December Mailing

Dear All

Each year at Christmas I look back at the Autumn Term and am amazed at just how much we have packed in.  Those who were lucky enough to be in the audience for any of the recent events (Fiddler on the Roof, Senior Christmas Carol Concert, Junior School Gathering, etc) will know just how much hard work has gone into these very public performances.  Of course, in addition to this the children and staff have been working very hard in lessons (Year 11 have been in Mocks right up to the end of term!) and have also managed to squeeze in some excellent trips and workshops.

The School magazine chronicles much of what we have achieved during the past calendar year and all children have been given a copy to take home today.  If it doesn’t quite make it home, or if you need another copy then please do ask at Reception.

You may be aware that, in response to Lord Young’s paper on the provision of school trips, the stance of both the Department of Education and the Health & Safety Executive on the provision of schools trips has softened.  To help the School follow current best practice in the provision of trips and also reduce the burden of paperwork for both parents and staff we are currently reviewing the paperwork associated in the planning of visits and trips at School.  We have been thinking about ways to help parents when permission for a child to take part in a trip is required.  We fully understand that the pressures of a busy family life means that sometimes filling the form in and returning it is not always a top priority; but the system as it stands means that children without such permission have to miss out.  We also have to spend a huge amount of time chasing permission slips.  We are considering a move to ‘Opt Out’ for parents rather than ‘Opt In’.  This means that parents would continue to be informed about trips but that we would assume your child has permission to go and that we have permission to place charges on the fee account unless we receive written instructions to the contrary. This would only apply to day trips (any overnight and/or overseas trip requires parental consent) any trips involving children in the Monte or K Group would also continue to need parental authorisation.  If you have any thoughts on this then please do let me know directly by 1 January.  If we decide to move ahead with this scheme I will write to all parents before the start of the new term to inform them – I hope that it will make your lives a little more straightforward.

I hope that over the Christmas period you and your family find time to enjoy each other’s company and I wish you all the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years.

Richard Palmer
Head