I’m just finishing off this latest update before I go to try and navigate the outdoor swimming pool which has once again formed outside of the school!
Thank you for your support throughout this half term. As always one of the most important strengths of St Egwin’s is the strong partnership of the school community. I hope that whatever plans you have for half term that you have a restful and enjoyable week.
Collective Worship
This week we have been studying Matthew 14:22-33 where Jesus performed the miracle of walking on water. Some believe the story to be literal whereas others believe it to be representative, though whatever your views might be there is always hope that we can all achieve great things. Whilst faith in a religious sense is focused, if we take the wider context of faith, it is always important to have faith that wonderful things are possible.
Pupils have been looking at the power of focusing on goals and what can be achieved when you have faith in not only others, but also in yourself. I know that faith in the school community has been for example a key driver in the progress and strengths of St Egwin’s.
Prayer for the week
The prayer for the week when we return was written by Vanessa Z:
Dear God
I am grateful for my family and friends
I am grateful for my health and strength
I am grateful for my shelter and my food
I could not live without these things and so I am happy with that
Amen
Attendance and House updates
The Department for Education has recently published attendance expectations for all schools based on attendance data from last year. I am delight, though not surprised, that our wonderful attendance team have ensured that our school attendance is well above what the expected attendance target is. As always attendance is an ongoing focus and it is important that none of us rest on our laurels. As if there was any chance of that!
It was wonderful to see Farah win the most House Points of the week by some distance! Well done to all pupils who contributed to this wonderful effort. Is there a momentum shift with half the year left to determine who wins the House Cup this year…?
Top House Point achievers of the week by House were:
Attenborough – Lily O
Christie – Dylan S
Curie – Luca V
Farah – Ben G
Turing – Charlie S
A special well done to Dylan S who was our overall winner for the week!
Special pupil achievements
Well done to Theo H who was the Year 7 Star Baker and Kian B who was the Year 8 Star Baker.
Great work from Charlotte W saw her deservedly be awarded the Artist of the week.
Ella C was our Oracy Champion of the week with her superb contributions in lessons.
Incredible achievements in swimming yet again from the amazing Leo C who recently one a bronze, three silvers and a gold in the Worcester County Competitions. Absolutely incredible work Leo!
(Yet more) Sporting success
Recently there were superb performances from Harry, Marselis, Mason, Chen and Jacob who were competing in the Worcestershire county badminton finals. Despite being the youngest team in the competition the boys all performed brilliantly and did their school proud. Thank you so much to Mr Taylor for taking the boys and supporting this opportunity.
Eco update
As part of our ongoing campaign, please could I ask for your support in a few areas:
1. Please join us in reminding pupils of the need to sue the bins around school. At times there is a shameful amount of litter on the yards. This is not OK and does not represent our values or vision.
2. Please name all clothing items so they can be returned rather than creating large piles around the school.
3. Please make use of the pen recycling that we have. We are more than happy to recycle pens from home.
4. Please be aware that we also offer printer cartridge and battery recycling.
World Book Day
World Book Day this year is Thursday 5th March. I am aware that there are a range of views but my view is that unfortunately the event has been hijacked somewhat as a commercial opportunity to sell costumes or to put parents/carers under unfair pressure to create works of art for pupils to wear.
I have the ‘crazy’ idea that it should be about celebrating the joys of reading rather than generating revenue and/or stressing families. With this in mind on World Book Day Mr Tutino is going to share a short story that pupils will have in morning registration and staff will be sharing their favourite and most inspirational books with pupils. We will therefore focus on sharing our love for reading and hearing what inspires others.
When talking about parent/carer pressure, on a similar note I am aware that some schools offer a wider range of trips, including residential opportunities. I am in no way criticising this as schools make their own decisions, but it is my conscious decision that we only offer a smaller number of non residential trips in order to support the never ending demand on parent/carer finances. I
t’s really hard as I know there are a range of circumstances, but as long as I am Headteacher we won’t be charging for extra curricular clubs, we will be running a free breakfast club and doing all that we can to support parents and carers with not overburdening financial pressure wherever we can. Your support and understanding are as always greatly appreciated.
Have a wonderful weekend and a great week next week.
Best wishes
Mr Collard