Cundall Cricket Camp
Cricket Camp returns to Cundall This Easter we are proud to welcome back the Cundall cricket camp. Pupils from 5-16 years old are invited to get a head start with an exciting series of pre-season training sessions, starting April 3rd. The sessions include team games, fielding / bowling / batting drills, competitions & tournaments, video analysis, nets, certificates, fun & much more. Places are limited and cost £80 for all three days or £30 per day. To find out more or to book your place, email paulswalwell@cundallmanor.org.uk or call 01423 360 200. Sessions are on Monday 3rd, Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th April.
Green-fingered Pupils take on Upcycling Challenge
Over 180 pupils from Cundall Manor School are taking on a ‘Boot Camp’ with a difference. Pupils from the school have joined forces with soldiers from 6 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps (6RLC) based in Dishforth and six other local schools who are putting old army boots through their paces this spring. Members of 6 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps (6RLC) based in Dishforth are working in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Community Outreach Team in Yorkshire. Together they are hosting a competition called ‘Boot Camp’. The initiative is all part of the RHS Greening Grey Britain campaign aimed at inspiring community groups to transform the spaces where they live. In total more than 500 pupils are taking up the challenge. Pupils from the school were invited to the base for a day of activities including an introduction to 6RLC and a ‘how to’ workshop delivered by the RHS. Each child was given a decommissioned army boot together with a ‘grow your own’ starter kit including seeds, compost and seed trays along with hints and tips. The children will then have three months to get creative and come up with striking planting combinations to impress the judges. The boots will be judged by the RHS and many will go onto be shown at RHS Harlow Carr’s Flower Show on 23 – 25 June, thereafter, the boots will be repurposed at the Dishforth camp. Family and friends are invited to sponsor each child’s creation by making a ‘Just Giving’ donation online. The money raised is being used to contribute towards a wider project to create a Memorial Garden Project at Dishforth to honour members of the 6RLC, past and present. The Commanding Officer of 6RLC, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Crossland said:“This is a fantastic opportunity for the regiment to connect with our new community. Today gives the children two things: an insight into army life; and some tangible, practical skills to get growing.” Libby Goodacre, RHS Community Development Manager for the North of England added: “We’re delighted to be working with the regiment and local pupils. We are really looking forward to seeing the creative upcycling ideas using the old army boots. I’m sure they’ll be a huge talking point amongst visitors when they go on display at the Harlow Carr Flower Show in June.” Marketing Manager for Cundall Manor School, Paul Swalwell said: “It is great for so many of pupils from our school to get involved in such a wonderful project. The children enjoyed the day at the base learning more about gardening and finding out about how their effort will contribute to the community.”
Chocolate Cake Race
A test of speed, stamina and commitment – The annual ‘Chocolate Cake Race and Vale Run’ was even more testing than usual due to the very seasonable weather. Pupils from across the school braved a testing cross country course, with pupils as young as two taking part in an abridged version of the race, while over 250 pupils taking part in the main event. With 4 trophies up for grabs alongside the eponymous Chocolate Cake, a fast-paced race saw Niamh, Ruby, Freddy and Hamish claim the individual prizes while the overall winning house was the Stuarts. A huge well done to everyone and a big thank you to all our parents who came to cheer on our athletes.
World Book Day Fun
Inquisitive pupils from Cundall Manor School have been inspired to do something ‘booky’ for World Book Day thanks to an award-winning independent bookshop. Over 120 pupils from Cundall Manor School visited the White Rose Book Café in Thirsk to receive a hands on lesson in all things literary to coincide with World Book Day. Pupils from Year 3 – 6 visited the award winningWhite Rose Books & Coffee Barfor a series of interactive workshops including story-time, working with staff at the shop and writing their own story. The pupils then had the chance to enjoy choosing a book for their own dedicated Key Stage 2 Library within the School. Sue Lake, Owner of the White Rose Book Café, said: “It was lovely to see Cundall Manor children sharing their excitement about books and stories in a proper bookshop.” She added: “World Book Day is all about reading for pleasure and the variety of books they chose reflects the quality and variety of childrens’ books today.” “Many of our customers commented on how smart and well-behaved the pupils were – a real credit to Cundall.” To round off the day the children enjoyed a homemade cake and refreshments from the café.
Top Fashion Photographer Showcases Pupils in Leading Art Exhibition
Pupils from Cundall Manor School are showcased in an exciting new exhibition at the Hepworth, Wakefield involving industry leading fashion designers, artists and photographers. Over 60 pupils from the school visited The Hepworth Wakefield to be photographed as part of a major new exhibition and book entitled Disobedient Bodies: JW Anderson curates The Hepworth Wakefield Two other Yorkshire schools, Wakefield College and Hemsworth Arts & Community Academy, were also photographed in the gallery wearing fashion pieces from the exhibition which opened its doors to the public on Saturday 18 March. Head of Art at Cundall Manor School, Sarah Pearson, said: “To be asked to be involved in such a wonderful project is a great privilege. Our pupils certainly enjoyed the experience of working with Jamie and we are all really excited to see how the photographs have turned out.” Photographer Jamie Hawkesworth, described by Dazed as “one of the most visionary fashion photographers working today” and who has collaborated with international fashion brands including JW Anderson, Alexander McQueen and Miu Miu worked with 123 Yorkshire school children in the lead up to the exhibition. A selection of the photographs will be reproduced in the publication that accompanies the exhibition. The schools involved and the pupils’ parents attended a special preview of the exhibition on Friday 17 March. Disobedient Bodies: JW Anderson curates The Hepworth Wakefield sees one of the world’s most innovative and critically acclaimed contemporary fashion designers responding to Wakefield’s impressive collection of modern British art. This is the first in a new series of exhibitions at the award-winning gallery, curated by key figures from creative fields outside the visual arts, from fashion and music to film and literature. The exhibition gathers together a personal selection of more than 100 objects spanning art, fashion, ceramics and design in a series of unexpected and irreverent groupings. Using fabric from JW Anderson’s archive, 6a architects have transformed the David Chipperfield-designed galleries into a series of rooms that are designed to conjure an intimate social gathering. Sculptures by artists including Jean Arp, Louise Bourgeois, Lynn Chadwick, Naum Gabo, Alberto Giacometti, Barbara Hepworth, Sarah Lucas, Henry Moore, Magali Reus and Dorothea Tanning are brought into direct dialogue with fashion pieces by designers such as Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Rei Kawakubo of Commes des Garçons, Helmut Lang, Issey Miyake and Vivienne Westwood. Disobedient Bodies: JWAnderson curates The Hepworth Wakefield is currently on display and ends on 18 June 2017.
Lunchtime Concert Wows Audience
In February, singers, pianists, woodwind players, a guitarist and a uke-ist performed to an appreciative audience of parents and pupils in the third lunchtime concert in this year’s series. Many are preparing for exams or performances at the Harrogate Competitive Festival after half term, and all demonstrated their usual flair and poise, which is always wonderful to see. Well done to everyone who took part.
School to build extra classrooms
We are very pleased to announce that we have been successful in our application for planning permission to build four new classrooms. As you may be aware, the school has been working with George F. White and identified the Upper School as the first stage of a ten-year development plan to see the school upgrade its facilities and provide the best start for our children. We recently applied to Harrogate Borough Council in order to build a single storey extension to the Upper School with the ability to accommodate four new state-of-the-art classrooms. This will ensure that we are in the best possible position in an attempt to limit class size numbers. Chair of Governors, Sir Thomas Ingilby, said: “The fact that our planning permission has been accepted is wonderful news. Our recent success in the classroom has seen our popularity grow and we are keen to keep class sizes low. This news means we are able to provide the best possible investment we can make for our children and parents.” “We are very pleased that we are in such a strong position in order to allow our children the ability to thrive and achieve during their time at Cundall Manor School.” Plans will be on show in the Main Building from February with work likely to be completed for the start of the Michaelmas Term 2017.
Birdwatch Survey Inspires Pupils
Eagle-Eyed pupils will be taking part in the RSPB’s Big Schools’ Birdwatch later this month. Youngsters from Cundall Manor School will be taking part in the nationwide campaign to monitor and record the local winged wildlife across three days this January. The RSPB claim that it is the world’s biggest garden and wildlife survey aimed at individuals and the family. Pupils have been preparing for the event by constructing bird tables and feeders to help the native wildlife during the winter. The school, based near Thirsk and Ripon in North Yorkshire, will be encouraging its pupils to take note of the wildlife they share their school with. The initiative at the school is being run by Victoria Wick. She said: “We have a wonderful environment at Cundall Manor School and our pupils are keen to get involved with the outdoors.” Mrs Wick added: “Our pupils enjoy the great outdoors and regularly engage with a wide variety of gardening and nature based activities. The Big Schools’ Birdwatch is a great way for our youngsters to engage with the wildlife in the school grounds while also contributing to a great campaign.” The school will be tweeting the most interesting results.
Poetry Competition Ignites Imaginations for Pupils
Primary school pupils from Cundall Manor School are to have their work published as part of a national Young Writers competition. Pupils from the North Yorkshire School entered the ‘Once Upon a Dream’ Young Writers competition for 7 -11 year olds, with SIX poems from the school being chosen for publication. Cundall Manor pupils, Harriet, Tallulah, Juliet, Sasha, Violet and Josie will all have their work published as part of The Young Writers competition which is celebrating its 25thyear. The competition received over 25,000 entries from across the country. The theme ‘Once Upon a Dream’ captured the imaginations of the youngsters at Cundall Manor School with poems ranging from real-life aspirations to wild and vivid dreams. Lesley Ratcliffe helped bring the competition to life for the children. She said: “Our pupils really enjoy exercising their imaginations and the Young Writers format is a great way for our younger pupils to engage with writing and poetry in particular.” She added: “The theme really gave our pupils the chance to use their imaginations in a creative way and the outcome is some wonderful poetry, deep with vivid descriptions and meaning.” The publication ‘Once Upon a Dream – North Yorkshire’ is set to be released on 28thFebruary. The book follows hot on the heels of the school being nominated for the Independent Schools Association National Award for Excellence and Innovation in Provision for a Junior School. To find out more about the school, or to arrange a visit call 01423 360 200 or emailadmissions@cundallmanor.org.uk
Open Morning – Sat 4 Feb
Want to know more about one of the north’s leading schools? Visit our next Open Morning on Saturday 4 February from 10am to get the full Cundall experience. On the day you will receive a tour from one of our pupils, meet teachers and parents, experience some of the exceptional teaching and support and take in the unique rural setting. Did you know? Cundall Manor School is for Boys and Girls aged 2 to 16 years. We offer extraordinary pastoral care; with an emphasis on learning through experience where children are happy, enjoy their schooling and grow in confidence and ability. We were recently shortlisted for TWO national Independent Schools Association Awards. We offer weekly and flexi boarding from 7 to 16 years There are generous sibling discounts – 5% second child, 20% third child, 35% subsequent children. Armed Forces benefits are also available. We rank in the top 9% of Independent schools in the country. We are graded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. To find out more or to arrange a personalised tour of the school, call 01423 360 200 or email admissions@cundallmanor.org.uk