Dear <<Salutation>>

It was a pleasure to welcome Y7 parents into school this week to discuss their sons’ progress and we hope you found the evening helpful. We look forward to welcoming Y6 parents in after half-term.
 
Half-term is now only a week away, but there are still lots of events to come before the break. Boys who are performing in the Bedfordshire Festival have the opportunity to try out their pieces in one of our Festival Showcases; the first of these, involving Y4 and Y7 boys, will take place next week, with the other year groups performing just after we come back (please see below for details). Twenty six of our boys are lucky enough to be going on a cricket tour in South Africa, departing at the end of next week.
 
And finally, we are eagerly anticipating House Singing which takes place on Friday, and I hope that many of you are able to make it. If you have not been before, it is one of our premier events, not least because it involves the whole school. I look forward to seeing you there.
 
Please read on for details of forthcoming events.

Y7-8 After school hockey club on Monday 10th February cancelled
Unfortunately, there will be no after school hockey on Monday as the County Hockey Festival is taking place on our pitches. Those picked will obviously stay on after their Games lesson. Please arrange the necessary pick up from school.

Y5-8 Spring half-term report
A Spring half-term grade report will be published on the parents portal next week. It will contain your son’s results in the recent Mid-year assessments in all examined academic subjects. The median percentage mark for each subject is also provided in order to give a broad indication of your son’s position relative to the year group as a whole.

You will already have received the individual results from your son by the time you receive the report. However, this is an official publication for you to be able to look at all results together in order to get a fuller picture of his performance. 

Parents are strongly encouraged to discuss this report with their son in order to monitor progress, give praise where praise is due and to assist him to set higher aspirational targets where needed. If you would like further information about a specific assessment and/or subject, please contact the relevant teacher directly.

The End of Spring Term Report will be released just before the Easter break and will include their involvement in extra-curricular activities and a comment from their form tutor. At this point all pupils will have had their termly meeting with their tutor for an individual academic mentoring session. During the meeting, your son and his tutor will have discussed what has gone well, what he is pleased about and areas he could improve.

Morning Prayer, Sunday 9th February at 10am
At this Sunday's Chapel service, the Chapel Choir sings the First World War poet F.W. Harvey’s A Prayer, set to music by John Sanders, sometime Organist of Gloucester Cathedral and father of our own Director of Music. Parents, families, and members of the school community are always welcome at Chapel services. For further details, please see the Chapel Term Card.
 
The Trial, Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th February at 7.30pm
Tickets are on sale now for the upcoming school production of The Trial, which is being performed in The Quarry Theatre on the evenings of Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th February. Featuring an ensemble cast of Bedford School boys, together with girls from Bedford Girls' School, and set in a futuristic underground district of Prague, this looks set to be a thought-provoking show and one not to be missed. Visit the Quarry Theatre website for further information and to book your tickets. The show is suitable for those in Year 6 and above.
 
Prep School House Singing, Friday 14th February
Half-term ends with our very popular and eagerly anticipated House Singing event in the Great Hall on Friday. Starting at 2.30pm and finishing at 4pm, doors open at 2pm and all families are welcome to attend. Boys are asked to wear white shirts please. A collection for the school’s charities will be made at the end of the event. Parking is via the Burnaby Road entrance where security will direct you.
 
Bedfordshire Festival Showcase
The Festival Showcase is an informal non-ticketed event, which aims to give the Speech and Drama boys some practice at performing in a large space with an audience, in preparation for the Bedfordshire Festival. This year’s Showcases will be on the dates below and we hope you are able to come and watch the boys perform. Boys should please wear white shirts and bring a snack to eat after school if they would like to. Please contact Mrs Bell ebell@bedfordschool.org.uk if you have any questions.
 
Year 4 & 7 Showcase  Monday 10th Feb in the EMH
                                    from 4.30pm-6pm approx
Year 3 & 8 Showcase  Monday 24th Feb in the Quarry Studio
                                    from 4.30pm-6pm approx
Year 5 & 6 Showcase  Wednesday 26th Feb in the EMH
                                    from 5pm - 6.30pm approx 
                                    (a later start time due to fixtures)
 
Prep House Singing, Friday 14th February
Do remember that all the House Singing music is on Firefly.
House Singing
Bunyan
Harpur
Howard
Whitbread
 
Rowing Course, Monday 6th to Thursday 9th April
Spaces are available on our rowing course during the Easter holidays, which is suitable for boys and girls aged 9 to 14 of all abilities from complete beginner to intermediate sculler. The cost of the four-day course is £110. See here for more details and how to book.