14^th June 2011

Dear Parents,

SWIMMING GALA FOR YEARS 3 TO 10 (SELECTED YEAR 2s), POLIDEPORTIVO MUNICIPAL, SAN JAVIER

It was excellent to see some of you at the Sports Day last week, which proved to be a great success.  Thank you to all the staff involved, but especially to Mr Whitaker for his tireless organization and administration of the event.  Can I apologise for the inadequate information that went out on the location and timings of the event prior to last Wednesday.  These are new events for the school and we will endeavour to improve in our delivery of them as time goes on.  

We move swiftly onto the next events, however, and I look forward to seeing many of the parents with younger children at our two Sports Days on Wednesday and Thursday this week.  The primary reason I write though is to invite parents to the Inter-House Swimming Gala, which begins at 10.30am and will go on to 2pm at the Open Air Pool at the Polideportivo Municipal in San Javier.  It would be great to see some parents there and I detail what children have to bring below:

• Pupils are to come dressed in PE kit.
• Pupils should bring swimming kit and towels with them.
• All pupils should have sun cream, a full water bottle and a hat with them.
• All pupils will be provided with packed lunches.

SCHOOL PLAY- THE WIZARD OF OZ

The School will be putting on The Wizard of Oz next week.  Secondary and Primary students have been busy rehearsing for this over the last few weeks.  All parents are invited to attend the performances next Tuesday 21st June and Wednesday 22nd June at 7.30pm in the Main School Dining Hall.  Prior to the performance, at 7pm, there will be a bar serving wine, beer and soft drinks (all at a cost of 1 Euro).  Tickets can be purchased on the door and will cost 3 Euros.  We look forward to seeing many parents at the two showings.

PRIZE GIVING AND SPEECHES

In order for the school to be outstanding it is essential we establish a culture where all children and as many parents as possible attend Speech Day, alongside ensuring that term dates (especially beginning and end of terms) are properly honoured.  I recognize that having it at 11am is not ideal for parents who work, but this is the reason why we advertise it so far in advance (it has been on the online calendar since the end of March).  We have already selected the prize winners, but these will be announced and the prizes presented only on the 28^th June itself.  There are more than 70 prize winners and it is not only important that prize winners attend, but also important that others are there to congratulate their peers and aspire to follow in their footsteps in the future.  We will also be presenting the inter-house trophy and hearing our founder, Dr Fry, who is the guest of honour, giving a speech.

Despite the small number of parents who have signed up, the post- Prize Giving lunch will still go ahead, but in the Limonero Restaurant because of the smaller numbers.  If you still want to sign up then do see Carlos Campos on Reception.

REPORTS AND PARENT/TEACHER MEETINGS

Reports will be published on the afternoon of Tuesday 28^th June.  A reminder that they will be electronic only, viewable on ClaSSic this time.  Any parents that cannot print the reports off themselves and want a hard copy should make a request for this from Christine Whitehead in the School Office.  All teachers will be available for an Open House in their own classrooms between 9.30am and 1.30pm on Thursday 30^th June for anyone that wants to drop in and either get the substance of a report translated or deal with any pressing issues.  The Spanish teachers will be available in their classrooms on this occasion for anyone that wants help with interpretation/translation. 

In addition, there will be parents meetings for Year 1 and 2 next week on the afternoons of Tuesday 21^st and Wednesday 22^nd June.  A separate letter will go out detailing the procedures for these. 

DRAFT ACTIVITY PROGRAMME

As you will know from a previous letter, we will be going to a longer lunch next year, giving the children the opportunity to do a wide range of co-curricular activities during their lunch breaks.  I attach what is a purely provisional activity lists to show you the scope of what we are trying to achieve.

INTER-HOUSE GOLF

A reminder that Inter-House Golf is now due to take place on 21^st June on the La Torre Golf Resort.  Any final payments for this must be made before the end of Friday.

As you can see we have a fantastic amount of activity going on in the school and we will not, at first, get everything right.  We welcome any feedback on all the events and activities we are offering this year.

Best wishes

Robin Silk