Letter from the Headmistress – 4th October 2011
The IAPS Inspection
I write this Letter with a certain feeling of trepidation. This time next week we will have enjoyed the company of our visiting IAPS Inspectors for a couple of days. Hopefully we will have settled down by now and have found our feet!
We are indeed lucky to have such an Inspection or actually a Review. As a group of schools we are extremely strong – District K our section of the IAPS is actually bigger than the IAPS Scottish contingent and we are all very proud of our membership of this auspicious and well respected organisation.
May I quickly take this opportunity to thank you all for completing your questionnaires for the Inspectors.
The Weekend Matches
As I looked across the playing fields at Pembroke House on Saturday morning I was reminded how incredibly lucky we are to be in such a position out here in Kenya. My recent trip to the UK highlighted our advantages and certainly reassured me that we at Pembroke House have so much to offer our children. As you can imagine standing on the touchline at the Dragon School on a sunny but blustery day I was certainly encouraged to remember the amazing climate that we are lucky enough to enjoy out here. This must come in quite high on the list of our many attributes. A warm sunny day encourages smiley dispositions, open natures, athletic physiches and healthy out door pass times not to mention strong all round games players.
We must also remember here in Kenya that we are lucky enough to have fabulous schools to pit ourselves against and the strong rivalry is healthy and much enjoyed by all. The matches on Saturday both on the cricket pitches and the rounders’ fields were hard fought and the sportsmanship between the players and the staff was of a high standard and added to the overall enjoyment of the day.
The Stowe Putter
The weekend’s excitement continued with the Competition for the Stowe Putter at Gilgil Club on Sunday. Paul Stevens organised a most enjoyable event and with the usual and much appreciated help of the Club a super morning of golf was had by all the entrants. Peponi, Braeburn, Kenton and Pembroke sent competitors and the Team Trophy was won by Kenton with a Braeburn pupil taking the individual and very beautiful Stowe Award. We look forward to hosting this competition next year and sincerely hope there will be some girls in contention for the honours when the time comes!
Competition
As you know competition is healthy and undoubtedly hones the skills of our children. Competition amongst our group of IAPS schools contributes to making each school stronger and ultimately benefits the group as a whole. Just for your information the ten schools in our group are – Braeburn Mombasa, Brookhouse, Hillcrest Prep School, Peponi Prep School, Kenton College, The Banda School, Pembroke House, Braeburn on Gitanga Road, Greensteds and St Andrews Turi. Having ten very good schools with their own unique strengths and differences makes District K all the better and in turn each individual school will benefit.
UK Trip & Sports Tour
During my trip to the UK I actually had a look at a few more schools. Robin and I visited St Edwards in Oxford, Rugby, Stowe, King’s Bruton and Milton Abbey. Lovely, lovely schools and we are constantly amazed at yet another beautiful school tucked away in another unique area of the United Kingdom.
The children loved their Sports Tour and it gave them a very good taster of what is ‘out there’. I think they returned well aware of how lucky they are at Pembroke and I think it wetted their appetite for what might be on offer for them at 13 if they work hard!
Junior School & Middle School BBQ
This was a great success and set the scene for the matches the following day. The rain held off and Jules Tatton our cateress gave us all a taster of the rather wonderful fare she prepares for the children each day.
The Ski Trip
The momentum is bulding up for the Ski Trip. The party is coming together and we have a super holiday ahead of us. Half Term in the Lent term should give us very good snow conditions and should allow those at school in the UK to join us.
The Location in the Dolomites affords vast numbers of runs with delicious Italian fare and many other attractions for all.
Please give this holiday some thought and if you would like to join us please contact Sue Dixson at Let’s Go Travel so that she can very kindly make the appropriate reservations.
Reminder – skate boarding / roller blading & woogie boards
Please be very kind and make sure your child has the appropriate knee and elbow protection and any other ‘protective gear’ you would like them to wear for this pass time.
History & Latin
Very sadly Greta and George Holmer have decided to move on to the UK. George is already there with Alexander, Edwin and Patricia and Greta was kindly waiting for us to find a new teacher so that she could join her family. Mr. Stewart Black joins us in November to take over this role and Greta will stay to hand over to Stewart and then she will head off to Blighty with Francesca and Elizabeth. Greta and George have added so much to Pembroke House and we will all be very sad to see them go.
Stewart Black has taught at Durston Prep School and Highstead Grammar School in the UK as well as teaching for quite a while in Japan. Stewart can also teach Greek and speaks fluent Japanese. He enjoys yoga and has been a professional rock musician so he has much to add to our already rather dynamic and eclectic common room!
Below is a list of the next week’s activities and events. As always do not hesitate to contact myself or any of the staff if you have a concern on any front.
| Sun/Mon 3rd October | Year 3 Trip |
| Wednesday 5th October | Greensteds Matches |
| Thursday 6th October | Badminton trophy at Hillcrest Prep School |
| Saturday 8th October | IAPS Review begins |
| IAPS Cross Country Competition – St Andrews Turi | |
| Sunday 9th October | Team Building for Year 6 Malewa |
| Form Chapel – Form 5 P | |
| Tuesday 11th October | Athletics – Up Country Meet at Greensteds |
| Wednesday 12th October | Boats |
| Thursday 13th October | Under 9 Triangular Competition Cricket & Rounders at Home. |
| Friday 14th October | Matches against Braeburn |
| Saturday 15th October | Half Term begins! |
With warmest wishes,
Debs
Mrs. Deborah Boyd-Moss
Headmistress
Pembroke House
