Autumn 2018 Newsletter:Layout 1 3/10/18 18:01 Page 1 Merton Cour t news • Merton Cour t news Friends of Merton Court Events Autumn 2018 Friends of Merton Court (FOMC) also known as the Friends of Merton Court would like to thank everyone Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is an active and for supporting the events we host for you. They take lots integral part of Merton Court School. The principle aims of planning and hard work and could not take place of the FOMC are to engage in activities of all kinds – without the dedication of the committee members, staff social, educational and fund-raising –to further enhance and the many volunteers that help at the events. They the school-life of our children and their families. also rely on your termly subscription which in January This term we have a number of events planned. 2019 will increase to £20 per family, following discussion As always, we extend a warm welcome to all of our and a vote at the FOMC AGM. This contribution goes new parents who may wish to get involved. Remember, towards paying for events, minibus leasing, children’s you don’t need to be on the committee to help at any Christmas presents and other treats that benefit your of these events. children. We welcome any suggestions and help for L Family Disco – future fundraising events and we would welcome any ideas you and your children may have for future Friday 5 October (6.30-9pm) purchases with the funds we raise. Tickets on sale now from FOMC members. Following a very successful AGM at which the out - L Bonfire Night – going committee were praised for their hard work and Friday 9 November. fundraising, a new committee was voted in – further Gates will be open at 6pm. The fire will be lit at 7pm details of committee members including class ‘reps’ will and the display will begin at 7.30pm. Refreshments will be available soon. be available. Tickets will be on sale from the beginning of October from FOMC via the School Office. L Children’s Christmas Bazaar – Friday 7 December 1pm-3.30pm. Safeguarding news A great Christmas child ‘friendly’ event. Doors open at We have successfully 1pm and close at 3.30pm. Parents and relatives are recruited and trained welcome to join us for a cup of tea, otherwise the ten children to be children will be supervised by staff until pick-up times. our Digital Leaders ‘A Must do date’ for your 2019 diary: for the School. L ‘Prom on the Pitch’ – This programme is sponsored by Childnet and has given the Thursday 11 July 2019 (5-9pm). children the power to shape and improve their 38 Kno L Water Bottles own online communications. They can then These are free to all new children to the school from play an important role in educating their peers. Email: w FOMC via the school office. Additional bottles are There will be two children assigned to each year available to buy from the school Office or FOMC at group from J3 upwards and we look forward to a cost of £5 each. Stainless Steel water bottles are working alongside them to strengthen our available from the school office for £20 each. knowledge whilst on line. Second-hand uniform donations are always We are very committed to Safeguarding welcome. Please leave any items of clothing you no at Merton Court and the Government has longer need in the School Office while the FOMC recently issued a new ‘Keeping Children Safe in kitchen is being refurbished. Many thanks. Education’ which all staff have been updated on. 12 CO - EDUCATIONAL DAY PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN AGED 3 -11 Autumn 2018 Newsletter:Layout 1 3/10/18 18:01 Page 2 ws nMeewrs ton Court AUTUMN 2018 IN THIS ISSUE • Puppy News • London in Bloom ENGLISH SCHOOLS • Old Mertonians NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS • Past Events For the second year in a row, Merton South East Schools-Qualifiers for Summer 2018 Court boys have attended the hugely Nationals: competitive English Schools Swimming Boys Freestyle Team • School Events Association National Swimming Cham - Demi Alli, Luca Cambden, Kevin Cao, Autumn 2018 pionships. Having reached 7th place in Jack Eagle 1st the ‘A’ final of the Medley Relay last • S3 French Trip year, the boys came back fighting and Boys Medley Team after lots of hard work and dedication, Demi Alli, Luca Cambden, Kevin Cao, • Friends of Merton managed to secure the double victory, Jack Eagle 1st Court Events winning the trophy for both Open Girls Freestyle Team Autumn 2018 Schools Medley Relay and Open Ruby Burrowes, Maisie Chambers, Schools Freestyle Relay. The bonus win Anjola Pratt and Emma Selvey 9th • Safeguarding of ‘Overall Boys’ trophy made the hard work and long journey to Sheffield Girls Medley Team Merton Court School definitely worth it. Ruby Burrowes, Maisie Chambers, 38 Knoll Road, Sidcup, Kent DA14 4QU Anjola Pratt and Emma Selvey 13th Telephone: 020 8300 2112 See our website for the swimming Email: [email protected] montage video. Kent Schools Individuals: www.mertoncourtprep.co.uk English Schools Demi Alli 50m Breaststroke 1st National Championships: Ruby Burrowes 50m Butterfly 5th Boys Freestyle Team Kevin Cao 50m Freestyle 1st Demi Alli, Luca Cambden, Kevin Cao, Jack Eagle 50m Butterfly 1st Jack Eagle 1st James Ellershaw 50m Backstroke 6th Boys Medley Team Anjola Pratt 50m Freestyle 2nd Demi Alli, Luca Cambden, Kevin Cao, L Jack Eagle 1st L ...more swimming on page 4 CO - EDUCATIONAL DAY PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN AGED 3 -11 Autumn 2018 Newsletter:Layout 1 3/10/18 18:01 Page 3 Merton Cour t news • Merton Cour t news • Me Hi Old Mertonians news I’m Bonnie Anna Qu iros (neé Connolly) OM (’95 –‘97) now lives in Madrid but popped into our Tiny Tots & Toddler group with her daughter Alice and could not believe all our amazing new facilities. Yasmin Golding (neé Rashid) OM (’00 -‘04) along with her ...and brother Kyle OM (’89-‘96) wrote to say ,“thank you for I’m Buddy the well-rounded education I received giving me a solid grounding for all my learning that has got me to where I am Puppy news today and am so grateful.” Kaan Ors OM (’79 -‘83) It was fantastic to see Merton Court promotes pupils’ personal, social and Kaan, who brought with him his school cap emotional development, as well as their health and that he had kept and wanted a picture of him - wellbeing. It helps to give children the knowledge self outside Merton Court front door for his mum! and skills they need to lead confident, healthy and Delighted to hear news of the Jenkins brothers George OM (’96-‘04) and independent lives. Mindfulness encompasses the three Harry OM (’99-‘07). His mum told us that interconnected areas of Mind, Body and Spirit. It is after his many achievements starting at Merton about being aware of what is happening in the present Court and ending with a first in Classics at on a moment-by-moment basis. This is quite a difficult Cambridge University, George got married on 21st July. Harry graduated this summer with a First in a four year concept to think about in our busy lives. Bonnie and Biology masters degree from Durham University. Buddy, our resident “wellbeing dogs”, are on hand to Matthew Warren OM (‘04- ‘11) achieved 4 A*s in Maths, help us all with this. They are very friendly and look Further maths, Physics and Chemistry and is off to Durham forward to getting to know you all soon. University to study Physics and Astronomy – Good luck! Well done for ‘doing the double’ in fine Merton Court tradition – after being Head girl here at MC, Ellie-May Duhig Blossoming news OM (’04-‘12) was made Head girl at Wilmington Grammar Merton Court helped Sidcup Town Bid by growing for Girls this year. a floral display in our Remembrance Garden. The Also, Olly Main OM (’05-‘07) emailed to tell us that he was London in Bloom campaign is the largest horticultural on his way to study for an MSc at Oxford University, which is fantastic. campaign in London, involving 100’s of communities Following their trip to the theatre in the West End to see each year. Participating communities create lasting ‘Everyone’s Talking about Jamie’ – Mr & Mrs Price realised improvements to their local environment for the benefit that Lauren Rae (Thomas) OM (’96-‘05) was performing in of those that live, work and visit there, today and in the the show… it was great to catch up with her at the Stage Door after the show to hear all her news and her aspirations future. Well done – Sidcup achieved a ‘Bronze’ award. as a songwriter. Lovely to see Henry Fenton OM (’05-‘13) when he popped into to school to see us, he plans to follow his interest in War Studies following his GCSE results. Joshua Cook OM (‘09 -’18) won The Colfeian of the Year award for rugby at their annual sports award. He is thriving at Colfe’s and did very well in his exams. Mr Wilson emailed to tell us of Antony Wilson OM (‘04 -’11) and Holly Wilson OM (‘04 -’13) achievements – Antony was awarded 38 pts in the IB and is off to Manchester University to read Genetics. Holly received 6 9s, 4 8s and an A* in Further Maths in her GCSEs and is starting at Dartford Grammar to study Chemistry, Biology and Psychology. Well done team Wilson! 2 PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE REGULARLY FOR DATE AND TIME UPDATES TO A Autumn 2018 Newsletter:Layout 1 3/10/18 18:01 Page 4 ws • Merton Cour t news • Merton Cour t news Past Events Summer 2018 Mamma Mia! Another great Prom on the Pitch! Our L ACADEMIC theme was ‘Mamma Mia’ and an Abba Tribute band Well done to our S4 leavers who achieved very strong along with our resident DJ, Tony entertained us.