Go Kart Race
Continuing the year’s record breaking theme, this year’s go kart race set a few new school records of its own. Not only did we see a record number of entries but this year’s three fastest karts all broke the existing time record. There were over 35 entries into this year’s race, ranging in ages from Form 1 all the way up to Eldmire (our defending champion James Green sadly had a prior engagement in the form of a GSCE exam!) and an incredible range of racing machines. Some of the veteran models now sported modifications that would hopefully see them achieve even greater speeds down the school slope than in previous years, whilst many brand new and highly inventive contraptions entered the field. There was much speculation as to whether weight of kart or size of wheel mattered, with the consensus suggesting the bigger the wheel, the greater the speed, a theory that was borne out by the final ranking: congratulations to our three finalists whose speeds all surpassed previous attempts: First Place: Michael Darcy Blue Bolt 9.31” Second Place: Curran Maguire Lightning 10.03” Third Place: Archie Turner Hot Rod 10.1” For many, though, the event is so much more about the taking part, and it was lovely to see so many newcomers to the school and so many of our youngest Main School children taking part. For anyone who is in any doubt just what an accomplishment it is to pit one’s nerves against the slope, Mr Bentley (father of racing veterans Sam, Ben and Pippa) has compiled a fabulous video of this year’s race, including “behind the wheel” footage, which can be viewed by following this link. (click here) Congratulations to all who took part.
Cundall Invitational Hockey Tournament
Thank you to all the schools who traveled near and far to come and play the annual Cundall Invitational. We had some really strong teams who played some really hockey. Everyone should be proud of their performance. A special well done deserves to go to the U12 Cundall pupils who remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.
Form 3 on the Farm
Form 3 rounded off exam week with a wonderful trip to the Throup’s farm in Nun Monkton. They started the day, in glorious sunshine, looking at the gorgeous calves, exploring the acres of grazing land and investigating the milking parlour. The children then went across the road to the vineyard where they looked at the vines growing at different stages and learned all about how they grew and the best conditions for the plants. After a quick break the children learned how to make butter from cream and were rewarded with enjoying the finished product smothered on some homemade scones. A fantastic morning was had by all and thank-you very much to James and Sophie Throup for organising the morning.
Form 2’s Big Write
On Friday, ten talented writers from Forms 2-4 enjoyed taking part in a LendMeYourLiteracy event called The Big Write at The Royal Hall in Harrogate. During the morning, the children heard from the guest speaker, author David Mark, who inspired us all to unlock our imaginations. A tour of The Royal Hall helped the children to understand the place which was to become an exciting story setting, rich with history and texture of all kinds. Word workshops followed until the children wrote their own stories to explain how various objects had made their way into the giant lost property box which was found suddenly under the stage. The children’s work has been entered into a ‘Big Write’ story competition, and all entries, including stories written at home and sent in by school, will be published at www.lendmeyourliteracy.com. Parents and children can register on the website for free to read the stories. It was an exciting morning; the workshop leaders commented on our children’s superb concentration and their determination to produce excellent work. Well done everyone – you made your teachers feel very proud.
Form 6 End of Year Review
true review style, the programme afforded many an opportunity for the children to lampoon Cundall life and Cundall staff, all with uncanny perception and to hilarious effect. The children only had two and half days to plan, write and rehearse the whole show and it really was incredible what they managed to achieve. Our hearty thanks to Mrs Riddell and Mrs Ballantyne for guiding the children through the whole process. A couple of highlights of the evening can be seen on the Cundall Manor YouTube channel by following this link.
Double Success for the Sullivans
any congratulations to the Sullivan brother and sister duo Ross and Sarah. Both have recently received recognition for outstanding performances in their own specialists fields: Sarah was awarded a Highly Commended certificate in the Independent Schools Association’s national Essay Writing Competition. The judges commented “Highly Commended in the girls’ section was Sarah Sullivan from Cundall Manor School, who chose the title ‘Invisible’ to write about a homeless man in the street who was invisible to passers-by. Her story was nicely written and had an interesting twist in the tail.” Older Sullivan sibling Ross will be heading off to Oxford University this summer, having won a coveted place at a Maths Summer School. Following his excellent performance in the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge, Thornton pupil Ross has been invited to the National Mathematics Summer School at St Anne’s College, Oxford in August. The invitation has only gone out to around 40 of the UK’s most talented mathematicians and so it is an extraordinary achievement for Ross. During the course of the week Ross will be involved with whole group masterclasses, small group workshops and team competitions with activities designed to stimulate and challenge the pupils. Congratulations to both Sarah and Ross
Cundall Manor School announces new appointment of Headmaster
The Governors are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Simon Weale as Headmaster of Cundall Manor School from the start of the Lent Term, 7 January 2025. Mr Weale is an experienced independent school Headmaster with a demonstrable and impressive track record in whole school leadership. He is currently the Director of Bishop Cotton School, a position to which he was appointed to in 2020. Founded on British traditions, Bishop Cotton is one of the leading independent boarding schools in India and is accredited by the Cambridge International examination board. Previously, Mr Weale was Headmaster of Shebbear College in Devon for six years; a co-educational independent day and boarding school for children aged two through to eighteen and is very similar in ethos and size to Cundall. Mr Weale took his degree in Modern History from Keble College, Oxford before embarking on an extensive and impressive teaching career. He has held posts at the Judd School in Tonbridge, Latymer Upper School and Reigate Grammar School, where he was Head of Sixth Form, before being appointed Deputy Head Master at Brentwood School. He is married to Rebecca, a communications specialist, and they have two daughters and a son. Their youngest daughter is currently at boarding school in Suffolk and is excited at the prospect of joining Cundall in the near future. On learning of his appointment, Mr Weale said, ‘Rebecca and I are thrilled to be joining Cundall and we are looking forward to meeting you all. I believe strongly in the warm-hearted and holistic education offered by the school. Our children thrived in a similar rural co-educational setting where they were known as individuals and encouraged by teachers with genuine ambition for them. This helped them to develop their self-confidence and emotional intelligence and gave them a desire to grasp the opportunities that life has given them. Cundall pupils are privileged to grow up in such inspirational, healthy and supportive surroundings which allow them to enjoy their childhood and prepare for life beyond school. I am determined to build on the fantastic work already being done at the school, and from my own experiences both in the UK and internationally, to ensure an ambitious and truly world class offer that rewards the investment by families and ensures our pupils become successful, principled and proactive global citizens’. Mr Weale is a keen sportsman who gained three Blues for cricket at Oxford and twice won the cricket National Club Championship with Teddington CC. He played representative hockey and junior club rugby. He is also a keen nature lover and historian and writes published articles regularly on his interests including his educational philosophy and experiences. During his time as a teacher of History, he has had extensive experience of outdoor education, coached cricket and rugby teams, and led school trips across the world including to North America, the Caribbean, Europe, and South East Asia. He has also developed pupil exchanges between the UK and schools in Australia, South Africa, India and a rugby exchange in south-west France. The Governors are delighted to have appointed an experienced and accomplished Headmaster in the form of Mr Weale, who is fully aligned with the values of our school. “During our search, we were adamant that the next Headmaster hold significant experience of whole school leadership and the Governors have been impressed by his immediate recognition of the opportunities that Cundall has to offer. We are confident that he will lead our school into the future with diligence, energy and enthusiasm and we are pleased that the timing of our search coincided his plans for a return to the UK.I know that Mr Weale is very much looking forward to meeting you and your children and there will be opportunities to do so later this term, when he will visit school and be involved with preparations for his arrival in January.”Chair of Governors, Rachel Powell. Meanwhile it is very much Cundall as usual as we embark upon another enriching and successful term ahead.
Thornton Celebrate Outstanding GCSE Results
Pupils, parents and staff are celebrating a fantastic set of GCSE results. This is the school’s first cohort of pupils to sit exams since the pandemic. The school recorded another wonderful set of GCSE results including 100% of the students obtaining a 4-9 in Maths and English. Pupils also secured an incredible 51% of all passes being graded at 7-9, compared to the national average of 26.3% With these fantastic set of results all of the pupils have got into their first-choice school or career. Mrs Kirby added “Thornton collected a wonderful set of GCSE results on Thursday; the first-year group to sit exams since 2019. 100% of our pupils gained a 4-9 in both Maths and English; a wonderful reflection of their efforts.” She added” We are incredibly proud of them and the mature way that they have coped with every change to education that the pandemic brought. They leave Cundall with their sights set on new targets and their aspirations high. We wish them every success as they move on to Sixth Forms, Colleges and Apprenticeships.” The school is opening its doors to prospective parents and pupils on Friday 14thOctober. Interested parents are encouraged to contact the school to register as soon as possible, as places are extremely limited. To book your place call 01423 360 200.
Race for Life ’22
Pupils raise £3,500 for Cancer Research UK Generous pupils from a school near Ripon raise £3,500 for Cancer Research after completing laps of the school’s grounds. Earlier this term pupils from Cundall Manor School, between Ripon and Thirsk, gathered to take part in a charitable dash for cash in aid of Cancer Research. Pupils as young as FOUR and as old as 13 put on their fancy dress and prepared to take on Cancer by walking, jogging or running around the school grounds in aid of Cancer Research UK’s lifesaving scheme. While completing laps of the field pupils had to overcome numerous obstacles set out by the school’s ever adventurous Games department. Louise Bessey, Assistant Head and the organiser the of the event said that “I am so proud of all the children for raising such a large sum of money for such a fantastic cause. Nearly all of us know someone who has been affected by cancer and we all have our reasons as to why we want to help this charity.” Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is fantastic initiative which is inspires many children and adults to raise millions of pounds to aid vital research. Cundall Manor’s Headmistress, Amanda Kirby added: “We are all aware of the fantastic work that charities like Cancer Research do. As a school we pride ourselves on being able to organise many charitable initiatives across the school year and even in these challenging times we are always looking at different ways to support these charities.”
School Pupils now Equipped with Lifesaving Skill
Pupils from one of the north’s leading independent schools learnt the importance of CPR while partaking in Restart a Heart Day. Cundall, joined schools from across the country to take part in restart a heart day. This programme equips pupils with life-saving CPR training. Pupils from Year 5 to Year 11 joined in the training which endeavors to teach members of the public how to help restart the heart of someone who has suffered cardiac arrest Pupils were joined by instructors from The Yorkshire Ambulance Service. They taught the pupils CPR using an interactive DVD and practical performed a demonstration with inflatable manikins. School nurse Mrs Lee organised the event for the school. She said: “Events like really help awareness and equip our pupils with a real-life saving skill that could prevent someone dying. A massive thank you to the volunteer instructors from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service who took the time to deliver an invaluable skill to our pupils. It is a brilliant opportunity to be able to equip over 220 pupils from Year 5 upwards with lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation training” added Vicky For more information on Restart a Heart visithttps://restartaheart.yas.nhs.uk/website.