From Muddy Dragons and a sponsored read to the return of inter-school matches and year group productions, there were many moments to enjoy this summer at the Dragon.
Below is a selection of highlights from this Summer Term.
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Muddy Dragons
Forest School for Reception
This was a real highlight for our youngest Dragons’ after the return from lockdown. Muddy Dragons provides a regular opportunity for the Reception children to explore the outdoors, learn about nature and how their natural environment changes with the seasons. Whether they are in their wellies ready for a trip to the woods, identifying leaves, or having fun on the rope swing and hammock, Forest School is a wonderful way for children to develop holistically. The children gain confidence, work as a team, problem solve and take risks in a safe, supported environment.
Community in Action
The Power of Partnerships
The Dragon is proud to have continued to join Oxford Mutual Aid’s (OMA) efforts in supporting vulnerable people in the local community, the NHS, key workers and local aid organisations. From 6 to 16 April, the Dragon partnered with OMA and cooked 200 meals every day for the local community.
Dragon Sale News
We are delighted to reveal that the 2020 ‘Virtual’ Dragon Sale raised an incredible £43,300. This is a testament to the ingenuity and hard work of the Sale team and the generosity of the Dragon community. You can read the full story about the Dragon Sale and some of the charities that it has supported here.
Dragon QUEST
Saturdays, during Summer Term 2021
Module 4 & 5 of the Dragon QUEST took place this term with High-Intensity Dragons taking to the fields for their morning workout, whilst the Dragon Geographers learned about various social impact projects worldwide. In the cauldron, Culinary Dragons discovered how to make their own sushi rolls, and in the grounds, our Green Clawed Dragons began cultivating their own allotment. Snap Dragons developed an understanding of portrait photography as our Banksy Dragons created some pop-up murals around the School site.
Mental Health Awareness Week
10-16 May 2021
We recognise that escaping in a good book is one of life’s greatest pleasures but the act of reading is also incredibly beneficial for our mental health. Settling down with a good book is a helpful way for children to switch off from the day, cope with stress or worry, and develop empathy. This year, to celebrate next week’s Mental Health Awareness week, all children from Reception to A Block were challenged to take part in a sponsored read; to prioritise reading any book for 15 minutes each day. The funds raised will support Place2Be, an incredible charity supporting thousands of young people and children in school with their mental health, through one-to-one counselling, training and workshops.
Frankenstein
B Block Summer Production
A cast of 32 B Blockers rehearsed over the Christmas Term, successfully navigating the challenges of remote rehearsals during lockdown and put on an incredible production, which was live-streamed to the cast’s parents. The children delivered a high-quality, atmospheric and moody production of which they should be very proud. A Block Drama Ambassadors helped out backstage, and the actors did their own make-up. The set was created with thanks to Mr Osmond, made up of recycled interactive whiteboard boxes.
Green Classrooms
Summer Term
Prizes were awarded for the greenest form at the end of the Summer Term, with young Dragons and staff encouraged to bring in seedlings and cuttings. We were grateful to receive seeds from the Yarnton Garden Centre’s ‘Seeds for Schools’ project, as well as some pots.
Oliver!
C Block Musical
C Block’s performance of Oliver! was a brilliant display of talent from both the actors and musicians. The production was live-streamed to parents and made available for the whole School community to watch on Firefly.