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Prep School Headmaster's Bulletin

Mr John Milne, the Headmaster of Clifton College Preparatory School, writes a regular newsletter about the "the Pre"...

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Issue 15

It was a pleasure to see so many of you last weekend at the Lower or Upper Pre Sports Days and the Leavers' Service. I'm sure you will agree that both Sports Days were extremely successful and I would like to extend my thanks to Mrs Hardy for running such a 'tight ship'. The Upper Pre Sports Day was particularly impressive: held at the splendid Yate Outdoor Sports Complex. As the sun shone, school records fell while the atmosphere grew throughout the day. Although there was some initial reticence in hosting the event at Yate (necessitated by developments and work up at Beggars' Bush), I'm sure that you will agree that it was an unqualified success. It does raise an interesting question as to whether we should continue to host the Upper Pre Sports Day at Yate: the all-weather facility guarantees that the event will take place and the facilities are second to none. I would be interested in your thoughts if you haven't already passed them on.

As we head for the finishing line it has been a quite remarkable year for your children and so much has been achieved. We bid a fond goodbye to our Year 8s, thanking them and their families for their unfaltering commitment, support and dedication to the Pre throughout the years. Last Friday's 8GB play, The Weird Sisters, and the entertaining Y8 Concert were fitting tributes to our Year 8s. The behaviour of the pupils, their enthusiasm and spirit shone through in what was a tremendous evening of performance.

Informal Concert

Well done to all those who were involved in last week's Informal Concert:

Junior Choir
Dillan Patel – Guitar
Matteo Zanetti – Clarinet
Oliver Milner – Trumpet
6 X 6 Singers
Daniel Baryshnikov – Piano
Louis James – Guitar
Eliza Murphy – Clarinet
Anna Fitzgerald – Voice
Classical Guitar Ensemble
Guitar Group
Valentin Kasparov – Trombone
Poppy Watts – Piano
Bethan Hughes – Voice
Romilly Leech – Piano
Alicia Middleton – Piano
Rory Downer – Guitar
Megan Westley – Clarinet
Catherine Barrows – Voice
Beth Griffiths, Megan Westley – Clarinet Duo
Luke Farmer – Tuba

If I don't have the opportunity to see you before the end of term, I would like to thank you for your support of the school throughout the year. It has been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride at times but much has been achieved and the school remains in very good shape. Despite the recession and a changeover in Headmaster – traditionally the two most unsettling factors for any school's enrolment – the Pre will open in September with more pupils than it did at the start of this academic year; this also includes having more girls as well.

The Pre pupils and staff are our strongest advert and we continue to offer a very strong provision for all of our families – a provision that is clearly in demand by others; while some schools contract, merge and reduce their provision, the Pre is strengthening itself. In September, in addition to the regular upkeep and maintenance of the buildings and grounds and IT provision for pupils, the College will also be completely renovating and refurbishing Hartnell's House and investing in the development of a textiles, fabrics and dressmaking facility within the Hornby Arts Centre. It is an exciting time to be at the Pre and we should all be very proud of our pupils and school! Going forwards, the Pre is in very good health and ready to tackle any of the challenges that potentially lie ahead.

I hope that you and your family enjoy a very peaceful and restful Summer break

With kind regards,

John Milne (and Helen)
Headmaster

2 July 2009

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