Newsletter – 29 September 2023 (copy 01) - Chard School | Independent Prep School in Chard South Somerset

*|MC:SUBJECT|*

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*

Friday 29 September 2023

Word from the Head, Katie Hill

This week the children have been busy in their learning and in celebrating the season of Harvest. In RS, Wyndham Class explored the theme of temptation. The children loved Mrs Elmer’s puppet show which told the story of Adam And Eve and introduced the concept of temptation. Wyndham were delighted when Mrs Elmer gave each child a cup cake, however they were less impressed as she tested their powers of resistance by instructing them not to eat the cake! The children touched the cake, smelt it and were certainly tempted. What a great way to truly enable the children to appreciate the power of temptation. Needless to say they were delighted when they were allowed to finally tuck in at the end of the session!

In Art this half term Lower Cerdic have been honing their topography skills in experimenting with mark making on maps. The children are currently working to create a piece of art using maps, newspapers and manuscript paper. We cannot wait to see their final pieces on display.

Upper Cerdic and Symes Class enjoyed a joint PSHE session this week. The Symes children were excited to welcome UC to their classroom and all of the children thoroughly enjoyed this buddy experience. The session gave our youngest children the opportunity to get to know some of our oldest children as they played together, this will pave the way for greater socialisation on the playground for our Symes pupils. It was lovely to witness the kindness and helpful nature of our UC children, what brilliant role models they are for our Symes children.

Horner and Monmouth Class have been captivated by the story of ‘The Visitor!’ this week. The children were intrigued to stumble upon a paper aeroplane in their classroom and then discovered a touching letter from Emil. Horner and Monmouth couldn’t wait to write their own letters in response inviting Emil to join them for lots of fun at school. To ensure their letters reached Emil they flew them to him by paper aeroplane.

Yesterday our Pre-prep children were pleased to share their Harvest Assembly with their families. Despite some of these children having only been in school for a few weeks their entertained with harvest themed poetry recitals and songs. For some it was a big event to take to the stage for the first time and for others they seemed completely in their element. We were really proud of them as they led us in their Harvest Assembly. This afternoon it is the turn of our Prep School who are looking forward to entertaining their parents with Harvest themed poems they have written and songs they have learnt. We would like to thank our school community for all of the donations that we have received for the Lord’s Larder (Chard’s Food Bank). On Tuesday 3rd October, Upper Cerdic are delivering these donations to the Food Bank and taking part in a workshop to enable them to truly appreciate the vital work of the Lord’s Larder in our local community.

This morning Pre-prep were excited to board the coach for their day of Forest School at ROAM. We are reliably informed that the children are having a super time in the sunshine and cannot wait to hear all about their woodland learning on their return.

Next week on Monday our school photographer is attending to take individual portrait photographs of our children. On Tuesday Ferne Animal Sanctuary are coming in to lead our Guest Assembly and our UC children are attending a workshop at The Lord’s Larder. On Wednesday Mrs Battersby is looking forward to welcoming Pre-school aged children and their families to our new ‘Tiddly Peeps Toddler Group’ at 10.15 – 11.15am, why not come and join in the fun too! On Wednesday afternoon our cross country runners are taking part in the Stockland Races and on Thursday Mrs Orr-Ewing is looking forward to welcoming Pre-school aged children and their families to Mini Melody Makers.

Calendar Events/Clubs 2 – 6 October

Calendar Events

Monday 2nd October
Portrait Photos by Paul Deadman @ 9.00am

Tuesday 3rd October
Upper Cerdic Workshops @ Lord’s Larder @ 10.45am
Guest Assembly – Ferne Animal Sanctuary

Wednesday 4th October
‘Celebrating Differences’ Morning
Tiddly Peeps, Pre-school children, 10.15am to 11.15am
Swimming @ Chard Leisure Centre from 2.15pm – Whole School
Stockland Races @ 4pm

Thursday 5th October
Maths Morning Event @ 9.30am
Mini Melody Makers, Pre-School children – 10.15am to 11.15am
U11 Girls Hockey –v- St. John’s @2.15pm followed by match tea

Friday 6th October
Celebration Assembly @ 3.10pm

Clubs

Monday
Circuits/Manhunt & Pirates Yrs 3 – 6

Tuesday
Football Club – All Years

Wednesday
Manhunt & Pirates –Reception -Yr 2
Juggling Club – Yrs 4 – 6

Thursday
Latin Club – Yrs 4 -6

Friday
Music Ensemble – Yrs 3 – 6
Karate – Yrs 2 – 6

Everyday Clubs

Before Club 8 – 8.45am (included in School fees) Booking required

Prep Club 3.45 – 4.30pm (included in School fees) Booking required

After School Club 4.30 – 5.30pm (£5.75 Charge) Booking required

Reminders

As a matter of safety, please ensure that you always shut our school gate behind you.
Please ensure that your child brings a named water bottle to school daily.
Following our school ‘healthy snack’ guidelines, please send your child to school with a ‘healthy snack’ each day. Please remember that we are a nut free school.
If your child has been invited to compete in the Stockland Races please ensure your child’s form is returned by Monday 2nd October.

Lunch menu

Please refer to week two on the MENU OPTIONS.

Congratulations on your achievements in the singing exams!

Congratulations to all our talented children who performed exceptionally well in their singing exams. We thoroughly enjoy hearing their melodious voices in school, and it’s no surprise that they have achieved such remarkable success. If you’re interested in booking singing lessons, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the school office.

Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3
Elin Mary Freya
Nancy Emily Rhiannon
Eryk Lorelei
Grace Nell

Kayla

Mr Sills book recommendation

Impossible Creatures
A boy called Christopher is visiting his reclusive grandfather when he witnesses an avalanche of mythic creatures come tearing down the hill. This is how Christopher learns that his grandfather is the guardian of one of the ways between the non-magical world and a place called the Archipelago: a cluster of magical islands, where all the creatures we tell of in myth live and breed and thrive alongside humans. They have been protected for thousands of years from being discovered; now, terrifyingly, the protection has worn thin, and creatures are breaking through.

Then a girl, Mal, appears in Christopher’s world. She is in possession of a flying coat, is being pursued by a killer, and is herself in pursuit of a baby griffin. Mal, Christopher and the griffin embark on an urgent quest across the wild splendour of the Archipelago, where sphinxes hold secrets and centaurs do murder, to find the truth – with unimaginable consequences for both their worlds. Together the two must face the problem of power, and of knowledge, and of what love demands of us. 8+

Old Cerdics Association

In the Autumn issue of the Old Cerdics News Letter there was mention of the publication of the school’s history CHARD SCHOOL – Three Centuries of History.

Sponsored by the Old Cerdics Association and first published amidst wide acclaim and media interest at the school’s Summer Fair in 2007 the story goes right back to the very beginning in 1671 when William Symes gave his Manor House in Chard to the Portreeve and Burgesses of the Borough ‘for the education and bringing up of youth in virtue and learning’.

A second edition was published in 2021 bringing the history right up to date, including some of the most difficult years in the school’s long history brought about by the global pandemic. Copies of this worthwhile reading of over 150 pages of the school’s long history, including numerous photos, is still available for purchase from the school at £15.00 (£18.00 to include p&p). Contact Sharon Mason