This Week's News from the Upper School

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Friday, 6th October 2017

Upper School Newsletter

Upper School News

It's been a week of international singing in Dwight Upper School as the 'Choir Fest' got into full swing! It's great to feel the buzz of a school full of guests from Shanghai, New York, Berlin and London. Listening to some of the rehearsals we are in for a real treat at 2.00pm on Saturday! Have a look at some of these great rehearsal shots above where we have discovered the hidden photographic talent of the week Mira (M5). Lots more in next week's bulletin but our Director of Music, Mr. Kraft, seems to have pulled off another great performance.

Staying with the arts, this evening over 30 students and parents are heading to the Barbican Theatre to see Macbeth. Transposing the action to a 16th-century samurai world, this staging of Shakespeare's bloody tragedy unfolds in war-torn Japan. I think we're in for a real treat too. This was all organised by Mrs. Kennedy, who is unfortunately unwell this week, so we send her our thanks and best wishes.

We wish our D1 and D2 students a great experience at the ISTA (International Schools Theatre Association) event next Monday to Wednesday. Students will take part in two master classes on directing and Kecak theatre as well as see two productions of Chekhov's Seagull and Wings are the Young Vic. They will be accompanied by Mr. Done in Mrs. Kennedy's absence.

From music and drama we move to the visual arts and Ms. Ross has arranged a trip for next week with M2x. On Friday, 13th October they will be traveling to Walthamstow to take part in a 3-hour lino-printing workshop at the Inky Cuttlefish studios. Students will need to bring a packed lunch, an old shirt or t-shirt and some pocket money with them and leave their books for P1/6 & 7 in their lockers for their first lesson and when they return to school.

Finally with film, three lucky students, Teodor, Costanza and Oliver accompanied the Spanish department staff to see The Mexican Suitcase a Spanish-Mexican documentary film directed by Trisha Ziff. The film tells the story of the 4,500 negatives taken by the prestigious photographers during the Spanish Civil War. The film also revealed the role played by Mexico during the Civil War and the support offered to the Spanish Republic in exile. Prof. Paul Preston, one of the most prominent British Hispanists, spoke at the event which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Well done Mr. Sanchez for getting those precious few tickets!

Now for some academic news updates. This last week our university guidance programme got into action with Mr. Dickenson accompanying D2 students to a large university exhibition in London last Friday, a fair of visiting 20 overseas universities last Tuesday and a talk on the process of university entrance to M5 and D1 students last Wednesday by Ms. McCaffrey. The talk gave a clear roadmap for students to start their research and the presentation and accompanying handbook can be found here for those who were unable to attend.
We are also offering the The Morrisby Profile test. This is a highly reputable test based on psychometric standards. It assesses students' spatial, verbal and mechanical abilities as well as their reasoning skills, numerical perception and styles of personality. It also allows students to identify where their potential strengths lie in order to better choose a study and career path. If you would like more information, please click here.

I also wanted to update all parents that the recommendation to reduce the amount of external eAssessment to two parts only (Personal Project and the Interdisciplinary Exam). Mrs. Cobbin is sharing the recommendations with the Executive Management Team this weekend for confirmation. Today I also spoke to M5 students to gauge their feelings about the plans and staff are all informed. Any families who would like to make an appointment with me or Ms. Mather to understand this decision further are very welcome to contact Mr Dominguez.

Mr. Dominguez and Mrs. McCormack have also asked me to remind parents of an important but routine topic. Please keep notifying lateness, medical appointments and absences to our office administrators. Contact Mr. Dominguez for IBMYP students and Mrs. McCormack for IBDP students. Alternatively, you could call or leave a voicemail choosing option 3 for IBMYP students (Dwight building) and option 4 for IBDP students (Jubilee building). Office administrators will liaise with the tutors and update the attendance records.

I also want to introduce the topic of reports. A new style interim report due after half-term for you is being prepared by the staff and will let you know about initial academic progress under some IB assessment criteria as well as information about the students approaches to learning in IBMYP and IBDP. This short report is designed as a quick snapshot after half a term and sets us up well for the first parent teacher conferences in November. We are also contacting all our new families personally this week for quick appointments or check-ups with the leadership on settling in. Do let tutors or the office know if you need any further information on your child's transition into their new year group this year.

At Dwight, we are constantly finding ways to engage and motivate students to read. In this process we have the pleasure of introducing a reading programme named Accelerated Reader. We are currently trialling the programme with M1 and M2 students. Ms. Amita Sen has added some further details for parents interested here on how you can support your child's reading.

Mrs. Miley has asked me to remind parents of the ski trip letter that was sent a few weeks ago. This can be found here and replies are coming in steadily. Do join us for a great week of skiing next February!

Finally, next week we are hosting an Open House in Upper School. On Tuesday, 10th October a number of our students are touring future prospective families around the campus and the admissions office will be providing information. If you know of families who would like to join this day please ask them to contact our admissions department. One of my favourite parts of the job is meeting new families from London and all over the world. Indeed on Monday we welcome three new students starting from Japan, Iran and London – a true melting pot in Dwight!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Kind regards

Andy Atkinson

Upper School Principal

Dwight Parent Association News and Events

Charity Run for Cancer Research UK

Our Parent Ambassador Coordinator is doing a Race for Life event this week for charity. If you would like to support her you can donate via her just giving page here.

Out and About Events for Parents

East London Food Tour

Come with us as we explore the food history and culture of the East End. Wander down the 'curry mile' while you sample samosas and Indian sweets; learn the history of the pie; taste the fish and chips voted as "Best in London" year after year; peruse the hippest food trucks in town; nosh on a salt beef beigel and finish with a sweet American import. This food tour of London is completely unique in that you design your own menu. Your guide will bring you to the best cafes and shops in East London and explain their history and specialties - but you decide and purchase what you would like to eat. Sites and topics covered on the tour:

The history of the East End
French immigration and influence on food
The history of British classics like fish & chips and pie & mash
The 'Curry Mile' and the UK's love of Indian food
An overview of the high end dining options in the area
The hot new trends of food trucks and craft beer
Jewish immigration and the local love of salt beef beigels-Modern American influence on tasty treats

Date: Thursday, 12th October

Meet: 10:15am at McDonalds, Liverpool Street Station, London EC2M 7QH

Tour lasts about 2 hours

Cost: No upfront costs for the tour. Suggested sampling costs £10-15 and a tip for the tour guide.

Tickets: Reservation REQUIRED. Click the link below to reserve your spot. Click on 12th Oct, find the 10:30am East London Food Tour, and book! Book early to avoid disappointment.

http://www.freetoursbyfoot. com/london-tours/book-online/

Please let Michele – michele@seanoneill. com know when you book so she can look out for you!

Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion Exhibit @ the V&A Museum

Discover how Cristobal Balenciaga's exquisite craftsmanship and innovative designs shaped modern fashion. The exhibit examines the work and legacy of the influential Spanish couturier with over 100 pieces crafted by the master of couture, his protégées and contemporary fashion designers working in the same innovative tradition.

Date: Friday, 10th November

Meet: 9:00am West Finchley tube station or 9:45am at the V&A Museum main ticketing entrance – Cromwell Road London SW7 2RL – for a 10am timed entry into the exhibit.

Cost: £12 for tickets

Tickets: Pre-booking is essential. Click this link to book your own ticket for the 10am entrance on 10th November.

https://www.vam.ac.uk/ exhibitions/balenciaga- shaping-fashion

After the exhibit we can peruse more of the museum or have lunch as a group.

Please let Michele – Michele@seanoneill.com know when you book so she knows who is joining.