Christmas
       Concert

  Peter Pan

  Bugsy Malone




  Ski Trip



  World Book Day

 

  Art Gallery

mid October 2008

Newsletter: October 2008

Dear Parents

This is an edited summary of several letters sent to parents during the second quarter of the term. For technical reasons, we cannot publish all the information given to parents – apologies.

The  1^st monthly assessment was published at the end of September, and the 2^nd goes out at half term, 24 October .  Please read the notes carefully – this is a communication between the teachers and parents, for your information only. We have a wide scale and try to use it – if we gave everyone an ‘A’, you would have no measure of what can be done better! 

For seniors in Years 8-12, our proposals for the part of the World Studies course which deals with teenagers and their relationships, has been given to parents. For children in Years 1-8, we are building up individual music tuition, from half term.

We have been working to refresh the website  and I hope you enjoy the greater information now on it.  We will add more photos in due course. The senior homework diary is now online, and the Junior one follows soon. Please let us know your suggestions for more website links.

Diary dates  are now on the website. The senior Kiev trip is being planned for the summer; and the ski trip to France is now being planned for February.  Following the meeting with new parents two weeks ago, everyone who missed that is welcome to a parent teacher meeting on Wednesday 12 November.  The senior play, Peter Pan, is moving along. The actors need to learn their lines. Miss Marsden needs a full, uninterrupted rehearsal for the cast, on Saturday 15 November.

The transport system does seem to be working better, with a couple of frustrating exceptions. We hope to start a tenth bus  after half term, which should make a significant difference. I am very grateful to the team of TAs and bus monitors who spend long hours looking after the children.  A few pupils do need reminding that school rules apply throughout the bus journey, and we expect good manners and courtesy, otherwise they will not be allowed to use the bus.

The new batch of uniforms is being distributed as quickly as possible. May I remind everyone that we do expect school trousers or skirts (not jeans, cords, patch pockets, combats...) and black school shoes, not trainers, please.  Hair is to be neat, and (girls only!) if long, must be tied back at all times. Jewellery and makeup are not needed with a school uniform. All items must be clearly named; and that the wool sweaters must be hand washed – hot machine washes shrink them beyond use.

It has been a busy time for staffing. After a few problems, we have an excellent and settled staff. I will keep parents up to date individually.  New staff in January will allow us to create extra classes in the infant and junior sections.

More smartboards are now being installed, as we fulfill EIS’s commitment to using a full range of technology and teaching methods. Despite delays, our supplies of new textbooks  are arriving steadily, and more will follow in the coming weeks. Note that modern young teachers use a variety of methods and materials, and in most subjects, the old single textbook for the year has been replaced by a range of reference books, the internet, resource material and work created by the teacher for each class and individual. Our children have a richer and more varied access to knowledge than was possible when I was younger! 

This term has been busy with educational visits already.  The early years have been to a Hindu temple, and the GCSE artists and historians have enjoyed some of the wonders of central Moscow. The football teams, from U7s to seniors have played several good matches, are unbeaten this term.   

Swimming starts after half term.  We will take all children from Y3 upwards, and the good swimmers in Y2. Because of the large numbers of junior beginners, we will phase in the beginners in Y2 later on.  Seniors alternate between the pool and sports hall every Tuesday, and juniors every Thursday. Everyone needs swimming kit, plastic slippers and a towel. Swimming hats would be a help, but we will supply them if needed.  Everyone has to have a certificate showing that their skin is on good condition.  With help from the SOS clinic, we will do this in school before half term. 

A busy time, and half term beckons.

We look forward to seeing everyone relaxed, rested and ready on Wednesday 5 November. 

Best wishes, Ross Hunter