Weekly Newsletter 24th June 2022
Dear Parents,
The school calendar continues to keep us busy and will do for another few days before we reach the end of term next Thursday. Following an intense week which included our ISI inspection as well as waving Years 7 and 8 off on their adventures in France, the weekend provided a few hours of respite before this week’s events.
I have:
- enjoyed the Year 3 production of Dick Whittington, who wowed their audience with their composure on stage, delivery of lines and fabulous singing;
- attended the Bridewell Court meeting at the Guildhall on Wednesday to deliver the Barrow Hills report on a very successful year to our governing body;
- listened to Karl Hopwood informing us of the astonishing use of mobile phones and devices by children as young as three and four years old. He told us how this can be good, but especially of the need to be aware of our children’s use, the platforms they are using and be there to support them when things go wrong. There are many threats online and these are evolving all the time;
- presented to parents and staff, along with the Treasurer and the Principle of Bridewell, the vision for the school for the next ten years. This included investment of one million pounds into the Barrow Hills site as well as informing parents of the benefits to Barrow Hills of the considerable investment in infrastructure at King Edward’s.
- realised how grown up our Year 6 children have become with their New Beginnings Assembly this morning as they looked back on their time at Barrow Hills and looked to their futures whether that be in Years 7 and 8 here or at their new schools;
- and welcomed many of those joining us in September. Today is the day when all of our children in Kindy to Year 5 spend some time with their class teachers or form tutors for next year.
Tomorrow we welcome back Years 7 and 8. I have seen some of the photographs of their trip and it looks as if they have enjoyed many exciting adventures in glorious surroundings. Also, on Saturday many of our children will have their end of year ballet exams – good luck to all of you doing these!
On Monday, our current Year 6 and Year 7 children will spend some time with their form tutors for next year. Year 6 will have the opportunity to welcome some new children to their cohort and Year 8 continue their post exam programme with an all day bike ride.
I hope that the children manage a restful weekend before the final few days that still hold so much. There are the Pre-Prep Summer Production, the Year 8 Leavers’ Assembly and Prize Giving plus a personal milestone as Niki and I attend our eldest son’s graduation from university – only a year late!
Best wishes
Philip Oldroyd
Head
Pre-Prep
Dear Parents
It was wonderful to see the chapel full of children and parents at our Pre-Prep Awards Assembly on Wednesday. Every teacher spoke about each child with such passion and knowledge and the children were so proud to receive a certificate. We were also treated to a piano recital from four boys in Year 2 who were playing a piece all at the same time! This really caught the attention of their audience! A special mention to Sophie for receiving the ballet cup from Miss Anna.
Year 2 had a great trip to Paulton’s Park on Thursday celebrating the end of the school year together. The teachers loved the relay of going on the rides with the children.
We look forward to seeing you at our Summer Production next week, all Nursery and Kindy children are welcome to join us. Please would parents with younger siblings attend on Tuesday at 9.00am. The performance on Wednesday at 9.00am will be filmed by Wizard Productions and professionally photographed. Refreshments will be available from drop-off in the Refectory.
‘Moving up day’ took place today, allowing the children to spend some time with their teacher in their new classroom. Much thought and time is spent thinking about the classes, taking into account friendships and ensuring a spread of skills and interests.
Have a lovely weekend,
Mrs Rachel E Harris
Head of Pre-Prep
Weekly News
Awards
Silver
Andrew (6R), Elliott (6G), Toby (6R), Charlie (6R), Alfie (6G)
Gold
Felix (4R), James (4R), George (4R)
Arabella (5G), Georgia (5R), Rebecca (5R), Louis (5R), Luke (5R)
Izzy A (6G), Effie (6G), Max (6R), Harry (6G), Daisy-Skye (6R)
Platinum
Phoebe (4R), Philip (4G)
Sophie (5G)
Izzy R (6G)
Can you help?
The BHCC relies on parent participation to ensure successful events. Every parent at Barrow Hills is automatically a member of the Committee and very welcome to come to meetings or pop an idea over. We hope that you continue to support us, beginning with the events planned for the rest of this term. If you feel you can help please contact your rep (see details below), David Brydon or if volunteers are needed you can sign up on Classlist when the event is published.
If you have any questions please contact David Brydon on davidbrydon1992@googlemail.com
Bacon Butties
Thank you for your support this year. You raised £254.40 on this lovely morning.
Class Reps
Nursery: David Cuthbert
Kindy: Katie Boulter and Alex Jenkin
Reception: Rebecca Foord and Kerry Poole
Year 1: Danielle Atkinson and Mark Todd
Year 2: Sara Pickard and Sandra Weeks
Year 3: Madelon Burnett and Michelle Sophocleous
Year 4: Emmah Klein and Marie-Claire Parker
Year 5: Rosemary Cresswell and Natalie Preston
Year 6: Helen Wright and Anthony & Lisa Tugwell
Year 7: Lucy Oldham and Liz Hughes
Year 7: Marja van Ravenstein
Year 8: Jane Hubble
If you shop online, please sign up to easyfundraising to support Barrow Hills School. Easyfundraising turns your everyday online shopping into free donations for your favourite cause.
It’s a really easy way to raise money for us – you just use the easyfundraising site to shop online with more than 3,500 well known online stores. Please visit our easyfundraising page here and click ‘support us’.
School Notices
Food and Drink in Chapel
We kindly ask that you do not bring food or drink into Chapel, thank you.
Engines Off Please!
Did you know that an idling vehicle produces almost twice the emissions as a moving vehicle? Prioritise children’s health and the health of our planet over the comfort of drivers who repeatedly keep their vehicle engine running when parked. Please turn your engine off when waiting in the school car park.
Please return library books before the summer holidays
You have time to finish your book before the end of term!
Search in your classrooms, lockers, under beds and bookshelves. Post returned books into the cupboard in the main library.
Thank you for helping find our lost books, Mrs Dudley
Sally’s Swim School
Sally Crathern, swimming teacher to Pre-Prep is running her next intensive courses during the summer holidays. Dates are Monday 25th – Friday 29th July and 8th – 12th August at King Edward’s Witley. The course is open to all ability levels from non swimmers from the age of 4 to strong, technically able swimmers. Four teachers are in the water with the younger, less experienced swimmers. Lessons will be every half hour from 9.00am to 11.30am. Groups are created according to ability and parents then contacted via email with a specific lesson time.
The cost is £50 for the 5 days x 30 minute lessons. Stronger swimmers will be swimming for 45 minutes costing £75. Please see https://www.sallyswimschool.com/crash-courses for more information and a booking form.
Mobiles and Watches
Ideally children should not bring expensive items like watches and fitbits in to school or on residentials but if they do, please ensure these are named clearly. If your child needs to bring a telephone in to school this MUST be handed to Mr Shreeve on arrival at school and collected only on departure from school and should be turned off please.
The Schools Uniform Shop
Please note the shop is open by appointment; these can be made by the online booking system.
Cancellation of Fixtures
If fixtures are cancelled due to adverse weather, please be assured that we will notify you as soon as we are aware of the change.
Term Dates
Term dates can be found on the school website https://www.barrowhills.org/news-events/term-dates/
Absences on match afternoons
Please notify games staff of any absences on a match afternoon in advance when possible.
Absence Request Form
This Absence Request Form must be completed for any reason that a child is not in school, other than illness. These are also found on the Parent Portal. Thank you.
Portal
Please can we remind you that the majority of the communications are sent via the parent portal on a Tuesday. Communications will vary for each child dependent on a variety of factors e.g. class, gender, sets. The Prep team sheet can be changed at any time therefore we encourage you to check the portal on a regular basis.
Posters Below
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