Weekly News Friday 25th March 2022

Message from the Head

Dear Parents,

It appears that we will be breaking up for Easter as the snow approaches! We finish next Wednesday at 12.30 pm and in a break from tradition, we are still wearing school uniform on the Wednesday. As a team, we felt that we had had additional non-uniform days recently and thus just finish the term calmly and in uniform.

Thank you to Ms Seaton for organising a cello demonstration on Monday. I do hope that some of our students decide to take up one of the instruments we have recently demonstrated. Just let us know.

Thank you to Mrs Cooper Cassady for an inspiring assembly this morning. She used the life story of Steve Jobs to encourage the students to persevere in the face of adversity, and to live meaningful and happy lives doing things that they love – a message that I think we can all take something from (Thanks also to Mr Dean who provided the summary of the assembly because I was enjoying coffee at the time with some parents at the time).

Thank you to all for coming along to my Coffee Morning and lovely to see a dad there! We talked about holidays, school uniform and homework suggestions. It’s great to have informal communications and just to get to know each other better. It is a regular date -the last Friday of each half-term (the next two being Friday 27th May and Friday 8th July).

I’m looking forward to seeing Year 11 parents (Year 10 parents are also welcome) for a revision strategies session next Tuesday 29th March, 5.30-6pm, and also look forward to the informal chat over cheese and wine with Year 10 parents regarding a possible (no promises at this stage) sixth form (directly after the revision strategies session at 6pm).

After Easter, we will also start to recruit for the new Prefect Team and Head Student roles. I have asked Year 10 to consider a variety of roles that would support the school such as a well-being prefect, a charities prefect, local businesses prefect – in addition to the usual roles. I look forward to the suggestions from Year 10 and the recruitment of the new team. It will be an application and interview. Please do discuss ideas for the new Student Prefect Team with your sons and daughters.

This week also saw the first D of E training day with Year 10 and Mr Deacon. A very successful day by all accounts with lots of hot chocolate consumed. Really looking forward to seeing this group embark on teamwork, challenge and outdoor life through this excellent programme.

Thank you to Ms Carr for the tulips at reception and we turn the green wall on every morning so the students are eating their toast to the sound of a tinkling brook!

Wishing you all a restful Easter break -when we get there.

Enjoy the family time.

Best wishes

Helen Barsham
Head

Message from the Head of Juniors

Good afternoon,

What beautiful weather we are currently experiencing.  It is so nice to have some sunshine at last!

This week has continued to be an extremely busy one for juniors.  Years 1 – 3 thoroughly enjoyed their Agility Festival on Tuesday.  On Thursday Years 5 and 6 graduated from their DAaRT course in an assembly they had prepared for Key Stage Two.  DAaRT Officer Mackintosh was very impressed by how much the children had learnt and presented them with their certificates.  Many thanks to her for delivering this course to our Year 5 and 6 children.

Today, the whole Junior School are visiting the National Space Centre.  They were so excited this morning and I am sure they will be having an amazing day participating in the workshops whilst exploring the centre. I am looking forward to hearing all about it when they return.

Next week, for gaining the most house points this term, Clumber are being rewarded with pizza and a movie.

Wednesday is the last day of term and we will finish with a celebration assembly followed by an Easter Egg hunt. The school days ends at 12:30 – there will be no After School Club.  Children should wear their uniform on the last day.

This week’s Stars of the Week can be viewed here.

Have a lovely weekend and to all mums, I hope you have a relaxing day on Sunday.

Mrs Wright
Head of Junior School

Key Dates for the Week Ahead