26th August 2010
HEADMASTER’S BEGINNING OF TERM CIRCULAR
I really hope that you have had a fantastic holiday, and enjoyed having your children back home with you. We continue to be very excited about the start of the year, and all the fun and achievements it will no doubt bring.
I hope that you will make the other new members of staff feel welcome. We have a new Head of Maths, Robin Scothern, and Charlotte Skipp joins us to help around the school and, in particular, girls games.
As before we will host drinks for returning boarders on the evening of Sunday 5th September. This will be at 7-8pm when the boarders are due to return.
Let us hope we have some fine weather and generally enjoy another very productive and happy academic year.
Please bear in mind our transition to “normal” year group names:
Transition = Year 3
The old 1st Year = Year 4 ….. etc
The old 5th Year = Year 8
I would ask you to read all the notices that follow, even if many are familiar, as they warrant your attention.
1. BEGINNING OF TERM
Boarders
• All Boarders return on Sunday 5th September. Girls should take trunks /suitcases over to their houses. Boys have the option of leaving theirs in Hargreaves Hall or taking them up to their dormitories.
Juniors at 7-7.30pm
Seniors (top two years) at 7.30-8.00pm.
Everyone to be in by 8pm please.
• New Boarders are asked to arrive early on (nearer 7pm) so that the boarding staff can have a good chat with you all.
NB. All Boarders may return wearing home clothes.
Drinks in the foyer or in the courtyard 7.00-8.00 for Parents.
Day Children
ARRIVAL - Day pupils should arrive on Monday 6th September as follows:
New pupils: Years 5,6,7 should arrive at 8.30am
Mr Northcott and guides will be on the car park steps to greet you.
New pupils: Year 4 are asked to arrive between 9.45 and 10.00am
Mr Northcott and Senior Guides will be on the car park steps to greet you. After leaving bags in the Millennium Hall you will be taken to your clubroom/classroom where various staff will be there to greet you.
Year 3 (Transition) pupils are asked to arrive between 9.45 and 10.00am
Returning day children should arrive between 8.15 and 8.25am.
Please take bags to the millennium hall.
NB. We would prefer, if at all possible, that all new children arrive as above. Should this be difficult and you want to bring them with their older siblings at the normal time please call the office to let us know.
DEPARTURE - Day Children should be collected at 5.25pm. (Year 3 [Transition] @ 3.45pm).
2. PRE-PREP AND NURSERY
Term also begins on Monday 6th September at 8.45am for a 9.00am start. Unless bringing older brothers and sisters to the Prep School. This later start should ease congestion in the car park so please do not arrive before 8.30am.
3. School Accounts
Kindly ensure you conform to the regulations and deadline. All matters relating to accounts should be addressed to The Financial Manager, Mr. Ian Bourke. A box will be in place in the Main Lobby area at the start of term and another box for any letters for myself and other members of staff.
4. Calendar
Next term’s calendar should also be with you by now. Please can you ensure that there are no requests for children to leave early or return late. Furthermore, all dental appointments and other necessary out of school visits should be arranged over Exeats and Holidays. Absences from school are very disruptive to academic progress and must be avoided. We have very generous holidays, and legally we are required to educate your children for a certain number of days per year – and we are pretty close to that minimum number. Many thanks.
5. Daily Routine
As in previous years, we are keeping to our Summer Routine for the first half- term of next term. We revert to our Winter Routine after half-term. The school day therefore ends at 5.25pm for the main school.
NB Year 3 finish at 3.45pm throughout the term.
6. Dress & Hair
Given the summer uniform, boys may wear short-sleeved shirts and girls their summer shirts for the first half of term. Please can we ensure that Boys and Girls return having had a really good hair cut. That summer mop of hair should be a thing of the past please!
7. Uniform/Clothing List
It is essential each child has all items on the clothing list and it is vital that everything is clearly marked/named. All games clothing should have loops, and please could name tapes not be put on the outside of the clothing as it can allow identification of pupils, and can compromise a child’s safety accordingly.
We return in Summer uniform: striped shirts for boys. Both girls and boys to wear ties please.
Please be aware that we now have two outlets for the school uniform: Morleys [www.schoolwear-centre.co.uk ~ School = Anselms ~ password Bakewell] and Ladyfair.
We have several new items of school kit as outlined on the clothing lists – as normal there is a year’s grace on all old kit – and we will have a transitional year as we move over.
8. Shoes
Children must have proper black polishable (no suede please) shoes. A cleaning kit is available at school for boarders but they are welcome to bring their own in a named box or bag please. Day children are required to clean their shoes regularly at home.
• Please do not forget to ensure all girls have garters for their long socks.
• All boys must have a comb to hand during the day and girls who need to tie their hair back should have plain black or navy tie backs.
9. Rugby Boots/Studs/ O-Pro Gum Shields
Could parents please name training shoes and football/rugby boots clearly.
The named sticky label in the heel is the best form of labeling and they are easily obtainable.
If you are buying new football/rugby boots, please make sure they have kite marked regulation rugby studs. If they don’t, you can buy a set of rugby studs from Mr Callun on your return to school. Blades are acceptable in football, but not ideal for rugby.
• Mouth guards are strongly recommended to be worn for both Rugby & Hockey
• O Pro fitted many pupils mouth guards in June with the exception of those pupils giving a parental opt out. Those pupils opting out must have purchased a mouth guard before their first games session. Those pupils who missed the initial O Pro fitting will be provided with a temporary mouth guard until the O Pro mop up visit in the first week of term. It is not compulsory to purchase these, but with hockey and rugby being played by our Year 3 and above, it is a safety precaution you might like to consider.
10. Main Sports / Sports Fixtures
The main sport for girls next term is Hockey and for the boys Rugby. Swimming lessons will take place for all year groups this term – so please ensure you have the proper swimming kit (plain navy trunks and swim suits – as on the Morley’s web site [www.schoolwear-centre.co.uk ~ School = Anselms ~ password Bakewell]). Please also be aware that we have changed some of the pitches around this season – so do arrive in good time for the first matches!
• Match day Communication : Parents are asked to be responsible for checking if their son/daughter is representing a team and, indeed, if the fixture is on in case of bad weather, etc. Children will only telephone in exceptional circumstances. The match day information service works well and we will continue this for this year – the number is 01629 816832 which is worth plugging into your mobile phones. Teams are normally published on the website the night before a fixture. Please do check the match day hotline – the final all clear message normally goes on at about 11am on match days.
11. Tuck / Sweets
A reminder that no tuck, sweets etc. are to be brought into school.
Can I also stress that sweets/drinks etc. must not be consumed on the touch line at school fixtures (both home and away). Sweets in particular can lead to a black market and can also lead to situations where bullying takes place. It would be hugely helpful if parents would not smuggle sweets in for their children.
12. Parents Address List/ Information
We shall be producing an updated list as soon as possible. We shall assume parents have no objection to being included on the list unless we hear from you within one week of the start of term. As we are using e-mail more and more to communicate with parents please e-mail Sarah Ward with any changes to your address as soon as possible. – Subject – Parents Address List to Headmaster@anselms.co.uk. Also with regard to the match day text messaging service, please make sure that we have accurate mobile numbers for you all. Can all new parents to the school please let Sarah Ward know your preferred mobile number for use when texting asap.
13. Telephone / Phone Cards
Children are only allowed to telephone home by showing a valid phone card, unless of course there is an emergency. The type of phone card does not matter but it must be registered with whoever pays the home telephone bill. We are very happy to look after individual phone cards to avoid them being lost.
NB. Mobile phones / pagers etc. are not allowed.
14. Game Boys/PSP
Only boarders are allowed to bring these to school and they can only be used in house and at
Weekends at the discretion of the Houseparents. It is a privilege for the Year 8 to enjoy their own i pods/mp3’s, etc. no one else may use these in school at anytime.
15. Magazines
Please ensure these are kept to a minimum. They must be approved by Form Tutors so do please check which magazines your child brings to school.
16. Second Hand Clothing: I am delighted that Jo Tear’s Second Hand clothing shop has done so well this year. We have put in place a link on our web site so you can see what is in stock. Jo asks that:
• All items should be washed and ironed and in good condition. Donors could attach a tag stating name, telephone number and amount wanted with a safety pin to each item. Uniform & sports equipment taken on ‘dress agency’ basis eg 50% of sale to donor, 50% to the school.
• Items then listed by size and published – like a stock check list. This would mean that if an item is bought arrangements could be made to exchange rather than someone having to ‘man the shop’ in specific times. We will provide a link to ‘site’ from school website. We also plan to do an annual ‘nearly new’ sale in Summer Term/early Autumn Term to clear stock. Many thanks to Jo and her team.
17. Future Schooling
Any parents of children in Year 7 & 8 who have yet to confirm their child’s future schooling should make a point of discussing this with me during the course of this term.
I would urge those of you with children in Year 6 to start finalising your decisions. I would be delighted to give as much assistance as I can. I suggest you make an appointment to see me during the course of the next two terms if any discussion is necessary. For some Senior Independent Schools, it is increasingly important to have names down early, so Year 5 parents are strongly encouraged to accept the above offer as well.
18. Harvest Service : Sunday 3rd October
The Harvest Service tradition at S. Anselms is to support Sheffield Cathedral’s Archer Project for the homeless, by providing groceries, etc. for its store. (The Archer Project provides breakfast and lunch for up to 60 people each day).
I know that everyone really enjoyed the Harvest Service last year and as your response to the appeal for goods was generous and enthusiastic we feel encouraged to continue with the tradition. So we ask you, whether you have a boarding or day child, to send in a packet or tin of food which we can donate. The Cathedral specifies “no more pasta or baked beans, please!” Donations of food should be brought back in the week leading up to the service and should be handed over to Mrs Lings in GSR2.
We will hold a Harvest Sunday Service at 10.30am on Sunday 3rd October for boarders and parents; any other children and parents who wish to join us will be most welcome. The service will not be preceded by our Boarders’ Family Breakfasts as in the past, but we are allowing pupils out for lunch afterwards – all children to be back with us at school by 5pm on this evening. We would expect most children to go out for lunch – and if anyone could help by taking out an overseas child that would be smashing.
NB All Sunday Services start at 10.30am. All parents, friends and relatives are most welcome to join us.
19. New Parents Reception : Tuesday, 5th of October 5.15 – 7.00pm
All parents with new pupils in the Prep School (so all new pupils and those in Year 3) are warmly invited to a drinks party on Tuesday, 5th of October at 5.15pm. This is an opportunity to put names to faces of staff and indeed other new parents. Arrangements will be made for day children to stay on at school whilst parents are attending the reception. Further details will follow but please try and keep the early part of the evening free.
20. Academic Sets
I must once again reiterate (as per letters to year groups at the end of last term) that all our academic lists are provisional. As usual with a lot of new children joining us there will inevitably be some readjustments once the term is underway. We shall review set placings soon after the first two weeks and will notify parents if necessary of any changes.
21. Car Park
As always I would ask everyone to be extremely vigilant about escorting children to and from cars and please ensure you adhere to the one way system, whilst also watching your speed up the hill! We will be continuing the drop off system that was so popular last year. Please do use it – it is quicker and safer for everyone.
22. Ashbourne/Sheffield Buses
Please could you let Sarah Ward know if you wish your child/children to use the buses this term so that Bill Kirkham and Kevin Gallimore can sort our their registers. We are also going to canvassing parents in the Buxton area to see if a morning bus run would help those coming from that area.
23. Nursery:
Please do take the chance to look at our new nursery. Richard Newton and the maintenance team have been hard at work all summer and have transformed the place. This coincides with Sara Wheatley joining us as our new Head of Nursery. Please do spread the word to other parents who might be interested – there can be few nurseries with better facilities and the space to play and grow up. They also have two swimming lessons a week and art and French specialist teaching. It is the best start in life and is now available 5 days a week once more.
24. Parent Swimming Times for this term
Monday 8.30am to 9.30am
Thursday 8.30am to 9.30am
25. Rugby Pre-Season: a reminder that this takes place from 10.30 sharp on Tuesday 31st & Wednesday 1st September. Please bring a packed lunch (ends at 3.30pm).
26. Parent Child Golf Day – Brailsford Golf Club Sunday 12thSeptember (@12.30)
A reminder that our Parent Child Golf Day has been moved from the busy end of summer term to the start of this term. This should find your game in good condition after months of practice! Please can you let Sarah Ward (nee Smillie) know ASAP if you are intending to enter a team. We can always find you a spare child should you need one, and the course is ideal for this – very much suited to beginners – so please do accept the challenge and sign up. We had a great day last year. Defending Champions: Sir Richard FitzHerbert & Will Attenborough. If any parent is keen to play and needs a golfing child or a child is keen to play and needs a golfing father please let us know and we will try and match you up for the afternoon.
27. Other dates for your diary:
• IB talk – 23 Sept just before exeat pick up. The International Baccalaureate is fast growing in credibility and many schools are moving over to it. Malvern College will deliver a short presentation on it and answer questions on it prior to exeat pick up. Please let Sarah Ward (nee Smillie) know if you hope to come.
• Snowdon Walk – good luck to all those mothers who are walking up Snowdon early this term, & thanks to Siobhan Watts for organising it. Proceeds are going to the Bursary fund.
• Sarah Ward – please do take the opportunity to congratulate Sarah Smillie as was on her marriage over the summer.
• Please also welcome and be tolerant with our new school secretary Ms Lorna Mason, who replaces Caroline Mason at the start of term. It will be a sharp learning curve for her so please do help her.
• Pre Prep Parents dinner at Piedaniels: Weds 22nd September – a really jolly night out – please do try and come
• Parents Forum: 10.00am Thursday 23rd September – please pass on and positives or niggles to your year rep.
28. Planners: as a new initiative I have introduced dairies/ planners for all pupils. These will form the basis for target setting each term, the collection of house points, homework diaries and will also enhance communication between day pupils’ parents and their tutors. If you do write a message in the planner for your tutor please do get your child to flag it up to their tutor. Tutors should check the planners once a week, but if it is an important message it is worth your child making it known immediately.
29. Wrap around Care: finally please can you remember to let the office know if you require wrap around care as outlined at the end of last term. This is to ease pick ups for those parents who have siblings in the pre prep or nursery, as well as the main school.
It should be a superb year ahead of us. Good luck especially goes to our new Head Boy, Alex Tear, and our new Head Girl, Nancy Smith. I’m sure they and their emerging team of Prefects will do a great job and hope that they, like all the Year 8, will really savour their last year at S Anselm’s.
Michelle, Annabelle and William join me in hoping that you have a great last week of the holidays and enjoy the term as much as we are hoping to.
Yours sincerely,
Simon Northcott.