Hi All, 

Well it’s nearly the end of the autumn term, the point in the year where the whole school community is as tired as it can be! Thank you all for supporting the children to get to school everyday - we know this can be a struggle when it is dark, cold and rainy outside and their little faces are telling you that it’s all a bit much and perhaps staying home would be better. It’s your resilience and patience that makes the difference, so thank you again. I can reassure you that on those days, within seconds of them being in their classrooms with their friends, they are always getting stuck into things; smiling and laughing all the way. 

Christmas dinner was a huge success - a big thank you to Natalie and the team for making it so special for the children. It is a real highlight of the year. The children were cuing for ages; they were so excited! Or good to be green this afternoon will be focused on films and Christmas workshops and activities, as well as festive biscuits from the kitchen. 

 

Uniform and Hooded Tops

The central trust team has been working hard in the background looking at getting high quality uniform items at a much cheaper price. This is something they can do as a joint purchasing power across all the schools in the trust, so watch this space. We will be giving you the purchasing pathways as soon as we have them. 

Some children are beginning to wear ‘hoody’ style jumpers or zip through hooded tops. Sometimes this is under the guise of a PE kit. ‘Hoodies’ should not be worn, especially in PE sessions. The hoods and loose fitting pockets can catch on apparatus or other children causing injury. A standard school uniform blue jumper should be worn on PE days. PE kit is a plain white t-shirt and black shorts or black slim fit sports trousers or leggings.

Staff - Hellos, Goodbyes and ‘See You Soons’

Some staff notices for you. Firstly a couple of hellos. Ms Nouri has made a welcome return from maternity leave and will be joining Ms Mirza in year 5. Welcome back Ms Nouri! Also joining us will be Ms Owen. Ms Owen is our new Assistant Headteacher and she will be working across the school. Please say hello if you get a chance.

Now the Goodbyes. Congratulations to Ms Muse who will be leaving to start a new life with her ‘soon to be’ husband in London in January. All best Ms Muse, thank you for your hard work and please keep in touch. Mr Walker, who has been working across the school this term, will be taking over. The children in 4AAM (soon to be 4JW) know him so  please join me in welcoming him to the team. 

Now for the ‘see you soons’. Ms Mullan will be having extended leave after the break, returning in late January. Also having extended leave (in the form of shared parental leave) is Mr Mitchell. He will be rejoining us at the beginning of February. So again, here’s wishing him as many undisturbed nights as he can get. Ms Sowe and Ms Abolloyino will be filling in across this time. Both are known to us and will be around this week to get to know the children (and more importantly) so the children get to know them! The last ‘see you soon’ goes to Ms Ainsworth who started her maternity leave just after half term. May you be able to sleep when you can Ms Ainsworth!

Play Spaces

Some exciting news about our outside environments. The first week in January will see the playground on the Ardwick Green side of school be refurbished. This has been a long time coming (it was hard finding contractors willing to do the work) and it will be great to have the whole playground back. On top of this, we have just gone to tender to finalise the contractor to complete the refurbishment of the reception playground. Finally, we are looking at the trim trail by the GPO building which will be getting a full refit, hopefully over half term in February. We are just getting the designs ready for this. 

Hs Herbert’s Memorial Garden. 

With the bus gone, we are looking at seating, shelters and planters in its space. The school council will be looking at design ideas and finalising the design as well as the wording of the memorial plaque. We will be looking at planting a permanent living Christmas tree there as well so the children can decorate every year. I’m sure those of you who remember Ms Herbert will recall she loved Christmas and would have Christmas songs playing from November if she had the opportunity!

Have a great break everyone, may peace and prosperity visit your homes and to those who celebrate, may you all have a Happy Christmas. 

See you all on Monday 5th January at 8.45 am.