Sport is part of the usual curriculum and boys also have many additional sporting opportunities. At the most basic level they have PE twice per week. Every term they focus on different sports (last term it was football and hockey, this term it was golf and gymnastics). Even at Reception level they play football matches against other schools. The school is affiliated to Wimbledonian Warriors Rugby Club so a lot of boys go to rugby training together every Sunday. The annual fun run is a big thing and next term there's going to be a lot of athletics events. The only thing missing, in my opinion, is swimming. Nicholas has become much more physical and takes part in all his sport with great enthusiasm!
Languages, both French and Spanish, are part of the curriculum and they also have corresponding extra mural clubs. Nicholas goes to Spanish Club every Tuesday afternoon. The language teachers are very enthusiastic and full of great ideas. They recently had French Day which was a dress-up day and doubled up as preparation for the Olympics. Nicholas seems to really enjoy his languages and it appears as though he is clinging onto some of the Spanish he learnt at Peques!
Music is also part of the usual curriculum and there is an active music department. Nicholas is doing violin lessons at school now and is progressing at a steady pace. His teacher, who he absolutely loves, played with the Lightning Seeds at Glastonbury. Every term they have a instrumental concert (Nicholas hasn't played yet) and every term they put on a show (last term it was the Nativity Play and Carols by Candelight, this term it was interhouse ABBA revival). You can imagine Dad's delight in Nicholas singing ABBA at every chance he gets!
On the soft side, the school does a lot of things to promote and encourage confidence, which is vital in my opinion. Every Friday they have show and tell which, as I've mentioned before, we are very enthusiastic about. It will hopefully result in my boy being confident to talk in front of an audience and ask/answer questions. They also have assembly every Friday where the boys sometimes have the opportunity go up in front of the whole school to get certificates for their achievements. I am proud to say that Nicholas has been getting a lot of practice!
Most importantly we like Donhead because Nicholas likes it. He is always keen to go to school and he usually has a smile on his face when I fetch him. He likes his teacher, he has lots of friends and he talks about his day enthusiastically. Let's face it, the bottom line is that the boy must be happy otherwise the rest doesn't really matter!
