EWELL CASTLE PREPARATORY SCHOOL March 2016 Newsletter INTRODUCTION One of the aims of an independent preparatory school is to produce fully rounded individuals who can stand and talk, with some degree of self-confidence and presence, to a wide variety of different audiences by the time they reach Year 6. This includes guests during Open Mornings – stage presence and good oratory skills are essential then of course (future leaders and managers in the making!) But just how do we prepare and educate children for that? The answer is in many different ways over the years, but it is definitely a life-skill that has come to my mind in particular this term. Theatre in Woking to learn about the been developed and their vocabulary ‘All the world’s a stage, and all the ‘Incredible Invaders.’ They really has broadened. As if this wasn’t men and women merely players’ revelled in the modern twist of the wealth of opportunity enough, at use of 3D glasses in the second half. times, depending on the play, they Ewell Castle Preparatory School has have received reinforcement of their had an English and Performance For Year 3 pupils this was also history or other in-class studies. emphasis across the whole school the term of their Words and Music since January. We have enjoyed Concert, the Ewell Castle Prep It has been a super three months, visiting theatre group plays at School’s version of Britain’s Got children, and you all deserve a both Chessington Lodge and Glyn Talent. It was their chance to shine in restful and enjoyable Easter break House, seeing ‘Aesop’s Fables’ front of their parents and shine they as I myself depart ‘stage left’. I and ‘The Search for the Lost Tomb’ did, Mr Harris had a lovely evening will miss you all and will always be respectively. The children in Early with them. thinking of everyone at Ewell Castle Years also went to the Polka Theatre warmly and wishing you all future So, how have these experiences to enjoy ‘Paper Dolls’. happiness and success. supported the children in their Meanwhile children in Year 6 passed learning? As well as an obvious It only remains for me to send my auditions to take part, and for our immersion in the world of story, very best wishes to all parents, Head Boy to take a lead role, in the and fostering possible aspirations pupils, staff and governors for the whole school production of ‘Oliver!’ of future involvement in dramatic final time. at the Epsom Playhouse; which was productions, they have learnt stage With respect and affection, a roaring success. (Their peers and presence, voice projection, plot and I enjoyed the matinee tremendously suspense. They have experienced Mrs Michelle Phillips and wanted to collect autographs!). characterisation, scene setting and pace. Emotions have been explored Head of Preparatory School Later in the term Years 3 to 5 in safe environments, whilst the travelled to the New Victoria actors suffer instead. Empathy has www.ewellcastle.co.uk @EwellCastleUK YEAR 2 VISIT TO THE LIGHTBOX IN WOKING On Wednesday 2nd March, Year materials and their uses in sculptures The ladies were educating and Two children visited the beautiful and paintings. informative, and a super time was Lightbox art gallery and museum in had by all. The afternoon focused on our own Woking. We spent our first session use of materials; we were given the looking around the exhibits to Mrs S Fowler challenge of making our own 3D art discover that appearances can be gallery, complete with art frames and deceptive. We learnt about different Plasticine sculptures. Studying the weight and texture of Making our own 3D art gallery Appearances can be deceptive: different materials looking at the fibreglass sculpture from all angles, even up his nose! OLIVER! This term definitely seems to be emerging as one of ‘production and performance’ with Year 6 going to see their peers in the school production of ‘Oliver!’ at the Epsom Playhouse. It really was an outstanding show, worthy of the London stage actually and a joy to behold. My congratualtions to all those responsible at the Senior School and to our own Joe, Isha, Katie, Nicholas, Harry, Mandy, Ben and Sarah. Not to mention Mr Robson who built the scenery and stage managed every show! Mrs M Phillips 2 WORLD BOOK DAY AT CHESSINGTON LODGE AND GLYN HOUSE SCHOOL COUNCIL 3 ART It has been a busy term for the Prep School Art Department during the Spring Term. All the children have worked extremely hard and the results speak for themselves. Year 3 have been working on Miro’s fantasy pictures by showing their own fantasies in colourful paintings. Year 3 also worked on fruit baskets with added fruits to complement their Science education on healthy eating. Year 4 enjoyed working on Karel Appel’s childlike paintings of cats working in their own style. Year 5 worked carefully on their animal silhouettes together with Mondrian’s precise primary colour pictures. Year 6 worked with great enthusiasm on Picasso faces resulting in fine pieces of work. Mrs A Rowe 4 SPORT U8 RUGBY U9 RUGBY U10/11 RUGBY The boys really enjoyed their first The U9s can be hugely proud of their The boys enjoyed an encouraging competitive season of tag-rugby efforts this season. They showed but largely frustrating season with together. They trained with smiles on great commitment in the inter-school all but one of their fixtures being their faces and got to grips quickly fixtures and played right up until the called off due the poor weather. with what was required of them. final whistle. The highlight of the Nonetheless the boys trained hard Tag-rugby is a good test of the boys’ season was a memorable victory all season. Mastering the basics evasive skills and plenty of work was against Homefield School with the of passing, tackling and rucking is done to improve their running skills. boys securing an 8-7 victory. In other always essential at this level and The interplay between the boys matches they put up strong showings plenty of hard work and effort went significantly improved as the season against Reigate St.Mary’s and in to developing these crucial skills. progressed but continued work in Aberdour and in their final game they There was plenty of endeavour this area is required next season and were beaten by a strong Chinthurst and good play shown in the House beyond. In the inter-school fixtures side. Throughout the season the boys matches where all boys were able the boys put up a good showing showed a high level of dedication in to play competitively against their against Micklefield School and were training but continued work on the peers. A closely fought competition only defeated by one try against basics of tackling and passing is was eventually won by Raleigh. The Chinthurst. In this fixture the ‘B’ team essential for progression in this sport. most improved player of the season gained a deserved draw. I look forward Nicholas Bosman and Luke Davies was awarded to Jason Lim and the to the continued development of the richly deserved being awarded joint player of the season award was given boys next year as they begin to learn player of the season. Well done to all to Luca Shaw. contact rugby skills as they progress the boys. to U9 level. Mr N Andrade U8/U9 HOCKEY U10/U11 HOCKEY MIXED HOCKEY The U8/U9s have been working The U10s and U11s have played The U10/U11s played some hard with Miss Wilkinson and Mrs several tough matches this term. The exciting matches against Weston Cunnington on all the hockey skills As and Bs beat Micklefield back in Green in February. The U9s played needed to develop their game such January 4-2 and 2-1 respectively. against Weston Green in March and as dribbling, passing, tackling and drew their game. shooting. They played an early They played Aberdour in March and match against Aberdour and put fought hard. The A team won 3-3, in a good performance against a the B team drew 3-3 and the C team tough opposition. lost 5-3. They were working hard as a team, passing well and attacking the In March they played a mini opposition with great effort. tournament against Chinthurst and the progress since January was The U10s and U11s enjoyed their clear. They were passing to each House hockey afternoon with exciting other and working as a team to matches between the 3 Houses. score goals against the opposition. Raleigh won with a goal difference of one goal. Castlemaine a close second, and Essex in third place. If you want to improve your hockey why not join a hockey club next September and play at the weekends with your friends? Epsom hockey club - http://www.epsomhc.co.uk/juniors/ Surbiton hockey club - http://www.surbitonhc.com/ 5 SPORTS DAY - YEARS 1 AND 2 GRAND MULTIPLICATION CHALLENGE AESOPS VISITING THEATRE COMPANY TO CHESSINGTON LODGE LETTERS ARRIVE FROM OUR SPANISH PENPALS This term the children in Year 5 were time to practice very excited to receive letters from their language their Spanish penpals. They had sent skills writing letters Christmas cards and were eagerly to get to know awaiting replies which finally arrived each other before at the end of February. The Spanish they finally meet children are at a school near Avila up next year. and we will be visiting them during the Spanish Trip in May 2017. In the Mrs B Grierson meantime the children have plenty of 6 RECEPTION VISIT THE BROOKLANDS MUSEUM, WEYBRIDGE Pupils in Reception went to visit even got to sit in a Formula One Brooklands Museum as part of their car! The children were very excited Transport topic.