16th December 2011
Dear Parent/Guardian
In turbulent economic times, Abbotsholme remains as calm and as constant as our own Abbotsholme star. It is comforting to know that, even as the world is changing, our school remains true to itself and confident in itself.
It has been another good year for the school. Abbotsholme is indebted to Mark Wells for his ten years of devoted service as Chair of Governors, and now Dr Paul Kirtley has taken on this responsibility. I am sure that next year and the years to come will be good ones. I am very proud to have spent another year as Headmaster, but we do not rest on our laurels. Although we ‘honour the good in past days’, we must also ‘reach after the greater good the future has in store’.
After an outstanding inspection report, I want to tell more people of all that is on offer at Abbotsholme. I have therefore commissioned a marketing company to formulate a marketing strategy and we are producing a new prospectus, but I remain true to our belief that we should remain a small school. The best Christmas presents, I am told, come in small boxes. So it is at Abbotsholme.
Our present strap line - ‘An Education for Life’ - has now been adopted by a number of other schools. Although imitation is the best form of flattery, I am looking for a new one to replace it, and would appreciate your ideas on this. If you are talented in such things, please email me. I will even think of a prize!
The website is increasingly becoming a place where parents can find out what is happening and what is about to happen. Our children may not tell us everything, but the web does. I do not wish to sound trendy, but I hope that you follow my blog on Twitter! In line with this electronic theme, this will be the last ‘real’ Christmas letter that you will receive. From January, Abbotsholme will move into the digital age, and all our communications with parents will be electronic. The benefits gained as a result of the savings we will make in postage, materials and time more than outweigh my traditionalist arguments.
I leave you with a snowy scene from this time last year with the Headmaster (and his daughter) going rapidly downhill!
I hope that all is well with all of you, and wish you a very Happy Christmas.
Glad Day, Love and Duty.
Yours sincerely,
S J Fairclough
Headmaster