Dear Parents and Carers,
The Half Term Break is finally upon us, and the children have completed one sixth of their school year. They have been incredibly busy over the last fortnight, particularly with learning about Black History in Black History Month. Using the core text Young, Gifted and Black, each class has focused on the work and achievements of black people whose achievements influence the way we live today – entrepreneurs, politicians, poets, dancers, campaigners, travellers and inventors – and have shared their learning in assemblies today. The children have made a variety of work to show their learning, some of which is in this letter and shared on Twitter. The quality is impressive. Most importantly, they have debated how Black History should be included in the school curriculum – separately in the month of October or throughout the year – and have written to the Secretary of State for Education to share their views and ask for his. We await his reply.
By popular demand, from Monday 1 November you will be able to pay for items bought at school through the ParentMail app using your credit or debit card. Details have been emailed to all parents and carers and are also in this Newsletter.
A reminder to all parents and carers to book your parents’ evening slot if you have not done so already, and if you have a child in Year 6, please make sure you have applied online via eAdmissions for a secondary school place by WEDNESDAY 27 OCTOBER. This allows time if a problem occurs with your application before the final deadline of 31 October. Late applications are not considered until 2 March 2022, by which time places at the most popular schools are filled.
We have been asked by our colleagues on Public Health to remind those of you who have children of secondary school age to continue lateral flow testing during the Half Term break. Unlike those at secondary school, primary school children are not asked to take these tests as a matter of course.
And finally…today we say goodbye and happy retirement to the amazing Lynn Heatley, who as a Nursery Nurse has looked after our youngest children for the last 50 YEARS. It has been my pleasure to know her for the past 21, and I for one will miss her complete unflappability and level headedness. She lets nothing get in the way of providing consistent care for children, a significant number of whom are now parents, carers and staff at the school. An event is planned to celebrate Lynn’s incredible achievement on 7 December, if we can prise her out of her caravan to join us, as being the centre of attention is not her favourite. I will let you know the details after Half Term, and in the meantime, I wish you, your children and your families a peaceful, safe and relaxing week, and look forward to seeing you again on Monday 1 November.
Best wishes
Susannah Bellingham
Head Teacher