Issue 12 Friday 23 September 2016  

Dr McNerney writes....

Welcome back to the start of the new academic year. It has been a pleasure to see the boys return refreshed after their summer break and to welcome new pupils and staff into the school.

As usual, we had a full summer of works here at MTP with lots going on behind the scenes to ensure that we continue to provide the best possible learning experiences for the boys. The project at the Manor (our building at MTS for Nursery and Reception boys) has been completed and we are delighted with the space that it has provided for the Reception boys.

We have also resurfaced the AstroTurf, which is already making a difference to our hockey coaching, replaced the rubberised surface on the main playground, completed the rebranding of NP to MTP on site (I hope you like the new livery on the minibuses), introduced suites of iPads in the Manor and in Pre-Prep, replaced several interactive whiteboards with new Clever Touch boards, as well as undertaking the huge amount of ongoing maintenance of the school buildings and grounds to ensure that MTP looks at its best.

This week, it has been very exciting to allow the first group of pupils to access the tunnel between MTS and MTP. Whilst we have had continuous right of access to this tunnel for many years, as utilised by our grounds staff, we are now planning to use the tunnel, where appropriate, for our pupils, particularly in accessing some of the sports facilities for MTS. The photograph shows our Y8 pupils meeting some MTS pupils (all Old Terryers) and enjoying the history and novelty of the occasion.

At the very end of last term, we were very fortunate in being visited by Denise Lewis OBE, who won a gold medal for the heptathlon in the Sydney Olympics in 2000. She spoke to boys in the Prep Department (Years 5-8) about her experiences as an athlete, competing at the Olympics and her current role as a television sports pundit. The photograph shows Denise Lewis meeting some of our budding athletes, including previous Y8 pupils and Dhaya Thind, currently in Y4G, who impressed the sports staff at Sports Day last term. The final photograph shows 5LW looking very smart in their new MTP sports kit in a hockey lesson with Mr Denham and Mrs Ciccone.

Finally, we like to celebrate the achievements of all our pupils in as many ways as possible. If you prefer your son not to be featured in our publications — e.g. if you do not wish your son’s name or picture to be included in any of the newsletters (including yearly magazine) or on the website — please let me know in writing by 30.9.16 at the latest.

Best wishes

Dr. Karen McNerney | Head of School

PREP NEWS
PRE PREP Y1-Y2
The MANOR
SPORTS
aRT
mvp mip
house
diary dates
MUSIC
 
DRAMA
 
PA
LITERACY
principal
SCIENCE
VISIT
MFL
 
EVENTS
CHARITY
 
   
DIARY DATES

Sunday, September 25
Manches Moor Park 10k & Junior Fun Run

Monday, September 26
U13 & U11 BISS Ski Championships

Tuesday, September 27
Taylors' Hockey League (U12 Training) 1615-1730
Whole School Staff Meeting 0800 Theatre
Y4-Y6 Table Tennis v UCS (h) 1600

Wednesday, September 28
U13AB Hockey v MTS (a) 1515

Thursday, September 29
Founder’s Day
U9AB v Belmont Rugby (a) 1430

Friday, September 30
U10AB Rugby v UCS (h) 1430
U11AB Rugby v UCS (a) 1430
World's Biggest Coffee Morning (MacMillan) 0810-0830 Dining Hall

Monday, October 3
U13AB Hockey v The Beacon (a) 1540

Tuesday, October 4
Taylors' Hockey League (U12 Training) 1615-1730
U13 THL Hockey v St. Martin’s (at MTS) 1615

Wednesday, October 5
Y1 Visit to Mill Green Museum & Mill

Thursday, October 6
Y2 Visit to Mill Green Museum & Mill

Friday, October 7
Open Morning 0945-1200
U10AB Rugby v St. John’s (h) 1430

Monday, October 10
1st XIII Rugby v Cheshurst Barbarians (h) 1530
Y8 Tutorial Week

Tuesday, October 11
Taylors' Hockey League (U12 Training) 1615-1730
U13 THL Hockey v St. John’s (at MTS) 1615
U9AB Rugby v St. John’s (a) 1430
EXCLUSIVE MICHAEL MORPURGO'S -
WHY THE WHALES CAME -
1730 Theatre

Wednesday, October 12
U12A Rugby v St. John’s (h) 1430

Thursday, October 13
Nursery & Reception Open Morning 0930-1100 Manor of the Rose
U8CD Rugby v St. John’s (a) 1415

Friday, October 14
Nursery & Reception Open Morning 0930-1100 The Manor
PA Mufti Day & Cake Sale (Y1-Y8)
U11AB Rugby v Haberdashers' Aske's (h) 1445

Monday, October 17 - Friday, October 28
Half Term

CONGRATULATIONS          CONGRATULATIONS
Henry Wareing 8W2             Harry Williams 8L2

Niam Bhattacharya 8W2

           Shay Thakrar 7L3,
           Sohan Mukherjee 7J3
Charlie Marshall 7N3 & Christopher Joseph 7J1             Raj Shah 8J1
HOUSE NEWS  
House officers introduced

Belated congratulations to Wren House who won the House Cup last term and to Raj Shah 8J1 who won the Gullan Cup for most House Points last year. With new House members welcomed in House meetings and House officers introduced, the House system has enjoyed a brisk or, should I say, crisp start to the year.  The Pringle Challenge was used as an ice breaker to induct new tutees and to test thinking and making skills. L3 was declared the winner but no Pringle made it back to school intact. Crumbs!  ‘Post A Pringle’ was the first official House competition this term which includes House Points, Accelerated Reader, Spelling Bees, General Knowledge, Cross Country and Rugby. The programme of events is designed to involve and engage boys in their House.

A warm House welcome is afforded to Miss Spear W1 and Mrs Ciccone W2 as new Co-Tutors and to Miss Marshall (Y3/4 Newton). Congratulations are also extended to our newly appointed House Captains:  Ariyen Patel Johnson, Lukas Blom Livingstone, James Keeney Newton and Thomas Groves Wren.                                                                                                       

Heads of House

PREP NEWS
Term itself has started purposefully

Pupils have returned to rearranged Tutor & House areas, resurfaced playgrounds and a renewed astro which will benefit Games as well as playtimes. The term itself has started purposefully with an increase in timetabled allocation for Tutor Time and a full calendar that has included: Staff and Parents’ coffee morning; Year 5 visit to Verulamium; Dedication of the Term led by Dan Bond, Chaplain of MTS and our newly auditioned Year 5-8 Choir; casting for the Y6 production of ‘Bugsy Malone’ (March 2017); a winning start to the Hockey season and the launch of Fantasy Football 2016 courtesy of Niam Bhattacharya 8W2. Most importantly, the boys have settled into the routine of lessons and are grasping the many extra-curricular opportunities on offer.

The newly designed ‘Personal Organiser’ is blazer sized and should help pupils record their prep and plan their learning. We ask for parental support in checking homework and signing their organiser every day. Year 5 to Year 8 Supervised Prep is in the Learning Resources Centre and any pupil, who is not collected by 4.30pm, will be taken to Supervised Prep. Parents should report to the School Office if they wish to collect their son before the end of prep/clubs at 5.15pm. Please be aware that boys who have not been collected by 5.30pm will join the Late Activity Club for which there is a charge.

Can we politely remind parents that members of staff are very busy before school in the mornings as they prepare to teach. Please leave a message at the School Office which staff will answer as soon as they are able to do so. Email is another option either directly or via office@mtpn.org.uk

We welcome all the boys who joined us in Y3 from Pre-Prep and all new boys to the school. We also welcome the following staff to The Prep School: Mrs Barnes (Head of English) and Miss Spear (Year 7/8 English). Miss Marshall continues as 4M Form Teacher in Mrs Nicholas absence. You will be pleased to know that the Nicholas’ family had a baby boy, Christopher, on July 7th. We also acknowledge Mrs Williams’ appointment as SENDICO (Special Educational Needs & Intervention).

Congratulations to Harry Williams 8L2 and Henry Wareing 8W2 on their election as School Captain and Vice Captain respectively, to all House and Sports captains and to the following boys for being elected Form Captains: 3G Roshan Patel, 3S Safwaan Qureshi 4G Jayden Thakrar & 4M Manvir Singh-Obhrai.

Each Tutor Group has elected a representative for School Council which met for the first time on Friday. L3 were the winners of the Pringle Challenge which tested teamwork and ingenuity in packaging a single Pringle for safe transportation via Royal Mail back to school. We can report that no Pringle came back intact but L3’s had the fewest pieces!

In terms of Old Terryers, the class of 2011 rightly takes pride of place. From a single cohort of pupils, eight have Oxbridge places (2 from MTS, 2 from HABS, 2 from Harrow School & 2 from state schools as 11+ leavers). This is a school record.

This term we have decided to award a trophy to the boy who best embodies our Learning Dispostions. Over the past three weeks our Learning Disposition has been Concentration and the award goes to Dhaya Thind (4G) for his focus and efforts in Art.

Mr M Hibbert |Assistant Head of School, Mr A Crook |Deputy Head, Mr R Waddington |Director of Studies

NEWS FROM PRE-PREP

Welcome back everyone! It has been a real pleasure to start a new chapter at Merchant Taylors’ Prep with the opening of the Manor this term, with both Nursery & Reception joining together to form a wonderful addition to our Pre-Prep department.
From The Manor

The Reception boys have quickly settled into their beautiful new classrooms and the Nursery boys have made a wonderful start to their time here. We would like to thank our parents for the very supportive role they have played in helping their boys to settle in this term. The photograph shows all of our boys together in the front garden of the Manor.

In the last two weeks the boys have been busy learning the routines of Nursery and Reception life and enjoying all the fun activities that they have to offer. The photograph shows Eisa Nawaz with the Three Little Pigs brick house he made by printing with paint and sponges. In Nursery the boys have been learning to collaborate with their new friends, the photograph shows Yi-Kin Owen Wong and Dylan Patel working together to make the wheel turn during sand play.

This term we will be learning through our topic called ‘Once upon a time’. We have started our topic over the last two weeks using the story of ‘The 3 Little Pigs’ for inspiration and have enjoyed designing and building our own representation of houses. In the photograph Mrs Higgins is busy building a wall in our courtyard with Amar Dahele and Eashan Kumar. The boys are curious to see how mixing sand and water changes the consistency to create ‘cement’ to build their wall.

We would like to thank all the parents who attended the Nursery and Reception Information Meeting last week. We have lots of exciting things planned for the term ahead and are very much looking forward to working with you in the coming year.

From Year 1 and Year 2

We have had a really good start to the term and are delighted that the boys have settled back in so well. As you will see from the Manor news, our Nursery and Reception boys are also happily settled and we enjoy seeing them when they come for their morning at Pre-Prep. As a result of discussions with our new School Council, the boys in Year 1 and 2 will soon be walking to the Manor to visit the new Reception classrooms and I am sure we will have some lovely photos to show you when I next write.  

Over the summer months we rearranged the classrooms in the Pre-Prep. Year 1 have moved to the classrooms that once belonged to Reception and the photograph shows the boys benefitting from having a new garden area to enhance their learning. Our other two rooms are now used as a Library and an Art area.

This term the boys will be learning through a topic called “Yum, Yum!” I would like to thank the parents in Years 1 and 2 for sending in teddy bears to school. These bears have really helped with the topic and the photograph shows Anay Shah, Hassan Shaikh and Kyle Patel enjoying being imaginative with their bears in the woods. As part of the topic, the boys have also made biscuits and will be visiting Mill Green Museum and Mill to see how bread is made.

There was great excitement in Pre-Prep last week when the postman delivered a very special letter from Her Majesty The Queen to acknowledge the card we sent to her in June on the occasion of her 90th birthday. The photographs show the boys in Assembly with the card.

Lastly I would like to say thank you very much to everyone for completing the summer holiday homework relating to Sean the Shark and taking risks. As you know we are trying to help the children in Pre-Prep to develop positive dispositions towards learning that will make them more effective learners at school. Risk taking is a vital part of the learning process that benefits children’s thinking and development and we were delighted to see the variety of ways you all found to enable the children to take considered risks.

Finally, on Thursday 8th September a party was hosted on the terrace at The Houses of Parliament to celebrate the sale of 10 million Raspberry Pi computers. The Raspberry Pi is a small computer designed to allow children to learn about computing and was designed and manufactured in the UK, all profits go to the Raspberry Pi Foundation which develop educational resources. As a leading Computer Science educator Mr Williams was invited along with his son Nathaniel. The photograph shows Nathaniel on the terrace at Westminster.

Nathaniel said of his experience:"Westminster Hall was enormous. We saw the spot where Charles I sat when he was on trial and where Queen Elizabeth II sat." ( for the different Jubilee events).

 

Mrs S Funnell | Head of Pre Prep

PRINCIPAL WRITES
Martin Pedler

It is with great sadness that we report the passing, in August,  of a much loved school governor, Martin Pedler, after a period of illness that he bore with characteristic courage and grace, as well as a sense of good humour.

Martin was a pupil at Northwood Prep School in the early fifties before progressing to Merchant Taylors' School and then on to  Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He enjoyed a very successful career in the hotel industry and was appointed Governor at Northwood Prep from 1993 to 2005. After this hugely impactful period of service,  Martin remained a strong supporter of the school as an active Emeritus Governor and then returned to help with the administrative practicalities of the recent alliance with his former senior school. His wise counsel, deep business wisdom (gained on the shop floor as well as in the boardroom) plus his boyish charm and wit will all be missed,  in equal measure.

We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Wendy, son Stuart, daughter Debbie and their respective families.

 

Dr T Lee | Principal
VISIT
Y5 went to Verulamium Museum

Last week members of Y5 went to Verulamium Museum, just outside St Albans, to look at the artefacts and buildings found on the site of this once-thriving Roman town. During their day they watched videos, played Roman games, handled Roman artefacts and looked at the interesting ways in which the museum staff had interpreted their finds. They also went to the ruins of a Roman villa which displayed a hypocaust, and to the Roman theatre. Throughout the day we encouraged them to consider the importance of viewing the original ruins as well as historians’ and archaeologists’ reconstructions, as well as to engage with the beauty of the possessions and decorations of the people living here nearly 2000 years ago. I asked members of Year 5 to provide some advice for next year’s students when they attend this trip. This is what they said.

Shaurya Jhunjhunwala (5J3) said this: ‘Look out for the cool Roman mosaics. They were so elegant but they must be so very expensive. The age of the artefacts is interesting because the artefacts are fragile but beautiful. Also look out for the under-floor heating (hypocaust) which is amazing technology. The theatre ruins are interesting too – and do read the Boudicca story.’

Felix Regnard-Weinrabe (5J2) said, ‘In the middle of the visit you will see the skeletons of dead people found buried under the ground in Verulamium.’

Georgios Kyriakou (5J1) explains, ‘The mosaics are a type of floor, which is epic.’ I assume that he means that the floor was constructed by putting together thousands of small pieces of coloured tile: one mosaic on display at Verulamium had 200,000 tiles in it. He also recognised that the theatre ‘is a beautiful sight.’ (Or, perhaps, a beautiful site).

Jack Groves (5W2) said, ‘I thought seeing real pieces which are nearly 2000 years old was incredible. The most impressive thing was the hypocaust and it was so cool because who would think of that stunning idea?’

Mr A McConnell | Head of History

SPORT 
Welcome back!

We’d like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone back to what will be another busy Autumn term of Rugby and Hockey Fixtures! The U12 & U13 Hockey teams have already got the year off to a strong start with a 6-0 victory and 5-5 draw against Berkhamsted Prep, congratulations to Sohan Mukherjee (7J3) and Shay Thakrar (7L3) for their goals for the U12’s victory.

To see what is happening in the PE department during matches, lessons and general updates please follow @MTSprepsport on twitter. We will update scores and pick up times on match days throughout the year.

Also congratulations to Krish Patel 6N1 who has been selected for Middlesex U11 Cricket academy. He is a very good batsmen /wicketkeeper. Fingers crossed it leads to a full cap next summer.

Mr D Todd | Director of Sport

U10 Westminster Football Tournament

In this prestigious tournament held on Sunday 18 September, Merchant Taylors' Prep U10 football team reached the final of the Plate Competition. Our victories in the knock-out stage included a 2-1 win against Lyndhurst in the quarter final and a win on penalties v Thomas Fulham in the semi final. Unfortunately in the final we narrowly lost 2-0 to a strong Shrewsbury House side, but still a fantastic achievement by the boys.

Mr Evans | Sports Coach


Y3 Parents
When there are matches we will send you an email with names of those playing and details of the matches (usually 2 days before the match). Even if your son has not been included in that particular match we will still send you the list of players to avoid any confusion. We will assume your son is able to play unless you let us know via MTPteamsheets@mtpn.org.uk that he is unavailable. If before matches you are not receiving team sheets via email, please check with the School Office that we have your correct email address.

Mr D Todd | Director of Sport

MUSIC
Latest Exam Results - Congratulations boys!
Name Exam Grade Result
THOMAS BALDWIN CELLO PREP TEST  
AHREN CHADHA MUSIC THEORY 01 Merit
DENIZCAN DENIZ MUSIC THEORY 02 Pass
JAY GHELANI MUSIC THEORY 01 Pass
LUKA HINTON MUSIC THEORY 01 Merit
RAYAN JOSHI MUSIC THEORY 01 Merit
YASH KOTECHA CELLO PREP TEST  
PAASHA MOHAMMADI MUSIC THEORY 01 Pass
NIKHIL MOHAN FLUTE PREP TEST  
AAYUSH PANDIT MUSIC THEORY 01 Merit
KRISHAV SEHDEV MUSIC THEORY 01 Merit
ARYAN SODHA MUSIC THEORY 01 Pass
KRISH THAKRAR MUSIC THEORY 01 Distinction
YIORGOS VELIMACHITIS MUSIC THEORY 01 Merit
FELIX REGNARD-WEINRABE MUSIC THEORY 02 Distinction

Name Instrument Grade Result
JAYDE AH-TIME CLARINET 02 Pass
ROHAN CHOUDHARY GUITAR 02 Pass
ELLIOT CRAFT CLARINET 05 Pass
DENIZCAN DENIZ GUITAR 05 Pass
LUKA HINTON GUITAR 01 Merit
CHARLIE MARSHALL TRUMPET 05 Merit
ALEXANDER MILBANK VIOLIN 05 Pass
ANISH MORJARIA SINGING 05 Pass
SIDDHARTH NAYAR CLARINET 05 Pass
ROHAN OLSEN FLUTE 02 Pass
RYAN PRABHAKAR VIOLIN 01 Pass
RAIYAN QURESHI PIANO 03 Pass
SIDH SADANA GUITAR 01 Merit
MRUTHYUNJAI SATHEESH PIANO 02 Distinction
KRISHAV SEHDEV PIANO 02 Pass
RISHIL SODHA SINGING 05 Pass
JAYDEN THAKRAR GUITAR 01 Merit

Mrs C Hawkes | Director of Music

Introducing Whole Class Band at MTP

Last term we trialled Whole Class Band with Year 7 and this year I am very excited to announce that we are now running Whole Class Band with all of Year 7 and 8.  The boys have all been given an instrument, either flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet or bass guitar and are learning to play their instrument in class.  Through Whole Class Band the boys are learning what it means to be a musician.  As well as learning to read music the boys are learning discipline, teamwork, cooperation, self-confidence, and enjoying themselves in the process.  The passion of the boys towards this new initiative is infectious and it was lovely to hear one of the Year 7 boys, after being given his instrument, shouting out in the playgroup “a trumpeter for life”.  The boys are being asked to put aside a few minutes each day to practise the skills they are learning in class and we look forward to inviting parents to a concert later this year.
I would really like to thank the boys who worked so hard last term as we trialled the new programme, and the School for their support in making this exciting programme happen.

Mrs C Hawkes | Director of Music
     
LITERACY
EXCLUSIVE

MICHAEL MORPURGO'S - WHY THE WHALES CAME - NEW BARN THEATRE

TUESDAY OCTOBER 11th - 5.30pm We are very fortunate to be hosting a preview of Danyah Miller's latest theatre production for children WHY THE WHALES CAME in the New Barn Theatre this autumn.

"‘Why The Whales Came’
 is full of fun, mystery and adventure".

"Gracie and Daniel have been forbidden to go near the mysterious and seemingly dangerous Birdman. But messages and clues intrigue them and, after being lost at sea in the fog and stranded on his tiny island, they begin to unravel the Birdman’s secrets, the villagers’ fears and superstitions and learn why the whales came to the island. " Multi-award-winning performer and storyteller Danyah Miller vividly brings to life another enchanting tale by Michael Morpurgo.  Danyah's company, Wizard, recently presented  I Believe in Unicorns, which was nominated as one of the best children's shows in the West End last year. We are offering tickets for £2.50 each, which means a family of four can see a show for just £10 before it goes on a National Tour and reaches the West End. This is a highly recommended family show for everyone over 7 years old (Years 2-8), which we expect will sell out. So please get your ticket orders in quick. Running Time: 60 minutes without an interval. See email for tickets.

Mrs S Smith | Learning Resources Manager

CELEBRATING Roald Dahl's 100th Birthday

Last week the tutor groups marked what would have been Roald Dahl's 100th Birthday by reading or sharing their favourite extract from one of his books.

To continue the Dahl centenary celebrations we are mounting a display in the LRC.

Over the summer several MTP families followed the BFG Dream Jar Trail around London.
The jars were scattered around the city to coincide with the release of Steven Spielberg's film version of the BFG.

The jars contained sculptures based on the dreams of 50 celebrities and artists and could be spotted across London and beyond over seven weeks during the summer holiday.

If you were lucky enough to find any of the jars and took a photograph of your find, then please do send me a copy so I  can add it to the Roald Dahl display in the LRC. The more images the merrier.

Please send your photos ASAP as we want to complete the display before Open Day in October.
They can be sent by email to: sjsmith@mtpn.org.uk or bring them in on a memory stick or as colour prints.

If you want to write anything about your jar or visit to London, we will look forward to adding that as well.

Mrs S Smith | Learning Resources Manager

The Learning Support Hub


We are really pleased to have a dedicated space for working with groups of boys now. This space is more formally known as The Learning Support Hub, but on a day to day basis we simply call it The Hub. We will be using this area to support our boys in many aspects of the curriculum. Having a dedicated area like this is a real luxury, and we are pleased that the boys at Merchant Taylors’ Prep will benefit from it

Mrs C Williams | SENDICO

SCIENCE    
Science Happenings
   

We want to extend a big word of welcome to your sons for another year in the Science Department. As we reflect on a successful previous year we would like to share a few thoughts with you on the new academic year.

Mr Goddard will be teaching Year Three, Miss Burke Years Four to Six and Mr De Vynck Year Seven and Eight. Mr Horne continues to provide expert support as our Science Technician and we also thank the learning support staff in advance for all their efforts. We have been working to standardise certain aspects across the department and you will notice a parental support letter at the start of your son’s exercise book. Please read this to gain a deeper insight into your son’s Science teacher’s approach to teaching and learning for every year and for some suggestions as to how you can support him in his Science learning at home.

As our merger with MTS enters its second year we continue to reshape our curriculum and the pupil experience to stimulate intellectual curiosity through e.g. setting extended projects as homework across a topic. The picture shows some 3D cell models designed and made by Year 7 pupils. The brief here was to use as many as possible repurposed or recycled materials whilst striving for unique and creative designs. Learning outcomes continue to be encapsulated in topic tick sheets and there will still be end of topic tests to foster academic prowess. We are, however, gently shifting our emphasis to allow for an even more experiential and fun approach to learning.

A good way of supporting your son would be to familiarise yourself with the outcomes on a topic tick sheet and then to regularly speak to him about the work, with an emphasis on everyday contexts. To support independent learning, we ask that your son check his topic tick sheets on at least a weekly basis and indicates progress. We will also be expecting your son to respond to every teacher comment that has been made in his book.

Whilst striving for an engaging and enthralling school learning experience, we will also be investigating opportunities to take the boys out into the world of Science or to bring exciting speakers and learning opportunities into school. We will keep you updated on any developments here.

We can already celebrate some early achievements with our KS2 star students of the month. Mr Goddard selected Chaitya Jain (3G), who has made a good impression by showing excellent curiosity along with fantastic concentration – the perfect blend for an amazing scientist. Miss Burke has selected Ishan Olsen (4G), Jack Groves (5W2) and Oliver Browne (6W1) for the excellent start that they have made to the year in their Science studies.

Miss Burke has had good attendance after school on a Tuesday afternoon and the picture shows Darshan Patel and Saavan Patel making their own skittle rainbow in Year 5 Science Club.

Our Y8 boys will be the last to sit MTS entrance exams and we wish them all the best in this task. Mr De Vynck will be providing Science Surgeries on Wednesdays after school and also at 8am on a Thursday morning. Please ensure that your son makes use of these supportive academic sessions if at all possible.

We thank you for your support in advance. If you have any serious concerns about Science or your son’s progress, please contact the relevant teacher by e-mail and they will respond asap.

The Science Team

   
ART
Photographic Competition 2016
Mr D Roach | Head of Art and Design
CHARITY
Harvest Festival, Friday 30/9/16

We will be holding our Harvest Festivals on Friday 30th September at The Prep, The Pre-Prep and The Manor. We will again be collecting non-perishable items to donate to the Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership (WTRRP) who work closely with like-minded organisations such as the Red Cross, Homestart, the Catholic Worker Farm and the New Hope Trust to help local vulnerable and needy adults and children. Here is a ‘Shopping List’ showing appropriate items:

  • Cereals
  • Tinned meat
  • Pasta sauce
  • Long life milk
  • Long life juice
  • Coffee
  • Shampoo
  • Clothes washing gel (preferred as it stores better)
  • Washing up liquid
  • Tinned vegetables
  • Tinned puddings
  • Rice (small packages preferred)
  • Toiletries
  • Nappies

Please send any donations into school with your son on Friday 30th September. Years 3-8 should take their donations to the New Barn Theatre foyer, Year 1 & Year 2 to the Pre Prep Hall and Reception & Nursery to The Manor foyer.

World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, Friday 30/9/16

We will also be hosting the ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ on the same day in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

You are warmly welcomed to come and have coffee with us from 8.00-8.30am in the Oliver Bangham Dining Hall.

All donations will be gratefully received. The money raised will help Macmillan to provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support to those living with cancer. http://www.fenlandcitizen.co.uk/webimage/1.4317029.1348847278!/image/1906856854.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_595/1906856854.jpg

Welcome to the annual Moor Park 10k & Junior Fun Runs - sponsored by Stewarts Law LLP

Moor Park Fun Run, Sunday 25/9/16

Since it was first organised in 2002, the Moor Park 10k & Junior Fun Runs have raised more than £530,000 for the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, helping them to meet some of the 35,000 requests for help they receive each year.

We are delighted that so many of our students support this local event every year, raising money for a good cause. Last year, we had about 30 students and 5 members of staff taking part in the race, with Jonathan Read arriving 3rd in one of the senior races.

We thank you for your continued support.

Mrs Gadd, Mr Kopel & Mrs Steed | School Charity Co-ordinators

PARENTS' ASSOCIATION
MTP PA warmly welcome you

On behalf of the MTP PA we would like to warmly welcome you back to school this academic year, especially to all the new parents who have joined us.

There have been a number of changes to the PA committee since last year and the baton has been passed onto a set of enthusiastic and motivated parents who will endeavour to continue the great work of the PA.

A survey was circulated at the end of last year requesting your feedback on the PA.  A huge thank you to all those who took the time to complete it and we will publishing the feedback shortly. The results have been invaluable and are helping us shape the focus of the PA going forward.

One of the key themes that came out of the survey feedback was that the PA should be there to “Bring Family and Friends together for the MTP Community”. 

Over the course of this academic year we have some very exciting events planned for parents and children (more details to come).  Please save the date for the following PA events which are being held this term:
·         Friday 14th Oct – Mufti day and cake sale
·         Thursday 3rd Nov – Fireworks evening
·         Saturday 19th November – Christmas Fair in collaboration with Merchant Taylors’ School
·         Wednesday 7th December – Christmas Concert (followed by a Cheese & Wine evening (non-alcoholic drinks will also be served))

More information will be provided soon including updates to our website and a regular slot in the MTP Newsletter.
In the meantime if you are interested in volunteering get in touch by emailing us at mtppa@mtpn.org.uk. We would love to hear from you!
Warm regards

The MTP PA

DRAMA
Outstanding Y7 LAMDA Results!

On Wednesday 6th July, the latest cohort of eight Year 7 boys undertook their Level 1 Grade 3 LAMDA examinations in The Speaking of Verse and Prose. Once again, the boys rehearsed, recited and discussed two pieces of literature with an external examiner before performing their pieces to family and friends within an entertaining ‘Evening of Poetry and Prose’ in The New Barn Theatre. I am now delighted to announce that the boys’ hard work and talent has been rewarded with a record equalling haul of eight straight Distinctions. This is an outstanding achievement for all concerned. A special mention must go to our School Captain and Vice Captain Harry Williams (L2) and Henry Wareing (W2), who scored an impressive 87% and 88% respectively, closely followed by the rest of the cohort. Last term’s results in full are as follows:

Niam Bhattacharya (W2) – Pass with Distinction
Thomas Groves (W3) – Pass with Distinction
Ankit Chadha (J2) – Pass with Distinction
Elliot Craft (L2) – Pass with Distinction

Raiyan Qureshi (N1) – Pass with Distinction
Harry Williams (L2) – Pass with Distinction
Raj Shah (J1) – Pass with Distinction
Henry Wareing (W2) – Pass with Distinction

Speech and Drama continues to go from strength to strength at MTP and LAMDA exams are a key ingredient in our quest to produce happy, confident and well-rounded boys with high self-esteem. Congratulations, Year 7 and good luck to this term’s candidates who can be supported in their endeavours at ‘An Evening of Poetry and Prose’ on Tuesday 13th December. 

Mr S. Hinton | Head of Speech and Drama

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

On the 26th of September, Merchant Taylors’ Prep is celebrating the European Day of Languages which happens every year since 2001, as an initiative of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Throughout Europe, 800 million Europeans are encouraged to learn more languages, at any age, in and out of school. Being convinced that linguistic diversity is a tool for achieving greater intercultural understanding and a key element in the rich cultural heritage of our continent, the Council of Europe promotes plurilingualism in the whole of Europe.

The general objectives of the European Day of Languages are to:
alert the public to the importance of language learning and diversify the range of languages learned in order to increase plurilingualism and intercultural understanding;
promote the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe;
encourage lifelong language learning in and out of school.

In 2013, a survey of more than 1,000 UK university graduates showed that 70% of them cannot speak any languages other than English. It also revealed that 14% of them had lost out on a job opportunity because they did not speak another language. In fact, employers are increasingly seeking talent abroad because of the shortage of graduates with a foreign language, according to HR Magazine. Many businesses are global in their very nature but it seems that UK graduates are not always well placed to take advantage of the massive opportunities abroad, for instance in South America or Asia, simply due to their lack of language skills. All young people should therefore be ready to travel, experience different cultures and try to pick up a bit of language from their chosen country.

During the week beginning on the 26th of September, the MFL Department at Merchant Taylors’ Prep School is celebrating the European Day of Languages and in particular the 300 languages and dialects spoken in London, by running a few activities dedicated to languages i.e. a giant prize draw, an Assembly followed by a quiz, a continental breakfast, various lunchtime screenings of French and Spanish cartoons etc.

Within the European Union, there are 23 officially recognised languages. There are also more than 60 indigenous regional and minority languages, and many non-indigenous languages spoken by migrant communities. Just over half of Europeans (54%) are able to hold a conversation in at least one additional language, a quarter (25%) are able to speak at least two additional languages and one in ten (10%) are conversant in at least three.

The five most widely spoken foreign languages remain English (38%), French (12%), German (11%), Spanish (7%) and Russian (5%). Almost everyone in Luxembourg (98%), Latvia (95%), the Netherlands (94%), Malta (93%), Slovenia and Lithuania (92% each), and Sweden (91%) are able to speak at least one language in addition to their mother tongue. Countries where people are least likely to be able to speak any foreign language are Hungary (65%), Italy (62%)), the UK and Portugal (61% in each), and Ireland (60%).

Mr R Kopel | Head of MFL Department

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