Head Master:  Robert MacDonald, M.Ed., B.A.

Telephone:  (01242) 522086

Email:  hm@richardpate.co.uk

 

                                                                                                Friday 19th October, 2007

Dear parents,

 

On Monday evening we hosted our Annual General Meeting of the Parent Teacher Association and during that meeting I delivered my annual report. The turnout for the meeting was quite sparse although the teaching staff and PTA were very well represented. The most exciting announcement to come from that meeting revolves around the recent approval of the extension of the Year 4, 5 and 6 classrooms. Along with these extensions we will also re-surface the Prep playground taking ten feet from the bank to return the playground to its original size. Our trustees met at school last Monday afternoon and after much discussion have agreed to finish the final phase of the classroom extensions. The work will begin in the Summer Term and will be finished in time for September 2008.

 

This completes the classroom extensions and provides us with, what I believe are, the finest teaching facilities in the area. During the meeting I also publicly stated two very important facts. Firstly the recent extensions do not signal an increase in class sizes from the current maximums. Secondly the trustees and I continue to be committed to providing a high quality of education at an affordable price. The completion of the building works will not be followed by an exorbitant increase in fees. I am very excited by this announcement and while I know there will be some disruption from the work I believe it will make the Richard Pate School an even more special place to learn.

 

Uniform

On a more mundane note I wanted to remind all parents of Junior children that the boys and girls should all return in winter uniform after half term. We allow them to choose up until half term but with the colder weather arriving it is now time for all children to dress appropriately. Children should also come to school with a proper school coat in preparation for winter.

 

Operation Christmas Child

Once again this year we are supporting Operation Christmas Child. This is a project which involves us wrapping a shoe box in Christmas paper and filling it with small gifts for a child in another part of the world. If you would like to support this project the details are outlined in a pamphlet which accompanies this newsletter. Half term might be an ideal opportunity to fill the box with your child. We are setting the deadline as Monday 26th November and would appreciate all boxes to be given to form teachers by that date.

 

Photograph Day

On Tuesday 6th November we will be having the children’s school photographs taken. This year we will be having an individual photograph taken of every child to use in our internal information systems. By now you should have received a notice about these photographs to be signed and returned to school. If you have not received that notice please look on our website where you are now able to download all important correspondence from school.

 

Sickness Bug

Many of our children have been affected by a recent stomach bug which has apparently been prevalent in the local area. Please remember that if your child is unwell they should be kept home until they have properly recovered. Returning to school prematurely encourages the spread of germs. Hopefully the two week half term will be an opportunity for everyone to return to full health.

 

Car Park

It has come to my attention that our one way system in the car park is not always being adhered to and my worry as always is for the safety of our children. Please remember that as you enter the school grounds you should always turn left regardless of where you may see available spaces. Despite our constant reminders there may still be children not paying attention in the car park and the desire to park quickly could result in a tragedy which could be easily avoided.

 

I wish you all a very happy and restful half term. If you are going away on holiday remember we are still collecting postcards and would love to have one from whatever interesting place you are visiting.

 

Yours sincerely,

Robert MacDonald

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Dear Parents, Teachers and Friends of The Richard Pate School,

 

Just a quick note to remind you that the PTA is holding a Fun Wine Tasting Evening in school on Saturday 24th November at 8pm, this will include a buffet supper. 

Please put the date in your diaries, book the babysitter and grab a few    

  friends to make up a table.

 

  Tickets will be on sale from Mrs Minett immediately after half term.

 

    Mary Stirling Lee