NP News

Headmaster Writes

Please accept our heartfelt thanks for all your support and best wishes during our recent school inspection.  The inspection of 2006 was an incredibly up-lifting experience.  We will be in receipt of the final report in 6-8 weeks. On the basis of the verbal feedback given formally by Inspectors at the end of the process, we can say, with confidence, that we are fully achieving our aims and objectives, providing an outstanding educational experience for our pupils.

Having achieved such a strong confirmation, the danger would be to rest to enjoy the view from the top.  The new year will bring with it  new possibilities for achieving our vision for the school . We shall be considering the  implementation of our plans to build a centre for the performing arts and music school [see artist’s impression above] as well as improving our changing facilities in our sports hall. Please register at the office and then visit our exhibition in the foyer of the Sir Christopher Harding Building to see our plans if you get  some spare moments over the next fortnight.  I believe these new facilities will enhance further the educational experience of Northwood Prep pupils, both in the next academic year and for generations to come. 

Kind regards, as always                              

KS3 News

The immediate post exam focus is on subject debriefing and corrections before embarking on a final block of teaching and learning this term.
Y8 Parents’ Evenings take place on 23rd November and 27th November, 5 pm-7.30 pm and Y7 follow at the start of the Spring Term (22nd January , 25th January 5 pm-7.30 pm).  The Post Exam ‘Dingbats’ Challenge was extremely popular and the solution is displayed on the school website. The winners were drawn out of the hat from all the correct entries. They were Thomas Beveridge (Y5K) in KS 2 and Theo Gelernter (Y7B) in KS 3. Thanks to our recitalists who played at the termly Music Recital, to Mr Randall MP for his assembly talk and ‘Question Time’, to The British Legion for providing a ‘Remembrance Day’ speaker as well as mini radios for Y7 & 8. Will they be tuning in to the Ashes this week? Thanks are also due to families for their generous support of the Christmas Box, the clothing and the Poppy appeals as well as the ‘Secrets’ Room’ (shh!). In the final two weeks of term we are looking forward to House Rugby, the annual House Quiz and to all the usual Christmas festivities. The Christmas postbox will open on December 1st. Final auditions for Carol Service readers take place next week. Best wishes to our all boy and adult choristers at this time of year as well as our potential music scholars who have important auditions.

KS2 News

The last few weeks have been a very busy time with music, sport, visits, school inspection and exams.
During inspection week years 3 to 6 were involved in music recitals which went smoothly with some excellent playing by all who participated. Thanks to Mr Griffiths for organising this event. On Sunday 12th November David Randall and Shrenik Sanghrajka represented the school at the Remembrance Service in Northwood and laid a wreath at the war memorial. Thanks to all those staff, parents and boys who attended this important day.

Y5 visited both the Museum and Hypocaust at Verulamium, where they were also able to handle artefacts and dress up as Romans. Thanks to Mr Waddington for organising this visit.

There has been plenty of rugby over the last few weeks with some good results from all. Congratulations especially go to the U8 tag rugby team who managed to win the plate competition in a tournament at Gayhurst.

Congratulations go to Rishav Shah for winning the KS2 Sudoku Challenge and a medal in badminton when he finished 3rd in the Hertfordshire U11 doubles competition, Julian Man for gaining a Blue Peter badge for a picture he drew, Rafi Kelion for being awarded a cup for Rookie Cub, to Gus Machado for being the U9 player of the week at Fullerians rugby club and to Chaneil Patel who won a trophy for Tae Kwan Do.

On a more routine matter please can pupils arrive at school at, or after 8am in the morning, even when going to CAMI. No pupil should be on the premises before 8am unless they are going to Breakfast Club with Mrs Lee. If there is an occasion when you need to bring your son to school before 8am, he can go in the Senior School Hall to Breakfast Club. The cost, £5, can be paid directly to Mrs Lee on the morning. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Junior School News

All of us in Junior School were absolutely thrilled with the poppies that the boys made at home. They made the most beautiful display in our hall and we were so impressed at the huge variety and creativity shown. I hope that you enjoyed   looking at the photographs on the website and I have included a photograph of the Year 2 boys proudly holding their  poppies. Mr. Sturrock (Mrs. Sheeky’s grandfather) admired the poppies as well when he came to talk to the boys about Remembrance. Mr. Sturrock is a veteran of World War Two and we had a great assembly where he answered the boys’ questions about what it was like to be a soldier. We have also had some parents visiting to tell us about Chanukah and I would like to thank Mrs. Kelion (mother of Nathan and Joel), Mr. Gore (father of Daniel) and Mr. Stewart (father of Ben) for their interesting and informative talks. Last week we were treated to a recital and we had nine very accomplished performances. Thank you to Little Terry’s parents for coming to see Mrs. Clarke and me at the nursery parents’ meetings last week. It is always a pleasure to see you here in Junior School. Thank you also to the P.A. for organising a very successful Secrets Room today, which the boys loved visiting. We are all looking forward to our production, Manger Mouse, next week and hope that you all enjoy the show.

Y5 Verulamium visit

This week Y5 went to Verulamium in St. Albans. On arrival at the museum we were shown a brief video about the history of Verulamium and then looked around in the museum and saw some mosaics; we looked at things about making a living in Romano-Britain; food and farming; merchants and   markets; recreation and rites and    burials. We then went over to a lion mosaic while we waited for the lecturer to finish her talk to the other group. Next we went into the lecture room and Octavia (the roman lady) showed us Roman artefacts. She told us all about them and what the Romans would have used them for. Some of us also dressed up as Roman craftsmen and some pre-roman warriors. After lunch we went to a different building and saw a hypocaust (under floor heating) and a mosaic. We then walked to the remains of the London gate which went over the road linking London to Verulamium. The gate used to be 7 metres tall and 2 miles long. Finally we walked over to one of the only  Roman theatres left in England. It used to sit 3000 people only we couldn’t sit on it because it was all covered by grass. Overall we all had a good time visiting Verulamium and I think none of us will ever forget it.

MIP & MVP

Most Valuable Pupil

This time we congratulate Henry Douch (Y5), Arjun Rajani (Y7), Peter Sinderberry (Y8)

Most Improved Pupil

This time we congratulate Saul Kelion (Y7) Shamil Shah (Y4) Rupinder Gidar (Y6)

To encourage further effort and achievement, two cups are awarded to boys in the Senior School each week: Most Valuable Pupil of the week and Most Improved Pupil of the week.

domesday book

When we arrived at the National Archive’s museum on Tuesday, we were split off into three groups. The exhibition was very interesting and after examining some of the great documents stored in the area we gathered together. Lou was the name of our guide from the Education Department and she was very patient with our eagerness to learn of King William’s reign.

Soon we began to do a role play, re-enacting when the King’s Commissioners came to the Manor of  Mortlake to check up on the accuracy of the records from the first team of Commissioners. We all had different roles to play including the second commissioners of William; who were led by the chief commissioner Canon Robert De Belleme of Exeter. Then there were the Mortlake first Jury, Second Jury, Putney Villagers, Londoners and the Canons of St Paul’s, who were led by The Reeve of Mortlake called Rannulf. The two main actors did most of the acting but we students also undertook very important roles as well. This experience was very interesting and it taught us the jobs of the Reeve, the Commissioners questions to the Juries and how the villagers tried to trick the Commissioners. Despite the efforts of the villagers nothing got past them and all information was squeezed out of them. My particular role was that of Swetricus, a villager from the nearby village of Putney and the commissioners were very unhappy with the high tolls that we were charging to use the road through our village. Robert de Belleme made us stand up individually and then cross examined us, this felt very intimidating because he was kind of scary. After the role play we thanked the actors and Lou for an interesting and enjoyable time.

Lou then asked us whether we wanted to see the real Domesday Book, we had studied it a lot at school, and when she asked us that, our jaws hit the ground, everyone’s hand shot in the air. The Domesday Book was kept in a cold room to keep moisture out of the cabinet and the  cabinet was kept in a bomb proof room. The Domesday Book is nearly one thousand years old – to help preserve it as much as possible it has now been split into two smaller books. It is thought that the whole book was written by just one scribe and this has been confirmed by handwriting experts. We all left Kew astounded. I would just like to thank Mr Watts, Mrs Smith and Mrs Middleton for giving us the opportunity to experience something really spectacular.

sports round-up

Last week saw a bumper feast of rugby fixtures against Belmont. Each boy in Years 5 to 8 participated and overall honours between the two schools was fairly even.
The Under 9’s were the most successful, with the A, B and C teams all winning. Christopher Driver scored four times in the C’s victory. Another try scoring hero was Alistair Parker, he scored five tries for the under 10 D team. The U 10 A and B teams both notched pleasing victories in the most testing of rainy conditions.

The 1st Xv performed ever so well against Belmont, Peter Sinderberry was outstanding on the day as we suffered a narrow defeat.

Forthcoming events include hockey fixtures at Under 11 and Under 13 level, a handful of remaining rugby fixtures and the all important House Rugby Tournament. Best of luck to all boys.  

at home with the prime minister

Pictured above is Teshan Wijesuriya Y5 and four other cricketers from Eastcote Cricket Club. They were taken to Downing Street on Wednesday where they met the Prime  Minister and took  part in a game of quick cricket. The government website describes the occasion as follows:

“Tony Blair hosted a reception today to mark a commitment he made to become the  patron of a London sports club.

He took part in the Pledgebank project, which aims to get people more involved in community work. To kick-off the sporting theme, and with the start of the first Ashes Test match just hours away, the PM played "kwik-cricket" with local youngsters in Number 10. Rain stopped play in the street, so they set up inside the building instead.”

Congratulations to Teshan - he will no doubt remember this game for many years to come.

P.A. Events

Thanks to the PA for setting up  the Secrets Room.
The boys always  enjoy the opportunity of choosing presents for their family.                                  

The Christmas Party
on 2nd December is a sell out.
Tickets will be sent out soon.

The Annual report and accounts will be out shortly .

operation christmas child

I would like to say a great big thank you to all those who spent time and effort putting together their shoe boxes this year.  It is a great cause, and this year we managed to collect 179 in total, which is fantastic.  It is great to think that we have put a smile on all those faces. Thank you to all those boys in Year 4 who helped me move the boxes over from junior school and to those who helped me load the van.

sudoku champions

The 2nd Sudoku Championships were held on, 7th November with a ‘gentle’ level puzzle against the clock.

First to finish were Saul Kelion (Y7W) in three minutes ahead of defending champion Durshan Mistry (Y8MS) whilst Rishav Shah (Y5T) won the Key Stage 2 event in five minutes. Parents will be invited to beat their times at Celebration Day in the summer. One or two members of staff have come close to Saul’s time!