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Dame Bradbury's Newsletter, 15 November 2019


Dear Parents,

During a sunny afternoon walk on Sunday last it struck me that I cannot remember ever having found the autumn colours quite so beautiful. It was really glorious. It reminded me of a talk we had here at Dame Bradbury’s a good few years ago from an educational psychologist, who we had invited to come and talk to parents. One of her messages was that we should all try to find what she referred to as a “golden moment” each day, however hard the rest of the day might be; a moment when we stop and focus and be thankful for what we have. You can imagine that during a busy school day this can be hard to do, but I do appreciate the value of that moment, and this week in particular. 

It struck me as somewhat ironic that Anti-bullying Week should fall within the same week as Remembrance, a week during which we will in effect be encouraging our pupils not to repeat the mistakes of their forefathers. The seed of tolerance needs to be planted now, and grown and matured whilst they are still young. For me it is possibly the most important of our learning habits, and one that we all know does not always come naturally. What we teach our pupils about solving playtime disputes through talking and listening is what will lay the foundations for conflict resolution as they grow up. I don’t think the importance of this can be overstated, and this was brought home to our Year 6 pupils in a very visual way when they visited Madingley War Cemetery last week.

Away from the moments of reflection, we have had the usual busyness at school. Maths has been high profile with Mrs Heywood’s presentation last Wednesday and our Year 3 to 6 pupils taking part in various ways in both the Primary Maths and BEBRAS challenges. We’re always struck by the positive attitude our pupils show to these tasks, which they seem to take in their stride. Watch this space for the results!

Our youngest pupils have continued to focus on the theme of thinking of others and were excited to welcome their visitors from Manorcourt Care Home for their termly visit. It is a delight to see how each generation provides stimulation and entertainment for the other, and all so apparently effortlessly. 

Year 3 have made good use of the excellent and varied local community of Saffron Walden with their visit to St Mary’s Church to tie in with their current learning in religious studies, whilst Year 4 welcomed their Rosedale House counterparts for their Colours of History collaboration. Mr West went off to Old Buckenham Hall on Wednesday with a team of our Year 5 girls to take part in a STEM Olympiad, and they impressed both with their scientific knowledge and knowhow and with their behaviour and positive attitude.

I’d like to say thank you to everyone who contributed to our recent charitable events, the Link to Hope shoebox appeal and the Malim Charity Day in aid of Smile for a Child, as well as those of you who attended the excellent Bop for Beth here on Saturday. I know that Beth and Kate and the Shriever family were very appreciative of your support both for the event and more generally for Beth as she continues her Olympic bid and inspires our pupils in the process. It almost feels like we have our very own Olympian, and I was delighted (but not surprised) by how many children put their hands up in assembly when I asked them if they thought THEY could be an Olympic champion themselves!

I know that thoughts are now beginning to turn towards things festive, and that will certainly be the case in school, already in evidence in music lessons and singing practice in assembly. With our continued focus on sustainability, we will be talking to the children about ways they can make their own Christmas more sustainable without making it any less fun. As part of this, do watch out for our Digital Christmas Card competition which we will be launching next week.

It is probably not often enough said, but the staff and I are always very appreciative of the help you offer as a parent body in so many ways, from accompanying the children on school trips to running clubs, assisting the PTA, providing costumes for school productions, coming to talk about your job as part of our Inspire Me and so many other things. So my thanks to all of you for that.

With my very best wishes,

Louise Graham

Head of Dame Bradbury’s


Sport

Cross country runners from Years 3-6 took part in the Saffron Walden Schools Cross Country competition at Herbert's Farm and performed excellently. For many it was their first experience of competitive racing but team morale was high and results excellent.

A number of our teams have qualified for the District Finals taking place after Christmas where the best of the best from Uttlesford will be competing. 

A special well done to Daisy and Martha who both won gold in the Year 5 and 6 girls races and to all of the Year 5 and 6 girls who also won the team events too.

The U11 A Girls hockey team have recorded two excellent wins against St John's and Moreton Hall with them most recently drawing away 1-1 against St Margaret's. The U11 B girls hockey team have been playing some fantastic hockey recording a draw against St John's and a narrow loss away at St Margaret's.

The U9 girls A and B teams played some excellent hockey against Rosedale House with both teams securing comfortable victories.

 


Notices

SPF Digital Christmas Card Competition 2019: design your own digital Christmas card cover!

Close your eyes and imagine your ideal 21st century Christmas card. What would it look like?  For example, would you redesign Santa’s sleigh?  Would you replace the iconic Christmas tree? Would you give the reindeer a makeover? 

We love seeing your individuality and creativity in action every day, so we can’t wait to see what your card will look like.

Draw or design your 21st century Christmas card cover and submit your entry to christmascard@stephenperse.com by Friday 29 November. Please write your full name and year group in the subject line of the email.   
This year our competition will be supporting Jimmy’s Cambridge.  To enter the competition, we ask for a donation of £2.  Donations will be collected when you have submitted your entry.


Latest news

13 Nov 2019
Fun at the half term holiday club!
It was a busy, fun and exciting week at the October half term holiday club.
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13 Nov 2019
Pupils represent Dame Bradbury's at the annual Girls’ STEM Olympiad
On Monday 11 November, a group of ten Year 5 pupils spent the day in the splendid setting of Old Buckenham Hall School in Suffolk, for their annual Girls’ STEM Olympiad. In two teams of five, along with others representing several schools, they faced a series of challenges in Science, Mat...
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13 Nov 2019
Year 5 learn about the law by a visit from a local magistrate
Children in Year 5 where treated to a visit by local magistrate (and parent) Mrs Sarah Rumsby as part of their work on Crime and Punishment this term.
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13 Nov 2019
Link to Hope shoebox appeal
Social responsibility was at the forefront recently as pupils at Dame Bradbury’s supported the charity ‘Link to Hope’ again this year. Children brought in a wrapped shoebox filled with a number of essential gifts to send to families in Eastern Europe. 
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Upcoming events

Y6 trip to Westminster
7:30am – 5:30pm
Year 6 trip to the Houses of Parliament to support their work PSHEE work on Democracy.
20
November
Reception collaboration at Rowley Hill Farm - Forest school
10:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Rowley Hill Farm, Little Walden
Reception pupils will come together for Forest School at Rowley Hill Farm, Little Walden with Mr Hannaway, Forest School Leader. Children will have opportunities to explore the seasonal changes in the wood and surrounding fields and meadow.
20
November
Baby & Toddler Group
8:30am – 10:30am
Come along every Friday termtime 8:30-10:30am where your little ones can have fun, make friends and develop their social skills. Our activities will help inspire and stimulate your child's senses and help to develop motor skills, coordination and concentration. Refreshments are provided.
22
November
4B class assembly
8:30am – 9:10am
Please join us for 4B’s class assembly. We will celebrate our learning from the term and share some new skills! You are welcome to stay for coffee after the assembly.
22
November

See the full Dame Bradbury's calendar here


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