NP News

Headmaster Writes

You could not help but be impressed with the boys last week as they all took part in their sports days. The weather was kind and we all shared in the fantastic community atmosphere. Our younger children had a wonderful time on Wednesday and we even managed to catch a glimpse of Olympic athlete Steve Backley who was putting the boys in senior school through their paces on the other side of the field.

This week we welcomed author Sue Palmer to school to talk about her book entitled “Toxic Childhood”  http://www.suepalmer.co.uk/toxic.php Sue has spent the last three years researching the influence of contemporary culture on childrens’ development. She reminded us of the need to combine a sense of firmness as well as warmness in our dealings with the children—a message that is as appropriate to teachers as it is to parents. She also spoke of the need for greater face to face communication and interaction in an age that is dominated by various technologies that comprise the virtual world. Food for thought here.

I hope you may have managed to get a glimpse of the Act Now dvd that we launched on Wednesday. Thanks go to Sanjay Mohindra and his team for producing the disc.  We are also very proud of Sanjay Shah’s achievements in cycling across the country at half term [pictured left] in aid of our Act Now campaign.

On Friday 29th June all our boys will take part in a SPONSORED OBSTACLE CHALLENGE in aid of the theatre appeal. This will be the only event of its type throughout the campaign and we hope that it will provide a good opportunity for the boys themselves to contribute practically to the project. We will be setting up an obstacle challenge in the grounds that will be age-appropriate. In addition, there will be a special prize awarded to the boy who shows the greatest entrepreneurial skill, as well as a prize for the most successful form.   Every boy who raises funds will be awarded with a certificate. I am sure that the event will not only be a huge fund raiser but that we will also have a great deal of fun along the way. Kind regards, as always

KS3 News

It is said that a week is a long time in politics but the past week has been packed with activity and achievement. Pupils have received their exam results, our senior cricket teams defeated St John’s, Steve Backley (Olympic medallist and former world record holder) coached boys in javelin throwing and Sports Day itself was a fabulous event with coloured House shirts, additional fun races and action photography. (Click here to see photos)

P. Ladd (Y8) and D. Mistry (Y8) both sat the national Maths Olympiad, S. Sanghrajka (Y8) completed his European Computer Driving Licence whilst D. Sarvaiya (Y8), J. Bonnamy (Y7), K. Gupta (Y7) and A. Rajani (Y7) passed their second ECDL module. T. Choudhury (Y7) passed his first module. S. Shah (Y8) was crowned School Fantasy Football champion 2007-2008. Congratulations to Harry Rayner (Y8) who won the Post Exam Challenge. Best wishes finally to our expeditions, music exams, I.A.P.S. golf and the Year 7 & 8 production of ‘Joseph’. 

KS2 News

Since half term there have been  many exciting event for the boys to participate in. The school had a   wonderful day when the ex world record holder for the javelin, Steve Backley OBE, visited school. (Click here to see photos.)      

During the day year 5 to year 8 boys had the opportunity of being given tips on how to improve their javelin throwing technique and have a  group photo with him. A fantastic opportunity which was appreciated by all who participated.

Thanks must go to Mr Lake and Mr Hill for preparing the grounds so beautifully for the very successful sports days which had many exciting events and close races. They really were memorable days. Thanks to Mrs Sinderberry & Mr Johnson, along with their team of helpers, for their organisation of the days and to Mr McCormick and the kitchen staff for the refreshments during the afternoon. I especially enjoyed the strawberries and cream during the afternoon!(Click here to see photos)

There has been some wonderful cricket played at school to match that of the England cricket team of which the most exciting was the tied game for the colts team against St Martin’s. A swimming match against Haberdashers’ Aske’s School took place this week and although the match was lost, 48 excited boys from Year 3 to Year 8 represented the school and swum their fastest.  Well done to all those who swum.

Congratulations go to Bhavik Mehta for passing module 2 of the European Computer Driving Licence course (ECDL), an outstanding achievement for a boy in year 5.

Junior School News

We have had another couple of really busy weeks in Junior School. Sports Day was a lovely event and we were so proud of how well the children behaved – they were exceptional sportsmen each and every one. Thank you to the parents for supporting us and their children so warmly. (Click here to see photos)

We have also had another beautiful recital this week with 16 accomplished performers playing flute, piano, violin and guitar. Today’s cake sale and mufti day was good fun and we are once again very grateful to the many parents who made cakes and helped to sell them. The highlight of this week was definitely Sue Palmer’s talk for parents,Toxic Childhood. It was fantastic to see so many parents ranging from Nursery all the way toYear 8 and the evening was really stimulating. If you missed it, then Sue Palmer’s book is highly recommended. All the boys in Junior School had the opportunity to visit their new year group this week andto chat to their new teachers, whilst the Year 2 parents attended the Junior to Senior transfer meeting. Please remember that all children should have their collage animal in school or nursery by Monday when we shall we looking at everyone’s work and making it into a display. Finally, the total amount raised in last term’s Children’s Marathon charity event was £3486.55, and we were thrilled with everyone’s generosity. All the Mr. Men rewards have been ordered and will be given to the children as soon as they arrive.

maths news

UKJMC 2007
Whereas many schools enter only their top set pupils, or even just a small select group, we enter all our Y7 and Y8 pupils for the UKJMC. In addition, we also enter Y6 Maths Set 1. This year we included some Y5 pupils as there are some enthusiastic and able mathematicians who regularly attend the Olympiad Maths Club on Tuesday lunchtimes. In this club pupils are trained in the further maths and problem solving techniques they need to compete at a national level. Some of the Y5 and Y6 pupils also attend the Friday Olympiad Club where we typically tackle Olympiad level problems. Local schools such as Haberdashers’ Aske’s and Merchant Taylors’ also value these competitions and enter their pupils.

UK Junior Maths Challenge
The UKMT Maths Challenges are lively, intriguing papers designed to stimulate interest in maths in large numbers of pupils. The three levels cover the secondary school range 11-18 and together they attract over 600,000 entries from over 4500 schools and colleges.
The Junior and Intermediate Challenges are aimed at the top 35% of pupils in each year group (the Junior Challenge is for Y8 or below). The Senior Challenge is suitable for all students aged 16-19 studying maths below university level. Enthusiastic younger pupils are also encouraged to enter the Challenges.

UK Junior Mathematical Olympiad
The Junior Mathematical Olympiad is a well-established UKMT competition and could be the first rung on the ladder to selection for the UK International Olympiad team. Entry is by invitation only to high scorers in the Junior Challenge each year. It consists of a two-hour paper of more in-depth mathematical problems to which there a two sections: Section A requires answers only whereas full written solutions are required for Section B. Papers are set and marked by the UKMT. Everyone who takes part in the JMO will receive a Certificate. For the highest scorers Bronze, Silver and Gold medals and some book prizes are awarded.

Northwood Prep results
I would like to congratulate all the pupils who took part, particularly those who were awarded a certificate. The qualifying scores this year were: Olympiad Qualification = 94, Gold Certificate = 69 Silver Certificate = 54, Bronze Certificate = 43.Commiserations to many boys who just missed a certificate by one question (=5 points); I’m sure you’ll manage it next year if you keep trying. I was particularly thrilled this year as we had two boys qualify for the Olympiad – a magnificent achievement and one which we shall be hard-pressed to equal in future years. Congratulations to Peter Ladd (Y8) (who also won Best in School) and Durshan Mistry (Y8), both of whom are currently preparing for the Olympiad Paper on Tuesday 12th June. Ashil Shah was best in Y7, Romi Gupta was best in Y6, and Bhavik Mehta was best in Y5. Y8 once again covered themselves in glory (as they did when they were in Y7) with 85% of them gaining a certificate – well done boys. A complete list of certificate winners is shown below.

For those who are interested, an introductory Olympiad Club runs on Tuesdays over lunchtime; the very challenging Olympiad Club takes place on Fridays over lunchtime. Both take place in Room 13 and all are welcome. It is no coincidence that the top performing UKJMC pupils in each year group are current members of the Olympiad Clubs. I am really enjoying working with some very talented mathematicians and I encourage any pupil who has a love for this subject to give it a try - but start with the Tuesday one first!bwestacott@northwoodprep.co.uk

MIP & MVP

Most Valuable Pupil

This time we congratulate Trishen Gunaratnam(Y8),  Savan Shah(Y8), Ashil Shah(Y7), Sebastian Allibone (Y7)

Most Improved Pupil

This time we congratulate Tejas Mistry (Y7) Matthew Jacobs (Y3)

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.

sports round-up

Congratulations to all the boys for contributing to the Sports Days this year. Our Year 3 and 4 Sports Day saw all boys jumping, throwing and running in a series of track and field events. Newton House emerged victorious, closely followed by Livingstone House. The Year 5-8 Sports Day was blessed with  delightful weather, despite the mixed forecast. This year we had a whole host of fun races in all track events; with boys able to participate in any of these, as well as contributing to the points total in their selected events. The final scores were again close, with Livingstone House finishing in first place.

Well done also to our 1st and 2nd XI who recorded vistories against St. Johns School. The 1sts bowled and fielded brilliantly, restricting the opposition to 72 runs. Our Year 7 bowlers, Ashil Shah, Bradley Henwood, Richard Smithers and Harshal Patel claimed 8 wickets between them. We reached our target for the loss of 5 wickets, Andrew Beveridge and Peter Sinderberry top scoring.

uniform sale

Unwanted or newly new?
We are now accepting suitable items for the PA Quality Uniform Sale on Wed. 20th June.
Please bring your labelled, clean and undamaged items to the School Office anytime from Monday 18th onwards. This is a great time to clear lesser used uniform like spare PE kit, judo suits or cricket whites (if still white!) Little Terry’s uniform and blazers, especially Junior School sizes that the boys have grown out of too quickly. Please see http://www.northwoodprep.co.uk/pa_uniform.html for further guidance and labels.
See you at the 3-4.30 pm sale. Weather permitting the sale will take place outside the School Office or in KS3 foyer if raining.

softball

Staff and Parents Mixed Softball 
Thursday, 12th July 18.30 – 20.30
Year groups are invited to form a team for an evening of sporting fun. Playing teams of 10 (5 men, 5 ladies) and squads of 12 (6 of each in the case of injury or fatigue!) should be registered at the School Office by Thursday, 5th July. Players should be parents, staff or former pupils. A registration fee of £50 per team is requested to guarantee inclusion. Monies raised are to support the school’s sports tours. For your in formation, the senior cricket team is visiting Antigua next Easter. Further details and the playing rules will be available to teams once they have registered.  

fantasy football

A record total of 60 boys took part in the Schools Fantasy League this year.  Overall Northwood was placed a commendable 427th position nationally. After a  gruelling and sometimes dramatic season, Savan Shah (Y8W) eventually emerged as the overall winner with 438 points. Congratulations! Other Year winners were as follows: Year 7 – Harshal Patel; Year 6 – Kiertan Saujani; Year 5 – Dilen Sheth.
Amongst the staff Mr Crook took the honours whilst last years winner, Rishi Patel, finished this year in 10th position. The FA Cup League Table was won by Abbiraam Indran. In second place was Jacob Fordham whilst Harshal Patel finished third. Congratulations to all who took part in this year’s exciting competition. Try to improve on your score next season.