Dear Parents,
As you can see from the photo, some of our pupils have been enjoying ice skating on a recent trip out.
This morning's assembly was a marathon, lasting nearly an hour! Pupils have done so well with the rewards system that it took some time to give out all the rewards that have been achieved. Year 7 pupils did particularly well with Kray-Declan, Tamiah, and Joe walking out of assembly with an ipod, a TV, and a new Bicycle. We are delighted that these pupils have achieved such a high number of merits and we look forward to many more of our pupils gaining appropriate rewards for being in the right place at the right time, for applying themselves in lessons, and for making progress. Every child and young person in the school is capable of achieving rewards like these.
The assembly then went on to review the year, with a top ten of the most searched items on the internet. These came in as the Royal Wedding, iphone, Big Brother, X Factor, EastEnders, Cheryl Cole, Katie Price, job centre, national lottery, and FTSE.
We thought about all the turmoil we have seen this year and significant events such as the Japanese Tsunami, the death of Bin Laden, and the Arab Spring. We also thought about some of the things that make the standard of living for the typical person in the UK higher than it is in the rest of the world, and we are all grateful for the work done in the NHS, schools, and other public sector areas which make this country a positive place to live.
We then looked at some Christmas traditions, and their origins, such as the 12 days, Saturnalia, Decorations, Christmas Cards, and why it is that we have a feast in the middle of winter. The assembly concluded with a poem, "Twas the night before Christmas" by Clement Moore. It is reproduced below.
On behalf of all the staff at Lindsworth School we would like to wish all pupils and their parents and carers a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Next term starts with a training day for staff on the 4th January 2012, and pupils are expected in as normal on Thursday 5th January 2012.
Very best wishes and greetings of the seasons,
David McMahon
Headteacher.
Twas the Night Before Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
he prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
is cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
