Dragon School Oxford

Tonight’s Spectrum

The Upper School Spectrum tonight will be in the Gym. Our speaker, Mr Jim Reddy from Uppingham School, has changed the title of his talk to “Protest Through the Ages”. He felt that, in the light of the summer riots, this would be an interesting and topical subject for the audience.

‘Poacher turned Gamekeeper’: Oxford Dragon Lecture 2011

We had great pleasure in welcoming back to the Dragon OD Cressida Dick, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and now acting Head of Counter Terrorism, at this year’s Oxford Dragon Lecture. Cressida spoke to a packed audience in the Lynam Hall and greatly amused everyone with her fond memories of the Dragon. Despite her truly impressive career, she admitted that it was a surprise to everyone, including herself, that she became a police officer. Cressida took questions from Dragons, which included topics such as the London riots, bribery and the dangers of police work. Despite half of B Block raising their hands in response to the challenge of who within the audience had ever been arrested, Cressida expressed her hopes that the police force would continue to attract young people with the valuable qualities and characteristics associated with a Dragon education.

Any Old Bikes?

The Dragon is now running a ‘Bicycle Repairing’ Activity which will teach children how to fix, paint and repair bikes. The bikes will be mended and sold to raise money for charity. Donations of any broken, rusty old bikes would be most welcome and gladly accepted. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   if you can give an old bicycle to this activity.

Environmental Music

Children in C Block are looking forward to their performance of One Sun, One World, a musical entertainment for solos, small groups, chorus and orchestra. A small number of singers will give a brief preview at the Eco Conference next week before a full performance, complete with an orchestra of strings, wind and percussion, on Friday 21 October at 11.00 a.m. in Lynam Hall. One Sun, One World was written for the 50th Anniversary of the World Wildlife Fund by Peter Rose and Anne Conlon who are known particularly for their first major eco-musical, Yanamamo. All parents of C Block are invited to attend the performance. As this is just before the Half Term break, we hope it will be an excellent opportunity for many of you to join us.

A Block Summer

Now is the time to think about next summer’s post-exam trips for A Block pupils. To get an idea of last year’s activities and to obtain a booking form for this year, please click here. You will find a presentation illustrating the range of options and booking forms for your child’s expedition choices for 2012. You are asked to make choices with your children over Half Term. The deadline for return of booking forms is 6.00 p.m. on Wednesday 9 November – these must include the two required sheets signed and dated and the deposit (full details are on the website).

Hot Art

On the hottest October weekend since records began, 27 eager A Block Art Scholars, together with three art teachers and a mathematician, travelled to St Ives for a weekend of art, sea, sun and sand. As well as open air drawing and seeing a range of inspiring art in Cornwall’s best museums and galleries, there was time for traditional seaside fun. See a full report here.

LYNAMS NEWS

Autumn Art

Year 3 took advantage of the glorious weather to produce some environmental art on the front lawn at Lynams. Based on Andy Goldsworthy’s landscape forms, the children enjoyed sorting colours and sizes of autumn leaves to create group collages. Whilst doing so, they were thrilled to come across a Pale Tussock Moth caterpillar which was as spectacularly coloured as anything autumnal.

Reception Break Bread

The youngest and newest Dragons celebrated Harvest by making bread rolls to share at home.

Reminder for Parents of C, D & E Block Children

The C, D and E Block Introductory Meetings take place on Sunday 9 October at 6.00 p.m. This is an opportunity to meet your child’s Formtaker and other parents of children in the same year group. All parents have received an invitation via email and are very welcome. C and D Block have drinks in the Forum and a short talk about life in the Middle School from Mr Overend at 6.30 p.m. E Block are in the Dining Hall for drinks and the talk by Ma McNeile will be at 6.45 p.m.

Fayre Necessities

Dragons were out in force this week for the D Block Fayre. Stalls ranged from apple-bobbing to locust racing with all the money raised going to charity. Particular mention should go to the brave (and now damp) Stooges who were on the receiving end of the ‘sponge-throwing’ contest!
This academic year the Dragon is supporting charities who work to enable people to access Sport and Culture locally, nationally and internationally. This particular event raised more than £500 for the Oxford City Football Club’s Community Centre.

Prizes for Poets

On Tuesday of this week, three of our Upper School boys attended the prizegiving ceremony for the prestigious John Betjeman poetry competition. This was held at St Pancras station next to the statue of John Betjeman, an OD. Joanna Lumley presented the certificates and the boys then enjoyed tea with their fellow prizewinners. Please click here to read the poems.

RUGBY NOTICES

Clifton Reminder

A reminder to parents that Saturday’s fixtures against Clifton are all 2.45 p.m. kick off, and that the away matches have various venues:
2nd XV and Norham 1A will be playing at Newfields (Walled Garden)
Colts B will play at Lower Slopes (by the Prep School)
Norham 1B will play at Beggars’ Bush – over the suspension bridge and out of Clifton.

Fixture Change

Please note the following calendar change on Wednesday 12 October: Linton 3 are now NOT playing Cheltenham Colts C away at Cheltenham; instead Chad 3 will be doing this fixture.

Challenging Cheltenham

Last week, eight members of C Block took part in the Cheltenham College leadership team challenge. They all competed admirably and relished solving the many challenges put in their path.

DRAGON SALE 2011 UPDATE

Calling all Christmas Cards

A gentle reminder to please return your child’s completed template for his or her Christmas Card to the Lodge by Monday 10 October – click here for a downloadable template if you need a replacement. Also NEW for this year are self-adhesive gift tags, based on your child’s Christmas Card design – you’ll find details of how to order these on the orders page of the website. The deadline for orders is Monday 17 October and all proceeds go direct to the Sale, so thank you, this is a great way to start supporting the Sale this year.

And if you’d like to help with the Sale, either on the day or with the preparations beforehand, then please do visit the website to see if there are any areas that particularly interest you. You can also sign up for the forthcoming Dragon Sale newsletter, out soon!
From the Dragon Sale Team