Bonding B Block |
From the Headmaster
With the exception of the sickness bug that is doing the rounds, the term continues to go well. Dragons of all ages are getting involved in a full range of activities and I have been hugely impressed (as ever) with their wholehearted commitment to everything they take on. It was great to see so many Dads at the breakfast last week and I know that all those who came to Anthony Seldon’s talk on Wednesday found it very worthwhile and entertaining. On Sunday we welcome Tony Little (Headmaster of Eton) to our service which begins at 10.00 a.m. in the Lynam Hall. All are welcome.
Perhaps I could use this space to issue a couple of reminders. First, please could all parents pay heed to the one way system that operates around the roads at pick up and drop off times? Please remember to keep clear of the zig zag lines either side of the zebra crossing. With Exeat this time next week, this is a timely reminder to all boarding parents as well. Please click this link to remind yourselves of the arrangements. Second, please remember that we have a “no mobile phone” policy in the school. All the boarding houses are equipped with pupil phones and all children are free to use the phone in the Lodge at any time up to 5.30 p.m.
I will write to all parents in a little more detail next week to coincide with the Exeat.
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BCG Questionnaire
Reception and B Block parents are reminded to return the BCG Questionnaire, emailed earlier this week, to the Dragon Health Centre. Further details are available by clicking here.
Inspiring Girls
Spectrum on Friday 8 October should be an inspiration to Dragon girls and women in particular. Cally Robson, entrepreneurial coach and founder of the ‘She’s Ingenious’ support network, will be coming to speak to A and B Block in the Lynam Hall. Parents and ODs are very welcome to attend. Please click here for the full Spectrum programme and details of how to book tickets.
Charity Walk
Next weekend (1 - 3 October) Ellie Datnow (Y1 Lynams) and her father OD James, along with other Dragon Parents, will be walking from the source of the Thames near Lechlade to the spires of Oxford. Following James' recent charity row from London to Paris he hopes to raise further funds for vital research at Great Ormond Street Hospital. If any Dragon staff or parents would like to join the Datnows next Sunday they would be very welcome. The walk starts at 9.00 a.m. (meet at 8.00 a.m.) and finishes at the Head of the River pub at around 3.00 p.m. The entry fee is £20 per person. For further information please
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Touchline Support
It is great to see and hear so many parents on the touchline, supporting and encouraging the boys and girls in their matches. The Dragon has long been noted for its commitment and fairness on and off the pitch with parents being praised particularly for their loyal, calm and understated support. Long may it continue! We would like to take this opportunity to encourage all parents to once again familiarise themselves with an extract from the National Coaching Foundation which, we believe, will help promote an enjoyable and positive environment for both player and spectator. Please click here
Annual Oxford Lecture
There are still a few tickets left for Hugh Williams-Preece’s talk entitled ‘Staying the Distance’ on Thursday 30 September in the Lynam Hall. Earlier this year Hugh (OD 1983) completed 50 marathons in 50 days, only the second person ever to have accomplished such an astonishing feat. Tickets for the talk, which will be followed by drinks and canapés, are available at £10 each and all are welcome. Please contact
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in the Events Office.
Board Games
Have you any old but complete board games, chess sets or Lego that you would be willing to donate to the Upper School? If so, please leave them outside Ma Strickland’s office in the Rink. Any donations would be much appreciated.
B Block Bonding
The B Block took time out from lessons on Saturday for the form teambuilding morning. Instead of the first three lessons, they took part in a round robin of activities including untying the “Human Knot”, crossing the “Chasm of Doom” (The Old Astro!) on wooden stools and sending golf balls through kitchen rolls, along with other tasks. Everyone had fun, learned a little about leadership, and got to know their new forms a good deal better. They rounded off the morning with a Tutors’ race across the Chasm, which was won by the nimbler, more agile staff team, leaving Mr Scott unfortunately stranded in the ‘snake-pit’. A great day.
Dragon Scullers
Fifteen children will be going to the Isis Sculls event at Oxford City RC at Donnington Bridge this Saturday. All details will be up on the sculling noticeboard and on the website as usual. Parents are very welcome to attend, please don’t forget to bring a bike!
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Seasonal Health Advice
The season that brings vomiting and diarrhoea bugs is now upon us and unfortunately it appears a lot of children have already succumbed. If your child is sick and/or has diarrhoea the advice from Public Health is that he or she must remain off school for 48 hours following the last symptom. The school is reminding all the children about good hygiene habits especially with hand washing so please can this be re-enforced when at home.
Whale Songs
In November, all children in the C Block will be taking part in a performance of 'Ocean World' in the Lynam Hall. This popular choral piece features a series of songs and narrations which describe the eventful journey of a humpback whale and her calf as they travel from the breeding grounds of the southern coral reefs to the cold waters of the north seas. It highlights the man-made difficulties they encounter on the way which become ever more serious.
Our seas and oceans are increasingly under threat as they are perceived as sources of food, minerals and chemicals and 'Ocean World' is an ecological musical with an important message to tell. We do hope parents will pop the date Friday 26 November at 11.00 a.m. in diaries now and try to join us for what we hope will be a moving and enjoyable occasion.
Senior Girls Games
As we have a larger number of girls in A & B Block than anticipated a further hockey group, to be called Frasers, has been created to go alongside the Houghton's and Young's. There has been a reworking of fixtures to allow them to have some matches. If your daughter is in the following teams, the fixtures will be as follows:
Houghton's - 22/9/10 v Bromsgrove, 12.10.10 v Cranford House, 16.10.10 v Cheam, 04.12.10 v Clifton
Fraser’s - 05.10.10 v Wychwood, 12.10.10. v Cranford House, 13.10.10 v Wellingborough, 04.12.10 v Clifton
Young's - 25.09.10 v Beaudesert, 12.10.10 v Cranford House, 13.10.10 v Wellingborough, 16.10.10 v Cheam, 09.11.10 v Wychwood
Rugby Runners-Up
Congratulations go to the 1st XV, Colts and U10s who were all runners-up in tournaments last week. The 1st XV lost out narrowly to MCS in the final of the Dragon’s own 1st XV Early-Season tournament, featuring seven other schools. On Saturday the Colts travelled to Port Regis and beat four other sides to reach the final before losing to a strong Blundell’s team. The U10s beat four teams also, but lost their last match to St Benedict’s Ealing. All three teams collected medals, and are hoping to go one better for the rest of the season.
Dragon Sale News
The Sale Committee is looking for apples this week: whether you’ve got one tree or an orchard they would love to hear from you if you have any apples going spare. Volunteers are standing by to whisk them away (they’ll even pick them if the time is right) so they can be magically transformed into Dragon Sale Juice which will be exclusively available from the Dragon Sale – please contact
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for more details. If you prefer to channel your excess fruit into chutneys and jams then please do consider setting aside a jar or three for the Deli stall – you can contact
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to arrange a handover, and if you need any inspiration to start you off then Karen has some great recipes too! And for details of the Dragon Christmas Charity Sale, please click here.
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Diary Reminders
For all sports fixtures and the full calendar of events, please see the main School Calendar
Friday, September 24, 2010
Spectrum: 'Painting Sound' (the relationship between art and music) with Nick Nelson (in the Lynam Hall), 6.45 p.m.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Normal Saturday School
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity, Mr Tony Little, Headmaster of Eton College, 10.00 a.m.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Normal School Day
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Normal School Day
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Normal School Day
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Dragon Biathlon, 4.30 p.m.
Some Members of Chamber Choir to London Chamber Orchestra Concert (Hospice Movement Event) at St John's Smith Square, 4.30 p.m.
Oxford Lecture: Hugh Preece (OD) - 'Staying The Distance' (in the Lynam Hall), 6.45 p.m.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Coffee Morning for E Block and New Parents, 11.00 a.m.
Coffee for Reception and Year 1 Parents at Lynams, 11.15 a.m.
WEEKEND EXEAT begins For C, D & E Blocks (until Sunday 3rd October), 12 noon
Information meeting for the Tokyo trip (optional) in the Library, 12.30 p.m.
WEEKEND EXEAT begins for A & B Blocks (until Sunday 3rd October), 12.30 p.m.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
A Block Forum: Parents & Tutors in the Lynam Hall, 6.00 p.m.
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