Bishopsgate School News (full text)

Speech Day

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Speech Day on Saturday was a great success. Our Guest of Honour, Admiral Sir Ian Forbes, Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, spoke to the children about his time in command of HMS Invincible. He emphasised the importance of teamwork and how important it is that we all learn to work together as part of a close knit community.

Latest Sport

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The school has enjoyed an excellent term's sport!

Pride of place goes to our Under 9 girls, who, following their victory over Hoe Bridge, have won all their rounders matches this term. The Under 11 girls have also been unbeaten.

The Under 9 cricket team has been outstanding and, with their victory over Woodcote House, completed an all-conquering season. The 1st XI won their final match of the season against Holme Grange to complete a highly successful season. Henry Parker, the captain, scored an unbeaten 100.

The Under 12 team won their match against Woodcote House by 5 wickets.

Our tennis teams also enjoyed unbeaten seasons and two of our Year 7 boys, David De Villiers and Jonathon Oldfield, have qualified for the IAPS National Athletics Finals.

French Trip

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The week, packed with interesting visits, was another huge success! There was a visit to the fabulous aquarium, Nausicca, the children spent a morning at a French market during which time they were able to practise their French and buy an interesting variety of French food, souvenirs and clothes. Pursuing links to History, there was a trip to Caen Castle, once home to William the Conqueror, on the Wednesday, when the children explored the grounds and learned about the castle’s interesting past, a visit to the D Day Beaches and an opportunity to see the Bayeaux Tapestry. There was also an enjoyable visit to a bowling alley and Cinerama and a chance to look round a French chocolate factory. There was also a hugely entertaining Talent Show one evening!

South Pole Explorer

Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

We were delighted to welcome ex-champion jockey Richard Dunwoody to Bishopsgate. Richard, who was twice the winner of the Grand National, completed an epic journey to the South Pole, following in the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

The children from Year 3 to Year 8 were mesmerised by the story of his remarkable adventure. The lecture also featured a spectacular slide show. Richard brought with him the clothes and boots that he wore during the expedition and also showed the children the equipment that he had had to carry.

The questions at the end of the talk were many and varied and truly relected the children's fascination!

Jungle Adventure

Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The children of Year 3 put on an absolutely superb musical play called 'African Tale'. The music, written by Director of Music, Damian Peckham, included catchy songs with Caribbean and African rhythms that the children loved singing. There was terrific dance and the quality of acting and the confidence shown by a group of such young children were extraordinary. The audience, and most importantly the children taking part, loved it!

Lower School Concert

Sun, 18 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The children put on a wonderful concert for their parents on Friday morning with children as young as 3 on stage. The concert was filled with poetry, songs and dances all with a watery theme and linked to topics included in this term's curriculum.

The audience was treated to a marvellous finale when the entire Lower School performed the ever popular Rolf Harris song 'Sun Arise' complete with a solo on the didgereedoo from 7 year old Ben Atkin!

Feedback from Inspection

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Our inspection report is now in circulation and should be posted on the ISI site within 10 days.

We are both delighted by the team's findings and determined to build on the school's success. Amongst conclusions drawn were:

"Bishopsgate is very successful in providing a high quality education consistent with its aim of encouraging all children to achieve their very best in the context of becoming well-balanced, sensitive individuals."

"The quality of care shown by teachers and other staff in their day-to-day support of pupils is outstanding."

We were delighted also that weekly and occasional boarding at Bishopsgate was judged to be good overall with the enjoyment and achievement of the children rated as "outstanding".

www.isi.net

Gospel Singing Day

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bishopsgate children joined choirs from 10 other prep schools to participate in a wonderful Gospel Singing Workshop at Wellington College. The day was led by Pete Churchill, Professor of Jazz Studies at the Guildhall.

The children's hard work throughout the day was reflected in a superb concert, which, among other songs, included a fabulous arrangement of the classic Doobie Brothers' song ' Taking it to the Streets'.

Parents who had arrived at the concert hoping for a quiet 40 minutes of relaxation quickly discovered that Pete Churchill had other ideas and the audience joined the children for a rousing, and hugely enjoyable, gospel song!

Academic Scholarships

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Many congratulations to Gina Clare, who has been awarded an academic scholarship by St George’s Ascot, to Max Penn and Henry Parker, who have been awarded all-rounders scholarships by Pangbourne College and Reeds respectively, and to James Dermott, who has been awarded an academic scholarship by Stamford School.

Martin Dixon has been awarded a Music Scholarship by Leighton Park and Sophie Harris has been given a Drama scholarship by Hurst Lodge.

We were delighted to hear that the girls who took the Common Entrance Examination to St George’s Ascot were all successful (Isabel Murray, Freja King, Helene El-Bacha and Zara Hillary). There was also good news from Sir William Perkins’s School to which three of our girls (Sarah Wiggins, Olivia Grist & Lindsey Childs) have passed with flying colours. Congratulations also to Mia Manduca, who has passed the Common Entrance Examination to Heathfield St Mary’s and to Scarlett Irons, Sarah Wiggins and Lindsey Childs, who have passed the St George's, Weybridge entrance examination. Melissa Powell-Edwards, Nicola Penn and Helene El-Bacha were all successful in the entrance examination to The Marist.

iSing Choral Workshop

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

iSing Choral Day at Bishopsgate

Bishopsgate School pupils set aside all lessons for a whole day to take part in a choral workshop led by iSing director, Dominic Peckham. With the freedom of a whole day given over to rehearsals and performance, the children were inspired and challenged by Dominic who introduced a repertoire of rousing African Melodies, Traditional Folk arrangements, Gospel songs and Beatles classics. The children responded superbly throughout the rigorous rehearsal schedule to produce an unforgettable performance in front of parents and invited guests.

In the concert, the children also demonstrated what they had learned about vocal technique during the lecture sessions. The songs featured soloists, 3-part harmonies and natural percussion effects and brought out the very best in the pupils from the Year 4 to Year 7 age range. It also brought together seasoned singers from the school’s own Chapel Choir and Royal Choir with pupils who wouldn’t normally consider themselves to be vocalists. The standard of that which was taught and memorised in a single day was testament to the energy, enthusiasm and high expectations of the iSing director.

Speaking after the concert, Dominic, an associate conductor of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, praised Bishopsgate’s headmaster, Andrew Cowell, for having the vision to support the UK choral tradition by sacrificing an entire academic day and he extolled the virtues of children developing their love of singing by joining local community choirs such as the Surrey County Youth Choir.

Bishopsgate’s Chapel Choir will be at Wellington College on April 25^th, taking part in another choral adventure.