Friday, 12th January 2018
Upper School Newsletter
Upper School News
Happy new year to one and all! We all returned from holidays refreshed and ready for the term ahead and after saying fond farewells to a few students in December, we welcomed seven new students to Upper School this week. The team at Dwight do all we can to make the transition as smooth as possible but it's very much a credit to your children also as to how kindly and quickly they welcome newcomers.
The Carnegie Hall experience kicks off
One of the major events this term is the opportunity for a large groups of music students and staff to travel to New York and perform with other Dwight Schools students at New York's Carnegie Hall.
This year is a very special event (in honour of our founder's 80th birthday) with a performance in the largest performance space with a capacity of 3000. Mr. Kraft and his team have started rehearsing intensely and he hosted an information meeting for parents and students involved. It creates a great buzz of excitement to get us through the grey January days.
The slides from the meeting are attached here again for your convenience. There is a registration for FREE tickets now open via this link.
I am very pleased to inform you that for all parents and staff travelling to New York to attend the Carnegie Hall show, there will be the opportunity to join in and perform two pieces with the 'Dwight Community Adult Choir' (Dwight parents and staff). Please let Mr. Kraft know if you are interested so that he can keep you posted on any rehearsals in the run-up to the concert and possibly arrange a meeting here in London beforehand to go over the parts.
Hidden Talent!
Last term I started a section in the newsletter and assemblies of students hidden talents, activities that take place either in or often out of school that are often under the radar and not known by the community. My student of hidden talent this week is Masatora in M2 who joined the school last term from Japan. His amazing talent is karting and he races at the very highest levels after years of practice and devotion. Over the holidays Masatora competed in the X30 Asian Finals and was placed 11th after holding 2nd place for much of the race. Masatora has further races in February and March so we will follow his progress. Well done Masatora!
Activities and clubs in the Spring Term
Ms. Villate and the team launched the new activities and clubs this week and the students have a fun variety of choices including activities such as ballroom dancing and virtual reality. We will showcase some of them in upcoming newsletters.
Media Club
One new activity is the new media club where four roving press reporters (Sterling, Ishani, Kamran & Auva) will be writing pieces for this bulletin.
Sterling writes, This week quite a few things have happened. Film skool has kicked off with Ms. Kennedy and everyone is getting into the mood by re-watching some of our old film skool films from past years. It was great fun seeing everyone when they were younger. We all had a good laugh. The M5 Individuals and Societies class is focusing on climate change in the world and different places that are affected by it including The islands of Tuvalu and the ice caps in Greenland. Also the spirit week committee is starting to put all the pieces together for the upcoming spirit week.
Auva writes, Today in Individuals and Societies we had an election on who should be King of England in 1066. It was an interesting and interactive history lesson that revived the Battle of the Hasting!
Ski Trip
While many staff and students are off to New York at half-term, another group of parents and around 30 students will be skiing in the French Alps with Mrs. Miley and me.
We are planning to send out some further emails to the parents who have signed up and there will be an information meeting on Monday, 29th January at 5pm in Jubilee Hall. For family reasons two girls have recently had to withdraw, so there are now two places available for girls (due to accommodation bookings) should anyone be interested. Contact Ali Miley for further details.
IB Self Study
This year we are in the throws of an IB self-study whereby we reflect and analyse our progress as an IB World School as a community. The staff are completing this exercise with Ms. Mather and Ms. McCaffrey in a number of meetings throughout the year but I am delighted to have co-opted six parent volunteers to assist me in a parent reflection on Dwight's progress at meeting the high standards and practices to remain a strong IB school. Students will also be fully consulted this term.
Upcoming Trips
Individuals and Societies Science Museum M5 Trip Tuesday, 16th January
M5 have the opportunity to study Climate Change at the Science Museum on Exhibition Road in central London on Tuesday, 16 January. They will go to the museum by bus (from Dwight Campus to Arnos Grove) and then by tube (Piccadilly Line Arnos Grove to South Kensington) leaving school after lunch at 12.45pm. They will spend the afternoon in the Atmosphere - Climate Change exhibit. Students will be dismissed from the Science Museum at 3.45pm and make their way home independently.
The exhibit poses the key questions about climate change and changing atmospheric conditions associated with rising levels of greenhouse gases. Students will be taking notes on the exhibits and returning to an in-class writing assignment where they can use their notes from the Museum. Therefore, students are encouraged to take detailed notes either handwritten or with a digital device for use in the assessment.
If any parent would like to attend please let Ms Trautman know. We can meet you at the Science Museum OR meet you as we leave Dwight at 12.45pm next Tuesday.
M1 Art Trip - Thursday 18th January
On Thursday, 18th January M1x & M1z will be travelling 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.
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D2 Reports
Just a reminder that reports for Diploma 2 students will be issued to parents and students on Wednesday next week now the mock examinations have been assessed. I know how hard the D2 students are now working as they approach this challenging few months and we wish them all the best as they gear up for the assessment ordeal!
New Year's Eve Party!
During the last week of the term, M1 students learned about how Christmas is celebrated in Spain. New Year's Eve is celebrated in a very interesting way. The Spanish eat 12 grapes to bring luck for the following 12 months. The fun side is that Spanish people do that in 38 seconds!
M1 had their own Spanish New Year's Eve event at Dwight this week too! Check their video here!
Term 1 Magazine
In case you missed it last term, check out our 32 page bumper issue Term 1 Magazine here! Printed copies will be available in the Lower School and Jubilee Reception areas later next week.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Andy Atkinson
Upper School Principal
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Dwight School Parent Association
January Out and About
It was a grand day out to Kensington Palace today, Friday, 12th January, with the Dwight Out and About Club to see the Diana: Her Fashion Story exhibit. We do hope more of you can join us next month, please see the details below.
February Out and About
Date: Thursday, 8th February, 2018
Meet: 10:00am at West Finchley Tube station or 10:45 at the entrance of Fortnum and Mason, 181 Piccadilly London W1A 1ER
Cost: £ 40
The 311-year-old story of Fortnum & Mason is one that's full of surprises. Join the Fortnum and Mason archivist for a tour of the building (with tastings), to hear the fascinating tales behind one of Britain's most loved icons, ending up with – what else – a cup of Fortnum's famous tea. Tour is from 11 - 12.45pm and we can decide to stay for lunch after.
You will need to pre-purchase your own ticket via this link. Tickets are extremely limited, so don't delay!
Please let Michele know when you book your ticket so knows who to expect - michele@seanoneill.com
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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