Daneshill Diary 30/09/16

Headmaster’s Notes

It has been another fantastic week in school. Year 2 thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Butser Farm as part of their topic on the ‘Celts’. They travelled back in time to make pots from clay and learn how the Celtic people lived many years ago.

The sporting fixtures this week were particularly successful and it is lovely to see so many children enjoying their sport. I popped into the gymnasium on Tuesday morning at 8:00am and I was extremely impressed to see so many boys and girls taking part in gymnastics. Very well done!

Finally a huge ‘thank you’ to all the children and parents who supported the MacMillan cake sale on Friday. The cakes looked, and I’m sure tasted, amazing! I would like to pass on my thanks to all those who gave up their time to organise this event. It is greatly appreciated.

Mr Wansey

Pre-Prep News

In Reception we have embarked on another exciting week of learning. It has been so encouraging to see the children settled and happy in their new surroundings. At Daneshill we give the children a wide range of experiences that promote the understanding of people, families and communities beyond their own. Our current topic ‘Africa’ has enabled us to have discussions on how we are all the same but different and unique. It was wonderful to have a visiting speaker (Mrs Okoro) come and share her personal experiences of Africa and to answer the children’s questions. Our Director of Music, Mr Soper, brought in African drums and musical instruments. Just imagine the delight as we drummed out ‘1,2,3…BANANA!’ which then led to the children exclaiming what they wanted for dinner! What fantastic rhythmic skills the children already have!

Our fabulous Year 1 Pirates have been hard at work this week – learning catchy Pirate songs, enjoying dancing Pirate jigs, and finally using their mathematical skills to navigate themselves around a map to find the hidden treasure.  It is wonderful to have a topic which lends itself to a variety of learning experiences and the children are thoroughly enjoying incorporating their core subjects into such fun activities. It has brought much delight reading about what the children do in their free time in their ‘Weekend News’ – Granny’s party, walks to the park and even detailed accounts of yummy meals that they have had! We hope you create more memories this weekend and look forward to reading all about it on Monday in the children’s writing.

The Year 2 children were transported back in time as they stepped off the bus at Butser Ancient Farm; no longer young children but Celtic villagers! We were proud to see their new knowledge and interest peak when they were led inside our own private roundhouse. As the doors were shut, gasps of excitement could be heard around the circle. Their experience went even further when they took part in daily life, which included using flint to carve into chalk, getting their hands dirty moulding clay pots and even being put to work in the fields wattling to help develop their hillfort. The icing on the cake was when our guide praised the children for being polite, enthusiastic and a joy to work with. So much so that she gave the children her own Celtic good luck charm which hangs with pride in Year 2! A super trip enjoyed by all.

Sports

Wednesday 28^th September

FOOTBALL

U.13 A vs. Dolphin                 W 7 – 1

U.13 B vs. Dolphin                 W 8 – 0

U.13 C vs. Dolphin                 W 8 – 2

Colts A vs. Dolphin                 D 3 – 3

Colts B vs. Dolphin                 W 4 – 0

Colts C vs. Dolphin                 W 11 – 0

Colts D vs. Dolphin                W 10 – 0

HOCKEY

U.13 A vs. Yateley Manor       W 1 – 0

U.13 B vs. Yateley Manor       W 1 – 0

U.11 A vs. Yateley Manor       L 0 – 2

U.11 B vs. Yateley Manor       W 5 – 1

U.10 A vs. Yateley Manor       D 2 – 2

U.10 B vs. Yateley Manor       W 5 – 1

U.10 C vs. Yateley Manor       W 7 – 4

Friday 30^th September

FOOTBALL 

U.9 A vs. St Mary’s                 W 4 – 2

U.9 B vs. St Mary’s                  L 0 – 2

U.8 vs. St Mary’s                     L 3 – 5

Reports

U.10s

The U.10 A’s had an exciting game against Yateley Manor on Wednesday. The game was played at Frogmore Leisure centre on a pitch with long AstroTurf resembling grass. Initially we found it tough to move the ball and were constantly being tackled but as we got used to the surface, our confidence grew; we dominated possession and enjoyed attacking. Imogen Dyer scored the first goal, catching Yateley off guard. Claudia Kamkar-Diaz successfully made the last tackle before Yateley shot on several occasions but one snuck in. One all at half time and a few plans were made on how to dominate the second half. We used the wings more; passing to Lily Moore and Lola Goor, and our defenders put pressure on the opposition too by going forward further with Isla Lock and Kate Lee-Smith determined that nothing would get past them. Jemima Froom, Girl of the Game, supported Imogen in attack who scored her second but Yateley also scored with the match finishing two all. It was a very closely fought game. Daneshill never gave up and showed great determination to the last whistle. Well done!

The U.10 B played 7 aside with no goalkeepers. The girls were brave in tackles, communicated well and the linking game between them was fantastic. Lots of powerful balls were played into the D resulting in a winning score of 5 to 1. They showed marvellous spirit and should be very proud of their victory!

The girls got off to a great start with an early goal from Daisy Martin.  However, Yateley Manor scored another two goals making the initial quarter nail bitingly close.  Once Daneshill spread out and found free space away from the ball, the passing up the wings greatly improved and they started to make a come back.

At half time the score of 3-2 to Daneshill was promising, although a little too close for comfort. With an optimistic half time chat we decided to up the game and be more confident. The girls certainly showed this by using their tackling and blocking skills as well as gathering energy to chase after the ball and keep possession. Tilly Taylor facilitated many goals with some great passes to the goal scores.  Hannah Leigh-Smith was awarded girl of the game for her positive defensive play.

U.13s

The Year 7&8 boys travelled to Dolphin school this week. Confronted with three small pitches upon arrival, the respective coaches quickly came to the decision to play three 5 a-side matches and it is clearly a format of the game within which the Daneshill players thrive. The sun was shockingly warm for the back end of September and the fact that the pitches were alongside one another and the matches kicked off in synchronisation, all made for a very pleasant afternoon for the spectating coaches and parents. I must say, I was mightily impressed by our collective performance. The score lines of 7-1, 8-0 and 8-2 does absolutely no justice to the quality of the Dolphin teams. This was no one-sided walk over. Man for man they were not lacking in skill or tactics. Where our boys shone, was in their relentless commitment to the cause. My vantage point, at the far end of the field, allowed me to cast an eye across all three matches simultaneously and the picture remained consistent as the Dolphin players found themselves hounded off the ball. Of course, goals do not score themselves and I must admit to breaking side-line etiquette on occasion as I was moved to shameless joviality at some of the wonderful touches and sublime finishes on show. It’s ever so pleasing to see the boys begin to take shape and bring the training paddock into match day.

Mr Webster 

Colts A

The Colts A’s were excited at the prospect of a home game. It meant home match teas, familiar settings and Mr Baldwin refereeing, so no advice from the side-lines! This game showed we are really getting used to our structures as we managed to create space by using the through ball. Some early dominance lead to an absolute belter of a goal from Marios who’s connection was so sweet it made Jammy Dodger’s seem sour. We switched off immediately, thinking we were going to have a good day and Dolphin levelled within a minute. We then dominated possession and played some structured, intelligent football with Marios, Will and Harvey combining to set up goal scoring opportunities. The Dolphin Goalie was up to the challenge, however, and it was 2-2 by half time. The second half was a war of attrition. Both teams wanted to win the game and both were physical and skilful. In a tense battle which saw 3 goals apiece the game ended in a draw. We gave ourselves the opportunity to score with headers off the cross bar and shots off the side of the goal but full credit to Dolphin who created some good chances themselves. I am looking forward to next week where hopefully we can improve further and, playing with different boys, score goals for our houses!

Mr Baldwin

Colts B

The Colts B started the match in the ascendency and we continued this way throughout the first half. Alex Williams joined us from the A’s to provide more balance to the team and offer more of a threat in attack. Thankfully this proved to be an astute acquisition and we looked dangerous every time we went forward. The boys played some good football and our shape ensured we had time and space in possession. We ran in at half-time 4 nil up. Dolphin certainly proved more of a test in the second half although we still dominated proceedings and were it not for some better finishing we would have been looking at double figures. This was not too be though but thankfully Dolphin never looked like scoring either. Well done boys for a convincing display!

Mr Spencer

Colts C

The Colts C won a rather one-sided game 11-0. Having asked the boys before kick-off to be ruthless – as we all felt that the results so far hadn’t exactly matched some of our performances – the score line is pleasing, of course. But it was perhaps the style and manner of the goals that particularly caught the eye. It was great to see some longer passages of possession and control in the midfield leading to easy chances in the opposition box.

The boys must now remember both the mindset and the tactics which brought them such success against Dolphin this afternoon: easy, short and controlled passing; width, spacing and movement; and selflessness, drive and commitment. If we can replicate that combination in the same manner against the other sides that we play this season, there will be many more victories to report on.

Mr Kinsey

Colts D

A good afternoon of 5-a-side football was had and all the boys entered into the game with good spirit. After a short while it seemed clear that we were the dominant side so substitutes were made frequently.

There were first goals of the season for Percy, Monty, Dominic, Charlie, Conal. Sam also managed a hat-trick and further goals from Daniel and Harrison.

The boys tried to spread the ball with more conviction this week, and it was pleasing to see them utilise the full width of the pitch.

A good win this week!

Mr Soper