Welcome to the latest edition of Birkdale Buzz. This term has thrown all sorts of excitement our way in the

shape of Oscar winning visitors, trips, Harvest Festivals, Open Day, numerous matches, music days – not to

mention plenty of hard work in the classroom!

I hope you enjoy looking at the photos and reading about many of the activities your boys have been involved

with this term. I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone and by the time you read this we will have enjoyed

the usual Birkdale Prep traditional Christmas events such as the House General Knowledge Competition, the

Pre-Prep Nativity Play, the Christmas sing-along and the Carol Service at the Jubilee Centre.

Do enjoy Birkdale Buzz and have a fantastic Christmas holiday. Mr Burch

Christmas Term 2011

A Grand Day out with Wallace and gromit

Boys and staff were delighted to welcome four-time Oscar winner Nick Park to the Prep School this term. There was much excitement as the boys eagerly awaited the arrival of Nick plus 2 of his friends – Wallace and Gromit. The boys gasped with delight when Nick took real Wallace and Gromit models from their case. He explained how the models were made and how a film was put together. Many lucky boys had the opportunity of asking Nick questions like “How old were you when you made your first film?” and “Why does Wallace like cheese so much?” Pre-Prep pupils were delighted to show off the play-doh models they had made in his honour. Nick also judged an art competition where over 40 boys created storyboards with a theme of “Wallace and Gromit at the Beach”. Nick was thoroughly impressed by the standard of the work with first prize of a signed sketch going to Joel Ford in P4. Mr Burch said “We feel very lucky to have welcomed such a special guest. It was a fantastic morning, one which the boys will remember for a long time to come.”

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

On Thursday 30 September Pre-Prep had a tea party to celebrate this term’s topic. They all came in bright, colourful costumes which were related to food. Some boys dressed as chefs others were bananas, hotdogs and other delicious foods. The day included lots of food activities and the boys learnt about the part in Alice in Wonderland where the characters had a tea party. Mr Leighton delighted the boys by showing them his ‘mad’ hat collection!

The boys had a great time dressing up and having a party. Thanks are sent to the parents who provided treats for the boys to share with their friends.

Reported by Joel Ford and Rishin Madan

Book Illustrator Visit

Pre-Prep were delighted to welcome the children's book illustrator Stephen Waterhouse to school for the day. Mr Waterhouse began by entertaining the boys and sharing the story of 'The Runaway Chapati'. A book which he illustrated. The boys then returned to class where they were able to see more of Mr Waterhouse's pictures in detail. He talked to the boys about the process of creating a story book character before they had the chance to develop their own. The boys and staff are very grateful for the support and encouragement given by Stephen and hope he will be able to visit again.

Chocolate Heaven

Back in September PP3 went to ‘Chocolate by Design’ in Chesterfield. The journey was 40 minutes there and back by coach. They had great fun making their own lolly pops and chocolate models. Whilst they were there the boys did some research on where chocolate was made, how it was made and by whom. They used colourings on the chocolate and had a look at what can happen. At the end of the morning the boys had a taste of some chocolate which was the highlight of the day! All the boys really enjoyed themselves at ‘Chocolate by Design’. Reported by Joshua Hattersley and Pablo Mills

Getting Fired up about Art

Pre Prep 1 had a great trip to Fired Arts. To get there the boys went on public buses. At Fired Arts they painted plates with fruit on. Because the paint in the bottles didn’t look the same after they were fired in the massive oven, the boys looked at the painted lizards on the wall for the colours they wanted. Here is what a Pre-Prep boy had to say about the trip: “ We painted the clay plates. It was very fun and we could put different shapes on our plates. After we finished the plates went into a massive oven to be made shiny.” The boys are looking forward to seeing their plates after they are fired. They will be displayed back at school before they take them home to use. Over all it was a great trip for all the boys, who were all very well behaved. Reported by George Burch and Oliver Hutchins

Muffin Making madness

On 27 September the Pre-Prep boys got to work accessorising their own muffin for a competition held at the Broomhill Festival. All the boys decorated a muffin using the toppings they were given, vanilla icing and lots of sweets. Here are a few quotes from Pre-Prep boys: “It was really fun,” said Raveen Bohm. “I loved decorating mine,” said Calum Chapman. All the decorated muffins were very well accessorised but the best ones from each class were chosen to receive a prize from school. Here are the winners: Felix Walker from PP1G, Daniel Jackson from PP1M, Fergus Cook from PP2H, Ewan Gillott from PP2A, William Greenwood from PP3W and Matthew Morris from PP3KR.

We were delighted when it was announced at the festival that all the entries from Pre-Prep won the 2nd place rosette in the Baking competition.

Reported By Dylan Bohm and Nitesh Das

Nativity at Totley Hall

Farm

The boys arrived at the farm and were ushered into

the big barn to add a costume over winter coats to

re-enact the Nativity story.

The boys were thrilled to be greeted by Rosie the

cow. The story was certainly brought to life when

Mary rode to Bethlehem on a real donkey! The

shepherds brought beautiful baby lambs to baby

Jesus which everyone enjoyed cuddling later.

The boys enjoyed eating their picnic lunch in the

barn before the special moment when they met

Father Christmas in his grotto. They left with

beaming smiles and a special early present.

Prep Music day A great day was enjoyed by all at the Prep

School Music Day. This was a celebration of

music at Birkdale and boys were asked to dress

up for the occasion. There was an eclectic mix

of outfits, covering a wide variety of musical

tastes. From Bruno Mars to Ozzy Osbourne -

the costumes were superb.

The day concluded with a

concert by the talented

peripatetic staff to both

pupils and parents.

We Wish you a Merry Christmas...There has been so much fun

and excitement in the run up to Christmas .

Here are a few highlights...

Father Christmas came to visit .

Christmas Lunch

Pre-Prep Play

Christmas Sing-along

Birkdale News Team

The website articles produced in the Prep School will now be written by our new ‘Website News Team’. We were delighted by the many volunteers in Prep 4 who put themselves forward to join the news team and report on the many events that happen here at Prep School. Taking their note books in hand the boys will research trips and activities taking place around school. Next they will hit the computer to commit their work to type before it will be published onto the website news pages. We hope you enjoy reading the boys’ stories as they are certainly excited about the opportunity to see their work on the WWW.

Remembrance Day

Pupils and staff from the Prep School attended a Remembrance Day Service led by Major Kirkham MBE TD on 11 November.

The service highlighted the huge loss of life across the two World Wars and the more recent conflicts, including Afghanistan. Mr Kirkham read extracts from a poem by John McCrae, which is probably one of the most famous of the Great War. Extracts from 'For the Fallen' by Laurence Binyon were also shared: They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. Following a two minute silence Angus Hackney (Prep 4) played the Last Post providing a fitting end to a moving and thought provoking service.

Happy Christmas from Dr Owen

I have really enjoyed visiting the Prep School this term as the boys are so

enthusiastic and welcoming. My assemblies have focused on developing skills for

life and allowed me to indulge my love of ‘Shrek’. I also really enjoyed the Pre-Prep

Nativity and the Prep Carol Service.

May I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Charity Update

We are so fortunate for the fantastic support we have for our school chari-ties. We recently sent a terrific 227 shoeboxes to ‘Operation Christmas Child’. This is the highest amount ever from the Prep School beating the previous record by 3 boxes. The boys had a super week raising money for Children in Need. The final total was £935.53. Thank you for all the generous donations of cakes and buns. The boys enjoyed the extra treat at snack time and the playground was an exciting place to be with the competitions and games.

Charities Fair

The Christmas Charities Fair was once again a rip roaring

success with a wider variety of stalls than ever before.

A fantastic £1412.16 was raised which will be

donated to this year’s nominated charity, Home Start

Sheffield. They offer a unique service recruiting and

training volunteers, who are usually parents themselves,

to visit families at home. They offer them informal,

friendly and confidential support.

Well done to all those

involved!

Opening of Prep School

extension

We were all thrilled when the new Prep School entrance

opened earlier this

term. It has made a

huge difference to the

school with more

space for everyone to

enjoy.

Exciting news—Prep School Re-development plans

We were delighted to inform parents of the next major investment in the Prep School that has been authorised by the Board of Governors.

The School has entered into a conditional contract with the owners of Belmayne House, which is situated just up from the Prep School off Clarke Drive. Subject to planning consent being granted by the Local Authority for a change of use from the current use as offices to educational use, the School will acquire Belmayne House to provide new accommodation for the Pre-Prep Department.

Our planning application for the change of use has been submitted and parents will be kept informed of its progress.

There have been some cracking rugby results this term and it is fantastic to see so many boys representing the school.

This term the Under 9 and Under 11 teams have enjoyed wearing new team strips kindly purchased by FOBS. Here are this term’s results:

U9a U9b

v Bradford Grammar W 20-10 v S. Anselms W 50-5

v S. Anselms W 20-0 v Silcoates W 20-5

v Old Vicarage W 15-10 v Hymers L 30-0

v Bronte House D 10-10

v QEGS L 35-0

v Ranby House W 35-0

v Silcoates W 40-15

v Derby Grammar W 35-30

v Hymers L 15-10

v Barlborough W 40-5

U10a U10b

v Bradford Grammar W 55-15 v Bradford Grammar W 75-0

v Hymers W 40-15 v Old Vicarage ‘A’ L 35-30

v Mylnhurst U11 W 47-7 v Hymers L 30-25

v Bronte House W 70-5 v The Elms ‘A’ L 30-10

v Hill House W 48-10 v Silcoates W 65-5

v Silcoates W 45-0 v QEGS D 25-25

v QEGS L 25-5

v Barlborough Hall W 40-10

U11a U11b

v Bradford Grammar W 56-5 v Bradford Grammar W 62-0

v S. Anselms W 35-10 v S. Anselms W 45-20

v Bronte House L 24-5 v Old Vicarage ‘A’ L 30-20

v Ranby House W 42-0 v Bronte House D 5-5

v Hymers L 14-5 v Ranby House W 31-0

v The Elms L 21-14 v Mylnhurst ‘A’ W 24-12

v Silcoates W 56-5 v Hymers W 36-0

v Derby Grammar W 36-5 v The Elms W 34-10

v Barlborough Hall W 28-14 v Silcoates W 87-0

There have also been a number of Football matches played this term. The U10s won the ‘Trophy’ section of the Foremarke Hall 6 a side tournament while the U11 team have reached stage 2 of the ESFA National Tournament.

On three Sundays this term twenty boys from Prep 4 have represented Birkdale at Basketball. They have competed against the Sheffield Arrows and teams from Rotherham and Barnsley. Congratulations to all our Basketball players!

We now look forward to more Rugby fixtures, Rugby sevens tournaments, Football fixtures and the house swimming gala during the Easter Term.

I hope the whole family will try this together and enjoy finding ways to discover some of the

answers. The main idea is to have fun doing it. Each entry earns 10 House Points for that house.

Prizes to top scorers throughout the school. There will be a special prize for the most original or

amusing answer. Please submit your completed quiz at the beginning of next term.

HAVE FUN!!!

What does a cygnet become?

What woollen headgear was named after a Crimean battle?

Which football team plays at Stamford Bridge?

In which city are ‘The Backs’?

What lived under the Billy Goats Gruff’s bridge?

What jersey is worn by the Tour de France King of the Mountains?

What is the name for the end of a glacier?

How big is a drop of drizzle?

What is a Red Admiral?

Which moor is made famous by a song?

Which whale dives deepest?

Which mythical creature was half man, half horse?

Which state lies immediately west of Indiana?

The world’s largest flower is named after the founder of which city?

Who first sailed non-stop, single-handed, round the world?

Which artist drew a rhinoceros without ever having seen one?

What did Mao Zedong, Casanova and Anthea Turner have in common?

A 13th century piece of furniture suggests there were 25 of them. A classic comedy film of 1975 suggests

there were six, mainly for budgetary reasons. Other historical sources suggest anywhere between 12 and1600.

What?

The Union flag appears in the top left corner of the flag of which US state?

Where, when, and with what is it still okay to shoot a Welsh person? Mr Burch