Daneshill Diary 19/01/18
Headmaster’s Notes
Thanks to all parents who joined us for assembly on Monday. It was lovely to see so many of you there and I hope that you enjoyed it. Particular thanks to Mr Beauchamp, who volunteered to attempt the Rubik cube solution. He didn’t quite complete it, but gained huge respect for trying! I was also delighted to see many parents at our Senior Schools Evening on Thursday, and I hope all gained some insight into the journey that is ahead. For any that missed it, our Senior School Booklet for this year is now available in the office.
I am sorry to say that we recently learned of the passing of Miss June Vallance. For those of you who do not know, Miss Vallance was the founder of Daneshill back in 1950. Aged just 25 at the time, she remained the Headmistress for thirty-eight years. She visited the school many times in the years that followed and continued to live in the area. Many of our existing parents were taught by her. With Mr Spencer, she is certainly one of the giants upon whose shoulders the school now stands. A memorial service will take place in April and as a school we intend to contribute. Further details will follow nearer the time.
I wish everyone a great weekend.
Mr Griffiths
Pre-Prep News
Happy New Year! Bonne Annee! Buon Capo d’Anno! Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!
It was a delight to see the Reception children bouncing into school after the Christmas holidays. They were thrilled to discover that they will be learning all about ‘Dinosaurs’ this half term. This week we focused on the book ‘Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs’; I was very impressed to see the children using their phonics skills to write simple sentences about where they would like to go with their dinosaurs. The children made their very own dinosaur fossil using clay and imprinting their choice of dinosaur; we are looking forward to exhibiting these in our own dinosaur museum for the Year 2 children to come and visit!
Year 1 were introduced to an intriguing creature this week who has knobbly knees, turned-out toes and a poisonous wart at the end of his nose! The Gruffalo! Much to the delight of the children the Gruffalo has made a welcome return to Daneshill. The children were able to accurately pick out the different adjectives used to describe this loveable beast and can’t wait to go and meet him next week.
Year 2 have started the year full of enthusiasm and vigour, ready to learn all about thier new topics. Poems have been performed, clapping out the rythmn and finding the rhymes. There has also been a lot of travel: back in time to 1666, to a little place in London called Pudding Lane and the children have also been rocketed into space and flown like astronauts around our solar system. It has been a fun filled first week and a positive start to 2018. Well done Year 2.
The Pre-Prep Teachers
Sports
Weds 17th January
NETBALL
U.13 A vs. Yateley Manor W 27 – 22
U.13 B vs. LWC L 2 – 6
U.11 A vs. Yateley Manor L 5 – 14
U.11 B vs. Yateley Manor L 1 – 4
U.11 C vs. Yateley Manor L 0 – 2
U.10 A vs. Yateley Manor D 2 – 2
U.10 B vs. Yateley Manor L 3 – 6
RUGBY
U.13 A vs. St Andrew’s L 2 – 4
U.13 B vs. St Andrew’s L 0 – 8
U.11 A vs. St Andrew’s W 3 – 2
U.10 A vs. St Andrew’s W 5 – 1
U.10 B vs. St Andrew’s Tbc
Friday 19th January
NETBALL
U.9 A vs Bishopsgate L 2 – 11
U.9 B vs. Bishopsgate L 0 – 6
U.8 A vs. Bishopsgate D 5 – 5
U.8 B vs. Bishopsgate L 1 – 6
RUGBY
U.9 A vs. St George’s W 5 – 1
U.9 B vs. St George’s W 4 – 3
U.8 A vs. St George’s L 4 – 7
U.8 B vs. St George’s L 2 – 6
The U13 A team got off to a flying start this week in a thrilling match against Yateley Manor. From the first whistle the girls dominated the court, scoring three goals with ease. Our players looked calm and composed as they moved the ball safely up the court and despite only having had a few training sessions, they appeared to read each other’s play extremely well, executing perfect set plays. By half time the score was 11-7 to Daneshill and they knew there was no room for error as they entered the second half.
Saskia Lea demonstrated exceptional fitness levels as centre – dominating the central channels and playing a superb attack and defensive role. Captain Emily Goor at GA was an outstanding playmaker in attack, feeding the ball successfully to GS Grace Weedon, who achieved some brilliant long range shots. Izzy Heffner and Tilly Scott-Knight were dominant in defence and pressured their opponents successfully causing them to make errors and Chi Chi and Fechi Okafor were intimidating in the GK role, taking many interceptions and rebounds. Grace Thomas and Katrina McNair Scott linked up the centre court with the attack well and through quick movements and excellent drives took control of the attacking end. At one point in the game the scores levelled but through hard work and determination the Daneshill girls pulled it back to secure a brilliant win with a final score of 27 – 22. In a 40 minute game, that’s a pretty impressive score! Well done to all – a great start to the season.
Mrs Cowd
U.13 A
U.13s A faced two strong sides on Wednesday. Against St Neots both teams started well, and it was Daneshill who had the first opportunity to touch down over the line only to be bundled into touch just short. St Neots came back strong putting lots of phases together, which tested Daneshill’s defence. But after a solid defensive performance led by Oscar Peterson and Will Swart with some fantastic tackles being made, Daneshill ended up conceding 5 tries. The second game against St Andrews saw a much closer contest, James Bloom opened the scoring by gathering the kick off and producing a magnificent run from inside his own half, side stepping through St Andrews defence to score straight away. St Andrews replied by scoring two tries of their own. Some great forward ball carrying by Alex Williams and Oscar Brownfield put Daneshill back on the front foot and as a result Jake Davies-Jones crashed over the line for our second try of the game. It was all round a much better defensive and rucking performance from the previous week with each player putting in tackles and not giving up until the final whistle. A great display of teamwork and passion from U13A’s.
Mr Moore
U.13 B
Confronted by two well-organised, physical and skillful sides, the U13Bs had a tough afternoon against two U12A teams. In spite of some excellent individual performances in defense, they struggled to gain any real foothold in attack, losing out at the breakdown to powerful and aggressive opposition rucking. However, the Daneshill boys must be commended for their attitude to the contests; their collective endeavour, perseverance and determination was exemplary.
Mr Kinsey
U.11 A
On Wednesday, running into a bitingly cold wind, Daneshill managed to chalk up two victories to add to the wins column. Against St Neot’s we started well and went forward with ball in hand as Nicholas Thomas, Ben Kellard and Shantanu Pednekar led us around the pitch with some strong running and great tackling. We had worked on our decision making at the ruck and the boys showed real improvement from last week, retaining their ball and stringing phases together on attack. Everyone contributed with Ciaran Churcher growing into his role as the game went on and Henry Horniman making a try saving tackle. The target for game two was to ensure we worked together as a team on attack and come forward in defence. The next match was a closer affair and the game was in the balance with both teams scoring long range tries. Our defence was not as strong as it needed to be and a big St Andrew’s side ran through us. We fought back, however, and made some telling tackles toward the end of the game to ensure a win. Our attack was strong once again and Nicholas Thomas deserves a mention for scoring all 3 tries; the last was from a kick and regather, displaying superb skill. We have a coaching session next week and then our next match.
Mr Baldwin
U.10 A
The U.10 As played some exceptional rugby on Wednesday afternoon. The boys were not deterred by the absence of Rupert, who was missing due to injury, and put in a heroic performance against St Andrew’s. Our defence was outstanding and we showed our superiority at the breakdown. When we had the ball we kept the ball moving, exploited the space, and played some fantastic attacking rugby. Henry Carvosso must be singled out for the 4 tries that he scored as his power was too much for St Andrew’s. All of the boys contributed to what was a great afternoon so much so that they were all awarded house points. Well done!
Mr Spencer