Welcome to my latest Headteacher update. I hope that it finds you well.
With various events and activities last week we will be announcing House, attendance and award winners such
as highest individual House Points and Artists of the week etc. next week so this weeks update will be slightly
different.
There is a lot of information this week so I hope that you will find this useful.
Collective Worship
Last week we considered the story of Tabitha, who lived an extraordinary life simply by thinking of others and
supporting the vulnerable in society. We have spent the week in Collective Worship reflections considering how
we can all be extraordinary in this way and how we might go about doing this. The story of Tabitha perfectly fits
our distinct Christian vision where we celebrate the God-given uniqueness of all and the importance of treating
all with respect.
Prayer for the week
The prayer of the week for next week was written by Jake M:
Dear Lord
Thank you for our wonderful school community
Thank you that every individual thrives within our school
Let us endeavour to achieve our joint goals together
Let us respect the interests of others and help us to love every unique person
Amen
Thank you so much
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your wonderful support during the challenging weather of
last week. It certainly hasn’t been an easy task to navigate but I hope that you appreciate that our decision making
was in the best interests of pupils, staff and parents/carers. I believe that what we did was the correct course of
action and I wanted to thank you for the positive feedback that I have received.
I know Thursday was very hot but I thought the way we worked together in partnership over the option of an early
pick up but keeping the school open was an example of the strength of our partnership.
Uniform next week
The temperatures are returning to a more normal warmth for this time of year. As it is still warm and I want to
support pupils and families for all of next week pupils have the option of wearing PE kit on any day that they wish.
If pupils wish to wear their normal school uniform then there is no requirement to wear a blazer and tie as these
will be optional.
Key safety message
The Department for Education and Local Authority have been raising the issues of the dangers of swimming in
rivers and lakes where the shock to the system of plunging into cold water can have serious, even lethal,
consequences. I just wanted to make you aware of the key advice
- Stick to designated swimming areas and urge people to closely supervise children around water at all
times. - If you see someone in difficulty in the water, call 999 immediately and ask for the appropriate emergency
service, and do not enter the water yourself. Instead, encourage them to float on their back and throw
something that floats if available.
Road crossing
Unfortunately we are without Mrs Burgess for the next couple of weeks. I have contacted Worcestershire Safer
Roads who have responsibility for the crossing and am awaiting their response. As always I will try and do as
many crossing duties as I possibly can. Most mornings and afternoons I will be there, but if ever I am not please
ensure that excellent road safety behaviour is observed at the crossing. Always check your surroundings carefully
and repeatedly and always cross at designated points.
Year 8 Hoodies
These have arrived and will be given out to Year 8 pupils later this week. Year 8 pupils will be permitted to wear
their Hoodies as part of school uniform in the last 2 weeks of term, starting Monday 6th July.
Last day finish
Just another reminder that the last day of term school closes at 1 p.m. with buses arriving at that time.
Transition success
Well done to our Year 8 pupils who were brilliant at Prince Henry’s last week. Dr Evans has spoken to me about
the positive impression they made which is really important.
Year 6 and 7 pupils in school were a joy and engaged really well with the tasks and activities that were provided
for them in school.
Our new Year 5 were absolutely fantastic! They have made a wonderful first impression and we can’t wait to start
working with them in September. Year 5 transition evening was absolutely packed even with the sweltering
temperatures on Thursday!
Evesham Bell boat regatta
On June 22nd Mr Taylor and Miss Markham escorted our Young Leader team to the 2026 Evesham Bell Boat
Regatta at Evesham Park organised by Andy Train and his team of helms from Evesham and Fladbury rowing
clubs.
Our leaders split into 3 teams to race against ten other teams from schools all over South Worcestershire. After
some very close races and plenty of sweets (for energy) in the final, our Leaders team excelled and took the first
place overall pulling away from some teams that were composed of year 9s even! Behaviour, maturity and
kindness were, as ever, evident from this team of Leaders that have performed so well across their duties all year.
Thank you so much to the staff and pupils for representing St Egwin’s with such dedication and pride.
WEST support
Understandably we are very proud to be in the region as a beacon for safeguarding and support. Lasty week we
had sessions delivered by WEST (Wellbeing and Emotional Support Teams) to Year 6 pupils which were really well
received. Thank you so much for the pupils maturity and to Mrs Sage for providing such a worthwhile experience.
Drama club
Well done to Izzy and Violet in Year 8 who have been running Drama club with the support of Mrs Cockerton. I had
the privilege of watching their rehearsal last week and the quality of participants is absolutely superb. They will
be performing their work at the summer concert.
Careers Day
Thank you so much to Mr Wood and Mrs Croft who facilitated an incredible morning on Thursday for our latest
careers offering. The government uses The Gatsby benchmarks to measure the quality of careers provision by
schools, and it is no wonder that St Egwin’s is always setting the standard which you can see with us constantly
receiving the top grading.
The day was a huge success which even tropical temperatures could not deter! Thank you so much for the
amazing contributions from local business, employers and employees and thank you to the amazing pupils.
Thursday was yet another showcase of St Egwin’s as a powerfully inclusive community school. It was a day that
we can all be incredibly proud of.
Government social media ban
I have been asked by several parents/carers how the government social media bans may affect the approach to
mobile phones at St Egwin’s. Obviously we will wait to see the detail of the legislation but at this point we will
continue with our approach to pupils handing their phones in and collecting them later in the day.
My personal view is that I can see the benefits and rationale for the ban, but I am unsure about how practical it
will be in terms of enforcement. Social media does have a positive role in society, but it is frequently misused
and an easy way to spread misinformation, disinformation and division. Democracy and free speech are
wonderful things, but kindness, empathy and the truth are also incredibly important! It is incumbent on all of us
to take care what we read and believe and what we allow ourselves, and in particular children, to be exposed to.
Three weeks left of this academic year. I hope that these are spent with love, laughter and happiness for you, your
families and friends. - Best wishes
Mr Collard
Headteacher