I hope that you were able to join us for the festivities as we celebrated 90 years as a School on this site. We travelled through time during the day on Friday, with lessons inspired by different decades – the Wall Street Crash in Politics, the Space Race decades in Science, as well as 1970s party food in Food Tech and 1980s pop in Music. We also paid tribute to our heritage as a centre for outdoor education and the spirit of adventure established by our first Headmaster and leading scout Mr JW Turner, with Prep engaging in bushcraft lessons, exploring food rationing from WWII and after, and engaging in Maypole dancing.
90 years is a significant milestone and we were delighted to welcome Old Boy Alec Swan as well as Mayor of Halstead, Councillor Munday to the celebrations. It is important for us to pay tribute to all that we have become through the history which brought us here, but we also wish to look to the future and make our successors, our great grandchildren, proud of us, the lessons we learn and the decisions we take. We therefore buried a time capsule for those who come after us, and planted an oak tree which we hope will grow as tall and strong as those which used to grace the front lawn. My great thanks to the PTA, Mrs Bougeard and all who helped make this day possible – and to all of us who build and grow Gosfield School into the future.
New Pupil Day / Moving Up Day
We welcomed our new pupils in Prep and Seniors on Tuesday this week for New Pupil Day. All our Prep children moved up a year and experienced life another year older with their new teachers, whilst our Year 6 pupils took the step up into Senior School and became Year 7s for the day.
It was fantastic to see all our pupils grow into older versions of themselves, and also to be such kind and generous hosts to those who will join our community. I was particularly impressed with the way Year 6 informed me without any prompting or hesitation just how they would welcome their new classmates from Primary Schools across the county, and in such a way that they would quickly feel at home. I know that many new friendships were made and all left excited about the future prospects next academic year will bring.
Sports Day – Wednesday 26 June
We very much look forward to welcoming parents to our Sports Day this Wednesday, on what promises to be one of the hottest days of the year – so do ensure you and your children are prepared for the sun with hats, suncream and plenty of water.
The Senior School will participate throughout the day and the Prep School will compete until lunchtime. The entering parade will commence at 9am and events at 9:15am. It is expected that the programme of events will conclude by approximately 3.50pm. Prep School pupils will have the option to stay and watch the Senior track events with parents or be collected at lunchtime at 12.15pm. If not collected and not staying to watch the Seniors, Prep pupils will return to Meadow Court for the afternoon where they can be picked up at 3.50pm. A full programme of events will follow shortly.
At lunch time, a school packed lunch will be available for the children. You are more than welcome to bring a picnic for yourselves, so please let us know via ParentMail if your child does not require a school packed lunch.
The day will conclude at approximately 3:50pm, however please do not feel you need to rush off as the PTA team will still be serving refreshments and goodies throughout the day. The Mongolia Expeditions Team will also be selling refreshments.
Pupils should come to school in full Gosfield PE kit, and please make note of the other recommendations made in the recent ParentMail regarding Sports Day. We look forward to seeing you there!
End of Term Arrangements
As the recent ParentMail regarding the arrangements for the end of term has advised, we have a lot of exciting events to see us into the Summer – when it decides to arrive. Please do read it carefully, so that you are aware both of the events coming up, but also the changes to normal school routine that will take place, especially in Activities Week and for the last two days of term, including Speech Day.
During Activities Week, from Monday 1 to Friday 5 July School will finish at 3.50pm, therefore there will not be any after school activities. A separate letter has been sent with details on the timings and arrangements for Activities Week including timings of school buses. In the last two days of term we will have a normal school day on Monday 8 July, with some rehearsals for Speech Day. Photographs of all prizewinners and buffet lunch for parents and pupils will take place afterwards. School finishes at 3.50pm on this day, therefore there will not be any after school activities and Buses depart at 4pm. Speech Day is of course on Tuesday 9 July, and I hope everyone has received their invitation; attendance by all pupils is compulsory. We politely request all parents and guests to follow our dress code of formal garden party attire. We very much look forward to seeing you at our final celebration of the year, and may I remind you to let us know via ParentMail if you will be attending Speech Day and how many seats you require.
On the day normal lessons will be followed by House Assembly, which is then followed by Speech Day itself at 11.30am. Photographs of all prizewinners and buffet lunch for parents and pupils. Buses depart at 1.30pm, and if your child would normally travel on school transport, please email bus@gosfieldschool.org.uk to confirm that your child will be using the service on this day. Thank you all for your support this year as we continue to grow and develop as a School, nurturing our children to Achieve beyond expectation and Inspire us as we hope to inspire them. We have a lot to enjoy and celebrate this year and hope to share that with you and your family.
British Heart Foundation Charity Non-Uniform Day - Friday 28 June
As part of our support for the British Heart Foundation we will host a cake sale and hold a non-uniform day for all pupils on Friday 28 June. Cost of participation in the non-uniform day will be £1, with cakes obviously for sale on top of that!
SummerFest
Last Thursday's SummerFest served as a fitting end to the trilogy of seasonal Performing Arts evenings for this year. The SummerFest brought a ray of sunshine to audience and performers alike that ensured that the evening was Al Fresco in feel if not in location.
The Prep concert had the Dining Hall filled to overflowing, with excited students listening to DJ sounds provided by Zak Dennison. The opening item to both concerts was the choir’s delightful interpretation of Hey Ho by the Lumineers, which was followed by a trio of soloists including Skye, Jemima and Connie playing their piano pieces with confidence and accuracy. The girls’ dance to Bang Bang accompanied with memorable pink costumes was full of life and energy, whilst the Cup Song performed so delightfully by Dana, Connie, Fareeda and Isabelle was very entertaining due to the choreography of cup percussion shared between the front line.
The Year 3 band of Calvin, Theo and Harry, with special guest parent Mr Nik Kershaw, was a moving and committed performance of Dad's original hit song which refused to let the summer sun go down on him - clearly tonight it did! Finally the Rock School group ended part one with their well rehearsed and entertaining cover of Old Town Road, with drums, bass guitar, keyboards, vocals and a full rap section.
The Senior section featured a full field of Dance, Drama and Music and after the choir’s opening, Luke Well's Wolf monologue was confident witty and presented with comic timing, and fluffy costume to boot. Grace introduced the genre of dance with her Contemporary solo that demonstrated her strong technique and sensitive interpretation along with Violet who chose a personal and reflective interpretation set to the memorable music of Einaudi - Igiorni which then led onto a memorable and very impressive Gym display by Jemimah and Zack's karate Kata. The soloists of the second half included Rowen with his lovely performance of a Grade 2 trumpet piece, Francis' natural and fluid vocal performance of the Sinatra classic - I Get A Kick Out Of You and Niamh with her wonderful Harp solo. The evening was closed by the second of two duets featuring Gabriela who's first item was the rap classic from Hamilton performed from memory with Zack, and the finale, Treat You Better, performed with Lucy, which again was a lovely heartfelt presentation that formed a fitting end to the lovely evening.
Look out for the next opportunity to enjoy our performances as we move into the new academic year.
Year 7 Maxwell’s Charity Tour of Annecy
Maxwell writes about his charity fundraising activity that, 'like many families our family has been affected by dementia and we want to stop it now, so no one has to see it affect another person. Please donate so you know you`ve put money to help find the cure to save people’s memories.'
Following the great success of the BlitzFit obstacle course run which took place on the last day of the Autumn Term 2018, and, we hope, the Summer edition taking place at the end of Activities Week, we are very pleased to offer all our parents and pupils the opportunity to take part in the full BlitzFit course on Sunday 7 July.
Course Details
·BlitzXtreme Run V is on Sunday 7 July
2.5, 5 and 10KM distances available (Children 12+ can do the 5 or 10KM and need to be accompanied by an adult
40 obstacle and fun challenges
Every participant receives an attendance medal Here’s a video we did from last year’s event -https://youtu.be/o_6vzyawtGM
1- Click on the link and register an account
2- Go to start a new membership.
3- Select BlitzXtreme Run V and the race distance you want to run.
4- Make payment through Stripe (a secured payment site).
5- You will receive a booking confirmation. For further information please email BlitzFitMe on info@blitzfitme.co.uk
ISA National Athletic Championships, Birmingham
Four fantastic students qualified for the National championships this year. All made their way to Birmingham to compete as part of the East Anglia team against the other 6 regions of England to become ISA National Champion!
The standard of competition was incredible with several national records going in the process. First to race was Evie W in the 1500m for Year 7 girls. She ran a gruelling race and eventually came a credible 9th place and we believe in a time to be confirmed as a personal best! Next onto the track was Alex L in the Year 8 and 9 800m. Alex was quick to get into a small group at the front of the race. As the first lap finished he was still there in with a chance of glory, hot on the heels of the top three in front of him. As the race continued it quickened and Alex began to fall behind the leading three and was locked in a battle with two other athletes; one form the North and one from London south. A sprint was on the cards and in the end Alex split them to come in fifth place and absolutely shattered!
Yet another middle distance race was next with Ella L in the 800m, up against some serious club athletes. Ella had an excellent run, but the pace was being set by the other East Anglian runner who went on to get the national record. The pace strung the field out quickly and Ella battled really well to come in 11th place. Well done Ella. Last of all and nearing the end of the day was Grace P who competed in the Year 10 and 11 Shot putt. There were some massive throws going on and Grace did brilliantly to end up in 6th place. Gosfield can truly be proud of their National athletes who performed and held themselves to the highest standard. Well done.
Culinary Corner
8MAS loved their tray slice challenge this week with flapjacks & Rocky roads proving the most popular. Amelia’s Rocky road below. 7NAJ were equally as excited about making their own pizzas with some very creative toppings being used. 9CAR completed the cake section of their bake off and will decorate next week. 10 GCSE went back to the 70s to celebrate Gosfield’s 90th birthday and made prawn cocktails, devilled eggs, mushroom vol au vents and cheese & pineapple hedgehogs.
Next week (also on SMHW)
7 MFH- no ingredients
8 MWT - Tray bake/slice challenge
9 CAR - Bake Off round 2, decoration
Star of the Week
Year
Star
Reason
Nursery
Lucii Higgs
For using her knowledge of counting to ten in Spanish to keep score in our Phonics game.
Reception
Darren Mhangami
For trying really hard with his writing.
1
Betty Sakal
For using her colour mixing skills and concentrating hard to create a super painting in the style of Wassily Kandinksy
2
William Stapleton
For beautiful, correctly sized handwriting!
3
Izzy Hubble
For showing great perseverance and determination to finish her tests.
4
Adam Lahman
For being brave with his broken finger
5
Skye Bradford
Being a friendly and supportive ‘Buddy’ to our Guest Pupil on Wednesday.
6
Dana Al-Hashemi
Participating in our 90th celebrations with so much enthusiasm
Diary Dates
Monday 24 June
Duke Of Edinburgh Bronze Award qualifier
Prep School Field Events
Tuesday 25 June
Year 6 visit to Colchester Synagogue
1st xi v Finborough at Home (changed from Away) 2pm T20
Wednesday 26 June
Sports Day
U11 Cricket (Yrs 5 & 6) vs St Margarets at Home A-HB T20 B-SB Pairs
Thursday 27 June
Reserve Sports Day
Prom at Marks Hall
Friday 28 June
British Heart Foundation Fundraiser
Year 6 Leavers' Assembly
Years 6 Leavers' Tea
And a reminder to everyone, next week is a Week 2 on our two-week timetable. Good luck to everyone with all their endeavours. As ever, my door is always open if you would like to book an appointment in advance via Mrs Bowles.
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