From the Headmaster:
I do hope that you all enjoyed a good break, judging by the air of enthusiasm around the school this week, the children have clearly returned rested and ready to tackle the term ahead.
As I explained in my letter earlier this week, it promises to be another busy term ahead. It is such a pleasure to see the school grow. We are only one term away from finally reopening a Year 6 class and yet another new chapter in the life of Park Hill. We are also just one term away from celebrating a not insignificant milestone. The school first opened its doors in 1949 and started with ten children. Thanks to the research by our in-house expert (a certain Miss Klahn, aged 11, wrote a very impressive history project about the school) the school site was purchased by Mrs Forward for the princely sum of £4,500 in 1948. It seems somehow appropriate that in our seventieth year we will also enjoy the aforementioned Year 6 milestone.
We do have various events in the planning that I very much hope you will be able to join us for.
Our Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 children are very much looking forward to their residential trip next week. Our Year 4 and 5 children will be departing on Monday morning for Lulworth Cove for three nights of adventure and will be joined by our Year 3 children on Wednesday. They will be enjoying a multitude of activities that include coasteering, fossil hunting, art, physical geography, science as well as Maths and English activities. They will also enjoy the now legendary evening activity that is the stock exchange that will bring out the future dealers and traders of the financial world.
Neighbours and your help!
If I may ask for your help with a small number of things I would be most grateful.
We do enjoy good relationships with our neighbours but a significant frustration expressed to us is the parking in the neighbouring driveways and across exit points. Please help us by not parking either in the drive of Dean Court or in the parking spaces of Belvedere Court directly opposite the school.
We have addressed various elements of our after school provision to make collection as straight forward as possible but would be grateful if you might note the following -
Collection of children attending after school activities should be from the side gate at 5pm
Collection of nursery (full time) children should be from the main entrance
Serving the evening meal is quite an involved process, as I am sure you can appreciate! In order to provide a detailed 'hand over' about the day and adventures enjoyed as well as supervising the evening meal, we would be most grateful if you could avoid collection 5pm-5.10pm, if at all possible!
Finally...
Finally, and I know it is one of the many things that you already know, but please don't feel that I only stand at the gate to 'simply' welcome you and your children into school each day.
I am also there to speak with.
It may be the weather, the weekend rugby score or even to double check dates or events with, but I also hope that you feel able to speak with me about any aspect of school life.
We, as a staff, are simply here to give our children the best.
If you are unsure about anything please speak with me; it will only ever be taken in the spirit of making Park Hill even better.
I would like to also wish our triathlon team the very best of luck as we head to Hereford for the Independent Schools Association National Triathlon next Thursday. We first entered a team last year into this most enjoyable event. Wearing my PE teacher hat (or should it be tracksuit and polo shirt) it is a particularly enjoyable event because the organisers and schools approach it in the way that sport should be approached at this age. Whilst it is run and organised by judges from the International Triathlon Federation with children wearing chip timers on their ankles and compete with great gusto, emphasis is placed on the children simply enjoying the opportunity and experience of taking part and enjoying being physically active. Some of our children will be taking part for the second time and will, I am sure, improve their own time from last year. The majority are taking part in a triathlon for the first time, and they won't be alone in that. The achievement is placed on completing the event not on who beat who or what position any individual came in. The event attracts schools from as far afield as Yorkshire, Cornwall and Essex, as well as a certain school from Kingston upon Thames...I cannot wait!
I am delighted to hear that we will not be lacking in support next Thursday. I am grateful to those of you able to join us, the forecast looks good.
A very brief edition of the Deerstalker this week as a result of the three day week, watch out for next week, lots of stories of discovery and pride from Lulworth and stories from eight triathletes. That, and a few tired teachers...
I look forward to accompanying the children to both Lulworth and to Hereford. I trust my morning handshake won't be missed too much next week!
Yours sincerely,
Alistair
Future Schools
As we head towards Year 6 next academic year I am very keen and very happy to offer support and advice on how each school conducts their respective admissions processes.
I visit each school regularly to speak with my secondary school counterparts and to understand their current position and provision. As I have said many times before, the departure/arrival of a Head, let alone head of department can shift the balance and nature of a school overnight, this is why I feel it essential that I keep in touch with these schools.
I have already spoken with many of you informally and made some suggestions but I would like to invite you, should you wish, to come and speak with me about future schools, particularly if you have a child in Year 4 and Year 5.
I am finalising dates with six different schools for their Head or head of admissions to visit the school individually so that you can ask them direct questions. These dates will be this term.
I would like to offer an 11+ coffee morning on Tuesday 7th May, 8.30am if you would like to join me to discuss future schools and then again on Wednesday 15th, again from 8.30am. It is important that I add, if these times are not convenient please do not hesitate to contact me to arrange an alternative time to meet.
Uniform
I am hoping that those of you who have already had the need to contact AlleyCatz have been very happy with the service received.
I can confirm that all items of school uniform are now in stock. These include the Prep School summer blouse, new soft shell fleece jacket, games kit, school bag and games haversack.
We are naturally proud of our uniform and are delighted that we are in the position with AlleyCatz to have the confidence that all items are in stock and available.
I would like to confirm that for the summer term-
Girls from Year 3 must wear the grey skort, pink stripe blouse, grey v-neck sweater, blazer with plain white socks.
Girls in Reception to Year 2 must wear the pink striped summer dress, white cardigan, blazer and plain white socks.
Boys from Reception through to Year 6 must wear grey shorts, white shirt, school tie, blazer and grey socks (Year 3 and above - school black cap for sun protection; Reception to Year 2 - maroon sunhat with crest).
Children are welcome to wear the new white summer games t-shirt from this term but as we did not anticipate this being in stock so soon, it will not be compulsory until next academic year.
By popular demand the unwieldy book bag is not being reordered and is being replaced by an ergonomic backpack that is, quite simply put, better for Reception children through to Year 6.
We have been alert to the bulging rucksack on swimming and games days, with items somehow wedged in with all the necessary garments for the day.
This was quite a concern for young spines and shoulders. A more durable haversack for games kit that can fold away when not in use is now in stock for when your child's current maroon rucksack needs replacing. The bootbag remains available, along with a vastly improved waterproof swimming bag which is also now in stock. All these items will be personalised by AlleyCatz when ordered.
Please follow this link to access the order form for AlleyCatz and to view the uniform items for the summer term.
Naming Uniform
We do our very best to return lost property but we do come up against the challenge of nameless items. We would be grateful if you could please ensure that every piece of clothing (including shoes) are clearly labelled, ideally with a sewn in name tag. If possible, please ensure these labels are attached in the neckline of tops/ coats and in the back waistband of bottoms to help with easy identification.
Collection Arrangements - Safeguarding
We would be most grateful if any messages regarding collection are passed at the gate with Mrs Watts or Mrs Blower, emailed or called through to the office and not left with the teacher.
Similarly, we would also be grateful if any last minute changes to collection (from 2.30pm) are called through to the School Office and not emailed to ensure the message has been received.
Social Media
#curiousconfidenthappy
There are also some wonderful images from our Little Adventurers available through their own instagram page -
Everyone Can Create
You may well be aware that we appreciate the role technology can play with creativity and enhancing and extending the quality of teaching and learning, but I thought I should share this with you. A recent update to KeyNote allows the creator to move objects around the screen for, in our case, story telling purposes. As you can see below, some of our children in Second Steps enjoyed this new feature and brought a story from under the sea to life.
Key Dates & Notices
No swimming or games this coming week.
After school clubs (teacher led) will start on Tuesday 7th May just after the Bank Holiday.
Friday 10th May - Art Exhibition
Thursday 6th June - Year 2 Camp Out
Friday 14th June - Summer Social BBQ from 3.30pm
Saturday 29th June - Speech and Sports Day
Thursday 4th July - Summer Performance
Credits:
Alistair Bond