Rokeby Activities Brochure

Rokeby Activities Independent preparatory school for boys

Rokeby Activities Our Aim To provide a wealth of opportunities to complement, enrich and extend those already offered within the school curriculum.

Our Rationale When your son joins, Rokeby we not only aim to provide an excellent education within the curriculum, but also to introduce him to an exciting world of clubs and activities to enhance the overall learning experience offered at our school.

Boys flourish when given access to a wide variety of opportunities, often discovering an interest or talent which may be developed throughout their life. Many activities will be found within the curriculum, particularly sporting ones, but the majority are those which allow our pupils to branch out, try new skills, have fun, learn and develop as individuals.

What is the range of activities on offer?

There are a number of major areas covered by the activities programme: Music Based: Rokeby takes great pride in the standard of music-making at the school. We have a highly qualified and experienced team of 11 visiting teachers who offer individual lessons in most instruments and singing. Rokeby boys achieve regular successes in ABRSM exams and take advantage of the numerous solo and ensemble performance opportunities in formal concerts and musical competitions

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at school, as well as in informal concerts, workshops and assemblies. In order to enable a large number of boys access to these, the Music Department provides a full programme of instrumental and choral ensembles each week. These enrich the quality of musical experience offered at school, giving the boys valuable opportunities to enjoy making music with others and to develop their performance skills using instruments and voices.

Teacher-led: These clubs and activities may change each term, dependent upon the time of year. These clubs and activities are generally free of charge, unless particular equipment is required and, together with the specialist led

clubs, offer an enormous choice to all pupils across the whole school. Examples have recently included: Art, Calligraphy, Chess, Computer Club, Drama, Lego, Table Tennis and Warhammer.

Specialist-led: In general these clubs and activities run for the whole academic year, however some may run for just one or two terms. The sessions are led by specialists who are qualified in their respective fields. All external specialists are CRB checked by the school. Where an activity is being led or instructed by an external specialist, a fee is charged.

Examples of specialist activities include: Cricket, Fencing, Golf, Karate and Judo.

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Rokeby Activities School-run visits: Throughout their life at Rokeby, the boys enjoy a wide range of trips, visitors and experiences which enrich their learning. In the past trips have been taken to: • Kingston Fire Station

• Windsor Castle

• London Zoo

• Nower Wood

• The London Eye

• Field Centre (Science)

• The Natural History Museum

• Epping Forest Field Centre (Geography)

In addition to these there are a number of organised visits which are in addition to those directly linked to work in the classroom. These are carefully planned, parents are given plenty of notification and costs are made clear. In the past few years these residential visits have included: • Ski trips to both Europe and the United States • Classics trip to Rome

• Theatre Trips

• Sports tours to South Africa, Ireland and Holland

All trips are designed to assist the curriculum where possible and are sometimes specific field trips such as in Geography and Science. The expectation is that all classes will take at least two outings per year which may include a visit to a theatre, art gallery or a local place of religious worship.

• Loire Valley • Ypres and Paris • Glanusk Base Camp, South Wales

For further details about the residential trips, please refer to the end of this brochure.

How does the activity programme work?

The opportunity to participate in the activities programme at Rokeby is offered each term: Autumn Term: : Information will be sent out in the second half of the summer term.

Spring Term: Information will be sent out after the October half-term.

Summer Term: Information will be sent out after the February half-term.

New boys will be sent the information electronically via email. All bookings are made electronically.

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Once the clubs and activities have been allocated and finalised, all boys taking part in the programme will receive confirmation of their activities. On some occasions, it may not be possible to place a boy in the club of their choice due to limited numbers based on space or designated staffing ratios.

The activities programme starts in the first full week of each term (with the exception of after-school sports training which starts on the first day of term). All activities will run for the duration of the academic term, unless advertised to the contrary. The last week, or part week, will always be kept free due to concerts, performances and other school events.

Every family will receive a termly ‘booking link’ to complement the activities booklet. All clubs and activities are considered as part of the programme, whether run by internal or external staff. The only clubs and activities excluded from the booking forms are those by ‘invitation only,’ such as Orchestra and String groups. For these, staff will make contact with the relevant boys directly.

In order to maximise the chance of your son receiving the club or activity of their choice, it is advisable to complete bookings online as soon as the system goes ‘live.’ Places are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Prior attendance at a club or activity does not give any boy the automatic right to a place during the next term. This is particularly important to note in those sessions that are usually oversubscribed. Parents must re-apply each term if they wish their son to attend as competition for places is strong.

On receiving notification of your son’s clubs and activities, please contact the Director of Sports and Activities (b.moir@rokeby.org.uk) if a mistake has been made, or queries have arisen.

Reception Boys Very young boys, starting their life in full-time education, have much to cope with during their first year at school.

As a result of this, the decision has been taken not to offer boys in Reception an activities programme until the Summer Term, where they are given a limited choice. Once they have fully settled into the school, they will enjoy eight years of clubs covering a whole array of activities.

Future Opportunities At Rokeby we are always looking to improve and to extend the experiences we offer our boys. If you have any suggestions or a skill you would like to share through running a club, please contact the Director of Sports and Activities via email, on: b.moir@rokeby.org.uk

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Rokeby Activities What clubs and activities are on offer?

There are a large number of clubs and activities available to your boys as they pass through the school. These clubs are sometimes year group specific, but often are available to combined year groups. Some examples of clubs and activities that run during the course of the year with a brief description of what each aims to provide are: After School Sports Training: After-school training provides all boys within the School (Years 4 – 8) with an additional opportunity to fine-tune existing skills and to learn new techniques. Training is open to ALL boys, regardless of whether they are involved in teams, looking to break into a team or merely looking to enjoy the sport. Whilst there are specific evenings for the senior squads, the younger age groups train together. There is NO limit on numbers.

Art Club: Art club allows boys the opportunity to spend more time on a piece of work to develop another idea or to work on their own pieces. Boys choose their materials to work with to make paintings, drawings, clay models or small 3D sculptures. This is also a time when some boys like to make cards and posters. The older boys work on their own pieces as well as learning new techniques and skills in printmaking and experimenting with known media.

Art scholarship candidates use the time also to develop their sketchbooks and portfolios. Posters for school events are designed and made by boys in the club.

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Athenaeum: This long-standing debating club is open to boys in Years 7 and 8. Boys learn about the protocol of formal debating and have plenty of opportunity to develop their public speaking and debating skills through a wide range of different activities and motions.

Athletics: The Summer Term Athletics Club takes place on the track at Kingsmeadow Stadium and is designed to encourage a love of athletics through fun but challenging activities. Boys will be allowed to develop their skills and to set targets in running, jumping and throwing events.

Each week will give the boys the chance not only to improve on their technique but also try to better their previous personal bests.

Badminton: The club is split into two sections; those wishing to play socially, developing their skills and understanding of the game and those who wish to be considered for the school squads. In this club the boys practise playing singles and doubles matches. The school traditionally sends a number of boys to the U11 and U13 IAPS tournaments and they have enjoyed increasing success.

Basketball: Here the boys learn the basic skills of the game from dribbling to passing to shooting. They will also learn the basic tactics of the game from how to set a key defence to the value of the fast break. This knowledge is taught to the boys through a combination of skill acquisition and small-sided games. The boys have a great time and their basketball skills greatly improve over the weeks.

“ Every year I become better at playing Chess, I am now the school champion.�  Dara, Year 4 Chess: Boys of all abilities are welcome to join the club, where those new to the game have the chance to learn and to master this most challenging of games. Those who are a little more experienced can master advanced moves and develop their own strategies. A blend of teaching and playing enables the boys to explore the endless variations of this game and to challenge different opponents.

Chamber Music Group: This is a small string group, playing challenging repertoire with one player to a part.

It is normally of string quartet or string quintet size and is composed of invited players of an advanced standard within the school.

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Rokeby Activities Computer Game Development: At computer game development club the boys have the chance to create their own computer game using the software provided. Boys will be introduced to a totally new world of computer games; the development side. The boys will be able to see what goes into a computer game and test their games regularly to ensure that they are running smoothly.

Cross Country: Training helps the boys to develop general motivation for good health, competition and team work and a passion for running can be inculcated. The crosscountry club allows boys the opportunity to enjoy the sights of Richmond Park as the sun rises. The club is ideal training and preparation for the array of events over the course of the year.

Cricket: The school’s year round programme will help to develop the cricket skills in preparation for the Summer Term. The coaching takes place through a combination of techniques, but overall the sessions will be fun and game based. The sessions will be led by external coaches, all of whom have the minimum of an ECB Level II Coaching Certificate.

Design Technology: DT club enables students who have a love of the subject to develop further their problem solving and design skills. Boys are given the opportunity to work on their own projects or have the option of choosing from various projects that give the students a greater depth of knowledge and a richer experience of technology.

Projects will cover a wide range of materials, processes and techniques and will help boys to develop their confidence and aptitude within the subject.

“ Cricket Club allows me to improve my cricket skills.”

Jose, Year 3

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Drama Workshops: The lessons focus on using the children’s imaginations, developing listening and concentration skills, storytelling, improvisation, increasing their confidence and awareness of their own physicality and language development. However, the most important aspect of the classes is having FUN! Each workshop is based on a theme, which is tailored and structured to the abilities of each class. The focus is on the process, as opposed to the performance.

Junior Football: The aim of after-school football is to allow boys in Years 1 – 3 to enjoy the benefits of receiving expert football coaching. The goals are to develop skilled, confident and creative players, make the game fun to practise and to play, to teach good sportsmanship and respect for all, to value winning – but not more than character and performance – and to create a professional environment within which young players can develop and to provide a safe and educational experience that meets F.A. best practice criteria for all participants at every session.

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Drama Age focused drama clubs run at lunch times and after school for boys in Years 1 – 2, 3 – 4 and 5 – 6, these sessions are run by professional actors.

The sessions aim to develop the boys’ imaginations and enhance their confidence using improvisation, role play, storytelling, mime, characterisation and voice work within a fun environment.

The senior production is an annual performance which takes place at school. Boys in Years 5 – 8 are invited to audition to be part of the company, past productions have included The Jungle book, Lord of the flies, Grimm tales and Oh What a Lovely War!

Boys in Year 7 can audition to be part of the Shakespeare Schools festival. This involves performing a 30 minute adaptation of a Shakespeare play at a local professional venue.

During the summer boys in Years 2 – 3 will be involved in a junior production.

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Valedictory Programme After the Common Entrance examinations, all Year 8 boys participate in the Rokeby School Valedictory Programme.

The programme runs for three weeks and gives boys the opportunity to get involved in educational and enjoyable activities that teach them skills that cannot be learnt in the classroom.

The aim of the programme is for each boy to discover something new about himself and try things that he hasn’t done before. Skills learnt may include team building, communication and the acquisition of new knowledge.

In the past, activities have included: • First Aid Training • Chocolate Making • Gallery and Museum Visits • Circus Skills • Self-defence Training

• Bike Ride to Richmond Park • Visit to British Museum • Conservation Work on Wimbledon Common

• Golf

• Residential Trip to Symonds Yat

• Medieval Olympics

• Production of Year 8 Film

• CSI Investigation

• Boules Competition

Rokeby Activities

Gardening (Pre-Prep): The school has two gardens which need to be looked after. During the Autumn Term, the boys concentrate on general garden maintenance, planting bulbs and looking after the wildlife that comes into the gardens. During the Spring Term, we look after the birds whilst carefully planning the plants and produce we wish to grow. The Summer Term is the busiest term, the boys plant our seedlings and water and weed the gardens. We draw still life drawings and we go on mini beast hunts in the wildlife garden.

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“ I love Gardening Club because we plant flowers with Mrs Allen.” Luca, Year 1 Golf: In partnership with ‘World of Golf’ we aim to cover all the main aspects of the game of golf in a fun, enjoyable and structured way, with a view to preparing them for embarking on a golf course. Coaches give the boys very personal and individual attention during the golf lessons whilst emphasising that golf is fun, should remain so and they will endeavour to harbour competitiveness but also camaraderie.

Handwriting Club: Handwriting club is open to all the year groups in the Prep school. The club is designed to help those students who may find handwriting difficult or just need to improve their writing skills. Boys learn to form letters, words and sentences in the correct format. The club is designed to put enjoyment back into the art of handwriting! Boys all engage in different types of exercises and enjoyable games.

Junior Fencing: Junior fencing focuses on classes for Years 2 – 4 using equipment designed to give children a safe and exciting introduction to fencing. The lessons, developed with the assistance of the British Fencing Association, help promote hand-eye co-ordination, balance, concentration, inter-personal skills, self-control and confidence.

History: History Club is for those boys at the top end of the School. One of the aims of the club is to prepare a team for the Townsend-Warner History Prize, which is the oldest inter-prep school competition. Rokeby has an impressive record in this competition as a direct result of the History club. The club also uses quizzes and other activities to broaden the boys’ knowledge of history.

Judo: Tora-Kai Judo Club meets to provide an opportunity for youngsters, between the ages of 5 – 13, to learn the art of Judo. The aim of the club is to promote judo in as safe an environment as possible. Children are not pushed to the limits of their ability in order to produce Olympic champions, but are encouraged in the art of Judo in a friendly and fun environment. The Judo club is not just about learning self-defence, it is also about directing energy into something creative and constructive, building up self-confidence, co-ordination and learning to work with a partner or as part of a team.

“ History Club explores topics that are not covered in the curriculum.” Euan, Year 8 13

Rokeby Activities

“ I find Mandarin really interesting and enjoy learning a new language.”

William, Year 5 Karate: Specifically geared to younger boys, Moon Tigers Karate Academy provides all the excitement and guidance children look for in martial arts. Taught in a safe environment, students learn much more than just how to protect themselves, they develop confidence, self-belief and determination. The tenets of Moon Tigers revolve around respect, focus and patience. These in turn lead to a mindset clear from distractions and able to apply itself to its goals and to achieve them.

Mandarin Chinese: The lessons are being run in collaboration with Dragons in Europe. It is a fun course which covers all aspects of this wonderful language – the tonal nature of the pronunciation, character writing, grammar and conversation.

Importantly, all students get access to the linked website on which there are related games and supporting videos.

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Mother Nature Science Club: With the environmental challenges facing our world today who wouldn’t want their children to find science fun and engaging? This is achieved by exploring a wide range of scientific topics which are as entertaining as they are educational. Your son will watch spectacular demonstrations and participate in experiments and discussions, taking home cool science-related items they have made and created.

Sailing: Sailing Club is available in the Summer Term. All boys work towards the RYA Sailing Schemes. This course is ideal for complete beginners or for those with a little experience and it forms an excellent introduction to the fun and excitement of dinghy sailing. Children will develop a range of sailing skills and background knowledge and they will be well on their way to being a confident small boat sailor. The course is run at the Wimbledon Park Sailing Centre by RYA Instructors.

School Choirs: Up to 80 boys sing in the two main choirs at Rokeby. Auditions are held annually in September for both existing and new applicants. Each choir rehearses weekly with occasional extra sessions prior to concerts.

Amongst the main events for the choirs are the Carol Service, the Choral and Orchestral Concert and Prize Day. In recent years the choirs have also taken part in Music for Youth, won the Vox Choir Competition and recorded the Rokeby Choirs CD. School Orchestra: This is an ensemble composed of around 35 – 40 boys representing all groups of instruments: strings, woodwind, brass and percussion. Boys are invited to join once they have reached an instrumental standard that will enable their full participation and enjoyment in the orchestra. The orchestra offers an excellent introduction to orchestral playing, an interest which some boys go on to develop through playing in outside youth orchestras.

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Rokeby Activities Senior Fencing: The Olympic sport of fencing is considered the pinnacle of all athletic sports. It is comprised of three sport weapons, foil, epee and sabre.

The modern Olympic sport requires fencers to be of the fittest of athletes and have levels of skills which require many hours of dedicated training.

Squash: The aims of the club are to promote squash amongst young people offering coaching and competitive opportunities. We are very fortunate to have use of the courts at KCS, Wimbledon, allowing the boys the opportunity to experience an activity we would otherwise be unable to offer at the school.

Ski Squad: The ski squad is open to all boys in Years 3 – 8 who are competent skiers, as well as those wishing to develop. The sessions are open to boys who are capable of continuous snow plough, plough and parallel turns and competent use of the button lift. Training sessions will include exercises, skiing using slalom poles, race training and timed runs. The boys have the opportunity to compete both on snow and dry surfaces, in the UK and overseas.

Strings Group: There are two string groups: Senior Strings and Junior Strings. Boys are invited to join these ensembles once they have reached the required standard. Each group rehearses for a half a term at a time, and the repertoire is designed to encourage the boys from an early stage to thrive in a four part texture with other string players.

“ Swimming Club is great for learning new techniques.” James, Year 6

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Swimming Squad: These sessions are aimed at those boys who are ‘club swimmers’ or the equivalent, as well as those who wish to use swimming as a means of staying fit. The focus is on stroke development, racing dives and tumble turns. Competitive galas are held across the year for the boys to enjoy.

Table Tennis: One of the fastest sports in the world, where athletes of all ages come to complete in gruelling trials of speed, stamina and intelligence. The goal of the table tennis club is to provide a friendly atmosphere for players of all skill levels. The purpose is to introduce table tennis to the masses. Activities include free play, challenges and inter-house tournaments.

Tennis: Rokeby runs a comprehensive, all-year round coaching programme. The aim, over the course of each term, is to cover and to develop all aspects of the game, developing a variety of shots from a technical point of view as well as exploring the tactics of the game. The children receive expert tuition on a weekly basis by an experienced and qualified coach (either in groups or on a one-to-one basis.) The sessions are designed for all abilities.

Typing’s Cool: Touch typing works with pupils of all abilities, aiming to teach children how to type 10 – 25 words per minute, accurately using the correct fingers. Developed in line with the National Curriculum, Typing’s Cool promotes spelling, writing and presentation skills. For pupils the fun is in dodging asteroids, zapping aliens, slaying fire breathing dragons and racing Nessie the Loch Ness monster.

“ Table Tennis really helps me improve my hand-eye co-ordination.”

George, Year 6

Warhammer: Warhammer is a fantasy based game of strategy and planning. Warhammer does not just involve the playing of the games, but the painting and gluing of models, building an army and the discussion of plans. The background for games are very detailed, provoking much thought. Boys MUST have their own pieces.

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Rokeby Activities Annual Trips Sports Tours: Rokeby have undertaken a large number of sporting tours in recent years. These have included annual pre-season football tours to The Netherlands, rugby tours to Canada and Ireland and cricket tours to South Africa. The benefits gained by boys on such tours are very evident, a broadening of their horizons and education, an opportunity to build on team spirit prior to the season, meeting new people and making new friends from different cultural backgrounds.

Years 5–8 Ski Trip: The regular ski trip visits a variety of resorts, both in Europe and the United States. The ski trip is one of only a few trips that allows parents and siblings to join in the fun. As well as receiving expert tuition on the slopes, all will enjoy a variety of other activities, including ice-skating, bingo and a disco. The trip is open to all abilities from novices to Olympic downhill skiers.

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Years 5 – 8 Water Sports Trip: There are significant benefits from outdoor education, residential courses and adventure activity. The unique experience of participating in an overseas activity trip is highly recommended for many reasons, but to mention a few: the opportunity to enjoy a healthy, physical activity outdoors in a new environment, to succeed in a new challenge through learning a new skill, to help build self-awareness and self-confidence and to experience a sense of achievement, to improve and form relationships with their peer group and with other people and to develop a better rapport with teachers which can often lead to increased motivation in the classroom.

Year 6 Loire Valley Trip: During the May half-term, the boys spend three nights in the Loire Valley visiting the Futuroscope theme park, including its spectacular evening laser show. There is also time for a visit to a chocolate museum (with tasting!) and a tour of a French chateau.

Year 7 Ypres and Paris Trip: For a week in June, the boys spend a day and night touring the First World War cemeteries of Belgium, culminating in participation in the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres. We then continue to Paris, where language lessons are interspersed with a trip up the Eiffel Tower, a cruise on the Seine and a tour of the Stade de France. On the way home, we stop off at the V2 weapons museum in northern France.

Year 8 Outward bound Trip: This visit forms part of the Valedictory (post Common Entrance) programme.

The boys have an opportunity to experience a range of outdoor activities such as rock climbing, abseiling, trekking, orienteering and camping in the wild. All of this is carried out under the close supervision of experienced leaders from Class Adventure. Whilst having a huge amount of fun, the boys learn important life skills and how to work effectively as a team.

Other school trips have included Rome, Sorrento and Iceland.

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Rokeby Educational Trust Ltd George Road Kingston upon Thames  KT2 7PB Tel: 020 8942 2247 www.rokebyschool.co.uk