School News - Lent Term 2012
Wheelchair rugby anyone?
In preparation for Scott House’s world record attempt on Monday, Mr Tennant (Head of House) invited 2 speakers in from WheelPower this week. This is the Charity that Scott is supporting. It is a Charity who is actively “transforming lives through sport”. Indeed one of our speakers, who broke his neck in a car accident 8 years ago and is now paralysed from the chest downwards, spoke of how his new passion of wheelchair rugby has made a significant difference to his life.
Pitt Rivers
Year 7 entered into the unique and mysterious world of the Pitt Rivers museum in Oxford this week. Their working brief in this anthropological gem was to get some inspiration for some extended writing that they will be embarking upon in their English lessons. Among the shrunken heads, mysterious keys and masks, young Stephen Kings and Edgar Allen Poes were beginning to piece together the plot and characterisation for their first best-selling novels. We look forward to reading their macabre efforts. Do go and visit the museum if you get a chance – entrance is free!
Great Scott!
Last week, boys in 6G held an assembly on inventions, pioneers and ‘firsts’ to mark the start of 2012, a year full of significant events and anniversaries. With an interesting medley of facts, interspersed with a reading of Days by Philip Larkin and other poetry readings, the Prep school was encouraged to find the determination and resilience to realise their own ambitions through a short film showing the scientific nature of Scott’s expeditions in Antarctica and highlighting the exhibition at the Natural History Museum this year.
The gentle hum of industrious reading
Notwithstanding the Arctic temperatures outside, the Davenies Library has never been more popular. With a vast range of literature and non-fiction to choose from, boys are reading voraciously this term. Audio books, newspapers, graphic novels, swashbuckling escapades, horror stories and reference material seem to be in equal demand. With the ability to reserve books online from home, or to write reviews for other boys, never before has reading been so much fun!
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Years 3 & 4 made good use of our wonderful new high-tech Design and Technology Suite this week. Our budding Brunels of the future utilised the extra opportunity by designing and creating a bridge to traverse the yawning gap between tables!
Run, Rabbit, Run
The rain stopped, but Burnham Beeches did not disappoint with its undulating terrain and muddy footpaths! We counted out 80 gleaming white, excited runners in both U’11 and U’13 races and we counted back in 80 mud-spattered, slightly bedraggled runners, all of whom ran sensibly and finished strongly. Highest ranked individual runners from the Davenies teams were Alex Coleman (25th – U’13) and William Murray (16th – U’11).
Lent Term Mathemagicians
The Maths Department began the Lent Term with another highly successful afternoon of Mathemagicians. This consists of 2 sessions run by Douglas Buchanan, an ex-Head of Maths, for groups of mathematicians across Years 3 – 5, and 6 – 8. Comprising some challenging fun mathematics, head scratching and smiles were seen in equal abundance.
Buddy Reading
Twice a term Years 3 & 5 have English lessons with a difference. Each boy is paired with a ‘buddy’ from the opposing Year Group and they read to each other. What a wonderful way for the English Department to spread the joy of reading.
Gifted Theologians
13 boys from the Enrichment Group visited the United Reform Church in Beaconsfield yesterday with the Headmaster and Mrs Simmons. Not only did they learn about the history of the church, but also uncovered the ideologies behind it and the varying features of the URC’s services.
The Buzz #16
The Autumn Term edition of The Buzz has now been launched. Whilst it does not cover every activity, it does give a flavour of the numerous activities, adventures, trips, visits and events that we cram into each busy, purposeful term. Click here to view online.
Where Eagles Dare
In heavy snow, 32 intrepid boys and 5 staff skied the Ziller Valley in Austria. The conditions were variable, but the boys skied every day, often on unpisted slopes with snow reaching above their knees! The next time they ski on freshly groomed slopes, they will be challenging for places on the British Winter Olympic Team! The boys were a credit to the school and enjoyed themselves immensely.
