Head Master: Robert MacDonald, M.Ed., B.A.
Telephone: (01242) 522086
Email: hm@richardpate.co.uk
25th April, 2008
Dear Parents,
Once again we are sending this newsletter out by e-mail as well as pupil post. Ultimately I envisage the e-mail copy as the most eco-friendly method of communicating but until I am satisfied that we are covering the entire parental community we will also be sending it out by pupil post. We will continue to upload a copy to the website as well at www.richardpate.co.uk.
Yellow Pages ~ The eagle eyed of you will have noticed from the last newsletter that we are collecting your out of date yellow pages over the next couple of weeks. If you still have them at home and would like to dispose of them or your neighbours are looking for somewhere to recycle theirs, please bring them to the front porch where they will be kept for one of our regular collections. I would appreciate if all Yellow Pages could be brought to school by Friday 9th May.
Bus Service ~ I have been approached by a parent at St. Edward’s, Amanda Toner, who has organised a trial bus service around Cheltenham to and from St. Edward’s Junior and Senior Schools and is looking at options to keep the service viable into the new school year. There would be a great deal more to investigate before I would be willing to commit my full support to such a scheme, but I was very impressed by her presentation. I shall be sending an e-mail out to every parent and would appreciate feedback on whether it is a service you might be interested in or if indeed you would like to learn more. Mrs. Toner has agreed to speak to us with more details if there is sufficient interest.
Mrs. Scarborough and Ms. Seward ~ As this term began we were delighted to welcome Mrs. Helen Scarborough back as our specialist art teacher. Mrs. Scarborough was initially on sabbatical in Canada and then went on maternity leave until the end of the Spring Term. She brings a wonderful complementary set of talents to those we have enjoyed through Ms. Simone Seward in Mrs. Scarborough’s absence. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Seward for all her wonderful work over the past two years. We have been blessed indeed with such talented art teachers. Ms. Seward will be joining us later this term doing some important supply cover.
Happy Announcements ~ I am delighted to announce the good news of two members of our teaching staff. Both Mrs. Sarah Argyrou (Year 5) and Mrs. Rachel Finnikin (Reception) are expecting babies and I know you will all join me in congratulating them on their wonderful news. We have already begun the search to find the qualified individuals to cover their maternity leaves and will make an announcement to you all when it is finalised.
PSHCE Focus ~ Our third curriculum focus has begun this term on PSHCE. This stands for Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education. Through our assembly programme, guest speakers and classroom lessons we will be touching on a variety of topics focusing on the children and their place within our world. I hope as always it will spark some interesting conversations in your home.
Building Works ~ The final phase of our comprehensive building programme will begin later this term when we will be extending the remaining junior classrooms with the work being completed by the end of August. When the project is finished we will have brand new classrooms for Years 4, 5 and 6 and a completely renovated back playground. This exciting conclusion will, I believe, give the Richard Pate School the finest teaching facilities in the area. Inevitably there will be some disruption and as always I do appreciate your understanding as we work through these challenges. In order to ensure we finish the project on time we will begin the Year 6 classrooms two weeks before half term. This will take advantage of the fact that the Year 6s will be away in France for the first of those two weeks. The Year 4 and 5 classrooms will start as soon as half term begins and the excavation of the back playground will begin at the same time. Having seen the excellent results of the previous projects I know you will agree with me that the disruption will be worth it in the end but once again I wish to thank you for your patience. We shall all keep our fingers crossed for good weather during the building works.
Open Day ~ I have also taken a decision that our annual Open Day will be postponed until the Autumn Term. It normally takes place on the final Saturday of term but with a number of areas disrupted or in the midst of construction I felt the school would not do your children justice in its traditional setting. We will instead combine Open Day with a grand re-opening of the school where you will have an opportunity to see the new buildings and the wonderful things happening inside. In order to make the most of our Year 6s final term we will be holding a Leavers’ Concert and also inviting all Year 6 parents to join us for their final assembly at The Richard Pate School ~ details of both these events will follow.
Second Hand Uniform Shop ~ From now on this will be held in the dining room and continue to be open the first Monday of each month with the exception of May when, as a result of the bank holiday, it will be open on Monday 12th May.
Charity Walk ~ Just a reminder about the Charity Walk on Sunday 18th May. If you would like to take part please contact Mr. Pound for further details and sponsor form.
Once again we look forward to all the exciting activities in prospect. With the Prep department performing “The Jungle Book” and the Nursery performing “Cinderella” our dramatic timetable looks full. We have a busy schedule of sport with cricket, rounders, Sports Days, field events, tennis, swimming galas and table tennis. We also look forward to a wide variety of external visits as well. Combining all that with the many wonderful things happening within classrooms and our special extended classroom facilities should make for another memorable term for all.
Robert MacDonald,
Headmaster