Lime House School - Private Schools - Cumbria & North Lancs

Founded 1899

All Former Pupil’s are most welcome and we suggest that you arrive for about 1.00pm or 11.00am for the cricket. The itinerary is as follows:

This event will be taking place on the first day of the school’s half-term break so there will be no pupils in the school. This will allow you almost free access to all classrooms and dormitories.

All Former Pupils should note that the school adheres to a NON-SMOKING policy and all visitors must be issued with a registration badge on arrival.

Former Pupils who have not yet joined the society can do so for a charge of £30.

This invitation will be placed on the school’s website and all Former Pupils are welcome to contact the school. You are encouraged to contact any Former Pupils who may not be aware of this event.

A number of Former pupil’s who attended the last function stayed overnight at the ‘Travel Lodge’ (formerly Carrow House Hotel). This is located at J.42 on the M6 and is only 10 minutes drive from the school and Carlisle. They suggested that it might be an idea to meet there in the evening for an informal meal. It is suggested that former pupil’s make there own arrangements to stay here and meals can be ordered on the night. If as we hope, the response is good, then I will ask that a separate room be made available for the evening.

In order to ascertain attendance it is important that the reply slip is returned to the school as soon as possible.

The school's annual Carol service took place at St.Michael's Church, Dalston on Friday 7th December. The headmaster, Mr N Rice, welcomed parents to the service and thanked St Michael's P.C.C. for their help and support. The Rev. Steve Carter began the service by leading the congregation in prayer. Traditional carols were interspersed with a variety of songs and readings. There were four bible readings, Simon King read ‘Isaiah, chapter 9, versus 2, 6 and 7’, Clare Waugh read ‘Luke, chapter 2, versus 1 to 7’, Andrew Richards read ‘Luke, chapter 2, versus 8 to 16’ and Terri-Anne Baillie read ‘Matthew, chapter 2, versus 1 to 12’ There was an additional reading by Marcus Hollyer ‘Wassailing Song’. The Infants sang ‘Twinkle, twinkle little star.’ and ‘Jingle Bells.’ and, the Junior and Senior School Choirs sang ‘Walking in the Air.’ The Senior School Choir sang Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’ and were joined by Cliff Leung to perform ‘Home.’ There was a vocal ensemble performed by Keleigh Gray, Nicola Ward, Zita Zain and Izzah Chudi. The service ended with the blessing. A collection was taken in support of St Michael's church development funds. Parents were then invited to the Christmas Fayre at school.

Many parents, pupils and teachers attended the Christmas Fayre which was held after the Carol Service. Mulled wine and mince pies were available on arrival at the school and various raffles were held during the course of the evening. The PTA had prepared several stands and Mrs Green and other PTA members hosted a cake stall which once again proved most popular. The cakes and confectionaries were donated by parents, teachers and pupils. An extremely sociable and happy event ended at about 8.30pm with £930 being raised to support school funds. Many thanks to all those PTA members, staff and pupils who helped on the night.

Pupils and staff of Lime House School raised £300 for ‘Children in Need’ 2007. A group of pupils undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award Scheme, together with some of the year 11 pupils studying GCSE Home Economics gave their time and skill to produce Pudsey Bear Biscuits and Muffins, for sale to staff and pupils.
The team worked long and hard over two evenings to make and decorate these items; given free reign in the decorations each Pudsey Bear was a unique creation!! All items were sold on the day! A small raffle for the pupils together with a ‘Children in Need Scratch Card’ game for staff raised even more money for this appeal. Later in the day Year 5 and 6 pupils were given the chance in their Home Economics lesson to decorate their own Pudsey Bear Biscuit and win exciting prizes. Luke Morris from Year 5 won a Pudsey Bear Apron with his unique design; and Grace Miller from Year 6 won Pudsey Bear biscuit cutters. Below are the pupils with their winning designs.

The school recently held a non-uniform day. If there is any day of the term in which the children can really be creative and express themselves, this is the one. We had everything from neon green belts to pink 'skinnies' (A type of jean for those of you past the days of exams, hourly bells and gossiping through lunch breaks about who likes who). The importance of this was not, however, to display the student diversity ranging from 'scene to scene', but to raise money for the Samaritan's Purse shoebox appeal. Lime House School has participated with this project for more than ten years. Pupils give £1 this non-uniform day, which enables the school to donate gift filled shoe-boxes to those children who are not so privileged to have food, shelter, education and hopes for a future. With the money collected, simple items are bought. They are often items that we take for granted on a daily basis, such as: soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, small toys and many other things. To us, this sum of £1 is simply a 'drop in the ocean' but to these victims of war, poverty and natural disaster, this is much more than a gift, it symbolises hope. Teachers, parents and pupils donate their time to fill and wrap the shoeboxes to go to these poverty stricken children this Christmas time; it is not in vain, and actually last year, 1.24 million shoeboxes went out world-wide. If not for this appeal these children would have no Christmas, or may not even be aware of the message of Christmas. The school despatched a total of 81 shoe-boxes.

The school would like to congratulate Mrs Bradley, Mr Southward and Mr Coon after successfully completing their first term at Lime House. Mr Coon is a covering for Mrs Gate until she is well enough to return to the school. All new staff have integrated extremely well and have developed excellent social and working relationships with the pupils.

We notified parents of these changes last year and have included them again to clarify the situation. We intend to modify our policy regarding the maximum class size that operates in the school. The school can guarantee that from the beginning of the academic year no class shall exceed 20 pupils. However, where classes approach the maximum size, we will continue to admit pupils beyond the maximum of twenty providing that it does not adversely affect the academic progress of any pupil. If this is the case, then additional support staff will be provided in the short term. In such circumstances, this will allow us to split the class the following year. Taking an example from 2004, the present Year 9 had 16 pupils rising to 18 in January 2004. We had enquiries for the Summer Term 2004 that took the form beyond 20 pupils. In addition, in September 2004 further pupils were added to the class giving 26 in the Year group. The year group was divided into two smaller groups for the beginning of the 2004-2005 academic year. The concern is that by not allowing admissions during the academic year prospective parents may simply look elsewhere rather than deferring entry until September. This could result in numbers remaining just below 20 and the year group would remain as one large group. Whilst there is the possibility that, in the short term (one or two terms), numbers may exceed 20, this is far outweighed by the long-term scenario of two smaller groups. Dividing year groups during the academic year is impossible as this requires an overhaul of the complete academic timetable. If any parent has any concerns or wishes to clarify the situation then please contact Mr Rice at the school.

The pleasing rise in the number of pupils attending the school had presented us with some car parking problems. However, increased parking facilities introduced from September have helped. As a consequence we decided to hold a single parent’s evening this term. I would welcome any feedback from parents regarding their experience of this new arrangement. We shall continue with this arrangement unless there are significant concerns expressed by parents.

A persistent problem resulting in the fouling of tables, floors and in particular, newly tarmaced areas of the school. Whilst we do our utmost to rectify the situation there are still pupils who bring chewing gum into school. Please remind your children that chewing gum is NOT permitted on school premises.

EARRINGS AND JEWELLRY
A small number of pupils have, during the course of term, had their ears pierced. As pupils are not permitted to wear earrings during the course of the academic day they have had to wear elastoplasts in order to avoid infection and prevent holes closing up. To be honest, such pupils look quite ridiculous in uniform and this practice will not be permitted in future. Any pupil returning to school with ears pierced will be asked to remove earrings whilst in school uniform. If pupils need a period of time to prevent holes closing then piercing needs to be done at the beginning of the summer holidays allowing enough time to prevent this.

UNIFORM AND HAIRCUTS
Can I ask all parents to ensure that pupil's hair is neat and tidy on return to school next term and in the case of boys, certainly no longer than collar length. Hair dyes and bleaches of any description are not to be used and all items of jewellery are to be removed during the school day and during school activities.
A check should be made on all school uniform during the holiday period. A reminder that girl's skirts should be no shorter than knee length and that all trousers are grey and not black.

MOBILE TELEPHONES & I PODS
Can I remind all parents that pupils are not permitted to have these items with them during the school day. They have, during the course of this term, proved to be a distraction in some classes. Boarders can have access to such items during the evening. In the case of an emergency there are two payphones in the school and the telephone in the school office can also be used in an emergency. The school will not be held responsible if such items should go missing during school time.

The school would like to thank all parents for the support given regarding departure from school on Fridays at the end of term and half term. Thursdays are much more beneficial with less interruption, more focussed students and fewer pupils leaving early. Parents are reminded that only in exceptional circumstances are pupils allowed to leave school early and, only with the Headmaster’s permission.

At the time of writing the school has not received the final travel itinerary. Interski no longer provide information booklets but suggest visiting their website for resort and hotel information (www.interski.co.uk). We shall be staying in the Foyer Don Bosco. Whilst further details will follow, perhaps parents could consider the following:

(b) This year we are travelling during term time and we will return to school in time for the last week of term.

(c) ALL pupils must have an E111 card. This would be used in the unlikely event of emergency hospital treatment being needed. The application forms for these cards are available from most Post Offices (also online – quickest method) and I would suggest that these are dealt with during the Christmas holiday period;

(d) Beginners will be taken on the dry ski slope in Carlisle before the holiday. The cost will be in the region of £20 and will be added to next term’s disbursement account unless Mrs Fisher is advised otherwise. Those who have skied before can also have lessons but this is not necessary.

(e) It is now law in Italy for all children under the age of 14 to wear a ski helmet. Unless I hear otherwise, all pupils under the age of 14 will be provided with a hired ski helmet, the cost last year was £12. This will be added to the summer term disbursement account. Please contact the school if you would like a helmet ordered for any child over 14 years of age.

(f) We are staying in the Hotel Foyer Don Bosco. Contact telephone numbers can be found on the ‘Interski’ website.

(g) Could you please complete and return the enclosed form by the beginning of next term.

On behalf of everyone at the school we wish you all a happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.

UK BOOT SIZE

WEIGHT (KG)

HEIGHT (CM)

DATE OF BIRTH

AGE ON DEPARTURE DATE

TOWN OF BIRTH (ON PASSPORT)

I give my consent for photographs and snowshots to be taken of my child whilst on holiday.

This letter should be read in conjunction with the GCSE Options booklet (Available from the school office).

In addition, all pupils in Year 9 have the option of following up to FIVE or SIX additional subjects. The subjects offered include:

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)
HOME ECONOMICS
MUSIC
GEOGRAPHY
HISTORY
ART
BUSINESS STUDIES
GERMAN
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
GRAPHIC PRODUCTS (DESIGN TECHNOLOGY)

All pupils will follow a course in PERSONAL AND SOCIAL EDUCATION (PSE) as well as two compulsory GAMES periods.

Pupils entering the Sixth-Form generally take three, four and occasionally five subjects. Pupils wishing to attend University must pass five GCSE subjects (Grades C or above), including Mathematics and English.
Whilst most students take 8 or 9 GCSE subjects it is possible to take 11 but there is no need to do so. It would be better to spend more time on a reduced number of subjects in an attempt to achieve the best grades possible. If at anytime, we feel that more benefit would be gained from a reduced timetable then you would be advised accordingly. If pupils do not opt to take six extra subjects then they are given coursework time which is supervised private study.

All pupils in Year 11 have attended a meeting where further details of the Sixth Form at Lime House were discussed. Parents should note the following:

(i) Pupils entering the Sixth Form and wishing to study a subject to AS or A2 levels should have attained at least a grade C at GCSE level in that subject.

(ii) Any pupils not gaining five GCSE passes at grade C or above must continue with the necessary number of GCSE courses until they have achieved five passes. All pupils must continue with courses in English and Mathematics until at least grade C standard has been achieved.

(iii) Pupils are free to select any of the subjects they are studying at present including the 3 separate sciences. In addition, we can offer courses in Accounting and Psychology. Where numbers fall below 4 for a subject (which appears unlikely next year) we arrange courses at an nearby school and transport pupils there for lessons

(iv) Details of courses can be viewed over the internet following the path below:

Pupils are asked to select 4/5 subjects that they would like to follow. It is usual to commence with 4 subjects at AS level reducing to 3 for A2 level. Pupils are asked to number their
choices in order of priority.

(v) Can I also ask parents to confirm whether or not they intend to take up a place in the Sixth form. Boarding places are now only available as and when they become available. Places given up at this stage will be offered to the first pupils on our waiting list.

(vi) We intend to take the whole of the sixth form to a University open day as soon as possible in the 2008-2009 academic year. This will hopefully give them an insight into university life, making applications, funding as well as the content of various courses.

(vii) All university applications are now made online and further details are available at www.ucas.com or from the school.

ENGLISH LITERATURE A
MATHEMATICS
PHYSICS A
CHEMISTRY
BIOLOGY B
GEOGRAPHY A
HISTORY
GERMAN
BUSINESS STUDIES
ACCOUNTING
COMPUTING/ICT
PSYCHOLOGY B
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
ART
HOME ECONOMICS
PRODUCT DESIGN (GRAPHIC PRODUCTS)
OTHER COURSE (Please specify)

Many thanks to all those who attended this event. An extremely memorable day which will be repeated again next year.