After the magical Nativity performances of last week, we were able to come together over two evenings this week to celebrate the value of community and enjoy the Upper Prep and Senior Carol Services. Please allow me to repeat my thanks to everyone involved in bringing these events to fruition. The music groups and readers all gave incredibly accomplished performances, and this is made possible in large part by the support they receive at home and at school in fostering their talents.
Well done to those who took part in this year’s Primary Maths Challenge and Bebras Challenge. The calibre of entries was very high and it was wonderful to see so many of our pupils scoring highly. There was also success for the three teams who submitted work in this year’s BBC Gladiators micro:bit competition. Lower Prep celebrated various achievements with a cups and awards assembly at the start of the week and Headmaster’s Commendations were presented to Upper Prep this morning. Dressed in our finest festive jumpers, we also held the annual Christmas raffle, which was as popular as ever. Thank you to everyone involved with organising that for the children.
This afternoon, we sat down for a veritable feast, laid on by our hardworking catering team. They always treat us to a delicious lunch, but today they pulled out all the stops. The children loved pulling their Christmas crackers and sharing the jokes inside.
As the term draws to a close, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Christmas Jumper Day
Pupils enjoyed a fun-filled festive day on Friday as they wore their Christmas
and enjoyed a delicious Christmas
jumpers
lunch.
Upper Prep Carol Service
Our Upper Prep Carol Service took place on Wednesday evening. The choirs and orchestras performed beautifully as did the readers. This event gave everyone an opportunity to pause and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas ahead of the busy festive season. It is a highlight of our school year and this year was no exception. Well done to all staff and pupils who were involved.
Bebras Challenge
This year, 415 of our pupils participated in all four levels of the Bebras Challenge, which had over 460,000 participants nationally. Organised by the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Oxford University's Faculty of Mathematics and Computing, this competition focuses on problem-solving and computational thinking.
I am excited to announce that 33 boys achieved Gold Level, placing them in the top 10% nationally. They will be invited to the next coding challenge, scheduled for 24th March to 4th April 2025, with more information to follow in January 2025.
Full details can be found here.
Mr Afana
Juniors (10-12)
Castors (8-10)
Arthur W
Anthony N
Hugo B
Rafe H
Teddy L
Andrew W
James L
Max H
Henry B (Best in school)
Joshua C
Nino L (Best in school)
Sebastian W (Best in school)
Frederick C
Harry T (Best in school)
Jordan S
Luke B
Basty B
Thomas C
BBC Micro: bits – Gladiators Challenge
Congratulations to our three teams for their submissions to this year’s BBC Micro: Bits Gladiators Challenge! They designed gadgets to help Gladiators Phantom and Dynamite excel, providing either hand-drawn or digital designs with explanations of their function. Teams must describe their concepts and how the gadgets work in 100 to 300 words, focusing on creativity and practicality to enhance the gladiators' performance. Well done to all for your hard work!
Hugo Henry Sotaro
Max Jesse Ethan Reid
James Alex
Arthur
Full details can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/microbit/articles/zc6b7v4
Project 1: Muscle Maker
Project 2: Micro Blitzers
Project 3: Push Up Pal
Egyptian Fractions in Year 5
Some of the Year 5 pupils have been exploring how the Egyptians wrote fractions as part of their extension work.
Primary Maths Challenge
The first round of the Primary Maths Challenge took place during the week beginning 14th November. All the students in Year 6, and the top set in Year 5 took part in this year’s challenge. Our students competed against students from the whole of the UK. Gold, Silver and Bronze Certificates were awarded by The Mathematical Association to each student, depending upon their marks obtained out of 25.
The students who have been successful in this challenge will be invited to take part in the Bonus Round, which will take place during February 2025.
Each student enjoyed the opportunity to stretch their brain and think in different ways. The Maths Department would like to congratulate all those who took part.
Lower Prep Cups and Awards
The Lower Prep School gathered together on Monday to celebration our termly Cups and Awards Assembly. We were very proud of all the children who have worked so hard this term, and enjoyed celebrating their
Congratulations to the following pupils for their success with their instrumental exams this term:
The Lower Prep children thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas disco, thanks to the Lower Prep School council.
Lower Prep Christmas Disco
Bethlehem in Year 2
Year 2 loved learning more about Bethlehem. They looked at different interpretations of Bethlehem painted by a variety of artists. The children drew and painted using water colours their own Bethlehem scenes for their Christmas cards.
This week the Nursery were focusing on the Julia Donaldson book 'Stickman.' At Forest School Ellie Kelly read them the story and then they went to find sticks to make their own Stickman.
Everyone had great fun at the Nursery Christmas party. We played traditional games, enjoyed a tea party and made reindeer food for Santa's reindeer!
Ms Luke, Director of Nursery
A Message from our Chaplaincy Team
This Week
Through our Carol Services we have once more been drawn into the story of Jesus’ birth: this moment in history when God becomes flesh and dwells amongst us. God enters into our human story. And the great miracle of Christmas is that Jesus wants to be born within each one of us and to become present in each beating heart. “Behold I stand at the door and knock.” The divine enters into our world and our world is changed forever.
Try not to miss the mystery of Christmas this year, but rather recognise the divine love that is all around us.
When we are silent, when our phones are put away, when we spend quality time with our friends and family and put the needs of others first, then we will become more aware of Jesus’ presence amongst us.
Prayer
Jesus come to us.
May your divine love be born in us today. Still our beating hearts that we may hear you.
Help us to make room for you this Christmas.
Remain close to us.
Amen
Week 1
Soup Soup of the day Soup of the day
Main
Vegetarian
Mild Beef Chilli Con Carne served in a taco & dips
Mixed Bean & Quorn Chilli
Piri Piri Chicken with Pitta Bread, Baby Gem and Homemade Sauces
Cheesy Vegetable Enchilada
Honey Roasted Gammon with Stuffing & Gravy
Sweet & Sour Turkey Noodles
Feta & Spinach Filo Pie
Sides
Additional
Spicy rice Steamed Sweetcorn
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Potato Wedges
Macho Peas
Rainbow Slaw
Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
White
Garlic & Thyme Roasted Potatoes
Green Beans
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Sticky Teriyaki
Quorn & Aubergine
Freshly Battered
Fish or Breaded
Fish Fillet with Ketchup and Tartare Sauce
Macaroni
Cheese with a Crispy Onion Topping
Steamed Rice
Broccoli
Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce
Freshly Baked
Bread
Salad bar
Chunky Chips
Garden Peas
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked
Bread
Salad bar
Dessert
Citrus Drizzle Cake
Chocolate & Cherry Shortbread
Apple Filo Pie with Custard
Chocolate Brownie
Fresh Fruit Friday
Items in Italic - Sourced from F Conisbee’s, our local butcher
