Dear <<Salutation>>

News that two Bedford School boys were selected for the England squad, one of whom, George Furbank, is actually starting for England on Sunday against France, has engendered much pride at school. We are also very proud of all our boys who try their hardest in lessons, and in sporting fixtures at school. This week a huge number of fixtures have been played, and boys have enjoyed hockey, swimming and football matches against teams from Winchester House, Maidwell Hall, King’s Ely, Laxton Junior, St Faith’s, The Beacon, Chesham Prep, Framlingham, Caldicott and Stamford schools, as well as a swimming gala with Pilgrims and our Year 3 boys. I have really enjoyed seeing boys busy in other areas too. It is great to see our zoologists enjoying the responsibility of looking after animals in animal care club, and the climbing wall is always full of eager mountaineers, despite the cold!
 
There are lots of exciting events to come this half-term, and in this edition of the bulletin, please do look out for information on the Y3-4 Harry Potter Book Night, Y8 Language Choices into the Upper School, a Bedfordshire Festival Showcase, House Singing and Holy Eucharist in the Chapel.
 
Also, there is news about the departure of our current, excellent, Late Room Supervisor, and her replacement, as well as some guidance about staying healthy, which we would ask you to share with the boys. We look forward to welcoming in Year 7 parents next week for Parent Consultations in the Erskine May Hall.
 
Have a great weekend.

Y3-4 Football Club starting this week
The Y3-4 Football club is starting again this week. The club runs after school on Tuesdays on the astro from 4.15 - 5pm and all boys are welcome. Boys should bring their trainers and shin pads.
 
Y3-4 Harpur Trust Times Tables Rock Stars Competition next week
As part of our commitment to make Maths exciting and high profile in our school, we are taking part in a friendly competition involving Year 3s and Year 4s from Bedford Girls’ School, Bedford Prep School and Bedford Modern School from Monday 3rd February to Thursday 6th February. It’s all done online via https://play.ttrockstars.com/
 
For every correct answer to a multiplication or division question, your child will earn their class a point. The Times Tables Rock Stars platform will calculate the class average (the number of correct answers per pupil in the class who play during the competition hours.) Winning classes in the school and in the competition as a whole will be the ones with the highest average. The prize for the overall winning class is a pizza party! All game modes (Gig, Garage, Studio, etc.) will count but only from games played between 7.30am and 7.30pm on Monday 3rd, Tuesday 4th, Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th February. In the spirit of the competition, please don’t play on the children's behalf but by all means encourage and support them to the extent that it doesn’t cause high stress levels or impact on family plans. We suggest a limit of half an hour a day outside school hours – some will play more, some will play less. Thanks for your support.
 
Y3-4 Harry Potter Book Night, Thursday 6th February
We will once again be taking part in 'Harry Potter Book Night' on Thursday 6th February when fans all around the world celebrate the magical world of Harry Potter. On the day, boys can come to school in their normal school uniform but add a cloak, hat and other magical items. There will be activities on offer throughout the day and the chance to stay on in the Inky Library from 4.15 until 5.30pm for crafts, games and magical readings. Numbers for the after-school activities will be limited due to space so if your son would like to attend please sign up using this form. If you would like your son to attend we expect him to stay for the whole event, and he can be collected from the Library between 5.30 and 5.45pm (when the Late Room, which will continue to operate as normal but elsewhere in the building, closes). The deadline for signing up is 1pm on Monday 3rd February. If you sign up your son, we will confirm if he has a place ASAP.
 
As part of the celebrations, all boys have received a sheet so they can design a dragon egg if they wish to. Boys can enter their designs into a competition and prizes will be awarded for the best eggs. Please return designs to Mrs Lumley-Wood by Friday 7th February and prizes will be awarded after half term.
 
Y3 - 4 Musical, Wednesday 11th March
The Y3-4 Choir will be performing their Roman Mini-Musical on Wednesday 11th March at 5pm. In preparation for the evening, please see Mrs Gedye’s letter here with more information about the costumes we would like the boys get together over half term. We look forward to rehearsing with the boys and seeing you all on 11th March for the performance. So that boys can practise at home, all the words can be found here.

PS After School Squad Swimming on Tuesday cancelled
Unfortunately there will be no squad swimming club after school on Tuesday next week (4th February) as the pool is being used for a water polo match.
 
Sickness Prevention
We have a high level of sickness across the school at the moment. The boys were reminded in assembly this week about the importance of using tissues and washing their hands in order to help stop the spread of viruses and prevent illness where possible. There are also lots of antibacterial gel dispensers around the school that the boys can use for added protection. Please could you take some time this weekend to look at the advice here and remind your son about the importance of good hygiene. Thank you.
 
Late Room Supervisor
Mrs Kane will be stepping down from her role as Late Room Supervisor as of 14th February in order to spend more time in her role as a pension trustee. Mrs Kane has been superb in the role, and our provision for the Late Room has improved enormously under her leadership. She has been excellent to work with, and I am sure is highly valued by parents and boys for the excellent working atmosphere created in the Late Room. We will miss her, and I am sure those who have used the facility will join me in thanking her for all her hard work. 
 
Mrs Kane’s role will be taken by Mrs Allison Brattle, who will be in from Monday 3rd February for a two-week handover period. Mrs Brattle has a BA Hons in Education with QTS from the University of East Anglia. She has taught for many years at a primary school in Enfield and has relocated to Bedford. Thank you, in advance, for making her feel welcome and part of the community.
 
School Eucharist, Sunday 2nd February at 6.15pm
The preacher at this Sunday evening’s service of Holy Communion for the Feast of Candlemas is the Revd Clare Hayns, Chaplain of Christ Church, Oxford, and a former social worker. Music includes C.V. Stanford’s famous setting in G of the Nunc Dimittis. Parents, families, and members of the school community are always welcome at Chapel services. For further details, please see the Chapel Term Card.
 
Prep School House Singing, Friday 14th February
Half term ends with our very popular and eagerly anticipated House Singing event in the Great Hall on Friday 14th February. Starting at 2.30pm and finishing at 4pm, doors open at 2pm and all families are welcome to attend. Boys are asked to wear white shirts please. A collection for the school’s charities will be made at the end of the event. Parking is via the Burnaby Road entrance where security will direct you.
 
Bedfordshire Festival Showcase
The Festival Showcase is an informal non-ticketed event, which aims to give the Speech and Drama boys some practice at performing in a large space with an audience, in preparation for the Bedfordshire Festival. This year’s Showcases will be on the dates below and we hope you are able to come and watch the boys perform. Boys should please wear white shirts and bring a snack to eat after school if they would like to. Please contact Mrs Bell ebell@bedfordschool.org.uk if you have any questions.
 
Year 4 & 7 Showcase  Monday 10th Feb in the EMH
                                    from 4.30pm-6pm approx
Year 3 & 8 Showcase  Monday 24th Feb in the Quarry Studio
                                    from 4.30pm-6pm approx
Year 5 & 6 Showcase  Wednesday 26th Feb in the EMH
                                    from 5pm - 6.30pm approx 
                                    (a later start time due to fixtures)
 
Prep House Singing, Friday 14th February
Do remember that all the House Singing music is on Firefly.
House Singing
Bunyan
Harpur
Howard
Whitbread