The Importance of Being Earnest |
From the Headmaster
We have reached half-term already but it feels like a great deal has been accomplished in a relatively short time. Personal highlights have been “The Importance of Being Earnest”, the visit of Charley Boorman, the stunning concert at the Sheldonian Theatre this week, the smiles on the faces of all the A Block girls who have passed into their senior schools and those who have been given awards.
Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard in the first half of term. I wish all the children a very restful and happy break.
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Congratulations
Many congratulations to those children who have been given an award or scholarship to their senior school.
Grace Allen - Dance Exhibition, St Edward's
Rina Fusa- Art Scholarship, Headington (Also Music exhibition & All Rounder to St Edward’s)
Margot Gittos - Art Scholarship, Headington
Rosie Hart - Sports Scholarship, St Edward's
Araminta Lawson-Smith - Sports Scholarship, Cheltenham College
Phoebe Stevenson - Academic Scholarship, Wycombe Abbey
Arthur Whitehead - Design Exhibition, Cheltenham College
Drumming with Pegasus
Following an art session a week ago at the Dragon, eight children from C Block, Ma Shepley and Mr Walker went to Pegasus school in Blackbird Leys to learn African Drumming. The session was led by their Mrs Gill, (no relation to our own Mr Gill), as part of the Pegasus Partnership Project. The adults and children played for an hour developing bass lines and solos and prepared a short piece. There was much amusement as individuals produced fill-ins to the main beat provided by the rest of the group and a great deal of concentration was used as they tried to maintain the bass line. Lots of fun was had and the sound from nineteen drums was fantastic. Afterwards the school entertained the Dragon in their own café to hot chocolate with squirty cream and marshmallows and flapjacks. Staff moustaches were not photographed!
Learning through Toys
Last Friday Year 1 enjoyed an action-packed day exploring toys from the past with a visit from ‘History Off the Page’. During the morning session children moved between tables of different toys and games and had the opportunity to play and ask questions about all the exciting exhibits Holly had brought along. The children also conducted a dig in order to rediscover hidden toys and used their thinking skills to order the toys chronologically. During the afternoon Year 1 had fun making their own toys which they were very proud to take home. All children and adults enjoyed the day and it was obvious that the session had enhanced their curriculum learning.
Football Boys
Last Friday, the Year 3 boys set off from Lynams to participate in a football tournament at Bardwell Road. Each team was made up of both E Block and Year 3 boys, with over 80 children playing in matches during the afternoon. The sun beamed down on a fantastic afternoon of high energy, enthusiasm and excellent teamwork.
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Earnest Congratulations
An Upper School cast performed ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ by Oscar Wilde, to both pupils and parents, on 3 and 4 February (see main picture). The cast showed sophistication beyond their years; they were committed, lively and clear and brought out wonderful moments of both verbal and physical humour. Huge congratulations and thanks to those children and staff involved in the production. To view more photos please click here.
Oxford Science Festival
This year’s Oxfordshire Science Festival (OSF) is looking bigger and better than anything they have done before, and the Dragon is proud to be one of the main sponsors. On Saturday 26 February, Sue Ormerod, along with a group of ODs working in scientific fields and some current Dragons, will be at the launch event taking place in Bond Square in the city centre (opposite BHS). They will be demonstrating some of the science teaching that has inspired past Dragons to achieve numerous accolades, including two Nobel Prizes. The festival will then continue until 11 March, at venues across the county.
If you would like to visit the Dragon stand or any of the other events throughout the season, or would like to learn more about the OSF and why the Dragon is delighted to be involved, please click here to visit their website where you can download a programme of events.
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.
Keep the Clothes Coming
Thank you to all who have donated second hand clothes to the Macmillan collection.
Clothes will continue to be collected by the charity up to 14 March and can be dropped into the Green Wheelie Bin outside the Cauldron.
Dragons in New York
This year will be the tenth anniversary of our annual exchange with St Bernard’s (boys) and Nightingale (girls) Schools in New York. The exchange visit will take place between 24 October and 1 November 2011. Dragons will experience a week living with a New York family whose son/daughter attends one of these schools. In return, your child’s American exchange partner comes to stay with you in June 2012, after Common Entrance and the Leavers’ expeditions.
The time in New York includes tours around New York, visiting such sites as The Empire State Building, Sony’s Wonderlab, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and the USS Intrepid as well as attending a Broadway matinee. The New York Exchange will be led by Desmond Devitt and Edward Phelps and is open to current B Blockers. The all-inclusive cost is £1,200. Please click here to download a booking form to complete and return to Smaug Abroad. The applications should be returned before 25 March 2011.
(Boarding families who are interested, but are living far from Oxford, should be in touch to see if arrangements can be made to help with the hosting in June. This has often proved possible. Please contact
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)
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Diary Reminders
For all sports fixtures and the full calendar of events, please see the main School Calendar
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.
Half Term
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Boarders return
Monday, February 28, 2011
Dragon Book Week
Lynams Parents Meetings, 6.00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Lynams Parents Meetings, 4.00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Normal School Day
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Sports photos to be taken, 3.00 p.m.
Informal concert in the Music School, 4.30 p.m.
Friday, March 04, 2011
E Block Charity Event (1:00 PM)
Spectrum: Debates - Upper School in Lynam Hall, C, D & E Blocks in the Forum, 6.45 p.m.
Saturday, March 05, 2011
A Block Lunch (for those who have received an invitation), 12.30 p.m.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Sunday before Lent, Reverend Peter Hullah, Headmaster of Northampton Academy, 10.00 a.m.
C Block Parents' Meeting (in the Forum & Lynam Hall), 6.00 p.m.
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