A Pre-Prep Special Delivery
A fantastic post-Christmas treat arrived for the children of Reception and Nursery! A huge thank-you goes to the Friends of Cundall for funding some new play equipment for the EYFS outdoor area. The children have braved the cold temperatures this week to enjoy playing on the new bikes, exploring the new farm and fire station sets and even had a duck race on the water channelling equipment, even if the staff did have to melt the ice first!! The children can also look forward to the introduction of other new items as the term progresses such as den making equipment and large scale construction sets. In addition, the Friends’ donation has funded some small world and role play resources. PP2 are already using the Space resources as a prompt for learning about Space and as inspiration for story telling and writing.
Form 2 trip to the Sinai Synagogue
Form 2 had an informative visit to a Synagogue in Leeds on Monday 20thJanuary. It was a great insight for their RS topic of Judaism. The synagogue’s role in the lives of Jewish people was explained, along with the origins of Judaism, traditions and festivals. The children were awed by the opening of the Ark of the Covenant to reveal the Torah scrolls. Did you know? That Jewish people have 613 rules (Mitzvot) and to remind them of these laws is a shawl called a Tallit with 613 tassels. The Jewish Sabbath starts at sunset on Friday and finishes at sunset on Saturday. This religious day is like a Christian’s Sunday. Sam Earley looked the part with his Kippah skullcap and Hannah Barker had the Yad to use when looking at the Torah scrolls.
Ski Trip to Alpe d’Huez
31 pupils accompanied by four members of staff enjoyed a fabulous week’s skiing in Alpe d’Huez over the Christmas holiday. They were treated to very favourable weather conditions, with blue skies and fresh snow greeting them on arrival, and staying with them for most of their week-long stay. It was lovely to see boys and girls of all ages on the trip, and of all ski abilities. After a quick assessment by the excellent ESF instructors on the first day, the group was rapidly divided into beginners, intermediates and advanced, each with their own objectives and challenges to ensure they continued to develop their skills throughout the week. The advanced group proved themselves more than capable on some of the toughest runs in the resort and demonstrated great nerve and stamina, setting their sights on clocking the fastest speeds and the greatest distances of the whole week on their final day. The budding “park rats” (the intermediates) favoured the snow park where they could try their hand at the boxes and kickers to slide on and jump over, the softer snow providing a better landing for those who couldn’t quite stomp their landings! The beginners made steady progress, taking the chair lifts ever higher up the mountains until they finally made it onto the “scare chair”. This elusive chair lift had been talked about all week by the other groups and it was quite an experience for the final group. It’s the closest they could get to a roller coaster without being buckled in! The après ski proved just as varied and stimulating with ring-side seats at an exhibition game for the local ice hockey team, bum-boarding , snowball fights and ice skating. Mealtimes were equally enjoyable with colourful recounts of each day’s activities ensuring an endless flow of conversation. It really was a fabulous trip, for pupils and staff alike and Mr Kirby (almost a convert from snowboard to skis!) is certainly looking forward to seeing everyone back on the slopes in 2015.
PP2 visit Yorkshire Museum and Observatory
On Tuesday 21stJanuary PP2 went to York to learn more about Space. The trip began in the Cosmodome where the pupils travelled through the solar system investigating the planets and stars. It felt as if they were amongst the stars, but all of the spinning made them quite dizzy! The children learnt lots about the planets, including the fact that the rings of Saturn are made of ice and the rings of Neptune are made from space dust! They found out that Venus is the brightest planet and Jupiter is the biggest planet with the most moons. Next they went into the Observatory to look at a Victorian telescope, which has cross hairs made from spider web! The pupils discovered how it works and that a new star was found using this telescope. A fantastic day…. Out of this World!
Thank you from New Ghetto
New Ghetto, the Leckby jewellery business, have closed their business down after a successful month of trading. The group turned their £1 into £300 which will be sent to Tools for Self Reliance. New Ghetto would like to thank all of their customers, who they hope will continue to enjoy wearing their bracelets and necklaces.
Christmas treat for the Boarders
The boarders’ winter wonderland Sunday afternoon trip was a great success. The afternoon started with a bit of retail therapy followed by fun on the ice skating rink. This was backed up with a very welcome hot chocolate and cookie and ended with a few thrilling rides on the funfair. Tired but happy the Boarders arrived back at the house for a great supper and an evening chilling in front of the TV. On Monday night the Boarding House was abuzz with preparations for the Festive High Tea. All the boarders donned their smartest outfits to sit down for a very special supper prepared by April and Sylvia. With beautifully decorated tables, crackers, music and even a special Christmas punch, the dining room looked quite magical as the children took their places for their own special Christmas celebration to mark the end of term and the start of the Christmas countdown.
Form 2’s Christmas Production
The scene is set and the fairies pitch themselves against the witch’s wicked plan to prevent the marriage between the beautiful Red Riding Hood (played by Pippa Bentley) and the gallant Prince. Form Two were tremendous. They took out their best smiles from the back of the stage and filled the audience with festive cheer. The jokes burst forward as the jolly policemen struggled to discover the Baron’s dastardly plot. The audience, as well as the villagers, went crazy as they feasted their eyes on the dashing Simple Simon. Never before has the Prince, played by Peter Hepden, been so bold and charming even following a blow to the head as he fell to the stage floor! This was no matter as he continued bravely and even used it for further comic effect. Form 2 had the most wonderful time acting on a professional stage at the Galtres Centre, Easingwold. The children have said they shall never forget this experience of acting in front of such a large and proud audience, and have expressed their gratitude to Mrs Ford and Mr Vale for all their hard work in preparing them so thoroughly for their time in the spotlight. All the children agreed it’s opportunities and experiences like this that help them develop their confidence – both in themselves and in what they can achieve. Well done to all of them.
Egyptian board games
The children in Form 3 had great fun creating their own Egyptian board games. They used their knowledge of Ancient Egypt to create quiz questions that they then incorporated into their games. Scissors + coloured card + glue = creativity in spades. Well done to all of the children.