Dear Parents and Guardians

I hope you are well.  I have sent many emails this week but I am pleased to have the opportunity to write about some of the many wonderful things that are happening in school.

We often refer to the 5R's (readiness, resilience, responsibility, respect and resourcefulness) and we have seen evidence of them all this week not just in their learning but in their behaviour around school.  It has been a harder week with Covid and we have seen the children ready to help at any opportunity.

The Year 5 girls have been working all week at break and lunchtimes reorganising the library.  Our library has not been used during the pandemic in the same way and was in need of care.  The girls have shown such determination, commitment, organisation, teamwork and kindness and whilst I am so proud of them, I am also incredibly grateful for the thorough job they have done, all without being asked. Next week we will reopen our library and it will be wonderful to see the library cared for, used and loved again.  Well done girls.

Our Achievement assembly on Google classrooms was mostly led by Alistair and Ksavery, our English subject leaders.  They spoke clearly and are already inspiring others with their ideas.  A fantastic start for the subject leaders.

We also presented a Step badge and a hoc badge and I am delighted to be receiving more emails of pupil recommendations for community acts of kindness. Here is a link if you would like more information on the badges.

https://finchampstead-c-of-e-primary-school.primarysite.media/playlist/parent-information-1

The learning throughout the school is engaging and exciting and I have loved chatting to the children about it and especially seeing the Art from Chaffinch and Goldfinch, the Science in Rosefinch, the English in Bullfinch. 

Next week the staff will be watching some  Goldfinch volunteers in a Philosophy for Children with Mrs Wirth.  This is staff training and we are looking forward to it.  As I have mentioned in recent updates, Philosophy for Children is wonderful in so many ways and will be something we use more throughout the school.

I hope next week may be calm in respect of Covid but please remain in touch over the weekend if your child tests positive.  Head@finchampstead.wokingham.sch.uk. I am posting a leaflet from Wokingham with this news update regarding testing.

I wish all our families a good weekend and for those unwell, to feel better quickly.  We are here to support you.  I also want to thank the staff at the end of this busy week for their hard work and smiles and commitment. This week I have attended a governors meeting and a fofsa meeting and I feel fortunate that we have such wonderful leadership and support. 

With kind regards

Jacquie Vanstone