Cumnor House Boys Chronicle

Chronicle
2020-2021



Welcome Whilst I do not want to dwell too what we had learned, “We didn’t
from the much upon the challenges of the give up - we found solutions with
Headmistress past eighteen months, I do want to online learning.” This statement in
share with you my admiration for itself embodies the attitudes that we
the courage and resilience that all hope our girls will have. The laptops
members of this community have distributed to all girls in Years Three
demonstrated of late. As we now and above enabled a consistent
begin to emerge from the other side offering with online teaching and
of this crisis, we do so in the sure again one girl described this as giving
knowledge that we have inspired them a “leap in our learning”. The
each other to live with hope, and girls continued to be outward looking
face the future knowing that we will with their charitable giving and the
emerge from this stronger than ever generosity of families for the Purley
before. We have not simply survived; Food Hub was humbling when we had
we have grown together, learned our Pyjama Day. Wellbeing grew as
together and thrived together during a focus, beginning with the Global
these, the most testing of times.  Be Well Day where we welcomed
Amber Stobbs from Crystal Palace
When asked in assembly the things Football Club to speak to the girls,
that the girls have enjoyed and the introduction of the Antibullying
learned this year, one would never Ambassadors and scheduled time
imagine that one third of the year for girls to have opportunity to
was taken over by remote learning talk about their concerns. When
and that the rest of the time we we looked back on the year, it was
were operating in very constrained apparent that there has been no
circumstances. They cited all of loss in experience for these girls,
the things that they had enjoyed in it was just a different experience.
terms of theme days, and events.
Firm favourites included the dancing I am immeasurably proud of
unicorns on International Happiness my colleagues and I marvel at
Day! As school was able to open their resourcefulness and the
up a little more, the Bushcraft Day compassionate solicitude that they
and residential trips, the robotics have shown for all of our girls. They
workshop and the outdoor Maths day have moved proverbial mountains
and the performances of Seussical during recent months and have
were all enjoyed and the girls also done so willingly with grace and
relished the opportunity of being kindness. All of our teachers have
able to show their work to parents adapted to online teaching incredibly
on the ‘A Look at Learning’ mornings. successfully – always seeking to ‘go
Prior and post lockdown, many of the extra mile’ in order to maximise
our normal events still took place, learning opportunities and ensure the
the Easter Bonnet Parade, the Roald very best outcomes for our children.
Dahl Day, Sports Day, year group swim I am proud of them, grateful to them
galas, the Talent Show, to name but and humbled by them. 
a few, but we had to do them behind
closed doors which was a shame for Being shortlisted for Small
parents who want to share these Independent School of the Year is
joys and experiences but know that a fabulous high upon which to end
all of these experiences were still our academic year and it is a real
valid and still much enjoyed and testimony to everyone who is a
valued by for the girls. Where we part of this school and the way we
couldn’t do things face to face, we have worked together to create this
explored new ways of doing things, school. The whole is greater than
for example, the online parents’ the sum of its parts.  This is what
evening and recorded concerts. The Cumnor Girls is about, it all starts
development of our online teaching with family, we need each other.
and learning platforms has been key, Family is what matters most and
one of the girls stated, when asked our school community is a family. 

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN

By Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.

To the Class But it is what we do and how we think the best possible outcomes for
of 2021 once we have made that decision you. They are making decisions
that is so important. A commitment that they believe , at that time, with
The central message in this poem is and determination as well as a all things considered, are the right
that, in life, we are often presented resolute approach that you want ones. And parents, it is important
with choices. When making a choice, this pathway to be the best path. that you remember that, don’t let
one is required to make a decision. that pesky hindsight rob you of your
Here the author is viewing a choice as Consider also though that perhaps original true intention and motive.
a fork in a path, it becomes clear that there isn’t a road that you want to
in life we must choose one direction take at all, perhaps you will choose Girls, as you grow up it is not your
or another, but it cannot both. to go cross country, forging your parents or your friends who will
own path. Trampling through the decide, but you and you will face
This has been a year of decisions, undergrowth, getting caught in more and more decisions. If things
some made for us, some made thistles and your shoes getting are tough, or don’t go your way,
easier for us and others that were stuck in the mud. It may be very you cannot blame the weather,
soul searchingly difficult. Hours challenging. but this is your or whether you are happy or sad
of discussion and deliberating the trailblazing path. Remember, the or angry, you cannot blame your
‘what ifs’, the ‘what shoulds’ and thing about being a trailblazer is that age. Everything you will do will
the ‘what coulds’ …. Time spent no one has been there before – you be based on your choices, you will
weighing up all of the pros and will be showing the way and being be responsible and must face the
cons. And I will not lie, it has been the example for others to follow. consequences of those actions. This
difficult …. For everyone, making will be your chosen pathway, so
choices that will have a huge These are the decisions that make make these the best, the very best
impact on not only work but also you who you are, every choice is decisions that you can so that. In
personal situations and knowing a turning point and will give you turn, you will be your best self.
that what is right in one context new experience and build you as a
may create conflict with another. person. Your decisions are what will Whatever you choose to do, there
make you an individual, what make must be no regrets, only lessons
How do we even make those you unique. So be happy with your learned and personal growth. Try not
decisions, selecting which path decisions, be firm and confident to regret a choice and wish that you
we walk down when they diverge? with them and when you look back had done the other thing, thinking
Sometimes both options look remember that you chose that path that the grass is greener on the
equally appealing as in the poem, because you believed that at that other side, because, sometimes that
or equally challenging. You may time, in those circumstances, it was grass is not always greener and if
just rush ahead, you might know the right one. Looking back on some it is, you may find that it is artificial
exactly where to go or you could of the choices made at that fork, grass. You can’t spend too much
spend ages trying to look ahead, maybe you will think that you took time dwelling on the “what might
scanning the future to try and see the wrong path. But remember that have beens”, it will eat you up and
what is coming before making a it will have led you to where you life moves forward, not backwards.
decision but ultimately you have you are, which isn’t so bad...not at all. As the expression goes: “Don’t look
just bite the bullet and take one. back; you’re not going that way.”
At the moment, girls, most of your
big decisions are made by your
parents, they are the ones weighing
up the choices and choosing the
roads that they believe will have

100%
of children got
their first-choice
destination school

Scholarships

Academic Art and Design
6 1

Drama Head’s Awards
1 2

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Scholarships
& Results

20 Offers to independent senior schools
10 Scholarships or Head’s Awards
4 Grammar school places offered

Schools offered include:

Caterham Reigate Grammar Sutton High
Woldingham
Croydon High Royal Russell Woking

Epsom College Sydenham High School

James Allen’s Girls School Streatham & Clapham

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Welcome Although this year has been very resources, and of course the weekly
to Reception different due to spending part of the dandelion pick, to bring back for our
year at home in Lockdown, we have well-being bunnies Monty and Coco.
still managed to have a creative,
positive, fun-filled year in Reception. One Monday morning we discovered
Cinderella had left her glass slipper
It began in September, with a in our classroom. After much excited
group of young girls joining our chatter, we decided maybe it had
school, ready to see all that Cumnor fallen off as she ran through the
House has to offer. During the year school. This resulted in many letters
they have blossomed to become being written to her, and new endings
mature, independent learners, keen to the story developed. Later in the
to throw themselves into every week, we received a letter from her
learning opportunity given to them, inviting us to a Ball. Unfortunately,
through practical teacher led tasks, she was unable to attend, due to
investigative child-initiated activities, displaying Covid symptoms, but
exploring our natural environment the girls enjoyed finishing our
and asking interesting questions topic dancing the day away!
to extend their own learning.
A real highlight of our year was the
In January we didn’t return to our Outdoor Maths Day held in May, when
classroom in the usual way after our visitor Jackson helped the girls
the Christmas holidays, but instead to see that Maths is everywhere!
found new ways to learn via Teams, We took a moment to slow down,
Seesaw and other interactive games. look around us and observe all the
The girls (and teachers) learnt many different shapes that are present in
new skills very quickly and used this nature – the cylindrical trunks of the
to our advantage, many meeting each trees, the triangular blossoms, the
day for live lessons before continuing pattern formed by the rectangles
their own learning at home with on the fence. In the afternoon
their parents, whilst we also offered we had to help the Shoemakers
continuing in-school education for find out who stole from them,
our children of keyworkers. On our applying our number knowledge
return back to the physical school, and putting our problem-solving
the girls were ready and raring skills into practice. We discovered
to go, excited to see their friends it was Little Red Riding Hood!
in person and take part in group
lessons both in the classroom, And of course, no year in Reception
in the pool and sports hall. would be complete without observing
the life cycles of the tadpoles in the
This group of girls have loved our school pond and caterpillars turning
weekly sessions to Farthing Downs into beautiful butterflies within the
(Government restrictions allowing) classroom. There is so much magic
for our FOX Learning. Each week we and potential within those cocoons,
have been able to follow their lead to just like within our delightful girls…
explore our natural world. Dens have
been built, minibeasts observed, Mrs N. Mearkle, Head of Lower School
colourful crowns created from natural

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Welcome to
Lower School

Although this year has brought many In Year Two, the girls have been very
challenges to the Lower School, busy and have done some fantastic
the girls have taken it all in their learning! Topics included The Great
stride! We have made the most of Fire of London, how it started and
every opportunity and are finishing why the fire was alight for so long.
this academic year on such a high! The girls created some fabulous
silhouette artwork depicting the
In Year One, to our surprise this fiery scene. Learning about the
last term began with a lost penguin religion of Islam in RE with a group
appearing in our classroom! This of pupils making a great video
provided us with some wonderful about how and why Ramadan and
learning opportunities together, Eid are celebrated. Exploring the
making lost posters, writing wider world with Geography and
alternative endings to stories, and focusing on the history and beauty of
writing our own similes and detailed Kenya with some fabulous jewellery
descriptions of settings. These girls made in design technology and
have fantastic imaginations! We looking closer to home in Science
also spent some time learning what with an exploratory trip around the
plants needs to grow and the girls grounds to look at micro-habitats.
planted their own beans in Science.
We enjoyed wild flower hunts, painted The girls have had another busy
blossom trees and bluebells and and productive year, taking the
participated in a fantastic outdoor spring lockdown in their stride and
Maths learning day.  It has been a excelling in all areas, supporting
busy few weeks and we have enjoyed each other, being open with their
every minute. Year One are more than teachers and peers and showing
a class of children… they are a family. fantastic resilience, curiosity and
Next year is going to be amazing. perseverance throughout the
year. As ever our pupils continue
to show real Cumnor spirit!

Mrs N. Mearkle, Head of Lower School

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Welcome to
Upper School

As the girls enter Year 3, they join in the playground! In addition, Also, within each class this year we
our Preparatory (or Prep) part of we welcomed Amber Stobbs from have nominated two anti-bullying
the school where they will remain Crystal Palace Ladies Football ambassadors. Their role has been to
until the end of Year 6 before Team to speak about mindfulness support their peers at playtimes as
departing to secondary school. In and positivity and we dressed in well as raising awareness against any
Prep, the girls start to experience our pyjamas to collect food for the form of bullying behaviour through
a more specialist curriculum. They local Food Hub; organised by our assemblies and playground support.
are still organised into forms, Charities Prefect. As well as this, Year They also keep teachers informed if
with a form tutor who meets with 5 and 6 enjoyed a 3-day residential anyone is unhappy during playtime
them for twice daily registrations. Bushcraft trip whilst the rest of the (which thankfully is rare). In Year 5,
The girls are then taught their school had an in-school Bushcraft girls have had the opportunity to
subject lessons by specialist staff Day. The term culminated in an be selected as Digital Leaders. They
for Art, Music, Drama, Food Tech, amazing production of ‘Seussical’ have supported Mrs Currie and Mrs
Spanish, Games and Swimming. and our usual fabulous Prizegiving Hood (our IT lead teachers) as well
to recognise the girls’ efforts and as leading a whole school assembly
This year has seen the exciting achievements across the year. promoting e-safety across the school.
introduction of 121 devices into
Prep and each girl now has their Throughout Prep, the girls are The highlight at the end of Year 5
own individual laptop which they encouraged to become more is the delegation of Prefect roles.
keep for their time at Cumnor. Not independent in both their learning The girls are selected for Prefect
only was this invaluable during and their contributions to the school. roles which they carry out during
lockdown, but it has allowed teachers Throughout Prep we have a member their time in Year 6. Prefects are
to embed the use of technology of each class who represents their expected to be exemplary role
into learning via platforms such peers as part of the Pupil Leadership models in the younger year groups,
as ATOM, Century Tech and LbQ. Team (the PLT). The PLT meet weekly, support staff connected to their
led by the PLT Prefect, and discuss role and take the initiative to lead in
There have been many highlights matters important to their peers. their role. We say goodbye to some
across Prep throughout this year They promote change around wonderful Prefects this year and
with curriculum days to enhance school, lead with new initiatives look forward to our Year 5 Prefects
learning in an enjoyable, creative and discuss ways that we can all picking up the mantel in the autumn.
way as well as trips and visitors. move forward as a school to be the
Although this year has prevented best we can be. This year the PLT With exams and transfer to secondary
many of our usual events from taking have organised and bought new school at the end of Year 6 it has
place, we have still managed to have playground equipment, introduced been a busy year for the girls in Prep
lots of fun in our learning. This has Inspirational Women as our House but the range of opportunities and
included a Victorian Day, Roald Dahl Mascots; supported pyjama day; creative learning that has taken place
Day, a Robotics Workshop, a STEM surveyed pupils’ favourite foods has ensured it was fun and enriching
Day, Black History awareness, and a and met with the school chef to for all. We cannot wait for next year!
Wellbeing Day. We even managed to implement new menu choices.
join in to support International Day Mrs S. Syradd, Deputy Head
of Happiness with dancing Unicorns

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English

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English

English

This year despite the Covid restrictions, we have sought as
an English department to not only enhance the academic

learning but also provide creative opportunities.

Academically, we have continued to use quality A tremendous effort was made by the girls and staff
texts for the basis of our English work and we have as they dressed up in their favourite book characters.
introduced more challenging texts in Year 4, Year 5 Each class was giving a different type of poem to write
and Year 6. We have been trialling verbal feedback and the girls were encouraged to go on a poetry walk to
in English lessons and the girls have responded well collect sounds, sights and smells for their class poem.
to this. Each day we have introduced Word of the Year 3 wrote a lovely senses poem whilst Year 1 wrote an
Day to enhance the girl’s vocabulary and it has been acrostic poem based on Lockdown. Reception were also
lovely to see these words creeping into their writing. busy writing about their favourite books.
Year 4 have enjoyed reading Shackleton’s Journey in
the Summer Term and they made some lovely tea- Extra Curricula English activities have also taken place
stained adverts for the ship’s crew. Year 5 and Year 6 this year which have been greeted with enthusiasm.
have studied the Shakespeare plays The Tempest and Mrs Syradd introduced a Journalist Club which was very
Romeo and Juliet which were thoroughly enjoyed. popular and they worked hard at producing a school
newspaper which was published to the parents and girls.
English skills are not just practised in English lessons and
Victorian Day in Year 5 afforded them the opportunity Year 5 worked exceptionally hard on their English-
to write using a slate and slate pencil and learn to recite Speaking Exams and they produced some entertaining
Wordsworth’s poem “ I wandered lonely as a cloud” Year presentations on subjects which included: Coming to
2 studied the Great Fire of London in History and their England, India and Elephants. They also recited poems
English text was related. with great expression and aplomb.

During the Spring Term, we held our World Book Day Throughout the school there have been numerous
online and we arranged lots of activities to do at home creative opportunities. Year 1 had a visit of a lost penguin
which included a Book in a Bake Competition. There were and they used their detective and questioning skills to
some magnificent entries ranging from Wonka Bars, an work out where he had come from. Year 2 wrote some
Enchanted Tree to Black Beauty. The girls also built a fantastic writing pieces on Goldilocks and the Three Bears
reading den and made their favourite book character out and they showed empathy with the characters.
of a toilet roll.
Mrs S. King, Head of English

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English

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Maths

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Maths

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Maths

Maths

Throughout the school, we work on an accelerated
programme, with every year group having already

started the curriculum for the year above.

Year 5 have covered every objective from Year 6, which This year, the girls have also taken part in some national
gives us the perfect opportunity to prepare our girls for competitions. Back in the Autumn Term, the older girls
the 11+ exams, in their final year. Every lesson, across the participated in the Primary Maths Challenge, where several
school, comprises of 3 main elements: varied fluency, of them made it through to the Bonus Round. During the
reasoning and problem-solving. We truly believe that all Summer Term, Year 3 performed amazingly in the National
children should have access to reasoning and problem- SumDog Competition where they came 3rd out of 1900
solving style questions, right from the start of Pre-prep. classes in England. We really do have some very talented
This helps to ingrain this way of thinking, from the Mathematicians!
beginning and can carry on through to Prep and beyond.
As a school, we are very privileged to have access to
On Wednesday 19th May, the whole school celebrated multiple online platforms to enhance our Maths learning.
National Numeracy Day. This is a special day, dedicated to At the start of the year, Prep started to use Atom Learning,
getting everyone to love Maths. The girls learnt all about which uses adaptive algorithms to tailor questions to
why Maths is so important in our lives and took part in each individual students’ needs. We have also started
some fun games and activities, from ‘Who wants to be a to use Mathletics in the Lower School as part of their
Mathillionaire’ to salsa dancing. Year 2 and Year 3 worked homework tasks. Once a month, Year 2-6 take part in
in teams to create their own Maths themed board games, online Math’s competitions against other schools in the UK
we had multiplication snakes and ladders, fractions using SumDog. The girls need to work their way through a
snap and many more. They then swapped games with a number of math themed games to earn more points and
friend and spent the afternoon exploring each other’s work their way up the score board before the week is over.
creations. Our dance video even got commented on by Next year, we hope to add some other great platforms to
the official ‘National Numeracy Day’ Instagram account. our bank of resources.

The Lower School were fortunate enough to have a day of Overall, we have had an incredible year of Maths, at Cumnor
Maths workshops in the summer term. In the morning, the Girls’ and we can’t wait to start it all again in September!
girls took part in an outdoor Maths workshop where they
focused on place value and shape and how we can use these Mrs E. Pettinger, Head of Upper School Maths
skills in our outdoor environment. In the afternoon, the girls Mrs S. Dunnell, Head of Lower School Maths
took part in CSI: Storyland Maths where they became math
investigators and used their addition and subtraction skills
to help the poor shoemaker find who stole his shoes, who
would have known it was Red Riding Hood!

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&DMraumsiac

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Drama

Drama

Drama and the Performing Arts are a strength of Cumnor Girls and
despite the challenges that this year have presented, it has not
dampened our creative spirits in the slightest and the girls have
benefited from a diverse and exciting curriculum in Drama.

We danced around our homes during lockdown, playing As we all know the Spring Term saw us mostly reverting
games that have ignited the imagination and creating brave back to online lessons. These were live lessons taught to
in interesting work despite the challenges. In school, things girls at home and those key worker children in school. The
have felt different with bubbles and as much outdoor level of work created and the ideas shared kept spirits
learning as the weather would allow, and this has created bright during those winter days and it certainly provided
a wealth of opportunity for us to explore the world around an opportunity for growth and development and a way
us in our Drama work. Drama and the creative arts have to think outside the box. Each year group embraced the
been proven during this time to aid Mental Health and lessons, with pretty much 100% live attendance from each
this has certainly been alive and well this year at Cumnor. girl. We even managed to hold the Talent Show auditions
online, and the girls came back to school in March ready to
During the Autumn Term, Reception and Year 1 learnt about throw themselves back into their creative lives in person.
how to explore their imagination during their first formal
Drama lessons. This was done through a variety of games The Summer Term is always busy and culminates in the
that explored motor skills alongside imagination. Lots of Year 6 production. Despite having to think slightly more
smiles and enthusiasm came from every girl during this creatively with regards to safely staging the sung through
time. Year 2 worked on growing these baselines skills and production of ‘Suessical – The Musical’, Year 6 (ably
ventured into their first simple improvisation scenes. Peer supported by Year 5) gave us a wonderful Staged Concert
assessment is used to help the girls grow in confidence at the end of June. The joy of being able to rehearse this
and being able to learn what makes successful work whilst safely outside and the commitment shown from each
supporting each other. The second half of the Autumn girl during this time encapsulated everything about
Term saw us embark on rehearsals for two nativity plays what makes Cumnor so very special. Year 3 explored
and these were on track to be hugely successful and an comedy and improvisation, Year 4 performed scenes
exciting experience for the girls to perform on stage. from Wicked and Matilda and explored clowning too and
Sadly, our plans were altered after a bubble burst. In true Reception – Year 2 worked on poetry and performing text.
Cumnor spirit, we did not let this deter us and despite
the challenge ahead, all the girls worked hard on their Speech & Communication has been offered this year
songs and dances and we had a very successful couple as an additional peripatetic lesson and in the late
of mornings filming their musical performances for Summer Term a number of girls recorded their first
delighted parents to view online. Year 3 spent the Autumn Trinity London exam in Speech and Drama or Acting
Term working on emotions and body language in Drama, and a number of our Year 1 girls also took their London
using text and stories to explore all of these. Years 4, 5 College of Music Early Learning exams. These have
& 6 spent the term developing their improvisation skills. been sent off for assessment and despite still awaiting
Through this, Year 5 also explored debating and presented the results, all the girls performed to the best of their
some very good speeches on for and against Unicorns! All ability and we are so proud of their achievements.
these skills develop through the course of their journey
through Cumnor and to watch the Year 6’s present work The girls at Cumnor embrace all that is offered to them and
that would not be out of place in a Year 8-9 classroom do so with so much enthusiasm. We are so very proud of
was astounding. All year groups linked their work during each and every one of them.
October to Black History Month and it was fascinating to
explore stories and parts of Black History through the Mrs T. Kimber, Head of Drama
medium of Drama, using the girls opinions and ideas
to help us create a diverse and inclusive community.

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Drama

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Music

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Music

Music

In these difficult times, our Cumnor girls have
been extremely fortunate to benefit from a fun and
varied music-making experience, even though it may have
looked and felt a bit different, it has been equally as

robust as our usual extensive music provision.

Our girls have embraced online learning, concerts, The whole school enjoyed watching the final outside

auditions, music exams, talent show auditions, national with a rather civilised afternoon tea.  Our three

competitions and more.  We are very proud of their judges crowned Amritaa (Y4), Namratha (Y6), Olanna

resilient attitudes and passion for keeping music alive. (Y5) and Paris (Y2) our Talent Show winners. 

Music has been crucial in keeping our spirits high, a Our busy music department is very proud of its extensive
positive influence on our mental health and allowed us offer of extra-curricular music clubs, this year we have
to truly celebrate the success of our girls.  invested in new instruments, and have introduced Djembe

During the Autumn Term, preparations for our drumming and Ukulele club, to complement our Orchestra,

Christmas Celebration and Nativity recordings filled the Choirs and String groups.  Year 4 girls have also enjoyed

hall with beautiful singing and much jollity.  The online learning to perform on our new Samba instruments and

recordings took the place of our much-loved Carol performed outside at our end of term assembly.   

Service and Lower School Nativity plays and proved to The Summer Term has been a hive of activity and

be very enjoyable.  Our girls shone, singing in Year group
bubbles, performing many Christmas favourites, including, rehearsals and it has been lovely to hear the familiar
John Rutter’s Angels’ Carol, Jingle Bell Rock, Let it Snow and sounds of students playing and singing in school together. 
In particular, the Year 3 Music Scheme have made excellent
Believe from the Polar Express.  Additionally, Year 5 and 6
recorded an online concert of solo performances which was progress, partly learning online and now back to face-
a fantastic opportunity to showcase their talent.  We were to-face learning.  The girls have enjoyed learning the
violin, flute and clarinet which will set them on a fantastic
also thrilled to submit three entries to the Independent
Schools’ Association ‘Young Musician of the Year’ national musical journey for the future.  At Cumnor, approximately
three quarters of our girls learn at least one musical
competition.  Holly, Olanna and Isabella from Year 5
instrument, many enjoying their first lessons as part of
gave sensitively played and musical performances.  We
the Music Scheme.   Many of our talented girls across the
are extremely proud of Holly, performing ‘Elves Dance’ on
whole school have taken remotely assessed performance
the violin who made it through to the ten finalists and
received high recognition for her outstanding performance.    exams on their instruments this year as an alternative
to the traditional face to face exams.  Congratulations

We started the Spring Term with a move to online to all girls who have gained a qualification in this way. 

learning and our girls thrived in learning to use new We are so proud of how our girls have met the challenge
music technology which enabled them to continue of this year and we can’t wait to embrace the new school
their creativity and collaborate through online music- year and what it may bring for music.  We are hopeful
making and the use of digital audio workstations.  To for the return to more live performances, concerts,
enable us to continue performing we launched auditions competitions and taking our wonderful Cumnor girls
for our very first ‘Online Talent Show’.  This proved very out into our local community to share our love of music.
popular, with almost every Cumnor girl submitting an

audition, these included: musical items; magic acts; dance Mrs N. Parsons, Head of Music
acts; comedy acts; monologues.  The sheer array of talent

was quite breath-taking.  At the end of the period of online

learning, we were absolutely thrilled to hold the live

final at school on a glorious sunny day in March. 

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Art

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Art

Art

What a fascinating year it has been for the
Art Department at Cumnor House Girls!

As I write this, I am surrounded by amazing props created Year 3 travelled around the world whilst ‘locked down’,
in the Art Department for our Seussical JR. musical. We exploring the art and cultures of North America, Russia,
delight in collaborating with other departments and it is Japan and China. Year 4 performed a miracle, stitching
brilliant for the girls to see the part that Art and Design inspirational words to form Faith Ringgold-inspired
plays in the real world. patchwork squares. Year 5 created outstanding entries
in the ISA Design Our Sports Magazine Cover competition
Back in September, we were full of hope that things were using magazine paper collage, cotton wool, pipe cleaners,
getting back to normal. Thankfully, we had enough time beads and anything and everything else they could find at
to introduce important Art skills and concepts to all years home. I will be surprised if we haven’t a winner amongst
before the second lock down began. them! Year 6 students kept their spirits up by researching
and illustrating positive, inspirational quotes and then
Year 3 learnt how to observe closely when drawing and had fun designing and making paper jewellery.
to experiment with art materials to find out what magical
things they can do for you. Year 4 revised colour theory Congratulations go to Anushka who won an Art
and found inspiration through the work of artist, Faith Scholarship to Caterham and to Lucy who produced an
Ringgold. Year 5 learnt how to research and develop ideas outstanding portfolio to show to her next school.
for a graphic design project and gained an understanding
of what makes an excellent composition. Year 6 students To celebrate Black History this year, all students
learnt how to demonstrate the essence of a natural contributed to a fabulous group Artwork entitled “You Are
object through close observational drawing and the use Loved”. With strips of black paper and white pencils, the
of texture and tone whilst using drawing materials in girls wrote messages of gratitude to the amazing black
adventurous ways. This stood them in good stead for writers, scientists, mathematicians, musicians, artists,
scholarship drawing exams. athletes, civil rights activists and leaders that they had
researched. They then curled these strips to form “pull
In Art we celebrate and build on limitations and it was out and learn” Afro ringlets for our beautiful Black History
an exciting adventure to find that we were once again Princess. On her wrist she wears anti-bullying bracelets
housebound and without our usual facilities, materials and she has inspired love, appreciation and hope. Artists
and equipment. I was thrilled to see the girls conjuring observe and help people to see. I loved this art piece.
up ideas and upcycling anything and everything in their
homes to create Art. I hope the children will have fabulous, creative summer
holidays, full of sandcastles, toy-making, drawing,
painting and modelling.

Mrs J. Clingan, Head of Art

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Art

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Sport

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Sport

Thank You

The P.E Department would like to say thank you to all the girls who
participated so fantastically in the fixtures and tournaments that
were able to take place this school year, as the sporting calendar at
Cumnor was so severely interrupted by the global pandemic. Even
though competition was limited the results achieved were excellent.
House competitions became even more important as they were the
only competitive tournaments most of the girls could take part in.

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Sport

House Competition Results

Event 1st

Netball Senior – Red
Swimming Junior – Blue & Yellow
Cricket Green
Cross Country
Hockey Blue

Cancelled

Cancelled

Event Results

Croydon Schools U10 - Tien 1st Place
Cross Country
U8 - Sienna 2nd Place
Croydon School
Athletics Tournament U10 Team of Tien, Isabella M, Ashanya
and Holly finished 1st

U9 Team of Fatima, Arielle, Ella H and
Arabella finished 3rd

U8 Team of Sienna, Matilda, Mihika and
Shyla finished 1st

U10 – Tien 2nd Place 600m
U10 – Ashanya 2nd Place Cricket Ball
Throw

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Sport

During my time at Cumnor, I feel like I Online
have grown so much at sport, taking Learning
part in games, matches and many
more. Not only have I taken part With the world shutting down
in competitions and tournaments, back in January we and the girls
but I have learnt how to work as had to get used to the concept
a team, building and fostering my of PE becoming an online subject
friendships with other girls in the for 3 months. The girls rose to the
school by just playing a team sport. occasion and soon individual skills
were being practiced in lounges,
Due to the outbreak of the kitchens, hallways, offices and many
coronavirus, unfortunately I other areas around the house as
wasn’t able to play in that many well as gardens, driveways and local
competitions and matches with parks when the weather allowed!
other schools throughout the school
year, however, I am so fortunate to We were so impressed with the
be able to call myself the Sports girls’ imaginations in solving
Captain of Cumnor House School. problems if equipment was not
always available. Scarves and towels
I remember the first time at Cumnor, became skipping ropes, socks
when I hadn’t ever before played became tennis balls, table mats as
any sport, and all the wonderful tennis rackets and even balloons
teachers pushed me to try my best for footballs. HIIT workouts were
at all the games, when I realised the performed, gymnastic routines
passion and interest I had for PE. created, cricket bowling actions
refined, football keepy uppy scores
Thanks to the amazing sports staff, improved. We would like to thank
I was given plentiful opportunities all the girls and their entire families
throughout my time at Cumnor for fully embracing this radical
to play competitive matches change in PE delivery and getting
against other schools, doing completely behind it to make
sports like: running, swimming, the best of a unique situation.
cricket, netball, rounders, football,
hockey, and many more. Without
these chances, I wouldn’t have
become the person I am today.

I wish the best of luck to the next
year’s Sports Captain, and I am sure
they also had such an amazing time
in terms of Sports at Cumnor.

Sports Although I wasn’t able to do much
Captain’s as Sports Captain this year at
Message Cumnor House, I am grateful for all
the amazing matches, teammates,
and staff for making my sports
time at Cumnor the best experience
ever. Sports is something that I
will never forget, and I will bring
all of the knowledge that Cumnor
has given me for sport to my next
school and will definitely bring it
with me for the rest of my life.

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Sport

Swimming Swimming Stats All Age Groups

All the girls receive one double lesson Reception Blue Green Red Yellow
every week, starting from Reception. Year 1
Normally Year 2-6 have an annual Year 2 12 9 19 10
House swimming gala to compete in Year 3 19 16 8 16
each year while Reception and Year 1 Year 4 12 10 11 9
take part in an annual swim challenge Year 5 6 13 4 11
where they get the opportunity Year 6 8 11 4 8
to showcase their skills they have Total 7 12 8 15
learnt throughout the year to their 13 17 20 17
parents, unfortunately this year 77 88 74 86
due to restrictions these could not
happen in the usual way and instead
mini galas across every year group
were held in their lessons. Swim
squad is made up of the fastest six
girls from Years 2-6, they attend after
school training sessions and compete
in many competitions ranging
from local galas to the National
events. We look forward to these
competitions restarting next year.

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Sport

Hockey Cricket

With Hockey only becoming part of With Cricket also being relatively
the curriculum 2 years ago the P.E new to the curriculum it has been
department are really impressed wonderful to see how well the girls
with the improvement shown in have taken to the sport considering
such a short space of time and they missed the entire season last
feel incredibly frustrated that year. Basic throwing, catching and
the girls were again not given the hitting skills are taught in Reception
full opportunity to show these and Year 1, while in Year 2 bowling
improvements off due to missing actions and batting from a tee are
nearly the entire term due to the introduced before run ups, fielding,
national lockdown. We look forward wicket keeping skills and shot
to an uninterrupted season next placement are introduced from Year
year where the girls can show 3 onwards to prepare the girls for
off their skills in matches. fixtures. It has been wonderful to
see all the girls from Year 3 upwards
represent the school in Pairs Cricket
matches during the Summer Term.

Cricket stats 2020/21
All Age Groups

Age Level P WD L Win Ratio
2 0%
U11A 2 0 0 0 100%
0 100%
U10A 3 3 0 1 0%
0 100%
U10B 2 2 0 0 100%
1 0%
U9A 1 0 0 4 63.6%

U8A 1 1 0

U8B 1 1 0

U8C 1 0 0

Totals: 11 7 0

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Sport

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Gallery

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Gallery

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Cumnor House School
1 Woodcote Lane, Purley
Surrey CR8 3HB
020 8660 3445
[email protected]

www.cumnorhouse.com