Newsletter 143 - Blundell's School

Blundell’s Preparatory School NewsletterVolume 10, Issue 3 Friday, 12 th October 2012UniformAs a School we are trying hard to ensure that any uniform lost in School is returned to itsrightful owner as quickly as possible. Please could we ask that any uniform which is notyour child’s which comes home in your child’s bag is returned to School as soon as possibleto allow us to reunite it with its owner.The School Shop would like parents to know that they have a plentiful supply of shin padsboth for hockey and football at competitive prices.Effort and Attainment GradesThese will be arriving home tonight and we hope that they give a true reflection of yourchild’s progress so far this term. If anyone has a query on grades, then please do pop intothe school office and the ladies will help put you in contact with the appropriate member ofstaff.Website Image GalleryJust a reminder that there are lots of new photos to view in our website gallery, includingSpeech Day, The Wind in the Willows and the Summer Concert. There are also pictures ofmany of the events that we have already enjoyed this term. Please do take a look.School UmbrellaWith inclement weather with us we are pleased to announce that the School Shop now hasa stock of Blundell’s Prep umbrellas at a cost of £20.00 each. We are sure that they willbecome a fashion must at any match.Entering the BuildingPlease could we respectfully remind parents not enter into the Prep School building after8.30 am in the morning and not until after School finishes at 5.30 pm. If you need to enterthe building between these times you will need to check in at the School Office. Can we alsoask that parents do not enter the Changing Rooms at any time. These policies are in placeto safeguard your children. Could we also ask that if you enter the building between 8.00 amand 8.30 am that you let the Office know in case of fire.Jeans for Genes DayThank you to everyone who supported Jeans for Genes Day. We raised £376.71 for this veryworthwhile charity. We would also like to thank the participants of the Quiz Night whosedonation increased the amount raised considerably.Operation Christmas ChildOnce again we will be supporting the Operation Christmas Child Appeal. This is the world’slargest Christmas project which has been bringing joy to the lives of underprivileged childrensince 1990. Last year nearly 1.2 million shoeboxes were packed with gifts and sent from theUK to children in some of the toughest parts of the world. Your child will be given a leaflet

Blundell’s Preparatory School Newslettercontaining instructions on how to fill your shoebox. This may be something that you wouldlike to undertake with your child during Half Term. If you are able to fill a box could youplease return it to school by Monday 5 th November so that we can arrange collection of yourgifts and get them on their way to the children in good time for Christmas.Teatime ConcertOur first Teatime Concert of the academic year took place last night. We are sure that thoseattending enjoyed the breadth of music on show. The children have the opportunity to learna variety of instruments with some extremely talented peripatetic music staff. Last night’sperformances were wonderful – congratulations to all who took part.Morrison’s VouchersWe are currently collecting Morrison’s ‘Let’s Grow’ Vouchers. Last year we were able topurchase a wide range of gardening equipment which has been well used by the children.Thank you to everyone who has brought in vouchers so far, please keep them coming. Justto remind you that Mrs Carter is still hoping for supplies of manure and would be interestedin donations of wooden barrels. She is hoping to grow herbs which can be used in FoodTechnology lessons. Mrs Carter’s email address is jmh@blundells.orgParent Business DirectoryThe Blundell’s Business Directory is up and running on the Development Office website.www.blundells.org/devoffice/site/business_directory.htmThere is a large range of businesses and services listed which are connected in some way tomembers of the Blundell’s Community (Prep & Senior School parents, Staff & OldBlundellians) and we hope many may be of interest to you. If you are involved in a businessand you think it would be of interest to others, please contact the Development Office.A similar site for mentoring and careers advice is being set up which has already attracted anumber of volunteers. If you think you could offer a pupils at the Senior School with supportand advice relating to your particular profession then please contact us.Development Office: devoffice@blundells.org or Tel. 01884 243262Parents’ Meetings Years 3, 4, 5 and 6Letters about these meetings for Year 4 and 3NI will be sent home on Monday and for theother classes after half term. Please keep an eye out for these and return requests forappointment times as quickly as possible.

Blundell’s Preparatory School NewsletterDates for your DiaryYear 3 Geography TripOn Tuesday 16 th October, Year 3 will be on their Geography trip exploring Tiverton and itsenvironment. They will also be visiting Knightshayes Court and enjoying lunch out of Schoolthere. They will be travelling by minibus.Year 4 Geography TripThe Year 4 Geography trips are taking place during school time on Monday, 29 th October,4HI and Wednesday, 31 st October, 4CH.Half TermHalf Term starts from 4.30pm on Wednesday, 17 th October. Provision will be made forchildren unable to be collected at this time and they can be collected at 5.30 pm. If yourchild has a sibling at the Senior School they may leave at 1.15 pm if they are not selected toplay in a match. Could we ask that if you are intending to pick your child up at this timethat you notify the School in advance and that parents collect from the Prep School beforecollecting from the Senior School. As usual on a Wednesday, no Minibuses will be running.House MatchesJunior House Matches will take place on Monday, 29 th October at 2.00 pm. Children willreturn to normal lessons afterwards.Senior House Matches will take place on Wednesday, 31 st October at 3.15 pm.All parents are warmly invited to watch.Bonfire NightBonfire Night is taking place on Thursday, 1 st November. Tickets are on sale in the SchoolOffice. A poster detailing the event is attached with this Newsletter. Please do join in withthis evening as the fireworks display is stunning.Speech and Drama RecitalThe Speech and Drama Recital was due to take place on Thursday, 8 th November and due tounforeseen circumstances this has changed to Friday, 2 nd November at 8.40 am. We hopethat does not cause too much inconvenience to anyone.Coffee Morning - Friday, 2 nd NovemberOur next coffee morning takes place on Friday, 2 nd November at 8.30 am in the Prep Schoolatrium. Last time lots of parents joined us for the Prep Harvest Festival. This time parentsare also able to join us for the Prep assembly which will be featuring our Speech and Dramastudents.

Blundell’s Preparatory School NewsletterPre-Prep NewsCongratulations to the following children:-Certificates of AchievementBeatrice Rhodes for working really hard in R.E this term. She listens carefully and is able torecall lots of important facts which she uses in her work. She also adds super pictures to herwork too.Jessica Barnes, Georgia Withey and Flossy Ames for trying hard in all curriculum areas. Theyalways concentrate on their tasks and complete all activities to the best of their ability.Archie Hull for making a huge effort to stay on task and concentrate on his writing. Theresults can be clearly seen and he has written some lovely stories.Florence Chapman for always working hard in all lessons. She tries hard to work to the bestof her ability and has produced some really nice written work.Sebastian Tarrant for trying very hard with his school work and behaving well.Madeleine Llewellyn-Otto – for working hard on every piece of writing that she does andproducing some very good work this term. She also wrote a particularly good poem aboutAutumn which used many interesting descriptive words and drew a beautiful picture to gowith it.Izzy Swain for working enthusiastically when writing her Autumn poem. She thoughtcarefully about it and used some good descriptive words.Swimming AwardsWill James- Rainbow Swimming award – 25 metres.Grace Horan, stage 2 of the National Plan Award.Cricket AwardJasper Winsley for playing well all season at Kenn Cricket Club.Yoga AwardsAlicia Perry and Ruby Lane were the yogi’s of the week on 24 th September.Amara Lilley and Tilly Lane were the yogi’s of the week on 1 st October.Emily Raper and Sophia Rushton were the yogis of the week this week.Gymnastics AwardGeorgia Withey- British Gymnastics Proficiency Awards, levels 7 and 8.Poetry Day WinnersWinners of the ‘Best Decorated Poem’ competition:-Noah Tolly, Jamie Weeks, Lana Johnson, Fraser Willat and Georgia Withey.

Blundell’s Preparatory School NewsletterWinners of the ‘Poetry Recitals’ categories:-Florence Chapman, Reuben Kerr, Jasper Winsley, Amara Lilley, Harry Southgate andAlexander Fewtrell.Thank you to Mr Moore and Mrs Winsley for being our judges.MultiSports Club Monday 15 th OctoberThis club will be cancelled for one evening only on the above date due to Pre-Prep ParentsEvening. Siblings Club and Owls will run for those children who wish to stay.Poetry DayThe Pre-Prep children enjoyed a wonderful Poetry Day on 28 th September. Each year groupgreatly enjoyed the visit from ‘Poetry Slam.’ They created some wonderful poetry whichthey performed for the rest of the Department during the course of the afternoon. Many ofthe children entered the poetry competitions and everyone joined in with the class poetryrecitals the previous morning. Thank you to all the staff and children for their enthusiasmand participation. A special thanks to Mrs Nash for organising such an enjoyable day for usall.