Autumn 2011 Newsletter
Dear Parents,
Last Summer I wrote of our successful year and felt Gatehouse was now very well established. This year the inspectors called to see if it was so. They indeed did find it so and judged us as outstanding in every area, these being "Teaching and Learning", "Pastoral and Welfare",
"Spiritual, Moral and Cultural", "Governance, Leadership and Management", "Premises and Accommodation" and finally "Links with Parents and the Community". They found us to be compliant in all regulatory matters on their first visit which I am told only 17% of schools achieve. Indeed a report of this calibre is considered to be rare.
I of course was overjoyed for the pupils and the staff, but particularly for you our parents who have entrusted us with your children. I hope this seal of approval gives even greater confidence to the decision you made for your children's education at Gatehouse.
Our two form entry is now very well established, there being two forms in each year group. Our pupil cohort will be over 320 in September. Any families with much younger siblings may wish to note that our Nursery is full for 2011 with a waiting list of 53, 2012 with a waiting list of 61, 2013 with a waiting list of 50 and 2014 with a waiting list of 8. We have 5 registered for 2015.
Our numbers are high in several of the year groups. We have been in an unusual situation accepting families urgently in need of a school place for an older child and we have, exceptionally, accepted a younger sibling in order to help these families. I do not anticipate this situation arising again. To cater for these larger classes we have recruited extra teachers and assistants. Indeed, this September all the lower junior classes have their own teaching assistant and in addition every year group in the lower juniors and upper juniors have a shared teacher's assistant. For Year 3 there is an additional qualified teacher.
Some of the teachers have moved to take new subjects with new age groups. Miss Hukin replaces Mrs Whitaker in Year 3 and takes the maths across Years 3 & 4. Mrs Whitaker has happily retiring after a very successful period of teaching at Gatehouse. She has had many roles from ICT to a mixed Years 1 & 2 class to ending up very successfully in Year 3 with maths. Mrs Miah left us after a productive period working in the Nursery. Mrs Ralph has returned after the birth of her delightful son Lucas to take a Year 2 class which I know she was particularly looking forward to. Mrs Cox continues to teach science and be a form teacher in Year 4. Mr Montgomery, our successful student who, like our report, achieved outstanding in his final assessment, now takes a Year 5 class and teaches ICT. Apart from these changes, the teachers remain in the same roles and classes as last year.
This brings me to our ever growing music department which continues to be a strong feature of Gatehouse, with more children than ever learning a musical instrument, we now offer ten to choose from. Two new peripatetic teachers who will further expand our dedicated team of professionals. These teachers will support the teaching of piano and singing, as these prove to be popular with the children. We have had successful concerts this year with soloists, choir, orchestra and upper & lower strings performing in front of a large audience. Playing and singing together is much encouraged and enjoyed by all who take part. Music has thrived throughout the year. During the holidays the music room has been entirely refurbished, the outer wall being rebuilt and new light wells installed. This gives us a bigger and improved space for the children to have their whole class music lessons.
Last term was another eventful term for the PE department. We continued with our now established Summer programme of sports and produced some outstanding performances.
In athletics we took another team to the area championships at Bedford where all performed well. A special mention must go to Joseph, Martha and Lucas who all made it to the national championships.
In rounders we were unable to defend our area champions' crown as there was no competition this year. In spite of this all the pupils gave 100% in lessons and we had some exciting games.
In
swimming the pupils have shown their ability to perform not only to a
high standard but also with consistency. This was demonstrated at the
recent Tower Hamlets' Swimming Championships. Not only did our swimmers
win the overall title for the third time in a row but they also won the
boys' team competition for the second time in a row. A special mention
must again go to Martha and Lucas who made it into the ISA national
championships with Martha winning two bronze medals and Lucas winning
one gold, one silver and one bronze medal. Lucas also represented the
borough at the London Youth Games.
The inter-house competitions went very well and the pupils, staff and parents once again benefitted from two separate (lower juniors and upper juniors) sports day events. Although the weather was not the best this did not dampen the enthusiasm of all the pupils and parents. Congratulations to Dragons for winning the lower juniors sports competition and congratulations to Unicorns for winning the upper juniors sports competition. Congratulations once again to Unicorns who won the inter-house swimming gala.
In cricket we took another team to Bancroft's under 11 tournament. This was again another great experience for the pupils. Mr Huntley looks forward to some really gifted cricketers coming through from last year's 3 and 4 age group.
In tennis all the pupils were excited by this new addition to the PE curriculum. All performed well in lessons and there were some outstanding performances outside school by Eliona and Gabriel in year 3.
Finally thank you to all the pupils, teachers and parents who have helped out at various competitions and events this term. Special thanks to Mr Hayes and Miss Beattye who have been excellent this term.
The Summer Fete was both wonderfully enjoyable and financially successful. We were blessed with sunshine and a joyful crowd of big spenders. All the staff were in, and helped the well established GPA run the stalls and attractions. Mrs Beck orchestrated this complicated and enjoyable day and tells me that they made approximately 3,000 pounds. I understand that a cheque for 16,500 poundswill come our way to pay for the laying of the astro-turf and a contribution towards musical instruments for our new music room. I wish to thank Mrs Beck and her team for all their hard work and all the parents who have contributed to this magnificent sum.
Outward Bound has continued to be a fixture in our calendar. Year 6 took advantage of the trip to the Lake District. Amid beautiful countryside and wonderful weather, the children learnt new skills, challenged their inward fears and returned exhausted and exhilarated from this important experience away from home. They then told us all about it in a stunning assembly. Miss Tighe, Mr Champness and Mr Huntley also returned tired, but relieved that this trip had again been safe and successful. For the second time Year 5 went to France with their form teacher, Mrs Herbert and of course our French teacher Madame Biltoo, supported by two male teachers, Mr Montgomery & Mr Kotzen. For the first time we sent Year 4 to Bushcraft for a jungle experience near Oxford ( yes, apparently, there is a sort of jungle in that area.) One reconnoitre trip took place before we waved off the party at 7.30am one Monday morning. I am indebted to Mr Mylne for visiting, planning and driving this "first for Gatehouse".
Academic excellence is a high priority on our agenda and we aim for progress for a pupil just mastering the first letter of his name, or a girl converting mixed fractions into decimals. Taking into account the fact that we are a non-selective entry prep school our senior school results have been special this year. Year 6 pupils are all moving on to choice schools. They have achieved academic scholarships to Highgate, City of London Boys, Forest, Bancroft's and North Bridge House. Places have been won in addition, to Blackheath High, Chigwell, City Academy, City of London Girls, Coopers' Company & Coborn School, Francis Holland, Greycoat, Highgate, Latymer, More House, Mossbourne, Morpeth, Portland Place, Queens Harley Street, Raines and St. Marylebone.
The play, "The Mystery of Dumsey Meadow" was a huge success. The children performed magnificently on a stunning set. Many children and staff contributed to Miss Tsatsaros' eye catching design. Music was a part of this production and demonstrated the growth and diversity of music at Gatehouse. It is always for me very moving, seeing staff pulled in from all parts of the school, to contribute instrumentally at these events: Mr Sheinman & Miss White, Mr Montgomery and Mr Jesson who teaches drums, along with Mr Kotzen and Mr Champness.
At the end of term, the staff completed their reports and assessments and they continue to give more than 100% of their time and their professional skill. After we broke up the administration staff continued to add up figures, type up schedules, prepare form lists and run off timetables, ready for the Autumn term; the premises staff continued to tidy and repair the ravages of this academic year, move chairs, erect shelves and then clean and paint ready for September. Whatever their role we are indeed fortunate to have such a dedicated team of professionals at Gatehouse.
My final thanks go to you for choosing Gatehouse and trusting us with your children.
Mrs Belinda Canham
Headmistress
Significant dates for this term:
Open House Thursday 22nd September 9.00 - 9.30am
Harvest Assembly Wednesday October 5th @ 9.00am
Upper Junior concert Wednesday November 23rd @ 2.00pm
Nursery Nativity Thursday 8th December @ 11.00am
Lower Juniors Nativity Friday 9th December @ 2.00pm
Upper Juniors Nativity Thursday 15th December @ 2.00pm
End of term 16th December @ 12.00 noon