Dear Parents,
All the children looked absolutely wonderful in their Halloween costumes this morning. Thank you for your efforts in helping them prepare for this day and also for your 2 Euro donations. Thanks also for your great efforts for last Friday´s Revolting Recipes Day. Well done again to Ms Laura Sanderson for organizing another great event.
I would also like to thank Mrs Shreeve for her organization of the Book Day. It was good to see so many pupils taking an interest in their future reading, as this is the key to not only improving their reading, but their writing as well. I am glad to say that Book World Espana donated 480 Euros worth of books to the School Library as part of this- a worthwhile event all round.
A reminder that next week, on 4th November, there are class visits for all years from Pre-Nursery to Year 2. Please consult my previous letter for confirmation of timings.
RACE FOR LIFE DAY, 14th NOVEMBER 2010
The School will be putting in both staff and pupil teams for this Race for Life event in Los Alcazáres, with all donations going to MABS Cancer Support Group. While it does coincide with the Secondary School trip to Barcelona, we are hopeful of organizing a pupil team; there will definitely be a staff team. The race is for an excellent cause and one that King´s College has a history of supporting. I would be most grateful if any parents who are able to support this event would do so, ensuring all donations for this are given into Carlos Campos at Reception.
INTER-HOUSE QUIZ
Following Olive House´s success in the Inter-House Football, we were treated to highly competitive Inter-House Quiz competitions in Secondary and Primary. The winner of both competitions was Lemon House. I think it is safe to say they can no longer be referred to as just a ´bunch of lemons´ then.
BARCELONA TRIP
I have encouraged my staff to be as a creative as possible. For the last two years there has not been a single residential trip taken by any teacher in the school. I see this as a glaring omission, especially given my pledge to increase the opportunities available to children in the school. As a leader of over 30 international trips in the past I am fully aware of the benefits of these trips. I am, of course, also aware of the financial costs. Please be assured that the school will never make any profit from these trips and we will always try to minimize the cost. I would ask that you do not question the teachers´ efforts in organizing these as they do it in their own time and, in addition, are giving up their weekends and, in future, holidays to take these trips. While they also get no extra reward as such, the reward is in taking the children they teach and giving them such fantastic opportunities. The Barcelona trip, like all trips in the school, will be done in the most cost effective way possible, having sourced a number of different alternatives. It is not compulsory and an alternative programme will be arranged in school. When we take more substantial trips we will do our best to fund raise, with the specific intention of raising money for the less well off children who cannot readily afford such major ventures. If you have any questions on this issue do direct them to me.
DROPPING/OFF PICKING UP PROTOCOL
It is essential for security reasons and the smooth running of any school that parents do not wander down the corridors inside either school building to get hold of teachers. No parents, or any other visitor, should go past reception without having arranged an appointment with an individual teacher through Carlos Campos. This is in keeping with the fact I have implemented a visitor badge system since arriving at King´s College as I aim on all occasions to ensure the health and safety of all children and staff in this institution. Many thanks!
Finally I wish you an enjoyable holiday weekend and I am sure many Halloween parties and events will be enjoyed. Spare a thought for the teachers who will be working hard all day Friday and Saturday in Madrid! I look forward to welcoming the children back into school on Tuesday, all dressed in Winter Uniform!
Best wishes
Robin Silk
