This week has been busy and eventful, including some dramatic weather – scorching sunshine encouraging lots of learning outside, followed by torrential stormy rainfall which tested the building to its limits. Unfortunately we did have some leakage into the sports hall end of the building but the premises team have been working on repairing the damage and the drains have all now been cleared.

Tuesday night saw our Reception class parents’ evening. Most of our families attended and were extremely impressed with the progress made by their children. Mrs Dunsdon was able to show parents examples of work from September and throughout the year to evidence just how much progress has been made by all. The meetings resulted in some very proud parents and very happy children – well done to all of our very youngest pupils. Mrs Dunsdon has sent me some amazing pictures of just some of the work they have completed this week:

• They have been completing Maths work outside in the sunshine. Here you can see them exploring capacity using water and different sized containers..

 

• They have also been working very hard in PE. The lesson focused on balance and rolling – some tricky skills which need lots of practice. Mrs Dunsdon was particularly impressed with Zachary’s forward rolls, for which he was awarded Reception class Star of the Week. You can see the focus and determination in all of the pupils in these photographs..

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• The class have also been creative in their arts and crafts lesson. They have been exploring colour mixing and mark-making using different materials. Here you can see them preparing some backgrounds for their new ‘Under the Sea’ display..

• More work outside include some science investigations, looking at plants growing. Mrs Turner, our fantastic volunteer, helped the pupils to prepare pots, compost and seeds and plant some vegetables – which the pupils will need to remember to keep well-watered in order to watch them grow..

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One of the greatest pleasures of being a head teacher is that of being the person pupils come to in order to ‘show off’ their best work and greatest achievements. I am very clear that, although I need to see pupils when they may need to ‘think through the consequences of their actions’, I am determined that I more often see pupils for positives, and I am always delighted when they bring me their good work. Here is a photograph of Ethan, from Mrs Dunsdon’s class, who brought me some of his written work which was very special..

Ethan has begun writing independently, forming his own letters and re-telling a story. Well done, Ethan!

This afternoon we have been visited by Leanne from POINT. Leanne came to collect the money raised from our ‘POINT Colours Day’ at the end of last half-term. In total we raised £85 which is a good amount for a small school of just 75 pupils..

Leanne talked to some of our pupils about how the money would be spent and the work that POINT do in Oldham. She also very kindly brought in some flags, water bottles and wrist bands for our pupils as a token of appreciation..

This week’s ‘Star of the Week’ awards have gone to:

Mrs Dunsdon’s class – Zachary, for fantastic work in PE, balancing and rolling..

Mrs Lomax’ class – Thomas, for trying new foods and eating healthy vegetables..

Mr Corrigan’s class – Jenna, for finishing all of her lunch..

Miss Parkinson’s class – Josh L, for always being kind and thoughtful to his friends in class..

Mrs Halkyard’s class – Ciara, for improved confidence in lessons..

Mrs Mayall’s class – Macauley and Sophie for trying hard and making the right choices. Sophie and Macauley have had to work extra hard this week as 3 of their classmates have been absent – Sophie has been eager to get all her work done (even asking for more!) and Macauley has worked particularly hard on his handwriting..

And my ‘Head Teacher’s Awards’ go to:

Ciara and Thomas. I feel very proud of both of them and was very pleased when I heard that they had been chosen for Stars of the Week as I had personally noticed both of their achievements. I see all of the pupils together every day in the dining room at lunchtime and observed Thomas tucking into his healthy plate of vegetables – he looked like he was really enjoying the carrots – and I know that this is a real ‘life-changing’ achievement and that his parents will feel very proud. Well done, Thomas!

I also regularly spend a bit of time with Ciara at lunchtimes – she often sits by me and tells me how she is getting on. As such, I have noticed that she has definitely gained in confidence and is increasingly able to talk about how she is feeling. Well done, Ciara!

We continue to be visited by significant numbers of parents and carers who are potentially looking for school places for next year. We anticipate that we will have 110 pupils on roll in September and we are putting together the last pieces of the puzzle which are the staff allocation and new timetable for September. Once this is all in place shortly, we will be able to write to families to confirm groups and staffing for the new academic year. We will also be organising a transitions evening, after school, on Tuesday 21st June so that parents and carers can meet their child’s new teachers. Put this date in your diaries, and further information will be sent to you next week confirming arrangements.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Sarah

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