Congratulations to the Dragon School Chamber Choir who have qualified for the semi-finals of the ‘BBC Songs of Praise Choir of the Year Competition’. Both the semis and the finals are being filmed by the BBC on Saturday 5 March in Sheffield and the programme will then be broadcast on BBC1 on Sunday 27 March. Make a note of the date in your new diaries.

Running Santas

Four Dragon runners took part in a fun Santa run at Summer Fields yesterday. In support of the Oxfordshire children’s hospice  Helen & Douglas House, more than 250 pupils from Summer Fields, the Dragon and Rye St Antony completed one mile dressed as Santa Claus. The intrepid four managed to keep their hats on for the run and each received a medal to keep – along with their suits.

Gifts of Wood

Much Dragon woodwork has been possible this year, thanks to WG Powell, long established timber merchants of Cowley Road, Oxford. Over the past year they have supplied off-cuts to the school and these have been used to create a selection of items for the Dragon Sale. The children have made spoon rests, chopping boards and trivets and Mr Van Tromp has made a box out of reclaimed oak which will be filled with six jars of Dragon honey for the auction.

After School Clubs

Early next week parents will receive an email with details of which (if any) preselected Clubs their son or daughter has been asked to attend next term. The booking system for after school Clubs on the website will be open from Thursday 16 December.

Free Brunch?

 Are you adept with tongs and burger flippers?  Can you grill a hotdog without burning it?  If so, please volunteer to be a parent helper at the Sale BBQ on Saturday 18 December.  In return for a mere 45 minutes’ work you will get a free brunch and unlimited mulled wine.  How could you refuse? Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you can help out.

Dragon Drink Tasters

The Dragon has been asked to participate in the launch of a new milk product called Frumoo, a blend of milk, juice and fruit puree.  Enough of the product has been donated for each child to participate in school and more for the boarders to sample over the weekend.

Sinterklass in Oxford

Last Sunday, Nicholson's were delighted to welcome the Pearson Family to talk about Sinterklass, a festival from the Netherlands where the Pearsons live. According to tradition Sinterklaas arrives each year to spend a few weeks distributing sweets, biscuits and small presents to children who have been good. This period culminates with the celebration of Sinterklaas' birthday on the evening of 5 December when Dutch children receive most of their presents for the festive season. It is traditional to sing special songs and the boys in Nicholson’s did a very impressive rendition of 'Sinterklaas Kapoentje'; they also did a good job of eating a large chocolate letter of the initial of their first names. Many thanks to the Pearsons who were so generous with their time and gifts during this enjoyable evening which extended the boys awareness of international customs.

Boarding MasterChefs

School House Snow

Pictured below are some School House Boys enjoying the seasonal weather.

Special Sausage Supper

This weekend some of the Junior Boarders from Dewar’s, Nicholson’s, Startin’s and Stuart Clark’s got together for fun and food.  An afternoon treasure hunt and tour round each other’s houses was followed by a special ‘Bangers and Mash’ supper in the Staff Dining Room. A big thank you to Mr Palmer and his team for making the meal such an enjoyable event.

DRAGON SALE NEWS

Going, going, gone… 

A stellar line up awaits you in Authors’ Corner– joining General Sir Richard Dannatt will be Lady Antonia Fraser, Mary Berry, Will Hutton, Eric Anderson and Hubert van den Bergh and Jeremy Clarkson.  For young fans Julia Golding and Mini Grey will be making a special appearance, alongside Catherine Webb, and there will also be an Interactive Story Session and signing session with comic book illustrators and writers Neill Cameron and Kate Brown.

And if you’re clearing your bookshelves for all your new purchases, please drop off all your nearly new books (grown up as well as children’s) at the Dragon or Lynams – books sell really well at the Sale and any not sold go to very good homes as well.

Please keep all your very generous donations coming. Details of what is wanted can be found on the website, together with instructions about how to get your donations to the organisers.

Dinky Doo nursery (conveniently situated in Dragon Lane and right next door to the Dragon) has very kindly offered to donate a number of places free of charge to Sale goers on the morning of the Sale, so you can really concentrate on the matter in hand.  If you are interested please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  quickly - places are going fast. 

It’s Not Too Late to Help:

1. Bake a Cake

2. Donate a BOGOF

Which, as all ardent shoppers will know means ‘Buy One Get One Free’.  As you do your Christmas shopping please think about taking advantage of the many offers around at the moment to acquire a gift to donate to the Gift Stall – just one donation per household will make a real difference to the charities which benefit from the proceeds of the Sale.  Please leave your donations, marked Gift Stall, at the Lodge, where This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   will collect them.

3. Recycle a Bike

Please keep the bikes coming!  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  are still aiming for a half century, but they really need your help.  Andrew will be by the school entrance this Saturday 11 December at 12 noon to take your offerings or you can contact them direct to arrange drop off or collection.