Luckley Life, Weekly News - 1 April 2022

LUCKLEY LIFE

1 APRIL 2022

NEWS FROM LUCKLEY HOUSE SCHOOL

LIGHT UP LUCKLEY A massive thank you to our fantastic Luckley House Friends for organising and delivering the ‘Light Up Luckley’ laser show event last Friday evening, 25 March. After two years of restrictions it was a joy to spend an evening of entertainment with close to 400 of our community. There was dancing, socialising, eating and drinking to the backdrop of a spectacular light show – replacing our fireworks display for a more sustainable future.

Huge credit also to Deputy Head student Michael F for orchestrating the laser show.

Michael commented: “My role in Light Up Luckley was to devise the initial concept and create the soundtrack, as well as give some direction over lighting ideas and themes. I worked with representatives from Fantastic Fireworks to come up with a diverse show with as many elements as I could cram into the 15 minute slot. It was incredible seeing a nine-month project finally materialise and get to enjoy the result of all the work everyone had done. The show was better than I could have hoped and I really feel now that I have left a legacy at Luckley as I always hoped to do”.

LUCKLEY LIBRARY LOVES...

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves – Karen Joy Fowler This is one of those books that will stay with you: easily one of the most powerful I’ve ever read! It’s hard to give a synopsis that wouldn’t spoil something of the story, but this book explores themes of family, growing up and what it really means to be a person, along with the lengths we will go to for love. If you’re going to read just one book this year, read this one. Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Available to upper school students.

Clem Woolner, Head of Religious Studies

EASTER EGG HUNT Thank you to Luckey House Friends for another fabulous Easter Egg Hunt in the school grounds. A firm favourite in our school calendar with the pupils!

SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

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With thanks to our boarders (ably assisted by some of our Year 11) for making and selling ribbons and organising a home clothes day in support of relief efforts in Ukraine.

LUCKLEY LIFE

1 APRIL 2022

NEWS FROM LUCKLEY HOUSE SCHOOL

ISA DRAMA AT THE WHITTY

ECO SCHOOLS FUNDRAISING

Luckley hosted the south division of the National Independent Schools Association Drama Festival this week.

Twelve different schools from as far afield as Nottingham gathered at The Whitty Theatre to present two days of fabulous performances. All of these were expertly adjudicated by professional actress Hilary Thomson. Luckley entered their recent GCSE Drama exam piece, Bouncers, into the Senior category and performed brilliantly, receiving superb feedback from the judge. Results are expected in a couple of weeks. Theatre Manager Mr Bamber commented; “It was a pleasure to host this highly regarded national competition, and bring schools together from all over the country to celebrate drama”.

On Monday lunchtime crowds of eager students thronged the Eco-Schools Earth Day Secondhand Book Stall on the school lawn, while others explored the woods looking for answers to questions about nature and the environment with our Woodland Eco-Hunt. We are delighted to announce that we raised around £120 which will go towards purchasing a fruit tree for the boarders’ and Sixth Form garden, plus plants, seeds and basic equipment for the new wildlife garden and our current dragonfly pond.

Katie Clutterbuck, Eco Schools Lead

KANGAROO MATHS

Huge congratulations to Kofi E, Georgia C-B and Lottie F-S who all achieved a certificate of merit.

Top sets in Year 7 and 8 will be taking part in the Junior Maths Challenge in April. If your child is interested in trying previous Junior Challenges, please go to www.ukmt.org.uk/competitions/solo/ junior-mathematical-challenge/archive Lorna Wintle, Head of Maths

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The standard of reviews submitted by our students for this year’s Luckley Library House Reading Challenge has been exceptional. Overall winning House was Blake, with Cornish and Galloway finishing on equal points as joint runners up. Ava S-T and Mieja Y were highly commended prize winners for their participation in the competition.

Thank you to the local companies that donated Eco-Hunt and raffle prizes, including The Retreat, Toni & Guy Wokingham, Wokingham Family Golf, Oakwood Activity Centre, Wokingham Superbowl and Laser Quest, Energie Fitness, EActiv Health Lounge and Anytime Fitness.

Thank you also to all the parents and pupils who donated books.

Following on from our fantastic Intermediate Maths Challenge results, seven pupils took part in the next round (Pink and Grey Kangaroo rounds). The top 25% of participants who qualified received a certificate of merit.

READING CHALLENGE

CLAY INSECT SCULPTURES Year 8 have been working hard in Art lessons to finish their clay insect sculptures. They are now glazed and in the kiln!

Iona Phillips, Art Teacher

SAMUEL’S FOOD PROJECT I would like to congratulate Year 7 pupil, Samuel N for his superb food project, completing it to level 3 with the theme of ‘Food from Poland’. It is clear that Samuel has devoted a lot of time and effort in completing this project, which is one of the best that I have ever seen! Samuel’s practical work is amazing. He has really inspired me to make some Polish food.

The Pierogi, Szarlotka, Rosół, and Kotlelty Schabowe all sound and look delicious.

Mrs Gibson, Head of Food & Nutrition

LUCKLEY LIFE

1 APRIL 2022

NEWS FROM LUCKLEY HOUSE SCHOOL

MUSICAL INTERLUDE......

Easter Concert What a brilliant end to a busy term of musical events; the Easter Concert was full to the brim with both outstanding solo performances and large ensembles.

The programme could not have been more varied from the Rock School playing ELO, the Swingband, Mancini and choir performances from ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ to name just a few. Thank you to the music team for all their hard work and a massive well done to everyone who performed.

Have a lovely Easter.

Janice Ellwood, Director of Music

Musical Entertainment The term ended with the traditional House Musical Entertainment. Pupils from across all year groups got together in their Houses to perform songs from The Greatest Showman, bringing Drake Hall alive with their enthusiaistic singing and dancing. A fun and lively end to a busy term! Well done to everyone and congratulations to the winners Randle House.

LOLA DRUMS FOR UKRAINE! On Friday 1 April Dolphin School pupil, Lola, who will be joining Luckley in Year 9 this September, will be undertaking a five hour drumathon to raise money for a new shelter in Poland for Ukrainian women and children refugees.

Lola will also be flying out to Poland on 13 April to help in the shelter for a few days. Good luck Lola!

Support Lola’s efforts at Just Giving.

INVESTIGATING LIGHT IN ACTION......

The pin-hole camera, with Year 8.

On a beautiful spring morning, Year 8 Science set 2 and I left the science labs and ventured into the realm of art and photography. With Mr Battrick as our guide we completed our investigation into the wonders of light by taking a few class photographs using an old paint tin and a few sheets of photosensitive paper. The class had previously learned about image formation in a variety of scenarios and will now be communicating this science through an infographic poster in which they compare the pin-hole camera to the human eye. Lots of genuine learning took place and some challenging questions were asked, and hopefully answered! More importantly everyone had a great deal of fun and … I even lost my head! Thank you so much Mr Battrick and Year 8. What a wonderful way to start a school day.

The ghostly ‘nearly headless’ Mr Dey!

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LUCKLEY LIFE

1 APRIL 2022

NEWS FROM LUCKLEY HOUSE SCHOOL

SPORTS ROUND-UP Update from the Director of Sport, Mr M Humphrey The spring term has been another extremely busy one for pupils and staff. Some of our Year 7 pupils have taken their first steps onto the rugby field to represent the school and have demonstrated character and determination beyond their years, showing some classy skill along the way. Highlights have been Elijah K’s physicality in both the tackle and running with the ball, as well as Noah B’s silky footwork seeing him take his try tally into double figures for the season.

The U13s went unbeaten in the Super 6 league, with every player playing their part in a truly remarkable season for team spirit and effort, culminating in a dominating performance against a previously unbeaten Sherfield School. Marcus C again showed his dancing skills, shimmying through tackles and running home three tries.

The whole squad has been a credit to the school.

The U15/16 squad had a good season, with Jake F and Ethan H being two standout performers, showing their class in the Senior 1st XI game vs. St Joseph’s College. The team ran out 6-2 winners under the lights at Lowther Road, with Paddy M and Joe W both picking up hat tricks. It was a last game in Luckley colours for Joe W, Sam W, James B, Amadou C and Caleb L – who have all been fantastic ambassadors for Luckley and role models to our younger pupils with their dedication and efforts in sport.

The summer term brings around more fixtures in cricket, athletics and tennis and I am looking forward to sunnier, warmer days! We have our annual sports day on Friday 24 June at Bracknell Athletics Track, as well as our Senior (10-13) and Junior (Year 7-9) Sports Awards dinner at Sand Martins Golf Club on Monday Moving away from the egg-shaped ball, the 27 June and Wednesday 29 June U14s made huge progress and have started respectively. This event is invitation-only some cricket training ahead of the summer for those pupils who have shown excellent term, and I am looking forward to seeing dedication to school sport representing them in action after a COVID-hit summer the school on a minimum of four or more last year. occasions.

Note from the Head of Girls’ Games, Mrs K Hobson This term has seen some excellent hockey, netball and football from the girls’ teams, with netball being the main sport. A highlight has to be the ISA U14 Girls’ Netball competition which saw the team take home the Plate Silver medal.

It was a fantastic day and the team spirit shown throughout was exemplary. Special mentions should go to Caitlin, Nina and Evie for their outstanding shooting!

The U15 netball team has remained undefeated and has shown a high level of skill and team spirit throughout their season. The U12 and U13 teams have shown great progression over their season, with their score lines reflecting this with some great wins. Keira P and Emily D deserve special mentions, the former for taking on the role of shooter having never played it before and the latter for the level of improvement seen in her performance.

Special mentions also to Erin H and Anya R in Year 9, not only for their contribution to their own teams, but also for playing up into U15, U16 and U18 fixtures.

Pentathlon GB - Laser Shoot, Fence, Swimming & Run Summer Courses (external) Date: 6, 7 & 8 April 9.30am – 3.00pm Venue: LWC (Lord Wandsworth College) Cost: £175.00 Age: 8yrs - 18yrs Booking Form

Date: 12, 13 & 14 April 9.30am – 3.00pm Venue: St Teresa’s School Cost: £175.00 Age: 8yrs - 18yrs Booking Form

Date: 14 May 4.00pm – 6.00pm Venue: Yateley Manor School Cost: £25.00 Age: 8yrs - 18yrs Booking Form

Pentathlon GB is the national governing body for the Olympic sport of modern pentathlon in Great Britain. Find out more at https://www.pentathlongb.org/

WWW.LUCKLEYHOUSESCHOOL.ORG 0118 978 4175

LUCKLEY LIFE

1 APRIL 2022

NEWS FROM LUCKLEY HOUSE SCHOOL

SPORTS ROUND-UP Girls’ Self Defence

National Indoor Rowing

Earlier this month our aspiring rowers It has been great to see so many girls participating in the self-defence sessions this entered the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships (NJIRC). Like last year, the term and we are looking to run this again competition was held virtually. after the Easter break. These sessions are designed to equip your daughter with the Both our Year 11 girls placed in the top necessary skills and increase her overall health half of the leaderboard; Caitlin D (54th) and wellness. By participating in sessions on Maddie S (81st). a regular basis, pupils gain better control over their bodies while building muscle and We entered two rowers in both the Year strength. The movements required to learn 10 boys and girls categories. Aiden M placed in the top half finishing 240th out effective self-defence techniques are also of 571. Kai M did well to place 286th not excellent for refining balance and agility.

These sessions place great emphasis on non- long after a nasty knee injury. Imogen H violence – only ever using learnt techniques and Harriet B-W rowed very well to place in the top 20% finishing 69th and 95th when absolutely necessary. The sessions will be at the same time on a Friday: 13:00 respectively.

Three Year 9 girls placed in the top 20% – 13:45, and are open to all year groups. out of 777 entrants; Liz C (97th), Grace E The cost is approx £72 for eight weeks. If you would like your daughter to be involved (102nd) and Amelie B (131st).

The main plaudits must go to the recordplease complete this FORM with your breaking siblings; Freddie and Trinity M. expression of interest.

Freddie (Year 9) placed 109th out of 840 England Touch visit Luckley with a school record of 1016m in four minutes. Not to be outdone, Trinity (Year We had the pleasure of inviting six local 7) finished 20th out of 869 (top 3%) with primary schools to Luckley for the her own school record of 483m in two country’s first ever Super 6 Touch Rugby minutes.

Festival, which our Year 9 pupils refereed and coached. Sammie Phillips, Head of Performance at England Touch came in last week and ran a coaching course for the boys and girls, ready for the festival, where they were stars of the show.

School Games Organiser, Gwenda L commented: “Your young leaders were exceptional – you should be very proud of them. The venue was perfect as well!”

The pupils involved were: Rowan, Laurence, Millie, Henry, Keogh, Ellis, Oscar, Caitlin, Libby, Hannah, Tilly, Barney, Emmy, Jacob, Marina and Jess.

Congratulations to Joe and Sam W on achieving their ECB level 2 qualification for cricket coaching which will allow them to coach cricket up to county level.

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Sports Captains Update and Farewell, ‘Sir’ J Warren

This term’s sporting calendar has been full to the brim with a whole host of sports, including football, netball and indoor rowing.

Sporting success has never been far away either, with a highlight being Trinity M placing 20th in the NJIRC which puts her in the top 10% in the country for her age group.

As a school we have created an exciting new tradition with St Joseph’s College Reading which allows us to play the allocated sport of the term in competition for the coveted ‘College Cup’. I am thrilled that Luckley has won the first two meetings of the schools, once in the 1st XI rugby fixture back in November (29-26 win), and most recently in the 1st XI football game (6-2 win) which I was fortunate enough to captain (also score a hattrick) and return the cup to its rightful home; the Oak Lounge mantelpiece!

It has been a real honour to be Sports Captain over the past two years, I feel like I have impacted the school in many ways.

Whether it be through procuring new equipment for the gym, providing coaching assistance for the ADP or representing the school in any sport possible! Luckley has and will continue to be a great vehicle for sport for many years to come and develop many professional sportsmen and women, I’m sure!

LUCKLEY LIFE NEWS FROM LUCKLEY HOUSE SCHOOL

WWW.LUCKLEYHOUSESCHOOL.ORG 0118 978 4175

1 APRIL 2022