Lower Sixth Induction Camp

Meet some of our Sixth Form pupils - Hanna, Diego, Anna lotte, Pawel, Josh, Anmol, Utako, Elliot, Gabby, Emily, Misha and Becky

We arrived somewhere in an English forest (apparently Ross on Wye). Straight away we got stuck in to some team building games to bond as a group before we started canoeing. After some tight rope walking and catching each other from falling on the floor, the trust was sufficient to get onto the water. We got started paddling our 15 miles down the River Wye making VERY slow progress... Emily and I weren’t exactly a ‘dream team’ and Anmol and Becky could barely keep themselves out of the trees that lined the river bank! So it wasn’t long before we had to have a bit of a rearrange of teams. With new partners and new tactics we quickly made progress! But the night (and darkness) was fast approaching and we had to speed up if we were to set up our camp and eat before Mr Tucker got grouchy (he doesn’t like the dark). Before we were allowed a morsel of food we had to scavenge for firewood for our ‘stove’ and attempt to put up our hammocks for ‘sleeping’ in. Watery ‘Thai red’ chicken curry à la Mrs Lee had never tasted so good, we were all so exhausted and hungry. But not too exhausted to roast marshmallows!!

The hammocks seemed very sturdy and everybody settled down for a much-needed night’s sleep... apart from me. I guess my scouting skills weren’t quite up to scratch as in the middle of the night I plunged to the floor, my hammock flailing everywhere, leaving me soaking wet and homeless for the night whilst the others slept tightly in their cocoons. That was probably the worst nights ‘sleep’ of my life. But at least I was the first one awake and ready for breakfast! A big pot of porridge was served up (much like prison food or gruel with the odd apple) which was okay with a splodge of nutella... ahh nutella... at least the British understand SOME French customs.

After our continental petit-dejeuner, it was time for some archery. Even though

we were all pretty much archery first-timers, by the end at least we could hit the target – 9 times out of 10! All of that weaponry had worn us out but luckily the woodlands had a ready made food source for us to forage for and eat for lunch... nettles!! The boys started on making nettle soup while the girls had pretty much already finished making their delicious, cheesy, herby bread. The girls thrashed the boys with their firelighting skills... watch out for the lower sixth BBQ, boys! After all of that excitement it was a real shame to pack everything up and think about going home. From not knowing each other to becoming best of friends (kind of) we were ready to start our journey on the IB! I didn’t want to leave the beautiful Wye Valley, but I was ready to have a shower.

Written by Pawel de la Bassetiere (Lower Sixth) with a bit of help from his friends!

Year 5 and 6 Visit to RNLI – Whitmore Bay, Barry Island Year 5 and 6, accompanied by Mr Giannotti, Mrs Thomas and Miss Miah, thoroughly enjoyed their day of water safety and learning to bodyboard at Barry Island beach. They had been invited to attend the course, run by the RNLI, to increase their awareness of water safety, and to have some fun learning the basic skills of bodyboarding. The water based activities (thank goodness for the wetsuits!) included: wading and dolphin diving; how to rescue someone using a ‘tube’ (float with a rope attached); body surfing; board skills including; body position and paddling skills; negotiating the surf and catching a wave. Everyone had a great time and received certificates from the RNLI for their participation in the course, and all returned to school tired but exhilarated by their experience. The children were, as always, a credit to the school, and a pleasure to take on a trip.

Elliot Ismail - Sponsored Bike Ride

On the weekend of the 6th of September, my father and I set out to ride from London to Paris in aid of the British Heart Foundation. 250 miles over 3 gruelling days. After riding 76 miles on Saturday, 85 miles on Sunday and 93 miles on Monday we found ourselves arriving at The Palace of Versailles, Paris, on a miserable, Monday afternoon. It had been tough! I had managed, due to a recently re-covered road surface, to fall off and buckle my wheel within 8 miles on the first day, not before getting lost and going another 5 miles off course later on! But the aches and pains were all worth it in the end, the group of three, including Phil our support driver, raised over £2700 and the total group raised around £150,000 so it was a great success, but I’m still aching now!

Written by Elliot Ismail, Lower Sixth

The Williams Runners! Once again, Ysobelle (Y10) and Samuelle (Y9) Williams have impressed us with their running skills! Sam has won the Under 15 Schools County 1500m Championship & the Welsh Regional 1500m. He won an award that recognised him as the U15 1500M Champion for Track & Field for Cardiff & Vale Schools. Ysobelle has also been busy coming second in the Under 15 County Championships & second overall at the Regional Welsh Championships in the 300m. Congratulations both!

Lunches with Foxy As you may be aware, the School lunches are provided by a local Delicatessen: ‘Foxy’s Deli’. Attached is some information on Foxy’s and their tasty menu! Prices are just £3 per pupil which includes a hot meal, sandwich, baguette... and a dessert (piece of fruit, yogurt or cake).

If your son/daughter would like to include any of their achievements in the newsletter please email any photos

or write-ups to Miss Underhill enquiries@westbourneschool.com.

Norway Exhibition 2014

We would like to ask for final confirmation from students who would like to take part in the expedition to Norway proposed for July 2014. Details of this wonderful opportunity can be found attached along with this newsletter. If you would like to register your child for this trip (and have not already spoken to Mrs Lee) or if you require further information, please contact Mrs Lee before this date. We are hoping to enlist a sufficient number of students to allow this excellent experience to go ahead.

Our Assemblies On Thursday 12th September the Junior School had their weekly assembly where a child from each year group received the 'Star of the Week'. In Nursery it was Gethin Barber, in Reception it was Darcie Guyer and William Smith, in Year 1 it was Rubigia Pavalenthiran, in Year 2 it was Henry Guyer, in Year 3 it was Iman Yusuf, in Year 4 it was Myles Patton and Year 5 it was Chloe Hobbs. Keep up the good work!

After the Year 5 and 6 visit to RNLI, pupils received a certificate for completing the RNLI Hit the Surf programme. Pictured right are Year 5 with Mr Underhill and Mr Giannotti and Year 6 are below. The cold and wet actually paid off!

Well Done to all pupils!

Westbourne Musicians We would like to congratulate Charlotte Chorlton (Year 6, left) and Alice Cadenhead (Year 10, right) for passing their singing exams both achieving a merit. Charlotte passed her grade 1 exam and Alice passed her grade 5 exam! Westbourne offers a range of music lessons from, for example, singing to piano lessons, woodwind to violin and the cello. Please contact the school for further information.