The Wild Wood Launched
An exciting new outdoor learning environment has been launched at Cundall Manor School. The Wild Wood has already seen pupils as young as two visiting the new woodland trail which has been devised to add a new facet to the school’s fun and robust curriculum. Pupils from across the school will benefit from a new environment to engage their curiosity while embedding English, maths and other curriculum subjects along the way. Engaging with a fun and practical learning environment, pupils will get hands on practice developing their skills and understanding of the natural world and how to keep a sustainable and managed woodland. The school plans to install forest art along the routes while also encouraging pupils to use the nearby Kitchen Garden and Tipis to get a thorough knowledge of the local habit and facilities available to them. The Wild Wood will also allow the pupils of the school’s Eco-Committee a chance to monitor the wide range of ecological diversity across the school’s 28 acres of North Yorkshire countryside. Head of Key Stage 2 at Cundall Manor School, Mr Bayne, said: “The Wild Wood will be a wonderful addition to the school’s curriculum.” “The fact that we already have so many outdoor activities which our children enjoy, we are sure that the wood will prove incredibly popular, particularly with our younger pupils.” The school, which recently received national recognition for its extra-curricular offer after being shortlisted for the ISA Awards, will be hosting an Open Morning on Saturday 14 October starting at 10am. To find out more about the school or to book your place, call 01423 360 200 or email admissions@cundallmanor.org.uk
Pre-Prep celebrate Harvest Festival
Pupils from Cundall Manor School’s Pre-Prep today helped lead a wonderful celebration of the Harvest at an intimate service at Cundall Church. Pre-Prep pupils across the department from Nursery to PP2 performed a series of fantastic songs, readings and dances, concluding with a wonderful series of poems written by our pupils. The service was taken by the Reverend Alison Askew with a full church of proud teachers, parents and grandparents. A huge well done to all our pupils, parents and staff who made the service such a wonderful event.
U14 Claim Area Title
Cundall Manor School’s U14 hockey team, yesterday (Monday 25 October) claimed the Hambleton and Richmondshire Area Title following four strong performances against tough opposition. The team clinched the crown without conceding a goal and will now progress to the County round on Tuesday 10 October 2017. Well done to all the teams involved in a great day of hockey.
D of E Trek Tests Pupils Resilience
A 30+ mile trek across testing terrain proved a rewarding experience as Upper School pupils completed their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze qualifying expedition. The group celebrated Miss Stovin’s Birthday while on their trip.Over a dozen pupils completed the trek, which started in Bainbridge before ending up in Middleham, the historic home of Richard III. The pupils had to navigate their way across Wensleydale following a route card that they had produced in Duke of Edinburgh enrichment earlier in the term. Miss Stovin, D of E coordinator, supported the expedition. She said: “It was great to see our pupils work as a team. After being split into groups of 6 or 7 they really embraced the challenge and did really well completing the trek.” The pupils had to carry all their equipment and had to be self-sufficient for the trip. Luckily, the weather was favourable on Sunday for our pupils to appreciate some of the beautiful views of Wensleydale.
Science in Action for GCSE Biology
Eldmire’s recent trip to nearby Raskelf saw them take on some difficult terrain as they attempted to complete a core practical for their GCSE Biology. They had to develop their technique using transacts and quadrats to measure changes in the distribution of organisms and investigate whether the distribution was affected by abiotic factors such as light intensity or water depth. They then had a go at ‘Pond Dipping’ and identifying different organisms with identification keys. Eldmire certainly looked at home plodding around in wellies using scientific equipment and fishing for mini-beasts.
Museum of the Year Inspires Form 4
A recent excursion to the Museum of the Year for our Form 4 has certainly inspired our pupils. Mr Vale recounts the visit to one of Yorkshire’s hidden art gems, The Hepworth, Wakefield. Form 4 visited the Hepworth Museum in Wakefield on Tuesday. We spent the morning looking at the later work of Barbara Hepworth, including a unique collection of the artist’s working models for her bronze sculptures. The pupils made some observational drawings and used these to create a Hepworth inspired small clay sculpture in the Gallery’s studio downstairs. By the end of the session we had created a mini-model of our own sculpture park! In the afternoon, the pupils switched from 3D to 2D to explore the paintings of Howard Hodgkin, widely regarded as one of Britain’s greatest painters. The exhibition explores the enduring influence of India on Hodgkin’s work, and the pupils made observational studies of the colours, shapes and patterns that characterise the warmth and sensory impressions of the country captured in his paintings. We very much hope this experience will inspire Form 4 to create their own paintings back at school. A big thank you to Miss Poulton, Miss Ratcliffe and Mrs Rea who helped to make the day run smoothly. The trip follows on from last year’s work with the museum which saw the school participate in a photo shoot for an exhibition curated by the critically acclaimed designer J.W. Anderson. Read more about the story on the Yorkshire Evening Post website: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/yorkshire-students-turn-models-for-top-fashion-photographer-1-8447513 Find out more about the Hepworth by visiting their website http://www.hepworthwakefield.org/news/the-hepworth-wakefield-wins-art-fund-museum-of-the-year-2017/
PP1 Visit Northallerton Fire Station
Our PP1 had a trip they thoroughly enjoyed as the visited a local fire station for the day. They began the afternoon with a presentation on The Great Fire of London and a fire-fighter explained why the fire had spread so quickly and burned for so long. Next the children learned all about fire safety and what to do in case of a fire at home. They had lots of interesting questions to ask! The children found out how the Fire Service has changed since the Great Fire of London and after the presentation, they were taken outside for a practical activity where the pupils use buckets in a chain to fill up a large bucket at the other end. The fire-fighters then used the hose to fill up the same bucket so they can see the difference in time and how things have changed to become much safer since 1666. Finally, the children got to look around the Fire Engine and learn about the different equipment and how it is used. They all had a lot of fun!
PP2 Visit Whitby
Harvest Festival at St Columba, Topcliffe
A packed St Columba Church in Topcliffe once again played host to the annual Main and Upper School Harvest Festival service. Proud parents, grandparents and families gathered in the nearby church to join our pupils in celebration for the annual harvest. The service, wonderfully led by Reverend Alison Askew, had readings from James, Alistair, Hattie, Niamh, Poppy, Florrie and Mrs Kirby alongside songs from the Girls’ and Boys’ Choirs. Thank you to everyone who helped prepare the church in advance and to all our parents and wider community who so generously donated gifts which will make their way to the Salvation Army to help feed those in need. A retiring collection was also taken and will see proceeds split between The Salvation Army and St Columba’s Church in Topcliffe.
Cundall Shortlisted for National Award
Cundall Shortlisted for National Award We are proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for another national award. This year we will compete for the ISA Award for Excellence in Extra-Curricular Activities. The winner will be announced in November – fingers crossed. Find out more about the national awards for the Independent Schools Association at http://www.isaschools.org.uk/2017/09/15/finalists-for-the-isa-awards-2017-are-announced/ The school will be hosting its first Open Morning of the year on Saturday 14 October from 10am – 12noon. Come along to find out for yourself. Visit our Open Morning page to find out how to reserve your place. https://www.cundallmanorschool.com/events-home/open-days/