Whilst it has been an incredibly busy and challenging two weeks, the support, kind words and encouragement from so many parents is greatly appreciated and energising. The number of children with Covid has dropped from 115 last Friday to 59 today (Friday 28th January) – this is greatly welcome news but too soon to revert to whole school mixing (the removal of bubbles). We will be cautious and maintain the bubbles for another week and review the situation during the course of next week. All being well, we can remove the bubbles for the last week of the half-term. As mentioned, the number of positive Covid cases has fallen. Today we had 59 absences due to positive cases across the school, made up of:

• 6 in Foundation Two
• 3 in Year 1
• 9 in Year 2
• 9 in Year 3
• 9 in Year 4
• 3 in Year 5
• 20 in Year 6 (isolating)

Please continue to wear masks in communal areas. We will continue to remind children to wash their hands etc…

Interestingly and reassuringly, the rise in cases is similar across the country. You can see from the image the sudden rise. I think we are now past our peak and heading towards some much needed stability.

I was really pleased to be able to connect with so many of you via Zoom at last week’s Coffee Connection. Thank you to all that completed the form to state when would work best – I am pleased to announce that we will run the sessions fortnightly, at 10:00 each Wednesday. I hope you are able to connect for an informal chat. We will, on some weeks, have a focus to share how various things work at school. The next meeting will be on Wednesday 2nd February. We will use the same Zoom link. We will send the link as a reminder the day before.

Thank you again for your support and positivity.

Building Relationships, Improving Behaviour and Creating Stronger Communities

Whilst we reflect on the way we engage with each other, Mark writes in his book about conversations being nothing more than a series of small chats. I like in this school to the daily chats we have to increase our understanding. That may be a question the parents ask of staff or a question that staff ask of parents. These chats facilitate greater understanding for all and the resulting decisions made, accepted by all. There isn’t a need to sit down and have a formal meeting for most of what we do, but there is a need to listen, and to be given an opportunity to consider what has been shared. These chats allow all different perspectives to be considered.

In the book, Mark writes, ‘the secret to being a great listener is to spend less time talking than we do listening’. Whenever in group situations I am often very interested in who appears quiet. Often what those people have to say is of great value –  they often choose to only say something that will make a difference, positively. It can be the same in the classroom, where some children seem quieter than others. The art of teaching involves drawing these quieter children’s ideas out and enriching the learning of all.

I have been asked in the past how I go about creating a culture that is positive, inclusive and appreciated by most people. On reflection, it’s all about the questions that are asked and not pretending to know all of the answers. I believe that by asking questions to further understand what we see, hear and feel, we are in a much better place to make decisions that make a difference. I think that this is relevant in all areas of life; not just leading a school.

So the takeaway for me and this week is let’s keep asking questions without making judgements from the responses given. Let us ask questions to understand and listen carefully to those around us that are speaking, without the urge to interrupt or indeed, turn off. We may not agree with what is being said but will understand better the perspective of others.

We currently have £196.35  owed for lunches, a rise from last week’s £267.25. If you owe money, please ensure payments are made to avoid the need for children to be picked up for the duration of lunch next week. I will be taking a closer look at this next week so please do check your accounts.

We have continued to monitor the lunches and the environment is much better, as hoped. No child should be feeling unduly rushed and the minor timing issues are being worked on. With regards lunches, the quality is pleasing. Today’s Potato Paneer Sabji and yesterday’s Thai Vegetable Curry, newer additions to the menu, were delicious. I hope the children thought so too.

The visit of Olympic Gold Medalist, Sam Oldham was superb on Tuesday. All children went into the sports hall in year groups (maintaining bubbles) and took part in a circuit of activities that were quite tiring! Sam Oldham was very encouraging and engaged with the children brilliantly well. The various sessions for the classes were followed by a whole school assembly via Zoom. Sam gave an inspiring talk about setting goals and never giving up of things that you enjoy. Sam also performed some very impressive gymnastics disciplines, including a handstand on a box and a backwards somersault!

Thank you to everybody that raised some money – we will share the amount raised next week.

Cool Milk

For those that pay for milk for school, please remember to update your details on the call milk website so that your child’s year group and class is correct. I have learnt this week that we can update the details for you but we would need to know they are inaccurate to then look to make changes. Please do check but if you are struggling, let us know.

Parents’ Evening

There are only a couple of weeks until our Spring Term Parents’ Evening, on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th of February. We will send your child’s books home on Thursday 3rd February (before the appointment dates) so that they can be returned on Friday 4th February. Please do make sure you have booked an appointment. You can click here to access the Parents’ Evening page of the website.

Parking

It has again been mentioned that cars are parked in positions that block the views of other motorists and pedestrians needing to cross the road. Please make sure that you park with due consideration for others. Likewise, please drive carefully to avoid accidents. For those that have access to the school grounds, there is a speed limit and driving fast down the shared drive is very dangerous.

I am pleased to now be in a position to announce that we have appointed a replacement following Mr Wheat’s departure. Mrs Ferdush will start with us on Monday 7th February. For those parents of children in Year 4 Comets we will be looking to arrange an opportunity for an introduction. I am sure all will give her a warm welcome and help her to settle in as quickly as possible. Joining part way through a year can be a challenge but Mrs Ferdush impressed greatly at interview and will do a fantastic job.

I am also pleased to say that one of the Teaching Assistant applicants, Mrs Sharma, was also successful and will join us on Tuesday 1st February. We are still seeking to appoint four Teaching Assistants to replace a couple of leavers and support various children. These vacancies include the recent resignation of Mrs Chotai who is leaving school to pursue a very different role she has a leaning towards – not school based. Mrs Chotai will go with our very best wishes, having always been wonderfully professional, hard working and hugely effective.

Thank you very much for your continued support. 

Yours sincerely   

Mr Kite

Principal

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