Next week’s value is Serving

“Whoever serves you like a servant is the greatest amongst you”.  Matthew 23:11

Dear parents/carers

This week has been ‘All about Me’ week, which, despite its title, is not a selfish pursuit, but one that has seen children thinking about their place and responsibilities within our world. Senior Leaders carried out a learning walk and were delighted to see children focusing, not entirely on themselves, but on what they, as children of the future, can do to protect and sustain our precious planet. We saw some wonderful pieces of artwork, including Reception class fishes and Year 1 pictures, all made from plastic waste.

On Tuesday, Mrs Buckley and I attended a training session about the ‘New Inspection Framework’, where we learned that the inspection focus will be less on data and more on curriculum (Hoorah!) We are confident that our revised curriculum is already reflecting some of the things that inspectors will be looking for. We have created a broad and balanced ‘St Mary’s Curriculum’ that goes far beyond the basic requirements of the ‘National Curriculum’, and that will encourage children to pursue deep, meaningful and memorable learning.

Pupils’ behaviour and attitudes (including attendance and punctuality) will also contribute to the new inspection judgements. Schools cannot expect to be judged ‘outstanding’, unless every inspected element is graded ‘outstanding’. Under the new framework, there will be no tolerance of ‘low-level disruption’, which happens when children talk over the top or don’t listen well, whilst their teacher is giving instruction. With this in mind, we will be focusing on children’s manners and promoting respectful behaviour, in the coming weeks. You can support us at home, by reinforcing the school’s expectations, reminding children that they have playtimes to make a noise, encouraging them to wear their uniforms with pride and to display beautiful manners that will be noticed and acknowledged by their teachers.  

Reception pupils have all settled beautifully into their new routines. You can look out for photos of them in next week’s Haslemere Herald.

Thank you to Year 6 and Miss Hampshire for a wonderful assembly on Thursday morning. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, (a case of two places at the same time), but I have it on good authority that it was an excellent performance!

I would like to use the rest of my bulletin space (they limit me to a page a week, you know!) to thank the PTA for their outstanding contribution to the school this past year. We have been very fortunate to have their hard-earned funds to purchase smart boards, cooking equipment, outdoor classroom resources, astro turf, a bug hotel, an outdoor xylophone, 16 x new iPads, a trophy cabinet and some new sports bibs. Classroom budgets also saw a bit of an uplift. We are sincerely indebted to parents for all that you do to support our school; it is testament to an incredible community spirit that we enjoy such invaluable support and can enjoy such luxuries. Thank you again to everyone involved!

Year 4 are off to do a Roman Dig on Friday – let’s hope the weather doesn’t get any worse! Have a wonderful weekend!

 Headteacher