World Book Day Fun
Inquisitive pupils from Cundall Manor School have been inspired to do something ‘booky’ for World Book Day thanks to an award-winning independent bookshop. Over 120 pupils from Cundall Manor School visited the White Rose Book Café in Thirsk to receive a hands on lesson in all things literary to coincide with World Book Day. Pupils from Year 3 – 6 visited the award winningWhite Rose Books & Coffee Barfor a series of interactive workshops including story-time, working with staff at the shop and writing their own story. The pupils then had the chance to enjoy choosing a book for their own dedicated Key Stage 2 Library within the School. Sue Lake, Owner of the White Rose Book Café, said: “It was lovely to see Cundall Manor children sharing their excitement about books and stories in a proper bookshop.” She added: “World Book Day is all about reading for pleasure and the variety of books they chose reflects the quality and variety of childrens’ books today.” “Many of our customers commented on how smart and well-behaved the pupils were – a real credit to Cundall.” To round off the day the children enjoyed a homemade cake and refreshments from the café.
Top Fashion Photographer Showcases Pupils in Leading Art Exhibition
Pupils from Cundall Manor School are showcased in an exciting new exhibition at the Hepworth, Wakefield involving industry leading fashion designers, artists and photographers. Over 60 pupils from the school visited The Hepworth Wakefield to be photographed as part of a major new exhibition and book entitled Disobedient Bodies: JW Anderson curates The Hepworth Wakefield Two other Yorkshire schools, Wakefield College and Hemsworth Arts & Community Academy, were also photographed in the gallery wearing fashion pieces from the exhibition which opened its doors to the public on Saturday 18 March. Head of Art at Cundall Manor School, Sarah Pearson, said: “To be asked to be involved in such a wonderful project is a great privilege. Our pupils certainly enjoyed the experience of working with Jamie and we are all really excited to see how the photographs have turned out.” Photographer Jamie Hawkesworth, described by Dazed as “one of the most visionary fashion photographers working today” and who has collaborated with international fashion brands including JW Anderson, Alexander McQueen and Miu Miu worked with 123 Yorkshire school children in the lead up to the exhibition. A selection of the photographs will be reproduced in the publication that accompanies the exhibition. The schools involved and the pupils’ parents attended a special preview of the exhibition on Friday 17 March. Disobedient Bodies: JW Anderson curates The Hepworth Wakefield sees one of the world’s most innovative and critically acclaimed contemporary fashion designers responding to Wakefield’s impressive collection of modern British art. This is the first in a new series of exhibitions at the award-winning gallery, curated by key figures from creative fields outside the visual arts, from fashion and music to film and literature. The exhibition gathers together a personal selection of more than 100 objects spanning art, fashion, ceramics and design in a series of unexpected and irreverent groupings. Using fabric from JW Anderson’s archive, 6a architects have transformed the David Chipperfield-designed galleries into a series of rooms that are designed to conjure an intimate social gathering. Sculptures by artists including Jean Arp, Louise Bourgeois, Lynn Chadwick, Naum Gabo, Alberto Giacometti, Barbara Hepworth, Sarah Lucas, Henry Moore, Magali Reus and Dorothea Tanning are brought into direct dialogue with fashion pieces by designers such as Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Rei Kawakubo of Commes des Garçons, Helmut Lang, Issey Miyake and Vivienne Westwood. Disobedient Bodies: JWAnderson curates The Hepworth Wakefield is currently on display and ends on 18 June 2017.
Lunchtime Concert Wows Audience
In February, singers, pianists, woodwind players, a guitarist and a uke-ist performed to an appreciative audience of parents and pupils in the third lunchtime concert in this year’s series. Many are preparing for exams or performances at the Harrogate Competitive Festival after half term, and all demonstrated their usual flair and poise, which is always wonderful to see. Well done to everyone who took part.
School to build extra classrooms
We are very pleased to announce that we have been successful in our application for planning permission to build four new classrooms. As you may be aware, the school has been working with George F. White and identified the Upper School as the first stage of a ten-year development plan to see the school upgrade its facilities and provide the best start for our children. We recently applied to Harrogate Borough Council in order to build a single storey extension to the Upper School with the ability to accommodate four new state-of-the-art classrooms. This will ensure that we are in the best possible position in an attempt to limit class size numbers. Chair of Governors, Sir Thomas Ingilby, said: “The fact that our planning permission has been accepted is wonderful news. Our recent success in the classroom has seen our popularity grow and we are keen to keep class sizes low. This news means we are able to provide the best possible investment we can make for our children and parents.” “We are very pleased that we are in such a strong position in order to allow our children the ability to thrive and achieve during their time at Cundall Manor School.” Plans will be on show in the Main Building from February with work likely to be completed for the start of the Michaelmas Term 2017.
Birdwatch Survey Inspires Pupils
Eagle-Eyed pupils will be taking part in the RSPB’s Big Schools’ Birdwatch later this month. Youngsters from Cundall Manor School will be taking part in the nationwide campaign to monitor and record the local winged wildlife across three days this January. The RSPB claim that it is the world’s biggest garden and wildlife survey aimed at individuals and the family. Pupils have been preparing for the event by constructing bird tables and feeders to help the native wildlife during the winter. The school, based near Thirsk and Ripon in North Yorkshire, will be encouraging its pupils to take note of the wildlife they share their school with. The initiative at the school is being run by Victoria Wick. She said: “We have a wonderful environment at Cundall Manor School and our pupils are keen to get involved with the outdoors.” Mrs Wick added: “Our pupils enjoy the great outdoors and regularly engage with a wide variety of gardening and nature based activities. The Big Schools’ Birdwatch is a great way for our youngsters to engage with the wildlife in the school grounds while also contributing to a great campaign.” The school will be tweeting the most interesting results.
ISA National Swim Finals
Pupils from a North Yorkshire School are set to make a splash at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park later this month. Youngsters from Cundall Manor School will compete at the ISA’s National Swimming Finals in the London Aquatics Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Saturday 21 January. FIVE pupils from the school, based between Ripon and Thirsk, will compete for the prestigious national prize across three races. Swimming Captain, George Sanderson, will compete in the 50 meters breaststroke and as part of a medley team made up of other members from ISA North schools. Year 7 girls, Millie Baker, Lauren Gaunt-Edwards, Minnie Pollock and Pippa Bentley, will compete in the 4 x 50 meters Freestyle relay award, after winning both the Freestyle and Medley relay events at the ISA North qualifying event in late 2016. Swim squad coach, Jo Pollock, said: “The team have been fantastic this year. We have seen some wonderful results and a great amount of effort put in to both their training and their competitions this year.” She added: “The competition is due recognition of how hard they have worked but it is also great opportunity for our pupils to go down to the Olympic Park and be inspired by the London 2012 legacy.” The event will be the second time this academic year that some of the squad have been to a national final at the Olympic park, with members of the Girls’ relay team having recently claimed the ISA Under 13 National Junior Hockey Champions Trophy.
Cundall pupils join the fight against Cancer
Hundreds of pupils from a North Yorkshire School braved bracing January winds and difficult cross-country terrain as they completed the Cancer Research Race for Life. Cundall Manor School held the event on Tuesday 11 January, with pupils as young as FOUR and as old as 13 taking part in the race. The youngsters braved the blustery January weather to take on cancer and walk, jog or run in aid of Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. To help the pupils prepare, teachers have been using specially created resources by the charity which includes everything needed to stage the event as well as top fundraising tips. Louise Bessey, Head of Girls’ Games at Cundall Manor School, said: “The Race for Life is a great addition to the school timetable. The whole school community is supporting the event so it will be a real team effort, all whilst raising money for a wonderful cause. “Most of us know someone who has been affected by cancer and we all have our special reasons for taking part and wanting to help more people survive.” Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of events which raises millions of pounds every year to help fund vital research. Schools across the UK are being invited to hold their own Race for Life events in aid of the charity. They can choose a day that fits with the term calendar and pick a distance which suits the age and abilities of all pupils. Rachel Carr, head of Race for Life, said: “Race for Life Schools is a fantastic way to have fun, get fit and save lives. Young people today are the generation who could see ground-breaking treatments and cures for cancer in their lifetime. They will be the researchers and lifesavers of tomorrow. But first, we need them to be the fundraisers of today – and walk, jog and run to help beat cancer sooner.” For more information on the Race For Life at Cundall Manor School and to see more photos from the event visit the school Facebook page.
Poetry Competition Ignites Imaginations for Pupils
Primary school pupils from Cundall Manor School are to have their work published as part of a national Young Writers competition. Pupils from the North Yorkshire School entered the ‘Once Upon a Dream’ Young Writers competition for 7 -11 year olds, with SIX poems from the school being chosen for publication. Cundall Manor pupils, Harriet, Tallulah, Juliet, Sasha, Violet and Josie will all have their work published as part of The Young Writers competition which is celebrating its 25thyear. The competition received over 25,000 entries from across the country. The theme ‘Once Upon a Dream’ captured the imaginations of the youngsters at Cundall Manor School with poems ranging from real-life aspirations to wild and vivid dreams. Lesley Ratcliffe helped bring the competition to life for the children. She said: “Our pupils really enjoy exercising their imaginations and the Young Writers format is a great way for our younger pupils to engage with writing and poetry in particular.” She added: “The theme really gave our pupils the chance to use their imaginations in a creative way and the outcome is some wonderful poetry, deep with vivid descriptions and meaning.” The publication ‘Once Upon a Dream – North Yorkshire’ is set to be released on 28thFebruary. The book follows hot on the heels of the school being nominated for the Independent Schools Association National Award for Excellence and Innovation in Provision for a Junior School. To find out more about the school, or to arrange a visit call 01423 360 200 or emailadmissions@cundallmanor.org.uk
The Form 6 Chateau Trip
By Archie Powell – Main School Head Boy It was on the night of the 1stof October 2016 that Form 6 embarked on a year defining trip to France. The trip would last a week and would be filled with amazing activities that were designed to teach us what we are capable of under-pressure, (and yes, I do mean being asked to speak French). As Form 6 said goodbye to their parents that night, it was then that we realised that we were never going to forget the journey that lay ahead of us, (and I don’t mean the coach trip). One of the most memorable moments of the trip was the emotional visit to the D-Day Landings memorial at Gold Beach. It was captured by British and Allied Forces in order to build a makeshift harbor that would allow ships to bring supplies into mainland Europe from America and Britain. Once we had learned about how the harbour was built and how much of a key role it played in the liberation of Europe, we visited the nearby three-hundred-sixty degree cinema where we watched a film made from eyewitness accounts of D-Day from the French people of the time. The film was deeply moving and helped us to understand the importance of June 6th1944 as not only a day that went down in history but also a day that secured the future of the entire world. The day was rounded off with a perspective-setting visit to a Military Cemetery that reminded all the pupils that those men and women gave their today, so that we could enjoy ours. The whole trip was extremely interesting and exciting. I’m sure that it will stay as one of the best weeks in Form 6’s time at Cundall. By Charlie Banks – Main School Head Girl On the night we set off to France, everyone wore big smiles and even though it was midnight and no one could lift their suitcases, everyone was excited for the trip. By the time we were about 2 hours into the journey we realised what time it was and fell asleep. When we arrived, it was the afternoon the next day. On the first day, we had a tour around the chateau and had some food which was so different and tasty (except from the snails obviously!) Then we were split into groups to do activities with. During the week we made bread, which was a lot of fun, had an interesting French lesson, had fun canoeing, especially when we capsized a few times, and finally completed the Mud Run. The clue is in the name with the Mud Run – a lot of mud, obstacles and running but mountains of fun. On Tuesday we visited a French market and bought nearly everything there, then we went to see the Bayeux tapestry which was fascinating and went on and on and on! On Thursday, we went to ‘Mont Saint Michel’ which was absolutely beautiful and truly breathtaking. Last but not least we went to the Normandy memorial cemetery which was very emotional and nearly everyone was crying. To see some more of the Chateau Trip 16/17 pictures, visit the Cundall Manor School Flickr page atwww.flickr.com/photos/cundallmanorschool/albums/72157674806472382
Open Morning – Sat 4 Feb
Want to know more about one of the north’s leading schools? Visit our next Open Morning on Saturday 4 February from 10am to get the full Cundall experience. On the day you will receive a tour from one of our pupils, meet teachers and parents, experience some of the exceptional teaching and support and take in the unique rural setting. Did you know? Cundall Manor School is for Boys and Girls aged 2 to 16 years. We offer extraordinary pastoral care; with an emphasis on learning through experience where children are happy, enjoy their schooling and grow in confidence and ability. We were recently shortlisted for TWO national Independent Schools Association Awards. We offer weekly and flexi boarding from 7 to 16 years There are generous sibling discounts – 5% second child, 20% third child, 35% subsequent children. Armed Forces benefits are also available. We rank in the top 9% of Independent schools in the country. We are graded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. To find out more or to arrange a personalised tour of the school, call 01423 360 200 or email admissions@cundallmanor.org.uk