Newsletter 31st March 2017

Message from Outstanding Offers for Mrs Bennett-Odlum our Year 6 Pupils to Secondary Schools We are delighted with the outstanding offers that have been made to the children in Year 6 this year. A summary of these can be seen on page 3 of the newsletter.

The offers have been made from a range of different Schools across , from both the Independent and Maintained sector. The children will be attending taster days at their respective Schools during the Summer term. In addition, staff from many of the Secondary Schools shall also be visiting their prospective pupils here Dear Parents and Carers, at Windlesham School. We are very proud of their achievements and It was lovely to see so many of you I am particularly grateful to the teaching staff who have helped the at the Upper School Easter Service, children reach their potential. yesterday. I think you will agree that the children performed extremely well as they delivered the Easter Cantata and Year 6 go on Isle of Wight trip Spring songs. It was wonderful to hear Year 6 pupils had a wonderful time on their residential trip to the Isle the first performance by our School of Wight last week. They returned safe and sound on Friday evening orchestra, ‘The Windlesounds’. and we shall include lots of stories and photos in the next newsletter. In the meantime, there are fabulous photos to enjoy on our Facebook I would like to take this opportunity page: www.facebook.com/WindleshamSchool to thank so many of you for your heartfelt best wishes and kind words of appreciation since you read my news. Spring Term 2017 - Important Dates As I wrote in my letter, I am delighted to have the Summer term with Mr Ingrassia Friday, 31st March so that we can have a smooth transition Last day of term - finishing at lunch of my role. (see separate letter sent home for timings)

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you over the Summer term at some of Monday, 3rd April - Monday, 24th April (inclusive) the upcoming events. I always enjoy the Easter Holiday Summer term - this will be a special one for me. Tuesday, 25th April On behalf of all the staff, may we wish Summer Term starts for pupils you all a very Happy Easter.

Preparing children for life General news

A balanced healthy lunchbox Please remember we are a nut-free school when preparing lunchboxes. It is important to check labels as many products may contain a trace of nuts. Welcome to Mr John Ingrassia Thank you for your help in this matter. Please do not include any sweets in your child’s We are all looking forward to welcoming Mr John Ingrassia to the lunchbox. A balanced, healthy lunchbox is School after Easter. He will spend the Summer term working closely really important. with Mrs Bennett-Odlum to ensure a smooth handover before taking up his role as the new Headteacher of Windlesham School in Also, please could we ask all Parents September 2017. and Carers to check the Portal to ensure you have informed the School about any Mr Ingrassia was born in Italy and migrated with his family to allergies your child might have. Melbourne, Australia, as a boy. After completing his education at La Trobe University, he moved to London in 1993.

He has over 20 years’ experience in education, having worked in both The Prefects for next term the UK and Australia, teaching in a range of independent, state and are as follows: Catholic schools. He is joining us from Russell House School in Kent, where he has been Deputy Headteacher for nearly 7 years. 3K Amelia Shaw Fiontan Warde-Robinson Mr Ingrassia now lives with his partner, Sonia, in the beautiful village of Limpsfield in Surrey, where he says he likes cooking but prefers 3M Isaac Grace eating. At weekends, he enjoys cycling (often with people who are Orla Magee fitter than him) and he is also a keen walker.

4B Monte Batten Graham Rowlands-Hempel, Chair of the Governors, said: “We are Katie Connolly delighted that such an outstanding educator, who shares our core values of kindness, respect for others and joy in learning, is joining us.” 4C Harry Underwood Eli Wolfe-Naughton 5CM Zac Papanicola Facebook Jamie Peasgood For more photos and details of recent trips, don't forget 5M Molly Christie-Miller to check out our Facebook page Harry Short www.facebook.com/WindleshamSchool which is regularly updated with news of the latest events and activities.

2 General news

Secondary School places awarded in 2017

Our Year 6 Windlesham pupils have achieved great success this year with many children getting their first choice of secondary school, be it either independent or maintained. The Year 6 pupils are a credit to the School and we are very proud of them all.

The table below reflects the places and awards offered by the wide range of Schools applied to by the families this year.

During the Summer term, Headteachers and School Liaison Officers will visit the Year 6 pupils whilst they are still at Windlesham School. The Headmaster of Roedean, Mr Blond, recently visited the girls from Windlesham School who are due to join Roedean in September 2017.

Secondary School* Places and Awards Offered (as at 31.03.17)

Brighton College and St Christopher’s 1 Academic and All Rounder Sport Scholarship; 3 places and Hove High School 1 Academic and Bursary Scholarship; 3 places 3 Academic Sponsorships; 1 Academic and Bursary Girls School Scholarship; 1 Academic and Bursary Scholarship; 3 places Cardinal Newman 2 places Dorothy Stringer 5 places Hove Park 3 places 1 Academic Scholarship; 2 places King’s School 5 places Prep 3 places Old Grammar School 4 Awards; 1 Headmaster Award; 2 places High School 1 place 3 Headmaster Awards; 1 Sussex Scholarship (Academic); 1 Sport Scholarship; 1 Academic and Dance Scholarship; 1 Academic Scholarship; 1 Academic and Sport Scholarship; 2 places 4 places Steyning Grammar 1 place Varndean 2 places

* in alphabetical order 3 School Trips

Year 1 trip to Plumpton

On Tuesday, 21st March, Year 1 went to Plumpton Agricultural College. The weather was exceptionally kind to us and we enjoyed a gorgeous sunny day. We had a wonderful time meeting lots of different people, learning about the animals and exploring the farm. We all got to stroke a little piglet which was incredibly cute. We also saw some lambs. A particular highlight was the lamb performing an extremely bouncy dance, so we all decided to name the lamb ‘Spring’.

The children had the opportunity to visit the milking parlour as well as meeting the cows that produce the milk. All in all, it was a great day out and we came back to school exhausted but full of fresh country air and special memories.

Reporters: Mrs Flack and Miss Higgs

4 Diary

Summer Term Dates

MONDAY, 24TH APRIL Staff INSET Day

TUESDAY, 25TH APRIL Term starts

MONDAY, 1ST MAY Bank Holiday (School Closed) Special Farewell Event MONDAY, 29TH MAY – FRIDAY, 2ND JUNE INCLUSIVE Thursday, 6th July 2017 at 6.00pm Half Term Holiday at BHASVIC

FRIDAY, 7TH JULY This year, we shall be hosting a special event to say farewell Term ends to Mrs Bennett-Odlum. This will take place at the ‘End of Year Presentations to Pupils in Years 3 to 6’ which is going to be held at MONDAY, 4TH SEPTEMBER Autumn term starts BHASVIC.

All our families are invited to attend these celebrations if they would like to. Parents and Carers of children in the Lower School are welcome to attend with their family. Further details will follow next Please refer to the School Website for 2017/2018 Term Dates: term. www.windleshamschool.co.uk

‘Wear a Hat’ for charity Friday, 31st March 2017

Our Year 6 Charity Representatives: Aryan; Austin; Monty; Olivia; Sasha and Thomas, invited all pupils (and staff!) to wear a hat for charity, today. This is a fund-raising event to support the work of the Brain Tumour Research charity and we thank you for your generous donations.

5 Sports news

Windlesham School Chess Club

We have had two chess groups running this term: a Tuesday group for Year 3’s and a Thursday group for Year 4’s, 5’s and 6’s. However, most of the Tuesday group has also been coming on Thursday so that all the chess players could take part in a single tournament - the first level of the Delancey UK Schools Chess Challenge. The qualifiers go from this challenge English Schools to play in the Sussex Area Megafinal on Swimming Competition Saturday, 29th April in Hassocks. The swimming team performed brilliantly at the English Schools Competition on 20th March, winning Congratulations to all who took part for a fighting spirit both the Freestyle relay and Medley relay events. and a willingness, in many cases, to face opponents both older and stronger. After seven hard-fought All schools from Sussex are invited to attend, rounds, the overall winner was Alex Riley on 19 points therefore to be first in both events is a massive who wins the School Chess Champion 2017 trophy. achievement. Also, going through to the Megafinal is the U10s We have now qualified to compete in the next winner, Aywin Lau, on 18 points, the U9s winner, Max stage of the competition, the Regional final, which Swift, on 16 and the U8s winner, Ollie Hoffman, on 12. will include all counties from the South of . Nathanael Andrawos also qualifies for the Megafinal This will take place in Guildford in May. Well done on 17 points and Sonny Hudson came very close to the Year 6 swimming team who were a credit to on 16. The games were generally played with great Windlesham. The team members were: Sasha, Rosa, enthusiasm and it was a pity so few could go through. Austin, Harry T, Hannah, Olivia, Bella, Alex R and However, with all the schools in Sussex able to send Caitlin. entries to a single event, numbers are necessarily Reporter: Mr Lambert limited.

The players in the two groups range from beginners to Miss Kennedy and Mr Ferries a few who already have ECF Rapidplay grades. This term, all the players have got used to setting up the A final reminder that two members of staff are preparing to pieces correctly, naming the squares, learning some take part in the Brighton marathon this April: Miss Kennedy of the trickier manoeuvres and playing with clocks. in Year 3 and our ICT Technician, Mr Ferries. We are aiming for more study and progress next term when each group will have some coaching, take home Miss Kennedy is running in aid of Pancreatic Cancer UK. some practice exercises and play in a mini-all-play-all You can find out more about Miss Kennedy’s story at within their group, with a chance to analyse some of www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ their games and learn some tactics to surprise their CharlotteKTeamPanCanUK opponents. Mr Ferries is running for Link to Hope which helps to rebuild communities in Eastern Europe by supporting the poorest Reporter: Ms Chadwick and most marginalised people through education and social care projects: www.linktohope.co.uk

6 Performances

Year One assembly - there’s a sunflower in my supper On a fabulous, sunny Friday morning all the Year One parents packed into the School Hall ready to watch our show. The children delighted the audience with their amazing singing, dancing and acting. We were extremely proud of the children and their confidence shone through. Reporter: Miss Higgs

Year Two Roman assembly Congratulations to all the children in Year 2 who performed brilliantly when delivering their Roman assembly. The children shared so many interesting facts through songs and excellent acting. The audience certainly understood why the Romans were so important and could see clearly, how they have made an impact on life for us all today. Well done to everyone. Reporter: Mrs Bennett-Odlum

7 Friends of Windlesham

FOW Coffee Mornings from 8.30am - 10.00am Noticeboard Dyke Road Café Thanks to your wonderful efforts to support FOW fundraising, we have been able to fund: We are pleased to introduce a set of regular coffee mornings where, as parents, we can get together, build friendships, spend time with New swimming pool equipment members of the School management team, have a voice in FOW and An outdoor canopy for the Nursery hear interesting speakers on matters highly relevant to our little ones.

Tea, coffee and light bites will be provided. The first set of coffee 3 iPads for Year 3 mornings will be by year group on the following dates: Investment in the school garden Tuesday, 2nd May: Nursery and Reception THANK YOU! Thursday, 18th May: Years 1 and 2

Tuesday, 6th June: Years 3 and 4 Thursday, 15th June: Years 5 and 6 **

** This coffee morning will finish at 9:30am and will be followed by an Remember FOW is here to represent the E-Safety workshop for Year 5 and 6 Parents and Carers at School. whole parent body. If you have an idea or This is a very worthwhile and pertinent topic with this age group. would like to get involved, please get in Further details to follow. touch!

It’s a great way to meet new people and a fabulous way to have a positive impact on SAVE THE DATE!! ANNUAL AGM the school. with new quiz night, eats and bar on Tuesday, 19th September 2017 from 7.00 - 9.00pm

Please come and join the fun, meet other parents and help the Windlesham community

Want to get involved or simply join in the fun? Please email [email protected]

8 Achievements

Merit Badges The following children are to be congratulated for tremendous effort or positive attitude (as at 31st March 2017):

Lower School Teddy Twibill, Idrees Al-Radhi, Kaine Lloyd-Mead, Primrose Middleton, Olivya Rose- Middleton, Kai Anderson, Arthur Farnell, Jackson Lloyd, Zack Levy, Yuvi Sharma, Florence Cooper-Seel, Freddie James, Abdullah Khan, Oscar Courtnage, Willow Faulkner-Weale, Shayan Hashmat and Mabel Horner.

Upper School Freddie Salter, Lola Sahi, Monte Batten, Will Gardner, Zac Papanicola, Harry Short, Maria Veness, Poppy Hawkes, Fiontan Warde-Robinson, Buckley Phillips, Billy Williams, Eli Wolfe- Naughton, Sonny Hudson, George Lazanakis, Alfie White, Olivia Simmonds, Ronas Ekinci, Maria Coego, Beau Ruff, Astrid Berman, Rocco Loudoun, Sam Thomasson and Orla Magee. Owls Awards The following children have been congratulated for good work (as at 31st March 2017): Nathaniel Baars-Benny, Betsy Avey, Arthur Farnell, Elias Luikenga, Arabella Middleton, Emily Packwood, Joel Burman, Summer Dymott-Gamblin, Sienna King, Marina Abadi, Charlie Littlefield, Lila Zimmerman, Gussee Berman, Michael Ojo, James Twibill, Zoe Cheal, Sebastian Nicholson, Buckley Phillips, Elsa Urbanski-Dean, Rhea Ayling, Oliver Double, Theo Elyas, Amelia Shaw, Betty Lamb, Beau Ruff, George Daiches, Zachary Hootman, Astrid Berman, Theo Wells, Emma Adams, Daisy Boyle, Daniel Abadi, Evie Flack, Alexander Kirwan, Thomas Brooks, Clementina Hastings and Samuel Thomasson. Speech and Drama Exams On Wednesday, 22nd March, a New Era examiner visited the School to examine our Junior Drama group taking a Choral verse exam. Huge congratulations to all those involved. A Distinction Mark was gained. Well Done to all the pupils who took part.

190 Dyke Road, Brighton, BN1 5AA Telephone 01273 553645 www.windleshamschool.co.uk

Newsletter Editor: Mrs S Blaylock

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