Start to a new term

The summer term has begun very well, with children seemingly pleased to be back. They have settled in very quickly and we’re getting on with the task of making up for lost time. Even though lockdown restrictions are still in place, they are continuing to ease slowly and the term promises to be a lot of fun, especially as we can now begin to plan for class trips again. Year 2 are our first class to go out and about since last March, with a trip to the Subtropical Gardens in Abbotsbury on the 11th May.

Other restrictions carry on as before. Thanks to your speedy drop-offs, which everyone seems to have got down to a fine art, we have a very smooth start to the day. Face coverings should continue to be worn whenever you are on the school site please, unless exempt.

Bank Holiday Monday

School will be shut on Monday 3rd May for the bank holiday. I hope you all enjoy the extra-long weekend. We’ll see everyone again on Tuesday.

Clever Never Goes

In class next week, we will be talking to children about keeping safe when out and about, especially if someone asks you to go with them. In times past, we would call this ‘Stranger Danger’ but the approach now is a bit more considered than that. We will be using some resources from the ‘Clever Never Goes’ website. Instead of creating a fear of people, this approach helps children to recognise the danger in a situation, regardless of who’s involved. Teachers will be helping children spot occasions where they might be asked to go with someone and talking about strategies to help keep them safe.

If you would like to back these messages up with some discussion at home, please have a look at the Clever Never Goes website: https://clevernevergoes.org/parents-2/

Big Pedal

Thank you to everyone who joined with their children in taking part in this year’s Big Pedal. It was a lot of fun and it was good to see so many children walking, cycling and scooting to school. Counts have been entered every day, and accompanying parents and younger siblings have also been included to make it a whole school community event.

Our final scores are as follows:

• 1587 journeys in total – including ‘supporters’
• 49% of our children taking a healthy trip to school
• 412th place nationally (of 2000 school taking part)
• 39th place in the South West
• 1st in Weymouth and Portland

A great effort everyone. Thank you for your support.

School events this term

Because of the importance of emerging carefully from lockdown restrictions, we have taken the decision not to organise any events this term that might involve a large gathering of parents, such as sports day. We are expecting that normal service can be resumed from September, with parents attending events at school as they used to.

We will plan a Year 6 leavers assembly in some form.

We are planning for parents evenings to go ahead in July – provisional dates are Tuesday 6th, Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th.