The Magazine of the Alleyn's Junior School Association

Alleyn’s Junior School AssociationFrom the chair of the Alleyn’s Junior School AssociationWelcome to the latest issue of Heartbeat, the magazine of the Alleyn’s JuniorSchool Association, which aims to share information about the school relevantto Alleyn’s families. The focus of this issue is pastoral education and support. Isuspect that I am not the only parent who was attracted to Alleyn’s Junior Schoolby both its academic track record and its supportive atmosphere. But I alsosuspect that I’m not alone in being pretty ignorant about the different policiesthat the school has in place to support the pastoral development of our children.This issue aims to give you more information and also the opportunity to giveyour views.There have been always lots of ways to make to make your views known butwith the help of the AJSA, Mr O’Donnell has started to hold periodic focus groupdiscussions with small groups of parents to seek feedback on issues affectingour children. There will be opportunities to get involved in these discussions, soplease do volunteer through your form representatives, if you are interested intaking part. You may have seen a report of the first focus group discussion in arecent newsletter; look out for further reports in coming months. We asked youlast time for your feedback on the magazine. We got some, all of which was verypositive about the magazine. All of that is due to the huge amount of time andeffort that Tania Hurt-Newton, Margaret Leonard and Flick Bullard put into itsproduction. Very many thanks to them.More feedback is sought this time please. Of course we want to know if you likedthe magazine, but we also need to know what else you would like it to cover and inparticular whether you would like to be involved inits production. Please have a word with me or anyof the current editorial team if you are interested.Theatre Gala openingsBook: Performing Artsat Alleyn’sPastoral CareDevelopmental Stagesin ChildrenAJSA parents’ talk:Self EsteemCharity:Down’s SouthSnow Daypage 4page 8page 10page 20page 22page 25page 26Heartbeat this term celebrates theJunior School’s Gala evenings in thenew Michael Croft Theatre, which weregiven more than a touch of glamour bythe celebrity old Alleynian thespians whohelped mark the occasion. You can findout about a new book detailing the school’sdistinguished links with the performingarts too. Another event the children willnever forget was Snow Day, when thegrounds were blanketed in white andbreak-time turned in to a great snowballfest. With Mr Sood-Smith’s help, we’veproduced a photographic record for allthose who managed to beat the elementsto get to school that day, andfor those who didn’t. We’ve alsogot a report on the local charitywe are supporting for the nextfew terms, Down’s South.Alleyn’s Junior SchoolTownley RoadDulwichLONDONSE22 8SUReception: 020 8557 1519Anne-Marie LawlorChair, AJSAcontentsEditorial Team Anne-Marie Lawlor, Flick Bullard,Margaret Leonard, Tania Hurt-Newton, Jane Mines.Photographs: Mr Sood-Smith, Sam BourneWith special thanks to George Kegler, Janie Yang,Kate Beck, Rachel Evans andElisabeth Powell for contributions.Cover: lovely flower artwork done by Year 1Designed by Tania Hurt-Newton.Bursar’s office: 020 8557 1450Headmaster’s Secretary:020 8557 1519Absence line: 020 8557 1519Fax: 020 8693 3597After school care: 07823 5392653