I cannot believe the end is in sight - or that another year is over. I can remember the end of last year like it was a month ago and yet another whole year has passed –I will probably be writing the same thing next year. I am looking back on this year with a lot of happy memories and I feel that the school has moved forward after a successful Ofsted and major renovations which have greatly improved the quality and look of the building. There is some more decoration due to take place in school over the summer so the building is not finished yet but hopefully it will be by the end of the year. We have also ordered the furniture for the new tech room and that should arrive by September and the room will be fully operational for the new term. 

 

As you know Year 6 held their ‘Apprentice’ event last week which was very popular and well received. I am pleased to let you know that the event raised £645.27 which will be donated to a number of charities which the children have selected. The group that won the event was called ‘Snacks and Soaks’, and they did exactly what their name suggested – they sold some snacks and they allowed you to throw sponges at members of their group and Mr Mills. I would like to congratulate the Year 6 on running a successful event and to Mr Gradwell, Mrs Ilott and Mrs Alimadadi for helping them to organise the event.

 

I did mention in my blog last week that the children had not been behaving like it was the end of term and I hoped that I was not going to jinx their behaviour by mentioning it. I am pleased to report that the children’s behaviour has remained chilled and they have remained really focussed on their learning even though it is the end of term. It has reminded me that the main reason I applied for a job in this school was because the children were so engaging and love to learn and I still think that now and it continues to make me feel really lucky to work here. I also think that how children behave is a reflection of how they have been brought up so the fact that they are so lovely is down to you their parents and for that I thank you all for that.

 

This is my last blog of the year as I will not be writing one next week. Please remember that we finish at 2.00pm on Tuesday. I would like to wish all the Year 6 every success for the future and I hope you all have a brilliant holiday. I look forward to welcoming you all back on Tuesday, 3^rd September.

 

The end is almost in sight - just one more week and two days till we can start our summer holiday. I know the children (and staff) are all looking forward to it but, I have to say, the children appear to be still applying themselves to their learning and playing well together outside. I hope I have not ‘jinxed’ the situation by saying that but I will let you know next week.

It has been quite a busy week in school because we have had parent consultations. It is nice to have a catch up with parents when they are in school. I know the children love sharing their learning with their parents. Most parents were very good and stuck to their allocated times so things did run quite smoothly which is always good. Apart from Year 6, you will all be back for the next parent consultation in October before you know it.

We also had our new children who will be joining us in September visiting the school this week which was lovely. What is hard for me to grasp is that I can remember when our current Year 6 were in the same position and that just seems like two minutes ago when it is actually eight years. I do tell parents this and they find it hard to believe but before they know it their children will be moving onto secondary school and beyond.

I am afraid that I am going to have to have a little moan. I have noticed that when some adults are picking up children from after school clubs that they are bringing their dogs onto the premises. For health and safety reasons dogs are not allowed on the school premises at any time. If you do bring your dog the child will have to come and meet you at the school entrance when their club has finished.

As it is Year 6’s last full week next week a lot of the events taking place which involve them. They have got their Leavers Party on Friday night and they are performing their show, ‘Paws and Claws’ to the school next Friday. I have glimpsed one or two rehearsals and I am very excited about seeing it.

There are no school clubs now until September 9^th so if your child did attend one of these please remember to pick them up at the normal time. Have a great weekend and I will see again on Monday morning.

At last the summer weather has arrived and we can actually believe that the summer holidays are nearly upon us. Even though that is a pleasant thought I am also feeling a bit panicky because there is still so much to do.

We had ‘Little Heath Fest’ last week and I know we always hope for sunshine on these days but it was very hot and people actually had to find shade to sit in. The event was well attended though and it was a very chilled afternoon for everyone – people could relax in the sun while they listened to the live music. Some energetic people took part in a bounce session which was very popular in spite of the heat. I do not know how much money was raised but when we find out I will let you know. I would also like to give a big thank you to all the members of the PTA who made this event possible and I would like to thank all my staff who supported them.

In school this week members of Year 4 have really excelled. Firstly, the class had taken part in a poetry competition organised by Queenswood School and the three pupils whose poems were judged to be the best were invited to Queenswood to take part in a poetry writing workshop. The three pupils that were selected were Anastasia, Daisy and Annabelle so well done to them. The winning poems from all the schools were then re-judged and from all the schools that took part Daisy was judged to be the runner up.

On Thursday, Veeram from Year 4 took a whole school assembly. He had prepared a presentation for his class about the importance of recycling and looking after the planet so it will last for future generations. He feels so strongly about the topic that he asked if he could do it for the whole school and I allowed him to do that. I must admit that I thought he would need a little support so I was ready to jump in to help clarify points to the school. However, he did not need me at all. His presentation was brilliant and he spoke to the whole school confidently and clearly. This is a topic that a lot of the children feel very passionate about and we have agreed to do some fund raising for it next term. I am also going to have to ‘up my game’ with assemblies because he has set the bar very high.

Next week is a very busy week because it is Parent Consultation Week. I know parents are always eager to find out how their children are doing in school and the teachers are eager to share the information with you because they know that children achieve better with parents’ support. However, may I just remind you that the appointments are 10 minutes long and can I ask you to stick to that. If you do feel that you want to spend more time discussing an issue with the teacher, please make an appointment to see them at a later date. One parent overrunning can have a huge impact on the rest of the appointments.

Next Thursday is known as ‘Transition Day’ in Hertfordshire when most of the Year 6 visit their new school. We also have the new children who will be joining us in our Reception class in September join school for lunch. I can actually remember our present Year Six class’ first day in school so it is scary how quickly time flies by. The rest of the children will also be finding out who their new teacher is going to be for the next academic year and I will send letters out on Thursday so parents know who their child’s new teacher is going to be as well.

I hope you all have a great weekend – apparently the weather is going to last so we should all be able to get out and about.