9th January 2026

I’d like to extend a special welcome to our new starters: Eloise in Nursery, Hugo in Year 2, Felicity in Year 3, Luca in Year 5 and our new teachers, Mr Dartnaill (Year 2) and Miss Lewis (Reception). It has been wonderful to see all the children again and to hear about their exciting adventures over the Christmas holidays.

We started the week with a whole school assembly where I reminded the children of our school values and the importance of kindness. I shared a beautiful extract from Always Remember by Charlie Mackesy:

“I worry that I’m not very good at anything,” said the boy. “You are kind,” said the mole, “which is everything.”

An important and relevant message to start the new term.

Although the weather has done its best to dampen our days this week, we have managed to continue with most of our planned activities, including sports lessons, swimming, clubs, and outdoor learning. Please remember to send children to school each day with coats, gloves, hats, and appropriate sports layers as we move through the coming winter weeks.

 

Notes from the Music Department

We still have places in our Samba Drumming club, which takes place on Wednesday breaktimes with our drumming teacher Neill. No drumming experience required, just a love of loud beats and exciting rhythms! Please contact Arlette if your child would like to sign up: arlette.halfhead@ruperthouse.co.uk

We also have a number of opportunities for pupils to learn a musical instrument with our peripatetic teachers including piano, cello, flute, drums, trumpet, recorder and singing. Please see here for more information.

Finally, thank you to everyone who donated to Global’s Make Some Noise charity for The Big Christmas Chorus. We raised a fantastic £120.

Our performance of Walking in the Air arranged by Mr Dwinell, which was performed at the church, was recorded and can be viewed here. https://youtu.be/NnukZ7tO0WA

 

Wishford Art Exhibition – Call for Entries!

We are delighted to announce that the annual Wishford Art Exhibition will take place from 2nd–4th March 2026 at Westonbirt Senior School. This year’s theme is 'Nature', and we cannot wait to see the creative and imaginative artworks of our pupils.

Children are invited to submit original artwork in any medium, in 2D (no larger than A3), and pieces may be created individually or collaboratively. 

If your child would like to take part, please ensure their finished artwork is brought to the Art room by 23rd January 2026.

We look forward to celebrating the natural world through art!

 

STEAM Week

I am excited to share that this year our Rupert House STEAM Week will take place from 9–13th March, with the theme Curiosity, encouraging our children to explore, ask questions, and discover the world around them. Curiosity is at the heart of STEAM and underpins so many innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Maths. As part of the week, we would be incredibly grateful to welcome parents, friends, or contacts who might be willing to share their experiences or passions through short talks or activities, helping bring learning to life and inspire curiosity in our pupils. Sessions can be tailored to different age groups and do not need to be technical at all - just engaging and inspiring. If you feel able to help, or know someone who might enjoy being involved, Mrs Fletcher would be very thankful to hear from you by half-term via email at alice.fletcher@ruperthouse.co.uk.

Wishing you a dry, sunny, and hopefully less windy weekend!

Best wishes,

Nick Armitage