Daneshill Diary 16/09/16
Headmaster’s Notes
I do hope the term has begun well for you and your children. It has been wonderful to meet so many of you so far this term and it is an absolute privilege and honour to be Headmaster here at this time. Simon Spencer was a much loved, highly regarded and hugely popular Headmaster and I will certainly do everything in my power to ensure that the great reputation of Daneshill School is maintained and continues to flourish. As you know, there will be a Memorial Service for Simon on Saturday 8th October at 11.00am here at School.
The term has started extremely well with plenty of activity both in and outside of the classroom. The new Pre-Prep play equipment is proving to be very popular and offers plenty of scope for imaginative play. At the beginning of the week Year 4 departed for an overnight stay at Ufton Court, which was a great success. On Tuesday Year 3 children had a very happy time at the Gordon Brown Centre involving themselves in ‘Team Building Activities.’ Years 7 and 8 have enjoyed an exciting tree climbing afternoon using ropes and other equipment, as part of their Adventure and Leadership programme. Sports fixtures have also begun, with all teams displaying plenty of talent and potential. Well done!
I do wish all the children an enjoyable and relaxing weekend and I look forward to a very happy, hard-working and successful term.
Mr Wansey
Year 4 Trip to Ufton Court
On Monday, twenty eight very excited Year 4 pupils and three equally as excited members of staff were warmly welcomed to Ufton Court for two days of fun-filled activities. Unlike last year, the weather was glorious and the girls and boys had an action packed morning exploring the grounds, learning about the Vikings and Saxons and the art of lighting fires – some more successful than others! After lunch, they settled into their rooms and made their beds (a novelty for many). The build-up to the Saxon feast involved storytelling and the allocation of roles and costumes for all. The pupils then headed to the barn for a banquet feast of gammon, bread and vegetables, which was washed down with some special ‘wine’ (water). The evening culminated with a sing song around the campfire with Mr Soper.
As is customary with shared dorms it was a fairly early rise with many tired looking children making their way down to breakfast in the morning. The tiredness was short-lived as the re-enactment of the Viking/ Saxon raid in the morning captivated the children’s imaginations and gave them an insight into the history of the battles fought over several centuries. Learning the crafts of the time, fence making, spinning wool and grinding corn to make flour highlighted the effort that was required to produce very little and gave a temporary appreciation of the ease of modern day life! The historical photomapping around the grounds before lunch allowed them to learn about the features of the buildings and the beautiful gardens at Ufton Court.
The two days certainly broadened their historical knowledge of the Saxons and the Vikings. Perhaps more importantly though it provided the children with the opportunity to get to know each other even better through the various teambuilding activities that were on offer and take away happy memories of their first overnight trip.
Mrs Lock & Mrs Barnes
Year 3 Visit the Gordon Brown Centre
Year 3 spent an adventurous day with their classmates at the Gordon Brown Centre in Rotherwick on Tuesday. The aim of the day was to build friendships, encourage co-operation and develop teamwork at the beginning of the academic year. Activities included low ropes, an assault course, shelter building, fire setting and cooking popcorn. The children also enjoyed meeting the rabbits, chickens and pigs!
When asked to describe their day the children responded:
“Amazing”
“Best trip ever”
“Can we go again?”
We hope this enthusiasm continues!
We would also like to say a big ‘thank you’ to our parent helpers for the day; Mrs Brownfield, Mrs Cross and Dr Kape.
Year 3 Tutors
Pre-Prep News
What a wonderful start to Reception! We have settled into our new routines and have already started enjoying our phonics. Our first topic of the term is ‘Elmer the Elephant’ and, as well as enjoying craft activities based on the famous patchwork animal, we have talked at length about the conservation issues related to elephants. Yesterday we had a lovely tour of the school grounds with one of the children commenting: ‘this is such fun!’ What a joy to teach such eager pupils.
We have had a fantastic week in Year 1 with the children happily settling into their new classes and welcoming their new friends to Daneshill. Introducing our first topic of the year – Pirates and Mermaids – has been a pleasure and the children have already produced some super work, which will be up on display in no time! It’s so lovely to witness the children enthused by stories and songs about Pirates and we hope you’ve all heard why Pirates are always grumpy? If not do ask your child who is sure to tell you ‘cos they arrreeee’! Have a relaxing weekend.
It wasn’t just the first day in Year 2 for our pupils, we also welcomed Mrs Fleming to the Pre-Prep team. French in particular has been embraced as has the added maturity expected of the year group that leads the Pre-Prep. Laughs were heard as the Year 2 teachers started their English lesson by wearing an excessively large amount of clothes on the hottest week in September on record. This launched the start of our text ‘The Man Who Wore All His Clothes’ and curiosity was sparked as to why he does so. Look out for an update soon…
Sports
Wednesday 14th September
FOOTBALL
U.13 A vs. Reddam House L 1 – 6
U.13 B vs. Reddam House D 2 – 2
Colts A vs. Papplewick & Lambrook L 1 – 2, D 1 – 1
Colts B vs. Papplewick & Lambrook W 1 – 0, L 0 -2
Colts C vs. Papplewick & Lambrook L 0 – 1, W 2 – 1
Colts D vs. Papplewick & Lambrook D 1 – 1, L 0 – 1
HOCKEY
U.13 A vs. Lambrook L 1 – 3
U.13 B vs. Lambrook D 0 – 0
U.13 C vs. Lambrook L 0 – 1
U.13 D vs. Lambrook L 2 – 5
U.11 A vs. Lambrook W 5 – 0
U.11 B vs. Lambrook W 4 – 1
U.10 A vs. Lambrook W 7 – 0
U.10 B vs. Lambrook W 4 – 0
U.10 C vs. Lambrook D 0 – 0
Friday 16th September
FOOTBALL
U.9 A vs. Reddam House W 11 – 1
U.9 B vs. Reddam House W 5 – 1
U.8 A vs. Brockhurst T’ment Late
U.8 B vs. Brockhurst T’ment Late
HOCKEY
U.9 A vs. Holme Grange W 10 – 2
U.9 B vs. Holme Grange W 5 – 1
U.8 A vs. Holme Grange W 3 – 1
U.8 B vs. Holme Grange L 2 – 4
Reports
The U.13A’s faced a strong Reddam House side in their first match of the season. We started very well indeed with some great interplay in the midfield creating chances on goal. I was particularly impressed with the 1, 2 plays and triangle football on display. We went one nil up after a top goal consisting of all the aforementioned components as Joey and Joseph combined to spread the ball wide for Harry’s cross, which Archie finished superbly. I had high hopes at this stage for the match and going into the second half it was evenly poised. Unfortunately Reddam House proved too strong – a combination of their size and strength combined with our lack of organisation in defence let in the goals that would see them take a 6 – 1 victory. Football is a funny game as I felt we deserved more than we got from the match. The boys showed great spirit despite an unjust score line. Clearly we need to work on our defensive shape and structure and being more clinical in front of goal!
Mr Robson
The senior 2nd team travelled to Reddam House for their first game of the season. On a large pitch in baking conditions, the boys’ fitness and resolve were really tested. It was a puzzling half-time team talk. After dominating possession, territory and shots on goal, we found ourselves two nil down. Reddam House proved to be an excellent counter attacking team and our over enthusiasm going forward left us vulnerable at the back. The half time switch, with Nathan going in goal and Luke moving to sweeper proved hugely influential as Luke’s pace and strength provided an impenetrable wall. This allowed Hal, Camilo and Stanley to roam free and some delightful interchanges led to a brace for Hal and a respectable draw. Sid was our captain for the day and led the side well. A good start with some exemplary team spirit. Well done boys!
Mr Webster
The Colts A’s started slowly against a very strong Lambrook side. It was out first match and we were essentially kept in the game by James Bloom and Oscar Petersen who rescued us from many a Lambrook attack. As we gradually became use to our structure we gained a foothold in the game and having conceded early in the second half, we needed to take our opportunities if we were to equalise. Harvey Keeling scored a wonder goal from the left hand side-line and we drew 1-1 – some real grit had been shown. Against Papplewick we needed to be stronger on the ball, keep our composure and choose our pass if we were to compete. We did this well and had the better of the match, showing great improvement. Freddie Cullen set up some nice play in the midfield and with our defence bearing up we looked good. Football is a funny game, however, and though we deserved more, Papplewick made the most of their chances and we lost 2-1. Plenty to work on but also plenty of improvement shown!
Mr Baldwin
The Colts B started the season with a solid performance. In our first match we came up against Papplewick with both sides struggling to get control of the ball on the hard pitches that are inevitable at this stage of the season. Daneshill always looked the more threatening though and Seth Gavin took his chance when it came to give us a 1 nil lead at half-time. We dominated the second half with Barnaby Calthorpe and Arthur Toosey taking advantage of the space down the flanks. Edward Terry also put in a determined performance in central midfield ensuring the defence was never left exposed as we surged forward. We had endless opportunities to score but thankfully we were not punished for our missed chances and ran in 1 nil winners at the final whistle. In our second game Lambrook offered much more of a challenge and we could have been out of sight in the first half had it not been for some good saves from Nick Legh-Smith and solid defending from Cameron and Will. We made some changes at half time to ensure we had more options going forward and had we not wasted our chances we could have easily drawn the match. Unfortunately it was not to be though, Lambrook scored in the last minute to win the game 2 – 0. Clearly we need to work on our finishing but the boys certainly showed commitment which bodes well for the season ahead.
Mr Spencer
In spite of the final score – with Daneshill losing 1-0 in the closing minutes – there was much to be impressed with in the Colts C’s first match of the season against Papplewick. The boys kept the ball very well, with the midfield of Nicholas Thomas, Ben Kellard, Ciaran Churcher and Oscar Brownfield all stringing together some really attractive passages of play. However, as we continued to chase the winner at one end, a Papplewick counter-attack saw us concede with barely a minute left in the game.
The boys continued with their fluent and fluid approach in the second game against Lambrook. Although this led to the occasional scare, some outstanding last-ditch defending from Henry Horniman and goalkeeper Robin Rattray helped us to repel any early efforts from Lambrook. This lay the foundations upon which the midfield quartet could build our own attacks, with shorter, more intricate passing being followed by sweeping balls down the channels to forward Luca Dharwar. After a well-taken opener from Nicholas Thomas, Captain Oliver Groslin thumped home a half-volley from the edge of the box to give Daneshill a deserved 2 goal cushion. Although we did concede in the last play of the game, a 2-1 Daneshill victory was just reward for the boys’ performances.
Mr Kinsey
The Colts D started the season well with two closely fought matches.
The first, against Papplewick, finished 1-1 but with Daneshill having the majority of possession. With fresh legs the boys looked to pass the ball to the wide channels, then looking to fire back into the box. They attempted this a few times and were very close to pulling off a fantastic winner but unfortunately shooting just wide. Sam Arnold then made the most of his opportunity and opened up his tally of goals for the season.
The second game was a similar affair with Daneshill taking control of the territory. Daniel and Harrison dominated the midfield and tried a few surging runs but on this occasion to no avail. We were strong in defence, ably led by Dominic who huffed and puffed on what was a very hot afternoon. The game finished in a 1-0 loss.
This team now needs to keep working on running into space so as not to cramp the player with the ball and keeping possession for longer periods with more accurate passing to assist.
This was a good start to the season and the boys showed fantastic team spirit
Mr Soper