December Newsletter - Rydes Hill Preparatory School

Autumn Term, Issue 132
December 2014
The Rydes Hill Times
… our newsletter
keeping parents in touch
LETTER FROM THE HEADMISTRESS
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our special Christmas edition of the newsletter
and a very warm welcome this
month to new pupil Liliana V
who has joined Higher Preparatory.
The true Christmas Spirit was
much in evidence when the
children took part in our
‘Reindeer Run’ on 1st December in aid of the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham. The
weather was good and it was
wonderful to see all the reindeers and several Santas running around the grounds. You
can see some of the photographs taken on page 4. There
was a half page article with
photographs in the Surrey Advertiser and more photographs
can be viewed on http://
sandbmedia.newsprints.co.uk
searching for Rydes Hill. A
fantastic
£2,748.30
was
raised by the children and 8
children are receiving certificates and a small surprise on
DIARY DATES
December
Wed 10th
Final Prep class of term
Thurs 11th
Coffee Morning all
Grandparents 8.30am
Final Stay & Play of term
Carol service at St Mary’s
6.30pm
(Lower Preparatory-Form One)
Fri 12th
Christmas Party (party
clothes to be worn)
End of Term
3.15pm for Nursery to Upper
Transition
3.30pm for Main School
Party Day for raising the largest amounts. Thank you to
Mrs Copeland for organising
this event, inspired by her
popular weekly cross country
club, and thank you all for
taking part and donating so
generously to this worthy charity.
Thank you also for your kind
donations to the Ebola Appeal
at our different productions.
The final figure raised will be
calculated at the end of this
week.
Special thanks and congratulations go to our indefatigable
Chairman of Friends, Mrs Acton, and her super Deputy,
Mrs Forato, and all of the supportive FRHPS committee and
many parents for their hard
work, generosity and enthusiasm in organising and running
this year’s Christmas Fair, and
also the Northbrook wrapping
project, the Christmas cards
and helping in School on the
wrapping day. We are so delighted that not only was the
Fair such fun for children and
adults alike - enjoying mulled
wine, homemade mince pies,
candy floss, crafts, tombola,
raffle., bottle stall, visits to
Father Christmas as well as all
the exciting shopping - but it
also made a record profit of
£4,600!
The high standard of the gingerbread houses was impressive again this year and well
done to everyone who took
part in the competition as
follows: Kiahna B, Anya N,
Rebecca P, Tallulah A, Clementine A, Lauren S, Sophie S,
Lilly & Liv D, Eloise R, Sophia
& Mollie S, Sophie H, Maddie
H, Lilly S and Aurora C. Chef
Jan declared Kiahna B and
Sophia and Mollie S the winners and their houses along
with other photographs from
the day can be seen on pages
6 and 7. All children who
brought gingerbread houses
will receive certificates on
Party Day.
The “Name the Rocking Horses” competition produced
some wonderful names. The
short list of names were put
into a hat and the two winning
names are “Lady Campion” by
Marie-Luisa B for the larger
horse and “Ryder” by Laila M
for the smaller horse. Both
girls will receive certificates
and a small prize on Party
Day.
Congratulations to Carrie H
who passed all three of her
NISA Level 2 (National Ice
January
Mon 5th
Form One Study Morning
9am-12noon
Tues 6th
Staff Inset
Wed 7th
Term Starts FRHPS welcome back Coffee 8.30am
Skating Association) exams.
She was the youngest girl taking
the Level 2 tests and it was a
fantastic achievement to pass
all three first time.
Annabel M won an incredible
five trophies swimming recently
at Woking Swimming Club, including the Club Trophy for U10
200m Butterfly and the Coaches Trophy for 200m Backstroke.
Well done Annabel.
Congratulations to Maria-Luisa
B who was awarded the St Stephen’s medal at Holy Angels
Church.
Well done also to Anya N and
Juliette R for their theatrical
performances outside School
this term.
The singing, dancing and acting
talents of your children were
impressive in our Christmas
Production “Born In A Barn” and
our Nursery Nativity. There are
photographs on pages 5, 8 and
9. More photographs will be
available to view and order on
the notice boards. Well done to
all staff and special thanks to
dedicated Drama Director, Miss
Quinn, and our superb new PrePreparatory Musical Director,
Mrs Flude.
We look forward to our Carol
Service at St Mary’s Church at
6.30pm on Thursday and to the
Carols at Guildford Cathedral
when our choir sings for Age UK
on Friday, 19th December at
2pm led by our talented Director
of Music, Mrs Forbes.
The staff of Rydes Hill and I
would like to wish you all a very
joyous Christmas and a happy
New Year. We look forward to
seeing you all again in 2015,
which, as our 70th anniversary
year, will be very special indeed.
Happy Christmas!
Stephanie Bell MA (Oxon)
2-Sport, 4-5 Reindeer Run & Nativity, 6-7 Christmas Fayre, 8-9 Born in a Barn, 11 Christmas Fun, 12 Silver Book
www.rydeshill.com
Email: enquiries@rydeshill.com
Tel: 01483 563160
Page 2
NETBALL & CROSS COUNTRY NEWS
U10s A & B v Manor House
As won 13-0
Bs won 5-1
Two superb netball matches were
played at Manor House School on 13th
November by Higher Prep girls. It was
dark and wet, however Rydes Hill
worked as a team; they used the skills
they had practised at lunch time and
after school to achieve successful results. We witnessed text-book Centre
pass sequences by the A team and
excellent shooting by the B team. It
looks as if the A team players are going
to have to work hard to maintain their
positions on the team as we have quite
a few promising players in the B team
who were not selected for this particular match. Well done to the two teams
– fantastic results! Player of the Match
for the A team was Sathya and the B
team, Lauren.
U9s and U8s v Tormead School
U9s won 4-3
U8s lost 0-2
Well done to the U9s who played against
Tormead on the 18th November. We selected 12 players from Rydes Hill to rotate positions to play the Tormead A
team. It was great to see so many Rydes
Hill girls play netball to a very good standard. Well done to all the players and
thank you to all the many spectators who
turned up to support and help with the
teas and the flood lights.
The U8s played in their first netball
match ever. It is always difficult to start
playing matches against other schools,
particularly when all the girls are nervous. It was a shame we couldn’t choose
all the girls in Lower Preparatory as they
are all playing well this term as they are
picking up the rules of the game. Rydes
Hill had possession of the ball for the
majority of the game which is fantastic! I
think we need to work on shooting for
next time. It will be fun when we can
choose the whole class to play against
Notre Dame.
-Mrs J Smith
Match Report for Cross-Country
U9,U10,U11’s at Prior’s Field on 12th
November 2014
We left School straight after lunch and
made our way to Prior’s Field School with
a very excited bus load of children.
We could only have six runners per year
group with the placing of the four top runners counting. It was a tough course, wet
and muddy, with some very interesting
twists and turns!
We were up against some very strong
opposition, a large field of runners (about
72 per race) but we still managed to secure some excellent places.
U9: Nia Duggen came 10th with Georgia
Smith coming 17th.
U10: Lottie Burnham came 5th after taking a tumble at the beginning.
U11: Lola Oke glided in at 7th position
without any pressure and looking very
relaxed.
Well done, girls! All of you did very well to
run and finish such a slippery, difficult,
muddy and fun course.
-Mrs D Copeland
SCHOOL NEWS
STEM CHALLENGE DAY
On 13th October Carrie, Dixie, Eloise,
Anjali, Phoebe and I were lucky enough
to have our names drawn out of a hat to
go to the STEM challenge day. STEM
means Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics. We left in the morning
feeling very excited. When we got there
we had a few puzzles to do as a team
until everyone arrived. They were fun and
easy. Next we split into threes and explored all the puzzles around the room.
In total we managed 7 puzzles and most
were extremely hard. Some we left as we
couldn’t do them, but neither could anyone else! Then we had a computer timestable battle.
After lunch we made a bridge as a team
which we had an hour and a half to finish. When time was up 500g was placed
on our bridge to see if it would hold. It
did! Yay! All in all we had a super day at
Prior’s Field.
- Bronwyn W
MICHAEL FARADAY
Our class went to a talk on scientist,
Michael Faraday. We learnt that Mr Faraday (played by an actor called David
Wall) was the son of a blacksmith, then
became a bookbinder’s apprentice. He
went to Mr Davey’s lecture and learnt
about science and became Mr Davey’s
assistant.
He then moved on to become the President of the Royal Institution and learnt
more about electricity and invented
many things to learn more about and
control electric currents.
We learnt about a ‘pile’, Count Alexandro
Volta, power stations and all about the
history of Michael Faraday and what he
did
We watched static electricity, the effects
of a battery and so much more. Near the
end I was so entertained and interested
that I forgot to take notes!. We saw moving purple lightening bolt electric charges
light up a ceiling light.
With a lot of participation from a giggling audience in red blazers, he managed to narrate fantastically the life,
history and work of Mr Faraday. He
inspired us and astounded us, then we
broke into fits of crazy, uncontrollable
laughter. I learnt too much to put on a
page but I did have fun, fun and more
FUN!
- Camilla T
Page 3
GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS
Form One girls had fun decorating the Christmas Tree, Entrance
Hall and setting up our Nativity with Mrs Bell and Mrs Smith - a
traditional activity here at Rydes Hill. Afterwards everyone enjoyed
hot chocolate and marshmallows in the Dining Hall.
Page 4
RAISING MONEY FOR THE PHYLLIS TUCKWELL TRUST
Page 5
NURSERY NATIVITY
Page 6
ALL THE FUN OF THE CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Page 7
ALL THE FUN OF THE CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Some of the beautiful Gingerbread Houses that were entered into the
competition. The winners, judged by Chef Jan were Kiahna B (top left)
and Sophia and Mollie S (top middle) Top right and bottom left both by
Eloise R including handmade leaves and sugar windows!
This page:
Our fantastic Chairman
and Deputy of FRHPS,
Mrs Forato (right in red)
& Mrs Acton ( left in
white) looking very calm
at the Fayre!
Opposite Page top left
clockwise:
Anya N and Mrs Newall,
Mrs Niddrie and Mr and
Mrs Acton at the raffle
Mrs Bertani, Mrs
Wagstaff & Mr Niddrie
visiting the Secret Santa
stall
Mr Wagstaff with his Grey
friars sparkling wine
The Kindergarten team
at the mulled wine,
mince pies, hot dogs
refreshments stall
Chloe E meets Father
Christmas!
Rebekah S, Victoria S,
Maria-Luisa and Katrina
S dressed for Christmas!
Page 8
‘BORN IN A BARN’ BY PRE-PREPARATORY PUPILS
Page 9
‘BORN IN A BARN’
Page 10
CHRISTMAS DISPLAYS
FRHPS UPDATE
Dear Parents
Firstly a massive thank you to all Rydes
Hill families for the support you gave to
the Christmas Fayre. Due to your hard
work, generosity and goodwill we raised
over a record breaking £4,600.00 for
the school! Members of the Friends
Committee were truly inspired with their
creative, eye-catching stalls and enthusiastic stall-holders on the day. Special
mention has to go to the life-size cotton
wool snowman created for the Lower
Trans Craft Stall - Mr Maker, step down!
The Gingerbread competition was a big
hit again with some really beautiful
houses created by all ages. Thanks to all
who shared their wonderful creations
with us. I think you will all agree that the
atmosphere in the school was really
Christmassy and jolly all day, with lots of
smiley children. We also raised £150
towards the Disasters Emergency Committee Ebola crisis collection at the door,
thank you.
Now that the stall signs are tucked away
in the Friends cupboard it is time for us
to look towards next year. On Saturday
21st March the 1940's are coming to
Rydes Hill as we gather for an evening of
VE day music and dancing to celebrate
the 70th Anniversary of the founding of
the School, which occurred just days
after Victory in Europe was announced.
This will be a really fun, relaxed evening
with 1940's outfits encouraged but certainly not mandatory. Planning has just
begun, look on the Friends notice board
for more information next term.
We hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and invite you to join the Friends for
a welcome back coffee in the Dining Hall
on the first morning back, straight after
drop off.
Mrs Kate Acton, Chair &
Mrs Lynne Forato Deputy Chair FRHPS.
THOUGHTS FOR
CHRISTMAS
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be
consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying that we are born again to
eternal life.
St Francis of Assisi
OVERHEARD IN NURSERY
Teacher: “Your mummies will all think you are clever clogs!”
Child: “My Mummy has slippers.”
TRACK SANTA
The Blessings of Peace
The Beauty of Hope
The Spirit of Love
The Comfort of Faith
May these be your gifts this Christmas Season.
Anon
Did you know that you can follow Santa on his travels around
the world by visiting www.noradsanta.org?
Page 11
CHRISTMAS FUN!
Page 8
CHILDREN’S
SECTION
Silver Book
Week ending 14th November 2014
Excellent Work
Excellent Conduct
Morayo F
Elizabeth B
Nicholas D
Isabelle D
Kyle M
Maria F
Eloise P
Chloe E
Chloe R
Caterina L-M
Natalia F
Maisy A
Giovanna L-M
Evie S
Music Award
Lottie B for a marked improvement in her note
reading during her violin lesson
PE Award
Lauren S for great netball playing v Manor
House
Science Award
Melanie H for excellent listening and understanding
*********
Week ending 21st November 2014
Excellent Work
Excellent Conduct
Lola B
Alina W-C
Josie P
Eve W
Maria F
Bradford Q-M
Eleanor C
Penelope C
Millie H
Zara K
Evelyne C
Scarlett B
Aurora C
Anya N
French Girdle
Dunni B for listening carefully and joining in
beautifully
Music Award
Melanie H for exceptional progress in her cello
playing
PE Award
Georgia S for great shooting in U9 Netball
match v Tormead
Science Award
Matilde H-L for her show and tell about her
compass
*********
Week ending 28th November 2014
Excellent Work
Excellent Conduct
Amelie T
Kiahna B
Scarlett de G-W
Rebecca P
Raha H
Lilia H
Jasmine Y
Rosie P
Scarlet B
Natalie A
Francesca H
Alicia W
Amelia K
Juliette R
Anastasia P
Georgia S
French Girdle
Freya S for joining in with our songs so enthusiastically
Music Award
Francesca H for consistent practising which
has led to excellent progress and playing
PE Award
Erin W for being Player of the Match v Manor
House
Science Award
Jessica D for lovely circuit drawings
Special Girdle
Georgia S & Zara K for achieving full marks in
every spelling test this term
Maria-Luisa B for being awarded the St Stephen’s Medal
Annabel M for winning 5 swimming trophies
Week ending 5th December 2014
Excellent Work
Excellent Conduct
Isabella D
Dunni B
Matilde H-L
Sophie H
Danyal F
Sophia S
Penelope C
Rebekah S
Laila M
Georgia S
Maddie M
Grace F
Camilla T
Eloise R
French Girdle
Rosa D-C for her excellent participation
Music Award
Serra P for excellent sight reading progress
PE Award
Ella C for her National Swimming success
Science Award
Anya N for her excellent writing about Michael
Faraday
House Points
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
December
10th
13th
Sophie S
Nishkala G
Katrina S
Rebekah S
Dixie McK
14th
Hana F
19th
21st
Emily O
Georgia S
Penelope C
Lina K
Rosie P
12th
20th
14th November 2014
CAMPION
126
22nd
Josephine T
GERALD
130
26th
Aurelia P
PATRICIA
135
PETER
77
Winner — Patricia
21st November 2014
January
2nd
Freya S
4th
Maria F
CAMPION
160
5th
Liv D
GERALD
182
9th
Isobel F
PATRICIA
149
PETER
122
15th
Winner — Gerald
17th
Josephine P
Morayo F
Eloise R
28th November 2014
18th
Ismay C-J
CAMPION
79
18th
Nicolas D
GERALD
87
24th
Madeleine E
PATRICIA
175
PETER
125
Winner — Patricia
5th December 2014
CAMPION
163
GERALD
137
PATRICIA
153
PETER
74
Winner — Campion