Headmaster's Message

Headmaster's Message

Dear Parents

We normally come back to blazing sunshine in September, but this year the weather has been more variable. Dodging the showers has been an additional challenge amongst the new routines that we have been establishing during the week. All the teachers have new duty rotas to keep to and new timings for the lessons as well. They have had to keep a close eye on all the details to make sure they have arrived in the lessons on time. I am delighted to report, they have. As for the children, things have been much easier as they have remained in their classes for the most part, with the teachers coming to them and the lessons have gone on more or less as normal.

I shared the good news with the children this morning in assembly (live via Teams) that all of the classes have now settled into their new rooms and their new teachers. I was able to share with them on the screen lots of smiling faces and hardworking children as evidence. The children deserve great credit for the way they have come back and thrown themselves into their work, many of them as if they had never been away.

We all hope that this positive start that and the willingness to adapt that has been shown will continue on over the coming weeks. It is so important for the children to get into a settled routine and rhythm that allows them to focus on their learning in what is such an important term in the school year. Many thanks to you all for your support of the school’s safety measures. With mutual understanding and patience I am more than confident we can make this term a great success.

One of our main school targets this year is to ask the children to self-regulate. The idea is that the pupils take more responsibility for their work and by doing so raise the level of their own expectation. Of course, the teacher is there to provide guidance and targeted feedback that allows the pupils to progress, but ultimately, we want the children to establish their own self-regulation routines. Checking for errors and taking pride over the finished piece of work are qualities that will enhance the work of all the children across the school. Please do support this message at home with your children, particularly when you are supporting them with their homework.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Best wishes

Joe Thackway
Headmaster