10th October 2025
Despite the additional challenge of longer journeys to and from school for many this week, the children have still had a very productive time.
We have been informed that the roadworks at Northend will be gone before we return on Monday all being well, which is a relief. We were fortunate to be able to walk the children just around the corner to Phyllis Court this week for their various trips to the Henley Literary Festival, all of which were a huge success.
I joined Year 6 on their visit to hear Frank Cotrell-Boyce, the current Children's Laureate, read excerpts from his latest book, 'The Blockbusters!' and to speak about what had motivated him to become an author, including the ability to work from his bed in his pyjamas if he wants to! He was brilliant with the children and we were all fascinated to hear what he had to say. You can read all about the different events here.
On Monday we were joined by Jaco Brewer from NOMAD in assembly. He talked to the children about the Henley Foodbank they run and the difference that our donations make to the families they support. Thank you for all your Harvest donations so far.
New Prep Sports tops
The new tops are looking really smart and the children are really enjoying wearing them. If you have not yet received yours, please do get in contact with Stevensons as all orders have now been shipped and should have been delivered. If the top you received is the incorrect size, please speak to Jenny in the office who will do her best to swap it for you.
Spring Term Clubs booking
The Spring term clubs are now bookable on My School Portal. Please remember to book your child’s clubs by the deadline which is 11.55pm on 12th October. Lists with names will be sent out next Friday 17th October. You will then have until Saturday 1st November to email Arlette with any amendments. You will not be able make amendments on the portal as it will be closed.
After 1st November, the lists will be finalised for billing. You will be liable for any paid for club booked so please select carefully.
Feedback from Parent Survey
We are most grateful to all the parents who kindly gave time over the holidays to fill in the survey we sent out. Such feedback is very helpful as it challenges us as is appropriate and most importantly, it helps us to improve the provision for your children. All the parents either agreed or strongly agreed that their children were happy at school, which is key to their ability to focus and learn. While there were lots of very positive comments about the ethos and culture at the school, a number of parents also said that communication could be better, that school events could be at more convenient times for parents and that necessary changes to plans could be shared with parents sooner. We will endeavour to improve in these areas and to address where reasonable and possible, other points that were raised. For example, some parents asked about there being a more substantial snack before clubs/going home time for the Prep children, which we had also been thinking about. Many of the children enjoy the sandwiches which we now offer at this time - and hopefully they will help to tide them over now until they go home!
Harvest Festival
A reminder that we will conclude this half of the Autumn Term next Friday with our annual Harvest Festival service at St Mary’s Church in Henley. There will be a retiring collection which will be split between St Mary’s and NOMAD. Any children who have a club or are signed up to aftercare will be walked back to school by a member of staff (please let Arlette know if your child is NOT going to be going to their club or aftercare on this day by emailing arlette.halfhead@ruperthouse.co.uk). Please read this letter for more information.
Harvest Donations
We have had some wonderful food and household item donations this week. If you would like to donate, please bring in your items by end of day on Thursday 16th October as Year 6 will be taking them to the foodbank on Friday morning.
Friends of Rupert House
The FoRH are looking for a new Treasurer. The Treasurer is responsible for managing the charity’s finances, ensuring accurate record-keeping, regular reporting, and compliance with statutory requirements. You can find out more about the role here. Please also read the update below from Chair of FoRH, Elizabeth Benson, as it contains important information about upcoming events.
October Half Term Activity Camps
There are a few spaces left on the Discover Activity Camps this October Half Term. The camps will be Halloween themed and are bookable for children age 4 to 14. You can take a look at the daily activities (which include a Lego building challenge and splatter art Halloween painting for the young children and clay creature creating and catapult construction for the older children) here: October Half Term – Rupert House - Discover Activity Camps
Henley Half Marathon
The Henley Half Marathon Team are looking for volunteers at the four water stations (Flower Pot, Fawley Court, Fawley and Assenson) on the morning of Sunday 19th October. It’s great fun for children to get involved and perfect for cheering on any parents or teachers that are running past! There is a briefing at Henley Rugby Club at 8am but only one person from each station is required to attend. Please contact the office if you would like to be involved.
Finally, please can I ask that you supervise your children if they are using the triangle of land outside the front of school. Whilst it is common land which the children are entitled to use, our neighbours maintain that area and would appreciate us treating it with respect. Some of the trees there have light bulbs in them ready to be switched on soon for Christmas, while others are being damaged by the children climbing them, so please can we ask that you guide your children to be careful and ideally not to climb them, given their proximity to the road anyway.
Best wishes,
Nick Armitage