Dear Parents
SAFETY IN THE SCHOOL GROUNDS
It has been brought to our attention that people are still driving too fast in the School grounds. It is imperative that everyone adheres to the speed limit of 10mph to ensure the safety of us all, especially our pupils!
PREP MATTERS
COMMON ENTRANCE EXAM ENTRY DATE
Please note that entries for Year 8 Common Entrance have to be in by March 1st. Any alterations after this point will carry a £50.00 penalty. Entries were verified on parents evening, but if there are any changes please inform Mrs Greer as soon as possible.
HALF TERM GRADES
Your Year 3 to 8 children will be bringing home in their book bags this Friday their half term grade reports.
MADAME SPAKE
Unfortunately, due to family circumstances, Madame Spake has not been able to attend the Year 7 Parents’ Evenings or to complete all of her half term report grades. We will provide half term grades to those parents who have not received them after the half term holiday.
LAMDA EXAMS – SATURDAY 6TH MARCH
Forty-three pupils will be taking exams in Acting, Verse & Prose Speaking, Spoken English and Reading for Performance, all subjects which will help increase confidence and promote communication skills.
Children should be practising their pieces over half term. Exam schedules should arrive 10-14 days before 6th March, giving candidates individual times, and all parents will be notified.
On exam day, candidates should arrive no later than 15 minutes before their set time. Please remember that anyone taking an Acting Dualogue exam will not be permitted to take part if their partner is ill on the day.
WORLD BOOK DAY – THURSDAY 4TH MARCH
To celebrate this day we will, in keeping with previous years, be dressing up as a character from a book. Over half term pupils may want to start thinking about who/what they will come dressed as. Prizes will be awarded for the best ones – homemade, original costumes will be more likely to win than hired ones!
Also, on this day, David’s Bookshop from Letchworth will run a book fair from 12.00-5.30pm. They will bring a large range of books, both fiction and non-fiction, for all ages. Pupils will get a chance to visit it during the day and parents are welcome at any time to browse and buy. Books can be purchased on the day by cash, cheque or credit card. Pupils may reserve books and parents can (if they wish) purchase them later during the day. Alternatively, we can add the cost to the end of term bill.
If you have any questions about World Book Day, please feel free to contact Mr Armstrong.
EAST HERTS COUNTY SWIMMING TRIALS
Well done to all of the children who attended the East Herts County Swimming Trials. It proved to be one of our most successful years ever, with six of the fourteen children being selected for the East Herts team for the first County Gala:
Daniel Hood Boys’ Captain, individual backstroke and freestyle relay
Markus Schofield-Bezer Individual butterfly and backstroke in the medley relay
Alexander Portas Individual freestyle and freestyle relay
Piers Martin Individual breaststroke and breaststroke in the medley relay
Carsten Backhaus Individual backstroke and breaststroke in the medley relay
Annie O’Gorman Individual breaststroke and breaststroke in the medley relay
MUSIC LESSON TIMETABLE
The timetable for next half term will be available to view on the VLE from this Friday.
EQUESTRIAN TEAM
On 21st March, a team of four horse riders will represent the school in an Inter-Schools Cross Country Competition in Bedfordshire. Lucy Kelly, Isla Cuthbert, Lara Mitchell and Hannah Barham will be the first pupils to represent Heath Mount in an equestrian competition for a number of years. Last weekend, there was a competition at the same venue as the Inter-Schools event and Hannah and Lucy took part as individuals. They came 7th and 5th, respectively, in their class and they then entered a pairs class together, achieving 2nd place. If they had finished the course one second faster, they would have won! We wish all four young riders the best of luck in March.
STUDENT LEADERS
Year 7 pupils have been trained as mediators and will offer a service to younger pupils after half term. This will involve helping younger children to play together sensibly and helping to resolve minor fall-outs.
SCUBA DIVING
As Mr Norman is not available, there will be no scuba diving after school on Monday the 22nd Feb, Thursday 25th Feb and Monday 1st March.
LOST PROPERTY
The boot room has been emptied and all unclaimed shoes are in lost property with Matron. Please collect by Friday 26th February as any remaining items will be disposed of.
SPORTS RESULTS W/C 8th FEBRUARY
Congratulations to all teams on some terrific performances and sportsmanship! The Colts D match must have been incredibly exciting!
Boys
1st XV Rugby v Edge Grove D 36-36
2nd XII Rugby v Edge Grove L 14-37
Colts A Rugby v Edge Grove W 21-0
Colts B Rugby v Edge Grove D 12-12
Colts C Rugby v Edge Grove W 35-5
Colts D Rugby v Edge Grove W 65-60
U9A Rugby v Edge Grove W 40-15
U9B Rugby v Edge Grove L 25-30
U9C Rugby v Edge Grove D 10-10
U9D Rugby v Edge Grove L 20-40
Girls
U11A Netball v Bishops Stortford W 11-6
U11B Netball v Bishops Stortford L 2 – 8
FIXTURES W/C 22ND FEBRUARY 2010
Boys
Weds 24th February 1st XV, Colts B, Colts C v Westbrook Hay (A) – estimated return time 5.30pm
2nd XII, Colts A, U9A, U9B v Westbrook Hay (H)
U10B, U9A Hockey v Westbrook Hay (H)
Girls
Tues 23rd February U11A, U11B Netball v Stormont (A) – start time 3.40pm/estimated return time 5.30pm
Weds 24th February U13, U12A, U12B Netball v Princess Helena College (A) – start time 4.15pm/estimated return time 6.30pm
Thurs 25th February Years 3-6 Swimming Gala v St Francis (H) – start time 4.30pm
Sun 28th February U10A & U10B Haileybury Netball Tournament, 10am-3pm (if sufficient interest)
PREP DIARY DATES
Thurs 4th March World Book Day
Sat 6th March LAMDA Exams
Du Maurier Quiz Night, 7.00pm
Sun 7th March Edge Grove U9 Rugby Festival
Fri 12th March Chapel Service (parents welcome)
Mon 22nd & Tues 23rd March Year 6 Play, 7.00pm
Tues 30th March Heath Mount Goes Pop! Concert
Wed 31st March House Matches/Lunches
End of term
PRE-PREP MATTERS
RECEPTION PARENT CONSULTATION EVENINGS
Reception Parent Consultation Evenings will be held on Thursday 4th March and Tuesday 9th March from 6.00pm to 8.00pm. Appointment slots will be posted in the Reception classrooms from Tuesday 23rd February, allowing parents to “sign up” for their most suitable time. Appointments are for 15 minutes. If there are any concerns that require a lengthier discussion, please see the class teacher to make a separate appointment.
SAINSBURY’S ACTIVE KIDS 2010
We are again collecting Sainsbury’s Active Kids Vouchers. Vouchers are available from all Sainsbury’s stores, petrol stations and on-line groceries between 17th February and 8th June. A collecting box will be in the Pre-Prep Hall from after half-term. Thank you for your support.
PRE-PREP JUDO CLUB
This club has now started and benefits from outstanding instructors. The philosophy of Judo (The Gentle Way) is to teach ‘benign touch’ to children; that strength and gentleness can be combined in sports. Children are taught to be respectful towards others and that Judo techniques are only appropriate at Judo Club.
PRE-PREP DIARY DATES
Tuesday 23rd February Year 1 Poetry Day
Wednesday 24th February Year 1 Parent Consultation Evening
Monday 1st March Year 2 to the British Museum 9.00am
Nursery Browser Session 9.00am - Elmers
Tuesday 2nd March Year 1 Parent Consultation Evening
Wednesday 3rd March Nursery Browser 9.00am - Caterpillars
Thursday 4th March Reception Parent Consultation Evening
Tuesday 9th March Reception Parent Consultation Evening
Yours sincerely
Robert W Middleton
Headmaster