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 01 01 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 02 02 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 03 03 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! 04 04 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! 05 05 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! 06 06 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! 07 07 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. 08 08 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. 09 09 November 7 2014 1. 2. 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. 10 10 3. 5. 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 from someone else and would like to be sent your own copy direct each week, please email: Lamb Editor. Let us know your contact details and you will be added to the list. Photographs: Do please continue to send in any photographs which could be 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! 11 11 November 7 2014
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