Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• 18th December 2020

  Thu 17 Dec 2020

  Dear Parents,

   

  I wanted to end the term with a message of thanks.  The staff this term have gone above and beyond to keep their bubbles discreet.  We have managed a term with no supply teachers, which we were keen to avoid.  I have seen such fantastic learning experiences throughout the school and I  believe our children are fortunate to be taught by our wonderful staff. Covid has created so many different situations and serarios and as a staff we have felt frustrated trying to reach what should be simple decisions yet in order to maintain our care and caution, it can make this decision making feel endless.  The staff should feel so proud that despite the worry and the difficulties they have faced, every child is greeted with a smile, with laughter and excitement for a new day of learning and what an achievement that is.  I wish all our staff a restful break.

   

  As a staff we have gained strength from those around us; the children and parents, our governors, our church, fofsa, Nssport and Beehive.  Thank you all for your support and I wish you a happy Christmas.

   

  I urge you to be cautious over the holiday period.  The beginning of the Spring term is expected to be difficult and our actions over the holiday will have great impact on this. As mentioned in a previous letter, please contact me by email or phone if you or anyone in your household tests positive between now and 24th December. If a pupil or member of staff tests positive, I will work with Public Health and Wokingham and I will carry out the necessary contact tracing.  I desperately hope not to be in touch!  I will continue to monitor emails beyond 24th December but not the phone.  If you need to contact me please use: head@finchampstead.wokingham.sch.uk   

   

  Please take care and have a wonderful and safe Christmas.

  With kind regards

  Jacquie Vanstone

   

   

   

• 11th December 2020

  Fri 11 Dec 2020 Jacquie Vanstone

  Dear Parents,

   

  I hope you are all well.  For me, this has been one of the busiest weeks of the term.  I have had Teams meetings with our School Improvement Officer, our Diocesan Advisor, governors and prospective parents.  Whilst all these meetings support the school in moving forward, they have also been a celebration of what we have achieved this term.

   

  On Monday we hope to upload the Carol Service.  All of the Christmas learning and fun has been wonderful to see.  Today I had the pleasure of Christmas lunch, film and Christmas disco with Rosefinch on top of all our learning.  Although we couldn't share the experience as a school, it was certainly enjoyed by all.

   

  I emailed a letter out to parents yesterday regarding the end of term next Friday and the associated procedures in the event of a positive Covid test within our school community.  The information I receive each day shows an increase in the cases locally, with many schools each day being impacted.  Please continue to consider the safety of our staff, pupils and families in all you do.  We are so close to Christmas and I wish everyone time with their families over the Christmas holiday.

   

  I wish you a lovely weekend, take care

   

  Jacquie Vanstone

  

• 4th December 2020

  Fri 04 Dec 2020 Jacquie Vanstone

  Dear Parents,

   

  I can't believe we have reached the end of another week; suddenly Christmas feels very close.

  Last weekend we were able to celebrate the wonderful success of the Christmas Fair.  Fofsa worked so hard to create such a fun, engaging and organised virtual event and thanks to everyone, we made an amazing £1368.50 on the virtual fair and a £1303.50 on the online auction.  This is a fantastic achievement and we still have matched funding to add.  Thank you all so much.  I hope FOFSA feel very proud.

   

  There has been a Christmasy feel to school this week with our Angel mail prayer box, Christmas card collections, the recording of our Carol service and then the exciting visit from Father Christmas today.  Rosefinch could barely contain themselves and kept spotting him all morning before he visited us at 2.30pm!  Again an enormous thank you to FOFSA for arranging his visit, very special memories made.

   

  I would also like to thank you for supporting the First Days charity.  This charity was chosen by School Council. The charity support babies and children who are in need, it was lovely to provide items for their stockings.  Thank you Mrs Dodds for supporting this and making the arrangements.  The compassion our children show is admirable.

   

  I now must share the sad news that Mrs Williams will be leaving us at the end of term.  We are in the process of recruiting and I will keep you informed of any developments but in the meantime I cannot thank Mrs Williams enough for her hard work, commitment, generosity and incredible organisational skills. Mrs Williams provides wonderful support to the Goldfinch team and the children everyday. She has been at the school for roughly 16 years and whilst she will be terribly missed, we wish her every happiness for the future.  Thank you Mrs Williams for all you do.

   

  Next week will be equally busy I am sure.  We begin the week with a Santa Dash competition and end it with a Christmas treat on the Friday in each class.  It will be the day of Christmas lunch.  All children, whether school lunch or packed, will be given a cracker and then teachers will be organising a fun afternoon.

   

  As we approach the last two weeks of this term, I must reiterate the same message regarding Covid.  If you or a member of your household needs a test, is awaiting test results or has a positive test result, please inform me as soon as possible.  This communication will need to continue over the Christmas holiday as positive cases could impact others within our school.  head@finchampstead.wokingham.sch.uk.   The number of Wokingham school cases still seems to be growing and this includes nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools. I thank you all again for your caution and consideration during this time and I am hoping we can continue to remain well.

   

  I wish you a safe and happy weekend

   

  Jacquie Vanstone