Fathers’ Breakfast
The Headmaster would like to invite all fathers of Dragon pupils for breakfast by the river on Saturday 18 September at 8.30 a.m. This will be an opportunity for those joining us in September to meet other fathers. Further details will follow by email from the Events Office.
Fabulous Big Band
On Monday, the Dragon Big Band performed at Birmingham Conservatoire. After the performance the band stayed to hear the judge’s adjudication. Among many very favourable comments about the Big Band in their report the judges said:
"The band was energetic with a confident sound, impressive horn section walking in whilst playing! The band used dynamic contrast well and intonation (tuning) was fabulous and solos were good. The Dragon musicians played very well together and sounded really confident. Well done"
Lynams Sports Day
Lynams enjoyed a beautiful sunny afternoon of fun-filled sports, masterminded by Ma McNeile, at Bardwell Road on Monday. The children took part in a range of activities with gusto: they ran races; they threw, hopped, ran and jumped in arena activities; and they enjoyed an under-and-over obstacle course. Together they all earned an amazing amount of points which went towards their final Colour Group totals. This year the much-coveted cup was won by the Yellow Team and it was proudly collected by Imogen MacLaren, Lucas Ingham, Amaan Munir and Louisa Hoy.
Pirates and Mermaids at Lynams
On Wednesday, Reception enjoyed a ‘Pirates and Mermaids’ party to celebrate the end of a very busy year as the youngest Dragons. They spent the morning making hats, baking biscuits and making their own boat shaped sandwiches. The children also created Jolly Roger flags to decorate the classrooms. During the afternoon, Reception enjoyed a treasure hunt, played sea faring games and sang a variety of traditional sea shanties. It was a wonderful way to end their first year!
Year 3 Go Greek
The Year 3 production of ‘Pandora’s Box’ was a triumph and credit to the children, staff and an extremely creative team of parents who made the costumes and sets. The children rose to the occasion with energy and enthusiasm in their singing, acting, dancing and musical accompaniments. The Greek Gods led by the mighty Zeus (Thomas Uglow) looked down to witness the wedding between the enchanting Pandora (Dodie House) and Epimetheus (Oscar Hilton Johnson). Despite the cruel gift of all evils, given to the happy couple by the Gods as a punishment for stealing fire, all was not lost. Hope (Kevin Zheng) came to the rescue to remind everyone that this golden thread should be woven into every experience in life. A huge thank you to all involved who made this such a colourful performance.
Take Your Partners
Tuesday night saw the annual Barn Dance for Year 3 supported this year by the “Knit Your Own Yogurt” band. Dressed in their barn dancing attire, the children, parents and staff danced the evening away. Perfect weather, music, food and company made for a very happy occasion.
Science Challenge
Congratulation to the finalists in the annual Hamish Cooper Science Challenge: Jacklyn Hyder, Ethan Cudlip, Edward Cochrane, Harry Startin, Oliver Bradley, Ava Hindmarsh-Smith, Kevin Zheng and Gabriel Tribe. The winner was Kevin Zheng.
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Sports Day
A reminder that Sports Day begins at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday 10 July and not at 11.00 a.m. as stated in the printed calendar.
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.
Lost and Found
As you clear up towards the end of term, please would parents look out for any clothing or property which does not belong to your children? If you come across the property of other Dragon pupils please bring it into school so it can be returned to its owner. Items should be placed in the usual lost property bins.
Holiday Music Course
The Dragon Young Music Makers course (31 August to 3 September) is open to Lynams children and those currently in E Block. There will be fun musical activities each morning and the chance to try out a variety of instruments for those who have not yet chosen which one to learn. This is the last call for enrolment - please let
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know if you wish to take part.
National Athletics Championships
The Dragon competed at the National Athletics Finals at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on Monday. Well over 1000 athletes from 150 schools took part and the competition was of an extremely high standard. The Dragon athletes performed fantastically well and picked up a number of 4th and 5th places. However, there were also some fine medal winning performances: Lara Dearden won gold in the U14 Long Jump in a new School Record of 4.90m; Sam Way won gold in the U12 Shot in a new School Record of 9.03m; Sea Assakul won a bronze in the U14 High Jump clearing 1.59m (see main picture). A number of other personal bests meant that the children did themselves and the Dragon proud.
French Magazines
Any parents wishing to help their children's reading and listening skills (worth 50% of the marks in most exams) may wish to subscribe to the French magazines on sale from Mary Glasgow. The magazines, which are expressly written for young learners of French, are very topical and cover current news and cultural events. The French Department recommends 'Allons-y' for all in C Block and lower sets in A and B Block and 'Bonjour' for the top sets in A and B Block. Your subscription will buy 5 issues during the year, 2 CDs and access to their website. To view the website please click here To order please click
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Chess vs. Staff
 On Monday, 18 pupils (including OD James Waterfield, Assistant Bursar) took on the staff in the annual chess match. There was the traditional five-move checkmate lurking for one unsuspecting teacher, but most matches were hard fought, some over almost 90 minutes. At the end of the day, the score stood at 8.5-8.5, but one match had been adjourned due to a school activity, so all were on tenterhooks overnight. The final game was resumed on Tuesday morning, and saw William Klemperer (B Block) beat his tutor, Lucy Walker after mulling over the position in his head the previous night. Final score: 9.5-8.5 to the children. This is the closest finish in the three years of the competition, and it's great to see the staff improving their chess every year! Thanks to everyone who participated, and well done to the pupils: but watch out next year...
Chernobyl Children
 On 1 July, our Russian-speaking Dragons played host to a party of 9 children and 2 staff visiting the UK from Chernobyl. The visit was supported by charity Chernobyl's Children and the Dragon Sale; our thanks go to Christine Barnett and Jo Sweby from the charity who accompanied the group. The children, aged between 7 and 12, arrived in time for bun break. After a guided tour of the school and a lesson or two, the children enjoyed lunch and some delicious cup cakes kindly baked by Free Cakes for Kids. Play time on the fields was fun for all and if possible we would love to meet up with the group again this time next year.
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