PAST EVENTS

Yom Kippur

We had a wonderful assembly presented by one of our governors, Mr Sumroy, who told us about Yom Kippur.

PGL ACTIVITY HOLIDAY

Twenty four pupils from Herries set off to go to PGL. We stopped off at a country park, which was fun because it had a good play park. After a few more hours, we arrived at Osmington Bay PGL. We took our bags up a hill where we were told our dormitories. After we were settled into our dorms, our group leader, who called herself Squirrel, showed us around. The next day we did climbing and abseiling. After lunch we did mountain biking, which was one of my favourite activities. Then we did zipwire. After dinner there were wacky races and tuck shop and then it was the end of day 2. On day 3, we did quad biking, orienteering and tunnel trail, which was good because we had an hour to go round exploring them. On our last day we put our bags in a room, had lunch and went dragon boating. On the coach on the way home we watched some DVDs. When the coach parked at School, I was very happy to get out, as it was along journey. It was the best PGL ever. By a Year 6 pupil.

Music and Dance Workshop Day

The day began with a music workshop where the children had the opportunity to create compositions and perform alongside highly skilled, professional musicians. In the afternoon the children were introduced to classical Indian Dance based on the Kathak style. It is the oldest form of theatrical dance which involves the use of story- telling Mudros hand gestures.The children thoroughly enjoyed performing energetic dances. The older children will be using this style of dance in their summer production.

Herries Ski Trip

The trip to Saas Fee at the end of March was a great success. Conditions for skiing were excellent and the slopes were not at all crowded – no queuing for gondolas or ski lifts and plenty of time and space for the children and parents to improve their techniques. All the children worked very hard in Ski School and the instructors, Alfredo and Elli, were delighted with the progress made. The hotel, plus Richard, the PGL representative, looked after us very well and a fun, relaxed time was had by all. Everyone, both parents and children, thoroughly enjoyed themselves and I am pleased to report that everyone came back in one piece.

Falconry Display

Jan Prymaka from the Falcon Rescue Centre in Hertfordshire, brought six birds of prey: a Barn Owl called Ollie, a little Falcon called Diamond, a Kestrel called Widget, a big Falcon called Sapphire, a Tawny Owl called ZZ (Zizzi) and an Asian Eagle Owl called Boo. The best bit was learning all the facts and seeing them fly over our heads, sweeping across the Hall

Written bya Year 4 pupil.

Marlow Music Festival

Last Thursday, the newly formed Herries School Choir had their first outing to the Marlow Music Festival. The Choir is made up of all the children in Years 3-6 and they have been practicing since the beginning of term. They were entered in the Under 11 Choir class Their two songs were: ‘The Rhythm of Life’ and ‘Any Dream Will Do’. They were praised by the adjudicator Julia Dewhurst, for their confident part singing, effective dynamics and rhythmic attack and she awarded them 84 marks ‘Commended’, which was only 3 marks below the winner Choir! All in all, it was a fantastic performance by all members of the Choir and they should be proud to have come away with a bronze medal.

Kieran Behan

A member of Great Britain's gymnastic team visited Herries. The children were extremely motivated and inspired by his fantastic gymnastic demonstration. He demonstrated the basic skills needed in his sport and talked about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. The children completed a healthy lfestyle fitness challenge.

Heineken Cup

Rugby's European Cup was proudly displayed to the children at a special assembly. The cup was introduced by London Wasps community officer Jonny Hutchings who spoke to the pupils about the importance of teamwork and healthy living, and revealed the amount of work that went into winning European Rugby's most prestigious prize.

Shadow Puppetry

This Thursday morning, children from Nursery, Reception, Years 1, 2 and 3 took part in a shadow puppet workshop. This was set up to support their Science and English classroom work. The Nursery and Reception children made wonderful puppets related to the ‘Underwater’ theme and Years 1, 2 and 3 made puppets from Traditional Tales. The children had a lot of fun designing and making their moveable puppets and then making interesting shadows with them

TOWER OF LONDON AND GUN SALUTE

by a pupil in Year 6

On a frosty, crisp Tuesday morning this week, Mrs Morris, Mrs Bradberry, Mrs Garrett plus Year 6 all started out on a very special adventure. We had been invited, by Colonel Garrett (Jeremy's father) to watch the Gun Salute at the Tower of London in honour of the visit to England of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia . We were going to catch the train to London from Cookham Station to visit the Honourable Artillery Company and then on to the Tower of London .

It was a long journey to London but we wrote little stories and drew pictures to pass the time. When we arrived at Paddington we caught the tube to Moorgate Station where we jumped off and started our long walk to the headquarters of the Honourable Artillery Company. They let us in and we saw massive guns. Then we met Colonel Garrett dressed in his uniform. We went out in the yard to see the guns close up but we were not allowed to touch them. A man explained all about the guns, their parts and how they worked. Colonel Garrett came to check the guns and we were given ear protectors before getting into the minibus with a siren. The guns led the way on the back of a car helped by a police escort and we followed behind. We drove very fast and people were staring at us. We were strapped in tightly as it was going to be a fast and furious ride!

When we got out of the minibus we sat on the grass at the Tower of London and saw the guns being set up. A man came out and let us try on his bearskin hat. What an honour that was. We were told to put our ear protectors on. Bang, Bang!! The first gun shot across the river. It was so loud. There were 41 shots in all.

We had our lunch and looked round the Tower of London. We saw where Ann Boleyn had her head chopped off. We saw the axe and the head block. Some of us got to wear a helmet and leg armour. A visit to see the Bloody Tower was next. This was where the prisoners were kept before beheading, hence the name of Bloody Tower . We saw the ravens and watched them having their food and a massive seagull flew down and ate it. We went into the section which is called the Jewel House and saw the Crown Jewels. We watched film of our present day Queen's Coronation on screens and saw the Coronation spoon in a cabinet.

Leaving the Tower we walked to the tube station for our return to Paddington and then the train via Maidenhead to Cookham Station.I had a wonderful day and thanks to the Garrett family for arranging this.

Written by Year 6 pupil.

Visit by the Mayor

We were pleased to welcome the Mayor of Windsor and Maidenhead, Councillor Leo Walters and his officer, Mr Fred Simmonds. He told all the children about his duties and responsibilities as Mayor. The children were also shown some of the Mayor's regalia. They put on a miniature version of the Mayor's robes and modelled the tricorn hat usually worn by the Lady Mayoress.

Herries Preparatory School, Dean Lane, Cookham Dean, Berkshire SL6 9BD T: 01628 483350 F: 01628 483329 Email: office@herries.ws