>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> TitleSpring of page Term to Edition go here 2016

newsA selective independent day school for girls aged 2-16 in Surrey

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE...

AWARDS & DEVELOPMENTS 1 PRE-PREP 6 JUNIOR SCHOOL 8 SENIOR SCHOOL 10 “

An individual approach to academic success.

“ - 1 - @ManorHseSchoolFollow us on www.manorhouseschool.org Twitter@MHSDeputy and Find us on Facebook manorhousesch News and Developments >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Welcome Upcoming Open Mornings Tuesday 26th April Saturday 1st October

Open Morning News Following the huge success of last October’s Saturday open morning at which we welcomed over 250 visitors, our Autumn term open morning in 2016 will be held several weeks earlier to better accommodate families. This year it will be on Saturday 1st October. Life at Manor House is always busy, stimulating and lively and this year In the meantime, we will be opening our doors again is no exception. We have been on Tuesday 26th April. delighted to announce this term that from September 2016 our new Head To help with catering and allocating tour guides, we ask that families advise Teacher will be Ms Tracey Fantham. [email protected] if they plan to attend an event. We Ms Fantham has been Head Teacher are happy to arrange individual tours outside of these dates and for at Blenheim High School in Epsom for mid-year entry. 5 years and has accomplished a great deal in moving the school forward. Her teaching background is in PE Educating for the and Psychology and Blenheim have SPaG for embraced iPad technology in much Future – iPads the same way as we have done here Senior Entrance at Manor House. Manor House School was one of the fi rst schools in our locality to integrate iPads into Examinations Ms Fantham is very much looking the Senior School curriculum. We now have forward to working more closely with At our Entrance Examinations Day on every student in Years 7, 8 and 9 with their own 12th January, we welcomed candidates the girls and getting to know all of our iPad to use in lessons and for homework. families. I am very confi dent that she applying for a place in our Senior is the ideal person to take our school Our girls are educated for the future. We Department. Once more this year, the on to the next stage in its development believe that it is vital for pupils to be able to number of external applicants outweighed and am excited to be working with her use technology wisely and effectively. Why? the number of places available. Entry to over the coming few months. By using equipment that they enjoy outside our Senior Department is based upon of school, they develop the skills that will both academic performance in these In the meantime, we will not be allow them to adapt in a rapidly changing examinations and the outcome of an standing still. Rehearsals for our technological world and be one step ahead interview. We will be introducing Spelling, Senior production of “Billy Elliott” are of the competition in their future careers. We Punctuation and Grammar assessments underway; plans for our Forest School use iPads to enhance their research and from January 2017 in order to gain a for Pre-Prep girls are moving forwards digital skills within the classroom and not broader view of girls’ academic ability. and Year 11 pupils are working to replace traditional learning. This allows Our Entrance Examination day for girls extremely hard in preparation for the girls to be taught how to use technology GCSE examinations next term. applying for a place in September 2017 responsibly and how to have good internet will be on Tuesday 10th January 2017. Zara Axton, Headmistress fi lters and controls in place to keep them Registrations are now being taken by safe. The iPads also have the added benefi t [email protected]. of reducing paper usage as part of our green school initiative.

- 2 - News from Manor House School - Spring Term Edition 2016 Follow us on Twitter@ManorHseSchool and Find us on Facebook >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> News and Developments

New Leadership Tracey Fantham will join Manor House School as our new Head Teacher from 1st September 2016. Ms Fantham is committed to continuing with the nurturing ethos and academic success of Manor House. Ms Fantham has said “I am delighted to be taking over leadership of Manor Kids House School. As a Head, it is important to have IN THE KITCHEN a real belief in the ethos of the school you are leading and I believe that pupils succeed in an environment that values them as individuals, where they are thoroughly happy and where they achieve more than they thought possible. I believe that Manor House is such a school and I am looking forward to working with the students, parents and staff to build further on the school’s success.” Ms Fantham currently has full accountability for the strategic leadership and operation of Blenheim High school, a co-educational academy with 1,350 students and 160 staff. Ms Fantham will be joining us at our open Holiday Club morning on Tuesday 26th April from 9.30am. To book a place please contact [email protected]. Introduction The fi rst Kids in the Kitchen holiday club will take place at Manor House School during February half-term. Following a popular Christmas taster session Forest School Launch attended by over 60 local children, Kids We are making great progress with establishing a Forest School for the Pre-Prep in the Kitchen is taking bookings for the pupils and will be launching our Forest School offi cially in September 2016. 15th-18th February and will be returning in the Easter Holidays. Forest School is a unique way of building independence and self-esteem in children, through practical, hands-on learning experiences in a woodland Kids in the Kitchen is the perfect choice environment. Children learn to recognise and assess risk for themselves, for boys and girls aged 5-13 who love helping to develop life-long skills. At Manor House, we are lucky to have our own to cook and create. Club days run extensive grounds, which provide an ever-changing learning environment for our from 10am-3.30pm and offer generous girls. We look forward to sharing more of our Forest School plans with you later helpings of fun and an expertly planned in the year. programme designed to develop new skills created by expert chef and cookery author, Valentina Harris.

Our purpose built cookery and art room facilities provide the perfect environment for children to socialise, make new friends and develop new skills during the holidays. For full information and to book, visit www.kidsinthekitchen.co.uk or call: 01372 869646.

- 3 - News from Manor House School - Spring Term Edition 2016 Follow us on Twitter@ManorHseSchool and Find us on Facebook Recognition and Awards >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Area Finalist: Royal Mail Young Letter Writing Competition

Congratulations to our English Department and in particular to Abi in Year 9, for being selected as area fi nalist out of nearly 100,000 letters in the Royal Mail’s Young Letter Writer Competition. During February, a panel of judges, including TV presenter Helen Skelton, will select the Area Winners and Overall Winners from the 120 Area Finalists. An excellent achievement and we wish Abi every success. Abi wrote her letter to the Careers School Lunches: Department of the RAF so that she might be considered as a Typhoon Pilot – ambition Best in the UK indeed! Inspiring and nutritious food is a very important part of our pupil care at Manor House. Our focus is on Rotary’s 2016 Youth delivering creative, delicious food that engages and inspires girls, whilst also Speaks Trophy safeguarding their health and wellbeing. Manor House School celebrated its Our on-site Catering team, Holroyd debut at the Rotary’s 2016 Youth Speaks Howe, are offi cially the Best Caterers Competition by winning the Intermediate in Britain, as voted by the industry’s (11-13 years) local heat trophy. national awards scheme, the Foodservice Cateys. Holroyd Howe Beating teams from nearby schools were commended by judges for their including St John’s, Box Hill, St Teresa’s ‘innovative’ menus and commitment and Downsend, Manor House’s victorious to sourcing local ingredients. This Year 9 team (Abigail, Jennifer and Isabella) explains why lunch is always such a triumphed with their speeches on ‘Ying popular event at Manor House! With a and Yang: Fighting for Harmony in Gender daily lunch menu including a choice of Equality’ and will go through to the district two hot options, locally sourced produce semi-fi nal in Oxsted in late February. wherever possible, fresh vegetables, soups, baguettes, hot desserts, a Year 8 team (Candice, Emma and Kathleen) yoghurt and salad bar and fresh fruit, were third in the running order with their it’s not surprising. That is not forgetting speeches on ‘Why Do We Always Want match teas and theme week menus. More?’

Head of English, Mrs Mayes, said: “I am immensely proud of the girls’ achievements. Both teams shone amongst tough competition.”

The evening offered up almost two hours of gripping, inspiring and entertaining presentations.

Record Heritage Day Visitors

Manor House opened its doors on Saturday 12th September as part of the Heritage Weekend celebrations, a national scheme where visitors can look around buildings and sites of historic interest which are normally not open to the general public. Manor House had nearly 200 visitors during the day, including some of our alumnae, who explored the house and looked at displays of photos and other items from our archives. All were very complimentary of our beautiful Queen Anne building and well-kept grounds and we were delighted to showcase our school to the local community.

- 4 - News from Manor House School - Spring Term Edition 2016 Follow us on Twitter@ManorHseSchool and Find us on Facebook >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Recognition and Awards Surrey’s Most Beautiful School Joins Open Gardens Day

In December, Manor House School achieved sixth place in the Daily Telegraph’s UK Top 10 Most Beautiful Schools list ahead of Eton, Stowe and Downside. Zara Axton, Headmistress, said: “We are delighted that the beauty of our school – and the way in which it benefi ts our girls – has been recognised at a national level.” Many of our parents came forward to comment on how our school’s setting benefi ted their daughters. As a result of the award, we will be participating in Bookham Open Gardens Day on Sunday 19th June by opening up our gardens to the local community. Proceeds go to the upkeep of the Old Barn Hall, a valued community facility. For more information visit www.opengardens.co.uk.

Royal Recognition Stage Stars Drama is always a HRH Princess Alexandra and our very own Manor House girls were photographed popular element in together at St James’s Palace in a privately captured thank you to the School for our our curriculum and continued support of Head Girl, Helen the Queen Mother’s Newhall, showed Clothing Guild, a charity off her acting skills of which she is Royal and confi dence Patron. Over the last when she took the 125 years, the Guild has lead as Dorothy distributed thousands of in Leatherhead items of clothing. Last Operatic Society’s year, the Guild provided performance over 25,000 items of of the iconic new clothing for men, musical ‘The women and children Wizard of Oz’ at for local UK charities. the Leatherhead This year Manor House Theatre in December. Joining her on stage School donated over were fellow pupils Clara, Mollie and Olivia. 500 items to the cause.

(L to R) Helen N - Head Girl, Capucine H - Deputy Head Girl, HRH Princess Alexandra, Hannah B - Discovery House Captain, Gemma W - Senior Prefect, Mrs L Stephens, Latin and Classical Civilisation Teacher.

- 5 - News from Manor House School - Spring Term Edition 2016 Follow us on Twitter@ManorHseSchool and Find us on Facebook Pre-Prep >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

New ‘Music and Woodland Trust Movement’ Toddler Award

Group Here you can see some of the activities we have been doing to meet the criteria Manor House School’s ‘Music and Movement’ for the Woodland Trust Awards. Having Toddler Group launches on Thursday 25th now gained the Bronze Award from the February and will be held every Thursday Woodland Trust, the Nursery is now morning during term-time from 9:30-10:45am. working towards completing their Silver The informal group welcomes parents, Award. The girls have planted trees, grandparents and carers with children from 0- 5 year olds (boys and started a scrapbook online and have their girls) and includes a play session with music and craft activities plus story-time. Perfect for own nature scrapbooks, which they enjoy making new friends whilst enjoying some coffee and cake in our stunning, purpose-built enormously. They study trees, plants and facilities (£3.00 per visit all-inclusive). Please contact Jayne Roy, Nursery Manager, on nature in our very own outdoor classroom Tel: 01372 457077 to fi nd out more information. ‘The Dell’. Practical Learning

The importance of practical learning can never be under-estimated. Here are our Nursery girls pumpkin picking at Garson’s Farm in late October.

Grandparents’ Afternoon

Manor House Pre-Prep hosted its fi rst Grandparents’ Afternoon in October. The event was a huge success and began with a showcase of work by each class: Year 2 performed a special dance from the musical ‘Cats’; Year 1 shared some lovely artwork and spoke confi dently about why they loved their grandparents; and Nursery and Reception gave a rousing fi nale by singing one of their favourite songs, ‘Big Red Combine Harvester’.

Our special visitors then enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea, followed by a personal tour of the Pre-Prep classrooms. The girls proudly shared their work and presented their grandparents with a hand-made coaster to mark the occasion. One happy visitor commented, “As grandparents, it was so interesting to have an insight into everyday life at Manor House and the children’s entertainment was brilliant.”

- 6 - News from Manor House School - Spring Term Edition 2016 Follow us on Twitter@ManorHseSchool and Find us on Facebook >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pre-Prep Reception Class - Taster Day Fun

In November, we held a Reception Class Taster Morning, welcoming girls from Manor House Nursery and other local nursery settings. The morning started with some rather messy (but equally fun) bonfi re themed hand painting with the girls creating a ‘Fireworks in the Sky’ piece. Mr Edmeades, our specialist Drama teacher, worked with the girls to create a fun and inspiring ‘Firework Dance’. Mr Edmeades is a regular Choreographer for CBeebies and has choreographed ‘Zingzillas’ series 1 to 4, ‘Gigglebiz’ series 1 to 4, ‘Justin’s House’ and the forthcoming ‘Spot Bots’ for CBeebies (January 2016). Last summer he choreographed ‘The Tale of Mr Tumble’ starring Justin Fletcher at The Manchester Opera House and has performed with CBeebies Live. For more information on our Reception 2016 class in-take, please contact [email protected].

Weald and Downland Open Air History and Museum Trip Headmistresses Our Pre-Prep girls recently spent time with former Headmistresses of Manor House School, Mrs Alison Morris, Mrs Joan Findlay and Mrs Linda Mendes, talking about the history of Manor House. Here are some of the girls proudly displaying some of the extensive collection of archived photographs kept in the Library which Mrs Morris very kindly shared with them.

Visit to St Paul’s Cathedral

Taking part in the Great Fire of London workshop as part of Year 2’s History topic last term.

- 7 - News from Manor House School - Spring Term Edition 2016 Follow us on Twitter@ManorHseSchool and Find us on Facebook Junior Highlights >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Academic Studies – The Romans

During the Autumn term, Year 3 went to Chichester to the home of Celtic King Cogidubnus to learn about the lives of the Celts and the Romans after the Romans invaded Great Britain over 2000 years ago. During the practical workshop, the girls learnt what it was like to be slaves and took part in various activities from working in the kitchen to grinding wheat into fl our to learning how to weave using yarn. Learning how a Celtic round house was constructed was quite a feat. The highlight of the workshop was when Annika was chosen to be dressed as a ceremonial Celtic princess with Evie dressed in a toga and long cloak.

The girls also viewed the amazing mosaic fl oors of the palace and learnt how it was heated, sketching some beautiful examples of the fl oor patterns, before exploring the gardens.

Year 6 trip to ‘Young Voices’ at the O2

Year 6 had an amazing experience on the 26th January as they joined the biggest children’s choir in the world. It was thrilling to see the O2 fi lled with about 7500 children fl ashing white miniscule torches that looked like stars twinkling in the night sky. The O2 moves which certainly kept the audience “I was thrilled to see how big a Mexican was fi lled with energy and enthusiasm as and children entertained, as well as adding wave can get. Your eyes would just scroll many schools worked as a team to sing exciting moves to some of the songs. across the room following it.” Mae. songs, such as: ‘Get Loud’ and ‘Power in Me.’ The girls were joined with special guest The girls were pleased with their performance “I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited in stars, Miss Laura Wright, Beatbox Collective and to see that all of the prior rehearsals my life, it was a sensational show and I will and Tom Billington who helped them to sing during Music lessons had paid off. NEVER forget it.” Chloe. a variety of songs; ‘Video killed the radio star’ was a fi rm favourite. Urban Strides added a “It was an overwhelming experience that I’ll Written by J6R new dimension with dynamic street dance never forget.” Hope.

- 8 - News from Manor House School - Spring Term Edition 2016 Follow us on Twitter@ManorHseSchool and Find us on Facebook >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Junior Highlights Literacy Standards Science Focus In Year 4, pupils discussed how diffi cult it must have been to be evacuated as a child in World War II. Following research, they decided to put themselves A trip to Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium ‘in the shoes’ of an evacuee and write letters to their mothers back in London. Museum saw our Year 5 girls off to the International We could not help but get a little emotional as the girls wrote with such heart- Space Station, learning about chemical reactions felt sentiment. Here is Jessica’s (aged 9) letter, an example of the writing in the making of bath bombs and participating in a capability of our Year 4: kitchen workshop.

Dearest Mother, Year 5 experienced hands-on science at the Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium where I hated leaving you by the station. A delicate tear fell down my they were free to explore the huge number of practical exhibits including launching parachutes, recording and face because I was terrifi ed to think that it might be the last time changing sounds and walking through the lower half of of seeing you ever again. a human digestive system to name but a few. After a talk about our solar system and beyond in the Anyhow, I am with a very kind hearted family who live on a farm Planetarium, the girls were fascinated by the links made with chickens and pigs and guess what there is a big black and to Ancient Greek mythology and the constellations. white animal. Weirdly it gives us milk and I have it on my crunchy They also took part in a kitchen science investigation cereal. It’s delicious! workshop and had to identify different white powders, using dissolving, pH indication and decision charts to Is Father safe? Jacob and I sleep in the same bedroom. My bed make the fi nal decision. The day ended making bath is bright pink and Jacob’s is light blue. We cuddle our teddies and bombs using 3 of the 4 white powders that they had wish you were here as Mrs Belding tucks us in and reads us a identifi ed. It was a full day of learning and investigation. bedtime story. It’s very kind of her but I wish it was you reading.

We have started school. It’s called Rosefi eld Primary School. My teacher is very pretty and very kind. I love playtime the most but sometimes I see other children playing war and it makes me think of Father and I start to worry about him and you, of course.

Please try to come and stay for at least a day as I have so much to show you. Please tell me if Father is safe. I heard on the News that there was a bomb near London. I love you terribly. Please stay safe.

Anne (and Jacob, of course). (Author; Jessica S, Class J4D).

Parlez-vous Francais?

All the Juniors thoroughly enjoyed the performance of ‘Parlez-vous Francais?’ Ben had injured himself during a school ski trip in France and found himself in a French hospital with no English speakers. He enlisted the help of Manor House girls to help him communicate and they were very happy to oblige! Their knowledge of French enabled him to communicate with the nurse and other patients, and helped the nurse in her diagnosis.

Year 4 have been learning to say what they think about different toys in French and decided to have a toy ‘sale’ in the classroom to practise buying and selling. They were very polite and managed very well with euros!

- 9 - News from Manor House School - Spring Term Edition 2016 Follow us on Twitter@ManorHseSchool and Find us on Facebook Senior Highlights >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Starting Seniors

Promoting teamwork, confi dence and friendship, Years 7, 8 and 9 started the academic year with our Senior trip to Swanage which integrates new joiners and year groups. Look out for information on the exciting start planned for September 2016!

- 10 - News from Manor House School - Spring Term Edition 2016 Follow us on Twitter@ManorHseSchool and Find us on Facebook >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Senior Highlights Edible History In a recent Year 7 History lesson the girls examined how William the Conqueror controlled England. Naomi and Hannah both made an edible model of a Motte and Bailey Castle (Naomi’s is shown here). It was far less successful at fi ghting off the hungry Year 7 attackers than the castles of 1066 would have been. Both were very tasty. Classical Civilisation and Latin Trip The focus of the Year 8 British Museum trip was to visit the museum’s Greek & Roman galleries. In Year 8, half our pupils study Classical Civilisation and half study Latin. Girls examined the frieze of the procession through ancient Athens up to the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis, all for Athene’s birthday. They made a human ‘pediment’ (see photo) to show the triangular shape area on a Greek temple, and to show how the fi gures must stand in the centre and lie down at the corners to fi ll the space. There was time to look closely at the Greek pots, examining the different styles and myths depicted. Our Latin students went upstairs to the Roman galleries to look at items from daily life including a gladiator helmet as well as some letters written by soldiers at Vindolanda, a fort on Hadrian’s Wall. One of the museum’s educators spoke in their lecture theatre downstairs about Ancient Greek architecture and the history of the Elgin Marbles.

Science Museum S7 ventured to the Science Museum. They spent time in the interactive ‘Who am I?’ gallery and experienced live demonstrations whilst there. Spending time in the Space and The Modern World galleries opened their eyes to what is out there and how the world has changed. In the afternoon our girls were lucky to have a personal performance of the rocket show. Here they explored Newton’s three laws with explosions galore!

- 11 - News from Manor House School - Spring Term Edition 2016 Follow us on Twitter@ManorHseSchool and Find us on Facebook Senior Highlights >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> German Celebrations at Reed’s School

Girls learning German in Years 7 and 8 were guests at Reed’s School for their annual German Christmas celebration. Our pupils learnt about decorations, food, music and Christmas markets and enjoyed looking at an excellent selection of typical handmade decorations and toys. They tried Stollen, Lebkuchen and Spekulatius and then tackled the most ambitious part of the morning - making their own gingerbread houses.

In anticipation of their forthcoming German exchange Senior girls have been learning about cafes, restaurants and food, They spent a lesson acting out role plays in a restaurant although not necessarily making healthy choices from the menu.

Film Club and Theatre – Modern Foreign Languages

On Tuesdays after school, Senior linguists can join our Languages Film Club to immerse themselves in the world of their chosen foreign language to promote their linguistic speaking skills. Nearly thirty linguists from Year 7 through to Year 11 had fun at the Spanish fi lm club watching ‘Manolito Gafotas’ and ‘El Laberinto del Fauno’. Whilst linguists from Years 7-9 enjoyed a tale of a funny French family in ‘Le Petit Nicolas’ and quirky Parisian life in ‘Amelie’ at French Film Club. About 80 girls across Years 7-11 enjoyed the hilarious performance of the French play ‘Les Garçons’ from the Onatti Theatre. The actors made it a really enjoyable experience, involving the audience and making the French easier to understand. Well done to Faiza, Elizabeth and Rhiannon for joining in. A la prochaine...till next time.

- 12 - News from Manor House School - Spring Term Edition 2016 Follow us on Twitter@ManorHseSchool and Find us on Facebook >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Whole School Founder’s Day Founder’s Day celebrates the founding of our school in 1920. It is held on the last day before October half term. A special service focuses on the history and traditions of Manor House and remembers our founders, Miss Elizabeth Green and Miss Lillian Wheeler. After the service, Zara Axton, Headmistress, accompanied by all the form captains, lays fl owers at the graveside of Miss Green and Miss Wheeler, which can be found in the churchyard of All Saints’ Church, Little Bookham, adjacent to Manor House School.

House Arts Our House Arts Festival is an event that builds leadership and teamwork skills with pupils from Year 3 to Year 10 working together and still ranks as one of the most popular in the school calendar. Each one of our three Houses – Discovery, Endeavour and Victory – are challenged to present a half hour of entertainment on a particular theme. This means that pupils socialise and work together across the age groups at break and lunch periods, led by Year 10. This is an event that builds friendships as well as confi dence and promotes our family through-school ethos. Each House must sing as a choir with songs themed accordingly and must include a musical item, Junior and Senior dance item and Junior and Senior drama item. Pupils design and make the scenery to refl ect their chosen theme and supplement this with 3D programmes. This year the winners were Victory, but the competition was by no means less fi erce!

- 13 - News from Manor House School - Spring Term Edition 2016 Follow us on Twitter@ManorHseSchool and Find us on Facebook Drama and Music >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Music

Soloist Recitals

For musical soloists, there are two music recitals for girls in Key Stages 2 to 4 held during the Autumn and Summer terms. Here are some memories of our Autumn term Junior Music Recitals.

Musical Responsibility

In addition our Music Prefect position (Viola, Year 11), there are other positions of responsibility in our Music Department including Head of Choir, Head of Orchestra and Junior Choir Captain.

Miss Ward, Director of Music, and Mrs Lewis had a wonderful lunchtime fi lled with performances and interviews by girls auditioning for Head of Orchestra and Head of Choir positions last term. Senior girls had to submit an application letter, perform a solo piece, sight-read a piece National and, for the Head of Choir, sight-sing a harmony part. Girls in the Juniors had Shakespeare to write a letter of application. The girls all demonstrated great enthusiasm and a Festival love for performing which was wonderful to see. Years 10 and 11 Drama GCSE groups performed an abridged version of The positions are rotated each term. Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Head of Choir - Lydia S, S10 Dream’ at the Leatherhead Theatre in Deputy Head of Choir - Lauren C, S9 November. Their performance was part of Head of Orchestra the Shakespeare Festival, a national event. The girls were outstanding and won praise Autumn Term – Emily H, S11, Jennifer G, for the way they communicated the magical, S9 (Deputy) comedic and romantic elements which Spring Term – Jennifer G, S9, Gemma T, combine to create one of Shakespeare’s S10 (Deputy) best loved plays. The whole production Summer Term – Emily I, S10, Rose H, looked wonderful with the girls wearing S10 (Deputy) a selection of sparkling costumes which Junior Choir Captains in Year 6 added to the magical theme. The girls playing the roles of ‘the mechanicals’ won Autumn Term – Zain A with Iris R and praise for the way that they brought out the Poppy W as Deputies humour of the piece as did the cast for their Spring Term - Isobel C and Lily W with use of movement, excellent diction and the Alice N and Olivia C as Deputies delivery and understanding of their lines. All the girls thoroughly enjoyed the experience and cannot wait to perform next year.

- 14 - News from Manor House School - Spring Term Edition 2016 Follow us on Twitter@ManorHseSchool and Find us on Facebook >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Drama and Music

‘Little Angel Gets Her Wings’

Our Pre-Prep Nativity Play in December proved to be the perfect way to end the school term showcasing some touching performances and dance routes including an opening Violin accompaniment to the Orchestra by our Reception girls.

Pupils staged the show live on BBC Surrey Radio in early December and you can hear a recording of their performance on our website at: manorhouseschool.org/departments/pre-prep/.

Musical Enrichment Trips

In addition to our Year 6 O2 Trip, pupils in Year 5 were treated to an orchestral concert at G-Live in January whilst members of orchestra and GCSE Music students attended Matthew Bourne’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’ at Woking Theatre in February.

The National Trust

Girls in the orchestra and choirs sang at The National Trust’s Hatchlands Park near Guildford, taking part in the property’s Winter opening. Our Junior choir then wowed audiences outside the café at the National Trust’s Edwardian country retreat, Polesden Lacey, in the last week of term.

- 15 - News from Manor House School - Spring Term Edition 2016 Follow us on Twitter@ManorHseSchool and Find us on Facebook Sport Highlights >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Cross Country Netball Our U12A Netball team made a very good start to the Autumn season. In four matches they scored an amazing 84 goals and had only 12 goals scored against U9’s Win First Place them. The most goals scored in one half an hour match by them was 28! Additionally, in just two matches the U12B team scored 34 goals and had no goals The U9, U10 and U11 Cross Country scored against them. teams competed at St Catherine’s School in September against 6 other Overall, they had an outstanding fi rst half to the season winning all of their matches schools, which meant there were about against Rosebery, Therfi eld, The Howard, Claremont, fi fty girls in each age group per race. Notre Dame, St. Teresa’s and Priors Field. In 12 The U10 and U11 girls ran well but the games they scored 190 goals and only had 30 goals U9 team came in with the fewest points scored against them. What a great team! to win fi rst place. A big well done to all In December, the U12’s team took part in a who ran, especially Fleur for whom it was tournament at King Edwards School, Witley Their a debut! fi rst game was against Hallgrove which they won 15-1. They then played against King Edwards and Surrey Cross Country won 21-0. They then won against Highfi eld 9-5 and Championships had to play King Edwards again in the semi-fi nal only to win 10-0. In the fi nal they At the time of going to press, Naomi in beat Hallgrove 15-1 fi nishing as Year 7 was selected to represent Central overall winners. Great play! Surrey at the Surrey Cross Country Well done to Kirsten W, Naomi T, Championships on the 23rd Jan. Cecilia C, Emily B, Hannah H, Verity P-J, Tilly B and Josie A. In the District Schools Cross Country Championships, our Year 7 team was In the U15 (shown here) and U16 3rd and our Year 8/9 team were 5th. District Netball Tournaments, play was of a very high standard and both teams performed very well. Our U16s came 4th in the competition.

Squash Equestrian Our congratulations to Becky Jordan We have a number of girls who regularly and her team mates who played in ride and compete in local events but who the Surrey U15 girls’ squash team. also have an alternative way in which In January they became National they like to capture the exhilaration of County runners-up losing to Yorkshire horse riding. Here is Holly’s (Year 11) in the Final. photograph of the Jockey, William Fox- Pitt, taken at Burghley Horse Trials late last year. He emailed Holly to say how Hockey much his team loved the photograph and posted it on his Facebook page. Here are the U12 Hockey team winning their 11 a-side match against Greenacre 7-0 with the highest hockey team match scores to date.

- 16 - News from Manor House School - Spring Term Edition 2016