21st March 2025
Today there were splashes of red all over school as we wore red accessories in exchange for a donation to Comic Relief for Red Nose Day.
Mrs Newman made sure we also did ‘something funny for money’ by holding an assembly which resulted in Mrs Clough and I losing a quiz to Miss Potts and Mrs Pettifer. My inevitable punishment was to lead the school in a dance-off, which was great fun, albeit the children showed that they have a far better sense of rhythm than I! I believe you can see a snapshot of this on Instagram if you’re quick. Thank you to everyone who has donated. So far we have raised a fantastic £250. There is still time to give money via our Just Giving page: Rupert House School is fundraising for Comic Relief
It has been a busy week on the performing arts front with wonderful 'Mini Musical' performances by Years 1 to 4 (I hope those that came along to watch enjoyed the shows!) and the ABRSM concert and Music Medals taking place ahead of the ABRSM exams next week. It has also been a successful week of sport, with a team of our Year 5 girls winning the Shiplake College Primary and Prep Netball Tournament on Monday and yesterday Ms Nicholson organised another fantastic Year 2 football tournament in association with Education Henley, in which ones of our teams came third. Over 220 pupils attended from 11 different local schools and between them they played 68 mini matches. The children gave their all and there was plenty of team spirit on show to boot! Trinity School were crowned the overall winners and medals were presented by Councillor Rory Hunt, The Mayor of Henley, to the first and second placed teams in each category, as well as to the team which showed the greatest resilience, which this year was Sacred Heart Primary.
Meet the Head Coffee Morning
Dr Sarah Tullis, the new Head of the Abbey, very kindly visited us yesterday and I enjoyed talking with her about all manner of aspects of life for the girls there. She places great importance on the girls and staff having fun there, which certainly chimes with me, and it was lovely to hear that the ex-Rupert House pupils there are really thriving.
Discovery Day
This afternoon we held a fun Forest School Discovery Session for children and their parents who are due to start Reception in September but who have not yet started at Rupert House. This gave them a chance to meet and get to know each other ahead of the Autumn term. Mrs Steer and Miss Woolven hosted a number of activities at our Outdoor Learning site and the children had a wonderful time exploring the site! If you know anyone that may be considering Rupert House for Reception in September, please do encourage them to get in touch with Mrs Halfhead via admissions@ruperthouse.co.uk
Book delivery
Following the very successful book fair which was organised by Mrs Benson on World Book Day earlier this term, I took a large number of books along to RAF Benson Primary School on Wednesday. The pupils in their School Council were very appreciative and they were super excited to add the books to their library. They very kindly gave me a tour of their school and wanted me to thank all the Rupert House families who so kindly donated books.
Easter Eggs
We are once again collecting Easter Eggs for the NOMAD centre foodbank. This is an idea that originally came from a Rupert House pupil who, very kindly, wanted to make sure every child in the local area receives a treat at Easter. Over the past few years we have seen a phenomenal number of donations and the NOMAD team are most appreciative of this wonderful initiative, which also allows them to reconnect with people they have helped in the past to see if further assistance can be given. Any Easter treat would be very much appreciated – it does not have to be a big, expensive egg! Please bring in your items at drop off from Monday to Thursday next week – there will be a collection table in the school hallway and one at Courtneys. Year 6 will be delivering them all to NOMAD on Friday morning.
Great School Run
The Great School Run of Henley is back for its 4th year in the grounds of Stonor Park on 18th May. Everyone is welcome to come along and take part from Nursery upwards and parents are also encouraged to join in! It is free to enter and is always a fun way to spend a Sunday morning. NOMAD is the charity for voluntary monetary donations this year, as chosen by the Education Henley Schools Committee. Please visit The Great School Run Henley for more info and to register. Last year we won the Mayor's Cup for the school with the greatest participation relative to its size, so here's hoping we can challenge for that again with a strong Rupert House turnout! Please spread the word to any other families you may know from other nurseries or primary, Prep and senior schools in the local area.
Next week
We have another busy final week of term next week with lots of exciting events taking place. On Monday we have the Prep Swimming Gala at Clares Court School. We also have the House Music Competition Finals at Henley Town Hall on Tuesday, The FoRH Easter hunt on Thursday morning, final assembly on Thursday afternoon and we end the week with our annual Easter Service on Friday. There will be no clubs next week except for homework club and after care (Monday to Thursday only), except for Year 2 Tennis and DT club on Wednesday which are both taking place.
It was lovely to welcome the Year 6 children back after their French trip this afternoon. It sounds as though they had a fabulous week in the French sunshine!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Best wishes,
Nick Armitage