Junior School Newsletter March 2009

Dear Parents

This has been such an amazing term! We have not only managed to pack all the activities and visits that normally take place, but we had the weather throw the most amazing challenges our way as well! I think everyone rose to that challenge in the most admirable and outstanding way. I really would like to thank all the staff who continued to work hard and with great cheerfulness, to keep the school running through the inclement weather that February gave us.

The staff have continued to work as hard as ever to prepare our school for the forthcoming inspection next week. The Junior School looks quite spectacular as the completed work from this term's work is now on display around the school. I know many of you were able to see some of this work when you attended our recent Parents' Evenings, but if you have the opportunity to come in during the summer term, I think you will be amazed at the quality and standard of all the girls' work.

We are all looking forward to the forthcoming holidays. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in any of the festival classes or speech and drama rehearsals or performances. You have been a fantastic support in dropping your daughters off for performances and then collecting and of course, being a member of the audience. You support is very much appreciated - Thank You!

Adelaide Square - Thank you for your continuing support with the pick-up and drop-off arrangements in Adelaide Square. We do not seem to have as many parking problems as we used to as you are very much aware that we now encourage you to continue to drive around the Square until your daughter is ready to be collected. We do our best to ensure they are out as soon as possible at the end of the day so that you do not have to continually drive around the Square waiting for them.

Extra-Curricular Activities - Another reminder, if any of you are considering stopping any extra-curricular lessons (eg dance, speech and drama, music etc), could I just take this opportunity of reminding you that one term's written notice is required.  Therefore, if your daughter wishes to stop any of these lessons in September, we will require your letter by the end of the first week of the start of the summer term.

School Exam Week - A note for your diary if you haven't already got it, School Exam Week is the week before the summer half-term, from Monday 18 May until Friday 22 May. It would be appreciated if your daughter was in school during that week, especially in the mornings.  If an appointment does need to be made for the doctor or the dentist, it would be extremely helpful if it was made for the afternoon sessions, as exams do not take place after lunch.

School Uniform Reminders - Lots of reminders about uniform and equipment coming up! It may seem like a bit of a ‘nag' but it ensures your daughter is wearing the correct uniform and is bringing everything she requires to school so she is able to take part in all the lessons without having to worry about not having glue or a ruler. It will also prevent us from having to nag her if she has everything she requires!

From the beginning of next term, the girls have the option of wearing their summer dress. Following the May half-term, from Monday 1 June, the summer dress is to be worn by all girls in the Junior School.  White knee-length or white ankle socks may also be worn during the summer term.  School cardigans can be worn with the summer dress and are available from the school shop.  If you are buying new sandals in anticipation of the hot weather, I would ask that you look for a style that has enclosed toes. Blue or black sandals are permitted.

It is always tempting for the older girls in the Junior School to start looking for new shoes they may like to wear when they move onto the Senior School. I would like to remind them that ballet pump style shoes are not acceptable as they have a tendency to slip off the back off the heel and potentially cause a very nasty accident particularly with all the stairs that have to be climbed during the school day. Enclosed shoes have to be worn in certain subjects such as Technology for reasons of Health and Safety. All the staff would very much appreciate your continued support in keeping the standards of the uniform high in the Junior School.

Over the Easter holidays, please encourage your daughter to look through her pencil case and ensure she has all the required "bits and pieces"?  To help, I have listed below those items that your daughter needs to have with her on a daily basis.

Junior School Equipment - The following items are required for girls for classroom use; all should be CLEARLY MARKED with the OWNER'S name:

All Year Groups

            Pencil Case                                           30 cm Ruler
            2 lead pencils (HB)                                Pritt (or other suitable small tube 
            Pencil Sharpener                                   adhesive)
            Pencil Rubber                                        Scissors, sharp enough to cut fabric
            Coloured Pencils                                   Sellotape          
            Packet of Felt Tips                                 Dry wipe felt tip pens plus small cloth for
            Basic calculator                                     cleaning boards

  L2 (Year 4) in addition

            Berol Handwriting Pen in blue or a cartridge pen with washable blue cartridges

 U2 (Year 5) and L3 (Year 6) in addition

• Cartridge pen, with washable blue cartridges.  (Please avoid thin spiky nibs)
• 2 H pencils 
• Strong plastic A4 wallet approx 2cm in depth
• Protractor 180°                                     
• Set Squares
• Compasses

There have been some fantastic achievements this term in Sport; Speech and Drama and the Music departments. Commendation certificates have been presented across all year groups and I have awarded more Headmistress' Awards for some really exceptional pieces of work than I have ever awarded.

Your daughters continue to amaze and inspire us by all that they manage to do and this has been particularly so during this term. They have achieved a phenomenal amount in all areas of the life of the school and they are all to be highly commended - so a huge and magnificent ‘Well Done' to everyone!

Have a wonderful holiday and if you are off on a ski-ing holiday or to warmer ‘climes', have a very safe journey and a wonderful holiday.

With all my very best wishes

Corinne Royden
Headmistress of the Junior School