Newsletter - 29/10/07
Dear Parents,
Welcome back after what I hope was a happy and restful half term break.. As the nights draw in and the days seem long, we look forward to a fun filled yet hard-working six weeks ahead.
I am delighted to report on the safe and successful school trip to Pompeii. This was led by Mr Lord, who teaches Spanish and Latin at Sancton Wood and Latin for us here at CIS. I would like to thank him, Mrs Spaxman, Mrs Atkins and Mrs Siegel for overseeing such a happy trip. All children returned safe and well, and by all accounts had a fabulous time. We will look forward to hearing all about it from the travellers. We were delighted to see how well the pupils from both Sancton Wood and CIS integrated and I believe some good friendships have been made. We now look ahead to planning a joint ski trip in February half term.
We have many exciting trips planned for the next few weeks, and of course, children will soon start rehearsing for the school plays which, I hope, may prove a highlight of our term! I am sure you will all be very helpful when it comes to providing costumes. We will try to ask as little as possible, and certainly will not expect very fancy costumes to be made up the night before! We do ask you to help your child learn their lines, be it in a major role or as part of the chorus, all essential parts!
This week, on Thursday, Caribbean class will welcome Year 2 pupils from Sancton Wood, our sister school, who have heard about the chickens and are very keen to come and visit them! I know our pupils will very much enjoy showing off Loopy, Raven and Chuckle and impressing their visitors with the wealth of knowledge they now have about chickens.
Also on Thursday, Arabian pupils will spend the morning with Mrs Shaw Miller in Cambridge continuing their study of Classical and Renaissance Cambridge. They will then have their lunch and return to their classrooms to complete their scrapbooks as we approach the end of this teaching unit. I know the children have learnt a great deal about Cambridge and am glad they have had the opportunity to visit local places of interest.
On Monday November 5th, all pupils in Aegean, Adriatic and Arabian have been invited to take part in a ‘Tree for All’ campaign by the Woodland Trust (see attached letter). Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather and the setting. The experience should be most illuminating for the children and I think they will be proud to be involved in planting trees and helping to ensure the woodland remains well populated.
On Tuesday November 6th, 26 Upper School pupils will be lucky enough to travel to London to see the highly praised Terracotta Warriors exhibition. More details as to which classes are to attend are to follow later in the week.
Ms Rogerson has asked me to pass on her requests that all children attend sports lessons with the following uniform and equipment. (see attachment) She is becoming frustrated by the number of children still inappropriately kitted out, and I would like all pupils this term to make a really good effort to wear the correct kit. Thankyou, parents, for your help in this.
We have made a few changes to some of the classes over the holidays. We had long confirmed that the (largely) Year 9 group would be made into a class of their own after half term, so welcome Ionian, our new class. There will still be some lessons taken with Tyrennhian pupils, including all sporting and dramatic lessons. All Upper School classes are closely integrated with some pupils benefiting from working in a higher or lower level group for a particular subject and this will still continue where appropriate.
We have also, following our first half term of assessments moved a few other pupils into more suitable classes. We track pupil progress very carefully, and we are confident that all pupils who are moving classes will be well stimulated and happy in their new grouping. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions relating to this. We do not intend to make any further class changes during the School year. This was simply done now as a result of our first half term of assessments. We believe all pupils are now in the best grouping for their academic and emotional levels of maturity.
I do hope the children will enjoy the new surfaces which are now laid down in both playgrounds. We have made great progress in improving our outdoor area, and although we still have some way to go, are pleased to see it looking more respectable. We look forward to seeing the vegetable garden take shape in the next few weeks.
Thankyou for your extremely generous support of The Blue House appeal to provide housing for street children in Peru. Mrs Talavera, who is closely involved in this project was most touched at the effort put in with the cake sales and with the final amount of over £200 which was raised. This will make a real difference. Thankyou so much. (And what wonderful cakes……I considered it my duty to buy a large number, as did many staff, and we all had a thoroughly enjoyable day!)
We look forward to seeing you at our forthcoming Parents Evenings. Reminders will be sent nearer the time.
Please also send in your money to reserve your tickets for the Blues Night! We very much hope to play to a Full House, and have just a few tickets left to sell. The evening promises to be great fun and will provide the height of good music and company!
With warmest regard to all parents and pupils.
Harriet Sturdy (Dr)
Principal
Cambridge International School
