This short week has been one of contrasts. It began in sombre and respectful fashion of course with the historic events to mark the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and we would like to thank all parents who have been signing the Book of Condolence in reception, as well as encourage those who would like to do so to visit.

The week is now concluding joyously with our first Celebration Assembly and Super Stars’ Assembly in the Prep and Pre-Prep respectively; congratulations to all of the children recognised on these occasions for their efforts and achievements. In between, the Year 6 residential trip was both character-developing and tremendous fun and the School site has been alive with the sounds of Sport, Music, Forest School and the coffee morning for Pre-Prep parents to name but a few.

Hopefully some parents have begun to notice the driveway flowing a little more smoothly in the mornings as we have adjusted the parking spaces. One further request is to use the drop off zone immediately outside of the playground on the right-hand side only to pull up and not to park – this will improve flow still further. Thank you too for the reduction in idling of cars as children are dropped off and collected. Please also note that the only supervision of children in School before 8.00am is in the Breakfast Club and children should not be dropped before that time unless they are booked into Breakfast Club.

I am thoroughly looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible at the ‘Meet the Head’ events next week too of course; we hope these will take place on the lawn outside of School House, although the wet weather contingency plan will be in the Dining Hall. On that note, it emerged at the coffee morning this week that not all parents are making use of the School Portal, or Famly for parents in Nursery, and I would like to encourage you to do so with so much useful information available there, including upcoming event details and menus for the weeks ahead for instance.

Finally, next Friday also sees the first SVPSPA event of the academic year and we will hope for a fabulous turnout right across our community, as well as an entertaining football match for parents and ample cake sales on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Yours faithfully

Mr Mark Scholey, Head