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It was lovely to see so many of you at the May Day Walk at the start of the week. This is a biennial event (every other year we hold a fête in the school gardens) and for our Pre-Prep families, it is something to look forward to in 2021 or 2023! We have done various routes over the

years but the current one, from King’s Hawford to King’s, via the river and racecourse, is just right for our children. The weather was ideal for walking – cool, still and dry – and the route took in some of the more beautiful parts of our city. Many of you will have met representatives from our nominated charity, the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust, at the start of the walk and perhaps been inspired by this charity and its works. Like many, I felt worthy of my pork roll and cup of tea at the end; my thanks, as ever, to our Parents’ Social Group for their hard work on the day.

I always regret being away from KSA as so much seems to happen! I was in Cambridge at the start of the week for the Choir Schools Association Conference talking about mindfulness, busyness and the doors that choristership can open. These events are always beneficial and allow opportunities to meet new people and share experiences. As I followed events back at base, I was sorry to miss a visit from John Walton, former Deputy Head at KSA. He was here with guests from Nepal who talked to our Year 6 about life for children in Nepal. I was also sorry to miss what was an excellent LAMDA platform on Tuesday although Ace’s reprisal of her piece (My Card for Fathers’ Day) in Celebration Assembly brought smiles to us all. I was thrilled that the whole school trapesed over to College Hall for the King’s Wind Band rehearsal of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. What a treat! I understand last night’s senior concert was something to behold!

The weather looks fair for the next few days. This offers little consolation to 6DB and 6KB who have spent some wet days at the Old Chapel (and Mrs Duke and Mrs Hadfield who have had a wet week!) but might give some scope for outdoor GYM homework opportunities. Within this, do embrace our Growth Mindset words and encourage independence and curiosity as the children, hopefully, grow their minds!

Monday 13th May

6HM to the Old Chapel U11 Boys Cricket v King’s Hawford (H)

Tuesday 14th

U8 Girls Cricket Festival at Winterfold

Wednesday 15th

6P to the Old Chapel 6HM return from the Old Chapel U10 Boys Cricket Tournament at RGS The Grange

U10/11 (Colts) Boys Cricket v The Downs (H)

Thursday 16th

ESCA U11 Cricket Competition at Bromsgrove School

Friday 17th

Year 3 Cathedral Workshop

6P return from the Old Chapel

Saturday 18th May

U11 Aquathlon at The Downs

QUICK LINKS:

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Friday 10th May 2019

From the Head Pre-Prep News Notices

WEEK AHEAD FROM THE HEAD

VISIT

WEBSITE

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THIS WEEK IN PRE-PREP

Today we awarded Growth Mindset certificates to Archie and Bizzy for perseverance, Mia and Shreya for flexibility, James for independence and Ralph for focus. Archie was then joined by Ben and congratulated for excellent writing all about ’what the ladybird heard.’ From Year 1, Martha has done very well in maths and James, Lily E, Lily G, Lydia, Shreya, Reuben and Monty have worked hard at joining their handwriting.

Year 3 have been learning about Greek mythological beasts and writing their own stories about them. Oliver J, Eleanor and J.M. did a superb job. From Year 5, Martha, Max and Arabella were congratulated on their persuasive writing and Harriet, Henry, Tigo, Ava, Jayden and Piers did very well in their writing about Flannan Isle. James De was inspired by studies on WWII to put together two projects over the Easter break, one on the D-Day Landings and another all about rationing. Freddie G has returned to school following his five month family adventure and today he spoke to the children about his experiences and showed his fascinating scrap books.

Well done to all our LAMDA performers for the excellent show on Tuesday and especially to Ace who performed ‘My Card for Fathers’ Day’ for us all today. Evie G, Emily A and Phoebe S were presented with their Musical Theatre examination certificates, Oscar received a rugby medal and Anoop was congratulated on her swimming success. Well done to Clarisse, George G, Mia G, Eve, William J, Stephanie, Matilda, Sonali, Phoebe S, Xander, Lydia and Ollie S who all passed their recent music exams.

Immie received a bronze medal for music and a swimming challenge certificate and we congratulated all of the Year 3 boys on their performance in their first cricket match for the school.

Esther explained how she recently contacted Waitrose about their use of plastic. Mr Chapman read out her letter and also the reply which she has received explaining what Waitrose are doing to reduce their use of plastic. Esther also wrote to Aldi and her local MP and is awaiting their replies. Well done, Esther!

CELEBRATION ASSEMBLY

Reception have been incredibly enthusiastic about their topic ‘ready, steady, grow.’ They have been busy learning about how our eggs are growing as well as watering and looking after our growing plants and vegetables. They have done some fabulous writing about the story ‘What the ladybird heard’ and it is a delight to see them write with such confidence and enjoyment. In Maths they are learning about length and they have been finding ways of estimating and counting how many cars they can fit into different sized tunnels. As always, it is such a pleasure to see the children so eager to learn and being so willing to have a go at new challenges. Well done, Reception!

This week Year 1 have impressed us with their writing. As part of their new topic ‘Adventures by the Sea’ the children have written diary accounts of a deep sea diving expedition. They have all thought carefully about the many creatures they might see and extended their descriptions with some super adjectives. The children have also been trying very hard when practising new joins during handwriting tasks, which has been pleasing to see. Continuing with their topic work this week, the children worked hard when labelling pirate tall ships and enjoyed using their compass skills to find items on a map. Well done, Year 1!

As part of their topic on ‘Famous People’, this week Year 2 focused their attention on Sir Edward Elgar. The children loved learning more about Elgar’s achievements and enjoyed a walk to visit his statue in Cathedral Plaza and the blue plaque on the houses opposite the Cathedral where Elgar once lived. On returning to the classroom the children took part in their own enthusiastic rendition of ‘Last Night of the Proms’ while listening to Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance.

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Recent letters: Please visit www.ksw.org.uk/letters-to-parents for details of all letters issued this week.

Team sheets: Please visit www.ksw.org.uk/team-sheets to view team sheets for the week ahead.

Latest News: LAMDA Platform Year 3 Oaker Wood Trip Weekly Sports Round-up

Swimmers Qualify for IAPS Finals

Sports Notices: Touch Rugby for Year 6 on Monday afternoon is cancelled due to the cricket fixture

Second Hand Uniform Shop: The school uniform shop will be open on Friday 17th May from 3pm until 5pm.

Parents’ Social Group Summer Party: The KSA PSG are organising a summer party for parents on Saturday 29th June. The event will take place in the Michael Baker Boat House and School Gardens from 7.30pm until 11.00pm. Tickets will be available soon, in the meantime please see here for more details.

Sports Photographs: The Year 5 & 6 sports photographs are now available to view online at www.bmsphotography.co.uk . Please click on ‘Client Galleries’ and then the KSA logo. The password is KSA_18/19

The Hive: There are lots of exciting events coming up at The Hive, please see here for further info.

Happy Birthday: Many happy returns to Arthur, Phoebe E, George P and Skye.

Dinner Table Discussions

1. What charity have we supported by doing the May Day Walk? (Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust)

2. What is room 101? (This came up in assembly today)

3. Who composed the 1812 Overture? How does it go?! (Tchaikovsky)

NOTICES

Many congratulations to our swimmers who have qualified for the IAPS Finals at the London Aquatic Centre in June. A magnificent achievement.