18th September 2026
It has been a busy and purposeful second week of term, with everyone settling back into school life beautifully.
The children have embraced their new year groups and are already engaging well with their daily routines and learning. As I write this, the children in Year 4 and 5 are busy enjoying an energetic dance workshop held by Grace and Tara from Bradfield College.
In my assembly on Monday morning, I spoke about courage, one of our School Values, and the importance of us stepping out of our comfort zones in order to face new challenges, overcome obstacles and to embrace change. I gave the example of having made a cake last weekend for the first time for my wife's birthday, which had been something of a challenge for me, given my non-existent baking experience! I challenged the children to be brave and try new foods, as we are encouraging them to. Following the beetroot brownies which were very popular last week, and number of the children tried the mushroom chocolate mousse today - good on them! We are also encouraging the children to finish the food on their plates where they can as it is good manners to do so. The children I sit with a always keen to be members of 'the Clean Plate Gang', as I call them!
Running Club
It was wonderful to have so many children join us for Running Club this morning, including a number of new pupils and parents. It was great to see such enthusiasm and energy from everyone! Whilst it was something of an adventure to run up the footpath towards Fawley, it was made even more so by a number of us unfortunately being stung by wasps, after we must have inadvertently disturbed a nest. We administered First Aid, the children were all very brave and we hope the experience will not have put any of them off joining us again in future.
Cross Country
The South Oxfordshire Schools Cross Country Series also got underway on Saturday at Greys Court, with a fantastic turnout from Rupert House. Well done to everyone who took part - it was brilliant to see so many children representing the school and lots were placed. You can read more about the event HERE.
The next event will take place on Saturday 10th October at Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge. The races will be held in the afternoon from 1pm, making it more likely that children will be able to take part without clashing with their regular Saturday sports.
A reminder that the cross country series is open to children in all year groups from Year 1 upwards. It is great fun, a wonderful way to get active, and a fantastic opportunity to be part of a team. We would love to see even more Rupert House children taking part!
The Pre-Prep building
The children and staff in Pre-Prep are very much enjoying the newly-configured Pre-Prep building and we are looking forward to all the works being finished off so that it can be officially-opened after Half Term. More details of the works to be completed by the end of half term will be shared next week and we know the building will look fabulous once it is all done!
Please can parents make a note that the main entrance to the Pre-Prep building is now via the library. Due to the volume of people going into the building in the mornings, we respectfully ask that buggies are left outside if at all possible please. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Attendance and Term-Time Absence
A reminder that any absence (whether illness or planned appointments) must be logged via My School Portal before 8.30am in the morning please. We would also like to remind families that schools are not permitted to authorise holidays, days out, or other non-essential absences during term time. This is not a decision made by us as a school, but guidance set out by the Department for Education to help improve attendance nationally. While we understand that family time is very important, we ask that holidays are arranged during school breaks, as any absence taken in term time will be recorded as unauthorised. Please be assured that attendance records are not passed on to secondary schools when children move on – they are for our own monitoring only, so that we can ensure every child makes the most of their learning time with us. Thank you for your support.
Birthday celebrations
We are delighted to be introducing a new way of celebrating birthdays in school. From this term, we will be replacing our current birthday treats system with something we hope will be even more special – Birthday Tea with the Head!
On the first Friday of each month, all children celebrating a birthday during that month will be invited to join Mr Armitage for a special birthday tea together. It will be a lovely opportunity for the children to come together, enjoy a celebration and mark their special day with the school community. There will be no cost to parents for the birthday tea.
School House Names
Thank you to everyone who put forward ideas for our new house names. We have been inundated with suggestions which we are currently looking through, and we will take to the School Council in their first meeting next week.
Individual and Sibling photographs
A reminder that school photographs are being taken by Gillman & Soame on Monday next week. Please remember that children should wear blazers into school and have long hair neatly tied back. Children who normally wear sports kit on a Monday should wear school uniform and bring their kit to change into after the photographs please.
Dietary requirements and allergies at lunchtime
From next week, we will be introducing colour-coded lanyards during lunchtimes to provide an additional visual reminder of children’s dietary requirements and allergies. This will help ensure that all members of staff are clearly aware of individual needs and can continue to support our children safely and confidently at mealtimes. The initiative forms part of our ongoing commitment to allergy awareness and keeping children safe in line with Benedict’s Law. Please let us know if your child might have an issue with wearing a lanyard by emailing Miss B and we will make alternative arrangements. We appreciate your continued support in keeping us informed of any changes to your child’s dietary requirements or allergies.
Music and Performing Arts Department
Mrs Light, our Head of Music and Performing Arts, is very excited about all that is in store for the children this year in her department. She has decided to have a Year 3&4 production in the Spring Term and for the production at the Kenton in the Summer Team to be for Years 5&6. These are exciting changes which will give the children greater performance opportunities. Please see more information HERE detailing all that the children have to look forward to, as well as the ways in which you can be involved as parents!
Sports Department
The children have thrown themselves into their sports sessions over the last couple of weeks, hot on the heels of the very successful pre-season session we held for Years 4-6. In addition to the regular weekly fixtures in which we strive to have all the children take part, we are entering a number of tournaments and festivals this year, which may be more selective in their nature. The Under 11 Girls team who were selected made a super start by coming joint third in the Wellington Hockey Tournament last week; well done them. I am looking forward to reading the Sports Reports, which the children are now writing after their fixtures, and I hope you will do so too. Best of luck to everyone with fixtures this afternoon – especially our Year 3 boys, who will be playing in their very first Rupert House fixture! We hope you have a fantastic time and enjoy representing the school.
October half term camps
The Discover Activity Camps for October half term are available to book online. Open to all children aged 4 to 14, each day is fuelled by a nutritious homemade hot lunch, included in the booking. The camps will run from Monday 19th – Friday 30th October, providing a varied and engaging programme, designed to inspire curiosity, teamwork and creativity in a safe and supportive environment. Find out more and book here: Rupert House School - Discover Activity Camps
I hope that you and your children have a restful weekend.
Nick Armitage