Newsletter Summer Term 09.06.11
The ‘quiet please’ notices are posted around the school and an air of studious calm pervades the building: this is exam week. The seniors sit their Common Entrance exams and all other Forms are taking their school examinations. After this intense period the grounds will ring to the sound of cheering and shouts of encouragement on Sports Day. We’ll hear the marching band - with some musical surprises planned - and of course, there will be Austin’s splendid tea to look forward to as we complete the first half of term.
Academic News
We wish all pupils well in their exams this week.
UK Maths Challenge
Congratulations to the following pupils who have achieved excellent results in the Junior UK Maths Challenge, which was set at GCSE level.
For candidates won the Silver award (60% or greater) and four the Bronze award (50% or greater).
Field Study Trip
Form 4E travelled to the historic coastal village of Rottingdean on Monday for a field study trip. A settlement since Saxon times, the picture-postcard village sits on top of the chalk landscape and cliffs of the South Downs.
Sports News
We hope for a fine day on Sports Day and look forward not only to the events, but to welcoming everyone to what is always a great family event at Cottesmore.
Cricket
The 1st XI draw against Cumnor on Saturday was particularly impressive, with Tobias scoring 61 runs. We lost by a very narrow margin of 3 runs.
The 2nd XI also drew in a tightly played match where Ivan scored 74 runs.
The Colts B and U9 teams won their matches against Ashdown with Tommy awarded Man of the Match.
Brambletye Cricket Sixes
Despite the persistent drizzle the Sixes on Sunday was a very enjoyable event and we came close to winning a very tight tournament. Alex was the top scorer of the day, hitting 40 against Ashdown and 36 against Brambletye (5 over games).
Swimming
Gold Awards galore at Time Trials in the pool!
Over the last week, Mr Holdway and Mr Greste (with the support of Joe Payne during his half term break from Tonbridge School) have administered time trials for all the pupils. This has consisted of pupils swimming 20 metres, (one length) as fast as possible in each of the four strokes to record a time. These times are then checked against a national standard according to the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) website for Bronze, Silver and Gold School Speed Awards. Once all the data has been collated we will send off for the requisite number of badges and certificates from the ASA and these will be presented in due course. Further information about this is being sent out to the parents of every child at the Prep school.
Most impressive so far have been the times recorded by our Swimming Captain, James, who achieved Gold in every stroke - swimming close to 11 seconds for his length of front crawl. Frank and Tom repeated this feat of four Golds as their close rivalry in adjacent lanes drove them to greater efforts. James was also awarded his Full Colours after the last gala for his excellent attitude to training, inspiring leadership and superb swimming on every occasion.
Standards, Full and Half Colours may yet be awarded to others, depending upon their efforts and improvement over the coming weeks.
Other News
Pre-prep
The pre-prep pupils are practising hard for their Sports Day on Friday 10th June at 2 p.m. We hope that the rain holds off for all the events – and for tea afterwards.
The caterpillars are now at the chrysalis stage; their young keepers are eager to see what happens next!
Visit to Brighton Pier
Pupils enjoyed an ‘all the fun of the fair’ day on Sunday at Brighton pier, where even the steady rain couldn’t dampen their spirits. Some of the children tried the Mouse House roller coaster but only three boys, Ned, Christophe and Dongwoo were brave enough for the Blogger: a ride which spins through 360 degrees above the sea. Unfazed by such aerial activity they all went on to buy lots of candy floss, lollies and ice creams. The ghost house was also popular for those wishing to stay at ground level!
Forthcoming Visit to the South of England Show
The Remove will visit the South of England Show at Ardingly on Friday June 10th. The Show includes information on food and farming, horticulture, arena displays as well as world class show jumping and equestrian events, guaranteeing an enjoyable afternoon for everyone.
Swimarathon update
The recent Swimarathon held in our pool in May has raised hundreds of pounds so far for Chailey Heritage School. The donations continue to pour in at the Office as parents, family and friends fulfil their kind sponsorship promises. The children worked extremely hard to swim so many lengths of the pool. It was a very special occasion and we hope to reach one thousand pounds in donations soon. If you have agreed to sponsor a child or feel able to donate some cash to this worthy charity then please send a cheque made payable to Chailey Heritage School into the Office.
Many letters of thanks for the event have been placed on the 'post' notice board near the Study. Many are from children from other schools who participated in the fun-filled day. They express their appreciation for the help from senior pupils, the enthusiasm of everyone involved and the fantastic sense of occasion created by Cottesmore.
We wish everyone a relaxed and enjoyable half term break.