Newsletters

Dame Bradbury's Newsletter, 13 December 2019


Dear Parents and Friends,

Welcome to the last newsletter of this term. I am aware that I am writing this, deadlines being what they are, slightly in the dark: who will have been successful in the general election by the time you read this, I wonder? Though most of our pupils are too young to understand the implications of Brexit and all that, they do sense the feeling of frustration at the stagnation of the current situation and the need to “move on” in some shape or form. We talk to them often, and in different contexts, about their future opportunities and responsibilities, and I do hope that the education we are jointly providing them with, both you in your parental role and us in our professional one, will stand them in good stead for what lies ahead. I am confident that they will make effective changemakers, innovators and leaders of the future; and I hope that they will do it with better grace and more modesty than some of our current political leaders manage. I also hope that they will take their democratic responsibility seriously and make sure that each one of their individual voices and votes counts, both while they are young and as they grow up.

Back to the more prosaic business of school though. Or is it? You can imagine that when newsletter time comes around I am on the lookout for little nuggets of information or knowledge that I might include, and I am grateful to Mrs McWilliam for sharing with me an article which included the following: “Childhood should be a time of boundless curiosity and endless questions, and open hearts and minds.” Whilst the “boundless curiosity and endless questions” may not be to every parent’s liking throughout the Christmas holiday, it is certainly what we look for in our learners, and indeed in our staff.

Neither staff nor pupils have been put off by the length or increasing darkness that are both typical features of this term. Forest School still goes ahead, with a seasonal flavour of dormancy and appreciation of nature having a rest. Buffy Bus was on site at the end of last week to inform and entertain some of our youngest learners and visitors in a different environment. Last Friday a group of our Year 6 pupils were lucky enough to join Dame Darcey Bussell at the Senior School to perform in one of her DDMIX events, and Year 4 welcomed Star Radio to sing their Christmas song and talk about what they wish for at Christmas.

Recent visitors to school have included James Mark from “Reverence for Life”, who spoke to the children about the schools we are supporting in Tanzania by donating old uniform and other items; Judge Paul Downes, who came to share with pupils his knowledge and experience as a high court judge; Kenyan farmers from TIST, who were in Cambridge to be honoured for their work in reforestation; and local police officers who came to talk to Year 5 to link in with their current thematic topic. 

This week has been a particularly busy one with Christmas lunch, Santa visits, the Christmas Fair, house matches and, of course, our annual carol service at St Mary’s Church, among other things. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff at Dame Bradbury’s for their almost-unfailing energy and ability to smile on through! We have a fantastic, dedicated staff here, I’m sure you will agree; and I would like to wish them, and you, the happiest of holidays, and some peace and relaxation too.

With my very best wishes,

Louise Graham

Head of Dame Bradbury’s


Notices

Dame Bradbury’s Y1 and Y2 production

This year we will be presenting The Bee Musical on Thursday 13 February 2020 at 14.45 and Friday 14 February 2020 at 09.00. Please could Year 2 learn their lines over the holidays. Paper copies have gone home this week and the entire script will be on Apple classroom.


Sport

The past couple of weeks have been relatively quiet on the fixture front but it has been great spending time with the pupils in school to develop their skills ahead of the next term. That said, the final rugby matches of the season took place at the IAPS tournament at Brentwood School last week. With five teams in a group, the boys played some good rugby in their four group games, managing to win all of them resulting in them finishing top of the group. The final game of the day was against Felsted Prep who had also won all four of their group games. In what was a very physical and closely contested encounter, both teams tackled superbly and provided little opportunity for one another to break the defensive lines. Felsted scored the only try of the game winning the match 1-0. The boys should be hugely proud of their efforts this season. Well played boys.

A final farewell from me as Head of Sport as I set off for sunnier climates in the Cayman Islands at the end of this month. The past eight years at Dame Bradbury’s has been a time in my teaching career I will never forget and I would like to say thank you, to all of the pupils and parents for their efforts and support during this time. I have no doubt sport will continue to thrive under the leadership of Mr Godfrey in the future and wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Mr Evans, Head of Dame Bradbury’s sport.

The U10 girls A, B and C hockey teams travelled to Bishop's Stortford College on a bitterly cold afternoon for some very competitive matches. In a very tight and close match the A team dominated large parts of the game but were also lucky to not be hit on the counter attack by a well organised team. With neither side able to find the winning goal the match ended in a 0-0 draw. The B team made a slow start to their match and found themselves 2-0 down very quickly but they settled and then started to get a foothold in the game and began to create some scoring opportunities. In the second half they pulled one goal back but unfortunately could not find the equaliser. The C team put in the performance of the day playing some great hockey and recording a superb 4-1 win.


The U11 girls football team took part in the Essex Schools Girls County Football Finals in Chelmsford. They were representing Uttlesford having won the district tournament in October. The team did themselves proud playing some excellent passing football and defending with great tenacity. Playing six group games the team won one game, lost one game and drew the other four.


Latest news

11 Dec 2019
Early years are outstanding in their nativity performance
The children in early years worked tirelessly to put together a brilliant nativity production called ‘Mary’s knitting’, about a lady called Mary who needed to knit a blanket for baby Jesus - but would the blanket be ready in time?
Read more
11 Dec 2019
Year 5 talk to local police officers
Year 5 brought their theme - Crime and Punishment through the ages - to a brilliant close this week, with a visit from our local police officers.
Read more
11 Dec 2019
Year 4 star on local radio
Year 4 students at Dame Bradbury’s recently recorded the well known 'Sleeps til Santa' song for Star Radio.
Read more
11 Dec 2019
Dame Bradbury’s pupils show social responsibility in Christmas appeal
This December we have once again supported the Uttlesford Foodbank in a collaborative reverse advent calendar.
Read more

Read more news from Dame Bradbury's


Upcoming events

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.
20
December
Nursery closure
All Day
21
December
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.
27
December
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.
03
January

See the full Dame Bradbury's calendar here


Dame Bradbury's Follow
Wet play Mr Evans style. #christmaspictionary 6Kv 6D. Will they have wet play on the Cayman Islands? Probably not very often. @SPFRosedaleHse @SPFSchools https://t.co/KQaJv9DVky
4 hours ago
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Dame Bradbury's Follow
Come and join us this Friday 13th from 8.30- 10.30 at Madingley Village Hall for Christmas Creativity. Creative Christmas activities that will help you get into the festive spirit such; Christmassy messy play, painting and colouring activities and many more. #spf https://t.co/m1GgPi1nAy
21 hours ago
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Dame Bradbury's Follow
Come and join us this Friday 13th at Dame Bradbury's for Christmas Stories, Songs and Rhymes with the librarian. It will help to encourage a lifelong love of books from an early age with a mix of old and new favourites. #damebradburyschool
21 hours ago
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