Newsletter – Winter Term 22.11.11
Great excitement and anticipation are the links between the week which has just passed and the one ahead. Once the exams were over Cottesmorians were transported to Mongolia via explorer John Hare, as well as donning their blades for a twirl on the ice at the outdoor skating rink in Brighton.
The week ahead sees the premiere of ‘Time Will Tell’ written by Miss Curwood-Moss especially for Cottesmore, while the Christmas Fayre on Saturday will have stalls galore as well as an orderly queue (we hope) to sample Austin’s mince pies!
Nonetheless, Cottesmorians haven’t forgotten those who are less fortunate; read on for details of our charity fundraising activities.
Academic News
Mr Butler led a 4th Form History trip to Battle Abbey, the site of the Battle of Hastings. Interactive displays and a CGI film tell the story of the Battle of Hastings and paint a picture of England at the time of the Norman Conquest. The next stop on their itinerary was Hastings Castle, England’s first Norman castle and built in the motte-and-bailey style.
Lunch overlooking the town of Hastings was followed by a trip to the sea life aquarium, before some very welcome chip butties near the beach.
Sports News
Soccer
The Under-9 A team are going from strength to strength, adding yet another victory with 4-3 win over Handcross. Congratulations to Marcus who scored all the goals and well done to Harry who was awarded Man of the Match.
Hockey
Well done to the junior girls’ team for their hockey fixture against Brambletye. Despite playing indoors instead of the accustomed grass, they won very convincingly 5-0. Well done to goal scorers Coco and Lourdes and also to Girl of the Game, Jade.
The U10 girls played a strong match, beating Handcross 2-0; well done to goal scorers Isabel and Sofia and also to Girl of the Game, Paige.
Netball
The staff vs 1st Girls netball fixture was a tightly fought match but the staff just won 9-8. A re-match is being scheduled in 2 weeks time.
The U9 girls’ team played a scorching fixture against Handcross, easily winning by 7-0. Well done to goal scorers Kelly (also Girl of the Game) and Evie.
The Brambletye fixture produced some very promising play, especially from Claudia and Louisa.
Golf
Well done to the 1st VI golf team for their win against Brambletye on Sunday.
Pre Prep News
Year 1 were very excited to visit the Booth Museum of Natural History in Hove to learn all about bones – and were rather surprised to be greeted by Napoleon, the human skeleton! They saw the skeleton of a killer whale, a narwhal, a horse and even a human. The children weighed, measured and inspected all sorts of bones and even put a skeleton back together. The Museum has many interactive displays and hands on exhibits; the children also found out all about carnivores, omnivores and herbivores, which made for a very full day.
This week Reception and Year 2 are visiting the Fire Station as Year 2 has been studying the Great Fire of London and Reception children are learning about 'people in uniforms'.
Other News
Lecture
The author, conservationist and explorer John Hare came to Cottesmore last week to lecture on the wild camels of Mongolia. Based on personal visits to the region, Mr Hare’s presentation was supported by a series of wonderful slides showing the details of his trips. The children listened very attentively and after the hour-long presentation Mr Hare was bombarded with questions from his eager audience.
At the end of his visit, Mr Hare commented on the politeness of Cottesmorians and kindly donated a copy of his book ‘Mysteries of the Gobi’ to the school library.
Ice Skating
The iconic and historic Brighton Pavilion is the backdrop for a Real Ice Skating Rink, where a group of Cottesmorians enjoyed practising their swizzling and gliding under cloudless blue skies on Sunday. The 700 square metre rink has a beginners’ area and offered penguin stabilisers for those who were finding their feet.
Charity Fundraising
The charity appeals at Cottesmore continue with a sizeable donation to the British Legion Poppy Appeal, after generous parental contributions during our Remembrance Sunday service.
The nominated charity for next year’s Swimarathon is LEPRA Health In Action, which fights the diseases of poverty in some of the world’s most deprived communities. Next term a LEPRA representative will be visiting Cottesmore to talk about their work.
The pupils’ Chapel fund donations have raised over £500 this term and last week this was presented to Sussex children’s hospice Chestnut Tree House near Arundel.
The 6th Form has started work on their charity presentations in their PSCHE lessons. Each year these senior pupils prepare a presentation (usually in PowerPoint) and each group has five minutes at Chapel line-up in which to appeal to the school body. The subsequent open vote then decides which charity the children’s Chapel Fund donations will support in the following term.
The Great Outdoors
Last week the Outdoor Pursuits Club went beating on a local shoot, accompanied by Mr Beegan and Mrs Rogerson. The group of 3rd Formers were helping some local sportsmen.
This week Mr Hopkins’ Pioneering Club are looking forward to their annual “eat out” where they build a fire and cook their own treats. Laine is apparently looking forward to the hot chocolate and marshmallows!
This term’s activities have included building fires and constructing hides and bashas, as well as some night hikes in the grounds after dark. The “eat-out” is traditionally seen as the highlight of the Pioneering Club’s activities.
Hobbies will change after the play next week, as fresh choices are offered to the pupils. Watch out for the return of Improv Drama and the ever-popular Circus Skills, alongside such perennial favourites as Water Polo, Model-making and Chess.
Looking Forward
Play
The countdown is on to the first performance of ‘Time Will Tell’ this Thursday for the school. The costumes have been fitted, the technical rehearsal and dress rehearsals are scheduled - and then it’s lights down and curtain up.
Following performances on Friday at 6.30 p.m. and on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. it will be time for well-earned exeat break.
Christmas Fayre
A reminder that our Christmas Fayre in aid of Children with Cancer is being held this Saturday, November 26th from 11am until 2pm.
Stalls will include handbags, baby gifts, jewellery, foodstuffs, paintings and much more.
There will also be a refreshments stand with Austin's mince pies and other cakes, where tickets will be on sale for the raffle at the Glitter Ball - another charity fund-raising event -supporting Scotty’s Little Soldiers and the Cottesmore Trust. Do come along and support the event as well the charity.