A note from Miss Stockwell

Dear Parents/Guardians

As we come to the end of the spring term, we are pleased to report that our Year 6 girls have been successful in the Trafford and Independent schools examinations.

We would like to thank parents for ensuring that school uniform has been marked appropriately, but would urge you to check that your daughter has not mistakenly brought home uniform marked with another pupil’s name.

Thank you to all parents who take the time to telephone school to inform of absences. However, class teachers require written confirmation, so please provide your child with a short note detailing the reason for absence on return to school.

In the interest of safety parents are reminded that parking in the staff car park is not permitted at any time. Parking is available in the main playground each school day from 8.00 a.m. until 9.15 a.m. and from 3.00 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. Parking is also available on Cavendish Road. Parents are reminded that zig zag lines must remain clear at all times.

May we remind you that class teachers also require written permission from parents when collection at the end of the school day is by someone other than a child’s own parent or guardian. In the event of an emergency, please notify the General Office if you require your child to go to Staylates facility or if you have made a last minute collection arrangement with another parent.

Pupils may return to school after the Easter break in summer uniform if the weather is sufficiently clement. All pupils should be in summer uniform by the end of May. The order number for the Marks & Spencer summer blue dress is T766407. This is the number to use for ordering online or in store.

Although the spring half terms have been relatively short, the pupils have benefited from a very full and varied curriculum and we are sure you will enjoy reading about all of the activities we have participated in.

We wish you a very enjoyable Easter break and look forward to welcoming all our pupils back to classes on Monday 14 April 2008.

Miss M A Stockwell BSc (Hons) - Headteacher
Mrs C A Rochford - Head of Preparatory Department

Spring Calendar

Bingo Night

On the 31 January, the Culcheth Parents’ Society arranged a Bingo night for the parents and pupils in the Preparatory School.

Pupils and parents with winning Bingo numbers thoroughly enjoyed choosing prizes from the wide selection on offer.

Some of the teachers, however, were particularly unlucky this year but Miss Haase is determined to try her luck again next year.

A very big thank you to all the members of the Parents’ Society and staff who helped make the evening so enjoyable!

Miss C Burns
Reception/Year 1

Music by numbers

Many thanks to Mrs Lien for organi s ing this very interesting workshop for Y ear s 5 and 6 on learning music by numbers. All were amazed to discover the close connection between music theory and the number system. The girls enthusiastically joined in clapping various rhythms in groups for a class performance and even composed their very own musical piece which at the end was played by the workshop leaders on their instruments.

An enjoyable morning was had by all.

Miss B Haase
Year 5

Bird Nesting Box

Most of you will remember us telling you about the science workshop held by the University of Manchester last term. As a result of that Dr Michael Dockery has kindly offered us the use of the University’s bird nesting box for this season.

The box is equipped with a camera and enables us to observe the nesting of birds and hatching of eggs. It has been placed at the East side of the grounds and is attached to a TV and video inside the school.

Miss Burns and the children of Reception and Year 1 kindly helped to prepare some food which will hopefully attract the birds! We will keep you informed about the sightings of the birds and their chicks.

Miss B Haase
Year 5

Judo Assembly

On Monday 4 February all the girls from the Prep department took part in a Judo assembly presented by Coach Carl from Judo Education.

During the assembly some of the girls were able to participate in warm-up games such as Smelly Dog, Dead Ants and Jockey’s Up!!

As a result of this very enjoyable assembly we are now running a Judo course on Wednesday afternoons. After each session a trophy is awarded to the girl who has made the best effort.

Certificates are also presented to the winners of the warm-up games.

Mrs S Holt
Year 3

Founders Day

Culcheth Hall celebrated its 117th birthday this year.

The infants and Pre Prep celebrated on Thursday 7 February, holding a very enjoyable service with birthday songs and seasonal poems. Eager volunteers assisted Miss Stockwell in opening the many cards and presents which had been given to school.

Mrs Richardson provided a lovely birthday cake and all of the Pre Prep and Infants were able to share it at their morning snack time.

During the Senior and Junior Service celebration songs and poems were performed and once more cards and presents were opened. The Prep were particularly happy to receive board games to play when the weather is too wet to go outside at break times.

Our school historian Mrs Janet Bradshaw delved once more into the archives to entertain us this year with a highly informative talk on Culcheth Hall’s links to the Suffragette movement.

At both celebrations the Culcheth ‘Daisy’ Brooches were awarded to the girls deemed to embody the Culcheth traditions of good behaviour, good manners and kindness.

Mrs C A Rochford
Head of the Preparatory Department

Altrincham Music Festival  

On Wednesday 5 March, Years 5 and 6 from Culcheth Hall, entered the Altrincham Music Festival held at the Bowdon Assembly Rooms. The festival commenced at 9.30 a.m. and finished at 11.00 a.m.

Eight schools entered the festival. The first school to sing was Altrincham CE Primary School, they sang two songs, ‘Drunken Sailor’ and ‘Half-Way Down the Stairs’. After four other schools, it was our turn to step onto the stage with our conductor Mrs Lien.

We sang ‘The Seed Song’ and ‘This Day’, whilst two judges sat examining us.

After the remaining schools had sung, we sang a song altogether called ‘On Top of Spaghetti’ accompanied by one of the judge’s on guitar. When Culcheth arrived back, we heard our glowing report.

To summarise, it was an enjoyable day, full of fun and great music.

By Katherine Lunt
Year 6

World Book Day

Once again, we celebrated World Book Week with as much enthusiasm as ever. Pupils enjoyed attending the book fair in the Preparatory Gym. Thanks to the commission raised, pupils now have access to even more new, colourful and exciting books in their classrooms.

On 5 March all of the pupils in the Prep continued the book theme by coming to school dressed as their favourite story book character. Snow White, Pippi Longstocking, Tin Man and the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (three characters in one) were among the characters old and new to make an appearance.

A thoroughly enjoyable week was had by all. Many thanks to Miss Griffin (Year 6) for all her hard work.

Netball Tournament

On Thursday 6 March, seven girls from Year 6 travelled with Mrs Lowry (in the school minibus) to Hillcrest Grammar School to compete in the North Area Netball Tournament, which lasted from 10.00 a.m. until 1.00 p.m.

The team played against eight other schools and luckily won two of the matches. We beat Cransley 2-1 and Bridgewater 7-0!

The champions of the tournament were as follows:-

1st Loretto
2nd The Grange
3rd Ladybarn

Finally, the champions were presented with medals and Loretto won the cup. Culcheth girls thought they had played to the best of their abilities, which meant they were exhausted at the end of the tournament!

Many thanks to Mrs Lowry who trained us and took us to the tournament.

Halle for Youth  

On the afternoon of Thursday 6 March the girls from Years 3 and 4 went to the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester to listen to the world famous Halle Orchestra. The theme for the concert was “Forces of Nature.”

Each section of the orchestra wore a different coloured tie to help us identify them. The various instruments in each section were introduced and we heard the sounds they produced.

We listened to a selection of pieces including Firedance, the theme from Superman and Beethoven’s 5th.

Many thanks to Mrs Lien for organising this trip.

Crucial Crew

Once again this year the girls of Year 6 were invited to take part in the citizenship programme run by Manchester Police Department.

Accompanied by Miss Griffin, our girls joined pupils from other schools in the Manchester area to learn about the difficulties that are encountered by young adults as they become more independent in their teenage years. The workshop was designed to alert pupils to dangers and how best to cope with challenges.

The girls thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learned many valuable lessons.

Easter Bonnet Parade

What gorgeous hats were shown off on our Easter Bonnet Parade. We had chicks, eggs, frills, bows and flowers galore. A big ‘well done’ to all the girls for their hard work and effort and also to some ever inventive Mums. The girls were thrilled to display such beautiful designs. Philip Tracey watch out!!

Blue Peter "Bring and Buy" sale

I do hope great fun was had by all at the Blue Peter “Bring and Buy” Sale. Judging by the eager faces and empty purses, I think everyone enjoyed the mad “shopping” fest! There were tremendous bargains especially Lois’ playstation bargain that Olivia Vince eagerly snapped up.

Can I just say a great big thank you to all who brought in such lovely items to be sold and to Years 5 and 6 for helping me set up. I am pleased to report that £70 will be going to the Dr Barnardo charity.

CPS Fashion Show

On Wednesday 12 March, the CPS held a Fashion Show for the Prep and Senior girls. Parents of all the years participating came to watch and cheer. Even some of the pupils not taking part came to watch!

The Prep were the first to go on stage in their glamorous outfits, confidently walking on and off . Then it was the Seniors’ turn. They walked on stage, to noisy cheering from the Prep.

At the end of the Fashion Show there was a raffle draw. Lots of people won prizes but some people didn't collect them, so they were given to other people! Everyone enjoyed the evening and it was a great success.

We wish to thank the CPS for organising such an enjoyable evening.

By Lauren Dickov
Year 6

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