The Weekly Newsletter of Tockington Manor School
13th January 2012
Welcome Back
It has been good to welcome all the children back to school this week. They all seem to have had a lovely holiday and we are enjoying hearing what they have all been up to. We look forward to a busy and exciting term. We also welcome back Mrs Sapkota, our Head of Music, as she returns from maternity leave.
Presentation Evening
On Tuesday 24th January we will be holding a Presentation Evening in the hall from 6.00-7.30 pm. The evening is entitled Tips on getting your child into the Secondary School of your choice. Guest speakers are Mrs Mary Henderson, Headmistress, Westonbirt School and Dr Steven Connors, Headmaster, Monmouth School. Please come along promptly to hear the Performance Choir sing at 6.05pm. Children in the choir will be able to stay for supper and will be looked after until the presentation finishes at 7.30 pm. You will all be receiving an invitation to this event and we do hope you will come and join us.
New Staff
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Gap Year Assistants Miss Bronte Berenger and Miss Ella Trickey both from Melbourne. We also welcome Mrs Jodie Winter-Smith our new Head of Art who will cover Mrs Martin whilst she is on maternity leave. Mrs Martin had a bit of a surprise when things started happening sooner than expected but she is keeping very well.
The Reading Challenge
On the last day of term we came to the end of the Autumn Terms Reading Challenge. About half of the Upper School participated with the most enthusiasm coming from Years 4 to 6. Well done to all our readers! The winners whose names were pulled out of the lottery were : Alex Ganfield Ijeoma Ogbogbo Charlie Gent Freya Belcher Alex Blackwell All of the children who won prizes had to talk about a book they had read in front of the whole school and they were very courageous in doing so. Chances of winning one of the lovely prizes increase the more you read. So, get reading and start earning vouchers for the next lottery at the Easter break! Judith Case Head of English
Flying Pizza Theatre Company
At the end of last term we were treated to the Jungle Book by the Flying Pizza Theatre Company. The show was quite a spectacle with two actors performing their hearts out. There were chances for audience participation and the actors even hid in the audience on a number of occasions causing great excitement. The whole story was told in one hour with some very creative costume changes, character switches and clever backdrops to set the scene. The children enjoyed themselves in anticipation of the Christmas Party which followed. A happy afternoon was had by all. Judith Case Head of English
Kuwait & Hong Kong
Mr & Mrs Tovey will be visiting Kuwait and Hong Kong from 1st to 7th February. They arrive in Hong Kong on the evening of the 1st and are there on the 2nd 3rd and 4th. Please do let the office know if there is anybody you think might like to meet them or if you have any contacts there who might be interested in learning more about Tockington Manor School.
OT Society Vacancy
The Old Tockingtonian Society is looking for a Membership/Development Secretary to help with the ongoing work of the Society. Reporting directly to the Headmaster this is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives on communication via social media and websites. We would love someone in school to apply for this vacancy otherwise we shall have to advertise in the local press. Full details can be found on the school website www.tockingtonmanorschool.com.
Recorders
PLEASE can all children in Years 2 and 3 remember their recorders on Thursdays. There were quite a few children playing 'air recorder' this week.
Ski Trip 2012-13
Anyone who would be interested in going on a Ski trip next academic year (2012-13), could you please let Mrs Wakeling know, so that she can get an idea of numbers.
2012 Tockington Manor School, Washingpool Hill Road, Tockington, Bristol, BS32 4NY.
The Weekly Newsletter of Tockington Manor School
13th January 2012
Swimarathon
The Thornbury Swimarathon takes place on Friday 9th March at Thornbury Leisure Centre. Our slot is at 6.15 pm and we have entered two teams. Each team comprises six swimmers and all must be able to swim confidently and competently. Swimmers must arrive at the pool by 5.45 pm and swim for 55 minutes. Silly swim hats and a sense of fun are a must!. We need to try and break the staggering record of 140 lengths set last years fantastic group of swimmers. The second team also beat the previous record of 130 lengths with a pleasing 135. To apply children should bring a signed note of confirmation from their parents or send an email to bhinchliffe@tockingtonmanorschool.com and they will be given a sponsor pack. The Swimarathon raises money for local charities including the Cub and Brownie packs. There are only 12 places so please hurry to secure your place. B Hinchliffe
Fixture Changes
Football fixture against Grittleton House on Wednesday 8th February should read: U13 (home) 2.00 pm U11 A & B (away) 2.00 pm U9 A & B (home) 2.00 pm Football fixture against Beaudesert Park on Saturday 21st January should read: U13 (home) 2.00 pm U11 A & B (home) 2.00 pm The Under 9s are not playing.
French Department
French Group Competition Congratulations to Year 4 who won the competition last term. French Creative Writing Competition The children had to write about lhiver (winter). Year 4 Runner-Up: Alex Jacobi Winner: Bellayia Lazarides Year 5 Runner-Up: Abigail Blackwell Winner: Antonia Hopcraft Year 6 Runner-Up: Loveday Kossmann Winner: Charlie Sanzo Year 7 Winner: Alexander Blackwell Year 8 Runner-Up: TJ Underwood Winner: Jessica Portch Look out for the beautiful work created by these pupils on the school website.
Fieldwork Enquiry
Year 7 will be conducting an Out of Town Shopping enquiry at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway on Friday 20th January.
School Trips
On Thursday 19th January Years 5 and 6 will visit the Imperial War Museum and Year 1 are taking part in an Exploratory Maths Workshop.
Cross Country
January Challenge winners this week: Lucy Allan-Jones Hamish Gardner Dalis Jones Annabel Sheppard
Form Plays
Please note a change of date from that published in the calendar. Evening performances of the Form Plays will take place on Monday and Tuesday 19th and 20th March at 7.00 pm. For those who are unable to come in the evening you are invited to attend the Technical/ Dress Rehearsal on Friday 16th March at 1.30 pm. There will be no matinee performance on Monday 19th.
Lower School Drama
After an excellent start to our new drama based after school club "Debutots" the following children have been awarded Drama King and Queen of the week. Congratulations to Isabel Preston and Sebastian Lane.
Music Notes
The Thornbury Eisteddfod runs from 10th to 19th March this year. For more information, please see the Thornbury Arts Festival website where you can also download a full programme www.thornburyartsfestival.com. We will be discussing entries in pupils private music lessons and sending completed forms home for you to sign and post next week. Please note the entry deadline is Friday 20th January. Any children who are currently learning to play an instrument are encouraged to consider supplementary music theory lessons. If you are interested please contact Mrs Sapkota.
2011 Tockington Manor School, Washingpool Hill Road, Tockington, Bristol, BS32 4NY.
