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16th September 2022

A week on from the passing of Queen Elizabeth, and it has been very moving to witness the outpouring of emotion from the nation as we mourn our collective loss.

The Queen set the most extraordinary example of service, compassion and humility. In assembly on Monday, the children heard about the way in which the Queen lived courageously, modelling one of our school values through the example she set. Next Monday, the school will be closed for the Queen's funeral, and I hope that the children will be able to engage, age-appropriately, with this most poignant of occasions.

Our Mural

As a tribute to Her Royal Highness, the Queen now features on the beautiful mural which Nicola Sutherland has been painting on the wall of our inner hall. She visited Henley formally on three occasions and Nicola has delightfully depicted her holding the hand of Rupert Bear, in place of Paddington, complete with his Rupert House book bag. The mural is almost finished and now wraps around the doorway. It has been lovely to see the children stop and look up as they pass, seeing something new and often unexpected in the piece of artwork each time.

This Week

It has been a busy first full week of term, with Mr Woodley's auction of promises ice cream trip surely a highlight for those lucky enough to accompany him! With the remainder of the year group parent meetings happening, the children enjoying some fabulous drama workshops, Move to Think sessions and music lessons now underway, there has been a real buzz around the school. The Senior Schools Fair in the Hall on Tuesday evening was a great success, with 12 of the schools which feature on the consideration list for many of the parents in attendance. It was well-supported by our parents and those from other local schools and I hope that they will have come away with a greater understanding of the range of choices we are fortunate to have on our doorstep. 

New and Current Parent Drinks on Thursday evening

Please do come and join us in the Hall for drinks at 7.30pm on Thursday. Mr McArthur and Nick Potter, one of our Governors, will also talk briefly about our new 'Move to Think' initiative, which commenced this week and has been much-enjoyed by the children. Please RSVP at the earliest opportunity.

Cross-Country Event tomorrow

It was super to have lots of children and a number of parents join us for the first Running Club of the term this morning. The children have clearly kept fit over the holidays, unlike myself, and I certainly found it hard work to keep up with some of them! All the very best to those children taking part in the first Cross-Country event of the season at Greys Court tomorrow morning. Please do encourage your children to come and take part if they are free then. More details can again be found below.

I hope you have restful weekend and I look forward to welcoming your children back to school on Tuesday morning.

With best wishes,

Mr Armitage