December 2014 - Derby Grammar School

December 2014
World War I Assembly
Before the summer holidays Mrs Monk
asked us to do some homework. This
homework was to write about WWI,
asking if anyone in your family had been
involved. Mrs Monk loved everyone’s
work and was so impressed that she
asked if anyone would like to do an
assembly about WWI.
Evan, Lucas, Adam, Jacob, Joseph, Ollie
and I were very interested. Jacob and
Joseph had some amazing artefacts and
everybody else had relatives who had been involved in the
conflict.
Mrs Monk thought that my facts would be perfect to introduce
the assembly. Adam and Evan spoke about their great
granddads and the other boys either told us their facts or
described their artefacts. Everyone loved the assembly.
Rohan S (Y6)
Year 6 Field Trip to Dovedale
On Friday, 21st November, Year 6, Mrs Sly and Mrs Jackson set off
to the River Dove in Dovedale, Derbyshire. As soon as we arrived
we ate scrumptious cookies, thanks to Chef.
We walked down the river bank with the equipment needed. When
we got to the river we measured the velocity. After walking 40 metres
down the river bank, we threw in dog biscuits in different parts of the
river, then timed how long it took the biscuits to reach the bridge,
where the other half of the class stood.
We also measured the depth and width of the river. The trip was very
good fun and we learnt lots about the river. We also learnt how cold
the River Dove can be!
Thank you to Mr Wilson for helping us.
Dev G and George C (Y6)
CONTACT DETAILS
Have you changed your mobile, home or work
telephone number or email address?
Please forward to School we may need to contact you urgently.
Page 2
Derby Grammar Junior School Chronicle
Year 5 visit the Jamia Mosque
On Monday, 3rd November, Year 5 went on a trip to the Jamia
Mosque in Derby. Before we set off, we all checked we all had
something to cover our heads. You cover your arms and legs and
head to show respect. Men wear trousers and long sleeves and
women wear skirts and long sleeves.
When we saw the mosque it looked very impressive. There was a
massive dome with two smaller green domes at each side. Arabic
writing was mounted on the front of the building.
Nahida was our guide for the visit. Nahida showed us around the
prayer hall. There were pictures on the wall of different mosques
around the world. The biggest mosque in the world is the Masjid
al-Kaaba, which is the place all Muslims in the world turn to pray. There are no pictures of Allah
in the mosque as no one knows what Allah looks like.
In the mosque there were classrooms, as Muslim children have to stay after school at the
mosque and learn until 6.00 pm. We had a look at the bathrooms where you wash your hands
and feet before touching the Qur’an.
Year 5 had a really good time at the mosque. We wished we could read Arabic though, so we
could read all of the beautiful inscriptions.
Thank you Derby Mosque for a wonderful visit.
Leo E (Y5)
Golden Table
I was chosen for Golden Table because I used my cutlery
correctly, ate healthy food and showed great table manners.
The difference is you are at the front of the
lunch queue and the table is laid out for you.
Also, an amazing treat is a present. This time
we had festive door hangers.
Daniel D (Y4)
Honour Point race for this term:
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
pts
pts
pts
pts
Blackton House
Atkinson House
Bemrose House
Derby House
631 pts
519 pts
518 pts
517 pts
Congratulations to our current high scorers:
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Hadi Ahmed
Lucas Brandon
Alfie Carter
Joseph Burke
47 pts
67 pts
57 pts
59 pts
(The above results as of 5th December 2014)
Page 3
Derby Grammar Junior School Chronicle
Charities Week
Junior School boys raise a
tremendous £2,815
Page 4
Derby Grammar Junior School Chronicle
Charities Week
During charities week the whole School had the
opportunity to buy delicious cakes and have a
go as gladiators. In the Junior School there was
a constant buzz of excitement, with party games
in classrooms each tutor time. We loved pin the
goggles on Mrs Harper and picking up skittles
with chop sticks.
At lunchtime Year 6 hosted stands and raised
money in an incredible amount of ways, eg
sponsored silence.
On Friday, there was teacher arm wrestling in
the morning and a show in the afternoon. The
show consisted of teacher gladiators, a staff
video, the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ game and gunging. The
Bursar and Mr Hilliam were gunged! Everyone
loved it.
SPONSORED SWIM
After our sponsored swim the following week
Joshua Nash pushed Mrs Bennett in the pool!
The sponsored swim raised £1,623
Harvey W (Y6)
Special congratulations to the
following boys who raised AMAZING
amounts:
Glee Club
Forthcoming performances:
Carol Service, Derby Cathedral
Tuesday 16th December at 7.00 pm
St Michael’s Church, Shirley
Sunday 21st December at 6.00 pm
School Musical ‘We Will Rock You’
Thursday 5th and Friday 6th February
School Hall, 7.00 pm
Ethan Hamilton
Alessio Paonessa
Jai Sandhu
Oliver Yerbury
£213
£200
£130
£125
Very WELL DONE to the following
swimmers for the distances they
achieved:
Sam Littler
Ruben Hussain
George Euston
Leo Eden
1100m
950m
950m
850m
Workshops at Derby High School
On the afternoon of Thursday, 20th November, Year 6 went to Derby High
School. We were split into three groups and rotated around various classrooms
doing different activities.
In philosophy, my group discussed the point of life. In German, we played
games involving German Christmas words. The last thing we did was try to stop an egg from
breaking, using only newspaper and art straws, and dropping it from a fire escape. I really
enjoyed the amazing experience.
Owen W (Y6)
Page 5
Derby Grammar Junior School Chronicle
Rugby Season
The under 11 rugby side started the season with
high hopes, with a change in structure that saw Mr
Clark helping with teaching their Games lesson on
a Friday and Mr Whitworth taking the boys for
matches on a Wednesday afternoon.
The side has been very ably led by Dan Harris,
who has played with all his heart and been very
supportive of the other boys in the squad. The
season has seen some improvement as it has
gone along, with the squad growing in confidence
and skill level. Focus in the early part has been on
ensuring the boys were confident in their handling.
The highlight of the season was in a close game
against Nottingham High School, where two evenly
matched teams played with control and
commitment. The biggest area for the squad to
work on, as a whole, is their tackling.
The most improved player for the season is
Craig Arch, who is quick in attack and developing
his defensive capabilities. The player of the year
is a close run thing. Ollie Lamb has not missed a
tackle all season and shown a great attitude in
games but the winner is Dan Harris, who has led
by example, tackled himself to a standstill and
been brave against bigger opposition.
Mr Whitworth
Junior Staff Inset
On Thursday, 27th November, the Junior School staff
had some inset on how to improve our drawing and
clay skills. In the morning, we were taught by Caroline
McFarlane, a visiting artist, how to draw a portrait and a
selection of still life objects. It really
is hard! We learnt about tone,
pencil control, shade and texture.
In the afternoon our drawing lesson
continued with Miss Sellors, the
Senior School art specialist. She
showed us how to draw 3D shapes
correctly and we also looked at
perspective. At the end the day we
had a lesson in different clay
techniques. We are now all on the
way to becoming expert potters!
Thank you to Miss Sellors for all her hard work preparing such fun
lessons. We had a fantastic day and even managed to relax a little!
Next term all boys will play hockey during Games
Kit required: Games kit, Trainers/Astro boots, Track suit.
Mouth Guards and Shin Guards are Compulsory.
The spring term is usually bitterly cold so please ensure your
son has his track suit with him for ALL Games/PE sessions.
Page 6
Derby Grammar Junior School Chronicle
House Art - ‘Through’
1st Place - Y5/6
Daniel H - Atkinson
1st Place - Y3/4 (Joint)
Lucas B - Atkinson
1st Place - Y3/4 (Joint)
Oliver H - Atkinson
This year’s House Art could not have been better. It was
a fascinating couple of weeks and the Junior School
produced paintings, sculptures and drawings. Over half
term, all the boys put a lot of effort into making
masterpieces so all Houses had a greater chance of
winning. It is a shame only one House can win, otherwise
I would choose them all.
We are sure the judges had a hard time deciding and so
tension was raised to see who would win.
Daniel H (Y6)
2nd Place - Y5/6
Alfie C - Atkinson
3rd Place - Y5/6
Leo E - Derby
3rd Place - Y3/4
Chester P - Atkinson
Well done to individual winners
and congratulations to the overall winning House - Atkinson
Page 7
Derby Grammar Junior School Chronicle
Dear Parents and Friends
What an amazing read this Chronicle makes. It
makes me so very proud to be Head. It’s a
testament to the wonderful activities that
contribute to your son’s well-rounded education.
Unsurprisingly, we have had to cut down the
events that we have reported on, otherwise the
Chronicle could have been a full glossy
magazine this term that could rival ‘Hello’!
I have just finished reading all the tutor
comments that accompany your son’s reports
and grade cards. So many of our boys work
extremely hard and are making good progress. I
urge all the boys to read the specific and sound
advice given in their reports. Remember boys,
your teachers are here to help you make as
much progress as possible. No-one wants you
to reach your true potential more than they do.
This term has once again been packed full of
events and activities. These have included trips
to the River Dover, class assemblies, Glee Club
performances, sewing in Year 4 and baking in
Year 6. We often wonder how we have time to
do any teaching!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all
the Junior School staff that work tirelessly
throughout the term. I know how hard they
work, not only during the School day but each
evening and throughout the weekends and
holidays. It is sadly a common misconception
that teachers only work from 9am - 3pm . . . this
couldn’t be further from the truth. I thank you for
all your support with everything the teachers do.
They are truly a dedicated team of professionals
without whom the Junior School would not be
the happy, thriving, fun and successful place it
is.
As I write, the boys are in the final stages of
rehearsing for the House Carol Competition.
Teachers are becoming more competitive as
the days pass; the singing is now in time and
the boys’ costumes are beginning to look
amazing. I am sure this year’s event will be the
best so far!
In closing, I, along with all the Junior School
staff, wish you all the most joyful, peaceful and
restful Christmas break. I hope you are all on
‘The Good List’ and are lucky enough to have a
visit from Santa on Christmas Eve. I know that
there will be young people all over Derby that
are having a better Christmas this year due to
the Junior School. Your kind donations and
Christmas cards that the boys have made for
the YMCA really do make a huge difference.
Thank you again.
We look forward to welcoming the boys back to
School on Tuesday 6th January 2015.
With best wishes
Mrs P Bennett
Head of Junior School
Come along and join Miss Devine in After School Care
4.30 pm – 6.00 pm daily
Join us and experience a wide range of
games, crafts and activities.
Please refer to the detailed calendar on the website for important
dates for your diary: www.derbygrammar.co.uk
Today/Term Calendar/Spring Term 2015
@DerbyGrammar
Page 8
Derby Grammar Junior School Chronicle