Headteacher Update - Friday 8th December 2023
Welcome to this week's Weekly Update!
We are coming to the end of the penultimate week of term, and the festive joy is certainly oozing out of the school this week. I have been fortunate to see two outstanding performances by our very youngest children in the Nursery and Reception Class. They sang some festive favourites and some modern Christmas songs, with some 'join-in' actions, too. They definitely sprinkled some Christmas magic in front of our packed-out and very appreciative audiences. We are very proud of them all! All of the children have been busy practising for Christmas performances and giving their best, alongside some fantastic learning in Maths, Geography and English.
This week, we also welcomed Frances Nation into school, who completed a curriculum review, meeting with teachers and leaders and looking in books. She met with lots of pupils during the day, and was impressed with their learning behaviours, attitudes and their manners.
It's been a busy week for all of the children, so a huge 'Well done!' to them all.
In our Celebration Assembly this week, Year 4 Logie-Baird Class shared some of their fantastic Science learning, where they have been learning about Habitats, and exploring these around the school, and some excellent Design and Technology learning, where the children have designed, drawn and labelled their own savoury snacks. They shared with great confidence and pride.
We also celebrated our first set of 'Happy Lunchtime' awards. These are our very special lunchtime awards, chosen by all of our lunchtime staff, for great behaviour, trying new foods, or perfect manners. See our photo for this week's winners! The children have also been collecting their pom-poms and adding these to their class jars.
'Congratulations' to Year 6 Parks Class who won the 'Golden Lunchbox' this week!
In our 'Attendance Challenge', Year 3 Hewett Class picked up the 10 points this week. However, it wasn't enough to catch Year 4 Logie-Baird Class, who continue to lead the way with 36 points, with Year 6 Parks Class in second place, with 34 points.
In the 100% Attendance Raffle, there wer197 children in the draw this week. The number 156 was chosen at random - 'Well done' to Finley S. in Year R Stephenson Class.
'Well done' to all of this week's 'Stars of the Week'! (a full list of winners can be found on the Bulletin).
Next week, we head into our last week of this term and the end of the calendar year. We have lots to look forward to, including the annual Reindeer Walk on Thursday 14th December and our Christmas Lunch and Jumper Day on Friday 15th December, the last day of term, followed by the Winter Discos. We will also be awarding certificates to this term's 'Stars of the Term' and '100% Attendance Awards for Term 2.
We also have our Year 1 and 2 Christmas Nativity Performances in school and our Junior Carols at St. Mary's Church, Willingdon. The children are looking forward to sharing these with you and we hope you will be able to join us.
Please look out for our 'Winter Newsletter' next Friday!
Have a great weekend!
Ryan Laker
Headteacher