Mrs Davies has instigated the Claires Court walking club every lunchtime (as long as it is dry!) and the uptake from the boys has been amazing. The idea is to allow boys to the chance to spend 25 mins just having a stroll with their friends and members of staff around our new school grounds for a chat and a catch up. It’s voluntary. It is also wonderful for their aerobic fitness, and more importantly can provide some genuine ‘downtime’ from the rigours of the school day. Only this week, the front page of the Times had an article discussing the need for pupils to be able to walk more. Please have a glance at some of the pictures below.

Activities started this week in earnest and the boys have been making the most of the good weather. Please feel free to send them into school with their own sun cream if you wish, just please make sure it is named. Early morning cricket nets, swimming and art have been followed by a full programme of athletics every lunchtime. Our after school sessions have once again proved very popular with Water Polo being my pick of the bunch this week. Have a look at the gallery to see the boys in action.

Individual performances this week include William McMath’s quite superb piece of creative writing on hurricanes which now stands proudly on the wall in my office, along with our Sports Leaders from Year 6 who have worked tirelessly with Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 at lunchtimes coaching general sports skills and playing lots of games, as you will see below. Year 1 have been working on their capital letters, and Alfie Sidders, Ethan Olikara and Alfie Ward all produced some wonderful work.

Outside of school, Gursahej Bakshi has yet again impressed with an excellent haul of rosettes, coming first his four swimming races last weekend. Jamie Smith, one of our top athletes in Year 4, has also been working very hard and entered into a prestigious Under 11 athletics event at the weekend. Only 9 years old, Jamie excelled and finished in around the top 10 boys in a strong field of 45 athletes.

At Monday’s assembly, I showed the boys a clip from Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech. We have talking about the power of words and the whole school discussed famous speeches and sayings that they may recognise. This Monday, we are having our first ever Vegetable Garden assembly where Mrs Nott and her team of Green Warriors will be showing the school how to plant our seeds effectively and hopefully productively!

Our Reception class enjoyed a sunny day out at Bucklebury farm on Wednesday and they behaved themselves impeccably, as well as having a great deal of fun and learning all sorts of facts about animals.

I will close this week by informing you that unfortunately Mrs Susan Payne remains in a critical condition in hospital. Some of my staff have been able to visit her this week for short periods of time, and she does remain very positive and in good spirits. I will update you on how she is getting on as soon as I know more. Thank you all for your support of her and of the school through this difficult time for everyone.

I hope you enjoy a lovely weekend.