May 2008

Dear Parents,

It is inevitable that the opening weeks of the summer term are, at least for some, a period of intense focus upon examinations, and rightly so. Certainly this has been the case for Year 6 who now have the wait until early July when they will receive the results of their Key Stage testing in Mathematics, English and Science.  Staff ensured that Year 2 took their Key Stage 1 tests very much in their stride, but with a sense of purpose as well, and we look forward to learning of their successes. My sincere thanks to Mrs Baker, Key Stage 1 co-ordinator and also to Mrs Potter who has calmly overseen the whole examination season with her customary attention to detail and care for the children.

 For pupils in Years 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8, there was no escape either, and the results of their internal examinations will become clearer after the half-term break, and there will be some helpful feedback on those in the written reports that will become available to parents at the end of term.

None of the above should imply that life has been dull and over-bookish, however, for there has also been much fun activity, both in and outside of the classroom, and we have begun working towards our Sports Day, trusting that we shall have better luck than last year when, as you will recall, three separate attempts were foiled by the rain! As ever, this term, we have striven for that tricky balance between the academic, sporting, cultural and spiritual so that our pupils at Grace Dieu may become “whole” young people.

 As well as witnessing many keen cricketing and rounders encounters against other schools, other outings have included a day of reflection for Year 7, a swimming gala against Arley House, “Mad Science” workshops in Year 1 and 2, “History off the Page” for Year 5, a trip to the Great Central Railway for our Cygnets and Swans, as well as a fascinating visit for Year to the Botanical Gardens in Leicester, to cite but a few.

We were also delighted to welcome Year 4 parents to an open evening earlier in May, and this provided us with a welcome chance to give these parents an insight into life at the top of the school for pupils and parents alike.

Staffing News

 As the summer term draws on, we have to reluctantly begin to think of those staff who will not be with us when September comes round. Mr Adrian Jeffries has worked in the senior part of the school here since 1997, and, as such, has had a profound influence upon generations of Grace Dieu pupils. Fulfilling his vital role as Head of ICT, and being a key man (and working long hours very patiently) in the PE and games department, Mr Jeffries will be keenly missed. He has always taken his pastoral care responsibilities very seriously, and his contribution as an outstanding Form Tutor will also be hard to replace.

The rôle of the Graduate Assistant at Grace Dieu has grown significantly in importance over recent years, and this has been quite simply because of the calibre of graduate who has appeared. This year has been no exception, and I will take the opportunity at Prize Day to express our thanks to Miss Rachel Jenks and Mr Joseph Bancroft for all the work that they have done and will continue to do this academic year and for the very positive manner in which they have approached every challenge. I know that you and the pupils hold them in very high regard. What a boost it is to the profession to know that both are now intending to train as teachers. Clearly their experience at Grace Dieu has not put them off!

 As was always possible, Mrs Watson, who has been teaching Science so successfully at the top of the school, is unable to continue until the end of term because of family commitments. Mrs Watson has done a wonderful job and has joined the succession of excellent Science teachers working at Grace Dieu in this potentially difficult interim period until we can appoint the right person to replace Mr Jump.

 For the remaining weeks of the year, Mrs Kelley will be teaching the senior Science in the school. Mrs Kelley qualified as a Science teacher at the Sam Houston University in Texas and subsequently became additionally qualified in the UK at Leicester University. Mrs Kelley also has an MBA in Educational Management. We look forward to welcoming her on Monday.

 For parental information, interviews are taking place shortly for the posts of:

Ø  Head of Science

Ø  Head of ICT

Ø  Graduate Assistants

 …and if the calibre of applicants warrants it, appointments will be made and publicised in due course.

Future Dates for the Diary:

Sunday 15^th June: Anniversary Day for current and former Grace Dieu families

Mass will be said at 11am in the Marquee by the Right Reverend John Arnold (Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and former Grace Dieu pupil). Current and former Grace Dieu families are very welcome and will be able to purchase BBQ fare after Mass. Please let Mrs Bivins, the Bursar, know if you are thinking of coming so that we can cater for Mass seating and enough food for the BBQ: bursar@gracedieu.com

Classes in September

 You will be accustomed to the fact that I hold discussions with relevant staff in the latter part of this term regarding the make-up of classes in September, and then the new class groupings are announced in my summer holiday letter. This format will be followed again this year, and please be aware that the overriding consideration that goes into that process is “what is best for the child and the group as a whole?”.

Summer Activity Weeks at Grace Dieu

Please take due note of the information towards the end of the table below – you will find a list of the weeks when activities are available at Grace Dieu this summer. We hope that this continues to assist parents with child-care over a good part of the long vacation.

We shall look forward to seeing you and the children on 2^nd June.

 with every good wish,

Charles Foulds
Headmaster