Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the new term even though you receive this letter two weeks in to what is going to be yet another industrious semester. The term has started in the busy fashion which I'm sure will prevail throughout.

I outlined in the previous newsletter at the end of last term some of the things we have lined up for this term but I will quickly run through some of the points again now.

Sports
Our major sports this term are netball for the girls and rugby and football for the boys. There are also some Tennis matches. It's a short but exciting season with plenty of tournaments and festivals to look forward to. I've just returned from the first big event. The Hillcrest Rugby Festival and what a start for our U13 boys! We played four group matches beating Kenton, Turi, Greensteds and Braeside. Moving on to the semi-final, we played and beat Peponi quite comfortably and in a close final, we managed to beat Turi once more. A great start and well done to the boys! A special little mention for Savio who saved us on several occasions but it was the team spirit and collective responsibility which stood out and steered us to success. Let's hope that this is an indication of the term ahead. This is just the start of some of the seventy plus fixtures arranged for the term.

Academics
This term is a busy academic term. Our examinations are taking place for most pupils in week 7 and our SATs are scheduled for week 8. I have to say that having read and commented on all the reports at the end of last term, I am generally very pleased with the efforts being made by teachers and children alike in the classroom. I am constantly amazed by how our teachers and pupils juggle their time in order to succeed with all aspects of the school. I'll take this early opportunity to wish all of our pupils the best of luck with their examinations later in the term.
We have meetings for parents of all children in the penultimate week of the term where performance will be able to be discussed and our academic year is concluded on the last day of term with our speech day.

Trips
Last term we had camps and trips for years 3, 4, 5, and 7. This term, it is the turn of our year 8 who head off in week 9 to Naivasha. We are sure that having gone through their examinations, they will be ready for the experience.

Clubs and Activities
Miss Bradshaw has already publicised the clubs and activities for this term and they have started in earnest. Our ambitious drama club this term are tackling the creation of the school's first movie. We eagerly await the results. With over 20 other clubs and activities on offer, I am sure your children will be able to pursue their interests and talents will be spotted and nurtured.

FAB (Friends At Braeburn)
Our thanks to FAB for the wonderful ball they organised last term and their organisation and help at the school discos. Again we will have three discos this term and the major FAB event this term is the International day scheduled on Saturday 23rd June. We would welcome one and all to get involved to represent their country/culture and demonstrate the wide array of backgrounds from which our children come from. More about that at a later date.
One other date for your diary is Saturday the 9th June where FAB will host a car boot sale. We have also set a tentative date for a fun day for Shangilia for Saturday 26th May.
Our thanks to FAB also for monies raised this year at the various events. The money is shared equally between charitable causes and school. At our meeting last week, it was decided to support three charitable causes and we are at present purchasing Marquees for school events and our workshops are providing picnic tables to allow seating facility for our year seven and eight students. All as a result of events which are fun and rewarding but nevertheless need considerable organisation. Once again thanks to our committee and their team of supporters.

Staff news
Well past staff news anyway! Our congratulations to Ursie Phayre, and Rececca Barnett (Cook) for their additions to their families.

Miscellaneous
First a plea. If you are a parent who collects your children after school but take advantage of our coffee shop/club before wending your way home, can I ask that you keep your children off the school field between 4.00 and 5.00 pm as sports teachers from both primary and high school are teaching on the field at this time and we would like to keep it as a teaching area without distraction.

High School
Our High School has it's annual dramatic production this term. This year it is a musical, The Wizard of Oz and it will be showing in Week 5. It promises to be of a high standard so look out for ticket sales.

Year Eight
Thank you to all parents who have signed up for year nine in our High School. Those one or two who are not yet certain of next academic year, we would appreciate final decisions asap in order that we can confirm places for those coming in from outside.

Looking forward
Mr. Webber and I are in constant communication by e mail and indeed he has been involved with the interviews in UK (along with Mr. Childs) for the recruitment of teachers for the next academic year. Generally things are going well and our planning for the future is well underway. Mr. Webber is looking forward to getting here in late July/early August and get on with the task in hand.

I was extremely excited by Mr. Child's letter at the end of last term outlining our structural developments for the next year or so. Parking has been one of our major difficulties as many of you are aware. The purchase of the plot next door and subsequently adding another car park and a separate bus park should do much to alleviate the present congestion. The covered way linking the buildings will ensure children can get from building to building avoiding rain when the weather is inclement and avoiding exposure to the sun at the hottest times. We are already building offices at the bottom of the compound next to the squash courts in order that we can move some of our existing staff and create more space in our main building for the school.

The arts complex to be built where the existing Braeburn services building is situated will do much to develop our ability to develop arts skills. It will further create space in the year 7 and 8 block.
The construction of art/music, design technology classrooms and examination room in the High School is a major investment and should assist our year 9 to 11 students to achieve at the highest level. It will also create field space (by the demolition of the present art/music block) for sports training and recreational times.
In my 18 years in Braeburn, I have never known us not to be building. I doubt whether we will ever stop but it is an indication of the reinvestment which is needed to meet the needs of the school which are ever evolving.

In conclusion
I described my enjoyment in my role as Acting Headteacher last term. I look forward to the remainder of this term with less trepidation. Again I thank you for your support and encourage you to pop in to see me if you have any concerns or worries. My door will always be open. I look forward to the further successes of our children!

Yours sincerely,
Rob Williams (Mr.)
HEADTEACHER

Netball at Braeburn 2007

Netball is the major sport for girls this term. In the past, our teams have enjoyed tremendous success due to the support of all concerned. It is in this regard that I confirm the training days for all teams, as some appear wrong on the clubs timetable.
Any assistance/encouragement to ensure that our girls attend team training is much appreciated.

If you have any concerns/questions, e-mail the sports department at sports@braeburn.ac.ke

Sincerely,
J.Waithaka
Girls Games

Weekly Calendar

House Points

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