May 2008

We are now over half way through the first half of the Summer Term and enjoying the beautiful weather ….. until today, when it is pouring with rain!! It is lovely to see the children playing cricket at every opportunity in the playground. There has also been a regular army of children out with their clipboards having lessons in the school grounds. This really is a special place to grow up and learn.

Mrs Lesley Field is now working with groups in class mainly in the Pre-prep Library. She has quickly settled into life at Abberley and has already become a valuable member of the teaching staff.

The Clock Tower week proved very enjoyable. It started with a talk by one of the Governors, Mrs Jo Roche, who met the children in the sewing room half way up and talked to each class in tern giving them a potted history of how it came to be there. It was fascinating and we are very grateful to Jo for giving up her time and climbing the stairs five times! We also had a Clock Tower drawing competition and a winner from each class was presented with a small prize and certificate on Bank Holiday Monday. Many other activities linked with the Clock Tower took place over the week and I am sure everyone is now much more knowledgeable about it. Chef very kindly made a huge chocolate cake for us to share and Min(Assistant Chef) had two smaller cakes iced with a picture of the Tower on the top. Our thanks go to Min for finding the time in her busy schedule.

It was lovely to see many families at the annual Fun Run held at school last Sunday. Well done to all who took part on such a hot day. Congratulations must go especially to the following children:

Georgie Worrallo 1st U8 girl
William Booth 2nd U8 boy
William Lane 3rd U8 boy.

Another success in Pre-prep this term was Edward Roberts who achieved a Merit in his first piano examination – well done Edward!

Children in Classes 1, 2 and 3 will be bringing home progress reports with this newsletter just to let you know how things are going since Parents’ Evening. Your child will also have a target. Please could you read this target to your child and reinforce their progress with this at home?

You will note on the Diary Dates that the Pre-prep Lunchtime Concert has been cancelled. This has now been merged with the Summer Concert on 1st July at 2.30pm in The Ashton Hall and the children that would have performed in the Lunchtime Concert will now perform then.

The teachers are busy at the moment sorting out class trips. Please see the Diary Dates for Reception and Class 3 that are arranged already; Class 1 and 2 will send letters via the Home/School Books once final arrangements have been made.

May I also draw your attention to the production of “The Winter’s Tale” that is being hosted here on Thursday 5th June. Weather permitting, it should be a lovely evening and a chance to enjoy some culture in a wonderful setting with friends and families. You are welcome to bring a picnic and there will be a pig roast in the interval (see inserted form).

The children have all settled down now to some serious work for these final few weeks in their present classes before the excitement of Sports Day and the end of year Concert.

Thank you all for sending in water bottles, sunhats and sun cream;– we hope we will have occasion to use them again soon!

Mon 2nd June- Nursery Parents' Evening

Thur 5th - Class 3 Trip to Sudeley Castle

Fri 6th June - Break up for HALF TERM

Mon 16th - Return after half term

Wed 25th June - Pre-prep & Nursery Drinks Party at 6.45pm on the South Terrac

Fri 27th June - Sports Day 10.00am. Day ends at 12noon (no lunch servered-bring a picnic)

Sar 28th June - Gala Concert at St Michael's Tenbury Wells

Tues 1st July - Summer Concert 2.30pm Ashton Hall

Wed 2nd July - Last ballet session(parents invited to watch)

Wed 9th July - Last day of term. Term ends at 12 noon (no lunch servered)