Florrie Making a Difference this Christmas
We think Florrie is really going to be ‘Making a Difference’ this Christmas and her generous and selfless act has resulted in her being awarded the prized badge. Florrie told Mr Bayne that she is going to be asking people to give her Christmas presents as normal but wants them to label them boy or girl so that she can take them (unopened) to be given to other boys and girls who are not as fortunate as she is. A fantastic example to us all. Well done Florrie.
Cash for Kids Launch
A huge thank you to our friends from the wonderful TFM Cash For Kids Mission Christmas Campaign who came into school to launch this year’s Christmas Appeal. Last year was a huge success and we hope that we can surpass the fantastic effort made by our generous community last Christmas. Each form will be allocated a box to decorate and fill with donations of toys (new, unwrapped, any age group, any size and value) and a prize will be given to the form who delivers the best box. Bobbie Chapman said: “Every year we receive an astonishing amount of applications for gifts and this year we are hoping to help 48,000 local children across the North East.” “The support we receive every year is overwhelming and we couldn’t complete our mission without schools like Cundall Manor helping. For the last three years, the students and teachers have supported Cash for Kids by generously donating gifts. These gifts will go to local children and young adults who aren’t as fortunate. Not only does this make the children we help believe in the magic of Christmas, it also lets them know that someone cares.” Adding: “Thank you for supporting Cash for Kids Mission Christmas again, we couldn’t do it without you.”
Speech Day
A renowned record producer recently set about inspiring the next generation with his rousing story of opportunity and overcoming adversity. Robin Millar CBE was the special Guest Speaker at Cundall Manor School’s annual prize-giving ceremony. Robin, who has produced 44 No.1 hits and over £400 million of sales worldwide, spoke eloquently of the need for everyone to seize the opportunity in front of them while detailing his journey through the music industry. Robin also talked about his progressive blindness and how that affected him from an early age. Robin has a condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa and was registered blind at age 16 with no sight since 1985. He initially trained in law before his love of music provided him with a rewarding career in the business. During his speech, Robin encouraged pupils to overcome any adversity life throws at them and become more resilient while also giving back to their community. Charity plays a big part in Robin’s life and he spoke movingly about the value of standing up for causes you believe in and doing the right thing. Robin has Chaired fundraising Committees for the British Lung Foundation, Artists Against Apartheid, Oxfam and UNHCR and has raised £30m through a series of campaigns and events. He is a former Patron and Creative Chair of Unite for UNICEF, and Patron of the UNHCR ‘Voices for Darfur’ Appeal. He is a long-time trustee of the Vietnamese Boat Peoples’ Appeal. Robin, who is Executive Chairman of Blue Raincoat Chrysalis Group, one of the UK’s best known independent music companies, representing the music of 200 artists, including Tina Turner, Blondie and Ultravox, was made a CBE in 2010. Headmistress Amanda Kirby thanked Robin for his wonderful speech. She said: “It was wonderful to give Robin a warm Cundall welcome. Robin’s CV speaks for itself, but his enthusiasm and message of opportunity and resilience are fantastic messages for all our pupils to hear.” Chair of Governors, Sir Thomas Ingilby also spoke alongside Head Boys, Freddie and Caspar and Head Girls, Phoebe and Violet. A full awards presentation followed celebrating another wonderful year in the school’s 60- year history. More photos on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CundallManor/
Cundall pupils join the fight against Cancer
Hundreds of pupils from a North Yorkshire School braved bracing January winds and difficult cross-country terrain as they completed the Cancer Research Race for Life. Cundall Manor School held the event on Tuesday 11 January, with pupils as young as FOUR and as old as 13 taking part in the race. The youngsters braved the blustery January weather to take on cancer and walk, jog or run in aid of Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. To help the pupils prepare, teachers have been using specially created resources by the charity which includes everything needed to stage the event as well as top fundraising tips. Louise Bessey, Head of Girls’ Games at Cundall Manor School, said: “The Race for Life is a great addition to the school timetable. The whole school community is supporting the event so it will be a real team effort, all whilst raising money for a wonderful cause. “Most of us know someone who has been affected by cancer and we all have our special reasons for taking part and wanting to help more people survive.” Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of events which raises millions of pounds every year to help fund vital research. Schools across the UK are being invited to hold their own Race for Life events in aid of the charity. They can choose a day that fits with the term calendar and pick a distance which suits the age and abilities of all pupils. Rachel Carr, head of Race for Life, said: “Race for Life Schools is a fantastic way to have fun, get fit and save lives. Young people today are the generation who could see ground-breaking treatments and cures for cancer in their lifetime. They will be the researchers and lifesavers of tomorrow. But first, we need them to be the fundraisers of today – and walk, jog and run to help beat cancer sooner.” For more information on the Race For Life at Cundall Manor School and to see more photos from the event visit the school Facebook page.
The Form 6 Chateau Trip
By Archie Powell – Main School Head Boy It was on the night of the 1stof October 2016 that Form 6 embarked on a year defining trip to France. The trip would last a week and would be filled with amazing activities that were designed to teach us what we are capable of under-pressure, (and yes, I do mean being asked to speak French). As Form 6 said goodbye to their parents that night, it was then that we realised that we were never going to forget the journey that lay ahead of us, (and I don’t mean the coach trip). One of the most memorable moments of the trip was the emotional visit to the D-Day Landings memorial at Gold Beach. It was captured by British and Allied Forces in order to build a makeshift harbor that would allow ships to bring supplies into mainland Europe from America and Britain. Once we had learned about how the harbour was built and how much of a key role it played in the liberation of Europe, we visited the nearby three-hundred-sixty degree cinema where we watched a film made from eyewitness accounts of D-Day from the French people of the time. The film was deeply moving and helped us to understand the importance of June 6th1944 as not only a day that went down in history but also a day that secured the future of the entire world. The day was rounded off with a perspective-setting visit to a Military Cemetery that reminded all the pupils that those men and women gave their today, so that we could enjoy ours. The whole trip was extremely interesting and exciting. I’m sure that it will stay as one of the best weeks in Form 6’s time at Cundall. By Charlie Banks – Main School Head Girl On the night we set off to France, everyone wore big smiles and even though it was midnight and no one could lift their suitcases, everyone was excited for the trip. By the time we were about 2 hours into the journey we realised what time it was and fell asleep. When we arrived, it was the afternoon the next day. On the first day, we had a tour around the chateau and had some food which was so different and tasty (except from the snails obviously!) Then we were split into groups to do activities with. During the week we made bread, which was a lot of fun, had an interesting French lesson, had fun canoeing, especially when we capsized a few times, and finally completed the Mud Run. The clue is in the name with the Mud Run – a lot of mud, obstacles and running but mountains of fun. On Tuesday we visited a French market and bought nearly everything there, then we went to see the Bayeux tapestry which was fascinating and went on and on and on! On Thursday, we went to ‘Mont Saint Michel’ which was absolutely beautiful and truly breathtaking. Last but not least we went to the Normandy memorial cemetery which was very emotional and nearly everyone was crying. To see some more of the Chateau Trip 16/17 pictures, visit the Cundall Manor School Flickr page atwww.flickr.com/photos/cundallmanorschool/albums/72157674806472382
Flashmob Lights up Monday Morning
A flashmob sparked up inspiration for Cundall Manor School pupils ahead of a writing challenge. Teachers from Forms 1 – 4 broke out in an impromptu dance involving bikes, chessboards, juggling and lacrosse sticks outside the main school building much to the enjoyment of their pupils. Head of Forms 1-4, Stuart Bayne said: “we wanted to do something a little bit different that hopefully the children would remember and be inspired to write about. The fun element played a huge part in making this memorable for them.” Pupils will be expected to write a piece on the flashmob for their English writing challenge later this week.
Flying the Flag at the Riverside
Lucky pupils from Cundall Manor School had the honour of taking part in the Flag Parade at Middlesbrough FC’s Riverside Stadium on Saturday. The youngsters took part in the match day procession ahead of the important home game against Ipswich Town FC. SandrineCooke coordinated the event for the school. She said: “The pupils had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the day.” “We would like to say a huge thanks to Middlesbrough FC for all their help and hospitality.” The lucky pupils even met with Boro left-back, George Friend. The result left Middlesbrough FC joint top of the championship following a tense 0-0 draw.
Axe-traordinary Fun for Cundall Pupils
It’s not every day that you have axe-tra curricular activities as unique as axe throwing but that is the latest offering from Cundall Manor School. Pupils are being taught in their enrichment sessions just what it takes to become an axe-pert axe thrower. The lucky few selected are learning the age old skill as part of a wider enrichment programme. Head of Department for Form 1-4, Stuart Bayne, is leading the sessions. Stuart said: “This is just one of a huge number of engaging and enjoyable enrichment activities on offer at Cundall. We know how important it is to give our pupils a wide curriculum and this is something fun that they can enjoy.” An experienced Scout leader, and a member of the UK Knife, Axe and Tomohawk Association (KATTA), who counts axe throwing, balloon artistry and jewellery making amongst his hobbies, Stuart is looking at passing on some of the skills he enjoys down to the children. He adds: “Axe throwing is something that has really interested our pupils who have signed up. They go home knowing that this is something that they probably wouldn’t get anywhere else.” The session is taken in a controlled and safe environment allowing students the chance to get to grips with the fun in a safe way.
Rocket Science Plants Seeds for Tomorrow’s Astronauts.
It’s rocket science but not as we know it as pupils from Cundall Manor School take part in the RHS Rocket Seed experiment championed by astronaut Tim Peake. The experiment will be part of a national campaign by the RHS to encourage school children to get in to gardening. Lucky pupils from Form 1 will be testing the effects of space flight on a batch of seeds and monitoring their growth against a control batch. Form 1 teacher, Adelle Rogerson, is helping co-ordinate the experiment at Cundall Manor. She said: “It’s a great opportunity for our pupils to get out into the greenhouse and take part in something fun.” “Tim Peake’s involvement has excited the children, not many people can say they have been involved in a space experiment.” The experiment will last for six weeks and is designed as part of wider research, to weigh up whether it is possible to grow our own food on other planets, millions of miles away from Earth. As part of the experiment the school will be updating their social media streams with how the rocket science is progressing. To keep up-to-date and to find out more about Cundall Manor School, visit cundallmanorschool.com or follow the school’s Twitter page @CundallManor
York Trip Proves Fun for Form Four
Form 4 recently paid a visit to York as part of their studies. The City is steeped in history and our workshops at the Minster and The Yorkshire Museum, took the children from Roman times to modern day York. We had expert guides taking us on a tour of the Minster, teaching us about its troubled past, the various phases of development and what they are doing to conserve this magnificent building. At the Yorkshire Museum, our workshop brought the conflicts over York to life and we had a chance to dress up as various settlers/conquerers from throughout the ages. Following a busy day, we enjoyed a terrific tea at Pizza Hut before heading back out to the Minster to join our guide for the Ghost Walk. Whilst some of the tales were a little scary, we learnt a lot about aspects of Yorks’ history that perhaps are not top of the list for covering in the curriculum. It truly is a fantastic City. All of the children were brilliantly behaved and represented the school well. It was a truly enriching day for all.