HEADMISTRESS’S FRIDAY LETTER
Friday, 8th January 2016
Dear Parents
Very Happy New Year to you all. I have to say that the Christmas holidays and the glorious sunshine I had in
Australia (give or take a tornado, yes seriously) already feel like a lifetime ago; particularly as I find myself
scraping the ice of my car of a morning. An opportunity for an Australian Moat School per chance?!
There were so many wonderful highlights in The Moat calendar that happened in the final week of term that
did not get a mention, I wanted to remind you of them today…..
Jade Slocock (11Q) appeared in the West London School of Dance and the du Boisson Dance Foundation
production of “the Nutcracker” on 6th Dec at Her Majesty’s Theatre. She played not one but two parts, the
cook and the Hollywood starlet.
I was spoilt by Ava Rotter (7PB) who made me the most delicious, personalised gingerbread man, a real
Christmas treat.
On the subject of 7PB, they presented an utterly charming gathering on
International Christmas traditions. Each child spoke with eloquence,
expression and clarity; it was an absolute delight.
Once again Will Goold (11Q), whom I like to think of as our ‘Master of
Ceremonies’, ran the annual staff and pupil Strictly Come Dancing
sweepstake. Will is very keen that I include the winners in my letter and they
are Lulu Tant (9DR) and Mr Broughton.
Of course, the climax of the term was the incredible Christmas Gala…..Mr
Potger writes that last term was another busy and successful term and the
Christmas Gala production of ‘Cinderella Bella’ (a Potger original no less) was
a wonderful way to bring it to a close in a colourful, uplifting way, where even the wicked stepmother gets
her ‘happy ever after’! The performances from the cast were tremendous, filling the room with laughter, and
the GCSE Performing Arts pupils who worked tirelessly backstage brought the whole show together brilliantly.
I think you will agree it was tremendous fun and highly entertaining. (See attached photos) Thank you also
to the staff and the Parents Association for their support and for the wonderful raffle, it wasn’t fixed I promise.
Now for news of this week’s events……
Instead of Wednesday’s Form gathering, the school was treated to a video presentation put together by Mr
Broughton’s Eco-Innovation Awards enrichment group. The video was the culmination of a project to come
up with concepts that help lessen the damaging impact humans have on the environment. The pupils were
split into two teams. One team invented a mobile app that allowed allotment holders to sell their organic
produce directly to local people. The other pitched an idea for a cheap pre-fabricated house that would
be partly buried underground to help keep it warm and lower heating bills. The awards were sponsored by
Environet UK, leading Japanese Knotweed eradication specialists. The managing directors, Nic and Bertie
Seal, attended the gathering and were very impressed by the teams’ concepts. They now have the
unenviable task of picking a winning team. Huge thanks to Mr Broughton for all his work on this project. Do
watch the Eco-Innovation presentation video on the school’s website in the Enrichment section; I think you
will be mightily impressed.
A couple of inclusions from Mrs Carter, this week. She wanted to give a special mention to 9HC for their
efforts in Food Technology and Chemistry this week. She tells me that in Food Tech, the group worked well
as a team and showed not only fabulous cooking skills but also excellent co-ordination with pasta and
sauce coming together beautifully at the same time when making Spaghetti Bolognese. The group gobbled
it up for their lunch! Again, in Chemistry, there was great enjoyment of a practical lesson on testing for
Hydrogen (known as the” squeaky pop test). All the class were engaged and tackled the experience
individually. Mrs Carter and I agree that such a fun and practical approach will ensure the class are able to
translate their knowledge into their long term memory. Both Mrs Carter and Miss Holmes are extremely
proud of their group and the progress they are making.
My final note is on staffing since there has been a slight change to the plan. Over Christmas, the PA that
we had appointed decided to take up another position so once again we are interviewing. Bear with us
and I will keep you posted with progress. Meanwhile, thank you so much to my wonderful LSA team for
stepping into the breach, so to speak, in particular, Miss Rix.
Have a super weekend
Clare King (Miss)
Headmistress
Reminders:
Ms Lopuszanska has asked me to remind you that Sarah Duignan from ‘Image in Action’ will be in
school again next week leading a five week Y9 Sex and Relationship Education project starting
on Tuesday 11th January. She visited The Moat during before Christmas to introduce herself to Y9
pupils. Her work will focus on puberty, thinking about growing up, friendship and relationships.
Image in Action is a small well established not for profit organisation that specialises in working
with children and young people with additional learning needs around sex and relationships
education and more information can be found on their website www.imageinaction.org
Ms Magon has asked me to say that all Y10 pupils have to complete a week of work experience
(Monday 4 July – Friday 8 July) in order to gain an experience and understanding of the world of
work. If any of you are able to offer a placement to one of our pupils, please will you get in touch
with Ms Magon as soon as possible. Your help in providing placements would be greatly
appreciated.
A Note to all Y10 Parents…..Work Experience for all Y10 pupils will start on Monday 4 July until
Friday 8 July 2016. Ms Magon says she is aware some of you have managed to help your child
find a placement. However, there are still some pupils who have not found placements. As a
matter of urgency please can you speak with friends, neighbours and any contacts you have
and see if they can offer your son/daughter a placement. She will also continue to do her utmost
to try and find a work placement your child.
This week’s top Merit Scorer was Andre Stergoulis from 9HC with 23 merits.
E-safety tip this week:
Remember that using technology can be a wonderfully powerful and positive experience.
We should not discourage its use but support children and help them to use it safely.
Word of the Week:
Next week’s word of the week will be ‘Rational’.