Rotary Club Technology Tournament
On Tuesday 3rd March, 16 intrepid designers/engineers from Cundall Manor attended the annual Rotary Club Technology Tournament at Catterick Leisure Centre to compete against eight other schools from North Yorkshire. The students were split into four teams and each was given their task – to design and make a bridge which would open to allow vessels to pass. After a great deal of discussion the students got down to designing, testing and manufacturing their models, each with differing levels of success and cooperation. Fully refreshed after a hearty packed lunch, the teams completed their models and awaited testing and the final judgement. Each group was successful with their final outcomes and it all came down to the judges’ decision. In the Foundation competition Cundall Manor (Fraser McPhearson, Max England, Luke Mountford and Callum Throup) came a creditable 3rd as did the Intermediate team of Elliot Hughes, Guy Atkinson, Lucy Wang and Iranzu Ros-Ramirez. Well done to all of our students who took part and had a great day.
Cundall Manor breaks Guinness World Record
Just before the end of the Lent term, no less than 500 people from 5 years old to 65 years old (and possibly even older!) turned up to take part in a very special hockey lesson. As a thank you to everyone who had helped make the building of the astroturf possible, we laid on the world’s largest ever hockey lesson. With over 500 people on the pitch – and all the photographic, video and official witness statements now safely delivered to the adjudicators – it wasnt too long before offical notification arrived at Cundall manor. We now hold the Guinness World Record for the largest ever hockey lesson! A huge thank you to everyone – staff, families, visitors alike – who turned up, mucked in, helped out and made this little bit of history possible.
Form 5 Mary Poppins Production
Form 5 embarked on an ambitious project to perform Walt Disney’s magical “Mary Poppins” which came to fruition last Thursday night. Most of the songs were included along with as many of the animated animals as possible. After just seven weeks of rehearsal time, the Company performed magnificently to provide the audience with a joyful and toe-tapping evening. Special mention must go to Alannah Creed as Mary Poppins who sang stunningly and also Charlie Black as George Banks. Olivia Turner and Tabitha Cockerill were marvelous as the two children Jane and Michael, looked after and entertained by the kind sweep Bert who was played superbly by Eve Roberts. The whole cast acted and sang its socks off to give Pamela Travers something to be very proud of.
Form 2 Science Day at the National Railway Museum
Form 2 enjoyed a Science day at York National Railway Museum hosted by students from the University of York. Workshops included an exploration of our carbon footprint, of air quality in different parts of the world using a process similar to chromatography, archaeological methods, air resistance, light and Newton’s Three Laws of Motion. The pupils even got to travel on a replica of the Rocket Steam Engine at a glorious 29 mph. All enjoyed a plethora of practical science and it was full steam ahead on their Science learning.
Form 2’s Round the World Week
Following the report last week on Form 3’s Italian discoveries, we bring you news of Form 2’s Spanish adventures: “Our Form 2 children have enjoyed learning about Spain, and in particular about Spanish foods and Spanish dancing. Learning to cook Spanish style began in the school cookery room with traditional Spanish tapas dishes including tortilla, salsa, Manchego cheese with quince jam, and Honeydew melon with Serrano ham. The children enjoyed stuffing peppers with goat’s cheese, and creating a more unusual chickpea and black pudding recipe. These dishes were enjoyed by all at break time. Next, Form 2 visited the Ambiente Tapas Bar in York to compare their Spanish cooking with the ‘real thing’; they were especially impressed to learn about the Spanish delicacy which is a ham where the pigs have fed only on acorns. Form 2 pupils and staff are grateful to Javier, our Language assistant, and Senorita Arizabel who introduced the children to flamenco dancing. They were quick to embody the mood of Spanish music. Well done Form Two!”
St Patrick’s Day in the Boarding House
The boarders were treated to an early St Patrick’s Day party last Monday, which saw them enjoy a super feast provided by April and Linda. Fun and games were had by all, with hunt the treasure, dangling donuts and toss the coin in the leprechaun’s hat. Tom Dicken scooped most of the prizes and best dressed went to Ellen and Luke. It was lovely to see everyone join in and have such a good time.
ISA Drama Festival 2015
Congratulations to everyone who took part in the ISA Drama Festival this term. Mrs Riddell has the latest news: “Despite a very early start, eighteen Cundall drama students arrived at School, brimming with enthusiasm, on Sunday 8th March. Initial difficulties with fitting the scenery on the bus were solved by sheer determination and brute force (if you’ve ever tried to fit three children, the dog, the cases and the duvets into a car for a trip, you’ll know what I mean!) This was Cundall’s first attempt to compete in the ISA Drama Festival, a well-established Drama event with a national profile. ISA schools across the country compete against each other for a variety of awards. Cundall Manor took two short productions: an adaptation of the well-known play, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Gandhi in the Shed – a comedy based around a family trying to put their unfortunate grandparent into a care home. We had a couple of hours to compose ourselves, dress and put on make-up and then we were on. Schools are given five minutes to set up in an unknown theatre space, in front of an unknown adjudicator and an unknown audience…terrifying! Our senior group performed first, with flawless characterisation and comic timing; the juniors second, using the unfamiliar space with such confidence, you’d think they were a professional touring repertory company! Our performances were well received by the audience and the adjudicator gave us some very useful, constructive criticism, complimenting the students’ ability to characterise and create believable roles. I was extremely pleased with everyone’s performance and I felt very optimistic for the outcome, to be announced after the completion of the southern heats in a couple of weeks’ time. When the results did come through, I was delighted. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory won the Oxford Cup for best junior school production and Francesca Banks added to her long list of performing achievements, winning the Audrey Vowles Shield for best junior girl performer. This is a wonderful result and testament to the talent and dedication of those involved. The pupils had quite a task, competing against some very experienced and specialist drama schools (especially in the senior categories) I would like to thank every student who took part and a really big thank you to Annabel Hartley, Zaila Barker and Pippa Adamthwaite-Cook, who stood in at the last minute.”
Form 1 and Pre-Prep Story Share
The Nursery children were delighted to welcome Form 1 pupils this week for a storytelling session. The Form 1 children had written and illustrated some wonderful stories for young children and came along to share them with Nursery. The children were enthralled and the teachers amazed by Form 1’s literacy skills – a fun time was had by all!
Cundall Manor Equestrian Success
Our Equestrian Team were out in action on Saturday at Northallerton Equestrian Centre. The team, consisting of Jemima Fawcett, Kate Sanderson and Issy Saxby, finished third with Kate being placed 5th individually and Issy 2nd. Well done girls!
Red Nose Day
Pre-Prep got into the Comic Relief spirit by coming to school wearing their red noses. The children paid £1 to make a funny face on a paper plate. There were some hilarious designs which are now being displayed in the brick building. They also danced along with Dermot and listened to the Comic Relief Song. The children found out that if they raised £60 this would pay for an orphaned child in Africa to go to school for a year and the government would then double this amount, enabling a second child to attend school too. Pre-Prep, Main School and Upper School raised a combined total of over £260. What a fantastic fund raising effort everyone!