Newsletters

Newsletter - Friday 9th September

${alt_tag}$

Dear Parents and Carers,

I write my first newsletter of the school year with a heavy heart. It is with great sadness that we begin our new term with the news of the death of our Queen, Elizabeth II. This morning's Assembly began with the school reflecting on our Queen's reign and her incredible service to our country. Two of our children, Evie and Rehmat, had written their own prayers and shared them with the school. As a school we are mindful of the legacy the Queen leaves behind. Queen Elizabeth II embodied so many of the characteristics we value: respect, resilience, responsibility, faith and dignity. She was an incredible monarch and also a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. We will remember her with affection and her service with admiration.

With the exception of the sad news, we have had a wonderful start to the term. Welcome to all our new children and their families! I have loved greeting so many new smiling faces coming through the school gate. I have enjoyed running around school and seeing all the children settled into their new classes.

We also celebrated three weddings over the summer holidays, and so welcome back three newlyweds with new names! Congratulations to Miss Carter, now Mrs Weait, Miss Mehta, now Mrs Thapar and Miss David, who becomes Mrs David. I would also like to take this opportunity to let you know that Mr Cheesman is no longer my Deputy Head, but I am so pleased he has decided to stay on for another year with us, teaching in both Years 3 and 5. Therefore, I am delighted to announce Mrs Biscardi is taking up the mantle as Acting Deputy Head for this academic year. We will be advertising for this position in due course.

This year promises to be bigger and better than ever! Not only do we have the new build coming on well, but we also have our new breakfast club, new after school activities and extended care. We have some new members of staff - welcome Mrs Young, Mrs Kaur and Mr Hawkes and some very exciting new extra-curricular initiatives with the introduction of LAMDA classes and Junior Dukes too.

Junior Duke Award

This morning, Mrs Underwood spoke to all the children and as part of The Duke of Edinburgh Award, we are introducing Junior Dukes to St Bernard's Prep. This life skills award scheme created for younger children who are looking for adventure!

A mixture of challenges including: domestic, physical, First Aid, Eco, plus tasks around team building and community engagement. This award scheme is designed to help children grow their skills, confidence, resilience and independence.

We plan to run this as an after-school activity on Tuesdays, however if the demand is overwhelming we will open up additional days, to ensure all of our children have the opportunity to attend should they wish to do so. The children were very excited about it. A ParentMail letter will follow with more details.

Dramatica and LAMDA

Today we also welcomed Ruthie, the Head of Dramatica. Dramatica teaches classes in both drama and the performing arts.

They work alongside LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) providing acting and public speaking training. LAMDA Examinations are offered to those as a means of achieving a recognised, certified level in Acting, Musical Theatre and Public Speaking. From Grade 1 to Gold Medal, the exams promote performance skills appropriate to age and experience.

This is a great opportunity to support our children's oracy, drama and confidence and develop skills outside the classroom and especially for those who will be attending interviews for their secondary schools.

This will also be offered as an after school activity with more days added if the demand is there. You should have already received details via ParentMail with more detailed information with regards to reserving your child's place directly with Dramatica.

${alt_tag}$

Dates and Reminders

Headteacher's Challenge

Closing date for the Headteacher’s Challenge is Friday 16^th September. We would love lots of entries to judge.

Who inspires you?

Why do they inspire you?

What do they inspire you to do?

You can present this in any format you wish. You might like to paint the person that inspires you, make a poster or write a short essay.

Congratulations to Raman B who brought me his entry today!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome Meetings

We are delighted to reintroduce in-person welcome meetings for lower and upper school. Please come along to meet the teachers and find out about the year ahead; our expectations, homework, SATS and important dates.

Monday 12th September 5pm - EYFS and Years 1-3

Monday 19th September 5pm - Years 4-6

Monday 19th September 5.45pm - All Year Groups - Internet Safety

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

School Closure - Thursday 15th September

The school will be closed on Thursday as our Remove children will be sitting their Bucks 11+ secondary transfer paper. Wishing you all the best and I know they will be in all of your prayers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Open Morning and Evening

This term we wil be holding an open evening, as well as an open morning, to accommodate working parents. As you know our strongest selling point is our children! We would love for children in Years 4,5 and 6 to be able to stay on at school on Thursday 29th September to be our ambassadors. A ParentMail with details will follow, but we do hope your children can make it, so they can give back to their school community.

Thursday 29th September 5:30pm - 7pm

Friday 30th September 9:30am -11am

Thank you all for a great start to the term. I look forward to watching our children grow and flourish over the coming year.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs A Verma