Thank you for taking the time to read my latest update. Apologies that I am sending it to you over the weekend rather than on Friday, but I was with other Headteachers from local first schools on Friday afternoon so was unable to complete my update.
I do think that it’s vitally important that within our local cluster schools are working hard together to find the best opportunities for children in the area as part of our three tier system. Whilst this system is very unusual in England, it clearly has a range of benefits and to that end there is a real determination and resilience in our area to make this system work for all.
Collective Worship
Last week we were considering ‘The marvellous picnic’ where Jesus performed the miracle of feeding a huge crowd with only a handful of food. We have been using this as a basis for discussing the importance of compassion and not only doing this for others, but perhaps more importantly thinking of them and thinking how we can help them to not be in the difficult situations that are causing them anxiousness or worry.
Some of the questions I have been asked from pupils about the story itself as well as the concept of compassion have been really challenging and interesting. I really love the way in which pupils at St Egwin’s ask challenging questions and show keen reflections. It is important as a life skill I believe to ask questions and listen to the views of others whilst articulating your own thoughts.
Prayer for the week
The wonderful prayer for the week we will use next week was written by Andzhela Z:
Dear God
Let us never judge a book by its cover because if you do you miss a chance to find an opportunity
Help us to learn to take a risk because if we do we might just achieve what we want from life
Let us never give up helping us believe that we can always do it so we must believe in ourselves
Amen
House and attendance update
I would like to start by focusing on attendance and saying a huge well done to Turing who absolutely smashed the highest attendance of last week. This was superb, so well done!
I am delighted that average House Points awarded each week remain around the 3000 mark, so well done all. Breaking the seeming monopoly for Curie and Christie, top House Point achievers this week were Farah! Great work from all of you. Keep it going!
Top House Point achievers by House last week were:
Attenborough – Amelia C
Christie – Liepa A
Curie – Tilda M
Farah – Oliver E
Turing – Olivia C
Well done to Oliver E who was the only boy in the list, but was also the overall winner.
Special well done mentions
Well done to Lola HR who was our Oracy Champion of the week.
Great work from Ava S who was our artist of the week. Her stunning work is attached to this update.
Incredible tenacity and determination saw Grace W perform brilliantly well in the county cross country finals. Despite competing with girls in Year 10, Grace ran superbly and did incredibly well. We’re really proud of her!
George E continues to harness his inner Robin Hood and is once again smashing all records before him in archery. He recently broke a further 2 records so it’s fair to say he is already clearly on a pathway to national success! We are watching the progress of his meteoric rise with immense pride.
Well done to Felix P who recently achieved British Sign Language certification, which is wonderful news.
Great work from Year 6 swimmers who are showing great competence in reaching their national expected standards.
Thank you to Freya OR for making her superb badges that she has given staff to celebrate their favourite football teams.
Performing Arts strength
We are really proud to support the range of performing arts. I think that opportunities in the arts are so important for pupils and it is a pleasure to see the wide range of achievements from our pupils. Year 7 were superb on their trip to see Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, Year 8 were treated to a great performance of Anything Goes at PHHS and rehearsals clearly show our production of We Will Rock You is going to be yet another smash hit!
Family cycle day
Please see attached a flyer regarding Family cycle day which is on the 19th February. It would be great for as many people as possible to support this wonderful initiative.
Monday 9th February special menu
Please don’t forget that tomorrow is a special focus on Chinese food in the dining room. This is part of celebration events delivered by Aspens, our catering company.
50 year anniversary material reminder
We are planning to dig up the 1976 time capsule over half term. We are intending to rebury it with a 2026 capsule as well as put a range of material on our website. if you have any photos or books from the past, we’d love to borrow them! Please do let me have anything that you think may be of interest in the history of the school.
Save the date
With national Key Stage 2 SATS tests approaching I will be hosting a parent/carer information evening on 22nd April at 5. The focus will be to debunk some myths and help provide some useful hints and tips in the run up to SATS. It would be wonderful to see as many Year 6 parents/carers there as possible.
Have a wonderful final week of this half term.
Best wishes
Mr Collard
Headteacher