PARENTS

Rainbow Day:

Pupils from the Junior department paid £2 each to dress in vibrant rainbow colours to raise money for the Junior's chosen charity. The day was a huge success and contributed to the final sum raised for the Batsford & Gambia Swings.

Yr 5/6 Young Enterprise Initiative:

Pupils in Year 5 and 6 have formed 6 individual groups in which to create a mini-company. Within these companies, each group had to decide upon a product or a service that they felt would prove to be a viable business venture. Next, the girls pitch their business plans to pupils and staff in a ‘Dragon's Den' type assembly. Following this, companies evaluated their plans, signed contracts for start up funds and proceeded to advertise and generate business for their companies. This work continued throughout the term, with the companies taking every opportunity to sell their products and services. As a culmination of this scheme, we held a Young Enterprise afternoon in the Junior Department, where all businesses were up and running for the benefit of younger pupils and, later on, for the visiting crowds attending the Bonfire Night celebrations. To their pride and astonishment, all companies sold out of their products and made, on average, £30 per venture. This allowed them to pay back their start up loans and all other money was donated to the Junior Department Charity.

Cake Sale:

Another fund raising event was the well attended cake sale which saw more than 200 cakes being sold by pupils, for the Junior Charity.

Charity Work:

Overall, the Junior department has raised more than £800 for their chosen charity of Batsford & Gambia Swings. Our original target was £500.

Year 5MSH Assembly:

Year 5/6MSH spent a week of their own time creating a form assembly to show in front of Junior pupils and parents. The assembly took its theme from the current English work the pupils were doing and was based on Biography and Autobiography.

Harry Potter Immersion Day:

Staff and pupils dressed as characters from J K Rowling's best selling Harry Potter series to celebrate the release of the newest film in the franchise, and to generate an opportunity for cross curricular activities for all age groups. Each teacher adapted his/her timetable to incorporate themed lesson: for example, Science became Potions, RS became Defence against the Dark Arts and Maths became Arithmancy. The event even saw swimming lessons being adapted into Water Quidditch! The day was a massive success.

Batsford Sleepover:

Pupils from Years 3-6 spent a fun weekend at their annual Pizza, Pyjama and Popcorn Party, held this year at the new Batsford Boarding House. The fun started off with a Scavenger Hunt which allowed pupils to collect the ingredients to make ‘Butter Beer'. Then pizza was enjoyed by all, before everyone, staff included, settled down to watch ‘How to Train your Dragon', followed by ‘Stardust'. This was interspersed with hot drinks and popcorn. Following a short nights sleep, everyone was dressed and ready to attend a huge brunch in the Main School. Due to popular demand, we will be repeating this event next term!

Pop Lacrosse Day:

Pupils from Yrs 5 & 6 competed in a Pop Lacrosse Tournament with many other schools from the Midlands Region. Following a morning of training, which included coaching from England Lacrosse players, schools were put into mixed teams and competed for Bronze, Silver and Gold medals. Overall the atmosphere was one of fun and excitement, with pupils developing their skills and teamwork. Visiting staff were overwhelmed by the facilities and the hospitality of our MSJ girls.

Pantomime:

Following hard work from pupils and Junior Department Staff, this year's Panto, The Wizard of Oz, opened to cries of resounding success – “The Best Junior Panto Ever!” In addition to lovely singing, fabulous acting and some well executed dancing, the event was much enhanced by beautiful costumes – made by the girls in DT lessons – and the addition of expert animation which generated gasps of wonderment from the audience.

Nativity:

Currently, pupils in Years R-3 are rehearsing for our annual nativity Service. This promises to be a beautiful performance and a traditional start to the Christmas season.