Daneshill Diary 06/10/17

Headmaster’s Notes

It is not often that I will start a diary entry by quoting an email that I received during the week, but this one encapsulates the spirit at Daneshill. It is a great testament to the teachers and pupils after a quite superb performance on Friday.

I feel you should be aware of the exemplary efforts the sports staff and U.11 IAPS hockey team demonstrated yesterday at the IAPS tournament. In my opinion the word ‘proud’ is overused so I don’t use it often; however, it certainly applied yesterday. The team were unified and valiant and most of all dignified in defeat upon losing a very close penalty shootout which was reminiscent of the Olympic Women’s hockey final. There were uncontrollable nerves along with tears; however, the effort and passion every player put in to the day was beyond admirable.

It has been an incredibly busy week and culminated in a fantastic Open Day where our entire Year 8 gave us cause for pride with their brilliant tours and where our string players, choir and soloist had visitors in awe.

Mr Griffiths

Equestrian Team Qualifies for the Nationals

On Saturday the Daneshill Equestrian Team entered the St Gabriel’s NSEA Inter-Schools KBIS Arena Eventing Qualifier. The courses were exceptionally long and challenging, the classes were large, and the competition was fierce.

The 85cm team (Amelia R, Katrina MS, Sofia C and Tilly SK) put in a valiant effort over a long and demanding course finishing 7th overall, which was just out of the placings and qualification.

The 75cm team (Candida MS, Katrina MS, Sofia C and William B) rode brilliantly and finished 2nd overall and qualified for the National Inter-School Championships on 19th October.

Well done to all of the children who should all be extremely proud of their efforts.

Onto the Nationals we go!

Mrs McNair Scott

Pre-Prep News

This week started with a huge “ROAR” as the children were introduced to their new Bear topic. We looked at pictures of bears and discussed what facts we already knew and what we would like to learn. The children searched for bear prints and caves on our Forest Friday adventure. It was such fun singing along to “we’re going on a bear hunt” and the children used their imaginations wonderfully as they walked through the swishy swishy grass and through the squelching mud! Reception were delighted to hear they will be working together to make their own class bear who will be visiting homes soon!

Our Year 1 pirates have been using their artistic talents to put the finishing touches to their precious treasure chests. There were gasps of awe and wonder when we revealed the dazzling diamonds which the children could use to customise their designs. We went on to discuss what we would like to find inside our chests; a podgy sausage dog, a creepy skeleton and delicious sweets were a few suggestions.

Another busy week for the children in Year 2.  The classrooms have been filled with ‘angle eaters’ (circle monsters that want to eat right angles), as well as the children turning themselves into characters from their English book ‘The Man Who Wore All His Clothes’.  At one point there was even a re-enactment of Mr Gaskitt sitting on the robber!

We are also very pleased to say that the new sports equipment has arrived from the ‘Premier League Primary Stars’ initiative and the children have been so excited to use the goals posts, alphabet and number spots and even team bibs.  It has even inspired the children to teach each other numbers in new languages.  Emily was counting in Danish, Alegra in Spanish and Rupert and Xander in French.  The highlight, however, was when Mr Griffiths was caught playing hopscotch, closely followed by Mrs Cowd!  An inspiring time had by all.

The Pre-Prep Teachers

Sports

Weds 4th October

FOOTBALL

U.13 A vs. Hall Grove T’ment                         D 2, L 2

U.13 B vs. Papplewick                                    L 0 – 2

U.11 vs Papplewick                                         L 2 – 5

U.10 A vs. Papplewick                                    D 2 – 2

U.10 B vs. Papplewick                                    D 2 – 2

HOCKEY

U.13 A vs. LWC                                               L 0 – 4

U.13 B vs. LWC                                              W 2 – 0

U.11 B vs. St Gabriel’s ‘A’                                L 1 – 2

U.11 C vs St Gabriel’s ‘A’                                L 0 – 11

U.10 A vs. St Gabriel’s                                   W 7 – 2

U.10 B vs. St Garbriel’s ‘A’                              L 1 – 4

Thurs 5th October

HOCKEY

U.8 vs. Eagle House T’ment

A team

vs. Eagle House                                          W 2 – 0
vs. Hall Grove                                              L 0 – 1
vs. Crosfields                                               W 3 – 0
vs. The Abbey                                             W 2 – 0

B team

vs. Eagle House                                        W 1 – 0
vs. Hall Grove                                            D 1 – 1
vs. Dolphin                                                 W 1 – 0
vs. Feltonfleet                                            W 2 – 1
vs. Crosfields                                             D 1 – 1

Friday 6th October

FOOTBALL

U.9 A vs Papplewick                                 L 3 – 4

U.9 B vs. Papplewick                                W 2 – 0

U.8 A vs. Papplewick                                L 1 – 3

U.8 B vs. Papplewick                                W 2 – 0

HOCKEY

U.11 A vs. IAPS T’ment                           SF (Lost 2 – 3 on Penalty Flicks)

U.9 A vs. St Andrew’s                              W 5 – 2

U.9 B vs. St Andrew’s                              L 1 – 2

U.8 A vs. St Andrew’s                             L 1 – 2

U.8 B vs. St Andrew’s                            W 4 – 1

This week’s the U.13 A’s played Lord Wandsworth College. In the first half it was very intense and there were a number of great saves made by Ava Lee. But unfortunately, LWC were one up by half time. By the time Daneshill had had a team chat at half-time they were ready to face the opposition once again. The ball was going back and forth like a boomerang. There were some great tackles made by Izzy Heffner, Saskia Lea and Grace Weedon. Not forgetting the amazing dribbles by Tilly Scott-Knight, Katrina McNair Scott and Candida McNair Scott. With Emily Goor having two attempts at a goal but unfortunately hitting the posts on both occasions. In the end Lord Wandsworth finished winners 5-0.

Jemima Beard 8B

U.10 A

Our visitors won the toss and we quickly prepared for our 7-aside match.  We had the chance for everyone to play today which was great for team-building and morale. It was fantastic to see players speed around the pitch and try out new positions whilst also trying to work together as a team. Daneshill continued to dominate in the second half with our shooters playing well and our defence keeping the ball away from St Gabriel’s attacking circle. A well matched game saw end to end action with some great saves by the defenders and strong, controlled midfield play. The sheer determination, fantastic teamwork and excellent play by the whole team enabled, in the end, Daneshill to win the match comfortably 7-2.

U.10 B

The game against St Gabriel’s saw some fantastic defensive work, keeping the ball away from the goal and some excellent saves by Daneshill’s goalie. Although the game was very defensive, Daneshill gave St Gabriel’s no time on the ball, pressuring them well. Daneshill worked very hard in midfield, but couldn’t stop St Gabriel’s attackers breaking through in numbers and putting the ball in the back of the goal a total of 4 times. The girls were not down hearted and pressed from midfield tackling and distributing the ball to the forwards. Towards the end of the game our persistence paid off with a ball past the St Gabriel’s goalie. Daneshill fought very hard for every ball, but unfortunately lost the game 4-1.

Mrs Fevrier