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

Telephone: (01242) 522086

Email: hm@richardpate.co.uk

23^rd May, 2008

Dear Parents,

Today sees the end of the first half of term and it certainly has been full of excitement.  Year 6  enjoyed a fabulous Adventure Week which saw them immersed in the French language.  Our choir sang beautifully at the Cheltenham Festival and successfully defended their title in the choir competition. The Nature Quiz Team won the Cheltenham area schools’ title and now advances to the county championships.  We have also launched the athletics season which began with the Betty Webley / Pigeon Flyer race which brought a number of parent/child teams to the school on Saturday morning. The following newsletter highlights some other key events in the term.

Sports Day:  The weather has been infinitely kinder this year and we were able to stage two excellent Sports Day events for the Junior Department on Wednesday and the Prep Department on Thursday.  The Juniors gathered in their house colours at the Prince of Wales Stadium for a number of very exciting races.  In the end Jenner were victorious but the excellent competition and behaviour meant everyone was a winner on the day.  The Prep Sports Day was equally exciting with a mixture of fun and competitive races.  The Fathers’ Egg and Spoon Race and Mothers’ Dress Up Race were hotly contested events but fortunately no one was injured.  I want to congratulate all the boys and girls for performing so well but also acknowledge the tremendous effort of the teachers in putting together these very well organised and highly enjoyable events.  I would also like to thank all the parents who were able to come along and cheer on our competitors.

Exam Week:  Junior parents will be aware that Exam Week begins on the 9^th June.  Your children should be finding time between now and then to do their revision.  The first week after half term will allow us to revise within lessons but the children should also have revision sheets for most subjects to focus on at home.

School Coats and Kit Bags:  The Famous has received very favourable comment on our new school coat and I am pleased it has been such a popular choice with parents.  They have a limited number of the old style of coat and are now selling these at £30.  They are also selling the old kit bags at a reduced price as they prepare to bring in a new version of that as well.

Building Works:  As a result of the exciting redevelopment of the back playground it will be out of bounds after half term. In the morning Prep children should be delivered to the Prep teachers on duty in the netball court area adjacent to the car park after 8.30am.  On wet days children should be delivered straight to the Forum. At 3.30pm Year 2 children should be collected from the Forum.  Thank you for your continued understanding through this final phase of the building works.

Bus Service:  You may remember from our last newsletter that I sent a survey round to parents asking about the viability of a bus service for our school.  Enough parents indicated that they would like more information to warrant a meeting with Mrs Toner who set up the service for St Edward’s.  We have tentatively set the meeting for Monday 9th June at 4.00pm and would appreciate as many interested parents as possible to attend.

Use of Mobile Phones:  Every newsletter contains some helpful suggestions about how to make our car park safer and more efficient.  In this newsletter I wish to highlight the dangers of using your mobile phones while driving in our car park.  It is an illegal practice anywhere but it is unthinkable what the consequences could be in an area full of children eager to see their parents. I had a second report yesterday at the beginning of the Prep Sports Day about a parent misusing their phone as they drove into the car park.  .I implore everyone to exercise common sense and weigh up the importance of a particular call against the life of a child.

Cycling Proficiency:  One of our additional extras for the Year 6s in their final term is a programme of cycling proficiency.  The children in 6W will take part in cycling proficiency in the week commencing on the 16^th June.  Those in 6E will begin their cycling proficiency on Monday 23^rd June.  We will send out more detailed instructions after half term.

Entry to the Building:  The safety of your children is paramount to us here at school and we wish to take this opportunity to remind everyone that our doors do not open until 8.30am.  If you are escorted in by a member of staff please wait in reception and do not wander in to the building to find someone.  We have clear procedures for signing in and out and they are vitally important to ensure safety in the event of a fire but equally to ensure we know your children are always safe.

Choir Concert:  Our choir will be participating in a concert at Tewkesbury Abbey on Saturday 28^th June at 7.30pm. The tickets are £12 for adults and £6 for children under 16.  We will be selling tickets for the performance on Tuesday 3^rd June from 3.30pm in the main entry to school.  There will be a rehearsal at the Abbey from 3.00pm until 4.00pm. Members of the choir do not require a ticket for the performance.

Other Important Dates:

Saturday 14^th June                              PTA Summer Fayre

Monday 16^th June                               Jungle Book for parents with younger siblings

Tuesday 17^th June                              Jungle Book performance

Wednesday 18^th June                        Jungle Book performance

Tuesday 24^th June                              New Junior Parents Induction Meeting

Wednesday 25^th June                        New Prep Parents Induction Meeting

Thursday 26^th June                             Nursery Production of Cinderella

Wednesday 2^nd July                           Lower Juniors Concert

Tuesday 8^th July                                  Junior Swimming Gala – parents warmly welcomed

Leaver’s Concert:  Every year our Year 6s participate in a Leaver’s Concert and this year is no exception.  In fact with the postponement of Open Day to the Autumn Term we are increasing the profile of this concert to be held on Tuesday 8^th July at 4.00pm.  It will be held in the Hall and will be open to all Year 6 parents.  There will be a variety of performances as well as an opportunity to see some of the Year 6s work on display. It promises to be a special penultimate day to the Year 6s time at the Richard Pate School and we would welcome as many Year 6 parents as possible.  There will be a buffet tea for the children and refreshments for the parents.

Final Assembly:  Building on a tradition which we started last year we once again invite all our Year 6 parents to attend the final assembly of the year to be held at 10.30am on Wednesday 9^th July.  This is an opportunity for them to say farewell to their school but also for us as a school to wish them all the best on the next step of their journey.  If Year 6 parents would like to join us please come to the hall between 10.15am and 10.30am on the final morning.

This morning’s assembly focussed on the importance of being helpful over half term and being good company.  I hope the message pays some dividends for you as parents.  I have been tremendously proud of the achievements of your children this term and our Gallery on the website continues to display the depth and breadth of experience here at the Richard Pate School.  We wish you all a safe and happy half term and look forward to a rewarding conclusion to our school year.

Yours sincerely,

Robert MacDonald,

Headmaster