11th January 2008

Happy New Year
I would like to wish everyone a happy new year – I hope 2008 is a successful one for you and your family. Let us hope 2008 is a successful one for the Alcuin School. There are challenges ahead – but the same challenges all schools are facing at the moment. We must meet these challenges head on so that the good work done over the years is continued into the future. This term as well as the ongoing challenges we must also face an inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. This takes place in the last week of the term, but the reporting inspector will be in school on a pre-inspection visit next Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. She will meet pupils and staff. If you wish your views to be known then you must return the questionnaires by next Wednesday.

Changes and additions
The fixture list is likely to be supplemented considerably as the term goes on. Please note the following additions:
U11 Netball Tournament at Fulneck School on Saturday 23rd February (am)
U11 Chess League match at Adel Primary School on Wednesday 20th February (3.15pm).
Could I remind all those that agreed to commit themselves to the chess team this year that the qualifier for Prestatyn is on February 2nd in Oldham and we will need to meet at school by 8am - I will send a letter at the beginning of next week with the arrangements on.

The LEEDS JUNIOR CHESS CONGRESS is the day after on February 3rd and it would be nice to see some representation from the school as we are the hosts. Entry forms will be sent out.
Finally the Cross Country race scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled (not through any fault of ours) so please do not turn up for this. Thank you to the four boys who did manage to turn up for the race at Guiseley at the end of last term.
John Hipshon

Commendations
Oscar – for reading
Liyah – for good attention – let’s keep it up in class in all we do
Jayesh – Very keen to come to his new school
Harry – steadiness and reliability
Kobie – very at home with rugby
James – better application, very good diary writing and poetry
Mr Hook spoke of the need to pay attention around other people, especially the younger ones. This applies to not hurting them physically but also not being careless with our speaking. Careless words can be hurtful.
Zachaya – story writing
Tiseanna – for her holida y project ‘The Milky Way’
Katie – good sportsmanship in defeat
Holly – ability to reason logically
Club Attendance
Anyone wishing their child to attend an after school club must return their form by Monday. Copies are available from the office if yours has gone missing.

Summary Box
Monday:
Art Club 3.30-4.30pm
Tuesday:
Swimming
Drama Club 3.30pm-4.30pm
Chess Coaching Years 2, 3 and 4 3.30pm-4.30pm
Wednesday:
UK Chess Challenge Round 2 Lunchtime
Story Club 3.30-4.30pm
Thursday:
Chess Squad Lunch time
Netball Practice 3.30-4.30pm
Friday:
Orchestra Lunchtime