Junior School Newsletter December 2008
Dear Parents
Once again, the end of term has crept up on me and I am writing this newsletter in a state of bewilderment as I cannot believe that Christmas is really with us once again! 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 our feeder schools and the other Harpur Trust Schools to watch their Nativity plays and concerts. 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 delighted and feel extremely privileged that I am invited to all of these Christmas events.
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! ‘Secret Santa' was organised and visited the Junior School on two separate occasions so the girls could ‘go' Christmas shopping to buy some gifts in secret! We are, as ever, extremely grateful to all of you who have helped and supported the PA, and as a result the High School, at these events and throughout the year.
As I mentioned previously, many of you will have seen the Form 1 Nativity "Stable Manners", which the girls presented, giving three excellent performances. They had worked very hard throughout this half term, directed by their form teachers, Mrs Payne and Mrs Weltz. Mrs Potter and Mrs Leitner also supported and encouraged the girls in the learning of the wonderful catchy songs to tell the story of the grumpy stable animals to us. So, many thanks to all of them for their hard work.
The Choirs have also been extremely busy entertaining audiences. Last week the Upper 2 and Lower 3 Choir were joined for the first time, the Form 1 and Lower 2 choir as they sang at Priory Methodist Church, Bedford, in aid of St John's, Moggerhanger. The concert was held jointly with Bedford Town Band and is always a fun-filled musical evening which raised over £1000 for the hospice. Many thanks to all of you who attended and supported this event.
To complete our festive celebrations we have our annual Carol Concert in the Senior School Hall. This really is a firm favourite with us all.
Charity fund-raising has been very active this term. Canine Partners saw £135 raised through the selling of cakes; over £250 was raised for Children in Need and for the first time we have held a number of events for our chosen Christmas Charity, Shelter, including a ‘Bring and Buy' sale and collections at the end of one of the Nativity performances and Carol Services. The money will be presented to the charity in time for Christmas and we are grateful to everyone for all of their donations and support no matter how large or small. As the well-known saying goes, "Every little helps!"
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. My sincere thanks must go to the entire staff, to all the teachers and to Mrs Price, Mrs Thompson and Mrs Beckett for all that they do to support and encourage the girls throughout the school day. Also, to the girls for all their hard work and their smiles whilst going about everything they do. They all deserve a really 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.
Mrs Corinne Royden
Junior School Headmistress
