Friday 28th November

Not much has really happened this week…

This biggest news of the week is that tomorrow will be the Christmas Bazaar, a day where the RSA work tirelessly on behalf of the school and we as staff can never really thank them enough for their hard work and effort!! I know when it is nearly the Bazaar because Miss Bickerstaff instigates ‘Operation Bottle Tombola’ and our office begins to resemble an outlet store of Threshers!! Soo many donations, all gratefully received – a special thank you to the whole of the school community.

Elsewhere in school this week we had SIM’s tutor group assembly which allowed the children to share with us the wide range of sporting activities that they participate in. This brings me on nicely to a roundup of recent sporting achievements: the Year 8 girls played – and ate – very well against Haileybury, winning one and drawing one; the Year 7 boys came second and girls third, in the district table tennis – Alex G being the top boy in the competition; the Year 7 & 8 boys came second in the district rugby – 2 great tries scored by Calwyn L-J; finally the Year 6 & 5 boys both narrowly lost last night to St Ed’s.

In school, last week saw the first of our Cross-Curricular Days where the focus was the world around us. A whole range of activities were enjoyed from redesigning the school site, cleaning up an oil slick, recycling, endangered animals, to making winter bird feeders. The children really enjoyed the chance to learn new skills and the wide range of experiences.

On Thursday Mrs Bush and three Year 7 children went off to Heartswood Forest in Wheathampsted to do some tree planting with the Woodland Trust. They had a great time for many reasons – which will be included in their soon to be published report.

So that’s about it for this week, unless of course you count the Bushtucker Trial-esq interview process that I endured for two days this week!! Despite wanting to cry ‘I am a deputy, get me outta here’ on numerous occasions, I was resilient and kept going. As I am sure you are all aware by now, I was successful and am delighted to be the next Headteacher, from the Summer Term. I would like to say that I have been very touched by all the messages I have received, but mostly by the reaction of the children.

As with any changes there can be anxiety or concerns for the future, the good news is that once I have modified the uniform, excluded all Arsenal fans, made everyone speak backwards on a Thursday, extended the school day to 6pm and changed the school name – I really don’t plan on making any more changes!! In reality some changes are going to happen, but as always they will be done with the best interests of the school and children in mind. I joined Ralph Sadleir because I liked the ethos and that will never change – providing a stimulating environment in which children’s learning can progress.

As I said in my interview I am 100% a Ralphie and that I get to be the ‘Head’ Ralphie is very exciting. Enjoy your weekend, I hope to see lots of you at the Bazaar.