Sports Day

A reminder that Sports Day begins at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday 9 July.

All children are expected to attend Sports Day and they will all be involved. They should also remain until the shield has been presented for their Block. Approximate finish times are: E Block 1.40 p.m. D Block 2.00 p.m. C Block 2.20 p.m. B Block 2.40 p.m. A Block 3.00 p.m.

We will continue with the system of keeping cars off the fields for Sports Day and we will offer the same service of reserved parking for boarding parents and those with a genuine need for on-site parking. Access to the fields will be from 7.30 a.m. on Saturday - not before, please. Any gazebos erected during the evening (or overnight) will be removed. Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

Sculpture on Foot

On Tuesday, the B Block were in for a feast of sculpture in beautiful surroundings. One group visited the New Art Centre, Roche Court near Salisbury and viewed a superb collection of sculptures, including an exhibition featuring the work of Michael Craig-Martin. The other group visited Ragley Hall in Warwickshire where they walked the Jerwood Sculpture Trail, set in the stunning Capability Brown landscape, and viewed pieces by Anthony Gormley and Elisabeth Frink. Staff and children thoroughly enjoyed the artwork and spent much of the day debating the merits of modern art. The children completed some super drawings during the day and wrote excitedly of their outing during prep.

Maryland Singers

The choir and orchestra gave a memorable concert at St Andrew’s Church on Monday evening. Many thanks to all who helped make our American visitors feel so welcome. We are especially grateful to those families who helped with the hosting arrangements. We are now talking with our visitors about a reciprocal visit to America in the future.

Piano Extravaganza

Over 100 of our pianists played in the concert on Sunday evening, from Lynams pupils through to A Block, featuring solos and ensembles with some chamber music too. It was a magnificent evening and showed both the rage and depth of pianism of which the school can boast. Thanks to all who played, to the Visiting Music Teachers who prepared them and to Ma Suter (Head of Keyboard) who devised the programme and managed the event.

Accommodation Required

If any members of the Dragon community have accommodation to let after the end of this academic year please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SPORTS NEWS

Dragon Athletes Aim High

Last Thursday, the Dragon competed in, and hosted, the Mercia Area Qualifiers for the National Athletics Championships at Radley College. Competition was of a very high standard with a total of 29 schools contending. Dragon athletes competed extremely well despite the intermittent showers of rain, with ten athletes qualifying for nine different events at the National Finals in Birmingham on the 5 July. The athletes are congratulated for their outstanding performances, particularly Max Shakespeare for setting a new school record in the U12 200m, in a time of 28.98 seconds.

Bold Batting

The U9 A Cricket team won the Dragon U9 Tournament on Sunday beating Moulsford, Chandlings and a Barbarians team. This completed a successful undefeated term for the boys. Well done to all concerned.

Four Centuries and Two Hat-Tricks

The Dragon cricketers have experienced runs and wickets aplenty in a highly successful season. Totals of 10,912 runs and 809 wickets were recorded and individual achievements included four centuries, twenty-three fifties, fourteen cases of five-fours, and two hatricks.

Twenty-eight teams represented the school, winning 63% of their games, drawing 16% and losing 21%. Particular praise must go to the 6th XI, all the 1 games, Colts C, three of the 3 games and the U9As who have all had unbeaten seasons. The U9A side won the Dragon Tournament last weekend, and the Colts A side, having won the tournament at Rugby school at the start of the term, have now become County champions and enter the National Finals next week. For the statistics, click here for the full results.

Historic Swim Win

The U11 boys’ swimming team won the Abingdon Invitational Swimming Gala for the third successive year, beating Abingdon Prep and Summer Fields on Tuesday. Well done and well swum.

Last Call for LAMDA 2011-12

After the successful London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art exam results of over 100 children this year, LAMDA will run all year round next year, as an Afterschool Club for all year groups. Please could you let This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   know by Monday 4 July if you wish your child to be put on the Activity or Afterschool Club list, and let him know which day your child is available after school (Monday, Tuesday or Thursday).

Next year, LAMDA will run all year round as a club for all year groups, with examinations occurring twice a year for those involved (in December and May). Unfortunately we cannot guarantee that a place will be found for your child although priority in the first instance will be given to those who have participated this year. We will establish a waiting list which will be regularly updated as children leave the school or withdraw. Lists will not be finalised until the start of next term.

As we are operating purely as an Activity or Afterschool Club, places will be limited. We would be grateful therefore if you sign your child up only if he or she is genuinely keen and committed, not too busy (as it is increasingly difficult to timetable), and is personally well organised and punctual. As this year, there will be a charge of £100 a term, excluding examination fees, approximately £25-30 per exam for this club. Lessons will either be 15 minutes for those sitting a solo exam or 30 minutes for sitting a combined one (in pairs). The children would have the same slot each week with the same teacher.

Dragon Nectar on Oxford Sandwiches

On Monday, Dragon beekeepers delivered the first commercial order of their delicious honey to ‘Taylors of Oxford’ (See main picture). The local delicatessen will sell the Dragon Nectar - harvested this summer from five Dragon beehives - from their St. Giles and Summertown stores over the coming weeks. The beekeepers were on hand to answer questions about beekeeping once they had neatly arranged the display of jars. The honey proved so tempting that two jars were sold before the children had left the shop!

Clubs Next Term

Early next week, parents will receive an email informing them of which (if any) preselected After School Clubs their son or daughter has been asked to attend next term. The school website After School Clubs booking system will be open from Wednesday 6 July.

Perseus, Heracles and the Trojan Horse

Just before Exeat, there was an explosion of Greek myth and legend as E Block children entertained parents with their interpretations of traditional Greek myths in the Lynam Hall. It is amazing how much fun can be had with three crowns, six swords and four spears.

Interacting with Science

This week E Block enjoyed a sunny walk to Oxford University’s Museum of Natural History and The History of Science Museum. They appreciated the displays and had fun with the interactive exhibits - all enriching this term’s Science curriculum.

LYNAMS NEWS

Castle Explorers

On Thursday 23 June Year 2 spent the day exploring Broughton Castle. They crossed over the moat to enter the Great Hall where knights of old would have had their meals served. The children saw genuine suits of armour and even had the chance to try on a helmet and hold a sword. The general opinion was that both were very heavy and knights must have been very strong! The children had a full tour of the castle before visiting the gardens. They then put their maths skills into action as they purchased items from the shop to the value of three pounds. Everyone had a fantastic day and it was a great way of bringing history alive.

Celebrating Diversity

The Reception children sang a wonderful selection of multi-cultural songs reflecting the diversity of our planet as they performed ‘Our World’ in their Summer Concert last week. They were accompanied by children playing xylophones and glockenspiels who kept the time and rhythm brilliantly. Well done to all Reception children.

Eco-Warriors Keep Lynams Green

Croissants, locally sourced strawberries and fresh apple juice from a near-by farm shop were delicious items on the menu at the annual Lynams Eco Breakfast last Friday. During the year, Eco-Warriors have explored topics such as sustainable energy, water conservation, fair trade and the school grounds. The school grounds have been greatly enhanced this term with colourful pots, planted and nurtured by the children. The Eco-Warriors meet weekly to keep the Dragon Eco-Schools programme alive at Lynams.

Jungle Inspiration

From colourful singing to musical growls, roars and hisses of the animals, this week’s Year 3 production of the Jungle Book was a feast and festival of colour and sound. The music and songs were written and composed by Dragon Music Director, John Madden, and the script written by the Year 3 team, based on Rudyard Kipling’s original story.

GO GREEN!

The Cherwell Valley School Bus is looking for passengers to fill up a parent-run, not-for-profit, greener-way-to-get-to-school, school bus. If you live in Bloxham, Milton, Deddington, Middle/Steeple Aston, Lower Heyford, Kirtlington, Bletchingdon, Islip, Hampton Poyle or Kidlington then please contact Kitty Cox at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or call 01869 351 780 for times and fares. The bus would arrive at the Dragon at about 8.00 a.m. and set off in the afternoon at about 4.20 p.m.