Headteacher Message

Hello everyone,

An extremely busy and productive week.  As I speak, Year 6 are completing their sports day at the Rec and it is fitting that they are bringing to an end a memorable week of sport! Every day, we have had 6 volunteers from Year 6 to help run the events and without fail they have been superb.  They have supported, organised and nurtured the younger children and it fills me with joy that we are sending children to secondary school with the attributes they will need to thrive.  

We made the decision to hold these sports days because we felt that we could carry them out safely and because frankly our children need as many opportunities to celebrate as possible.  Under the excellent stewardship of Mr Gilbert, every event has run smoothly and the feedback from children and parents has been very positive. 

On another sporting matter, spare a thought for Mr Gilbert this evening.  I have persuaded him to play in a T20 cricket match this evening in Chiswick House.  To his credit he has agreed but does keep asking me how hard the ball is!  I will report back next week. 

For me, Sunday night is going to be a celebration whatever happens.  It is lovely that we have some Italian fans amongst the parental body and while wanting England to win I hope that it is a great game played in the correct spirit and the best team (hopefully England) win.  As a teacher I hope it does not go to extra time!  There will be some extremely tired children on Monday and I think we all need to have a shared understanding that this will be the case.  I am aware that there is a 300,000 strong petition doing the rounds that is asking for a bank holiday if England win but think it unlikely that this will happen. 

This week the government has published guidance for schools regarding the 19th of July.  As a school we will be continuing with the safety measures we have in place until the end of term.  September, all things being good, will look very different and the school will return to almost normal.  I will publish the changes before we return in September and am aware that should the national or local picture change then we will have to respond.     

We are putting the finishing touches to your children's school reports and they will be distributed next week.  It has been so lovely to hear of the progress your children have made even in this most difficult of years.  It speaks to your parenting, our teaching and most importantly their resilience.  I have consistently felt that the ability of children to adapt and thrive has been underestimated in press and governmental circles and I am in awe of how our children have navigated their way through this crisis. 

Stay safe, celebrate and have a lovely weekend with your families.