good ambassador for the school on our recent resident trip and delivering a very good, impromptu, thank you speech.
Octavia D
For giving up her own time, at the weekend, to run a cake sale in aid of HEAL Romania.
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I have nothing but praise for the school community for its performance during this last academic year. It has worked together for the benefit of all, it has pulled together in times of stress and challenge and it has laughed together many, many times. It has been my privilege to experience the warmth which characterises the relationships between staff and pupils and between the pupils themselves. Much has been achieved both inside and outside the classroom and, without exception, the children have made progress. My thanks to the parent body for its outstanding support of the many events which have taken place throughout the year. My best wishes go to everyone. I wish you a restful Summer break and every success for the future.
Jon Whybrow Headmaster
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Kingfishers Update Busy to the end! Kingfishers have thrown themselves into their final week with their usual verve! On Monday our Year 2s went to meet their new tutors at the end of the day and came back full of excitement and anticipation about the next phase of their journey through school. We will miss them terribly but we know that they are ready to leave us now. On Tuesday, it was a joy to share with the children their achievements for the year and to congratulate them on their efforts academically and pastorally. The children showed great maturity during the rather formal ceremony and we were justly proud. On Thursday we enjoyed DT day, created some fantastic vehicles and wore stripes in honour of Zak the Zebra, the mascot for the road safety charity Brake. Thank you for your donations to this important charity. The boys and girls loved seeing Mr Boyd’s go kart which he brought over to the Kingfisher patio to start our exciting day. We wish you a wonderful Summer from all the Kingfisher staff.
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Kingfishers Update Cottage Beach Party The Cottage had their annual Beach Party on Wednesday. For the first time in years the weather was just perfect. The children had such fun in the paddling pools, sand and playing with the beach balls. Mr Whybrow stepped up the excitement with a bit more water fun which did include staff being caught unawares and ending up wetter than they intended. The highlight as always was the arrival of Mr Whippy and ice creams were thoroughly enjoyed.
Super Saturday Art Attack Kingfishers had a fantastic Super Saturday with Mrs Parsley. They gathered natural resources and then took them into the art room to create different insects. There were some brilliant creations and the children loved showing them to their parents before they went home.
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Lower School finished the year on a high note. Whilst Year 3 had their activity day and sleepover, Year 4 went on their long awaited Bushcraft trip. Both trips were hugely successful and showed just what a long way the pupils had come in growing up since the start of the year. Any nerves were quickly put aside about sleeping away from home and the emphasis was on joining in and having fun.
Lower School News
Year 3 started their two-day adventure with a variety of activities off and on site. Visiting the nature reserve in Pilley Bridge Year 3 observed and found out more about nature and the history of the area. Then, best of all, we made rafts to float Maltesers. Impressively nearly every raft floated and no Maltesers were lost to the fishes! On our return to base the challenge of making giant spiders’ webs awaited. Once these amazing creations were finished we had great fun trying to negotiate our way through them without being caught. Hats off to all our Year 3s for all their creative and innovative webs. Following a BBQ supper Year 3 had movie night, and gradually drifted off with sleeping bags to dream about all their days adventures and more to come. Bright and early next morning we joined the boarders for a delicious breakfast; toast and bacon, hot chocolate and jam, what a spread! Everyone set themselves up really well for their trip to Cattle Country. We all loved the animals and activities at Cattle Country, feeding the baby kids, holding the rabbits, it was difficult to decide which animal was the cutest. The highlight for many were the different slides that were there. Who was brave enough to go on the ‘death slide’? Would the teachers join in? Tired and happy we all trooped home for an early pick up. Finally, on Tuesday we had our annual Lower School BBQ with pupils and parents. A big thank you to all who came along and especially to our catering team who worked so hard on such a hot evening to produce masses of burgers and hot dogs. It was a fabulous occasion for everyone to relax, chat and enjoy good company. What a brilliant year we have had in Lower School, so many adventures, so much learning and progress made, everyone growing in responsibility and maturity. Our Year 3s are looking forward to the opportunities of Year 4. Our Year 4s are looking forward to the challenges of Middle School. A big thank you to all the Lower School staff and teachers who have played such a big part in helping all our boys and girls fulfil their potential this year. Prep wish for The Week Issue Number 1897 29 June 2018 restful Summer. We everyone a happy and
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Boarding House Update The Boarders have enjoyed a busy run up to the end of the Summer Term. There have been many trips out, BBQs, parties, sunshine as well as still some lessons and prep! On Sunday we had our inaugural Boarders' Family BBQ where we invited all the Boarding Staff and pupils as well as families and guardians. It was a fantastic event, which was really made by the beautiful weather. During Sunday morning the Boarders worked hard to set up the event, moving tables and chairs, setting out football, rounders, badminton and croquet. We even baked cookies to serve with the afternoon tea. Of course a TV was also wheeled out so that the England Football match could be broadcast! The afternoon started with drinks and the BBQ. There was plenty of opportunity to play on the giant inflatables and make use of the sports equipment. 15:00 was kick-off for the staff and parents versus Boarders football match, as well as a friendly game of Rounders. After these, some much needed refreshments were enjoyed before Mr Baird's speech to say goodbye to our leaving staff and Year 8 Boarders. The evening was finished off after tea with Mr Whybrow's water-fight. Finally we have had a year where we actually needed to cool down, rather than being already wet from rain! Congratulations to all the Boarders on a fantastic year and a big thank you to all our wonderful staff who help the House to run so smoothly. Have a great Summer all!
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A view from the Latin Department Latin is flourishing at The Prep, bucking the trend and providing challenge and skills that simply can’t be acquired elsewhere in the curriculum. We put a very strong emphasis on working together and making the learning active, with the children helping each other to make progress. We aim to give pupils real confidence in tackling the Latin language. We want them to have a go, get it wrong, examine why it went wrong, try again, bounce back and then move forward. Then they repeat the process. But I know that many of you will still ask ‘why are we asking children to learn Latin in 2018?’ As with many of the great questions in life, it has been tackled already by Mr Whybrow’s beloved Monty Python team. When asked ‘What have the Romans ever done for us?’ the answer is manifold: sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, fresh water, public health and… peace. Of course while conquering most of the known world and providing these wonderful things, they also left us their language alongside their buildings and it is estimated that around 65% of English words come from Latin (it’s a whopping 80% of French words). So the first answer is that our language would not be as it is without the Romans and that percentage in itself means it’s useful and enlightening for us to study the original. Secondly we have to consider how could we ignore the language and customs of a race that did so much to shape our own way of life. Within striking distance of Cheltenham there are Roman villas to explore, the amphitheatre at Caerleon, the Roman baths at Bath and the fortress towns of Chester and Gloucester (the Romans called it Glevum. Yes, from Glevum Windows). Did you know that many of our British towns grew on the sites of Roman forts? The ending -cester in Manchester, Leicester, Gloucester, Cirencester is derived from the Latin word castra which means fort. The Romans were here for around 400 years and we can see evidence of this wherever we go in Britain. Should we not be exploring this and ensuring that children know all about it? Last week Year 6 visited Chedworth Roman Villa and saw for themselves the wealth and opulence of the privileged few living in the Golden Age of Roman Britain. The department has plans to expand opportunities like this and to give pupils more ‘hands on’ experience of the classical influence on our towns and cities. It is also important to understand the process of learning Latin. It is an inflected language which makes it very different to English. An inflected language is one in which the words of the language are comprised of roots (or stems) and inflections (or endings). The roots remain relatively stable, and the inflections change depending on what job the word is doing in the sentence. In addition, the words in a Latin sentence are arranged differently with the verb coming last. We have regular discussions in lessons about ‘Yoda Latin’ since the Romans would write ‘The verb at the end of the sentence is’ but pupils must aim to put this into sensible English in lessons.
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This makes analysis and a methodical approach crucial in order to be successful and in the department we have placed a huge emphasis on being detective-like in looking at the endings of words. Pedants and fuss pots are welcomed, nurtured and celebrated, and in lessons pupils are encouraged to learn from eachother and practise the skills required. These attributes are long lasting and will help pupils outside the Classics classroom. Pupils also learn to develop their determination and resilience in our lessons and regularly enjoy the feeling of taking on a challenge, wrestling with it (rather as Hercules would take on the Hydra) and coming out on top through strength of resolve but also with the tools of analysis and knowledge given in class. Finally there is the effect of the Romans (and before them the Greeks) on the literature we read and the art all around us. Because the study of classics was the staple diet of British and European education from around 1100AD until Victorian times, it was classical thought that provided most of the storylines in Western European literature, as well as the subject matter of Renaissance art and architecture. To continue to fully understand, classics must remain in a child’s education. To fully appreciate the references in Shakespeare, Dante, Pope, Milton, Dryden and Samuel Johnson we need knowledge of the Greeks and Romans. To understand the Caryatids that decorate the shops in Montpellier, the design of Cheltenham Town Hall or Thirlestaine House and to recognise the Minotaur in the Promenade all take a classical education. By making these links with our own culture and history, by making explicit the legacy of the Greeks and Romans, by giving them these tools and this mindset we set them up well to study Roman authors at Senior School and hopefully continue to GCSE, A level and beyond. Many of the pupils enjoy this process of challenge and appreciate also covering the mythology and classical civilisation topics that make it all relevant. Here are a selection of thoughts from the pupils themselves: ‘I really enjoy building on my knowledge of Greek mythology’ ‘In Latin I like challenges to push myself. Also the mythology is really fun and interesting.’ ‘I particularly enjoy the crossword challenges.’ ‘I love Latin: it’s really fun when we do challenges and quizzes’ ‘Making up plays and doing Powerpoints are really fun in Latin lessons’ ‘I thought Latin would be difficult but the teachers help us every step of the way’ ‘The quizzes we do on the whiteboard are fun and get you thinking fast’ ‘The teachers make sure you get it’ ‘Latin is really fun , it’s a really different subject which is cool’ In conclusion, we do all that we can at The Prep to ensure that Latin is not a dead language. It deserves its share of curriculum time for the skills it provides and the legacy of the classical world. In any case, History, Geography, Mathematics, Science, Drama, Technology, Art, Computing, languages, Religious Studies and Music wouldn’t exist without it. Well, they probably would, but they would certainly be called something else without the influence of classics!
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Year 5 Science Year 5 enjoyed learning about static electricity, using the Van der Graaf generator. Charging them up made their hair stand on end, they passed the electricity down a chain of pupils, and some brave souls chose to discharge themselves very quickly with a small electric shock.
Dare to be Different Last Thursday, we had the opportunity to take a group of Year 7 girls to attend a ‘Dare to be Different’ event. This initiative encourages women to think about engineering, in all its many forms, as a viable future career. While we were there, the girls took part in hovercraft making, pit stop challenges (very competitive!), reaction time tests, broadcasting and watching drag races. There were also inspirational women in engineering on hand to talk to the children. They had a wonderful time and learnt a lot throughout the day, during what was a once in a lifetime experience. Prep for The Week Issue Number 1897 29 June 2018
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On Thursday 21st June, Year 6 visited Chedworth Roman Villa. The pupils shared their experiences of their visit: We looked around the villa outside and found that it was in a ‘U’ shape. There were two courtyards called the lower and the upper. The more important you were, the further you were allowed to go into the house. There are three people who might have lived there: either a Roman general, a rich Celt or a retired Roman soldier. (Toby, Ed and Tula)
Year 6 visit to Chedworth Roman Villa
In the classroom we learnt about artefacts that were over 1700 years old. We learnt what food they ate then and how they lived. We saw the stones they used to make mosaics and amphoras which they used to transport wine and other liquids. (Will, Oli and Max) Chedworth was not discovered by fancy archaeologists but by a dog who fell down a rabbit hole! We are still not sure who lived there but we did still see what their life was like. We saw things like hairbrushes. We also saw the bath houses. (Tulliah, Carys and Xanthe) We saw the Nymphaeum where they worshipped the nature goddess (who they thought was in charge of the natural spring). After that we saw the Roman Baths. There was an apodyterium (changing room), a frigidarium (cold room) and a warm room (tepidarium). There was also a super hot room. (Ngonie, Pavneet and Bea) There were beautiful mosaics around the villa and even a Victorian house in the middle which had been built before the villa was discovered. (Harry and James) The Romans ate a type of edible snail called helix pomatia which are about 5 times bigger than a garden snail! (Ed) They would feed the snails with different things so that the snails would taste differently. There were 15 different flavours! (Resul) The Romans were the first people to use overlapping roof tiles. They realised that when the bails rusted and broke that the whole roof could fall down. So they overlapped the tiles. The top one was then a triangle shape that was so heavy it stayed on on its own. We still use this technology today! (Matilda) I didn’t know that the women scraped the olive oil off their skin in a bath then used the oil leftover to pile up their hair and make it stick in place. (Kate) The Romans would bathe with shoes on so that their feet did not get too hot. They also made spoons and combs out of bone and antlers. (Ben) They heated up all of the hot water for the baths by a big fire underneath. It took two slaves to keep the fire going. (Archie) The hot air from the fire would circulate under the floor, which was raised up on pillars. (Taylor) Many thanks to Mrs Reid, Mr Jenkins, Mr Patterson and Mrs Paterson for taking the children to see the Romanisation of Britain first hand. Prep for The Week Issue Number 1897 29 June 2018
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Leavers' Dinner
Year 8 have had a great last weeks of term, finished off by last night's Leavers' Dinner. We wish them all happiness and success for next year, and a lovely summer break. Here are some of the best pictures from the Leavers' Dinner...
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BIRTHDAYS Happy birthday to the following pupils who have their birthdays over the Summer Holidays: Maxim M (13) Zach R (12) Cindy P (11) Diana M (9) Oliver E (8) Virginia M (10) Ruby S (10) Archie G (5) Jessica R (13) Evie P (12) Lilly P (12) Ruby C (13) Theo M (13) George T (13) Cody W (12) Alice D (11) Allegra S (10) Lily E (9) Poppy W (12) Tessa L (11) Oscar M (12) Eloise O (12) Sam A (10) Oliver W (10) Jack B (12) Elizabeth C (7) Thomas H (13) Tillie D (13) Jamie R (13) Sam A (10) Prep for The Week Issue Number 1897 29 June 2018
Helena B (8) Amelia W (13) Gabriella L (10) Thomas HC (10) Freddie A (9) George M (9) Ed C (13) Toby K (12) Eva C (12) Josh C (7) Mia E (11) Isabella O (12) Alfie B (4) Michael B (4) Lula R (7) Samuel L (6) Georgina H (12) Harry C (10) Jacob P (5) Frederick H (10) Pavneet H (11) Tallulah T (13) Nicholas P (12) Noah M (11) Huw R (9) Lisle H (5) Aoife M (10) Emma C (9) James F (13) Beatrice C (8) Henry C (13) Freddie H (10) Catherine G (4)
Charlie W (12) Ben B (13) William H (13) Jasmine R (6) Florence W (11) Imole Ajayi (9) Grace K (5) Ava R (11) Scarlett G (8) Elizabeth H (5) Joshua W (13) Georgina B (11) Archie B (6) Gennaro B (10) Izzy AS (13) Mirabel E (13) Shannon E (10)
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Notices Grow Your Own Cash success! Regular readers will be aware that a group of Year 7 and 8 boys have been putting their entrepreneurial skills to the test in the 'Grow Your Own Cash' activity this year. They started with just £10 back in September and organised cake sales and other small events to make a profit. They then invested this money in products that our customers would want to buy. They have continued this cycle for all three terms and I am very impressed with their dedication and energy. We did very well at the Summer Fete and had one last push at the Aquathlon. I'm delighted to report that the original £10 has grown to an amazing £933.47, all of which will go to HEAL Romania. Of course such amounts are not possible without customers to respond to market research quizzes and then bring their pennies to school, so please accept our heartfelt thanks for supporting our many sales over this academic year.
Some of the boys who have helped to raise an incredible amount of money!
Thank you to Maddie A, Georgina B and Eme H who have helped to raise over £800 by cutting their hair in aid of the Little Princess Trust. Well done girls! Prep for The Week Issue Number 1897 29 June 2018
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Notices Invites you to
THROUGHAM COURT GARDEN on
Thursday 5th July 2018 Througham Court, Througham, Gloucestershire, GL6 7HG To Book Card Payments: 01242 265694 Online Booking: cheltoniansociety.org Cheques Payable to: Cheltenham College Post to: Rebecca Creed, Society Manager Cheltenham College Bath Road Cheltenham Gloucestershire, GL53 7LD r.creed@cheltenhamcollege.org
2.30pm - 5.00pm Price: £30pp Programme 2.30pm Garden Tour with Dr Christine Facer 4.00pm Tea in The Garden Room
Invites you to
THE BREWIN DOLPHIN CHELTENHAM CRICKET FESTIVAL Gloucestershire v Durham The Specsavers County Championship Game on
Sunday 22nd July 2018
To Book Card Payments: 01242 265694 Online Booking: cheltoniansociety.org Cheques Payable to: Cheltenham College Post to: Rebecca Creed, Society Manager Cheltenham College Bath Road Cheltenham Gloucestershire, GL53 7LD r.creed@cheltenhamcollege.org Prep for The Week Issue Number 1897 29 June 2018
Price: £60pp or £50 for under 16s Programme 10.30am - 6.00pm Cash Bar Open 11.00am Play Starts 12 noon Welcome Drink 1.00pm (approx) Buffet Luncheon 3.40pm (approx) Afternoon Tea
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Notices
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
22 - 24 AUGUST – 9am-4pm
at Cheltenham College Sports Centre An exciting opportunity for Players aged between 8-16 to experience the inaugural camp run by Tim Lang (Assistant Director of Hockey at Cheltenham College) and his team of internationals. For more information on our team of internationals, visit: www.y1hockey.com/pages/sponsored-players-1
JU ST £120 FO R 3 DAY S THE PERFECT WAY TO PREPARE FOR YOUR PRE‑SEASON TRAINING Discounts available for Cheltenham Swim School
For more information or to book your place on the camp, call 01242 705 551 or email cheltenhamactivitycamps@cheltenhamcollege.org CAC043 348 x 277 Advert AW.indd
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18/06/2018
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SWIM CRASH FROM COURSE
STAGES 1-4 BRONZE, SILVER, GOLD
Summer Camp
30 minute lessons Small Groups LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE!
23rd July - 24th August 2018
DISCOUNTS 10% for Swim School 15% for NHS staff 20% for Cheltenham Activity Camps (Extended week ONLY!)
AT CHELTENHAM COLLEGE SPORTS CENTRE
Discounts available for
£50
In partnership with
Swim School
NEW FOR 2018
Cheltenham Swim School
www.cheltenhamactivitycamps.co.uk 01242 705 551
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CAC-042 Local Answer Summer advert half page AW.indd 1
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