Heads Blog 15th Jnue 2012

15^th June 2012

Dear Parents

I hope you all had a good half term break and enjoyed the festivities of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

 

We are in ‘examination mode’ as public examinations continue and this has also been the week of High School examinations; all continues to progress smoothly.

I was delighted to welcome the parents of our new Upper 3 pupils to a ‘New Parents’ Evening’ on Wednesday; we were joined by Dr Johnson who was in School for two days this week as part of ‘handing over the helm’.

I am pleased to inform you that Gateways shall welcome three new members of staff in September; Dr Geoffrey Cloke has been appointed as Subject Leader of Music; Mrs Susan Crawshaw as Subject Leader of Art and Mr Matthew Danes as a part time Teacher of Business Studies.  In addition, Mrs Derrig is to take up another teaching position and I am delighted to inform you that Mr Philip Walker has been appointed as Subject Leader of Economics and Business Studies.  In September, Mrs Lesley Wood will lead the pastoral care in the High School as Head of Pupil Development.

Mr Davison and I have spent today interviewing the Lower Sixth girls who  applied to be Prefects next year.   They are certainly impressive and the decision will a difficult one to make.  The announcement of the appointments will be made next week.

Arrangements are well underway for Prize Giving on Friday 29^th June and this year we are extending the day to include a performance by pupils in Reception Classes. 

The expedition to Cambodia is only two weeks away!!  Arrangements are in their final stages and the girls and staff are looking forward to the expedition hugely.  It will be a remarkable  experience for all.

 

 Yours sincerely

Mrs Y Wilkinson

Headmistress  

Heads Letter 1st June 2012

1^st 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 11^th 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 12^th June.

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

Yours sincerely

Mrs Y Wilkinson

Headmistress