BEGINNING OF SUMMER TERM 2007 

LETTER TO PARENTS

FROM MRS JAMES, HEADMISTRESS

 

20 April 2007

Dear Parents/Guardians

 

Welcome back.  I trust that everyone has enjoyed an excellent Easter break and that all the students have returned prepared for the rigours of the summer term. In the Senior School, the Geography Department led a very successful trip to Italy and Mt Vesuvius and, at the time of writing, Mrs Long and Ms Wainwright are still away with the Senior ski trip.  A recent message from Mrs Long includes the information that there is plenty of snow and good weather!  We look forward to their safe return on Sunday.  I am always grateful to all the members of staff who so willingly organise these extracurricular trips in order to further enhance the learning experience of the students.  The School once again successfully hosted the Justin Craig Revision Centre and I was delighted to see many of our own students availing themselves of the structured revision on offer.

 

Monday 23 April (St George’s Day) will be a non-uniform day, when all students should come to School wearing red and white.  I would like to hold this charity day to raise funds for SMILE – the Orpington based charity run by Revd Clive Doubleday and I ask that a minimum £2.00 be given by your child to their Class or Form Teacher on that day. 

 

The Summer Term will also see the Parents Association holding their May Ball on Saturday 19 May.  This event is usually a superb evening, a great opportunity to relax and socialise with other parents and friends of the School and I encourage all parents to place this date firmly in their diaries now.  Tickets may be ordered via either of the Junior or Senior School offices.  The previous weekend sees the Sports Hall being transformed into a 40’s Dance Hall, as the British Legion will be celebrating, dancing and remembering in style.  Any parent wishing to attend may acquire tickets from the Senior School office. 

 

Sports Day this year will be on Saturday 23 June – a deliberate move away from a week day in order to enable all parents to come along and encourage their children in years 3 - 13 as they take part in field events and the swimming galas.  Monday 25 June will be a non-school day for students except for those with scheduled public examinations.  This will be a staff-training day for the teachers.  The following weekend, again on the Saturday (30 June) we will be holding a Farringtons Fun Day when there will be a variety of events with students throughout the school also having an opportunity to showcase their skills from a wide variety of clubs and activities.

 

I would like to remind all parents that all students should be in school for 8.30 am and that any absence should be reported to the relevant School Office by the same time.  On return, your child should bring a note signed by you to explain their absence from school.  It is particularly important for all those taking public examinations this term to be in good time for each session. 

 

I am delighted to be able to tell you that Mrs Rimmer now has a son Michael, born yesterday, 19 April.  Our warmest congratulations go to her and her family and I am sure we all look forward to meeting the new addition to her family.  I am grateful to all those people who have offered to help out to ensure the continuing success of FIZ Club.  Parents/guardians can leave a message regarding their child’s arrangements for FIZ either by ringing my Secretary on 0208 467 0256 or after school hours on 07976 727048. 

 

Several children will be coming to Chapel on Sunday 29 April to participate in a service of Baptism.  This is the first stage of the process of Christian initiation and I am sure that Revd Samuel (Chaplain) would be delighted to hear from other families or students to arrange further similar events.  Unfortunately I am unable to attend on the 29 as I will be away with the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Practice Expedition that weekend.   

 

Unfortunately during the recent holidays funeral services were held for two members of the School community - Mrs Gwyenth Dempster a former governor and Mrs McCarthy, mother of Hannah in Year 13.  Our sympathy and condolences are sent to these two families and indeed to Mrs Scholfield (EAL teacher) on the recent death of her mother.  As a small School community we are always very aware of the joys and sorrows that affect different members of the Farringtons family.

 

Finally please check the Calendar of Events for the Summer Term that was sent out at the end of last term and ensure relevant dates are noted.

 

With every good wish.