Thursday, 28 April 2011
Welcome Back to School
What an amazing few weeks of sunshine many have benefitted from here in London and across much of Europe too. I have no doubt that the pupils enjoyed the sun and the unusually warm weather, together with the early beginning of their summer activities.

As you are aware the beginning of the term is truncated somewhat by Bank Holidays and the Royal Wedding so the return could not be any gentler for the boys and the girls. I am sure that, as a result, they will be firing on all cylinders when in the classroom and on the games field.

As announced last term I offer a warm welcome to Mr McOrist who will be standing in for Mrs Brough when she goes on Maternity Leave after Half Term. Mr McOrist is greatly looking forward to working with you all and to ensuring that the pupils continue to thrive here at ESS. Do please pop in and say hello should you get the opportunity during the next few days.

I draw your attention to a few matters of interest for the weeks ahead in what will indeed be a busy term. The children will return home this week with much of the information within their ESS Calendars. The pupils from Yrs 2- 4 and 5 - 8 will be issued with two newly designed Prep School Calendars which contain much information about this term as well as more generic items for all. I have provided two per pupil for a reason; this is for one to be here with the pupils within their desks or blazer pockets, the second one is for your fridges or notice boards! I do hope that you will find them useful. It may be helpful for me to highlight some of the events therein for your attention.

On the 5th May we have invited 'Childnet' here to talk with the children and the parents of Yr 6-8 about the dangers of the Internet and related issues; the children will be seen during the day and the parents will have a twilight session. I would urge as many of you as possible within these year groups to attend as the talks are enlightening and extremely helpful.

Shortly after this on the 10th May all pupils will have their photo taken in the Whole School Photograph. I trust that it will be a dry and bright day for the occasion. Could I ask that the boys and girls are neat and tidy, that they have brushes and combs where appropriate and that they have their full School summer uniform? Thank you for your support with this.

On May 20th we are holding our annual Quiz Night which looks set to be another enjoyable occasion for a most worthwhile cause; the Shooting Star Children's Hospice. This year we have had to change venue and will be meeting at the Dorchester Hotel; many thanks to the 350 guests who have already booked their tables. I am sure that ESS can join together to raise a great deal for the hospice and all of the work that it does. I must congratulate the boys and girls within the Junior part of the School who managed to raise a staggering £5,500 during the Charity Week last term. Well done one and all.

The end of the academic year normally has many performances and this one is no exception. On the 25th May we have the newly instigated Yr 3 - 4 Cantata which will be performed at the Royal Overseas League. Shortly after this I hope to see as many of you as possible at the Nurseries and School Sports Days on the 9th / 10th June respectively; these will be held once again at Battersea Park's Millennium Arena. Returning to the stage, the Senior children will be performing 'Bugsy' in the Cochrane Theatre on the 5th / 6th July at what will, I am sure, be a wonderful display of their thespian talents.

Prize Giving this year will be during the morning of the 12th July at St Michael's Church. I am very much looking forward to this occasion and I am delighted that The Master of Dulwich College has agreed to present the prizes this year.

Finally I take this opportunity to invite some feedback regarding the idea of an early room here at ESS. Last term I wrote to you about the importance of punctual arrival at School in the mornings. To ease this process for those of you who have multiple drop-offs within the different buildings I have been considering the introduction of an early room for pupils. Still in its embryonic stages the proposal is that those needing to use the facility could drop off at 8.00am at the relevant building. There would be a signing in process and the room would obviously be staffed though no teaching would be taking place. There would be a small fee per day in relation to attendance. If you feel this would be a good idea please do let Miss Kelly, Miss Janis or Mrs Fitzgerald know and I will move the process along towards a September start.

I look forward to seeing you all at many of the events above and to what I am sure will be a productive and enjoyable term.