Junior School Newsletter May 2009

Wow! What an end to the Easter Term - Inspection! The Inspection Team of eleven spent four days across the whole school including the Junior School team of three Inspectors which consisted of Heads and Deputy Heads from other Independent Schools.

There was not an inch of the Junior School that was not uncovered; lessons were observed; work completed throughout the year was scrutinised and pupils, parents and staff were interviewed. It was a very busy week and, of course, highly successful! Your daughters were as always, a great credit to both you and the school.

The staff and I would like to thank all of you who completed the questionnaires earlier on in the year. I would like to personally and most sincerely like to thank all of the staff for their continued dedication and commitment to the continued care and support of your daughters as well as to the teaching and learning that takes place to an extremely high standard each and every day in the Junior School.

The report will be published by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) later on this term and made available to you.

Many congratulations to Mrs Potter (and of course, Mr Potter!), whose baby girl, Rosie Mae, was born on at the beginning of this month. Mrs Potter and Rosie are doing well and we wish the Potter family every  happiness.

This term is full of residential trips, exams, concerts, Sports Day, trips and the Lower Three production, not to mention ...Exam Week. There is much to keep everyone busy and I am sure that everyone will be involved in at least one exciting event or activity. 

I cannot believe that we are well into the summer term, especially as we are into our residential and team building activities time of year!. We are really looking forward to everything that will be happening over the next few weeks - it really is a full and busy term.

I would just like to remind you that the girls have the option of wearing the summer dress this half term.  The summer dress must be worn by all girls in the Junior School following the May half-term, from Monday 1st June.  Instead of the blue socks of the Autumn and Spring terms, white knee-length or white ankle socks should be worn.  School cardigans can be worn with the summer dress and are available from the school shop. 

I am sure we have all been enjoying the warmer weather. Let us hope that the meteorologists are accurate in their predictions for a hot summer!

This is the final reminder that for everyone in the school, Exam Week is the week before the summer half-term, from Monday 18th May until Friday 22nd May. 

Since coming back after the wonderful and very welcome Easter holidays, the girls have been busy revising for their exams during their lessons. A variety of tried and trusted revision methods including good exam technique; practise in answering different types of questions and accessing appropriate revision websites are implemented during the school day to prepare your daughter for her forthcoming assessments.

Therefore, it would be very much appreciated if your daughter attends school during that week.  If for any reason, an appointment is made for the doctor or the dentist, it would be extremely helpful if it was made during afternoon school, as exams do not take place after lunch for any of the girls.

Whilst we are looking ahead to the all that the summer term has to offer, I would like to take this opportunity to give you an important Diary Date for the autumn term. On Saturday 3 October, the we will be holding our Open Day. This is a great opportunity for both the Junior and Senior schools to showcase all that we have to offer to prospective parents and their daughters.

We will be requiring and expecting all the girls who will be in Upper 2, Lower 3 and Upper 3 (current Lower 2, Upper 2 girls and Lower 3) in September, to attend school during the Saturday morning to assist in helping with all the activities that will be taking place and showing to all our visitors what a great school we are!

Our end of year Celebration and Prize-giving Service will take place on Thursday 2 July from 2.00 pm in the Senior School Hall. As well as celebrating all of the girls' achievements throughout the year, it also signals the end of term for the girls in the Junior School. There is no school for any girl in the Junior School on Friday 3 July.

Further details will be sent to you nearer the time. For those who have daughters in the Senior School, term ends on Friday 3 July and the girls are expected to attend.

There is lots to do and take part in as ever in the Junior School and we look forward to welcoming you to lots of events during this term.

With best wishes
Corinne Royden
Headmistress of the Junior School