Head’s blog
Dear Parents
I am pleased that there has been a change in the winds this week and that for the last couple of days the temperatures have started to climb; long may it continue! I am sure that parents have enjoyed the absence of snow even if their relief has not been shared by the children!
Under 13 IAPS Netball Nationals
Our Under 13 Netball team did brilliantly on Tuesday to win the IAPS Netball Regional Finals. On Friday they took part in the IAPS National Finals held at Basildon Sporting Village. The wet weather was challenging and the number of games the girls had to play against some tough opponents was gruelling but they were just tremendous.
After playing 5 matches to win their group stage the girls met St Mary’s Hall in the quarter final, beating them 8-4. They also performed brilliantly in the semi- final beating St Olave’s 9-4. They finally met Hurst Prep School in the final. After going behind early on in the match, the girls were always chasing the game against a highly accomplished side. Despite the bravest of efforts, Hurst won the final 5-2. Although disappointed, the Under 13 netballers should be incredibly proud of being the IAPS National Under 13 Netball runners up; the school’s greatest netball performance in its history. The team have trained hard every Friday after school this year and the tough opposition the girls experienced in Antigua last year all helped prepare them for this level.
It took me over two hours to get to the tournament and I got absolutely drenched on the side line but it was worth it. It was a real privilege to see the skill, grit and determination of our Year 8 girls; Head’s commends all round in assembly!
The Wind Singer musical
Last week 18 Belmontians took part in a pitch for a new musical. Sarah Llewellyn, one of our piano teachers, is also a composer in residence with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has been working on a musical adaptation of ‘The Wind Singer’ – based on the children’s novel by William Nicholson. Members of the Belmont Chamber Choir attended BEAM 2018 (a new musical theatre industry showcase) at the Theatre Royal, Stratford. The choir performed to the author himself, Claude-Michel Schönberg (composer of Les Misérables and Miss Saigon), the RSC, the National Theatre, the Ambassadors Theatre and Manchester’s Royal Exchange amongst many others. This was an amazing experience for the children who were fantastic on the day. Thank you to Sarah Llewellyn, Georgina Perrin, Adrian Warren, Connie Greaves and parents for getting the children to the Theatre Royal despite the adverse conditions.
Assembly and Chapel – Honesty and the challenge of being a parent
4RA gave a lovely Chapel yesterday. The children dressed up in different roles to demonstrate the numerous jobs that parents do every day to support their children; cook, nurse, taxi driver and entertainer, to name but a few. The children spoke really well and sang beautifully. The dancing was also very expressive!
Miss Black also gave a great Chapel on Wednesday on the theme of honesty is the best policy. The children took part in a game of ‘Would I Lie to You?’ and had to guess whether teachers’ statements were true or not. It was fascinating to hear that Mr Phillips starred in Carmen at the Royal Albert Hall, Mr Baker has climbed Everest, Miss Black treated the injured rugby legend Lawrence Dallaglio and one teacher only has 4 senses! You will need to speak to the children to find out what was true and what wasn’t.
National Science Week
Our Year 6 pupils led Year 1 Grimsdell pupils in an exciting Science activity this morning. It was lovely to see the excited and smiley faces of so many future Belmontians. Our Year 6 Girls also had a great time over at Mill Hill yesterday learning about Rosalind Franklin and her pioneering work about DNA. Mrs Fisher and Mr Baker have planned a huge range of activities for the children next week as part of National Science Week.
Headmaster’s Commends
Katie Gill – 3NH – For an amazing project on ‘Magnets and their Properties’.
I hope you have a lovely weekend with your family.
Best wishes,
Leon Roberts
