Huge thanks have to go to our wonderful PTA for all of their efforts in making it such a successful event for our families. Well done to our very own Mr Goddard and Mr Bushell who encouraged us all to the dance floor with their brilliant musicianship. 

What are the ingredients of an excellent all round education? Well our ‘love of learning’ active lessons and whole community involvement certainly have been a recipe for success this week.

Forest school in the oldest years cooked up a late brunch feast of learning this week. Camp fires were constructed, kindling chopped, sausages sizzled and a variety of eggs, some unrecognisable, were consumed. The term’s work culminated in a great demonstration of how far the pupils have progressed with craftsmanship, listening, taking care, working creativity, with full concentration and plenty of smiles. Well the great teamwork lasted until the washing up! 

Our school is a tremendously busy place for us all and our community and partnership is much stronger for it. I certainly believe that the pupils who engage fully in our programme build great relationships with the adults and have abundant opportunities to develop skills and talents as well as heightened self-esteem. Our Celebration Assemblies foster this as well. Our Kindness Rabbits, House Point ‘drum roll’, plentiful Merits and simple recognition of birthdays promotes team spirit, friendly competitiveness, positive recognition and guidance to make the right choices.

One pupil recently made a fantastic choice. Connor in Year 6 was very hesitant and nervous about competing at the Regionals in the HIgh Jump. He then triumphantly found himself taking an unexpected trip to Manchester on Monday to the ISA National Athletic Finals and coming home with an incredible Bronze Medal. Resilience, determination, perseverance and plenty of achievement. Well done to his coaches, who held training clinics and conversations with him but especially to Connor who demonstrated what can be accomplished when we go for it. Max in Year 5 also stepped up and answered London West's call with an injury substitute appearance in the 4x100m relay. He was also rewarded with a Bronze. Well done to all the athletes. Mr Butterfield and Miss Hudson were thrilled with their performances, behaviour and energy levels on a very long day.

Another of our popular activities is Chess which continues to thrive under the spellbinding leadership of Mr Hogg. His team of tutors certainly inspire a love of the game, great understanding and some super competitors. Saturday will see many of our pupils competing at the Open tournament to challenge themselves and develop their games. 

It was lovely to see so many of you at our various Parents’ Evenings this week. It is so wonderful to hear our teachers speaking so individually about each pupil, both academically and pastorally. As I alluded to last week we will be transitioning to our new teachers next week but please be rest assured that Moving Up meetings will occur between the teachers so that September starts smoothly.

Year 5 have been investigating and extending their thinking about the amount of plastic that we use in the ‘Big Plastic Count’. They have been amazed by the actual amount we use. Five lucky children had the wonderful opportunity to visit the House of Commons on Wednesday , meeting Theresa May (MP) and others to discuss the choices that we make and to encourage politicians to take climate concerns seriously.

Wednesday also saw Year 3 boys and girls travel to Woburn Safari Park as part of their Endangered Species Topic. The pupils had a wonderful time and (eventually) saw lots of the animals who came out from the shade!

Finally our House Swimming Galas on Thursday and Friday at Junior Boys saw a whole range of sensational strokes and streamlined actions and quite a few who found it more challenging. Regardless of their levels, what continues to inspire me most is that the children here accept each other, tolerate differences and mistakes, are genuinely encouraging and oh so enthusiastic about all the opportunities they receive here. 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Leanne Kirby