January Mailing

Dear All

It’s always good to see everyone back after a holiday and the start of term has certainly got off to a busy start.

Over the holidays a group of VI Formers and Staff travelled to Rajasthan in Northern India to experience rural life there and work in a Learning Camp.  By all accounts their trip was both successful and an amazing experience for all involved.  No doubt we will hear more in the weeks to come as we have another group going out at the beginning of February.

Parents will be aware that at the end of last term I wrote about us switching to an ‘Opt Out’ for permission to go on School Trips rather than Parents having to give written consent on each occasion.  The only communications I’ve had on this matter have been in favour and so with immediate effect we will assume that parents give permission for trips that happen in the School day.  We will only expect specific written permission if the trip involves hazardous activity.  All residential and overseas trips will also continue to require written permission.  Parents will continue to receive information about trips in advance and there will be the opportunity to opt out.

Over the past few days we’ve experienced some problems with our online calendar but these seem to be resolved now.  The printed calendar will be with you soon.

There is much to fit into this relatively short term and the IV Group (Year 10), V Group (Year 11) and some VI Form students have already started their GCSE and A Level exams (gulp!).  Parent Consultations come thick and fast this term and can I take this opportunity to remind parents of children in the Senior School that the consultation is for children and parents!

We have our annual Assessment Morning coming up on Saturday 21 January for pupils wishing to join I Group (Year 7) or III Group (Year 9) in September.  If you know of anyone who is thinking of their child joining Year 7 or Year 9 in September who is not already registered, it is important that they do so quickly – we have unprecedented demand for places for next year (for which siblings will naturally have priority provided that they are registered!).  We have an Open Afternoon for the Junior School and Nursery coming up on Wednesday 28 March from 13:30 – 15:15 and our Whole School Open Day is on Saturday 28 April from 09:30 – 13:00.  These events are primarily for prospective families but, as ever, you and your family will be most welcome.

I look forward to seeing you soon

Richard Palmer

 Head

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Lost Property
There appears to be a growing problem with the amount of clothing and equipment that is being left around the School. Any items of ‘lost property’ which are unnamed cannot easily be returned to their owner. Wherever possible please name items of clothing. Jenny also has a collection of watches, phones and glasses in her office that need to be identified and returned to their owner.  If your child has lost or mislaid items could they please be encouraged to look at the ‘lost property’ and, for expensive items, see Jenny in Room 12.