Friday Update – 7 May 2021

Another week completed in what has been a very different year – there are just three weeks until half-term. 

The brilliantly positive children continue to impress and it all starts in the morning with the beaming smiles, “Good morning”s and overall, the lovely positive relationships being developed – a huge thank you for your very important part in that. 

All staff are currently reading a book by Mark Finnis titled, ‘Restorative Practice – Building Relationships, Improving Behaviour and Creating Stronger Communities’. I am sharing this because I think it is good that you know we are always looking to be even better than we are. Behaviour at the school is really positive but we want to make it even more so. The book is about positive relationships and very much in line with The Avanti Way. To quote one phrase in the Avanti Way, ‘to have a positive, synergistic relationship between the teacher and the student’. I will share lines from the book each week from Mark’s book, the following is my first… 

For children to feel able to talk, you need adults who are willing to listen. 

Lunch and Payments

We currently have £201.00 owed for lunches, a rise from last week’s £162.90. This is the third week with the amount rising – please ensure payments are made to avoid the need for children to be picked up for the duration of lunch next week.   

Since last week’s update on lunches, children are continuing to say the lunches are good, warm and the portion size is right. We will continue to ask the questions (as with all areas of school life) and seek to make improvements. Some of you may have noticed a slightly updated menu ready for next week, where we are now stipulating the filling options for the jacket potatoes. This will avoid those that have been dissatisfied with what they can have on a jacket, for example, find cheese too dry on its own. Up to now there have been no guarantee of particular fillings, but from Monday it is. Week 3’s Tuesday dish has also been amended, so please check this when ordering.  

Parent Questionnaire Updates 

The Parent Questionnaire  link is still there if you have not yet submitted a response it is still available. So far we have had 107 submissions. If you haven’t completed it, please do. We also have the external 360 Reviews which allow you to focus on specific areas. I hope this is useful.

Gate Opening Times

The school gates are now set to open and close automatically. When arriving at these times you do not need to buzz to gain attention/enter as they will open/close as follows:

Please also remember to follow the one-way system. Whilst life appears to be getting back to normal, Covid is still here and by being careful we will reduce the chances of spread and the resulting bubble closures. So far we have managed to keep all classes open and we want to keep it that way – thank you. 

There has been a large number of requests for parking passes of late. They really do have to be exceptional circumstances and even those can only be approved should space allow, along with consideration for the congestion along with St. Paul’s School. 

If you have a pass, use the allotted bay. If you do not and somehow get in, expect the person with a permit for the bay you are parked in to expect you to move.

Shoeshare

Thank you to all that have donated shoes for the Shoeshare appeal. A reminder that only Clarks shoes can be donated and need to arrive banded together as a pair.  The shoes can be child and adult sizes. Shoes sent in that are not Clarks will be returned via the child.

Calendar Dates

A reminder that the final Parents’ Evening of the year is approaching (Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th May). The Termly report will be sent home soon. It may be you did not wish to make an appointment for this term but if you do, make a booking in the usual way by clicking here. Meeting will again be via Zoom or telephone. 

A reminder that Friday 21st May is a Trust-wide Staff Training day so school will be closed to children. 

All dates are on the website calendar which you can see by clicking here. 

Focus on…

The 27th Focus on… Kahoot is complete. Well done to all that made it to the podium. Advaita from Year 3 Sun finished on top.  View the animated podium by clicking here. 

The 28th quiz is ready to play. Have a go by clicking here.

Friday Podcast

Click here to hear our latest podcast,  Episode 34. 

 Have a super weekend.

Stay safe and take care.