The Fortnight That Was…. 1 December - 12 December 2014 T

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Christmas Fayres Christmas Spirit arrived in sleigh-loads at Pitsford School on Friday 28 November, when the Junior School held their annual Christmas Fayre. As in previous years, the children ran the Fayre’s stalls and games themselves. Santa was pleased to meet many young visitors who were eager to share their Christmas Lists with him. There was a fantastic refreshments stall and all the traditional favourites such as raffles and tombolas.

The afternoon was a great success and raised a magnificent £1,421.19. On Thursday 4 December, the Senior Christmas Gift Fayre was held in Pitsford Hall. It was a great opportunity for people to purchase gifts for friends and loved ones. Some local companies sold their wares which included some delightful baby clothes, gorgeous jewellery, Christmas stationery and other super gifts. In addition, Year 10 sold a selection of brand new, previously unwanted gifts

and homemade cakes to raise money for their chosen charity, Crisis at Christmas. Well done to everyone involved in both Festive Fayres - pupils, parents and teachers!

Needlecraft Club The Junior School Needlecraft Club has nine members from classes J3-J6. This term they have been busy learning the art of cross-stitching. After a little practise, they were able to produce these Christmas Cards featuring Christmas Puddings. A splendid result for a first attempt!

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Rosie Stevens J3 Winner Fabian Powell J4 Winner

Miles Swinfen Early Years Winner

Iolo Roberts KS1 Winner (boy)

Hannah Goode KS1 Winner (girl)

Olly Walker U11 Winner (boy)

Matilda Rigby U11 Winner (girl)

Pitsford Run 2014 The Pitsford Run is the only event that the whole School takes part in from the very youngest three year old to the oldest Sixth Former plus some staff as well. Everyone who completes the run receives House points for their House and a much needed hot chocolate! The Senior School Winners were: Alex Russell (Year 7) Michael Bailey U18 Boys Molly O’Connor (Year 8) Xiaoxiao Ma U18 Girls Sam Allright (Year 9) Niamh Coleman (Year 10) Hesketh was the winning House, followed by Wake and then Robinson. Full details will be given in the next issue of The Pitsfordian.

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Junior School Christmas Plays This week, family and friends have visited Pitsford School to see some delightful Christmas Plays. Kits, Squirrels, J1 and J2 performed A Wriggly Nativity beautifully despite their very young age.

Key Stage 2 Performed Aladdin Trouble which was really enjoyed by everyone. More photographs of both productions are available to view On the School’s FaceBook page and will be in the next issue of The Pitsfordian.

Musical High Notes Once again, a number of pupils have Passed music examinations this term—many congratulations to you all! ABRSM Alexandra Crook Grade 8 Flute - Distinction William Carter Grade 3 Clarinet - Pass Samuel Gilkes Grade 3 Saxophone - Pass India Seunarayan Grade 1 Flute - pass Matilda Rigby Piano prep Test - Pass Rock School Oliver Walker Grade 1 Guitar - Distinction Lunchtime Concerts This term has seen a number of lunchtime concerts take place in Pitsford Hall, featuring soloists from Year 7 up to Upper 6th. Performances were on a wide range of orchestral instruments as well as guitar and piano. Concerts have been well supported by pupils, parents and staff and by the start of the last lunchtime concert, featuring our percussion and drumming pupils, there was only standing room left in the hall! A big well done to all of the pupils who have performed in the lunchtime concerts this term.

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Year 10’s Fabulous Fund Raising! The Year 10’s chose the charity Crisis at Christmas to raise money for this year. This charity raises money for homeless people and £21.62 reserves a place at Crisis for Christmas for someone who is homeless, giving them three hot meals, comfort and support and the chance to make a whole new start. Year 10 decided to try to raise £518.88 in two weeks which equates to one homeless person for every member of the year. They ran a cake stall and gift stall at the School Christmas Gift Fayre, sold bacon sandwiches and other snacks at break time, provided cakes, drinks and bacon sandwiches at the Pitsford Run and ran the infamous Pitsford Chocolate Raffle. The grand total from all of their efforts was a mammoth £1,130.48 which is going to provide just over 52 Christmases for the homeless. Over two for each member of the year group. Year 10 would like to thank everyone who contributed to this wonderful cause.

House Colours In the final assembly of the term, Mr Toone was pleased to award School Colours to pupils who have shown a very good level of performance in Sports, Music or Drama. Full Colours: Alexandra Crook (Music) Tariq Hilmi (Music) Half Colours: Emma Briggs (Sport) Harry Brown (Drama) Pia Chipchase (Sport) Niamh Coleman (Sport) Theo Drury (Sport) Charlotte Grant –Salmon (Drama) Ayesha Hamlyn (Sport) Millie Inwood (Sport) Kaiya Khatri (Sport) Benjamin Lawson (Drama) Ashley Liu (Music) Ryan Marshall (Sport)

Lacey-Jo Marsland (Drama) Sean Oliver (Sport) Amber Parry (Sport) Felicity Sibanda (Drama, Sport) Caitlin Withers (Sport) James Smith (Sport) Matthew Smith (Sport) Natalya Starcevic (Sport) Ross Tait (Sport) Joshua Whittingham (Music)

Sixth Form Chemists made this delightful Chemistree

—no wonder they’re feeling festive!

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Christmas Concert 2014

Parents, families and friends thoroughly enjoyed the Senior School’s Christmas Concert which was held in the Junior School Hall last night. A wide range of music was played on a variety of instruments. Some pieces were performed by soloists, others by groups such as the Sax Quartet and the Woodwind Ensemble. In addition the Choir sang two festive songs: I Wish You Christmas and Calypso Carol. For the full list of performers, see the next issue of The Pitsfordian. Well done to everyone who took part, it really was a very enjoyable evening

Twenty Five Trees Planted In celebration of Pitsford School’s 25 Anniversary, the School has planted twenty five trees in the School’s grounds. James Brown, one of the School’s founding pupils and now Governor at Pitsford School, joined current pupil Amelia Suter and Noel Toone, Headmaster to plant an iconic Blue Cedar. Amelia Suter is the first child of a former pupil to attend the school. Pitsford School’s Grounds Manager, Andrew Sherwin has been careful to select a diverse range of trees which will be in keeping with the history of the site, while improving the environment for wildlife and also enhancing vistas for future generations at the School. Five fruit trees (Crab Apple, Meddler, Mulberry, Victoria Plum and a Damson) have been planted in the Orchard to extend the variety of fruits on offer and to maintain this historic part of the site. In addition, a mini-arboretum has been created between the Junior and Senior School buildings; it includes a number of native trees and some specimen trees which will have architectural impact as they grow. Specimen trees include a Ginkgo (or Maidenhair Tree) and a Chinese Dogwood which are well known for their fabulous autumn colour, a Tulip Tree and a Dove Tree, with its stunning white foliage. James Brown left Pitsford School in 1996 after completing A-levels in Economics, French, Maths and General Studies. He went on to study International Business with French at Northumbria University and is now a Director at Daro Furniture, a UK brand specialising in Indoor and Outdoor Woven Furniture, based in Northampton.

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PARENTS’ NOTICEBOARD

If you have a message for other parents at Pitsford School, please let me know and I will include it in the nex t Pitsford Post.

Email: jheatonharris@pitsfordschool.com

Art Exhibition Discover some beautiful, high-quality, unique work at modest prices. Perfect gifts! The venue is the well known Wine Connection:11 Derngate, Northampton NN1 1TY Tel +44 1604 638502 Their gallery has hosted several successful exhibitions while upstairs they are a highly recommended independent wine merchants. There will be a rehang just before Christmas so that if you buy a present you can take it in time for the festivities. The Wine Connection is open Tuesday to Saturday from late morning to early evening. The exhibition is open until January 24.

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Rotary Public Speaking Competition In November, once again Pitsford School entered the Rotary Youth Speaks Competition held at Northampton High School for Girls. The competition aims to get young children to gain confidence when speaking to an audience and helps them to understand how to make a speech. This year we entered two teams: Sam Gibbs, Henry Goodwin and Oscar Powell made up one team and William Carter, Toby Morrison and Alexandra Smith made up the other. Sam, Henry and Oscar were up first and their subject was ‘Could public money be better spent on scientific development or worthy charitable causes.’ Will, Toby and Alexandra were up second and their chosen topic was ‘Have we learnt anything since World War 1?’ Congratulations to Will, Toby and Alex on achieving second place! Everyone who took part thoroughly enjoyed themselves and are looking forward to the competition next year!

Sam Gibbs Mace Debating Competition As usual two VI Form pupils took part in the Mace debating completion run by the English speaking Union at Oundle School. James Allington and Isaac Hamlyn represented Pitsford School opposing the motion "This house believes that the NHS should fund alternative medicine." Although they did not win, they performed very well against a very strong team from Oundle. Well done James and Isaac.

Junior Christmas Dinner

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What’s On Looking Ahead? Monday 5 January: Spring Term commences GCSE Mock Examination Week Yr 11 Futurewise profiling

Monday 12 January: Year 8 Parents’ Evening

Dates for your 2015 Diary

Stargazing 2015 Thursday 29 January 7-9pm

Join Northamptonshire’s Natural History Society

in Pitsford School’s grounds to view the night sky as you’ve

never seen it before.

Suitable for all ages.

Quiz and Chilli Night Friday 30 January 7pm

Our popular, annual favourite… Come on your own

or bring some friends. Tickets on sale in the

School Office in January.

Weekly Adult Pilates

From Wednesday 13 January at 8.30am

In the Junior School Hall Call the School Office

for more details

Divorce me, Darling! School Musical

Wednesday 11—Friday 13 February 7.30pm Tickets on sale in the School Office

in the New Year

Fete and Summer Solstice Celebration

Following the success of last year’s Summer Solstice, this year’s event promises to be even bigger and better. A definite date for your diary and fun for all the family.