Newsletter - Easter Term, 07.03.11
The last week has been especially busy, ending with the superb Concert in which the whole school took part.
The Concert
This year’s Concert was a fabulous feast of predominantly 1970s music, including works by John Lennon, Elton John, Paul Simon and ELO, while Bach, Debussy and Schubert were represented by the instrument soloists. A rich and varied programme also included vocal duets and trios as well as the school orchestra, school and chapel choirs.
Ned and Max’s duet “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and Jasmine, Sophia and Georgia’s trio “You’ve Got A Friend” were performed by Cottesmorians known for their longstanding and devoted friendships, adding emotion and poignancy to their renditions.
The excellent standard of drumming at Cottesmore was showcased for the first time, including solos by Robert Brown and Tristan Charpiat. Drum teacher Mr Kelly is a representative of the Trinity & Guildhall School of Music and is preparing pupils for their exams at the end of this term. Other solo instrument performances included violin; clarinet; piano; flute and cello.
The form songs were enthusiastic foot-tapping renditions of ‘Crocodile Rock’, ‘Celebration’ and ‘Play That Funky Music’.
The school orchestra opened the concert with a spirited performance of the ‘Star Wars’ theme, while the School Choir, renamed the Whole School Choir as every child was on stage, joined the Chapel Choir to close with ‘Mr Blue Sky’, at which the sun obligingly beamed through the windows!
A parent was overheard to say that the soloists were the best he had heard for some years, while Mr Rogerson said “Mr Blue, you did it right....well Miss C, I think you did it right!”
A fantastic afternoon, which was followed by a well-deserved Exeat break.
Academic News
Three 6th form pupils take their Scholarship exams in the coming week: Georgia to Wellington (Academic and All Rounder); Sophia to Canford and Alex to Hurstpierpoint (All Rounder and Sport). We wish them well.
CE Trials will take place for the 5th form during the coming week.
Poetry Declamation
On Wednesday evening we welcomed Mrs Verena Powell, Headteacher of Warninglid School to judge the finals of the Poetry Declamation.
A superb mix of styles and moods has been represented in a series of school-wide heats, from serious and thought-provoking to slapstick and humorous. The works of AA Milne and Ken Nesbitt were popular choices, as well as selections from Kipling, Auden, Lawrence and Yeats.
Mentions
- Georgia Carr (6th Form) – Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen
- Form 5L – Night Mail by WH Auden
The winners
- 1st place: Tom Daly (3H) – How to be Bad by Andrew Collett
- 2nd place: Josh Bazeley (2N) - When the Aliens Came to Dinner by Clare Bevan
- 3rd place: Finn Bertelsen (2H) – The World’s Fastest Bicycle by Ken Nesbitt
- Group Winner: 2H - Bad Sir Brian Botany by AA Milne
Sports News
The Hockey teams opened the season in convincing style with victories over Lancing College. The first XI won 7-0 and the scorers were Tobias Ayre (2), Javier Santias-Ruiz (3), James Kennedy and Alex Walker. Javier was Man of the Match for his hat-trick. The Colts A team won 4-0 and the 2nd XI won 1-0.
The girls’ U-11 team were narrowly defeated by Pennthorpe, with Blossom as ‘Girl of the Game’ for her outstanding intercepting.
The U-11s played played incredibly well at the IAPS Netball Tournament held at Roedean last Thursday. The U-13s team also played well winning two of their matches.
Other News
The 34th Annual Cottesmore Chess Congress takes place on Tuesday 8th March with 36 of the top chess players from Prep Schools in the south-east of England invited to attend. We look forward to welcoming them to a day of chess strategies and skill.
Some seniors have created a sculpture using Corkscrew Willow, with Mr Beegan. The group worked together, planting the saplings in a tunnel shape. The result of their creative labours can be seen in The Gardens - ready to inspire the children entering the Summer Term gardening competition.