Junior eNewsletter December 2009

Dear Parents

Christmas always seems such a long way off and then all of a sudden, it appears, there it is just around the corner! However, I always enjoy this time of year in school.

It is extremely busy with Nativity plays and Carol Concerts, but without them and the children's joy in everything they do when performing, it would be easy to forget the significance of this time of year. As well as the Nativity play and Carol Concerts that take place in our Junior School, I have been privileged to be invited to visit many of our feeder schools and the other Harpur Trust Schools to watch their Nativity plays. It has been a real joy to watch all the children's performances being enjoyed by so many of their parents and family. This time of year would be extremely dull without all the wonderful plays and carol singing that do take place in schools and no matter how busy it gets, I am grateful for it!

The calendar has been bursting with Christmas activities. Many thanks must go to the Parents' Association (PA) who once again, hosted a super party for the Form 1 and Lower 2 girls with festive games, delicious food and presents from Father Christmas! It was a real delight to welcome this year, the Year 3 and 4 girls, parents and members of staff from Dame Alice Harpur Junior School to the party. Over 90 children joined together in the games and brilliantly organised activities. Many grateful and appreciative thanks to the PA, especially Mrs King and her excellent team of helpers who arranged and organised everything.

'Get Set for Christmas' was an excellent start to the Christmas season at the end of November. A very special mention and 'Well Done' to the Lower Threes who designed their amazing games and stalls which raised an amazing £235 for the PA.

'Secret Santa' was also organised by the PA who 'visited' the Junior School on two separate occasions so the girls could 'go' Christmas shopping to buy some gifts in secret! We are extremely grateful to all of you who have helped and supported the PA throughout the year.

Many of you will have seen the Form 1 Nativity "Silent Night", which the girls presented, giving three excellent performances. They had worked very hard throughout this half term, directed by Mrs Payne and an amazing team of extremely supportive staff who contributed to this memorable and really delightful Nativity.

The Choirs have also been extremely busy entertaining audiences. Last week the Junior School Choir, joined by the Middle School Choir, was once again invited to sing at a concert in the Senior School Hall along with Bedford Town Concert Band, in aid of the Kempston Support Group for Sue Ryder Care, St John's Hospice, Moggerhanger.

The term, of course, has been dominated by the merger and the 'move' the Junior School is looking forward to, and planning for, next September. I am extremely proud and feel highly privileged that I have been appointed as the first Head of Bedford Girls' Junior School from January 2010.

The Autumn term has been long, but it has been a good one! The girls and staff have worked extremely hard both in and out of their classrooms. One of the many qualities that continue to give me a particular sense of pride in the girls, is their continued enthusiasm and excitement that they continue to have in everything they do. Whether it is working in the classroom; through the various and many activities or generally as the girls go around the school, they are always smiling, courteous and continually generous with their time and efforts. I would like to thank them personally for all they do, I am very proud of each and every one of you and all that you have achieved during this term. You really do deserve a good relaxing break this holiday.

If you are going away for the holiday season, I hope you have a very safe journey and a wonderful time and finally, may I wish you all, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year.

Meet the New Head - Monday 7 December 2009

Last Monday, I hosted a 'Meet the New Head' evening on the Cardington Road site where Bedford Girls' Junior School will be from September 2010. Mrs Braud, Headmistress of Dame Alice Harpur Junior School generously allowed us to use the school site and her staff organised and arranged the evening at extremely short notice, including the catering. The evening ran smoothly and I am grateful for all of their time and efforts.

I was delighted to meet so many of you who were able to attend. Three short talks took place during the evening and below is a summary of what was said.

My vision of Bedford Girls' Junior School is that it will combine the strengths, heritage and academic excellence of the two existing girls' schools. As the Head of the new Junior School, I intend to ensure that we continue to build upon and develop the existing provision of both schools. As a 'new' school, the staff will also be able to create new opportunities for every girls to develop her full potential. We will provide and develop a rich and varied curriculum building on from what is currently in place in both schools.

Now that both the Head of Bedford Girls' School and Bedford Girls' Junior School have been appointed, we can look to setting up and establishing the new curriculum for the Junior School, in the first instance. I believe that girls attending the Junior School should expect to receive the very best that can be provided by us and certainly receive no less that she is currently receiving in either school.

There are still many questions to be answered about Bedford Girls' School. I believe that communication is the key to this and I am determined to give parents the information so everyone knows what is happening and when. Communication is a two-way process so both parents and girls should expect to be asked for their input into the new school as well. Everyone with an interest in making this work will be asked for their ideas because it is important that people have a 'voice'. Views will be gathered through meetings, discussion groups, questionnaires and surveys to ascertain the expectations of the school; of the Head and the staff of the Junior School.

Team-building will be an important feature of the coming months and we will ensure there are plenty of opportunities for the girls to get to know one another. We must also be aware that we still have two amazing schools and that before we open the doors to the 'new' Junior School, we enjoy what remaining time we have in our own schools right up until the end of the summer term.

Parents and girls should have confidence in their new school because it will be your school. There must be confidence in what is provided through the curriculum; through enrichment and through all the extra-curricular activities and opportunities. Girls must be happy, settled, have confidence in everything she is able to do so that she has reached her full potential by the time she leaves the Junior School and makes the transition to the Senior School.

Over the next few weeks and coming months, I hope to meet with as many parents as possible; to get to know all the girls, the staff and the site on Cardington Road that will soon become Bedford Girls' Junior School. It is hoped a programme will be put together as soon as possible in the New Year where people will also have the opportunity to get to know me and the members of the Junior School staff.
We will, of course, be looking forward to a great celebration next September to mark the coming together of two incredible girls' schools. At that point, what has been envisaged, discussed and everything which has been worked upon in the preceding months, will create the reality of our outstanding school.