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MOON HALL MESSENGER

Dear Parents,

The warmth and longer days of September, when pupils returned to new learning groups and welcomed pupils joining MHD now seem a long way away. All children have, with the support of their teachers, worked very hard. As you will see from the snapshot of news below, pupils have experienced and embraced a broad range of learning activities, both in and out of the classroom, during what is traditionally the longest term of the academic year.

As we look ahead to the Lent Term, we are preparing to welcome three new members of staff; joining us to ensure that learning groups remain small and provision focused on individual needs. Mrs Clare Constant is a very experienced primary school teacher who plans to begin working on her specialist dyslexia teaching qualification, SpLD Level 5 in 2019. She will be working in the mornings, primarily with Delta 5 from the start of next term to enable us to split our current class into two registration groups; Delta 5D and Delta 5C. We will also be splitting our current two English and Maths groups into three learning groups, with Mrs Constant working alongside Mrs Domican, Mrs Preece and Mrs MacGregor. Mrs Forrester will be joining Alpha after the Lent Half term. Mrs Forrester is SpLD Level 5 trained, and will join Miss Wheeler, Mrs Preece and Mrs MacGregor, primarily teaching Alpha English and Maths.

My sincere thanks to the Friends of Moon Hall, who have provided pupils, parents and staff with four very special events this term, bringing their usual fun and sparkle to Moon Hall. We are very grateful to them for their work. Thanks also to all parents, for your support and close communication, and finally to all staff who have worked so hard and given such a high level of commitment throughout this term.

The children deserve, and I am sure are looking forward to, a good break before returning to Moon Hall Dorking for another busy term on January 7th 2019. In the meantime, do keep the reading and typing ticking over – ‘thank you’ emails to friends and relatives could offer beneficial seasonal touch typing practice! Do also please have a look at the Curriculum Jigsaws for next term, available now to view on the website via this link. https://www.moonhallschooldorking.co.uk/curriculum/ I wish all families a very happy Christmas, and a peaceful New Year.

Emma Fraser. Headmistress

Christmas 2018

Tel: 01306 731464

www.moonhallschool.co.uk

Email:enquiries@moonhallsch

ool.co.uk

www.moonhallschool.co.uk

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ALPHA W

DELTA D YEAR 5 Dear Parents,

The Alpha’s have had an amazing time this term. Our Sayers Croft trip was one of the best trips we have ever been on and I am still laughing over things that happened now. It was a real pleasure to watch them at their very best; they all worked as a team, showing incredible kindness and encouragement to one another. It was especially wonderful seeing hidden strengths come out – Troy was an incredibly humble leader, Rafferty an amazing problem solver, Lauren W. put extra thought and care in for the ones that were struggling, Jackson’s strength and perseverance was remarkable…and so many more. Thank you for your continued support at home this term with reading and spellings. Have a wonderful rest and I shall look forward to seeing you all in the New Year. Miss Wheeler

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DELTA YEAR 5

Delta D have had a really busy half term beginning with an assembly on All Saints Day, looking at some famous saints and how their examples can help us to show perseverance and kindness. We followed with an exciting outing to learn about Victorian schooldays at Guildford museum. The children were totally immersed in the experience of living in that era and they

even succeeded in an effort to be ‘seen and not heard’. They took part in activities starting with physical exercises before sitting at Victorian desks, handwriting with a pen and ink, learning a poem by rote and playing with Victorian toys. The children were dressed in Victorian costumes for the day and brought packed lunches typical of Victorian times. The museum staff congratulated them on their excellent behaviour.

The pupils will remember particularly well the Diwali party, making Diya lamps and learning about Hinduism and the festival of light. More recently, at the Christmas Fair, the children ran the Penguin Tumble stall raising money for FOMH and designing posters to advertise it. Mrs Domican

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DELTA W YEAR 6

As part of Anti-Bullying week Year 6 met the Guildford Flames Ice Hockey presentation team, led by Kim Robson of 96.4 Eagle Radio. The children watched a video about team life as an Ice Hockey player and were allowed to dress up in all the Ice hockey gear of a Flames player. The team then talked to the children about drugs and the dangers and effects of legal and illegal drugs on our bodies. They learned how to say no and how to avoid difficult situations. Sport is recognised as a way to keep busy, whilst doing something one loves and that is also good for you. The three important words to remember were:

NO GO TELL

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Science

Lady Cecily’s Soundbox

The children once again enjoyed a highly entertaining and educational visit from the Kinetic theatre performing a Victorian Music Hall Melodrama called Lady Cecily’s Sound box. The production cleverly intertwined the plot with Victorian antics and scientific facts on sound waves, vibrations and the speed of sound. For example, the faster the vibrations the higher the pitch of the sound, the bigger the vibrations the louder the sound. Children and teachers alike enjoyed the performance immensely and the production was accompanied by much laughter at the antics of the actors, including a traditional Victorian sing–along. Some useful scientific facts:

Sound travels at 330 meters per second in air at room temperature. Dogs can hear higher notes than humans which is why we cannot hear special dog whistles, but the dog will always respond. If the air is cooler, such as on a frosty day, sound travels slower because the molecules in the air are not vibrating as much. To estimate the distance of a thunderstorm count the number of seconds between the flash of the light and the rumble of the thunder. The number of seconds is a rough guide to the number of miles away.

Mrs Schenk

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Poetry Club with Mrs Macgregor

A Poetry Club group poem

written by Gabriel York, Ethan Smart, Oliver McBride, Ralph Smith and Daisy Forrester

The Twelve Decorations of the Christmas Tree by the Poetry Club Group.

12 spherical baubles shimmering in the light, 11 doves of peace gracefully in flight. 10 sweet candy canes green and red,

9 cheeky elves with a hat on their head. 8 reindeer galloping in the chilly air, 7 small stockings hung with care. 6 glowing angels waiting in awe,

5 rows of lights from the top to the floor. 4 jolly Santas plump as can be,

3 stings of tinsel wrapped around the tree. 2 hearts of love, a glorious sight,

1 magical star of David shining so bright … Guiding people to Jesus that first Christmas night.

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Christmas Workshop by Gabriel York

The toy machines halving And vigorously carving.

The wood is fresh, the paint is new, And put together with some superglue.

All the elves get a happy feeling, Except the one stuck to the ceiling!

The workshop elves, Quickly fill the shelves.

The reindeer come from their frolicking play To the gigantic red sleigh.

The sleigh comes back at the brake of day, As the reindeer speed off to a trough of hay.

Santa Falls by Ralph Smith

When Santa swoops on the roof He picks up his heavy red sack,

He heads for the top Of the chimney pot

But ends up flat on his back!

He slipped on the icy snow Falling down on the tiles below

He landed with a thump Gave himself a big bump

And a broken foot and toe!

He’s now sitting in S&E Which is Santa’s Emergency!

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Decorating Moon Hall School in time for Christmas!

Decorating our Christmas Tree at Moon Hall. Some tasteful decorations were put in hand amidst great excitement and merriment! It didn’t deter Daisy in spite of her broken arm! Mrs. Williams

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Belmont and Moon Hall Christmas Fair

Saturday, 1st December was the day of the Belmont and Moon Hall School Christmas Fair and the rainy day did nothing to dampen the Christmas Spirit!

The Theatre had a variety of wonderful stalls set up - beautifully decorated with Christmas Fayre, scented candles with that wonderful cinnamon aroma, wooden LED artistic decorations, flower and candle

arrangements, lots of amazing ideas for presents, bottle stalls, and raffle prizes including a prestigious Fortnum and Mason hamper! Through to the Dining Room, for coffee and cakes, or beef burgers for the hungrier parents! Here were the children’s Tombola, face painting and the really popular ‘Tattoo’ inkings. Pictured is a delighted Rafferty from Alpha W with his sparkling star....still much in evidence!

Up to the Sports Hall and the Children’s stalls. Guess how many sweets in the jar; the Penguin Tumble; Find Santa’s Secret Surprise, to name but a

few!

A good time had by all and our thanks to FOMH and FOB for organising such an enjoyable event . Mrs Williams

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E-Safety

The UK Safer Internet Centre has updated its guidance for parents regarding online safety. There is age specific guidance for parents of: 3-7 year olds, 7-11 year olds, 11-14 year olds and 14-18 year olds. Advice for each age bracket includes include information about how the age group are interacting with the internet, top tips to help parents support the young people at this age, and ideas to help parents start a conversation about digital wellbeing. https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/blog/digital-wellbeing-–-guidance-parents

It's important to remember that the legal age to have an account on most social media –

Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Snapchat - is 13 years old.

Calendar

IMPORTANT DATES: Please also check the Belmont website parent portal for sports fixtures and events

Sports Fixtures for Years 3 and 4 are always on a Thursday afternoon. Sports Fixtures for Years 5 and 6 are always on a Wednesday afternoon.

If you receive an email with a match sheet attached it is because your son/daugher has been selected to play in the school team. Please keep a watch on your emails and be aware of the finish and return times.

Particularly if you son/daughter takes a school bus.

Monday 7th January TERM BEGINS

Tuesday 29th January Invitation Boarding for Yr3/4

Monday 18th February –

Friday 22nd February HALF TERM

Thursday 14th February Boys’ Invitation Boarding for Yr3-5

Tuesday 5th March Yr 6 trip to Biffa Recycling Plant 9.30am – 12.00pm

Tuesday 19th March Year 3 and 4 trip to Wisley All Day

Friday 22nd March Sports Team Photographs

Monday and Tuesday 25th

and 26th March Parent Consultation Evenings

4.00pm – 8.00pm

Tuesday 26th March Comic Relief Day

Friday 29th March End of Term Assembly followed by

parent coffee morning

8.40am

Friday 29th March Curriculum Jigsaws available to view

on the website

Friday 29th March END OF TERM 4.00pm

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Moon Hall Schools Educational Trust

Governors’ report to parents and staff December 2018

Chairman of Governors

Mr D Baker

The Governors have been busy behind the scenes in quite a number of respects. We have appointed a new Interim Bursar, Arnold Flanagan, to replace Mrs Leonie Ranson who is leaving at the end of this term. Mr Flanagan has considerable experience in the financial management of schools and has already joined us. This is a busy time for the Bursar’s Office as we are in the middle of the Audit of the 2017/18 accounts. Mr Flanagan has the support of our new Assistant in the Bursar’s office Mrs Maxine O’Sullivan who joined us in October. In addition to finance, Mr Flanagan is taking on the wider administrative role traditionally undertaken by a school Bursar. Since her appointment as a Governor, our Founder Principal, Mrs Berry Baker has enjoyed a warm welcome at the school on the invitation of Mrs Emma Fraser and has been able to visit to see it in operation and to talk to staff and pupils on a number of occasions. She always enjoys her visits. We are actively seeking volunteers as new Governors so if you know of anyone who might be interested in furthering the education of dyslexic children and who has the time and abilities to do so please encourage them to contact us at chairman@moonhallcollege.co.uk. We are looking in particular for people with backgrounds in Dyslexia, Education, Finance, Law, Medical, Compliance, Marketing and PR, Premises Management, and Business Management.