We have been notified that the Hampshire Primary Care Trust is introducing a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) immunisation programme from September 2008 for girls in school year 8. A catch-up programme will run for two years from September 2009 such that all girls under 18 are offered the vaccine. HPVs are responsible for most cases of cervical cancer and this new vaccine is highly effective in preventing infection. There are 2,000 women diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in England with 400 deaths. A vaccination course consists of 3 injections delivered over a period of 6 months. This will be free of charge. The web site for information is http//www.immunisation.nhs.uk

Our fundraising for this year’s Good Shepherd Appeal on behalf of the Catholic Chidlren’s Society reached its climax on the last Friday of term. At lunchtime, the prep school joined the senior school for a simple, frugal lunch of bread, cheese and fruit. Later on in the day, the Welsford Hall was transformed as the Upper Prep set out the stalls for their businesses, which had been in preparation throughout Lent. Staff, parents and younger pupils were hugely impressed by the variety of business ideas that the children had come up with, with sweetie kebabs, cakes baked to order and chocolate fountains attracting particular interest.

Prep School Environment Prefect, Tilly, started the term by launching an initiative to encourage prep school pupils to recycle their Christmas cards. After explaining the scheme in assembly, a number of posters have appeared around the prep school as reminders of this excellent scheme, and Tilly has already passed on a number of prep school cards to be recycled.

On Sunday afternoon I decided I would raise some money for CAFOD. I researched the charity on the internet, and then I thought about what I could do to help.
I decided I would make some chocolate brownies and cookies, to sell to our neighbours. This is me baking them.
I then set off with my mum to visit our neighbours with a box of baking, and a leaflet that I had printed off about CAFOD. When I got to my neighbours houses I explained what the charity was, and invited them to buy cakes and cookies, and I suggested a donation of 50p for brownies, and 30p for cookies. It was really nice to see my neighbours and tell them what I was raising money for; they were very interested and supportive, and they thought the cakes looked delicious. Some were very generous and said I could keep the change.

The day was launched by our guest speaker, who outlined some measures necessary to reduce climate change and their likely impact on the lifestyles of future generations, He also stressed that we should see the change as a positive opportunity to benefit society by strengthening local communities.

In science, Years 7, 8, 9 calculated their own carbon footprints and were able to assess their personal impact on the well being of the planet. This was followed by a game in which they evaluated the environmental effects of various actions and decisions, increasing awareness of opportunities to reduce their own carbon. Other subjects also tailored activities to include environmental issues, creating a day of real focus and enthusiasm among the girls.

Electric Theatre, Guildford

In order to raise awareness about the Environment and the effects we as a country are having on it, Alton Convent school gave one day to show the students what we could do to help. The whole school participated in a number of activities designed to highlight the large amounts of carbon used each day.

On Friday 9th November children of the prep school chose to come into school in a form of transport that reduced the planet’s “Carbon Footprint”. Year 6 pupils had conducted a survey asking how people came to school on a “normal” day. They conducted the same survey on Friday and compared the results. A staggering 25% of pupils managed to come to school another way including by train and bike.

We are a tough lot in Early Years, it takes more that a little rain to damper the enthusiasm of approximately 60 Parents, children and staff, who set off in search of dry land at Finkley Down Farm!

We all duly arrived at around 10am, and whilst waiting at the gate to go through, the heavens opened! Luckily for us the rain soon passed, and we had a lovely day interspersed with lots of warm sunshine, and an odd shower. The children, who are now so used to the rain, were not in the slightest bit perturbed, delighted in jumping in puddles and managed to find lots of mud!

The day was filled with seeing goats, pigs, chickens, peacocks, horses and cows, but the highlight of the day had to be the playarea! The children had enormous fun on the tractors; riding round the very muddy track was great fun. The huge sandpit was a great hit, and all the children delighted playing in it. The zip wire, trampoline, swings and huge slide were all extensively used and enjoyed by all. Everyone had a really lovely day, thank you to everyone who came for making it such a fabulous day.