St John’s School Weekly Newsletter
Issue 41
Our Governors enjoy their visit
From the
Headmaster
I hope you all enjoyed a good mid term
break. I am always keen to hear what the
boys have been doing during the
holiday. I was particularly pleased to
find out that many families had visited
the poppy display at the Tower of
London. It is an amazing site which has
helped us to focus on Remembrance.
We have continued to build towards
next week with Year 7 assemblies
detailing the causes of World War One.
The Year 8 boys have been busy selling
the poppies.
This week I saw the Lambs finding out
and sampling breads from all over the
world; Year 2 completing their practical
maths division exercises; and Year 5 and
7 investigating drying rates and circuits
respectively in Science. Congratulations
to the chess team who played well in
their fixture with Lochinver House.
On behalf of all of the boys and staff I
must say a huge thank you to the St
John's Association for the new projector
in the Norman Hall. I know we will
make extensive use of it! Coincidentally,
part of assembly this morning included
the Fireworks Evening film which
clearly demonstrates our talented
individuals and the work of the SJA.
I look forward to seeing some of you at
the Service of Remembrance in
Northwood on Sunday.
Yesterday we welcomed the Board of St. John's Governors to the School. We
are very fortunate to have such a committed team who bring a high level of expertise
in many fields including two current Head teachers and two who have recently
retired. Before the formal meeting took place in the library the Governors visited the
newly refurbished Science Laboratories and were very impressed with our new
facilities. Over lunch they were also able to compare photos taken before and after
the improvements. They met with our new members of staff and the Senior
Leadership Team before the formal afternoon meeting to review the School's
progress.
Our Governors
Mrs J Hall
Mr J Armstrong
Lady A Harding
Mr S Bass
Mr P Henson
Mr P MacDougall
Mr C Keville
Mr A Clode
Mrs G Lumsdon
Mr S Everson
Mr M Robb
Mr J Fowler
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November 7 2014
Learning WW1 history in assemblies
As we embark on our two week assembly series on
Remembrance, Mr Gurton and 7H took us through the
complex but fascinating causes of the First World War. Boys
had prepared individual accounts from the perspectives of the
different countries involved during homework assignments and
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the narrative was brought to life by showing maps of the
various Empires. At the end there was a varied and interesting
Q and A session which demonstrated the high level of attention
being paid. We look forward to learning more next week.
November 7 2014
Mr Vince’s page…….
Over the past few weeks Mr Vince has researched the
market for a new projector. In his own words: ‘The St John's
Association comes through yet again. The digital projector in
the Norman Hall is being replaced but not like for like. Oh no,
the Association insisted we upgrade and upgrade we did. This
mighty Sony suitcase is literally four times brighter than its
predecessor! Now, come rain or shine we can all see the screen
bright and beautiful and enjoy every assembly with a renewed
vigour and glee. Thank you SJA, from the bottom of our hearts.
Without your kindness and efforts we'd all be squinting!’
The fireworks burn on!
You will be delighted to know
that Mr Vince has again been
hard at work with his video
camera and has produced an
excellent video describing the
behind the scenes preparation
work involved in putting on our
recent fireworks night. It is
probably best to give you a little
context regarding the
accompanying music. Our
fireworks night was held on the
same day as the Hunter Jones
Recitation Competition and at the
end of this event William Blunt
astonished us with a fantastic
rendition of Fur Elise by
Beethoven. Mr Vince therefore
decided to feature his performance in this video and it works brilliantly! To view his latest masterpiece please click on the
following link: Classical Fireworks Night
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November 7 2014
Getting to the heart of the matter
In a break from their hard work on revision, the Year 8
boys have been getting some hands-on experience in their
science lessons. This week they have had some practical biology
with the dissection of a lamb’s heart. The boys were able to see
first-hand the different chambers of the heart and get an inside
view of how the heart operates. The boys used surgical
instruments to open the walls of the heart and were able to
identify the valves, veins and arteries. Not for the faint hearted!
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November 7 2014
Chess v Lochinver
On Wednesday afternoon we played host to Lochinver
House. Our team of seven, captained by Jayme Patel, played
two rounds of matches. In the first round Kieran Spellward
won with a quick checkmate, which raised team spirits early on
and set the tone for the afternoon. After the first round was
over we stood at four games to their two. In the second round
Jayme finished off his opponent with a four move checkmate
and Alex Shaikh and James Dias both followed with double
wins.
The final score was eight games to four, another win for St
John’s chess players. Well done indeed!
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November 7 2014
No knobbly knees here!
It was with great excitement that the Pre-Prep boys returned to school after half term; not just because they were looking
forward to the Christmas plays, the exciting activities and outings but because they can now wear trousers to school. Gone are
the days of chilly knees and goosebumps on their legs as they wait to come into school. We think they all look very grown up!
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November 7 2014
The Lambs get bread-tasting
The Lambs went global this week as
they tasted bread from around the world.
They decided which ones were their
favourites and why and, not surprisingly,
not a crumb was left! They looked at a
baguette from France, pitta bread from
Greece, soda bread from Ireland, tortillas
from Mexico, bagels from America and
some sliced white bread from England.
They also looked at the globe to see where
the different countries were. School is
really fun when you are a Lamb!
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November 7 2014
Year 8 boys visit the Juniors with poppies
As Armistice Day approaches we have been getting ready by buying poppies to wear with pride on Tuesday. Boys from
Year 8 have visited all the classrooms and these boys in Year 4 can be seen attaching theirs to their blazers (with a little help.)
Next week our assembly theme continues to be remembrance and many boys will be involved in presenting readings and poems
to help us understand the importance of Armistice Day and the work of the Royal British Legion - especially important in this,
the hundredth year since the start of WW1. Below is the wreath we will present at the Cenotaph in Northwood on Sunday.
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November 7 2014
MTS Hockey league U13 1st match of the season
Last year St John’s were the outright winners of the Striker’s Cup which takes place in the spring term. There are many
familiar faces in the current U13 team.
St John’s v Northwood lost 3-6
Scorers: Haydon Carr, Thelan Palasuntheram, Sam Bickerstaff
MOM: Kieran Chouhan
A close game in the opening match of the MTS hockey league. In the first half Northwood Prep had many chances in front of
goal and scored once. St John’s, on the other hand, created fewer chances but still managed to score twice, courtesy of Haydon
Carr and Thelan Palensuntheran. In the second half Sam Bickerstaff made a strong powerful run down the left wing into the
opponents D securing a 7 seconds. He convincingly scored with a great shot into the corner of the goal. Throughout the second
half we created lots of chances in front of goal but only managed to score once from Sam. We needed to put more pressure of
the defence of Northwood Prep. The opposition took their chances well and when the final whistle blew the score was 6-3 to
Northwood Prep. There were some really encouraging performances from Jamie Graham, Sam Bickerstaff and Captain Haydon
Carr. However Kieran Chouhan was undoubtedly man of the match and without his excellent saves in front of goal the score
would have been much higher. Well done. Next week we must work on getting more shots on goal early on in the game.
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November 7 2014
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1. Junior Art Club is preparing for
Remembrance Day. They have made
glittery poppies.
2. Qayl Hirani (3C) and Zain Rahman
(3H) have turned into Egyptian
Pharaohs!
3. Michael Flash (7J) has finished his
collage tray, made out of wood.
4. Skye Pagnini (4W) and Ollie Pratt
(4M) have been learning more about
colour theory.
5. This charming cat has been drawn
and painted by Armaan Popat (5S) in
the style of Gustav Klimt.
4.
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November 7 2014
Calendar and important dates
Contact details
9th November: Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Northwood
(10.40am)
Updates: please continue to visit
www.st-johns.org.uk for all the latest
information on sports fixtures and results.
The website will have
announcements in case of
emergency. You can also
follow us on twitter
stjsnorthwood.
10th November: Year 3 Parent Consultations (timed appointments from 4.30pm)
11th November: Remembrance Day and two minutes silence
Year 3 Parent Consultations (timed appointments from 4.30pm)
U9 A Rugby Tournament at St. Columba’s (10.30am-2.30pm)
Rugby v Caldicott: U9 B (a), U0 C (a) (2.30pm)
12th November: Rugby v Davenies: 1st XV (a), 2nd XV (h), 3rd XV (a) (2.30pm)
13th November: French Orals (Year 8)
U8 Rugby Festival at St Columba’s U8 A (a), U8 B (a) (2.30pm)
U8 Rugby Festival at St John’s U8 C (h), U8 D (h), U8 E (h) (2.30pm)
14th November: French Orals (Year 8)
Individual School Photographs
Rugby v St Columba’s: Colts A (h), Colts B (h), Colts C (h), U10 A (a), U10 B (a), U10 C (a)
(2.30pm)
Mailings: if you have received The Lamb
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included in The Lamb.
Notices and Reminders
Mr Vince’s videos. Don’t forget to watch the latest addition to The Pre Prep Harvest Festival raised £171.18 which will be sent to
this super collection: Classical Fireworks Night.
WaterAid, our charity for this year. We have also been able to send a
large amount of much needed food to Hillingdon Food Bank . Thank
you to all parents for your generosity.
To view his other videos you can click on the following Links.
Remembrance Day. Our Head and Deputy Head boy will be joining
Year 6 trip to Northumberland St John’s YouTube channel
the Headmaster to represent the School on Sunday in the centre of
Guitar group video
Yr 5 Chinese New Year video Northwood when they will present a wreath at the Cenotaph. You are
Yr 8 Bikeability video
St John’s Sevens video
warmly invited to join them and many other schools and organisations at
Sam Katz interview
Year of 2008 at Knapp House this service of remembrance. Proceedings begin at 10.40am.
Year of 2014 at Knapp House Chicks are for kids!
Northwood Hills Christmas Lights. Please come and see the Senior
Choir and Brass Group perform outside the Namaste Lounge in
Watford Music Festival: For all boys who learn a musical
Northwood Hills on Saturday 15th November at 4.00pm for the official
instrument. Would you like your son to take part next term?
turning on of the Christmas lights. It promises to kick-start the festive
Many of you have already let Mrs Selwood know if you are
taking part via the Big Blue Letter and will be receiving further season! Performers are to wear school uniform and arrive 3.30- 3.40pm.
We start at 4pm and will finish approx. 4.40pm after the Mayor of
information soon. If you have not had information yet then
please let your instrumental teacher know that you would like to Hillingdon has switched on the lights.
take part. The festival is good experience but not compulsory.
Wrap up warm! It is increasingly important that boys come to school
Complete beginners shouldn't take part this year. If you learn an with appropriate warm clothing. Tracksuits are essential for games
instrument outside school and would like to enter, you should lessons and coats, hats and gloves are advisable for break times. Mr
discuss it with your private instrumental teacher and make your Robinson has stressed in assemblies this week that ONLY school hats
own entry. Forms can be accessed from the Watford Festival
and scarves are permitted and gloves should be plain and dark. As ever,
website www.watfordfestival.co.uk. The closing date is
please make sure that all items are clearly named.
Saturday 13th December.
Have a good weekend but Year 8 remember those looming exams!
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November 7 2014