24th November 2023

We began this week with a music assembly led by Mrs Maltese and her talented singing pupils who entertained the whole school in assembly on Monday. We heard lovely solos and a fun performance of 'Ice Cream' from Year 4. Please do contact Mrs Light if you are interested in your child learning another instrument.

We also hosted the Year 5 Maths Challenge on Tuesday, which was run by local mathematician Douglas Buchanan. In total, 40 children from ten different local schools took part, including Aoife, Eloise, Georgia and Sophia S from Rupert House. Children worked in pairs to complete tasks involving problem-solving, arithmetic and quantitative reasoning. All the participants demonstrated strong maths and team-work skills which impressed Mr Buchanan and the staff observing. After eighteen years running Maths Challenges in the local area, this was Mr Buchanan's last event at Rupert House. We wish him a relaxing retirement and thank him for all his efforts with Maths Challenges over the years.

 

Centenary meetings

Thank you to all those parents who came along to our initial meetings to discuss some of the events we have planned to celebrate 100 years of Rupert House. They were super opportunities to hear a number of fantastic ideas which will enable us to create some wonderful events for the wider Rupert House community. We will hold the next set of meetings in January and do hope that other parents will be keen to support them.

 

Education Henley

On Wednesday this week, I joined representatives from the other educational settings in Henley for a groundbreaking partnership meeting at Invesco. Representatives attended from Badgemore and Trinity Primaries, Rupert House and St Mary's Preps, Gillotts, Shiplake College and Henley College under the banner of Education Henley. Education Henley is an exciting partnership which has been established between the state and independent primary and secondary settings in and around Henley, working together and with local clubs, charities and businesses in the town for the benefit of the children and in support of the local community.  

The meeting was hosted by Claire Myers, Head of CSR and Sponsorships at Invesco, and the attendees heard from Daniel Bausor and Emma Levy who are leading the ‘Make Henley Shine’ project to light the bridge as well as from Laura Law, Chair of the Henley Youth Festival. Daniel Bausor and Emma Levy spoke about how the ‘Make Henley Shine’ project could help to revitalise the town and educate on the history, geography and environment surrounding the bridge, as well as the planned charitable grants to help children and young people in Henley to shine in the broadest sense. Laura Law spoke about plans to celebrate Henley Youth Festival's 30th Anniversary next year and discussed how the partnership could support the planned events. Claire Levy talked about the sponsorship of various local clubs and how they might support the schools more going forward, and was keen to consider how Invesco could be involved with Education Henley.

The partnership has evolved enormously from the first meeting I had with Gillotts and Shiplake College last January to discuss the concept. It is super that the wider community is keen to embrace it for the benefit of the children in and around Henley and so that we can support local projects to help Henley thrive.

 

Mental Health Survey

Thank you to the parents who took the time to complete Madame Sheriff’s questionnaire on mental health. The results are useful for her when planning support for children in school, and to help you as parents support your children at home. There are some resources in the wellbeing section below that focus on supporting children with anxiety, as well as information on an upcoming webinar on managing friendships and relationships which some parents may find useful.

 

FoRH Christmas fair donations

We have one more week to collect donations for the Christmas Fair which takes place on 14th December. Please bring in toys, games, parent presents and books (all in new or excellent condition) to the school hallway where there are labelled boxes for your donations. Thank you to all those who have contributed so far.

 

Henley Town Christmas Fair tonight

The Christmas festivities start tonight with the late night shopping event in Henley Town Centre. The Year 4 pupils will be joining the Lantern Parade which leaves the River & Rowing Museum at 5pm and a number of Rupert House pupils from across the school will be performing on the Town Hall stage from 5pm onwards. Finally, Lotte in Year 4, will be joining Christopher Biggins and the Mayor at 7pm to turn on the Christmas lights after she won the competition to design the Mayor’s Christmas card earlier this month.

I hope everyone enjoys the event this evening and that you have a restful weekend.

Best wishes,

Nick Armitage