Go-Kart Fever Returns to Cundall
FORTY of our daredevil pupils provided some wonderful entertainment for a large crowd of friends and family as the annual Cundall Go-Kart Race returned to school. Nearly 500 spectators watched the 36 homemade Go-Karts provide high-octane thrills last Friday (26 May). This year saw two brothers, Callum and Ben Throup claim spots on the podium following a morning of fun and heart-stoppingly mad-cap racing. This year saw a range of innovative entries from our pupils including a modified bath-tub, a wheelie bin, a canoe and many more fantastically unique designs. The winning entry came in the form of a three-wheel adaptation from Toby Wilkinson who tackled the hill route posting a blistering time of 8.72 secs in his vehicle, averaging 9.1 metres per second. The time knocked 2.57 seconds off last year’s winning entry, ‘The BFF Barrel.’ The winner faced tough competition from the Throup brothers, Ben and Callum, who posted superb times of 8.99 secs and 9.14 secs respectively. Hundreds of parents, friends and family, cheered on the competitors as they descended the hill with a varying degree of success. For the first time in the race’s history, electronic timing gates were used to increase the accuracy of the times thanks to the help of the school’s science department. Marketing Manager, Paul Swalwell, added: “The event always attracts some fabulous designs and this year was no exception. Some of our pupils and their parents have been working on this for over half a year and it is wonderful to see their hard work pay off with such a fun event.” “A huge well done to all our pupils and parents who helped make the day so entertaining and special.” To find out more about the Go-Kart race or to see more images and videos of the race, visit our facebook page at www.facebook.com/cundallmanor
A charity walk with a difference for Cundall pupils
Over 300 pupils and parents from our school went the extra mile to benefit fellow pupils over 7000 miles away in Cambodia. The pupils took part in the annual event that saw them complete the 5km walk around the school’s idyllic surrounds. Children as young as 6 completed the walk with donations being requested in support of a wider initiative being run by the Independent Schools Association (ISA) and United World Schools. The School has pledged any funds raised from the walk to the ISA who are working together with United World Schools to establish a new school for a remote part of Cambodia – Pong Tek. Another 423 ISA Member Schools have been asked to pledge to raise funds that will not only help build a new school for the local people, but also provide teacher-training and equipment for the community in this remote part of Cambodia. The new ISA-UWS School will have four distinct classrooms, a library, and solar lights, as well as the first toilet and water-well in the village. Joint Head at Cundall Manor School, Amanda Kirby, said: “We are proud that we can contribute to such a great initiative. The annual walk is a superb opportunity to help raise funds for a worthy charity.” Everyone in the village of Pong Tek is currently involved in subsistence agriculture with very few other opportunities available without a basic education. There are over 1000 people living in the village and only around 5% can currently read or write. The ISA-UWS School will be a first for the community and will instantly provide a life changing opportunity for over 230 out-of-school children. Neil Roskilly, Chief Executive of the Independent Schools Association, says that “this is a wonderful opportunity for schools to be involved in this great project, helping to provide an education for a whole community as well as setting up educational links to benefit pupils both here in the UK and in Cambodia.”
Go-Kart Presentation for Form 1
For one Form 1 pupil tomorrow’s Go-Kart Race will see him complete a project that has taken nearly 8 months to bring to fruition. Andrew from Form 1 today spoke to his classmates about the project and how he and his father have been working to bring together his entry ahead of tomorrow’s annual Go-Kart Race. In his presentation, Andrew detailed the build and all the fun things that he has learned while building the project including skills such as welding and using a lathe. Andrew’s ‘Gravity Racer’ will line-up against over a dozen of other vehicles in tomorrow’s race. Good luck to all our entries.
Summer Fair
A huge thank you to all our wonderful Friends of Cundall who put on such an entertaining Summer Fair. The day was enjoyed by all.
Night Ride for Mother and Daughter in Aid of Charity
A North Yorkshire mother and daughter are set to cycle throughout the night to raise money for women’s cancer charities. Jenny and Anna Roberts are attempting the 100km London ‘Ride the Night’ in aid of CAF – Cancer V Women on Saturday 27 May. The one hundred kilometre route will see the mother and daughter pair take in some of the nation’s most memorable sights, starting and ending at Windsor Castle and making their way past the London Eye and Westminster among others. Jenny, a Science Teacher at Cundall Manor School, and her daughter, Anna, a former pupil at the school, are two of a group of TWELVE women who are riding to raise money for women’s cancer charities after a friend was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Jenny said: “A very dear friend is suffering from breast cancer and last year we discussed doing the London ‘Ride the Night’ before she was diagnosed. Vicky is a keen cyclist and we thought it would be an apt ride to raise money for a series of great charities. Nearly 3000 riders will take to the roads throughout the nation’s capital as the ride attempts to smash last year’s £1.2million figure. Jenny added: “It will be a great way for some of Vicky’s friends to get together and raise money for a charity close to all of our hearts.” Anna, who is currently studying English, Biology and PE at St. Aidan’s in Harrogate, will join her mother and 10 other women including her best friend on the ride. She said: “It is really good that we can do something like this. Vicky is my best friend’s mum and this is a great opportunity to raise awareness and money for some worthy charities.” The ride will start at Windsor Castle at 10.30pm and the 100km is expected to take around 4 hours. If you would like to help support the ride and raise money for a great cause, you can donate directly to the JustGiving fundraising page – https://www.justgiving.com/Popeandglory. Find out more about the ‘Ride the Night’ event athttp://www.ridethenight.co.uk/
Mental Health Awareness Week
“There is no health without mental health.” As a school, we are keen to promote a positive and healthy attitude to mental health. Mental health – the way we think or feel about ourselves and what is going on around us, and life – affects our sense of wellbeing as well as our physical health. At Cundall, we have a strong pastoral system that supports all of our pupils. We have a progressive attitude towards open conversations with pupils, parents and the wider community about a range of issues that may affect the wellbeing of anyone of our community. As such, opportunities like ‘Mental Health Awareness Week’ help us broach the subject of mental health and promote a healthy attitude towards the mental wellbeing of every member of the Cundall family. We are proud to be able to have a Wellbeing Support Teacher within the school who is a qualified and experienced counsellor. This service is a great opportunity for discussing issues and helping to address any concerns, doubts or worries in a supportive manner and environment. Good mental health is vital for learning and life. A 2008 WHO report argued that mental health conditions account for almost one quarter of ill health in the UK, more than either cancer or heart disease. With effective promotion, early intervention and education about prevention, the impact can be reduced dramatically. Children who are mentally healthy tend to be better equipped to meet life’s challenges, learn better and get on better with others. Good mental health in childhood provides a grounding for positive mental health and wellbeing, now and into the future. Understanding what it means to have good mental health does not mean never having worries or feelings of distress. The feeling of being worried, sad, frustrated or angry are all normal emotions and learning how to manage them are all part of having good mental health. Mentally healthy children are able to use positive coping skills to manage feelings and deal with difficulties. At Cundall Manor: · We take mental health and wellbeing very seriously. · We have a Wellbeing Support Teacher available to pupils who is a qualified and experienced counsellor. · We aim to join the current movement that encourages young people to take their mental health seriously. This means that we encourage our pupils to take their mental health as seriously as they would take their physical welfare. · We like to encourage pupils to feel as comfortable as possible when talking about their mental health. · We recognise that many pupils would prefer a discreet approach and ours is a confidential (within the limits of safeguarding) service for pupils. · Appointments are as discreet as we can manage. If you would like to contact our wellbeing support teacher you can email her ondianeriddell@cundallmanor.org.uk Visit the mental health awareness week website at www.mentalhealth.org.uk to find out more about the initiative and the mental health foundation.
GCSE Drama Performance
GCSE pupils from Thornton recently took to the stage to perform a challenging and dark play called ‘Five Kinds of Silence’ as part of their Drama GCSE course. The play written by Shelagh Stephenson was published in 2004 and tells the story of a family living under the power of a violent father and husband. The challenging nature of the play allowed our pupils to explore some of the darker sides of human nature and power structures within a family setting. Head of Drama, Elizabeth Vile, said: “The choice of Five Kinds of Silence’ allows our pupils the chance to explore a series of difficult themes and how drama can help bring these issues into focus.” Miss Vile added: “The pupils deserve a big well done for all their efforts in pulling together a really engaging and innovative performance.”
Form 2 Perform Carmina Burana with Easingwold Singers
Well done to some of our Form 2 pupils who joined the wonderful Easingwold Singers, along with a professional ensemble of pianists and percussionists, on Saturday 6 May. The pupils took to the Galtres Centre stage and wowed a full house in a performance of one of the twentieth century’s most performed choral works, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Our pupils received a great amount of praise from the singers and the audience for their professionalism, beautiful singing and mastery of the Latin text. Well done Form 2.
Cycling Race Returns to North Yorkshire Roads
SIXTY of Yorkshire’s top riders will take to the North Yorkshire roads this Thursday as British Cycling returns to the county for the second round of the North Yorkshire Evening Road Race League. Hot on the heels of the Tour de Yorkshire, racing enthusiasts from a range of cycling clubs will start the race from Cundall Manor School before heading around a fast-paced course taking in Norton-le-Clay, Milby and Thornton Manor. The race is expected to be an exciting and fast-paced affair with speeds averaging over 25mph and with a field of 60 category 3 and 4 riders. The organisers, Moonglu Cycling Club, are encouraging people to carry on with the county’s famed enthusiasm for the sport and to come down and cheer on the competitors. Moonglu Cycling Club Race Event organiser, Paul Shears said: “”We are a new club and really excited to be given this great opportunity to put on this race. Ripon is a true cycling city and the surrounding area is full of cyclists of all abilities. As a club we want to promote all sides of this great sport and this race is a great opportunity to do so.” Cundall Manor School will play host to both of the Moonglu CC events. Marketing Manager for the school, Paul Swalwell, said: “We are very proud to play host to the event. It will be a fabulous experience for some of our pupils to see a fast-moving peloton compete right on the school’s doorstep.” He added: “For some of the rider’s it will be a return to their former school and we will certainly be cheering them on.” The event will be refereed by British Cycling who will provide commissaries and have TM traffic management providing assistance on the roads. The first round was a fiercely paced race around the Pennypot circuit hosted by Ilkley Cycling Club. Jamie Tweddell from FTR Milltag claiming the top prize and the all-important 15 points. To find out more about the North Yorkshire Evening Road Race League event or the Moonglu Cycling Club, visit the club’s website atwww.moonglucc.clubor follow the club’s new Twitter page @MoongluCC.
Jumping for Joy as Cundall Pupil Receives International Call-Up
Well done to our Form 5 pupil Hannah who has been selected to compete for Great Britain at an international event to be held in Opglabbeek, Belgium next week. Hannah was among the top riders in her class last year and has seen her hard work pay off as she will represent her country in both individual and team competitions. She will be looking to build on a strong start to the season as she competes in the Children on horses Nations Cup. She will be competing on her horse Cartouche II, a 14 year-old bay gelding. After a successful viewing trial at the Chepstow International Horse Show, Hannah was only one of six children to make the team. Head of Girls’ Games, Louise Bessey, said: “We are really pleased for Hannah. She is so committed to all her sport and this is a great opportunity for her to shine on the international stage.” “She is a fantastic all-round athlete and was recently part of the school’s ISA U13 National Hockey Championship winning team in London. We will all be cheering her on and wish her well.” Hannah will be hoping her good form continues during 2017 after recently claiming the top prize in the 148cm class at the prestigious Pony Premier winter JA classic series at Bury Farm, Buckinghamshire. The competition will take place on the 11th– 14thof May in Opglabbeek, Belgium and results will be posted on the British Showjumping website atwww.britishshowjumping.co.uk