Latin scholars excel again
In February, four of our Latin pupils were recorded by Matthew Ford to enter a national Latin reading competition, organised by ARLT (Association for the Reform of Latin Teaching) for schools in this country. This the first time our school has entered this prestigious competition. Edward Kettleborough in the intermediate section, had to read a difficult 20 lines of Latin verse from Virgil Book 12 in the correct metre. The junior section was ably represented by Monty Powell, Felix Fawcett and Luke Mountford. Their task was to read a very emotional section from stage 17 of the Cambridge Latin Course involving the death of a slave boy defending a Roman citizen. All entries were judged on accuracy of pronunciation and the ability to convey the meaning and mood of the passage. Results have just been published. Luke achieved a “Highly Commended” certificate. This is especially praiseworthy as Luke was a late starter to Latin, so optime fecisti! Magistra Latina, Miss Kuit, is very proud of all of them and hopes our pupils will continue to enter in future years.
Pre-Prep do their bit for Sport Relief
On Friday the 21stof March Pre-Prep had their Sport Relief Day. The event began with the children and staff coming to school dressed as their favourite sports stars. From Andy Murray to Bradley Wiggins, there was a tremendous array of sports personalities. During the day PP1 had a bun day to raise money and then the whole of Pre-Prep had a fun afternoon of sports down on the field. The children had an opportunity to try hockey, rounders, football and athletics. Pre-Prep managed to raise a massive £119 for sports relief. Thanks must go to all of the Pre-Prep staff who showcased their sporty talents for the day!
Harry joinsthe LAMBS
Congratulations to Harry Hill for being selected for the England LAMBS (The Independent Schools Rugby Football Club) Under 13 squad. He will be taking part in a tour in Dublin 4th – 8th April. Good luck Harry!
Jake’s Ski Update
We’re delighted to be able to bring you news of Jake Doyle’s progress on the Alpine pistes. It’s been a tougher season for Jake this year as he is in the u14 category and some of these boys are big lads! His most notable recent results include: British Schoolboys in Meiringen, Switzerland Silver in Giant Slalom and Slalom, Aiglon Cup, Villars, Switzerland Gold in Slalom Bronze in Giant Slalom This is wonderful news for Jake, especially his performance in the Aiglon Cup, this being his future school! Congratulations Jake! We look forward to hearing all Jake’s news when he returns to Cundall after Easter.
George’s Tetrathlon selection
Congratulations to George Rigal who has been selected to represent the North of England in a Pony Club Junior Tetrathlon against Scotland, Wales and Ireland being held at Windsor Horse Show on May 17th and 18th. The competitors will be presented to the Queen in the Main Arena for Prize Giving, which is very exciting!
Form 2 on the Home Front
Form 2 very much enjoyed their experience of The Home Front at Murton Park on Monday. The day began by crowding round a wireless in a 1930s kitchen to hear the announcement of war, and highlights included taping up windows to protect them from shattering before taking safety in an Anderson shelter, learning how to put on a gas mask and working as a team to put out real fires with a hand pump! The children were amazed at how washing was still done by hand and with a mangle in the 1940s. They cooked with rationed ingredients and even made their own butter. Rag rugs were part of our “Make do and Mend” experience too and the children found they were pretty good at it.
Further success at the Harrogate Festival
Over the last few weekends a number of our music students have taken part in the Harrogate Festival. They all performed extremely well in front of the audience and adjudicators. The pianists were: India Lawrance Harriet Pettifer Daisy Hynd Matilda Ruddy They all played both solos and duets. The singers were: India Lawrance Alannah Creed Poppy Allister Sarah Sullivan Francesca Banks The children gained a lot of confidence by participating in the festival and all received certificates with Merits, Commendations and Distinctions. A special mention must go to Alannah who came 3rd in the Solo Singing Boys and Girls Year 6 class; and to Sarah who came 3rd in the Solo Singing Boys and Girls Year 7 class and 2nd in the Solo from a show, film or musical by Sherman and Sherman or Strouse and Charnin for Year 7 class. Poppy came 1st in a large class of Year 5 children singing any song by Jenkyns and winning the Sands Gold Medal. Francesca was the winner (with Distinction) of the Vocal Duet, Year 9 and under class. Congratulations to all!
Chocolate Cake Race and Vale Run
Another exciting whole school event took place last Friday in the form of the Chocolate Cake Race in which over 200 pupils took part. The afternoon’s exciting events began with the Pre-Prep Race for Reception, PP1 and PP2. The children showed lots of determination and stamina and all of the staff were delighted to see everyone cross the line. The overall house winner was Tudors, with Tom Moody first for Reception, Monty Woodhouse for PP1 and Mathew Alton for PP2. Well done to all of the children for taking part and for finishing with a smile on their face! Having cheered the younger pupils on, it was then the turn of the Main and Upper School pupils. The boys and girls endured two laps of the school grounds incorporating many aspects of the school. Within the race is the Vale Run for the more advanced runners taking on a longer distance. In the Upper School, the winner was Ben Mewes closely followed by Amalia Watkins as the first Upper School girl to finish. In Main School Naimh Watkins was the first girl to cross the line and Harry Hill completed proceedings being the first boy back. The winning House overall – who celebrated victory with an impressive chocolate cake produced by our catering staff – was Stuarts. Well done to everyone who took part.
PP2 become teachers
Last week PP2 investigated how to make electrical circuits. They had to use problem solving and team working skills to make a working circuit. Next the children had to explain to the class how each part of the circuit works and why it works. They then wrote an explanation text in draft form and then in neat. Finally PP2 had the opportunity to become teachers and they taught PP1 how to make a circuit with a bulb or buzzer. PP2 proved to be outstanding teachers asking lots of questions, offering praise and making sure that PP1 learnt a lot as well as enjoying themselves.
Cundall’s new cookery room
There have been the most wonderful smells drifting across Cundall Manor School this week….chocolate, pancakes, cookies and buns. All made by the pupils in our beautiful new kitchen. We are the proud owners of a fantastic new space all thanks to the generosity of The Friends, Mr & Mrs Greenwood, a few other kind benefactors and, of course, the site team. The new kitchen is fully equipped with two hobs, two ovens (Bake Off style!) and a stunning range of colourful utensils. The pupils who have used the kitchen so far (and they range in age from our youngest Main School pupils to our oldest Upper School ones!) have been very excited. There is doubt that everyone who uses it will benefit enormously.