Dear Parents,
Happy New Year! I hope you have all had a wonderful, peaceful break and enjoyed your time with friends and family. We have been back in the office, busy making plans and warming up the school on this very frosty Friday in preparation for teachers and pupils returning next week. I wanted to send this update for you with a few key reminders for the start of the Spring Term, as well as a roundup of some exciting site developments and staff information.
Before the children return on Wednesday we have two INSET days where we will be finalising plans for the Spring Term Theme of Investigation, Our Planet. Curriculum Overviews will be up on the website next Friday and we will share the link in the update.
Welcome Back Coffee: Don't forget to come and join us during drop-off on Wednesday morning to warm up with a hot drink and catch up after the Christmas break. We would love to see you there!
New Nursery Classroom Reveal: Since the October half-term the Science room has undergone an exciting transformation and is now almost ready for our four-year-olds to move into. Our Early Years and Site teams will be busy adding the finishing touches on Monday. This change has allowed us to have a dedicated room for two-year-olds downstairs in the Nursery and we are excited to welcome our first pupils in this year group next week! We hope they will enjoy exploring their new setting together and meeting lots of new friends. Here are a couple of photos, with more to follow of the completed rooms in use next week.
Finally, a quick look back to the end of last term and a huge thank you to everyone who donated money for Christmas Jumper Day and to the Carol Service collection. In total we raised £301.76, which will go to support local charity Reading Refugee Support Group.
Calendar Updates
The website calendar is now up-to-date until the Easter break. Follow the link below to view details for the term's events and we will highlight any changes here each week. A few key dates to note:
- Term starts: Wednesday 8 January, following two INSET days.
- Welcome Back Coffee: Join us for a coffee and catch up during drop-off on Wednesday 8 January.
- Swimming: For this half-term, Reception and Year 1 will continue their sessions on Tuesday and Years 2 and 3 will go on Wednesday.
- Pangbourne Woods: Year 2 on Monday 13 January.
- Fixtures: The first tag rugby fixture for Years 3 and 4 will be on Friday 10 January vs Upton House and for Years 5 and 6 on Wednesday 15 January vs Sherfield (Home). Details will be updated on the website calendar at the beginning of each week.
- Little Hatchlings Stay & Play: The first session will be on Thursday 16 January.
- Celebration Assembly: The first Celebration Assembly of the Spring Term will be on Friday 17 January.
Contacting the School Office
A reminder that to simplify communications with the school office, we would appreciate it if all parents sending information regarding absences, appointments, changes to bus requirements or any other pupil information could use the email address office@stedwardsprep.com. Don't worry, this will reach both Mrs Russell and Miss Ruddick and be recorded in the same way.
After-School Provision
A reminder that After-School Care begins on Wednesday but clubs do not start until Monday 13 January (with the exception of Martial Arts, which starts on Friday 10 January). You can find the updated timetable for the Spring Term linked below.
Equipment and Uniform Reminders
Uniform & Appearance: Please ensure children have the correct uniform and are looking smart for the first day back. The full list is on the website under Key Info. We also ask that they have no Grade 0 haircuts or shaved lines in their hair.
Equipment for Prep School: Children in Years 3 to 6 are expected to bring the following basic stationery items each day:
- Year 3: HB pencil, 15cm ruler, sharpener, rubber, set of colouring felt tip pens or pencils, glue stick, rounded scissors.
- Year 4: As for Year 3 plus a Berol Handwriting pen or Friction pen.
- Year 5 & 6: As for Year 4 plus a Maths Set.
Staffing Updates
We have a couple of staff changes to share with you for the new term. Firstly, Mr Slade will be transferring from his role as Site Supervisor to join our team of Bus Drivers, so expect to see him out and about on the school runs and at our various sporting events. He is already a familiar face for the children so it will be great to have him supporting them when they travel outside of St Edward's. I would like to thank Peter for all he has done in his current role and am very pleased that he will still be part of our community.
We have recruited a new Site Supervisor and are looking forward to welcoming Daryl Hopkins. He is a very experienced tradesman across a range of skills and will be a great addition to our site team. He will be joining us for one day a week until February half term and then full time after the break.
Finally, we are excited to have Tanya Crombie as our new KS1 Teaching Assistant, as well as providing support to the Nursery at this time of growth. She is a qualified Early Years Practitioner, as well as having experience as a Teaching Assistant and Playground Supervisor. She will also be taking on Mrs Brockway's role at break times, and her friendly and welcoming nature will help all the children quickly get to know her.
Food as Gifts
We would like to confirm that any food intended as gifts for pupils should not be brought into school to be distributed. It must be given outside of school.
If there is anything you need ahead of the first day back on Wednesday, please do contact the office who will be happy to help - office@stedwardsprep.com or 0118 957 4342.
Stay warm, enjoy the snow if it arrives and I look forward to seeing you next week!
Best wishes,
Jonathan