Autumn 2013 - Derby Grammar School

October 2013
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Year 6 Residential Trip to Hollowford
“Epic”
Isaac
“Exhilarating”
Rohit
“It was hard and challenging but
worth it in the end” Jonathan
“Be
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ip
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House Cross Country and Tug of War
The overall winners were: Blackton!
O
n Friday 30th August, the School went to a whole School event at Pastures called the
Cross Country run. The Junior School ran around two fields and the seniors ran
around three. This was a massive event where hundreds of parents were watching. The
run seemed extremely far but it wasn’t that far when we were running it.
After the cross country, we began the tug of war. Everyone pulled as hard as they could
and everyone cheered their team on.
After an afternoon of sport we all enjoyed a bacon butty and a can of something fizzy!
Harrison S (Y6)
Year 6 visit Hollowford
On Wednesday 4th September Year 6 went to
Hollowford in Castleton. We all agree we
enjoyed it all very much. We did many activities
like: caving, weasling, rafting, low ropes, high
ropes and the night hike. All were good.
Many pupils agreed rafting was the best. First
we built a raft and then we raced on it. Each
group had made a different raft. Mrs Sly and
Rev Paul are very competitive. The course was
to ride to one float, touch it, go to the other float,
do 10 star jumps and go back. After that all of
us got to jump in!
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Many other boys also liked the high ropes.
They were high - really high. Many people
were scared of heights, including me. We
completed some of the course (which was
scary) and then did the leap of faith. It was
scary when sitting down but not when
standing. I completed it!
All in all it was great being there and I’d love
to go again.
Aryan K (Y6)
Derby Grammar Junior School Chronicle
Golden Table
Evan D Y3, Ethan H Y4,
Daniel H Y5, Daanish A Y6
were chosen for September’s
Golden Table
On Friday 13th September we had
Golden Table. We were chosen
because we have good table
manners, make healthy choices and
use our knife and fork properly.
It was exciting to be chosen and we
had lots of fun. The table was
covered with a cloth and table
confetti. We enjoyed all the toys and
we played with them outside.
We loved going on Golden Table and
we certainly want to go again.
Daniel and Sam (Year 5)
To our new Head boy, Rohit Khosla, and Deputy Head boy, Joshua Wright,
who have the honour of leading the Junior School for the year.
Well done also to the four House Prefects, who will be captaining their House this term.
Atkinson - Jonathan H, Bemrose - Daanish A, Blackton - Daniel P, Derby - Perry E.
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Derby Grammar Junior School Chronicle
Year 4 visit to Chester Zoo
On 30th September we went in the minibus to
Chester Zoo. It was extraordinary to see different
sights on the way. My personal favourite was
seeing the Dalek made out of hay. It looked like
someone with lots of skill had built it.
Once we were at the zoo, the first animals we saw
were the elephants. The babies looked so cute
and one had grass on its head; it was hilarious. It
just stomped around with a hairy head and did not
notice. Later on we went to the tropical enclosure.
It felt as if we were actually in the rainforest
because it was so hot and humid. The tortoises
were very big and very, very slow. I didn’t know
that some tortoise shells can be poisonous. I have
a small tortoise at home, so I will need to be extra
careful in future.
The fruit bats were one of my favourite bits because
of what happened next. Leo was standing next to
Mrs Jackson and suddenly, Mrs Jackson quickly
jumped behind Leo because one of the bats was too
close for her liking; what a scream!
Some parents might have thought that we should
live in the monkey enclosure but luckily we all got
home safely!!
Ethan H (Y4)
Winter is on the way!!
Please ensure your son comes to
School in a warm and waterproof coat
PTA Beanie Hats
Available from reception - £6
UNIFORM
Please name all items clearly with full names - NOT INITIALS.
It is boys’ responsibility to look after their own uniform and equipment.
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Derby Grammar Junior School Chronicle
Year 5 visit to the Mosque
I arrived at School with excitement because we were
going to the Jamia Mosque in Derby. At 9.30 am we put
on our head coverings and went on a minibus with Miss
Jordan and Mrs Bennett.
When we arrived we met our guide, Nahida. Inside the
Mosque it was beautiful. Nahida asked us to take our
shoes off as a sign of respect. She took us to the main
prayer hall. The building was facing south east, towards
Mecca.
Nahida told us that Muslims can’t eat pork because they
eat their own manure. The Hafiz (priest) sits on a
special chair and holds a staff. He knows how to read
the Qur’an by heart.
There is an upstairs balcony where ladies pray and
classrooms so people can learn about Islam. Nahida
told us that it can take 2-3 years to learn the Qur’an. It is
translated into 57 languages.
When we got back to School I wanted to go again.
Ayaan A (Y5)
Year 3’s first School trip
On Thursday, 26th September, we went on our first
trip with DGS to Derby Cathedral. It is very beautiful
and we especially enjoyed getting dressed up. Oliver
was the Bishop, Joshua was the Dean and Evan was
a choirboy.
Next we went to Bennetts Cafe for juice and cookies.
They were lovely. Finally, we went to St Mary’s
Catholic Church. It was very peaceful and we all liked
the colourful stained glass windows. Luckily we got
back to School just in time for lunch.
Thank you very much to Reverend Paul for
organising our trip!
Joshua, Evan and Oliver (Y3)
The Honour Point race has been
closely contested.
Congratulations to our highest
individual achievers.
Autumn Term results so far are:
1st Blackton
367 pts
Year 3 -
Joshua Barlow
43 pts
2nd Atkinson
327 pts
Year 4 -
Lachlan Mitchell
33 pts
3rd Bemrose
282 pts
Year 5 -
Sam Littler
27 pts
4th Derby
265 pts
Year 6 -
Rohit Khosla
28 pts
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Derby Grammar Junior School Chronicle
Miss Jordan’s Art and Craft Club
Danie
lDB
Geor
ge C
Amogha
R
George H
Here are some masterpieces the children created at the beginning of the term.
They are displayed beautifully inside the Junior School.
Best wishes to Miss Jordan
As you all know, Miss Jordan is leaving us at half
term to have a baby. We will all miss her, as she is
a very important part of the Junior School. As she
was my group leader on the London trip I know
that Miss Jordan has a brilliant sense of humour.
Miss Jordan runs art and craft club and while she
is gone Mrs Charnock will be taking over.
My family know Miss Jordan very well because
she looked after my brother, Freddie, for four
years when he was in the Junior School. She used
to bribe him with minstrels when he wouldn’t have
his face painted for the summer productions!! Miss
Jordan is a very big help in the Junior School as
she puts up the displays out of the classrooms.
She also marks the reading and spellings and
helps with clinics. One of the things Miss Jordan is
famous for is her excellent productions in the
summer term; her latest one was Frankie and Me.
We will miss her lots and lots. I hope she enjoys
spending time with her baby and we will enjoy
having her back in the Junior School, hopefully in
time to start planning the next production.
Ollie L (Y5)
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Derby Grammar Junior School Chronicle
Dear Parents and Friends
The expression ‘Time flies when you are having fun’
certainly seems to sum up this half term. I can’t believe 8
weeks have passed since I nervously entered the Junior
School doors for the first time! Pupil and staff alike can
scarcely believe it is time for half-term. We have been
delighted to welcome our new boys this term, who have
all settled into life here in the Junior School. It is always
so comforting to see how well the boys (and parents)
integrate into our routines. However, if you still have any
questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to contact your
son’s tutor as soon as possible.
As ever, we are continuing to encourage the boys to be as
pro-active and independent as possible. Allowing them
the opportunity to take responsibility for their own school
work and belongings enables them for life and allows
them to evolve into mature and capable adults. Please
help your son, over half-term, to take time to check his
uniform and equipment so that he can make sure he has
all necessary items and that they are all labelled with his
name. If boys lose items, named kit is often returned
promptly! Please can you also ensure that all boys have a
coat in School each day, as it is getting cold and wet as
the winter months take their hold on the weather.
I would like to take the opportunity to remind you that
Registration takes place at 8.30am sharp. At this time, not
only do we take the register and conduct various
administrative tasks but we also begin learning through a
range of activities. While we appreciate the frantic nature
of the morning school-run, please ensure that your son is
at School prior to 8.30am so that he is ready to begin
work on time. In arriving late, your son is at a significant
disadvantage, beginning his day in a rush and having to
catch-up with his peer group. Thank you for your
support.
Already this term, we have enjoyed amazing class
assemblies from Year’s 4, 5 and 6 and we look forward
to Year 3 after half term. I hope you were able to join us
for your son’s class assembly this term. Seeing the
confidence of the boys always astounds me and I praise
them for their hard work in learning their parts. Speaking
in front of a large audience is a valuable skill; the boys
seem to take it in their stride. I wish it was as easy for us
adults! The first Achievement Assembly was a
resounding success, with nearly all of the Junior School
boys receiving certificates or commendations for their
efforts and achievements, both in and out of School. We
welcome any achievement (pastoral or academic) through
School, or in a pupil’s own time, that we can celebrate at
these assemblies. Please encourage your son to inform his
tutor of his achievements so that we can congratulate him
at our next assembly (Friday 8th November).
Our annual ‘Numeracy Information Evening’ and the first
ever ‘E-safety Information Evening’ took place in the last
weeks of this half-term and were very well supported.
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Comments received from parents underline for us the
importance of these evenings and we thank you for your
support. If you were unable to attend we have produced a
booklet to accompany the Numeracy Evening, explaining
the different methods that we use in the Junior School.
Copies are available at reception.
The House Art competition was announced last week by
Mrs Harper and hopefully your son has filled you in on
this year’s theme - Africa. All the boys are expected to
enter. Not only can the boys gain honour points by
submitting an entry, they can also contribute to winning
the House Art Trophy, which is an impressive prize. The
half-term holiday seems an ideal time for the boys to
begin their entry and I look forward to seeing the finished
results. All entries are due in Monday 11th November,
with the winner being announced on Friday 15th
November.
The School Calendar for the next half term is as busy as
usual with the build up to Christmas. The first event on
the calendar is the PTA Fireworks Evening (Tuesday 5th
November). I have been told by everyone that I speak to,
that the displays are the most impressive in Derbyshire! I
can’t wait to experience this event and I hope to see many
of you there. This event is swiftly followed by Derby
Grammar School’s Charity week (previously known as
Children in Need week). This will be a fun packed week,
filled to the brim with a host of fund raising activities.
This year we are raising money for Tanzania and Children
in Need. I will write to you at the beginning of next half
term to outline the week in far more detail.
Christmas in School is a magical time, filled with
excitement, anticipation and lots of glitter! I apologise, as
I will be more excited than all of the boys added together.
I already know how many sleeps it is to Santa (72 on the
day this goes to print!) and my Christmas jumper is
washed, ironed and ready to be worn! The culmination of
our Christmas celebrations will be the House Carol
Competition on Tuesday 10th December, followed by the
traditional trip to the pantomime on Friday 13th December.
The whole School will gather in Derby Cathedral on
Monday 16th December to end the term with a Carol
Service. All children are expected to attend and we would
warmly invite you to join us for this special occasion.
On a personal note, I would like to thank all the Junior
School boys, parents and staff for making me so welcome
in the Junior School. I feel like I have become ‘part of the
furniture’ already and I’m looking forward to the half
term ahead. All the Junior School staff join with me in
wishing you all a relaxing and refreshing half term. Enjoy
spending time with each other and I look forward to
seeing you all in November.
With best wishes,
Mrs P Bennett
Head of Junior School
Derby Grammar Junior School Chronicle
Dates for your Diary
Tuesday 5th November
PTA Fireworks Evening - 6.30 pm
Friday 8th November
Achievement Assembly - 3.00 pm
(Please send in any out of School achievements)
Monday 11th November
Derby Grammar School Charity Week
(Further details to follow)
Thursday 14th November
Y3-Y6 House Distance/Sponsored Swim
Friday 15th November
DGS Charity Week Concert - 7.00 pm
Friday 29th November
Year 3 Class Assembly - 8.40 am
Tuesday 10th December
Junior School House Carol Competition
(Parents invited)
Friday 13th December
Trip to ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’
Monday 16th December
Carol Service at Cathedral - 7.00 pm
(All children to attend)
Tuesday 17th December
Achievement Assembly - 8.40 am
(Please send in any out of School achievements)
Wednesday 18th December End of term
@DerbyGrammar
PTA Fireworks Evening
Tickets from School Reception or on the night
Tuesday 5th November 2013
Gates open at 6.30 pm
Admission strictly by ticket only, £6 per person
Children, 5 and under, Free
Food included in ticket price
Please do not bring your own sparklers or fireworks.
Leave car side lights on if parking on Rykneld Road
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Derby Grammar Junior School Chronicle