WEEKLY UPDATE AND CALENDAR OF EVENTS NO.488

Monday 3 October - Friday 7 October 2011

ISSUED Friday 30 September 2011              

ALL

Dolphin School’s production of Macbeth: Do listen out for any mention of Dolphin School's Macbeth on Radio Berkshire's Andrew Peach show.   Our marketing team has been working very hard to promote our show.   There will also be a sneak peek of the show after school TODAY at about 4:00pm - all welcome!   We will also be performing at Dolphin School and will advise you of the date very soon so you can keep it free.   This is a company not to be missed!

Open morning:   As well as the many individual tours that we offer to prospective parents all year round we are also having an Open Morning on 7 October 10.30am - 12.00pm. If you know of parents who are interested in viewing the school then please inform them of this date.

Parent and Toddler Sessions:   We are running more of our successful free parent and toddler sessions in nursery this term.   They will be held from 10.00am until 11.30am on Wednesday 12 & 19 October and 9 & 16 November.   There will be music, games, toys and plenty of coffee for the parents!   Do come along.

Flute Lessons:   Lessons recommence on Wednesday 5 October.   Flautists please ensure your flutes and music are at school.   The new flute teacher is Miss Sam Moore.

P.E. Kit Recycling:   A big Thank You to all those who supported the second hand PE kit sale.   It raised £220 which will be gratefully used by the P.E. Department.

My Maths : A reminder that the Maths Department will be running a parent friendly session on MyMaths on Monday 10 October at 6.30pm in the maths classrooms.   The sign-up sheet for this is in Reception.

Leighton Park Tournament on Saturday 8 October:   The Year 5 and Year 6 girls have been given a sheet about the hockey coaching and fun tournament.   Pupils who would like to attend please see Mrs. Hunt.

Mouthguards:   Just a reminder to parents that if children forget mouthguards and are given one from the office, a charge of £3.50 will be made on your bill.

If you have any Playmobil which is no longer played with and you would be happy to donate to the school, our Reception class would be very grateful.

Certain schools require an early registration for 13+ entry.   We have been in contact with several schools and obtained the information below:

·          Eton – you may register your child any time before the age of 10 years 6 months.

·          Harrow – you may register your child up to 3 years in advance of entry, ideally by the summer of Year 5.

·          Marlborough College – you may register your child any time after the summer of Year 4 and definitely by the September of Year 7.

·          Rugby – you should register your child by the Spring of Year 5.

·          St Paul 's (for boys) – you should register your child by May of Year 5.

·          Winchester College – you may register your child from the age of 8, and definitely by the summer of Year 5.

·          Wycombe Abbey – you should register your child by the summer of Year 6.

·          Reading Bluecoat – you should register your child as early as possible as registration is limited.            

Please note that Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) now carries out Dolphin Inspections (including the Early Years Foundation Stage) as it does for all Independent Schools within the IAPS.

Traffic Lights in Waltham Road: Please note that Thames Water have advised us that the traffic lights in Waltham Road will, for the next two weeks (from 3 October), be right outside the school entrance.   Please, for everyone’s safety, wait for the lights.   They will be adjusted slightly to control the flow of traffic to best assist us.  

Please accept our apologies that there are still potholes at the entrance to the school.   A permanent repair is going to be difficult to achieve as heavy plant is required to achieve this.   We have arrangements for a temporary repair which should resolve the problem for some time, this will happen very soon.

Reminder : please note that skateboards, roller blades and any similar play equipment are not allowed in school.

It has come to the school’s attention that there is a growing concern nationally that children may be exposed to computer games that are above their recommended age. There is a particular game called ‘Call of Duty’ which carries an ‘18’ certificate that we would not recommend.

Please take extra care when opening car doors in the car park.   If you do knock someone else’s car, please would you be kind enough to report details to Reception.   Thank you.

NURSERY

Trip to White Waltham Estate on Wednesday 5 October, 9.00am – 12.30pm.   The children will need wellies and a waterproof coat.

YEAR 3

Thank you for the offers to drive some of Year 3 to the synagogue on the 8 November.   We do now have sufficient vehicles to transport the children that day.  However, we do need to have one more driver for the 19 October (Wednesday) between 11.30am to 2.00pm.  Please see Mrs. Lawson if you are available to help.

YEAR 4

Farm visit to Bradfield on Tuesday 4 October, 9.00am – 3.30pm.   The children will need a picnic lunch in a disposable carrier, wellies and a waterproof coat.

YEAR 6

On Monday 3rd October we will travel up to the South Bank to meet Judith Kerr (author of Tiger that came to Tea and When Hitler stole Pink Rabbit) and Tomi Ungerer (author of Otto, a beautiful picture book).  If you are happy for your child to buy one of their books and get it signed, please send in enough money.  Otherwise they will only need a packed lunch and a coat.   We will depart at 7.30am and should be back by 3:30pm.

YEARS 6, 7 & 8

Individuals in Years 6, 7 & 8 - Shakespeare in Schools Festival.   The Macbeth company will leave Dolphin at 8.00am for a technical and dress run at Norden Farm on Thursday 6 October.   We will be back for lunch then return to the theatre at 5.00pm in time for a group warm-up.   The performance will start at 7.00pm.   Please pick up your children from the theatre after the show. Also send lots of food to keep your young actor/marketing officer going!    If you want to bring in extra food to school at about 4:30pm, please do.   Alternatively, please take your child home at 3:30pm to feed, but please return them in time for us to leave by 5:00pm at the very very latest!

The following week we will be going on tour, visiting two schools.   We will visit Bedales School, well-known for its high standard of drama, and Brookfields School, a school in Tilehurst for children with special needs.   Brookfields School has an excellent drama teacher and we will be taking part in a workshop after our performance with some of their students as well.   Touring should be a very exciting and worthwhile experience for the whole company.

YEAR 7

Theatre trip to see The Terrible Infants on Monday 3 October.   We will leave Dolphin at 6.00pm and return to school by approximately 10.00pm.   Children should eat supper before we leave school, and are welcome to bring no more than £7.50 to buy an ice cream and a theatre programme.  

There will be a Year 7 parents’ evening on Wednesday 9 November, apologies that this was not in the calendar.

Monday 3 October                              

TRIP                                                        Year 6 English Trip (South Bank)    7.30am – 3.30pm

TRIP                                                        Year 7 Theatre Trip The Terrible Infants    6.00 – 10.00pm                          

Tuesday 4 October

TRIP                                                        Year 4 Farm Visit (Bradfield)    9.00am – 3.30pm                         

Wednesday 5 October

TRIP                                                        Nursery White Waltham Estate    9.00am – 12.30pm

SPORT                                                    U11 & U10 Netball v Hawley Place (A)    1.30 – 4.30pm

                                                                1^st Xl Football v St. Edwards (H)   2.30 – 3.45pm

                                                                Colts Football v St. Edwards 7-a-side (A)   2.30 – 4.45pm

                                                                U10’s Football A & B v St. Edwards 6-a-side (H)    2.30 – 3.45

                                                                Senior A & B Netball v St. Georges (H)    2.00 – 4.00pm

Thursday 6 October                           

REHEARSAL                                         Shakespeare in Schools Rehearsal   Hall    1.30 – 3.30pm

PERFORMANCE                                  Shakespeare in Schools Macbeth at Norden Farm   performance begins at 7.00

                                                                See above for actors time schedule that day

Friday 7 October

OPEN MORNING                                 Open Morning   10.30am – 12.00pm               

SPORT                                                    U8 A & B + U9 A & B Netball v St. Pirans (A)    2.00 – 4.30pm

                                                                U8 Football A & B v St. Mary’s (H)   2.30 – 3.45pm

                                                                U9 Football v Daneshill    6-a-side   (H)    2.30 – 3.45                     

Saturday 8 October

SPORT                                                    Leighton Park Tournament  U11 Girls Hockey & 1^st Football

                                                                  9.00am – 12.00.pm

CHESS JAMBOREE                            Berkshire Chess Jamboree    Hall    1.00 – 5.00pm

Sunday 9 October