Headmaster's Comments
Meeting Mrs Knox
Two social evenings have been arranged for parents to have the opportunity of meeting Mrs Knox and her husband, Tim. The first of these, on Monday 9th November, will be for parents whose children are in Y4, Y5 and Y6. Those with children in Y7 and Y8 will have their opportunity on Tuesday 10th November. A letter will go out today via Clarion to ascertain numbers for each event for catering purposes. Could I ask you for a speedy response please?
Open Morning
We were delighted with the number of visitors that attended last Saturday's Open Morning. Our post-event analysis once again revealed that word of mouth, from friends and families of the school, was the most common form of spreading the news about the date. Our Y8 pupils acted as guides and they can be proud of their input, proving to be a great asset to the School and the making of such a successful event. Thank you to all the staff and pupils who attended and promoted their subjects so keenly.
Music Monday
Music making in the School has never been so prolific. The promotion of techno and pop bands has seen a large number of pupils visiting the Music Department during their breaks. The Go-Pro and recording room is also proving to be successful, with a number of recordings being posted on our website for parents to listen to. Tea-time recitals and music assemblies continue to generate an interest in music and this week's events promoted and profiled high-quality playing. Thank you to Evie, Florence, Finley, Lottie and Miles for their performances in assembly on Monday. They were joined by another twenty five pupils for the teatime recital, during which there was a great example of the ‘Family of Schools’, when former PS pupil, now in year 12, Alice Chan, played piano accompaniment for two flautists. Y12 Seb Davis, with the help of Messrs Leutfeld and Runnells, brought the recital to a close with their excellent version of Miles Davis’s jazz number ‘Four’.
Achievements
Lili Howe was awarded the class category aggregate, the classical aggregate and the junior aggregate dance awards at the Rugby Festival of Dance.
David Howells was awarded the partially sighted Player of the Year from Northants County Visual Impaired Men's Cricket Club.
Ben Sanders was awarded Northampton Old Scout’s RC Player of the Week
Oliver Morris was awarded the following rosettes from the Fitzwilliam Hunt Pony Club – U14 second place 75cm and U10 second place 55cm showjumping and, out of 80 riders, jumped two double clear rounds and achieved U14 fourth place 75cm and U10 fifth place 55cm showjumping.
Isabelle Thomas and Mark Stockdale had a successful day on Saturday at Bury Farm competing individually. In the 60cm round Isabelle finished 8th and Mark finished 6th. In the 70cm the ponies were really good and quick with Isabelle finishing 5th and Mark winning – his first win for the School. Both Mark and Isabelle have qualified for the finals in November.
Ethan Drage and Henry Grayson played in the Old Northamptonian’s rugby team that won the U12 Towcestrian Rugby World Cup Festival.
Henry Grayson will be playing for the county at No.1 in this weekend’s 12 Counties Tennis competition.
WPSA
This week the WPSA held their Annual General Meeting and elected their Chairman and other Officers. I am delighted to report that Sam Cunningham is re-elected as the Chairman, and will continue to be ably supported by Judith Griffiths (Treasurer), Geoff Dobson (Secretary) and a small but highly efficient group of committee members. A request from the Music Department to assist in the purchase of musical instruments, to aid the Y5 project, was agreed unanimously by the Committee, who have generously given £3800 towards the project. This contribution will enable the Department to buy instruments so that all the pupils in Y5 can take home an instrument to practise during the week, thus ensuring greater progress being achieved. We thank the committee for their support and generous donation.
8W History Presentations
On Wednesday, I was invited by the pupils of 8W to view their history presentations. Seeing the fruits of quality research, which were then clearly articulated with impressive presentation skills, was a pleasure. The topics included: The Cold War, Suffragettes, Berlin Wall, Apartheid and a moving and skilfully produced video on the Holocaust. Congratulations and thank you to all the historians in 8W.
School Trips
School trips are beneficial on a number of levels; they are a powerful and positive teaching tool, with children ‘learning by doing’, they develop friendships between peers and boost a sense of belonging, as well as making the children realise that there is a practical application to what they have learned in the classroom. With Y6 in France and Y7 in the Peak District, the School feels a little empty with over 120 pupils away. If you follow us on Twitter @WboroPrepSchool you will see what the two groups have been discovering. Y7 return today and Y6 over the weekend. Reports will be in the newsletter after half term.
Finally…
A great deal has been achieved during this full and successful half term and that has come about through staff commitment, pupil participation and parental support. There is a good number of children who are ready for a break and are in need of time for recharging of batteries, enabling them to return for an equally ‘full-on’ second-half of term. I hope that you all have a thoroughly enjoyable half term and I look forward to welcoming you back on Monday, 2nd November.
Mr Mitchell
Prize Giving Photographs
The photographs from Prize Giving, held on 10th July, are available to purchase from DE Photos. To order your photograph click here.
Mrs Mitchell
Winter Uniform
After the half term break pupils should return to School in winter uniform.
Mr Gray
Tremendous Tragedy
Year 5 were treated to a tempestuous night on a wild heath, in Scotland, with a hero whose noble character was being poisoned by the power of three witches’ prophecies – and that was just the start... To read more click here.
Mrs Drye
Anti-Bullying Poster Competition
Our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors have been meeting over the last few weeks to discuss Anti-Bullying week which is coming up after half term. They have many ideas which will be put into action during this time. In order to promote this week, they are launching an 'Anti-Bullying Poster Competition' for all year groups. The poster should be A4 in size, be colourful and have an important slogan or message about Anti-bullying. Closing date for the posters is Friday, 6th November and entries should be taken to the Prep School Office. There will be a prize for the winning poster!
Mrs C Petrie
Wellbeing Managers
This week our Years 7 and 8 pupils were formally introduced to Cat Brooker and Steve Hill who are sharing the role as our new Wellbeing Managers this year. Pupils were given some information on their role and how they might contact them should they feel a need. Many of you may have seen the Wellbeing Boards at Open Day and we are hoping to promote positive wellbeing throughout this year and beyond. The Years 4, 5 and 6 will be formally introduced to Cat and Steve after half term.
Mrs C Petrie
Accelerated Reader – Home Connect
Every year all parents of new children in the Prep School are sent an email which details how they can access the Accelerated Reader Home Connect website. This site allows parents to see exactly how their child is progressing with their reading and how close they are to achieving their target for the term. For more information click here.
Mrs Cooper
DT Club
Never will the DT Club pupils have untidy desks again! All of the DT'ers have taken home their finely crafted pencil holders and are now well into the design of their key rings. The clubbers will have the chance to experience all of the equipment over the course of the year. From laser cutting to sublimation printing. The club is opening the eyes of the students to the world of design and what you can do with the skills learned. We are now looking into the CREST awards for next term. This will allow the students to experience the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) link. We have STEM ambassadors coming into school working with our students throughout the year. For information on STEM click here.
S Whitby
Sports Announcements
Hockey
On Saturday, 10th October, the U10B squad battled well all day against tough opposition and drew most of their matches. The U10A squad won four out of five matches ... To read more click here.
Notification of Fixture Changes
Cancelled - 4th November - A & B Rugby v Milton Keynes Prep
Cancelled - 4th November - U11 IAPS Regional Hockey Tournament
Open Morning
I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all the pupils that turned up to help the Sports department for Open Morning on Saturday, 10th October. It was a fantastic morning with all major sports on display creating a great buzz around the School. Your effort and commitment to Prep School sport has been excellent.
Parents Support
I often thank all the pupils in my weekly sports announcements for their effort and commitment to all sport that takes place throughout the term. This however cannot be done without the efforts from the parents who get the children to and from fixtures, support them on touchlines and give up lots of time to support what has been arguably a fantastic start to the Michaelmas term sport. Thank you for the wonderful support and hope you all enjoy a lovely half term and I look forward to having you join us once again for another thriving and successful second half to the term.
Mr Irvine
Postcards
Mrs Whitaker would love to have postcards from pupil’s holiday destinations. Please bring them in after half-term, unless pupils would like to post them to school! Thank you.
Mrs Whitaker