Parent Newsletter. respect achieve HEADLINES. Dear Parents,

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1 Parent Newsletter enjoy respect achieve October 2017 HEADLINES Dear Parents, This is always my favourite half term of the year. Halloween, Fireworks and then Christmas, which give us a host of things to get excited about. Inside this issue: Headlines 1 Christmas 2 Woodwind Taster 2 National Poetry Day 2 Sports Update 3-5 STEM Update 6 BSWCA Latest News 7 Free RFC Tickets 8 In addition we have a stack of school events and activities, including Year 7 Meet the Tutor evening tonight, Awards Evening (Y8 this year only) on 22 November, School Christmas production on 19 December and hopefully a grand opening event at some stage, so watch this space. As always with loads going on please check the weekly bulletin for key events and dates. The new student leadership roles for this year were announced this week. Badges soon to follow, but we had an amazing 250 applications for the various roles on offer. That s over 60% of the school!! There will inevitably be some disappointed students who were unsuccessful this year but they need to be resilient and make sure they use this year productively to show off their qualities and skills to that they are better placed to be successful next year. Our awards evening on 22 November will feature a range of prizes, and Mr Ian Rose, double Paralympic judo medallist will be joining us as the guest presenter. Awards were decided by teacher nomination and recognise the achievements and effort across the whole year. Quite rightly, many of the winners will be students who have been with us for the whole journey to date, but I m really pleased to see some names on the prize list who joined us mid-year and managed to make their mark in that time. Keep your eye out for the Wokingham Borough Council newsletter edition in December for a leading article by Head Girl, Isabelle Snaith on her take on being a student at Bohunt. We also recently launched the Bohunt Speaker competition and we look forward to receiving many applicants, with a finale in the new year. Last thing from me, I will be holding the next Parent forum at 6.30pm on Wednesday 15 November. The agenda will be mainly to take your feedback about this term, and so if there are any parents from Year 7 wish to attend and share your feedback you will be most welcome. We will also be looking to discuss the extra-curricular programme, trips and school clubs etc and review Parents thoughts and suggestions about how that evolves this year and in the future. I will also be looking for some input from Parents and their views on topics such as Vertical Tutoring and Mixed Ability Setting. Please come along if you would like to add your views. It is an informal event, tea and coffee will be available. Very warm wishes, Ben Godber PS - Stay safe on Bonfire Night

2 Page 2 'Bohunt's Festive Fever' Please save the date of Tuesday 19th December at 6.30pm for our first Christmas production in the school hall. Students have already started learning lines and are currently finding their dancing shoes and their musical instruments/voices ready for an evening of festive entertainment. Tickets will be on sale later this half term and more information will be sent out soon. Woodwind taster lessons Jane Harvey, our clarinet teacher is offering taster lessons to anyone interested in learning to play flute, clarinet or saxophone. This will take place during school time, the date and time of which will be decided in due course. If you are interested in giving your child this musical opportunity then please janeharvey@berkshiremaestros.org.uk who will then be in touch with you to organise the arrangements. For further information about music lessons with Berkshire Maestros, please go to A Ballerina s Sonnet In light of National Poetry Day, year 8 have been writing sonnets in English lessons and year 7 have been asked to bring in their favourite poem of all time for next week too. This is Alice Routley's poem entitled: The Ballerina's Sonnet. We thought it was simply beautiful, a lovely use of figurative language that brings to life the art of dance, we hope you enjoy it too. The English Department Twisting, twirling, like a ribbon on a string A foot poised perfectly, waiting to begin, A tip-toe to stage - feet about to sing Pirouetting with utmost discipline Performed with perfect, poised, pointed precision Senses enhanced by pink netting and lace The world is an oyster with ten times more vision Effortless movement despite a fierce pace Dance is the words the heart can t say right Strenuous stepping and perfect poses Lights slowly dimming just as they turn bright Ballerinas delight like newly opened pink roses Art reflects life like the cruel and the kind Dancers uplift both the heart and the mind Alice Routley

3 Page 3 Sporting Achievement and Success U13 Girls Football The U13 girls football team has had an outstanding first half term. Having played 14 fixtures, they have won 13 and lost 1. The girls have scored an impressive 65 goals, and have only conceded 4. The team currently sit top of the East Berks U13 Girls league following wins against Maiden Erlegh Wokingham, Holt and Waingels. (They have two game remaining: Charters and Piggott). The team also currently sit top of the RSFA U14 girls league, despite playing against Year 9 students the girls have won 4 from 4, beating Maiden Erlegh Reading, WREN, Oakbank and Highdown. (They have 4 remaining games: Holme Grange, Denefield, Bulmershe and St.Josephs). To add to the league runs, the U13 girls football team are through to the 3rd round of the National Cup, following wins against JMA and Wycombe High. They now face Westgate (Hampshire) on Monday 30th October. The team almost picked up their first silverware of the season at the SWIFT 7-a-side (hosted at Piggott). Following wins against Holt, Piggott and Maiden Erlegh Wokingham in the group the team faced Emmbrook in the final. The game finished 0-0 and went to penalties. The shoot-out finished with Bohunt picking up their only loss to date, conceding 3 (of the 4) goals. Only 4 of last years U12 Girls Football team remain regulars, with the inclusion of F.Harries, R.Harris, E.Annets, M.Thomson, M.Steadman and C.Jolliffe all strengthening the team. F.Harris has scored an impressive 24 and M.Thomson 18. M.McKeever continues her form from last year, leading by example and netting 12 to date. After Half Term the girls have 6 league games to play (2 East Berks, 4 RSFA), the RSFA Finals, The National Cup, The SWIFT 5-a-side day tournament and the County Cup (we have Denefield in the first round).

4 Sporting Achievement and Success Page 4 Boys Rugby U12 The U12 Rugby team have had a fantastic first half term. The boys have now played 24 competitive fixtures, winning 22, drawing 1 and losing 1. In the process they have scored 675 points and only conceded 60. This impressive run has included wins against Reading Blue Coat, Shiplake, Holyport, Wallingford and Highdown (whose ranks are boosted by a large percentage of the Reading Abbey U12 A team). 35 boys have now represented the U12 Rugby team, with 22 of them getting on the score sheet. 6 students have already reached double figures in tries, whilst B.Salter has racked up 100 points already this season. 13 of the U12 Rugby Team represented Bohunt at The Reading Abbey Festival on Friday 13th October. The boys faced opposition in the group from Little Heath (West Berkshire) and Wallingford (Oxfordshire), scoring 55 points and only conceeding one try, the boys advanced to the finals. The final was arguably the toughest match of the season. Highdown scored of the first play of the game, putting Bohunt on the back foot for the first time this season. The boys showed resilience as Highdown continued to pile on the pressure following the opening try. It was an intercept try from B.Salter that finally got Bohunt on the score sheet and drew the game level. Soon after N.Barrows gave Bohunt the lead, outpacing the Highdown backline to put Bohunt ahead. Once again Highdown pushed Bohunt back, forcing Bohunt to play the majority of the game from our own line, but turnovers from L.Palmer and outstanding defence from N.King kept Highdown metre's short from the try line. Eventually a mistake from Highdown (caused by excellent defence) resulted in Bohunt being given the ball on the final play of the game. Outstanding hands from O.Humphreys, L.Palmer and B.Salter released N.Barrows who, for the second time in the game, outpaced the Highdown team, sprinting the length of the pitch to score in the corner. The game finished 15-5, with Bohunt lifting the Winners Shield. This is the first piece of silverware picked up by a boys team, and I am certain it will not be the last. After Half Term the boys have RSFA League Finals, RSFA League Promotion Play-offs, Wokingham Floodlit Rounds 3 and 4, a friendly against Wallingford, and finish the season with the Berkshire Festival of Rugby which will be held at Reading Blue Coat School on Thursday 16th November. The last training session will take place on Friday 10th November.

5 Sporting Achievement and Success Page 5 Boys Rugby U13 Following a tough September, the U13 Boys Rugby team has regained its form from last year. The team have picked up 11 victories since the last news letter, including impressive wins over Charters, Reading Grammar School, Maiden Erlegh Reading and Maiden Erlegh Wokingham. The team have scored an impressive 345 points, with No.8 T.McCormack leading the scoring having racked up 65 points already this season. The team have been bolstered by the inclusion of D.Jay, I.Suleman, H.Sherfield and D.Marriott, who all joined the school after rugby season had come to a close last year. B.Partridge who missed last season following an injury in the first game has been outstanding in defence. After Half Term the boys have RSFA League Finals, RSFA League Promotion Play-offs and friendly matches against Wallingford and Reading Blue Coat School. The last training session will take place on Tuesday 21st November. Whats next: (Fixtures) Basketball fixtures begin on Tuesday 31st October, with the team facing Prospect in the Berkshire U14 League. (If you are interested in playing training is Monday and Tuesday afternoon). Netball fixtures begin on week commencing 30th October, with both the U12 and U13 teams in action against Oakbank. Sports Hall Athletics returns to the fixture calendar. The one-off event will be held on Monday 20th November at Bohunt. U12 Girls Football league begins on Thursday 23rd November. They also have 3 5-a-side tournaments next half term. U12 Boys Football will be in National Cup action on Monday 6th November as they face Weydon on the 3G. The team also have a 5-a-side tournament next half term. Whats next: (Clubs) Trampolining has returned to Bohunt as a morning and lunch club from Monday 30th October.

6 Page 6 STEM Update Once again the STEM students are investigating and developing prototypes, using a variety of exciting new techniques and materials. Currently, Year 7 are improving their soldering skills and safely creating a fully working moisture sensor circuit. All of these skills will support them in the future STEM challenges and activities. Year 8 are working hard to improve their wind turbine designs to lift the most amount of weight (mass) possible. Their designs ranged from awesomely innovative to totally bonkers, or a mixture of the two! Students are embracing the challenges with enthusiasm. Both Nuts and Bolts and Robotics Club have had so much interest this year. The rooms have been packed out with innovators for the future!

7 Page 7 BSWCA Latest News BAG2SCHOOL Bags have recently been sent home for the Bag2School scheme. For those of you who are unaware of the scheme, Bag2School collect our unwanted clothes and shoes. All the donations are weighed and we are then given a cheque, dependent on the weight collected. The clothes are often sent to Eastern Europe where they are sold on to people who struggle to buy new clothes. Our first Bag2School collection will be on Thursday 23rd November, perfect for those who love a good pre-christmas clear out! We will be collecting bags at the following times: Mondays 6th, 13th and 20th November between 8 and 8.35am and Thursday 23rd November between 8 and 8.40am. They accept the following good quality items for RE-USE: Men s, Ladies and Children s clothing Paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around) Handbags, hats, bags, scarves and ties Jewellery, lingerie, socks, belts, soft toys Household linen Curtains, towels, bedding (bed sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers) They DO NOT accept: Duvets and blankets, pillows and cushions, carpets, rugs and mats (including bath, shower and toilet mats). Soiled, painted, ripped or wet clothing,school uniforms with and without logo, corporate clothing and workwear, textile off cuts, yarns or threaded material If you lose your bag or have more than a bagful to donate, normal bin bags can be used too.

8 Page School Term Dates Term dates for Year Autumn Term 1 Sep* 21 Dec (half term break 23/10-27/10) Spring Term 8 Jan 29 Mar (half term break 12/2-16/2) Summer Term 16 April 27 July (half term break 28/5-1/6 ) NB - attendance in the week beginning 23rd July only applies to Summer Camp students. For all others school will end at 12.55pm on Friday 20th July) *Term will start for both year 7 and 8 on Tuesday 5th September at 8.40am INSET Days: 1 Sept, 4 Sept, 15 Dec 2017 Reading Women Return To Madejski Stadium Free Tickets Available! Dear Parents, On Wednesday 15th November, Reading Women are returning to Madejski Stadium for the first time in over two and a half years to face London Bees in the Continental Cup (kick off 7:30pm). Here at Reading FC, as part of our commitment to help grow the Women s game we see this as an excellent opportunity to invite local schools to this fixture, completely free of charge. To register for your complimentary e-tickets, please click the link below! It will take less than a minute; Once registered, we will aim to send you your tickets via within 7 days. On site car parking will also be completely free, and unreserved. These complimentary tickets have been sent onto local schools and a select number of grassroots football clubs. Kind regards, Joe Manns Women s Marketing Officer Reading Football Club