Form 4 trip to York
Form 4 enjoyed a full day out in York on last Tuesday. The morning and early afternoon were spent at Barley Hall where the children completed a tour of the Tudor building as well as participating in workshops on Arms and Armour and Tudor Medicine. This was followed by a short walk across the city to the Jorvik Dig where the children had the opportunity to develop their archaeological investigation skills. Next was a much needed ‘pit-stop’ at Pizza Hut and then the day concluded with an eerie ‘Ghost Walk’ where the children, together with some of their parents, heard a series of chilling tales of supernatural happenings at various places in the city!
Form 3’s Tudor morning
Form 3 had another successful history morning when the children went back approximately 500 years to the Tudor period between 1485 and 1603. They had the opportunity to explore many artefacts from the era, including a long bow, a musket, drinking pots, crooks, plates and cutlery. Discipline in schools was also mentioned and the children looked a little concerned to hear that Tudor children were hit with a horn book every morning just to be reminded that it hurt and to behave. The morning was rounded off with a counting activity where the children carried out basic addition using a counting board and could only answer in Latin numerals. A thoroughly enjoyable and educational morning for all and a great introduction to the Form 3 Tudor topic.
French Club News
The French club has continued along its French culinary journey. Last week, the children celebrated Epiphany à la Française with the traditional Galette des Rois. Following the French tradition two lucky people were crowned after they found the hidden “fève” in their slice of cake. This week they baked their own pains au chocolate and croissants and enjoyed eating the fruits of their labours.
St Mungo’s Natty Hat and Silly Wig Day
The whole school showed their support of St Mungo’s charity for the homeless by turning out in an amazingly colourful and inventive array of head gear. Amongst the highlights had to be the organiser of the day’s events Miss Kuit who sported a very avant garde Mohican style wig! Thank you to everyone who helped raise over £220 for St Mungo’s.
St Mungo’s Natty Hat and Silly Wig Day
The whole school showed their support of St Mungo’s charity for the homeless by turning out in an amazingly colourful and inventive array of head gear. Amongst the highlights had to be the organiser of the day’s events Miss Kuit who sported a very avant garde Mohican style wig! Thank you to everyone who helped raise over £220 for St Mungo’s. (The longship in the background of the Form 1T picture was made by Archie Turner over the weekend!)
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.
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.