From the Head

 

28th September 2011

 

Dear Parents,

 

I hope you all have had successful meetings with your new teachers and tutors over the past few weeks.  Activities and instrumental music lessons are already under way and, thus far, they are proving a great success.  They have certainly added to what is on offer in the school.  This week I have put up my expectations for the term, which I outline below:

 

  1. Work hard and play hard

 

  1. Seek to challenge yourself

 

  1. Set high standards in everything you do

 

  1. Look after everyone

 

  1. Learn to listen- it is a harder skill than talking!

 

These are always variations on a theme and encourage our pupils to think carefully about their approach to school and life in general.  I want them to especially focus on the last one this term.

 

A few points:

 

INTERNATIONAL DAY

 

The pupils, staff and some parents are working hard for this day.  I certainly hope many parents can join us for the afternoon, any time after 2.30pm to see the displays and try some food.  Do remember that all children should dress up in national costume or colours or, failing that, a sports shirt from a particular country.  A charitable donation should be brought in for Vincente Ferrer.  Parents of Early Years and Key Stage 1 children are encouraged to come in from 2.30pm to pick up their children so they can tour different classrooms, otherwise their children will not be able to go round the classrooms.  There will be a plan of which classroom represent which country when you arrive.  If your child usually takes the bus and you will be picking them up then do tell Carlos at Reception.  Once you have picked up your child you are free to leave at any time after 3pm, but do inform the teacher or TA if you are leaving before 4.30pm.

 

PARENTAL VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH READING

 

Once again, I appeal to parents who would be willing to help with improving our children´s reading, but this time I would extend that to Year 1 and 2 as a priority.  If any parents are willing to help out, especially first thing in the day when they drop off their children then do contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or leave your name at the Reception.

 

THE HOUSE SYSTEM

 

We have made the decision to re-organise the Houses.  This will be done over the next week, comfortably in time for the first inter-house competitions in the week beginning 17th October.  The School Council has been tasked with deciding the names of the houses and the colours that go with them.  The only stipulation we have given the children is there must be two great historical figures each from both Britain and Spain.  For instance, I gave the example of two literary figures from each country:  Shakespeare and Wordsworth from Britain and Cervantes and Lorca from Spain.  The principal reasons though for organising the houses, were to ensure a) siblings were housed together and b) there was a balance of talents across the houses to enhance competition.  Once your child has been housed (you will receive information on this in the next fortnight) we would ask all parents in Year 3 and above to purchase a house t-shirt for their child from the School Shop.

 

SCHOOL UNIFORM AND KIT BROUGHT INTO SCHOOL

 

All uniform and kit brought into school must be clearly named.  This will stop children picking up the wrong kit and losing their own uniform. 

 

The school hat is now available for purchase in the school shop.  While some leeway will be given for parents to purchase this, henceforward this should be the only hat worn into school.  Evidently, it is imperative that the hat is clearly labelled. 

 

The house t-shirts are also available for purchase, but parents should not buy these until they are aware of which house their son or daughter is in. 

 

I look forward to seeing many of you at the International Day on Friday.

 

Best wishes

 

Robin Silk