Autumn Term – Newsletter – 16.09.2022

What historic times are we and are children are living through. The end of the Elizabethan era. Even if not a ‘royalist’ one would still have to admire her sense of duty, service, commitment and dedication to all the peoples of our country and of the commonwealth.

We shall touch on her reign in our assembly next Tuesday and focus on her values and her personal qualities. Qualities that we would all do well to embrace..

The children were asked to draw/write/create a small post it of remembrance – so that these can all be collated and displayed as a wall of remembrance to the late Queen. If you have not completed yours, there is still time…

Open Day Friday 23rd September:
Next Friday we have our first Open Day of the year. I am sure many of you will have first experienced Bowbrook through an Open day and so can remember how important that first contact is.

I am looking for five or six parents to help out on the day at different times to either show visitors round or to serve teas and coffees and to chat about ‘life at Bowbrook’. I would need a variety of age groups – as in across different school years, to be represented. If you think you might be able to help out, please could you let me know and I will look at creating a schedule for the day.

Summer Ball – postponed. Now cancelled.
This is a great shame. The Summer dance used to be a black tie event of up to 150 parents, staff and guests. We are going to re-book for next summer and I am looking for ‘Year-group Representatives’. If each year group can get a table of ten together, then with staff too we would have 150 coming to next summer’s ball.

Live music, great food, the odd bit of targeted fundraising and then dance the night away. As I say this used to be the highlight of the year!

If you would like to be considered for the role of Year-group Representative please let me know and we can ‘get the ball rolling’…no pun intended!

Forest School Plea:
Old pots and pans for the mud kitchen, planters for Veg growing, canvas or tarpaulin if you have an old spare for sails or shelters… if you think the Infants could use it in Forest School we would be happy to receive your donations. Thank you.

French Exchange: Host families wanted:
At the moment, there are not enough families offering to host our French exchange partners for the visit to go ahead. Please get in touch with Mr Whittingham or fill in the reply slip, should you be able to host a French pupil from the 8th to 12th May, 2023. This does not commit your child to going to France (24th- 28th May) unless they want to

In other News:

Music:
It has been a pleasure to welcome back all of our pupils to the music department this week and to meet some new faces too.

Peripatetic instrumental lessons returned on Monday and there has been some super sounds coming from our music pods! If your child has not received their instrumental timetable then please do contact me. We offer a wide range of instrumental lessons in school. If your child is interested in learning, then please inquire at the main office or contact myself to receive a letter. We currently offer Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet,
Fife, Violin, Viola, Piano, Drums, Voice, Guitar, Bass and Ukulele lessons. If your child is interested in learning a different instrument not listed above then please do contact me, as I may be able to make some inquiries.

Our music extra-curricular timetable will begin next week. Please see the attached official timetable to give an overview. Lower Chamber Choir challenges and supports our more able singers in Years 5, 6, 7 and year 8. Our Upper Chamber Choir explores more advanced repertoire and harmonies and more suited to musicians in our upper middle school and senior school; Years 8,9,10 and 11. Please be aware that some of our staff also sing with Upper Chamber Choir. If your child is interested in joining Upper Chamber Choir, I
shall be holding auditions during Thursday lunch time in the Music Room next week. Musicians should prepare a short piece to sing to me.

We are also offering group ukulele sessions again this term with our teacher Mr Jones. Please look out for letters going home with pupils in the Junior School providing more information here. Mr Booton, our drum teacher is also continuing with ‘Drumming Club’ this term. Again, please look out for letters going home this week. Could all reply slips please be returned to me ASAP.

Mr Jones has been unwell this week and has been unable to deliver his lessons; many apologies. We hope that he will be feeling better to return next week.

Music Star of the Week: Olivia Simpkin in 7BW for her superb attitude, her contribution in lessons and her extension work carried out on the teacher’s board – well done!

Mrs Izod

Social Media:
Follow us on Social Media: Instagram, twitter and facebook. Find out more, see more, about what is going on in your school!

Thank You from the Infants to Mr Hunt for his fantastic pirate ship!

Next Weeks Fixtures:
Students should check the PE notice board to see if they are involved in fixtures.

Tuesday 20th September 2022 – U14’s Midlands ISA Football @ Dixie Sports Fields
(Footballers please see the email letter sent by Mr Draper)

Thursday 22nd September 2022 – U14’s Girls Hockey @ Kingham Hill

And Finally:

Can you support the NSPCC and Mr Carlin’s ‘marathon’ effort?!
London Marathon (October 2nd) for NSPCC:

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to NSPCC, so it’s the most efficient way to give – saving time and cutting costs for the charity