3rd May 2024
It has seemed very quiet in school this week without the Year 4 and 6 pupils, but I am delighted they have all returned safely this afternoon, having had a fantastic time by all accounts. I have no doubt they will sleep well tonight! I have enjoyed following their trips on the school Instagram account and look forward to hearing all about their adventures next week.
Yesterday, the Year 2 and 3 children took part in a mix-up morning which was designed to aid their transition from Pre-Prep to Prep in September. The morning was spent taking part in four structured activities including a blindfolded obstacle course, making centenary mosaics, creating a picture switch and building a lego challenge. They had a lovely time getting to know their buddies, and the rest of the year groups better and getting a feel for what it is like to learn in the Prep classrooms.
This morning the Reception children delighted the rest of the school with an assembly about what they have been busy learning this term before heading off on an adventure of their own to the Henley Fire Station, where they learned all about fire safety and the role of a firefighter. They had great fun tying on kit, sitting in the front of a fire engine and squirting the big hose into the street!
Next week I am very much hoping the sun will come out for our whole school trip to Wellington Country Park on Friday, which everyone is very much looking forward to.
Staffing news
It is that time of year when we plan for a number of staff changes and internal movements for September and so I wanted to share with you the following information:
I am pleased to share with you the news that Mrs Hobdell is pregnant and is expecting in early October. We are very excited for the Hobdells and look forward to meeting their little one!
After two years of sterling work helping Ms Nicholson to develop Move to Think, our Co-Ed sports programme and the PE provision, Mr McArthur will be leaving Rupert House at the end of the academic year. We are hugely grateful for all that he has done and we will wish him all the very best when he leaves us to consider different avenues in September. He is very keen to stay in contact and may well continue to be involved with our provision in some way. We will be advertising for a Deputy Director of Sport imminently, so please do ask anyone who may be interested to look out for the advert online and on our website.
We will announce the other internal moves and appointments in due course, as and when they are confirmed.
Historical May Day - 24th May
Following the whole school trip next week, our next centenary celebration will be the Historical May Day on 24th May. The first half of the day will be spent in school travelling back through time – everyone will take part in fun, interactive workshops, including learning to dance around the May Pole. The children will then have a BBQ lunch before heading up to the field for the FoRH May Fair. Collection will be from the field (unless your child has a club, in which case they will be walked back to school). There will be more details in the newsletter next week.
We would like each child to come dressed as a 20th Century historical figure and there will be prizes for the best dressed and most original outfits!
Auction of Promises
Tonight (Friday 3rd May) is your last chance to bid on the FoRH auction of promises. Huge thank you to all those parents who have placed bids and so kindly donated promises. The list of promises can be viewed below. To place your bid(s), please email forh@ruperthouse.oxon.sch.uk with your child’s name, year group, the person whose promise you would like to bid on and amount you would like to bid.
Please don’t forget that Monday 6th May is a bank holiday and therefore the school is not open. I hope you enjoy the long weekend.
With best wishes,
Nick Armitage