Daneshill Diary 05/12/14

Headmaster’s Notes

It has been another action-packed week at Daneshill.

The Nursery children started the Christmas celebrations at the school with their version of the Nativity, which they performed to an appreciative audience.

The Pre-Prep entertained pupils, staff, parents and grandparents with their Christmas play. I was not sure if I should recognise the mouse infested school although the Headmaster (played by Hugo Yeoman) seemed very impressive! Caitlin Manley caught Mrs Dainton’s mannerisms superbly although I am not sure she is a twin set and pearls sort of girl! All the usual characters of camels, shepherds, wise men and sheep gave performances worthy of their costumes. For me the Angels dancing to the music of ‘Frozen’ were enchanting and Mary (Alaya Cowan) sang her solo beautifully. The Narrators were impressive having learnt and delivered their words without hesitation. Indeed there was a great deal to indicate that there is much young talent within the Pre-Prep just waiting for the opportunities to take to the stage in the years ahead. Well done everyone! Special thanks to all the staff who worked so hard and also for the support of numerous parents.

On Tuesday many of the pupils took to the stage for a Vocal Recital. As always we were treated to an abundance of talent. We also received news today that Orlando Kennedy has been chosen for the National Children’s Choir of Great Britain. Well done Orlando! Furthermore, I would like to congratulate Ellen Green on passing her Grade 5 music theory exam.

On the sports front, another special mention must go to Guy Stevens for finishing 8th in the National Biathlon Finals that were held in Solihull last weekend. He came 4th in the 800m run which is incredible. Well done Guy!

The girls’ netball term has come to an end and I am delighted to announce that the U.8 A&B team finished the season undefeated. Well done girls! The U.13 A’s have recorded notable victories against Farnborough Hill, The Abbey, St Andrew’s and St Neot’s. The U.13 B’s have also had a good season. The U.10 A’s have built on the success of last year as have both of the U.9 teams who have benefitted from more girls joining the year group. I would like to thank all of the girls’ PE staff but in particular Miss O’Neill for her enthusiasm and passion for the sport. It has undoubtedly rubbed off on all the girls and I can’t remember seeing so many of them shooting netballs at break times as we have this term. It certainly bodes well for the future!

On Thursday evening many of the parents attended the Friends of Daneshill Christmas Ball. By all accounts this was a huge success with one member of staff receiving special mention for his dancing repertoire. I would like to thank everyone who attended for their support. A special mention must go to Giles Toosey for giving up his time to organise the event. It is greatly appreciated!

Mr Spencer
 

News from the Pre-Prep

CONGRATULATIONS – to all the Pre-Prep children who have worked so very hard to put on their Christmas production this year; ‘Baubles’. The first performance to the parents was a triumph on Wednesday, which was recorded for all to remember. Then on Thursday everyone dug deep to make more parents and grandparents feel happy at this special time of the year. From the smallest sheep to Mary singing her solo, every child gave their all and we are all SO proud of you.

As always a huge thank you goes to all the very kind mothers who help us every year with their sewing expertise and their brilliant behind the scenes support. It is like an army manoeuvre getting the right children into the right place as they tip toe along the carpet squares in great excitement and anticipation for their turn on the stage. Also well done to all the parents for helping their children learn their lines with clear diction and EXPRESSION!

Last but not least a really big thank you goes to all the Pre-Prep staff for their vision and team work. It all started by giving up a day of half-term and transforming a script for 30 children into one for 76 children! The teachers all had high expectations for their year groups, which was transformed into ability and self-belief.

There is a great deal of pride in the Pre-Prep building this week and we hope all the children savour these happy memories for years to come.

Miss Bull

Nursery Corner

We have had a fantastic festive week in the Nursery. Those in on Monday had the opportunity to see their friends perform in ‘Baubles’ and the children then performed the Nursery Nativity on Tuesday – and how well they all did. Your thanks and comments have been so special. Many of you have been rather amazed at how 3 and 4 year olds can learn so many songs and individual lines and then perform with limited prompting and support. The answer really is that the children themselves are incredible – willing to learn, eager to achieve what is asked of them and quick to pick up the rhythm and beat of the Christmas songs. They really were brilliant and it has been a pleasure to work with them to bring it altogether for you on Tuesday. 

We continue with all things Christmas and have been ordering the Christmas gifts that the Kings bought for baby Jesus according to their size as well as looking at pictures of Father Christmas when he was really big and then again after he’d obviously been on a fruit and vegetable diet! One of the EYFS goals is all about size, weight and height ordering and what better way to engage and teach children some mathematical vocabulary!

We hope you all have a lovely weekend and see you next week.

Mrs Beeching

         
Sporting Fixtures
Boys:                                                                           Girls:
FOOTBALL TERM                                                         NETBALL TERM
                                                                                    Wednesday 3rd December
                                                                                     U.13 A vs. St Neot’s                  W 24 – 3
                                                                                     U.13 B vs. St Neot’s                  W 18 – 1          
                                                                                     U.11 A vs. St Neot’s                  D 7 – 7
                                                                                     U.11 B vs. St Neot’s                  W 11 – 9                      
                                                                                     U.10 A vs. St Neot’s                  L 9 – 14           
                                                                                     U.10 B vs. St Neot’s                  W 10 – 0
 
                                                                                    Friday 5th December
           
                                                                                     U.9 A vs St Neot’s                     L 5 – 7
                                                                                     U.9 B vs St Neot’s                     W 8 – 1
                                                                                     U.8 A vs St Neot’s                     W 15 – 0
                                                                                     U.8 B vs St Neot’s                     W 8 – 0
                                                                                     U.8 C vs St Neot’s                     W 13 – 0          
 

Weekly Sports Reports

The U.13 teams had a cracking end to their netball season with outstanding wins over St Neot’s this week. The teams arrived full of energy and buzzing with excitement, determined to finish the year on a high. The girls asserted themselves right from the start and scored early which caught their opposition on the back foot. Our attackers dominated the shooting circle as our mid-court players zipped the ball up court at speed, feeding the circle brilliantly. Our defenders prevented countless attacking drives and very few goals were scored as a result. We decided to mix up the positions at half time and still the goals kept rolling in, there was just no stopping us! There are not enough words to praise the girls sufficiently this week. A fantastic achievement – well done to everyone.

The U.11’s also had a great finish to their season, achieving a superb win and a draw against a tough St Neot’s side. The game was very even throughout and our girls stayed on top of their game play, passing the ball quickly down the court and supporting each other brilliantly. It was wonderful to see the girls bringing all their skills together so effortlessly in their final game. A real team spirit could be felt. Every girl on this team should feel incredibly proud of their contributions this season. 

The U.10 A’s knew their match would be tough but they played brilliantly together, demonstrating good versatility and teamwork. Unfortunately, St Neot’s pulled away in the last quarter and the final score did not represent the amount of game play we had.  

The U.10 B’s saved the best till last this week and scored a superb ten goals in their match. The team changed positions each quarter and dominated right from the start and a well-deserved victory was achieved. Well done to all the U.10 girls for an excellent term of netball.

In preparation for our hockey season after Christmas, we look forward to welcoming Jessica Brooker from Bradfield College on Monday to lead a fun and energetic hockey master class session for Years 5 – 8.

Miss O’Neill

This week has seen the early introduction of Rugby. The aim is to get the boys up to speed with the basics of the tackle and the contact area before the new term starts. There has been some rather vigorous tackling and commitment to the game and this has been great to see as the boys have been taking advice on board, putting it into practice and competing for places. 

Wednesday also saw the last inter-house competition for football. The Year 5-6/7-8’s fought out separate tournaments on the Astro. It was a great afternoon; the six-a-side format on a small pitch saw committed defence, crisp passing and some top goals! Congratulations to Blue House who came out victorious in both competitions.

Here’s to a fun and enjoyable last week.

Mr Baldwin