NEWS Week ending 15th March 2013
LETTER FROM THE HEAD Dear Parents You have read before in my newsletter the importance I place in this school being part of the Girls Day School Trust. This is for many reasons, among which are the sense of a common purpose and direction amongst the schools, and the development and sharing of best educational practice to ensure the best schooling for our girls. In addition to this, the pooled financial resources of this organisation mean that we can plan ahead for the future with confidence. I am delighted that the Trustees of the GDST have just approved my business case for the complete reroofing of both the Junior and Senior School buildings at an estimated cost of £2.5 million. The present roofing materials and structures date from when the school moved to its present site in 1966 and, as such, they are showing their age. There would be little point in pushing ahead with other major refurbishment projects if the roof is leaking so, whilst not the most glamorous of jobs, it is essential that the work is carried out. In addition to the roofing itself new insulation will be installed and there will be concrete repairs made as each section of the school buildings have been reroofed. I expect the work to begin in the summer holidays and am confident that it will enhance the buildings considerably. Today is Red Nose Day and CHS is doing its bit to help raise money for this very worthwhile cause. The mufti effort has been very impressive with a huge amount of red being displayed around the school as well as some very fetching “onesies” and a number of fund raising events are being well attended. This morning’s assembly helped to raise awareness of the very real and pressing needs of others less fortunate than ourselves and ended with a trailer for the special video featuring members of staff doing silly things to the soundtrack of this year’s Red Nose Day charity record. Much hilarity ensued in the Lecture Theatre as the film was shown on a number of occasions for a small donation from those girls watching. Looking outward and developing our sense of global citizenship is an important element of the girls’ education at CHS and today’s activities can only serve to heighten these sensibilities. I have been hearing lots of fascinating tales from our Year 9 girls after their Take Your Daughter to Work day on Wednesday of this week. It is quite clear that the girls gained an awful lot from their experiences in your workplaces and that the experience has added to their awareness of what the world of work entails. Many thanks to all the parents who took their daughter to work; we feel this is an important element in our careers education programme. I know that the Year3 and 4 girls have been working very hard on their final preparations for their production of The Wind in the Willows and I am very much looking forward to attending their performance tonight. It is always good to see the younger pupils’ talents being showcased and then to see that talent grow and flourish in later years as they make their way up through the Junior and Senior schools. I am sure that I will see the stars of future plays and concerts in tonight’s performance. Tomorrow afternoon, some of the Junior staff will be running an Easter themed Craft and Games session for children aged 2 -5. This follows the very successful Christmas activity for the same age group and forms part of our programme of activities for all ages that are open to both our pupils and to others within our local community. Yours sincerely
D Leonard CROYDON HIGH SCHOOL Old Farleigh Road, Selsdon, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 8YB Tel: 020 8260 7500 Fax: 020 8260 7461 E-mail: info2@cry.gdst.net www.croydonhigh.gdst.net