Junior School eNewsletter September 2009

Dear Parents

I cannot believe that we have already reached the end of the first half term. So much has happened already both in and out of the classroom and I would like to start by thanking you all for your continued support for the Junior School and for everything in which your daughters are involved.

Well done to everyone who has settled so quickly to the routines of the new term and school year and especially to Form One who have really taken to life in the Junior School. A great start to the term!

I would also like to thank all of you who are helping and being so supportive and co-operating with the picking up arrangements from Adelaide Square at the end of the school day.  If parents do not park on the double yellow lines outside the school entrance before 4.00 pm, the traffic flows much more smoothly. Thank you very much for your continuing support in this matter at this time of the day. We are trying to keep your daughters safe but we must also follow the law. I hope that we will be able to continue the excellent practice that is now in place.

Another important reminder is that parents may not drive on to the Junior School playground. Although this is a rare occurrence, it has happened during this half term and endangers any child or adult who is standing on the playground. The playground is for staff parking only.

Please don't forget that the supervised Late Room operates from 4.00pm until 6.00pm. Your daughter may go there at the end of school. You are able to park in the Senior School playground and go to the Reception where your daughter will meet you. You do not need to book into Late Room and there is no charge for this service

As many of you are aware, we held our annual Open Morning on Saturday 3 October.  Thank you to all of the girls who have volunteered to be around the Junior School taking part in various demonstrations, including science, class-based or helping by guiding the many prospective parents who visited around the school. I always receive many comments from our visitors as to the friendliness and enthusiasm of their guides. My special thanks to girls in Upper 3 who returned to the Junior School who were a great help in guiding our visitors. A huge, huge thank you to each and every person who helped in any way on Saturday. Your enthusiasm for and pride in your school is infectious and genuine, and this always comes across when you are showing new families and their daughters around the school.

Upper Two have already been ‘evacuated' as they experienced life during World War Two when they visited Duxford and Lower 3 are looking forward to their visit to the Natural History Museum next Wednesday.

We have already held two of our Activity Mornings with Form 1 girls being joined by Year 2 boys and girls from Pilgrims and on a separate occasion the Year 2 and 3 children from Polam Oaks. For the first time, we also welcomed Year 3 girls from Dame Alice Harpur School to join in the fun and activities with Polam Oaks, so we could all show the children what life in ‘big school' is like. All the children enjoyed meeting; playing together during morning break and working together on the various activities as they travelled ‘Around the World'.  The session ended with everyone enjoying lunch together.  Next half term, we look forward to welcoming the boys from Bedford Prep School when they join the Form 1 girls for their Activity Morning in November.

Thanks to all of you who were able to attend the presentation regarding the merger by the Trustees of The Bedford Charity (The Harpur Trust) and Mrs Eldridge and Mrs Berry during last month. If you were not able to attend, the presentation is available on the following website http://www.bedfordcharity.org.uk/schools/SchoolMerger.html

Further information regarding the merger will also be posted on this website. Please be re-assured that as soon as any information is released regarding the merger, you will be informed.

School Council members from both Bedford High and Dame Alice Senior and Junior Schools met together this week to start discussing various issues regarding the merger including sharing their ideas for future school names and the design of the school uniform which will be presented to the merger project steering group for consideration. A second meeting is due to be held before Christmas.My understanding is that you will shortly receive communication about what was discussed and how you can also share your ideas on the proposed school names and designs of uniforms.

School Council members from both Bedford High and Dame Alice Senior and Junior Schools met together this week to start discussing various issues regarding the merger including future school names and the design of the school uniform. A second meeting is due to be held shortly. My understanding is that you will shortly receive communication about what was discussed and how to vote on the proposed school names and designs of uniforms.

The Scholastic Book Fair has now arrived in school, and Mrs Payne has sent information home about the times it is open before, during and after school. If you are not sure about opening times, please send a note asking for details in your daughter's Message or Homework Diary. Your daughter will also have an opportunity to visit the Book Fair during an allotted lesson over the next few days. Please remind your daughter that if she brings money into school to spend on books (or anything else for that matter) she should hand any cash or valuables into her form teacher for safe keeping.

We look forward to welcoming as many of you who are able to attend our Harvest Festival next Tuesday. The date was originally planned to be held on Thursday 15 October but due to various meetings and other events across the school taking place, we have had to move it to Tuesday afternoon. I do apologise if this has caused any inconvenience. If you have not received details about out Harvest Festival, please contact the Junior School Office for further information.

We have as always just as much, if not more, in store for next half term. Just a few of the other activities to look forward to are the Form One Nativity, Children In Need Day, the PA ‘Get Set for Christmas' Fayre, and our End of Term Carol Concert, not to mention all the hard work that will take place in the classroom...Phew! 

With my best wishes
Mrs Corinne Royden