Letter from the Headmistress – 6th February 2012
It actually seems a long time since the start of term and my last letter to you all.
We are now in middle of the academic year and there is a great deal of hard work going on all round. In the classroom, on the sports field, in the art room and in the Choir and the practice rooms of the Music School the children are building on their good start last term and much excellent progress is being made during these weeks which are the real engine of the Lent Term.
There has been a flurry of trips to the UK in pursuit of scholarships, awards and enlightenment for our children’s choices for their next school. It is not an easy task and my advice to you is to start early and to be ‘en route’ to a decision at least by Year 6. The final decision will not be made until Year 7 but you should aim to try and finalise things if possible by the Michaelmas Term of Year 8.
Awards
We had some more good news before exeat and Tara Shepherd was awarded a Drama Scholarship to Peponi School. We hope there is further good news in the pipeline and we will let you know as and when the results come through. Tara was also appointed as Head of the Choir which is a new appointment and one which Tara fully deserves and has made her own.
Weekend Activities & Trips
The Geography Field Trip: This took place on the first Tuesday of term and as my parents of Year 8 will know it was a huge relief to be able to finally visit our chosen river without the threat of a child losing their footing in flood waters. The river was at a suitably manageable level and the Year 8 Geographers returned to class with some super data. They have worked hard on their projects over the past few weeks and hopefully only the final ‘typing up’ will be necessary come half term
Hog Charge: The Hog Charge is now four weeks away but great fun was had by all. The children raised a fair amount of money with all their efforts. It is a very long and hot day and a huge logistical nightmare for the staff involved. Concerns range from the camping arrangements, tyre gunk, brakes that need to work, ice lollies and neck buffs not to mention remembering the children who should be on the bus! Sincere thanks to all the parents and staff involved for vast quantities of practical help, good humour and kindness over the weekend.
Walking Trip to Malewa:The Walking Trip had a wonderful time at Malewa and Miss D is always constantly amazed at the stamina and enthusiasm of her devotees.
Swimming Trip: The swimming squad spent the second weekend down at the coast. The trip is a reward and incentive to the children to encourage them to train for the swimming events this term. Swimming training is indeed hard work and along with all their other commitments the children do get tired. Special thanks go to the Phillips and the Hallers for their generous hospitality and tremendous kindness over the weekend. Braeburn Mombasa too were a huge support to us as a school and they contributed so much to making the weekend such a success.
Sailing: The sailors have also had a super weekend this term at Naivasha. I know all the children really enjoy this opportunity and we are most grateful to all our parents who contribute so much to these super weekends.
Inter Schools Choral Weekend: The Choir has just set off and they are heading for the Inter Schools Choral weekend at Braeside. A change is often as good as a rest and for many of the choir members a break in school routine will do them a great deal of good. Carol Olum is in charge and she is ably and kindly assisted by Mr Stevens and Mr King–Alcock.
The Ski Trip: This trip leaves next Friday and with the cold snap in the UK we are rather worried about just how cold the Dolomites will be!
Baringo: The weekend after half term will see Year 6 heading of for Baringo. They always have great fun there and I am sure the excitement will mount as half term comes to an end.
Matches
All the teams have got off to a good start with their matches and our Under 9s had a particularly successful day yesterday when they played the Banda. The boys won 5 – 4 so that must have been a very exciting match to watch. The girls too won 3 – 0 so they were fairly ecstatic as they sat down to supper time after their long day.
Numbers
There are now 177 children at school and this makes it an increasingly vibrant and stimulating place to be. Our new children have all settled down very well and the morals and ethics of the school would appear to be being transmitted and learnt very well. I must commend all our children here at school. Each and every child plays his or her part in guiding and helping our new ones. Our senior school in particular have been most understanding and helpful here and as always setting an example is such an effective way of influencing behaviour on so many levels.
Development
The Theatre: Many of you will have noticed that the bus shelter has moved. The buses now park near the cricket nets and they have their old shelter, which has been repositioned towards the back of the parking area. The vacated space is now ready for the theatre and we are just putting the finishing touches to the final ‘ look ‘ and design of this exciting new project. Paul Davey who was central to the extension of the Chapel and who is a past parent and Council member not to mention a theatre lover and entertainer is helping us to find the right balance between practical concerns, necessary detail, cost and ambiance. I hope we will decide upon a suitable design that combines Pembroke’s respect for its history and tradition with an eye on the future.
The Playing Fields: At the same time we are extending the playing fields below the rounder’s pitches. This will create space for a new rugby pitch and a new cricket pitch not to mention space for the girls Under 11 pitch to relocate to avoid big hitters reaching the stable paddock and all that involves!
The Workshop Pavilion: The workshop roof has been moved to provide a new ‘workshop pavillion’ along the line of trees here and hopefully this will provide a shady pocket for many enjoyable and exciting matches in the future. The extended playing fields will allow us to nurture a greater part of our grounds and the used forestry area will also extend further towards our lower boundary.
The Club: The Club is soon to break ground with a housing project. This will provide much needed, comfortable and appropriate housing for Pembroke House staff over the next couple of years and in the longer term future will be available for parents, members of the community and of course visitors from further afield.
Our Future
May I reassure you that our priority remains each individual child and the way we can work together to build their confidence and help them do their very best across the range of the curriculum we offer. At the same time we work tirelessly to safeguard our values, traditions and heritage and everyday we encourage and structure school life to instill respect and tolerance, dignity and integrity. Ipads, iphones, twitter, facebook and such like are there in our modern world and cannot be ignored but we know we must help our children to integrate these modern and absorbing concerns into a life which places duty and responsibility at the center of all things.
By the time this reaches you half term will be at the forefront of your minds. Have a lovely holiday and help your children to rest and recuperate ready for the rest of term. Please look to Open Day and the ‘next schools’ talk along with our Lunch at School with a range of entertainment for you to enjoy. Then please plan to join us for the Ball on the last evening of term – ‘ Back to the beginning with a touch of Mischief’! The swimming gala is the following morning with the end of term at lunch time so it should certainly be a couple of days to remember.
As always please contact us with any concerns, worries or ideas you may have.
With warmest wishes,
Debs
