Daneshill Diary 13/11/15

Headmaster’s Notes

Last week we were fortunate that the worst of the weather stayed away on Friday night and we were able to enjoy a fantastic bonfire night. I do, however, apologise for any parents whose cars were stuck in the mud! Thanks to a great deal of hard work behind the scenes and the exceptional efforts of numerous parents, who were expertly managed by our new FOD committee, the evening was a great success. Pupils (past and present), parents and staff seem to continue to enjoy this annual event, which certainly makes it all worthwhile.

This week has been very busy and amidst the hard work we have had some notable achievements. Our science team won the National Prep Schools Inter-School Science Quiz Championship regional heat and in doing so have qualified for the national semi-final. Well done Tommy Guy, Viola Mansfield, Alex Harker and Harry Aldred. The U.9 A netball team won a tournament hosted by Edgeborough. Our girls won every match against some notable opponents. The U.9 B team also did very well and finished 3rd in their tournament. Well done girls! The boys’ football teams almost completed a white wash of St Neot’s with the Colts D team just coming up short, losing 2 – 3. The 1st XI, 2nd XI, Colts A, B and C all won. Well done boys!

Work hard and play hard might be an old adage but it undoubtedly leads to the types of successes that we have enjoyed this week.

Mr Spencer

Science Quiz

On Tuesday 10th November we took our science quiz team made up of Viola Mansfield, Tommy Guy, Alex Harker and Harry Aldred to St Edward’s School, Tilehurst for the National Science Quiz area heats. These four pupils had already made it through the selection process back at school scoring full marks in two selection quizzes to decide who should make the team. There were 8 other local schools competing to win, including The Abbey, St Neot’s and Papplewick. An exuberant quiz master explained the rules and the children were off, selecting their answers on electronic key pads. After each question scores were displayed on the screen so we could see how each team were progressing. Through the first twenty questions Daneshill held their own but St Neot’s took an early lead. We kept our cool and worked superbly to gain as many points for each question as possible. After 29 questions we were in 2nd place. The last ten questions were worth the big points. St Neot’s kept their noses in front and with one question to go we were in second place. The team decided to go for it and took their chances by all selecting the same answer and when the results were displayed we saw we had won right on the last question by just ten points. It was an exhausting yet thrilling experience for myself and the parents who went to watch but one we wouldn’t have missed for the world. The team excelled in their ability to discuss their answers and work tactically to keep them in contention the whole way through the quiz. Daneshill now qualify for the National semi-finals next term. So watch this space….

Mrs Blomfield

News from the Pre-Prep

This week the pupils in Reception have enjoyed looking at the book ‘Open Very Carefully’ by Nick Bromley. The story grabbed their interest by the very naughty crocodile eating the letters on the page. They were amazed that the crocodile had actually managed to escape from the book by eating a hole through the last few pages and the blurb. This inspired them to retell the story and on Friday we were able to take our very own ‘Open Very Carefully’ book home!

It has been a fun filled week of storytelling in Year 1 as the children explored Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Little Red Hen. We were very impressed to see the children thinking of adjectives to describe the different characters and story props. All of the pupils were able to construct a story map sequencing the events of a traditional tale and we will now be using these to retell a story. On Wednesday the children arrived at school wearing their beautifully created poppies and were keen to share stories of their ancestors that have impacted their lives.

Year 2 has been buzzing with excitement as the big news was delivered and the children found out what roles they will be playing in this year’s Christmas play. Two new topics have also been introduced. In Science the children are learning about how to stay healthy and have been having fun exercising and getting their hearts beating faster. Geography has been presented as a new subject this year, looking at ‘Our Local Area’. We are incredibly lucky to be able to explore such beautiful surroundings and feel very lucky to be at school in such a stunning part of the country.

Pre-Prep Teachers

Nursery Corner

The children have enjoyed making chalk firework pictures for our display as well as rockets and sparkling stars. Those that came to our Bonfire night last Friday happily chatted away about what they had seen and the colours and noises they had experienced and those that didn’t make it had the opportunity to watch a super display from London New Year on the computer. Either way the pictures they have all created are full of movement and colour!

We introduced the ‘e’ sound this week and we have been busy singing Nellie the Elephant as well as making our elephants to take home. The concentration as the children cut around Nellie’s ears was incredible and showed real determination from some as it really isn’t an easy thing to do – even with the whole hand scissors we have available.

All those who are with us on Wednesday joined in the whole school Remembrance Service, listening to poems and music and holding the 2 minutes silence. You, as parents, would have been so proud of all your children – we certainly were!

Mrs Beeching