Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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28th January 2022
Fri 28 Jan 2022Good afternoon
Re-reading my newsletter from last week has made me smile, I was so optimistic!
Little did I know what Sunday had in store! I am delighted that we have had no further positive Covid cases since Wednesday. With a break over the weekend I hope we will be back to normal next week. I will be in touch on Sunday if there are any changes due to staffing. I ask for any children who are able to test, to Lateral flow test on Monday morning so we begin the week in the safest way possible.
Whilst this week has been challenging, we must take it as an opportunity to celebrate the school community we are in. The staff have worked so hard to cover each other. The commitment, loyalty and resilience of the staff (including staff at home) has been amazing especially when we are all concerned about Covid. Beehive have adapted their provision, Mr O'Reilly has delivered some extra sessions and our governors have been available to help with decision making.
The children have adapted to different routines and Rosefinch children and parents returned to remote learning Everyone still smiling (just about) and truly living out our vision.
Today I had a meeting with Sam Khan regarding the church Youth group. I know some Year 6 have attended and really enjoyed it. Rev. Tonia from St Eligius has created a survey for years 6 and up so we would be grateful if Goldfinch parents/children could complete it. If you wish to have further information in order for your child to attend this Sunday, please be in touch.
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HC8LFJK
I was sadden today that one of our near neighbours has complained about parking. Parents should not block or part block anyone's driveway and the local residents should not need to worry as to whether they are able to drive out of their drive way or not. I will contact the community police to support us and I know the residents intend on contacting the police themselves. At the moment the drop off time in the morning is extended due to Covid and there is plenty of parking at the Memorial hall and at the Greyhound pub. We value our relationship with our school neighbours and I ask that you show the same consideration that you would want yourself.
I am looking forward to being back in school next week and I wish you a safe and happy weekend.
With kind regards
Jacquie Vanstone
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21st January 2022
Fri 21 Jan 2022Dear 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
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14th January
Fri 14 Jan 2022Dear Parents and Guardians,
We have had a busy and cold week but it has been lovely to finish with some sunshine today.
We began the week with Rosefinch and Goldfinch working together in a PE afternoon. It was wonderful to see Goldfinch leading with such kindness, patience and fun.
As a school we are working hard to develop the role of the subject leader and Mrs Wirth has been working with different teachers throughout the week. We have 23 Goldfinch leaders to work with the staff and I am delighted with how keen and motivated they are. The English leaders will be taking the assembly on Wednesday which is a great start to their new role.
I am pleased that we have had no pupils testing positive this week for Covid. We do however have some family members with covid. I thank parents for following the guidance and keeping us safe by testing the children each day. It is vital that we keep children in school as much as possible whilst keeping us as safe as possible by testing.
I wish you a safe and restful weekend.
With kind regards
Jacquie Vanstone
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7th January 2022
Fri 07 Jan 2022Dear Parents and Guardians,
I will keep my newsletter short this week as I am aware I have been sending a few emails. I hope you feel up to date with guidance and the systems within school. If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
We do have some families impacted by Covid over Christmas who are yet to return. I want to reiterate that under the current guidance if someone within the household tests positive, other household pupils should attend school but should test daily for 7 days (in the morning ideally). As a school, we have been so grateful for the care and consideration you have shown throughout and it feels strange as we adjust to new guidance. We continue to work incredibly hard to keep everyone safe.
It has been wonderful to be back and see the children so working hard and motivated. We are encouraging the children to show the same determination with their home reading and we thank you for the time you give, it really does make such a difference.
The Goldfinch Subject Leaders have received a letter today from me and it is exciting to see them chatting to the staff and sharing ideas of how to develop their subject.
I look forward to another busy week next week. Goldfinch and Rosefinch will hopefully have an extra PE session on Monday, please can they all come in wearing their PE kit. If this is a problem please do not worry.
We still have fleeces available at the lower price of £10. If your child would like one, please send in an envelope with the name of your child and enclose the £10.
I wish you a lovely weekend and I hope we continue to stay well.
With kind regards
Jacquie Vanstone
