Dear Parent(s)

 

EMAILING OF NEWSLETTER

We had hoped to have the email system for delivery of the Newsletter up and running by today but unfortunately this has not been possible; the email service will restart in a fortnight’s time.  My apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

IMPORTANCE NOTICE

The health and safety of pupils is of paramount importance and it is therefore of some concern to me when I receive complaints from members of the public about the way parents are dropping their children off at school.  Could I please implore all parents to consider others when parking and park slightly away from the school site to help avoid exacerbating the traffic congestion around the school entrance.  We are thankful for the services of our Security Guards who regularly patrol the car park to assist with the smooth arrival of our pupils.

 

I would also like to take this opportunity to inform new parents and remind existing parents that the school car park is for staff only and must not be used by parents to drop off or pick up pupils.

 

THANK YOU

Year 8 enjoyed a fantastic ‘Healthy Day’ on Wednesday, 19 September.  The girls were involved in several workshops which included positive body image, healthy eating, street dancing, exercise to music, team building and problem solving.  Thanks go to Mrs Langley for the organisation of this event and for all other members of staff who contributed to this very worthwhile experience.

 

The PE Department organised a Sportslinx morning for Year 7 on Wednesday to help assess the pupils’ fitness levels.  The girls will be assessed again in the future to see if they have benefited from advice given to them about healthy eating and exercise during their school career.  Thank you to all those involved in this event.

  

PUPIL ABSENCE

A reminder to all parents of the procedure for reporting pupil absence.  Parents should ring school on the first day of absence before 9.30 am and should follow this up with a letter on return to school. We have a dedicated line for parents to report pupil absence which has a voice-mail attached to it and all you need to do is state your child’s name, form and the reason for absence.  The absence telephone number is 706 9760.  By routing such calls to a different number helps the school office deal with other incoming calls more efficiently and your co-operation is appreciated in this matter.

 

CONGRATULATIONS

To Charlotte Cassidy, Rebecca and Sophie Friar, Jennifer and Kathryn Leith, Kayleigh Poole and Ellie Robinson who all competed in the English Schools Division 2 Swimming Gala recently.  The girls achieved outstanding results against swimmers from schools in Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and Merseyside.  The girls all had to compete against swimmers much older than themselves and did so exceptionally well, gaining top ten placings, with Sophie Friar and Jennifer Leith actually being placed in the top 5.  Special congratulations go to Jennifer Leith who gained a silver medal in the 100m backstroke event.  All were outstanding ambassadors for the school and we wish them well in the relay events scheduled for November.

 

VISIT OF TEMPLE DANCERS

School Assembly was greatly enriched by a brilliant performance of Temple dancing on Monday, 17 September.  Two dances were performed by the troupe who come from the Eastern Indian state of Odissa. The girls were totally enthralled by the performance of contemporary Indian dance which is permeated by the spirit of Bhakti Yoga.  The troupe, called Dhara, under the management of Michael Weston have recently been travelling in Germany and since coming to the United Kingdom have performed in Skanda Vale in Carmarthenshire and the Lowry Centre in Manchester.

 

 

ADMISSIONS 2008

We are holding an Open afternoon on Tuesday, 2 October at 2.00 pm for any parents who missed our Open Evening.  This is the last opportunity for parents to visit the school if they are thinking of sending their daughter here next September.  There will be a talk explaining the admissions procedure followed by a tour of the school.

 

HARVEST FESTIVAL ASSEMBLY

Our annual Harvest Festival will take place on Monday, 15 October in the Hall.  As usual we are asking for gifts of groceries, tinned and other goods which should be brought to Mrs Addy in the reception area. The Salvation Army will distribute immediately what they can to the needy in the local area.  They are always so appreciative of our help and support, a large part of which helps towards providing a Christmas day lunch for the homeless.

 

SPONSORED SWIM

There are a few more places left for the sponsored swim in aid of the British Heart Foundation and Archbishop Blanch School, which takes place on Tuesday, 2 October 2007 at the University of Liverpool Swimming Pool, Abercromby Square, between 5.30 - 7.30 p.m.  Anyone wishing to take part should collect a sponsorship pack from the school office.

 

‘JEANS FOR GENES DAY’

On Friday, 5 October, the school will be supporting ‘Jeans for Genes Day’ and all students in Years 7 – 13 will be allowed to wear their own clothes, which must include jeans, for a donation of £1.00.  Normal school rules apply regarding the wearing of jewellery and make-up.  This event has been organised by members of our Sixth Form and the proceeds will be donated to the ‘Jeans for Genes’ charity.

 FRIENDS OF ARCHBISHOP BLANCH SCHOOL

The FABS Committee held their Fashion Show and Sale last night in the School Hall and raised over £1,000.  Many thanks to all involved for their continued support of the school in raising another fantastic amount of money to benefit our pupils. 

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

1 October:  PA AGM - See separate notice.

2 October:  Open afternoon – see separate notice.

4 October:  7.00 pm Reception for Parents of Pupils in Year 7.

9 October:  GCSE Information Evening for Year 10 Parents only.

 

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION AGM

The Parents’ Association will be holding their Annual General Meeting for Parents on Monday, 1 October 2007 at 7.00 pm when they are to elect new officers of the Association.  All parents are invited to attend and to vote for their Committee. The posts of Chair and Vice Chair are both vacant. The current Secretary, Mrs Gill Dottie and the Treasurer, Mrs Cathy Bingham, are both willing to stand for re-election.   If you would like to nominate anyone or perhaps you would consider volunteering yourself for these posts, then please complete the reply slip at the bottom of this page.

 

Our thanks go to the retiring Chair, Mrs Carole Sutton and Vice Chair, Ms Wendy Griffiths, for their hard work on this Committee.