Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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30th April 2021
Fri 30 Apr 2021Dear Parents and Guardians,
Following another busy week I think the children are ready for the long weekend, I know the staff are too!
As I mentioned in last week's newsletter, I spent time this week in the door way of classrooms!! It was a pleasure to see the children learning and so keen to share their learning. It is also a credit to the staff and a reflection on the school that there is still such consistency across the school when focusing on our values, learning behaviours and attitudes even when we are working in greater isolation of eachother.
On Thursday Mrs Wirth and I had a meeting with Anne Stropforth, our School Improvement Officer. We shared data, our plans to support the children with both learning and wellbeing needs and the development of our curriculum. The meeting highlighted how well we know the children, how clear we are with action planning and how determined we are to continually develop. The pandemic has certainly altered our path through our school development plan but we are continuing with creativity and determination.
Mrs Dodds and Mrs Gan spent Thursday organising some of our new Key Stage books. We are already seeing the impact Read Write Inc is having on our Key Stage One reading and phonics and ensuring our provision is continous and progressive through to Year 6 is essential. Fofsa have bought the new books for us and whilst there is lots more work to do, Mrs Gan and Mrs Dodds were excited to see the books and are looking forward to seeing them being enjoyed soon.
The family of Captain Sir Tom Moore have asked people across the nation to create their own '100 challenge' to raise money for charity and commemorate what would have been his 101 birthday.
We would love our children to get involved and show us their 100 challenges. Maybe they can skip 100 times, read 100 words or pages, run 100 laps of the garden. There will be a collection bucket on Tuesday for Cancer Research UK, you could even donate 100p! We look forward to seeing how many of you will join in.
I wish you all a lovely bank holiday weekend.
With kind regards
Jacquie Vanstone
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23rd April 2021
Fri 23 Apr 2021Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope you are all well. We have had a busy first week back from the Easter holiday and it has flown by!
The weather is very much on our side and we have enjoyed all the outdoor learning and play. It has been exciting to see the changes to our risk assessment in action. Having Rosefinch with Bullfinch and Chaffinch with Goldfinch outside has transformed lunchtimes and playtimes into something far more normal. It was delightful to see Mrs Gan teaching Goldfinch Music outside yesterday and I look forward to extending that to the infants soon, all being well.
Over the past few weeks we have welcomed some new families to our school and the children have enjoyed helping them to settle in. We have another family joining us on Monday, in Chaffinch. Over Easter the information regarding Reception places was available and I will add parents to our facebook page once places have been accepted. It is a pleasure to welcome new families and I know you will join me in welcoming them when the time comes.
I am sure next week will be equally busy. I am looking forward to carrying out a learning walk and seeing the learning in each class. There has been so much excitement this week with frogs jumping, cooking duck, baking bread and a wonderful amount of sport, it's great to think of what next week might bring!
On Thursday Mrs Wirth and I will be meeting our School Improvement Officer (online) to discuss catch up, data, progress and provision. It is always a great opportunity to celebrate what we are doing and achieving and also to bring new ideas into discussion. I will feedback to you on this next week.
I would like to wish you all a lovely weekend.
With kind regards
Jacquie Vanstone
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1st April 2021
Thu 01 Apr 2021Dear parents,
What a term it has been and what an amazing achievement for all. We have moved from the cold, dark mornings to beautiful, spring sunshine. From online learning to full reopening.
We have all experienced this time in a different way and whilst we are desperate to keep moving forwards with the government roadmap and progressive changes to school, we must allow ourselves time to reflect on what we have achieved. I feel incredibly fortunate that, a year on, we have not closed a bubble or had any confirmed cases within school. In March, we welcomed back every child and their love for school and learning has shone through.
We have such dedicated, caring and talented staff and they are exhausted. Their provision has been enriching, nurturing and creative and all of this has been accomplished alongside a strong focus on wellbeing and progress. I wish every member of staff a relaxing break and thank them for all they do.
Over the next week I will review our risk assessment for after the Easter holiday, the changes will be small but will have a great and positive impact. We are looking forward to allowing Rosefinch and Bullfinch (KS1) to play together outside and similarly, Chaffinch and Goldfinch (KS2) will play and eat together outside. This will be an exciting step to take and one we make with a consideration and caution. I will write to you over the next two weeks to outline the changes in greater detail once the risk assessment is on the website for you to read.
Please take great care; I have been urged by Wokingham to remind you all to avoid busy areas and be cautious over the Easter break. As staff we will continue testing twice each week and families who have accessed home tests are to continue testing as well.
We finished the term, as only we know how, by singing Spring Chicken together, outside. I wish you, our staff, governors, fofsa and our church team a wonderful Easter.
With kind regards
Jacquie Vanstone
