This week we were delighted to take part for the first time in UK Parliament Week. Having first registered our school, Senior Prep started off the week with an assembly where they learnt about Parliament, the House of Commons and the House of Lords, what happens in parliament and the different roles within Parliament.
The focus of our week has been having a voice and feeling empowered to use it. We talked about how people’s voices were heard within Parliament through debates, manifestoes, questions and discussions. At the beginning of the week children felt that ‘government’ happens miles away, and that had no influence over what happens and that their voice could not be heard. To address this, we learnt about constituents and voting. In their PHSE lessons, Senior Prep had to create their own political party – creating a name, an image, explain their core values, key issues and write 3 policies that would address these issues.
Senior Prep researched our Local MP for West Dorset, Liberal Democrat Edward Morello, who was elected on 4th July. We looked at his activity in the House of Commons, that he voted against VAT in private schools and inheritance tax. We were absolutely thrilled when he agreed to come in to talk to the children.
Today we held our own general election, with each of the parties having 2 minutes to present their manifesto, with a confidential ballot afterwards. Edward Morello joined us at the end, and after giving us a talk and answering our questions, he announced the winning party – which was The Royal Crowns (led by Abel and Oscar), who had a landslide victory with 40% of the votes. In second place was the ‘English Party’, and 3rd place was the ‘Republic Reform’.
We hope the children enjoyed the week and have gained knowledge, insight and used their critical thinking skills to begin to feel empowered to use their own voice.
This morning in assembly we celebrated our Academic Excellence winners who were, Juliet M-H, Elsie, Oliver A, Shayan and Abel. Our Well Done winners were Penelope, Juliette S, Tabitha, William, Heidi, Sonny S and all of Form 3.
Our Commitment award went to Orlando and Coco, Compassion to Gabriel and Sophia C, Courage to Olivia and Max, and Creativity to Elodie and Sasha. Well done to you all for all your hard work this week.
On Wednesday, Senior Prep went to Dorchester High Street, to replant our planter that we sponsor in the town. It was a glorious afternoon, and the planter looks stunning!
What a difference a day makes! On Thursday, there was a huge amount of excitement as the children arrived in school! Snow was falling and continued to fall for the whole morning! The children all had such fun playing in the snow, and then warming up with hot chocolate and cookies in the dining hall courtesy of Kerry and her team!
Last weekend, children from the Junior and Senior Prep travelled to North Devon to the Rock and Rapid Adventures climbing competition. The rules were simple. Climb four top roped routes, four boulder problems and one speed climb (using an auto belay). Points were awarded for reaching various holds with a maximum of 100 points for completing each climb. On Saturday it was the junior competition with nearly 100 children from 21 schools, with the Sunninghill team travelling the furthest.
In the Year 3 and 4 boys category, Sonny climbed to a brilliant 6th overall. He was only 2 points from 4th and only 30 points separated the top 6. These were fine margins with the winner having nearly a 1000 points in total. In the Year 3 and 4 girls category Alice climbed well to 8th position overall and in the 5 and 6 boys Arthur was 12th. The other climbers also did incredibly well.
On Sunday there were 18 senior schools represented and 3 boys from Sunninghill against 25 others in their age category which included Year 9s. Natty climbed well to 10th place, Albi was 14th and Leo 18th. It was a great experience for the children and we look forward to returning next year.
Well done everyone and thank you to Mr Stazicker for taking both groups and to Rock and Rapids Adventures for such a fun competition!
Nursery had an exciting visit from our local library today. They sang ‘Row, Row, Row your Boat’ and ‘Here we go round the Mulberry Bush’, and then had a couple of stories read to them, with lots of actions. The children were lent books to read, which they can return to the library on their next visit, and swap for some new ones.
This Sunday, Mr Cracknell has organised for a group of children to take part in the Millfield Biathlon. We wish them all the very best of luck, and hope that the predicted wet weather does not dampen their enthusiasm! Next week is the start of our Christmas festivities with the PTFA Christmas Fayre on Thursday, and preparations well underway for our Nativity performances which are the following week. Christmas really is such a special time in school…
I hope you all have a wonderful and restful weekend.
David
