Q: When did you first take an interest in Chess?
A: I began playing chess when I was in Year 2 at Sherston (aged 6) when I joined the Chess Club.

Q: What first attracting you to the game?
A: I wanted to try a new hobby.

Q: How old are you now?
A: I’m 10 now but I’m playing for the England Girls U 11′s.

Q: How much time to you spend practising in an average week?
A: I practise about 2 hours a week on average. I play at fun days, against other people on the Internet, against Chess Master on the computer, at School Chess Club, with friends and family and I have coaching in Swindon.

Q: What tournaments have you won?
A: Tournaments I’ve won so far are the West of England Championship, Wessex under 7.8 and 9 Suprema and I play for the County u 11′s.

Q: How did you get put forward to try for England Girls?
A: The way I was picked for England was through the manager of the England team writing to the manager of the County team and he recommended me to be put forwards for selection.

Q: What will happen next with you representing England Girls?
A: I have just played for England South/ South West Girls against the North/North East Girls and our team won by one point! I won one game and lost one.

Q: How would you sum up how you feel about representing England Girls?
A:Playing for England makes me feel really proud and happy.

Next Sherston School open day is Tuesday June 26 th 2012.

The team of Alex Harvey riding Baygo, Amy Peevers riding Obie and Charlotte Bailey riding Pudsey competed at the end of March in an NSEA show jumping team competition at Summerhouse Equestrian Centre near Gloucester, in the 70cm category. They were against fierce competition, including last year’s National Champions in this class, Pinewood School, on a tough track that was
up to height. Although this was only their second competition, all three did double clear rounds, the only team in the competition to achieve this, and were therefore clear winners of the class. The fourth team member, Katie Pyle, did not ride on this occasion but played a critical role in keeping tabs on other teams scores and enabling Sherston to use the correct tactics for their rounds.

Amy, Alex and Charlotte also entered the 65cm warm up class which was for individuals rather than teams, and took three of the top four places! Charlotte did a blisteringly quick jump off round to take the win, with Amy coming third and Alex fourth.

The team who are overjoyed at winning, now go on to join another 23 teams from around the county to compete at the National Championships which are held at Addington Manor in Buckinghamshire in October. Malmesbury School will be there too as they qualified a team in the 90cm class.

“It is very exciting for the children to be going to compete in a National Final in such a prestigious venue. Actually it’s quite exciting for the parents too! We can’t wait!” Said Mrs Elise Harvey, summing up the feelings of all involved with the winning team.

Next Sherston School open day is Tuesday June 26th 2012.

Thank you

Week 1 – Monday 14th May
Week 2 – Monday 28th May
Week 3 – Monday 18th June
Week 4 – Monday 25th June
Week 5 – Monday 2nd July
Week 6 – Monday 9th July

19:00 – 20:00
Beginners and for those looking for a lower impact class.

20:15 -21:15
For those looking for a slightly more dynamic and physically stronger class. For students with some experience of practicing yoga.
cost: £45

Thursday 10th May and Thursday 7th June

19:30 - 21:00
Two 90 minute classes open to all levels of yoga experience. Come and enjoy a longer class with time to explore pranayama (breath work), asana (physical postures), meditation and finishing with a deeply relaxing yoga nidra (conscious sleep).

£10 per class, which can be booked individually.

Monday Pregnancy Yoga

17:45 - 18:45

I have received some interest in me teaching another small Pregnancy Yoga class in Sherston. If you know anyone who may be interested to join us please pass on my details. You/they can read more about this class here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/217211725047223/

Contact Kathryn Chandler for further information or to book your place on:
07903 802985 or by email: yoga_in_sherston@hotmail.com
www.facebook.com/Yoga.with.Kathryn

There is interest in me starting to teach another small Pregnancy Yoga class in Sherston. Would you like to join us? Or, do you know someone else that would?

Through pregnancy yoga mums can develop an awareness of full healthy breathing, connecting to her body and baby whilst keeping fit, healthy and mobile. My pregnancy yoga classes combine breathing with specific yoga postures and relaxation techniques creating a sense of well-being and contentment. Yoga can empower the mother-to-be to have the most conscious birth experience. Pregnancy yoga is suitable for both beginners and experienced yoga practitioners from the second trimester of pregnancy. It is a great way to feel part of a community of pregnant women.

More benefits of pregnancy yoga:
- improves sleep
- decreases anxiety
- reduces backache
- increases your energy

“Thank you for a wonderful class last night. It was so amazing to finally take the time to close my eyes and connect with my baby. Thank you again for a beautiful class and see you next week.”

It’s never too late to practise prenatal yoga!

6 week consecutive course: £45

Kathryn also teaches two general adult yoga classes in Sherston on a Monday evening. A class at 7pm for beginners and those looking for a lower impact class and a class at 8.15pm for those who are looking for a slightly more dynamic class. She is a Birth Doula and gives Holistic, Deep Tissue and Pregnancy massage, and teaches Developmental Baby Massage, please get in touch for more details.

All yoga classess taught in Sherston have limited places so must be pre-booked.

Contact: Kathryn
Phone: 07903 802985
Email: yoga_in_sherston@hotmail.com
www.facebook.com/Yoga.with.Kathryn

** Image from the Western Daily Press **

Congratulations to Sherston Schoolgirl Amy Pointer for completing her inspirational sponsored swimming challenge to raise money for Help for Heroes.

Sunday 29th January 2012 saw ten year old Amy’s mammoth task come to an end, as she completed her final mile and 1455 lengths of Malmesbury Activity Centre pool. This is over 23 miles, which is the equivalent of the entire length of Loch Ness! The challenge is in aid of Help for Heroes in honour of her brother Joe who is 19 and training with the Grenadier Guards and is likely to be serving in Afghanistan next year.

To cheer her on during her last lengths were various supporters, class mates, journalists and also a very special guest, Olympic Gold Medalist Duncan Goodhew.

Amy, who started this incredible undertaking back in October 2011, has been fitting in her swims often before school, and sometimes a mile at a time, said “It’s a really exciting and it just feels like a great thing to be doing. My dad supports me and helps me keep on going”.

Andy Pointer, Amy’s proud father said “It is an incredible achievement and everyone is bowled over by it”.

To add to the celebrations, Amy has managed to surpass her ambitious fund raising goal of £750. Her current total is over £900 and people can still give money by going to the website www.justgiving.com/amysheroes.

To sum it up, Amy said “With my Loch Ness Swimming Challenge now completed, I would like to thank you for supporting me and Help for Heroes. In fact I can’t thank you enough! Together we have raised nearly £1000! That’s four times what I wished for when I started my swim back in November. Sometimes, I didn’t think that I would ever be able to finish. I learned a lot about positive thinking and how you can achieve anything if you want to badly enough.”

Well done Amy!

Speaker: Lynne Henderson, Pembroke College, Oxford with two undergraduates.

For tickets please contact Gill Ashley on 01666 840993 £25 each to include refreshments and cakes. All proceeds to The Prince’s Charities Foundation.

Congratulations to Nick Bowditch (Headmaster) and Debby Liddle (Deputy Head) on reaching the 20 year mark at our local primary in Sherston.

Nick who was parachuted into the school with a week’s notice back in 1991 is still going strong after 20 years of service. “There is always a new challenge around the corner which keeps the job exciting” comments Nick, on how the school preserves his interest.

The well respected duo, who make a formidable team, have witnessed so much in their 20 years. “Sherston School may have grown and changed during the years, but our guiding principle of family spirit remains the same” reflects Mr Bowditch.

Mrs Liddle who is the Reception class teacher said “The school has allowed me to achieve so many ambitions – from teaching juniors to infants; a year in Australia on an exchange programme, to the management responsibilities that come with being the deputy head and all this within the lovely setting of Sherston.”

Chair of Governors, Richard Hulme thanked Nick and Debby for their commitment and exemplary service to the school at the recent Christmas Fair in front of a hall packed full of pupils, parents and staff. On hand were Jamie and Ollie Finch to present a bottle of champagne and a card to Nick. Jamie was at Sherston School when Nick and Debby first started twenty years ago, and now one of his sons, Ollie is in Debby’s Reception class!

20 years: The facts