Friday 1 June 2012

Heads Letter 1st June 2012


1st June 2012



Dear Parents



Having enjoyed some glorious summer sunshine of late, what a pity the skies have turned grey and rain is forecast for the Diamond Jubilee weekend.  

We bid a fond farewell to our Upper Sixth students as they concluded their school careers, ready to prepare for the challenge of A Level examinations.  I thank them for all they have given generously to Gateways over the years – their enthusiasm, their loyalty, their commitment and their support – and, of course, they leave with our very best wishes for their future success.

School is purposeful at present, given the focus on academic matters and examinations in both Prep and High School.  Our senior girls in Upper 5, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth appear to be rising to the challenges of GCSE and A Level papers.  I am grateful for the well organised approach of Mrs Brennan in the administration of examinations.  Please do remind your daughters that, during their revision time, their teachers remain here at school to help and support them.

I had a great time this week when the Lower 2 class invited me to see their projects on ‘Tudor Times’.  They were so impressive – such a lot of hard work, time and imagination was evident and I had to award 20 commended work pencils!  They seemed rather keen to tell me, in much detail, about the leeches!

We enjoyed a very tropical evening at the Lower 4 charitable event ‘Hawaii Luau’.  We were entertained by beautiful voices and energetic dancers as well as enjoying a tropical cocktail or two!  I was particularly impressed by the way in which the girls had all worked closely as a team and by their attention to detail.  I loved the flip flops on the floor leading the way in, the palm trees with hanging pineapples and the cocktail shack with resting surfboards – of course, all made by the girls.  A great evening that raised another £800 for our charity, CamKids.

To get us into ‘Olympic mood’, our Pre-Reception and Reception children delighted us with their ‘Going for Gold’ concert on Monday afternoon.   They were such confident performers; my favourite was the ‘Mexican Hat Dance’.

We have been pleased to welcome Mrs Johanne Cheung as our School Administrator this week, she will be based at the Reception desk and I know many of you will, therefore, have the opportunity to welcome her warmly to our School.

Staff are undertaking a Professional Development Day on Monday 11th June focussing on and preparing both for the School’s inspection and planning for the next academic year.  We look forward to welcoming pupils back to School on Tuesday 12th June.

I wish you and your families a good half term break.



Yours sincerely





Mrs Y Wilkinson

Headmistress