All the world’s a stage for budding North Yorkshire actors
Pupils from Cundall Manor School celebrate their recent LAMDA exam success Actors from Cundall Manor School are celebrating the latest LAMDA results, with pupils receiving top marks for their drama performance. Seven pupils from the school, based near Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, entered the exams earlier this term. Pupils had to memorise a monologue or duologue depending on the exam. LAMDA tutor, Catherine Fearn, was thrilled with the pupils’ performance. She said: “I was delighted with the outstanding grades awarded to the students at the Leeds public centre.” “The high marks are testimony to the hard work students put in to the development of their characters within acted scenes, and heightening their interpretive and technical speech and drama skills. LAMDA is the oldest drama school in the UK. Founded in 1861 as the London Academy of Music, the academy was the first to offer acting tuition and has a world renowned reputation for quality. LAMDA assessments can be converted into UCAS points and go towards University entrance requirements. Mrs Fearn added: “All our pupils deserve a huge well done.” Pupils were awarded their certificates in an assembly earlier this month and parents and staff will get a chance to see a select performance from two of the schools LAMDA pupils in the annual Form 6 Review. If you would like to find out more about drama, the generous range of scholarships or LAMDA tutorials, please get in touch with Cundall Manor School on 01423 360 200 or email admissions@cundallmanor.org.uk
It’s a high tea celebration in honour of Her Majesty
Boarding pupils from Cundall Manor School joined in the Queen’s birthday celebrations as they held a high tea in honour of the monarch’s official birthday. Children from Cundall Manor celebrated the Queen’s 90thBirthday in a traditionally British way, enjoying tea, finger sandwiches, cream cakes and many more treats. The school, based near Topcliffe in North Yorkshire, have been enjoying a host of royal related activities over the past year. Boarding house master, Gary Coates, helped organise the event. He said: “Our boarders always enjoy a celebration and a high tea in honour of the Queen’s birthday seemed an apt way to celebrate the occasion.” Boarders helped decorate the dining room in red, white and blue and even helped deck the hall in union flags. The Queen’s official birthday follows her actual birthday in April in a tradition that is thought to date back to the reign of King George II in 1748. Mr Coates added: “The boarders really enjoyed the occasion and learning about the monarchy and all the traditions associated with the Royal family.” To find out more about boarding with Cundall Manor School, visitwww.cundallmanorschool.comor call 01423 360 200
Stage combat brings drama to life for Form 6
Delivering a masterclass in stage combat to Cundall Manor School, actor, stunt man and choreographer, Mark Ruddick aims to capture the essence of drama in a fun and engaging way. Mark, founder of Squire Stage Combat, taught the basics of the skill as part of the year group’s preparation for the annual review. He took some time out from his busy diary in the critically acclaimed David McVicar’s production of Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, to come and show our students the ropes. Around 45 pupils were lucky enough to take the masterclass which included a fun introduction to the techniques and performance of a range of conflicts on stage, including hand-to-hand and sword fighting, all while under the instruction of a professional fight director. Mark said: “They took to it really well. A few of the students, in particular Oscar and Eve, could even have a future in stage combat.” Liz Vile, Head of Drama at Cundall Manor School, helped organise the event. She said: “Our pupils really enjoyed the masterclass. I think they certainly enjoyed the sword fighting. Getting the chance to work with Mark is a great advantage for them as he brings so much experience to the stage. The Squire Stage Combat group have worked on a number of big budget projects including working for the likes of the BBC, The Royal Opera House and Pinewood Studios to name but a few. Pupils from Form 6 at the school will now take what they have learned in the masterclass and put it towards writing their own performance which will take place on Thursday 16th June at the school. To find out more about the Form 6 review or to find out more about drama at one of the North’s leading independent schools, visitwww.cundallmanorschool.com
A taste of Yorkshire life for French visitors
First it was the Tour de France, now it’s a tour of Yorkshire for a number of French exchange pupils. The pupils from the Ecole Bilingue de Haute Savoie (EBHS) in Annecy close to the Swiss border visited Cundall Manor School as part of their visit to the UK. Pupils from both schools have been writing to each other for a number of months and it was the first opportunity to meet their pen pals in person. Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Katy Hunzinger said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome our visitors to school. At Cundall Manor we have managed to pair up all our French learners from year 4 upwards with penfriends from three different French schools and this visit was hugely exciting for our years 5 and 6. The French EBHS school presumed they would see a typical school day, however far from it! They were very lucky to pick one of the more unique days at Cundall Manor, with our annual Go-Kart race, sponsored walk and afternoon tea on the lawn rounding off the end of term.” She added: “I had to reassure our visitors that this doesn’t happen every day.” Trip leader Hélène Jaeger (co-founder of EBHS) is hoping that the lucky Cundall pupils will return the favour and visit their pen pals in the idyllic town of Annecy, in Haute-Savoie, close to Geneva. Opened in 2010, this nursery and primary school welcomes children (about 200 on 2 sites for the 2016/2017 school year) between 3 and 11 years old and teaches the pupils in both languages whilst following the French national curriculum. Contacted by the French department of Cundall Manor, EBHS started to exchange letters with their English pen pals back in 2013. Ms Jaeger said “Using the language you are learning as a way of communicating with friends your own age is highly motivating for children, which is why EBHS were absolutely delighted to be offered this opportunity of creating links with a British school. The CM2 (equivalent or years 5/6) had been preparing their trip for months, raising money by putting on various activities and selling pains au chocolat. It was a brilliant day visiting the school. The Go-Kart race looked like so much fun.” Pupils from EBHS recently visited Cundall Manor Pupils from EBHS recently visited Cundall Manor Apart from going to Cundall Manor school, EBHS also visited the North York Moors, Whitby, and York and stayed at the lovely camp site Cote Ghyll in Osmotherly. To find out more about Cundall Manor School and the huge range of trips, visits and opportunities available, visit www.cundallmanorschool.com or call 01423 360 200.
Racing ahead for a good cause
A Cundall Manor School pupil is speeding ahead with his bid to raise funds for a good cause. Junior Touring Car driver, Matty Greenwood, aged 14, has set himself the ambitious goal of raising £450 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Matthew, who is currently the reigning European Prokart Endurance Champion for the Overall Clubman Class & 6hr series, recently raised a fantastic £104 at Cundall Manor by selling popcorn and wristbands to pupils and parents and is now over half way to achieving his overall goal. Matthew said: “I’m so lucky to be on track to fulfil my dream to become a professional racing driver when so many other children can’t, it’s important to me that I help other teenagers in any way I can. My Sponsors Whitworth Chemists and I think the Teenage Cancer Trust is a fantastic charity and spending time raising funds for them is the least I can do”. Matty, who dreams of one-day winning at the Le Mans 24hour race, added “when I started karting at 11 years old I never thought two years later I would become a European Champion, but I was determined. It just shows what anybody can do if you have a dream and put your mind in gear! Now I’m equally determined to win my Junior Touring Car championship and raise as much money as I can for the Teenage Cancer Trust”. The fundraising is all part of the Junior Saloon Car Championship’s bid to support the Teenage Cancer Trust as the organisation’s recognised charity of choice. To support Matthew in his fundraising attempts, please visit his Justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/mattyracing or visit his website at www.mattyracing.com.
Cundall Manor School Celebrates Glowing Inspection Report
Staff and pupils at Cundall Manor School are celebrating a glowing inspection report. The school, based near Topcliffe in North Yorkshire, was recently inspected under the new Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Regulatory Compliance Inspection standards. The new system assesses whether the school meets the Independent School Standards across a range of 8 areas. The school successfully met the new standards and are celebrating the fantastic result. Chair of Governor’s for Cundall Manor School, Sir Thomas Ingilby, praised the staff, pupils and the wider community for their hard work, continued support and drive for continuous improvement. Sir Thomas said: “The quality of teaching and education, the strength of the school’s leadership and its ability to safeguard the children in its care are, quite rightly, top priorities for any parent and inspection system.” He added: “After a rigorous, independent inspection Cundall Manor School has ticked every box, proving, once again, that it is rightly rated amongst the best schools in the North of England’” Joint Head Teacher, John Sample, said: “The inspection was one of the first of its kind. With this result, we are very happy to announce that we are one of the first schools in the country to have achieved this glowing commendation for all our hard work.” The school, which has 369 pupils aged between 2 and 16 and was deemed ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted during their last visit in 2010. Mr Sample & Mrs Kirby with ISI report Fellow Joint Head Teacher, Amanda Kirby, added: “I am immensely proud of everyone who works so hard to make Cundall Manor School the fantastic, exciting and inspiring place it is for our pupils, parents, staff and governors.” She added: “This report is a great opportunity to celebrate how far we have come and to prepare for yet more years of success and growth.” The report said pupils enjoyed making good progress throughout their time at Cundall Manor and found that pupils experienced above average performance in their GCSE’s. Last year the school ranked second in the county for their GCSE results according to the independent school’s league tables. To find out more about the school or to book a taster day, call 01423 360 200 or email admissions@cundallmanor.org.uk Mr Sample & Mrs Kirby with ISI report
Stowe visit hits the right Note with Choir Pupils
Members of the Chamber Choir at Cundall Manor School hit the right note as part of their annual trip to Stowe School. The event showcases the talented youngsters singing skills as they perform with the renowned Stowe Chapel Choir. Director of Music at Cundall Manor School, Wendy Ford, has helped organise the event for the past thirteen years. She said: “The annual Stowe trip is always something our Choir members really look forward to. It is meticulously planned in advance with the Director of Music at Stowe in preparation for the Evensong service.” “One of the many special things about the trip is that our pupils have the opportunity to sing some of our finest British Choral Music in such a wonderful, historic environment.” Pupils from Forms 4-6 rehearsed tirelessly for the event and their diligence and effort was noted by the Stowe’s Director of Music. Mrs Ford added: “The pupils had a fabulous time and gained so much from the experience. They sang some really challenging music and should be proud of their effort. The Choir Master at Stowe was highly complimentary about our pupils’ performance.” To find out more about our music at Cundall Manor School and the wide range of activities available, visit ww.cundallmanorschool.com
More results success at Cundall Manor School
The message is loud and clear for Cundall Manor as the English Speaking Board results come back with a 100% pass rate. Pupils from Form 4 and Form 2 sat the examinations in which they had to present a topic of personal interest. The ESB develops reading and listening skills while allowing pupils the chance to develop soft skills such as public speaking, delivering with confidence and debating, amongst others. The Junior Medallion is awarded to 11 year-olds with 83% of pupils at Cundall receiving the top marks of Distinction and Merit+. Head of Department for Forms 1-4, Stuart Bayne, said: “I am delighted for all of our pupils on a super set of results and this experience, although challenging, will stand them in good stead throughout their school years and adult life. All our pupils deserve a huge well done.” The pupils celebrated with a certificate presentation on the school lawns. Joint Head Teacher, Amanda Kirby, said: “The ESB exams are a fantastic way to develop from an early age the ability to research, speak and deliver a high quality piece of work to an audience. These are the soft skills that give our children the confidence to find their voice and succeed, no matter what their objectives.” She added: “Our extraordinary pastoral care programme alongside ‘outstanding’ teaching, means that our pupils get to develop the soft skills that business and high profile professions are crying out for.” To find out more about our fantastic ESB results, how to apply for Cundall Manor School or to arrange a visit to one of the north’s leading schools, call 01423 360 200.
Go-Kart Race Thrills Audience
It’s high octane thrills as Cundall Manor School pupils take on the annual Go-Kart race. The North Yorkshire school, based near Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, has held the event for a decade and this year saw a range of innovative entries from its pupils including a modified bath-tub, a barrel and many more alongside more traditional entries. This year saw 34 entrants tackle the hill route with Hattie and Rebecca coming out on top after posting a blistering time of 11.29 secs in their vehicle, the BFF Barrel. The pair faced tough competition from Henry in his flying carpet Go-Kart and last year’s winner, Michael with his pyrotechnic kart, Don’t Mind. Joint Head, John Sample, declared the winners. He said: “The event is a great way to bring the community together and have some fun.” “The fact that we always have so many entries is testament to how much the parents and children love the event.” Hundreds of parents, friends and family, cheered on the competitors as they descended the hill with a varying degree of success. Marketing Manager, Paul Swalwell, added: “The event always attracts some fantastically innovate entries and this year was no exception. We even had an extra-special treat from last year’s winner Michael who added a bit of pyrotechnic theatre to his vehicle.” “A huge well done to all our pupils and parents who helped make the day so entertaining and special.” To find out more about the Go-Kart race or to see more images and videos of the race, visit the school’s twitter page @cundallmanor.
Form 2 Visit Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Our trip by Ben from Form 2 On a bright, sunny April day, Form 2 went on a trip to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. We set off from school in the morning and arrived at the park 40 minutes later. The first sculpture that we saw was the womanhare, with the body of a woman and the head of a hare. I liked the detail that the artist had included and we could see a small handprint from her tiny son. My favorite part of the day was when we built out own sculpture. We used wood, stone and a red cup to make a creepercorn, a cross between a creeper, a unicorn and a lion. We left our sculpture under a tree. The park was a great trip and we all enjoyed it.