Dragon News

News from the Dragons Den

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NEWS FROM DRAGONS DEN

On Fri. 16th March it is Year 7 chapel and the pupils will be focusing on Brian House. To raise funds the school we will be having a non uniform day.

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New House Captains are:
Grace McKnight and Kane Walkden,
Ella Morley and Harrison Ardron, Lauren Brook and James Wraith. We wish them well and hope they have a good term.

Year 7 (Under 12) Hockey Match Report Vs Denstone College
Sat 21st Jan
 

After a slight hiccup in the first game of the hockey season, the boys were determined to put things right with a good performance against a very strong hockey school. The A team played first and started the match in excellent fashion. The ball was moved from one side of the pitch to the other with ease and tired the opposition out quickly. When the opportunity arose the ball was played wide and up the sides which we had decided was the best way to play. Chances kept coming but not quite going into the goal, but eventually late in the first half, Bradley Sharples picked the ball up at the top of the “D” and struck an impressive low reverse shot into the bottom left corner.

After such a good first half, it was asked of the boys to push hard and try and raise these already high standards they had set. In parts there were sure signs of this, but as the boys got more tired the ball seemed to be forced down the middle a bit too much and possession was given away a few too many times. Yet with solid defending from the back three of Harrison Stott, Alex Eastham and Teo Beaume, coupled with good distribution, we still looked a threat when the ball was played in to the high two players.

The game finished 1-0 to Rossall and was a fantastic result for all of the boys.

 

Man of the Match = Bradley Gosling and Alex Eastham

 

The second match saw the B team play in what for many of them, was their first ever experience of competitive hockey. Once again through the hard work the boys have been doing in training, the Rossall boys started the game in great style. The ball was fizzing around from player to player with a great deal of accuracy. With good movement up front the opportunities in front of goal were coming thick and fast. Eventually, from a short corner the ball was struck goal bound, and Will McCaragher was able to get a neat deflection on the ball, and divert it into the goal. In the second half, there was a similar story to the A team match, where the boys tired and some of the things they were doing so well in the first half became a little more difficult. Still looking threatening on the break, Rossall had a number of chances to close the game out, Lee Jagger having a great game in attack. Well played to all the boys and I look forward to our next fixture.

 

Man of the Match = Will McCaragher and Lee Jagger

Author - Mark Walden visits Rossall

Mark Walden visits Rossall

VISITING AUTHOR

We were very fortunate to welcome Mark Walden to Rossall on Wednesday to address an audience of around 180 pupils from Juniors and Dragon along with pupils from local primary schools.

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The children listened intently to Mark as he explained how in fictional stories there is much said about the

hero, but very little about the villain. Where do villains learn to be bad and make all the contraptions for their evil trade? We heard

how in his novels the villains are selected to attend a special school continuously for six years. They master the arts of outwitting the ‘goodies’….not too many secrets were given away, but it did capture the imagination.

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The series of ‘HIVE’ books

were available for purchase and were personalised by Mark.

Dragon Photo Galleries

Dragon Galleries

Speech and Drama

SPEECH AND DRAMA NEWS (Report from Mrs Mistry)

24 students in Junior and Dragon took a variety of LAMDA exams this week. These included some Acting, some Speaking of Verse

and Prose and even a Devised Drama exam, which for those of you who don’t know involves 2 scenes on a given subject, practised,

but nevertheless improvised by the learner, not an easy task (well done Kirsty)!

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The examiner, who has recently hosted an exam session as far away as Hong Kong, travelled from his home in Shropshire to take the exams for us and commented that the children were “all lovely.”

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Results

We had 11 students gaining Merit and 13 gaining Distinction! The achievements are as follows:

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Gaining a Merit in the Preliminary exam

Sam Ayoma Max Boyd Angus Brindle Benjamin Kirkwood Felix Mistry

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Gaining a Distinction in the Preliminary exam

Meagan Baxendale Harry Gordon Nayana Mistry Georgia Oldham Pippa Rogerson Isaac Wiggans

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Gaining a Merit in Grade 1 Speaking of Verse & Prose

Ellie Kozakiewicz Luca Carpenito

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Gaining a Distinction in Grade 1 Speaking of Verse & Prose

Charley Clarke Edward Hockings Alex Marsden

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Gaining a Merit in Grade 2 Acting

Grace Gordon Hannah Pook Emily Salt Ben Scammell

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Gaining a Distinction in Grade 3 Acting

Lydia Bannister Nunn Kathryn Salt

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Gaining a Distinction in Grade 2 Devised Drama

Kirsty Swarbrick

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A fantastic first start to the LAMDA exams for many of the students and continuing success for the others, well done everyone! More exams in March.

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Well done everyone. I am really proud of you all!
Rossall Halloween Party

Halloween Party (Report from Mr & Mrs McKnight)

The ghosts were in the Dragon's Den on Tuesday night when the common room was converted into a witches' and warlocks' cavern.

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Year 7 and 8 dressed up in traditional manner although, I didn't think witches wore designer clothes and shoes.

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Mr Hall kept discipline with his scary outfit; he is thinking about wearing it for class.

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The children enjoyed the party especially dunking for apples; putting their faces into a slimy green jelly tub to retrieve sweets; not forgetting putting their mouth into the cold spaghetti for creepy crawlers!

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Food was donated by the Friends of Rossall

along with cakes and sandwiches brought in by many parents.

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Mrs Cross entered into the spirit of things and enjoyed the evening as

much as the children.

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Thank you Friends of Rossall and Common

Room involved in making this a night to remember.

Sports Roundup for Dragons

SPORTS ROUND UP

18.01.12
U13’s Boys Hockey vs. Malsis (Report by Mr Kelly)

After a disappointing loss to Giggleswick in the first game of the season, Rossall faced Malsis on a typically cold day at Rossall. The game started slowly with Rossall dominating possession and territory; however Rossall couldn’t find a way past the Malsis goal keeper who was in top form all day. It took until the last minute of the first third until Harrison A received the ball on the edge of the “D” beat two defenders and neatly finished in the bottom corner.

A number of changes were made to the Rossall team for the second third, but this didn’t stop them playing free flowing hockey. Oliver was a rock in the centre of the Rossall defence quashing each Malsis attack and distributing the ball very well. The second goal came when Remy followed up a James W shot to score a typical poachers goal and shortly after this Rossall added a 3rd just at the end of the second third.

More changes for Rossall and still the hockey being played remained at a very high standard. Malsis pulled a goal back from a well struck short corner, however Rossall dominated the final third of the match and the game was finished off with a well struck short corner from Harrison A.

The game finished 4-1 and it was great to see 13 different boys representing Rossall in a very positive manner.

Man of the match – Oliver for a superb defensive display throughout the game.

Rossall celebrates National Poetry Day with a "Poetry Slam"

Poetry Slam

The English Department celebrated National Poetry Day with a poetry 'slam' in the Sumner Library during the lunchtime break.

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About thirty contestants  from Years 7-9 'strutted their stuff' in front of an enthusiastic audience, reciting poems they had written themselves on topics ranging from troublesome pets to annoying little sisters.

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A very good time was had by all and  thanks go out to the courageous participants; and to Rossall colleagues in the English department who selected the contestants and supported what we hope will become an annual event.

 

The winners were:

Year 7 Lydia Bannister-Lunn

Year 8 Chase Mills

Year 9 Daniel Wightman & Gabriella Davey

Lauren Stephens dances a piece from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Blackpool Winter Gardens

Sweet Treat

Year 8 pupil Lauren Stephens danced the night away performing a piece from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to a wide audience at the famous Blackpool Winter Gardens in June.

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Having danced for 5 years, Lauren was delighted to be a part of “The HITS” show, performed by her dance school, Starlight Stage School in Thornton. .

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Following a successful audition and countless rehearsals Lauren thoroughly enjoyed performing the show and looks forward to her next one.

OUTSIDE ROSSALL

Ella Morley chosen for Wyre Under 13s Cricket TeamElla Morley pictured has been selected for Lancashire in the U13 hockey trials which have been taking place since September. CONGRATULATIONS and play hard.

.has passed her Level 9 Field Moves in addition to the Level 5 elements and Free programme. She has had a flying start to her Ice Skating this term! Lydia has also won first prize in the autobiography competition. Keep being successful..

Thumbs Up!

Lydia Bannister Nunn

Well done.

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Jordan is chosen to represent England at chess

Jordan has all the Right Moves

He might be a ‘rookie’, but Jordan Lewis has proved that he has all the right moves when it comes to the competitive world of chess, so much so that he’s been selected to represent England at the tender age of eleven.

 

The chess prodigy and year seven pupil of Rossall School, Fleetwood, is likely to achieve success across the board, if his early years in chess are anything to go by .They’ve seen him earn a rating to put him right on course to become a chess grand master in the future and highlighted him as one of the world’s brightest under-15 prospects in the game.

 

The Cleveleys youngster has already represented England in competition in Belgium, and has been invited to join the national team to play against Georgia, in the former Soviet Republic later this year. His tactical nous has already been seen in the British Championships, where, in the final, he lost narrowly to an older and more experienced opponent, but boosted his reputation, which continues to grow with every competition.

 

Jordan was taught to play chess at the age of five, by father, Gareth. He enjoyed it so much and showed such promise that, lessons at a local chess club followed. These were so successful that Jordan eventually started to beat his tutor on a regular basis, so a new chess coach had to be been found to help him develop to the next level. This should help him improve on the rating he currently holds, which is 132, and ensure he climbs the ratings to one day hit the 230 mark that will herald his arrival as a chess grand master.

 

Although already an excellent all round pupil, Jordan’s love of chess has helped immensely in his school work and the youngster has praised the game for improving his concentration. Says Jordan: “Chess is great because it helps with school work and helps with decision-making. It also helps me to concentrate more in class, which means I learn more. One day I hope to be a chess grand master and do it for a living, which would be brilliant.”

 

Head of juniors, Katie Lee, believes Jordan has what it takes to achieve his ambitions, despite his age. She commented: “We always like to nurture talented pupils, although I’m not sure we can help Jordan improve his chess skills too much, as he’s already as good as many of the older pupils in senior school, but we are delighted to see him progressing at such a pace in a pursuit where discipline and concentration are such vital components. However, we can continue to encourage him in other areas of school life, where he’s also proving to be something of a model pupil.”

 

The next move for the local youngster, en route to becoming the Fylde’s equivalent of chess giants Garry Kasparov or Bobby Fischer, will be a short trip to compete in the Blackpool Chess Championships, taking place in the resort in April.   There, Jordan will be up against the best in the area, but will be hoping to keep his opponents in check, as he bids for the local title.  Travels further afield though could have to be put on ice for now, unless the 11-year-old can find a local company to help with modest sponsorship of his travel to compete in international events. 

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Companies interested in helping the Fylde’s brightest chess star achieve his dream can contact Rossall’s head of juniors, Katie Lee on 01253 774201.