Principal’s message

We have already been back two weeks and time has flown!

This week was Anti-bullying Week, which started with our Odd Socks Day where we celebrated the wonderfulness of difference. The theme of the week this year was ‘make a noise about bullying’, and the children have had lots of discussions both in assembly and class as to how we can share concerns with people in school and at home. We have combined this week with our Children in Need fundraising and today the children all look amazing in their spotty-themed clothing. All our work from across the week will have been shared on Seesaw for you to see.

Tonight we have our Children in Need Concert at St Thomas’ Church, which the wonderful Mrs Smelt has organised. I cannot wait to see our talented children performing. If you are coming along, please bring lots of loose change for this worthy cause- you may be in for a little treat from the staff ‘band’ also!

We had a visit from one of His Majesty’s Chief Inspectors (OFSTED) last week to carry out research into the provision for children in the Early Years and Key Stage One. Many of you will remember we had a visit last year as research into a report on the provision for Religious Education in schools, and so it seems we must be a favourite of theirs to be specially chosen again! We relished the opportunity to show off what we do, as both of these visits were optional, and I am immensely proud of our school and to be the Principal. The inspector was blown away with what she saw and how wonderful and polite our children are.

On Tuesday, we held the AGM for our Friends of Greetland School PTA. Thank you so much to those who attended as the money that FOGS raise for school has helped us so much, particularly with the current cost of living crisis and budget restraints in schools. Last year they funded all the new KS2 reading books which are simply amazing and will go a long way in supporting our mission that every child is a reader. They also funded resources for our KS1 library. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing Chair, Diane Taylor, for her tireless efforts to support the school. We have elected new co-chairs- Caroline Lumb and Dani Moffat- but are still in need of someone to take over as secretary at the end of the year and would also really like to encourage as many parents as possible to  join FOGS. Numbers have really dwindled and we are in danger of it not being able to run any longer, which in turn would be at the detriment of our children. If you are interested in helping out- no matter how small a contribution- please email: FOGS@greetlandacademy.org.uk. Watch out for information shortly from FOGS about the  Christmas Fair which we are holding up at the Community Centre given that the KS2 gym is out of use.

It’s that time of year again when parents of reception age children for 2024 start to select their school for their little ones. Tours of the school have already begun and will run across the next two weeks. If you do know anyone who is looking for a school, please point them in our direction no matter where they live, as there is a growing chance that our catchment area is expanding as birth rates fall. We cannot wait to welcome our new families to our Greetland family.

 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend. Only 38 sleeps until Christmas!

Mrs Crowther