No.  10

23^rd November 2007

SUNDAY TIMES
Last weekend the Sunday Times newspaper published their 'parent power' league tables.  Whilst I am not a great fan of league tables, along with many other heads, it is good to see that we are in the top fifty schools in the country for schools with a small Sixth Form.  We were placed 48^th overall.  If you exclude the single sex schools, then we are 19^th in the U.K. for small co-ed schools with a sixth form.  There has also been a lot in the press recently about small schools and that they are far better overall than larger units.  We, of course, have known this at The Park for a long time.
P W Bate

CHRISTMAS FAYRE – 29^TH NOVEMBER
This event will take place in the School Hall between 3.30 and 5 p.m..  This year we are hoping to have many stalls.  Your donations of raffle prizes, toiletries, bric a brac, second hand uniform, particularly kilts, blazers, jumpers and sweat shirts and good quality clean toys and books will be gratefully received. 

SLESSOR HOUSE – CHRISTMAS FAYRE
A reminder to all Slessor House members in the Senior School, to bring in bottles for the "Bottle Game" during the Christmas Fayre, if possible.  Also, if anyone is able to lend a popcorn-maker for the Christmas Fayre, I would be grateful to receive it.
Mrs T Gordon

TESCO SPORTS TOKENS REMINDER
Tesco's have stopped issuing sports tokens but they are still accepting them, so if you have any tokens could you please send them into the school by the end of term.

ENGINEERING CHALLENGE DAY

On  Wednesday 14^th November, two teams of students from the Sixth Form took part in an Engineering  Challenge Day at RNAS Yeovilton.  The task involved designing and

producing an ejector seat, and the judges were looking for communication, teamwork, problem solving, leadership and engineering skills.  Despite tackling the problem in very different ways, both teams ended up with exactly the same score, 214 out of 300 – so they had to share the Park School prize between them.  They were joint ninth overall, out of sixteen teams from other schools and colleges.  We would like to congratulate all who took part, for their enthusiasm and enterprise, in what was a very good day.

SIXTH FORM PARENTS EVENING
On Monday 26^th November, there will be a Sixth Form Parents Evening from 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. in the Kingston Sixth Form Building.
 

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA – WEDNESDAY 12^TH DECEMBER
This event will take place in the School Hall between 8 and 9 a.m.  This is an event for Junior School pupils, their parents and friends.  A breakfast of muffins and hot/cold drinks will be provided, along with a visit and gift from Santa for each child.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.  Tickets will go on sale after the Christmas Fayre!

CHRISTMAS TABLE TOP DECORATION COMPETITION
Any child may enter a decoration, not more than 35 cm high for this competition.  All entries to be brought into school by Tuesday 11^th December.  The judging will take place during Santa's breakfast.  There is a prize for each year group.

NUT SNACKS AT BREAK
We have a number of children in the Junior school who have a severe nut allergy.  Please could children not bring NUTS into school for their break, to ensure complete safety.

CHILDREN IN NEED
The school raised £324.91 last Friday when there was a non school uniform day.  Well done to all the children and staff who participated in this event. Well done especially to Mrs Briggs who came dressed in her 'old' Park School uniform (kept from the days when she was a pupil)!

WINTER COATS
Please could parents ensure that their  children in the Junior School bring their coats to school every day now that the weather has turned inclement

 ART AND DRAMA LONDON VISIT
Wednesday 28^th November – Years 10,11, 12 & 13 Art pupils and Year 11 Drama pupils.

Pupils are to meet at 7.25 a.m. in reception at front of school for registration.  The coach will be leaving at 7.30 a.m. promptly.  We will be visiting the National Gallery, having lunch in Trafalgar Square – pupils will need to bring a packed lunch and tea or money to buy lunch (a packed lunch would be preferable).  We will also be visiting the Tate Modern for "the world as a stage" exhibition.  Pupils will need sketchbooks, dry drawing media, a camera (optional), and money for postcards (art pupils for sketchbooks).  We will be leaving London at 5.00 p.m. and are aiming to return back to the front of the school for approximately 8.30 p.m.   It may be a good idea for pupils to carry mobile phones if there are any changes in the arrival time  Pupils on school lunch will be able to collect £2 from the Bursar.                        

ART FLORENCE TRIP
The deadline for the Florence visit deposit of £150 is 10^th December 2007.  Letters with full details are currently being drawn up.  The full amount is £439.  20 pupils are required for the visit to go ahead.  Please keep the deposits coming in .  Many thanks.

Mrs Briggs, Head of Art

NEW DRAMA STUDIO
The meeting about the new drama studio was very interesting and there was a good input from parents.  We will keep you informed of the progress, and thank you to everyone who attended the meeting.

PTA QUIZ NIGHT
The much awaited date for the rescheduled Quiz night is to be Saturday 2^nd February 2008.  Please put this in your diary.  More details to follow.

 
SPORTS REPORT
Please see sports report on the website.

 FUTURE DATES
26^th November – Sixth Form Parents  

                             Evening
29^th November – Christmas Fayre
12^th December – Breakfast with Santa
14th December – Carol Service