School History - 2008

17th January
A letter went home this afternoon detailing an important future change to the school. From September, 2008, we will officially be known as Bishop's Waltham Junior School.

28th February
Under the watchful eyes of Mrs Cooper and Mrs Hinds, one of our fantastic parents, a willow structure has begun to take shape on our school grounds. Over the weeks, this structure will continue to grow and develop - can you guess what it will become?

5th May

"On a pleasantly warm and dry May evening 180 parents and staff, with their friends and families, came to the school eagerly looking forward to an event not held in Bishop's Waltham for many a year - the Spring Ball."

14th May

It's a busy week at Ridgemede!  Year 6 are sitting their SATs tests, and Year Five are on the Isle of Wight for the week.  Here in school, classrooms are remaining centres of activity long after children have left, as we are having interactive whiteboards fitted throughout the school!  It'll take a little while to get them up and running, but we're getting very excited about the things we'll be able to do with them!

6th June
As you know, Ridgemede Junior School will be renamed Bishop's Waltham Junior School from September. The Governors have recently approved our new school logo which you'll soon see on signs, uniforms, letters and this website. Today we can publically reveal this logo for the first time!

14th June
Every year, Ridgemede takes part in the Bishop's Waltham Carnival. This year, the chosen theme was the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the carnival participants adopted a range of sporting ideas for the procession.

23rd July

As is often the case at the end of term, we said a few goodbyes at Ridgemede today. Year 6, of course, are leaving us for their secondary school places, and we wish them all the best in their future education.
We also say goodbye to some members of staff.
Mrs Barber, who has been a teaching assistant with the current Year 6 for two years is moving on to new things.
Mrs Cooper is retiring from class teaching this year after 21 years at Ridgemede, though she will continue to be a presence at Ridgemede as she takes swimming and PE lessons.
Mrs Hope begins her maternity leave over the summer, so we say goodbye to her until 2009.
Mrs Martin, who has been at Ridgemede for four years leaves today. In her time at Ridgemede, she has taught in years 4, 5 and 6, been a governor and a member of the school improvement, and senior management teams. She is moving to a school near Warwick where she will be taking up an Assistant Headteacher position. We will miss her here at Ridgemede, and we wish her every success.

3rd September

A new term began today - and the first under our new name.  Some of the people joining us properly today included the new Year Three children, and Miss Pearmain, who is teaching in Year Four.

10th December

The cast and crew of Olivia did two performances today - a matinee at 1:30 and an evening performance at 5:00. Both performances were a great success - though we're sure Thursday's performance will top them all.

19th December

If you entered through the school gates today, you may have been met by some very unusual looking characters.

Ridgemede / Bishop's Waltham Junior School Staff, 2009

Darren Cambell - Headteacher (from September)
Gen Marsh - Deputy Head
Gill Cooper
Monica Carter
Lynne Hope
Harriet Manchester
Elizabeth Rye
Sarah Martin (until July)
Katy Rogers
Katie Philips
Jon Senior
Jo Sudbury
Lloyd Dennis
Gemma Lewis
Lucy Pearmain (from September)

Leslie McLay
Debbie Barclay
Jeannette Mars
Debbie Simpson
Julie Johnson
Claire Davey
Sarah May-Miller
Jane Cadnam (until July)
Judith Barber (until July)
Jane Fawbert (from September)
Rachel Macdonald (from September)
Wendy Harris (from September)
Olivia Clarke (from September)

Liz Channon (Administration officer)
June Harding (Assistant administration officer)
Debbie Holley (Assistant administration officer)
Karen Langston (Assistant administration officer)
Graham Newton (caretaker)
Susan Stoop (cleaner)
Sharon Burt (cleaner)
Sam Baldwin (librarian & technician)