5th September 2025
I hope your children have had a smooth transition back to school after a fabulous summer.
It was wonderful to welcome 33 new pupils during our first Assembly on Wednesday morning. We have new starters in every year group from Nursery to Year 5 and it has been lovely to see the other children helping them to settle so smoothly into life at Rupert House over the last few days. Our new staff are also quickly finding their feet and have already made a very positive impression on the children, which I am delighted about. I enjoyed chatting with a number of new parents over coffee after drop-off on Wednesday and I hope that you soon feel very much a part of the Rupert House family.
In my first assembly it was lovely to welcome the children and new staff, as well as presenting the Year 6 children with their roles and responsibilities for the term. I am sure they will be excellent role models to the younger children and will enjoy the positions they have been given. I spoke about the importance of having fun at school and enjoying all the opportunities there are here, showing the postcards with the A.A Milne quote the form teachers sent to the children in the holidays. I told the children about the extraordinary long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad, who swam from Cuba to Florida, a distance of 110 miles, on the fifth attempt, over 30 years after the first one. She was doing something that gave her such joy, but which also took her way out of her comfort zone. I challenged the children to be willing to also do that this term and to make the most of it. As Diana said: "When I go to sleep every night...I say "I'm never going to get to live that day again. What did I do with that day? Do I look back with regret on that day?" Because, simple as it sounds, the way you choose to live today is the way you've chosen to live your life." Inspiring stuff!
As we begin the new term, I have been reflecting on the children who left us at the end of last year to begin their journeys at senior schools, and it has been super to see a number of them over the past few days. This year’s cohort moved on to 12 different schools, achieving 14 scholarships and awards - a truly impressive accomplishment. More importantly, they left Rupert House as confident, kind, and well-rounded young individuals, with a genuine love of learning. We wish them every success in this next chapter and look forward to hearing about all they go on to achieve.
Welcome meetings
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend their year-group parent welcome meeting this week. The remaining meeting times and dates are shown in MySchoolPortal.
Uniform
A reminder that children can wear either summer or winter uniform until half term, after which they should be in winter uniform. The boys wear navy ankle socks year round. Girls should wear white ankle socks with the summer dress and navy socks with the winter skirt and pinafore uniform.
There will be a second-hand uniform sale on Friday 12th September in our Pavilion, during the Rupert House Night Market event, from 5.30-7pm. Please bring any donations to the school office by Tuesday 9th September.
Drop off and pick up
To avoid complaints this term from nearby residents about unsafe parking and driving during drop-off and pick-up, a gentle reminder:
- Please park either at Waitrose or the Rugby Club and walk your child to and from school.
- Waitrose offers free parking for up to an hour, and those with an RH parent sticker may use the Rugby Club in the afternoon for 10 minutes without charge. Stickers are available from the school office.
- Our Drop & Dash system runs from 8:15–8:30am each morning—a member of staff will greet your child and help them safely out of the car.
- Please do not park outside the front of school, in residents’ bays, on unmarked sections of Kings Road, or near Northfield End Stores.
Please can we all play our part in keeping drop-off and pick-up times safe and considerate for everyone.
Sickness
As we all return to school and the winter bugs come into play, I would like to take a moment to remind you of our school sickness policy. If your child has experienced vomiting or diarrhoea, they must stay home from school for 48 hours after the last bought of illness.
Music Lessons
If your child would like to try instrumental or music lessons, please contact Mrs Light at anne.light@ruperthouse.co.uk. We have immediate availability for new starters in some instruments. We currently offer piano, drums, guitar, ukulele, flute, fife, recorder, cello, trumpet and singing lessons and are happy to consider other instruments if your child may be keen to learn one that is not currently taught in school.
Future Schools Fair
We are hosting a Senior School Fair at Rupert House on Monday 16th September from 6–8pm, as we do every few years. The event is open to all Rupert House families as well as the wider community, so please feel free to spread the word to friends. Whether you have children in Pre-Prep, are just beginning your senior school search or are finalising your choices, this is a fantastic opportunity to gain insight into a range of schools and what they have to offer. Please complete this short form to attend: https://forms.office.com/e/Mu3HQdGcFw
FoRH Night Market
The Rupert House Night Market, organised by FoRH, will be held on Friday 12th September on the school playing fields. Over 100 parents have already bought their tickets! Tickets are just £10 per adult, and children go free. This price includes a fantastic evening of entertainment — live music for the adults and fun games for the children. There will also be a great selection of food and drink available from local food trucks. If you haven’t got your ticket yet, please be sure to purchase it by Sunday 8th September. It’s set to be a fun and memorable evening - I hope to see you there!
Get your tickets here: Rupert House Night Market | Collctiv
Henley Half Marathon - volunteers needed!
The organisers of the Henley Half Marathon are looking for parents and children to help with the event on Sunday 19th October from approximately 8am-12pm, or whatever time people are available. It is a wonderful event and you will be able to cheer on a number of our parents and staff! Please email Chris Nixon if you are able to help (chris.nixon@henleyhawks.co.uk).
I hope you and your children have a restful weekend. I should imagine they may be fairly tired after a busy first few days back at school!
Best wishes,
Nick Armitage