Message from the Headmistress
Dear Parents,
This term has started to speed up (which is no bad thing in some ways) and we are hurtling towards the end of term trying to think and plan festively whilst continuing with the teaching and learning in the normal, well, ‘new-normal’ way.
There are some fractions appearing in some areas, as pupils get tired and the weather turns miserable. We are working hard to solve all issues which impact on other members of our community. This is no time for unkindnesses.
Sitting working on what would have been our Prize Giving holiday is devastating! Though, looking outside at the sleet and rain moving on a diagonal across the window makes ‘shopping’ or outdoors exercise less attractive, personally.
School is looking jolly with its trees and tinsel and I am delighted to have secured Santa at this busy time of year for a Junior School visit next week. I suspect it is too cold for Coronavirus at the North Pole.
I have no Covid-19 update this week, except to say how welcome the news of the vaccine is, and whilst the children are not on the list, the protection it will give to more vulnerable people may ensure some greater freedoms for the rest, over time. Meanwhile we continue with our cautious approach as we strive to keep school virus free for the last 8 days of term.
Next Friday (11th December) is Christmas Jumper Day, with a requested £2 donation for Save the Children from each wearer. In the afternoon, the pupils will be in special form activities.
The following Monday (14th) we are offering our Christmas grab bags, as our special Senior Christmas lunch.
As we have seen some flakes of snow this morning, I remind parents of the following:
- If there is a significant snow fall early in the morning which may mean school has to close (we would only close if we could not get site staff to open the buildings and make the site safe or if the % of teachers who were able to get in fell below an acceptable level) we would put this notification on the front page of our website. We would strive to inform parents directly by email and would inform BBC Radio Nottingham to add us to the closure list. Please note closure is very rare: we have done this twice in the last 20 years….
- If we can open, pupils are welcome to come to school, if it is safe for them to travel, though we would likely be working on an alternative curriculum for the day. Currently this would be within their bubbles. (These days are great fun!)
- If there is a significant snow fall during the school day, parents may choose to collect their children early from school. School, however, will not close early, and a member of the management will be on site until the last child has been collected.
I hope we have a dry winter weekend for us all to enjoy.
Mrs Hutley
Headmistress
Message from the Head of Juniors
Please click here to view this week’s Stars of the Week
Dear Parents,
What a rainy day; I do hope the weather gets a little better over the weekend and we all manage to get out and about.
Yesterday, EYFS and KS1 were treated to a musical adventure in a rainforest. Jude from BeatFeet Ltd Drumming & Dance Workshops came into to deliver the sessions and the children used the rhythm of the drums to guide them on their journey. Please have a look at the photos on our Facebook page.
Next week, we will be recording (in bubbles) our Christmas productions. These will be live streamed on Thursday and Friday nights and a link will be sent to you next week. Please also join us for the Christmas Quizzes that follow and feel free to wear Christmas accessories! As a reminder, timings are as follows:
Thursday 10th December
7pm – Y5 and 6 Christmas Production
7.45pm – Christmas Quiz
Friday 11th December
7.00pm – Nursery, Reception, Y1 and 2 Christmas Production
7.30pm – Y3 and 4 Christmas Production
8.15pm – Christmas Quiz
Hopefully, you will have all received my email to inform you that Santa will be visiting Junior School on Thursday. I am so pleased that we have been able to organise this and we will, of course, make sure Santa is distanced from the children and they remain in bubbles. If you wish for your child to participate, please remember to email Form Teachers and please send in £1 in a named envelope.
On Friday, we will are serving Christmas Lunch to all Junior children and it is also Christmas Jumper Day; children should wear these over their uniform. We are asking for a donation of £2 for Save the Children.
The run up to the end of term is a really busy one but with so many exciting activities planned, it will be a wonderful time. Have a lovely weekend.
Mrs Wright
Head of Juniors