House Singing
We certainly know how to have fun at Cundall. This year our Christmas House Singing Competition was as fiercely fought as ever with some wonderfully well-rehearsed performances. The Normans came out on top after a fantastically energetic showing. A big well done to everyone who made the morning such a fun start to the day.
Pre-Prep Christingle
Pupils from Cundall Manor Pre-Prep gathered at the historic Cundall church today to celebrate an important point in advent for all across the school. Our Pre-Prep children marked the end of term with a beautiful service at the nearby church with even our youngest joining in song as part of the celebrations which were also to help raise some funds for the Children’s Society. The event saw parents, grandparents and staff join together for a series of carols and even a rendition of a song from the Pre-Prep nativity. A sincere thank you to everyone for their support and generous donations to a very well-deserved cause.
Carol Service at Ripon Cathedral
The annual Cundall Christmas Carol Service at Ripon Cathedral proved a great success with over 1000 members of the Cundall community attending a beautiful service at the Cathedral of the Dales. The wonderful carol service started with an angelic solo to ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ in front of a full house of proud parents, grandparents, pupils and teachers. Performances from the Boys’, Girls’, and Upper School Choir all added to the festive atmosphere. Readings by pupils from across the school built up to the Christmas Gospel as delivered by Joint Head, Amanda Kirby. Revd. Alison Askew the delivered a series of prayers and blessings before Mr Conyngham’s ‘Cundall Fanfare’ concluded proceedings. A wonderful evening of music, celebration and community was sincerely enjoyed by all. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the evening such a special occasion for everyone involved. A retiring collection was donated to Yorkshire Ambulance and Shelter.
Christmas Carol
Form 5 have been exploring the presentation of Christmas in the novel, and have learned that at the start of the 19th century Christmas was hardly celebrated; business would not even close on Christmas day! The Victorians changed the way we celebrate Christmas and some people believe this is due to Queen Victoria’s German husband Prince Albert. In 1848 a drawing was published of the Royal family decorating a Christmas tree and soon after every home in Britain had a tree of their own. Other important Christmas traditions, such as Christmas cards and crackers, were invented during the Victorian era and many thank Charles Dickens for making this new, festive Christmas more popular. Last week, as a special festive treat, Form 5 were lucky enough to see a 5th edition of A Christmas Carol which was published in 1844. Joseph Scott brought in this text for Form 5 because they are currently studying it. He spoke to the other students about the hand painted illustrations in the book, the beautiful embossing on the front page and also how the previous owner, who bought the novel in 1942, paid £2. 5s which would have been a whole week’s wages! Form 5, and the English Department, feel incredibly lucky to have been given the opportunity to see such a rare and precious book and would like to thank Mr. Scott for lending it to us for a day.
Quiz win for Cundall Scientists
4 intrepid scientists traveled to Moorlands Prep School in Leeds to take part in the ‘Quiz Club’ regional heat specialising in Science. The competition was incredibly tense with Cundall taking an early lead but being chased fiercely by the other teams. The lead changed hands a few times but going into the last round, we held on. Points were tallied after each question and the contest went down to the wire with our team only securing victory on the penultimate question. A really nerve wracking finish for all but our team triumphed magnificently. Well done to Fergus, Stuart, Hattie and Alex. Now we look forward to the next round of the competition.
Happy Birthday Pre-Prep
Pupils, past and present from Cundall Manor School’s Pre-Prep gathered to celebrate a milestone in the school’s history. On Tuesday 6thDecember 2016, the North Yorkshire School celebrated 20 years of the Pre-Prep department with a party for the current pupils. Guest included Chair of Governors, Sir Thomas Ingilby, Joint Head, Amanda Kirby, Head of Pre-Prep, Kathryn Creed and pupils who previously attended the Pre-Prep school. Originally known as The Orchard, the Pre-Prep of Cundall Manor School was opened in 1996 with only a handful of pupils in each year. Now, twenty years later, over 80 pupils attend Pre-Prep at the leading North Yorkshire independent school. Amanda Kirby, Joint Head, said: “Today marks a very special milestone in the Pre-Prep’s history. We have such a special and unique environment that our pupils enjoy. It has been fun to look back on our journey and it has been a pleasure to see so many people come through the department who continue to develop, grow into successful young adults in Upper School and beyond.” Pupils celebrated with a party, cake, games and even saw a special work of art unveiled to celebrate the occasion. The specially commissioned artwork from local artist, Daniel Watson, was delivered to the Pre-Prep house captains. Ex-Pre-Prep pupils reminisced about their time in the department and enjoyed telling younger pupils about their experience of Pre-Prep and some even took time to find their names on the House Captain Board.
Rainforest Café
Earlier this term, pupils from Form 3 hosted a Café with an ethical and healthy twist. The Café was raising money for the Rainforest Foundation UK who help preserve the rainforest. The children in Form 3 had been learning about the Rainforest and all the wildlife who call the ecosystem home. The school’s Rainforest café is part of an annual attempt to support the foundation in their goal to help indigenous peoples and forest communities around the world gain the land and resource rights they deserve, and in the process reduce deforestation activities such as illegal logging and palm oil production. Pupils from Form 3 held a breakfast for parents, grandparents and friends and which include a wide selection of waffles, fruit, ethically sourced teas and coffees amongst other things. Proceeds from the sale are going straight to the foundation. Form 3 teacher, Dan Woods, said: “This is a day that the Form 3 children always look forward to.” “It was a fantastic morning and we raised over £250 to help support a great cause.” To find out more about the Rainforest Foundation, visit www.rainforestfoundationuk.org
Life on the Stage
It has been an amazing past few weeks on stage for Cundall Manor School pupils as they performed a series of wonderful shows at the Galtres Centre, Easingwold. A huge well done to all our pupils, staff and parents who helped bring this together.
Secret Garden Production Wows Easingwold Audience
A recent production of a children’s classic revealed the darker side of a much loved story as children from Cundall Manor School took to the stage. A select group of 14 and 15 year old actors performed at the Galtres Centre, Easingwold in front of an appreciative audience as they brought to life Frances Hodgeson Burnett’s The Secret Garden. Director and Head of Drama at the school, Liz Vile, said: “A memorable and exciting night was had by all who participated and attended ‘The Secret Garden’. Adding: “The cast worked so hard and produced a slick and confident performance that was full of amazing individual performances. The night was enjoyed by all and I am so very proud of all the students who gave up their time to make this production the success that it was.” The Secret Garden is the classic Edwardian tale of Mary Lennox, a young orphan girl who is sent from Indian to live with her reclusive Uncle in Misselthwaite Manor, an isolated Stately Home in Yorkshire. But all is not what it seems at Misselthwaite. The annual Upper School production was well received on social media with one parent stating it was a “thoroughly enjoyable show with some amazing performances. Well done all those involved.” The production was the start of a series of performances at the Galtres Centre, with youngsters from the school taking to the stage over the next week. To find out more about one of the north’s leading schools or to arrange a personalised tour, call 01423 360 200 or email admissions@cundallmanor.org.uk
Cundall claim national hockey title
Cundall Manor School secured their first national title of the season as they came out on top in the U13 ISA National Championship at the Olympic Park in London. The girls claimed the prestigious trophy at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre which was used in the 2012 Olympics. The school, based between Ripon and Thirsk, triumphed against tough opposition from across the country before clinching the title in the final after a dominant performance against a strong Hull Collegiate side, beating the travelling East Yorkshire team in an all Yorkshire final 3-1. The side, who only conceded one goal throughout the tournament, were presented with the trophy by Phil Roper, Wimbledon and GB Hockey international. Head of Girls Games at Cundall Manor School, Louise Bessey, said: “I am absolutely delighted by the performance the girls put in to achieve this prestigious title. This team are a great balance of experience and enthusiasm for a game you can see they love.” The Cundall side fielded several county players and combined players from the U12 and U13 sides. The team beat Malvern St James from Worcestershire 4-0 in the opening game before overcoming a strong Ballard side 2-0 to progress to the knock stages. En route to the final the North Yorkshire youngsters fought hard to beat Lingfield School 1-0 in the quarter final before meeting Ballard again in the semi-final. Mrs Bessey added: “The team performed exceptionally throughout the tournament. Hannah Barker put away her opportunities in front of goal with a calm conviction and the defence held their own with an outstanding back line, only conceding one goal all day.” The national win at the ISA championship comes hot on the heels of the school being shortlisted for the Independent Schools Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sport.