WEEKLY CALENDAR OF EVENTS NO. 417

Monday 19 October – Sunday 25 October 2009

ISSUED Friday 16 October 2009

ALL

We are once again using Northbrook to raise money for Dolphin School. Each child should have brought home a Northbrook Gift Wrap brochure (there are spare forms and samples at the School Reception). For each item purchased, Dolphin FunRaisers receives cash back so we hope you like the selection of items and that you will enjoy buying your Christmas wrapping paper from the comfort of your own home! If you would like to order items, please complete the order form and leave it with your cheque made payable to FunRaisers at Reception. Please return all your order forms by 6 November. If you have any queries, please call Laura Lord on the contact number on the order form. Thank you.

At this time of year the Sunday Times produces its Parent Power league tables. You will find that we do no enter our details in line with IAPS policy, which is as follows:

IAPS is opposed to league tables of schools based on the narrow criteria of test results. It believes that one of the great virtues of its schools is the breadth of their educational provision, both curricular and non-curricular. Tests do not provide a true reflection of all that is on offer in prep schools.

Along with the majority of IAPS schools we no longer submit the key stage tests for external marking, although we will still use the national curriculum levels as a bench mark for pupil progress, as you will see on the reports for our older children in the core subjects.

We believe that our specialist teaching and facilities, small teaching groups and breadth of curriculum result in high educational standards and provide the all-round excellence that is at the heart of IAPS schools.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Some of Year 6, 7 and 8 took part in the Shakespeare in Schools festival at Norden Park in Maidenhead last week. The performance was enormously successful; do look at some of the pictures on the website. We hope to offer an evening performance in the second week after half term and tie this in with some of the highlights of our recent Science Week, including talks from outside speakers and display of some work from the senior pupils. We will let you know as soon as the final date is confirmed.

Chess

This Saturday, 17 October, Dolphin is hosting one of the regular Saturday tournaments from 14.00 to 17.30 (approx.) We would love to see chess players who have been playing for a while but have not yet tried an individual tournament at this event. Plus of course the more experienced players amongst you all.

Details for all of the above can be found on the Berkshire Junior Chess website

Year 5 Play Practice

A reminder that there will be a play practice on Monday 26 October 09.00 to 12.00 in the Hall for all who can attend. Please bring something that can quietly entertain (a book, electronic game etc.) and a snack.

Please note that all visa arrangements are the responsibility of a child’s parents or guardians. Parents of children with non-EU passports must ensure that their children can exit from and re-enter the UK. If the above assurance is not in place your child may be prevented from travelling with the school group. If you are in any doubt that your child can travel you must notify the school and contact the Trip Leader or Linda Charlesworth. We will then apply to use the List of Travellers Visa Waiver Scheme.

If your child is using their passport to travel with a Dolphin school party please ensure that you keep a photocopy of the child’s passport in your home.

Would all drivers entering the school car park please note that their speed should be limited to a walking pace. All drivers should also be aware that children from a very young age (albeit under their parents’ responsibility) may be in the car park area.

NURSERY

The children are visiting Sonning Mill on Tuesday 20 October, from 09.00 to 12.00. Please make sure that they have outdoor clothing for the journey.

YEAR 4

Puppetry workshop on Tuesday 20 October, 10.30 – 15.30, in school.

YEAR 5

Boulogne Trip at Half Term: A reminder to parents that Mr Leakey would like any remaining documents and items in as soon as possible next week, from the following: Passports, EHIC cards, Parental Consent forms, Meals & Money forms, T4 Pupil Check Lists and pocket money in Euros.

YEAR 6 & 7

A letter about next year’s foreign trip has gone home with the children today. If you have not received it please ask for a copy at Reception or ask Jan.

YEAR 6, 7, & 8

Please make sure that you have all the relevant information for the coming trips.

Year 7 and 8 leave from the car park at 06.40 on Thursday 22 October.

Year 6 leave on Friday 23 October at 07.45 from the car park.

Monday 19 October

SPORT U11 Basketball v Yately Manor (A) 16.00 – 18.30

Tuesday 20 October

TRIP Nursery to Sonning Mill SM JR

WORKSHOP Year 4 Puppetry workshop 10.30 – 15.30

SPORT U12 Football 11 a side v Shiplake (H) 15.00 – 16.30

PARENTS EVENING Year 1 18.30 – 20.30

Wednesday 21 October

SPORT U10 Netball v St Pirans (A) 13.30 – 16.30

U11 Football v Hawley Place (A) 13.30 – 16.00

U11 Football 7 a side v Waverley (H) 14.00 – 16.00

U10 Football 2 x 7 a side v St Edwards (H) 14.00-16.00

Thursday 22 October

TRIP Year 7 & 8 Field Trip Northumbria Depart 06.40 and return 27 Oct 20.00

Friday 23 October

TRIP Year 7 & 8 Field Trip Northumbria

Year 6 Field Trip North Wales Depart 07.45 and return 27 Oct 20.00

HALF TERM

Saturday 24 October

TRIP Year 7 & 8 Field Trip Northumbria

Year 6 Field Trip North Wales

PART OF THE SCHOOL ENTRANCE WILL BE UNUSEABLE ON THIS DAY.

Sunday 25 October

TRIP Year 7 & 8 Field Trip Northumbria

Year 6 Field Trip North Wales

PART OF THE SCHOOL ENTRANCE WILL BE UNUSEABLE ON THIS DAY.