This afternoon we have been treated to the Year 6 boys and girls PGL exhibition, where the pupils get the opportunity to reflect on their week away and create pictures, collages, models, projects, diaries, paintings, video footage, and so much more. Mrs Nott and Mr Leuzinger gave Year 6 the biggest compliment they possible could in our celebration assembly this morning - they commented that they were the easiest and best behaved group they have ever taken away. Similarly, the PGL staff were dazzled by our pupils outstanding manners, work ethic, and ability to get on well with each other. The compliments from PGL were also overwhelming. Well done to everyone who went on the trip.

This week in assemblies we have been considering how it may feel to have lost your sight, enabling our boys to empathise with others in a less fortunate situation than they are. As always, your sons came up with interesting and thought provoking comments about this topic, and we will be continuing on this theme after half term. Not to forget our poetry reading, some Year 3 boys read their halloween poems in assembly, and the one about ‘Spiders’ sent chills up my spine! I also read out a beautiful piece this morning called ‘The Sun’. The boys really enjoyed it, the vivid use of language and imagery that was created was quite inspiring on such a cold and damp morning. When I informed the school that this had been written by Ethan Olikara in Year 3, they were absolutely amazed! Well done Ethan, this is a great piece of writing.

You may have seen a number of pictures of our boys in the local paper this week, celebrating their Chess and Art successes, and our picture gallery is full to brimming with snaps of our weekly adventures - please do look take a look, especially at some of our Year 1 boys English work. I have also been reliably informed that Claires Court Junior Boys school is now tweeting regularly! A number of my staff have started to use this form of media to keep you updated on the general news of the school so feel free to become a follower @ClairesCourtJB.

So, a huge well done to all of our pupils this week, and the fortnight break is very much needed by everyone to recharge those batteries and spend some time with families. I know many of you are travelling abroad to find some sunshine - I hope your quest is successful and that you have a lovely holiday. I am swapping the rain of Maidenhead for the rain of Devon, but again, it is always nice to spend some time away!!! I wish you all a lovely break whatever your plans are, and I would like to thank you all for making this such a wonderful first half of the Autumn term.

Justin Spanswick