Current Newsletter

5^th December 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

I’m delighted to share some exciting updates about how this term is going so far.

Year 6 – Outstanding Progress!

Huge congratulations to our Year 6 pupils who have just completed their second set of Mock SATs papers. Comparing these results with September’s first set shows incredible progress! By measuring the whole-class data against the September outcomes, we can see a significant improvement: reading progress is now twice the expected level for Acorn Trust schools, and maths progress is three times the expected level! This is a phenomenal achievement and a testament to their hard work and determination.

We ask parents to continue supporting this fantastic progress – we can’t stop now! Please keep up with homework, ensure children are in school on time, and encourage that positive attitude in class. Together, we can make this a truly successful year.

Our Commitment to Success

At our school, we are dedicated to securing the best possible outcomes for every child. Success in primary school has a huge impact on future achievements – it creates a domino effect that influences GCSE results and further education opportunities. By working together now, we are laying the foundation for lifelong success.

School Improvements

We’re committed to creating the best possible learning environment for our children. This term, we’re in the process of upgrading our heating system to ensure comfort during the colder months and installing a new security fence around the school perimeter to enhance safety. Thank you for your patience while these improvements take place.

Celebrating Our Boccia Team

Our Boccia team represented the school brilliantly at Sarum Academy on Wednesday, competing against 36 other teams and finishing in 10th place! We are so proud of their achievement and the fantastic sportsmanship they demonstrated throughout the event. Well done, team!

Thank You for Attending Parents’ Evening

It was wonderful to see so many of you at Parents’ Evening. These meetings are a fantastic opportunity for teachers to share the progress your children have made and for us to work together to achieve the very best outcomes. Thank you for your continued support.

Oak Apple Christmas Event

Last week, the children were very busy creating beautiful Christmas tree decorations for the Oak Apple Christmas tree, which is now on display in Great Wishford. As part of the Christmas celebrations, there will be a Christmas Light Switch-On event on Saturday, 6th December at 5:00 PM at the Oak Apple Barn.

We’re thrilled to announce that our very own Finley from Reception Class has the huge honor of turning on the lights this year! We hope many of you will join us to support him and celebrate together.

Thank you for being part of our school community and for everything you do to support your children’s learning. Let’s keep up the great work!

Warm regards,

Hannah Shillito

And He who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’
Revelation 21:5

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the new school year. I do hope you are well and that you had a fantastic summer break – what weather we had!

A new school year means lots and lots of new experiences, opportunities and possibilities ~ and, yes, new challenges. September marks a new ‘season’ for the school as a community; a fresh start, a clean slate, requiring new ways of thinking, learning and being as the school welcomes new members, new lessons and new expectations.

The great thing about any new season is that it gives everyone the chance to truly see God’s purposes working out in exciting ways. All that will unfold as the school year progresses doesn’t happen by accident. It’s through prayer, being with God, seeking His will, His strength and His encouragement in all that we do that we explore ‘the new’. We are never along in the new; God is always with us, for as John says we may have “confidence in approaching God and when we ask anything according to His will, He will hear us. 

We never walk into the new alone. Of course, it takes courage and confidence, but it offers the chance to grow and expand. The new also allows us to let go of things which might hold us back: Isaiah suggested we should “forget the former things; not to dwell on the past, for God is doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not see it?

At the start of this new term, I hope everyone in our amazing learning community can confidently look forward rather than backwards, grasping all that God has planned for us, all that He will gift us and that this is another wonderful year in the life of the school.

Gracious God,

thank you for the gift of this new school year and for the promise of a fresh start.

You are the Lord of new beginnings, and we thank you for your faithfulness through every season. 

As we step into this new season, fill our hearts with new blessings, joy, and peace.

Give us a fresh vision for the future and a hopeful expectation that Your goodness is coming.

In your name we pray,

Amen

Blessings and thanks

Jonathan
Rector

Wylye and Till Valley Benefice.