NEWSLETTERS

Letter from the Headmaster

2 February 2012

Dear Parents,

I thought that it would be a good idea, with half term not too far away, to write to keep you all up to date with everything that is going on at WHS. It has been a very busy half term so far.

Form Four
The children in Form Four have coped tremendously well with the entry exams to senior schools which they have been taking over the last month. They have also been in training for the interviews which are such an important part of the entry process. Early indications are that they have done very well indeed, although I shall wait until every result is safely in before publishing the full list!

Prep Department Show - ‘The Tempest’
Now that the exam period is a thing of the past, rehearsals have begun for the show, which is a musical version of Shakespeare’s play. It is proving very popular with the children. Please put the dates for the performances in your diaries - 21 and 22 March - everyone in the Prep Department will be taking part and I am hoping for some big audiences!

Assistance for the Show
There are plenty of opportunities for parents to get involved in our show - helping with costume production and prop manufacture, for example. If you are able and willing to help out with these - or any other - areas, I should be delighted to hear from you. Please leave a message with Mrs Farthing in the office.

Form Three Information Evening and Parents’ Evening
Just a reminder that we shall be holding the Information Evening for parents of Form Three children regarding entry to senior schools just before the Parents’ Evening on 6 February. You should already have received a separate letter about this - we are looking forward to seeing you all.

School Sport
The relatively mild weather has meant that we have been able to play quite a number of our fixtures in January [although the U9 Netball Festival at Gateways last Friday fell victim to some dreadful weather]. The boys and girls have enjoyed plenty of games - netball, rugby, hockey and cross-country - against other schools and we have been very pleased with the results - these are posted on the ‘Sport’ section of the school website. Special mention must be made of the girls’ U11 netball team who have enjoyed some spectacular wins - well done! Congratulations go to our young sportsmen and women and thanks to all the coaches who work so hard with them. Out of school, Oliver Burton was selected to play tennis for Yorkshire in the competition at Corby, where he did very well, winning two out of three matches. Anna Pateman-Johnson has been selected for the West Yorkshire U12 Development Hockey Squad. Well done, Oliver and Anna!

Off Games
It does occasionally happen that children are well enough to come in to school but that they should not take part in sports [eg if they have an injury]. If this is the case, I ask that you send them in with a note to explain the situation, to avoid any difficulties. This is important for all sports, including swimming!

Future Cross-Country Races
Mr Thompson has asked me to remind you all that the next race in the Wharfedale League will be at Ashlands on 4 February. Full details can be found on the Harriers’ website: www.ilkleyharriers.co.uk/jh/

Musical Successes
Quite a number of children have been taking the ABRSM exams and I am delighted with the results: Anna Pateman-Johnson has passed Grade 2 Flute; Isobella Turner has passed Grade 2 Flute with merit; Flavia Riley-Smith has passed Grade 2 Violin with merit; Lucie Phipps has passed Grade 2 Violin and Grade 1 Singing; Poppy Coultas has passed Grade 1 Flute. Well done to all our musicians and thanks to all the music teachers who work so hard with them.

Carter’s Lane
Please take every care driving along Carter’s Lane, especially in the bad weather. Although the speed limit is 60 mph, this does seem rather inappropriate given the state of the road and the fact that the school is here. Safety First!

Gifts to the Library
Thanks to the Holdsworth and Jaggar families for their gifts of books to the Library, which have been very gratefully received. We are always delighted to have any books, in good condition, which your children have outgrown - the school library remains a very well-used resource and books do need replacing when they have worn out.

Cold Weather [1]
We are having a drive to make sure that the children are dressed appropriately for the weather; please make sure that they have their jumpers or cardigans with them every day and also that their coats are not missing any buttons.

Cold Weather [2]
On really cold days, our cook, Mrs Lancaster, and her team are offering to lay on warm drinks for the children - either warm Ribena or hot chocolate. For this to work successfully, we need to know which children would like this alternative. Please send a note in to Mrs Farthing to state which your child would like. [Please be aware that, without a note, children will be given their usual drinks.]

Sarah Coughlan
Just to let you know - we were delighted to hear that Sarah Coughlan has had a healthy baby boy; both of them are doing very well. We are looking forward to seeing them soon!

Prep Department - Half Term Grades
These will be coming out next week; please be aware that we have made some amendments to the ‘descriptors’ for each grade. These will be detailed on the Grades sheets, so do take a moment to read them carefully.

Visitors
We have had two very enjoyable visits to school this week: Pippa Rochford came to see Form Three on Tuesday afternoon for a fascinating talk about archaeology and the Fire Service came to see Forms Three and Four on Wednesday to teach the children about fire safety. The children thoroughly enjoyed both the visits!

Parents’ Committee
Don’t forget that the Parents’ Committee Pyjama Party takes place tomorrow, Friday 3 February. Pre-booking is essential to ensure that everyone is catered for so, if you have not yet bought a ticket, please do so!

A Few Things to Remember
• Please do not send nuts or foods containing nuts in for break. A number of children have nut allergies!
• Prep Department children need to remember to tell their teachers at registration if they are staying for Prep; if they do not do so until later in the day, it may be too late to arrange for tea for them.
• PP1 children staying until their parents and siblings arrive for Thursday Club may stay from 12.45 pm - 1.30 pm free of charge.

Bedtimes
Please ensure that your children get to bed in good time each evening; we have noticed that there have been quite a lot of yawns and tired faces at school recently, which means that they are not getting the best out of their days!

With every good wish and many thanks for your support of the school in recent weeks,

Yours sincerely,

Charles Holloway
Headmaster