Pupils enjoyng a break

Newsletter 9th May
e-mail address: office@heathmount.org 

 

Friday 9th May 2008
 

Dear Parents

 

THE A602

 

I am sure you are all aware that Mrs Nightingale was involved in an accident near the front gates of the School on Tuesday.  You will be pleased to hear that she is making a full recovery and should be back at school during the course of next week.

 

The School remains concerned about road safety at the entrance and the Bursar has reported this incident to our local councillor.  He keeps a record of any incidents to provide data for submissions to the highways authority.  Any drivers who are involved in an accident on this section of the A602, however minor, are requested to pass details to the Bursar.

 

I would take this opportunity to remind parents to follow school guidelines to make this junction safer for all.  Some drivers are still ignoring the No Right Turn sign at the school exit.  As well as causing inconvenience to others leaving the School, it may also impede access for those entering the School and so may be a safety hazard.  All drivers are requested to desist from turning right at the school exit and using mobile phones when driving.

 

WHOLE SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPH

The whole school photograph is being taken on Monday 12th May and children should be dressed in their best uniforms.


SUNSCREEN

As we are now in the Summer term and the weather is getting warmer, can you please ensure that your child is adequately protected by a high factor, 24 hour sunscreen when necessary.  Parents are requested to ensure that their children come to school with sunhats to be worn when playing outside.


ITALIAN SUMMER CONCERT – SATURDAY 10 MAY, 7.00PM

The weather is holding up nicely for our 'al fresco' music concert this Saturday evening, featuring the Bax Choir, the Chamber Choir and an array of instrumentalists. Italian style canapes and wine will be served, as you relax and enjoy the wonderful outdoor setting that Heath Mount affords. Don't forget to bring your rugs and MOST IMPORTANTLY YOUR FOLDING CHAIRS. Tickets are available from Heath Mount Reception priced at £10 per Adult. Children are free of charge, but will require a ticket.  No babes in arms or noisy toddlers please. 


NEW CD – ‘LET THE CHILDREN SING!’

A reminder to you all that we are expecting the CD to arrive next week.  Featuring the Bax and Chamber Choirs, plus two items sung by the entire Prep School, this promises to be a musical treat for us all.  Many of you have already placed pre-orders, but if you are yet to do so, please e-mail your requirements to the school office.  Single copies are £10, 5 copies are £45 and 10 copies are £90. CDs will be on display in the Reception area very soon.

DU MAURIER CAR DAY - SUNDAY 11 MAY  2.00pm - 5.00pm

We’ve got the cars, we’ve got the refreshments, we’ve got lots to keep you entertained, and we should even have fantastic weather…  Now all we need is for you to come and enjoy the afternoon!

We have over forty display cars booked in, which should make a wonderful sight in front of the main school.  We are very fortunate to have the support of a number of local car owners’ clubs and classic car enthusiasts from outside of school who are joining us for the afternoon. Over half of the cars are pre-1970, the earliest so far being a 1934 Rolls Royce first owned by the Earl of Yarborough. We should have a fine array of Porsches, Jaguars and MGs; a rare Fiat Dino, an impressive Lamborghini Gallardo, a classic 1958 948cc Morris Minor, and many, many more!

There is no charge for entry for exhibitors or visitors, so come along and enjoy what promises to be a great event.  Delicious afternoon teas, choc-ices and ice-lollies will be on sale and pony rides on offer for smaller children. Children’s art competitions and quizzes should keep everyone busy. Come along and make your vote count for your favourite car in the exhibitor’s awards. We hope to see you there!

Ring Alison Wood on 01438 869333 if you haven’t registered your display car yet.

DU MAURIER SOCIETY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Many thanks to all who attended the du Maurier Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 6th May. Just to advise that if anyone would like a copy of the minutes, could they please contact jane.willey@meganisi.uk.com. It has been a very busy year for the committee and we have greatly appreciated all of your support. Next year's committee are already busy planning some fantastic events and again they look forward to your on-going help and support.

CLICK TO JUMP TO PRE-PREP SCHOOL MATTERS
PREP SCHOOL MATTERS


SIGNING IN

Please can we remind parents that if your child misses registration for any reason, they MUST sign in at Reception.  This is vital as, in the event of a fire, we must know who is in the school building.

 

BOARDERS AT HOME: PARENTS’ DRINKS – WEDNESDAY 14 MAY

Parents of current boy boarders, and parents of day children curious about boys’ boarding have the opportunity to see the boarding house in action during this informal evening. There will be refreshments in the school entrance hall from 7.00pm. Year 8 boys boarders will at this time be available to lead tours into the boarding house, which will close to parents at 8.30pm. The houseparents will continue to be available downstairs until 9.00pm to answer further questions about the boarding house.


CHAPEL SERVICE – FRIDAY 16 MAY


The service for Years 3 to 8 will take place in the Sports Hall at 8.50am on Friday 16th May.  Pupils should wear their best uniform and parents are welcome to attend.


ART NEWS

 

Two new Art competitions have been placed on the VLE.

 

  • The Haileybury Primary and Prep Schools Art Competition. This popular competition closes in October but it is never too early to be considering an entry. Open to all year groups; the theme is ‘Growth’ with a list of 14 subjects to choose from.
  • Secondly, Junior Painter of the Year Awards organised by the Royal Academy of Arts and Sightsavers. This competition runs though the summer and all entries should be delivered to Mrs Hay in early September. The theme is ‘The sight I would most like to see’. This competition is open to all from Reception to Year 6 inclusive.

 

PLEASE READ FULL ENTRY DETAILS, WHICH CAN BE FOUND IN THE ART COMPETITIONS AREA OF THE VLE, BEFORE COMMENCING.

 

Well done to all those young Year 5 & 6 Filmmakers who recently submitted their short films into a Schools Computer Animation Competition organised by Manchester University. There were some terrific ideas and very good use of ‘Alice’. Results will not be known for a while.


ART DEPARTMENT PROJECT

The next exciting project to be undertaken by the art department involves metal detectors.  If anyone has a metal detector and would be willing to lend it to the school until half term, we would be very grateful.  If you can help, please bring the detector to the art department or Reception.


ART AMIS EXHIBITION

This exhibition opens on Friday 16 May from 7.30pm. By now you will have received an invitation and we do hope that you will be free to attend. We are very excited by this venture, which follows workshops for members of Years 6 and Scholarship Groups run by artists Victoria Webster and Malcolm Fryer. A selection of this work will also be displayed.

 

There should be something of interest for all including a ‘quiz trail’ for our younger pupils, if attending. We are looking forward to a super event and do hope you will enjoy some wonderful artwork with us.


SWIMMING CUPS

Please can all swimming cups be returned to the Swimming department as soon as possible.


FIXTURES W/C 12th May 2008

Boys’ Fixtures

Wednesday 14 May 1st XI, Colts B v Westbrook Hay (H)
   2nd XI, Colts A, U9A, U9B v Westbrook Hay (A)
   


Girls’ Fixtures

Tuesday 13 May 
U10A Rounders v Belmont (A)
Wednesday 14 May 
U13, U12, U11B, U10B Rounders v Bishops Stortford (A)
  U10A, U11A Rounders v Bishops Stortford (H)
   

   

                                          



PRE-PREP
SCHOOL MATTERS

PRE-PREP SPORTS DAY

Pre-Prep Sports Day will take place on Tuesday 20th May at 2pm, with a reserve date of Thursday 22nd May at 2pm.  These dates replace those published in error on the school calendar.

If Sports Day goes ahead as planned on the first date there will be no ballet after school.


FORTHCOMING TRIPS

Nursery

As part of their topic of “People who help us”, Nursery will be visiting the Hertford Fire Station on Wednesday 21 May.  They will travel from school by coach departing at 9.45am.  After their tour of the station they will walk to Hertford East train station and take a short train ride.  The coach will collect them at approximately 11.50am.  They aim to be back at school soon after 12.00pm. 

The police will also be visiting the Nursery on Monday 19 May at 9.30am for a short visit. 

Reception

Reception will be visiting Gulliver’s Eco Land on Thursday 5 June.  They will be departing school at 9.15am and, traffic dependant, will be back at school for the usual end of day.  A packed lunch will be required.  Further details will follow.

DU MAURIER FRENCH PICNIC

A French picnic will be held in Pre-Prep on Monday 9 June. The children will sing French songs and learn to play French games! Children are invited to dress in red, white and blue for the day.


INDUCTION DAY ARRANGEMENTS

Friday 20 June – New Nursery Session

Invitations have been sent out to all new nursery children, inviting them to spend a session in their new environment.

Please note: There will be NO NORMAL NURSERY SESSIONS on 20 June.

Friday 20 June – New Reception Induction Afternoon

Invitations to spend the afternoon in Reception have been sent to all current Nursery children who are moving up to Reception in September 2008.

All current Nursery children should arrive at school for 1.45pm.  Please enter via the front door.  Starter packs will be available on the day.  Children can be collected at 3.45pm.

All current Reception children will go home before lunch on Friday 20 June and will need to be collected at 12.00 noon.


NURSERY LUNCHES

All current Nursery children are invited to stay for lunch on Tuesday 17 June.  This will enable your child to experience lunch in the dining room, and then have some time outside to play.  If your child does not stay for afternoon care Please collect your child at 12.55pm.


SWIMMING

There will be no swimming on Tuesday 20 May due to Pre-Prep Sports Day.


DIARY DATES

Friday 16 May
Reception Browser Session 3.30pm
Monday 19 May 
Year 1 Browser Session 3.30pm
Tuesday 20 May Nursery swimming taster
  Pre-Prep Sports Day 2.00pm
Wednesday 21 May Nursery visit to Hertford Fire Station
Thursday 22 May Reserve date for Pre-Prep Sports Day
Friday 23 May 
Year 2 Browser Session 3.30pm
  UNICEF day for change – non-uniform day
   
   

     


Yours sincerely

Robert W Middleton