Senior School Newsletter Friday 7 February 2020
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE 2019 CHRISTMAS BOX APPEAL Sibford School was delighted to support the FSCI Christmas Box Appeal last term. Thank you to all the families who made the commitment of time and money to contribute a box. Thousands of children and families in institutions, kindergartens and schools in poor rural and urban areas, senior citizens homes, Roma communities, protected homes and refugee centres throughout Bulgaria received Christmas presents as a result of the generosity of those taking part in the appeal last year, with a total 9985 boxes distributed. 42 of those boxes came from Sibford! Teodora Koleva, Director of FSCI Bulgaria, is in no doubt about the importance of the project. “With the Christmas boxes, we show people who live on the periphery of society, often forgotten and overlooked, that we think of them and believe in them. At Christmas it is important to be good – with our loved ones and acquaintances, and even with people we do not know, with people who need support”. In the UK hundreds of people gave their time to help sort and pack the boxes. Rich Parsons, the project leader, was amazed by the number of people who gave their time. “Our volunteers are amazing; we simply couldn’t have delivered a successful appeal without them. We’re so thankful to everyone who donated a box or gave their time to help out. We’ve had a fantastic response again from our supporters and their efforts have made a lot of children and families very happy.” Thank you again for helping Sibford School to be part of this – your donations brought joy to those who didn’t have much to celebrate at all last Christmas time. You can see Christmas boxes being distributed here or go to YouTube and search “FSCI (UK) Christmas 2019”.
Senior School Newsletter Friday 7 February 2020
PREMISES UPDATE Throughout the year we work hard to maintain and improve our school facilities and last term we began a phased programme of investing in our ICT infrastructure that has already resulted in improved connectivity and renewed hardware throughout a number of key areas. We have been completing a programme of renovation in Fielding boarding house which has seen redecoration of bedrooms and installation of new heating. In response to pupil feedback we are improving the pupil toilets in the Hill building - some redecoration and reorganisation of the toilet entrances will be completed shortly and we hope this will have a positive impact. Looking ahead, during the Easter holidays we are very excited to announce that our dining hall will be undergoing a transformation. We will be working in partnership with our catering team at Thomas Franks to complete internal and external improvements – another area that your feedback has identified as important.
UPCOMING PSFA EVENTS Coffee and Catch up. Friday 14 February. 8.30am - 10.30am. Join the PSFA for coffee and a catch up in small dining room behind the junior school car park just after morning drop off - all welcome. Pie and quiz night. Friday 13 March. 7.30pm. Dining Hall. Join us for our popular, annual pie and quiz night. Tickets are £10 and include a meal and a soft drink. Tickets available from junior and main school reception.
SKYDIVING FOR HELEN AND DOUGLAS HOUSE Our very own Head of Religious Studies, Zoë Simms is now half way to her fundraising total of £500 ahead of her skydive in aid of Helen and Douglas House. You can read more and sponsor her here: https://www.justgiving.com/zoe-simms.
YEAR 12 MOCK INTERVIEWS Suits, ties and polished shoes were the dress attire for last Thursday’s mock interviews for Year 12. The students were given the opportunity to prepare for a mock interview with our professional team of doctors, lawyers, human resources managers, naval officers and more. The students rose to the occasion and responses from the interviewing team were that they were well prepared and presented. The students also gained a lot from the experience. An extended hand of gratitude to all our parents who sat on the panel. Rachel Bee Gifted and Talented coordinator
LES MISÉRABLES TICKETS START TO SELL OUT! The Friday night performance of Les Misérables School Edition has now sold out! Tickets are still available for the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening performances here: http://bit.ly/SibfordLesMis for £8 + booking fee. Tickets are also via main school reception for £8. With just a month to go until the performances, make sure you don't miss out!
THE SIBFORD BOARDING BULLETIN! With the days lengthening and snowdrops and crocuses appearing around campus, it seems the perfect time to welcome our two new lambs to the school. The boarders have enthusiastically taken up volunteering roles to keep the lambs well-fed and warm during the evenings and weekends, a reflection of what a caring and thoughtful group they are! Last Saturday we took the boarders into Oxford and they enjoyed the opportunity to spend their free time in a variety of ways, whether that be visiting the museums, eating with friends, shopping or even following a geocaching route through the city's parks. It was an excellent chance to unwind after the working week. Our next KS3 activities programme started this week too, including a shopping trip on Monday nights, table tennis and other games on Tuesday, and baking on Wednesday night. It has been a great way for the boarders to relax towards the end of this half-term.
Give boarding a go! If your child would like to try boarding, email vbaker@sibfordschool.co.uk to book an occasional boarding place or a regular slot. The first 3 occasional boarding bookings will receive a 50% discount on their first night! If your child is staying for a sports fixture or school trip they receive 50% discount on the occasional boarding fee.
STAR VISITORS FOR KALEIDOSCOPE STAGE SCHOOL AT SIBFORD Last Saturday, the Kaleidoscope Dance Studios "Promising Performers Saturday stage school" welcomed two very special visitors; Kaleidoscope Patron, Joanne Frogratt (Anna Bates from Downton Abbey) and Ginny Stevens (Ex Royal Ballet Principal soloist) who ran a fun Ballet workshop.
Run by Katie Walford, the following classes are available on Saturdays at Sibford School: Bizzy Bees. (Ages 4 - 6 years) 9.45 am - 11.30am. £85 STREET DANCE * IMAGINATIVE PLAY & DRESSING UP * YOGA Promising Performers. (Ages 4 - 16 years) 9.45am - 1.30pm. £185 STREET DANCE * DRAMA * VOCALS AND MUSIC * BODY CONDITIONING * TV SKILLS * PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS * PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES Promising Dancers. (Ages 9 - 14 years) 2.00pm - 3.30pm. £100 ISTD DANCE EXAMINATION CLASSES FOR MODERN THEATRE AND TAP DANCE For more information email: admin@kdstudios.co.uk or call 07916 332551.