Pumpkin Competition
A huge thank you to everyone who submitted their wonderful entries into this year’s pumpkin competition. We had a bumper crop of entries in both Main School and Pre-Prep, with prizes awarded as follows: Pre-Prep: Largest pumpkin: James Craig Smallest pumpkin: Gabe Collier Ugliest pumpkin: Ram Pisharody Best Decorated pumpkin: Annabel Mindenhall Main School: Largest pumpkin: the Wilkinson Family Smallest pumpkin: Freddie Marston Ugliest pumpkin: Cian Armstrong Best Decorated pumpkin: Hannah Barker
Restart a Heart Day
Just before half term, Cundall Manor took part in a national initiative organised by the British Heart Foundation to encourage all school aged children to learn and practise their CPR skills. The Restart a Heart day saw instructors from the BHF and St John’s Ambulance, armed with over 50 CPR dummies, come into school to talk our pupils through this life saving procedure. Working in groups of no more than 50 ensured that each pupil was able to experience first-hand the CPR procedure, whereupon they received their personal certificate of participation. The day proved a huge success for everyone involved.
Halloween Disco
Pupils in Thornton can be justly proud of their wonderful efforts in hosting the annual Halloween Fancy Dress Disco for Main School. All manner of ghost, ghoul, zombie, witch and spectre turned up to join in the frightening fun. There were plenty of opportunities for the youngsters to spend their pocket money, on the sweet stalls, glow stick stalls, nail and tattoo bars. There were also prizes for the best costumes, the worthy recipients being Sophia Dallas, Fergus Mainey, Emilia Praud, Murron O’Neil, William Keens, Toby Praud and Naomi Cooke. Mrs Hall and her Thornton pupils would like to extend a huge thank you to Miss Stovin, Madame Cooke, Mrs Keens and Mrs Verity for all their help on the evening. The proceeds from the event will go towards the Thornton Expedition next summer.
Scarecrow Festival
Congratulations to everyone who came and joined in our inaugural scarecrow festival just before half term. The fabulous fruits of their labours added an extra dimension to life around the school grounds (there were several double takes to check whether these unfamiliar characters on the premises were in fact real!) in the run up to the half term break.
Friends of Cundall Manor Ladies’ Lunch
Chair of the Friends, Mrs Susan Edwards, would like to pass on her sincere thanks to everyone who came to the Ladies’ Lunch at Swinton Park last month. It really was a superb occasion. Thank you to sponsor Suzy Hart whose flower arrangements made the dining room look incredible, and to Dr Clare McGuire who, as a truly inspirational speaker, touched every one of the guests with her story. The event raised a lot of money which, as ever, the Friends will put towards purchasing new equipment for the school. The luncheon would not have been possible without the support of so many dedicated and generous parents so thank you again to everyone involved.
Canada Expedition 2015
The end of a hard working GCSE exam term for Thornton was rounded off by an amazing expedition to Canada, the cost of which trip most of the students had covered themselves with their own sterling fundraising efforts. On arrival in Canada the group, accompanied by Mrs Hall, Miss Stovin and Mr Kirby, spent the day exploring the quay in Toronto and finding their bearings, followed by watching an evening baseball game hosted by the Toronto Blue Jays. Thankfully Mr Kirby was on hand to explain the rules! The students then headed 300 miles north to Temagami in the lakes, where they spent eight fabulous days canoeing, wild camping, cooking for themselves and carrying all their worldly possessions with them! The scenery was amazing where they saw beavers, snapper turtles, chipmunks in their camp and a fleeting glimpse of a bear. The food was excellent as it had been individually prepared for each person to cook on the camping stoves. The evenings were spent swimming and cliff diving and eating marsh mellows round the campfire. Mosquitoes were the size of hornets (that’s the size they felt like at the time of being bitten!) but Cundallites are made of tough stuff so the group just got on with it! Once back in Toronto the group took in the sights of the CN Tower, the Baseball museum, the Toronto Museum and the Science Museum. They had a fantastic day at the zoo and an amazing highlight of the trip was seeing Niagara Falls and going on the Maid of the Mist which took them a mere 10m away from the foot of the falls. With the exchange rate being in the UK’s favour, many squeezed in some retail therapy. All the pupils really enjoyed their final fews days together before they all moved on to their new schools this term.
Top honours for Hannah
Congratulations to Form 4 pupil Hannah Barkerand her two ponies on a truly amazing summer: Hannah was crowned champion at the Royal International Horse Show, when she and her pony My Little Sweetheart beat off the competition in the 128cm Championships at Hickstead. Hannah then teamed up with her second Ballybur oh Jessie to win the National 128cm Championship at the Scottish Home Pony International , before then becoming 128cm Supreme Championship at the Scope Festival of Showjumping at Stoneleigh. Clearly Hannah is keeping up the family’s show jumping reputation (both her grandfather and uncle have won international acclaim in the sport) and we wish her continued success.
Boarding House News
The weekend boarders had an amazing time at Beamish Wild high ropes adventure course. They spent a whole two hours climbing, balancing and jumping over a variety of treetop obstacles. They all agreed that the 45ft jump at the end was adrenaline fuelled and a good end to the course! The holidays are coming…. Olivia and Tabby are so proud of their handiwork! Together with Niamh, Ellen and Mrs Wick, they did a beautiful job of decorating the new advent calendar for the Boarding House. Great work girls! All we need to do now is fill it with goodies.
GCSE Results
We are delighted to report on a hugely successful GCSE results day today. The Library has been a hive of activity and celebration this morning as our Thornton pupils came in to collect their results and share their news with family and teachers. 100% of our Thornton pupils have achieved at least 5 GCSEs at the all important A*-C level. No less than 80% of their grades are B and above, and a staggering 53% off all grades are either A or A* This is a phenomenal performance and reflects the calibre and hard work of our pupils, as well as the wonderful teaching that goes on at Cundall. All our Thornton pupils are now perfectly primed to take up their places at their chosen sixth form destinations, secure in the knowledge that they have a very solid foundation for their A level studies. We pass on special congratulations to two pupils in particular who are celebrating a clean sweep of As and A*s today: Charlotte Saxby achieved a total of 8 A*s and 3 As whilst classmate Ross Sullivan is celebrating no less than 11 A*s and 2 As. Ross’s celebrations were further heightened by learning that he is one of three pupils of the school to achieve a rare and highly coveted A* with Distinction in his favourite subject of Further Maths.
Summer Ball
On a fittingly balmy evening last Saturday, Cundall Manor hosted their Midsummer Night’s Ball. To the serenades of Mr Simpson’s ragtime band, the guests assembled on the the lawns for a champagne reception before entering the marquee for the wonderful three course meal. Rodney Tennant presided over the auction which featured some incredibly generous lots including a ski chalet holiday, salmon fishing trip, golf days and fully catered private dinner at Ripley Castle. The live band kept the dance floor busy whilst the blackjack tables and photo booth provided endless thrills and giggles in the bar area. Many thanks to the ball committee for laying on such a wonderful party, and to all those who supported the event so generously.