Issue 1803 Prep for the Week

Prep for the Week Issue Number 1803 – 11 September 2015

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Headmaster's Blog To those in Upper School, especially Year 8 1. You are expected to lead by example.

2. It is the collective behaviour of the senior years, especially Year 8, which sets the tone for the rest of the school.

Dear Parents Undoubtedly the term has started well. There is a palpable air of enthusiasm and purpose. At risk of dampening this positive atmosphere, I intend to restrict my opening comments to simple but important advice. Firstly, that given to the children on a regular basis.

The Three Steps to Success at Cheltenham College Prep 1. Try your hardest. Although we will continue to celebrate excellence and ‘the best’, we are more interested in the best efforts of every individual.

And remember, we all learn through failure as well as success.

2. Treat others as you would have them treat you. In short, be kind and considerate.

3. Get involved, trying new activities.

How to behave if someone is unpleasant to you 1. Explain that their behaviour is upsetting you and ask them, politely, to stop.

2. If this is unsuccessful, remind them that you find their behaviour upsetting and if they do not stop, you will tell a teacher.

3. Tell a member of staff. Cheltenham College Prep is a "telling" school.

And if you witness unpleasantness towards another child 1. Do not ignore it. If you do, it means you condone (agree with) the actions of the child who is being unkind.

2. If you feel confident enough, offer support. This must not be physical.

3. If not, tell a member of staff.

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The advice that I would offer to parents starts by recommending that you emphasise that given to the children. At the information evenings I spoke, or will speak, about the children developing resilience.

Encouraging children to deal with challenges, as opposed to doing it for them, will eventually pay dividends. Further advice for parents begins with The Friends of the Prep.

The Friends of the Prep 1. This is an organisation that wishes to build a sense of community amongst the parents. Consequently, it is one of those things in life where you get out of it what you put in.

2. The first event of the term is a wine tasting/ quizzing event, where the emphasis is on tasting and not quizzing. Do get a table together!

Car parking 1. Whilst the weather is kind, if you intend to park and drop off/collect your children, please use the grass area between the school and the 1st XV pitch.

This can be accessed in the morning and in the afternoon (except on Wednesdays and Saturdays) and does not need me to direct you there. It will become clear when we can no longer use this area.

2. It is reassuring to see groups of parents gathering at school in the morning to enjoy social activities.

It does create one small problem though when parents’ cars are left at school, depriving other users of valuable spaces. Therefore, if you are intending to get together at school, especially in the morning, please can you consider car sharing.

Collection 1. My apologies for the congestion at pick up during the first week. This is inevitable as clubs have not started and therefore departures are not yet staggered.

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2. Please note that collection for Upper and Middle School is from “Day End”; this door is on a separate code to all other doors with key pads and this has been communicated to your children. This will enable parents to wait inside when the weather is inclement.

The Integrity of the Prep Arrangements Between 16.30 and 17.00 1. Having constructed a timetable with a dedicated prep period, it would be foolish to allow the integrity of this period to be disrupted by children being collected.

2. Parents are reminded that children should not be collected from prep between 16.30 and 17.00.

3. Children whose parents have been delayed past 16.30 will be taken to Prep. Even in these circumstances parents are asked not to collect until 17.00.

4. My thanks to you for your cooperation in advance.

And finally ...

If you have been or are unable to attend the information evening, please do take the time to visit our stunning new Science and Technology Centre.

If there isn’t a member of staff in the building, I will happily show you around.

Jon Whybrow

Wednesday Wonders 1. Our first speaker of the term is Mrs Bingham who will speak about “Life as an Emergency Medical Consultant” in the Assembly Hall at 5pm on 16 September. All are welcome. Those children who are at catch up that evening will be encouraged to attend if they have caught up.

2. Any parent who would like to speak or be the subject of a question and answer session should contact me or Miss Sally-Ann Kent. I am sure that there must be plenty of parents with interesting experiences to relate!

The Information Evenings and Receptions have been very useful and enjoyable. As well as listening to valuable advice and guidance from the Heads of Section, these events also offer the opportunity to put names to the faces of staff and to view our stunning new Science and Technology Centre.

This dissemination of information continues with informal parents’ meetings in the week beginning 21 September and these events are complemented by the Headmaster’s Surgery on 1 October. Of course, our desire to communicate does not abruptly stop at this point, and I encourage parents to use their first point of contact, the form teacher or tutor, if they are unsure about any aspect of their child’s education.

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The new Science and Technology Centre has been in action all week

Students have been enjoying exploring what the new facilities have to offer

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Staff master the ropes!

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Last week, as part of a busy Inset schedule, staff from the Prep tested out their climbing, canoing and high rope skills on an outdoor team building day. Luckily the weather held out for us it was a fun and friendly welcome to our new members of staff and a great day out for all!

Please join us in warmly welcoming the following new members of staff to the Prep!

Rory Moore and James Wileman – Games and general subjects Lance Tremayne-Hancock, Jane Plant, Jennifer Smith, Vanessa Service, Sheila Ely, Freya Churchill – LSWs Benedicte Mateus – French in Kingfishers Fergus McCracken – Teacher of Science and Head of Pupil Welfare Charlotte Lewis – Teacher of MFL Rick Webber – Teacher of Science Nikki Massey – Head of English George Boyd – Head of Design Technology Scott Newson – Head of Geography Mark Robbins – Head Chef Lesley Southgate – Marketing Assistant (in the Prep School) James Silvanus-Davies – Film intern

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Our boys and girls have returned this week with their usual zest and enthusiasm and it has been lovely to share the buzz again in Kingfishers after our Summer break.

Kingfishers

Some of our Year 2 children have already stepped up to volunteer to be our first Playground Friends and Playground Helpers. Mr Whybrow was delighted to award the first Playground Leaves this week in his assembly for ‘picking up a friend from the Friendship Stop’. It is a fantastic start to the term when our boys and girls can literally pick up where they left off and extend their hands of friendship to our new children as well as old friends.

In Reception this week, the children have been learning about the longevity of our Queen. They have enjoyed making their own crowns, designing an outfit that the Queen might wear, watching the original footage of the coronation and even performing one of their own.

Mrs Rachael Buttress Head of Kingfishers

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Lower School

What fun Lower School experienced on their first day!

Having spent the morning in their classes, getting to know their teachers and peers, the afternoon was spent in Houses. Staff planned a variety of activities which the children rotated around. Laughter and giggles could be heard in all rooms and all the children were getting fully involved.

Party games, circus skills and drama activities kept them entertained and there was a lovely family feel throughout the department.

The afternoon ended with a chance to hear about the characters from The Faraway Tree, and a story from one of the magic lands.

We look forward to sharing exciting news each week, highlighting all the wonderful things that happen in Lower School.

Mrs Debbie Isaachsen, Head of Lower School

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Middle School

On Tuesday Year 5 were treated to an afternoon of Circusology and team building challenges.

This involved balancing feathers off their fingers, feet and even their chins! They worked on their juggling skills and improved their coordination. In smaller groups, they competed to build towers with sweets and cocktail sticks, learned how to ‘speed stack’ and had to communicate with one another to complete a ‘find some who..’ challenge.

Year 6 were given the task to design an outfit made from just newspaper and sellotape for under the theme of ‘A Day at the Races’. Pupils worked in form groups to create some very elaborate dresses, waiters’ outfits and accessories. The afternoon ended with a fashion parade and there were prizes for the most cooperative groups and the most creative designs.

Mrs Lindsay Gooch, Head of Middle School

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Egg Drop: Upper School Team Building

Upper School

On the first day of Year 8 at The Prep we were told we would be doing a team building activity. We worked in teams of approximately ten to a team and there were eight teams. Each team had precisely 25 minutes to build their design.

Some teams built parachutes, others wrapped the egg in layers of paper to protect it from the drop. We used straws, newspapers and tape.

The task was to drop an egg from a height (the Yard fire escape was used to give us extra height). If the egg broke when it hit the ground, the team was disqualified. It was fun to work in teams that included Year 7 and Year 8 working together as it meant that we weren’t just working with our usual friendship groups and we could get to know the younger pupils better, particularly any new girls and boys. (written by from Annaliese Goff, 8L) Some comments from Year 7 and 8 boys and girls” “I had great fun. It was a perfect end to the day” “I really enjoyed getting to know all the new pupils and we worked together in our teams” “We were all shouting at first but then we decided to share the work” “I really enjoyed my first day at The Prep, and it was fun to build our egg basket” “We worked really well as a team”

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Sports Pre-season rugby starts with a bang!

All of the Prep School's seventeen rugby coaches were in attendance for pre-season rugby training. After an exceptional performance from our players last year, huge numbers of boys from Year 3 through to Year 8 came along this Saturday for a day of fun, hard work and the implementation of the basics that will underpin our season.

The full pre-season report can be found on the news feed of our website.

Music Music Clubs These will start from Monday onwards. The lists of different ensembles are in Lake House and if you have any queries please direct them either to Mr Perona-Wright or Mrs Jones.

Pupils’ Informal Concert in Lake House This is highlighted in the Calendar at 16.30 on 28 September. This is open to all pupils from Years 3-8 and is a wonderful opportunity to perform in front of your peers in a small and encouraging environment. Sign up sheets will be put up nearer the time in Lake House.

Harvest Harvest festival will take place on Friday 25 September at 15.00 in the Chapel. This will include performances from children throughout the school. Those singing include: • Years 1 and 2, Kingfishers • Junior Choir (Year 3 and 4) • Chapel Choir • Chamber Choir Parents are warmly invited to attend and support what will be our first main service of the academic year.

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College excels at A Level and GCSE An excellent set of examination results from former Prep School pupils included A*A*A* at A Level for Head Girl Francesca Ball who will be taking a place at Edinburgh University to read History in September 2016, A*AA grade at A Level for Oliver Thorley who is deferring his place at Durham, also to read History, for a year to play Rugby for Gloucester, A* AAA grades for Christian Johnston who takes his place at Durham to read Natural Sciences, Will Donlan achieved A*A*AA grades and is heading to Warwick to read Mathematics and Economics.

Sofia Lobjanidze’s A*AAA will take her to UCL to read Psychology and Language Sciences. Ben Pickles, made fantastic progress in the Upper Sixth and secured AAA; he is currently unsure of what degree to study but thinks it will be in the Biological Sciences field. Other destinations for former prep pupils include Bath, St Andrews and Sheffield.

Overall College’s results were excellent with the top 100 students achieving an impressive 91% grade A*- B at A Level. In recognition that College has been consistently improving academic performance without compromising on co-curricular, AS results were the best they have ever been with 38% achieving Grades A and 62% grade A - B. Despite on going concern over some of the English GCSE marking, College students secured an impressive set of GCSE results with 65% grade A* - A and 88% grade A* -B. This bodes very well for some outstanding A Level results over the next few years.

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All changes and additions to the School Calendar appear in pink.

Calendar

Sunday, 13 September 2015 09:00 Cheltenham College Hockey Festival (H): 1st VII, U11A VII. Pick up 17:00 13:00 Boarders' BBQ

and Superstars (Full and Regular Flexi-Boarders Only) Monday, 14 September 2015 Week 2 (2) 14-20

September Sports Appointments Assembly Tuesday, 15 September 2015

Kingfishers and Sibling Photographs (Winter Uniform) 18:00 Year 6 Try Boarding Night (Places limited to those who have not yet boarded - booking

through Mr Wells essential) 18:30 Information Meeting for Cottage and Reception parents (Assembly Hall) 19:00 Drinks Reception for parents of children in Cottage and Reception (Headmaster's Lawn) Wednesday, 16 September 2015 Fixtures 12:45 Departure for Rugby v RGS The Grange (A): U11A IX, U11B IX. Start 14:30. Pick up 17:00 13:00 Departure for Hockey v Wycliffe College (A): 1st VII, 2nd VII. Start 14:30. 3rd VII, 4th VII. Start

15:15. Pick up 17:30 13:00 Departure for Hockey v Wycliffe College (A): U9A VII, U9B VII. Start 14:30. Pick up 16:45 14:30 Hockey v Wycliffe College (H): 5th VII, U11A VII, U11B VII, U10A VII. Pick up 16:15 14:30 Rugby v RGS The Grange (H): U11C IX, U10A VIII, U10B VIII, U10C VIII. Pick up 16:30 14:30 Rugby v Sir Thomas Rich's School (H): 1st XV, 2nd XV, 3rd XV. Pick up 16:30 17:00 Wednesday Wonder - "Life as an Emergency Medical Consultant" by Mrs E Bingham. (Parents welcome) Thursday, 17 September 2015

Year 3 to Dundry Nursery 11:15 Year 8 Rap/Beatboxing Workshop Session 1 14:15 Year 8 Rap/Beatboxing Workshop Session 2 16:15 Lower School Swim Squad 1st Trial. Pick up 17:00 17:00 Middle and Upper School Swim Squad 1st Trial. Pick up 18:00 18:00 Troy and Sparta House, Year 8 pupils' trip to Zizzi 18:30 Information Meeting for parents of Years 1 and 2 (Assembly Hall) 19:00 Drinks Reception for parents of children in Years 1 and 2 (Headmaster's Lawn) Friday, 18 September 2015 08:15 Friends of The Prep Coffee Morning (Drawing Room) until 09.00 14:15 Chapel (parents welcome) Saturday, 19 September 2015 09:00 Departure for Rugby v Pinewood (A): U11A IX, U11B IX. Start 10:30. Pick up 13:00 09:15 Rugby Festival (H): U9A VII, U9 Lions VII, U9 Tigers VII, U9 Panthers VII, U8A VI, U8 Blue VI, U8

White VI. Start 10:00. Pick up 12:15 09:30 Hockey v Pinewood (H): U8A VII, U8B VII, U9A, U9B VII. Pick up 11:00 09:30 Departure for Hockey v Pinewood (A): U10A VII. Start 11:00. U10B VII. Start 11:45. Pick up 13:45 09:30 Departure for Rugby Festival at Dean Close (A): U10A VIII, U10B VIII, U10C VIII. Start 10:30. Pick

up 12:45 09:45 Departure for Rugby v Pinewood (A): 1st XV, 2nd XV, 3rd XV, 4th X. Start 11:15. Pick up 14:00 10:30 Hockey v Pinewood (H): U11A VII, U11B VII. Pick up 11:45 11:15 Hockey v Pinewood (H): 1st VII, 2nd VII, 3rd VII, 4th VII. Pick up 12:45 Sunday, 20 September 2015 11:00 Boarders' High Ropes Adventure (Full and Regular Flexi-Boarders Only)

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NOTICES Happy Birthday to the following pupils next week!

Zico Palmer

Age 4

Ava Blackhurst

Age 7

Edward Davies

Age 6

Isabelle Marriott

Age 8

Tom Shaw

Age 10

Henry Watkinson

Age 8

School Uniform Shop The school uniform shop term-time opening hours are: Tuesday 13.30 to 15.30 Wednesday 15.30 to 17.00 We are happy to recieve email enquiries, as it is not always possible to get to the shop.

We are also happy to accept clean uniform in good condition for sale.

Julie Tague and Irene Jones

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