Head's Letter

We were visited earlier this week by the Arts Council Assessor following our application to be awarded the prestigious Artsmark. I am pleased to report that we have been recommended for accreditation at Gold Level in acknowledgement of the excellence of our expressive and performing arts. We look forward to a favourable response. I thank all who have contributed to this success, in particular Miss Fox who has led us through the application process.

We are absolutely thrilled to have been selected as one of only 28 schools nationally to participate in the ‘Get Set’ Games Time in the Olympic Park during the Olympics and Paralympics events this summer. We have also received tickets to the Paralympics athletics events – more details will come out soon from Mr Box.

Prep School pupils ‘wowed’ an audience at the Etz Chaim Synagogue earlier this week when they performed songs from the ‘Curry Bean’. I wish good luck to all the pupils taking part in the Harrogate Music Festival this weekend; I look forward to hearing of their success.

Thank you for your support at the Lower 5 Parents’ Evening last week, I was sorry not to have been there; please do not hesitate to contact me if you would wish to discuss any matter further.


We welcomed 40 exhausted girls back to School on Monday following their ‘Cambodia in Wales’ weekend! The weather was kind and the girls worked very hard cooking and carrying rucksacks over the two days, bonding together as teams and embedding valuable friendships which will set them in good stead for their expedition in June. Mr Box commented that, if their packing for one night away was anything to go by, they will all have to reconsider what they take for three weeks.

Our LEAP Team is progressing well within the enterprise competition. Their company ‘Embrace’ is near to the close of the trading and financial year. ‘Embrace’ has recently entered for some of the LEAP Enterprise awards including best company business presentation and the best business report; on Saturday 3rd March, the company team members gave a formal presentation in the first round of judging for the presentation award. Well done girls ~ our best wishes for a successful conclusion.

Last Thursday, A Level module results were received and we applauded our students in assembly on Friday. Students were entered for A2 modules in six subjects, with 59% of all passes awarded either A or B grades. Upper Sixth girls took the opportunity to re-sit some of their AS modules, with 81% of all grades securing an improvement in grade and higher UMS. For our Lower Sixth students, who sat their first modules in Biology, Chemistry, History, Physics, Economics and Business Studies, 59% of all passes were at A and B grades – a most positive achievement at such an early stage in the course!

There was a great response to the Bags to School collection this week, clearly everyone has been busy spring cleaning their cupboards. My thanks go to you and the FOG Committee for the continued support.

Our netball teams in Prep and High School continue to secure victories and our ‘Stella’ runners have also been in ‘fine form’ ~ well done! Congratulations also go to Rachel Hilton and Lauren Turner who both competed in the women’s four piece Artistic Gymnastics National Development Grade 11 on Sunday 11th March. Both girls passed with Rachel achieving a distinction.

I would remind parents that the School’s ‘Ethos, Aims and Vision’ can be found on the School Website together with policies and arrangements on - Admissions, Misbehaviour, Exclusions, Education and Welfare Provision, Curriculum, Good Behaviour, Anti-Bullying, Health and Safety, Health and Safety on Educational Visits, Academic Performance, Complaints Procedure – including the number of formal complaints in the previous school year, Staff List – including temporary staff and qualifications. Hard copies of these policies are available upon request.

I am writing this letter ‘virtually’ as today I am accompanying Upper 3 on their Geography and History fieldwork visit to Skipton Castle and White Scar Cave – much colder than in School!

Enjoy the weekend.

Yours sincerely
Mrs Y Wilkinson
Headmistress

Head's Letter 2nd March 2012

Dear Parents

I hope that you all enjoyed the half term break, particularly the very clement weather we are enjoying at the moment.

The road resurfacing does not seem to have caused too much disruption, and I thank you for your support and co-operation.

The half term ski trip to Courmayeur was a huge success; the weather was glorious and much fun was had by all. My thanks go to Mrs Finan, Mr Davison and Miss Ellison for giving generously of their time.

I was delighted to have been invited to join the Sixth Form on their visit to Krakow and Auschwitz camp over half term; a visit of contrasts. The horrors of the camps at Auschwitz moved us to tears. Krakow is a beautiful, historic and cultural city; the visit to a salt mine was very interesting, particularly to the geographer in me! We were fortunate to have very enthusiastic guides and the Sixth Form girls were excellent company. Thanks to Mrs Tunley for organising the visit.

I am delighted to announce that Gateways has achieved the St John Ambulance Schools Mark. This award is in recognition of the excellence and commitment we have shown to first aid training and health and safety.

The Prep production of ‘Pearl and the Pirates of the Curry Bean’ was a sell out for both performances. The girls all gave superb performances and there were some real ‘laugh out loud’ moments. I feel sure we have some budding comedy actresses amongst Lower 3. Well done Prep!

I am pleased to report that the university application process for entry this September is progressing very well. So far, our 35 Upper Sixth students have placed 147 applications and have returned an impressive 91% offer rate. Applications have been made to many and various universities including London School of Economics, King’s College, London, Durham, Warwick, York and Manchester to study subjects ranging from astrophysics, mathematics, modern foreign languages, American studies, psychology, fashion design, social anthropology, medicine, economics and archaeology.

I will be out of School on Tuesday 6th March and apologise that I shall not be in attendance at the Lower 5 Parents’ Evening. Of course, if any Lower 5 parents have anything they wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Over the half term break, regular maintenance and repair of premises, such as full electrical testing, water purification and chlorination, took place. Refurbishment of the School’s Medical Room is also ongoing.

Eight of our Lower Sixth Spanish students departed for Vitoria in northern Spain yesterday; this is the return leg of the exchange visit that we hosted in September last year. As well as spending some time in the Spanish School, the girls will be visiting Bilbao, San Sebastian and the La Rioja wine region.

Last evening a team of girls from Lower 4 and Upper 4 competed in the Harrogate Area Schools Debating Competition at King James’s School. The motion on this occasion was ‘This house would ban fast food advertising’. Congratulations to the competitors who presented well planned and well structured debates, in particular to Miriam Kunin and Imogen Hall who won their debate.

The FOG Committee is in the process of planning the Summer Ball which is being held on the 23rd June and has sent fliers home today. This promises to be a dazzling occasion and I look forward to seeing you there.

Next week we look forward to the House Debating Competition and the Individual Music Competition on Wednesday.

Yours sincerely
Mrs Y Wilkinson
Headmistress