Dear Parents and Guardians, 

We began this week with an assembly focusing on hope within our families, school, clubs and the community. This was a wonderful and positive way to begin a week which has been full of engaging learning and enrichment.

Rosefinch and Bullfinch enjoyed a trip to Milestone Museum in Basingstoke.  The trip was suited perfectly to their learning in History but I know the coach journey was quite a highlight!  This was the first trip for our infants since Covid so it felt very special to take them all.  Thank you to the staff for organising the visit, I think everyone slept well that night.

Eco club (Educating Children Outdoors) began again this week with a different group of children.  Their walk up to the area outside of church led them to discover a deer bone which created great excitement and fascination.  I know they are excited about the weeks to come.

Today, 8 Goldfinch boys took part in a football tournament at Cantley Park.  They played incredibly well and got through to the quarter finals but then lost on penalties.  It was brilliant to see them play with talent, commitment and teamwork.  Alfie was nominated as player of the tournament which was well deserved for his brave, focused goal keeping, even with an injury part way through.

On Monday 21st November we will be holding a sports achievement assembly.  This is an opportunity for the children to share their sporting achievements from outside of school.  A form will be emailed out on Monday 14th for completion by Friday 18th.  We will then celebrate the achievements in our assembly.  

There has been a Christmasy feel to the end of the week which is always exciting.  The FOFSA team are working hard towards the organisation of the Christmas Fair (Saturday 3rd December) as well as organising the Christmas card designs due back on Monday.  Thank you so much for supporting them.

I am delighted that ahead of the Remembrance parade opposite school, the scaffolding will have been taken down.  It has been a long process to complete due to the bats in the roof but it is it great work to have done.  The poppies on the fencing looks great and whilst my thanks go to the children for the poppies, I think Mrs Dodds needs to take full credit for her resilience!   She had a whole afternoon making them with Chaffinch and Goldfinch!  Thank you also to Sam Lamb for putting them up for us.

This morning we held a Remembrance assembly in hall and then walked to the Memorial Cross to lay a wreath.  The behaviour and respect shown by the whole school made us all proud, to have over 100 children walk in silence when they haven't been asked to was incredible.  It was the first time as a school that we could walk to the cross and lay a wreath and we did this led by Mr Roberts.  Mr Roberts then proceeded to play The Last Post, a magical moment of remembrance.  My thanks go to Mr Roberts for playing and being part of our assembly, it is certainly something I will always remember.

I wish you a wonderful weekend and I look forward to seeing you next week.

With kind regards

Jacquie Vanstone