Message from the Head
Dear Parents,
Welcome back! I hope you had great holidays and enjoyed your wonderful children.
A short newsletter from me this week – we have hit the ground running with the launch of our new MIS in school which parents will benefit from in the long term – from September when all school information will be available to you on one application. We are bound to hit a few teething problems with such a major change (possibly around rewards and conduct – merits etc) but bear with while we iron out the wrinkles.
I talked to senior students in assembly on Thursday about hygiene. So many of us have been poorly and our attendance figures were really suffering but if you’re unwell you should not be in school. I have appealed for hand washing and tissues!
Next week our ACE (Additional Curriculum Enrichment programme) starts running again (Tuesday mornings in school) and I’m looking forward to the new sessions called ‘Girls can’ – from Ms Kohut. Female scholars involved in this will re-join the scholarship programme after their half term of ‘Girls can’.
Please note some key dates coming up and a reminder that any one of you is really welcome to contact any or all of us at any time if you need or wish any information about your son /daughter; we try to be as open door as possible and all staff email details are available on the website in the senior school information booklet on our website.
Key events this term include our ‘light touch’ Y7 evening, our Entrance Day (numbers are very positive) and our Sixth Form Taster Day. We are also recruiting our Head of Sixth Form in the next couple of weeks and I look forward to sharing the details with you anon. In addition the five year strategy for the school is off the ground and will also be shared with you as soon as possible.
Happy New Year – wishing you health and happiness.
Helen Barsham
Head
Message from the Head of Prep
Dear Parents/Carers
Happy New Year! I hope you have all had a fantastic Christmas break and managed some relaxation after such a busy end of term. Although they have had wonderful holidays, the children have also really enjoyed being back, catching up with their friends and beginning new topics. A huge welcome to the new pupils in Preparatory and Kindergarten.
Our extra-curricular programme will commence next week. You will receive a letter home today; please could you return this as soon as possible. Reception to Year 6 children are all welcome to attend On The Stage this Monday.
This year, our ‘Sparkle Week’ will run from Monday 16th to Friday 20th January. As in previous years, we hope to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing with children demonstrating acts of kindness. Helping others can be beneficial to all of our mental health by reducing stress, helping others to feel good about themselves and helping to reduce negative feelings and anxiety. Children In Preparatory and Kindergarten will be allowed to wear a sparkly or brightly coloured accessory to school each day of this week. At the end of the week, an assembly will provide children with the opportunity to share what they have done and celebrate the acts of kindness.
A reminder about the Spelling Meeting on Wednesday 25th January at 5.00pm. This will explain how our approach will be changing this term.
Later this half term, we have arranged ‘Someone Special’ afternoons, opportunities for the children to invite in a parent or grandparent to spend some time in class with them. The sessions will run from 2.00pm to 3.15pm and dates are as follows:
| Tuesday 31st January | Kindergarten, Reception, Year 1 |
| Wednesday 1st February | Year 2, Year 5 |
| Tuesday 7th February | Year 4 |
| Wednesday 8th February | Year 3, Year 6 |
Forms will be emailed out next week so that you can book onto one of these sessions if you wish to.
Have a lovely weekend,
Mrs V Wright
Head of Prep