Form 6 Geography fieldtrip
Form 6 headed to the Holderness coast last Thursday to gather data for their Geography Common Entrance coursework. Their project is an investigation into coastal erosion and the three sites visited, Bridlington, Flamborough Head and Fraisthorpe provided plenty of comparative data on the degree and effects of weathering and erosion. The Form 6 pupils took measurements, drew sketches and investigated methods of defence against the ravages of the sea, all of which will be incorporated into their projects over the course of the rest of the term and the Christmas holidays.
Harvest Hampers
What a wonderful response we had to our appeal for Harvest donations this year. It seems that every single Form entered into the spirit of our Harvest Hamper competition and gave very generously indeed. Both the Main School entrance and the Upper School foyer were replete with their donations of edible goodies, and all so beautifully presented in all manner of receptacle from traditional wicker baskets and hampers, to wooden crates, decorated boxes and even a suitcase! The winners of the Harvest Hamper competition, from Main School and Upper School, will be announced in next Monday’s assembly. Thank you very much to everyone who contributed to such an abundant collection, all of which has been delivered to the Barnados home in Ripon.
Boarding House News
The boarders had a sweet end to a busy week with a trip to The Chocolate Story in York. As well as finding out lots of information regarding the history of chocolate in York, they were also able to sample lots of chocolate and even got to make their own bar. Steven loved it so much he asked if we could go back every week!
Form 1 Music and Poetry Evening
Congratulations to every single member of Form 1 who entertained their very appreciative audience with a packed programme of music, poetry and singing last Thursday evening. Many of the guests commented on how confident and assured these young pupils’ performances were; their hard work learning their pieces and hours of dedicated practice certainly paid off. Well done to all.
Form 1 at Murton Park
Form 1 enjoyed an eventful day at Murton Park, where the children were definitely put through their paces. They took on the roles of Roman soldiers throughout the day, with duties including cleaning barracks, making oil lamps, writing in Roman numerals and attacking the enemy under the command of Centurion. All children had to put their weapons training and teamwork to good use at the end of the day when they came under attack by some intimidating Celts, who wanted their land back. What a fun, action packed day for all!
Fire! Fire!
PP1 had a great time visiting Ripon Fire Station last week. To start their visit, they had a safety talk from Firefighter Thomas who told the children all about how to keep safe at home and school. He reminded them all about checking smoke alarms every week to make sure they work. The children then got to look at a fire engine and see all the different types of equipment stored on it. PP1 finished our trip by having a go at knocking over some cones with a hose – such fun!
Lunchtime concert
What a lovely interlude our lunchtime concert provided in our very busy week leading up to exeat. Following the long summer holiday the pupils had very little time to prepare for this concert, but the standard of the performances was high and the children were unfazed. It was wonderful to have Lily Sadler with us from PP2 singing ‘The Clock’, which she delivered with such confidence and clarity. From the other end of the school we had Gawain Romijn (Thornton) who presented a delightful performance of ‘On The Street Where You Live’ from ‘My Fair Lady’. We had a good variety of instrumental solos including violin, saxophone, piano, cornet and the brass group started and ended the concert with some gusto! It is always a pleasure to hear our musicians perform; to see the progress being made and the increasing confidence which performance brings. Well done to all pupils who took part in the concert.
Latin scholars head for Cambridge
On Saturday, Mrs Richardson took her GCSE Latin pupils on a trip to the Classics Faculty at the University of Cambridge. The faculty had organised a study day to give GCSE Classics students an opportunity to delve deeper into their subjects and to experience study in a university environment. The pupils explored the role of the hero in epic poetry, the importance of ‘foundation’ myths and what historic sources can tell us about life in a Roman town. Working with GCSE students from other schools was fun and the group managed to get some time to explore the Museum of Classical Archaeology at the Faculty. They also managed to get a brief glimpse of some of the famous Cambridge colleges. The photograph shows Latin pupils Issy and Jemima in the faculty’s lecture room at the start of the study day. Further images of the day can be seen on the university’s facebook pageby clicking here
Form 3 History through Drama Workshop
On Tuesday 22nd September, Form 3 took part in a Drama workshop to bring the topic of Ancient Egypt to life. They were met with the sight of a body of an Ancient Egyptian which was “resting” in a coffin, waiting to be mummified. Children then took part in the mummification process which involved removing the internal organs and placing these in the correct canopic jars. The body was then filled with ‘salt’ to dry it out and prevent it decomposing. Children then wrapped the body in bandages and placed it in a coffin ready for its final journey to the temple. All the children then took part in the funeral ceremony to ensure the body reached the afterlife. A brilliant morning, where children really learnt through drama.
Harvest Festival Services
Our Pre-Prep children impressed us all with their wonderful singing, poetry recital, storytelling and acting in last Wednesday’s Harvest Festival service at Cundall Church. The theme for this year’s Harvest Festival this year was teamwork and the children certainly pulled together to delight the congregation. PP1 proudly held up their best conkers to accompany the poem “I’m a Little Conker” and their enthusiastic actions to “Autumn Leaves” brought that poem to life too. PP2 were super harvesters of “The Enormous Turnip” as they acted out this story with bouncy songs too. The church looked beautiful thanks to the dedicated mothers who arranged our gifts most artistically around the church. Thank you too to Reverend Alison for leading the service and for taking so much joy in addressing our children. The sun shone and the sky was a vivid blue as the whole of Main and Upper School made their way to Topcliffe Church last Friday afternoon for their Harvest Festival service. The congregation of pupils, staff and parents enjoyed a very special service, with amazing singing from the school in a selection of favourite Harvest hymns and beautifully delivered readings from the readers who represented different areas of the school. The pupils all read so clearly and extremely well. The Chamber Choir sang with a rich, pure and sweet tone which filled the church. They really enjoyed their first public performance of the year, singing three lovely Harvest anthems. The Junior Choir sang ‘All Creatures of our God and King’. They performed very well and it was a joy to see so many Form 1 and 2 children singing together with such focus and conviction. It was great to see Topcliffe Church full; the atmosphere in the building was super. Congratulations to the children in Form 4 who produced such a beautiful Harvest Festival stole for Reverend Alison. She was so thrilled to be able to wear a ‘bespoke’ stole for this school service. We must also pass on a big ‘thank you’ to the ladies who decorated the church and to everyone who attended and made it such a special occasion.