Newsletter Summer 2011 Half Term
The first half of the Summer term has been both full and rounded in every sense and we began by extending a warm welcome to 20 new pupils, all of whom have all settled in very quickly.
In the classroom the pupils have all been working hard towards their Common Entrance and school exams, while outside it the (almost) unbroken run of excellent weather has allowed a packed programme of sporting fixtures to take place without interruption. Everyone took part in our charity fundraising event, the Cottesmore Swimarathon and there have been trips to the cinema and all the fun of the fair on Brighton Pier.
Some highlights from this first half of term include a whole school seminar by Think-A-Link creator Andy Salmon, who demonstrated his system of enjoyable memory training; an even bigger and better Book Fair; a visit from the Bishop of Horsham for the Confirmation service with impressive singing from the Cottesmore Choir as well as some superb Music Examination Board results. Our chef Austin and his team took a bow, winning a top award from the Environmental Health Agency.
We have welcomed a number of visitors to preach in Chapel this term, including Mr Peter Roberts, Head-Elect of King’s School, Canterbury. Everyone is welcome to attend these post-exeat services and there will be a glass of wine afterwards.
In the pre-prep the little ones were caught up in the excitement of the Royal Wedding and enjoyed a tea party as part of the celebrations. A trip to the RNLI in Shoreham to learn about their work and to see the splendid new lifeboat seems to have launched a few career aspirations, while the addition of judo to the activities calendar is proving to be popular.
The pre-prep concert was a tremendous success. The mix of soloists, the pre-prep choir, the recorder group and a rousing rendition of ‘Swinging Samson’ was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.
Sports Review
We are fielding six cricket teams this term who between them have secured some confident wins and closely-fought draws against a number of schools.
The girls’ rounders teams have also enjoyed success, including a terrific score of 28-14 against Lancing Prep by the 1st XI.
The tennis teams have been successful against a number of opponents, including Cumnor House, Brambletye and Duke of Kent’s, while the Real Tennis team won their handicap match against Westbourne and Windlesham to secure the trophy.
The swimming squads have taken part in a number of galas, showing continuous improvement in their fitness and stamina. The Senior squad won convincingly against strong opposition from Duke of Kent’s, while the Juniors were narrowly defeated by the same school.
The Golf Family Foursomes were played on a bright and glorious summer’s day early in the term, with Cottesmore’s nine-hole Ostrich Feather course the setting for the competition. Tommy and his grandfather won the trophy with seventeen Stableford points; runners up were the Howes family, with the Millards in third place. After the competition, over fifty guests enjoyed a barbeque in the rose garden.
The second half of term
After Sports Day and the half term break we look forward to an equally packed second half of term beginning with Arts Week, which this year will feature an Apache Art workshop with visiting artists, as well as a diverse range of activities including musical workshops, mosaic, poetry and sand sculpture.
The 3rd and 4th forms will spend a week in Brittany immersed in French language and culture, as well as visiting a crêperie and an organic apple farm.
A team of six 3rd form pupils will travel to Scotland to take part in the Gordonstoun Challenge, while the Remove will be taking a trip to Bruton in Somerset.
There will be field trips on the glorious Sussex Downs, as well as trips to Wimbledon, Chessington Zoo and the National Athletics Championships.
All of this of course after a well–earned half term holiday. Our good wishes go to everyone for a happy and relaxed break.