Page 15 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

NEWS FROM THE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

This term, we have seen a large number of new children joining national fi nals, coming third at the Midlands fi nals. Meanwhile, the
the Prep School in the Nursery, Year 3 and Year 5. Together, we girls in the Prep School took the exciting step onto the manicured COLLEGE NEWS
have been focussing on our Gospel value of community, with outfi elds of Ratcliffe’s cricket pitches for the fi rst time, as cricket
a beautiful Mass to mark the start to the new school year in the replaced rounders as the girls’ main summer sport; this was a
Chapel, and a charity collection of foods to celebrate Harvest and positive change that all of the girls embraced with enthusiasm and
support our local food bank. There was also much to celebrate last enjoyment. Two of our Year 6 swimmers also managed to qualify
year in the Prep School. We were delighted by the large number of for the IAPS national fi nals at the London Aquatics Centre – a
awards that Year 6 achieved in the 11+ entrance assessments, with great achievement.
all students moving on to the Senior School again this year. They Music in the Prep School has continued to develop rapidly this
celebrated the end of the year with an amazing performance of year. We have hosted a series of six ‘Babygigs’ concerts, where
The Wizard of Oz (pictured, below) and a beautiful Leavers’ Mass.
professional musicians have wowed us on a variety of instruments.
Our Chaplaincy team have worked hard this year, creating a cycle In the busy run-up to Christmas, the Chapel Choir brought
of prayer and leading assemblies. We have all spent many joyous John Lewis in Leicester to a standstill, performing Christmas
times together, celebrating the Harvest Festival, the Nativity, music, including the children’s favourite, ‘Nutcracker Jingles’.
Carols by Candlelight (pictured, below, right), and preparing for The highlight of the year must be the formati on of the Newman
Easter with the Year 4 Passion Play. Sunday 9th June was also a Orchestra. The children should be incredibly proud to be playing
great celebration, as 12 children from the Prep School made their to such a high standard within a year, having opened the Picnic
First Holy Communion; it was such a special day for all of them and Concert with a truly professional and memorable performance.
their families. We also supported a number of new fundraising There have been so many musical achievements and memories this
initiatives. Our two charities this year were WaterAid and Dogs year: the Informal Concert performances, ‘Roll Back the Stone’,
Trust, and each class held cake sales to raise money for them, the staff choir singing ‘Love Brought Him Back’, the House Music
which proved to be very popular! We also sent 145 Christmas Competition and, of course, rounding the year off with a very
presents and over 50 bags of donated clothes to The Carpenter’s rousing and heartfelt performance by all staff and children of ‘The
Arms, to be distributed to local children and families in need, and Circle of Life’ at Exhibition Day.
collections after school events raised money for our whole-school On behalf of us all, may I take this opportunity to wish our Old
charity, Sightbox.
Ratcliffi ans a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
There have been many notable sporting achievements during the Fr Christopher Cann
year – in particular, from our Under 11 Girls’ Hockey Team, who Preparatory School Headmaster
were IAPS national fi nalists for the fi rst time. Our Under 11 Boys’
Rugby Team successfully secured victory in the fi rst ever IAPS
Midlands Rugby Festival, hosted by Ratcliffe College, while our
Under 11 Boys’ Hockey Team narrowly missed out on a place in the

The Old Ratcliffi an 2019 15