Claires Court Bulletin
JUNIOR BOYS
Bulletin 5 | Summer Term 2016
Email: dsp@clairescourt.com
Website: http://www.clairescourt.com/news-and-media/bulletins
Location: SL6 3QE for sat nav SL6 4QQ
Phone: 01628 411490
Facebook: facebook.com/clairescourt
Twitter: @clairescourt
FROM THE HEADS DESK
This could be my last Head’s Words!! Our marketing department have asked me to start blogging from now on throughout the week…….does this mean that I have to bring my I.T. skills into the 21st century??!!! Well, I am happy to give it a go!! I am sure that I will still be mentioning a few things on the Friday bulletin……
The week after our assessments (starting Monday 23 May) the school will be taking part in our first ever Pupil Problem Solving Week. During this period all of the boys from Reception through to Year 6 will be carrying out investigations during their lessons, considering how to successfully complete academic exploratory challenges, and discover the processes behind managing projects as an individual and in small groups. The thinking behind this new innovation is a response to the more applied nature of general curriculums and the need for our boys to be able to work both independently and with greater resilience. While we have put this emphasis firmly into our own work over the past two years, I also feel that we should have an annual block of time where the boys can really immerse themselves in this type of work. The staff have spent the past few months preparing some exciting tasks, and I am really looking forward to watching how the boys adapt to new situations. Individual Music/Drama lessons will continue in the week, and 1:1 support lessons will actually take place with the pupil in their investigation, giving our LDD staff a useful insight in how information is being processed and applied by the individual. It is going to be a fun week!
My four stars of this week have been Nicholas Rennison, Toby Carter, Max Babcock and George Watson as can be seen in the photo gallery. Nicholas scored the most amazing goal during a tight water polo match on Wednesday that left Mrs Whiteley and Mr Denton speechless, and wondering if we should start to play this sport against other schools! Toby has produced some wonderful work for Mrs Holder in Year 1, and George and Max can be seen holding their artwork - two pieces that Mr Goddard has described as ‘exceptional’. High praise indeed. Well done to all of these boys.
As our pupils in Year 1-6 are involved in assessments next week, please feel free to allow them to bring in water bottles. If the weather stays hot, staying hydrated is of maximum importance and can have an affect on performance. My staff will ensure that they can sip frequently from their drinks. I am very interested to see how the boys tackle their new style assessments. This is also the first time we have ever outsourced our marking to a separate assessment body for our Summer assessments, as I wanted to ensure that there is complete and independent moderation in the results we achieve. Let’s see how they go!
Well, please be patient if you are reading my blogs next week…….I hope they will provide you with an even greater insight into our school community! If you are attending our Summer Ball on Saturday, I wish you all a super time. The marquee is currently up on one of our sports fields and looks very impressive indeed! Have a lovely weekend.
Justin Spanswick
PTA NEWS
I'm currently in the marquee getting everything ready for the Ball as I write these words. It's looking absolutely amazing, so we're looking forward to seeing lots of you here tomorrow evening.
We've made some changes to the way we will be running our Nearly New Uniform sales. From now on we will only be accepting donations of uniform and can no longer sell uniform on your behalf. We still hope to receive lots of donations as it really is a fantastic way to raise funds to spend on the boys! If you have uniform with us currently that you are not willing to donate them please do come and collect it. Aneeta Rogers will now be running our Nearly New Uniform and can be contacted at Aneeta.rogers@hotmail.co.uk. We are working on getting space in the school for a uniform 'shop' to make donating and buying uniform easier for you all.
Emma Robertson
FROM THE SPORTS' MASTER......
The end of last week saw all Year 5 students play cricket matches against The Beacon. For a few this was their first experience of competitive cricket. Matias Grundy and Sergei Arkhipov both get a mention as they bowled and batted with great enthusiasm. The weather has not been as kind to us this week but thankfully we have managed to play some U9 cricket fixtures and on Monday the Year 5 & 6 athletes had their first taste of competition. This was the first time we have had an Athletics fixture against Holme Grange School and it provided the Year 5 & 6 pupils with some fantastic competitive experiences in preparation for the ISA London West Athletics on Wednesday 8 June. There are too many excellent performances to name every one! With four athletes in each event we managed to place first in every event! A special mention must go to the Year 5 A relay team- Louis Stewart, Sam Jackson, Saul Lopez Guisado and Robbie Jones and the Year 6 A relay team - Josh Fisher, Ben Morgan, Tom, Molhoek and Will Keylock. Both teams won their race in challenging conditions. Yesterday saw all Year 4 students travel to Moulsford Prep winning a very impressive five out of six fixtures played.
Nick Butterfield
FROM THE CHESS 'GRAND MASTER'
The day has finally arrived: CCJB are off to the English Primary Schools Chess Association (EPSCA) semi-final in Bristol on Saturday.
Representing the school in our Under 11 team:
Niam Popat
Kyle Wheeler
Aaron Mussell
Samuel Tschiesche
Tom Dargan
and our Under 9 team:
Téo Rybak
Kida Zhu
Henry Dargan
Nayan Popat
Joshua Spanswick
We wish all the boys the very best for the tournament and give thanks for all supporting parents, as well as Eileen Goford and Mr Tuck, who are braving the early start and late evening.
Maidenhead Chess Club is still on this Saturday morning at CCJB. Mr Dennis will be running the club and then joining the squad at EPSCA later in the day.
Photographs from the Delancey UK Megafinal are now up on the chess noticeboard.
Well done again to all who took part.
Richard Hogg
FORTHCOMING DATES
Saturday 14 May - Great Gatsby Ball
For those coming to The Great Gatsby Ball on Saturday, we are looking forward to a great evening! The auction and raffle prizes are better than ever. Bring credit cards, cheque books or cash with you as prizes need to be paid for on the night. You can win anything from a watch, to iPad, festival ticket, sports/fitness coaching and so much more… see here for all the prizes
FUTURE EVENTS
Friday 20 May - Y4 Outward Bound
Wednesday 25 May - U11 and U10 cricket photos. Please ensure boys have their kit.
Thursday 26 May - U9 cricket photos. Please ensure boys have their kit.
TRIPS
NOTES AND TO DO LIST
FAO Karate Boys
Please register for your summer course and grading now.
RABBIT AWARDS
HOLIDAY CLUB
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES – May half-term holiday (Tue 31 May to Fri 3 Jun)
There’s just 1 week left to get your ‘best rate’ when you join us for a cultural ‘World of Sport’ this coming holiday - this offer ends FRI 20 May.
- Junior and Senior pupils get free extended sessions
- Choice to book a hot lunch (not at Sport Xtra)
- No late booking charge
STILL AVAILABILITY for older children to join Kool Xtra Cookery, Crafts and Textiles, as well as Sport Xtra Cricket for Year 3 and above.