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Contact information for parents:
If you wish to contact Mrs James by
email her school email address is:
slj@llanishen.cardiff.sch.uk
Summer Newsletter
16 July 2010
Dear Parents/Carers
YEAR 9 2009-2010
We have had an extremely busy year and I am delighted with the successes
that have been achieved. The pupils have continued to work hard in the
classroom and we were very proud of the results achieved with our year
group having the best Teacher Assessed results reported this summer.
We have all had to make some tough decisions ready for year 10. Some
pupils have found this process particularly difficult and we are looking
forward to cracking on with our Key Stage 4 studies.
Along with this, Year 9 pupils have taken an active part in
extra-curricular activities. Sporting achievements include several
pupils being chosen to represent our city and also Wales and we have a
number of pupils taking part in County Music ensembles.
Kudos was a massive
success and it was a joy to see so many year 9s singing and dancing so
brilliantly.
The Science Day
just before Christmas was enjoyed by all and we were all very proud of
our Maths Challenge
Success – Min ji Lee and George Lin helped the team reach 41st in the
whole of the UK!
We are very grateful to Mrs Bagshaw
in the LRC who offers a welcoming and comfortable space to read and
study. Each Tuesday I run a Skills Club and pupils have come to me
requiring support with homework and other aspects of their learning.
Mrs Bagshaw
arranged for the outstanding young writer,
Lucy Christopher, to spend a day with year
9 pupils helping them improve their skills. It was a fantastic day and
her books are excellent – I’ve managed to wrestle them from my daughter
and read them now! Please note the LRC competition – we want to see
photos of pupils reading in unusual places – please bring them into
school. Merits for all entries and prizes for the winners!
The Arrow Group
ran in the Spring and pupils attended each registration to help improve
their reading skills. We now have Spellings during registration and
thirty pupils come each week to be tested on spellings which they work
on at home. I have been very impressed with the attitude of ALL pupils
taking part in the scheme and grateful to
Mr Tony Ransome who has supported the work
that we do.
Go Girls! was
a day event aimed at year 9 girls which was written and arranged by Ms
Plough and Mrs C Tomas. The girls had a special day discussing issues
relevant to them in a safe environment and hopefully building
self-esteem and confidence.
The exhibition of year 9 art at the
Thornhill Centre was a very special event.
Everyone was astonished at the standard of work produced and we are very
grateful to the Art Department and the Thornhill Centre for this event.
View the
work on display
here
We’re all looking forward to the next one…..?
*Important
Dates*
Progress Report 2
Adroddiad Cyrhaeddiad 2
30th June 2010
Easter Newsletter
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[download
newsletter]
March 2010
Dear All,
Thank
you for all your hard work this term. It has been incredibly busy and we
have all been delighted with the contribution that the vast majority of
year 9 has made to the school.
All pupils in year 9 have completed their option choices for key stage
4. It has been exciting but also very confusing and difficult for some.
Pupils have had their parents, form tutors and members of the Senior
Leadership Team (during target setting interviews) to discuss their
choices with and so hopefully we are going to be able to ensure everyone
is studying appropriate subjects next year.
We have been fortunate to have opportunities to extend our learning
beyond the classroom and we are extremely grateful to all the staff who
give up their free time to arrange these events.
We are very grateful to Mrs Wallington and the Science department for
arranging the Science and Technology day just before Christmas. Everyone
really enjoyed it and gained a great deal.
The MAT team continues to offer a variety of extension activities. A
number of year 9’s take part in the MAT Music group and have extended
their learning for Associated Board exams as well as for GCSE …. We’ve
also been looking at AS and A level work!
There are large numbers in Young Engineers’ and they are tackling GCSE
standard Electronics, three dimensional computer aided design and going
on to make their very own i-pod docking station complete with speakers.
Mr Floyd and Mr Cole will also be linking with the Art Department so
that pupils can do some sculpture.
I have been astonished by the standard of work that is produced at the
MAT Art group each Thursday and we are very grateful for the extra time
that the Art Department puts into this. A day at Bay Arts has been
arranged for some year 9s in May with work produced by the pupils given
gallery space afterwards.
Dr Lloyd and the Maths Department were delighted and impressed by the
performance of some year 9s in the recent National Intermediate Maths
Challenge. George Lin managed to get the best score and receives a Gold
Award. Silver Awards will be received by Alex Bourn, James Dunne and Min
Ji Lee. Hannah Phillips, Lowri Hunt, Katherine Evans, Sarah Jafar and
Lucas Gadd will each receive Bronze Awards. Well done to all those
pupils and thank you to the Maths Department for giving our pupils this
opportunity.
On 16 March we welcomed the author Lucy Christopher to the school. Mrs
Bagshaw, LRC Manager, arranged a day of creative writing led by the
author and 25 of our pupils benefitted. Lucy was very interesting and
answered the many challenging questions that the group asked. She was
available to sign books for pupils at lunchtime and she was charming and
kind to everyone.
On Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings I have been working with the
Arrow Group. Pupils were identified as having a few issues with spelling
and/or reading that may slow them down in year 10 and beyond. Pupils
have been using a new computer system Arrow that Mr Furnham (SENCO)
identified as being useful. We also played lots of spelling games. All
pupils have improved their spelling and I am very grateful to the help I
have received from Tony (our very own Arrow LSA!).
Thank you to Mrs Birch-Hurst and Mrs Bartley for taking 30 pupils to the
Storey Arms for our Achievement Trip. Pupils were invited who have
excellent records in work, conduct and attendance and they all had a
fantastic time. We are also very grateful to the other staff that made
the trip possible.
Finally, on a less positive note, we have had several very upsetting
instances of cyber-bullying. Whilst we cannot help but have unkind
thoughts at times, it is best not to voice them. My advice is always to
discuss your grievances with a close friend, teacher or parent maturely
and in private. It must be remembered that once something has been
written and put on a Facebook site (or something similar) then it is in
the public domain and can be read by anyone, and can still be read long
after the original grudge has been forgotten. Unfortunately this kind of
bullying can gather momentum and others can see fit to add to your
original comments and quickly a very unpleasant picture of nastiness can
emerge. This is devastating and very unkind and also unfair because the
victim is unable to defend themselves without causing further attacks.
The school is monitoring the situation and pupils know that severe
punishments will be given to those who take part in this. The school
will be revisiting the Bullying Policy to ensure all staff, pupils and
parents can feel confident and secure at Llanishen High School taking
into account police and legal advice. I am heartened to note that most
year 9 pupils would not dream of taking part in such unpleasantness. So
much of the best things that happen at our school are because of the
goodwill and enthusiasm of the staff and pupils and all of us will lose
out if that goodwill is lost. We are all SO much better than this!
Wishing you all a very Happy Easter Holidays!
Mrs S James
Visit the websites of your Primary schools
Link here
Latest News, Information
and
Updates - New links
IN RED
October 2009
Movie Makers - 2 Day Autumn Course
Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th October 2009
download
pack and application form
here
This course is an ideal
opportunity for those students with an interest in film and TV to learn the
skills that will enable them to make their own short films.
Day 1
Covering the
basic principles of production, (Planning, Pre-production, Production,
Post-production and Presentation) Students will learn of all the disciplines
needed to plan and produce a film.
With full, hands on time, students will be taught how to use he cameras, how
to compose shots and how to work as a team to complete a short script.
Then out on Location to film for the rest of the day.
Day 2
This day will
concentrate on editing the footage shot on day one with an emphasis on
ensuring that the script is interpreted correctly and that the music, titles
and effects are right for the style of film being made.
The end of the day will see the students presenting their films to the rest
of the class to show how they have interpreted the brief as well as leaving
the course with a DVD copy of their film so that they can show what they
have achieved to others.
The Course develops:
• Team building
• Numeracy
• Literacy
• IT skills
• Design and creativity
• Presentation skills
• Confidence levels
• And many more
Course Dates are Monday 26th and
Tuesday 27th October 2009
From the 2008-09 Archives
2009 Year 8 Awards
........................
Climate Change Competition
......................
Year 8 Reading Page
................................
Carnegie Awards Shortlist
.................................
Hero Awards Easter 2009
............................................
"My
Journey to Washington DC"
by
Roya Tabatabai
....................
The GOOD news and the BAD news about Year 8
pupils
............................
Cake Sale in aid of the people of Gaza
23rd January 2009
............................
Several year 8 pupils made us very proud on Friday. They arranged a cake
sale to raise money for
Islamic Relief
a charity that hopes to help the many victims of the recent bombings of the
Gaza Strip.
Many staff commented on the excellent organisation, inspired presentation
and above all the delicious cakes.
£127 was raised for this excellent cause and I am really impressed that this
was a completely pupil led project from start to finish.
Well done of all of you.
DO YOU LIKE A
CHALLENGE?
Calling all Mathematicians
If you enjoy a challenge and like solving puzzles then why not look at the
following website?
www.nrich.maths.org
Dr Lloyd will be showing some year 8s more about the website shortly, but
everyone is welcome to give this a go.
Why not try this out at Homework and Skills in the LRC every Tuesday and
Thursday Lunchtime?
Mrs James
January 2009
Christmas 2008 Hero Awards
Finalists
Year 8’s Got Talent
............................
Christmas Busk for George Thomas
Hospice
click here for images
............................
Year 8 Awards Evening
2008
Click
here for results page
Congratulations to all those pupils in Year 8 who won awards
for their Effort or Achievement during Year 7. Each Department was required
to choose two pupils (one for Effort and one for Achievement) from the year
group. However, teachers had nominated one from every form group and so the
full nominations are listed below.
There will be some pupils who may feel a little disappointed because they
have worked as hard as they could this year but have not have received
recognition for this. Please keep up the hard work and remember that your
time will come and the Presentation Evening is only one way that we
celebrate success. Many pupils have received awards in our assemblies over
the last year, for example;
HERO AWARDS : for excellent all round work,
effort or contribution to school life
FORM TUTOR AWARDS : each year form tutors
nominate pupils who they feel deserve special recognition
SENIOR LEADER AWARDS : for those showing
outstanding improvements in their work or behaviour
HEAD OF YEAR AWARD : for those who have
impressed in all areas of school life
YEAR COUNCIL AWARDS : pupils are nominated by
their peers for special recognition.
MY HANDY HINTS FOR SUCCESS IN YEAR 8.
1. STAY organised – pack your bag the night
before
2. TRY hard – do your homework the night it is
set – keep work neat
3. ASK for help if you are getting stuck –
don’t forget Homework Club.
4. READ!!! Read the board for instructions,
read your planner for notes, read books to extend your knowledge, read your
work to correct mistakes…..
Year 8 School Council now
has its own page for minutes of meetings....
>>>
Year 8 Council
<<<
All last years information has now
been moved to its own page
>>>Year 8 when
they were Year 7<<<
New links
Year 8 Council
............................
Year 8 when
they were Year 7
............................
Superform trip 2008
............................
Carwash 2008
............................
Review of year 2007-2008
............................
July
2008 Newsletter
............................
Hero Awards 2008
............................
Review of last year
Yr 7 (2007-2008)
............................
Merits League Table
............................
Sports Day results
Year 8 Cake Sale raised
£28.70 for St Anne's Hospice in Newport. A further £56 was raised in the
staff room with cakes, fresh (fairtrade) coffee and orange juice. All of
this will be added to the whole school total.
Yet again, you all make us proud!
Thank you!
Mrs James
If you would like to design
your own web page for your form, go ahead and give it a go. For advice and
assistance, see Mr Floyd any lunch time in Room 35.
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Download our Latest Newsletter
here
Year 9
Netball Report
The Year 9 Netball Squad have been in
action since September, training every week on a Tuesday lunchtime and
playing regular matches.
With around 16 girls turning up to training every week the girls have
gone from strength to strength as they are working hard and improving in
‘leaps and bounds’.
The pinnacle of their success came on Thursday 21st January when they
played away at Glyn Derw High School. The team was made up of Cara
Murchison, Lily Trigg, Emma Davies, Emily Gully, Aimee Rafferty and
Ffion Taylor and captained by Lowri Hunt. The girls played the best they
have performed all year winning by a storming 16-0! Every one of the
team played exceptionally with Lily Trigg being named ‘Player of the
Match’ by the opposition thanks to her consistently accurate shooting
throughout the game.
In my opinion as their coach I can honestly say this squad of girls is a
pleasure to coach. I am thrilled that so many in the year are committed
to coming along to training and having a go, there are even some girls
that have come back to netball this year after having given up after
year 6. Tuesday sessions are meant to help anyone that wants to improve
at netball – and hopefully, as proven on Thursday, go a long way to
building confidence, improving skills and learning to work as a team.
Netball training takes place in the Barn every Tuesday lunchtime.
Miss Light
Awards
Evening 2009
Photo gallery
here
details of nominees and winners
here
Subject teachers were asked to nominate two
pupils from each of their teaching groups: one pupil for their Effort and
one for their Achievement.
So, about 18 pupils from our year group will have
been recognised for their work in every subject.
18 OUT OF 270 –
FANTASTIC ACHIEVEMENT.
The Subject Leader then chooses two pupils out of
that list (one for Effort and one for Achievement) to receive recognition at the
Awards Evening.
Pupils who received recognition at the Awards
Evening know who they are, but, I have listed all the pupils who were nominated
by their teachers for their work.
Please note that subjects have been listed
alphabetically after the Core of English, Maths and Science. Overall
winners are in capital letters at the end of each category.
WELL DONE to all of you – and keep up the hard
work this year!
Mrs James
From the 2008-09 Archives
YEAR 8 LATEST NEWS
MAT (More Able and
Talented) Group Pupils have been identified using data, staff and pupil
recommendations. Unfortunately there is only room for a maximum of 40
pupils and so some VERY hard working and talented individuals have not
quite made the cut.
However, all the pupils
highlighted by staff and pupils and those with a CATs score of more than
112 will be invited to take part in the activities and trips where
possible. The first of these was on Saturday 22 May when thirty year 8
pupils and staff went to see An Inspector Calls at the New Theatre. It
was a fantastic production and we all thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon.
Further trips and visits are in the pipeline…. So watch this space!
Reading for Pleasure Working Party
Pupils from year 7 and 8
have been invited to choose books and resources for our Learning
Resource Centre. They have a budget to spend and will be focusing on
bringing the joy of reading to more people. Two members of the School
Council will also be taking part.
Oakwood, 14 July 2009
Year 8 will be visiting
Oakwood again this year. Pupils are reminded that the trip is a reward
for hard work and excellent behaviour and so, unfortunately, there are a
few pupils who will not be able to attend. The cost of the trip is £24
which covers transport, entrance into the park and insurance. Please
contact Mrs E Smith in school for further information. Replacement
letters are available from the Year 8 Team Office. Keep up the good work
everyone!
MRS JAMES, 10 June 2009
Bowland Maths.
The school has been involved in trialling an exciting new
maths resource called Bowland maths. This is a set of 18 case studies.
Each activity is an interesting problem based on real issues
or from fantasy worlds. All tasks are fun and engaging while also being rich
in maths experience. The case study trialled at Llanishen by
year 8 pupils was a Mystery Tour. This involved planning a trip around the
United Kingdom, handling travel data and solving a series of logic problems
that use a range of mathematical content.
All pupils responded positively to the experience and are
looking forward to the next task.
Here are some photographs of the pupils using computers to
simulate their planned tour and preparing their class presentation.
3 April 2009
Dear All
This may have been a relatively short half term, but we have certainly
been busy. The Eisteddfod was outstanding and I am very grateful to the
Welsh Department and others who made the event such a success.
The standard of the stage competitions was extremely high and Georgia
Sugarman and Suzanne Evans 8F were both awarded for their contributions
to the morning. I feel that Serish Chaudhry of 8D also should be
mentioned because she entered (and won!) many of the subject based
competitions.
There have been a few little squabbles between different friends, but it
is pleasing to note that year 8 are beginning to sort out their
difficulties in a much more mature way in the main.
Most of year 8 are working hard and remaining focused and organised. We
are not far away from choosing our GCSEs and so we need to keep working
hard and making a good impression on our teachers.
Parents’ Evening is on 30 April 2009 and I shall be seeking volunteers
to help show parents around and also sell refreshments for charity (six
orphans based in Lesutho).
I hope that everyone is able to enjoy the Easter break so that they can
come back refreshed and ready for lots of hard work and fun in the
Summer Term.
Best wishes
Sophie James
Saga writing competition
This was a run by an
organisation called 'Young Writers'. Year 7,8 and 9 pupils wrote,
proofread and edited their stories in their Learning Support Group.
Over 30 stories were
sent off to the competition and it seems that we had as many as 20
winners from our School. We are thrilled that so many of our pupils have
had their stories selected for inclusion in a book that is due to be
published in July
Calling all musicians!
An opportunity to improve your
compositional skills.
There is a free course
available to everyone aged between 12 and 18, on Sunday 5 April 2009, at the BBC
Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff Bay.
Anyone interested, please see Mrs James for an application form, or download one
from....
here
Year 8
Eisteddfod
2009
click on the image for more
I would like to thank
EVERYONE who took part in the Eisteddfod on Friday 6 March. It was a
wonderful morning and you all made me very, very proud.
There were some outstanding performances during the morning; fantastic
singing, instrumental playing and recitation too. It was great to see
you all in different form colours supporting your friends on the stage.
Congratulations to 8D who managed to win over all. They won because they
ensured that everyone in the form entered at least two competitions. 8D
didn’t have many people taking part in the stage events, but they made
sure that they had entered loads of the subject based events so managed
to beat the fantastic 8G and 8F at the post. I was delighted that
Georgia Sugarman and Suzanne Evans (both of 8F) received the prize for
their overall contribution to the Eisteddfod.
Thanks go to the Welsh Department for organizing the day. We are very
grateful to Laura Evans, Hana Tuhami and Ieuan Matheson who judged the
music events for us. Thanks also to Mr Murphy and Mr Floyd for taking
photos of the event.
Sophie James
March 2009
Junior Debating Club
Big Brain?
Big Mouth?
Tuesday Lunchtime Week A,
Room 23 Years 7-9
Upcoming Debate
"Do we judge too much on first
impressions?"
Primary Reading Partnership 2009
As part of the celebrations for National Book Week, Mrs Parry (Assistant
Headteacher with responsibility for Transition), Mrs Bagshaw (Learning
Resource Centre Manager) and me took some of the finest of year 8 to
three of our feeder primary schools to discuss reading with year 6
pupils.
We took with us a list of many of the books that you are reading at the
moment as well as the leaflet Literacy and your Child that I have
prepared. It was excellent to note that some of the year 6 pupils had
already read some of your favourites. One young many from Thornhill (I
believe his name was Keiron, but he was dressed as Captain Underpants!)
has read 14!
I would like to extend our thanks to the pupils and staff of Ton-Yr-Yen,
Coed Glas and Thornhill Primaries who made us very welcome.
Thank you to the following pupils who gave up their time to help.
Jac Cox 8A
Minji Lee 8B
Anna Palmer 8C
Jaydene Davies 8D
Meghan Warne 8D
Alex Reynolds 8E
Peter Wheeler Davies 8E
Sarah King 8E
Suzanne Evans 8F
Ronan Graham 8G
Rhiannon Middleton 8G
Nadine Foad 8G
Emma Davies 8H
Sophie James
8 March 2009
Half Term Newsletter
14 February 2009
download it
here
Dear All,
What a busy half term we have had. Most of you have been working very
hard and have impressed staff and made us proud.
One highlight for me was the hour I spent watching year 8 in a Maths
lesson. Dr Lloyd is an outstanding teacher who leads a very successful
faculty and it was joy to see year 8 working hard in order to benefit as
much as possible from her efforts. It was pleasing to see so many hands
go up when she asked a question and for them to remain up, because the
class understood that there are often several answers to one question.
Dr Lloyd has also coached some of the year group on a Maths website to
extend learning.
Several Answers to
One Question : If
you and your parents are wondering how you can do better in school, I’d
like to provide a few answers.
1. Try for the highest attendance rate possible. Are you really ill
enough to stay at home?
2. Make sure you get to your lessons on time. Being late disrupts
learning.
3. Make sure you have the correct books and equipment. If you forget any
equipment then see me at the start of the day – I will never be cross,
but I might be if you waste lesson time borrowing pens etc.
4. Do your homework. If you find it difficult to work at home, or need
extra help, then come to Homework and Skills every Tuesday and Thursday
lunchtime in the LRC. There will always be a teacher there to help you.
5. Try your best! Most of you do the work, but I am disappointed when I
look at the standard of some of it. Scruffy, unfinished work is not good
enough year 8.
6. Be polite and kind at all times. Most of you are fantastic and, even
if you find the work difficult, continue to work with great spirit and
enthusiasm. There are a couple of you who have let us all down with
rudeness and unkindness. It is not acceptable to affect learning with
disruptive behaviour. Also we all find school much more difficult if we
are unhappy. So, remember to be kind and respectful to your classmates
and teachers.
Another highlight for me was the efforts made to raise money for the
victims of the recent troubles in Gaza. Nearly £200 has been raised so
far for the charity Islamic Relief.
The week beginning Monday 2 March is World Book Week and as part of the
celebrations some of year 8 will be visiting our feeder primary schools
to talk about the books they enjoy reading with year 6 pupils. We are
also arranging a BOOK SWAP – please bring any unwanted books and
magazines to school and leave them with Mrs Bagshaw in the LRC. Remember
that as the Reading Questionnaire has shown, one person’s worst book is
another person’s favourite. Pupils from years 7 and 8 will then have the
opportunity of taking a new book home if they wish to.
The Eisteddfod is on Friday 6 March. I hope that you enter the many
competitions available – all information available from teachers and the
website.
I hope you all enjoy the half term break and come back refreshed and
ready to continue your studies.
Mrs James
Half Term Newsletter
22 October 2008
download it here
To you all!
First of all, I have to say a big thank you to absolutely everyone in
year 8. I have not received a single complaint about any year 8 child
making life difficult for the new year 7s. Most of you have been very
welcoming and none of you have been unkind. Well done. We remember only
too well what it was like a year ago, when some of the “big kids” were
picking us off, and I’m really glad that we have shown some class and
maturity (assembly 8 Sept 08)
I am delighted to inform you that our new Assistant Year Team Leader is
Mrs Liz Smith (Maths teacher and form teacher of 8E). She is
particularly keen to help raise achievement within the year group and
has had some fantastic ideas. Watch this space!
The Superform Trip on Friday 17 October will remain with me as one of
the best days I’ve ever had in teaching. 8G were worthy winners after
working hard in the classroom and beyond (winning the Eisteddfod and 2nd
in Sports Day) and made great company for the day. They were joined by
other pupils who have also made us proud from other form groups.
Unfortunately there were only 46 places on the trip which left only 15
places for other form groups. There are at least 15 other children who I
feel also deserve recognition and reward – you know who you are – and I
look forward to finding the opportunity to do so – so KEEP UP THE GOOD
WORK.
The new computer system means that I am able to track pupils much
better. I can see if they are behaving well and if they are doing all
that is expected of them. It has made it easier for me to target
individuals who may be slipping behind with homework or becoming a
little disorganised with equipment. However, it has also meant that
parents have not been able to spot any positive or negative marks on a
day-to-day basis (as they could in the planner previously). Several
parents have voiced their concerns – which is completely understandable.
I understand that, in time, parents will be able to access this
information from home. However, until this happens, I would urge parents
to email me so that I can get back to them with the “Events History” for
their child. I would also say that if I am concerned about your child’s
progress, behaviour or happiness, I will be in touch.
A couple of children have come to my attention for not holding onto the
principles of kindness, humour and respect which is our year group
identity. However, these children are trying to improve and we are
working together to achieve this. I am delighted to say that we should
consider adding the adjective honesty to our year group description,
because the children I’ve had to speak to about matters of kindness have
told the truth, which shows that they are brave enough to look at their
own faults. This makes a problem fixable.
There have been a couple of children with BIG problems who have come to
see me and I thank them whole-heartedly for their trust. It is important
for you all to remember that if there is always someone you can talk to
– a friend, your parent, your teacher, your form teacher, me. Most
problems can be solved, but unfortunately some can’t, but problems
should never be faced on your own and things can at least be made easier
to cope with. I would like to add that I have been extremely touched and
impressed with the friendship and kindness shown by the friends of those
who have suffered difficulties.
We have all worked really hard and made excellent progress this half
term. I hope that all of you have a really good half term. Stay safe and
happy, and remember to solve any squabbles before you return in
November. We are year 8 now. We need to lead the way on this. No one can
help having unkind thoughts – but lets stop saying them, msn-ing them
etc etc. WE ARE ALL FAR, FAR BETTER THAN THAT!
Enjoy the holiday.
Sophie James
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