The Chorister School - Latest News RSS Feed

Traffic Restrictions and new Walking Bus arrangements

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:49:43 GMT

3^rd September 2010

Week beginning Monday 13^th September:

Traffic Restrictions and New Walking Bus Arrangements

As you may be aware, Durham City Vision have been given the task of improving the centre of the city. In the past fortnight I have been made aware that this work is now being brought forward to take place earlier than originally planned and in addition, the gas pipe has to be renewed prior to work being started. As a result, the work is now likely to last for seven weeks, beginning on Monday 13^th September. There will be no vehicular access for cars through the Market Place at any time.

I promise you that the questions you want to ask have already been put by me. The main one of course being, \'Why could this work not have been done over the summer?\' However, the fact that the works have been started means that we have no option now but to facilitate the journeys of pupils and parents to the best of our ability, and to reduce the inconvenience to as low a level as possible. Durham City Vision, Carillion and United Utilities have all been sympathetic to our situation and have supported the arrangements we have made.

The early start date means that I have had to put systems in place without the lengthy consultations I would have liked with every interested party. There will be a limited amount of traffic allowed over Prebends Bridge. Only one car will be allowed on the bridge at any one time due to its structural capacity. The bridge will be controlled by traffic lights and a Traffic Marshall. To facilitate commercial deliveries, heavy goods vehicles will be allowed on The Bailey between 0600 and 1000. This will hinder the lighter traffic and have an impact on the morning movement of vehicles. My main concern is for parents to be able to get to their place of work on time while knowing that their children are safely escorted to school. The following programme will therefore operate:

MORNINGS

Nursery and Pre-Prep Pupils Only

Parents of pupils in the Pre-Prep and Nursery may drive their children to school. This will only be possible over Prebends Bridge. Car sharing or collecting other pupils on your way into and from school would ensure the number of cars would be fewer and so lessen your journey time. If the time of your departure from school is critical, please use one the three Walking Buses that will be in place instead. Prep school staff who will run the walking buses will be introduced and made known to even the youngest of our pupils before Monday 13^th September.

Prep School Pupils and younger pupils as required

It will not be possible to use our normal meeting point at the White Gates as traffic will now be using this entrance. In addition we will need to accommodate the needs of parents travelling in from other sides of the City. Therefore there will be three walking bus locations:

Prebends Bridge (Route1)

The attached map shows this location. There will be members of staff here from 0800 to 0830. Groups of pupils will be walked to school as they arrive. There will need to be a strict movement of traffic down Pimlico and turning right along to where staff are awaiting pupils. If you arrive after 0830 at this location and there are no members of staff there, please do not leave your child. You will need to bring your child into school yourself. Please ensure the duty member of staff knows what arrangement you have made for after-school collection before you leave: i.e. whether they wait at school to be picked up, or which of the two Walking Buses they join.

Dunelm House for Kingsgate Bridge (Route 2)

There will be another two members of staff here collecting pupils from 0810 to 0830. Groups of pupils will be walked to school as they arrive. If you arrive after 0830 at this location and there are no staff there, please do not leave your child. You will need to bring your child into school yourself. Please ensure the duty member of staff knows what arrangement you have made for after-school collection before you leave: i.e. whether they wait at school to be picked up, or which of the two Walking Buses they join.

Coach Drop Off Point in Watergate, alongside the old ice rink (Route 3)

Two members of staff with the mini-bus will be waiting here from 0800 to 0820. This location will allow a good exit route for cars. Pupils will have to be driven to school in the minibus over Prebends Bridge and so will need to set off at 0820. If you arrive after 0820 at this location, please try one of the alternative Walking Bus sites or bring your child into school yourself. Please ensure the duty member of staff knows what arrangement you have made for after-school collection before you leave: i.e. whether they wait at school to be picked up, or which of the two Walking Buses they join.

EVENINGS

Nursery and Pre-Prep Pupils and older pupils being collected after 1730.

Parents of pupils in the Pre-Prep and Nursery and older pupils who need to stay in school to be collected after 1730 may drive over Prebends Bridge. Car sharing or collecting other pupils on your way from school would ensure the number of cars would be fewer and so lessen your journey time. If the time of your departure from school is critical please use one of the two Walking Buses that will be in operation instead.

Prep School Pupils

Prebends Bridge will be the only end of school bus location. The first Walking Bus will arrive (at the area indicated on the map) at 1600 and the next will arrive at 1700. It is imperative that staff know, at the beginning of the day, the time you will be collecting your child - so that we can ensure they are on the right Walking Bus.

There will be adjustments to the school day to ensure we have time to organise those pupils to the right location, and to enable parents with pupils in both the Prep School and Pre-Prep to be able to collect their children with minimum wait. The Prep School teaching day will therefore finish at 1540. This means that the first walking bus will arrive at 1600. Clubs will run as usual, but will start at 1600 and finish at 1645. This will mean those pupils who will be walked to Prebends Bridge on the second Walking Bus will arrive at 1700.

Early arrivals in school

I appreciate that for some parents delivering your child to a Walking Bus starting at 0800 may be too late for your working arrangements. In this case, please drive over Prebends Bridge and deliver your child for breakfast at 0730. Temporary boarding is another option for older pupils, but it is important that you let us know in advance this option is required as our boarding spaces are limited this term.

Parking for parents who wish to walk their child to and from school themselves.

Arrangements have been made by Durham City Vision to suspend the charges for parking cars on Potters Bank between the hours of 0800-0900 and 1600-1700. This is to allow Chorister School parents to have the additional option of parking their cars and walking their children to the Route 1 Walking Bus or directly to or from school themselves, without incurring charges. In addition, parking will be suspended in the area of the Route 1 Walking Bus to ensure ease of access.

Change in Arrangements

Mrs. Field will take charge of transport arrangements in order to facilitate the communication of information regarding the movement and collection of pupils. There is a dedicated email address for any arrangements you would like to make, amend or request breakfast or tea with at least one full day\'s notice. Please also use the dedicated email address if you would like to set up a \'standing order\' of your daily requirements throughout the period. There is also a dedicated mobile telephone number for you to inform us of any last minute changes on the day by text. Only the mobile number should be used if changes are made to your arrangements on the day.

Email address: choristertransport@hotmail.co.uk

Mobile telephone number: 07599537162

These overall arrangements can and may be adjusted as time goes on and we see how they meet the needs and requirements of pupils and parents. I was incredibly frustrated to hear of the plans, but I know that the team spirit, reliability and common sense of our pupils, parents and staff will ensure that we can make the best of a trying situation. You will be kept informed at all times.

I am very keen that the work being undertaken does not compromise our communication in these important early weeks of the new academic year. I therefore hope you will feel free to get in touch with any of the teaching staff via the school\'s telephone or email should you have any queries.

Linda Lawrence

Review of the Year 2009-10

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:59:39 GMT

The Chorister School, Durham

On Wednesday 14^th July we gathered together to celebrate the end of the academic year, when our Speech Day took place in Durham Cathedral. It is a very special day when pupils, parents, staff and governors look back on all that has been achieved by the pupils of The Chorister School during the 2009-10 academic year.

We have amazing memories of this year. History was made when we enhanced the centuries-old musical tradition of the Cathedral, by the addition of a Girls\' Choir for Durham Cathedral. Many girls came to us in September with no experience of Cathedral life, or of the routines of a boarding school. Yet in no time they became integral members of our team. Under the momentum of their own enthusiasm, excitement, energy and commitment, the girls have not only achieved a great deal in a short time, but have also set themselves high standards, undertaken demanding repertoire, and forged a real team spirit. Admission of the senior twenty girls to full Choristership took place as planned on All Saints\' Day, when they sang their first service. There was considerable national press and television coverage, and the size of the congregation was testimony to a shared ambition fulfilled.

The Chorister boys have been exceptional in the warm welcome they offered, and the support they have given, to the girls since their arrival. They have been prepared to share their expertise, and they have been the musical example that the girls have sought to emulate. September saw the boy Choristers involved in two events of national interest. Sting visited the Cathedral for concerts and a DVD recording and this included a track he performed with 8 boys (Niall Bennison, Fred Enticknap, Hector Halford-MacLeod, Christopher Hatton, Patrick Huish, Liam Jones, Matthew Kaley, Isaac Walton) of the Choir. The following week, it was an honour for the School - both chorister and non-chorister pupils - to be represented at the memorial service for Sir Bobby Robson. Liam Jones sang a beautiful duet with Katherine Jenkins at the service. All the boy choristers though sang incredibly well at both events, and, have continued to do so throughout the year.

However, the musical life of the school extends to include every member of our school. This term saw the Inter House Singing Competition when every member of the Prep School took part. There have been the Pre-Prep summer concerts where the young age of the participants (4 to 7 years) was forgotten as they sang and played beautifully. Last week saw the Summer Concert in aid of the North East Air Ambulance Service which involved amazing performances by the Junior Choir, School Choir, Galilee Choir, Choristers, the visiting Versailles choir, the String Group, Wind Band, Orchestra and soloists. The pupils who took part ranged in age from 6 to 13 years). This magnificent occasion showcased the musical ability of our pupils and the effort they are happily prepared to devote to this important part of their lives. The Galilee Choir (non-cathedral choir pupils) continue to sing evensong in the Cathedral each term and they joined choristers and other choir members in taking part in the concert in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust (involving over 300 young musicians from the North-East) held in February this year.

There are also many individual musical achievements to highlight. Eight of our sixth form aged pupils have won music scholarships to their next school. Matthew Kaley to Ampleforth, Catherine Pemberton to Sedbergh and Niall Bennison, Francesca Brown, Liam Jones, Lexy Powell, Anna Roberts and Isaac Walton to Durham School. Niall Bennison is also the grateful first recipient of the Matthew Courtney Music Scholarship, an award established in the memory of one of our outstanding former pupils. Lexy Powell entered the Avison Ensemble Competition and won through to the finals and then was named one of the overall winners of this prestigious competition. Apolline Jauffret entered the Radio France singing competition and won a place at one of France\'s top music schools as a result. Luca Franglen sang on the Avatar soundtrack and has been heard by an international audience. Inspired by these achievements, children throughout the school have worked hard at their music. This year over 130 entries have been made for music exams and all were passed, with half of the results merits and distinctions.

Teamwork has equally been in evidence on the games field. The boys have enjoyed a very full and varied fixture list which has taken players to Loretto on tour, while playing teams in age groups that range from u9 to u13 in Rugby, Football and Cricket. They have also participated in rugby sevens, and came runners up in the Terrington Plate sevens tournament.

Not to be outdone, the girls\' teams have been equally active in netball, hockey and rounders. In addition to friendly fixtures, the U12 and U13 netball teams have played in the Durham City Netball League and participated in the tournaments that complete the season. Both tournaments were organised by us. They also participated successfully in the Durham Sevens, Durham County Hockey and National Mini Hockey Championships.

There have been new sports on our programme, too. For the first time the Chorister School participated in the regional round of the National Biathlon Championships, which were held at Hexham in November. Kari Dougall was so successful in this discipline that she qualified for the British Championships at Crystal Palace in two age groups. I am delighted to be able to announce that she was a magnificent 8^th in the under 10 British Biathlon Championships earlier this term.

One of the signature events of the Summer Term is the Inter-House Athletics Championships. There are records still held that go back 50 years! This year was particularly special because for the first time there were finals held for boys and girls in each event. In the Path Races too, there were separate boys and girls races for the first time. Later in the term, we hosted the North East Prep Schools\' Athletics Championships, with the customary efficiency and sportsmanship in evidence.

There have been representative honours for many of our pupils. William Gray was selected for the North of England u11 Rugby Barbarians and played very successfully as Centre against the South of England. Alexander Brown was selected for the u13 Rugby Barbarians. April Rae and Emma Gray gained Durham and Cleveland County honours in hockey. Sol Bell and Jonathan Bushnell have been selected for the under 10 county cricket squad, even though they are u9 and u8 respectively. We are proud of them, just as we are proud of every single pupil who has represented our Chorister School team on the games field this year.

There are many other areas in which outstanding commitment and talent have been shown. Last week we were all able to visit, and marvel at, the Art and DT work on display from the 6^th form. Every pupil\'s contribution was memorable and we were delighted that so many people were able to visit the exhibition. It will have come to no surprise to know that five of the exhibitors have gained Art and DT scholarships to their next school. Emma Gray, April Rae and James Hewitt were awarded Art Scholarships to Durham School, while Peter Lotts and Timothy Richmond won DT awards, also to Durham School.

Phaedra Davies (under 7) and Louise Gerth (over 7) were successful in having their designs chosen to feature on the Christmas cards produced by the Friends of Durham Cathedral this year. The pupils whom we commend for their sporting prowess are in many cases equally successful, and committed to, the arts and to their studies. In a school of this size, members of our team have the opportunity - and the commitment - to excel in so many different areas.

Younger members of the team have also shown their skill in the arts. The First Form (Y3) Play is now an institution and a highlight in our school calendar, in many ways a rite of passage into the Prep School. This year, we were treated to the First Form\'s performance of Roald Dahl\'s \'The Three Little Pigs\', and as always, packed audiences marvelled at the superb entertainment on display as well as the confidence and enjoyment shown by our First Formers. Many of them, inspired by this artistic success, joined other members of our school team and took the opportunity to participate in the Mystery Plays that returned to the city this year. Once again, their commitment and energy were notable.

The senior members of our team have benefited from a whole range of other opportunities. The Fifth (Y7) and Sixth Form (Y8) enjoyed their World Challenge programme and Askrigg adventure trip respectively. The school council continues to represent the school in a very mature and responsible manner. Thousands of pounds have been raised for a number of worthy causes, including the Bobby Robson Memorial Fund and the North East Air Ambulance Service. The Sixth Form (Y8) members continue to run their business, Make It Mine (MiM), very successfully organising sales for important occasions such as Valentine\'s Day, Mothers\' Day and Fathers\' Day. They have extended their range of activities by introducing CineMiM and Cafe MiM to great acclaim from the younger members of school this summer term.

Amid all of this, you might be forgiven for thinking that there was little time for anything else. Yet what has been remarkable this year is that our extra-curricular successes have not come at the price of academic excellence. The progress and mutual support of this year\'s Sixth Form has been outstanding. I am delighted that the hard work by our 6^th form pupils has resulted in every one gaining a place at their first choice school for September 2010.

In addition there were a very large number of scholarships gained. An amazing 73% of our candidates passed a competitive entry exam or gained a scholarship. There were academic scholarships awarded to Charlotte Blueitt, Francesca Brown, Ryan Fulton, Peter Lotts, Lexy Powell, Timothy Richmond and Isaac Walton to Durham School. This is an outstanding achievement. What also gave pleasure was the knowledge that all our pupils were excellent ambassadors for our school at their entry examinations and interviews. Their positive attitude, good behaviour and impeccable manners were noted, and commented on, by the senior schools they visited.

The academic success of the school has also been apparent in many other ways. In November, fourth form aged pupils entered the Primary Maths Challenge. Three of our pupils, Joseph Dean, Rachel Moberly and Dominic Fox followed the example set last year by Matthew Richmond and qualified for the Primary Maths Challenge National Final. The final took place on 3^rd February and I am thrilled to be able to report that Dominic Fox gained a bronze medal for his performance, and was one of only five children gaining such an award in the whole of the north of England.

Similarly, fifty-three pupils volunteered to enter the UK Junior Mathematics Challenge. Thirty-four gained awards, 11 Gold, (Charlotte Blueitt, Francesca Brown, Sam Farquar, Matthew Kaley, Keith Lai, Laure de Longevialle, Peter Lotts, Lexy Powell, Matthew Richmond, Timothy Richmond, Isaac Walton), 11 Silver (Josh Arnott, Sunera Athuada, James Bray, Joseph Dean, Dominic Fox, Ryan Fulton, Emma Gray, James Hewitt, Patrick Huish, Apolline Jauffret, Chiran Mistry, Gabriel Parkinson, Phillip Turnbull-Adams) and 12 Bronze (Alexander Brown, Sarah Dover, Fred Enticknap, Hector Halford-MacLeod, Christopher Hatton, Catherine Pemberton, Edmund Pemberton, Anna Roberts, Susannah Smellie, Toby Smurthwaite) while Lexy Powell is the first Chorister pupil to qualify for the British Mathematics Olympiad. A further thirteen pupils attempted the IGCSE Mathematics examination-an examination designed for the brightest sixteen-year-olds. Eight pupils entered the Foundation Tier (Sunera Athauda, Ryan Fulton, Michael Gratton, Emma Gray, Laure de Longevialle, Keith Lai, Catherine Pemberton and Isaac Walton) while amazingly, five pupils (Charlotte Blueitt, Francesca Brown, Peter Lotts, Lexy Powell and Timothy Richmond) opted to take the Higher Tier paper even though some of the topics would normally be seen on AS Maths! Every academic department though has its own success stories that indicate just how hard every one of the faces on our school photograph has worked this year.

When we celebrate the achievements and successes of our senior pupils we do so knowing that the foundation that many of them have received from the Pre-Prep, and will do so now with the nursery, has been their platform for success. We are dedicated to giving our youngest children a wealth of learning opportunities, which are appropriate to their ability and independence and which can then provide an excellent basis from which to move into the Prep School.

The word \'Inspection\' is part of every school\'s life and we are no different. This year we have successfully undergone a Durham County Council EYFS inspection and an OfSTED Boarding House Inspection. That we were able to receive two \'outstanding\' grades in the latter inspection was the result of the hard work of Mr. Tim Butcher and his boarding house team. Mr Butcher has been our Housemaster for the last three years, and has guided our boarders through a time of exciting changes. He leaves us at the end of term to take up a Deputy Headship at Winchester House where he will be in charge of boarding. He and the family leave with our thanks and very best wishes.

We would also like to thank Mr Paul Underwood for the hard work and commitment he has shown to a range of teaching and extra-curricular activities this year. We wish him well for the future.

In so many areas this year our pupils have excelled. None of this would have been possible without the support, guidance and commitment of the other members of our team - every member of the school staff. The admin, domestic, and caretaking staff, and the teachers, teaching assistants, organists and Governors have all made an enormous contribution to the life of our successful school, and I thank them heartily and sincerely for all their support.

I would like to finish with the following thought:

In what school for pupils aged 3 to 13 would you be able to say that in one year....

....one of your pupils sang on the Avatar soundtrack and reached an international audience,

....eight pupils sang on, and appeared in, the Sting DVD that was sold worldwide at Christmas,

.......two pupils had their pictures on the front pages of different national newspapers.

........a pupil sang a televised duet with Katherine Jenkins

Surely, just one school ... this school .... our school....the school that we see on the photograph that now hangs proudly in the Entrance Hall. We are a team, and it is a team which I have been incredibly proud to lead this year.

We look forward to seeing what we can achieve when we return to school in September!

Linda Lawrence

Leavers Dinner

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:30:22 GMT

Leavers Dinner: Wednesday 30^th June 2010

The invitations were sent out and received. Acceptances were written. Outfits were planned, parents taken shopping for dresses and suits. Whispered conversations meant that only snippets of what was to come were known. The day arrived. Choristers worried that Evensong would run late. Last minute arrangements were made so hair could be done at lunch break. Tina is discovered as a stylist extraordinaire and stays late to help. It is 1820 and the ladies have laid the formal table. The candles are lit. The staff hosting the event are putting out the name places and then the first guests arrive.

It is the evening of the Leavers Dinner. The boys have all arrived and they look wonderful. New suits, shirts and ties are worn. Hair is styled. They look so grown up. Our own Daniel Craig look-a-like mingles with handsome young men who are happy and awaiting the arrival of the girls.

The sound of heeled shoes and laughter let us know of the first arrivals. The girls look stunning. Dresses are new, hair is styled and shoes are high. The girl choristers are not only back, they are ready and are congregating outside to meet with the guests. They ooh and aah and have their pictures taken by staff who have also dressed for the occasion. Mr Butcher is in formal attire, Mr Brown suited and Mrs Devine and Mrs Jones looking fabulous. Shall we go for dinner? No! Someone is missing. Where is she? Mobile calls are made. It s all right..she s on her way..she s at Nevilles Cross.

The last guest arrives. She looks wonderful. More photos are taken. We finally make our way into the dining room and stand for grace, said by Isaac. The meal has been prepared and is served by three wonderful ladies who have volunteered to work late. The conversation flows, the punch is poured and the lovely meal consumed. The teaching staff look around at the pupils, some of whom joined the school in the pre-prep and they think how lucky they have been to teach such an exceptional group of young people. We come to the speeches.

Isaac asks the ladies to join us so he can say thank you on behalf of us all and then we clap and cheer. Peter stands and delivers his great speech. We clap him to the rafters. Then Mrs Lawrence starts her speech by asking whether the ensemble group would know who she spoke of by saying one word or a short phrase. The first word, marshmallows and immediately Charlotte shouts Fran and she was right. The phrase babe magnet was guessed straight away too! Everyone was included and guessed. It is an indication of how well we know each other and can laugh together. Then Mrs Lawrence moved on to the more serious section of her speech. It went as follows:

All this year I have been discussing the Chorister School Team and what it means to be part of it. Every single one of you show the characteristics of what it means to be part of that team.

You are kind, considerate and friends with each other. You accept peoples differences and welcome the expertise those differing interests bring. You are reliable, trustworthy and show the true meaning of sportsmanship. You are wonderful ambassadors for our school. You are really special.

Some of us lucky enough to teach you are here tonight. For all of us who teach you though, what has always mattered is that you are prepared to do your best, to try your hardest and allow us to take you on the journey through your demanding academic subjects. Your positive attitude and hard work has meant you have achieved a great deal. This is the most successful 6^th form ever. You have gained more awards than ever before, and every single one of you has achieved a place at your school of first choice. Even more important than that however, has been the excellent example you have set to the younger members of school.

I, of course, am very lucky to be able to spend a lot of time with you all due to MiM. Bookshop, cakeshop, valentines day, mothers day...we ll forget fathers day, because I did!....and now CineMiM, Mim orabilia, games made and sold by Michael, Isaac\'s MiM website written, up and running, Cafe MiM starts tomorrow....none of these things would be possible without your total commitment, positive, helpful manner and hard work. You have been the only group that I have been able to ask to run these things on your own. You set up, you clear up, you are trusted with the money. You are amazing....and you are just such FUN to be with.

Please never lose sight of what makes you so special. Take the characteristics of the Chorister School Team with you, wherever you go. Hold true to what you know is right. Keep trying your best, be the best person you can be and remember...you will always be special to us...you will always be in our hearts...because you are the Leavers of 2010...and you are the best 6^th form any school could have.

There is not a dry eye in the house. We leave our seats. Menu cards are signed. Lovely things are written. More photos are taken. We cannot believe the time. The evening has flown by. Parents have arrived. They do not mind waiting. Lots of laughter and hugs. More photos. Eventually the guests leave with their parents or return to the boarding house.

It was a very special evening. We will all remember it with affection.

Linda Lawrence

1^st July 2010

Elvet Methodist Church Concert

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 15:37:55 GMT

THE CHORISTER SCHOOL

Please join us for our Summer Concert

Elvet Methodist Church

Thursday, 8^th July 2010 at 7.00pm

with

The Junior Choir, School Choir,

Galilee Choir, Cathedral Choristers,

Wind Band, String Group, Orchestra,

Soloists and the visiting choir from Versailles

A retiring collection will be taken

in aid of this worthy cause

IGCSE Mathematics

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 11:55:00 GMT

IGCSE Examination

On Monday 7^th and Friday 10^th June the two hour examinations that make up the Mathematics IGCSE took place all around the country. The examination is the old ‘O’ Level and takes the same format and includes the same high standard of questions. Thirteen of our 6^th form (Y8) pupils decided that they would like to take this examination. Eight of the candidates took the Foundation Tier and amazingly, five others opted to take the Higher Tier.

The examination took place at the nearest Edexcel examination centre. Our 13 joined almost 100 16-18year olds in the large examination room and, although nervous, entered in a very positive frame of mind. This did not diminish after the first paper and the examination on Friday was greeted in the same manner.

We are all proud of the efforts of the examination candidates. This was made very clear as we made our way back to school on Friday. We passed the 3^rd form going swimming and they broke into spontaneous applause. It was a very special moment.

The following pictures show the candidates after they had finished their last examination.

The candidates are:

Sunera Athauda, Charlotte Blueitt, Francesca Brown, Laure de Longvialle, Peter Lotts, Ryan Fulton, Michael Gratton, Emma Gray, Keith Lai, Catherine Pemberton, Lexy Powell, Timothy Richmond and Isaac Walton.

Parents Letter

Sun, 02 May 2010 16:15:48 GMT

26^th April, 2010.

Dear Parents,

I was delighted to see our team of staff and pupils back at school again this morning, refreshed and enthusiastic as they arrived to face the challenges and pleasures of a busy Summer Term. From the stories that I have heard today, it is clear that enjoyment and adventure, not least due to the impact of volcanic dust, have been found in a vast range of exciting places both near and far.

It is always pleasing to report good news at the beginning of a new term, and I am pleased to be able to do so in a number of areas. The choir responded very positively to the demanding Holy Week schedule, with both boys and girls acquitting themselves superbly. We were proud to welcome members of our School into full communion at the Confirmation service at dawn on Easter Sunday. We welcome a new member of staff, Mr. Julian Turnbull, who will be teaching ICT this term. Miss Burrell has been appointed Head of EYFS and Miss Graham is now a full time member of staff. We are also very pleased with a new arrival of a rather different nature. There will be a short launching ceremony at 1500 on Thursday, 29^th April for our new minibus, which will be a very valuable asset to the School. I hope you will be able to join the Dean and school at this event.

Our Website continues to develop, and is relied upon as a source of information by parents and friends of the School. Parents are reminded that important School policy documents, such as those pertaining to Safeguarding Children, Anti-Bullying, Admissions, Rewards, Discipline and Sanctions, SEN, the academic curriculum, mobile communications and school trips, together with our Complaints Procedure, academic performance and contact details for the school and Chairman of Governors. Please note that my email address is now head.teacher@thechoristerschool.com .

I must also draw attention to the need to remain mindful of our security within School. We pride ourselves as a community that welcomes visitors, but we must ensure that this is done correctly and safely. Parents and other adults are asked not to leave or hold doors open to visitors they do not know; but instead to allow them to use the buzzer entry system or to escort them to the office, where they will be asked to sign in. Those visiting the boarding house are asked to make themselves known to the member of staff on duty on arrival. I know that much of this is second nature to many, but the importance of the safety of our children merits a repetition of these guidelines. In addition, Prep school pupils will be required to sign in, if they arrive before 0830, by reporting to the member of staff on duty.

There is much excitement around the School about what promises to be a busy and rewarding term. Examinations at present dominate the thinking of senior pupils in particular, to be followed by a wealth of extracurricular activities. There is much that we can all achieve through hard work and good humour, and I look forward to seeing our team do so this term.

Yours sincerely,

Linda Lawrence.

From the Headteacher: Mrs Linda Lawrence, B.Sc., B.A.,P.G.C.E

www.head.teacher@thechoristerschool.com

Sports Relief - Friday 19th March 2010

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:56:50 GMT

All pupils walk a mile for charity. Well done !

IGCSE Examination

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:13:13 GMT

Pupils sign up to do the IGCSE Examination.
This term a number of the 6th form pupils decided that they would like to take the IGCSE examinations in Mathematics this summer. We discussed what this would entail for pupils who were already undertaking a full timetable. They would need to come for extra lessons on Wednesday and Thursday lunchtimes and complete some extra prep. This is what they would agree to if they signed up for the examination. The following pupils were happy to do so: Sunera Athauda, Laura de Longevialle, Ryan Fulton, Emma Gray, Michael Gratton, Keith Lai, Catherine Pemberton and Isaac Walton. They have all been entered for the Foundation Tier.
So, what exactly is this IGCSE? Surely, it must be easy if 12 and 13 year olds are attempting to sit it with little more than a few extra hours of tuition? Well, actually, no. The exam is harder and more demanding than the GCSE examinations. When O-Levels were replaced by GCSEs which included coursework, the examination boards knew they needed to keep the O-level for their international candidates. Later their name was changed to International GCSE but they kept the same demanding format: two two hour examinations that maintained and continued the demanding O-Level syllabus.
Before Christmas I saw the following headline in the paper: Schools offering controversial tough IGCSEs in secret to prepare pupils for university. The first lines of the report read - Teenagers are secretly being taught exams modelled on the O-Level in their lunch breaks in defiance of a Government ban on state schools offering the qualification. More than 10 secondary schools are offering lessons on an international alternative to GCSEs because teachers believe the courses are tougher and provide better preparation for A-level and university.
Our pupils are sitting this paper. The IGCSE Higher Tier paper you would have thought would be beyond any of our pupils. The content is even more difficult and demanding. This is clear when the syllabus is studied and you see differentiation (part of the AS Pure Maths course!) is included. However, five of our pupils have volunteered to attempt this paper! Charlotte Blueitt, Francesca Brown, Peter Lotts, Lexy Powell and Tim Richmond will sit the Higher Tier paper this summer.
The lunchtime sessions have already started and Pythagoras has been studied. We can tick that off the list! We are looking forward to quadratic equations next week before moving on to other areas of the syllabus. We have fun and enjoy the time studying for the examination. The entries have been submitted and we will be sitting the exam on the 7th and 11th of June 2010.

Friends Holiday Courses easter 2010

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:06:17 GMT

Please see Friends bookmark for easter courses application forms.

Sport Relief - Friday March 19th 2010

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:05:56 GMT

On Friday, 19^th March the whole school walked round The College in aid of Sport Relief.

The Chorister School special edition Sport Relief red t-shirt was worn by each child at a cost of £5.00 which will be put on each pupil\'s school bill. All profits from the t-shirts are going to the Sports Relief fund.

If any parent does not want their child to have a t-shirt please inform the office and it will not be placed on the bill.