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Newsletter

2 nd September 2010

GENERAL NEWS

SCHOLARSHIP CONGRATULATIONS – We are delighted to announce that three of our former Year 8 pupils have won the following awards from Cranbrook School: Finn Austin-Macrae and Nick Ferris - Major Scholarships and Tommy Walden-Smith - Minor Scholarship.

DISTRIBUTION OF CIRCULARS – The youngest child in the family will bring any circulars home – please remember to ask your children if they have anything important buried at the bottom of their school bag!Please help save paper by having the newsletter e-mailed to you each week - either e-mail schooloffice and add @dcpskent.org or write a note in your child’s prep book. Please remember, also, that the newsletter is always available to read on the school website – www.dcpskent.org .

SOCIAL EVENINGS THIS TERM – There will be three Social Evenings this term, for parents of all children in Little Stream and in Years 5 and 7. The Year 5 Evening will be on Tuesday 7 th September at 7.00pm in the John Leakey Hall. The Little Stream Evening will be on Wednesday 8 th September at 7.00 pm in the Little Stream Hall, and the Year 7 Evening will be on Thursday 16 th September at 7.00 pm in the John Leakey Hall. These occasions are intended simply as get-togethers for parents and staff who may not yet know each other – they are nota good time to discuss your child’s progress with staff. There will be Parents’ Evenings later in the year, when all aspects of your child’s school career can be discussed.

BENENDEN SCHOOL TRAVELLING ART EXHIBITION – Mr Rob Leighton, Head of Art at Benenden, will be setting up a series of boards in the John Leakey Foyer from Monday 13 th September until Friday 24 th September displaying a selection of work produced by Benenden pupils.   This will be a great opportunity for the children to see the work achieved at Benenden and we hope that all parents will be able to pop in and have a look.

STAFF EMAIL ADDRESSES – In order to avoid spam e-mails at school we will be changing how we print email addresses in the newsletter. All staff email addresses are their first initial, surname and @dcpskent.org (e.g. we will print “Mr S Webb and add @dcpskent.org” which will become swebb@dcpskent.org ). Emails to the Headmaster should be sent to headmaster and add@dcpskent.org.

FRIENDS OF DCPS WALK AND TEA – The Friends are running their very popular walk and tea on the afternoon of Sunday 26 th September. A letter with an entry form will be sent home to all families next week but please keep the date free!

DRAGON BOAT RACE - Chocolate Tombola - The Friends of DCPS are running a chocolate tombola in aid of Clic Sargent at the Dragon Boat Race being held at Bewl Water on Sunday 12 th September.  We would be extremely grateful for any chocolate donations. Please leave them at the School Offices in Nash House, Little Stream or Upper School by Friday 10 th September or contact Annabel Preston 01580 292404 annabel.preston@virgin.net

SILVER COIN SURPRISE - The Friends of DCPS will be finishing their Dragon Boat fundraising efforts with a 'Silver Coin Surprise' during the day on Thursday 9th September. We would be most grateful if all the children could bring any UK silver coins in to school that day for a Silver Trail with a difference (weather permitting). As this event will take place on the Year 5 Car Park, parking will be on the grass on that day.

CRANBROOK SCHOOL ADMISSIONS – From September 2010, all admissions to Kent state schools need to be made through Kent County Council.  This means that parents wishing to apply to Cranbrook School have to fill in a KCC form.  The Registrar at Cranbrook School has written to parents whose children are already on her list for entry in 2011.  Parents of children who wish to enter their children for Cranbrook School are reminded that it is their responsibility to register their child.  It is not possible for DCPS to do this for you.

CHANGES OF ADDRESS AND/OR TELEPHONE NUMBERS – Please let the School Office know if you have moved house or changed any of your telephone numbers (including mobiles) during the holidays. You will appreciate that it is vital that we know how to contact parents during the school day.

CHRISTIAN PARENT GROUP COFFEE MEETING – Tuesday 7 th September 8.45 am in the Manor Common Room. All are welcome to come and join other Christian parents for a cup of coffee and a chance to chat about school, parenting concerns and any other issues. Parents new to the school would be particularly welcome. (Please note: NOT Wednesday 15 th September as also printed in the school calendar.)

CALENDAR AMENDMENTS –

13 th October Chamber Choir Outing will not take place

9 th November Year 8 Coffee Morning in the John Leakey Foyer (not Year 7)

ECO CLUB - The new Eco Club will bring together children from Upper School and Little Stream to work on various projects including recycling of paper and food waste, energy efficiency in the school buildings, gardening and playground projects, as well as many other green ideas.  The first meeting of the Eco Club will be on Tuesday 28 th September at 4.00 pm in the Green Room at Upper School.  If your child would like to take part please e-mail EcoClub and add @dcpskent.org.  Also, if any parent has a specific expertise that you would be able to share with the Club, please e-mail EcoClub as above.

SIMMONDS - The school uniform shop will no longer be able to accept cheques. However, they do take cash and debit/credit cards but unfortunately not AMEX.

ABSENTEES – A request should be made in writing to the Headmaster (Upper School), to Mrs Bradley (Little Stream) or to Mrs Marriott (Nash House) if you would like your child to miss a day of school for any reason other than illness. Notification of absence through illness should be emailed to schooloffice and add @dcpskent.org (Upper School), or to Mrs C Allen and add @dcpskent.org (Little Stream and Nash House).

ELECTRONIC NOTICEBOARD ON THE DRIVE – Please remember to check the electronic notice board, if you drive past it in the morning and evening. This is updated every day and during the day, and is a good source of information about any changes that may have taken place, or any upcoming events.

UPPER SCHOOL

COFFEE MORNING for PARENTS OF NEW CHILDREN IN UPPER SCHOOL – Wednesday 22 nd September from 8.45 am in the John Leakey Hall Foyer. Staff would be delighted to see as many parents as possible at this Coffee Morning. There will be Coffee Mornings for all Upper School year-groups through the term – Year 6 on Tuesday, 28 th and Year 7 on Thursday 30 th September, Year 8 on 9 th November and Year 5 on 30 th November.

ART CLUBS – Monday (Years 7 & 8) , Tuesday - 'Scholars' Art (Years 7 & 8) , Wednesday - (Years 5 & 6) commencing Monday 13 th September. Clubs will have a maximum of 18 children, with the exception of 'Scholars' Art which is run for those children who intend to take an Art Scholarship in Year 8. The Club will be open to the first 18 pupils to see Mrs Westcott or Mrs Leighton and we do ask these children to honour their commitment and excuse themselves if they are unable to attend. Any children on the waiting list will have priority in the Spring Term. We hope that this will not cause any disappointment but it is extremely important that the children receive adequate teacher time and assistance during the hour.

CRANBROOK SCHOOL OPEN MORNING - Saturday 18 September at 10.30 am in the Queen’s Hall

13+ Information Session for those looking at entry in September 2011. The Head will outline how you can help your child prepare for the entrance test. Please note that the test for September 2011 day entry is Feb 5th 2011. Space is very limited so please do not bring younger children with you.

Please note there are no tours during or after the information sessions but these can be booked in advance and will take place on Tuesday 21 st September at 9.10 am and Wednesday 22 nd September at 11.30am. To book a place on one of the information sessions, and or a place on a tour of the school, please call the Cranbrook School Office on 01580 711800.

These tours are designed for day candidates and boarding candidates are advised to book an individual tour at another time.

YEAR 8 BOARDING ON FRIDAY NIGHTS –Year 8 pupils are welcome to board on the Friday night before a Saturday Clinic. Please e-mail Mrs K Montgomery and add @dcpskent.org for The Lodge (boys) or Miss C Fosbery and add @dcpskent.org for The Manor (girls). The first clinic is on Saturday 11 th September.

BOARDING YEARS 5 - 8 - If you would like to register your child to board during this academic year please pick up a Boarding Registration Form from the Upper School Office.

SKI TRIP TO PASSO TONALE – Any new children who would like to join the Ski Trip during the Easter holiday should contact/email Mr M Schuldt and add @dcpskent.org . The deadline for booking a place is Friday 10 th September.  The information letter is available from the Upper School Office. 

IAPS SWIMMING – For children in Years 5—8. Anyone interested in joining – please contact Fiona Morgan fionasusanmorgan@lineone.net .

SENIOR SCHOOL OPEN DAYS

Bethany School Saturday 18 th September 01580 211273 www.bethanyschool.org.uk

Royal Alexandra &

Albert School, Reigate Saturday 18 th & 25 th September 01737 649000 www.raa-school.co.uk

Royal Russell School Saturday 25 th September 020 8657 4433 www.royalrussell.co.uk

SPORT NOTICES

• ALL GIRLS SHOULD HAVE A HOCKEY STICK AT SCHOOL and a temporary gum shield which they can use until their Opro shield arrives.
• LOST - Toby White 8R has lost his named tracksuit bottoms. Perhaps someone took them home last term by mistake? Please return to the Upper School Office.

LITTLE STREAM & NASH HOUSE

LITTLE STREAM & NASH HOUSE AFTER-SCHOOL CARE CLUB – Please complete the slip at the end of this newsletter if you would like to make a regular booking in this club, the cost of which (£5.60 per session for Years 3 & 4, £6.50 for Years 1 & 2 & Nash House) will  be charged to your end of term account.  One-off bookings are also possible, please put a note in your child’s Prep Book or email lsoffice and add @dcpskent.org , and please try to give at least 24 hours’ notice.  If you do need to book on the day please check with the Little Stream office after drop-off to confirm that a place is available.

NASH HOUSE AND LITTLE STREAM PARENT CONTACT LISTS – We have included our new pupils’ contact details on the Parent Contact Lists ready for distribution to parents.  Before we do so however, could parents please check the lists that are outside your child’s form room and let the Little Stream Office know of any changes to their details before Thursday 9 th September.

LITTLE STREAM

SPORT NOTICES

• ALL SPORTS CLUBS WILL START NEXT WEEK
• SWIMMING KIT – Must be at school at all times.
• ALL SPORTS KIT – Must be named.

NASH HOUSE

WELCOME BACK - to all existing Nash House children and to all the new children.

MOTHERS & TODDLERS - Groups start this week on Tuesday and Wednesday at 2.15 pm in The Oast House Nursery. All children who have registered so far have places.  We do however have a few more places available so please come and talk to Mrs Marriott about spaces.

We also have Zoo Lab visiting on Thursday 9 th September in the morning. If you would like your child to handle some live animals please let Mrs Marriott know. All under-3 siblings (even if they do not attend the Mother and Toddler group) are welcome providing we know in advance.

STAR OF THE WEEK - This starts on Friday 10 th September.  Coffee will be served in the hall from 8.30 am followed by a 9.00 am Assembly at which all parents are welcome.

RECEPTION GRANDPARENTS' ASSEMBLY - All Reception children's grandparents are invited to a 10.00 am Assembly on Monday 13 th September, followed by a craft activity and lunch with their grandchild.

WELLIES - Please remember all children need wellies and a coat at school, just in case!

SPORTS NEWS  

PE Matchline Number – 01580 710100 (this is not an answerphone).  

IAPS TENNIS RESULTS - JULY 2010 – Baz Knox and Harry Langham won the boys' U14 doubles plate.

Sarah Ross made the quarter-finals of the U14 girls' singles . Sarah Ross and Annie Streek made the semi-finals of the girls' doubles . Oscar Haynes-Brown made the quarter-finals of the U12 boys' singles .  

AFTER-SCHOOL CARE CLUBS

Please complete and return this form to your child’s Form Teacher, if you would like to make a regular booking in the After-School Care Club, or email lsoffice and add @dcpskent.org

CHILD’S NAME ………………………………………………………...………… Form ……..……