Happy Half Term!

A bit more normality returned to school this week as we had less staff and children absent. I’ve been hugely inspired by the pupil progress meetings that have taken place with class teachers throughout school. Children have completed work both in books, and in usual assessments which supports really pleasing progress despite all the attendance challenges for both staff and children. The dedication and commitment of our team is second to none and your children inspire us to dig deep when things in school have been tough. Once again I’m exceptionally proud of the children’s progress throughout school.

COVID Update

Covid rates in the local community continue to be high and we still have more cases at school than any time previously, around 12 -14 cases overall between Y5, Y2 and this week in reception.

We continue to be grateful to families for isolating siblings who have not yet had Covid when the first person in the household tests positive. This has significantly reduced the spread in classes – especially in younger age groups where the children are less aware of social distancing. Thank you.

A reminder to everyone that sadly we don’t have capacity to allocate homework and online learning to pupils who are absent or ill for anything other than school ‘approved’ Covid related absences. We hope you understand that this is to allow us to protect teacher workload while our staffing levels are less than they should be, and to support family understanding of the importance of attendance at school. The DfE have recently issued reminders to schools about protecting attendance at school. It’s a really tricky balance to get right and we are working hard to reinforce the commitment to full school attendance as much as possible.

Statutory bodies are very focussed that children should be learning in school when they can and we are trying to ensure our school approach aligns with this

Academic mentor

As part of the national tutoring programme we have brought in an academic mentor for English and are delighted to welcome back Kirsten Swales for this role in school. (Some of you may remember Kirsten as she was the nursery teacher previously known as Kirsten Hurst). Kirsten is married now and a Mum – congratulations! She is initially working across early years and Y1 as a support for our ‘catch up’ programme.

Back to normal

It has been wonderful to see the impact on the children since starting whole school assemblies in the hall and we are excited that despite the local Covid outbreak we are on track to continue assemblies in this ay for next term, welcoming the reception class in with the rest of school is aways wonderful to have the whole school community altogether.

Harvest collection

Please send in any donations for harvest next half term which we are sending to the Centre for Hope. The usual list for collections is here and we ask that you try and send in specific items such as: Cereal, Soup, Pasta, Rice, Tinned tomatoes/ pasta sauce, Lentils, beans and pulses, Tinned meat, Tinned vegetables, Tea/coffee, Tinned fruit, Biscuits, Fruit juice. There is also a need for basic toiletries and sanitary products.

Wonderful Reading!

Huge congratulations to both Reception class as well as Y4 and Y6 who have achieved much higher rates of reading at home! Keep it up over the half term!

Parent consultations

We have designated the parent consultations for Weds the 10th November using the online system we used last term as we are still conscious of high community Covid rates. Please book your slots early when you receive the link especially if you struggle with your availability. Teachers have asked to increase the time slots to allow slightly more time per student. As always if you have any concerns about your child’s
progress please let us know at any time. We are happy to make time to discuss concerns and want to be on hand to help as and when it’s needed.

Paul’s outdoor idea

As we approach half term I would like to thank everyone for their enthusiasm and work on the outdoor ideas. Over the half term I would love you to get out and about and collect natural material, leaves, nuts, berries and even interesting stones and create ‘natural frames’. You will need a frame or to make a frame from cardboard and attach your natural materials to the frame.

Have a look at the link https://youtu.be/Mt3zUhK0lkQ

We would love to see your creations on the class Facebook pages or in school after half term. Have fun!

Happy half term everyone! We hope you enjoy a good break, stay safe with Halloween and bonfire celebrations, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back into school on Monday the 1st November at the usual time.

Achievement Awards

Kindness champion – Ayman Allvendi; Swimmer of the week – Regin McMullen
Children achieving gold – YN – Jacob Ray, YR – Polly Ross, Tilly Merrett, Y1 – Safiya Kodirova, Joseph
Gorton, Y5 – Reece Hopkinson, Y6 – Katie Russell (not reported last week), Isabelle Aitchison, Ellah Parker, Kieran Leck, Louis Archbold