December is here, and it has been full steam ahead on the Vinehall Christmas celebrations front.
The Pre-Prep have certainly kicked proceedings off in style, with their exceptional Nursery and Kindergarten Nativity, and the Santa’s Workshop for toddlers on Thursday. Our thanks to Father Christmas - the magic reflected in the toddlers’ eyes is a reminder to all of us of the wonder of childhood. We also look forward to the Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 Nativity on Tuesday.
One must not forget our choirs at this time of term, who have been busily rehearsing for the School Carol Service tomorrow. Every child will be involved, as is Vinehall tradition, and I am sure that your homes are already humming to ‘Tomorrow will be my Dancing Day’ by now!
My great thanks to all of you within our community who are going above and beyond to create the spirit of joy for the children this year. Special thanks to our FoV team for the Carol Service decorations and the Secrets Room preparation, and to Chef Michael and his catering team for a substantial series of delicious events.
Joff
Pre-Prep
Nicky Whittaker - Head of Pre-Prep
Pre-Prep has been full of Christmas joy this week, with all the children becoming immersed in Christmas activities as we approach the end of term. Classrooms have been decorated, cards designed and a wonderful sense of Christmas excitement is flowing through our school.
The week started with lots of excitement in the hall on Monday morning when our Pre-Prep children had the opportunity to show their parents and grandparents the dance skills which they have been learning this term. Their performances were amazing!
One of the highlights of this term is always the Nursery and Kindergarten Nativity and the children’s performance this year was truly amazing. The children sang their hearts out and the narrators were so confident in delivering their lines. We had a hall full of very proud parents! A real tribute to Sarah and her team for all the hours of work over the past few weeks in pulling it all together.
We were absolutely delighted when we heard that we had been awarded the prize of second place in the Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church in Battle. Many congratulations to Lynn Datchler, our After School Club Supervisor, who designed a spectacular tree with the theme of Little Red Riding Hood and all the children in our After School Club who made the wonderful decorations.
On Thursday afternoon we welcomed nearly 30 children from outside our school to take part in Santa’s Workshop. They enjoyed a range of arts and craft activities before the highlight of the afternoon – meeting Father Christmas!
We are now looking forward to the final week of term, which will be full of even more Christmas celebrations!
Nursery and Kindergarten Nativity
Sarah Wolford - Head of Nursery & Kindergarten
Lights, camera, action!
The beginning of Christmas has truly arrived when the Nursery and Kindergarten team organise the Christmas Nativity; and what an amazing performance it was! The children did us proud with their narrating, acting and singing skills which were OUTSTANDING!
The story began with Humph the camel, who was a grumpy soul but changed his tune when his camel friends and the kings led him to Bethlehem to meet the new-born King.
Thank you to all our families who came to watch, support and join in with the singing.
From the Little Vines Nursery and Kindergarten, we wish you a very Happy Christmas!
Reception
We have been very busy in Reception this week getting ready for Christmas. We have been making paper chains and other Christmas ornaments to decorate our room; we created a post office and designed and made cards on the theme of the four seasons.
Year 1
Jacklyn Garwood - Year 1 Teacher
The children completed their final topics in ‘Shape’ this week, looking for different patterns around them and experimenting with making their own. There was much excitement when everyone tried on their Christmas nativity costumes for the first time; it will be an amazing performance indeed! It became ‘Santa’s Workshop’ in the classroom, as children thought about the special people in their lives and worked hard to make thoughtful presents for them, just like Terry Tortoise!
Year 2
Louise Hawtin - Year 2 Teacher
We have been learning about food chains in the Rainforest this week. First we found out that producers make their own energy using sunlight, whilst the consumers get their energy by eating the producers. Every child was then given a label and they had to put themselves in the correct order to show how the energy is passed along the food chain. Unsurprisingly, everyone wanted to be the predators at the top of the food chain, such as the caiman, harpy eagle or jaguar!
4B Science
Louise Barrett - Head of Juniors
This week the children have been investigating what speeds up evaporation.
Year 4 – Forest School
Louise Barrett - Head of Juniors
Year 4 enjoyed a brilliant morning at Forest School this week …
Year 7 – War Rooms Trip
On Monday Year 7 travelled to London to visit the Churchill War Rooms as part of their study of World War 2. We explored the historic rooms where Churchill and his Cabinet worked and lived during the Blitz. We then enjoyed lunch in St James Park before taking in the sights, including walking to Buckingham Palace and along the Mall.
Year 8 – Forest School
Ally Linney - Deputy Head (Pastoral)
From Nordic weaving to delights in the Mud Kitchen, 8L had a wonderful time collaborating and finding simple pleasures in creating and connecting with nature last Thursday. The Fire Challenge was a challenge indeed, but the groups persevered and enjoyed their s'mores! Ally Linney enjoyed a mindfulness task, with Laura's support, and made a Christmas ornament. We are already looking forward to our return visit to the woods in the Lent Term!
Sport
Matt McKinnon - Director of Sport & Head of Co-Curricular
It always amazes me how quickly our pupils adapt to new sports. The boys started playing rugby just a few weeks ago and every team's general understanding of a game with so many rules has improved a great deal in a short space of time. The Junior girls have started playing hockey and, although have only played one game, they are starting to dribble and pass with greater control. The senior girls played their first netball matches this week; it was wonderful to hear how well the teams did against Dulwich, Marlborough House and Claremont. Next week sees the U12 & U13 boys and girls travel to Cranbrook School for the last fixtures of what has been a very long, cold and at times wet but enjoyable term.
The U12s enjoyed a fabulous afternoon of running rugby against Saint Ronan's. Credit must go to both sets of boys who played the game to its values - showing discipline, respect, integrity, passion and solidarity throughout and it was great to see both teams mixing so well together after the game.
I must thank all the parents for the support they give each Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. Your sons/daughters do love having you pitch side. I would like to take this moment to remind parents that over-vigorous support is not appropriate and I ask that you allow the teachers to referee the games without outside interference.
Art
We have been so impressed by all the wonderful entries in the Christmas Decoration Competition ... the prizes will be announced next week!
Pupil Committee Meetings
Ally Linney - Deputy Head (Pastoral)
We had our first Committee meetings on Friday 6th December. The meetings were expertly led by our Year 8 pupils, who guided us through introductions, why we wanted to join the Committee this year and an open forum discussion. The School Council, the Academic Committee and the Eco Committee are how we celebrate and promote pupil voice here at Vinehall.
Watch this space for group photos next term!
Well done and many thanks to our Year 8s who embraced their new leadership roles and supported Joff Powis, James Thain and Ally Linney.
Congratulations to Ally Linney on the successful completion of the SACPA Certificate in Child Safeguarding Practice!
“I was incredibly proud of my distinction in this course. The topics were challenging, as was fitting in the study days. I took this course on in the Spring, and at the same time that I was working on my application for Indefinite Leave to Remain and a visit from ISI ... amongst my other daily duties at Vinehall. It has been more than 15 years since my university days, but I embraced the challenge and enjoyed writing my 3500-word reflective essay. I only wish I had more time to dedicate to study. It made me reconsider potential future schooling and career progression! This course certainly strengthened my skills as DSL and the work I do to support our children and their families.”
Ally Linney - Deputy Head (Pastoral)
House News - Rushton Beach Clean
Anna Webb – English Teacher
On Friday 29th November, the members of Rushton house wrapped up warmly and travelled down to Bexhill-on-Sea. We worked as a team to clear a section of the beach, looking very carefully for rubbish and debris. Amongst our discoveries was a single shoe, a mug, some gloves and lots of fishing equipment! In total we brought back over 16kg of rubbish that did not belong on the beach!
Boarding
Petra Campbell - Gapper
It was a good weekend in the Boarding House.
Saturday was spent at school; some boarders went to the usual Saturday morning DT, Art and Carpentry while others enjoyed free time. In the afternoon everyone enjoyed watching a movie and having some tuck. After dinner we got into the Christmas spirit by putting up the Christmas tree and making some Christmas themed treats.
On Sunday we had a big outing to Bluewater Shopping Mall. Everyone was free to go off in groups to do Christmas shopping. It was a great day out.
FoV Secrets Room
Vinehall Classical Concert Series
Tier3 Sunday 8th December at 3.00 pm
The Vinehall concert series continues its 36th season of International Classical Concerts with a performance by Tier 3, a stunning piano trio with a curious name!
Tier3 came into being as a piano trio in Covid lockdown, when the three members decided to play together because they were all living locally in Tier 3! You will remember (if you can bear it) that the country ended up in Covid tiers in 2020. Daniel Grimwood is well-known to local audiences but is now well-established as a world-leading exponent of 19th century piano music. Jonathan Ayling (cello) will be recognised by many concertgoers as he is in Principal Cellist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Joseph Wolfe (violin) studied with the great Gyorgy Pauk at the Royal Academy of Music and has now a career split between playing the violin and conducting. He is the son of the late great Sir Colin Davis, but chose a stage name to allow him to pursue his own musical path.
The trio will perform a truly wonderful programme of piano trio gems. Firstly, Mozart’s beautiful Trio no 5 in B flat and then a trio by the Czech composer Vitĕzslav Novák (1870-1949). Novak’s Piano Trio No.2, Quasi una Ballata, is a relatively early work and is a soulful and often tempestuous ballad. The composer was taught by Dvorak and in the same composition class as Josef Suk, writing at that stage in a style not dissimilar to Rachmaninov. After the interval we will hear Haydn’s most famous piano trio – often called the ‘Gypsy Rondo’ owing to the melodies woven into the last movement. We finish with one of the great works of the late Romantic repertoire, Arensky’s Trio in D minor. The composer was a protegee of Tchaikovsky and composed in a very similar style. Indeed, their piano trios are often found paired on the same recording. It is a passionate late Romantic work and if you don’t know it, I suspect you will definitely want it on your Christmas list!
Not surprisingly, this concert is sold out, but we do have a few seats and sometimes get returns. If you find yourself free on Sunday then please email geoffreywhitehead@vinehallschool.com for details.
If you would like to receive the newsletters with updates of all our concerts, then please email geoffreywhitehead@vinehallschool.com. If you have friends or family who would enjoy hearing top-level International musicians at Vinehall then please forward their email address.