Friday, 8th December 2017
Upper School Newsletter
Upper School News
So close to the winter holidays and we're all getting tired but starting to feel a little festive as the holidays approach. Lots of news this week from school but let's start with news from afar!
Alison Cobbin and Amita Sen in Nepal
To establish formal links with schools and organisations in Nepal, Alison Cobbin and Ainta Sen are visiting the country to formalise agreements and open up international service opportunities for our students next year. On Tuesday, they successfully delivered a Dwight presentation at the Kathmandu Central Zoo. Six schools were present with their head teachers and a small group of student representatives.
A Night of Chekhov
Last Friday we were treated to an evening of Chekhov short plays on the themes of wedding proposals and love. The D1 students are a talented group and they were certainly up to the challenge of the complexities of Chekhov's characters and stories. Thanks to the staff, students and parents who came along and well done to Ms Kennedy for leading the group and stretching their abilities.
Winter Concert – 7pm Monday, 11th December
Please do come along to our Winter Concert on Monday which promises to be an extravaganza of music. The evening starts at 7pm in Jubilee Hall and I am told there is mulled wine and mince pies, a very British winter treat! Proceeds from the evening will go to the Nepal Schools Project. If you would like to reserve seats (limited numbers) please click here. If you child is involved please click here for practical arrangements for Monday.
Activities and Clubs
Ms. Villate led an upbeat assembly on Tuesday where students reflected back in their first term of activities and clubs and staff presented a new set for Term 2. From ball dancing to virtual reality, we have the whole range of clubs for students. Details will be posted on the school website and students signed up in tutor time today. Thanks to Ms Villate for leading this project so well.
Netball News
Dwight Netball Team had their first home match of the season against Northbridge House. All Dwight Lions played with plenty of heart against a school who turned up with enough players for three teams which meant they had plenty of fresh legs on the court at all times against the 9 players that we had.
Mya was our Captain for the day and she did an excellent job, staying cool, calm and collected for the entire game. Frederica, Auva and Yasmina were superb in defence and without them the score line would have been very different. Ariana and Klara managed to score 11 goals between them and Niamh, Roni, Fredrica and Georgia worked their socks off in mid court. Final score 11-16.
House Spirit of the Visionaries with Head of House, Mr Dacanay!
As a house we are looking at ADAM (Ability, Discipline, Attitude, Maintenance), it was based on a TED talk by Dr. Jon Robertson, Dean of Music at a Florida University. The theme for Thursday's assembly was on Peace, and we focused on Ability. What they did in the past, now, and in the future in terms of their involvement with peace was discussed.
They tied it into Service Learning and Community Engagement and many brought up examples of what they have done in school, especially with fundraisers and creating awareness. We looked at the Christmas Day Truce in WWI, and how they dropped arms and even managed a game of Football. They then separated into six groups to produce a product that they then presented to the house and what the images meant to them.
Visitors
We had visitors from the Lycee Winston Churchill today who were fascinated with the hands on science class of M5! Paul, Raquel and Maaike toured the classes and commented on how articulate our students were and admired the very friendly but purposeful atmosphere. We hope to go and visit their school soon!
Upcoming Trips
Spanish Immersion Day - 13th December
As an established Christmas tradition at Dwight, the Spanish department will celebrate the Spanish Immersion Day in London in order to give our M2 students the opportunity of practising topics related to their unit on food during this term in authentic contexts as a reward for their great work, effort and attitude.
Activities include the traditional breakfast chocolate con churros at La Bodega Cafe, Portobello, historical walk in Notting Hill, the main area for Spanish residents in London, shopping in Hermanos Garcia, a Spanish supermarket in Portobello Road and Spanish lunch at Restaurante Galicia.
The students will depart from the school at 9.00am to Ladbroke Grove using public transport. They will go for a walk in the Portobello Road area and also they will have the option to buy typical Spanish food in a supermarket nearby. The amount of spending money the students bring for shopping is at parents' discretion. We will be back by 3.40pm for the end of the school day.
Next week
Next week is the last week of term and parents should note the following for the week ahead
- Monday, 11th December : Winter Concert 7pm, Jubilee Hall
- Tuesday, 12th December: Development Tuesday. School ends at 2.40pm
- Wednesday, 13th December: End of Term Reports will be issued to parents and students giving two days for feedback and clarifications
- Thursday, 14th December: Christmas Lunch in the Café
- Friday, 15th December: Christmas Jumper Day! School finishes promptly at midday (12pm)
Have a lovely weekend.
Andy Atkinson
Upper School Principal
Dwight Parent Association News and Events
Used Uniform Reminder
Uniform donations can be handed in at any office, for our second-hand uniform store. They are very handy for new Dwight families!
December Out and About
Dennis Severs' House and Holiday Lunch at Blixen
Join us for a holi-day out in Spitalfields! We'll start with a walk through the Dennis Severs House and follow with lunch at Blixen.
Dennis Severs' House is more than just a time capsule. It is both a breathtaking and intimate portrait of the lives of a family of Hugenot silk-weavers from 1724 to the dawn of the 20th century. As you follow their fortunes through the generations, the sights, smells and sounds of the house take you into their lives. It was Dennis Severs' intention that as you enter his house it is as if you have passed through the surface of a painting, exploring with your senses and imagination a meticulously crafted 18th Century world.
We'll follow with lunch at Blixen
Date: Monday, 11th December
Meet: 10.50am West Finchley tube station or 11.45am at Dennis Severs House – 18 Folgate Street – E1 6BX.
Cost: £10 to tour the house and then your lunch costs
Reservations: PLEASE contact michele@seanoneill.com asap if you can make it, so she can make the lunch reservations.
UPCOMING EVENTS
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |