Although we are still early in the new academic year so much has happened!

Our children have been working really hard in lessons and it has been wonderful to see so many of them engaged and enjoying their studies. Thanks to our dedicated staff, the children have had lots of different opportunities which have given the children additional learning experiences.

Children in Year 5 visited the National Space Centre and their stories and recounts show how much they enjoyed the trip. Children were able to go in a weather pod, try on a space suit and visit a planetarium.

Our Year 1 and Year 3 children had a lovely time meeting Reverend Jenny Ingram at All Saints Church as part of the Harvest Festival celebrations. They had a good look around the church and one of our Year 3 children told me that she thought the church was ‘a magical place’.

I saw some lovely writing in Year 4. The stimulus was chocolate, and this helped the children really stretch their vocabulary. Children were able to describe the texture, taste and appearance really well. The Ministry of Chocolate will be visiting our Year 3 and 4 classes soon to build on this work. I look forward to seeing the outcomes.

When it comes to sports many of us are really enjoying the Rugby World Cup in Japan and I am looking forward to the impending local derby between Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers (I have to admit to being a Tigers fan which of course has gone down well in the staffroom!) Some of our Year 5 and 6 children took part in a tag rugby festival and the boys and girls clearly enjoyed the tournament. Staying with rugby, we were delighted to welcome a coach from Northampton Saints wheelchair team. Children we able to have a go at this exciting and dynamic sport and the children loved having this opportunity. It certainly opened their eyes as to how difficult it is to manoeuvre the wheelchairs. They really enjoyed bashing into each other – it made quite a noise which they enjoyed too!

Children will also be involved in badminton competitions, football matches, multi skills and cross country events later this term. I wish them luck and hope they enjoy themselves. I received a letter from one of our sports coaches which made me feel really proud. He said that of all the schools that he works with our children are consistently the best behaved and the most supportive of each other!

Lots of the children have spoken to me about the Soap Box Derby which took place recently in the village. Some of them were heavily involved in designing and making the cars. The event was quite a spectacle and groups of children are already hatching plans for next years cars!

I held a meet the new Head Teacher session after school in the Key Stage 1 building recently and it was lovely to meet so many parents. They made me feel very welcome and this is much appreciated. Parents have also been invited in to school to attend information briefings for the Year 3 trip to Caythorpe and the Year 6 trip to Swanage later in the year. Mrs Fallady also hosted a meeting for parents of children in Early Years to give them some ideas about how to support our children with their writing and phonics. Each event was really well supported and thank you for this.

Our wonderful PTA are having their AGM very soon and I look forward to working with them for the benefit of our children. There are a number of projects that we will be working on to further improve our provision and so watch this space for updates. Please do get involved with our PTA even if you only have a few hours to spare.
We are organising a number of events as part of our Black History Month which commences very soon. Children will have the chance to learn about influential characters from history and to see and hear African drumming and dance first hand.

We are supporting the ‘Young Minds’ campaign which is looking to raise the awareness of mental health in children. Children will be involved in a variety of activities on the day including designing a Mental Health super hero, learning about being resilient, but also making sure that children know who they can turn to when they need advice, help and support.

We will soon be having our Polling Day for the School Council elections. I am looking forward to seeing this for the first time as I have been told that the school really embraces the election. There is already quite a buzz around the school and the candidates have started on the campaign trail! I wish all candidates the best of luck!

Very best wishes,

Head Teacher

• Year 5 Space Centre Trip Year 5 Space Centre Trip
• Year 5 Space Centre Trip Year 5 Space Centre Trip
• Harvest festival Harvest festival
• Tag Rugby Tournament Tag Rugby Tournament
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