School Events Next Term

Tuesday 22nd April - First day of Term

Thursday 8th May - Swimming for Year 5 and 6 begins

Monday 19th May - Sports Day

Tuesday 20th May - Trip to Winchester Science Museum for Year 3, 4, 5 and 6

Friday 23rd May - Last Day of Term

After school clubs 

Monday: 3.30-4.30 - Sports Club - Football

Tuesday: 3.30-4.30 - Musical Theatre Club

Wednesday: 3.30-4.30 - Dance Club

Thursday: 3.30-4.15 - VIP Club - Year 6 only. 

Friday: 3.30-4.30 - Fun Football Kick Around every Friday excl. 23rd of May

As ever, if you have an idea for a club, please contact the office.

During Term 5 we will be exploring the performances of Lang Lang. Lang Lang, born on June 14, 1982, in Shenyang, China, is a celebrated Chinese pianist known for his dynamic and expressive performances. He began piano lessons at three and won his first major competition at 11. Lang Lang's international breakthrough came in 1999 at the Ravinia Festival, where he performed Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. He has since played with major orchestras worldwide and at prestigious venues, becoming one of the most sought-after pianists of his generation. Lang Lang is also dedicated to popularizing classical music and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. We will watch different performances across the term, from solo performances at St. Pancras station in London to whole orchestral accompaniment and sell-out audiances in some of the worlds most spectacular concert halls. 

11th July 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

In primary education, each academic year serves as a crucial stepping stone toward long-term success. For children to reach their full potential, every step along this journey must be secure. My focus this year has been to evaluate current practices across the school and design strategies for continuous improvement, ensuring that every child leaves our school equipped with the strongest possible foundation for future learning. This letter sets out the key changes to look forward to in September.

Thanks

A huge thank you to all of our volunteers, helpers and FRIENDS for your efforts across the year, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve so much without your help.

We’re also incredibly grateful to WMSET for awarding us a grant to cover the costs of  transport which has enabled our children to attend so many trips and visits and enhanced their educational experiences.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Paddy Macey for his valuable contribution this year. As a long-term supply teacher, he has brought much-needed stability to our Year 5 and 6 class. It has been a pleasure to have him as part of our school community and we wish him well!

Looking ahead

As we look ahead to the new academic year, I’m delighted to share some exciting updates and developments that will help shape a stronger, more vibrant future for our school. September marks the beginning of a new chapter—one that builds on our strengths, embraces thoughtful change, and places our children’s learning and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

Vision and Values

From September, we will be guided by a new vision statement and a refreshed set of core values—a foundation that will inspire and support every member of our school community as we continue to grow and thrive together.

Our new vision, taken from Colossians 3:23, is:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart."

This powerful message speaks directly to the heart of education and the vocation of teaching. It reminds us that wholehearted effort, passion, and purpose are at the centre of everything we do. We want our children to embrace this mindset—not only in their learning, but in all the wonderful opportunities life offers.

We are especially proud that this vision and our new values have been shaped by the voices of our whole school community. Over the past term, teachers, children, and parents were invited to share their thoughts and ideas about what truly matters to us as a school. The values we have chosen—Love, Joy, and Determination—reflect the richness of those contributions. Thank you to everyone who took the time to be part of this important process.

Love – Rooted in the Christian teaching to love God and love our neighbour, we believe that showing love to all will make our school a place of compassion, care, and commitment. It is through this love that we build a community where everyone feels valued and supported.

Joy – More than fleeting happiness, joy is about finding contentment, wonder, and satisfaction in the world around us. We want our children to experience the joy of learning, of discovery, and of being part of something bigger than themselves.

Determination – We will encourage our children to persevere through challenges, overcome obstacles, and work towards both personal and shared goals. Determination builds resilience and confidence—qualities that will serve them well throughout life.

These values will be woven into every aspect of school life—from the classroom to the playground, from assemblies to after-school clubs. They will help us nurture not only academic success but also the character and spirit of every child.

Class Name Changes – Inspired by Our Pupils

One of the most joyful changes has come from our pupils themselves. A persuasive and thoughtful Year 5 student approached me earlier this year with a brilliant suggestion to rename our Year 5 and 6 class. Their idea sparked a whole-school conversation, and after a democratic vote on Move Up Day, we’re thrilled to announce our new class names:

•          Reception, Year 1 & 2 – Wrens

•          Year 3 & 4 – Kingfishers

•          Year 5 & 6 – Kestrels

These names reflect the spirit, energy, and uniqueness of each phase of learning—and we’re so proud of the children for leading this change.

Strengthening Our Teaching Team

We’re also welcoming a new face and celebrating the continued dedication of our current staff:

•          Kestrels (Year 5 & 6): We’re thrilled to welcome Lucy MacDonagh, a dynamic and passionate teacher in her second year of teaching. Lucy brings high expectations and a deep commitment to pupil progress. She’s already spent time with us this term, getting to know the curriculum and her new class, and we’re confident she will be a fantastic addition to our team.

•          Kingfishers (Year 3 & 4): Ruth Marks continues her excellent work supporting children as they transition into Key Stage 2. Her understanding of this crucial stage ensures children feel supported and challenged. She’ll be joined by Donna Johnson, who will work across both Kingfishers and Kestrels, bringing her experience and warmth to both classes.

•          Wrens (Reception, Year 1 & 2): We’re delighted to welcome back Rach Foster, a highly skilled HLTA with a wealth of experience in early years and KS1. Alongside Emma Bishop, whose nurturing approach and expertise in emotional regulation are invaluable, this team is perfectly placed to give our youngest learners the best possible start.

•          Five to Thrive and Trauma Informed Approaches – Both Rach Foster and Donna Johnson have completed Five to Thrive training and Acorn Behaviour Support training and are expertly skilled in supporting children who may find aspects of school tricky, especially when dysregulated.

Curriculum Enhancements

We’re continuing to strengthen our curriculum through collaboration and innovation:

•          Writing: We’re working closely with colleagues in the Wylye Hub (formally the Small Schools Hub) to share best practice and enhance writing outcomes across all year groups.

•          Maths: To build fluency and confidence, we’re introducing Numbots in KS1 and Times Table Rock Stars in KS2. These engaging platforms make learning number facts fun and effective. A new reward system will also be launched to celebrate homework achievements.

•          Homework: In addition to maths platforms, children will use Doodle Learn for spelling, grammar, and maths revision. More details, including logins and guides, will be shared in September.

•          Reading: We’re launching Reading Bookmarks – a new reading reward scheme – to encourage daily reading both at home and in school. Children will earn rewards for their reading efforts—because every great learner is a great reader!

Enrichment Opportunities

•          Music: We’re excited to welcome Emily Askew in the spring term (Terms 3 and 4 only). Emily is an inspiring music teacher who will lead weekly instrumental sessions and offer private tuition.

•          Forest School: Clare Matthews from Bear Roots will lead fortnightly forest school sessions, helping us work towards our first Royal Horticultural Society Schools Award.

•          Sport: We’re proud to have earned the Gold Sports Award, thanks to our inclusive sports programme and the leadership of our fantastic sports leaders.

Behaviour and Routines

We’ve already seen a positive impact from our new lunchtime routines, which promote calm, respectful dining experiences through our ‘Family Lunch’. In September, we’ll continue this momentum with a renewed focus on behaviour expectations and routines, aligned with our updated school vision and values. These changes will help create a more predictable, supportive environment where every child can thrive.

We are incredibly excited about the year ahead. These changes—carefully considered and rooted in our commitment to excellence—will help us build a stronger, more cohesive school community. I want to thank all our staff for their continued dedication and adaptability, and our families for your ongoing support.

Here’s to a restful summer and a fantastic year ahead!

Warm regards,

Hannah Shillito