Dear Parents,

It is such a relief to get to the end of a normal school week without the dreaded words ‘snow closure' becoming a reality. I should like to thank all our parents, pupils and staff for their good humour and resilience in trying times. We were fortunate in some ways that the disruption at the beginning of term did not further impact on school activities. We managed to facilitate all the external examinations which proved a great relief to our senior students. I am so grateful to those members of staff who walked into school, often from some distance, to ensure that all could go ahead. The postponed entrance examination for the Senior School, with a bumper number of applicants, finally took place last weekend. I apologise for any inconvenience to Year 6 parents and thank those members of staff who came in on Saturday at short notice and Mrs Pigott for reorganising the Admissions process so effectively. The quality of applicants was very high. We have already marked all the papers and hope to get results out at exactly the same time as in previous years.

A very small number of parents queried the necessity of snow closures. I can only say that we are always utterly determined to keep the school open whenever possible. Very few of our teachers live in Alton and, whilst the school would never close purely because of a failure of the school coaches to run, the advice of bus companies on road conditions influences my decision.  I   found myself marooned on one occasion when I attempted to get to school on one of the closure days. I cannot unreasonably expect teachers or parents to put themselves and the children at risk. I know parents of four wheel drive vehicles can become frustrated but I am afraid very few teachers have such cars. On the basis of my intelligence from teachers, I must attempt to calculate the likelihood of attracting more children to school than can be reasonably and effectively taught. We are now in the process of revising schemes of work to ensure that all the relevant work is completed this term. This may mean some additional evening or holiday workshops for senior students. For younger pupils it will inevitably necessitate some trimming of one or two of the curriculum enrichment activities. Rest assured we will take all steps possible to ensure our students are not disadvantaged and to keep any cancellations to a minimum. 

I must belatedly welcome Mr Shaun Oliver to our school. He joins the Science department and has the unenviable task of replacing Mr Pluck. I am confident he will soon become an institution in his own right and wish him every success and happiness in his career here. A number of timetable changes have resulted from Mr Pluck's retirement as I sought to share some of his responsibilities between senior staff and balance timetables for others. Changes have also been put in place to ensure continuity and quality of provision for drama during a short temporary absence of Miss Glass. Mr Maher as Deputy Head in charge of Curriculum and Ethos is monitoring this provision.

In the Prep School too there have been a number of timetable modifications. Mrs Riches has returned full time to her class following surgery. We are grateful to Mrs Hinds who provided supply cover for Year 4R and await with excitement for news of a ‘new arrival'. Mrs Hillier confirmed during the Christmas holiday that she would commence her maternity leave during the first week of term.  Mrs Seth-Smith agreed to take pastoral responsibility for 2X.  She will work closely with Mrs Davis who herself plans to take maternity leave later this year.  Mrs Seth-Smith will continue to teach core subjects to 3S. I have reorganised the Year 3 timetable to ensure as much continuity for all the children as is possible. Parents will be delighted to know that Mrs Beard has agreed to take over Mrs Wilding's library sessions. 

The Garden House Day Care Nursery is nearing completion in the walled garden.  It is to open in the week beginning Monday 1^st February, when we will welcome our first baby to the day care unit. Mrs Spooner will continue to manage the whole nursery which will now be open from 8.00am - 6.00pm, 52 weeks a year.  There will be some changes in procedure but new staff  are being appointed to ensure we can provide excellent care for all our children.  Miss Kayleigh Rainbird, an experienced nursery practitioner has joined the staff this week and will work initially with the over 2's. We hope this exciting initiative will provide an exceptional service  to  parents in our local community.

Parents will be aware of a number of events taking place this term.  In particular I should like to draw your attention to the Prep School Environmental Studies week which is intended to kick start a number of environmental initiatives including a school garden.  We may well be asking help from enthusiastic gardeners amongst our parents to help to give us a good start.  The Senior School Drama Production will now take place on March 3^rd and 4^th which is a change from the published date.  The Spring Fashion Show has been moved to Thursday March 18^th and details of this event will follow in due course. The Third Form Options Evening has now been scheduled for Monday 1^st March at 7.00pm.   One imminent event is the School Concert in aid of the India expedition.  This will take place on Tuesday 2^nd February.  Tickets are available from the General Office. 

I should like to thank parents and pupils for their exceptional response to our Haiti Earthquake Appeal.  So far we have counted more than £2100 and more is coming in daily.  We plan to send the cheque off next week to give time for late donations.

I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming weeks in what I hope, despite its unpromising  start, will prove to be a very productive term.

S E Kirkham

Headmistress