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We had a very exciting morning today, with a visit from Maddi Tarrant who is part of Sports for Champions and also a double mini trampolinist who has represented Great Britain. Maddi is part of the team who are current European double mini trampolinist champions. During her presentation, Maddi showed us some amazing videos of her medal winning performances. Maddi also showed the children a series of videos where she was less successful, and talked about not worrying about failing, as it is only through perseverance and hard work that we achieve our goals. On the subject of hard work, I was delighted to award our cups for academic excellence this week and 2 new belts for kick boxing to Guy and Mabel – who even tried to show me a side kick! I definitely need more practice!

The children then undertook their sponsored circuits – and we are delighted to let you know that Sunninghill will have £452.37 to spend on some new play equipment for breaktimes, and Maddi will also directly benefit from your generous sponsorship. Thank you.

On Wednesday we were delighted to welcome Mona and Sherene from the Dorchester Islamic Centre, who came to speak to the Form 4s about their experiences of Ramadan and the festival of Eid ul-fitr. They discussed their own beliefs and why this is such an important time in the year for all Muslims. The presentation included why Muslims decide to fast and the importance of trying to go on the holy pilgrimage Hajj at least once in their lifetime. The children asked lots of questions and learnt that part of the fasting process is about how you behave towards others, including showing compassion and love to those less fortunate than themselves. They enjoyed some traditional sweet treats and received a copy of their name written in Arabic.

On Thursday, Form 5 visited Shire Hall in Dorchester yesterday and learnt about the cases of Elijah Upjohn and Priscilla Penfold, investigating the crimes they had been accused of and then looked at what happened to them after they had been found guilty. The children learnt about the justice system of the local area and how it has developed over time. They analysed sources of evidence, went on a tour of the cells and had the opportunity to role play different aspects of the court system. The children were very creative in the ideas they came up with and showed compassion for the people who had been affected.

Form 1 also wanted me to share with you their Earth Day acrostic poems that they did on Monday. They learnt all about why our planet is so important, and how we can protect it, before thinking of lines for their poems!

Despite the less than lovely weather this week, we have been thrilled to have our outdoor pool open for the Summer Term. And it has been so lovely to see how excited the children have all been to have their swimming lessons outside.

Personally, I have been very excited about enrichment this term. Today the children are enjoying cooking, roller blading, sailing, windsurfing, ball mastery, binca embroidery, swimming and building an electric car! What amazing opportunities they have! I was even more excited to just receive a large donation of cheese scones from our bakers!

For those of you who put your name down for Wine Tasting hosted by Morrish and Banham on Friday 12th May, from 7pm – 9pm, we do need your payment of £30 per person by the end of next week at the latest please. Please refer to the earlier ping as payment is to be made via BACs into the school account.

We would also like to invite you all to a Coronation Tea Party next Friday 5th May from 3.30pm -5.30pm. A cream tea will be served from 3.30pm on the front lawn (weather permitting!) and the children will come out at 4pm to entertain you all with a short musical performance from the school orchestra and junior choir. There will be a wonderful display of artwork for you to look at and you will be able to admire the crowns made by junior prep! If your child is normally collected at 3.30pm we will keep them in their classrooms until 4pm, so that we can join together as a community to sing the national anthem. We look forward to seeing you all then.

Jo Sloley will be having a second hand uniform sale at the Coronation Tea Party (and the Summer Fayre!). If you have any uniform that you no longer require please hand it in to reception. If anyone has a heavy duty clothes rail she could have she would be very grateful please.

Also on the 5th May, before our Coronation Tea Party, we have our Open Morning from 9.30am – 12pm. Please let your friends know about it, and ask if they would like to come and visit Sunninghill as we would be delighted to give them a tour. This term we have welcomed Felix in Form 1, and we will be welcoming 5 more children over the course of this term!

Finally I would like to congratulate our fabulous Nursery Apprentice, Harmony Neaves, who has just passed her Level 2 Early Years Practitioner course – with a distinction! Harmony is wonderful with all our early years children and is always so professional, mature and dedicated. We are very lucky to have her with us in our nursery. Thank you too to Laura Pitman, one of our Nursery Manager’s, who has been Harmony’s mentor. We really do have a great early years team.

Enjoy your bank holiday weekend and see you all on Tuesday!

Best wishes

David

David Newberry

Author David Newberry

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