1st February 2007

• Art Week is always greeted with great enthusiasm by our pupils, and this year was no exception. The aim was to involve boys and girls in projects relating to The Button Box, our forthcoming school production. Whilst up until now the show has been in the remit of our Key Stage Two boys and girls, last week our children from Nursery upwards had the opportunity to contribute to the set, which has been designed by Mrs Lynnette Dreyer.  Different sponge techniques, as well as straw painting have led to the creation of all manner of ‘buttons’ which will create the magical ‘curtain’ that opens on to the Button Box. 
   
• During Art Week, pupils in Year One and Two took the idea of buttons to create three large button collages.  Assembly time was used to consider the work of various artists.  Other activities led to consideration of aspects of colour as well as various art forms.
   
• Throughout the week pupils in Key Stage Two were encouraged to use part of their break times to work with their teams on a DT project to plan, design and build a vehicle in which to transport a passenger by air, in this case the passenger being represented by a Lego man, for reasons of practicality!  The trials of the inventions were conducted by pupils on Friday, under the watchful eyes of Key Stage Two staff.   Congratulations are extended to the winning team: Dempsey Ainsworth, Allana Berwick, Hannah Cawthorn, James Fitzpatrick Diamond, Edward Taylor and  Albertus Van Rensburg.  The winning design was called The Presentmobile.  It was constructed from a paper plate, newspaper, straws, sellotape and elastic bands. It travelled in a similar manner to a frizbee, successfully transporting the ‘passenger’ along the furthest distance.
   
• With next week’s performances of The Button Box drawing ever closer, there are only a few tickets remaining.  Please note that the entry point for the performance is the side door after the boys changing rooms, this being the same door usually used by parents for all School concerts.  The doors open for the audience at 6.45pm, because the ‘auditorium’ is being prepared for the performance before this time.  Please be aware that members of the audience arriving early will have to queue outside.
   
• A letter outlining pre-performance arrangements for The Button Box cast members was distributed on Tuesday.  If you have not yet returned the tear off slip, please do so by tomorrow.
   
• As part of their Egyptian topic, Year Six visit New Walk Museum in Leicester after half term, on Wednesday 21st February.  Letters regarding this trip will be distributed tomorrow.
   
• Please note that term dates for the next academic year (2007-08) were given out earlier this week. Additional copies can be obtained from the School Office.
   
• The first netball practice after half term starts on Wednesday 21st February, after school and ending at 4.15pm.
   
• Still with sporting news-the first away match of the Floodlit Cup was cancelled on 24th January due to snow on the pitch.  Fortunately with better weather yesterday, our game against Avondale took place.  Coach Mr Anthony Holmes reports that after a slow start and finding ourselves 0-2 down, the whole team showed great spirit to fight back to a very creditable 2-2 draw with what seems to be ‘the usual’, a goal scored by Albertus Van Rensburg, and a debut goal from Patrick Sullivan too!
   
• We have now received confirmation that as County Champions in the Sainsbury Soccer Sixes Championship, our team will now travel to Judgemeadow College in Leicester on Saturday 28th April to take part in the Midland Finals, with the responsibility of representing Northamptonshire! 
   
• Back in October, our footballers took part in the Independent Schools’ Association Under 11s Midland 5 a-side Tournament, reaching the semi finals.  We are delighted that the team have recently been invited to participate in the National Finals, held at Stoke College, Sudbury, Suffolk, on Friday 9th March.
   
• With all of these exciting events ahead, it is timely that better light after half term will allow for Football Club to resume.  The first training session will be on Tuesday 20th February.  Please note that there will be no session on Tuesday 27th February, because instead those selected for the team will be playing this home match.
   
• Parents are asked to ensure that pupils needing inhalers have one for their classroom and one left at the school office, and that the use by date makes the inhaler valid for use.  Each inhaler should be labelled.
   
• With Kettering Eisteddfod being only about five weeks away, it is hoped that pupils involved are practicing for their various competitions.  Whilst some time is naturally given over during lunchtimes for practice, the bulk of practice time should be at home and over a regular period of time, rather than in a last minute panic.  I hope that these words will serve to remind those who need reminding and praise those whose commitment is not in question!
   
• The next bulletin will be on 1st March, which will include a report about the School’s celebration of World Book Day.