Hello

The senior pupils were outstanding last week at the annual House Play competition. Nanny McPhee, Willy Wonka, Aristocats and Shrek were all performed with great professionalism and humour. They were a joy to watch. Photos from the day can be viewed on our website. Our annual Interact Charter Night was well supported again this year and all guests had a very enjoyable evening of great food and excellent musical entertainment from the students.

Our congratulations go to Jack Willis in Upper 5 who has gained a place on the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Academy as well as being selected for the Durham County U16 Rugby Squad. Also to Alfreya Bell who has won a place at a Ballet Master Class.

Charity activities have been in evidence this week: – the junior pupils supported Children in Need today by donning ‘spotty’ outfits, whilst our Senior students (organised by Interact) have been busy filling shoe boxes for ‘Smile International’.

Click here to read about Jack and Alfreya and all the activities our students have been involved in.

Camp America offers a summer of adventure, fun, travel and opportunities. Former Polam Hall Sixth Form student Lydia Burnside-Hughes has investigated further.

Please make a note in your diaries of the following dates this month: -
• Polam Hall Christmas Fair - Saturday 20th November – 10am to 2.30pm.
• Parents’ Association Numbers Club – next draw 20th November
• Croft Advent Service – Sunday 28th November at 6pm
• Parents’ Association Meeting – Wednesday 1st December at 7pm
• Oliver (Junior School Production) – 7/8/9 December

A full list of events can be found on our website.

Buttercup News is now available from the website

Don’t forget – you can now follow us on both Facebook and Twitter.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow at our Christmas Fair.



The Polam Hall Team

This letter was sent on the day of the last Parent Focus Group meeting and read to those who attended. We all agreed it should be more widely shared


Dear Miss Green,

Due to unforeseen circumstances I am unable to attend tonight's meeting. Please accept my apologies.

I did want to mention the netball tour, which I think was a resounding success, and pass on thanks to all the staff and senior girls involved in looking after the younger girls and making it such a memorable experience. Also, thanks to Mrs Martin for the organisation: the pre-meetings and itinerary information were first rate.

I really enjoyed Mrs Hardy's blog. This was an excellent way to keep in touch whilst being unobtrusive from the girls’ perspective. Thanks to Mrs Hardy for keeping this going when I'm sure everyone else had headed off to bed. I now need Sian to tell me how to join the blog community so that I can interact in future.

The tours are an excellent opportunity for the girls to grow, explore and experience so many facets of life that will stand them in good stead for the future. I know that the senior girls take great responsibility for the younger ones and the cross age bonds that are formed are so important. As a 12 year old I stood in awe at the whalebone arch in Whitby so I can imagine that the Rock, Tangier and dolphin watching are memories that will be with the girls for a long time.

It was so nice to hear the positive comments from the airline, hotel and tour staff about the girls’ conduct as well. Sian also told me about the senior first aiders rushing to the aid of a member of the public whilst in Gibraltar. I am sure that you would expect nothing less of Polam Hall girls and I think this speaks volumes and is such a credit to the school. These are the examples of selflessness that I think it is important for Sian to see.

Long may such tours continue; let’s hope that we are soon seeing the boys off on rugby tours etc.

I look forward to seeing you at the next focus group meeting.

Regards

Ian Palmer

PS - I forgot to add that it was great to see that even visits to A&E are done in super efficient Polam style. And Polam Hall girls are made of tough stuff, smiling through the pain and just getting on with things even on crutches.

Hello

The senior students have been busy over recent weeks preparing for the House Plays which took place on Friday. As usual the students did themselves proud. Photographs will be available on the website next week.

The Junior Journalists are looking forward to meeting Peter Barron, Editor of the Northern Echo, next week for a talk on journalism. Each week their articles will be posted on our website – take a look and see what they have been up to.

Any senior students wanting to go on the PGL France Activity Holiday 2011 should complete and return the reply slip (which can be found on our website) and deposit no later than 17th November so the holiday can be booked. If we do not have sufficient numbers by this date the company will not keep our place.

A final reminder! Nominations for the Best of Darlington Awards should be submitted by 15th November. Forms can be found on our website.

Congratulations to Darlington Borough Council for putting on such an incredible firework display last Saturday. A large number of families gathered in our grounds to view the wonderful display. Thanks to the PHPA members for all their hard work on the night.

Please make a note in your diaries of the following dates this month: -
• Coffee Concert – Thursday 18th November at 6pm
• Polam Hall Christmas Fair - Saturday 20th November – 10am to 2.30pm. Your help is needed – please click here to find out more.
• Parents’ Association Numbers Club – next draw 20th November
• Croft Advent Service – Sunday 28th November at 6pm
• Parents’ Association Meeting – Wednesday 1st December at 7pm
• Oliver (Junior School Production) – 7/8/9 December

A full list of events can be found on our website.

Buttercup News is now available from the website

Don’t forget – you can now follow us on both Facebook and Twitter.


The Polam Hall Team

Hello

Welcome back. We hope everyone has an enjoyable half term. A big thank you Miss Litherland, Mrs Wood, Miss Portas and Mrs Hirst, and a special thank you to Mrs Hardy for updating the blog so regularly and keeping us all so well informed.

PGL France Activity Holiday 2011 – Anyone who wants to go should complete and return the reply slip and deposit no later than 17th November so the holiday can be booked. If we do not have sufficient numbers by this date the company will not keep our place. Details and reply slip can be found by clicking here.

Our Junior Polam Hall Journalists are now busy reporting on the various things they are involved in – click here to see their first article.

We are delighted to be sponsoring the Contribution to Sport Category of this year's Best of Darlington Awards. Would you like to nominate anyone? Details of all categories and nomination forms can be found on our website and should be submitted by 15th November.

Thank you to everyone for your support with the Fire Fighters Clothes Collection. We will keep you posted regarding the funds raised.

We look forward to seeing many of you at the Bonfire Night celebrations tomorrow which, sadly, may be the last organised by Darlington Borough Council.

Please make a note in your diaries of the following dates this month: -
• Sixth Form Information Evening – Wednesday 10th November at 6.30pm
• Coffee Concert – Thursday 18th November at 6pm
• Polam Hall Christmas Fair - Saturday 20th November – 10am to 2.30pm. Your help is needed – please click here to find out more.
• Croft Advent Service – Sunday 28th November at 6pm


Buttercup News and The Globe are now available from the website

And don’t forget – you can now follow us on both Facebook and Twitter.


The Polam Hall Team