Headmaster's Welcome

Headmaster's Weekly News, Friday 11th January, 2019

Jan 11, 2019

11 January 2019

Dear Parents

Happy New Year!

I would like to welcome you all back and wish you a very Happy New Year. The children were full of energy and raring to go on Tuesday. They enjoyed sharing their holiday news and talking about the exciting events which lie ahead this year.

School Charities
I would like to thank everyone for supporting the events in the lead up to Christmas. We raised over £480 for the school charities; Derian House and Make A Wish.

School Improvements
Junior Playground - we now have new lighting in the playground which will improve visibility in the car park and for the entrance to the all-weather pitch.
Nursery - our Baby Room has been painted and we have created more storage areas.
New Staff Car Park – the new staff parking area to the left side of the school is almost complete which will help to reduce pressure on other parking areas around school, particularly during school events.

Years 5 and 6 Team Building - interview with Mrs Jones and Holly 6H
Years 5 and 6 Team Building took place on the last day of term with a Winter/Christmas theme. The children were mixed across age groups and classes and they had to think about and use teamwork and leadership skills to complete a series of activities. The first activity really broke the ice (metaphorically!) as the children had to pretend they were penguins taking part in a relay, waddling backwards and forwards with a balloon between their legs. There was lots of laughter and a great deal of support and encouragement within the teams. The groups then rotated around the challenges, ranging from sewing a stocking and filling it with spoons full of skittles; to stacking boxes and running backwards and forwards as the pile got higher and higher; to holding a paper plate on their head and drawing a room with a fireplace and a Christmas tree in it. As their communication skills improved and their ability to work as a team developed, instructions became more precise, relevant and clear and the children started to work more closely together to achieve a common goal. In the final activity, they had to choose one member of their team to transform into a snowman using a variety of materials. There were some brilliant creations and it was fascinating to watch each team’s approach to the challenge. It was a real culmination of all the skills they had learnt throughout the afternoon.
Congratulations to all the children who worked really hard and to Mrs Jones for organising the event.

Spring Term Calendar
The calendar was published on Tuesday and sent home with the children. Please make sure you take note of all the dates relevant to your child in the term ahead.

Merits
RB: Arthur RH: James 1D: Drew 1W: Ahmed 2E: Malaaikah
3J: Yusuf 3M: Sophie 4D: Udita 4S: Isabelle 5M: Theo 6H: Holly 6P: Joshua D

Thought for the Week
The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals. Melody Beattie

Yours sincerely

J M Duke
Headmaster