29th November 2024
The ramp up to Christmas peaked this week with the excitement of the whole school pantomime, thanks to the visiting Rainbow Theatre company.
Their performance of Cinderella was a high energy and fun, festive way to spend a Tuesday afternoon. Then today, the whole school thoroughly enjoyed watching the EYFS nativity dress rehearsal – parents are in for a treat when they come in to see it for themselves on Monday! We have decked the halls today, literally, with Year 6 doing a great job of decorating the school Christmas tree. You will see it sparkling in the hallway when you come in through the big blue door next week. This then leads us on to the lantern parade and Henley Town Festival which takes place this evening to officially mark the start of Christmas for us all.
Christmas Tree Festival
Thank you to everyone who decorated and returned their wooden bauble ahead of the Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church. A group of Year 6 pupils will be taking them to the church on Monday to decorate the Rupert House Tree. The festival opens to the public on 3rd December and runs until 15th December. Do go along to cast a vote for our tree and help raise money for the church! You can find out more here.
Looking ahead
Next week we have the KS1 Nativity and KS1 plays to look forward to, plus the Prep Swimming Gala and on Thursday 5th December we have a Meet the Head coffee morning with Oliver Knight, the new Head of Pangbourne College.
There are a number of events occurring across the school over the next 2 weeks which all parents will need to be aware of. Please have a look at this letter which details everything you need to know about the final 10 days of school before we break up.
New minibus Route
In January we are launching a new minibus route (in addition to the existing two routes). The new route will stop in the following locations: Woodend, Frieth, Fingest, Turville, Northend, Christmas Common, Greenfields, Pishill Junction, Pishill, Stonor and Lower Assendon. If you are interested in using this new route, please contact arlette.halfhead@ruperthouse.co.uk. We are offering a free week long trial in January for anyone that would like to give it a try. If you would like to take advantage of the trial, please complete this form by Friday 13th December.
Parent / Staff Choir
If you are interested in taking part in the Rupert House staff and parent choir to sing at the Christmas Service, please come along to the rehearsals on the below dates. If you are able to make any or all of these, it would be fantastic to see you there! No experience necessary, just a willingness to enjoy some festive music making and to sing with our talented children as part of the celebrations on 13th December at St Mary’s Church.
Rehearsals will take place in the Music Studio on:
• Tuesday afternoons 4.15-4.45pm on 3rd Dec*
• Friday mornings 8.00-8.30am on 6th Dec
*Please can we ask you to book your children in for aftercare or homework club if they need to stay in school and would not normally be doing a club while you are rehearsing.
Spring Term Clubs
The clubs list is now on My School Portal. Please check it thoroughly and let Arlette know via arlette.halfhead@ruperthouse.co.uk before midday on Monday 2nd December if any changes are required. After this time, no further requests or amendments can be made, and you will be liable for club costs. Please see the email sent earlier today for more information.
I hope Year 4 enjoyed their lantern parade and I wish you all a restful weekend.
Best wishes,
Nick Armitage