Headteacher Newsletters
November 2023
Dear Parents/Carers,
As the end of November approaches, another half-term seems to be going by in the blink of an eye! Since the October half term break, the children have been persevering in their learning as usual, and continually impressing with their positive behaviour and excellent attitudes.
Early Years Foundation Stage Open Evening
Last week, we hosted our annual Early Years Foundation Stage Open Evening for new and prospective families. It was lovely to see lots of new faces and hear such positive feedback about their first impressions of our school but if you know of any parents/carers who may be interested in having their children attend who missed this event, please do encourage them to contact the school office as we would be more than happy to show them around.
Children in Need
The week before last, we celebrated BBC Children in Need. Prior to the event, the School Council led an assembly to explain the purpose of Children in Need and the important work of the charity. Through our ‘Spotacular’ non-uniform day, we raised a fantastic £439. Thank you for all your support. No Pens Day On Wednesday this week we will be joining thousands of other schools and early years settings across the country by getting involved in an exciting one-day event called No Pens Day Wednesday. This is a national day dedicated to speaking and understanding language; No Pens Day Wednesday aims to raise awareness of the importance of these skills in children and young people’s education and beyond.
This year the theme is “Show and Tell” and the children will put down their pens as all lessons and activities will have a focus on speaking and understanding skills rather than writing. These skills underpin everything we do (learning, making friends, having good mental health, and ultimately getting a job) and directly affect pupils’ education and life chances. Including speaking and understanding skills in a planned and structured way in pupils’ education can have a positive impact on their learning and the children will be able to use what they learn from this day throughout the school year.
Christmas Events
We now enter the always busy and exciting Christmas period, and our school events start off with the Christmas Fayre after school on Thursday. Thank you so much for all your donations for the raffle, the tombola and the toy stall and thanks to The Friends and the staff team for planning, organising and running this always popular event.
The children, Teachers and Teaching Assistants are also currently preparing each of our Nativity plays and Christmas performances which will take place at the Church (except for Nursery’s which will be performed in the Nursery as usual). Please see the full list of dates and times overleaf.
As well as performing in their own Christmas plays, the children are going to be in the audience for a pantomime in school from a visiting theatre company. West Midlands Children’s Theatre will be performing Sinbad the Sailor for all the Reception and Key Stage 1 and 2 children to enjoy on Wednesday 20th December, the last day of term, but if you do not wish for your child to watch the pantomime, please inform the school office. Headteacher Newsletter – November 2023.
On Tuesday 19th December, we will hold our school Christmas lunch, served with crackers, party hats and music to make it extra special. Following their lunch, each class will enjoy a Christmas party that afternoon as a reward for all their hard work and achievements this year. While the children should attend school in their uniform on Christmas lunch day, I would like to invite them all to accompany it with a festive accessory or a Christmas jumper if they should wish to.
I look forward to seeing you all at each of the upcoming events.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Henry Bray
Headteacher