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Summer learning at Dame Catherine Harpur’s school
Here are some of the things we’ve been up to over the last couple of weeks.
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Alumni stories
Emma, Dan and Jack Morris – ex- pupils’ success
My name is Emma Morris and I started nursery at DCHS in October 2002 and left the school the summer of 2011. I have incredibly fond memories’ of Dame Catherine Harpur school and believe that it shaped me into the person I am today.
Recently I spent a week with the school on the school trip to Wales. That’s me at the back in the middle. Not only was I reminded of the amazing times I had there but I remembered what’s so valuable and wonderful about DCHS. This is a school where your child is encouraged to be themselves, a school where kindness and empathy flourishes in the students and a school where you learn to believe in yourself.
No matter what your academic ability is you are encouraged to reach your full potential with all the support you need in a friendly and exploratory environment. I would definitely recommend an education at Dame Catherines.
I am currently studying Biology, Chemistry and Maths at Ashby Sixth form. I am hoping to study chemical engineering at Sheffield University. My brothers also went to Dame Catherine’s. Dan has just graduated with a first in Aerospace Engineering, and Jack has got a placement at JCB, and is halfway through his M-Eng degree.
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Annual sports day
Our annual sports day was lots of fun as always, including a total soaking in the water fight!
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Free stay-and-play sessions!
Join us for a free ‘play-and’stay’ session for under 5’s, every Tuesday throughout September 2017. Sessions running from 1.30 – 3.30pm and give you and your child the opportunity to experience our messy kitchen in the forest school area, play in the garden, dress up in the nursery or be creative at one of our activity tables. Places are limited as we like to keep things small and friendly, so booking is essential to secure your place – email us at office@damecatherines.org
Refreshments provided!
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Gardening day
A lovely day preparing for summer and summer activities such as the holiday club and the art show. Thanks everyone for your excellent work! We found a newt (we think) and hopefully it will be happy in its new, cleaner, home.
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Triathlon
Last year we swam the channel – this year we are challenging the children to follow in the footsteps of the Brownlee brothers who helped each other over the finish line to take gold and silver in the triathlon for Team GB at the 2016 Olympics.
The Dame Catherine Mini Children’s Triathlon consists of:
• 20 minutes of swimming in the pool
• 20 minutes of running
• 20 minutes of scooting around the playground
Every child who takes part will receive a certificate.
Parents' stories
Parents’ view
Finding the right school can be a minefield at the best of times, but when your children need to learn in a very special way, it is particularly difficult. Our search for such a school began at short notice, when our children’s school closed. We visited several well run schools, but somehow, they didn’t quite match up.
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Tinkering
Book now for 3rd June Tinkering school
Badger and Paul tested the first Tinkering School session, with success!
Pupils made this fantastic insect hotel, let’s see who moves in over the next few weeks…
Official session will be held during half term, 3 June. Watch out for updates if you want to join in.
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New prospectus
We are delighted to publish our latest prospectus offering a downloadable version of all the information about the school. Please click here to download the prospectus.
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Summer Events – Car boot, Tinkering school, 30th Anniversary…
Some dates for your diary. Please contact us for more information. Online booking will be available where appropriate.
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Garden tidy up and social
The community gathered together to Spring clean the garden and enjoy a delicious BBQ (first of the year, and only spotted with rain!).
A lot of hacking, sawing, drilling, cutting, wheelbarrowing and den building took place, and now the garden is all ready for the year, including a new forest section for the nursery, and the summer holiday club.
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Open day Sat 13th May 10am-1pm
Please note a revision to the previously advertised date; due to unforeseen circumstances we have had to change the open day, apologies for any inconvenience caused. If you can’t make the new date, please contact us to arrange a visit at your convenience.
Dame Catherine’s is a school with a difference.
We don’t test, and give children lots of time and space to learn through play and creativity.
Find out more about how we teach and learn here.
Join us on the Saturday 13th May 10am-1pm to see the school, meet the staff and ask any questions you have.
Please contact us if you have any questions beforehand. No need to book, please just come along.
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Open day: 24th September
Pop in for coffee and cake at our open day on Saturday 24th September, 10 am – 1pm
or give us a call and arrange a visit or book in for a trial session. Places still available!
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Art exhibition + mini festival
Dame Catherines Art Festival
Dame Catherine’s is hosting it’s 23rd art exhibition this august bank holiday weekend. Though the art is primarily aimed at an older audience, we haven’t forgotten about the younger generation, and we’ve set up a mini festival in the Dame Catherine garden for them.
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A Right Royal Sports Day
Sports day was brilliant fun as usual, with a lovely barbecue afterward to recover.
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Swim the channel
We swam 26 miles!
Amber 20 lengths/500m
Dominic 56 lengths/1400m
Flo 42 lengths/1050m
Herbie* 36 lengths/900m
Joe 30 lengths/750m
Lizzie 29 lengths/725m
Maddie 64 lengths/1600m
Maggie* 20 lengths/500m
Malachi* 13 lengths/325m
Mia 21 lengths/525m
Pria 28 lengths/700m
Tommy* 24 lengths/600m
Zev* 22 lengths/550m