Good afternoon,

I want to begin this newsletter with a message of congratulations to our Year 6.  There has been reports in the press of children becoming very distressed during the SATs tests which is upsetting to read.  Our pupils have worked with focus and determination and have kept smiling.  The staff do a fantastic job of keeping everyone calm and I thank them for everything they have done.  I wish Year 6 a very relaxed and happy weekend and the staff too!

Next week, Year 6 have Bikeability.  In previous communication we have asked for bikes to come into school along the Goldfinch side but the instructors would like the bikes on the playground to inspect first thing on Tuesday. Please bring them along the Rosefinch path.

Please can Rosefinch and Bullfinch walk carefully in the mornings especially as there will be bikes around next week. 

Mrs Dodds and I invite you to join us on Thursday morning to walk at 7am up to church for a pastry breakfast before returning for the day.  We will leave school at 7am and here is the link to sign up to join us for our Ascension day walk.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VkGyGSQdqjYYAD3M-oXs25bWkuvPafP3vVCynFYgMPA/edit#gid=0

Monday 15th will be the deadline for Heart of the Community letters/photos to be sent into school for the following week's assembly.  If your child has or would like to do something to help in the community, we would love to know so we can celebrate it in our assembly on 24th May.

The children are all in colour teams and for sports day we ask for children to come into school with their red PE shorts and their correct coloured t-shirt.  Staff will have a list of the teams from Tuesday so if you are unsure of your child's team, please ask your child's class teachers.  We understand that these t-shirts are not worn frequently and we plan to use them more in the next academic year.  We have reviewed options to avoid this request but we are committed to using the t-shirts on sports day,  in the run to sports day and for other team learning days.  Any t-shirt is fine as long as it is plain and the correct colour.  Thank you for your support.

It has been such a busy week and a short one but one filled with lovely moments.  On Tuesday I joined Chaffinch on a Secret geographer trail. It was rather muddy but a pleasure to be outside learning with the children.  Seeing Goldfinch in Art was a true highlight, again all outside creating art with nature.  I have also had the opportunity to spend time in Rosefinch and Bullfinch and have been so impressed by their portraits, their writing and their reading.

We finished the week with a Chaffinch parent and child football tournament.  We were delighted to see so many parents keen to join in.  It did become a little too competitive and as a result we have decided to amend two of the future events.  The 23rd June should be Goldfinch football but it will be a multisports event and on the 30th June Chaffinch hockey will now be changed to a multisports event. I would like to thank Mr O'Reilly for organising it and the leaders for helping.  It is great to join together through sport and we hope these changes keep it safe and positive for all.

I wish you a lovely weekend, the sun is meant to be shining.

With kind regards

Jaquie Vanstone