Lyonsdown News - 12th January 2018 From the Headmaster s Desk Fresh starts, new beginnings: a Happy New Year to everyone in the Lyonsdown community as we move into the Spring Term. The range of activities experienced by the boys and girls over the Christmas break was astounding. I have heard that some went as far afield as Miami and New Zealand, whereas others joined me in enjoying the delights of the UK. Whatever you got up to, I hope that it was relaxing or exciting and time well spent with friends and family. As with every school month, January brings with it its fair share of hard work. This half-term's Lyonsdown learning habit of perseverance is, therefore, most appropriate. In my assembly on Tuesday, the children learnt about the value of consistent effort and were reminded that trying hard when things are most difficult is when we sometimes learn the most. As an example of this, I could tell you the story of how I successfully rewired a light switch in my house over the holiday, but a more inspirational tale comes in the form of athletics. Those of you who remember the 1992 Barcelona Olympics will be familiar with the story of British athlete Derek Redmond's failed attempt to reach the 400 metre final. The heat is as painful to watch as it is emotional, but it is certainly the race I remember from that Summer and this lasting memory shows how much we do, and should, value perseverance. We remember Redmond, and not Steve Lewis who won that semi-final or Quincy Watts who claimed gold in the final. The mere fact that I had to use a prominent search engine to find the winners' names says it all. The perseverance poster competition and Mr Hammond's Challenge (round one, all about unicorns) are opportunities for any boy or girl at Lyonsdown to tackle a difficult task. The competition is fierce, and not everyone can win, but I would encourage all children to enter and am looking forward to seeing their work: details of both competitions can be found in the School newsletter. More and more information is contained in our weekly bulletin, so please do read each release thoroughly. On the subject of communication, all parents should have received an important message about School email; if you did not receive this missive, please contact the Office. And so, the first week in a term that is to be filled with perseverance draws to a close. I hope to see all of you at some point in the coming months. All the best for the weekend ahead. C. Hammond 1
Year 2 Welcome back and a Happy New Year to everyone! We have made a great start to the term with Polar Day. A real life explorer spoke about her adventures in the Arctic in a whole school assembly. She spoke with such passion and enthusiasm that I am sure she has inspired some of our children to become marine biologists or explorers. You never know! Year 2 then spent the rest of the day discovering how blubber protects from the cold, how glaciers are formed and what to wear in the Arctic. Have a good weekend. Mrs Felton Year 3 Year 3 have been working on the Fizz Books this morning - Maths Whizz assessments are nearly complete and the girls are excited about receiving their passwords so that they can start whizzing at home! Mrs Silve PSHMEEandC This week, in PSHMEEandC Year 3 learned about yes and no touches, which included practising how to say no using an assertive voice and body language. Year 4 thought how peer group pressure can lead to taking risks which they might not take when alone, and what to do when they are uncomfortable taking that risk. Year 5 labelled the internal and external reproductive parts of a female, ready for our work on puberty next week, and Year 6 thought about what love means to them, drawing pictures in the style of Kim Grove, of Love is fame. Mrs Young 2
Reaping the Harvest! Well, that is exactly what Year 6 did this week! In September, the girls planted their Dig for Victory garden as part of their work on life on the Home Front during the Second World War. During the Autumn term, they diligently tended their allotment and come early January, it was finally time to reap the harvest. So, with trowels, spades and rubber gloves in hand and sleeves rolled up, off they went Being Lyonsdown pupils, the competitive element to the task was not far from the surface, as was the co-operation, enthusiasm, joy and delight on display as each potato, onion, cabbage and carrot was discovered and gathered. I ll leave it to Year 6 to tell you more Annie: It was so much fun, and there were so many surprises. Charlotte: It was such fun and when you got a vegetable, you were very, very happy! Cailin P: It was such fun and we were overjoyed when we found a vegetable! Gracie: I really enjoyed working with the other people in my house to harvest the kale, cabbage, potatoes, carrots Vani: It was fun and muddy! Claudia: I loved digging the vegetables out and St Cecilia s house had some ENORMOUS cabbages! Ellie: I really enjoyed working as a team. St Christopher s house got a lot of kale, cabbages, potatoes and carrots. It was really fun! Asha: I enjoyed digging up and washing a variety of vegetables. It was so much fun. Eloise: It was really fun and there were lots of worms! Jessica Y: It was such fun. I wish we could do it again. Sophia R: I enjoyed working as a team, it was such fun! Jessica R: It was really fun and there were many vegetables. Missie: It was fun gardening and getting a bit dirty! I think Jaye s comment tops the whole experience off It was such fun. I never thought that I would be a fan of gardening, but I was taken by surprise and enjoyed it very much. The harvest was then duly handed over to Pat and her team, to cook up some home grown delights! Perfect! Mrs Windsor 3
Mr Hammond s Challenge I Unicorns existed on Earth until the last member of the species was killed at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. Prove, or disprove, this statement using any evidence, arguments or persuasive techniques that you think appropriate. How you present your answer is entirely up to you, but please name your piece. Please present your answers to Mr. Hammond at any stage in the Spring Term, but by 4:15pm on Friday 16th March 2018. Lyonsdown Learning competition Perseverance I am pleased to announce the opening of our third Lyonsdown Learning habit poster competition, for perseverance. To enter the competition to create the symbol for this learning habit, your son or daughter should design (by hand or on the computer) a poster on a piece of plain A4 paper that they think best represents this learning habit. The word perseverance must be visible on the poster and the symbol design should be as clear as possible. Entries should be handed in to the School Office no later than Friday 2 nd February at 10:40am. Children in Pre-Reception to Year 2 should hand their entries to their class teacher, who will deliver them. Please ensure that all entries are named on the back of the piece of paper. Results will be announced later in the Spring Term. Artist of the Week The Storm By Vani Y6 The Storm comes violently On stamping elephant feet. It stomps around, Over towns and cities. Congratulations Sophia Y5 This is an eye catching plate design inspired by Ancient Mayan Patterns and symbols. You used your maths skills creatively and showed great perseverance whilst working on this project. Well done! Now, it s calm, hour by Hour Mrs Cowie 4
The Week Ahead Mon 15th Tues 16th Wed 17th Thurs 18th Friday 19th First LAMDA After School Teacher led Clubs begin Years 1 & 2 Dramarama begin Year 3 St Albans Museum visiting Lyonsdown School First Chess Club First Spanish Club (Years 2-6) All Year 3 Netball Match at Stormont School. Depart from Lyonsdown at 3:15pm and return to Lyonsdown at approximately 5:15pm Years 5 & 6 Netball Team at Hendon Prep. Depart from Lyonsdown at 2:45pm and return at approximately 5:15pm Clubs running as normal Years 3-6 Dramarama begin Reception Author, Abie Longstaff visiting Lyonsdown Lunch Menu: Week Comm. 15th January 2018 Yogurts & fresh fruit available daily. HM Homemade V Vegetarian MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY Main Course Option 1 Meat Free Monday Tomato + Mozzarella Tart V HM + New Potatoes Chicken Biryani HM + Naan Bread Savoury Lamb Mince HM + Herby Sliced Potatoes Turkey Meatballs +Spaghetti Cheese + Tomato Pizza V HM Vegetarian Option 2 Roast Vegetable Frittata HM V + Savoury Rice Jacket Potato with Tuna or Grated Cheddar HM V Cheese + Onion Finger V + Saucy Pasta Vegetarian Meatballs + Spaghetti V Quorn Burger in a Bun V Sides Desserts Broccoli Carrots Green Salad Apple Crumble + Custard HM Baked Beans Peas Mixed Salad Yoghurts Cabbage Sweetcorn Green Salad Marble Sponge + Chocolate Sauce HM Green Beans Carrot Batons Mixed Salad Melon Wedges Oven Baked Chips Sweetcorn Cucumber Sticks Chocolate Crispy HM Butterscotch Mousse Fruit Pots HM Vegetarian Jelly Pot HM Fruit Pots HM Yoghurts Fruit 5