School Governors

A Message From Henk Koopmans, Chair of the Governors
 

My association with Fairstead House School goes back to September 1999, when my wife Jane and I decided it would be the right educational choice for our twin boys.

Our decision was based on the school’s warm family ethos, which was very important to us, as well as their plans to develop their facilities and drive for academic excellence. We never looked back. When the boys left in 2006 they had become two very confident people, well equipped to deal with life in their senior school. My sons are not the exception and senior schools are eager to take Fairstead House School leavers as they demonstrate an excellent attitude towards learning and life, and subsequently do very well indeed.

I joined the Board of Governors in 2001 and was pleased to be able to assist in the development of the wonderful sporting facilities in Exning, the Performing Arts Centre in the school grounds and the introduction of electronic white boards throughout the school. None of this would have been possible without the excellent work of our hugely supportive Parents’ Association. We are extremely grateful for all their continued hard work and enthusiasm, and especially for the many well-organised events that they arrange throughout the year.

Fairstead House also plays its part in the wider community and being a charitable trust, our community links are very important to us. The Christmas Concert staged each year at Tattersalls is a joint venture between the Racing Welfare Charity and the school, and has been a particular highlight of the autumn term with members of the School Choir playing a huge part. We are also closely involved with the ‘Open Door’ charity for local homeless people and our Harvest Festival services each year provide them with a multitude of food donations, thanks to the generosity of our parents. Our Head Boy and Head Girl sit on the Newmarket Youth Council that meets on a monthly basis.

As Chair of Governors I am delighted to see a new set of plans being realised to take the school development to the next level. These plans will enable the school to improve its deliverance of an exciting and academically rigorous curriculum in modern, purpose built surroundings.
Fairstead children are happy and grow in confidence through being taught in a caring and secure environment. It is my aim as Chairman of Governors to preserve this ethos and ensure that the school is fully equipped to face future challenges.

Henk Koopmans