27 April 2012

Dear Members of The Becket School Community 

Over the past few days, the Governors and their professional advisers have run a selection process for the post of the Head Teacher at The Becket School. Mr Glover, our current Head Teacher, submitted his resignation for retirement in the autumn and since then, the Governors have been proactive in securing a new appointment. 

I am delighted to say that following the two-day selection process the Governors have invited Mr James McGeachie to be the new Head Teacher from September 2012. Mr McGeachie has accepted the post and the whole school community looks forward to working with him. 

He is currently the Deputy Head Teacher of Christ the King Catholic School in Arnold and is a specialist in modern foreign languages. 

The appointment of a new Head Teacher brings opportunity to every school community. The Governors feel that Mr McGeachie has those skills needed to ensure that the quality of education of our young people at The Becket School is always developing in excellence and that together with our teaching staff, support staff and all concerned in our community, he will lead our school forward in the years to come. 

With kindest regards

Father Christopher Thomas

Chair of the Governing Body

Dear Parents / Carers

Re: Italy Ski Trip 2013

I am writing to give you some initial information about our 2^nd ski tour to Bardonecchia in 2013. We will be going to the same resort and hotel as in 2011, as it is felt that this offers excellent value for money.

We will be leaving at the start of half term on Saturday, 16^th February 2013 and returning on Sunday, 24^th February 2013. Bardonecchia is situated in Italy on the French-Italian border and as a ski resort, is a top class area for beginners and intermediates. It has an excellent record for snow and his higher than a lot of other resorts, starting at 1300m, and with skiing extending up to 2750m.

The total price of the visit is £850, which includes return coach transportation by executive coach (including DVD player and toilet), equipment hire, full board accommodation (including breakfast, lunch and evening meal), transport in and around Bardonecchia, entrance fees, insurance and administration costs. Other snacks and spending money are not included. Depending on currency fluctuations, we may incur a surcharge. Pupils will enjoy six days instructor lead skiing (4 hours per day) and a full “in house” après ski programme in the evenings.

The trip is open to all pupils currently in years 8 – 12 on a first come first served basis.

PLEASE NOTE – ALL PUPILS WILL NEED THEIR OWN PASSPORT AND HEALTH CARD (EHIC) TO GO ON THE TRIP.

If you wish your son / daughter to participate in the ski trip, I shall require an initial non refundable deposit of £120 by Wednesday, 18^th April 2012. Further payments will be required and a payment schedule will be posted once places have been allocated. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Becket School Fund’. Please note that there is no subsidy available for this trip as it is a social trip in a school holiday.

Please note all monies MUST be paid by early December 2012 as the school has to have paid in full for the trip by then. If you were unable to make the full payment by this date, the cancellation schedule would apply and your child would lose their place on the trip.

As with all school trips, it is imperative your son / daughter maintains the high standard of conduct expected by The Becket School. If you choose to remove your child from the trip or if your child is removed by the school from the list of participants due to bad behaviour, you will not be able to get back your deposit, plus other monies paid. We reserve the right to refuse pupils if their behaviour has been felt to be unacceptable this year.

Please note that the initial deposit of £120 is not refundable under any circumstances. If you choose to remove your child from the trip, or if your child is removed by the school from the list of participants due to bad behaviour, you will NOT get your deposit back.

Further, school reserves the right to withdraw pupils from the trip with regard to safeguarding concerns.

Participation in the ski trip is not a right and students have been stopped previously from going on school trips when their behaviour fell below the standard expected.

I shall be sending further detailed information and there will be an information evening. However if you have any further questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Neil Wright

TRIP LEADER

SKI TRIP 2013

I wish my son / daughter ........................................................... of form ......................

to participate in this visit. I enclose a deposit of £120 which I understand is non refundable.

I understand my son / daughter has to have their passport and EHIC to go on the trip.

I understand my son / daughter could be removed from the trip by the school for poor conduct or safeguarding issues and I would not get a full refund.

Signed: ........................................................................

Date: .....................................................

Details of current vacancies at the school can be found via the 'Vacancies' tab at the top of this page.