newsletterIssue No 14 | 2014-15 | Friday 22 May 2015

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Dear Parents,

Two weeks ago to the day, we laughed and laughed and laughed until tears rolled down our faces and our sides hurt! What a sight we were in our oversized shoes, orange wigs, stripy socks and myriad other very individual and funny items of clothing. We laughed not just because laughing releases endorphins, those “feel good” chemicals (though that is reason enough), and not just because Mr Evans was dressed in a wig, wibbly glasses and a very large yellow skirt, (though that did cause rather a lot of mirth, especially amongst the Year 6 boys). The reason that we laughed was because it was ‘Feel Good Friday’, the title of Malim’s House Charity Day. Malim were raising awareness and money for the charity ‘The Laughter Specialists’. This local charity helps children and adults who are sick or who have special needs by cheering them up with a little laughter and fun. Patrick and Annie, the charity’s founders, assisted by Mrs Caton, came to assembly to explain why their work is so important and how a little laughter can make a significant difference to a child in hospital or in need.

Throughout the day the children from Malim, confidently led by their House Captains, Oliver, Eliza and Meg, supported the children in their house to run Dame B’s Got Talent, circus skills, football shootout and deliciously sticky biscuit decorating. I am delighted to report that across the School we raised an impressive sum of £473.15.

Last week our Year 4 children went out on their first residential, always a milestone in our children’s time at Dame Bradbury’s. This is a time when the children are focussing on the intellectual characteristics of courage, curiosity and resilience, and if fun were one of the 12 characteristics, I am certain that this too would

feature highly. The children explored historic York including Clifford’s Tower and St Mary’s Abbey, they toured the Minster, explored the Jorvik Centre and Dig and spent a day as Normans at Danelaw. You can read more on our website by clicking here.

From the Head of Dame Bradbury’s

newsletterIssue No 14 | 2014-15 | Friday 22 May 2015

Follow us on Twitter: @DameBradburys

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The Year 4 children weren’t the only ones having fun in their learning. Year 5 visited The Science Action Centre at Bishop’s Stortford College. “I never knew tomato juice was an acid”, “I was amazed that the tin of Golden Syrup weighed so much more on Jupiter than on Mercury and that’s because of the planet’s mass”, “I was fascinated by the Chinese water bowl that hummed and made the water spit when you rubbed the handles”, “I made a square bubble!”, “I enjoyed looking at myself in the tardis, as it felt like there were thousands of me”, “The thermal image camera was cool - I made hot handprints on the pillar”. Just some of the comments from inspired Year 5 scientists after a superb morning at the Science Action Centre where the children explored, discussed, investigated, shared, puzzled over, and absorbed science through numerous hands-on exhibits. And, to misquote Confucius: “We did and we understood”.

Year 5 also enjoyed a trip to the Saffron Walden Museum to learn about aspects of Tudor and Stuart life in the local area. They were fascinated by some of the Tudor artefacts shown to them and were fully engaged learning about the links that Saffron Walden has with this period of history. The children also learnt about key events linked to the English Civil War and the presence that Oliver Cromwell was reported to have had in the town.

The weather was perfect for Year 6’s annual visit to the Henry Moore Foundation, with a warm but gentle breeze blowing and a fine display of spring clouds that Moore himself would have loved. Pupils were guided through the garden of Hoglands, Moore’s home, and then on into the grounds to admire, touch and discuss the sculptures that adorn the majestic grounds...and on into the sheep-filled fields beyond. After a brief lunch, and warmed by the midday sun, the children settled down to sketch the sculptures of their choice, using these as inspiration for the modelling of their own works on their return to school. A perfect day out!

We welcomed Miss McGinty to Year 3 last week and introduced her to her new class by showing her the wildlife.......at Linton Zoo. Miss McGinty is a second year student at Northamptonshire University and she is working with Mrs Knowles on her second placement. Year 3 have been studying tropical rainforests and went to Linton Zoo to meet some rainforest creatures firsthand. Highlights included meeting the baby tapir born in April, and learning more from the keepers about the habits of these shy rainforest mammals. The children also thoroughly

From the Head of Dame Bradbury’s

newsletterIssue No 14 | 2014-15 | Friday 22 May 2015

Follow us on Twitter: @DameBradburys

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enjoyed a handling session with some smaller creatures including a blue-tongued skink and a boa constrictor! The visit to the zoo, as well as being great fun, helped the children to put into context what they have been learning in the classroom and to understand more about the threats that rainforest creatures can face.

Maybe the most fun last week was had by all of the Reception children from across the Foundation, when the children from City and Madingley Reception classes joined Dame B’s Reception for Forest School. The morning was fun-filled as always with a campfire around which marshmallows were toasted, and Mrs Bicknell told a wonderful story about how spiders have come to have long legs! Children cemented friendships, made crowns with sticky weed, cow parsley and dandelions, and collected minibeasts. Dame B’s children arrived first and worked in groups to construct dens as shelter from the rain but by the time our friends arrived, the sun was shining! Hot chocolate and flapjacks are our Forest School treat and were appreciated by all.

I am delighted to announce that six of our Year 6 students have been awarded certificates in the United Kingdom Mathematical Trust’s Junior Maths Challenge (JMC). The challenge involved answering 25 multiple choice questions in one hour and the students were tasked with applying their mathematical knowledge to unfamiliar problems. Ella Cowell achieved a Bronze certificate; Will Bacon, Adam Albright, Eliza Caton and CiCi Tilston, Silver; and Hebe Chamberlain, Gold. This is especially impressive given that the JMC is open to

students in Year 8 and below. Special congratulations go to Hebe, who has been invited to take part in the follow-on round, the ‘Junior Kangaroo’ on 9th June. We wish her every success!

When I spoke to some of the children who took part they said the challenge was fun! Any Year 5 and 6 children interested in joining the mathematical fun can find out more about problem solving are welcome to attend Maths Club on a Wednesday morning at 8am in the IT room run by Mrs Petryszak from the Senior School.

At Dame B’s summer sport is depicted by sunshine, enjoyment and building new friendships alongside a healthy dose of competition. I am always delighted to listen to the children’s match reports in assembly and these can be found on the website news stream. Since our last reports I am happy that I can report further success and enjoyment on the sports field. On Wednesday the U11 Tennis team played against Felsted School and performed superbly well on a lovely sunny afternoon. With three doubles matches being played, followed by four singles matches, Dame B’s were victorious across the board. The standard of tennis was extremely high, and a big “well done” to all of those who were involved.

From the Head of Dame Bradbury’s

newsletterIssue No 14 | 2014-15 | Friday 22 May 2015

Follow us on Twitter: @DameBradburys

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On Wednesday the U11 A & B Rounders teams travelled to Bishop’s Stortford College to play their second match of the season. The A team started off very slowly when fielding, but with some powerful hitting and better decision making in the second innings, Dame B’s scored 9 ½ to win the game by 17 ½ - 10. It was a very close game with some excellent play by both teams. Player of the match was Hebe Chamberlain for her powerful batting and accurate bowling.

The B team also had an extremely close match, in which Dame B’s scored four points in their first innings to the hosts’ six. A tight second innings with some good batting and fielding from both sides meant the scores remained tight right until the last few balls. With the hosts putting on a score of 11 ½ after their second innings, Dame B’s batted well but unfortunately were unable to reach the desired total, scoring a total of 8 ½ at the end of their second innings.

Players of the match were Ella Cowell and Ella Cranfield for their good teamwork whilst playing backstop and bowler.

Finally may I wish you all a fun-filled and restful half term.

Best wishes

Tracy HandfordHead of Dame Bradbury’s School

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newsletterIssue No 14 | 2014-15 | Friday 22 May 2015

Follow us on Twitter: @DameBradburys

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GCSE and A Level Art & Design Exhibition: 19th and 20th June