Spectrum – Friday 13 May

Knatchbull Lectures (Lynam Hall, 6.45 p.m.)

Every year two Old Dragon recipients of a Knatchbull Travel Award are invited back to the Dragon to give a short talk on their adventures.

This year the talks have an African theme and we are delighted to welcome back Felix Stevenson (2004 then Stowe) and Robert Martineau (1999 then Radley). After a serious illness, Felix spent the first three months of 2010 working in a school in Johannesburg and the next three at a Christian charity in the township of Manenburg. Robert spent 9 months cycling solo 16000 km from Cape Town to Istanbul for charity (having originally planned to stop at Addis Ababa). For details of how to book and for this term’s Spectrum programme, please click here.

Tokyo Visitors

This week the Dragon hosted 12 children from Keio Yochisha School in Tokyo as part of the Dragon’s cultural exchange programme. They enjoyed a full week of outings to London, Portsmouth and Stonehenge, and tried their hand at the traditional English pastimes of croquet and punting. The children settled in very well. Thanks to the B Blockers and their parents for their tremendous support. The Dragon wishes the guests a safe return to Tokyo on Sunday.

Any Old Cricket Kit, Any Old Cricket Kit…

If you have any unused cricket kit that may be cluttering up space at home, there are appreciative boys and girls in Cape Town who would be very happy to receive it. Please send or deliver the kit to Danny Gill at the Dragon School’s Lodge. All donations will be gratefully received before Friday 20 May.

Record Victory for Dragons

The Dragon Boys’ Athletics Team secured 12 notable victories at the Caldicott Athletics Meeting on Tuesday. They competed against Caldicott, Elstree, Papplewick, Horris Hill and Winchester House, and ended up winning the meeting for a record fifth time in a row.

Market Day Melt

B Block stallholders were delighted last Friday with sunshine, warmth and clear skies. Trade was brisk for the chocolate and ice cream sellers as their wares began to melt in the hot weather. The entrepreneurs were fast learners and sold everything to their hungry and eager customers in just one frantic hour. In the process of raising funds for good causes, many tasty nibbles were consumed, and music, cards and toys purchased. The next challenge for the philanthropic entrepreneurs is to decide where the funds are to be donated.

‘Play in a Day’

A reminder to parents of D Block children interested in taking part in the D Block ‘Play in a Day’ on Sunday, 22 May, to please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   for further details by Monday, 16 May. Thank you.

Magical Balloon Debate

This week, eight Year 3 finalists took to the stage to compete in the Lynams’ Balloon Debate. Florence Nightingale, Voldemort, Harry Potter, Lady Margaret Thatcher, ‘Ma West’ and Joseph-Michel Montgolfier used magical miracles and skilfully prepared arguments. Congratulations go to all eight children for using their powers of persuasion so convincingly. The final four were ‘Ma West’, Voldemort, Harry Potter and Florence Nightingale, making for an adventurous, magical and educationally packed balloon! (See main picture).

Young Art Oxford Exhibition

Lynams’ pupils had a significant presence at the recent Young Art Oxford exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum. They creatively interpreted the theme ‘Every picture tells a story’ with rainbow fish, a blowing leaf and the golden apples of Hesperides. The event attracted over 1,400 entries and 45 of the school’s young artists were selected with several works of art being commended and highly commended. The illustrator Korky Paul presented 2nd prize to a Year 2 child from Lynams, whose drawing of a mermaid had impressed the judges.
 

Wye Explorers

A group of 17 mainly C Block Dragons, and staff, travelled to Symonds Yat on the River Wye last weekend. As well as trekking through the Forest of Dean and the woodland surrounding the river valley, they climbed the rain-soaked limestone of the Yat and enjoyed kayaking on the Wye. They found out about various mountain craft scenarios including how to build shelters and makeshift stretchers. The children’s behaviour was excellent, they refused to let the weather dampen their spirits and showed great teamwork and co-operation.

Poetic Dragons

Last Thursday, D Block performers took to the stage with an evening of poetry through movement and drama. They perfected their performances during the first week of term and executed them with individual style and panache. The children performed with impressive clarity and imaginative interpretation and both pupils and staff are to be congratulated.