junior school chronicle...junior school chronicle | autumn 2017 page 3 year 6 visit hollowford...

Thursday was a very popular day - it

was ‘Push the teacher in the pool’

day.

We had some

amazingly scrummy cakes donated for

the cake sale.

The Bungee Run had a queue of eager

boys all week.

Junior School triumphed in the pupil

vs teacher Jenga Challenge.

Junior School

Chronicle Autumn 2017

Charities

Week 27 Nov - 1 Dec

Adam’s Golf Challenge proved very

popular. He raised £44.65. Luckily no

windows were broken!

Charities Week is an annual event.

The whole school takes part, from Year

3 to Sixth Form. We come together to

raise money for Gedeli B School in

Tanzania.

To date over £71,000 has been raised

which has built toilet blocks, classrooms

and a special needs classroom. We’ve

also installed electricity and water, and

have purchased resources including

desks, chairs and exercise books.

This year we are focusing on raising

money to install a new water tower and

are hoping to build a further classroom.

Chester spent all week having wet

sponges thrown at him. He raised

£28.70. Well done Chester!

The Connect 4 Challenge took place

all week, with Hadi emerging as the

winner.

Junior School Chronicle | Autumn 2017

Junior School Prefects 2017-18

The staff of DGJS decided to do things a little differently this year. The boys

were informed of the different Prefect roles available and asked to apply for

which they wanted. Head Boy applicants presented to the Junior School

assembly, outlining to pupils why they should have their vote.

The results were:

Head Boy: Jai S

Deputy Head Boys: Will F & Adam G

House Prefects: Hadi A (Atkinson), Roj L (Bemrose),

Christopher R (Blackton), Oliver G (Derby)

Sport Prefect: Tomás D

Art Prefects: Chester P & Will Fla

Drama & Library Prefects: Jeona S & Daniel K

Charity Prefect: Adam G

Music Prefect: Christopher R

Welcome to Mr Wilford

Mr Wilford joined us in September this year. Let’s find

out a little about him…

What subject are you teaching? I’m teaching

music to the Junior classes. I also take a weekly

singing practice with them and run a 'Glee Club' choir.

What were you doing before you joined DGS? I had

been teaching music at Abbotsholme for the last

twelve years, initially as Assistant Director of Music

and for the last five years as Director of Music.

What is your favourite instrument? It’s the cello. I

started to learn it when I was seven.

What is your favourite Christmas film?

A Christmas Carol

What is your favourite memory of school? My

favourite memory is early morning choir rehearsals as

a chorister at Lichfield.

Instrumental Showcase

Every September the sensational team of music teachers

at Derby Grammar School host an “Instrumental

Showcase” where they demonstrate and discuss the

benefits and joys of learning a musical instrument. Pupils

also get to try them all out!

Singing Practice

Every Tuesday, Junior School have singing practice with

Mr Wilford. They’re currently polishing up their carols

ready for the Carol Service and the House Carols

competition.

A New Year


Year 6

Visit

Hollowford

“Camping was so much fun. I now might be going on a camping trip.”

Will F

“Hollowford was really fun and everyone had their times of difficulty. It

was very hard to conquer our fears.” Roj L

“The night hike was amazing. There were lots of pitch black slugs.”

Chester P

“Going in to the caves was amazing. A shiver went up my spine when

the water went into my wellington boots.” Jai S

“Hollowford was amazing. But the best thing was weaseling.” Chris R

“The night hike was trying but amazing.” Ollie G

“Weaseling was tough and exciting.” Jay S

“I loved Hollowford, it was amazing.” Will Fla

“I loved going down the caves.” Daniel K

“It was very hard to do the leap of faith.” Tomás D

“Caving meant we were wet.” Adam G

School Council - Introducing the Team

At the beginning of every year each year group is asked to provide a

School Councillor who will represent the class for the year. In the first

few PSHE lessons, those wanting to put themselves forward prepare a

speech to their peers and a vote takes place.

Congratulations to George in Year 3, Tom and Benedict in Year 4, Sam

in Year 5 and Jay in Year 6 for being voted their class School Councillor

this year.


Year 4 Visit the Hindu Temple

As part of their Religious Studies lesson, Year 4 visited

the Hindu Temple this term.

“Year 4 visited the Mandir (a place of worship) in Derby.

Our guide was named Shain. We went inside and put

our shoes on a shoe rack. He said try and spot bells.

The first bell we saw was on the ceiling when we were

walking up the stairs. At the top we saw some of the

gods. Shain told us about the Om symbol. He told us

that people have a home shrine in the house and that

there is one God who has many forms.

At the end we were given prashad. Benny and Anish

rang the bell at the end.” Harjan N

Inspiring A Love of Books

At the start of Year 5 I absolutely hated books, but then

Mrs Hamilton inspired me to read.

Some people I need to thank are my amazing mum and

dad for buying me Bad Dad, Ratburger, The Boy in the

Dress, Gangster Granny and Demon Dentist. Thanks to

me reading great books, my exam results were

definitely worth working for!

What would life be without books? Thank you Mum,

Dad and Mrs Hamilton.

Omer K


Year 3 - National Stone Centre

We went to the National Stone Centre in September.

The class walked around the Centre and we learnt about

crinoids.

We also saw the mine that the people would work in.

Then the class all went inside and made some fossil

casts.

George F

Year 4 - Sewing

Sewing is so much fun. It is my favourite lesson

throughout the week. I have learnt to do oversewing,

back-stitch and blanket stitch.

I am making a felt Father Christmas decoration to hang

on my tree.

Benny R

Year 5 - Aztecs

We have been learning about the Aztecs this term. This

is one of the most interesting topics in Year 5 and I really

enjoy it. Here are some facts about the Aztecs -

Did you know that if it wasn't for the Aztecs we

wouldn’t have chocolate?

The Aztecs lived in Tenochtitlas which is now called

Mexico City.

The way Aztecs showed respect was by having a

truly gruesome sacrifice - having their hearts pulled

out and being thrown from a 15ft staircase!

Omer K

Year 6 - Biscuits

Our project this term is to design and make a biscuit,

form our own company and pitch our biscuit idea to

Lady Sly and Lady Devine - Apprentice style.

The winning company will be judged on taste, texture,

appearance and shape.

Two weeks ago we made a basic biscuit recipe. Based

on that we will start to put together our final biscuit idea.

We have used ICT to carry out a survey about preferred

biscuits for our pitch. Jay S

Curriculum


Rev Paul’s Ramblings...

I’ve been based in the Junior School as the Derby Grammar

School Chaplain for nearly 11 years. Over that period it’s been a

privilege to work with some amazing staff and pupils.

This term the Juniors have been very supportive of our Harvest

Festival collection for Derby YMCA and are currently collecting

items for the Christmas shoe boxes that we do every year.

Two of the boys, Jai and Jay, read beautifully at the recent School

Remembrance Service and were a real credit to both the Junior

School and themselves. Year 4 have been on the ‘Christmas

Journey’ with me; Year 3 experienced the Cathedral and St

Mary’s Catholic Church in all their glory, and enjoyed early

morning drinks courtesy of Bennetts; but the highlight of this term

is always my ‘holiday’ with Year 6 to Hollowford.

I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas and

peaceful New Year, and do get in touch if I can support you or

your son in any way, as part of my role is pastoral care.

Rev Paul

A Snapshot of our Charity Work

Bag2School

This year Mrs Genders decided to run a chocolate

incentive for Bag2School. Every bag brought in meant a

name went into a hat, and the more bags brought in the

higher the chance of winning.

It certainly made a difference and we raised £256 to be

split between the PTA and the Tanzania project. Year 6

also enjoyed making Mrs Genders wear a placard to

advertise the event. Our next Bag2School collection will

be in the summer term. Start saving now!

Harvest Festival

Each year we collect donations which are then taken to

their friends at YMCA Derbyshire. The volume received

this year was staggering, and in fact is the largest the

School has ever collected.

We are the only school supporting YMCA Derbyshire

and so this food has a massive impact on those who

have so little.

David Finn of YMCA Derbyshire joined our Harvest

assembly. He said: “We all take having food for meals

for granted, but for some people something as simple as

receiving a tin of beans can mean such a huge amount.”


Adam - Our Charities Prefect

This is the first year Junior School has ever had a

Charities Prefect - a role which I am really enjoying.

The first thing that I organised this year was the

Pumpkin Challenge. I brought three pumpkins I had

grown at home, along with a chart of squares, each one

showing a different weight. Everyone who took part had

to guess the weight of the pumpkins. In total we raised

£44.50.

I also helped Mrs Sly to organise Charities Week. This

has involved

attending quite

a few meetings,

and it was a big

task to arrange

all of the

activities.

Adam G

Snow White

Following the success of last year's pantomime, Mrs

Simpson embarked upon the challenge once again. This

year it was the classic tale of Snow White.

In every good performance, a 'Chorus' is needed to

support the action on stage. Who better to ask than a

group of willing and enthusiastic Junior School

performers!

Thank you to the ten boys who volunteered to take part.

Book Fair

During the last week of September, the Book Fair came

to School and the boys were treated to lunchtimes spent

browsing through the latest publications. The stationery

proved popular too!

Thank you to the boys for their enthusiasm for reading,

the Sixth Form team who helped to run the event, and to

you, parents, for your generosity.

Proceeds from the sale raised £88 for DGJS to purchase

some new books.

Fireworks Night

On Friday 3 November, our PTA held a fireworks night

at School. It was a really good night. There were lots of

stalls selling drinks, food and glowsticks. The firework

display was amazing: so many different types of

fireworks and different colours that lit up the dark sky.

When everyone thought it was over, another display

took place. What a surprise! I think this year was the

best fireworks night yet. I can’t wait for next year.

Eisah C

And Some of Our Other Projects...


Rugby Fixtures This Term

We have had a great Autumn term of rugby with some excellent performances and progress within Junior School.

Across all years the boys have been working hard on developing their rugby playing skills, particularly focusing on

catching, passing and game understanding.

Our U8’s (Year 3) have been working on their evasive and supporting skills, while U9’s (Year 4) have enjoyed

adding tackling to their skill set. The U10’s (Year 5) and U11’s (Year 6), have been developing and improving their

off-loading skills out of the tackle and getting to grips with rucks and mauls.

We have had a busy fixture schedule with the U9 boys playing in their first ever competitive rugby matches this

year, performing magnificently against Lichfield School and Denstone Prep. The U10’s have continued to impress

on the sports field with some superb performances against

Lichfield, Denstone Prep and Nottingham High School, as well as

throughout The Elms Rugby Festival.

The U11 boys also continued to show great reliance and

togetherness to record some fantastic performances against The

Elms, Lichfield, Denstone Prep and Nottingham High School.

I would like to congratulate the boys for their effort in making it

such a fabulous rugby season for everyone involved. If anyone

would like to play more rugby please speak to me and I can put

you in touch with your local rugby club.

Mr Smyth

Introducing Tomás

Tomás is our Sports Prefect:

“So far in my role I have changed the signing in and

out rota of playground toys and sports equipment which

I’m in charge of every day. I really like my job,

I talk to Mr Smyth and Mr Clark re. fixtures and give

out team sheets.”

Date Match

20.09.17 U11 vs The Elms

03.10.17 U10 & U11 vs Lichfield

06.10.17 U9 vs Lichfield

11.10.17 U10 & U11 vs Denstone

03.11.17 U9 vs Denstone

10.11.17 U10 & U11 vs Nottingham High

15.11.17 U10 The Elms Rugby Festival

Year 5

Sports Update


Derby Cathedral

Year 3 visited Derby Cathedral with Rev Paul this term.

“We got to try on really big costumes. I tried on a white

robe called an albe, and a verger’s costume.

Reverend Paul took us round the Cathedral and we went

to the basement and saw three candles.

I loved it when we got apple juice and a biscuit at

Bennetts coffee shop.”

Musa A

The Dentist Visits Year 3

On Tuesday 10 October the dentist, Dr Malhi, came in

with a lion who was holding a giant toothbrush!

Dr Malhi gave us a talk on our teeth. Afterwards we got

a disclosing tablet. We put it in our mouths and our teeth

turned purple. Next, we brushed our teeth. When I

finished brushing my teeth I saw some pink which

means I missed a bit, so I brushed them again. When

my teeth had no pink on, I got a photo with the lion and

a goodie bag. Ted P

Year 4 Visit Twycross

We travelled to Twycross Zoo on our brand new school

minibus. This zoo has the largest group of monkeys and

apes in the Western World. The zoo helps endangered

animals across the world.

There aren’t many gibbons and other species of

monkeys left on the planet because the trees where they

live, in rainforests, are being cut down.

George B

Year 6 Trip to Dovedale

At the end of November Year 6 went to the River Dove

at Dovedale to measure the depth, width and velocity of

the river.

To test the velocity they threw dog biscuits into the

water 40 metres upriver from the bridge. They timed

how long it took to reach the bridge.

Unfortunately the crows quite liked the Bonios, so Year

6 had to re-do the experiment a few times!

Trips and Visits


House

Art

Art Prefects

The first project was to help Mrs Jackson

make her Gratitude Tree. Chester helped

by also adding Red Sal, the squirrel, to it.

Next, we helped Mrs Genders by

laminating some artwork and putting it on

display. Recently we chose the House Art

topic - Global Warming - and then we

helped judge the House Art competition for

Years 3 & 4.

Chester P & Will Fla

Years 5 & 6

Years 3 & 4

Kian (Y3)

Title: Global Warming

House: Blackton

Ted (Y3)

Title: The Tortured Earth

House: Atkinson

Alex (Y4)

Title: Global Flooding

House: Bemrose

Thomas (Y5)

Title: Global Warming (video)

House: Atkinson

Ahmad (Y5)

Title: Global Doctor

House: Derby

Roj (Y6)

Title: I Have a Fever

House: Bemrose

Red Sal the Squirrel

Thankyou Ms Sellors for judging our competition!


Golden table: September

Golden table:

October

Open Day

“On 30 September it was the Open Day. Myself and

Year 6 Prefects took potential pupils and parents on a

guided tour of our amazing school. I was very proud

with all the positive comments they said about our

school, wonderful teachers and pupils.”

Jai S

LAMDA speech and drama awards

Tom appears in Derby

Theatre’s Peter Pan video

Will won

six

trophies

at his

cricket

club

awards

evening

Achievements

Honour Points

Honour Point race for this term: Congratulations to our class high scorers:

1st Bemrose House 1048 pts Year 3 George F 92 pts

2nd Derby House 1008 pts Year 4 Harjan N 65 pts

3rd Atkinson House 847 pts Year 5 Dhruv M 75 pts

4th Blackton House 782 pts Year 6 Adam G 75 pts

(Results as at 05.12.17)

Blackton and Bemrose were joint

winners of House Cross Country

The format of the Chronicle has changed this term as Mrs Taylor has

stepped down from the post of ‘Editor’ and Mrs Baldwin has taken up

the reins! Mrs Taylor has done it for as long as I have been at the

School, so a big thank you to her for all her work over the years.

When asked what I wanted in it this term, I decided to list everything

that we have done (or are continuing to do up to the end of term). This

12 page edition is packed with charity work, music, trips, School Council,

curriculum, sport, House art and achievements, but there has still not

been enough room for everything. As staff, we tend to forget all that we

pack in to the time at School and the fantastic opportunities our boys

get as part of their learning journey. So the Chronicle is a good way to

remind us of the vast and varied activities we have on offer.

I have included in this issue an introduction to some of our new prefect

roles and hope to cover the rest of the prefects in the next two issues.

The boys in Year 6 have taken on board their new responsibilities with

maturity, energy and commitment, making valuable contributions to our

life within the Junior School. Thank you, boys.

As I write this, we approach our final fortnight in School so all the exciting Christmas activities will be featured in

the next Chronicle. The House Carol Competition will again be an entertaining afternoon and I always look

forward to the magic of the Cathedral service.

I wish you all, parents and pupils alike, a very peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Mrs Sly, Head of Junior School

A Final Word From Mrs Sly

Reminders about Spring Term

Don’t forget sports kits changes to hockey.

Please ensure uniform is up to date. Uniform can be purchased from Morleys or the PTA run a Second Hand

Uniform stall - further information available from Reception.

junior school chronicle...junior school chronicle | autumn 2017 page 3 year 6 visit hollowford...

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