Dear Parents

Love is in the air this week! The children were full of smiles (and pancakes) as we enjoyed a number of special events. Foxes and Squirrels took over the kitchen on Tuesday to make delicious pancakes. Forest School joined in the fun too and made their pancakes on the fire! Thank you to WISPA for encouraging every child to think about the meaning of Valentine’s Day and to carry out acts of kindness. I was really impressed by how many children opened doors for the staff, wished us a happy Valentine’s Day and were especially kind to their friends on Wednesday. The early morning chocolate hearts and sweet treats as the children arrived at school were greatly appreciated by everyone! Thank you too to Mrs Clarke for kindly providing Love Hearts sweets for every child and adult in the school. The children serenaded us in assembly with The Beatles’ song Love Is All You Need. It was a very special moment, I wish you could have seen it! 

In today’s celebration assembly the Music Club performed a selection of songs on our new glockenspiels, funded by WISPA. Mr Taylor and the WISPA team came along to watch and were so impressed with the children’s musicality! As we now have a full class set of glockenspiels, all children will get the opportunity to play in their music lessons: accompanying songs, improvising and composing their own tunes. A class full of glockenspiels is much gentler on the ears than 30 recorders! 

Miss Wakeling has returned from a short trip to Denmark where she represented Team GB in the women’s 4 Nations Ice Hockey tournament. Well done to the whole team, we are incredibly proud of her! 

It has been lovely to see so many parents, children and past pupils at our Parents Evenings. We know that the children show such pride in sharing their work with you. Hopefully you noticed the children’s wonderful writing and amazing artwork which is on display in our corridors and classrooms.

As you know, we break up for half term today. It marks the halfway point in the academic year, doesn’t it go quickly? Our partnership with the Junior School goes from strength to strength and we look forward to more joint projects to come for both the children and staff. Next half term’s plans include parent lunches for Squirrels and Foxes, a fun day of skipping workshops, celebrating World Book Day and Red Nose Day and Year 2 performing with other local schools at the Chelmsford Infant Music Festival. It's a busy run-up to Easter! 

I know all the staff would want to wish you a very happy and relaxing half term break. Your children thoroughly deserve the rest as they have worked so hard since the New Year. I hope you enjoy some family time together and look forward to seeing you again on Monday 26th February.

Best wishes

Tracey Wilson