SG Messenger
18th September 2008 - Issue No 3
From the headmaster:
You might have noticed in our calendar the Firm Foundations theme for this half of term: “Me”! In our PSHCE lessons teachers have led children in discussions about how they perceive themselves within the school family, how they can become good friends, how they can show consideration for others, how they can show common sense in all they do.
Parking
From next week there will be some reorganisation of parking:
A ban will come into force on all cars parking next to the school building at pick-up and drop-off times. The carefully placed plant pots will guide you! Six vacant parking slots will remain in front of the school facing the pond but I am sure everyone will appreciate the need to make the area immediately in front of the main door and classrooms a pedestrian-only area. The minibuses will now be parked in a new space beside the nursery entrance thus ensuring that children who travel by bus to riding or school matches will not have to walk across the busy traffic areas. We have been experimenting with car park marking and trying to ensure that we all drive and park sensibly.
Tomorrow’s assembly will be our first class assembly of the year and will be presented by Mrs de Giles’ 2G. These are wonderful occasions to which all parents are invited. Parking places will be available on the field.
Harvest Festival Assembly
This takes place on Friday, 3rd October 2008. Could you please send in a contribution of fresh or tinned produce for the Harvest Festival celebrations. All proceeds go to Luckley House Residential Care Home in Wye and the Ashford Christian Fellowship Centre.
Lost property
A number of parents have made complimentary remarks about the tidiness of the school (the skips apart!) and I have been impressed with the tidiness in the boys’ and girls’ changing rooms and the reduction in lost property around the school. The lost property box still exists however and is now located upstairs near the main office. If you are looking for a lost item please call in at the office where you will be directed to the lost and found items! It goes without saying that all items should be clearly marked.
Sport this week
I am delighted that our Under 11 girls have enjoyed a competitive start to their hockey season. A close encounter with Junior King’s yesterday, in which our opponents edged ahead to win 3 – 1 followed on from last week’s fine win against Vernon Holme. What is particularly pleasing is that already this term so many members of Forms 5 and 6 have represented the school in hockey or football. The Under 9 boys get into action this afternoon against Ashford. Our sports team, led by Mrs Rowe and Mr Williams, is working hard to create a positive sporting attitude amongst all our children. We want to instil in the children a sporting ethic that harbours both a determination to win with a sense of fair play.
Swimming Pool
We are delighted that the swimming pool is now in use.
Informal Concert
Our first informal concert of the term will take place next Friday at 4.45pm. The most recent one featured some fine soloists. Next week’s concert will feature groups including a performance by the whole of Prep 5 and also an original composition by a pupil. Mrs Fletcher and Mrs Jones are busy organising the programme which will be finalised during the beginning of next week. If your child is performing and does not normally do a Friday activity between 3.30pm and 4.30pm then they will be able to sign up for a special supervised session during that time – there is no charge for this.
11+
Members of Prep 6 have been working tremendously hard over the past few months and are sitting the Kent Test this week. This revised timing of the 11+ was announced earlier this year was anticipated by Mrs Gilmour, Mrs Howes and Mr Dankert whom I thank for their excellent preparation of the children.
French Breakfast
Many thanks to all who supported another highly successful French Breakfast last Friday. We were extremely lucky to have another dry morning! The profits made will be invaluable for helping to subsidise our French trips in 2009, the costs of which have inevitably increased due to the disadvantageous Euro exchange rate and high fuel prices. We are very grateful for your support, which has enabled us to keep the increases in price for these trips to a minimum.
European Day of Languages: Assembly and Charity Day Friday 26th September
The children are encouraged to dress in a European way and to bring a £1 donation to Chailey Heritage School. Prep 5 and 6 will be counting to 100 in Italian and there will be songs in French. Please encourage your child to be sponsored to take part, by making a contribution in another language. Sponsorship forms are available from the office.
Literacy Evening
Supporting and encouraging our children in early reading.
Winifred Forrest and Rebecca Saxby would like to thank all those who were able to attend and support us. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting and discussing how we approach the teaching of reading at Spring grove and hope you found the evening both informative and enjoyable. We look forward to working with you and your children in developing their literacy skills.
A note for Form 1 Can all year 1 children please bring in an old apron or shirt for Art next week. We will keep the aprons in school until half term.
Sport
Girls Hockey vs Junior Kings Score JKS 3 SG 1
Bushra scored a fantastic goal and the teams were very close throughout the match. Junior Kings ‘C’ were stronger in the second half and managed to score 3 goals. Well done girls.
Shackleton Expedition
On 29 October 1908 Ernest Shackleton led an epic expedition, which set out for the then-unconquered South Pole. Three months later, having travelled further South than any men before, but facing dwindling rations and still 97 miles short of the Pole, Shackleton took the momentous decision to turn back, thereby ensuring the survival of the entire party. A century on, Henry Worsley – Imogen and Angus Stainton’s uncle – will lead a team of descendants of the original expedition on a journey covering 900 miles to the coldest place on earth. Listen to Henry describe how they plan to reach the goal that eluded their ancestors. Drinks from 6.15pm, lecture at 7.00pm, Wednesday 1 October, Carr Lecture Theatre, Wye College. £20 per head – all money to The Shackleton Foundation; tickets will be collected at the door. Cheques (with telephone number) made payable to ‘The Shackleton Foundation’ sent to Joanna Worsley, 8 Oake Court, Portinscale Road, London SW15 2HU.
Forthcoming Events
Tuesday 23rd - Form 3 & Prep 4 to Hever Castle
Wednesday 24th - U11 Football vs Lorenden A&B
(A) 2.15pm
- U11 Hockey vs Wellesley House () 2.15pm
Friday 26th - Charity Day
- European Day of Languages
- Informal Concert 4.45pm
