Plenty of perspiration has also occurred in class and I am thrilled that on my learning walks throughout the school I have been able to observe and witness questioning, problem solving, discussion and a buzz of application in all years.  The pupils should now be embracing homework. If your son attends ‘study’ after school, it would be very useful  to have a suitably good read with him on a daily basis in which to lose himself when his prep has been completed. The boys should now have gotten into their own routine and be overcoming any initial reservations. This leads me seamlessly into a rather opportune time to remind you about our pastoral parent telephone calls that form teachers will be making next week. Please do check your emails and make contact with them if you have not done so already. 

In assembly this week, once I remembered to present the slides properly, at least I am consistent!, we talked about the boys being individuals in their own world and working as a community, as well as how they can be responsible for their own environment and actions. We also began to develop our thoughts about taking on challenges and how opening a new door can be daunting, exciting, problematic and with determination ultimately successful. I also introduced my phrase for the half term, ‘opportunity’ which I hope regardless of whether they are older hands, lockdown returners or new arrivals they will all try to grasp. Some children do not have the chances our boys have for a variety of reasons and it was super to see double denim and other assorted apparel on Thursday supporting the Jeans for Genes charity where our donations go a small way to creating change. Thank you.

Opportunities of another kind are available for parents of Year 5 to join Senior Boys colleagues at a virtual open event next Friday. Whilst Year 6 parents are invited to join a Google hangout with Mr James Wilding to hear about Senior Boys and ask any questions they may have.

Our PTA is still taking every opportunity to support us and other local causes and we are determined to keep its great work high on everyone’s agenda. I look forward to encouraging the many initiatives, some old and some new, that the present situation allows us to explore. The great mass bulb planting that we have planned is particularly colourful and a vivid example of many of the themes mentioned above. Thank you to Garden Envy Ltd. or Mrs Wilson, for their support in this venture.

One change that is occurring is the temperature checking at the gate from Monday. However, we hope that your sensible approach to illnesses and attendance in school remains. We will still be at the gate to meet and greet and ensure that the warmly welcomed positive improvement to traffic flow at drop off and collection does not change!

Have a super weekend.