2010
Science Term
We are looking forward to an 'eggciting' Science Term – our topic is 'You are what you eat?'. The children will learn more about where their food comes from, what it contains and why they need a healthy diet. Assemblies will cover topics from 'Breaktime Snack' to 'Milk Processing' and hopefully help the children to make informed decisions about their diet.

During Science Week, 14 – 18 June, there will be a House Quiz and the children will design and make their own smoothie. We also hope to collate some of our favourite recipes into an online recipe book.

Coffee Mornings will take place on the following dates, where parents are, as ever, most welcome, to watch the children's assembly presentations. We will be discussing both general and specific curriculum issues too.

S4 Friday, 30 April
S2 Friday, 7 May
J2 Friday, 14 May
S1 Friday, 21 May
S3 Friday, 28 May
J3 Friday, 11 June
J1 Friday, 18 June

Festival of Music – Friday, 14 May (9.15am onwards)
There will be classes for keyboard, strings, voice and instrumental in both Junior and Senior sections.
Entry forms to Mrs Jones please by Friday, 7 May

Parents' Forum – Wednesday, 19 May (8.15pm) – School Hall
The theme and topic for discussion in this Parents' Forum will be our provision of School Sports, linked with this term's focus on health and fitness. Staff will be available to talk through how the sports curriculum works at Merton Court, to discuss lunchtime and after school clubs, to explain our policies regarding sports' fixtures and to listen to parents' thoughts and suggestions.

PESSC Week (24 – 28 May)
We will be welcoming various sporting experts into school for our Sports' Week which will be an opportunity for all children to experience some new and exciting activities. 'Sporty Tots' will be coaching Early Years and J1 in a mixture of tennis, football and rugby. The whole school are involved in a 'Football Speed Challenge' for which they have been asked to seek sponsorship. They will be having the speed of their shots into a giant, inflatable goal, recorded. We will be receiving a visit from 'Derek the Daddy' (aka Mr Thomas), now something of a local celebrity, who will tell us about his winning adventures during the filming of television's 'Total Wipeout.' Other sports being demonstrated by parents and teachers during the week are golf, weightlifting, aerobics, skiing, table tennis, croquet and horse riding. We hope that the week will inspire, educate and wear-out all those involved and thank you to those parents who have offered their services!

Prospective Parents' Open Opportunities
Open Evening – Tuesday, 15 June 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Open Evening – Wednesday, 13 October 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Open Day – Tuesday, 16 November 9am – 3.00pm
A reminder that any parents wishing to look round the school with a view to sending their child here will be able to do so - shown round by members of S4 and School staff.

J3-S1 Transition Talk – Wednesday, 23 June (6.30-8pm)
J3 Parents are cordially invited to come along to talk to S1 teachers and others, about their child's move from the Junior to the Senior part of the School.

S2 Outward Bound Trip to Downe Activity Centre –
Thurs, 17 – Fri, 18 June
S2 will be experiencing archery, zipwire, top roping, crate climbing and other outdoor activities, whilst also sleeping the night at Downe Activity Centre. Should be great!

Sports Days
Friday 25 June (9.15am – EY/J1) (10.50am – J2/J3)
Saturday 26 June (10am – S1-S4)
Please note this is a compulsory event. All children should wear the correct athletics kit. Summer athletics kit includes a baseball cap (to shade against sunburn). These are on sale in the School Office for £5.00.
Parents, relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend Sports Days, and join in too, if they wish!

'Prep School Musical' – Friday, 2 July, Orchard Theatre, Dartford
Rehearsals are well under way for our production of "Prep School Musical" on 2 July and it promises to be a fantastic show in which we will take you on a journey through our school day in music, song and dance. Please ensure you are fully aware of arrangements for the 2 July and that you communicate with class teachers how your child will arrive and be collected from the theatre. Any problems with this please talk directly to Mrs Saunders, Mrs Jones or Mr Price. Tickets have been selling well so make sure you contact The Orchard Theatre direct for these if you have not already done so. Performances will be at 2.30pm and 7pm. If you have any queries regarding the production please see Mrs Jones or Mrs Saunders.

End of Term:
Junior and Senior Prizegiving will be at 2pm and 7pm Wednesday, 7 July and 'Prom on the Pitch' on Thursday, 8 July 6-10pm, to which everyone is cordially invited.
Our 110th celebrations will conclude on Friday, 9 July when S4 will bury a 2010 'time capsule' of school memorabilia and we will formally lower our 110th flag with due ceremony.

Breaktime Leagues
Teamwork and skills will be needed again for our Breaktime Leagues this term – Netball S1, S2, S3, S4 (girls) on Wednesdays; and Football J3/S1 (mixed) (with S4 as team managers, coaches and physios) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Watch the Sports Board or see Miss Drury/Mr Brady for more details.

Merton Court Ski Trip 2011 – 9 April – 16 April 2011
The 2011 family ski trip will be to Foppolo in Italy. This long established resort is located in the Lombardy region. The resort offers skiing suitable for all abilities.
Accommodation is at the Hotel Cristallo, Foppolo. The hotel is 'ski in/ski out', as it is right on the slopes by the ski lifts and is at 1600m, a relatively high altitude meaning it is 'snow sure' at Easter.
The price for children will be £774 and for adults will be £879.
Booking forms are available from the school office.
If you require any further information or would like to borrow Equity's promotional DVD please do not hesitate to contact Mr Brady.

CRB/Volunteers' Call List
If you would like to be on our volunteers' call list for fixtures and indeed any external school trips, please request a form from Mrs A Macdonald in the School Office. Should you decide to do this, please be aware that you will be asked to supply 2/3 forms of identity (eg birth certificate/marriage certificate/driving licence/passport) together with a utilities bill clearly showing your name and current address, along with a list of previous addresses over the last five years. Please only apply for this clearance if you are willing and available to help on a regular basis. Ideally, we would like between four and six 'volunteers' per year group.


Don't forget to log on and have a good look at our up-to-date website on www.mertoncourtprep.co.uk . If you wish to access some great photos of last term's events, visit the secure parents' section. Please email office@mertoncourtprep.co.uk for the password, if required.

Merton Court School LLP. Registered in England & Wales. No.OC344696. Registered Office: 38, Knoll Road, Sidcup, Kent. DA14 4QU.
Tel: 020 8300 2112 Fax: 020 8300 1324 Email:office@mertoncourtprep.co.uk