It feels like Sunninghill is really getting into it’s natural rhythm this week! Everyone is enjoying their lessons and their extra curricular activities and there is a wonderfully positive atmosphere around school. This morning in assembly we welcomed Penelope who has joined us in Form 2 this week.
Penelope has settled so well into Sunninghill, and I am so pleased that she has been so warmly welcomed into our school community. In assembly we talked about how Compassion can be manifested in school. On a daily basis I witness compassion in the classroom, on the playground and on the sports field – but it is always good to remind ourselves of all that we can do for each other – as it is this kindness and our community that makes Sunninghill so special. Next week we have 6 new pupils coming in for taster days in Forms 2-7 so I am looking forward to seeing the children shine as they buddy our prospective pupils, and show off our lovely school.
Our well done winners this week were Connie, Olivia, Penelope, Gianni, Clara, Alice, Grace and Rosa. Our Academic Excellence winners this week were Penelope, Jonah, Violet, Frank, Martha and Lottie. Orlando and Finlay won the Commitment award Penelope and Max the Compassion award, Connie and Sasha-Mae the Courage award, and Florence T and Shayan the Creativity award.
We also congratulated Ted, Anna and Rosa for their music theory examination results, and Nathaniel and Louis for their outstanding Tassomai achievements. Well done to you all.
Our 4 C’s programme is something that we are incredibly proud of at Sunninghill, and embedding our school values into our timetable is something I think is unique to our school. I am delighted that we are able to give such a huge array of opportunities to our children. Our 4Cs classes we are offering include mindfulness, drawing, Just dance, construction, ‘Mission X’ (science), board games, yoga, DT, ‘Builders and fixers’, and junior choir for our junior prep. For our senior pupils, they have the opportunity to enjoy verbal and non verbal reasoning, crochet, English masterclass, chess, senior strings, science, CDT, SPS Dance, Diabolo, History, art, gardening and chamber choir.
And of course on a Friday afternoon children also have the opportunity to enjoy activities such as FTYlab, Swimming, Windsurfing, Sailing, Ski-ing, Rookie Lifeguard, DT projects, Football Dance and Drama during our extensive Enrichment programme.
Form 8 have begun their exciting new unit on West African Music with a dynamic drumming workshop led by our incredible percussion teacher, Mr Tim Wheeler. The children explored the origins of the cajón and djembe, discovering the three main sounds of the drum – bass, tone, and slap – before putting their skills into practice. They learned two traditional rhythms: the Fanga, one of the first rhythms brought to the Americas from West Africa, and the Kuru, a vibrant Guinean rhythm based on call and response. The room was alive with energy, teamwork, and rhythm – a fantastic start to their musical journey this term!
Also in music, Form 7 have been focusing on the 8 elements of music. This week’s focus has been on pitch, and they have loved using practical skills whilst learning the cabbage café song. Click on our QR code to listen to them play!
This term, Reception have been looking at their fingerprints and learning that their different fingerprints make them entirely unique. As part of their learning, they enjoyed looing at Andy Warhol’s handprint paintings. They liked them so much they decided to paint their own – which we think are even better than the original!
Also in art this week, Form 8 have been experimenting with some fabulous street art, with some impressive results.
This week we were delighted to welcome our new School Council! Grace, Felix, Finlay, Lottie, Aria, Orlando, Ivy, Elodie, Elias and Charlie. We can’t wait to hear about their chosen charity which will be decided next week, and see all the amazing work they will do to improve our school, and raise money for charity.
I am off windsurfing for the first time this afternoon with the senior windsurfing group. I know the children will show me great compassion as I attempt this activity for the first time – and I am hoping they won’t won’t laugh too much!
Have a lovely weekend everyone!
David
