Chitts Hill, Lexden, Colchester, Essex, CO3 9ST FROM THE HEADMASTER ... Messrs Snell and Stapleton. It was a pleasure to host the Year 8s and their parents for drinks and a barbecue in my garden. There was a super atmosphere, if a little emotional perhaps. It helped to round off a superb year. The whole of Pre-Prep enjoyed a day out at Frinton beach earlier in the week. The sun was deter- mined to hide most of the time but at least the rain kept off. This trip is a lovely annual tradition. Thanks again to the staff involved. We will wave good-bye to our Year 6 and 7 intrepid adventurers on Sunday as they set off for Rhoscolyn in Anglesey for a week of coasteering, abseiling and much fun. Good luck to all of them and the staff who are giving up the first week of their holiday. On behalf of Helen and my family, it only remains for me to wish you all a wonderful summer and to thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you again in September when all of the children will seem so much more grown up! With best wishes Alexander Mitchell Headmaster Dear Parents Welcome to our final edition of the year! We said our farewells to the Pre-Prep children in this afternoon’s Prize Giving. I look forward to seeing the Prep School parents at tomorrow’s Speech Day & Prize Giving at 10.30am on the front lawn. We have also said our thanks and goodbyes to two further members of staff, Mrs Emma Jones, who has been a literacy assistant in the Prep School. We wish her well as she takes up her studies to become a teacher. Mrs Laura Stapleton leaves us after two years as one half of 2SL. Mrs Stapleton is soon to have a second baby and we wish her every good wish and will hear about it from Mr Stapleton next term! Prep School Sports Day, despite being a tad chilly, was a great event. Some of the finals were incredibly exciting and the relays, as always, were the highlight of the day - or was that the staff Element race? My thanks to all involved and in particular to Mrs Goldring and Mr Lesiak for the organisation of the event and the preparation of the pupils. Thanks also to Mr Jeffries who masterminds the scoring system. Last Friday’s Summer Concert in the Prep School was an enormous triumph! Messrs Snell and Stapleton produced an incredible showcase for the children. My thanks to everyone involved. The Year 3 sleepover last Friday was such a success! We have received lots of fantastic feed- back. I enjoyed a debrief in my study with the entire year group on Monday to discuss it. The children were superbly behaved and everyone seems to have slept! The Year 8 ‘Vibes Special’ on Tuesday was a hugely enjoyable, informal event. With many parents in attendance, there were lots of watery eyes! The annual leavers’ cricket match with dads against sons was augmented and enhanced this year with a mums and daughters’ rounders match. The atmos- phere was great, the standard of play was......variable and the number of aching muscles on Monday morning were high in number! It was a super event and thanks to Mr Earley, Mr Milheiro, Mrs Goldring, Mrs Austin and Miss Little for their time. Thanks also to Mr and Mrs Allison and Mrs Burrell for arranging such super food. The hog roast was excellent! After a highly entertaining Year 8 play last night, again thanks to Summer Term, Week 11 www.holmwood.essex.sch.uk Happiness is the key to progress Tel: 01206 574305 Friday 5 July 2013 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Saturday 6 July 10.30am-12noon Speech Day 12noon Prep School term ends Sunday 7 July - Friday 12 July Years 6 & 7 Residential Adventure Trip to Rhoscolyn, Anglesey, Wales AUTUMN TERM 2013 Tuesday 3 September 2.00-3.15pm All new Prep School pupils to meet the tutors 2.00-3.15pm All Parents of new Prep School pupils - Induction Wednesday 4 September 8.30am Term begins (whole school) 2-4pm Senior Rugby & Hockey - Extended Training (all Years 7 & 8 pupils) HOLMWOOD HOUSE NEWSLETTER SCHOOL NEWS ... Sport & Speech Day Photos The professional photographs taken at the Pre-Prep Sports Day and the Prep School Sports Day are still available to purchase. Please visit the parent secure area of the school website to obtain the link to the DE Photo website and also the access code. School Uniform Updated uniform lists and details about all aspects of school uni- form and sports kit items can be found in today’s end of term envelopes. The school’s second-hand uniform shop will be open at the following times during the sum- mer holiday: Thu 11 July 9.30-11am Fri 26 July 9.30-11am Fri 2 August 10-11am Mon 2 September 9.30-11am Items being phased out are also on sale at 50% discount. GOOD LUCK! Our very best wishes to all children and staff who are leaving Holmwood House this week. Pre-Prep Trip to Frinton See Photo Gallery on school website Details available on website