13th February 2026

Pupils have taken part in Safer Internet Day activities, a special afternoon of music at Abingdon School for a group of our young musicians, pancake making (and racing and eating!) in Year 2, and the annual Maths Challenge at Shiplake College for selected pupils in Years 4 and 5. Do take a look at our social media pages and the news stories to read more about these events.

We began the week with an exciting fencing demonstration during Monday’s assembly. Andy Mudie from Little Musketeers will be launching a new club in the Summer Term, and some of the children were lucky enough to have a go. Many are already keen to sign up - you may well have heard all about it at home!

Children throughout the school also participated in activities to mark Children’s Mental Health Week. This year’s theme, “This Is My Place,” focused on helping children feel a sense of belonging by strengthening the systems and relationships around them. Mrs Newman led a whole-school assembly in which the children enjoyed ‘feel-good’ games with their fellow house members, and pupils also took part in a range of activities within their form groups and Happy Hub sessions. Please see the wellbeing section below for helpful articles for parents, including How to Support a Sense of Belonging at School by Alicia Drummond and Building Self-Confidence and Self-Belief in Children by James Shone.

 

Big Blue Door Header

If you’re looking for a rainy day half term activity, here’s a reminder that we will be updating the newsletter header image after half term. If your child would like to submit a piece of artwork, please ensure it is landscape orientation, bright, and clear, as it will need to be scanned. Artwork should be handed in to the office by Tuesday 24th February.

 

Half Term Camps

There are only a few spaces available for children aged 8–14 at the February half-term Discover Camp. The camp is open to all children, so please feel free to share this with friends outside Rupert House who may be looking for half-term childcare. You can book your place here: February Half Term – Discovery Activity Camps

 

School Clubs

There are still spaces available in the school Spring Term Netball Club (Years 3&4 and 5&6) and Rugby Club (Years 3&4 and 5&6). Children are welcome to have a taster session after half term before committing. Please email arlette.halfhead@ruperthouse.co.uk to arrange this. The Summer Term clubs will be published and available for booking a few weeks after the half term holiday.

 

1:1 Support Teacher Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and patient person to give 1:1 learning support in the classroom to a child with additional learning needs. The role will involve supporting the class teacher and SEND Department to develop the child’s focus and ability to complete school tasks in the classroom. To provide some 1:1 lessons to support and strengthen the child’s maths confidence and development through multisensory and engaging activities.

The deadline for applications is 28th February 2026. If you or anyone you know might like to apply, please take a look at or share the information pack which can be found here.

 

Uniform

A reminder to please label all uniform before your child wears or brings it into school. We have lots of unnamed items in lost property, especially water bottles and coats. It is only possible to reunite items with their owners if they are clearly named.

 

Year 6 Results

It is wonderful to report that Josie has been offered a place St Mary's Ascot and Lottie a place at Queen Anne's, with a music scholarship. In addition, Rosie, Celia, Nate, Fox, Otto, Olivia, Lottie and Teddy have been offered places at Shiplake College, with Otto, Olivia and Teddy awarded sports scholarships and Olivia an academic scholarship as well. Very well done to all of them!

We are very much looking forward to our trip to the O2 for Young Voices on our return to school after half term. Please keep your child’s t-shirt safe during the break and make sure they come in wearing it on the Monday.

I hope you have a restful half term.

Best wishes,

Nick Armitage