Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,
The Governors have been very busy this term, mostly on official school business. You will have already read about this in previous newsletters. Suffice to say, that through all the ups and downs, we are very proud to be Governors of such a wonderful school.
It is very hard to manage circumstances such as these but we have seen the Heads and the staff fight for what they believe in, listen to advice, work through difficult issues and plan ahead for even more improvement. Why? Because they always have the children’s interest at the centre of all that they do.
Throughout testing days we witnessed the overriding principle that the children come first, both in day-to-day encounters and in plans for the children’s learning and wellbeing.
Amongst this, we had the opportunity to come to the assembly with Ashley Harrold the poet. It was a real privilege to hear him recite his engaging poems, but, even more so, to watch the reaction of the children. They were spellbound, and their response was fantastic.
Reading this term’s newsletters we see the wealth of opportunities and experiences that Elmhurst provides for the whole school community. Who could not be proud to be associated with all of this? We have two new Governors who are certainly excited to be on board!
As Governors, we will continue to work alongside the Leadership Team and staff in Elmhurst’s journey for continuous improvement.
We hope that you and your families enjoy the half-term break – whatever the weather!
With best wishes
Claire Axten and Andy Shepherd, Co-Chairs of Governors
Year 3 – 95.3%
Year 4- 94.9%
Year 5 – 94.3%
Year 6 – 96.6% – Well done, year 6. Top of the leader board and on target!
Monday 17th to Friday 21st February: Half-term. School reopens on Monday 24th February
What’s happening the first week back? w/b 24th February
Monday: School reopens after half term.
Farewell and welcome
As Mrs Axten and Mr Shepherd mentioned in the opening letter, we have news about our Governing Body.
Unfortunately, we have said farewell to Mrs Anne-Marie Walby. Anne-Marie has been a valuable asset to the Governors over the last three years and has brought much enthusiasm and wisdom to the role; we are sad to see her go.
However, we are very pleased to welcome Mrs Hazel Callaghan to the board. Although new to the Governor role, Hazel has a wealth of experience in Education. Recently moved to Somerset from Ealing, Hazel, a retired Inspector, has supported schools in moving from RI to Good. Hazel, quite literally, has dropped from heaven and we look forward to working with her!
NSPCC danceathon
Thank you to everyone who took part in the NSPCC danceathon. Between you all, we raised £1,207.47 at the last count! That’s amazing!
Thank you to all the members of the school council who took the lead in this project and to the Computing Comrades who have continued the theme with their recent presentations to their classes.
It is vital that all our children know the importance of Speaking out. Staying safe – both in the real world and online.
ESA Family bingo
Thank you to everyone who came along on Friday evening to support the ESA Bingo. Between you, you raised just over £370.00 for the school. This will go towards the development of the outdoors music zone. Thank you!
Gardening with Mrs Chard
Some of Mrs Greenwell’s class had fun again in the gardens and we did a lot of tidying up around the polytunnel area; the difference when we finished was amazing. There was the ongoing task of turning the compost; we have a lot of useable soil from it which is great for future projects.
We have created a useful woodpile and a scrap wood pile and all the compost bins and water butts are now stacked tidily until we get organised and put them in place. (Although the wind might have rearranged them by the next time I see them).
We dismantled and remade a bug city area out of pallets, branches, bricks and leaf matter, although there is a lot of biodiversity within the school grounds it is a great activity for the children and creates great learning opportunities. This particular group seemed to have an aversion to spiders but were great worm rescuers!
The children had fun rolling and jumping on tyres, giving and having wheelbarrow rides and diving in the leaf compost.
Due to the inset day this week there will be no gardening The rest of Mrs Greenwell’s class will have their turn the first Friday after the half-term break. Please remember to send them in with suitable clothing. Thank you.
Spring term 2 clubs
There will be no after school clubs during Spring term 2 other than the existing clubs of Choir with Ms Greenfield, Football for years 3/4 with Saxon Roach, Netball with Flossie and Mr Mullen’s writing clubs.
We hope to start more clubs again during the summer term.
Street Library event: Saturday 15th February
Science activity for the half-term break
Each year, we have the opportunity to take part in National Science Week, during which the children take part in exciting experiments and welcome scientific visitors.
Linked to this is our yearly science competition. This is not compulsory but can be good fun and encourages the children to think about their world. This year, children need to design a machine which helps the planet. Below are some ideas if children are struggling.
Design a machine which…
* reuses plastic (this would also link with the Discover your Community event on 29th February and the library event above)
* helps save the bees
* cleans up the oceans
* reduces pollution
* generates electricity
Children need to design their machine on a poster and hand it into Miss Litchfield by Friday 13th March. This should keep the children busy over the break. They could even go to the library event on Saturday to get some ideas and do the work!
World Book Day – Thursday 5th March
World Book Day is on the 5th March. To celebrate, we will be holding our usual dressing up opportunity. Come dressed as your favourite book or favourite book character. There will be prizes for the best homemade costumes. This will also link in with an event taking place in Street Library on the day. Details about this event will follow in the first newsletter after the break.
We are also holding a potato decorating competition. This year, as part of our World Book Day celebrations, we would like you to ‘Dress a Potato’. Simply decorate a potato as a favourite book character of yours and bring it into your class teacher on World Book Day. It could be painted, dressed up in a costume you have made for it or even have your character as part of a small scene you have created. We know how creative our children are at Elmhurst and look forward to seeing your wonderful creations! Here is something to get you thinking!
Children will receive a book token at the end of the day to spend on a World Book Day book or to put towards a full-price book of their choice.
Year 5 Data Collection
Please could parents return data collection sheets as soon as possible? Even if there are no amendments please sign and return the data collection sheet. Thank you.
Term time dates and INSET for 2020/2021
The dates for 2020/2021 have now been published and are available on the website. In order to ease things for parents, carers and families, we have tried to match up our INSET days where possible with local schools.
Sports News
Well done to all the Year 3 and 4 children who went to Millfield and played – they were fantastic. The A team netball have beaten Ashcott in a very close game. The B team have played Wookey and St Bens and although they have not won, they are improving each time. Year 6 also played in the Mendip Hockey Finals at Wells Cathedral and came 4th. Well done.
After half term: The A team netball have a match on Thursday 27th February; the cycling A and B teams have qualified for the County Finals at Brymore on Friday 28th February (we are looking for help with transport please); and the U9 Yr 4 A team is playing in a tournament at Millfield Prep in the afternoon on Saturday 29th February – a letter will be sent out after half term.
Gas pipes work and possible disruption
We have been made aware that there will be potential disruption to the roads around the school whilst an upgrade of gas pipes takes place. The majority of the work is intended to happen during half term but they may well go over into the next term. Please consider this when we return to school after the break.
Congratulations and well done!
Congratulations to Oscar D who has been awarded a Blue Peter Music Badge. Oscar currently has guitar lessons in school, which he is really enjoying. He decided to write to Blue Peter to tell them all about it! They were very impressed. With this Blue Peter Badge, Oscar and his family are able to enjoy over 200 Blue Peter Attractions in the UK; how amazing! Well done, Oscar!
Well done also to Macie H who has recently qualified for six events at the Somerset County swimming gala competitions and to Daisie H who has won two golds and two silvers at her first-ever swimming gala. We are all very proud of what they have achieved.
We would also like to say a massive well done and thank you to Oscar C, y6. We have just received a lovely email from someone at West Mendip hospital who praised Oscar for his kindness and consideration towards an elderly patient. We are all very proud of you, Oscar. Thank you!
And finally…
A good deed for the week: Make an effort to mend a rift in a friendship.