30th April 2010
A Message from the Headmistress
I am delighted to report that almost all girls have now returned to school following the travel disruption caused by the Icelandic volcano! Four members of staff were stranded too but managed to return to England by one means or another.
I always consider the Summer Term at Lavant House to be the best one, notwithstanding examinations, and this year we certainly have a great deal to look forward to, from Sports Day to Charity and Activity Weeks and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. On Wednesday 12th May from 9.30 to 12.00 we will be holding another Drop-In Morning and I should like to extend an invitation to all parents to come along and see the school in action.
Finally I would like to draw your attention to the Girls' School Association website mydaughter.co.uk which contains a wealth of information on all aspects of raising girls but this month focuses on homework.
Chamber Concert
Please note that the Chamber Concert planned for 12th May has been moved to 13th May at 4.15pm. It will be held in the Scott Building so that girls can play our new piano and we hope that the organ will be fully operational too. Mrs Howell-Evans intends to include some ensemble as well as individual performances on this occasion so please keep this date free in your diaries!
Music Examinations
Grade 1 Bronte Harvey, piano
Grade 2 Grace Taylor & Alicia Woodage, piano
Grade 3 Poppy Wildsmith, flute
Grade 5 Faith Withinshaw, piano
Congratulations to everyone!
Exams
GCSE and A Level Exams are almost upon us and girls should be well underway with their revision. All Vth and VIth Form girls should have received their Statements of Entry and an overall exam timetable. These need to be checked carefully and girls must ensure they know exactly which exams they are taking and when they are. All morning exams start at 9am and afternoon exams at 1.30pm. If you have any queries about GCSE or A level exams please contact Mrs Martin.
School Photograph
Gillman and Soame will be taking a photograph of the whole school on Tuesday 4th May. Girls treasure these photographs, taken every two years, and we would appreciate your help in ensuring that your daughters look particularly smart on this occasion.
Uniform
We are gradually going to phase out the pale blue polo shirts worn currently by girls in the Senior School and replace them with long and short sleeved cotton shirts, still in pale blue. All new school v-necked sweaters will be made with the same school crest currently on girls' blazers in the Senior School. All items are available from The School Shop Trading Company Ltd.
Activities Week
Form III are scheduled to have an 'Activities Week', beginning on Friday, 18th June. During the following five days the girls will have the opportunity to spend a week learning in different ways from the usual, classroom-based ones. Their investigations will be centred on the area around the school and the Lavant Valley. It is hoped that, as well as allowing them to work in innovative ways, the week will also help students to develop an increased knowledge and understanding of the history and environment of the landscape through which they pass daily.
Fantasia Summer Holiday Music Courses
Fantasia is the name of the summer music school which is held at Lavant House in August. They cater for enthusiastic young musicians from age 7 to 18, both day and residential. Having seen them in action over the past few years we can thoroughly recommend the courses. The youngsters have a really great time with sporting and social activities, as well as a great deal of music making, playing and singing. The teachers are all professional musicians of a very high calibre. If you are interested do look at their website www.fantasiamusicschool.co.uk.
Swimming Pool
Before using the swimming pool please ensure that you have completed an indemnity form, available in the School Office. A new form must be completed each year. A timetable showing the availability of the swimming pool during the holidays will be provided at the end of term, but parents may make use of the pool in half-term week, and during term-time weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) after first checking with the boarding house staff by telephoning on the main school number. Please ensure that you comply with the 'Rules' that are posted on the changing room wall, including the correct removal and replacement of the pool covers. For the safety of your children please also be aware of the depth information.
Summer Clothing
Although Form V girls are allowed to wear their own clothes during the Summer Term, there are a few rules that they need to observed and we would ask parents to help them to do this. School is a work place and girls must be 'decently' dressed at all times: this means that they should not wear clothes which reveal their underwear (strappy or strapless tops, very low cut waists or extremely short skirts). We ask them to dress so as not to give any possible offence to others. Sixth Form girls should also observe this principle. If a member of staff considers that a student's dress is unacceptable she will be asked to 'cover up', if necessary being provided with a sports top or tracksuit trousers for the purpose.
Dell Quay Bike Ride
Mrs Marks would like to say a big thank you to all the girls, parents and staff who accompanied her on the bike ride to Dell Quay after school on Tuesday. Everyone had hot dogs (and cool ones that went in the sea!) on the beach and raised lots of money for the Rotary Club of Chichester Harbour Charity Funds. Mrs Marks is cycling to Chichester's twin city of Chartres this Bank Holiday weekend, hoping to raise even more money.
Message from the Librarian
Could parents please check for any school library books at home?
Help Needed
A new Foundation Class parent living in Boxgrove has asked to be put in touch with another parent who would be willing to help with transport. Please contact the school office if you can help.
PFA News
Don't forget to purchase your BBQ tickets for Friday, 14th May, from the school office. All parents and children are welcome from 6pm onwards - pray for fine weather! Emma Cordall from the Dynamic Dance Company will come and give the younger girls a 45 minute High School Musical session followed by a 45 minute Street Dancing session for the older girls. The girls can work on a routine that we can all enjoy watching at the end. For parents, old and new, there will be a bar, so come and wind down ready for the weekend. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children. Bring money for drinks and a few quid for raffle tickets.
The School Ball
The School Ball this year will be held on Friday 2nd July and the theme is 'Arabian Nights'. Tickets available from the office NOW! £35 per person, £30 for LH pupils. Don't leave it too late, we always sell out! Open to girls in Vth and VIth Forms, and to all parents and their guests.
Boarding House
Although still not back to full occupancy in the house we are nearly there. Later this term we will be welcoming six overseas boarders who are looking forward to a half term at Lavant to improve their English. I am confident that they will be made very welcome by everyone concerned. We have two cousins aged 10 and 11 who will not be able to return home for the exeat weekend on the 25th June. We are looking for a family who would be prepared to accommodate the girls for this weekend. Please contact Mrs Kyffin in the boarding house if you are prepared to help us out.
The Thursday night activities started this week with the usual swim, barbecue and ever popular Rounders sessions. Over forty day girls have signed up and a great time was had by all.
The boarders are hoping to go on two outings this term. The first one is to Thorpe Park on the 22nd May. There might be some space for day girls. Letters will be available from Mrs Kyffin. Our second outing is hopefully a camping weekend later in the term.
Senior Sports News
Although the term has barely started we have played our first games on the Rounders pitch. The U14 and U15 came up against very strong Seaford teams with some phenomenal hitters. Lavant did themselves proud and it was neck and neck heading into the second innings in both games. Despite some superb fielding Seaford's batting was too good and they won both games by very narrow margins (U14 15 - 12 and U15 12-9).
South Africa Tour
The Hockey and Netball tour to South Africa was a tremendous success. Fourteen girls, 6 parents and 4 staff enjoyed the action packed schedule with sightseeing and fixtures packed into each day. Fixtures were tough against very strong opposition but we won one Hockey game and nearly won 2 Netball fixtures (only being beaten by the strong South African sun!). Some other highlights were visiting Robben Island, the huge array of wildlife and impressive birds, seeing the two oceans from the top of Table Mountain and visiting the Township of Langa. The experiences we shared and the fun we had will be fond memories for many years to come. Miss Wiggs would like to thank the girls, parents and her tour staff Mrs and Mr Ellicott and Mrs Watson for their company and contribution to a very successful tour.
Junior Sports Report
The first Rounders matches of the season were played on Wednesday afternoon at Lavant for the U11 and a mixed age group U10/9/8 team against Meon Cross. Lavant won both tosses and opted to field first. The younger team concentrated really well and scored lots of half Rounders at second base. They led 7 to 2 1/2 at half time and went from strength to strength in the second innings to win by 18 to 12. Well done to all the new players in their first match.
The U11 team were soon into their match but their opposition was far stronger with some good hitters.
Lavant led 7 1/2 to 5 at half time and although Meon Cross came back strongly in the second half scoring 5 Rounders Lavant were in control and managed to win by 13 to 10. This was a good start for both age groups.
We have a very busy term ahead of us with matches organised for every week. We also have the annual Sports Day and Swimming Gala at the end of term to look forward to.
Junior Lavant News
I would like to welcome 3 new girls to the Junior School this term. Evelyn has joined Year 5, Esther Year 3 and Melissa has joined the Foundation Class. I am sure the girls will settle into Lavant Life quickly and be very happy with us. This is always my favourite term of the school year. The sunny mornings and light afternoons enhance our school days and we are able to enjoy swimming, activity nights and camp outs. The calendar is already beginning to fill with dates for sports fixtures, days out, evening trips and educational visits.
It promises to be a very busy and exciting term!
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