Cundall’s Lunchtime Concert
Lunchtime Concert at Cundall Church A very enjoyable half hour was had by a most appreciative audience of family and friends watching some of our musicians perform at Cundall Church last Friday lunchtime. Despite the bitterly cold conditions, the children performed extremely well. For many, it was their very first public performance and it was almost too much for Amelia, but she managed to fight off her nerves and play her piece very commendably. There was quite a wide range of music, instruments and voices, and a range of ages from Form 1 through to Form 6. As ever, it was wonderful to hear how the children are progressing and developing their skills and musicianship. Well done to you all.
Roald Dahl Week in Pre-Prep
Can you spot the stories? PP2 loved learning to write like Roald Dahl last week! What will they get up to for World Book Day in March…?
Going Dotty at Emma Bridgewater Pottery!
Emma Bridgewater Potteries trip 2016 Last week the whole of Year 7 enjoyed a day trip to Stoke on Trent – the home of British pottery production. First stop was the Potteries Museum, which houses a world class collection of Staffordshire pottery, allowing pupils to engage with the history behind the industry. The children toured the galleries sketching their favourite pots and exhibits. Next stop was the Emma Bridgewater factory where the slip cast ceramics are still produced using traditional techniques. The children toured the factory to learn about the production of our favourite mugs, plates and jugs. It was fascinating to see that they are still hand-made and decorated, each pot passing through thirty processes and sets of hands. The pupils decorated their own piece of Emma Bridgewater ware in the decorating studio. They used cut sponges and underglazes to create their own designs. The glazed pieces will arrive in school shortly and will be displayed in the school office. Mrs Pearson would like to thanks Mr Vale, Ms Poulton and Mrs Massey for help on the day.
Pre-Prep Discover Fun at Eureka
Eureka! On Friday 5th February the children of Reception, PP1 and PP2 headed off for a day out at Eureka, in Halifax. The children had the most fantastic day exploring the different areas of the museum. They changed tyres in the garage, made deposits and withdrawals at the bank, weighed and posted the mail at the Post Office and even did the weekly shop in Marks and Spencer! Their favourite area was ‘All About Me’. Here they learned about how we grow, had the opportunity to climb inside a large set of teeth and some were even brave enough to peer up the giant nostrils!
Remembrance Service
The whole school gathered in quiet contemplation when we commemorated those who have lost their lives serving Queen and Country. With readings and prayers delivered by pupils whose own parents are currently serving in the Armed Forces, the service was particularly poignant. Congratulations to Archie Powell who added to the solemnity of the event with an accomplished rendition of the Last Post on his trumpet.
Pre-Prep’s Literary Guest
Mr Richards, one of our school governors, and his book illustrator Mrs Gleaves, visited PP2 last week to share with the children their new story book Benji goes to the Seaside. The children were thrilled to enjoy the story with its author, and loved searching for Sally the Seagull with the artist who drew her. It’s a very sweet story with the important message to stick by friends during difficulties, and also that behind everything and everyone there are adventures which we can only guess at. Copies of the book can be bought via school if parents would like.
Children in Need
A huge thank you to everyone who remembered to bring in their donations and got dressed up for Children in Need on Friday. We saw some fabulous ‘Hero’ costumes around school, including sports personalities, policemen, firemen, armed forces members and plenty of comic book super heroes. Special mention must go to Form 3’s Oscar Fenby who emulated his cycling hero Chris Hoy by spending the day sweating it out in bubble wrap! Oscar’s inspired costume drew the attention of Sir Chris himself who retweeted the Fenby’s Tweet on the day! Thank you also to all the children in Reception who boosted the Children in Need coffers with their bun sale on Friday. The total raised by the whole school currently stands at a wonderful £456!
Karate Grading
There were lots of nerves and excitement last Saturday as four members of the Karate Club were graded for their Red Belt. Sensei Court 7th Dan was the external examiner overseeing the grading although the grading itself was conducted by our own Leckby pupil and Sensei 2nd Dan Isabella Mallon-McCarty. Isabella, an experienced Black Belt and qualified teacher/instructor, was responsible for training the boys being assessed and in charge of their actual grading. Isabella is offering her expertise and skills to the Karate Club as part of the Volunteer section of her Duke of Edinburgh Award; she said she was delighted with their attitude and the standard they achieved. Congratulations therefore to Hugo Hynd, Thomas Stringer, Henry Scagell and Alex Twibill who all performed extremely well and passed their Red Belt grading with flying colours. Mr McCarty was very pleased with the grading day and would like to thank Sensei Hunzinger Black Belt 1st Dan for his help, support and expertise.
Cub Pack News
The Cundall Manor Cub Pack were proud to participate in the Remembrance Day Parade at Easingwold last Sunday. Thank you to all the cubs who came along to represent the school.
Conker competition
Last Tuesday afternoon saw the whole school heading for the Upper School quad for the madness that is the annual Conker Competition. Each armed with a standard issue conker (to prevent any ‘enhanced’ performances) pupils took on challengers from opposing houses in a knockout competition that whittled the field down to a final four players and two competing houses – Normans, represented by Tom Screeton and Sasha Reed, and Stuarts, represented by brothers Harry and Basil Nettleton. Some deft manoeuvres by Tom and Sasha saw both Stuarts knocked out of the semi-finals and Tom and Sasha facing each other in a Normans final. Both players fought valiantly for the title with Sasha finally relinquishing to the triumphant Tom. Well done Tom; well done Normans.