NP News

Headmaster Writes

It is a great pleasure to write some introductory words to this our special, end-of-term, 150th edition of NP news. We have all enjoyed the Christmas festivities this week and sincerely hope that you have as well. It is always such a pleasure to see the children radiate excitement and joy in equal measure.

The highlight for me has to be the Carol service and I am very grateful to all who attended, as well as to all those who contributed through their singing and reading.  It is a very special community time and it was good to have the opportunity to talk further about  some of our shared values —honesty, humility, courtesy and confidentiality. These are essential ingredients that go towards making our experience of community so meaningful.

It is a good time at the end of a busy term to express our thanks to the Parents’ Association Committee, led by the indefatigable Tessa Douch, for all their extra efforts on the boys’ behalf. In particular, we had a magnificent firework night this term and a great Christmas party last Saturday. We do all appreciate the hard work that goes into planning these events. Congratulations to the new committee that has been confirmed at the AGM on Wednesday and we look forward to another year of fun and fundraising. Please continue to support this great work. We are particularly short of volunteers to act as form reps. in a number of senior school year groups and if you feel you can help, please speak to a member of the committee with your contact details. We also would welcome your suggestions for any favourite events or activities that you might think would be suitable fundraisers for the future.

I would like to congratulate Mr. Rice [pictured left] on his special accomplishment in obtaining his National Professional Qualification for Headship after a very demanding period of study. The NPQH certificate is held in high regard and is now a compulsory requirement for all potential school leaders in local authority schools.  We congratulate Ian on this fine achievement.
Finally we thank you so much for the overwhelming season’s greetings, cards and gifts that are deeply appreciated, as always.

Kind regards                          

KS3 News

Term ends today on a high note with the Carol Service. Thank you and congratulations to our Readers, Directors of Music, Organists and the Junior, Middle and Senior Choirs. The latter included staff, parents and old boys.  Recent festivities enjoyed by pupils included a book fair, House Rugby, the annual House Quiz and our traditional Christmas Feast. Our School Captain David Randall gave a vote of thanks to the Kitchen Staff as Year 8 enjoyed their last Christmas Lunch at Northwood Prep.
We extend our best wishes to Y8 pupils in their final 13+ preparation and we say farewell to our part time cricket coach Mr Watkiss. A progress report is enclosed for all pupils and we look forward to seeing Y7 parents at our consultation evenings early next term. In the meantime, may I wish you a happy and peaceful holiday.
Livingstone had a clean sweep in House Rugby, winning the Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7/8 tournaments to lift the new Fordham Cup. The Fordham family kindly donated individual medals too. The Senior House Quiz was also won by Livingstone in impressive style.
Livingstone just pipped Wren in the House Points competition and lifted the House Cup for the Autumn Term.  Y8RW were the winners of the Form Cup for the highest average number of House Points and Shrenik Sanghrajka (Y8) was awarded the Watson Cup for the highest individual total. As the dust settles, scores return to zero. The House competition starts afresh in January.

KS2 News

Today brings to an end a busy term packed with music, sport, activities and visits. In these final weeks there has been a wonderful Parents’ Association Secrets Room where many fascinating gifts could be bought for Christmas. The Parents’ Association followed this with a very successful Christmas Party, which was well attended by parents from various year groups. The food was, as usual, of the highest quality and thanks must go to Mr McCormick in the kitchen, with his staff, for this delicious feast. All the rugby teams have had their last matches and the season is now over at school. Each age group have really developed over the term and shown a high level of determination and skill. Thanks go to all the teachers who have been  involved in running the teams, Mr Lake & Mr Hill for the excellent preparation of the grounds and Mr McCormick for the delicious teas.
Year 3 visited the Hindu temple in Neasden where they developed their knowledge of the Hindu faith. Any denomination can visit the Temple, the architecture of which is truly amazing. 26,000 marble pieces hand carved by 1,500 craftsmen shipped over from India and then reassembled. The beauty of the white marble against the skyline was a truly amazing sight to behold. Thanks to Miss Bangert for organising the visit.
The Carol Service was a success with the all the choirs singing beautifully and many thanks go Mr Griffiths and Mr Edwards for their hard work in rehearsing the boys.
Congratulations to Anthony Nwokenna 3B, Ho-Lam Chan 3E, Shamil Shah 4B, Daniel Green 4H, Rishav Shah 5T & Vivek Midha 6F for achieving over 100 house points this term and their Merit badges. Well done!
Finally I want to wish all of you good health, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, wherever you are travelling to in the world.

Junior School News

The last couple of weeks of the Christmas term in Junior School always fly by in a flurry of festive activities. We have been treated to a thoroughly successful Junior School production, in which the boys positively oozed confidence, and also to a delightful Nursery Concert, in which the children sang so beautifully. I hope that the parents of Reception children enjoyed receiving their Christmas cards in the post as the boys really enjoyed making and posting them. Year 2 went to Polka Theatre on Tuesday and the parents did extremely well to drop them to school at 7.30am! I am told that the performance was superb so those early morning alarms were well worth it. The last few days in particular have been very memorable, with the Christmas feast and party, Peter Pinner, Father Christmas (a big thanks to the PA for their help in this respect), the pantomime and of course another lovely Carol Service. We were delighted that Mr. Griffiths invited the Junior School Choir to perform once again and they did an excellent job, thanks to coaching by Mr. Edwards and Miss Studman. I would like to thank Mr. Davern (father of Patrick) for coming in to school to talk to the boys about how his family celebrates Christmas. I would also like to thank all the parents for their very generous gifts again this Christmas. The boys and staff have all worked very hard this term and you all deserve a wonderful rest. Merry Christmas one and all!

sports round-up

The last weeks of term and seen a variety of sports in action.  The traditional end to the rugby term is the House matches and Livingstone House emerged winners in the Year 5, Year 6 and combined Year 7 and 8 competition. Mr. Fordham kindly donated a trophy for the House Rugby tournament and also medals for every boy in the Senior tournament.   
Our hockey teams enjoyed two victories out of the four fixtures played against St. Johns. Well done to all who participated as we continue to develop the sport within the school.
The boys have gradually started to prepare for the soccer season. I know Mr. Evans is looking forward to getting the fixtures underway.
Well done to all boys for this terms sport and see you in the New Year.

MIP & MVP

Most Valuable Pupil

This time we congratulate Andrew Beveridge (Y8): swimming

Most Improved Pupil

This time we congratulate Whole of Y3 for their exemplary behaviour on an educational visit.

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.

letters to parliament

After a recent visit to Northwood Prep by MP Mr Randall.  Year 4 boys decided to e-mail their own MPs with concerns they had regarding the environment and other topical issues.  After discussing climate change in our current affair sessions the boys wrote about what concerned them.  They wrote about a problem that worried them and some solutions to the problems.
Kellan Ghelani in Y4H was the first boy to receive a response from his MP, Tony McNulty.  Kellan mentioned many areas that he was concerned about including the increasing problem of obesity as well as the problem of climate change.  He suggested that people should turn off the lights when they are not in the room to save electricity.
Tony McNulty replied, "It is heartening to know that someone of your young age takes this issue seriously." He was impressed with Kellan's suggestion of saving energy and replied, "Clearly these are all things that I hope you will continue to bear in mind as you get older and I hope you will encourage your friends to do the same." It is great to see the boys concerned with environmental issues.

nursery news

The Nursery was very proud to present their Christmas Concert to parents, grand parents and staff on Tuesday. 
The marvellous costumes provided by the parents were fantastic and everyone was moved to tears when Kian Lalani (4 years old that day!) sang a solo in “Away in a Manger”. On Wednesday, we had our Christmas lunch at big school (pictured here) and then we were entertained by Peter Pinner. Even Father Christmas himself graced us with his presence. On behalf of the nursery team, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy new year. 

email addresses and mobile numbers

Please ensure the school office has all your current contact details.
To keep up-to-date with the school news, emails are now sent regularly to those who have provided us with an email address.
To change your details Email: office@northwoodprep.co.uk
The spring term weather is sometimes inclement and if the conditions are so poor that we have close the school, we will contact each family via email / text message. A notice will also be posted on the school website.

P.A. Events

A few photos (evidence) from last Saturday can be found on the school website! Thanks to the P.A. for a great evening. Click here

skiing 2008

Thank you to all those who have registered for the ski trip 2008, Years 5-7.  The group  is  now complete and a waiting list is in place. The amended dates for the visit were emailed to all Y5,Y6,Y7 families.  If you did not receive this amendment, please note the new dates are 7th March—14th March 2008.  A letter confirming your son’s place is enclosed with the end of term mailing.

fantasy football

The Manager of the Month certificates have come through and the following boys will receive certificates for the Month of November in their respective year groups:
The Year 5 award goes to Morgan Kilmartin. The Year 6 winner and overall school leader is Kiertan Saujani – well done!  Harshal Patel has done well to top the Year 7 table whilst Andrew Beveridge’s D!$!$£@$Y team (whatever that means) have beaten the competition so far in Year 8. Amongst the staff, the race for honours has certainly gone up a level with Mr Crook just pipping Mr Evans as this months top Manager. Well done for an exciting autumn of cyber football. See you all in the New Year.