Dear Parents Whether it is the smart new uniform

Dear Parents
Whether it is the smart new uniform, or simply the wonderful staff and children
of The Mead, it does not matter but we have enjoyed a super term. Year 6
can be justly proud of their excellent exam results into both Grammar Schools
and Independent Schools; the Sports Department have excelled themselves
in Football, Netball and Swimming and the standard of music both group and
individual is terrific. Our new pupils are no longer new having fully embraced
Mead life, and I hope as you read this newsletter you will be amazed at the
breadth and depth of this term’s experiences and achievements throughout
the school.
‘This school is full of joy. It is a joyful place’ (first impressions of a new Year 6
pupil)
GIVING IS…
Giving is…
A friendly word
A sympathetic ear
A hug in a time of sorrow
A tissue for a tear
Company for a lonely friend
Support when we struggle
A though when ideas have gone
A smile when encouragement is low
Giving is…
A helping hand when time is short
A time of peace provided
Understanding when we’re misunderstood
A guiding hand when we are lost
Spending time with someone you love
Giving is…
Sunshine on a rainy day
A light in the dark
A rubber for a mistake
And a mechanic for a broken heart
J4 – Christmas 2012
EXAM SUCCESSES
Congratulations to the following Year 6 pupils for successfully passing the
Kent Selection Tests to grammar school with some exeptionally high scores:
Ludo Adams
Kumi Allen
Amy Cursons
Tabitha Gardiner
Alexander Gordon
Kaya Hardie
William Harris
Jake Lynch
Thomas Maltby
Oliver Mills
Daniel Parry
James Stuart
Charlotte Taylor
Hannah Veness
Jamie Wells
Well done to each of you – a fantastic achievement.
Congratulations also go to Kira Nichols who has won an All Round
Scholarship to Lewes Old Grammar.
STAFFING
We are looking forward to welcoming Sandy Batcheler to The Mead in
January as a Key Stage One Classroom Assistant. Sandy holds the Early
Years Foundation degree and will be based in Year One (Middle Infants). I
know she is greatly looking forward to joining The Mead.
STAFF TRAINING
To continue to provide education of the highest calibre for the children, it is
important that their teachers remain at the top of their game. Each term
brings both internal and external training for the staff, much of which takes
place without anyone knowing! For interest this term these include:
Child Bereavement Course
Early Years Team Inspector Training
ISA Inspection of Governance for Proprietors, Trustees and Governors
ICT Curriculum
Child Protection Refresher Course
‘The Independent Curriculum’
Children’s Museum London’s Inaugural Meeting
ISA Autumn Study Conference
Teach Meet Twist
The Guardian Innovation in Education Conference
Teach Meet
Statutory guidance for LAs on the delivery of free early education for 3 & 4 yr
olds
Head’s PA & School Administrators Course
Bursars Meeting
ISA CHAIRMANSHIP
Through unforeseen circumstances I have already had to chair my first ISA
Executive Meeting. However, I officially take up ‘the chair’ on 1 January for a
year. Apparently media training takes place mid January! Day-to-day life at
The Mead will obviously not be affected in any way and should I be away,
Mr Lockyer will be very capably holding ‘the baton’. It promises to be a very
exciting and enriching year.
25th ANNIVERSARY TEA PARTY
The sun actually shone to welcome back some two hundred ex-Meadites of all
generations on Sunday 16 September.
The school looked fantastic, the grounds amassed with bunting, balloons and
gazebos. A mini army of staff baked all summer to lay on a traditional
‘Garden Party’ and tables groaned with home-baked scones and cakes.
It was an extremely special and emotional afternoon for everyone. I am so
proud of the adults our former pupils have become. Many are enjoying
extremely prestigious careers, some have their own families whilst others are
working their way through school and university. The bond that unites them
however was palpably strong and the many trips taken down memory lane
that afternoon treasured. A wonderful end to our silver celebrations.
ANNUAL CYCLE RIDE IN AID OF THE ROYAL NATIONAL CHILDREN’S
FOUNDATION
They say the sun shines on the righteous and it truly did for this year’s family
charity cycle ride in aid of The Royal National Children’s Foundation. Sunday
7 October was glorious and saw some 75 Meadites of all ages join the
beautiful Forest Way at various points along the route. It was a truly
wonderful day apart from poor Tom who suffered two punctures and ended up
walking!
Many children cycled the entire 16 miles but star cyclist must probably go to
young Tatika Dicker in Reception Infants who had only just discarded his
stabilisers but managed the entire route far faster than his mother!
A huge thank you to Emma, John, Phoebe and Miles Oldrey for running the
barbeque at Forest Row. Disappointingly the bacon rolls had run out by the
time we arrived but the burgers were delicious and I was very relieved to see
my cakes had been appreciated! Huge thanks to Jenny and Nick Staines who
patiently and safely gave up four hours of their Sunday to see us all safely
across the road – only to discover there were no cakes left for them at the end
– more needed next year! Elizabeth organised us beautifully, how lovely to
come across her fabulous smile and encouraging words at the half-way point.
Thank you to everyone who joined us – a fabulous £760 was raised for this
very worthwhile charity. Great fun, marvellous company, physical exercise
and some disadvantaged child somewhere given a fantastic opportunity to
turn their life around – a win:win situation – we look forward to next year’s
cycle ride and may the sun shine on us again.
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