St Richard's

A traditional Catholic co-educational boarding school
from Nursery through to Preparatory School

Whoops-A-Daisy Angel - Michaelmas 2011

December came and the school and parents of the Pre-Prep enjoyed the Nativity, this year based on the children’s production ‘Whoops-A-Daisy Angel’.  All the children from Reception age had at least one line, with the children in Pre-Prep Two learning some pretty large amounts of script, written for each individual!  The children, however, really enjoyed the production and were somewhat disappointed when after showing their talents to the main school and then parents the production was over.

The play was complete with angelic angels, shivering shepherds, the dignified Three Kings complete with a King’s Astrologer leading the way, as well as an accident-prone angel played with several worrying trips and stumbles by Charlotte Northcott!   The children had rehearsed very hard and performed really well.  We listened to their lovely singing and enjoyed the dance routine by the ‘Snowflakes’ in Reception.  The Nursery were dressed as little animals visiting the manger and beautifully sang ‘Baa, Baa, Black Sheep’, to great applause.   Costumes were designed and made by Mrs Bennett, again our chief Wardrobe Mistress!  Boz arranged the lighting and Mrs Bull, Head of Music, taught and practised the songs with the children until each word was heard and the tunes forever in our heads!  The children spent many play sessions singing while climbing the trees and rolling down banks and also as they walked to lessons around the school.  The main school probably knew the songs quite well themselves by the time of the production!

The children understood the importance of the message, achieved what quite a few thought they couldn’t and most of all enjoyed themselves and that really is the point.

In the words of Ariel the Angel, played by Alexis Loveday:
“On behalf of the Pre-Prep Department may we wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas.”

Aladdin

The Conquest - Michaelmas 2011



Click here to see the Aladdin Collage.
And here to order photographs.

The script was witty, casting perfect, acting accomplished, directing superb – yet another polished performance from the St Richard’s Pantomime team.
As always the senior members of school rose to the occasion and relished their roles.   While the lead parts taken by the children were central, the foil produced by the two adults was sublime.
Disappointing though it was not to see the Headmaster in drag again, it was more than made up for by Hardy’s wonderful Widow Twanky – especially his/her leap into Fu Manchu’s arms.
The public performance ethos that is so important to St Richard’s was fully evident in the confidence displayed by all the cast, right down to the young Weenie Geenies.
Space on this page limits too much individual comment but as always the leads played just the right mix of acting and overacting that Panto demands, while as always there were the ‘cheeky chappies/chappesses’ who almost stole the show.



Well done to all.

(what they wrote about us...)


This is a splendidly outdoorsy school that prides itself on its sturdy academic record, good manners and smart uniform (boys wear shorts all year). Lots of riding for those who want it; no one-trick ponies here, though, with the hockey girls also on top form and a new sports hall on the way.

Music lessons are super-popular, and very sensibly run on a weekly rota to ensure that the same class isn't missed each week. Everyone gets involved in everything here — sports, concerts, pantos, garden competitions, you name it. 'Where children are encouraged to be children' runs the school motto; head Nathan Cheesman has five of his own, so he knows what makes small minds tick.

Abberley Cross Country

20th October 2011


"It was excellent to be part of a very successful St Richard's effort across all four teams.  Abberley organised it brilliantly and I will cherish the memory of the success."  William Hayward

  Abigail Cunningham – first in the Senior Girls
  William Hayward – first in the Senior Boys
  Senior Girls Team – third place
  Senior Boys Team – second place

  Felicity Hayward – third in the Junior Girls
  Junior Girls Team – third place



Well done everybody !

Interschool Showjumping
Kings Equestrian Centre

Sunday 16th October 2011




Sunday dawned to a slightly cold but clear morning to find Mrs P already boxing up the horses at St Richard's for the trip to Kings Equestrian Centre. Having asked for an early start to accommodate the other activities over the Full Boarding Weekend she was perhaps slightly regretting it (as were the parents who were helping!). However the 6 horses and riders assembled in good time to walk the course at the splendid arena. The jumps were gaily painted and set at the challenging 2’ height and the sound system played ‘comfortable’ music (ie suitable for the riders’ parents!).

Phoebe Jackson on Harry Potter
Ali Hawkins on Jimmy
Lucy Blum on Ruby
Natalya Wolloshin on Sid
Tiggy Cowan Taylor on Chester
Emily Archer on Gracie

This was a strong competition with schools coming from Shropshire, Powys as well as closer to home. The course was quick and combined both a need for a clear round and a quick time in one go – no opportunity for a steady clear round to get into one’s stride.

The enthusiasm of the riders overcame their nerves and produced some excellent displays. There were some falls, some faults and one clear round but all enjoyed it.

Congratulations to all participants, especially Lucy and Emily for their quick times and Phoebe Jackson for her clear round. Later in the day Lucy also competed at the 2'3" to 2'6" class and came a very admirable 6th; and Gwen Thomas came an equally admirable 10th in the 3'2" class.  All the classes were very well subscribed. Thank you as ever to Mrs P and also to the parents who helped with the transport and support. Cluedo Night - Christmas 2011

Inter School Show Jumping

Hartbury, Gloucestershire

Saturday 1st October




Isolde Watt on Puzzle
Gwen Thomas on Davy
Abigail Cunningham on Henry V
Caroline Lewis on Kizmet



The girls had a lovely time at Hartpury International arena on Saturday.  They entered the 80cm JWS (Jumping with Style).

The course consists of show jumps and then a timed section of cross-country-style jumps.  Style marks are awarded and the usual faults system is in place.

The team rode well and they finished third, only four faults behind Kings Worcester and Pinewood Swindon.


Secondary School
Entrance Examinations

Congratulations to all last year's canditates all of whom
achieved entrance into their first choice of Secondary School



Tatiana Watt St Mary’s, Calne (with an Exhibition)
Danielle BrowneHaberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls
Fergus HeadLeighton Park School, Berkshire
Henry HydeHereford Cathedral School
James LewisBredon School
Josepha PakeschMalvern College
Isabella PhillipsHereford Cathedral School
Daniel SmithSt Mary’s Lugwardine
James WrightonHereford Cathedral School


Best of luck to them all, including our
overseas students who have returned to their home countries.

Welcome to the News Page

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News in Brief
Bag2School

Many thanks to all those who contributed to
the Bag2School last term
- we raised £315 !

Well done Tom Harvey (again) who has achieved a Sports Scholarship to Malvern College.

Congratulations to Tom Harvey who qualified for County Cricket and Callum Brayshaw who qualified for County Rugby earlier this term.

Many thanks to everyone who bought Thank You Cards (Main School) or Christmas Cards (Pre-Prep & Nursery) : we have raised over £500.

 
Congratulations to our 'royal' family for Michaelmas 2011 :

 KING – Lucy Marriott
QUEEN – Katy Garratt
JACK – Seren Middleton



Jolly hockey sticks for the U11 Colts Girls who came runners up at the Herefordshire Hockey Tournament at Leominster  and now go through to the West of England Hockey Championships at Millfield School in March.


Well done Geni Bunce, Anna Skyrme and Sam Dent who hit the high notes earlier this week : they have all been offered a place in the
National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.


Congratulations to Will Hayward,
who came 2nd out of
approximately 50 boys in the
Shrewsbury School Hunt
Cross Country
on Sunday 6th November.


On Monday 10th October,
Red, White and Blue Day,
we raised £230 in support of Ten for Ten.
Many thanks for your donations.

Congratulations to Abigail Cunningham and Phoebe Boswell-Ellis who both qualified for U14 County Netball earlier this term.
 

If you would like to add an article then please email the school
with as much information as possible and your contact details.

Staff Netball Match
December 2011

The Staff Netball match was played last week.  The volunteers from the Staff enabled there to be 3 teams – The Elves, The Snowmen and The Reindeer.  Clad in an array of costumes – lots of Rudolph’s flashing noses and antlers, a bizarre assortment of snowmen and then those who just grabbed any fancy dress item they possessed, the motley crew made their way down to the netball courts.

The spectators, many of whom seemed to be supporting the Elves team which consisted of a lot of teachers who happened to have mentioned that reports were still to be finished, watched aghast as there seemed to be a fair deal of dubious play and lots of whistle-blowing from the Umpire, Dicky.

Fortunately each team managed a win in the 3 matches played.  Luckily each match only lasted 12 minutes as most members were struggling with all that running, and, perhaps somewhat unsurprisingly, the most yellow cards were issued to the rather excitable Gap student, Adrian, who was also sent off briefly after some manhandling of fellow Gappie, Jessie!

Mr B managed to win the Fancy Dress costume, which was a bizarre concoction of ski clothing and balloons, but the extra padding served him well as he was knocked to the floor in a moment of excitement!





Fun was had by all, and talks are already in hand for the next Staff Sporting event!




RGS The Grange Cross Country
Friday 25th November 2011



Congratulations to the U11 Girls team who came 1st ...
and Flick Hayward who came 2nd overall and won a Silver Medal ...


... and to the U9 Girls team who also came 1st ...
and India Roberts who came 1st overall and won a gold Medal !

Well done the boys too : Danny Clark who came 3rd overall for the U11 Boys and won a Bronze medal
and the U9 Boys team who came fourth.

Christmas Fayre
23rd November 2011




This year's Christmas Fayre has been another huge success raising a total profit of £4712.95.  This is just under £700 more than last year and, considering our numbers on the door were down by 20 people, is a great result.

£1,000 of this will go towards Salter's Hill, the charity that we are supporting this year.   They are based in Ledbury and provide services for people with learning disabilities.   £1,000 will make a great difference for them.   £2,000 is going to buy us a new piano - to be used by all examinees, in the various concerts, to accompany the Nativity plays and so forth; the remaining £1,700+ will go towards comprehensive storage for musical instruments in the Trophy Display passage.

Thank you to all parents, children and grandparents that donated their time and energy to the St Richard's Country Kitchen and to helping Lucy and I on the day.  Kim Cunningham, Lisa Elliott and Jane Lewis took the St Richard's Country Kitchen stall to a new level this year ...  the stall looked absolutely amazing and took over £900 on the day.  After scooping up the produce that was left and filling beautiful baskets and hampers to be raffled at the Pantomime, that total was increased by around £400.

With thanks to all, Alice Crichard

Prep Schools' Netball Tournament
Wrekin College


On 2nd October 2011 the U11 Netball team went to Wrekin College for the Prep Schools’ Netball Tournament.   There were nine other schools – (most, if not all, of which play netball this term while we play only hockey !).   The 10 teams were split into two groups of five and everyone played everyone within their group.   St Richard’s won all four matches in their heat (6 minutes each way) !  We entered the semi-finals aware that we had a good chance of winning but sadly, despite a valiant fight, we lost by just one goal – and that was scored in the last minute !  But, not downcast for long, we went into the play-off for third place and came out victorious.

It was a brilliant afternoon : as always beautifully organised by Wrekin College and all the play went smoothly.   Our team played with style and agility employing some very successful tactics : they were a pleasure to watch and clearly enjoyed partaking too.
Any consolation for not coming first or second was quickly found in the delicious scones and cream tea after the presentation of medals and a trophy !

Congratulations to our players :
Back row : Flick, Holly, Claudie, Katy;
Front row : Emily, Octavia, Geni, Lucy
and of course big thanks to Mrs Harvey and Pip, not only for taking them, but their continual devotion to the cause.

NSEA Dressage
Saturday October 22nd



Congratulations to ...

... Gwen Thomas, riding for St Richard's on Skeyria Davy, who won the prelim 14 individual title with a fantastic score of 72.08.

... and Abi Cunningham, riding Henry V, who also rode a lovely test in their first ever pure dressage competition.

It was a large class of 26 riders from schools including Malvern St James, Oswestry, Lucton, Hereford Cathedral, Tewkesbury and HMSG and Bridgnorth.

Gwen is pictured with Grace Thomas who won the individual Novice24 for Hereford Cathedral.

Plain Sailing for Jamie Hawkins - Summer 2011


Jamie Hawkins has had his wish to go on a cruise around the Greek Islands with his family granted by Starlight Children’s Foundation, the UK’s leading wish granting charity for children with serious and terminal illnesses. Described by his mother Katie as a “fantastic, brave little boy who loves to entertain”, Jamie was sadly diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in 2007. As a result of his life-threatening condition, Jamie had to undergo an intensive form of treatment and spent a lot of time in hospital away from his friends.

Jamie was referred to Starlight for a once-in-a-lifetime wish and although he has plenty of hobbies and interests, such as Star Wars, the army, cricket and snorkelling, the youngster knew exactly what his wish would be. Fascinated by the idea of a ‘hotel ship’, Jamie asked to go on a cruise around the Greek Islands with his family.

Starlight organised for Jamie, his parents Katie and Anthony, and sisters Ali and Matilda to spend seven nights aboard ‘Pearls of the Aegean’, which is a cruise ship that sails from Corfu to a number of world-famous Greek destinations, such as Athens and Crete, and idyllic islands, such as Mykonos and Katakolon.

Starlight grants once-in-a-lifetime wishes for seriously and terminally ill children, restoring the magic and fun of childhood and giving the whole family happy memories to share, whatever the future holds.

Starlight also creates entertainment in every hospital and hospice throughout the UK. Sick children go to Starlight parties, laugh their way through pantomimes, go out on Starlight Escapes, play games and watch films on the Starlight Fun Centre, and enjoy the toys and puzzles of the Starlight Distraction Box. Happy children respond better to treatment and Starlight helps children to forget about their illness and simply have a bit of fun.

To refer a brave child like Jamie or to make a donation visit www.starlight.org.uk or call 020 7262 2881. For every £1 you donate, Starlight can assure you that over 91p goes towards helping Starlight’s very ill children.

St Richard's Library


Over the past 2 or 3 years we have received a steady trickle of books for the library, whether they be new books or donated second-hand ones.  The most recent to arrive are the complete set of Harry Potter, purchased with money raised from the sale of surplus books in the library, and half the set of Chestnut Hill, generously donated.  Previous books to find a home in our library include the complete set of Dead Famous, Horrible Histories and Horrible Science, a fabulous set of children's DK Encyclopaedia, probably close to 100 novels and many more.

At the front of the new sign-out book is a Suggestion Sheet where children are asked to put the names of books that they would like to see in the library.  If you have any ideas, or good sources, for books then please let us know either via the Suggestion Sheet or to the School Office.   There can be no guarantee these books will be bought but it will help us keep aware of what is wanting.

If you see your child reading a library book, after giving them a pat on the back - after all that's what it's all about, please check that they signed it out and encourage them to return it to the library (and take out another) when they have finished it.  This way we can keep the library full of vibrant literature for all ages.

We are still collecting for books through Nestlé.  Please put any tokens collected into the boxes provided on the windowsill in Main School or in the Pre-prep.   Alternatively take them up to the School Office.