Dear Parents and Carers
With one week left of this term, the children have been working very hard and have been impressing us all with their talents. Wednesday’s Nativity play was a delightful show with some amazingly confident singing and acting by the children in Reception and Key Stage 1. They remembered their lines and acting very well, and were supported enthusiastically by the children in Chestnut and Oak Class. Well done to all the children and staff involved, and especially Mrs Symonds for co-ordinating the whole show.
Staffing Update
Sadly for us, that was Mrs Symonds’ last key task here, as she leaves the school at the end of this term to take up a role within her family business. In her two years at Stower Provost her contribution has been tremendous, always working hard for the good of the children in her class and the school as a whole. We thank her for her efforts and wish her every success for the future.
Coming in to take responsibility for Hazel Class in the New Year is Mrs K Hancock, a very experienced and successful Early Years teacher who has recently relocated to the area. She spent the morning with the children yesterday and was very impressed with what they have learnt since starting at Stower Provost and is looking forward to making a start with the class at the beginning of January.
We are delighted that Mrs Clasby, teaching Oak Class, is able to take on full responsibility for our oldest children from January. I have enjoyed sharing the class with her this term and have been very impressed with her expectations of the children and her enthusiastic approach to teaching and learning. This will enable me to take more of a role in working with the younger children in the school and allow me the leadership time to ensure that all of the children here are given the opportunities to make as much progress as possible.
Safeguarding Reminder
I need to remind you of two points to ensure the safety and well-being of our children when you are in school. Firstly, please respect our policy of not using a mobile telephone when in school for any purpose (including texts, calls or photographs), and always ensure it is switched off, not just on silent, before coming in. This rule applies when accompanying the children to other schools for events such as swimming or other sports. Secondly, when you are in school for an event, you are welcome to use the adult (staff) toilets only – please do not use the children’s. Thank you for your co-operation in these matters.
Other News
I have had a series of meetings this week with regard to the school buildings and grounds and am pleased to share plans for future development with you. We will be having a complete exterior and partial interior redecoration which will smarten us up no end. We are also carrying out repairs to some windows and doors and, though negotiations are still taking place, we are hoping for a complete refurbishment of the children’s and staff toilets. These works are due to start straight after Christmas, so please be aware that there will be more vehicles on site, in addition to some temporary scaffolding and ‘Welfare Facilities’. If you are able to organise lift sharing arrangements with neighbours, this may help some of the parking issues.
The last week of term is likely to be even busier than this week, with Wednesday’s Christmas Turkey Lunch, followed by the Carol Service at Stour Provost Church. All children are involved in this, and need to go straight from school to the church to ensure a 4:00pm start. As parking is limited in the village, this could be a good opportunity to test out any lift sharing plans before next term…
Don’t forget we have an early start on Thursday. The children need to be in school at 8.20am as we are aiming to leave at 8:30am in order to have a relaxed journey to the Pantomime. Please make sure your children have a snack and drink to take with them; we will be having a slightly later lunch than usual (packed lunches will be provided for Reception, Year 1 & 2 children). On Friday the PTFA provide a Christmas Party Lunch for all the children and then home for the Christmas Break at 3:20pm as usual.
Monday, 7th January 2019 is an INSET Day, so the first day back for the children is Tuesday 8th January.
With best wishes
James Stanford