3rd March 2017
Dear Parents,
A warm welcome back to all. We hope that everyone enjoyed their half term break
from school and have returned refreshed for the 5 weeks leading up to Easter. We
particularly welcome back Mr Vaudrey and Mrs Browning who led the successful
Senior skiing trip to the Tyrol during the break and are pleased to bring you this
newsletter outlining some of the events of our first busy week back at Ditcham .
Key Stage 1 Pancake Day
The children in Reception, Pre-Prep, and Prep did not let the rainy weather spoil
their pancake day! They made pancakes in class, had pancakes at lunch time, did
pancake literacy and numeracy activities….and then enjoyed pancake races in the
Martin Pryce building in the afternoon. A lovely day was had by all – thank you
children!
Mrs Langdon-Shreeve, Mrs Fairley and Miss Dunleavy
Reception’s Fairy Tale Art Gallery Grand Opening
On the Friday before half-term, Reception Class has the Grand Opening of their Fairy Tale
Art Gallery! They spent many hours carefully drawing and painting their favourite fairy tale
character with Tracey and all the teachers were completely amazed at the results. We
therefore turned the Junior Landing Boards into an Art Gallery so that the whole school can
enjoy their wonderful paintings.
We invited our distinguished guests (mummies and daddies!) and welcomed them to a
‘champagne’ reception with nibbles. Then, we accompanied our guests to the gallery where
Mrs Parrott cut the ribbon and then let us view the paintings. There were gasps and proud
tears all round. Well done, Reception Class! Jane Langdon-Shreeve
Transition Find Inspiration at Churt Sculpture Park
On Tuesday, Transition enjoyed a trip to The
Sculpture Park in Churt. We were seeking
inspiration for our art project this half term so
what better way to do it than see a range of
thought provoking, weird and wonderful
sculptures first hand. We were wowed by
abstract and modern structures as well as
more traditional forms of sculpture. There was
a surprise around every corner and some of us
even found ourselves being captured by
dinosaurs and dancing with skeletons! Back in
the classroom the children were keen to get
started on their own designs for a sculpture.
Please come and see their finished work at the
next Open Morning.
Special thanks must go to Mike Coleman, Liz
Ellett and Tim Wiggans who kindly
accompanied us on this trip. We think they
enjoyed themselves just as much as we did!
Julia Richardson
World Book Day
As part of world book day celebrations Lower juniors and Transition celebrated the theme of
‘Africa’ with some rather splendid story telling. We studied clips of tribal dance and musical
performance. We then imagined that we were in the savannah lands of Africa and conjured
up a sensory picture of how it would feel to actually be there; what could we smell, taste,
hear and see? We worked in mixed year groups to excitedly discuss our ideas. The piece de
resistance came with our collective creative art work which was to depict a tribal village and
maybe even a witch doctor casting a spell to bring his tribe good fortune. Each group took it
in turns to present the background and story behind their picture. I must say we had some
impressive budding artists and public speakers amongst us!
Miss Hamilton, Mrs Tanner and Mrs Richardson
Upper Juniors Creative Writing
Upper Juniors have been focusing on creative writing this week and have been writing
Sonnets in the style of William Shakespeare. We thought we would share these lovely
pieces of work with you. Roly Ainsworth
The Sky
In the lonely sky I find a grey cloud,
All of a sudden the lightning shines bright,
However the thunder comes so very loud,
Over the hours rolling in comes the night,
Waking up I hear the pattering of rain,
Stepping out the rain turns to white snow,
The wind blows me over coursing pain,
In the horizon I see the sun glow
Up in the sky the sun is very high,
Later in the day sun goes and comes noon,
High above purple and black is the sky,
Looking up at the night I see the moon,
Surrounded by a hundred shooting star,
They look so close but yet they are so far!
By Francesca Walmsley and Harry Soden-Bridger (UJM)
Star Wars Sonnet
Anakin Skywalker had met his fate,
So Darth Sidious came up with a plan.
Meanwhile Padme wasn’t feeling so great,
She gave birth to Leiia and Luke the man.
Anakin Skywalker has a new suit,
Then Luke and Leiia are taken away.
Obi-wan Kenobi is in pursuit,
Anakin Skywalker was led astray.
As Padme died on a hospital bed,
Luke and Leiia are separated now.
With their father a sith and Padme dead,
Luke on Tattooine not wondering how.
His mother gone and his father ahead,
Now Darth Vader has a very scarred head.
By Guy Wiggans and Qestiah Joachim-Baggott (both UJA)
DITCHAM PARK SCHOOL,
RACING WITH ROWAN
It was a blustery morning that greeted Team Ditcham as we gathered at Portsmouth
Watersports Centre, last Sunday, to complete the Race with Rowan. I am delighted
to say that we had over 40 runners coming together to have fun and raise funds for
the Rowans Hospice. As usual our enthusiasm was noted by all volunteers and staff
and when the race started many commented on the positive attitude and approach of
our runners.
A special mention must go to Harry Sage, who once again annihilated the field of
adults and children, winning the 5km run with a clear 2+ minute margin; secondly
huge congratulations to Alex Coomber, who only decided to run on the morning and
took the first adult place (3rd overall) with an exceptional sub 21-minute time – that
tells you how quick Harry was!!
All other runners also performed brilliantly and the smiles on the faces as they dug in
for their sprint finishes were testament to their sense of achievement.
Huge thanks to all who supported our efforts this year and thank you to Mr Ainsworth
and Mrs Whittle for joining us.
Could I ask that all sponsorship monies (cash or cheques made payable to Ditcham
Park School) are brought into school by next Friday (10th March), allowing me to
collate a total amount to present to the hospice. If you were unable to run but would
like to support our fundraising endeavours please send your money into the school
office, for my attention.
Please read the report below, written by Hattie Cobden. Hattie has run with us every
year and she and her family always put in an incredible with fundraising.
Many thanks
Rachel Tanner
The Rowans Run 2017
Last Sunday many people from Ditcham Park took part in the Rowans Hospice Run
at Portsmouth Water Sports Centre. This exciting running event takes place every
year in February Half Term. It is in aid of a fantastic charity – the Rowans Hospice.
The winner of the 5k race Harry Sage was from Ditcham – he is in Form 4. He was
at least two minutes ahead of the second placed runner (a non Ditcham runner).
Harry also won the 5k race last year. A total of 122 runners took part in the 5k race
with about 25-30 coming from Ditcham. A couple of teachers even took part – Mr
Ainsworth and Miss Whittle, sadly Mrs Tanner couldn’t take part this year. Our
School is always a big part of this event and has raised many thousands of pounds
over the years. This event in Ditcham is organised by Mrs Tanner every year. We
really recommend you get out your trainers next year and join us to run either 5 or
10k. Please come along.
Hattie Cobden (UJA)
Battle of the Bands took place on the last Friday before half term
Winners 2017 – REAPER
Ethan Leighton, Joseph Reidy,
Rory Crispin and Sam Bream
Well done boys!
Total funds raised from our MUFTI Day and this event was £446.21 which went to the Rural
Refugee Network, our charity for this half term.
Seniors Ski Trip
The Seniors enjoyed a wonderful ski trip at half term. The following is Sophie
Turner’s account of the trip:
On the first Saturday of half term we all had an early start to catch the flight for
Gatwick to Munich. After the flight, some magic tricks from Ollie and 3 hours and 47minute drive (me and Tasha were counting) we arrived at our Hotel in Vent. A
traditional farming village in the Tirol mountains. Despite the long drive, we were all
very excited to see snow and especially for some as it was their first time in the
mountains! After an Austrian style breakfast at Hotel Kleon we caught a bus to
Solden which is where we skied for the week. Throughout the week, we had fab
weather – clear, blue skies and lots of snow. We tried many new styles and activities
such as large moguls, ski cross and a racing slalom which Mr V is still mortified
about after Lexi beating him twice! One of our groups highlights was skiing to the ‘Ice
Q’ which is where James Bond’s Spectre was filmed which had amazing views
across the Ötztal valley. Everybody’s skiing improved greatly throughout the week
especially the first-time snowboarders, who some of managed to snowboard back
down the black run into the village centre. Through the week, we did many après ski
activities my favourite being a night hike around the mountains in Vent which proved
to be much more of a ‘hike’ than we had anticipated. I think ice-skates may have
been more appropriate choice of footwear as it was very icy however, the views of
the stars were worth it especially when crossing a suspended bridge which had been
built by Nazi soldiers. We were all very sad to return home and are wishing a speedy
recovery to the joint winners of best wipe out of the week – Christine Roberts and
Tom Lovejoy. A massive thank you to our instructors Alex, Tom and Jack but most of
all to Mrs Browning and Mr V for organising and taking us on such a super
trip!
Sophie Turner, Form 5.
More photos from the Senior Ski Trip
A Junior Merit Badge has been presented to the following pupils:
Matthew Saunders
Ewan Meehan
William MacDonald-Robinson
Francesca Walmsley
Harry Soden-Bridger
Romi Clement
Qetsiah Joachim-Baggott
Guy Wiggans
For being a conscientious work across all subjects –
especially in English.
For his improvement in all aspects of English.
For his positive approach in his Maths lessons.
For working collaboratively to create a wonderful sonnet.
For working collaboratively to create a wonderful sonnet.
For creating imagery in her creative writing.
For working collaboratively to create a wonderful sonnet.
For working collaboratively to create a wonderful sonnet.
A Merit Certificate for achieving 25 merits has been presented to Flora Butler.
A Bronze Merit Certificate for achieving 50 merits has been presented to Sophie Bond,
Matilda Wright and Joseph Reidy.
A Silver Merit Certificate for achieving 75 merits has been presented to Saleha Suhail
Baluch and Susannah Caston.
Head Teacher’s Awards have been presented to:
Ella Gordon, Alfred Muir and Elsa Rymer for outstanding results in their test on Natural
Hazards in Geography.
Results w/c 27th February
28th February
1st March
2nd March
U14 Girls Hockey v St Edmunds (A), Won 3-0
U12/13 Rugby v Meoncross (H), Won 17-10
U10 Netball Tournament, Churcher’s, Fifth
U10 Rugby A v Princesmead (H), Won 50-10
U10 Rugby B v Princesmead (H), Won 30-5
U9 Boys Hockey v Dunhurst (H), Lost 1-6
U8 Netball v Churcher’s Junior (A) Won 2, Lost 2, Drawn 1
Fixtures week beginning Monday 6th March
6th March
7th March
8th March
9th March
10th March
U10/U11 Hockey v Dunhurst (A)
U15 Rugby v King Edward’s Witley (H)
U12 Rugby v Meoncross (H)
U11 Rugby v Churcher’s (A)
U10 Hockey v Dunhurst (H)
U12 & U13 Rugby v The Royal (H)
U15 Rugby v Meoncross (H)
U12 & U13 Netball v Mayville (Eastney) (A)
U16 Football v Meoncross (H)
Forthcoming Events
Tuesday 7th March
Tuesday 7th March
Thursday 9th March
Saturday 11th March
Sunday 12th March
Lunchtime recital at St Peter’s Church, Petersfield at 1pm. All
welcome, free admission, bring your lunch.
Form 2 Parents Evening, 6-9pm, South Downs Hall.
Prep trip will be visiting Beaulieu.
Senior Concert, 7-10pm in the Martin Pryce Building.
Adventure Cycle Ride.
Silver DofE Cycle Expedition.
Lower Juniors participating in Portsmouth Music Festival at
Crookhorn College.
At the time of writing I know many parents and some staff are greatly looking forward to
tonight’s ‘Friday Night Fever’ event organised by the FDPS. My thanks in advance of this to
the Friends Committee, particularly Lucy Reidy, the Chair of the FDPS, who has coordinated
this fabulous occasion at the Tithe Barn this evening.
We hope you all have a very enjoyable weekend.
Rob Connolly
Head Teacher
Helen Parrott
Head of Juniors