Newsletter 09.10.2015

Polam Press
Headmaster’s Notice
9th October 2015
Followers of the England rugby team have probably had a tough week after last Saturday's defeat against Australia. Not as tough
as the players and the manager though I suspect. Some very lucky Darlington children, including a number of our pupils,
got a chance to watch the All Blacks train at Mowden Park yesterday. What a privilege that was and I hope they all cherish the
memories for years to come. Maybe they will switch their allegiance to New Zealand now England are out and who could blame
them!?
We had many parents in school on Tuesday evening for all the parents’ meetings. Junior parents met with form tutors and
parents of U6 (year 13) pupils met with subject specialists. It was busy and I hope everyone found it a useful occasion. The
partnership between home, school and child is critical to long term success and good communications is at the heart of good
support. And parents, if you haven't read any of Carol Dweck's book Mindset yet, do try to do so, but if not, just remember to
praise process not innate ability. Praising a child for working hard or persevering and producing a good outcome is the way to
develop resilience, praising them for being clever is not because the psychological reaction to subsequent failure can be to draw
the conclusion that the cleverness has gone. A child can then be stuck in a rut of fearing to fail, whereas praising process
encourages children to keep on trying in the face of failures, or when things simply get difficult.
House plays have dominated the Senior School this week, apologies for any miscommunications about rehearsal timings. The
sixth form running these productions have felt the heat all term and I have no doubt they will be relieved now that they are
over. The performances this morning were a fantastic treat. As usual I was very impressed to see full length movies compressed
into 20-25 minutes. As usual the audience was very sympathetic and there was as much entertainment from the
mistakes as from the positives in each of the plays. Mr Brighton brought in three professionals from the world of film and theatre
to judge the performances and it was a privilege for the pupils to hear their words of praise and criticism. Best play was
Hairspray by Tees, best Director went to Chloe Ogilvie-Coe and Charlotte Crowther for Hairspray, best Upper School Actor
went to Anna Schoon, also Hairspray, best Lower School Actor to Josh Mitchell for Babe (Swale), best Costumes to Swale for
Babe, and Best Ensemble piece was awarded to Skerne for the Incredibles.
Just one more week before half term. We have the School Photography Company in next week taking portraits of all the
children. These are so we can update our database with images and of course they will go on sale to parents. Leaflets will come
out in due course with ordering details. We will try and keep the younger ones as clean as we can prior to their photos - some of
the junior boys have been very proud of the amount of mud they have accumulated during play times. Those were the days
weren't they…….
Colonel Colin Bradshaw
from the Darlington Branch of
the Salvation Army
came to school today to collect
our Junior School Harvest
Festival donations.
He was very pleased with the
amount we had donated and
thanked the children for their
kindness.
Darlington Spraire Lads & Lasses
Durham F.A. Charter Standard
Community Club of the Year 2010
DARLINGTON SPRAIRE LASSES FC UNDER 9 GIRLS SQUAD REQUIRE NEW
PLAYERS IN YEARS 3 AND 4.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR PLAYERS IN ALL POSITIONS AND ARE DEVELOPING
THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN FRIENDLY MATCHES.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO JOIN A FRIENDLY TEAM PLEASE COME
ALONG TO OUR TRAINING SESSIONS 6.00 - 7.00 PM MONDAY EVENINGS AT
HUMMERSKNOTT 3G PITCHES.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
MELODIE CHERRINGTON FA LEVEL 1 COACH
(POLAM HALL SCHOOL PUPIL) 07946 003622
OR MIKE CHERRINGTON QUALIFIED FA LEVEL 2 COACH
07794 523737. EMAIL: [email protected]
Mrs Elsdon’s Year 1 class have been learning about the Ginger Bread Man
and they all helped to make this fantastic biscuit which didn’t run away!
Sport Reports
Under 12 Rugby Report
With the under 11’s, under 13’s and under 15 rugby teams all winning their first games it was the under 12 team’s opportunity to
add to the marvellous start to the rugby season for the school teams. Their opposition was Carmel and it was a fantastic afternoon
for a game of 12-a-side rugby. Although the game was primarily an under 12 fixture both teams were allowed to field 3 under 13
players to assist the younger players during play.
As this was some of the team’s first time playing in a competitive rugby match there were lots of stoppages throughout the game to
explain the rules and format of the game fully. This said, Polam Hall took the lead straight from kick-off with an exceptional
turnover and try from Oliver Shields-Porterfield. The first half then went on to be a close one with the scores levelled at 15-15 at
half-time.
The call from the side-lines at half time to the players was “make your tackles and you will win the game!” This message was clearly put
into practice by the team who put in a remarkable second half performance and after preventing Carmel from scoring a try all half
the team went on to win 25-15! Well done to the whole team for working together to form a formidable defence and to Sean
Chidanyika for a fantastic solo try. Keep up the good work boys!
Squad List:
Thomas McCue ©
Adam Harker
Adam Lenahan
Luke Scott
Oscar Ayeni
Sean Chidanyika
Santi Piza Guil
Callum Boocock
Joseph Barron
Jack Bloomfield
Oliver Shields-Porterfield
Izaak Taylor
Tariq Toman
Ben Pogue
Ciaran Dixon
Thomas Appleby
Thomas Jewkes
Try Scorers:
Oliver Shields-Porterfield (4)
Sean Chidanyika
Full time score:
Polam Hall 25-15 Carmel
Dear Parents & Students,
An attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest Tap dance, is to be held on Sunday 15th
November 2015 at hundreds of different locations across the UK, in aid of BBC Children in Need.
The project organisers aim for 2015; To call on the great British public to get their tap dancing shoes on for
Pudsey and help break the current world record, which currently stands at over seven and a half thousand
participants, while raising funds for some of the UK’s most disadvantaged children.
This is an event for all ages and abilities and is a fun way of helping a good charity. If you would like to be
included please give a cheque or cash for the amount of £10.00 to Miss Rachel before 26th September. All
participants receive a T-shirt and a donation from the £10.00 is given to Children in Need. The Tapathon
involves learning a specially choreographed Tap routine which is just over 8 minutes.
I will inform you of the venue,which will be in Darlington, and time nearer to the date.
Junior School Reminder
Class assemblies are only for the parents of the respective classes and they will take place in the
Liddiard Theatre - refreshments will be available from 8.40am -8.55am.
We really value family support for class assemblies however due to the space restrictions of the car park please could all visitors
for class assemblies on Wednesday mornings park offsite. Thank You
th
Sat 10 - London visit overnight for Yr 5 & Yr 6
Mon 12th Oct - PHPA AGM at 7pm in the Senior School Library
Wed 14th Oct - Year 1E class assembly - all are welcome
Junior School Children
Fri 16th Oct - Edinburgh visit overnight for Yr 3 & 4
Are Collecting
Fri 16th Oct - Half term starts
nd
* Newspapers for our art projects.
Mon 2 Nov - School resumes
* Used postage stamps.
Tue 3rd Nov - Yr 2 visit to St Cuthbert’s Church (am)
rd
Tue 3 Nov - Mrs Good’s Book Club (SILVERFIN) Senior Library
Wed 4th Nov - Year 4T class assembly - all are welcome
Mrs Good’s Book Club
Wed 11th Nov - Year 6G class assembly - all are welcome
Thr 12th Nov - Travelling Book Shop will arrive in school Our first book will be Silverfin by Charlie Higson
Fri 13th Nov - Children in Need charity day.
about a young James Bond starting on
Wed 18th Nov - Year 4S class assembly - all are welcome Tuesday from 4-5pm in the Library after half term - 3rd
Wed 25th Nov - Year 1 T class assembly - all are welcome
November. Juice and biscuits included
Sun 29th - Croft Church Advent Service
Wed 2nd Dec - Year 2J class assembly - all are welcome
Tue 8th Dec - Infants visit to Civic Theatre Panto (pm)
Thr 10th Dec - Junior visit to Civic Theatre Panto (pm)
Fri 11th Dec - Christmas jumper day £1 for charity
Fri 11th Dec - Term ends
Tue 5th January 2016 - Pupils return
Missing Book Bag!
Finlay Gaines’ book bag went missing last week. It is possible that someone has picked it up by mistake.
Have YOU got an extra book bag? The bag contains Finlay’s science book, reading book, reading log and
homework diary. Please help us solve the mystery of the missing book bag! Finlay is in 3B and we would be
extremely grateful if the bag is returned to the classroom.
Mrs K Bury
Congratulations
the following awards were presented during Junior Celebration Assembly today
Gracie-Mae Blake - ASA Learn to Swim Award certificate for achieving Stage 3
Lucas Evans - Kellogg’s ASA Learn to Swim Award certificate for achieving Stage 2
Jorge Lumley - Kellogg’s ASA Rainbow Swim Award certificate for achieving 10 m together with a
Kellogg’s ASA Learn to Swim Award certificate for achieving Stage 3
Grace Matthews
Took part in a Slalom Race at Sunderland Ski Centre and received a medal for 3rd place and was moved into the top of the Polar
Bears group which is Amber. Grace also took part in Pony Week at Mill House Riding Stables and received a rosette of 2nd
place in the Jumping category, 4th place for Dressage and 5th place for Fancy Dress on her pony Paddy.
Annie Minns - Freestyle trophies from R Richardson’s Dance Studio
Caitlin & Jonathan Moffatt
belts and certificates from the Progressive Martial Arts Blackbelt Academy for both achieving the grade of Orange Belt
Charlotte & Jessica Nunn
raised £85 each for the World Wildlife Fund towards Tigers in Nepal they received wrist bands
and a cuddly panda and orang-utan
Sophie Robinson - Kellogg’s ASA Rainbow Swim Award certificate for achieving 15 m
Jamie Skipsey
was awarded Player of the Day whilst playing for Mowden Park Rugby Club during their game at
Billingham on Sunday 4th October.
Ben Ward - medals from Darlington Spraire Lads Football for his playing skills
and The Zetland Hunt Pony Club for his horse riding ability.
Jessica Wood - Kirklevington Riding Centre Pony Party rosette for 3rd place on her pony Toffy.
Sporting Futures Certificate of Achievement Certificates for
Cate Appleby, Freddie Harland, Max Martin, Grace Matthews
Phoebe Tinkler & Daniel Tindle