Pep Talk - Christmas 2020

Pep Talk Talk Christmas Weekly

CHRISTMAS 2020 5M AY 2020

A letter to the Parents Monday Morning Assembly Dear Peponi House Parents, Thank you for all of your help in getting through a challenging term. Even though we are apart I sense the determination we all share to help the children do their best. This is an emphasis we will build upon in January as we seek to reinforce what has gone before and develop the fresh educational experience.

Earlier this week I very much enjoyed the Year 8 sports afternoon. This was a scene of much joy and a great deal of effort from everyone. There is something very special about watching young people trying their hardest. Their efforts are respected by their peers too and will help everyone build positive memories. Nobody gave anything less than their all and everyone can feel pleased with themselves. Hard work really does bring its own rewards. Those without medals are still winners.

The spirit with which the Year 8s and the wider school community have worked together over this half term has been a most positive experience. It has been lovely to see the ‘School of many Nations, a family of one,’ in action. What a pleasure it is going to be to welcome everyone back in January. These excellent Year 8 children will help us lead the school through the next phase of the academic year.

You will shortly be receiving access to your children’s reports for this term. These are slightly amended versions to those which you would normally receive at this time of year. Given the circumstances I am sure you appreciate the need for some adjustments.

In writing the reports and selecting the children grades, teachers have done their best to reflect their opinions of their pupil’s performances. This is more complicated than normal and some grades have been harder to pinpoint, given the fact that children have been at home and with the variables in everyone’s online circumstances. For instance, some children would have been especially fortunate and have been able to receive more direct support with their work than others. Some people have a better internet connection than others. Given all of this there is no doubt that a very great deal of hard work and application has gone into the children’s studies. The reports generally make very good reading and clearly learning has not stood still. We have much positive endeavor to build upon.

Next term we hope to be moving into the new school buildings. The finishing touches are being applied and we hope everything will be ready by Christmas. This will give us a lot more space and the new facilities and resources look amazing. Teachers are excited about their new classrooms and the communal areas will be most attractive and special. When the opportunity arises we will have a hall that can seat the entire school community. We will also have new spaces for Drama, sport, offices and IT. A new library and Study Centre will directly support teaching and learning and the amphitheater will bring intriguing opportunity. The children will like the spacious and airy classrooms. What goes on in those rooms will shape the future and everything will be set to make it most purposeful.

We are anticipating everyone being back in school in January. Where people are unable to attend we will do our best to provide education online. Some lessons will be streamed and we will seek to help anyone at home to access the resources and materials that will allow lessons to be followed and learning to take place. This will not be the same as the online teaching that has taken place this term though, and will be more an adapted version that reflects the reality of all classes and teachers being busy in school. We will do our best as we understand that there will inevitably be some absences.

Our skills in this respect will grow as the term progresses and we gain experience within the new reality.

We arrived in Kenya and joined Peponi only four months ago and yet we already feel very settled and are very much looking forward to meeting you all in the months ahead. Our children are coming tomorrow from England to visit us for Christmas and I know what a precious time these few weeks ahead will be for all of us. 2021 will be different and it seems we can look forward to the new year with a little more optimism.

I very much hope you all stay safe and well over the holiday. There is much to look forward too and hopefully some family time ahead in which to relax and enjoy and appreciate the wonderful lives we share.

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year, Yours sincerely, Neil Price

PEPON FAM

NI MILY

World Children’s Day Last week in PSHE 6S created some posters for the UN’s World Children’s Day (20 Nov). I controversially started off the lesson by displaying the saying “Children should be seen and not heard” and asked them to discuss which understandably generated quite a response!

We then looked at why the day is celebrated and what the UN does for children around the world.

6S were then tasked with producing a poster or presentation to highlight an issue that is most important to them and why their opinions should be taken into account. Attached are some examples.

Veera Shah shared a very impressive video of the poem “Dear 2045”

Ingredients For turkey and stock

For the stuffing

Whole turkey

85g butter

1 onion halved

Onions finally chopped

1 carrot

225g breadcrumbs

2 celery sticks

Mixed fresh herbs (parsley, marjoram, sage, thyme, chives)

2 sprigs of fresh thyme 2 sprigs of fresh parsley 175g butter Stock cube

For the gravy

Mustard sauce

1/2 litre stock/chicken stock

Rosemary Light soy sauce Sage

Chef Ali’s Christmas Turkey

Butter Gravy granules

Garlic and ginger Method 1. For the stock, put the giblets, onion, carrot, celery and herbs in a saucepan and season.

Cover with about 2 litres cold water and bring to boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2 hours, or until you have a flavour some stock. Strain and set aside.

2. Preheat oven too 200C.For the stuffing,melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. When its foaming add the chopped onion and season cook until softened set aside to cool.

3. Put the onions in a mixing bowl. Mix in breadcrumbs and herbs season to taste.

4. In a blender mix all herbs, garlic, ginger, pepper, stock cube, soy sauce and olive oil. Blitz to make a paste.

5. Make deep slices on the turkey to ensure the marinade gets into all parts stuff the turkey and rub the marinade all over it, melt butter and pour on top.

6. Tie both legs with a kitchen string and roast in the oven basting every 30 mins.

7. To test if its cooked insert a small veg knife into the thickest part of the meat between the legs and breast,the juices that run out should be clear with no sign of pink. In the last 30mins you can add your new potatoes, baby carrots and parsnips to cook with the turkey juices for more flavour.

8. For the gravy sieve off the stock and return to pan on high heat deglaze it to half its portion add gravy granules and season.

9. Curve the turkey and serve with your veggies with the stuffing and gravy.

Chef’s Tips ix avy granules m In place of gr hisk w en th and flour together butter . er m m si d an into the gravy

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Climbing Mt. Kenya with Mr. Savage and Year 3

I really enjoyed learning about the animals. My favourite part was hearing about how the mountain got its name - Diya.

I loved getting dressed up and getting my toolkit ready.

- Krish I never knew that mountains could be 3000m high. – Radhika Thank you for coming to discuss Mount Kenya with us. I really enjoyed learning about the plants on Mount Kenya.

My favourite part was when you told us about the Old Man’s Beard - Adnan I loved learning about the animals and the plants. I really liked the St John’s Wort. - Ayaan I loved hearing that Mount Kenya used to be a volcano and that it had exploded. - Vinya I loved learning about how many times Mr Savage climbed the mountain. My favourite part was when he showed us what to take up the mountain - Joven I loved seeing all the different plants, especially the cabbages. - Izzy My favourite part was learning about the blue, glowing water! I also loved learning about the animals on Mount Kenya - Aurora.

I liked dressing up and wearing my hat. - Ishani I liked hearing about all the different plants, including the old man’s beard. - Giulio Thank you for taking the time to come and tell us all about the mountains. - Shanay I really liked the PowerPoint. My favourite part was hearing about the plants on Mount Kenya- Natalie I liked dressing up and packing my bag. - Tommy Thank you for telling us all about Mount Kenya. I liked hearing about how many times you have been up the mountain! – Naila The elephants! I did not know that elephants lived on Mount Kenya. – Mina My favourite part was when he told us about the lake at the top of the mountain. Thank you for talking to us. Martha.

I liked hearing about the cabbage that opened in the daytime and shut at night time with something special to stop it freezing. - Olivia

I enjoyed seeing all the different animals. - Kayaan Thank you for telling us about your journeys up Mount Kenya. I loved hearing about the climbing- Gerrard.

I never knew that rock hyraxes were related to elephants!

– Zac I liked learning about the mountains with you. Thank you, Mr Savage and Renson. – Diveet I learned that there are lions on Mount Kenya.- Atticus Thank you for being so passionate about climbing Mount Kenya. I liked the PowerPoint - Orheva I really enjoyed learning about how the flowers open up.

My favourite part was when you told us about what you need to take to the mountain - Grace Thank you for teaching us about Mount Kenya. I loved learning about the plants – Dario Thank you for coming I hope you come back soon Dylan I loved your lesson. I learnt a lot about plants around the mountain - Kaylen Thank you Mr. Savage for the lesson because I had fun – Lou Thank you so much Mr. Savage. I can’t wait to go up Mt. Kenya when I am in Yr. 8 I liked hearing about the plant that opens up. - Pallisa Thank you for letting us know how it is like to climb Mt. Kenya. - Aaliyah Thank you Mr. Savage for coming to our class. You taught us a lot of interesting facts. I really liked the one about the unique night plants that close up and they have a liquid that keeps them warm. I have not climbed Mt Kenya but I am planning to do so. - Nandini Thank you for teaching me how to climb Mt. Kenya. Nathan Thank you for telling us about the animals and flowers around Mt. Kenya. I have not climbed it but now I know a lot about it. When I am in Yr. 8, I will want to climb the mountain with you. Kianna Thank you for teaching us about Mt. Kenya. - Tisa.

Thank you Mr. Savage for coming to our Humanities Lesson to talk to us and answer our questions about climbing Mt. Kenya. It was educational though the internet connection was not very good. You even stayed for 20 minutes longer than you were supposed to. Thank you Mr. Savage! - Bartholomew.

ROMAN

YEA

4F

During Roman Day, Liya created an amazing comic inspired by Asterix. She featured the British warrior Queen Boudicca.

Ollie drew an amazing image of Asterix. It looks just like the comic book.

Shawn created a really impressive Roman shield and swords.

4S

Maria drew a bea of a Roman soli her fantastic art

Lexi drew a beaut a Roman shield. fantastic artist s

Syna drew a bea of a Roman hel her fantastic art

Lisa for being t crack the Roman Well done!

Kye for showing and drawing Roman sword.

Artus for dra Roman solider a artist skills.

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autiful drawing ider. She showed tist skills.

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Salma’s drawing of the colosseum and a Roman shield.

Zahabiya’s drawing of the colosseum, Roman shield, dagger and a helmet.

Ishwari’s stick man comic strips for the Asterix.

Kai drew a Roman shield.

Daoda did so well and matched her roman numbers correctly.

Nicoletta made a brilliant Asterix comic strip.

Anaya, Njeri and Nico artistic Roman soldiers.

Drew

Can we meet your pets?

Sophies Pets Shumba and Nala.

Sports News

Wambu i thrash es it out in M otocross!

one Flo Well d tticus in and A Week! s rt o p S

News from Peponi School Our Boarding Term

Peponi School

Despite the challenges that Covid has brought, our return to Boarding at Peponi has been fantastic. Everyone has pulled together to embrace the new restrictions and settled down to life at school. Individual rooms for all, temperature checks and the cleanest hands we have ever had are all part of the new normal.

Evening and weekend activities have still been numerous and varied providing excitement for all. From cycling and assault courses on the Ranch to Pizza and video evenings, table tennis, pool and archery, the fun has never stopped.

Culminating with our own Bake Off style Inter House ‘BBQ Off ’ - it has been great to be back!

Tel: +(254) 0733 615 139; +(254) 0722 287 248 | Email: info@peponischool.org | Website: www.peponischool.org

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