|
Dear Parents
We have received queries from parents and members of the PA Committee regarding a few matters and I thought it best to provide clarity on them in this week’s newsletter as they probably affect most of you in some way.
CLASS KITTY
The first one is to do with the class kitty which some classes pay into at the start of the year and which is then managed by the class rep. As I gather they are used to buy gifts for the class teacher, also provide treats for the boys on significant occasions.
We do not allow class kitties and ask all parents to co-operate in this regard. I know that there are different views on this, some parents are pro, others anti and others feel obliged to contribute and do so less than happily.
Managing money is not what a class rep is expected to do. Teachers have no expectation of a large expensive gift; personal notes are very gratefully received and probably kept for a long time. If a class rep is happy to do it, a collection at the end of the year for a teacher, with parents who want to contribute, is fine. But that would be totally voluntary.
We don't believe boys need extra treats for special occasions; birthday boys already provide, as does the school on Founders Day and the House from time to time.
WHATSAPP GROUP USAGE
All classes from Grade 1 – 7 now have WhatsApp groups. Many parents find these very useful but a number of parents have expressed concerns from time to time about what is posted. So just a reminder that it is not for re-sending our general school communication, eg newsletter, other bulkmails etc. But rather it is used for class specific information: outings, possibly supporting a family, fund raising. Please don’t post anything of a personal nature about boys, teachers or parents. Any concern here can go directly to the class rep or Form teacher. Similarly, it is not for posting articles or items of general interest. The class rep has the unenviable task of addressing misuse if it happens on the group.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
After requested to do so we have reviewed our practice for the wearing of khakis, sports kit and changing during the course of the day.
The khaki is our basic uniform worn for most of the time. If boys have phys ed before break, they may come to school in their sports kit.
If after break, they change into their sports kit during or just before break (depending on their grade and how much direction is needed). They may change into sport specific kit that they will need for the afternoon. If they have sport in the afternoon, they change during the homework period (musicians during lunch break). Boys who practise swimming or tennis before school must change into khakis before school. It is a very small number of boys and in the case of the swimmers they are in fact getting dressed for school. Other than boys who practise before school the average boy changes once in the day.
As a traditional boys’ school our khaki uniform is important to us and needs to be worn. If boys come to school in sports kit most days, our base uniform becomes obsolete and variable sports kit would become general uniform. Sustainability is important to us so I ask you to only wash clothes that actually need it. Khaki shorts do not necessarily need to be washed very day.
As with everything else such as stationery, books, homework our boys are learning to pack what they need for the day, and then to execute what needs to be done during the course of each lesson. A suggestion is for your son to have a chart at home which indicates what needs to be packed for each day which he uses in conjunction with his homework diary. You as the parent can then check that he has packed what is necessary. We do monitor and assist those boys who find this especially difficult.
SOLAR POWER
You might have noticed solar panels going up around the school. This is part of our project to convert as much power to solar as we can across campus. Woodlands and two of the Pre-Prep buildings have had their roofs covered in solar panels. So has our music block and during the holidays the entire north-facing classroom block will be covered in solar panels. This is an extensive project that should be completed over the next few months. Similarly, we are in the process of changing all lights over to LED across the campus.
CAMPS AND MID-TERM BREAK
Grades 4 – 6 are all on camp next week but Grade 3s and 7s continue at school. This should be a very exciting experience for our 4s to 6s. Next weekend is our mid-term break so there will be no extra-murals on Friday afternoon or Saturday. Hopefully we can all catch our breath over the weekend.
Enjoy the weekend.
Kind regards
GREG BROWN
HEADMASTER |
