What a glorious two weeks we have had!

I am thrilled to be back and equally as thrilled to be in and out of classes seeing all of the wonderful things going on. I have had a day of children excitedly visiting my office showing a range of work. Reception Class have amazed me with their reading skills, Year 1 and 2 children have been getting creative with their space topic, Year 3 and 4 have been fact finding and Year 5 and 6 have been writing biographies to a high standard. I am delighted to be running out of stickers and headteacher pencils because the children just keep coming to show me their work.

January brings a new work ethic to our Year 6 children as they prepare for SATs and I can see how they have matured into hard working individuals. Throughout the week, I have been told how the Year 6 children have been playing with the younger children and looking after them outside. It is humbling to see this and I really do believe that it is a unique quality belonging to our school.

I have seen the world’s smallest fencers in the hall today. Year 1 and 2 have been little stars and have really taken this extra curriculum area very seriously. We now have highly trained fencing experts in our school-even when they are using swords bigger than themselves!

Work is well under way with our new pod and poly tunnel zone. In case you have been wondering, Ronald and the chicken are having the time of their lives in my free range garden and they are the greatest of companions. I didn’t know how close and rabbit and a chicken could become but nothing surprises me anymore. The new poly tunnel will mirror the type of thing you would find in a garden centre at Christmas: lights, hanging twigs and magical things. The fencing is being removed and replaced by new fencing and the area is being tidied and cleared, ready for use as an outdoor classroom. Seating will be placed inside the willow dome for group work and the pod itself will fit a whole classroom inside! Cluckingdom palace will be moved to a safe place and new bantam chicks are on their way when the weather gets warmer.

I have loved working with the UFA group children. Rabbit Kingdom looks great and the children always do a wonderful job of looking after them. Next half term, Mrs Rossall will be joining us for UFA and she will be driving the children in all UFA groups out and about. I think our first stop may well be at Bushell House Rest Home with the board game group. I am already thinking of where Mrs Rossall could take our Animal Welfare group; it is all very exciting!

We are starting a Mini-UFA afternoon in KS1 on a Wednesday from next week. This means that infant children need to wear PE kits every Wednesday starting from next week. Reception Class will only need to wear their PE kit on a Wednesday. To clarify, please do not send your Reception Class child in their PE kits on Monday 21st January-Wednesdays only from next week. A message has gone home tonight with this information. The children will work with our sports couch, undertake IPAD activities and creative activities with Mrs B-M and Mrs Tyrer. Mrs B-M is a keen baker and Mrs Tyrer has a range of hidden talents. Watch this space!

I love Fridays because I hear the choir and band in full swing. Half of our children play in band and play they do! We have had new instrumentalists join and it just keeps getting better. We are looking forward to the ‘Showtime‘ concert in Goosnargh , where our Glee Club, Band and Choir will be performing. This is on Sunday 3rd February at Goosnargh Village Hall starting at 2.00pm. You are all welcome to come! Please save this date if you have children in the band, choir or Glee club.

It is funny how things work out. I didn’t imagine that I would have been off work and taking it in turns with Mr Gilmour, but these things happen. I have just heard from Mr Gilmour that all has gone well. I will be visiting him soon and I will keep you all informed.

It is great to see you all again. Have a lovely weekend!