Headteacher's Update 6th March

Dear Parents and Carers, 

It’s been another incredibly busy and productive week in school.

We truly could not be prouder of two of our Year 6 boys who led a whole-school assembly on Tuesday this week about their faith, Islam. They spoke with such confidence, clarity and sincerity, sharing their beliefs and experiences in a way that educated and deeply impressed both children and staff alike. It takes real courage to stand in front of an entire school community and speak so personally, and they did so with maturity. It is also important to recognise that we have a number of children in school who are showing remarkable commitment and dedication to their faith by fasting at this time of year. This is no small undertaking, particularly while continuing with the full demands of school life, and we are incredibly proud of the resilience, self-discipline and strength they demonstrate.

World Book Day was a wonderful celebration of stories, imagination and the joy that reading brings. The love of reading was truly palpable. As one perceptive Year 6 boy said when I walked into his classroom, “Here’s Mrs Andrews - book in hand, as always…” - a compliment I was very happy to accept! From lively book talk to children quietly lost in their stories, it was clear how much they value the worlds books open up.

It was also lovely to see our growing partnership with the infant school woven into the day - from aligning our ‘dress up’ theme to our Year 4 pupils stepping confidently into their roles as reading ambassadors and role models for younger children. These connections will only continue to strengthen.

As part of the celebration, each teacher introduced a new graphic novel to their class. Graphic novels are a powerful addition to our reading offer: blending rich language with visual storytelling, supporting comprehension, engaging reluctant readers and sparking thoughtful discussion.

Teachers and children inspired one another with enthusiastic book recommendations, and it was fantastic to see every child having a voice in shaping their class reading areas. A huge thank you to our PTA for generously funding the re-vamp of these spaces - this truly feels like the start of something special. Photos of our transformed book corners will be coming soon!

Thank you, parents, for your continued support at home. Together, we are nurturing lifelong readers.

As promised, here is a snapshot of some of the work our incredible children have completed, taking huge ownership and pride over their handwriting. As mentioned previously, staff are working closely with the children to embed our high expectations, in line with the 4 Ps that we have introduced: Pencil/Pen grip, Posture, Paper and Pressure. These small but important fundamentals are already making a significant difference in the presentation and quality of work across the school.

                                  

                                

It is wonderful to see the care, focus and determination the children are showing - and I have to say, they seem absolutely delighted with the choice of our new pens too!

That just leaves me to say, thank you for your continuing support, and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Warmest Wishes,