Principal's Letters
| Letters | ||
| Principal's End of Term Letter - 22nd February 2010 | View» |  Download |
| Principal's end of term letter - 30th June 2009 | View» | Download |
| Principal's End of Term Letter - 17th December 2008 | View» | Download |
| Principal's End of Term Letter - 2nd July 2008 | View» | Download |
| Principal's End of Term Letter - 17th December 2007 | View» | Download |
| Principal's End of Term Letter - 9th July 2007 | View» | Download |
Principal's End of Term Letter - 9th July 2007
July 2007
Dear Parents
As the academic year rapidly draws to a close we can sit-back and reflect on a successful year at Hulme; one in which the pupils and staff can be proud of their achievements.
This term has seen success on the athletics track at local and national levels, victories on the Rounders circuit (including District Finalists at under twelve) and two first class Music Festivals in School. The standard of chess at Hulme Court goes from strength to strength. The school now holds all of the North of England titles at this age group and Daniel Lea (Y5) deserves particular mention having been selected to play for England.
We were delighted when our Boy’s Trebles were invited to sing in Carl Orff’s production of Carmina Burana at the Bridgewater Hall in April – their performance was universally acclaimed. Congratulations must also go to Nicola White (a recent leaver) who has been selected to play hockey for England at U21 level. Several of our students have also received awards locally: Hayley Wild’s (Y11) sportsmanship and dedication was recognised when she was presented with the Rochdale Childer Award; Abigail Webb (Y12) was runner up for the Select Education Citizen of the Year Award; and John Baxendale (Y13) became Oldham Student of the Year 2007.
Robert Thackery (Y6) travelled to London in June to receive the Henrietta Branford Boase Award – a national writing competition open to all below the age of eighteen. Robert was one of only six recipients of this prestigious award.
Pupils have travelled far and wide since Easter: the classicists visited Greece whilst the linguists enjoyed the delights of Paris; the Ludlow Festival provided a venue for Y9 girls and Estcourt visited St.Omer and Bruges; Hulme Court have been out-and-about but most notably to Arthog; Chester, Germany and Austria have also featured in the itinerary of Hulme pupils. It is pleasing to note the number of pupils who take advantage of these many and various opportunities.
The new prefect body was appointed at the start of the Summer Term: Abigail Webb and Adam Babar will lead a team of forty five prefects who will contribute to the smooth running of many events and activities at the School.
I am delighted to confirm that the three Parents’ Associations (Girls, Boys and Kindergarten) intend to amalgamate in September. The School will host three separate AGMs on 25 September to dissolve the individual Associations and on the same evening the Principal will chair an EGM in order to establish the New Oldham Hulme Grammar Schools’ Parents’ Association, elect its committee and officers. Representatives from the three bodies are currently planning their first major venture, a Whole School Christmas Fair on Saturday, 1 December.
The major School Production planned for Spring 2008 is “The Sound of Music”. As Easter falls incredibly early next year, auditions for the principal roles will be held in September – be prepared!
Staffing News
In addition to the changes I announced in my last letter at the end of this term, we will say farewell to Mr Ian Fraser (Mathematics) who is returning to his native Essex and Mrs Kathy Inglis who has taught Religious Studies at Hulme (including Hulme Court) for the last four years and has now decided to “retire” in order to complete her PhD at Birmingham University. At Kindergarten we say goodbye to Mrs Janice Howard who for the past twelve years has contributed much to the development of our Year 1 children.
In September Mrs Elizabeth Brocklehurst will join Kindergarten to teach Reception and Music; Mr Matthew Turner will take on his promoted role as Deputy Head of Hulme Court; Mr Mark Gandolfi becomes a permanent member of the Biology Department; Mr Stephen Rawlings joins Mathematics and Mrs Claire Crebbin will contribute to curriculum Music.
We wish all our colleagues leaving Hulme this summer every success in their new ventures and we look forward to welcoming our new colleagues.
With best wishes for an enjoyable and restful holiday.
Yours sincerely
Dr Paul G Neeson
Principal
News from the Development Office
The Development Office continues to focus on keeping in touch with our Alumni as well as fundraising for the schools.
We now organise numerous fundraising activities throughout the year, and the word definitely seems to be spreading with more parents attending these events.
A date for your diaries is 23 November for this year’s Friends of Hulme Fundraising Gala Dinner. We had a wonderful evening last year supported by many parents. The evening raised just less than £3,000 which is to be used for new staging for all the schools, which can only further enhance the wonderful musical and drama performances that the students produce. Tickets for this event will be available at the beginning of the new school year and as demand seems to be very high, they will be sold on a first come first served basis. We will again host an auction and a raffle on the evening and would be extremely grateful to anyone who is able to donate a prize.
On 15 June 2007 we held our first Fundraising Golf Day at Saddleworth Golf Club. The event raised just over £2,000 for the schools and was deemed a great success by all those who attended. We will be holding the event again next year and hope to have an even bigger turnout.
The 50:50 Club continues to raise money for the schools. From September onwards the school will only have 3 draws per year as opposed to 6 draws. This will not affect our current members it is purely changing for administrative ease! If you are not a member of the 50:50 Club please take the time to complete a form and join. It costs as little as £12 per year and not only helps support your child’s school but also gives you the opportunity of winning a prize. Contact Sharon in Development on 0161 630 6181 for a form.
One of our tasks throughout the year is to find parents or grandparents who, having their own business, would be prepared to sponsor an event within school, such as the joint production. We have a very small group of parents who constantly provide sponsorship, raffle prizes etc for the schools and we would like to appeal to all of you to contact us if you would be willing at some point next year to sponsor an event or provide a prize for an event. The more people we have willing to support us in this way the less frequently you will be asked!!
We have been approached this year by Travelcare in Royton to join them in a scheme which helps our school. If you are booking your family holiday, please consider using Travelcare as for every holiday booked by a family from Hulme, we will receive a commission payment. Please see the attached sheet for all the details.
Earlier in the year we informed you of a scheme “Buy At” for on-line shopping where the school earns commission from parents using our new webshop. It appears that most of you are not unfortunately using this facility and we want to take this opportunity to remind you!!
By logging on to www.buy.at/hulmegrammarschools you can access most high street retailers and carry out your on-line shopping as always. The only difference being for every purchase you make the school will receive a commission payment. It really is that simple and there are no catches. They have some great retailers such as Amazon, Marks and Spencer, John Lewis and Tesco (not for grocery purchases) and if we all did our on-line shopping through the webshop we would be able to earn money for the schools.
Please contact either Kate or Sharon on 0161 630 6181 if you can support the Development Office in any way, or would like to attend any of our future events.
Dr Paul G. Neeson BSc PhD
Principal
