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

Telephone: (01242) 522086

Email: hm@richardpate.co.uk

Dear parents,

The Summer Term always brings the promise of lovely weather and longer days and with volcanic ash still causing headaches around the world I am very pleased to be back enjoying all that is on offer this term. It was delightful to return to the great excitement surrounding our curriculum focus and I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about some of the upcoming events. First I would like to say a huge thank you to those who contributed so much to make last Saturday such a success.

Summer Ball

We welcomed 225 people to the marquee on Saturday night for what proved to be a wonderful evening. A select group of the PTA decided to put together a Summer Ball some time ago and under the brilliant organisation of Helen Cound it all came to fruition. Helen worked tirelessly over the days leading up to the Ball to ensure every detail was in place and I am hugely indebted to her for her patience and dedication. While it is impossible to thank everyone who played a part in the success of the evening I would also like to acknowledge a few key players. The Marquee company, Anniversary Marquees of Tetbury, came to our rescue at short notice and gave us an excellent product at an affordable price. If anyone is interested in learning more about the company contact Will Stoner. The catering was handled very adeptly by Partners Functions and our contact there was Chris Randle. We are also very grateful to Talking Tables who donated all the beautiful decorations including the flower garlands, helium balloons and the glass balloon weights. Many thanks to Clare Harris, mother of Sam McCormack in 3G, from Talking Tables for helping to make the marquee look so beautiful on the night. Finally we would like to thank all the generous people who donated such fabulous prizes to the raffle. It was a most enjoyable evening and there’s every reason to think we will look to repeat it in the future.

Games and Physical Education Curriculum Focus

The children have been enjoying a variety of activities under our Curriculum Focus this term including Wake and Shake for the Preps and Juniors on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning before the day begins. The children and teachers have joined together to move along to music to get their bodies and minds ready for the busy day ahead. The Juniors have been involved in a lively mini-World Cup where sadly England failed to win in either competition. We live in hope that it will be third time lucky when they reach the actual event. One of the activities which has created the most excitement is our marathon which has challenged everyone to complete the equivalent distance of the marathon over the course of this term. It involves 84 and a half laps around the school playing field and some of our keener runners are already on their second marathon! The staff have also embraced this challenge and a healthy competition has emerged to see who will be the first to complete all 84.5 laps. We are also using it as an opportunity to help raise money for the NSPCC and hopefully you can sponsor your child in their efforts.

The children welcomed the Brazilian Soccer Schools to a series of workshops earlier this term and they will be returning to offer a club to the children as well. The Prep children were very excited to have Mrs Howitt leading them in some tennis coaching and our Wimbledon future looks secure. We are looking forward to Sports Day as always and there will be information coming out about the Prep and Junior Sports Days respectively. We are also organising two new initiatives. On Thursday 17^th June the Prep children will be enjoying an Activity Afternoon where they will be trying out a variety of different activities. On Thursday the 18^th June the Juniors will be involved with a series of “fun” sports events which will be organised into a House competition. Both events promise to be tremendous fun.

Year 5 Parent Meetings

As a result of the earlier scheduled grammar school examination next year I have begun to see Year 5 parents to discuss their children’s next school. We have sent information out about various Open Days and the deadlines for applying and hope parents have found that helpful. If you have not booked an appointment yet please do so with Mrs Minett at your earliest convenience.

Cheltenham Festival

This year our children have performed very well once again. The choir gave a stirring performance in their class and were very unlucky to finish a single point behind a very talented Berkhampstead group. Many of our children collected individual honours in instrumental and speech categories as well as duets, trios and quartets. I am tremendously proud of the children for the poise and confidence they show in their performance and the excellent behaviour they always demonstrate in these events. I am also deeply indebted to their teachers who are also to be congratulated for the many successes along the way.

Year 6 French Trip

Our Year 6 children returned at the end of last week from a wonderful French experience. They spent the week in a lovely chateau refining their French speaking skills while taking part in a wide variety of adventure activities. They were full of enthusiasm and could not tell their parents quickly enough about their favourite experience. As always it takes a very dedicated staff to plan and implement a trip of this magnitude and once again I am grateful to the team who lead this expedition. Miss Kirsty Gould accompanied the trip as the qualified first aid member and was a tremendous asset. Mr Gilvear joined the group with his wide variety of skills and added a much appreciated male presence to the expedition. Mrs Stewart, as always, ensured that the French language was at the forefront of every conversation and activity. Mrs Miller-Howell must again be congratulated for organising all the finer details for both the children and their parents. It is a huge commitment to take that number of children away and I am very grateful to all four members of staff for their involvement.

Whole School Photograph

You will have received details with regards to next Tuesday’s whole school photograph. We have not had such a photo done for the past four years and with both Mrs Smith and Miss Wright retiring we thought it would be a lovely keepsake for the children. The photo will be taken at 9.00am so it is very important that everyone arrives on time in the morning. We would also like the children to come to school in their Winter Uniform. I appreciate that some of you may have some difficulty in assembling the necessary uniform but I would be grateful for whatever you may be able to do. It is obviously important for the Junior children to come in their blazers. We would also like the Nursery children to come in their blue sweatshirts. The boys will wear their white polo shirts and shorts and the girls can wear their summer dresses.

Other Important Dates After Half Term

Tuesday 25^th May                 Nursery Production of Hungry Caterpillar

Monday 7^th June                   Travelling Book Fair (until Monday 14^th June)

Friday 11^th June                    Year 2 Trip to the Bird of Prey Centre in Newent

Thursday 17^th June               Prep Department Activity Afternoon

Friday 18^th June                    Fun Day Sports (Junior parents invited to bring a picnic after)

Saturday 19^th June                PTA Summer Fayre

Tuesday 22^nd June                Lower Juniors’ Concert

Wednesday 23^rd June            New Prep Parents’ Induction Meeting

Thursday 24^th June               New Junior Parents’ Induction Meeting

Friday 25^th June                    PTA Lido Party (TBC)

Monday 28^th June                 Suzuki Concert 10.00am for Prep Parents in the Forum

Monday 28^th June                 Suzuki Concert 4.30pm for Junior Parents

Tuesday29^th June                  Prep production of “Eddie the Penguin Saves the World” for parents with younger siblings

Wednesday30^th June             “Eddie the Penguin Saves the World” performance

Thursday 1^st July                  “Eddie the Penguin Saves the World” performance

Tuesday 6^th July                   Junior Swimming Gala – parents welcome

Tuesday 6^th July                   Year 6 Leaver’s Concert

Leaver’s Concert

Every year our Year 6s participate in a Leaver’s Concert and this year is no exception. We will hold this year’s concert in the Hall on Tuesday 6^th July at 4.00pm. It 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 6’s work on display. It promises to be a special penultimate day to the Year 6’s time at the Richard Pate School and we would welcome as many Year 6 parents as possible. Following the concert there will be a buffet tea for the children and refreshments for the parents.

Final Assembly

Once again we invite all our Year 6 parents to attend the final assembly of the year to be held at 10.30am on Wednesday 7^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.

It promises to be an exciting few weeks in prospect and we look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible to the different events on offer.

                                                                     Yours sincerely,

                                                                     Robert MacDonald