14th October 2022
I hope parents enjoyed the wonderful Harvest Service yesterday, which was a fitting way to bring this first half of the term to a close.
Many thanks to Mrs Pedley for planning, rehearsing and coordinating so many fabulous performances, involving all the children. I was most impressed with the extraordinary creativity, the lovely singing and the confidence on display. Most importantly, the children clearly enjoyed performing, from the very youngest in Nursery through to those taking part in their last Rupert House Harvest Service.
Prep School Experience and Parent Talk
The Year 2 and 3 children had a super time together on Wednesday as the Year 2s experienced life in the Prep School for a day. The 'Co-Ed Life in the Prep' talk that evening was very well-attended by parents of children in Years 1-3, where they heard from a number of the specialist staff who teach and inspire the older children. The staff enjoyed sharing the passion they have for their subjects and the enjoyment they take from teaching the children in a contemporary, Co-Ed environment.
Meet the Head - Senior Schools' Coffee Mornings
We are planning a series of coffee mornings in the second half of this term and into next, where there will be the opportunity for parents to meet and hear from the Heads of many of the co-ed and single sex schools we feed, as well as a number we expect to do so in the coming years. We have already confirmed Tyrone Howe from Shiplake College on Thursday 10th November and Michael Windsor from Abingdon School on Wednesday 30th November and we will share with you the dates for the other talks in due course. These talks will be for parents of all ages and we hope they will be informative as you start to think about your children's schooling after Rupert House. Please do save the dates if you wish to attend and we will send sign-up forms for these and the other talks after Half Term.
Parent Feedback
The Independent Schools' Council are conducting a Parent Survey, and I would be most grateful if you could spare a few minutes to take part in it in advance of the closing date of Monday 31st October. The link can be found below. The data received will help to inform the future strategic plans of independent schools across the country, including our own and so it is very important. In addition, we are planning to hold a number of parent forums on the 18th and 19th January where we will share our aspirations for the future, which we will be keen to hear your thoughts on. More details will follow, but we would be most grateful if you could please save one of those dates at this stage.
Neuroscience Talk - Mon 31st October at 2.30pm
Lots of parents have already signed-up to hear from Julia Harrington from BrainCanDo who is speaking on the day we return after half term. If you have not yet done so, please do so below, or contact the Office office@ruperthouse.oxon.sch.uk and we will look forward to seeing you there for what will be a fascinating talk.
Nutrition Workshops
The children enjoyed taking part in fascinating Nutrition workshops on Thursday, run by Accent, our caterers. They learnt about the importance of a healthy, balanced diet, which is what the children receive on a daily basis here at school.
Rupert's Troopers
Well done to all the parents, staff and children who took part in the Henley Half Marathon, 10km or Fun Run last Sunday. A number of the children enjoyed the Fun Run, while 15 parents and staff took part in the adult races and congratulations to Mrs Lait, who won the Ladies' 10km race and former pupil, Elin Barr, who was the first Under 15 girl! Rupert's Troopers is the name for the parent and staff team who take part in a number of sporting events and challenges through the year. If you would like to join us, please email jovstedal@ruperthouse.oxon.sch.uk and she will add you to our WhatsApp group. Lots of the team are entering the Club to Pub swim next July, with places filling fast!
Many of the children have enjoyed further exploring the Forest School this week. We hope that your children will have lots of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors over the Half Term break and we look forward to welcoming them back on Monday 31st October. We wish Helen Tynan and her fiancée, Duncan, all the very best for their wedding over the Half Term holiday and we will welcome Mrs Miller to Rupert House on her return after the break!
I hope that they, and you, have a wonderful Half Term holiday.
With best wishes,
Nick Armitage