Dear Parents,

The Spring Term was another incredibly busy term with 6 new children joining Calder House. The term will of course be fondly remembered for the huge amount of snow, which hit the area, causing us to close our doors for only the second time in our history. The images of your children building snowmen, throwing snowballs or making their very own snow angels will live long in our memories.

The Spring Term will also be remembered for the fantastic ESB results the children achieved. Nearly half of all the children achieved the highest possible grade of distinction and should be warmly congratulated for their hard work.

The Calder Cougars took part in numerous football matches against other prep schools and the two Calder Harriers teams performed brilliantly in the Warminster Cross-Country Competition. With numerous netball, cricket and rounders fixtures arranged for this term I am sure that sport will continue to thrive at Calder House School.

At the end of last term we also said goodbye to two of our older children both of whom are moving to local state secondary schools. Both Harry and Molly have contributed much to their time here and will be sadly missed.

Congratulations:
Congratulations to Breeden House who won the House Cup last term. In a very keenly contested competition Breeden held on doggedly to the lead despite pressure from in particular Kent and Stallard Houses. Breeden House members will be allowed to wear their own clothes to school on Friday 24th April. Congratulations, too, to the Gold Class who won the Class Point Award last term. All members of that class will be gaining their treat in due course!

We would also like to congratulate Connie for receiving the most House Points last term and Brodie for achieving the most Merits. An excellent achievement for both children especially as this was Connie’s first term with us and as Brodie was the only child to receive a Gold Merit Certificate. Well done again!

We are also delighted to announce that Bella will take over as Head Girl for the Summer Term. Bella will be taking over from Molly who left us at the end of the term.

As you will recall, our Chess Club ran last term. Three children (Milo, Jason and Harvey) gained enough points in their matches to go forward to the Regional Mega Final of the UK Chess Challenge, which takes place in June. Congratulations and Good Luck to them all!

Congratulations also go to Breeden House for winning the House Swimming Gala at the end of last term and for Kent House for winning the House Football competition. In a very keenly contested House Quiz competition Breeden came out on top again narrowly beating Hodge House into second place. Well done everybody for taking part in these competitions.

School Lunchtime Clubs:
The following lunchtime clubs have been organised for pupils:

• Gardening Club: Tuesday Lunchtime
• Cricket Club: Wednesday and Thursday Lunchtime
• Netball Club: Tuesday Lunchtime and Thursday Break time
• Drama Club: Wednesday Lunchtime

School Absence:
We publish our term dates well in advance and expect children to be present throughout the school term. Whilst we understand that there are times when exceptions have to be made, we would be grateful if you would request authorised leave of absence, in writing, well in advance of when your child is going to be absent from school.

From time to time, a child may become unwell at school, and it may be necessary for us to contact you to arrange for them to be taken home early. Accordingly, please ensure that we have up to date emergency contact information for you.

Summer sun precautions:
Looking forward to what we hope will be a glorious summer, may we remind you of the importance of ensuring all children stay safe in the sun. We will encourage all children to wear an appropriate cap or sunhat when outside for sport or playtime, and to apply sun cream when necessary. Please make sure that your child brings in an appropriate hat and a named bottle of sun cream.

School Exams:
The Summer term is the main term for exams. For some pupils in the Blue and Purple classes, it also involves end of Key Stage 2 SATs exams. In order to help them prepare for these exams (which will be marked by external examiners) they will be set extra homework which we hope you will ensure is completed appropriately. The exams will be held in the mornings of week commencing Monday 11th May. School exams (which cover English, Maths, Science, History and Geography) will be held during week commencing Monday 22nd June for all children. Please ensure that during exam time your child gets a good night’s sleep and comes to school after a good breakfast with a sustaining lunchbox. The results of the SATs will be made available during early July. The results of our school exams will be included in your child’s end of term report.

Communication:
To improve the communication between school and home I would very much like to send/receive various letters via e-mail. My e-mail address at school is: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , which I regularly check throughout the day. If you would like to pass on any message I would prefer to receive it via this e-mail address.

Please feel free if you have any worries or concerns to contact me. I will also be available before and after school every day should you wish to talk to me.

PE/Games:
We will not be going swimming this term but having all our sports and PE lessons here on our school site. Most children have remembered to bring in their full PE kit already, and we would be grateful if you would ensure that it remains in school for the duration of this half term. Although PE lessons take place on Wednesdays, there will be occasions in the run up to Sports Day in particular, when extra PE lessons will be scheduled, and so it will be necessary for children to have their kit in school every day.

School Vouchers:
Once again, we are having a tremendous response to our request for Sainsburys “Active Kids” and Tesco “Computers for Schools” vouchers. Both schemes are still running and we are still collecting.

School Uniform:
Most children have returned to school with their boots or trainers for use at playtime. Please check with your child, and remind them to bring them in. Please also ensure that all kit is named.

School Pick Up:
Thank you for observing the 5 mph speed limit on the drive, and for avoiding parking in the area of the turning circle. These measures are designed to ensure safety for parents and pupils when arriving at and leaving school. Please also make sure that when pupils are returned to you at the gate at the end of the day that they, and any other children who may be with you, are kept under your control and supervision, and do not run on the field (which is being grown for hay) or in any of the private areas. All dogs should be kept on a lead. This is essential as a public footpath runs across the school drive. We understand that from time to time it is necessary for other people to collect your child from school, and would be grateful if you would bring this information to their attention.

New Website:
If you haven’t done so already can I recommend to you that you visit our new website. A huge amount of effort has gone on this and it will include a lot of useful information. Please take a look on: www.calderhouseschool.co.uk

The usual reminders:

• When travelling to and from school do not use the private roads through the Thickwood housing estate, but use Thickwood Lane.
• For pupil safety and the convenience of all drivers, please do not park in the area of the turning circle or near to the arrival/dismissal gate.
• Kindly observe the 5mph speed limit on the school drive
• If you arrive at school before 8.30am, please keep your child with you in your car until Edward arrives.
• At the end of the day, once your child has been dismissed from the Pavilion, please make sure they remain under your complete care and control in your car, and are not permitted to play in any part of the field.
• Please ensure that all dogs are kept on a lead. This is important as a public footpath runs through the field.
• If you arrive after Edward has left the gate at 8.50, please bring your child to the main office.

I have also set out (below) some important diary dates for you to make note of - including the term dates for the next academic year. You will notice that in the final week of term there will be an activity week, which will include an overnight stay in tents at school for the children. More information on this will be forthcoming closer to the time.

I look forward to another busy term,

Andrew Day
Headmaster

Diary Dates:

Term Dates 2009-2010

Autumn Term 2009

• Pupils return Monday 7th September
• Half-term Weds 21st Oct – Fri 30th Oct incl
• Break up for Christmas 12 noon Fri 18th December

• Pupils return Wednesday 6th Jan
• Half-term  Mon 15 – Tuesday 23rd Feb incl
• Break up for Easter 12 noon Fri 26th March

• Pupils return Thursday 15th April
• Half-term Mon 31 May – Tuesday 8th June incl
• Summer Term 2010 ends 12 noon Fri 23 July
• Pupils return for Autumn term 2010 Wednesday 8th September 2010.