News Headlines

The weather would seem to be set fair for a fine day tomorrow and we are all very much looking forward to Sports Day. The children have been practising hard and we are sure that they will all give of their best. The school grounds and classrooms are open for inspection and we hope that visitors will take the time to have a full tour before they leave. The DT room by the tennis courts and the new Pottery in the Coach House are well worth seeing, and we also recommend a walk past Pony Grove to see the new outdoor learning area which is being developed in the woods (though do take care not to disrupt any of the projects there).

We are very fortunate to have a leading public figure to open our new building. The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Education, has kindly agreed to be our Guest of Honour. The opening is at 1200 (details below). The building currently has a fine art display with a painting from every child in the school. Our thanks and congratulations to Mrs Lavery for organising the exhibition.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow and hope you all have a lovely day.

Golf News

Zac Jenkins (Year 6) and Xavier Schwarz (Year 5) competed in the MPS Golf Championships at Millfield School on Tuesday. The competition comprised sixty boys and girls from nine different schools in three age categories (U13, U12, U11). Zac, winner of last year's U11 trophy, posted the best score of the day with forty-six points to become the overall winner of the championship. Xavier scored forty points, the second highest total, taking home the U11 trophy. Both boys are to be warmly congratulated on their very good golf.

Fantastic Maths Resource (Reception - Key Stage 2)

http://www.iboard.co.uk/curriculum.htm?launch=3562#maths-year3numstrategy

A fantastic website with lots of maths based games. Suitable for Reception all the way through to Key Stage 2.

Headmaster's Blog

This week's Common Entrance results were very pleasing, and all of our 27 candidates with definite place offers have now had them confirmed with some good grades. Well done everyone!

We are confident that the camp to be run by Sports Xtra will prove to be very popular. Plans are coming on well now and a leaflet and booking form will be circulated next week. The school will act as a guarantor of funds in order to provide parents with additional protection. Anyone who lost deposit money to Elite is asked to contact us, in writing, with a statement of the loss so we can use our influence to see there is a re-imbursement.

Headmaster's Blog

This has been a busy week with school exams and Common Entrance. We have been pleased with the way the children settled and we are hopeful for some good results. Now the boys and girls of Year 8 can enjoy a programme of outings and activities that will keep them going until the end of term.

Our new building is nearing completion and will be formally opened on Sports Day when it will house a large art display that is being organised by the Art Department. Sports Day will also be an opportunity for us to showcase the classrooms and activity areas, and there will be music and a dance display. All the timings will be published next week.

Thank goodness for the rain! The fields and gardens were in need of a good soaking and over 40 mm has now fallen over the last week with more promised for the weekend.

We are very pleased to have been introduced by a Hall Grove parent to Sports Xtra, a multi-activity sports organisation who run sports-related activity holidays and training camps for school children. Alison Black, the Regional Director, will be known to those who train at Woking Hockey Club. We are negotiating a special programme for Hall Grove families which will run from Monday 18th July to Friday 5th August at Hall Grove. For those parents who were relying on the camp to have been organised by Elite for the following weeks in August, there are several alternative options in the local area. More details will follow.

Parents are reminded that Sports Day is on Saturday 25th June. All the children are expected to attend and their families are invited to come and support. The Pre-Prep races will run before lunch. The Middle and Upper School have races both in the morning and in the afternoon. Families are encouraged to picnic in the grounds, there are lunch time displays and activities. Further details and timings will go out in the newsletter next week.

As you are no doubt aware, 'Groove at the Grove' is back by popular demand, and this year will take place on Saturday 2nd July. For those of you who have not been before, this is a really fun, family 'picnic and concert' event, held at school, which is highly recommended. With masses of Hall Grove families attending, it's a great opportunity socialise, bring a picnic and relax whilst the children have fun with their friends. You can come along with your picnic chairs/blanket although sometimes it's fun to join forces with friends, pitch a gazebo and bring a joint picnic. Failing that, there will be a Domino's Pizza van on site selling pizza by the slice. The music line up for this year is Glee/High School Musical, Tom Jones and Fake That, so it promises to be another fun night with lots of opportunities for the children to dance and for you to totally embarrass yourself after one Pimm's too many! Remember this event is also open to friends and families outside Hall Grove, so why not get a crowd together for the evening? You can purchase tickets online by following the link from the school website (www.hallgrove.co.uk).