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Headmaster's weekly message
Our annual prize giving ceremony takes place on the afternoon of Tuesday, 8th July in the Senior School Hall, commencing at 2 pm. This is an opportunity for all pupils to share, not only in the many collective successes of the school community, but also to provide them with the chance to acknowledge individual successes. School will finish at the normal time for all pupils. May I remind you once again that, in the line with the Senior School, the Junior School will close at lunchtime (12.30 pm) on Thursday, 10th July. I know that the After-School Care Scheme has arranged to extend its hours on this day. The final session of term will be the Cathedral Service on Friday, 11th July. The service includes a choral presentation by all members of the J4 year group, who should assemble in Abbey Square by 9.20 am. All other pupils should meet at 10.00 am. The service will finish at about 11.30 am. Good Work: Congratulations to the following pupils whose work was commended last week: J2E Advertisements: Polly Chappell, Milo Little, Matthew Williams. Well done to all competitors who took part in the Sefton Triathlon. We entered the event for the first time this year and such was the success of a number of individuals that we intend to enter the team competition next year. The most notable results were: Isobel Wild – 4th in J1 girls’ event.
Within the last few days we have received the results of the Trinity and Guildhall Speech and Drama examinations for the Grade 3 examinees. One group passed with ‘Merit’, the other with ‘Distinction’. Tutor, Mrs Hands, tells me that for Junior School pupils to pass Grade 3 with ‘Distinction’ is a rarity. Very well done to both groups. Kayode Famoriyo has been presented with the ‘Players’ Player of the Year’ award by his football club. Well done to Isobel Wild, who took part in the Holywell Summer Sprint 2008 swimming championships and won one gold and two silver medals. Week beginning Monday 30 June What’s on this week? Monday: Stockport Grammar School – annual Six-A-Side Cricket Tournament. Tuesday: Viola player, Joanna Johnson, to perform in Assembly; J4 trip to Black Country Museum; U10 cricket v Altrincham Prep. (A) Wednesday: Rockets Challenge on The Roodee for a group of J2 pupils; U11 A and B cricket v King’s, Macclesfield (H, 2.30 pm); J1-J3 Parents’ Meeting (6 – 8 pm). Thursday: J1R cake sale; J1-J3 Parents’ Meeting (3.30 – 6 pm). Friday: Brass Ensemble to play in Assembly. Good Work: This week’s ‘Good Work’ entries were J2E members Polly Chappell, Milo Little and Matthew Williams, who produced excellent ‘Advertisements’. Congratulations to all involved in the most successful J4 production of ‘The Tempest’. What a superb spectacle it was! Very well done! Please return any school self-evaluation forms to school in order that we may examine their content. May I remind you that, in line with the Senior School, school closes at lunchtime on Thursday 10th July. Please arrange for pupils to be collected at 12.30 pm. Week beginning Monday 23 June What’s on this week? Monday: J2 Rockets presentation (pm). Tuesday: J1 trip to Deva Experience. Wednesday: J4 Play ‘The Tempest’ – Dress Rehearsal (10 am, Senior School Hall). Thursday: J4 Play ‘The Tempest’ (7 pm, Senior School Hall). J4 pupils and J3 band members leave at 12.45 pm in order that they may rest prior to returning to school for the evening performance. Pupils should return by 6.30 pm, please. (Main characters may be asked to return earlier in order to allow time for costume fitting / make-up, etc.) The performance is likely to conclude at approximately 9 pm. Pupils involved in the play should have handed parents a letter which requests likely seating requirements. Friday: J4 Play (Arrangements as for Thursday.) Saturday: Sefton Triathlon event at St Mary’s, Crosby. Last week’s sports results: AJIS Rounders: 3rd place in Plate Tournament. Swimming v Moreton Hall: U10 - Won; U11 – Won. U11 Cricket v Altrincham Prep: Draw. This was a tremendously exciting game. Altrincham posted 155 runs off their allotted twenty overs – a target which seemed way beyond King’s capabilities, particularly after the loss of early wickets. However, from the last ball of the game we needed two runs to win – we could only manage a single! A great effort from the team. Well done to both sides for such great entertainment. Bazuka Swimming National Final – Congratulations to the girls’ relay team, who reached the Bazuka Swimming National Final at Sheffield on Saturday. They actually missed out by 1/300th of a second from reaching the final tie of the whole competition. Many congratulations to the show jumping team of Sam Ecroyd, Ben Stratton and Lucy Ormrod, who represented King’s in the Howells Inter-School qualifier.
The team won the 2’6” class and thus qualify for the Inter-Schools’ National Championship to be held during November in Bedfordshire. We were the youngest team in the competition (many of the competitors were aged 16). Sam placed first overall, Lucy third and Ben fifth. In the 2’9” class, the team finished in second place. Lucy placed third individually and Ben fourth. The team again qualified for the National Finals. I am told that it was a particularly tricky course and, considering that all other participants were of Senior School age, it was a tremendous achievement. Well done! Congratulations to Sam Wild upon his success in the Cath Ankers Swimming Gala in Wrexham, where he won four medals. Good Work: This week’s entrants in the ‘Good Work Book’ for their books of proverbs were: Annie Powell, Huw Smith, Ruhi Singh and Rahul Pradeep. Prizegiving takes place on Tuesday, 8th July. Parents should have received a letter detailing this event. If you intend to join us on this prestigious occasion, please return the reply slip attached to the aforementioned letter. Week beginning Monday 16 June What’s on this week? Monday: Trinity and Guildhall Drama group practice with Mrs Hands. Tuesday: Trinity and Guildhall Drama group practice with Mrs Hands; AJIS rounders at The Grange; J1-J3 school examinations end. Wednesday: Trinity and Guildhall Drama group practice with Mrs Hands; House 6-a-side cricket; Inter-school show jumping event at Howell’s. Thursday: J3 Chester Cathedral/Walls visit; J1 trip to Delamere Forest; Senior School New Parents’ meeting. Friday: J2 visit to Wepre Park; Woodwind ensemble to perform at Assembly; U10/U11 Swimming Gala v Moreton Hall (A, 2pm); U11 Cricket v Altrincham Prep. (H, 2.30 pm); Junior School Disco (7 – 8.30 pm) organised by The King’s School Expedition to Iceland team. Saturday: U11 Cricket/Rounders v Lyndon Prep. (A, 10.30 am); Bazuka National Swimming Final to be held at the Don Valley Arena in Sheffield. Sunday: Trinity and Guildhall Drama examinations. Sports results from week commencing 9th June: J1/J2 Sports Day: Overall winners – LINDANS Victor Ludorum J1- Tom Thelwall-Jones; Victor Ludorum J2 – Harry Armatage; J3/J4 Sports Day: Overall winners – LINDANS Victor Ludorum J3 – Tommy Speed Victor Ludorum J4 – Jake Samuel AJIS Athletics at Blackpool – Congratulations to the following athletes who performed particularly successfully: Kieron Trevor – U10 High Jump runner-up; Tennis v Altrincham Prep. – U8 Won, U11 Lost. U11 Rounders v Queen’s – Won/Won. U11 Rounders v Hereford Cathedral School – Won/Lost. Week beginning Monday 9 June What’s on this week? Monday: AJIS Athletics at Stanley Park, Blackpool. Trinity and Guildhall Drama group practice with Mrs Hands. Tuesday: Sports Day – J1/J2 commence at 10 am; J3/J4 commence at 1.15 pm. All pupils take part. Please ensure full white kit is worn. Support is most welcome. Please make your way to the Senior School field. Do check the website for any postponement decisions in the event of inclement weather. The Parents’ Association hope to serve refreshments. If any parents are able to assist or provide a cake, please contact Mrs Alison Johnson via the school office. Trinity and Guildhall Drama group practice with Mrs Hands. Wednesday: School examinations commence for J1-J3. House 6-a-side cricket. Thursday: J1L Cake sale. Friday: Reserve Sports Day. U9/U11 Boys’ Tennis v Altrincham Prep (H, 2.30 pm) (if Sports Day is not rescheduled). Saturday: AJIS Girls’ Tennis Tournament at Birkenhead H S. U11 Rounders v Hereford Cathedral School (H, 10 am) Sports results from week commencing 2nd June: U10 A/B Cricket v Stockport GS (H) Won/Won May we apologise for any inconvenience caused by the late return of the teams from the above fixture. Teddy Hall reached the semi-final of the AJIS Boys’ Tennis Tournament. Well done. Good Work: Most recent additions to the Good Work Book are: All of J2E for their contributions to ‘Billy The Bear’ journal; Stephen Rimmer and Jack Owen (J3A) for letters written to Mr Malone in support of charitable organisations; Megan Pode, Ellie Crisp, Alice Chambers and Kitty Abberton (J4H) for their Shakespeare-based work on ‘Witches’; Harry Li, Isobel Bosworth, Matilda Kilner and Connie McClelland for their art work : ‘Fabric Collage’. Congratulations to Jack Owen upon his success in chess representing Cheshire and North Wales. Week beginning Monday 2 June I hope that all families enjoyed a relaxing break last week and pupils are refreshed ready to tackle the busy forthcoming final half-term of the academic year with vigour. What’s on this week: Monday: Trinity and Guildhall drama group practice with Mrs Hands. Tuesday: Trinity and Guildhall drama group practice with Mrs Hands; U10 cricket A & B v Stockport GS (H); J4 Parents’ Meeting (6 – 8 pm). Wednesday: Miss Kate Bestow to visit and observe MFL lessons; New Pupils’ party (1.30 – 3.15 pm); J4 Parents’ Meeting (3.45 – 6 pm). Thursday: House Assembly; House 6-a-side cricket; U11 Rounders v Queen’s (A, Friday: U11A & B cricket v Merchant Taylors’ (A, 2.15 pm). Saturday: AJIS Boys’ Tennis Tournament at Birkenhead Sports results from week commencing 19th May: U10 Cricket v Merchant Taylors’ – Won Triangular Athletics: U10s - 3rd; U11s – 2nd Chester Primary Schools Swimming Relay: Many congratulations to the boys’ team of Teddy Hall, Oliver Moore, Sam Wild and Simon Ellershaw, who won this event. Well done! The girls’ team came second in their final. A most successful evening! Congratulations to Edward Ramsey, who is to appear in the stage production of ‘Evita’ in Manchester next month and to Matthew Thompson, who has been selected to represent North Wales at tennis. Stephen Carter’s football team won an U9 soccer tournament. Good Work: Most recent additions to the ‘Good Work Book’ were: Jack Owen (J3) – ‘Study of Chester’; Rebecca Reeves (J3) – DT construction; Fergus Abberton (J1) – ‘Noisy’ poem; Joe Wibberley (J3) – ‘Train’ poem; Speke Hall Week beginning Monday 19 May What’s on this week? Monday: Triangular Athletics versus Bolton School and Birkenhead Boys’ School (H, 3 pm). Tuesday: U10 Cricket v Merchant Taylors’ (H, 2.30 pm); Mrs Emma Hands’ extra-curricular drama group (3.45 pm). Wednesday: J4 Drugs Awareness talk; Drama group (3.45 pm); Chester Schools’ Swimming Gala at City Baths. Thursday: ID cake sale; Junior School New Parents’ Evening for parents of children starting in the Junior School in September 2008 (7.30 pm – Consterdine Hall). Please note that the scheduled J2 Indian Dance presentation by Mrs Sharma has been postponed. Friday: U11A cricket v The Grange (H, 1.15 pm). Half term holiday commences. School re-opens on Monday 2nd June. J4 pupils thoroughly enjoyed their time at Plas Menai (helped, no doubt, by some fine weather) and gained much from the experience. We were delighted to welcome the Ambassador of Madagascar into the Junior School last week. Dr Ravaoarimanana was entertained by the choir and taken on a tour of the school. The Ambassador commented upon the warm and friendly atmosphere of our community. She was genuinely moved by the affection shown towards her. Following recent discussions between Mrs Helen Holyoak, the Senior School Librarian, and myself, we are keen to encourage Junior School pupils to visit the Senior School Library after school in order to borrow books, provided that the pupils are accompanied by their parents. Pupils may also like to purchase merchandise from the excellent library stationery shop. Last weeks ‘Good Work’: Jack Owen and Alistair Andrady – Review of visit to Speke Hall; Eloise Bland – Rabbit with carrot (DT); Robert Batson, Arvind Sahni, Daniel Coady-Ward, Ruhi Singh, Henry McKeever and Helen Stearne – Roald Dahl reviews. Congratulations to : Ben Duncalf – success playing for Colwyn Bay RFC; Luke Thompson – success in North Wales Coast inter-league soccer championship (reached final); Zak Soutter – player of the season for Hawarden Rangers FC; Harry Wilson – member of a successful soccer team who won a Cup Final played at Deva Stadium. Week beginning Monday 12 May What’s on this week? Half of the J4 year group depart for their Adventure Holiday at Plas Menai on Monday (returning on Wednesday), whilst the second half of the group will be leaving on Wednesday morning and returning to school on Friday. All details of arrangements have been sent out. Local poet David Horner joins us for three days to deliver his workshops. There will also be opportunities for pupils to purchase his books. Wednesday sees the visit of the Ambassador of Madagascar to the school. The Ambassador will be given a guided tour of the Junior School. The Junior School choir will perform. Good Work: Congratulations to last week’s entrants into the ‘Good Work Book’:
Further congratulations to Jack Owen (J3), who took part in the UK Chess Challenge 2008 and reached the second stage of the world’s largest chess tournament. A fine achievement! The official opening of the Junior School Art and DT exhibition, based in the Senior School Gallery, proved to be a great success. It was good to see so many parents in attendance. May I remind you that a copy of the recently-taken whole-school photograph is displayed in the Junior School entrance area, should you wish to have a look at it prior to ordering. Details of forthcoming J4 Parents’ Evenings are due to be sent out soon. The U11 cricket team suffered a narrow defeat in the AJIS Cup at the hands of Bury GS. Week beginning Monday 5 May What’s on this week? Monday: Show Jumping competition at Gadlas Farm. Tuesday: U11 AJIS Cup cricket versus Bury GS (A) (2.15 pm); J4 examinations begin. Wednesday: ‘Picture This’ – an exhibition of Junior School Art and Design work will be on display in the Senior School Gallery from today for a period of two weeks. If you are not able to attend the official opening of this exhibition (6 pm to 7 pm), please feel free to call in and view the exhibition at your leisure during the next fortnight. Thursday: J3 trip to Speke Hall. Friday: J3 trip to Speke Hall; J4 examinations end. Saturday: U11A, B cricket v Stockport (A) (10 am). It was good to welcome Reverend Ian Thomas into school last week. Father Ian described his visit as “a pleasant experience”, “truly enjoyable” and stated that he hadn’t stopped “enthusing about it”. Order forms for the school photograph are now available. These are being sent to you within the next few days. A copy of the photograph will be on display in the Junior School Library towards the end of the week. Following correspondence sent to you earlier in the term, you will be aware that Miss Helen Sayers is to leave us in July. I have appointed Miss Suzanne Wells as her replacement. Miss Wells is currently teaching at Overleigh St Mary’s C of E School in Handbridge. Previous posts include Sir James Henderson British School in Milan. Miss Jane Hartley is also moving on in the summer, having decided to return to the sunshine of Greece. Miss Kirsty Savage, a former Head of Art at Ellesmere College, now currently teaching at Prenton High School for Girls, will join us in September. Miss Savage has also formerly taught in our Senior School. Congratulations to J4 pupil, Anna Longson, who took part in the Chester Competitive Festival of Performing Arts and secured a distinction in the Under 10 piano solo section. U11 A and B team cricketers secured victories in their matches against Birkenhead, whilst the U11 girls’ tennis team suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Queen’s. Week beginning Monday 28 April What’s on this week? Monday: Visit of Reverend Ian Thomas, a school governor, who will lead our Assembly, tour the school and spend some time in lessons - observing. Tuesday: The Under 10 cricket season commences with the team travelling to Birkenhead for their opening fixture. J3O will be selling cakes. J4 activities change. Wednesday: The swimmers are in action as they take on Queen’s in a gala hosted by ourselves, commencing at 4 pm. Four age groups (U8, U9, U10 and U11) are to be represented. Thursday: The J4 age group are to witness a presentation given by the Community Windpower Group as part of their studies in Geography. Friday: The J1 pupils are off to Manchester to visit the Science Museum. U11 cricketers play their first home game of the term as we welcome our guests, Birkenhead. J4 examinations are due to commence on Tuesday 6th May. Congratulations to: (i) Owen Edwards (J1) for his ‘Good Work’ on ‘The Wind’; (ii) Robert Pownall (J1) for his ‘Good Work’ on ‘Roald Dahl’ and (iii) Sam Pode (J3) upon his selection for the County U10 Cricket Development Squad. Special congratulations to our girls’ freestyle relay team, consisting of Kitty Abberton, Lucy Armatage, Alice Chambers and Sarah Lusher, who have qualified for the National Finals of the Bazuka Swimming Challenge by virtue of winning the regional heats held at the Europa Pool in Birkenhead. The girls now move forward to compete at the renowned Don Valley Pool in Sheffield on 21st June. A great achievement. Very well done. The girls’ medley relay came third in the final, whilst the two boys’ teams also reached the finals, ultimately finishing in fourth and fifth place. Again, well done to all for a super effort. Work on the extension to the kitchen and ancillary accommodation is scheduled to commence this week. The staff car park between the Consterdine Hall and the kitchen will be closed for the duration of the works. Full pedestrian access to the main entrance to the Junior School will be retained. The existing school kitchen will operate normally until the end of term. Unfortunately, during the past week or so, two Junior School pupils, who brought bicycles into school for cycling proficiency and left them in the racks provided, have had their bicycles stolen, even though they were made secure. Should it not be possible to arrange for collection at the end of a school day, please notify us and we will arrange for overnight storage within school. A sum in excess of £1,200 was raised for charity via our Readathon. My thanks to all who contributed to this worthwhile scheme. I suspect that many parents have hidden talents, which they may be able to pass on to pupils. From time to time we have vacancies on our ‘Activities’ schedule and we need to recruit new staff. If any parent does possess a particular skill and is able to make a regular commitment, please do get in touch for I would be delighted to hear from you. Week beginning Monday 21 April What’s on this week? Monday – J3 IMPS visit at Countess of Chester Hospital. Tuesday – J3 IMPS visit at Countess of Chester Hospital. Wednesday – House Quiz; Bazuka Swimming Gala at Europa Pool. Thursday – J4 depart for overnight stay in York. Friday – J4 return from York. (All details of visit have been circulated previously). Forty pupils and five staff returned from their adventure in France late last Monday evening feeling a little tired but having greatly enjoyed their experience. My grateful thanks to staff, as ever, for generously giving of their time to enable such opportunities to be available to pupils. Last Tuesday saw the whole-school photograph being taken. Poor weather during the morning caused a delay in proceedings but the procedure was successfully completed by the end of the day. Details of means of purchase will be available in the near future. The weather was the victor in the U11 cricket team’s opening game of the campaign against Bolton, with heavy rainfall bringing about an abandonment in proceedings. Congratulations to:
Week beginning Monday 14 April Those involved in the French trip are due to return home at approximately 9 pm. I would expect that photos and a brief report of this visit will appear on the website in due course. I am always extremely grateful to members of staff who give freely of their time for the benefit of the pupils by providing opportunities such as this one. The whole-school photograph, taken every four years, is scheduled for Tuesday. I would suggest that girls, who have been wearing the summer dress so far this term, opt to wear winter attire on this occasion. Please be advised that, because of the timing of the school photograph session, there will be no J2 baking activity on Tuesday. However, J2D will be selling cakes on Wednesday. The House Quiz, scheduled for Wednesday, has been postponed for a week or two. Teams for this event will be selected at Thursday’s House meeting. Also on Thursday, J3 pupils will take part in the Fire Service’s ‘Smokebusters’ visit. Friday sees the cricket season commence with the U11s scheduled to visit Bolton School. I am delighted that we have been able to secure the services of Mr Nigel Walker as cricket coach for a number of sessions this term. Congratulations to Llewelyn Bevan, who continues to excel at tennis, having won a prestigious event during the holidays and also to Jack Meadows, who, as a member of the Telford U12 Ice Hockey team, competed in and won the Ice Hockey 2008 Tournament in Scotland over the weekend. Congratulations also to Daniel Verity on success playing for Chester Rugby Club over the weekend, where his team reached the Plate Final, and to Jessica Lee, whose work on ‘Jessy’s Jazzy Proverbs’ was worthy of entry into the Good Work Book. Forgive me for already looking ahead to the end of term (!) but I should give you advance notice that, in line with the Senior School, we shall close at 12.45 pm on Thursday 10th July. Our calendar has omitted this fact. Week beginning Monday 7 April I trust that you all enjoyed a most relaxing break during the Easter period. Hopefully, pupils will be refreshed and looking forward to tackling this term’s challenges with renewed vigour and zest. A group of J3 and J4 pupils, accompanied by five members of staff, head off to France early on Friday morning for an educational visit lasting four days. We wish them a safe journey. It is hoped that the pupils will gain much from the experience such an opportunity provides. May I give you advance notice that a whole-school photograph will be taken on Tuesday 15th April. I was pleased to be able to commend the ‘Good Work’ of Simon Ellershaw (a playscript), Owen Edwards (a report on the Greek Morning), Daniel Green and Matilda Kilner (Perfect Pirates report) in the days leading up to the recent holiday. The Under 11 footballers unfortunately lost the AJIS Cup Final by a single goal to St Bede’s. Despite dominating the game for long periods, we were unable to reply to the early goal scored by our opponents. Such a setback should not detract from what has been a most successful season for the boys. Despite their obvious disappointment the team showed great dignity in defeat. Much has been said in recent weeks by the FA about RESPECT. Some high profile players could, perhaps, follow the example set by King’s. Well done boys and thank you for your great efforts. (Spirits were lifted somewhat following the game, as team members, their families and Mr M spent a most enjoyable evening at TGI Friday’s.) We may have lost the final but, in my eyes, King’s remain “simply the best”. Congratulations to St Bede’s.
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Week beginning Monday 7 July 
