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St Bernard's Preparatory School - Newsletter 10th May 2024

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Dear Parents,

Even though we have had a brief week due to the Bank Holiday, we have still had a bustling week, jam-packed with exciting activities and hard work.

Our incredible Year 2 children have been absolutely smashing their SATs this week, showcasing unwavering dedication and perseverance. They have tackled each question with determination, proving to themselves and everyone around them the extent of their knowledge and skills. We are immensely proud of their hard work and the relentless effort they have displayed throughout this testing period.

Our Early Years children had an absolute blast on Thursday, as they got to meet some furry friends during the farm visit. The children were thrilled to meet rabbits, guinea pigs, tortoises, chicks, and adorable lambs to name but a few. However, the real showstopper of the day was Bob the Pony! Learning about the animals up close not only delighted our little ones, but also brought smiles all around. The experience was as educational as it was entertaining! 

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Upper Trans Liturgy

Upper Trans gave a moving liturgy on the ascension of Jesus on Wednesday, diving deep into the significance of this momentous event in our faith journey. Their insightful reflections resonated with us and reminded us of our calling to be true disciples of Jesus, spreading His love and teachings to all. 

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Anti-Bullying Ambassadors Well being Assembly

During today's Assembly led by the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, the children enlightened the school community on the significance of consuming five portions of fruits and vegetables daily and following the five ways to well-being: connecting with others, staying physically active, being mindful of oneself and others, and engaging in acts of kindness. These five ways play a crucial role in enhancing physical, mental and emotional well-being by encouraging positive interactions, physical exercise, mindfulness, ongoing learning, and kindness towards others.

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Micro Dukes

This week was all about building life skills at Micro Dukes. Our little ones dived head first into the 'helpfulness' challenge with enthusiasm, mastering the art of washing and drying up. From scrubbing dishes to drying them with care. You will be pleased to know they're now ready to take on these tasks at home too! 

Encourage your child to showcase their newly acquired skills by involving them in household chores. Not only does it teach them responsibility and independence, but it also fosters a sense of accomplishment, whilst boosting their confidence. Start them young on the path to becoming true helpers! 

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Junior Dukes

Our Junior Dukes have been participating in our school's conservation efforts by getting their hands dirty in the garden! They are not only learning about different plant species, but also discovering how their actions can positively impact local wildlife. Through hands-on activities, these young environmentalists are fostering a deep sense of responsibility towards nature and its inhabitants. Let's celebrate their enthusiasm and dedication to creating a greener and more sustainable world!

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Upper Prep

This week in Upper Prep the children imagined they had been shipwrecked on a desert island! Using their scientific knowledge, they had to think of what basic needs animals, including humans need to survive before writing a message in a bottle about their time on the island so far! It was pleasing to see the children discussing how they would construct shelters, hunt and forage and keep themselves warm using only natural materials. 

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Achievements:

We had a wonderful letter this week from Ira's mum that I wanted to share with you all.

Dear Dr Bunce, 

I just wanted to say a 'Huge Thank You!!' to you for sharing the exciting opportunity with Ira to join the 'Junior School Music Workshop Day' at the Hampton School. 

I had submitted the application form on behalf of Ira and subsequently Ira was selected to participate in the workshop for 'Percussion' instruments. She was so thrilled to be selected! We were delighted to attend the workshop on 21st April. It was an extremely well organised event and a wonderful learning experience for Ira. She has asked me to share her experience with you that she wrote in her own words as below:

 "  At the school, I had an opportunity to spend the day learning three songs to play in an orchestra in the afternoon with more than 120 participants from different schools. One of the highlights of my performance was the James Bond Theme Song. I was performing as a percussionist who was responsible to keep the whole orchestra in time, so if I would have made a mistake, the whole orchestra would not be in time. Luckily, that didn't happen because we had an entire day to practice. I had a teacher and a student named Oliver who helped me to learn my part. I got to play the Bass Drum, Slide Whistle and the Ride Cymbal in my part for the songs. They also let all of us have a long break before our final performance. In our break, I enjoyed playing in the vast football field with a few new friends. The actual performance was amazing and it went really well. The audience including all parents gave a rapturous applause at the end. I was really lucky to have been chosen for this. It was an unforgettable experience. I am so looking forward to participate in the workshop next year."

We are grateful for having this opportunity to witness Ira performing with over 120 enthusiastic musicians. We felt so proud of Ira when she performed with such precision and sincerity. It was a truly memorable day! 

I have attached a couple of photos of the event.  Thank you for your support and encouragement. 

Kind regards,

Vrinda 

 

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UKMT Junior Maths Challenge

We are delighted by the participation of our Remove children in the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge this year. This competition is designed for Year 8 and below so we are so proud of the children who took part.

Once again, our children have achieved impressive results:

Manpreet and Arjun J were awarded the bronze certificate.

Meraya, Elle, Ayesha, Hafsah, Shaan, Tulsi, and Zane were awarded the silver certificate.

Gayathri, Chia, Meena, Nainikka, Kaiden, Arjun B, and Raman were awarded the gold certificate.

Additionally, we are thrilled to announce that 5 children have been selected to progress to the Kangaroo stage: Raman, Arjun B, Chia, Kaiden, and Nainikka. We wish them the best of luck on June 11th.

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Ultimate Activity Camps will be based at St Bernard's Prep School this summer. If you are interested in booking a place for your child, CLICK HERE!

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Sport

U11's Cricket 

On Wednesday, our Under 11A and B teams competed in a cricket match against Dair House. The Under 11A team delivered an outstanding performance, demonstrating exceptional bowling and impressive batting skills throughout the afternoon. With Dair House scoring 240 runs and St Bernard's achieving 302 runs, the A team secured a convincing victory. Congratulations to all the players for their dedication and effort, and a special mention to Raman for earning the MVP title.

Our Under 11B team faced Dair House B and emerged victorious with a comfortable score of 202 - 234. Kudos to all the players for their spirited performance, displaying consistent batting and bowling skills. A big congratulations to Himani for being recognised as the MVP of the U11B team.

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I hope everyone enjoys the promised sunshine this weekend.

A friendly reminder to our Year 6 children: recharge your batteries for the upcoming SATs week! Remember to relax and have fun under the sun. It's essential to maintain a healthy balance between work and play for success. Take some time to bask in the sunny weather, treat yourself to an ice cream, or indulge in your favourite outdoor activities. I know all our Year 6 children will be fabulous, and I look forward to seeing their smiley faces on Monday ready to take everything in their stride.

Mrs A Verma

Headteacher