Claires Court Bulletin
NURSERY AND GIRLS
Bulletin 11|Lent Term 2015
Email: als@clairescourt.com
Website: www.clairescourt.com
Location: SL6 6AW, United Kingdom
Phone: 01628 411480
Facebook: www.facebook.com/clairescourt
Twitter: @clairescourt
NEWS FROM THE HEADS
On Wednesday I sneaked out of school early, well 4.30 anyway, and travelled to London to hear the Southbank Sinfonia, conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy. The Southbank Sinfonia is unique in the UK as it brings together 33 outstanding young music graduates from all over the world, for a nine month opportunity to live and play together under some of the greatest conductors in the world. Given their relative youth the orchestra plays with great freedom, energy and ‘con brio’, and I was struck how their revered leader had the confidence just to let them go and play without fear. Read more >>>
This week has seen 4 Year 6 girls and boys travel to St John’s Beaumont for the annual Maths challenge - the pupils worked very hard and thoroughly enjoyed themselves too. Well done to the Junior Boys who achieved “Runners Up”. Read more >>>
Transition and Nursery children have started talking and learning about Easter. They have been cutting out and printing related things as well as starting their Easter baskets, carrots, cards, bonnets and enjoying a range of related stories. Transition paraded their hats around the nursery rooms which we all loved seeing. Read more >>>
IMPORTANT NOTICES
END OF TERM MAILING: the mailing will be coming home with your daughter (Nursery may well be posted home) on Tuesday. It will include your invoice for the Summer term, Grade Card (Years 7 - 10) Newsletter from the Principals and Dates for the Diary. The dates will also be posted on the website. There is also an important document for parents of Years 7 - 10 regarding Summer Term exam arrangements and a letter for Year 11 parents.
3 FOR 3 CHARITY WEEK: the cash has still been flooding in this week and Mrs Smith has been glued to her desk counting! The latest figure, which may still rise further, is a whopping £3344.97 for Nursery, Girls and Sixth Form.
Year 6, on their own, raised £2074.43!! They had set themselves a target of £2000.01 and unbelievably managed to beat it! Their fundraising included a 12 hour Sponsored Silence from 7am until 7pm; an Art Auction (the class each produced a piece of artwork (some did two) and these were auctioned off to the highest bidders); a cake sale in the School atrium and a raffle of a kindly donated cage full of chocolate.
FROM THE SCHOOL OFFICE
MMR Catch up Programme: Letters will be sent home to Year 8 and Year 11 next week regarding a catch up programme for those children who have missed, or not completed, their course of MMR.
*NON-TRIP LETTERS SENT HOME THIS WEEK
GCSE Drama - information on extra rehearsal on 13 April (yes, in the holidays!). Parents have been asked to return the confirmation slip by Tuesday 31 March. This was emailed home to parents and girls took a copy home.
FORTHCOMING DATES
Mon 30 Mar - Early Buses only
Tues 31 Mar - END OF TERM (half day for Girls, full day for Nursery. After School Care available for Nursery children).
Tues 31 Mar - Easter Golf Day
DURING HOLIDAYS!
Wed 13 April - GCSE Drama rehearsals (a letter has been sent home and emailed)
Mon 20 April - Year 11 GCSE PE Practical Moderation Preparation 9am
Mon 20 April - Year 11 GCSE Drama Practical Rehearsal 12 - 4.30pm
ADVANCE DATES & REMINDERS
Tues 21 April - Nursery & School commence - Early buses/ No after school activities
Pre and After - School Care will operate as normal.
Fri 24 April - CILIP Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Medal 2015 Launch (see Library News below)
Mon 27 April - After School Activities and late buses commence
TRIPS (*Letter sent home this week)
6 -11/12 April - Year 10 Rowing Training Camp in Hazewinkel - FINAL URGENT CALL for final payment, Medical Form & Rules!
11 - 18 April - Ski Trip to Les Menuires - FINAL CALL for copy Passports and Information Sheets - any outstanding are now OVERDUE!!
Fri 24 April - Year 10 to Ypres - copy passport and payment OVERDUE and Medical Form and Ground Rules by Tuesday 31 March.
Fri 24 -Mon 27 April - Years 8 & 9 Netball Tour to Butlins - consent slip and final payment, any outstanding are now OVERDUE!
LIBRARY NEWS
Carnegie and Greenaway Book Awards
The shortlists for the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals, the UK's oldest and most prestigious children's book awards have been announced! Run by The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) the Carnegie Medal is awarded for an outstanding book for children and young people and the Kate Greenaway Medal is presented to an outstanding book in terms of illustration. Often described by authors and illustrators as 'the one they want to win', they are the gold standard in children's literature.
We will be shadowing both these book awards in Junior and Senior Book clubs until the winner is announced in June. Girls will be asked to read all the shortlisted books, evaluate their favourites and finally vote for their own Medal winner. For more information go to their website or come and see the shortlisted titles in the Libraries. A great idea for an Easter Holiday read!
PTA NEWS
The PTA were thrilled to see nearly 400 children and parents enjoying all things chocolate and egg related! As well as their traditional Egg Hunt trail the new competitions seemed to go down very well. Luke Robertson in Year 2 won the egg decorating competition with his Humpty Dumpty entry and Toby Carter in Reception won the Big Egg Drop competition with his impressive rocket decorated in school colours and piloted by himself and the school Principals! The Big Egg Drop drew large crowds of spectators throughout the afternoon, so well done to everyone who entered.
PUPIL NEWS
HOLIDAY CLUB & SPORTS CLUB
Holiday Club is ready for plenty of fun at the College Avenue site from Tuesday 7 to Friday 17 April. Sports Club is also all set to return to the Junior Boys site on Tuesday 7 and Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 April… Spaces are still available for all Holiday Activities – BOOK NOW (by today, Friday 27) for discounted rate.
SPORT
Visit the schoolsports website for all details of teams, venues travel arrangements.
FIXTURES
Mon 23 Mar - U15 Hockey Tournament at St Mary's School, Ascot
Tues 24 Mar - U15 Hockey v Windsor Girls, U13 A & B Hockey v Marist at Braywick astro
Wed 25 Mar - U8 & U9 Netball v Highfield, 4.15pm start - HOME
Wed 25 Mar - U12 & U13 Netball at Kidwells
Thurs 26 Mar - U13 Netball v Newlands, 3.45pm start at Newlands
Thurs 26 Mar - Sports Photos for Years 3 - 13. Please ensure all team players have the correct kit for photos, and please ensure it is clean!
All hockey sticks can be taken home this week. After Easter, girls will be participating in swimming, athletics and tennis during their PE and Games lessons. Please ensure correct kit is bought in. Girls can buy spikes for athletics however please speak to a member of the PE department before purchasing them.