Pumpkin Competition
A huge thank you to everyone who submitted their wonderful entries into this year’s pumpkin competition. We had a bumper crop of entries in both Main School and Pre-Prep, with prizes awarded as follows: Pre-Prep: Largest pumpkin: James Craig Smallest pumpkin: Gabe Collier Ugliest pumpkin: Ram Pisharody Best Decorated pumpkin: Annabel Mindenhall Main School: Largest pumpkin: the Wilkinson Family Smallest pumpkin: Freddie Marston Ugliest pumpkin: Cian Armstrong Best Decorated pumpkin: Hannah Barker
Restart a Heart Day
Just before half term, Cundall Manor took part in a national initiative organised by the British Heart Foundation to encourage all school aged children to learn and practise their CPR skills. The Restart a Heart day saw instructors from the BHF and St John’s Ambulance, armed with over 50 CPR dummies, come into school to talk our pupils through this life saving procedure. Working in groups of no more than 50 ensured that each pupil was able to experience first-hand the CPR procedure, whereupon they received their personal certificate of participation. The day proved a huge success for everyone involved.
Form 3 Egyptian Morning
Form 3 enjoyed a morning learning even more about the Ancient Egyptians. They started the day looking at the geography of Egypt and then investigating the Ancient Egyptian timeline. They then had to become historians and use their detective skills to decide what various artefacts were used for. After break they had the gruesome job of preparing a body for mummification. The morning was completed by taking part in some original Egyptian board games and the children all enjoyed playing mehen. A lot was learned throughout the morning.
PP2 visit Ripley Castle
PP2 began this term’s exploration of ‘castles’ with a visit to Ripley. The tour fascinated the children, with stories of bravery, and close escapes through secret doors then up clockwise staircases and into priest holes. They were astonished by the weight of a small cannon ball and marvelled at how it took four men to hoist an armoured knight onto his horse. In the afternoon, the children created journey sticks to record a narrative of our walk through the grounds. They were so lucky to enjoy such a sunny day. Following their trip to Ripley Castle, PP2 have built some castles of their own – out of cake! Chocolate, cake, wafer cones and cream make for a surprisingly strong structure.
GCSE Art trip to Barcelona
Just before half term, this year’s new GCSE Art group went on an exhilarating trip to Barcelona and the Costa Brava to gather inspiration for their Portfolio Unit. The bijou group stayed in the heart of the Barri Gothic district which meant that they could fully absorb the atmosphere of Europe’s oldest medieval centre, with its amazing architecture and characterful streets. From there they had easy access to the rest of the sights of Barcelona including the Parc Guell, Miro Foundation, Picasso museum and of course Gaudi’s masterpiece the Sagrada Familia. A highlight of the trip was a day excursion to Figueres to the Dali museum followed by a visit to the coastal fishing villages of Cadaques and Port Lligat, where they toured the home where he lived for most of his adult life. Both places were incredibly inspiring and at times shocking, being full of the works and possessions of the great surrealist. Great weather and some delicious tapas were the cherry on the cake for what was a very busy and stimulating visit. We look forward to seeing how the trip inspires their work in due course.
Halloween Disco
Pupils in Thornton can be justly proud of their wonderful efforts in hosting the annual Halloween Fancy Dress Disco for Main School. All manner of ghost, ghoul, zombie, witch and spectre turned up to join in the frightening fun. There were plenty of opportunities for the youngsters to spend their pocket money, on the sweet stalls, glow stick stalls, nail and tattoo bars. There were also prizes for the best costumes, the worthy recipients being Sophia Dallas, Fergus Mainey, Emilia Praud, Murron O’Neil, William Keens, Toby Praud and Naomi Cooke. Mrs Hall and her Thornton pupils would like to extend a huge thank you to Miss Stovin, Madame Cooke, Mrs Keens and Mrs Verity for all their help on the evening. The proceeds from the event will go towards the Thornton Expedition next summer.
Boarding House News
The Boarding House was positively buzzing before the half term holidays. The House Parents, Mr Coates and Mrs Conway were treated to a super Spanish supper created and served by Pol, David and Daniel. The supper consisted of tapas, gazpacho, paella and crema catalana. It was an absolute treat and enjoyed by everyone – muchas grasias! Super Sunday was quite literately bouncing as 17 extra boarders joined the House and went in search of fun at Gravity, Xscape. It was exhausting just watching, but everyone had a really good time, followed by a hearty supper and a return to the House for chill time and lights out. But the fun didn’t stop there. Tuesday evening saw the hosting of the termly tea party for the Boarders, this time with a Hawaiian theme. Party games galore kept the children entertained: limbo party, beach ball bonanza, and of course prizes for the best dressed. The children had a great time and said a big thank you to all of the staff involved in organising it for them and a special thank you to April and Linda for providing a super Hawaiian themed supper. The fun just never ends in the Boarding House!
Scarecrow Festival
Congratulations to everyone who came and joined in our inaugural scarecrow festival just before half term. The fabulous fruits of their labours added an extra dimension to life around the school grounds (there were several double takes to check whether these unfamiliar characters on the premises were in fact real!) in the run up to the half term break.
Friends of Cundall Manor Ladies’ Lunch
Chair of the Friends, Mrs Susan Edwards, would like to pass on her sincere thanks to everyone who came to the Ladies’ Lunch at Swinton Park last month. It really was a superb occasion. Thank you to sponsor Suzy Hart whose flower arrangements made the dining room look incredible, and to Dr Clare McGuire who, as a truly inspirational speaker, touched every one of the guests with her story. The event raised a lot of money which, as ever, the Friends will put towards purchasing new equipment for the school. The luncheon would not have been possible without the support of so many dedicated and generous parents so thank you again to everyone involved.
Form 2 trip to Beamish
On Thursday 8th October, form 2 dressed up as Victorians to explore Beamish Museum. The children took part in Victorian lessons, where they had to be very well behaved! They enjoyed finding out about different types of shops and jobs in Victorian times; they particularly enjoyed the visit to the traditional sweet shop and riding on the trams.