Welcome to the BSA Upper Junior School

“This has been a very busy day. We were forced into action when the fire alarm rang at 6.30 this morning. Luckily it was a practice. Some girls were showering, the boys were all still asleep. So it was a motley crew that made their way to the car park. We sang really well at the Town Hall but sadly did not make the final. There were some fantastic choirs in the final and we learned a lot by just listening to them. So, tomorrow it is on to the big stage! Do not forget to look on www.llangollen.tv We are on at about 10.40am but it could be earlier. The children send their love.” Gillian Cowie.

Morning all, first a competition update from Mrs Cowie and the Choir…

“We have had a fantastic day today. Our morning rehearsal was outstanding. The ‘team’ is really working well and they sound fabulous. We saw a concert of choirs from South Africa, Sri Lanka and the Ukraine. We heard lots of Welsh sung and spoken. We joined the colourful parade through the town. That was such fun! Then we sang on television and now we are on the bus back to our school. Wow, what a day and we still have to rehearse for tomorrow and hopefully catch the second half of the Holland match before bed. Some parents are expecting their children to phone every evening. We said no phones so these people have had to hand in their phones. So please do not worry that you are not getting your messages. All is well and we are all having a great time! If you have any worries, phone school or email me (Mrs Cowie). That is it for today. More news tomorrow.”

…and another competition update….

Hoera! Holland bear Uruguay last night in the semi final so have made in through to the World Cup Final on Sunday where they will play either Germany or Spain! Did YOU watch the match? What did YOU think? Could YOU sleep last night with all the celebrations in the streets?

News in last night from Mrs Cowie and the Competition Choir…

We have all arrived safely after an uneventful journey. The children were very impressed by the huge pavilion and stage at the Eisteddfod ground. They have all settled into their dorms. We have just rehearsed for an hour and are about to have a roast dinner! Good night from all of us.

Hup Hup to our Competition Choir! Wishing you all the best of luck and look forward to hearing more news later today. Speaking of later today, HUP HUP HOLLAND!!!

Our Competition Choir met at Schipol early this morning to fly off to the UK to represent our school. We wish them all the best of luck and look forward to hearing their news. Please check back here for updates.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Annual Prize Giving at the Hilton on Friday evening. I think it was a very successful and enjoyable evening and ended with a wonderful boat trip with the Class of 2010, our first ever graduating Year 13 students.

A somewhat calmer week ahead before the usual end of year activities next week including the production of Noye’s Fludde on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Enjoy the penultimate week of the academic year.

We have so much to celebrate today:

Year 6 are celebrating the end of their production of Bugsy Malone - the Musical. A truly fantastic achievement, all cast working together to perfection, a team to make a Broadway or West End appearance perhaps? Most memorable part for me last night…. Bugsy delivering the line “Oh, I nearly forgot….” and then impromptu comic genius set in! Post your comments on Bugsy on our blog

Young Musicians BSA had another concert yesterday in the Upper Junior School Music Room. Some Year 4 children were in the audience, and here’s what they had to say:

“They were very talented…”

“It was extraordinarily musical…”

“It inspired me to play a musical instrument…”

“It made me feel like I wanted to join in playing…”

“It felt like being in another world…”

This evening we will also be celebrating our Annual Prize Giving at the Hilton Hotel followed by the Graduation Prom of our first ever Year 13 students before they head off to universities around the world.

…and a celebration would not be complete without Arktos and the Upper Junior Achievement Assembly!

Let’s all Celebrate Good Times, Come On!!

Congratulations to the cast of Bugsy Malone - The Musical, who produced a very professional show yesterday. The crescendo for Year 6 is tonight at their final performance starts at 19:00. Hope to see you all there to show your support and have a jolly good time!

Tomorrow is another busy day. Some children have been selected for diploma swim, (these children have already received a letter), and must remember to bring the appropriate clothes required for their swimming exam. Our Annual Prize Giving is tomorrow evening meeting for drinks at the Hilton at 18:00. Now with the exam period over, the evening ends with our first ever Year 13 Graduation Prom. The students have arranged, organised and fundraised for this event which I’m sure will be a superb way of congratulating the first ever graduates all of who have received offers for various universities around the world…..fingers crossed for results day!

Upper Junior School End of Year Reports and class transfer letters will be sent home on Friday 9th July.

Yes the time is here for the matinee performance of Bugsy Malone. Year 6 have been working extremely hard on this production and I look forward to being in the audience tonight. Show starts after school at around 16:00. Visitors, friends and family welcome.

See you there!

Morning bloggers!

The summer weather has at last arrived but there is still so much to do before we can all relax and enjoy the sun over the holiday. There are three more weeks to go and this week is one of the busiest this academic year! Today we will be celebrating our achievements over the year and all children at the Upper Junior School have selected the work they’ve completed that they are very proud of. Mrs van Hassel and Miss Kane have displayed all the work in the corridors and parents are invited in from 14:30 this afternoon to see the work on display and chat with the staff and children. We hope that as many people as possible come by and join the Upper Junior team as we celebrate the end of year.

This afternoon the Young Musicians BSA have their end of year Award Winners’ Concert at 16:15 and then we have our AGM this evening. Tomorrow is a non-uniform day to raise funds for the Competition Choir trip. Year 6 have their production of Bugsy Malone on Wednesday and Thursday and our Annual Prize Giving is at the Hilton on Friday.

The weather has truly been fantastic for all our residential trips this week and also for those back at school who have worked on various curricular focused themes including English, Science, Maths, Art & Design and Team Building to research, design and realise a Community Garden Project. You will undoubtedly notice the fruits of their labours and you can also follow the development of their project this week on the display in the foyer. Well done to you all, see you again for breakfast in about an hour!

The Year 4 and 5 campers had a fantastic day at the swimming pool and on the beach yesterday, I understand a little lay-in is currently going on as they regain some of that energy used up during the week and then hastily search for some clean clothes and a matching pair of socks to travel home in!

The Year 4 and 5 team are due back at school at 15:30 (Please check back later for updates) TRAFFIC AT UTRECHT UPDATE NEW ETA 15:45 - 15:55

I had a torturously long journey down to see the Year 6 and 7 campers yesterday but eventually arrived, (after dinner!), to find everyone tanned, in high spirits. Boys were playing football, getting firewood for the camp fire and there was not a girl in sight? Mystery was quickly solved when I saw some aformentioned girls running between tents armed with hair straighteners and sacks of make-up that would be the envy of Elizabeth Arden!! It was DISCO night! Stayed to take some photos see below (ditto yesterday’s comment that if they’re not yet there then please come back soon!) Stayed until the dry ice was too much for an old man to bear (about 2 songs worth!!) and then headed back to Amsterdam.



The Year 6 and 7 team HAVE NOW ARRIVED BACK AT SCHOOL SAFE AND WELL!

The York trippers have just been in touch and there is an hour delay on the boat. Their revised ETA is 11:30-12:00.

UPDATE ARRIVED 11:40

Our Barcelona bunch spent the day at the theme park Port Aventura. A good time was had by all. Mr Anderson is very impressed with the good behaviour of all the students who have adapted well and shown themselves to be a credit to our school.

The Barcelona group arrive at Schipol at 15:50 where most students will be collected. Other students, by prior arrangement, will be taken by Miss Macko to the WTC.

THIS BLOG WILL BE UPDATED AS I RECEIVE FURTHER NEWS. PLEASE CHECK IF ARRIVAL TIMES ARE ADJUSTED.