From the Headmaster 

I have been overwhelmed with the quality of performances the children have been involved in this week. I must commend the children for their enchanting performances in the Year Six production of ‘Alice in Wonderland’. It was simply breathtaking and it goes without saying that Mrs Hobson, Mrs Atkinson and Mrs Corrie have worked wonders with this group of children. Thank you! Similarly, the Year Five concert on Monday was also captivating, highlighting that we have another able group of children working their way through the school.

Sports Day managed to withstand the weather yesterday and each section of the school demonstrated what sports days should be all about – every child involved, lots of fun and personal bests galore with a total of 12 school records broken. Apologies for not being present at the Year Five and Six event – I was not truanting; the Governors’ Board Meeting was my calling.

I am looking forward to seeing you tomorrow afternoon at our Summer Fete. I know the PTA have already spent hours and hours preparing for the event; please show your thanks by turning up in droves and having fun with your family and friends and of course spending lots of money!

Finally, may I extend my best wishes to the only remaining British Football team in the Euros tonight!

Wacky Wonderland
 

The wacky world of Lewis Carroll’s wonderland was the setting for the Year Six production and provided the audience with a truly memorable theatrical experience. Mrs Hobson’s vision of a performance in the round allowed the audience to become fully immersed in the story. Through innovative costume ideas and imaginative interpretation the tale of ‘Alice’ was brought to life. Add to this excellent acting and glorious singing and this was one of the most memorable of all the performances at RGS The Grange.

The creative team consisted of Mrs Atkinson and Mrs Hobson, with Mrs Corrie in charge of Music. The performance also benefitted from the help of a Year 11 RGS Worcester pupil, Tabitha Bradley, who choreographed exciting routines to accompany many of the songs.





The children’s energy and commitment was faultless, and the audience were led through Wonderland, discovering fierce ladies and pig babies along the way! Every child played their part from the smallest door to the tallest table, each one bringing their own unique contribution to the performance. The final courtroom scene was magnificent with the entire company coming together to sing ‘Off with her head’, but ending up as a pack of cards!

The performance truly demonstrated what a talented group of children we have in our midst; the focus, energy and passion that was shown was extremely impressive with the audience enjoyment evident throughout. The faultless solos, delightful dances and emotive performances left staff, parents and grandparents bursting with pride.
Surely it could not have just all been a curious dream…?

Down on the Farm

Last Wednesday Year Three had a fantastic day at Shortwood Farm organic farm, where the owners, Mr and Mrs Legge, spent their day teaching us more about farming life and caring for the animals.  



Feeding the kids was exciting – all of the children had a go, holding tightly onto the bottle. It was amazing how fast the kids sucked the milk.  



Holly, the placid Jersey cow, waited patiently while fifty children, plus a few staff, milked her.  The children found out that milk is warm when it comes out of the udder.



Mr Legge took us to his milking parlour and we saw the clusters for the udders, he explained that the cows liked being milked and he had to bring them in twice a day.  Some cows were better milkers than others.  



The tank stores the milk, stirring it constantly and keeping it cool until the tanker driver comes to collect it. This milk is then taken to the Yeo Valley Dairy to be used in its products.


 
A highlight for us all was a brilliant ride in a straw filled trailer behind Mr Legge’s tractor.  We bumped and bounced through muddy puddles and took in the wonderful views of the Herefordshire countryside.



We all enjoyed feeding the chickens and collecting a variety of different coloured eggs.



Our day finished watching a fun pig race.  We loved our day down on the farm and have written thank you letters to the Legges.

Felting Fun

Year Two finished their Rainforest topic with a fantastic workshop led by textiles artist Serena Partridge from Yorkshire. Serena started the session by showing the children how the felt pictures would be made using strands of wool, soap and water, their imagination as well as some muscle power.



After choosing a rainforest inspired motive the children started to arrange layers of wool to create the background of their picture before moving on to add all the detail. Next they placed some netting on top and rubbed soap all over. Then the hard work started – with a scrunched up plastic bag we had to rub in circles for about twenty minutes to create friction, so that the fibres could join together. 

We then had to lift the piece off the bubble wrap and place it onto a sushi mat. The last step was rolling the mat tightly backwards and forwards for a few minutes to drain off any moisture. To everyone’s amazement the hard work paid off, and colourful masterpieces appeared.



The children and staff very much enjoyed this felting experience and were rewarded with some wonderful and imaginative pictures; and all felt very accomplished and very pleased indeed at the end of the workshop. Many thanks from all of Year Two go to Serena, who has done workshops at the school for ten years.

RGS The Grange
www.rgsw.org.uk
grange@rgsw.org.uk