NEWSLETTER. Rockport School. Headmaster s Headlines. Newsletter no 18 Spring Term 25 th January JANUARY Mon pm 4.

Transcription

1 Newsletter no 18 Spring Term 25 th January 2013 JANUARY Mon 28 Tue 29 Wed 30 Thu pm 4pm 3.30pm 3.30pm R6 Boarding Week R5-R7 Parent Teacher Consultations Tour meeting no netball club R8-R9 Parent Teacher Consultations North Down Primary Schools Indoor Bangor LC (see below) R10-R12 Parent Teacher Consultations Year 11 & 12 Inters v Strathearn (away) Inter A and Inter B netball teams v Glenlola Collegiate (away) U16 boys rugby v Regent House (away) FEBRUARY Fri 1 st 8.15 depart am Junior Netball Team Belfast Schools Netball Lisburn Racquets Club (return approx. 2pm) Years 8 & 9 Dig It 2 Headmaster s Headlines Snow Patrol: Whilst many schools were forced to close this week due to the heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, we were pleased that Rockport managed to stay open. Gritting and salting the drive kept the access routes clear and we were able to operate virtually as normal. We also appreciate the efforts taken by many parents to get their children to school through what were very difficult conditions for many. In the unlikely event of the school ever having to close, we will endeavour to contact you, as well as posting the information on the Website, on Twitter and Facebook. Open Day: Well done to all those pupils who came in for the Open Day on Saturday Morning and thanks to all you parents who in some cases braved the winter elements to get here. Everyone was well turned-out and helped us to present the school in the best possible light. Some of the visitors to the school commented on the manners and confidence displayed by the pupils. Although we expect nothing less from Rockport pupils, it is still important to praise them when they do well. We look forward to our next Open Evening to be held on Wednesday 6 February from 4pm until 6pm. PTA: The great success that was the PTA Ladies' Lunch has already been translated into much useful hardware for the school. The recent relocation of a local Grammar School to a new site provided us with an opportunity to purchase equipment that was surplus

2 to their requirements. As a result, we will soon have realised our aim of equipping every room in the school with an Interactive Whiteboard and Data Projector. We were also able to purchase a lot of nearly-new furniture as well as a range of catering equipment for the dining hall. If we were to purchase this equipment new, it would cost in excess of 30,000. We are fortunate indeed to have such an active and dynamic PTA and a general parent body who are willing and keen to get involved in the education of their children. George Vance Headmaster GENERAL Dig It 2 On Friday 1 st February Years 8 and 9 will welcome in the new month by taking part in Dig It 2. We have received another large batch of young saplings and the pupils will be helping us to plant them in the school grounds. Pupils should wear warm casual clothing to school with a waterproof coat, gloves and wellies (or old trainers). They should also have their school uniform with them as they will clean up and change into it before lunch. Normal classes and activities will resume after lunch and school will finish at the normal time. It would be useful if pupils could bring in their own gardening tools to help them dig. House points will be given to those pupils who fully enter into the spirit of the task. Breaking News The first ever copy of the all new Junior School magazine has just been completed by our team of budding young journalists at the Magazine Club. It is a 17 page edition entitled Lion s Lines and will be in full colour. Pupils in Years 5, 6 and 7 will be able to order and purchase their very own copy for the grand sum of 50p (with free

3 promotional gift included of course!). There will be a reduced charge of 30p for Magazine Club members. Any money raised will go towards the cost of the paper and coloured ink. The magazine will go to print on Monday morning. In a bid to avoid wastage, we will only be printing copies for those children who have ordered and paid for their copy. Orders (with payment) will be taken by Junior School form teachers during register on Monday morning. Pupils will be able to collect their copy from the Junior Library at the start of morning break. Can t wait! Cool for School Photography Please look out for a Cool for School Photography flyer in your child s school bag at the beginning of next week which gives the date as the 7 th and 8 th of February for portraits and family pictures to be taken. However, they have now informed us that they are hoping to do both on 7 th February. Early Years Parent Teacher Consultations R1 R4 Parent/Teacher Meetings will take place next week. Please ensure that you have signed up for an appointment with your child s class teacher. Playgroup and Reception teachers are available for meetings should you have any worries or concerns. Dates for your Diary: Valentine s Party On Wednesday 6 th February the PTA are hosting a Valentine s Party for all the children in the Early Years. The Party will be held in the Jackson Hall from 2pm-3.30pm. Children should wear their everyday uniform, but add a little Valentine sparkle with a red accessory! The cost for this event will be 3 per child (payable to class teacher). Non Uniform Day Friday 8 th February is the Early Years Non-Uniform Day. The cost will be 2 per child (payable to class teacher). We hope as many children as possible will take part in these events: all the proceeds will go to the Early Years Department. A family from the Early Years has kindly agreed to match the money raised.

4 Sports London Tour Due to Parent Teacher interviews on Monday 28 th netball club is cancelled. There will be a short tour meeting for all pupils going to London in the Jackson Hall. Pick up at 6.30pm Sponsor forms have been issued to the tour party on Friday 25 th so please use the next two weekends to gain as many sponsors as possible as the sponsored shoot will take place on Friday 8 th February during Period 6. Please note pupils are NOT to ask other Rockport pupils to sponsor them; it is up to the individual to ask friends and family outside of school. There are scheduled cake sales on Monday 4 th Feb and Mon 18 th Feb. These will be sold in Miss Holland s room at the following times: am / am / pm / pm P.E. Kit All pupils have been reminded of the official school PE kit and it would be much appreciated if parents could check that all kit is named, including towels. In this inclement weather it is imperative that all pupils come to school with the necessary gear and footwear to fully participate in indoor and outdoor PE. There will be an inspection of PE attire and equipment on Monday 28 th January by Miss Holland and Mr McIlveen. North Down Primary Schools Indoor Athletics Selected team and details will be displayed on the PE noticeboard in the hub. PTA PTA Party on the Belfast Barge All aboard for the PTA party on the Belfast Barge on Friday, 1 st March at 7.30pm. The cost for the event will be 60 per person which includes a welcome glass of bubbly, a lovely dinner and a great night of dancing and entertainment. Reservations can now be made in the School Office. Rockport goes WI on Friday 15 th March Calling all the women (and yes, men are welcome!) of Rockport for a crafty night of fun and laughter. We will help you make your own body scrub and flavoured alcohol. There will be flower arranging and bow making for beginners and a few other surprises to keep you entertained for the night! So, please put a note in your diary for Friday 15 th March at 8pm in the Rockport Dining Hall. The cost of 15 per person includes a welcome drink and a curry.

5 AND FINALLY. Handyman/gardener Harry Porter, our maintenance man, is available for weekend and evening work. Gutter and PVC cleaning and repairs, drain cleaning and garden tidy ups. All small jobs welcome. Mobile: Babysitting available Our gap year students are available for babysitting: Nicole Hollinger Being a past pupil of Rockport School, I was thrilled when the opportunity arose for me to return and spend my gap year here. Teaching has always been a career I have been interested in and I am excited to gain this experience. I am available to babysit every day of the week excluding Mondays and Wednesdays. I have a lot of experience looking after children from the ages of I am a non-smoker and I also have my own car for transport. Sophia Morgan I am spending this next year at Rockport School and I am available to babysit Thursdays, Fridays and at the weekends. I have experience looking after children ages 4 15 and basic first aid skills. Next year I will be working within agriculture and at equine/stud farms after which I wish to go to the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester to study rural, estate and agricultural land management. Testimonies are available in Pre-Prep School and Boarding Department. Please contact the office for contact information.