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Newsletter
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27 March 2015
Dear parents
Burying of the Time Capsule
And so we reach the end of what always
appears on paper as the shortest term,
but in practice can often feel the longest!
Christmas so rarely feels like a real
“break” for families and I hope you all get
some proper rest (and plenty of
chocolate!) this time around. Our
apologies too that we cram so much in to
this hectic term but we know our children
wouldn’t want it any other way!
We say goodbye, today, to Tracy Caveney
our Bursar. At this afternoon’s burying of
the time capsule I made the comparison
between a school and a formula one car.
It may sometimes be the teachers who
like, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando
Alonso, take the glory when the team
reaches the chequered flag but it’s always
the work of an outstanding, hardworking
back up team that has paved the way for
that success. And every exceptional
support crew needs an exceptional
manager. We have been tremendously
lucky to have someone as able, efficient
and dedicated as Tracy Caveney in the
bursary and her endeavour has helped the
school plot such a successful path. She
has overseen exciting developments,
faced the odd unexpected crisis with
composure and care, supported staff and
enabled pupils to enjoy the very best
education. The Bursar’s contribution can
too easily go unnoticed in a school. But,
on a day when we celebrate citizenship
and bury a time capsule that epitomises
what we stand for, it seems entirely fitting
that we remember her contribution and
thank her for all she has done. I know you
will join me in wishing her all the very
best for her future as she begins a new
role at Cumnor House in Croydon.
Results were as follows:
st
1
Baynards
nd
2
Gaskyns
rd
3
Pallinghurst
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4
Tismans
160
140
110
90
Easter Walk and bonfire
At lunchtime today, the whole school went
into the woods for a very special moment in
Pennthorpe’s history – the burying of a time
capsule.
Each year group had decided on one thing
they wanted to include in the capsule,
which will be buried now until the school’s
centenary in 2030, by which time things will
no doubt be very different here!
It was a lovely sunny day in the woods, and
the honour of burying the capsule went to
our outgoing Bursar Tracy Caveney who, as
Mr King mentioned in his introduction,
leaves us today for a new challenge at
Cumnor House.
This morning the whole school came
together for an Easter walk in the
woodland. During the walk, they were told
the Easter story, stopping at various points
around the route, and finishing at the
bonfire where there was a short service on
the true meaning of Easter.
It was lovely to see the older children
looking after the younger ones – they really
are excellent role models.
Baynards win House Trophy
To all of you then, a very happy Easter
and thank you for all of your support
again this term.
Matthew King
Headmaster
Baynards have won the house trophy this
term. This was taking into account the
results of the swimming gala, the house
netball and house points.
For up to date information on events, your children’s prep, plus points and awards, don’t forget to check the portal at
https://pennthorpe.myclarioncall.co.uk/portal
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Flexiday
Balloon Rockets
Flexiday information will be sent out
during the last week of the holidays
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(week beginning 13 April) and bookings
through the portal will be available then.
Year 7 made balloon rockets in Science to
calculate Speed
Ballet certificates are expected during the
holidays and these will be posted out to
everyone.
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Flexiday Activities will start on the 27
April. After School Care, Prep and Tea
will be available as normal on the first day
st
of the Summer Term. (Tuesday 21 April)
If you are turning out your toys, games,
DVD’s over the holidays please do
consider our after school club. We are
always delighted when items are donated
for use in the after school room.
Swimming Gala
Congratulations to all those of you who
took part in this week’s swimming gala –
the overall winners were as follows:
U8 Girls – Cissy Marlow
U8 Boys – Sam Williams
U9 Girls – Rhiannon Elwell
U9 Boys – Edward Tusler
U10 Girls – Anna Stephenson
U10 Boys – Harry Jupp
U11 Girls – Sophie Palmer
U11 boys – Jacob Davis
U12 Girls – Ellie Staddon
U12 Boys – Monty Marlow
U13 Girls – Kinna Whitehead
U13 Boys – Laurie Maddalena
House results
st
1
nd
2
rd
3
th
4
Gasykyns with 248
Tismans with 219
Pallinghurst with 135
Baynards with 118
Open Morning banners
Thank you so much to all those of you
who displayed Open Morning banners for
us recently – they do seem to be working
as we had an excellent turnout!
Pennthorpe Riders Shine
Pennthorpe were represented on Saturday
at the NSEA Inter-Schools Grassroots
Surrey County Qualifier by a team of
Sophie Jones riding Dessie, Pippa Shaw
riding Pip Pop Chester and Harrison
Button riding Springers Whispering Barley
in the 60cm height category. It was a very
twisty, complex course with the second
half of the course against the clock, riders
competing in the team and as individuals.
Pippa rode a great round but had an
unlucky run out at the eighth fence to
finish on four faults, Harrison attacked the
course with gusto but unfortunately got
jumped off over a particularly large spread
but bravely smiled on despite his
acrobatics. Sophie had a fabulous round
with a fast, clear that resulted in an
individual fourth out of almost forty riders
in the class. This also qualifies her as an
individual to represent the school at the
South Central Grassroots Championships
in the 60cm category.
Sophie also competed as an individual in
the 70cm class but the late nights from
the play finally caught up with her and a
slight memory lapse on an equally twisty
course meant she crossed her tracks and
collected four faults in an otherwise fast
clear.
Well done to all and hopefully this
represents the start of a very successful
team for the future!
If your child won a trophy and you would
like Pennthorpe to engrave it for you,
please would you bring the trophies back
to Mrs Long before the end of the first
week after Easter and she will have them
done for you.
March/April 2015
Please check Portal calendar regularly for
updates
or
amendments
at
https://pennthorpe.myclarioncall.co.uk/portal
Date
Event
Mon
30 Easter Holidays
Mar to Fri
17 Apr
Tues 7 – PASS Soccer
Fri 10 Apr
Weds
Activity days
15/Thur
16
Thur 16/Fri Pre season cricket 10-12 invited
17 Apr
pupils only
Mon 20
INSET day school closed to pupils
Tues 21
School returns
Summer uniform may be worn
from today
Years 5, 6 and 7 Conservation
talk by David Shepherd, am
Weds 22
Thur 23
Fri 24
Second hand uniform sale, 3- 5
above sports hall
Sat 25
LAMDA exams, main school
building
Year 8 RS and Geography
scholarship workshop for selected
Year 8 pupils 9-12
Instrumental
workshop
with
conductor Steve Dummer –
invited children from Years 3-8,
Sports Hall
Food for thought…?
This poem was taken from the
programme
of
a
recent
rugby
tournament, passed on by one of our
parents.
He is just a little boy
He walks in position with his heart
pounding fast.
The ball is won, the pass made and the
die is cast.
Mum and Dad can't help him, he stands
alone.
A catch, a dive for glory and his team
have won.
He tries but the ball slips from his grasp.
A groan from the 'supporters' and a
head in hands gasp
“He should never have been picked"
shouts a thoughtless fan.
Tears fill his eyes....... This game is no
longer fun.
Open your hearts and give him a break.
In moments like this a man you can make.
Keep this in your mind and do not forget.
He is just a little boy, and not a man yet.
Remember why children play sport.
Enjoyment; teamwork; respect;
sportsmanship.
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James and the Giant Peach photos
Fisher hits the West End
Piano success
Just a reminder that the full set of photos
from James and the Giant Peach by the
professional photographer during dress
rehearsals are available at the link below.
There are some really lovely ones!
Fisher Costello Rose in Year 6 has been
given a part in Oppenheimer in the West
End. This is the story of the man who
invented the atom bomb, and at one
point in the play the three bombs he
created are personified by children. Fisher
is delivered onto the stage as the smallest
of the bombs, named ‘Little Boy’, and has
to emerge from the bomb casing and
deliver a monologue on stage alone to an
audience of 700 people.
Congratulations to Ewan Duff (Year 7)
and Sam Barber (Year 6) who have both
passed their Grade 4 piano exams – well
done to both of you.
http://www.splaatmedia.co.uk/shop/galler
y.login.php?id=1156
We added a password for child protection
reasons. The password is: pennthorpe15.
You can order your photos direct from
the company via the website link above.
Year 1 pop up café
We are really proud of you Fisher, and
wish you all the best with this exciting
opportunity.
Woodland Morning
Cross Country Superstar!
Last Saturday a large group of Pennthorpe
parents, children and staff came together
to work in the woodland and the Honey
Pot garden. Due to the amazing
dedication and sheer hard work, we
achieved great things! The woodland
classroom was our priority and we
managed to level the floor, creating a
fantastic space for our children to work
in.
Other jobs included opening up another
woodland area, clearing behind treetops
and general maintenance. Jenny and her
team were able to tidy the Honey Pot
garden and ready the vegetable patches.
They also had a rather large clear out of
the shed!
I would just like to say a huge thank you
to all who came along and gave their time
and muscle power! I am very grateful to
you all and it was a pleasure to be among
such hard working people! Many thanks.
Mrs McGregor
Year 1 children had an action packed
Tuesday; baking cakes, making aprons
and planning menus for the grand
opening of our Pop Up Café. The parents
were invited in to join us and were shown
to their seats by very eager waiters and
waitresses.
On Monday, both boys and girls Under 10
and Under 11 teams went to compete at
the Reigate St. Mary’s Cross-Country
Event. Some excellent runs from Monty
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Balfour (9 ), Rosie Kerven (6 ), Anna
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Jamieson (7 ) helped both boys and girls
rd
Under 10 teams come 3 overall. In the
Under 11’s the star of the show was Anna
Wilson-Brown (above) who came a
rd
fantastic 3 place in her race. Well done
all who ran!
Year 6 Geography Field Trip
The children took their parents’ order and
served them numerous cups of tea and
cake until they reached contentment. The
afternoon came to a close with an
informal assembly about our topic. Each
child spoke about all the wonderful things
we have learned during the term as well
as singing many fabulous food songs.
Y6 enjoyed a day’s field work in the South
Downs near Sompting. The day was spent
learning about how our newest National
Park is managed. Without doubt, the
highlight of the day was witnessing some
lambs being born at Coombes farm.
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Year 6 Junior Citizen Scheme
Lunches this week
Mr King has been lucky enough to host
several lunches this week for pupils, some
for good manners, one as a reward for an
excellent MFL project and one for the
pupils who have excelled in the Year 7
Leader Ladder. These are the children
who came – well done to all of you, and
Mr King thoroughly enjoyed your
company!
Manners lunch Rec-Y2
Year 6 had a busy and enjoyable morning
at Horsham Junior Citizen, an event run
for local schools by the District Council.
They learnt all about the dangers of
alcohol, sport safety, recycling, Dementia,
food safety, taking care on the coast,
cycling, neighbourhood watch and
stranger danger.
Monty Knowles, Marcus Knox, Tom
Wilson-Brown, Gracie Beresford, Zac
Dawson, Lachlan McKenzie
Year 7 girls’ French Games Compendium
lunch
Ellie Staddon, Nadya McWilliams, Ellie
Cooper, Lucy and Annie Collinson-James,
Ellie Hoggarth, Alexa Richards
Pupils may work independently or in a
small group.
Participating pupils, please give Mr Misra
a brief description of their costumes by
st
Friday 1 May
Many thanks in advance for your help &
support.
Manu Misra
Head of Geography
Spectacular Cissy!
Cissy Marlow took part in the south east
regional gymnastics compulsory grade 4.
Held at NDGA Tunbridge Wells. She
competed in beam, bars, volt, range and
floor winning the floor and coming 2nd
over all. She has now qualified for the
National finals to be held at the end of
April.
Manners lunch Y3 and 4
Oscar Warmington, Sofia Watkins
Nathan Caddock, Lily Carr-Mosert
Rhiannon Elwell, Thomas Machell
Josh Hayward, Indy Fielden
There were loads of activities run by a
range of organisations. They even had the
chance to vote for the Sussex Youth
Parliament! Learning skills for life is an
essential part of our PSHEE programme
and this event was a great opportunity for
our pupils to put them into action.
Mr Parsons
Magic Maths
On Tuesday, a Year 6 combined maths
group were having fun measuring mass,
capacity and length, and practising
converting between units
.
Leader Ladder lunch Year 7
Ellie Cooper, Annie Collinson-James
Michael Miskin, Ellie Staddon, Alexa
Richards, Toby Edwards
Friday May 1
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Pupils from years 3-8 are invited to create
an eco-friendly product or concept that
they ‘pitch’ to a team of Pennthorpe
Dragon’s. This may be in the form of a
power point or even video. Pupils may
work individually or as part of a small
team.
A brief outline of your design should be
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given to Mr Misra by Friday 24 April
Friday May 8
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This will be a non-uniform day where
pupils will be encouraged to dress in
green or an item of green
Pupils from years 3-8 will design & make a
costume from recycled material & display
it at our fashion show in the afternoon.
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