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Dear
Parents,
As chairman of IAPS, I
have had the pleasure of visiting a number of
schools this term in both the prep school and
senior school world, and in so doing, I have been
reminded on more than one occasion that the
really good schools enjoy not only good
facilities, but also outstanding staff. You can
tell almost as soon as you go into the school
whether it has the ‘x’ factor or not!
My visits to other schools always make me
appreciate so much what our staff and children
are achieving here. The opening of our new
building has been a major change for us and I am
pleased to say that the reality has more than
matched our expectations. Some frustrations
remain with some of the final finishes and
snagging, but we will get there in due time.
Visit to Nš10 |
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The Craigclowan Swimming
Teams |
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F.IIB Wildwood Feast |
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We have, of course,
continued to be busy. We have been very pleased
to welcome two new governors, Scott Brown and
Bill Farrar on to the Board, and James Bax has
officially taken over as the Chairman from
Russell Taylor. Russell has retired after an
association with the school as a parent,
grandparent, governor and finally Chairman of
Governors which has spanned 37 years!
The Parents’ Association has been very
active again. They are keen to add to the IT
stock in the school, having been very impressed
with the ‘Smartboard’ technology that
we have now begun to use. Over the year they are
planning several events which will help to
implement some further investment to benefit
children across the age ranges.
Amongst the children themselves, we have had a
good term. The outstanding unbeaten Under 11
rugby team had a wonderful term, followed not far
behind by the various swimming teams. The
children have been notably successful in a range
of competitions both local and national,
involving creative writing, art and debating.
The official opening of
the new Middle School |
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Full details can
be found on the Events page of our
website
www.craigclowan-school.co.uk |
Rugby & Hockey Tour
to Devon and Wales |
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A considerable amount
of preparatory work goes on this term for events
later in the year. Thus, the choirs will again go
on a short tour in April, this time to Germany,
and we are looking forward to welcoming our
Icelandic friends to Craigclowan in March.
Preparations are also well underway to lead a
further Comenius project, this time with partners
from Norway, Finland, Greece and Germany. Mary
Radcliffe leads this particular undertaking, and
I would like to take this opportunity of
congratulating Mary on being invited as the
representative of her colleagues in the
independent sector in Scotland to a reception
hosted by Tony Blair at 10, Downing Street in
September.
Inevitably at this time
of the year I am enrolling new children for
September. With this in mind, I’d be
grateful if you have any siblings you would like
to come, if you could let me know as soon as
possible. Numbers are very healthy, and priority,
as always, goes to those with previous experience
of the school. It is a help to me, therefore, to
know early so that I have a reliable idea if I
have any spaces to fill from outside the
Craigclowan family.
Our Minors Ski Race Team
at Hillend |
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Runners-up at the
Gordonstoun Challenge |
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F.III Vikings |
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During the holiday,
Angela and I are going to New Zealand to see
Maggie. We leave on December 15th and return on
January 5th. If you have any matters for
discussion at all, do arrange to see me on the 14th,
or on our return. In extremis Patrick will be
available until December 19th, and, of course
Wendy will be in the office up until December 23rd,
and from January 3rd.
Everyone here hopes that
you have a great Christmas, and we look forward
to welcoming you all back on January 10th.
With best wishes,
Mike Beale
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