Dragonnews News and Events for Dragon Parents

Week of 6.3.2020 DragonNEWS News and Events for Dragon Parents

Dear Parents nother productive week has seen our young Dragons involved in a host of activities inside and Aoutside of the classroom, as well as practice examinations for our A Block. Last weekend, our staff, pupils and parents alike happier because you passed their way”. On a favourite book, ‘DEAR’ moments with Ma enjoyed the E Block ‘Play in Two Days’ which similar theme, last week, the Pre-Prep assembly James running round the Pre-Prep ringing a bell engaged and entertained an appreciative was on ‘the gift of happiness’, in which the to signify the 5-minute reading sessions, and audience in equal measure. The theme was children enjoyed dressing up to act out the story the children making their own treasured book Jules Verne’s ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ – a of the unhappy princess who lost her smile. in a tin. An exciting week was rounded off with fast paced globe-trotting adventure. A range of Year 1 travelling to the Natural History Museum sports fixtures also took place on Saturday, in In the classrooms, Geography students have in Oxford to investigate dinosaurs. bright sunshine and a fresh early Spring wind, been learning about national parks in Nairobi, all of which were played with an excellent team and the encroachment of cities upon them, This week we are delighted to be welcoming a spirit both home and away. Other fixtures while C Block children are looking at particles in total of 14 Day children for their first taster of throughout the week have included netball, their Chemistry lessons. Motte and bailey boarding in our Day Boarding Houses: No 14, hockey, football, and swimming against Norman castles are the current History topic for No 5, and Stringers. We advertise trial boarding Magdalen College School, Winchester House, D Block; meanwhile A Block have been ‘off nights at intervals throughout the year but Headington, Abingdon Prep, Ashfold, timetable’ this week for their exams, where children are welcome to book a trial night at Cokethorpe, and Chandlings. among various topics, their Maths paper any time. Many families have found that our included questions on symmetry and pattern new flexible boarding options have been an Our Dragon scullers recently enjoyed great sequences. These exams are appropriately excellent way to explore this important aspect success at the South of England Rowing challenging, and all our staff have been helping of School life. On Saturday 7th March we are Championships, with well-deserved silver and the children prepare over recent weeks, setting holding our Boarding Open Morning, where a gold medals awarded to Dragons across a range consolidatory preps and helping with revision number of families will come for tours, of categories. The rest of the sculling squad, planning. presentations, and a Q & A session with Rupert whilst not gaining medals, represented the and Lucy Blencowe, our Heads of Boarding. Dragon in style with impressive times in all their An exciting initiative takes place in the races. Elsewhere our cross-country runners classrooms on Friday, when children will be Finally, the worldwide Covid-19 outbreak rounded off the season well, with victory for the encouraged to ‘Drop Everything And Read’ continues to dominate the headlines and we Under 11 girls in the relay competition hosted at (DEAR) to mark World Book Day. A bell will ring remain committed to ensuring we do all we can St. Edward’s School. at various times during lessons, and children will to mitigate risks to children, families and staff. stop what they are doing to read for five We are providing age-appropriate information On Sunday we welcomed Mrs Duncan, minutes. This world-wide event was celebrated to all children and regular reminders about Headmistress of Wycombe Abbey, who in Thursday’s assembly, with a number of hand-washing, as I gave in assembly at Bardwell preached at our School service for the first surprise performances by staff around the hall, Road yesterday, as well as making sure we react Sunday in Lent, on the theme of ‘the things that reading from their favourite books. appropriately and proportionately to the matter’. Sunday night saw C Block parents evolving situation, taking expert advice. Please joining us for our Parents’ Evening, where they World Book Day fever is also being enjoyed at see the detailed mailing sent earlier this week had the opportunity to meet with individual the Pre-Prep this week with the theme ‘Books as with more information about the specific teachers and discuss their children’s progress. Treasures’. Activities started on Tuesday morning measures in place associated with this with a visit from Sian who works in Blackwell’s challenging issue. Thank you again for your On Monday, we explored the topic of ‘going the Rare Books department. She brought in a support and understanding. extra mile’ in assembly. The children also number of very special books, one of which was listened intently to a poem by Edgar Guest, over 600 years old and covered in pig skin! With all best wishes entitled “Have you earned your tomorrow?”, Thursday’s activities involved the children (and beginning with the question “Is anybody staff) dressing up as a character from their Crispin Hyde-Dunn

1 Notices

For all sports fixtures please clickhere . For the full calendar of events, please see the main School Calendar.

Drop off and pick up Please may we remind you to approach the school on Bardwell Road from the North/ D OA C R H ON East rather than from Banbury Road, NT A LI D L I N especially during busy periods at pick up G T O R N I V R and drop off. For the safety of all, please E O C R A H D C

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L A N E After-School Collection Weekday Netball Matches Staff have been reminding the Day children Please note there has been a change in regularly this past week to ensure that they are policy of having spectators down at Oxford consistently waiting in the correct place to be High School to watch any Dragon matches. picked up after school. A and B Block children Parents are now allowed to come and must wait in the Library and C-E Block children watch but must adhere to the following must wait in E Block. We do not wish to have any points: children waiting on the roadside for collection after 4.30pm and, therefore, we have provided • All visiting parents must sign in at supervised spaces where they may relax or make Reception with relevant ID and should a start on Prep. Tea is available in the Dining Hall then be escorted pitch side at 4.15pm and any Day children staying on after • No dogs are allowed on site School are very welcome to attend. • There is no parking available on site at Oxford High School We would be grateful if all parents of Day children might reinforce this message so that the We warmly welcome spectators and the children are waiting in safety and comfort until more the merrier! parents are able to collect them from school.

Anxieties Parking on Double Yellow Lines Dear Parents, Many thanks to all those parents who have This week in tutor time, Tutors have been Donate a Book Day been making the extra effort to park legally at talking with their classes about anxieties and We would be very grateful if all drop off and collection at both Dragon School how we manage these feelings. Coronavirus pupils would take a look at their sites. Unfortunately, it remains the case that a has been specifically mentioned, and ways in bookshelves and choose a book or two number of vehicles continue to be parked on which we can reassure and support each other (or more!) that they have enjoyed and the double yellow lines around the school at in the community. Further to this work in they think another child of a similar age drop off and pick up times. Given the proximity School, you may findthis article from The might enjoy too. The donated books will to the School, this parking raises a number of Guardian helpful to facilitate containing go to children and schools who are not safety issues. The area that is a particular conversations at home. as fortunate as we are. Donate a Book problem at present is on the crossroads of Clare Strickland, Deputy Head Pastoral Day has been arranged to coincide with Bardwell and Charlbury Road at around World Book Day, Thursday 5th March, 4.15pm – 4.45pm. Vehicles parked here but we are happy to receive donations prevent the buses that collect a number of our before and after the day. Please Day children, from turning into Charlbury Road bring them to the Prep School Lodge or on the approach to the passenger meeting the Prep School Library, or to Ma point. This not only holds up our Dragons and Gilgrass’ School Office at the Pre-Prep. the children at our partner schools (OHS etc.) Thank you very much! Click here for a but can also lead to traffic congestion along wealth of resources to inspire creative the length of the Bardwell Road. As a matter of writing, to encourage reading for priority, parking should be avoided on double pleasure, and for ideas for other book yellow lined marked areas to ensure the safe related activities. and smooth access of school coaches.

2 Notices continued

Family Links Parenting Group and stages, behaviour we find challenging, and only makes sense and is effective if there is During the Summer Term we will be running a how we communicate and learn lots of positive commitment to attend each week’s 2-hour Family Links Parenting Group here at the Prep ideas and strategies for building a happy family sessions. School on Wednesday mornings (8.45- life. The Parent Group will also link you in to 10.45am) led by Caroline Kerr and Bruce the language, concepts and approach used by The groups are strictly confidential and limited Anderson. all Dragon staff in the Pre-Prep and Prep School to 10 parents. The cost of the course is £100, so will help establish consistency between which includes all refreshments and a copy of These groups, which are open to parents of home and School. It also creates the “The Parenting Puzzle” which we will refer to children at both the Prep and Pre-Prep sites, opportunity to gain from other parents, to be each week during the course. The dates are: give us time to reflect on what it is like being a supported and listened to, to meet others and parent; to look together at what is going well, be part of a group. Wednesday 29th April and also how we cope with challenges. It is a Wednesday 6th, 13th, 20th May chance to pause and consider our family If you would like to join a Parent Group, we Wednesday 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th June relationships and increase our confidence. The urge you to think carefully about the expected Wednesday 1st July focus is on the emotional health and wellbeing commitment before signing up. Each week of parents and children and is carefully builds up the robust knowledge and To book a place on this course please ring designed into a 9-week course of 2-hour understanding of the nurturing programmes, 01865 315478 or email Maxine McConville. sessions. We will think about different ages concepts and strategies as a whole approach

Pre-Prep News

World Book Day

Blackwell’s Rare Books In preparation for World Book Day, and to build the excitement, Blackwell’s Rare Books joined us for a special whole School assembly for the Pre-Prep children to showcase some of their amazing rare and valuable books.

Sian Wainwright showed us a book that was 600 years old, still in fabulous print condition, bound in pigs’ skin and wood. She also shared a First Edition C.S. Lewis ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.’

We also enjoyed looking at a miniature Bible and a book containing information about the Dodo describing it as ‘capable of feeding a lot of people and very delicious!’...poor Dodo!

3 Prep News

It featured a whole host of local schools and warmed up, the Dragons lined up on the start allowed the girls a lot of playing time against line, with all six teams competing in the same different opposition in challenging windy race. It was yet another successful outing for conditions. Regardless, lots of goals were the U11 girls who won their relay, collecting a scored and a great deal of fun was had by all; trophy for their efforts. Furthermore, Cici and they even got to meet some of the Oxford Kit were recognised for setting fastest laps. United Women’s team who came to support Special mentions go to Alfie who overtook 3 the afternoon. Well done girls! runners on his lap, to Charlotte and Freya for dealing with last minute changes, and to Harry for running the first leg despite it being his first Classics / French courses for race. After an excellent match tea (including Dragon Children hot chocolate and doughnuts!) and collecting Any parents who might be interested in our medals we returned to the Dragon, ending Gingerbread for Charity sending their children on a Classics/French a brilliant cross country season. Well done to A number of No 26 girls will be taking part in course next year should contact Dr all who have taken part in cross country and the Flight Centre Schools Triathlon at Norton. The courses are held at his home in running club this year!

Marlborough College on Sunday on 17th May. SW France and are aimed at Scholarship/CE In order to participate, the girls must each raise revision (Easter holidays) or preparation for A a minimum of £50 in sponsorship. Over the Block (Summer holidays). Please note this is Easter Scholarship / Common weekend the girls made and decorated not an official Dragon School trip, so Entrance Revision Course gingerbread biscuits and sold them to arrangements should be made with Dr Norton There are still some places available on the fundraise for Restless Development, a charity individually. Easter Scholarship/Common Entrance revision that works with young people to solve course run by Dr Norton in SW France (April challenges when they are being overlooked or 14th – 19th). The Summer Scholarship/CE ignored. With the first batch of baking, preparation courses for this year’s B Block in #awesomebananas raised £29.96 – a July are also now taking bookings. Please tremendous effort, well done! contact Dr Norton directly for more information. Please note these are NOT official Dragon trips. B Block Geography Field Trip – Friday 24th April This is an advance warning that the whole of B Extra Language Lessons Available Block will be out of school on a Geography at the Prep field trip on Friday 24th April 2020. The 1:1 Mandarin, Japanese, and Spanish extra children will spend the day collecting data for language lessons are available during Activities their Common Entrance or Scholarship and after School. For more information please Geography fieldwork enquiry. The project that contact Mr James. they subsequently write up in school is worth 20% of their final Geography result and therefore, it is important that all children Premier Tennis Lessons attend. We would be grateful if parents could A number of Premier Tennis Lessons have ensure that any other commitments are become available. If you are interested please avoided on that date. Many thanks. contact Mr James.

Frideswide Voices of Christ Church, Oxford – Auditions Auditions for Year 2 Girls are taking place on Saturday 2nd May. Please see the poster for more information.

St Edwards Cross Country On Tuesday the U10 and U11 cross country teams took part in the St Edward’s relays, the mainly flat course being the perfect opportunity On the Ball to set some personal bests. The course was With the girls’ football season now under way, slightly adapted from previous years due to the some of our Lower and Middle School girls extensive building work taking place at represented the Dragon at the annual Oxford Teddies, but still provided a 1.7km loop of their High Girls on the Ball tournament last week. playing fields. Having seen the course and

4 Prep News continued

2020 Oxford Junior Rowing Courses Improve your rowing; practise yoga; learn life skills; prepare for exams; understand nutrition and mental wellbeing – make new friends and have fun! All levels are welcome this Easter, from beginner to advanced.

Youth Cricket Training 2020 All abilities are welcome to join Wolvercote Cricket Club (ages 9 –15). Winter indoor sessions will be starting at the beginning of February on Sundays and Tuesdays up until mid- April when we will then go outdoors. Please see the poster for more information or contact Mr Knapp.

Once a Dragon, Always a Dragon

Developing life skills for young Anna and Rose are also taking part in an on- women through drama going literacy programme for young children, Anna de Portales and Rose Rooney (ODs reading in English and acting out the stories. 2014) returned to School on Wednesday for They hope this will help develop their love for some drama teaching practice with Mr stories and reading, but most importantly their Murchie prior to setting off for Nepal. They are confidence and teamwork, just like drama going out to support the charity READ Nepal helped them develop through their school and “Developing life skills for young women years. As well as acting as role models they through drama”. They will devise and perform hope to encourage the older children with plays with young women as part of a project whom they work to continue this volunteering to aid women’s empowerment. The project initiative in the library so that it can become aims to help young women gain confidence in self-sustainable. We wish them well! dealing with issues that they may experience in their day-to-day lives, such as domestic violence and gender discrimination. Their idea is that drama will help to strengthen their voice so that they can express opinions about issues that affect them and deal with concerns that young women often encounter. The plays will be performed in the city’s main hall, bringing together the community and raising awareness of the issues the girls have chosen.

5 Events

Future Schools Forum – Friday 22nd May, 10.00am Parents of E, D and C Block children are invited to attend a Future Schools Forum with Dr Hyde- Dunn and other members of staff, at 10.00am on Friday 22nd May, in the MCLT. This event is Next Open Mornings intended to give parents an overview of the process and timescales to be aware of when Saturday, 7th March – Boarding considering applications to senior schools. More information will be included in the end of term Saturday, 25th April – Day notices to parents but please do save the date and contact the Future Schools Office to register Friday, 5th June – Pre-Prep if you are able to attend.

A Block Leavers’ Lunch, Saturday 2nd May Invitations have now been sent to this year’s A Block Leavers’ Lunch. Please contact Mia Suggitt in Development with any questions and dietary requirements. Please note, booking for this event is essential.

Beyond the Dragon

We are aware that we have many Dragons who also enjoy sport and other activities outside of school and achieve lots of wonderful things, either as individuals or part of clubs and representative teams. We would love to promote these achievements through our social media channels and within Dragon News in order to share your successes with the wider community. Please do let us know by sending us the details, and where possible, with the correct permissions in place, we will look to share. #DiscoverTheDragon

For more information about these, or any other events, please visit our website www.dragonschool.org or contact Dragon School, Bardwell Road, Oxford OX2 6SS • Tel: 01865 315400

The Dragon School Trust Ltd is registered as a charity, no. 309676, and as a limited company, no. 524331 at the above address.