From the Headmistress
Dear Parents
I am delighted to bring you the news of our scholars and Outstanding
Talent Awards this week and celebrate everyone who entered for them.
It was a real opportunity for the high fliers in the School to lead
and show what they can do. We saw some genuine talent and potential coupled with plenty of enthusiasm and commitment and exciting promise for the future leadership of the School. We saw this in our Academic work, Sport, Drama, Art, Music, Design and Technology and ICT. I am very pleased to see that our Young Felstedians continue to shine in a breadth of skills.
I hope you have seen some of this for yourselves this week by coming into the classroom and sharing some of the challenges and most interesting lessons with your children. Please do keep seeking opportunities to keep learning together as modelling is known to be one of the most effective ways of growing your child! Please think about this when using the car park also!
I do hope that you will read about our joining the Round Square this week. There is much more to come on this, but you will have to wait I am afraid! Scholars & OTA Awards
Congratulations to the following pupils who were given awards this week :
Academic Scholarships
Ben Carrington & Tom Carrington
Academic Scholarship & OTA(s)
Hannah Barratt - Academic Scholarship & Performing Arts OTA
Lara Peck - Academic Scholarship & Talent Award in Music & OTAs in Hockey & Netball
Music Scholarship
Cosima Chisenhale Marsh
Music Scholarship & OTA(s)
Francesca Moore - Music Scholarship & OTAs in Art, Drama, Hockey & Netball.
Outstanding Talent Awards
Elicia Carrington - Art
Angus Muir - Drama & Hockey
Talent Awards
Cameron Bailey - Swimming
Kate Butterworth - Music
Archie Lucas & Oliver Walker - Sport
Millie Stanton-Bennett - Singing
Laura Winter - Tennis
Madeline Witcomb - DT Felsted Internationally Recognised - Global Membership of Round Square
I am delighted to announce that Felsted were approved as full European Members of the Round Square International Organisation last Friday with immediate effect. Felsted has also been unanimously approved as a full Global Member by the European Region Heads which will be ratified in a meeting in March 2010 of the Round Square Board, the International Steering Group for the organisation, which includes King Constantine of Greece, Prince Andrew and a number of other notable figures! Please see the full write up below for further information about this. One of only seven schools in the UK and 80 around the world to be accepted.
The last hurdle of interviews for Felsted's Round Square application took place last Friday and Saturday at the Round Square Conference held at Cobham Hall in Kent (itself a Round Square school). A team from the Senior School and Preparatory School, which included Mr Lucius-Clarke, Dr Walker, Ms Hurriaga, Mr Dennis, Head Boy Conor Turner, Deputy Head Girl Ali Marshall and myself, all attended and were put through a rigorous process of grilling interviews. Felsted Preparatory School and Felsted School were treated as one school, so our new status of European Regional Membership applies to Felsted as a whole. A huge thanks to all who have been involved in Felsted's application and we look forward to our pupils being able to take advantage of this status in the future. Indeed, we have already been asked to plan when it would be appropriate for different year groups to go on trips and activities during the year - our Student Round Square Committee will be fundamental in helping to plan this.
Please see the attached programme put together by Ms Hurriaga, the Preparatory School Round Square Coordinator, as a guide to what activities pupils in the Preparatory School are involved in that meet the IDEALS of Round Square. For those who would like to read more about the Round Square Organisation please refer to their website www.roundsquare.org. Big Healthy Breakfast!
On Thursday morning we started the day with our Big Healthy Breakfast . This gave every one the benefit of higher energy levels and concentration.
Happy Birthday !
This week Mrs Hancock celebrated her 60th birthday - congratulations! It was great to party with her!
Years 7 & 8 Information
In the Courtauld Centre we are always striving to look at ways to ever improve on standards in Years 7 and 8 as well as creating new opportunities for the pupils to learn about responsibility for themselves. As a result, and following staff and pupil input, we have decided to adapt the current Sanctions System. Each pupil in Years 7 and 8 will be issued with a 'Fundamentals Card'. The purpose of this is to uphold and support the Four Fundamentals which are expected in Years 7 and 8. These are: Conduct, Appearance, Punctuality and Equipment. Pupils will carry these cards around with them at all times. If they are seen to be failing to uphold one of the Four Fundamentals by a member of staff, then the pupil’s card will be ‘marked’. If their card is ‘marked’ three times they will receive a minus point. If they fill three cards in a term they will receive a Wednesday Detention. These will be for incidents that occur outside of the classroom environment and the current Academic Sanctions System will run alongside this new one.
The ethos behind this change is to enable pupils to take greater responsibility for themselves and help maintain the high standards expected of a Young Felstedian. We would greatly appreciate your help by assisting your child to maintain the standards required. For more information about standards please refer to your 'Parents Information Booklet'. For example two simple expectations are that pupils’ appearance should always be smart and they should have plain dark school bag. You can always ask your child for clarification as they are now fully aware of what is required following Tuesday’s PSHCE session.
The new system will begin on Monday 1st February when all pupils will be issued with their cards. Over the Exeat weekend may we urge you to ensure your child has the correct equipment required and that the length and colour of their hair, for example, will not be a source of trouble on Monday morning.
Thank you for your continued support.
Mr J P Fincher & Mr M C Stringer Year 5 Information
Year 5 Verbal Reasoning - Friday 5th February. Pupils who normally go home at 3.40pm will need to be picked up at 4.10 pm. Those pupils who normally go home at 4.10pm or 5.45pm are not affected.
Thank you.
Years 3 & 4 Road Safety
On Thursday Years 3 and 4 received a talk on road safety from Rose
Johnson from the Uttlesford District Council. The Year 3 pupils went on a
walk to discover the safest way and place to cross a road and the
Year 4 pupils were reminded of the safe practices that should be used as a pedestrian, a passenger in the car and as a cyclist.
Charity News
Congratulations and well done to everyone who supported last week's Cake Sale. We have heard from our parents that the children's behaviour was fantastic and they were all eager to help and clear away - a pleasure to be with!
Annual Fund
Thanks to the generosity of our parents, old Felstedians and supporters we are able to purchase the following items worth in excess of £7000 for the Preparatory School with immediate effect :
Steel Drums, Lights for the Drama Department, Sports Analysis Digital Cameras, ICT control models, Greenhouse for the Years 3 & 4 area, bird tables and nesting boxes, giant outdoor chess set and especially for the Pre- Preparatory - Big Gears construction kit, maypole and picnic tables and chairs.
Thank you! Classics/French Trip to Provence
It is with much regret that we have had to cancel the proposed trip to Provence in July. Unfortunately we were unable to attract sufficient numbers to make the trip viable. Thank you to all those parents and pupils who had either signed up or shown an interest in what would have been an exciting trip.
This trip was to replace Mrs Burrett's usual trip. Therefore there is no trip planned this summer.
Mr Charles Allen, Mrs Rebecca Garcia and Mrs Lesley Green Felsted Arts Festival
We are once again looking forward to the annual Felsted Arts Festival.
There are so many wonderful events this year that we have extended the festival to ten days. This will be running from 25th February to Saturday 6th March.
Major highlights include author Alexander McCall Smith, percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, two art exhibitions and much, much more. Tickets are selling fast, particularly for the big names! Please click here for the full brochure.
Most tickets can be purchased through the Bookroom on 01371 822635 or
email bookroom@felsted.org.
Swing into Spring
The time has come for the eleventh annual ‘Swing into Spring’! It will take place on Saturday 6th March 2010 in the Ross Hall, from 7.00pm. Swing into Spring is one of the Prep School’s favourite musical events, one which surpasses itself every year. This year not only do we have our talented solo performances, but also the Prep Jazz, Steel and Saxophone bands. Our newly formed ‘Parents Steel Band’ will also entertain you in the first half.
Click here for further details and for booking form. Nicholas Paterson - OF publishes Poetry Book
Nicholas Paterson OF in Deacons 67-72 has recently had his poetry book
entitled "Little Ridders, A Tail of Obsession" published. The book which
took him four years to write is about a boy who turns into a cat and reflects on the time that he spent at Felsted.
Nicholas lives in Dorset and is a full time painter. He is also involved
in the forthcoming Trevor Goodman Exhibition which takes place as part of
the Felsted Arts Festival on Thursday 25th February. He will be displaying
some of his works of art as a tribute to Trevor who worked at Felsted for a number of years as an Art Teacher.
The viewing takes place at 6.30pm in the Music School Gallery. All are
welcome. WANTED!
Mrs Lee would like some very large planters in which to grow this
year's potato crop. If you have any to recycle please leave them at
the Office. Many thanks.
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HM's Commendations
Congratulations to Jenny Mitchell who was awarded a Headmistress' Commendation this week for her excellent PowerPoint on Haiti. Also to William Barker for excellent work in English and Sebbie Anderson for his French Graded Objective Tests 5/6. Here they are pictured below with pupils who also received their music examinations certificates.
Sports Results
Girls' Netball - Wednesday 27 January
U11A v FKS ‘A’ 8-0 v Dame Bradbury ‘A’ 8-0
U11B v FKS ‘A’ 0-3 v Dame B ‘A’ won
U10A v FKS ‘A’ 6-2 v Dame B ‘A’ 6-2
U10B v FKS ‘B’ 0-5 v Dame B ‘A’ 0-10
v St Faiths
U13A v 12-6, U13B 4-5, U12A 15-5, U12B - 6-4
U9 Hockey v Bishops Stortford - 26 January
U9A 1-2, U9B 1-0 Chess Club
Both chess clubs have started playing the preliminary rounds of the British Land UK Chess Championships (the largest chess championships in the world). As children progress, they will win badges and then
gold spots on their badge, culminating in a trophy for the school champion.
Top scorers will qualify for the area Megafinal, from which it is possible to qualify for the Gigafinal and then the National Terrafinal!
Winners of badges so far are: George Harvey, Tom Gallian, Harry Nicholls, Joshua Bird, Rory Aitken and Alex Weiner-Hurriaga. Well Done! Netball Report from Guernsey Tour
Guernsey Netball Tour 2010
On Friday 22 January a squad of U13 Felsted netball players embarked on the 4th Netball Tour to Guernsey. The girls of The Ladies College hosted Felsted, ensuring the girls had an enjoyable time off the court. On the Saturday, the team played a Tournament in the morning, winning all of their matches.
The girls played in different positions and tried out various combinations, in readiness for the tougher match on Sunday. Early the next morning, Felsted played against the Island squad. Although the opposition showed determination and well-drilled set pieces, the versatility of the Felsted girls proved too much and we came out convincing winners, 25-6.
Felsted is looking forward to a rematch when the Island team visit for the first time, in March.
Squad
Suzie Burton, Gabby Doughty (capt), Isabelle Moore, Jasmine Moore, Emily O’Connor, Caitlin Perrie, Grace Prior, Olivia Schwier, Kat Seager, Tor Seager & Claudia Seers. Inter-league Swimming Gala Results
Last week we saw a very entertaining League Gala with some really determined swims. There was a huge amount of effort, determination and desire to perform and achieve good results for their league from all the swimmers. All the swimmers swam efficiently and with enthusiasm.
Well done to all who swam and congratulations to the winner - Smythies!
5th Place - Cromwell, 122, 4th Place - Lord Riche, 106, 3rd Place - Gaselee, 92, 2nd Place - Grignon, 74 amd 1st Place - Smythies, 63.
Mr B E M Evans Pre-Preparatory News
I am delighted that the new Pre-Preparatory School building, Stewart House, will soon start to take shape when the building work begins. Please take time to look at the plans which are displayed on the notice board beside the green gate. We look forward to starting the 2011 academic year in an exciting purpose built environment.
Spring Term events - you will see from the school calendar that there are several events which involve the Pre-Prep pupils. They are as follows:
Friday 12th February: Parents Open Afternoon 2.30pm
You are invited to visit your child’s classroom and see his/her work. Please note that this is not a suitable time for detailed discussions with your child’s class teacher. If you have any concerns, please make an appointment for another day.
Monday 15th – Friday 19th February - Half term holiday.
Tuesday 23rd February: Year 2 trip to Braintree Museum
Year 2 pupils will be travelling back in time to spend the morning in a Victorian school room. Details will be sent out by Mrs Randall, Mrs Green and Mrs Feldman.
Friday 26th February: Grandparents’ Morning - we would be delighted to welcome grandparents into school from 10.00-11.30am. They will be invited to spend time in their grandchildren’s classrooms, see the children’s work and to take part in the lessons.
Thursday 4th March: World Book Day - the theme for the day will be ‘Fairy Tales’. Children may come to school dressed as a character from a fairy tale, and the day will be devoted to reading, writing and dramatising traditional tales.
Thursday 18th March - the Pre-Prep Concert - 2pm in Ross Hall. All the Pre-Prep pupils will take part, and family members are warmly invited to attend.
Friday 19th March: Non-uniform day for Sport Relief - come to school in sports kit and pay £1.00 for the privilege!
Friday 26th March - term ends at 11.45am for Pre-Prep pupils.
Sickness Absence - towards the end of last term, many children were absent through ill health. I hope that everyone is fit and well after the holiday, and that we shall be able to fight off any bugs which develop.
Unfortunately, several children have been affected this week by sickness and diarrhoea. May I remind you that it is in everyone’s interests to keep your child at home if s/he is unwell, and to ensure that s/he does not return to school until s/he has fully recovered. This is especially important when a child suffers from sickness and diarrhoea, and according to government guidelines children should be kept at home for 48 hours after the symptoms have cleared up to prevent the infection spreading to others.
Absences should be reported to the Pre-Prep or to the school matrons, and a note should be sent to school when the child returns, stating the reason for his/her absence. Thank you for your co-operation.
For your information click here for the Spring Term menus.
Mrs Jane West
Ski Trip!
One place has become available for this year's ski trip. If you are interested please see Mr Robertson as soon as possible or email him on tkar@felstedprep.org. Dancing Results!
Congratulations to Cerys and Arwen Goglery who recently took dance examinations. Cerys received a Distinction in Grade 1 Modern Dance and Arwen received a Distinction in Primary Modern Dance. Well done ! Tennis Academy
Felsted are delighted to have secured Rob Hardy, a highly experienced LTA coach, who is also Head Coach at Braintree Lawn Tennis Club. Rob has been playing tennis for 22 years and has been coaching for 12 years. He is a recognised coach with the (LTA) Lawn Tennis Association, (RPT) European Registry of Tennis Professionals. He is also an RPT Ambassador for tennis and trains tennis coaches.
Rob and his team aim to help deliver an excellent tennis programme throughout the year at Felsted. Starting this month the senior academy players (boys and girls) will be coached on a Thursday evening. His team will also work alongside Felsted staff in the Summer Term to ensure that the maximum opportunity to develop in the sport exists. Rob will also be coaching Year 7 pupils in the Preparatory School who are part of the Outstanding Talent Award Programme and hopes to include other year groups in the future. Fencing
Felsted are pleased to announce that Tina Staples wil l be coaching fencing to both Senior and Preparatory School pupils to help them develop their skills in a new sport.
Tina Staples B.Ed(Hons) is an ex-primary school teacher, now working full time as a fencing coach and entertainer. She has been fencing herself since she was 11 and is still competing in the open competition circuit. She has a level two British Fencing Association coaching award.
Tina is also delivering a session to the cricket academy to help develop footwork and fitness showing the diversity in which sportsman can train today. |
