Wow, have the girls been active or what? The week of the 22nd February was extremely hectic as far as the girls’ sporting activities were concerned and so we started with a slightly smaller team than normal going to The Dragon on the Monday. Georgie V came second in the U9 race and Sasha H won the U10 race. Fantastic team running from all of the girls especially the U9 who all finished as a pack.
Just 2 days later, the girls were in action again at the Rose Hill Westonbirt Annual Inter Schools competition. This was huge with 18 schools taking part and the girls running greater distances. We had no first places here in the individuals but it is also a team event! We won the U8s, U9s, U11s and came 2nd in the U10s. This is no mean feat against so many schools. Too many children to mention in this race but particularly well done to Clemmie L, running in the U8s and to Eleanor B and Elizabeth E, in the U11s, who both improved their positions from last year by 24 places.
It doesn’t stop there! On Sunday 6 girls, Flora I, Melissa McA, Alice K, Evie O’C, Elizabeth E and Annie S competed in the National Prep Schools Cross-Country at Malvern. On Saturday, severe weather warnings were in place but it went ahead without so much as a rain drop falling on us! This was an incredibly tough 1.7Km course with hills (we were running in the Malvern Hills!) and streams to negotiate... a completely new experience for the girls! All the girls ran fantastically against very tough competition with Flora coming 8th out of 150 girls. There are some fantastic photographs of the children covered in glorious Malvern mud... it was a very muddy, water-logged course!
Well done to all of you who have competed this week. You know I am enormously proud of you and your achievements.
A huge thank you to all the parents who have come along to support and who have been roped in to help... we couldn’t do it without you. THANK YOU!!
Mrs Catherine Duff
Watching the girls from Year Six confidently operating the Automated External Defibrillator after a morning’s training on the Injury Minimization Programme for Schools was a real privilege. The girls worked together on resuscitation techniques, the recovery position and accident prevention, as well as learning about immediate action drills after accidents have happened. We are all now in safe hands! We would like to thank Mrs. Horrox for arranging such a valuable visit.
On Wednesday celebrity chef Raymond Blanc left his post at ‘Le Manoir’ to attend 4E’s French lunch. He arrived at 12 noon, just in time to help the girls put the finishing touches to their tarte tatins. He talked to them about the best variety of apples to use, and how to try to use local and seasonal ingredients at all times. He also showed them how to get the best from their pastry. Raymond was then treated to a delicious meal of 
Vichyssoise soup, pâté, cheeses, salad and bread, followed by tarte tatin. 4E served all the visiting parents, Governors, Mr Heyworth and M Blanc in French. After lunch M Blanc and our visitors were joined in the Main Hall by Years 3 – 6 to watch Year 4 and Year 6 performing two songs in French to round off M Blanc’s visit. M Blanc took part in a question and answer session, fielding a variety of fun questions from the pupils and sharing with us all his obvious passion for cooking and being a responsible consumer. A vote of thanks was given in French by 3 of the Year 6 girls and finally M Blanc was presented with a Manor Ted, who will hopefully take up his new residence at ‘Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons’. 
The Manor U11 team enjoyed a great match against St Edmund's School today. The first match of the season saw several substitutions from both sides as the teams settled to rehearse their skills and formations. The final score of 5-1 to The Manor marks a great start to the term and reflects the high standard and cohesion of the team! 
U11 Vale Hockey Tournament – Tuesday 26 January 2010