E Block Girls Planting Trees |
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Dragons to Japan
This year’s Japan Exchange starts at the beginning of next term when we will welcome guests from Keio Yochisha School in Tokyo. The exchange party will arrive on Friday 6 May (an exeat weekend) and will return home on 15 May. The Dragon’s trip to Tokyo will take place from 20 to 30 October (autumn half-term). The cost has not yet been finalised but is likely to be in the region of £1,650. If you are interested in your B Block child taking part, and if you are a day parent and able to host a Japanese student, please click here to download a form to complete and return to Peter Norton, c/o the Lodge before half-term. (If you have already registered interest, Dr Norton would be grateful if you could still return the form).
There are three places available for boarders, who will make the trip to Tokyo but will not need to host in May. The trip is open to all the current B Block but places are limited and the exchange is usually oversubscribed. In case of oversubscription, places will be allocated to those who it is felt will get the most from the whole experience. Places on the exchange will be confirmed to pupils after half-term.
LAMDA Exams
D Block parents who would like their children to sit LAMDA speech and drama exams next term are asked to contact
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by Monday 28 February. Places are limited; classes will be part of the after school Clubs programme (for which there will be a charge) and lessons will take place on Mondays and Tuesdays. LAMDA exams are very much like music exams: they are graded from ‘Entry to Grade 8’ and are marked at either 'pass', 'merit' or 'distinction' level.
Singing for Barnardos
Last Monday the Chamber Choir went to the Barbican in London to compete in the finals of the’ Barnardos Choir Competition’. Twenty-four choirs from around the country took part in the competition and then all performed one piece each in a concert during the evening.
The choir did not manage to win but they all sang beautifully and as usual were a real credit to the school.
Many thanks to all the parents who came to support us at this event and also those who came out late to collect their children afterwards.
Reception Welcomes the Rabbit
Reception celebrated Chinese New Year last week. Dressed in colourful Chinese costumes they enjoyed a special day which included enjoying noodles, prawn crackers, lychees, mango and green tea. They also tried their hands at writing Chinese numerals, and made a clay rabbit to mark this Year of the Rabbit.
Sculling Gold
Last Sunday was an extraordinary day of sculling success for the Dragon. Forty children across A to E Block attended the South of England Indoor Rowing Championships at Oxford Brookes Sports Centre. All raced individually before being ranked by the coaches and raced in teams.
In the individual events, racing over 1, 2 or 3 minutes depending on age, the children won five medals. Oli Rosen, Sam Stourton and Sarah Bibby all achieved Gold and Evan Backus and Lucy Nithvrianakis each won Silver. In the team events, racing over 1000 or 2000 metres, the Dragon won Silver medals in the Boys U10, U11 and U12 team events and Gold medals in the U10 Girls team event. Final results are still awaited online to indicate if there are any further medals to come and what our final position is for the Victor Ludorum. The Dragon finished in fifth place last year.
Very well done to all the competitors who provided some fantastic racing. They had a packed hall screaming in excitement as on more than one occasion the Dragon and their competition took it to the wire. Thank you as well to all parents for the vocal support.
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Website Tip of the Week
Follow some of the bigger Dragon events by viewing photographs in the School Gallery here.
Sheldonian Concert
All parents are very welcome to next Tuesday’s school concert at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford. There are a few tickets left (free but required for admission) so please contact
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as soon as possible if you would like some. Would parents attending please note that photography will not be allowed during the concert.
Tree Planting
This week a group of E Block pupils were the first Dragons to help plant some young trees on a developing woodland site on Cumnor Hill. (See main picture). The area is managed by the charity, Cumnor Hurst, who are working with local schools to help educate young people about the conservation, protection and improvement of the environment. We hope that in years to come Dragon pupils will have helped to create an area of tranquillity for native flora and fauna that can be enjoyed by everyone in the local community.
Oxford Music Successes
Last Sunday more than 20 Dragon musicians took part in the Oxford Music Festival. Competing against children from Oxfordshire and further afield the Dragons performed brilliantly. The standard was high and all should be very proud of their achievements. Congratulations go to Andrew Baxter-Zorin, Magnus Andrews, Thomas Uglow, Noah Smith, Flora White, Laila Zugic, Kevin Zheng and Leora Bater-Zorina for their ‘Distinction’ awards. Saskia Orr, Ben Jenkins, Ivo Andrews and Noah Smith were all awarded first place in their classes. Magnus Andrews and Thomas Uglow also won the Duet Cup for highest mark in all duet classes for under 18s – a most impressive feat. The Saxophone Quartet (Francesca Marsden, Noah Smith, William Pagel and James Blenkinsop) entered the ‘15 years and under Ensemble Class’, competing against 10 other ensembles, and were awarded the highest possible award of ‘Outstanding’ for their performances. The adjudicators were so impressed with the playing of their second piece that they had to admit to being unable to find anything to improve upon. Many thanks to Ma Suter who organised and coached the large group Dragon of pianists.
D Block Donation
The school was delighted to welcome Vicki Collins from Sue Ryder Care to Middle School Assembly this week. Vicki spoke to the C and D Blocks about the history and work of the charity and explained her role as a fundraiser. Vicki was presented with a cheque for £627.14, the proceeds of the D Block Fayre. The D Block received a certificate from Sue Ryder Care in recognition of their generosity.
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Diary Reminders
For all sports fixtures and the full calendar of events, please see the main School Calendar
Friday, February 11, 2011
Spectrum: Charley Boorman (Lynam Hall), 6.45 p.m.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
A Block Lunch (for those who have received an invitation), 12.30 p.m.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, David Smith, Head of Instrumental Studies with Gunga Din, 10.00 a.m.
'Fiddler on the Roof' full cast rehearsal, 2.00 p.m.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Normal School Day
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Pegasus Visit: (for selected C Block children), 2.45 p.m.
Dragon Concert at The Sheldonian Theatre (with rehearsals throughout the afternoon), 7.00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Year 2 trip to the Ashmolean Museum
Year 3 trip to the University Museum (3R & 3W), 1.00 p.m.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Year 3 trip to the University Museum (3M & 3Mi), 1.00 p.m.
Meeting for parents of Year 2 & Year 3 Children 'Life at Bardwell Road' - at Lynams, 6.30 p.m.
Friday, February 18, 2011
C Block Classical Plays (in the Forum), 11.00 a.m.
Half Term begins for C, D & E Blocks, 12 noon
Half Term begins for A & B Blocks, 12.30 p.m.
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