The Courier

Dear Parents

I am writing to you this week from South Devon and the Class VI trip to Slapton Ley. My Internet access is relatively limited so it will only be a brief missive this week.

We have just returned from a wonderful day walking around the rugged coastline near to the centre, looking in rock pools, making designs for villages from the rocks and seaweed, toasting marshmallows in the woods and generally doing exactly the sort of things 10 and 11-year-old children should be doing. Many thanks to Ms Lowe and Mr Phillips for all of their work with the children during the week and as a first-time visitor to the centre I have been impressed with what's on offer here as well as the balance it provides for our children in their residential programme as they move through the school.

Earlier in the week, along with their parents, I enjoyed a very entertaining hour of drama from the Year 3 and 4 children. Every single child delivered their lines clearly and with confidence to a capacity audience. I know the parents were very proud of their children and I shared that pride, as well as a great deal of admiration for Miss Thompson who had skilfully put together four delightful short plays at a busy time of year. The trick with school drama is to be able to put on something that is of good quality, involves all of the children but doesn't impact the teaching and learning too much. This, in essence is exactly what Miss Thompson managed on this occasion. 

Looking forward to the half term break, I hope you are all able to get some peace and quiet with your families, at least at some point during the week. I am off to Wembley with my son on Saturday for the championship play-offs. I don't expect this to be peaceful but it would be nice if it ended with some success for the Villa. Whatever you are doing, enjoy it and I look forward to welcoming you all back to school for the final half term of the year.

Best wishes

Joe Thackway