Weekly Newsletter 30th April 2021

Dear Parents

Having waited a year for our first inter school sports fixtures, it was typical that it rained on Wednesday resulting in all cricket matches being cancelled. At least the girls managed to play some netball and dodgeball! Fortunately, the sun came out again yesterday and the girls and boys in Years 3 and 4 were able to play their cricket fixtures. Before the end of the school season, I am hopeful that spectators will be back on site to cheer the children on.

Our children are really enjoying being back to some sort of normality and are throwing themselves wholeheartedly into all areas of school life. As I have been showing prospective parents around, I continually see the children running gleefully from lesson to lesson and as I peer through doors and windows of the Thomas Moore, science labs and the DT workshop and art studio they enthusiastically and impressively explain what they are doing.

We have been finalising the calendar for summer term events and next week we will be sending you a summary of the key dates for your diaries. Please continue to monitor the calendar and your portal notifications as teachers are still looking at opportunities for trips, visits and onsite activities. Details will be sent to specific year groups as and when necessary over the coming weeks.

Thinking of calendars, I have one on my desk that provides me with a thought provoking quiz question everyday. The one for today disappointed me as I knew the answer straight away so won’t be mulling it over as I sit at my desk or meander around the school. However, I am not sure whether it will be as obvious to the younger generation. Therefore you might wish to ask this to your children over the bank holiday weekend. If any of them can discover the answer without being told and can tell me on Tuesday I will give them a credit for being scholarly. Here’s the question, “In this week in 1789, master’s mate Fletcher Christian led a mutiny aboard which ship that was sailing from Tahiti to the West Indies?”.

Finally, I would like to congratulate Phoebe, Louis, Cade and Harry in Year 8 and Heidi in Year 6 for gaining sports scholarships to their chosen schools for next year. Many sports scholarships could not take place during lockdown and had to be delayed to the end of last term and the holidays. This means that we have had pleasing success with scholarships this year, securing a total of 13 awards, of which 10 were scholarships. A quarter of our 11+ leavers and 41% of our 13+ leavers depart with an award to their senior schools. They comprise two academic awards, three drama, two art and six sport. This goes to show that children at Barrow Hills get an all round education and the staff spot and nurture talent in their specific fields. This is noticed and rewarded by our destination schools. Well done everybody!

Kind regards

Philip Oldroyd

Head

Pre-Prep

The first full week back of the summer term and it feels like we are now in full swing with clubs and activities all now running and being much enjoyed. The teachers have been really pleased with how everyone is settling back in and my thanks to Mrs Crisell and the children (and you!) for resuming remote teaching at a moment’s notice.

Chicken and noodles were much enjoyed on our “make it mine” menu this week. The noodles seemed a bit like marmite, loved or hated by the children!

As is normal for this time of year, the weather has been varied, so please make sure sun cream is applied at home and a hat, trainers and wellies are always in school.

Have a fantastic long weekend.

Mrs Rachel E Harris

Head of Pre-Prep