17th May 2024
This week our focus has been on Mental Health Awareness Week.
The theme this year was ‘Movement’, based on the fact that regular activity is proven to be good for our mental health, quality of life and wellbeing. We started the week focusing on this in my Monday Assembly, where we all learned more about the importance of exercise for our mental health. We then did a burst of squats in time en masse before moving out onto the grass to do a Move 2 Think session all together! Children across the school have been taking lessons out of the classroom and in the fresh air wherever possible this week, with their teachers making their lessons more active and incorporating movement where appropriate. Among a wide range of different activities, the children had lots of fun being mindful up at the outdoor classroom and practising their languages with a French safari and treasure hunt on the lawn. You can read more about this here.
The Year 6 pupils have certainly been out and about this week as part of their Leavers' Programme. They completed their Bikeability course which taught them how to ride a bicycle on the road safely and with confidence, and also took a trip to New Theatre Woking yesterday to see a performance of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'. It was a great opportunity for them to see how the professionals do it and to be inspired ahead of their upcoming show at The Kenton in June. They spoke to the actress playing Truly Scrumptious after the performance, who is a friend of Mr Dwinell's, and many thanks to him and the staff who accompanied the trip.
Teddy Bears’ Adventure
Thank you to all the Nursery parents who came along to the Reception 24 event this afternoon up at the outdoor classroom. I hope you and your children enjoyed the activities and had the chance to get to know the Reception teachers. It was certainly a lovely opportunity for the incoming children and parents to meet their cohort ahead of their start in September and I enjoyed being there in the Forest School as much as they did!
National Numeracy Day
Wednesday next week (22nd May) is National Numeracy Day, and we are planning several exciting and enriching number-based activities to celebrate this across the whole school. We will join a live event at 9:30am for schools around the country, as well as lead activities within each class and year group to extend the children's numeracy.
As a wider platform, one aim of National Numeracy day is to strengthen adult numeracy, including continuing adult learning and numeracy in the professional workplace. Given this focus on grownups, we will be asking each child in school to 'play the teacher' and create their own tricky maths problem for an adult at home. Please look out for your child's/children's maths problem on Wednesday afternoon, and do consider having a go at completing it yourself with them!
Little Princess Trust
Well done to Darcey for being willing to have her hair cut in order to be made into a wig by the Little Princess Trust recently. Thank you to all who so generously donated to her Little Princess Trust fund, which raised a grand total of £1420!
Stewards' Tickets for Y6 Henley Regatta Trip
If by any chance you have any spare Stewards' Enclosure tickets for Tuesday 2nd July, the Year 6 children would be most grateful for them so that we can take them into the enclosure as part of their Leavers' trip. Seeing the silverware, sitting in the deckchairs and meeting those connected with the school there is a real highlight for them! Please contact the Office if you are able to spare any tickets.
Henley Regatta Drinks
As I mentioned last week, I would like to invite you to join us for a drink on Thursday 4th July in Butler’s Field at Henley Regatta. Please pop along during the lunchtime break in racing from 12 until approximately 2pm for a glass of local bubbly and a light snack. For catering purposes, it would be very helpful if you could please let us know if you are thinking of coming along using this link: https://forms.office.com/e/B13hJCZMS4
The week ahead
Next week is another busy week with Year 3 going on their PGL trip and Year 6 going to their sports tour of Gloucestershire on Monday, while Wednesday is National Numeracy Day.
We are also very much looking forward to the Centenary Celebration Day and May Fair which is taking place next Friday – 24th May. Please read this letter for information about the day including costumes and collection arrangements. Please can all parents complete this short form by Tuesday 21st May: https://forms.office.com/e/5gY64kfCrD
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Nick Armitage