Pre-Prep Reflections Week 24 2024
Dear parents,
It has been great to be back in school full-time this week, after spending a couple of days up in Leicester last week at the IAPS conference for pre-prep heads. The theme this year was ‘courageous leadership’ and we enjoyed a host of inspiring speakers and practical workshops on key topics, including artificial intelligence, equity, open-ended play and the transition from Early Years to Key Stage 1.
Staff update
Today it was lovely to welcome Mrs Smyth back into school to do some cover for us. While she is currently on maternity leave, Mrs Smyth will be doing some ‘keeping in touch’ days over the next few weeks before she returns to work officially in July. Until then, Mrs Pike will continue to lead Forest School sessions on Thursdays. Mrs Rickard, our new Reception teacher, joined Mrs Martin so that she could meet parents and hear about the progress of each child in the class. Mrs Rickard will be back in school to teach the class on Monday while Mrs Martin visits her new school.
Parents’ Evening
It was good to catch up with many of you at parents’ evening on Wednesday night. I hope you found the meetings useful and that you came away with clear targets to help your child with the next steps in their learning and development. Thank you for your support in helping us make sure that everyone’s appointments ran to time!
This week’s assemblies
On Monday, I revisited the topic of Christian saints’ days with the children in assembly and then talked about St Patrick’s Day, which was last Sunday. On Tuesday, the children enjoyed sharing their knowledge of the Islamic festival of Ramadan with Miss Rose, who is an RS specialist at Exeter School, as well as being Assistant Head (Character). Yesterday was World Poetry Day and I had the pleasure of sharing my favourite poems with the children. Year 2 also treated us to a rousing performance of a poem they have been learning in their English lessons this week, and lots of children chose to write poems of their own at playtime!
Red Nose Day
Following our non-uniform day and sales of red noses in school, the total amount raised for Comic Relief this year was £172.20, which is a new record! Thank you for your generosity and support.
Job vacancy
We are currently advertising for a part-time lunchtime assistant to help set up, serve food and clear away every day from 11.15am-1.15pm. The role is available from May half term on a permanent basis. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please do share this link with them. The closing date for applications is this coming Monday. We are also holding interviews for our new school administrator on Monday morning. Mrs Smyth will be teaching Year 2 while Ms Richards and Mrs Goodwill help me with interviews.
Next week
I can’t believe next week is the final week of the spring term! We finish on Wednesday at the usual time. Please note that Art Club will not be running on Wednesday, as we will be using the hall for Mrs Martin’s farewell tea party, but Multi-sports Club and Late Room will be running. On Tuesday, we will be trying our best to ‘run a marathon’ for charity throughout the day, so all children will need to wear PE kit and trainers to school.
Wishing you all a relaxing weekend.
