28th November 2025

Our windows are now adorned with festive decorations, thanks to the wonderfully creative Mrs Forbes and Ms Nash from the Art Department. The children have all contributed to a wonderful festival display in the Hall corridor and Year 6 upheld tradition on Wednesday by beautifully decorating the school Christmas tree. Nativity play rehearsals are now in full swing, and the children have been busy learning songs for the many musical events taking place over the final two weeks of term!

Mr Goater very kindly joined us for assembly on Monday and spoke passionately about Neurodiversity to the children, reinforcing the powerful message delivered by Tom Scott the previous week that the different ways in which we learn are our superpowers and contribute to our uniqueness. 

Once again, I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who sponsored the children and staff to complete their 25-themed challenges for Children in Need. It has been a tremendous team effort and we have raised an amazing £4,300 so far for the charity (including gift aid and cash donations), which almost equals the total made following our 24-hour Sportathon last year. Tomorrow, Henry and Percy in Year 4 are running 7km, while former-pupil Othello and his father are running a staggering 22km, all in aid of Children in Need. Hopefully you will be keen to sponsor them (particularly given the awful weather forecast) and together we can surpass the £4,500 raised last year!

👉 www.justgiving.com/page/rupert-house-school-2025

 

Drop off and pick-up

Please can I ask that parents not to park immediately in front of school at either drop-off or at pick-up times, as our buses often need to park there and it can be dangerous. Please also ensure that you remain in close proximity to your children when waiting in that area or on the green and do stay on the pavement rather than waiting in the road wherever possible. Thank you! 

 

Rupert House Christmas Gifts

We still have some fantastic centenary items for sale, including mugs, hoodies, umbrellas and a few bears which would make great Christmas presents for any members of the Rupert House community! The link to shop on our website is now fixed and we have added a 10% discount from now until 12^th December. Please use the code 10OFF at checkout: Rupert House School - Gift Shop

(Please note, any hoodie orders will need to be placed by Friday 5^th December in order to receive them before we break up for Christmas).

 

Henley Santa Run

Once again, we are sponsoring the Henley Santa Run on 14^th December at 10am. It is a very special and fun family event raising money for the Mayor's chosen charities and is for runners and non-runners of all ages! It starts at The Leander Club and there are prizes for the winners, the best dressed and every entrant is given a very tasteful and festive Rupert House Santa hat! There are always delicious mince pies and drinks at the finish line, which are thoroughly well-earned. I hope to see many of you there! The link to sign up is here: https://pci.jotform.com/form/252933834720358

 

Parent / Staff Choir & Orchestra

If you are interested in taking part in the Rupert House staff and parent choir to sing at the Christmas Service, it’s not too late to join! Please come along to any of the rehearsals on the below dates. If you are able to make any or all of these, it would be fantastic to see you there! No experience necessary, just a willingness to enjoy some festive music making and to sing with our talented children as part of the celebrations on 10th December at St Mary’s Church.

Rehearsals will take place in the Music Studio on:

• Tuesday 2nd Dec  4pm*
• Friday 5th Dec 7.40am 
• Tuesday 9^th Dec 4pm *
• Wednesday  10^th December 1.30pm (at St Mary’s Church) 

*Please can we ask you to book your children in for aftercare or homework club if they need to stay in school and would not normally be doing a club while you are rehearsing.

 

 

Christmas Tree Festival

This year, the Art Department and Mrs Steer’s knitting club have been busy making decorations for the Rupert House ‘Woolly Wish’ tree at the Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church. The festival opens to the public on 2^nd December and runs until 11^th December. Do go along to cast a vote for our tree and help raise money for the church! You can find out more here.

Best wishes,

Nick Armitage