Daneshill Diary 23/03/18
Headmaster’s Notes
The only way to begin the diary is by writing about the main school production which has taken pace this week. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has simply been a huge success. The children have performed with enthusiasm and gusto, the team spirit has been evident for all to see, and the direction and commitment of the staff has been second to none. It is an event, such as this, which showcases what Daneshill provides to the children who attend the school. They are willing to take risks with their performances and they take joy out of working together to achieve a common goal. I have certainly seen some of the children in a different light in the form of Augustus Gloop and his other golden ticket winners! Both evenings were extremely well attended and have been a highlight of the year.
As we finish the term with an Easter Egg hunt today, I would like to wish all the Daneshill families a very happy and well-earned rest over the next few weeks. I hope that when we return to school, the sun will have arrived at last and we can enjoy all that the summer has to offer.
Mr Griffiths
Sweet Success!
Audiences of family and friends piled into the Sports Hall for phizz-whizzing performances of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The pupils delivered three stellar shows; one for the school and two for parents. Huge congratulations to Year 7 for astounding all with their professional acting, singing and dancing skills. The children portrayed their characters brilliantly and brought to life the magical world of Willy Wonka. Teamwork and leadership skills were hugely in evidence during both the rehearsal process and the shows. It was a truly scrumdiddlyumptious experience all round. Well done everyone!
Mrs Mannion
London Marathon
I am running the London marathon this April for Clic Sargent, a childhood cancer charity. The training has been inspiring and at times gruelling especially with the horizontal wind and snow! My longest training run so far is 18 miles and I am going for 20 miles during the first week of the Easter break. By the time the race comes round on 22nd April, I will have completed over 200 miles in training runs, cycled over 200 miles and completed numerous circuit sessions, including 3 obstacle course races to build up my strength and endurance. If you can spare the time to visit my justgiving page I would be most grateful or perhaps come up to London and support and cheer me round the 26.2 miles. It would be great to have your support.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mrsblom
Mrs Blomfield
Pre-Prep News
The Spring Term ended on a high as our little Easter chicks bounced onto the school grounds for their annual Easter egg hunt. It was lovely to see them joining their siblings and friends from throughout the school and working together as a team to find their delicious chocolate treats.
The pupils in Nursery have had a choc-o-block week as the children have been baking Easter nests, making bunny ears, and printing Easter eggs.
On behalf of all of the Pre-Prep team we would like to wish you a very restful break and we look forward to welcoming you all back for our summer, action packed term.
The Pre-Prep Teachers
Sports
Weds 21st March
NETBALL
U.13 A vs. St. Neot’s W 28 – 13
U.13 B vs. St. Neot’s W 16 – 2
U.13 C vs. St. Neot’s W 11 – 4
U.11 A vs. St. Neot’s W 9 – 3
U.11 B vs. St. Neot’s W 7 – 4
U.11 C vs. St. Neot’s W 3 – 2
U.10 A vs. St. Neot’s W 15 – 8
U.10 B vs. St. Neot’s W 7 – 4
The netball teams had a fantastic end to the netball season – winning all eight matches against St Neot’s on Wednesday. The U11’s all played superbly, drawing on the skills and tactics they had learnt throughout the season and putting them into practice perfectly. It was good to see the players change positions so easily, demonstrating great versatility and they displayed a strong sense of camaraderie and team spirit throughout their games. Well done to all the girls on a very successful netball season! In particular to the U.10 A team who finished the season unbeaten!
Biathlon
The Daneshill pupils had an incredible weekend competing at the Crystal Palace stadium for the British Biathlon Championships. Our top athletes qualified from the regional preliminary rounds to secure a place in the highly contested final, amongst some of the strongest runners and swimmers in the UK.
Thanks to the mini ‘Beast from the East’ our pupils had an even tougher battle on their hands having to contend with heavy snow and blizzards, making the journey difficult and running the 800m in minus 6 temperatures. However, in true Daneshill spirit, we didn’t let something little like an arctic blast interfere with our determination and enthusiasm and all ploughed on to achieve fantastic results!
Having taken 3 seconds off her PB for the 50m freestyle (which was the swim of her life!), Saffy Rougier in Year 5 was crowned the U10 BRITISH CHAMPION 2018 for the second time. Our U.10 girls (Tabitha Mayon-White, Saffy Rougier and Rose Miles) won the silver medal in the team competition and the U.12 girls (Emily Baugh, Fechi Okafor and Jemima Froom) achieved a national bronze medal. Fechi Okafor won 4th place overall in the U.12 individual competition with Sister Chi Chi Okafor taking 25th place in the U.13’s. The boys also did incredibly well achieving 25th position in the U.10’s.
In a field of over 100 schools, we are extremely proud of how well all our pupils performed. Special thanks must go to our incredibly supportive parents who made the difficult journey to Crystal Palace in awful conditions, some on both Saturday and Sunday. I know the pupils are extremely grateful, as are we!
Mrs Cowd