11th December 2009

Dear Parents,

As we arrive at the end of the Autumn Term and head towards 2010 there is so much to celebrate.

Everything we do at school is aimed at creating a culture which actively celebrates and acknowledges individual and group achievements. In order to do this, we are mindful of the need to educate our children in a holistic way; by challenging them academically, by inculcating spiritual, moral and cultural awareness and developing social skills which ensure our pupils are confident and articulate young people.

This term, as in each and every term, we have ensured that these aims feature in our lessons, trips out and about, assemblies; indeed in everything we do.

Academic Work

Academically this term, the staff and pupils have been very busy, especially in Year 6, where the final preparations for Common Entrance and Senior School Transfer Examination have been made in order to ensure the children are ready to give of their best in January. I very much hope all these young people ensure they have a good break this Christmas and return with their batteries fully charged.

Inspection

As many of you are aware, I am a school inspector for the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate and this term I inspected a school in Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire. Once again the opportunity to visit another school and to inspect it following the rigorous guidelines laid down by the ISI, proved invaluable. As always I returned to Prince’s Mead glad to be home again with all the pupils, staff and parents.

Christmas Events

The school has been filled with the sound of carols being sung and angels and shepherds have been seen wandering in all areas of the school during the past few weeks. We have been entertained by the Theatre Music Workshop and their performance of the Nativity, by Nursery and Reception with ‘Whoops-a-Daisy Angel’ and by Year 1 with ‘A Present for the Baby’. Our Christmas Service in Winchester Cathedral was a moving and beautiful occasion and in addition to the school choirs, orchestra and pupil readers we welcomed Claire Rutter and Stephen Gadd who sang with the choir. In addition, Year 2 joined in the celebrations in the Cathedral for the first time and their singing and readings were a delight. Our final Christmas concert with music and performances from the choirs and musicians was a wonderful way to end the term. There was much active participation from the audience and pupils and in addition to it being a truly family occasion, a great deal of money was raised for the school we support in Tamil Nadu, India.

Charity Work and Visitors

We have again welcomed visitors to school, including the Revd. Bill Matthews who led our Remembrance Service. After the service a wreath was laid at the Martyr Worthy War Memorial by Head Girl Rachel
Allison and Head Boy Hammy Harvey. The Alresford Round Table co-ordinated the shoe box appeal this year and we donated 67 gift boxes for children in orphanages overseas. We supplied Christmas gifts for the children supported by the local charity, HomeStart. We also welcomed the author Andy Stanton to school and his humour was greatly enjoyed by the children and we held a Scholastic Book Fair.

PMA

The PMA has worked tirelessly this term and I thank them for co-ordinating the Fireworks Spectacular, the Christmas Fair and for funding the pantomime ‘Robin Hood’. I thank the Committee, so ably led by Mel Renwick and Vanessa Weiglhofer, for all they have done for the School this past term.

I would like to remind you that the Spring Term starts on Tuesday 5 January, 2010.

I wish you all a Joyful Christmas and Peaceful New Year and I look forward to seeing you in 2010.

Yours sincerely,

Miss P S Kirk
Headmistress