After several weeks of hard work learning recitations in both English and Welsh, after numerous auditions and subsequent practices, the children were ready to face their audience at this year's Eisteddfod, held on St. David's Day. After welcoming our honoured judges, former principal Mr. and Mrs. Cope, Mrs. Trevina Vincent and Mrs. Janice Goodwin, the house choirs were ready to open the afternoon with rousing renditions of 'Guide me O thou Great Redeemer'. The choirs consisted of children from a wide range of nationalities, each wishing to celebrate the culture of their temporary home. There swiftly followed charming and humorous Welsh recitations by the infant and junior children and beautiful Welsh singing, particularly by Arjun Walapu (Yr5), Ellen Walapu (Yr3) and Edward Hurle (Yr2). However, the afternoon wasn't solely in Welsh as a selection of children from Year One to Year Nine took to the stage to recite poems in English, and managed skilfully to convey both emotion and humour. All the junior pupils had a chance to go onto the stage during the choral speaking competition where they recited 'The Music Lesson Rap' by Clare Bevan in unison and with expression, and both houses performed excellently, having been skilfully taught by Miss Evans (Merthyr) and Mrs. Jenkins (Harris). Netherwood children also had chance to shine with their instruments. Following instrumental auditions, a selection of children from Year Three to Year 11 performed. The judges had a tough time comparing pianists, a trumpeter, a flautist and a trombonist. However, the range and abilities kept the audience transfixed throughout, particularly through performances from pianist Gareth Morgan and trombonist Matthew James - both extremely talented young men. The spirit of the afternoon was entered into by all the children who performed, listened carefully to their friends, and applauded with gusto. The final competitions were those of Mr. and Miss Wales. Always a popular competition with our younger pupils, this year was no exception as the stage filled first with young Welsh ladies, dressed in national costume. The judges finally came to a decision after much deliberation, choosing a young lady who they felt epitomised how a Welsh Lady should look and act, Ffion Davies (Yr1). The young men followed with many uplifted rugby players (making a change from injured players!), a few in traditional costume of flat cap and waistcoat. Once again the judges deliberated, though announced the winner promptly - a young man dressing in traditional costume, Lucas Parkin-Richardson. Once the competitions were over there remained just the presentation of cups: The Elizabeth Hughes cup for Solo Singing went to Arjun Walapu following his performance of 'Cwymp y Dail'. The Elizabeth Hughes Cup for Solo Instrumentalist went to Gareth Morgan following his superb piano performance. The House Cup went to Merthyr House, who beat Harris House by 824 points to 752 points. Many thanks must go to Mr. G. Jones and Miss S. Evans for helping with Welsh pronunciation and to our judges, Mr. and Mrs. Cope, Mrs. Trevina Vincent and Mrs. Janice Goodwin. The results on the afternoon were as follows: Infant Welsh recitation: 1. Edward Hurle; 2. Daniel Davies; 3. Joanna Weedon. Yr 3 and 4 Welsh recitation: 1. Ellen Walapu; 2. Joanne Thomas; 3. Robbie Williams. Yr 5 and 6 Welsh recitation: 1. Lloyd Delahunty; 2. Arjun Walapu; 3. Ellie Short. Infant solo singing: 1. Edward Hurle; 2. Joanna Weedon; 3. Daniel Davies. Yrs 3 and 4 solo singing: 1. Ellen Walapu; 2. Joanne Thomas; 3. Duntoye Aborishade. Yrs 5 and 6 solo singing: 1. Arjun Walapu; 2. Lucinda Perrett; 3. Daniel Collins. Infant English recitation: 1. Ffion Davies; 2. Morgan Short; 3. Rachel Ebsworth. Yrs 3 and 4 English recitation: 1. Lewis Murray; 2. Grant Hughes; 3. Nathan Short. Yrs 5 and 6 English recitation: 1. Millie Sandifer-Smith; 2. Lloyd Delahunty and Beau Vickery. Seniors English recitation: 1. Max Griffiths; 2. Rose Gallagher; 3. Peter Scammell. Instrumentalists: Yrs 3-5: 1. Lloyd Delahunty; 2. Ellie Short; 3. Arjun Walapu. Yrs 6-8: 1. Peter Scammell; 2. Daniel Billett. Yrs 9-11: 1. Gareth Morgan; 2. Pak Wai; 3. Matthew James. Choral speaking: 1. Harris House; 2. Merthyr House. House choirs: 1. Harris House; 2. Merthyr House. Final score: Harris House 752 pts; Merthyr House 824 pts.
URDD EISTEDDFOD
Following our own Eisteddfod, five pupils took to the stage at the local Urdd Eisteddfod, held at Tenby Infants School. The hall was crowded with proud parents and children from schools all over South Pembrokeshire. All five Netherwood children performed their very best, though most were very nervous, and although the competition was fierce, with up to 16 children performing in some categories, Netherwood managed to return to school with a second place - Joanne Thomas and a third place - Ellen Walapu, both singing 'Trip i'r Lloer', and a third place for Lucinda Perrett singing 'Cwymp y Dail'. The children who represented Netherwood were: Edward Hurle, Joanne Thomas, Ellen Walapu, Lloyd Delahunty and Lucinda Perrett.
OTHER news
As the term speeds up towards Easter, Netherwood pupils are again celebrating successes individually, and in teams. Ffion Davies from the Pre-prep Department has achieved her Royal Academy of Dance Pre-primary presentation certificate with the Alice Russell School of Dance. Well done, Ffion. Who knows, perhaps Ffion will follow famous ex-pupil Jonathon Cope into The Royal Ballet! Sharp-eyed ex-pupils and teachers may have seen another ex-pupil Adam James in a leading role in the television programme, 'Casualty.' Adam had his first taste of 'stardom' at Netherwood when he played the Mayor in 'The Government Inspector' many years ago. His role in 'Casualty' as solicitor Pete is surely quite demanding, as Pete is a fairly unpleasant character, and we all remember Adam with a big cheeky grin from morning to night. It was good, too, to see yet another ex-pupil, Charles Dale, back in Tenby to make a guest appearance at the Scouts and Guides Reunion Gang Show. What a kind gesture. Last Friday was World Book Day, and Netherwood pupils took the opportunity to dress up as a character from their favourite book. The day coincided with a Book Fair, so Mrs. Pattinson was able to award a book prize to the three best-dressed characters. She certainly had a difficult choice to make, with figures such as Captain Hook, Bugs Bunny, Woody from Toy Story and countless others emerging from buses and cars in the morning. She finally decided upon the following winners: KS3 - Rose Gallagher, for her ingenious costume of a 'Borrower;' KS2 - Joanne Thomas, who made a very convincing Hermione from 'Harry Potter,' and in KS1 Joanne Weedon who was a very dashing 'Puss in Boots.' Even the teachers got in on the act with Madam Hooch, Bugsy Malone and Bob the Builder, among others lurking in the staff-room. However, the clear winner among the staff had to be Mrs. Pattinson's terrifyingly believable Miss Trunchbull from Roald Dahl's 'Matilda'. Next week, the senior school pupils will be performing the play 'Vacuees' on Wednesday and Thursday nights at 7 pm. Why not come along and enjoy an evening of nostalgia, remembering the dark, and not so dark days of World War II. Tickets are available at the school, from Mrs. Macnaghten.