Dear Parents and Carers
This has been a very different week for our children in Year 6 this week, as they have been taking their end of Key Stage 2 national tests. The results of these tests are used to judge how well the school is doing, and to make sure the children have been taught all the aspects of the National Curriculum. I have been very impressed with how well the children have worked this week, approaching each test with maturity and good humour; I am sure they will have tried their hardest and we all hope that they achieve the results they deserve. Well done to all the Year 6 children. The results are due out just before the end of the Summer Term, and we will send them home with the children’s reports.
Along with the other children, they still have many things to work at for the rest of the term. On Monday, most of the oldest children are playing in the North Dorset Cricket Festival, and later in the day we have Bikeability Level 1 taking place in school. On Wednesday we will be holding the auditions for Alice – the Musical. I have invited all children in Year 3 to Year 6 to prepare a short reading or poem, or a song if they prefer, which they can perform to a select audience of staff to help us decide which parts the children are most suited to. The audition piece should last no more than a couple of minutes.
After half term, rehearsals will start in earnest, with cricket, athletics, music, a visit for Oak Class to the Fonthill Estate to learn about agriculture and diversity – details to follow – and, of course, swimming. We hope to make the most of our brilliant pool (do look at the PTFA newsletter to see how it has been transformed by last weekend’s working party) so please make sure the children have named swimming costume, towel and swimming hat (cloth ones are much easier to put on…) each day. Next week we will send home the booking form for the after school swimming sessions. Normal lessons will also be taking place, of course, so please continue to support your children with their homework, times-table and spelling learning.
Car Parking
With the arrival of a skip in the school car park we have now entered what we hope will be the last phase of the toilet refurbishment project. Please avoid parking on the roundabout when spaces are tight, as it can make manoeuvring out of a space almost impossible. If you are interested in starting a car share arrangement, I can help put you in touch with other families who live near you if you request it.
Special Educational Needs Provision
As you may be aware, some of our children can at some stages of their time in school require extra support. This support has recently been co-ordinated by Mrs Hudson, who has put in place many new systems to help our children. Mrs Hudson’s time with us has now ended and I would like to thank her for her hard work in organising such a complex part of our school work. I have now taken over her role of SENDCo so if your child has been receiving extra support, or a discussion with the class teacher indicates that extra help may be needed, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Next Friday marks the end of a very short but very busy half term. I hope you all have a good weekend.
With best wishes
James Stanford