News

Welcome from our new Headteacher

Welcome

A very warm welcome to another year at St. Nicholas Preparatory School. It is very exciting taking over such a happy and busy place and I’m lucky to have so many smiley, enthusiastic children, parents, carers and staff (!) greeting me each morning. I personally feel warmly welcomed. Thank you.

I am pleased to introduce the new members of staff joining the team: Kate Bodington joins us as a Year 1 teacher; Elaine Burton will be working in the Library; Denise Davis joins us as Science co-ordinator; and Y5 teacher. Louisa Greig is our new Reception teacher. Klara King and Rose Laing join Year 1 and Year 2 respectively as assistants. A second Elizabeth McGrath (to be known as Liz) is a new assistant in Nursery and last but not least, we welcome Jonathan Wyeth to the Sports Department. I am delighted to have such a strong team joining the school. We all welcome them.

Holidays

I am particularly grateful to all those parents who prioritised being back for the start of term. The year’s first few days are very important in setting the tone, expectations and routines that children carry through the year. So I’m hoping that everyone will be able to commit to keeping holidays for holiday time and arrange to travel, observing our published term dates. Where there are clashes with other schools, please make an arrangement to see me and discuss these with me.

Preparations

I’m sure you’ve all noticed how smart and tidy the school is looking. Thank you to all the staff and contractors who’ve worked so hard to make it ready for the new year.

Absence

I’d like to ask parents to observe a new routine. If your child is absent through illness, please telephone the school to let us know by 9.00 am on any day they wake up unable to come to school.

If your child needs to be absent for medical / dental /exam matters please fill in an absence request form, available from the office.

If you plan to take your children out of school for any other reason you will need to write to me in advance to request permission.

Tutoring

I am making some changes to the way tutoring is organised within the school. Individual staff should no longer be approached about tutoring. Instead, please make your request through me. If it is felt, after consultation with those who know your child well, that tutoring is in his/her best interests, an arrangement will be made to provide such tuition after school and parents will be invoiced by the school. I hope this will take pressure off teachers and children, enable those who really need support to get it and be a fair and transparent system.

I look forward to getting to know everyone at St. Nicholas better.

Jill Aisher

Headteacher