I can safely say I think this has been the busiest week at Sunninghill this year – with 4 sports days, 2 swimming galas, 2 special assemblies, 1 grandparents day, 1 informal music concert, 1 formal music concert and a trip to Monkey World to boot. It has been quite a marathon – and I am incredibly grateful to all the children, staff and parents who have made all of this possible!
Sunninghill has the most incredibly dedicated staff who always go above and beyond and our sports, music and catering teams have really excelled this week. I have added as many pictures as possible to the blog, but please check out our Facebook page for even more from this week!
This morning, we enjoyed Form 8’s leavers assembly – a very emotional journey starting with a video of many of our Form 8’s who have been with us since Reception! The children told us some of their first memories of Sunninghill, together with their highlight of their final year – the majority being their incredible trip to Spain – the via ferrata and waterpark being their favourites! They read beautifully, as ever, and we are really proud of the journey each and every one of them has been on.
On Monday, we also had another fantastic assembly – this time from the members of Form 3 and 4 who are part of our drama club, led by Mrs Johnstone. They performed a very powerful play about compassion – understanding difference, accepting new people and not judging others before getting to know them. Mrs Johnstone also handed out a sheet to every child in Junior Prep, with suggestions about how they might show compassion to their friends in school. As compassion is one of our core values at school this is such an important message and I’d like to thank the drama club for such an excellent assembly.
Compassion, commitment and challenge were all on display this week as we held our 4 Sports Days! A wonderful few days with some excellent personal and team achievements. I absolutely loved seeing how much the children supported each other and celebrated each other’s successes.
Our Nursery and Reception Sports Day was first, and the children had clearly worked so hard to prepare for the day, with some great efforts all round. They enjoyed a picnic with their parents afterwards.
Form 1 and 2 followed later that morning, and the children were fabulous and joyful throughout! They particularly enjoyed the parents’ egg and spoon race which closed proceedings. Forms 3 and 4 had their sports day next! Great skills in the track and field events with some impressive runs, throws and long jumps! Well done to Purbeck House for winning the trophy, and to Phin, Nora and Daisy for winning the individual cups. Finally, our Forms 5-8 Sports Day! Brilliant efforts again on track and field with two new school records from Felix for the 70m and 150m sprints! Well done to Harvey and Amelka, and Izzy and Felix who won the individual cups for their respective age groups, and to Ridgeway House who were the winning house on the day!
Today it was swimming gala day! 2 wonderful events – with some exceptional swimming and support from all the children from Reception to Form 8. The weather was not kind to us – but the children braved the drizzle and enjoyed the beautifully warm pool! Congratulations to Ridgeway House who won the Swimming Cup!
My thanks to all the staff who supported these sporting events, but especially to Mr Willemse and our sports staff who organised the events so successfully.
On Monday afternoon we had a wonderful afternoon at our Grandparents Afternoon Tea. The children toured their Grandparents and showed off their school, and then Grandparents enjoyed some musical performances from our Junior Prep, followed by an afternoon tea and a chance to chat in the sunshine! Thank you to all our guests and to our performers for making this such a special afternoon. Thank you also to our adoptive Grandparents from Glencairn House Residential Care Home who came to see their Form 4 buddies!
On Wednesday, some very excited Form 3 and 4 children went off to Monkey World for an end of term treat. Annie, who came to Sunninghill earlier in the term, spent some time with the children giving them a guided tour and answering all the children’s questions. Form 4 have successfully fundraised enough money this term to adopt an orangutan called Kayan! Well done Form 4 – absolutely brilliant and such a worthy cause!
Last night was the senior informal concert – a chance for many of our children to perform in front of a warm and encouraging audience – many of them performing for the first time. Tonight I am looking forward to the last formal concert of the year. We are so proud of all our performers – their progress this year has been phenomenal and their confidence is inspirational.
I am very excited about my first Sunninghill Summer Fayre tomorrow afternoon and look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there! Next week we will be enjoying leavers services, a trip to Weymouth Beach for Reception to Form 2, Lions’ Lair finals, Moving Up day, Meet the Teacher, Nursery Graduation and of course Speech Day on Friday!
I think it is looking like another rather busy week…..
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.
Best wishes
David
