Café Scientifique Melanie Brook- Read and Linda Dean
On Thursday 21st April we were fortunate to have two Senior Lecturers from the University of Bedfordshire come in to talk about the role nursing and midwifery plays in 21st century healthcare practice. During their talk, they not only spoke about the realities of life in various healthcare professions, as well as amusing stories from their previous experiences, but were also able to give us advice on everything about applying for these degrees from personal statements to work experience. I know that this session was so beneficial for anyone wanting to go into healthcare and that our students really valued the opportunity to speak to two very experienced healthcare professionals. Emily Hopwood and Scarlett Robinson, Café Scientifique Leads
Leaver’s Concert
The Leavers’ Concert is always something of a bitter-sweet moment. On the one hand, it is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the musicianship brought to the school by our leavers and on the other, it is sad to say farewell. But what a great way to say farewell! Two fabulous student-led ensembles, nine talented soloists and several of our School ensembles featuring girls from Year 7 all the way through to Year 13 en-sured the evening was packed with fulfilling, intelligent music-making.
Senior Choir were on great form, consolidating this year’s repertoire with a complete performance of our Glee medley and new numbers from Guys & Dolls, featuring solos from our leavers. Con Brio are sounding better than ever, blossoming from a number of external bookings this year, most re-cently at the Wycombe Swan. Their performances were a highlight of the evening and departing members from both these choirs will be sorely missed. String Ensemble’s performance of a Bach Suite, very ably led by Harriet Mepham, was something of which to be proud indeed and a fitting farewell to Harriet who will be greatly missed. On a brighter note, the 8P Melodies (performing a fabulous mash-up written and arranged by Anna-mie Nuyts), Second Orchestra, Wind Band and Junior Choir reminded us that, whilst it’s sad indeed to lose girls to pastures new, we have some very promising talent rising up through the school: each of their performances were full of energy and careful musicianship. There were wonderful mo-ments from our soloists, all of whom are leaving us this year. Very well done and thank you to you all: Georgia Bingham (saxophone), Elizabeth Godfrey-Gush (voice), Liberty Askew (clarinet), Georgie Proctor (flute), Alissa Parmenter (double bass and guitar), Harriet Mepham (voice), Jemima Lomax (voice) and Susannah Cook (voice).
As tradition now dictates, the grand finale was given by this year’s Leavers’ Choir, under the direction of Georgie Proctor, Susannah Cook and Jemima Lomax. Demonstrating great skill in an cappella intro and 3-part harmony (not to mention Jemima’s choreography!), it was great to see the girls come together to give this final salute to their time at Challoner’s. The Music Department wishes all our leavers the very best of luck in the forthcoming exams and an exciting (and perhaps musical?!) life ahead. Here’s to the Class of 2016!
Will You Shop for Challoner’s? IT COSTS YOU NOTHING TO RAISE MONEY FOR DCHS IN THIS WAY!
The Shop for Challoner’s Team is running a Year 7 – Year 10 inter-form competition to raise awareness of, and increase the number of families participating in, the gift card scheme. The competition will run over the next two months. There will be a cake prize for the leading Form in each Year group, each month.
We will be recording, by form, the number of families taking part in the gift card scheme (not the value of the orders), including those who are already supporting the scheme. One point will be awarded for each order. If you set up a standing order, this will attract a second point. In addition, we will be awarding a bonus-point for all gift cards collected by the designated lunchtimes. If you already order vouchers, an extra point will be given if you increase your regular order. If relatives/neighbours/friends wish to place orders, this can be done and will attract additional points. Make sure your daughter’s name and form are included with their order. This is how the scheme works: Place an order for gift cards through Shop for Challoner’s. We get a discount for buying in bulk: Sainsburys 4%, Tesco 5%, John Lewis / Waitrose 7.5% and we pass on this discount, in cash, to the school. We send the gift cards home with your daughters for you to use. (Other arrangements can be made for large orders if necessary).
Use the gift cards like cash, for your grocery shopping in store at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and at Tesco/Esso petrol stations, Online groceries at Waitrose, as well as for wedding presents or other gifts, or one-off purchases at John Lewis and Tesco Direct. The timetable is as follows:
| Orders placed by | Tuesday 3rd May | Tuesday 7th June |
| Collected on | Thursday 12th/ Friday 13th May | Thursday 16th/ Friday 17th June |
Why Shop for Challoner’s?
Last year Shop for Challoner’s raised £14,000 for the school, and this year we are aiming to raise £20,000. Please help us provide the school with lots more extras at a time when government funding is so tight. We look forward to receiving your orders. Thank you. Email: [email protected] to place your order.
The Spring Draw Winners
The PA would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported this year's Spring Draw. Our congratulations to the cash prize winners:
1st Prize (09580) – Q Mahmood £300
2nd Prize (04563) – Lynn Harrop £200
3rd Prize (14710) – John Monk £100
After a nail biting finish, it was 8C who sold the most tickets; their prize is a day off school to go to Thorpe Park. The runners up were 7A, who have won a pizza lunch for the form. Hot on their heels were 7L, who will all be getting Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Well done girls!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the draw. It was a resounding success, raising over
